CHAPTER 53(A). THE DAY OF ENGAGEMENT PART I
Place - Living Room at Khurana Mansion
It was nine in the morning and the whole house was buzzing in excitement. Dadima was standing right in the middle directing the servants, who were carrying gifts to the cars parked outside, "Arre! Ismein kaanch ke saamaan hain, sambhaalke le jaao.", she shouted. NT walked down the stairs talking on the phone, "Haan! Haan! Laxmi Nagar! Aapko wahaan shaam ko pahunchna hai. Aur Make up artist kisi aise ko bhejna joh sabse best ho. I want the girl to look like a princess." Upstairs, Geet was packing the red and white saree for the evening along with the maching sets and accessories. Suddenly, Dadima's voice floated upstairs, "Geet beta! Jaldi karo! Aapko wahaan pahunchke Khushi ke gharwaalon ki madat bhi karni hai." "Ji Dadima! Aayi!", Geet shouted back. Soon, Geet and NT were assembled downstairs. Dadima instructed both of them, "Dono dhyaan rakhna! Khushi ke gharwaalon ko koi problems nahi honi chaahiye! Kuch ho toh Maan ya Dev ko call kar ljiye ya toh humein hi call kar lijiye, chalega!" Both the girls nodded. Dadima continued instructing, "Aur dekho NT beta, ek bade ghar ki bahu hona matlab sabki nazar Paayal par hogi. Use aise tayyaar karna ki sab dekhte reh jaayein. Kisiko usmein ek bhi khot nazar nahi aani chaahiye!" NT nodded. Dadima turned towards Geet, "Geet beta! Paayal bahut dari hogi, nervous hogi. Use apni baaton mein uljhaana ya joke crack karna par use shaant karo. Agar woh nervous hui toh shaayad hadbada jaaye aur yeh humein avoid karna hai. Yeh high society waale galti dhoondte rehte toh Paayal ko bilkul nervous hone mat dena!" Geet nodded.
Suddenly, the three ladies heard a chuckle. They turned to see Annie and Arjun standing there. "Arre Dadima! Bas karo! Aur instructions dogi toh yahin shaam hojaayegi.", Arjun spoke. Dadima shook her head at his cheek while Maan came down the stairs dressed for Office with Dev following him. "Maan! Aap aaj kahaan chale? Aapko toh Shantivan jaana haina! Aakash bete aap logon ka wahaan intezaar kar rahe honge.", Dadima spoke up. Maan looked at her, "Haan Dadima! Humein wahaan jaana hai. But Office mein important kaam hai. But don't worry Aakash se humne baat karli hai. He doesn't mind. Aur humlog half day le rahe hain. Wahin office se direct chale jaayenge." Dadima frowned but nodded. Maan looked at NT, "Chalo NT, Geet! Hum tum dono ko Laxmi Nagar drop kar dete hain." Geet and NT nodded, took Dadima's leave and walked away. Maan and Dev also took leave and walked away. Maan reached the door, turned and looked at Arjun who was flirting with Annie, "ARJUN! Chal rahe ho ya nahi?" Arjun looked away from Annie and fumbled, "Haan! Haan! Aa raha hoon!" Dadima frowned at him, "Arjun beta! Ab aap kahaan chale?" Arjun replied, "Woh Mumbai Office ke quarterly reports Bro ke saath discuss karna hai. Toh maine socha aaj hi woh kaam niptaaloon." He kissed Aanie on her cheek, kissed Dadima's cheek who swatted the back of his head and walked away behind Maan. Dadima looked at Annie and huffed, "Ab aap toh humein chod kar nahi jaa rahe haina?" Annie shook her head and hugged Dadima, "Don't worry, Dadi. Main aapko chod kar kahin nahi jaa rahi. Main aapke saath poori time gappe karoongi aur phir hum dono shaam ko tayyaar hokar Shantivan jaayenge!"
