Sequel FF: Sameer 'sang' Naina (Section V Part 2 updated- Pg 107) - Page 47

Friday, 16^th September, 1994, 6.30 pm:

"Ramdhari! Ramdhari! Ramdhari rushed to the living room as he heard Vishakha madam's voice. "Ji malkin! he shouted from the kitchen as he rushed to greet her. Mr. and Mrs. Somani had come over along with their two children- Rohan and Deepika. Of course, Mr. Somani hardly counted Sameer as his child. Yet his love for Vishakha and her insistence made him come all the way from Delhi to Ahemdabad. And yeah, he had some business matters to settle. So he could do so for the time they were there. "Don't know why this Sameer called us over this urgently! he thought irritatedly.

As Ramdhari started shifting the luggage to their respective rooms, Vishakha asked. "Sameer kahan hai Ramdhari? "Wo baba college gaye the subah...aate hi honge! he replied. A few minutes later, the hall was filled with lively chatter as Sameer entered along with Munna and Pandit. He stopped in his tracks seeing his mother and her family already inside. Sameer too could never bring himself to consider Mr. Somani as his father, or for that matter, his son as his brother. Though he was quite fond of Deepika.

"Sameer bhaiya! Deepika's chirpy voice boomed as she ran over to hug her brother. Sameer smiled and immediately pulled her up in his arms. "Kaisi hai meri gudiya! Ooohhh...kitni badi ho gayi hai! he pampered her. Munna and Pandit moved and took blessings from Vishakha, who was also Munna's cousin maternal aunt.

Sameer put Deepika down as he too moved to touch his mother's feet and out of courtesy, his step-father's as well. His eyes met Munna and Pandit's and they took their leave. They knew Sameer was going to break the news of his engagement to Naina, to his family now.

"Haan to Sameer! Batao...bhai aisa kya zaruri kaam aa gaya tha jo hamein Dilli se Ahemdabad aana pada? Mr. Somani started, as he removed his jacket and settled down on the sofa. Ramdhari brought in tea for all and on Sameer's cue, left. "Wo actually...kuch zaruri baat thi...wo mujhe aap logon ko batana tha ki main shaadi karna chahta hoon! Sameer replied calmly. Mr. Somani looked stunned, so was Vishakha. Rohan raised his eyebrows in surprise, while Deepika was busy playing with the showpieces in the living room.

"Shaadi? Mr. Somani finally spoke. "Lekin kisse?

"Naina se...uska naam Naina Agarwal hai! Sameer replied promptly.

A minute of silence stretched across the room, as Mr. Somani and Vishakha looked at each other, dumbfounded. Finally, Vishakha spoke, "ye Naina kaun hai? Aur tum usse kahan mile?

"Wo...aap bhi jaanti hain use...Pragati Vidya ka Mandir me meri classmate thi..., Sameer replied as Vishakha recollected the face vaguely.

Sameer turned to his step-father accusingly, "aapko to yaad hoga...jis ladki ki galat fehmi ki vajah se mujhpe paper chori ka ilzaam laga tha.

Mr. Somani eyed him, his lips parted in a mocking smirk. "Ohh...toh jis ladki ne tumhe chor kaha...tumhe uske alawa aur koi nahi mili shaadi karne ke liye?

"Toh kya hua agar usse galti huyi...galtiyaan sabse hoti hain...maine bhi ki hain...aapne bhi...usne baad me asli chor ko saamne laaya bhi toh tha...apne khud ke bhai ko saza dilwayi thi...yaad hai na Nanu ne aap logon ko phone pe bataya tha? Sameer remained placid, as Mr. Somani murmured, "chor ki behen...waah!

"Arjun ne apne papa ke pressure me aake wo harkat ki thi...usne apni galti maani aur mujhse, sabse maafi bhi maangi thi...! he retorted.

