FF : Yeh Dooriyaan *SahAn + Veerat* (Updated 10/06) - Page 17

Chapter 10 → Reception Dhamaka : Part 1.

Morning time.

Keerat heaved a sigh of relief as the orientation finally finished. She stepped out into the sunlight with a small smile on her face. Tightening her grasp on her bag, she determinedly moved towards the gate of the college.

It had been her first day where there had been an orientation for the new incoming students. Several clubs had their representatives speak out the benefits of joining such extracurricular activities. While she had listened with interest, she still found it a bit boring. Since she had taken admission through the sports quota, she was already a part of the college team of wrestlers. As far as she knew, she was the only female amongst the others. Her college wasn't a private one but it still ranked well amongst Ludhiana colleges. Nonetheless, her first day had been fruitful.

On top of that, the family matters had her a bit worried. While Keerat knew her Sahiba Di was alright; she worried for the current atmosphere of her home. While she wasn't residing at Monga house at the moment, she would have to go back some day. Her aunt and uncle were generous but she couldn't take advantage of that.

So into her thoughts was she that Keerat did not even realize when two people started walking alongside her. When she did, she immediately stopped at her place. Raising her eyebrows, Keerat gave them a glance-over.

One was a male. He was dressed in normal jeans and t-shirt, with shaggy messed up hair. Clasping the bag on his back, he gave her a bright beaming smile. Similarly the female beside him was dressed in a simple suit with plaited long hair. The lack of make-up and excess jewellery was a welcoming change to Keerat's sore eyes.

"Tusih ki chahiye?" She addressed the male, glancing at woman beside him, "Ithe kyu khareh ho?"

The male's eyes twinkled, his smile brightening, "Mai Akhilesh." He introduced himself, forwarding his hand. Keerat blinked, a bit awkward at the gesture. She forwarded her hand, shaking his with a firm grip. She was also a bit surprised at his firm handshake given he looked like a single breeze would blow him over.

"Keerat." She replied with a confused smile, eyes narrowing at him. When her eyes flickered towards the female beside him, the girl introduced herself as Reem. She nodded back, still glancing at them with a baffled look.

"Oho ji!" Akhilesh gave a smile at noticing her confused look, "Hum dono ne tumhe dekha tha orientation ke wakt. Paas wale seat pe hi beithe the hum. But you didn't notice us at all."

Keerat blinked, shaking her head at her own awareness. Ki karta hai tainu Keerat? Aise banegi tu police officer? She berated herself in her mind. On the outside, she gave a sheepish smile at them.

"Ah, woh mainu dekha na." Keerat replied, "Acha laga milke tum dono se."

"Kaha rehti ho tum?" This time it was Reem who spoke up, as they matched the same space as Keerat, "Shayad humare class ek ho? Tusih konse stream se ho?"

A bit irritated at the questions, but still not wanting to sound rude, she replied, "Political science, Arts. Tum dono?"

Akhilesh replied cheerfully, "Reem aur tumhara same hai. But mainu sociology liya hai." Reem nodded along looking slightly relieved, "Mainu laga tha koi jan-pehchan wala na hoga class vich."

Keerat nodded, knowing a friend in the same class would be great. In case she was ever absent, she could easily get the notes. Deciding to actually invest in the friendship, she smiled back at the smiling girl.

"Tusih usse jante ho ki?" Akhilesh suddenly asked her, pointing to someone at the distance. By then, all three of them had walked out the modest campus. As she looked at the person Akhilesh pointed, Keerat's eyes widened.

He further said with confused glances at them, "Woh sadeh hi dekh raha hai na? Reem? Keerat?"

"Haanji veerji." Reem replied, while Keerat gulped when she saw him come towards them from where he was leaning against his black shiny car, "Ithe hi araha hai wo munda. Hai kon yeh? Dekh ke toh amiro ke ghar vich lag raha hai. Aise jagah pe kya kar raha hai? Tusih jante ho usse Keerat?"

"Haa woh..." Before Keerat could think of making up something, Veer's voice was clear as he called out to her, "Keerat, Tayiji ne tainu humare yeha aney vich kaha hai. Pata hai na tainu? Chale aab?"

