FF:Destiny's Children Pt XIV(2)(16/12)

Seeing Ayesha, Prachi was ecstatic. She caught her arms and spun her around gushing of all the things she was dying to tell Neev. Ayesha calmed her friend down.

"Now, now Prachi. slow down. Where was this Prachi hiding all these days? Are my eyes playing tricks or has my shy, demure Prachi been stolen by someone?" she joked.

Prachi immediately bent her head down and looked at her toes.

"Now this looks more like the Prachi I know", said Ayesha making Prachi blush crimson.

Soon the girls got on with the rest of the adornment, at the end of which Prachi looked really like the princess her father keeps referring to her as.

(3)

On the same day, in a chawl at another part of the city

He stood by the window, with one foot up on the sill, brows furrowed in frustration, mouth chewing a neem stick with such vigour that the stick was shredded to pieces in minutes. It had been another futile day at the bank. The manager, like the others he had met before him, was more interested in the size of the wallet of his customers than their will or determination to succeed. He had an excellent academic track record but alas did not have large collaterals to pledge as security nor the right connections to provide surety for the loan he needed to start his own undertaking. He was perplexed, wondering what to do next when his father's booming voice resonated through the small three-room tenement.

"Milind, what are you doing by the window? Why are you not ready yet?"

"Ready for what, Baba?"

"Ready for the engagement, of course"

"Engagement? Whose engagement?"

"Surely, not yours. Which idiot will give his daughter's hand in marriage to a guy who has no qualms throwing away his life"

That stung pretty bad and Milind turned his back away from his father, trying to suppress the pain his words inflicted on him. He loved and respected his father but the man's rigid and sometimes dictatorial behaviour made him rebel against him.

This infuriated his father even more. He spun him around saying, "Now, are you coming with me to the Shah House or not? Inder Saab's daughter is getting engaged and Saab had himself come home to invite our entire family. Did I not tell you that we will be attending the function today?"

Milind vaguely remembered his father mentioning something to that effect while they were having dinner the previous day. Shaking his head with irritation he said, "I am not attending any ostentatious party thrown by the rich to proclaim to the world just how much wealth they have."

Mishraji was shaking with anger by now. "Is this the way to answer your father? In my times, we never spoke a word against our father. Such was the obedience. Children these days do not know the first thing about respect for their parents."

"Baba, I do respect you, but I can't go to that house and see you being ordered around by the rich inmates."

"What do you know of the way I am being treated in that house? Inder Saab seeks my counsel in all matters relating to his business. He gives me more respect than is due to a mere accountant. His family treats me as one of their own. Your sister Sukriti's education expenses are fully borne by them. Don't you think the least we could do to reciprocate their kindness is grace the occasion of the engagement of the only daughter of Inder Saab? Sukriti has already left for the Shah House. We need to be there in the next hour or so to help with the arrangements and receive the guests."

Milind realised it was pointless arguing with a man who has lived practically his entire life in servitude. Letting out an exasperated sigh, he went up to his wardrobe and picked out a faded pair of denims and a khakhi coloured shirt. His father was about to protest but seeing the menacing look in his son's eyes, he stopped short. Expressing his displeasure by the shake of his head and the click of his tongue, he left the place to allow Milind to get ready for the grand occasion in his typical tapori style - shirt unbuttoned half way down, denims folded at the bottom and handkerchief tied around his neck.

(4)

Shah House

At the Shah House, Milind and Mishraji were welcomed by PL, who informed the latter that her husband had left for the airport with Mr.Shergill to receive Neev. Neev was to have arrived the previous day, but a bomb scare at the Heathrow Airport had delayed all flights. With the function due to begin in a couple of hours, PL was worried if they will be back in time with the groom. Mishraji reassured her that everything will go on fine. He then introduced his son to her and PL marvelled at how tall and handsome the little shy boy, who had come to their house fifteen years back, has grown up to be. She requested Mishraji to entertain Inder's business associates as she was not familiar with them. Mishraji obliged and soon hurried to the lawn where the guests had assembled for the function. Milind fidgeted uncomfortably in the alien surroundings. Realising Milind's discomfiture, PL informed him that Sukriti was with Prachi in the room upstairs. He excused himself, saying he would like to speak to his sister and went in search of her. PL got busy with her friends and relatives who had arrived.

Once upstairs, Milind looked around, wondering which room Sukriti will be in when he thought he heard his sister's giggles and someone's whispers. Craning his neck forward, he slowly pushed open the door in front of him and was startled to see the most exquisite creature he had ever set eyes on. Her sparkling almond shaped eyes widened initially in surprise and then relief.

"So, finally you have arrived. Have been waiting for you since morning."

The guy was stumped at the reception he got from this perfect stranger.

"Ugh!", he managed to grunt.

"The bathroom sink is clogged. Can you see what the problem is?"

He stood still, not registering what she was saying. He could not take his eyes off those soft, supple pink lips which were the same shade as the heavy lehanga she was wearing. As she spoke, the lips parted to reveal a set of pearly white teeth. Seeing his unmoving form, she was getting impatient.

"Hello!!! are you hard of hearing?"

On hearing another grunt from him, she raised her decibel level.

"THE BATHROOM SINK IS CLOGGED! CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE A LOOK?"

Her scream nearly tore his ear drum. Shaking himself, he cleared his ear with his index finger and took in his surroundings. Turning to her, he asked,"Why are you shouting?"

"I thought you were hard of hearing. I'm sorry, it's now obvious you are not. By the way where is your tool kit?"

"What tool kit?" He looked at her puzzled.

"The plumbing tool kit, of course"

"Now why would I be roaming around this house with a plumbing tool kit?" By now he had come to the conclusion that the girl, though beautiful, was mentally unhinged.

"Well, a plumber will carry his tool kit when he comes to attend a complaint, would he not?"

"Plumber, who me?"

Before he could respond, the door swung open and Ayesha barged in.

"Milind! What are you doing here?"

"Milind?" asked a confused Prachi "Do you know him, Ayesha"

"The two of you have not met? Prachi, I would have thought you would know Mishraji's son, Milind."

