Mrs. Aanandhi Kumari Solanki Sinha Raut
1762 Words
It was Arshad and Aanandhi’s reception. Mythili went to Arshad’s room with a new dress for Aanandhi. Aanandhi came from the washroom after finishing her bath.
Mythili: Aanandhi, this is your dress. As per the Raut's ritual, you should wear only Raut's clothes today. You shouldn’t wear your parent's clothes. Ok?
Aanandhi nodded ok. Mythili left the room smilingly.
Aanandhi got changed into the new dress given by Mythili. Absolutely she liked it very much.
That’s when Aanandhi saw a jar of mango juice being kept on the table. Her face brightened seeing that because mango juice was her favorite. She poured it in the glass and sipped, relishing it.
Mythili’s daughter Zaara rushed inside the room and hugged her waist, shouting “Aunty”. In that force, the juice spilled on her dress.
Aanandhi: Oh my God.
Zaara(nervously): I’m sorry Aunty.
Aanandhi: It’s OK. But what can I do now?
Zaara: Wash it Aunty. I will ask KP uncle to get it dry. He will dry it, put it into the washing machine, then we can do ironing.
Aanandhi: But what will I wear until then?
Zaara: Wear something.
Aanandhi: Mythili said that I should not wear other clothing than Raut’s.
Zaara: Shall I ask Mom?
Aanandhi: No no. I don’t know what she will think.
Zaara: Idea…
Aanandhi: What’s that?
Zaara (excitedly): You can wear any Raut clothes, right?
Aanandhi: Yes. Only Raut’s.
Zaara rushed to the closet and opened it.
Zaara: See, there are many Raut's clothes here.
Aanandhi (shocked): You mean Arshad’s clothing?
Zaara (giggling): Arshad Raut’s clothes. Don’t think much, Aunty. We have no time. So hurry up.
Aanandhi took Arshad’s shirt and ran into the washroom. She washed her dress and came out wearing Arshad’s shirt. Zaara took it from her hand.
Zaara: You just wait a few minutes, Aunty. I will bring it soon.
Saying that, she left the room, taking Aanandhi’s dress.
Aanandhi sat on the bed keeping a hand on her head. Again she took the juice glass which she left unfinished and drank.
She heard footsteps and it was nearing the room. She knew it was Arshad. What would he think if he saw her wearing his shirt? What if he scolds her? She ran to the French door and hid behind its curtain.
But she was late and Arshad had seen her before she hid. He had no idea why she was hiding? “Did she think again that he would badly touch her?”
He slowly reached the place and moved the curtain.
He went speechless as she was wearing his shirt.
Her antics have no end.
She was standing biting his shirt cuff, closing her eyes. Arshad swallowed the chuckle inside his throat.
A strange thought hit his mind.
Couldn’t he hug her as tight as possible, at least for once? He imagined such a cute scene in his mind and gulped, closing his eyes smilingly.
Arshad (with his lopsided smile): Are you planning to wear this dress today? (Aanandhi nodded no) Then?
Aanandhi (nodded no again): Mango juice spilled on my dress. Zaara took my dress to get it dried.
Arshad: Ok. But why are you wearing my shirt?
Aanandhi: Mythili told me I shouldn’t wear another dress than Raut’s. So Zaara gave me the idea to wear your shirt.
She said, pouting.
Arshad: Ohh. OK, come out.
Aanandhi: Are you angry with me?
Arshad: Why should I?
Aanandhi: I used your shirt without your permission.
Arshad: you can use anything. You have all the rights to my belongings.
Aanandhi: Mmm. She nodded ok.
Arshad: Sis wants me to give you something. Come and sit here.
Aanandhi: What’s that?
She sat on the recliner. Arshad sat in front of her kneeling down. Aanandhi was shocked to see him doing that. He removed a box from his coat pocket. A set of bangles were in it.
Arshad: These bangles belong to Raut's daughter-in-law, that’s YOU. From today onwards, these are yours. (pause) Is touching your hand bad touch? (She nodded no) can I make you wear it? (Aanandhi gulped looking at him) Sis’s order. (she nodded yes bowing down)
Arshad extended his palm asking her hand. Aanandhi slowly raised her hand from her lap towards his palm.
Arshad gently held her hand, “Their first official touch”. He made her wear those bangles with feather touch.
Aanandhi smiled seeing those bangles rotating her wrist up and down.
Aanandhi: These are so beautiful.
Arshad wanted to say “not more than you”. But he swallowed his words smilingly. Her smile may fade if he says so. Why risk?
Next day
Mythili was discussing something very serious with Kunal. Arshad rushed inside Mythili’s room.
Arshad: Sis, I’m taking Aanandhi to college to get admission.
Kunal: Arrey brother-in-law… we are just discussing that.
Arshad: What was that?
Mythili: Your decision to send Aanandhi to college.
Arshad: What’s there to discuss?
Mythili: We want you to reconsider it, Chinni.
Arshad: What do you mean, Sis?
Mythili: Because I don’t think Aanandhi will withstand all the hardness. Why should we put her under stress? Let her be happy and free, Chinni.