Even behind the black shades, there was an intensity in the gaze when he glanced at her and her companions. Keerat glanced at him, eyes burning with thousands of questions. She did knew that she was invited in the Brar mansion but she did not know that the youngest heir would arrive to pick her up. She had thought to take a taxi towards the posh area of the city where the Brar's resided and not have someone pick her up. Sensing the several interested and curious eyes around, who no doubt where watching or trying to listen in, Keerat felt annoyed at the man.

Akhilesh asked, with a curiosity shining in his eyes, "Yeh kon hai Keerat? Tainu veerji the ke?"

"Noo!" There was a scandalous tone in Veer's voice which Keerat noticed immediately. She intervened before he decided to exchange more words with people she had just met, "Wo yeh meri Didi ke devar hai aur mere dost bhi. Woh aaj unke ghar vich ek function hai toh mainu pick-up karne aye hai. Mainu jana hoga. Akhilesh, Reem, hum kal milte hai."

Reem nodded, "Okay. Give me your number, I will send ours." Keerat quickly repeated and hearing the 'ping' on her mobile at an incoming message, she bid them a hurried goodbye while dragging Veer by his hand. Getting inside the passenger seat, she glared at a sheepish looking Veer, ordering him with a stern voice, "Chehti chehti chalao Didi ke devar!"

As he quickly moved the car towards the main road, she heaved a sigh of relief. Catching his eyes, she muttered angrily, "Tainu pura pagal ho. Apni paarva na hai par mainu toh musibaat mei na dalo! Mainu apne sir nu hungama na mor lena! Meri Sahiba didi tusih parjayi na hondi toh mainu tusih tang tor haath vich rakh dena!"

"Arey shant!" She pursued her lips in anger, as he continued, "Thand rakh Keerat. Mainu toh kuch kaha bhi na!"

"Kuch nā kahiṇe lai tuhāḍā bahuta dhanyavad!" She replied sarcastically. Moving in her seat, so she could face the man at the wheel, she said, "Itne vadde gaddi agar aise normal college vich laoge toh vadde vadde baatey banengi. Tusih pata bhi hai yeh?"

Veer blinked. He controlled his expressions to not showcase his amusement at her words. He was a bit embarrassed at what he had later realized was a miscalculation on his part. Most of his friends belonged from the same social strata as him, hence he hadn't realized that his obviously expensive car would draw eyes where Keerat studied. By the time he had realized, he was already nearby. Instead of turning back, he had thought to just park the car near her college gate so they could leave the moment she came out.

Apparently those few moments were enough to create a ruckus.

He gave her pleading look in response, "Mainu pata na tha. Sorry, yaar." Keerat rolled her eyes at his attempt in pacifying her.

While they traveled towards his home, Veer mussed about the sudden protectiveness he felt on seeing Keerat with two unknown people. He was aware that she did not have friends. The males in her colony would never even glance at her in fear of her temper. The females would turn their noses up because she wasn't interested in girly things. Hence on seeing her being friendly with a male and to consent to taking his number was a bit astonishing. He wondered whether he should ask. Leaving everything to chance, he took the risk.

He started with asking her about her first day in the college. Seeing a chance as she reiterated her time spent at the college, he asked, "Waise wo banda kon tha?"

Keerat glanced at him at his question. Shrugging lightly she replied, "Akhilesh aur Reem, uski behen. Dost hai."

"Na mainu na pata tha tum bando se bhi dosti karte ho." He commented lightly, noticing how Keerat narrowed her eyes. He gulped at her next words with disbelief.

"Aap kya aapne aap ko kuri samajhte ho, Veer sahab? Dost toh hum bhi hai."

He diverted quickly, "Na humari baat alag hai. Hum to rishtedaar hai." Keerat looked at him incredulously at his divergence, "Rishtedaari aab bani hai. Hum pehle rishtedaar na the."

On the other hand, he took a breath of relief when she did not continue further. Raab nu vaaste chup ho jaa Veer, nehi toh pitega iske haatho, he muttered within his mind. They drove in a comfortable silence when Keerat asked nonchalantly, "Ek gaal daso. Woh Seerat di nu kuch pata chala ki wo kaha hai?"

"Itni fikr hai uss behen ke liye jisne yeh zakham diye?" Veer's voice was sharp in response.

She noticed how his fingers grasped the steering wheel tightly and his posture tensed. The atmosphere between them soured a bit. She hummed, acknowledging his words, "Sindy baby ki fikr na hai mainu. Sahiba di ki hai. Pata nehi Seerat di laut ke kya hungama machayegi."

