Another Parud FF - Clear blue skies I(upto Chapter 50) - Page 47

The entire Ranavat clan had gathered in the aangan when Rudra returned. But his eyes were anxious until he saw his wife's smile. "Paro," he beckoned. She came closer but stopped when she noticed a pot-bellied, balding man in uniform. "I have asked Constable Natwar Lal to drive you to work from tomorrow. He will stay with you till you need to get back home. If you need to go anywhere else he will drive you during the day," he informed. Paro was surprised, Tejawat was behind bars, why did she need a constable around all the time, she didn't understand. He looked into her curious eyes, how could he tell her about the two attempts on their lives in Delhi. He didn't want her to feel scared like before at least until the fear was absolutely necessary. "Paro, its just a precaution. Like Geethanjali ma'am has uniformed guards around her house, I have appointed two guard who will work in shifts. Tejawat is not the only enemy I have made over the years. I don't want my work to put you at risk," he explained. Paro was still not convinced. Bapusa didn't have guards around him all the time. So why did she need constant supervision like a child. "Baisa, Rudra is right. This is necessary since you have to go so far each day for work," Danveer offered his two cents. Paro replied that she will be content staying in the Haveli and helping her jeeja in her chores like before. "Baisa, you were happiest when you were working with your Maasiji helping people rebuild their lives not when you helped your jeeja run the house," Danveer countered. "I'll be honest with you, baisa. A beendini of this house going out and working hasn't always worked out well for this family," Mohini said looking at  her nephew pointedly. Rudra wondered for a fleeting moment if she wouldn't have strayed if she hadn't started working. It occurred to him that his aunt was drawing similarities between his mother and his wife. His visage hardened as he clenched his fists. "But I want to give you a chance to continue working like before. If I feel you can't manage your responsibilities towards the family, you will have to stop. I don't want Maithili's life to become harder because Rudra has decided to let you work. She has a child of her own which needs her attention too," Mohini continued. She knew that Paro was different from her sister and she knew she was risking Rudra's wrath by insinuating that both women were similar but she couldn't let history repeat itself. Maybe of Mala wasn't always wrapped up in her own world, she might Paro knew from Rudra's expression that he didn't like his aunt's remarks even though she understood why it was necessary for her aunt to be direct. But before she could say anything Sunheri offered to help out with the chores. "That won't be necessary. Once you come home from college, you need to study. There are two daughters-in-law who can attend to the house," Mohini told her sternly. Paro knew Sunheri's education was important to her parents and they didn't want her to be distracted. She stepped up and replied gaily, "Don't worry Kakisa. I used to go to the NGO only thrice a week for a few hours. I will find time to help Jeeja with the housework too. I won't give room for any complaints." Rudra frowned at seeing his wife being ordered about. He didn't say anything as she was clear in what she wanted. He had to let her deal with his aunt by herself. Mohini agreed and instructed both her daughters-in-law to check on dinner. "Samrat call up Sumer and find out where he is? I don't want him to show up after our guests arrive," she ordered.

An hour later Sumer saw his sister sulking the swing. "What happened to you?" She just shook her head. Sumer nudged her playfully prompting her to spill the beans. "Shanti likes her Paro Maasi more than me," she grumbled pointing at the little girl twirling around in a pink ghagra. He still didn't understand so she explained. "I planned for both of us to wear yellow but she wanted to look beautiful like her Maasi. So she decided to wear pink instead just like Bhabhisa," she said with her hands on her head. Sumer wanted to laugh at her silliness. "Pagli, Paro is new so my angel finds her fascinating. Things will go back to normal soon," he dismissed her fears too casually. Seeing the disappointment still on his sister's face he continued, "See Paro like this bright and brilliant butterfly..." "And I'm as big as a cow," she broke into tears. Sumer patted her head awkwardly not knowing what to say. He saw his cousin standing close by and called him over. Rudra sat next to her, "So what...I mean... Paro maybe beautiful but she ... She can't talk in English like you...she is simple not smart." He felt a hand over his shoulder. He turned and saw Samrat standing with Paro and Maithili. He took in the sight of Paro in a salmon pink saree with matching coral jhumkas. "Paro, you look stunning," he exclaimed. She asked, "Are you sure? I don't look too simple for you do I?" He saw the hurt in his wife's eyes as she walked away him. He got up to talk to her when Maithili stopped him. "Devarsa, I'll talk to her," she offered. Samrat took his cousin's place and told his sister that everyone was special in their own way. Just because they a negative trait doesn't mean people will care less about them. They all love each other in spite of the other's flaws.  He asks her to celebrate the best in her and not to think too much about the rest. Sunheri finally smiled and the younger Ranavats were glad Samrat stepped in.

