SS - Mera Vivaah 3 page 3 Mar 7

Mera Vivaah

"Ranveer." Jai Walia limped into his young brother's room and looked at him. "Mom and dad are waiting'are you ready?"

Ranveer nervously ran a comb through his hair, "How do I look bro?" He turned around so Jai could look at him. Jai walked up and straightened his tie. "There you look great. Now relax'you are not supposed to be nervous. The one who should be nervous is the girl you are going to see."

Ranveer pulled a face, "It should be you who should be doing this, not me. I don't see why mom won't push you into getting married."

Jai grinned, "That's because I wasn't babied like you and she couldn't quite get me to do everything she told me too."

Ranveer punched Jai, "Not fair'I don't want to get married." Jai pushed Ranveer out of the room. "Bet you a thousand, you will change your mind when you see the gal."

Ranveer held his hand out, "You are on. But instead of money, how about, if I don't like her but you do then you will get married to her."

Jai slapped his hand, "You are on. Get ready to lose."

Krishna gave Ranveer a sweet smile. "Ready Ranveer. We should go'or we will be late."

Jai rolling his eyes, "Mom'we are driving all the way to Mt Abu'so what if we are a little late."

Uday tapped his foot, "would you all like to move out of the house first. Come one I am tired of waiting for you lot. I thought it was only women who took so long to get ready."

Krishna glared at Uday, "Look who is talking. If I didn't get all your clothes out'you would still be hunting for them in the wardrobe." Ranveer and Jai sniggered at their parents.

Jai drove their spacious Mercedes SUV on the highway, the tinted windows and AC providing cool comfort from the heat of the day. Krishna sat in the back, fussing with Ranveer, giving him advice on what to do or what to say. Jai smiled into the mirror at Ranveer's rather serious face. He felt sorry for Ranveer, glad he had escaped this rather old-fashioned way of choosing a life partner. Uday noticed the smile and tapped Jai on the shoulder, "What are you smiling about? Jai I want you to get serious too about marriage. Don't put it off. You haven't found anyone up to now'why don't you let us try?"

Jai concentrated on the road, "You know the reason why papa'I am not marrying someone because I don't want their pity."

"Why do you say that? Why can't you accept that may be a girl will not notice your limp'that she might like you for who you are? You are good looking, smart'run a successful business. You have a lot to offer."

"Not in this day and age papa'a girl does have a say in who she marries." Jai said adamantly.

Uday sighed and gave up. He knew when to back off.

XXXXX

Uday entered the home of Nishikant Dixit with his family. He and Nishikant had been school friends and had tried to maintain the friendship until Uday got with his business in Mumbai. They had lost touch, until Uday had met Nishikant in Delhi a month before. While talking Nishikant had mentioned he was looking for a husband for his daughter Rano who had just finished her MBA. Uday had talked with Krishna on his return home and they had called up Nishikant and suggested they would like their son Ranveer to meet his daughter Rano.

Nishikant led them into the sitting room of his house and offered seats. He introduced Kiran his wife to Uday and his family. After few minutes Kiran went off to get Rano.

Uday , Jai and Kiran looked at Rano, who folded her hands and did Namaste. She was tall and thin and attractive without the help of makeup. Jai nudged Ranveer, who sat looking at the floor.

Krishna smiled and said, "This is my son Ranveer, Rano." Ranveer gulped and looked up at pair of eyes twinkling behind glasses. She was hiding her laughter he felt. Rano served them tea. She put an extra spoon of sugar in Ranveer's cup. "I hope you like my tea." She said softly as she gave him the cup. Krishna laughed softly at Rano, 'I hope so too Rano."

Ranveer took a gulp of the sweet tea and forced a smile on his face. After few minutes of general chitchat, Jai coughed lightly, "If you don't mind Mr Dixit, may be Ranveer and Rano can talk alone'if they want to ask each other anything."

"yes'yes'Rano take Ranveer in the garden." Nishikant told Rano.

Rano looked at Ranveer and waited for him to get up, "This way'" She led him out into the garden and stood facing him. "Well Mr Ranveer'care to tell me what you like to do and what you hate to do?"

