Chapter 25- Proposal..
Basant hugs Aarti overexcitedly running up to her.
"Waaah! Aarti! Aaj mai bahut khush hu!", says Basant happily.
"Basant, mujhe saans toh leno do!", giggles Aarti.
"Oh..Haa..", Basant giggles and break the hug.
"Basant Bhaiya ne mujhe itni zor se kheecha ki mera gala dabne laga tha!", says Sumedh.
Sumi walks up to him and stand besides him happily. Sumedh smiles at her.
"Kya Basant?", laughs Aarti.
"Aap toh jaanti ho jab mai bahut khush hota hu toh mujh mein overexcitement bhar bhar ke aa jaati hai!", giggles Basant while scratching his head awkwardly.
"Mera pyaara Bhai!", says Aarti happily.
Aarti gently ruffle his hair and smiles sweetly at him.
"Aarti Di, aaj toh keh hi do apne dil ki baat!", says Sumedh loudly.
"Mai kahungi?", asks Aarti, wide-eyed.
"Toh kya mai kahunga?", asks Sumedh.
"Na..Nahi..mujhse nahi hoga Sumedh!", answers Aarti.
Sumedh looks at Basant to help him, seeing which he nods.
"Mujhe bahut sharam aayegi!", says Aarti and covers her face with both her hands.
"Arey Aarti, meri baat suno aap!", says Basant making her look towards him.
"Sumedh kehna chahta hai ki Meghan Bhaiya ne hi aajtak aapke liye itna kuch kiya hai toh aap uske badle ek proposal nahi rakh sakti?", asks Basant.
"Bahut sahi baat boli Basant Bhaiya, aap hi mere dil ki baat samajh sakte ho, Aarti, soch ke dekhiye, Meghan Bhaiya ka din ban jaayega, din chodo, life ban jaayegi, unko itni jyada khushi hogi. Socha hai aapne?", asks Sumedh.
"Yeh dono sahi keh rahe hai Aarti Di, Meghan Bhaiya ko bahut jyada khushi hogi agar yeh love confession aapki taraf se ho, unhone aaj tak itna kuch kiya hai, uske badle ek chota sa gift de do unko, itna toh woh deserve karte hi hai, please!", pleads Sumi.
Swarnali nods approved of the whole interaction.
"Yeh sab sahi bol rahe hai Aarti Di!", nods Swarnali.
"Thik..Thik hai", says Aarti nervously.
"Arey Aarti Di, isme nervous hone waali baat nahi hai, bas, dil mai jo bhi ho, sab bol do Meghan Bhaiya ke saamne!", says Swarnali wrapping her arms around her giving her firm support.
"Kehna jitna asaan, karna utna hi mushkil hota hai!", says Aarti.
"Arey Aarti Di, woh toh aapke soulmate hai, unse apni dil ki baat kehne mai kaisi sharam?", asks Sumi raising her eyebrows at her.
"Sumi!!! Tum bhi naa!!!!", says Aarti with a deep blush on her face.
"Haay Haay, Meghan Bhaiya ki taraf se already haa hai, likhwa ke le lo!", says Sumedh.
"Meghan Bhaiya ka pyaar unki aakhon se jhalakta hai!", says Sumi in a dreamy mode.
Sumedh pokes her head- Pehle dono confess kar de, phir aage ke sapne dekhna!
"Sumedh!!", says Sumi looking annoyed at him. Sumedh smiles happily at her.
Aarti giggles while Sumi smiles happily at her.
"Waise bhi hum sab aapke saath hai!", says Sumedh joyfully.
"Ek second, saath, kya kehna chah rahe ho?", asks Aarti with a dubious expression on her face.
"Woh mai keh raha tha ki hum sab ke mann mai aapke aur Meghan Bhaiya ke liye mutual approval hai!", replies Sumedh.
"Accha aisa hai!", says Aarti happily.
"Haa, aisa hi hai!", says Sumedh throwing a wink at Sumi.
"Kya hua?", murmurs Sumi.
Sumedh signals her to wait for a little while for her answer.
"Kyu Basant Bhaiya?", asks Sumedh.
"Haa...Haa..Sumedh sahi keh raha hai!", says Basant happily.
