It was night and the society was buzzing with women in heavy saris and expensive jewellery rushing around to bring their 'thaal' for breaking their fasts. Men stood in a corner.
Ishita and Vandu stood together holding their plates in the resplendent setting. The roof of the building was wonderfully decorated with flowers and red curtains. There are water settings with diyas floating in them and
small diyas placed intricately made the place look mesmerizing.
Mihika entered the place. She was wearing a red sari. It was a simple red one which looked like a classic Victorian red with thin works on the borders. She had tried wearing something like this for the first time. Her earring went well with the dress and with minimal make up, she was definitely looking good enough to catch sight of a few.
Ishita and Vandu can up to her and the three started conversing. Like teenagers, Mihika's sisters enjoyed teasing her about the innovative fast. And then they asked her about Abhishek. Mihika found this inexpressiblely funny and she satisfied her thoughts by thinking that Abhishek would soon arrive. That was definitely the only good thing about the place right now.
When the moon came up in the sky, all the ladies went to take their spots and so did their husbands. Only Mihika and Madhavi (who was not fasting) were left along with children. Mihika felt like she needed to leave now because Abhishek must have come. But she still felt strange to leave Madhavi around like that.
"Pariamma, I think I need some rest!"
"No problem dear. You go and rest. Okay?" Madhavi told her with a smile.
"Okay. I'll leave then!" And with these words Mihika went down to the apartment. She was feeling excited and worried at the same it. This was a strange feeling.
She opened the door and instantly felt someone's gaze was on her. She was right! She turned back to find Abhishek.
"Hi!"
Mihika looked around and she was annoyed. She held his hand and took him in and closed the door. "What are you doing? What if someone would have seen you?"
"Mihika.." He sighed, "Jab pyaar kiya toh darna kya?"
Mihika rolled her eyes. They then sat down and had long chat about how the day had passed. A common expression came up from both sides, "It was a really long day!"
There was some comfort felt by both. It is difficult to express yet it was something which helped them evolve a better understanding for each other.
"Coffee?" She asked.
"Any doubt?" Her partner replied.
She went to the kitchen and started preparing while Abhishek called someone.
"My work? Have you done it?" And after conversing for a few minutes, "great! Thanks."
He quietly tiptoed into the kitchen, took a blindfold from his pocket and wrapped it around Mihika's eyes. Mihika was shocked and more than anything she was frightened.
"Abhishek, leave me! If you don't..."
"Then what?" He asked as if challenging.
"I'll make sure that you are arrested!" Mihika announced.
"Okay, now, this is dangerous for me!" His said feigning fear and then whispered in her ears, "Believe me! Please do."