FF : Yeh Dooriyaan *SahAn + Veerat* (Updated 10/06) - Page 14

Chapter 9 → Before Reception.

Brar estate, Night-time.

Veer Singh Brar

Veer was astonished to find his house feeling like a haunted hotel. Perhaps he was exaggerating a bit; but honestly no one in his house slept by 11'o clock. At least his own sister Ekam and Kiara would be awake till at least 1'o clock. Amongst the siblings his Angad Paaji was the only one to keep to a strict routine.

He glanced around the empty living room, wondering what he should eat for dinner. Just as he thought so, he found his mother coming downstairs from her own room. Seeing her smile at him widely, he blinked a bit.

"What happened Mumma?" He asked curiously as she reached him, "Itna khush?

"Haa woh," His mother replied, "Parjai khush lag rahi thi ajj. Inder Veerji bhi chehek rahe the. Aur pata hai tainu, Angad aur Sahiba ne aaj ka dinner room mei hi kara. Acha hai waise. Dono baat karenge toh jo bhi misunderstandings hai sab khatam ho jawega."

Veer nodded along as he followed after his mother. He watched as delicious butter chicken and stuffed Kulche, were served. He started to eat, having already washed his hand in the sink. He heard what happened in the entire day. Apparently after his Paaji and new Parjai, his Tayaji and Tayiji had also decided to stay in their room. They had only appeared for dinner. His Prabhjyot Bua seemed to be adjusting with the situation for now while his Jasleen Bua was still cribbing about her 'so-called' insult. He also learnt about his Parjai choosing the storeroom as her workspace.

"Waise toh mainu humari Angad ki votti vaddi pasand ayi." gushed his mother with a small smile, "Parjai keh rahi thi ki barabri ki hai Sahiba apne Angad ke liye. Parjai ke face mei na ajj ek alag sa noor tha, Veer."

"Chinta na karo Mumma." He replied, getting up to wash the dish himself, "Sab thik ho jawega. Dekh liyo."

"Acha sun puttarji...!!"

"Ki hoya?"

"Tainu Keerat puttar ka number pata hai ke?"

Veer blinked at her, eyes wide in surprise. "Ji, Keerat ka number? Achanak se?"

"Wo Parjai nu chahiye. Lagta hai nayi bahu ke liye koi surprise plan kar rahi hai." He sighed in relief at his mother's response. He typed Keerat's number down, wondering why his heart beats had fastened and why he had felt nervous at the thought of his mother speaking or asking about Keerat. He had many friends and his family did know of them as it was natural.

Keerat was his friend. A very good one even. Why did he felt nervous at his parents meeting or speaking with her then? He shook his head, dislodging all those useless thoughts from his head.

"Waise, Keerat ke saath mei bhi baat kar leta hu kal. Ki kehte ho puttar? Bacchi nu kitni chot ayi thi ajj." Although his mother asked him absentmindedly, he knew if he said anything against that or was as nervous as he felt with all those butterflies dancing around in his belly; she would notice.

His mother could be very perspective. He wished her goodnight before disappearing from there as soon as he could without any prospective tingle of the 'Mom Senses'.

As he entered his own room, he noticed the art supplies in his room. He decided to keep them in the storeroom, as he learned about it being his Parjai's workspace. It would be better there than in his room. He might forget to inform his Parjai of her art supplies given there was two more problems his mind that needed immediate attention.

While he knew the entire matter with the media and the reporter will be dealt with by tomorrow morning; the matter of the drawings prickled him still. There was a persistent feeling of uneasiness whenever he saw the files of the drawings of their previous launch. He entered the room, blindly searching for the switch board. Unfortunately he stumbled, before managing to somehow switching on the light.

Ki hoya hai tainu Veer? Aaj kal kuch zyaada na gir raho? He muttered to himself, rubbing his head at the spread of art papers all on the bare floor. Not to mention the brushes and the paints. He quickly folded the sleeves of his kurta, kneeling down to pick up and place them properly. Looking around, he found a wooden table placed a bit away from where he was. Quickly picking up the brushes and the bottles of paint, he strode towards the table. Carefully keeping them there, he turned back to take care of the mess of loose papers still on the floor.

