In the middle of talking when the door bell rings, Sumitra goes out to open the door. As she opens, seeing Rekha Devi, she quickly invites her inside.
" Namaste sister, please come in."
Rekha replied with warm smile.
"Namaste."
Coming inside she didn't sit saying,
"Sorry, I came earlier than the scheduled time, but because of some turns of events we decided to come early."
Nervous and frustrated she continues
"Maaji called me …"
Explaining to her in laws how Ratan and Meena convinced Ram to hold Ashutosh's and Avinash's every function together to maintain family reputation, with clear disdain in her voice,
"I can't understand why they are doing this?, Anyway Maa promised us that , she won't let them mess with our children's functions, it's just that they'll take along shopping together in the name of family harmony."
"Buy the way, how's Nalina's health?, Is she ready?" genuine worry clouded her face.
"Much better than compared to before, it's just she's not ready yet, please sit I'll tell her to quickly get ready" Sumitra replied, between their talk Nalina came out of kitchen and touched Rekha's feet while greeting. Sumitra told her,
"Beta , quickly go change your clothes and get ready."
Nalina noded but she goes upstairs Rekha stopped her saying, " Beta , just because of our new relation you don't have to change yourself, I know you love to wear morden clothes, then wear jeans, I don't mind. No need to change beta, just bring the necessary things you need , you are looking perfect." Smiling with aproovement at her , " Infect you can wear jeans tops after marriage as well,we don't mind."
Nalina smilies saying, " Thank you aunty, I'll go bring my purse." After saying that she walks upstairs, it feels like after a long time she's truly happy, with a small smile tugging at her lips, thinking to herself maybe life really had planned something better for her.
Seeing her going upstairs Sumitra looked at Rekha saying with happiness, " Thank you sister, for giving your permission but be a little strict otherwise you'll spoil her just like her father." She meets Raghunath's happy eyes.
Rekha took her hands in her , " sister, Don't worry about her I'll treat her like my own daughter, and daughters are meant to be spoiled."
Rekha's words works like nector on Sumitra's heart she thanked God for his grace.
After Nalina came they took their leave outside Ashutosh was already waiting for them in the car, after they sit in, Rekha swiftly instructed him to drove to their family jwellers.
He readily complied, while watching his mother talking with Nalina from time to time, observing how close they are and how small lips turns up ever so slightly while talking, Watching them talking happily, he felt very satisfied with this Rishta.
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They arrived at jewellery showroom before Jaya Devi,Meena and Riya. Jaya have already informed them to not to wait for them and start selecting jwellery.
So they took their seat and Rekha gives the list of jwellerys to needed to the attendant, starting selecting jwellery one by one, as both Rekha and Nalina likes traditional Indian design more, it makes easier for them to select.
Ashutosh seating aside happily observed and pointed out his opinion sometimes. Payal, Toe rings, Kamarband, Nosepin, Mangtika, Necklace, earings, Kangan, Ring, Bracelet, Chain- pendant set. They started choosing one after another when they had selected half of jewellery , Jaya Devi came, Meena ,Riya and Avinash following behind.
Nalina touched Jaya's feet with greating, After greetings They started selecting process again with Ashutosh offering Grandma his seat he stood up and took a seat beside Nalina, smiling at her.
Meena and Riya, dressed heavily, felt a little left out but after seeing that they are late in selecting jwellery, they too sit-down and started selecting.
It was predecided that Jaya will buy twenty five tola gold for each family as for how they decided to buy for engagement and wedding was up to them.
Meena has decided to buy ten tola now and fifteen tola for wedding. Riya should have been happy about this but after observing Nalina's shopping she felt unsatisfied with this and texted Avinash for help saying,
" Avi, with our engagement in same event, people will compare us and look down upon for this."
"Don't worry,start selecting I will talk with maa."
Satisfied with his reply they started but as Riya and Meena's choice is different, Riya started selecting jwellery by herself without asking Meena's opinion, seeing this Avinash told Riya to go along with Meena's choice as he believes his mother knows better in this aspect, with no other option and to not to ruin her perfect obedient, sensible image Riya had to agree.
But from time to time the sound of Nalina's gentle laughter made her realise how unfair Avinash treated her for his mother.
Meanwhile with help of Jaya Devi Nalina's selection quickly come at end, now they were selecting last piece of list pendant set and Nalina was confused between Ruby set and Perl set. Seeing this Ashutosh suggested to buy them both, " Let's buy them, both."
Shocked by his suggestion she quickly denied, " Are, no, no."
But Jaya Devi and Rekha like his suggestion saying one by one, " Beta, why say no?", "Our family's Man's are like this." With Jaya saying how once Ram brought two sets Kangan for because she can't select one of them and how she later used this trick to buy more, making everyone laugh.
As Jaya ji completed the payment process, they discussed about where to go next , and then considering that Nalina will be tired they decided to go to mall so to directly buy everything from one place.
Jaya decided to go with them but as Riya's selection was still going on,so she said,
"You guys go, I'll join you later".
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When they entered the jewellery shop Riya had the same shine as those diamonds on her face but when they left her face showed a totally different case.
They brought so much jewellery but none of it was Riya's choice and as a self centered person she despised this situation.
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