READ PREVIOUS PARTS HERE
PART 1 - MEETING A FEMALE BIKE RIDER
PART 3 - FBR BECOME GIRL FRIEND
NOW STORY CONT....
There Rashmi was introduced to Manish’s parents and sister JYOTI.
JYOTI was almost 10 years younger to Manish and had just turned 18. She was
studying in a local college and was a talented basketball player. JYOTI was
completely smitten by Rashmi and started looking up to her as a role model.
“That JYOTI seems totally bowled over by you. She follows
you around like a puppy. Why I don’t get to spend any time alone with you.” Manish
joked and complained at the sometime.
“Yeah, she is a good kid. In fact I have promised to teach
her how to ride a Bullet.”
“What! That is unfair Rashmi. You never taught me how to
drive!”
Rashmi laughed at this and shooed him away.
The marriage date had been fixed 6 months away. It was to be
held in Rashmi’s parents’ hometown of Lucknow. The 6 months went by in a whirl
of work and preparatory activities. Both were doing well on the professional front.
Rashmi was quickly identified by her organization as a high quality talent to
be groomed for leadership. She was a true workhorse. Around this time, Manish
too received a chance to go on site to the US. But he was clear in his decision
and without any regret let the opportunity go. He was clear his place was by Rashmi’s
side. When he informed her about this, her respect and love for him grew.
The D day approached fast. Soon it was time to head to
Lucknow. Rashmi had a crazy idea of biking it out from Mumbai to Lucknow! Her
parents and Manish managed to make her see some sense. Rashmi agreed when she
realized that this would eat away into their sparse leaves. Finally they left
for Lucknow. Rashmi had mixed feelings as she was leaving her trusted bike behind.
Manish was excitement personified.
Rashmi’s parents lived in a comfortable house in Gomtinagar,
a nice residential district of Lucknow. Her father ran his own small scale
business while her mother was a senior government officer. She was an only child
and clearly the apple of her parents’ eye. They were a happy, simple and
moderately well to do family. Manish and his family put up at a nice guest
house some 3 kms away.
The preparations were on in full swing. During his first
visit to Rashmi’s house he noticed an Activa in the compound. He found its
presence in Rashmi’s house almost comical.
“Rashmi, this Activa looks so out of place here! After
seeing you drive the beast, I just can’t imagine you on this tiny little
thing!”
“That is my dad’s, it’s much easier to ride you know, light
weight and no gears.” She shrugged.
Both families got along like a house on fire. Both their
mothers were especially happy that their old friendship was now being converted
into a relationship. They decided to pay a visit to Rashmi’s grand aunt in
Allahabad and seek her blessings. Rashmi, her parents, Manish and his mom got
into the old family Zen and went on the visit. Manish’s dad and sis stayed
back. Of course, Rashmi drove. The old grand aunt was an exceptional woman.
Although now ill and bed ridden she was very intelligent. She blessed the to-be
couple and after dinner, they set off on their return journey.
The Lucknow-Allahabad highway is a 200 km highway and a road
notorious for bumps and rash drivers. It is also somewhat unsafe. It was
already dark by the time they set off. Manish was in the front passenger seat
while the elders were in the back seat. While Rashmi drove, the rest dozed off.
Their heavy dinner induced slumber was broken by a loud noise.
“What was that?” Rashmi’s father ask
Rashmi brought the car to the curb and tactfully slowed the
car to a halt. “Tire puncture” she said.
“Oh” a collective groan went up.
Manish’s mom became tense. “What do we do now? It’s late and
dark and we are in the middle of the highway. Is it safe here?”
“Don’t worry madam, nothing to fear as long as our Rashmi is
here.” As Rashmi’s dad said this, Manish could see the pride in his eyes.
“Yeah aunty, we have a spare tire, I shall have this fixed
in a jiffy.”
With that, Rashmi stepped out. Manish got out as well, while
the elders remained seated. Rashmi took off her dupatta and slung it around Manish’s
neck. She then rolled up her sleeves, took out the spare tyre and the tool kit
and got to work. Manish stood by watched in admiration as she expertly jacked
the car, took out the old tyre and fixed the new. Occasionally she would pass
some small instruction to Manish such as “pass me the spanner” or “help me move
this tyre”. He was happy to be of help, however small. While she was changing
the tyre, Manish stared at the vision in front of him; of this girl prettily
dressed in a salwar kameez with large earrings down on her knees changing a
tyre in the middle of the highway at night while two men just watched
helplessly. It was a vision of loveliness, he thought.
“Ok I am done”, she said and dusted her hands. Together they
placed the old tyre in the back and she took back her dupatta. They both got
back inside the car. Manish’s mom, who did not know Rashmi very well was amazed
at the nonchalance and efficiency with which Rashmi just changed the tyre. Manish
noticed the look on his mother’s face and told his mom,
“Ma, you have a very capable daughter in law ”
“Yes I can see that.” Then she told Rashmi, “God bless you
beta. My son is truly lucky to have you as his wife.”
“Thank you aunty” said Rashmi.
The rest of the journey was without incident. The next
morning, Manish was chatting with his mom, when he heard honking outside.
Something told him to go out, and there he saw it was Rashmi, on an Enfield! He
rushed out, delighted to see her on the Enfield.
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