"Sumedh aur Basant, mai pehle hi yeh baat saaf kar deti hu ki tum dono hamare peeche mat aana!", says Aarti looking at both of them crossing her hands across her chest.
"Haa..Haa, nahi aayenge, aap chinta mat karo!", says Sumedh happily.
"Aap bas apne dil ki baat Meghan Bhaiya ko bol do aaj!", says Basant looking at her overexcitedly.
Aarti nods seeing their enthusiasm.
"Hello Pearls Palace?", says Sumi on the phone call.
"Yeh Sumi kya kar rahi hai?", says Aarti anxiously.
"Sumi wohi kar rahi jo usse karna chahiye!", winks Swarnali.
"The spot is vacant for tonight? Wow, that's amazing! I would like to book the entire spot in name of Ms.Aarti Desai and Mr.Meghan Joshi for 7 pm!", says Sumi happily.
"Yeh Sumi kya boli jaa rahi hai?", says Aarti looking quite shocked.
"Ms. Aarti will come to your palace shortly by 4 pm sharp to see the arrangements!", continues Sumi.
"Yeh ladki pagal ho gayi hai!", says Aarti slapping her forehead.
"Woh bilkul sahi kar rahi hai!", says Sumedh rubbing his hands.
"Tum chup karo!", says Aarti looking at him quite annoyed.
Basant and Swarnali giggles.
"Thank you very much! Payment will be done online!", says Sumi and hang the call.
"Yeh tum kya kar rahi thi?", asks Aarti.
"Ab aapke venue ki bhi taiyaari ho gayi hai, aaj ki raat bahut khaas hone waali hai!", says Sumi happily clasping her hands excitedly.
"Hey Bhagwaan! Tum sab mujhe nervous feel karwa rahe ho!", sighs Aarti.
Basant and Sumedh wraps their arms around her while Swarnali stand besides Sumi happily.
"Deep breathe in and out and you are all set!", says Sumi happily.
Aarti does the same to calm down her senses.
"Chalo 1:30 baj gaye hai!", says Sumedh happily.
"Swarnali, idhar aana!", calls Sumedh.
"Haa bolo?", asks Swarnali.
Sumedh whispers something in her ear which makes her excited.
"Arey waah Sumedh, aayo Aarti Di!", says Swarnali happily.
"Kahan?", asks Aarti.
"Dance room!", answers Swarnali.
Swarnali drags Aarti in Dance room while everyone looks on happily.
In the dance room-
"Aayiye toh mai sikhayungi aapko aaj ke liye classical dance performance!", says Swarnali happily.
Aarti looks at her with a confused look on her face.
"Sweet sa, pyaara sa dance, Meghan Bhaiya ko classical dance bahut pasand hai!", says Swarnali happily.
"Kisne bataya?", asks Aarti.
"Sumedh ne bataya hai!", answers Swarnali happily.
"Chalo, shuru karte hai!", says Swarnali prepping up excitedly.
Down in the main hall-
"Basant Bhaiya, suno, issi pal ka aapko bahut intezaar tha, hai naa?", asks Sumedh curiously
"Haa, tha toh! Dono itne acche lagte hai ek saath!", answers Basant happily.
"Toh bas! Kis baat ki problem hai!", says Sumedh overjoyed.
"Ek second? Tum kehna kya chal rahe ho?", asks Basant.
"Aarti ne hum dono ko wahan tapakne se saaf mana kiya hai!", says Basant looking at him.
"Uski chinta mat karo aap, kyuki, iss pal ka intezaar toh mujhe bhi tha, aap bas dekhte jaayiye!", says Sumedh rubbing his hands.
"Dekho Sumedh! Tumhare dekhte jaayiye se mujhe darr lag raha hai! I am not in your dangerous plan whatsoever!", says Basant firmly.
"Basant Bhaiya, ek baar sun toh lijiye uski baat!", says Sumi.
"Exactly! Haa toh dekhiye apne bhai ka kamaal!", says Sumedh.
He take his phone and call the Pearls Palace.
"Hello? Can you please book a room for 4 people in name of Ms.Sumi for 5 pm?", asks Sumedh.
Sumi and Basant looks at him with a dubious expression on their face.
"That's absolutely amazing! I am loving your service by the way! Thank you very much!", says Sumedh happily and hang the call.
