The Baby Shower<\/p>\n\n\n\n
______________________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Baby Shower ______________________________________________________ Ruma felt restless. It was already 1 in the afternoon and there were still things to do before the lady of the event showed up. This event was the result of a secret plan between her and three of her close friends- Shila, Lota, and Jeba.\u00a0 The four of them along […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-580","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shabbeedurshuja.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/580"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shabbeedurshuja.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shabbeedurshuja.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shabbeedurshuja.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shabbeedurshuja.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=580"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/shabbeedurshuja.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/580\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":582,"href":"https:\/\/shabbeedurshuja.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/580\/revisions\/582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shabbeedurshuja.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=580"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Ruma felt restless. It was already 1 in the afternoon and there were still things to do before the lady of the event showed up. This event was the result of a secret plan between her and three of her close friends- Shila, Lota, and Jeba.\u00a0 The four of them along with Mita \u2013 whose baby shower they had planned, had been friends since they came to Canada, about twenty years ago. They even had a private Viber group with a cheezy name \u2013Friends in Life and Death<\/em>.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aged between 40 to 45, they all had two to three kids; some of them even attended University. Mita was the youngest at 40 and a mother of two daughters in their teens. Babies were not something that any of them lately talked much about.\u00a0 Mita\u2019s pregnancy came as a total surprise.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cChill, honey, chill!\u201d Shila teased Ruma from the other end of the family room where she had been taping some decorative wall panels that she bought from a party store.
She surely wasn\u2019t doing a great job as the panels looked a bit slanted but Ruma didn\u2019t want to point it out. As long as they were on the wall, she was happy.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t have much time,\u201d Ruma said worriedly. \u201cMita might show up any time.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t you ask her to come around 2?\u201d Lota said from the other end of the room. She was working on taping a bunch of supersized paper letters on the wall that said \u2018Happy Baby Shower to Mita\u2019<\/em>.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jeba was placing helium balloons around the room. \u201cWe all know how she is,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s no telling if she would come an hour later or an hour earlier.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat did you tell Mita?\u201d Lota asked. \u201cDidn\u2019t she get suspicious?\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI told her I made some tamarind chutney,\u201d Ruma smilingly said. \u201cYou know how much of a sucker she is for anything sour. Especially now.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTrue!\u201d Shilla chuckled. \u201cShe can probably gobble up a whole bucket of it. Anyway, I need some help here.\u00a0 Where did the two girls go? Daisy! Zinnia!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Daisy was her daughter, Zinnia Ruma\u2019s\u2013both twelve. They had taken refuge in Zinnia\u2019s room and so far ignored any calls to help.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAccording to them it is our friend\u2019s baby shower,\u201d Ruma said, \u201cso we should be doing all the work.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lota chuckled. \u201cThese kids are so lazy. They would say anything to avoid work.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI am just happy that my kids are a bit grown up, lazy or not,\u201d Shila said with a sigh of relief. \u201cI just couldn\u2019t take the early years. The diaper changes, force-feeding, constant observation, keeping them entertained\u2026aargh!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lota giggled. \u201cDon\u2019t say all this in front of Mita. She would get upset.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t figure out why she went for another one at this age,\u201d Shila whined. \u201cShe already has two.\u201d\u00a0
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, we all drool over those cute little things!\u201dRuma said. \u201cWho can blame her?
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lota took out her cell phone and started to film the decorations around the room. \u00a0\u201cLooks nice! Shila, your ones look a bit slanted.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shila scowled at her. \u201cWho cares? Do I look like a professional interior decorator to you?\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lota chuckled. \u201cJust pointing it out. I am no good at it either. Hey, did you guys see the fruit platter I brought?\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cThat looks great!\u201d Ruma exclaimed. \u201cThe baby bassinet you made from watermelon, mashallah!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCheater!\u201d Shila scoffed. \u201cShe just copies them from YouTube.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cEverybody does,\u201d Lota protested. \u201cYou tried that too. The stroller you made from Cantaloup looked like a toilet bowl!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shila mockingly came at her with a fisted hand. \u201cYou want me to hit you? Say that again and I\u2019ll put a toilet bowl on your head.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ruma and Jeba broke into laughter.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lota playfully retreated. \u201cYou are on camera! Okay, I am heading toward the dining room. Let me film all the food before the pig shows up and gobbles everything up!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They laughed hard. As they walked out of the family room Jeba said, \u201cDid you see how she was gorging at the party in my house last weekend? Unbelievable!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The short corridor leading to the dining room was decorated with colorful paper crafts. \u201cEverybody noticed!