Chapter 13

MUKTA

✨

I began running downstairs and stopped at a point when I saw a lot of ladies sitting and gossiping.

Snacks were being distributed.

And then my eyes fell on a board...

Shivansh weds Sanskriti

Oh!!! Aauuuhhh!!!

Wedding???

Someone is getting married here???

'Oh Shit!!! Mukta tu gaadhav aahe (Mukta you are a donkey)...

And next minute I saw the ladies crowd coming towards me and I didn't know where and that's when I noticed I'm in a night dress. A t-shirt pajama!!!

Freaking!!! Shit!!!

But before someone caught me I was been pulled by my wrist by a strong pull and I turned around to see Chetkin...shit!!! No!!! Prarthana pulling me upstairs!!!

And next minute I was pulled up to the second floor which had Omkar trying to stand with a lot of difficulty ..ouchhh!!!

Then there was also the white ghost who was trying to hop on his left leg as I had attacked his right one was limping!!!

And then Prarthana stood infront of me folding her hands to her chest and asked...

'First of all tell me what were you thinking when you meant I must be going and hanging on that banyan tree??? And what is a chitki???' she asked snapping her finger while I gulped nervously!!!

To which Omkar said shooting his eyes into my eyes...

Chetkin Pattu!!! Just googled!!!

In marathi it means witch!!!

And I closed my eyes!!!

Prarthana looked at me and took a step closer to me and asked...

'You thought I was a witch???' and I didn't know what to say and I finally spoke up...

'I ...I am sorry Prarthana... actually you were sitting on that bed with your hair open, red saree, red bindi and your voice...' and that's when I heard a voice from behind...

'Kids... haven't you got ready yet??? Shivansh's Udida muhurtu ritual (grinding the gram as a sign of teaching nitty gritty portraying significance of marital life and pre wedding rituals for groom before a GSB wedding) and I stood there blinking.

Omkar's mother's eyes fell on me and then on Prarthana...

'Sorry Amma...I asked her to wait upstairs but she came running...she misunderstood us to be ghosts!!!' she said and I closed my eyes.

Gosh so embarassing!!! And to my surprise Omkar's mother looked at everyone's faces and then burst out laughing asking...

'She what???' and then Prarthana went closer to her and hugged her saying...

'Mom please...now you are not laughing...do I look so bad???' she asked pouting and making cute faces and Omkar's mother pulled her cheek saying...

'Ole na gondi (No darling)' and then pressing her lips tighter looked at me asking...

'Mukta ..why did you think my jokers are ghosts???' to which I looked here and there...

Gosh this is worst!!!

And I could see Omkar's eyes on me...

His gaze made me more conscious!!!

OMKAR

✨

She was looking here and there with her big button eyes and biting her lower lip and I don't know all the frustration and anger I had on her because yet another time she attacked my jewel was gone away like thin air!!!

I kept looking at her beautiful eyes and lips which looked tempting to me!!!

O.K!!! Stop!!!

And suddenly she said softly...

'Actually Prarthana was sitting with her hair open, red eyes, red saree and jewellery today morning crossing her legs and I was scared. Then I saw the candles in the room, then her voice was also a little different from last night and she got loads of food for me ..I mean so much I wouldn't eat in one week!!!' she said and my mom looked at Pattu...

'Mom yaar I slept late last night hence my eyes were red, red jewellery and saree??? Oh come on ...red is the theme for today and my voice sounds like Thanos because I caught cold because thanks to your desperate son I took a midnight cold shower' she said and then bit her tongue then covered up saying...

'Ummm Ummm I mean...Ru... Rudra wanted me to clean up the closet last night ...' she added while we all were trying to control our smiles and my brother wanted to hide under his wife's veil!!!

While mom asked looking at Pattu...

'You??? Cleaned??? That too Rudra's dirty closet??? Really??' and Pattu gulped nervously as everyone knew what a OCD freak my younger brother was and what a messy baby Pattu was!!!

'Ummm Yup Yup mom...Ask Rudra if you want' and Rudra nodded while my mom smiled and nodded back...

While Mukta added...

'I am sorry aunty I was scared seeing the cand' and it caught my attention and before she could speak further I said...

'Amma... Rukmini mayi (aunty) was asking you' and my mother suddenly said...'Oh is it...let me see her...Pattu... Mukta's dress is kept in your room, so get her ready and come down... you know it's a busy day ... today evening Shivansh and Sanskriti are getting married, so there are so many guests ..so just go get ready soon' saying she left ...

While Rudra went limping to her and asked...

'You thought even I was a ghost??? I mean a handsome 6 ft man like me too???' Rudra asked sounding hurt while she said...

'Sorry...your face...I mean .. and you asked Prarthana to complete the job' she added while Rudra said...

'Obvio...you ate very little last night and Anna told us about how your friend tried to misbehave with you...we were concerned...but you... anyways and Pattu how many times should I tell you baby not to apply face pack on me while I'm asleep...see you scared her'  and she was making cute faces which were making me smile.

'She is cute isn't she?' Said a voice

'Ofcourse she is!!!' I added

'And beautiful???' said the voice

'Breathtaking!!!' I said...

'So does that mean she is going to be our Vanni (sister in law)?' and that's when my trans broke and owner of that sweet voice Pattu was smiling at me sheepishly!!!

Shit!  And before I could speak anything further she pulled Mukta along saying...

'Come Mukta...if you stay any longer here... someone may probably eat you up with their eyes!!! Right Anna' and I coughed while Mukta averted her gaze.

Prathana took her to her room while we went downstairs.

The rituals had begun.

Sisters began sitting by Shivansh and started grinding the black gram in the stone grinder. It was all fun, entertaining and smiles until I got a call from Commisioner Sandesh my friend and I picked his call.

'Omkar...there is a problem...Harry escaped from our hands and we are scared he may come to harm Mukta...we are looking for him but just please be alert around Mukta. You know in these situations, victims become the prime target. He may try to harm Mukta. Please be alert' he said and next minute I beefed up the security around the house.

I wanted to keep her safe but it was a wedding that was happening, I was scared.

Suddenly mom asked me to help them with some belongings as this involved Shivansh's Kashi Yatra ritual.

That's when my eyes fell on Prarthana who joined in quickly but my eyes froze at a certain someone who was descending the staircase...

In a simple red readymade saree lehenga, minimal jewellery and a small diamond bindi.

Every step she took descending downwards my heartbeat went rising. I gulped to swallow my saliva which was going dry looking at this wild mystic beauty who's aura radiated everywhere but my eyes glued onto these mesmerizing shades of brown black eyes which made me feel butterflies in my stomach.

She looked at me and looked down and walked past me while her wild fragrance filled my nose and I closed my eyes breathing deeply!!!

God!!! Why is she so intoxicating!!!

Just then my eyes fell on the milky white skin of her waist which made me shudder and I had this sudden urge to move my fingers on her skin!!!

Stoppppp O.K Stop!!!

Women are toxic!

Away from them!!!

Re-iterating the same words I closed my eyes and tried to walk away from her but at times Destiny plays a cupid to embarrass us both...

I saw Mukta was about to stumble upon her lehenga so in one go I went and held her by her waist and my palms came in contact with her soft skin and my eyes captured hers...

She was in my embrace and we both right now were the centre of attraction because no just gossip aunties and grumpy uncles even Shivansh himself was staring at us passing a 'I know it' kinda smile.

Wooow!!!