Chapter 3:- Treasures

Because life isn't fair, after all. 

The lively beats of Falguni Pathak still echoed as loudly as it had when they had arrived, yet the lights had dimmed and fewer people danced in the main hall. Unable to breathe any longer, Naina rushed to Preeti and ushered, “Let’s go.”

“W-what?” Her sister stuttered in perplexion.

“We came here on your insistence, Preeti. I get to decide when we leave. And I want us to leave right now.” Her condescending tone had a glint of plea as she held onto Preeti’s arm.

“Did Sameer say anything?” One question played a rigmarole of a thousand memories as Naina straightened and her face hardened. Preeti felt the grip tighten and her lips thin into a grim line.

“Preeti, please.” Naina managed as succinctly as possible, hoping her sister didn’t notice the clenching of fists.

“Okay, let’s go. Let me say goodbye to a few.” She clutched the hem of her red ‘dupatta’ matched with orange ‘ghagra-choli’ in anticipation while Naina passed an understanding smile.

“Go, talk all you want to Pandit. I’ll be waiting in the parking lot.” Naina softly rested her hands on Preeti’s shoulders before turning on her heel towards the main entrance.

“Won’t you come along?” Her question made Naina’s vision blur for a second before she regained control over herself.

“Not today, Preeti. Not today.” Naina whispered incestuously, walking ahead while her heart retreated to treasured incidents.

“No luck?” Pandit quizzed as soon as Preeti approached to which she sighed dejectedly.

“Not yet. Not until they sort out their differences.” She shook her head in failure.

“It won’t be easy. They’ve got quite some memories to let go.” Munna added, prevailing a long moment of silence.

“I just want her to be happy. And free. Just like she was--”

“With him.” Pandit completed while eyes glistened.

“And we’ll make sure that happens.” Munna promised, bringing back three smiles.

“I’ve got to go. Naina doesn’t feel too...alright.” Preeti search for a plausible word while eyeing Pandit.

He took her hand in his and clutched it in assurance, “Take care.”

“You too.” Her lips curved in hope.

“Let’s look for Sameer now.” Munna wrapped an arm around his best buddy’s shoulder. In that moment, their hope had shone and uncertainty had flickered. The trio had turned in different directions yet towards one destination.

Preeti had only been a step away from the precious threshold they had once dreamt of when Sameer called out to her, making her stop in her tracks.

“Where’s Naina?” Sameer asked in urgency, his breaths quick and heart racing in anxiousness.

Preeti passed a commiserating glance before answering, “She doesn’t want to be here.”

His gaze turned ice-cold in the next second and Sameer slammed his foot in frustration, “Why doesn’t she ever understand. Preeti, you know everything, right? Tell me, was I the only one at fault?” He probed, orbs blazing with anger.

“Whoever it may be because of, but life took a very unpredictable turn that left us devastated, Sameer. That’s all I know.” Her voice softened to a whisper as a lone tear swept across her face.

Sameer gulped in difficulty, his face contorted with guilt and pain. Clearing his throat, he asked, “How long do I have?”

“A month. 30 days.” Preeti breathed.

A wave of determination coursed through his veins as Sameer teased in complaint, “You’re lucky you live with her.”

“You’re lucky you live in her heart.” Preeti smiled as Sameer’s eyes widened in shock and in brimming hope. She only nodded in affirmation before saying goodbye, “Don’t forget those who are standing with you, Sameer.”

Sameer fished a small square sized gift box and hesitated before handing it to Preeti, “Could you give this to Naina?”

“Wrapped in ribbon, impressive.” Preeti complimented while Sameer rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

Turning her back towards him, Preeti sighed in relief. A sign of new beginnings in her hand and a smile at reminiscing old memories on her face.  Somewhere in her heart she knew, there was still a chance. A chance she was willing to do anything for.

The ride back home was a silent one until Preeti jolted it with soulful music. Within 15 minutes of wanted solitude, she huffed, “I can’t deal with this silence any longer.”

Naina giggled a little before shifting her focus back on the road, “Do whatever you want to cure your boredom because I don’t have anything significant to talk about.”

“Not even your experience at college? Or maybe the friends you made? Or how about just tonight?” Preeti tersely spat acridly, making Naina clutch the steering wheel tightly.

Rephrasing her sentence, Naina corrected herself, “There’s nothing I want to talk about... right now.”

Preeti looked away in exasperation before turning on the music system, indulging in the sweet melodies in attempt to divert her attention. That’s what their car rides were all about.

