An AarYa SS The Family part 2C page 11updated 12/26/17 - Page 8

2B

Aarti's nanaji kept looking at Ansh and Aarti and whispering to his sons Yash was disturbed by his behaviour asked if something was wrong "Beta forgive this old man Aarti looks like the younger version of the late wife of Thakur ji and Ansh is the splitting image of his nanaji the young Thakur ji

"I would of think that Aarti would resemble her mother but her brothers Akash and Aman resemble my sister Radha and our side of the family and Aarti took after the Thakurs said her elder mamaji he call a young girl to bring another album and showed Aarya and kids pictures of Aarti's grown brothers with their family.

Aarti had tears of joy seeing the pictures of her brothers and their family she asked her uncles if she could have copies of pictures of her parents and siblings to which they agreed. Ansh said that they could borrow the albums and he will download the pictures into a flash drive for his ma. Aarya also took many pictures of their relatives.

Arrangements to meet her relatives again the following day were made they planned to go sightseeing around the village and travel to the next village which had a larger market and a few small clothing shops.

They wanted to spend as much time as possible getting to know their relatives and try to get in contact with her brothers.

Aarya visited the river banks they were told that there were boats that took passengers to the other side where there is a famous temple surrounded by beautiful gardens and many visits with their families praying for their health and success. Aarti of course wanted to visit but Yash said they will the next day for now they should return to the farmhouse.

At the farmhouse Maya was laughing and enjoying with Harsh he was showing her around the farm and telling her about the many antics of his late wife and their children during their growing years. Maya never had so much fun in a very long time she met his bahus and they invited her for tea and told her about all the local gossip involving some of the more affluent families in their village and the surrounding ones Maya knew some of the families from her early days living in this village.

Aarya and family had tea with her dadaji, uncle and aunt who wanted to discus business until Yash said "Buaji I don't mean to be rude but please let us enjoy our holiday dadaji's business is being successfully managed by you all why would we want to interfere in its progress If you want to do business with my family put forward a proposal to my bauji and Pankaj bhayia. Also, if you are interested in a marriage between our two families speak to them I am sure you all will come to a decision acceptable to all

"Yash beta I am suggesting this to you so you can put in a good word for us with your father and elder brother answered Dolly buaji pretending to be hurt

Aarti said "Yes buaji we will do that will your children and grandchildren be visiting us here I would love to get to know them

Yes they will arrive in a few days answered Dolly who was excited for them to meet her grand daughter her sister grand kids were also coming so they could meet the suggested grandson for Vedicka marriage.

Later in Aarya's room Yash told "Honey you bua Dolly is one determine woman she means for our family to be joined as one any way possible. Through marriage then we will have no choice but to become business partners. I am going and ask Pankaj and Prateek to hire someone to do some investigating because she seems to good to be real

"Or maybe she is just a greedy woman who wants her grandkids to marry into a wealthy family of the same status as themselves answered Aarti

"You think so and what about your mother's bhabhis they too looked greedy did you notice how they looked and held the gifts before carrying them away. Also I noticed how they had envy in their eyes when they looked at you and the kids

"Yashu did you expect any thing different it is natural for them to feel jealous my mother and I belong to their class their family but ma fell in love with my father a rich man who loved her very much her sons were provided for they were educated in the best schools have good jobs and are fortunate to live aboard while I who was left to rot in an orphanage still managed to become educated and is fortunate to have married you a very handsome rich educated man who loves buying our children and me expensive things while they have to work as a maid in the houses of wealthy families, or work in the farms and factories belonging to the wealthy. They live from salary to salary also with the little money and gifts that my brothers can spare to give them. How do you expect them to feel of course they too once had dreams of a better life, have dreams for their children to move beyond the lifestyle that they know. While my sons are the heirs to a vast fortune.

"Honey you are very understanding of people I must say. No wonder I love you so much. And he pulled her closer for a hug and a passionate kiss.

