Massively big tea
She was in Kamla Nagar Market the next day at a book wholesaler, trying to figure out if she could do one supplier for all text books, Papa had 5 just for primary school and over 12 for secondary school
Things had to change
Sumedha and her rode together
Sumedha went off to meet Pia for lunch, thankfully Taaruni had the book guy to meet with she was going to Zoom in Harkeerat uncle, she walked briskly to the bookstore, the next two hours went in getting everyone on the page. The bookstore guy was trying to arm twist her to change suppliers for geometry boxes, pencil cases and mechanical tools
She had to really research everything before she could agree so she told him no
There was a pall of unhappiness for a good half hour, they decided to take a break she wandered off to buy some shawls for Ma and Bhabhi, and some wool gloves for the boys and called them to show them
Aseem began to cry wanting to see her
She had ran off like that last time
“I will see you next week she lied
Pradyut was not going to let her go
The mere mention of his name sent her insides rolling down a cliff
He stared at her for a good five minutes after releasing her from the kiss three nights ago
Like she owed him money or something
But she did have to acknowledge he made her feel safe and protected, he locked up the house every night, answered the door after 9 PM if he was home
Never letting her walk street side
“Tumhe chidaane ke liye nahi jeeti main” “I am good at it” she mumbled
“Huh” he nodded quietly
“Ab jaaoon soney?” she asked him politely
“For now… yeah” he nodded, satisfied stepping back arms folded across his chest letting her walk away
She left her door open wondering at first and actually wishing he would just walk in and ravish her
He didn’t
She realized she hadn’t bought anything for Sumedha, she bought her a real pashmina shawl in mauve………….With her shopping done, she made her way back to the wholesaler around 5 PM to wrap up, she
Her head was hurting, it looked like it was goingt o rain
Kamala Nagar was always crowded the honking and the pollution didn’t help either, she stopped by at a coffee shop to pick up chai
Her car was at the repair shop for a timing belt change
She waited for her order and found Pia stood right by her
Her belly sank
“Hi” “I thought you were shopping”
“We were Ma has a acupuncturist she sees for her lower back pain”
“Oh?” “is she still here?”
“Yeah she will be here until shes done” Pia nodded carefully observing Taaruni in her bluew jeans and a dark pink and green plaid shirt and casual loafers, hair in her signature high pony tail, with her thick bangs covering almost all her forehead she nervously parted frequently
“What did you order?” Taaruni made small talk
“My usual” was all Pia would say
“Ive asked for LITERALLY half a cup of chai, I cannot imagine having ITNI saari chai in one go, stale and cold” Tarruni giggled
“Really, I love tallll brews” Pia insisted
“I like half a cup even but really well made chai…. Its crazy how much chai people will drink in one go” Taaruni laughed relaxing
“I cant imagine marrying a guy I don’t know” Pia said sweetly
Taaruni realize she was being gut punched
“I couldn’t either, I doubt I would have if my Dad’s store was not being stolen” she snapped back
“I doubt….”
“You can doubt all you want, they were employing devious underhand tactics to grab Zenith Astro, they paid obsecene sums of money to all owners/tenants to vacate, I wouldn’t they sent me a legal notice” Taaruni spoke calmly though her voice was trembling her eyes were full “I suggest you read up about builders evading inspection, bid rigging, using improper wage rate categories to inflate their cost etc”
“I am going to defend my property, too bad if it hurts you” she said calmly to Pia “Yeah as bizarre as it sounds I gave the nod to marry him to buy myself time, you will have your brother back the second I find a way to release myself. Trust me this is not eternal undying love” Taaruni cleared her throat to fight tears
Pia looked a bit scared at first but quickly composed herself and answered a call, her drink was called she took it and left without saying goodbye
She was told by one of the lehenga guys he would alter the chanderi lehenga she bought for herself in 2 hours so she went back at 7 to pick it up
Sumedha checked on her she casually told her she was headed to pick up her lehenga, and the cross street she was on and she would take an Uber home, her cross body purse had been picked and it was slit open, she spent 30 minutes panicking and then just headed to the store for lehenga pickup
Pradyut appeared as she waited for the store to finish the alteration to her utter shock and horror
“You have a back order lehenga also?” she mocked gently
“I am told I need to pick you up
She was going to call a girlfriend, she didn’t want his ride
“I am good, you can leave” she said calmly
She was waiting outside the tiny shop
He leaned on the pillar across the walkway “I have to bring you home so take ur time deliberating” he promised
He looked tired, in a formal black pant and a green pin stripe shirt
Pia had texted him already “Your make believe wife just insulted our family massively”
Hui Ghum Yaadein
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
