Posted:
Happy Diwali to everyone. Hope everyone has a safe and happy Diwali with near and dear ones.
I got a few requests for PM. Sorry I am not able to do PM's at this time due to time constraints. But please do post your feedback, comments and likes. This is what keeps me going.
Chapter 14
"What the HELL is going on??" shouted Suraj Pratap on top of his voice.
"Dr. Shankar! is this a JOKE??? I thought everything went fine in the wedding. We come home and Gayathri lifted the bride's veil at the entrance to welcome her inside and we find THIS girl under the veil. We did not finish the rest of the rituals for the bride. Gayathri almost fainted and that is when I called you...so can you explain??? Who is this girl even? Did Yash get married to Arpita or not? Or did he tie the mangalsutra to this girl? I am not understanding anything!!! Someone better explain something to me quickly!"
Dr. Shankar looked puzzled and walked over to Aarti who was squatting on the floor. He lifted her up by holding her shoulders. Aarti had tears in her eyes...In a hoarse but terse voice: "Aarti, please tell me what is going on..where is Arpita...what is the meaning of all this...atleast for the time you spent in my house...dont you think you owe me some kind of explanation??Please?"
He started shaking her to make her answer...And all Aarti did was look at him straight into his eyes..."She wont be able to say anything..." everyone turned in the direction of the voice who said that.
"She wont be able to say anything" repeated Shobha...there was pin drop silence in the hall and everyone was listening to her as to what she will say next..."Aarti wont say anything because she did what I asked her to do!"
Dr. Shankar, Suraj Pratap, Gayathri, Pankaj, Vidhi, Yash, Prateek - all looked at each other even more confused and then to Shobha.
Shobha continued.."when I got into the room to get Arpita, all I found was a note that said she was leaving as she was in love with her professor at the university. She knew we will not agree as he is 15 years older than she is and he is also a divorcee."
Dr. Shankar was shocked to hear this..."NO! NEVER! My Arpita wont do anything like that...!!!"
"But she did ji. She did. She waited until now to make her decision. When I saw the note, everything was spinning in front of me. Had she told me this before, I would have done something so none of us had to put in this last minute dilemma and situation. I dont know if what I did was right or wrong...but to me..what I did seemed like the only way for both of families to save our pride and reputation."
She slowly walked towards Aarti, put her palm on her head...lifted up her chin and looked her the eyes..."Gayathri ji, this is Aarti. She is not directly related to me. She is my cousin's grand daughter. She lost her entire family and I was the closest known relative. She was left in my care until she was capable to be independant. When I saw Aarti, I did not think anything. All I could see was someone who can help us avoid defamation in the society. I took Aarti to Arpita's room in the resort, and begged her to take her place and get married. Aarti...I am really sorry for forcing you...you have saved my family's reputation...Scindia ji, ...she comes from a good family...her father served in the army and her mother was a classical dancer...a south Indian. Her father is a Rajput..."
"ENOUGH!!!!" yelled Suraj Pratap, who was clearly still VERY angry..."...what, so you took this decision on your own???? You did not even bother to tell your husband or any one? Your daughter ran away and you decide to make a total unknown girl get married to my son? Come here...come here all of you, I want to show you something..."
Suraj Pratap caught hold of Aarti..."come here, you need to see this..." he led the way and everyone followed...
They entered into what seemed like Yash's bedroom, which was decorated with flowers and candles...Aarti looked up and saw the room was also filled with large portraits and photos of Yash and Arpita..!!
"See, see this? These are pictures taken on the engagement ceremony. We all had accepted Arpita as our daughter-in-law. Prateek and Vidhi decorated this room...And imagine what Yash must be going through..."
Gayathri calmed down her husband by holding his hand..."Aap please...calm down...your BP will increase...please...Pankaj..say something to your father.."
.."and what about me?" asked Aarti. Wiping her tears away she asked..."everyone has been speaking about their family and their reputation...but I also have some plans and dreams. I was supposed to leave for Mumbai tomorrow morning and take my flight to the US. I am going there for higher studies. What about that? What is the plan for me?..." she asked her voice breaking and she almost choking..."Maasi...huh? what is the plan now? You took my father and mother's names and made me do this...what should I do now...because I dont have anyone, this is somehow ok?"
