FF: PALLAVI by Jalebi Jane SEE NOTE PAGE 117 - Page 69

I was away for a while and the story went to another level....superb updates dear .. what to even say...Raghav falling for and trusting Pallavi is the best thing ❤️

EPISODE 31

Raghav Rao was gratified to find Johnny stationed a few doors down from Deshmukh Saree Emporium, seated near a chaiwallah’s stall reading a newspaper and sipping his tea—yet alert to the activity around him. Their eyes met when Raghav stepped out of the vehicle, but no other sign of acknowledgement passed between the two men to expose their connection.

It was not entirely clear to Raghav himself why he had asked Farhad to have Pallavi guarded.

Their connection was not publicly established—it was not as though his enemies would know to pursue Pallavi to get to him. However, he had felt the need—and he trusted his instincts on such matters.

In any case, with Amma safe in the hospital and Kirti guarded at the palace, Johnny had the time to watch over Pallavi.

Raghav saw Pallavi was on that ladder—again!—arranging sarees on the top shelves. She must have received a delivery this morning, as she descended the ladder every now and again to remove goods from boxes, carrying them up to the shelves. She was alone.

Raghav paused outside the entrance of the shop observing her movements—an unasked-for pleasure. His admiring eyes passed over her shapely figure. Pallavi’s movements disturbed a particular lock of hair which was just a bit too short to remain safely tucked behind her ear. It repeatedly fell across her cheek, and she absentmindedly brushed it away.

As her arms reached up, her choli stretched tight over her breasts. His breath caught at her loveliness.

I have thus far, Sisters, presented you with a man not ruled by his sexual needs. But I don’t wish to mislead you.

Raghav was not indifferent or unmoved by a woman’s beauty. He was a man, after all. He had noticed Pallavi’s graceful limbs and her high breasts when she had slid onto the barstool that evening at the casino. He had noticed the curve of her waist and her exposed midriff when he had found her on top of this same ladder that afternoon he discovered her identity. He had appreciated all she had to offer physically but he was not one of those men who could separate the physical experience from relating to the entire person.

Had he been capable of that he would have followed Anjali into the swimming pool at the villa that night she threw off her clothes and jumped in. Anjali was a very desirable woman—but that is where it began and ended. It was all surface.

That is not to suggest that he had never sampled his share of attractive women. He had been selective but he had not been celibate. Lack of experience was not the way to characterize Raghav. And this experience helped him now imagine what it would be to take Pallavi into his arms. The thought powerfully stirred his loins.

***

Pallavi came off the ladder, folded it shut—and moved it to the corner. The mirror caught her reflection and she stopped to readjust her saree and smooth down her hair. Her skin warmed from activity had shifted her bindi so she moved closer to the mirror to readjust it.

A movement at the edge of the mirror frame caught her attention—and she saw it was Raghav Rao—observing her.

A shock of electricity—not entirely unpleasant—ran through her. She swung around to face him.

He climbed up and came towards her, saying, “While I’ve never understood the hobby of people-watching, I could quickly become a convert to the hobby of Pallavi-watching.” His lips curved at his own clever turn of phrase.

While she was flattered she did not allow her features to show it. Instead she asked solicitously, “How is your mother doing?”

“Probably terrifying every ward boy and criticizing every nurse.”

“A family trait?” she delivered cheekily with a lifted brow.

He gave a chuckle, stepped closer, and asked, “Is that how you see me? A tyrant?”

“Krishna has acquainted me with your reputation, Mr Rao—and the words pussy-cat and teddy-bear never came up.”

“Let’s go for coffee,” he suggested.

“I’m working,” Pallavi said, moving away. And to give weight to her words, she reached for an empty box.

She found her wrist caught in his grip.

“Don’t turn away from me when I’m speaking,” he said.

Removing his hand, she asked bluntly, “Why are you here?”

“Come for coffee and I’ll tell you.”

Pallavi indicating the empty shop said, “Krishna is away this morning. I’m alone.”

“Shut the shop for half an hour—”

“—I can’t afford to do that!”

“You cannot afford not to,” he said, “I’m your landlord. Either you shut the shop for thirty minutes now or I shut you down forever.”

Pallavi straightened with a huff. “Why must everything begin and end with a threat with you?”

“If you obeyed me, I wouldn’t have to resort to threats,” he stated.

“Obeyed—?!”

