ABHIMANYUโS POVย
While shopping for clothes, Shivnya was drawn to a shop featuring oxidized jewelry. After struggling to put on a pair of earrings, she sought assistance from the shopkeeper. However, before he could help, I intervened, taking the earrings from his hand and gesturing for him to leave. Shivnya was left looking on as I tried to open a door that yielded no response.
"Can I?" I asked, looking into her eyes, and she nodded.
I tucked her open locks of hair behind her ear slowly and started putting the earring in her ear.
"Ah, it hurts!" she winced in pain, and suddenly my mind wandered elsewhere, thinking she could say this same thing in some other place... uhmm, uhmm.
"Sorry," I apologized in a soft tone.
" How does it look ?" she asked, looking in the mirror.
" Do you like it ?? " I said, keeping my hand behind my back.
" Phele humne aapse pucha tha ," she said, while looking at other things in the store , and I chuckled.
( I asked you first )
" Bhot aache lag rhe hai ye aap par " I said to her and she smiled
( they are looking very nice on youย )
" Bhaiya wo wali bangles dikhana " She asked to shopkeeper and I was standing near to her the shopkeeper passed her the bangles and she tries to wear them roughly on her hands I intervened
( brother give me those banglesย )
" Aram se " I said, taking her hands in mine and helping her to wear them, but only after getting permission from her through her eyes.
( easy )
" Ye kaisi hai " She asked while looking into my eyes as if she was waiting for some assurance.
( how is thisย )
" Bilkul aap ki taraf " I said with a soft smile and she was looking confused to me but before she can say something I ordered to shopkeeper
( just like youย )
" ye dono pack kar dijiye or wo dono bhi"
( pack these two and also pack those also )
I handed some notes from the bundle to the shopkeeper. " Aapko pay karne ki zarurat nhi hai " She said
( you don't have to payย )
" Humari taraf se ek gift smjh lijiye " I said, offering her the packet.
( it's a gift from my side )
She took the packet from me with a small smile , and we shared eye contact for a second before she left, and I was just looking at her retrieving figure.
"Kya baat hai bhai, mujhe jitna yaad hai, aapko kabhi local stores se saman kharidna pasand nahi tha," Yuvraj came to me with a smirk.
( What's this, bro? As far as I remember, you never liked shopping from local stores )
"Yuvi, one more word and your tongue will be cut off," I said in anger.
"Haa haa bhai, ab toh bhabhi mil gayi hai, ab aapko humari kya zarurat hai," he said with a grin on his face.
( Yeah yeah, bro, now that you've found sis-in-law, you don't need us anymore )
"Kiski bhabhi mil gayi hai?" Aayansh came near and asked us.
( Whose sis-in-law did you find? )
"Aapki bhabhi, kahan hai dii waise?" Yuvraj said nervously.
( Your sis-in-law, by the way, where is dii? )
"Woh Aarav bhai ke sath ghoom rahi hai," Aayanah said.
( She's roaming around with Aarav bhai )
"Mr. Rathore, apne diii ko kahin dekha hai?" he asked me, and Yuvraj smirked while looking at me.
( Mr. Rathore, have you seen my sister anywhere? )
"No," I said and left from there
After Aayansh left, the women finished shopping, and now we were strolling on the road, taking in the view and clicking pictures. We followed the couples who were ahead of us. Despite the low temperature, Shivnya seemed to be managing with just a shawl, giving no hint that she felt cold. Eventually, we all returned to the villa and went to our rooms
Late at night, unable to sleep, I decided to take a walk in the garden. I put on my hoodie and noticed that Tanmay's room was open. Finding it empty, I checked Yuvraj's room, but he was not there either. I assumed they might be in Divit's room. I knocked on the door, but received no response.
Again knocking, but no response, then I opened the door, but nobody was there.
Concerned, I searched for the group in Aayansh's room but found no one. Growing worried, I contemplated searching outside when laughter and the noise of the speaker from the garden caught my attention.
I discovered Shivnya, Sanj, Tanmay, Yuvraj, Divit, and Aayansh gathered around a bonfire with drinks and tanmay divit and sanj were dancing to the music ( beedi ) . Their amusement turned to surprise upon seeing me, with Shivnya alone maintaining a sly grin as they turned off the music.
" Bhai , you " Tanmay said in a cracked voice
"What are you two doing, especially at this hour?" I asked in anger
"Mr. Rathore, do you have night blindness?" Divit asked, and my blood boiled even more
"Diviii!" Sanj slapped him on the back of his head.