"Aur haan mom...yaad hai Naina ne kaise ek baar Nanu ki jaan bachayi thi, jab ek subah BP low hone ki wajah se wo gir pade the...wo us din unki madad na karti to main Nanu ko bahot pehle hi kho deta! Sameer's voice brimmed with emotion.

Vishakha recollected the past events. She remembered her father telling her about the change in Sameer. She recalled the big poster sized picture of Naina in his room. How Sameer had started going to the temple. How he'd become more calm and responsible after he'd met her. Of course! Her father had told her that Sameer was in love. And he'd been in love with Naina since 11^th grade. She'd assumed it was just a teenage crush and would have been over with long back, but again her father knew Sameer better than she did. A slight smile crept across Vishakha's lips. Naina did seem to be a nice girl. For it was probably because of her, that Sameer had taken the entire responsibility of Maheshwari Industries on his shoulder at such a young age, juggling with his college studies.

"Wahi Naina- jiski photo tere room mein hai? Vishakha couldn't help but ask, her tone approving. Sameer blushed and nodded.

Rohan looked on. "So everyone knows this Naina? Mom looks elated. Has Sameer really got lucky? he mused.

Vishakha turned to her husband and said, "wo to bahot achi ladki hai...haina Sameer? Mujhe bataya tha papa ne uske baare mein sab. Aakhir Sameer me jo bhi itne positive badlaav aaye hain, wo kahin na kahin Naina ki sangat ka hi asar hai na! She caught Sameer's eyes and he shrugged his shoulders in acceptance. "Usse milna meri life ki sabse lucky ghatna hai! he could only say.

Mr. Somani looked from his wife to her son. Somehow he was unable to come to terms with the fact that Sameer had found an apparently great girl as his life partner, if she was indeed as good as she sounded. His eyes flickered over to Rohan. He had always wanted the best things to be reserved for his Rohan, not for Sameer.

"Par abhi shaadi karne ki kya zarurat hai...abhi to yeh bas 21 ka hai! he countered.

"Par agar wo prepared hai...pyaar mein hai...to unnecessary delay kyun karna...aur phir Naina ka effect Sameer pe itna positive, itna encouraging hai...to kyun nahi? Aur meri maaniye toh...aise maamle mein shaadi jaldi hi honi chahiye...varna oonch nich ki baat aa jati hai! Vishakha caught her husband's eye, "samajha kijiye...dono jawaan hain! she whispered. And thankfully, she didn't catch the blush on Sameer's face.

"Aur vaise bhi...Sameer business mein itna acha kar raha hai...I'm sure ki wo jaldi papa ka saara kaam seekh lega and unke business ko aage leke jayega! She smiled appreciatively at her son, who felt humbled at the trust his mother now had on him.

Mr. Somani employed another of his tactics to dissuade Vishakha from the proposal. "Sameer...wo tumhare saste se Hindi medium school ke us do take ke librarian ki beti hai! Kitna badtameez insaan hai wo. Aur mere khayal se wo log kaafi gareeb bhi hain, he started as Sameer raised his brows angrily. He'd already seen this coming.

Mr. Somani looked over at Vishakha and said, "arey Vishakha...samjha karo...uske baap ki wajah se hamare Sameer ko kitni insult sehni padi hai...aur phir...Sameer to ekdum eligible bachelor hai...kitna handsome hai...jawaan hai...khandaani hai...ameer hai...Maheshwari industries ka hone wala maalik...iske liye koi ladkiyon ki kami hai jo aise middle class ghar me hum uski shaadi karwayein...?

He then added maliciously, "kahin is Naina ne hamare bhole bhale Sameer ko apne pyaar ke jaal me phaans to nahi liya...aajkal ki ladkiyaan paise ke liye ameer ladkon ko apni meethi- meethi baton ke jaal me uljha leti hain... Sameer's eyes shot up at him in rage. This was getting too much for him to bear.

