Hello my dears! I am sorry for not updating this FF, I was a little busy. But, Chapter 10 is here!!! I hope you take the time to read it and do drop your comments!! 😃
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Chapter 10
On the way for the marriage proposal
It was around 10am and we were on the busy roads of Mumbai. Bhai and Purab were siting at the front, while I squeezed in between Daadi and Daasi at the back. We were on the way for Purab's marriage proposal. Bhai insisted on driving as it had been some time since we were all huddled in a car like a normal family. Besides, Bhai knew Purab was bubbling with nervousness.
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That early morning in Mehra Mansion
Since morning broke, Purab had been scurrying all around the mansion, walking aimlessly and even blabbering to Robin. A simple question, such as "do you want some tea?", had him mumbling away in an alienated language, which none of us understood. Bhai and I found it amusing and ruthlessly teased him at every chance we got, much to the displeasure of both budhiyas.
"Hai rhabba, stop teasing him na!", she would scold us, albeit lovingly.
"Daadi, just look at them! They are laughing at me as if I am a clown!", Purab pouted like a baby, walking towards Daadi and hugging her.
This guy was on the verge of getting hitched, but was behaving like a toddler. The scene of him resting his head on her shoulder, with his arms around her waist, had fueled the teasing even more.
"Awww!!! What a big baby!! And this big baby is going to get married?!!", I howled in laughter leaning into Bhai.
"Haan princess, poor Bulbul! She is going to be babysitter instead of a wife!", Bhai burst out laughing putting an arm around me.
"Daadi!!", Purab wailed at budhiya.
However, Daadi started giggling away hysterically, joined in by Daasi who had come to see what the commotion was in the hall.
"FINE! I have become the laughing stock of this family! No one understands me! No one cares about me! No one appreciates how nervous I am!", he said walking off in a huff and stood in a corner.
"Offo!! The big baby has tantrums!! And he is brooding over in the corner!!! Bhai, shall we send him to a nursery??!! OH NO! Shall we go and get some new toys for the baby?!!!", I laughed my head off holding my tummy.
Daasi, despite laughing walked over to where I was standing in front of Bhai, with her hand raised, wanting to either smack my butt or twist my ears.
"Aaliya! Bas na!", she said between her chuckles.
"Daasi!!", I screamed before two strong arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me off my feet, shielding me from her.
"OUCH!! Daasi!!!", Bhai yelled as he covered me from behind, taking her hit.
"You deserve it! Purab is your chotte bhai and you are teasing him like this!!", she said hitting his muscular back even more.
"OW OW DAADI!!! ARRE!! THEEK HAI!!! STOP IT NA!!!", he said trying to wriggle away from her with me between his arms.
I let out bouts of hysterical laughter like an escaped lunatic whacko, until I shrieked in pain. Looking up from my tear brimmed eyes, I saw an angry looking Daadi who, as usual, had her fingers gripped to my ear.
"BHAI!!! I AM BEING ABUSED!!! I AM BEING MANHANDLED!! NO, I AM BEING BUDHIYA-HANDLED!!", I screamed closing my eyes shut.
"AAAHHH!!!", Bhai let out an exasperated loud shout and jerked himself and me out of the mini attack launched on us.
We both toppled on the sofa, gasping for air. Thank God! Daadi hadn't held tightly, otherwise I would have lost an ear. Rubbing my bruised ear, I cuddled against Bhai as he protectively enveloped me.
"The two of you are unbelievable!!", Daadi said coming to stand in front of us like a disciplinary teacher.
"Daadi, we were just teasing na!!!", I said to her.
"Bas! Enough with the teasing! Today is his special day and you two should be responsible siblings!", Daadi said pushing her spectacles up.
"Arre Daadi! Cool!!", Bhai said in his signature Rockstar voice.
"Kya cool?! Who are you telling to cool?!", she barked at us.
"Offo Didi, araam se! The kids were just having fun!", Daasi pitched in her support.
"Indu! Stop pampering them!", she growled at Daasi.
"Yeah! Keep pampering and scolding them, and forget my marriage proposal today!", came a loud but brooding voice from the corner.
"Kya bakwaas hai Purab?!", Daadi and Daasi whirled around.