"Machane do jo hungama machana hai unhe." said Veer, "Paaji aur Parjai sambhal lenge."

"But why can't we help them?" asked Keerat, wanting to help her sister out. Veer glanced at her for a second puzzled at her words, "How can we help?"

Keerat smirked, an idea forming in her mind. Veer sensed damnation for Seerat as she explained her plan. He shook his head chuckling, "Acha plan hai. Mainu sambhal lena yeh side. Tusih apne side nu sambhal liyo."

"Done!" She smiled deviously.

Brar estate

Sahiba-Angad's room

Sahiba glanced at the saree and the jewelries laid out for her to wear in the reception with distaste. Keerat and Manveer, both of whom were watching her expressions glanced at each other with baffled looks.

Sahiba picked up the blouse, watching the patchwork with disdainful eyes. She wondered about the designer who had designed the clothes for everyone as her eyes flickered towards the ones that would be worn by the other elders of the family.

She stepped away from the materials glancing at Manveer with a frown on her face.

"Ki hoya puttar? Acha na laga designs?" Gurleen asked watching the new daughter-in-law of the house look at the clothes with a frown instead of a smile. This clothes had been selected by Seerat with the help of Prabhjyot for her reception. Gurleen did not mention that tactfully but she exchanged a glance with Manveer as her sister-in-law gestured at the look Prabhjyot sent Sahiba.

"Chachi, the saree is fine but isn't the colour too pastel for a new bride?" Sahiba murmured, trailing off at the end, "And the blouse..."

Prabhjyot scoffed, "Betaji, yeh aaj kal ke trends hai." She smirked at the baffled look on Sahiba's face, "Waise tainu yeh sab pata na hoga. Vadde khandanon mei new trends ko follow kiye jaate hai."

"New trends ke chakkar mei mainu bandariya na banna Bua." replied Sahiba, rolling her eyes, "Simplicity nam ki bhi koi chiz hondi hai."

Prabhjyot got up from her seat within the room, "Simplicity ke chakkar mei apne middle class type kapde na pehniyo reception vich." She stopped at Manveer, glancing back at Sahiba, "Nakh na kaat jai humari." She turned to face her sister-in-law addressing her with a saccharine smile, "Waise Seerat ne dhoka zaroor diya hume par uski dressing sense kamal ki thi. Woh papaji aur mummyji ki anniversary dress, yaad hai aapko? Awesome thi."

Keerat laughed as Sahiba smirked. Before her sister could speak though, Keerat spoke up with a mischievous smile, "Wahi dress jo Sahiba di ne design kara tha Buaji? Sahi kaha apne, awesome thi!"

Gurleen and Manveer again glanced at each other hiding their smiles at Prabhjyot's embarrassed and surprised face. "Chalti hu Parjai. Ready hone mei wakt lagta hai." said Prabhjyot feeling humiliated by the two sisters, whom she glared at furiously while leaving.

Keerat waved a bye at her in response, earning a smack on the arm from Sahiba and chuckles from Manveer and Gurleen. Both the older woman found the youngest sister of Sahiba to be a warm and playful girl. They also found similarities between Sahiba and Keerat as both of them had a sharp-tongue and were brutally honest. They had thoroughly enjoyed her presence throughout the day.

"Kehna parega," Sahiba said turning towards Manveer with an incredulous look, "Apke family ajeeb hai. Matlab dhokebaazi chalegi but dressing sense amazing hondi chahiye!"

Manveer chuckled, shaking her head at her words. She was impressed at the way the sisters had handled Prabhjyot and her attitude. Sahiba truly did not mince words. She had sat down with her new daughter-in-law to inform her of various things in the family. On speaking with her, she noticed how down-to-earth the girl truly was. Sahiba had a lot of those points that she had thought she had seen in Seerat. When she said the same, she was informed how Seerat had copied those words from Sahiba.

It was Keerat who told her while Sahiba did not meet her eyes. Manveer, at that moment, had been glad that she had asked Keerat to join them. It was clear that Sahiba wasn't comfortable with her yet. The presence of her sister seemed to have her a bit mellowed down. Nonetheless, the time spent in getting to know the woman her son had married had been fruitful.