"Bas kijiye...main Naina ke khilaaf ek labz bhi sunana nahi chahta...maine aapko yahan aapki fikr jatane ke liye nahi bulaya hai...na hi main aapse koi permission maang raha hun...Naina se shaadi to main karke hi rahunga...bas mere ghar pe koi bada nahi hai...isliye bas chahta hun aap log Naina ke ghar mera rishta lekar jaayein aur uska haath mere liye maangein...!. And then Sameer rounded over to Vishakha, "ye ek cheez to aap apne bete ke liye kar sakti haina? Samajh lijiye is ek cheez se main shayad apne beete huye kal...maa-baap ke adhoore pyaar ki kami puri kar paunga...aur phir aapko kabhi pareshan nahi karunga!

"Soch ke apna jawab mujhe bata dijiyega..., Sameer snapped to his parents, as he stormed out of the room.

"Vishakha...ye kya hai? Kitna badtameez hota jaa raha hai...kya jaadu kar diya us ladki ne ispe ki hamari baat sunna bhi nahi chahta? Mr. Somani exclaimed hotly to his wife. Vishakha just pleaded with her eyes to agree to Sameer's wish. "Ek baar chal ke ladki ko dekh lete hain...kya pata sach me achi hi ho? postulated Vishakha. "School ki to best ladki thi na! Aur papa ko bhi pasand thi...papa ne to sab dekha samjha hoga na, she added.

Mr. Somani said nothing but then seeing that his wife wanted to meet the girl, he nodded. But he couldn't help thinking how was it that a boy like Sameer had landed up such a good girl, who was willing to support him- apparently through thick and thin. And then he would get married and work on his nanu's business. The opportunity Mr. Somani had thought of resting with Rohan. In his view, Sameer chould be a helping hand, but the owner of both Maheshwari and Somani industries had to be his own progeny, his Rohan. And hence, he put his scheming mind to work.

***

Saturday, 17^th September, 1994, 7.00 am:

"Good morning beta! Vishakha entered Sameer's room with the tea tray in her hand. "Good morning! Sameer spoke groggily. Vishakha came and sat besides Sameer on his bed and ruffled his hair. She made tea for him, while Sameer looked on, waiting to hear what she and her step-father had decided about his alliance.

"Itne gusse mein rahoge jab meri jagah Naina subah chai pilaya karegi? Vishakha teased.

Colour flushed into Sameer's face. "Kya? Matlab? His surprise paved way for joy and he hugged his mother. "Matlab aap maan gaye? Aap leke jayenge mera rishta Naina ke ghar?

"Mere bete ke liye kuch bhi! Vishakha patted his back. "Maine tujhe bahot taqleef di hai na? Aur vaise bhi ab time aa gaya hai tujhe teri biwi sambhale! she grinned seeing Sameer elated.

"Par beta...maa baap hone ke naate hamare ye farz banta hai ki hum pata karein ki wo sirf lalach mein shaadi nahi kar rahe na...mujhe galat mat samjhna beta...mujhe pura yakeen hai Naina ek suljhi huyi aur achi ladki hai...lekin hamein tassali karni hai bas...main nahi chahti aage chalke tumhe koi bhi problem ho! Okay?

Sameer thought for a moment and then smiled, "Mujhe aap pe pura bharosa hai...par...sirf aap pe...okay?

Suddenly Sameer's eyes widened. He snatched the clock from his bedside table and glared at it in horror. "7.30 baj gaye?

"Toh kya hua beta? Aaj to Saturday hai!

Sameer hastily got down from the bed and started fishing out his clothes from the almirah.

"Sameer! Kya kar rahe ho beta? Vishakha exclaimed.

"Aaj Naina ke chachaji mujhse akele mein ek baar milna chahte hain! Sameer muttered as he fidgeted through the shirts in his almirah.

"Akele mein? Vishakha was surprised.

"Hmm! Wo mujhse baat karna chahte hain...family mein sabko batane se pehle...aaj 11 baje bulaya hai!

