To be or not to be-completed(epilogue) - Page 3

Part eight

Ekam observed her family keenly as everyone sat down for breakfast.Taiji and her buas looked worse for wear with blood shot eyes and haggered faces. Bebe 's concoction had worked its wonders after all and the dip in the pool hadn't done them any favours either.Garry paaji seemed lost in thought, probably thinking of Shanaya she wondered wryly.Kiara seemed rather upbeat as she enthusiastically attacked her food, simultaneously chatting with her father.She smiled to herself,happy to see her di cheerful.Angad paaji had already left for work along with Veer paaji which meant everyone had been accounted for except her parents and grandparents.

Finishing her breakfast,she decided to check on her bebe first.Entering her grandparents room she was shocked to see her parents there as well.They were staring at a dancing bebe and a harrowed looking daarji.She silently joined them before whispering.

"Mummy,papa, what's going on?"

Her father was the first one to reply.

"She's still high."

"How's that even possible? Everyone else is sobre and extremely hungover."

He simply shrugged his shoulders .

"Perhaps it's because alcohol affects different people in different ways."her Daarji supplied helpfully.

"Or perhaps she's been drinking continuously since yesterday night?"her mother muttered,holding up and empty decanter.

"I thought you'd look after her daarji.",her father sounded exasperated.

"Jaspal Puttar,I couldn't stop her at all.She was so scary.I have never seen her behave this way.She called me by my name and refused to acknowledge me as her husband.She said she wanted to leave me and run away with her lover.Some Naman Gupta or someone."

There was pin drop silence in the room.

Ekam glanced at her father who looked as stupefied as she felt.

"As fascinating this discourse on bebe's love life is,I think we should take her to the hospital lest she ends up with alcohol poisoning."her mother spoke up before turning to bebe.

"Bebe,please get off the couch,we need to go to the hospital?"

To everyone's shock ,she actually complied.Caressing her mother's face she spoke up,

"Puttar you're very beautiful.Are you married?"

Ekam stifled her giggles while her papa had a coughing fit.Daarji looked like he wanted to desperately blend into the background.

Thankfully her mother managed to reply with a straight face.

"Yes bebe, I'm already married to your younger son over there.Infact we've been married for over twenty five years now and even have two children."

Bebe frowned,"that cannot be my son.My son is way more handsome and rather suave.Tell you what puttar, why don't you divorce this man?I will get you married off to my son.He's a much better catch;I can assure you."

Daarji finally interrupted her,"Gurleen puttar, I'll ask the driver to get the car ready."

"That's not necessary daarji, I'll drive."Ekam said.

Her parents frowned and looked at each other.Her father raised an eyebrow while her mother shrugged before they nodded in unison.Daarji nodded and went to the door.

"Akaal Singh Brar,where do you think you're going?"

Bebe yelled.Daarji froze and turned around looking rather helpless.

"My legs hurt so I can't walk.You need to carry me to the car."

Ekam burst into laughter at the sight of Daarji's helpless expression.Her father smirked,

"I'll take your stick daarji.It will be easier to carry bebe."

Daarji glared at him.

"Jabjyot, I'm too old to carry you around.Besides,what will the children think?"

"The children will be perfectly fine. In fact seeing their father carry their mother will reassure them that they still love each other."her father answered.

Seeing daarji turn a brilliant shade of purple her mother intervened.

"Daarji, perhaps it's best to just cooperate.We need to get bebe to the hospital as soon as possible.And Jaspal ji, could you please take his stick?"

Her papa flashed a triumphant smile and plucked the stick from Daarji who seemed reluctant to let it go.

Daarji gently carried bebe and walked out of the room while her parents followed.There still seemed to be some hostility between the two of them she noted sadly as neither refused to meet the other's eye while speaking.

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

"It's a good thing you brought her here on time.While nothing is wrong with her, we'd like to keep her under observation for a couple of days.You may fill out the details and please remember,only one person is allowed to stay with the patient at a time.",the doctor said.

Daarji thanked her and turned to them."Gurleen puttar,I can never thank you enough.There was no way I would have been able to handle Jabjyot without you."

Mummy simply shook her head.Ekam remembered the wound on her head.

