Chapter 15
A Face with a Smile - Part 1
(Handa Haveli...)
"Puttar tuhade kapre kharab ho jaan ge..." [Son, your clothes will get soiled.]
"Kharab ho jaange taan baad vich dho daange, [If they will, then they can be washed later.]" Maan reassured Mohinder.
However Mohinder still felt uncomfortable. A son-in-law is to be adored and honored, not to be involved in such low tasks. He rued his lapse of memory at forgetting about the visit today and hence now being in this situation.
When the Khuranas had arrived he had stopped all work and asked Meera to immediately take them towards the drawing room, though Maan stayed back with him. As soon as he did that he realized that he himself would not be able to stand up as his crutch lay at a distance. However always a being a person to held his self-respect above everything else, especially when it came to his handicap he could not bring himself to ask Maan for help. But it was important to attend his guests too. In that moment when Mohinder sat stuck in this dilemma, he looked on with awe Maan lowering down and sitting right next to him.
And now the son-in-law whom he should be treating like a prince was sitting down on the ground with him like a pauper.
Sensing his discomfort Maan picked the spatula to neatly apply the cement on the ground below. And instinctively Mohinder placed another tile on it. "When at Military School I had opted for Carpentry and Woodwork as hobby class. And whenever I use to come home for holidays I would try to learn masonry and other such odd jobs from the men working in our fields," Maan bowed his head down to hide his awkwardness at sounding immodest, "I really love these activities. The feeling that you are creating something with your hands is beyond describing in mere words."
To say that Mohinder was pleased was not enough. Maan was already dear to him because of mere one fact of him being from Army, same as himself. But to hear that Maan held similar interest as him made highly elated. He couldn't contain his excitement as he asked, "Puttar what was the extra-curricular activity that you opted in IMA?"
"I had chosen electronics Bauji."
Bauji! The word touched Mohinder's heart. He could somehow feel that Maan used the word with complete sincerity and not only for the sake of formality.
"Waah ji! Acha horr dasso..." [Wow! So tell me more...]
Mohinder in excitement forgot all his uneasiness at having Maan sitting beside him and applying the cement as he kept laying the tiles. They worked in perfect tandem as Mohinder probed Maan about all his interests and Maan kept replying dutifully. And no more did Mohinder worry about treating his son-in-law in the proper manner.
Rather he sat with ease as a father would with his son.
Something that Maan was hoping would happen when he had started talking about his hobbies and interests in front of the man who would now be only next to his own father in position and status in Maan's life.
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A wave of affection had swept over her heart as she watched the scene before her.
Her father was a man of great self-respect. He had never bowed to any pressure in life. Everything he did, he did it on his own. He may accomplish less than what others could but he always managed best to his capabilities. She had never seen his missing limb ever being a hindrance to his objectives and goals.
And that was another he was particular about. He made structured his life is such a way that the presence of his crutch became negligible in their lives.
He hated it when people looked at him with sympathy.
He hated it when people implied that he could not do whatever he would set out to do.
He hated it when people tried to help him to stand. Except his own children this right was not bestowed on anyone else. Not even his two son-in-laws.
Had it been Arjun jiju over here he would have been slyly sarcastic to her Papaji. He would probably say 'Bauji leave it, why do you insist on doing such works? You can always hire a government contractor. I have heard they give discounts to physically challeneged.'
Had it been Daman jiju he would have tried to deter Papaji and offer to do it himself. 'Bauji, let it be. I will do it for you. Please do not strain yourself.' Of course it would be from the goodness of his heart and a sincere offer but it did irk Papaji nonetheless.
Despite being in the family for so long both son-in-laws had failed to understand their father-in-law. One because he was least bothered. And other because he was way too bothered.
Then how did this man understand her Papaji so easily.
She could see how happy her father was speaking to Maan. He was literally beaming. They were laughing over their jokes, sharing anecdotes. And the way they were working together no one would have guessed this is their second meeting.
He was very different from the few men she had known or heard about in her sheltered life.
He was very different from what she had presumed him to be.
A smile formed on her lips despite her intentions as she watched the man who was her life and the man with whom she should soon be sharing her life.
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"Sat Sri Akal Savitri ji."
"Sat Sri Akal Rano ji."
Uffo!
As Geet heard her mother greet her future mother-in-law she came back to reality and the reason why she had come to the courtyard in the first place. Jhalli, hurry up and call Papaji inside.
As she took a hurried step ahead she bumped in a flower pot.
"Ouch."
"Kakku? Kee hoyya?"
"Kuchh nahi Papaji," she replied coming over to where they sat. She picked Mohinder's crutch from where it was kept and passed it to him, "Ma is calling you inside."
"Chalo, let's go," Mohinder replied as he help himself up and started towards the drawing room turning his back at Maan and Geet.
Geet looked at Maan who was rolling his sleeves back down and then tried to dust his trousers down.
"Sat Sri Akal."
He stilled his hands as he heard her voice and looked up at her. She was looking at him from under her lashes hesitantly.
"Sat Sri Akal."
An awkward pause followed.
"How are..."
"...fine."
"Hmm."
Not knowing what else to say, he moved towards where everyone was sitting.
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"It is really nice that we have got the honor of your visit so soon. Chaudhary jee was very happy when Khurana ji had mentioned about this last Sunday," Rano said after she greeted Savitri.
