Part 4
Necessary Meeting
Maan Niwas
Lalit: (disappointed) Her baar maine tumhe apni man maani karne dee lekin is baar tumharee is harkat ki wajese meri betee ko nuksaan pohchaa hai or yeh me bardaasht nahi karsakta
DJ: Aisa kya hogaya hai (in denial) She has only got a mild fever not pneumonia. Lalit yeh to accha huwa hai ke ab wo waha ziada din or rehsakhegee
Lalit: Unbelieavble (shook his head with disbelief) oski maa ho ke dushman? Ab khush hogayee tum? Dekhliya na tumhaaree zidd kee wajese kya hogaya. I can't even believe you didn't inform her that Prem Juneja was going to pick her up from here and on purpose sent her in that storm. Ab aage Heer ko jo kuch bhi hoga na oskee zimmedaar sirf tum hogi.
DJ: Stop over reacting Lalit. Kuch nahi hoga hamaree Heer ko.
Pihu entered their room
Pihu: Maa, baoji me Heer ke paas Khandala jaarahee hu
DJ: (alarmed) Are you out of your mind? Heer ke liye waha per or log hai or tum waha jaake kya karogi? You've got no business being there Pihu. Instead you've got to accompany your sisters to the mall
Pihu: Baoji (pleading) I know that Heer needs me right now so please
Lalit: theek hai. I'll organise a car for you
Pihu: No baoji that would just increase the expense. I'll take the bus and then make my own way to their farmhouse. Wese bhi aaj mausam bohat accha hai.
DJ: You really are out of your mind girl (disagreed and then saw how she was all ready with her bag) are you going to go just like that without any good presentation? (disapproved of her choice of clothes) and that too in this mud and dirt? Hargiz nahi! waha jaake kissee ko mooh dikhaane ke laayak nahi rahogee
Pihu: I don't care what others think (arrogantly) I'm only going to meet Heer and she is the only one I care about.
Veera and Ashlesha rushed in
Veera: Ma, (whined) Me and Ash have been waiting from the past half an hour to go to the mall so now can we please go
DJ: Ok Pihu if you want to go then I won't stop you but first you have to drop your sisters to the mall.
They all agreed and as planned first Pihu dropped the girls off at the central mall and both Ashlesha and Veera ran towards the shops excitedly leaving Pihu to go ahead.
Pihu had a time of her own walking through the jammed traffic and puddles. She didn't care about the mud splashing on her clothes or her hair getting all messed up. This was her time and she was enjoying it.
She reached the bus depot and then was all set to leave for Khandala. The weather was certainly really nice after the rain and if there was anything she enjoyed then it was the rain.
In a few hours she reached Khandala and then on foot with constant asking directions she finally reached the farmhouse. By then she was totally unrepresentable but she could have cared less. The guard also gave her a hard time and Pihu wasn't the one to just walk off and therefore got into an argument. It was hard to recognise her as being the same as Heer right then otherwise he wouldn't have stopped her at all.
A while later a voice interrupted them from behind. In annoyance she turned around and at first believed it was Prem and smiled but then it soon turned into a frown when she realised she actually came face to face with Anurag.
Anurag: Miss Priyamvada? (even in the messy state he was able to recognise her)
Pihu: Ji, Mr. Anurag Juneja (stern look) I came to see my ill sister Heer
Anurag: Really? (gave her a surprised look) did you come on foot? (he saw how her clothes were full of mud splashes)
Pihu: (she could clearly sense his sarcasm and wasn't pleased at all) Does it really matter how I came? I'm sure you're not really into small talk (both stared at each other with spite) Now if your inquiry has ended could you kindly take the liberty of taking me to my sister?
Anurag saw she wasn't pleased to see him, which somewhere nagged him but he displaced it from his thoughts and led her inside. More like she walked ahead with attitude whilst he followed.
In Heer's room Pihu sat down on the bed and touched her warm forehead and held her hand. Heer looked very pale and very ill.
Pihu: ab me aagayee hu Heer. tum bohat jald theek hojaogee
Heer gave a weak smile and tightened her grip on Pihu.