"Haan! All of you have forgotten the time na! At this rate, the marriage proposal will never happen! I will never get married and will be a Devdas all my life!", he said in an adorable but frustrated voice.
"Hai bhagawan!!! Look at the time!! We are running late!", Daadi exclaimed looking at the clock.
"Accha, come on! Go and get ready all of you!! SCRAM!!", Daasi bellowed at us.
We did as we were told, running up the stairs and banging into one and another.
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At our destination
The car had turned a narrow corner and came to a stop in front of a medium sized house. On the opposite side, there was a big building with the sign "Kumkum Bhagya Marriage Hall". It was a busy street with people bustling around like busy bees, oblivious to the fact that the nation's biggest sensation was seated inside the car. Before we got down, Daadi gave us a lovable, but serious pep talk.
"Now listen mera bacche and meri jaan, today is Purab's special day. Don't be nervous Purab,and you two, don't keep teasing him, especially you Aaliya. This is old school tradition. Behave yourselves and let the elders do the talking. Abhi, I know you are a responsible baccha when the seriousness calls for it, so I am counting on you to be my pillar. Theek hai?", she said looking at all of us.
"Daadi, I may be childish at times, but I will not let you down, because I am the elder brother.", Bhai said giving Purab an encouraging smile.
We nodded in agreement and opened the doors to get down.
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Inside the Aurora household
Purvi who had been spying the road through the window, rushed in almost immediately after a white BMW had come to a halt in front of the house. The doors were wide open and I recognized the car in seconds. It was his car. He had come. About time, I thought to myself.
"THEY ARE HERE!! ROCKSTAR ABHI IS JUST BEYOND OUR GATES WITH HIS FAMILY!!!", she squealed at the rest of us who were running around making sure everything was in order.
"KYA!! JALDI JALDI!!! Purvi, go and check whether Bulbul is ready! Jhanki! Get those laddoos and put them there! Pragya bacche! Go and get the chai ready!! Beeji, please move, I need to arrange the cushions, they are slightly crooked!!", Ma said in a ramble, scrambling as if her feet were on fire.
"Arre Sarla!! THEY ARE NOT COMING TO SEE THE CUSHIONS FOR A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL!! GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!!", Daadi grabbed her shoulders and shook her.
"Lekin Beeji!", she protested.
"CHUP! BILKUL CHUP! Kuch maat bholo!", Daadi said sternly.
Ma fell silent and I saw her shoulders slightly droop. I laughed internally at how even in the most serious situations, these two can never fail to tickle a funny bone. I walked into the kitchen disappearing behind the retractable windows. It was slightly ajar, and I could just about peek into the hall, yet I could hear Daadi's pep talk clear as a bell.
"Sarla, I know how tensed you are right now. This is a happy occasion. Bhohat khush hai. It's the beginning of the next stage in Bulbul's life. The people who are about to walk through those doors, for her hand in marriage are just a loving family. Haan, Rockstar Abhi ki parivaar hai. But, from always speaking with Purab and listening to Pragya's never ending praise about Abhishek and Aaliya, especially Abhishek, I know for a fact that they are very humble and down to earth people. Otherwise, they would never have allowed Purab to marry a girl from a middle class family like us. Look at what we are wearing now, Pragya may have purchased it, but it was chosen by Abhishek. Moreover, he gifted her a beautiful saree for saving Aaliya. They are people who value gratitude, trust, relationships and love. So, I am just going to say this one last time, RELAX.", Daadi said in a honey coated soothing voice.
I looked down at what I was wearing and my heart jumped in delight. He gifted me this gorgeous clothing and my mind played a million possible expressions he would show when I walked out.
"Aur haan! Yaad rakhna! Abhishek and Aaliya do not know that Pragya is Bulbul's elder sister. Pragya has forbade everyone, including Bulbul from revealing the entire truth to even Purab. SARLA, I AM LITERALLY WARNING YOU NOT TO BABBLE THE TRUTH TO THEM LIKE AN UNCONTROLLED GOOSE. Let them have a sweet shock when Pragya comes out later.", Daadi glaringly reminded Ma.
