Episode 10

*** ARCHISHA I arrive home and immediately take my shower before going into the kitchen to make dinner. I feel exhausted and I can't get everything that lady said out of my mind. It's like a bigger part of me wants me to accept this job but I don't know why? I don't even know her but it feels as though I do. I finish making and set the table while the others gather around to eat. I don't know why my aunt can't help when it comes to kitchen matters. She's only bothered about what Sari to wear and what jewelry will go with it. "Archi, how was your search for today?" My mother asks startling me from my reverie. "Ma, let's talk after dinner" I tell her and she slowly nods After dinner, Pihu and Kuhu clears the table while I lead her to her bedroom. She closes the door and sits down on her bed while I place my head on her thighs. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine Ma. I just needed to feel your warmth that's all" I respond. She runs her fingers through my thick mass of hair while I just stare into outer space. "Are you ready to tell me what's wrong now?" She asks and I detach myself from her and look at her face. "I didn't get a job today. Everyone refused to hire me but then..." I went on to narrate everything that happened today before I got home. "Are you serious?" "Yes ma." "So what are you going to do?" "I'm confused as well. I really don't want to do it but we need the money and I have till tomorrow morning to make up my mind and that's it" "Archi, if you really want to help her then you have my support. Who knows how much the poor girl is struggling. It's not easy being a foreigner in a strange land with no one to back you up" mother explains. "Are you saying I should do it? "Do what?" Pihu and Kuhu walks in almost immediately as they asked the question. "What are you doing here?" "We came to spend time with mother" they reply and sit down on next to mother. "You're not needed here" "You're all my daughters and you're all needed here with me" she responds and they both giggle. So much for wanting to have a quiet talk with her. "Archi, pray to the almighty. I'm sure he'll light up your path and tell you which way to go" I stand up and go into my room to rest. Maybe mother is right. I'll pray and give this some thought then I'll make my final decision. I pull up the sheets and lie down as the evening breeze blows into my room to calm me down. . SAM . I arrive home feeling all sorts of emotions at once. I was excited and scared at the same time. Excited that I finally found her and scared that maybe she won't agree to help me. "So far, I don't see any progress. Are you really sure you want to be with my Adi? Mother's voice stop me in my tracks. "You have less than twenty five days Samaria. And I can't wait for you to lose and leave my house" she snaps and walks away. Her words really cut through me like a knife passing through my heart. How could she be so cruel and say those things to me. I felt so bad that I just went upstairs to my bedroom without uttering a single word to anyone and I just hope Adi doesn't find out about his mother's outburst cause it might lead to them having more issues. I take my bath and pick up my laptop to video chat with Shaurya. If there's anyone who can say stupid and annoying things to calm me down apart from Adi then it's him. It rings and he picks up almost immediately. "Sam I'm working, what do you want?" He snaps as soon as his face appears on the screen. "You couldn't just wait for five minutes before you start with your rudeness?" I scrowl "I'm making progress Shaurya. I managed to find myself a guru" I say excitedly "A guru?" "Well she hasn't agreed to it yet but I'm hoping she does" "Wait, hold on. What's a guru?" He asks and I laugh "And you call yourself the Indian guy. It's a who and not what" I tease and he groans "I hate you" "The feeling is mutual. A guru will help me learn the Indian cultures and traditions" "So you haven't started yet? How many days do you have left?" "Please don't remind me" I sigh "So why hasn't she agreed?" He asks. "Well..." I narrate everything that happened at the temple until this afternoon and he listens attentively. "She must be so proud as to not accept the money you offered" "She isn't proud. I took her unawares so she needs some time to process it" "Whatever you say and be very careful before you get ripped off" "And..." I drawled "should I add that she's also very beautiful? I bet you'll stop looking for that girl once you see her" "Not interested" "Such a killjoy. How is work coming along?" "Everything is going pretty great. I organized an interview for a new sales manager but I'm yet to pick a candidate. Although I do have someone else in mind" "Your mystery woman?" I tease "Not funny" "Anyways I need to go to bed but I'll send you the picture of that girl just incase you change your mind" "Sam..." "Goodnight grumpy" I say and immediately disconnect the call. I quickly remove the SD card from my camera and insert it inside the laptop. I then search for her pictures from the festival and send it to Shaurya before logging off. Hopefully he at least acknowledges how pretty she is. I pull up the duvet and close my eyes before drifting off to sleep. . SHAURYA . I stare at the disconnected PC as I cuss inwardly at Sam. That girl is a real pain in the beak. I still don't understand why and how we're cousins. It's like she was sent from the devil to torture me. I quickly enter another site to continue my work when I get a message notification from Sam. Now what does she want? I log back online and I see that she's sent me pictures. I download them and I am dumbfounded. It's her. The same girl who threatened to report me to the police if I fired my driver. How does she know Sam? I open the other pictures and her beautiful face Grace's my screen that for a second I abandon everything that I am doing. She looks so beautiful in that long skirt and short top and her dupatta tied nicely to the side. Is she a dancer?She really seems familiar And why does it feel like I've known her before by just mere looking at her picture? . .