Prem's room
Apparently Nupur had also accompanied them to the farm house.
Nupur: I must say this Priyamvada Maan is certainly a weird character. (half laugh) to kya huwa agar oskee behen kee tabiyat theek nahi, iska matlab yeh to nahi ke aise hee bin bataye ghoomte, ghoomte pohoch jaaye kisee ke bhi ghar
Anurag stood silently looking out of the window
Prem: So what's wrong with that Nupur? She loves her sister alot so she was bound to end up here
Nupur: or pohochee bhi kis haalat me? (continued to laugh as if mocking) half of her clothes fully covered in mud and dirt and God her hair. Oh don't ask me about her hair.
Prem: Seriously Nupur when will you stop judging a book by its cover?
Nupur: I'm afraid darling, since childhood I've been taught to judge a book by its cover (then looked at Anurag who had his back towards them) Wese Anurag tum kya sochte ho is baare me? I'm sure this certain excursion of her's would have made you change your mind about her so called "enchanting" (said with sarcasm) eyes
Anurag: (turned around) Of course not. They've simply brightened with the exercise
Nupur felt bad and envy for Pihu. Then decided to change the topic.
Nupur: There is one thing I must say and that Heer Maan is a very sweet girl to know but unfortunately her connections are so low that...
Prem: To build a relationship you don't always need to see the status and position
Anurag: Actually you do. (folded arms across his chest) If it is about the alliance of two families then status and position are very essential. Puree baat wahi to hai Prem
Prem was going to answer back but noticed Pihu coming in through the door.
Prem: (stood up) Miss Pihu, ab aapkee behen kee tabiyat kesee hai?
Pihu: Abhi bhi bohat taiz bukhaar hai and I'm sorry because of that you've had alot of trouble
Prem: Please don't be sorry as it wasn't done intentionally (sighed and thought about something then looked towards her again) mujhe lagta hai ke jab tak wo theek nahi hoti aapko yahi rehna chaheeye
Pihu: No (tried to protest) I don't have any intentions on invading your privacy. I only came to check on my sister and I must go back to Mumbai.
Prem: I completely insist (pleaded) Aap yaha hamaree mehmaan banke rahengee.
Both Anurag and Nupur gave each other a disbelief look.
Pihu: (didn't know what to do or say) Thank you.
Prem: I'll inform your family about it and make the arrangements for your stay here
Pihu left from there
Anurag: (clearly disappointed) Yeh tumne kya kiya Prem?
Prem: kya kiya? Dekho Anurag me jaanta hu tumhe yeh log pasand nahi, per insaaniyat ke khatir kya tum nahi chaahoge ke Heer theek hojaaye or oske baad waapis ghar jaaye?
Anurag didn't say anything and turned away. Prem smiled and walked out to make arrangements.
Few hours later Pihu was getting changed in Heer's room
Pihu: There (displayed herself in front of Heer) now do I look suitable enough to be called civilised? I look exactly like you now
Heer: (spoke weakly) Tum bohat hee khoobsurat ho Pihu, or tum jaantee ho
Pihu: Heer I don't want to leave you
Heer: Staying with me all the time would make you ill too. So it's best you go out for a while
Pihu: Even if I go out there's not one single person worth meeting here (made an irriated face) Wo Nupur to baat bhi kartee hai jaise aasmaan pe bethee ho. And your Mr. Prem is rather too nice for me to handle
Heer: (sadly) He isn't my Mr. Prem, Pihu
Pihu: Abhi to nahi hai per bohat jald hojaaenge
Both gave each other smiles and then Pihu walked out. She roamed around finding it awfully quiet. A servant came and astonished her.
Servant: Mam if you're locating Mr. Juneja's whereabouts then you'll find him in the lounge
She thanked him and went forward towards a place which she assumed was the door to the lounge but instead she came to a court and found one of the twin brothers playing squash. She kept staring at him whilst he was completely involved in hitting the wall without missing. Then as he missed once he turned around and paused when he saw her. They kept staring in silence until Pihu pouted with anger and left because she realised who it was. Anurag used force and threw the ball so hard it nearly made a crack in the wall.
