Prerna watched her sister take her pheras with Ronit, her heart filled with joy.The two of them had been through hell and back before their parents had accepted their relationship.As much as she was at loathe to admit it,Komolika of all people had been the one to convince her father to agree to this wedding.
She felt a hand brush across her shoulder and whirled around.But there was no one there;she could only see Komolika chatting with Mishka a good distance away.The former turned and smirked at her,she frowned and turned back just in time to see the couple complete their last phera.
"Hey...."whispered Anurag,coming to stand beside her,their shoulders touching.Prerna blushed and smiled.
"Hey..."she whispered back.
He threaded his fingers through hers and both of them stood in companiable silence.The bride and groom were now taking blessings from their parents.
It could be us one day,she thought giddily, glancing at Anurag, who seemed content.She suddenly found herself pushed rather violently to one side.Komolika had walked right in between them and was now talking to Anurag,twirling her hair.Prerna felt a stab of jealousy as Anurag smiled at her and left.
Komolika turned to her,smiling triumphantly.
"I've sent Anurag to get me a glass of water.It's rather hot."
Prerna glared at her.
"You need not look so angry.I asked him fetch some water for you as well.And if be doesn't ,I will definitely share mine."
Komolika contiued twirling her hair,which irritated Prerna to no end.
"Stop that!You'll end up tangling your hair if you keep twirling it."she said in a surly tone.
Komolika looked at her with an eyebrow raised.
"Looks like someone has been twirling their hair in front of the mirror,clearly in admiration of some person."
"Shut up,Komolika!So what if I did?It's my hair.I can do whatever I want with it.I may cut it,curl it,dye it purple,it's none of your business."
"Don't you dare touch your hair."replied Komolika in a menacing hair,stopping the twirling.
Prerna looked at her awkwardly,unsure of how to respond.To her relief,Anurag showed up at that exact moment.
"Water for my lady"he handed the glass to Komolika with a flourish and a grin.He then took Prerna's hand and pulled her to the stage.Neither of them noticed the stormy expression on Komolika's face as she sipped the water.
*************************************************
"Di,are you sure we can pull it off?"asked Tapur,nervously eyeing Komolika chatting up Anu.
"Of course we can,"interjected Nivedita."Komo fancies Anu.Perhaps she'll divulge the location of Ronit's shoes to him."
"Prerna di,are you alright?"asked Tapur,looking at Prerna's sullen face.
Nivedita sighed,"You don't have anything to worry about.Whatever is brewing between Komo and Anu is one sided.Anu fancies you.And all of us,even Maa,are waiting for the two of you to make it official."
Strangely,the statement did not make Prerna feel better.It wasn't long before Anu siddled up,rather crestfallen.
"She said she'll only talk to Prerna."
The siblings turned to her, their eyes pleading.She sighed.The Basus had always had her back and been a second family to them.Even the prickly Mohini Basu cared about her and looked out of her.She couldn't disappoint them.Squaring her shoulders,she walked up to Komolika.
"Let's talk."said Prerna
"About time."she replied with a smirk,leading her to a table.
The two of them sat opposite to each other,surveying their opponent.Komolika was the first one to break the silence.
"I have a proposition for you.I am aware that you want the shoes and I'm willing to give you the location."
"Well,thank you.But what's the catch?"asked Prerna curiously.
Komolika smiled."You have two options.Option A,you can solve a bunch of riddles which will lead you to the location of the shoes.But I warn you,it's rather time consuming and equivalent to searching for a needle in a haystack."
Prerna frowned,"how hard can it be?The shoes are obviously hidden in the house.How long would it take to find them?"
"The clues will lead you to places all over Kolkata.While the shoes are hidden in the house,I will constantly keep changing their location if you disregard my clues."
"What's the second option then?"asked Prerna with gritted teeth,taking a sip of juice Komolika had rather thoughtfully provided for her.
Komolika smiled broadly, "Simple,go on a date with me."
Prerna coughed and nearly spit out the juice.She could feel Komolika pat her back as she struggled to rein herself.
"Would you like a tissue?"
Noddling,Prerna gratefully accepted the tissue and wiped her mouth.
Komolika leaned back in her chair,"So Sharma,what do you say?"
Before she could reply,a loud crash caught their attention.Tapur had managed to find the shoes,which had been hidden under a large flower basket ,and had accidentally knocked over a table as she escaped Mishka and her cousins.Prerna glanced at Komolika who looked gobsmacked at this latest development.
Without any hesitation, she jumped out of her chair and ran towards the melee.Mishka managed to trip Tapur who threw the shoes to Nivedita.Unfortunately,Nivedita found herself backed into a corner.Prerna signalled her to throw the shoes and caught them with ease.Noticing,Komolika barrelling towards her,she broke into a run and shot up the stairs,the other woman hot on her heels.
They ran threw a dizzying maze of corridors and multiple rooms.Suddenly,Prerna slipped and she closed her eyes,bracing for impact which never came.She gingerly opened her eyes and found herself being held by Komolika.Her heart was racing and her face felt warm.Their lips were only inches away.If she were to close the distance....
"Prerna!"Anurag's voice could be heard down the corridor.The two of them jumped apart,blushing.
"Choubey uncle has agreed to pay up.You can come downstairs with the shoes."he told her with a grin.
Prerna could barely muster a smile as he lead her downstairs.She turned back to see a forlorn Komolika,looking at her longingly.
*************************************************Later that night,Prerna sat by the window,gazing at the moon.Taking a deep breath she picked her phone and pulled up Komolika's profile.She then texted her.
Hi Komolika.This is Prerna here.I know that I technically didn't find the shoes with your help,so your proposition is null and void.But I was wondering if that date is still on the table?I prefer a simple date,preferably a picnic on the riverbank,away from the city.What do you think?
Udne Ki Aasha
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