The thing about such occasions is that it takes so long for the preparations… builds up your enthusiasm and keeps you energised. However, it gets over sooner than you wish. For Shruti, it meant end of the stay at Shah residence.
To be continued….
At night, when everyone retired to the room, Atharva sat with Shruti on his favourite swing in the living room. He looked tired and she couldn’t help commenting, “Aisa Kya kiya that you are so tired? Look at you! Ready to doze off any minute. It’s the ladies who did the running around. It should be me having that knocked out look on the face.” She teased him, “It seems you spent your energy only in hogging. God! You have some capacity!! And oh yes! How can I forget about this? How many laddoos can you have? I think I lost count of the number that went in your tummy today. Mere peechhe khaaye honge woh alag.” She finally stopped speaking, taking a breather.
Atharva sat, merely shaking his head, as if in disgust, which only fuelled Shruti more. She blurted, “What?! At least be mindful about the quantity.” He said exasperatedly, “I knew this! Shru… you already sound like a wife… you know? Haath me belan leke peetne wali types.” She widened her eyes at his comment and actually whacked him on his back. “Yeah… you are right!” Atharva with a sad face mocked, “Should have listened to Abhinav! He had warned me about all this happening after marriage. But you have started with your atrocities now itself.”
Shruti couldn’t help grinning at his comments and both burst into laughter. She suddenly said, “Marriage se yaad aaya. Finally we are getting married Atharva!” She said with an excitement which made Atharva glad... still, he pulled her leg. “Were you having doubts about it lady? It was bound to happen na.” Shruti lost her patience as he pretended to not get her meaning and said impatiently, “Arey! Today when my parents came, they discussed about the wedding dates na!” He said dreamily, “Yaa… let’s see… anytime after January 15th.”
She couldn’t contain her happiness and gave a quick peck on his cheek. He looked at her as a naughty gleam crept in his eyes. “Jaanu… now that Bappa is not at home, how about continuing with what we left midway in the evening?”
Shruti squealed, “Are you completely crazy? Lower your tone at least! What if someone listens?! We are sitting in the living room… not room in case you have forgotten.” He said slyly, “Chal then… let’s go to the room.” She rolled her eyes and said, “Let’s get serious Atharva… I am feeling apprehensive you know. Hope everything goes smoothly, without any hindrances.”
Atharva could hear the anxiety in her voice and responded, “Hey! No need to get so anxious! Everything will go smoothly… chill.” She murmured and nodded her head. Then the very next moment, her eyes sparkled with the thought and she exclaimed, “Am soooo excited for tomorrow. Wedding trousseau shopping! Since mom is also here, we had planned to get it done.”
Atharva yawned again when Shruti couldn’t hold back herself, “You know? I have two terms to describe you perfectly.” Atharva’s interest peaked and he looked at her earnestly. She answered cheekily, “Workaholic and…. “ she could barely hold her laughter and said, “Sleepaholic.” He hadn’t expected this and was aghast for a minute. He composed himself quickly and retorted, “Yeah right and you are a true shopaholic.” Shruti bowed down and accepted, “I agree Your Highness! Any more compliments you would like to shower upon me?” He chuckled and said, “Shru.. you are a complete crackpot you know… Kuch bhi bolti hai.” She grinned and they carried on their banter for a while. They were dead tired but both were unwilling to sleep as on the next day Shruti will be leaving.
They bid each other farewell in the most loving way they could, savouring their proximity. Every single time they had to part, they used to feel torn… unable to bear the pain. But it was inevitable of course. They were engulfed in an embrace when a sob escaped her. Atharva pacified her by saying, “Few more months to go Jaanu. Then we won’t have to pine for each other.” She wiped her tears and replied in a dejected tone, “Ya… but then I will be in for another dilemma. I will miss my home and my family just as much.” He sighed, “Abhi iska solution kahaa se lau? You always have something lined up. Ek problem khatam toh dusra aa jaata hai.” She giggled at his helplessness and hugged him tight.
It was quite late when both reluctantly detached themselves and went in the room to sleep. To their surprise, Minish was on a call with someone, talking in hushed tones. As soon as they entered, he said a quick bye and disconnected the call.
