Introduction

Bhakti Sharma is a simple conventional woman in her early thirties. She is skinny yet her sharp features gives her the feminine look. Beautifully carved cheekbones, intense eyes which look dull n mysterious, moderate height. Her dark brown hair ends few inches above her fully rounded hips. Simple personality resembling a common indian working women; Who carries vegetables in local trains to utilise her time. She belongs to the usually group of mango people in the city of Mumbai who earns just enough to sustain their family and save enough to pay their debts.

She works in a food supply department at Mumbai. The corruption in the department and the reserved mentality of society has made her learn the hard way that there are no free lunches, so one has to work damm hard to earn every bite on their plate.

Sitting on her rickety old fashioned desk, burring her head in work and sincerely entering numbers to the computer like a machine , she starts her daily work ritual. Her left hand swim over the keyboard like a pro making a rhythmic tune with her fingers & her right hand busy rechecking the task; whereas her uncontrollable mind had left her seat and started wandering between her past present and future.

Every day the same routine from pass 7 years has made her worn out till her last bit but she haven’t quit as her life majorly depends on this job.Within few months of her job she was convinced that she couldn’t do this and immediately wanted to quit but the desperate need of money after her father’s death glued her to this job since she was 22, the sudden death in the family took everything from them. family was just the term left of it. The whole family, relatives even her mother and sister blamed her for her fathers death. 8 years have passed but the pain of the blame has stayed. She got her fathers job even though she was just a college student . Her fathers few colleagues helped them to get some stability in their life. But it never changed the fact that she lost everything with his death.

“Bhakti..-Bhakti…”. Came a voice. Her aimlessly wandering thoughts jolted back to her seat when she realised someone is calling her from behind. 5-6 colleagues of her had made a group at the extreme corner table and had started digging lunch from each others tiffin. she had lost track of time that its lunch hour. It was Mrs. Degwekar eagerly crying out her name with utmost delight, the only time this lady remembers Bhakti is after she has finished her lunch and is carving for something sweet. Mrs.Degwekar turned from her sit and called out again “bhakti are you not hungry its so late, come out with your box we are waiting” with this she turned back to her tiffin without showing any further concerns for Bhakti. Neither did bhakti put any effort to say as she has become accustomed with the ppl around. she saved her work in her desktop, took her tiffin and walked towards the group at the back.”Did you got anything sweet to eat Bhakti??“ she was looking at Bhakti as if without any sweet she would fall of her chair immediately. Bhakti nodded pulling a chair and sat next to the group trying to fit in physically and mentally. As soon as she opened her triple layered lunch box. Every one jumped to grap there share of laddus. Her mother packed the tiffin expecting her to eat laddus and gain some charm to her skeleton face, Completely unaware that she never ate those instead her colleague ate them licking their fingers. As the laddus were finished so was bhakti’s purpose, everyone started settling back to there seats ignoring the fact that she just started having her lunch.Everyone left except Vinay; Once he got a chance to talk, he almost jumped from his seat and asked “ where is Geetika i can’t find her anywhere - is - she - unwell ? “.

Vinay is a tall guy in his late thirties, married with a kid, he is a senior accountant here. He has a face of a college guy with few grey hair and a pot belly but for those who know him can see the dirty animal he is behind his crooked-boyish-smile. Whereas Geetika was her only friend for life who understood her more den anyone she could know. she is alot younger but still they share a bond of sisterhood who held each others back. Both Geetika and Bhakti are friends since 6 years. when Geetika initially joined as her subordinate. Bhakti helped her in all ways possible to make her feel comfortable in the office as she understood how difficult it was for herself to fit in.

Vinay’s enquiry about Geetika was very much expected as he only talks to her when he wants to enquire something about Geetika .

“Why do u ask ?” She snapped at him with an expression that clearly said her lips are sealed & come what may she wont tell him anything.

