✿⁠ Rishta ✿⁠ ___________________________________

The morning filtered sunrays hits the room through the window , liting up the dark room which was looking like a horror movie set,

As the filtered sunrays hits Navya's sleeping frame she pouts in sleep , slightly hiding her face with the blanket, her hairs strands were coming before her face disturbing her sleep, for which she tugged them behind her ears irritatedly.

Just as she was about to sleep comfortably after being disturbed by the sunlight rays suddenly a sharp , deep , yelling voice filled the room , waking he up.

"Navya uth ja kumbhkaran , Mehmaan aa jayenge kaam Kara le, kuch toh sharam kar beta abhi tak so rahi h!" Her mother Ridhima's voice came her as she entered the room snatching her blanket opening the curtains letting the light rays enter the room, and the darkness which was covered in her eyes lits up.

disturbing Navya's sleep.

["Navya : Kumbhakaran, the guests will come, get the work done, have some shame daughter, she is still sleeping!"]

She rubbed her eyes yelling while still lying on the bed. "Ahhhh. Mumma you know na I slept late last night, why don't you let me sleep ? I am tired." She said while yelling irritatedly.

"Bacha sorry but you know na today is important day for Saayli, how can you still sleep ? " He mother said while making her sit pulling her arms.

And she rubbed her hands through her hairs irritatedly, "Mama apke mahmaan didi ko dekhne aarahe h mujhe thodi..." She said with winded eyes.

["Mom, your guest is coming to see Didi. Not me..."]

"Are but come na help me , I need your help. today Saayli cannot go anywhere so you are responsible to buy some stuffs , snacks , new dinner set cold drinks and other things for the guest.." her mother said and handed her a cup of tea with puppy eyes melting her daughter with her ultimate weapon.

"Okay okay fine mata shree." She said and took a sip of tea.

"That's like my girl. Common drink this and go take shower and i'll serve you breakfast after that help me okay!" Ridhima said and left the room.

"5 minute aur so leti hu." Navya said and putting the cup on the table she lay on the bed again and covered herself with the blanket.

["I will sleep for 5 more minutes."]

~~

"Mumma, yeh didi kahaan hai? Ladke waale dekhne aa rahe hain aur ladki hi gayab hai?" Navya asked while nibbling on bread at the dining table.

["Mumma, where is this sister? The boy's family is coming to see the girl and the girl herself is missing?"]

"I'm here, madam," Saayli replied, walking out of her room and taking a seat at the table.

"Oh God, look at her, Mom! She's not even dressed properly and you were the one scolding me." Navya said, eyeing Saayli who appeared in a T-shirt and pajamas.

"Are beta, use baad mein tayaar karna hai na. Aur tujhe hi uski help karni hai-after all, you're her only sister," Ridhima said as she served breakfast to her husband, Sourav.

["we have to get her ready later. And you have to help her - after all, you're her only sister,"]

"Papa, this is not fair, okay? I'm doing everything and yeh maharani toh aaram farma rahi hai! Aise nahi chalega," Navya protested, pouting, which made everyone laugh.

["Papa, this is not fair, okay? I'm doing everything and the queen is resting! This won't work,"]

"Kalko woh toh chali hi jaayegi na, beta. You'll still be here. Can't you even do this for your sister?" Sourav said, gently grounding her in reality.

[ beta. You'll still be here. Can't you even do this for your sister?"]

Navya looked at her sister Saayli, who had grown quiet at the sudden reminder of leaving home.

"Haan haan, hum apni didi ke liye sab kar sakte hain. Aap log zyada na bane," Navya said, and everyone's face lit up-including Saayli's. She got up and hugged Navya tightly.

["Yes, yes, i can do everything for my sister. You guys don't make too much of a fuss,"]

"Thank you, Navi..." Saayli whispered emotionally.

"But Mom, who are these rishtedaar bringing a Kashmir rishta for didi? Are they actually from Kashmir?" Navya asked while sipping her juice, visibly curious.

"Nahi beta, they're from Mumbai. And I know them very well. In fact, we studied together during school-me, the boy's parents, and your father. We were all friends before we had our love marriages," Ridhima explained.

"Hain??? Mumbai??? Dii, does that mean you're going to Mumbai? But wait, the rishta isn't even confirmed yet, right? They're just coming to see you?" Navya looked at her parents and sister, confused.

Her father chuckled.

"Arey nahi, the rishta was already finalized by the four of us. Today, we're just formalizing it with the rituals," he said, leaving Navya shocked.

"What?! What about didi's opinion?" she asked, visibly upset.

"She's ready, bachha. We showed her the photo and told her everything. That's when she agreed," her mother replied, sitting beside her with her plate.

