~Trespassers Prohibited 2 ~ Update 13,14: page 134 - Page 100

Both Shantanu and Khanak went down together and stood in front of the group who was sitting and chatting. When Madhavi noticed them, she asked Khanak to come and sit with her.

Khanak hesitated and looked at Shaan, who was looking at everyone and waited for them to notice him.

Ma looked at them standing together side by side and sensed some trouble brewing up.

"Shaan, what is it? We know that you are going tomorrow………….do you want to say something?"

"Yes, Ma……………I just wanted to say that I am not going alone."

Khanak squirmed at his sentence when she observed all eyes focussed on both of them….

She wet her dry lips with her tongue and gulped hard.

"I expected something like this," Ma murmured in a knowing expression, "In fact, I was thinking why something like this didn't come up till now and how come he has given up so easily this time……"

"Thanks for knowing me Ma, makes my work easy." He shrugged.

"Shaa-aan………" interrupted Madhavi, "Why do you bring up the same topic again and again? You already know what we have to say, beta……."

"Sure mom………….but you all don't know what 'I' have to say……..so let me speak just once more……….."

"There is no point discussing all this again, Shaan," spoke papa, "we cannot take risk with your lives ….and I don't think there is any need to be impulsive. I think, we have already told you about our decision."

"Yes, Shaan………….it is not wise to be so stubborn," said Jai.

Ragini sat by his side and did not speak anything……though she was completely with Shaan on this………but preferred to keep quiet as Jai was not on Shaan's side.

Samir and Akshay kept quiet too.

"Just give 'us' one minute, Jai," Shaan spoke.

Turning to Savita and Madhavi, he spoke, "Ma……….. and mom……… as both of you know, I just don't believe in these kundlis and horoscopes………..I would have never listened to all this, if it wasn't for both of you…………I strongly believe in strength of will power and if we want we can achieve anything and everything on this earth, we can change circumstances, we can mould situations and we can fight with evil………. 'if' we want. I don't see any sense in staying apart from Khanak for one full year. Even if I try to come every 2 months, that will be hardly for 2-3 days so it makes …….roughly 6 times in the year, practically nothing more than 12 days or so………….and that is the maximum. Practical approach will be to take her along with me………instead of staying in 2 different cities and counting days to meet….."

"We understand that Shaan, but we cannot go against the horoscopes and the stars….."

Ma said very sternly, almost giving a verdict, trying to make him take a step back.

To him, Ma's words had been final…….always.

"I'm coming to that Ma………….I need just a few minutes to explain."

He turned away and opened the drawers of a side cabinet when everybody looked at him inquisitively. Khanak slowly sat on the edge of a couch that was empty.

Shantanu came back with a folder and a laptop. And started speaking.

"Ma, I have been reading a lot about horoscopes in marriage and 'your' 'Shani Maharaaj' and his ill effects………………..on the internet in past few days. I have read few books and also talked to a lot of Hindu astrologers across the globe. There are a lots of ways and many puja's that can be done to negate the effects in the natal charts. There are lots of rituals that can be performed and followed even after marriage……to rule out any ill predictions. There are 3 astrologers of international acclaim who say that any such clashing of celestial bodies doesn't hold true if the marriage is a love marriage. All these things become important when we marry strangers in an arranged marriage and thus have to depend on stars and planets. Love and compatibility in a 'love marriage' doesn't depend on horoscopes………..it depends on how much 'you want' to make the marriage a successful one. Dadi's panditji also feels so……Rishabh's panditji who will be taking care of his ceremony today also feels the same and he is coming today from Canada. We are going to talk to him again and after that we will get married in the 'Shivji temple' in RK Puram. If you want to have a look, these are the papers and the laptop has a small presentation saved on the desktop."

He spoke in a flow, stopping only when he had said it all…….then he took out the loose sheets from the folder which were some printouts and handed them to Ma ….who looked at him and then the papers with wide open eyes, open mouth and still posture.

