018

Niyati, Maithili and Ranveer's school and college put on hold as the day of Shivangi's wedding neared. Raghuveer has finalized the date of the March after Shivangi and Niyati's examination. It was with lots of consideration from both of the family that he came to that decision.

Niyati saw the grand celebration of the Vijay dashmi as the October sets in the November and the festival of the diwali neared. On the fine morning of the Friday, Radha took the holiday from the school so the ladies could all go the market for the shopping.

Shivangi's in-laws has gave them the invitation of the dinner at their home in the Kanpur but since Shivangi cannot visit her in-laws home before marriage Niyati will stay in the house along with her as everyone else will go to the Kanpur.

The sisters knows no bound hearing that from Roopa only for their happiness to puff out like the air from the balloon when they knows about that Manorama too will stay with them -She will be at Shivangi's house while the sisters will stay at Niyati's -

"But why kaki? You do not trust us?" Niyati demanded following Roopa to the kitchen.

"It isn't my decision Amu but of Shivangi's Father- "

"And if you have problems..go and tell him that." Radha added from behind the sink knowing Niyati wouldn't go against Raghuveer's words or even questioned them making the poor girl mutter under her breathe furiously and leaving the kitchen.

The market was jam packed with shopping goers, types of shops were situated at the sides of the road, colourful bangles,earrings, sandals,as well as dupattas attracting eyes of the women. Maithili ran at once towards the paddler selling bhel ordering for herself and Ranveer.

"Ae..what about us?" Shivangi asked to her as she return back with two small pockets with Raghuveer after her.

"It is not healthy dii..and the to be bride deserves only healthy food-" chewing the sweet bhel and turning towards the other shop holding hand of Roopa and giving her a bite.

Ten minutes later Maithili whined again as Niyati shared the piping plate of ghugni between her and Shivangi as they eat from the plastic spoon.

"Dii..I want a bite too-" Maithli whined looking at the ghugni with eyes of longing only for Shivangi to reply "but it is a healthy food Mitthu which only the to-be bride can eat."

Making Niyati laugh so hard at the fallen face of the younger that she doubled down in the middle of the road earning glare from Radha.

_

"This one dii.." Niyati holds the beautiful royal blue colored saree in her hand showing it to the Shivangi who was sitting in between bunch of them. "This one will compliment you so well."

When Radha and Roopa both hummed their appreciation the saree was finalised and asked to be set aside.

The shop owner knows the Mishras and so he assured them that all of their saree and suits will reach their home in the evening and they do not have to worry about the bags.

"Amu, Mitthu..what you two will wear at the wedding?" Roopa asked eyeing quite few beautiful looking pieces in other shop.

"Jiji..I will see to it. You just focus on Shibu -"

Radha starts not wanting to burden her brother-in-law with her children's expenses when he was already paying for so much .

That earns her the glare from Roopa "Nonsense." Who acted as she didn't even heard what her sister-in-law even said.

"Amu..your birthday is also at the next week, buy something for that day too."

In between every things happening around her it slipped from Radha's mind that the next week will indeed be her daughter's birthday. The first birthday they will celebrate without the presence of their father's joyous laughter who got more excited on the birthdays of her children than the two of them.

The smile dimmed on her face and watching her, from her daughters' faces as Maithili and Niyati both stand besides her in a way to console her without drawing attention. "I forgot, sorry-"

"No mummy. It isn't an national holiday for you to remember about. " Said Niyati the three of them walking behind the group as Shivangi and Roopa both went away to give them some privacy.

And really, when her daughters grew up this much. Niyati and Maithili were the pampered children who used to get angry at people for forgetting any of their important event. Be it their parents teachers meeting to the date of their results.

Her husband has threated then like the princesses while he was alive, showing them only love and love only.

And now..when he is not here anymore, her children are seeing compromises they didn't knew before. The situation they didn't lived before was now their reality.

"Yes it is. Jiji is right, you should buy anything you want for your birthday. Nevertheless, you had to buy sets of clothes since your previous ones are getting old now." Tapping Niyati shoulder she gently escorted them to hurry up and catch Roopa "And with Shivangi's wedding the guest will be in and out of the house many times, you can't wear those old clothes in front of them."

_

Gayatri saw the Mishras at the clothing shop she came with Nupur bhabhi. Hitting Nupur's shoulder she indicate towards the group of the ladies selecting salwar suits "bhabhi...see, it is the Mishras."

And didn't understand why Nupur suddenly looked panick looking around herself. "What happened?"

"Nothing... nothing. I just- forget it Guddi." Nupur said dismissing her. For a second, she forgot about her surrounding when she the Mishra's daughter, her thoughts instantly jumping to Achintya before realising it is Vijay Babu who took them to the market. He too couldn't be seen only the bodyguards standing outside the shop and Nupur frowns.

Where he is now?

Vijay has the habit of getting in the unnecessary drama and fight, his quick temper an actual headache for the people around him and Nupur didn't wanted anything like that to happen again.

Not so soon, after Vijay Babu assaulted the poor paddler blaming him for coming infront of the car when he was the one driving on the wrong lane. It made Nupur felt so bad for the poor man when Vijay threw away his materials for the pani-puri on the road and she couldn't do anything about it or reprimand Vijay for his wrong doing.

