Chapter - 1
It all started about 18 months ago...
***
It was 13th March, Thursday: 7:45 am. Chembur Street.
"Maa, I'm going to the orphanage." called out Pragya Di grabbing her bag and the box of sweets from the table.
"Pragya, wait" shouted Sarla Maa from the kitchen.
"Maa, I'm getting late. The children might be waiting na."
"I know dear. But take your Tiffin and go at least. Take this. I've put aloo ke parathe with some chutney."
"Okay Maa. Bye." said Di hugging Maa and turned to leave.
"Yes, Yes. You just go to the orphanage and stay with those kids. No need to come here only." said a man's voice from behind.
Di sighed and turned back again to answer.
"You know that I..." started Di but was cut off.
"Have you even thought of getting married? You turned 27 and you are still unmarried and sitting at home being a burden on your family."
This sentence made Di's eyes became moist, but she controlled it. She checked her watch, "I'm leaving, if I get even a minute late then I might miss the bus to Kurla. Bye Maa." said she in a soft voice and left. "Bye Papa."
Di was lost in thoughts while walking on the pavement. She reached the bus stop and sat on the bench.
I think what Papa is saying is correct. I really am a burden on them now. But...'
She suddenly heard a horn and a bus stopped in front of the bus stop. She got into the bus and sat in her usual window side seat, and again was lost in her thoughts about her marriage.
***
"Hey Bhai! Wait." called Purab.
"Purab, Where were you? Did you attend the concert?" asked Jiju entering the Mehra Mansion.
"Yes Bhai. Actually was busy in a meeting. Wanted to tell you that Daadi had called you. She wanted to talk to you."
"Then why didn't you tell me before? Is she okay?" asked Jiju climbing the stairs and rushed to Daadi's room and Purab followed him.
"Bhai, she's alright. She just wanted to talk to you, I guess." Purab told.
Abhi opened the door and reached beside Daadi in no time.
"Daadi, you called me?" asked Jiju tensed.
"Yes, Abhi. I wanted to talk to you about something really important." said Daadi seriously.
"Yes Daadi tell me."
"Abhi, what have you thought about your marriage?" hearing the word marriage Jiju looked down.
"Abhi, you have to get married someday right? So, I think it's the right time now. "
"Daadi, you know I'm not..."started Abhi but was cut off by Daadi.
"Abhi, I know what Ananya has done is wrong, and you've been badly hurt but that doesn't mean that you won't move on in your life."
Jiju didn't say anything but just left from there.
"Abhi... Abhi wait..." called Daadi but Abhi had already left.
Jiju went out of the Mehra Mansion and sat in his car and left.
***
There were now tears flowing through Di's cheeks.
"Oye, What happened Pragya? Where are you lost?" came a lady's voice.
turned and saw that it was Kashika. She quickly wiped her tears and brought a fake smile on her face.
"Hey Kashika. How are you?"
"I'm good but what happened to you? Being formal? Is everything okay?"
"Um-yes. Actually no... I mean..."
"Are you trying to lie? Come on Pragya. Tell me what happened? Did Uncle Ji tell anything to you again?"
"Yes.. I mean... Yes."
"Pragya! Come on. Tell me."
"Papa again asked about marriage. You know na that I don't... I'm just... I'm confused. I don't want to be a burden on my parents but marriage..." said Pragya.
"Pragya, I really don't know what to tell but let me tell you one thing. Whenever you are ready for marriage, just marry the person you want too. The person you feel you can share everything with... If you get what I mean..."
Pragya just nodded in response.
***
Abhi was driving and was waiting for the traffic light to go green. Abhi was too lost in thoughts.
Daadi is right, but marriage. What if the same happens? What if the girl I marry cheats me again? If this happens then I won't be able to survive.' He came out of his thoughts when he saw a person knocking his window.
He lowered the window: "Listen, why are you blocking the traffic? Please move aside." requested a man. "Oh sorry." replied Abhi seeing that the traffic light had turned green and went.
***
Pragya entered Antara Orphanage and all the children came running towards her and hugged her. Then, Pragya took the sweet box from the bag she had brought for the children and gave each one and Pragya went inside the orphanage.
***
After an hour, Abhi parked his car outside the same orphanage and went inside and sat on the nearby bench and started thinking about what Daadi had said.
He looked in front and he just stared. He saw a girl wearing a long munsell yellow skirt, lavender pink top with sleeves covering her elbows and a light colored scarf wrapped around her neck. Her hair was left open to fall on her back.
She was care of a baby which looked just about 10 months old and was crying. She first took the milk bottle from the nearby stand and fed the child but still continued to cry, next she put her in the cradle and tried to make her sleep, but all her efforts had gone vain. This whole sight made Abhi smile subconsciously and he got up from the bench and started walking towards her. Just then, the girl's phone rang and she received it. Abhi was about to call her when a boy, around the age of 10 caught Abhi's hand and said, "You are Abhi the rock star right?"
