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Chapter 28
Giving up Us, for You – Part 2
(August, 1982…)
(Amritsar…)
"So
these are the great Khuranas," Jugnu sneered.
"Hmm,"
Brij replied, "Arjun was right. Mohinder has landed himself a big fish."
"Damn
this Mohinder!" Jugnu cursed under his breath. "With relatives these important
he will never fall under our schemes."
Both men
were standing in a corner looking at the Khuranas mingle with the Handas. It
was an amicable environment between both the families. Rano was introducing her
sister to Savitri, Maan and Dev were playing with Lucky, Nayantara and Nandini
were bonding like sisters with Sameera and Meera keeping chit-chat merry. And
both the patriarchs were deep into discussion like long lost friends.
"True,"
Brij contemplated, "Why would Mohinder agree to our plans if he has no material
obligations weighing on him? With Geet getting married into this family, half
of his obligations are over and whatever pressure we could create would be
taken care of by Chaudhary Khurana for sure."
"I must
get hold of that land Brij paahji. You know how bad my condition is in Canada."
Jugnu directed a contempous glance at Mohinder and Geet. She had come in with a
tray of glasses and was serving lassi* to the newly arrived guests. Like expected she first went and served her future
father-in-law. A proud Mohinder beamed at his daughter's prudent action. He
laid a loving hand on her head when she turned and offered him the next glass.
Jugnu just glared harder at the father-daughter pair. "I don't even have the luxury
of having my Rajji married in a rich family."
"Hmm,"
Brij replied lost in thought.
Geet was
still serving lassi to everyone and had at last moved to Maan. Brij keenly
watched the couple as Maan picked the glass offered and Geet stood before him
holding the tray. When they moved, it was a second too late. Neither broke the
decorum. Nor did they let the moment just pass.
"How
about I offer you a solution that kills two birds with one stone?"
Brij
turned towards Jugnu with an evil smile cast on his face.
**********************************************************************
"If you
were that thirsty then you should have picked two glasses Maan."
Maan let
out a little cough as Dev came and stood next to him. He knew he was in for a
nice leg-pulling session by his jijaji now.
"What?!
I am not thirsty. What made you say that Jijaji?"
"Bachu,
I know very well how thirsty you are. Pretending to drink and looking slyly
over the rim of the glass at your fianc is the oldest trick in the book. Don't
forget your jijaji was engaged once too," Dev winked at Maan.
Maan
chided himself for being too obvious. But how was he to help himself? For the
first time she had smiled at him not merely because it was her habit to do so.
It felt as if that particular smile was meant just for him. I just wanted to analyze the reason behind
it, he tried to convince his own self.
"I was
not doing anything of that sort Jijaji," he rolled his eyes at the glee Dev was
exhibiting at catching him red-handed.
"Koi na
saale sa'ab, lage raho. Keep your eyes glued on your fianc only though" Dev
grinned, 'don't even look your mother by mistake. She looks as if she would
have your pheras right here as soon as you even glance at her."
Maan
groaned and shook his head.
**********************************************************************
"Should
I go serve lassi once more?"
"No."
"Oh-kay…so
should I take tea?"
"No."
"Maybe I
should go serve snacks."
Sameera
stopped rolling the dough and turned to look at Geet.
"Kakku…what
has gotten into? Why are you being so over-enthusiastic to serve the guests?"
"Aevin
Sammy Di," Geet murmured, "just doing my duty."
"Jee
Sammy Di," Meera snorted, "duty towards her future hubby dearest."
Sameera
and Meera hi-fived each other seeing Geet go red with embarrassment.
"Nooo…why
are you being mean to me!! Why would I do anything for Sarru Singh Khurana?"
"Sarrruuuu,"
both elder sisters squealed hearing the word.
Emboldened
by their laughter and insecure with their teasing Geet egged on, "Haan bilkul.
Have you ever seen him smiling? Sarru hi taan hai."
"Chal
nautanki," Sameera caught her breath, "that Sarru has you impressed Kakku.
Don't try hiding it from us."
"Nonesense!"
Geet huffed, "impressed hove meri jutti. Chal Lucky, lets go play outside." She
grabbed Lucky, who was blissfully indulging in his samosas, and stormed out of
the kitchen.
