KHURANA MANSION
"Vicky yeh kya haal kiya hain tumne study ka?" I was shocked seeing the state of the study all the files scattered on the floor. Having a close look at him I could make out the reason.
"Pari se ladaai hui hain na tumhari?" His lowered gaze confirming my doubt.
"Its all her fault! Aap ko nahi pata usne kya kiya hain Bro. Kal woh mujhe bina bataye apni Mom se milne gayi thi aur apni galti kaqool karne ke badle mujhe hi..." Vicky just burst out all his frustration. I forwarded a glass of water to him and let him cool down. After few minutes I calmly inquired.
"Tumhe kis baat ka zyaada bura laga, woh apni Mom se milne gayi issliye ya phir tumhe bina bole gayi issliye?" He just stared at me for few seconds and then spoke.
"BRO.." I raised my hands gesturing him to let me finish and I continued.
"Vicky usse samajhne ki koshish karo, aasaan nahi hain uske liye yeh sab karna, woh uski family hain. Try to understand! Woh chahti toh kabhi hamaara saath nahi deti lekin usne sach ka saath diya uske apno ke khilaaf, yeh ek bahot badi baat hain. Give her some space aur uss par koi paabandi (restrictions) nahi lagayega! I hope I am clear." Not agreeing with me Vicky hastily added.
"Bro aap anhi pata uski Mom ne kya kiya hain, Pari ko emotionally blackmail karke gambling ki liye paise liye, itna hi nahi woh Pari ko hamaare khilaaf bhadka rahi hain ke hum Khanna's pe spy karte hain etc etc. Aur Pari unki baaton mein aa gayi."
"Pari naadaan hain Vicky lekin tum toh samajhdaar ho. Ayesha Khanna ki chaal mein Pari nahi balke tum phas rahe ho. Can't you see that yahin toh woh chahti hain ke hum mein phoot (divide) padh jaaye, Pari humse alag ho jaaye aur tumhara aisa behavior uski chaal ko bahot jaldi kaamyaab kar dega." I stated.
"Lekin Bro..." I didn't let him continue.
"Listen very carefully Vicky, tumhe Pari se maafi maang ni hogi aur ek aur baat main kisi bhi haal mein Ayesha Khanna ko Pari ki zindagi se khilwaad nahi karne doonga. Iss koi galti nahi honi chahiye, samjhe tum." He nodded meekly as we headed towards the breakfast table.
"Dadaji, Dad, Bhai...Pari aap sab se kuch kehna chahti hain." Annie's statement grabbed everyones attention and all looked towards Pari and a layer of fear was evident on Vicky's face. I assume he feels Pari will complain about his behavior to us. I couldn't help but smile at this, but the next instant my sherni nudged me hard and glared at me knowing very well what I was upto. I innocently nodded my head in no giving her a 'I didn't do anything look!'
She grinned at my shocked expressions and I turned towards Pari keeping my face stern waiting for her to continue.
"Pari bolo beta kya baat hain?" Mom inquired lovingly.
"Woh...Dadaji...main woh...actually..." She fumbled with words her nervousness quite evident. She glanced at Vicky.
"Daadu woh Pari apne family ke baare mein baat karna chahti hain." Sensing her anxiety Annie put forward the topic.
"Darne ki koi baat nahi Pari tum khulke apni baat keh sakti ho." Dad prompted her not before glaring at Vicky who seemed all set to run for his life with the word go.
"Dadaji woh...main kehna chahti thi ke...Woh main maanti hoon Dev Bhai ne bahot galat kiya hain, aur main unki side bhi nahi le rahi hoon bas main sirf yeh chahti hoon ke Dev Bhai ko ek fair chance diya jaaye apne kiye galat kaam ka prayashchit (repentance) karne ke liye." She stated her point clearly.
"Dadaji Pari..." Vicky started only to be shut by Dadaji who raised his index finger signalling him to stop at once and called out to me.
"Maan!" Totally understanding his look and I spoke.