Place - Buaji's House at Laxmi Nagar
It was ten in the morning when someone knocked on the door. Buaji who was making tea for herself was surprised. "Haayre Nandkisore! Ab is waqat kaun aaya hai?" Buaji was shocked when she opened the door and found Khushi's friend Geet and another lady, both smiling and carrying lots of gifts. Behind them stood servants, all holding gifts of various shapes and sizes. "Ee sab ka hai, bitiya?" The lady beside Geet smiled, "Khushi ne aapko bataaya nahi ki hum dono aanewaale hain?" Buaji shook her head. The lady spoke again, "Hum Naintara hain aur yeh hain Geet. Hum dono Khurana khaandaan ki bahuein hain aur Khushi ki Bhabhiyaan!" Buaji let them in and they entered the house. The servants placed the gifts inside the house. The ladies sat on the sofa and Buaji inquired, "Khushi ki Bhabhiyaan?" NT nodded, "Mere pati aur mere Jethji Khushi ko apni behen maante hain. Toh Paayal bhi unki behen jaisi hi hui na! Aur Ek baar Paayal ne Geet ki jaan bhi bachaayi thi. Toh hum sabne socha ki Paayal ke liye kuch special karein. Yeh saare gifts ladki waalon ki taraf se ladke waalon ke liye!" She waved her hands over the gifts. Buaji looked speechless. Haayre Nandkisore! Yeh Khushi ne humaare bhaag hi khulwa diye! Ab ee sab tohfa dekhke koi bhi humaare Paayaliya par ungli nahi uthaayenge! Soon, the rest of the family entered the room and the introductions were done. Hugs were exchanged among Geet, Paayal, NT, Khushi and Lavanya. Amma and Babuji were shocked at seeing the gifts and NT again explained the reasons behind them. "Par hum kaise….", Amma spoke but Buaji got up and dragged the parents to the kitchen. She whispered to them, "Aapan dono chup karo. Agar yeh tohfe humaari ghar se gaye toh yeh bade log humaari Paayal par ungli naahi uthaayenge. Tum jaanat hona ki hum log aur un log ka koi mel nahi!" Amma frowned, "Par Jiji Aakash Bitwa parivaar waale haisiyat aur aukaad dekhne waalon mein se nahi hai!" Babuji nodded but Buaji persisted, "Arre! Baat ko samjho! Yeh bhi bade log hi hain. Agar mana kiya toh bura maan jaayenge. Phir ka karogi? Aur bhoolo mat ee log Khushi ke baas (boss) bhi hain." It was clear that parents were not comfortable but what can they say? Bua had stated true facts. They agreed reluctantly.
Soon, all of them settled and spoke about the engagement. NT informed about the beautician she had called for Paayal and that she would take personal interest in getting her ready. Amma was really grateful for NT's intervention. NT also assured them that Khurana Car will be ready for their travelling in the evening. Soon, Amma and Buaji went for Mandir as they had a mannat to fulfil, "Uu ka haina humne mannat maangi thi ki agar Paayal ka rishta tey hua toh hum sagaai ke din archana karwaayenge.", Amma explained and soon the ladies walked off. Babuji also took his leave as he had to meet some neighbours. The remaining ladies retreated to the bedroom where Paayal showed off her engagement dress and NT spoke about her College days when she was dating Dev. Hence, the girls spent the morning chatting among them.
Place - Shantivan
It was around three in the afternoon when Maan, Dev and Arjun entered the house and looked around the decorations. The hall was decorated with various flowers and lighting. Soon, Naani welcomed them, "Arre! Aapan teeno aagaye. Aayiye! Aayiye! Aakash kab se aap teeno ka intezaar kar rahe hain." All three hugged her. Maan looked around, "Angel Dear aur Shaam…" Naani piped up, "Shaam Babua caterers ke paas gaye hain aur Anjali Bitiya so rahi hain." Arjun piped up, "Maama, Maami?" Naani replied, "Manorama Beauty Parlour gayi hai aur Manohar humaare khaandaani jewar Polish karne diye hain wohi lene gaye hain." Maan nodded, "Aur Arnav?" Naani smiled, "Chote apne kamre ma hain." Maan nodded and walked towards Arnav's room while Dev and Arjun headed for Aakash's room.
