Rekha and Jayaji both with bags in hand come out of the house ready to shop, as Rekha closed the door and stepped down a car came to a stop in front of them, Avinash in the driving seat greeted them with ' 'Namaste ''.
Stepping inside they were greeted by Meena enthusiastically,
" Namaste Maa, Namaste Sister."
Rekha too replied with a warm tone, "Namaste Meena."
It's true as people say time heals everything and so was their relation,even in the past Conflicts never take place between Rekha and Meena, even though Rekha and Meena's nature are completely different as they live separately their bonding was pretty good and the current bitterness between them because of Avinash didn't last long because Rekha was none of them who blame parents for child's wrongdoing.
Actually Rekha was very pleased with Nalina and Ashutosh's engagement so she decided to let go of the past and today they are going together for jewelry shopping for the brides without holding any grudges.
"Sister, it's only you and Maa, will Nalina come by herself?" Meena put out her thoughts and Riya also paid attention to her while sitting in front with Avinash. She didn't greet them because it'll be awkward.
"Ahh, Ashutosh and Nalina have already gone shopping , they will join us later." Rekha replied.
"I heard that your part of the house is ready, is it true?"
"Ohh, yes you can expect nothing less from Nalina, she's so punctual in her work."Sumitra happily talked, eager to praise her daughter-in-law.
"Yes, this morning we visited the house ,she has been transferred into a dream villa." Jaya ji added.
"Ohh, that's great, I wish our house could be ready as fast as yours but as we are doing some big changes it will take a week more." Meena added, trying to show off.
In front Riya and Avinash listening to their conversation also feel a little proud of themselves.
As they reached the location the owner personally came to welcome them..
"Welcome Ma'am,... Welcome….."
Riya's family is rich but compared to her in-laws they are nothing but higher middle class.
So she too enjoyed this VIP treatment. Forgetting that if not for Jayaji and Rekha being their regular customers she won't be able to enjoy this treatment as Avinash's family was newly rich and in the past Meena never got the chance to shop here.
"What would you like to buy today Ma'am?."
He first asked so he could arrange their seats accordingly.
" We are here to buy jewelry for our daughter-in-laws." Rekha replied.
"Oh, I see. Recently many new designs have come from where you would like to start?"
"Ah, first arrange staff for them and then for us till then we will wait for my son and daughter-in-law." Rekha requested.
"Certainly ma'am, here …. you accompany them." He instructed a staff member and continued"...but you don't have to wait ma'am."
Jayaji and Rekha looked confused, "Sorry, I didn't understand."
He smilingly said, "I mean they are already here, currently on the third floor, they are seeing a new collection of couple watches."
"Achha…."Jayaji smiled looking at Him and then tugged Rekha with her " Come, we start selecting jewelry they come when they are done with their Shopping."
In front Riya who was following Meena with Avinash heard it and a pang of burning sensation rose up in her heart.
She can't tolerate Nalina being pampered better than her.
As they settled down and were going through jewellery Nalina and Ashutosh came down with some bags and joined them.
Jayaji turned around and asked, " Done with your shopping?" With that she placed a hand on Nalina's head and made her sit beside her.
"Yes, we didn't make you wait for long, did we?" Nalina asked sincerely, bowing head a little with a smile on her face.
Rekha smiled, "Are Beta , we just came" with which she showed her some pieces they had selected, "Here, look at this, do you like it?"
Nalina nodded as Ashutosh sat beside her, placing bags in front of Dadi.
She looked at them, " what did you guys buy?"
Ashutosh showed her opening the bags, " I brought her a watch with a necklace and a ring as a wedding present."
Open other bags he showed them
"And she brought me two watches and a ring as a present."
Hearing that Meena stood up and come to see them with other two following her,
And Jayaji with Rekha scolded him,
" How can you accept such an expensive gifts from your fiance, you bratt wait till I tell your father and grandfather."
"I didn't want to but she insisted on buying it as a gift so I did. I can't be disrespectful."
Rekha turned to Nalina, " Beta why did you buy so much for him and look at you what did you get just a these."
She gestured with her hands, and looked at him, " you buy this little for her in return."
"Relax, okay I want to buy more but she won't agree, so I decided to buy later." Ashutosh clarified his intentions only then did the atmosphere turn to normal.
"Are, No..no…"as Nalina was telling Ashutosh Jayaji stopped her saying, " Let him buy some more beta, it's his duty."
" Buy the way, your choice is so nice, I'm impressed."She looked at the watches, necklace and rings behind them. Meena too praised it, her eyes shone with admiration thinking Riya's wedding gift for Avinash must be more lavish than this.
Not understanding her mother-in-law's thoughts Riya was lost at the site of that beautiful necklace,ring and watch Ashutosh brought for her, thinking Avinash's gift must be more outstanding than this but if she could have this same necklace she would be so happy.
—
After selecting everything they go to eat lunch and discuss the location of the pre-wedding photoshoot.
They started ordering and Rekha told Ashutosh to take Nalina to another table so they could have some private time but they insisted on eating together.
They ordered Rajasthani food but Ashutosh orders separately for them as he knows how Nalina favours Italian food.
Avinash on the other side didn't pay attention to this and Riya felt left out by him, thinking to herself, 'what's the big deal about it, it's just food, don't want to eat of elders choice…..huh, she can't behave properly for once, that's why Avinash and his mother didn't liked her.'
Further in their discussion Ashutosh shared their ideas with them,
"Actually, we have decided to go to Uttrakhand for a photoshoot. Places around Rishikesh are ideal for the type of photoshoot we want, besides Nalina thinks it will be more memorable if shooted around the holy atmosphere of Rishikesh and other locations."
Everyone, impressed with their idea nodded in satisfaction, Rekha looked at Nalina, " you have thought well and it'll be good to take god's blessings before the wedding."
Nalina nodded as Ashutosh smiled, sharing her thoughts, " You too think the same way , she wanted to take blessings of Mansha Devi before the wedding,that's why we decided to go to Rishikesh.
"Good…good." Jayaji added. " So when are you leaving because there are not many days left for the wedding now?"
" I was thinking of booking the flight for tomorrow night."
"That's great, beta."
Then Jayaji turned to Avinash, " Beta, what's your plan for the photoshoot?"
"Dadi I haven't decided till now but after listening to my brother's idea I think Rishikesh would be good, it has everything beautiful mountains, water bodies, temples and all."
"Oh, then go together, you'll just have to arrange for the photographer only,"she suggested.
Avinash agreed with her and they decided to go together.
Hearing this Riya sighed in relief thinking with them together she can know what type of photoshoot they'll do and she can look better than Nalina.
—--
After going back they started to pack everything, as time was short and Riya went to shop for a shoot because she wanted to look better than her.
Nalina lay down on her bed talking with her mother about the day's event , without knowing there was a smile on her face.
Sumitra looked at her good mood gently stroking her hair she asked,
"Beta?"
In middle of talking Nalina looked up at her ,
"Hmm…."
Sumitra meets her eyes, " You are happy ?" trying to see truth in her eyes.
Nalina paused a bit by her sudden question and then her smile came back, she nodded her head in yes.
Sumitra too smiled as if her smile was contagious, her hand started stroking again.
"God bless you, Beta."