Atharva looked at the clock and exclaimed, “With whom were you talking at this hour?!” Minish had that guilty look on his face, as if he had been caught red handed and replied, “Oh it was nothing. Abhishek had called up. He wanted me to come for trekking camp after Diwali.” Before Atharva could say anything, Shruti interrupted, “ You can’t go Minishbhai. You all have to come to Nashik… remember?” Shruti said in an animated tone. Atharva joked, “She descends from the lineage of Hitler I guess. You don’t have an option bhai.” Minish chortled at that and said, “That’s exactly what I was telling Abhishek… that I won’t be able to join him.” They engaged in conversation related to the festivity that day and eventually settled down to sleep.
All family members woke up a bit later than usual on the next day, relaxing a bit. Shruti and Atharva headed towards Juhu, where Shruti was supposed to meet her mom and Saroj mami. They were supposed to meet a designer who had done a marvellous job for Nainaa for her wedding. Nainaa also joined them in sometime at the boutique.
Shruti was extremely charged up about the whole thing and couldn’t contain her excitement. They were warmly welcomed by the designer, Ritu Saxena, as they were old clients. Shruti had been fussy when they had come for Nainaa, so Ritu was well aware of her taste. They went through scores of outfits and Shruti sat gaping at it all. She thought, ‘There was nothing more that roused her spirits more than this…’ And immediately corrected herself, well almost and blushed at that.
Shruti was always a bit stubborn when it came to colours and other specifications. They were discussing about a couple of things they had short listed, when Jyotiji suggested, “Shruti… I personally feel that you should go for a sari. You will be wearing a ghaghra choli for sangeet and reception anyways.” Saroj mami and Nainaa agreed and Shruti conceded. She clarified while going through the stuff, “Ritu.. please be clear. I don’t want that particular shade of red. It’s not appealing.” She picked up one particular dupatta and pointed out, “I prefer this shade. And although I didn’t like the rest of the embroidery all that much, I simply adored this particular border.”
Both mami and Alpa said in unison, “Ye ladki!” Ritu chuckled at their expression and said, “Don’t worry aunty… I am pretty used to it. Although I must confess, Shruti is a notch above others in her specifications and I was mentally preparing myself since morning.” Shruti widened her eyes while all others had a hearty laugh. Ritu winked at her and smiled, “Just kidding… but then I can understand. Well, if you are so keen about it, then how about this one?”
The moment she set eyes on the garment, she fell head over heels in love with it. She exclaimed, “My goodness Ritu! This is truly a master piece.” It was a dupatta with a heavy border of zardosi… unlike any other she had ever seen. She staggered at the extent of hours it must have taken to achieve that and complimented the designer.
All heaved a sigh of relief and discussed as to how will the design be incorporated in a sari. Ritu warned her, “Mind you… this is going to be very heavy to carry although it would be stunning.” Shruti shrugged, “I want this. Gosh! Am already dreaming how it will look. Okay listen, I think you need to add a dupatta which has white and red colours that I will be draping on my head.” Ritu nodded, “Yes.. I’ll have to anyways give you that as it would be impossible to hold that kind of a weight on your head.” They all treated themselves to a round of coffee and cookies once done and departed.
Since they were in that area, they decided to explore a couple of high end showrooms at Juhu scheme, which had exclusive stuff. Shruti went crazy on that day, having a blast.
Mrs Shah had insisted about going for sangeet and reception outfits when she would come before Diwali… so that was settled.
At night, she called up Atharva once done with dinner. He complained, “So Ms. Busy bee is finally free to talk to me now.” She answered, “Hmm… was busy shopping. Thoroughly enjoyed myself today. What lovely stuff ya… I can never get enough of it!” She went on to describe her wedding outfit and got carried away with the details; it was more like a one sided conversation. Atharva said at last, “You are quite passionate about clothes. I am too, but its different.”
She said haughtily, “Hello! You should be thankful to us women you know. I keep telling that to my dad as well. If not for us.. how would the textile industry exist? So in a way, we are helping the economy.” He sniggered, “My goodness! You almost make it sound like as if you are doing it for a social cause.” She tittered and justified, “It’s a stress buster for me… nothing can uplift my mood better.” He queried, “You are tempting me to prove you otherwise. Next time, I won’t stop.”
She bit her lip at his bold statement and said, “We won’t be meeting for a long time now. Not before Diwali I think.” He suggested, “How about Navratri? See if you can come for a day or two. We can go for Falguni Pathak if you do.” Shruti was tempted to, but wasn’t sure whether she would be able to come again so soon.
However, things don’t work out always as we plan.
To be continued ...
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