The Moonchild – Part 4

The following day, Hemant Sen informed Mohandas about their visit in the morning. Everyone in the latter’s home was excited, but none of them was aware of the reason behind this visit. Lakshmi and Pooja talked about the possible reasons behind this second visit.
“Bhabhi, I think they are coming to finalize this relationship. After all, Kalyani is not the least in any field. She knows cooking, and is ambitious too.” Pooja had stayed back at her brother’s house as it was a weekend. Her excitement was visible in her tone. Lakshmi replied with a smile,
“Let us see. We can hope for the best. Their visit today is a sign of what you are speculating. It will be such good fortune for Kalyani if this works.”
“Shotti Bhabi.”

Meanwhile, Kalyani and Samiksha were busy in their girly talks in the former’s room.
“Hmm. So I have fewer days to spend with my sister now.” Samiksha teased her.
“Quiet. We don’t even know why they are coming again today.”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“No, it isn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because I hardly talked with him. How can he like me without even knowing me properly? He is a lawyer, Samiksha.”
Her mother’s call disrupted their talk.

Lakshmi told both of them to be ready on time.

“Samiksha, I want you there when they come, unlike last time. Don’t run upstairs and start conversing with your Bandhu.”
“Duhkita Chachi,” Samiksha apologized to her dear aunt and hugged her.
“It’s all right, my darling. I want them to see my other daughter, too, so be there, okay?”
“Now get ready, Kalyani. Samiksha, you help her.”
“Yes, Chachi.”

In the evening, Chatterjee’s house was full of excitement. As they arrived, Samiksha was in one of the upper rooms. She looked through the window in their courtyard to see the guests. As each of them walked in, her eyes fell on Karan, who looked in her direction simultaneously.

Their eyes met for a few seconds, and Samiksha’s heartbeat skipped, leaving her heart racing. “Who is he? The boy? Or someone accompanying him?” she spoke to herself. But obviously, Karan could not take his eyes off her. A faint smile escaped his lips, leaving Samiksha confused. She broke eye contact and looked here and there to mask her embarrassment. Then, slowly, she looked again towards him but found no one there. She craned her neck to search for him when Kalyani talked from behind.

“Where are you, sweetheart?

I called your name like four to five times.”
“Di, I saw someone just now. Not sure he was the boy or some accomplice.”
“Hmm. You will see everyone today. Yesterday, I wanted to introduce you, my dear sister, to them.”
“Aye, then do not repent if the boy chooses me.” Samiksha broke into her typical laughter, and the sisters embraced one another.
“You think I will repent?”
“Why are we having this talk? Come, let us go.”
“No. We have to wait till Maa calls us.”
“Oh no. Again, to wait? I am tired of waiting since morning.”
“Some minutes now. Then you will meet them and him,” Kalyani said with a blush.

Mohandas and his father gave them a warm welcome. Everyone was seated. Lakshmi, Pooja, and her husband also joined them. Mohandas told Lakshmi to get some snacks. But Hemant said, “Later, da. Let us talk first.”
“I am glad you all came again today. Should we expect some good news?” Mohandas spoke with evident enthusiasm.
“Mohan da, did we meet your all family members yesterday?” Hemant Sen queried.

“Yes, da. Why?

Oh yes. My niece Samiksha was not here. She was upstairs.” He gestured for Lakshmi to call Samiksha.
“Should I call Kalyani also?” She asked with anticipation.
“Yes, call both.”
Hemant and Mithila looked at each other with an unspoken worry. |
“Is there any problem? You both look a bit uneasy.” Pooja’s husband asked finally as he sensed something different from yesterday.
“Not as such. We just …” Before Hemant could complete his sentence, Kalyani and Samiksha arrived. Kalyani was draped in a heavy Benarasi saree, whereas Samiksha was in a simple one. Karan was mesmerized as he saw her for the first time in person, without the barrier of any window glass. Even Hemant could not take his eyes off Samiksha.

