Casa 50B on 146 Most links on Page 1) - Page 92

PART 45

He approaches her after sliding his shoes off, checking her out while he walks. She looks stunningly beautiful. His heart races at the thought that she dressed up "for his sake". Every minute spent away from her was sheer torture. Seeing her look so beautiful and to think about the fact that she had spent time readying herself for his benefit was good compensation. She has henna on both her arms, almost upto her elbow, just like the day of Dhruv-Trishna's mehandi nite. Today both her wrists and are covered in in blue bangles, and he notices something, for the first time in 4 or so months, he sees a little blue round bindi between her brows. His heart skips multiple beats. The bare forehead was a thing of the past, the blue sparkled and shone, she looked more beautiful than ever.

She is unable to meet his eyes, he walks up to her, her eyes are moist, her face is flushed, and she seems distraught

Shaan ( bends down) "Rebellion Khanak?"

Khanak: Mujhe kaam tha (cagey)

Shaan: On the day of your engagement?

She is sure he can hear her heart, she can hear it pumping, in her ears. He smells like him! It's a different white dress shirt today, but no traditional clothes.

Khanak: you are not wearing Indian clothes. (stares at his dressy shirt)

Shaan: Running away on the day of your engagement? (persistent)

Khanak: Ask Ritu I was working (bends down)

Shaan: I don't have to ask I know'''.. kis se bhaag rahi thi tum Khanak?

Khanak: Aapse! (spontaneous)

Their eyes meet and lock until eternity.

Shaan breaks the trance

Shaan: Did you know how worried Dadi was? (angry)

Khanak: Even you went away!

Dadi walks in, is mighty pleased to see her fave grandson back by her fave bahu.

The couple is quiet.

Dadi: Where were you Shaan? Where did you go?

Khanak is curious, so waits for him to respond, bends down and pretends to re-arrange the things in front of the shrine.

Shaan: Oh! Not too far (is all that will come out of him)

Dadi: Dekho Khanak kitna pareshaan ho gayi

Shaan: Who to dekh raha hoon Dadi.

Dadi: Ab tum dono Bhagwan ka ashirwad lo, every one must be waiting, lets get started.

They stand side by side heads bent hands joined in prayer, stand for a minute, as if it was choreographed both bend down to the floor to pay obeisance. Dadi is stunned by that act of coincidence.

She hands Khanak the thali, Khanak offers prashad to Shaan. He accepts. Dadi urges her to have some, she takes a small sliver. She looks up at him, his eyes concur and both in unison touch Dadi's feet.

Dadi is moved, blesses them, and hugs both together saying "You two need each other, learn to acknowledge it"

From that moment on, he did not leave her side one minute that evening''

They speak less than five sentences to each other the whole evening but stay together.

Dadi does a theatrical introduction of her fave couple, people clap, laugh, crack jokes.

Things happen with clockwork precision. The ring is presented in a huge silver tray nestled in a bed of flowers, family gathers, Shaan's friends want to know why there is only one box

Shamim: Gujral, teri engagement kab hai?

Shaan: Funny!

Nachiket: He has made the contract binding for her, while he gets to be foot loose and fancy free. (laughs)

Dadi: Knock it off guys, without the ring, my grandson is way more committed than you will all ever be (gives Shaan a squishy sideways hug)

Sunil is happy, her parents are overjoyed, Dadi picks up the ring box and hands it to Shaan, he opens it with eyes focused on her bent head.

Ritu: Shaan, I had asked her to take a picture of the ring on the phone, but isne kiya nahi (complaining)

Shaan: Oh! Really?

He extends his left hand out, after placing the box on the tray, she hesitates, people tease and cheer, she looks up at him and places her left hand gently on his, his fingers close around her palm, and slowly slides the diamond and topaz rock on her finger.

There are collective "oohs" and "Aahs!" everywhere.

Clapping, loud music, "Congratulations Gujral" "Welcome to the dark side"

"Khanak get ready to become a Gujral soon". Hugs are freely passed around.

Shaan leans forward and whispers in her ear "Congratulations on the engagement Khanak Mistry"😳😳😳

It's a while before she realizes her heart has stopped beating.