ANIKA

The hallway of the girls hostel on ground floor was large and extravagantly furnished. The big, comfortable sofa and couches were leisurely scattered in all corners. Reclining on the largest of them all, it's soft, cushiony texture de-stressed my body. My muscles loosened up and I sensed my eyelids drooping with the week's exhaustion.

Sneaking a look in all directions, when I couldn't spot anyone watching me, quickly I sprawled on the couch to stretch my body. The travel-weariness gaining a toll over me. I couldn't recollect when I dozed off but my unwanted, peaceful sleep was disturbed by some suppressed giggles followed by a flash of lightning.

Yawning, I stretched my arms and legs and sat on the sofa. I squinted to adjust my eyes to the daylight and put on my spectacles. Daksha held her phone in my direction. Her boxing gloves laid on the couch.

"Hi, my sleeping doll," Daksha laughed and replayed the video she made. I could hear my loud, funny snores.

"Don't you dare send it to anyone," I almost growled when she touched the 'share' option. Quickly, I snatched the phone from her.

"How about, umm, KETU," she said and plucked the handset from my hands. I tried grabbing it but she put it in her trouser's pocket.

I couldn't say anything to that. Blood rushed to my cheeks and I smiled, attempting to calm my heartbeat on the mention of his name.

Ketu proposed to me for marriage, three weeks ago. I met him a few months ago. No doubt I was attracted to him but I wasn't ready for any commitments.

Daksha knew about him and she never had any problem with me getting married. But I had to ensure that he accepted me with Daksha. I had to know him more. Considering it, postponing my answer was the best option.

Daksha chortled and hugged me, "Relax. I am not sending to anyone. It's for me. To see you whenever I want."

That made my eyes water. My sister loved me and I could trade anything for that. But I had her safety concerns on my mind. I had to know exactly what happened. I should know if there was any ambiguity between what I was told by the warden and the truth.

"What did you do to Mahesh?" I asked worried, but my tone probably sounded annoyed to her.

"Huh! The woman has a big mouth. She told you, right?"

I glowered at her reckless attitude, "Oh dear, I don't care what she says or thinks. You have an year remaining for completing the studies. I don't want you to get expelled or get into any trouble. The warden asked me to talk to you."

"Di, don't worry. Nobody caught me and nothing can happen from baseless accusations." She said as if nothing had happened.

Daksha had been studying journalism for two years, under a mass communication degree program.

I still remember how grief-stricken she had been, when she got admission in the Amity Institute of Noida. She had cried the whole night before and tried to convince me into not sending her far from me. It was dreadful for me too, sending her away.

Admiring her matured version, I perceived an extremely adorable young girl whose company I was sure everyone would crave for. But her getting involved in what I deemed to be unnecessary fights made me insecure for her safety.

"Did you break his hand?" I couldn't contain my disappointment.

My displeasure upset her and she retaliated, "Argh! Di, don't think I am stupid." Tapping her temple with her finger she emphasized in an irritated tone, "You see, I have brains too."

I could understand her but my concerns heightened my temper and I reprimanded her when I should have applauded her. After all she had been through, she was developing into a strong headed, confident and playful girl from a nervous wreck. But beyond everything she was the only treasure I had, which I couldn't afford to lose. The warden's words heightened my concerns.

Guiltily I mouthed a sorry. She instantly gave a sad smile and hugged me tightly.

"I love you Di," she whispered in my ear. Pulling from the embrace she grabbed both my hands in hers and slightly squeezed them. Looking fixedly into my eyes she stressed on her words," Trust me Di. Whatever I am doing is for us. I take calculated risks. I promise I will not get into any trouble."

"I love you too my baby and I trust you more than myself. But if Mahesh or his parents do anything legally, we are doomed. I can't let you be in any problem," I looked at her with concerned eyes.

She wasn't worried and I almost had a heart attack when she howled with laughter. Knitting my eyebrows together, I gave her a death glare but she was too busy cackling to notice my vexation. Sighing, I took a few deep breaths till she was over with her amusement.

Oh God! What was so funny about it.

Circling my palm on my chest I aimed to soothe my frantically beating heart, when she said, "Oh di, calm down. It's a secret. His parents asked me to scare the crap out of him. And Mahesh. Well. He likes me. Nothing you are imagining is gonna happen. Relax. All is good, don't worry."

As I was about to ask why his parents wanted their son beaten up by a girl, she put her finger on her lips and said, "Not here, Di. I will tell it all to you, at home."

I nodded and pushed some loose strands of her waist length, silky black hair behind her ear and rested my palm on her cheek. She had grown so beautiful with time. She had inherited her looks from Mom with a cute little, sharp nose, thin lips, beautiful broad almond shaped light brown eyes and an oval face. She looked attractive but her biceps, abs and legs could scare anyone to not mess with her.

