Chapter 46

Chapter 43-Gurleen

Her heart was still beating wildly as she entered the hall.The peck on his cheek had been an impulsive move on her part and she wondered if she had offended him in any way.The appearance of daarji and her mother snapped her out of her reverie as they started introducing her to their numerous partners.Bebe took one look at her hair and tutted.

"I thought I tied it tightly.I can't believe it's slipped off already."

"Jabjyot,perhaps you should ask your son."Daarji said,a mischievous glint in his eye.

Gurleen looked at him scandalized.

"Puttar, don't look so surprised.I've been romancing your bebe for the past thirty nine years,of course I know all the tricks in the book and much more."

Bebe just blushed and muttered something about being inappropriate.Gurleen felt very disoriented.Nothing seemed real to her,it was as if she was experiencing a fever dream.The Brars contrasting personalities put her on an edge ;daarji and bebe seemed nice while her sister in laws were out for her blood.How on earth was she supposed to manage all this on her own?

She couldn't properly rely on anyone here if she were to go by Jaspal Ji's words.While he had insisted on being by her side ,a part of her still feared his abandonment.Her own family had no desire to remain in Ludhiana and Alka ji,the closest thing she had to a mentor on the board was virtually a stranger.She felt the walls close in on her,as if finally prepared to engulf her in a darkness from which there was no escape.

Her eyes burned as she tried holding back her tears.Never had she felt so helpless in her life.

"Gurleen, what's wrong?"It was her Parjaai.

The older woman pulled her to an isolated corner to talk.

"What's going on? Don't lie to me."she pleaded.

Gurleen sniffled.

"I regret involving myself in this.I wish I had never agreed to this wedding.I have messed up everything for mummy,veerji ,you and now Jaspal ji."

"Gurleen,look at me and listen to me carefully,"her Parjaai sounded fierce.

"You have nothing to regret.No one has any right to make you feel guilty for your actions especially when you didn't do anything morally questionable.I'm proud of you if I were to be honest .The world tries to suppress its women behind a veil of respect and veneer.I,Manveer and the others,we didn't try fighting our fates for the desire of a respectable life,we just gave up and ended up feeling bitter towards the end.But look at Alka ji.She got a divorce after twenty years of an unhappy marriage.And look at her now?Her reputation might be ruined but she's the happiest of the entire lot.

Why do you think mummy retained her on the board despite the protests of the other members to fire her? She's a powerful woman with a strong moral compass.No one can ever talk her down.No matter how much mud the world slings at her,she walks with her head held high.

I'd rather you be an Alka over a thousand Pammis and Manveers.No matter what anyone tells you, this is your empire which you're perfectly capable of ruling.I've known you for over ten years now , do you think I would have let you jump into this if I thought you didn't have the capability.Moreover, Akaal Singh Brar is no fool to back you this way.You have a spark that can cause an inferno whether you realise it or not.

Let no one else convince you otherwise.While I don't know about mummy and Amrit, you're more than enough for me.As much as I wish to cocoon you and protect you for the rest of your life, it's time for you to leave the nest.And I have my own path to traverse.I'll be leaving for Amritsar tonight, once the ceremony is over.While I don't know what the future holds ,just remember that whenever you need me, I'll always be there for you."

Gurleen simply hugged her.

"Parjaai,I don't think words could express my gratitude for all that you've done or how much I love you.But I'm really happy for you.I just hope you find your peace.I'm sorry for not trying to understand your feelings."

"Gurleen,you can't apologise for the way you feel.Honestly,I wish I had handled it better.But let's leave it in the past.I want you to call me everyday and update me about every single thing.And one more thing,I have no idea what's cooking between you and Mr.Prim and Proper ,but I want you to be careful.If the two of you do end up in a serious relationship,never underestimate your own value.Both of you should be putting an equal amount of work into it.

If anything goes away,I want you to walk out of that household.I don't care about the Brar rule of not divorcing."

"He's already offered me divorce whenever I want it.",she supplied.

Her Parjaai shook her head in confusion and exasperation.

"He'll probably be the first person to sweep a girl of her feet by offering her a divorce.",she muttered.

Gurleen started laughing.

Mummy had ascended the stage and started speaking.Soon she'd have to join her and present her own speech.For the first time that night,she felt at ease.Amrit veerji siddled up to her side and squeezed her hand while her parjaii gave her a side hug.The future would no doubt be difficult,but she knew she would pull through.After all,she was Gurleen Kaur Babbar soon to be Brar , wasn't she?