Chapter 29 - Tainted by Association
"Oh my Rabs!" cried Kuljeet Chachee. "How could this be happening to me?!"
Meher walked into the living room carrying a tray of tea. She watched as Heer placed another cushion behind Kuljeet's back and their mother patted Kuljeet's hand for comfort.
She had come home to Ambala with Kuljeet Chachee 3 days agao. For 3 days and 3 nights, Kuljeet's constant ranting and raving had put the entire Mann parivar in turmoil. Vishaka had run away with Viren. Balraaj and Balwant had been looking everywhere for them.
They had spoken with Viren's supervisors, but neither they, nor his fellow officers had any information to offer except that he had been missing from the base for about a week. Balraaj had suggested they get the police involved, but Kuljeet Chachee had been hysterical and stopped him.
Vishaka's note seemed to imply that she and Viren had eloped. They had to find them and make sure they married, she had said, else she wouldn't be able to withstand the badnami (defamation).
"Oh Meher!" cried Kuljeet as she saw Meher set the tea down. "Thank goodness you brought the tea. I needed something to calm my nerves. Uh...did you hear any further news from your father?"
"Not since he phoned this morning", Meher replied quietly. "Papaji and Chachu were going to try out some leads in Delhi".
"Oh my Rabs! As if it wasn't bad enough that we can't show our faces anywhere in Ludhiana, ab baat Delhi tak ponch jaye gi (now the news has reached Delhi)!"
"How can you talk like that?" asked Meher getting upset. "Shouldn't Vishaka's safety be our main concern? I still think we should have involved the police".
"Oh my poor Vishaka...in the clutches of that monster Viren!" cried Kuljeet ignoring Meher's questions.
"Chachee", said Heer reassuringly, "Papaji and Chachu are doing everything in their power to find them. We're all praying. I'm sure everything will be alright".
"How can everything be alright?!" cried Kuljeet sitting up straight. "Your Chacha will find them and surely get into a fight. And Viren...he's in the army you know, he probably has a gun. And he'll kill your Chacha...and I'll be widowed at such a young age! Oh! What a selfish girl you are Vishaka! You didn't even stop to consider what would happen to your poor mother!"
"Kuljeet, really you need to calm down", said Teji.
"They must be found!" cried Kuljeet. "Oh my Rabs! Vishaka! That stupid spoiled child! She's ruined everything for everyone! It won't be long before our neighbors in Ambala find out. How will we ever show our face again in society. What is to become of us?! And what's to become of you two?" She said, looking at Meher and Heer solemnly.
"What do you mean what's to become of us?" questioned Meher.
"Don't you see?" continued Kuljeet. "Who will marry you two now? We've all become tainted by association! No! Balwant must find Viren and make him marry Vishaka! It's the only way out! Warna aur kitni badnami ho jaye gi! (Or else we'll only be shamed further)".
Meher and Heer exchanged glances. They had been so focused on Vishaka that they hadn't stopped to consider the wide ranging effect this event may have on all of their lives.
"Badnami to ho gai hai (The damage is already done)", said Meher tersely. "What difference does the percentage level make?"
"What?!" cried Kuljeet.
"Aapne hi to Vishaka ko itni dheel di hui thi (You're the one who always allowed Vishaka too much liberty)", Meher began. "She was always making a fool of herself running after officers, and you never stopped her. Aap ko mana bhi kiya tha na. Par aap to kisi ki baat sunna pasand hi nahin karti (You were warned about it too, but you never think to listen to anyone but yourself). What did you say once? Oh yes...you had a weakness for the military yourself when you were young? You were so blinded by your desperation about marrying away the girls in this family that you didn't even realize this could happen! You haven't even realized the half of what you've done!" cried Meher.
"How dare you speak to me like that!" cried Kuljeet. "How can you be so insensitive?! After all I'm going through! Teji say something to her!"
Meher rolled her eyes and excused herself, before her mother could say anything. She went up to her room and sat staring blankly out the window. There were so many things going through her mind right now. It wasn't long before her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door.
"Meher?" said Heer. Meher didn't answer, so Heer came in and sat next to her sister. "Meher, I don't think you should have spoken to Kuljeet Chachee that way. She is after all our elder...and she's so upset right now".
"Di, please spare me", said Meher getting up. "I'm in no mood to sympathize with Chachee. We should be concerned about Vishaka right now, and she's going on and on about herself! I always knew Kuljeet Chachee was a stupid woman, but she's proved herself to be selfish too!"
"Meher!" said Heer.
"No Di!" cried Meher. "Don't elders make mistakes? She's not willing to acknowledge her role in anything! Tainted by association my foot! If it wasn't for her foolishness, Vishaka wouldn't have run away...Prem wouldn't have left...and Preet..."
