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"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

(Words in braces) - Telephone conversations

Chapter 19 - The Bond We Share

"You go."

"You go!"

"No, you go! You're elder to me."

"No, you go! I'm elder and so you shall listen to me!"

"You. Go. Now!"

"After. You!"

"You go first Ragu!"

"No Swara. I'll go after you!"

"Go where?" asked Pragya as she came near the two quarreling sisters.

Ragini and Swara looked up towards her in surprise. "Pragya di, when did you get here?"

"Just now Ragu. I came to get a glass of water. But why are you two arguing here in front of Maya's room? That too at 2 am in the morning? Shouldn't you be resting right now?"

Swara and Ragini looked down in guilt.

Ragini : We're sorry Pragya di. It's just that

Swara : Maya Di didn't speak to us the entire way home.

Ragini : She silently drove without even

Swara : Scolding us or shouting at us.

Ragini : And we would rather have Maya Di chide us

Swara : Then accept her silence!

Pragya looked from one to the other as they began their odd way of talking in half sentences to complete the whole. "Arre, don't stress about it so much. You know how Maya is. She likes to be a bit closed off and prefers to handle matters in her own way. I'm sure she isn't mad at us. After all, we were only looking out for her."

"Are you sure!?" they asked hopefully in unison.

Pragya paused on that. 'I think I'm sure. I mean, we didn't offend her in anyway, right? I mean we only told the truth to the boys and...' Pragya felt a sense of dread as she realized the gravity of the situation. 'Maya hates to reveal things about herself to others. And we ranted out about Samay to them without asking her. Shit!'

Ragini and Swara could see the various expressions passing through Pragya's face.

Ragini poked Swara on the arm. "Swara? I never thought anyone could express so many expressions at a time."

"Me neither Ragu. But Pragya di is doing it like a pro. I wonder what she is thinking though."

Pragya, on the other hand, was troubled by the scenarios that were popping up in her over-active brain. 'Oh my! What if Maya hates us from now on? What if she leaves home? What if she never comes back and doesn't give us any clue to where she is going? What if she is packing as we speak?!' The fact that she had a habit of over-imagining things only helped her think of much worse scenarios.

"Oh my! Maya! Ragini, Swara...Maya may really be mad at us. What shall we do?! What do we do?"

"Nothing. Just talk to her." said a voice from behind them. The three of them turned to see Tanuja standing there. "All you need to do is go and talk to her."

"But Tanuja di, Maya may not want to talk with us thinking we are giving excuses." Pragya reasoned.

Ragini : And what is she decides

Swara : Never to trust us again?

Ragini : That would be

Swara : Utterly horrible!

Tanuja looked at the three of them in amusement. "Girls, like I said. You should just talk with her. Maya will understand."

"How can you be so sure Tanuja Di?" Pragya asked in curiosity.

"Because..." spoke a voice as she emerged from the shadows behind Tanuja. "I told her so."

"Maya Di!" chorused the rest three while Tanuja looked at Maya with a smile.

"Maya, they seem to be thinking that you hate them and will leave this house forever to stay away from them."

"Is that so Tanuja?" Maya stepped in front of her and looked the rest three.

Tanuja watched at her sisters with a knowing look. 'Maya will solve it soon. Well, I may as well go make some coffee for all of us. Now that we are awake, it seems highly unlikely that any of us will go to sleep and not chatter.'

Thinking everything would be sorted out, Tanuja left for the kitchen.

"Are you thinking I will leave because of what happened at the party? About the fact that you told those five idiots about me and Samay?" Maya questioned.

The three of them nodded guiltily.

"Nodding isn't acceptable. You three are my sisters. Be bold and woman up!"

Ragini and Swara hid behind Pragya in fright. Pragya gulped and decided to speak for the three of them. "W-we are really sorry Maya. W-we really are! Please forgive us."

"Sorry Maya Di!" Ragini and Swara timidly uttered the words in unison.

Maya continued to look at them with an uninterested look. "No. I won't forgive you."

Pragya flinched at her words. 'Guess we made her more angry than we thought.' she nodded. "W-we understand Maya. I can see why you might not want to forgive us. Aft-"

"I'm not done." Maya interrupted. "I said I won't forgive you three, as there is nothing there to forgive."

"Eh?" they blinked at her, dumbfounded.

Maya simply raised an eyebrow. "I'm saying I'm not angry at you. That shouldn't be that hard to understand."

"You're...you're not Maya Di?" Swara questioned.

Maya sighed. "No. I'm not. I was earlier. But now I understand why you did it. I'm your sister and you told them because you wanted to make sure nothing happens to me. Your only crime was that you care to much about me." she said as she smirked at them. "And I can't be angry at you for carrying, can I?"

Pragya and Swara smiled back, surging forward to hug her.

Maya hugged them back. However, she noticed that Ragini was still standing behind. "Pragya, Swara...I think I saw Tanuja head for the kitchen. Why don't you go help her?" they nodded and left, leaving her alone with Ragini.

