FF : Yeh Dooriyaan *SahAn + Veerat* (Updated 10/06) - Page 28

Chapter 13 - The Preparation of the Exhibition.

Brar Estate, Living Room, Breakfast time

The previous day had been the Anand Kaaraj of Seerat and Garry. The elders had been exhausted just because of Jasleen's cribbing. She had problems with everything - from the decorations to the guest list.

Even Garry had remained sensible and had not spoken much to earn anyone's attention on him. Kiara had stayed quiet as well. Amongst the youngsters only Kiara, Prince and Ekam had attended the ceremony. From the Brar's side, Angad and Veer had used the excuse of too much work pressure with the upcoming exhibition. Sahiba had excused herself by saying she had clearance sale of her shop. Keerat had outright refused to attend. Even Ajeet and Sukhi Tayi hadn't managed to convince her.

So Seerat and Garry had their wedding ceremony without any relatives from either side of the family. It had been a point of contention with Jasleen. As expected.Today was Seerat's Pehli Rasoi. Manveer was already dreading the breakfast at the table. She had arrived at the dinning table to find everyone seating peacefully. It had surprised her.

Finding her father-in-law's stern gaze flickering from each of the people to her, she realized why they were being so well-behaved.

"Good morning Papaji." She greeted. Akaal greeted back with a relieved smile at seeing Manveer, "Good morning puttarji."

Jasleen watching the exchange angrily. She hated how her father favored his daughter-in-law over his daughter so blatantly. To draw attention away from Manveer, she said, "Parjai, sahi samay par ayi hai aap. Seerat ki pehli rasoi hai. Neg toh dengi na aap?"

Manveer smiled, "Pehle khana toh banane doh tumhari bahu ko Jasleen. Waise dikh nehi rahi hai. Kaha gyi?"

"Wo toh Parjai, subhe se lagi hui hai khana banane mei!" answered Prabhjyot with a smirk. Manveer raised an eyebrow, "Acha? Toh aaj bohot kuch milega hume breakfast mei. I look forward to it." Jasleen was a bit irritated at the non-reaction of Manveer but refrained from commenting.

Noticing the kitchen staff setting down covered bowls, Manveer sat down. She looked around table, noticing the absence of Angad and Sahiba. She asked one of the staff, "Suno, Angad aur Sahiba kaha hai? Unhe kaho breakfast karne ke liye niche aa jai!"

"Ma'am, Angad Sir aur Sahiba Ma'am ne already breakfast kar liya hai."

"What?"

"Ji Ma'am. Sahiba Ma'am prepared breakfast at seven in the morning. Angad sir had already left for office."

Manveer glanced at the wall clock. Her brow's rose at the time. It was barely nine in the morning. Just then her attention shifted to the noise of anklets.

Sahiba entered the room, rummaging through her satchel for something. She was dressed in clothes for a casual outing. Manveer was very happy to see her wearing clothes she had chosen for her. She hid her smile at the shocked look that crossed Jasleen, Prabhjyot, Kiara and Hansraj.

Sahiba looked up, her gaze meeting Manveer's. A brilliant smile played on her lips as she bounced towards her. "Good morning Mumma! Mujhe aaj thoda jaldi jana hai. Shop ka last day clearance sale hai. Kuch official formalities bhi complete karni hai."

Manveer nodded fondly, "Woh saab toh thik hai beta. But tum dono ne aaj itni jaldi kyu breakfast kar liya?"

"Aur kis liye!" interjected Prabhjyot snidely, "Apni behen ki pehli rasoi mei nehi rehna hai isliye. She knows she can't cook better than Seerat. We had Seerat's food before in the Arora's house, didn't we? It was so good."

Sahiba rolled her eyes, ignoring her. She smiled at Manveer reassuringly, "Wo Mumma ajj Board meeting hai. Angad left early due to that." Her eyes flickered towards the clock, "And, I need to go too."

"Alright beta." Manveer nodded, "You'll be back for lunch?"

"Nope." Sahiba shook her head negatively, as she poured a glass of orange juice, "Angad, Veer, Keerat and I are having lunch together. I'll return home back with Angad."

Manveer smiled while Prabhjyot and Jasleen exchanged startled glances. Akaal sighed in relief at the proof that everything was alright amidst the elder couple of the generation. He had been fearing a repeat of Inder-Manveer's relationship.Just then Sahiba's screen flashed with 'Angad' as her ringtone played in the background. Hurriedly she picked up the call as she gulped down the rest of her juice.

"Hello?"

"Sahiba, meri red file kaha hai?"

Sahiba blinked at his urgent voice."How would I know? You were the one who kept it."

"I'm not getting it. Dekho na room mei hai yeha nehi."

Sahiba replied exasperatedly, "It's not there in the room. I remember you taking it along with you to office. Aap ne bag mei check kiya?"

Manveer raised an eyebrow, "Angad is always organized. What did he misplace?"

"Ek second, hold on."

Sahiba sighed, mouthing to Manveer, "A file. Your son is misplacing a lot of things these days, Mumma."

Manveer stifled a smile, "Put on the speaker."

"Mil gaya!" Angad's voice sounded triumphantly, "Yeh saab tumhari wajah se ho raha hai."

