CHAPTER 53 (B). THE DAY OF ENGAGEMENT PART II
Place - Arnav's Room at Shantivan
"What do you think?", Arnav asked Maan as both of them observed the security plans spread on the table. Arnav fulfilled his promise of having tight security for Soni's safety and now both were pouring over it making sure there were no loopholes in it. Maan nodded grimly as his mind reminded him of the events happened on Saturday. He almost wanted to tell Arnav about it but stopped himself as he remembered that Khushi and Paayal were involved in it. He knew Arnav would make an issue over it as Khushi was also in danger by default. As Maan stared at it, Arnav walked over to the cupboard and pulled out a small velvet box. He placed the box in front of Maan. Maan glanced at it and looked at Arnav wordlessly asking him about it. Arnav glanced back at him and spoke up, "I plan to propose her with it. Have a look! I hope she will like it!" Maan shook his head. Sach kehte hain pyaar insaan ko badal deta hai! Ab ise hi dekhlo! The Great ASR ko pyaar ne nervous banaa diya; itna nervous ki woh mujhse ring ke baare mein pooch raha hai! He picked up the box and opened it. Arnav almost seemed to hold his breath; Maan noticed. He laughed inwardly but outwardly he showed no reaction. He closed the box and kept it on the table. Arnav took a deep breath, "How is it? Afreen….I mean Khushi will like it, na?" Maan got up and walked away. Arnav spoke up worriedly, "It is ok, right? I mean agar ring dekhne ke baad Khushhi ne reject kiya toh?" Maan turned around and stared at him. Arnav was beyond worry, "Maan, say something!" Maan smiled, then started grinning and soon he was laughing wholeheartedly. "I can't believe it. The great ASR nervous about a ring! Mujhse poochta hai ki Khushi ring ki wajah reject karegi kya? Arnav, are you crazy? This is Khushi, not some bimbo who is after your money!" Arnav rolled his eyes, "Exactly my point. This is Khushi, jiska koi bharosa nahi ki kab kya karde. I don't want to take any risk. I want everything to be so perfect that she would not have a single reason to reject me." Maan schooled his features to seriousness and spoke up, "Toh proposal mein kya bolega uski bhi practice kar li hogi na? I mean even that should be perfect." Arnav's eyes widened, "Damn! I knew I forgot something." He pulled out a pen and writing pad and started writing. Maan controlled his laughs till he reached the poolside; where he let loose them. Arnav bechara! Hope you say yes, Khushi! Arnav won't be able to bear your no!
Dev and Arjun entered the room, smiles on their faces as they discussed poor Aakash's haalat. They stopped in their tracks as they stared at the scene in front of them. There stood Arnav Singh Raizada in front of a large mirror talking to himself. They looked at each other in shock and took some steps forward to listen. Arnav was mumbling, "I know we are not compatible. I mean you are so loud and I am so quiet. And there is also the fact that we are from different social circles. But there are also various advantages to this matrimony. For example, you can make as much as Jalebis you like or you can buy as much as salwar kameez you like; though I prefer you in saree….." Arjun and Dev looked at each other in horror. Is he doing what we think he is doing? They crept closer and Arjun spoke up, "Bhai, what are you doing?" Arnav was brought out of his thoughts and he looked at them and smiled in surprise. "Arre, tum log kab aaye?" Arnav hugged each of them. Dev piped up, "Woh sab chodo. Tell me what were you doing?" "He was preparing his proposal for a girl.", came Maan's voice tinged with humour as he entered the room from the poolside. Dev and Arjun looked at Arnav in horror. Arjun spoke up, "Bhai, Propose kar rahe the ya business deal?" Dev shook his head, "Upar se, you are pointing out the flaws in girl's status. Dude, that's the worst way to express your feelings to a girl!" Arnav looked at them confused, "But when I speak this way, my clients are impressed." Dev and Arjun slapped their foreheads in unison. Maan spoke up, "Arnav, the girl is already impressed. Ab dil ki baat karni hai." "Exactly Bhai! Dil se kaam lo, dimaag se nahi!", Dev explained. Arnav looked back at the mirror and sighed miserably. Dil se baat karna was not the tough part. The tough part was to make it perfect! Arjun and Dev looked at each other and shook their heads. It seems their help was needed here!
