Thank you everyone for the lovely comments.Do keep them coming!
@aati: dont worry this story is not ending so soon!Anyway here is an update with sajan!
@kris:hope this makes you happy!
Do let me know what you think
Chapter 17
PART 3
I tried to completely ignore Benji who looked like he was on a funeral rather than a get-together.He couldnt wrap his head against the fact that I wanted to get married.
Neither could Candy it seems-she didnt even congratulate me.Personally I dont see what is wrong in getting married.I like to think it was the perfect time for me.
""Put the steak on the grill.They will arrive any moment now..""My mother called behind her back as she walked in to my room.She smiled at me.
""You look like you just woke up.Are you going to meet you in-laws in a sweatshirt?""
I shook my head.
""I was planning on changing that.""
""Well hurry-they will be here soon..""The moment the words were out of her mouth there was a loud bell from the gate.
""That is probably them!"Benji said standing up.
My mother sighed.
""Hurry Samrat!I am going to go recieve them,""
She was here!Chasmish was here...in my house.
Smiling broadly I scrambled out of the bed and pulled the first tee I could get and pulled it down.I paused to ruffle my hair a little.
Girls seem to like it that way.
""Not all girls...""Benji said as though he knew what I was thinking.
Scowling I ran a brush through it and raced down with Benji trailing me with a sigh.
I reached the door handle and ran down the huge lawn,past the swimming pool and came to stand before a laughing threesome.
Nupur was dressed in a yellow salwar suit and smiling graciously at my mother.While an smiling aunty adorned in a white saree was talking rather excitedly.I looked away from them and stopped breathing.
Gunjan was standing a few inches behind her sister,looking up at the house with a rather frightened look.She was wearing a darkblue salwar suit embroidered with pale blue lace at the neck.Her pale slim throat arched upwards from the lace.The combination of the blue making her complexion stand out.Her hair was pulled up to knot up in a elegant bun and her eyes were heavily kohled.
As soon as I could draw a breath the word slipped out.
""Wow!""
She heard me and her eyes flashed towards me before slipping down.There was something blazing in her eyes.
I heard Nupur laughing.
""Wow what samrat?""
I tore my eyes from Gunjan and looked rather sheepishly at the three ladies looking at my bemused expression intently.
""Uh-its a nice night.""
Benji snorted and Nupur giggled.I raised my hands in mock surrender and said.
""Okay fine!Gunjan is beautiful...""Gunjan turned a very pretty shade of red at that.
My mother looked like she couldnt contain the laughter while aunty piped in excitedly
""She is,isnt she?I think my Gunjan could beat any actress she wants-but ofcourse I wouldnt her to beat any actress-neither would she-she was not into films and all-more into studies...she is brilliant too...""
""She is also red.""Benji piped in.""And I think we are all outside.""
My mother laughed.
""Ofcourse please come in.And Devikaji let me introduce officially to my son and soon to be your son-Samrat.""
Devika aunty moved forward and kissed my forehead.Well...okay!I really didnt know what to do so I smiled at her,greeting her and welcoming her inside.She seemed satisfied.
.................................................. ...................................
""Gunjan beta so tell me where do you shop?""Pamela aunty asked me.
I could only gape at her like an idiot.Where did we shop?First of all I really never paid much attention to that.Secondly I dont think our shopping places would be known to her.
The more I stayed in the white elegantly decorated bungalow,the more misplaced I felt.
""There is no place particular.We go to the arcade a lot.""
She smiled politely at that.I tried to smile back.All things said Pamela aunty was really sweet,She really tried to make me comfortable,and tried to know me too.
She was the only reason I wasnt feeling like crying.Other than that the richness,the stately order of the house,the bustling servants,the nod of approval by Mr.Mehra,the fact that my mother and my to-be inlaws couldnt find anything to talk about was making feel insignificant and uncomfortable
Is this how I will feel all my life?
Standing out rather than fitting in.
To top it I could see Samrat's eyes on my face everytime I dared to look up.He had this soft lingering smile on his face as he stared.Not only did that make Benji make weird comments.It meant the blush from my cheeks was not fading.
I still couldnt believe he just called me beautiful..infront of both of our mothers.If only I knew how to vanish.
"Penny for you thoughts""said a voice near me.I jumped slightly and turned to find Samrat standing close to me..very close to me.I backed a few steps and he followed me so that we were within a few inches from eachother.
I glanced at the table.Uncle,aunty,Ma were busy talking with the Panditji.Di was probably talking about the new SRK release with Benji who seemed quite excited.
Still...he shouldnt be standing so close to me.
"Thank you for agreeing to the marriage.""he said sincerely.
I didnt know how to reply to it.
""What did you think of marriage?I thought you...""
He groaned.
""Not you too!I am a marriage-phobiac.Okay to be honest I was.But then I met you and everything changed..""he said his eyes staring deep into mine.
I started to breath slightly heavily.Maybe it was the close proximity or the intensity in his eyes.
""Samrat...""I began.
""Gunjan...""he said with a soft caress.
I closed my eyes.Stay away from me
Then he chuckled.
""Gunjan Samrat Mehra...""he announced.
My eyes flew open.I stared at him.
""Sounds beautiful doesnt it?""he asked smiling.
I shook my head trying to clear my thinking.Then he sniggered.
""Are you going to be so shy even after marriage..?""he asked softly.I decided to put an end to this.
I sidestepped him and walked closer to my sister when Ma announced:
""So either we can have the wedding in two weeks time or 7 months later?""
I almost sighed in relief.Seven months....
""I think we can manage the preparations in two weeks.""said someone who should have definately kept his mouth shut.
As is sensing my disapproval he folded his arms and winked at me.
""I dont know about that.I have to arrange so many things..."Pamela aunty said.
That decided it.Pamela aunty was favourite member of the household.
""You will have many helpers Mom..""
""But Samrat...""
""Well..then give up some of the fancy ideas you are thinking.""he retorted.
""I am not having anything but the best for my only son's wedding.""she said.
I could sense the happiness of my mother and sister upon hearing that.
Samrat shrugged.
""Well...I am not waiting for seven months Mom...""
Di giggled loudly at that and Benji hooted saying quite loudly :
"Why are you so impatient for?""
Ma looked like she was blushing and smiling.Mr.Mehra was trying to pretend he was deaf and Pamela aunty was spluttering with laughter.
I thought I was going to make scientific history by being the first human to die of embarrassment.
""Okay..then that decides it!"Pamela aunty said giving in.""This wedding will be in two weeks only.
Udne Ki Aasha
Anupamaa
Cricket
