Ek Duje Ke Vaaste

75. Navratri Night

Hey ! Welcome to part 75... 

With sohiba ; 

Sohiba stood in front of the mirror, getting ready. Frustration and anger were evident in her eyes.

"Ye har bar jeet kaise jaati hai woh Mallika, samajh nahi aata. Isbar toh maine sab itna achhe se plan kiya tha, phir bhi..." She sighed, frustrated by the recent competition loss. "Uff... Par koi baat nahi, abhi mere liye woh sab sochna zaroori nahi hai." 

Sohiba decided to shift her focus, adjusting her mindset, "Use toh mai baad mein dekh loongi. Pehle abhi mujhe ache se ready hona hai. Suna hai ki Sumedh ki mom yaha aayi hai, bas ab unko impress karna hai."

As she struggled with her traditional dress, she thought, "Ekbar unhe impress kar diya toh Sumedh ki life mein Sohiba hogi, aur us Mallika ka patta apne aap cut ho jayega! Oh ho, mujhe gussa lag rahi hai, ye dupatta bar bar gir kaise jaata hai. I hate this traditional dress... Par unhe impress karne ke liye mujhe pehnna hi padega. Koi baat nahi, sirf thodi der ki baat hai. Apne Sumedh ko paane ke liye main ye bhi kar lungi!" Her determination echoed in her mind as she continued to get ready.

.....................

In the dorm, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and chatter as everyone enjoyed their time together. Suddenly, Aai glanced at the clock, realizing the time.

Aai: "Arey, Deva! 6 baj gye... Ruby hume nikalna hoga warna ghar pahunchte bahot raat ho jayegi!"

Ruby agreed, "Haan, Chalo bachchon, ab hum chalte hai..."

Everyone stood up, paying their respects by touching Aai's and Ruby's feet for blessings.

Aai advised, "Chalte hai, Tum log apna dhyan rakhna..."

Ruby added, "Ha or khana samay pe khana..."

The group nodded in acknowledgement and made their way out of the dorm, and Mallika and Sumedh accompanied them to see them off. As they reached the parking area, Ruby maa's phone rang, and she excused herself.

Aai: "Arey phone! Lagta hai mera phone dorm mein hi reh gya... Ek kaam kar, Basant ko phone karde woh le aaega!"

Sumedh realized he had forgotten his phone too.

Sumedh: "Par mai apna phone bhi nahi laya na! Mallika?"

Mallika: "Nahi, Bas yahi tak aana tha, toh maine socha phone kya hoga isliye mai bhi nahi laayi..."

Sumedh decided to go back to the dorm to fetch the phone.

Sumedh: "Koi baat nahi, aap yahi ruko, mai le aata hun..."

He left while Aai and Mallika were engaged in conversation, their attention was suddenly drawn to a voice. Turning around, they saw Sohiba standing there.

Sohiba: "Nam... (her expression changed as she saw Aai) Aap!"

Aai: "Tum!"

Mallika intervened, "Aai, aap janti ho ise?"

Aai: "Hm... Woh aaj din mein jab hum aa rahe the assembly hall ki taraf, toh mere pe kisi ka phone aagya, aur teri performance shuru ho gyi thi. Toh maine jabardasti Ruby ko jaane ko bol diya. Aur thoda network issue hone ki wajah se mai aage chali gyi. Phir jab aa rahi thi toh galati se ye mujhse takra gyi aur neeche gir gyi. Phir maine jab sorry bola ise aur poocha ki hall kis taraf hai, toh mujhe kuch bhi ulta seedha bolne lagi. Ek number ki badtameez ladki hai, Bado se baat karne ki bilkul tameez nahi hai, Woh toh koi doosra bhala bachcha aaya jisne mujhe waha ka rasta bataya."

Listening to this, anger surged in Mallika...

Sohiba: "Nahi aunty, woh... actually..."

Mallika, without letting her finish, slapped her.