"Oh, so you are Milind" drawled Prachi, by now red with shame for having mistaken him for a plumber but what can she do, his attire had misled her into believing so.

"Looks like you guys are meeting for the first time" exclaimed an amazed Ayesha.

"We have met more than fifteen years back when we were still kids" spoke up Milind. He looked positively miffed."Nothing has changed in all these years, has it?" Before Prachi could respond to that remark, he was out of the room, out into the corridor. He hurried down, not realising he had still not met his sister. As he stepped into the lawn, he told himself that this would be the last time he will ever come to this house. "People here judge you by what you wear rather than what you are. Typical superior class mentality" he muttered under his breath, wondering how long it would be before he can get back to the safe confines of his chawl, away from this snobbish crowd.

Back in Prachi's room ...

"Now, what was that all about?" asked Ayesha.

"I have no idea, Ayesha" Prachi looked equally puzzled by Milind's strange behaviour. She did make a mistake in presuming he was the plumber she had been waiting for since morning but what did he mean by the reference to their one and only previous meeting?

"Are you bored waiting up here?"

"Yes, Ayesha. Has Papa not yet returned from the airport?"

"Well, are you anxious to see your Papa or are you eager to see someone else, someone by the name..."

"Go on, Ayesha", Prachi slapped her friend's shoulder, turning red all over again.

"Seriously Prachi, do you never tire of blushing?"

Before Prachi could give her another slap, Ayesha caught her hand and pulled her downstairs to the hall.

(5)

Inder had left for the airport along with his friend, Pranay to receive his future son-in-law. He was proud of Neev's accomplishments abroad, much of which he had heard from Pranay who just would not stop singing his praises. Neev had completed his graduation from London School of Economics and his MBA from London Business School. His return back to India was eagerly looked forward to by both men for different reasons.

Inder had started off with one hotel and had slowly built his empire over time. Fourteen years back he met his old school friend and college mate, Pranay and roped him in the business. The Shah Group of hotels initially started off as a partnership concern but became a public limited company ten years ago. While Inder held 65 per cent of the stake in his concern, Pranay divested the bulk of his holdings in the concern, branching off into garment exports. He still held about 8 percent of the business and remained in the board of directors at the insistence of his good friend. The remaining shares were fragmented among various smaller shareholders. Pranay, in turn, gave 15 per cent of the stake in his company, Shergill Garment Exports Private Limited, a closely held concern, to Inder. He frequently sought Inder's advice on various business matters as Inder had a better business acumen than him.

After Inder's heart attack he was not able to devote as much attention to his business empire. He hoped that Neev will be able to take care of not only his own family business but that of the Shah Group since he did not have much faith in his own son's abilities. It is one of the reasons why he had hurriedly arranged this marriage, so that Neev can become part of the family and can formally be elevated as the Managing Director, a post currently held by Inder himself. Inder would continue to remain the Chairman of the concern.

As the two businessmen animatedly discussed the future plans for Neev, the object of their discussion made an appearance at the entrance of the arrival terminal, pulling out his trolley. Seeing them, he broke into a broad grin and rushed to them, enveloping them both in a wide armed hug. After seeking their blessings, he turned back, looking at the gate, as though waiting for someone. As the two men looked on puzzled, a tall white woman walked up to him and snaked her arm in his. She had auburn hair, deep blue eyes and an aquiline nose. She wore a navy blue business suit which enhanced her smart appearance. Neev smiled sheepishly and turning to his father, he introduced the lady.

"Dad, this is my wife, Annabelle Hayes..sorry, Shergill".

Both the men were aghast, with Pranay turning red with anger and Inder, deathly pale. Even as Pranay broke into a tirade, Inder slowly left the place and headed straight for the parking lot. The world seemed to have collapsed around him. His driver looked puzzled to see just one man approaching him instead of three.

Opening the door for his master, he hesitantly asked him, "Saab, where are Pranay Saab and his son?"

"Drive home, Mohan", ordered Inder, after seating himself.

"Saab, are they not coming with us?"

"I SAID DRIVE HOME", he practically shouted.

The driver wordlessly pulled out the car from the parking lot and drove back to Shah House.

At the Shah House, Inder got off the car and trudged slowly to his house, gripping his chest. Milind, who had got frustrated with the wait and had decided to leave the goddamn place, was making his way out when he caught sight of Inder. He noticed that there was something drastically wrong with the man. The man was sweating profusely and breathing erratically. His face was contorted in pain and his fist was balled up at the centre of his chest. Milind realised that the man was having a heart attack. He immediately rushed to him and yelled at the driver, who was reversing the car to stop. He then quickly opened the rear door and slid Inder in, getting in himself. Holding the man in his arms he directed the driver to quickly take them to the nearest hospital. On the way to the hospital, Inder collapsed unconscious against him. Milind immediately started administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compression, having been taught in college how to attend to patients suffering from heart attack.

On reaching the hospital he shouted out for a stretcher and took the help of the ward boys to lay Inder on it. As Inder was wheeled into the intensive care unit (ICU), he ran up to the reception counter and called up Shah House. PL had picked up the phone and after identifying himself he asked to speak to his dad, not wanting to convey the news to her, lest she panics. PL wondered where he was calling from but he kept insisting in speaking to his father. When Mishraji came on line he asked him to rush to the hospital, explaining to him Inder's condition.

Soon the entire Shah family, Mishraji and Sukriti had assembled outside the operation theatre. The Shergills were there too, having heard of what had happened from Ramu Kaka who called up their residence. Earlier, the doctors had informed Milind that they will have to perform an emergency by- pass surgery and asked for a relative of the patient to sign the papers authorising them to do so. As Inder's family had not yet arrived and every minute counts in such a situation, Milind volunteered to sign the papers himself. When asked who he was, without thinking for a moment, he uttered the first thing that came to his mind - he was his son-in-law.

