Posted:
Ok - I promised I wasn't going to do another OS, but some promises r written on water! Credit to Sou, whose VM inspired me.🤗
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Anandi was on cloud nine. The funding for the school had been approved and they had just deposited the funds in the bank. She felt like dancing and could not stop smiling. Shiv who had driven her to Jaipur was just as thrilled. More so seeing Anandi so happy.
"Shiv, rukhiye" Anandi grabbed his arm as they were driving through a bazaar. Anandi jumped out of the jeep as Shiv pulled the vehicle over on the side of the road.
"Mein school ke ladkyoon aur teachers ke liye kuch gifts lena chhati hu...please...aapko koi jaldi toh nahi hai?" She asked with hopeful eyes. Shiv had taken the day off to come with her to Jaipur, so he had no objection. He didn't like shopping but, he was happy to spend more time alone with his wife.. He loved Jaitsar, but there he had to share her with everyone else.
They together selected some educational toys and sports equipment at kids' toy store. Shiv was just paying for it when Anandi spotted it in the glass counter. A silver baby rattle with ornate engraving on the side. So small and delicate. She asked the salesgirl to show it to her.
Anandi reverently took it out of its box and rattled it. The sound unfurled a lost hope within her heart. A dream she had long surrendered. A wish she had lost along with Jagya. But, here it was again - a possibility when she least expected it. With tears in her eyes and a wistful smile on her face, she looked at Shiv where he was picking up the shopping bags.
Shiv immediately noticed the wateriness of her eyes and raced to her side.
"Kya hua? Tum theek ho?" He asked skidding to a stop beside her.
"Haan - mein aab bilkul theek hu. Aankhon mein shayad kuch dhool ghira tha" she stated with an extra bright smile as she wiped her eyes. Worried she was hiding something, Shiv tried to read her still luminous eyes.
"M'am aap yeh lenge? Humare paas yeh ek final piece hai" The salesgirl interrupted their eyelock with the question. Shiv looked at the boxed item Anandi had been examining and then at his wife. Blushing, Anandi shook her head to indicate no.
"Humein iski koi zaroorat nahi hai!" She said softly then headed for the shop's door. Shiv hesitated a moment and then followed.
Shiv's cellphone rang as he stepped out of the store behind Anandi. It was Bheem Singh. As he started talking, Anandi signaled she was going into the next store to buy some saris for the teachers. Shiv nodded to indicate he would join her there shortly.
Shiv was still on the phone when Anandi returned 15 minutes later. As he was facing away from her, he didn't notice her. She snuck behind him and re-entered the toystore again.
Once inside she quickly made her way to the counter with the silver rattle and asked for it. The salesgirl looked at her wide-eyed then seemingly at something beyond her. Finally with an apologetic smile she hesitantly replied.
"Sorry m'am, woh panch minute pehle koi aur le gayya!" Disappointment filled Anandi. She consoled herself that it didn't mean anything, but it did. She had let herself hope again only to...Wiping her eyes, she turned to leave only to bump into what felt like a solid wall. It was Shiv.
"Kya hua? Tum theek ho?" Shiv asked again.
"Kuch nahi. Muhje galat family hui ki mein eider kuch bhool gayi thi..chaale?" She stated resolutely once again heading for the store's door.
Shiv again hesitated. He mouthed "shukriya" to the salesgirl then followed his wife with a new dream in his luminous eyes.
Anandi was quiet on the drive home. Morose at her lose at first. But, determined by the time they returned home. The rattle was a mere symbol. What mattered was the possibility. Giddy with that thought she smiled at Shiv. Happy once more.
Shiv saw the kaleidoscope of emotions on her face and patted his chest pocket. Her wishes were his dreams.
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There was a gift waiting for her on her dresser that night when she sat down to brush her hair before bed. Shiv - she thought with a smile. He was always surprising her. She loved his notes as much as his gifts. She saved them all in a box and liked to re-read them from time to time whenever she needed a mental boost of wisdom.
The contents of this gift box left her speechless. It was the silver baby rattle from Jaipur. With shaky hands and once again teary eyes, she picked up the note tucked underneath the rattle.
"Jab humein iski zaroorat ho ye uss din ke liye, Shiv"
Shiv watched silently from the doorway as she tucked the note away in a drawer and placed the rattle in a small glass case on the dresser. Shiv walked towards her as she closed the glass case and adjusted its placement on the dresser. Their eyes connected in the mirror as he stopped behind her.
"Tum theek ho na? Mein tum pe koi dawab nahi daln..." She turned and placed a finger on his lips to stop him.
"Aap bahoot bolte hai! Mein khus hu!" She stated with a smile and then after a pause hugged him tight.
"Shukriya, Shiv" she whispered into his chest as he hugged her back.
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PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE HINDI SPELLING MISTAKES. Thank you😊
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