“oh i was just asking in general - you are her best friend so i thought you might know something” still expecting answer shamelessly.

“NO” she kept it precise.

“No ? Haha stop kidding me!!! you both stick together like soulmates! - this isn't possible........ “ his mocking act of disbelief urged her to throw the remaining curry in her tiffin straight at his ugly face. She tried her best to control her temper kept her reaction minimal, she collected her tiffin box and said “ask her by yourself once she returns“.She walked off to her table ignoring his further attempts to make a conversation.

Finishing her final work of the day she left the office after 6 in the evening. Taking long strides towards station to catch her evening local at 6:20 from bandra to kalyana. Falling short of breath and her legs getting sore, she tried catching some air to fill her lungs once she reached the railway station, it was 6:16 on her watch. There was a moment of happiness as she saw the time, she made it 4 minutes before the train arrived. The race with time made her anxious everyday but thats the only thing that kept her alive.

Her phone vibrated like a monster jumping in her purse. she reached for her mobile, it was Geetika.As soon as she received the call Geetika shouted with excitement “Bhakti please say your not in Train because m coming to pick you up the train today wait for me outside the stations back entry ill b waiting “ bhakti was perplexed as she cannot understand the context of her joy

“what ? - yes m at platform.....Geet...”

“Ok than wait for us in front of entrance”

“But...wait US....who are you with?”

“do as i say babe.. bye! “.

Knowing Geetika's nature, arguing or questioning her was useless until she finishes what she wants to do. By then her local train has also arrived and she waved bye to her regular train mates.With sign language she said she isn’t joining them today and headed towards the entrance.

Geetika arrived after 15mins in a honda city car. She jumped out of the car and rushed to bhakti in joy n hugged her tight.

“Ohhh bhakti!! .... I want you to meet someone “ saying that she released her and opened the box in her hand and started filling Bhakti’s mouth with sweets. Whereas Bhakti was all shocked up by what was happening. In the middle of trying to Swallow the sweets she tried to speak “ who??...Your are so happy!!....what is the matter??

A guy came out of the same car and signalled them to come inside the car. All of a sudden some pitter-patter rain started dropping, so without wasting any ado, Geetika pulled Her from one hand and rushed towards the car. The guy was on drivers seat and Geetika settled next to him while Bhakti sat behind her at the back seat. Geetika started “ this is Dev my fiancé “

“What? How? When? “

“ohhooo too many questions madam…..!!” Busted Geetika

“Obviously!! ” exclaimed Bhakti

“He and his family came to our home today to see me .... remember i told you yesterday ….the reason i took leave-”

“Oookkk...... ?? “ Bhakti still trying to digesting the fact and uncertain what’s on with her.

“so she liked me at first sight and she said yes! so we got engaged “ stated Dev with a sense of pride, teasing Geetika by poking his finger on her shoulders

“ oh hello mister …. There is a long queue of guys who want to marry me .. your lucky that i choose you “ Geetika returned him a playful nudge.

“ Waooww that was quick… I mean Congg..ratulaions. Am so happy for you dear…may god keep you both happy together “ Bhakti burst out with happy emotions after absorbing the revelation, tears of joy covered her eyes.

“Well … excuse me am still not married yet save your precious emotions for our marriage “ Geetika said in her own happy spirit.

Then both the love birds kept teasing each other, showing pictures of there engagement ceremony and seeing there happiness She forgot her own pain for a moment.

“Bhakti the marriage is in 6 months and i will get you a groom from all the hot guys coming to the marriage “ Geetika announced clearly with out any second thought.

With those kind of thoughts Bhakti’s heart skipped a beat.

“ No am fine the way I Am, your precious help is not required “ she protested in the most ordinary yet convincing manner as if this the most lame thing anyone said about her being with anyone.

Geetika doesn't listen to anyone once she decides so just to distract her and she changed the topic asking them what they liked about each other , what are their plans for marriage , hence keeping the two busy.

