He was standing in front of the ganga ghaat..He looked around and saw the purity and peace of banaras..this is what he love about this place..so calm and so peaceful. He looked around to see many people chanting mantras..some offering prayers. Some were in the holy river and some were just sitting in the stair case to get fresh. This place is his favourite and why it wont be after all its the only place which have the ability to calm him down. His ringing cell caught his attention and he looked at the name flashing on it and its his mother..he whined and disconnected the call. And then switched his phone off. Because he know why she is calling him but he is not in mood to have any interrogation with her as of now.
He turned around to sit near the river ganga but as he turned around he froze on his spot..he couldn't avert his gaze
from the beautiful creation of the god. He tried but failed miserably..as a girl wrapped in yellow saree was looking serene..her wet saree was clinging to her body showing her womanly curves. He was mesmerised by her beauty and innocence..he was looking at her god knows since when but a tap on his shoulder forced him to turn around. He saw his brother romi standing there.
"Bhai what are u doing here. C'mon we are getting late. Nani must be worried" romi said with a tinge of excitement as he can't wait to meet his nani.
"Romi we will leave after taking aarti till then go and sit quietly"he replied and turned around to look at the girl but to his disappointment she was not there..who was she..whats her name..all these thoughts were making him restless..
Raman looked around again but she is no where to be seen. He was little annoyed on romi as because of him it happened.
Sun has been sat. Now only darkness was there. Soon diyas were lighting in the river..loud sound..aartis were going on and on. Raman sighed and reached at the place where aarti was going on. He closed his eyes and stood there. Suddenly he felt someone's presence beside him. He ignored it and was concentrating on the aarti but a soft arm brushed against his forearm and electric shocks passed through his whole body. He abruptly opened his eyes to see the much awaited sight. The same girl was standing in front of him in the same saree..h down at he got to see her face to face..she is beautiful..her saree is still wet and her long traces are hanging losely on her back..eyes closed and lips moving..a perfect example of epitome beauty. Raman was literally drooling on her as if he is a teenager who is standing beside his crush..suddenly someone pushed him from his left side and he collided with her soft body. He steadied himself and held her waist to prevent her from falling..her eyes were wide. She was looking at him with comical expressions..he wanted to move away from her but can't do that..he just want to live this moment. They were looking at each other and then a voice caught their attention..
" God bless you both. Next time do visit with your kids the priest said when he found them in that position..
Raman steadied her and withdraw his hands back from her waist and he is already missing her warmth. He looked at the girl through the corner of his eyes. she was biting her lips..she was looking down at her hands. She is cute and innocent.
"Beta take this aarti and then spill some water over your husband's head.
She gasped and fumbled with her words but she finally find her voice and replies in ever so calm manner "Sorry panditji but we are not a couple. And I will come tomorrow. "
Raman was mesmerised with her sweet and magical voice.. he wanted to know her name but is it good to ask the name of a girl who is a complete stranger and why will she tell me?? He asked himself. He was about to start the conversation with a sorry but she turned and left. Raman froze as he saw her moving away. It took him two minutes to react and then he rushed to find her but she is not there..is she a ghost?? Appearing in a moment and disappearing on another. He thought with great irritation.
"Ayyio murgan.. what he must be thinking..thank god I left from there to avoid further embarrassment.. Ishita was relieved. She quickly approached Vandu akka and left to meet her darling dadi who lives in banaras.
Ishita approached Vandu and they were heading back to home when Vandu saw her flushed face. She held her hand and ishita was indeed surprised. Vandu arched her eye brow as in asking what's the matter with you. A blush crept on her face and she told him the happenings of ganga ghaat. Vandu giggled like a school girl.
"By the way. Was he hot?? Vandu asked teasingly. Ishita rolled her eyes to her over excited sister.
"It was a mistake of the priest and I know we are not meeting again. She replied in her slow voice. Vandu giggled " you never know ishu what future holds for us. Ishita shooked her head and she changed the topic quickly "so when will we start with your wedding shopping?? Vandu's mind started wandering in her la la land with bala. In no time they reached to their dadi's place. She was way too happy to find her two grand daughters. Her interaction with the stranger was a forgotten story. But only if she knew what that stranger is up to.
Raman was sitting on his cot and was staring at his hands keenly. He pulled his palm up to his nose and inhaled deeply. Her fragrance is there and it fills his nostrils and heart. Romi was observing his brother very keenly. And finally he said "stop acting like a girl bhai. What if she is married? he asked and instantly received a glare from raman "shut up. He said and pulled his hands up to his mouth and kissed his palm. Romi rolled his eyes at his love struck brother.
"You remember mom has asked you to look at the girl's picture and she really want you to get married to her. She is her friend's daughter and is a really nice girl. Romi said.
