Lovely's Wedding
Baskets of flowers were lying in the backyard where a shamiana had been put up. Kranti and Nirmal both sat down to count the string of flowers. The house was looking so pretty with flower decorations everywhere. Roses and daisies were strewn on the staircases and strings of marigold were hanging on the walls. It truly looked decked up. Both the young women looked at the flowers and smiled. They knew mamaji was doing all this becoz he couldn't do the same for either of them. Nirmal had eloped and Kranti .....
"Nirmal," yelled Mamiji from the interior of the house. "Come here at once."
Nirmal excused herself and left the room. Kranti was alone on the bench with the garlands. She mindlessly strung the flowers in the thread and knotted it. She was coming daily to help but she knew Mamiji didn't want her there. Nothing had changed. Fifteen years stood at a standstill. She was the same young girl who had been brought at this very spot by tauji. She had gripped his hand and had looked soulfully at him entreating him not to leave her here. But that hadn't happened. Tauji had looked apologetic and promised her he would come often to visit her. Mamiji had protested and said she didn't want her home tainted with any KK. As it was she had to look after the child of a KK, she wanted no more than that. So tauji never visited there but mamaji used to take her to see him whenever he'd come to Lahore. Through the years, she got used to mamiji and her wretched ways. It had almost stopped affecting her. She was made to do more than her share of the housework. Nirmal di would always help and take up for her. Lovely who was younger was a brat. Kranti smiled. She hoped Lovely would be able to handle her new life in her new home.
Nirmal returned. She had a marvellous gold choker on. "Ma has given it." Kranti smiled. She knew it was customary for the mother to give jewellery to her daughter. Nirmal was also given a pile of new clothes and a platter full of sweets to take home.
"Tell Kranti she should go now and come back later," Mamiji said from the doorway.
Something snapped within Kranti. She got to her feet. She fibbed that she remembered some job left undone. She met Mamaji and made some excuse. Her unhurried feet took her to the gate. She left the house and all the festivities behind her. Her walk broke into a run and she ran all the way home. She reached home. She was panting and tired."Oye Kranti," said Lalaji. "You're home so soon? Come have some tea with us."
Kranti remained rooted in her place. She looked down and didn't answer.
"Is something the matter?" asked Buaji. Kranti shook her head in negation.
"Come here Kranti," said Lalaji. "Is everything ok?"
"Yes," replied Kranti softly. Her choked voice could barely be heard. "I want to go to my room."
"Go on, dear. You have a long night ahead. Go and take some rest," said Chaijee. She knew something was wrong. She could see her dishevelled appearance. She noticed the dust on her daughter-in-law's feet. This meant she had walked all the way home. What had disturbed Kranti? Chaijee clicked her tongue and wondered aloud how God could have made a heartless woman like her mami.
Kranti reached her room and closed the door behind her. "Ma ..." the word escaped her lips in a sob. She threw herself on the bed and wept. She cried herself to sleep.
The sun had slowly set. Kranti slept on. The pillow was wet with tears. Chaijee gingerly opened the door and peeped in to see if everything was alright. She sighed with relief to see Kranti taking rest. She brought in the pale orange suit with silver embroidery. It was exquisite. Chaijee had secretly had it stitched for her for the wedding. She knew mami would never be kind enough to make the gesture, so she did it instead. She laid out a diamond set which her mother had given her. She left the room to bring the bangles and the bindi. Kranti woke up. She saw what was on the bed in the subdued light. Chaijee returned with the jewels and Buaji brought in some tea.
Kranti was off the bed in a flash. "Oh" she said, "Buaji, you shouldn't have bothered!"
She was suddenly overwhelmed with feeling. Why did she long for her mother? What was it that had upset her? And why did she return here? She had two mothers now who took such good care of her. She smiled and the smile reached her eyes. She dressed up with their help. She wore the beautiful jewellery which Chaijee had laid out for her.
The car honked. Her heart beat quickened. He had come. She heard him call out out to Jagat kaka. Why was it that the house came to life when Raj returned home? Every one seemed to rush to meet him or greet him. But not her, never her. She would come on to the scene last and that too nonchalantly. His glance told her that he knew what a fake she was. She would look away haughtily.
She came down the steps walking slowly. She stopped so that she was one step taller than he was. She hated him dwarfing her. She looked down at him. "You're late."
He was taking in her beauty and somehow couldn't get his eyes off her. Lalaji nodded knowingly and gestured that the young couple be left alone. They were alone on the stairs. Kranti touched his cheek with her hand. He turned his face and planted a kiss on her palm.
"Why are your eyes red?" He had not missed a thing. "Were you missing me?"
"Missing you? Why on earth would I do that?"
"Why were you crying?"
" I suddenly remembered Ma" Kranti leaned forward and hooked her arms round his neck.
"Are you ok now?" he asked. She nodded. He twirled her round and brought her down the steps. His arms remained round her.
"Will you dance with me tonight?"
"Dance with you? Why on earth would I want to do that?"
His eyebrow shot up. She wanted to play a game? Well it takes two to tango. He turned on his heel and began to hurry to the car.
"Wait, wait for me!" she cried.
"Wait for you? Why on earth would I want to do that?"
She stopped. She looked at the bougainvillea which was asleep now. She said goodnight to the roses and the chameli. She walked to the fountain and thrust her hand forward. A pair of arms came from behind and pulled her back to him. He like the way he could rest his chin on top of her head. He held her close, not too loose and not too tight. She relaxed contentedly and nestled close.
"Raj, I wouldn't mind if we stayed like this forever."
"Nor I."
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