Chapter 8: Invitation
A basketball ground. A group of boys were playing and the girls were cheering.
Ducky joined the girls, who gave her a disgusted look. She didn't see it and started cheering as well. She walked along the pitch to find a free seat but every time she came closer to a free space, someone put a bag on their feet onto it. Then, something hit her head and made her fall.
"Ouch" she held her head. Her eyes saw everything blurred and she heard a loud crack.
"Opps, sorry." Someone stepped back and took the remains of her broken glasses into their hands. Ducky held up her hand.
"Please help me, I cannot see anything." The person hesitated and then pulled her up in one swift move. She touched the peron's arm.
"Thank you. Where are my glasses?" She held her hand. The person handed her the remains.
"I stepped onto them, I am so sorry." His tone made it clear that he wasn't but she was oblivious to that.
"Oh, I don't have a spare one. What will I do now? I can't see anything." The guy looked at his friends, who had joined him. Two were particularly annoyed for their match being disturbed. One of them then saw Ducky and whispered something into the boy's ear.
"Don't worry, I will help you. Come along, Desi Girl." The others sniggered. He led her to a seat, right at the end of the row and further at the back. Everyone looked with interest, not knowing what was going to happen next.
"Sit here, I will come back and get you to take you home. And don't worry, I'll get your glasses fixed." Ducky smiled at the direction of the boy, whom she could see vaguely.
"Oye listen. Get this glasses fixed." The boy said and gave the broken pieces into a passing boys hands.
"And when you are done, give them to the girl there."
They finished playing and once they were done, the ground emptied out slowly. At the end, there was only Ducky, waiting to be taken home.
Maan hadn't slept one peacefull night since his encounter with the girl in his office. Her face crept up every time he closed his eyes. At first he faught it but then he let the image take over. Who was she and why was she so familiar? He was sure never to have seen her before because he could never in his life forget such a beauty. 'And who is she to Arjun?' this question was bothering him more than every other question. He didn't know how but he wanted to see the girl again. He looked at the clock, two in the moring. He sighed and tried to sleep. He surely needed it because in a few days he would have to indure that catastrophy called Naintara again.
Annie was doing much better now. In order to be able to take proper care of her, Dadi had shifted her to her own room into the main mansion till her leg didn't get any better. While the others put it down to general concern, Dadi had other plans cooking up in her mind.
"Dadi, can I say something?" Annie asked one evening.
"Sure beta, go ahead."
"My Dadi once told me of a tradition that her anchestors used to follow. It was something called Dulhan Dhoond." She narrated about what she remembered.
"And you think we could have that tradition for Arjun and Maan? I think it is a brilliant idea." Dadi was excited and set to inform the others about it.
Adi was in his cabin when Sasha called. Since Arjun returned, Adi hadn't talked to him. He had heard from Arohi about what had happened and could understand Arjun's sentiments well.
"Adi, I called to ask about what we will do now. MK doesn't seem to be in any mood after what had happened. He is not really to blame for anything, I want to add. He was really just helping."
"That won't make much difference to Arjun. His anger is even more uncontrollable than that of Maan and you know that. He is still in a foul mood." They thought.
"What did the client say?"
"She said that we can put the project at rest till Maan and Arjun aren't ready to work together again." Adi laughed.
"She rather find someone else to do the work then." Adi paused.
"I don't think MK will abandone her project completely now."
"What makes you say that?"
"She is staying at his place. Arjun sir arranged it till the work isn't completed." Adi thanked Sasha for informing him and dialed the number of Khurana Mansion. He hoped that Nakul would pick up but tho his bad luck, it was someone else.
"Hello."
"Hello Dadi. Adi here."
"Arre Adi, how are you?"
"I am fine Dadi. And how is your health?"
"I couldn't be better. We are holding a new function for Arjun and Maan in a few days, please do come."
"I will try Dadi. I promise. I wanted to speak to Annie, if she is there."
"Annie? How do you know her?"
"She is currently doing a project with Maan and Arjun. I know her through office."
