Hi Everyone,
Hope you all are enjoying the holiday season!
Here is the next update. Do let me know how you find it.
I am starting a new thread for this FF today as the previous thread has already reached 150 pages. Thank you all so much for this wonderful response! I am truly humbled and extremely happy.
Lots of love and a big hug!
May.
Link to the first thread and the earlier 14 chapters - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5036906
Chapter 15
Post the visit to the Agarwals and the conversation with Naina in the car, Nanaji had not experienced even a moment of peace. He had been livid at Sameer for whatever he had said to that poor girl. Cause whatever he had said to her, had led her to believe that they might never bring her home. He had seen enough of this world and also the Agarwal family dynamics, to understand only too well that she had spent all her life feeling like a burden. But every time she smiled with a twinkle in her beautiful eyes or on the few occasions she had laughed merrily in his house, he had felt like the gods were finally smiling and blessing his home. Like everything would only get better from here on, for all three of them.
As soon as Ramdhari opened the door, Nanaji asked him a little stiffly "Sameer kaha hai? Ramdhari replied "Bhaiya ka factory se phone aaya tha ke kaam khatam hone ke baad udhar se hi apne doston ke sath khana khane aur phir film dekhne jaayenge. Raat ko late aayenge aaj. Hearing this Nanaji's irritation only increased, thinking there she was sitting with tears in her eyes while he was out having fun with his friends. When Ramdhari asked "Khana kitne baaje lagau? Nanaji told him that he had eaten something at Naina's house and would just have a glass of milk tonight. Ramdhari happily responded "Bhabhi ke ghar gaye thay aap? Kaisi hai unki tabiyat? Sunday ko aayengi na? Nanaji just made some vague replies and headed to his room to change.
Sameer had been very pleased when Munna had called at the factory to check if he would like to join them for a movie that evening. The final stage of the installation was being delayed a little as some part had been broken and had to be reordered from Calcutta. Nanaji had suggested that he should check if some things could be moved around to that the overall schedule would not be impacted and they won't have to pay the installing company for just sitting around. After a lot of brainstorming with his team they had decided that some parts of theoretical training scheduled for later could be covered now. Their own staff had to reschedule some work and finally the training sessions were started. Once again, the project delivery timeline seemed to be under control.
He felt like he had really earned some downtime now. The work was obviously challenging and to add to that stress, Nanaji had been expressing his concern about Naina's health since she did not visit on Sunday, using that as an excuse. He was certain that it was just an excuse since he saw her in the college the very next day and she had been full of attitude. The moment she saw him, she had turned away and headed in the opposite direction, as if though he was in the wrong and not the other way around. Well, she could keep sulking for a few more days... The phone rang with a supplier calling about some pending payments interrupting his line of thought.
Once Ramdhari gave him the milk, Nanaji asked him to leave for the day and settled in the little sitting area near the main door. Usually he found it quite relaxing to sit here enjoying the evening breeze and listening to the local news or sometimes some old songs on the radio. But today nothing could sooth his soul. He felt so disheartened, just so unsure how to fix this new mess that his grandson seemed bent on creating. He had actually been very pleased and proud of the way Sameer was tackling this project. He knew it couldn't be easy for his grandson, but he was tackling all the challenges with so much drive and dedication. Also, whatever little interaction he had seen between Sameer and Naina over the last month or so, had left him with the feeling that they were slowly getting to know each other and learning to get along.
Vishakha always complained that Sameer was extremely stubborn and never spared any thought to other's feelings, but he had thought that she just didn't understand him or didn't handle most situations with the delicate touch that they required. Had she been right all along or where was he going wrong? Whatever it be, this couldn't go on. Sameer needed to understand for once and all that he was married, and it was time to man up. Gone were the days of being a carefree boy. He would not put up with such irresponsible behaviour.
It is said that distance is never a barrier when it comes to our hearts recognising the agitation that a loved one is undergoing. Telepathy though has not been proved scientifically, many will swear by a number of instances, when we have experienced it first-hand. The phone rang and as Nanaji answered it, he felt some instant relief on hearing Rustom's voice at the other end. A minute or so into the conversation as they asked about each other's welfare, Rustom asked him "Pehele yeh bata tu pareshan kyun hai? Initially he tried to brush it off, but then realised what was the point of hiding anything from his best friend.
He went on to explain about his visit to Naina and the discovery that Sameer had fought with her and forbid her from visiting. He told Rustom how he was extremely angry and disappointed. Rustom asked "Sameer se baat ki? Poocha achanak aaisa kya ho gaya hai? Nanaji replied "Achanak kya hona hai? Pehele din se hi usne na ka paath lagake rakha hai. Kuch samajhne ko tayar hi nahi hai. Mujhe hi lagne laga tha ke halat kuch behetar hone lage hai. Naina toh apni taraf se koshish karne mein lagi hai, par iski akal pe hi tala pada hai! Aur ab khud gaya hai doston ke sath film enjoy karne!
