TAKE 41.2 - Lotus

2 years ago

mysticaltales11111

@mysticltales111

Hellooooo Guysssssssss....

Here I am with the next update for the week 

Word Count –Medium in length – 6.2K Words.✍✍

 ‍💻

Also, yes this is the First Draft. Please definitely ignore editing/common repition of words errors etc – since I have not proofread.

I shall now let you all dive in without Further Delay.

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Disclaimer:

This Story/ Written Series is a work of Fiction.All characters are fictitious.Any resemblance to a person living or dead is purely coincidental. The depiction off fictitious characters through their cross - cultural backgrounds is also a work of pure fiction. I respect all faiths, cultures, communities with its rich diversities, equally.I mean no offence or hurt to anyone's sentiments through my work in any way whatsoever.

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TAKE 41.2 – Lotus

Hours Later – Same Day – Late Evening – 8:15PM

Baharain

Alice felt her eyes open on their own accord as the car came to a halt with a sudden jerk. She hears the chauffeur say instantly – " My apologies ..maam...the signal turned red just in time as I was about to cross through and over...which is why the sudden halt..we are also just ten minutes away from our destination....you asked to let you be informed off the same...as well...Maam..."

Alice nods at that straightening up in her seat asking the chauffeur not to worry about the sudden halt politely.She uses the moment to brush her hand through her hair as her eyes now begin to taken in the surroundings looking out the window. She'd succumbed to a brief power nap – almost immediately as she'd sat in the car from the airport given that the entire long haul flight in transit had been a quite taxing – on so many tangents. It wasn't the physical strain of the travel obviously for that was what her body was used to pulling off anyway – it was perhaps the emotional waves of numerous thoughts coming to and fro in her head – that had led to her feeling quite exhausted – emotionally – despite her defense mechanisms kicking in to help retain strength and composure.And she'd been feeling jittery emotionally also because – this was the first time around – she was literally reaching her little girl last – amidst this tricky situation.

The only saving grace – throughout in transit for her was the bit that – she'd sensed she was doing better already. Arnav being there by her side worked greatly just like she'd anticipated. And then given that Raima was also there – she'd felt herself feel a lot more comfortable about the situation obviously.

But - Only she knew how she managed to process her curiosity mid air – on the flight here – on one more vital factor. The factor being – that she was literally in mid-air – when Arnav would have already met Rehaan/Raahil+ Noor – first time in person.

She had been eager to know it all obviously mid air and the initial plan was to just ring Khushi/Rehaan up on landing immediately and inquire about it all. But then probably her momentary exhaustion was a blessing in disguise, for as she thinks about it all in her head now – she feels it might be better if she were to know about it all once, she finally reached there in person. She'd also sensed that perhaps this was the main reason why Rehaan wasn't filling her on much of those details as well from his end after her landing even though he'd been in touch with her to check on her landing, check in her pick up – etc.

She couldn't help but smile at the thought in her imagination. She couldn't really believe she'd missed out on being there in person when Arnav first met Rehaan/or even Raima for that matter. But then in her mother's heart – she feels that in the case of the latter – perhaps – it was good it turned out this way. Rehaan got some firsts in Khushi's life that he'd always wanted as a father.She couldn't help but wonder – how did it all go? What was happening there at the moment? She hears the chauffeur remind her now that they are just five minutes away from the location and so she resists her wish of reaching out to her phone for this last stretch with great difficulty.

She closes her eyes leaning her head back into the headrest and it is right then – everything that she had seen on the media front today during transit on and off – makes its way back to flashlight through her head. The news was still being flashed around as the celebrity scandal of the hour on a lot of channels + online.Things/Slandering comments were still being said/written about her+ Khushi+ Rehaan+ there was still a huge section of people that felt the topic to be the gossip of the moment that they most surely needed to pass their comments on – online – exercising the free right to post anything up on social media's. The media fire was still pretty much ablaze and even though she tried to immune her senses against soaking any of the slander in – she couldn't help but worry for her little girl on this tangent too .She most surely felt like she had to ask Khushi to get off Instagram for a while – given that she was sure in her mind that she'd still be receiving some hate messages in her DM like she had been ever since...

