MG ff - Ajeeb Dastan part 12- Pg 44/10 dec - Page 15

Maan felt awkward being addressed as uncle, it made him feel very old. Looked like people here mistook his age here because he'd stopped dyeing his hair. He was just 50 and that didn't justify a 35 year old calling him uncle. "I'd better start dyeing my hair again, Ramu could help me" he thought to himself. In the US most of the people just called him 'Mr. Khurana' So he immediately corrected Prem saying "Please call me Maan. No formalities."

As Prem saw the list Maan had he asked "Are you planning to settle here permanently?"

"Can't say. It all depends. You see I want to build a hospital here." Maan began as they sat in Manu's rickshaw. Taking out the list from his pocket Maan said "The first thing on my list are bed linens and curtains."

Prem "For that we'll need a lady's opinion. You should have bought Maa along."

When Maan looked at him perplexed he explained "Geet Maa".

Maam "Oh, I did ask her to come but she said she had school."

Prem "But today is Saturday. She has school only upto 1 pm. It's ok. We'll do one thing, we'll go to my house, have some coffee and snacks and then take Mayuri, my wife, along, to choose the bedlinen and curtains."

Maan "Fine, that sounds good."

As soon as she opened the door and saw her husband standing there, Mayuri burst out, "Finished your social service?" and turned to go in. She didn't see that Maan had followed her husband, hobbling with his walking stick.

Prem "Why are you angry Mayuri?"

Without turning around she asked "Why didn't you tell me yesterday itself, that Maa had called you and asked you to accompany that good for nothing Angrez?" Before Prem could say anything Maan butted in saying "You are right except for the last part. I'm only a resident of London, not an Angrez. I'm still a citizen of India." She turned around shocked but walked in without a word of apology or a word of welcome.

Prem went red in his face and asking Maan to be seated, humbly apologized to him. "I'm sorry, she seems to be in a bad mood." "Hey, no need to apologize. I think I came at a wrong time. I'll take your leave now. I'll buy the other things later on." Maan replied.

Prem "Please wait, it will make me feel worse if you leave abruptly like that. How will I face Maa again then? I'll be back in a few minutes."

Maan understood his dilemma and sat on the divan. "Go and talk to that grandpa" Maan heard Prem telling someone. "Me and Maa will join you soon." That was followed by a stern instruction from her, "Don't you dare move from here. Sit tight."

Prem "Mayuri what's this nonsense? I know I forgot to tell you yesterday but it wasn't intentional. It just skipped my mind. Only this afternoon when Manu brought him to the branch I remembered and called to tell you immediately. It wasn't as if we had some other plans for the afternoon. Then why are you so angry?"

Maan couldn't understand what Prem was saying because he was talking in whispers but Mayuri's loud and clear reply reached his ears ditinctly. "I hate that man. Why did you bring him to our house?"

Prem "sshhh"

Mayuri "Let him hear at least then he will be ashamed of himself. You know how much trouble Maa has faced in her life because of him? Because of this selfish, heartless man that Goddess has shed so many tears. I honestly wish to slap him and ask to pay for all those tears."

Then he heard some muffled sounds, then bitter crying and hiccups followed by a tiny voice crying "Maa please don't cry, I also feel like crying then."

Maan couldn't control the tears which flowed down his cheeks hearing all that. He couldn't wait another minute there. He went out to the auto and sitting in it texted a message to Prem "I'm leaving, not because I'm offended but because I'm ashamed. Your wife is absolutely right and I totally deserve the hatred she harbours for me and I'm glad about that too. Because from that I was able to gauge how much she loves her Maa and I'm thrilled to see that there is someone who cares for Geet so much. Yes, she is Goddess incarnate and I owe my entire life to her. Convey my sincerest apologies to your wife, but ask her not to forgive me, as I don't deserve to be."

As he asked Manu to take him home his mind rewinded to the time when the Goddess had entered his life as his better half, though he had not thought so then.

He had completed his Bcom and come home for vacation, before starting is internship. He was sorry to know that Rano Maa who doted on him and spoilt him mad, making all his favourite dishes whenever he came home for vacation, was bed ridden. She had blood cancer and by the time it had been diagnosed, she was in the last stage. He loved his Rano Maa very much and went to meet her at once.

"I've been just waiting for you to complete your studies and come home," she said on seeing him. "Before I close my eyes, I have to complete one important duty; otherwise I can't even face God." But what she asked of him when he went to her bedside, bowled him.

Rano "You know I've been living till today only for my daughter otherwise I would have killed myself when your uncle died. I've spoken to Bhai and bhabhi about it. They have no objection as long as you agree."

Then holding both his hands in hers, she said "considering your hands as your feet, I hold them and ask you one thing, marry my daughter immediately. I know both of you are made for each other, but give me the privilege to shower blessings on your heads as husband and wife. I'm hurrying you up because my end is near."

Maan "Rano Maa don't say such things, you'll be ok soon."

Rano "Don't give me false assurances, Maan bete. I spoke directly to the doctor and he explained everything to me. Just say "yes".

He had been in a fix then. Though his Rano Maa had always called him her son-in-law, he had never thought of Geet like that. So he had put forth all the pretexts he could think of. "Par Rano Maa, I still have to do my internship. Then my post graduation. I still have 3 ' 4 years of studies. It'll be so difficult to study after marriage."

Rano "You are absolutely wrong. With Geet to assist you, things will be much easier. I've taught her prepare all your favourite dishes and she's a very loving girl. She'll take good care of you."

Nothing would dissuade her from her stance. Since she had roped in his parents too, there was no escape for him and he didn't tell anyone about the actual reason either. The Pandit was called and their marriage was fixed for the following week. Maan was hopeful of somehow brainwashing Geet and getting out of the marriage business. But his luck ran out when Rano Maa's health turned for the worst the very next day. The village people opined that the wedding should be solemnized immediately as Rano's soul would haunt the family if her last wish wasn't fulfilled.

Love,

Hinal

Prev - Part 7 - Pg 29

Next - Part 9 - Pg 34

Note