After letting off some of the steam, he continued sounding rather low "Pata nahi Rustom, mujhe toh ab kuch samajh nahi aa raha hai ke kya karu. Maine socha tha ke bidai mein itna waqt hai, tab tak usne jaanne lagega, toh Khushi Khushi apna lega yeh rishta. Tum toh mile ho na ab Naina se, kitni pyari bachi hai.
Rustom asked how Sameer's Project in the factory was coming along, to which Nanaji replied positively "Project bahoot acha chal raha hai, kaam toh maan lagakar hi kar raha hai. Bus aur aath-dus din mein nayi machine pe production chalu ho jayega. Vishakha keh rahi hai woh aayegi uss waqt. Factory mein chottisi pooja rakhne ka socha hai. Naina ko bhi milne ki jaldi ho rahi hai Vishakha ko. Par ab yeh aaise Naina se jhagadne mein laga rahega toh kya khaak acha lagega Naina ko apni saas se milna?!
Rustom tried to get him to calm down "Jaiprakash, shaant ho jao. Dekho abhi toh dono ek dusre ko jaante bhi nahi hai. Chalo tumne Naina ke sath waqt guzara hai, usse samajhne lage ho. Par yeh bhi toh socho, unn dono ne kaha ek dusre ke sath waqt guzara hai. Shaadi ko char mahine se upar ho gaye hai, par ab tak kya ek baar bhi ek ghanta bhi ek dusre se baate ki hai? Dekho yeh aaj kal ka generation hai, aaise hi dono mein understanding thode hi aayegi. Behrooz toh Freni ko dedh saal se jaanta tha shaadi se pehele aur pasand bhi karta tha, phir bhi mujhe achi tarha yaad hai, jab actual shaadi ka waqt pass aaya tha toh kitna nervous lagne laga tha. Sameer ka toh nervous hona bilkul natural hai.
Nanaji could see the sense behind his friend's words but couldn't think how to resolve the issue. He tried to explain "Rustom, tum jaante ho humari biradari mein yeh sab alag hota hai. Pehele hi maine usske ghar walo ko shaadi ke baad turant bidai ke liye mana kar diya. Ab yeh toh nahi expect kar sakta ke woh phir bhi apni beti ko Sameer ke sath ghumne bheje. Yeh nahi ho sakta, kafi conservative type ki family hai uski.
Nanaji heard Dinaz asking something in the background and Rustom trying to explain the situation to her. Rustom then ended the call saying that he would talk to Dinaz properly and call him back. Nanaji spent the next 45 minutes thinking about what Rustom had pointed out about the new couple hardly spending any time together. Somewhere he had hoped that they would start spending some time together in college or just communicating over the phone, but it seemed these sorts of interactions had been too limited.
When the phone rang again, this time it was Dinaz at the other end. Nanaji was only too pleased to have a woman's perspective on the situation, his Janaki had always been so intuitive about things like this, he really missed her terribly.
Dinaz started "Bhaiji, Rustom ne sab bataya hai mujhe. Aap itni chinta mat kijiye sab theek ho jayega. Par Rustom ne jo kaha aapse bilkul sahi hai. Dekh lena ek baar woh ghar aa jaaye toh char din mein humara yeh buddhu uske ird-gird bhavre ki tarah mandhrana shuru kar denga! Nanaji conceded "Ha Bhabhi, shayad aap bilkul theek keh rahi hai... bhagwan kare aaisa hi ho. Bus tab tak mujhe chinta lagi rahegi. Dinaz taking a brief pause continued "Bhaiji, waise main soch rahi thi... maine Rustom se bhi kaha aur usse bhi theek lag raha hai, toh ek sujhav hai. Dekhiye pehele jo bhi kaha tha aapne usse chodiye aur usse ab jaldi ghar le aayiye. Char mahine toh ho hi gaye hai, toh aur che-aath mahine rukne ka kya fayida? Naina aur usske ghar walo ko bhi tasalli ho jayegi, dono sath rehna shuru karenge toh saara gila sheekwa khatam ho jayega.
Nanaji was baffled by this suggestion, he asked "Bhabhi aaise kaise suddenly bidai ki baat ho sakti hai? Humne saaf mana kiya tha uske ghar walo ko. Dinaz came up with a solution which probably only women can in situations like this "Aare issme kya hai? Aapki bahu hai, aap jab chahe ghar le aaye! Chalo, ab factory mein pooja hai na? Toh keh dena ke Sameer ka pehle project itna acha hua hai toh uske aur bahu ke hathon hi pooja karwana chahate hai, aur phir pooja ke baad ghar ki Laxmi ko wapas bhejna theek nahi lagta toh bus apne sath ghar le jana chahate hai.
As Nanaji stayed silent trying to absorb this new suggestion, Dinaz continued "Bhaiji itna mat sochiye, issme galat hi kya hai? Bahu ko ghar la rahe hai, wapas maike thodi bhejne ki baat ho rahi hai. Main jaanti hu aap toh usse palko pe rakhenge! Rustom keh raha tha ke Vishakha aane ka soch rahi hai Pooja mein toh phir Naina ko bida karke lane mein aur bhi aasani hogi. Usse kahiye kuch din wahi ruke aur Bahu ko ghar mein theek se settle kar de.
