Sacrifice And Realisation (BOOK #1) ✔

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Sanchi stood rooted in her place the moment she saw the young girl Nidhi, who was only one year older to both Sanchi and Vidya. Unable to think of any way to avoid Nidhi's eyes, Sanchi covered her face in a makeshift veil using the saree she was wearing already.

Standing behind the pillar of the corridor, Sanchi saw Nidhi throwing her arms to Vidya and embracing her in a split second. Flaunting the baby blue sundress that she was wearing, Nidhi muttered in her outspoken voice, "Hey Vidya, how are you girl? You know you've grown fatter than I saw you last time."

"I know Nidhi, and you are as usual sporting the slim tanned figure!" Vidya teased her.

"I know I am always the best looking girl in the town I live. Is the turmeric ceremony done? I wish it is because I can't join it only to spoil my pretty moisturised skin." Nidhi was the one who always carried a special accent of airs of pride in her voice.

As Nidhi continued chattering with Vidya, Sanchi sneaked out noiselessly to reach her own room.

*****

Sitting on her bed in the guest room, Sanchi was contemplating of what she would do to keep herself aloof from Nidhi. She was in short of plans and extremely worried for the sudden arrival of Nidhi.

Vidya entered Sanchi's room in a hurry. "Now what are we supposed to do? I hadn't expected this Nidhi bomb to be suddenly dropping early in the afternoon. I thought Nidhi and your family were going to arrive in the evening. But Nidhi said she was getting excited for the function so she gave us this surprise. Your parents will be joining us in the evening only."

"I know Vid-ya and I'm sca-red now. We'll think of a way but remem-ber nobody in your fam-ily is supp-osed to call me by the name Van-ya in front of them. You've prom-ised me." Sanchi seemed too scared.

"You already instructed us when dad took the permission from you to invite your family. We know that we'll call you by Sanchi but what about keeping you away from Nidhi now? The evening will be crowded and you have assured us that you can keep yourself away from them for the few hours." Vidya expressed her concerns.

"I am try-ing to think some-thing beca-use she is my elder sister and she can recog-nize me easily. The guests will start pour-ing only after six in the eve-ning and there's yet five hours left for it." Sanchi frowned, tapping her feet in nervousness.

"And there's this new problem, the other guest room is filled with my dad's family from the village and our outhouse is also not empty. We had given it on rent last week." Vidya shook her head.

"I got it. It mea-ns Nidhi needs to sha-re room wi-th me!" Sanchi fell on her bed with a thud.

"You can shift to my room if it is suitable for you."

"I can't beca-use in an hour, the par-lour girls will crowd your ro-om and it'll be diffi-cult to make room for me. Even Gari-ma aunt's room is fill-ed with her own family." Sanchi held her forehead.

"Fast, Vanya. We need to think of a way before she starts searching for me." Vidya was pacing the length of the room nervously.

"Wh-ere is she now?" Sanchi asked her.

"She went to meet mom and dad."

"I think I'm shar-ing the room with her. I have made a plan whi-ch will save me in the even-ing too." Sanchi blurted, "I'll hide my-self under the veil and after they dep-art, I'll remove it. Nidhi and my fam-ily should know I'm dumb. I need some-one to help me from time to time to pro-tect me from my family."