"Meher...are you okay?" asked Heer.
"I'm sorry Di. I guess I'm just upset", said Meher.
"Look Meher I know Kuljeet Chachee can be a little...well...stupid at times. But right now we need to put everything behind us and come together as a family".
Meher took a deep breath. "Di...there's something else", she began. "I haven't said anything to anyone, but...I can't help but feel guilty for my role in all of this."
"Your role?!" exclaimed Heer. "Meher Maan, have you gone nuts?! How could you have possibly contributed to this whole mess?"
"Di, I told you I met Preet while I was in California. But what I didn't tell anyone was that he told me everything about Viren. God! I used to think so highly of Viren. I mean he had the appearance of so much good about him, but he turned out to be totally characterless. This isn't the first time he's done this, you know. About 2 years back he tried to elope with Preet's younger sister Veera. He was only after her money. Thankfully Preet showed up and stopped the whole thing from going through".
Heer's mouth fell open in surprise. "There...there must be some sort of mistake. Preet must have been wrong", muttered Heer.
"No Di, he wasn't wrong", sighed Meher. "I knew...I knew what Viren was really like and didn't say anything to anyone. But then I thought he doesn't come around anymore so what difference does it make. But unfortunately it did. And Vishaka was acting funny when I was in Ludhiana. I caught her late at night by the window twice. I could swear I heard voices talking each time, but she would just deny it. I caught her once before like that here in Ambala too. God knows how long this plan of Viren's was going on for. Uff! Why couldn't I have put 2 and 2 together? Why didn't I say anything?"
"Meher", said Heer putting her hands on Meher's shoulders. "It's not your fault. How could you have possibly known?"
"What I don't understand", continued Meher, "is what could Viren possibly want with Vishaka? I mean, Veera Juneja is rich. Vishaka doesn't have anything. He'll just use her and..."
"No!" cried Heer. "We have to think positively. Vishaka's note said that she'd surprise everyone with some good news soon. That she'll soon have a different last name. Maybe she and Viren were genuinely in love and wanted to get married, but thought Chachu and Chachee would object to something".
"Ha!" scoffed Meher. "What objection could Chachee have had? A daughter married at 18 what more could she have asked for!"
"Meher, I'm trying to be positive!" cried Heer.
"And I'm being realistic", replied Meher. "Vishaka wrote the note...Viren didn't".
Heer studied her sister carefully. She still seemed disturbed. "Meher...do you want to tell me what else is bothering you?" asked Heer.
"Nothing", lied Meher. "That was all...Um...you better go back and check on Chachee. It's not fair for us to leave Ma to handle her alone. You go on I'll be down in just a minute".
Meher closed her door as her sister left. Something other than this whole issue with Vishaka was bothering her. It was Preet. God how she wished he hadn't been there when she had gotten the call about Vishaka. He and his family hated Viren and never wanted anything to do with him. Every hesitation he had for having any ties with her family must have been proven right to him at that very moment.
He must be congratulating himself on his and his brother's escape, Meher sighed.
I'll probably never see him again. She couldn't really blame him could she? But now, the slightest thought of Preet being somewhere out there, thinking ill of her or her family, was proving to be unbearable for her.
Meanwhile...
Preet walked quickly down a street littered with shops, trash and beggers, in the seediest part of Delhi...Paharganj. "Becareful Saab", the auto rickshaw driver had said. "Yahan sab chor hain (Everyone is a thief here)".
Thank God no one here recognizes me, he thought. If Bauji ever finds out what I'm up to he'll crucify me for sure.
Preet and Viren had spent 8 years literally thrown together in everything, because they were the same age. No one in his family knew Viren better that he did, today he hoped that would work to his advantage.
Viren had often bragged about having had a lot of women but only ever loving one, his mother's sister, Pooja Masi. She had taken Viren away from his abusive, alcoholic father and raised him when his mother had passed away. She had loved him as if he were her own son. No matter where in the world Viren went, he made sure to keep in touch with her. Preet looked at the address written on the small piece of paper he held in his hand. She had to be here somewhere, he thought. She was his only hope.
A week went by with no further news about the runaways. Balwant had come home stressed, defeated and empty handed, while Balraaj continued to search in Delhi. Even Kuljeet Chachee had toned down her rants. A cloud of grey had fallen upon the Maan household. Although no one said anything, everyone was beginning to fear the worst for Vishaka's life and honor.
Heer was in the vegetable garden, when the postman came to deliver a telegram. It was from her father. She quickly ran with it inside and called everyone with the news.
"Oh my Rabs!" cried Kuljeet. "Why didn't Balraaj Prahji just phone us? Telegrams never have good news in them! Someone read it quick!"
