Chapter 19
Wish for the Stars
(January 24, 1981...)
(Khurana Kothi...)
"Acha, 27 nu Geet da janmdin hai," a delighted Savitri asked Rano, whom she was speaking to on the telephone. "This is wonderful news, Rano jee. I must come and wish her..." She paused to hear the reply. "Ohho! It doesn't matter if there will be no celebrations. We are family now. No formality required Rano jee. Bitto da janmdin hai, I must come and wish her myself."
Another ten minutes of happy conversation and a very happy Savitri kept the telephone down. A chance to go meet Geet. How fortunate! If only Maan was here.
"Veerji aa gayyye."
Savitri got a jolt of shock as she heard Iqbal squeal. Has Baby gone mad or is Maan truly here? She hurried out to the main hall. And stood amazed at seeing her son in his battle fatigues and his rucksack on his back.
Waheguruji, tussi inni chhetti mann gaye. I wish I had asked for something else. And in case you are still listening, please see that each one of my sons have a bunglow and a car of their own. That would be all.
"Sat Sri Akal Chaiyyiji."
"Huh...Sat Sri Akal puttar," she blessed Maan as he bent to take her blessings, "But Kakke how come..."
"Chaiyyiji, my RSO course starts from 1st of Feburary, so I thought I would come home for a few days before leaving."
"Bahut changa kitta Kakke. Mera Kakka kinna samjhadaar hai. You go freshen up, I will get you a nice cup of tea," she cupped his cheeks.
Maan gave his mother an incredulous look. She was definitely upto something. Because ever since Nayantara Di had turned fifteen, Chaiyyiji had not even stepped into the kitchen. First Nayantara, and after her marriage Tisha and Amrit. With a line of daughters and Lachhi to take away the responsibilities of the kitchen off her hands, Savitri limited herself to supervision and ordering them around. A right she considered earned.
"Koi nahi Chaiyyiji," Maan started towards his room, "Amrit has already gone to get me a cup. I will go freshen up."
"Very good Kakke, I will go see Amrit makes a wonderful cup of tea for you. With ginger and elaichi..."
"Don't worry Chaiyyiji," Maan halted in his tracks, "Amrit makes the best tea in this house. You please relax. And Chaiyyiji..."
"Haan Kakke..."
"Whatever is it, that you want me to do," he turned around and gave Savitri a pointed look, "could we please discuss it after dinner. I would not wish an argument to disrupt my dinner. Amrit has promised she would make kadhi pakora tonight."
With that he swung his rucksack back on his shoulder, marched off to his room; leaving a stunned Savitri behind.
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(Late evening...)
(Handa Haveli...)
"Good evening Papaji!"
Mohinder looked at his three angels and one little monkey, who stood at the door to greet him.
Geet hopped over to him, "Papaji, how was you day today..."
"Papaji, have a glass of water," Meera offered
Sameera came forward and held his hand, "Papaji, I have already made tea for you..."
"Papaji, here are your slippers," Lucky held them up for him to see.
"Good evening all of you," Mohinder beamed at them and their , "is the dinner ready?"
"Jee Papaji."
"Alright then. Captaan Sa'ab, khana pesh kitta jaye." And then I will uncover what all of you are planning.
It was not that his children did not do this sincerely. It was a daily occurrence in their home. It was a habit in them he cherished. Every evening, even before he stepped into the threshold of his house, their smiling faces would wash away every vestige of stress away. But today their smiles held a tinge of conspiracy.
They were grinning from one ear to another. Sameera wasn't teasing Meera, Meera was alert and active, Lucky wasn't troubling Geet. And Geet. Her eyes held a gleam that he could not comprehend.
This only meant one thing. Movies!
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(Khurana Kothi...)
"It's nine already and Sardarji isn't home yet. He has no sense of responsibilty towards us. Always work first," Savitri grumbled as the whole family was gathering in the dining hall for the dinner.
Maan raised his head from the board game he was playing with Vikrant and Iqbal hearing his mother complain about his father. His mellow mood soured in an instant. "Where is Yash, Chaiyyiji?"
"Yash? He must be on his way home. You know his cricket club takes up so much of his time."
"Cricket Club," Maan raised a eyebrow at that, "the same one where they play for few minutes and then pass the evening in eating, discussing girls, playing stupid pranks and fighting over silly bets? Atleast Darjee is working hard for the family."
"Maan! How can you talk about your brother like that? You know how passionate Yash is about cricket. He is not like the other boys who are all about girls, betting..."
"Chaiyyiji, Yash veerji is also like them. My friend says that her sister Pooja is his girlfriend," Iqbal spoke up.
"Shut Baby. Maybe your friend and her sister are stupid girls who throw themselves at boys. Why blame my son? My Yash is very sincere. You should encourage him Kakke. After all didn't you always say sports build character?" Savitri threw a taunt at him.
Hurt clouded his eyes as the memory of his childhood came alive. "Cricket is not a sport Chaiyyiji, it's a game. A game played for lesiure. There is no athleticism or character building involved in it. My hockey was never good enough for you to approve, but Yash's wasteful ways in the name of cricket becomes a matter of pride for you?"
Savitri gave herself a mental scold for not being careful with her words. This won't do Savitri. You want Maan in an agreeable mood, so that he listens to you. And you have gone ahead and done the exact opposite. "You are right Kakke," she cast her eyes down, "I should be more careful with Yash. Let him come home. I will speak to him myself. You don't worry about it. Come lets have our dinner..."
