FF: Partial Amnesia Pt 31Pg145-6th Dec - Page 89

Part 24

23rd January 2011 11:30 AM

"Here you go---" Geeta handed over the reports to Shaan who was sitting across the table. He looked up at her expressionless face and took them apprehensively. Placing them on table after giving them just a glance he looked up at Geeta again. "So heard you're getting married again?" Geeta asked abruptly.

"What?" Shaan said, taken completely by surprise. "Er Yea Khanak and I----she remembers we loved each other----so ok these reports-----"

"Yea I know! " Geeta said, cutting Shaan off. "Mitul told me----yesterday afternoon----sounds like fun—a wedding I should be attending this time---- "

Shaan frowned. Clearly Geeta did not seem to be in a mood to talk about Khanak's condition. He made another attempt. " So---er----what do they say?The reports? Sub theek hain na?" he asked both a bit stern and anxiously"

Geeta sighed and looked straight at Shaan meaningfully. "Shaan main yay toh nahi kah sakti kah SUB kuch theek hain---laikin main yay bhee nahi kahoo gee kay sub kuch theek NAHI hain----like I said to you last night----Khanak is on the stage where she is recovering----the ultrasounds show nothing that they had not shown previously----" Geeta stopped. Shaan seemed to be drinking in every word Geeta spoke. When she stopped he made a sharp movement but sadi nothing. Geeta continued. " Khanak's condition is still not 100 % okay as far as her reproductive system is concerened, I've already told you that before but it's nothing that a good diet, less stress, ample rest and a certain precautions cannot cure. "

Shaan looked at Geeta sharply again. "Precautions? What sort of precautions?" Shaan asked though he thought he knew what Geeta was getting at. In a casual atmosphere Geeta would always be very direct about Shaan and Khanak's physical relationship but in serious events as this Geeta would talk to Shaan about it in a round about way.

"Shaan, usually women who have miscarriages are advised not to have physical contact with their spouses till atleast 4 months after the miscarriage but in Khanak's case I would advise that you two wait for another 2 months." She looked at Shaan apprehensively, expecting him to seriously object. Readying herself for a series of vehement responses from Shaan she straightened herself on her chair and looked straight at him. What she saw shocked her to the core. Shaan had dismissed the news off like he'd have waved a fly.

"But—but she's fine right?" he asked, making Geeta stare at him blankly for a good 3 seconds. Apparently the news that Shaan had to avoid physical contact with Khanak for the 2 months had had no effect on him whatsoever.

"Yes Shaan I told you she's fine----but there are certain minor complications that need you to be careful when you're-----"

"That's fine----" Shaan said shortly and Geeta stopped talking. "Just tell me what I have to do to make her, like you said. 100 % fine. I'll take all the precautions----I'll do EVERYTHING that needs to be done----just tell me what I have to do -Geeta--tell me her diet---give me a chart like you did when she was pregnant---so I can keep track----just----just-----whatever you say----I'll do that-----" Shaan sounded a bit hysterical now.

"I will Shaan I will---relax will you?!" Geeta said, now seriously worried about Shaan. Then she heaved a deep sigh again. "Look Shaan---the reason I'm telling you this now is----is---"she stopped, trying her best to find the right words to tell Shaan what was up in her mind. "Look---you guys are getting married---Khanak doesn't remember that she had a physical relationship with you---she'll obviously expect you to be---to be intimate with her----but you'll---you'll not---what explanation will you give her when she sees you not giving her the rights of a wife?"

"Geeta what are you trying to say? Get to the point---" Shaan said wearily, rubbing his eyes now.

"I'm saying that I think---I think it's high time you tell her about ----about what you had with her---and---and the---the baby----now that she remembers you loved each other----"

Shaan looked at Geeta shocked. Tell Khanak about the baby?! Was Geeta nuts?! I would NEVER do that! I would never ruin the happiness that he had seen on Khanak's face after ages! NEVER! " I don't think that is necessary----" Shaan said composedly. " Meray aur Khanak ka pyaar ka humaray ateet say---- aur Khanak ki yaaddasht say ----koi lena dainay nahi hain--- what was past shall remain the past---I will not destroy our present and future for it---"

"Your love for each other, which is an abstract emotion mind you, may not be dependant on Khanak's memory Shaan" Geeta began, "---- but the pain that Khanak is going through, which by the way is PHYSICAL and real, is. She has a right to know what is going on in her body----especially now that she is looking forward to a happily married life with you----." Geeta stopped and just looked at Shaan's adamant face.

