Chapter 11
The Proposal
Pragya, Aaliya and Bulbul reached home from their shopping spree to see a serious looking dadi sitting on the huge sofa. Dasi was sitting on the couch next to her, trying hard to suppress her smile. Abhi and Purab were sitting alongside dasi too. The house seemed busy with the servants walking around carrying random stuff. Robin was instructing his team on what needs to be done. The girls walked in and sat on the other side of dadi wondering what was happening.
"Dadi.. All of us are here now. Break the suspense, please. We are dying to know." Abhi said finally, unable to take it any longer. Dadi looked up and then looked at each one of them, left to right. She almost giggled when she saw everyone looking at her with their puppy eyes and desperate to know expression. They all looked so adorable. She silently prayed to God to keep them all happy and then resumed her serious posture.
"Aaliya, the discussion here is related to you." Dadi declared. Abhi's face shot up instantly, worry taking over his curiosity." relates to chhotti? What happened to her? Did she get herself into trouble? Is she fine? Why is dadi so serious?" His mind came up with a million things at that point, but he waited for dadi to talk. The others seemed confused too.
"What about me dadi?" Aaliya asked. "Is there something we should know about?" Dadi asked her. Abhi immediately turned his attention towards Aaliya. He was a protective older brother and he would in no case let anything harm her.
Pragya looked towards Aaliya too, eager to know the answer to what dadi was hinting. She had seen Aaliya behave different for a couple of weeks now. She was unusually happy and she would be stuck to her phone all day. She tried approaching the topic but her Aalu almost always avoided or gave her half baked truths.
"No dadi. There's nothing" Aaliya said almost in a whisper, unsure of what dadi was asking or rather, if she wanted to say it now. Abhi looked from dadi to Aaliya and back at her. He didn't really know what was going on. He then looked at Pragya to see if she knew what was going on. She smiled at him reassuringly that everything was okay and good. Purab and bulbul were raising eyebrows at each other asking what was going on while indu daasi was still struggling to suppress her giggles.
"Okay then, i have a surprise for you. You kids trust me, right?" Dadi asked, a smile slowly forming on her lips. "Yes dadi." Abhi said followed by Aaliya. "Then Pragya, you get Aaliya ready and Bulbul, take care of dinner. Tell Robin and the cooks what to make. Abhi and Purab, make sure all arrangements are done." Dadi allotted work.
"But dadi, what's going on? What are we arranging?" Purab asked confused. "Are duffer, i guess dadi found Aaliya an alliance." Bulbul squealed in joy and hugged Aaliya. The others became a happy lot and started dancing. "Oh budiya! Such a dramebaaz you are. Now I know where all my nautanki comes from." Abhi said pulling dadi's cheeks. The only person who looked blown out here was Aaliya. Yes she trusted dadi and she wanted to tell the truth that she loved someone, but she had plans.
"What happened bacche? Not happy?" Pragya asked, seeing her reaction. "Di, I don't know. I dont think I'm ready for this. I had planned something and all that will go for a toss." Aaliya said as Pragya helped her get ready. The groom would be here any moment. His family was back in the US and he was here, alone. So dadi had invited him for dinner. Aaliya was ready in a simple dress with minimal makeup and accessories.
"Look aalu, there are instances in life when you plan something and something completely different happens. This is just an alliance. The marriage is not done yet. You can always meet him and then not agree if you dont think you are compatible. But you should give it a chance. Dadi knows you and Abhi better than anyone and she would choose nothing but the best for you two. So let things unfold and see him at least. Talk to him and if you don't like him, tell dadi. No one is gonna force you." Pragya explained.
"And by the way, the guy looks really nice!" Bulbul said walking in. "He has this charming smile anyone would adore."
"Stop talking about other men. Im here." Purab sulked from behind her. "Aww baby, you know I love you the most, right?" Bulbul said kissing him on the cheek. "How adorable you two are! Now, continue the coochie coo later and go back down. I'll get Aaliya in a bit." Pragya said sternly. Aaliya giggled at them as they looked towards Pragya like kids being scolded at by their mother."Oh i already love a man whose smile i adore" aaliya thought to herself and sighed.
"So Aaliya, think about what i said. Go for it. I think this is gonna work out." Pragya winked at her. Aaliya decided that she would go with the flow today and talk to dadi and the family later. She nodded her head and Pragya led her down.
"There comes my pretty baccha." Dadi said to the man sitting on the couch with his back towards the stairs. Aaliya looked up and towards Abhi, who gave her an assuring smile. Dadi was looking at her with pride while Bulbul Purab and daasi were grinning. Pragya nudged her shoulder and winked "Ready?" She asked. Aaliya smiled at her. "Okay here you go!"