"Bhaii , I was sleeping, Divit bhai called me," Tanmay said, looking at Divit.
"And Yuvraj, what about you?" I asked him
"Sanj called me," Yuvraj said with a puppy face
"Will someone explain to me what you all are doing?" I roared, and all of them were scared, but one face looked as if I was baffling. Here I was, tense because all of them were missing in the middle of the night.
"Bhai, baithiye toh sahi, hum explain karte hain sab," Yuvraj said, but I stood there with my arms crossed.
( Bro, sit down first, we'll explain everything )
"Mr. Rathore, let me explain," Shivnya said.
"Actually, humein neend nahi aa rahi thi, toh hum bahar ghoomne aa gaye. Aur Sanj bhi humare peeche peeche aa gayi chupke se. Jab humne usse dekha, toh usne idea diya ki we should enjoy the night, aur waise bhi vacation hai. So she called Yuvraj and Divit, and I called Aayansh," she explained to me, and I was now only 50% relaxed.
("Actually, I couldn't sleep, so I went outside to wander. Sanj secretly followed me, and when I saw her, she suggested we should enjoy the night since it's vacation. So she called Yuvraj and Divit, and I called Aayansh.")
"And these drinks?" I asked with a raised eyebrow
"Divit and Tanmay," she said, taking a sip from the drink.
"Tanmay," I said sternly.
"Shivnya dii, aap hi kuch boliye na," Tanmay said, hiding behind Shivnya. How could he do that? I can't even raise my voice in front of her, and here he is, hiding behind her.
( Shivnya dii, please say something )
"Mr. Rathore, calm down. Bacche hain, humare samne hi toh drink kar rahe hain. We can control the situation. Now, if your interrogation is over, should we enjoy the night?" she said, and everyone laughed but quickly stopped when I glared at them.
( Mr. Rathore, calm down. They're kids, they are drinking in front of us. We can control the situation. Now, if your interrogation is over, can we enjoy the night? )
"Prrr..." I was trying to say something but got cut off.
"Bhai, please na, baith jaiye. Isse pehle koi aur uth jaye," Yuvraj said, gesturing for me to sit. I sat in front of Shivnya. All of them were wrapped in quilts, and they passed one to me as well.
( Bro, please sit down before anyone else wakes up )
"Waise Abhimanyu bhaiya, aapko kaise pata chala ki dono gayab hain?" Divit asked, taking a sip from his drink.
( By the way, Abhimanyu bhaiya, how did you know that they were missing )
I explained everything, and everyone laughed. They were drinking, but not too muchโjust enough to enjoy. Shivnya and I were watching their antics. After an hour of entertainment, Shivnya finally said,
"Let's go and sleep now, and if anyone tells anyone about this party, they'll be punished."
"Ji di," they all said in unison.
"And one more thing, tomorrow we all are going to the temple, so wake up on time," she added, and Divit went near her and hugged her from behind.
"Di!" he said in a baby voice to Shivnya. She gently removed his hands and passed him to Aayansh.
"Aayansh, take him away; he's had too much to drink," she said.
"Ji di," Aayansh replied, taking Divit away.
We both nodded to each other as if both of us were saying something to each other, and after all this, we retired to our rooms and slept.
SHIVNYAโS POVย
Today, we have to go to the mandir. I was ready in my attire: a red suit with bangles and earrings that I bought last night, a small black bindi, and a loose bun.
"Bhabhi, sab taiyar hain na? Humein nikalna hai pooja ke liye," I said to Avantika.
( sister-in-law, is everything us ready?? )
"Shivnya, bohot sundar lag rahi ho, kya baat hai," she complimented me. I smiled and nodded.
( shivnya you are looking very beautiful )
"Aayu, Sanj, Divi!" I called out.
~~~
"Diii, kya chal raha hai yeh sab?" Tanmay asked Avantika.
( Dii, what is happening here?? )
"Mujhe bhi nahi pata, Divit se pucho, shayad usse kuch pata hoga," she replied
( I also don't know , ask divit )
"Divit bhai, ho kya raha hai yeh sab, aur tum sab log traditional mein kyu taiyar ho?" Tanmay asked Divit.
( divit bhai, what us happening all this and why you guys are wearing traditional clothes??ย )
"Abe idiot, kal raat ko dii ne bola toh tha ki aaj mandir jayenge," Divit replied.
( you idiot, last night dii clearly said that today we will go to the templeย )
"Diii Shiv bhakt hain, toh unhone yahan ke mandir m humare liye pooja rakhi hogi. I am cent percent sure," Divit said.