"Mummy,I think we should have your cut looked at as well."

Mummy looked like she was about to protest but her father cut off.

"Ekam ,please take your mother to the doctor,drop her off at the space centre and take your daarji back home .I'll sit with Bebe.

Great,she thought.Now they weren't talking to each other as well and she was supposed to be their conduit.

"Ekam,please tell your father that I'll come after work and take over the night shift."Mummy sounded too calm,as if she were a time bomb waiting to be set off.

Daarji was watching the entire exchange,with the uncomfortable feeling that he was witnessing something extremely private.He shrunk back into his seat as if trying to avoid mummy's ire.

"Let's go mummy."she tugged at her arm and dragged her to the surgery wing.They both stopped short at the entrance to the corridor,double taking at the sight of a familiar figure.

Kiara di was lounging in a chair in the waiting area as if she owned the place.

Loved Bebe in this asking Gurleen if she is married...

waiting for the next part

Part nine

Kiara had definitely not expected her mami and Ekam to show up in the hospital out of the blue but she was certainly thankful for their presence.

"Di,what are you doing here?"Ekam asked her , eyebrows furrowed in worry.Mami simply scanned her from head to foot ,on the look for injuries.She shifted uncomfortably.It was if she could see right through her and read her innermost thoughts.Her eyes widened for a split second with a glimmer of recognition .

She knows,Kiara thought,her body flooding with panic.Forcing herself to calm down,she addressed her mami in a steady voice.

"Mami,could I please talk to you in private?"

And pulled her to the washroom and rushed into a stall,locking the door behind them.Neither of them noticed Ekam who had snuck in behind them and was outside the cubicle, listening to their conversation.

"Kiara,why didn't you tell anyone?"her mami asked her,her voice breaking.

Kiara took a deep breath.

"I wasn't sure.Honestly speaking,I had no memory of it until last night when the nightmares started and refused to stop and even then it was just touching right?So it should be alright."

"No, it's not alright.There's no such thing as just touching ."

"Fine,I remember him cutting me as well,happy?"

"I'm sorry Kiara,I didn't mean to anger you.I'm.just worried you know."

"You don't have to."she muttered ,blinking back tears.

Her mami just pulled her into a hug and she started sobbing,clinging to her.She badly missed her mom's hugs and wished she were here.Outside,Ekam was shocked,her mind blank.She inched out of the washroom and made it to the waiting area where she waited for them.When they finally arrived,looking as normal as ever,she simply couldn't meet their eyes.

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

Kiara winced in sympathy as the surgeon tugged at Mami's skin.Mamu had been in a hurry , desperate to stem the bleeding so the stitches had been applied haphazardly.Now they had to open them and resuture the wound.The doctor gave them funny looks when she saw the prints on her back but didn't comment, simply prescribing an ointment for the pain and swelling.To her surprise,mami seemed to have similar injuries.Ekam had simply left the room once they exposed mami's back,no doubt on her way to tell mamu everything.

They finally walked out together,only to find mamu waiting for them.They had a lot of explaining to do.He silently led them to the cafeteria where they were joined by Ekam.Daarji was waiting in bebe's room.Mamu first looked at mami who refused to meet his eyes and then at her.

"Do I want to know what's going on here?"

She started,never had she seen him so angry, especially in Mami's presence.

"We were attacked last night.'Ekam was quick to blurt it out,pulling down her collar to show him the handprint.He sucked in a breath and gripped the table hard.

"There was someone chasing us in the dark and we were trying to escape them.Mummy heard me scream and came rushing, that's how we collided and fell down the stairs."Ekam finished.

"Kiara, Gurleen,I believe you have something as well."her mamu was being rather insistent.

"I don't remember when the handprints came on my back.I think it was after dad left and before Ekam came."

He turned to mami who surprisingly cooperated.

"I was attacked by someone in the dark and ended up hitting my head on a table."

Kiara frowned,she was also hiding something like her and judging by the glared levelled by Ekam, it seems she was onto the two of them .

Thankfully mamu seemed satisfied.

"Is there a reason why you hid these incidents from us?"

"We thought it was a ghost and assumed we were imagining things until we saw the handprints.I wanted to tell you this morning but then bebe happened."

