Opposite Poles..Part 126

Part 126

Khushi came out of his room running..! She didn’t know where to go! She didn’t want to go to that crowd... “Devi Mayya!” she dashed to the Mandir in Raizada house.  Her devi mayya was smiling at her.  Khushi sat there looking at the bright, smiling face of her devi mayya. 

“What was that? He... he was so different... ! I... I don’t understand... why am I so drawn towards him.... why... why did he do that? I...I tend to lose my senses in his presence.... and now... he .. he tried to kiss me.... why?” she had no answer. She gazed at Devi mayya.  She touched her lips with her finger.. feeling the brush of his lips before she could turn her face....! She flushed with unknown feeling...! 

“Chamakili... what are you doing here?” Lavanya was standing before her.  She got up struggling.

“No.. I was just... putting oil in the lamps..!” she said looking at the lit lamps around her Devi mayya.

“What are you doing there, Lavanya ji?” she asked back.  “Oh! I came in search of ASR!” she said looking around which brought back  Khushi in this world.  “Chamakili, if he comes here, tell him to meet Nani ji..!” Lavanya said moving out of the scene.

“Chal Khushi, Understood? There is nothing...! Stop dreaming, Khushi! You are here to train Lavanya! Do your job and go home, Khushi... you silly girl..!” she slapped her head.  She looked at her Devi Mayya.  “But then what was that? He.. his closeness...!” she again got lost in confusion.  

“Nothing, Khushi, that was nothing..! It must be nothing for him...!” she convinced herself getting up.  I should be going out there in the crowd.  She turned .. “Aray, what are you doing here?” Anjali asked her surprised.  “Woh... oil in the lamps..!” she gave the safest excuse.  

“Aray.. good! I had come for that only!” she said smiling broadly and went away.  Khushi followed her to the party outside.  

“Juice?” he was standing with a glass of juice for her taking away her breath.  The foundation day flashed before her! “Huh..!” she looked up blankly.  “Juice?” he held it out.  She shook her head looking down.  “No!” she said with her throat going dry..! He still stood there.  She turned away and he held her hand in that crowd.  She shuddered.  He thrust the glass in her hand.  “Have it!” he murmured looking at her reddened face. She hurriedly went away clutching the glass.

“Why is he doing this to me? Beware Khushi..!” she warned herself.  She saw him gazing at her from a distance and turned her face.  “No Khushi...Don’t look at him...!” she said and went to meet Nani.

“Aray, Khushi bitiya, where were you?” Nani asked in a group of her friends.

“Woh  Diye  Jalanay  Thay!” she said weakly.  “Come!” Nani held her hand.  Latika was close behind.  Khushi drank the juice in one gulp quenching her thirst.  Her eyes travelled in his direction to find him still gazing at her.  Her face changed color from pink to red.  “Khushi bitiya? What happened? Why do you look so.... red?” Nani asked raising her eyebrows, smiling at her.  Khushi blushed.   “No!” she turned around to find Latika behind and ASR behind Latika.  She vanished from there in no time.

“Avoid him, Khushi... you are going to end up in a mess...! Beware!” Khushi kept saying to herself. 

“ASR! Why are you looking so lost?” asked Lavanya looking at him  intently and clutching his hand.

“I am lost, Damn it!” he said at once and turned his face.  “What?” she came around to face him.  He was irritated.  “I am thinking about a new project!” he said calmly.  She looked ok with the explanation. 

“Don’t think about it now, ASR! Enjoy the party!” she said throwing her hands in the air in happiness.  

“Don’t think about that ASR, Khushi... enjoy the party!” she commanded herself and merged into the crowd. 

The crowd was thinning.  The party was over.  Khushi came to Nani.. “Umm.. Nani ji, I should be going now!” she said.  

“Wait for some more time, Khushi!” Anjali said holding her hand.  “No! I mean, it will be late!” she said hesitantly.  “Someone will drop you! Don’t worry!” said Anjali.  But Nani had a different idea. 

“Stay with us tonight, Khushi bitiya... Go home tomorrow morning!” Nani said looking at Khushi.

“No! Nani ji.. everybody will be waiting for me at home!” she said.  But Nani didn’t listen.  She asked Ram Prakash to bring the cordless and Anjali dialled the number.

“Hello.. !” she spoke to Buwaji and said... “Done! You are staying with us tonight!” Khushi had no option.  “But Nani ji.. I don’t have...!” she said looking at her saree.  “Don’t worry about that!” Nani dismissed her difficulty.  

