Part 7 Sugar Queen
"One often meets destiny on the road he takes to avoid it."
~ From the movie, Kungfu Panda.
"Ladies and gentlemen we are about to touch down in Jaipur International Airport. Please fasten your seat belts. I hope you had a pleasant flight and we wish you a wonderful time in the pink city. Cabin crew, please prepare for landing."
Multitude of chinks and clicks of metal hitting metal followed the announcement as the passengers straightened their seats and fastened their seat belts in preparation for landing
Anjali had been antsy the entire trip which was very unlike her normal sedate and composed demeanor. Naani was looking out the window at the place that had housed her sasuraal. It had been fifteen long years since she had set foot in Jaipur, and she looked forward to the experience and discovery of what had changed and what had not.
A distinguished gentleman in his late sixties carrying a huge bouquet of roses stood in the arrivals lounge scanning the crowd. Next to him stood a rather petite man in his mid-fifties holding a cardboard sign that said Raizada.
Anjali touched Naani's hand and led her towards them. "Devyaniji, kitne saal hogaye hain"said Viren all smiles handing Naani the bouquet and turned towards Anjali, who took off her shades and folded her hands "Namaste uncle".
"Uncle nahin beta, Chacha kaho'" and Virenji blessed Anjali by placing his hand on her head. "Kitni badi hogayi ho. Pichle baar humne aapko tab dekha jab aap ne janmaashtami ke din saare ladkon ko hara kar matka thoda tha".
"Aur inse miliye. Yeh hai Ramsingh, saalon se hamare haveli mein hain aur bachpan se Ajay ki dekhbaal ki hai"
Anjali smiled at him, and wondered where Ajay was? As they made their way to the waiting car, she cast furtive glances around trying to spot him. Didn't Naani say that he was going to pick them up?
At that exact moment Naani voiced her very thoughts," Virenji, Ajay nahin dikh rahe hai. Aapne tho pone pe kaha tha ki, ve aanewale hain".
"Woh Devyani ji achanak Ajay ko Tashi ke school jaana pada, kuch parent conference ke liye. Par shaam ko zaroor milenge. Humne aapke swagat mein, aaj shaam, ek chota sa party rakha hain. Aapko bhi yehaan ke hamare doston ko milne ka mauka milega. Kuch naye kuch jaan pahchaan vale."
Devyaani nodded her head approvingly and Anjali let out a long breath.
The car left the airport and sped on; Anjali who was pondering over something suddenly spoke up. "Chachaji agar aap bura na mane tho, kya aap hume hamare purkhon ki haveli 'Vrindavan' mein drop karden ge please? Woh kya hain na, hum woh haveli dekhna chahte hain, aur wahan ka preliminary work bhi check karna chate hain. Aaj accha din hai, aur agar hum aaje ke din kaam shuruvaad karle tho hume tassali hogi."
"Zaroor bitiya. Par Devyani ji thaki hui lag rahi hai?"
"Koi baat nahin Viren, Hum pahele Vrindavan hote hue, aapke haveli 'Malhar' jayenge" declared Devyani for she was anxious to see her haveli too.
The car came to a stop right at the front porch of Vrindavan. Anjali craned her neck out of the window to take a good look at the fabulous marble and jaspar statues of Radha and Krishna that dominated the center of the fountain surrounded by a circular formation of marble and sandstone gopis in various dance forms. The drive way leading to the porch encircled this very fountain. Undoubtedly, the haveli earned its name from this picturesque depiction.
As they stepped out of the car, they were greeted by a smiling Nitin who had been leaning against the pillar at the entrance making several notes on his clipboard. "Namaste chachaji, naani ji. Hello Anjali" he said as he came to a stop in front of them.
"Nitin se accha designer aapko nahin milega. Woh Rajasthan ki aatma aur uske nas nas ko jantha hain. Wohi pyaar uske kaam mein bhi chalak tha hai" gushed Virenji.
Nitin was clearly well acquainted with the Rathod family thought Anjali. After a quick tour, Anjali elected to stay back to discuss some ideas with Nitin and persuaded Virenji to continue on to Malhar haveli with naani.
Well, at least the inevitable has been stalled for a little while longer thought Anjali as she mentally congratulated herself on her ruse. Now if luck held out, the entire day might just possibly pass by without her having to meet Ajay.
Since Anjali and Devyani had decided to stay with the Rathods, Nitin had established his onsite office in the guest house at Vrindavan. Anjali joined him and pored over the notes that Nitin had made and the photographs he had taken of the various areas of the haveli that would need to be reconstructed. It was preliminary analysis, but already she could see that her astute chotte had made the right choice in picking Nitin for this project.
She lost all track of time as she immersed herself in the details and started jotting down some of her thoughts on what she would like to see in the future design. She jumped out of her skin when she heard a baritone voice call out, "Nitin, kahaan ho man?"
