It was a pleasant morning. Sheela and Mr Sharma were sitting in their small garden, enjoying coffee and each other's company.
"You make the best coffee in the world !"
"Oh please. You always say filter coffee made at home can never be as good as the hotel ones!"
"When did I say that! Best coffee is one made by my darling wife"
They were busy pulling each others leg when Nishant headed out. He was dressed up and was excited to finally meet @wHat? And @sorry_Bro. They had been regularly playing the game together and had gotten close to Nishant. Since Shradha had also never met them in person, they all had decided to meet up on Sunday and catch up. Nishant had told Shradha that he will pick her up so that they could go together.
Sheela saw her son who usually stayed home and studied, all dressed up ready to go somewhere. She immediately started her interrogation.
"Nishant, where are you going out on a Sunday? Do you have extra class ?"
"No amma. I am going out to meet my friends. I'll be back by evening."
Mr Sharma was happy to hear this answer while Sheela was completely shocked. Her innocent baby boy who had never gone out on Sundays was going to meet friends! That too till evening! This was scary for her.
"Friends !? Which friends ? Why are you going to meet them on Sunday? You can speak to them tomorrow in college right. And what will you do till evening?"
"I am not meeting college friends. Shradha and I never get to meet them during college days. So we chose today. We will just sit in a cafe and chat. We may watch a movie or go for bowling. We will decide the plan after meeting them."
Sheela was alerted as soon as she heard Shradha's name.
"You are going with Shradha? Oh you started meeting her on holidays as well!? I thought I told you not to hang out with her much."
"Amma…. Don't get started on that now! I need to pick her up first and then go to meet the guys. Traffic will be more if I am late. So will do this once I'm back" Nishant winked at his mother and headed out before Sheela could stop him again.
"I am worried about our son. This Shradha seems like a really bad influence on Nishant."
"What bad influence? What are you saying Sheela. Don't overthink all of this. Be happy that finally he has friends and he is starting to enjoy college life. Shradha seems to be teaching him to have fun. It's a good thing. Just leave him be."
"You don't understand things. This girl will separate Nishant from us if we are not careful. You will regret trusting her. Mark my words!" Sheela went inside irritated, leaving smiling Mr Sharma behind.
***
Shradha was getting ready when her mother called her from kitchen.
"We have guests coming in for lunch. Come and help me with cooking. Take aloo and onion and start cutting them."
Kavitha instructed as soon as Shradha entered kitchen.
"I am going out to meet my friends. You can tell dad and the guests that I had a special class today. So I went to college."
Kavitha got angry listening to this.
"Shradha, listen to me. They are coming here to meet you! Your dad's friend has a son who is studying for masters in the US. They want to see you and if they like you, we can get you two engaged once he graduates. Of course, Marriage will take place after you complete studies."
"Oh wow! Why didn't you tell me that today is engagement? You can't wait to get rid of me right! But whatever you do, I am not staying at home so that you can showcase your 'good daughter' in front of them. Tell them I am not ready for sale just yet!"
Shradha stormed out of kitchen without giving Kavitha chance to speak. 'What can I do with this girl. Only I know how much I struggled to convince her father to wait till her studies are completed! Now I need to think of another excuse!' Kavitha's hands were chopping vegetables while while her mind was searching for ways to convince her husband.
Shradha got ready in minutes and ran out of the house without her father noticing. She knew that she was in a lot of trouble but there was no way she could agree to what her mother mentioned. She called Nishant and informed him to pick her up little away from her house.
***