Nupur had to sneak the five thousands rupees to the poor paddler through the bodyguards because if he has saw that, Vijay again would have created another scene.

"Bhabhi..stop zoning out. The Mishra ladies are coming towards us." And with a start Nupur saw the two ladies stopped by the guards looking frightened as Nupur inclined her head to the guard to let them come closer.

"Pranam choti Thakurain." Roopa Mishra folds her head as she approaches them. "It is so good to see you."

"It is only our pleasure panditain jii. " Nupur smile gracefully. "Shopping for your daughter's wedding?"

"Oh..no..no. we are selecting clothes for my niece's birthday. It is next week and so we thought we should keep our gifts ready" Roopa replied. The children refuses straight on her face to accompany her and Radha to greet Nupur and Gayatri Chaudhary insisting she left them out of this all.

Not at all understanding how important it is to maintain the connection with the Chaudharys are. Their reputation improved several notches after Achintya Chaudhary and the rest of his clan graces her door, Shivangi's in-laws were also deeply impressed by their high ties.

"Oh which one?" She heard Nupur inquiring that and pointed to Niyati who has her back to them and facing Shivangi asking her advice.

"Niti. " Confused Roopa looked at her "I meant my son call her Niti. What is her full name?"

"Niyati." Roopa has heard the talea from Maithli about the cute child she wanted to eat up at the Chaudhary haveli and Niyati's elaborated explanation about how the boy becomes so attached to her. "Her name is Niyati."

As if hearing her name, Niyati turned towards them Nupur watches the girl from far and the awkward way she folded her hand to greet.

In between Shivangi and Niyati it wouldn't take much thought for anyone to declare the winner, but still Niyati holds something in her, a simplicity and innocence on her honey face that attracts the attention of others.

It was as if, in between the bunch of golds the diamond is glistening.

It is such a mind churning thought, of how Achintya, who is such a amid people reader, got attracted to the Shivangi for her outer beauty overlooking Niyati who was there all the time behind her sister's shadow.

But all in all, it was the good thing. Shivangi will be married and the sword dangling above their head will be vanished for forever.

_

It would be her luck to forget the way of the so many streets looking similar but being different.

Niyati went inside one shop to buy some stationary "you guys go..I'll meet you at the shop."

With Shivangi pointing to the street "it is the chudi line and where you will find every kind of bangles" and now Niyati quite literally forgot where to go and which shop to enter to find her family.

She went inside one street and found no one. Then she went inside another and realises that couldn't be the chudi line her sister had pointed.

Her phone was in the purse of her mother and with her hands full of stationary item for both her and Maithili Niyati walks towards a man to ask the whereabouts of the chudi line, instead of wasting her time running from one street to another.

"Excuse me," the young man turned, he has the long hair tied in a low bun and beard hiding his chiseled jaw "could you point out the chudi line?"

Niyati waited for him to answer but his dark eyes were stuck to her face, feeling conscious she takes a step back frowning at him "excuse me, " her tone turns sharp as the man has to say something-

He might have got the hint because the next second he rubbed his palm over his face and said "yeah..it is two streets beside this one."

Not even bothering to express the gratitude, Niyati turned to the direction he pointed not at all wanting to see that creep's face again.

Really, people got such good face but no personality or manners to match that.

_

Even her tone was gentle and sweet like her face. A low honey like quality in her voice that felt euphoric to his ears.

Vijay watches the girl's swaying back, her hair dancing behind. Even covered in a modest looking cream sweater the girl looked almost ravishing glowering at him.

She fucking has the audacity to send a frown towards him, no one has done that and lived to tell the tale. But lord, didn't she look like a seductress with her innocent face and wide eyes, the perfect curvy body and the honey sweet tone that would sounds like heaven screaming his name.

A delicious treat waiting only for him.

Vijay originally had thought to forget that woman after his proposal was fixed with Sneha but seeing her from this close, inhaling the sweet coconut on her, made him realise that that thought is going to be not possible.

He won't be able to throw her out of his mind without having the taste of her . And he will do that before his marriage. For he will start that holy matrimony with desirable thoughts filled only of his pure wife and not of a woman who is soon going to turned impure.

A spoiler meal for others after he would be done with her.

_

"We saw your Niti today.." Gayatri was singing to the Abhay who was running after her for she has take away his favourite toy.

"Do you know..her birthday is coming -"

"Give the car. Give my car. " Abhay was yelling at the top of his voice but got calm down hearing the name of the person he was missing "Niti? I want to go to the birthday.. papa.."

Mithilesh aimed the glare towards his giggling sister as his son climbed in his lap demanding his attention "Papa..I want to go to birthday..papa." Achintya slids the file infront of his towards himself comparing the account book of the sand deals of few months.

"Ofcourse. Go with your Guddi bua." He pats his son's head looking over his back to the files and sneaking a glance at his brother who was as calm as the cucumber.

"Right Guddi?"

The girl stomps her feet coming towards him and sitting at headrest of the sofa beside him "bhaiya.."