Heer quickly opened and scanned through the telegram.
"Is Vishaka alright?" asked Teji. "Are they married?"
"They're not married!" exclaimed Heer.
"Let me see that!" cried Meher almost snatching the paper from Heer's hands. "It says, that Vishaka's safe. Papaji found them 2 days ago. Viren left his base without permission so he's been dismissed from the army on disciplinary grounds. Papaji's been busy going through the red tape of getting a dismissal discharge certificate for him. There were hefty fines and...It says Viren has a long list of creditors he owes gambling debts to, but arrangements are being made for all of it to be taken care of. And if it's okay with you both (Balwant and Kuljeet), Viren and Vishaka will be married by the end of the week and then will accompany Papaji home!"
"Did you hear that, Balwant?!" cried Kuljeet. "Our baby girl is getting married! Oh! I knew things would all work out in the end. But how can she be married without us? We have to get to Delhi and bring her home as soon as possible! There are so many arrangements to be made, shopping to be done. Should we have the wedding here or in Ludhiana?"
"We're not going anywhere!" thundered Balwant. "She can get married, but she can't come here. I don't want to have anything to do with either of them."
"Well of course she should come here!" protested Kuljeet. "How can you be so cruel to your only child?!"
"No, no, no!" cried Teji. "Don't you see? They've been living together all this time. What will people say if they show up here unmarried?"
"Oh my Rabs! I guess you're right if you put it that way. Oh! To think a daughter married and only 18 too!" Kuljeet chirped happily. "Don't worry Heer and Meher...your turn will come soon too."
Meher made an action with her hands as if she wanted to wring her Chachee's neck, but Heer pulled her away to the kitchen.
"Can you believe this woman?!" cried Meher. "She's behaving as if nothing happened!"
"I'm more concerned about Vishaka", said Heer. "She's so young. She made a such foolish decision. I just hope she doesn't get hurt".
"She'll have to spend the rest of her life with a man like Viren, Di", said Meher. "What can be worse than that?"
One week later...
The Mann home was bustling with activity. Balraaj was coming home today, and along with him Mr. and Mrs. Viren Juneja. It was nearly lunch time when the visitors arrived. All activity came to a halt and silence fell over the Manns as the newlywed couple entered the house. Kuljeet Chachee was the first one to break the silence.
"Oh Vishaka! My dear sweet child, let me look at you!" cried Kuljeet.
"Oh Ma, I missed you so much! But I can't tell you what an exciting time I've had!" exclaimed Vishaka as she hugged her mother. "Well...", she said running back to where Viren was standing and locking arms with him. "Here we are. Mr. and Mrs. Viren Juneja. God how wonderful that sounds!"
Vishaka ran over to Heer and Meher and hugged them and then began to flaunt her wedding ring. "Look, isn't it the most beautiful ring you've ever seen?" she asked. "And don't you think my Viren is the most handsome husband you've ever seen? By the way Meher Di, I hope you're not too jealous. I know you liked Viren, but I snatched him up first! You know what they say 'All's fair in love and war'!"
Meher stared at her cousin in disbelief. How could she behave as if nothing had happened?
Viren walked over to Kuljeet and Teji and touched their feet. They both silently put their hands on his head. He then walked over to Balwant and attempted to touch his feet, but only received angry silence in response. Heer offered him an awkward smile while Meher only glared at him as he passed by them.
Soon lunch was served. Viren informed the family that they'd have to leave for Delhi that same evening.
"Oh not so soon! cried Kuljeet.
"I'm afraid so Ma ji", said Viren. "You see I'm still working on getting the discharge certificate from the army. We're hoping the fines we've paid will help us get around any detention I might face. In any case, I have to report back tonight.
I just wanted to bring Vishaka by and let her meet her family. I mean, I didn't know if we'd have a chance to do so before we leave for Hong Kong at the end of the month."
"Hong Kong?" asked Kuljeet.
"Yes", replied Viren. "I've got a really lucrative job offer from a company there. And I think it'll be a great way to...um...start over".
"But Hong Kong is so far away!" protested Kuljeet. "I'll never get to see you both".
"Perhaps that is best", said Balwant quietly.
After lunch Balwant retired to his room, Balraaj and Viren went out for a walk, and the ladies began clearing up the table. Vishaka continued her ranting and raving much to everyone's annoyance, except her mother's.
Meher couldn't take it anymore, and pulled her young cousin to one side. "Stop it Vishaka!" she hissed. "I'm sick and tired of hearing about your little adventure with Viren! Do you have any idea how worried we all were? Chachu is still so upset. Did the thought of apologizing even once cross your mind?!"
