A Hundred Flukes

A week of Peace...Almost

A week of peace...almost - Chapter 31

"You numbskull dunderheaded clod, where will you fry the kachories and samosas, on top of your waste space head? Haye re Nandkissore... which was that dreadful moment you thought of sending this bundle of foolhardy upon dear miserable earth?" rang Madhumati's hysteric siren, cutting across the hubbub of Lakshmi Nagar's street market. A strolling hawker too paused for a moment at the wide open front door of Chandan kothi, shaken by the sheer amplitude of the drum like old woman's appalled screech. He cleared his throat, shook his head wondered how even after spending the last four decades of his life, stretching his vocal chords, crying the price of the potatoes over his cart he could not imagine matching what the grumpy lady's larynx had just accomplished.   

Khushi and Payal slowly pulled fingers out of their ears and found their aunt still glaring at the younger of the two.

"Sanakadevi, do you realize we cannot grow a snack shop in your long braid? We need space, we need gas, we need a huge stove, we need lots of oil to fry, lots of sugar for the sweets to soak, lots of milk to make mawa, lots of ... arre nandkissore I'll have to put all my life's savings to sustain the expenses. Money doesn't grow over the Babool trees of Lakshmi Nagar."

Khushi sighed her gaze fixed at the floor, she had thought about this but if only she could get the shop started, they would soon have enough money to pay back and sustain.

"And why do you think people will come to our shop and not go to another nearly twenty sweetmeat shops in the locality?" she continued.

"Because we will make the best." she answered cheerfully.

"Hah, we will make the best." Madhumati taunted in mock squeaky ton. She turned her face away, muttering another series of nandkissores and scratched her chin as if in deep thought. “By the way, how does Madhumati Mishthan Bhandaar sound to you girls?"

Two shocked faces gaped. Silence. The next moment both the girls ran to their aunt hugging her tightly, "Madhumati Mishthan Bhandaar simply rocks!!" cried Khushi. Madhumati gazed upon the ceiling with pride, "Aww, that was a joke. Let this be named after the one who drops these crazy ideas into your head."

"Who?"

"Jai Devi Maiyya Mishthan bhandaar."

****

Five months ago

There is a reason why they say actresses shouldn't walk around without make up, they look downright ugly, especially if they are sloshed. Lavanya Kashyap smirked at the sight she beheld, Aliya Kapoor stumbled in a daze in her direction. Her eyes were spitting venom, it gave a certain high to Lavanya, she smiled sweetly in return. This angered the distressed damsel further, "You f**king bitch" she cried.

"The reporters are down there Aliya, I am sure you wouldn't want to be seen on page 3 in your present state." she said calmly.

Aliya struggled with her balance over her red stilettos, "I pity you Lavanya Kashyap." she sounded vicious.

"Really? Look who speaks."

Aliya chuckled mirthlessly, "Don't be delusional Kashyap, Arnav Singh Raizada sees you merely as an amusement. Once he's done with you, he'd toss you away like a used tissue..."

"I. Did. Not ask for your wisdom. Get over with it. Blame anyone you like or go drown yourself in self pity but do not create a scene here." Lavanya spat back.

"You'd be sorry one day Kashyap, that man is, hic... incapable of love." - That should have definitely been a drunken balderdash.

Lavanya sniggered, as if she was capable she wondered. Perhaps she had been wrong about herself.