Ekam sheepishly admitted.

Mamu simply patted her head and thought for a while before announcing his decision.

"Ekam,your daarji wishes to wait with Bebe so you need not drop him off.Go back home with Kiara.And Kiara,I suggest you take the day off.I've already informed Angad who is fine with it.I'm afraid you'll have to explain everything to your parents who are quite distressed .Take Ekam with you and let her do the talking if you're uncomfortable.Gurleen,I would prefer you taking the day off as well but it's your call."

To her surprise,mami agreed to taking the day off.She exchanged glances with Ekam.It seemed miracles never ceased.

Mamu heaved a sigh of relief.

"In that case, I'm coming home with you.I'm taking the day off as well.I'm going with Gurleen to inform daarji of our plans and the developments.Ekam,you can drive home with Kiara."

With no room for protest,he left with mami tagging along.Ekam looked lost in thought,which was never a good sign.It meant she had something up her sleeve and Kiara dreaded finding out what it was.

Originally posted by: themasked

Part eight

Ekam observed her family keenly as everyone sat down for breakfast.Taiji and her buas looked worse for wear with blood shot eyes and haggered faces. Bebe 's concoction had worked its wonders after all and the dip in the pool hadn't done them any favours either.Garry paaji seemed lost in thought, probably thinking of Shanaya she wondered wryly.Kiara seemed rather upbeat as she enthusiastically attacked her food, simultaneously chatting with her father.She smiled to herself,happy to see her di cheerful.Angad paaji had already left for work along with Veer paaji which meant everyone had been accounted for except her parents and grandparents.

Finishing her breakfast,she decided to check on her bebe first.Entering her grandparents room she was shocked to see her parents there as well.They were staring at a dancing bebe and a harrowed looking daarji.She silently joined them before whispering.

"Mummy,papa, what's going on?"

Her father was the first one to reply.

"She's still high."

"How's that even possible? Everyone else is sobre and extremely hungover."

He simply shrugged his shoulders .

"Perhaps it's because alcohol affects different people in different ways."her Daarji supplied helpfully.

"Or perhaps she's been drinking continuously since yesterday night?"her mother muttered,holding up and empty decanter.

"I thought you'd look after her daarji.",her father sounded exasperated.

"Jaspal Puttar,I couldn't stop her at all.She was so scary.I have never seen her behave this way.She called me by my name and refused to acknowledge me as her husband.She said she wanted to leave me and run away with her lover.Some Naman Gupta or someone."

There was pin drop silence in the room.

Ekam glanced at her father who looked as stupefied as she felt.

"As fascinating this discourse on bebe's love life is,I think we should take her to the hospital lest she ends up with alcohol poisoning."her mother spoke up before turning to bebe.

"Bebe,please get off the couch,we need to go to the hospital?"

To everyone's shock ,she actually complied.Caressing her mother's face she spoke up,

"Puttar you're very beautiful.Are you married?"

Ekam stifled her giggles while her papa had a coughing fit.Daarji looked like he wanted to desperately blend into the background.

Thankfully her mother managed to reply with a straight face.

"Yes bebe, I'm already married to your younger son over there.Infact we've been married for over twenty five years now and even have two children."

Bebe frowned,"that cannot be my son.My son is way more handsome and rather suave.Tell you what puttar, why don't you divorce this man?I will get you married off to my son.He's a much better catch;I can assure you."

Daarji finally interrupted her,"Gurleen puttar, I'll ask the driver to get the car ready."

"That's not necessary daarji, I'll drive."Ekam said.

Her parents frowned and looked at each other.Her father raised an eyebrow while her mother shrugged before they nodded in unison.Daarji nodded and went to the door.

"Akaal Singh Brar,where do you think you're going?"

Bebe yelled.Daarji froze and turned around looking rather helpless.

"My legs hurt so I can't walk.You need to carry me to the car."

Ekam burst into laughter at the sight of Daarji's helpless expression.Her father smirked,

"I'll take your stick daarji.It will be easier to carry bebe."

Daarji glared at him.

"Jabjyot, I'm too old to carry you around.Besides,what will the children think?"

