Fragrant flowers of the malli* adorned her hair; the tinkle of her anklets resonated through the house. The house bustled with girls running around in their colourful skirts. Neatly arranging the bangles on her wrists, Surabhi pondered. The saffron hue of her silk saree lent her face an endearing glow as the evening sun warmed the room. Aunt Padma had given her a big lecture the day prior, on how she was to 'appropriately' conduct herself before Narayan and his parents [read, eyes lowered, soft voice, speak-only-when-required]. She gazed at herself once more in the mirror and happy with her appearance, she moved over and sat on the cane swing in her favourite part of this room.
The sizzle of bajjis frying and the aromas of the heavy-with-ghee kesari enticed her senses and distracted her for some seconds. What was happening here today and was she really going to go through this age-old tradition? Surabhi smiled to herself and arranged her expressions to befit a future bride.
A shuffle, a hushed whisper, and someone trying to hastily end a conversation. She peeped out, to see Narayan huddled against the wall. "Heyyy darling, how could I? Oh, today? It's just a formality, don't worry. It's only for today. I'll be with you soon. Ok hush, hush now let me go before someone tiptoes on me. Ooh Ashwi, I'm yours forever".
The ornate jewellery; the malli flowers; the bangles :: the glow dissipiated. She was enraged, furious, wanted to go question him why, and why did he only think of himself and his life. And what did she expect from him, when the perpetrator of her sorrow was one of her own? Surabhi didn't spare a thought for Ashwini anymore. For 9 months they'd jostled for space in the same womb, and growing up was a journey filled with compromises, adjustments and fostering of secret pacts. Today, her twin had dealt the final blow. Usurped her emotions, and played the biggest game of their life.
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*malli: the fragrant jasmine
The sizzle of bajjis frying and the aromas of the heavy-with-ghee kesari enticed her senses and distracted her for some seconds. What was happening here today and was she really going to go through this age-old tradition? Surabhi smiled to herself and arranged her expressions to befit a future bride.
A shuffle, a hushed whisper, and someone trying to hastily end a conversation. She peeped out, to see Narayan huddled against the wall. "Heyyy darling, how could I? Oh, today? It's just a formality, don't worry. It's only for today. I'll be with you soon. Ok hush, hush now let me go before someone tiptoes on me. Ooh Ashwi, I'm yours forever".
The ornate jewellery; the malli flowers; the bangles :: the glow dissipiated. She was enraged, furious, wanted to go question him why, and why did he only think of himself and his life. And what did she expect from him, when the perpetrator of her sorrow was one of her own? Surabhi didn't spare a thought for Ashwini anymore. For 9 months they'd jostled for space in the same womb, and growing up was a journey filled with compromises, adjustments and fostering of secret pacts. Today, her twin had dealt the final blow. Usurped her emotions, and played the biggest game of their life.
---
*malli: the fragrant jasmine
5 comments:
That was an unexpected twist. At first I thought he was actually sending her only a message, and it was a surprise. Then I read it was another girl. But your final blow was brilliant!!! The plot was very good and the writing, very vivid. Good going, Urmi!
Wow, Urmila. I am really impressed. It's awesome....very well expressed. Lot of depth. Good job...
Thanks so much, Pallo and Madhu. Your words mean so much to me !! :)
very good and with an startling twist.
Thank You Samvedna :)
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