Ranveer took a deep breath and said, "Well I like to work. I play tennis, basketball and swim in my spare time. I hate watching Indian movies and boring parties people have to celebrate for silly reasons."

"Well I love watching Indian movies and love parties too." Rano said while giggling.

When Ranveer remained quiet, Rano asked, "Do you want to ask me any questions?"

Ranveer shook his head. Rano smiled, "You are quite shy aren't you? Well I guess that is good, as I am quite a chatter box. " Rano took her glasses off, "Do you think I look pretty without my glasses? I hate wearing contacts." Ranveer coloured as he stared at Rano's face. She had beautiful eyes, that her glasses hid. He liked her without the glasses and thought the glasses made her look bit mature.

"You have beautiful eyes Rano. You shouldn't hide them behind your glasses." Ranveer said with a smile on his face. Rano flushed and felt a rush of butterflies in her stomach from the way he was looking at her. "Thanks." She said softly and put her glasses back on. Ranveer's nervousness vanished and he started to chat casually with her. They were both talking away when Jai came looking for them.

Jai cleared his throat, "Ranveer if you are done talking'we should leave soon." Jai winked at Rano, "I hope he hasn't been boring you. My brother can sometimes get tongue tied."

Ranveer glared at Jai, "Shut up bro'we had a nice chat. I am sure Rano wasn't bored."

Rano liked the little scene between the two brothers; it was nice to see brotherly affection on display.

XXXXX

Jai pulled out two beer bottles from the fridge and carried it upstairs with him to Ranveer's room. "Beer?" he asked Ranveer who was sprawled out on the bed, flicking at TV channels.

"Thanks." Ranveer said, as he twisted the cap off and took a sip.

Jai sat down beside him, "When do I get my thousand rupees?"

Ranveer arched his brow at Jai, "When did I say, I liked Rano?"

Jai grinned, "You don't have to'I know you do. The look you gave her when you said bye to her."

Ranveer blushed, he took a gulp of beer, "Ok'I do like her. Don't know why'she loves Indian movies and paryting." Ranveer said with a groan. Jai laughed, "Oh'I think I am going to like her too. She is not shy and speaks her mind."

Ranveer turned around and lay looking up at the ceiling, "Just because I like her'doesn't mean I have to marry her. May be you should, since you like her too."

Jai shook his head, "Yeah'I like her but not in that sense. She doesn't make my eyes go all gooey."

Ranveer sat up and looked seriously at Jai. "What do you think bhaiya? Is she right for me? What if I hate her after we get married? I mean she talks so much."

Jai put his hand on Ranveer's heart. "What happens here when you think of her?"

"It beats faster. I feel like am going to make a fool of myself in front of her by passing out." Ranveer said somberly.

"Well than I would say that you will never hate her. In fact you might already be falling in love with her."

"Crap'now what do I do?" Ranveer burst out.

"You go to sleep now and when you wake up in the morning and she is first thing that come to your mind, then go tell mom you like her and you want to marry her." Jai tousled Ranveer's hair and got up. "I am tired from the driving and going to bed now. Good night Ranveer."

XXXXX

A month later'Mt Abu'Engagement

"Didi'" Rano called out to her older sister Bani. Bani came away from the window where she had been staring outside. "Help me with the sari di'I can't do the pleats." Rano asked.

"You know I can't. Maa will not like it if I come anywhere near you." Bani said, her mouth twisted in slight anger.

Rano looked at her sister, dressed in white, with her short hair covered with the pallu of her sari. "She won't know. I will go and lock the door. You can help me than I will open." Rano moved towards the door, but Bani stopped her, "No Rano'let's not get maa mad today. I will send her up." Bani moved out of the room and Rano sat down, upset'that her sister was allowed to be part of her happiness.

Bani went downstairs and then sent Lata, one of the maids to go and tell Kiran that Rano wanted help with the sari. Lata pulled her face, "Chudail'samajti hai'uski ek hi beti hai." Bani reprimanded Lata for speaking bad about her mother, "Lata'aaj aisa nahi bolo'kuch subh subh bolo, Rano ki liye."