“Hello hi bye bye! Bye bye nahi hui kaa?” Mami asked disdainfully when the guests had left and she found Khushi still in the house.  Khushi looked at Nani and Nani said.. “Nahi... she is going to stay tonight?” 

“Why?” asked both Lavanya and Mami.  Nani looked at both of them.  “Because I say so!”   Lavanya came back to her senses..

“Thats great.. Chamakili... we will chat... you stay in my room!” she held Khushi’s hand excitedly.  “No!” said Nani.  “She is staying with me!”  Lavanya puffed her cheeks sulkily.  

“Ok. I will make coffee for everyone!” Khushi said seeing his figure on the stairs from the corner of her eyes.  She vanished in the kitchen.  “ASR! Khushi is staying over..! So cool!” Lavanya was super excited.  He didn’t react but his eyes travelled to kitchen door. 

“Aray sit chote..!” Nani pulled him.  “Khushi bitiya is preparing coffee for us!” Nani said smiling.  He didn’t bother and went back to his room.  Khushi brought in the coffee and his black coffee too.

“Jao .. go and give him..!” Nani said and Khushi winced.  “No!” she sat on the sofa beside Nani with a thud.

“I will go, give him!” Lavanya got up... Khushi felt relieved.  Nani frowned.  Lavanya went up to his room to find him at the poolside.  

“Why did you come?” he took the coffee from her.  “Why? You didn’t like it?” she asked looking at him passionately.  He looked away.  “This looks beautiful!” Lavanya complemented looking around.  He stared at the few still burning floating lights in the pool.  

“You know, ASR? Mami ji and Di were introducing me as the Bahu of this house!.. I mean it sounded little odd, initially... but I loved it!” she wrapped her arms around his.  He jerked away. 

“Why? ASR? You didn’t like it?” she asked looking hurt.  He turned to her.

“Lavanya, I told you before..! Stop dreaming..!” he said sternly.  She was thoroughly hurt.

“Look Lavanya! You were ok with it! Don’t pull me into this... “ he said moving away from her. 

“Why ASR? Don’t you want to give it a name? Don’t you want to make it official?” she asked determined to get the reason.  

“I don’t believe in this lifetime commitment, Lavanya!” he said looking away.

“Why ASR? Do you think i won’t remain committed?” she asked in anguish.

“Will you? Think Lavanya... if tomorrow I lost all my wealth, my possessions... if something happens to me and I become disabled... This.. house, property, this empire.. everything... !” he looked at her intently.  She fell silent.  

“Imagine Lavanya... can you live in a one room house? Sleep on the floor without AC? Can you do that? Can you manage without a car?” he asked proving his point looking at Lavanya’s grave face. 

“But why should we imagine, ASR? I know, you are going to grow richer than this... you are not going to lose anything...I know for sure!” she looked confident.  He gazed at her hopelessly.

“Think over it, Lavanya and come back!” he said turning his back and going out without her.  He came down clutching his coffee mug.  Khushi winced and stopped talking.  He looked at her.. He kept the cold coffee mug on the table.  She looked at it and got up to make him another cup of coffee.  Nani looked at her contented.  He sat on the sofa between his family.  Khushi brought in his coffee and gave it to him.  She looked around.  He had occupied a place beside his sister, between Nani and Anjali.  She looked around for Lavanya.

“Lavanya ji?” she asked surprised.  “Poolside!” came an answer and Nani understood, there was something wrong between these two.  She closed her eyes.  Khushi dashed to pool side. 

“Lavanya ji? What happened?” she asked concerned looking at Lavanya’s face.  She got angry.  “This monster must have said something to her..! Something nasty!” she muttered furiously and held Lavanya’s hand.

“I want to sit here for some time!” Lavanya said gravely sitting on the chair.  Khushi gazed at her.  She sat on the edge of the pool without a word for a long time, giving Lavanya a silent company, conveying her that Khushi was with her always.  A faint sob left Lavanya.  “Khushi..!” she said looking miserable.  Khushi got up.

“Chaliye!” she said firmly and Lavanya walked with her.  When she came back, ASR had gone back to his den.  She frowned.  “He will hurt his own people and go hide in his den!” she muttered.  Lavanya sat on the sofa.  The atmosphere suddenly changed.  Everyone looked at each other seriously.  Khushi had to do something to cheer them up, of course in her clumsy style..! But before she could do that Lavanya got up and said, “I need some sleep!” she went away without a word.  The gathering broke.

