Malaal-Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17:

“Jigar!”, Ahem said as he entered the house. He had called Gopi from the office and told her about what Hetal and Kokila had informed him on phone. Gopi had broken down on the phone itself after listening about Rashi.

Jigar came downstairs slowly, still in his black formal office suit. He had grown a stubble these years, and his eyes had darkened due to some reason, his jawline had become sharp, probably because he ate very less but he had managed to maintain his body in shape because all he did was either office work or gymming.

Jigar stood infront of Ahem, without saying anything. Like always.

“Jigar, I have some work tomorrow, so I won’t be able to go to Ahmedabad to accompany Mom and Kakiji. Would you please go instead?”, he asked. 

Jigar simply nodded and without saying a word, went upstairs again.

“Your silence would soon find words Jigar.”, Ahem thought and smiled. 

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“Why!”, Rashi screamed as she threw the flower vase at the wall her bedroom. It broke into a million pieces. She threw every single throwable thing around. She was fuming with anger. Gaayu, her chief househelp came running and saw the state of the room and Rashi. She knew what to do; she instantly called Ishan.

“Hello Ishan sir, please come quickly. No, I don’t know what has happened to Rashi Di”, she said in panic.

A few minutes later, Ishan entered the house and ran to Rashi’s room, Gaayu waiting for him just on the door. Ishan stepped onto a glass fragment as soon as he stepped in. He looked around. The room was in a mess, it seemed like a disaster had struck in there. He saw Rashi sitting with a wall, crying as she held her head. Ishan’s heartbeat ran. He slowly stepped towards her, when Rashi suddenly pushed a glass off the bedside table with full force in anger, and a shard of glass cut her hand itself. Ishan quickly ran to her.

“Rashi are you mad? What are you doing for god’s sake!”, he scolded her and held her hand. Rashi looked up and that one look broke Ishan’s heart. His heart told him that it was definitely something about the Modis. He wished it wasn’t.

“Ishan, why now? Why do I meet them after so much time? Finally when I was learning to live without love, they enter my life. Why?”, she asked among sobs.

Ishan hugged her with tears in his eyes. “Rashi, they won’t change a thing in your life. I promise. We are in this together. You won’t go through it all over again. You are strong enough. Isn’t it Rashi?”, he said and tried to smile. 

He picked her up and made her sit on the bed. 

“Gaayu, get the first aid please.”, he said and Gaayu nodded.

He started bandaging her hand. “Now tell me Rashi, what exactly happened?”, he asked softly. Rashi narrated the whole story to him.

“You showed swag to Kokila Modi? LOL.”, he said and laughed, trying to lighten up her mood. Rashi couldn’t stop smiling on seeing him try so hard.

“Rashi listen, forget about it okay? You’ve got your collection launch tomorrow. You know how grand it is. It’s rare that the designer has high chances of outshining the models on the ramp.”, he said and smiled.

“So get yourself in a good mood and be a star tomorrow. That’s rule number one for being Rashi Shah.”, he said proudly.

Rashi nodded and tried to think about the next day’s show. 

“Plus, Harshad sir would be very very impressed. As always.”, Ishan teased her. Rashi rolled her eyes and hit him playfully.

“Don’t use that teasing tone while talking about Harshad for god’s sake.”, she said irritated.

She looked around her room in confusion.

“Di, I’ll get this room clean quickly.”, Gaayu said.

“Yeah, I’m going to sleep in another room. And sorry yaar Gaayu, you have to do work at this hour.”, she replied with a puppy face. Gaayu laughed and hugged.

“Come on Rashi Di. You are the best person I have known lately.”, Gaayu said. Ishan raised his eyebrows.

“And you also!”, Gaayu replied and laughed.

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Jigar landed in Ahmedabad. He immediately felt a heavy feeling, as if someone had kept a stone on his heart. It had been years since he had come here. He slowly walked and called a cab. Through the windows, he kept on looking at the scenes outside.

“This is a fast moving place.”, he thought. The creepy, heavy feeling wasn’t leaving him. 

He rubbed his engagement ring as usual, when he was in anxiety. That meant, always.

He reached the hotel where Kokila and Hetal were staying.

Hetal and Kokila hugged him. Kokila signalled Hetal.

“Jigar glad that you came. Actually you know, there’s a fashion exhibit tonight in the city. It’s one of the biggest of the year. Will you take us there?”, she asked innocently. A sudden flash of confusion appeared on Jigar’s face.

“Fashion show? You?”, he looked at Hetal and Kokila.

“Yes Jigar, along with western clothing, a traditional exhibit would also be held. It’s been a really long time since me and Motabhabi have checked out new clothes. It’s a request.”, Kokila answered.

Jigar shrugged and nodded, remembering how much Rashi loved fashion and shopping. She had eaten his brains up saying, “Let’s go shopping now!”, when they had gone to Switzerland. Years ago. He felt a pang in his heart and headed to the reception slowly. Kokila and Hetal looked at each other with determination.

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