Ragini gave a very wide grin, giving him a thumbs up with both her hands. Jai smiled and gave Shaan a proud smile…….nodding to himself that how he underestimated him for the first time in his life.

Dadi stood up and placed her hand on his head and said, "I was always with you."

Ma and Madhavi were as shocked as papa and Sunil………Sunil picked up the laptop to read the presentation.

Akshay spoke, "Dad, if Shaan has done some research, then, it must be the perfect…… I think, I support him."

Shaan stood up and nodded at Khanak to stand up and come with him. She looked at Ma, papa and Jai and did not find any opposition…..so she slowly stood up. He held her hand and said, "Ma, we are leaving for Rishabh's wedding at the Hyatt…..after his ceremony …….the same panditji will get us married in the Shivji Temple…………I know that all of you will come there to bless us…….after all, there are lots of rituals that cannot be done without parents……. including 'Kanyadaan' and none of you will want to see our life start with a jinx. So, I'll wait for you there."

"Shaan., wait………..I'm coming with you." spoke Akshay and walked upto him to hug him and stood strong with him.

"Take me too…………..I don't have a car today." Spoke Samir and accompanied them.

"Shaan, I'll come with Ragini………." Jai spoke and looked at visibly happy Ragini adorning a real wide grin.

"Jai……………are you seriously with us?" Shaan was very happy and Khanak was thrilled too.

"Yeah, I just hope that you 'hold on' to my sister as tenaciously as you are pursuing to get married to her." Jai spoke with confidence.

"Rest assured Jai…………..I will hold on to her till my last breath……. I am not frivolous to let go of someone precious, even if the whole solar system is against me….."

One sentence from him and Khanak felt like someone extremely privileged….…… she knew that he loved and respected her……..that wasn't a news, but to affirm to that in front of family and tell that how important she was to him, was not something everyone could do……….she noticed that she wanted to urgently hide a blush…….. each pore of her body thanking him for giving her this value and regard in front of everyone……. especially her brother and her family.

Jai chuckled……..and turned to Ma, papa, "Ma, I'm sorry…….. but, I am with Shaan and Khanak. I think that they should get married. Waisey bhi, I am tired of Mithoo coming to my room at odd hours with swollen eyes…………this will continue if they stay away ………they'll either fight or she'll keep missing him and keep crying……….it's high time she harasses her husband."

"Jai," Khanak narrowed her eyes at her bro for calling her Mithoo in public.

Shaan and Khanak left with Akshay and Samir.

Jai too left with Ragini.

"What are you reading Sunil?" asked Mr.Sharma.

"Wow !! Impressive presentation…….he made a .ppt presentation on Shani Maharaj….."

Soke Sunil with pride and laughed.

Ma looked at the handouts that he had given her.

"Madhavi,"

"Yeah, Savita……"

There was a visible panic in Ma's voice, "Oh God !! Couldn't he do this 5 days back? we could have planned a proper wedding……..I haven't done any preparations……. Gaawwd, my Khanakdi getting married without any preparations………without any jewellery……relatives, wedding cards………so many things were to be done……"

"Calm down Savita," Madhavi gave her a glass of water, "Don't worry…… there is nothing to prepare……..let's go…..they will need parents at every step."

Madhavi excused herself to go to her room and came back with a box of jewellery.

…………………………………………………………………….

"Wow !! the way you spoke………..you just clean bowled everyone." She jumped in the back seat, speaking excitedly and was almost on the edge leaning over Shaan's seat. Shaan drove the car and Akshay sat in the passenger seat. Shaan sniggered smugly and looked at her in the rear-view mirror raising his eyebrows.

Samir was sitting beside her in the back seat. He looked at her and spoke, "Khanak, relax. It's your wedding today, I think you should behave a little differently."

She was still excited and couldn't understand, "Different?? Means??"

