f o u r
starting line of chaos

"This one," Sara pointed at a beautiful idol of Ganapati Bappa.

"I like this one more," Shubman said, pointing at another idol, which was right beside the one his wife suggested. Both of them had to talk a little loudly as the place was crowded, with many people coming in to the shop to buy murtis of Bappa.

"Are you saying this just to annoy me, Shubman?" Sara very seriously asked and he shook his head vigorously.

"No no," he assured her. "Bappa ji ki toh saari murtiya sundar hai, par iss murti mein yeh blue colour ki dhoti hai. And you know na, how much I like blue!" (All idols of Ganapati Bappa are beautiful, but this idol is wearing a blue coloured dhoti. And you're aware of how much I like that colour!) he explained and Sara sighed.

"Par iss murti ki pagdi jyada sundar hai!" (But the headgear of this idol is prettier!) was her argument.

"Let's finalise another idol, which the both of us equally like, what say?" Shubman suggested and Sara nodded. An actual thoughtful suggestion by Shubman? Wow.

"Wow Shubman, you can be mature too, who could've thought," she quipped and he rolled his eyes.

"Baccho, murti select ki kya?" (Kids, did you select the idol?) Sunita's maternal voice chimed in as she and Ramesh walked towards Shubman and Sara.

"Nahi Mummy, we're a little confused," Sara answered.

Shubman and Sara, who were disagreeing with each other a minute ago, started agreeing with every little thing said by the other person; displaying their unity in front of Shubman's parents. Together, the four of them were able to take a decision speedily, booking the idol for the upcoming Ganeshotsav.

Sara was the most excited, as her favourite time of the year was approaching. She was smiling almost all the time, actively indulging in conversations and cracking jokes. For Sunita and Rajesh, they were getting to know another side of Sara. For them, their daughter in law had always come off as polite and loving, yet silent and reserved.

"What do you want for dinner?" Shubman asked, wrapping his arm around his mother's shoulder.

"Hmm, thodasa alag but Indian. Dosa khaane chalte hai," (I want to eat something different, but from Indian cuisine. Let's have dosa)

"Done! I know a great restaurant," he said.

"Woh tumhare friend ka?" (The one which is owned by your friend?) Sara asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Ha,"

🪷

( the next night )

"Mummy, invite whoever you want," Shubman groaned, leaning on the sofa, bored because his mother was making a list of invitees for his and Sara's anniversary party.

"Whoever you want?" She said under her breath. "Maine toh fir america ke president ko bhi bulana hai," (Then I'll invite the American president too)

"Bulado phir," (Go on, then) his voice was barely a whisper, but she could clearly hear his voice in the silent house. Sunita looked at Sara, who was enjoying a cup of vanilla ice cream, with a chocolate sauce topping.

"Sara?"

"Ha mummy?" She asked with a mouthful of ice cream.

"Who all do you want to invite?" She asked, looking at the list.

"I have to add my friends' names. Family we've already added," she said, her focus still on the ice cream and chocolate sauce which was swirling in the cup.

"Mujhe kaise pata tumhare saare dost? I know only that school friend of yours, woh purple baal waali," (How do I know all of your friends? I only your purple haired school friend)

"Mummy, abb uske laal baal hai," (Mom, she has red hair now) Shubman commented and Sara nodded.

"Sara, yeh abb ice cream chhod aur list bana," (Sara, stop eating the ice cream and make the list) Sunita sternly instructed.

"Mummy, give me the paper and pen. I'll write the names," He offered, taking the A4 sheet pinned to the writing pad.

"Okay so let's start with Alisha," he mumbled.

"Naina,"

"Sahil,"

"Ratna,"

"Siddharth," he finished jotting down the name of her school friends and tilted his head.

"Who else you wanna invite? Your colleagues from Edvance?" He asked. "And like people from your current workplace?"

Sara shook her head, feeling a twist in her stomach.

"No one from EdVance. Just some colleagues from Think Wave," her voice was slightly shaky, but only Shubman noticed the difference. He nodded, writing down a couple of names and then turned against to face her.

"You want more ice cream?" he asked and she blinked her eyes, proceeding to negatively nod.

"No no, I'm done,"

In the next half hour, the three were done making the list, while Rajesh had already dozed off, done for the day.

Sunita, Shubman and Sara headed back to their rooms. While Shubman went straight to bed, Sara started her night skin care routine. Unconsciously, she kept on humming a tune, stuck in the back of her head, which was disturbing Shubman, who wasn't able to sleep. He kept on sitting in his sleep, tossing and turning for about fifteen minutes. Giving up, he sat up straight, groaning.

