(September
21, 1980...)
(Night,
Handa Handa Haveli...)
Tu
toh gayi! Teri shaamaat aayi Geet puttar! What was the need to open your mouth
infront of Sarru? What if he complains to Papaji? She
twisted her lips contemplating that scenario. Not that Papaji would scold me. Humph! Mere papaji hain! Not his! But
Papaji will be disappointed na? They will say that Papaji did not teach his
daughters proper manners. She groaned and turned over. She never had any
problem in falling asleep ever. All you had to say was 'Geet, go to sleep' and
she would be off. But then today was an exceptional day.
What
a drama that Sarru is? Has he ever heard girls getting a choice in these
matters? But naturally I will marry whomsoever my Papaji chooses. What is the
point to ask me my opinion? As if it matters!
Nautanki!
Pretending to be so considerate when his acts are so shallow. If he was that
decent then why did he reject my Sameera Di only because of her looks?
She tossed on the bed and lay down on her stomach
clutching the pillow below here. Uff! How
will I spend my whole life with him? He doesn't even smile. The whole evening
he sat as if someone has kidnapped him and forced him to sit there. And such
boring tastes in clothes. Well turned out, but how old fashioned. Hayye rabba,
mera kee hoga!
She shut her eyes tight to force all thoughts out and
tried hard to sleep.
"Kakku?"
Geet felt the bed dip her as Sameera slipped in the
covers from behind.
"Can't sleep?"
Geet shook for head for a no as Sameera hugged her
from behind.
"Did Papaji talk to you today?"
Geet again signaled for a no.
"He will'tomorrow morning. But before that I want you
to know something. Alright?"
A nod for yes and Sameera braced herself to acquaint
Geet with some hard facts of their life.
"You know the truth about Nandini Di's marriage
right? It wasn't an easy decision for Papaji to do what he did. To agree to
marry his daughter to a widower and a father to a little boy must have been the
toughest decision for him ever. But it was not be so. Tougher decisions lay
ahead."
Geet turned to
look at her sister with eyes filled with questions.
"Then it was time to find an alliance for Anwesha Di
and with Di's classic looks it was soon that a match was suggested. And I am
not talking about Arjun jiju. This was before him. Things went as far as
engagement. All the shopping was done. Papaji was so happy. It almost made him
overcome the guilt of Nandini Di's marriage."
Geet never knew of this. She was too young when
Anwesha Di got married. "Then?"
"One month before marriage, a relative fo theirs came
from Canada and came to see Anwesha Di. And the moment she found that we have
no brother, that we are only five sisters, the marriage was called off."
"Hauu!"
"Papaji was devastated! He was completely broken. It
is a social stigma. No one marries a girl who has been rejected in such a
manner. That was when Nandini Di decided that if she gives birth to a boy, she
will give him to our parents. Nandini Di has been Papaji's support in every
sense of the word. It was a huge decision for her. And even more huge for
Papaji to take. Had Nandini Di not forced and Daman jiju assure Papaji of his
whole-hearted support we wouldn't have Lucky in our lives," she wiped Geet's
tears which were now spilling freely.
"This is the reason why Arjun jiju is so haughty and
high-headed. He considers it a favor he has bestowed on us. According to him
marrying a girl who was once rejected and then knowing the truth about Lucky
puts him on a pedestal. The pig! Truth be told he was smitten by Anwesha Di
from the very first glance. But admitting that makes him feel less of a man. As
if he is anywhere being one."
Sameera took a deep breath to reign in her temper.
She caressed Geet's face and went on to explain, "Marrying a girl well is a
dream of every father. Finding her a perfect groom is a matter of pride. Papaji
has been through a lot. But every step he takes is for us. Nandini Di has made
the ultimate sacrifice for us. For the rest of us to get married well and
fulfill Papaji's dreams. We can't let it go waste."
"But'"
"I know you are angry at Khuranas and especially Maan
for what happened with me. But we don't know for sure how things happened.
Maybe they had their reasons. Maybe it was simply how Fate worked to bring the two families together. But they seem good people Kakku. And today whatever I saw, I
can atleast say this that Maan is a man worth respecting. Compare it for
yourself how Arjun jiju reacted after hearing about Lucky and how the Khuranas
did. The way Maan did. Tell me truly if you have ever heard of a guy putting
the girl's interests before him?"
"Pata nahi'"
"Jhalli, think about it properly. But sleep now.
Okay?"
"Goodnight Di."
**********************************************************************
(September
22, 1980...)
(Early
Morning, Handa Haveli...)
Ajaipal couldn't stop beaming at his soon-to-be
samdhi. He was assured of a happy future for his son. Ajaipal did not need
explicit words to know how his son feels. He already knew how impressed he was
with Mohinder ji, how much he admired Ranjeeta ji. And how intrigued he was
with Geet.
Ajaipal knew that nothing easily catches Maan's
attention. It had to be something if it catches Maan's interest. And he was
sure a girl had never ever caught his son's attention before.