Yes, it took a Herculean effort to put a padlock on Bulbul's mouth, to stop her from spilling the beans that I was the one who saved Aaliya the other day and that I had met Abhishek in the hospital. All the poor guy knew, was that Aaliya's new friend whom she met at a bookshop, saved her. From the looks of it, I don't think Abhishek said anything either, as we had no reactions here. Too convenient? Well, I call it sheer luck.
I heard Ma and Daadi walking towards the door to receive them.
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As I walked behind my Daadi and Daasi, I looked up and carefully observed the house before me. It was small, when compared to the mansion, but it radiated an aura of homeliness. It was warm and welcoming, and I realized that may be the family who lived here were equally warm and homely.
Two ladies, a middle aged woman and an elder woman, much like Daadi waddled up and greeted us at the door. They introduced themselves as Bulbul's mother and Daadi. We let them lead us into the living hall. It was small, yet cosy and colorful. However, gazing around at the walls, I noticed there were no family photos.
Not a single one. I thought of asking Purab since he knew them before us, but my brother was a nervous wreck, smiling and walking like a robot, a complete idiot. I decided against the idea and kept my questions at bay. "Let the elders do the talking." Daadi's firm words were replaying in my mind and I kept silent with a small smile on my face.
Daadi and Daasi sat on one sofa with Bulbul's Daadi, while the three of us huddled closely in another. It wasn't uncomfortable, but just fit perfectly well. Bulbul's mother sat on the sofa next to Daadi and just like that, the elders began talking.
"Thank you so much for coming. I hope you didn't have trouble finding the neighbourhood.", Bulbul's mother, Sarla ji said with a hesitant smile.
"No no, there was no trouble at all. It's our pleasure to come and we have to thank you for having us.", Daadi said cheerfully.
"We are the ones who should be grateful to you for agreeing an alliance with us.", Bulbul's Daadi said.
"Arre behen ji, what is the need for thanks?", Daasi chipped into the conversation.
"It's not that. We are a small, middle class family and you are the family of the famous Rockstar Abhi.", Sarla ji said looking in my direction.
"Haan, it's true. But, my family is very close knit and I have taught my children the value of family bonds and love. Underneath all that high flying fame, we are just a normal family, like you.", Daadi said gently patting Sarla ji's hand.
"What Didi is saying is right. Besides, we live for our children and their happiness is all that matters. Our grandson loves your daughter dearly and as his grandmothers, it is our duty to bless him for a bright future.", Daasi said as matter of fact.
"Haan, well said. When Bulbul told us about Purab, we were very happy for her and after meeting your grandson, we were totally convinced that he was perfect for her.", Bulbul's Daadi said with a contented laugh.
"But, I have to apologize on my daughter's behalf, for creating a rift in your home. Bulbul explained to me that you had wanted to get Purab beta married to your granddaughter.", Sarla ji said in a small voice.
"Destiny and fate is beyond our control Sarla ji. That's probably why Purab aur Bulbul ended up falling in love. But, I am very proud of my bacche. My granddaughter is a very smart and understanding girl. So, she tackled the problem from Purab and solved it in a simple manner.", Daadi said looking at my princess.
"Yeh meri chotte bacche, Aaliya.", Daadi introduced her to Bulbul's mother and Daadi.
Aaliya was smiling, but I felt her body tense when Sarla ji spoke about an old wound. Whatever said and done, my princess was the one who got hurt, even though she never showed it. I strongly grasped her slender fingers and she gripped them in return.
"Namaste Aunty ji aur Daadi.", Aaliya said with a sweet smile.
"You are a very brave and considerate girl beta. My family and I will always be thankful to you, sacrificing your happiness for the sake of Bulbul and Purab beta." Sarla ji said in a very emotional voice.
"Nahi Aunty ji. Sacrifice is a very big word. I just made way, that's all. Besides, Purab mera best dost hai. His happiness is important to me too. But my true happiness is my parivaar Aunty ji. Meri Daadi or mera Rockstar Bhai, and not forgetting Purab.", Aaliya said holding Purab's hand.
Sarla ji didn't look as convinced and she wore an expression of guilt. I decided to speak, as we were almost losing the plot of our purpose here.