As the minutes ticked by, Inder's near and dear ones waited anxiously for some news. PL was weeping inconsolably. Prachi was in a state of shock, her eyes looking blank as she tried desperately to come to terms with what was happening. Ayesha held her shoulder tightly, her own face mirroring the pain her friend was going through. Alaap kept pacing agitatedly up and down the corridor. Mishraji looked ashen and Milind had a worried look on his face as he held his father by his shoulders. Sukriti kept looking from Alaap to her father and back at Alaap, not knowing how to react to the situation. Pranay looked crest fallen and kept repeating he was to blame for Inder's condition. He should have not trusted his son to fulfil his promises. Niharika tried to assure him but to avail. Neev looked guiltily at his father. Although he was prepared to face some fireworks from his parents when they learn of his marriage to Annabelle, he had not expected that they would have made parallel arrangements for his marriage with Prachi, that too without consulting him first. Since he himself had not confided in them about his own marriage, he couldn't raise that issue, especially now that Inder was in this condition because of his deed. His wife looked confused and lost in this milieu.

The doors to the operation theatre finally opened and the doctors came out. Alaap and Milind rushed to them. Shaking their heads they informed them that Inder was no more.

Part III

Inder's death proved to be a huge turning point in the lives of his near and dear ones. Losing her spouse of twenty five years left PL a shattered woman. She had entered the Shah house as an innocent, shy eighteen-year old bride with no great ambitions or dreams in life. Within the first year of her marriage she delivered a son and a couple of years later, a beautiful daughter. Her entire world revolved around her husband and the two children. Although she knew nothing about business, she was Inder's moral support, encouraging him to chase his dreams. Inder's father had left him a small eatery to manage. Inder wanted to turn it into a renowned hotel and had a plan to achieve his objective. Now, PL was an excellent cook, an expert in making all the Gujarati dishes under the sun. Inder used to follow her into the kitchen with a note book in hand, pestering her into revealing the recipes for her dishes. Initially she was reluctant to discuss such 'feminine' matters with her young husband but when he assured her that there was a purpose for his unusual demands, she gave in. Inder then got his cooks to prepare these dishes in his restaurant. Soon word of mouth got around that Inder's restaurant served the best Gujarati food in Mumbai. With the city's sizeable Gujarati population, not to mention the large floating population from the neighbouring State, Gujarat, who came to the city on a day-to-day basis, there was no dearth of customers. Non-Gujaritis also thronged the restaurant to sample genuine Gujariti cuisine. Soon Inder managed to gain a reputation as a shrewd entrepreneur which helped him obtain bank loan to expand his business. There was no looking back since then and today Shah Group of Hotels was a Rs.600 crore concern. Inder acknowledged PL's contribution to the business only recently on the occasion of their silver wedding anniversary. PL was pleasantly surprised by her husband's public praise of her. Although she knew her husband loved her dearly she also knew that he was an old fashioned man who believed that a woman's role was primarily that of a home maker. According to him, women were more ornamental and dainty, to be cherished and taken care of. Not that she complained since it suited her temperament just fine. With Inder gone now, though, she felt her life support has been removed. She tried to desperately hold on to the past and kept rambling about Inder and his achievements to anyone who cared to listen.

Another person who felt equally, if not more, lost was Prachi. The girl lost the two men in her life who mattered the most to her on the same day, one to death and the other to marriage. Ironically the man she thought would be her trustworthy companion, who will captain the ship of her life, ended up being indirectly responsible for snatching away the man who gave life to her. Unlike her mother who could not stop talking about her father, Prachi just withdrew into a shell. Mired in grief, she stopped interacting with the rest of the world, reliving her past with her father in silent memories. Ayesha tried her level best to get her out of sorrow but days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but there was no progress in Prachi's behaviour. She continued to remain a recluse. Neev tried to contact her several times to explain his side of the story but to no avail. She refused to speak to him. What hurt her the most was not the fact that he had married a Briton but that he did not trust her enough to share details of his life with her in all the long conversations they had over phone. While she had shared with him the smallest of details in her life, telling him innocuous things like the stray puppy she found on the road or the new mall that has opened up near their house, he did not convey to her a news as large as his having fallen in love and married someone.

Pranay Shergill was the man who knew Inder the longest, for forty five years of their fifty years existence on this earth, to be precise. They were together since preparatory school right up to college. Although they had lost touch with each other soon after graduation, meeting him again and becoming his business partner was something he would always cherish. His wife was a very ambitious woman and was not happy to see him play second fiddle to the more powerful Inder. Hence, she insisted that they start their own company. As Pranay never learnt to stand up against his wife, he bowed to her wishes and Shergill Garment Exports Private Limited was born. Both the men, however, continued to be the best of buddies and were looking forward to becoming Sambandhis. Unfortunately Neev ruined everything for them. His thoughtless deed had snatched his dear friend from him. After the funeral, father and son had a show down wherein each accused the other of betraying his confidence in the other. It soon came to light that the letter Pranay wrote to Neev regarding the wedding arrangements never reached him. His roommate had received the letter and had forgotten to pass it on to him. Pranay had called him only once during that month and even then the line had got cut before they could discuss the wedding arrangements. After trying to call him a couple of times, he gave up as he was busy with the wedding preparations which required lot of attention, especially since they were done in short notice. Although he eventually forgave Neev, he could not bring himself to be associated with the Shah family again, being ashamed and guilty for having been responsible in some way for their loss. He had, therefore, sold the remaining shares of Shah Group of Hotels in the market and resigned from the board of directors.

Mishraji was another person deeply affected by the loss of his master. He had been with the Shahs for over twenty years, managing the accounts of their business. He held Inder in very high regard for he had never seen a more humane person. When he discovered that his wife was suffering from cancer, Inder was the one who extended all monetary and emotional support. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, his wife, Prema, died leaving behind a nine-year Milind and a two-year old Sukriti. PL used to frequently visit the Mishras to check on the little girl. Over the years, Sukriti spent more time at the Shah House than she did in her own house, although she was very close to her brother who was like a surrogate mother to her. The Shahs had volunteered to finance the education of both the kids but Milind being head strong and self respecting, even as a young boy, refused to live off other's charity. He had made it clear that he will make his own future. The boy studied in government schools and colleges and completed his education through various scholarships. After Inder's demise, Mishraji tried to manage the affairs of the company as best as he can under the new leadership of Alaap Shah but was very unhappy with his handling of the company.

