Hamaari Prem Kahaani...#4 - Page 12

KHURANA MANSION

"MAAN AND GEET!"

"TIME FOR THE WORLD TO MEET MRS GEET MAAN SINGH KHURANA!!!!"

There was absolute silence everybody except me stood shell shocked and Geet's mouth agape hearing Dadaji's declaration. I glanced around only to find some faces seemed happy while some confused with the sudden announcement.

Dadimaa's voice broke the silence.

"Geet kya hua bete, aap khush nahi hain yeh sunke ke ab saari duniya aap ke aur Maan ke rishtey ke baare mein jaan jaayegi?" Dadimaa inquired seeing Geet totally appalled. Geet immediately turned towards Dadimaa to answer her but fumbled as she still couldn't comprehend the fact which she had heard few moments back. Geet looked towards me like trying to ascertain what was my take on the whole issue and like understanding her worry Dadimaa continued.

"Geet aap Maan ke saamne kya dekh rahi hain iss ghar ke ahem faisle aaj bhi aap ke Dadaji hi lete hain! Aur sab woh maante hain...Maan bhi!" She proclaimed and I smiled nodding my head in affirmation and Geet's face beamed with an instant glow and I felt satisfied seeing her sparkling with joy.

"Main abhi sab ka mooh meetha karwati hoon aakhir aaj do do khushi ne ek saath iss ghar ke darwaaze par dastak (knock) di hain!" Mom was so ecstatic, as today the strongest pillar of the Khurana clan was all set to have the world at his feet and second her own dream to introduce my wife, Geet to the world would be fulfilled soon. Mom and Geet hurried towards the kitchen while Annie and company got into their very serious discussions...Ofcourse shopping!

Sighing we headed towards the study as we settled down, my attention was drawn towards Yash who had been grinning like a fool since long. I raised my brow and he gulped his smile nodding a no.

'Whatever!!!'

"Aadi make sure that Dadaji's recovery or him attending the function should be kept under wraps and even Geet's ..." Before I could complete Aadi assured.

"Don't worry Maan I have already taken care of it. It will be a surprising shock to the world!"

"Haan bilkul Grand Khurana style mein entry hogi The Ranjit Singh Khurana ki, aur sab ki aankhen fati ki fati reh jaayegi (eyes like saucers, extreme shock or surprise). Aur mujhe toh soch soch ke hi hasi aa rahi ke Handa's ke chehre pe barah baj jaayenge jab do do jhatke ek saath lagenge! Ha ha ha..." Yash burst out laughing accompanied with Vicky while Aadi, Arjun and I looked at them hopelessly.

"Vicky chal kuch zaroori kaam karna hain." Yash asserted giving a knowing look to Vicky after done with their laughing session before they could hurry out of the study Arjun called out to them.

"Oh hello! Kahan?...Tum dono ko kaunsa zaroori kaam hain? Function hum organize nahi kar rahe hain aur hamaari security bhi kaafi tight hain. Don't tell me tum log neeche ladkiyon ko fashion or make up ki tips dene jaa rahe ho?" Arjun taunted and this time it was our turn to laugh at both their drained faces.

"Ho gaya tum logon ka...ab main kuch bolu? Itne bhi bure din nahi aaye mere ke main ladkiyon ke paas jaake make up discuss karu! Main toh hamaari taraf se ek exclusive cameraman appoint karne jaa raha tha function ke liye." Before we could probe further seeing our confused expressions he continued.

"Woh cameraman exclusively sirf Handa's aur Khanna's ko hi cover karega aakhir saare Devil's Company ke laal, hare, neele, peele aur finally unke kale chehre ka live coverage toh hamaare paas hona hi chahiye, hain na. Ek bhi expression miss ho gaya toh I will be damned!" Yash exclaimed.

"Haan aur main bhi soch raha hoon Handa's aur Khanna's aakhir hamaare khaas guests honge toh unki special khatirdaari toh honi hi chahiye na...aur please Bro...na mat kehna...bacche ka dil toot jaayega!!!" Vicky concluded dramatically and both scurried out of the room.

"Nautanki!!" I muttered and Aadi and Arjun shrugged off their shoulders.

