"What should I do, Lakshman ji? I have been trying hard to convince Sitara to accept the fact that our parents are incomplete without each other. But looks like she is dead strong on not letting get back together," Revathi told Lakshman about her problem as she sipped the steaming hot chocolate from the Starbucks Mug. The Maheshwari's wanted their youngest son to settle down in his life, and through matrimonial matchmakers, they found Revathi's profile compatible for Lakshman. The first meeting between the families went well, and that's when Lakshman saw Sitara tutoring the colony kids at the veranda. Though Dadi wanted to fix the marriage date, Durga Prasad wanted to take things slow and steady. So, he gave Lakshman and Revathi one month to court each other and get to know each other, and the talks will be taken forward only if both of them wanted to. That's why he brought Revathi to the Starbucks Café, and slowly he started to get information about Sitara from her. With one simple touch of his hand, she blabbered the whole history of her and Sitara.
"Foolish girl." he thought while sipping his Cappucino.
Revathi's eyes shot in admiration for the first time, she entered Starbucks Café, which is situated on the second floor of Infinite Mall. She always wanted to visit this mall for a very long time, but her Dadi never let her as she thinks only rich people can enter this kind of place and the solution her Dadi gave her is 'when she marries a rich husband she can visit these places.'
Richness and Status are the two main things a girl needs in her life; this is what she had been fed right from her sweet sixteen, and by bringing her here, Lakshman made a teeny, tiny place in her heart.
"Revathi, don't take me wrong in asking this. I just wanted to know why you want to get your Appa and Sonali Auntie together? You do know right, what will be the consequences if both the families get to know about it?"
"Lakshman ji, I know what will be the consequences, but I have my own selfish reasons. Have you seen how strong and elegant Sitara is? It's all because of Sonali Auntie. I grew up without a mother, Lakshman ji. Though I have my Appa, Dadi, and Dada, sometimes I feel the void of having a mother. When I got to know about this, I wanted only one thing in my life. At least for a few days, before I get married, I wanted to feel the happiness of having a mother. I want to feel her love and affection; that's all I want." Lakshman's eyes softened, looking at Revathi. A girl who just wants nothing but to feel the solace and warmth of a mother. Somewhere his heart pained when he thought about his own plan.
He never wanted to marry Revathi. The minute he saw her, his heart knew that she is not the right one for him. Revathi's every word was like she was trained to please people. She doesn't do anything by her heart. Even though her heart wants something, her mind doesn't let her do so. Subconsciously, Lakshman started to compare Revathi with Sitara. Revathi's eyes always cast down in shy while Sitara's eyes held high with courage and daringness oozing out. Revathi's appearance was nothing but looks likes she was straight out of a movie while Sitara had a style. But, now... he needs Revathi to reach Sitara because she is the only link by whom he can get to know Sitara up close.
"Revathi, don't worry if you need any help in reuniting Shekar uncle and Sonali auntie, please don't hesitate to call me." He held Revathi's hands in assurance while Revathi felt a shiver ran down her spine and a blush spread through her cheeks.
Sitara, who came out of the Liliput dress shop, saw Lakshman and Revathi coming out of the Café holding hands. She saw the Maheshwari family from the colony veranda, and through Kalpana Auntie, she came to know that they came to see Revathi for Lakshman. Sitara felt bad for Revathi as her first impression with Lakshman was nothing but bitter. She wanted to stop this marriage as her sister instincts kicked in but with what right she can tell them. Today seeing them like that, Sitara wants to separate her little sister from Lakshman. Revathi, who saw Sitara having a tough time handling so many shopping bags, went to her aid immediately.
"Arre, Sitara. How much will you shop in a single day?" Revathi said, carrying a few bags from her, and Lakshman got some from Revathi's hand.
"Nothing, Revathi, just some stuff for the kids as Christmas is coming right! How is your practice session going on? I hope you are not straining much?" Sitara started to walk along with Revathi, completely ignoring Lakshman, which made him smirk at her smartness.
"Haan, it's coming out well, but sometimes when I try high pitch, my voice cracks. I don't know what to do?"
"Then try to start the song from one note low" Lakshman saw that Revathi's face getting small and thought Sitara is showing off that she knows everything.
"Well, Action speaks louder than Words, Ms. Sitara. I think Revathi sings way better than you." Revathi first time felt the essence of praise. No one to date praised her, but today her heart swelled in happiness. Sitara saw that Revathi's face glowing in joy, which made her smile in contentment that Lakshman makes Revathi happy.
"That's true, Mr. Maheshwari. Revathi is way more talented than me. I am sure no one can sketch and paint like her. I am sure once you see her collections, you will be felt" Sitara tried to dodge Lakshman's taunt while he looked at Sitara in surprise. He thought Sitara will feel insulted and will try to pick a fight with him, but nothing like that happened.
"Try how much ever you want, Mr. Maheshwari. I have a common sense of not doing the same mistake twice." Sitara whispered in Lakshman's ear on the pretext of taking the bags from him as they all reached the parking lot.
Five meters away from them, a guy is seen looking at the trio from a black honda car, wearing a crisp half sleeve royal blue shirt with a Bluetooth attached to his right ear.
"Boss. Revathi and Sitara are with Lakshman. By his body language, I think he is interested in Sitara madam; as we wanted," He said as he saw Lakshman and Revathi getting into their car while Sitara got into a cab and went from there.
"Ok, Smith. I think it's time for our next move. Send Maheshwari's the envelope I gave you, and it should reach them by tonight." The person from the other side gave smith the instructions.
"Ok, Boss." Smith started the car and drove away from the parking lot.