Stronger Than Yesterday- A Collaboration updt- 14/02, Ch 7 - Page 9

Chapter 7

3 years later

New York City

It was a beautiful morning and a light breeze played around Vimala's hair as she gazed with love at the young man seated across from her in the NYU campus cafeteria.

"I can't wait to meet your sisters," she said barely concealed excitement. "Do you think they will like me?" She couldn't keep the nervousness out of her tone.

Seshadri, or Seshu as he was called, gave her a tender smile. "They will love you," he reassured her. "My sisters are very sweet and simple, much like you. All they require in my future wife is that she love me from the bottom of her heart."

"That is a requirement I can easily fulfil," Vimala said shyly but with warmth. "But our families have yet to meet. They don't even know about us. What if they disapprove?"

"We will convince them," Seshu promised her, grasping her hand fondly. "Once they see how much we love each other, they cannot help but agree."

"My parents are very particular about my future husband," Vimala sighed, "We're from different states. I do not think my parents will agree to a Tamil son-in-law. Would your parents approve of a Telugu daughter-in-law?"

"Vims, don't worry so much. Whatever it takes for me to convince our parents that I love you from the bottom of my heart, I will do it," Seshu promised her firmly. "I have faith in our love. Something tells me no one can break us apart."

"I hope so," Vimala said to the man she had fallen deeply in love with the past year, ever since she'd come to New York for her Masters.

She had never planned on falling in love. She'd always thought she would have a traditionally arranged marriage with a groom chosen by her parents. She just did not hold with the "falling in love" nonsense. She'd seen how love marriages broke up many families and broke parents' hearts. She never wanted to break her parents' heart like that.

But then she'd run into Seshadri Srivatsan during a rally one day. He was a trainee in the police academy charged with protecting the members of the rally. She was part of the rally, protesting the unfair treatment of children in foster homes. Studying to become an elementary school teacher, Vimala loved children and was passionate about protecting their rights.

Seshu and fellow police trainees had tried to contain the rally members when they trespassed onto public property. Vimala had mistaken Seshu for a civilian, for he was not in uniform, and had stepped on his foot in self-defense, thinking he was trying to touch her improperly. Seshu had called her an impertinent, headstrong girl and threatened to arrest her before realizing he did not have that power yet.

After finding out the truth, an embarrassed Vimala had apologized, and from there they fell instantly in love.

Their love was not like that of people around them. It was almost unearthly, divine. They felt like they knew each other from other lifetimes. Vimala felt she had found her soulmate, and she could not explain the feeling of peace of happiness she felt being around him. As for Seshu, he knew he could love none other than Vimala. She was the love of his life, the only woman he could ever marry.

"We will also have to convince my brothers," Vimala sighed, "My parents will definitely agree if they approve, but my brothers are a force to be reckoned. It will not be easy to win their approval.

"Leave it to me, my darling headstrong girl, Seshu said affectionately, "I can understand a protective brother's suspicion of any man who claims to love his sister. Having two sisters myself, I would never let any man within a mile radius from them. But once your brothers see how much I love and respect you, they will not withhold their approval.

"I hope so, Seshu, Vimala leaned into him and soaked in his warmth, a tense smile playing across her lips.

~*~

John F. Kennedy International Airport

"Riti, wait for me!" Padmaja scowled good-naturedly as she tried to catch up with her soul sister, who was sprinting way ahead of her as so

on as they exited the terminal. "Thanks a bunch for your help, by the way!"

She was being sarcastic of course, for she lugged her own travel bag along with Prakriti's, after the former had dropped it to the floor in excitement.

"Don't be such a killjoy, Padma!" Prakriti retorted with a roll of her eyes. She sprinted back to help Padmaja with the bags. "Come on, keep up!"

Padmaja shook her head fondly. Where would she be without Prakriti's energy and joy for life? How lonely and gloomy her life had been before meeting her! Now, she could not even conceive the idea of living without her beloved Riti, who gave her a reason to smile every day.

Prakriti looked back and gave Padmaja a brilliant smile that made her face glow. She was so happy she was embarking on this new adventure overseas with her soul sister. As much as she loved her education, she would never have left India without her darling Padma, who was the voice of reason in her exuberant life. She brought the calm and steadiness which had been so lacking in Prakriti's childhood.