To this, Abhi smiled at the boy and nodded. Next as expected all the children surrounded him and started talking to him. He too was talking and playing with them and he turned to look at the girl and saw she wasn't there now. His eyes searched the whole compound but didn't find her. He then continued playing with the kids.
***
"Yes Maa. Why did you call me so urgently? Is everything okay?" called Pragya entering the house and placing her Tiffin on the table and turned around just to see guests in their house.
Sarla Maa went near Pragya and whispered, "Pragya, Come inside."
"Maa, But why? Who are these people?"
"Pragya come with me inside." said Sarla Maa and pulled Pragya along with her to her room.
"Maa, now will you tell me who these people are?" demanded Pragya.
"Beta, you know your Papa mentioned about a boy named Ratan before." started Sarla and Pragya just nodded in return. "Your Papa has talked to them about your marriage and they've come to see you." Hearing this Pragya was shocked.
"Maa! How can Papa do this? You know na that I'm not.." started Pragya but was cut off by Sarla.
"Pragya, I know what you've gone through and what you think about marriage but beta.." said Sarla making Pragya sit on the bed. "you see you have to get married one day, and now your age.. Pragya see I know you want time but we've already given you enough time. Is 5 - 6 months not enough now?"
Pragya was silent. She didn't know what to respond. What was happening now, she was shocked. She didn't expect this to happen, that too this fast. She needed time, but according to her parents she had been given enough. She didn't know what to do now.
"Pragya, I've kept a sari there, get ready fast and come out. You need to greet them na. Fast." said Sarla and went.
***
Abhi after returning back from the orphanage had freshened up his mood. Whenever he is sad, is irritated or anything he goes to an orphanage. The orphanage he usually goes to had been shifted. So, today he had visited Antara Orphanage in Kurla for the first time.
***
Pragya was ready and was sitting on the bed.
'I don't want to get married now. What if this guy also asks for dowry or he too thinks that I'm..' thought Pragya.
Just then, Sarla entered the room. "Arre Pragya, you are ready." said Sarla making Pragya stand up. "You are looking really very pretty today. Kisi ki nazar na lage."
Pragya was looking down and not facing her mother. "Pragya, look here." Sarla Maa said lifting Pragya's face making her look towards her. "I know that you are not ready, but you need to understand Pragya. You're Papa is nowadays really tensed about your future now."
"Maa, I know. I'm not telling that I won't get married. I just want to make sure that the person I get married too understands me, he... Maa, I don't even know this person, what's his name now.. Ya, Ratan. I don't even know him and I'm supposed to marry him and spend the rest of my life with him. It won't work out.."
"No Pragya. Don't talk like this. It will work out. It will. Don't worry. Now we are just finalizing your marriage. It's not that we are going to get you married right away. And you'll get enough time before marriage so you both can talk to each other, come to know about each other. Now come on. Don't think about this too much. Come out. Come beta." said Sarla Maa taking Pragya out.
"Look this is my daughter Pragya."
Sarla made Pragya sit down beside Ratan. Ratan looked at Pragya and was smiled at her. Pragya was feeling weird sitting beside him but was forced too. Sarla Maa came and stood behind her.
"So, Ratan this is Pragya. And Pragya, this is Ratan. Remember Ratan, I mentioned about him before too. This is Ratan's dad" said Pragya's father pointing Mr. Rakesh. "And this is Ratan's mother." pointing to Mrs. Manju. And Pragya smiled at both of them and they both smiled back.
"So, Pragya what do you do? Do you work or you are a housewife?"
"I teach dance in an orphanage and also take care of the children there." said Pragya with a smile.
"Oh. So, how much salary do you get?"
"I don't do thi..."
"So, Mr. Rakesh and Mrs. Manju please take some snacks." said Pragya's Papa changing the topic.
"So, Pragya. How old are you?" asked Mr. Rakesh.
"I'm 27." replied Pragya.
"Oh just 27." replied Mrs. Manju a bit surprised.
"Why do you ask? Ratan, How old are you?"
"I'm.. I.. I'm actually 34." stammered Ratan.
Pragya didn't say anything, just nodded. 'He's almost 7 years older to me and I'm supposed to marry him. How can Papa do this?' Pragya was about to get up but felt Sarla Maa' hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw her and she whispered, "No Pragya. Please sit down."
"So, Pragya would you like to talk to Ratan? I mean alone?" asked Mr. Rakesh?
"Arre no Mr. Rakesh. What would they talk? So, do you agree for the marriage?" interrupted Pragya's dad a bit tensed thinking what if Pragya says something wrong to him.
"No, Mr. Arora. If they want to talk, let them talk. I mean they are the ones getting married. If they are okay with it then only we can proceed right?" said Mrs. Manju and he just nodded in agreement but was really tensed thinking what would happen.
