~Trespassers Prohibited 2 ~ Update 13,14: page 134 - Page 95

Ma was startled for a moment as she was thinking of how to break the news and what to tell the reason of their urgency to get married.

Everybody looked at Shaan as he spoke while coming inside and he was followed by Khanak. Khanak walked upto near Ma and sat at the arm of the chair where Ma was sitting. She leaned from over the back of Ma and hugged her…….slowly. …..throwing her arms around Ma's shoulders.

While everybody had their focus on Shaan and Shaan took a seat to be comfortable before he spoke……..Khanak whispered near Ma's ears, "Ma, I created a confusion a while ago… it was my silly mistake……."

Ma turned back to look at her, surprised. Khanak nodded with another whisper, "Ma, I'm not pregnant………sacchii." She took her hand to her throat and pinched her skin at the throat to take the oath in the name of God.

Ma chuckled and slapped her arm, "When will you grow up ??"

"Not my fault………..you all don't let me to………..and even he doesn't."

Ma touched her cheek and kissed her hand.

They turned to Shaan now, for the serious stuff.

"Shaan will you speak, we'll die of apprehension." Madhavi urged him.

"Mom, dad and Ma, papa………….we need your permission to get married earlier than Jai and Akshay…………maybe within next 10 days."

"10days!!!!" Madhavi exclaimed.

Sunil signaled her to relax for a minute. He turned to Shaan, "Yes, Shaan…..what are you saying? Till yesterday, both of you wanted to get married after your older brothers did ……. Now suddenly, what happened?"

Khanak looked at his face and focused on his expressions………he fidgeted with himself for a few seconds, straightened his jacket……...clasped and unclasped his fingers…….

and raised his eyelids to look up and the first person to whom his gaze went was Khanak….. he looked at her and she blinked slowly, once…….to show her solidarity with him…..

He relaxed……. And started speaking, "Actually, I wanted to talk ……..at home…….. in peace…………but I'm glad it happened like this……..Ma had some confusion due to our silly talks and she called you here urgently……….."

"Yes, Savita……..you were nervous," Madhavi turned to Ma.

"Madhavi…………….I hardly understand them………….if it is nothing like that, then what was the need to create such an emergency??"

"Ma………I'll just explain," spoke Shaan and once again turned to his parents.

Jai and Akshay were as clueless as others. They listened carefully……..Akshay turned to Jai in an effort to guess what was going on and Jai also looked at him, nodding that he had no idea.

"Dad, I have a very good proposal at a high managerial post in a prestigious chain of hotels……location at Hyderabad. I have accepted the offer and I need to join in 15 days."

"Whattt !!! Shaan are you playing pranks on us." Sunil spoke sternly.

"No dad !! I'm dead serious." He spoke straight and confident, looking into his dad's eyes.

Almost everyone was shocked………speechless !!

Except Khanak………………. who felt proud of him………she didn't know whether he was right or wrong…………….but loved it that he had the strength to stand for his beliefs ……….he knew what he wanted…………….and had the courage to ask for it !!

He could talk to so many people together, speaking for himself……. and knew that he will be listened to and had accepted the offer completely confident that he WILL go and join……

He was never unsure of his decisions regarding what and how he wanted to work…… he had staggered a little thinking about her but knew that he will handle it….

She observed that, thinking about him and watching him speak reminded how he would take over every meeting in TGY………he spoke and everyone listened…….. she felt immense respect for him………..and immeasurable pride……..

She kept observing him………words almost inaudible to her ears……….as she heard snippets from the discussion where Madhavi was terribly upset at him trying to go away once again, leaving Delhi…………….Sunil terribly upset at him wanting to leave the family business, that too a prestigious project, which was 'his' project……… where he was 'now' given even an upper hand………Akshay worried for him but knowing very well that what he was doing would make him happy……….not knowing whether to speak in favour of him or in their parents…………. Jai trying to stay quiet as much as possible as he knew that if he opened his mouth, he would support Shaan………….

Ma worried about the new job, new city, sudden marriage, shifting there……………… Papa expressing doubts whether it was another hasty decision and impulsive act on their part …………. She could just hear faint dialogues……..more because, she was hearing what was expected of each of their family……

None behaved out of their character………… and neither Shaan, nor Khanak were surprised.

She didn't need to speak a single word…………he handled every query, every doubt with confidence and she just kept looking at him……… impressed once again at his conviction……… his self-reliance………… his faith in himself and his dreams……..