"Arjun? Arjun Singhania?" Dadi remembered him well. Wild and unruly just like Maan. Both were best buddies since kindergarden. She never found out what had happened to them. Dadi got Adi to give her Arjun's number. She wanted to talk to him at least to invite him to Maan's wedding. Even if they had a fight, this was the best time to sort out their differences.
"Hello, Singhania residence." A sweet and melodious voice echoed through the receiver.
"Hello, I am Savitry Devi speaking. May I talk to Arjun please."
"Ma'am just hold on a minute." The voice sounded further away this time.
"Arjun bhai' aap ke liye phone hain. (Arjun bhai'phone for you.)"
"Do minute mein aaya. (I am coming in two minutes.)" Arjun replied.
"Ma'am, he will be here in a minute."
"No problem. Who are you, if I may ask?"
"I am Geet, his sister." Dadi frowned. She had never heard of Arjun having a sister.
"And you ma'am, are you his client?"
"No" Dadi laughed.
"Have you heard of Khurana Constructions?" Geet fell silent as she recalled what happened when she was there.
"Hello? Are you there Geet?"
"Yes ma'am, sorry. I have heard of KC."
"Good, I am the MD's grandmother." Now it was Geet's time to frown. Why was she calling Arjun? Was it because of her? Did Maan complain about her to his granmother and now she wanted to talk to Arjun?
"Ma'am, I am really sorry. It was my fault that I came to KC without an appointment. I just wanted to give bhaiyya his file." Geet became teary again. Dadi didn't understand a word she said. Then she recalled how Maan had yelled at Naintara for treating his visitor with such disrespect.
"Arre no beta. Don't say sorry. I agree with Maan that Naintara shouldn't have behaved like that. Now stop crying."
"Ji Dadi" the words escaped Geet's mouth without her realising.
"Geet, who is it?" Arjun was there now.
"Wo, Savitry Devi hain" Arjun took the receiver. He sat next to Geet, who kept the phone on speaker so that she could hear what this sweet lady had to say.
"Arjun beta, how are you? Where have you gone lost?"
"I am fine Dadi. My work brought me to Mumbai and I am here since."
"Really? The one who couldn't stay away from Maan for a second is now living so far away?" Arjun didn't say anything. He had always treated Maan's parents as his and the same was the case with Dadi.
"I will not ask you why you two faught but don't you think that it is sad to let such a strong friendship go to waste?" Again Arjun didn't reply but let Dadi come to the point.
"I called because I wanted to invite you and your sweet sister to Maan's wedding function. I won't hear any excuse from you, just come for my sake."
"Dadi, I doubt Maan would want me to be there, belive me." Arjun smiled sadly.
"I am more important than him, Arjun. He can't say no if I said yes. And bring Geet along, I want to meet your sister and am eager to know where you found her." Arjun had pressed the speaker button in right time so Geet didn't hear the last comment by Dadi.
"I will be there Dadi. Take care."
Once Arjun was done, he made Geet lay down and took the phone from her.
"Bhai, aap Maan Khurana ko pehle se jaante hain kya? (Bro, do you know Maan Khurana from before?)" Geet yawned and closed her eyes.
"Haan, so jao. (Yes, now sleep.)" He kissed her forehead and switched off the lights.
He called Arohi and told her to arrange two tickets to Delhi for him and Geet. He didn't want to take her back there but this time he will be by her side and any sign of her health decreasing, he would come right back.
Vicky was also on his way to Delhi. Not one day had he been in peace. Raj had vanished or at least was not traceable by him. She had not come back to hostel and not even the teachers were letting slip where she was. Vicky couldn't think properly, neither could he work. His friends tried to help, now understanding that there really must be some serious issue. Pooja, his friend's sister, who also lived in the same hostel informed Vicky that Raj's room was vacant and a new girl would soon move in. Vicky had decided to call upon her home as a last resort.
When he reached the apartment, it was locked.
"Listen, where is the girl who used to stay here?" Vicky asked the watchman.
"Girl? This apartment belongs to a man, not a woman."
"Are you sure? I mean I am certain my girlfriend lives here."
