New FF: teri meri Kahani.pt 7 pg 8 9/11 - Page 2

Radhika , too, got in her car, waving to Vishaka, pulling out of the parking lot.

do you want to grab a coffee?' interrupted a smooth voice.

Radhika did not answer, concentrating instead on fastening the seat belt. Finally, raising cold eyes and in a voice reeking of disgust she replied no thank you, Rochak'.

radhu I have some interesting news. You could be the first to hear it,' Rochak cajoled. Plating pocket billiards, he had been lingering in the shadows for quite some time now.

Its Radhika to you. Even more appropriate would be Ms Sharma. And please nothing you say could ever be of any interest to me!' Radhika noisily pushed the key in the ignition.

As few other employees sauntered in the car park. Radhika thanked the stars. She knew what this sleaze ball was capable of.

Rochak came closer to the window whispering men cants resist a tease and they say in bed---

Radhika curtly and loudely interupped ,' Watch it! Im sure of the statue of limilations is not over, charges can still be pressed'.

Rochak recoiled as if slapped. Radhika knew his aversion to her was temporary. Just as a fish cant live out of water, a shopaholic without credit cards, rochak could not stay away from women. The wiring of his head was messed up; it was only dis-connected. Glaring at Radhika , he abruptly walked away; softly mouthing rude names. She overheard the word,' frigid bit**.'

Calmly reversing the red swift, Radhika joined the ongoing milieu of chaotic traffic on the main business street, birhana road. Flashing neon signs of various international brands, plastered on old crumbling buildings, loudly proclaimed global commercialization.

For just about everything else the populace stands divided from where we pray to the water we use, yet as consumers, all are one - empty brains with loaded wallets! Radhika, a novice cynic mused.

She turned the steering hard, just in time to spare a cyclist who out of nowhere, appeared bang in front of the car. Driving in these streets was a nightmare, but Radhika always experienced a sense of peace when she got behind the wheel. Tonight, in was solely missing.

What will I do when he Actually gets here, she worried. take the next right... to the railway station!' her conscience, suggested. shut up!' Radhika retorted. Sometime later, having parked the car in the garage Radhika stepped into the foyer of her house. She struggled to keep her expression pleasant.

Radhu, you are late again? Why dint you answer your cell, I called several times!' her mother, mrs Devki sharma, the last of Mohicans ( a title lovingly bestowed by her husband of thirty-five years) demanded.

sorry ma, I dint hear it. Must have been busy,' Radhika said, dropping her bag and laptop on the table.

why are you always so busy at work? If you want, I'll talk to that lady boss of yours,' Devki suggestes. It sounded more like a threat

ma, on eis supposed to be busy at work... that's what you get paid for,' Radhika replied.

sarkari job kar lo! Manmohan singh has increases salaries in the public sector.'

Ma, don't you have something useful to do?'

Go and sit with ur dad. Tullu, get the tea and sandwiches ready for didi!' wailed the mistress of the house, marching off towards the kitchen.

Her mother ran the house smoothly, in spite of the few rough edges she possessed, particularly for those, who in her I-Know_it-all opinion did not treat her children right. That scope covered every known living organism.

I'm sure its always the mother who is the root cause of people turning psychos or brilliant successes. Both highly abnormal' muttered Radhika. She took refuge in the family room, with the only person beside Vishaka, who got her from the word Go'.

The first love of radhika's life, the only man she had, in all the wisdom ... of five-year-old, publically proclaimed to marry... Her father. Mr Brijmohan sharma. A retired CFO of a financial company, running his own business consultancy, was radhika's one-stop-shop of pure love and solace.

there you are chotu, you look tired,' Brijmohan observed her, over his beige rimmed glasses. He quickly went back to one of his three addictions- the Discovery channel. The second was khana khazana and the third, sanjeevkapoor.com. no he did not have a man-crush on the above mentioned chef, just a plain simple Indian obsession with food. Why are Indian men so much into food? Even when, most of them cannot cook Maggi, which comes with written instruction.

what are you thinking chotu?

papa, I have already lived around twenty-two percent of my life. I am no chotu.' Radhika quipped, collapsing in her favourite chair, the right next to him.

Mr sharma quickly did the math. eighty-five years or so!, not if your mom lives hundred percent of her sixty-five years.

oh you are mean!' Radhika giggled.

Affectionately patting her knee, Mr Sharma then went on to repeat the age old, beaten to death clich,' you will always remain a child"

for your parents, no matter how old you get,' finished her mother entering with Tullu and tea in tow.

how come you never think in similar terms when you want my room tidied or have me married off to any stranger, literally off the streets,' Radhika retorted, directly to her mother.

you and your silly remarks! I have some good news,' mrs sharma said handing her the cup.

Keeping her head bent, Radhika sipped the scalding liquid. Her body tautened anticipating the lightning strike.

Vaishali didi called; she and dev are coming here and guess when?' Devki dint wait for any response. day after tomorrow by the afternoon flight!'

Radhika clutched the cup, lest it might meet the same fate as the pencil and nearly the files. So it was confirmed- her worst fear was about to come true, she ever knew its ETA.

Arre say something , aren't you happy? You will finally get to meet your badi maa after three years,' Devki said.

Three years, seven months and the number of days I am a little confused about, Radhika quietly deliberated.

Badi maa! Dev's mom, Mrs. Vaishali Purohit was and is best friend with radhika's mother. They only refer to each other as sisters born of separate mothers.

Their husbands, Brijmohan sharma and Mr. Vishwas Purohit , as providence would have it, were childhood friends. In a strange coincidence, two best friends married two best friends. Tragedy struck close twice.. just kidding!

No maa, of course I'm happy.' Radhika assured. and anyways, I already know. I heard it in the office earlier today.'

why dint you immediately call up and tell me?' Devki admonished.

Shrugging her shoulders, Radhika finished her tea in a gulp. im a little tired, can I go upstairs and chill!' she got up to her feet. The excited plans her parents were laying out for the Purohits homecoming, pricked her ears.

Go ahead Radhu, do as u please, this is your house,' Brijmohan replied watching his daughter with thoughtful eyes.

Radhika climbed the stairs to the tree bedroom apartment, on the first floor. Earlier occupied by her elder brother and his family, it had come to her once they moved to Mumbai.

Elder to her five years, Namit sharma, an IMA Ahmedabad passout, was currently a financial head honcho of a leading infrastructure giant. He was married to an absolute sweetheart, Meghna aka Mugs. A pediatrician by profession and an adroit multitasker, who managed the job of a mother, doctor, wife, daughter and DIL in the best possible way known to mankind. They were blessed with two lovely twins, a six year old boy and girl, Piya and Piyush, cheesy names but adorable.

Wearily, Radhika flopped on the sofa, resting her head in the hands. She unconsciously massaged her scalp, vividly recalling Dev's painful grip on her hair, the blazing hatred in his eyes accompanying the vicious words,' You greedy women! I will come back , I promise... to destroy you and everything you ever held precious.'

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yours

sushma