Jassi's god-bharai is in progress. One by one, the ladies of the family and the neighborhood come up to her, dropping rice, or sweets in her lap, and whispering good wishes for the child into her ear. Jassi glows with contentment to receive all this warmth and blessing. She looks as beautiful as a new bride, sitting in her corner with her pallu over her head, her eyes widening in appreciation and sometimes amusement, at the whispers poured into her ear.
Ila wishes that the newborn may be the source of pride and joy to the Suris and Walias.
Amrit says that the child should bring all the happiness of earth and heaven to Jassi and Armaan.
Bebe (who resolutely attends, despite some spiteful neighbours showing themselves scandalized at the "unlucky" presence of a widow at such an occasion) hopes that the baby shall be the perfect son/daughter to JandA, and the prefect sibling to Vedika.
Vedika herself whispers that she wants a baby brother or sister whom she can take care of, and who will call her "didi".
Angel, who seems rather at sea, says that the child should grow up to be famous and successful. (Jassi suppresses a smile.)
Beauty hopes that the baby should herald even greater love between its parents.
Bua hopes that it will be a "sona munda" who will be as handsome as Armaan and as sweet-natured as Jassi.
When it is Meghna's turn, everyone else looks a bit apprehensive, knowing that there has not been any love lost between her and Jassi. Meghna herself seems oblivious of the others' anxiety. Looking quite serene, she kneels before Jassi, deposits the rice in her lap, and whispers, "I hope ki yeh aanewala baby, aur Vedika, dono tumhari family ko complete kar ke perfect family bana de!"
Jassi looks in astonishment at her. Meghna, however, meets her gaze steadily and smiles. Overwhelmed, Jassi hugs her, as Meg returns the gesture with equal warmth.😊
Around midway through the ceremony, a woman in a red salwar-kameez quietly comes in and sits down next to Beauty. Her face I almost completely covered by her chunni. Beauty can only see her eyes, and somehow she gets the feeling, "Inki shakl….kuch jaani-pehchaani si lag rahi hai!"
The lady, sensing her discomfiture, murmurs discreetly, "Ji main…main Gurjeet Kaur…parle pind se….main Bebe ki purani saheli ki beti hoon……."😕
Beauty nods politely, but can't shake off that nagging doubt.
When it is the woman's turn, she walks mincingly towards Jassi, kneels down, drops the rice in her lap, and then…..puts a tiny red cloth package into her hands. Jassi looks up in astonishment. The eyes under the chunni wink at her. Jassi gasps, opens her mouth, but before the words come out, the "woman" (?😉) whispers in her ear, "Tumhara gift den eke liye mujhe aana hi pada, sweetheart!" and plants a kiss on her cheek!😃
Jassi gives a little scream-- "Tum!" and pulls off the chunni. The ladies shriek. Armaan,😛 caught in the act, grins around and takes a bow. Bua comes up to give him a whack, but he blows her a kiss and rushes out, leaving the ladies divided between laughter and consternation. Vedika is leaping up and down in delight. Bebe is giggling like a schoolgirl. Bua tries unsuccessfully to look displeased. Angel and Meghna grin at each other. Beauty looks vindicated. "Mujhe lag raha tha….ki kuch gadbad hai! Gurjeet Kaur….yeh jeeju bhi na….!"😆
And Jassi? When everyone turns around to see her reaction, she is red, red, red from blushing.😳 Even though everyone' eyes are on her, she can't resist opening the packet. Inside is a beautiful miniature painting of herself and Armaan, in Mughal costume, with three children. One of the children bears a close resemblance to vedika. The other two—a girl and a boy—seem like a union of JandA's facial features. 😳😳
Jassi blinks away the tears filling her eyes. Unseen by anyone, she softly leans down and touches her lips to the picture. "I love you Armaan!" ❤️
Monday: Raj meets Nikki.
Real Estate