Alaap was the one least affected by the old man's death. He took over the stewardship of the company although Inder's will had given him only 15 per cent stake in the company. Inder was aware of Alaap's abilities or rather the lack of them and hence did not trust him to take over the company. Instead, after providing for his wife, he had left the bulk of his shareholding in the concern (50 per cent) to the man his daughter, Prachi was to marry. As the entire family was shrouded in gloom after Inder's death, Prachi's marriage was the last thing in anyone's mind. So Alaap had a free run of the company having coaxed, cajoled and even bribed the board members to appoint him as the Chairman and Managing Director of the concern. The two Shah women did not question him as they were in their own separate worlds of gloom.

Part IV

(1)

One year later

It was Inder's first death anniversary. The Shah family was slowly limping back to normalcy. PL had arranged a pooja for the departed soul of her late husband. After the pooja, there was an "Annadhan" ceremony where food was offered to the poor. PL had gradually come to terms with the fact that her husband is no more and she will have to get on with her life for the sake of her children. As Alaap was leaving the house for work, PL stopped him and asked to speak with him for a few minutes. Anticipating what is in store, Alaap tried to wriggle out, giving the pretext of an urgent business meeting. PL would hear none of it and insisted that he stay back and listen to what she had to say. Sighing he asked her to make it quick. She broached a subject which was bothering her lately.

"Alaap, it is high time we thought of Prachi's future. It has been a year since your father's death and the mandatory period of ban on functions is over. We need to find her a good match and settle her down in life."

Alaap knew that this was what his mother wanted to discuss with him. Nodding his head in approval, he promised to start immediately the search for a bridegroom befitting of their beloved Prachi, and left the place in a hurry. On the way to his office, he was wondering how long he can put off Prachi's marriage. He was not too keen to settle her down for his position at the company would be endangered the day she gets married. Now, that was something he was not prepared to accept. He had gotten used to the power and the pleasure associated with his post. He will have to come up with something to shut PL's mouth and also keep Prachi from marrying anyone. Try as he may, he was not able to figure out a way to achieve both.

(2)

Alaap's office at the Shah Group of Hotels

Sukriti entered in and asked to speak to Alaap Shah. The lady at the reception informed her that he is at a meeting. Insisting that she needed to meet him urgently, she volunteered to wait till the conclusion of the meeting. As the minutes ticked by, Sukriti became increasingly agitated at not being called in. As the office was about to close, she could wait no longer and she barged into Alaap's cabin even as the receptionist tried in vain to stop her from doing so. Alaap looked up at her with a start. Before he can say anything Sukriti threw herself in his arms.

"Alaap, I can't wait any longer. Please arrange to make me your wife in front of the world, in the presence of our families."

"What? Are you crazy? Do you know who I am? The Chairman and Managing Director of Shah Group of Hotels marrying a poor accountant's daughter? I can get a thousand pretty girls at the snap of my fingers. Why should I sabotage my freedom in your hands?"

"But Alaap we are already married."

"Says who?"

"Did you not marry me in that temple in Khandala? I had to lie to my father that I was going on a college picnic."

"Who is the witness to it? There wasn't even a priest to bless the wedding and you call that a marriage? No court of law will accept that."

Sukriti was shocked to hear Alaap speak this way. He was always so sweet and charming to her. He made her feel like the most wanted woman in the world and now he was saying things which made her feel dirty and ashamed of herself. How could she have been so naive? How could she have trusted him and offered herself to his voracious physical needs? She flung into a fury and dug her finger nails into his chest, screaming he cannot do this to her, he cannot forsake her now after everything was over. Alaap shrugged himself free from her and rang for the security who then dragged her out of his office, kicking, crying and screaming.

(3)

Milind returned home late that evening, dejected that his life was going nowhere. Despite his best efforts, his dreams of making it as a businessman seemed unattainable. Unable to bear his father's biting words every day, he had finally attended the interview for a job at one of hotels in the city. If he is offered the job, he will take it, he thought. He cannot let his father continue to be the sole provider of their family. Moreover, ever since Inder's death, his father's health had been progressively deteriorating. As a son he needed to step up and shoulder the burden of his family, allowing his father to rest. So thinking he walked in to find Sukriti huddled in a corner. Her eyes were swollen and red from hours of crying. After Milind's endless coaxing, she finally opened up and narrated the details of her relationship with Alaap. Alaap had relentlessly pursued her since her college days. Although initially she resisted his charms, she finally succumbed to them. They frequently met at various places. At this point Milind interjected and asked her if she was with him at the Shah House on the day Prachi was to be engaged, remembering the giggles and whispers he thought he heard that day. Sukriti admitted she was, to which Milind cursed himself for not paying enough attention to his sister. Maybe a lot of things could have been averted including the so-called 'marriage' in Khandala which, according to her, took place a couple of months back. Sukriti finally told him what happened that evening. Hearing that Alaap had spurned his sister after using her, Milind was furious. He left his house immediately and went in search of Alaap.

He knew Alaap frequented a particular pub which was not far from their house. He headed straight to the place and found Alaap drinking there with some of his good-for-nothing friends. He dragged him from the high stool on which he was seated and punched him in the stomach. Before a stunned Alaap could react, he punched him again, this time on his right jaw. What followed was a series of punches at various parts of the swine's body. His friends tried to separate the two but to no avail. Milind was like a man possessed, furiously punching the man responsible for his sister's humiliation. The pub owner fearing a law and order problem, promptly called in the police. Soon they arrived and dragged Milind away from there.