Both sisters linked their arms as they went in search of their brother, who was supposed to meet them at the airport. He was the only reason their parents had let them study overseas. Well, Padmaja's father could care less about her safety, but Prakriti's parents insisted that the girls apply to a college in the city their brother lived, so that he would be there to look out for them in such a strange new world.

Seshu had left India three years ago to pursue a Criminal Justice degree in the US. Everyone thought it was a perfect career for him, for he was always the protector and defender of their family. He could never bear to see injustice being done, and throughout his life he endeavored to protect those who had been ill-used by others. His mother was disappointed that he did not join the police academy in India, but Seshu had quickly seen how corrupt the field was there. He loved India and he always would. It would always be his motherland and thus have a special place in his heart, but the police force was so corrupt and Seshu knew he would have little control to carry out the law properly. He would have to answer to a higher authority which was often ruled by the corrupt politicians. He had friends who belonged to the Indian police force, and they would often come home tired and stressed due to the lack of control they had over their job. Thus after much research, Seshu had applied to the New York University and after getting admission, left India to pursue a Criminal Justice degree. He then joined the Police Academy and had just finished his training there.

The last time Prakriti and Padmaja had talked to him, he told them that he'd just been hired as a police officer at the New York Police Department. They were so proud of him for his hard work and dedication. He now had a job at one of the most well-known police departments in the world. Getting a job at the NYPD was no easy feat.

Passing through the immigration check, the sisters finally caught sight of their brother, who wore a big goofy grin on his face as he held two huge teddy bears in his arms.

Exchanging excited looks, Prakriti and Padmaja hurried over to their brother with their luggage cart, nearly knocking him over in the process.

"My God, look how tall and beautiful you've both grown!" Seshu gave his sisters an appreciative look. "Clearly I must work doubly hard to keep men away from you."

"Anna!" they both giggled, giving him a tight hug.

"Here's a welcome gift for you both," Seshu handed each sister a teddy bear. Prakriti's was blue and Padmaja's pink. They both hugged the bear close to their chest.

"You have gotten so thin, Anna!" Prakriti remarked, "Has the police department been working you to the bone?"

"It is nothing," Seshu reassured them, "It's very busy there and I work long hours, but I love every bit of it."

"Don't worry, we will fatten you up in no time," Padmaja promised him with a warm smile. "We will make Amma proud with our cooking."

"You will do no such thing," Seshu told her sternly. "You have come here to study, not to cook elaborate meals. If I see you both slacking in your education, I will send you right back to India."

Padmaja loved how Seshu acted like her blood brother, even scolding her when necessary. It proved that he truly accepted her as his sister, as much as Prakriti was to him. Once, Prakriti's parents had suggested the idea of getting Padmaja married to their Seshu, thus making her a "true" part of their family, but both siblings vehemently rejected the idea. Padmaja was their sister, they said. So what if she did not share their blood? Familial bonds were forged through the heart, and Padmaja would always be their sister. There was something so wrong about the idea of Seshu marrying Padmaja. The idea seemed almost incestuous. The parents had not brought up the topic ever again, much to the siblings' relief.

"Come, let's get you home," Seshu said, "Once you're both settled, I need to talk to you about something."

~*~

"So, basically, we are meeting your girlfriend?", blurted out Padmaja, causing Prakriti to whack her on the arm.

"Well, you are, technically", said a sheepish Seshu, not liking the glare on Padmaja's face and the eerily calm expression on Prakriti's face.

"And we didn't know about this why?", asked Prakriti, raising an eyebrow which arched perfectly and made Seshu feel intimidated.

"I didn't know how you both would react, and I expected the manner in which you both reacted as well," said Seshu. "Except, why are you angry?"

"You didn't tell us Anna, that's why."

The icy calm in Padmaja's tone made Seshu flinch.

"Come on, baby sisters. Please?", tried Seshu. Both girls stared at him, icy expressions mirroring one another, not letting his pleading look change their expressions.

"Why didn't you tell us?", asked Prakriti.

"Are we not your sisters?", asked Padmaja.

"You both are. My darling darling sisters", said Seshu.

"Not working!", said both together, giving Seshu a look.

"Come on Praks, Padma. Please?", said Seshu, softly. "It's not that I didn't want to tell, it is just that I wanted to tell you face to face"

"You were in India Anna", said Padmaja. "In the same house as us. Spending time with us all day and night"

"Why didn't you tell the two of us then? Amma and Appa we understand, but why us?", asked Prakriti.

"I met Vimala after I came back from India", said Seshu.