Soon, Dev and Arjun had Arnav following their words with Maan looking amusedly from behind. The boys had Arnav on one knee while giving tips on how to look at the girl in a manner that seemed romantic while making sure you maintained balance on one knee. Maan was sure Arnav would have bruised knees by the end of the night. They started giving tips on what to say and what was absolutely not to say like the girl's status or her habits etc. When Arnav asked them on what exactly he should say Dev piped up, "What to say depends on your heart. When you are in front of her, just listen to your heart and it will guide you." Arjun spoke, "And never forget our tips while proposing!" Arnav nodded while Maan smiled as he remembered his own proposal.
Place - Khushi's Room at Laxmi Nagar
Paayal was horrified as she stared at NT. It was four in the evening and Paayal was seated on the bed surrounded by NT, Khushi, Lavanya and Geet. Lavanya was smirking while Khushi and Geet were blushing. NT spoke up, "Arre! Aap aise sharma rahi ho? Humne kya kuch galat poocha? Hum toh sirf itna jaanna chaahte hain ki kya ab tak Aakash ne aapko kiss kiya?" Paayal turned beet red while Geet and Khushi were not far behind. Lavanya was the only unmarried girl in the room who was not feeling uncomfortable as she was used to these kind of talks with her college friends. But Geet, Paayal and Khushi who were small towners were feeling shy. And there was also the fact that the talk reminded of their almost kisses too. NT rolled her eyes and spoke, "Arre! Agar kiss par aise sharmaaogi toh shaadi ke baad kya hoga?" Paayal hid her face behind her hands totally uncomfortable with the direction the talk was going on. Khushi controlled her blush and spoke up softly, "Shaadi ke baad matlab?" NT rolled her eyes at La as if saying 'what are we stuck with?' and La shook her head as if saying 'I totally agree with you, sister'. La piped up, "Khushi! Shaadi ke baad matlab suhaag raat, you idiot!" Khushi eeped, Geet squeaked and NT slapped her forehead. Hey Geet ke Babaji aur Khushi ke Devi Maiyya please save me from these idiots! Inko dekh ke koi vishwaas karega ki yeh 21st century ki ladies hain. Aur log kehte hain humaara desh pragati kar raha hai! NT spoke, "Dekho Paayal, aaj aapki sagaai hai. Bas kuch dino ki baat hai aur uski baad aapki shaadi ho jaayegi. Yeh sab gyaan aapko baantna humaare liye jaroori hai." Paayal, Khushi and Geet looked at her as if she was teaching them some great divine thoughts. La piped up, "Haan! Maine bhi yeh sab gyaan college mein suna hai! Kehte hain jo suhaag raat mein apne pati ko ungli pe nachaata hai, uska pati zindagi bhar uski hi gulaami karta hai." NT nodded, "Yeh sach keh rahi hai. Aap humaare Dev ko hi dekhlo. Aaj bhi humaare peeche lattu hokar ghoomte hain." As the three girls listened, a thought passed through the minds of Geet and Khushi; Inhein kya pata ki Dev inke peeche isliye ghoomte hai kyunki woh inke ghusse se darte hain, isliye nahi ki who inpar lattu hain. But both kept their mouths shut. Paayal was looking at NT and La as if they were Goddesses themselves who were distributing gyaan. NT continued, "Arre! Kuch saalon pehle is par ek gaana bhi aaya tha. Kya gaana tha woh? Haan!" NT sang softly a bit off key, "Aadhi Raat Jab Chand Dhale Aur Koi Na Ho Pichwaade Mein, Chaap Daba Ke Thhaade Rahiyo Du-Aa-De Mein!"
Paayal devoted her full attention to them her expression set on shock. La continued the song, "Aadhi Raat Jab Chand Dhale Aur Koi Na Ho Pichwaade Mein, Chaap Daba Ke Thhaade Rahiyo Du-Aa-De Mein, Minnat Kare"
NT piped up, "Na Maaniyo
Paiyyan Pade"
La shook her head, "Na Maaniyo
Agar Woh Haan Kehde"
NT looked affronted, "Na Kehna
Woh Na Kehde"
La nodded her head, "Haan Kehna
Jaan Ki Kasam Di Toh"
Both the girls giggled and sang further going with the momentum.