Dinaz then said "Yeh lijiye Rustom ko kuch baat karni hai. Ek baar aap decide kar le toh bata dijiye, main Vishakha se bhi baat kar lungi. She said her goodbye and Rustom came on the line "Jaiprakash, mujhe to Dinaz ka suggestion bahoot sahi lag raha hai. Tum soch lo aur agar chaho toh main Sameer se baat kar sakta hu. Bus ek baat aur kahunga, agar tum bidai jaldi karne ka faisla lete bhi ho, toh Sameer ko factory ke kaam mein bandh mat dena abhi se, itni saari zimedariya ek sath handle karna difficult ho jayega uske liye. Waise bhi kuch mahino mein college khatam hoga toh phir toh usne kaam karna hi hai. Nanaji wholeheartedly thank Rustom and Dinaz for their support as they ended the call.
Talking to Dinaz he started feeling reassured once again that Naina would be able to make a place in his grandson's heart. He had come to admire her spirit of resilience and tenacity, she would show the required patience and win him over, he thought. But he still kept debating on the pros and cons of preponing the bidai.
The next morning, Nanaji was still not in a very good mood and kept his interactions with Sameer to the bare minimum. Sameer sensed something was off but couldn't understand what. Once Nanaji left the breakfast table, Sameer asked Ramdhari "Kuch hua hai kya? Nanaji ka mood much theek nahi lag raha hai. He replied "Pata nahi, par kal raat ko khana bhi nahi khaya, hum toh sirf dudh deke chale gaye thay. Sameer asked "Khana kyun nahi khaya? Tabiyat toh theek hai na unki?! Ramdhari explained "Keh rahe thay Bhabhi ke ghar thoda jyada nashta ho gaya sham ko, issiliye bhuk nahi thi. Sameer was confused "Kaunsi Bhabhi ke ghar gaye thay? He laughed "Kya Bhaiya, ek hi toh Bhabhi hai, Naina Bhabhi ke ghar gaye thay. Aur kisay Bhabhi kahenge hum!
Sameer felt a little nervous wondering why had Nanaji gone there. Had she complained to her family and had they in turn called his grandfather to complain? He spent the rest of the day feeling a little on the edge and wondering if he should ask Nanu if something had happened or should he ask her? But she didn't arrive in college before he left for the factory.
Nanaji resisted his urge to take Sameer to task at the breakfast table and decided to first figure out which way he wanted to head. Reviewing the progress at work, it was confirmed that the installation would be completed as per schedule. He called up Vishakha and checked with her if she could definitely make it for the Pooja. When she shared that she was really looking forward to the event and was feeling proud of Sameer's first success, he brought up the idea of preponing the bidai with her. Vishakha was surprised hearing this, but after hearing glowing reports about Naina from her father the past few months, she was happy to let him decide as per what he deemed appropriate. She assured him that she would come stay for a week or so to help with all the preparations and help Naina settle in.
The next day after having dwelt on the situation for what felt like a very long time to him, Nanaji made a decision and called Sameer in his cabin at the factory. As Sameer entered, he started "Baitho beta, abhi meri Mr Khanna se baat hui. Tumhari bahoot tariff kar rahe thay. He is very impressed with how you have handled this project. Sab kuch bilkul as per the schedule ho raha hai. Congrats beta. He finished very warmly and looking very satisfied. Sameer felt such a huge sense of achievement and relief. His Nanu was truly happy and proud of him. He got up from his chair and walked to Nanaji and hugged him bending forward saying very emotionally "Thank you Nanu! Aap khush hai toh main bhi khush.
Nanaji hugged back him fondly and said "Sameer, kuch aur bhi baat karni hai tum se. Baitho. Beta, project itna acha hua hai aur nayi machine beethayi hai toh pooja hogi factory mein. Tumhari Mummy aur Vivek bhi aane wale hai. Main chahata hu, pooja mein tum aur Naina sath baitho. Bahu ko sab se milna bhi ho jayega issi bahane se. Humhare kuch khaas rishtaydaron, doston aur business wale logon ko bhi boola lenge. Shaadi ke baad humne koi function nahi kiya hai toh yeh acha occasion ho jayega. Sameer sensing that this was not really open for discussion nodded his head in acceptance and mumbled "Jaisa aap theek samjhe Nanu.
Seeing him agreeing to the proposed plan so far, Nanaji tried to calm his nerves and taking a deep breath now approached the real topic, that he had been trying to pave the ground for. Looking very serious, he said "Maine kuch aur bhi socha hai. Vishakha bhi aa rahi hai aur tum dono pooja mein bhi baithoge, toh main soch raha hu ke baad mein Bahu ko ghar hi le aana toh acha hoga. Seeing his grandson now looking confused not seeming to understand what he was proposing, he elaborated "Ab jab sab logon ko hum shaadi ka bata hi denge aur Naina aur uske ghar walo se mila bhi denge, toh phir acha nahi lagega ke Bahu uske baad bhi maike mein hi rahe. Main aaj sham uske ghar walon se baat karne jayunga. Unse kahunga ke pooja ke din hi Naina ki bidai kar de.
