The woman's bare back glows as sunlight peeps through the window railing. The body relaxed and one hand moved to the left, searching for

Himani opened her eyes abruptly, astonished to see the bed next to her empty. She gets up, carefully clutching the blankets around her body, to see him standing by the door, dressed in his blue shirt and denim trousers and socks.

"Come to the bed," Himani said. He gazed upon her, her brown skin gleaming in the early morning light.

"No, I'm heading out. Ensure your own well-being." Achintya stands up as the woman gets out of bed and her eyes change.

"You departing, what do you mean? Please stay". Himani begs, holding onto his upper arm with one hand while encircling herself with the sheet with the other.

He cannot depart in this manner. Definitely not, no. How is he able to? And did he just forget it like that after their long night together?

"I meant what I said. I'm leaving,not because you are not memorable, so don't worry, but I'd rather keep it that way." Before she could say anything more, he was at the door, making his way out.

___

"Tough day?" Roopa hands the glass of the water to her husband. Raghuveer has took upon extra duties more than he can handle.

"Even though Radha refuses to take our help, as her elder it is my job to make sure she and the children are provided enough. She will not ask but that does not mean I can not give." Was his words.

"Hmm...did the Pooja in three houses and then one couple came to the temple for their son's naamkaran, the market has gone to the chaos now that Chaudhary's are hosting their youngest son's birthday party and it created the more traffic than the roads of the Begusarai's can handle."

She took the glass from his hand,as he made his way to the bathroom "where are the children?"

"Amu and Maithili have come to stay since tomorrow is Sunday with Radha and Ammaji."

Nodding his head, he entered the bathroom,locking the door behind himself.

_

Raghuveer eyes the way the four of his children were looking, snickering and giggling,mouths busy in chewing as faster as they can,the way Maithili and Gola looks like the kicked kitten and how Shivu and Amu were grinning like the cats.

It did not take him long to connect dot to the dot, that, again his youngest has fallen in the trap of the eldest.

"What you two did this time?" Shivangi and Niyati both looked at him like he is accusing them falsely.

"Who...us? Nah..what we will do papa?" Niyati nods her head eagerly to support her sister's words.

Raghuveer points his hands to his left,"these two look likes the kicked puppy while you too looks like the devils. Explain?"

Both of the girls looked at each other, looking a bit shaken, eyes big and face turned in the pout. "Nothing."

"Haha.. yes nothing. Trust us." Niyati passes her nasty glare to her younger siblings. "Not them. "

Raghuveer knows the lost cause when he sees one, and this, was one. Shivangi and Niyati loves to pull pranks, one time they actually mixed the roohafza and chilli powder in the drink of that one who would not stop forcing them to marry Shivangi to her son.

"You two, Speak up." It was a bit hard for the youngers to speak against their eldest who gives them puppy eyes as not to spill the beans but ignoring Raghuveer was just the big no.

"Niyati didi brought the horror movie from her friend's home. We are watching it. But it is scary and they both keep telling us that it is all real even though we know it is not. " Maithili spoke up. Both Shivangi and Niyati facepalm themselves.

Raghuveer has the hunch, that this was the case. The silence of the room when all four are present is just never the good indicator.

"Amu.."he starts but Niyati beats him to it. "I only invited Shivu dii to watch it. These two somehow got the whiff of it and pleaded us to let them see it too promising us that they will not get scared. I did not do anything. I swear. "

Niyati looked towards him with her wife eyes and pouty face which immediately reminds him of Laxman, she has his eyes and lips. Smiling at the fond memory of his late brother he shakes his head.

"Okay. But next time..do not bring such movies to home. Because if you will watch it, they will want to watch it too. It is only natural." Smiling widely at him, Niyati nods her head and went back to her food just as Manorama starts.

"Good..good.. Raghu..spoil them..spoil them rotten. Girls at their ages are handling families and these two cannot.. hmm! Girls in our family do not watch TV let alone movie? Only God will knows what kind of scene will be in their."