**********************************************************************
"Am I
sarru?"
"Hmm…hai
taan sahi"
"Tara
Di!!"
"Bol
Veer?"
"Tell me
seriously?"
"That's
the thing Maan," Nayantara sighed, "you take everything seriously."
Maan
frowned at his sister's words and turned his back towards her with arms crossed
over his chest.
His
father had expressed a desire for a glass of lassi and Maan had immediately set
out to fetch it for him. But before he could step into the kitchen his ears
caught on to the praises being showered on him by the girl he was engaged to.
Instantly
he turned around and stormed right to his sister asking her to get the lassi.
Nayantara, who could easily read her brother's mood, quickly cajoled the reason
behind his scowl.
"This is
the way I am!"
"And
there is nothing wrong in it Veer," Nayantara smiled at his adamancy, "and even
she didn't mean it in a derogatory manner."
"How can
you say so?"
"Because
I was once engaged to a stranger too," Nayantara laughed, "ask your Jijaji if
you don't believe me."
"Ask me
what?"
Dev came
and stood next to his wife.
"Ke
tussi sarru ho," Nayantara poked a finger in his chest.
Dev
grabbed her hand and pulled her close, "Par sirf tuhada hun." [But I am only
yours]
Nayanatara
tapped his hand away and went to get the glass of lassi that Maan had requested
for.
"Kakke,"
Dev slapped Maan's back, "I think I have fallen in love again."
Already weary
of the public display of affection and incensed by the use of his nickname, he
shot back, "And I think I have fallen sick."
"Just
wait till you get married saale sa'ab."
Maan
looked back at his Jijaji and squared his shoulders.
"So you
have decided."
"Yes."
"Think
about it Maan."
"I do
not call it a decision unless I have thought about it thoroughly Jijaji."
"But is
your decision right?"
**********************************************************************
"Come
Lucky lets play cricket," Geet dragged Lucky to a corner of the hall.
"Inside
the house?"
"Nahi?"
Geet gave some thought and then suggested, "Then let's just play 'catch the
ball'. You stand there and I will stand here."
"Kakku
Di," Lucky looked on incredulously at his sister, "Ma says no playing with ball
inside the house."
"Oh!
Okay! How about hopscotch? You like that, don't you?"
"You
will draw the hopscotch table inside the hall? Sammy Di will kill you. Let's go
outside and play." Lucky replied.
"But its
so hot outside…and…and Ma might need my help in the function…if we will go
outside then how will I come to know if she calls me for something?"
Lucky
looked at his sister as if she had gone crazy, "Do you even want to play or
not? And why are looking at Maan paahji again and again? Do you want to play
with him? Wait I will go call him…"
"Lucky…no…wait…"
**********************************************************************
Savitri
was in her element.
She was
basking in the respect that was being bestowed on her by Rano, beaming in the
praises showered on her son by Gurvinder and secretly gloating in her victory.
She was
getting her son married soon.
Everything
was falling in place. Maan came home at the right time. He did not object to
her plans even once. And most importantly even her husband seemed to agree with
her. Both father and son had not objected to her even once.
Infact
Ajaipal had gone a step ahead and said that they would make an important
announcement today.
She was
definitely getting her son married soon.
Finally I will have my bahu at home with me!
She suddenly
saw Geet running after Lucky and heading straight to where Maan stood. As soon
as Lucky came and stood next to Maan, Geet grabbed his mouth from behind and
started to take Lucky away.
Savitri
hurried to where they were standing.
**********************************************************************
"Rukko
Geet," Dev called out laughing at her and Lucky's antics as Maan looked on
perplexed at both, "let Lucky say what he wants?"
"Lucky
is mad Dev paahji," Geet shook her head, "he keeps saying things he shouldn't."
Dev
passed a look at Maan and then at Geet, "Then maybe I should listen to it
separately. We wouldn't want others to hear things they shouldn't."
He
grinned mischievously and took Lucky away winking at him to stay quiet.
An
awkward pause ensued.
"Umm…Sat
Sri Akal," Geet wished.
Still
sour from the sarru comment Maan rolled his eyes, "You wished me already."
