Chapter 13
Aarti looked around her room in the hostel. Everything was packed up and she was ready to leave the next day in the afternoon. She was going to Mumbai by train and then taking her flight to the US. She sat down with nostalgic moments passing by her mind. How she came to Bhopal, in what situation she had to come to this city, her 3 years of BA, her friends - Mansi, Aman and Aakash. She also briefly thought about the guy...THAT guy...the temple, the bedroom, the shopping mall. Now she was scared of him. She had no clue who he was, and why he even knew her name...she was hoping she wont see him again.
She looked up the wall clock and realized the time, she needed to get ready and leave for the wedding. She knew she was going to feel out of place there. But as Mansi's mother reminded her last time, it was her duty to attend, plus Mansi's family will be there. So she was hoping to spend some time with Mansi and family before she left for the US.
She got ready in a simple dark green saree with a gold border, it was the only one she had, braided her hair and put a small red bindi on her forehead. She wore matching bangles and hanging ear rings. She was all set to leave when she was called to the front lobby.
She got a phone call...she picked up the handset..."Hello.."...
"yeah.. Aarti, its me Mansi...yeah, just wanted to tell you we wont be able to come to Arpita's wedding. My grandmother is sick and we all are going to the hospital. Nothing serious, but I think my dad wants us all there...But I will see you tomorrow at the train station, ok?"
"Oh Mansi, I was counting on you to be there. But I hope your grandmother feels better. Take care...yeah, I will see you tomorrow".
Sighing, Aarti put the phone down, then took her purse and left for the wedding.
The wedding event was to be a private affair with only close friends and family per the agreement between both the families. There were fewer people than last time she was there, for which she was glad. She looked around and found Shobha maasi and went towards her.
...Vidhi put the groom's turban (pagdi) on Yash's head. Gayathri came to his room and put the ceremonial teeka on his forehead. The family members gathered around him and wished him luck..."Yash chachu, you are bringing chachi home today" asked Palak and Payal with excitement..."Bhaiyya, congratulations again" said Prateek.
Yash smiled at everyone, took blessings of his parents, then his older brother and sister-in-law. "Yash bhaiyya, you are lucky to get Arpita as your wife" said Vidhi blessing him.
The wedding ceremony was completed. The Scindia family was elated. They were proud of Pankaj and Vidhi, their two precious grand daughters, and now their second son is married too. They were happy with the choice of their daughter-in-law. She comes from an elite family, very well educated and traditional at the same time. All the rituals and traditions were followed and completed. It was time for the bride to leave the family. The Scindia family left in their cars to their house.
Yash sat next to his bride. They did not say anything to each other, neither did they look in each other's direction. The cars stopped in front of the Scindia mansion. Yash looked at his bride who was still covered in her veil. He knew that when it comes to traditions that his family follows, the bride must cover her face with a Ghoonghat veil, which is then lifted by the mother-in-law as a welcoming gesture to the new bride into the family.
***
Aarti was sitting in a corner curled up and shaking. She was in shock, tears were streaming down her face non-stop...she had no one to talk to...no one to lean on and cry...Her eyes all puffed up crying, her face red, her head was hurting really bad from all the crying.
Suddenly, she had hiccups..she looked up, only to find a glass of water in front of her. She looked up further, to see Yash holding a glass and handing it to.."Drink this..you have hiccups" he said hoarsely.
Aarti took the glass from him. He could see her hand shaking as she took it. Still sobbing, she slowly sipped the cold water.
Yash looked at her intently...his head was spinning..what just happened?? he was not understanding anything.
Gayathri and Suraj Pratap were pacing back and forth in the living room. Suraj Pratap was fuming in anger..."What the HELL is this?? Where is Dr. Shankar??...I called him 30 minutes ago...and he is not still here...what kind of a sick joke is this????" he was yelling at the top of his voice., and Gayathri looked equally furious.
At this outburst, Aarti was even more scared. She was still sitting in the corner of the living room and started sobbing again silently. She covered her mouth with her pallu to make sure no sound escaped her. Yash looked at her, and he just could not bear to see her like that...he walked upto her again...but Prateek got to Aarti first.
"Excuse me...can you tell us who you are? and what is the meaning of all this? As you can see my parents are very worked up..."
Aarti looked at him. She looked like a small child who was lost. Her eyes were swollen...and with sobs in between, Prateek was able to hear her say .."Please, I am so sorry...please... let me go...please...I...I..have a train to catch tomorrow...I am going to the US...I want to study...please...all this...I really dont..know...please, please let me go" and she put her hands to together...as though she was begging him to let her go.
Yash now couldn't take it anymore, whenever he saw Aarti in this state, he felt as though his heart was bring pierced by a sharp knife. He went to Aarti, gently put his hand over her shoulder and said..."No one will force you to do anything you dont want to. We just need to figure this out. My parents are waiting for Dr.Shankar..In the meanwhile, if you want, you can wash up and be in my room"
Before Aarti could answer or say anything else, Dr. Shankar and Shobha arrived. Dr. Shankar looked anxious and he wanted to find out what the reason for Suraj Pratap's outburst over the phone was.
"Mr. Scindia, what happened...you were shouting on the phone..is everything ok? Was there anything wrong with any arrangements at the wedding?"
"Seriously, Dr. Shankar...if this is some kind of joke, then this is not funny at all!!" said Pankaj angrily.
Still confused Dr.Shankar looked at Pankaj and then to Suraj Pratap..."I dont understand Scindia ji..." and then he looked in the direction of Yash, only to find Aarti next to him!
His eyes widened in surprise ..."Wait...what are YOU doing here?? Whats going on? Where is ARPITA??"
Everyone just looked at each other shocked!
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Udne Ki Aasha
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