"What, Di? Are you serious? Matlab you haven't even seen him face to face, don't know anything about him except ki woh mami-papa ke dost ke bete hai... and you just agreed?" Navya said, looking at Sayli, who lowered her gaze.

["What, Di? Are you serious? Matlab you haven't even seen him face to face, don't know anything about him except that he is mom and dad's friend son.. and you just agreed?"]

"Aap mili bhi nahi ho unse? Matlab how can you?" Navya added, and a tense silence filled the room. Everyone could sense what was coming.

["You haven't even met him? I mean how can you?"]

"Navya, I know Mammi and Papa will only choose the right guy... Woh toh unke bachpan ke dost hain na... So... And waise bhi maine unki photo dekhi hai. Woh bohot acche dikhte hain. Mujhe acche lage, toh maine haan kar diya," Saayli said softly, glancing at her sister.

["Navya, I know Mom and dad will only choose the right guy... He is their childhood friend... So... And anyway I have seen his photo. He looks very good. I liked him, so I said yes,"]

"Oh really, Di? Ab tu bhi arranged marriage kar rahi hai? Pata hai na arranged marriage is scary? And kaun hai yeh tera 'vo'?" she asked, turning toward the rest of the family.

["Oh really, Di? Now you too are getting into an arranged marriage? You know arranged marriage is scary? And who is this 'he' of yours?"]

But before she could say more, Ridhima's firm voice cut through the moment.

"Shut up, Navya! What are you blabbering? It's her choice. And I know they're good people-we've known them since childhood. Why are you saying arranged marriage is scary? Ask us how many struggles we faced after our love marriage. Your grandfather and grandmother stopped talking to your father. We lost so many relationships. So what do you want? That Saayli faces the same things in the future?" her voice cracked as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Mom, see... You all made the decision yourselves. Didi got a rishta, she said yes... and I thought the boy's family was just coming to see her. But no... Mujhe kya pata hota... Koi mujhe thodi batana zaroori samjhega ki ladke dekhne nahi, shaadi pakki karne aa rahe hain... You know what? Aap log mere saath hamesha aisa hi karte ho. You never tell me anything. Bas teeno milke decide kar lete ho aur baat khatam. Aaj bhi kyu bataya? Shaadi ke din hi batate ya phir vidaayi ke din jab Di chali jaati..." she said in a choked voice, her anger melting into tears.

["Mom, see... You all made the decision yourselves. Didi got a relationship, she said yes... and I thought the boy's family was just coming to see her. But no... what would I have known... Someone must tell me a little. They will understand that they are not coming to see the boy but to finalise the marriage... You know what? You guys always do this with me. You never tell me anything. You two just decide together and the matter ends. Why did you tell me today also? Should you have told me on the day of the wedding or on the day of the farewell when Didi was leaving..."]

Her father interrupted sharply.

"Language, Navya. You're talking to your mother," he said, his voice firm, which made her break down further.

"Dadaji talks to me, Mom. He understands me. And Dadiji treats me better than anyone else in this house. I'm going to buy the things for this so-called arranged marriage guest . Aane mein thoda late ho jaayega. Main Dada-Dadi ji ke ghar ja rahi hoon," she said, picking up the scooty keys and the shopping list her mother had made, and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

"Navi..." Saayli called out, trying to stop her, but her father, Sourav, gently stopped her.

"Beta, she'll come back. Uski aisi karne ki hi aadat hai. Maa-papa ke paas jaake theek ho jaayegi. Tum breakfast khao," Sourav said, gently brushing Ridhima's hair.

"Why is she like that?" Rishika asked quietly.

"Bachhi hai na abhi... Uski umar hi kya hai? Tum chinta mat karo. Eat your food aur tayaari mein lag jao," Sourav said, and everyone quietly resumed their breakfast.

