DESI GIRLS

Mridula's POV

08:35AM IST

12B, Antilia

Altamount Road, Cumballa Hill

South Mumbai

Gasping for breath like a dying fish, I sat on the floor of our gym with a thud. Hundred squats with kettlebell, jump rope, pull-ups, elliptical and pilates all in one day is never easy!! 

I controlled my breaths and got up with my almost aching legs. I stumbled my ways towards upstairs to my room. But a voice stopped me.

"Princess! Are you okay?" 

I turned around to see dad with a worried expression on his face.

"Yeah dad! I'm fine. Kuch jyaada workout kar liya maine aaj lagta hai!!" I said with a small smile.

Translation - "Looks like I went overboard with my workouts today!!"

He shook his head and said,"Tum nhi sudhrogi! Kya jarurat hai itni workout karne ki, when you've got a perfect fit body?" 

Translation - "You won't listen! What is the need of this excess workout when you've got a perfect fit body!!"

"Dad you know I love to workout that's why! By the way mumma kahan hai?" I changed the topic.

"She is going to the temple today so must be getting ready!" Dad said.

I nodded. An idea struck my mind.

"Dad! How if I make you breakfast today?" I asked with a wide smile.

He smiled and said, "Do it fast then I was craving for your handmade food since years!" 

I nodded enthusiastically and ran upstairs to take a shower. I quickly took a shower and wore a white knee-length dress with a blue see-through cardigan and a blue scarf.

I didn't apply make-up, just combed my hair and went downstairs to the kitchen.

"Mala (Nirmala) aunty! I will make dad's breakfast today!" I said as I stepped inside.

Wondering why only for dad?! Cause mum and I are going to the temple and have a puja so we thought to eat after it. We've to attend another puja in Sam's home too! But dad has to eat as he needs to eat his medicines for blood pressure.

She smiled and said okay. Then she said to call her if I need any help and went outside to the garden.

I wore my apron and took out some spinach from the refrigerator. Cause I am making Palak Paratha today. 

Spinach is rich in vitamins A, C and K, magnesium, iron and manganese. Eating this leafy green veggie may benefit eye health, reduce oxidative stress and reduce blood pressure levels among other health functions. It also helps the patients with blood pressure either it is high or low. It strengthens your bone, eyesight and immune system, repels bacteria and viruses, promotes heart health and keep you energized & it's yummy too!!!

First of all I washed them thoroughly and boiled them. Do not over boil as it will lose it's nutritions. Then blend them with ginger, chillies and water. Placing the paste aside for cooling, I made the dough and added the spinach paste into it. When the dough become smooth, I heated a pan. Then making balls from the dough, I rolled them and flattened it adding some flour in between. When it became a perfect thin circled chapati shape, I placed it on the hot pan. After a minute, I flipped the paratha. Adding a little bit of ghee (butter), I flipped and cooked it properly and then placed it on a plate. I made some more parathas. Then took out the yoghurt from the refrigerator and served it with the parathas. Placing the dish on a tray, I made my way to the dining hall and called dad.

"Dad! Your breakfast is ready!" 

Soon I heard footsteps and dad, mum walked in. And mum was looking damn pretty in her saree!!!! She was wearing it in bengali style which is making her look even more beautiful! 

"Mum! You're looking damn gorgeous!" I said and she pecked my forehead.

"Indeed she is!" Dad said with his dimply smile and sat on his seat. Looking at the parathas he said, "Palak Paratha! Mmm my favourite! Thank you babygirl!!" 

"Dad come on taste and tell me how is it?" I asked and he nodded.

"I know it must be delicious!" Mum said making me smile.

Dad took a bite and closed his eyes. I crossed my fingers and prayed. 

"Mmm wooow! It's so yummy sweetie! I am not going to share these paratha with anyone now!" Dad said taking another bite.

I squealed happily and kissed dad's cheek. Mum laughed.

"Mridula! Go and get ready! Aren't you coming to the temple with me?!" Mum asked.

I bit my tongue. Damn I forgot this with the cooking! 

"Of course I'm coming mumma! Just ten minutes!" I said and ran outside the dining room.

"Careful with the stairs Beta!" Dad yelled. I rolled my eyes at his protectiveness! Dad is saying the same sentence to me from the time I shifted upstairs. 