Annoyance crossed Sahiba's countenance. "How is it my fault you weren't getting your file? I'm not even there!"

"Aaadat toh tumne hi bigari hai. Do you know how organized I am?"

She quickly countered,"Yeh kaisi aadat hai jo itni jaldi bigar jaati hai?"

Inder who had arrived long enough to listen in the conversation, chuckle to himself. He interjected wrapping an arm round Sahiba's shoulder, "Ek dam sahi kaha!" Addressing Angad, he teased, "Janab, isse aadat nehi kehte, vyaah kehte hai."

"Papa!" Angad's tone was scandalized, "Aap kahe se agaye? Main rakhta hu! Bye."

The line turned dead. Sahiba burst into peals of laughter. Inder and Akaal chuckled feeling lightened. Manveer's shoulder shook with suppressed laughter while Gurleen freely giggled.

"Mumma," Sahiba complained, "Dekha na aapne! He keeps on blaming me for something or the other even if I am not there." She demanded. "I want you to scold him."

Manveer nodded with an amused smile, "Thik hai. Aane do usseh. Aaj nehi chorungi."

She brightened up leaning in to speak conspiratorially, "But wait for me, okay? Angad ki dhulayi dekhne mei bohot maaza aayega! Life mei aisi opportunity baar baar nehi ayigi."

"Absolutely!" Inder added, "Hum baap-beti milke maaza lenge. What say?" Sahiba hi-fived him with a grin. Then as if realizing the time she added, "Papa, Mumma, Daarji, Chachi, main chalti hu. I'm getting late."

Manveer instructed as she handed her an apple, "Haan, have this fruit in the car. Sambhalke jana. Pohoch ke ek call kar dena beta."

"Haanji Mumma." Sahiba nodded, taking the apple, moving around to give a hug to Inder as well. "Bye!"

But their happiness could not be seen by Jasleen. She spoke up after noticing Seerat standing at the threshold of the kitchen with a jealous look on her face. "Itni bhi kya jaldi hai, Sahiba? If you could waste time by gossiping around then you could wait a few minutes more. Wo dekho! Seerat is here. Taste her food and then leave."

Sahiba was frustrated at this woman. She wouldn't have interfered in the Pehli Rasoi of Seerat if this woman was not getting on her nerves. Deciding to get the last word, she walked inside the kitchen making everyone look at each other quizzically. Even Seerat was confused and confident that Sahiba would not find anything.

She showed a receipt to Akaal, meeting Jasleen's eyes, "Buaji, mujhe Seerat ke haat ka khana khane ki zaroorat nehi hai. Kya hai na, main 'Sangeeta's Restaurant' ka khana kha chuki hu." Jasleen's eyes widened as she glared furiously at the stupefied and pale looking Seerat. "Jab wo khud khana banaye toh kehna, main zaroor khaungi!"She turned to Prabhjyot and said coolly, "And for your kind information, Prabhjyot Bua, Arora house mei khana maine banaya tha. Apki Seerat ne nehi."

Manveer smirked while Akaal shook his head, gazing disappointingly at Seerat. Sahiba waved at Manveer and Inder as she walked out of the hall.

Manveer taunted Seerat the moment Sahiba left, "Seerat, if you've to resort to such tricks then make sure we don't find proofs lying around us. Understood beta?"

Keerat's College

Reem hurried up to catch with her speedily walking friend, "Keerat! Wait a moment!"

"Sorry yaar!" Keerat gave an apologetic smile, "I am running late. My Sahiba Di would be waiting for me."

"Oh!" perked up Reem, "The Sahiba Di we have been hearing about this past month? Can I meet her?"

"Meet whom?" Akhilesh chimed in with a raised eyebrow as he joined them.

"Sahiba Di!"

"Really?" Akhilesh beamed at Keerat, "We are meeting Ms. Superhero?"

"Don't call her that." She slapped his arm playfully as she moved towards the main road which was a bit away from her college. Seeing the black Mercedes parked to a side and the blurry figure of her sister, she jogged the last few meters.

"Di!! Sahiba Di!"

Her Sahiba di turned and her attire shocked Keerat enough that she forgot to hug her elder sister.

Dressed in jeans and a white shirt, sporting some delicate layer jewellery and high-heeled pumps, Sahiba looked completed different. Sahiba nervously moved a lock of wavy hair behind her ear, jingling the delicate hoop earrings.

"You look rocking Di!" Keerat squealed after she got over her shock jostling Sahiba in a tight hug.

Keerat felt an emotion of relief seeing her sister wearing things she couldn't wear due to their family struggles. It had always been Seerat who had gotten the pretty dresses, colorful tops and high-quality jeans. They had been asked to wear her cast-offs to save money. But now seeing her sister in such good clothes made Keerat immensely happy.

Sahiba chuckled hugging her back. She gave a smile at the two teens standing behind her sister with awed looks. "Hello.You must be Akhilesh and Reem. I've heard about you."

"Wow!" Akhilesh murmured, "You're gorgeous Ms. Superhero!"

"Pagal!!" Keerat launched an attack of slaps on his shoulder immediately, "Shaadi shuda hai wo!"

