Chapter 2:
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October 24, 2008, Chennai:
Khushi was one happy woman. Her life was perfect. In fact it was a bliss to live such a life, especially if you are cocooned in the warmth of love.
Today was one of the best days of her sister's life. She was getting married to the love of her life who invariably happened to be their distant relative. In fact, both he and Khushi were the best of friends. She had found a friend and an elder brother in him. She was glad that her sister had found her life partner in him too.
Initially, her parents were too apprehensive to accept the relation since it was always told that marrying within one's relation had many problems. But alas,none had realised that six years later, none of them will be there to have a pinch of those problems.
The day had started too early since the Muhurtam (auspicious time) was at 6 in the morning. The hustle bustle during any marriage is always fun. Khushi wore a baby pink saree which her sister had gifted her.
Her sister wore a maroon saree with green border. She had worn it in a traditional madisar. Her face reflected joy, happiness, love and a hidden sadness. The rituals went too smoothly. Khushi was running around doing all the works, occasionally stopping by to welcome all the guests and appreciate their dresses while she was being showered with compliments.
But she was soon called by her mother to be with her sister to check on her dress, makeup and fulfilling any other needs she had.
Finally the clock hit 6. This meant soon her sister would become his. Her eyes watered involuntarily. Khushi's father, Shashi Gupta came forward and made his daughter sit on his lap for the last time. His face showed mixed emotions and the turmoil he was going through was clearly reflected. Khushi's mother, Garima Gupta's face was no less. She was overjoyed, yet sad that her daughter was leaving her. Well who can deny the inevitable?
The Kanyadaan happened and the sacred thaali (Mangalsutra) was tied. A lone tear slipped from the bride's eyes which the groom so swiftly wiped off, promising in his mind to keep her happy always. Khushi stepped forward to hug her sister and whispered in her ears,"Akka congrats. Finally you got what you wanted. Inime enkitendhu viduthalai (Sister congrats. Finally you got what you wanted. You are free from me.)" This was one of the rarest occasions when Khushi called her sister as "Akka".
Her sister chuckled at that, a tinge of sadness washing over her. She would be leaving them soon and she didn't want that, yet she can't stop that too. Khushi looked at her "Athimber" (sister's husband/ jiju) who promised her that his love will be treasured always.
December 21, 2009, Hospital ward, Chennai:
The Gupta family were tensed, yet there was a ray of hope that things would get better. They just wished that the young one arrives safely. They passed a prayer to God. Khushi's hand was held by her dad, who was drawing all the strength from her and she was more than happy to give that to him.
Soon, a cry could be heard. They refused to let go off the breath they were holding since they wanted to be sure if their daughter was safe. As if on cue, the nurse came out holding the baby.
"It is a girl. The mother is safe too."
Those words meant a lot. Tears of happiness escaped everyone's eyes. Khushi ran to the nearest God's idol and mouthed him a "Thank You". Alas, the girl didn't know that five years later, she would be blaming him.
Khushi was ecstatic, she would be a Chithi (Mausi/ Aunt) to her little girl. She mentally decided that she would make the girl just like her. Dress her up, braid her hair, buy her new clothes and chocolates. She just couldn't wait to hold the tiny one. As she walked back to the room, a big grin was plastered on her face. She decided to call her athimber (jiju), who was on his way to Chennai with his family.
"Hello. Athimber? Ponnu porunthurka (It is a Girl baby)."
"She is also fine."
"Yes I will take a photo and send. Don't worry. Come soon."
As she entered the room, her face was a perfect sight to watch. Her sister's face was glowing. Motherhood had made her happy. She held the baby for a few minutes till exhaustion took over. Khushi ran to take her little niece in her hands. Her mother placed the tiny one in her hands and taught her how to hold the baby.
Khushi was lost in the baby's eyes. Those were epitome of innocence. The tiny fingers clasped around her long nails. The tiny feet were too soft and she felt a sense of protection wash over her.
January 10, 2010, Gupta Residence, Chennai:
Today was the naming ceremony of the young one. The little baby's parents were too ecstatic. They both had wished to have a girl since they can pamper her as much as they want and love her equally. Soon they were told to whisper the girl's name in her ears.
Khushi's sister whispered, "Asha. Asha. Asha", thrice into the baby's ears. This tradition is done so that the baby remembers it's name.
A new hope had sprung and no one knew this hope will keep happiness going.
December 22, 2010, Khushi's College, Chennai:
"Now I call upon the best student of the year, Khushi Kumari Gupta."
