Part Twenty Eight: Sasuraal Ghenda Phool
Delhi
5:00 PM
The "Rockstar" couple at Purple Aquarium Studios finally wraps up their busy day after recording their third song which became an instant hit among the staff and anyone who listened in during their recording session. Shaantanu was extremely happy and proud of this particular number in his Album as it gave his talented wife the much deserved recognition and a chance to shine on through her own capabilities. He had listened to their raw recording over and over again until she dragged him out of the recording room herself and strictly told him not to make a huge deal out of the song as the Studio Staff working on their floor were getting distracted from their work just so that they could indulge in her beautiful vocals that he kept re-playing in the recording room.
"Shaantanu ghar chalay abb…?" she asked picking up her handbag from his desk with a strained voice and tired eyes.
"Hmm…iss se pehlay tum yahi gir kar soo jao, humay ghar chalna chaiyay…" He smiled as he reached out for her hand bag and insisted on carrying it, just so she can lean on his shoulder and walk down and out of the Studio in a sleeplike position.
They take the semi-crowded local back to their apartment like always, but today she was catching up on her sleep on his shoulder instead of sharing all the randomness that went on in the Studio and people watching with him. He would take a glance every now and then at his wife's sleeping posture and smile while the passengers around them awed silently and observed the picture perfect moment of the humble couple.
"Khanak utho…agla stop humara hain…" he nudged her slightly, trying to get his wife to be mindful of getting up and walking off the bus.
"mmh…do minute aur…" she murmured without opening her eyes.
"Arey stop 30 seconds dur hain aur tum do minute maang rahi ho…uttho…!" he shook his shoulder a little, her head jolted up and down on his upper arm and she opened her eyes.
"Uff…! uth gaye…abb chalay…" she stood up on the moving bus as it approached their stop, which was now 10 seconds away.
"Haan…lakin ruknay toh do bus ko…" he said holding on to her wrist so that she had some support as the bus will jolt a little before coming to a full stop.
They get off with him leading her out of bus like a little kid; his grip remained on her wrist even as they entered their building's main gate. The half empty parking lot was transformed in to a cricket pitch where the kids were indulging in their evening playtime. Teenagers were hanging out with Soda cans and latest gadgets or waiting on someone to join them for their evening festivities. Overall, a typical evening scene with loads of noise was witnessed as Shaantanu and Khanak walked past it to get to the building's shaky elevator.
"Hum elevator mein kyun ja rahay hain…?" She asked surprisingly, sounding awake and alert all of a sudden.
"Tumhay lagta hain kay tum sooty huye fifth floor tak stairs le lo gi…?" He questioned with a challenging look and tugging on her hand to pull her closer.
"Jee…app mujhe under estimate kar rahay hain…Mrs. Khanak Shaantanu Khandelwal ko…?" she questioned him wide-eyed; pronouncing her married name for the first time out loud in front of him.
"Haaye…! Iss ghustak ki itni himmat kahaan Madame kay voh "Mrs. Khanak Shaantanu Khandelwal" ko under estimate karay…" he said with a twinkling smile as he had loved the way she had declared herself as his through the acknowledgement of their names in unison.
"Toh chalay stairs se...voh yahaan hain…" She tugged his hand this time and pulled him towards the narrow staircase next to the elevator they were standing in front of.
As they stepped up the fourth floor they were welcomed by Sia's greeting that echoed from the staircase banister on the fifth floor from which she was looking down from, secured in her mother's arms. "Bahiyya!...Aaani…Hiii!"
Shaantanu and Khanak smiled back brightly and waved up at Sia and Suhaani before continuing their flight up the stairs to their floor where pleasant company was awaiting them with a surprise they were not expecting.
"Wait, wait…Wait a minute…! tum dono vahi rukh jao…!" Suhaani rushed towards them as soon as she saw them stepping up the last two steps before their front door. She was dressed up in traditional wear today and so was Sia, "maybe a visit to the temple or such…" thought Khanak as she observed her favorite two year old tugging on her own little bright pink dupatta, while her mother looked gorgeous in her magenta cotton kalamkari suit.
"Kya hua Di…? ajj apne he ghar me no entry ki koi khass vajah?" Shaantanu questioned Suhaani who had her left arm stretched out in front of them which acted like a barrier that they were being prohibited to cross.
"Yup! Bahut khass vajah hain…actually it's a surprise…!"