Huffing at his own work, he picked those up too. As he started to keep it in an organized way so that it did not get messed up again, a drawing caught his eyes. He separated the paper from his own, eyes widening at the hand-drawn design.

It was a beautiful design of a ring; the art work was so life-like that it stunned him. What made it even more surprising was the detailing and simplicity in its designing. His mind immediately flashed to the files of their previous launch. He gulped, wondering whether his thoughts were correct or not.

He kept the paper aside with shaky hands, as settled all the other papers on the table properly. He closed the doors and lights of the storeroom, locking it. Clutching the paper that he had separated, he nearly ran towards his Paaji's office. Opening the file of their previous designs, his every thought was proven correct.

While the drawings had been of pendents, the detailing, the simplicity, the artistic flare and above-all the style of the designing was the same. He felt a terrific foreboding for whoever was the head designer because his brother won't be happy. Still wanting to be very sure, in case, he was wrong and it was just a coincidence and one-time problem, he dialed the investigator who was dealing with their media matter as well.

'Hello?'

"I am sorry to disturb you so late, Gurdas." Veer apologized before quickly going forward with the problem and the findings. His investigator, Gurdas, stayed silent for a few moments. Veer bit the inside of his cheek, before straightening when the other person spoke, 'Alright. But I would need to know the person who gave you those files to find out about it, Veer. If your assumption is right then there must be a middle man.'

Veer winced immediately. If he had to find out about the person who gave the file, he would have to tell his brother. And his brother was already troubled due to current incidents. But if he did not tell him, then their problems would double in the future. What if this caused problems later for their family and company?

'Veer, ki hoya? Kaha chala gaya?' Veer came out of his worried thoughts, answering him, 'Koi na, Gurdas. Mai tainu kal saverey sara details aur pics bhejta hu. Tu do din mei saari information de diyo. Urgent matter hai."

'Haa, haa, zaroor. Tu baas bhej de details. Aur haa, kal saverey tainu saraa details wo media waali ka mil jawega.'

"Haa, thanks." He cut the call after, eyes flickering from the paper and the file. Groaning he apologized to his brother within his mind for creating more work for him.

Manveer Kaur Brar

Being a daughter-in-law was tough; Being a daughter-in-law in a family like Brar's was tougher. Manveer had seen a lot of ups and downs in her life. Many thought of her as arrogant and rude due to her behaviour. They wouldn't be wrong because that was how she portrayed herself.

Her husband, Mr. Inderpal Singh Brar was a software developer. Something that wasn't acceptable according to Manveer's father-in-law. Aakal Singh Brar had never supported his oldest child to be anything but a businessman and the future head of their business. That was the dream of a father for his son.

Unfortunately, fate played a different game.

Since he never supported his son, hence his relation with his first-born become distant. So much that, when Manveer was a newly married woman, she was treated distantly as well. She had struggled to get the initial acceptance from her father-in-law. Her mother-in-law though kind, had a far more conservative approach to the situation. She rarely spoke out her own beliefs or thoughts; instead choosing to keep a strong united front in front of others while she spoke out within the confines of their four walls.

With time, Manveer would agree now, that they had mellowed somewhat. They had learned to accept and change with the generation.

They were still stringent in absurd matters though.

Before Inder would always prefer to take up projects in abroad instead of staying at their homeland. She had understood later that this was one of her husband's way of avoiding his father.

But at the beginning, struggling to gain acceptance and above all trying to fit in with a family that made her feel like an outsider, she had mistaken her husband's actions as arrogance and stubbornness.

A mistake whose price she was still paying in full.

It was finally Angad's birth that paved her way to acceptance and melting her father-in-law's heart. So, Manveer, in all her naivety and want of fitting in, had decided to stay back with her son in the Brar estate instead of accompanying her husband to one of his biggest projects abroad.

It became one of the reasons of the current distance in her own marriage life. Over that, lack of communication and time constraints in regards to her own relationship had caused it to deteriorate further.

She glanced at her own reflection in the mirror, dislodging all her thoughts from her head as she more small diamond stud earrings to match with her floral saree. She was startled when her husband came up behind her with a small smile, as he bent to take his own watch from the dressing table.