["She is still a child... what is her age? You don't worry. Eat your food and start preparing,"]

~~~

"Dadaji, they're always like that... kabhi mujhe nahi samajhte. Kabhi kabhi toh I hate them," Navya said, resting her head on her grandfather's lap.

["Grandpa, you always say that... you never understand me. Sometimes you hold my hand,"]

"Beta dekh, kuch nahi hota. Woh sahi hain apni jagah," her Dadaji replied calmly.

["See beta, nothing happens. They are also right in their place,"]

"Toh kya main galat hoon?" she asked, looking up at both her Dadaji and Dadiji.

["So am I wrong?"]

"Nahi beta, meri bachi bilkul sahi hai. Bas beta, kabhi kabhi bado ki baat bhi manni chahiye. Acha tu tension mat le. Yeh le, maine bade banaye hain, inko kha... aur gamcha ache se pehen, beti, thand ho rahi hai tez," her Dadiji said affectionately, handing her warm food and a cloth to cover herself.

["No beta, my child is absolutely fine. Beta, sometimes you should listen to elders. Well, don't take tension. Take this, I have raised them, give them food... and wear a gamchha properly, daughter, it is getting cold fast,"]

"I love my Dada-Dadi ji. You never scold me," Navya said with a grin, making both of them smile warmly.

"Acha beta, jaa tu ghar. Der ho jayegi. Aur tujhe toh abhi saaman bhi khareedna hai, na? Jaa mera bachha. Saayli ke function mein kuch uch neech nahi honi chahiye," her Dadaji said, gently urging her.

["Ok my child, go home. You will be scared. And you still have to buy stuff, right? Go my child. There should not be anything low in the wedding function,"]

As they insisted, she nodded.

"Okay, main jaati hoon. Bye," she said and left their home.

["Okay I am leaving, bye."]

Clutching the bag of items in her hand, Navya hesitantly stepped into her house. The scent of fresh food and room freshener filled the space. Her mother was busy arranging fruits and snacks on the dining table, moving gracefully around the room as she sprayed freshness in every corner.

Navya walked slowly towards her and saw her sister sitting quietly on the sofa. Without a word, she wrapped her arms tightly around her mother from behind.

"Mom, mom, mom... please gussa mat karna. I'm sorry jo bhi subah badbad ki maine. Gusse mein bol diya tha. Lekin ab mujhe sab samajh aa gaya... that you were right and it was my sister's choice too," she said in one breath.

["Mom, mom, mom... please don't get angry. I'm sorry for whatever I said in the morning. I said it in anger. But now I understand everything... that you were right and it was my sister's choice too,"]

Her words made both her mother and Saayli smile.

Turning around, her mother hugged her tightly. "Main tujhse gussa nahi hoon, Navi. Tera haq tha jaane ka. Sorry, bacchi," she said, holding her close.

["I am not angry with you, Navi. You had the right to go. Sorry, child,"]

"Oh hello, you forgot me?" Saayli said with a teasing grin, wrapping her arms around both of them from behind.

From the corridor, Sourav watched the three of them, his face lit with a soft smile, and silently walked away, letting them have their moment.

~~~

As everything was finally set and the clock struck 4 PM, the house buzzed with last-minute touches. Guests were expected by 5, and Navya, having completed all her tasks, slumped onto the sofa with a satisfied smile. She pulled out her phone, relief washing over her.

"Hehehe, Instagram chalaungi... yeahh," she grinned, unlocking her screen.

["Hehehe, now i'll use instagram."]

But just then-

"Navyaaaaaaa!" Ridhima's voice thundered from the kitchen.

Navya jumped. "Kya hua mom? Kaun mar gaya is shubh ghadi mein?" she said sarcastically, rushing into the kitchen.

["What happened, mother? Who died at this auspicious moment?"]

There, her mom stood with the grocery bag held up like a piece of evidence.

"Rasmalai kahan hai?" she asked, eyes narrowed.

["Where is rasmalai?"]

Navya blinked, innocent. "Dukaan mein."

["At the shop."]

Realisation hit. She'd forgotten the rasmalai.

Ridhima's glare could kill, and before she could say a word more, Navya had already dashed out, pulling on her woollen scarf and coat, grabbing the keys.

"Abhi laati hoon maa, unke aane se pehle pahuch jaungi!" she yelled, starting her scooty.

["I will bring it right away mother, I will reach there before he arrives!"]

"Hey Bhagwaan... garam kapde pehne bhi ki nahi usne. Bahar kitni thand hai..." Ridhima muttered, cupping her face.

["Oh God... did she even wear warm clothes or not. It is so cold outside..."]

Turning to Saayli, she called, "Chalo beta, Sonal aa gayi hai, tumhein tayar karegi. Sab kuch room mein rakh diya hai."

["Come on my child, Sonal has come, she will get you ready. Everything has been kept in the room."]

"Shit yaar... ab yeh rasmalai kahaan se lao? Itni thand bhi ho rahi hai. God please save me," Navya grumbled, weaving through the busy streets.

["Sahit dude... now from where should I get this rasmalai? It is getting so cold. God please save me,"]

At one shop, she asked, "Bhaiya, rasmalai milegi?"

["Brother, can I get Rasmalai?"]

"Out of stock," came the reply.

She laughed at her fate bitterly, "Haha... yeh mere saath hi hona tha."

["...this was supposed to happen to me."]

After what felt like forever, she finally found a shop where rasmalai was available.

"Shaadi kisi ki, band bajegi meri," she muttered, parking her scooty and hurrying inside.

["It's someone's wedding, my door will ring,"]

"Bhaiya, rasmalai pack kar do please."

["Brother, please pack the Rasmalai."]

Once it was packed and handed over, she grinned in triumph. "Yeah... ab maza aayega!"

