Situation: Angad is trying to soften up towards Sahiba, but she’s oblivious to his efforts. However, these efforts are noticed by Beeji and Veer. Here they are donning the hat of cupids.
The Brars had received an invitation from the Piramals on the engagement of their youngest grandson. The Piramals and Brars were family friends for a long time. The Piramals were leaders in the textile industry, whereas the Brars were renowned for their exquisite jewelry.Both went hand in hand. Even their campaign shoots were joint; clothes from Piramal and jewelry from Brars. This benefitted both as the costs were halved, and both got publicized. Daarji had been wise, and had made similar connections with other various bigwigs. such as the leading fashion designers Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi.
Beeji was looking over the invite and wished that Sahiba and Angad would go. They did look like a lovely pair. She had noticed some thawing in Angad’s behavior towards Sahiba. He no longer went red as a bull by just hearing her name. Beeji knew that Veer was the one person whom she could talk to, especially since he shared a congenial relationship with both Angad and Sahiba separately. She had a house-help call for him.
Senior Brars’ Bedroom
Veer came, and sat beside Beeji and addressed her “Beeji you called for me?”.
“Haan puttar, I had something to talk to you about. However, it should just be between us”.
“Of course! Tell me Beeji what’s on your mind?” Veer asked.
“Look Veer, you know the circumstances in which both Angad and Sahiba got married. I understand it wasn’t what we had planned. However, don’t you think we were lucky in the end to get Sahiba in this house. She’s a gem of a person” Beeji answered.
Veer replied, “Of course Beeji, I think they are both suited for each other. However, they started off on the wrong foot, and yes this marriage wasn’t what they had expected. I don’t understand how to bridge the gap?”
Beeji spoke, “Puttar, I’ve noticed that Angad is softening towards Sahiba. He no longer goes in an angry young man mode as soon as he hears her name, nor does he refuse any food that is made by her. Sometimes, it seems to me that his eyes search for her. Especially if she hasn’t come home yet from her store.”
“Beeji, true I’ve gathered that as well. I just didn’t know what to do. How do I approach Paaji on this? Even Parjai would run after me with a broom! Dono ke dono jhalli hain”
Beeji chuckled and said “ I want to have them attend the Piramal’s function with Brar Saheb and I.”
“Beeji, did you drink vodka instead of water? Those two can barely manage to restrain from killing one another, and here you want to parade them to a couples’ engagement party? Tussi talli ho gaye ho kya?” Veer replied back shocked at his Beeji’s proposal.
Beeji laughed wholeheartedly at his remark, and then explained to him the plan. She told him that the Baweja branch of the family should not even get a whiff of this, and at the most he could get Ekam to help him on this.
Veer smiled at his grandmother’s idea, and realized what a true driving force she must have been for his Daarji in their youth.
Soon after she made a call to one of the longest working jewelry designers of the Brars, Mr. Jaitley; and asked him to complete a task in complete secrecy. So secret that even Angad cannot find out. She had trust in Mr. Jaitley and his loyalty since he had worked directly with Brar Saheb for so many years.
She soon made another call to her trusted personal stylist firm, and gave them ideas on what she wanted.
Two weeks later
Senior Brars’ bedroom with Ekam and Veer present.
Beeji had called Sahiba to her room and gave her a large packet saying “Puttar this is for you. I want to see you wear this for tonight”.
Sahiba protested, “ No Beeji I can’t”
Beeji became a little stern while replying back, “Sahiba I am not asking you. I am ordering you as your Beeji to wear this. No ifs and buts. Ekam go and help your Parjai”
Ekam who was just waiting for Beeji’s signal, hopped off the bed and hooked her arm in Sahiba’s and said “Parjai, I don't want any scolding. You come with me.”
Veer and Beeji smiled at one another, and headed downstairs to execute phase two of their plan when Angad would come.
Evening time, Brar’s Family room where everyone except the Bawejas, Inder and Manveer were present.
Angad had come down dressed in a black bandhgala coat with light golden embroidery on the collar and sleeves. He was sporting a dark peach colored pag. Daarji and Beeji were pleased to see him.
“Let’s go Daarji and Beeji if you’re ready” said Angad.
“Wait Angad. I’m waiting for Sahiba to join us” replied Beeji nonchalantly.
Angad was a little taken aback, “Why Sahiba Beeji?”
The rest of the family were tensed as if they were sitting on pins and needles. They too were reeling from Beeji’s response.
Beeji looked at Angad as if he were a duffer and said “Puttar, what is the nature of our business?”
“Jewelry Beeji” replied Angad wondering why she asked such an obvious question.
“And pray tell me Puttar, who is our clientele?”
“Well, many brands are associated with us” Angad replied.
“Who buys our jewelry Angad?” Beeji asked, exasperated.
