Continuing after so long...

Hehe...maarna nai! 😜

Anyways, Onwards...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 21 - Mistaken

#Sunday#

"Ah! A much needed break from work!" screamed Pragya and Swara in unison from the balcony.

"It's just another day. Why are you acting like it's Diwali?"

"Ragini, you wouldn't understand now. This is a feeling of bliss!"

"Yeah. I agree with Swara. You don't know the pressure of working continuously for six days a week!" Pragya remarked.

"At least you teach kids at a junior college. They are quite mature. I, however, have to deal with teens who do pranks on purpose! If they do one dance step properly, they run around like ducklings most of the time!"

"Hahaha...seems like you have a handful."

Swara sighed. "You bet Pragya Di. Not to mention that Sanky is another brat wh-" Swara's eyes widened as she just spilled the secret.

"Sanky? Do you mean to say Sanskar?" Pragya asked in disbelief. "What's he doing at you school? Don't tell me he's there to learn dance with the little kids!"

"Ahahaha...that would be a sight to see. Sanskar doing a ballet like a pixie." Ragini joked.

"No seriously. What is he doing there? Is he troubling you Swara?"

"Relax Pragya di. He's there as the fashion teacher." Ragini replied instead of Swara.

Both Swara and Pragya looked at her in shock.

"You knew?" Swara asked in surprise. "But I didn't tell you yet."

"Yeah, exactly!" Ragini glared at her. "How could you not tell me? I thought you would tell me first. Aren't I like your twin!?"

"Aww...I'm sorry.I was gonna tell you."

"But you still didn't! I should be mad at you!"

"But I'll treat you to panipuris."

Ragini swallowed at the mention of panipuris. "That's so not fair Swara. You're picking on my weakness."

Swara smiled at her. "I'm really sorry Ragini. I would have told you soon though."

"And what about us? Did you plan to hide it from the rest of us?" Pragya questioned in irritation.

"I was going to tell you too! It's just that...its just..."

"Just what? I can't believe what I'm hearing! Is this really you, Swara?"

"I didn't know how to tell you."

"Eh? English would have done fine." Pragya stated in a flat tone.

Ragini nodded, coming to stand beside Pragya and leaning on her. "Or Hindi. Even Bengali would do. Or you could dance it to us i-ow!" she rubbed the spot where Pragya hit her.

"I was uncertain, okay?!" Swara exclaimed. "If I told you Ragu, then you would tease me to no end! Maya di would be angry and worried. She was already in a mess, I didn't want to trouble her. The rest of you had to deal with your own pro-"

"Oh fine fine, no need to get so worked up about it. I'm just glad he's with you when we're not around." Pragya consoled. "I had a hunch that he would be looking out for you with Samay on the lose. Didn't think he would be that worried so as to get the post of a teacher. He didn't look the geeky type."

"Which only proves how much he likes ya!" Ragini teased.

"Did you just call him 'Sanky' Swara? Ah! That's a progress." Pragya joked.

"Uh...whatever!" Swara hid her blushing face in her hands.

"Hahaha...awww. Isn't that cute!"
Pragya got up and clapped her hands.. "Alright girls, let's be useful. The café won't be closed like our workplaces today even if it's Sunday, remember? Let's go help Tanuja di."

"Can't people not eat for a day and give Di some peace? There should be a not-eating-outside-day like other holidays."

Pragya rolled her eyes at Ragini's words. "I wonder where you get those ideas from."

"Ragu you didn't tell me. How did you know about Sanky...I mean Sanskar."

"Sanky told me. We were talking about how Laksh ran away from Maya di that day. Haha...you know th-"

"Oi both of you! Less chatting and come be of some use." Pragya stated, pulling her hair into a bun. "Come on, move it! We're going to help Tanuja for the day."

"We shall. But what about Maya di? You don't expect Maya di to serve customers, do you?" Ragini giggled.

Pragya's wondering couldn't help but imagine Maya taking a notebook and taking down orders.

"Yes Ma'am, what would you like?" asked Maya in the sweetest tone she could force herself to utter.

"Could I get a mango shake?"

"Sure ma'am."

"Wait, wait! I think I'll have cold coffee instead."

Maya's eye twitched in irritation. Nevertheless, she smiled. "Okay ma'am. As you wish."

