Chapter 97: chapter 97

Shikha  is comfortably seated on the sofa, folding dupattas and talking softly with Kajal, who’s sipping herbal tea and noting something in her journal. The air is calm, domestic, sweet, familiar. Suddenly Rhea’s voice rings out from the hallway. Rhea runs down the stairs yelling “Diiiii!!! diiii! Aunty!!!! Aunty!!!!! Guess whaaat!” She dashes into the room, barefoot, holding her phone like a trophy, panting with excitement. Shikha smiles fondly “Why do I feel like we’re about to be kidnapped for something fun?” Kajal raises her eyebrows “Should I be scared or intrigued?” Rhea lands in front of them dramatically, hands on hips. Rhea “Both!!!! Because I just planned the coolest thing ever and you two amazing ladies are coming with me!” Kajal and Shikha exchange amused looks.Kajal “Rhea… breathe first. I knew you're excited but why this much fuss.. Rhea grins like a kid “Okay okay okay- so! Me, Rithesh, and Rahul were talking, and I said... what’s better than a friends’ trip?” she paused for a while and looks at both Kajal and Smitha. Getting no reaction from them, Rhea continues Even Amar ji accepted and planned for us. Kajal  " First let us know what's it? ". Rhea “A family + friends trip!” Shikha laughs, a hand on her cheek. Shikha“Don’t tell me we’re going camping with college boys now?”  Rhea shakes her head“Nooo! A weekend retreat - in the hills! Two nights! Fresh air, music, no phones- except for photos, obviously. Amar ji made the itinerary so it’s full-on planned and approved!”Kajal’s expression softens, caught slightly off-guard. Kajal “And you want me to come too?” Rhea kneels in front of her like she’s proposing. Rhea sweet talks  “Didi… I want you there most of all. You never choose fun. Let us choose it for you this time.” Shikha smiles at Kajal with quiet encouragement.Shikha “She’s right, beta. A little mountain breeze may do us all some good.”  Rhea“And Mom’s coming too! ” Rhea adds up want to ask Mom to pack some snacks. Kajal chuckles, her heart melting under their warmth. Kajal pretending to think“Only if I get window seat on the drive.”Rhea leaping towards her “Done! Window seat! Spotify control! Even your own blanket! Didi, it’s happening!” She does a happy twirl and runs back to her room, shouting as she goes she calls  “Amar jiiiiii! She said YES! Plan locked!” Kajal looks at Shikha, they both laugh softly. Shikha “She’s your storm, isn’t she?” Kajal “She’s my sunshine in sneakers.” But mom how is she going to stay away from Amar. Shikha laughs and says maybe she haven't given thought in that regards. Kajal " She is only comfortable when he's around". Shikha " Smitha will take care of that". Kajal "Hmm..., okay mom come lets go pack. Else she will go mad on us. Shikha with a light smile nods her head. And both goes to pack their stuffs. Smitha " Adi... Am happy that Rhea is taking some measures to make  Kajal smile" Adi " Am proud of our daughter. She made us proud and ofcourse she didn't give upon her journey to make us proud". Smitha laughs lightly and says all these while you will leaves us alone and go for your business trips. Today our daughter and myself leaving you behind for our fun trip. Adi chuckles and says, maybe if I get time I'll plan to visit you ladies there. Smitha " A strict No!!!, then Rhea will get upset ". Adi " Is it Rhea or Rhea's mom ". Smitha clicks her tongue" Fine... Enough... Am going home soon, wanna go pack the stuffs ". Adi too leaves his chair and get along with Smitha to help her in packing. Smitha rejects him but Adi says Rhea sent me a list. If I didn't make it, she will make me loose my face . Smitha laughs " You're still scared of her". Adi " Of course". Smitha" Okay, okay...let's go". Both drive to a super market and purchase the list of snacks and drives to Tanwar Mansion. Rithesh and Rahul busies themselves in packing, Ajinkya enters their room. Ajinkya " Rithu... Rahul... What are you guys doing? ". Rithesh and Rahul stands frozen on watching Ajinkya. They planned to leave without Ajinkya knowledge but got caught up with him in the packing phase itself. Rahul tries to opens his mouth but even before they come to an explanation, Ajinkya peeks through them and gets to see the baggage. Ajinkya " Rithu where are you going?". He asks in his innocence tone. Rahul and Rithesh stands stunned. They try to misguide him, however Ajinkya stands his ground and starts to throw tantrums. Ratim hears Ajinkya cries and rushes only to see him crying and rolling on the floor. A Revenge...