Koki knew her husband was nothing short of a romantic poet and a lover of music. He did not earn too much but what he did not earn in money he made up in his love for his wife and children. Thanks to Parag's dad, Parag was left with enough money to support his family and pursue his own dreams. His investment in the Modi empire did not hurt either. One day when Ahem was 15 years old and Kinjal had just started school, Koki decided she needed to buy some new clothes for Ahem and Jigar. Those two were so close. They would not allow their mothers to only buy for one. If it was bought for Ahem then Jigar got one too and vice versa. Otherwise the brothers refused to wear it. Koki smiled when she thought of how close the cousins were. No one could find one of them somewhere without the other being very close by.
She loved her Mota Bhabhi as well. Mota Bhabhi had helped her adjust to a life in the Modi Bhavan. Koki always thought she was the unwanted child to her mom. And here as a Modi bahu her opinion was respected and wanted and always welcome. It was a whole new way of living in so much love and admiration. Mota Bhai was more like a father figure to Koki. Ahem had admired his kaka and always said I want to be like kaka when I grow up. Koki always wanted her kids to dream and pursue their own paths in life and not be pushed into anything.
So here she was entering a shop where you could find clothes for men and women and boys and girls. Basically everyone under the sun. Koki decided just for the fun of it she would go see what the latest design is for the sarees. She asked the lady at the counter to show her some in her and Mota Bhabhi's favorite color. She was looking around and saw a couple who were so into each other that they were lost to the world. The husband, she mused, insisted his wife buy a pink saree because it was his favorite color. The lady just giggled and said you always buy me a pink saree. This time I want a blue saree. The man then said as you wish my love. Koki was for some reason taken by the voice of the man. Then she realized why. The man sounded like PARAG! Koki thought that was not possible...Parag was in Mumbai at a poetry convention. So Koki moved a little to get a better look at the man and sure enough that was Parag. Koki just stood there stunned and did not know what to do. She felt her whole world shatter around her. The man she thought the world of and loved with all her heart was here with another woman and acting like a newly wed. Was she seeing things? Was her mind playing tricks on her?
She did not even realize the lady at the counter was calling her and asking if she is ok. Koki just looked at the lady and said I am not feeling well so I am going and I will come some other time. Saying this Koki left. While leaving she passed by the couple to double check her suspicions. And sure enough it was Parag. By this time Koki had tears in her eyes and walked out of the store without her purse that she had set on the counter. She got in the car and told the driver to drive straight home and to hurry.
When she came thru the doors of the house Baa and Mota Bhabhi were preplexed to see Koki coming home empty handed. Koki always bought something for everyone when she went shopping. When Baa asked if Koki was ok...Koki looked at Baa and said I dont feel good I am going to go and lay down for a while. And then she turned to Mota Bhabhi and asked if she could pick the kids up from school and bring them home. Mota Bhabhi with her sweet smile said of course I will. You go rest and don't worry about anything. I am here for you if you need anything. Ok. Koki nodded and gave the best smile she could muster and went to her room and shut the door and cried. She cried till no more tears would come. She just sat on her bed and moaned in the inside thinking why is this happening to me? She then just laid down on the bed and closed her eyes to sleep. Maybe this will all be a dream and when she wakes up everything will be as it was before her nightmare started. Parag and another woman? Why? Did she not give him everything he wanted? Was she not always supporting him in all his dreams? Was she not the one who said just fulfill your dreams and don't worry about what others say? This is not right. Something was going on...But what? 😕😲
Cricket