May stepped forward and placed a hand on Ragini's shoulder. "Ragu, I'm not lying. I'm really not angry at you all."

"But di, you should be. Not them, but you should be mad at me. After all, I was the one who revealed the truth first!" Ragini answered, looking at her with tear-filled eyes. "I'm so sorry Maya Di. I can never do anything right, can I? I'm so worthless!"

"You're not worthless. Hey, none of that self-blaming, okay? You have nothing to feel guilty about Ragu."

"Yes I do! I broke your trust. I was the one who let out your secret in the first place!"

"And for good reasons as well." Maya stated. "Ragu, there are many things that people regret. But they may not all initially do it to achieve a wrong result. They do it with good intentions. You told truth to help me, because you were worried about me. And I won't hold it against you."

Ragini wiped her moist eyes and blinked at her innocently. "R-really?"

"Aww...how cute is that! No Ragu, I'm not mad at you little sister. I could never be mad at you. You're so adorable!"

Ragini flushed in embarrassment. "I am not adorable! Puppies are adorable. I'm a teenage girl. You're supposed to call me beautiful or gorgeous!"

"But baby girl, you really are adorable and chubby like a kid." Maya teased as she ruffled Ragini's hair.

"I. Am. Not!" Ragini shouted with a pout, stomping her leg on the ground like a child.

"What's going on here?" spoke a voice from behind them. They turned to find Tanuja standing there with three cups of coffee on a tray. Pragya and Swara stood beside her with their own cups in hand.

"Tanuja di! Maya Di is being a meanie!" Ragini complained.

"Who said I wasn't mean?" Maya replied haughtily.

Tanuja shook her head at their antics. However, she couldn't deny that she was happy to see Maya be her carefree self. Only Ragini was able to bring out that side of Maya. "Alright you two, forget your arguments for now. It's coffee time . Let's have it while it's hot."

Tanuja placed the tray on the table and sat on the couch, taking her cup from the tray. Maya picked hers and came to sit beside her. Swara and Pragya sat down on the floor beside both the elders sisters.

"Wha...? Where am I supposed to sit?" Ragini shouted with a pout. The rest of the sisters simply shrugged in nonchalance.

Ragini narrowed her eyes at them. 'Fine! I guess I'll have to make space for myself!' she stepped over Swara and Pragya and spread herself on the couch, so that her head lay on Maya's lap and legs on Tanuja's lap. "Ah! Nice and comfy."

Swara rolled her eyes at her sister's actions. Her phone buzzed and she saw that it was a text from the Principal of the school she worked in.

Do not fail to attend tomorrow Miss Swara. Your dance students will be now joining the modeling classes as well. You are to introduce them to the new Fashion Teacher. I hope you will not be late.

'Eh? Whats this sudden interest in modeling? Ugh...Whatever! Better get to work soon tommorow.' Swara thought as she closed the messaging app. A thought struck her suddenly. "Hey girls!" all of them looked at her quizzically. "Selfie time! Say cheese!"

Thus went the rest of the night for them, chatting away and clicking pics. Any person would feel envious of the bond shared by these sisters. Each were like a pillar of a bridge. Removing even one of them, would topple down the entire thing. So great was their bond. So tied to each other were their souls.

#Next day 7am, Mermaid Café#

Tanuja stepped in front of the door and tried to open the lock to the door of her café. However, it was stuck. As she pulled hard, the lock suddenly came off, making her stumble back. Tanuja closed her eyes expecting the fall.

However, she felt arms encircle her waist and heard a voice. "Like I said. I'll always be there to hold you and keep you safe. Always and forever. Kasam tere pyaar ki."

Tanuja smiled without opening her eyes as he made her upright. She could guess who it was. "Kasam tere pyaar ki" she echoed back, slowly opening her eyes to see Rishi smiling back at her.

"Awww... Cute!" Ragini exclaimed from the side.

This broke their trance and they moved apart, flushing in embarrassment. Tanuja moved inside the café in a hurry, while Rishi looked at Ragini in irritation.

Ragini giggled and came near Rishi. "Good morning Rishi jiju."

"Good? You just ruined the 'good' in my morning."

"Hey! It's not I did it on purpose. It just happened."

"Whatever! You're such a child!"

Ragini glared at him. "Well fine! Here I was thinking of a way to help you spend the day with Tanuja di so as to make up for my mistake. But you're pissing me off!"

This caught Rishi's attention. "Really? How?"

"Not saying."

"Oh come on Ragu. I'll give you whatever you want!"

"Even your credit card?"

Rishi looked at her in distress. "But...but Maya strictly warned me not to pamper you or give you extra money to waste."

"Your choice. Either it's listening to Maya di or spending time with Tanuja di."

'This girl will be the end of me!' Rishi looked towards the heavens. After a moment, he sighed in defeat. "Fine. You can have it. Now, tell me what's the plan."

