Chapter 6
Font:
Text Size:
Theme:
[MEMBERSONLY]
Please ignore the typos and plot-flaws if you notice any.
A word of caution: Please don't get your hopes up when you read the end!
Manorama put the final stitches in the hem of the dress. Resting her tired fingers, she closed her eyes to think about the last month.
"Malini, I think we might be able to do this. I need your help getting a good customer, you are very well acquainted with a few such people, aren't you?"
Malini thought for a while. She wanted to help her friend, but the situation seemed a bit impossible.
"Do you think you'll be able to create a dress that a high society person likes? What if they fail? It's a huge risk, Rama.."
"My sister has agreed to provide the funds required for the first five dresses. If they sell well, we can recover the money and reap profits too! And I want to do this for Sasuma too.. have you seen how tired she appears these days?"
"What about Arnav's approval? Have you talked to him about the designs?"
"I asked him if he would mind that I used his designs. As expected, he doesn't mind. This will be a huge boost for him, too!"
"Okay, fine. I will help you get a customer. But remember, it will be my name along with yours that will be tarnished if you fail."
The month that had followed had been hectic for Manorama. This was the first time she had tried something so new. She was scared, yes. But she was excited too. Her heart seemed to know that this would work.
It would be of immense help if the dresses sold well.
"Ah! Manoramaji! You have done a miracle! This is the exact sort of dress I had been looking for! In my imagination, I had seen my daughter wear this, and you created it as I wanted! There must be magic in your fingers!"
Manorama and Devyani smiled at each other and then at their wealthy customer. They had done it!
"But Manoramaji, the price you are quoting for this seems inappropriate. Thoda soch kar bataiye na!"
Manorama wanted to snort with disgust. These so-called rich women, they had excess of money that they would gladly shell out for useless and worthless things. But it was when they were paying for someone's hard work, that they talked about bhaav-tol.
"Kya bataein Madam! This dress will look lovely on your daughter! I personally spent hours sewing it to perfection! Abb aap hee samajh lijiye, 2- or 3,000 isn't that big a sum for you. And we need to recover the cost for our materials too, don't we?" Manorama sweetly yet smoothly answered back.
The rich lady was in a fix. She wanted the dress, it was one of the most beautiful dresses she had seen. And these women had worked pretty fast at them- finishing it within a very short time, well in advance of her daughter's birthday celebrations. But paying so much? If it were a designer dress, she would have paid twice the amount easily, but this run down boutique.. Ish!
"Well, well.. A friend of mine had recommended you. So I will pay the amount. But please be prepared for more orders!"
Thus, the first AR collection dress was sold for Rs. 2,500. A huge amount for them, a paltry sum for the rich.
"Arre Arnav beta! Why are you still up? Don't you have an early tuition class tomorrow?"
Devyani was concerned with the way Arnav had been working. He would burn out soon if this continued.
"Nani.. please don't worry! I am fine. I am thinking of a different color combination for this dress. This is the first time we are trying a Punjabi bridal dress, I don't want to mess it up."
A year since the first dress they had sold, a mere two years since he began college, Arnav was already a well-known name in private designing circles. Yes, his name didn't hold any meaning to the elite, but for the middlemen, for the rich-but-not-so-rich women, for the wannabes- he was the best designer around. His dresses regularly fetched Rs. 4,000-5,000, with the costliest one at Rs. 8,300.
Business was booming. With the approaching wedding season, the demand for bridal-themed wear had gone up. Also, a few of their regular customers had requested matching jewellery to be designed.
This is where Manorama Raizada's eye for gaudiness helped. It took her lesser time than it would take Arnav to design a dress, to finish designing a complete set for the same dress.
Ramdulari, who had emigrated to Australia with her family a few months after the summer they had met, had been a huge support. She had loaned them their start-up money. When the season had gone slack, she had talked to a few friends who had helped by buying the dresses, albeit discreetly.
