New FF: teri meri Kahani.pt 7 pg 8 9/11 - Page 5

where are you off to?' Mrinalini inquired.

to meet my new conquest ofcourse! I shall not be back for lunch,' dev announced over his shoulder. He headed for the pristine, brand new, royal blue Merceded SL-500, a gift from his parents, for completing his masters from Wharton with excellence. One of his fathers cardinal rules-gifts are big, only, if endeavor and results exceed expectation. Only a few knew that dev, a meritorious student, could have accomplished a large chunk of his education through scholarships, but chose to pay, so someone not equally fortunate, could score a seat.

Dev hid his humility with contrived arrogance. Humility was a concept better understood by the middle-class or indian reality show winners. His friends only got' gizmos and complexes- the one you live with or live in. one thing dev had picked up from his father at a very young age was success frees you to be yourself. And success is not inherited, it is achieved. Dev was just bidding his time and turn. Time and turn, to co-manage the Purohit empire.

Reversing out of the large iron wrought gates, dev's head was full of a pair of almond-eyes, flushed cheeks and raven hair, instead of his glamorous date: a socialite from out of town, who he had just bumped into yesterday.

The subject of dev's thought was thinking of him, too, but not as favourably. opinionated jackass! Haraamkhor!' grumbled Radhika, crossly. Nothing can be as cathartic, as hindi cuss word said with feeling. A single cuss alone can be described and relieve anger enough to go in the straitjacket.

Even though mrinalini and dev had been conversing softly, Radhika the beagle', as called by her brother, had overheard every single word spoken by them.

Dev Purohit who cares about what you think? Unpolished , gauche, my foot! He probably thinks he's god's gift to women... I'll show him!' declared Radhika, her usually pleasant expression, marred by a severe scowl.

You look angry. Radhu, what happened?' questioned Vaishali emerging from her room.

Quickly, Radhika altered her frown to a smile. everything is fine and it shall only get better, badi maa.' Gazing at her sneakers, radhika's eyes sparkled with much malice, like the baddies of old movies. The ones who for lack of props like machine guns, tongue-twisting contraptions or scantily clad molls and transvestites, relied heavily on the yes, to portray character.

Did you meet Dev?' Vaishali inquired.

Yup, he was on his way out somewhere.'

And what do you think?' Vaishali probed.

Radhika's honest response would go like this, Bada bhagwan, chota shaitan.' Therefore out of affection for the Purohits her lips remained interlocked as the brain forth few more suggestions. Different!' was all she could spit out.

Vaishali chuckled. I know dev is a little spoilt, but his heart and head is in the right place. I am sure he will grow on you.'

Like a bloodsucking parasite, Radhika silently derided. Bhabhi said you were looking for me?' she changed the topic.

Oh yes! I just received some saris and suit materials from Calcutta, beautiful kantha work. Choose as many pieces as you like.'

Badi maa please, you have given me way too many things already,' Radhika protested.

I'm your Badi maa. You can never say no to me, understand?' ordered the older women, affectionately. we all missed you at the party yesterday,' Vaishali said, launching into an immediate discourse about last night's party.

Next day, the Purohit clan, including Dev, sat at the dining table and was about begin breakfast. Radhika traipsed in, a smile on her face.

Dev instantly was lost to the smile. In his eyes, it vaulted her from beautiful to stunning.

Unaware of his complimentary thoughts, Radhika briefly and disdainfully glanced at him. I do not care for you or your designer butt, see that in my eyes! she telepathically tried sending dev that message.

Dev grinning, wickedly thought, I know how to get you !' catching radhika's eyes at a leisurely pace, travelled all over her. Within seconds, a tell-tale blush crept up Radhika's cheeks.

What would happen if I were to actually touch her?' the unbidden though shot to his mind. Dev immediately quelled it. Radhika was not his type. Moreover, god forbid, if I ever harm a hair on that lovely head, my own family will plunge the knife in my heart. Dad and VB will probably toss a coin, to see who gets the first stab,' he whispered to his libido.

jerk!' Radhika hissed. Today she had adorned a loose t-shirt and baggy jeans, yet dev's intimate examination made her want to tug at her clothes.

What good timing Radhu, come join us for breakfast,' Vishwas warmly invited.

Thank you uncle but u just ate. I only came to give there. My notes are scribbled alongside the articles.' Radhika handed him some loose papers.

What are this?' dev quizzed.

These are the articles for our annual magazine which I had asked radhu to proofread.' His father replied.

she is an experienced proofreader or maybe, a qualified editor?' dev inquired. Radhika did not miss the veiled sarcasm.

radhika is extremely creative and multi-talented. You should study last year's corporate brochure and catalogue of our company. Page by page, line by line, it was all her work,' Vishwas praised.

Yes, that was done very well indeed,' Vivek agreed taking a gulp of the juice next to him.

Radhika is awesome!' Mrinalini mouthed, pointedly looking at dev.