Vishakha stood silent for a few moments and then selected a shirt out of the pile of clothes Sameer had scattered over on the bed. "Yeh best rahegi acha impression jamane ke liye...Ramdhari ko bol ke istri karwa deti hun! she grinned.

An hour later, Sameer was dressed in the ensemble chosen by his mother- a plain, navy blue, full sleeved shirt, paired with beige trousers. He put on a decent wristwatch, combed his hair and put on his formal brown shoes for the occasion. How much ever he denied, he was feeling extremely tensed about the meeting with Chachaji. From what he knew of him, from Naina and from his past meetings with him, he was a kind, sensible and a broad-minded man. And perhaps the only one to stand up for love in Naina's conservative and orthodox family. Sameer did not have expectations of an easy yes from her father. "No, he would be a tough nut to crack, given how much he loves' him,he thought sarcastically.

"Kal Pandit ko bahot lecture de raha tha ki Preeti ko bhagana sahi nahi hai...pata chale khud bhi Naina ko bhagana hi pade...par vaise acha hoga na...Naina-Preeti dono sath mein bhaag sakte hain...Pandit ki bhi help ho jayegi! Sameer's thoughts started wandering over to the last resort he had in mind. And then, he jolted himself back into the present, "Focus kar Sameer...be positive!

As he left his room, he saw his mother staring at him. "Her son had finally grown up into a fine young man! she mused as she let out a smile. "Abhi 9 tak nahi baje hain...naashta kar le aur ghabrana band kar! she quipped.

Sameer joined the others at the breakfast table where Deepika chirped happily to see him, "Good morning Sameer bhaiya...wow! Aap kitne handsome lag rahe ho aaj...hamesha se bhi zyada! Sameer scooped her in his arms and patted her hair lovingly, "thank you baccha! He planted a kiss on her cheeks, before setting her down on the chair next to him. Rohan looked up and gave him a nod of acknowledgement. Mr. Somani averted his eyes from the Business section of the newspaper he'd been reading at the dining table, and gave Sameer a cursory look from head to toe and grumbled, "morning! "Aaj jaana hai kya rishte ke liye? His eyes had a mocking glint as they rested on Sameer and then looked enquiringly at Vishakha. "Nahi...aaj Sameer ko kuch kaam hai...to wahan jaa raha hai pehle! she declared and then hastily started serving poha and tea to her family.

***

Saturday, 17^th September, 1994, 10.30 am:

At sharp 10.30am, Sameer was seated in Shyamli Restaurant. 15 minutes later, he'd already gulped down three glasses of water, and loosened his shirt collar. "Why was he sweating? he thought, "Summers are over now! At 10.50, he felt he needed to go to the bathroom, again. As he was returning back to the table, he saw a middle-aged man appear in the doorway of the restaurant. He looked up and saw Sameer and nodded. Chachaji came inside as Sameer fumbled with his hands, his heart thudding against his rib-cage. He did what any boy would do to strike a good impression. He bowed down and touched chachaji's feet. "Jeete raho! he heard chachaji's crisp voice.

As they settled down on the table, Chachaji noticed Sameer's nervousness and the way he kept shifting in his place, smiling feebly at him, and the way his fingers kept fidgeting with the fork and spoon on the table. "Sameer...tum kya loge? Chai ya coffee?

"Ji..? Sameer stammered, "Ji...ji coffee chalegi!

Chachaji pointed out to the waiter, "ek coffee...ek chai...chai strong banana!

"Coffee bhi..! Sameer quipped, "aur cheeni bhi kam.

Chachaji smiled, "chai mein bhi! Sameer felt his tension easen a little for a moment, and then again return in place as chachaji's face turned stern again.

"Hmmm...Sameer...dekho main tumse kuch baatein saaf-saaf karna chahta hun! he spoke as Sameer nodded. "Dekho Sameer...Naina ne kaha ki tum dono...tum dono...ek dusre se...pyaar karte ho? Chachaji raised his eyebrows in enquiry. "Ji! Sameer nodded. "Aur shaadi karna chahte ho? Chachaji asked again. "Ji! replied Sameer.