Lata hurried out and passed the message to Kiran. When she returned Bani was nowhere in the kitchen. Lata sighed, she hated Kiran treated Bani like her now'Bani was her first born child. How can a mother disown her just because she is a widow now?

Bani sat on the wall of rooftop terrace. She could glimpse the approaching SUV. She waited to see it stop in front of the house and see the family come out. From the photo Rano had shown her, she recognized Ranveer. He was shorter than his older brother by couple of inch, but still over six foot. He had fair skin and good facial features. Today dressed in a maroon and gold sherwani, he looked handsome. She saw Ranveer give his brother a nervous glance and she smiled, Rano had said that he was shy. Bani looked curiously at Jai, he was a lot darker than Ranveer and a little broader built, his face had an arrogant tone and he held himself very royally. Unlike Ranveer, Jai was dressed in a jet black Nehru collared suit.

Uday, Krishna, Jai and Ranveer moved towards the house and Bani moved away quickly before anyone can look up and spot her. She went down and sat in her room.

TBC'

Mera Vivaah II

Jai wandered around, he was bored now. Ranveer was busy with Rano and he didn't want to hang around them. His father and mother were busy discussing marriage dates etc with Nishikant and Kiran. He walked towards the stairs and started climbing them. Just as he reached the top he saw one of the maid knocking on a door, she had a plate of food in her hand. "didi open the door. I brought you some food."

He saw the door open and the maid walk in and the door close. Whoever was in there, Jai did not get a glimpse whoever was in the room. He carried up the next flight of steps onto the roof terrace and looked out at the view of the hills of Mt Abu. He didn't know how long he was up there but Nishikant came looking for him. "Jai…you are up here. Your father was looking for your downstairs. I hope you like our small town. Nothing like Mumbai…but the place has its own history and charm."

Jai stood up and smiled at Nishikant, "sorry you had come looking for me. Yes, it's very peaceful up here and you have a nice view." Jai followed Nishikant down the flight of steps. "why don't you go down Jai? I will see in a minute." Nishikant stepped aside to let Jai pass. Jai stopped on the step and turned to see Nishikant go towards the same door that he had seen the maid go in earlier. Nishikant opened the door and stand there, "sorry beta, you have to stay here…did you eat?" Jai heard a female voice answer back, "haan…don't worry, I understand you are busy."

Jai started going downstairs as he saw Nishikant coming out of the room. He did not want to be caught. He made his way to where his father was sitting. "Papa you were looking for me." Jai spoke sitting down next to his father. Uday smiled, "Nothing important, I couldn't see you and was wondering where you were. I don't see Ranveer around either. Your mother is feeling tired and I would like to leave for the hotel soon."

Jai took out his car keys, "Why don't we go to the hotel papa. I can always come back and pick up Ranveer later." Krishna smiled, "I don't know what I would do without you. At least I will still have you to take care of me. Ranveer is not even married and look at him, hasn't even come once to see us."

"Mom…leave him alone. You were dying to get him married and now he has just got engaged and you are cribbing about him."

Krishna pouted, "I am allowed the privilege now as mother-in-law to grumble." Uday stood up, "come on Krishna, let's us go and say bye to Nishikant and Kiran and then go."

Nishikant tried to get Uday to stay back for a while but gave in to Krishna's wishes to go and rest. Kiran went and brought Ranveer and Rano back. Both them looked guiltily at Krishna when she teased them about abandoning the family already. Rano bent and touched Uday and Krishna's feet and just folded her hands at Jai and smiled shyly. Jai leaned in closer to her and said softly, "I will be back in couple of hours, make sure he is ready to leave you. I don't like waiting around." Rano's cheek turned bright red and she just looked down.

Two hours later Jai drove back to Nishikant's house to pick up Ranveer. Ranveer and Rano were waiting with Nishikant and Kiran in the room. Jai smirked at Ranveer, who was standing away from Rano. They bid Nishikant, Kiran and Rano goodnight and promised they would drop in the next morning before they left for Mumbai.