Well – but there was still a silver lining in here that back in England – not much had been rattled anyway in terms of professional impact on her /Khushi and even in their personal circle – everyone had come out in support too with M, S, Jack, Brian's parents also calling her exclusively to reassure her over and over that they were with her+ Khushi through this as well and for once given that things werent rattled around much in their country of residence – Alice felt her heart desperately hope and wish that she could say the same about Lahore . For Rehaan was still at the receiving end of what was beginning to seem like an endless blazing fire.The rumours/speculations were raging in the media that he'd be sacked – nonetheless despite his brave and honest statements – and she so desperately hoped that it was in her control to help ease things for him – in some way at the least???????

She'd always wanted to protect him from this very consequence. Deep down in her heart – it had been a part reason for keeping Khushi a secret from him for decades! But Alas – she couldn't protect him anymore...

And for a second – she feels like – she needs a couple of minutes to find that courage within to look at Rehaan with a smiling face.For in her heart – it also felt like – the moment she'd see him – she might just succumb into a fountain of tears that she'd been holding onto with great difficulty. It was only natural for her heart to feel vulnerable – now that everyone in the world out there also had a free pass to pass on a comment+ judgements on their personal story/failed relationship.She also felt like she'd tear up on seeing Khushi too for now that she was minutes away from seeing her – she knew her heart would just wana give in to letting it all out...

She takes deep breathes as the car now pulls into the gates off the holiday estate and just as her eyes spot the frame of Rehaan already standing there upfront by the curb down the porch – all down the driveway – she knew she had been right in her gut. She surely was going to need immense courage to muster up a smile, for all she wanted to do was cry.

Perhaps it would be okay – to just let the tears+ vulnerability of the moment flow again for a bit??Before she channelisized the strength to seek composure....

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Rehaan had walked down the porch in wait for Alice's arrival for two main reasons obviously. First being the bit – that he most surely needed some moments with her to check on her if she was okay – given that they were now meeting face to face after this entire debacle. Second – he also wanted to be the first one to share the news of euphoric light with her – after he'd comforted her knowing that it would make her forget all about the noisy debacle on the outside. Just like it had been for him. He couldn't wait to fill her in over all that happened in these last hours.He was also glad that Khushi had herself insisted that it would be better if he met with Alice for a couple of minutes in private first before she ran in on them.She'd already sensed – that the two of them most surely needed a moment by themselves before they all walked into the moments on the inside with everyone else waiting for them to come on in the living room.

And now – as he takes in the look on Alice's face from the backseat of the car – as it comes to a screeching halt by the porch – he bites back a sigh on reflex – thanking god for his decision to come out for a private moment first. She was already fighting back tears. Only natural. He couldn't blame her. Apart from all the noise/rumours around his professional upcoming sacking + slandering around Khushi - the world out there was also busy passing comments left, right and center – over their failed relationship/speculations over what that very status was now as well – etc etc.

He tries his best to maintain his calm walking upto open the car door for her even though the truth was that just one look at her right now – made him want to cry too. But she gestures him to pause at his spot and so she does and as she gets off the car they both stand right across of each other sharing an overwhelming eyelock as Rehaan instructs the driver to park the car and then get Alice's luggage settled in and as the driver – drives ahead to park the car in the parking area + the security guard walks his way out towards the security picket out the gates – locking the gates up - they both just finally walk to one another as fast as their feet could take them and lean in instantly for an emotionally overwhelming hug and Rehaan feels Alice give in to her tears almost instantly as her sobs begin.

She couldn't help it. Even though she wanted to. She couldn't help but not cry in his arms right now. And the fact that he was holding onto her in the precious supportive way that he was and offering comfort by just brushing on her hair tenderly – just made her feel a lot more vulnerable. It had been a long time of aching decades – since they'd both held each other this close in a moment that was extremely raw in its emotional significance. And so for a couple of minutes - She just continued to cry and he just continued to offer support in an overwhelming silence until she senses that - He's also fighting back his tears by wiping them off the corner of his eye over and over.

Alice whispers now softly pulling up but she does not look at him in the eye – " don't you cry?? Please??"

Rehaan answers back softly reaching to brush her arm in support – " I will stop...if you do...Al...please? and look at me will you please? straight up??"

Alice continues to look at her feet instead – " nope...I can't...I can't look at you in the eye....I am sorry...so sorry...Rehaan...I knew this would happen to you...if...it came out..which is why...as you know...I kept Khushi a secret...for...dec...a..des...from...you..."

Rehaan holds her by the shoulder firmly this time around as he whispers in a tone that was affirmative yet gentle – " stop...right..there...Al...please??? and look at me??"