“Women generally Beeji” replied a meek Angad.
“Why do women buy jewelry Angad?” asked Beeji once again.
“Because they want security and look good and show off?” Angad too was wondering where this conversation was headed.
“Now Puttar, tell me when do women show off generally?” Beeji questioned.
“Generally at important events” Angad replied almost at his wits end.
“Exactly! That is why Sahiba and I will go to the engagement to do passive marketing. When the women see us both wearing the latest collection, they will want to buy. Sahiba and I are targeting two sections of women: I am targeting the grannies who have no ability to hide their old age, Sahiba will target everyone else as they can hide their true age and pretend to be twenty one years old again!” Beeji smiled as she explained.
The whole family started laughing at Beeji’s logic.
Daarji smilingly said “Jabjyot tumhara bhi koi jawaab nahin!”
Veer chipped in bowing to her, “Beeji, tussi toh Marketing guru nikale! Woh bhi awaal darje ki!”
Beeji playfully pulled his ears saying, “kyon yeh sara MBA ka gyaan practical knowledge se toh hota hai”.
Even Angad couldn’t help smiling at Beeji’s logic. It wasn’t as if what she was saying was not true. These were great events to market and network around.
Soon, the chiming sounds of payals could be heard. Everyone turned towards the source of the noise, and were left astonished.
There stood Sahiba in a beautiful dark salmon peach and golden sequined saree (google dark peach and gold saree Aishwarya Rai) paired with a golden sleeveless V-neck blouse. Beautifully done smokey eye makeup accented the hazel color of her eyes. The thin nath she wore on her nose, had slight indents which sparkled in the light, with a similar three-layered golden chain at the front. There was a three layered thin half waist chain which she wore on the exposed portion of her waist. Her dangling earrings and armlet consisted of peach colored tourmaline and diamonds. The tourmaline matched with the color of her saree. The armlet she wore on her exposed arm. Golden churiyaan with the same indents as nath filled her hand, while on the other hand’s wrist was a beautiful Longines watch. Her hair was let loose in large voluminous curls which contrasted perfectly with the nude lip tint she was sporting.She had a custom monogrammed ‘AS’ brooch which pinned her saree. Her golden clutch paired perfectly with the golden of her saree.
“Why does it seem that Parjai ji is giving Aishwarya Rai vibes today?” said Veer.
“Chup khotteya” Jaspal said, continuing to add, “Teri bhabhi hai”.
Veer looked at his Dad exasperated, and nudged him to look in Angad’s direction, who literally had his jaw open. Both father-son snickered, and Veer went ahead and literally had to close Angad’s mouth saying, “Paaji, laad tapak rahi hai”.
Angad who was caught red handed, looked down embarrassed, and cleared his throat addressing his grandparents, “Can we go now Daarji?”
“Haan Puttar, chal Sahiba puttar. Aaj vadi soni lag rahi hai tu” said Daarji affectionately.
Sahiba dutifully walked alongside Beeji as Angad and Daarji went ahead. Beeji squeezed her hand in appreciation with a smile. Sahiba returned the smile at Beeji, happy that she was able to make Beeji happy.
Angad had suddenly taken a quick look behind to check on his Beeji, and he caught Sahiba smiling with Beeji. “She looks like an angel,” he thought to himself. He couldn’t help taking one more stare to check her out from top to bottom.
At the car, Angad opened the car door for Beeji and walked ahead to the other side to open the front passenger door for Daarji. While he opened the door for Daarji, he saw how lovingly Sahiba was helping Beeji get seated in the car making sure her dupatta was properly tucked inside.
As she finished, and went ahead to sit on the other side, Sahiba found Angad waiting at the rear car door ready to help her in.
“I can manage on my own," she said as she gathered the pleats of her saree to sit. As soon as she sat, Angad swooped in and brought her saree’s pallu inside. He looked at her cheekily as he closed the door and headed to sit in the driver’s seat.
Soft ghazals were playing in the car, as Daarji and Beeji explained to Sahiba how close they were with Piramals, narrating different incidents they experienced over the years. Angad in the interim used that time to adjust his back mirror to see Sahiba more discreetly. However, nothing escaped Beeji’s sharp eyes.
Engagement Venue
There was a photo booth set for all the guests as they arrived. They obliged the photographer, and took three pics, each couple, and a joint couple one.
Soon, Beeji met the hosts, and introduced Sahiba lovingly. The Piramals complimented Sahiba and congratulated Angad while taking them to meet the newly engaged couple.
Beeji went ahead with Sahiba to mingle with the ladies while Angad stayed with Daarji speaking with other men on business and politics. It seemed for the first time that Angad’s complete focus wasn’t where it should have been. His eyes kept drifting towards Sahiba, and whenever he couldn’t find her, he’d silently search frantically to locate her.
