"Hello Ma..." But before she could finish Urmila's angry voice rose a bit higher.
"You are becoming so irresponsible Chhavi. You should have called me a long time before."
"Sorry Ma..." She became a little confounded,"I was about to call you...but...there was so much hullabaloo happening...that I just couldn't."
"Hmm, but don't be late in the morning. I have to go to the office early tomorrow..."
Urmila seemed a bit hot tempered today. Chhavi thought, "Has something happened with dad again?" But she didn't ask anything.
"I'll be back around 8'o clock." she replied.
Disconnecting the call, she looked at the sky. A black star-studded night. A mild breeze was blowing, she felt calm. After such fussing, this solidarity was much needed. It was true that she actually forgot to call her house. She supposed she might be late, but would be able to go back home, but everybody started forcing her to stay and frankly she too wanted to stay. After finishing masters, it's been a year and she was meeting with all her university friends on this occasion of a wedding--- her friend Priya got married that day.
The bridal chamber was crowded. Most of the people were their friends and the remaining were Tushar's, the groom's office colleagues. Shruti was singing a song and everybody was listening
bewitchingly. Undoubtedly she has a beautiful voice. Chhavi sat there. Suddenly her eyes caught sight of that boy, though she couldn't recall his name, maybe because he was not from their friend's group. He was not bad...looks wise. Tall, broad shouldered, light stubble, and a firmness which was predominated on his face. What was his name? She tried to recall. In the eating area Malvika was talking with him...but his name...
"The boy sitting there, beside Salil, who is he?" Chhavi asked with a whisper to one of her friends.
"Viraf? He is Neil's friend...why?" she countered her.
Chhavi shook her head, "Just like that."
Shruti finished her song. The room burst with the sound of clapping.
"May I know your name please..." Salil smiled knavishly. He is a great flirt.
"Shruti..." Chhavi smirked looking at her.
"She is already booked, her would-be is in Bangalore. This coming month she is going to get hooked up." Another girl remarked from the back. Salil pressed his hand on his chest. "Such a drama king!" Chhavi thought. He must be Tushar's friend.
"And you, madam?" She was startled as Salil was looking at her.
"She too is engaged. But her wedding got postponed." Malvika replied on behalf of her.
"Why?" Neil asked.
Chhavi felt awkward and slightly embarrassed as she was not that comfortable in discussing her personal affairs in front of everyone. Yet she answered promptly.
"Parth's grandfather has died. That's why."
"Who believes in these kind of things these days?" After such a long time, Viraf's voice was raised.
"Most of the people believe." The boy sitting next to him said.
"Silly notion."
"We made these customs to give respect to the family members." Sameer started arguing with him.
"Sorry I do not accept, because nothing is stagnant, and if you are going to marry someone then where is the disrespect?"
"Exactly...respect comes from heart." Another one agreed with him.
"Then, with that respect, there is no meaning in doing marriage with such customs and incantation." Salil said with sarcasm.
"Yes...this is all fake. The man who preaches doesn't understand anything and the people who listen they too don't understand anything." Chhavi's lips curved in a smile.
Priya said menacingly, "Then you mean to allege that there is nothing to do with old principles, scriptures?"
Viraf smiled slightly, "Hmm...these principles have ruined us, and that's why god-men are making us fools." He shook his head in disgrace.
"You are an atheist?" From one of the corners a delicate yet firm voice raised itself. Viraf looked at her, at Chhavi.
"What am I...that is another matter." he said, staring at her. "But without knowing the real meaning of principles and religion, the act of using it, should be stopped."
Salil, who was looking here and there for so long like a pendulum, suddenly looked at him.
"Yaar this is not your science club. Your healthy lecture just threw my healthy flirting out of the window."
The room burst out with laughing. Viraf smiled too. He looked at Chhavi from the nook of his eyes. She was smiling, a soft radiance was there on her face, he kept his eyes down.