They were waiting for Mohinder and Maan to come join them as the ladies sat chatting. Savitri introduced Sashi and her two kids to Rano and Meera took the kids inside to play on their swing in the backyard.
"Hanji," Savitri replied. "Since Shradhs have started we had to come to Amritsar. Sardar jee does not believe in elaborate rituals. He simply donates to Gurudwara Sahib's langar in name of his ancestors," she made a face stating her husband's belief. "And since after quite a while Maan was with us during these days I insisted that he comes along."
"That was a very good thing SavitrI ji."
"I know. But who will explain this to my son?" she sighed dramatically. "He was so adamant not to come. He kept insisting that it was not necessary. But Rano ji, isn't it the duty of the eldest son to do these rituals?"
Not knowing how else to reply, Rano simply nodded at this question.
"As it is he values his career way above everything else," Savitri continued feeling encouraged. "Duty first!" Savitri scoffed at Maan's often said words, "loh ji, and family responsibility goes for a toss? Both father and son are always on a war-path against established social customs. Rano ji, all this is fault of their so-called military training."
"Maan veerji is always like this. He never listens to anyone. Always does what he wishes," Sashi butted in full of spiteful glee. Only to be rebuked silently by Savitri's glare.
Savitri may say whatever she wishes of her sons. But no else had that right. Particularly not a girl of her family.
And once Sashi was silenced Savitri turned back to her own line of thoughts.
"Rules of society must be followed. After all they are established by our ancestors. Why question them? Now look at this whole Shradh thing. One pooja does not hurt anyone. Charity has its own place, but..."
"But helping others is a much higher form of worshipping God, right Chaiyyiji?"
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Savitri rolled her eyes as Maan entered with Mohinder and Geet in the tow.
"Geet," Savitri's eyes lit up seeing her, "come sit with me bitto*."
Geet bowed her head and quietly took her place near Savitri. Maan took a seat opposite to them after taking Rano's blessings.
"Hayye kitte nazar na lage," she swirled a currency note above her head and asked Rano to give it to their maid. She cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "Rano ji, your daughter has stolen my heart. Even though I know the marriage will be held later, I still can't wait for the day she will come to my house."
"Chaiyyiji is so smitten with our to-be-bhabhi that she even dreams of her now," Sashi spoke up.
"Bas kar Sashi," Savitri whispered and then spoke in a normal voice to Geet, "Mohinder ji, Bitto, this is your second nanad, Sashi..."
"But please call me Sasha..."
"She is three years elder to you but she will call you Bhabhi as Maan is two years elder to her and thus your relation will be higher," Savitri ignored and conveniently interrupted Sashi.
"Ofcourse Chaiyyiji," Sashi replied with a saccharine sweet tone, "what else would I call her? Sat Sri Akal Geet bhabhi."
"Sat Sri Akal," Geet replied softly briefly glancing at her new relation. She did not seem as warm and loving as Nayantara Di seemed at first glance. But then who was she to judge her. Probably she is nice too. Though weird.
Maan was silently observing Sashi and behavior. It seemed that if left unrestrained she would revert to her usual self. He could hear the kids playing from somewhere behind him. Probably in the backyard. Too bad, their presence generally keeps her in check. The girl has not even shown basic courtesy of wishing Bauji. He kept on glaring at Sashi and as soon as he caught her eye he signaled her to wish Mohinder.
"Sat Sri Akal uncle ji."
"Sat Sri Akal ji," Mohinder greeted her sweetly. "Bahut changa hoyya tussi aaye. [It is a good thing that you came.] Both the families are yet to meet each other properly."
"Koi nahi Mohinder ji," Savitri replied. "Maybe we will get an opportunity soon. Or maybe when Maan comes next time on leave."
"When does your leave end puttar?" Mohinder asked Maan.
"Ji, I have to leave tonight itself Bauji."
"Tonight? That would very tiring. First travelling back to Chandigarh and then to Roorkee."
"Yes Bauji," Maan replied. "Therefore, I would be leaving directly from Amritsar. I will be staying at Sainik Restrooms tonight."
"Sainik Restrooms?" Rano spoke up. "Chaudhary ji, how can damadji stay outside when we have our own haveli? Kyun Savitri ji, main koi galat gall kahi? [Isn't thatright Savitri ji, did I say something wrong?"
"Absolutely correct Rano ji," Savitri beamed at the suggestion.
"But..."
"Rano is right," Mohinder said approving the idea, "you already are a part of this house. And when you have your own house what is the need to stay at some lodge. And since you are leaving back for Roorkee it will be nice to spend some time with you. There is no saying when you get leave next and for how many days."
"Mann ja Kakke, kinna keh rahe ne." [Please agree Kakke, look they are requesting you so much.]
"Alright, as you wish," Maan gave in though scowling at being coerced into the situation.
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*Bitto - punjbai endearment for daughter.
Hello jee! Hope you all had a bombastic Diwali! Here is the next update and Part 2 should be up by tomorrow evening max.
Oh...guys...the religious views in this update are of those particular character...I hope no one feels offended. I just wanted to show that Ajaipal and Maan kept honest devotion as the highest form of worship of Babaji.
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Edited by jazzerette - 13 years ago
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
12