Place - Arnav's Room at Shantivan
Arnav sat working on his laptop when someone cleared their throat. He looked up to see Maan standing in front of him, arms folded across his chest, a smirk on his face. "Maan!", Arnav got up and hugged Maan. "Thanks for coming dude! I needed you today!", Arnav spoke and Maan was surprised, "You needed me, matlab?" Arnav took a deep breath, "I am planning to propose Afreen tonight." Maan frowned, "Afreen?" Arnav fumbled, "Matlab Khushi! I am proposing Khushi! And I am nervous." Maan smirked, "Tum kyun nervous ho rahe ho? I mean you are Arnav Singh Raizada, Dude!" Arnavgave him a blank stare, "We are talking about Khushi, Dude! Woh ladki jo mera do minute mein band baja sakti hai. I am not risking anything when it comes to her. You tell me she will say yes, right?" Maan sat on the bed and spoke up, "Waise proposal toh baad ki baat hai. What are you doing about your identity?" Arnav frowned as he stood by the poolside door looking outside, "What is wrong with my identity?" Maan huffed, "Woh tujhe yahaan dekhegi aur use pata chalega ki tune usse jhoot bola hai." Arnav whirled around and looked at him, "JHOOT!! When did I lie?" Maan narrowed his eyes and Arnav rolled his eyes, "I did not lie. I just never told her things that she didn't ask questions about. Sahi sawaal poochti toh I would have had to lie. I didn't lie." Maan stood up and stared at him and Arnav gulped, "Fine! I lied. But if you see from her point of view, I did not lie." Maan rolled his eyes, "Tu kuch bhi kehle Arnav, woh toh yahi samjhegi that you played a game with her." Arnav glared at him, "I did not play any game with her. I love her. I did not lead her on." Maan huffed, "But the fact remains that she will see you there and be shocked." Arnav smirked, "And when I see her I will be shocked too. I will say 'Khushi, tum yahaan woh bhi Paayal ke saath? What's going on?'" Maan looked at him in shock and soon a smug grin spread across his face, Arnav grinned back and both started laughing loudly. As they stopped laughing, Maan spoke up, "I see your plan. I totally see your plan. And I have to say it is good. The plan is good."
Both of them sat on the chairs near the poolside. Arnav spoke up, "Maan, the plan is simple. I will act as if I don't know that she is the girl who is Aakash's future saali. Afterall, no one has shown me any picture of her and she has never seen Di's Chote's pics. She knows that there exists a younger brother of Anjali Di and I know that Paayal has a younger sister, that's all. And I made sure that we never met at my place or go to Paayal's house at Laxmi Nagar with my family. According to my family, I do not know where Paayal lives. So I would just say I did not know that Paayal's sister is Khushi. When I told her about my past and family, I never told her anybody's name. She knows me as your family friend and she thinks that I know her due to you. And the best part is she knows that you are going to my brother's engagement but she does not know that my brother and her sister's fianc are the same. So she can't rat me out through you either. You could just say that you did not know that Aakash's Paayal and her sister Paayal were the same." Arnav rolled his eyes and Maan shook his head. Maan spoke, And If she asks that 'Paayal ki behen ka naam Khushi hai aur humaara naam bhi Khushi toh aapko shaq nahi hua?' then what will you say?" Arnav smirked, "I would say no one told me Paayal's sister's name is Khushi and the comedy is she never told me her sister's name too. It was always Jiji this and Jiji that." Maan laughed and Arnav grinned. Suddenly, Maan looked at him, "And what about the invitation? Usne tujhe engagement ka invitation toh diya hoga na?" Arnav grinned, "I never saw the invitation. I told her that yesterday that I did not even look at the invitation yet. See I am smart." But Maan shook his head, "Arnav bhale hi tune invitation kholke nahi dekha par invitation ke design toh same the. Agar Khushi ne is par shaq kiya toh?" Arnav rolled his eyes, "Isliye main apne aapko lucky samajhta hoon kyunki Khushi utna detail mein sochegi hi nahi. Aur jab tak yeh baat use soojhegi, I would have proposed and we would be engaged. Phir sagaai ke agle din she will come and fight with me and I will make up to her. No problem." Arnav smirked smugly but Maan shook his head. Sometimes Arnav was too arrogant. Sambhalja Arnav varna ek din yeh tera ghamand tujhe duba le jaayega!