\u201d Lota said as she filmed both sides of the corridor.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cIf she keeps on like that she\u2019ll soon become an elephant!\u201d Ruma said.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHaving a child at 40 can be stressful,\u201d Shila said. \u201cMaybe she is gorging to relieve the stress. However, gaining too much can complicate childbirth. The problem is she is so sensitive about everything now! I just hinted at cutting back a little at Jeba\u2019s party and she got so mad at me.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know!\u201d Jeba said. \u201cShe was screaming at you!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe was! Did I say anything wrong? During pregnancy, appetite grows. We all have gone through that. But she was already a fatso. Shouldn\u2019t she have some control?\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cIf she had any control she wouldn\u2019t be a fatso,\u201d Lota laughingly said. \u201cShe is becoming gigantic now. I don\u2019t think I can put my arms around her anymore.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGirls, watch what you say in front of her,\u201d Ruma warned. \u201cI was with her on the phone yesterday. She ain\u2019t very happy with any of us. She was whining about how we don\u2019t talk to her as often or visit her regularly. She is doubting our friendship, can you believe that?\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cReally? She said all that?\u201d Jeba looked shocked.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd a lot more. I promised not to share all of that. But in her current state, little things look bigger. I wouldn\u2019t worry about that. \u201c
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cShe is right about me,\u201d Lota guiltily said. \u201cI work long hours at the Bay. When I come home I don\u2019t have the energy to talk to anybody. \u00a0But Shila, why don\u2019t you talk to her more often? You don\u2019t even work.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust because I don\u2019t work doesn\u2019t mean I am not busy,\u201d Shila snapped. \u201cYou know I have a big extended family. There\u2019s always something happening.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cWe all are busy, this way or that way,\u201d Ruma said. \u201cShe knows that. Nobody asked her to get pregnant. We are all out of that phase of our lives and now here she comes, expecting all of us to roll over.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cExactly!\u201d Shila echoed. \u201cI got my own problems with growing kids. I don\u2019t have patience for a sappy pregnant hippo!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cWait till I tell her that you called her a hippo,\u201d Lota jokingly said.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shila charged at her. \u201cWait till I hit you, giggly moron!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lota laughed and ran into the dining room where she found a small crowd gathered around the large dining table jammed with varieties of traditional South Asian cuisine for baby showers. The crowd primarily consisted of common friends who arrived early for the surprise party. Among a handful of elderly women was Asma\u2013Jeba\u2019s mother. A widow for fifteen years she lived with her daughter\u2019s family and was well-known for her expertise in making pitha<\/em>s. She brought a large platter packed with half a dozen different kinds of pitha<\/em>s. After filming them generously Lota turned her camera on Asma.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAunty, tell us how did you learn to make such amazing pitha<\/em>s? \u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asma smiled. \u201cMy mom had a special reputation for making pitha<\/em>. \u00a0Whatever I know I learned from her. I tried to teach Jeba but she is not into these things.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe can make mashed potato!\u201d Lota joked and set the camera on Jeba who had followed her along with Shilla and Ruma.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s my specialty!\u201d Jeba said with mock pride.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There was another large platter placed at the center of the table. Lota pointed her camera at this one next. This tray was neatly arranged with traditional spicy vorta<\/em>s\u2013from mashed potato to mashed fire-burned eggplant,\u00a0 mashed boiled lintel to mashed cooked shrimps, and at least half a dozen others in that category. These spicy items are supposed to quench any expectant mother\u2019s appetite.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asma chuckled. \u201cBig deal! You can barely cook!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That brought out a burst of laughter from the crowd.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A middle-aged woman said, \u201cAfter one or two generations in this country our pitha tradition may just die.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI hope not,\u201d Asma said. \u201cWhat else is here as good as our pitha? Just wait to see how Mita gobbles them up. She loves them, especially the one made of lintel and pure ghee!\u201c
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAunty, have you noticed how voraciously Mita has been eating since she got pregnant,\u201d Shila said. \u201cNow that you made all these calorie bombs for her, she\u2019d double up in no time.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asma protested over a lingering giggle in the crowd, \u201cIt happens during pregnancy. After childbirth, she would take it off.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI doubt,\u201d Shila said. \u201cShe is so extreme! Be honest with me, Aunty, do you think she should have gone for another baby at this age?\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cA lot of women nowadays have babies at this age,\u201d Asma said.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cNot when they already have two teenage kids,\u201d Lota pointed out\u00a0