One of Milind's friends, Ganpat, happened to be passing by as Milind was pushed into the police van and taken to the police station. He rushed to Milind's house to inform his family about Milind's arrest. Baba had entered a few minutes before that, after spending long hours at the office trying to reconcile the accounts before the annual closing. Sukriti had just finished telling him about what had transpired that evening between Alaap and her. Even before he could recover from the shock of it, hearing the news of his son's arrest for thrashing his beloved master's son was too much for the old man to bear. The man had a massive stroke and crumbled to the floor. Sukririt screamed in horror, seeing her father's plight. Together she and Ganpat rushed him to the nearest nursing home.

(4)

Sukriti slowly walked to the police station, her face lined with worries, eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. How was she going to break the news to Milind about their father's condition, she wondered. The previous night was a particularly long one. On reaching the hospital Baba had been wheeled into the ICU. Not knowing what to do or whom to approach, she had called Shah House and spoke with PL who was stunned to hear that Mishraji's condition was serious. She promptly got herself driven to the nursing home. By the time she had arrived, Mishraji had slipped into coma. PL later came to know of the entire chain of events that day and was furious with her son. As Alaap had not returned home that night, she could not confront him immediately. She, however, assured Sukriti that she will ensure justice for her. Sukriti broke down in her arms, asking her to forgive her for everything. PL laid a reassuring arm around her and stayed with her through the night. In the morning PL called home and spoke with Prachi who informed her that Alaap had still not returned home. She then explained everything to Prachi who was appalled at what had befallen the family who had meant a lot to them. PL asked Prachi to get in touch with their family lawyer to secure Milind's bail. In the meantime she asked Sukriti to meet Milind and inform him of his father's health condition, volunteering to stay behind to take care of Mishraji. Here she was now, struggling to find the right words to convey to her hot headed brother the most heart breaking news of their lives.

Milind was shocked to hear of his father's condition. Gritting his teeth, he spat out that he will finish off Alaap once and for all, even if it meant he will be sent to the gallows for it. Sukriti tried in vain to reason with him but holding the bars of his cell so tightly that his fist turned white, he kept screaming that he will kill Alaap no matter what. Suddenly she blurted out that if he does so her baby will be fatherless. That stunned him into silence. She then begged him to get her married to Alaap if he wanted to see her alive since she cannot bear the humiliation of becoming an unwed mother. At that moment, the jailer came to unlock Milind's lockup door, informing him that the Shah family have secured his bail. Milind was about to protest that he did not want any one's sympathy but Sukriti silenced him, saying that he first needs to see their father.

The brother and sister then went to the nursing home where PL informed them that a team of doctors were examining Mishraji as of that moment. She also assured them that all medical expenses will be borne by her. When Milind objected, saying that he knew how to take care of his father, she gently explained to him that while she knows that he will do all that he can to save his father, she too has a duty towards the man who had slaved for their family for so many years. She begged him to give her the satisfaction of being of some use to Mishraji, now that he needed help. Drawn by her plea, Milind relented and gave in to her. He wanted his father back with them in good health. This was not the time to show his obstinacy, he thought. Nodding his head, he muttered that he has some unfinished business to take care of and rushed out of there, heading straight to Alaap's office.

(5)

Having been beaten black and blue by Milind, Alaap did not want to take the chance of going to his house that night and be caught and questioned by his mother. He had, therefore, spent the night at his friend's place. The next morning he left for office from there. The upper half of his face was hidden in large goggles and the lower half, by a large scarf which was tied around his neck and pulled up over his chin. As he pulled out a file to examine, he heard the door swing open and saw Milind's towering form at the entrance. He tried to slide under the table, but Milind reached him in seconds and pulled him up.

"Look, Alaap. I've not come here to start another fight."

When Alaap looked at him puzzled, he continued "Lets talk this, man to man. While I despise you and would rather not have anything to do with a creep like you, I do have to think of my sister's future. She loves you and is now carrying your child."

At this, Alaap's mouth fell open. "Look Milind, I didn't mean to impregnate your sister."

"Oh yeah? What were you planning to do then, just trick her into marrying you, sleep with her and then bid her good bye?"

Before he could respond, Milind bit out, "What has happened has happened. We now have to think of a way to rectify the mistake. Do you want your daughter or son to be called a bas***d?"

Recovering from the initial shock, Alaap managed to stammer out, "I'll pay for the abortion".

Milind gave him a menacing look which led Alaap to cower down in fear. His body still ached from the previous day's thrashings. He was not looking forward to a replay of the action. Milind continued as though he was not interrupted, "Alaap, make an honourable woman of my sister. Marry her and the rest is forgiven and forgotten."

Alaap frantically squeezed his brain to come up with a plan to make good a bad situation. He knew that Milind will beat him to the pulp if he refuses to do so. While he can get the police to handle him, he cannot escape his mother's wrath if she comes to know of what he had done to Sukriti. He suspected that she already did. He was sure she will force him to accept Sukriti as his wife. Now Alaap was one who believed in quid pro quo. If he gives something he will ensure that he gets something in return. It then struck him like a flash, why did he not think of this before? He can hit two mangoes with one stone. He did find Sukriti attractive and did not seriously mind being married to her. The only hesitancy on his part was that he was not getting anything in return for his grand gesture but this will ensure that he gets his price.

Looking at Milind, he calmly said, "Okay, I'll marry your sister.... but under one condition"

Milind who had let out a sigh of relief on hearing that Alaap finally was willing to accept his sister as his wife, looked at him suspiciously.

"I'll marry your sister provided you marry mine."

Milind was shocked out of his skin hearing this. "Your sister? Prachi?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes, Prachi. And before you jump with joy at having hit the jackpot let me hasten to add that on the day of the wedding you will have to sign over to me the wealth that will pass on to you."

"What wealth?" asked a still confused Milind.

"The wealth that my dear father has left behind for the man who will marry my sister. The old horse has bestowed 50 per cent of the shareholding of Shah Group of Hotels to his future son-in-law. Now that will be you. I don't want to fritter away my family wealth to some outsider. So the two weddings will take place on the same day and right after the wedding you will write off your rights over the Shah wealth. You will have to sign an agreement to the effect before the marriage. In case you back out in the last minute and try to retain my father's wealth, I'll make your sister's life a living hell."