Khushi walked with head held high and her lips broke out into a wide grin as she received her award. Finally her college life was over and it was time to become the Journalist Gupta.
Her parents were happy. Shashi Gupta looked like he had unearthed some treasure. Garima Gupta who had initially been too apprehensive about allowing her daughter to choose her career as a journalist, was now too ecstatic. She was satisfied thinking that she had done the right thing.
As the three of them returned home, Khushi got a call from her sister who congratulated her but Khushi wanted to speak to Asha, she wanted to hear the sounds the little one made. She had been her nanny all the three months they had been in Chennai after her sister's delivery. There was not a moment when Khushi was without Asha.
They had decided to have dinner outside in Khushi's favourite restaurant. The family had become too close after the marriage. While they were having dinner, Khushi remarked with her mouth full, "Ma! What menu tomorrow?"
Her mother was expecting this. "Upma." (kitchdi) [literal translation: Up= salt and Ma= mother]
Khushi pouted then and there. "No ma. I don't like Salt mother please. Change the menu. Masal Dosa?"
"Khushi when you are eating now, think about the present. You don't know what future will have in store for you", Shashi admonished.
"Yeah Appa who knows, tomorrow Ma might make poori." Garima and Shashi looked at their second daughter who was relishing her dinner. The only thought that rang in their mind, "What will I do when this girl too marries?"
"Oh don't worry. Enakku veetoda maaplai than" (I will opt for Ghar jamai only) Only then did both realise that they had spoken their thoughts allowed.
They chuckled at her and continued with their meal.
October 23, 2012, Delhi:
Khushi had come to Delhi since she had to write a cover story on the recent scam. Being a journalist was tough and Khushi realised it too late. But who was she kidding? She loved her job. In fact it was her passion. She usually covered the happenings of Chennai only, she was very particular about that. But Delhi was an exception since she wanted to meet Asha.
Both Asha and Khuhsi were having their day out. Young Asha was clinging to Khushi with occasional words coming out and "chithi" being one.
November 9, 2013, Chennai:
It was Khushi's birthday. She was totally surprised to see her sister, her husband and Asha. They had visited her last week only. Her sister later told her that it was because of Asha's insistence that they were there. Asha had been crying for the past three days since she wouldn't be able to be with Khushi on her birthday.
Khushi's joy knew no bounds and she ended up feeding most of the cake to her. Garima Gupta had a tough time managing both the kids. It looked like they were having a cake and a carrot halwa competition.
She sighed. Life was getting bigger and better. What more could she ask for?
After all she didn't know that a year later she would be only showering blessings on her daughter as a shining star in the sky.
October 24, 2014, Chennai:
Khushi's sister, Asha and their whole family had come to Chennai to celebrate Diwali there. All her cousins had also come down. They were all having a blast with little Asha being the center of attraction. She had her own audience, but her most preferred audience was her Chithi. It was decided that two days later, on October 26, they will provide a final closure by bursting the 1000 wala. The location was unanimously decided to be the Beach.
October 26, 2014, 5:00 pm:
"Khushi", her mother called out.
"Khushi you aren't ready yet? Why are you still in this dress?"
"Ma! I have got an important call. I have to give a write up. I can't come. You all carry on."
"Khushi you will miss all the fun. Do this later and come now."
"Oh don't worry I have had such fun or rather more fun already." She didn't know that she would regret not going, later.
Soon, Asha created a fuss saying she will not come without Khushi. Sighing they had left her. Khushi regretted that because of her, Asha had to miss all the fun. No one knew that two hours later, all would be glad that Asha had stayed back.
October 26, 8:00 pm:
Khushi had finished her article and edited it too. All the while, Asha had been playing with her Barbie doll. Now that Khushi was done with her work, both of them decided to watch Tom and Jerry.
As Khushi flicked through the channels, she received a text from her friend. The text made her breath stop and her heart to shatter.
"Unannounced Tsunami in Marina Beach. Hope your family members are safe."
Immediately, she put the news channel while Asha didn't understand why her Chithi all of a sudden became serious like she was writing an "attic-ll-e".
The Tsunami had lasted for few minutes but that was all needed to destroy the harmony that was present.
October 26, 10:00pm:
The tally of the number of people who died due to Tsunami was increasing and Khushi's family was a part of it too. Khushi held on to Asha, drawing all support she could while Asha tried to make her Chithi smile.
She still held on to her hope that they are safe and would be back soon. But not all hopes are there to be fulfilled, are they?
Precap: Arshi meet. Suspense out.
Edited by Sadh123 - 9 years ago
Anupamaa
10