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Two Sisters, One Fate
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The sun had barely risen, but already the narrow alley of Suraj Vihar was alive with the echo of morning bells, the aroma of tulsi leaves, and the rhythmic chants of temple prayers rolling out from every courtyard. A breeze swept over rooftops, crossing faded walls and old wooden balconies, brushing past two homes — neighbors in space, but soon to be strangers in destiny.
In one of those homes, Nalina Sharma was standing by the sink, vigorously scrubbing the last traces of haldi from a copper vessel. Her hands moved fast, efficiently — a habit from years of doing more than she was ever asked to. The sound of her mother humming from the adjacent room reached her ears.
"Nalina, don't forget to deliver the stitched blouse to Mrs. Chopra before noon," called out Sumitra, her voice tired but affectionate.
"I know, Ma. I'm not a child," Nalina replied, not unkindly.
Her eyes lifted to the small mirror pinned to the kitchen cupboard. A smudge of yellow still streaked her cheek. She wiped it away and looked into her own gaze — clear, steady, a little tired, but never weak.
Nalina's thoughts:
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live a soft life — with fresh sheets, and servants to cook, and time to rest. But then I remember... I have something rarer. I have freedom. And I'll never give that up, not even for love.
Just five houses away, in a more polished two-story haveli lined with cream stone tiles, Riya Sharma sat cross-legged on her bed, brushing her hair for the third time that morning. Her mirror reflected the image she had carefully cultivated — delicate earrings, neatly draped salwar, a faint bindi — traditional, graceful, every inch of the "good girl" society loved.
Riya's thoughts:
My skin is still a little dull. Maybe I should stop eating junk food. He might notice. He should notice. This time, he has to.
Downstairs, her mother, Kamla Devi, directed the servant boy to polish the silver pooja thali again.
Kamla Devi's thoughts:
"Riya's skin is becoming too dark. That girl Nalina — she always walks in the sun, no sense of propriety. But still so fair, how come Riya's skin is so dull, maybe she should visit a salon," she smiled, "she was born to wear gold and silk, compared to Nalina my Riya should be more beautiful."
Mahesh has already spoken to Ashutosh's mother. The match is practically decided. Once Ashutosh meets Riya, it will all fall into place.
Meanwhile, Raghunath Sharma, Nalina's father, sat in the veranda with a rusted thermos of tea, reading the newspaper, a habit he had developed over years. His glasses slipped down his nose, but his eyes were not on the news, instead he was watching Nalina lost in her thoughts as she washed the dishes.
Raghunath's thoughts:
She doesn't say it, but she dreams big. Nalina... She's meant for more. I can't give her much, but I can make sure she never bows her head.
His wife, Sumitra, peeked out the window, watching her daughter walk down the lane with her dupatta pinned sharply and posture proud.
Sumitra's thoughts:
Proud and never bending, such a strength in her personality. But strength can't shield you from pain. How will she survive marriage in a world that wants women to fold?
By the afternoon, the whole neighborhood buzzed with one sentence:
> " Ashutosh is coming back from Mumbai!"
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Ashutosh — the name was like a magic word in Suraj Vihar.
Tall, educated, working in a multinational firm, with a black Honda City and pictures on Instagram in sunglasses and suits. A rare bachelor gem.
He was Kamla Devi's sister's nephew, and the favorite prospect for Riya — a match made in heaven, as they always said at family weddings.
Raghunath and Mahesh Sharma are brothers, lives separately after their father's death ,with Raghunath being a teacher and Mahesh being a businessman the class difference between their family separates them now, But that was not the case when their father Suraj Sharma was alive, with great love and expectations he has fixed Riya an Nalina's marriage when they were young with his best friend Ram Mehra's family, with Ram's grandsons Avinash and Ashutosh.
As a father Mahesh choose Ashutosh because of his father Anil's well known business, leaving Avinash for Nalina , though Avinash's family wasn't that wealthy, Raghunath believing in his father's decision never objected the rishta, little did they know that Nalina's fate will never let her down.
That evening, Nalina and Riya met at the temple steps as they often did, their dupattas fluttering like flags of forgotten childhood promises.
"You heard?" Riya asked, her voice light, but her proud eyes searching Nalina's face for any expected traces of jealousy.
"Yes. The whole maholla knows that Riya's fiance is arriving tomorrow," Nalina said, teasing Riya , her smiling eyes on the marigold garland strung across the gate. "Seems the whole neighborhood already knows."
"Hey, nothing is fixed yet."Riya added but her proud eyes tell a totally different story.
"I'm wearing my green saree," Riya said casually. "The one he once said looked nice on me."
Nalina turned to her cousin, pausing a second. Then she smiled. "You'll look beautiful, Riya. You always do."
Riya's thoughts:
She says that, but Ashutosh always watches her longer. I saw it. She must be the one seducing him behind my back, but no matter what, her middle class family can't be matched with Ashutosh's family status, she doesn't deserve him.
Nalina's thoughts:
Why is she dressing up for a man she hasn't seen in years? Trying to charm a man just because he is good looking and rich, I hope she doesn't get hurt. He may not even be that great , one can't judge someone's personality that fast.
Far away, as the train pulled into Jodhpur station, Ashutosh Mehra stepped onto the platform, adjusting his leather strap bag on his shoulder.
The dry heat hit him like a slap. But the dust, the scent of fried kachoris in the distance, and the sight of ancient blue walls brought an odd comfort.
Ashutosh's thoughts:
Riya must be the one they've picked for me. Sweet girl. Soft.
He smiled slightly, unaware that his arrival would ignite a chain of events that would turn affection into rivalry, marriage into warfare, and two sisters into adversaries beneath the same sky.
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End of Chapter 1