Fatima's Cozy Corner - Page 47

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Meher sat curled up in a chair by her window, lazily flipping through the pages of her book. It was a beautiful day and the sun's rays streaming through the window left a wonderful warming effect on her face.

No wonder cats love to nap in the sun, she chuckled to herself, as she tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn. She looked down and smiled at the small group of children that sat on the floor in a semi-circle around her. Their pencils moved about busily as they rushed to complete their homework, pausing every now and then to ask her for help. Just then Meher heard her mother calling her from the living room.

"Meher! Look whose come to see us", said Teji Maan.

"I'll be right there Ma", Meher called back, as she glanced at her watch. "Okay guys, I'm afraid that's it for today. Now don't forget to take all of your notebooks and pencil boxes with you. I'll see you all at the same time tomorrow".

Grateful for the change in activity, Meher quickly ran downstairs. She was surprised to see that their visitor was none other than Mrs. Saxena, her mother's oldest and dearest friend. The two women had grown up together, gotten married, and as fate would have it, even had become widowed around the same time.

Mrs. Saxena had moved to Delhi many years ago and become a governess to the children of a wealthy family. The money she earned had enabled her to raise her son and send him to medical school. He would be graduating soon. The lady was nice enough, but just a bit nosy according to Meher. She made a point to visit the Maans whenever she felt she had some "news".

"Namaste Auntie Ji", Meher said politely, as she approached the older woman and touched her feet.

"Jeeti reh puttre", said Mrs. Saxena, as she placed her hand on Meher's head. "kaisi hai tu?" (God bless you my child. How are you?)

"I'm fine", smiled Meher.

"And getting prettier by the day", said Mrs. Saxena.

Meher giggled at her remark. Just then the children she had been tutoring came down. Meher saw them to the door, before walking off to the kitchen to make some tea. Her mother and her guest were still engrossed in conversation when she returned with a tray.

Mrs. Saxena watched Meher pour her a cup of tea then cleared her throat and turned to Teji and said, "Its amazing isn't it, just how quickly daughters grow up".

Now that remark came out of the blue, thought Meher, as she exchanged a look with her mother. She handed a cup to Mrs. Saxena, before taking a seat next to Teji, curious to know just where this conversation was going to lead.

"Ab Meher ko hi dekh lo", Mrs. Saxena continued. "Ladki ke haat peelay karne ka waqt aa gaya hai". (Meher is a perfect example. The girl is ready for marriage).

"Huhn? Aunty Ji...aap bhi na", said Meher, rolling her eyes. "You know how stressed out Ma is all the time about the farm and how easily she becomes ill because of it. So please...don't add to her worries by talking about a wedding that's not even on the horizon yet. It's hard enough to manage the farm and...".

"But that's my point exactly", insisted Mrs. Saxena. "Your mother is always stressed. And don't be fooled into thinking that it's just about the farm, when it's really about you and your future. I'm sure it's not easy for her to make ends meet, with a harvest that is always at the mercy of the weather and workers that are constantly demanding higher wages. What little she does manage to put away goes into planning for the next season's planting".

"We're doing fine, I assure you", said Meher.

"Of course", said Mrs. Saxena, with a hint of sarcasm, "that's why you have to tutor those children".

"I'm always telling her to not work so hard", Teji said apologetically. "She should be getting ready for university like other girls her age. I wish there was something I could do to lessen her burden, but we just don't earn enough".

"Ma! I love children. And I love teaching. I also love helping out here. It's never a burden. Besides, all the activity keeps me busy and out of trouble", chuckled Meher.

"I'll never understand your attachment to this old farm Teji", said Mrs. Saxena, shaking her head disapprovingly. "Why don't you just put it up for sale?"

"Oh I couldn't do that!" cried Teji. "Yeh Meher ke Papa ki akhri nishani hai. (It's the last momento I have of Meher's Papa) He loved the farm. He was born here, and I'm sure he would have died here working in those fields till his last breath too, if that accident hadn't claimed his life. I just couldn't betray his memory like that".

"Memories may be of great sentimental value", sympathized Mrs. Saxena, "but my dear, they don't put bread on the table. Nor do they add up to a dowry...jo beti ke kaam aa sakti ho (that can come in handy for a daughter). All I'm saying is that a girl Meher's age should start looking to get married...bas! (that's it!)"

"But she's only 18 years old", said Teji, as she lovingly passed her hand over Meher's head. "She's still so young, still has so much to learn".

"May I remind you that you and I were both married by the time we were 18", said Mrs. Saxena. "Which by the way, brings me to the reason for my visit. My Raju is graduating this year. He's been applying to residency programs in the US, and gotten a positive response from a few of them. But I told him I'm not letting him go to Am-reeka without getting married first. Hai Rabba! Utthe ja ke kisi gori maime nal setting kar ditti toh? Na baba na! Kaho to usse Meher ke baray mein poonchoon? (Oh God! What if he goes there and marries some white woman. No! It just won't do! Shall I ask him about Meher?)"

"Raju bhaiya?!?" cried Meher, as she bent over in a fit of laughter.

"Yes Raju", said Mrs. Saxena. "Need I remind you ladka doctor hai doctor (Need I remind you the boy is a doctor)! M.B.B.S. And soon to become an NRI".