The rest of her screed was paused—as Raghav pressed his thumb to her lips silencing her. He bent closer and lowered his voice to an intimate tone, “Someday you will discover how much you enjoy obeying my orders—but for now, don’t resist. Come have coffee with me.” His thumb stroked her lip, and her lips parted without her knowledge. “This will be the most important conversation you and I ever have.” And indicating the shop entrance, he added, “And I won’t have it interrupted by nosy aunties.”

Was it Raghav’s past sins, Sisters—or just plain bad luck that he was in that very interesting moment interrupted.

“Pallavi?”

Pallavi tilted her head and saw the question was spoken by Rakesh who was standing immediately behind Raghav.

She also realized what Rakesh might have witnessed.

From any perspective, a woman caught with a man’s thumb teasing her bottom lip was susceptible to question.

“Rakesh,” she greeted, forcing a light airy tone to her voice, as she stepped out from behind Raghav. “You found our shop. Wonderful.”

But Rakesh was not so easily diverted. He looked at Raghav and then back at her, and asked, “Is this man bothering you?”

The thunderous look which entered Raghav’s eyes told Pallavi that unless she handled this situation carefully, this incident might spill onto the street in a bloody event.

She gave a laugh and said, “No, not at all.” And pretending this was an ordinary social scene, she made formal introductions.

The two men shook hands but it was very much in that manner when competing men measure each other’s strength. Rakesh was slightly shorter than Raghav but he was equally well-built.

She was grateful Raghav understood her desire for him to leave. And he did. But not before he conveyed with his eyes that he would be in touch.

Once he was gone, more oxygen entered the shop space. She breathed easily.

Rakesh asked, “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything—but I sensed you were under threat.”

“I wasn’t,” Pallavi said, then attempting to inject humour into the conversation, “So you want to buy sarees. Tell me—how many girlfriends are you shopping for today?”

Fortunately, this time Rakesh allowed her to shift the topic, and took her lead.

“Four,” he laughed. “And if I presumed to treat them like my girlfriends my practice would be immediately shut down on sexual harrassment charges.”

“Your practice?”

“I thought you knew—I’m a physician. I have four female staff at my clinic and I promised to bring them sarees.”

“I didn’t know you were a doctor,” Pallavi said.

“Of course. We’ve just met. But I hope we will get to know each other better in the coming days.”

How could she respond to that? So she gave a benign smile, turned to the shelves and asked, “What colours did you have in mind?”

While she and Rakesh examined sarees, Pallavi’s attention was intermittently drawn to the shop front. Perhaps it was simply the residual effect of Raghav’s visit—but she sensed she was being watched.

Originally posted by: PinkOrchid

Hello kindred spirit, yes love Harish, just wish he had more screen time. Hope KK is all well. Krishna too should get more screen time, I do like her so hope we see more of her after the wedding.

As for your Pallavi, it’s May Bank holiday where I am and I made a point of catching up on it. I thought I’d read a few episodes each day over the next few days but no, I have read from 15-30 in one sitting today! Housework can wait lol. I was engrossed. I take my time to not just read but to also take in the detail, the emotions etc. The story is captivating and flows so naturally. Love that the characters have a slightly different angle to them but maintain some similarities. It’s your style of writing and level of detail which I think I said before I really enjoy. I have several favourites from what I read today:

- I loved the meeting with Mrs Raje, Rahgav’s persuasive skills are to die for there, so subtle.

- I also loved Raghav at the saree shop again and the impact he has on Pallavi.

- The whole episode at Koffee Kahani, made me want to be there!

- As for the the garden scene, I wanted to give it a triple♥️.

- Their interactions at the hospital and the way you described his closeness, oh my🥰 then the fleeting kiss!

Can’t wait for more, as and when you can Bx

Thank you, Sister, for your thoughtful comments---and your close reading. I also love details in stories. And I agree, I loved writing the Koffee Kahani episodes. I wish I could visit KK right now. Lockdown makes one appreciate the sweet simple pleasures of life. Sigh

Keep reading.

Originally posted by: LyssaPie

Oh my he’s all smiles today... she’s not like that, love the way he said it with conviction.

I can’t wait for him to find out about the ring, c’mon PI get there already!!!