The sudden silence got spread in the air as the four children had their heads low after seeing the shaking of the head and stern eyes of their mothers. Raghuveer simply refuses to say anything.

He was aware of his mother's acidic tongue and knew that she was only looking for core to start the monologue about how his children are spoiled and rotten.

So, he  turns the topic to the "Roopa..I only remembered that..the Chaudhary has invited me to perform the Satyanarayan Pooja at their house on their son's birthday. They have also invited our whole family in the function at the evening. But-"

"No one is going their. I am telling you this." Object Manorama.

What were they thinking? How can a Brahmin family of hers, can go to the house of people who consume meats and alcoho.No. No.

"Men there are like wild animals,who thinks of themselves as Gods carrying the katta in their pockets. Surely not we will send our women and children there." Manorama elaborates.

Raghuveer will not say that thought did not crosses his mind, because then he will be the liar. But, additionally he also was powerless to refuse the Chaudhary, what reason will he give when Durga Devi will ask him about his family.

He said as much as to his mother who look towards him with a gaping mouth. Durga Devi extended the invite, a wise woman like her must be aware of the rules about the Brahmains. Surely she will do something about it.

After the careful consideration of what it can mean if the Mishra family won't go the function as well as their consequences it was finally decided, that, yes they will all go there but-

"No one will eat a single morsel there, otherwise I will not talk or see that person."

And "now is the chance, shivu dii" mumbled Niyati and the stern look all four got from their grandmother.

The dinner continued.

_

"One more thing..I will make this clear to you both-" Manorama looked at both of her daughter-in-laws , the trio were the only one who were present in the hall. Raghuveer has retired to his room while the children to theirs. "- by god's grace, both of your daughters have bloomed into the beautiful rose, and while surely that seems like the compliment to your ears....but it is not."

"The society we live in, is, sick and like to pluck the things that they seems beautiful. Chaudhary are like that. Their reputation is not unknown by you two either, so make sure, the honour of our home must remain intact."

She looked at both of them, giving them the nasty look "make sure that their reign remains only and only in your hands." She left.

_

"Ammaji..ooh Ammaji..look what I have bought to you. You surely will be delighted after seeing it." Meenal sat down near the swing where Durga Devi was sitting.

Durga devi spit the remaining paan in the cuspidor, adjusting herself in the way she leans on the swing she looked at the contain of her daughter-in-law's hand.

The white envelope Meenal has bought,contains the photos of the girls."this is the pictures of the girls from all the potential families. I have bought it to you..so you can select the best one."

"For who?" Rukmani davi ask coming from the kitchen followed by Nupur.

'for you you fat lady.' Meenal thought savagely but chose not to utter the same words on her face. "For Sundar, who else? You already know na Choti Amma, about his habits and antics, he is becoming the horse without the reign day-by-day and it brings pain to my heart."

Rukmani devi has seen enough in her life, but the level of melodrama Meenal could reach would still amuse her."So you decided to marry him?"

"Ofcourse not, Choti Amma. I just think..with the responsibility of being the husband will surely knock some sense in him.Also he is of age and since I only have one son I would like to see him settled down in his life before the god calls me." Her face deflated like the balloon, shoulder slumped and tone extra dramatic.

Before Rukmani can comment further Durga devi extends her hand "give it to me."

For the next hour, all the four ladies were busy looking at one picture from another, from all the twenty seven picture Meenal has bought only the six got selected.

The sound of feet carries the arrival of the Achintya in the hall,followed by Guddi and Abhay who ran straight to his mother Nupur to hug her, babbling and chattering how much his little brain can comprehend.

"We saw big cat..teacher said I did right, saving the girl." As everyone laugh at his cuteness Guddi just could not help herself but to interrupt "I am telling you  Bhabhi...our Abhay is going to become even bigger Casanova then his Achintya Chachu..keep him away or otherwise..."

Before she could complete her sentence hand comes from the side to..tug at her long braid "forget about Abhay or me dear sister, worry for yourself. Amma when you are planning to send her away."