"But Aunty Ji! He's like my older brother!" giggled Meher. "I've been tying rakhees on him since I was a kid".

"Fine then!" exclaimed Mrs. Saxena, as she threw her hands up in the air. "Your mom is my best friend so I just thought I'd ask, before some other lucky girl whisks him away. And I don't see what is so funny!" She glared at Meher, who was still laughing uncontrollably. "Oh whatever! Hum toh chale Amreeka! (We're going to America) Don't say I didn't ask Teji".

"I understand and thanks", smiled Teji. "It truly means a lot to me. But I'm afraid if Meher is not in agreement, I can't really force her".

A shortwhile later...

Meher watched Teji close the door as Mrs. Saxena left. She walked up to her mother, and put her arm around her shoulders. "Uff! Thank God that visit is over!" she exclaimed.

"Meher, I know she may be a little blunt, but she does mean well", smiled Teji.

"Ugh! Ma, I know she's your best friend", cried Meher, "but sometimes I just wish she'd mind her own business. And friend or no friend, who gave her the right to...".

Meher's words were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Now who could that be?" Teji asked aloud.

"It's probably Mrs. Saxena again", said Meher, as she turned to answer the door. "I'm sure, she must have forgotten something, or more likely, forgotten to say something".

"Hush Meher! She'll hear you", said Teji.

Meher nodded, but to her surprise an older, well-dressed gentleman, with a kindly face, stood at the door.

"Namaste ladies", he said, "I'm so sorry to intrude on your privacy this evening. My car has broken down by the edge of your field, and I'm afraid my phone is not picking up any network signals around here either. Would you be kind enough to let me use your phone to call for help?"

Meher looked at her mother who nodded in return. "Certainly", she replied and motioned for the gentleman to follow her. "Please come in, the phone is right here".

Meher and Teji busied themselves by clearing the tea cups and snacks, left behind by their previous guest. Meher watched carefully, as their unexpected visitor took out a small black diary and dialed a few numbers. She listened as he explained his current location and gave orders for his car to be towed to a mechanic, while another vehicle was to be sent to pick him up.

He must be someone of importance if he has so many cars, thought Meher.

Just then the older gentleman walked up to Teji and Meher and smiled. "Thank you so much for your help. I'm Dev Kashyap. I've been out in Ambala all day looking at some properties for sale. I was on my way back to Delhi just now, but I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere, because all of sudden I found myself surrounded by fields. I'm afraid my car didn't take too kindly to being maneuvered around these gravel roads either. I've instructed one of my drivers to bring another car from Delhi to pick me up. I'll just go wait in the car for him. Thanks again for your help".

"Mr. Kashyap", said Teji. "Delhi is quite a ways off, and it'll be getting dark outside soon. You're welcome to stay inside the house until your driver comes to pick you up".

"Why that is extremely kind of you...uh...Mrs...?" smiled Mr. Kashyap.

"Mrs Maan", replied Teji. "And this is my daughter Meher".

Meher offered Mr. Kashyap a friendly smile.

"I had heard about the hospitality of the people in these parts of the country", said Mr. Kashyap. "Now I've experienced it first hand. But are you sure it will be of no trouble?"

"Not at all", said Teji. "Meher, why don't you offer our guest a cup of tea and I'll get dinner started".

Meher poured Mr. Kashyap some tea. She found him to be a kind, talkative man, and it wasn't long before the 2 were talking as if they had known each other for years. Meher learned that Mr. Kashyap was one of Delhi's leading businessmen. He had been widowed twice. He had a step son from his second marriage, who was studying in University. Some day he hoped he would help him run his businesses.

"If you don't mind me saying so Meher", said Mr. Kashyap, "in all your talk, you haven't mentioned what your plans for University are".

"I'm afraid Uncle Ji, that's because I have none", sighed Meher. "The farm just doesn't earn well enough for me to have aspirations about higher education. But that's okay. I'm a very practical person. I don't see the point of dreaming or being disappointed about things that aren't going to materialize".

"Hmm...", said Mr. Kashyap. "Seems a shame for a bright young girl like you to be deprived of the opportunity due to the lack of finances".

Just then Teji walked into the room.

"Oops!" whispered Meher. "Uncle Ji, if you don't mind, can we please change the topic. I don't want Ma to worry".

"I understand completely", Mr. Kashyap whispered back. "Ahem", He said clearing his throat. "I wonder where my driver is?"

"I'm sure he'll be here soon", smiled Teji, "but in the meantime dinner is ready. Do join us".

"I'd love to", replied Mr. Kashyap.

It wasn't long before dinner was over and the driver arrived to pick up Mr. Kashyap. He once again thanked the Maan's profusely for their hospitality, and then was gone.

"What an interesting man", remarked Meher, as she helped her mother clear the dinner table. Although he had promised to keep in touch, she wondered if they would ever see him again.

And so the ground work has been laid for Jab We Met. Do read and leave your feedback, and or at least hit the like button. 🤗

Also as a humble request...if you still love Meet it's because Sushant and Meher left a lasting impression with their performances...so please kindly take the time out to comment on their respective profiles to help improve their ranks. Thanks 🤗

Chapter 2 Pre-cap: We meet Meher again 5 years later.

Chapter 2 Link: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/99211925