Chapter 9
Aarti got down from the bus, it was another 10min walk to her aunt's house. She debated whether or not to buy some fruit or flowers for her, as a small thank you gesture...after debating for 10mins within herself, she decided to get some apples. She bought the apples and went to her aunt's house. She passed by Mansi's house reminding herself to stop by and say hello to Mansi's mom.
Aarti walked through the front garden remembering the 2 years she spent at this house. There were good and bad ones...she adjusted her salwar and dupatta and rang the bell. After a couple of minutes, she could hear foot steps and the door opened with a lady staring at her in surprise "Aarti?...oh I was not expecting you..you should have atleast called..."
Yash sat in his car for a few minutes in the parking lot of his office. He did not understand why he could not forget Aarti's face, she filled his thoughts last night and this morning until his mother reminded him of the upcoming alliance. He decided he needed to be a bit more practical..he doesnt even know who she was and if he will ever meet her again. He let out a deep sigh, cleared his head and went inside his office. As he was stepping in, one of the workers came to him and said..."Yash Bhaiyya, AARTI leejiye.."(please take AARTI)...Yash stopped on his tracks stunned and looked to him confused.."Bhaiyya, aarti..."..only then Yash realized he was actually holding a plate with 'aarti' on it..."Bhaiyya, today we opened the new reception area, and just did a small puja there.."...Yash embarrassed, took the 'aarti' and left with his thoughts fluttering back again...oh crap, this was not going to be easy...he thought to himself...and hurried to his office. He checked his calendar to find back to back meetings. For once he was glad to sit in long meetings...he needed to focus on something else today and get back to reality.
"Namaste Maasiji"...Aarti greeted her aunt cordially, bent and touched her feet..."come in..is everthing ok, how come suddenly.."..her aunt asked. Aarti shared a very formal relationship with her aunt. Neither of them never completely opened up to each other...maybe a bit more time would have helped.
"Sorry Maasiji, I just wanted to come and tell you that I applied for some universities in the US for graduate programs..and if I get accepted, I will leave in a couple of months..here are some apples for you..."
"okay, come inside Aarti.."
Aarti slowly walked behind her aunt, looking around the house...it was the same as she remembered it was three years back before she left to stay at the hostel.
"So, what were you saying.."
"Maasiji, if I get accepted into a university I will leave to US in a couple of months. I just wanted to thank you for letting me stay here for two years..and for everything you have done for me" Aarti was speaking with her head down...
"Shobha.."...Aarti suddenly heard her uncle's voice..."one minute Aarti, sit, I will check what your uncle needs and come back.."..."Sure Maasiji, no problem..please take your time."
Yash spent his afternoon in meetings. At lunch time, he met up with Prateek at his restaurant..."I dont know Prateek, I am a little worried I must say..Vidhi bhabhi fit into our family so well, I dont know if our future wives will be as good as her. I cannot even imagine our family without Vidhi bhabhi." ..both the brothers shared their concerns.."what if this girl I am going to meet has her own plans and ideas?..I'll support anyone with their plans as long as the feeling and respect is mutual...I know Dr.Shankar is very respected here..wonder how his daughter is.."
After lunch, Yash left in his car..and stopped at a red light. His window was open, and there was a sudden breeze...he was closing his window to avoid dust, as he was winding it up, he saw a girl leaning against the window of the bus that was in the lane next to Yash's car. She was lost in thoughts...is she..? As the light turned green, and as the bus moved away..Yash realized it was someone else,he came back to his sensesmwith a slight jerk and drove away...now with a even more confused heart. Why is she everywhere???
Yash did not see her again after that day...finally it was the weekend and the day his family was meeting Dr.Shankar's family at a temple. Gayathri came to his room.."Yash, are you ready.."..."yes Ma, almost.."..She saw her handsome son, felt proud of him, and held his shoulders, looked to him and said "My dear son, is all grown up now, we are going to look for a girl for you now" with tears in her eyes...and kissed him gently on hsi forehead. "Ma..I will always be your ladla son, isnt it? even after getting a wife?" he said with a wink...and smiled and hugged his mom. "Of course, you will always be.."
Suraj Pratap called onto his family and they all left to the temple. Everyone first took the blessings of the priest when ..."Namaste, Mr. Scindia.."..."Oh Dr. Shankar, please come, hello.."
"Hello everyone, namaste..I would like to introduce you all to my wife Shoba, and my daughter...Arpita.."
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Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