"Well I think I need a bigger reward than this for being so understanding
"What do you have in mind?
"Come and she lead him into the washroom and begun undressing "How about a shower together with a side of romance it has been a few days since we enjoyed ourselves

"Naughty minx and you accuse me of having a one-track mind and he too quickly removed his clothes and together they entered the shower cubicle to begin their romance under the warm water with lemon scented lathers

Aarya continued their romance in their bed both enjoying being with each other coxing out the maximum pleasure Aarti loved being on top of her Yashu straddling his hips Yash loved looking at the expression in her face when she was enjoying him he loved her breast bouncing with her movements this was a turn on for him.

They continued their love making throughout the night pausing to get a quick refreshing nap to rekindle their romance.

"Baby this place sure brings out the tigress in you we must visit here often teased Yash

"Are you complaining if so I am going to sleep now and she turned around away from him and pull the covers over her head

Yash heard her snickering under the sheets and he moved to her side spooning her into himself "Very funny baby as if I would dare complain but I agree we should get some sleep it is another long day of sightseeing tomorrow

Early morning Maya went out for a walk with Harsh who had invited her the day before "Look Maya see how beautiful the garden looks at this time of the day with the dew on the leaves and flowers. It reminds me of my youth all the dreams I had you know I wanted to own my own estate. My father after he died ma had to sell off her property and move back here with mamaji, my dadaji was against her selling the land but he could not stop her as papa and given her that legally on her name she needed the money for my education as her family was not willing to pay for it they accepted us here to live but ma was treated as servant here. When I finished collage my nanaji offered me the job of manager of this estate and then the factory. Under my leadership it grew mamaji called me his second son but all I wanted was for my ma to be happy and accepted by them. When you lived here I felt so sorry for you they new of Radha and her sons I wanted to help you get away from them but my ma told me to mind my own business that if my nanaji found out he would also make us homeless. Maya, I had always liked you but you were married to my older cousin and it was considered a sin to have any feeling or act upon them for ones bhabhi. After he died I saw the treatment they dealt you just like my ma you were an unpaid servant so I was the one who contacted your brother and begged him to save you from their clutches. Ma told me I had no right to interfere but I just could not sit back and see your life ruin like my ma's. You know I even offered to marry you but nanaji and mamaji would here nothing of that I told them that I would take you and my ma away from here and I meant it. The next day I saw SP here and you were sent off with him that is the last day I saw you. Nanaji demanded that I marry the woman he choose the daughter of a close friend I did not want to but ma said she will kill herself after I said I was going to Bhopal and ask SP for your hand in marriage. Mamaji heard the argument and of course he was furious and beat me up demanding that I marry whom nanaji choose. My wife was a good woman she did her duty and we were the best of friends and love came eventually she was my support who understood my feelings and accepted my short comings. I miss her she was a good companion but I still wondered what my life would have been like had I been allowed to marry you, I hope you had a good life Maya

"Harsh I won't lie to you my brother give me almost everything I wanted but I was expected to live the life of a widow not like here where I had to wear white no jewelry or make up neither did my bhayia demanded that I cut/shave off my hair. As you see I wear mild colours simple jewelry and light make up and my hair is shoulder length. Bhayia allowed me to visit our relatives in the USA and Canada with my nephews a few years ago Aarti, and Paridhi bahus insisted on me accompany them on their European holiday so I can complain much except that I too wished that Bhayia had allowed me a second chance to get married time have changed now and we don't live in the village but bhayia mind is still old fashion. Yash was allowed to marry Aarti as we all thought that she was a widow with a son but it turned out she was a divorcee we found out eight months after their marriage even after that Bhayia still accepted her and he calls her his daughter. I still have dreams of having a companion whom I can share my thoughts with but bhayia still thinks like he did before that I am old my time for happiness has passed, that I should concentrate on god and religion he refuses to acknowledge that I am lonely too he thinks because his kids and grandkids love me as their bua and buadadi ji that that should be enough for me.