"Sameer beta dekho tumhare aur hamare parivaar mein kaafi fark hai...hum middle class log hain...Naina bahot achi ladki hai...lekin itni khubsurat ya ameer nahi hai...haan wo bahot buddhimaan hai...ispe hum sabko uspe naaz hai...par beta...kya tum is baat ko leke serious ho? Kal to ye baat agar sabko pata chali...aur tumhare gharwale nahi mane...to kya tum fir bhi Naina ko apna paoge? Beta wo bholi hai...aur jitna main samajh paa raha hun...wo sach mein tumse bahot pyaar karti hai...lekin shaadi sirf do logon ka nahi...do parivaaron ka bhi milan hoti hai...aur tum abhi kaafi chote ho...kahin kal to tumhara man badal gaya...ya fir... Sameer cut him at this point, "chachaji...I'm sorry...main jaanta hun jab koi bada baat kar raha ho to unhe beech mein nahi tokna chahiye...main jaanta hun main chota hun, business mein set bhi nahi hun abhi...meri family ke baare mein to Naina ne aapko bata hi diya hai...par sau baton ki ek baat hai chachaji...main Naina ka saath kabhi nahi chodunga...agar maine promise kiya hai to main nibhaunga bhi...maine apne parents se baat bhi kar li hai...main badon ki izzat karta hun lekin phir bhi agar wo ye rishta na bhi chahe to bhi mera faisla nahi badlega...fir bhi main Naina ko bhaga ke nahi le jaana chahta...main use sabki khushi, sabki razamandi se apne saath laana chahta hun!

Chachaji looked at the 21 year old boy in front of him, and he had to admit he was impressed with his clarity of thoughts and his determination. He did seem to be honest and trustworthy.

"Main jaanta hun aap soch rahe honge...ye ladka ameer hai...kahin hamari beta ko fasa na de...par mera yakeen kijiye chachaji maine aur Naina ne hamesha apni maryada ka palan kiya hai...hum aisa kuch bhi galat nahi karna chahte ki jisse hamein aur hamare parivaron ko sharmindgi ho...lekin ek baat hai jo main aapse kehna chahta hun...ye baat Rakesh sir bhi nahi jaante...aur us baat ko lekar mujhe bahot pachtawa bhi hai, Sameer's voice started to shake with trepidation now.

"Bolo! Chachaji urged him. "Actually chachaji...jab main school mein aaya tab maine 11^th mein Naina ka dil dukhaya tha...jaan bujh ke...aapko yaad hoga ki school me mujhpar exams ke paper chori karne ka ilzaam laga tha...aur wo unfortunately Naina ki galat fehmi se huya tha...main upse bahot gussa tha...aur isliye usse badla lene ke liye school ke kuch ladkon se shart lagayi thi ki main Naina se...se...I love you bulwaunga...aur fir use apni meethi meethi baaton me uljhaya...par uske saath waqt bitate bitate main samajhne laga ki Naina bahot achi ladki hai...aur dheere dheere wo shart piche reh gayi aur Naina meri bahot achi dost ban gayi...hum school trip pe Mt. Abu gaye the...wahan maine finally wo shart chod di...par unfortunately Naina ko meri jagah kisi aur se us shart ke baare mein pata chal gaya...wo ekdum toot gayi thi! Chachaji recalled Naina's somber mood ever since she'd got back from the trip at Mt. Abu. It had been taken her months to start laughing again.