"Aaj saree kyu?" She heard him ask, as she turned to face him. She shrugged, smoothing out the pleats, "Maan kiya." She met his eyes, watching as he gave a small smile, "You look good."

She blinked at the compliment. It had been a while since he had complemented her. She smiled back tentatively.

She said, sharing her day's plan, "I was thinking of inviting Keerat over. Sahiba would be delighted I guess. They definitely seemed close. What do you think?" She watched him think through, sorting through one of his own files as he glanced at her with a thoughtful look.

"Acha idea hai." She relaxed at his words, "Baccho ne bohot bara kadam liya hai parivaar ke khatir, Maan. We have to support them in front of the other family members."

"I know."

The situation they had been dealt with last day was the only thing that circled through her head the entire time. When she had first met her, she was impressed by her work. Although it was overshadowed by the worry of her son loosing Papaji's approval given Angad had messed up at that time. Later on, after all those accidental meetings, (which made sense now) she had been a bit worried of her son attracting a stalker. That worry was useless now.

Honestly, she did not dislike Sahiba, after witnessing her actions in the Gurudwara. Her new daughter-in-law was far more courageous than she could ever be at her age. She was looking forward to see how everyone and Sahiba reacted to each other. It would, no doubt, be entertaining.

However, she won't shield Sahiba from the vitriol or judgement of others. She wanted to see whether Sahiba would have the mettle to deal with the vicious media and scheming family members. It would be an essential skill to have as the future head of the household. Not to mention as Angad's wife, she would be in the attention of media for at least some time for now.

"Manveer!"

She was startled at the loud call. Smiling sheepishly at the bemused look Inder bestowed her with, she responded, "I was thinking. Sorry, can you repeat what you said?"

She watched him give an amused smile, "Breakfast?"

They left their room, proceeding towards the dinning room adjoining the kitchen. On seeing Jasleen, Kiara, Prabhjyot and Hansraj already present, she watched Inder sigh. She nudged him, raising a eyebrow in question.

"Yeh log ek din ke liye bhi jine na denge humare baccho ko. Firse suru ho jawenge apne question paper leke."

She chuckled at his annoyed expression, drawing surprised looks from the people present before them. Gurleen, who had heard her chuckle from the kitchen, smiled at seeing her happy. Her sister-in-law was her favourite person amongst the family because she was a ray of positivity. Manveer smiled back at her, asking as she noticed her holding a dish, "Kya banaya Gurleen?"

"Chole Bhature, Parjai." Gurleen was beaming brightly as she said, "Veer nu bataya Sahiba ka favourite hai. I thought it would be welcoming change for her to have her favourite dish."

She nodded back, happy to have someone who would find the positive in even the bleak darkness. "Tune Veer nu Keerat ka number...?"

"Haanji. Yeh lijiye Parjai."

"Kya baat hai Parjai, zoro-shoro se tayariya chal rahi hai." Jasleen's voice held a fake concern, that Manveer could notify immediately, "What magic did that middle class girl do to you in one night?"

She raised an eyebrow at her words, not finding it important enough to reply.

Jasleen, her husband's younger adoptive sister was a scheming woman. She was also an opportunistic person by nature. Manveer had always had her suspicions about this woman's hand in the bad relationship between her husband and father-in-law. She had no proofs so she had kept quiet.

Jasleen had always been silver-tongued. She could weave words, scheme and plan in a way that sometimes even the most experienced person would be left baffled after speaking with her. Two of her strongest traits were picked up by her children, Garry and Kiara. Garry was, after all, very well like his mother with all his depraved actions.

Nonetheless with time she had managed to melt some frost in between her husband and her father-in-law. Especially when her relationship with her in-laws improved. She even joined their business as their spokesperson, taking her husband's place. That decision had caused some grudges and astonishment from her sister-in-laws though. Manveer had cared less for their fragile feelings at the end of the aftermath.

She dialed Keerat's number, hiding her smirk at Jasleen's fuming face.

'You tried to ruin my son's life, Jasleen. That slight would not be forgiven.'

Angad & Sahiba

"Kya soch rahi ho?"

Angad had asked the question without thinking. He watched how her head swiveled towards his direction. There was a surprise in her eyes. She must not have expected him to speak to her on his own violations.