"Paro, please don't be upset. Devarjisa just spoke without thinking," Maithili told her little sister whom she found in the kitchen. Paro knew she was right. But usually when people talk without thinking they end up admitting what they truly felt. Did he have regret her simplicity? She remembered from the wedding all the girls who kept vying for his attention. They were so much more stylish than her. She too tried extra hard to dress up in what she felt was very sophisticated. But she still couldn't behave like them or talk like them. She still had the heart of a Birpuri girl inspite of her year in Jaipur. "Devaranisa! Are you listening?" Maithili shouted. Paro was suprised. "Sorry Jeeja, I was just thinking of something. But why are you calling me Devaranisa all of a sudden," she pouted. Maithili replied that she was not behaving like her sweet and attentive sister but like an aloof and stuck up co-sister. Paro held both her ears in apology and her sister laughed. "Beendini, can you tell me the magic words," Mohini interrupted. Both young women exchanged a look. Neither understood what she wanted. "I'm sure you are using a magic trick to make sure that the sherbet gets mixed by itself and the ice trays fill themselves up," she taunted. Maithili replied that the ice trays had been placed in fridge since morning. "Very good. Now are you planning to serve cold water to the guests or will they be lucky and get something else," she asked. Paro replied that she will mix the sherbet immediately. "Your aunt and uncle are also coming aren't they?" Mohini enquired. Paro nodded. "Good. Did you ask Aman to bring the photo album," came the next question. "Yes, Kakisa. I reminded him to bring it earlier today," she confirmed. Mohini tugged on her pallu and turned to the door.

In the aangan, Sunheri was now in better spirits, "You know Parvati bhabhisa once told me that everyone is different and special in their own way. She explained how the koel is not green so that we can identify which is the sweet sounding bird. But sometimes I just react without as thinking." Sumer remarked that she takes after their cousin in that. "Yes, because you are the most sorted out person in this family right?" Rudra argued. Samrat realised that this argument will go on forever. "Rudra, we were waiting for you to come back to discuss something serious," he said and the squabble stopped. Sunheri looked on wondering what was going on. Samrat didn't want her involved, "Here take my phone and get some pictures of Shanti. She is looking like a fairy princess today." Sunheri replied that her camera would be better and went to her room. "What's going on?" Rudra asked looking at the brothers' serious disposition. "It's about..."Samrat started but stopped when he realised his father was close by. Danveer knew what he was interrupting. "Banna, Aman's car just pulled up," he informed pretending to be indifferent. Rudra told his cousin that they will talk about this after dinner.

Paro was so eager to meet her brother that she didn't wait for him to knock. He smiled as soon as he saw her and reached to give her a one armed hug. She smiled back and escorted the couple in.  "This is for all of you," he said handing over a bunch of gift bags to Mohini. She was pleasantly surprised, "There was no need for all this." Aman told her this was the first time he was visiting Paro after her wedding so wanted to get something for everyone. Paro smiled taking the bags and thanked him for them. She then introduced her Kavya bhabhisa to her family. But when she got to Sunheri, she paused. She remembered how the young girl had been infatuated with her brother previously. But her resistance wasn't unnecessary. Sunheri just introduced herself to her and gushed over her printed silk saree. "You are from Dehradun right? What is it like? And this saree, it suits you so well? Did Aman bhaisa buy it for you? How was your wedding? I bet it was amazing. Did you bring photos with you?" her questions rained on their guest. Kavya just smiled and told her that she will answer all her questions when she looks through the album. "You are very sweet just like my Paro bhabhisa and Maithili bhabhisa," she said pinching her cheeks.