"The children will be perfectly fine. In fact seeing their father carry their mother will reassure them that they still love each other."her father answered.

Seeing daarji turn a brilliant shade of purple her mother intervened.

"Daarji, perhaps it's best to just cooperate.We need to get bebe to the hospital as soon as possible.And Jaspal ji, could you please take his stick?"

Her papa flashed a triumphant smile and plucked the stick from Daarji who seemed reluctant to let it go.

Daarji gently carried bebe and walked out of the room while her parents followed.There still seemed to be some hostility between the two of them she noted sadly as neither refused to meet the other's eye while speaking.

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

"It's a good thing you brought her here on time.While nothing is wrong with her, we'd like to keep her under observation for a couple of days.You may fill out the details and please remember,only one person is allowed to stay with the patient at a time.",the doctor said.

Daarji thanked her and turned to them."Gurleen puttar,I can never thank you enough.There was no way I would have been able to handle Jabjyot without you."

Mummy simply shook her head.Ekam remembered the wound on her head.

"Mummy,I think we should have your cut looked at as well."

Mummy looked like she was about to protest but her father cut off.

"Ekam ,please take your mother to the doctor,drop her off at the space centre and take your daarji back home .I'll sit with Bebe.

Great,she thought.Now they weren't talking to each other as well and she was supposed to be their conduit.

"Ekam,please tell your father that I'll come after work and take over the night shift."Mummy sounded too calm,as if she were a time bomb waiting to be set off.

Daarji was watching the entire exchange,with the uncomfortable feeling that he was witnessing something extremely private.He shrunk back into his seat as if trying to avoid mummy's ire.

"Let's go mummy."she tugged at her arm and dragged her to the surgery wing.They both stopped short at the entrance to the corridor,double taking at the sight of a familiar figure.

Kiara di was lounging in a chair in the waiting area as if she owned the place.

I am loving this Drunk Bebe

Originally posted by: themasked

Part nine

Kiara had definitely not expected her mami and Ekam to show up in the hospital out of the blue but she was certainly thankful for their presence.

"Di,what are you doing here?"Ekam asked her , eyebrows furrowed in worry.Mami simply scanned her from head to foot ,on the look for injuries.She shifted uncomfortably.It was if she could see right through her and read her innermost thoughts.Her eyes widened for a split second with a glimmer of recognition .

She knows,Kiara thought,her body flooding with panic.Forcing herself to calm down,she addressed her mami in a steady voice.

"Mami,could I please talk to you in private?"

And pulled her to the washroom and rushed into a stall,locking the door behind them.Neither of them noticed Ekam who had snuck in behind them and was outside the cubicle, listening to their conversation.

"Kiara,why didn't you tell anyone?"her mami asked her,her voice breaking.

Kiara took a deep breath.

"I wasn't sure.Honestly speaking,I had no memory of it until last night when the nightmares started and refused to stop and even then it was just touching right?So it should be alright."

"No, it's not alright.There's no such thing as just touching ."

"Fine,I remember him cutting me as well,happy?"

"I'm sorry Kiara,I didn't mean to anger you.I'm.just worried you know."

"You don't have to."she muttered ,blinking back tears.

Her mami just pulled her into a hug and she started sobbing,clinging to her.She badly missed her mom's hugs and wished she were here.Outside,Ekam was shocked,her mind blank.She inched out of the washroom and made it to the waiting area where she waited for them.When they finally arrived,looking as normal as ever,she simply couldn't meet their eyes.

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

Kiara winced in sympathy as the surgeon tugged at Mami's skin.Mamu had been in a hurry , desperate to stem the bleeding so the stitches had been applied haphazardly.Now they had to open them and resuture the wound.The doctor gave them funny looks when she saw the prints on her back but didn't comment, simply prescribing an ointment for the pain and swelling.To her surprise,mami seemed to have similar injuries.Ekam had simply left the room once they exposed mami's back,no doubt on her way to tell mamu everything.

They finally walked out together,only to find mamu waiting for them.They had a lot of explaining to do.He silently led them to the cafeteria where they were joined by Ekam.Daarji was waiting in bebe's room.Mamu first looked at mami who refused to meet his eyes and then at her.

