Rishbala SS: Dil, Dosti, etc...Last Chap & Epi Pg65 - Page 29

"When are you all coming? Jaldi aao," shouted Trishna over the phone. "We are on the way, Trish. Be patient you crazy girl," replied Rishabh on the phone. It was Sultan's younger sister Simran's wedding. Simran had been doing her higher studies in US where she met Uday and soon they fell in love and decided to tie the knot. The wedding was arranged at a farmhouse in the outskirts of Delhi. Rishabh kept Adit's bag in the boot, along with other bags. "I don't understand, how come this less than two feet person need so much clothes and stuff for two days trip," spoke Rishabh. "Wait Rishabh, you forgot this toy," shouted Madhu, as she approached the car holding Adit in one hand and Adit's elephant toy in the other hand. Rishabh rolled his eyes and said, "We are going for two days Madhu, how can Adit need all his toys for that?" "He doesn't sleep without his Elee," replied Madhu matter-of-factly. "You don't need to give in to all his demands, you know. He is just nine months!" commented Rishabh. "Fine, when he wakes up crying at the middle of the night, you take care of him," said Madhu and gave Adit to Rishabh and headed back to help Radha come down.

As they entered the farmhouse, they saw Sultan and Simran rushing towards them. "Rishu bhaiya, Radha Aunty!" shouted Simran and hugged them both. She had met Madhu once at Sultan's wedding, and gave her a sweet smile and a hug. "Kiddo, tu bhi shaadi kar rahi hai?" asked Rishabh as he pulled her cheeks. "Eeek Rishu bhaiya," shrieked Simran, and gave him a playful smack and then she saw Adit laughing and gurgling in his pram. "Oh my god!! Look at this angel! Can I take him Madhu didi?" asked Simran. "Yes, sure," smiled Madhu. The place was full of mirth and happiness. In no time, all got involved in the wedding preparations. "I had called Deepali to come for the wedding, but she said she is very busy with her project in Bangalore," said Trishna to Madhu. "Yes, I know. She has been there for the last two months," replied Madhu. In fact, after their first meeting Deepali had been in contact with Madhu more than Rishabh. After she left for Bangalore, she called Madhu once in a while. Once when she had called Rishabh, he told her he was extremely busy with a new contract, which he was, and understanding his situation Deepali had told him they would talk once she came back from Bangalore.

Rishabh was having a cup of coffee after a lot of running around with the various wedding requirements. Sultan joined him after sometime, equally tired with all the errands. "Just to imagine Simmu getting married," said Rishabh. "Do you remember Rishu, how she used to run after Amit?" reminisced Sultan with a smile. Rishabh nodded his head and laughed out.

Simran was in eighth standard when she met her elder brother's college friends for the first time. She had a huge crush on Amit from the moment she saw him. Every time Amit and Rishabh visited Sultan's house, she would sneak in between them and try to do something or other to get Amit's attention. "Rishu bhaiya, today I prepared a dessert, you know," said Simran and then gave Amit a shy smile. "Dessert? Wow, I love sweet dishes. Won't you give us some to taste?" asked Rishabh lovingly. She ran and came back with two bowls of fruit custard. Rishabh took one bowl from her and started eating. Before Amit could take the bowl from her hand, she held the bowl in two hands, as if offering something very special and said, "This is for you, uhmmm, Amit." "Oh thanks," said Amit with a very sweet smile and started eating. Simran stood there with a constant smile, looking dreamily at Amit. "This is really good," said Rishabh when he saw Simran staring at Amit, who was busy devouring the dessert. Rishabh chuckled and gave Amit a little push, saying, "Hey bhukkar, tell her how it tasted." "Oh, the custard? It was wonderful Simmu," said Amit while wiping the last drop of custard from the bowl. Simran melted like a candle that moment, and left them with a shy smile. "Hey, what are you two having?" asked Sultan as he joined them. "Fruit custard, made by Simmu," said Rishabh with a teasing smile. "What? Simmu made fruit custard? And did not even offer me one spoon?" replied Sultan in shock. "I think she had made it especially for Amit, but as I was also sitting with him, she offered me some," commented Rishabh. "What nonsense Rishu! She is a kid, don't say such rubbish things about her," protested Amit, a bit embarrassed. "Haddi, trust me. I am not making up any stories. I think she is mooning over Amit," said Rishabh, with a fake serious expression. Sultan studied him with a frown for some moment, then called out, "Simmu, come here right now!" Simran came running, a little scared being summoned by her big brother. "Kya bhaiya?" "What do you call Rishabh?" asked Sultan. "Rishu bhaiya," replied Simran, a little confused. "And Amit?" Simran's eyes widened and cheeks became red. "Amit bhaiya," prompted Amit quickly. "No," blurted Simran, "only Amit." Both Rishabh and Sultan turned their faces to Amit, who by this time had grown red in embarrassment. "Only Amit, huh?" smirked Rishabh. Simran ran out of the room before Sultan could grill her any more. "Matlab ab Haddi tera official saala banega?" said Rishabh amusingly, when both Amit and Sultan jumped on him to beat him up.

