PART 41
Notandas-Bandra;
Wednesday, April 20th 7:20 pm
She was dressed in a green silk wrap around skirt and a orange blouse, he wore a ivory colored trousers and teal blue shirt. The guard opens the door, an employee recognizes him as they enter. Turns out he is the floor manager for the evening, he escorts them to a comfortable alcove. Shaan tells him he is here to look at engagement rings for her. He responds with "Your Dad called over two hours ago, we were waiting"
Shaan: We couldn't get away from work. I had to be at two places today, so we apologize
Supervisor: Not a problem!
He signals another employee to bring rings. Trays and trays are brought in.
Supervisor : What can we get you to drink?
Shaan: Soda is fine'''. Khanak?
Khanak: Water is good thank you.
The employee curiously looks at her, she hasn't spoken a word to him or to her fianc since she entered. She was not jumping up and down in excitement, not gushing, not chattering, not squealing. He had never met anyone quite like her.
They made a lovely couple he thought. He was extremely good looking and she was very elegant and gorgeous with big eyes and lovely hair.
She was very quiet. Her fiance' leaned and spoke softly in her ear, she either nodded or shook her head or responded in a word or two.
Supervisor: she can tell us what she likes, we can get more stuff to look at/
Their beverage arrives, she hardly drinks any.
Shaan looks at her quizzically she responds with "These are too many already, looking at the one dozen velvet covered trays.
One female assistant brings along a set of steel rings for sizing. She tries some slowly.
Female: Aapka haath to bahut chhota hai, fingers kitne patle hain. 4 aa jaayega shaayad aapko.
The number 5 slides off her finger, she tries 4 and looks at him
Shaan: Perfect fit. Does it pinch when you bend?
She tries to, the girl discourages her as the two dozen other rings in the hook hurt her finger
Female: Isme se koi bhi size 4 try kar leejiye.
Its hard to find a pre made size 4, they both scour the trays.
Shaan is checking email on his phone.
They find a tray with the proverbial rocks on it, some are set with rubies and emeralds. They all look pretty outstanding. The girl finds her a dozen size 4s on it.
She tries many on, most according to her have too much "bling"
Female: Engagement hai, phir shaadi hai, to aapko to lena chahiye (encouraging. Ofcourse, my commission will be better too)
Khanak: Oh! I cant wear most of these.
The girl quickly exchanges a look with her supe. "Odd!" he thinks "A girl who is not going beserk over diamonds"
Khanak finally narrows down four with great reluctance. She picks one with a solid diamond in the center and two red stones, which she assumes are rubies.
Female: They are not rubies. They are red topaz. They are the rarest and the most exclusive of all topaz.
Khanak: Really?
Female: Yep!
Khanak is not so sure anymore as she starts worrying about the price.
Khanak: I am not sure.
Shaan looks up from his phone, watches her dilemma for second
The female, includes him in the debate.
Female: I think it looks lovely on her finger. Don't you think so Sir?
Shaan leans forward to look at her hand, the most elegant manicured beautifully shaped hand. There is a almost pink/colorless coat on her nails.
Shaan: She should get it (looking at the ring)
Khanak, leans back and waits for him to
He does, she turns the other way and speaks softly almost in his ear
Khanak: I am not sure.
Shaan: Why not?
Female interrupts their private tussle
Female: Inka birthdate November ka hai kya, Topaz is Nov's stone. Bilkul perfect rahega.
Shaan: She was born in June. I was born in November.
Female: How romantic! Then she should definitely get it, she can wear Topaz for you.
Khanak is mortified at the store employee discussing their birthdays so loosely.
Shaan: You can look at other rings if you want?
The store employees finally get the hint that they want to be alone so they step back a little
Shaan: Do you want to go elsewhere and look?
Khanak: No! I am just worried it might be too expensive.
He looks at her deeply "Its an engagement ring Khanak, they are supposed to be expensive"
Khanak: Will you let me foot half the tab? (self respecting)
Shaan: We should just leave right now, go back to your place or mine and fight about this.
Khanak: I don't want you to spend too much on my ring. (firm)
Shaan: Lets just leave then (irritated) If pitching a fight is what you are looking for.
The employees are standing outside the glass walled cubicle, wondering what was going on.
Shaan attempts to get up, she grabs his hand, he looks at it.
She withdraws hers with a "Sorry!"
Shaan: Don't compound it Khanak (super mad)
Khanak: I like these three (conciliatory, pointing to one with a bunch of diamonds, one that was a solid rock and the third, her most favorite with the rare topaz on it.)
Shaan: Should I pick one?
Khanak: Not the most expensive please (pleads)
He signals an employee, they enter, price it on the computer.
The one with the topaz is a little shy of Rs.4.5 lakhs. He OKs it with a smile.
Female: (what is first in a series of nudge nudge wink winks to Khanak) Aapko inse poochna chahiye tha, inki choice sahi hai. (ofcourse! It being the most expensive)
Shaan: Whats the carat weight?
