IshRa FF : Bas Ek Sanam Chahiye (Updated Chapter 13 & 14 page 60)

Originally posted by: peace..

Dipa ka FF! Superhit hoga.pakka! 😃

Originally posted by: DipaRB6

Thanks all you early readers! I will post Chapter 2 just as soon as we get to page 2 😃

Chapter 2

The Bhalla house was abuzz with everyone still making last minute preparations. His mother was getting the puja samaan ready. Mihir and Shagun's mother were already there and helping out the Bhallas. Simmi and Param seemed to have just arrived and were chatting with Pammi aunty in a corner.

Shagun made her entrance with pomp as always, she had dressed in a grand gaghara for the event that was pink with gold work etched heavily across it. Upon seeing her earlier he cringed internally thinking she was overdressed for the quiet family affair. She had rolled her eyes and complained about his plain suit in response. On the drive over she again complained about doing the engagement as a small family only event but he reminded her that she had agreed to that in exchange for him agreeing to a large wedding and reception, both of which he was dreading.

Papaji came forward to greet the couple. "Come on puttar, come inside. Take a seat. Romi get them something to eat."

"Romi, only if there is something non greasy or non-fat. We can't be gaining any weight before the wedding." Shagun called behind Romi as he ignored her.

"Bhai, how was the final meeting with Tandon? Was he happy with everything?" Mihir had bounded over to Raman.

"Haan everything went off great. He said to thank you since he may not see you before he leaves."

"Okay good. Yeah I thought I could help Mummy out with what she had to buy for the engagement. Listen do you have a minute, I want to speak to you."

"Sure, let's go into my bedroom."

Leaving Shagun who was catching up with her mother on the day's shopping, Raman and Mihir headed upstairs to his room in the Bhalla house. Raman had spent most of his youth within these walls after his parents moved them from Akash Ganga Society. He had felt a great thrill in having his own space for his projects and hobbies. When Mihir would come over they would spend hours poring over comics and books, cooking up big plans for their lives. As he grew older though, Raman realized the value of spending time in the main hall with his family. With Romi, Simmi and Rinki busy in their own lives there wouldn't be too many nights when they were all at home at once. And then Simmi got married and moved out. Now they were lucky if they managed to get together for the big festivals.

Before Shagun, Raman had hoped his wife would be able to bring them together more as a family. Something he craved but was no good at doing himself. But that dream would have to go, Shagun wanted to live in their own apartment in the center of the city rather than put up with his parents in this old house. After much arguing she had finally convinced him based on the good it could do his work to be centrally located. His parents had complained at first, especially recently as his work commitments and social life kept him away even more often. They had begun to fear that once he moved out, they would never get to see him. His mom still complained but he could see in his Papa's eyes after he told them the news of marrying Shagun that he had let go of all his expectations at that point.

"So tell me, what is it...about the Tandon project? No need to worry, I know this was your baby but everything will work out fine. Your job is to get us the deals and my job is the make sure they are fulfilled. It's in my hands now."

They sat down on the couch and Raman waited to hear from his brother.

"No bhai, I know that of course. I fully trust you. I wanted to talk about something more personal."

"Are you going to tell me you'll kill me if I hurt your sister?" Raman laughed, slapping Mihir on the back.

Mihir smiled at his bhai. No matter what he was like these days outside in the world or at work, he would always return to being his bhai in the confines of this room where they spent so much time as kids. Though they were best friends, Raman was a couple of years older to him and so he had always called him Bhai as a joke. It stuck and although Mihir relied on him for advice and support there were some areas in which his Bhai needed guidance. This was definitely one of them.

Mihir had seen Raman change a lot in recent years. While he was just as focused as before, he had become more serious losing the lightness he used to enjoy in life. His constant jokes and pranks with his younger siblings, his relaxed time with Papaji watching cricket, his childishness around Toshiji had all faded. Instead he walked around like he had the world's weary weight on himself; hardly smiling, never relaxing. He acted as though he had resigned himself to his current life, as though it wasn't the one he wanted but one he would have to live with. Mihir supposed it could be part of getting older, taking on more responsibilities or perhaps the stress of managing the business. But these were all things that were happening to both of them, so it didn't make sense. Somewhere underneath he felt the reason for these changes.

