PROLOGUE
Maan smiled as he drove through the wilderness of Northern India in his beloved jeep. He took a deep breath letting the fresh air calm him and drag all his worries away. He was here for his personal reasons, not to worry about his office in the concrete Jungle called Dilli. He looked by the side as the sun slowly descended leaving a hue of colors on the horizon. So beautiful! Maan thought as he stopped the jeep and observed the beauty. For few minutes there was nothing but Maan, the beautiful sunset and the silence. He closed his eyes as the wind caressed his hair. Feeling restricted by the tie and vest he worn in the morning for his office, he removed them and threw it in the back of his jeep. Clad in his shirt and trousers, Maan stopped looking like a corporate honcho and more like a normal guy. Unbuttoning his collar and pulling out his tucked in shirt, Maan finally felt his corporate tycoon persona being left behind and he embraced the feeling of being a normal guy. For next few days, he was not Maan Singh Khurana, just Maan, a normal guy who was going to meet a girl and might even get married too.
The phone rang shattering the silence and Maan picked it up right away.
"Hello!", Maan answered, his eyes still fixed on the horizon.
"Maan bete! Kahaan hai aap? Kab yahaan aayenge? Hum kabse aapka intezaar kar rahe hain! Aapne toh kahaa tha ki suraj dhalne se pehle aa jaayenge? Suraj dhal gaya par aap nahi aaye!", came Daadima's worried voice from the other side.
"Jaanta hun Daadima! Lekin kya karun! Meeting lamba khich gaya!", Maan replied.
"Bas bas! Humein aapke bahaane nahi sunne! Aur abhi se aap jaldi aane ki aadat daal leejiye! Hum aapke nakhre seh lete hain lekin apni bahu ko yeh sab sehne nahi denge! Bahut jald aapki shaadi hone waali hai Maan! Shaadi ke baad aapko apni patni ke saath waqt bitaana chaahiye na ki un files aur tenders ke peeche bhaagna chaahiye!", Daadima would have continued to scold him if Maan had not interrupted her.
"Daadima aapko nahi lagta aap iss shaadi ke baat ko lekar bahut serious ho rahi hain?", Maan spoke in amused voice, "After all, kya guarantee hai ki mujhe woh ladki pasand aayegi?"
"Arre! Kyun pasand nahi aayegi?", Daadima questioned, "Aapko jaroor yeh ladki pasand aayegi! Hum guarantee dete hain!"
Maan rolled his eyes, "Daadima! Last paanch rishte ke liye bhi aapne yahi kahaa tha!"
Daadima huffed, "Woh ladkiyan toh sheher ki socialites thi! Na tameez thi unmein aur na bahu waale gun! Lekin iss baar jo ladki humne dhoondhi hai woh bilkul waisi hai jaise aapne aur maine socha tha! Aapki har shart pe khari utri hai yeh ladki! Gharwaalon ka khayaal rakhti hai, padhi likhi hai aur koi nakhre wakhre bhi nahi hai uske! Aur humein jaisi bahu chaahiye thi bilkul waisi hai! Hum hamesha chaahte the ki aapki patni ek dum aapki opposite ho nature se! Aur yeh waisi hi hai! Aap garam mizaaz toh woh shaant! Aap serious toh woh hasmukh! Aapke har kami ko woh poora karegi aur aapki taaqat bhi banegi! Hum kehte haina Maan! Bahut jald aapki shaadi hogi! Dekhlena!"
Maan sighed and smiled, "Theek hai Daadima! Ab main phone rakhun?"
"Haan! Nahi! Ek minute!", Daadima spoke.
Maan, who was about to cut the call, frowned and placed the phone near his ear, "Ji Daadima?"
Daadima's worried tone came, "Dekho Maan bete! Yeh pahaadi rasta hai! Bahut hi teda meda! Isliye agar aapko pahunchte bahut der hui toh kahin gaadi rukaake theher lena! Raat bhar gaadi mat chalaana! Theek hai?"
Maan nodded with a smile, "Theek hai Daadima!"
Soon they said their goodbyes and Maan sighed. Three months! Its been three months since Daadima got into her head to find the perfect wife for him and after three months and five girls Daadima had yet to find her. Till now Daadima dragged him alongside to see the girl for the first time, but this time Maan put his foot down. If after meeting the girl Daadima was already going to reject her based on her personality, then what was the use of him being there. It was better that she went first and checked the girl out before calling him to join her. And that's what Maan was doing today. For the first time since last three months his Daadima had liked a girl. And now it was his turn to go and meet the girl and her family.
Maan hoped this sixth girl was the one because he did not want his Daadima moving around too much. Already she was stepping out of their city, Dilli to find the right bahu but if their hometown disappointed her then Maan was scared that she would go hunting down the whole country and that would definitely affect her health. He still remembered the day she decided to find a wife for him.