Pragya went inside the room and was waiting for Ratan to come.
'I really don't know what to tell but let me tell you one thing. Whenever you are ready for marriage, just marry the person you want too. The person you feel you can share everything with...' remembered Pragya what Kashika had told her that morning.
"Listen, This girl is just 27 and how can she agree to marry a boy who is almost 7 years older to her. And she doesn't even look happy with the marriage. If she's not then we shouldn't proceed with this. Even though Mr. Arora has no problem with this alliance, we should even know what Pragya's thinks. After all, we don't want our Ratan and Pragya to regret later." whispered Mrs. Manju to Mr. Rakesh.
"I know Manju. That's why I sent Ratan to talk to her. Don't worry. If they are not okay with this alliance then we won't proceed." whispered back Mr. Rakesh.
'What are they whispering? I hope they liked Pragya. And I hope this Pragya doesn't say anything wrong to Ratan.' thought Mr. Arora.
Pragya was still thinking about it when Ratan entered. He came and sat beside Pragya.
"Pragya, are you okay with this marriage? I mean are you ready?"
Pragya didn't know what to reply. She was still confused and was thinking what her Papa had said this morning about her being burden on this family and what Kashika had said. She was even thinking what Sarla Maa had said.
"Pragya. I know that I'm 7 years older to you and you must be thinking that..."
"Ratan, see let me tell you something. In my past, my alliance has been broken four times. You know 4 times is not a small thing. And I'm really confused about this alliance as I had no idea about it. I just learnt about it today, I mean just a few hours back." said Pragya and Ratan was listening to her seriously. "To be honest, I am.. I am not ready for all this. I am not. I don't even know you that well, and this is something really serious. I don't want to get married in a hurry and then regret destroying my life as well as yours. Getting married is not just a commitment between two families, but between two people too. As far as I see, you are a very sensible and understanding person as you yourself have taken the step to know everything. Ratan, I'm not yet ready for marriage and I've told you this before. The decision is all yours now. If you agree for this alliance then I have no problem, I'll agree. But, I need time."
There was silence for a few minutes. Ratan didn't reply but just went out to his parents. In the room, 'O God, I don't know what I've done is correct or wrong, but I was Frank. I told him whatever I felt. I just hope they don't misunderstand me.' cried Pragya.
Ratan came out and told everything about it to his parents.
"So, Ratan, Now what's you decision. You are ready or not?" asked Mrs. Manju. "Look Ratan, Whatever decision you take. Think carefully and decide. It's not only your life but also Pragya's"
"Mummy, I'm not ready too." said Ratan finally and his parents just nodded back in response.
"Look Mr. Arora. Your daughter, is really very sensible, understanding and loving too. But my son, Ratan is not ready to marry Pragya. And your daughter too is not ready. So.. I hope you understand." said Mr. Rakesh.
"But Mr. Rakesh. Pragya. She.."
"Mr. Arora. Your daughter is not yet ready for marriage. Give her some time. Anyway, Excuse us now. Thank you." said Mr. Manju and they left.
There was silence there now. Mr. Arora didn't understand what had happened. Everything was going fine till now but then..
Pragya had wiped her tears and had finally come out. Everyone turned towards her and Mr. Arora asked, "Pragya! What did you say to Ratan?" He came near her.
"Papa, I.." Pragya opened her mouth to speak but was not able to as he slapped her. Pragya had least expected this.
"Papa, I wasn't ready for it and I frankly said it to him. What wrong did I do?"
"What wrong did you do? You are asking this? You said to Ratan that you are not ready for marriage. Correct?" Papa asked angrily and Pragya just nodded. She had started to weep there. She didn't think that her Papa would be this disappointed. If she did, then she wouldn't have said anything and would have agreed. But now...
"Sarla, now I don't know where will find a boy for Pragya. If she goes on doing this stupidity, then I wonder if she will ever get married." said Papa and went out.
Sarla pulled Pragya inside the room and closed to door. She pushed her against the bed and started, "Pragya, why do you do this? I told you right? I told you not to do anything like this. But you, you don't even care about your parents now."
Pragya had tripped on her sari and fell on the ground hard at the force Maa pushed her. She somehow got up and went near Maa. "Maa, I.. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you or Papa. Maa, please try to understand me."
"Pragya, we've tried and understood you. But, now you should." said Maa and left.
Pragya thought again and again on what happened in the past few minutes. She cried. Cried hard. Why? Why does this always happen to me? What wrong did I even do? I just told the truth to Ratan, and now Maa and Papa are also disappointed with me.'
***
Abhi was sitting on his bed remembering the girl he saw in the orphanage. He tried hard not to think about it but he couldn't help it. He fell asleep smiling, thinking about her.
***
By this time, Pragya had also fallen asleep on the ground crying.
Edited by apple123flower - 10 years ago
Real Estate
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