"Surprise surprise" the guy turned around and smiled. Aaliya's expression changed from sadness to confusion to disbelief and then finally to happiness within seconds. She almost ran towards him and flung her arms over him. "Neeeiiilll" she squealed in delight. He held her and helped her balance herself, politely pulling out of the hug a little embarrassed. Aaliya saw the family staring at them and quickly moved back, looking down.
"So how did all this happen? Care to explain?" Aaliya asked dadi settling on couch, next to Neil, holding his hand. Dadi in turn looked at a grinning Pragya. Everyone but Neil turned to Pragya in confusion. "What.. Don't look at me like that.. It's dadi's plan. I just helped." She said.
"Okay okay, remember i took dadi to the hospital last week for checkup? So while we were coming back, we decided to stop at this restaurant nearby because we were hungry. While we were leaving, we saw the two of you there, holding hands and staring at each other and so lost that you didn't notice we were standing right in front of you." Pragya looked at Aaliya who flushed red again.
"That's when dadi decided to find out about Neil and get the two of you together. Dadi used her contacts and turned out that Neil is her late friend's grandson. She told me about this and we met him. He impressed us and we decided to give you a nice surprise. I took you out so that dadi could make arrangements and while i went to get something to eat at the mall, i was actually talking to Neil about the plan." Pragya explained.
"You two together can take the world down! What a plan dadi! I'm impressed." Abhi said. "Waise dadi, looks like you dont need anyone anymore since Prags came back. I dont get any bhav from you." Abhi said. "Accept it! Dadi loves me more!" Pragya said hugging dadi from the back, getting Abhi jealous. "She has a point!" Dadi played along. Abhi Simply looked down and sulked. "Aree mera baccha, i was joking. I love all of you equally. It's just that Pragya happened to be with me that day and you were not in town. Otherwise, you would have been in the plan." Dadi said cupping Abhi's face
"Wow dadi.. We would have loved to be a part of it too.. And di, how come you didn't mention anything about this at home?" Bulbul faked anger. "And how did you not tell me anything!" Aaliya punched Neil's arm.
"Owww.. How would it be a surprise if I told you?" Neil said rubbing the arm she punched. "And manu, would you be able to keep shut! I know you too well.. You would have announced the plan to half the world. Remember Abhi's comeback?.. Thank God you were marketing and you could talk about it. Else you would've driven me and Purab mad!" Pragya mocked her little sister who looked away embarrassed.
"Dadi, we want to talk to you." Aaliya said as the family settled down after dinner. "Yeah dadi. We had discussed our future plans and we would like to talk about it to all of you." Neil added. "What is it chotti? Neil? Go ahead.." Abhi encouraged.
"Dadi, first thing first, we are both doing our masters. Before we get married and responsibility rises, we would like to settle down in our career." Neil said. "But bacche, Aaliya is 24 already. It's the right time to get married. Getting to know each other better while being committed is different." Dadi said. "Dadi, i agree with them actually. Studies and career might just take a backseat after marriage. I'm not saying it will but we don't really know. As for your point, we could do this. Let them get engaged for now. Marriage can happen once they complete their masters next year. What say?" Abhi added.
Dadi nodded thoughtfully and then agreed. "Okay, maybe we could talk to your family too, Neil and get you two engaged." Dadi said. "But dadi, before i get engaged, i have a condition." Aaliya spoke up again. "What is it Aalu?" Pragya asked.
"Di, dadi, its bhai. See, I'm being frank here dadi. I'm worried for bhai." Aaliya spoke. "What about me chotti? I'm good! " abhi said confused. "For how long bhai? How long are you gonna be alone? Okay, you have me and dadi and di and all of us for now. But there's going to be a time when we wont be around. What will you do then? Don't you need someone to take care of you? Be with you? Share your life?" Aaliya asked.
Abhi stilled at Aaliya's words. His thoughts went back to Tanu. He remembered how she just dumped him and moved on. It was a year now since Tanu left him. He had moved on, yes.. But he still didn't have it in him to trust a random woman.
"Aaliya, I'll find someone later. Let's talk about you now." Abhi tried to change the topic calmly. "No bhai.. Not later. I know you are thinking about tanu and what she did to you. But not everyone is going to do that. You need someone that loves you as Abhishek Mehra and not Rockstar Abhi, bhai. And Tanu was not that. You deserve a second chance bhai." Aaliya explained.
"Abhi she's right. Not every girl is gonna ditch you. You deserve to be loved too. You need to find someone who understands you." Pragya pitched in. Abhi looked at her exasperated. "Prags, not you too. You know how it is right? You just can't randomly meet a person and decided. You need to know them first. You and me know what a bad choice can do to you." Abhi said. "But that shouldn't stop you from taking another chance abhi" Pragya explained.
