The priest returned with the pooja thalis and handed over to the two women standing across. Geet raised her hand to ring the temple bell but unfortunately couldn’t reach it. Immediately the red sari girl rang it for her.
Geet smiled at her and thanked her.
Khushi smiled and said “ Its ok”.
As they walked, they started to look at each other quite often. Suddenly, Geet shouted “ Jalebi???” Khushi was startled and looked at her. She saw Geet was seeing her pooja thali and was wondering how a Jalebi was there in her thali.
Khushi understood and saw her own thali. It was not hers. She said “ Suniye , Ji, I think the priest got confused and gave my thali to u. Urs is here” geet was brought out of her stupor and was eyeing the jalebi. She looked at Khushi and the jalebi and mumbled “ Par, yeh jalebi???”
Khushi instantly liked the women who was standing in front of her. It was seeing her own self, how she would be 5 years from now had she not been subject to the terrible things that the fate has flung on her. She looked at the women’s eyes, looking brown ones smiling mischievously at the jalebi. Khushi moved closer to her and said “ Its ok. I like Jalebi’s and always bring some to offer to DM. You can have them” Just like a kid, Geet smiled at her thank fully and munched the Jalebi’s.
Geet loved jalebi’s and it was long since she tasted them. These looked and smelled just like her favorite ones that her father gets for her from a sweet shop in Lucknow. Geet munched them and started moaning “Hmmmmm” “Aare!!!! Wah!!!! This is exactly like the ones I’ve tasted in Lucknow” The mention of the word Lucknow brought a smile on Khushi’s lips. She looked at the woman who was munching them happily and she opened her eyes looking at her lovingly. Khushi couldn’t understand why but she felt immensely happy and loved at the way the woman was looking at her.
She smiled even more and asked her “ Are you also from Lucknow????”
Geet came out of her day dreams of munching jalebi’s and playing cricket and looked at the girl and said “Yah Me from Lucknow.”
The mention of Lucknow brought immense joy to Khushi as it was the place that held a lot of important memories to her. She immediately asked her “ What is your name??” Geet smiled at her and said “I’m Geet Singh Khurana.. and your name Jalebi bhai???”
Khushi laughed out loud hearing her saying Jalebi Bhai, and said “Mein Khushi Singh Raizada” Listening to the middle name that linked them both of them let out girlish giggles.
Geet pulled Khushi by her hand and made her sit on the temple steps. She liked this girl. Something about her was awesome and alluring. She then looked at her and said “ Are Wah Khushi ji, these Jalebi’s are like heaven. I love them.” Khushi laughed and said “ Thank you Geet ji. But then, you are elder to me so call me Khushi” Geet smiled and pouted saying “ Kya???? OMG do I look that old??”
Khushi laughed out again looking her pouting and said “Nehi Nehi, u look so pretty and young Geetji” Geet smiled and said “ Acha, yeh teek hein, So then u can call me Geet Di or Di’
Khushi felt immensely happy and stared at Geet for sometime. She felt very happy and grateful to this women who she had developed a great liking to in a matter of minutes. She smiled at her and said thank you. Both of them smiled at each other and at that moment Geet phone rang. It was Maan. Geet smiled at the id and excused her from Khushi. Khushi smiled at her. Geet attended the phone “ Helo Mann, “ Maan loved this voice so much that he kept silent Geet called him out again “Maan, Maaaaaaannnnn…” Maan then chuckled and said “Geet, have you reached home???” Geet said “ No Maan I’m still in temple and guess what I am eating Jalebi’s” Maan was startled “ Do they sell it in the temple ?? Now now Geet don’t spoil your health” Geet sighed “Maaan , nehi nehi, yeh jalebi was not sold in temple but a home made one by a cute little Jalebi bhai” she said this and winked at Khushi. Khushi was amused listening to the conversation. She could guess who it was on the other line and from the way Geet answerd she understood what the other person must be saying. It was long since Khushi believed that there was something called love in this world. But looking at the women smile, blush, pout and talk she understood that “ There was still that thing called love in this world” Geet disconnected the call and looked at Khushi having a far away look on her face. She shook her lightly and brought her back. Khushi without thinking just blurted out “ Di, woh Aakke pathi hein na?????” Geet was surprised but nevertherless said “ Haan.. Yeh bi na??? Just worried sick all the time. Acha Khushi hum chalthe hein. Its time. Hope lets meet often Jalebi bai… Just give me your no. and they exchanged nos. Khushi stood up and hugged Geet and bid her good bye… She felt so happy and hopeful looking at Geet. She smiled to herself and walked down the steps to go to the place where all her happiness and hope were shattered. But never again.
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