"Do I want to know what's going on here?"

She started,never had she seen him so angry, especially in Mami's presence.

"We were attacked last night.'Ekam was quick to blurt it out,pulling down her collar to show him the handprint.He sucked in a breath and gripped the table hard.

"There was someone chasing us in the dark and we were trying to escape them.Mummy heard me scream and came rushing, that's how we collided and fell down the stairs."Ekam finished.

"Kiara, Gurleen,I believe you have something as well."her mamu was being rather insistent.

"I don't remember when the handprints came on my back.I think it was after left and before Ekam came."

He turned mami who surprisingly cooperated.

"I was attacked by someone in the dark and ended up hitting my head on a table."

Kiara frowned,she was also hiding something like her and judging by the glared levelled by Ekam, it seems she was onto the two of them .

Thankfully mamu seemed satisfied.

"Is there a reason why you hid these incidents from us?"

"We thought it was a ghost and assumed we were imagining things until we saw the handprints.I wanted to tell you this morning but then bebe happened."

Ekam sheepishly admitted.

Mamu simply patted her head and thought for a while before announcing his decision.

"Ekam,your daarji wishes to wait with Bebe so you need not drop him off.Go back home with Kiara.And Kiara,I suggest you take the day off.I've already informed Angad who is fine with it.I'm afraid you'll have to explain everything to your parents who are quite distressed .Take Ekam with you and let her do the talking if you're uncomfortable.Gurleen,I would prefer you taking the day off as well but it's your call."

To her surprise,mami agreed to taking the day off.She exchanged glances with Ekam.It seemed miracles never ceased.

Mamu heaved a sigh of relief.

"In that case, I'm coming home with you.I'm taking the day off as well.I'm going with Gurleen to inform daarji of our plans and the developments.Ekam,you can drive home with Kiara."

With no room for protest,he left with mami tagging along.Ekam looked lost in thought,which was never a good sign.It meant she had something up her sleeve and Kiara dreaded finding out what it was.

Wait WaIt Hold on Hold on,The attacker was Jaspal but I'm really not sure of that yet.

plss upload the next chapter quick.

Originally posted by: Amanita09

Wait WaIt Hold on Hold on,The attacker was Jaspal but I'm really not sure of that yet.

plss upload the next chapter quick.

Was trying to write a horror-mystery so I'm glad to know that it's sort of working.There's more to the story than meets the eye . You'll find out everything in the upcoming chapters.

Originally posted by: themasked

Part nine

Kiara had definitely not expected her mami and Ekam to show up in the hospital out of the blue but she was certainly thankful for their presence.

"Di,what are you doing here?"Ekam asked her , eyebrows furrowed in worry.Mami simply scanned her from head to foot ,on the look for injuries.She shifted uncomfortably.It was if she could see right through her and read her innermost thoughts.Her eyes widened for a split second with a glimmer of recognition .

She knows,Kiara thought,her body flooding with panic.Forcing herself to calm down,she addressed her mami in a steady voice.

"Mami,could I please talk to you in private?"

And pulled her to the washroom and rushed into a stall,locking the door behind them.Neither of them noticed Ekam who had snuck in behind them and was outside the cubicle, listening to their conversation.

"Kiara,why didn't you tell anyone?"her mami asked her,her voice breaking.

Kiara took a deep breath.

"I wasn't sure.Honestly speaking,I had no memory of it until last night when the nightmares started and refused to stop and even then it was just touching right?So it should be alright."

"No, it's not alright.There's no such thing as just touching ."

"Fine,I remember him cutting me as well,happy?"

"I'm sorry Kiara,I didn't mean to anger you.I'm.just worried you know."

"You don't have to."she muttered ,blinking back tears.

Her mami just pulled her into a hug and she started sobbing,clinging to her.She badly missed her mom's hugs and wished she were here.Outside,Ekam was shocked,her mind blank.She inched out of the washroom and made it to the waiting area where she waited for them.When they finally arrived,looking as normal as ever,she simply couldn't meet their eyes.