"Sorry sir but this apartment belongs to Arjun sir. He stays here whenever he come to Delhi for business." Vicky didn't understand. This was the adress that Raj had given in her college, to him and everyone else. He even dropped her off here once when she came in the same coach as him for vacations. Vicky raised his face towards the sky. The falling raindrops mixed with his tears.
Raj where are you? Please let me know you are ok. This was the last message on Rajeshwari's mobile. She pressed delete and threw her phone away. Her face showed anger but she was just trying to hide the pain in her heart. She had never thought that this would be so difficult for her but she had to do it. She had to make Vicky suffer to be able to stay in peace. She was so certain of it, then why was her heart screaming in agony? Why was Vicky's worried face not leaving her mind alone and why were tears coming in her eyes just thinking about his tears?
"NO" Raj held her head and closed her eyes tightly. She had to be strong and ignore all this. Vicky's memories would be gone from her mind in a few days, all she had to do was divert her mind. And she knew how she could do that best.Chapter 9: Dulhan Dhoond (Bride Search)
"Ducky, I don't know what to do." The boy was sitting dejectedly on bench and had his head hanging low.
"Why what happened?" the girl asked. She ran her hand over his hair.
"It's mama's birthday soon and I don't have a gift for her."
"But you still have time, no? Then go and find something nice. I can help."
"I already found something but'" she encouraged him to speak.
"I already spend most of my pocket money and you know how strict my family is. They will give me next months allowance in advance but how can I survive if I spend most of it now?" The girl's heart went out for him.
"What did you want to buy her anyways?"
"I saw this beautiful golden chain in city. I am sure this is the best gift for mama."
"And how much is it? I will see how much I can contribute."
"I still lack around ten thousand rupees." The girl breathed in deeply. She surely hadn't so much money. The boy understood her expression.
"It's ok, Ducky, I will not give her a present this time. She will be sad but what can I do?" He got off and walked away.
The next evening, he was with his friends when she handed him a packet.
"I somehow arranged the money, go and get that gift."
"Where on earth did you get som much money from?" Someone asked as they eyed the money.
"Wo, I had some jewellery from mom, that I sold." They were shocked.
"Don't worry, I had kept them for an emergancy anyways." She said quickly seeing the looks on their faces.
"But, this is just for'"
"A gift, I know. But I can't see my love with a sad face." She gave the boy look filled with love and care.
When she was gone he smile brightly and went to get himself the new bike.
Khurana Mansion was filled with close family members and friends.
Arohi had again not followed Arjun's order (He wasn't surprised!) and also booked a ticket for herself as well. After what happened last time, I am not leaving Geet alone again. That is what she had said and Geet was happy of course to have Arohi with her. Dadi welcomed Arjun and both were glad to see each other after a long time. Geet touched Dadi's feet and Dadi gave Arjun a questioning look.
"Later Dadi." He mouthed.
"And this? Your girlfriend Arjun?" Arjun chocked and Arohi giggled.
"Dadi, god save me from having her as a girlfirend. This annoying side effect follows me around since she joined office. I I have no idea how to switch her off." Arohi formed a huge O with her mouth and hit him a couple of times with her arms.
"Ok girls, I need your help. Arjun, I am taking them with me." Arjun wanted to protest but Arohi indicated that she will take care of Geet.
Maan observed Geet and how she laughed when Arohi hit Arjun. The sight was so wonderful. He also saw Arjun looking after Geet and his smile vanished.
"You here?" he asked Arjun after joining him. Arjun looked at Maan.
"Dadi called." Maan nodded. After a few seconds he said.
"Thanks for coming." He held his hand and expected Arjun to refuse but Arjun shook his hand. For Dadi's sake, he could at least try, couldn't he?
Dadi stood on the stage and made the announcement:
"Welcome everybody. I am pleased to see you all here. Today, we are going to have a slightly different function, one that was introduced some time ago to me. The game is simple but a lot of fun. We have twenty girls who are all dressed up in the same dress with only difference being the colour. The aim of the game is for Maan and Veer to find Naintara and Nitya respectively. To help them, the other men have to find their respective wives, fiances or girlfriends. Since this would mean that Maan and Veer could win through elimination, we have two people here, who do not have a partner. Maan and Veer, beware. If you find your brides, then you win and will present them with these two sets. If you lose, you will hand the prize to the false bride you chose."