When Yash heard that, he felt deeply hurt for some unknown reason. He was struggling to make sense of everything that happened with his head...but his heart was not agreeing...then he stepped forward..."can I please talk to Aarti alone..?"
Everyone was shocked.."Yash.." his mother said protectively...
"Please Ma...let me talk to her..."
Everyone left the room.
Yash and Aarti were now alone in the room. A cool breeze came in from the balcony...Aarti's pallu was fluttering in the wind...and got caught onto Yash's kurta...they both looked in each other's direction...then looked away...
"One second..." Yash struggled to get the end of the stuck pallu off his suit, finally he got it free and left the room leaving Aarti alone there. She once again looked around...her heart pounding...head almost spinning. How did her day start...and where did she land up...she wished she had a friend to talk to...she was missing Mansi and Aman...
"Here..."...he was back in 5mins. Aarti was looking at him confused..."I asked Vidhi bhabhi for some regular clothes...you can change into it...please dont think any otherwise...lets talk and figure this out...I want you to be comfortable first..."
Aarti merely looked at him..."The bathroom is over there. I will also change..."..."in Prateek's room" he added.
Aarti changed into regular clothes..in a way, she was thankful for Yash. She was still confused and scared..based on their last random meeting with him..."Yash.." she slowly whispered to herself as she took off her jewellery.
Yash knocked.."can I come in.."
"Yes" is all he heard.
As he stepped in, he saw Aarti dressed in a simple cotton chudidar. She was so elegant. For a moment Yash forgot the situation they were in, and he was lost in the sight...
He came by awkwardly..."Let me first introduce myself. My name is Yash Scindia. I knew your name was Aarti...I overheard the priest call you the other day in the temple...and I met you again by chance at the engagement ceremony and the shopping mall. You must know that I did not plan any of those meetings and I am not following you."
Aarti just looked down...Yash did not know if she even heard him or not...or was even paying any attention to him.
Finally he gathered courage and asked her point blank..."So ...what do you want to do Aarti??"
I got a few requests for PM. Sorry I am not able to do PM's at this time due to time constraints. But please do post your feedback, comments and likes. This is what keeps me going.
Chapter 14
"What the HELL is going on??" shouted Suraj Pratap on top of his voice.
"Dr. Shankar! is this a JOKE??? I thought everything went fine in the wedding. We come home and Gayathri lifted the bride's veil at the entrance to welcome her inside and we find THIS girl under the veil. We did not finish the rest of the rituals for the bride. Gayathri almost fainted and that is when I called you...so can you explain??? Who is this girl even? Did Yash get married to Arpita or not? Or did he tie the mangalsutra to this girl? I am not understanding anything!!! Someone better explain something to me quickly!"
Dr. Shankar looked puzzled and walked over to Aarti who was squatting on the floor. He lifted her up by holding her shoulders. Aarti had tears in her eyes...In a hoarse but terse voice: "Aarti, please tell me what is going on..where is Arpita...what is the meaning of all this...atleast for the time you spent in my house...dont you think you owe me some kind of explanation??Please?"
He started shaking her to make her answer...And all Aarti did was look at him straight into his eyes..."She wont be able to say anything..." everyone turned in the direction of the voice who said that.
"She wont be able to say anything" repeated Shobha...there was pin drop silence in the hall and everyone was listening to her as to what she will say next..."Aarti wont say anything because she did what I asked her to do!"
Dr. Shankar, Suraj Pratap, Gayathri, Pankaj, Vidhi, Yash, Prateek - all looked at each other even more confused and then to Shobha.
Shobha continued.."when I got into the room to get Arpita, all I found was a note that said she was leaving as she was in love with her professor at the university. She knew we will not agree as he is 15 years older than she is and he is also a divorcee."
Dr. Shankar was shocked to hear this..."NO! NEVER! My Arpita wont do anything like that...!!!"
"But she did ji. She did. She waited until now to make her decision. When I saw the note, everything was spinning in front of me. Had she told me this before, I would have done something so none of us had to put in this last minute dilemma and situation. I dont know if what I did was right or wrong...but to me..what I did seemed like the only way for both of families to save our pride and reputation."
