Hello Friends, Thank you so much for your support and I am sorry for the delay.. Here is the first installment of this story.. This is a very different concept and I am apprehensive to post it here.. I hope you like it.. Please do let me know your views and ignore mistakes..
Chapter 1:
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air...
She watches in disbelief as her father finally arrives, lugging with him a grand pine tree, its pines already falling out of place. His cheeks are a notable color of pink and she can tell he has been outside in the chilly weather for some time. Her father's panting is what causes her to rush down the fleet of stairs and come to his aid. Just as she grips onto the other side of the tree's trunk, her father looks around it and gives her a wide thankful smile.
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh...
"Ma, what is the meaning of all this? Why do you have that radio blaring so loud," she asks her mother, not bothering to hide the growing annoyance building inside of her. Her mother, who dusts frantically everywhere and hums cheerily along with the lyrics of the uplifting song (even though not knowing a single lyric), turns to look at her moody daughter. Sharmishta Gadodia lowers the volume so she does not have to shout over the music.
"I'm just setting the mood, Swara. After all, Christmas is a month away," her mother uses as a justification for her high spirits. Swara rolls her eyes at her mother's cheer. For the past several weeks her mother has been giddy in waiting for the arrival of her best friend's son. It was all she ever discussed about at dinner and pointed out every single day. Annapurna Maheshwari, her mother's childhood friend, moved to America after marrying her husband, Durga Prasad Maheshwari where two years later she gave birth to her only child, Sanskaar Maheshwari. Despite being in different continents, Sharmishta and Annapurna never failed to stay in touch with one another, whether it be simply sending holiday cards or phoning each another once in a while. Their last phone call, Annapurna Maheshwari announced that she was sending her son to India and requested that he stay with her so he can have a warming experience in a country he has never been to. Sharmishta, of course, obliged right away.
However, there is a secret motive behind Annapurna Maheshwari's American son's visit. A motive that Swara's mother has kept hidden from her family, one that Swara happened to learn by chance on eavesdropping in one of her mother's phone calls. Just this past Diwali, Sharmishta sent her best friend a well-wishing card for the holiday, which was anything but out of the ordinary. This time, though, she sent something else as well... She sent a picture of her eldest daughter, Kavitha.
Kavitha, Swara's older sister by two years and whom she loves to death, is very well known for her looks. In fact, she is constantly pointed out as the beautiful one out of the Gadodia sisters. Not that Swara or Uttara, her sister junior to her by three years, are any less--- Kavitha was simply just blessed with a more exotic appeal. A girl's beauty usually goes straight to her head, making her egotistical and arrogant toward others, but Kavitha is an exception. She is the complete opposite of just that, something that Swara has always appreciated. So of course she genuinely felt happy at first knowing that a rishta was coming to her gorgeous sister's way, but was displeased by this fact being hid from Kavitha and of a proposal coming from a complete set of strangers who Swara's family, except her mother, have no knowledge about. They only have Sharmishta's word, but that still doesn't seem enough.
Once Swara informed her sister, who scoffed at the whole idea, Kavitha immediately finalized her pending plan for a trip to Dubai with a few close friends. When asked of her reaction by Swara, Kavitha simply said, "I'm only twenty-three. I've still got a long life ahead of me. I won't let myself be tied down already. Maa can bring all the men she wants, but I'm just not ready yet." Two days later her sister left on her vacation after a heated argument with their mother. It was only after Shekar set his foot down to silence his hyper wife that Kavitha was allowed to go without any restraints.
Shekar: She is only going for a while and will be safe; she's old enough to take care of herself. What is so wrong with her going out now when you have never had an objection before?
Sharmishta: (aghast) But our guest----
Shekar: (cutting her off) Will it be such a loss if Kavitha won't be around to welcome to our guest?
Sharmishta instantly became silenced. She did not wish to answer. It was hard enough to convince her husband into letting Annapurna's son stay with them during his visit in the first place. How will she tell him that the whole point was for Sanskaar to come and see their daughter? If her husband knew, he'd fly through the roof and refuse entry to the poor boy. No, she would only disclose this matter with him after Sanskaar safely arrives and settles in with them. Reluctantly Sharmishta let her daughter go, only after seeking a promise that she would return back in time for Sanskaar's last week in India. Kavitha hastily agreed and left.
But the whole point really is that now her mother is hell-bent in impressing her hopefully soon, future "son-in-law". Sanskaar Maheshwari, age twenty-six, was born and raised in America, where he has lived his whole life. He has never once been to India before despite both of his parents emigrating from there. He is a Christian, told in the letter Annapurna Aunty had sent them all just weeks ago, and completely American civilized. Unlike her mother, Annapurna sent no picture of her son. "To keep you anticipating" is what she had said to explain her reasoning.
Now Sanskaar will be arriving in less than three hours and her mother has everyone in the household in a frenzy to welcome him and make him feel just at home. And since her lovely "son-in-law" is a Christian, they will be celebrating Christmas this year---her mother had firmly declared...
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock...
Her mother turns the dial back up, increasing the radio's volume after Swara resumes in helping her father place the tree into their family room. She clenches her teeth together. Oh how she was going to despise this stranger. He hasn't even arrived yet, but is already turning their house upside down---making them all go out of their way in order to please him. These next six weeks are going to be hell, she knows it.
Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet
That's the jingle bell,
That's the jingle bell,
That's the jingle bell rock...
***********
Sanskaar Maheshwari was never one to follow the traditional values his parents, especially his mother, held close dearly and tried endlessly to instill in him. Instead he grew a more modern outlook and appeal, neglecting old traditions that he felt held no more value in a fast rapidly changing world. His parents were still stuck in their homeland, India, he knew this. And no matter what he could do, he will never be able to get India out of them. Being the rebellion that he is, Sanskaar resisted at a very early age against his immigrant parent's attempt in infusing principles taught to themselves when they were younger and carried with them across the seven seas.
He became more and more immersed in the American culture, where gradually his pride grew so strong that his parents lost all hope in trying to teach their son old treasured morals they were raised with back in India. At eighteen he converted into Christianity, which his parents respectfully allowed the practice of the faith. Despite being a complete American-washed citizen and disappointing his parents in his lack of interest in their family history and background, Sanskaar never proved to be a failure. He is an intelligent, respectful, and polite young man that everyone takes a fancy to. And Annapurna and Durga Prasad found that this was satisfying enough. So what if their son has moved away from their native culture? At least he has grown into a fine young man whom they can proudly call their son.
When a month ago his mother confronted him about wishing to send him to India, Sanskaar had flatly refused. What was the need, he thought. He had further inquired about why the sudden wish of sending him to a country he has never been to before in his life and was stunned by his mother's confession.
"Her name is Kavitha... She is a lovely girl, absolutely beautiful. I hear great things from her mother. I have such a strong feeling about her, Sanskaar... Beta, I have never asked you anything before in your life. I have let you run your life the way you have wanted to. But this one time, I am asking you one thing, just one. And that is to give me the right of choosing your wife for you... This is the one favor I ask of you. As your mother, I ask for only this one thing."
But he didn't believe in arranged marriages. How could his mother possibly suggest such an idea?
"Give it a chance... It will not hurt if you give it a try... But if you are still against it after meeting her, then I will not hassle you about the topic again," she quietly pleaded to him.
Not having the heart to hurt his mother by defying her right away, Sanskaar told her that he would give it some thought and inform her when he comes to a decision. Her words, "I ask for only this one thing," continued to haunt him during the next few days.
Before Sanskaar knew it, he was booking tickets to India and making plans for a four week stay at his mother's friend's house to see the much talked of Kavitha Gadodia, whom both his parents praised highly of...After personally telling his mother that he has agreed to go, she had handed him her picture.
"This is her... I am sure you will like her," she had said with a twinkle in her eyes. Sanskaar took the photo from her and after giving it a scrutinizing glance, he tucked it far someplace else where he would not find it again. He had no keen interest in the girl... She was, still after all, only a girl. Sure she is beautiful, but he could not see what was so extraordinary in her that his parents did. Perhaps he would have to see that for himself once he gets there...
"Please buckle up your seatbelts as we will be arriving shortly at the airport in a couple of minutes," the flight attendant announces through the speakers that jolts him out of his lost trance. Sanskaar locates his seatbelt that he had neglected throughout the most of his long journey and clasps it around him just as the plane begins to descend down to ground level...
************
"Uttara, where did you get that silly hat," Swara questions her jolly sister, who comes gliding down the stairs with a bright red Christmas hat adoring her head. To her grave displeasure, even her sister has taken a liking to the Christian holiday. But then again, Uttara needs any excuse she can get to just have a good time. And at the present, Christmas is proving to be one of her greatest holidays.
Uttara: Why Di? You don't like it? I love it! I think it's so cute!
Swara: I think you look ridiculous.
Uttara: Don't be jealous Di. You are only upset that you don't have one yourself.
Swara: Yes, because I want to parade around with a goofy hat on my head all day.
Uttara: Well aren't you just the Grinch itself!
Her younger sister comments while playfully taking her nose into her fingers' grip and wriggling it. Swara pushes her hand aside and glares at her.
Swara: I'm not the Grinch...Whatever that is...
Uttara giggles at her sister's ignorance and scurries off to see if their mother needs anymore help. Swara gloomily walks over to the family room where she dumps herself onto the couch and watches her father fuss over the entangled lights.
Shekar: (grits) These damn lights!
Unwillingly a smile appears on her lips at the sight her father makes. Her father, she believed, was the most adorable man a person could know. He gives her a sheepish, begging look.
Shekar: Willing to help me out Princess?
Swara stands onto her feet and approaches her father slyly.
Swara: I don't know Papa... What will I get out of it?
Shekar: I promise you that I won't have your mother brainwashing me into lending our home to another foreign stranger ever again.
Like Swara, her father too wasn't much "excited" in turning their whole household about in order to welcome a complete stranger. She smiles at her father, showing him that he has bought her right then and there.
Swara: I'm holding you to your word Papa.
In the middle of untangling the Christmas lights that Sharmishta had instructed them to hang around the house, the house doorbell rings and within seconds Swara hears her mother's hurried feet racing to the front door. A moment later both father daughter hear a shrilling scream of delight. They look at one another...
Shekar & Swara: (in unison) He's here...
***********
Thank you,
Shreetha..
PS: I know I have to update my other story "Remember Me" I'll try to update soon.. I am a little busy.. I hope you understand.. and thank you so much for your support..
Edited by -Obliviate- - 9 years ago
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