The next morning, as the family awakens, Bebe and Bua inform them that they will visit Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) that morning, followed by Jassi's god-bharai ceremony.
JandA gaze at each other in radiant delight. Meghna looks puzzled and asks Ila what this "god-bharai" is. Ila explains that it is a ritual in which the pregnant woman's family members, specifically the ladies, pray for the well-being of her and her child, and give her their tokens of blessing. Meghna grows thoughtful on hearing this.
When it is time to go the gurudwara, Jassi, Bebe, Amrit and Ila pile into the car, which Armaan is driving; while the rest scramble onto Chaman's tractor. He sits with a broad grin, which grows wider when Angel, who climbs up reluctantly last of all, has no choice but to sit next to him.😉
Memories flood over JandA as they enter the gurudwara. Tu meri jaan hai plays softly in the background. There are flashbacks: Jassi leaning over the water, looking like an angel in white, as an entranced Armaan splashes water on her face; JandA's engagement ceremony in the holy precincts; a wan and disappointed Jassi leaning to bow, completely unaware that Armaan, whom she thought was still in Mumbai, is kneeling next to her; the moment of truth in the dargah when he takes her hand and gazes into her eyes, promising her love for all eternity……. ❤️
Back in the present, they tread the sacred pathways gently, reliving the most precious of moments when their souls were irrevocably bound together by the sanction of the Almighty himself. This time, Armaan seems to be thanking Babaji for the blessings in his life, being the most caring of husbands: he walks by Jassi's side, supporting her so that she does not slip; when she approaches the lake, he brings her water in his hands because she can no longer kneel down; when her dupatta slips off her head he is the first to catch it and place it back…….😳
The others are also having their own moments of revelation. Angel, who is at first reluctant to touch the water which so many are thronging, gamely joins in when she sees Puru and Ila dip in their hands devoutly. (Chaman looks delighted at this.😆) Vedika can't have enough of the place. She runs around, much to the amusement of the devotees, exploring the environs.
Meghna looks around her in awed wonder. Nandu is unable to resist. He comes up and nudges her. "Kyun Meghna……kabhi kisi jagah mein aisi shaanti mili hai tumhe?"
Meg: (in a dazed whisper) Nahin..!
Nanadu smiles to himself and walks on ahead, actually—yes yes!—holding hands with Beauty. Today nobody seems to notice…..or if they did, they turned a blind eye!😉
When Meghna kneels down and accepts the prasad, there is a beatific smile on her face—as if she has finally found the answer to her questions. The glow stays with her throughout the morning.
Back in Gulmohur:
Raj is sitting pensively at his desk. Neha comes in and is surprised to see the look on his face. "Kya hua Raj?"
Raj: (sighing) Kuch nahin….bas apne best friend ko miss kar raha tha..!
Neha: Toh aap unhe phone kyun nahin karte?
Raj: Try karta rehta hun, lekin wahan network hi nahin milta. Pichle hafte baat hui thi, lekin use baad…..(sighs again) Armaan ke bina, Mumbai khaali-khaali sa lagta hai!
Neha looks sympathetically at him. "Aap, bahut akele ho gaye hai na?"
Raj: (trying to laugh it off) Nahin……itne bade Gulmohur ke hote hue, akele hone ka sawaal hi nahin hai…..
Neha: (firmly) Lekin aap Gulmohur ke bahar ki duniya ko shaayad bhool gaye hain…chaliye, aaj main aapko lunch pe le jaati hun…meri treat!
Raj gazes in delighted surprise at her. She simply smiles and shrugs. With a twinkle in his eye, he nods. "It's a date!"😛
Tomorrow: The ceremony
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
