Chapter 7: Dark truth unravels
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Everyone from groom’s house was present at the door step to greet the lady. My mom, her aunt, Meghna, and lots of ladies were there to greet the newly wedded bride. Paree was smiling and giggling with Maithili. They two have got friendlier during the journey.
My eager eyes were looking at her, when she will give a look at me. I slowly walked up to mom. I looked back searching for dad; he was standing at one corner. Dad called me asked me was everything alright at the bride’s house or not. I answered him affirmatively.
As Paree ushered Maithili into the house, she glanced at me. Our eyes met. There was only a quiet smile on her lips and she vanished into the crowd.
Mriganko asked me to join them at his place. His house was near to this one. I told them I need to change myself from Dhuti and Punjabi before going out.
As I entered the house, my mom caught me and asked about the shawl. I said that the shawl was with Paree.
My mom questioned me, why have I given that to Paree. I told her that she was feeling cold so I gave her that to wrap around her. Mom appreciated me for my did. As I was about to enter the restroom to change, I saw Paree entering our room. She playfully embraced my mom from back and over her shoulder glanced at me. She still has not changed her dress. Mom scolded her and asked her to freshen up herself.
Paree asked my mom, whether she has talked with her mom about her ambition or not. My mom said that, to night after the entire crowd gets settled and all the rituals gets finished up then they will have a family discussion regarding the matter. Paree kissed my mom on her cheeks.
Paree ---“You are my darling Didi; from now on I will call you ChotoMa. Can I?”
Mom patted on Paree’s cheeks ---“You are always the apple of my eye; forever. Come sit by my side. I want to see you with my heart’s content.”
I stood at the doorway of the rest room looking at the ladies deeply engrossed in their affection. My mom looked at me.
Mom ---“What are you looking at, go away. This is pep talk between a mom and her daughter.”
Paree lied on the bed placing her head on my mom’s lap. Mom affectionately combed her plaids with her fingers and looking at her.
I entered the rest room to freshen up and change my dress.
When I came out after changing my dress, I saw Paree sobbing, hiding her face in my mom’s lap. Mom had tears flowing down her cheeks, gently rubbing Paree’s back, consoling her.
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I looked at mom and enquired as what happened. Mom asked me to leave them.
Same time I heard Mriganko calling me. I went outside leaving those ladies crying. Only thought that swirled in my head was what on earth could have happened that brought tears in their eyes.
Mriganko escorted me towards his home. On the way he said that Subroto would also join us in the party shortly.
On reaching his house, I found Subroto was already present. We settled down in his room.
Samir was the bartender, the glasses were filled up. We cheered for Subroto’s marriage and we all laughed as he was the first among us to get married. So it would be a big day for Subroto tomorrow.
The conversation flowed as well as the glasses. Samir had brought vodka for drinking. Our conversation turned to...