Aadhi Raat Jab Chand Dhale Aur Koi Na Ho Pichwaade Mein
Chaap Daba Ke Thhaade Rahiyo Du-Aa-De Mein
Minnat Kare
Na Maaniyo
Paiyyan Pade
Na Maaniyo
NT cleared her throat and spoke, "Aage is geet ke lekhak kehte hain…" Khushi piped up, "Geet ke lekhak nahi hote, kavi hote hai!" NT rolled her eyes, "Whatever! KAVI kehte hain…" She sang the next lines.
Jewar Na Bole Koi
Ghunghat Na Khole Koi
Akhiyaan Dikha Dijiyo
NT showed Paayal how to glare. La sang further.
Baataan Mein Ujhaaye Toh
Pooche Jo Samjhaaye Toh
Mundia Hila Dijiyo
Paayal nodded her head still seeming in shock. NT pointed at the room's door and sang.
Darwaaje Se
Kaan Lagaa Ke
Sunti Hogi
Sab Sakhiyaan
La got up and ran to the door and sang up.
Laaj Waaj Ko
Chod Chaadke
Kundi Kiwaade Mein
La locked the door and Geet and Khushi giggled amongst each other while Paayal blushed. La and NT sang further.
Minnat Kare
Na Maaniyo
Paiyyan Pade
Na Maaniyo
Paayal got up from the bed and spoke, "Bas kijiye aap log! Aur kitna embarrass karenge humein! This is so not fair!" Her face showed distress. NT nodded and hushed the laughing girls, "Paayal sahi keh rahi hai. Inhein chidhaana band kijiye!" Paayal stood by the window looking out while frowning. NT sat by the bed and said, "Chalo inhein aur mat sataao. Waise pata hai upar upar se toh aise bol rahi hai yeh….. par inke dil mein kya chal raha hai pata hai?" La, Geet and Khushi shook their head and Paayal looked at NT in confusion. NT sang.
Ja Ja Na Daal Paheli
Barso Ke Baad Saheli
Jagne Ki Raat Aayi
Paayal's jaw dropped. Khushi seeing her sister's reaction, sang the next lines.
Dekha Karti Thi Sapna
Sapne Ko Aakhir Apna
Kehne Ki Raat Aayi
Paayal pouted at the fact that her own sister went against her. She huffed and walked to Khushi. She pinched Khushi's ear while Khushi howled. Paayal sang the next lines with annoyance in her voice.
Dekh Paraayi
Khasmo Se Tu
Jalti Kyun Hai
Byaah Karle
Khushi pouted and NT turned and sang to her.
Door Door Se
Taank Jhaank Mat
Aaja Akhaade Mein
Khushi huffed while rest of them laughed.
Soon all five were singing the song in chorus, some in sync and some with total off key tone.
Aadhi Raat Jab Chand Dhale Aur Koi Na Ho Pichwaade Mein
Chaap Daba Ke Thhaade Rahiyo Du-Aa-De Mein
Minnat Kare
Na Maaniyo
Paiyyan Pade
Na Maaniyo
As the girls began laughing and chattering, Paayal's eyes glanced towards one of the cupboards in the room. It had glass door and she saw something in it which caught her attention. She walked towards the cupboard, sat on her knees and opened it. In it lied one of her favorite dolls, which she had left here in a young age so that whenever they visited Buaji they would not have to carry their toys with them. She pulled the doll out. It was dressed in dulhan's joda and covered with plastic jewelry. Her mind went back to those old days when she and Khushi used to play with the dolls. Life was so simple then! Her ears tuned in to the conversation going around her and heard Khushi speak up, "Ek baar Jiji ki shaadi ho gayi toh hum toh unse jyaada mil hi nahi paayenge. Hum Lucknow mein aur Jiji yahaan Dilli mein!" Paayal felt tears well up in her eyes as she realized that soon she would be leaving her house, her family. As she looked at the doll, she sang softly in a wavering voice, "Gudiya Batole More Doli Mein Rakhwa Dijo."
All four girls stopped their talks and looked at Paayal. Paayal hugged the doll and sang further.
