~Mumbai, 15 days ago~
Maahi Desai, is the daughter of Devaki & Rajendra Desai. She was infectiously adorable, sweet, kind and innocent. She loves philanthropy and social service and wants to pursue a career in it, badly.
Maahi had just returned to Mumbai, from Chennai, for her summer break. She was already a graduate in Anthropology, and now, she wanted to pursue law from Delhi, for which she was preparing for the entrance.
The break was about to be for almost 6 weeks, and Maahi was so excited to come back to her home, after almost a year. Of course to meet her family and friends, but most importantly, what made her happy to the core was that she would be able to devote a lot of her time to her dearest hobby, which was volunteering for a platform created by her friend, Nishi.
Maahi was the youngest in the family of 5. She had an elder sister, Kriti (28) and an elder brother, Rahul (30). Kriti has been jealous of Maahi ever since her birth, and it still continues.
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The Desai House:
Here, Mr Rajendra Desai, Maahi's dad & Devaki Desai, her mom, were prepping for the court sessions, which had became a habit for them since the past 2 months.
Actually, her dad owned a small scale company, where they primarily are concentrated in construction and real estate. But, because of a controversial land that they took for development, resulted into a big debate. The people of the land claim that their property has been unlawfully snatched away from them and the group of builders (one of them was Maahi's dad) had not given them the adequate information nor compensation. Mr Desai had invested a huge amount of money in the land, and so, like his other partners who were unbotheringly wealthy, he couldn't withdraw all the authorities and not care about the money loss. He decided to give a fight, at least for the land he invested into. But, since he was the only one fighting, all the blame subtly shifted onto him, and the courts judgement as well, was inclining towards the common people. And the court announced that Mr Desai should pay a huge amount of money to these people, as a compensation. He had emptied all his pockets into this deal. He didn't even have a single way to make so much money, on such a short notice.
Just when he got a call from his sister- Dipti, saying that she and her husband- Manoj Shah (who's stately wealthy than the Desai family) are coming to Mumbai to settle the matter. Actually, even though Manoj Shah was so extremely wealthy, he never helped Mr Desai, in any grounds of business. He always thought that these people aren't his class, and so are cheap. Even Dipti broke the ties with the family after her marriage, as she too, began to think that now, she's much more upgraded.
But, this sudden help indeed came as a blessing to Mr Desai. Having a big name like the Shahs was surely going to make his side, virtually powerful. Dipti & Manoj came to Mumbai, met Raj & Devaki, and they solved all the matter. According to the court judgement, the stated amount was paid to the people as a compensation.
But, the Shahs weren't all so good, to lend help to anyone without their own reason to it. They had a purpose even here.
The condition that Dipti proposed was that they would pay off the money only if the Desai's would get Maahi married to their only son, Karan.
Mr Desai accepted the offer wholeheartedly, as he couldn't think of a better match for Maahi. But, Karan was 8 years elder to Maahi, and Raj-Devaki had an elder daughter, Kriti, as well. And Kriti being 5 years elder to Maahi, she was technically in the perfect age of marriage. Her education was completed and she did her stuff in job & business as well. But, Dipti & Manoj were suspiciously adamant on Maahi's wedding with Karan. Raj & Devaki, agreed to it. And since they've never seen Karan since his childhood, they had no idea of what he was as a person.
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The Mumbai Suburbs: ConnectSmiles have arranged a volunteering programme for students to come and paint an old wall near the govt. school
It was a bright sunny day, and the ConnectSmiles foundation's volunteers were gathered at the school ground with their paints and brushes.
There were many people who showed up as volunteers to get involved in this fun/contributing act. Maahi & Ishani, her best-friend were very enthusiastic about this project since the beginning. But, when they actually made it all work on ground, had people who supported them so wholeheartedly, and the happiness of the children there, seeing their old school wall being painted, the way they were cheering and expressing their joy... was all so fulfilling and heart touching for someone like Maahi, who's so passionate about philanthropy. Maahi always wanted to do something on this line, maybe a non-profit, but, she didn't have enough funds for that. And when Nishi, (the founder of CS) told her about this, she got more excited than ever. She didn't mind in which way was she contributing, she was just happy that she was able to do something, she absolutely loved!
Maahi shined so differently in everyone. Even though she just wore a simple blue denim, with ConnectSmiles' logo t-shirt tucked in her denim, her silky long hair tied in a messy ponytail, with the little frills of her bangs gave her delicate face an angelic vibe.... making her the brightest star. She indeed was a star, one, for making this happen and giving others so much joy, and two, for her unfiltered, non-discriminatory behaviour with others. The way she interacted with the children, heard their silly stories, played with them, laughed with them,...all made her so special.
"Maahi this was all so special! I think we should do this more." said Ishani as they sat in the car going back home.
"It indeed was Ishu! One of the most special experiences of my life. You know, I'll never forget this. You saw, how happy those little children were? It made me so happy seeing them like that." Maahi said with a contagious amount of innocence, excitement and happiness in her eyes. She was so happy helping them, it was reflected in her smile.
"So, well Maahi, I'm flying to Australia for my medical PG. You're too, done with your academics right? So what's the plan?" Ishani asked casually.
"Ya. I'm done with graduation. But, I wanted to pursue law as well. So I've applied to a University in Delhi. If I get in the entrance, I'd probably do law there." Maahi said softly.
"Wow! That sounds great!" said Ishani as they both chuckled into a small smile.