"Oh come on Meher Di", said Vishaka, "you almost sound like Preet...you should have heard the long lecture he gave me right before the wedding."
"Preet? Preet Juneja?! He was at your wedding?!" asked Meher in surprise.
"Oops!" cried Vishaka. "I wasn't supposed to tell anyone".
"Preet was at your wedding?!" Meher asked again.
"Shhh Meher Di...someone will hear you", cried Vishaka. "If you must know...Preet was the one who found us, paid off Viren's creditors, the cost of the wedding...everything. He was really protective of me too, sort of like an older brother. He's really not so bad once you get to know him Di. It's really too bad Viren hates him so much."
Meher couldn't believe her ears. She felt elated and confused at the same time. She knew Preet hated Viren, so why would he bail him out like this? She prompted Vishaka for more information but she had none to offer.
I have to find Papaji, thought Meher. She quickly ran out of the house to look for her father, but almost ran into Viren instead.
"Hey pretty lady!" said Viren. "You're in quite a rush. I hope I'm not keeping you from something important".
"I'm afraid you are", said Meher sternly. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to find my father".
"He's out in the fields", said Viren. "I was just going to get Vishaka and see if she wanted to see the land that used to belong to me before Preet..."
"Before Preet what?" asked Meher angrily.
"Woah! You sound angry Meher", said Viren with a crooked smile. "You always were a little spitfire. You know I always had a soft spot for you. And here I go and marry your cousin. I can imagine what you must be thinking".
Meher looked at Viren in surprise. This guy was so full of himself, she thought. "No Viren, I don't believe you can", she replied.
"This whole running away stuff was all Vishaka's idea", continued Viren. "I tried to convince her otherwise, but you know how insisting she can be".
"Kya bakwas kar rahe ho (What utter nonsense)!" exclaimed Meher. "She's an immature minded girl of 18 years. She couldn't have known what she was getting herself into, but you...how could you? And now you have the gall to say it was all her fault! Just like it was Preet's fault that you lost your family land in a poker game. That you lost your job in London because you didn't like taking orders. That you couldn't elope with Veera Juneja...so you found your next prey! You're damn lucky I haven't said anything to anyone...but don't think I won't! And if you ever hurt Vishaka..."
"Meher!" cried Viren in surprise as he reached out to her.
"Don't!" exclaimed Meher. "Don't you dare try to touch me...Ever!"
Meher ran off to find her father. Viren's was a snake, she thought. And a liar too. He wasn't going to fool her ever again. Meher found her father washing up by the water pump.
"Meher beta", he said. "What are you doing out here? Is it time for Viren and Vishaka to leave already?"
"No", said Meher. "Papaji we have to talk. Vishaka said Preet Juneja was at her wedding. How? Why? When did he get involved in all of this?"
Balraj Mann looked at his daughter. "I promised I wouldn't say anything", he said hesitantly".
"Papaji please", pleaded Meher. "I promise I won't say anything to anyone. But I just have to know."
"Alright", said Balraaj, giving in to his daughters pleading. "As long as you promise. Preet came to me the very day after I sent your Chacha home. He had found Viren and Vishaka. When he took me to them I saw our worst nightmare coming true. Vishaka had apparently misled Viren into thinking she possessed some small fortune. Viren in turn had used his charms to lure Vishaka into running away with him. His real object of course was the money.
When he learned the truth, he denied any intention of marrying her. In fact he was making plans to dump her and get away, when Preet found them. Preet promised Viren an undisclosed amount of money if he agreed to the marriage. He also paid off his gambling debts, the fines to the army, the wedding expense...everything. He's using his connections to get Viren discharged from the army. And it's his friend's company that's offered Viren the job in Hong Kong.
I told him that we were grateful, that our family would never be able to repay him, but he refused to be thanked or take credit for anything. Instead he swore me to secrecy. He said no one in his family should ever find out. His family had been hurt by Viren, so his father would kill him if he found out that he had helped Viren in any way.
He's a real nice boy Meher. He was tough on Viren, but treated Vishaka like she was his kid sister, and me with so much respect. I can't believe you thought so ill of him at one time."
"Neither can I", smiled Meher. She was overwhelmed with all the information her father had just given her. Preet had done all of this for her cousin. He had risked facing his father's wrath and put his enmity with Viren aside to help...No...save her family's honor.
She loved him more now than she ever did before. If only she could some how tell him.
Hope you all liked it. Please leave your comments and feedback, or atleast hit the like button. Thanks for your continued support. 😛
For all those missing Preet he'll be back with a bang in the next update 😆
Chapter 30 Preview: Preet helps Prem propose to Heer.
Edited by ummesulaiman - 10 years ago
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