Kaliren (Maaneet ff) updated on pg69/ 3may - Page 11

Originally posted by: euphoric

Teaser

, "Baraat aa gayi"

Love,

Sonia

Serenity and peace, was all that she observed as she soaked the chilled morning air that made her feel fresh and rejuvenated. She looked at the houses that passed by as the rickshaw driver pulled the car through the streets. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled the fragrance of the air allowing her senses to feel the radiance of life around her as she shut her eyes for a moment to feel the caresses of the breeze on her skin and completely ignored the non-stop banter of the two grown up girls sitting right beside her. Her lips adorned a small smile while her eyes twinkled as she made an attempt to hug herself in an attempt to keep herself warm and looked keenly around the mildly foggy streets. No, she was not coming here for the first time but nonetheless, the simplistic beauty of the place never ceased to amaze her. She loved Amritsar since her childhood. She smiled as she remembered how her mother used to hold her finger and lead her into the market whenever they visited the city. She wished she could stay back and not go back to the hustle and bustle of ever speeding city of Delhi. From the corner of her eyes she looked at the girls and shook her head as she remembered the time when she used to be the same. Carefree and dynamic! But not everything goes as planned, right?… she sighed but then smiled again. For it had been a long time since she made peace with herself… why see the glass empty when it was half full? If this is what it was meant to be… then be it! She had accepted it and modified herself to fit into frame that was her identity. She was Geet… Geet Handa and she would live, happy and proud… no matter what! As the thought crossed her mind a look of conviction spread over her face and she smiled looking at the streets once again.

"Di… dekho na Pinky ko, mujhe tang kar rahi hai" complained one of the two girls as they too covered their heads. "Meera ki bachchi… meri shikayat na kar di se… nahi toh teri saari pol khol doongi" Pinky threatened as they stepped inside the gates and walked towards the shrine to seek Babaji's blessings. It was a big day after all that was to embark a new journey of togetherness forever. Geet smiled as she saw the girls bickering and chuckled slightly when she saw Meera pouting at that, "That's not fair. Kam se kam aaj ke din toh mujhe dhamki mat de" she innocently pleaded. Pinky stuck her tongue at that and Meera made a baby face yet again. Silently watching over the two, she couldn't help but smile as they pulled each other's legs and laughed in a carefree manner that made her heart swell with contention. As they reached in front of the Babaji, the three girls bowed their heads, shut their eyes and prayed.

Once they walked out, Meera and Pinky began their banter again. "Pinky, until and unless you wrote something comprehensible in your answer sheets, don't expect much from Babaji. I mean woh tere liye tere exam papers thodi likhenge" Meera teased. Pinky squinted her eyes, "Very funny! Aur tu… tune kya…" she began but was cut off instantly, "Uff ho… tum dono bhi na… jab dekha shuru ho jate ho. Pinky, Meera… grow up! You are not kids anymore!" Geet chided. "Di… aap toh abhi se mumma ke jaise baatein karte ho" Pinky complained. Meera clicked her tongue, "Di iski baaton pe dhyan mat do… aap batao na aapne kya maanga?" she asked and was rewarded by a smile. But it was Pinky who spoke, "Di ne kya maangna hai… unhone ne toh mumma papa se leke, mere liye… tere liye… yahan tak ke Africa ke jungle main rehne wale tribes tak ke liye sab maang liya hoga… sirf khud ko chod ke" Pinky snorted at the last bit.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

A servant carrying a tray of refreshments walked past the women in the house to serve the drinks to the men who were preparing for the grand evening, outside the haveli. It was after all a big day… the day when the daughter of the house was going to start a new life… the day she was going to be married. The living room of the haveli opened to the well-trimmed lawn that had series of bushes and flowers marking the boundaries of the haveli. A gazebo was being set in the middle of the lawn and several men were throwing instructions as the place was being set. Some were busy decorating the main entrance to the lawn while others were shooting instructions on the decorators. Celebrations were in the air and just near the gates, a few labourers hoisted a signboard that read in flowery pattern, Meera Raheja weds Yash Singhania.

"Meera… abhi kyun Sharma rahi hai? Yash jiju nahi hain yahan" Pinky teased Meera again while she pouted, calling out to Geet who was busy looking after the guests. "di… dekho na pinky ko" she winced. "Na baba… main nahi bolne wali tum dono ke beech main… aur waise bhi teri best friend hai na… tu hi sambhal" Geet winked and turned when an elderly female called her, "Arre Geet, tum bhi toh aake betho… kab se bas kaam karne main lagi ho" Geet smiled in return, "Aati hoon aunty ji… bas bahar kuch snacks bhejne the… bas thodi der main aayi" said that she exchanged knowing glance with Pinky before walking away from there. "teri baari aane de… dekh loongi tujhe" Meera whimpered, bringing Pinky back to her surroundings and in reply she smeared some more turmeric paste on her cheeks.