In the lounge
Pihu soon found the lounge and was greeted by Prem. At first was taken aback because he thought that Heer had recovered but then realised that it was Pihu actually but still politely invited her in. Nupur and Prem played chess whilst Pihu sat observing. Anurag entered.
Nupur: Finally (sarcastically) Mr. Anurag Juneja you graced us with your presence
He didn't answer and walked straight ahead and stood in front of Pihu with his hands clasped behind his back.
Anurag: ab aapkee behen kee tabiyat kesee hai?
Pihu: Ji, (taken aback by his sudden question) she is getting better
Anurag: that's very good
Then walked off to a nearby sofa
Nupur: Oh no (she lost again) I can't believe you won again Prem (he laughed. Then she looked towards Pihu) Would you like to play Pihu?
Pihu: No, not really (gave a polite smile) I don't know how to play this game
Nupur: Really? That seems unbelievable seeing you seem quite intelligent. Perhaps you're not what you seem or perhaps you're just not showing your true colours
Pihu: I'm surprised you feel that way Nupur (tongue in cheek) I never hide who I am as deceit and betrayals are not my traits
She spoke taunting Nupur as she didn't like her at all. Neither did Nupur but she decided to change the topic again. She caught Anurag sitting on the laptop.
Nupur: May I ask what you're doing so secretly Anurag?
Anurag: I've got nothing to hide (shrugged his shoulders) I'm just writing an email to my sister Gauri
Nupur: Ah Gauri. It's been so long since I've met her (smirked) Has she even grown up yet...oh..oh...don't tell me she's become just as beautiful as me
Anurag: She has quite grown up yes but if beauty is concerned then I must say she is quite similar to Miss Priyamvada here.
Nupur gave Pihu the look again unpleased with the comparison.
Nupur: wese Gauri hai bari pyaari. (pretended to show off again) Pura din hastee gaatee rehtee hai. And she just loves the guitar which she plays all the time. Do you know how to play the guitar Pihu?
Pihu: Only a little I'm afraid
Prem: In my eyes all the young women are well educated and quite accomplished nowadays. I say that gives them a good position for a successful life.
Anurag: That's odd as till date I haven't found any woman who would be called accomplished and sucessful
Nupur: Correct (with arrogance) Ek larki ke bolene ka andaaz, chaal dhaal, and the way she adorns and embellishes herself, are the very primary things which are necessary to decide whether she is accomplished or not.
Anurag: you're forgetting the main thing. Something which hardly any of them have and I would call that a brain.
Pihu: (quite amused by him) It doesn't surprise me to see you think that way Mr. Anurag Juneja. With the women you meet I'm sure none of them really have to make an effort to use their brain so they prefer not to use it at all. Mujhe lagta hai ke aapko aurat ko parakhna hee nahi aata
Nupur: (crossed face) You seem quite arrogant about being a woman
Pihu: I only say what I feel is right and the world which I've seen only brings me to this conclusion.
Nupur: then I'm afraid you haven't had the luxury of leaving your small society too much. There are many women out there of our position and status who have all the qualities to make them highly accomplished and successful.
Prem: ab yeh saaree baate choro warna puree raat jhaghar te hee rahoge.
Nupur turned away and began to play with Prem once more. Anurag and Pihu stared at each other in disagreement.
Next day
A call came that Daljit was going to come to Khandala to visit Heer and when she arrived the lavish grounds and the palace like mansion simply blowed her away. If the farmhouse was like this then how was the original house going to be like. She was thrilled and delighted. Now even more determined to get her daughter married to Prem.
Nupur: Oh God now even the mother is here (made a face) Soon this house shall turn into a salvation
Prem: Nupur tum....
