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Fortune Cookie - contd

by Srivaishnavi Rao
(Woodstock, US)

The next day the wedding ceremony went well. Gowri wore a gorgeous teal silk saree with a royal purple border that Hema had gifted her. As the post wedding rituals were going on, she finally got some time to catch up with her relatives . As they were talking, the groom’s uncle approached her and started talking to her. He looked very familiar but Gowri was not able to remember. Then he smiled and introduced himself as Sarvesh. Gowri was pleasantly surprised . She couldn't believe her childhood friend was now related to her. Sarvesh was equally pleased to meet her too. They sat down to talk.

He said, "Gowri, can you believe after all these years, we meet like this? So I got know about you briefly, You are a surgeon, right? That's awesome!!”

Gowri replied, "Thanks.. yeah that's correct. It’s a small world indeed!! So how have you been?”

“I'm doing fine. I teach Accounting at NVS college. My wife Nikhila is…somewhere over"…, “ he paused to look around and pointed to a group of ladies on the other side of the room. “Looks like she is busy. Well anyway, I’ll introduce you both soon. He then went to fill her with details. "Nikhila was a banker and their son was studying in Australia."

“They exchanged their numbers and Sarvesh invited Gowri for dinner on Sunday. Gowri happily accepted the invitation.

Gowri went shopping for some stuff that the girls had wanted from India. She wanted to pick up some gifts for Sarvesh and Nikhila. She picked a few boxes of specialty sweets as she remembered Sarvesh liked them. She then went into a boutique to buy a saree for Nikhila and instantly regretted the decision. She never actually got to meet Nikhila at the wedding and only caught a glimpse of her from a distance. She was so confused as to what color/type of saree to pick for for someone who she hasn’t met. As she was glancing through the sarees, a voice called out. “Can I help you?”

She looked up and saw a woman around her own age, dressed in a beautiful brown salwar suit. She was presumably the owner of the boutique. She had a warm smile that formed dimples on her cheeks. Gowri instantly recognized her childhood friend called, “Netra!!! Oh my, what a delightful surprise!! How are you?”

The other woman looked puzzled for a few seconds before her eyes widened in surprise “Hey Is that you Gowri!!!. How about you? You look wonderful . How long has it been!! I think we met once in a movie theatre long ago. After that I’m seeing you just now.”

“Yes, I remember. So what’s up with you?”
The friends sat down on the divan and began to catch up. Netra mentioned that she was handling businesses long with her husband, including the boutique.

Her twins were doing their Masters in Business and Finance respectively.

Netra asked Gowri, “So I see you are confused with the sarees. Let me help you. What kind of sarees are you looking for? Any particular fabric or color?”

Gowri sighed, "That’s the challenge. I’m buying a saree for someone I’ve never met. So I have no idea what she likes. Please…Please enlighten me.”
“Hmm, Ok no problem. Let’s sort it out . So do you know “anything” about her? Her age, height? Who is this mystery person anyway?”

Gowri just remembered and said ”Wait!! You will not believe who I met at the wedding? Our friend Sarvesh!!! I’m meeting his family for dinner tonight. I’m buying a saree for his wife Nikhila.”

Netra frowned, "I see!! You are meeting him tonight? And you are here to pick up a saree for his wife?”

“Yes, It was so wonderful to meet him. He is the groom’s maternal uncle. Such a small world!! Netra muttered something under her breath and picked out an orchid pink chiffon saree and handed it to Gowri and said, ”Take this. I’m sure she will love it”.

Gowri loved it too. She trusted Netra’s choice and thanked her. As she turned towards billing, she thought of something and turned around.

“Netra,

you should join us tonight if you are free. It would be a surprise for Sarvesh. What do you say?” Netra had a glint of mischief in her eyes as she replied, ”Yes, I would love to”.

Netra dropped Gowri at the entrance of the restaurant and went to park the car. It was a cozy little place with an appealing ambience. Gowri walked in and was greeted by Sarvesh and Nikhila.
Nikhila seemed to be a very warm and pleasant person. She loved the saree that Gowri gifted her.
Sarvesh started munching on the laddus right away. As they were getting comfortable, Netra walked in. Even before Gowri could say anything, Nikhila got up and hugged Netra, who hugged her back and looked at Sarvesh and angrily asked him, ”How could you?”

Sarvesh was also startled on seeing her. Gowri was trying to decipher what was going on. Seeing her puzzled expression, Netra smiled and said, “Gowri when you met Sarvesh the other day, did this ‘absent-minded’ professor happen to mention that Nikhila is my sister?”
Gowri’s mouth opened,”Whaaat? You mean you are his…”

Sarvesh completed, "yes, my Sinister-in-law!!”
Netra gave him a death-cold stare and continued. “You may not have remembered Nikhila in school. And also you got transferred in the middle of the school year. You would have known if you were somehow added to our school WhatsApp group gentleman here…not only stole my lunchbox and stamp collection but also my younger sister”.

Gowri was so gladly surprised at this twist. As the friends were reminiscing their school days, Netra suddenly remembered, "I have another surprise for you guys. Guess who is currently the principal of our school? It’s Salma!! She is also my customer. We all should go meet her.”

“Salma?! Oh yes, I remember. She was very studious and talented. Went to a very reputed university, I heard. Smart woman, but unfortunately has poor choice of shopping,” quipped Sarvesh.

Netra contacted Salma and she was thrilled to reconnect with the rest of them. She also managed to catch up with two other friends Bhuvan and Akila. Rather than meeting at some restaurant, Netra proposed the idea of meeting in their old school as it was the school’s Annual Founder's Day week. Salma initially hesitated but then invited them all the following day. Words could never describe the nostalgia that flowed through all of them as they walked the same grounds decades later. The infrastructure and facilities may have changed but they all could still feel the old vibe.

They enjoyed all the Annual day activities and celebrations. After all the crowds had dispersed, the gang walked through the premises. They scribbled on the black board to their heart’s content. And took a load of selfies. As they passed through the basketball court, Bhuvan and Sarvesh tried to dunk the ball but missed it pathetically. That made Sarvesh hungry again and wanted to visit the canteen…Netra pointed out it was now called a “cafetaria”.

After multiple attempts they all gave up trying to sit in the sleek desk chairs and walked to the play area for some fresh air. Sarvesh and Bhuvan brought snacks, cold drinks and ice cream. The big banyan tree where they all used to gather to eat lunches, still stood tall and strong.

They all sat on the benches, Gowri sat on the swing. As she took a bite of her favorite Cassata ice cream, it started to drizzle. Just then she had a moment of realization. Her last day at this school had been very abrupt. Her dad had picked her from her class in the middle of the day She never got to eat lunch with her friends, nor got to say a proper goodbye. She loved swings and had always wished she had one more day or even a turn on her favorite swing while it drizzled . It all came to her like a dream. She was reliving and savoring every moment. She picked up the phone and called Sahana. She picked up and said, “Hey Mom, Hope you are having fun…way to go Mom…just seeing all your pics….

Gowri interrupted her and said, "Listen, we both owe Saanvi a NikonZ8!!”

***

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