Three months earlier...
"Maan bete!", Daadima whispered as she smiled at him. Maan smiled back. He had just gotten home from work when one of the servants said that Daadima had called him to her room.
As he sat by her bedside, Daadima cupped his face, "Maan bete! Humaara ek khaab hai! Kya aap use poora karoge?"
Maan nodded, "Haan! Daadima! Aap boliye toh sahi!"
Daadima smiled, "Humein ek bahu laa do!"
"Daadima...", Maan groaned.
Daadima huffed and pouted, "Dekho! Mooh mat banaao! Aapki shaadi ki umar hui jaa rahi hai aur aap hain ke...", Maan cut her off with, "Daadima! I told you! Mujhe jab right ladki milegi toh main khud aapke paas aaunga aur apni shaadi ki baat karunga!"
"Lekin kab?", Daadima asked, "You have crossed 30 Maan! Aur kitna rukoge?"
"Achcha! Toh main kya karun?", Maan groaned. This was the argument they always had. And every time it ended with Maan asking what was he supposed to do. That would generally shut his Daadi up but not today. Today his Daadima was on war path, something Maan did not know.
"Kuch nahi! Bas humaare saath chalo! Hum dono milke ladki dhoondte hain!", Daadima replied making Maan jerk in surprise.
When Daadima noticed his reaction, she shrugged, "Humein aise na dekho, hum kuch galat nahi keh rahe! Aapki Daddy ke liye bhi humne hi ladki dhoondhi thi!"
Maan pinched the bridge of his nose, already feeling a headache coming up, "Daadima! Tabhi zamaana alag tha!"
"Humein kuch nahi pata! Humein sirf itna pata hai ki aapki umar ho chali hai! Arre! Ab shaadi karoge toh hi shaadi shuda zindagi enjoy kar paaoge! Pachaas ki umar mein romance karne mein kya mazaa!"
Maan started chuckling. "Daadima!", Maan spoke in amused voice, "I am only 32!"
"So what!", Daadima spat, "Aap budhe nahi ho rahe toh hum ho rahe hain! Bas ek mahine pehle humein pehla heart attack aaya tha! Aur kya pata aapki shaadi tak humein doosra aajaaye! Aur humein aapki shaadi mein baaraat ke saamne dance karna hai! You can't take that right away from me Maan bete!"
Maan sighed, already knowing that he had lost the battle. But that did not mean he would accept his defeat easily, "Daadima! It's a heart attack that was caused by an accident. It won't happen again. Aur Doctor ne keh diya ki aap theek hain!"
Daadima sighed, "Par beta, humein aapki shaadi ke har function mein part lena hai! Saari tayyaari apne haathon se karni hai! Aur uske liye aapko shaadi humaari tabiyat kharaab hone se pehle karni hogi!"
Finally Maan accepted defeat, "Theek hai Daadima! Aap ladki dhoondhna start kar sakti hai! Lekin mere kuch shartein hai! And the girl has to meet all my conditions!"
Daadima brightened up, "Haan haan! Don't worry! Humaare bhi kuch shartein hain! Aur hum bahu usiko banaayenge jo aapki aur humaari shart dono pe khari utre!"
Maan smiled and hugged his grandma who hugged him back, her mind already cataloguing her friends who had girls at their home right for Maan's age.
Current Time...
Maan smiled as he remembered those conditions. He wanted a wife who would love his Daadima like her own and take care of her. She was old and he generally was in office, so he wanted a wife who would take care of her in his absence. But that was not the only thing he wanted in his wife. He wanted her educated too. When his granddad had died alongwith his parents in a car accident, Daadima had not just taken over his guardianship but she also took over KC and run it till he was ready to take over. Maan wanted his wife to do the same if something happened to him. In short, he wanted a wife who would be able to take care of his family and his company, both. But till now, they had yet to find a girl like that. Maan hoped that Daadima was right and the girl he was going to meet would meet his conditions.
Just like Maan, Daadima had her conditions too. While Maan wanted someone to take care of his family and company, Daadima wanted someone who would be his life partner, someone who was opposite to him, someone who would make him laugh, someone who would be the cool balm to his hot temper, someone who would cover his weakness with her strength and become his support for his whole life.
Maan and Daadima both knew that finding a girl with such specifications was tough but both always believed that there was one person made just for every person and there was someone made for Maan too. And according to Daadima, the girl she found was made just for him. Maan smiled and hoped that she was right.
Taking a deep breath, he jumped into his Jeep and drove off. The weather was so pleasant that Maan could not resist from switching on the radio in his jeep. Maan smiled as an old song started playing.
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
Maan grinned. Perfect song for perfect moment!