"I cant do it Geetaaa-----" Shaan said desperately -----" Tum samajh kyun nahi rahee ho----Khanak toot jayay gee----I can't do this to her----- tell me to do anything but this!"

"Okay. Just pray that the pandit fixes your wedding date after 2 months then---" Geeta said logically, nodding.

The abruptness of the statement made Shaan laugh. Geeta laughed too. They both shared a cheerful moment. Then Shaan's face turned somber. Geeta fixed her expression too, getting ready for Shaan to be all emotional on her-----"You know Geeta----" Shaan said seriously, " My reputation—you know the one that I had----of Shaantanu Khandelwal-----it's going down the drain----it really is!"

"What?" Geeta said surprised. "How?!"

"How?! You're asking me HOW?! You KNOW how! I moved back from that kiss on the terrace that day with Khanak----I moved back from love making last night-----I'm NOT going to be making love to her for the next TWO months!! SO!THERE! Doesn't that make my Shaantanu Khandelwal reputation go down the drain!?! Doesn't it?!" he asked hysterically.

Geeta did not laugh. Shaan had not expected her to either. "Yea I guess it does----but on the plus side----atleast you have a chance after two months---whereas I" her face suddenly became sad. Shaan sensed another 'I-will-never-get-married' lecture on the way and hurriedly got up.

"Errr yea--- I need to go now---lots of work to do----" he said picking up the file and attempting to leave.

"Oye! You know what's first on your list right?!" Geeta said sternly.

"Yea! Bribe the pandit for the wedding date na! Got it!" Shaan said decicively and left, but not before he saw a satisfied smile from Geeta.

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23rd January 2011 06:30 PM

"Acha Khanak 9 functions are fine right?" Khushboo asked Khanak again. They were both sitting in the living room, sipping evening tea.

"No--- not 9 make it around 20-----" a voice said and both Khanak and Khushboo looked up. It was Shaan who had spoken. He made himself comfortable on the sofa too after giving Khanak an intense look that make her cheeks go red. She knew Shaan was thinking about the moment they had last night and how she had been so close to him for hours, sleeping in his arms as though there was no fear in the world.

"TWENTY?!" Khushboo exclaimed while Khanak looked shocked too. " I'd have thought you'd have wanted to have just a half hour function and get to work but you want TWENTY? Shaan? Tumharee tabyat toh theek hain na?" Khusboo asked concerned.

"Haan bhabhi! Aray Shaantanu Khandelwall ki shaadi hain! Aisee waisee thoree hogee! Bulkay bhabhi main toh kya kah raha tha-----" he said thinking, rubbing his face, sitting straight and giving Khanak another look that she could not explain. "---kay lets stretch the functions for around like ermm---two months?-----you know so we have ample time to have fun-----and shadi bhee hojayay gee----you know-----"

Khushboo looked at Shaan as though he had gone mad. Even Khanak looked confused. "Shaantanu DOH maheenay?" Khanak said to him sadly. "Ermm mera mutlub hain----dohh maheenay kyun----functions to shaadi kay baad bhee -----hosaktay hain----mera mutlub hain----shadi ka ghar hoga toh-----khushiyaan toh hogee na---aur maza bhee ayay ga-----"

Khushboo looked at Khanak and grinned. It was clear that Khanak could not wait for 2 months to be with Shaan. Then she looked back at Shaan. "Oye mister! Listen to me---" she said sternly. " Shaadi toh ABHEE hee hogee----and the functions will all happen NOW too---and JUST incase you haven't noticed I am planning the wedding---not you! And another something that you may have MISSED is that I am ALSO the one who's carrying your nephew slash niece wherever I go, not you! HENCE you both listen to ME or else!" Khushboo finished, raising a finger at both Shaan and Khanak. Shaan sulked and shut up but Khanak looked satisfied.

"Bhabhi main toh apkay saath hoon---balkay 9 functions mujhay thoray zyada lug rahay thay----inko kum karkay 4 nahi karsaktay?Mutlub---itna kharcha bhee toh hoga----" she said innocently, trying to make it a little less obvious that she did not even want to wait for 10 days.