"Kuch bhi bol Maan baat mein dum toh hain, Dadaji ke ek master stroke pe Khanna's aur Handa's ki buniyaadein (foundation) hil jaayegi!" Arjun smirked.

HANDA HAVELI

"Tere nalayak (worthless) bete ko samjha Rajinder roz nayi nayi pareshani khadi kar deta hain, waise hi kya kam badnaami hui hain hamaari jo aur badha raha hain. Kahin mooh dikhane ke kaabil nahi choda hain isne. Kal Chopra ke hotel mein pohuch gaya tha, woh toh accha hua ke yeh phir arrest nahi hua apne unn goonde doston ke saath." Daarji burst out on Rajinder Veerji and Brij. Now this has been an daily routine in our house.

I was happy that today Daarji had finally accepted that the apple of his eye and the supposed Handa heir, Brij is worthless!

I chose to be a mute spectator to all the drama yesterday when Brij had returned home wounded and soon news of his friends been arrested spread like wide fire. Daarji had been livid since then and Brij... He removed all his frustration on innocent Pammi. Teji's timely intervention had saved Pammi from his wrath.

Last night thankfully Teji was home on time and had managed to save Pammi, as we all had gone to the temple. Daarji had arranged a pooja so that all our family's problems and misfortune would end but what he forgot was that this is the outcome of all their sins. I hated to be a part of this pooja but still I had pretend to be a part of them till our mission was accomplished.

We returned home to find a terrified Pammi and Teji who was trying to console her while a drunk Brij lay unconscious in a corner. We were worried about Pammi so toady morning Parjayiji had accompanied Pammi to the doctor as she was unwell since last night. The coward had beaten her quite badly.I just hope she is fine.

Seeing Parjayiji entering with Pammi, both seemed happy. Parjayiji disclosed the good news to all of us that Pammi was expecting. Pammi moved towards us to seek our blessings and everybody blessed her. Finally some happiness!

But when she went towards Brij, he just snubbed her off saying.

"Tu duniya ki pehli aurat nahi jo maa bannewali hain." Tears brimmed in Pammi's eyes at his disgusting statement.

I clenched my fists and not able to control myself anymore decided to put Brij in place.

"Bilkul sahi kaha tumne Brij... normal insaano ko khushi hoti hain apne bacche ki aane ki khabar sun ke...lekin tum ab insaan nahi rahe na...toh tumse aur umeed bhi kya ki jaa sakti hain." I stated and before Brij could utter something our attention was drawn towards Teji who had just entered the house.

I looked at him for a moment, his eyes were moist. I knew it was very difficult for him seeing his love, Pammi as Brij's wife, being abused physically and mentally everyday and now this news...

Masking his pain he walked up to Pammi congratulating her who just nodded meekly. My heart went out for both of them, had I known about their love earlier I would have never let this wedding happen which was another marriage of convenience or say manipulation for ulterior motives. Teji's voice broke my thoughts.

"Daarji...Handa Constructions ko kisi bhi award ke liye nominate bhi nahi kiya gaya hain lekin khabar mili hain ke Khurana Constructions ko iss saal ko felicitate kiya jaa raha hain..." Brij cut him off in mid.

"Mujhe pata tha, saare ke saare mile hue hain, sab log unn Khurana's ke chamche hain."

"Brij award jeetne ke liye kaabiliyat honi chahiye, badi badi baatein karne se awards nahi milte." I taunted him.

"BAS...iss baat ko yahin khatam karo, ab hamaara wahan jaane ka koi matlab nahi hain, toh kaun jeeta kaun haara isse hume koi matlab nahi." Though Daarji tried to keep his voice controlled but I knew this news had hit him hard.

He failed and Bade Papa won!

I was not going to let this opportunity slip off my hands, these were the same people who had ruined many lives now it was their turn to cry, to pay for their deeds, to face the same humiliation and a feeling of defeat which they had induced on others in the past.

"Daarji agar hum wahan nahi gaye toh business world mein hamaari bahot badnaami hogi, aur ho sakta hain ke isse hamaare business pe bhi bura asar pade. Hume wahan jaana chahiye. Brij ki wajah se waise hi bahot nuksaan ho gaya hain." I asserted tactfully and by the look on Daarji's face I knew I had nailed it.