Naani Kahaani Laawe Bhaiyya Ko Bulwa Dijo
Doli Gali Mein Khadi
Doli Gali Mein Khadi
She got up and her eyes touched the photo frame of her family on the wall nearby. There was her Amma, Babuji, Buaji and Lavanya's father sitting on the sofa in the living room while she, Khushi and Lavanya sat on the floor. The photo was of their teenage days. She walked towards the photo and touched it. She sang through her heart.
Maiyya Ko Lekar Jaawe
Sang Bhi Jaao Saheli
Babul Ri Babul Tori
Jaaye Na Jaaye Akeli
Jaaye Na Jaaye Akeli
Lavanya and Khushi had tears in their eyes as they got up from the bed and hugged their Jiji. Paayal kept on singing.
Doli Gali Mein Khadi
Doli Gali Mein Khadi
Doli Gali Mein Khadi
Doli Gali Mein Khadi
As her voice faded, all three hugged each other, realizing that they will be separated from each other soon. NT and Geet stood by the bed looking at them with sad eyes. Geet spoke softly, "Yeh kaisi reet hai? Ki ek ladki shaadi ke baad apne parivaar ko chod deti hai. Unki khushiyaan apne saath le jaati hai." NT smiled at Geet softly, "Geet aap yeh dekh rahe ho ki bahut jald is parivaar se khushiyaan kam hojaayegi. Par yeh bhi toh dekho ki yahi ladki kisi aur ke ghar jaakar unke ghar mein khushiyaan bikheregi. Yeh Parivaar bhale hi toot raha ho par bahut jald Paayal apna parivaar bhi basaayegi." Geet nodded and NT continued, "Ab bas kuch dino ki baat hai phir aap bhi toh humaare ghar mein aayenge hamesha ke liye apna naya parivaar basaane Veerji ke saath. Aur saath saare ghar ki khushiyaan bhi toh laayengi!" Geet nodded softly and hugged NT sideways as both the ladies stared at the hugging and crying siblings.
Place - Arnav's Room At Shantivan
"Arre! Maan Saab! Dev! Arjun! Aagaye aap log?", piped up Anjali entering the room as she noticed the three of them sitting by her Chote and Chutke drinking tea and joking around. "Angel Dear!", Maan piped up as he got up and hugged Anjali. Dev and Arjun were right behind him hugging Anjali while making sure not to squash her stomach. Maan noticed Shyam standing behind Anjali and hugged him followed by Dev and Arjun. Dev spoke up, "Of course, hum aagaye, Di! Hum nahi aayenge toh sagaai mein ronak kaun laayega!" Anjali glared at him and pinched his ear, "Achchaji, toh aap ronak badhaane aaye hain. Apne itne saalon ke dost ko support karne nahi. Yaad hai aapki shaadi mein bichaare humaare Aakash aapke peeche peeche the, aapka kitna khayaal rakhte hai aur aap aisa bol rahe hain." Dev winced and mumbled, "Arre! Main toh mazaak kar raha tha, please Di, kaan chod do." As Anjali left his ear, Dev mumbled, "Dikha hi diya aapne ki aap bhi ek ASR hi ho!" Anjali smiled and spoke in a saccharine sweet voice, "Former ASR! Abhi Anjali Jha hoon main!" "Former ASR hi sahi! Ho toh aap Arnav Bhai ki behen!", Arjun replied. All laughed but Anjali frowned, "Ek minute! Hum saalon se dekh rahe hain ki aap sab Arnav ko Bhai bulaate hain. Arnav toh aap dono ke umar ke haina! Toh aap dono Chote ko Bhai kyun bulaate hain?" All men folk looked at each other and Dev decided to answer, "Jab hum sab bachche the tab tak humne Arnav ko humaare umar ka hi socha. Par jab….", Dev stuttered and all of them realized that he was talking about the death of Anjali's parents. Dev continued, "Jab aap log permanently idhar shift hue toh Arnav bahut hi serious ho gaya. Laga jaise woh aur Maan Bhai bade hain aur hum teeno chote hain. Bas tabse hum teeno Arnav ko Bhai hi bulaate hain." Anjali smiled sadly as she remembered the fact that day she not only lost her parents but she also lost the happiness of her brother's. Arjun spoke up, "Baat umar ki nahi hai Anjali Di, baat responsibility uthaane ki hai! Yeh dono ne bade bhai ka farz uthaaya aur hum teeno ne chote bhai ka!" Anjali smiled and folded her arms, "Achchaji! Bade bhai ki responsibility toh hum samajh gaye. Par yeh chote bhai ki kaun si responsibility aap teeno ne nibhaayi hai?" Arjun piped up, "Arre wahi responsibility! Unki boring life mein smiles laane ki responsiblilty! Inki serious life mein khushi laane ki responsibility!" Arnav perked up at his lady love's name while Maan shook his head at the younger boys' antics.