She does now finally and as his tearful gaze meets hers she hears him say with an overwhelmed nod – " get this straight in your head..once and for all...Al...I will not accept an apology from you...right now..or ever...I should be the one...apologizing to worlds end..to you...for that matter..for I know that the hate storm coming all of our ways is pretty much stemming more from my side of the world.."

Alice wipes her tears at that as she says shaking her head- " oh Christ ...dammit...Rehaan...don't you...apologize...now or ever...k? its not your fault..like I said..prior...it isn't..."

Rehaan nods tearfully – " so it's a done deal then Dr Jones?? Whats done is done..why tear up over spelt milk??????"

Alice nods tearfully at that – " yeah...but is it okay if I say I wana tear up for a little while...more...Rehaan.."

Rehaan nods and opens his arms up to her again on reflex – " if that will make you feel better...Al...I'm only going to say...okay to that...obviously.."

Alice just hugs him hard at that and continues to let out her overwhelmed emotions for a little while more. His arms at the moment – seemed to be the perfect support for the moment for her. And for Rehaan – the moments as emotionally significant for in his heart – it totally felt like a lot of heartstings were coming back to life as well as memories of the past when they'd often been each other's rock solid support – came to dance with their rhythmatic visions.

For five to seven more minutes – they just stand there – frozen in each other's arms – seeking comfort from one another – letting the tears flow. For they both knew – that the other simply understood what was going on in their hearts. No words were further needed to explain anything...to the other...

Indeed.

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At The Enterance Foyer – from behind the Inner Main Gate Enterance

Khushi wiped her happy overwhelmed tears over and over again as she continued to soak in the vision of her parents upfront down the porch – being each other's comfort+ strength in the moment. How could she not cry in happiness this way? Given that she was also witnessing the two being there for each other through a massive low – for the very first time in her life??????????

She felt Arnav clutch on her shoulder in support over and over too. The two had obviously been waiting by the entrance in excitement for Alice's arrival too. But given that they wanted Rehaan to have a moment with Alice too – they just waited on the inside. But because Khushi couldn't wait to get a glimpse of her Mum from across – she'd peeked in through the door – a shortwhile ago and the very second – she'd spotted them cry it out in each other's arms for a bit – she'd obviously felt her own happy tears return as she gestured Arnav to spot – what she had too.

The sight of Rehaan+ Alice's emotional vibe - was so emotionally moving to see that it had teared up Arnav emotionally in the moment as well. He just hugs onto his Fiore from the side now hard as he kisses her head over and over in a silent understanding whispering – " I know...baby...I know...exactly what you must be feeling..."

And what can Khushi do in the moment? Even though all a part of her wanted to do was run to hug her Mum as well and give her the highlights of it all – she just stays put by Arnav's side and hugs him hard instead as she whispers wiping her happy tears – " I don't like to see Mum cry...ba...by...I don't..like..to see...Abbu...cry...normally...I just hate the sight of it...but perhaps...right now...I'd just say...its better if we just let them be..for a couple of minutes...Mum just needs to cry in Abbu's arms..and I think..he needs the same too...with all that's happening with regards to the spotlight also beaming around their personal past..the present speculations...,"and she looks sideways at Arnav at that and they both share a overwhelming nod and just continue to hug each other in silence – watching – Alice+ Rehaan – hugging each other in the way they were – upfront.

And Arnav asks fighting a sigh for the angst in both their frame upfront was so evident – " just how?? Baby?? Just how did they manage to spend all their lives (almost) uptil this point...without each other in it...when clearly...they love...each other...the way they do...they still do...don't you think?? I mean..they always did...but like in the present day??"

Khushi sighs at that hugging Arnav harder from the side lacing her arms across his waist tight – " I don't know how they managed to live without each other for this long too...baby...and yes...I am sure..they love...each other...in the present...too...but I know Mum...she won't give in to her emotions....until she's seen us settled...I Guess...I can emotionally coax her into it...eventually...though...we both can..."

Arnav kisses Khushi's head at that lovingly – " yeah...I feel the same...so done deal then fiore?after we tie the knot...we continue to work on playing cupid for them?? I am sure..Raahil+Noor will continue to help us out on this...don't you think???"

Khushi couldn't help but smile at that as she looks at Arnav sideways lovingly – " you are going to drive me nuts...godammit..absolutely nuts in all this emotion...one day...baby...not that you already haven't...I mean..just...look at you..always knowing what to say...to make me smile through my tears..."

