Part-8
The night was still on. Guests present there were appreciating his efforts for Kalpana. Looking at the solitaire on her figure made it clear that they were a couple. They were termed as one of the cutest couples present there.
They were back to their table where the dinner was served. "Raghav I am overwhelmed with your effort. This whole experience was surreal. I have never felt so special before. This was heart touching. Thank you so much! You have already made this night a memorable one for me." "Kalpana I'm glad you liked it. My mission got fulfilled." Their talks went on when Raghav brought the topic of party on Saturday.
"Party?" "Yes, it is an office party where you will be introduced as my fiance to everyone." Kalpana became nervous. She is yet to get familiar with Raghav's family and now this; mustering all the courage she voiced her doubt. "Raghav don't you think its bit early. I mean I have just started understanding you, your family and there is already pang of nervousness as all this is quite new to me. And now you're saying that I have to meet your office people. I'm finding this a bit fast." He remained mum. For him this was equally new. "Kalpana" he cleared his throat and continued "I know this is kinda early but I have never ever questioned my grandfather's decision." He looked at her face trying to read her expressions but all he could see was a nod in yes.
The evening went by smoothly. During the drive Kalpana asked about the office people, majorly those who are quite close to them. He told about everyone and lastly came on to his personal favourite Chitra. "Chitra Aunty" "Yup Chitra Aunty, my favourite. I have seen her since I was a kid. I used to accompany Dadu or papa or kaka for office and then she used to take care of me. When I joined she became my advisory aunt. Fashion, novel to all those eligible girls who were daughters of the clients, etc. we discussed almost everything. I can bet she will be the happiest one to see you. Kalpana smiled seeing the affection of Raghav towards the lady.
By the time they reached home, her parents were informed about party and they too were little uncomfortable. However they greeted Raghav politely and after bidding good bye to everyone he left for home, content that evening passed by as he planned but aware of the fact that Kalpana has yet not liked the idea of party.
" How was it?" Keshav asked vocally and so did his entire family silently by standing beside him. "It was okay. I mean normal. Nothing much." He retreated towards his room. Keshav and every one of the family members found this quite odd. "Normal! Bas...itna hi..." "This in itself sounds so abnormal. His first date with Kalpana and he gave succhha thanda response." Radhika was confused. "Bhai kuch gadbad hai...pakka." "Hmmm" "You guys are thinking way too much!" Everybody looked at Dadi. "C'mon she is his fiance; he is not bound to tell us what happened. May be he felt shy to answer this question and so he gave a simple reply. Don't think much." Dadu and everyone agreed with her point but not Keshav and Kavya.
"Party woh bhi itni jaldi. We don't even know them, how will we stand with them?" Kalpana's mother had started worrying from the time she had received the call. Dinesh too was quite tensed. "Itni jaldi sabse milane ka kya matlab? Thoda time toh dete...kal sagai hui hai parso party...mujhe bhi kam samaj mei aa raha hai." Kalpana was listening to them quietly adding more confusion to her already baffled mind.
"I think I should talk to Ranjan." "Papa" Kalpana interrupted. "Papa please don't include Di's family into this. We should not throw our worries on them." " Ranjan is my friend first and then Mitali's father in law understand." He called him and after few rings Revati Ranjan's wife and Mitali's mother in law took the call. "Hello Bhaisaab, how are you doing? Sorry we were not present at Kalpana's engagement." "Please don't say sorry Bhabhi I knew your prior commitments." After taking a brief pause he asked "Bhabhi Ranjan hai?" "Haan hai na ek minute." " Kya haal chaal hai bhai" "Badhiya hai" His voice sounded dull. "Sab thik hai." "Ghar aa sakte ho?" "Haan kyun nai, thode der mei aate hai."