Milind was too stunned by what he heard to react immediately.

"So, what is your answer?" Alaap asked him cockily. He knew he left Milind with no choice.

"Give me a day to think it over", Milind said and staggered out of there.

Part V

(1)

One month later

He sat in his heavily brocaded sherwani in front of the holy fire, sweating profusely from the heat generated by it. Pushing aside the floral sehera, he wiped off the sweat from his brow and wondered how long the ceremony will go on. The priest seemed to endlessly chant some sanskrit mantras, all of which were going way above his head. Damn these elaborate weddings, he thought. Left to himself, he would have been miles away from this bedecked mandap, the thronging crowds and the blaring noise. Unfortunately he did not have much of a choice. He looked to his right to see the woman for whom he was willing to subject himself to this torture. She looked happy and contended in her maroon bridal saree. Seeing her so happy made it worth the while, he consoled himself and looked past her to the man seated next to her who had started it all. His thoughts went back to that fateful day when he heard one of the most unusual proposals.

Milind's flashback

After he had left Alaap's office that day, he walked back home in a daze, with several thoughts criss-crossing his brain, making his head throb. He had gone to meet Alaap with one wedding proposal and got two instead, like the 'buy one, get one free' ads on television and print media. He was in no position to settle down in life. Damn, he did not even have a job. How was he going to support himself, let alone another woman? His father's health condition was still worrisome as he had still not come out of coma. Sukriti's marriage cannot be postponed till he fully recovers, as with every passing day, her impending motherhood will become more visible to the rest of the world and jeopardise their reputation. He, however, did not have any compulsion to get tied down so soon in life. Alaap's condition that he surrenders the wealth that will be bestowed on him after marriage was the least of his worries. In fact he had no intention of enjoying that wealth even if he was allowed to do so. He despised the very idea of marrying for money. His self respect was way too important for him and there is nothing more demeaning than to enjoy the fruits of someone else's labour without being worthy of it. He will amass wealth, but in his own terms, with his own toil. Moreover, by giving his assent to Alaap's proposal and writing off the wealth in favour of his brother-in-law, he will ensure that his sister's future is secure, not only emotionally but also monetarily. And the woman he will be forced to marry is not so bad looking, in fact the damn creature is breathtakingly beautiful, he thought. So why was he hesitating to accept Alaap's proposal right away? Apart from his joblessness, the biggest deterrent was the fact that his heart was pledged elsewhere. Yes, the man was in love, has been so for years now. He was a man of honour and wouldn't dream of breaking a woman's heart after building her hopes up. Although he had no plans to marry her in the near future, given his economic condition, he had assured her that they will be united in marriage once he gets his life on track. What will he tell her now?

That evening they met at their usual place, in a coffee shop at Bandstand in Bandra. He hesitatingly elaborated on the meeting with Alaap, finishing with the unusual proposal. When he was through, there was a pregnant silence for a long time. He wondered what was going through her mind but was unable to read her face; he never could, even in the past. After what seemed like eternity, getting no response from her, he cleared his throat and gently asked her what should he do. She looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears and said quietly, he himself knew the answer to that question. As his sister's future lay at stake, he did not have a choice, did he, she quizzed him. He silently shook his head in the negative. She told him that they cannot be so selfish as to think about their own happiness when that of their loved ones was in danger. They may have loved each other but destiny held different plans for them. They just weren't meant to be. The sooner he forgets her and gets on with his life, the better. He asked her whether she will be able to forget him. She circumvented the question and wishing him luck, abruptly got up and left.

The next morning he received a call from the hotel he had attended the job interview the day before. They offered him a decent salary and wanted him to join immediately. With the two major hurdles to his decision out of the way and keeping his sister's interest paramount in his mind, Milind called up Alaap and agreed to his proposal. He insisted in coming to Shah House and formally asking PL to accept his sister as her daughter-in-law and him as her son-in-law. He respected her way too much to hide things from her. Alaap was apprehensive of how much truth Milind was planning to reveal to PL and what will be his mother's reaction to it. His fears were unfounded though. Milind did not delve into details about Sukriti's physical condition or Inder's will. In a matter of fact tone he told her that Alaap and Sukriti loved each other and wished to be married. Knowing Alaap's wayward character, he did not feel confident giving his sister to him. Hence, to ensure that she is treated well, he would like to marry Alaap's sister. On marriage, however, he will take his bride to his house because he believed that a woman's place was by the side of her husband, wherever he may live. Although PL was initially taken aback, she promised to speak to her daughter and get back to him. By that evening, PL had informed him that she had got Prachi's consent and that the two weddings can take place as soon as possible.

End of Milind's Flashback

Here he was one month later, all set to embark on a journey unknown. He slowly turned to his left and looked at the woman who will soon become his wife. She wore a beautiful bright red wedding saree, with heavy zari embroidery work. She was bedecked in jewellery from head to toe. Her oval blemishless face was half encased in gunghat. From what little was visible to him, he could see that she was exceptionally beautiful, even with minimal make up, or maybe because of it. His heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him. He quickly lowered his gaze and pretended to study the flames of the fire before him.

(2)

Seeing his lowered gaze, she summed up the courage to take a closer look at the man who was soon to be her husband. She couldn't get a good view of him through the floral strings of the sehera. Now who was the fool who had come up with the bright idea of covering the faces of the bride and the groom in gunghats and seheras, she irritatedly thought to herself. She wished she had seen him more closely when he had come barging into her room more than a year ago. She was distracted that day, her thoughts all over the place, that the minute she set eyes on him in that khakhi shirt and faded denims, not to mention that handkerchief carelessly tied around his neck, she immediately concluded that he was the plumber she was waiting for. Not even in her wildest dreams did she think that he was Milind, the man who will one day become her husband. She thought back to the sequence of events which led her to the altar.