“Chaliye, Khushi bitiya.. let us go!” Nani said getting up from sofa with Khushi’s support.  

He was pacing in his room restlessly; Trying hard to recollect his wandering thoughts.  The lamps were  put out.  A couple of candles were still burning with flickering flames.  He looked at his own dreadful shadow and sat on the recliner closing his eyes.  The thoughts he always wanted to keep at bay were rushing to his mind.

Opposite Poles..Part 125

Part 125

Khushi sat there for a long time not knowing what was going on around her.  She had lost track of everything.. time, place, space, people, everything around her.  She didn’t know what kind of feeling was that.  She wanted to run back to her home and hide herself under her blanket.  She wanted to stay away from everyone.  

“Khushi didi!” Ram Prakash lifted the charm and she got up struggling.  

“Anjali didi is calling you!” he said and she hurriedly came out.  Lavanya and ASR were talking to the guests hand in hand.  Khushi stole a glance at the couple and went to Anjali.  

“Aray.. where were you?” Anjali asked holding her hand.  She smiled meekly. 

“Hello hi bye bye.. ! Phati sadi? Where were you?” it was surprising that Mami too had missed her.  She picked up the cold drinks tray and said “Yes Mamiji i will serve the cold drink to your friends!”

“ No need! Khushi bitiya.. You come here!” Nani said sternly keeping aside the tray from her hands.  Khushi went with Nani.  Nani introduced her to the acquaintances.  An elderly lady was observing Khushi for along time.

“Anjali beti, who is this girl?” she asked.  “Aray.. she is our Khushi.  She is from Lucknow!” Anjali provided the information.  The elderly lady surveyed Khushi intently.  Khushi was busy talking to Nani’s friends.  She was running around to help wherever possible, lighting the lamps at the nightfall and smiling pleasantly joining her hands whenever she was introduced to someone.  The elderly lady kept an eye on her following her everywhere. 

“Aray Devayani.. yeh Ladaki Kaun hain? Who is this girl?” she repeated her question to Nani.

“Aray.. yeh! She is our Khushi!” Nani said proudly and called out..”Khushi bitiya..!” 

“Ji Naniji?” Khushi came nearer.  “Meet her! She is my friend.. from Lucknow..!” Nani smiled broadly.

“Haan? I am from Lucknow too!” Khushi smiled pleasantly at the elderly lady.  She took Khushi aside to enquire more.  Khushi answered all her questions without knowing the purpose.  The lady looked satisfied with the results of her interrogation.  

“Devayani.. I want to meet the elders in her family..!” the lady whispered in Nani’s ears. 

“Haan?” Nani raised her eyebrows...  “Hamaray  Nikhil kay liye!” she whispered.

“What?” Nani was shocked.  “Don’t be so shocked... I just want to meet her parents..!” The lady held Nani’s hand.  

“No!” Nani blurted.

“No? Why? Devayani I want a simple, nice, homely girl for our Nikhil...!” The lady went ahead.  Nani gaped at her.

..Someone else clenched his fists standing behind Nani.  Khushi oblivious to this conversation was serving cold drinks at Mami’s instance.  

“Khushi..!” Came a rude, loud call and she winced, so did a few people standing nearby. 

“Ji?” she looked up frightened.  He was in front of her glaring at her angrily.  She didn’t know the reason.  She stood there waiting for his orders.  “ASR! Chalo!” Lavanya pulled him and Khushi took a sigh of relief for a fleeting second.  Next moment she was dragged along.  He had gripped her wrist. 

“Lavanya..!” ASR stopped.  Lavanya looked at Khushi standing close behind.  He turned to face Khushi.  She shuddered in fright.

“Diye Nahi Jalaanay hain? Don’t you want to light the lamps? Or you want to be in this classy crowd? Yaa  Logonki  Najaron  Main  Aanaa  chahati  ho?” he asked her disdainfully and she looked up shocked.  

“Ji?” she asked with quivering lips unable to comprehend the cause of his mood swing. 

“Khushi go..!” Lavanya muttered making an effort to save Khushi from his wrath.  Khushi dashed inside,  away from the crowd.  He turned to the guests.  Khushi busied herself lighting the lamps and decorating the poolside with flower petals.  

