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Chapter 33
The Plot
(February, 1983...)
(Khurana Mansion...)
"Yes?" Savitri looked at the men seated in front her, "How may I help you?"
"Savitri ji," a gruff voice began, "you may have not recognized us. But we are soon to be related."
"Sorry?"
"Savitri ji," he continued, "this is Sardar Jugnu ji and I am Chaudhary Brij Pal. We are brother-in-laws to Chaudhary Mohinder Handa and we have a proposition for you."
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(February, 1983...)
(Gurudwara Sahib, Chandigarh...)
"I am fed up of this fanatical bride-hunt that my wife has started," Deshbir said while putting on his shoes, "no poor thing is good enough for her."
"Everything will work out fine Deshbir ji," Ajaipal consoled.
"I wonder when," Deshbir replied. "It will be a nothing less than a miracle."
"Why do you say such distressing things Deshbir ji?"
"It's the truth Ajaipal ji. My wife has set standards so high that no girl could qualify for it. Even the most exceptional girl won't. What our family needs is an angel, someone who has the patience of a saint and strength of a soldier. Tell me Ajaipalji, isn't finding such a girl less than a miracle?"
He took a deep breath and resumed his musings, "My Jaiveer is a very simple boy. He needs a simple girl who will be his companion, not a doll dancing to the tunes of his mother. I have put up with that woman for whole of my life and only regretted the day I married her. My son deserves better. He deserves a happy fulfilling life."
"There is not much I can say about your wife and her standards Deshbir ji. It is not my place to do so. I can only assure you that whatever will happen, will happen for the best. Jodiyaan taan rab hi bananda hai. Who-so-ever has been destined will surely enter Jaiveer's life when the time is right. Whether or not she is the choice of Indira ji's standards is immaterial; she will definitely be the choice of Jaiveer's fate."
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(Khurana Mansion...)
"So you are Geet's uncle?" Savitri asked Jugnu. "But Chaudharyji did not mention that you would be visiting us."
"Mohinder paahji has nothing to do with this visit of our's, Savitri ji." Brij replied, "We have come to meet you."
"Me?" Savitri asked incredulously, "But what business do you have with me that Chaudharyji could not have mentioned? This is highly improper in a way. Even Sardarji is not at home."
"Actually, we have a very delicate matter to discuss with you," Jugnu coughed nervously, "and we thought it best to come speak to you in private."
"Jugnuji," Savitri interrupted, "I think it would be better if you come to the point directly and save us all time. I am at my wit's end imagining how I could be of any assistance to you."
Hearing Savitri's stern voice affected Jugnu's confidence making him stammer, "Savitriji...the thing is...we were..."
Brij placed a hand on Jugnu's shoulder to silence him. "Savitriji," Brij spoke, "I believe it's been more than 2 years since the rokka of your son with Mohinder paahji's daughter Geet."
"Yes," Savitri raised her eyebrows at such a direct question, "and how does that concern your visit to my house?"
"Savitri ji," Brij smiled a little, "doesn't it concern you that Mohinder paahji is taking so long to move forward with the alliance?"
"Brij ji," Savitri began, "whether or not it concerns me should ideally not be of any concern to you..."
"But Savitri ji..." Jugnu interrupted.
"This is a family matter Jugnu ji," Savitri silenced him before he could even begin. "It is
between us and Handas. No other person needs to be concerned with our dealings."
"Your son will be marrying our neice,' Brij answered, "that will make us family too Savitriji. That is only if your son will marry our neice."
"What are you trying to say Brij ji," Savitri fumed, "that we will not honor the alliance? You are sitting in the Khurana Mansion. Khurana's never dishonor their word."
"It was not the Khurana's commitment I questioned," He continued, "Anyone who knows your family can never entertain such stupidity; but can you that sure of the Handa's?"
"What are you implying?"
"I will repeat my previous question again Savitriji. Doesn't it bother you that it has been more two years and Mohinderji has not taken the alliance forward? It is the most peculiar thing I have ever seen. Tell me Savitriji have you ever seen or even heard of such a thing?"
"Well..."
Brij's rapid attack took the edge from Savitri's intended barb. Whatever she was going to say died out on her tongue. She found herself on the defensive; and that was not the position she was used to.
"There were circumstances Brij ji. Maan's posting..."
"...Geet's education," Brij completed. "Mohinderji has been the most irregular in his adamancy to get his girls educated. I agree educating girls is a noble thing to do but why stretch it to such lengths. Putting marriage second to education. After all, a girl has to ultimately get married."
"Actually, Maan was also of the opinion..."
"Savitriji, your son has illustrious blood in his veins. No one would expect anything less from him. He is bound to uphold his father-in-law's wishes, no matter how unusual they are. But Mohinderji..."
"Paahji should have thought better," Jugnu piped up, enfused with bravado after Brij's monologue.
"Brij ji," Savitri tried to gain some edge back, "we have no issues with Geet's education. My son is an Army officer and it is befitting that he has a wife who can match his standard."
Not undeterred by this defence, Brij dug on, "Education can also be continued after marriage. I am sure you wouldn't deny your daughter-in-law anything that is within reasonable limits..."
"Of course, we won't..."
"However, Savitriji, at her father's house who is to set those limits? Mohinderji is so keen on education that he would only seeking more and more. Geet puttar is just a girl who will get encouraged by her father's whims. Girls are so impressionable. That is why they are always married early on in life."
"I agree, but..."
"But? Savitri ji it has been two years already. How much more are you willing to wait? BA-cee ay, MA-shm ay...kudi collector taan nahi banegi na?" Brij scoffed.
"I have heard that there is no end to getting all such fancy degrees," Jugnu offered.
