Own Rules of Aanandhi
1784 Words
Arshad’s phone woke him up early in the morning. After squeezing his eyes, Arshad picked it up. He rolled his eyes as Anoop’s name was flashing.
Arshad: Yahhhh...
Anoop: Good morning ASR.
Arshad: Good morning.
Anoop: You have to be in AR at 8’o clock as you left the conference in the middle yesterday.
Arshad: Yeah, I will be there.
He disconnected the call and his eyes fell on the beautiful sight of his sleeping wife. His lips curved into a cute smile. He tucked her hair strand which was falling on her face. He folded his hands, recollecting her yesterday’s convo. What happened to her suddenly?
She talked totally the opposite to Aanandhi Kumari Solanki? Somehow he was happy about it. Seemed like she started realizing something. Arshad closed his eyes as he saw Aanandhi moving.
She rubbed her palms and chanted a mantra while looking at her palms, keeping them together.
Aanandhi: Hey god, keep everyone happy.
Arshad smiled delightedly.
Aanandhi hurried to the washroom. Arshad stretched his arms and sat on the bed. He has to go to AR soon. Then how will Aanandhi go to college? Mohan also was not at home as Mythili and Nirupama went to attend a friend’s New Home ceremony.
Arshad called NK, who was sleeping inside the quilt covering himself fully.
NK(sleepy tone): Who is this?
Arshad: You haven’t woken up yet?
NK(widening his eyes): Nashad my bro, You? What made you remember me instead of my sister-in-law? He teased.
Arshad: Come to our room… now.
NK: What? Now? Why are you calling me at midnight?
Arshad(rolling his eyes): It’s 6 am.
NK: My God, I have never seen that time on the clock ever before in my life.
Arshad: Ok create the record. Come here immediately.
He disconnected the call. NK went to his room after washing his face.
NK: Why did you call me Nashad?
Arshad: You have to take Aanandhi to college today. I got to go to AR. It’s urgent.
They heard Aanandhi,
Aanandhi: I can’t go with him.
Arshad was dumbfounded at her direct hit.
NK: Sister in Law, Nanaav has urgent work in AR.
Aanandhi: Then I will go by bus.
Arshad (frowning): What? By bus?
Aanandhi: Or by auto.
Arshad: But why?
Aanandhi: No Arshad, I can’t go with him.
Arshad: Aanandhi, I have to go to the office otherwise I will drop you.
Aanandhi: It’s OK if you can’t drop me. I will manage.
Arshad: He is also studying at the same college. What’s wrong if he drops you?
Aanandhi (hesitatingly): But he goes by bike. She said, making a face.
Arshad bit his tongue inside his closed mouth while NK scratched his head. Arshad was on top of the world. Why not? His wife is
not ready to go with anyone. But he was so curious to hear it from her.
Arshad: Are you scared of sitting on the bike Aanandhi?
Aanandhi(noding no): No. I have gone with my Father many times.
Arshad(trying hard not to show his joy) : Then why?
Aanandhi: How can I go with someone other than my husband? (looking at NK) I’m sorry Nanne, I didn’t mean to hurt you.
NK: I can understand Sister in Law. I have a solution if that’s your problem.
Arshad: What’s that?
He was nervous. What if NK takes Aanandhi with him by giving him a silly idea?
NK: We will go by cab.
Arshad huffed in relief.
Arshad: I will pick Aanandhi in the evening.
NK: No problem Nashad. I will get a lift from my friends.
Aanandhi: It’s OK Nanne. I will manage…
NK: What’s the use of NK if he can’t help my Sister in Law? I will get ready.
He didn’t wait there for her reply. Arshad smiled at her contently.
Arshad: What if you went with him, Aanandhi? Don’t worry; no one will say that to your Mom.
Aanandhi (with angry pout): I’m not a child that everything should be taught by my Mommy. I too have sense.
Arshad (widening his eyes): I didn’t get you.
Aanandhi: Girls shouldn’t be close to any man other than their husbands. Understood?
Arshad was delighted about her OWN RULES. Not bad.
Aanandhi took a step ahead and stopped hearing his stance.
Arshad: Will you come with me on my bike?
Aanandhi (excitedly): Do you know how to ride a bike?
Isn’t it a great insult to the great ASR?
Arshad: I can ride a bike, keeping you on my lap.
He uttered inflow. Aanandhi was embarrassed and Arshad as well.
Arshad: I just said that to clarify my riding skills.
Aanandhi nodded OK and left the room. Could Arshad hold himself from imagining the scene of riding the bike keeping Aanandhi on his lap?
The same as how could Aanandhi ignore what Arshad said? She got Goosebumps. Closing her eyes, she rubbed her upper arms in nervousness. She banged on Zaara who was coming from the kitchen with a milkshake.
Zaara: Aunty, where were you lost?
Aanandhi: Mr Arshad’s Lap…
Zaara: What?
Aanandhi(composing): I mean, Mr Arshad’s Laptop charger….
Zaara: Ohhhh…
She left sipping a milkshake. Aanandhi heard a DRUMS sound from her heart. It was that wild. “Ride on a bike, sitting on Mr
Arshad’s Lap”? She sat on the couch to get her heartbeat normal. Thank God, Mr Arshad is not coming to drop her today. She huffed in relief.
