if Wishes were horses Part 30,Page 79,3rd November - Page 19

Part 10

The dialogues are in purple and the thoughts in red

Making the parents fall in tow with her wishes was colossal but the undaunted spirit ultimately sailed through''.

The person who was expected to accost her decision till her last breath bolstered Gunjan's every step!!!

Dadi Ma was a revelation always. A so called conservative,who herself was married off at the dainty age of ten,for whom marriage was sanctity personified championed her grand daughter's cause with all her might!!!

A silent prayer escaped Gunjan's lips thanking the almighty for her source of strength'.

A mystifying gloom encroached the psyche of a the family which till a few days ago didn't have an inkling of what was lurking a nook away. Pinaki understood perfectly his daughter's state of mind and abhorred the idea of giving up his daughter to someone who was supposed to pledge himself to his other and suddenly turned an entire 360 degree and now wants to marry Khanak!!! Swagata on the other hand though not forthcoming wasn't averse to the idea of Khanak walking to the altar with the boy who has seen the true lass behind this headstrong tomboy!!! However both of them couldn't figure out how to turn their other child away knowing very well that she might not make it too long!!!

Kejriwal Household

Gunju why are you doing this? Your suggestion looks like lifted from a movie where even the indelible and inexplicable happens and looks like real but for god's sake this is our lives you are talking about. This is a gamble which will destroy all three of us!!!

Now that you talk of gamble,you know what Khanak? I feel like the best croupier in the world who makes and breaks destinies everyday at the table!!!!

Gunju,for once let logic rule your senses and think straight!!! This is nothing but suicide!!! None of us will be happy'. if you aren't willing to get married to that nerd,it's fine. I'm sure Kakumoni, Kakimoni, Dadi Ma are going to understand. But why are you making me a sacrificial lamb?

Try and understand that I am not at all marriage material'. I'm a misfit'. look at me,no one even in his worst nightmare would want to spend his life with me!!!

I can't even afford to call myself a plain Jane'. my dress sense is hideous to say the least' I don't even look like a girl'.

Marriage isn't for me Gunju!!!

Tor bola shesh hoyeche!!! Ki kore eto baaje katha bolish ke jaane( are you through!!! how do you manage to tattle so much)

Gunju,don't try and live your life through me!!! You've done all these years but no more'. I'm overloaded!!!!

Her orbs welled up like never before but this wasn't the time for melodrama!!!

Is that all you have to say after so many years? I thought we go a lot farther!!!

You know how I feel right now'. I'm sorry but just can't decode you this time'. am at a complete loss!!!

Honestly Gunju,give me one good reason for doing this''

Because I can't share you with anyone else other than him!!! Can't see him walking into the sunset with someone else!!!!!

Don't share me with anyone!!! I want to be all yours!!!!

Khanak give yourself a chance once and I promise if it doesn't work out, I'll help walk out!!!!

Now give me a hug and concentrate on your makeover!!!!

The wedding theatricals unfolded with a shopping frenzy which made darn sense to Khanak. Her contribution was limited to going for the trial and fitting sessions to make sure she fitted in the outfits. Swagata's relentless insistence drove her to the salon,the experience which other than the hair spa exasperated her and she swore never to go back again!!!! The stylist at the spa took more than a couple of hours to untangle those locks which weren't attended to god knows since when!!!!

For the Banerjees time took wings and it seemed that days were flying in seconds!!!! Khanak agreed to a social marriage provided the shindig was confined to the bare minimum.

It was 8 in the morning when the phone rang as if with a purpose!!!! Swagata answered and it was Madhavi''

It was 7 in the evening when the land rover quietly glided into a known surrounding but a different stopover''..

She stepped out dressed for the first time in a fuchsia pink churidaar kameez with subtle embroidery on the kameez and dupatta in charcoal. Her hair as usual tied in a bun but a loose one this time and thongs on her dainty feet. She felt and looked extremely lumpy and cursed Gunjan and Swagata as if there was no tomorrow!!!

The moment their eyes met,it was the same known feeling for Shaan but for her it was absolutely loathsome!!!

The drive from Lake Road to the Hyatt was completed in absolute silence''

Unaware of her culinary preference,he decided to treat Khanak to Chinese.

What would you like,Khanak?

Call off this farce!!!!

I meant'.. to drink Khanak''

Fresh lime soda to dilute this torture to some extent!!!

How can you afford to get married to me? This will never work'. we'll destroy each other!!! We have no future together!!!

How do you know that before giving us a chance? His eyes had an earnest integrity!!

Khanak,all I want to say is I'm completely besotted by you and am sure that we are meant to be together forever''

The sudden outburst snapped her momentarily'.there she was drained of all logic,lost in a sea of uncertainty struggling to keep her head above''.

It was 10 when Shaan dropped her at the entrance'

Good night Khanak!!!!

Good night!!!!