He looks at Sumi and Basant with a evil smile on his face while they look at each other confused.
"Ab saara kaam ho gaya! Sumi idhar aayo!", calls Sumedh.
Sumi goes near him and he murmurs the whole plan in her ear.
"WHAAAAAAAT????!!!!!!", exclaims Sumi quite shocked.
"Aisa kya keh diya isne Sumi?", asks Basant shocked.
"Aap Palace chahiye, sab pata chal jaayega!", says Sumedh rubbing his hands excitedly.
Sumi slaps her forehead looking at him.
"Basant Bhaiya, kaand hone wala hai phir se!", says Sumi worriedly.
"Kuch nahi hoga Bhaiya, mai hoon naa!", says Sumedh happily.
"Yeh toh batayo kaun sa plan chal raha hai tumhare dimaag mai?", asks Basant loudly.
"Shhhhh!!!", says Sumedh putting his finger on his lip.
"Aapko sab pata chal jaayega, aap mere saath doge naa?", asks Sumedh.
"Nahi!", says Basant in a firm voice.
"Bhaiyaaa, pleaseee, mera saath de do, aapke bina mai kuch nahi hu, Bhaiya please saath de do!", cries Sumedh holding his hand and sitting on ground.
Basant is taken aback suddenly by his transformation in expression.
"Bhaiya, please madad kar do, mai aapka hamesha abhaari rahunga, bhaiya pleaseeee!!!!", pleads Sumedh touching his feet, lying flat on ground.
"Arey bas, bas, thik hai, mai saath dunga!", says Basant melting finally on his words.
Sumedh looks at him with all the stars in his eyes standing up from the ground
"Sachme? Aap Duniya ke sabse acche bhai ho! Bhai ho toh aap jaisa ho warna ho hi naa!", says Sumedh in a overjoyous tone.
"Woh toh hai!", says Basant proudly with a smile.
Sumedh winks at him while he does the same.
"Sumi toh chale?", asks Sumedh extending his hand.
"Thik hai!", says Sumi accepting his hand.
Sumedh and Sumi goes outside the home together leaving Basant worried.
"Ab pata nahi kaun sa kaand hone waala hai!", says Basant slapping his forehead.
He giggles watching his naughty brother Sumedh.
Sumedh and Sumi comes to the home at 3 pm when Swarnali just finished teaching Aarti about the dance performance while Basant was busy reading his books.
"Tum dono kahan gaye the?", asks Aarti.
"Kahin nahi, bas aise hi!", answers Sumedh. Sumi flashes a fake smile.
Aati looks on unconvinced.
"Aapka Dance ho gaya?", asks Sumedh changing the topic.
"She is a very quick learner, I must say!", praises Swarnali.
Aarti blushes happily.
"Arey waah, toh aap jaayiye! Shopping kar ke aayiye! Aur woh bhi le lena!", says Sumedh winking at her.
"Woh kya?", asks Aarti.
"Rose bouquet!", says Sumi happily.
Aarti blushes.
Basant dreams about Aarti and Meghan happily.
Aarti nods and looks at Swarnali.
"Haa mai chalti hu aapke saath!", giggles Swarnali.
Aarti smiles happily and walks outside.
As Aarti get up, Sumedh calls Swarnali.
"5:30 baje Pearls Palace mai aa jaana Room number 500! Aarti ko beauty parlour mai taiyaar hone ko bol dena!", murmurs Sumedh.
Swarnali nods and follows Aarti outside.
"Mai aa gaya!", enters Meghan in the Main Hall.
"Arey, Meghan Bhaiya, aayiye!", says Sumedh happily.
Basant and Sumi smiles happily.
"Aur batayo?", asks Meghan sitting on thr couch besides him and Basant.
"Aap 5 baje free ho kya?!", says Sumedh.
"Haa, mai free hu, kyu?", asks Meghan.
"Woh mujhe, Basant Bhaiya, Sumi ko aaj golgappe khaane ka mann ho raha hai! Socha aaj wahin paas mai corner chale chale jaaye aur park mak bhi ghum lenge ek do ghante!", says Sumedh happily.
Basant looks on with a dubious look on his face while Sumedh looks forward.