Sameer's heart started racing "Bidai?! Yeh aap kya keh rahe hai Nanu? Aapne toh decide kiya tha na ke college khatam hone ke baad hi sochenge. Phir itni jaldi kyun hai? Before Nanaji could respond he asked a little irately "Uske ghar walon ne kuch kaha hai kya aap se? Nanaji trying to maintain his calm replied "Uske ghar walon ne much nahi kaha hai. Main ne Sameer interrupted him "Toh Naina ne kuch kaha hai? Nanaji avoided answering this specific question and continued "Mujhe lagta hai, yahi sahi hoga. Sameer noticed that Nanu had not answered his question, so she must have complained to him directly. He now sounding annoyed "Kisske liye sahi hoga Nanu?! Nanaji also now raised his voice a little "Sab ke liye sahi hoga! Main nahi chahata ke woh ladki iss darr mein rahe ke hum yeh rishta neebhayenge ke nahi. Naseeb wale ho jo aaise ajeeb halat mein shaadi hui par phir bhi ladki itni achi hai. With a finality in his tone he announced "Sameer, mainne bahoot soch ke yeh faisla liya hai. Tum abhi ghusse mein ho. Shaant dimag se sochoge toh samjhoge ke yeh tumhare liye bhi sahi hai. Main bus uske ghar jaane se pehele tumhe batana chahata tha.
Fuming internally, he thought, she had claimed that she wouldn't come visiting till he called her himself and then had immediately gone and complained to his grandfather, and that too in a manner that Nanaji had been convinced to bring her home permanently so soon. Oh shit! That pooja before starting the production on the new machine would be in about a week or so. Sameer sat down heavily in a chair in the cabin he was temporarily sharing with a Mr Parmar. This was the manipulative two-faced side of most women that he could never understand.
That evening, Tauji announced to the Agarwal household that Jaiprakashji had called him during the day to inform that he wanted to come by their house to discuss something important. Everyone started their own predictions for the reason of the visit. As Naina calmly continued working on some notes in her bedroom, Preeti asked her in surprise "Tu itni shaant kaise baithi hai? Aaisi kya baat karni hogi unhe?! Naina turned to her with a look of joy and said "Main iss liye shaant hu, kyun ki mujhe pata hai Nanaji kya baat karne aa rahe hai. Preeti asked her curiously "Jijaji ne kuch batana hai kya tujhe? Naina's smile faltered a little at his mention, but she continued "Nahi, meri baat hui hai Nanaji se. Maine unhe uss apprenticeship program ke baare mein bola hai aur yeh bhi ke main join karna chahati hu. Woh sabse yahi baat karne aa rahi honge.
That day it was decided to welcome Nanaji in Tauji's house. Taiji of course outsourced all the cooking to Bela and Naina, and serving to Preeti. Once the initial pleasantries were covered on Nanaji's arrival, he spoke a little about the project Sameer had been involved in and how well he had performed. All the Agarwal elders happily praised their honhar Jamai. He then went on express his wish about Sameer and Naina performing the pooja together in the factory and that post that he would like to take his Bahu home. Everyone was slightly confused, not sure of what exactly was being proposed. Tauji spoke up "Jaiprakashji, main kuch theek se samjha nahi. Naina aati toh hai aapke ghar humesha toh aap alag se kyun pooch rahe hai? Nanaji explained "Jagdishji, main Naina ki bidai ki baat kar raha hu. Main manta hu ke pehele humne hi kaha tha ke bidai itni jaldi nahi karna chahate, par pooja ke baad bahu ko wapas bhejna bilkul shubh nahi lagta. Aur such kahu toh har bar woh ghar aake jati hai toh ghar bahoot khali khali lagta hai.
Taiji was stumped "O Bai, itni jaldi bidai! Humne toh abhi kuch theek se tayari bhi nahi ki hai. Aath din mein bhala sab kuch kaise ho sakta hai? Nanaji replied "Behenji humne toh pehele hi kaha hai ke hume kuch nahi chahiye. Naina ko bus uske do bag kapdo ke sath bida kar dijiye. Laughing a little, he added "Do Jodi nahi kahunga, kyun ki usse turant shopping le jana meri bus ki baat nahi hai! Everyone laughed at this joke. He then said "Waise Vishakha bhi aa rahi hai pooja ke liye, toh kuch din rukke Naina ko ghar ki bakki sari baate bhi samjha degi.