"Wait wait! Would it be freezing cold? If it will, then I think hot coffee would be better. Oh wait wait! I'm not allowed to have hot drinks by my hubby. Then I sh-aa!" she screamed as cold water was poured on her head from the vase. The customer looked at a pissed of Maya in fear.

"Drink that you indecisive misfit!"

Pragya shook her head of her thoughts and shivered. "L-let's skip on Maya this time. I think she won't be too patient with the customers."

Swara chuckled. "Maya Di would end up..."

"Hitting or scolding them for sure." Ragini finished for Swara.

"And then Tanuja Di would panic..."

"And Pragya di would try to pacify Maya di."

"And we will enjoy the show!"

"Would you two stop acting like midgits and come with already?" Pragya shook her head and walked off.

"Let's hurry Swara. We don't want a lecture from Professor Pragya right in the morning, do we?"

Swara nodded and followed her. However, one thing struck her mind over and over. 'Sanky told Ragini about it? But he said even the rest of the boys didn't know it. He is too embarrassed to tell them he was a fashion teacher, teaching teens. But he told Ragu? When did they get so close?' She shook her head of those thoughts and walked ahead.

#Mermaid café#

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"I will Tanuja. You worry too much."

Tanuja looked at Maya in a motherly way. "You don't need to hide your fear from me. I can see you're afraid Maya. Please let me go with you."

Maya shook her head and placed her hand on Tanuja's shoulder. "It's okay. I'll be fine." she reassured. "Besides, once you're married, I can't always go and bother you, can I? I have to be strong to face them on my own."

"Being married doesn't mean I'll leave my responsibilities towards you four. How could you think like that, Maya?" Tanuja replied, tears forming in her eyes. "Are you separating me from you all already?"

Maya smiled and rubbed away her tears. "You will always be out Tanuja no matter what and no matter where you are. But it's high time I faced them on my own. I can't always hide behind you. That's why...that's why I need to do this."

"Bu-"

"No buts, okay? Now smile at me and wish me luck."

Tanuja still wasn't convinced, but new Maya won't change her mind. She tried to smile for her. "Be safe. Be strong. And don't forget, you have four sisters with you who will fight the world for you. Don't forget, okay?"

"I won't. Thank you." Maya nodded with a genuine smile.

'She should smile more often. She looks so beautiful. Unlike the smirk she wears for the world. It makes her look like a cold-hearted popsicle. Why can't she always be this Maya? Why does she have to act harsh? Why...um...why do I feel like my tool is trembling? Uh...uh...uh oh!' he didn't get time to hold onto anything as he fell on the ground in a heap. "Ow!"

"Serves you right for peeping into other's homes. You know does that? Thieves!"

Arjun glared at the person who made him tumble and fall. "Firstly little brother, it's a café. Secondly, I am not a thief!"

Laksh rolled his eyes at Arjun's statement. "If it wasn't me and someone else, they would have surely got you arrested."

"Chill. It's not like I was here all night! I came here just a few minutes ago in my jeep."

"It's only 6 am dude. You never get up before 11...ever!"

"Yeah yeah, whatever!" Arjun got up and dusted himself. "I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing here so early? That too in your jogging tracks? Don't tell me you jogged all the way here!"

"Believe me or not, I did. Maa has decided to visit this place today!"

Arjuna looked at him with wide eyes. "What?! Why?"

Laksh's face scrunched up in irritation. "That troublesome Kavya! She complained to Maa that about Ragini! She told her that Ragini was the one who was being a third wheel and kept causing trouble, when actually it's Kavya herself!"

"And let me guess. Maa wants to have a word with Ragini?"

"Yes, exactly! That's why I came to warn Ragini to behave. I somehow left Ayaan behind and escaped he-"

"Oi! Lucky! Why did you have to run so fast! The deal was to go for a jog together."

"Shit!" both Laksh and Arjun exclaimed in unison as their youngest brother approached them.

"Arjun? What are you doing here? I thought you were asleep back home."

"I...I ah thought to..." from the corner of his eyes, Arjun noticed Maya get out of the cafe and quickly pulled both of his brothers behind the wall. He watched as she got in the car and drove off.

"Okay! Now you both are making me anxious. Spill the beans!" Ayan turned Arjun towards himself. "You're the eldest. Explain!"