"Aur I am sure issi surprise ne app ko ajj itna busy rakha ke app Studio se pora din gayab rahi…Sia ko bhi nahi bhejha humaray saath lunch karne… hain na?" Shaantanu pointed out her absence at the Studio in a "matter-of-factly" tone as Sia took this opportunity to rush down from her Mother's arms and into her Aaani's warm embrace. Shaantanu smiled warmly at the little one's actions as he watched her compensating for their missed lunch.
"Abb voh sub jo bhi ho, I couldn't miss this for the world…chalo abhi yeh Khanak ki ankhoon per bandho…" Suhaani didn't give much attention to Shaantanu's complaints and pulled out a blindfold from her handbag and handed it over to Shaantanu.
"Lakin surprise toh hum dono ke liye hain na... phir sirf Khanak ko blindfold kyun?" Shaantanu asked with a pout as Suhaani rolled her eyes at his child-like behavior.
"Khanak tumharay Pati ji ki umar meri Angel ki umer se zaayada bari nahi ho sakti…Iss waqt bilqual ussi ki tarah zidd kar raha hain…" Suhaani informed Khanak while placing the blind fold on her eyes, in the meantime Shaantanu was being led towards his apartment's front door with Sia's lead, who signaled him to be very quiet with a "finger-on-your-lips" gesture as he must not do or say anything to spoil the surprise element that was intended for Khanak.
Sia looks back at her mother for the final go ahead before lightly knocking on the front door and revealing the three gorgeous Khandelwal ladies standing behind it. Shaantanu gets a silent welcome from all of them as they hug him with enthusiasm but restrain him from expressing anything vocally. Khushboo bhabhi winks her trademark wink at him and he smiles his twinkling smile, Madhavi does his aarti and then hugs him warmly, and Daadi does his tilak and gives him her blessing by placing her gentle hand on his head before he embraces her in his arms. Suhaani watches in awe and Sia is keenly taking note of every single action of his Bahiyya as he meets and silently greets these new aunties she had only seen in one of the frames hanging in the living area of her Aaani and Bahiyya's apartment earlier.
"Di… hum rukay kyun hain…main agay chalo kya?" Khanak questioned, not sure why everything was so silent all of a sudden. Shaantanu turns back to look at her as her voice brings him back from cloud nine.
"Bus aik minute Khanak…Shaantanu yahaan ajaye…" Suhaani informed Khanak and gestured Shaantanu to come back to them while she rushes to place the bronze container filled with rice on the door step just as Daadi had instructed. Khusboo picks up the thaali for the arti and Madhavi holds on to a small velvet jewelry box which held Khanak's first official Shagun from her mother-in-law. Daadi steps in front and gestures her grandson to come forward with his wife.
"Shaantanu app…yeh sub kya ho raha hain..Di ne kuch zaayada toh…"
"Ssshh Khanak…bus yahaan se kuch barah (12) kadam hain…main tumharay saath gin kar yeh kadam barhara raha hoon… tum bhi inn kadmoon ko gin kar meray saath puray karo…please…"
"Theek hain baba…! App aur app ke barah kadam mujhay manzoor hain…" She smiles sweetly in anticipation and feels his left arm go around her shoulder, framing her figure, while the right one remains on her upper arm for support. She begins to count with him as they take synchronized steps towards the kalash intended for Griha Pravesh that she was meant to do.
"Ahh..! Shaantanu maine...mujh se kuch gira kya…?" she gasps out loud as her right foot hits the rice-filled kalash and everyone watching smiles at her apprehensive tone and innocence.
"Hmm…yeh toh hona he tha…akhir Griha Pravesh ki rasam jo hain…!" He informs her while untying the blindfold and revealing her with a pleasant sight of her in-laws and their bright smiles that were awaiting to welcome her in their style as if she was a day old bride being brought in the house for the first time.
Everything goes still for Khanak as she takes in the view in front of her and lets it sink in. Her expressions mirror the ocean of emotions that is surging within her as she realizes that her new family is standing in front of her with welcoming arms. His ardent Daadi, now Hers…His protective Mom, now Hers too…and His devoted Bhabhi, now Hers as well. She takes in the sight and begins to feels her eyes grow heavier from the weight of the tears that were threatening to spill out of sheer happiness. Daadi's warm touch brings her out of her reverie and she bows her head down a little and feels Daadi's blessings on her temple as she kisses her adoringly. Madhavi waits for Khushboo to finish her aarti before embracing her youngest daughter-in law warmly and holding on to her for a good minute. Khusbhoo is elated at the fact that she is finally getting a chance to share her "Khandelwal Bahu" title with Khanak.
