Things you need to know--
1.Amma- Mother
2.Appa-Father
3.Akka-Elder sister.
4.Bhava-Brother-In-Law
Bare with me till the introduction,the story gets better with each chapter.
P.S. I need a proof-reader.So,If you liked this chapter and if you are interested to proof read my chapters then PM me 😊
Chapter 1
"Aren't the gardens here at Vennelyst just beautiful?" Vandu said,sipping the hot cup of tea.They sat at the table of a small cafe',enjoying the splendid view.
Ishita nodded her head in approval.
"Denmark is such a beautiful place!" Mihika said as she took in the scent of the delicate flowers that were potted near their table.
"Yes! But its getting late.We should head back. Bhava might be getting worried." Ishita said,getting up and grabbing her purse.
"Relax Ishu!" Vandu said in a calm tone. "I told Bala we will be late.He said he will cook dinner and keep everything ready by the time we get back.So,Sit and drink your ginger tea and eat those lemon cakes for gods sake."
"Yes Ishu akka! Chill! Vandu Akka lets go visit the beaches at Copenhagen tomorrow!" Mihika said looking at Vandu. Ishita picked up a brochure lying on the table.
"Beaches? You know Copenhagen is a place of Art!"She pointed at the pictures in the brochure. "It has the most beautiful museums and galleries!The church and the architecture... " Mihika cut Ishita's words and said "Museums are so boring!" She made faces as she gobbled up a big piece of the lemon cake.
Ishita rolled her eyes at Mihika and sighed in exasperation.
Vandu intervened before their disagreement would turn into a huge fight. "You guys are planning to stay here for 2-3 years...or more.So there is plenty of time to visit all places at Copenhagen and all other nearby cities.Europe is gorgeous country.Lets not waste time over meaningless fights,ok?".
Ishita looked away.
"Yeah,okay!"Mihika said,disinterested.
The Kulkarni family,a kannadiga family, who were basically from Bangalore had moved to Delhi when Vandita was just 3 years old.The head of the family Mr.Vishwanath Kulkarni worked at a bank and was posted at Delhi.He worked there for more than 2 decades and when he was promoted as Bank Manager he had requested to stay posted at Delhi for the sake of his three daughters education.Vishwanath and his wife Madhvi Kulkarni were simple people.They had lived a regular life on a fixed income.Their three daughters--Vandita,the eldest daughter was an Economics professor.She had moved to Copenhagen,Denmark when she was offered a post as Assistant professor at one of the Universities.This is a big oppurtunity.This can boost up my career!And its only temporary,I swear! She had convinced her parents who weren't very keen on sending their eldest daughter to an unknown place.A few months later she came back,but she wasn't alone.She had fallen in love with a South Indian professor who taught at the same University.
Amma,Appa..this is Bala.We have decided to get married.But only with your permission ofcourse.She had dropped a bomb on her parents.After a lot of discussions and investigations her mom had agreed to get them married.At least he is a good looking south Indian fellow.And,he has a good income.He loves our daughter very much.Madhvi had convinced her relatives and herself.
The marriage happened on a medium scale.It was difficult for the so called modern,yet,orthodox Kulkarnis to accept the fact that their first daughter had a love marriage,but,with time it all got sorted out.
After the marriage Vandu and Bala moved to Denmark.
Meanwhile Ishita who had completed her Dentistry and cleared her enterance exams was looking at colleges for her M.D. Now,its time for you to get married Ishu!Her mother constantly pestered her.Mrs.Kulkarni was confident about Ishita and her life choices,but a mother can never stop worrying about her kids.
Mihika was young and was still deciding on a career.She had done BCOM.After working at various call centers,She currently worked at a small company as a junior accountant.What are your life goals?Her father had asked her,for which she had shrugged her shoulders.
Ishita had secretly applied to one of the Colleges of Dentistry at Copenhagen.And,when she got selected,she had emotionally blackmailed her parents into letting her follow her dream.She had the excuse that Vandu and Bala were there and that it was only a matter of two more years. Mihika had insisted to go along with Ishita.Mrs.Kulkarni was greatly disappointed and worried for them.Ishita promised her that she would look after Mihika and that they would call everyday.After long thinking,Mr and Mrs Kulkarni agreed to send them,but,only till Ishita completed her masters there.Disheartened they bid goodbye to their daughters. Call us everyday and take care! Her mother had screamed at the airport as Ishita took Mihika inside for checking.Tears rolled down their eyes as they departed.
It had been six weeks since they moved to Denmark.Ishita and Mihika lived with their akka and Bhava.Bala was a kind hearted,jovial fellow.He was a decent man who respected women.His bond with his sister-in-laws were that of a brother and a sister.
Bala Senani's parents had passed away in a car crash when he was 21.He had moved to Copenhagen as soon as he got his degree.He had inherited a good fortune.When Bala and Vandu got married all he had asked from her parents was for their blessings.Bala bought a lovely,3 BHK,medium-sized condo at a good locality in Copenhagen after his marriage.Bala had promised his Mother-in-law that he would take care of Vandu and look after his two new sisters.