( Dii is shiv's devotee, so maybe she organised a prayer in nearby temple for us , I am vent percent sure )
"Ohhh," Tanmay said, making an "O" with his lips.
~~~
"Beta, nashta toh kar lo," Chachi said to me.
(ย child , at least have breakfast )
"Chachi, aapko pata hai na pooja se pehle kuch nahi khati hoon aur in logo ko bhi mat dena," I said while checking all the pooja materials.
( Aunt, you know I don't eat anything before the pooja, and don't give them anything either )
My eyes wandered to the stairs, where Abhimanyu was descending, adjusting his watch in his white kurta pajama. How can someone look so good? His perfectly trimmed beard, open long hair, and the grown moustache. My concentration on him was broken when Divit called,
"Diii," looking towards the food.
"Divi, chup chap chalo," I said, taking the pooja plate. I walked ahead, and he followed me.
( Divi, just walk quietly )
~~~
"Bhai, kal raat ki party kya mast thi," Tanmay said with a grin.
( Bro, last night's party was amazing )
"Which party?" Aarav bhai asked. I walked faster.
"Jiju," Tanmay said.
( Brother-in-law )
"Bhai," Divit added.
( Bro )
"Konsi party? Apne galat suna hoga, hum toh aarti ki baat kar rahe the," Tanmay said, trying to cover up but failing miserably.
( Which party? You must have heard wrong, we were talking about the aarti,)
"Konsi aarti?" Aarav bhai asked.
( Which aarti? )
"Kuch nahi bhai, yeh pagal ho gaya hai. Jaldi chalo, Shivi dii bula rahi hai. Bye bhai," Divit said, dragging Tanmay with him into the bus.
( Nothing, bro, he's gone mad. Hurry up, Shivi dii is calling. Bye bro )
~~~
We all got on the bus and reached our destination. I was the last one to step down because of a phone call. As I walked toward the mandir, someone came close to my ear. His warm breath gave me a strange sensation.
"Aap iss kurti aur iss singaar mein bilkul ek naayab phool ki tarah lag rahi ho, bilkul gulaab ki tarah, jiski sugandh aur khoobsurti se puri mehfil kaayam ho jaye," he whispered in a honeyed voice. A small smile crept on my face, but I quickly hid it.
( In this kurti and with this adornment, you look like a rare flower, like a rose, whose fragrance and beauty captivate the entire gathering )
I was surprised to hear his voice and turned around, colliding with him. He caught me before I fell, and our eyes locked. I held onto his collar for support. He steadied me and said,
"Sambhal ke," while I was lost in his eyes.
( carefully )
His cologne hit my nostrils, a mix of sandalwood, spices, and vanilla. We were alone as the family climbed the stairs ahead. As we ascended, he walked behind me, and I noticed some ladies smiling at me. I wondered if something was wrong with my appearance. I considered asking Abhimanyu and saw-
AUTHORโS POVย
He was holding the hem of her dupatta.
"What are you doing, Mr. Rathore?" She said, grabbing her dupatta.
"Actually, your dupatta was wiping the floor, so I thought..." he said.
"You could have told me," she said, adjusting her dupatta and starting to ascend the stairs.
They reached the mandir. Abhimanyu joined the men's group, and Shivnya went to Chachi.
"Itni der kahaan lag gayi tujhe?" Nandini asked.
( Where have you been so long? )
"Uh... I got a phone call," she replied
"Achha thik hai, chalo jaldi karo, pandit ji bula rahe the tumhe," Kamini said.
( Alright, hurry up, the priest was calling you )
Everyone gathered near the hawan kund as the panditji began chanting the mantras. When panditji asked for her hand to tie the kala dhaga, Shivnya handed Sanj's hand first, then passed it to Divit and Aayansh. She always prioritized her cousins over herself, graciously allowing the ceremony to continue with her own hand. After the pandit finished tying the kala dhaga on her wrist, the pooja concluded.
"Pooja sampann hui," Panditji announced.
( The ritual is complete )
"Beta, aashirwaad lo," Viren said to Shivnya.
( child , take the blessings )
"Sanj, Divi, Aayansh," she called the three monkeys. They came and touched the feet of the panditji, taking his blessings. After that, Shivnya took his blessings, and they all started to leave.
"Ek baat poochun beta aapse?" Panditji said, and they walked toward the other side of the mandir.
( Can I ask you something, dear? )
"Ji, pandit ji?"