Amazing update as always

Vivek Kalia has been given two days. But something tells me Raghav won't wait for the official findings. How can a man sit still when he has just discovered love? :-)

Originally posted by: Mihika

I was away for a while and the story went to another level....superb updates dear .. what to even say...Raghav falling for and trusting Pallavi is the best thing ❤️

True, Sister. Things moved rather quickly. As you know well, the characters set the pace and we as humble writers try to keep up. hehe

I hope all is well with you.

I was just about to sleep and saw the story has been updated, thank you!!

Oh my now he wants to Become a Pallavi watcher, an absolutely beautiful scene, seems like there bound to be interrupted by Asha or her son 😂😂😂

Wah ..a passionate encounter

Will rak talk about to Rahul or something ?

Waiting to see what RR does now .. funny that all male names start with R

Stay safe .. happy Sunday

Hi dear lovely update 😊

How much I love that you discussed Raghav as a man and his desires for Pallavi...

Ofcourse ITV won't allow us see anything like that...

So thank you 🥰

EPISODE 32

Mansi was speaking to Pallavi’s reflection in the mirror, “I don’t remember this ceremony at your wedding, Didi. Was I present?”

Pallavi was standing behind Mansi’s seated figure, pinning her carefully curled hair into an up-do.

The Chettys were coming over this evening—again!—to officially present the Deshmukhs with the first wedding invitation. A rather ironic gesture—but it was yet another opportunity to dress up and eat sweets so who could argue with that?

Pallavi said, “There was no other side, remember. There was just me.”

“Oh! I’m sorry. What a thoughtless girl I am!” Mansi winced.

Pallavi said, “Please don’t apologize. I don’t want you to think of my wedding.”

“What do you mean?”

Pallavi sighed. “I don’t want your wedding to be linked to mine. As it is I feel my presence reminds everyone of what happened with me, and that casts a cloud over your wedding.”

Mansi twisted to face Pallavi, and frowned. “I hope you are not saying that you don’t want to be present at my wedding—!”

Pallavi commanded, “Eyes closed. Don’t breathe.”

Mansi obeyed.

Pallavi sprayed Mansi’s hair, and then set the hair-spray and comb on the dressing table.

Pallavi continued, “I’m attending your wedding no matter what, Mansi—but I find myself moderating my joy. Questioning what I should wear. Wondering if it is appropriate to dance—”

“That’s not like you. You’ve never allowed people to tell you how to conduct your widowhood.”

“Nor will I ever. But a wedding is different because ideas of what is inauspicious take on a heightened meaning at such times. Those who are normally not particular about such things become so at weddings,” Pallavi said.

Mansi asked, “Has anyone said anything? My Aayi?!”

Pallavi could honestly say that Kaku had not said anything to her on this subject. But since last night she had wondered whether Asha might disapprove of Pallavi’s presence.

Seeing Mansi’s worried looks, Pallavi said, “Nobody has said a word. These are just my thoughts.”

Mansi squeezed Pallavi’s hand and said, “If anyone even breathes a word of such nonsense to you, send them to me.”

Pallavi smiled her thanks and said, “Well, I better get ready.”

And as Pallavi was leaving, Mansi called out, “Wear something excessively pretty. Let’s give that boy from London something to feast upon.”

Pallavi took Mansi’s advice.

She pulled out the emerald green lengha purchased for her honeymoon from the suitcase. The tiny choli was embroidered with even tinier mirrors along the plunging neck. The back was nothing more than a dori. Fortunately there was a gossamer-thin dupatta to provide some illusion of modesty.

Pairing it with diamond chandelier earrings which drew attention to the elegant line of her neck, Pallavi decided to wear her hair up. Two strategically-placed haircombs held the heavy tresses up, except for some locks which escaped to frame her face.

A final look in the mirror satisfied her.

Why should she allow Asha Chetty’s dour looks take away from the pleasure she had always taken in dressing up? She was not an old maid—and she was certainly not a widow.

She was Pallavi Sawant: A young woman with desires and dreams. She would not allow anyone to treat her as a bad-luck omen or a tragic figure.

Originally posted by: AnjuRish

Wah ..a passionate encounter

Will rak talk about to Rahul or something ?

Waiting to see what RR does now .. funny that all male names start with R

Stay safe .. happy Sunday

I know! hehe

I didn't think through the cast of characters very well. Rahul-Raghav-Rakesh-Reddy. Mind you, I'm only responsible for Rakesh!

But there is Krishna-Kirti . . . Mandhar-Mansi-Milind . . .