“Why was he so upset? What did I do? What’s the problem when someone talks to me?” she wouldn’t know.  “Why does he have to be so angry with me?” she sat on the edge of the pool thinking about his changed mood holding her hand on her tummy, still feeling his fingers there.

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

“Aray Latika.. she has an elder sister... equally beautiful..!” Nani told the elderly lady. 

“Is it? Give me the number..!” Nani’f friend was eager.  “Have patience.. i will give you later..!” Nani avoided.  “No! I am going on Chaar Dhaam yatra on this Saturday.. !” she said looking around for Khushi.

“Nani..!” came a stern voice and Nani turned.  “Yeah.. Chote, give her Khushi bitiya’s land line number!” Nani said loudly looking at the changing expressions of her Chote and smiling inwardly.  Chote turned abruptly without responding.  Nani gaped at her grandson with twinkling eyes.

“Latika.. don’t worry! I will give you the number!” Nani pacified furious Latika, her friend.  

Khushi looked around at her own decoration satisfyingly.  She gaped at the entire house illuminated and decorated.  The festivity in the air and the bustle of people outside made the house come alive. 

“Kitana sundar hai yeh?” She looked everywhere with dreamy eyes.  “Jaise  ki   hum  Gomti  kay  ghaat  par  diye  chod  rahay  hain! As if I am floating the lamps in the river..!” Her heart filled with happiness.  She touched the pool, cool water with her fingers.  The gentle waves moved the flickering lights in the pool float away.  She smiled broadly.  

“Humm... this is over..!” She got up and looked into his room.  His was the only room in the darkness.  “Darkzada.. Kuch zyadaa  hi Dark  Hai  yeh room Aaj!” she muttered angrily and stepped inside.  “Humm!” she surveyed the room thrusting her hands on her hips in that dim lit night lamp and dashed out.  

“Ram Prakash ji.. woh.. i had given you the candles and lamps..?” she asked.

“Haan didi.. i could lit only one in his room... he was furious, next day!” Ram Prakash said. 

“Ok..! give me those!” she said and took them from RamPrakash.

ASR’s eyes were searching for her in the crowd and she was busy lighting the lamps away from crowd.   

“Come Ms Tiptop. I will introduce you to my friends..!” Mami was all excited to introduce the ultra modern Lavanya Bahu to her friends.  Anjali looked around.  “Aray where is Khushi?” No one knew.  Arnav was lost in the crowd talking to and greeting people.  “Why do I want to hide her from the people?” his heart asked.  His brain had no answer.  Khushi, away from everyone was lighting up his dark.... Room ..!

“Humm... yeh achha hain.  This looks good! She had lit the candles and arranged the flower petals on the table around the lamps covering the lamps with netted shades.  She looked around at the shadow play smiling broadly.  She had pushed the curtains aside and lit the candles all around.  She looked at her creation happily and turned to leave.  The breeze blew off the candles and she ran ahead to close the ajar window.  

“Phir say Diye Jalaanay padenge! Hum.. I have to light the lamps again.. Doesn’t matter.. I will light them again...!” she walked in again and took a candle.

“Pata Nahi yeh Hava... She searched for the source of the breeze in vain.  She started lighting the laps again.   She heard a thud and turned around.   The candle in her hand dropped on the carpet.  She jumped in fright.

“Careful!” he screamed leaping ahead and putting off the candle.  She paced backwards and looked at him.  He was looking at her unblinkingly.  She was trembling.  He took a step ahead mesmerised.  She looked like a flame herself.  The flame reflected in his heart.  The shadows danced in his room.  She didn’t know what to do.  She clutched her pallu nervously and bit her lower lip. He gazed at her face.. she couldn’t bear the glare.

“Woh... I..I..was lightin...!” She couldn’t complete.. his finger moved on her lips silencing her.  She looked up at the flickering flames in his eyes.  He lost himself in her completely.  The world around them vanished.  He moved closing the gap holding her shoulders.. her hands moved on his chest defensively trying to maintain the nonexistent gap.  He pressed his hands on hers removing them from his chest.  She shivered closing her eyes.  He leaned against her hypnotized ...his lips touched.. 

“No!” she turned her face and he came back with a thud releasing her immediately.  She stood there trembling with unknown feeling.  The shadows grew longer in the room.  He turned his back on her ..