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cI just don\u2019t think this was a good idea,\u201d Shila said. \u201cI don\u2019t even have patience for my fourteen-year-old. Dealing with a baby? What happens when she wakes up in the middle of the night howling? The non-stop diaper changes, the feedings, the nagging crying \u2013 I surely can\u2019t go through that anymore. I hope she can.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe can be here anytime,\u201d Ruma said. \u201cPlease don\u2019t say anything in front of her. She is already stressed. If she hears any of this she\u2019ll go bonkers.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cShe doesn\u2019t need us to go bonkers,\u201d Shila said. \u201cAnyway, let\u2019s go to the living room and make sure everything is all set. Let\u2019s go, camera girl!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the spacious living room, all the furniture had been moved to clear the center where an embroidered rectangular thick sheet was laid on the cushiony carpet with several pillows arranged in the middle creating a nice seating area for the expectant mother. All the gifts that the guests brought for Mita were put in one corner of the room, to be opened at the end of the party.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ruma left her friends in the living room and walked around the house one more time to make sure everything was in order. All decorations were completed and the food was ready. She cooked mutton biriyani\u2013Mita\u2019s favorite. Now all that was needed was Mita\u2019s royal ass to show up. She stopped the urge to call Mita to get an ETA fearing that might give away the surprise.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 About five minutes later Zinia burst out of her room followed by Daisy, both looking pretty excited.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe is here!\u201d Zinnia screamed excitedly. \u201c She is here! Mom!\u201d
On further questioning, they revealed that they had just seen Mita\u2019s car being driven into the neighborhood. From her room, Zinia had a clear view of the road.\u00a0
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That instantly got everybody’s attention. Ruma had a glance outside to make sure that it was indeed Mita\u2019s car. Once confirmed she quickly stepped back from the window and called everybody to line up next to the foyer. The idea was to give Mita a loud \u2018Surprise!\u2019 as soon as she stepped inside the house.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The kids led the pack with Ruma and her friends standing next followed by everybody else, in total about a dozen and a half people. Lota was all set to film with her cellphone camera focused on the door.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWatch what you say in front of her!\u201d Ruma warned her friends once more. \u201cEspecially you Shila. Don\u2019t make her mad.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cDrama queen!\u201d Shilla rolled her eyes.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Minutes passed by but when there was no sign of Mita, Zinnia impatiently said, \u201cLet me take a peek. Why is she taking so long?\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ruma was getting impatient too. She didn\u2019t object. Zinnia opened up the blind just a tiny bit to get a glimpse outside. She looked a bit confused as she stayed longer than expected at the window.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat is going on?\u201d Ruma asked.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMom! She is driving away!\u201d Zinnia said with utter astonishment.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That caused a commotion as everybody sped to the nearby windows to get a glimpse of the departing car. Ruma saw the back of the car and readily knew it was Mita\u2019s car. What just happened? \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She looked at her three friends.
\u201cMaybe she left something at home and went to get it,\u201d Lota suggested.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLike what?\u201d Jeba said. \u201cRuma, call her up.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ruma hesitated for a moment but eventually decided to make the call. Too much effort had been put into this program and she wasn\u2019t about to let it all go in vain. She tried several times but got the voice mail every time.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEither her phone is on mute or she is not picking it up,\u201d she said in frustration.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe just spoke to you a few hours ago,\u201d Shila scoffed. \u201cHer phone is fine. She is just going through another episode. Bipolar!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They looked at each other and decided to wait, hoping Mita just might come back after taking care of whatever caused her to leave. When an hour went by and Mita neither returned nor called,\u00a0 they knew something very serious must have happened.
\u201cLet\u2019s go, find her,\u201d Ruma sounded desperate as she tried to figure out what to do.
\u201cWhere should we look for her?\u201d Lota asked.
\u201cLet\u2019s start from her home,\u201d Jeba said.
\u201cYeah, the palace should be the first place to look for the queen,\u201d Shilla bitterly said. \u201cWe did all this for nothing.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When they were about to start, Ruma\u2019s phone beeped. A text message. As she read the message Ruma\u2019s eyes went from curious to confused.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it? Is it her?\u201d Shila asked.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ruma nodded. \u201cShe just wrote \u2013 Check Viber.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She navigated to Viber and accessed their group. Seconds later her face pale and grave she gave away a mild scream, \u201cLota!\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Lota nervously said. \u201cWhat did I do?\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat did you do?\u201d Ruma snapped. \u201cYou moron! Look what you did.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In the next few moments, it became crystal clear to everyone what had happened. Lota had posted the video she had taken just a little while ago inside the house in their Viber group. As Ruma played the clip they realized it captured everything that they said about Mita. \u00a0
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lota turned white.\u00a0 \u201cOh my God! I wanted to send it to my work friends. I picked the wrong group. What should we do now?\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cWe?\u201d Shila fumed. \u201cSay what should you do now? I want to put red ants on your body and watch you squirm and scream as they bite your little ass.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lota nervously giggled. \u201cIf that helps go for it.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat should we do?\u201d Jeba asked Ruma. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ruma sighed. There was only one thing to do. \u201cLet\u2019s grab the pitha<\/em> and vorta<\/em> platters and go to her house. Just four of us. The rest can party here.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe is going to kill us!\u201d Lota mumbled.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot before I choke you to death!\u201d Shila charged at Lota. Jeba and Ruma held her back.
Lota giggled. \u201cI am dead, either way!\u201d<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"