"Bhai, are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"With what Mihir?" Raman was puzzled.

"Marrying Shagun Bhai! I know things happened really quickly in the last couple of months and I was over in London working on this deal. I wish I could have spoken to you sooner about it but things have been crazy. More importantly I feel you haven't really sat down and thought about it completely."

"What are you talking about Mihir? I've loved Shagun my entire life. You of all people should know that. Yes it happened quickly but why does that matter when marrying her is all I've wanted for years."

"Yes Bhai, I know how you've felt about her. But even when growing up if you remember, I used to ask you why you loved her. You guys are so different! And yes, it is what you wanted. But are you sure it's what you want now? Are you sure she is the one to make you happy?"

"This is ridiculous Mihir. This is YOUR sister we're talking about." Raman tried to sound outraged but found himself thinking about Mihir's words.

"Exactly. And I know my sister and I know you. You haven't been yourself lately, especially this last year. I just want to make sure you're not going through with this because of our family connection or worse because of me. Things happen, people grow apart even in relationships. There is nothing wrong in backing out now if you don't want to marry her."

"Mihir, maybe you should get your head checked. You're imagining all these things about me. I am totally fine. But yes it's true this last year has been tough but it's just work and everything. Things will settle down and everything will be fine after the marriage. I know Shagun and I have our differences but as they say opposites attract and that's why it will work." Raman tried to sound surer than he felt.

"Opposites attract, yes, but you guys are opposite not in temperament but in values and goals. That is harder to get past. It's nothing if you're just dating and having fun but marriage is a completely different thing. I don't want you to lose sight of who you are in compromising with my sister." Something like a silent alarm went off in the distant recesses of Raman's mind.

"You worry too much mere bhai. I promise I'm totally fine and very happy with this situation."

Mihir gave up exasperated. He wasn't sure what he expected from this conversation exactly but he didn't feel like he got through to Raman's true feelings about this marriage. More than his sister, more than his mother, Raman was family to him and his happiness meant the world to Mihir. He remembered how after his father had passed away, it was Raman who got him through those tough years.

Mihir had always felt that Raman's infatuation with his sister was just that. A purely physical attraction. Even later when they began dating he felt sure they would break up quickly, being so at odds with each other. Even if his Bhai didn't Shagun was sure to break his heart eventually and run after something shinier. But timing was everything. The business took off and with the success Raman became a much better prospect for his goal-oriented sister.

Mihir would be fine with it if she truly made his Bhai happy but that didn't seem to be the case. Over the last year, the initial joy Raman had of being with Shagun began to fade. Mihir thought he had begun to realize it himself but then suddenly Shagun got the idea of marriage into her head after rejecting him for so long and after that it all happened too quickly. Mihir didn't get a chance to have a heart to heart with Raman to understand his feelings. And the last thing he wanted was for his Bhai to go through with this wedding because of a sense of obligation to him. Which was definitely something he was capable of doing.

"Okay, if you're sure. But please if you ever need to talk or are having second thoughts, please please talk to me. Don't hide it just because she is my sister. Remember for me you are my Bhai first, then comes everybody else."

"Okay baba. Shall we go out now dramebaaz before the family thinks I've run away with your help!"

Raman followed behind a laughing Mihir as they rejoined the family downstairs. He tried a little harder to look happy whenever Mihir looked over at him but the truth was that his brother's words created a doubt in his mind. Had he changed that much for Shagun? And was that bad? There were some good things too that had helped him succeed at work, helped him network with high society and build his reputation. Once they were married, all the other things would go back to normal he thought to himself and he would be just as happy as he had always dreamed with Shagun.