A new short story part 12 page 11 updated 10/12/17 - Page 3

Chapter 2

Aarti entered her room to unpack her stuff and ponder on the day's events thus far. It was a large beautiful room a guest room she thought, she placed her limited amount of toiletries in the washroom and smiled at her reflection in the large mirror over the face basin this was the first time she would have a room and washroom all to herself. Standing here she allowed herself to dream that she was the daughter of this house that she belonged here.

Aarti was shaken out of her dream world when heard a knock and someone called her name her self-talk "no sense dreaming your reality is that of a maid time to get started with your duties

It was Radha ma "Beta let me introduce you to Vidhi bahu she is my eldest son Pankaj wife

"Hello, Aarti nice to meet you I will show you around and help you with the family's likes and dislikes. Said the beautiful smiling woman Aarti thought these Scindhias ladies are all well dressed in expensive clothing and jewelry to stay at home and their makeup and perfume wow to be rich you can dress like this at home I wonder how they look when they have to attend a function.

Vidhi showed her around the house all three stories of it Aarti wondered to herself why would only a few people want to live in such a huge mansion the orphanage she grew up in was one-third this size and over crowded.

The house was tastefully decorated with expensive paintings and draperies, to her surprise when the entered what appears to be another family room there were two paintings of beautiful scenery that Aarti immediately recognized as her own.

Maybe it was her shocked expression or she stared at the paintings too long but Vidhi noticed that she just stood there.

"Aarti is something wrong

"Vidhi madam I painted these look my signature is here

"Yes I see that ma bought these from a charity sale at the local orphanage years ago we have a couple more in Radha's ma room and one in bauji's study

Aarti allowed this information to sink in as they continued their tour of the mansion.

"this is Yash bhayia room and they entered

"Madam, won't he mind us entering his room without his permission?

"Aarti we have no secrets from each other here and besides if you are to help with the cleaning you will have to enter in here smiled Vidhi

It was a large room with a king size bed, a separate area which was set up as a small office, then there were sofas and arm chairs with coffee tables, the large walk in wardrobe and then a huge washroom with separate shower and bathtub.

Aarti thought that this room was the largest she had seen in this house not even the parent's room were this huge. Then she noticed that there was french door leading to a large terrace Vidhi opened the door and showed her the view it overlooked the front lawns and flower garden.

As they reentered the room a wall opposites had two pictures which caught her eyes one was of their family with two beautiful ladies one she recognized as Radha ma but the second lady who was also standing at the side of an older man she guessed is Mr. SP Scindhia and there were four young boys the eldest looked like a teenager and the youngest who Radha ma was holding was about three years old. The second picture was of a handsome young man she guessed he is Yash.

Vidhi noticed her looking at the pictures and said This is Yash bhayia handsome devil isn't he and this is the boys with their parents.

Aarti asked who is this lady? pointing to G3 ma

"Aarti my father-in law had two wives both were cousin sisters. G3 ma is his first wife but she was not a healthy woman and could not easily conceive so the family decided for bauji to marry her younger cousin sister Radha ma to take care of her and keep her company. Then by some miracle G3 ma conceived give birth to Pankaj but died when he was fourteen and Radha ma brought him up as her son, she gave birth to Yash then Akash and Prateek is the youngest, but Pankaj is her favourite I guess because he is G3 ma's only child and she witnessed how much G3 ma fought to bring him into this world and how much she fought her illness to see him grow up plus she loved her G3 didi very much

Aarti's self-thought "I wish some one had fought for me with so much love then I would not have grown up in the orphanage but with a loving family. Not that she doubted Shoba ma's love but it would have been nice to have parents and a family of her own. Shoba ma is a kind woman who loves all the children under her care and does her best to support and guide them.

Vidhi took her to the kitchen and said that it was time to prepare snacks for tea then start dinner.

"Vidhi madam can I ask you something?

"Go ahead

"Why am I not staying in the servants quarters?

"Because you are a young unmarried girl and we have six men staying there. It would not be right for you to stay there, although you are working for us we still have a responsibility towards you

"Vidhi bahu come and serve the tea called Radha ma

"Aarti come load the trolley and come with me you will help serve

They entered the family room and Aarti noticed that there were a few more men there sitting and discussing current events.

Aarti come here this is my husband SP, and our sons well you met Akash earlier these are his brother Pankaj Vidhi's husband Prateek the naughtiest and youngest and this is Yash.

Both Aaryas eyes met and held for a few moments

Yash's thought the maids are becoming more beautiful and sexy in this house what the heck is ma thinking by hiring this girl she forgot that he has three young unmarried sons and men on the household payroll.

Aarti's thought Dam he is better looking in person but why is he staring at me, boss son or not I will smack him if he tries anything with me.

Vidhi nudged her back into reality and told to serve the snacks while she served the tea.

Yash openly looked at her when she gave him the plate with the snacks and he gives her a cute smile while she looked him straight in the eyes and raised her eyebrows indicating you like what you see.

Then after tea when the rest left to do their own thing and Aarti was loading back the trolley Yash came behind her and stood making sure their bodies touched when she turned to place the cups on the trolley.

"Sorry, said Aarti

Yash replied "I am not and smiled at her

"Excuse me, said Aarti

"For what?

"Look Yash ji you are blocking my way and I have a job to do, so please allow me to pass replied an annoyed Aarti

But Yash moved only a little allowing her just enough space to pass and again their bodies touched sending shivers along Aarti's body but she was too angry to pay heed to it.

"The nerve of this man, Aarti thought "Because he is rich and good looking does not mean she will fall for him and play his game

In the kitchen, she asked Vidhi "Madam Yash ji he is a flirt/womanizer is that why he is not married as yet, can't be fateful to one woman?

"Aarti why are you asking?

"Because he clearly was flirting with me and I am the maid.

"But you are young and beautiful Aarti and he is young and single

"Vidhi madam I don't know what you rich people get up to but I don't flirt or play around I am here to do a job. If Yash ji thinks that because I am poor I will fall into his lap he has another thing coming to him.