Chapter 68 — Sargi
The next morning, before sunrise, the Qureshi mansion was quiet.
Shabana woke up early and prepared the sargi for Ritika.
She arranged everything beautifully on a large decorated thali.
There were:
Fruits like apples, bananas, pomegranate and oranges.
Dry fruits such as almonds, cashews, pistachios and walnuts.
A small bowl of homemade sweets.
Mathri and other traditional savoury items.
A glass of milk.
A little bowl of yogurt.
A small portion of vermicelli.
Coconut and other traditional sargi items.
A beautiful set of bangles.
Sindoor and other shringar items.
A small gift for Ritika from her mother-in-law.
Shabana carried the sargi upstairs.
Ritika was already awake.
Shabana: Beta, come.
Ritika smiled.
Ritika: Maa, you prepared all this?
Shabana: Of course. This is your first Karwa Chauth with us.
Ritika sat beside her.
Shabana placed the thali in front of her.
Shabana: Eat properly, beta. Don't think you have to prove anything by starving yourself.
Ritika smiled.
Ritika: I know, Maa. I want to keep it for Arnav.
Shabana gently touched her head.
Shabana: May Allah keep both of you happy and give you a long, peaceful life together.
Ritika's eyes softened.
Ritika: Ameen.
Rehnaa entered the room.
Rehnaa: Did you start without me?
Shabana laughed.
Shabana: Come, Didi.
Rehnaa sat beside Ritika.
Rehnaa: Beta, eat some more fruits.
Ritika: Phupi, I think I've already eaten enough.
Rehnaa: No arguments.
Ritika laughed and took another piece of fruit.
The three women sat together for a while, talking softly.
Ritika looked at the beautiful sargi thali.
For her, it wasn't just a ritual.
It was her first Karwa Chauth as Arnav's wife.
And she wanted to keep the day close to her heart.
Write a comment ...