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Some would argue that Nandu was still there and when his marriage would happen, years from now the Haveli once again would be decorated as such but the Singhs knew better. They knew that though Nandu was the son of the house and that he would bring in joy and happiness with his marriage, the treasure they are departing with now will always be above every joy and happiness they receive.
Even the walls knew that. Perhaps that is why they hid their sorrow by glowing even more than usual. As a man who laughs and makes other laugh while his heart is bleeding inside.
Sumitra, Gehna and Sugna were adorning Anandi in her Mehendi Ghaghra. She was looking exceptionally gorgeous. Her eyes twinkled at the very thought of being with Shiv in few hours.
She missed his husky voice calling her name. The very thought of it made her blush.
Gehna and Sumitra shared a meaningful smile between each other.
'Himmat mat haar Anandi' said Gehna desperately looking at the shattered Anandi in front of her
'Masa, Bhaisa, Didi!!' She shouted
'Anandi hum thumharay saath hai na' said Basant looking at the distraught girl whose hopes of life had just went to dust.
'Phone laga basant us choray ko...' came the tailing voice of Masa...
Gehna was immediately brought back into the present. Her eyes kindly looking at the reflection of smiling Anandi through the mirror. A tear trickled down her cheeks.
Sumitra who knew exactly what was happening with Gehna came closer to her and then gently squeezed her hands.
Chalo Anandi.. Neechay chalthay hain. Mehendi ki rasm bhi shuru honay wali hai said Sumitra
Anandi is made to come down the stairs with Sumitra and Gehna by her side. Sughna just tailing behind her.
They make Anandi sit on the decorated short stool. Everyone surrounds her and starts praising her beauty.
'Humari sarpanch bitiya ko kisi ki buri nazar na lage. Kithni pyari lag rahi hai aaj' said one of the village lady
'Han ismay koi shaq hai. Mari Anandi tho karoodon main ek hai' said Dadisa proudly
'waise maari beendaniyon ki bhi koi misaal na hai. Kithna acha sajaya hai mari chidakali ko aaj' she said looking proudly at Sumitra and Gehna.
Just then Anandi sees Sanchi enter through the haveli doors. Dadisa, Sumitra and Gehna looked at her with a shocked expression.
'aao sanchi beta. Ke hua. Sabh kuch teekh hai na' asked dadisa with worry sketched accross her face.
'Ji Dadiji aisi koi baat nahi hai.
voh main '.Anandi bhabhi sey milnay aayi thi' said Sanchi
With the word Bhabi attached behind her name Anandi looked at Sanchi with a sense of gratitude. A smile appeared on her face.
Sanchi looked at Anandi. She did not have a smile on her face but it did not shout anger as well.
She slowly approached her bhabi and kneeled down in front of her.
After gazing in her eyes for about two seconds she gently took Anandi's right hand with her left hand and took the mehendi cone with her right.
On the right bottom corner she wrote
'Shiv'
Then slowly she looked at her bhabi's face and saw her brilliant smile.
There were no apologies needed no explanations needed.
'Bhaiyya nay kaha hai ki jahan maine naam likha hai wahan per thodi jagah khali chodiye' She whispered.
Everyone around them were watching the silent Nanand-Bhabi conversation.
'Lo Anandi aaj thari nanand nay bhi mehendi lagadi. Zara dekhun ki kya kiya hai' asked one of the ladies.
Anandi's cheek flushed red when she heard short giggle of the women around her.
'apnay bhai ka sandesh le ker aayi hai' said one of the women
Anandi heard laughter around her but she did not look up.
The mehandi designer took over and started to put mehendi on Anandi. As she approached the area around Shiv's name Anandi gently held her hand.
'Yahan thodi jagah chod dijiye' she said sweetly
Anandi then looked at Sanchi who gave her an assuring smile. She then took leave of her bhabi and left to be with her brother.
'Sanchi...shhh idhar aa' called mahi
Sanchi sneaked up to her brother
'kam ho gaya?' he asked with a twinkle in his eye
'han ..lekin bhaiyyah , shiv bhaiyyah nay ye kiyun kahan ki thodi jagah chod do. Mujhe kuch samaj nahi aya' she said
'Thumhay issey kya? acha listen.'
shhh...
said mahi again as he saw his mother go past him
'Sanchi thum yahan ho. Shiv kab sey dund raha hai thumhay' she said hurriedly
'Mom aathi hai... ek min please mujhe kuch kaam hai' said Mahi making an excuse for Sanchi to stay
As soon as the area was clear mahi lowered his voice
'aaj raat ko main shiv bhaiiyah ko haveli le ker janay wala hun' said Mahi
'Wha!'
SHHH
'Bhaiyyah, Shiv bhaiyyah will be in trouble!' said Sanchi
'Kuch nahi hoga' said mahi dismissively
'Agar pakday gaye tho?' asked sanchi
'oh come on sanchi' said Mahi irritatingly
'Acha teekh hai .. but really pakday gaye tho?' she asked once again
'isiliye tho I need your help. Thum raath ko shiv bhaiyyah kay bed main so jana' Said Mahi
Sanchi snorted
'wow wonderful idea bhai. Meri height dekhi hai?' she said
'main unkay adhay size ki bhi nahi hun. Agar mom aa gayi tho ek min main pehchan lengi. And not to mention meray bed ka kya hoga? usper kon soyega?' asked sanchi
Mahi seemed to be in thoughts
'chalo teekh hai main pillows rakh dunga lekin thum na apna phone apnay paas hi rakhna. Aur jaise hi kuch gadbad lagay tho mujhe phone ker dena. Main bhai ko wapis le ker aa jaunga' said Mahi
Sanchi rolled her eyes
'bhaiyah aapko pata nahi ye sabh kiyun sujhtha hai. Bhabi is not going to agree. Voh tho shiv bhaiyyah sey bhi zyada strict hai' said Sanchi
'Han isiliye main shiv bhaiiyah ko bataya hi nahi ki main unhay Anandi bhabi kay paas leker janay walah hun' Snickered mahi
'what!' Said Sanchi
'SHHH abh GO. Jo maine kaha hai voh karo!' Commanded Mahi
Sanchi shook her head in a defeated manner and left.
Mahi eyes glowed with anticipation
A Man on a Mission: Mahi
Udne Ki Aasha
Kumkum Bhagya
