Chapter 32

Chapter 28-Gurleen

She bowed her head in prayer once the kirtan ended.

Babaji meher kare.Please forgive me for my sins.Give me the strength to overcome the adversities awaiting me.Please give me the strength to do the right thing.I don't want to ruin anyone's lives.

She bowed to touch her forehead to the floor and rose .Thanking the granthi for letting her borrow the harmonium she went to the kitchen where she found him,standing uncertainly near the basket of rotis.She carried the basket to the hall where everyone was seated for the langar.He wordlessly started distributing the rotis to the patrons.They silently worked in tandem, barely exchanging a glance.

Two hours later,they were done.

"Gurleen ji,can we please talk?"

She fidgeted nervously before nodding slightly.He led her to the sarowar where they had first met.The memory brought a slight smile to her lips.They made themselves comfortable on the stairs and watched the sun glisten in the still water below.

"You played beautifully today."

She bowed her head in gratitude .

The silence was comforting , occasionally broken by the chirp of a bird in the tree beside them.

"Gurleen ji ,I'm sorry about what we did,both my father and I.It was very unethical of us to attempt the blackmail.And whatever happened after that,I have no right to hold it against you.We had it coming for us."

"Jaspal ji,I don't know what to say.This is not something which can be fixed with a simple apology.It's a matter of broken trust here.I know that whatever we have is not romantic what so ever.But please understand that this marriage means we do share something whether we like it or not.I will be living under your roof and will essentially be at the mercy of your household. And I need a safe space of my own.I can't always be looking behind my shoulder twenty four seven. I'll go half mad and never know peace."

"Are you saying we should be friends?"

"Friends is too strong a word.I would suggest acquaintances who don't double cross each other.I'm not asking you to love me and prioritize me over your family.You don't even have to talk to me about your personal feelings.I just want to be in the loop when there are things concerning me.I will stay out of your way."

He looked stupefied.

She continued,

"If this is impossible,just say the word and we can break this engagement.I will find a way to deal with the aftermath amicably without any harm to either of our families' reputation .

"NO! I mean, it's not necessary,unless of course you're desperate to break it off.Your request is quite reasonable .I will adhere to it.Similarly,I would also request the same of you."

She nodded.

"Gurleen ji,I just want you to remember one thing.I know that the Brars don't divorce but if you ever find this marriage suffocating,please let me know.I will help you get a divorce if that's what you want .This is something I promise and you may hold me on to it.I won't budge from my stance ."

"Even if it's Daarji?"she asked in jest.To her shock his reply was serious enough.

"Even daarji."

She was taken aback.As far she had known him, Jaspal Singh Brar was a man who valued his Daarji's opinion highly and respected it to a tee.Yet here he was, talking about divorce and what not.He edged closer towards her as a cold wind started to blow.

"Gurleen ji, aren't you going to apologise?",he asked her.

She winced as she recollected the incidence at the Brar office the previous week.It hadn't been one of the greatest moments.Her anger had propelled her into doing something distasteful.

"Jaspal ji,I don't regret what I did.At that point our business ,mummy and veerji were at stake.I had to save them.Moreover,how can I forget what your daarji did?First with veerji, then with mummy and finally me.I really don't appreciate people trying to manipulate me."

He looked at her quizzically .

"Your veerji?"

"Daarji was the one who sent me to the storeroom where I discovered his affair."

"Oh! That is actually awful.I would like to apologise on his behalf but I know it's pointless so let's leave it at that.But Gurleen ji it was not right to drag Angad and Parjaai into this mess"

"I know and that is something I wish to apologise for and it's also something I regret deeply.But rest assured and please don't tell daarji this,I wasn't going to follow up on that ,it was an empty threat."

"I understand but once again,this is not something which can be fixed with an apology is it?Not to mention,you did take away our company.Daarji isn't the only one affected.A number of our employees will have to be sacked as a result of this merger."

She bowed her head as he continued.

"I believe we both have a long way to go to earn each other's forgiveness.But I believe our relationship can be cordial as we work towards it.What do you say Gurleen ji?

"You might as well call me Gurleen.We're about to get married ."

He raised an eyebrow,

"Will you call me Jaspal then?"

"Heavens no.That sounds really awkward.I'd die of embarassment."

"I am so flattered now.",he commented wryly.

She blushed hard.

"It's got nothing to do with you."

"Manveer parjaai always calls Inder paaji by his name.No one minds it.Unless you're old fashioned enough to believe that it will shorten my lifespan.

Imagine,the great Gurleen Babbar being the perfect sati Savitri. "

She swatted at him as he burst into laughter .

"It's not funny . It's just awkward.Stop laughing."

He stopped for a second and looked at her with a serious expression.

"How will you address me at home?What if you need to call me for something?"

"I'll call you Ranjha."

He stared at her for a whole minute, looking absolutely horrified.

"Please don't do that Gurleen.I have a reputation to maintain.Jassi di and veerji will never let me hear the end of it and Bebe.....oh God she'll tell everyone and I'll have to change my name and move continents."

Gurleen decided to pull his leg a little .

"Is it that horrible being addressed as Ranjha?Or is it because this Ranjha has already found his Heer?"

He frowned at her in annoyance.She decided to continue.

"I would like to meet this Heer of yours .I wonder

if she knows about our engagement...."

SPLASH!!!!