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

Kiara winced in sympathy as the surgeon tugged at Mami's skin.Mamu had been in a hurry , desperate to stem the bleeding so the stitches had been applied haphazardly.Now they had to open them and resuture the wound.The doctor gave them funny looks when she saw the prints on her back but didn't comment, simply prescribing an ointment for the pain and swelling.To her surprise,mami seemed to have similar injuries.Ekam had simply left the room once they exposed mami's back,no doubt on her way to tell mamu everything.

They finally walked out together,only to find mamu waiting for them.They had a lot of explaining to do.He silently led them to the cafeteria where they were joined by Ekam.Daarji was waiting in bebe's room.Mamu first looked at mami who refused to meet his eyes and then at her.

"Do I want to know what's going on here?"

She started,never had she seen him so angry, especially in Mami's presence.

"We were attacked last night.'Ekam was quick to blurt it out,pulling down her collar to show him the handprint.He sucked in a breath and gripped the table hard.

"There was someone chasing us in the dark and we were trying to escape them.Mummy heard me scream and came rushing, that's how we collided and fell down the stairs."Ekam finished.

"Kiara, Gurleen,I believe you have something as well."her mamu was being rather insistent.

"I don't remember when the handprints came on my back.I think it was after left and before Ekam came."

He turned mami who surprisingly cooperated.

"I was attacked by someone in the dark and ended up hitting my head on a table."

Kiara frowned,she was also hiding something like her and judging by the glared levelled by Ekam, it seems she was onto the two of them .

Thankfully mamu seemed satisfied.

"Is there a reason why you hid these incidents from us?"

"We thought it was a ghost and assumed we were imagining things until we saw the handprints.I wanted to tell you this morning but then bebe happened."

Ekam sheepishly admitted.

Mamu simply patted her head and thought for a while before announcing his decision.

"Ekam,your daarji wishes to wait with Bebe so you need not drop him off.Go back home with Kiara.And Kiara,I suggest you take the day off.I've already informed Angad who is fine with it.I'm afraid you'll have to explain everything to your parents who are quite distressed .Take Ekam with you and let her do the talking if you're uncomfortable.Gurleen,I would prefer you taking the day off as well but it's your call."

To her surprise,mami agreed to taking the day off.She exchanged glances with Ekam.It seemed miracles never ceased.

Mamu heaved a sigh of relief.

"In that case, I'm coming home with you.I'm taking the day off as well.I'm going with Gurleen to inform daarji of our plans and the developments.Ekam,you can drive home with Kiara."

With no room for protest,he left with mami tagging along.Ekam looked lost in thought,which was never a good sign.It meant she had something up her sleeve and Kiara dreaded finding out what it was.

I suspect Jaspal as the attacker 😐

Waiting for the next chapter

Part ten

Gurleen's eyes never left Ekam as she busied herself with covering their bruises.Kiara had unexpectedly turned up, claiming she wished to get dressed in Ekam's room.Truth be told,she just didn't want her mom to see her bruises.They had somehow managed to convince Jaspal and Daarji to keep the details of the attack from the rest of the family,citing a desire to avoid panic though deep down she knew they just wished to avoid scrutiny and attract unnecessary attention.

She worried about Ekam.While she claimed to be fine,it was obvious that the ordeal was finally catching up to her, evident from her dark circles and the lack of her usual cheerful countenance.

"Ekam,"she called softly.Her daughter turned around nervously.

"You've been very brave but it's perfectly alright to be scared.You're safe here and you don't have to keep your emotions locked up."

Ekam simply walked up and hugged her.

"Mummy, I'm not scared anymore.I mean this is nothing compared to what others have faced.I'm honestly grateful that I got away unscathed."

She stared at her daughter while Kiara looked troubled.

"Ekam,I think you're missing mami's point.It's very clear that you're still distressed.Bottling up your fear will do you no good and frankly speaking we're sick with worry."

"You're sick with worry?!Waah di!Are you of all people saying this?Do I look like a fool ?I'm sick and tired of both of you not talking about it.Mummy,do you know how worried papa is?Why do you not talk to him?It hurts to see him cry.You know what,just do whatever you want.I'm done with all this!"and she left the room.

Gurleen glanced at Kiara,who looked distressed and on the verge of tears.She went up to her and embraced her.The younger girl started crying.The sobs abated after a while and she pulled away ,wiping her tears.