"Bata phir tusih, kya pehnegi reception vich?" Gurleen asked, "Jewellery toh sahi hai na?"

Sahiba pursued her lips as she picked out a beautiful saree, crimson in colour. The heavy embroidery work on it gave off a royal feeling. She chose a simple black blouse to accentuate it. To accessories it, she chose the traditional ranihaar with pearls, jhumkas, and a matching mangtika. She glanced at Manveer to see what she would say. Seeing her approving look, she smiled in relief.

"Parjai, kitni soni choice hai na humari bahu ki?!" Gurleen gushed in awe, "Ek gaal dasso?"

"Daso chachi. Ki gaal hai?" inquired Sahiba, while Keerat watched amused.

"Tusih humari bhi reception ke kapde choose karde!" At those words Manveer nodded with a smile, "Sahi keh rahi hai Gurleen. Sahiba puttar, tusih choose kar aur haa, Keerat nu naa bhulna."

Keerat protested immediately, "Auntyji mainu na pehna yeh sab. Mai jaisi hu changa hu."

Manveer shook her head at the stubborn look on the young girl's face as she said, "Puttarji, mainu koi gaal na sunni teri. Meri decision final hai."

Keerat huffed at that, glancing at her sister to find her surprised at the conversation. At the end though both the sisters agreed to Manveer and Gurleen's words.

Party venue

Amidst the lavishly decorated party venue, Angad kept on glancing at the staircase from which Sahiba was supposed to arrive. He was speaking with a few of the business associates, all of whom had been invited for the reception. His eyes flickered around the room, as he observed his family members all around the hall, mingling with either their respective groups or the guests.

His grandfather and grandmother was with the invited shareholders, all of them had various prominent holdings in their business. Several investors had also been invited, who were being attended by his uncle and father. He watched the impatient faces of the waiting reporters who were covering the live event. Shifting his gaze from them, he watched how Veer handled the whispering doubtful guests, diverting them with an inherent people management skill.

His youngest brother had always been talented, whether it was his singing or his support in the business. It reminded him of another brother who betrayed him so callously. The very same brother who was approaching him with a practiced smile that seemed genuine but wasn't.

"Angad!" He hugged back reluctantly, not wanting to give away his feelings or plan before it even began.

"Mainu sab suna Mumma se! I can believe Seerat did this yaar! I hope you are alright..!!"

Who would say that the concerned filled voice was not genuine? Angad wouldn't have believed anyone if they had said otherwise, if he didn't know what he did at the moment. Especially after the chat he had with Veer. His already filled plate was being pilled up.

How had he remained so blind to the real face of his own family members? The morose thoughts were depressing.

He gave a smile that he mostly used in the business world. His eyes glinted with barely suppressed emotions as he struggled to keep a tight control, "Tu chinta na kar Gary. I am alright."

Just then, Veer approached them. Unlike Gary or him, his youngest brother wasn't as sophisticated at keeping his emotions suppressed. While it was his greatest strength when he networked for his family business or managed the media; it was also his weakness when he was high on emotions he did not want to feel.

To make sure Veer would not slip, Angad asked Gary in the most gentle voice possible to see to their guests. As Veer came over, Gary left with a smile. He saw the glare his cousin shot their other brother behind his back. He smiled at the protectiveness that shone through. It was nice to see he hadn't lost all his siblings in a matter of days.

"Paaji, yeh Gary kithe jaa raha hai?" Veer's voice held clear distrust. He warned gently, "Apne feelings ko itthe show na kar, Veer. Kisi ko bhanak tak na lagna chahiye."

"Pata hai mainu," Veer responded defensively but he gave a reluctant nod in agreement to his words. Both of them were startled when the press finally having lost patience came ahead to question them.

"Sir, apki wife kab ayegi?"

"Hum new Mrs. Brar se kab milenge?"

"Mr. Angad, we have heard of a rumour about your bride ditching you at the alter. Was it true? Is that the reason behind this delayed interview?"

Angad's eyes sharpened at the reporter who asked the last question. It was the same one in the news channel he had seen in the television. Not to mention, from the corner of his eyes he could see both Gary and Jasleen bua smirk.

It cemented their hand in trying to destroy whatever he has created and shoved the huge stake of betrayal even further in his already bruised heart.

He also noticed how the other members of the press seemed surprised at those words, looking curious and excited. He also saw the concerned looks of his uncle, father, his grandparents and sister, Ekam.