Dev had seen the brochure under discussion. That was quite neat, he thought. However, he did not say it.

Please... that was no big D. uncle and VB guided me all through.' Radhika was more at ease being a backbencher, unnoticed, invisible.

Rubbish! Radhu, if you want to rise in life, learn to take praise as well as the brickbats for your work,' Vishwas advised. VB and dev slyly rolled their eyed. Their fathers penchant for dropping such pearls was a great source of sneaky amusement for his family.

Radhika nodded, solemnly, absorbing Vishwas's words. Dev on seeing ger serious expression hid a wry grin.

radhu, what kind of eggs would you like?' inquired emerging from kitchen, followed by two servants carrying trays laden with breakfast. It was a tradition at the Purohit household, to prepare a variety of dishes at each meal, irrelevant of the number of people at the table.

They are probably making up for the drought forever present in some parts of the world, Radhika silently mocked, as she declined the invitation, No, thank you badi maa, I just ate.'

Then sit and have a cup of coffee with us,' Vaishali directed pointing at the empty chair next to Dev, who accordingly pulled it out for her.

sure!' Radhika slid into the offered chair, purposely, stepping hard on dev's foot. oh! I'm sorry.'

No harm done,' dev responded, trying to ignore the throbbing toe.

Are you sure? The sole of my sneaker is very hard.'

Mrinalini took a large swig of her coffee; Dev immediately glanced at radhika's feet.

Good god!' dev scowled; today radhika's sneakers were gigantic. A thick layer of dried mud, caked on either side. What he did not know was that the ghastly, oversized, and psychedelic sneakers were brought yesterday from the most ghatiya dukaan of aarya nagar. The mud zealously appied and dried overnight with a hairdryer.

Aren't they nice?' asked Radhika , modeling her foot solely for dev's viewing displeasure.

Dev could not keep the sneer out of his voice, Don't you have any other footwear except sneakers? What are you...one of the William sisters?'

Bingo! Radhika clamped her lips tightly, holding on to the fake injured expression, hovering on her face.

Vaishali immediately censured, Dev that is not for you to say!'

yes, your mother is right. Don't tell Radhu what or what not to wear. Remember, your own yellow dungarees? Or those tight pink pants, which you lived in?' senior Mr Purohit, too, rose in radhika's defense.

A dull red covered dev's face, as he shot back, The dungarees were cream. And the maroon, not pink pants was something that mom got for me from one of the trips she went on.'

Just when dev assumed the worse was over, his mother confesses, dev, I didn't say anything then as you really liked them but those pink pants from Harrods were actually a gift from preeti bua's elder daughter. She was uite plump at that time.'

For a second there was a complete silence and then vivek guffawed, his laugh loud and booming. Vishwas followed suit and so did mrinalini and Radhika. The muscle working on dev's jaw, only increased the mirth, overflowing, on the dining table.

This is way better... I practically lost control of my bladder, Radhika reflected, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands. However, she could do nothing about the wide smile; it refused to budge from her face.

thanks mom!' Dev glowered at Vaishali.

What did I do?' Vaishali replied in all innocence, trying to bite down her broadening grin.

Very funny!' Dev made a move to get up, his appetite gone.

Radhika leaning closer, whispered, Much unpolished and what was that word... gauche of you to wear women's clothing.'

Instantly, dev realized that Radhika had overheard his chatter with mrinalini yesterday. Now Radhika, had taken this to another level, and dev sure as hell was not the kind to turn the other cheek, you little brat, apologise right away and I might forgive you.' Dev offered her a last chance of escape.

At devs look, Radhika felt a strange sense of excitement rush through her viens. Her face, like the rest tingled. Tossing, the glorious mane over her shoulder, she challengingly scoffed, Apologise? You must be out of your mind. This time you've messes with the wrong girl!'

The intention was not to mess, Radhika sharma. But now I promise.. you shall be thoroughly messes with!' dev softly declared with a glint in his eyes. They both stared at each other unable to look away.

Oddly breathless Radhika stuttered a hushed, "bring it on!" using every ounce of will power, she managed to glance away breaking the hypnotic effect of the enemies eyes.

The others had the table had stopped laughing. All their attention fixed on Radhika and Dev, as they could not hear the exchange going on between the two.

I'm done!' dev got to his feet.

I'll be off. Mom is waiting for me,' Radhika said. The two headed in opposite directions, both experiencing a sudden need to get away from the other.

Damn! What was I thinking? I almost kissed a millennium behenji and that too in front of everyone,' Dev breathed, shutting himself in a bathroom. On second thoughts, cancel the kiss.' I wanted to shake her! I will do exactly that the next time she comes around,' dev promised his reflection, as he adjusted his shirt and something else. Women only fidget with their hair that much, and dongs with their tails.

its's only the absolute joy of victory that is making my heart gallop like a horse on steroids,' Radhika muttered, speedily exiting the Purohit household.

The older woman ushered Radhika towards the cabin. The boss is expecting you, please go in,' she urged.