Hi Guys another update, a bit delayed but got distracted , better late than never i hope...Pl excuse the mistakes in spelling, grammar and typo's will edit if I find any...along the way...Please note the spellings in Dhawals language are meant to e so try pronouncing them as such to get an idea of his accent/lingo.
As usual pl read enjoy and leave me your comments because they make my day.
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Ch 2
"You girls will join us for dinner" It was more of a command than a question. The sisters were going to give their excuse and leave but Kokila just said "you eat quickly and we will drop you at the hostel you need to be there by 8 pm don't you" Gopi merely nodded while nervously looking next door. Raashi too was getting fidgety something she did when she was nervous... Kokila followed their gaze and guessed that the girls were nervous about Urmila Shah the Modi's neighbour. "Don't worry about Urmil bhen, I believe she is out for the night at a society event and your uncle is out of town." With an audible sound of relief the girls joint the family. As Raashi took her seat beside Kinjal, Gopi followed Kokila to help with dinner. "Don't worry yourself Gopi, sit with the others you are our guest" Kokila stressed on the word guest and her meaning was not missed by Gopi who slowly made her way to the bottom of the table to sit next to Raashi. Seeing her sisters crest fallen face Raashi whispered "You know what Kokila aunty is like then why do you keep putting yourself up to get shot down every time?" Gopi just kept her eyes down on her plate, fighting the tears that threatened to fall. She did not understand why she felt this bad, but did not want to spoil it for Kinjal.
"Hellow mellow...so how are my fav girls? Havin yourself some good time's from what I see" beamed Dhawal dragging his chair next to Jiger being unnecessarily dramatic just to have attention on himself. He did not really need to say anything for that just the way he dressed and his mannerism were enough to pull all the attention in the room to him. He loved loud colours and his fashion sense was, well you might say flamboyant. "Ooh and what have we heer my favo ..paneer" and he high-fived jigger as he sat down satisfied that he had received his desired effect on his audience for the girls were in fits of giggles. Kokila came in and gave Dhawal her deathly stare to keep quiet which only tickled everyone more. Ahem however was lost to this dram he sat on the top left of the table next to his uncle. The eldest of the Modi grandchildren he had more to say to his uncle than to any of his siblings save his sister. Finally realising his sister was in fits of giggles he turned to her "Kinjal calm down, you will choke" with this he started his meal with not even a glance at the others.
"Jiger, Dhawal will one of you drop the girls off?" Kokila called Ahem had already gone out for a walk besides she would not have bothered him with such requests anyways. Jiger who was chatting to Raashi just looked up and said "Sorry phai need to catch up on some work" and looking at Raashi said "Next time may be". Raashi smiled at him and nodded, while Gopi who was next to Kinjal did not fail to see the ever so light blush on her sister's face. It was decided that that Dhawal would take them and so Gopi and Raashi bade everyone goodnight and made it out. Ahem was standing by the fence talking to someone over the fence or rather he was looking at his phone while the girl seemed to be chattering away.
"Bro...Ahem Bhai I'm gonna drop Gops and Raash at the dwellings, takin the civic alright with ya? Dhawal called again it was more of stating the obvious and getting attention rather than actually requesting Ahem, not really expecting him to respond. But amazingly Ahem responded and made that an excuse to break his conversation or rather the girls monologue and moved toward the threesome. "Sure Dhawal bhai, drive carefully, he merely nodded at the girls and made his way indoors. The girl seemed a bit disgruntled but just threw her hair over her shoulder and walked in.
"Who is that?" Raashi bit out unable to keep her curiosity down. "Who?" Dhawal looked up and followed the direction she was pointing "Oh that chick, or I think she is Urmi's relative or somethin. NRI's or so they would like to believe, her brother and her are here" and Dhawal who loved a good gossip added "I think she and Ahem had somethin goin on when he was overseas...I know" he said seeing the two sets of raised eyebrows "hard to believe eh! that Ahem too might have a beast livin inside of him" he smirked. Ahem and Dhawal were the same age but they both called each other bhai in the presence of others just for show of respect while really Ahem barely contained his disdain for Dhawal and Dhawal knew very well where he stood in the food line and towed the line. Gopi and Raashi had lost track of his conversation at the mention of Urmila. Mami's relative but how, giving each other confused looks they chose not to talk about it now.
"Voila! Here you go ciao Bella's, see you when I see ya" They waved bye to Dhawal and made their way in. "Ajeeb" Raashi shook her head. "what?" "You know the Modi's most of all Dhawalji don't you think..." "Even Jigerji" teased Gopi trying to get a reaction out of her sister, realizing Gopi's intent Raashi just deflected it by saying "well him and Kinjal are the only sane ones, Koki aunty don't ask she is like the ice queen could freeze anyone with a look" she shuddered visibly "and Ahem bhai don't ask just his presence gives me the hijibeez I'm not sure what I would do if he ever spoke to me and Dhawalji I am sure.." "Oh come on Raashi" Gopi cut her "they are not that bad besides Dhawalji is fun, I'll give you he is a tad flamboyant" "A tad?" flashed Raashi "Well you know but he is very nice, he has got a heart of gold. Now we better turn the light off before Ms Mary knock on our door again." "Huh goodnight sis sleep tight, don't let the bugs bite and if they do" "bite them back. sweet dreams Raashi bhen" they kissed each other, this was their nightly ritual from as far back as they could remember.