He then turned to Anand and said "Anandji, college aur padhai ko leke aap chinta mat kijiye. Dono ki padhai chalu rahegi. Maine toh Naina se kaha bhi hai ke agar woh chahe dheere dheere business ke kaam mein involve ho sakti hai. Bahoot kabil bachi hai, mujhe khushi hogi. Hearing this Chachaji was completely overwhelmed, while the other three Agarwal elders looked on in surprise.
Just then Preeti arrived with a tray full of freshly fried Kachoris, to be enjoyed with the tea already been served a little earlier. Rakesh, who couldn't believe his good luck, happily exclaimed to her "Preeti, jaldi ja ke apni Mummy ko batade ke bidai ki tayari mein lag jaye, ek hafte mein teri behen aapne sasural ja rahi hai! Preeti was speechless, but only for a few moments. She squealed in delight "Such mooch! Par itne jaldi hum sara shopping aur taiyari kaise karenge?! Mujhe bhi ek bahoot acha dress lena hai. Par bidai kaise hogi? Matlab kaha se, yahi ghar se? Chachaji gave her a brief overview of the plan for the pooja in the factory and then Naina going to her sasural from there.
Preeti now looked a little sad as the reality of saying goodbye to her sister started setting in. Nanaji looked at her apprehensive face and said to her lovingly "Aare beta, tumhari behen kaha dur ja rahi hai? Roz college mein bhi milegi aur tum jab chaho ghar aa jaana hum sab ko milne. Aur ab jaldi se taiyari mein lag jaao jaise tumhare Tauji ne kaha hai.
Preeti rushed back to her mother's kitchen. Bela started telling her off "Kaha reh gayi thi itni der. Yeh le ab dhokla bhi le ja. Naina, tune chutney chotti katori mein nikali hai na? Preeti pulled the ladle that Naina was holding while stirring something in a pot and said "Mummy, ab aap isse koi kaam nahi bolegi! Naina tu na ab bus baithke naye kapde aur jewellery ke baare mein soch... aur ha hairstyle! Iss baar kuch alag acha style karwayenge! As Bela and Naina looked at her bewildered, she dramatically announced "Agle Sunday ko isski bidai hai! Nanaji yahi baat karne aaye hai.
Bela quickly turned off the stovetop and rushed to Tauji's to understand what exactly was going on. Naina just stood still for a minute and then said to Preeti "Tune shayad kuch theek se sunna nahi hoga. Abhi bidai ki baat kaha se aa gayi? Nanaji toh apprenticeship ki baat karne aane wale thay... aaise kaise ek hafte mein bidai ho sakti hai? Aur Sameer bhi aaye hai kya? Preeti started teasing her "O ho... acha hua ke Jijaji abhi nahi aaye hai, warna tu toh abhi shayad hume bye bole bina hi unke sath chal padti! Naina ab yeh ek hafta humare liye hai, aur sabse jyada mere liye. Suddenly she pulled Naina in a hug and said "Bahoot miss karungi main tujhe! Bahoot jyada!!
In the other house, Bela had been brought up to speed about the plan for the bidai. As she listened to the others talk, she was thinking Ab bhala itne thode din main shopping, packing aur bidai ki sari taiyari kaise hogi? Panch prakar ka meetha bhi toh banana padega Naina ke sath bhejne ke liye. Aur ab toh woh sofa back covers bananeka tame hi nahi milega. Chalo acha hai kum se kum woh cooking classes toh ho gayi. Pooja ko bolungi usske naye tailor ko bol de, ke Naina ke naye blouse urgent mein silva de.
Suddenly thinking of Pooja she turned to Nanaji and said a little hesitantly "Bhaisahab, woh meri Badi beti Pooja ka sasural yahi Ahmedabad mein hai. Agar aapko aaitraz na ho toh, pooja aur bidai ke waqt uske sasural walon ko bhi le aaye? Nanaji of course did not have any objections to this, in fact he asked the Agarwals to invite any close family and friends that they wished to the pooja too. He just asked them to get back to him with the number of guests expected from their side couple of days before, so that he could arrange for the prasad and snacks to be served on the day accordingly.
Naina was summoned to seek his blessings once before he left. If he recognised the question in her eyes, he did not answer it. He just said very warmly "Chalo beta, ab jaldi apne ghar aane ki taiyari karo.
After he left, the Agarwal household especially the ladies went into a bit of a panic. Taiji and Chachi both were at a loss as to how everything could be managed in such a short time. Preeti was asked to start making lists of different things to do with Naina's shopping and packing, starting with two new big bags, they could hardly send her to her sasural with that old metal trunk. Tauji and the two other brothers started working on the guest list, deciding that as far as possible they should try to limit the number to a hundred.
But Naina was not in the state of mind to dwell on all this at the moment. She just walked back to her room, wondering what did this mean? Nanaji must had spoken to him and they must have decided to bring her over permanently, right? Did they have an argument? Or was Sameer sorry already? Whatever the case, he wanted her to come home, right? Why else would Nanaji be here today? Sameer, please call me. I need to know that you are okay with this.