NK used to call once in a month. His chat with Akaash would last for at least half an hour, while Nannav would hand over the phone to Di with a simple, "I'm doing well, what about you?"
He didn't hold it against him, though. He knew his cousin had been working very hard to not only provide for the family, but also to reach towards his own dreams. He promised himself, one day, he would help out with the family business. He would be a support to his brothers the way his mother was.
Arnav was juggling a lot at the same time. His college, where he was at the top of his class, the boutique, designing and overseeing the finished product, making changes; and last but not the least his tuition classes. At the request of his Di, he had reduced the number of classes to two in the morning, but he continued teaching. It kept his mind sharp, he said.
Akash was faring well in his course at the university. It took some time to adjust to the new subjects, but once he did, there was no looking back. All his assignments were graded to be some of the best, while his classmates rushed to him for help if they had any doubts.
Akash and Arnav had decided that once Arnav would go abroad to study, Akash would take over running the boutique. He would use his knowledge to expand the boutique as much as possible. They had started looking out for people who could take Arnav's spot as a designer for the duration that Arnav would be abroad. Once Arnav would be back, Akash would complete his own MBA.
Together, they would take on the world.
Anjali was teaching English at a school that wasn't too far off from their new house. She would take an auto-rickshaw in the morning, visit the temple that was on the way, and then go to school. While coming back, she would regularly bring along some or the other trinket, or food item. Her younger brothers sure acted like adults around her, but they were kids at heart who would be excited with the smallest of gifts. She was happy with her life at present.
Yes, her heart yearned for someone to love. At the age of 27, she was expected to be settled in her life, thinking about kids. But here she was, no love in sight!
Right now, her life was full. She had lots to do. She and Nani were taking some time off from the boutique to go to Garhmukteshwar to fulfill one of Adarsh Raizada's wishes. Adarsh Raizad- Devyani's husband, who had passed away following complications from an unknown disease, at a young age. Adarsh Raizada. AR.
"Mama, where are we going next?"
"Beta, the man we are going to meet is one of my oldest business contacts. He has supplied me with some fine material, and he had also given me the silk that you used for that blue gown. Remember?
Kailash and Arnav had been walking through the busy streets of Allahbad's Cloth Market, with a heavy bag in both their hands. They had come to the city two days back.
Kailash had come for his regular bi-monthly trip to his suppliers and other merchants, while Arnav had tagged along to see how business is conducted at grass root levels.
Manorama had supported the idea of Arnav going along with Kailash. This way, her nephew would at least get a break! She had Akash to give her company. Akash had returned a couple of days back from his exchange semester at Mumbai. His summer vacation would be hectic- he was interning at some high profile publication house in the business department. But her would be there for her.
As Arnav towed the heavy bag on his able shoulders with ease, he looked around for some where they could have cool water or even something cold to drink. Maybe some juice.
Kailash noticed, and asked Arnav to wait in a shady spot while he finished his chat and sealed the deal with the shop owner.
Arnav sighed and kept the bag down beside him. He looked around, noticing how well the cloth market merged with a food bazar, people of different ages were milling around. Some ate pethas, while others sipped on their sugarcane juice. A flash of bright lavender caught his eye, and he looked for the source. It looked like a girl, with long hair. Young. She was laughing and around with another girl, probably of the same age.
Before he could see her face, though, his vision started blurring. He tried rubbing his eyes but it didn't work.
He heard someone call out, "Bhaiya, aap thik hain?" Such a sweet voice! Wait, it was the same girl.
Before he could reply, he felt a darkness steal over him. The last things he heard before losing consciousness were, "Arnav bitua!!" and "Eyy titaliya! Uhaan khade khade ka dekh rahat ho?"
Done!
Smiled?
Like, please!
Comment, too!
-Chibi
Next: Chapter 6: Fresh wounds
Your reaction
Nice
Awesome
Loved
LOL
OMG
Cry
33 Comments