"Aunty ji, aap chinta maat karo. Everything is fine. We have always protected and compromised for each other since childhood. Please don't feel guilty. Just as Bulbul's happiness is important to you, my chotte bhai's and behen's happiness is important to me. If they had no way of leading a life together, why force them when they can just love each other as friends? Let's just bury the past and look forward towards the bright future.", I said earning a well appreciated glance from Daadi.
"Abhishek ji..", she began and I felt a stinging discomfort.
"Nahi Aunty ji, Abhishek ji nahi hai. I give you two options, Abhishek beta or Abhi beta. You choose.", I winked at her.
"Hahaha, how about Rockstar beta?", Bulbul's Daadi intervened with a laughter.
Everyone let out rings of lighthearted laughter, which filled the previously tense air with peace.
"Theek hai Daadi. No problem!", I said with a wide grin.
"Accha, Sarla ji, we have introduced our three children. You haven't even showed us one of yours!", Daasi exclaimed.
"Haan! And where is my future bahu?", Daasi asked joining the bandwagon.
"Ek minute Ma, meri behen will call them. They have been dressing up since Rockstar Abhi was coming over.", she said with a glee.
"Yeh, meri behen hai, Jhanki.", Aunty ji said as Jhanki ji came with a tray of assorted sweets.
We exchanged greetings and she walked off to call Bulbul and her sisters. Soon after, Bulbul strolled towards us, in an elegant lengha, with another younger girl behind her. Purvi, as she was later introduced, was the daughter of Jhanki ji. Bulbul shyly greeted us and took blessings from both Daadi and Daasi.
Standing next to Aunty ji, both girls waved at me, in such an adorable gesture. I nodded at them with a smile, and Purvi immediately blushed like a cherry. No matter what occasion or function I was at and in whatever dress code, I was always Rockstar Abhi.
At the moment, in that second, when all of them were in front of us, I smelt something fishy. Scrutinizing Aunty ji, Bulbul's Daadi, Jhanki ji, Bulbul and even Purvi, I realized a very odd, yet familiar feeling settle in my chest. What was wrong? Something is definitely not right. But my blithering brain couldn't pinpoint what exactly the reason was. It didn't look right at all.
"Only two daughters? But Purab beta said Bulbul had an elder sister. Woh kahaan hai?", Daadi said looking confused.
"Haan, our eldest daughter. Ek minute behen ji.", Bulbul's Daadi said and looked towards the awfully quiet kitchen.
"Meri bacche, what is taking you so long to make chai?", Bulbul's Daadi spoke in a loud voice.
I noticed the Aurora family members smirk, and struggle to suppress their smiles and probably laughter. Bulbul and Purvi were going red like a tomato. It was beyond confusing and I looked at Aaliya, who was even more muddled. Purab had an uneasy smile on his face and shook his head at me, completely puzzled by their growingly suspicious expressions. What in the world was going on? Were a parade of circus acts or clowns about to descend on us from the kitchen?
Just then, I saw someone coming out from the kitchen holding a tray of cups. She had an awfully familiar beautiful, mesmerizing black eyes behind her chashma and her soft curls fell in front on her shoulder. Her slender figure was gorgeously draped in a red designer saree I had gifted to a special friend yesterday. Pragya.
Wait a second!! Pragya? Pragya?!!! PRAGYA?!! My mind bellowed in an overdrive mode, spinning my head, and causing a whirlwind, or more like a mini tornado in my brains. I rubbed my eyes furiously like a child, not believing that it was actually her standing there with an ear to ear grin plastered on her face. My jaw dropped when I realized that the figure before me didn't disappear like a mirage.
Aaliya gasped in sheer shock, her mouth dropping wide open with her eyes nearly popping out of the sockets. Her mouth was moving in basically all directions, obviously trying to say something, but not even a whimper came out. She held out her hand and pointed towards Pragya, repeatedly staring at her and looking at me, her head moving like an agitated chicken, to and fro.
Unable to register anything in my sorry brain or even move an inch, I struggled the choked up words out of my throat.
"PRAGYA?!!!!", I croaked loudly like a frog.
"PRAGYA DI?!!!!", Aaliya whooped, her breath hitching.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!!!", both Aaliya and I screamed at her, nearly splitting everyone's eardrums.
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Edited by abi5991 - 9 years ago
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