It was the usual bickering in between the brother and sister, Guddi stomps her leg, throwing her hand to punch her brother "wait untill I tell Papa about you bullying me."

To which Achintya only smiles in teasing.

"Forget about Guddi, Achintya. Come here, sit by me and I will show you your future sister-in-law." Rukmani said. But it sounds more like the taunt. She and Meenal has always shared the cat and dog relationship since the time the woman come in the house.

Meenal was about to glare but kept her expression in check. Her heart thumping, if Achintya saw the photos, and like someone from it, it will definitely be game over for her Vijay.

No one can escape the charm of the Achintya Chaudhary, if he really puts his 100% in it. Vijay holds no candle infront of him.

But before she could stop anyone from doing it, Achintya has the selected photos in his hand "let's see...whose life you all are determined to destroy." in the light-hearted way he teases.

Meenal could only clutch her fingers tightly, seething in the anger. She and her son no value in this damned household, it shows because of the way everyone laughed at Achintya babu's word.

If the role were reversed and Vijay would have said that, in no time everyone would have come to Achintya's rescue.

"I have invited few girls and their families to Abhay's birthday function so Ammaji and Jethji could meet with them." Meenal clarifies. It was finally her and her son's opportunity to shine and she won't let anyone take it away.

Achintya passes the selected photos back in Durga Devi's hand "they all are beautiful. But I hope kaki, you have already informed them about your son's habits. "

"Do not be worried about them..dear brother. I will take care of it when time will come. Care about yours." A sarcastic smile grazes Achintya's face as he turns and got greeted by Vijay's presence.

Who walked straight infront of him. They both holds the same height if only Achintya was bit taller but Vijay was bulkier like Mithilesh as their line of work demands manpower and muscles.

Vijay's signature style shoulder length hair were tied behind his back highlighting the much savage look on his face. "Worrying about me does not suits you."

"That's why I don't do it. I was merely showing concern for the girl, do not want her to marry in our family because of OUR reputation and power. Do something of your own, sometimes."

"Like you do. Heard this weird rumor few days back, you leaving some hotel and some girl crying, running after you."

They both glared at each other like they want to rip each other's apart, taste blood. Their history has been bloodied through out their childhood.

Both being of same age, always shared the same experience ; their first fight, first crush, first smoke, first jealousy and urge to taste the blood.

Achintya and Vijay both were the different side of the same coin but with different perspective.

"Enough. Achintya-" Durga Devi look at both of her grandsons "-Vijay..this is,my home. The place where, my family lives. So, there is no need for any of you to draw the red out of each other."

The young lads glares at each other before Achintya backs out, his expression morphing from the fury to joy. "We won't Amma." Giving a printed look to his brother "and definitely not infront of you."

And left.

__&__

It felt like, the day has been turned into some unofficial festival. Sweets and clothes being distributed on the streets, firecrackers bursting, men and women only having one topic to discuss that was- the function of the Chaudhary family.

"I have heard that they bought some famous dancer from Patna-"

"Really...?"

"Hmm..why wouldn't I? It is Chaudhary we are talking about. "

Niyati would actually die or might blast her ear canals if one more time she heard the Chaudhary's name.

Once she reached home, her mother and sister were already there "hurry along..we are going to bhaisahab's place. Didi told me to lock the house and gather there since we all will be leaving together."

In the house, Manorama was reciting the chants while rotating the rosary in her hand, who gave them a look before turning back to her work.

"She is always busy remembering God, yet she talk and looks like the devil." Niyati mutters to Maithili who nods her head along in confirmation.

Shivangi was already ready in the beautiful peach coloured anarkali suit and hair tied in the elegant updo. The colour of her dress was complmenting her milky white skin.

Someone whistled and as she turned she finds Niyati and Maithili on the door."who is being killed today, dii?"

Laughing, shivangi pulls Maithili's cheeks "you. If you won't get ready in the half hour."