Female: Diamonds 2 and topaz 1.8
Shaan: Good! Thanks.
Female: Do you want to try it on one time?
Khanak is not sure, she looks up at him he nods she wears it, it sparkles under the showroom's recess lights. She quickly hides it under the glass case.
Khanak: Gosh! Its too bright
Shaan: Nope! It looks gorgeous
His phone rings, he hands her his wallet with a "Amex Black" and steps out with an "Excuse me"
The female assistant is waiting for Khanak to open the wallet and pull the card out.
She pulls the card out and hands it.
Female: Kab hai engagement (nosy)
Khanak: Is Sunday ko'''''. Nahi, Saturday ko (correcting herself sheepishly)
Female: 3 din baad? (stunned)
Khanak: Umm'''Haan''
The girl is all chatty, wants to talk about where she lives and when the wedding is. Khanak doesn't respond to the home location question. She says "In three weeks" to the wedding question.
The girl's jaw drops
"Teen hafte mein? Shaadi ke baad bahar ja rahe hain kya"
Khanak shakes her head "Nahi!"
Then the next question "Love marriage hai kya?"
Khanak: Nope!
The girl is totally shocked now "Inse arranged marriage hai?"(obviously in awe of his good looks)
Khanak: haan (blandly)
She looks at the floor supervisor, he is even more intrigued.
They both step out to do the needful. She has to gossip she goes "Kitna kam bolti hai yeh ladki"
Supervisor: Bande ka Dad bahut wealthy hain.
Female: Really? Mujhe laga, yeh koi movie mein hai
Supervisor: pata nahi, iski family yaha kaafi shopping karti hai. Ek brother bhi hai iska.
Female: Chhota hai kya? (winks)
Supervisor: Uski wife ke saath aata hai. (hes married you clown" kinda tone)
Female: She is saying arranged hai par mujhe to love laga
Supervisor: tum ladkiyon se kaun argue karega. Chhod na!
They both head towards accounting.
The card returns with a charge slip, the girl packs their authenticity certificate, and all other freebies in a silk pouch, velvet box and the works.
Shaan returns, signs, "Lets go, shall we?" signing the slip, tucking the customer copy back in his pocket carelessly.
The female and the supervisor congratulate them individually.
Female: shaadi ki jewelry lene aayiye
Khanak: Mmm'' sure, thanks
Female (to Shaan) You must bring her. Our wedding jewelry is exquisite.
Shaan: Oh! Really? We can come back later.
Supervisor: You paid with Amex Black, we can schedule a private showing for you if you like.
Shaan: That's not important (modest) Not sure if we can'''. Hmmm'. Let me talk with her? We can call you?
Supe: Sure Sir!
She stands up only to step on her skirt, he holds her hand helping her free it from under her foot. He doesn't let go of the hand until they step out of the store and he has to call his driver.
The supervisor and his female assistant are left wondering how did he manage to be so successful as such a young age, and what is it about this couple that is so attractive and striking.
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April 20th
Anand Bhavan, Matunga
9:14 PM
Shaan: Yahan?
Khanak:Haan! (smiling, spontaneous, finally happy to be in her home ground)
Shaan: You are insane Khanak (stepping out, holding the door open for her)
Shaan (to the driver) Aapko late ho raha hai to aap jayiye, I can drive home.
Driver: No sir! Main wait karta hoon
Shaan nods the driver gets ready to park and wait and she takes the lead, he follows amused.
It's a busy street with various tiny shops, bright signs, lots of people everywhere, radios blaring FM, people talking loudly on the phone, single guys cruising in their motor cycles. Girls giggling and acknowledging the attention. It's a typical evening at a middle class mid town Mumbai market.
People turn around and look at them.
She walks comfidently and enters Anand Bhavan
He follows faithfully.
The place is lit with too many tube lights, it smells of incense and some Southern Indian music is playing loud. Men's foreheads smeared with teekas, loud chatter in some language alien to him.
The guy behind the counter recognizes her and smiles
Guy: Aapka friend nahi aaya.
Khanak: Nahi, par koi aur hai
The guy looks at Shaan, stares. The teens and the men serving other customers turn around and look. Some customers stare also.
Khanak: Uncle do log!
Guy: Thambi ek table.
The teen who shall henceforth be referred to as Thambi makes an appearance.
Towel on the shoulder, pen behind the ear, well oiled hair, a big smile.
Thambi: Didi aap?
Khanak is happy, smiles.
Thambi :Husband hai aapka?(points to Shaan)
Shaan is shocked at the camaraderie she enjoys here
Khanak: Nahi (she wont say anything more)
Shaan: are you serious? (from behind her in her ear, holding her elbow)
Khanak: I never kid about good food (turns around and gives him her most glorious smile for the third time ever).😃
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