“Shundor.” He immediately spoke, looking at her.
Mithila smiled at him secretively and asked Samiksha, “Where were you yesterday?”
“Um, I was upstairs, on the terrace. Sorry, I did not meet you all.”
“It is ok, child,” Mithila said fondly.
Samiksha’s grandfather asked in anxiety, “How did you know about Samiksha?” The question left Hemant’s family in dismay.

Hemant finally spoke.

“Mohan da. I am a straightforward man. We have come today to see Samiksha only.”
Everyone, including Mohandas, was surprised.
Hemant continued, “Actually, Karan saw Samiksha yesterday when he went to take a call.” Everyone listened to him.
Karan was hesitant as he did not wish to hurt anyone’s feelings. But the matter was not in his hands anymore. He had fallen for Samiksha.

“He liked her.”
The words surprised Mohandas and his family. Samiksha felt awkward as to how to react to this. Kalyani was not at all affected by this declaration. She teasingly winked at Samiksha, who gave her an angry look. But Pooja’s husband spoke,
“Don’t feel bad, but the talk was for Kalyani.”

Samiksha’s grandfather intervened, “Wait, Sanjoy. Let us not take it fast and in any other direction.”
“I agree with Dada.” Mohandas supported his father.
“Mohan da, it is Karan who has to marry. We had come to see your daughter. But fate had some other plans. He saw Samiksha and liked her.”

Pooja was elder to Mohandas. She spoke wisely,

“I agree with Hemant da. No matter what we plan, we are helpless in front of destiny. Lakshmi, what is your opinion?”
Undoubtedly, Lakshmi wanted Karan for her daughter, but she was good at heart. She agreed with her sister-in-law. Before speaking, she glanced at Kalyani, who smiled and happily gave her consent to go ahead.

“Samiksha is my Bhashur’s (Husband’s elder brother’s) daughter. There is hardly any difference between Kalyani and Samiksha. We were planning to get her married too sooner or later. If Karan has liked my younger daughter, I am more than happy for this proposal.” Mohandas let out a sigh of relief, as he was concerned about whether his wife would agree or not. After all, Kalyani was her daughter. Later, he repented for his wrong visualization of his wife.

Kalyani gestured at Samiksha to tell her how she felt. But Samiksha frowned at her and passed the frown on to Karan, who was already looking at her with the same smile he carried in the courtyard of their house. She looked away at once.

Hemant asked Samiksha’s grandfather,

“Dada, now we are awaiting your opinion. You are the eldest of us all.”
He replied with a smile, “You already expressed what I felt. Fate has plans for us that we cannot even imagine. And we should not, either. Accept what has happened and move forward.”
“Well said, dada.”
“But we should also ask Samiksha what is on her mind.”
“I agree with Dada,” Mohandas spoke. “Karan, why don’t you and Samiksha have a word?”
Karan looked at his father, who nodded at once. Then, he searched for Samiksha’s approval. But her displeasure was obvious on her face. She tried hard to mask her feelings at that moment so that her uncle and aunt were not disregarded. The only reason for her disappointment was that she loved her sister a lot. The fact that the boy who came to see her sister was inclined to meet her troubled her otherwise peaceful mind.

“May we?” Karan asked her like a thorough gentleman. She nodded her head as she had no choice, at least now.

Lakshmi said gently to Samiksha,

“Dear, show Karan our terrace, your favourite place.” Sensing her conflict, she placed her hand lovingly on Samiksha’s, assuring her that nothing would occur without her consent.

Samiksha loved and respected her Choto chachi and obeyed her at once. She got up from her chair. Kalyani showed her thumbs up with a grin. She glared at her. Karan, too, got up from his chair and moved near Samiksha. He extended his hand, asking her to lead. They both started walking towards the stairs leading to the terrace.

Pooja quickly whispered in Lakshmi’s ears, “Their heights compliment each other, don’t you think?” Lakshmi smiled and nodded to her. Meanwhile, everyone started talking about how things were in Durgapur and Kolkata. Lakshmi and Pooja went inside the kitchen to arrange snacks.

Stay tuned for Part 5 …

Till then enjoy this heartwarming love story Woven Fates, at this link.

https://blogbyhema.com/2021/04/22/they-were-passionately-in-love/