She was watching the same Shaan that she had always loved since teenage………in college………… the same assertive Shaan who almost ruled The Graceful You……… he was taken this seriously………….. and was missing all these days !!

She knew that once he had decided, he won't take a step back and she also knew that everyone was used to his stubbornness, his tenacity when it comes to such things…….. so no matter how much they fretted and fumed…………even his family knew that Shaan will always have his own way……

He talked confidently without even a trace of confusion and doubt and when in between his words, he raised his eyes to look at her……..he would find her lost in watching him……

He would smile inwardly but loved each hint of her confidence in him…….. he felt that he could have swayed or staggered if it was not for her green signal to him…….

If she had put her foot down and fretted…………..he couldn't have taken such a huge step……….He could be so strong only because of her and he felt thankful to her !

After a long time, he observed that they were looking at each other…….. in a room full of people…….

"Shaan, What if………………. I divide the business…………….??" Spoke Sunil.

Shaan was speechless……….he was not expecting this………..and almost everyone was zapped.

"Don't appear shocked…………..I really mean it………..Khandelwal Group has several factories, businesses in various avenues…………I am here for a few more years……. I wanted this to be taken care of by both of you brothers…………… If you cannot find any excitement in our style of working……….the differences will remain forever. I always wanted my sons in one city………..one house………… so the best is that I divide the businesses among both of you and each work as it suits you…….."

"No, dad !! I would never want that to happen……………..I have issues with work culture and it is my problem. This business is established by 'you'……….. and your hard work has gone into the initial phases…….and even till now…… though certain 'ways' don't appeal to me……..it doesn't lessen the achievements of K-group and your efforts to bring it where it is today. Bhaiya understands you and I am fine with both of you taking care of the business."

"But Shaan, I don't want you to go…………at any cost this time."

Shravan had laid the breakfast on the table ……………. And though they were not in a mood to…. but proceeded to the dining table for a light breakfast and coffee.

Savita was not too happy with the idea of business getting divided………….papa too was wary of what was going on.

But, Shaan had made up his mind and everyone knew that he was serious.

"Dad, I think you should continue with all the businesses and projects as you have been doing……….if you think that I should stay in the same house and work in Delhi under the banner of Khandelwal Group …………then I will…….."

For a moment, everyone looked at him at what he said………till he started speaking again, " But not now…………maybe after 2 or 4 years………….…I will start new businesses under Khandelwal Group, and will expand your already existing, flourishing business. I think everybody should be happy about that."

"But, then………….. 'that' you can do even now…………" spoke Akshay, "take up expansion and just take care of new companies………… we won't interfere."

"Akshay is right Shaan," insisted Madhavi, "listen to them………."

"Nahi Mom…………try to understand. I can't impose my decisions, in fact I am not able to take them as long as the money that is being used is dad's………I would love to start a new business as a Khandelwal and I will see to it that it expands and increases our reach and hold in the market…….. but only with my 'own' money…………..I want to set up something right from the scratch………….like dad did…….…."

Everybody tried their level best……..giving reasons, explaining the pros and cons and tried to deter Shantanu……..but he was a completely different material.

Shantanu spoke again, "Now, that I have decided to go to Hyderabad, at least for 2 years and whenever I feel that I have money and experience enough to start a decent business from the basics………I'll come back to Delhi and do it here. For the time being, this is what I want to do."

Madhavi was very upset and she kept silent trying to absorb what he spoke……..Savita stood up and sat beside her placing a hand warmly on her shoulder………slightly squeezing it in re-assurance.

"When do you have to join?" asked Jai.

"Within 15 days………….and 'we' decided that we will get married before that and go to Hyderabad together."

"Shaan, this is another story altogether………. I don't understand the reason of being so impulsive……" Savita spoke with lots of doubt.

Another rock to be tackled was their decision to get married……… and he was very good at handling his own family but when it came to Ma, papa or Jai……….he could never be 'that' aggressive and assertive.

For a moment, Khanak felt that they will lose on this front.

Ma, papa and Jai all three had their own reservations regarding the idea of getting married to Khanak before going to Hyderabad. Ma was apprehensive…………she wanted him to join the job…………see how it is,…….the work …………the profile……… the house and other basic requirements…………..and then come down in 3-4 months and get married to her,

Same sentiments were echoed by Madhavi too.