Prachi's Flashback

Prachi was getting ready to attend her music classes that morning. She was still far from her usual self although she had slowly begun to accept the reality that her father was no more. She kept herself busy with her music classes and painting, both of which were her favourite past times but she hardly interacted with the outside world. Ayesha used to check on her sometimes but with her busy work schedules and her mother's health problems, she rarely found the time to do so of late. Just as she was leaving her room she heard noises in the hall. Looking down, she saw Milind walk in stiffly. From his look she gauged that he had come to discuss his sister's future. She had heard the entire story from her mother the previous day and was indignant at Alaap's callous behaviour. She tried to speak with him but he had snubbed her, asking her to mind her own business. Now, seeing Milind's determined look and purposeful gait, she decided to stay back on the corridor upstairs and listen to what he had to say to her mother. When she heard his proposal to marry her so as to ensure that Alaap refrains from ill treating Sukriti, her eyes widened in horror. She staggered back to her room and held on to the poster of the bed, breathing heavily. Marriage to Milind? Never in her wildest dreams did she think that this day will come. After that fateful day, when her dreams of marrying Neev dissolved even before they materialised, her father falling victim in the process, she had vowed to herself that she will never trust another man or entertain thoughts of marriage. She wanted to spend the rest of her life being a good daughter, a good sister and in future, a good sister-in-law and aunt to Alaap's children. She never wanted anything for herself but now she was confronted with the possibility of becoming someone's wife, a thought she was not willing to even consider.

Shaking her head, she resolved to tell her mother that this marriage was not happening. Just then, her mind played back Milind's words ' that he wished to marry her so that he can ensure that his sister is treated well by Alaap. The full implication of what he had said hit her then. It meant that he did not trust Alaap to take good care of his sister, not that she would blame him. Her brother was not the epitome of virtue. So if she refuses to marry him, she was convinced that Milind would not risk getting Sukriti married to Alaap, but then was he left with much choice? Who would marry Sukriti now that her relationship with Alaap has become public knowledge? Then again, she cannot put it past Milind to not care about what the world thinks. He may decide to take care of Sukriti for the rest of her life rather than take a chance with her future with Alaap. She had heard enough about his obstinacy from Mishraji. She also knew that Sukriti meant the world to Milind and that he will go to any extent to ensure her well being. Sukriti never stops praising her brother in her innumerable visits to Shah House. She had also heard enough about Milind's fierce temper. Only a couple of days before, he had beaten the hell out of Alaap. If she refuses to marry him, and as a result Alaap-Sukriti's marriage does not take place, he may have no qualms thrashing her brother up again, maybe even kill him. Then there was Mishraji's health condition to consider. The man who was like her father was lying in coma because of her brother's deed. She had spent two hours by his bedside the previous day. Doctors have still not given up hope altogether, although they placed a very slim chance of his full recovery. What will happen if on recovery he realises that things have only gotten worse during his ailment? No, she cannot take the chance of so much catastrophe being unleashed around her because of her reluctance to get into a matrimonial bond.

Just then her mother entered her room and was about to tell her about Milind's proposal. Prachi raised her hand to stop her and quietly said that she had heard everything and that she was willing to marry Milind. PL heaved a sigh of relief. Caressing her head, she said, "Every mother wants to see her daughter well settled in life. To be frank, initially I could not digest the thought of my daughter marrying below her status and living in a chawl. I went to the pooja room and prayed fervently to Lord Krishna, our resident deity, to show me the way. On the one hand was the future of my daughter and on the other, the future of an innocent girl whose life has been ruined by my own son. I thought that they were mutually exclusive. I wondered which I should give importance to. While I have no problems accepting Sukriti as my daughter-in-law, I feared that by doing so I will be condemning you to a life of poverty and despair. It was then that I realised that I was being short-sighted. Did I not start my life with your father in humble surroundings? Am I now not in a position where all my comforts are met? How was the transformation possible? It was all because of your father's hard work and determination to succeed in life. I see the same fire in Milind's eyes. I see him as a man of principles, a man who would go to great lengths for the well being of his family. The fact that he came up to our house to ask that his sister be accepted as a bahu of this House only under the condition that the daughter of this House becomes his wife, and that too without bringing with her a single paise as dowry, shows not only the extent to which he will go to ensure his sister's happiness but also that he has a high self esteem. If he can do so much for his sister, how much more would he do for his wife? I thought that Neev, with his impeccable family background and education would make you a good life partner. Alas, that was not to be. Now this alliance has come on its own. I think God is showing us the way. In my view, Milind will make an excellent husband and son-in-law."

Prachi did not know how far her mother was right about Milind but she knew that she will have to accept him for the good of everyone, especially for the happiness of Sukriti. As though suddenly struck by a thought, PL looked at her daughter worriedly.

"Prachi, would you be able to adjust yourself in his surroundings? Life in a chawl can be difficult, beti."

"Don't worry, mama. Money and comfort mean nothing to me. People and relationships are more important. I will adjust to everything."

Her mother proudly kissed her daughter on the forehead and said a silent prayer for her well-being and happiness.

End of Prachi's Flashback

As she broke from her reverie, she heard the priest ask the bride's sister to tie the ghatbandhan. As Prachi had no sister, her cousin Naintara tied her pallu with Milind's stole. Sukriti's cousin, Mala did the same for her. The two brides and the grooms then proceeded to take the pheras at the end of which the grooms put on the mangalsutra around their brides' necks and applied the sindoor on their maang. Mrs and Mr. Mishra and Mrs and Mr.Shah then took the blessings of the elders gathered on the auspicious occasion.

(3)

After the wedding reception, the two bridegrooms excused themselves and went to one of the rooms at the back of the wedding hall where they were met by Alaap's lawyer. The past month had witnessed frenzied legal activity. First, Alaap dropped the case he had filed against Milind for thrashing him at the pub. Then his lawyer had drawn up an agreement that Milind would hand over to Alaap the inheritance he would get once he becomes the son-in-law of the Shahs. Now the lawyer held two sets of documents in his hands - one which gave him the rights over half of the Shah empire and the other which snatched it from him. Milind was prepared for this moment. When the lawyer extended the papers to him, Alaap offered him his pen to sign, a smirk playing on his lips. Milind raised his palm to stop him and instead pulled out his own pen and signed on the dotted lines of both the documents. While Alaap snatched the documents from him and gloated over his victory, Milind turned on his heels and, with his head held high, went back to his wife.