Khushoo noticed Khanak's anguish again. "What is happening in this house!!" she said suddenly making both Shaan and Khanak jump. "Shaan wants the wedding functions to be spread for TWO months, YOU want them to happen in FOUR days! Tum dono nay mujhay paagal samjha hain? Aur koi din nahi mila tha apnay roles reverse karnay kay liyay?!" she reprimanded both.

"Sorryy----" Khanak pouted cutely, making Shaan look at her and smile warmly. He smiled at Khushboo too, remembering the time that he had to put up with Khanak's tantrums when she was pregnant.

"Stop smirking at me!" Khushboo snapped at Shaan making his change his expression immediately. " and YOU are not supposed to be meeting Khanak! MOM! MOMMM" Khushboo yelled.

Khanak panicked and got up. "Shaantanu aap bhee na---mummy jee nay mana kiya hain----"

"Chill Khanak----Mom won't say anything---we've had a talk-----baith jao----" Shaan said lazily.

"Shaan!!" Madhvi came over and said to him sternly. "I thought I told you to keep up with the parampara of the house!" Khushboo gave a smug smile at a distance.

"But MOM! We talked about this-----we----" Shaan said softly, trying to make his mother remember.

"Haan we did----but now I'm thinking----I'll just go along with the parampara anyway----" she whispered in Shaan's ear. "It's more FUN this way-----"

Shaan looked at his mom with a shocked expression on his face. His mom, his own MOTHER, would do this to him?! 'What the hell are you sulking for loser?"' Shaan's conscience said to him. "Make up your mind! Do you want to be WITH her or WITHOUT her!? '

'Without her is better----I guess---' he replied to his conscience and made his way quietly to his room. Madhvi and Khushboo giggled behind him. Khanak looked disturbed.

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After many discussions, tantrums and arguments it was decided that Shaan and Khanak were to have just 5 functions. Moving from the pandit fixing the date of the wedding to the wedding reception. There would be no engagement. The pooja at which the pandit was to fix the date was after 3 days. Shaan and Khanak continued to sleep in separate rooms. Once or twice Shaan would wake up in the middle of the night, worried and tense and would take a walk on the terrace thinking about what Geeta had told him. At that time he had dismissed the matter with a joke but as the date of the marriage fixing date moved nearer he increasingly felt that he ought to tell Khanak that they were husband and wife in the true sense. And about the baby. But try as he might he could not bring himself to do it. 'Plus Im not allowed to meet her before the wedding---it's ub shagun or something anyway---' he'd say to herself, knowing very well that he had found himself a convenient excuse.

Khanak, on the other hand was basking in her happiness. She'd go shopping with Madhvi but mostly Madhvi would order clothes, jewellery and other important items at home for Khanak to chose. She want ed Shaan's opinion on the sort of clothes she was getting for herself but staying true to the parampara, Shaan used to spend most of his time away from Khanak and not meeting her at all. Sometimes Khanak wondered how Shaan had turned so obedient. He was certainly not like this a few days ago when he had barged into her room just a few hours after Madhvi had announced the parampara stuff. Whatever had made Shaan change his mind and stay away from her, Khanak was happy it had worked. She wanted to this the right way, no matter how hard it was for her.

27th January 2011 09:30 AM

The marriage fixing day dawned bright and icy cold. Sunil and Akshay had takent eh day off work to be with the family on such an auspicious day. Dadi was pleasantly getting all the garlands decorated in the house inspite of her hurting knees and Khushboo was getting so hysterical about the planning that Madhvi had to step in and tell her to take a break; which predictably she did not take well enough. To make matters worse Shaan overslept and did not wake up even after repeated bangings on the door. When he finally woke up with a start at Khushboo's "Khanak has run away to Dhulwadi! Wake up you moron!" he saw the time was 9.30 AM. The pooja was to begin at 10:00 sharp. He had hurriedly washed and changed into his white kurta and shalwar, an embroidered one that Khanak had chose for him.

Khanak however, had been up since 7 in t he morning, trying to chose which sari she wanted to wear. She felt nervous and excited. In her heart of hearts she wished for the pandit to come up with the date the next day for the wedding. Finally she chose a white sari with a bright red border. When she got dressed she looked in the mirror and smiled. 'Aj main Shaantanu ko puray teen din baad dekhoo gee----' she said to herself. Just then Madhvi entered muttering angrily to herself.