"Welcome to the family beta…! I know hum late hain per yakeen karo hum aik pal kay liye bhi tumhay bhoolay nahi…" Madhavi's soothing voice is the first to get registered in her brain as she breaks from their embrace and feels the moisture on her cheeks.
"Arey Madhavi tum ne toh apni bahu ko miltay he rula diya… Chalo mujhay dekho aur sheekho kay kaise miltey hain bahu se…" Daadi noticed Khanak's tears and came forward, cutting in between Madhavi and Khanak, she engulfed Khanak in a teddy bear hug and laughed lightly and got Khanak smiling as well. Shaantanu, Suhaani, and Sia smiled as well wondering how Khanak's fragile body was taking Daadi's squishy hug.
Khushboo was next in line with her warm hugs that she usually exchanges with her own best friends or cousins. She smiles at Khanak declaring that her devar had excellent choice and she approves of it completely. Khanak looks back at Shaantanu who is standing at a distance and blushes a little upon Khusboo's tease, thinking "He does… and she is thankful for it."
"Aaani surprise acha lag app ko?!" Sia's question gets her all the attention in the room as she is standing next to Khanak and looking up at her with her big brown innocent eyes, wanting to know how well this surprise had gone for her beloved Aaani.
Khanak nods her head and runs her hand over Sia's face adoringly before bending down to her height and giving her a peck on her chubby cheek and then getting one herself in return. Daadi and Madhavi exchange knowing looks, as Khushboo does a visible "Awww" looking in Khanak's direction. Shaantanu mouth's "Thank You" to Suhaani for all the arrangements she had done and she squeezes his hand and mouths a "Welcome" to him.
Suhaani insists on arranging dinner and tells Khanak and Shaantanu to let her take care of it tonight as they catch up with family without being bothered by the formalities. She has ordered everything so it's just a matter of arranging and putting it all out which she happily does in the cozy kitchen/living area. Madhavi and Daadi inquire Khanak about Shaantanu's habits and Khushboo gets busy catching up with her only devar on life in Mumbai without him and his work on his new Album. Sia leaps from Shaantanu to Khanak's lap now and then as she entertains everyone with her adorable tactics.
"Khushboo vaise apnay devar aur devraani ko Good News nahi sunao gi?" Madhavi looked over at Khusboo and then at Shaantanu who was showing Sia his "Talking Tom" App on his Iphone.
"Umm…main batao Mom…?"
"Haan kyun nahi…jub Good News ki zimedaar tum ho toh tum hi batao beta…" Daadi encourages her as Khanak and Shaantanu both exchanged confusing looks.
"Okay…voh main…actually…" Khushboo stutters and looks everywhere on the floor while twirling her sea green saree's pallu around her pinky.
"Bhabhi bata bhi de na…"
"Acha na…bata rahi hoon…voh…umm…Tum aur Khanak Chacha Chachi banay vaalay ho." She finally blurts it out after overcoming her shyness towards the end of the sentence.
"WHAT!!!...really?! I mean…Wow…Congratulations Bahbhi…!" Shaantanu leaps forwards and hugs Khushboo affectionately and Khanak gets up to do the same.
"Hmm…Thanks… I hope if it's a girl voh Sia jaise cute ho…She is such a sweetheart!" Khushboo looks over at Sia who is busy with "Talking Tom" on Shaantanu's phone unaware of all the eyes that are admiring her at the moment.
"Haan…such mein Suhaani ki yehi chooti si Pari bahut payaari hain…" Daadi agrees with Khushboo and looks over at Suhaani who has joined them after placing the food in the oven to be warmed up.
"Daadi shaitaan bhi utni hain yeh…" Suhaani added with a proud smile looking over at her daughter on the opposite couch with Shaantanu and Khanak on both ends.
The laughter and talks continue for some time longer before dinner is served and everyone enjoys the food over old jokes that Daadi brought up especially to tease Shaan in front of Khanak who was having a gala time hearing every little story of her hubby dear that made him the man he is today. It was the first time for Khanak to be surrounded with so much laughter and pure bliss that resided in her new family. She made a mental note to "thank" Shaantanu for it later in a special way. Every time there eyes found each other across the room they would let them converse only momentarily, before diverting their attention back to the wonderful familial company they were surrounded by.