The car screeched in front of their society, startling Preeti from her short slumber. Fixing her dress, both sisters got out as scrupulously as possible and surreptitiously walked up the flight of stairs to their floor. Nirmal Jyoti Society wasn’t a posh colony, but certainly one with discipline. Lights dimmed and not a single soul roamed around after 10. At the eerie silence around them, Naina looked at Preeti for a long moment before bursting into soft chuckles. In the history of this locality, the Agarwal sisters were the only two souls that had the courage to wander about only after 10, all the time.

Fishing out the key, Naina and Preeti quickly ushered in the darkness only to be startled in shock.

“Surprise!” Two familiar voices rejoiced as the lights flickered on and the Agarwal sisters looked on in bewilderment.

“Chachaji?” Naina whispered in amazement as she took dubious steps towards her role model, her inspiration, her uncle, Anand Agarwal. A thousand memories flashed before her eyes, incidents of a child giggling in joy, incidents of holding a sturdy arm whenever a little girl fell. Each academic achievement, each birthday, each memorable occasion involved Naina’s role model. The one who taught her the meaning of perseverance, of the value of life. The one soul who had unwavering faith in her and always encouraged her to pursue her heart, her dreams, her passions, her education. The one man who broke down when she disappeared, yet the only person who never lost hope.

Bela Chachi’s eyes had watered as her husband embraced her niece. Naina buried her face as she apologized incestuously, “I’m so sorry, Chachaji.”

Her uncle patted her back comfortingly, shaking his head in denial, “It’s not your fault, my dear.”

Pulling out of the embrace, Naina ran to her Chachiji, hugging her tighter than ever.

“I’m so happy you’re back, Naina. You have no idea how much we’ve missed you.” Bela Agarwal shed tears of happiness while kissing Naina’s forehead.

“I’ve missed you both more, Chachiji.” She confessed amidst sobs, the guilt glinting through her glistening eyes.

Wiping her tears, Bela signaled Naina to greet the elders of her house, the ones who she considered to be the barbarians of her family. As per formality, she touched her elder uncle and aunt’s feet, only to receive taunts instead of blessings.

“Girls are only a pleasure to have until they reach a marriageable age. They are then considered a burden.” Her Tauji retorted in his baritone voice.

“You’re 21 already, Naina. An indian girl has only one future, and that is serving her in-laws. We’ve looked for suitable prospects so you better--”

“Bhabhiji.” Anand interrupted Bina Agarwal, making her snort in anger.

“She has all the right to pursue her dreams. We’re in 1998, our society is progressing and so should our mindset.”

“Say whatever you wish to, but I’ll get her married before she tarnishes our family name.” Taiji threatened, her prying eyes on Naina that lowered her gaze. She swallowed a lump formed in her throat and laughed hysterically to herself for thinking her family would change. Three years and the barbarians had still maintained their reputation.

She moved to her father, who stood at a distance, scrutinizing his daughter with great intensity. Merely folding her hands in front of him, she stood in a polite manner while Rakesh Agarwal spoke acridly, “Girls are the feeble part of the society. It’s better that they don’t dream in the first place rather than building the courage to follow them.”

Naina shut her eyes, trying to act as indifferent as possible to the surrounding unfairness. Her Chachaji looked away clenching his fists at his helplessness, while her Chachiji lowered her gaze in defeat; nothing could change the barbarians of the house.

“Goodnight.” Tauji excused himself succinctly as he walked out of the house to his own just across the foyer, followed by a snorting Taiji and an impertinent Rakesh Agarwal.

The remaining four souls exhaled in relief as soon as the main door closed tightly and smiles returned.

“How have you been, Naina?” Bela asked in concern as they sat on the sofa.

“I’ve been surviving.” She replied with brimming tears in her eyes to which her Chachiji commisterated until Anand queried, making her halt in a trance.

“I was exaggerating, Chachaji. The academic pressure just feels too overwhelming sometimes, that’s all.” Naina looked away, scrupulously hiding sniffs.

“Whenever you find yourself on the verge of breaking down, you can use this boost your self-esteem.” Chachaji sat beside her, extending a beautifully wrapped gift box. She frowned, looking at her uncle with questioning eyes, before he explained, “For you.”

Her hesitant hands clutched the rectangular box and she turned it over and over in curiosity. Once Naina’s creativity and imagination gave up, she neatly unwrapped the sky blue wrapping paper. What it revealed made her eyes widen and left Preeti’s jaw open.

