Part 4
Mini was getting ready for engagement. Babita saw her with interest. Today her daughter was behaving out of character. She not only agreed to go to parlour at just once but also took extra care to select her jewelry and now she was checking herself in the mirror every now and then. “My daughter is looking very beautiful now please stop looking at mirror and hurry up or else we will get late.” Said Babita as she put a kaala tika behind Mini’s ear. “Mom, I have to look my best yaar don’t disturb me.” Mini replied as she again got busy in her final touch up. “Since when my sweet little doll became so conscious of her looks?” asked Babita as she laughed at her. “Ever since your sweet doll met that broody Neil Oberoi.”Replied Mini applying lip gloss. “Broody Neil Oberoi.....Didn’t you like him? You yourself said yes to this remember.” Asked Babita confused. “Yes mom I like him and I am ready for marriage but mom that man makes me nervous and haven’t you seen him he is so handsome so I also want to look my best.” Replied Mini as she checked herself in mirror for the umpteenth time. Babita laughed at her nervousness, “Oye Mini, its all natural. Every girl gets nervous on such days and as far as the looks are concerned….yes he is handsome but my daughter is no less.” Said Babita as she kissed Mini on her forehead. “Oh ho mom mera makeup kharab ho jana hai aap faltu senti baatein mat karo.” Said Mini to avoid getting emotional.
Mini along with her parents and Saroj mami and her family and some other close relatives went to Neil’s house for engagement. His bunglow was located in the posh area of south Delhi. They all got out of the cabs as they reached the Oberoi Mansion. Saroj’s eyes went wide looking at the enormous house. All of them entered inside and Saroj was further impressed by the luxury cars and expensive bikes in the parking areas. Neil and Naeem bi welcomed them at the door and took them inside. Now Saroj was completely mesmerized with the luxury and grandeur of the bunglow. “May be bhai sahib and bhabhi knew how rich this boy is that’s why they ignored all the things like age factor and family history.” Saroj couldn’t help but wonder and felt jealous of them. Neil introduced them with some of his relatives and close friends and some of his business associates. Mini saw him and couldn’t stop herself from drooling over him. He looked stunning in Indian attire. She looked at herself. All the confidence that her mother gave her earlier was vanished.“No matter how much you try Mini you cannot match him in good looks” she thought and become a little more self conscious.
Soon everyone was gathered around for their engagement. Mini and Neil saw each other. Mini again marveled at the fact how flawless he looks while Neil looked at her intensely. Mini shivered with his intense gaze. Neil came a little close to her then said in low voice so that its only audible to Mini, “You are looking gorgeous today.” Then both of them exchanged rings. He took her hand upto his lips and placed a kiss on it. Mini blushed at first then she noticed everyone’s expressions. His side of people mostly cheered for them while her side of people looked visibly embarrassed. Cultural difference between south Delhi elite class and her down to earth country people was clearly visible. “So this was another factor in this relationship with which she not only has to deal with but also strike a balance between the two worlds.” Mini thought. She looked at Neil who was still looking at her with same intensity. Mini found her confidence suddenly returning again. “How this man can make me self conscious and confident at the same time.” Mini wondered. Everyone clapped for them which brought her out of her thoughts.
Babita and Hanuman together with the help of Naeem bi made them complete other rituals. Everyone congratulated them. Some of Neil’s friend requested them for a couple dance. Mini became nervous. She was never the one to who liked this type of dance. She remembered her college’s annual function and how one boy dared to take her to the dance floor and how she ended up stomping his feet. She closed her eyes to get that image out of her mind. She looked here and there to find a way out of this situation. She saw her mom and gestured her to stop them but to her utter shock and surprise she nodded her head in ‘its ok’ and encouraged her to move ahead. “Damn! What happened to her conservative parents when she needed them the most” she thought. Neil looked at her. She looked nervous and a little scared. “whats wrong with you?” he asked in a whisper. “I don’t know….how to dance” she stammered. “Its ok, its not a rocket science. Just follow my lead.”Said Neil as he took her hand and lead her to the center. “But…but…I….”she stammered again as she tried to stop him. “Shshsh….trust me.” Neil said as he asked for her hand. “Trust him? How much I know him?” Mini thought. But then she looked into his eyes. There was a confidence in his eyes which said, “I know what I am doing”, which encouraged her to hold his hand. Making up her mind she gave her hand in his as at that moment she decided to trust him with her life.