Shaan was so frustrated explaining everything since morning that he rested his elbows on the dining table and placed his fingers of both hands on his forehead and and thumbs on cheeks, pressing on his face…….he sat looking at the table, completely lost.

"Ma, papa and Jai………….I was 'insecure'………..I want to go with Shaan to Hyderabad. If you allow me to go without getting married………….we won't stress on getting married."

"Khanak, do you know what you are talking?" spoke papa, a little sternly.

"Papa………….I 'want' to go with him………….please." she spoke like a small baby asking for a candy.

Shaan lifted his face to look at her and smiled in thankful expression. She lowered her eyelids and blinked slowly, once again……….telling me not to worry………..she was with him.

"What do you think Madhavi?" Savita asked her.

Madhavi was clueless…… she picked up a glass of water to drink and looked at her husband. Sunil spoke, "Sooner or later……….they have to get married. And they are not kids……….if they want to get married and go together…………I think they should be allowed."

Shaan had a huge smile on his face after hearing this as he knew that like him, even his dad would stick to something if he really believed in it………if he felt that they should get married, he would support them.

Jai was not too keen as even he thought that taking 2 huge decisions regarding career and quick marriage might not be that wise……..He was a man of patience and though he supported Shaan completely on the career front…….being a concerned and caring brother, he was not very keen on sending Khanak before the things settled in Hyderabad…. Before Shaan joined his job and adjusted well in the new surroundings.

Shaan looked at him for support but Jai shrugged with a negative nod and Shaan knew that he wasn't a friend right now…………he was Khanak's bro.

Shaan looked at Akshay and Akshay smiled warmly and placed his hand on Shaan's Shoulder………..he was with Shaan.

A deadly silence filled the room and there seemed nothing left to talk………..after a few minutes, cell phones and Iphones started ringing one after the other…….. the appointments were rescheduled, meetings delayed and the staff was instructed for the necessary work……and informed that the Khandelwals would reach office only after noon.

It was 10.30 am and they had not gained much in terms of making a decision.

The doorbell rang …………..answered by Shravan.

"Mummyji, Panditji has come……."

Savita got up from her chair and went towards Panditji to touch his feet and made him sit at the couch. Panditji made himself comfortable and opened his books, laptop and wore his glasses after asking for water.

On the dining table, Madhavi asked Savita, "Are we going to agree to this rushed wedding?"

"I don't know Madhavi…………I am still reluctant. I was planning to call Panditji any ways, for finalizing the wedding date for Shaan and Khanak, would have called you in a date or two………..now that Jai's wedding cards are ready. Let's see what he has to say……… I was planning everything, taking into mind that I had 2 months in hand……" Savita spoke with doubt and panic.

"Don't worry about that………..there is nothing to prepare, as such." Madhavi assured her.

They assembled around the elderly, around 65 year old Panditji. Panditji focused on the position of stars in his books, stretched his hand and said, "Can I have the horoscopes of the boy and the girl."

Savita got up to go in her room. Madhavi and Sunil looked at each other. Savita understood what they were thinking and she said slowly, "I have Shaan's horoscope."

And she went inside her room to bring the two horoscopes.

Shaan expressed his doubt, "Why is the need of horoscope matching?? It is not an arranged marriage."

Jai looked at him and said, "They need to find an auspicious date for the marriage….. it is done like this……."

"Funny……" he murmured.

Savita returned back with the two horoscopes and gave them to Panditji. He again buried himself into studying the same.

Madhavi turned to Savita, "I never knew that you have Shaan's horoscope with you."

"Madhavi, do you remember when he was in 5^th standard, and he had fallen severely ill? He had an undiagnosed infection and was admitted in hospital for more than 3 weeks with unexplained fever. I had asked it then………."

"Oh yes, now I remember, you had taken his horoscope from me to show it to some Panditji of yours………" said Madhavi, "Oh God !! Those days were so difficult……he was so seriously ill…….and the doctors couldn't diagnose the reason of fever…….."

Everyone listened totally interested…….as none of the kids had a clue of what had happened then.

Madhavi continued, "We had not left any temple, any mosque in Delhi where we didn't pray……….we had almost lost him………" her eyes became moist, thinking about the days when Shaan had been ill and admitted in hospital.

Savita placed her hand on Madhavi's shoulder.

Panditji placed the horoscopes side by side on the table and said, "Savita, there is a problem……."