"Pragya di, when i say bhai deserves a second chance, i think that applies to you as well. Don't you deserve a second chance?" Aaliya asked Pragya who looked at her stunned. "Dadi think about this, we wanted them together since college days na.. Why not now? They are both alone, no one understands them better than each other and they are perfect for each other." Aaliya said to dadi who had this satisfied expression on her face. "You know what bacche, you just spoke my mind. I've been thinking for days about this and I didn't know how to approach Abhi or Pragya for this. You just made it easier." Dadi smiled.
"Dadi, what are saying? How can I.. I mean.. Me and Abhi, we're just friends dadi. Nothing beyond." Pragya tried to explain. "Aaliya, you and budhiya have gone mad!" Abhi said. "Look Abhi, Pragya, I have seen the world. At this age, you know who is meant for who and trust me, you will thank me one day." Dadi tried to explain. "Not happening budhiya!" Abhi said and stormed off to his room. Pragya silently escaped into Aaliya's room while dadi and Aaliya looked blank.
"Dadi, I'll talk to di. Since her college days, i always thought she would marry her stud boy, abhi bhai that is. I used to think they're meant for each other. But things worked differently. Now that there's a chance, im not letting it go. I'm gonna talk to di. Excuse me." Bulbul said getting up. "I'll talk to Abhi. He needs someone to knock sense i to his brain." Purab said.
"Abhi open the door" Purab knocked. "Not now Purab.." Abhi yelled from inside. "Now, Abhi!" Purab yelled back. "I'm staying put till you do." Abhi reluctantly agreed and unlocked the door. He knew Purab's determination. Purab walked in and closed the door behind him. "Bhai, listen!" Purab began. "What now? You're also supporting them?" Abhi said irritated.
"Abhi, what dadi and Aaliya spoke makes complete sense. All of us can see that except you and di. You guys are perfect for each other." Abhi wanted to say something but Purab stopped him.
(Toni, ye tere liye!)
"Listen to me first, Abhi. What's a soulmate? Its.. Its like a best friend and more.. Its the one person in the world who knows you better than anyone else. Right?" Purab asked."and who knows you in and out Abhi? Pragya di!
Its someone who makes you a better person. Actually no, you did that yourself.. People love you for your grounded nature and friendly behaviour? And when i asked you once about this, remember what you told me? It's because of her. She inspired you.
A soulmate is someone you can carry with you for life.. And no matter what happens, you will always love them.. Think Abhi.. When i say all this, who is the first person you think of?" Purab asked.
Abhi closed his eyes and replayed what Purab had told. "Pragya" came his answer almost instantly.
"See.. Okay we know you two are just friends, but maybe getting into this relationship will only make your friendship stronger. Make you a better person!" Purab said with a smile, happy that he had managed to steer Abhi's thoughts towards the marriage.
"And if not for anything else, for dadi.. Think how worried dadi and Aaliya are for you. If this gives them happiness, why not Abhi? You didn't want to commit because after Tanu, you didn't know how she would treat your family. Pragya di is already a part of the family right?"
And with that, Purab know he had hit the bulls eye.
"Di!" Bulbul called out to Pragya who was standing by the window. She quickly wiped a tear and turned around to face her sister. "Di sit here with me." Bulbul said patting on the bed, next to where she sat. "What are you thinking di?" Bulbul asked.
"Bul, I don't know what to think at the moment. Life has never given me my share of happiness, but i never complained. I lived a content life. Things were just fine. Why did things have to complicate now? Abhi is my best friend, Bul. I've been able to reach out to him after ages. I dont want to lose the friendship. I don't want to lose this.." Pragya said.
"But di, what makes you think you'll lose him?" Bulbul asked. "Bul, Abhi repels marriage and commitment after Tanu. With this word between us, I don't want him to run away from me. I need him beside me as my support system. I lost Suresh. I can't lose him." Pragya almost sobbed. "Di, that's exactly what we want for the two of you. We want you to be each others strength and support. We want you to take care of each other for life." Bulbul tried to reason. "And marriage is that, right di? Isn't that what you told me when i was getting married to Purab?" Bulbul asked. "Why cant we do that as friends? Why do we need marriage?" Pragya asked.
"Maybe because that'll make everyone happy!" Abhi said standing at the door with Purab. "Bul, can in talk to her alone for a minute?" Abhi said. Bulbul nodded and walked out with Purab. Abhi shut the door and turned towards Pragya who was looking at him with an expression he couldn't read.
"Prags, why does the word marriage have to change anything between us? We are best friends and we will always be. We need each other because we understand each other the best.. We can be the support system we are for each other for life. Everything can just remain as it is. Nothing changes. But if this makes makes everyone happy, why not?" Abhi explained.
A very tense family waited at the hall for Abhi and Pragya to come back. They were eager to know what was going on inside. Dadi and dasi were literally praying while Aaliya and Bulbul had their fingers crossed. A very tense Neil and Purab paced across the room. Just then, the door to Aaliya's room clicked open and everyone turned towards them eager to know. Abhi and Pragya walked out of the room hand in hand and the family cheered in joy..
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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