The girl huffs rubbing her cheeks " it is only cool when we do this to Gola" and left.

"You, madam..go..get ready before Maa come to haul us away." Shivangi instructs Niyati who was busy skimming the new book from Shivangi's table.

Half and hour later the trio of the sisters enters the hall giggling and muttering inbetween them. Radha and Roopa were the first who saw them, as Roopa comes forward, putting the small bindi behind each of their ears " let no one put their black eyes on my shining stars."

"With the way they both look someone surely will." Manorama interject. "What I told you both goes above your heads, right? Why they both has been dolled up so much, when I strictly forbidden them."

Her eyes scanned her granddaughtes' attire while Shivangi who was slimmer looks elegant in her peach coloured dress Niyati who has more voluptuous figure could easily outshine anyone in her dark green coloured suit.

"Amu time your hairs back. You are going to a function not to impress other people. Tie them." She barks.

Shivangi was the known face in their community but Niyati was the newcomer. People hardly recognise her as the Mishra family's daughter. What if some retch demon mistaken her and do something bad to her.

No. Even the thought left the sour taste in her mouth.

Niyati looked towards her with her big eyes, hint of gloss present when she felt hand behind her back as Radha ties her long hair in the simple braid.

A deep pang of sadness emerges in her, back in Indore, her father never restricted her to do anything. She would  wear jeans and her hair open and he will compliment her. She would wear any traditional dress and he will compliment her.

A lonely tear escape her eyes, which she quickly dabbed away.

"The rickshaws are here. Let's go." An excited Gola comes running inside, Raghuveer behind him. He looked from one face to another,connecting dots.

Something must have happened.

Before he could ask he catches Roopa shaking her head. As to signal him not to ask anything.

"Come everyone." The family followed behind Roopa.

__&__

Radha looked at the scene around her and thanked the almighty lord and her mother-in-law.

Manorama, who has always played the consistent role of the negative in her life has finally done one good deed for her.

Radha was aware about her daughter. She knew that Niyati was beautiful. The only if she had heard about her, was her complexion. Because Niyati unlike Maithili and Shivangi was brown skinned.

But that too played good in her path. People has always complimented both of her daughters.

The scene around her, men drunked and slurring their words, sound of gunshots getting mixed with the sound coming from the DJ system.

The women dancing on the stage, men dancing along them, trying to touch them, luring then with money and that too men who looks like they belonged to the good families.

It was the good thing that there was the seprate tent for the women to sit guarded by the five bulky looking men.

"It's because women of the Chaudhary and other influential families are sitting at this side." One of the other lady clarifies.

But it does not matter. They were safe here.

It also give the sense of relief that because of her grandmother's taunt Niyati tied her hair and now in between the mass they both were safe.

Even thinking that anyone's eyes could get stuck to her daughter because of her beauty, made Radha shivered.

Raghuveer has already introduced the family to their host. A woman named Durga Devi welcomed them with folded hands "it is our fortune that you brought your family to our land. Please do not go without eating. I have made the seprate food for your family in my own kitchen. Eat with us."

When Maithili asked why they are getting the special treatment Radha explained "it is because we are Brahmin. Our caste is considered high in the eyes of the people as we are equivalent to the gods."

Niyati finds this hypocrisy very annoying. It was not the medical era they were living in. If they are being treated special because of their caste, thus that mean, people from lower caste must not be even invited.

What kind of sick mentality these people had. First her grandmother and then these people. Thus education did them nothing?

They sat down on the ornate table, the haveli from inside was even more magnificent. A grand angan where the huge swing was situated, the splendid living room made from white stone.

Infact the whole haveli was made up of white stones with the dash of gold paint here and there, giving it the regal feeling that it belong to the royalty.

The feast starts, as varities of dishes got served in their plate under the strict eyes of Durga Devi. "I did not knew about your brother and his family?"

Raghuveer looked up from his plate, smiling politely he answer her back "they used to live in Indore and only come back to Begusarai this year. They live with us now. "

"Yes, yes ofcourse...it is only natural for families to stick together." She answer back.