"Maya lets make the most of your holiday and if by it's end our feelings change we can speak to our family Yash and Aarti seems like an understanding sensible couple If we decide to spend the rest of our lives together I am sure they will be able to help us gain the support of our love ones

"what about your children won't they object

"I told them when they were old enough to understand that I had once love some one before their mother and that person remained special in both my heart and mind. After their mother died I told them that I need a companion who could understand me, that I am lonely that is why I spend so much time in work when I should be thinking of retiring. I won't lie I have had a couple of lady friends you know the discrete kind I used my discretion and kept it quiet not to embarrass the family but that is just temporary physical pleasure what I need is so much more than that.

"I never could understand this a woman can live her life without physical pleasure and still be happy but you men feel the need for it in order to be happy

"Maya I won't say happy but satisfied it is a stress buster you women can handle stress much better than us men

"Well I never young or old men are all the same just have one thing on your mind said Maya laughing

Chapter 2C

Yash made arrangements for Aarti's relatives and Aarya with kids travel in an AC mini bus for their day's outing. When they arrived at nanaji's home the ladies were impressed as they entered Aarti noticed how they touched the plush seats and smiled when they felt the AC, this was a top of the line bus with individual tv screens and Wi-Fi. Yash the day before call to the nearest town and found this bus service he paid extra and lodgings for the driver to stay for the duration of their holiday in this village.

The kids were happy they mingled and discussed about cartoons games etc. The plan was simple Yash decided that a long drive south to the nearest town for some shopping, lunch, sightseeing, tea, then on their way back dinner in a small outside restaurant.

"Yashu I thought we were going around this village then to the next said Yash

"Jaan we will do that another day let do this today nah

During the drive the elders were so happy for this unexpected outing that they told Aarya more about their family the villages they passed and of course some gossip.

The passing villages were a sight to behold with its rich lands rolling with fruit and vegetables plus acres of flowers with the workers doing their jobs tending or planting, and cows with other animals seen grazing in the field.

They passed along side a river bank with ladies doing their laundry and some men bathing in the water. The road took them through the village where there were modest houses a small school with outside classes. Then the mansions of the wealthy land owners with their beautiful gardens surrounding their homes.

It was a four-hour drive to the nearest southern town a busy place with everything you could want from a hospital to a medium size mall with movie cinemas to a bazar filled with different types of vendors offering different items for sale from food stuff to clothes to toys. A police station, everything one could think about to make life easy if you could afford or desire a taste of the modern life.

Aarti aunties were so excited they wanted to go to the mall the men just wanted to sit in AC comfort one mamiji said "But we are not dressed for this place look at the other people

"Aarti said don't bother with them we are here to shop we will have a good time

"Jaan come here is a second credit card buy stuff for them show them a good time okay

Aarti took the ladies with her and they started moving around the shops

Yash spoke to Ansh and Palak he gave them a credit card and cash told them to take the kids shopping.

While Yash had nanaji and the two uncles who went shopping with him.

The ladies were so excited they wanted to look at all the different of clothing, makeup etc. The sale clerks looked at them strangely but when they saw Aarti and realized she is with them they tried their sale pitch. They moved around different saree shops touching the material speaking among themselves then Aarti asked them what they wanted she bought three saree each from three different shops then they bought material for the top and under slip. Aarti took them to an undergarment shop and bought stuff for all them men and children included.

Next they visited various shoe stores then finally settling for two pairs of dress slippers each Aarti bought some things for Maya, Harsh and his family, Dolly, her husband and dadaji. Finally they bought makeup, perfume, and toiletries the ladies were so excited they had bran name makeup.

After placing their shopping in the bus they went to meet up with the rest of the family to have lunch in the small food court.

Ansh and the kids had fun they spent most of their time in the game zone the kids were excited to see so many different types of games Aarya's kids showed them how to play the different games; they laughed and chatted but many other kids there were not happy to share their space with these poor kids or country bumkins as they called them.

Ansh was angry and told of a few, he was ready to defend his new found cousins but Palak said that they should leave from there she was supported by Payel who said that their papa and mama would not like it if they got into a fight. So they left for shopping the girls were happy they planned to ask their nice bhayia Ansh to buy them some things also they saw that Palak and Payel was more interested in shopping than playing these games.

