Mother regarded me thoughtfully before addressing Pratima who hovered attentively near the kitchen doorway. "Pratima dear, would you please fetch some rotis?”.
Pratima bowed low, bangles jangling as she pressed palms together demurely. "Ji haan Priya Ji!" Without another word she spun on her heel and hurried off to the kitchen.
I gazed after Pratima's retreating figure in astonishment before turning back to mother. “Mother, where is father? I haven't seen him since I arrived." Surely he would want to greet me too."
Mother smiled enigmatically as she patted my hand soothingly. "Pritam is here darling, you'll meet him soon enough. For now let's enjoy our dinner in peace.”
I wondered at her cryptic words but said nothing, instead turning back to the feast before us.
Pratima reappeared from the kitchen bearing a tray with 2 golden rotis. She approached the table and bowed low as she set it down in our plates.
Pratima retreated back to the kitchen only to return moments later with another couple of steaming rotis. She retreated several paces and bowed once more.
As I reached to pick up my plate to clear it, mother stopped me. "No no dear, Pratima will take care of that. Finish your dinner first." She gestured towards our silent attendant who hovered attentively nearby.
Mother and I retreated to the plush velvet sofas dominating the cavernous living room as we sipped our chai. The aroma of fragrant spices wafted invitingly from our cups as Pratima bustled about clearing away the dishes with surprising dexterity considering her towering heels.
“Mother, who is this woman? Surely she's not just a maid!" I gazed at mother quizzically, astonished by such elegant attire on mere household staff.
Pratima glided silently across the marble floor, stiletto heels clicking loudly against the stone. She halted before the long dining table laden with dirty dishes and began to clear them away with practiced ease.
The jangling of countless bangles heralded each reaching motion as Pratima gathered up plates and utensils. Anklets tinkled melodically at her every step, occasionally punctuated by the sharp click clack of her sky high stilettos.
Pratima approached us a few moments later, hands clasped demurely before her as she bowed deeply in deference to mother and me. The chimes from her bangles and anklets sounded like church bells heralding her arrival.
Straightening up, Pratima gazed at mother expectantly, awaiting instructions on what task she should perform next.
Mother regarded Pratima thoughtfully for a long moment before nodding towards the gossamer veil that obscured her face. "Pratima dear, you may remove your ghunghat now.”
Pratima bowed deeply once more as she reached up with dainty hands to slowly draw back the sheer fabric draped across her head.
I gazed in astonishment as inch by inch the veil rose to reveal…
As Pratima drew back her ghunghat I beheld a vision of breathtaking beauty. Her large pink bindi, glittering with shimmery design, sat just above a streak of vibrant red sindoor on her forehead. Long glossy hair was swept up in an intricate bun adorned with a fragrant gajra garland. Pratima's earlobes drooped under the weight of enormous diamond and ruby studs that seemed to fill the entire expanse of each ear. More piercings encrusted more precious studs that swayed hypnotically as she moved. A delicate silver chain connected the dangling diamonds and rubies on Pratima's earrings to an equally ornate nosering adorning her left nostril. The nose stud glittered fiercely as it touched her pink lip, tinkling gently as Pratima moved. Pratima's right nostril also held an impressive nosering in the shape of a lotus flower, each petal dripping with glittering diamonds. The gems winked in the light as Pratima gazed demurely downward. A heavy diamond mangalsutra draped across Pratima's chest, the chain links glinting under the chandelier lights. Beneath that glittered a ruby and diamond studded choker encircling her graceful throat.
"Pratima, you may lift your saree.” Mother purred. Pratima bowed once more, to lift her saree.
I gazed down at Pratima's feet as she drew back her saree to reveal a pair of glittering stiletto heels encrusted with some kind of iridescent material. The shoes were at least six inches tall but Pratima wore them with the ease and grace of someone who had been born in such footwear.
Tinkling anklets adorned each slender ankle, the bells jangling melodically as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other.
Pratima's makeup was impeccable - smoky eyeshadow framed by thickly applied kohl liner and darkened brows arched expressively above large doe eyes. A thin line of eyeliner drew attention to the almond shape while mascara coated lashes made them look lush and full.
Pink lipstick, matching her bindi, curved into a perfect Cupid's bow over voluptuous lips glossed to a high sheen. She had a smile perched on her lips, like she was enjoying this show.
I gazed incredulously at Pratima, scarcely believing my eyes. Surely such exquisite adornments were far beyond the means of even our most esteemed servants! Turning to mother in astonishment I sputtered out, “Mother, who is this woman? She can't possibly be a maid - look at all that jewelry!”
Mother gazed at me steadily, her expression unreadable. After a long moment she spoke slowly and clearly.
"Pratima isn't our servant Amita...she's your father Pritam."
Discussion (1)
Very nice story, it will be really exciting to know how Pratima started being Pratima after their kids left