As
oblivious as ever, she shrugged and replied in her careless manner, "That
was for everyone altogether."
"So
this is for me particularly?"
"Hanji."
And then
she realized what she was blabbering. Eyes wide she turned to leave when…
"Bitto,"
Savitri crooned, "how are you? Won't you speak to your Chaiyyiji?"
Geet
ducked her head down and stood next to Savitri, "Jee."
Savitri
was holding tightly to Maan's arm to avoid his escape as Geet came and stood
next to her.
"I just
can't wait for the day you shall get married and be the badi bahu of Khurana
family," Savitri pinched Geet's chin, "and I am sure you are equally too, right
Bitto?"
Both
Maan and Geet went red in face, albeit for different reasons. One was consumed
with anger, other was inflamed with embarrassment.
"Main?!
Main…ohh…"
And in
true filmy fashion, destiny's favorite couple was saved.
"Maaan…"
Ajaipal bellowed. "Come here son…"
"Kakkuuu…"
Nandini called out, "would please come and help me…"
**********************************************************************
"Married!!"
"Haan
Kakku…"
"Me!!"
"Haan
Kakku…"
"So
soon!!"
"Haan
Kakku…oops...Di…"
Geet
glared at Lucky and his faux pas, "Oye Lucky de bachche…chal daffa ho…"
As Lucky
ran out to save him from his sister's wrath, Geet turned and glared at her
giggling sisters.
"This is
not fair," she pouted, "you are not supposed to laugh at me!!"
"Kakku,"
Sameers replied, "why are you being such a baby? Anyone who gets engaged
eventually does get married," she ended the jibe in peals of laughter.
"I know
that Di!"
Geet
sighed and perched atop their dining table. Due to the function the dining
table had been shifted to the gallery that led to the back of the house from
the main hall. A wooden screen had been put between to separate the function
area and the gallery. Also it helped conceal the dining table from the view.
"I know
I have to get married. It's just that I am not ready yet. I had always seen
myself completing my higher studies first and then later getting married."
"I
understand what you mean," Sameera concurred, "after what happened with Anwesha
Di, Bauji had resolved that no matter what we would first complete our higher
studies and then get married. The idea was so firm in his mind that it got
instilled in our hearts too."
"Exactly
Di," Geet slid on the table and leaned against the wall, "but maybe things have
changed now."
"Koi na
Kakku," Meera tried to cheer her sister up, "Ma says that Babaji will always
choose the right path for us."
Geet
smiled at Meera and nodded with hope shining in her eyes.
**********************************************************************
What is it with me today?!!
Maan
groaned as he made his way towards Dev.
Why am I in the wrong place at the wrong time
always?!!
All he
had wanted was to escape his mother's clutches and find few moments of respite
for himself. A few moments to be alone with his thoughts.
With
that intention he had discreetly relegated himself to the back of the hall.
Towards
the gallery.
That led
to the back of the house.
That was
blocked with a wooden screen.
Only to
be the innocent eavesdropper again.
He let
out a sigh; I didn't need one more thing to add to my headaches.
He
spotted his jijaji and strode with determination towards him.
"Jijaji,"
Maan whispered as he neared Dev, "you had asked me whether my decision was
right or not?"
Dev
looked squarely back in Maan's eyes and awaited the answer he already
anticipated.
"It is!"
**********************************************************************
"Savitri,"
Aj
aipal called out to his wife, "come I think we should speak to Mohinder ji
now."
As
Mohinder looked on quizzically at Ajaipal's sudden announcement, Savitri
quickly came and stood next to her husband. From outside she was all springy
and bouncy even though she managed to keep a calm and dignified pose outside.
Ajaipal
signaled Maan to come over.
"Mohinder
ji," Ajaipal began as the rest of the family started gathering around too, "we
have a request to make regarding our children's marriage. Right Savitri?"
"Jee
bilkul," an excited Savitri replied.
"Then
should I announce it or will you?"
"Tussi
keh do Sardar ji," Savitri played the dutiful wife to the T, "I just follow
your wishes."
"Then in
that case I wish that Maan says it himself," Ajaipal replied.