Niyati's stomach felt like it would burst out, even though she has refused, the kind old lady did not heard her one request and kept ordering the helpers to fill up their plates.

"Where is the washroom? I would like to wash my hand." Niyati ask politely. She also was in hurried need to use the washroom and not to embarrass herself.

She heard the low Snickers from the side and pinched the thigh of the girl. Shivangi glared back.

"Wait wait... Hema..come here." Niyati saw a middle aged lady arriving near the table "- show the young girl the way to the upper floor bathroom. "

And niyati left, following the woman.

__&__

Achintya was having the blast of the day. The loud music, the dancers, free alcohol what more a man need.

Not to forget, Sundar babu's irritated face. His mother had strictly forbidden him to not even touch the reflection of the alcohol bottle let alone the real bottle.

"Do not find joy in someone else's misery." Mithilesh comments from the side. He too has not drunk even the drop of the alcohol because of the morning Pooja he sat down in with Abhay Laxmi and Nupur.

"Can you blame me? Look at that fucker's face. It is not my fault his misery brings me joy." Achintya answered. He also has not touched the alcohol, not the big fan of being drunk and giving people items for gossip.

Not like he will. He has the better control over himself than Sundar. Laxmi giggles in his arms clapping her hands together, "yes.. laxu. See, even she agrees to that."

"Do not involve my daughter in your agenda. "Mithilesh comments. But he too smiled looking at her toothless grin.

Achintya was busy twirling a giggling Laxmi in his arms when some idiot drunked fucker stumbled on this back, spilling the content of the bottle he was holding in.

"Madarchod." Achintya curses loudly at the man. His whole backside was covered in the alcohol. Mithilesh takes Laxmi in his arms as Achintya turns back, his fist hovering in the air to punch the git senseless.

But alas, the man was too drunk to even being aware of what he did. "Ask the security to throw this fucker out of our premise." Mithilesh nods, and Achintya leave the scene.

___&__

Niyati towel dried her hands, checking her reflection in the mirror. If only Manorama would have allowed her to open her hair, but she was not complaining anymore.

Not after she saw just what kind of scene was happening in the function as well as the heat that was enveloping them.

She pats her hair, tugging the baby strands behind her ears and left the washroom, is when the darkness enveloped her.

As well as the whole house.

The power supply was gone, masking the whole house in the darkness.

"Guddiya..stay where you are. The light will soon be back, we have two generators. It will soon be on." Hema assures. But her voice was coming from far like she was not present where Niyati herself was.

Niyati's palm were sweating, she was in no way afraid of the dark. But she was afraid of being in some stranger's house and get stucked in the dark.

She was busy reciting the Hanuman chalisa in her mind, the horror film did her numbers.

A strong light hits her face first and a man's body come next.

Achintya cursed the man more, because of that drunk he has to take the second shower. Not to forget, the ongoing light crisis.

But it was no problem, his family owns the two generators, they also rented two more generators for the function. The problem soon will be solved.

With that thought he switched on the flashlight and made his way downstairs. He actually has entered from the back door once the guard informed about the priest's family eating in the hall.

He did not wanted to give the first impression of his as the drunk son of the Chaudhary, but now that he is fresh, he will surely go and give his greeting to the priest's family.

Walking leisurely, he made his way to the corridor just when his leg got tangled in something and his body stumbled on the other's.

His hand found their purchase on the soft side of the arms, as small hands clutches his shirt crumbling them in their way to not loose the balance and make them both tumble.

"Ouch.."comes the soft voice clashing with Achintya's soft "fuck."

"I'm sorry" they both said at the same time. Bringing his other hand above he pointed it on the girl's face, and get greeted by the beautiful big eyes and red pouty lips.

The stare they both shared made the girl blinks her eyes multiple time as she brings her one hand to shield her eyes making them both stumble a bit as the arms Achintya had on her hands slipped and made their way to her waist to steady her.