When Nanaji informed Sameer about the visit to the Agarwals and that they had agreed to the bidai, his first though was Of course, Yahi toh chahiye tha unhe! He now felt his anger and accusations had been justified. But a part of him was disappointed that he and his assessment of her had not been proved wrong.
Taiji had put her foot down saying that there was too much to be done and the girls should give college a miss till the bidai was done. This time even Chachaji and Chachiji had agreed and the whole Agarwal household was caught in the frenzy of the preparations. Not only did they have to shop for Naina but for all the relevant members of the Maheshwari family.
Taiji had mentioned that 11 new sarees should be enough for Naina to take along to her sasural, but Tauji had for a change questioned her judgement in front of the family and asked her to bear in mind that his niece was going into the Maheshwari household and he did not want to risk making a bad impression. Taiji had immediately changed her tune saying she had meant 11 sarees to be worn for special occasions and of course another 10 for everyday wear considering Naina would have to wear sarees to college too now.
The next three four days flew by. Naina waited in vain for his phone call, as she helped first shop and then wrap her sarees. As there was so much to do, Naina had been taken along for shopping for just the 11 special sarees. Taiji had then taken it upon herself to go buy the rest from her cousin's shop in Gandhinagar. That Naina and Preeti had been shocked to see this new everyday wear collection would be an understatement, it truly reflected Taiji's personal style, or rather the lack of it. Naina now hoped that the modern blouses would be her saving grace.
Munna and Pandit had tried to sooth their friends temper and nerves since being informed of the new turn of impending events, but without much luck. He spent few days loitering in the college parking lot when she usually arrived, but the Agarwal sisters did not arrive. Sameer felt like he couldn't wait to give her a piece of his mind and ask her what happened to her staunch regarding not visiting till he didn't personally invite her.
Finally, on Wednesday Preeti showed up alone. He rushed to her and asked "Preeti, Naina nahi aayi tumhare sath? Teen char din se tum dono nahi dikhe college mein... Preeti being her usual chirpy self, replied "Jijaji! Ab toh char din mein meri behen aa hi rahi hai aapke ghar. Thoda toh intezaar kar lijiye. Sameer responded "Mujhe usse kuch important baat karni hai. Usse kaho kal college aaye. Preeti teasing "Haye itni besabri! Jijaji agar koi bhi message bhejna hai toh pehele treat deni hogi iss Sali ko. Sameer sounding a little impatient "Preeti, main bilkul mazak ke mood mein nahi hu. Mujhe Naina se baat karni hai. Do din se jab bhi phone karta hu, tumhare papa ya koi aur uthata hai. Aur waise bhi yeh phone pe karne wali baat nahi hai. Preeti now thinking that he seemed really serious and out of sorts, replied "Kal toh uska aana mushkil hai. Usse Mummy aur Taiji ke sath bahar gaav jaana hai. Par main usse bolungi ke Friday ko thodi der aa jaye. Sameer accepted this proposed plan not having any option.
That evening when Preeti told her sister about her meeting with her Jijaji and his insisting that he wanted to meet her, Naina's first question was "Preeti, unka mood theek tha? Preeti asked in surprise "Ab mujhe Jijaji ka mood kahase samjhega? Kaunsa mujhse humesha baate karte hai! Par lagta hai tujhse kuch serious baat karni hai. Hume parso teri chudiya aur baaki chotti moti kharidari karne jaana hai, toh hum woh jaldi se nipat lenge aur phir tu college chali jaana. Main ghar pe baata dungi ke tu Swati ke sath parlour wali se milne gayi. Naina agreed to this with some misgivings, wondering again and again, what did he want to talk about.
Most of Thursday was spent visiting some temple with her aunts and praying for a happy married life. Apparently Chachiji had made some promise to the Goddess, that she would bring Naina to offer her prayers once the bidai was finalised. And then the rest of the day flew by helping her aunts cook some Besan Ladoos and Sukhdi.
Friday morning the girls headed to the market immediately after breakfast armed with a very long list, mostly comprising of accessories like bangles, bindis, some make-up, a couple of new combs, hairpins, safety pins and so on. The idea was to send Naina to the new house well equipped with all her everyday use items so that she doesn't have to approach her new family with any immediate shopping requests. Usually a trip like this would have been a source of great excitement, but that day Naina was preoccupied with thoughts of the meeting planned for later in the day.
She was running a little late by the time she managed to find a rickshaw and reached the college. Most of the Masters students had already left for the day, while the Bachelors students were in class busy with their lectures. As Naina approached the Bike stand, she did not see him there as expected. Not sure if he was running late as well or had left, she stood fidgeting for a few moments, and then headed to a bench in the shade of a big peepal tree. She had been sitting for just about a minute or two when she spotted him heading in her direction. It seemed he had been in the canteen. He was wearing a dark green t-shirt with his blue jeans.