Meanwhile back at Modi mansions Ahem made his way in, he saw the family all seated together chatting away, catching up on each other's day. Ahem was not too fond of these soirees and he had had enough chatter from Anita for one night so he just nodded at his family and made his way to his sister's room. Kinjal normally retired early because of all the night routine that was medically needed and then looked forward to her brother's visit. Ahem knocked and entered the room just and Meethi was making her way out, Kinjal sat on the bed, her lower body covered by the covers, her hair brushed out and she was scrubbed clean, she looked frail yet radiant, his baby sister, his angel. Ahem went and lay on the other side of the bed with his torso against the head board leaning toward her. Kinjal took out the letter their mum had left them. First was the one with all the questions she would have asked them about their day. Ahem usually did the reading of the questions while Kinjal would answer them. "So, my babies, how was your day?..." and so started their nightly ritual. When he was at the bottom of the page he gently folded it, though it was not the original that he had in his safe, the paper had all of his mother's words. Kinjal looked up at her brother, "I really enjoyed Raashi and Gopi coming over, they complement each other so well, and they are laughing all the time, I'm amazed at them and do you know bhai they are orphan's as well but they don't have a family like me and most of all they don't have a bhai like you to take care of them yet they are so happy." Ahem smiled at his exhausted sis and helped her slip into the covers bringing them up to nicely tuck her in, then he leant over and put the CD player on, the soft voice of his mom came over with their favourite lullaby and he lay back a bit watching his sister drift off to sleep as he let his mother's voice bring him peace. Only one other voice did that for him but he never gave that much thought.
Ahem kissed his sister, dimmed the lights and went to his room that was next to his sister's. He turned on the monitor that kept him connected to his sister and hooked it on to his pocket as he moved into the garden. This was his mother's garden, she loved it here. The plants, the grass, the flowers, the swing, the small stone pond at the far corner, with fish in it that had a rock facade behind it and water cascading down the stones into the pond. Ahem walked to the pond and straitened one of the solar lights there and then turned and walked to the small Krishna mandir at the opposite corner. He stood there staring, someone had changed the flowers and cleaned up, and he had a fair idea of who might have done it. Every time Gopi came to visit the place was done up. It had irked him at first, this was his mother's and she was intruding but when he saw her there, he changed his mind somehow it felt like his mother was there doing the needful herself. She had the same grace as his mom, her silent ways, her methodical routine and her total involvement in anything Krishna.
Why had his mind wondered, he looked up from his reverie, closed his eyes for a minute and though Ahem had no time for God, he felt close to his mother here. How are you ma? Are you happy with the way things have shaped out. Your little girl is growing ma I hope I am able to do right by her, please be with me and guide me. Sending up this silent prayer Ahem stood a little longer enjoy the night air, the dim garden lights and the sound of water. Ahem always spoke to his mother here, he never asked her anything about himself it was like he was afraid she would be disappointed with the person he had become, but he shared his doubts and fears and joys concerning his sister with her. He liked his privacy and this garden was a haven. His sister's room along with his and the adjoining study bordered the garden. This was not the only garden in the house but this was the only one that he personally saw to. Ahem knew nothing about plants like his mom and apparently Gopi..he shook his head how did she make it into his thoughts, but he hand selected the person to tend to it and mad sure it was maintained well; a tribute to the memory of his mother. His bed room and Kinjal's room had large bay windows with seats facing the garden and French doors that lead out to it. His study of course had a line of glass doors that lined the length the side that opened out to the garden. The rest of the garden was fenced with a small gate to the path leading to the main lounge. The small patio that separated the grass from the entrance of the rooms, was covered by the balcony that led to his phai'quaters.
Kokila watched her nephew as he retired to his study. He worked hard, if a little too hard. Oh how she wished her Dhawal would be more like Ahem instead of waffling around claiming that he wanted to be a director. Cinema she scoffed, but at least she had done well by her brother's children. Her brother oh Dhawal did take after her brother and was soft like her husband, but Ahem she had raised him to be a strong self made man. Kokila was not an emotional person, she did not have time for what she call fluff. Ahem reflected that, she had never seen him tender with anyone except Kinjal, but then Kinjal managed to bring out the softer side of even Kokila. She smiled if but a small smile at the thought, ''she is just like you Mina she said; I hope you are proud of your children, I have done my best; I have kept my promise" She wiped the silent tear that had slipped and walked to her bed.
Edited by tangam - 13 years ago
Anupamaa
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