Thoughts of marriage took her back to many years old memories when her marriage was a prime concern for everyone. All the incidents of past started accumulating in front of her.

Bhakti-"how cud you and baba do dis to me maa, the whole town knows about my marriage except from me!!.....what wa stge reason of this secrecy.”

Maa- Aree… beta we were waiting for u to give the good news once u come home for vacation , anyways its good dat u came to know. Once this news has spread people all around the town are coming to congratulate us, we are so fortunate.

Bhakti- u mean m actually getting married without my own choice. How cud u ppl decide something so important without even discussing it with me.

Maa-" taru he is ur father and he has the full right to decide wat is right for u after all we all wish a great future for u, now u dont need to worry ok

Bhakti- ya right, now i dont have a say on my own marriage, waaow!!! I cant believe you guys are actually doing this to me.

Maa- uffooo stop being so dramatic taru the whole town is goin crazy with the news of ur marriage. All town girls are getting jealous of you u. Do u realise how lucky u are.

Bhakti- lucky my ass!!...He shud feel lucky, if any girl marries an illiterate jobless ill-mannered idiot like him who thinks way too high of himself for no fucking reason.the only thing he is good at is roaming around the whole town like a goon were as the fact is he is nothing without his father.

Maa- shut up taru behave properly dys is wat is taught in ur big-city-college?? Did u forget to respect ur elders.

Bhakti- y did u ppl have to choose such a worthless guy for me.

Maa- Do u even know Ramdas maharaj himself came to our small house with so many gifts. And with folded hands he asked for the permission to make u as their daughter-n-law for rituraj. U shud have seen ur father, he was into tears with joy. Never did we imagined to send u to dys reputed family . Taru u will live like a queen. Omg i... am … so happie.

Bhakti- i dont want luxury from someone else....i have other plans for my life i want to earn a great of my own.... and...

Maa- taru why are u making a big fuss out of this. U can do dat all after marriage. maharaj ji already agreed that u can do wat so ever u want after marriage. he said u r so talented that u are an inspiration to the girls of our town , even rituraj is so influenced with ur intelligence dat he too has started learning English . Which guy does dys for his wud b wife tell me.

Bhakti- thats it!! I told u he is worthless and trying to match up with me, but u noe wat he cant. And i wud b nothing more than a trophy wife to him.

Maa- wat nonsense!! Ur whole thots are corrupted shiva shiva shiva, ur father is the most happy man today bcoz of ur marriage and u cant just give him dis little happiness.

And she started crying with her typical mom melo drama. Seeing her mother cry she felt short of any further arguments.

She was determined that she wont give up dat easily until she talks to her baba. As he was her very last hope.

A sudden jerk brought her to reality. Dev pulled his car near Bhakti’s house in borivilli, mumbai.“we have reached Bhakti” Geetika said. Seeing Bhakti’s pale face Geetika turned to reach Bhakti. “Hey bhakti whats the matter, you seem so lost ” her remarked made bhakti realise that she got too carried away with her good-for-nothing thoughts. Composing her posture she smiled and shook her head in withdrawal.

“No am fine , its just the motion sickness i feel when i travel in cars” with that bhakti opened the car door as normally as possible. “ ohhh dear why didn't you told me that early, shit!! Am so stupid. “ Geetika felt guilty.

“Hey, thats ok yaar I really enjoyed the ride with you guys” she tried to make Geetika feel better. Geetika hugged her tight and said softly “M sorry , i love you sweetie”. Bhakti shouted on her in more friendly way “ Stop it now, congratulations to both of you “

“ I love you to bits, its late go safe … tadaass !! “ biting the final goodbye she turned and left towards her apartment. “ see you tomorrow “ screamed Geetika happily from behind. Bhakti turned and waved her. With that Geetika and Dev zoomed out in their car. Bhati was left alone on the gloomy streets, she aimlessly pushed herself towards her abode.

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