"Tayyar ho gaee tum?!" she asked sternly. Khanak was taken aback. "Shaan!! Bilkul laparwa larka hain! KAHA tha usay kay jaldi uth jana! Laikin nahi! Abhee utha hain! Aur DUSS minute main pooja start hain! Ub tum yahaan kyun khari hon! Neechay aoo!" she said irritably and Khanak immediately nodded and went after Madhvi, thanking her lucky stars that she was ready.

Shaan was already in the hall rubbing his eyes, his hair a tad bit disheveled. He had not even got time to comb it properly. When he saw Khanak coming down the stairs in her divine red and white sari, all sleep vanished from his eyes, being replaced with a dreamy look.

"WHAT is WRONG with your HAIR?!" Khushboo yelled in Shaan's ear, making him jump. She hurriedly plaved her fingers in Shaan's head and tried to comb it with her long nails scratching his scalp painfully.

"Ouch bhabhi!!" Shaan protested, taking his eyes off Khanak. " It hurts! "

"Not as much as labour does honey! Be thankful you're not a woman!" Khushboo said randomly. Making Shaan look at her in disbelief. Where did labour even COME from, he rolled his eyes.

Khanak came down and giggled slightly, taking in Shaan's untidy look. Shaan smirked at her taking in her perfect look. They both sat for the pooja, their hands brushing against each others, both feeling that their marriage in the true sense had only just begun. They both closed their eyes, joined their hands and prayed together.

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27th January 2011 12:00 PM

"15^th February-----" Sunil repeated, making Shaan's stomach churn in discomfort as he heard the date again and again, being uttered by someone or the other in the family. " Chalo acha khaasa time hain humaray paas----around 18 days I suppose? Or is it 19? I was always bad at Math-----"

Sunil, Shaan and Akshay sat in the living room discussing the date that the pandit had declared as the shubh mahurat for Shaan and Khanak's wedding.

"19 dad---" Akshay piped in. "Yep quite a few days-----haina Shaan?" helooked at his brother for confirmation. Shaan was sitting in deep thought, staring into space. Akshay figured that something was bothering him. "What's up buddy?" he asked concerned.

Shaan looked up jerkily. "Ermm nothing----errr--- I'm just tired-----" he said.

Akshay raised his eyebrows. "You slept late how can you be tired? I heard Khushboo yelling at the top of her voice about it----" he laughed.

Shaan got up without answering and made his way to his room. Akshay and Sunil looked confused. "What's up with him?" they both asked each other.

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27th January 2011 12:15 PM

Dadi entered Shaan's room very quietly and closed the door behind her. Shaan was standing with his back towards the door, pouring at something in his cupboard. He felt Dadi's hand on his shoulder. He knew it was her even without turning. Because he knew that she was the only one who had noticed; the only one who had figured out why he was feeling what he was feeling when the pandit had announced the date. Shaan closed his eyes and turned to face her. Dadi saw what she had expected to see; tears in his eyes and a Polaroid picture in his hand.

"Dadi----appko yaad hain na----15^th February -----yaad hain na-----" he croaked.

"Mujhay yaad hain Shaan----" Dadi said raising her hands and wiping Shaan's face. "Mujhay yaad hain----beta---"

" Dadi---dadi---kitni ajeeb baat hain na-----kah hum dono use din----mera mutlub hain----" he said in broken sentences

"Yay ajeeb baat nahi hain beta----yay tohh tumharii kismat hain----tumhari khush naseebi hain----kah tumhari shaadi ka shubh mahurat use din nikla hain-----jiss din tum dono ka bacha iss dunya main aanay wala tha------Yay aansoo bahanay ka waqt nahi hain Shaan----KHUSH honay ka waqt hain------" she held his hands and tightly and took the picture of the baby. "Beta this is God's way of telling you----that Sushant is with you-----on his father and mother's special day-----" she whispered.

More tears flowed from Shaan's eyes. It was destiny wasn't it? Dadi was right. The fact that the date of the wedding was the same date that his son was due to enter the world was not a mere coincidence. It was fate.

"Your son is happy for you----he requested God to connect your special day to him----your son is smiling---then why---why are you crying?" Dadi asked him in another whisper.

Shaan hugged his dadi tightly and closed his eyes forcefully. "No dadi I'm happy----Our son will be with us on the 15^th---just like he was supposed to be----" he said clearly, his voice suddenly strong.

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