In the stores the sales clerk looked at the kids like they are some thieves when they first entered but when they saw them mingling with the expensively dressed Aarya's kids they curiosity awoke Ansh shopped with the boys and bought them good brand name clothes that were on sale while the girls also got nice clothes on sale. They were lucky that they also found a shoe shop that had a sale on so they got sneakers, sandals and slippers for all the kids.

Yash and the men went shopping but the men did not want clothes instead Yash bought them another size tv and a new music system. Thank god the bus had enough space for all their shopping.

All met for lunch and had a blast speaking about what they bought the ladies thanked Aarti so much they asked her to accompany them to a cloth store in the bazar Aarya agreed so after lunch they visited the bazar.

The bazar was huge they bought materials and accessories for making dresses, costume jewelry, more toiletries and food stuff Aarya found some nice handicraft items to give as presents.

Nanaji, and naniji were tired so Yash went back to the bus with them while the rest shopped some more. The younger kids had enough and begun to complain so the elder mamaji went with the kids to the bus leaving Aarti and Palak with her mami jis and younger mamaji. Aarti's self talk aren't they fed up as yet I am so tired of all this walking nut look how happy they are and I learnt so much about them this is a once in a lifetime outing for them I will bear the pain and next week we will take them somewhere else.

Finally they made it back to the bus after two hours into their return journey they stopped at a roadside restaurant for tea and snacks also bought some take away food for dinner and more snacks and juice for the trip.

Back at the farm house Maya. Harsh, Dolly and her hubby took dadaji went on their family trip to the factory and their various plantation where they grew different vegetables, fruit, a dairy farm and a factory producing cotton fabric and another building close by where bedding were made for exporting.

Dolly's plan if Maya was impressed she will speak highly of them to SP and Pankaj also make mention to Yash and Aarti.

Harsh was only to happy to explain the running of the business to Maya also his sons were proud to show her around the factories and answer all her question and Maya had a lot she may not be active in Scindhia Enterprise but SP and her nephews always speak about the business at home and she made it a point to learn as much as she could about their business on her own. Therefore she knew the right questions to ask and what answers to listen for.

Harsh was bold enough to suggest dinner out but dadaji said he was tired, Dolly and her husband beg off because they wanted to discuss how to ensure their proposals to the Scindias were accepted.

Maya and Harsh along with his family went to a restaurant off the highway north of their village it was a very popular spot for the local affluent crowd and passing travelers. The restaurant had two area the open air area in the front, and sides shaded by trees and a large tent for the poorer patrons and the AC indoor for the affluent.

Harsh and his family liked dining outside there was a DJ who played the Bollywood hits, a bar, a local group performed their folk dance. Maya was excited this was the first time she was visiting a place like this when the Scindias go out for dinner it is always at a five star restaurant.

"I have to tell Yash about this place maybe we all can come here again with them before the end of our trip

"Auntie ji wont they feel bad I mean mosquito are biting and some of the patrons are truck drivers and look a bus has stopped there it is not the crowd you all are accustomed to

"MY Yash is not a snob he thinks just like you all and accepts everyone as equals this place would be fine and there are bon fires present to drive away the mosquitoes. It will be okay the kids will love it especially the performers

Maya enjoyed herself the food was delicious, when the performers came and invited them to dance she went along with Harsh and they began moving to the music following the performers lead then Harsh family joined them. Maya danced freely there were no family members or relatives here to judge her.

Harsh enjoyed looking at Maya her face softened and glowed she looked like the young woman he first saw when he accompanied his relatives for her engagement then her marriage to his elder cousin.

The years were not bad to her in his eyes she is still beautiful and has put on very little weight Harsh thought Maya looked elegant in her light peach saree so what if they were both in their early sixties he could still admire a lady.

The sons noticed their fathers interest in Maya and mentioned same to their respected wife. They were happy for their him because they knew he was lonely and they had their own lives, their father has never asked them for anything never demanding that his bahus take care of him he was an independent man who had his own friends but he missed having a wife a companion. Their concern was if Maya would be willing to marry him and spend her life here in a village, after living in Bhopal and travelling aboard.