Savitri's head reeled from the arguments Brij volleyed at her. She had to admit that the delay was unacceptable to her and in the past few months these doubts had risen in her mind too. However, she kept faith in the promise made by Chaudhary Handa over and above her doubts. But to have his own relatives present another side of things brought her own insecurities to front. I must speak to Sardarji about this. First it was that Indira Malhotra, now these two. Everyone seems to cast suspicions on Chaudharyji. I have no doubt on his sincerity but such a delay is not proper. This is what I had always feared. Delays like these give people chance to talk. Family's honor gets sullied. Maybe I will persuade Sardarji to speak to him. But first I have to see where all this is leading to.
"Brij ji," Savitri began, "why are you telling me all this now? The alliance has been made. Now whatever the delays or obstructions are, we have to face them."
"Savitri ji," Brij leaned forward conspiratorially, "what if I find you a way out from all this?"
Savitri looked at Brij incredulously.
Taking her silence as a cue to carry on, Brij put forward the plan he had been brewing in his head from past many months, "I would like to propose the match of another niece of mine for your elder son. No hassles no wait. The moment Maan puttar comes on leave, we will be ready to receive the baraat. Jugnu paahji," he turned towards Jugnu, "show the photograph to Savitri ji."
Jugnu dug into his pocket and took out Rajji's picture. He passed it towards Savitri, who was too dumbstruck to even react, "This is my darling daughter Rajdeep, Savitri ji. The apple of my eye. She is the same age as Geet. Brought up in Canada from an early age, she is no less than Geet in any regard. She will be a perfect match for your son. She can behave as good as the gorri-mems of Canada. She has already completed her graduation. However, she is very attached to our Indian culture and did not show any interest in further education. These days, she is learning to cook proper Punjabi food from her mother. My daughter has been taught what a man wants in a wife. Not like the Handa girls, who are keener to impress the world rather than their future mother-in-law. I can assure you Savitri ji, you will not regret this decision."
Silence sat heavily in the room. Savitri kept on staring at Rajji's picture in her hand. All bravado rushed out of Jugnu seeing no reaction from her. He shifted awkwardly in his seat and looked nervously towards Brij.
Giving a cool glance to Jugnu and shenanigans, Brij set out to advocate his case. Getting Savitri to agree to this proposal was crucial. It would appease Jugnu's worries for his daughter and more importantly hurt Mohinder in the most fatal way. With a setback so huge, Mohinder would not be able to put up much of a resistance against Brij's scheme to grab the property he was eyeing. Maybe he could up his game by offering to protect Geet's engagement for a price. Yes! That would be profitable too. Mohinder paahji will be so anxious to save Geet's honor that he will give me anything I demand. I will simply ask the land in return. Jugnu needs the money desperately. I will give him his share and silence him. Rajji can find another match abroad. Getting that property is more important. Either ways it will be mine. Whether Geet Handa marries Maan Singh Khurana - or not!
"Savitri ji," Brij called her attention, "listen to what we say. We are your well-wishers. We only have your best interests at heart. Mark my words. Os langrre ne apni kudi nahi deni. You will end up waiting for your daughter-in-law forever."
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(Two weeks later...)
(Handa Haveli...)
"Baitho jee," Rano made Ajaipal and Savitri sit in the hall. As perplexed she was with their sudden visit she made haste to welcome them appropriately.
Thankfully her husband was not working in his workshop today. He had gone to the neighbour's house to help them with some construction work. Geet and Meera had just come from college. Rano quickly bid Geet to get her father from there as she went ahead to serve the guests with water.
"Savitri," Ajaipal spoke up as Rano rushed in.
"Jee?"
"I hope I have made it clear to you Savitri. This is your one and only chance. After this never ever expect me to indulge any whim of yours when it comes to Maan's marriage."
"Sardarji..."
"Don't utter a single word Savitri," Ajaipal hushed harshly. "I cannot bear anymore of it."
He closed his eyes shut and tried to calm himself. Past two weeks had been pure torture for him. Savitri's tantrums had never been so dramatic before. He had always believed that letting his wife run the household according to her wishes was a good choice for their marriage. She stayed happy playing the queen and he got what he desired - peace. But when Savitri's temper started threatening that very peace of mind he gave in to her demands. He did not know what he hated more, or whom he hated more - Savitri for coercing him like this or him for giving in to her. He only knew that he had he been there when those two schemers had landed up in his house, he would have set matters straight there and then. But it seems that fate had turned him into a pawn in this mess and here he was sitting with his pride shaken. For he knew that what was about to happen today will lower him in his own esteem.
He opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. The homely feel of the haveli was so in contrast with the calculated opulence of his kothi. Maan had once mentioned this to him and his son could not have been more right. Only the fortunate can claim to have formed such a good alliance. Even Savitri would agree to it. Only if she appreciated it more than her vanity all this could have been avoided. From the very beginning his wife has only caused distress to the Handas. Whereas they have been nothing but kind in return.
He opened his eyes and looked at Savitri's profile. She held her head high even now. He, on the other hand, had never felt so small.
"Ajaipal jee?" Mohinder Handa hurried inside on his crutches, "is everything alright? I was so surprised to hear you have come. Tussi khabar vi nai kitti..."
Like a bad omen the electricity went out that very moment.
Before Mohinder could reach where Ajaipal and Savitri were sitting, he turned towards his wife one final time.
"Today only one thing will survive Savitri," he declared, "Either this relationship or your right to make any demands on the Handas."
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Hello everyone! Finally Brij and Jugnu's intentions have been revealed. How much damage will it cause to Maan and Geet's relation we do not know. Well I actually I know...but you people don't...*evil laugh* ..I had one suggestion though. Please go read last few chapters together. You will understand how circumstances made Savitri act the way she did. And you might find out how things will shape up...happy reading.
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