Her Salvation

Chapter 5

Uma was busy preparing for the forthcoming tests at her college. Her parents haven't asked her about the proposal since that day. She had never in her wildest imaginations, thought anything like this to happen. She was utterly shocked. She shook her head, to remove the thoughts and resumed studying. 

It was 4.30pm, when her phone started ringing. A smile broke on seeing the caller ID. It was Dona calling. She immediately picked up.

-"Hey!", chirped Dona.

-"Hi.. whats up?"

-"Guess what..! We're in town!"

-"whaaaat?", shouted Uma

-"Yes..And before you start bombarding your questions, let me say, that we all are here; Ratna and Saheel as well. So will u be able to make it today at CCD, around 6.15pm? Ask aunty and let me know. And don't worry I'll pick you up and drop you back.`` saying this Dona hung up. 

Uma went down the stairs to see her Maa watching a movie on the television. On sensing a presence, she turned back at Uma.

-"Come Mampi sit."Anupama said smiling. Uma sat down beside her mother.

-"It's 'Shaadi mein zaroor aana'. Isn't it?", Uma said rolling her eyes internally. Anupama giggled at her reaction while nodding her head in a yes.

-"You're obsessed Ma."

Anupama laughed at her daughter's words. Sensing her mother's good mood, she spoke up,

-"Dona, Saheel and Ratna are in town. Dona called me a while ago."

-"Oh my God! It's been a while since I've seen those 3."

-"Yeah! I miss them a lot." said Uma sighing.

-"Why don't guys hang out?" asked Anupama surprising her.

-"Yes, about that. Well Dona asked me if I could make to the CCD today at 6pm. Dona is gonna pick me and later drop me too. So, may I?", asked a confused Uma.

-"You should Mampi."

Uma was overjoyed, she kissed her Ma "thanks" and went up to her room.

At 6pm

Uma was almost ready for meeting her friends after a long time. Dona had already called her and said that she was on her way. It was 6.05pm, when the doorbell rang. She picked up her sling bag and hurried down the stairs. She saw her mother talking to Dona cheerfully.  On seeing Uma, Dona jumped on her and gave a bone-crushing hug. After bidding goodbye to a smiling Anupama, they went out.

They reached CCD to see Saheel and Rayna already waiting for them. After hugging each other, they settle down. Saheel and Uma in one side, and Rayna and Dona on the other. After a few minutes Rayna gasped suddenly.

-"What happened?", asked Saheel.

-"Look at the man on my right, the one in call. Man! He's too hot!`` exclaimed an excited Rayna.

-"You're never gonna change, are you?", asked Dona. Rayna nodded her head in a negative.

Uma's POV

I looked at her right, and my eyes fell on a familiar face. "He is that Chief Guest, isn't he?" She spat-mumbled to herself. 

How can I forget him! I had to stand beside this hooligan!

I was busy staring at him, he was looking here and there, and all of a sudden he looked at me, and I averted my gaze immediately. 

Since, everyone was busy teasing Rayna, no one noticed me, thankfully. Rayna has been like this, since like forever. She was just, what you call a Tomboy. She loved passing comments to the passerby_s. And yes, she's an expert when it comes to whistling. Suddenly, Dona asked Saheel,

-"What about crush Saheel?"

-"Aukat se bahar ka hai woh toh!" exclaimed he.

("She's beyond my limit")

-"Just as Nick Bateman is to me", I said and side-hugged him. And all of us broke into laughter.

My phone started ringing, breaking our laughter.

3rd person POV

She brought her mobile from the bag and looked at it to see that her Ma was calling. She got tensed thinking about why she was calling. She had already informed her mother that she'll be home by 7pm, and it was only 6.30pm. She picked up the phone.

-"What the hell do you think of me? Am I a caretaker of yours and this house? First your family and now you have been spoiling my life. Come home within 10minutes, or be ready to see my corpse.`` saying this she hung up.

On hearing these words, her smiling face changed into a terror-stricken one. She knew what could happen if she doesn't reach home quickly. The change in her expression made her friends understand everything. She immediately collected her bag to return.

-"Sorry guys! I..I need to go.. ac..actually.. Maa has to go somewhere.. I'll get a rickshaw.. bye..See ya!", said a nervous Uma.

Everyone nodded, understanding. She rushed out the café. 

When she reached home, to see a totally different scene. Her mother was talking with one of their neighbours, Mrs. Gupta, in the living room. She was stunned. Her mother was all happy, smiling and laughing cheerfully. She slowly entered inside. Mrs. Gupta smiled at her generously, as they shared a small talk.

Uma, then, went upstairs to change. No sooner did she come out after changing, from the washroom, that she saw her mother sitting on her bed.

-"I'm sorry Mampi. I shouldn't have ruined your get together" said Anupama.

-"No Ma, it's ok. We're about to come out when you called." lied Uma.

-"Actually, your Baba called and we had a small quarrel. I got angry and I called you like that. I shouldn't have done that."

-"No Ma.. it's perfectly alright. If I was in your place, I would've done the same. So, don't worry and chill !"

Anupama laughed at her daughter's reply.

-"Hey there's a new movie in the theatres. Will you go with me?", asked Anupama.

-"What movie? Aquaman?!", playfully taunted Uma.

-"Shut up!! I'm talking about Roshogolla. Mrs. Gupta said it's good."

-"Okay then!"

-"Book our tickets for tomorrow. My treat!`` exclaimed an over-enthusiastic Anupama.

-"Done!"