Chapter Four: A New Change?
"Divya," said Mr. Thakur as he entered their bedroom with his phone gripped in his hand.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I talked to my friend, Baldev. He was saying that he's planning his sons Joraa and he's trying to find a suitable girl for his son. So I told him about Suman and we both decided that Suman and his son, Veer, should meet each other."
"Are you sure this is necessary?" asked Mrs. Thakur. "I mean, isn't having a Joraa optional?"
"Yes Divya, it's optional and it's not like we're going to have her Joraa right away. They are only going to meet each other and if they like each other then we will start preparing for it."
"Okay, I guess they both can meet each other."
"Good, I'm glad you agree with me," he said, "I'll talk to Suman once she comes home from school."
At the end of the school day, Suman caught up with Rashmi, battering her with questions.
"So, what did you think of Karan?" she asked.
"He's nice," Rashmi said sincerely. "But I didn't find him being cute."
"Let me guess, he's not your type?"
"Yep," she answered, "So, are you guys officially boyfriend-girlfriend?"
"Double Yep. You just wait Rashmi," she said. "I'm sure you'll find your Raj Kumar in no time."
"Suman, I don't need a Raj Kumar."
"Yes, you do," Suman batted her mascara-lined eyelashes in that annoying flirty girl way, "Rashmi, every princess needs her guy. So you need yours too."
"No, I don't. Can you please change the subject?" Rashmi demanded angrily.
"Fine, if you say so. How was history class today? Did you have Mr. Iyer or a substitute?" she asked.
And in this way they continued, chattering about trivial matters.
While the girls were debating over the edibility of the day's lunch, they abruptly bumped into the master of the house. "Hello girls," said Mr.Thakur.
"Hi," they chorused gaily.
"You didn't go to work today?" asked Suman nervously, obviously hiding something.
"Nope," he answered. "I decided to work from home today. And Suman, after you are done eating, you can come to my office. I have to talk to you about something very important."
"Okay," she replied with a vigorous nod of the head.
After Suman was finished eating, she slowly walked into her dad's office.
"Okay Papa, what is it?"
"I talked to my friend on the phone this morning and he's planning his son's Joraa and I talked to him about you. We decided that you and his son, Veer, should meet each other. Is that okay?" he asked, hoping to hear a positive answer.
"Before I answer, can you please tell me what the heck is a Joraa?" she asked in a casual manner.
"I knew you were going to ask that," he said. "Why don't you take a seat and then I'll tell you."
Suman did as he requested and patiently awaited his explanation.
"A Joraa is something that Rajastani girls and boys that are 13 years old or in their teen years are recommended to do. They both have to meet each other, get to know each other and if they like each other then only the parents will plan the Joraa. Just think of it as an engagement."
"Okay," said Suman slowly, still confused. "I'm not doing this."
"But all you have to do is meet Veer," he returned.
"I don't want to meet him," she pleaded, her voice rising.
"What's wrong about meeting someone? Please Suman, do this for my sake and your mothers?"
After a couple moments Suman agreed. "Okay, I'll do this, but only for you and Ma."
"Thanks Sweetie. See you later."
"See ya," she said nonchalantly and left the office.
Suman glanced at Rashmi and Ammo and went upstairs.
"Rashmi, how was school today?" asked Ammo as Suman approached the kitchen, took an apple from the fruit basket laying on the island, and left.
"Good," she said, "We're still preparing for final exams. I can't believe school is going to end in a month and a half!"
"I can't believe my little girl's growing up so fast!" exclaimed Ammo.
"Ammo," she said in a suppressed tone. "I'm going to be your little girl no matter what."
"I know," she said. "Was what you told Mr. Thakur Saturday night about Suman true or not? Or did you lie to him just to save your best-friend from getting in trouble?"
She smiled and said, "Ammo, you know that I always have to save her from getting in trouble. She's my best friend."
"Fine," she said. "But has she ever tried to save you from getting in trouble?" Rashmi thought a lot about what Ammo just asked her and no, she's never done that. She didn't feel like answering her question, so she decided to change the subject.
"Ammo, I'm going to get started with doing homework now," she lied.
After Rashmi went upstairs, she saw Suman sitting on her bed in disappointment, so she decided to go cheer her up.
"Suman, what's wrong?" she asked. "Are you upset at what Mr. Thakur said to you?"
"Yeah," she said. After she told her everything about Mr. Thakur planning her Joraa with some guy named Veer, she came up with the thought that she should tell her family the truth.
"You should definitely tell Mr. Thakur about Karan before it's too late. It's time to tell the truth now."
"I don't know Rasham, she said, He might be upset."
"No, he won't," said Rashmi, "Just try talking to him."
"But Rashmi I - "
"No buts," she interrupted. "You have to talk to him."
"Fine," Suman said, "I'll talk to him soon."
"When are you meeting Veer?"
"Saturday afternoon," she replied. "I almost forgot to tell you, I have good news!
I got picked for the lead role of Saloni for the school play!"
"Wow, that's great news!" Rashmi hooted. "When do auditions start?"