Arnav chuckles at the sound of that as he kisses her head – "I super love the sound of that...fiore..and I know these are happy tears...so I understand its significance of flow....,"And Khushi nods back at him at that and they just hold each other tight and about give more minutes later as he catches on the sight upfront he says – " look...baby...they are beginning to talk now? gut tells me Mrs.J is going to ask about you/me ...how did it go with us etc...so why don't you go to her first...ill follow in the minutes after once I catch onto your gesture of asking me to come on...in...go on then...fiore...before everyone in the living room loses out on their patience and walks out to us all instead...I mean...we know how Mom is controlling on her itch to run to Mum too..right now...right??"

Khushi nods at him at that lovingly and observes the frame of her parents upfront.

Yup.

Arnav was right. This was the exact time to run in on them – with happy tears streaming down her face!

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And as Arnav had guessed in his gut from across – Alice had just pulled up from hugging Rehaan after these intense silent minutes in his arms for now that she'd finally let all the heaviness out – not only she felt better but she also felt she had the mindfulness within her head to give into the curiosity of the moment as well and so she asks Rehaan now – wiping the tears off her face now – " alrightly....thats helped us both..surely...get talking now Rehaan will you please?? I mean...you haven't given me any details on text when you most surely could....hows our baby doing?am not crazily worried...well coz he is here....like right here with her....you met him...didn't you??? how did that go?????????cmon...tell me...before my curiosity tells me..."

Rehaan finally takes a deep breathe and exhales one out before he finally grins at Alice and asks raising his eyebrow at her biting back his smile – "ahaan...now we are talking straight to the point of the moment....hmmm...so....i wana begin with asking you this?? really Al?? like did you really pull this off for real? did you really manage to conceal this bit from me..for all this while...that Khushi's special man was/is none other than India's – Arnav Singh Raizada.....I mean...we discussed the developments around world cricket quite extensively when he was appointed test vice captain...as I remember..very fairly...and not even then...did you give it away to me...Al??"

Alice shoots him a sheepish smile at that on reflex wiping the last trail of tears off her cheek - " apologies...Rehaan...but it had to come from them..first...I guess...so come on...go on now..tell me...you surely would have been shocked out of your mind??????????"

Rehaan chuckles at that as he admits – " I was shot upto space in shock ofcourse...Al...,"and he pauses at that for the vibe in the surrounding makes them both look up for it felt like the presence of their precious daughter was near and it is right then as they take in the sight of Khushi running towards the two - Rehaan sees Alice's face sigh in immense relief as well as she races upto just hug her tight.

Khushi hugs her Mum with all her might now – finally – letting the moment flow. As does Alice. She holds onto her precious baby in a powerful motherly embrace as she just rubs on her head lovingly and whispers – " come here...you...hun...,"and they just continue to hug each other tighter.

Rehaan watches on lovingly for a couple of minutes and after he walks upto the mother-daughter duo and asks from behind – "so...Al..what does Khushi's vibe tell you haan??"

Alice continues to hug Khushi hard and she kisses on her head and looks at Rehaan – " it tells me..she's doing so much better...indeed...Rehaan...but..wait...I wana hear it from her...that she is doing better....,"and she hears Rehaan nod at that and grin – "exactly...most surely so..I think you should hear it from her...then...come on then...Khushi...go on then...tell your Mum...."

Khushi finally pulls up from hugging Alice hard at that and looks into her eyes and admits – " so just so you know...Mum..these tears right now...are only from the happiness of spotting you and Abbu seeing through each other through the moment of support..in immense..solidarity..alrighty??"

Alice nods at that and she lovingly kisses Khushi's head and then on reflex reaches out to clutch on her hand and it is right then she pauses in surprise for she feels – the presence of something on Khushi's left hand that – was not present before. It surely felt like a ring to her sense of touch. Which is why she just gapes at Khushi in sheer surprise as she asks her eyes wide – " wait....wait...what is this I feel on your finger...Hun...is that a ring???,"and she moves her eyes to where her hand was herself and the very second she spots the ring on her baby's finger – she feels herself being edged upto space in immense glee as well as she sighs happily keeping a hand over her heart thinking findly of Arnav with immense love – " oh that cheeky little boy...should have known he'd be upto something...that would knock my socks off in surprise...he proposed...you..baby??he asked you to marry him?????????,"and she finally looks into Khushi's eyes at that and as she spots her nod back at her euphorically – she asks sighing in further relief exchanging a knowing look with Rehaan who just stood there – enjoying the moment – this time around – extremely – " ohhh...where is that boy?? Hun?? Call him out...will you?? perhaps...I will...given that I am sure...he's somewhere near and around..."