In the car, Ranveer sighed as he sat back. He looked at Jai, who was concentrating on the road. "Bro…do you think dad would mind if I stayed back for couple of days?" Ranveer asked.

Jai didn't turn his head, but said teasingly, "Yes…why do you want to stay back?"

"You know why. I want to spend some time with Rano…you know before we get married. It's not as if I can drive down and see her whenever I want." Ranveer argued, his hands fidgeting with the seatbelt.

"Hey…I thought you spent enough time with her…where did you two disappear? I was so bored."

"No where particular. We were in her room and then we went down the trail at the back of their house which leads to a small lake."

"Sneaking off so you can be alone with her…tut…tut. Mom wasn't very pleased you know." Jai said in a serious tone. "She thinks she has already lost you to Rano."

Ranveer gave a morbid smile. "yeah…she was the one that was nagging me to start looking at girls."

"I have a question for you…can I ask?" Jai spoke with some concern In his voice.

"Go on then…don't know if I can give you an answer." Ranveer replied, his eyes fixed on Jai.

"Has Rano ever mentioned anyone else living in the house with them?"

Ranveer shook his head and then asked curiously, "Why do you ask? She never mentioned any other relatives staying with them."

Jai turned briefly and gazed at Ranveer. "Well it was funny, you see, I got bored and decided to wander around and I saw one of the maid take a plate of food in one room and then later, Nishikant talking to someone in the room. I didn't see whoever it is, but I think it's a female."

Ranveer shrugged, "Don't know bro…I am sure if it was a relative, we would have met them. Why would someone keep away from such a family occassion. I can Rano if you want to satisfy your curiosity."

Jai now shook his head, "No…better not let them think we are being nosy in their affair. Like you said, if it was a family member, we would have been introduced to them."

xxxxx

Jai sat on the bed with his laptop. He saw Ranveer out in the balcony on the cell phone, he smiled must be talking to Rano.

It was too early to sleep…Ranveer who never went to sleep before midnight. He slipped out on to the balcony when he saw Jai sitting down with his laptop. He called up Rano, "Hi Rano. What are you doing?" he asked.

"Nothing much. Actually if you want to know…gossiping about you." Ranveer heard a burst of giggle over the phone.

"Who with?" he demanded.

"No one you know." Rano gave a sharp reply.

"Is there anyone you hiding in that house of yours?" Ranveer ventured to ask, thinking of what Jai had said earlier.

There was a pause, "Why do you say that?"

"Just…well you said you were gossiping and I got curious with whom."

"Well if you want to know just my girl friends. They have been calling me up, dying to hear all about you. "

"What did you tell them?" Ranveer asked, wanting to hear what Rano had been telling her friends.

He was disappointed when he heard her laugh and then say, "I can't tell. It takes away the fun. And also I don't want you to have an inflated ego. Ranveer, did you ask about staying back?"

"Yes…asked bhaiya…he said no."

Rano upset and irritated, "Ranveer why can't you ask your parents? Why ask your brother?"

"Because bhaiya knows my papa very well. But maybe I can come down for a weekend soon or you can come to Mumbai."

Rano chuckled, "I come down and see my sasural before wedding. Maybe…let's see…only if you come down and see me first. You can even stay here…I don't think my father will mind."

"Anyway good night Rano. I shall see you tomorrow."

"I am not sleepy Ranveer, don't you want to talk anymore?" Rano asked, not wanting to end the call.

"I do, but bhaiya…his been watching me like a hawk for the last ten minutes." Ranveer said, catching Jai looking towards him through the balcony doors.

"Ok…tell bhaiya I hope he has pleasant dreams." Rano remarked and waited for the call to end.

"Bye Rano." Ranveer turned off the phone and stepped in. Jai smiled, "Talking to Rano…"

Ranveer nodded and flopped down on the other bed in the room. "How long are you going to work on your laptop?" he asked.

Jai arched his brow, "Why you want to go to sleep now? At home you are still in front of the TV at this time."

