Situation: Sahiba’ 1st rasoi in the hostile Brar environment.
Title Inspired by:
Zindagi Ka Safar Hai Ye Kaisa Safar
Koi Samjha Nahin Koi Jaana Nahin
Hai Ye Kaisi Dagar Chalte Hain Sab Magar
Koi Samjha Nahin Koi Jaana Nahin
Sahiba knows she has a war to fight courtesy of her Mummy and Seerat Di. It was all their machinations that led to this unwanted marriage which was a burden on both her and that ATM. She couldn't blame the Brars for their hostile ways though at times it appeared downright demeaning.
As she had declared herself a Brar bahu in front of ATM, she knew she would have to comply with performing the rituals that a bahu does whether she likes it or not. She had spoken with kind house help who had directed her to the storeroom about what would be made the next day.
She removed her ghunghat, and her churas as they would be a hindrance in cleaning the storeroom. It was a sight to see that even baffled all the Brar household staff: a newly decked bride cleaning a locked up room in all her bridal finery. Honestly, Sahiba didn’t care about the lehenga getting ruined. Her life was ruined, why would she bother about a mere piece of clothing.
Some of the house-helps feeling bad for Sahiba tried to interject to help, “Bahurani, aap chhaddo. Hum kar deinge.”
Sahiba only smiled, and respectfully declined, “Arrey koi nahin. Main manage kar loongi. Agar ho sake toh aap Veer ji ko bula deinge?”
“Haan, Bahurani, abhi bula dete hain.” Spoke the house helps. They were happy to know that the new bride did not carry an air of superiority and treated them with dignity.
When Veer came by, he was surprised to be led to the storeroom. It was far away tucked in a corner. Why did heartist ji, err I mean Bhabhi decide to come here? - he thought.
Sahiba smiled seeing and asked him to come into the store room, “Aa jao aap. Yeh mera room hai.”
Veer was shocked seeing Sahiba all dusty in her lehenga. Well he had been getting shockers since Sahiba exposed the complete truth. He softly spoke, “Aap yahaan rahoge?”
“Haan Veer ji. This is the perfect room for me. I don’t want to cause any hindrance to anyone. So best to stay tucked away.” Sahiba smiled.
“I had a request, Veer ji, and at this moment, only you can help. Can you go to my house, and ask Keerat to pack my clothes and my work materials? In all this chaos, I forgot to get my luggage.” Sahiba asked hesitantly.
“Sure, I can do that. Anything else you need?” Veer was concerned.
“Can you get me a kerosene oil stove?” Sahiba asked hesitantly, and then added, “I would need it for my first rasoi, and I’m not sure if I would be allowed in the kitchen. Plus, I would rather not disappoint Daarji.”
Veer nodded, and headed off to Monga house to get the requested items. He truly felt bad, but somehow his heart bled for his new Bhabhi who was brought in a hostile environment with everyone against her, perhaps not Daarji and him.
Next Day:
Sahiba had woken up early and prepared items for her first rasoi. She had the house-helps add them to the breakfast spread. Then she went about her day, fulfilling the orders she had received from Etsy and Instagram. She stayed in her room with the window open to allow sunlight to seep in.
Daarji along with the complete Brar family sat at the table, and had started to eat.
Gurleen took one of the soya chaaps, and suddenly felt as if she had tasted the same taste somewhere before. She looked at her husband Jaspal, and signaled him to eat. He too recognized the same taste.
Bebe had been eating the halwa, and exclaimed, “Neelu, halwa tastes just like the way my mom used to make. What did you do?”
Neelu halted as she spoke, “Ma’am halwa is made by Bahurani. Along with the spinach parathas, raita and soya chaaps.”
Bebe grimaced hearing this, and pushed her plate away. Angad who had been reaching out for a 3rd paratha, stopped and changed the direction of his hands to take the cut fruits.
Akaal asked for Sahiba to be brought to the dining area.
When Sahiba came, Akaal turned to Jagjyot and asked her, “Tum isse kuch nahin dogi pehli rasoi ki rasm mein? ”
Jagjyot looked displeased at being questioned by her husband for a girl who she had yet to come to terms with.
Sahiba tried to salvage the situation, by asking Akaal, “Daarji, if you don’t mind, I’d rather ask you for something I would like.”
As soon as she said this, she could hear Angad's taunt, “She's going to come straight down to money. Bloody low class cheat.”
Sahiba gulped, and refrained her tears from spilling out as Akaal asked her, “Bol Sahiba, tujhe kya chahiye? Hum Ludhiana ke sabse vadde sonar hain.”
“Daarji, mujhe bina rok tok bahar jaane ki permission chahiye. I need to go to my shop on a daily basis, and times need to be out getting the supplies I need for work. So, I think it would be easier if I had the permission to do so without restrictions.”
Akaal studied her face, and could see she needed to venture out from the poisonous environment at home, “Theek hai Puttar. Tujhe main puri azaadi deta hoon. Tujhe joh karna, jahan jaana hai, berok kar. Par itna dhyaan rakhi, ke Brar naam par dhabba na aaye.”
Saying this, Akaal got up and left. Sahiba too was to go, when Gurleen asked her, “Sahiba, tumhare khane mein Seerat ke banaye khane jaisa swad kaise?”
Sahiba meekly smiled, and decided to pardafash this lie as well, “Ji, when did you eat food cooked by Seerat Di? Seerat Di doesn’t know how to cook.”
Gurleen looked puzzled, and then Manveer spoke, “So you had made the food at your Masi’s house?”
“Yes, and I need to go now to my shop.” Saying this, Sahiba left. Sahiba didn’t realize, but she had begun slowly chipping away at Angad’s perfect view of Seerat. He was livid about being duped by Sahiba once again.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
