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Chapter 5
Rishabh wanted to open his eyes but he was afraid of the reaction that he would see on Veena and Rajesh’s face after listening to him. He slowly opened his eyes and when he saw their blank faces he felt more nervous.
‘I know that you must be thinking that I am insane to ask this question to you.. but before you get angry or upset please meri puri baat sun lijiye… Maine Yeh faisla sirf issliye liya hai because I love your daughter…’
He paused for a second to gauge their reactions before he continued
‘I know that Prerna and I have not known each other for a long time. Though aapko main do saal se janta hun, Prerna ke saath meri mulaqat properly 6 mahine pehle hi hui thi.. par iss thode se waqt main bhi Prerna se mujhe pyaar hogaya hai.. aur hota bhi kaisa na, vo hain hi aisi … I’ve never come across someone who is so smart and intelligent at the same time she is so kindhearted and caring too. She is a 21st century girl with traditional thinking, which makes her different from everyone else… she is a perfect life partner for any man on this earth… and most importantly, she has become a very important part in my daughter’s life too. Kukki and Prerna have always been fond of each other and you know that too..Yesterday when I saw the way Prerna cared for Kukki, I realised that She would also be the best mother that I could find for my daughter… And I swear to god I never thought about it until yesterday… just like Kukki even your daughter has now become special to me.. and if you give me a chance to prove that you, I promise to never disappoint you till my last breath…’
The last time Rishabh so nervous was when he was holding Kukki for the first time in his hands, he was scared that he would hurt her and even now he could feel the same fear, he was scared of getting rejected by Prerna’s parents. He kept looking at them anxiously, Veena looked too shocked to react while Rajesh just stared at him impassively. After a minute or so Rajesh stood and looked at Rishabh sternly
‘Hume Prerna se baat karni hai..’
He turned to leave and Veena followed him too while a worried Rishabh sat alone in the hall.
‘Aap kya karne ja rahe hain.. Rishabh Prerna se Umar main bada hai aur uski beti bhi hai.. iss rishte ke bare main kaise soch sakte hain aap..’
Veena spoke in a low voice as they walked toward the stairs.
‘Main kuch bhi kahun usse pehle mujhe meri beti se baat karni hai..’
Rajesh replied to in a stern and low voice, he knew his wife’s concern was not wrong but for him that didn’t matter right now. He wanted to know about his daughter’s feelings first.
——-
Prerna who had heard everything was feeling scared too. Before today she had never heard Rishabh talk so much. As soon as her parents started climbing upstairs she ran into her room, Kukki looked up at her and gave her an assuring smile as Prerna sat on the bed.
‘Don’t worry… Papa sab sambhal lenge…’
Kukki’s words encouraged Prerna, she knew that Rishabh must have already told her about their relationship, he could never hide anything from his daughter.
‘Pata hai.. but phir bhi darr lag raha hai..’
‘Aap daro mat… mere papa best hain.. unhe koi bhi na nahi bol sakta..’
She winked at Prerna and hugged her tightly, Prerna giggled at her excitement and kissed her cheeks, their beautiful moment was witnessed by Rajesh and Veena, they shared a look before walking inside the room
‘Kukki.. beta aap thode time ke liye aap ke papa ke paas jaoge?’
Rajesh smiled at them as he walked to the bed, Kukki nodded her head and ran from the room with the teddy that Prerna had given her to play. As soon as she left Rajesh sat opposite to Prerna and without beating the bush he asked her directly about Rishabh and her relationship
‘Rishabh says that he loves you… and he wants to get married to you.. what do you have to say about it? And be honest with me..’
Prerna looked at her parents anxiously, especially her mom, she knew that for once her father might agree to their relationship but she was doubtful about her mother.
‘Baba.. yesterday when you said that you will get me married to a guy that I chose for myself, did you mean it?’
She asked hesitantly
‘Of course I did baccha..’
‘So if I say that I love Rishabh too and I want to get married to him.. will you agree to it??’
She saw her parents exchange a look before Rajesh shifted closer to her and caught her hand in his
‘Beta.. you do know that he is elder to you and he has a five year old daughter too.. you are just 24, tumhe lagta hai ki tum iss rishte ko zindagi bhar nibha poge??’