He pulled her towards him gently and placed her one hand on his shoulders and he himself put his one hand on her waist securely while entwined their other free hands together all the while without breaking the eye contact with her. The song started playing.
O karam khudaya hai
Tujhe mujhse milaya hai
Tujhpe marke hi toh
Mujhe jeena aaya hai
O tere sang yaara
Khushrang bahara
Main tera ho jaun
Jo tu karde ishara
He moved his left foot backward slowly making his grip tight on her waist which prompted her to move her left foot forward. He repeat the step while moving sideways almost taking her with him so that she gets an idea on what to do. They swayed together with beats of music all the while looking at each other’s eyes.
Kahi kisi bhi gali mein jaaun main
Teri khushbu se takraun main
Har raat jo aata hai mujhe
Woh khwab tu..
Tera mera milna dastoor hai
Tere hone se mujhme noor hai
Main hoon soona sa ek aasmaan
Mehtaab tu..
O karam khudaya hai
Tujhe maine jo paaya hai
Tujhpe marke hi toh
Mujhe jeena aaya hai
O tere sang yara
Khush rang bahara
Tere bin ab toh
Na jeena ganvara
He turned her around and held her from the back. Mini was scared again as now she couldn’t look at his eyes for guidance but he held her securely in his arms using his body pressure to synchronize her movements with him.
Maine chhode hai baki saare rastein
Bas aaya hun tere paas re
Meri ankhon me tera naam hai
Pehchaan le..
Sab kuch mere liye tere baad hai
Sau baaton ki ik baat hai
Main na jaunga kabhi tujhe chhod ke
Yeh jaane le..
O karam khudaya hai
Tera pyaar jo paaya hai
Tujhpe marke hi toh
Mujhe jeena aaya hai
He turned her again towards him and she bumped into his chest. She was breathless for a moment as she felt the current due to their physical proximity. He pushed her away a little from him and repeated the foot work.
O tere sang yaara
Khush rang bahara
Tu raat deewani
Main zard sitara
O tere sang yaara
Khush rang bahara
Main behta musafir
Tu tehra kinara
At the end he turned her around for few times and then dipped her down by holding her from her waist as he leaned on her too. Everyone clapped for them and Neil steadied Mini. She looked around and found everyone was smiling and clapping for them. She was happy that nobody noticed her clumsiness and was surprised herself that she could pull this off. Now to think of it, she really enjoyed dancing with him. She looked at him. Neil has already distanced himself from her and now was busy talking to someone. She came towards her mom and dad. “mujhe toh pata hi nahi tha meri beti itna achha dance karti hai” Babita complimented. “Mujhe bhi kaha pata tha mom” said Mini as she remembered how Neil helped her out. “Huh! Kya matlab?”asked Babita confused. “No…nothing mom…forget it.” said Mini as she tried to cover up.
After sometime Mini and her family took leave from the Oberoi mansion. As the wedding was in next month they decided to stay for some more days in Delhi for the wedding shopping. Hanuman and Babita were making guest list and discussing what to buy for the return gifts and also the welcome gifts for groom’s side. Babita suggested few items when Saroj interrupted her, “Please don’t mind bhabhiji but today after seeing their 'rehen -sehen' I realized that you are making a mistake. You are in so much hurry for this wedding but you noticed how different they are from us. I mean their culture and our culture is totally different. Bura mat manna par mujhe toh bahut hi sharam aayi kaise besharmi se usne Mini ke sath chipak ke dance kiya aur Mini ka hath chumne ki bhi kya jarurat thi. Aur unke mehmaan taliyan baja rahe the, khush ho rahe the. Sadde pind vich ye sab kaha chalta hai?” Saroj taunted. “Saroj, I know that these things are not allowed in our family but I have seen in serials and movies. Ye bade shehro ke ameer logo ke yaha na ye sab common hai….koi bura nahi manta iska.” Replied Babita as she boasted her knowledge. “Yes, absolutely right and don’t forget that they are engaged now. Bachho ne thoda dance kar liya toh kya burai hai usme?” Hanuman supported his wife.
