Chapter 34
How to Soothe an Ache - Part 1
(February, 1983...)
(Handa Haveli...)
The hand fan creaked at every turn as Mohinder's old wrists swirled its handle. The little bit of cool wind that the fan blew felt like burning coals to Ajaipal. He was trying to think of a way to stop Mohinder from plying the hand fan but his tongue was not cooperating. For the first time it was not Ajaipal who ignored "words" but the words had refused to come to his aid.
Looking at Rano and how white she stood against the doorway, Ajaipal sent a silent prayer to God to give him the strength to see this day end.
He threw a bitter glance at Savitri who at least had the decency to sit shame-faced. He had to admit that it was probably the first time he was seeing his wife supporting this look on her otherwise haughty demeanor.
Only a man of Mohinder's caliber could have done this.
Not by his anger or by his indignation, but by his humbleness.
Savitri had held nothing back. She poured out all her insecurities in front of the Handa couple. She also informed Mohinder and Rano of the conspiracy of their kin, Brij and Jugnu. She ranted, raved and set down the terms. With no electricity in the haveli, the already arid air of Punjab's early summer must have gained a degree or two.
And what did Mohinder do? He asked his wife to prepare cool lassis for the guests. He asked his daughter to get the hand fans. He, a man of repute in the society, sat and fanned Ajaipal and Savitri. He put their discomfort over his. Despite everything that had just taken place.
Sameera came in and set out the glasses of lassi in front them.
"Thank you puttar jee," Mohinder beamed at his daughter, "now please make sure no one disturbs us."
Obeying her father she withdrew immediately.
"Ajaipal ji, Savitri ji," he then turned to address is samdhis, "I have no doubt that only extreme distress could have caused you to take this step and come meet me today. As for Brij and Jugnu, I only feel sorry that our family disputes got spilled in your house. So first of all I must apologize for that."
Ajaipal turned and held his hand, "No Mohinder ji you need not apologize for their conduct." Ajaipal took the fan from his hand and lay down on the table.
"But..."
"Sardarji is right, Mohinder ji," Savitri asserted.
"Savitri ji, let me apologize. It will make me feel lighter. They only got the encouragement to walk up to you because there were kinks in our relationship with them. You had to be exposed to such things makes my heart sad. As for your concern of Maan and Geet's marriage," he took a deep breath before he began, "I have two daughters elder to her who are still unmarried. I cannot sacrifice their lives for one. I will have to beseech you to at least wait till they engaged. As a father I have a burden to carry. Sorry, not a burden. That would be an insult to my girls. I have a responsibility to carry. Ajaipal ji you have met my Sameera. There cannot be a girl as competent as her. You have seen my Meera. There cannot be a girl as complacent as her. They have a right to dream of happy futures for themselves. I will not sacrifice their present for Geet's future. Meri bachchiyaan da vyaah karwa do, tussi Geet le jao. Else, Rajji is a really good girl. I will wish her and your family happiness."
Ajaipal could not take it anymore. He held Mohinder's hand tightly, "Mohinder ji, you are family too and I have no inclination to break this bond. Your burden is mine. Your daughters are like mine. I will share this responsibility with you. Trust me, this is the first and the last time you have heard any complaints from our side. You have my word. Chaudhary Ajaipal Singh Khurana's word."
Tears of gratitude threatened to spill from Rano's eyes. Mohinder's chest filled with pride. For he knew that his faith in Ajaipal was not misplaced.
"Ajaipal ji, tussi meri laaj rakh layi." [You have kept my honor]
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(April, 1983...)
(Khurana Mansion...)
The click of the saucer touching the table brought Ajaipal out of the solitude of his thoughts. Without turning around he replied as per habit, "Thank you Lachchi."
"It's me Sardarji."
Her words merely got reacquainted with silence.
"Kadd tak gussa rakhoge tussi? It's been more than four weeks now Sardarji."
The sound of a page turning tore into her heart. She was repenting. She truly was. She was desperate to make amends. But she had never learned how to make amends.
She had been convinced in her reasons. She had been sure for her grounds. She had been not been prepared for a man like Chaudhary Mohinder Handa.
That image of him fanning her husband did not leave her mind. This was not expected by her. How could have she been so blind? Where did all her sense go? She had behaved as rash as Sashi. His humility had shaken the arrogance out of her.
She had to set things right. But she had to begin with her husband first because she knew that he was hurting from inside. And only if he stood by her side she could face Mohinder, Rano and eventually Geet.
Bless that girl, who had still sought my blessings after all that had happened. Savitri's throat had choked when Geet bent down to touch her feet when they had stood to leave. As she laid her hand on her head she was tempted to call her bitto once again but lacked the courage.
Courage. How people confuse foolishness with courage. Savitri wished Maan was here by her side right now. He would teach her courage. He had always wanted to.