Last night, they had talked longer. Although, he had spoken to her about Seerat and her actions, he hadn't learned much about her. She had been quiet after he had finished recounting. While she had remained pensive, he had realized how much she did not know of her sister's acts. In the recent turn of events, she knew more about him than he knew about her.

Other than the discussion of Seerat and her mother's kands, they had spoken of sleeping space. Both of them were not comfortable on sharing a mattress. They were strangers at the end of the day who had become bound in the name of matrimony for their families sake. They had decided at the end to alternate between the bed and the couch. It was another milestone for Angad, because in the past, all Sahiba and he had done was argue and accuse.

Sahiba, on the other hand, was feeling immensely alone from early morning. She hadn't had much sleep, barely of two-three hours. Her mind had been all-over the place. Her family's thoughts and the uncertain life ahead had clouded her mind. Before she had a goal, a plan. Now, she had uncertainties and a new family that probably hated her.

She knew nothing of marriage and it's duties. Yet she was saddled with one. She glanced at him again, wondering what to answer to the question he posed. She was a bit startled when she felt Angad's presence beside her.

"Kuch nehi." She replied, at his questioning look. Angad noticed her frowning temples, her hands fidgeting with her plain dupatta and the way her eyes remained unfocused.

"Sahiba." Her name from his own felt different. It was also enough to bring her out of her thoughts. He glanced at the floor, before meeting her befuddled gaze.

"I think you are feeling out of place, am I right?"

He watched how she blinked to hide her surprise at his words. "Why would you think so?" She questioned back, eyes narrowing in wariness. He shrugged lightly, eyeing her again with a ruminative glance. "I am sure Mumma would want to tell you a lot of things. But there is one thing I want to tell you."

"That is?"

"These changes are new for me. I have never thought that one of my own family members would betray me in such a manner. This situation that we are in, is new and different. It had left me unprepared; mentally and emotionally. I can give you one consolation if it matters to you." He met her eyes, his words sincere, "You have earned my respect for what you have done. Knowing you, you would have probably preferred the police station than here." A tiny smile appeared on Sahiba's face at his exasperated and considerate look, "I will respect you, value your opinion and your thoughts." He trailed off, "I expect the same to be returned of-course."

Sahiba stifled a grin at his last words. That was the re-emergence of the harebrained man she had met. Moreover, she was astonished at his initiative. Has she judged him too early? The Angad Singh Brar she had met before the debacle in the Gurudwara was so different to the one she was noticing now.

With time, Sahiba had learned to adjust to situations; to think on her feet and act accordingly. She had to, especially in regards to dealing with her mother and sister. Given time, she would have preserved in the new challenge in her life as well. This words, spoken sincerely struck her heart.

Sahiba comprehended one thing at that moment. She wasn't as alone as she had thought. Angad was in this too. It was as new for her as it was for him. So she decided, at that moment, to reach to an agreement with him.

"The respect would be returned as long as you don't behave foolishly." Her smile widened at his annoyed growl, "Other than that, I am not certain about the kind of reception I would be receiving from your family. Not to mention I am not used to all these..." She waved her hand, gesturing at the opulence around her.

Angad sighed, a bit annoyed at her comment in regards to his foolishness. Although he felt relieved to see her smile after the dull look she had been sporting from last night. And he registered how correct she was. Deciding he needed to speak with his mother in regards to Sahiba dealing with high-society life, he spoke out on another matter that had been troubling him since last night.

"Would you keep contact with your family?" Seeing her confused, guarded and defensive expressions, he spoke up, "I will be very clear on this. I don't like what your family did to me. The only two person I can forgive is Keerat and you. I would not want you to keep contact with you family after what they had done to both you and to me. I can't forgive them or reconcile with them. So do not expect me to be respectful in regards to your mayka."

It was very clear to Sahiba that Angad was speaking with a very thin thread of self-control on his overflowing anger at the mere thought of her family and their deeds. Her confusion was cleared as he continued his words while she lowered her defensive walls that she had erected on instincts.

She murmured, nearly crumbling her resolve in front of her impulse to not explain her family matters to an outsider, "I...I-I am the breadwinner of the family, Angad. My Papaji won't be able to handle everything alone. He barely earns for one person."