"Are you planning to blind me here?" She spoke softly, her eyes lowering as well as her hand when Achintya lowers the phone.

"Uhm..sorry.." he utters back just as the light come back.

Niyati was about to usher herself away from the warm body when her eyes caught his face and they get stopped on their accord.

God!

How can a simple human be this handsome. But God! Ain't this man actually so-so beauiful.

Big brown eyes, high cheekbones, straight nose his face might be carved out of the marbles and by the hands of the almighty himself.

It also did not helps the fact that Niyati only reaches to his chest which makes the man hover above her head.

She clears her throat in the attempt to make him leave her. Since the lights were back, if anyone saw them in such close proximity only lord will know what will happen then.

Hurried footsteps "Guddiya..Guddiya" Niyati blinks her eyes in fear, with the full force her body could muster she shoved at him making him detached from herself and left the before Hema could come nears the door.

"Here..here..." And with that Niyati ran to her side, motioning her back towards the stairs, following her.

Achintya stood still there, what does just happened. The whirlwind left him before he could even inquires how and who she was.

She cannot be here if she was not special , not to forget the helper herself came to fetch her?

He takes hurried steps to reach downstairs to know exactly who she was.

__&__

Niyati take her seat beside Shivangi, "okay? The light was gone for few minutes but badi Thakurain assures us you would be safe." She ask.

"Fine.. I'm fine." Except her heart was doing Summerslam inside and she was thankful to her ribcage to hold it there and not let it escape and let it run back to upstairs.

She nods her head when her eyes meet with her mother's who looked relieved only then.

Sound of feet come down, as Achintya stood behind the chair Durga Devi was sitting. He folds his hand for the greeting as others do it too.

" I know you all already are aware about him but it is only polite if I introduced him. This is Achintya Chaudhary. My eldest son Phulan and his wife mala's second son." Durga Devi introduces.

The boy who stood besides her is her pride and joy and so it only natural people knows about it too.

Raghuveer smiles politely taking the cue "my wife Roopa, my sister-in-law Radha, she works as the teacher, her daughters Niyati and Maithili and my children Shivangi and Ranveer."

Raghuveer could see the way the boy respectfully touches each of the ladies feet and his too. How his eyes were respectful enough to not get look at any of his children.

He was aware of the reputation Achintya Chaudhary holds as the Casanova. He could only thanks his stars that none of those tendencies are visible now. It made him feel comfortable.

Niyati could not hold her head above, just the thought of what happened before, of his arms around her waist made her blush harshly.

But she can not afford to do that. Her mother as well as her kaki have the sharp eyes and nothing goes hidden from their sight.

Few minutes of chatting and soon the time to take their leave comes upon them. "Our car will drop you off Mishra jii. And no..you can not refuse that." Orders Durga Devi.

Niyati was thankful that the dreadful night has been coming to the end, soon she will inside the confiment of her home and leave those beautiful brown eyes away.

"I'll go and take out the car." Achintya offers. Durga devi looked at him suspiciously, how come her grandson who is fond of the parties and alcohol is willingly ready to leave it. And that too for such mundane task .

"No..it's fine. The driver will do that." It was one thing to be hospitable to the priest's family because they had come to her home but her grandson is not their driver neither he will do such mundane things.

Achintya's face did not loose it's cool like Raghuveer expected but he only smiles and nods his head.

So it was true, that the men of the family only kneels infront of the Durga Devi and no one else. "Then..we are taking our leave. Thankyou for invitation and the kind treatment. We will not forget that. "

The car left.

Niyati finally took the much needed breath she was holding back.

___&___

My sincerest apology for the late update. But I was busy with my college as well as in other matters.

From now on, I will try to be consistent.

Also, their are multiple Hindi words I have used if anyone holds any questions about them, please let me know.

The fun fact:-
                           In many regions of India,the Brahmin are indeed treated nicely and bit different than others. People offers them the superior form of respect as they are considered as the next to the gods.