"Sardarji, please speak to me. Trust me..."
"I don't think I can Savitri."
His first words to her and they pierced her through. Savitri may never admit it but Ajaipal's silent support always mattered to her. Gratitude was never expressed; probably because he had never sought it. He had never kept any expectations from her. Except one - to never hurt his dignity and she had let him down on that one occasion. Without him by her she would loose everything. She would never be able to face the Handas again or find the courage to seek their forgiveness.
"Please Sardarji, I deserve one chance."
"It is not in my hands to give you that chance."
"But you must. How else will I set my mistakes right? How will I face Maan otherwise..."
"Why Chaiyyiji? Why would say that?"
"Maan!!"
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"What have you done Chaiyyiji?"
"Maan, dekh puttar..."
"Don't even try Chaiyyiji. It won't work."
He was still sitting in his combats. He had not even had a glass of water to drink. He had traveled for three days and four nights at a stretch to rush back home. He had wanted to give everyone a surprise.
Only to be shocked in the worst way possible.
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(Handa Haveli...)
Geet rushed to her father's study hearing the persistent ringing of the phone and quickly picked the receiver, "Hello?"
"Geet? Is that you?"
Oh! So finally he calls.
"Geet, can I please speak to Bauji?"
Why do you want to hurt him more?
"Geet...Geet...listen to me. It is very important that I speak to him."
I won't let you hurt him anymore.
"Geet, please..."
His pleading voice weakened her resolve. She was about to reply when her eyes fell on her father's picture on the wall. A burden settled over heart thinking of the incident that happened two months ago. A traitorous voice in her heart willed her to listen to him. But she shook herself mentally made up her mind.
Tearing a piece of paper from a notepad she crumbled it next to the mouthpiece of the the telephone receiver.
"Darjee I think there is some disturbance on the line. Geet..."
"Hello? Hello?"
"Geet, can you hear me?"
"Hello? Kaun bol reha hai?"
"It's me, Maan..."
"Daan? Asi koi daan nahi dena. Papaji will take care of that."
"Listen..."
She crumbled the paper harder.
"Hello...hello...line clear nahi hai...hellooo..."
The sound of the receiver slamming down resonated in the room.
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(Khurana Mansion...)
"What happened, Maan?"
"The line was not clear Darjee," he lied, because Maan knew that it was not so.
"Now what Maan?" Savitri asked expectantly.
"I will think of something. I will have to meet Bauji once."
"I will send Mohinder ji a telegram," Ajaipal offered. "The reply should come within a week. Why don't you go attend your camp till then?"
"Jee Darjee."
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(A week later...)
(Army Cantonment, Jalandhar...)
"96...97...99..."
"...100!"
It was not the orderly's voice that had spoken the last count. But the voice was familiar. He swung himself around on the high bar and was surprised.
Bauji?
He brought himself down from the high bar and quickly grabbed a towel to wipe off his sweat-streaked chest. His pecs ached with stress because of the torture he had inflicted on them since day break. If not hockey, exercise was another one of his stress busters. It helped him think. Inverted crunches on a 6 ft high bar were his favorite after all.
He had come across the opportunity to attend the Atheletic Meet of Jalandhar base camp, and Jalandhar being in vicinity of Chandigarh he requested an extended leave to visit his home. It was another fact that Amritsar was just 2 hours drive away from Jalandhar. Yes, he had full intention to seek those curious hazel eyes. But he had never anticipated the circumstances that he met at home. That trunk call had no issues in its connection. It takes more than a crumpled paper to fool him. Silly girl!
He was still contemplating on how to tackle the issue after he got back to Chandigarh and had hoped to think of something while warming up for the events. Mohinder's unexpected visit had thrown him off track. How was he even here?
He quickly grabbed a tee and jogged to where Mohinder stood.
"Bauji," he bent down to take his blessings, "tussi..."
"I know puttar," Mohinder interrupted, "I know what you are thinking. How come Bauji is here, haina? Puttar jee, if I find out that you are here so close to Amritsar, won't I rush to meet you?" Mohinder gave a hearty laugh, "It makes me so proud to see how dedicated you are towards fitness and health. Atheletic Meet, waah puttar! My heart swells with pride seeing the sportsman in you. When I got the telegram from Ajaipal ji I was elated. I had to come to Jalandhar on business anyways. So I thought why not come meet you and take you home."
"I am very happy to see you here too Bauji," Maan replied sincerely, "but I have the final events today..."
"It is alright puttar. You attend your events and till then I will wrap up my work here. Tomorrow early morning we will leave for home," Mohinder patted his shoulder, "Rano will waiting eagerly for us...for you...at breakfast. Theek hai na?"
"Bilkul Bauji."
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Edited by jazzerette - 9 years ago
Ishaani
Cricket
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