It was a sight to behold!! A beautiful 26 year old Ahaana walking down the stairs fully decked up in bridal finery. She was wearing a beautiful red lehenga and wearing her mother's jewels. Unknowing to anybody present there, Shravan wiped off a tear from the corner of his eye. He could feel a strong grasp of his right hand and turned to find it being held by his lifeline - Sumo.
Sh: Kitne pyaari lag rahi hai na hamari Ahaana?
Su: Haan...herself wiping off a tear
It was the first wedding of the next generation of the Malhotra family. Although they wanted to conduct the wedding in a five star venue, it was Sumo's wish that her daughter be married in her parents' home. It was now theirs since Shravan had gifted the house to Sumo on their fifth wedding anniversary. From then on, it has become their favourite escape hangout. Whenever work or family pressure reached to a great height, they escaped to this home and spent a quiet few days, only in each other's company.
After Ahaana, Shravan did not want to risk Sumo's life again. But both of them did not want their daughter to grow up as a single child...since they had experienced it themselves. So they had adopted twins..Vishal and Vaishali. Preeti and Pushkar had Arya and Deepti. Varun and Vandy were blessed with Keyur and Nikhil. Varun and family were in the US. Pushkar and Shravan were equal partners in Malhotra and Associates (finally Kamini was happy J) Kamini and Lalaji shuttled between US and India.
It was six months before, that Ahaana had come up to her parents and told them about her love for Rishabh.
The dinner was always a lively affair in the Malhotra household. Everybody tried to eat together and spend some good time talking about their respective day's happenings. Unusually Ahaana was very silent at the dinner table. Shravan and Sumo noticed this but decided to give her space knowing that she will come to them if there is any problem.
After dinner Ahaana comes to her parents' room. Shravan was going through some case files. Ahaana was the laadli of her father. She got away with anything from him.
Ah: Papa mujhe aapse baath karni hai.
Sh: Haan beta bolo.
Ah: Papa I am in love.
Sh: What??
Ah: Yes Papa, I met Rishabh when I was doing my MBA in IIM. He is a nice guy. He comes from a good family. He runs his father's business in Bangalore. We both love each other. We would like to get married.
Sh: Ahaana I did not expect this from you. Your mom and me have great dreams for you...we are on the look out for a guy for you. How do I know that he is the right guy for you? How do I know that you will be happy with him? How can you term this as love and that you want to spend your lifetime with him.
Ah: Papa I came to you because I thought you will understand what love is much better than Mumma. After all you married the love of your life and when I tell you that what I feel for Rishabh is love, you can recognize it. But I am disappointed at this reaction from you. Anyhow I will marry only Rishabh and don't even think of anybody else for me.
Saying this she runs out of the room crying. On her way out, she bumps into Sumo.
Su: Ahaana kya hua. Why are you crying?
Ah: kuch nahi mumma. Aap Papa se pooch lo.
Sumo comes into the room and finds Shravan in an agitated state. He keeps muttering how could she say so? What if that guy is not a good guy? I cant see my daughter in any trouble.
Sumo goes and sits beside Shravan and binds her hand with his and asks
Kya hua Shravan? Why is Ahaana upset?
Shravan tells her about Ahaana's love for Rishabh. Kya Sumo how could Ahaana do this? What does she know about this boy? What if he is not a nice guy? We have been discussing about marriage for her and now she drops this bombshell. I shall never agree to this.
Su: Shravan calm down. Don't get hyper. We shall handle this together like how we have handled all our issues. I think we should meet Rishabh's family before we decide on anything. After all who better to know about love than us right?
Sh: Sumo this is exactly what Ahaana also told me. She said I know what is love and that I will understand her much better.
Su: Definitely Shravan. You knew what love is when you were 17 and your love was so pure and strong that it withstood the years of separation between us and managed to unite us finally. I am what I am today only because of you. Even now at times, when I think what would have happened if you had not saved me from that monster Aditya, I would have been dead and gone by now. I would have given up my life before submitting to him. And she becomes teary eyed.
Sh: Sumo sweetheart had we not decided that we shall not talk about this ever. So why are you thinking about it. Now let's come to this...how do we handle this? I shall find out about the family background and initiate a conversation with Rishabh's father. We shall meet the family and then tell Ahaana ..what do you say?
Su: not bad, I can see that so many years of being in my company, thumhara dimag ka LED bahut hi tez hai...
Sh: Haanji, thank you.
Shravan finds out about the family of Rishabh - the Kapoors. They have a garment factory on the outskirts of Bangalore and are into exports of garments. They also have a specialized clothing line in Bangalore. Shravan talks to Mr.Neeraj Kapoor and fixes a date and time to meet them in Bangalore. Both Shravan and Suman travel to Bangalore and meet the Kapoors. Both Rishabh and Ahaana are unaware of these proceedings. The elders decide they will talk among themselves and then tell their children. Both the families are happy and decide to go ahead with the alliance.
Shravan calls Ahaana to come and meet him after dinner.
Ahaana comes to find both Shravan and Sumo sitting in opposite ends of their room with an angry look. Now what is wrong with them? Why are they sitting like this? And why am I being called?
Sh: Ahaana we have thought about your marriage. I would like you to get married to my friend's son. I have his photo with me. Look at this.
Su: No Ahaana, I would like you to marry this boy. He is my college mate's son. look at this photo.
Ah: Papa, Mumma no point. I have made it very clear that I will marry none other than Rishabh. I don't want to look at any of these photos. My decision is final.
Both Shravan and Sumo: Ahaana please beta for our sake, just take a look at this photo and then tell us your decision.
Both come and stand next to Ahana showing her two photos turned upside down. Ahaana just pulls the photos from both their hands and throws it on the floor and says: I will not marry any of them.
The photos have landed on the floor with Rishabh's face facing them.
Sh: Ahaana beta are you sure you wont marry this guy and shows the photos which have fallen down.
Ahaana looks at the photos and is overjoyed. She pulls both of them in a hug and says you are the best parents ever. Thank you, thank you.
Thus six months later the D-day has arrived and Ahaana is to be married off to Rishabh. The marriage rituals are over and the bidaai is done. The entire family is in tears sending off their laadli away from them.
At night. Sumo comes to find Shravan looking at the picture of a young Ahaana. He is in tears.
Su: Kya Shravan why are you crying?
Sh: I miss her Sumo. I am concerned about her. How will she adjust and live amongst unknown people.
Su: Shravan don't worry she is our daughter. She will be happy among them. Rishabh loves her and the kapoors are a good lot. Now please rest. By the way, patidev aaj black and red sherwani mein aap kaafi handsome lag rahe the...
Sh: Yes dharampatni aaap bhi kuch kam nahi the. You were beautiful as always in that red and green silk saree with matching emerald set.
Shravan pulls Sumo on to his lap. She sits and starts fondling his hair.
Su: Shravan you have become old...I can see grey hairs here and there. Your beard is also salt and pepper.
Sh: Sumo I may have greys in my hair and in my beard but my love for you will never become grey or old. Dikhadoon kya?
Su: Shravan kitne besharam ho thum...pehle bhi the aur aaj bhi ho. Act your age Shravan.
Sh: Isme age kahan aagayi...my love for you is eternal Sumo and I also express my love in the same way. Saying so he pulls her face close to him to seal her lips in a kiss. As usual Sumo feels grateful for having got such a wonderful husband and reciprocates her love for him.
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