Once again Rajesh had asked her a straightforward question, Prerna understood that her parents were concerned for her, and the fact that they didn’t say a clear no by now gave her some hope
‘I know Baba, marriage is a huge responsibility aur ek baache ke saath hone se aur bhi zyada badi zimmedari ban jati hai vo.. lekin main janti ki main aur Rishabh ek dusre se jitna pyaar karte hain utna hi gehra humara rishta bhi hoga.. Aap toh Rishabh ko ache se jante hain, main unke saath khush rahungi Baba.. aur Kukki bhi mujhe bohut pyaar karti hai, I know that we will be a happy family..’
She looked at him expectantly and waited for her parents to say something, but all they did was exchange looks with each other. Veena was still worried about Prerna and Rishabh’s age difference but after listening to her daughter and knowing her well, she understood that her daughter was ready to get into this relationship, she came ahead and gently stroked Prerna’s hair, as her eyes welled up
‘Come..’
Rajesh got up from the bed and holding Prerna’s hand he took her downstairs, Rishabh who was waiting in the hall anxiously with his daughter stood up as the trio walked up to them. Rajesh stood in front of Rishabh with Prerna by her side, he left her hand and caressed her hair as he spoke
‘Kal jab meri beti ke liye ek galat rishta aaya tha toh unhe bade garv se maine kaha tha ki Prerna ki shadi main ussi se karvaunga jise vo chunegi.. kyunki main janti hun ki meri beti apne liye koi galat faisla nahi legi. Usse sahi aur galat insaan ka fark samajh aata hai..’
He looked at Rishabh and continued
‘Aur mujhe khushi hai iss baat ki, ke meri beti ne mujhe sahi sabit kiya hai.. tumhe apne liye chun kar..’
Both Rishabh and Prerna looked at him with wide eyes as Rajesh completed his sentence and then looked at each other
‘Ek pal ko Mann main khayal aaya ki tum dono ke Umar ke fasle ko leke log na jane kya kya batien karenge, par phir yaad aaya ki humareliye sirf tum dono ki khushi mayne rakhni chahiye.. aur hum jante hain ki tum dono hi iss rishte main khush rahoge.. issliye iss rishte se hume koi aitraaz nahi hai beta..’
It took Prerna a minute to register what her father had just said, she hugged him with all her might and cried in his arms, even Kukki started jumping in excitement but Rishabh stood there motionless, he still couldn’t believe that Prerna’s parents had accepted their relationship. Veena chuckled looking at him and walked up to him
‘Shadi se pehli hi itna ghabraye hue ho toh shadi ke baad kya haal hoga…’
Rishabh blushed at her words while everyone else laughed at his expressions
‘Aunty aisi koi baat nahi hai vo…’
‘Aanha… yahan koi aunty ya uncle nahi hai… agar humari beti se shadi karni hai, toh hume Maa aur Baba keh ke bulana padega..’
Rajesh said cheerfully as he pulled out of his daughter’s embrace and walked to his wife, Rishabh looked hesitantly in Prerna’s direction, who gave him an encouraging nod
‘Ji Baba..’
Rishabh said in a soft voice and was immediately pulled in a hug by Rajesha, it had been years since the had lost his parents, he felt a different warmth in his heart when Rajesh asked him to address Veena and him as Maa and Baba, he felt like his own parents were back in his life.
As Prerna witnessed the two most important men in her life share this moment her eyes teared up in an instant yet at the same time a big smile formed on her lips as well, Rishabh caught her eye, he returned her smile and winked at her naughtily which made her chuckle and blush at once.
Breaking the hug Rajesh gestured Prerna to come closer to them, he caught her hand and placed it in Rishabh’s
‘Prerna is my life Rishabh.. toh maan lo ki apni zindagi tumhe sonp raha hun... and I trust you, that no matter what happens, you will always protect her and keep her happy…’
Rishabh smiled at him and gave him a nod before turning to look at Prerna
‘I promise you Baba.. aaj ke baad kisi bhi musibat ko Prerna tak pohunch ne se pehle mera samna karna hoga… aur chahe kuch bhi ho, I will always be by her side…’
Rajesh and Veena smiled looking at the couple who were already lost in each others eyes. Rajesh sent a silent pray to God to protect Rishabh and Prerna’s relationship from the evil eye of this world and give them the strength to fight any and every odd that comes their way!
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Waiting for your likes and comments! ❤️
Edited by Niyati_T - 5 years ago
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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