Anamika #Book II

Chapter XIII

Anamika lay awake the whole night as various anxious thoughts plagued her mind. Her worry for her sister’s future was palpable in her eyes. Beside her on the bed, Shivangi’s soft breaths relayed that she’s fast asleep after a long, emotionally taxing day.

Shivangi was frightened out of her wits at the prospect of marriage. Although she couldn’t relate, Anamika could understand her sister’s concerns and… apprehensions.

Trust, love and respect made the foundation of any marriage strong – almost unshakeable. But to find that sort of a partner in today’s world was equivalent to finding a needle in a haystack.

Love doesn’t come and knock on everyone’s doorstep. It was a harsh reality. And even if it does. It doesn’t necessarily entail its success. But one could always dream right…!

Shifting on her side, Anamika couldn’t help but pray that a love such as hers may find her sister too.

~*~*~*~*~

Saanvi looked pleased at her reflection in the floor length mirror. A satisfactory smile adorning her full lips. And her excitement was palpable in the air.

She was getting ready to welcome her handsome lover, whose flight had already landed and was on his way to the ancestral Haveli of the Shekhawats’.

Hearing the distant honk of the car entering the driveway, Saanvi, grabbing her gossamer dupatta from the bed, rushed outside her room.

Her delicate anklets chimed along in the corridors as she hurried downstairs, her hands fisting the seamless fabric of her Anarkali.  

Two of the female helpers who’d been here for a long time, chuckled behind their hands as she ran past them.

Rudra had only crossed the threshold when she came flying unsuspectedly into his arms. With an arm snaked around her small waist, Rudra lifted her up and spun her around.

His ears were instantly awarded with her soft giggles as she buried her face in his shoulder.

Ah! He could breathe again!

Rudra wondered what enchantment this little nymph had casted on him to instantly settle an odd calm in his heart. Saanvi dangled her legs in the air; the chiming of her anklets was music to his ears.

A throat cleared behind them while muffled chuckles behind the hand could be clearly heard. Rudra’s ears turned red when he glanced at his grandmother who sat on her wheelchair with Malti behind her.

Carefully putting her back on her feet with his arm still wound around her waist, Rudra looked at Nalini who was grinning ear to ear.

Advay, who’d picked him up from the airport, teased with mirth dancing in his eyes, “Quite the welcome there – Bhabhi.”

Rudra scowled at his brother, feeling Saanvi bury her embarrassed face in his chest. Advay only grinned back then jested.

“Grandma, I think you’re going to have to wed them off before your elder grandson. With the way they behave they might give you a promotion pretty soon.”

Nalini laughed joyously, joined in by Malti.

“And you, a painful death.” Rudra gritted through his teeth. Advay threw his arms up in surrender.

Saanvi wanted nothing but the earth to open itself and hide her in its depth. Disengaging from his reluctant hold, Saanvi stood beside him and wrung her arms in front of her nervously.