"Accha, thik hai, mere liye bhi le aana?", asks Meghan laughing.
"Ji Jaroor Bhaiya!", says Sumedh happily.
"Aarti aur Swarnali kahan hai?", asks Meghan.
"Shopping!", replies Sumi bringing mango juice for him.
"Thank you!", smiles Meghan.
Everyone have a fun time together chatting with each other. They enjoy the lunch prepared by Basant and Sumi together.
"Sumi, 5 baj gaye hai! Yeh lo!", says Sumedh.
Basant comes downstairs ready to go outside.
Sumi carries the stuff secretly avoiding Meghan every possible way and put it in Basant's car.
"Meghan Bhaiya, hum jaa rahe hai, agar aapko bychance kahin jaana ho, toh yeh lijiye house keys!", says Sumedh handing him the house keys.
Meghan nods approved and they all set to actually Pearls Palace.
"Hello! I am Sumi, I book a room 500 today in this palace!", says Sumi happily to the receptionist.
"Yeah! Sure! Here you go!", says the receptionist handing her the keys.
Sumi, Basant and Sumedh head to the room together.
"Chalo, Bhaiya, aap yahan baitho araam se, mai aur Sumi abhi aaye!", says Sumedh happily.
"Aayo Sumi! Samaan le aayo!", says Sumedh calling her inside and lock the room.
At 5:30 pm, Swarnali also comes in the room 500 of the palace.
"Hi Basant! Sumi aur Sumedh kahan hai?", asks Swarnali.
"20 mins se andar hai, pata nahi kya kar rahe hai?", wonders Basant.
Swarnali thinks something ridiculous and get up and knock the door.
"Sumi! Sumedh! Jaldi darwaza kholo!", says Swarnali.
"Aa rahe hai Swarnali, ruk jaayo 20 mins!", replies Sumi happily.
"Chalo thik hai!", says Swarnali and sit besides Basant happily.
"Aarti kahan hai?", asks Basant.
"Beauty Parlour! Maine bol diya hai ki mai uske ghar jaa rahi hu wapas!", says Swarnali.
"7 bajne mai min ek ghanta bacha hai bas!", says Basant. Swarnali nods.
After 20 mins, the door opens leaving both Basant and Swarnali shocked beyond words.
"SUMEDH!!!!!!!", exclaims both of them.
Sumi giggles happily seeing their reaction.
"Nahi! Sumedhika!", says Sumedh happily modulating his voice.
"Waaah Sumedhika!", praises Swarnali. Sumedh blushes happily.
Sumedh was in a woman form wearing a beautiful purple saree, looking like an beautiful lady.
Sumi has done his makeup perfectly.
"Ab aapki baari meri pyaari Basanti!", says Sumedh extending the bag to Basant.
"Kyaaaa???", asks Basant shocked.
"Aa jaayiye Basant Bhaiya! Time kam hai", calls Sumi happily.
Basant slaps his forehead but winks at Sumedh happily and shares a high five.
Basant goes inside with Sumi.
"Yeh toh batayo, ladki banne ki kya jarurat thi Sumedh?", laughs Swarnali.
"Hey Krishna, aapko pata hai naa, Aarti ne bola tha Basant aur Sumedh nahi aa sakte hai par aap toh jaanti ho iss pal ka hum sabko bahut intezaar tha, yeh hun sab naa dekhe, yeh ho hi nahi sakta, isliye Sumedhika ka look liya taaki pakde naa jaaye!", says Sumedh in a female voice.
Swarnali nods impressed.
Sumi does the makeup of Basant perfectly turning him into an beautiful woman, he was wearing an orange saree.
"Waaah Basanti! Meri sundar behen!", says Sumedh happily.
Basant blushes awkwardly while Swarnali giggles happily and feels impressed with his lady avtar.
Basant looks at her and she does the *Perfect* sign of Madhuri.
In Desai's Home (6:30 pm)-
"Hello Meghan? Tum Pearls Palace aa jaayo 7 baje!", says Aarti happily.
"Pearls Palace? Thik hai!", says Meghan looking at the house keys.
In the Pearls Palace-
Sumedhika and Basanti were walking with supreme grace surprising everyone around.
"Aapka rulaam?", says a boy handing Basanti the same.