They were back at Handa Haveli for breakfast before
they left back for Chandigarh. The night was spent at Golden Temple's guest
room, Ajaipal being a very religious man who never would give up the
opportunity to visit the Gurudwara Sahib.
And this time he had every reason to visit the Gurudwara Sahib and thank the Almighty.
**********************************************************************
Mohinder Lal was a proud man today. For the first
time he truly felt that he has accomplished his duty as a father successfully.
That this time he will finally be able to get at least one of his daughters to
a perfect life partner.
And to add to his happiness was Geet's wholehearted
acceptance of his decision. Till last evening he was of the opinion that Geet
was only going through the ceremony and celebrations out of duty and obligation
towards him. But surprisingly, today morning when he spoke to her he found
himself assured by her of her complete acceptance of the match. She even spoke
how much touched she was with the loving gestures of Savitri ji and how much
she came to admire Ajaipal ji for his good heart. This was enough to calm
Mohinder's fears and he swelled with pride and happiness.
If Mohinder did not wonder about her feelings towards
Maan then that was merely because such matters were not given much
consideration the social settings of those days. If the family was good, the
son-in-law to-be was naturally assumed
to be a gem. And such matters were more of a concern of the mothers, who could
command the ease in discussing a daughter's expectation from her future
husband.
All he knew that he had for once been able to truly provide for a bright and safe future for his one daughter atleast.
**********************************************************************
It was an open courtyard stirred with cool breeze and
fragrances of fresh flowers of their garden. On a day like this one would often
find the Handa sisters dancing around out here. It was a day to be spent
playing and laughing.
Not
standing like a statue with Sarru Singh Khurana here,
Geet mentally grumbled.
Last night was a shock to her system. She never knew
such a grave crisis had gripped her family. She only knew that Nandini Di had given
Lucky to them because she had wished to see her parents have a son. Geet had
always found it odd, but then who was she to interfere in what the elders
decide. Whatever must have been the reasons, must have been have well-thought
out.
And turns out she was right. The reasons were
compelling enough. Had she been in Nandini's place, even she would have done
the same. As saddened she was with all that had transpired, she was proud of
her family.
Her family, their experiences have been key factors
in making her what she is as a person. Geet had never had any inclination to
set her own standard. She simply followed the path that she saw her elders
taking and believed it to be an exemplary way to lead life. Simple, honest and
least expectations from anyone or anything.
And that how she will deal with this marriage of
hers. Zero expectations. Babaji will set out whatever is best for her.
But before that she has to know one thing about this
man with whom she was to spend rest of her life with.
**********************************************************************
Maan was finding his
current situation very amusing and captivating. He was standing next to the
woman, no...girl, with whom he was to
spend the rest of his life.
Ankh main khamoshi, labon pe sawal, rukh pe
sadgi
kaise kaise rang hain is tasveer main [Ahmed Faraz]
They were sent off
to see the Haveli with conniving smiles from both their parents. A situation
Maan just wasn't comfortable with. Firstly, Maan just wasn't the kinds to gush
over interiors. He could appreciate the physics of the structure, masonry and carpentry
being his hobby subjects in IMA, but he wasn't adept in complimenting when a
curtain matched the upholstery of the furniture. Secondly, it was just plain
awkward.
Or maybe he could
use this opportunity fruitfully. Yesterday was quite amusing. The girl whom he
feared might turn out a mute, subservient female had actually turned out to be
quite a spirited girl. In his perusal of catching her expression, he mistook it
for meekness what was rather controlled resentment.
However, today was
slightly calm. She wasn't simpering beneath her exterior like yesterday but still he could feel a disquiet emanating
from her. Maybe he could clear whatever ambiguity clouded her thoughts
regarding their future equation.
Or maybe he should
give her time to open up at her own comfort.
He saw as she
finally overcame hesitation and turned towards him with an inquiring gaze.
"I wanted to ask
something very important," she let out in a rushed breath.
**********************************************************************
"You said it should
matter."
"Your opinion? Yes."
"That is what you
believe?"
Maan was completely
drawn into the conversation by now, wondering where it was to lead, "Yes."
Geet wondered how to
proceed ahead. "Umm...if you are that progressive in your thoughts'I mean if all
this holds weightage for you...woh..."
Maan sighed seeing
her stuck at the same point. "Bolo Geet?"
"Why did you reject
my Sameera Di only based on her looks? Do you know she is the best? Even better
than me! Skin color does not determine character," she grimaced at him albiet
avoiding his eyes.
Is this what her resentment was all about?
Did she not know he wasn't even involved with the whole bride-hunt craze his
mother was set on? Apparently not, Maan pursed his lips.
"Geet, had I been
the one selecting the girl I was to marry, it would probably have been your
sister. But I was not that person who had any inclination to marry. I am simply
the son who agreed to marry whichever girl they selected," he saw her frown at
his words. "And you were the girl I was informed that they wanted as their
daughter-in-law."
The truth of his
words dawned on her and her strongly held prejudice against him started to slip away. Her
mind went blank.
"Oh..."
"Geet..."
"Umm...I think Ma is
calling. I have to go."
And once again she
ran away as fast as she could.
**********************************************************************
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