Anjali spoke up, "Waise ek baat hum aap sab se poochein? Aap log Arnav ko Bhai aur Maan ko Bro kyon bulaate hain?" Aakash laughed and spoke, "Woh kya haina Di, jab hum sab ikkhatte hote the na, toh jab bhi hum teeno mein se Bhai ya Bro bulaate toh dono bade bhai palat ke dekhte! Badi confusion ho jaati thi." Dev continued, "Maan Bro ko bulaao toh Arnav Bhai aawaaz dete aur Arnav Bhai ko bulaao toh Maan Bro palatke dekhte!" Arjun concluded, "Isliye hum teeno ne faisla kiya, Bro matlab Maan Singh Khurana aur Bhai matlab Arnav Singh Raizada!" Anjali shook her head and rolled her eyes; men and their complicated logics. "Achcha achcha! Hum samajh gaye! Ab hum chalte hain humein thoda kaam hai! Aadhe ghante baad dining table pe milenge!" Dining table?? The men folk were confused. Anjali noticing their confusion spoke up, "Arre! Naaniji ka aadesh hai. Ek baar mehmaan aayenge toh raat ke khaane tak kuch khaane ko nahi milega. Toh Naani chaahti hai ke aap sab abhi kuch khaalein!" Anjali walked out of the room while Shyam stayed back talking with the Khuranas.
Place - Aakash's Room at Shantivan
Anjali smiled happily as she stared at the sherwaani in her hand. Chutke toh ek dum rajkumar lagenge aaj! Ab bas Chote bhi shaadi karlein toh hum in dono ki chinta chodkar Shyamji aur humaare honewaale bachche par dhyan dein! Even though her brothers were grown ups, for her they will always be Chote and Chutke. And hence, being a dutiful sister, she was in her Chutke's room arranging his clothes for the evening on the bed. Bas kuch dino ki baat hai, phir Paayalji is ghar mein aa jaayengi aur hum yeh sab chote mote cheezon ke liye pareshaan hona band kar denge! After all, Chutke ka khayaal rakhne waali jo aa jaayengi! Phir humein sirf Chote ka khayaal rakhna hai! Hey Devi Maiyya! Jaldi se humaare Chote ka bhi byaah karaa do! Aaj humein us phone call ka result mil jaayega! Agar result positive nikla toh chat mangni aur pat byaah! Shaadi ke gatbandhan mein hum Chote ko bandhaa kar rahenge!
Behind her a servant knocked on the door, "Bibiji! Savitriji aur Annie Memsaab aa chuki hai!" Anjali whirled around happily, "Aagaye! Achcha hua! Aap unhein bithaayiye, hum abhi aate hai!" The servant walked away and Anjali slowly followed. Her speed was dramatically slowed not only because of her limp but also because of her pregnancy. As neared the stairs, Arnav's door opened and out walked Maan followed by Arnav, Aakash, Dev, Arjun and Shyam. As she reached the stairs she huffed. Ab yeh sidiyaan bhi utarni hai! Hey Devi Maiyya! Maan stopped in his tracks as he noticed Anjali looking really knackered. He felt annoyed at Anjali's antics. Why was she tiring herself? Why was she not resting? He marched towards her and grabbed her arm, "Angel Dear! Yeh sab kya hai?" Anjali looked confused. "Tum pregnant ho aur do hafte mein tumhaari delivery hai aur tum upar neeche upar neeche kiye jaa rahi ho!", Maan growled. Shyam smirked; Daatiye Maan! Daatiye inhein! Humaari toh sunti nahi hai! Shaayad aapki sunle! Even Arnav and Aakash felt relieved at Maan's scoldings. May be their sister will listen to Maan! After all she never listened to them! Maan spoke in an icy tone, "Ghar mein kaam hai toh naukaron se keh deti! Naukar kam pad gaye toh Arnav aur naukar bula deta! Right Arnav?" Arnav nodded solemnly. Anjali sadly looked at him; traitor! Bhai humaare aur Maan ki taraf! "Maana ghar mein function hai but that does not mean you take risk! Just for you, Aakash ne tumhaara kamra neeche shift kar diya! Right, Aakash?" Aakash nodded timidly. Anjali was