Everyone paid attention to what Panditji was speaking and focused on his grave face.

"Ji, Panditji……?" Savita asked.

"Are you sure that these are the two horoscopes?"

"Yes, Panditji……………I had taken them out in the morning itself when I had called you to tell that these people wanted to get married within 10 days……..and you had asked to keep the horoscopes ready…"

"Hmm…………." Panditji picked them again and gave grave expressions creating suspense……. killing almost everyone in picture, but Shaan and Khanak the most.

"What happened, Panditji?" Asked Savita after a while.

"Savita……….these horoscopes show a strong celestial influence on the behaviour of the individuals….."

The language he spoke after that was mostly incomprehensible for almost everyone but he implied that the horoscopes had stronger planets in non-favourable positions, leading to unrest and disturbance on almost all levels.

"I don't think this is the right time to get married." Declared Panditji.

"Oh ! but they were looking forward to a wedding within 10 days…….. we just wanted to know an auspicious day……. A favourable date………otherwise we were planning somewhere after 2 months…… !!" spoke Savita.

"Nahi Beta !! neither 10 days, nor 2 months………….I will not advise marriage this year……..the best time for this couple is somewhere near October 2012."

"October 2012……….." exclaimed Shaan, not believing it, "WTH………sorry !! But we are in 2011……….I don't think you mean 1 year !!!!!!"

"Yes, I mean exactly that…………this year is not good for an association of both of you."

"Oh No !! This is even worse." Exclaimed Madhavi.

"Chalo then !! All discussions over !!" Spoke Savita.

"Excuse Me !! Just a minute…………..Ma, mom………….. you are 'NOT' giving it up for the next year," Shaan couldn't believe it.

"Beta, just now you heard that Panditji said that it is not a good time……"

"Ma…….times are good and bad as we make it………….I don't believe in all this."

"But we do !!" declared Madhavi too.

"No mom !! You can't do this." He was impatient and looked at Khanak who was biting her lower lip in apprehension.

"Shaan, we are not doing anything……….you just heard that you cannot marry Khanak for an year………." Said Sunil, "Now, it is upto you……….if you want to stay with her, you can stay with us in Delhi……..we are not stopping you from meeting or spending time with each other…………other option is to go to Hyderabad and join and wait for an year before you can marry her and take her with you."

"None of the options is acceptable to me," Shaan was annoyed and felt dejected.

He turned to Jai, "Jai, do you believe this?"

"Shaan, I do…………… we are Hindus and there is a way we perform certain things. Even if I can question the science behind the astrological predictions but I believe that certain things should be done according to proper rituals……..like we perform every puja………every festival………marriages are performed in a proper 'muhurat', according to the planetary positions favourable to the couple and their families."

Shaan was completely speechless…………his best friend and his own brother believed it too…………not their fault !! He preferred not to believe as he himself and Khanak were involved………..

"But I don't believe it," he said loudly and very strongly, "I am just not believing it."

"You can refuse to accept it Shaan," Ma was sympathetic, "but, you just heard what Panditji said."

Shaan turned to the clueless panditji, who was till now listening to all the conversation going on.

"Panditji, in case………….just in case……….we do marry……….," he nodded and shrugged in askance.

"I'll tell you in detail…………the Shani is in Mahadasha for her and is in 7^th position in your natal chart………with no support from favourable planets like Guru and Chandra …….it severely affects the marital relationship……..The time is crucial for one year….till next year October. If you get married now, your problems at all fronts will amplify, hurdles will increase and peace will decrease. There is a strong possibility of irreconcilable differences between you two, leading to divorce or separation………..and it might also adversely affect the health of one of the partners……"

Almost everyone was shocked to hear the repercussions that almost shook them.

Savita couldn't even hear such a thing regarding her loved ones. She stood up and said, "It's decided then…………….no marriage till next year."

Madhavi echoed and said, "Yeah, I agree…………no point discussing it further…….

Let's go."

"Ma please, …………..Mom………….." Shaan didn't know what to say.

Not a single person supported him. He looked at Khanak who was on the verge of breaking down with moisture in her eyes and slowly she dipped her face in her palms, with elbows resting in her lap.

Her posture clearly told him that she believed all of it too and didn't support him here.

Shaan was extremely infuriated, not knowing what to speak, he stood up with a jerk and picked up his car keys and left the room with angry, fast steps, after saying, "I just can't believe you guys !!"