College
Aanandhi wanted to ask Loli about Arshad. Will she say? What if she says it to Anoop, as they are very close siblings?
Aanandhi’s thoughts were broken as a girl called Loli. Loli rolled her eyes irritatingly.
Loli(murmured): Don’t know what this witch is doing here.
That Witch was none other than Nisha. She was with her friend Nancy.
Nisha: Hi Lolita, How are you doing?
Loli: I’m good so far. (She mocked.)
Nisha: Which course are you studying?
Loli: BBA.
Nisha: Me… Ph.D.
Loli(mumbling): As if I asked.
Nisha(looking at Aanandhi): From when did you start mingling with low-class girls?
Loli stood swiftly getting frustrated. She reached Nisha in a jiffy.
Loli: Mind your tongue. She is Mrs. ASR.
Nisha( Shocked): What???? Mrs. ASR? What the hell…? Raut's had gone mad or what? I know, Mythili must have forced ASR to
marry this country girl who always wants her brother to be in her control. I know ASR’s taste. He likes only fashion-oriented girls like me. Poor guy, he got trapped by his family.
Loli: Shut up Nisha. Mind your own business. Or else you will face the consequences.
After throwing an angry glare at Aanandhi, Nisha left the place. Loli turned around and saw Aanandhi with a shocking expression. God damn…
Loli: Aanandhi, she is mad. Don’t take her seriously.
Aanandhi: Who is she?
Loli: She is one of the dealers of AR, Mr. Viraj Sharma’s daughter.
Aanandhi: Mr Arshad likes her very much?
Loli: Not at all. He talks with her officially. Don’t believe her. She lies a lot.
Aanandhi: Did Mythili force Mr Arshad to marry me? She asked miserably.
Loli: No one in the world can force ASR for anything. He does what he wants. Nisha gets jealous of everyone. Such a haughty
headed woman she is. Don’t take her into your head, Aanandhi. ASR liked you very much. That’s why he married you. Trust me.
Aanandhi nodded OK but absolutely she was not OK. She remembered how the AR receptionist reacted to seeing her.
Evening
Seeing Nisha in the canteen, Aanandhi got agitated, and was waiting for Arshad’s arrival.
Nisha was sitting at the corner table with her friend Nancy. Aanandhi went to the window which was next to Nisha’s table. Nancy gestured at Nisha through her eyes. Nisha smirked at seeing Aanandhi was hiding.
Nisha: I wouldn’t have let ASR marry that country girl if I had been in India. It’s not late though. I can make ASR kick that girl out of his life if I get a single chance to talk to him, because he likes me a lot.
Nancy: Really?
Nisha: Yes and I will definitely try to talk to him because I can’t tolerate seeing ASR’s life getting ruined.
Aanandhi was literally dried. Will Arshad kick her out of his life if Nisha gets a chance to talk to him? She bit her nails nervously.
Aanandhi panicked about seeing Arshad, who had come to pick her up. She ran towards him before Nisha saw him. What if she talks to him? Aanandhi got inside the car hurriedly and they left the place.
Nisha, who saw the scene from far, smiled devilishly as her plan started working.
Aanandhi was in deep thought about their marriage. Doesn’t Arshad like her? Raut's forced Arnvaji to marry her? Mythili wants Arshad to be in her control? What is Arshad’s taste? She had seen girls roaming stylishly with small dresses in AR. What Nisha had said could be true?
Arshad smiled, seeing her thinking very deeply.
Arshad: What are you thinking?
Aanandhi's master's brain worked faster.
Aanandhi: I met your friend today.
Arshad(raising his eyebrows): My friend?
Aanandhi: yes.
Arshad: Who is that?
Aanandhi: Nisha.
Arshad: Did she come to your college?
Aanandhi: yes.
Aanandhi thanked god inwardly because he didn’t ask “what is she doing in your college?”. He might like to meet her if he got to
know that Nisha joined in her college which she doesn’t want.
Arshad: Ohh.
Aanandhi: Is she your friend?
Arshad: Mmmm kind of.
Aanandhi: Do you like her?
Arshad: She is a brilliant girl, talented and fashion-oriented. Yah I like her.
Aanandhi gulped hard. Mr Arshad likes her. She looked at the side mirror where she could see her image. She started comparing herself with Nisha. Brilliant… I’m also brilliant, talented… I’m also talented. But fashion oriented? (She pouted.) Nisha also said the same.
She murmured, looking at the mirror and turned her face, gritting her teeth. Arshad was staring at her, not getting anything.
Arshad: Are you alright Aanandhi?
Aanandhi: Absolutely… I’m alright Arshad.
Arshad(smiling): What are you blabbering about?
Aanandhi: I’m practicing spoken English.
Arshad(chuckled) You can talk to me if you want to improve.
Aanandhi nodded ok.
She remembered Arshad’s advice. “Learn from everyone”. Doesn’t Nisha look confident? If a girl who is just a friend to Mr Arshad can turn things in her favor, then why can’t you… Mrs. Aanandhi Kumari Solanki Sinha Raut?
You have a brain that is capable of winning the world. Can’t you win, Nisha? Apply your skills to protect Arshad from that woman. After all, you are also talented and brilliant….
She sat straight taking a deep breath.
- Writer