"You guys carry on," Maan spoke dispassionately, "I will wait for Darjee." Knowing his family, he knew they would do exactly like he said. Carry on. After living in hostel, and then being a part of the Army way of life, eating togther was always seen as a sign of unity, bonding with your juniors, showing respect to your seniors.
And wasn't a family supposed to eat together? He had always wished that his mother had inculcated this habit with the kids. Except on some occassion or function, they never dined together as a family. His father being too detached with the household matters, had never cared much for it, even though Maan knew that it was something that really made Ajaipal happy. But his policy of not interferring with Savitri's domain in the house, had made him silent about such matters. Even if it was something he really liked, Ajaipal would never ask.
Seeing such conditions of his house, the thoughts that have been plaguing him ever since his engagement, came back to plague him. He was to bring a wife in this house. This house! Her family was full of love. Everyone was so close to each other. No ego issues, no hassles of pride, no stereotyping of roles and positions. Such a stark contrast to his own house. The thought made him feel like running away.
And the same thought made him want to be with that family even more. With Geet.
Will they embrace him within their family just like they all held each other close? Will he find a similar place in their lives? Bauji and Ma have been nothing but loving towards him. But was it only because he was their future son-in-law? Will they love him as a son? He had seen the laughter, the liveliness in their home. Will he be a part of that laughter?
Will she laugh in the same manner with him? Will they share a close bond or will they only play a role for the society? Will she talk to him like a friend or speak to him only as and when a spouse requires to?
Will she find happiness with him? A hard and strict man like him. Will his harshness wither away her softness? How much will she adjust for him, his house, his family? How much will he change for her? When he knew that he was firmly set in his ways. Will she find him so hard that she would never be able to nurture any form of affection for him?
It was so easy to keep away such thoughts in Roorkee. His work kept his mind occupied. But the moment he stepped into his house, the cold aura that enveloped him made him long for the warmth he had experienced in the Handa Haveli.
He needed distraction.
"...so I was speaking to Rano jee today..."
Geet. Should I speak to Geet? Will that be acceptable behavior?
"...and then she said it was Geet's birthday on..."
He needed to shift his focus.
"...I think we should go. It would be nice..."
But this house held nothing that could hold his attention favorably.
"...and its great you are here..."
He would soon find a fault and start loosing his patience over his failure to correct it. I bet Geet never frets over such things.
"...take a gift..."
No, stop thinking about Geet. She had become like a starthat becokned him. A star upon whom he wishes to wish upon.
"...you will come along..."
"Yes I will."
"That is fantastic! I will telephone Rano jee first thing in the morning. We should buy her something nice..."
Maan jerked out of his thoughts when Savitri patted him on his back. She was litterally jumping in her seat.
He scowled at his mother's antics only to realize a moment later just what he had agreed to. Bloody hell!! How was he to endure that?
He now realized why it was taught to be alert in Army. Fauji sada sawdhaan, varna khatre mein jaan. [A soldier is always alert, or he is at risk of being hurt.]
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(Handa Haveli...)
"It's a family movie, Papaji."
"dhishum-dhishum vi hai."
"And it has Hema Malini. She even sings a song for her father."
"dhishum-dhishum-dhishum vi hai."
"And your favorite hero, Dev Anand."
"dhishum- dhishum-dhishum-dhishum vi hai."
"Papaji, please can we watch the movie? Consider this as my birthday gift. I won't ask for anyhing else," Geet pleaded on behalf of her siblings, "...this year," she added after a thought.
For all the freedom Mohinder Lal Handa bestowed upon his children, there were two things he always held restrictions on. The girls were not allowed outings with friends, unless the sisters went together. And watching television. Specially movies and the few English shows that were shown on television. They watched television, but only when Mohinder was away at work. Mohinder felt that watching television killed the time he spent with his family. So, the girls were allowed to watch television but only in afternoons.
But occasionally they would find that a movie was to be telecast at night and then they would coax their father into permitting them to watch it. Like this time, when the girls found that the coming Sunday a super-hit movie was about to be shown on DD National.
"What is the name of the movie?" Mohinder asked looking at their pleading faces.
"Johnny Mera Naam," Geet blurted.
"dhishum- dhishum-dhishum..."
"Bas kar Lucky," Meera clamped his mouth shut.
"The one that has Pran in it?"
"Haanji Papaji," Sameera replied, "another one of your favorite."
"Fine, we will watch it. Now off to sleep all of you."
"Thank you Papaji," they all screamed and hugged their father tight.
"Kakku," Mohinder called Geet as everyone was leaving for their rooms.
"Jee Papaji?"
"Puttar, what do you wish to have for your birthday this year?"
"But Papaji," Geet looked confused, "I just promised I will ask nothing else if you allow us to watch the movie."
"Mere Kakke-pattake," Mohinder laughed fondly at his daughter, "do you think this is all that your father will give you? I can give you my life if you ask me. This was one simple movie. Such small wishes I can fulfill without any effort on my part. Its your birthday Geet. Ask your father for the stars, and see if I don't get them for you."
He leaned and kissed her forehead, praying to God that his daughter always smiles the way she was doing now. Babaji, just like you have made an instrument to make her life bright and happy, I hope Maan becomes the shining star of her life henceforth.
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So what would Maan get for her? Any guesses?!!😆
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Edited by jazzerette - 13 years ago
Cricket
Bollywood
Anupamaa
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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