Angad's eyes widened at her whispered admission. He was dumbfounded. He had of course heard from her about the same in the Gurudwara, and read about it (in the investigation file) but it was different when he listened and drew out what it truly meant. At that time, he had barely given it a glance as he was far more occupied at being duped and betrayed.

She continued, her eyes fixed on the floor, "The art shop, in the Hazuri market, is mine. Papaji doesn't know how to handle it. I am the only one who runs it with Keerat lending a hand whenever she could. Not to mention, I have several orders from several people. I can't give up working. Keerat's education, household expenses and the lo..." She bit her lips as she realized what she was about to say, "I mean everything in that house depends on me. I can't give them up."

"You can't---" Sahiba cut him off, "I wasn't finished. I don't want you to respect them or meet with them or even speak to them. All I expect in regards to them is your civil behaviour. That's it."

"Even Seerat and your mother?" He asked wryly. She shrugged, "In regards to them, just don't cross any limit."

He shook his head, a bit baffled and relieved at her indifference. A sudden thought entered his mind, replaying his father's words. He closed his eyes, leaning back on the couch as he bit the inside of his cheek.

"I am sorry." It was so sudden, that it took some moment for Sahiba understand what he was sorry about. After a few minutes of silence, when Angad opened his eyes, he was met with confused looks from her. He clarified, "Woh Paath room ke samay jo hua woh..."

Her raised eyebrow flustered him a bit, as he mumbled, "I am not used to disappointing Daarji. I had thought he would be happy at my decorations. Belgium se diamond mangaya tha maine."

Sahiba gaped in disbelief.

Isne Belgium se hira mangaya tha Paath ka kamra sajane ke vaaste? Yeh over the top na hai? Sahiba blinked, wondering if the person she married was an idiot or an extravagant person by default. Then she slapped herself mentally, Thoda nehi bohot over the top tha, Sahiba. Aab samjhi yeh munda itna kyu gussa tha uss din.

She had been getting numerous surprises today. She understood as she looked back on their interactions, that he had been seeking his Daarji's approval and perhaps his reactions were because of jealousy. Eyeing his flickering eyes and his slumped shoulder and the reluctant way he spoke cemented her assumption.

She replied, a bit amused at the thought that he got jealous of her, "Daarji is a self-made man. Someone who had built the empire that you see today. It is common sense that he would like things that has less value in terms of money and more in term of simplicity."

That's what she had understood in their first meet on meeting the elderly man.

"I realize that now." He agreed. They were interrupted with a knock on the door. A house-help came in and gave Sahiba a set of clothes, conveying that his mother had requested her to wear these clothes for the morning. On seeing the hesitant eyes and the tightened jaw, he asked her to not fuss about this matter, reminding her about the agreement they had yesterday on clothes.

"Waise bhi reception tak toh yeh sab chalega at the least. Aur humare ghar mei guests atey-jaatey rehte hai. Aur tum se milne ke liye hazar ayenge." He said, "You need to look the part for them."

He heard her grumble but she acquiesced her head un-enthusiastically. When she came out, his eyes lingered for a second longer. The beautiful red velvet saree accentuated with golden borders were perfectly matched with the gold and red traditional chooda's. The blouse compared to the saree was quiet simple yet she carried the outfit well. Not just well, they looked gorgeous on her.

He was a bit disgruntled when she only accentuated it with her normal bouncy hair, a simple gold chain (something she had already been wearing) and a natural balm on her lips.There was not a smudge of make-up used. Rather she looked confused at so many make-up products placed on the dressing table. He was sure it was a courtesy of his mother.

He placed a hand on her back guiding her downstairs. He felt her glance at him warily at his actions. He explained before she decided to berate him on any assumptions she had, "Get used to it. Media ke liye aur bhi natak karna parta hai."

"Mainu aisa kyu lag raha hai ki aapko bara mazaa aa raha hai?" His smirk probably gave him away as Sahiba glared at him. As they arrived they both were surprised at what they heard Manveer speak on the phone.

"Haanji. Mai bhejti hu kisiko. Keerat ko bas kahiye ki woh ready rahe. Ji koi baat nehi. College se pick kar lenge. Ji Sat Sri Akal."