"Adit, kha lo beta," pleaded Madhu, as she tried to feed the spoonful in Adit's mouth. Adit replied, "mmm..aa..mmm..uuummm," and turned his face other side to avoid the spoon. "What do I do with this brat?" murmured Madhu in frustration. Radha was busy with Meera, arranging all the shagun thalis. "What happened? Isn't he eating properly?" said Rishabh, as he saw Madhu from a distance. "He is not eating at all. He is too excited seeing all the people and hustle-bustle around. Ab bas ise masti karna hai," replied Madhu in frustration. Rishabh picked Adit from Madhu's lap and placed him on his lap. Adit gurgled in excitement seeing Rishabh. Madhu could not hold on her anger for long, seeing Adit's happy face. Rishabh kept on saying something gibberish to Adit, and every time he opened his mouth, Madhu would stuff the spoonful. One of Sultan's elderly aunts was passing by. Seeing the trio she commented lovingly, "Now that papa is holding, you little munchkin cannot trouble your mother with food anymore, huh?" Madhu looked at her immediately, but did not say anything. She did not mind people identifying Rishabh as Adit's father, because he was indeed doing what Adit's father would have done for him. So she smiled at the old lady and kept on feeding Adit. Rishabh looked at Madhu with reverence and warmth. Simran was walking by with Sultan at a distance when she noticed Rishabh with Madhu and Adit. "Bhaiya, don't you think they look like a perfect happy family?" whispered Simran. "They are family, Simmu," replied Sultan while looking at the long list in his hand. "Uff Bhaiya, I am not talking about that family. I mean, doesn't Madhu didi and Rishabh bhaiya look gorgeous together? God knows what anguish she has been through after Amit's death. She deserves much more than that from life, hai na Bhaiya?" Sultan looked at her and then looked at Rishabh and Madhu, then said, "I wish."

At the haldi ceremony on the morning of wedding, everyone gathered at the ground around Simran, smearing a little haldi on her cheeks. Madhu was standing with Adit at a distance when Meera called her, "Madhu, come and put haldi on Simran." Madhu hesitated when Radha said, "Jao beta, she needs all our blessings." "But Ma, should I.." said Madhu when Meera came and pulled her to Simran. Radha and Rishabh smiled warmly at Meera, who did not hesitate to involve Madhu in Simran's wedding rituals. "Arrey beta, I am also a widow. Does that mean I will not bless my daughter?" said Meera and hugged her. Madhu felt so elated that after smearing the haldi on Simran's smiling face, her eyes filled up with tears. "Arrey bhai, this is a happy occasion. Why is everyone becoming so emotional, huh?" exclaimed Trishna and pulled Madhu and Meera on the open area in front of Simran. "Wedding without music is dance is not a wedding at all. Mummy ji, Madhu, please do something!" shouted Trishna.

Meera started singing and Trishna and Madhu also joined her in singing. All Simran's friends and the ladies too started moving with the beat of music.

Parai chali sharmati ghabrati woh...Piya ke ghar itlati balkhati woh...

Madhu went to Simran and brought her to the dancing area. Simran was so happy with all her loved ones around that she too started dancing gleefully.

Sultan and Rishabh also joined the merriment. Sultan hugged Simran lovingly and kissed her forehead.

Suniyo jee isko rakhiyo jatan se...Badi nazuk hain nazuk hai nazuk kali yeh anmol...

Rishabh pulled Simran's hair from the back and ran around the crowd as Simran chased him.

Aao ji aao thumka lagao...zaraa behko ji behko ji behko...khushoyon ke baaje dhol...

Sultan pulled Radha and Meera and made them sway in the rhythm.

By that time, Madhu was holding Adit when Simran came to her and took Adit from her, and pushed Madhu to Rishabh, who was standing behind her.

Aankhon me iske ishaare...bare naakhreele naakhreele naakhreele..

Saapnon ke laakho nazaare...bade rangeele rangeele rangeele...

Rishabh hesitated for a second then pulled Madhu's hand and started dancing. Madhu too kept all her discomfort behind for the moment and moved merrily with Rishabh's lead.