Humein Darr Hai Hum Kho Na Jaaye Kahin
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
His eyes widened in wonder as the long trees bordering the roads vanished and vast farms emerged from both the sides. Soon sugar cane farms, wheat farms and many other cropped up and Maan could only stare at it. Even though he had travelled through village roads many times the beauty of the fields and the simplicity of the village world never ceased to amaze him. The tension of city rolled of his back and he relaxed as the beauty of the rural areas continued to make him smile.
Yeh Kaun Hasta Hai Phoolon Mein Chupkar
Bahaar Bechain Hai Kiski Dhun Par
Yeh Kaun Hasta Hai Phoolon Mein Chupkar
Bahaar Bechain Hai Kiski Dhun Par
Kahin Gungun Kahin Runjhun Ke Jaise Naache Zameen
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
Humein Darr Hai Hum Kho Na Jaaye Kahin
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
Maan continued to drive when he came across a bridge with river flowing right below it. He was unable to stop himself from stopping the Jeep and getting down. He leaned on the bridge and looked down. He looked at the river flowing with force and the noise it created. It sounded so musical, Maan thought.
Yeh Gori Nadiyon Ka Chalna Uchhalkar
Ke Jaise Alhad Chale Pee Se Milkar
Yeh Gori Nadiyon Ka Chalna Uchhalkar
Ke Jaise Alhad Chale Pee Se Milkar
Pyaare Pyaare Yeh Nazaare Nikhaar Hai Har Kahin
Maan shook his head at his poetic thoughts. Maan! You are a business man! When did you turn into a poet? He chuckled and walking to his Jeep he started to drive again.
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
Humein Darr Hai Hum Kho Na Jaaye Kahin
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
As he drove the evening started to turn into night. The sun had set down ages ago but now the sun rays started vanishing too. Moon had come up and Maan looked at it with smile.
Woh Aasmaan Jhuk Raha Hai Zameen Par
Yeh Milan Humne Dekha Yahin Par
Woh Aasmaan Jhuk Raha Hai Zameen Par
Yeh Milan Humne Dekha Yahin Par
Meri Duniya Mere Sapne Milenge Shaayad Yahin
Maan's smiled turned tender as he wished that he found his dreams here too. Maybe the girl he was going to see was made for him!
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
Humein Darr Hai Hum Kho Na Jaaye Kahin
Suhana Safar
Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen
As Maan continued to drive, few hours passed and before he knew it, it was getting late and night was already here. Maan's heart sped up when he narrowly escaped getting hit by one of the trucks while going through a very sharp bend. He stopped his jeep in shock and remained still for a while. After few seconds, his brain started to work again. Daadima was right! The roads are pretty scary to drive at night. Better stop for the night somewhere! But kahaan?
Maan started driving, but this time very slowly all the while looking around for someplace to stop. But after 2 hours of prowling he had yet to find even a house forget about a hotel. With sigh, he continued to drive, his eyes registering the road post nearby stating Hoshiarpur - 25 kms. Maan felt relief as that meant pretty soon the outskirts of the town would arrive. But it would be too late in night to go knocking at Handa House so it was better that he stopped at some small Hotel. That was when he noticed a small Hotel at the side of the road. With a sigh of relief Maan stopped his Jeep near the Hotel only to notice that it was an old Haveli.
Maan pulled out his overnight bag from the back, the only thing he had packed for the trip, and walked towards the Haveli while taking in the sign that shined "SINGH DA LODGE". As he reached the door, he saw it was left half open. He looked up and thanked the God for the Lodge being open so late. He pushed the door open and stepped in only to be stunned as the whole Lodge looked deserted. There was not even a single human being in the big hall that led from the main door. Surrounded the halls were various stairs which led to the first floor and Maan looked around hoping to see a single soul.
"Koi hai?", Maan shouted. When no response came, he shouted louder, "MAIN POOCH RAHA HOON, KOI HAI?" No response came and he sighed. Lagta hai mujhe aur aage drive karke koi doosra Hotel dekhna hoga. But he was feeling so tired. He did not think he could drive anymore.
Maan turned to walk away disappointed when he heard some rustling from behind. He turned around in surprise, "KAUN? KAUN HAI WAHAAN?" One of the windows cracked open, making the wind blow into the Haveli disturbing the curtains which swayed due to the wind. Suddenly, Maan felt foreboding fill his body and all he wanted was to go away.
Maan saw a silhouette of a woman standing behind one of the swaying curtains. Sweat dotted his forehead and his eyes widened at the sudden appearance.
"KAUN?", Maan asked but no response came.
"KAUN HO TUM?", Maan roared.
The woman remained still.
Maan took in a sharp breath and then he whispered, "Kaun Ho Tum?"
Who was it? What do you think?
Let me know your thoughts!
See you on 16th November when I will next update!
Thank you, take care and Happy Halloween,
Kalpana
P.S. The song is from the movie Madhumati (1958) and is sung by Mukesh!
Edited by Kalpana_KaCy - 9 years ago
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