Chapter 11
Together Them
(September
21, 1980...)
(Handa
Haveli...)
Nazaare
ne bhi kaam kiya waan naqaab ka
Masti
se har nigaah tere rukh par bikhar gayi (Ghalib)
[See
what the sight of your unveiling has done
Every
intoxicated glance came to rest on your face and withered away] (Ghalib)
Maan loved poetry and could quote shayars and poets
from memory. He had always appreciated the beauty of the words that was put
forth. But for the first time he felt he could understand the depth in them.
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Mohinder Lal looked up at Kakku as she came and stood
beside him. He held her hand and gave her a smile that held all his love for
her. He had a sudden epiphany that today would be a day monumental for both the
families. A new start. A new relationship. Maybe that was the reason he had
felt it necessary to have Daman and Nandini along with him.
He was already very happy to know a man like
Chaudhary Ajaipal Singh Khurana and was somehow convinved that Maan would be a good
son-in-law. But today seeing him in person, Mohinder felt glad that he agreed
for this match to go through. The young man was someone worth admiring. There
was only one more matter he needed to discuss. And then everything would be
fine.
His eyes shone with pride as he introduced his kakku,
"Chaudhary ji, she is my pride, my Geet."
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Her head was dipped low, eyes cast down. He was
trying to decipher her. For all her soft appearance, there was a hint of
fortitude in her stance. For all the fairness she possessed on surface, there
was a depth that indicated a positive character. She came across as someone not
too firm in resolve yet not someone who would submit easily. These observations
did not merely come forth from a man feeling pulled by the allure of a woman.
Even if it started so, the trained officer in him took over with an ease.
Objectivity was a constant companion of Maan.
And the same objevtivity was making him realize that
he was lucky that she had not glanced at him till now. Or he would have been
caught staring at her. Maan knew he was staring. And it was rude to stare. And
Jijaji will definitely catch him. He should move his eyes away. Right now.
Right this instant. Before she looks up at him.
And suddenly it struck that he was yet to look at her
eyes. Why wasn't she looking at him?
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"Before any decision is made, it is important you
should know of this. Because tomorrow things may become awkward if you find it
out from someplace else," Mohinder addressed Ajaipal.
"Please feel free to share anything with us Chaudhary
jee," Ajaipal assured.
"It's a simple matter for us. One that makes us
proud of our eldest daughter infact," Mohinder began to explain, "Our son
Lucky...is not our own." He looked at Lucky playing in Sameera's lap, "We have
adopted him and with complete legal formalities. His real parents are Nandini
and Daman."
Awkward silence had impreganated the room. The relevation
took its time to settle in. Mohinder Lal went on to explain the reason why such
a step was taken and wanted to know whether the Khuranas were still willing to
go ahead with this alliance.
Savitri looked at Maan to know his views about this
disclosure.
Maan did not undersatnd what his mother wanted him to
say. How was this information detrimental to the match? How does it make any
difference. In fact the reason that lead for Nandini ji to give away Lucky to
her parents was nothing less than praiseworthy. Such dedication to parents even
after marriage was not easy for girls to fulfill. And for Daman ji to support
her spoke greatly for the man he was. So why was he being asked for approval?
He looked at his father and nodded a yes to him.
Ajaipal feeling proud of his son's decision, smiled
at Mohinder Lal and spoke, "Chaudhary jee, for us Lucky is your son. This makes
no differnce in our eyes."
She was sitting still throughout, but when her father
had started this discussion Geet froze. Waiting to see how these people would
reply. Hearing Khurana ji's positive reply her eyes shot up to where he was
sitting. And her eyes held nothing but gratitude and respect for the old man.
"Chaudhary jee," Ajaipal glanced at Savitri as he
leaned forward to take Mohinder Lal's hand in his, "saade walon rishta pakka
samjho."
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She
would look at my father but not at me.
Infact she would look everywhere but him.
His mother was beaming ever since Ajaipal had
officially given the assent. She gestured Geet to come and sit beside her and
kissed her forehead in adoration. She now sat on one side of Savitri with Maan
on the other.
Wasn't she least bit curious? This day would be a
landmark in her life too. Shouldn't it affect a person when they are about to
join their life with another? I hope it does affect her. That she isn't one of
the majority who have resigned to live their lives as dictated by men in her
life with no hopes and expectations of their own. Because if Maan was getting
married, he was sure he wanted a partner in every sense of the word.
There was a general discussion going around between
his father and Mohinder ji. He vaguely registred his father denying any need
for dowry, his mother insisting that she wants only Geet nothing else, Mohinder
ji thanking them but persistent to gift his daughter all that he has made for
her. But that was merely because he was trained to be that observant. Honestly
admitting, all his faculties were tuned in to whether she would look at him or
not.