"You are a very lucky girl," remarked Geethanjali as she entered their home along with her husband. Both Aman, Rudra and Danveer immediately stood ram rod straight and Paro greeted them both with a hug. "Please come in," said Mohini with an extra wide smile that made her nephew a little tense. "Mohiniji, I'm a little upset with you. You were in Jaipur but never visited us," Geethanjali scolded in mock anger. Danveer apologised and said next time they will definitely drop by. This trip they were too overwhelmed with how responsible Sumer had become to think of anything else. "That's great Sumer. Can I repeat your words to a friend, Danveerji?" the general's wife asked. Paro asked if she was talking about Padu aunty hoping this was for Shatabdi. "We'll discuss that later, why don't you tell me why you look dull," Geethanjali asked. Rudra looked at his sister-in-law and knew her words didn't help his wife's mood. Paro lied that she was fine and her aunt looked at Rudra's guilty face. The general intervened, "Paro beta, it's actually my doing. Both Rudra and Aman have been away and lot of work is pending that needs their attention. That's why I have to send him away tomorrow itself." Paro looked her husband in genuine surprise. He explained that he had to escort the Birpur brides back home personally after the last bit of paperwork. She was a little disappointed but understood. He had taken up the responsibility and wanted to see things through. "Banna, then will Paro baisa have to go by herself on her first day to work. Bhaisa will not like it," Danveer commented. Rudra knew his uncle was right but couldn't help it. His superiors were depending on the rapport he had built when he went across the border last year. "It's fine, Kakosa. I used to be driven by a constable to work earlier too," she reminded. Mohini said it's alright her son can accompany her. Sumer opened his mouth to argue but his mother's shook her head in warning. Paro's best friend, Shatabdi also works with her. This Mohini knew. And her son was one in a million. This she believed. She just needed to create the opportunity for the match to work. If Shatabdi falls in love with Sumer who was her pet. She will be the luckiest mother-in-law in the world with three beendinis who will do her every bidding. Best part was this last one was an only daughter of a wealthy family.

After dinner, the family and their guests convened in the hall to take a look over the photo album and  talk over desert. Sunheri found several things which she wanted for a wedding. "I cannot believe Rudra bhaisa actually sang during the mehendi function. I was so scared to even ask him to dance with Bhabhisa during their sangeet. I was hoping she would convince him, but she was unwell and missed it too," she complained. Aman looked at Rudra who was shaking his head. There was no way the couple would have willing danced with each other last year. The romantic in Sunheri was chose to ignore the drama around  the mela wedding. "Don't worry, Sunheri. For your wedding I'll make sure they dance," Sumer promised earning a glare from his cousin. "I don't listen to what Ranavat wants, you think I'll listen to you," he reminded. Geethanjali smiled as she remembered Aman's sangeet Rudra was content just watching his wife dance with her friend. Probably he will do the same at his cousin's wedding too. "When is Dilsherji back? It's been a while since we last met," the general enquired. Rudra replied that he had met his old friends on the yatra so he is spending time with them before returning. "It's a good change in him. He isn't staying in the background watching out for you. He knows you will be fine," his senior commented. His words made Rudra think how much had changed. His father always waited at home for him to return worried that the cruel world might hurt him again. And he always rushed back to check if his father was alright. Their strange relationship where care was laced with bitter taunts and affection coated with sarcasm was no longer the same. They both knew, it wasn't just the two of them anymore. They had a family.

Mohini pulled her daughter-in-law aside as she just walked in, "Beendini, call your mother and enquire which train is bringing the desert?" Maithili was visibly confused at her words. So Mohini continued, "It's coming from your Mayka that it is taking so much time isn't it?" She replied that she will check if Paro needs any help. "Mohini, leave her alone. Now she is the Jethani, let her delegate to her sister if she wants," her husband remarked. Worry crossed the general's face but his wife whispered that Danveer was just joking. Mohini felt it was in terrible taste. She glared back remembering how her father-in-law had the same thing years ago. Her worst fear was that history will repeat itself. Two sisters married to two brothers. The talented one married to the ambitious soldier and the kind-hearted one to the simple man. She didn't want her son and his family to less important. "No, Paro! How many things will you do?" she heard her daughter-in-law scold. She went towards the kitchen knowing that Maithili wasn't the kind to fight for what she wants. She always needed a champion. "I'll bring  this out. Okay fine. If you want to help take Shanti's portion . I had kept some apart for her before adding the almonds," she saw Paro telling Maithili. Why shouldn't her granddaughter not have almonds in her desert, she questioned the younger woman. Paro replied with a smile that she added powdered almonds in the silver bowl as it would be easier for Shanti to eat. Mohini sighed in relief as the two left for the aangan. Paro was thoughtful and nothing like Mala. Bholenath had been kinder to this generation of Ranavats.