After an hour, the whole family was seated in the hall. Dinesh had told them about the situation. "I think we are thinking too much about this whole scenario. See we have no right to question their lifestyle. They consider their office staff as an extended family and hence they want to introduce their new family member to them. It is as simple as that. I don't think it is a big issue. Why are you guys so worried?" "Ranjan no two people think alike. They will have their opinions and judgement for her. I don't want my daughter to be judged by anyone!" "Why are you thinking so negative?" "Because not much time has passed and they can doubt their decision." "Relax Dinesh everything will be fine. Senior Singhania is considered as a very mature man in the society as well as business world. Don't worry I'm sure he must have thought of all the pros and cons before throwing the party. And listen Saturday or may be later but she will have to adopt their life style someday, the sooner the better." After much convincing they all agreed but Kalpana was still half-hearted.
Two days passed by. Kalpana and Raghav used to talk with each other on phone and texted whenever possible. Both of them were worried about the outcome of the party though reasons were different but tension was same.
Last minute preparations were going on in full swing in Singhania Mansion. The party was kept in the vast garden which looked magnificent due to the light works. In short span the event planners managed to come up with desert theme. The idea was to give the entire party a look and feel of desert. A small bonfire was kept in the middle of the garden. The entrance was decorated with a mix of brown and white theme to make it more appealing. The sitting arrangements were made in the same fashion. Everything from entrance to sitting arrangement as well as the central area which was kept reserved for the main people all of it was in synch with the theme. It very well depicted the lavish lifestyle of Singhanias when it comes to meeting outsiders. The gates of Singhnia Mansion were opened for their extended family.
All the employees of Singhania Industries knew that they are very graceful host. Also, Singhania's were famous for two things, they always throw a very lavish larger than life parties and on everyday basis they don't bring work home hence none of the business associates nor the employees come to their house for work. It's only for parties or specific occasions when the Singhania Mansion opens its gate for everyone, today's party being one of them.
Kalpana was getting ready, today she has to meet those people whom she has never seen before and she has no idea when she will meet them next. This whole idea of party was still not sinking in her heart. It's not that she wasn't interested in meeting them but then everything has a right time and this was certainly not the right time according to her.
She was wearing a heavy maroon color ethnic one piece which was paired with chandbali earrings. The dress was high neck and had full sleeves hence she avoided wearing necklace or bracelets. She went for minimal makeup die to heavy dress to avoid looking messy and kept her hair one sided and wore low heels.
At Singhania Mansion as decided everyone was present and finally the main guests arrived. Two Mercedes stopped right in front of the opening and slowly Kalpana came outside. Keeping her nervousness at bay she tried to look confident and managed to put up a graceful smile. Her family and her sister's family stood by her side. The Singhania's came at the entrance to welcome them.
Raghav was stunned looking at Kalpana who was looking breathtakingly beautiful. He knew she had taken extra care to match up with the stature of Singhania's. He couldn't make out from her face whether she has finally accepted this party decision or she has come here out of compulsion. Kalpana took blessings of everyone and her eyes finally rested on Raghav. He was looking as handsome as ever. He had worn beige Pyjama and a golden kurta having design in dark green and dark brown color mojdi. In every essence he was looking like a true Punjabi. She blushed a little and looked down hiding her smile, momentarily forgetting her nervousness. The Mehra's and Garewal's (Mitali's family) were all dressed up matching up fully with the Singhania's.
They came inside and went to the central area where sitting arrangement was done for them.Kalpana was met with almost hundred people who were gazing at her with high expectations. She felt as though she is in an examination hall where her one mistake will cost her heavily. She wasn't appreciating this feeling. Raghav's grand father took hold of the mic and started.
"Hello everyone. We all know the reason behind this party. I want my extended family that is you all to meet my newest member in the family. Let me introduce to you all, my youngest daughter in law Kalpana Mehra. Raghav will please bring her here." He smiled sheepishly and went towards Kalpana. He asked for her hand and after taking permission from her father she went away with him. They walked hand in hand and stood besides Senior Singhania.
"Ladies and Gentleman, Kalpana Mehra Raghav's would be wife." The gaze turned intense as now everyone was looking specifically at her with scrutinizing eyes. Her deepest fears were coming true. She became subject of opinions for everyone. She could here whispering s and murmurings. She looked down to avoid direct contact with anyone. Suddenly she realised somebody was standing right in front of her. "E Raghav...I like your choice haan...khoob late kiya but choose ek dum sahi kiya." She looked up to see who the woman was when she heard Raghav "Thank You Chitra Aunty. I knew you will like her." She smiled and thanked her. "You're very pretty." She smiled a little more. She found her very endearing.