As if following my gaze, she laughed
showing her biceps. Patting them with her hands, she said, "See. Do you think anyone would challenge me after looking at this?" She chuckled.

"I am sure nobody would," I looked in amazement and she chortled when I flinched.

She had always been a fitness freak and knew all sorts of physical exercises- boxing, karate etc, you name it and she was already trying to learn it.

Yeah, those were exercises for me, which could be done only for a few minutes, not hours like her.

"Di, this time you came after three long weeks. Is there anything serious?"

I smiled, "All good darling, just planning some stuff for expansion of the store. What do you say about going shopping or amusement park..."

I was interrupted mid sentence by her, "Let's go to the science museum. I have been wondering from some weeks how this transparent thing- glass is manufactured. May be I can visit a manufacturing unit, if I get time."

Ugh! I sometimes hated her overly curious nature. She wouldn't settle without getting her answers. And, did I mention she had these weird doubts every alternate week, which God only knew who planted in her head.

After visiting the museum and getting some of her answers, she was more determined to see it being made in front of her eyes.

I returned to my apartment subsequent to driving her back to the dormitory, to rest my aching body. I wondered if these physically fit people like my little sister got tired at all.

*****************

The next morning I laid in bed awake, with the realization of replying to Ketu's marriage proposal.

My stomach growled and subsequent to brushing my teeth followed by a quick shower, I rushed to the kitchen. Eating yesterday's leftovers, I switched to a news channel on the television to increase my awareness about the city crimes, while I got ready for my ice cream parlour.

"... proudly announce the opening of a new branch of 'Urmi Restaurant' in the city..."

Flipping the channels, I set on one with Ketu's familiar voice.

Oh! So this what he meant when yesterday he asked me to watch the morning news.

He was the owner of 'Urmi Restaurants' in Delhi, which he desired to expand in the country. He named it after his deceased mother Urmila.

Grasping the milk container from refrigerator I heated it on stove and poured myself a full tumbler. The screen of my phone lit up, as my handset clinked against the steel tumbler. Message from Ketu.

Meet me at my restaurant today @ 8pm. Got to receive business clients from the airport and make sure their stay here is comfortable.

I gave a quick glance at the time on the phone screen.

Alarmingly it was already 10 am and customers arrived in bulk on Sundays. I rushed to the parking and replied back in a haste.

Sure, see you there @ 8

Reaching my shop, I put my bag against the counter.

"You are late today, Anika," Jessy Williams, my assistant, remarked from behind the counter.

"Yeah," I sighed knowing what was to come next. Everything related to Ketu at the end.

"Hmm, let me guess. Got lost in thoughts again," she said smiling mischievously.

I couldn't blame Jessy for the teasing. She witnessed when Ketu saved us from the bullies few months ago. Since then she nagged me about being his love interest and scolded me for making him wait. She was a harmonious girl and assisted me in almost everything, except accounts. But it seemed that from the last few weeks her focus had shifted to matchmaking. Of me with Ketu.

"Jeez, would you people mind leaving me alone," I said. She made a serious face and then replied smiling, "No".

I sighed and busied myself in daily routine jobs to avoid further conversation on the recent hot topic of gossip. She laughed and began serving the customers. I handled accounts, maintenance, customer care, etc., of course simultaneously keeping an eye on people for stealing or any other spurious activity.

In Delhi, due to a common off day from work, people from all walks of life loitered at ice cream parlours. They mostly demanded ice cream cones, cups and bars usually in chocolate flavour which we therefore kept in stock in a greater quantity.

In spite of the slight chilly winter atmosphere of November, my outlet always got me genuine customers. Mine was a reasonable cost outlet with quality products, lustrous furnishing, inviting interiors and appealing wallpapers. Probably, this was the reason I had more permanent clients, than any other stores in the vicinity.

Unfortunately Sundays proved to be the most busy days of the week. After finally wrapping up the work at the designated closing time 7 pm, I headed straight to my apartment to change into some nice clothing.

I picked a full sleeve, pink colored woollen kurti embroidered with light blue and red floral patterns on it's front and sleeves, knowing it got cold at night. To complement the looks, I chose a light blue jeans. Glancing and admiring myself with the outfit, in the full length mirror on the wall, I applied some eye liner and lipstick.

Just when I was about to leave my apartment, somebody banged my door.

7:30 pm

Ugh! Who arrived at this time?

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Author's Note:

Di- 'Di' or 'Didi' means elder sister. It's a common mode of addressing girls who are elder (unless one don't want them to be his sister 😝).