["Yeah... now it'll be fun!"]

But then she glanced at her phone. "Oh shit! 4:30 ho gaye?! Agar aadhe ghante mein ghar nahi pahuchi na toh Mrs. Ridhima Rajput mujhe duniya se pohocha dengi..."

["Oh shit! It's already 4:30?! If I don't reach home in half an hour, I will die. Ridhima Rajput will send me out of this world..."]

She started the scooty again, racing through the cold wind. But just as she turned a corner-

A group of boys suddenly stepped into her path.

"Ahhhhh!" she screamed, swerving in panic. Her hands jerked the scooty toward the wrong side-right into the path of an oncoming car.

Her heart leapt into her throat. Time slowed. Her hands slammed the brakes, tires screeching.

She shut her eyes tight, ready for the impact.

But nothing happened.

The silence was deafening. Slowly, she peeked through her lashes.

A sleek black car stood inches away.

Her breathing was ragged. The world blurred, her heart still racing. Her vision swam before settling again.

And then-he stepped out.

A boy. Tall, broad-shouldered, in a crisp white shirt and black pants, sleeves rolled just right. The streetlights framed his sharp jawline, making him look straight out of a K-drama.

He walked toward her.

"Is he going to ask if I'm okay?" She muttered to herself.

But everything she expected-turned out to be the opposite !

"Hey you, are you mad? Beech sadak par is tarah wrong side kyun gaadi chala rahi thi? Gaadi chalani aati nahi toh Rossi banne kyun chali thi???" he roared, slamming the door of his car tightly as he came near her.

["Hey you, hey you Mad? Why were you driving on the wrong side of the road like this? If you don't know how to drive then why did you go to become a rosy???"]

And that was enough to make Navya's anger grow wider.

"Oh hello! Chillaa kispe rahe ho, haan? Mujhe maza thodi aata hai apni jaan jokhim mein daalne mein. Apni awaaz neeche rakho," she said, making her scooty stand and pointing her finger straight at him angrily.

["Oh hello! Who are you shouting at, huh? I don't enjoy risking my life. Keep your voice down,"]

"Waah! Galti tumhari, aur ab attitude bhi dikha rahi ho? Rules nahi pata? Drive karne se pehle rules toh jaan leti," he said, totally amazed at her actions.

["Wow! It's your mistake and now you're showing attitude too? Don't you know the rules? You should have known the rules before driving,"]

"Tum mujhe traffic rules ka lecture de rahe ho? Teacher ho mere?" she said, folding her arms across her chest.

["Are you giving me a lecture on traffic rules? Are you my teacher?"]

"Nahi, teacher toh nahi...

Par tumhari stupidity dekh ke internally hired guide ban gaya hoon!" he snapped back.

["No, I am not a teacher... But seeing your stupidity I have become an internal heart guide!"]

"Hey you listen, don't be oversmart with me, okay?" she raised her eyebrows and yelled at him.

"Ek toh galti tumhari, upar se mujh par chillaa rahi ho? Lagti toh bacchi ho. Kitne saal ki ho? Driving licence hai tumhara? Police le jaayegi abhi, batata hoon," he said irritably.

["It is your mistake, on top of that you are yelling at me? You seem like a kid. How old are you? Do you have a driving license? The police will take you away, I will tell you,"]

"Haan, galti meri thi. Lekin tum toh mujhpe bina sach jaane chillaa rahe ho. Aur tumhe itna bhi nahi pata ki ladkiyon se unki age nahi poochhte, bewakoof insaan. And I don't need to show my driving licence to you," she said, flipping her hair back.

["Yes, it was my mistake. But you are scolding me without knowing the truth. And you don't even know that you don't ask girls about their age, you stupid person. And I don't need to show my driving licence to you,"]

"Accha, aur kyun nahi poochhni chahiye? Tum ladkiyaan insaan nahi hoti kya?" he said.

["Well, why shouldn't I ask?]

"Tumhe kyun janna hai? Birthday wish karni hai ya Excel sheet banani hai?" she roared at him.

["Why do you want to know? Do you want to wish me on my birthday or make an Excel sheet?"]

"Dekh raha tha ki baal sudhaarne jaaogi ya police station," he said - and her jaw dropped in anger and surprise.

["I was seeing if you would go to straighten your hair or to the police station."]

"You are just a piece of shit," she said, turning on her heel. Standing her scooty up and wearing her helmet, she started to leave.

"Stupid girl, kashmir aake kis pagal se takara gaya me." he muttered and left the place, fuming as he sat inside the car and drove off fast.

["Stupid girl, which crazy guy from Kashmir did I bump into."]

Meanwhile Navya rode her scooty enjoying the feeling of the soft evening breeze on her way to her home expecting that the guest wouldn't have arrived.

~~~

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