Soon the party started and people got engaged in their own small groups. Some of them were coming and congratulating her while some of them gave gifts. Kalpana was silently observing everything happening in her surroundings. She marked one thing...Singhania's are very classy and also very very rich. Just to introduce her to their office staff they kept a theme based party which has surely costed lakhs. Everything there had a class and showed their stature in the society. She was just wondering how many more parties she is suppose to attend in the future and what it would cost to them. She then looked at her parents who were talking with Raghav's family. "This is way too much! Such an extravaganza for such a small thing is beyond my imagination. This is just a beginning.." She took deep breaths to calm down her nerves. Though the party was in garden yet she was feeling suffocated. She felt nauseated and messaged her sister to take her to washroom or else she will puke before everyone.
"She went inside the washroom and Mitali stood beside her. "What happened Kalpana? Are you okay?" "Yes Di...its just that the dress is too heavy...so I was not feeling well." "That's it." "Yes...that is it." They were coming back when they heard few employees disapproving Kalpana as daughter in law of Singhania's. "Raghav has studied in abroad and also looks so handsome whereas Kalpana has studied here only and lookswise she doesn't match anywhere with Raghav. Also I have heard that Mehras are good in business but not as much as our Boss. I don't know what Senior Singhania thought before fixing this marriage." Another came in between and stopped the conversation" Chodo bhi yaar, unka parivaar hai unki choice hai hum kaun hote hai beech mei bolne wale." They laughed and continued with their discussion.
"Kalpana you don't give room to all these things. Not everybody is supposed to like us right?" She looked at her sister and said "In my whole life I have never been a subject matter of opinions for anyone, but marriage has always been a weak place for me. First those rejections and now this party. Everybody is looking at me with curious eyes, it seems as if I am some kind of a show piece which has been purchased and is now put to display. I am not liking all this things Di...I'm not." "Just because these few people don't approve your match you are saying such harsh words. Even that is not correct Kalpana. That's not rationale thinking.
They went ahead to join the rest when they overheard one more group criticising Singhania's choice. "I really don't think so this girl will be able to cope up with Singhnia's title and responsibilities. I think they took this decision in haste." The others in the group unanimously agreed to his opinion. "Now?" "Kalpana..." "Please Di...none of these people know me, yet some are questioning our father's status, my education, my capabilities and God knows what not!" She went ahead leaving behind her sister who now knew a storm is standing at their doorstep and she cannot hold the door for long. After this party, there is going to be a big show down in her house.
She called Vishesh outside and told her everything. "I am way too scared Vishesh, Kalpana is not in her right mind, I think we should do something." "We cannot do anything here alright so just calm down and join the party. Ab jo hoga ghar par hoga." She sighed and clasped his hands and went inside, now closely monitoring her sister's every move.
"To be subject to opinion is something which even I don't personally like. If I don't know I would rather reserve my words and will give myself time to know that person and then form an opinion. You cannot pass judgement nor can you form opinion just by their appearance or their financial stature. You should first try to know them."
The same thing has happened with Kalpana. Right now she doesn't know even Raghav's family fully well and she is being asked to attend a party to meet the office staff who is Raghav's extended family. The relationship is at an initial stage and any opinion by anyone can make a difference. If Kalpana and family doesn't know about Singhania same applies to them. Moreover the huge financial difference is also something which is bothering Kalpana (reasons will be revealed in next chappy) and she is determined to talk with her family on this.
What turn will their relation take? Will it survive? Do you guys think Kalpana's arguments with her sister are logical? Please reply because based on your answers will be my next chappy which I think will be second last chappy for this story.
Thanks and enjoy reading😊
PS:- If any of my words here differ from your opinion and has hurt you then I apologise in advance.
Edited by b.baheti - 8 years ago
Fan Fictions
Anupamaa
