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Part
TWO
TWO
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Gauri was at her friend Lisa's wedding. Lisa used to work at the travel agency, but had switched jobs some time ago. Gauri and Lisa managed to stay friends, acting as a source of support for each other through life's turbulences. Somehow, Gauri felt safe confiding in Lisa. As the only one who knew the fears and desires of Gauri's heart, Lisa came to appreciate the growth Gauri had made from timid and shy to an increasingly self-confident woman. It had not been an easy journey.
Lisa's bridal trousseau was the colour of the purest white pearl. Gauri watched in silence as her friend's face radiated light and warmth. A sudden pang of loneliness struck at her. But she brushed it off. She had become really good at ignoring this part of her. The part of her that longed for love, for the kind of acceptance that she never felt in her own family. Strangely, she felt more validated by Devyani than she did by her own mother. But Savitri was perhaps not entirely to blame either. Gauri exited these thoughts abruptly, like she had many a time. She would not allow herself to think about this.
During the reception, Gauri got a moment alone with the busy bride and the two got to chatting. Mayank, Akash's new PA and also a friend of Lisa's, had also been invited to the wedding. He shyly waved at them from a distance. It was not that Mayank was a particularly shy man, but he hated big crowds and parties. Mayank was of simple origins, a middle class background, an adequate education, and a forward outlook. His features were largely ordinary, even if his tall height and distinctive smile set him apart in any crowd.
Mayank heard Lisa's laugh and glanced towards her direction. Gauri was blushing and rolling her eyes as Lisa continued to laugh, with her hand linked with Gauri's. What was Lisa teasing Gauri about now, wondered Mayank. Soon enough, Lisa and Gauri made their way towards him. He unconsciously straightened his long back.
"Mayank, how about a dance?" said Lisa
"Oh, you know I am not much of a dancer, Lisa.." he stammered
"Oh come on, practice makes perfect, Mayank, and it's not with me, it's Gauri I want you to dance with," she said. Before either of them could register any more protest, she left them standing at the edge of the dance floor, walking away but making sure to wink at Gauri.
Gauri hated when Lisa did things like this. She actually wanted to dance, but she made herself believe she didn't. A moment passed in silence. Mayank extended his hand towards her politely. "Well, then?" She smiled in response, gently accepting his hand. They stayed at the edge of the dance floor, dancing awkwardly and making small talk with each other. Looking at Gauri up close for the first time, he noticed her profoundly un-cosmetic glasses. Gauri was one of the most down to earth professionals he had ever met. The thin rims of her glasses really suited her, he thought. Her unsteady and unsure smile was coated with an unpretentious glisten. It was definitely not lipstick. It dawned on Mayank that she really had no idea how beautiful she was. The song had come to an end, and Gauri withdrew. And suddenly, Mayank had the awareness of a man who had unexpectedly, without warning, lost himself in a woman's face.
Devyani re-adjusted the curtains of her office. It was too sunny outside. In spite of it being a Saturday morning, she had come to the office to go over next week's merger meetings. The travel agency might need to merge with another company and turn into a partner with less than 50% shares. The company was doing much better now than it was a year ago, but the weight of old debts, the economic recession, and the impact of the competitors was tough to manage all at once.
Lost in thought, Devyani stood by the windows, reluctant to adjust the curtains. Devyani closed her eyes and thought of her late husband. How did he manage everything without getting so overwhelmed? Her admiration for him grew each day as she dealt with the burden of the business together with teaching Akash how to handle it. If Akash's father did anything wrong, it was his tendency to spoil Akash from a young age. He had intended for his son to enjoy every opportunity, every moment of light-hearted fun in life. He delayed giving him any responsibilities, gave him light punishments for leaving boarding school with his friends without permission, allowed him to focus on extra-curricular activities more than school work. Akash was certainly a bright young man, but he was not particularly given to hard work. She had protected him for a long time, offering him many chances to learn from his mistakes.
How long could I protect him, she wondered. Last week Devyani had spotted him yet again at another party, in the arms of a different girl. When will his playfulness end, and at which point would he taken on his responsibilities, she had asked him. He had somehow managed to weasel out of the situation. It was not that her son did not respect her. Akash grew up with a keen sense of admiration for his mother, particularly in her role as a strong single parent. But he was given to a general slackness in attitude and wanted to enjoy life before settling down with his responsibilities.
Devyani drew the curtains shut.
Returning to her desk, she sighed deeply at the documents that lay in front of her. The proposal from the other company. Their offer was valid for the next 6 months. Their options, as she saw it, was to agree and to become a unequal partner, or to make enough profit over the next 6 months that the worth of their shares would grow overall, leading to a bigger cut of the shares for them, maybe even equal partnership. There was also the faint possibility of keeping their business whole, avoiding the merger altogether, but for that, they would have to show remarkable progress, which was unlikely given their current situation.
Akash impatiently tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. Another signal. At this rate, he was going to be really late for Payal's party. Less than 2 seconds after the light changed colour, he dashed through it, making a sharp turn into her street. But he took considerable time getting to the door, glancing quickly in his rearview mirror before he grabbed a small red velvet bag that had been sitting on the passenger seat.
Payal answered the door promptly.
"Surprise," she said, assessing his slightly bewildered look as he entered.
"There's no party?"
"Of course there is, silly, except it's just not that kind of party," she said, reaching for his hand, "it's a party for just you and me."
Akash was used to women throwing themselves at him, but more than that, he enjoyed the pursuit. Payal had effectively ended the latter. He forcibly relaxed his face into a smile, sighing softly as he offered the bag to her.
"Something for you"
"For me? What is it?"
"Open it," he said, thinking to himself...of course it's for you, do you see anybody else here? He had the faint feeling of being tricked into this rendez-vous, but before he could think any further, she wrapped her arms around him.
"It's a beautiful bracelet, Akash! Thank you."
Yes, Mayank has good taste, he thought to himself.
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
