if Wishes were horses Part 30,Page 79,3rd November - Page 22

Chapter 12

The dialogues are in purple and thoughts in red

The colossal Goenka House for the past few days has been flaunting itself in all it's finery which dazzled the eyes of every passer-by and onlooker!!! Decked up in grandeur and splendour, she was brimming with pride and satisfaction'.

It took her sometime to realize the enormity of the house which from tonight, she was legally a part of; even the corners would cloak her completely without anyone realizing.

Dressed in a white Kanjeevaram( a particular south indian silk saree) with a red and golden border,Madhavi looked every bit the quintessential mother in law; mother morphed into one. Khanak was made to enter the house after throwing over the rice pot with her right foot and surprisingly the rice fell into a perfect heap.

The next ritual made her dip her dainty feet in a red liquid(called alta in bengali) and walk on a white cloth imprinting her footsteps forever promising to usher in prosperity and good fortune!!!

The house was buzzing with relatives; the moment Shaan walked in with her,everyone thronged to see the wonder called Khanak..

"So this is the switchover bride"'someone murmured, writhing her drums in pain'.

Unopposed,Shaan found the ring concealed in the huge silver bowl filled with milk n rose petals. Forcefully she put her hand inside but made no attempt to find. The subtle touch of his hand numbed her to the bones!!

"This is Shaan's'your bedroom Khanak. Make yourself comfortable and yes' change into your nightwear and get some rest." "Don't worry! I'll make sure that no one disturbs you."

Madhavi's elusive peck on her temple worked as a balm on her frayed and tattered soul and nerves'..

The room looked magnificent to say the least. The drapes on the window were in lavender paired with silverish grey ones. The king size brown teak bed was ornate with silver colored linen with the canopy above falling like a virgin bride's plait, woven in ropes of blue and yellow roses. The intoxicating aroma of the candles enhanced the ambience further.

All that she could manage was a wry smile''

She unpacked her suitcase and found a baby pink camisole with a capri'.

The bathroom was as huge as the room with a jacuzzi and stored all the available brands of toiletries that could last her a lifetime!!! Did he get all these?

The warm bath soothed her till the pores. As much as she wanted to take off all the bangles, she couldn't. Dadi Ma's face loomed large over her psyche!!!

It was just when she had closed the bathroom door behind her that Shaan knocked and entered the room. There she was as fresh as the roses in the room dressed in an outfit which covertly revealed her slender and seductive figure,completely unaware of the storm and upheaval she has caused in someone's heart!!! As she walked towards the balcony, he noticed something he was completely unaware of. There she was with her darker than midnight cascade reaching way beyond her hips almost till her knees. Even the gusty wind managed to do little to ruffle them'..

Wow!!!! she has the most loveliest hair I've ever seen and how unlike of someone like her!!!! How I wish I could drown myself in them and feel paradise!!! Not bad for a starter Shaan. You'll list many more such wishful thoughts in days and months to come''

Shaan's room boasted of one of the best views of this captivating city!!! She soaked every bit of the breathtaking view oblivious of someone else in the room hopelessly waiting to get a glimpse of her lovely chiseled face!!!

It was only when her eyes were sleep drugged that she decided to move.

She was petrified realizing that she'll have to share the bed with him as the room offered nothing else beside the bed and a single couch!!!!

Her feet were stone!!! Sensing her uneasiness,he suggested that they could sleep on the sides with a huge gap in between'.

Two strangers bound by sanctity,on either side of a bed with an endless vacuum waiting for their future to unfold'..

It took no time for her sleep laced eyes to transport her into another world and lying beside her was the other pair sleep starved'.

All that he wanted to do right now was to cage her in his arms and confess his undying love. Rest in the shadow of her lustrous mane,tease her lips, caress her neck and hold her forever. He believed there would be a day when she would long for him but till then he has to wait''.