"Mami,we need to get ready quickly before someone comes looking for us."

She nodded tersely.

"But I don't feel like getting dressed up.I.don't want to attract any unwanted attention."Kiara's voice broke.

Gurleen sighed.Despite the heightened security in and around the house,she still couldn't help but feel that their attacker was on the prowl.She knew she wouldn't be at peace until the attacker was caught and neither would Kiara.But that had to wait till later,for now they had a mehendi to get through.

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

Gurleen nervously twisted the pallu ,the uncomfortable sensation of being watched made the hair on her neck stand up.After several rounds of changing,Kiara had finally decided that wearing sarees would help them hide their bruises.

"It's funny to see Kiara in a saree."a voice made her jump.It was Yashraj Baweja standing a bit too close for comfort,or perhaps she'd been imagining things.All three of them had been rather jumpy much to the consternation of the rest of the family .

"It's probably because no one has ever seen her wear a saree before."

She winced in sympathy as Kiara tripped and nearly fell face first into a platter of mehendi on the table.They'd have an incident on their hands if she wasn't careful.To her surprise,it was Daarji who helped her up.He was touched that his granddaughter had finally embraced the traditions of their family,she thought with a laugh.

"Gurleen puttar,"bebe called out,"come here and get your mehendi applied."

Nodding ,she made her way to the rest of the ladies and took a seat between bebe and Ekam.

"Mummy, I'm sorry for yelling at you."Ekam whispered.

She smiled and hugged her daughter.

"You don't have to apologise.I'm afraid Kiara and I put you through the ringer, thinking we were protecting you but we ended up distressing you.And I'm sorry about that."

After a moment's contemplation,she added,"I promise to tell you everything tonight once the Sangeet is over."

Ekam looked at her searchingly,"Pakka?"

"Pakka".

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

Traditionally,only ladies were allowed to attend the mehendi.However,it didn't stop the men from forcing their entry.That's how Ekam found herself sitting with her parents and brother who seemed hell bent on tormenting her.To her dismay,she couldn't even swat him away without ruining her mehendi,so she decided to sit in silence,plotting her revenge.Meanwhile daarji and bebe had their own drama going on.

"Brar Saab,I want you try finding the name on my hand?"her bebe asked sweetly.

"Be careful Daarji,it might be an N instead of an A."her father slyly interjected.

"Jabjyot,would you actually do that to me?"daarji asked aghast when he couldn't find the A.

"Since you've betrayed me callously and insulted my love,I'll also write a name on my hand,Parminder."

"You wouldn't dare!"

Ekam was taken aback,she had never seen bebe this angry.The two of them argued back and forth and the had to admit,their fight was rather intriguing.

"Psst..Ekam"her Veer paaji called.

"What?"she snapped irritably.

"I'm sure their drama is very interesting,but you're missing our own Heer and Ranjha here."he nudged her gaze towards their parents.

She smiled when she saw them,remembering the story.Papa was painstakingly drawing the mehendi on mummy's hands,eyes narrowed in concentration and for the first time,her mummy didnt flinch or pull away.Hopefully things would start getting better she prayed as she caught a glimpse of her di spectacularly falling backwards right into Shanaya Parjaai's lap.

Kiara in a saree

I'm absolutely loving this drunk version of Bebe

Originally posted by: themasked

Part ten

Gurleen's eyes never left Ekam as she busied herself with covering their bruises.Kiara had unexpectedly turned up, claiming she wished to get dressed in Ekam's room.Truth be told,she just didn't want her mom to see her bruises.They had somehow managed to convince Jaspal and Daarji to keep the details of the attack from the rest of the family,citing a desire to avoid panic though deep down she knew they just wished to avoid scrutiny and attract unnecessary attention.

She worried about Ekam.While she claimed to be fine,it was obvious that the ordeal was finally catching up to her, evident from her dark circles and the lack of her usual cheerful countenance.

"Ekam,"she called softly.Her daughter turned around nervously.

"You've been very brave but it's perfectly alright to be scared.You're safe here and you don't have to keep your emotions locked up."

Ekam simply walked up and hugged her.