Place - Aakash's Room
Dev and Arjun entered Aakash's room and stopped in their tracks. There on the bed lying on his stomach was Aakash with a photo frame in his hand. Dev and Arjun smirked at each other and sneaked into the room. Even though Dev and Arjun were older to Aakash by a year and Arnav was their age, they felt more connected to Aakash than Arnav. Maybe it was because Arnav and Maan were the older brothers who took all the burdens on their shoulders while they made sure that Aakash, Dev and Arjun never faced any struggles or difficulties in their lives. For the younger three, Arnav and Maan were the same even though Arnav was younger to Maan by two years and about the same age as Dev and Arjun. For them, Maan and Arnav were the serious responsible brothers who took care of them while Dev, Aakash and Arjun were the younger brothers who had fun and goofed around.
Dev sneaked by Aakash while Arjun raised his hand towards the photo frame. Both the boys looked at each other and suddenly, Dev shouted, "Aakash!" and at the same time Arjun pulled the photo frame from his hand. Aakash jerked out of his daydream with a loud shout and looked around to see Dev and Arjun looking at the photo frame. His eyes widened, Meri Miss. ChamCham ki photo! He lunged after them but they avoided. "Guys! Give me my frame!" Dev smiled at him sweetly, "Humein toh Bhabhiji ko dekhne do. Afterall she is our gang's new member." By our gang, Dev meant about the group of five members comprising of Dev, Annie, Aakash, NT and Arjun. From the young age all five were together and also went to same college. While Dev was in same batch with Arjun, Aakash was in the batch of Annie and NT. Infact, when Dev and Arjun passed out of college they made Aakash the bodyguard of their girlfriends, NT and Annie respectively. Poor Aakash! On one side there were College hot shot boys who wanted a chance with NT and Annie now that Arjun and Dev had passed out and on the other side were Dev and Arjun. Both sides were ready to smash him if he went against them. As I said; Poor Aakash! Aakash rolled his eyes and lunged at Dev who threw the frame towards Arjun who caught it and spoke, "Waise Bhabhiji good looking hai. Good choice! No wonder Aakash aaj kal khoya khoya rehta hai!" He winked at Aakash who glared at him. Dev piped up, "Iski haalat dekhke mujhe ek gaane ki yaad aa rahi hai! Who kya gaana tha? Haan!" He began to sing, "Yeh Khoya Khoya Rehta Hai, Yeh Din Mein Soya Soya Rehta Hai!" and he burst out laughing. Aakash huffed and pulled the frame from Arjun's hands. Arjun continued the song, "Yeh Raaton Ko Uth Uthke Rota Hai, Yehi Gaata Hai Woh Le Gayi Dil!" Both Dev and Arjun sang while Aakash sighed miserably at their teasing, "Taram Pum Taram Pum Taram Pum
Chalo Usko Dhoondenge Hum
Pari Hai Woh Hai Hoor Koi
Jo Dhaaya Hai Itna Sitam"
Aakash looked the photo and sang quietly, "Nahi Woh Toh Kuch Aur Hi Hai
Kahein Kya Yaaron Tumse Hum"
Arjun and Dev looked at each other and sang along, "Taram Pum Taram Pum Taram Pum, Chalo Usko Dhoondenge Hum"
Aakash rolled his eyes at them and placed the photo frame by his bed side table. As he sat on the bed, Dev and Arjun joined him. Dev piped up, "Arre Yaar! Gaana toh khatam kar!" Aakash shook his head but Arjun persuaded, "Aakash! Tu toh College ka best singer hua karta tha yaar! Itna achcha gaata hai! Apne doston ke liye yeh gaana toh poora gaa de!" Dev smiled, "Humaare liye Aakash! We will even sing the chorus part. It is been ages saath baithke gaane gaaye hain, yaar. Please un college ke dino ke liye!" Aakash huffed and started singing:
Itni Haseeno Mein Chhupi Ek Aisi Haseena Hai
Ke Moti Si Tum Ho Jaise
He picked up the photo frame and pointed it to his friends while singing further.