“Go!” he said in a husky voice.  She dashed out of the room losing her breath and heart.  He pressed his hand on his heart where her hand had rested.  “Khushi...!” his heart blurted dreamily.  She had lit up his heart...! He understood why he wanted to hide her form the entire world...! He came out of the dancing shadows with new realization... That his room looked beautiful with the candles...!!

Opposite Poles..Part 124

Part 124

“Chamakili how come you are with them?” Lavanya asked surprised. 

“Aray, she met us at Mandir..!” Anjali said clarifying.  Lavanya shrugged.  “Chalo, Chamkili... help me!” Lavanya pulled her and Khushi came back on earth with a thud.  

“Yes, Lavanya ji let us go! You need to get ready for the party..!” she said smiling at her and going with her.  

“You know what? Nani ji sent our Kundalis to Panditji!” Lavanya said excitedly.  Khushi nodded.  “You know what? I didn’t know anything about that... I called up mom and she scanned some old paper and sent it!” Khushi smiled  turning Lavanya to dress her hair properly.  She made her sit on the revolving stool and helped her get ready.  

“You know Khushi? I am so happy.  This Diwali is surely going to bring some change in ASR!” she said dreamily.  “You know, last year, he didn’t even wish me!” she said and Khushi looked at Lavanya. 

“But this year, he came to my room..!” she was in a dream world.  Khushi looked away.  She didn’t understand what was burning inside her.  She looked in the mirror for the first time assessing herself in comparison with Lavanya.  Lavanya had closed her eyes as Khushi was applying foundation for her makeup.

“Um.. Chamakili, I will do the makeup... you know, I can do that better..!” Lavanya took over from then.  

“Khushi bitiya...!” Nani called.  “Umm Lavanya ji.. just call me when you finish.. I will do the rest!” Khushi ran down towards Nani.  

“Come on, have tea with us.. and then come to my room!” Nani said authoritatively and Khushi nodded sitting on the chair.  All others had retired to their rooms to get ready for the evening party.  Only Khushi was ready since morning wearing the same saree.  She didn’t mind.  She wore no makeup.. splashing cold water on the face and applying Kajal was enough makeup for her.  Nani was looking at her intently.  Khushi looked away not able to bear the gaze.

“Khushi bitiya... you should save some time for yourself.. ! “ Nani held her hand.  She knew how hard Khushi was working for the family.  “Haan  Nani ji.. I have enough time for myself..!” Khushi faked thinking hard what is her personal time in a day.  She had none.  “Humm...!” Nani looked lost.

“Do you have your horoscope?” she asked suddenly and Khushi winced.  “Ye.. yes... Buwaji has...!” she said.  Suddenly she felt drained out.  “Bu.. Buwaji says.. i am a bad omen..!” For the first time, Khushi had opened her sealed wound.  Nani stared at her and said “This can’t be true! I know for sure..!” she got up with determination. 

 “Come with me!” she ordered and Khushi followed. 

“Help me choose the saree for this party..!” Nani said smiling opening her wardrobe.  Khushi gaped at the sarees.  “Umm Naniji... which one do you like?” she asked.  “I am going to wear your choice toady!” Nani said looking at her fondly.  Khushi grinned flipping the pile of sarees.  “Umm ... how about this? I think you like blue.  How about this light blue?” Khushi asked picking up Kashidakaree saree.

“How do you know, I like blue?” she asked and Khushi grinned.  “Just like that!” she said jerking her head back with a glint. Nani smiled broadly.  

“Khushi didi, Lavanya ji is calling you!” Ram Prakash was at the door.  She turned to leave.

“Khushi bitiya... wait! I want you to wear this..!” she gave her pearl studded Kangan.

“No Naniji.. I already have bangles..!” she refused politely.  “But I want you to wear this..!” Nani thrust the kangan in her hand.  Khushi reluctantly took and went out of the room.

“Chamakili.. help karo naa!” Lavanya was standing in her room with her room door open.  Khushi looked at her and wrapped the nearby towel around her shoulders.  “What?” Lavanya asked.  Khushi winced and said “Woh.. make up will spoil!” covering up.  Lavanya looked into the mirror.

“You know? Di gave me this saree and this diamond ring... ASR! I had seen that in the Mall” Khushi shrunk with the memory of humiliation.  She looked away. Lavanya turned.. “Khushi..!” she held Khushi’s hand apologetically.  Khushi smiled.  Lavanya genuinely felt bad.