( Yes, Panditji? )
"Yeh aapke kaun lagte hain? Aapne yeh pooja apne liye rakhi thi, phir bhi saare mahatvapurn kaam mein aapne inhe aage kiya," Panditji asked.
( Who are they to you? You held this ritual for yourself, yet you let them take the lead in all the important tasks )
"Yeh meri zindagi hain, pandit ji. Yahi ek wajah hain jinke wajah se main zinda hoon. Chaliye, shiv abhishek bhi toh karna hai. Aur haan, maine paise bhijwa diye the, aap baccho mein samaan distribute kar dijiye," she said and went into the mandir.
( They are my life, Panditji. They are the reason I am still alive. Let's go, we still have to do the Shiva abhishek. Oh, and yes, I sent the money, please distribute the items among the children )
"Thik hai, beta," he replied.
( okay child )
She was busy in her pooja, and everyone was enjoying the view and clicking pictures. Someone secretly clicked a picture of her as well. After the pooja, she sat on the stairs, enjoying the view.
"Diii, ab aage kya karna hai?" All the youngsters came, and Aayansh asked her.
( dii what we will do next )
" Want to play with snow ?" She asked.
" Yes !" all the youngsters said in unison.
"Thik hai, sabko bus mein lekar chalo," she said.
( okay gather everyone and let's go in bus )
"Hum bus mein khelenge?" Divit asked, and they started making their way out of the mandir.
( will we play in bus?? )
"Diviiii, kabhi kabhi toh sach mein lagta hai tum adopted ho," Sanj said, running from there.
( divii sometimes you prove that you are adoptedย )
"Shut up, dumbo," Divit said, running behind her.
"Aree, bade toh khelenge nahi, isliye hum pehle unhe villa drop karenge, kapde change karenge, phir hum log jayenge," Shivnya said, and all of them nodded.
( oh the elderly people won't play so first we will drop them in the villa then we will change and then we will goย )
They all went back to the villa, changed into cozy and warm clothes, and headed out to play in the snow. As they reached their destination, excitement filled the air.
"Wow, snow! So beautiful," Sanj exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Yeah," Yuvraj agreed with a smile.
"Chalo, khelte hain!" Divi said, and both Divit and Tanmay eagerly started playing in the snow.
( let's play )
They built a snowman, lay down to make snow angels, and even tried tubing. The laughter was infectious.
"Ouch!" Divit winced as he got hit by a snowball.
"Hahahahaha," everyone burst into laughter.
"Sanj ki bachi, ruk! Tujhe batata hoon," he said, starting to chase her.
( sanj wait, let me tell you how to throw )
"Ahhhh, diiii!" Sanj winced, dodging him.
"Awww, choti chuiya ko lag gayi, kamzor," Janvi said venomously, leaving Sanj feeling sad.
( aww the small rat got hurt very fragile )
"Divit, ruko! Hum tumhe batate hain," Tanmay said, and they continued playing in the snow.
( divit wait, I will tell you how to throw )
Everyone enjoyed the playful moments together. Yuvraj chased Sanj, Avni ran behind Aarav, and Tanmay and Aayansh chased Divit. Amidst the lively scene, Shivnya observed her younger cousins running around and reminisced about her own carefree days. Despite a fleeting sense of happiness, she acknowledged the reality of her present circumstances and resolved to embrace them.
"Ahhhh!" Shivnya winced as someone hit her with a snowball.
"Mr. Rathore!" She turned to face Abhimanyu, who had thrown the snowball at her. She retaliated, hitting him directly on his chest. They began chasing each other, playfully pelting snowballs. Eventually, she slipped, but he caught her, only to fall in the snow himself. They ended up intertwined in each other's arms, sharing an intimate moment as they gazed into each other's eyes until her siblings' voices interrupted them. Reluctantly, they pulled away and straightened themselves up.
After more fun in the snow, everyone grew tired and decided it was time to head home.
"Bhai, ghar chalein? Thak gaye hain," Divit said, his tone weary.
( Bhai , shall we go home? I'm tired )
"Yes," Avni said, clinging to Aarav.
"Sab aage hain?" Aarav asked.
( Is everyone ahead? )
"Yes, but where is dii?" Sanj asked, looking around.
"Diiiii," Aayansh called out.
"Last baar woh kiske saath thi?" Aayansh asked, and everyone shook their heads, puzzled.
( Who was she with last time?" )
They all went to find her, calling out:
"Diiiiii!"
"Shivu!"
"Shivnya!"
"Shivnya diiii!"
"Ms. Rajvanshi!"
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