She slowly walked towards Aarti, put her palm on her head...lifted up her chin and looked her the eyes..."Gayathri ji, this is Aarti. She is not directly related to me. She is my cousin's grand daughter. She lost her entire family and I was the closest known relative. She was left in my care until she was capable to be independant. When I saw Aarti, I did not think anything. All I could see was someone who can help us avoid defamation in the society. I took Aarti to Arpita's room in the resort, and begged her to take her place and get married. Aarti...I am really sorry for forcing you...you have saved my family's reputation...Scindia ji, ...she comes from a good family...her father served in the army and her mother was a classical dancer...a south Indian. Her father is a Rajput..."
"ENOUGH!!!!" yelled Suraj Pratap, who was clearly still VERY angry..."...what, so you took this decision on your own???? You did not even bother to tell your husband or any one? Your daughter ran away and you decide to make a total unknown girl get married to my son? Come here...come here all of you, I want to show you something..."
Suraj Pratap caught hold of Aarti..."come here, you need to see this..." he led the way and everyone followed...
They entered into what seemed like Yash's bedroom, which was decorated with flowers and candles...Aarti looked up and saw the room was also filled with large portraits and photos of Yash and Arpita..!!
"See, see this? These are pictures taken on the engagement ceremony. We all had accepted Arpita as our daughter-in-law. Prateek and Vidhi decorated this room...And imagine what Yash must be going through..."
Gayathri calmed down her husband by holding his hand..."Aap please...calm down...your BP will increase...please...Pankaj..say something to your father.."
.."and what about me?" asked Aarti. Wiping her tears away she asked..."everyone has been speaking about their family and their reputation...but I also have some plans and dreams. I was supposed to leave for Mumbai tomorrow morning and take my flight to the US. I am going there for higher studies. What about that? What is the plan for me?..." she asked her voice breaking and she almost choking..."Maasi...huh? what is the plan now? You took my father and mother's names and made me do this...what should I do now...because I dont have anyone, this is somehow ok?"
When Yash heard that, he felt deeply hurt for some unknown reason. He was struggling to make sense of everything that happened with his head...but his heart was not agreeing...then he stepped forward..."can I please talk to Aarti alone..?"
Everyone was shocked.."Yash.." his mother said protectively...
"Please Ma...let me talk to her..."
Everyone left the room.
Yash and Aarti were now alone in the room. A cool breeze came in from the balcony...Aarti's pallu was fluttering in the wind...and got caught onto Yash's kurta...they both looked in each other's direction...then looked away...
"One second..." Yash struggled to get the end of the stuck pallu off his suit, finally he got it free and left the room leaving Aarti alone there. She once again looked around...her heart pounding...head almost spinning. How did her day start...and where did she land up...she wished she had a friend to talk to...she was missing Mansi and Aman...
"Here..."...he was back in 5mins. Aarti was looking at him confused..."I asked Vidhi bhabhi for some regular clothes...you can change into it...please dont think any otherwise...lets talk and figure this out...I want you to be comfortable first..."
Aarti merely looked at him..."The bathroom is over there. I will also change..."..."in Prateek's room" he added.
Aarti changed into regular clothes..in a way, she was thankful for Yash. She was still confused and scared..based on their last random meeting with him..."Yash.." she slowly whispered to herself as she took off her jewellery.
Yash knocked.."can I come in.."
"Yes" is all he heard.
As he stepped in, he saw Aarti dressed in a simple cotton chudidar. She was so elegant. For a moment Yash forgot the situation they were in, and he was lost in the sight...
He came by awkwardly..."Let me first introduce myself. My name is Yash Scindia. I knew your name was Aarti...I overheard the priest call you the other day in the temple...and I met you again by chance at the engagement ceremony and the shopping mall. You must know that I did not plan any of those meetings and I am not following you."
Aarti just looked down...Yash did not know if she even heard him or not...or was even paying any attention to him.
Finally he gathered courage and asked her point blank..."So ...what do you want to do Aarti??"
Cricket