annoyed now; ek aur Traitor! She softly pleaded, "Par Maan Saab suniye.." But she was cut off. "Bechaare Shyam ne toh teen chaar din se kaam par bhi jaana band kar diya taaki yeh sab tayyaari mein tumhaara haath bata sake, right Shyam?" Even Shyam nodded his head. Anjali was beyond annoyed now; Teeno bodyguard toh humaare peeche haath dho kar padgaye aur ab yeh Maan Saab bhi ismein shaamil ho gaye! "Theek hai!", Anjali growled cutting Maan off while narrowing her eyes at Arnav, Aakash and Shyam promising retribution. While Arnav stared back and Aakash sheepishly looked away it was Shyam who was affected most; Chalo Shyam beta! Aaj sofe pe sone ki tayyaari karlo! Anjali spoke again but this time in a saccharine sweet voice, "Aapko itni padi hai toh humein godh mein uthaake neeche kyun nahi le jaate?" "What?", Maan looked at her shock. Anjali glared at him with her hand on her hips, "Haan!", she spat. "Le jaao humein godh mein! Itni aapko padi hai toh!" She huffed and turned away from Maan. Maan looked at the boys in horror and shock. Arjun, Dev and Aakash burst out laughing while Arnav smirked. Shyam remained quiet. Maan spoke up, "Arre Shyam! Apni Biwi ko samjhaao!" Shyam shook his head, "Tumne yeh gadda khoda hai ab tum hi niklo!""Par yeh toh bhaari hogi na?", Maan whispered but Anjali heard him. Anjali turned and glared at him. She pinched his ear and muttered, "Kya kahaa? Bhaari? You called me fat?" Maan shook his head, "Of course not! Angel Dear! Of course not!" Anjali turned away and huffed, "Then pick me up!" Maan rolled his eyes; it seemed Anjali was as stubborn as him. "Maan beta! Kya baat hai? Utha lijiye apni Angel ko!", they heard Savitri Khurana speak. They looked below to see Maan's Dadima, Arnav's Naniji, Maamiji, Maamaji and Annie standing. Annie shouted, "Haan Bro! Uthaalo! You can do it!" "Uthaai lo Bitwa!", Naani showed her support while Maamiji hollered, "Sharmaao naahi bitwa! Humaari Anjali hai ee! Tumhaari Angel Dear!" Maan heard Arjun and Dev cheer him from behind. Finally, Maan shrugged and picked Anjali up in bridal style. Cheer went up from Dev, Arjun and Aakash behind Maan while Anjali looked at Maan in shock. She had not even thought that Maan would actually take up her challenge. The people downstairs started clapping for them. Anjali waved eagerly at the people below while Maan rolled his eyes and carried her down. Soon, Anjali was downstairs hugging Annie and Daadi and whole Khuranas and Raizadas were filled with cheer and happiness as the evening came close.
SONG DETAILS
The song is from the movie "Paheli" (Year 2005) picturised on Rani Mukherji sung by Bela Shende, Madhushree and Shreya Ghoshal.
AUTHOR NOTES
If you think that the song sequence over-the-top, then please ignore it. The idea refused to leave my head and the idea did not allow me to delete it too.
PRECAP
And the night you all have been waiting for has arrived! While Maan is blissfully happy with Geet, Arnav decides to propose Khushi. Aakash is getting engaged to Paayal.
But will the kidnappers allow Geet to be happy?
Will Arnav get his Khushi?
Will the engagement happen?
If you remember the prologue, you will know that this is the night fate will throw the biggest obstacles in the lover's lives; an obstacle which will lead to sacrifice, anguish, betrayal and ignorance.
Will they survive Fate's onslaught or will they succumb to it?
To know more, be ready on next Friday!
(The update might be delayed for a day,
if there are heavy rains as they lead to power cut!)
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