"What would you like to have miss?" the bartender asked Ishita who was busy trying to call someone.
"Uhm...Diet coke!" she said looking at her phone.
Where are these people?! She wondered as she sat alone at the bar counter of a famous watering hole at Copenhagen.
Ishita and Mihika had settled in at Vandu and Bala's place.Ishita had started going to college The Royal College of Dentistry,Boulevard.It was very exciting for her.New place,new people and tougher subjects.This was the seventh week at Copenhagen and all she had seen till now was a few garden cafe's,the beach and her beautiful college campus.She got lost in her books after she almost flunked a pop quiz which her professor had announced just 5 days after her arrival at the college.After a stressful week at her college she finally came home and told her sisters I need a drink! We are going out tonight,okay?
"Mihika where are you?" Ishita spoke in an irritated tone."You know I am all alone here!"
"Akka,actually I am still at the cafe'.Today is pay day so I will be running late!" Mihika said softly.
"Come on yaar! The one time I ask you to come out you bail on me? I dont want any excuses.."
Mihika hung up on her before Ishita could finish yelling at her.
"She cut my call? Ugh! I can not believe her! Let me call Vandu akka!"
She looked up Vandu's name and called her.
"Where is akka? This call is going into voice mail! I can not believe these two!" Ishita cut the call in frustration.
Mihika had decided to apply for a job at a Cafe' near their house.It will like a pocket money for me and I am good at accounting! Bhava spoke to the manager and he has agreed.Its only part-time and you know I'll get bored at home! She had told her sisters. Although they weren't happy with the idea but the fact that she wanted to do something made them feel proud.I'll allow it only if you promise to get back home in time! Ishita had warned her strictly.
Ishita sat there,sipping her coke and waiting for her sisters.She had worn blue jeans and a black body hugging t-shirt with her hairs tied up.Although she and Bala hardly ever drank alcohol they loved watching Vandu get drunk and go crazy.She didn't allow Mihika to drink.. well not too much,at least.Ishita was smart,fairly good-looking and an independent girl.She was little over-controlling and tried to mother Mihika and even Vandu at times.It was her habit to try to take control of things and blame herself for the mishaps.She was a girl of discipline,patience and sincerity.She was humane.But,right now she was all alone and annoyed.
How could they ditch me?Where is Vandu akka?Let me wait here in case they finally decide to show up! She thought.
"Seriously,that girl was just nuts!" She heard a guy speaking loudly as he and his friend entered the bar. He wore white shirt and jeans and the guy with him wore a dark blue t-shirt, light blue jeans and a cool leather jacket.
"Shut up Mihir!" the guy in the jacket responded.
Ishita gave them a quick look and returned back to her coke and her phone as she constantly dialed Vandu's number.Mihika had switched her cell off.She is going to have it when I get back home.Ishita had swore to herself.
The two guys sat at a table.
"I am serious Bro.She said she wanted to do me right on the table!",Mihir continued talking while Raman,the jacket waala guy signalled the waiter.
"Yeah!Right!" Raman chuckled.
"One glass,Jack Daniel's and..?" Raman looked at Mihir.
"Uhm... A grey goose Martini with two olives!" Mihir looked at the menu.
The waiter left with their orders.
"Its a girl's drink,Mihir!" Raman said looking at his phone.
"You know I can not handle Whiskey.And,You say I am mean drunk!"
"I never said you are a mean drunk.You are actually a Sob drunk!"
Raman chuckled.
"sob drunk?" Mihir looked puzzled.
"Yeah! You sob about your ex girlfriends after you get drunk!"
"Haha! Not funny,dude!" Mihir frowned.
Mihir looked around while Raman was lost in his phone.
"Bro!" Mihir pulled Raman's hand to get his attention.
"Checkout that girl in the black t-shirt!" Mihir said looking at Ishita.
"Hmm...!" Raman lifted his head and looked at her. He could only see a side of her face.
"Isn't she cute?" Mihir said,eagerly.Raman gave him a weary look and turned his eyes towards his phone.
"So...Why don't you go up there and talk to her?"
"Talk to her?" Raman's eyebrows shot up and he kept his phone down.His eyebrows strained as he said "I dont even know her! Plus,she's not my type!" He checked her out one more time with an exasperated look on his stubbled face.
"What is your type?" Mihir's voice came out loud and sounded rather irked by Raman's attitude.
"Fine.I'll go talk to her." Mihir rose up from his seat.
"Fine! But,if she slaps you or gets you thrown out of the bar then I don't know you,don't come running to me!" Raman said with a tartish look on his face.
"We'll see...the look on your face when I get her number!"
"Oh,is that so? Don't get cocky Mihir!She has that I-am-not-interested look on her face."
"Oh,yeah?What are you a face-reader now? Oh,deary Raman-The Psychic!" his tone,overly sarcastic.
Raman smirked at Mihir's snarky comment as he watched him move towards Ishita.
This outta be fun to watch!
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