“A mobile phone!” Her cousin exclaimed in glee, as Naina stared at the Nokia handset. Tersely shifting her gaze to her uncle, she stuttered, “Chachaji? W-what’s this?”

“Your welcome back gift, Naina.” Anand cupped her cheeks and his eyes wettened.

“Don’t leave us, ever again.” He asked for a promise she knew she couldn’t give. Naina immediately cast a glance towards her Chachiji only to find her reciprocate her compulsion. Swallowing a lump formed in her throat, she looked into her uncle’s hopeful eyes and promised, “I won’t.”

In another hour or so, chuckles of laughter had been exchanged and fond memories had been cherished. Unforgettable incidents had been revived, and Bela’s home made food had been savored. By 11:30 PM, the lights went out, and suppressing silence found it’s way back around Naina Agarwal. Her aunt and uncle had retired to bed while Naina’s smile lingered. But so did a thought that constantly brought the wall hanging calendar to attention. As she walked back to her room, silently hearing boisterous giggles of her and her cousin when they were younger and free, her eyes held onto the A3 sized calendar hung behind their door. A sigh escaped and so did a tear as she spoke with regret, “30 days to go.”

“Why didn’t you tell them?” Preeti’s pugnacious mode had been activated as her commanding tone made a comeback.

Turning towards her cousin who stood with folded arms, she replied incestuously, “Because I can’t hurt them anymore.”

“Well, making fake promises doesn’t really abide to your statement.” She chastised.

“I--”

“You crossed your fingers behind your back, I know.”

“Of course you knew. You know everything about me.” Naina came for a hug while Preeti pointed out, “Except for one.”

“I’ll tell you. But only when the right time comes.” Naina clutched her sister’s hands in assurance to which Preeti nodded silently, “I’ll be waiting for that moment.”

“You shouldn’t be.” Naina whispered to herself as Preeti engulfed her in a tight hug.

“Tell me more about your life there, Naina.” Preeti suggested as they sat crossed-legged on the bed.

“You know, rephrasing the question won’t help.” She groaned at Naina’s intelligence when a mobile phone buzzed.

“Who messaged me at this hour of the night?” Naina’s eyes narrowed; first at her vibrating phone and then to a sheepish Preeti Agarwal. Pursing her lips, she grabbed her mobile from her desk and clicked on some keys to open the message.

Congratulations!

-S  

Naina straightened as she identified the sender and cast a furious look towards her sister.

“You gave Sameer my number?” She asked, aghast.

“I guess he deserved it, so I gave it.” Preeti shrugged casually before hiding herself from the storm that had entered into her sister’s soul. Defending, she justified, “He’s given you a gift kept in one corner of your desk. Good luck and goodnight.” With that, Preeti had covered herself under the blanket as Naina stood helpless. Flinging her hands, she went back to her desk and finally found a small brown shaped box wrapped in navy blue ribbon.

“Ribbons. Impressive.” Naina smiled to herself before opening her gift. Her steps faltered as the box revealed it’s contents; a pair of silver danglings with doves hanging at the end along with a silver necklace with a silver flying dove in the middle. Attached was a note in yellow that read, “Because I know.”

Naina’s eyes glistened under the moonlight as she twirled the accessories in her hands. He very well knew, she had to admit. A small smile had returned on her face as she recalled past incidents. Her phone buzzed once again, breaking her out of her reverie.

Liked it?

-S

She rolled her eyes at his self-obsessed attitude and decided to ignore him. Treasuring the necklace and earrings back in the box, she stored it safely in her cupboard when her phone buzzed for the third time that minute.

Guess you did.

Thank you.

-S

She huffed in amazement at his perfect timing, just like old times. Her smile stayed on her face and another sigh of relief escaped her mouth, yet expressed the newfound tranquility in her soul. At seeing a snoring Preeti, she chuckled a little, shaking her head at her sister’s craziness.

At exactly midnight, Naina Agarwal starting unpacking the things she had been carrying; clothes, accessories, basic amenities, gifts for her aunt, uncle and cousin, bundled up emotions, a thousand memories, and a lot of pain.

Life wasn’t fair, after all.

Once she had stored her things in their respective places and had carefully caged her emotions within her heart, Naina silently sat on her desk, turned on the table lamp, gazed at the clock showing 12:50 AM and opened a fresh new page from her notebook. Taking a deep breath, she fished out her favorite pen and starting writing.

“Dear Ma…”