Anjali lifted her head just as she heard the footsteps that brought their owner to a standstill in front of her. Lifting her head, she found herself looking at the handsome face of Ajay Singh Rathod. He was dressed in Khaki shorts and a white cotton shirt his long hair falling in an appealing tousle at his forehead over his left brow right above his wayfarers.
He peeled his shades off and smiled at her "Anjali aap yehan. Tho aap Nitin ke design team mein ho. Listen I am really sorry for rushing off that day. I appreciate your compliments very much." He said his voice ringing with sincerity.
How could she stay mad at him any longer? He already had the advantage of being her favorite painter, now added to that was his gorgeous face wreathed in smiles and a sincere apology issuing from his lips. Anjali sighed mentally. Perhaps it's all for the best; given that I have to be his guest, I might as well accept this truce. Deciding to bury the dagger, she smiled back at him.
Before she could say anything, Nitin stepped forward towards them and slapped his hand in Ajay's in a handshake that spoke of long lasting friendship. "What's up Ajay? Parent-teacher conference kaisa tha?"
"It was routine, a small chat. Tashi ke grades waise bhi acche hi hote hain. But it gave me an opportunity to escape."
"Escape?" questioned Nitin puzzled as Anjali watched silently realizing the answer before it was spelled out, her jawline clenching at the thought.
"Wohi, from having to meet that page-three-wali-sugarqueen-Raizada. Her Naani though seemed to be a sweet person, judging by the fondness with which chachaji spoke of her." Ajay continued.
Nitin's mouth fell slightly open as he glanced at Anjali's reddening face and then at Ajay's back. Ajay had strolled over to look out the window as he spoke. Anjali gave Nitin a stern look and forbade him with a shake of her head from revealing to Ajay who she was.
Blissfully unaware of the pantomime behind his back, Ajay continued. "Waise, I cannot postpone the inevitable for long. I have to go back home sometime. And there is a party tonight at the haveli, I hope you are coming?"
He turned and walking back towards both of them he smiled at Anjali again and said, "Nitin, You should also bring your design assistant with you. Please do come. Consider this as me making amends for my ungallant behavior when we first met" he said sweetly to Anjali.
"Amends my foot! "Fumed Anjali internally, but returned his smile with a saccharine expression of her own and a nod. She did not trust herself to speak right about then.
"What. Was. That? Why did you? You guys have met before?" demanded Nitin gesticulating with his hands, his face a comical expression of surprise mingled with confusion, as Ajay strode out of their makeshift office.
Anjali sighed wearily, and went on to explain how they had met in Delhi in the mall.
"Well, how dare he call me a sugar queen and dismiss me as mere page three material without even getting to know me properly. Judgmental egotist. I want to have the pleasure of seeing his face when I meet him this evening and clear his clouded vision. And Nitin aapko hamari dosti ki kasam, unse aap kuch nahin kahenge" she finished jutting her chin out a bit.
Nitin nodded, thoughts racing in his head. He perched himself on the edge of the desk and leaning towards Anjali began "Anjie." Nitin was one of the select few who called her that. He especially used it when he had something important to tell her.
"mmHmmm" she responded looking back at him, resting her chin on her interlaced fingers, prepared to listen.
"Anjie, don't judge Ajay harshly. Pichle kuch saal uske liye bahut hi rough raha hain. First his wife and then his parents passed away. Aur jab se India laut aya hai, he has been deluged by the society ladies who would do anything to sink their manicured claws in his flesh. Tang agaya hai usse, inn ameer gharane ki ladies ke jhoota pyaar aur clinginess se and he has hardened his feelings towards the class of women who even smell remotely of money. He will be devastated when he realizes how wrong he has been in your case" he finished.
Anjali listened intently and replied, "I look forward to seeing that too. Ab please mujhe drop kar do ge?"
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If Malhar haveli looked magnificent during the day, words failed to describe its splendor that night. The haveli glowed like a bride, awash with the lights surrounding it and the twinkling fairy lights that were draped on the trees and bushes. The front porch was spot lit and so was the inner courtyard, where the main party was assembled.
The erstwhile durbar hall that adjoined the inner courtyard was thrown open for the night. It had been converted into a dining hall by Ajay's father during his days, to cater to large gatherings during festivals. A humongous table of gleaming teak wood that could easily seat about thirty to forty guests, lit by three crystal chandeliers that hung low over it, dominated the hall. Fabulous floral and fruit center pieces punctuated by silver candelabra covered with stained glass shades, adorned the table and silver and porcelain tableware sparkled.
Soft music filled the space. The air shimmered with vintage glamor and elegance that came with old money and reminded Anjali of the romance of a bygone era.
She stepped into the room and discretely surveyed the scene. Tashi was seated on Viren chacha's lap and was chatting away with Naani. It automatically brought a smile to her lips. A very attractive young woman dressed in pink silk top and white pants was talking to Ajay who apparently liked what she was saying for his face was lit with a full blown smile as he nodded his head in agreement. Nitin was nursing a goblet of red wine and was casually lounging on the sofa by the French doors that led to the inner courtyard. His face was blank but his eyes held a strange fire as he glanced at the girl in the pink top who was engrossed in her conversation with Ajay, from time to time.