"Daarji aap aur Mohinder chale jaayiye isse hamaari izzat reh jaayegi." Veerji suggested. He wanted to avoid public gatherings ofcourse his son's acts had glorified his name to such an extent that all he could wish was to hide somewhere. But this time Teji spoke.

"Tayaji, ABC Business Awards ki 50th Anniversary hain. Bahot bada event hain, family ko bhi saath le jaana hain. Agar hum sab nahi gaye toh log yehi kahenge ke Brij ki wajah se aap darr kar aur chupkar baith gaye."

"Teji..." Veerji howled

"Aisa sab bolenge...aur hamaare lawyers ne toh kahan hi hain ke Brij ka case jaldi hi tackle ho jaayega aur Arjun bhi toh kuch zyaada problems nahi kar raha hain, toh hume toh sar utha ke jaana chahiye. Khurana Constructions, hamaare rivals ko award mil raha hain phir bhi hum sab wahan gaye toh hamaari izzat aur badhegi business world mein." Teji added smartly. I smirked at our small victory as I knew now they will surely attend the event.

'Khoon ke aansoon rulaya tha na aap logon ne mujhe aur mere parivaar ko, meri aur Geet ki barbaadi ka tamaasha banaya tha na, ab sare bazaar aap ka tamaasha banega Daarji. Ab aap ko ehsaas hoga ke takleef kise kehte hain, dard kya hota hain aur jab insaan haarta aur tootta hain toh kaisa mahsoos hota hain.'

My reverie was broken as Daarji declared that everybody will be attending the award function. Teji gave me a winning smirk.

There was this sudden unknown spark in his eyes like hinting towards something important, very special was to happen but what?

KHURANA MANSION

I hurried to my room to pick up my files, all the morning events had taken a lot of my time I had an important meeting to attend shortly. I stopped in my tracks as I saw Geet seated at the dresser looking in the mirror but she seemed lost. I slowly walked up to her and stood right behind her. I put my hand on her shoulders as she jerked out of her thoughts and got up with a start.

"Maan aap kab aaye?" She inquired trying to act normal.

"Jab tum kisi gehri soch mein thi na tab." I answered making it clear to her that I needed my answers. Cupping her face in my palms I slowly asked her.

"Kya hua Geet...tum itni pareshaan kyun ho? Mujhe toh laga aaj tum bahot khush hogi ke ab hamaare rishta ko uski pehchaan mil jaayegi, duniya hamaare rishtey ke baare mein jaan jaayegi."

"Aap khush hain?" She questioned me instead. I looked at her confused and she continued.

"Maan mujhe apne haalaton (circumstances) se koi shikayat nahi hain, maine pehle bhi kahan tha aur aaj bhi keh rahi hoon jab aap chahenge tab hi hum hamaare rishtey ko duniya ke saamne zaheer karenge. Main Dadaji se baat karungi aur woh maan jaayenge, main aap ko kisi bhi dabaav mein nahi rakhna chahti." I was in awe of this woman, my wife, Meeshti.

"Geet shaadi ke saat vachan ke saath, maine apne aap se vada kiya tha ke main hamaari shaadi ek bahot special aur grand way mein announce karunga. Koi lavish reception party nahi par kuch khaas aur bilkul alag."

"Aur Mrs Geet Maan Singh Khurana ko duniya se introduce karwane ka yehi right time aur perfect occasion hain."

"Geet tumne Dadaji ka faisla sun toh liya par samajh nahi paayi. Yeh felicitation Khurana's ke liye bahot maayne rakhta hain, hamaari past (foundation), present (success) aur hamaara future (honour) ko depict karta hain. Hamaara past aur present sab jaante hain ab future se milwane ka waqt aa gaya hain!"

"Maan..." She whispered tears trickled down her eyes. I moved close to her slowly drinking them and her white porcelain skin turned pink with an instant blush. She closed her eyes anticipating a kiss but I had other plans. I slowly moved to her ears and whispered.

"Waise Geet Dadimaa se bolne mein shayad thodi galti ho gayi ghar ke ahem faisle hum nahi balke ladies brigade hi lete hain aur meri kya majaal (daring) ke main tumhaari marzi ke khilaaf kuch bolu, hain na." I stated and the change of expressions and colour on her face was instant. Gone was the pinkish blush and now her face was red with anger and her shying eyes now glaring at me. She pouted twisting her lips and turned around.