That makes Khushi and Rehaan bite back their smiles as they hear Arnav's voice from behind them come up and closer as he says out loud – " as usual...you rock Mrs J...for yup...you guessed that right...I am like...right here...all set to welcome you....super glad that you are smiling now...."

That makes Alice bite back her overwhelming smile and she instantly walks upto hug Arnav now and as he hugs her back in welcome - she whispers – " thank you...son...thank you...for everything...."

And Khushi can only stand their stunned in emotion as she observes her Abbu watch on the moment in between Alice+Arnav now and he looks back at her with happiness dancing in his eyes and Khushi moves upto stand next to him as she whispers softly – " I told you...Abbu...didn't i? Mum just simply...loves/adores him so much..too...you see for yourself...don't you??"

And Rehaan finally nods at that acknowledging the emotion in the moment watching on Arnav+ Alice – feeling mometary stumped in happiness again – "yes...I do...see it all...now..meri beti...I do..."

And at that they both bite back a chuckle almost instantly as well.

Why? Because they-d just caught onto the sight off Alice pulling Arnav's ears now lovingly as she narrows her eyes at him to ask playfully – " boy...I thought we were like teammates..like we roll together..i let you in on where Khushi was...so how could you not let me in on this..when I am sure...you had this planned all along?? You know just like I was first to hear that you were in love with her...?????????"

Arnav chuckles at that playfully as he nods faking an ouch – " ouch...alrightyy Mum...pull it all you want...but gently please...for I know you surely don't mind...the actual development...in the background..."

Alice grins at that on reflex as she hugs Arnav – " oh Christ...I'd be crazy to mind...I'd love it....,"and she gestures to Khushi to come into a group hug too and as Khushi leaps into her arms too – Alice looks at Rehaan as she asks – " Rehaan...stop...being statued in glee please...come on you all...start talking...fill me in over all I missed..."

Rehaan nods at that finally gulping down the overwhelmed fatherly emotions that had been consuming him for all this while and he says – " yes...Al...we will all fill you in..as we walk in...for not just Arnav's Mom is waiting to meet you...for the very first time...we have his twin brother and his fiancé...in there too...waiting to finally meet you???????"

That surprises Alice a lot more as she asks gaping at Arnav and Khushi – " wait...wai.tt...is this for real??? Akash and Payal are here too??????????????????"

Khushi finally nods at that exchanging a happy grin with Rehaan ofcours – " yes they are...Mum...given that...Abbu asked us to ask them to drive over from Doha earlier this evening...so that we could all be together in time...for dinner...with you reaching...."

Arnav chips in grinning next – " I am pretty sure...they are all fighting their feet from breaking into a run towards us all...Mum...I mean..not just Mom/Akash+ Payal but Raahil and Noor too and ofcourse...Azlaan...as well..."

And Alice can only gape at a happy daze at everyone as she asks – " wait....so all of you...here..like in all this while...of me being in transit...have just been catching up with each other????? Like getting to know one another...and its all been great..given that the happy grins I see up your faces now....??"

Khushi+ Arnav+ Rehaan nod collectively at that with a grin as well and Arnav says now exchanging a knowing look with Rehaan – " well....Sir's been great Mum...I mean...you just have to know this...I got another exclusive autograph...this time...around...like face to face...for real....plus..i think...we'v struck a friendly chord as well...already....."

That makes Alice look at Khushi and Rehaan and Rehaan simply laces his hands around an overwhelmed Khushi's shoulder as he grins back at Alice – " Khushi's been tearing up in happinnes quite a bit.everytime...she's seen Arnav and me...talking...Al...and the boys right...we'v struck a friendly chord indeed...how could we not?when he clearly clean bowled my protective fatherly stumps with the conviction that he did?????????also headsup...Al...they want a summer wedding...so we gotta get ready to get our daughter married....we talked it over...given that I am more keen on Khushi+ Arnav following the rituals they grew up...practicing...we are going to have to plan..two weddings...a white one..and an Indian one..."