Just then a sleek black Mercedes came to a stop outside the main gates of the Haveli and a man dressed in formals stepped out of it. Clad in black trousers, blue shirt and a black waistcoat, he symbolized style and taste. Black glares in place, he looked at the watch and then removing the glares he looked at the Haveli before turning back to pick up something from inside the car. Holding a silver metallic box in hand, he walked towards the gates in a confident gait. He walked inside and looked around to take a glimpse at the preparations and then turned to spot the man he had come to sought. Spotting the old man sitting on the huge swing playing with a couple of kids and he made his way towards the man smiling just a little. No sooner than the old man saw him, he got up from the swing, "Maan Puttar…" he said and came towards the man he had just addressed. Maan bend down to take his blessings before he handed the box to the man. "Dada ji, yeh jewelery Yash ki Mom ne aapko dene liye kaha tha" he said politely. The old man thanked him and accepted the box. After exchanging general pleasantries, Maan turned to leave but Dada ji, Meera's grandfather insisted him to wait for a while. While they were talking, Maan's phone buzzed and he excused himself politely and Dadaji went away to arrange for the snacks, giving him some privacy.

"Yeh kya hai? Yeh snacks toh bilkul thande hain… is this how you are going to serve them?" Geet stood in the backyard, reprimanding the waiter who was holding a tray of pakodas in his hands. She had come to look over the catering arrangements and arrange for some snacks to be sent to the men who were working outside in the lawn. Just as this waiter was about to walk out with the tray, Geet came across him. "Ma'am… we just made them a while before" the waiter defended himself. "Really? yeh aapka a while before, kitni der pehle tha?" Geet asked placing a hand on her waist. "Ma'am these are fresh" waiter defended again. "Ek toh galati karte ho upar se bahane banate ho… abhi toh ghar ke log hain… shaam ko jab guests aayenge tab kya? chaddo… main tum se kyun argue kar rahi hoon… I want to talk to your manager… kahan hai woh?" she asked. "Ji, he just walked towards the lawn to set up the counter tables" the waiter gestured towards the front yard. "Hmm" she huffed and taking the tray from him, she walked around the haveli to see the manager, when she spotted him standing in the shade talking to someone on the phone.

"What!" he bellowed in anger, confusion written all over his face. "Itna attitude kisse dikha rahe ho?" she charged again as he gaped at the girl in front of her. "Mind your language miss" he warned. "Oh Hello! Who the hell do you think you are to talk to me like that?"she yelled back. "And who do you think you are Miss Lousy little ill-mannered stewardess" he scoffed. Her jaws fell open, "What! You… you… how dare you… main… main tumhari complain kar doongi" she warned, wagging her finger in his face. "Meri complain?" he asked placing his hands on his hips. "Haan… to your catering company!" she said with fervor, contended about cornering the atrocious man. He eyed her for a moment, "Catering Company? Are you Insane?" he roared again ready to blow a fuse incensed by the audacity of the girl in front of him. Was this girl nuts? "Aur nahi toh kya… what kind of a staff have they hired… baat karne ki tameez tak nahi hai… aur toh aur… do I look like a waitress?" she said looking at her attire.

And so she began her tirade by admonishing the catering manager for the poor show his staff was presenting while Maan looked at her, astonished. While he heard her bash the manager, he felt slightly offended when he realized that she had mistaken him for a this catering manager as he eyed the appearance of the man! Did he look like a catering manager now? He thought while he shot her a defiant stare, though not before looking down at himself once. When she finished, Maan saw the manager apologizing and turning back with the snacks those were now lying unattended in a corner while she turned to go back inside the house. Feeling his stare at her back, Geet turned to look at him once shooting daggers at him through her eyes before stomping back inside. He rolled his eyes, before he left the place to go back to the house of his best buddy and groom – Yash Singhania.

As the day rolled on, loaded with various responsibilities, Geet completely forgot about the small clash. She was all over the house taking care of the pre-wedding preparations, cross-checking the list of essential stuff… overlooking the catering staff… completely immersing herself in work. She hardly sat for more than a few seconds before she was seen handling something or the other. No… she was not related to Meera… Meera was only her sister Pinky's best friend but for Geet, she was like her own sister. While Meera was completing her graduation in Delhi with Pinky, the girl was a frequent visitor at the Handa's and soon enough Meera developed a familial rapport with all of them. And when Meera broke the news of her marriage, the family was just too happy. However, due to some former commitments, they couldn't make it for the marriage but Geet came along with Pinky to participate in the happiness of a girl whom she had come to love like her own sister. And since then, Geet had voluntarily taken the charge of the wedding on her shoulders. She was handling the whole arrangements single-handedly, ensuring everything was in place. Meera's family, the Rahejas' were only too grateful and touched by her gesture and her innocence.