"Gosh, brides usually behave a little shy, coy and they generally blush……..you are jumping and almost dancing……."

She sniffed making a face at him, "You cannot imagine how happy I am and I feel so… so……. Mmm……………so………." She was not getting a proper word.

Shaan helped her, "proud of him????"

"Yeah,……..yeah………of course….." she said accepting and everybody laughed.

"Do you think our parents will come……??" she asked.

"I think, they will……..even they want to see you both married and happy……. Now that he came up with solid solutions……..why will they say 'no'?" said Akshay.

"Yes, I know they WILL come……..I don't leave scope for people to behave otherwise," Shaan spoke.

"Actually Shaan……………I still don't know how you do all this……." She spoke.

"From tomorrow, you'll be staying with me………..you'll learn slowly." he spoke casually and Samir and Akshay didn't even pay attention to this little dialogue.

But she felt numerous butterflies in her stomach…… just at the thought of getting to stay with 'him'……...she observed goosebumps arising all over……

…………………………………………………………………………

"Shaan, can you just stop here for a few minutes….." she requested.

"What happened?"

"Please…………just there…….." she got off the car and got out at Sarojini Nagar market. "Wait for me…" she spoke at his window and moved away holding her saree pleats and crossed the road.

The boys looked at each other and shrugged.

They sat there for nearly 20 minutes, waiting for her and Shaan started losing his cool, "What is she doing? It is almost 20 minutes now……..didn't even tell where she is going."

"Relax Shaan…………by the way, you still have time, if you are having second thoughts."

Chuckled Samir.

"Shut up Samir." Shaan spoke irritated and turned to hit him

In the mean time, Khanak came running back……..Samir opened the rear gate for her to hop in……and she did, effortlessly, holding both her palms in air using elbows to shift things.

"Khanak, where were you?" Shaan turned back to chide her and saw her sparkling, dazzling eyes asking him to look at her palms adorning a very pretty pattern of 'mehendi' on her palms…….

He smiled to see her so happy……

"How can I get married without mehendi?" she asked innocently.

He nodded trying to control an impulse of kissing her and then turned to face the front road and started driving again.

……………………………………………………………………………..

They reached Rishabh's wedding venue in time and went in the front to wish him……. they gave him flowers that they had picked up on their way……….clicked pics and invited them for their own wedding an hour later.

Rishabh was pleasantly surprised and though he had helped Shaan with his panditji's number and contacts………..he had little hope that something would work out in their favour.

Rishabh and Shaan hugged and congratulated each other.

It was an irony that they were marrying on the same day with girls they loved but were chosen opposite by their parents………initially.

Shaan, Khanak, Akshay and Samir rushed out of the spot after some time as there were many things that needed to be done for another wedding.

"Shaan, there is a whole list of things necessary for the wedding ceremony……" she told him, nervous.

They were in the courtyard of Shivji temple………it was around 8.00 pm.

"I know that………..panditji of this Temple will arrange everything……"

He was busy on his phone giving instructions to Samir for some things to be brought to the temple.

"Still, there will be many things……….. 'garlands'…….. 'raw rice'……. 'sweets' …….And even I don't know…….. 'what not'……………haven't arranged a wedding before. I had never imagined in my weirdest dreams that we will get married like this……" she spoke nervously.

He sniggered and hid his laughter.

"Now, what was that for…….??"

"I am reminded of your own preparations and those glittery lehengas………that you bought from Karol Bagh and Chandni Chowk….." he teased her.

She chuckled too, "They were for engagement and Sangeet……….you quashed all the functions and my dreams too….……….direct shaadi……"

"Sweetheart, I saved lacs of rupees from both sides on these ceremonies………."

"But I wanted to dance at the sangeet………" she whined and sat at the stairs.

He smirked more and allowed her the whining time. She was back to being excited in a few minutes………not believing that they were really getting married.

Samir had arrived with garlands, other articles and a pink cloth to be placed in his neck…...which would be used for tying her dupatta with him.

