PART 44
Shaan is more livid than being upset or disappointed about it.
Shaan: Are you sure Dadi? Aapne kab call kiya?
Dadi: Abhi oopar aane se pehle. Uske cousins bhi aa gaye, Sonal aur Mitali.
Shaan dials her number. The phone rings but no one answers.
Shaan: Did you get the voice mail?
Dadi: Haan! (disappointed and worried)
Shaan is fuming, Dadi notices that and gently squeezes his arm. "May be she is on her way?"
Shaan: Have people started asking about her? (peers down from the baclcony"
Most are eating, drinking and generally having a good time. Her Dad seems quite fidgety, he notices. Her Mom is busy talking with Khanak's Kaki. She seems proud and happy, untouched by her husband's turmoil.
Shaan: Dadi, I think you should go join them. I am not sure what to do either. Let me think of something (gives her a squishy hug)
Dadi has tears in her eyes, she rubs her hand on his cheek "Shaan, you don't deserve anything less than total happiness. Good luck beta" before solemnly walking down the stairs towards the guests.
Shaan goes to his room, picks up his keys from the chest of drawers, tucks it into his trouser pockets, and quietly walks down the steps. Mingles with the guests a little, before sneaking out the door.
Its almost 9: 20, most people are looking all around the penthouse apartment, getting a little anxious. Madhavi is fuming, she cant locate her son and her "local" bahu has not made it yet either. After having the bare minimum conversation with her Mom who to Madhavi's surprise and shock was very elegantly dressed and conducted herself exactly like her daughter, pleasant but quietly confident.
She asked Dadi, if she knew where Shaan was, Dadi pleaded ignorance. She started to worry explicitly. At that exact moment, two people enter'''''''.
Khanak dressed in the most stunning peacock blue lehanga enters escorted by Ritu. Ritu's Uncle and Aunt are already at Gujrals. There is a serious round of applause.
Khanak is embarrassed by it, turns towards Ritu and goes " Yrh kya hai?"
Ritu: Hum late hai na, is liye swagat ho raha hai hamara
Dadi is overjoyed she sprints to her fave would-be grand daughter-in-law to be.
Sunil joins his Mom, Khanak's family crowds her. Sunil does not let her talk with anyone else for 15 minutes, just thoroughly occupies her attention in introducing her to his work team and key business partners.
Boo is a little intimidated. She had "heard" about Shaan's "choice" from "Mom" but had not expected the girl to be this gorgeous.
She tries to hide her disappointment and forces a smile on her face when Akshay nudges her "She looks LOVELY! Now wonder Shaan is in a hurry!" (teasing)
Khushboo: Well she better be everything Shaan expects!
Akshay: I am going to go say hi! Do you want to go? (sets his empty glass on a tray a waiter is holding and starts pushing her forward)
Khsuhboo: Let her family gush all over her first Akshay! (irritated)
Akshay: Hey they are just happy to see her! Don't be silly!
Akshay walks up to her first "Hi! Khanak, welcome to the family, I am Akshay"
Khanak: Akshay Bhaiyya? (is all smiles)
He hugs her warmly. "Shaan bahut lucky hai" he says out of the blue!
He introes his wife, Khushboo reluctantly steps forward for a hug
"Hi! Khanak" is all she can manage
Khushboo: So what do you do? (hoping she is an admin assistant or some kind of an assistant)
Khanak: I am an architect, junior partner actually with Modi & Dastur. (smiles)
Khushboo knows exactly who they are as they were the sole design consultants for her Dad's office. Ram and her Dad actually have actually met and spoken a few minutes ago.
Khushboo is disappointed. The girl is not only gorgeous to look at but well educated and smart.
Khushboo: So Shaan ko kahan, mera matlab (corrects herself from phansaya ) where did you meet him?
Khanak blushing'.. "At work, at Ajmera"
Khushboo: Who made the first move? (barely smiling)
Akshay: Khsuboo, why are you embarrassing the girl now? Does it matter? BTW Shaan told me her pursued her for over 4 months!
He smiles at Khanak, registering the heightened color.
Khushboo is devastated, but decides to call off the battle for tonite.
Khushboo: Ummm''. Good to meet you Khanak, good luck'''.. congrats (barely audible)
Khanak: thanks!
Madhavi is quite disappointed by her daughter in law's stunning appearance. Here she was, having spent the last three hours or so setting her up to fail. Her three best friends were really tickled and looked forward to gossping abt Mrs Gujral's new bahu.
What a let down! It was for many
What a joy! It was for some!
By now the guys upstairs in the rec room had made their way down also.
Dadi asked Hari lal, where Shaan was. He had no idea.
Dadi: Khanak beta, Shaan se tumhari baat hui?
Khanak thinks "Are you kidding Dadi? I am TWO HOURS LATE. It would be an understatement if I said " I don't want to see him tonite"
But says " Nahi Dadi"
Ritu: Who Khanak late ho gayi kaam ki wajah se.
Ram and Renuka have arrived, Ram walks up to her "Khanak, I know its fashionable to be late, but at your own engagement?" (confused)
But smiles later and hugs her warmly saying " I have to let all your brave declarations pass, you know, the "workhorse, being at work from 9-7, and being there for Modi & Dastur until you retired"
Renuka: Did she actually say all that?
Ram: And then some! (smiles)
Ritu: My friend wants us all to believe she is very indifferent.
Khanak: Ritu, please yaar (uncomfortable)
Ram is suddenly very serious and gentle " Khanak, I wish you all the happiness! I want your life to be filled with joy, every day. Shaan is a wonderful guy, I am certain he will make you happy"
Khanak's already speeding heart receives another jolt. "umm thanks'. Ram" is all she manages to get out!
Ram: WHERE is Gujral?
Rahat walking over to Khanak smiles at Ram: She should know!" (conspiratorily)
Khanak is shocked, she has no idea where he is. She hasn't spoken to him all day
Rahat: Congratulations Khanak! Shaan is an amazing guy! Great pick! (smiles and leans forward to hug her)
There is laughter and chatter, Sunil asks Hari Lal to check where Shaan is, Hari Lal returns after checking the rooftop poolside, and his room and answers in negative.
Now its everyone's turn to wonder where the guy is.
Dadi wonders "Ab YEH kahan chala gaya?"
She walks up to Khanak, "Bete mere saath mandir chalo, pehle maatha tek lo" steers her towards the pooja room.
Dadi: Tumhari aaj ladai hui kya?
Khanak is ashamed.
Khanak: Nahi Dadi
Dadi: Bete tum late kyon ho gayi? Hum to bahut dar gaye the!
Khanak: Who Dadi'''
Dadi: Bete tum mujhe keh sakti ho, main Shaan se baat karoongi.
Khanak: Nahi! Dadi (terrified)
Dadi walking into the pooja room and urging her to pray
Khanak: Mujhe thoda kaam aa gaya tha
Dadi: Ab Shaan pata nahi kidhar chala gaya.
Khanak feels a churn and plop inside. Her face pales. She wonders where he is, actually starts to worry. "Why would he go away?" "I mean its HIS house"
"HE wanted to get married" "what is going on?"
Her hands joined in prayer deep in thought, she worries herself silly.
Dadi steps out to ask Hari Lal to get the pooja ki thali. Khanak opens her eyes, checks her phone laying on the rug, looks out the window, turns around and scans the room.
Looks at the shrine and says aloud "Hey Bhagwan, yeh kya ho raha hai mere saath? Shantanu kahan chaley gaye?" (almost in tears)
Shaan (from the door way): Doesn't your medicine taste awful, Khanak?(softly straing at her leaning on the door jamb, hands tucked in his pocket)
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