"Look I'll explain later."

"No. Right now!"

"Ayaan, just listen to me!"

"Shh... Both of you are creating a scene." chided Laksh. 'Why is it always me that has to act mature?'

"Lucky will explain everything. Bye!" without waiting for a reply, Arjun left for his jeep which he had hidden behind the café and followed Maya.

"Lucky? What's going on?!"

"Well, knowledge is a tricky thing you see Ayaan." Laksh let out a nervous laugh.

"Laksh. Sharma. Explain. Now!"

Laksh sighed. "Okay. I'll tell you everything while we jog back home, okay?"

"You better!"

#Abhi's mansion#

Abhi whistled to himself as he waited outside for Rishi and Sanskar. He stopped when he heard the rumble of Sanskar's car. "There you are. I thought I would turn into a skeleton by the time you arrive."

"A Skeletal Rockstar. We could preserve it in a museum I suppose." Sanskar joked.

Rishi let out a laugh as Abhi glared at Sanskar. "You know, I couldn't help but notice that you're becoming more funny and open these days Sanky. Could this be because of loouuuwww." Rishi teased.

"Love, love, happy love!" Abhi singsonged.

"Haha...that. And also because of Ragu. Arguing over the phone with her has helped me with witty remarks." Sanskar admitted.

"Aww...isn't that sweet. Our Sanky finally knows what 'sense of humor' means."

"My tears of happiness shall appear soon." Rishi exclaimed in a dramatic tone.

Sanskar chuckled at their antics. However, he couldn't deny that Ragini and Swara indeed changed him. Ragini was a best friend who showed him how to be more extroverted and live in the moment. And Swara?

She was the one who made him realize what love was all about. She was the one who melted his selfish heart and made him acknowledge his feelings. 'And the day's not far when I finally confess to you Swara.'

"Okay guys! Let's get to the café. My better half awaits her Rockstar's arrival."

As the three drove off, they didn't realize they were being watched by two cunning hyenas.

The hyenas named Tanu and Aliyah.

"I bet they are going to that...that behenji Pragya!"

"I believe you're right Tanu."

"Oh I just can't stand that girl! She's...she's...ugh! How dare she take away my Abhi from me?!"

"My Abhi? He was never yours in the first place darling." came a voice from behind them as a guy approached them.

"Shut up Nikhil!"

"Aww...did I piss you off little birdie?"

"Oh quit it both of you! The enemy is Pragya and her sisters. Stop fighting amidst yourself." Aliyah shouted. "If you have an idea Nikhil, then share. If not, get lost from here."

"I do have one. That's why you need me."

#Mermaid café, 9 am#

"And yay!" Ragini exclaimed as successfully juggled two plastic cups and got them placed on the tray. "Beat that!"

"Oho! Are you here to work or play Ragu?" Swara chided as she left to greet the first of the customers in the café.

"Yeah, exactly!" Pragya nodded in agreement. However, as she didn't see Tanuja or Swara near, she took three plastic cups and juggled them like Ragini, placing them gracefully on the tray. "Beat that Ragu!"

"I don't believe it."

"Believe it Ragu. You saw it with your own eyes." Pragya boasted with her hands on her hips.

Ragini pointed at the cups. "That, I can believe. But..." she pointed at Pragya. "You, I can't. Where is the silent, introverted and shy Pragya Di?"

Pragya chuckled and blushed. "Abhi's childishness is getting to me I guess."

"Awww...isn't that cute?!" she squealed, pulling Pragya's cheeks, making Pragya yelp in pain.

"You two, go and attend the customers with Swara. Stop messing around!" Tanuja hollered from the kitchen. "On second thought, Pragya come here help me in the kitchen. Ragini go and help Swara."

"Okay Di!" they chimed in agreement.

Ragini skipped to where Swara was. "Need a hand?"

"Um...it's okay Ragu. Why don't you go near the door for new customers? I've got these customers covered."

"Okie! As you say Swara." Ragini gave a cheeky grin and went away. 'Swara always likes it when we work together as we have lots to chat on. But, she refused today? I guess she's really getting serious about work for the day.' the door's jingle broke her from her thoughts. "Welcome to Merm-oh it's only you guys."