Kiara, Hansraj Phupha and Prabhjyot bua seemed indifferent. Veer, who was beside him, was about to speak out when he caught the shadows approaching the top of the staircase.

Not allowing his little brother to speak on behalf of him, Angad smirked in response. He watched, satisfied when the reporter who dared to speak such words looked nervous.

He gestured behind them,speaking coldly "Aap sab ko meri wife se milna tha, right? Look behind you."

As they turned to face the staircase, everyone single one of the guests gasped in awe. Even his family members were astonished to see such a sight.

On top of the staircase stood four figures. The ladies had finally arrived.

Manveer was clad in a beautiful saree of silver white that was in contrast with a long emerald beads necklace which had a statement middle piece with meenkari work. The jewellery was eye-catching. Manveer's eyes had flickered to first her son and then at Inder. Seeing his gaze, she felt a blush creep up her cheeks.

Angad's gaze shifted to his father on his mother's reaction. His confusion disappeared the moment he laid his eyes on his father who had a love-struck look on his face. It made him smile genuinely in the entire evening. Beside his father, his uncle was in the same state at seeing his dressed up Gurleen chachi who looked just as sweet and gorgeous as she ever did.

Gurleen had worn a traditional suit instead of a saree. It had gorgeous stone work on the pastel pink shade that flickered whenever she moved. Instead of a statement necklace like Manveer, she wore traditional statement earrings with kundan works on them. Her hair was braided on one side with small flowers tucked in intervals to emphasize her voluminous curls. She smiled brightly at the awed looks she received but hid her chuckle at seeing the blush on her sister-in-law's face.

Gurleen nudged Manveer with a mischievous smile. In response Manveer leveled her with a glare that had no effect paired with the sweet smile on her face.

Beside Gurleen watching everything nervously was Keerat. She fidgeted a bit with her translucent dupatta.

Veer felt his jaw drop at Keerat's look as she was nearly unrecognizable. It took him a while to actually recognize her. Unlike her usual tomboy look, she was in a twirling piece of light and dark purple lehenga. It wasn't a heavy garment like almost everyone has worn, yet it shone through it it's simplicity. She only had earrings to accessorize her look with very light make up and the shoulder length curls that highlighted her face.

Veer smirked as he caught her nervous gaze as he gestured that she looked breathtaking. In response, Keerat gave him a tiny smile with her visibly relaxing.

Angad, who had noticed the exchange between the friends, raised his eyebrows as his calculating eyes watched his younger sister-in-law. It wasn't hard for him to understand who had gotten her ready.

His eyes flickered back towards the person in question. His newly wedded wife had stolen all the attention from everyone in the room. Something Seerat had never been able to do even when she wore glamorous dresses with heaves of make-up.

Sahiba took note of the press immediately as she walked down the stairs. Her eyes then seeked Angad. She would never admit it out-loud but the man she married could dress up well. While she never understood what Seerat had seen in him before but at the moment she thought differently.

Angad Singh Brar surrounded by his associates, family and the media exuded an aura of a leader. Even with several well-dressed people around he stood out to her the most. The way he carried himself grabbed people's attention. Sahiba held his eyes as she reached the end of the stairs.

Angad's smirked. Dressed in a gorgeous piece of red and black, Sahiba gave off the royal feeling amazingly well. As she descended downstairs, guided down by his mother and followed by his aunt and her sister, he approached her with a small genuine smile.

Sahiba gave a nervous smile back. When he extended his hand when she arrived at the last few steps it took her a second to place her hand on his. Her eyes expressed how much she felt caged by the current situations. Angad blinked reassuringly in response as her kohl drawn eyes glanced up at him. He intertwined their hands. A gesture of tentative trust.

They turned to face the media, all of whom watched the interaction between them with awed expressions.

Inder smiled at the picture his son and Sahiba presented together. From their complementary clothes to the way they stood intimidated everyone. He could see how wonder-struck everyone were. He watched how they stayed silent, smiling prettily when his Papaji came forward to introduce Sahiba with simple words. His own wife placed a loving hand on Sahiba's arm showing her support before she withdrew with Gurleen and Keerat from the stage that had been set for them.