"In both cases I am giving away that necklace, so what is the problem?" Maan asked Veer.
"If we lose we will have two very unhappy fiances, Maan." Veer replied a little scared. The crowd was unsure but the game began. Lights were dimmed and twenty girls of almost same size and height as the brides came in. Veils hid their faces and only their hands and feet could be seen. The men, whose women were taking part were informed now and the seach began. Dev was surprised that even he was picked and hoped that he had to look for Pinky. Sasha and Tasha were also not to be seen anywhere.
The first brave man to come up was Yuvraj. Sheilja might be older but she was not so tall and also not too heavy. Everyone cheered when Yuvraj lifted the veil and looked into the surprised face of his wife.
"How did you find me?" she asked him.
"I can make you out in a hundred people." Yuvraj escorted his wife off the stage and the next few men came up. Dev was looking for Pinky. He had never looked too closely at her hands or feet but guesses that they must be just as chubby as her face. That was not a good point to go on because there were at least four girls who could have been Pinky under that critaria.
Then, he saw something that was very familiar to him. One of the girls, who was wearing purple, held the index finger of one hand in the fist of the other. He closed his eyes and saw Pinky in front of Maan when she was nervous, doing just the same thing. He opened his eyes and stood in front of Pinky.
"Pinky" he said and lifted the veil. The crowd cheered and Pinky blushed. She wouldn't have thought that Dev would find her that easily.
The next few candidates came along. Some guessed correctly but there were also a few wrong guesses which automatically eliminated the other partners, too. At the end, Maan and Veer were left with a hand ful of girls. Arjun stood next to Maan and Veer.
"You know, I can tell you where your bride isn't. I recognise at least two of them already." He had a mean grin on his face. This game was a lot of fun especially because Maan had no clue where his to-be-bride was.
"Then help us, please Arjun" Veer pleaded.
"Ok" Arjun said and lifted the veil of the girl in green.
"Arohi" The crowd clapped but Arohi didn't look too happy.
"What took you so long Arjun? You know me for so long and see me every day, don't you?" she pouted. Arjun escorted her off the stage.
"I do but I don't waste my time with unimportant matters, you see."
So now Veer and Maan were left with four girls. The first one wore yellow, the second one baby blue, the third one pink and the forth one red. Maan had figured out who Naintara was; the baby blue dress was slightly transparent and he could make out her face. The height was also taller than that of the others. 'Bride search, that is the game's name. So I have to search for the one girl I want for my bride, isn't it?', Maan thought. He closed his eyes and the only thing he could see was Geet's amber eyes. He took a decision, maybe not the right one but the one his heart wanted him to take. He stepped to the smaller figure in red and lifted the veil. It was as if he was hypnotised. Geet slowly lifted her face and her eyes fluttered open. They looked into each others' eyes for just a fraction of time but for them it was like a lifetime. The guests clapped disappoinetedly as Maan did not find the right bride. Naintara realised that one had picked the wrong girl. She started fuming.
"Maan, what have you done?"
"Calm down Naintara, let Veer bhai finish the game."
'Great, now everyone is looking at me.' Veer had absolutly no clue. He had not even looked twice at Nitya's face if he could help it, forget about her hands and feet. He also took a decision. Something that he often did in exams when he didn't know the right answer. His index fingure pointed from one to the other and back. He did it as long, till he stopped and opened his eyes.
"Oh" the crowd said. His little trick had deceived him for the first time. The girl in pink was Annie, not Nitya.
Even though both grooms had failed to find their brides, the guest had to admit that they had a great time. Dadi called Maan and Veer to pick the prizes and hand them to Annie and Geet.
Arjun was watching Maan closely. He knew his old friend too well. The look in his eyes had told him that he had recognizes Naintara. Yet Maan had gone and picked Geet. For his own taste, Maan was taking a little bit too much interest in her.