Maahi at the Desai house~
Maahi came back home in the evening, from a really long but satisfying day. As she entered, she first saw her house-help, Jaya aunty, and she ran to hug her. Mrs Jaya had looked after Maahi and her siblings since they were babies, and Maahi was her favourite!
"You came back my baby." Jaya aunty said hugging her tight. "How was the event?" she further questioned Maahi.
"Maasi, it was wonderful!" Maahi said as she broke the hug. They were in the kitchen, so Maahi jumped on the kitchen slab, sitting there to tell her Jaya Maasi everything about her day.
"You know... there were so many children, so many teachers... and we were all painting together! It was so much fun. We first started by cleaning the space a lil bit. Then we drew an outlet, and then, everyone filled the colours. The children... they were so happy, first that we painted their wall, and second, that.. we gave them so many chocolates and food stuffs as well. Maasi, it was so fulfilling. One of the best days of my life." Maahi explained like kids telling the mum about their day.
"Oh... may your precious innocence and liveliness never fade, my little doll." Jaya aunty said as pulled Maahi's cheeks for how adorable she looked saying all these cute things.
Aunty asked her to freshen up and come for dinner, as it was ready. And also gave her the message that her mom-dad wants to talk to her. They're right now busy with some office stuffs, but, will be home by dinner. Jaya aunty didn't know anything about Maahi's marriage. Maahi agreed and went to her room.
~ She came into her room, and first had a refreshing shower. She stepped out of the bathroom, in a pink satin bathrobe, drying her wet hair. She looked like a literal meaning of 'sunshine' quite really, as her glass white skin was glowing in her shower-effect and the blood rush to her cheeks flushed them red. Her wet long hair, and her light brown eyes adding a contagious effect to her beauty. And let's not talk about that pink satin bathrobe, which made her look straight out of a fairytale. She quickly dried her hair and changed into her normal clothes, a casual t-shirt and shorts.
She was just about to journal, as a part of her daily routine, when, she got a knock on her door. She started walking towards the door, taking soft steps. As she opened it, she found Kriti, her elder sister standing there.
"Hii didi!" Maahi said with a wide smile, welcoming her sister, who was standing on the door with a frown and unpleasant expression.
Maahi welcomed her inside, as she didn't know the reason behind Kriti's anger. "Come in didi. You know, today, we had so much fun..." she was about to complete...
"Just shut up Maahi! You've anyway spoiled my mood. I'm in no way interested to listen to you going on speak about absolute boring things!... Mom-dad have called you downstairs." Kriti wanted to complete the sentence and say 'come' but she was so pissed off by Maahi, for nothing, like always.., that she just rolled her eyes up and gulped her words before turning her back.
Maahi had no idea of what was going on. She didn't knew that the thought of her getting married to a rich guy, will offend her sister to that level!
"Didi wait! Wait..." Maahi said as she rushed behind Kriti.
She finally caught her at a few steps and turned towards her. "What happened didi? Why are you so upset with me? Did I do something wrong?" she asked with that overflowing innocence. Her eyebrow slightly tilted down, her eyes blinking with those big eyelashes creating a babydoll image.
"Will you just come down?" Kriti said irritatedly as she left.
Maahi just kept wondering what did she do, for her sister to react like that!?
She went downstairs, in the drawing room, where all her family members were sitting. Her dad, mom, Kriti, their elder brother, Rahul, Dipti & Manoj (her aunty-uncle)
As Maahi scanned the room, she saw her mum-dad and aunt's face beaming with happiness, her sister with a frowned irritated face and her brother & Manoj, with a neutral face.
Maahi greeted her uncle-aunty with a smile. Her aunty made her sit right next to her, placing a hand around her shoulder.
Now, her dad first explained her how their situation had worsened up, and then, how her aunty saved them from all the financial and professional losses. Maahi felt grateful for the help, and she being such a pure soul, she truly felt so touched that them being a family, extended their help in such crisis of money.
But, then, the revelation of the marriage happened. Maahi was 'told' by her parents that she 'is' going to marry Karan. Unconditionally!
And that, her uncle-aunty have decided to take her to London along with them, and that she could complete her law from London itself.
"Isn't it so good?" her mom asks hugging her.
"Of course! That's the best!" her aunty and dad say.
"Come on... this cause for a celebration! Come on!..." they hug each other as they drench in happiness.
Her mum-dad in the happiness that their daughter will get a much better life there, her aunty's happy that she could use Maahi according to her. Her brother sister unbothered.... But amongst all this, it was only Maahi who was left ... clueless!
They didn't even give her time to react. Seeing her parents so happy, she didn't even think otherwise.
Late that night, she was sitting in her room, packing, as she had a flight next morning. She was done with almost everything, and so, as she kept her bag aside, she took a moment to sit on the chair of her room. Thinking how everything is going to change for her. But, before she could think about anything, about her wish, whether she truly wants to do this or not... all that she could remember is her family's happy face and the help her aunty's done to her.
She leaned onto her window, as the thought of marriage strikes her. 'Her marriage?' well that was quite a deep thought. It wasn't that she had any specifications about her wedding, but yes, she's always believed in fairy tales!
She recalled what she'd say when someone asked her "Do you believe in fairy tales?"
"I do!" she'd always reply.
She didn't had any other expectation from her partner, she just wanted 'her story'.
As she drifted to sleep watching the bright twinkling stars, she prepped herself for tomorrow.
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. ~next part soon~