I went inside my room and closed the door. Making my way towards the bathroom, I cleaned myself from the flour and all then went to the closet.

Taking out my red ethnic set which I bought yesterday, I stripped off my clothes. I wore the red anarkali and made my way towards the mirror. 

I applied a little makeup and red lipstick then wore a mangtika, matching earrings and my banarasi jutti. I let my hair free and just curled them a bit. 

Looking myself at the mirror, I so wanted to sing and groove on the bits of Desi Girl from Dostana.

Shaking my wild thoughts off my mind I granned my phone from the bed and went downstairs. 

Mum was ready with her Puja items and dad too was ready in his ethnic wears.

I whistled and said,"Dad! Who are you trying to impress? You're looking damn handsome. And mum is already head over heels for you." 

I gave him a wink. Mum blushed but soon huffed and twisted my left ear.

"Ow ow ow mumma.. it's hurting..ow!" I exclaimed! 

It wasn't hurting that much. Don't tell mumma okay!! Shush!!

"You naughty girl! Teri jubaan bohot chalne lagi hai aaj kal han!!" She said whilst still twisting my ear.

Translation - "You're talking too much rubbish now-a-days!!"

"Ow mumma.. it's hurting..Dad help me instead of smirking! Will ya?" I whined.

Dad laughed and pulled mum to his chest which caused her hand to leave my poor ear. I rubbed my ear whilst pouting at mum.

"I am sorry na mumma! Pleaseeeee!" I said making my best puppy eyes and holding my ears.

She sighed and kissed my forehead and said, "You're looking beautiful princess!"

"Indeed she is! Aakhir beti kiski hai?" Dad exclaimed arrogantly. Mum rolled her eyes at dad and that made me laugh.

"Shall we leave? Otherwise because of you dad-daughter duo, we're gonna be late!!" Mum said.

"Okay! Come on my queen and my princess! Let's go!" Dad said bowing to us. Mum and me burst out laughing and followed him outside towards the car.

At the temple

Shree Durga Devi Mandir

Gilbert Hill Rd, Opposite Illa Darshan Building, Gilbert Hill, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400058

First we went to the Durga Devi temple where mum had a puja for me. It took almost a hour for the yajna. Then she distributed clothes and sweets to the beggars after I touched them. I also took their blessings with a wide smile. The smile and happiness in their eyes is worth everything. After that we went to the Shree Mahalaxmi Temple & Shree Siddhi Vinayak Ganpati Temple. Because of the Diwali festival, the temples were crowded a bit but we managed and had a proper puja. And then we drove off to Sam's house.

12:34PM

We came out of the car and was greeted by Sunil uncle and a young handsome man with him whom I don't know. 

"Avi! Finally!! I thought you wouldn't come!!" Uncle said as he hugged dad.

"Sorry yar! The temples were a but crowded today! That's why we're late!" Dad said.

"No worries! 1:38PM is the auspicious time so it's okay!" Uncle said them looked at me and mum,"Namaste Bhabhi! Hey Mia! You're looking beautiful beta!" He continued. Mum greeted him and I hugged him and said thnak you.

Then his eyes went to the handsome stranger and he again continued,"Ah! Hrithik beta come here!" The stranger named Hrithik came in front of us and uncle continued,"Meet Hrithik Singhania! My nephew, Elder son of my brother and Hrithik they are my family friends. He is Avinash Ray, my best friend and a well known businessman of Mumbai!"

"Hello Uncle! I've heard so much about you. It's really nice to meet you." Hrithik said as he shook his hand with dad.

"The feeling is mutual! I've heard about your father's and your honesty for the people and the country. I am proud of you!" Dad said.

Hrithik smiled and nodded and then uncle continued,"And it's his wife, Devina Roy! She's a doctor by profession and bhabhi cooks the best rosogolla!" 

He said rosogolla in a bengali and punjabi fusion accent which made us all laugh. "Hello Aunty! It's nice to meet you. And can't wait to taste your rosogolla!" Hrithik said making mum smile.

"Sure beta! Come to our home sometime! I will make rosogollas for you!" Mum said.

"And this pretty lady here-" Uncle said wrapping his arm around my shoulder, "is their and my princess! Mridula! Mridula Roy! Sam's bestfriend. A physiotherapist from LDN." 

I smiled at his words for me and pulled out my hand to shake with Hrithik,"Hello! It's nice to meet you! Can I call you bhaiya?!" I said with so much hope in my eyes and he instantly smiled.