"yeah…that is home. And you forget we have to be up early tomorrow."

"Don't worry…I will get you up." Jai said as he turned his attention back to his laptop.

Ranveer sighed and turned on his back and stared at the ceiling.

XXXXX

Rano gave Bani an angry look, "Why did you go away? It was only Ranveer."

Bani sat down and pulled Rano's hair, "To give you some privacy silly girl…what do I want to listen to your conversation for."

Rano sighed and hugged Bani, "I missed you today. And I hate maa for this. I want to tell Ranveer about you. I think his family is not so backward thinking."

Bani wrapped her arms around Rani, "Don't worry your head about it. I am fine. He looks nice. I am happy for you. I have a gift for you." She handed Rano a small silk pouch. Rano opened and took out a pair of gold and ruby kundan earrings, "Di…I can't take this…this are yours."

"No Rano…I don't wear them. They are just locked away in the cupboard. I want you to have them. They used to be my favourite. It will be nice to see you wearing them." Bani held Rano's hand. "At least you will remember me when you look at them."

Rano started crying, "I don't this to remember you di. I will miss you everyday."

Bani wiped the tears springing up in her eyes and laughed softly, "You want have time to miss me or home…you will be so busy keeping Ranveer happy."

Rano blushed and her tears stopped as she spluttered, "Di…not you too..."

XXXXX

Jai smirked at Ranveer when Uday refused to allow him to stay back. Ranveer madly hissed at Jai, "Wait till you turn comes."

Jai rolled his eyes, "You'll be waiting for a long time."

They checked out of the hotel and drove off to Dixit residence. Jai parked his SUV as usual in front of the house. Jai's cell phone rang and he hung back to take the call. He leaned against the car as he talked on the phone. His eyes wandered around the garden which stretched out to the back of the house. A sudden flash hit corner of his eyes. He looked up towards the terrace and his eyes fixed on figure standing holding a thali and doing arti. Her face was half hidden by the pallu of her white sari. He watched fascinated, ignoring the caller on the phone. The woman put the thali down and then folded her hands, eyes closed, facing the sun.

Somewhere in the haze of his mind he heard a voice calling him, "Mr Walia…Mr Walia are you there?"

Jai shook his head and averted his gaze, "I am still here, sorry…can you repeat again?"

Paying attention to what was being said, Jai glanced up and saw that the woman was gone. He felt disappointed she was gone before he could see her face. Ten minutes later Jai entered the house, to find the family waiting for him before sitting down for breakfast.

Every one sat down at the table. Kiran helped serve the food with the help of the maids. Jai glanced curiously towards entrance of the room, wondering where this other woman he had seen on the roof was. Nishikant saw Jai glancing around and asked, "Do you need anything Jai?"

"No. Just looking." Jai looked at Nishikant and smiled. "Thank you for your hospitality Mr Dixit. You and your wife have been very gracious host." Jai added, trying to stop the everyone staring at him. Uday spoke up, "Yes Nishikant…Kiranji, thank you."

Kiran face lit up with pride, "No…thank yous…we are after all now going to sambhandis. Our home is yours now too. We hope Ranveer will come and stay with us now."

Krishna looked at Ranveer, "I am sure he will Kiran, I hope Rano can one day come and spend a day with us before marriage too. We would love her to come and see our home and see the city too."

Rano looked at her parents and then Krishna. She said, "Thank you mummy. I would love to visit your home."

Jai coughed, "What are planning to do after you get married Rano? You are not going to let your MBA go to waste."

"No Jai Bhaiya…I hope I can work…may be in your company or somewhere else. " Rano replied.

Jai grinned at Rano, 'You can come and work for me…no problem, just not in Ranveer's department."

Rano and Ranveer both blushed, as the rest of the family laughed at Jai's comment.

An hour later Uday and family said goodbye to Nishikant, Kiran and Rano. Jai looked up at the terrace as he waited for his parents and Ranveer to get in. There was no one up on the terrace, it stood empty in the brilliant sunshine.

TBC…

i like how u bought a social issue into this one, waiting for ur update eagerly :)