Before anyone realized, it was evening… the setting sun had only thrown the house into hullabaloo. The beautifully decorated haveli and the lawn were lit in an attempt to defy the darkness of the night. People dressed in elaborate dresses, soaked themselves in the delight of the event. A group of girls, stood in a corner, giggling and sharing jokes amongst them. Kids ran around the place often earning a smack or two that however failed to dampen the young spirits. A few elders sat in a corner discussing rituals and celebrations that were suppose to take over the night. The tastefully done lawn was slowly starting to fill up with the guests. Men wearing shervanis and pink turbans were busy playing perfect hosts, greeting the guests, offering them drinks and appetizers as the waiters made regular rounds in the lawn. The beautiful gazebo was decorated in Pink and white flowing fabric and looked strikingly beautiful as it stood in its brilliance and the fabric shimmered in the dark. Exquisite flowers formed patterns on the four pillars of the structure. A fire place was set in the centre of it and a priest sat in front of it, carefully looking over the crucial things that he would be requiring to conduct the ceremony.

The rest of the guests broke into a smile and scurried to the entrance to see the grandeur of the groom as he approached the bride's place in all his glory. An over excited lad, rushed into the house and screamed at the top of his voice, "Dulhaa aa gayaa… Dulhaa aa gayaa" and then ran back outside to join the people at the entrance of the lawn. The people in the house dropped the chores they were tending to… the discussions were left midway as everyone quickly made their way out towards the lawn beaming with excitement.

And as the Pinky teased Meera a little more, "Geet… Geet…" they heard someone calling and the lady who has earlier beckoned Geet to participate in the Haldi ceremony came in elegantly dressed in a saree. "Beta main poochne aayi thi ki Meera taiyar…" the woman stopped short as her eyes fell on Meera who coyly stood up to face the woman who had just come in. Love and admiration filled her anxious eyes as she came over to girls and leaned in to affectionately kiss Meera's forehead. Geet and Pinky looked on with a smile. "Baba ji tujhe har khushi de" the woman blessed Meera as tears glazed her eyes. "Mumma please…" Meera said gently shaking her head asking her mother not to cry yet again. Geet smiled to herself understanding the state of the mother, whose daughter was to get married and begin a new life in just sometime. "Aaj meri beti sach much bohut pyari lag rahi hai" she said in a voice choked with emotions and to lighten the atmosphere, Pinky chimed, "Kyun nahi Aunty ji? After all isse meri Geet di ne jo taiyaar kiya hai" Meera squinted her eyes at Pinky who simply stuck her tongue out. Geet and Meera's mom chuckled at the exchange. Meera's mom then turned to Geet and said, "Geet bete ab tum bhi jaake taiyaar ho jao. (turning towards Pinky) and Pinky, you stay with Meera, I'll soon come to fetch her" Pinky nodded in obedience while Meera's mom left the room. After readjusting Meera's dupata, Geet too excused herself to get ready.

As everyone welcomed the groom-party, Maan stood by Yash looking on as the rituals took place. He was dressed in a brown coloured shervani with just a little thread work near the collar. The stroll resting around his neck completed his look making him the most desirable hunk of the evening. He was aware of the looks he garnered from the females around him and couldn't help but wonder how anyone could pass him to be a catering company employee in the first place. Deep in thoughts, he didn't realize when his eyes started searching for someone in the crowd until he felt Yash nudge him gently asking him to walk in alongside as the welcoming rituals came to an end.

As they walked into the lawn, they proceeded towards the gazebo where Meera and Yash were already seated in front of the holy fire. The ceremony had already begun. The priest was chanting the mantras while Meera and Yash performed the rituals with utmost dedication and reverence. Everyone happily witnessed as the young couple took their seven vows and pledged to stay together forever through the journey of their lives. A huge grin was plastered across Pinky's lips while Geet smiled, genuinely happy for Meera. "Baba ji... is rishte ko manzil dena… har sapne ko poora karna" she prayed with her eyes shut.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

"Bete, what are you doing? Sit among the girls" Meera's mom encouraged as Geet came to her. Geet looked around and instantly understood what was going on. Pinky smiled at Geet too but Geet gave her a firm look and Pinky bowed her head again, but to hide her disappointment this time, giving up on her sister's adamant stance. "Thanks Aunty ji… but woh mujhe dinner ki arrangement check karni thi" Geet said politely not wanting to appear rude. After all she couldn't tell Meera's mom that as far as she was concerned these rituals mattered nothing to her. She didn't want to mock any rituals when she didn't believe in them. Dreams were not meant for her. But then she heard, "Koi aur dekh lega… tum aao yahan" Meera's mom insisted. Couple of other girls too had missed their chance at getting the kaliren. And as if on cue, someone called her and Geet inwardly thanked her and smiled at Meera's mom who frowned in response not happy with the development. "I'll be back auntyji" she said and turned to step outside the circle of girls. Just then, her foot got stuck in the carpet on the floor. Attempting to break her fall, Geet bend forwards and tried to regain her posture.

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