"Vimala?", asked Padmaja.

"Is that her name?", asked Prakriti, completing her sister's sentence.

Both sisters felt a sort of connection with the name Vimala pop up. Something about the name was so familiar to them, like the name was something they had had a connection with for a long long time.

"It is"

The dreamy look on Seshu's face, and the pure love shining in his dark eyes already spoke highly of Vimala to Prakriti and Padmaja. For a girl to have gotten their brother to fall in love with her, so deeply, within a year was something neither of them had expected. They could sense how special Vimala was from simply this one fact.

"Tell us about her Anna", said Prakriti, simply.

Seshu smiled radiantly, realising that his sisters had forgiven him for not telling them. Now, all he had to do was make Vimala look good to them. And that was something not difficult for him to do. Vimala was such an amazing person!

"Baby sister?", called Krishna, as he and Raghu exchanged looks.

"Bhai?" came in Vimala, bouncing happily. She stopped, seeing the looks on the faces of her two brothers.

"What's going on?", asked Vimala, praying to Lord Vishnu that nothing untoward happened.

"Who is Seshu?", asked Raghu, an eyebrow raised.

"Uhh", stuttered Vimala, realisation flashing through her as she saw her phone in Krishna's hand.

"Go on baby sister", said Krishna.

"Seshu is... um.. This guy", said Vimala, faltering at almost every word.

"And why is he calling you?", asked Raghu.

"He is my friend?"

Vimala cursed herself internally. The question that had come out of her mouth was enough to prove that Seshu was much much more. This was so not the way she wanted her two brothers to find out!

"Friend, is he?", asked Krishna. "Then why haven't we heard of him or met him? We have met your other friends, haven't we?"

"You have. He is my first close guy friend", said Vimala, biting her lower lip.

"I see. How long have you known this guy?", asked Raghu.

"A year", said Vimala.

"How did you meet your friend?", asked Krishna.

"In a rally. When I protested for the rights of children in their foster homes. He was one of the police officers there, and we met and clicked", said Vimala, leaving out the part about her and Seshu's argument.

"So when were you planning on telling us that you were, I forget the word Krishna", said Raghu.

"I know it. Seeing this guy?", asked Krishna, an eyebrow raised.

"Um.. well.. You see.. Idon'tknow", said Vimala, in a rushed tone.

"Why don't you?", asked Raghu.

"Are you scared of our reaction?", asked Krishna, softly.

Vimala bit her lip, and nodded her head.

"That should never stop you from telling us. We are your big brothers", said Krishna.

"I know Bhais. But I was scared", said Vimala.

"Do you love him?", asked Raghu.

"So so much Bhai. So so much", said Vimala, eyes twinkling with love for Seshu, her face blushing radiantly.

"Does he love you?", asked Krishna.

"Much more than I can say", came Vimala's prompt reply.

Their sister's happiness, and the familiarity of the name Seshu tugged at the heartstrings of both the brothers.

"Will you introduce him to us?", asked both of them together.

Their sister's joyous laugh and bone crushing hug was all the answer they needed.

"Love, relax", whispered Seshu, holding Vimala's soft hands.

"I am meeting your sisters today Seshu. How can I?", asked Vimala, gripping Seshu's hands for comfort.

"I promise you my love, that my sisters will love you", said Seshu, squeezing her hands. "I have a feeling they already do, seeing how much I love you"

"Really?", asked Vimala, looking up at Seshu, brown eyes shining with hope.

"Yes my love. Really. My two sisters are overprotective of me, and what they really want is the best for me. When they see that that is you, they will never have a problem", said Seshu.

"You trust them immensely", said Vimala, smiling.

"I do", said Seshu. "I trust them more than I trust anyone but you love"

"That is the same for me and my Bhais", said Vimala. "They mean the world to me Seshu, and you do too. I want them to love you"

"And I promise, they will. Our love is Destined to be, and when our love is so strong, nothing can come our way from being together", said Seshu, love shining in his eyes.

"I wonder what will happen if my brothers meet your sisters", said Vimala, casually, walking up to Seshu's apartment, and ringing the doorbell.

Seshu smiled, as he watched Prakriti and Pamaja laugh at something Vimala said. The meeting had gone even better than he expected, and he had had high hopes. His sisters and Vimala clicked instantly, like they were made for each other as sisters. The Padmaja-Prakriti gang of two had now become a gang of three.