This would be my second try in writing, ladies. Do let me know how you feel about it. It is long and I couldn't break it for fear of disrupting the flow . Hope you like it
Rishita comes home stomping her foot. Dev humiliated her in front of everyone in the shop saying she cannot handle money or the show- only thing she knows is to do kharcha. Gaumbi and Dhara bhabi were quick to rise to her defence yet they said it's okay if she can't handle the shop; they didn't say either that she will learn with time. As she entered home, she saw Raavi in the aangan sketching. She actually drew so well. Noticing Rishita, Raavi asked if she needed anything; she came back so early. That reminded Rishita of what had transpired and she vented it out to Raavi. Raavi commiserated with her that she too mixed up saunf and jeera on her first day and Shiva sent her packing before she caused any more losses. Rishita hit her forehead saying that now Dev will again continue - See our Dhara bhabhi; she can handle both the shop and home effectively. Raavi replied that- Well Dhara di did handle everything unlike them. Rishita looked at Raavi annoyed- now I want to do something to prove that all of us need not be Dhara bhabhi yet be able to manage. Raavi asked(rolling her eyes)- And just how will you do that? Start a new business?
Rishita's eyes darted from Raavi to her paintings and asked if Raavi could show her sketchbook. Raavi was confused with this change in topic but handed over her sketch book to her. As she saw Rishita's growing smile and the light in her eyes, she knew that she will plan something crazy.
"Yes we will start a new business." Raavi's eyes widened comically.
................
"Let me make this clear again- you want to sell my sketches. That is your idea of new business."
"Oh come on Raavi, you know how to sketch, paint, glass painting and even some crafts. And trust me they are very good. We can easily make a business out of it."
"Rishita, I know I am dobi. But even I can say that this will fail. Neither of us have ran a business or have any experience of even helping. We don't even know what price we should sell these at. How do we sell them? Where will we advertise? And where will we make them if we don't want to let anyone at home?"
"Raavi, everyone starts at some point. As for the pricing, I know an uncle( Kirti's friend's father) who can help us understand it. We will make them at home. But you have a point I don't want to let anyone of them know. Only after it is up and running I will inform Dev. As for advertising and orders, we will use instagram."
Raavi stared at Rishita for a long moment and sighed.
"You are serious about it. Okay we can deliver products to homes directly but we still need somebody of the family on our side. A bit risky but I think Suman kaki would be our best bet."
"Maa? " Raavi nodded. Rishita looked doubtful but thought if they had maa on their team, she can also handle things if they go out if hand.
Both girls looked at each other smiling giddily as they felt a common rush of excitement.
.......
Suman Pandya did not have grey hairs just for show. The moment she saw the two girls coming in together nudging each other, she knew something was cooking between them.
"Ay maharaniyo kya bolna hai bolo."
And out came the entire story from Rishita. She elbowed Raavi to show her paintings. Her first reaction was to refuse strongly but she saw the earnest expressions on both their faces. Raavi's paintings were actually so beautiful that it took Suman's breath away for sometime. Whatever else either of them would have done, one thing was sure that they were both brutally honest- whether it is Raavi or Rishita both spoke what they wanted about Shiva , Dhara or even finances. And the fact that they sought out Suman to help them endeared then even more to her. It has been ages since active decisions were made by her- Dhara had been at the helm of ship and Suman had not needed to do anything. Yet they had trusted her enough to come to them despite she having said harsh words to both on different occasions sometimes at the fault of their mayka wale too.
Plus ,Suman thought shrewdly, if the business runs they will have more money at disposal. Running a business would make Rishita understand the value of money and hardwork. Her being totally clueless about their financial condition is the bone of contention between Dev and her. Suman sort of understood Rishita's need to be stop being compared with Dhara too.After the marriage, Suman had seen that Raavi was perfect for her Shiva just as Shiva was for her unlike her thoughts in the wedding. They both brought out the wild passionate side in the other- Shiva needed Raavi to show him the beauty of the ruthless world while Raavi needed Shiva to protect her innocence and purity from this ruthless world. She could see the love and care in their eyes yet she also saw her son pushing her away in his folly and hurting Raavi in the process. This will keep Raavi's mind off from replaying only hurtful things and give her strength to handle her sanki Shiva.
"Thik hai. Hum yeh karenge aur yeh baat abhi hum teeno ke beech rahegi jaisa tum chahte ho. Par mujhe saare hisaab kitaab order sab jaan na hai. Tum naye ho par maine apni pati ki madad ki hai dukaan mai; tumhe bhi karungi."
Shock, surprise, happiness flitted through their faces before they both hugged Suman excitedly saying thank you. Then Raavi said that they will let suman know the entire thing. In fact they would teach her instagram so she could also handle the page when needed.
The remaining time of the day flew as Raavi and Rishita taught Suman Instagram- page, story, post, comment, reels. They both seemed so eager and enthusiastic that Suman was drawn in too. A little while later, she asked what would they name this.
Raavi said, "Rishvi creations".
"Yeh kaisa naam hai?", said Suman scrunching her nose. Rishita -" Arey maa, Rishita se Rish aur Raavi se vi..Rishvi ...achha naam toh hai..stylish bhi lag raha hai."
"Haan estylish toh lag raha hai . Thik hai rakh do"
......
Raavi and Rishita had made the page. Rishita and Suman took turns to handle the page noting down the orders they are getting. Raavi and Rishita had sent the page link in their WhatsApp groups and they started having followers. Raavi was ecstatic in having her hobby as her job. Suman decided that since they are learning business, they should divide the money in three of them in ratio 3:3:4 for Suman, Rishita and Raavi.