"Sara, can you go to sleep?" He asked, eyes shut, his voice raspy because of how sleepy he was.

"But- How can I sleep without skin care?

"I have to get up early, you know? Just sleep," he said, clicking his tongue and proceeded to bury his face in the soft pillow. Sara frowned, her face scrunching up.

"I can't even do skin care peacefully because of this man now," she whined to herself, getting up to go to the sink and wash her face. Stomping her feet, she did her to and fro from the bathroom to the bed. She slipped into her cozy blanket while Shubman struggled, his sleep slowly and steadily ditching him because of the disruptions.

A messed up skin-care routine? Check.
A messed up sleep-schedule? Check.

Little did Shubman and Sara know that this was just the beginning.

🪷

( the next day )

"Sara, your mom has given me the list of everything we'll need for the puja of Ganapati Bappa," Sunita said at the breakfast table.

"Okay, aap mujhe list de dijiye, I'll buy everything," (Okay, give me the list and I'll buy everything) she replied and took a bite of the sandwich.

"Mein kya keh rahi thi..." (I was thinking that) Sunita started, "Maybe we could go together this weekend and buy everything, and you know- a little mom-in-law and daughter-in-law bonding time," she suggested and Sara couldn't miss how her eyes twinkled as she said the words.

"Mummy that's a perfect plan!" Sara reciprocated the excitement, grinning. "We could also go saree shopping after that," she added and Sunita laughed.

"Sara, agar tum log subah jaldi gaye toh hi ghar time pe pohochoge, aayi baat samajh?" (Sara, if you leave early in the morning, only then you'll be able to be reach back home on time) Rajesh teased. Sara chuckled but Sunita glared at her husband who flashed her a nervous smile.

"I was just joking, baba,"

🪷

A sigh left Shubman's lips as he got into his car. It had been an excruciating day at practice today. He wanted to return home as soon as possible, and relax in the tub. Then, he'd have a nice chai while watching a game. He started the car, envisioning about all the nice things he'd get to do once he finishes his drive. At a red signal, as his car halted he received a call.

He pressed the green button on the screen of his car and his mother-in-law's voice boomed.

"Shubman baala, how are you?" He heard her maternal voice and his lips instantly curved into a smile.

"Hello Aai, I'm okay. Just driving back home from practice. What about you? How was your day?"

"Oh, my day was great! I went to the mandir with my friends, had lunch and then I decided to call you,"

"Arey waah! Aai, your friend group is the most active friend group ever. You all are together, roaming around everywhere, Hm?"

"Shubman, what else do we have to do in this age?" She said and he laughed in a low voice.

"That's also true,"

"Waise modak toh mein banayungi, aur kya kya khaana hai tumhe Ganeshotsav mein?" (I'm going to make modak, anyway. What else do you want to eat in Ganeshotsav?) she asked.

"Hm, this is so difficult, let me think...let me think," Shubman replied, humming as he thought. "Okay, I want laaddu, karanji, and hmm...yeah, that's enough for now!"

"Okay, banadungi!" (Okay, I'll make it!)

"Thank you Aai!" He replied, a childlike excitement laced to his tone.

"Okay, you're driving na? We'll talk later, bye bye," she hastily said.

"Bye Aai, take care,"

🪷

Shubman clicked his tongue as he entered 'his' room. There she was, sitting on the bed, furiously typing away. Oh God, she has to work all night today.

Sara who heard his sound of disappointment, looked up, staring blankly at him.

"Hey bonehead," her voice was dry. "I have to pull an all nighter, and I swear to God, if I hear even a cent of your whining-

"God Sara, have I ever disturbed you in your work?" He groaned, upset at how she constantly painted him as an immature man-child. "I won't say anything, I'll just sleep beside you. Or, should I leave? I'll sleep on the couch," Sara felt a pang of guilt for reprimanding him as she noticed the sincerity in his voice. Nervously gulping, she shook her head.

"No, no Shubman. Sleep here, I just have to work, not take calls. I'll lower the brightness of my laptop so the light won't bother you much," she immediately offered.

"You don't need to do anything like that, it'll harm your eyes to read off the screen in darkness and low brightness," he replied, "I'll get in the blanket, and turn over to the other side. I easily sleep, so don't worry," his voice held a soft reassurance and Sara smiled at him, which he reciprocated.

When they smiled at each sincerely, after quite some time, the moon happily announced its presence, peeking in through the blinds.

Sometimes, unwilling partnerships are also forged to avoid the chaos.

A/N: The next few chapters will be about the festival. A quick note, this is not meant to hurt any religious sentiments whatsoever. Sending love to everyone🫶🏻