Sameer continued, "usi dauran mujhe apni galti ka ehsaas hua...maine apne Nanaji se sab sach sach keh diya...aur uske saath mujhe yeh bhi pata chala kahin na kahin Naina ke saath pyaar ka natak karte karte main sach mein usse pyaar kar baitha tha...main use dekhe bina reh nahi paata tha...use udaas dekh ke mera dil choor choor ho jata tha...aisa lagta tha kya kar jaun ki bas wo fir se ek baar muskura de...mujhe maaf kare na kare...mujhse fir pyaar kare na kare...bas khush rahe...kuch mahine baad Naina ko mere pyaar ki sacchai ka pata chal gaya aur yeh baat bhi ki maine wo shart bahot pehle hi chod di thi...!

"Wo bahot badi galti thi meri zindagi ki...sirf is baat se gussa hoke ki Naina ne mujh par paper chori ka galat ilzaam lagaya tha...us harqat se Naina toot gayi thi...aur main aaj tak us baat ke liye khud ko kosta rehta hun...main bahot sharminda hun chachaji...main Naina se hazaar baar maafi maang chuka hun...main jaanta hun wo shayad us baat ko bhul bhi chuki hai...lekin main nahi bhul sakta...aur iske liye main aapse bhi maafi mangna chahta hun! Sameer finished, his head bent down in apology.

Chachaji sussed him for a few minutes before he spoke, "Sameer...ek baat to maanani padegi...tum sach kehne se darte nahi ho...galtiyan to sabse hoti hain...lekin unhe maanana, unhe sudharne ki himmat rakhna sabke bas ki baat nahi hoti...aaj tumhe mujhe yeh sab batane ki zarurat nahi thi...Naina ne to is baat ka zikr bhi nahi kiya tha mujhse...lekin tumne apni khoobiyon ke saath apni khamiyaan batane ki bhi himmat ki! He paused for a while and then spoke, "mujhe ye rishta manzoor hai Sameer...!

Sameer's eyes shot up in gratitude and happiness. "Sach chachaji? Anand was beaming at him and he nodded. "Par Sameer...hum logon ke pass dahej ke liye zyada kuch nahi hai...jitna Preeti ke liye rakha hai...utna Naina ke liye bhi hai...lekin mujhe nahi pata ki tumhare gharwalon ki kitni aasha hogi...aur hum use pura bhi kar payenge ke nahi...beta main nahi chahta ki Naina ka rishta bante bante toot jaye...!

"Mujhe is baare mein zyada kuch to nahi pata chachaji aur apne parents ke baare mein bhi nahi pata...lekin main jaanta hun ki mere Nanaji hote to wo kya chahte...jo main chahta hun...mujhe sirf Naina se pyaar hai chachaji...mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye...main khud itna kaabil banana chahta hun ki Naina ki saari zaruratein khud puri kar sakun! Sameer replied earnestly.

Chachaji was by now extremely awed with Sameer's views. He was definitely not the rich, spoilt brat that his brother, Rakesh had accused him of being once. But then Anand was well aware of the workings of the society and how the system of dowry prevailed, despite the wishes of the groom and the bride. Why, his own wedding with Bela hadn't been left out of that custom as well. "Wo sab theek hai beta...ek baar kya tumhare parents se hum sabki baat ho sakti hai...? chachaji asked.

"Ji bilkul...aap jab kahein...maine apne parents ko sab bata diya hai...aap aapke ghar pe bas sambhal lete toh...wo mujhe pata hai ki Tauji aur Taiji ko yeh sab affair pasand nahi hai...aur wo hamare rishte ko galat bhi samajh sakte hain...aur Rakesh sir bhi mujhe bilkul nahi pasand karte...bas aap unhein ek baar mana lein ki wo is rishte ke baare mein soche...baaki sab hum sambhal lenge, Sameer spoke hesitatingly.

Chachaji and Sameer spent another half an hour in each other's company, talking about a variety of subjects- business, food habits, family roots, life in general. At the end of the meeting, both Sameer and chachaji figured out that they liked each other immensely and hoped it would stay the same in future as well- when they had the bond of a father-in-law and son-in-law, or maybe Sameer could be the son that Anand had never had.