Chapter 27

The sun was close to rising and the fact that he was even up to witness this signified how he had spent the past hours. There could have been a multitude of reasons, none of them menacing as to why she hadn't responded to his message, but that there had been no answer at all weighed heavily on his mind. Lacing up his trainers Kabir's only hopes were that a good long run would release some of his restless energy as well as allow sufficient time to pass before he went to Rachna's home to see her. He looked at his watch; realizing that most likely he will still be upsetting her family by showing up on their doorstep so early, but he was just unable to wait any longer. 

Next door, Rachna had watched the sunrise and now just waited, periodically looking at her watch. While she had rested a couple of hours, her sleep hadn't been for long. She could only blame her excitement that she no longer felt the need to rest, so after unsuccessfully lying down in hopes of falling back to sleep, she finally got out of bed, bathed and dressed. And now she waited for the earliest possible time that she could leave the house with the minimum amount of bother from anyone. It was imperative that she go as soon as possible. Her stomach grumbled in protest of her lack of food, but she was reluctant to go downstairs to get anything lest she asked to help out in the kitchen. Yes, she was being totally selfish, but nothing would distract her from what she had to do this morning. "Oh God," she muttered putting her hand to her face, "Why is this wait so long?"  When she felt the hand on her head, she automatically looked up at her visitor.

"Mausii ji is coming to breakfast soon," her mother said and then nodded towards the tray she had carried in, "As soon as you finish your breakfast you may go, but you are to return with her Thik Hai?"

Rachna jumped up to hug her mother, "Thank you Mummy." 

"After yesterday, you would think I have no tears left, but apparently I still do. I'm just so disappointed that he isn't here.  Daadi your Nanhe is an idiot!"

"Accha, so he's all mine now is he, hmm? Rachna, be nice, it is quite early, how could he have known that you would have shown up so early."

"Exactly my point, Daadi, it's too early, therefore he should still be at home waiting for me." She looked at her watch, and now I have even less time before I have to go back home so I've just wasted my time. So yes he's an idiot." 

An idiot who had arrived home, Daadi realized looking over at the doorway. About to announce his arrival she stopped at the shaking of his head with one finger to his lips, and then pointing at his watch. He motioned grandmother to keep talking.

"Beta, well considering time is an issue, why don't we just talk.  Can you tell me what happened then? I must confess I was near when that young man arrived yesterday, and upset you and Nanhe."

"Oh Daadi, I was so angry, I really thought that Shekhar had betrayed me and had gone back on his word; I mean why else would he and his family just show up at my home?"

"But that didn't happen?"

"Nay Daadi, I was there all ready to put up a fight, and it ended up being totally unnecessary." She laughed then, "Apparently, I am not as desirable as some people would have me believe. Shekhar had made it known to his father of his feelings for someone else, and the alliance got cancelled, I was so happy."

"So why the tears then, Beta"

"Oh who knows Daadi, I was just so relieved, I just started. I'm sure Papa was certain I was shattered over my engagement being cancelled, and he told me to rest. Then I'm sure that Gunjan thought I was having a nervous breakdown, since I just couldn't stop crying. The next thing I knew it was midnight and then Papa discovered the truth about KT and me."

" But how, Beta?"

"I had sent KT a text message before going down to the kitchen for something, I was so hungry, and found Papa awake as well. I figured that it would be a good time to talk anyway, but before I could tell him myself, KT had texted me back, asking me if I was okay and Papa saw the message before I did."

She took out her mobile and showed Daadi the message in question.

 

Daadi looked over at the doorway, before responding, "Rachna, is this a problem for your father?"

"Daadi  that's neither here nor there right now, I've explained my feelings to my father, and yes he was shocked, but nothing will sway me from KT, I love him too much to give him up." She hesitated to wipe her face, "But is he even here to know this and appreciate my efforts, no!"

"So you didn't respond to let Nanhe know the status of things?"

"Nay Daadi, how could I trust something so important to a text message how could I type about forever? And now everything's just a waste, since he decided to go out so early this morning!" She thrust her hands towards Daadi, "I  stayed up to do this just for him, Daadi; I wanted it to be one the first things he saw this morning, so he would understand."

Daadi examined the henna designs and smiled at Rachna, "Tell me Beta, what would he have known by looking at this?"

"He would have known it was my story; and hopefully he would have realized it was actually the story of us."

Now it was Daadi's turn to wipe away her own tears. She glanced at the doorway and then back to Rachna who was looking so forlorn. She smiled and gently caressed her hair, "Ji Beta, he is an absolute idiot for going out jogging this morning, but I'm sure he will make up not being here when you first arrived ten-fold if not more. Nanhe realizes that he is truly blessed to have you in his life, and I'm here to remind him should he ever forget. Let's get going now okay?"

 Leaving Rachna waiting outside, Daadi went back in to retrieve her mobile, which she had purposefully left on the coffee table. She found her Nanhe, waiting there with it in his hand ready to give to her. Quietly she asked him, "Why did you not want her to know you were back, Nanhe?"

"There wouldn't have been enough time, I wouldn't have let her go back right away, and that would have just caused problems wouldn't it?"

His grandmother nodded her head in agreement." Well at least you are honest. Did you get all the answers you needed then?"

"Ji Daadi, thank you."

"Well, I hope your schedule is flexible today; if not you may as well cancel anything you have planned. I'm sure you will be meeting with your future in-laws before the end of the day." She took the phone and placed it in her purse and looked at him with a frown, "And Nanhe this will be the first and last time that I will tend to my bahu's tears over you, whether they are irrational or not! I will not spare you if you do not make this up to her and erase the unhappiness of this morning from her memory, you foolish boy!"  

"Ji Daadi, rest assured I will, why don't you go enjoy your breakfast?"

"Ah yes, the defense of my idiot grandson; think of that as you make your plans of apology Nanhe." 

"Mausii ji you can understand that.."

"Dayal, you know that I love my grandson, and that more than likely I would favor him in all cases. I can tell you how being in love has changed him; how he's become a better person since loving your daughter and no matter the truth of these statements, I would expect that you would naturally think that I would do anything  and say anything  for him. And you would be right, so I want to tell you about what I've seen from another angle."

She beamed at Rachna's parents before continuing.

"Rachna is truly a gem, she is a caring virtuous young woman and I know that this is a result of her upbringing. She values family and relations, sees the good in people without being nave and genuinely cares about those around her. That she has chosen Nanhe to love, should tell you need to know about my grandson, unless you distrust the values you yourself have instilled in her. Their age gap is a concern, but from what I have seen it makes them perfect for each other. I've seen the joy she has brought to Nanhe due to her youth, and I'm selfish enough to say for that alone I want her for Nanhe, but I've also seen his care for her. He's so very protective of her. He will do anything for her,and he has already. Dayal I have lived with his heartbreak when he let her go, thinking it was the best thing for her, and I know that he would do it again if you deny their relationship. All I ask is that you consider what I've said before you make a decision. Trust your daughter's choice of a life partner; I know for certain that Nanhe has made the perfect choice in his." 

"Mausii, let me walk you home, if he can spare the time, I would like to have a quick word with Nanhe."

crtkelly2014-09-14 15:00:38