“But bhabhi ji they are so rich don’t forget they will expect expensive gifts and grand functions to match their status. How will you manage all this.” Saroj tried to put doubt in Babita’s mind. “So what they are rich? Abhi Hanuman Singh zinda hai. Apne paas koi paise ki kami thodi hi hai. meri iklauti bachhi ki shadi hai….koi kami nahi rehne dunga main.” Said Hanuman Singh as he assured Babita. “Dad mom, no need to worry about all these things. And Saroj mami if you have poor memory then let me remind you didn’t Neil said that day that he wants a simple wedding and nothing else from my parents.”Replied Mini glaring at Saroj. She could see how jealous Saroj was ever since they have returned from Oberoi mansion. Now that she couldn’t find any fault in Neil she wanted to create doubt in her parents mind. “Mini beta, You don’t worry. We know Neil is not like that type of guy who values anyone in terms of money or status.” Hanuman Singh assured Mini. “Yes, your bhai sahab is right Saroj. Today also we tried to talk to Neil about how he would prefer wedding functions and what are his expectations. But he assured us that he wants a simple ceremony. In Patiala very few of his relatives and friends will attend the wedding and reception so whatever we decide is fine by him and he will take care of Delhi reception.
Mini completed her shopping. They were supposed to go back to Patiala day after tomorrow. Tomorrow Neil was supposed to come with Naeem bi to Mini’s place to give her the wedding dress as according to the customs groom’s side was supposed to give bridal dress. Mini was excited for it. She called Preet to share her excitement. “Hello Preet kaure.” Said Mini in a extra sweet voice. “Hmm….seems someone is very happy today.” Preet asked. “Yes….so happy that I wont even scold you for missing my engagement.” Said Mini. “Sorry yaar Mini you know na it was last day to submit the form in PG college.” Preet apologized. “Its ok.” Replied Mini. “So tell me about the engagement….I know you are dying to share everything.” Asked Preet as she laughed imagining Mini’s expression. Mini went on and on about the whole ceremony and how after that Saroj mami tried to spoil everyone’s mood. and what did she buy for her wedding functions. She spilled everything she was holding up till now. “Oh…so he kissed you” Preet teased Mini. “Excuse me, he only kissed my hand ok.” Replied Mini as she blushed. “Oh come on Mini…now toh you are engaged ek kiss toh banta hai yaar…proper wala.” Preet teased again. “Shut up Preet kaure and you are talking about kiss we didn’t even talk after the engagement.” Replied Mini. “What? Are you mad? Didn’t talk…not even on watsapp?” asked a completely shocked Preet. “Ya, I mean I was not sure whether he will like to talk or message…remember I told you he is not hearts and flowers kinda guy.” Replied Mini. “Ya but you are not like talking to him 24*7 or disturbing him in his work. A phone call everyday or few messages wont hurt anyone and besides that how you will know what he prefers and what not if you wont even try.” Preet reasoned. “So you think I should call him?” asked Mini unsure of anything. “Yes definitely you should try.” Preet encouraged Mini.
Next Morning Mini was in dilemma whether to call Neil or not but making up her mind she took deep breath and dialed his number. It kept ringing, Neil didn’t pick. “May be he is busy. But how will I know when he is not busy. At what time should I call him?” Mini wondered. Then she decided that its better to watsapp him. “But what should I write in a message?” She wondered again then after thinking a lot all she could type was,“Hii” and sent it. Two ticks appeared immediately showing delivery report but she kept waiting for the ticks to turn blue. She checked his last seen status it was at 10.00 am in the morning. She sent the message at 11.00 am. Means he didn’t check his watsapp after that.“Hmm…really he is busy today.” She thought and got busy in her packing as they were supposed to leave tomorrow. Every now and then she kept checking her phone. It was around 3.00pm that she noticed blue ticks. She was super excited as he finally read her message. She waited for his reply with bated breath but to her utter disappointment it never came. She tried to console herself saying that he must be busy in some important work but she couldn’t help but feel upset about it.
to be continued.....
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