"Nothing much. Just give me your phone and let me make a call to Tina and Dia."

After an hour...

The doorbell of Mermaid Cafe jingled as Maya walked in. It was only 8 am and hence no customer had arrived yet. Once inside, she was greeted by an unusual sight.

Rishi and Tanuja stood there noting down something, while Ragini and Swara were chatting with Laksh. Abhi was chatting with Pragya nearby. 'Most probably flirting with Pragya I bet.' Maya thought to herself.

She looked around to see if Sanskar and Arjun were there as well. She didn't care about Sanskar's presence, but she was hoping she could get a glimpse of Arjun. 'Stop it Maya! You hate that shameless flirt, remember? Why are you wishing for him to be here? It's good that he isn't here.'

She shook her head of thoughts relating to Arjun and marched forward. Everyone paused their conversation as they noticed her coming towards them. "What are you all idiots doing here?"

"Maya, it's okay. They aren't here on the Samay matter." Tanuja consoled. "I don't know why, but Tina and Dia told Ragini over the phone that they won't be able to come today. That is why Rishi decided to stay and help me."

However, she missed the sly smirk that Ragini gave to Rishi, who gave a quiet chuckle in response.

"Okay. That I get. But what about the rest two?"

"Maya, I understand that you don't like us helping you. But I can't just stay at home while knowing that something life threatening happened to Pragya. I...I hope you understand." Abhi pleaded. Pragya was looking at her with pleading eyes as well, as if asking not to throw out Abhi.

Maya sighed in irritation. 'These two and their puppy-love! Both know they love each other. Why won't they just confess and free us of their looks of longings?!' She could feel a headache set in. "Fine fine. That still doesn't explain why you are here Laksh."

Laksh looked here and there, searching for an excuse. 'Shit! I can't just tell her that I came to meet Ragini. She will think I'm becoming a distraction in Ragini's studies. The Preliminaries of the UPSC are almost near.' Laksh gulped. "I...I came to...to...to take Pragya to the college!" he exclaimed suddenly. "Yea! She and I work in the same college, remember? So I thought we could go together. Haha!" he tried to cover up his nervousness with a laugh. 'Hope she believes me.'

"Eh? But I took a day off. I informed the Principal last night itself." Pragya pointed out.

'Shit shit shit! I think I better tell my buddies to ready flowers for my grave.' Laksh thought in horror as Maya glared at him. If he was a cartoon, he would probably be melting into liquid and evaporating into air.

Ragini saw his distressed state and chuckled. She knew he came only to meet her. 'So sweet of you Lucky.' she thought with a blush. She nudged Pragya and gave her a pleading look, pointing at Laksh.

Pragya understood what she meant and sighed. 'Things I do for my sisters.' Pragya got up and smacked herself in the head. "Oh, that's right! The Principal never picked up his phone. I forgot that fact. It's a good thing you're here Laksh. Let's go!"

Swara looked at the wall clock. "Oh no! I'm going to be late! I must be going as well."

Abhi jumped out of his seat. "Laksh, you only brought your bike. Leave it here. I'll drop you, Pragya at the college and also Swara at the school. Come on!"

"Right!" Laksh and Pragya rushed past Maya before she could question them further, while Abhi and Swara followed close behind.

"Here's your coffee Maya."

"Thank you Tanuja. I shall be going then. Ragu, pack a few books of yours and come with me." Maya instructed.

"Eh? Me too? But what am I going to do in your office?"

"You'll be with me from now on." Maya declared. Although Samay didn't harm Ragini yet, Maya didn't want to take any chances. Being the youngest, she was an easy target.

Rishi stepped forward. "Maya, if this is regarding Samay, then you don't need to worry about your sisters. I will be right here the entire day."

"It's okay Rishi jiju. I want to go with Maya Di as well. I haven't ever seen her office!" Ragini answered chirpily. However, the truth was that she was still weary of Samay being back in town. She felt much safer when she was with Maya. "Can I go Tanuja di?"

Tanuja smiled and nodded. "Okay dear."

With a smile, Ragini rushed towards the house to get her books.

"Maya, will you be able to handle her?"

Maya looked at Tanuja in indignation. "What makes you think I can't handle Ragu?"

"Well, you do tend to be lenient towards her. You sure she won't cause any problems at the office?"

"I'm sure she won't." Maya replied confidently. However, in her mind, she was quite unsure. 'I hope she won't.' Maya turned and left with a wave.

She went to her car and sat on the driver's seat. Soon, Ragini came and sat beside her. "Let's go Di."

Maya nodded and started the car.

Unbeknownst to them, a slick black car watched them leave from his seat. At once, he started his car and began following Maya's car. 'You may dislike me, but I won't ever love you less. You're mine and no one else's. Not now, not ever.'

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

To be continued...

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~🌹 Mona 🌹