"Nachi, hurry up, looks like the party has come"! One hand clutching at her saree pleats, and another holding her bag, Nisha hurried up the stairs. Oh my God, was she late? Mentally bracing herself for a lash of Baba's tongue, she recruited her defences as her tentative hand reached for the bell. The rickshaw got delayed in the traffic. Yes, that was the most plausible defence, but not enough. Add something to it related to the office. The boss asked for something urgent just as I was about to leave. Yes! That was better...
"Nisha, the door is open. Come, let's go in!" Nachi had caught on to his wife. Her hand extended to the bell, a tiny frown on her head almost immediately dissolved magically as reason kicked in. At least today she could escape the acid taunts, there were guests in the house.
"Ah, here they come..My son, Nachiket and Daughter-in law, Nisha!" Baba rose from his seat as Nachiket strode forward, his hands folded in greeting.
"Namaskar... We just got late because of the traffic!" A feeble attempt from Nachi was summarily brushed aside by the guests. "Oh not to be bothered, it keeps on happening all the while. In fact we got a bit early as well. This is my wife and this is our son, Akshat!"
The customary hand shaking and greeting continued after that.
"Namaskar..."
"Namaskar! Hello, Akshat!" The two shook hands. "Well, Nice to meet you here. And this is my wife, Nisha. She works at...***" Nisha folded her hands in greeting and then gaped with her mouth open.
For standing in front of her was the most handsome hulk she had ever seen.
A little over six feet tall, with an enviable physique. Razor sharp creased trousers and a branded shirt, well tucked in. Something that Nachi couldn't even think of. The tie and the tie-pin were surely of a global brand. In short, an outfit that boasted of an affluent lifestyle. The latest mobile peeped from his hand as he raised them in greeting.
"Namaskar...you work at...***?"
Nisha suddenly felt tongue-tied. Nachiket had not divulged the fact that she held a very junior post. What if this man asks...what would she say?
"Mr Sanjay Karkhanis is your MD. Right?"
Nisha nodded, her eyes averted. Karkhanis was her boss and the terror in the office. People in the corridor scattered like mice when he came along, praying that he wouldn't notice them. Nobody dared know his first name and here, this man...
"Sanjay and me are close friends at the club. I had no idea you work with him. I should not forget to mention this to him when I meet him next..." His slender hand keyed something on his mobile. A reminder perhaps?
"Oh no, don't do that! I will myself tell him tomorrow...In fact it would be better if you don't..." The words poured out before before halting midway. What if Karkhanis told Akshat that she was just a junior... And someone who was being berated for being unprofessional always?
"Ok, as you say..." Hooded eyes that twinkled and held a deeper message for her. Or was it her imagination? His next words were equally confusing.
"May I have your number?"
"Sure..." She parroted out the 10 digit cell number, cursing herself for the nth time about her cheap handset. These middle class people...austerity was the middle name. Would she ever come out of it?
"Ok, I have saved it. And also given you a missed call..."
"Thanks for that. Anyway, I need to go in now..."
Nisha practically ran into her room and closed the door, leaning against it heavily. What a man! The perfect Greek God looks, the chiselled features, the lifestyle, the outfit that spoke volumes of affluence...not the forget the big car that they had driven in! He was a member of the same club as her boss...that itself was an indication enough. Stinking rich. And he was all set to marry Gauri...
Marry Gauri? The realization was like a splash of cold water on her face. Gauri was a village bumpkin compared to a hulk like him. The plain Jane who was of a middle class mentality, who wore clothes that looked as if bought in some jumble sale. Did she even have a decent saree for today?
"Nisha...Are you ready? Gauri needs to dress up properly!" A knock on the door followed by rapid barking of the instruction, was indication enough of the urgency. She cautiously opened the door with the sheepish grin.
"Just adjusting my saree..."
Ayee shepherded her daughter inside, followed by Aaji.
"Ok, now hurry up. And Gauri needs to deck up, wear something decent. Please see to it. And then come in the kitchen, there is work to be done!"
Nisha rolled her eyes at the abruptness. The next demand was for her to part with one of her best sarees. And some of her jewellery as well? She was not mistaken, the demand was not far behind.
"Nisha, can you spare one of your silk sarees? With matching jewellery to go with..."
--------
The woman tossed and turned in her bed as the night wore on.
What all had been transpired during the tea and snacks session?
The couple were all praises for Gauri and the impending decision seemed like just a formality. Akshat and Gauri had gone to the terrace for a small tete-a tete which had lasted well beyond an hour. And as the evening wore on, Akshat whispered something to his father who patted his arm in reassurance.
"We are all in for it. Such a talented well-behaved girl. But Akshat needs some time...!"
Ayee and Baba had looked at each other, worry and apprehension writ large on their faces. And Nisha had read the situation a bit too well.
Gauri was as misfit in the family as a square peg in a round hole. Not just her, even the families were misfit: there was a huge difference in the financial and social status between the two. The meeting was just a formality, a keepsake as Akshat's father and Baba were childhood friends. The decision, if it could be termed as one, would come later.
But is marriage also a formality? She had married Nachiket because he had all the prospects around him: Good education and a good job: in short, the future was bright and there was a good chance of settling abroad. That was all set to happen...but blast his family! And the emotional tactics they played and he was forced to give up the chance...
Nisha turned once again, smiling bitterly. Why was it that his father couldn't see straight? He and his principles. Ideals of the 18th century! One could exist forever in denial of even the basic needs just to follow them. And Nachi could never gather the courage to confront his father again. And the goody-goody bumpkin sister of his...
That reminded her. Better save Akshat's number. He had given her a missed call, right? She got out of the small bed and flicked on her mobile. Ah..there it was. A missed call from an unknown number.
Was the unknown number a key to a bright future?
-----
Across the city, the person of her thoughts was also unable to sleep. Tossing and turning, he kept thinking of one person. As she had walked in the room, it was as if his dreams had acquired real life dimensions out of nowhere.
Akshat tiptoed to the bathroom to splash some water on his face as his mobile beeped with a message.
How was the meeting? All set to get married?'
Akshat grinned in the darkness and keyed in his reply. The trap is laid. Bait is ready. Now to wait and watch...'
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