"Ji shukriya!", says Basanti flashing a beautiful smile.
"Aapka naam?", asks the boy.
"Basanti!", says Basant, the boy was bewitched with her beauty.
"Ab mai chalti hu!", says Basant taking leave realising the awkwardness of the situation.
Sumedh, Swarnali and Sumi giggles behind him.
"You look gorgeous!", saying a lady passing by.
"Thank you beautiful!", says Sumedh in a female voice.
Sumi pinches him on his hand.
"Oww....I mean, Wow, such a beautiful place, isn't it? Enjoy!", says Sumedh happily to the lady.
The lady nods and moves ahead.
Aarti enters the Palace while Basant and Sumedh hides behind a pillar. Soon comes Meghan at 7 pm.
Basant, Sumedh, Sumi and Swarnali share a high five together and follow them secretly avoiding the gaze of everyone and hide behind a bush.
Meghan is surprised looking at the spot Aarti told him to come, heart balloons, candles, flower petals everywhere, each step surprising him more and more beyond words. He then turns towards the left to find Aarti looking at him with a beautiful candle in her hand.
She dances to the song *Nainowale ne* with the candle in her hand, grace which could not be explained in words, leaving Meghan spellbound.
She was looking like an beautiful princess wearing a Red gown, her hair designed beautifully, she slowly approaches Meghan and pull a thread gently.
Meghan looks bewitched by her beauty, his heart beats rapidly under her gaze and beautiful smile.
There is a release of Confetti Ball over Meghan and Aarti.
Aarti take a step backward to look at him gently, feeling nervous but remembering the words of everyone, she gains the composure and she look at him again, her LOVE.
"Aarti yeh sab?", asks Meghan.
"Shhh! Aaj mujhe bolne do!", says Aarti putting a finger on his lips.
Meghan nods approved and straighten himself.
Aarti says her feelings in a poetic manner infront of Meghan-
Pehli baar jab dekha tha, toh hum dono bacche the, ek park mai, jab mai royi toh tum aaye mere saamne, mera haath pakad ke bola, kuch nahi hua hai, meri chot pe tumne marham lagaya, badaya tha dosti ka haath, aisa dost jisne hamesha mera saath nibhaaya, meri har pareshaani ko apni pareshaani samjha, meri har khushi ko apni khushi samjha, jab bhi khud ko akela paaya, tumhara saath mere ko sambhal leta, jab mujhe London jaana pada toh tumne mujhe yeh pyaari si necklace di thi jisko dekh ke mai tumhe yaad kar saku, aise waqt mai ehsaas hua ki tum mere liye itne jyada khaas ho, jab 5 saal baad mai tumse mili, toh ek alag si khushi mili, jisko maine gehri dosti ka naam diya, aaj ehsaas hua ki woh dosti nahi PYAAR tha, tumne hamesha mere ko har tarah se khushi hi di hai, tum hamesha se meri nazro mai acche bante gaye, bante gaye, unn 5 saalon ne iss dil ne tumhe bahut yaad kiya tha, lekin mujhe laga ek dost ki tarah, aaj ehsaas hua ki mujhe pata bhi nahi chala ki kab mujhe tumse pyaar ho gaya! Aaj bhi lagta hai ki hum dono hamesha saath rahe! Hamesha! Aur haa mujhe tumhara sense of humour bahut pasand hai, jis tarah tumhe mere chehre ki blush itni acchi lagti hai bilkul ussi tarah mujhe tumhare chehre ki pyaari si muskaan! Meghan! Mai tumse bahut jyada pyaar karti hu! I LOVE YOU!
She bends down on her knees infront of him with the rose bouqet in her hand extending towards him.
Kya tum mera haath hamesha ke liye pakdoge? Kya tum mera pyaar banoge?
Meghan accept the rose bouquet from her hand and make her stand to look at him.
He suddenly turns backward, wiping his tears which were flowing continuously from his eyes. He was so overwhelmed that he was speechless.
Aarti looks at him, she makes him face towards her, raise his chin, he was in tears but has a happiness on his face which couldnot be described in words.
"Tum mera.....pehla pyaar thi.....aur....mera aakhri pyaar ho....tum mere dil ki Rani ho Aarti...!", says Meghan between his sobs flashing his sweetest smile.