"Arey arey Keerat! Kya kar rahi hai?" Sahiba separated them laughing a bit, "Thank you Akhilesh. No one called me gorgeous before."

"Then your husband is a dufus." Akhilesh declared. "Nice to meet you Ms Gorgeous Superhero. I am Akhilesh." Keerat slapped her forehead. Reem looked exasperated at her brother but entertained at the situation.

Sahiba shook his hand with an amused smile, "Nice to meet you Akhilesh."

As her sister turned to speak with Reem, Keerat whispered, "Acha hua Jiju yeha nehi hai nehi toh teri dhulayi pakki thi."

Akhilesh shrugged with a teasing glint in his eyes, "Keerat pehlwan apne Jiju se daarti hai kya?"

"O hello! Kya bakwaas kar raha hai?" Keerat narrowed her eyes, "Tujhe darna chahiye. Yeh teri flirt karne ki aadat na sach mei aafat laigi ek din."

"Tab ka tab dekhenge. Abhi se uska tension kyu lena?"

Brar Estate, Living Room, Night time

Angad had just entered the main house with Sahiba and Veer. All three of them were whispering to each other looking serious and engrossed in their discussion. They did not notice that the entire family had assembled in the living room. When they did, it was Sahiba who went towards Akaal. She gave a stern look. "Did you have your medicines after lunch, Daarji?"

Akaal blinked, a sheepish look crossing his face that made Angad shake his head disappointingly and Veer to stifle a smile at their reactions. Sahiba narrowed her eyes while Akaal said, "I forgot, puttar. Koi baat nehi main dinner ke baad le lunga."

"Medicine hai Daarji gulab jamun nehi jo aap jab chaye tab kha ley!" admonished Sahiba, "Mithai khana toh aap bhulte nehi hai. Sirf medicines bhul jaatey hai."

"Inka kuch nehi hone wala aise." murmured Angad pinching the bridge of his nose, "Bebe ko Bathinda se jaldi wapas lana parega toh shayad kuch ho sakta hai Daarji ka."

"Ek dam sahi kaha tumne puttar." teased Inder with a small smile, "Papaji ko jab tak Mumma daat nehi deti tab tak unka khana hazaam hota nehi hai."

"Chup kar!" Akaal gave a mock glare at his chuckling elder son. "Nehi toh tujhe daat paregi ab."

Inder shrugged nonchalantly; his good mood was evident in his smile. It warmed Akaal heart to see his eldest so carefree with him after nearly three decades. He had never thought he would be able to mend his relation with him. His eyes flickered towards the amused looking Sahiba and Angad and his gaze softened. It was because of them that such light-heartedness had arrived amongst Inder-Manveer's relation. Not to mention, his son had started to take an interest in family matters instead of staying away all time.

"By the way why is everyone together all of a sudden?" Veer questioned curiously, "Koi important meeting chal rahi hai kya?"

"Nehi puttar." Akaal said with a smile, "Wo toh main Angad ka wait kar raha tha. Yeh sab yeha kya kar rahe hai yeh toh wahi jane. Angad puttar, tu mere saat chal. Sahiba, beta tu bhi fresh ho ke aa jaa. Nayi designs toh tu design kar rahi hai, hai na? Mujhe dekhne hai tere designs."

"Haanji Daarji." Sahiba nodded, "Main abhi layi."

Jasleen interrupted, "Waah Papa! Waah! Kya partiality kiye jaa rahe hai aap! Ghar ki betiyo ko toh koi haak nehi hai aapne hi papa ke business mei kam karne ki but ghar ki bahuo ko itni azaadi di jaa rahi hai."

"Wo haak unhone kamayi hai Jasleen." Akaal said sternly, "Ghar ki betiyon mei aisa kya hai jo wo contribute kar sake business mei? Tum toh college drop-out ho. Mere mana karne ke bawajoot tumne Graduation se pehle hi bhaag ke vyaah kar liya. Prabhjyot parhai mei utni acchi nehi hai. Aag mei ghee daalne ke alawa use aur koi kaam ata nehi hai. To baatao Jasleen, kya contribute kar paogi tum ya tumhari behen business mei?"

Jasleen and Prabhjyot stood stumped as for the first time ever their father had questioned them in such an outright manner. Akaal gave a grim smile, "Tum dono se koi umeed nehi hai mujhe. Manveer to phir bhi achi spokesperson hai. Ek achi diplomat hai. Sahiba mei kayi gun hai jiske jhalak toh sab ko mil hi chuke hai. Yeh dono humare business mei kuch contribute kar payenge isiliye unhe wo opportunity di gayi hai. Yeh baatein jitni jaaldi tum dono ke samaj a jay utna acha hai."

Angad shook his head, whispering to Sahiba, "Yeh dono kabhi nehi sudharne waali."

Sahiba murmured, "Can we just leave? Yeh living room drama mujhe bardaash nehi hota.I am tired." He nodded, grabbing her hand and sneaking by.

"Yeh lo..." Veer grumbled as he followed after them, "Mujhe chor ke chale gaye yeh dono. As days go by they are becoming more like Laila and Majnu."