Suhasini

"How are you, Suhasini?" Father asked me.

"Good, Father," I said. It was in the morning and it has been a week since he came home. We were at the market spending "quality time" before he left again.

"Nana, look." Sheela pointed at the meetayi store. (Sweet shop). "I want can I get please, pretty please," she asked pouting. We all laughed at her antics and Father agreed.

The bustling market was alive with activity as I navigated through the crowded lanes, my family in tow. The scent of spices and freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the chatter of vendors and the clinking of coins exchanging hands. As we made our way past colorful stalls selling fruits, fabrics, and trinkets, I felt a sense of unease creeping over me. It wasn't the usual thrill of haggling for the best price or discovering hidden gems in the market—it was something else entirely.

My keen eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar face amidst the crowd - Ishaani, my work acquaintance, stood at the far end of the market, discreetly signaling me to come closer. Intrigued and slightly apprehensive, I excused myself from my family, my mind swirling with questions about what Ishaani could want. As the leader of the rebellion group, Surush, I got used to unexpected encounters and clandestine meetings. Still, there was something about Ishaani's urgent gesture that sent a shiver down my spine. Ignoring the curious stares of passersby, I made my way towards Ishaani, my heart pounding in my chest.

Despite the vibrant chaos around me, I focused solely on Ishaani, who gestured for me to follow as she slipped into a narrow alleyway adjacent to the market. I hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts - why on earth is Ishanni contacting me on a Wednesday? As I entered the secluded alley, the sounds of the market faded into a distant hum, leaving only the hushed whispers of the wind and the soft rustling of fabric. Ishaani turned to face me, her expression a mix of urgency and trepidation.

Without a word, she handed me a crumpled piece of parchment, its edges worn and frayed. I frowned and asked, "What is this?" I asked.

"Don't act like you don't understand," Ishaani whispered.

"I do not know what you mean and for your information... I can't read." I whispered embarrassingly.

"What do you mean... Ugh never mind." She grabbed the parchment and then said, "Look, we have a mission tonight. We are going to raid a shipment of jewelry from Akushpura. Be ready, Okay." She said and I nodded.

"I have a favor to ask you..." She trailed off. I raised an eye at her gesturing to continue. "Can you introduce me to your family?"

"Why," I asked bewildered. Out of all the things you want my family? Why? Like what is your reason for it? Plus you said a favor so something's up here.

"We need to meet thrice a week! It is going to be hard for you to escape every time right? So if you introduce me it will be easier for us to meet up about the rebellion.

I stared at her. She wasn't very convincing. There was a reason she wanted to meet my family. A greater reason. Nevertheless, I agreed.

I internally smirked. I handled 8 kids and knew how to find out when someone was lying and how to get the truth out of them.

"Okay great," Ishaani said, unaware of my thoughts. "Let's go."

But little did they both know someone heard their entire conversation and their thoughts.

***

After I introduced, Ishaani as my friend to my family. Everything went smoothly. After all the introductions and all, We finally went home.

But then I had another surprise waiting for me home. Father said that we were going to the Malhotra's house for dinner.

I started doing the basic chores and then I made my way to the bathroom, eager to start my preparations for the night ahead. The soft morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow on the intricately patterned tiles that lined the floor. I could hear the faint sounds of traditional music playing in the background, setting the tone for the day's festivities.

I began my beauty routine, carefully applying kajal to my eyes and a touch of rose-tinted lip balm to my lips. The mirror reflected a young woman, her dark hair cascading down her back in loose waves, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. I adorned myself with intricate gold jewelry.

Next, I selected a vibrant saree from my wardrobe, a riot of colors and patterns that seemed to come alive as I draped it around myself. The fabric felt cool against my skin, a welcome respite from the warm morning sun. I carefully pinned my pallu in place, the bright hues of the fabric contrasting beautifully with the gold embroidery that adorned its edges.

Then I got the younger ones ready making sure that they all looked beautiful and nice.

***

As we stood in front of the grand entrance to Varsha's house, my heart raced with a mix of anticipation and dread. The evening was warm and the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers, but my mind was clouded with memories of a friendship that had once been so strong, now fractured and fragile. I took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to ring the doorbell.

The door swung open, and there she was - Varsha, my ex-best friend. Her smile was polite, but I could see the tension in her eyes, the unspoken questions lingering between us. As we exchanged awkward pleasantries, I couldn't help but notice how much she had changed. Her once carefree demeanor is now masked by a layer of sophistication and poise.

Varsha led us into the dining room, where the table was set with an array of delectable dishes. The room was elegantly decorated, the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm ambiance over the scene.

As the evening progressed, I found myself drawn into conversations with Varsha's mother, the tension between Varsha and me fading into the background. I laughed at their jokes, shared stories of my own, and for a moment.

***

(Author's Pov)

No one noticed the tension between Suhasini and Varsha except Vihaan.

He stood up and asked Varsha where the bathroom was when he knew where it was. Everyone was confused about why Vihaan was asking when the Mehra's knew the Malhotra house like the back of their hand.

Varsha awkwardly took him to bathroom and waited till he was done. And then she asked, "What do you want."

"What happened between you and Suhasini Akka," Vihaan asked making Varsha's eyes go wild.

____________

Akka - Older Sister

Annaya/Anna - Older Brother

Celli - Little Sister

Tammudu - Little Brother

Atta - Aunt

Amma - Mom

Nana - Father

(These are all Telugu)

: ̗̀➛Do hit the vote button if you liked the chapter. Please do leave a follow so can you get notified about all the updates and leave your precious comments as you read the chapter. Your comments means a lot to me . So don't be shy just comment your thoughts:)

: ̗̀➛ Q/A:- What do you think about Ishaani?

: ̗̀➛ Next Update:- Tuesday