"Tomorrow after school. I'm so happy!"
Chapter Five: The Audition:
The next day, Suman stayed after school for her play audition. Suman found the auditorium and was wondering if Karan was in the play to play Salim (Saa-leem, Saloni's Lover) when she heard that Naina was the producer of the play. Suman, in hopes of gaining info, went to see her.
They both greeted each other and were glad to see each other.
"Do you know who's playing Salim?" asked Suman.
"Yeah, Rajeev is. Why?" she asked.
"Oh, no reason," she said making a depressed face.
"Oh, I know why you're asking," said Naina making a sluggish smile, "You're in love with my cousin aren't you? You thought Karan would play Salim didn't you?" she asked anxiously.
"Wh...Wh...What would make you think that?" Suman stuttered.
"Oh come on, Suman. We all saw you staring at him Friday night and trying to impress him. Just admit it."
"Fine I like your cousin, so what?" she admitted looking the other direction.
"Nothing, I just wanted to know," she said.
"Oh Gosh, not Rajeev again. He always ran away from me before I'd show up on the set last year! Where is he?"
"In the bathroom," said Naina.
"Rajeev!" Suman screeched at the top of her lungs.
"C-Coming," he stuttered.
Once he came towards Suman, she asked, "Did you memorize the first couple lines? Why don't you say them to me?"
"Saloni, I..I..I," he stammered fearfully.
"Why do you keep saying 'I',continue with your dialogues!" barked Naina.
"Naina, I don't know the lines," he apologized.
"Ugh, Naina what kind of idiot did you get for the play!? He doesn't even know the lines!"
'"Sorry Suman, but he was the best out of all the people who auditioned for Salim's role. Let's just give him one more chance?"
"Okay, you get one more chance!" she said as she stared at Rajeev in an angry way, "But if you blow this chance too, then I'll squeeze your head like a melon!" Rajeev quickly scanned (not read) through the first couple dialogues of that scene.
" I know my lines now," he said. "Saloni, I..I..I," he said. Suman got really irritated at this and gestured her hands as if she was squeezing a melon. She was about to carry out her threat until she heard a voice say, "Saloni, I am the one whom you have fallen for. I cannot dare live without your love, beauty, and passion. I am your Salim, and you are my Saloni."
Suman suddenly turned around to see who it was, and it was (you guessed it), Karan. "Karan that was amazing! Gosh I wish you were in this play instead of this idiot!" she said as she threw the script at Rajeev.
She suddenly came up with an idea and went to go talk to Naina. "Naina," she said.
"What, Suman?" she asked as she was looking at the script.
"Can you please talk to the director about replacing the role of Salim? Karan is perfect for this part, and I really want him to be in the play."
"I'm sorry Suman, but it's too late to change the role now," said Naina. For a few moments, Suman started giving Naina 'the look' which everyone falls for. "Okay, fine, I'll talk to him. But don't expect anything to change."
"Yay, thanks Nains!"
"I'll talk to you sometime this week about any changes that might occur." Naina warned.
Chapter Six: Rashmi's Side Of The Day
Rashmi was at her town's disability center which she usually went to every Saturday, but since she had no homework today she decided to go there. Rashmi had a very good companionship with a mental patient who was a seven year old named Sahir. They both were very close because they both are alike. Both of them were born in the slums of Delhi, both experienced going to that same school for poor kids, and much more. They both enjoyed spending time with each other and their relation was close that they could be considered brother and sister.
After Rashmi left the center today, she was walking her way home and she suddenly heard thunder starting to build up. She quickly opened her umbrella, but as she opened it, there was a boy who bumped into it and got hurt on his arm.
"Ouch," he said. She quickly pulled down her umbrella and looked at him. As the rain started falling on them, they kept staring at each other. The boy was tall, not dark, and handsome. He was wearing a white colored shirt with a collar. He seemed like a very sincere person who wouldn't try to hurt anyone. The boy stared at Rashmi. She had a good height being a 9th grade Indian girl. She was beautiful but also simple. She was wearing a cotton Indian dress with simple designs. She had long, blackish-brown wavy hair. They both were having a weird feeling which they had never felt before. Could it be what we would expect it to be? Let's see.
"Sorry," she said sincerely, "I'm really very sorry. I didn't see you were there."
"It's okay," he said, flashing a smile worthy of Vogue, "I'm perfectly fine."
"Oh, that's good," she said as she turned to leave.
"Wait!" he shouted. She turned back and went towards him. "Can you tell me where this place is?" He showed her the address and she quickly examined it.
"No, sorry I don't know where it is,"Rashmi exclaimed as she accidentally grabbed the paper with the address. "Sorry, I have to go home now."
"Wait, I need that paper back," he shouted.
"Oh Sorry," she said and quickly gave it to him then took a rickshaw.
"Interesting Girl," he said to himself, "not many of those left."
After their unexpected meet that day, they couldn't stop thinking about each other. Their meet was stuck in their minds the whole day and would soon be stuck with them as a memory throughout their lives.