Sahiba at times felt weird, as if someone was watching her. She looked around but couldn’t catch anyone staring. It felt creepy. She stayed with Beeji for the most part as at first she didn’t know anyone, and second the sensation of someone watching her made her feel scared. However, there was no one she could share this with. She just had to stay safe.
Angad seeing a breakthrough in the talks in his circle, decided to make a beeline towards Sahiba err Beeji that is. As he was walking towards them, he overhead a bunch of teenage boys not more than 18, discussing his Sahiba saying how the peach color saree hazel eyed girl looked like a bomb, reminding one of Aishwarya. Angad gulped, and then moved over to them, “Hey guys, who did you say was looking like Aish?”
The boys looked at him and said, “Don’t you think you’re a tad bit old for these kinds of talks Uncle?”
Angad was now doubly irritated with this gang of over crazed hormonal boys, and said “Listen you’d better stop commenting on my wife, or things will get nasty from here”.
The boys looked at him disbelievingly and said, “Are you kidding? You are married to HER?”
Angad just looked at them fuming and went towards Beeji, muttering “Stupid boys”.
Throughout the course of the party, various activities were being held. The one activity that interested everyone was the young generation dancing to the olden tunes and the older one dancing to the newer songs. Sahiba was enjoying watching the dance performers, and she finally felt that annoying staring had stopped. Well indeed, because that person was standing very close to her, feeling satisfied that he no longer had to stay alert about her from half a lawn across!
Soon, Angad and Sahiba’s names were announced. Both were horrified. Sahiba because she didn’t want anything to do with her husband; and Angad because he was wary of his feelings coming out. However, with everyone cheering them on, the reluctant duo had no option but to go on the center stage. Soon the song came up:
Badan pe sitare lapete hue,
O jaan-e-tamanna kidhar ja rahi ho
Zara paas aao to chain aa jaaye,
Zara paas aao to chain aa jaaye
What a song mused Angad seeing Sahiba in that sequin saree. He led her on, twirling her and pulling her back to him. Holding her close and tight, while she was fuming, Angad was rather enjoying dancing with her. He knew she was irked, and that egged him on more. He relished the feeling of having her in his arms so close that he could hear her breathing. He never knew that Sahiba was so beautiful. He had been infatuated by Seerat, but now he was beginning to understand that beauty isn’t just skin deep; it’s much more than that.
Sahiba did not want to create a scene. She didn't know how to react to a pleasant Angad who was pulling her back to him from all directions. She felt as if she was a puppet in his hands. Whenever she freed her hand he’d end up holding her saree pallu. As soon as she freed her pallu, he’d end up grabbing her wrist once again. By the end of the song he had her tilted and his face being so close to hers, that she shut her eyes by instinct. “Yeh ATM apne ko samajhta kya hai, kahin gira na de”, she fumed while being held by him.
The crowd greeted them with great applause and even the teenage boys whom Angad had met, remarked as he descended from the stage, “Nice choice Uncle”.
“Uncle?” questioned Sahiba.
“Don’t ask” replied Angad.
While Angad and Sahiba had been dancing, Beeji had clicked quite a few pics and a video of theirs which she WhatsApp’ed to her partner in crime. Veer seeing the pics couldn’t help smiling.
En route home
Everyone except Sahiba had had a good time at the party. Particularly her husband, who was grinning from one ear to another as he drove. He checked on his lady love, who was looking out the car window.
Sahiba was left completely confused by Angad’s behavior. Then she remembered what happened with Seerat, and decided to steel her resolve. She was not going to let Angad make an emotional fool out of herself, and let him take advantage of her. What if this was a crooked way to extract revenge from her? Her feelings and honor were utmost precious to her. Her feelings were already shattered when she had to marry Angad out of compulsion. However, her honor was intact. She was not going to fall for his sudden fake love game now. Poor Sahiba had been so broken from within that she could not comprehend Angad’s genuine feelings for her. Such was the extent of her mental trauma.
Brar Mansion
When they reached home, Sahiba offered to help Beeji should she need something. Beeji declined and told her to go rest instead. Angad watched from behind, eyeing Sahiba as she left for the storeroom.
Angad’s Bedroom
As he plopped on his bed, he thought how his feisty wife would haunt him in his dreams tonight. He’d pull at her anchal unfurling her saree, holding her tight in his embrace. Whenever she’d try to shy away, he’d pull back by her tiny delicate waist. He’d inhale her scent and bite her teasingly on her earlobe. For now however, he’d have to be content with embracing his pillow!
Little did Angad Singh Brar know that he was being spied on by his very own cousin brother. Veer stealthily came out of his hiding place, smirking as he thought “Paaji tussi toh gaye!”
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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