Arshad: Sis, do you know Aanandhi wants to study? She didn’t want to get married to me? (Mythili and Kunal spared a glance) she is so happy that I’m sending her to college. I hope it will help her to understand something beyond her own world.
Mythili: Don’t know why I’m feeling bad vibes.
Arshad: Nothing bad will happen Sis. I’m here for her. (she nodded yes) I’m taking her to college.
Mythili: when will you guys come?
Arshad: We will be here before lunch.
Mythili: OK. Come soon.
Arshad: Yah.
Arshad could see Aanandhi’s excitement. Thank God he decided to send her to college. Poor girl, how interested she was in studies.
Arshad: Are you ready?
Aanandhi: yes…
Arshad: Let’s go.
Aanandhi took a blessing from Grandma and Nirupama before taking leave. She saw Loli and Anoop were waiting for them in the college. Anoop gestured at Arshad through his eyes and Arshad nodded OK. Don’t need to say Anoop completed all the formalities before they arrived.
Loli: Hi Aanandhi…
Aanandhi: Namaste.
Loli rolled her eyes. She entwined her fingers with Aanandhi’s while walking towards the principal's room. Arshad entered with Aanandhi and the principal welcomed them.
Principal: Welcome ASR.
Arshad: She is my wife, Mrs. Aanandhi Kumari Solanki Sinha Raut. I want to admit her to your college.
Aanandhi became nervous hearing her name in a new Dimension. “Sinha Raut”? But she liked it as Arshad didn’t cut “Solanki” from her name.
Principal: I’m glad that your wife will be our student ASR.
Arshad: She is from Patna. She has a distinction in 12th grade.
He looked at Aanandhi. She forwarded the file which had her certificates and marked sheets.
Principal: That’s so nice. (looking at Aanandhi) Professors in this college are very responsive. You can ask any questions any time. Feel free.
Aanandhi (smilingly): Yes Sir... am I admitted to your college?
Principal: Of course. Is there anyone who can say NO to (before he said ASR, Arshad cut him)
Arshad(cutting him): A student with good marks...
The principal looked at him perplexed. Arshad nodded his head, gesturing to him to say “YES”.
Principal: Yes. How could we miss a good student?
Arshad: Shall we leave?
Principal: yeah. Regular classes will start next week.
Aanandhi: When will I get my books?
Principal: Don’t worry. I will send it to your home.
Aanandhi (confused): Home?
Arshad: No need. We will collect it from the office like other students. He said, looking at him contently.
Principal (composing): I mean, the stocks have been finished, our clerk is residing in your area. So I thought of sending it through him when the stock arrives.
Aanandhi: Thank you, sir.
Arshad: Aanandhi, you go to Loli. I will just come.
She nodded yes and went outside happily.
Principal: I’m sorry if I said anything wrong.
Arshad: I want you to take care of Aanandhi but without her knowledge. I don’t want her to know that I paid a huge amount as a donation.
Principal: I can understand. I’m so grateful to you for donating two crore.
Arshad: I just want my wife to be safe and sound here. You are responsible for it.
Principal: You don’t need to worry about Mrs. ASR. I already instructed not only her department staff but also everyone here.
Arshad: That’s great. I’m leaving.
He went outside where Anoop was waiting.
Arshad: Where is Aanandhi?
Anoop: She and Loli went to give a look at their college. (Arshad nodded OK) Seems like she is so interested in studies?
Arshad: Yah. Whatever, I will be there for her.
Anoop: What do you mean “whatever”? I will be there for her.
Arshad: Sis and brother-in-law frightened her a lot.
Anoop: They will be relaxed in some days.
Arshad: Hope so.
In the meantime,
Loli: Aanandhi, I have to say something to you.
Aanandhi: yeah miss…
Loli: This is what I want to say.
Aanandhi: What?
Loli: Stop addressing everyone with “miss”.
Aanandhi: But…
Loli(cutting her): This is not Patna Aanandhi. The culture of Mumbai is different. Do you know how Mythili is worrying about you?
Aanandhi: Why?
Loli: Because she thinks people may tease you. Don’t you want to prove yourself? (Aanandhi nodded yes), then you have to learn something before stepping into your college life. Will you?
Aanandhi: surely I will. But how?
Loli: I will help you, Aanandhi, because you have to accept me as your friend.
Aanandhi:Yeah Miss.. ( LA rolled her eyes) no-no. Yes Loli.
Loli: That’s good. You shouldn’t call anyone like Bro, Brother, Sis OK?
Aanandhi: Then what should I call them?
Loli: Call them by their name.
Aanandhi: What if they are older than me?
Loli: Even though they are older than you, you can call them by their names.
Aanandhi: Won’t they get angry?
Loli: They will get angry if you call Bro, Sis.
Aanandhi: Really?
Loli: Yes.
Aanandhi: Disgusting.
Loli: Exactly. This is what you should know. Everything is disgusting from Patna here.
So be thoughtful because you are Mrs. ASR. Ok?
Aanandhi: Ok.
They came to the place where Arshad and Anoop were waiting for them. Anoop asked Loli, raising his eyebrows. Loli blinked her eyes like “DONE”. Anoop smiled at her contently as they finished their first step successfully.
- Writer