And at that as Alice sighs in extreme glee and surprise even more now as she asks zapped – " alrighty?? Two weddings to plan already?? Wait does that mean...you all discussed the dates in your excitement already????,"And as everyone nods at that collectively - Khushi simply leaps into Alice's arms all happily as she whispers - "oh Mum...come on in now...will you??? there so much..we want you to know...everyone's waiting...."

And at that – Alice finally joins all as she makes her way in – her heart getting immensely consumed in a profound realisation – that once again put so much in perspective in her mother's heart as it continued to dance in its gleeful relieved rhythms.

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Two Hours Later

Alice steps out the washroom after freshening up – smiling and she begins to make her way back to join everyone at the dining table for the round of desert. So - Ever since she'd walked in after the initial meet and greet with everyone – everyone took turns with Arnav and Khushi to just fill her in over all that had happened on all the tangents shed missed on – and then soon after they'd all sat down for dinner – with casual and general + light hearted conversations taking over as chuckles, conversations, filled the air.

Alice pauses in her tracks as she spots Raima right there as well as she hangs up on the call with Arnav's Dad on the other end.

She smiles and walks up to her now and it is right then Raima looks at her as well and she grins and admits – " so..Alice...as you could guess...that was Dr Raizada on line...sulking royally over the bit that he's missing out on these moments with us all in person..."

Alice chuckles at that happily as she nods – "Well...I can imagine..Raima..but I am sure it helps that you'v kept him up to date with it all...nonetheless..."

Raima chuckles – " you bet...Alice...that is the only thing that helps..not just him but Anjali and Ravi too...I mean..i am sure you'v noticed in the last couple of hours how each of them just keeps calling me or Arnav or Akash and payal to just be in the loop of everything happening...here..."

Alice nods at that with a smile and she acts on her gut again and just engulfs Raima into a warm hug just like she had when she'd first greeted her – a couple of hours ago – walking in.And she whispers again – " thank you...so much...for everything...Raima...for coming...for being there for Khushi..for being here for all of us now...for just making us all feel the enthusiasm and excitement about planning the two weddings already at the back of our head...because of your infectious enthusiasm about the same....Khushi calls Arnav her miracle often..and I agree so too..and I couldn't thank you enough for raising your boy to be the man he is today...."

Raima hugs Alice back at that all warmly and she answers in support – " our boy...isn't he Alice? Just like I say...Khushi is as much as my daughter already....as she is yours...and please...do not...begin with the formality...again...will you please? I told you ...theres nothing to thank...we are all family here...and as you can surely observe – I'v just genuinely enjoyed meeting Azlaan+ Noor+ Raahil+ Khushi's Abbu so much..."

Alice nods at that and the two mothers now share another comforting hug in support as they say in unison – " come on then lets get back to join everyone for dessert...," and as they begin to walk back to join everyone and reach the hallway to the dining – Alice halts in her spot a little – looking at the happy sight up at the dining table upfront – just allowing it to make her heart glow.Khushi and Arnav were chuckling in happy conversation on one side of the table with Rehaan+ Raahil+ Akash as they discussed their common love for Biryani and how amazing the rest of the meal also was at dinner and Noor+ Payal+ Azlaan were also chatting away happily about the context off some movie in discussion.

She wipes a happy tear outta the corner of her eye at that and it is right then she feels Raima's hand come on her arm as well as she asks – " hey...Alice...you okay???"

Alice looks sideways at Raima and nods through her happy overwhelmed tears – " yes...yes...okay...Raima...I am just so overwhelmed...in a good way though...as this realstion just keeps sinking in deeper and deeper...I intend to talk to Khushi about it later tonight as well in private..for ever since it struck me walking in here two hours ago..its put so much in perspective in my heart yet again.."

And she hears Raima ask softly – " what realisation Alice??"