Anghooti Mein Woh Nagina Koi Ho
Dekha Hai Tumne Kaho Kya Usko
He lied on the bed.
Jaise Nagina Koi Ho
Dekha Hai Tumne Kaho Kya Usko
Dev and Arjun lied by Aakash and sang in chorus.
Taram Pum Taram Pum Taram Pum
Chalo Usko Dhoondenge Hum
Pari Hai Woh Hai Hoor Koi
Jo Dhaaya Hai Itna Sitam
Aakash got up and looked at the photo again and sang.
Nahi Woh Toh Kuch Aur Hi Hai
Kahein Kya Yaaron Tumse Hum
Dev and Arjun again gave the chorus.
Taram Pum Taram Pum Taram Pum
Chalo Usko Dhoondenge Hum
All three burst out laughing. Arjun piped up, "Dhoondhna kya hai? Bhabhi toh mil gayi!" Aakash smiled at the comment. He closed his eyes and imagined his Paayal dressed in blue saree smiling at him softly. He sang in soft voice.
Doodh Si Rangat Hai Dhuli Ho Chandni Se Jaise
Kamal Ke Jaisi Nazaakat Hai
Karishma Hai Woh Khudaayi Ka Toh Jo
Dekha Hai Tumne Kaho Kya Usko
He opened his eyes and smiled softly. He sang forgetting the audience in the room.
Jaise Karishma Hai Woh
Dekha Hai Tumne Kaho Kya Usko
He was jolted from his thoughts when Dev and Arjun sang the chorus.
Taram Pum Taram Pum Taram Pum
Chalo Usko Dhoondenge Hum
Pari Hai Woh Hai Hoor Koi
Jo Dhaaya Hai Itna Sitam
Aakash looked at his friends and sang further.
Woh Subah Ka Taara
Haan Woh Kismat Se Humaara Hai
Oh Yaaron Doli Saja Ke Rakhna Hai
Use Banna Hai Meri Dulhan
"Haay Haaye!" Dev and Arjun shouted as Aakash blushed and smiled sheepishly. Dev and Arjun sang the chorus as they started poking Aakash.
Taram Pum Taram Pum Taram Pum
Chalo Usko Dhoondenge Hum
Pari Hai Woh Hai Hoor Koi
Jo Dhaaya Hai Itna Sitam
Aakash pushed them away and jumped up the bed to escape them. He sang further.
Nahi Woh Toh Kuch Aur Hi Hai
Kahein Kya Yaaron Tumse Hum
He jumped down the bed and all three sang together.
Taram Pum Taram Pum Taram Pum
Chalo Usko Dhoondenge Hum
All three looked at each other, smiling at their antics. Suddenly, Dev spoke up, "You know what, Arjun? Yeh sab masti mein hum Bhai se milna toh bhool hi gaye!" Arjun slapped his forehead, "Haan yaar! Bhai se bhi toh milna! Chal, is Junior ASR se mil liya. Ab senior ASR se milte hai." Dev nodded. They said byes to Aakash and told him to get ready and walked off.
SONG DETAILS
The song is from the movie "Doli Saja Ke Rakhna" (Year 1998) picturised on Akshay Khanna sung by Babul Supriyo and Sreenivasan.
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
52