'Oh! I so loved to tease and trouble her. It just made my day and as I had to crack an important deal today, toh mooh meetha toh karna hi hoga na, aur apni roothi Meeshti ko kiss karne ka mazaa hi kuch aur hi hota hain!' I smirked with the idea to implement my thoughts.

"Dadimaa aap yahan?" I pretended and immediately Geet turned around towards me. I quickly grabbed her and closed the distance between us.

But this time my smart wifey was all ready for me. She had sealed her lips not allowing me to deepen the kiss and suddenly she bit me on my lips and in reflex my hold on her loosened and she ran out of the room only to peep in again to challenge me.

"Maan yeh trick puraani ho gayi hain kuch naya socho, something new!" She winked at me and ran away leaving me appalled.

'Maan yeh toh din-ba-din aur smart hoti jaa rahi hain sach much kuch naya sochna hoga!' I warned myself and headed towards collecting my files and checking myself in the mirror making sure there was no marks on my lips otherwise Yash and company will leave no chance to embarrass and tease me.

KHANNA HOUSE

"Dev yeh dekho hume ABC Business Awards ke 50th Anniversary function ka invite aaya hain. Dekha woh Khurana's chahe jo bhi kar le hamaari sammaan (recognition) aur hamaara rutbaa (status) woh humse kabhi nahi cheen paayenge aaj bhi log hume utni hi izzat dete hain."

"Main wahan nahi aana chahta aap ko jaana hain toh aap jaa sakti hain."

"Dev tum paagal ho gaye ho kya, itna accha mauka mila hain hume wapas woh sab kuch paane ka aur tum khud hi usse jaane dena chate ho. Wahan business world ke sab log honge I'm sure koi na koi toh hume help karega aur Handa's bhi honge main khud unse baat karungi, mat bhoolon ke dushman ka dushman dost hota hain."

"Stop it Mom Handa's ki koi help nahi chahiye mujhe, aap ko pata bhi hain kal uss Brij aur uske logon ne Pari ke saath misbehave karne ki koshish ki thi, woh toh main waqt par pohuch gaya warna..."

"Lekin Pari ne toh mujhe kuch nahi bataya..."

"Aap Pari se mili thi? But ofcourse let me guess paise chahiye hoge aap ko, hain na? Mom aap mein sharam naam ki koi cheez hain ya nahi itna kuch hone ke baad bhi aap...Please I beg of you mujhe apni hi nazaron mein aur mat giraye, meri problems aur mat badhaiye. Main abhi zinda hoon aur itna kaabil bhi hoon ke apne dum par phir se ek nayi shuruaat kar sakta hoon!"

"Aur ek nayi shuruaat ke liye tumhe kal ka function attend karna hoga. Aman ke liye hi sahi lekin tumhe mere saath aana hi hoga and Thats final!"

'Dev main jaanti hoon ab tum zaroor aaoge Aman ke liye tum kuch bhi kar sakte ho aur main apni jeet ke liye kisi bhi hadd tak jaa sakti hoon aur kal ka yeh function apni jeet ki taraf mera pehla kadam (step) hoga."

KHANNA CEMENTS

"Pari please..."

"Vicky mujhe tumse iss waqt koi baat nahi karni."

"Theek hain par meri baat sun toh sakti ho na. Pari I'm sorry mujhe tum par aise chaillana nahi chahiye tha main bekaar overeact kar raha tha ab se aisa nahi hoga. Main sirf tumhaare liye concerned tha ke kahin tum aur hurt na ho jao lekin ab se main tum par koi dabaav nahin dalunga." I apologized holding her hand and she inturn just hugged me and poured her heart out.

"Vicky please main jaanti hoon ke tum apni jagah sahi ho aur samajhti bhi hoon ke Mom aaj bhi nahi badli hain, maine unhe maaf nahi kiya hain, bas ek beti hone ka farz nibha rahi hoon. Yakeen (believe) karo main kuch galat nahi karungi and I promise ab se main tumhe bata ke hi Mom ko milne jaaungi."

"Pari main hamesha tumhare saath hoon aur rahunga, chahe jo ho jaaye. I love you!" Hugging her tight I promised her.

"I love you too!"

PRECAP - AWARDS!