Aarti smiles happily through her own tears, she wipes his tears, making him blush happily.
He look down in the pocket of his coat, there was a box. He open it and there was a very beautiful ring inside it making Aarti go stunned.
He bend down on his knees and looks at her happily and also speak his feelings for her-
"Maine yeh uss samay liya tha, jab mai pehli baar aaya tha tumhare ghar saalon baad, mujhe ehsaas ho gaya tha ki mai bhi tumse pyaar karta hu, bas darr lagta tha, mai apni feelings jaahir kaise karunga? Darta tha, himmat nahi hoti thi! Socha tha jab sahi samay aayega tab tumhe yeh ring dunga aur haa aaj woh din aa gaya hai Aarti, yeh jo bhi tumne mere liye kiya hai, yeh dekh ke mujhe jo khushi hui hai, mai kabhi nahi bata sakta, itna jarur kahunga, aaj ka din mai apni life mai kabhi nahi bhul paayunga, jo mai naa kar saka woh tumne itni asaani se kar diya, mai aaj tumse dil se kehna chahta hu ki mai bhi tumse bahut pyaar karta hu! Please accept my love Aarti!"
Aarti nods happily, he places the ring happily on her ring finger. Aarti smile through the moist eyes, overwhelmed.
He lift her happily in air and they go round and round overjoyous.
"Haay Khushi ke aansu!", says Basant wiping his lone tear.
"Paramanand!", exclaims Sumi.
"Mehnat safal huyi!", exclaims Sumedh happily making the video of their proposal.
"Itni sundar jodi!", exclaims Swarnali.
Meghan gently make Aarti stand on the ground when both hear some noise behind the bushes.
"Wahan kaun hai?", asks Meghan.
"Hey Bhagwaan!!!!!!", exclaims Sumedh.
"Maare gaye ab toh!!!!!", exclaims Basant.
"Oh Oh, mai toh dekhne aayi thi, aap dono ko kisi cheez ki jarurat toh nahi?", asks Sumedh in a female voice coming outside of the bush happily.
"Aap kaun?", asks Meghan with a dubious expression.
"Bas itna samajh lijiye, mai sabke dil pe raaz karti hu!", says Sumedh happily.
"Kehna kya chahti ho?", asks Aarti.
"Attendant hu iss spot ki! Manager ne bheja tha check on karne ke liye!", says Sumedh.
Aarti looks at him with a dubious expression from top to bottom.
"Accha, yahan toh sab itna accha chal raha hai, mann yeh dekh kar khushi se jhoom raha hai, aap dono pyaar ka jashn manaiye, mai....mai jaati hu!", says Sumedh happily turning to leave.
Aarti whispers to Meghan, "Mujhe daal mai kuch kaala lag raha hai!"
"Aisa hai!", murmurs Meghan. Aarti nods.
"Kahin yeh Sumedh toh nahi? Uska koi bharosa nahi hai!", murmurs Aarti.
"HELLO SUMEDH!!", says Meghan frankly on his phone looking at him to do the confirmation.
Hearing his name, he suddenly falls down on floor due to misbalance.
"SUMEDH!", shouts Basant, Sumi and Swarnali in chorus coming out of the bush worriedly
"Sumi! Swarnali! Accha toh yeh Sumedh hi hai, aur yeh Basant!", says Aarti looking at both the beautiful girls.
"Maine kuch nahi kiya, jo kiya Sumedh ne kiya hai!", says Basant surrendering himself. Meghan nods.
"Ruk jaayo Sumedh, aaj maine tumhe range haath pakad liya, mai tumko chodunga nahi!", says Meghan giving his coat to Aarti.
"Bachao Basant Bhaiya!", says Sumedh, removes his wig and longs heel and run for his life throughout the palace being followed by Meghan.
"Mai kuch nahi kar sakti.. kar sakta!", says Basant giving up finally.
Each and every person laughs at the comical sight of chase of Sumedh and Meghan in the palace.
"Yeh ladka hai..?!", says the very same lady shocked while drinking the wine.
Sumedh runs outside of the palace embarrased to the core but Meghan fails to catch him and finally give up.
Udne Ki Aasha