"Don't bhaiya me. You told him now you take the responsibility of it."

"But I was teasing only. I do not want to go to any birthday."

"They didn't even invited you Guddi. You can keep the rein of your thoughts in control.". and Guddi scowls at Achintya and the laughing Mithilesh and the confused Abhay who despite not understanding anything, laughed along with his father.

"Hm.." rolling her eyes the sister of theirs declared to them "you both are really good for nothing. And you too, Abhay." Stomping towards the kitchen to complain to Nupur bhabhi about Mithilesh's doing.

As for Achintya she will have to wait and even then, Guddi was not sure whether that woman will ever be able to handle her brother.

_

Radha served the tea to few women from the neighborhood who came to her house for the evening tea. Niyati and Maithili were gone with Shivangi to the temple after Raghuveer's catching the fever.

Few of the ladies were the mothers of the students she teaches while some were her friends she made living along with them after the few months.

"Have you heard about Snigdha?" Rupali started sipping the tea after finishing the biscuits. "Nilima's daughter? They live across the local doctor's house. "

"Ah..I remember. I remember. The girl who always has her nose in the air because she got selected in the college of the Bhopal."

Neeta added remembering how Nilima's attitude changed after that and to everyone she met she would advise them to meet their daughter.

"Hm, exactly her. "

"What about her now? If you are about to tell us that Snigdha got in another top college I would advise you to shut your mouth." Savitri declared not wanting another session of 'Snigdha puran'

Rupali waves her hand frantically "oh no no..that is not what I meant. Beside she already has completed her studies and working in a big company in Bhopal -"

"Good. Now change the topic-"

"Are Savitri bhabhi listen, I just got to know that Snigdha had done the love marriage." It elicited the gasp from many women's mouth and Rupali savours their reactions.

"Hm...not only that but also an inter caste marriage on top of that-"

"What you are saying Rupali?" Savitri asked her hands on her mouth. "Girls these days. Atleast tell me the boy is of higher caste?"

"No. The man doesn't share the same religion as us. He is a Christian."

"Poor Nilima." Neeta said from the sideline. "That girl brings so much shame to her family. It is just- if she was my daughter I would have killed her by my own hands."

"Exactly Neeta. I wonder what Nilima and her husband would be feeling."

"It all wouldn't have happened if they didn't sent their daughter away, at the first place." Savitri put the cup down and said "girls are the liability and so giving them too much freedom only is an added risk. That is why I never allow my Shalu to move even an inch away from my eyes."

"True, true Savitri. " The other women hummed along and the topic of how to control your daughter best continues as Radha waited for those women to leave her premise as soon as they can without having to interrupt their nonsense and throws then away herself.

Thank God, Niyati and Maithili aren't here or otherwise they would have sent these ladies away the first time they heard the nonsense spewing from their lips.

_

He again lost the trail of her. The girl was gone when he reached the chudi line and even after looking for her from shop to shop he didn't saw her face.

"Aey...what happened to you.." slurring one of his friend ask throwing another chess card on the table drinking from the bottle straight. "You look like a kicked dog" the group around him laughter a loud and with a sharp speed Vijay throws the used bottles on the floor.

"Fuck..don't irritate me. I'm already not in a good mood."

His friends looked at him asking together in unison "what... why!" too drunk to care.

Vijay narrates the incident from the morning to them, the alcohol flowing freely between the four men. He should be back at the home, his father had warned him seriously to not do anything rash anymore now that his proposal is fixed.

But that forbidden fruit looked too tempting now that he was banished in getting that. Even now, Vijay tried to imagine Sneha's face but the face of that girl keep getting dissolved with hers making it hard for him to control himself, as bottles after bottles got scattered around them.

"That's it?" Rajwat hiccups around a gulp putting the bottle on the table only for it slip as his hand were unstable "Bhai..what is the big deal in that?"

"Exactly. Point that girl and soon she will be yours. " Ashutosh added.

"You just have to give your words and she'll be yours. We will make sure of that." Shekhar thumps Vijay's back in a gesture to show his support.

They both were friends since middle school and Shekhar has supported Vijay through thick and thin knowing the position the other man holds. Vijay has helped him many times from the tricky situation, bailed him out of the jail after the molestation case, from his illegal alcohol trafficking case shd what not. For his friends he can give his life that girl is just a drop from the ocean for Shekhar.

_

Mukesh tried to control an emotional Asha, his birthday was ruined, he has lost his job, as well as his plan of having the 'fun day' has shattered before him in such a way he had no idea was possible.

"It..all my fault..all my fault.." cried Asha on the phone, "I..you got punishment of my doing.."

He has heard that story many times before and truth be told he agreed with Asha. Knowing that girl's background, what Asha needed to do something like that to her? Now their goddess is punishing them both .

"Asha..will you shut up. For god's sake..shut up." Rubbing his eyes he said. Too tired for this again. Its like they have no more topic to discuss anymore, Asha is always depressed and whenever he open up any intresting topic or conversation she would not reciprocate the same way as before leaving him unsatisfied.

Mukesh could only blame his luck and his stupid girlfriend who is simply good for nothing.

_

An early update since I have it written the same day I posted the previous chapter.

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