“Khushi...!” she said in hoarse voice.  “Chaliye Lavanya ji..! I will drape you this beautiful saree..!” Khushi deflected.  Lavanya smiled.  Khushi gathered her hair and tied in a knot to manage the draping.  She gathered her pallu and wrapped it around her waist and tucked it.  Picked up the napkin and tucked it along with her pallu on her waist and said.. “Chaliye..!” she meticulously draped the saree making sure to highlight Lavanya’s beauty considering her figure and curves and her high heels.  It took her a long time to do the job.  She picked up the jewellery hesitantly and helped Lavanya wear it. 

“Aray.. what is this?” she asked looking at the Kangan on dressing table.  

“Woh  Naniji gave me to wear..!” Khushi said in a small voice.  Lavanya looked at her from head to toe and then nodded looking at her red bangles.  “Yeah.. wear them then..!” she said and Khushi nodded.  Lavanya looked at herself in the mirror.  She looked tall and graceful.  Her stunning beauty was highlighted by her makeover and her hair style.  Her mascara highlighted her eyelashes and the blush gave her eyes a new look.  She looked at herself from all the angles making Khushi run around her with the mirror.  Khushi stood back resting her back on the wall looking at God’s beautiful creation called Lavanya, unblinkingly.  “Arnav ji will be stunned ...!” she thought holding her breath.  Her eyes filled for no reason, making her vision hazy.

“Chamakili, come here!” Lavanya called her spraying expensive seductive perfume.  Khushi came forward with the mirror and looked at her own image in the mirror.  “There is no comparison!” she thought slapping herself for even thinking about it.  

“Lavanya ji.. you look beautiful..!” she said looking at Lavanya unblinkingly.

“Thanks Chamakili..!” Lavanya hugged her lightly and Khushi smiled broadly. 

“What do you think, Khushi? Should I wait for him to come here or should I go out?” Lavanya was confused.  

“Aray.. Lavanya..? Wow.. you look stunning..!” Anjali was proud of her brother’s choice.  Lavanya walked gracefully towards Anjali.

“Di.. how do I look? Khushi helped me!” She gave Khushi her due credit.  Anjali looked at Khushi and said... “Aray.. Wah! Khushi ko yeh bhi aataa hain..! She knows how to make other’s beautiful..!” Khushi smiled looking down at the floor.  

“Lavanya .. wait here..! I will send Chote..!” said Anjali excitedly and Khushi’s heart ached.  Anjali disappeared.  Lavanya waited with bated breath.  

“Umm.. Lavanya ji.. I will go out !” Khushi said looking away.  “Wait Chamakili... help me touching up for the last time..!” Lavanya held her hand surveying herself in the mirror.  Khushi stood there holding the mirror.

“Lavanya..!” he was at the door.  She turned.  He gazed at her.  Khushi stepped back.  Lavanya stepped forward and locked her fingers in his.  He looked at her.  “ASR!” she rested her head on his shoulder and he gazed at Khushi. 

"How do I look, ASR?" Lavanya asked holding his hand  passionately.  He nodded with a line of smile. Khushi gaped at the reflection of them in the mirror.  "Perfect!" her heart ached for no reason.

 Lavanya turned him with her and went out of the room.  Khushi gazed at both of them holding the mirror standing like a statue in the middle of the room.  She batted her eyelids to send her tears away and sighed keeping the mirror on the bed.  She turned and froze.  He was gazing at her.  Her mouth fell open.

He advanced towards her and she stepped back.  He didn’t stop till she banged her back on the wall with a thud. He was looking at her unblinkingly.  She was blank.  Her mind unable to think anything, she closed her eyes.  His hand moved.  He pulled her towards him. 

“Huh..!”A residue of her breath left her, parting her lips.... he released her hair from the knot and they bounced on her back loke a shockwave.  His hand moved towards her waist.  He pulled the tucked napkin and threw it aside.  His fingers again brushed her bare tummy and she shivered.  He pulled out her wrapped, tucked pallu and released it.  She looked at him mesmerized.  His hand moved on her shoulder adjusting her spread pallu.  He cupped her face sending back her curly hair locks  and turned her around to face the mirror holding her waist lightly, standing behind her.

She looked into the mirror at herself through his eyes.  “Better!” he said in a bear whisper in her ears and moved out of the room turning her into a wax statue. Indeed there was no comparison...!!