She
found this odd but decided to stay quiet. After all her wish was going to come
true. Never matter how it unfolds.
Mohinder
looked at Maan expectantly, a little worried from inside. A father of a girl
cannot be at ease until the final moment till she is actually married. "Bolo
Maan puttar," he prompted Maan.
Maan
looked at his father for approval and then turned towards Mohinder, "Bauji,
there is nothing to worry and nothing to big to announce. Its just that I have
been posted to Sikkim and that would push everything two years forward."
"We
wanted you to know this Mohinder ji incase you felt the wait would be too
long," Ajaipal offered the explanation, "or if you will feel that our son is
not worth the wait. Army is a risky profession after all. You would know that
clearly. Geet is like a daughter to me. I wouldn't want to create obstacles in
her life and dreams."
Mohinder
eyes clouded over with tears of relief and happiness, "Please don't say such
things Chaudhary jee. My daughter is a soldier's daughter too. She understands
the sacrifices that have to be endured. And we would wait with pride for our
son to come back home. He is worth every second of the wait."
**********************************************************************
"See everything went so smoothly," Dev
chuckled, "you and your damn headaches!"
"I still
don't understand why Darjee had to play such a trick on Chaiyyiji," Maan shook
is head, "my decision was already made even before I came here. We could have
just told Chaiyyiji last night itself. Not that she had given us a chance to
say anything. But we could have. Atleast we could have told her in the car
today."
Maan
looked at his mother who stood fuming under a tree. They were on their way back
to Chandigarh and had stopped over for a break at a dhabba. It would be an
understatement to say that Savitri was pissed at her husband and son. She was
just on the verge of going ballistic. If it wasn't for the pride that she held
on to steadfastly she would have given into her rage there and then at the
Handas. Even now she was just a doemant volcano ready to erupt. Maan wasn't
fooled by her silence. The fumes gave her away.
"My
headache is still persistent jijaji," Maan sighed, "this is exactly what triggered
it off. My decision was made. I was only worried about Mohinder bauji's
reaction. I do not want to be the cause of their worry. I didn't want to do any
wrond by them. And then I overheard Geet and her sisters. My decision was
re-affirmed. I also remembered the promise I had made at my rokka. The marriage
shall not take place till Geet completes her higher studies. She is not
prepared for this right now. In a way, even I am not prepared for this next
step in my life. I need time. She needs time. This posting is god-sent. Atleast
Bauji will have a legitimate reason to stall the wedding. Even Chaiyyiji won't
be able to do anything about it. I only wish we had not tricked her this way. What
was Darjee thinking?"
"Your
Darjee had his reasons, son," Ajaipal came up from behind.
Maan
looked at his father reverentially, "I know you do Darjee. I am not questioning
that. But I do wish I knew that reason."
Ajaipal
patted Maan's shoulder with affection, "I let your mother have her way more
often than I should. Many times I cannot help but wonder that maybe it's my
lack of interest that has turned as atrocious as she is. And anyways," Ajaipal
smirked, "I am allowed to harass her a little too, aren't I?"
And for
the first and probablt only time Maan saw his father wink.
"Wow!"
Dev whistled as Ajaipal made his way back to the car, "I never knew my
father-in-law could be so devious. I bow to him." He mock-bowed in Ajaipal's direction.
"I think
I am dreaming," a stunned Maan spoke up.
"I think
you are just making an excuse to think about Geet," Dev replied.
"Where
did Geet come from in this conversation?"
"Aevin,"
Dev shrugged, "I just wanted to get a rise from you."
"Jijaji!!"
"By the
way, how was the farewell?"
Maan's
mind drifted back to the moment when they were leaving for Chandigarh and were
saying their good-byes. She had stood behind her eldest sister and mouthed a
soft bye. And now that his jijaji had posed this question, he could only
recall William Shenstone's quote, so sweetly she bade me adieu, I thought
that she bade me return.
"Oye!
Kithe kho gaya?" Dev snapped his fingers. "Tell me what happened?"
"Nothing
Jijaji," Maan rolled his eyes, "it was as it should be."
*Lassi – a drink made of yoghurt either salted or sweet. A favorite of the
Punjabis.
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