His mental musings was interrupted as he heard
Mohinder ji speaking in a grave tone once again.
"I have one request from you all, in fact two if Maan
ji agrees."
"Bejhijak kaho Mohinder ji," Ajaipal prompted.
"Geet is studying in second year. If you could wait
till she completes her graduation for the marriage to take place I shall be
very grateful. It will also give me time to find suitable alliances for my
elder two daughters. She is anyways only nineteen. She is still young to comprehend
what marriage means and the responsibilities it brings forth. This period of
wait will give her time to understand this new chapter in her life," he looked
at Maan while saying this, who seemed kind of dazed. "My other request is more
of a desire of mine. I always wished to see my daughters well-educated and
qualified enough to be independent. They may not need to work after marriage
but it is always a security for a father to see that his daughter will be able
to take care of herself in the worst of conditions. Therefore I request you
puttar ji," Mohinder pleaded to Maan, "if you will allow Geet to continue
higher studies after marriage. You will make this old man very happy if you
agree to my requests."
Nineteen!
Geet was just nineteen. What was his mother thinking? What was I thinking? I
should have enquired about this from the very beginning. The girl is five years
younger than me. And just nineteen. Nineteen. How can they expect her to get
married and take responsibility of a bahu. That too of a joint family like
theirs. He sat lost in his thoughts as every expectant eye
was resting on him. And for the first time in the whole evening even Geet now
sat with a her eyes cast sideways, waiting for his reaction.
"No."
And for a second the room was filled with dread.
"Geet will not continue her studies after marriage.
She will complete her studies and only then we will take this relationship forward.
It will not be fair for her to be saddled with responsibilities of a
daughter-in-law or of a wife and add strain in path to pursue her dreams. And
it is certainly not fair that I, a stranger, takes a place of priority in her
life when her father has dedicated all his life to her upbringing and
wellness." He folded his hands towards Mohinder Lal and assured, "Only after
she honors your wishes and fulfill her duty as a daughter, I will take her to my home as my wife."
Had Maan not be so engaged in assuring Mohinder ji,
he would have noticed the look of disbelief that Geet held in her eyes while looking at him.
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Savitri wasn't happy with Maan's decision. But this was
not a place to show her displeasure. She saw no reason why to wait for so long
when Geet could have easily studied after marriage. She wasn't against Geet
studying at all. But she was truthful to admit that she selfishly wanted Geet
to becoms her bahu as soon as possible. However, Maan had given his word and
their was nothing else they could do now.
Except...
She silently took her husband's approval and fished
in her purse. As she found it she spoke to Mohinder Lal, "Chaudhary jee, now
that every other thing has been discussed and Maan has given his decision we
would like to present shagun to your Geet and make her our Geet from this day
forth."
Maan understood that his mother was hinting at the thakka to take place now.
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They were now ready to leave. The ceremony took place
amidst a festive mood. Mohinder presented Maan with a silver coin as shagun and
Savitri, to Maan's surprise brought forth a kangan that belonged to his Dadi to
present to Geet. Ajaipal Singh Khurana proudly called Mohinder Lal Handa as samdhi ji and hugged him like a brother. And Mohinder Lal was too overwhelmed to say anything at all. Later, in true Punjabi fashion, food was served. And now
having the right to officially call Maan as her son-in-law Rano lavished all
her attention to feed Maan. And Maan hated attention of any kind. But he did
not have the heart to stop her at all.
"Auntyji," Maan hesitantly called out to Rano after
the meal got over, "umm...I wanted to wash my hands?"
"Haan puttar, ek minute." Rano called out to Geet who
had later stood up and was sitting in a corner with her sisters, "Geet, iderr
aa. Maanji nu wash-basin tak le jaa."
She nodded her head and led the way to the wash-basin
in the gallery.
And she had still not looked at him.
All he could see was her eyelashes that shielded her
eyes. She had such long eyelashes. Maan was sure he had never seen such long,
delicate eyelashes before. Not that he has ever noticed the eyelashes of a
woman. But he was sure that had he ever come across such a feature he surely
would have noticed. Why wouldn't she raise her eyes upto him?
Maan wondered if he should say something. Introduce
himself maybe. But she already knows my name, my family. What does one do in
such a situation?
He wiped his hands with the towel she held out and
she started to turn back.
"Geet..."
She stilled mid-way and replied with her back facing
him, "Jee."
"Umm...are you...I mean all this...uhh...are you fine with
this?"
"Does it matter?"
"It definitely should."
She turned back and glared at him, "I wish it would."
Saying so she ran away to her room, leaving behind a stumped and amused Maan.
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