Servant: Sir, Mrs. Maan is waiting for you in the lounge
Prem nodded and then walked out ignoring Nupur. He found Daljit in the lounge
Prem: Mrs Maan, so good to see you here
DJ: the pleasure is all mine Mr. Prem Juneja (dramatic sigh) Mujhe jese hee khabar millee ke Heer kee tabiyat abhi bhi bohat kharaab hai, me forun chalee aayee
Prem: me samaj sakta hu. Aap mere saath chalye or Heer se milijye
Both of them left for her room and Prem left them alone.
Later in Prem's room
Anurag, Prem and Nupur were discussing something when Daljit came in with Pihu.
Prem: Mrs Maan ab Heer kee tabiyat kesee hai?
DJ: I'm afraid she is very ill (became fanatic) I'm sorry but I would have to count on some more of your hospitality Mr. Juneja since it would be unwise to move her anywhere else.
Pihu was annoyed with her mother's fanatics.
DJ: I hope that wouldn't be such a big problem?
Nupur made a sullen face annoyed with DJ already.
Prem: Not a problem at all mam (he spoke courteously) I'll be more than obliged to take upon the responsibility of Heer's recovery (smiled) Don't worry the doctor has said there isn't much to worry about and I'll make sure she gets the best care available
DJ: Wo to me jaantee hu (delighted) After I saw this place I was confident that she was in her right place.
Prem: Ji bilkul (felt a bit uneasy with her comment but tried to ignore it) Agar aap chaahe to aap bhi yaha rehsakti hai jab tak Heer theek nahi hoti
DJ: Oh no no not at all (shook her hand in refusal) I'd just come to enquire on her but wouldn't dream of just barging in here
Nupur found it ironic as that is exactly what she had done and now denied it
DJ: So Mr. Anurag Juneja I heard both of you brothers mostly live abroad and you don't travel in this part of the country often (polite smile) Did you like our Mumbai?
Anurag: Now that you ask it seems rather unpolished for me (hands clasped neatly behind his back) Yaha ke log or population se me itna tang aagaya hu ke zindagee me dubaara yaha aane kee pratna kabhi nahi karunga. (he gave her a stern look) Somehow I'm not so used to welcoming guests uninvited in my house.
DJ: kya! (raised voice) Excuse me Mr. Juneja but I also don't have a habit of just barging in anywhere and making it my home. Hamara Maan Niwas bhi kaafi bara hai to mujhe kisee or jage jaake basne kee koi zaroorat nahi, (really cross) if it wouldn't have had been for this case with Heer then I would have never come here to be insulted to such extent
Anurag turned away and looked out of the window.
Pihu: Ma! (warning in her tone) Mr. Juneja didn't mean it like that. He wasn't pointing towards anybody especially you
DJ: I know exactly what he meant (she twitched and then just turned towards Prem) I thank you again Mr. Prem Juneja for your kindness and now I must leave
Prem: Dekhye is waqt mera bhai bohat pareshaan hai isliye aisa kehdiya. I apologise on his behalf
DJ: Wese bhi mujhe inse baat karne me koi dilchuspi nahi. Theek hai. (looked in Anurag's direction) This is what you call being a good gentleman. Not just a mockery and a sorry excuse for it
Pihu: Ma! ab aap rehne dengee is baat ko, or chalye yahase
Pihu wasn't pleased of how her mother got excited on Anurag. Eventhough she was right she didn't want her to charge on him like that. It just made things worse. She and Prem walked DJ out of the room before she put up any other show.
Prem: Mrs. Maan I apologise on Anurag's behalf once again (sorry look) Wo kya hai ke kaam kee zimmedaari kee wajese bohat pareshaan rehta hai aajkal which just sometimes brings out his unnecessary anger
DJ: Koi baat nahi (showed she was really offended and did a favour forgving him) Now I must take your leave
Daljeet left in the car she had come in to go back to Mumbai.
Pihu: Thank you very much for taking care of that Mr. Juneja
Prem: Ji isme shukriya kis baat ka (he walked with her through the house) and please call me Prem. I know how bad she must have felt because Anu sometimes just gets carried away and doesn't realise what he is saying and where he is saying it
Pihu: Ab jo hogaya so hogaya.
Prem smiled and walked away and Pihu went back to Heer's room.