Sameer had arrived a little earlier than planned and after waiting for what seemed like an extremely long time had a gone to the canteen to quench his thirst. He was headed back to the bike stand after gulping a bottle of cola, when he spotted her in a pale blue shalwar kameez, sitting on a bench in a shady spot. She was anxiously looking in the direction of the gate by the bike stand. He had been so angry these last few days, so impatient to confront her, but now seeing her looking worried, he felt a little uncertain. Just then she looked in his direction and lifted the hand that had been resting in her lap slightly in a little wave.
As he reached the bench and stood in front of her, she first offered a tiny smile, but not getting one from him started softly "Sorry, mujhe thodi der ho gayi. Aap ko jyada rukna toh nahi pada na? Woh Preeti ke sath market gayi thi. She paused a little, but when he didn't say anything she continued, as if trying to fill in the awkward silence "Bahoot bheed thi market mein. Hum ghar se nikale toh jaldi hi thay. Par shopping bhi bahoot karni thi. Sab kuch itna achanak ho raha hai, toh kuch bhi taiyari nahi hai. Char panch dino se bus shopping aur packing mein hi lage hai.
The word packing invoked the picture of her arriving at his house accompanied by a number of bags of all shapes and sizes. Here he was all stressed out about this sudden bidai and she was enjoying all the shopping and packing. Did she really think he was going to buy that line of Sab kuch itna achanak ho raha hai, toh kuch bhi taiyari nahi hai. As if her family had not been planning for this very event since the day of the wedding. In fact, isn't this the day, a girl's family apparently starts planning for, from the day she is born?
He smirked "Tum toh mere bulane ka intezar karne wali thi na? Aur woh bhi dil se bulane ka intezar, right? Toh phir kya hua? Naina shifted uncomfortably, nervously rubbing the kangan in her hand "Woh Nanaji aaye thay ghar pe, aur unhone hi bidai ki baat ki...toh... He returned "Toh? She fidgeting a little, tried to explain "Toh... Tauji aur sab badon ne ha kar di. He asked "Aur tumne toh na kaha, right? She coloured a little "Main na kaise keh sakti hu? Aur maine socha Nanaji aaye hai toh aap ki bhi marzi hongi na... He sneering slightly "Meri marzi ho na ho kisiko kya fark padta hai? Naina tried to placate him "Aaisa kyun soch rahe hai aap? Mujhe such mooch fark padta hai... He snapped "Acha? Toh tumhe yeh kaise laga ke mujhe bidai ki jaldi hai? Mainne tumhe har Sunday ko ghar aane se kya mana kiya tumne toh permanently hi aane ka rasta dhundh liya! Nanu se aaisa kya kaha tumne Naina? Aaisi kya patti padhayi unhe?
Naina who had so far tried to stay calm and cordial, now replied a little tersely "Pata nahi aap ko baar baar aaise ajeeb wehem kyun ho jate hai! Koi patti nahi padhai hai Nanaji ko, na main ne aur na mere ghar walon ne. He raised his voice slightly "O... toh Nanu ko koi sapna aaya tha ke tum bidai ko leke pareshan ho?! She too replied a little angrily "Mujhe nahi pata unhe yeh khayal kyun aaya. He looked at her with a disbelief and retorted "Bahoot galat kiya tumne. Tumhe samajh nahi aata kya ke mujhe abhi yeh ghar ghar khelne mein koi interest nahi hai?!
Sameer turned away shaking his head, finding himself at a loss of words finally. She felt extremely let down from this confrontation, thinking how silly she had been, hoping that he would be on board with his Nanaji's decision to prepone the bidai. Suddenly feeling very drained, she asked the question that had been rising in her heart these last few months whenever he behaved in a strange disengaged or sometimes rude manner "Sameer, aap ne iss shaadi ke liye ha hi kyun kaha tha? He turned back to face her again and after a small pause replied "Kya matlab ha kyun kaha? Kisine poocha tha? Tumhare ghar walon ne tumse poocha tha kya? Naina shook her head "Nahi, mere ghar walon ne mujhse kuch nahi poocha tha. Par Nanaji ne aap se bhi toh poocha hoga na.
Sameer was confused "Mujhe se bhi poocha hoga matlab? Nanu ne tumse kuch poocha tha? She tried to explain "Matlab jaise Nanaji ne mujhe poocha tha, ke mujhe iss rishtay se koi aaitraaz toh nahi hai, waise aap ko bhi toh pooch hoga. Aap ne ussi waqt mana kyun nahi kiya? He went very still "Kab poocha tha tumse? She replied "Ussi din... pheron se pehele... jab woh mere ghar walon se baat karne aaye thay. He dully asked "Aur tumne ha kyun kar di? She stated in a pained voice "Maine ha kaha kyun ki mujhe nahi laga ke mere pass koi dusra option tha.
He feeling a little dizzy, sat down on the bench. What was she saying? Nanaji had asked her if she was willing to get married. Why had Nanu asked for her consent, her wish? He had explicitly told his grandfather that he did not want to get married. But, instead of taking into consideration what he wanted, Nanaji had gone and asked the girl that he was not related to or did not even know, what she wanted. Why had her wishes outweighed his wishes?