Anjali settled down next to him as she said, "Nitin, Kya baat hain? Milgayi real-life Miss. Popular? Kiss se arm wrestling karne wale ho? Rathod se?" she teased biting the inside of her cheek.
"Aisa kuch bhi nahin hain Anjali. Ab hum college mein nahin rahe. I was getting bored. You look fantastic. Care for a dance?" And he pulled her up for a slow waltz.
"I am sorry I cannot manage more than a slow dance" said Anjali apologetically indicating her handicap as they swayed slowly in place to the music.
It had been ages since she had been able to dance with abandon. She had loved to dance and had taken lessons in Kathak as a child at her naani's insistence. She looked over Nitin's shoulder at naani and smiled when she caught her eye. But now Khushi ji would fulfill Naani's love for Kathak with her grace.
After a few minutes, Nitin's voice broke the silence. "Now that you mention it, Yeh kab hua Anjali? Kuch accident tha kya? Muje tho yaad nahin hain?" he asked.
"Long story Nitin. Let's sit down. Tumhe yaad hoga ki I was engaged to be married to Shashank. Tum America jaane wale the, right before that. Well, woh Shaadi toot gayi on the day of the wedding and the scandal of amma and babuji shooting themselves, and babuji's affair becoming public------." her voice broke a little. "How could all this still hurt after so many years?"
Nitin clasped her hand and she continued, "Uske agle din, hamare chachaji hume aur chotte ko ghar se nikhal diya. Hum ek aakhri baar Shashaank se milne uss raat chup chaap ghar se nikhle. I sneaked away in mamaji's car, and drove over to Shashaank's house. Par uss raat Hume pata chala that Shashaank really did not care. Uska elaborate courting of me was all a farce. Woh sab ek business deal tha. Unke dad ka babuji ke saat kuch dealings chal rahe the aur uske hisaab se, mujse shaadi karne se, unka position strengthen ho jayega. It was a bloody merger for him.
Hume apne instinct ko seriously lena chahiye tha. I never wanted to say yes to the wedding in the first place. Humne sirf aur sirf haan isliye kahi, thaki babuji ko phir se gussa na aaye aur yeh baat amma aur babuji ke beech mein aur ek argument na khada kar de. He had his heart set on marrying me off young and to Shashaank. Chotte was with me, he did not like the alliance, par hum ne chotte se promise li, ki, he would not make a fuss.
Jab hum laut rahe the after meeting Shashaank, I felt crushed and humiliated. Hum bahut ro rahe the yeh soch kar, ki ab, hum aur chotte kahaan jayenge? Pahele chachaji aur ab Shashaank bhi, donon dhokebaaz nikhle. Sabse zyada hamare dil aur ahem ko tes pahuncha. Jis aadmi se hum shaadi ke liye naa karne wale the, usike haton aisi rejection? I felt unwanted and small. Hum khayalon mein khoye hue the aur road pe dyaan nahin di, and before I knew it, I had driven off a small hill.
Jab hume hosh aaya tho hum the hospital mein. Doctors ne kaha ki hamara bachna ek ajooba tha. Jo bhi fractures hue, woh theek hogaye, but the nerves in my foot were permanently damaged. I have to wear a brace to support my foot." She finished.
Nitin's face softened and his heart hurt for this beautiful young woman who had faced such rejection. He hugged her fiercely, his eyes hardening in anger, and wondered if the internal fractures that her ego had sustained had ever healed.
Anjali closed her eyes and rested her head briefly on his shoulder. It felt so good to speak out about this to someone. She had never before revealed the extent of her hurt to anyone besides chotte. Neither of them had noticed when Ajay had strolled over to stand by their couch.
Ajay had spotted Anjali swaying in Nitin's arms and it irritated him no end. Sensing that their dance was ending he had casually strolled over with Radhika, and had continued his conversation with her, while keeping his ears tuned to Anjali's.
They looked up startled when he cleared his throat. "Hello Anjali. Glad you could make it".
Anjali stood up, quickly dissembling her expression just as Naaniji and Chachaji strolled over. "Ajay bte, lo yehi hai Devyani ji ki naathi, Anjali Singh Raizada. Aur Anjali yeh hai mera bathija Ajay."
Ajay was dumbstruck and just stared at her as she smiled at him a little too sweetly, a faint look of triumph replacing her earlier expression.
While the rest of the folks remained engrossed in their banter, Anjali stepped closer to him and whispered so only he could hear, "tho Mr. Ajay Singh Rathod, bad manners. Aap ne iss 'Sugar queen Raizada' ko itna rookha sookha swagat diya? Kam se kam 'hi' tho kahdete?"
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