"Mummy, I'm not scared anymore.I mean this is nothing compared to what others have faced.I'm honestly grateful that I got away unscathed."

She stared at her daughter while Kiara looked troubled.

"Ekam,I think you're missing mami's point.It's very clear that you're still distressed.Bottling up your fear will do you no good and frankly speaking we're sick with worry."

"You're sick with worry?!Waah di!Are you of all people saying this?Do I look like a fool ?I'm sick and tired of both of you not talking about it.Mummy,do you know how worried papa is?Why do you not talk to him?It hurts to see him cry.You know what,just do whatever you want.I'm done with all this!"and she left the room.

Gurleen glanced at Kiara,who looked distressed and on the verge of tears.She went up to her and embraced her.The younger girl started crying.The sobs abated after a while and she pulled away ,wiping her tears.

"Mami,we need to get ready quickly before someone comes looking for us."

She nodded tersely.

"But I don't feel like getting dressed up.I.don't want to attract any unwanted attention."Kiara's voice broke.

Gurleen sighed.Despite the heightened security in and around the house,she still couldn't help but feel that their attacker was on the prowl.She knew she wouldn't be at peace until the attacker was caught and neither would Kiara.But that had to wait till later,for now they had a mehendi to get through.

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

Gurleen nervously twisted the pallu ,the uncomfortable sensation of being watched made the hair on her neck stand up.After several rounds of changing,Kiara had finally decided that wearing sarees would help them hide their bruises.

"It's funny to see Kiara in a saree."a voice made her jump.It was Yashraj Baweja standing a bit too close for comfort,or perhaps she'd been imagining things.All three of them had been rather jumpy much to the consternation of the rest of the family .

"It's probably because no one has ever seen her wear a saree before."

She winced in sympathy as Kiara tripped and nearly fell face first into a platter of mehendi on the table.They'd have an incident on their hands if she wasn't careful.To her surprise,it was Daarji who helped her up.He was touched that his granddaughter had finally embraced the traditions of their family,she thought with a laugh.

"Gurleen puttar,"bebe called out,"come here and get your mehendi applied."

Nodding ,she made her way to the rest of the ladies and took a seat between bebe and Ekam.

"Mummy, I'm sorry for yelling at you."Ekam whispered.

She smiled and hugged her daughter.

"You don't have to apologise.I'm afraid Kiara and I put you through the ringer, thinking we were protecting you but we ended up distressing you.And I'm sorry about that."

After a moment's contemplation,she added,"I promise to tell you everything tonight once the Sangeet is over."

Ekam looked at her searchingly,"Pakka?"

"Pakka".

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

Traditionally,only ladies were allowed to attend the mehendi.However,it didn't stop the men from forcing their entry.That's how Ekam found herself sitting with her parents and brother who seemed hell bent on tormenting her.To her dismay,she couldn't even swat him away without ruining her mehendi,so she decided to sit in silence,plotting her revenge.Meanwhile daarji and bebe had their own drama going on.

"Brar Saab,I want you try finding the name on my hand?"her bebe asked sweetly.

"Be careful Daarji,it might be an N instead of an A."her father slyly interjected.

"Jabjyot,would you actually do that to me?"daarji asked aghast when he couldn't find the A.

"Since you've betrayed me callously and insulted my love,I'll also write a name on my hand,Parminder."

"You wouldn't dare!"

Ekam was taken aback,she had never seen bebe this angry.The two of them argued back and forth and the had to admit,their fight was rather intriguing.

"Psst..Ekam"her Veer paaji called.

"What?"she snapped irritably.

"I'm sure their drama is very interesting,but you're missing our own Heer and Ranjha here."he nudged her gaze towards their parents.

She smiled when she saw them,remembering the story.Papa was painstakingly drawing the mehendi on mummy's hands,eyes narrowed in concentration and for the first time,her mummy didnt flinch or pull away.Hopefully things would start getting better she prayed as she caught a glimpse of her di spectacularly falling backwards right into Shanaya Parjaai's lap.

Yashraj baweja, I am having creepy vibes from him..

I know I shouldn't but 😐

Kiara in a sari 🥰😊

Drunk bebe makes much more sense 😅😅

I love her.