Suhaani and Sia were the first ones to bid adieu as the little one had fallen asleep right after having her dessert on her Bahiyya's lap. The Khandelwal ladies thanked Suhaani warmly for everything she had done and made her promise to visit them in Mumbai soon. Suhaani praised Shaantanu and Khanak's qualities and assured them that they were true gems to her and that their presence meant a lot to her. After she leaves Daadi realizes that they have exactly two hours left before their flight back to Mumbai and they must take their leave from Shaantanu and Khanak's home soon.
"Shaantanu yeh pehla Shagun hain humari taraf se Khanak ke liye…ussay yeh pehnado…" Madhavi held out the velvet jewelry box towards Shaantanu as Khanak took a seat in between Daadi and Khusboo on the opposite side and watched.
Shaantanu smiles accepting the gift and opening it to find his Mother's very own heavy gold anklets that Daadi had gifted her when she was a newly wedded bride herself. He remembers how Akshay had to choose between one of her original khaandani necklace and these anklets when he was getting married and how Daadi had hinted him that it would be better if Shaantanu's bride received the anklets and the oldest daughter-in-law got the necklace. He takes it over to Khanak who looks down at the box and then at Daadi and Madhavi who smile and gesture Shaantanu to go ahead and place it on her feet in front of their eyes and he complies as his wife puts out her delicate feet towards him. Khushboo helps Shaantanu by holding the box for him as he kneels down and puts the stunning anklets on his wife's feet. They had tiny trinkets on them and were embedded with several gems with an overall gold plated finish.
"Thank you… Daadi…Mom…" Khanak expressed her gratitude to the ladies who had endowed her with their dearest Shaantanu in the form of her loving husband, her blissful life, and her everything.
"Your Welcome Choti Bahu!" Madhavi and Daadi said in synchronization as if they had planned to call her by that name from now on. "Hum tumhari Karva Chauth ki Sargi bhi lay kay aye hain…Suhaani ne uss table per rakhi hain, counter ke pass…dil toh yahi chah raha hain kay dono ko saath le jaaye…lakin iss badmaash ke vaade se majboor hain…!" Daadi looks over at Shaantanu who smiles back with a longing expression in his eyes.
"I know Daadi…lakin mera vaada abb jald he pura honay vaala hain…humari Album ki launch kay baad hum dono khud Mumbai aaye gay…Infact main Dad aur Bahiyaa ko main khud humari pehli CD ki copy doonga…voh din bahut jaldi aaye ga…I promise…we promise…!" Shaantanu assures his Madhavi, Daadi, and Khushboo Bhabhi as he looks over at Khanak towards the end of his sentence.
"Jee Daadi…bus abb thodi din ki doorie aur phir hum app sub ke saath hongay…"Khanak walks over to Madhavi and Daadi and bends down next to them, placing her hands on Madhavi's and confirming her first promise as a dutiful Khandelwal bahu.
"Bilqual…I want both Chachu and Chachi there…Sia se kafi training lay le hain abb uss training ka pura faida utha na hain mujhay aur Akshay ko…!" Khusbhoo reminded Shaantanu and Khanak about her future plans for them and they all broke out in to laughter.
Shaantanu and Khanak walk them down to their Airport Taxi which Khushboo had called earlier and bid them good-bye with promises of seeing them sooner than later. Daadi placed Khanak's hand in Shaantanu's and instructed them to take good care of each other, Madhavi hugged them both at the same time and kissed their temple lovingly, and Khusbhoo took out her phone and took a picture with her devar and devrani and stored Shaantanu's new number on her speed dial while promising to call them secretly whenever she can to update the status of soon to be arriving member of the Khandelwal Klan. Their departure was not teary this time as they had new hopes and promises to hold on to which Shaantanu and Khanak had assured them of and they were already looking forward to the time of togetherness soon again.
They stood by the main-gate long after the Taxi disappeared from their sight, simply rejoicing in the fact that their family was with them just now and that they had made memories of joy and laughter tonight just like most newly wedded couple do normally. She takes a hold of his hand in hers, entwining her slender fingers with his broad ones, a perfect fit that belonged together. He looks at her under the dimly lit street lamp and the damped moonlight that was striking her beautiful features, making her pretty face glow. She takes a dive in to his brunette orbs that held eternal love for her and for the first time that evening their eyes are able to carry on a conversation without any distractions as their walk back home is quiet and alone, yet expressive and paired together at the same time.
😊
P.S: Read, Enjoy, and Comment Back...whenever you can...hope you enjoyed it!
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
