Ishani was happy that people in Singoor had a newfound hope with the peace treaties. She knew there would be more contracts signed in the coming days with the rest of the clans as well. Shivay had told her the previous night that she would have to join him next week for another round of clan meetings.
Ishani recalled how stern and cold he had sounded then despite her being in his arms after a passionate bout of lovemaking.
When is he going to soften towards me?
“I’ll be in the accounting room if you need me,” she announced to the kitchen staff.
“Sure, madam.”
Letting out a small sigh, she stepped out of the kitchen to go towards the accounting room. As she passed by the huge courtyard in the middle of the mansion, sunlight fell over her. She smiled, enjoying the feeling of the brightness without her veil.
Ever since she had returned from the hotel stay in the city, she hadn’t worn her veil. It was a decision she made for herself and in honor of her father-in-law who propagated participation of women in the workforce in Thakvar province.
The Thakvar household was surprised to see her without a veil, but none of the men stared and held their eyes down in respect when she passed by.
With a smile, she stepped into the accounting room to see if there were any pending reconciliations. Just as she turned on the computer, the phone next to her began ringing. She answered it thinking it would be for her father-in-law and she would need to let the person know he was away on a two-month trip.
“I would like to speak with Ishani… Thakvar,” a man’s voice said.
Ishani was taken aback. “Yes, I am Ishani. Who is this?”
“Ishani, this is Kedar.”
Ishani was surprised. Kedar was Kailash Kayastha’s son.
“Hello, Mr. Kedar. How are you? I hope guruji is doing well.”
“Yes, my father is fine.”
Ishani felt relieved. Kailash Kayastha was eighty years old, but he maintained a disciplined lifestyle. She hoped he would continue to be healthy and live much longer.
“Ishani, I’m calling regarding the Goddess Shakti’s statue.”
Ishani was stunned. Her heart began thumping with hope and excitement.
“Oh. Did guriji remember the details?”
“Yes. Baba described the statue in detail and I have made a sketch out of it.”
Kedar Kayastha was a popular artist. She had seen his beautiful work and the attention to details he had in his work was very commendable.
“That’s wonderful!” she said in happiness. “I will come to the city right away to get the sketch.”
She would have to inform Mr. Bahadur and Malathi to have transport ready.
“I can send the picture to a mobile phone or email too,” Kedar Kayastha said. “I often send early sketches to my clients before delivering the copies to them.”
Ishani didn’t have a mobile phone. No one in the household did because there were no provisions for mobile phones. Only Shivay Thakvar had a mobile phone that worked even without a mobile tower. She had seen her brother using a mobile phone as well.
Her heart thudded at the thought of asking Shivay for his phone.
“Can you email me the sketch?” She had only recently learned to create an email address for ordering books and subscribing to academic material on the internet.
“Yes, I can.”
Ishani hurriedly gave her email address.
“I’ll send it right away, Ishani.”