"Sure! I wouldn't mind a beautiful girl as my sister!" He said smiling and shook my hand. It made me grin.

Another car pulled in the drive way and Shree, Maan and his parents came out.

I squealed,"SHREEEEE!!!" I ran and hugged her. She exclaimed,"MIAA!"

"Girls! You met yesterday night right?!" Armaan asked with irritation.

Me and Shree glared at him making him raise his hands in surrender. Twinkle aunty and Rajveer uncle snickered. I went to them and touched their feets and they gave me blessings.

Mum, dad, uncle and Hrithik bhaiya also greeted them and we finally went inside.

The house was decorated with flowers and lights beautifully. Well Mahira aunty is the best event planner!! I saw Mahira aunty with another lady giving the final touch-up to the mandir. 

"Mahi Aunty!!" I and Shraddha said in unison. Aunty turned and her face twinkled with happiness.

"Meri bachhiyan! You two are looking so pretty." She said coming to us with open arms.

Translation - "My girls!"

We took her blessings and hugged her. Then she welcomed mum with a hug too.

"You're looking gorgeous Devi!" Aunty said.

"Not like you!" Mum said smiling.

"And you're looking beautiful as always Twinkle!" Aunty said to Twinkle aunty.

"Thank you Mahi!" 

"Come on I'll introduce you to my didi! Come girls." Aunty said and we followed her to the mandir.

"Didi! Meet them! This is Devina Roy, my best friend I told you about. And this is her daughter, Mridula, Sam's bestfriend. And this is Sharddha Kapoor, Sam's another bestfriend. And this lady here is Armaan's mum, Twinkle Ahuja. And girls, She's Sunil's bhabhi and my didi Madhuri Singhania!" Aunty introduced us to the purple saree wearing beautiful woman. 

She hugged mum, aunty and then us. 

"Heard a lot about you four from Sam! It's really nice to finally meet you." Madhuri aunty said. 

Mum, aunty smiled and thanked her so did we.

"Sam used to talk a lot about you too. Well talking about Samaira, where is she?" Mum asked.

"Oh god Devi! Don't you know how much time she takes to choose her dress. Must be doing that in her room! Shraddha, Mia beta go and help her otherwise she'll come downstairs but after the puja ends!!" Mahira aunty said making us laugh.

"Okay aunty don't worry! We'll bring her down with us. Anything else?" I asked.

"Oh yes! I almost forgot. Thank you for reminding me Mia! There's a vermilion filled plate in the store room. Please bring that after helping Samaira!" Aunty said.

I smiled and said,"Of course aunty! You don't need to say please." 

She smiled and nodded. Shraddha and I went upstairs to Sam's room. We entered the room to saw her room was all messed up! Clothes and heels lying everywhere. Suddenly a cloth came and fell on Sharddha's head hiding her face. She yelped. And Sam screamed in shock. 

"AAAAHHHHHHH!!" She turned around and saw us. Relief flashed over her face and she sighed placing a hand on her heart. 

"Guys you scared me!" Sam said making me and Sharddha who has just yanked the cloth back from her head are now glaring at her.

"We!! We!! We scared you??!!! Seriously Sam?! You're scaring us with the condition of your room. What the actual hell is this?" Shraddha shrieked.

"Guys! Not you too. I've already heard this from bhabhi and mumma!" Sam whined with a pout.

I rolled my eyes and picked the the dresses from floor, bed and every corner of the room. 

"Come on we're here to help you. So sit down here quietly and let us help." I said pointing at the bed and she nodded happily.

She jumped on the bed sitting with crossed legs and her hands on her thighs and face in her cupped palms. Shraddha rolled her eyes and went to her closet, rummaging through her dresses whilst I folded her clothes. Shrddha finally found a perfect dress in her all modern closet and I was also done with my work. Sam wore it quickly as we've not much time left.

"Shree you help her with the makeup. I am going to bring the vermilion thali (plate). Okay?" I asked.

"Yea that's fine with me! Come fast then we'll go down together!" Sharddha said and I nodded.

I came out of Sam's room and made my way towards the store room. I am pretty used to this place. I opened the store room door and went inside with my mobile's flash light on. I searched and searched then finally found the vermilion plate. I did a victory dance in my head and opened the store room door to go outside but....