Today was their first order delivery. It was a nearby house- one of Rishita's friends. Raavi and Rishita walked over to her home to give it. They also requested her to keep it as her insta story. As they divided the money, Raavi spent her first salary to buy a chain with trishul locket like shiva used to wear before it was broken. She went to Suman requesting her to give it to Shiva and make him wear it . Suman was touched that Raavi spent her first salary on Shiva. "Tu khud kyun nahi degi?"
"Kaki, mai chahti hu Shiva yeh pehne.. mai dungi toh nahi pehnega. . Ek shirt layi thi mai abhi tak almari mai hai, chhu bhi nahi raha."
Suman made Shiva wear the chain next day and saw his eyes shine with admiration. Raavi has gotten to know her son well.
......
Today was the first time Rishvi got an order from a totally unknown person with his house on other side of the town. They had not made enough profit to start hiring delivery vehicles. Raavi suggested they bring in Krish. His college is in the same area. He can deliver it. As Krish came to know the entire thing, his surprise was slowly replaced by mischief and he asked that for every delivery he makes he should be given 40%. Both Raavi and Rishita narrowed their eyes. Suman entered from behind- humein gadhedi samajta hai? 10% hi milega aur woh mere hisse se jayega. Krish pouted - kya maa, aap toh inki team hogayi. While his bhabis showed their tongues to him.
....
If they could somehow sell their goods to tourists, they would make even better profits , pondered Rishita. Suman asked them to see if they can rent a stand in one of the shops in front of Somnath temple. Raavi decided that it is time to bring in Gaumbi to the plan. Gaumbi was surprised to hear what they have been upto yet he was proud that they could manage it. They both seemed so happy that he automatically agreed to talk to some shop owners. " Maa, kitne khush dikh rahe hai dono."
"Apne pankho se udaan bhar rahe hai. Khush toh honge hi. Gire sambhle lekin haar nahi maani meri betiyo ne."
......
It was Dhara's birthday. Dev and Shiva wanted to gift her a decorative piece for her room. They did not like the ones in the shop- they were good but not exactly what they wanted. Finally scrolling through insta, Dev saw Rishvi creations and a painting of Yashoda and Krishna. Shiva took an instant liking to it and they decided to order it.
On Dhara's birthday, they were waiting for the order to arrive while Rishita, Raavi and Suman were suppressing smiles. Gaumbi noticed and asked . They replied that they had ordered a painting for Bhabhi, it had still not arrived. Dhara felt it was not needed and she was happy with the thought. Suman laughed and asked Shiva to go to her room. He was shocked to find so many decorative pieces and paintings; the one he had order was on the bed. Totally confused he took it outside. Dhara gasped saying its beautiful. Shiva handed it to her and asked his mother why does her room look like a workshop. The painting was made there- replied his mother. Dev, Shiva and Dhara were confused to the core.
Gaumbi took pity on them. "Yeh rahe humare Rishvi creations; artist Raavi Pandya aur business woman Rishita Pandya" putting his hands on both their shoulders while they blushed. If they were confused before, they were shocked now. Maa told them the entire story and Dev said, " Rishita maine tumhe hurt karne ke liye nahi kaha tha par jo bhi ho tum dono se saabit kardiya ki tum kisise kam nahi. Waise maine expect kiya tha ki tum kabhi kaam karogi toh pehle salary se mujhe gift dogi par tumne toh nahi diya. Shiva teri kismat mujhse behtar hai kya?"
"Yeh chipkali? Issne chaat khaliya hoga par jo bhi ho tu painting karti thi pata tha itna sundar karti hai nahi pata tha"
Rishita smiled wickedly, "Sundar toh bahut karti hai par usne chaat nahi khai. Uska pehla salary ka gift tumhare gale mai hai"
Shiva looked down to see his locket; his mother was smiling while his wife sported a beautiful blush.
.....
In Shivi room, though shiva was very happy knowing about the gift, he felt a little left out that Raavi didn't tell him a word about the business. Rishita was proving to Dev and hence told her to keep quiet yet he had wanted his wife to open up to him. Of course she didn't consider him her husband; it was a compromise.
His thoughts were broken as Raavi handed him a journal- I wanted you to be a part of this entire journey yet I and Rishita had wanted it to be a secret for sometime too. So I wrote all my experiences with photos of all my works in this. It has all the appreciation and criticism I received. I want you to read it- I want you to know my journey.
Joy bubbled in Shiva as Raavi continued.
" Tune haveli mai kaha tha ki Pandya store mai kaam karna tujhe kitna pasand- issliye tel masalo ki khushboo se tujhe problem nahi hai. Dheere dheere mujhe bi aadat pad gayi par ab mujhe usmein teri mehnat ki khushboo aati hai. Jaise tu tel masalo mein latpat rehte hai ab mai bhi rang aur tape mein lipti hui hoti hu kaam ke waqt aur usmein ehsaas hua ki mai shaadi se pehle sab kuch upar se dekhti thi issliye tujhe pehchaan nahi paayi. Lekin maine iss beech jo bhi painting banaya hai- chahe dosti ki ho, dushmani ki ho, bachpan ki ho, shaadi ki ho meri har yaad mei tu tha. Sahi kaha tha- hum ajnabee nahi ban sakte kyunki hum ek dusre ki har yaad mai hai. Humein naya rishta nahi jodna puruna mazboot karna hai. Kya tu iss Raavi ko apne haq dega ki woh tujhe apne rango mei rang de?"
Shiva was speechless- his heart was racing. She was accepting him what he was; no changes required. He pulled her into his arms and whispered," yeh rang dhulna nahi chahiye."
They remained in each other's arms for a long time.
Book Talk
Naagin 7
Cricket
Tum Se Tum Tak