He felt panic setting in. Once again, an outsider had mattered more to his kin than him. His mother had chosen Rohan over him and now Nanu had chosen Naina's wishes over his. His Nanu had been his anchor all these years. He had long learnt that he could not compete with his mother's new family for her attention and love. But he had been super confident that he and his happiness would always come first for his Nanu. So, what went wrong? Where did he go wrong again? He couldn't make sense of a world where he did not come first, even for a single person. Why was he so easily replaceable? Was academic excellence the only thing that made people worthy of being loved and cherished?
Naina looked at him with apprehension. What was he thinking? Why had he suddenly gone so pale and silent? This was more scary than seeing him angry and full of attitude.
He thought, it did not matter how old he was, people just kept making decisions that heavily impacted his life without any real consideration for his needs and wants. Whether it was the decision about his mother's remarriage, or banishing him to the hostel, or expecting him to live in Delhi in the Somani house, no one spared a thought to what he had wanted. And it was still the same. His wish did not count even when it came to this huge decision of his marriage. He still couldn't comprehend, how his Nanu could do this to him? And that hurt the most.
As he thought about all this, he decided, when all these other decisions had been forced on him, he had been a helpless child. But, no more. He was legally an adult now and it was high time he grabbed control of his own life. He had to draw the line somewhere. He had to push back and say no. Show them that he would not allow this. He would not give in this time, even if it meant going up against his Nanu. He looked at her, she was looking at him anxiously, worry clearly reflecting on her face, but all he saw was what he deemed an unfortunate casualty of his war.
After minutes of silence, he knew not just how many, he said without looking at her "Mujhe toh aaj tak kisine koi aaisa option diya nahi hai, par tumhe shayad aadat hogi tumhari marzi ke hisaab se zindagi jeene ki. Toh, aapne ghar walon ko bidai ke liye mana kar do.
Naina was stunned "Mana kar du? Matlab? She tried to get him to understand the absurdity of what he was saying "Sameer, bidai parso hai. Almost saari taiyari ho gayi hai. Pooja ke liye, rishtaydaron aur jaan-pehechan ke logon ko invite bhi bhej diye hai. Mana kaise kar sakti hu main? Please aap thode thande dimaag se sochiye.
But he stood up and spoke with a finality in his tone "Naina, mere liye sirf naam ke rishton ka koi relevance nahi hai. Zindagi mein yahi seekha hai, ke nibhane layak toh wahi rishta hota hai jo dil se bana ho. Tumhe apne ghar walon se jo kehna hai kaho. Par yeh baat main bahoot clearly keh raha hu tumse aur ghar jaake Nanaji se bhi kahunga, mujhe yeh shaadi Kabul nahi hai. Meri taraf se, you are free to do as you like with your life. As he cast a glance in her direction before leaving, he saw her sitting motionless, but the look of terror in her eyes and a trembling lower lip giving a clear glimpse into the fear gripping her heart. Through all his disillusionment and hurt, his soul still recognised her turmoil and not being able to abandon her completely, he said slightly softly "Agar parso ghar aao toh guestroom mein rehne ki taiyari se aana. And then he turned and walked away.
She sat there in shock for a long time. Little pieces of the puzzle slowly falling in place, right from his first phone call, to his never showing any inclination to interact, the proposed delayed bidai, choosing to play cricket every Sunday rather than spending time with her. Her gut had been trying to tell her something every time any of this happened, but she had chosen to ignore it and had instead focused on the few ad hoc moments when his guard had been down.
After close to an hour of tears steadily flowing, Naina pushed all her emotional upheaval to the back and tried to evaluate her so called options very dispassionately. Every scenario of refusing for the bidai, either by disclosing the real reason or by just coming up with something else, ended with her elders being in an uproar. She did not have the strength to face that drama and the ultimations that would come with it. She knew they would immediately stop her education and as good as keep her imprisoned at home. She thought, she should have known that she wasn't meant to be loved. Just for a little while she had allowed herself to dream of love and happiness, but now she needed to find another dream. Well she couldn't have the life she wanted, but that did not mean that her life was over.
She deliberated on morally how right or wrong would it be to enter that house as the bahu, well knowing it was just an empty faade. But she needed the time to become something or someone capable of fighting her own battles. He owed her at least that much, right? The guestroom in that house would give her a better chance than her home, of building an adequate future for herself. And she would do what she could, for that house, while she was there.
He had said you are free to do as you like with your life. And so, for the first time ever she made a decision for herself, that is a big one. She wiped away all the traces of her tears, and went looking for Professor Jani, who had offered her the apprenticeship and filed in the application form. And then she headed back home to continue preparing for the bidai.
Chapter 16 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5057789?pn=19
Chapter 17 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5057789?pn=34
Chapter 18 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5057789?pn=53
Chapter 19 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5057789?pn=69
Chapter 20 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5057789?pn=83
Chapter 21 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5057789?pn=102
Chapter 22 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5057789?pn=117
Chapter 23 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/5057789?pn=134
comment:
p_commentcount