Veer handed Annie her prize. She was happy to have won and admired the necklance which was made of platinum with blue sapphire stones. Nitya eyed it, too. She couldn't believe that Veer didn't find her amongst the two remaining girls. Didn't he know anything about her?
"How could you Veer, this is not fair. This prize should have been mine, not hers. Who is she anyways?" Tears stung in Annie's eyes as Nitya's words hit her hard.
"Nitya, why are you so upset? I will get you another set." Veer said and looked helpless at Annie.
"But I want this one. It was especially made for this occasion." Nitya spoke up without concern what effect her words were having on Annie and everyone else in the hall.
Annie controlled her tears and smiled at Nitya.
"You are right. Here take it. This was made for you so you should have it. This is just a game so it doesn't matter to me if I win or lose. I am glad that Dadi let me be part of this wonderful event even thought I am noone to her." Nitya took the set and stuck up her nose.
"This is my right anyways" she commented.
Naintara didn't even let Maan give the necklace away.
"I will take this, Maan."
"Naintara, stop acting so childish. Give it back." But Naintara was giving Geet a dangerous look. Geet lowered her eyes and stepped back.
"You better not look at my sister like this Miss Vardan. I cannot guarantee you still having both your eyes by the end of this evening otherwise." The voice was low and only for Naintara, Geet and Maan to hear. Arjun was by Geet's side as soon as he had felt the tension. He hadn't forgotten the incident at KC but today was to the time and this was not the place to do something. He respected Dadi, Yuvraj and Sheilja, too much to make a drama here. Naintara was shocked deeply at the threath and turned to Maan for help. But Maan was not paying her any attention. His mind was stuck at the word 'sister' that had left Arjun's mouth. Arjun took Geet off the stage without letting his gaze shift from Naintara.
"Dekho to, kaise sanskaar hain in dono ladkiyon ke. Ek chote se prize ke liye kitna hungama. (Look at these two girls, no values they have. So much fuzz because of two little pizes.)" The lady who had spoken hadn't even tried to lower her voice. Mrs Vardan was fully ashamed of her daughters. Even she strongly disapproved of their behaviour tonight. But she was also at fault somewhere. She had never refused them anything and now that had gotten to their heads.
"Wohin to. Aur kitna sunaya us bechari bahar ki ladki ko. Kitne pyaar se inaam wapas dediya. Wideshi hoke bhi kitni adab se baat ki. Aise hone chaiye sanskaar. Aur dusri bacchi ko ruladiya, aisa bhi koi karta hain kya?(Correct. And how much she insulted the poor foreign girl. She returned the prize with so much love. Even though she is a foreigner she talked so respectful. These are the values one should have. And they also made the other girl cry, this should not happen.)"
Sheilja announced that the buffet was now open and the guests dispersed. And evening that had started so well ended at such a note. Arjun had left with Arohi and Geet after informing Nakul of their departure. Annie had excused herself to the outhouse and kindly refuse to dinner when Nakul asked. Veer and Maan were not paying Nitya or Naintara any heed after their drama. For once Veer felt extremly bad for the way Annie was treated. Since she was in Khurana Mansion, she had given her full input and help to Dadi and Sheilja to make HIS and Nitya's wedding successful. Not once had she asked for something and often refused to take Dadi's or Sheilja's gifts. To be told off like this and especially in front of so many people surely must have been very hurtful. Maan searched for Geet. A big rock had lifted from his heart when Arjun had said that Geet was his sister. Now he had to make her his, no matter what. Marrying Naintara was out of the question but he won't raise the topic as yet. The biggest problem was Arjun. Maan knew his friend all too well. Arjun had not only told him to keep away from his family because he was angry. He had really ment it. But why? What had Maan done that Arjun hated him so much. He had to find out and if necessary beg for his forgiveness. Because under no curcumstances will he let go of Geet. The look he had seen in her eyes, it was as if she felt the same for him as he felt for her. It was as if she was his soulmate.
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