n i n e
modaks

Ganapati Bappa Morya!

The city of Mumbai had woken up to one chantThe air contained a high energy, the one which declared the arrival of festivals.

"Shubman, Shubman," he heard a voice call him. Stirring in his sleep, he hummed, turning to the opposite side of source of the sound.

"Uth na," (Wake up) he heard a voice urging him.

"Hmm,"

"Shubman!" The voice was louder as someone literally shook him.

Sone do na! (Let me sleep!)

Unwillingly, he opened his eyes, a shout escaping his mouth as the first thing he saw was his wife's face, staring at him while being too close to his face.

"What the fuck Sara?" He asked, scared. His heart was pounding his chest, his breathing rapid.

"Finally!" She grinned, pulling away and getting out of the bed. "Aaj Bappa ghari yetayet, Shubman. Lavkar tayar ho!" (Ganapati Bappa's coming home today Shubman! Get ready quickly!) her voice held a delight he'd never heard.

Perhaps, this is a glimpse of the real Sara. The one hidden from the world, the one who's left Sara too.

"I'm not sure I understood, but...you want me to get ready quickly right?" He made sure, getting out of the bed as he neatly folded the blanket. Sara nodded.

"Sorry I forgot you don't understand Marathi," she busily said while brushing her hair.

"My my, Tendulkar just very casually apologised?" Shubman decided to act like a dramatic diva, "What a day! Thank you, Bappa!" Sara rolled her eyes, playfully as the two started the day with a smile on their faces.

🪷

"It's time for the aarti now. Sara, come join your husband, " The priest said and Sara nodded. As she stepped ahead, her heart thumped in her chest. Moments like these reminded her that they are married. A couple. Not just two flatmates. They weren't bound by just a grand ceremony they participated in. They shared families and responsibilities. They were bound legally, financially...just not emotionally.

The trail of her paithani saree dragged along with her as she took her place right beside him. He held the lamp in his hand, moving it in a circle as everyone began to sing the aarti i.e. praise of the lord which is sung like a song.

Sara's hand rested on his arm as the two performed the aarti. They were in it, together. Whether they liked it or not.

🪷

Shubman greeted his in-laws with a huge smile on the face. Atul and Mrinal Tendulkar, pleased at the sight of their son-in-law entered the house as he bent down to seek their blessings.

"Sara, you should always take the blessings of elders with your husband," Mrinal pointed out with a smile. Sara who held a tray in her hands, quickly kept it on the teapoy, nervously smiling as she made her way to her parents.

"Hello, Aai Baba," her smile wavered but she tired her best to maintain her composure. "I was just getting water for you," she added to justify herself. Shubman suddenly felt a little guilty, taking a step back, his insides twisting with an anxiousness.

"Well, now that you're here, you still don't seem like you want our blessings, beta," Sara gulped, her face palling at her mother's sharp words.

"Nahi Aai, asa kahi nahi- (No mom, there's nothing-)

"Gamat keli ga," (I'm just joking!) her mother cut her off, giggling. Shubman sighed in relief and even Sunita and Rajesh who felt a little awkward smiled.

Atul and Mrinal blessed the younger couple together, saying "Sada sukhi raha" meaning, 'May you always stay happy'.

The family then proceeded to enjoy a traditional Marathi meal. Sara looked at everyone with hope as they savoured the meal she had prepared. She was especially nervous for everyone's reactions to the modak she had prepared. 'Modaks' : one of the most integral factors of the festival. A part of the momos-dumplings family, the Ganeshotsav in Maharashtra was incomplete without these sweet steamed delicacies.

As her mother had a bite of the modak, Sara looked at her with bated breath, waiting for her feedback.

"Mhmm," Mrinal relished the taste of coconut, rich on her palette. "These are so good, beta. I'm so glad you learned how to make modaks from your grandmother and not me," she said, smiling and Sara let out the breath she had been holding in.

"You liked?"

"Yes of course!"

"Agreed, the modaks are amazing, Sara!" Atul chimed in with a grin. "You really did make modaks like my Mom," his voice was laced with nostalgia as he was taken back to his younger days.

🪷

Sara was carefully unravelling the updo of her hair when Shubman barged in the room. As the door swung open loudly, Sara squealed in a low voice, startled.

"Oh my God," his voice was lazy as he plopped on the bed, as he laid down on his stomach.

"You startled me, you idiot," Sara exasperated as she turned her focus back to her hair. The number of bobby pins she had used was annoying for herself.

"Hm?" He turned over, looking at her.

"You startled me. Don't enter rooms like that," she rolled her eyes as he made her repeat her words.

"Oh, sorry man," his voice was low and it sounded like he was speaking gibberish but Sara could make out what he said. Her lips turned into a playful grin as she removed the last bobby pin.

"Shubman Gill apologising? Thank you, Bappa!" She got back at his morning jab. Instead of retorting, Shubman just laughed softly, nodding.

"Good one," he remarked as the room fell into a comfortable silence. Shubman was staring up at the ceiling, looking at the glowy stars stickers his wife had put. Sara was busy removing all of her heavy jewellery.

"By the way..." he started, still looking up. "The modaks were amazing. Like really, too good. I had so much, god," he complimented her, his tone laced with sheer admiration.

For a reason so foreign, Sara felt her heart skip a beat at his praise. She managed to put a smile on her face, ignoring the butterflies in her stomach. She tilted her head towards him, meeting his eyes.

"Thank you Shubman, I'm glad you liked them. It was my first time making them without anyone's help," she replied.

"Wait really?" He couldn't hide his surprise. "Dang, you're too good,"

"Well thank you for the appreciation, Mr. Gill. I'll try and make modaks again during the next festivals,"

"Well thank you Mrs. Gill! Those middle aged uncles on WhatsApp were so wrong, having a wife is the best!" He interjected as the two burst into fits of laughter.

A good end to a good day!

A/N: Tbh, I'm not really satisfied with this one. But, there were some important moments in this and plus, I've written like till chapter 15, so...I'm too lazy to edit this a little 😭 Let me know your thoughts!

P.S: I need to watch shows or touch grass instead of drafting new stories :) a spin-off of this story anyone?