Jai and Ragini arrived too.

They all assembled in the backyard of the temple used for conducting marriages. It was well lit and gave the appearance of a huge 'pandaal.'

After Rishabh got married and all the rituals were performed……… Panditji hurried to be present at the venue for the next task of the day…………Shaan and Khanak's wedding.

The group waited anxiously and looked at Shaan. Shaan asked them to relax, "I've just checked……….panditji has left for this place."

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

Jai looked around, "Ma, papa haven't come……" he spoke in a sad tone.

Khanak bit her lip in anticipation and took it out immediately……. fearing his response if he saw her doing that.

Shaan relaxed everyone, "Don't worry, They'll come."

"And if they don't, then Jai and Akshay are there as family." Samir said.

"Samir babu………………..I know our parents………..You wanna bet ?? They WILL SURELY come and bless us !!"

Khanak slowly held his elbow and hugged his arm subtly……..as a symbol of gratitude.

He took his arm around her shoulders and assured her.

…………………………………………………………………………

As expected………………..Ma, Papa came …………..and Madhavi, Sunil too.

Shaan was ecstatic and went to hug them. He touched Ma, papa's feet and brought them in.

Khanak was ecstatic too…….

Khanak had always loved and respected Shantanu and looked upto him for solutions to little problems in life…….but the way he had handled 'this kundli' issue, left her heart filled with awe and deep admiration for him !!

She had not known that he had been trying hard to get the facts correct to convince their parents.

In fact when she had decided to say 'yes' to him……..there was a deep sense of guilt of going against the parents' wishes……………still she trusted him…….. somewhere deep, she knew that he would manage a way out.

And after seeing their parents here, she was convinced that what she thought about him was cent percent correct……………he was a man...one-in-a-million……and she was proud of that !!

Panditji arranged the mandap and set the necessary things around the central area.

He called Ma, papa, Sunil and Madhavi to be seated in the front row and others stood behind them for the puja and tied the sacred thread on their wrists.

Ma was doubtful as ever, "Panditji, does this puja rule out the evil effects of Shani Maharaj."

"Behenji, I had a long discussion about this with my friends too and then I even explained it to Shantanu. Generally, all these rules do not apply to love marriages, as in a love marriage, bride and the groom are generally not from the same caste, religion, belief and even if they are …….. the celestial beings do not play a very big role if there is mutual understanding and love between a couple. All problems can be overcome, if we want to…… and if there is enough trust on each other. This puja definitely rules out all il effects of their natal charts and we are doing this just to be doubly sure that we have done enough from our side and also to relieve you people from the anxiety regarding their future."

"So are you sure, everything will be fine now….????" Madhavi asked nervously.

"Yes, I am very much sure…………the 'only' thing 'they' need to take care is that they need to constantly keep it in mind and understand how important this relationship is to them. They should not fight over petty issues and should not drag the misunderstandings ……..this is the 'only' thing they need to follow."

This 'only' made everybody think about them and almost everyone looked at them.

Shaan and Khanak were standing side by side and felt awkward when all eyes turned to them…….she cleared her throat and looked at him and he too did the same….………

She shrugged casually………. negating the questioning eyes, "What !! we 'never' fight."

"Yeah…………..never." He murmured unconvincingly.

Ma took a deep breath and looked at Madhavi. Madhavi placed her hand on Savita's hand, "Don't worry, they WILL manage."

Panditji started chanting the mantras for the 'dosh nivaaran' puja.

…..……………………………………………………………………

PS - This theory about Horoscopes playing less importance in a love marriage is not a figment of my imagination. Long back, out of curiosity, I was raeding an astrology book

by a renowned astrologer and when I came across this point, it somehow stayed with me J

PPS – I have replied everyone individually in the comments of last part……….thanks a lot for showering love in form of comments, following me here, joining the blog, sending pm's, clicking to read……………..love you all !!!