Indralok apartment

"Happy Rakhi, Dadabhai!" Ananya grinned as she gently tied the symbol of sibling's love on Kinshuk's wrist.

"Thanks, Anu." Kinshuk smiled. He handed over a small box to Ananya. "This is for you."

"No!" Ananya firmly shook her head. "I won't accept any gift from you except my Didibhai! She alone will be my Rakshabandhan gift. Bring her soon!"

"Again!" Kinshuk rolled his eyes. "You and Anshu keep searching for your Didibhai. I don't know where she is."

"But I know." Devanshu was heard from the other room.

"Look! The cutest astrologer of Kolkata is here!" Ananya beamed. She patted Devanshu as he entered running to meet her.

"Don't pamper him too much, Anu." Anshuman commented. "He is such an astrologer who knows about Dadabhai's future but not about his own."

Devanshu frowned. Priyanshu and Debdutta hi-fied, bursting into laughter.

"This is unfair!" Ananya glared. "Why are you all teasing this littlest one?"

"The littlest one is me, Anu di." Debdutta corrected.

"Oh yes, right!" Ananya agreed. "I forgot that this year I'm not alone to tie Rakhis to my brothers." She softly chuckled.

"What about your own brothers, Anu?" Kinshuk enquired. "I heard that Kamalesh is returning this month?"

"He is, Dadabhai. Borda is also returning with Boudi."

"They have to. How can Asim Da and Reva di miss Kamalesh's wedding?" Himanshu said, gently pulling the chocolate bar towards himself. But Ananya noticed it and caught his hand.

"Again, Him Da?" Ananya put her hands over her waist. "Already two are finished."

Himanshu bit his tongue. "Sorry Bonu. But today is Rakhi!" He innocently smiled, hoping to melt Ananya.

"I have allowed you to eat two chocolates because today is Rakhi." A strict doctor spoke in Ananya's voice. "Now stop! You have to maintain your fitness diet chart."

Himanshu faked a sigh. "God, why am I surrounded by teachers and doctors everywhere?"

"Don't worry, Mejda. I'm with you. Neither a teacher not a doctor." Priyanshu patted Himanshu assuringly.

"I can only pray that Dr. Ananya Mitra won't restrict me on Kamalesh's wedding feast." Himanshu said.

"She cannot, Mejda. Asim Da will be on your support and Anu cannot speak above him." Anshuman smirked.

"Seems like both of you are joining hands against me?" Ananya squinted her eyes.

"You too join hands with me then, Di." Devdutta offered. "I'm on your side."

"Remember, Dutta. Don't ever change side!" Ananya warned, to which Devdutta agreed with much serious face.

Kinshuk smiled at the banter. This day of Rakshabandhan was too special for this family. Ananya had never missed tying Rakhi to the four of them after sending Rakhis to her own brothers. And this year the day had become more delightful with Devdutta's charming presence. The five brothers had found sister's love so wholelheartedly from her. Anshuman had funnily remarked that this was the first time he could finally wear a Rakhi.

Kinshuk took a quick look at the clock. It was 6.36 p.m. He was thinking of another person who also used to come to this home every year on the day of Rakshabandhan.

Maybe, the said person had not got time today.

"Dutta, this is not good." Himanshu said. "I know what can make you change sides!" He smiled with confidence. "Want chocolate, Sis?"

"Bribe of chocolate doesn't work on me, dearest Bro." Devdutta shrugged. "Try something else."

"Ok, then a teddy?" Himanshu was at his best. Devdutta shook her head, crossing her arms.

"A pair of new earrings? New dress?"

Their process of negotiation made everyone laugh so much that they had almost missed the door bell ringing, unless Anshuman made his ear alert.

"Finally!" Anshuman sprung from the sofa and went to open the door.

***

New Town School

"We shall forever miss you, Deepika." The principal said warmly, handing over a flower bouquet to her.

"It's my pleasure to be able to serve this reputed institution for six years, Ma'am." Deepika humbly replied. "You have trusted a beginner like me when I needed this job the most. I shall forever be grateful to you and the school management."

"Getting a knowledgeable, sincere and caring teacher like you is a blessing for any institution, Deepika. I wish you all the best for your brighter future!"

The vice principal gave a short and warm lecture, reminiscing Deepika's role in shaping the school to an academic excellence. Her lecture was followed by a few farewell notes from the senior teachers and a short program arranged by the students. Many of the senior students wept as they bowed to their leaving teacher. When Deepika came down the stage, loaded with gifts and emotions, she noticed Akansha standing at a corner.

"Akansha?" Deepika softly called.

"Will miss you, Ma'am." Akansha touched Deepika's feet. When she rose, her eyes shone in love and respect.

"A small gift for you." Akansha handed over a scroll to Deepika. The teacher's eyes narrowed. She looked at the scroll once, and then at her student.

"Open it please!" Akansha requested.

Deepika thought a little and accepted her student's wish. As she untied the scroll, it seemed to be unfolding itself, revealing a painting in front of her eyes.

Deepika saw a male figure, so neatly painted that he seemed alive on the paper.

As if he was staring at her!

Awestruck, Deepika could not take her eyes off. She was aware of Akansha's extraordinary talent of painting but this was unbelievably realistic work. It was clear that the painter had actually put her heart and soul in the work.

"Akansha has drawn it for you, Ma'am." Dityaa commented from a side. "Can you identify who this man is?" Her eyes hinted mischief.

Definitely Deepika knew who it was. That golden skin with a regal aura, and serene brown eyes could belong to only one person.

Samrat Yudhishthira!

"You have painted Dharmaraj for me, Akansha?" The teacher smiled.

"You have once asked me to draw him, remember?" Akansha's face brightened. "I just tried. Hope you'll like it, Ma'am."

That was true. A couple of years ago, when Akansha had completed her final year in drawing, she had requested every teacher of her school for allowing her to make their individual portraits. When she requested Deepika, the teacher refused to take her own portrait. Instead of that she asked Akansha to make a portrait-like painting for Yudhishthira. Akansha had remembered her request!

"You don't know what you have done, Akansha!" Deepika patted her. "I have requested so many professional artists to draw him but no one responded. Only you have fulfilled my wish!" She smiled. "This is undoubtedly the best gift for me! I shall keep this framed in my room."

"I'm so honoured!" Akansha beamed.

"Ma'am, do you like this because Akansha has made it? Or because it's on your favourite character?" Dityaa made an innocent face but the mischief kept playing in her lively eyes.

Akansha glared at her friend. But the teacher laughed out and patted Dityaa's cheek.

"Both." She replied. "Thank you for this!"

"I'm so sorry, Ma'am. I have no such talent to gift you." Dityaa sighed. "But I have brought my best wishes for you." Her eyes sparkled. "I wish you get every happiness of life and reach the destination that's meant for you."

"Thank you, dear!" Deepika acknowledged her wish with a smile. She did not notice that Yudhishthira's picture in her hand smiled, too.
________________________________________

Glossary

Didibhai: Elder sister. In this case, elder sister-in-law.

Rakhi: A piece of thread to be tied by sister to her brother, praying for his long, healthy life. It leads to an Indian ritual named as Rakshabandhan.

Author's note:

I hope you have liked the chapter. Here starts the new track. A new love story that's going to begin.

Who do you think has come to Indralok apartment to join the celebration of Rakshabandhan?

Also, did you get the meaning behind Akansha's farewell gift to Deepika?