He had noticed how Veer had immediately attached himself to Keerat, drawing her away from the adults. Ekam had also joined them. He was glad that his brother's children keep the young girl occupied. He smiled when Manveer came to join him. He leaned forward to whisper, "You look beautiful. Gorgeous actually."

He smirked when he noticed her blush. Instead of a simple thank you, he heard his wife response, "Baccho ke samne yeh sab karna zaoori hai? Angad ne sab dekh liya hai. Kitni embarrassing hai." Inder chuckled a bit at her grumbles. He put an arm around her shoulders causing her to widen her eyes which turned into a glare. He simply smiled back as he glanced at his son and newly acquired daughter. Inder felt oddly at peace after a long while.

Angad had noticed how Sahiba beside him exhaled in relief the moment Veer and Ekam took Keerat away from the media. He gently squeezed her palm in reassurance. Sahiba glanced at him with a relieved look before she fortified her walls. Her persona changed completely as her experience in dealing several kinds of people took the front seat. Angad was a bit impressed at how quickly she stabilized her own emotions.

Angad spoke making sure to stand side by side with Sahiba, addressing the media, "Introduction toh sabhi ne de diya hai. I apologize for making you wait so long but I have been clearly told by experienced married men that women need time to get ready. I cannot comment given I am a newcomer on the field."

His words diffused the sudden tension amongst the dumbfounded media and caused sheepish smiles and chuckles from everyone around them. When he glanced at Sahiba with a practiced smile, he noticed the amusement and exasperation in her eyes. His smile reflected genuineness for those few seconds they held each other's gaze before he was back to his well-crafted persona in front of the media and outsiders.

Addressing the reporter who had commented on his well-hidden and covered up blunder of a wedding; he said with a sharp smile, "Well, Miss, I do not know where you get your information but you surely understand that whoever gave you such rubbish news had been lying. Beside me, stands my wife. As for the delayed interview, I preferred my wedding day to be spent with family and loved ones. It was for a pure personal reason that the interview was postponed." His plastic smile remained throughout as he asked again, "I hope your curiosity has been satisfied?"

He saw how flushed the woman was, especially when the other reporters looked pitifully at her. Sahiba was smirking subtly watching the various expressions around her. The guests seemed impressed at them while the people in the family whose opinions mattered sported happy smiles.

When they asked about how they met, Sahiba decided to answer as she send a teasing look at Angad.

"Actually we met quiet accidentally. He had went to the Hazuri Market to find someone to do mirror art on the Paath room. He broke my handmade pot for the Gurudwara and well, that was the starting point really that lead to him falling in love with me!"

Her words caused some laughs and Angad was subjected to sly glances from his friends and other young guests. Angad gave a visible exasperated look at her words while she smirked back at him.

"Yeh kya tha?" Angad whispered. She replied back, "Aap ko akele mazaa lene dena koi irada na hai mainu"

Sahiba indicated the time when he had fun engaging in various acts that made her nervous like the previous comment about making him wait and the time in the morning when they had descended to face the family. He rolled his eyes in response.

Sahiba turned serious for a second as she caught a set of expressions. She whispered quietly, "Do look around a bit."

Angad did as she suggested at her sudden change in tone. He subtly took note of the disgruntled and shocked faces of his aunt and cousin. He quirked a smile meeting Veer's eyes who gave a mischievous smile back.

"My love story is very simple." He said, smiling at the beaming attentive reporters. Sahiba glanced at him in a practiced move. Her eyes showcased her annoyance even though her face held a small soft smile. Angad playacted along as he continued, "Met the girl, fell in love, wooed her, and got married. But there is someone in our family who has an adventurous love life than my boring one."

His words again lightened the atmosphere and made everyone curious. He knew his family would be confused at his statement. Sahiba glanced away from Angad keeping an eye on the expression she truly wanted to watch as the first phase of the plan started.

A reporter took the bait Angad offered; the very same one who had been fed family-inclusive news from Gary.

She asked, "Sir, what do you mean? Do I sense another wedding bell nearby? Perhaps, your brother, Veer Singh Brar?"

Angad was a bit amused at seeing Veer's horrified face, while he let a genuine chuckle pass his lips.Sahiba gave an amused smile in response as well as she noticed the same.

What Angad said next had Gary look at him with dread clear on his face and Sahiba smirk.

"No, Miss. You got the wrong brother. It's Gary Singh Baweja, my cousin."