Alice admits looking at Raima first before pausing to just look at the scene up ahead – " that how sometimes in our lives...the essence of some moments can be similar to the very essence+ existence of the lotus flower...you know how the lotus usually grows in the muddy waters????? So if something as beautiful/serene as the lotus can bloom into its blossoming self ...irrespective of the mud around it...maybe perhaps it is for us to realise...that we can be our very own lotus too...if we want to be...and the very fact that the muddy waters are a pre-requiste to the growth of a lotus makes me wonder – that sometimes – it does take a lot of tricky muddy puddles around us to help us realise how potent it is to fight our way through to our very own bloom...I mean you tell me..Raima..as you look at the sight upfront..doesnt it feel like that these moments right now amidst us all...getting us all together this way...in order to wade through a tricky blow from the outside is no less than our very own lotus moments...I mean...the trigger being the tricky mud from the outside that did get us all together this way – but the lotus bit being the bit – that we know our kids are going to hold each others hands tighter through this....so much has happened...they'v decide to get married...Rehaan+ Raahil+ Arnav+ Noor finally meet...Azlaans been amazing in support...we finally know that we are heading through/into a strom...but not alone..that we are in this together....Maya and Jack are flying in here tomorrow as well...my baby's all smiling...even though theres so much hate being hurled at her still on the out...she knows she gotta build her immunity to all of this....Rehaan seems to be all euphoric in his fatherly heart too given that Arnav was able to put all his worldly worries to ease...just look at him...talking to Arnav right now..he looks charmed...on another level...like way and beyond...so from where I see it...perhaps...maybe Rehaan was right...that this could be our blessing in disguise...these moments do surely signify the very essense of the lotus for us all...don't you think??Raima??"

Raima smiles and nods at that – " well well...Alice...for a second...you just made me feel like this was Arnav talking about one of his deep...perceptions..."

Alice chuckles – " well the boys got his influence going on all of us..now hasn't he??"

Raima chuckles – " well looking at him on a lets charm Khushi's Abbu like I charmed Mrs J mission – at the moment – does make me feel like it was good that I not for once had a doubt on his charming skills...if Dr Raizada were here right now..he'd say proudly like father like son..Dr Raizada...,"and Alice and her share a fond chuckle again and Raima smiles and admits – " but yes...on a serious note...I think you are right...Alice...in what you just said..these moments right now..as they bring us all closer to one another...surely are like those of the lotus petals...as beautiful...it doesn't matter that it was the worldly mud on the out that triggered them....for you are right...that just like the lotus ...we too have the ability within us to rise from the mud/tricky situations ...bloom out of the darkness and radiate into the world...infact I read this bit somewhere...that the deeper and thicker the mud down below..the more beautiful..the bloom of the lotus flower...which basically means that it symbolises rising from a dark place into the very essence of its inner beauty that automatically reflects on the beauty of its petals on the out...."

Alice nods and smiles as she continued to look at the smiling face of Khushi upfront – " now imagine...Raima..if the lotus seed just focussed on looking down and below on just the muddy waters below thinking...oh why am I destined to grow out the shackles of mud..would it be able to bloom?"

Raima nods in an instant understanding – " nah...which is why I guess..the lotus seed just focus's on living through its very essence instead...accepting its environment to be some part of fated destiny...holding onto the root of faith...in there...that if it just focuses on its path to grow...one day it would swim+ surface through the muds into a precious bloom for the worldly eyes to see and behold and appreciate...all sparkling... in all its natural glory.."

Alice nods at that in an instant understanding now and both the mothers share a profound knowing smile and Alice whispers hugging onto Raima from the side – " I'd like you to be with me Raima..when I speak about this with Khushi tonight...in private...I'd like us both to be there...with her...for you'r like her Mommy figure too...so...as we talk this through to her...tonight..again...I know...as in I can see she's got it together already a lot...but we need to prep her to be ready – for once we leave here – the world is going to be filled with a lot of muddy puddles on a numerous corners...she needs to keep reminding herself at every step..every day...that its really in her control to focus on her very own bloom...through every bit of it all.....right????"

Raima nods at that immediately as she says – " ofcourse...Alice..id be right there with you...,"and with that the two mothers exchange another powerful knowing nod – before they finally step in to join everyone in the happy moments on the table.

They both knew – that not only did they have Khushi's back at this. But each other's as well!

And perhaps – that was all that really mattered too! Just like  perhaps the only thing that truly matters to all the Lotus seeds in the Lotus ponds in the world out there -  at the end of the day is that very - Divine sight of it's sparkling Lotus Flowers looking back at the beholder in all its glory – irrespective of the depth of the muddy waters below it. For it's the very journey of the Lotus Seed to the Flower of the Bloom...that just stands out and shines tall in all its serene silence - to tell its destined naturistic tale....through the mystic beauty of its majestic petals...

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TADAAAAAAAA!

How was That Guysssssssss ?????????? I really hope you all enjoyed reading this update on the theme of the Lotus...I simply loved..writing it down...so very much....

Next Update : on Friday Night

See you soon with the next update – guys!

Thanks, Guys, for all the Support and your Precious Time to my Work!

Much Love & Gratitude

Always

❤

Prachi

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