"What do you mean 'only you guys'? Hey, we're still customers you know." Rishi spoke with a pout. "Don't we get the same warm welcome? See what happened Abhi, Sanky? Kids these days, don't know how to respect elders."

"Oho Jiju!" Ragini giggled. "What brings you three here so early in the morning?"

They shrugged as if it was natural for them to come here. As they looked around, they noticed the rest of the sisters there as well, minus Maya.

"Are you all helping out Tanuja today?"

Ragini nodded. "Yep Abhi!"

"Sweet! I'll go see if Pragya needs a hand!" without waiting for anyone to say anything, he left to chat with Pragya as she went to clean the tables.

"I'll go help Tanuja cook. I can cook really well, you know!" Rishi rolled up his sleeves and left for the kitchen.

Ragini pouted with a huff. "There go the Romeos to their Juliets."

"Too bad your Romeo is not here. Feeling left out, eh?" Sanskar teased her.

"I wonder where that Lucky is. Why didn't he come along?"

Sanskar shrugged. "His phone was off. As for his brother Arjun, he didn't pick up."

"I see." Ragini pointed at Swara. "Won't you go to your beloved?" Ragini teased. "I bet she would be elated."

"Nah. I don't want to seem too desperate. It's bad enough that I have to control myself from smiling like an idiot while seeing her teaching dance moves to the children. Swara might not like it if I become clingy." Sanskar said with a sigh. Oh how badly he wanted to stay close to Swara, but couldn't.

"No. I know her. These little gestures will make her like you more. You should go."

"True. But..." Sanskar looked over at Swara. "Let me admire her beauty for sometime. She looks beautiful." he remarked as he watched Swara attend to the customers.

Ragini giggled. "You've got it real bad for my sister, don't you?"

Sanskar sighed dreamily. "Yeah."

"Hahaha...love sick puppy you!"

"And you're not for Lucky?"

"No. I'm more of a love sick lioness."

Sanskar snorted. "More like a kitten. Meowwwww. Hahaha..."

Ragini glared at him and pinched him on the arm making him hiss.

"Ow! Don't you cut your nails! Damn that hurt!"

"Serves you right!"

All this time, Swara had been watching them from the start. She wanted to go approach Sanskar when she saw him, but felt shy about it.

As she watched Rishi head for the kitchen and Abhi approach Pragya, she assumed Sanskar would come to her. However, he seemed to be chatting with Ragini.

This made an unknown fear settle in her heart.

Ever since morning, she wasn't able to let go of the feeling that Sanskar was close to Ragini as well. No matter how much she tried to forget it, she couldn't outlook this fact. She knew Ragini couldn't possible love Sanskar since she claimed to like Laksh. But still, seeing someone else so close to Sanskar made her feel uncomfortable.

Swara mentally scolded herself for thinking such things about her own sister. Sure Sanskar and Ragini were close, but as Sanskar said once, Ragini was like a sister to him. Ragini and he joined forces to convince her of Sanskar's apology. 'Ragu was the one who got me to forgive Sanskar. So why would Ragini now be after Sanskar!? Moreover, Ragu always puts us sisters before her own happiness. She knows I love him. She won't betray me.' Swara knew all these facts, and yet...yet she couldn't help but feel jealous of Ragini for being so close to Sanskar.

That was why she was keeping herself away from Ragini. She didn't trust her own anger. She feared she might say something that would upset Ragini.

As Swara went from table to table, she kept looking at them from the corner of her eyes. She saw them chatting playfully and teasing each other.

Swara felt like the worst human being for thinking Ragini was flirting with Sanskar. But her already insecure mind was coming to various conclusions.

#City Prison#

Maya parked her car outside and stared at the foundation. She seemed deep in thought.

After a few moments, she got out of the car. However, she hesitated to take the first step ahead. "Come on Maya! Stay strong. You can do it!" she took a deep breath and let it out. Taking out the glasses from her purse, she put them on and proceeded to walk ahead with confident steps.

To any onlooker, she might look composed. But if one looked closely, they would notice how her movements seemed more stiff and shaky.

Arjun parked his jeep a little further and looked at the place quizzically. 'What could Maya want here? This place is for the criminals. I wonder what she's doing here.' Arjun got ready to go inside. "Well, only one way to find out!"

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