"Pari tum galat samajh rahi ho, main tumse jhoot nahi kahunga, 24/7 Dev par hamaari nazar hain, sirf issliye ke ab usse kuch galat karne ka mauka hi na diya jaaye. Jab tak woh koi vaar nahi karta hum usse koi nuksaan nahi pohuchayenge. Dev ke kisi bhi sahi kaam ya shuruaat mein hum koi problem nahin karenge, pehel (first strike) hamaari taraf se nahi hogi yeh mera Maan Singh Khurana ka vaada hain tumse." I promised her.
"Thank you so much Veerji! Main sirf yahin chahti hoon ke woh ek sahi raaste pe chale, ek acche insaan bane jaise Dad unhe banana chahte the. Main bhi aap se promise karti hoon agar iss baar unhone kuch bhi galat kiya toh main aap logon ke beech nahi aaungi. Aap jo chahe kar sakte hain." She asserted emotionally.
Dadimaa eased the serious atmosphere by ordering all to continue their breakfast and I turned to look at Geet who was muttering to herself but quite audible to me.
"Chalo ab main apni yummy paratha kha sakti hoon!"
'Accha yummy paratha khana hain abhi dikhata hoon!'
I smirked as a superb idea struck my mind. Not letting go of a golden opportunity I caught hold of her hand. She looked down at her hand and then at me astonished. I winked at her and continued eating my yummy pasta.
Not making it too obvious she tried to free her hand but I held it to firmly she pleaded making faces but I was so enjoying this but her patience gave up and she whispered in my ears.
"Haath chodiye warna..." She challenged me I just smiled at her not bothered of her lame warnings but the next moment she called out to Dadimaa.
"Dadimaa, Maan...ko aur pasta chahiye please bowl pass karenge." Displaying a winning smirk on her face as her sudden statement had distracted me and my hold on her hand loosened and she freed her hand immediately she winked at me.
All I could do was smile at my nautanki queen!
Post breakfast we were seated in the hall, we still had sometime before leaving for office when Shergill Uncle, Aadi, Yash and Arjun entered. I wasn't expecting them here. I looked at Aadi who had adorned a grim face, I raised my brow when Aadi disclosed the news.
"Woh Maan iss saal tumhe award nahi de rahe."
"Kya! aisa kaise ho sakta hain itne saal se hume har saal award milta hain!" Vicky exclaimed.
"Aadi bhaiya aap ne theek se pata kiya, aisa nahi ho sakta. Bro ko har saal award milta hain aur iss saal toh hamaari Company aur Bro dono ke achievements kaabile-taareef (commendable) hain phir kyun hume award nahi mila..." He cribbed like a kid.
"Woh issliye bete kyun ke iss saal woh Khurana Constructions ko felicitate karnewale hain for our path breaking vision, concepts and over the years our consistent performance in the construction world. Khurana Constructions ke teeno generations ko jointly woh log felicitate karna chahte hain." Shergill Uncle proclaimed proudly and the whole mansion beamed with happiness and joy.
Shergill Uncle moved towards Dadaji and requested him.
"Ek special request bheji hain jury ne ke aap bhi yeh award function aur uske baad KC ke honour mein party hain woh attend kare." Suddenly there was pin drop silence all around. Post his paralytic stroke Dadaji had never stepped out of the house. Years later he broke his resolve for my wedding. Every single person present looking at him with anticipation.
He looked at Dadimaa who stood gazing at him with moist eyes awaiting his reply.
"I GUESS ITS TIME TO FACE THE WORLD ONCE AGAIN!"
Dadaji spoke the whole sentence clearly in one go and all jumped in joy. Dadimaa's eyes brimmed with tears, Annie ran to him hugging him hard and started blabbering.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Daadu you are a true rockstar! Kitni saari preparations karni hain woh bhi itni short notice mein, sab ke perfect looks decide karne hain, Daadu and Daadi, Dad and Mom, Bhai and ..." She halted in mid realizing that Geet wouldn't be a part of this celebration.
I felt a pang in my heart seeing Geet mask her face yet again with her smile which sadly didn't reach her eyes. I turned around to look at Dadaji whose eyes were only on Geet. He looked at me his face shut of all emotions. I couldn't read his face or eyes this time but the next second his declaration nailed it.
"MAAN AND GEET!"
"TIME FOR THE WORLD TO MEET MRS GEET MAAN SINGH KHURANA !!!!"
Dear...
Cricket