The bidai ceremony was an emotional affair. Sukriti clung to Milind, weeping inconsolably. Milind, who was teary eyed himself, patted her back and kept reassuring her that he was in the same town and will always keep a watch over his beloved sister. Prachi hugged her mother and cried silent tears. PL became emotional too and prayed that Prachi would have a happy married life. She asked Milind to take care of her precious daughter to which Milind merely gave a grim nod. Soon two bridal cars arrived, one which took its occupants to Shah House and the other, to Milind's chawl.

On reaching Milind's house, the newly weds were welcomed into the house with an arti taken by Manjula Iyer, their neighbour and Mala Sharma, Milind's cousin from Lonavla. The small house was flooded with Milind's friends and neighbours. Manju was a teacher at the Government primary school in their locality and her husband,Venkat, was a clerk in the local post office. They had two boys, Aditya, aged six and Anurag, aged four. Both the kids were very fond of Milind, who was equally fond of them. Mala, Milind's and Sukriti's lone relative to attend their wedding, was their maternal uncle's only child. Her mother died when she was young and her father was afflicted with a paralytic stroke. She had, therefore, come alone to Mumbai, to grace the wedding of her cousins.

Aditya and Anurag kept tugging at Milind's kurta and giggling at him for they have never seen him so overdressed before. Milind smiled at them indulgently and dipping into his pocket, brought out two bars of chocolate which he handed, one to each of them. Clapping their hands in glee they snatched the chocolate, muttered a hurried thank you and sped away. The two ladies then took Prachi into the bedroom which was simply but tastefully decorated. Milind's friends gathered around him, cracking jokes and laughing loudly. Soon the two ladies reappeared. Manju shooed the guys out and excused herself. Having left her father in the care of some neighbours, Mala expressed her inability to stay back and wanted to be dropped at the bus stand so that she can take the bus back to Lonavla the same night. Milind's friend, Ganpat volunteered to drop her and she left with him.

Locking the door behind them, Milind stepped into the tiny bedroom. Prachi who was sitting on the narrow bed, stood up nervously when she saw her husband. Taking the glass of milk in her shaking hands, she slowly extended it up to him. Muttering that he does not drink milk, Milind proceeded to violently tug at the collar of his kurta till the buttons snapped open. He whisked the offensive piece of garment over his head and threw it on the head of the nearby chair. He then slung a towel around his neck and a pair of pyjamas over his shoulders. Picking up his soap from the nearby shelf, he went out of the room and out of the house. Prachi stood there confused as to where he had gone and when he will return, if at all. Sitting before the old mirror which hung on one wall, she slowly removed her jewellery and put them aside in her jewellery case. In ten minutes he was back in his pyjamas and vest, scrubbing his hair dry. Her breath caught in her throat as she ran her eyes over his athletic physique. She quickly lowered her gaze when he turned around to meet her eyes. He informed her that she can have a bath and change her clothes if she wanted to.

As she looked around for the bathroom, he smirked and sarcastically said, "Your highness, lesser mortals like us do not have the privilege of an attached bathroom. Bathrooms and toilets are common for houses in each floor. You will have to go out of the house and turn left. The bathroom is at the extreme end."

So that was where he had gone, she thought, but looked unsure about venturing out in the dark. Looking at her, Milind continued, "Don't worry. Nobody will bite you or kidnap you on the way. Anyway you need to get used to this if you want to have a bath at all, or are you planning to spend the rest of your life without one?" Left with no choice she quickly picked up her night gown, towel and soap and stepped out."By the way, don't expect to share my bed", he shouted behind her, "it is not large enough for the both of us. You can make yourself comfortable anywhere else in the house, though." She did not respond to that.

When she returned, she saw him sprawled on the bed, fast asleep. Emboldened to see him in that state, she tiptoed up to his bed and observed his sleeping form more closely under the moonlight which streamed through the room. Not bad, she thought, not bad at all. In fact, the guy was simply gorgeous-the chubby cheeks, half covered by well trimmed beard; the dark moustache between the snub nose and the full luscious lips; the long lashes that covered small but sharp eyes which lay closed; the wavy mop of hair that was spread on the pillow- everything was highly appealing to her eyes. In sleep he looked so vulnerable and childlike in the absence of the stern look he sported when he was awake. With a small smile playing on her lips, she looked around for something to lie on. Noticing a mat rolled up in the corner of the room, she spread it on the floor next to his bed and stretched her aching body. It was a long day indeed and she was waiting for this moment when she could finally rest her tired body. The hard cold floor, however, made it difficult for sleep to take over her immediately. After tossing and turning around for a while, she finally managed to slip into a deep slumber.

He was suddenly awoken in the middle of the night by the sound of continuous sneezing. Rubbing his eyes, he looked around and realised that the sound came from his new bride who was sleeping on the floor. Getting up, he went up to the wooden cupboard and brought out a thick blanket. He shook her awake and spread the blanket on the mat, before letting her lie down again.

"I don't want you to fall sick. I have my hands full without having the added responsibility of taking care of a sick woman," he said gruffly, by way of explanation, and went back to bed.

Turning her back to him she hid a smile. "He cares", she thought, "this is not as bad as I feared it would be".

"For God's sake, you are not going to attend a fashion show, just a dinner at a friend's house. Wear whatever you are comfortable in. As long as you are not in your birth suit, I have no problems taking you with me."

"Milind, you are spoiling them rotten. Look, they will eat only chocolate and skip the dinner." She complained.

After dinner, as Prachi helped Manju clear the dishes, Manju dragged her aside and said in a hushed voice.

Here's a picture of Manju and Venkat. Below is Milind with Adi and Anu. Don't ask me what Milind and co are doing giving an interview to Star T.V. Pictures are courtesy 'Megala' forum (for Manju and Venkat pictures) and Yasmin (for the Milind-Adi-Anu pictures).