"You know what you get married to her. I have found my mrs. Right and I will marry her only. So I don't want to look at her picture and I don't care how nice she is. He said dreamily as he closed his eyes and her face emerged right in his eyes. Her soft skin is what he still can feel. He wish he knew her name but suddenly he recalled something. "I WILL COME TOMORROW. He grinned and romi just knew he is definitely up to something. Raman drifted off to sleep but she was awake in his dreams and in him.
Next morning, ever so late Mr. Raman Bhalla was ready earlier than expected. And he was smiling like a five year old kid. Romi who got up looked at raman and pinched himself to see if it's reality or just a dream. Raman glared at his younger brother and asked him to accompany him to ganga ghaat. Romi looked at him as if he has grown two heads.
"BHAI it's too early. What if she will come in the evening? he asked. Raman smiled "we will wait till the night.. romi's jaw dropped " oh hello it's your love story why are you dragging me in this?? he asked with his hands on his hips. His eyes narrow. Raman marched up to him and said in not-in-mood-to-take-any-nonsense voice "either you come on your own or else I will have my way with you. Romi gulped and remembered an incidence where raman beat him black and blue just because he refused to go with him and he still remember he couldn't even walk the.
"I will be down stairs in five minutes he rushed making raman chuckle because he know what he was thinking. He glanced at himself for the last time before heading out.
Romi was shooting daggers at raman as they are waiting for the mystery girl to show up since four hours and the sun is making it even for difficult for them to stay still. Raman faked a smile and looked around to see to get a glimpse of her but she is not here. He pouted and sat sulking. Romi rolled his eyes at him and shook his head.
It's around 7 pm in the evening and romi looked really pissed off and he marched towards raman and told him that he is leaving and he has to come along. Raman opened his mouth to argue but romi was least interested in his excuses. He clasped his hand and they were making their way out when his eyes fell on her. His world stopped. He stopped making romi halt in his way and he turned and glared "what?? he asked and he saw raman looking in opposite direction and he knew what he is looking at. Raman freed his hand and rushed back but to his utter dismay she vanished. He looked around and just then his breathe hitched as he saw her coming out of water. Her saree was clinging to her body like a second skin. He never knew saree could make anyone look this hot. He didn't know how long he stared at her but he did and ishita recognised him. She was shocked now that's an understatement. She didn't expect him here at all. Is he stalking her?? May be coincidence. Her inner voice whispered. But her inner voice stopped when she heard a tea stall owner.
"Sir, you are here since morning. Did you find her?? he asked and raman didn't looked away from her flushed face. He just nodded and tea stall owner was more than happy.
"sir can I have the money of your 30 teas. He asked and ishita's mouth hung open 30 TEAS. She turned and knew it that he is here for her only. And her heart started pounding..she just looked down and managed to get away from him. Raman was following her. He started running when he saw her running away from him. He stood in front of her and stared at her blush crept face. His hand itched to touch her again. He looked at her trembling fingers. He doesn't know if it's his affect or the chilled water. He found his voice and asked very gently.
"What's your name?? her eyes shoot up and she looked at him with her serene eyes and he felt his heart melting. She was having a battle with her heart and mind. Her inner turmoil was visible in her beautiful eyes. She closed her eyes for a brief and opened them and LIED "nupur.. she said. And his heart did a flip flop and he grinned like a child who has his favourite candy.
"And where do you live?? he asked not knowing how it's showing him in a bad light. Ishita was visibly shaken with his inappropriate questions. She had clear in her mind that he is a stalker and hence she decided to lie again.
"Right across that house she said and pointed at a house which was badly built. He frowned "then why it took her so long to come?? he asked himself. But before he could ask anything further she said "I have to go my husband and five kids would be waiting for me. His eyes and mouth wide. FIVE KIDS. But she looks so young. His eyes fell and and before he could say anything further she turned on her heels and left. Raman face fell and romi who heard everything was having hard time in controlling his laugh. He controlled himself and approached raman.
"Bhai Mrs. Right to mrs wrong ho gyi ( brother your mrs right turned out to be mrs wrong) he said and his eyes had that sarcasm in them. Raman glared at him.
"Doesn't she look too young to have five kids?? he asked but nevertheless he have to let go of her.
"Yeah and you wasted my time along with yours in chasing a mother to five kids. Plus you kept me hungry too. So now make it up to me. Romi said with a pout and he turned one more time to see if he can see her but romi dragged him out.
Ishita was standing near the toy stall waiting for him to go so that she can go home. She looked at his retreating back and heaved a sign of relief. Vandu saw ishita " oh hello I was looking for you everywhere. Where were you?? she asked.
"nothing I was just looking around here she said and smiled at her small yet meaningful victory. She managed to push one stalker away. They left to be at home. Ishita couldn't help but think about the stranger she encountered few moments back. He was cute but a stalker all the guys get ideas from bollywood movies. She thought with a disgust. Stalk a girl and she will like it. She came out of her trail of thoughts when they arrived home.
Ishita reached home and was informed that the guy who has been selected by her mother will be coming to meet her tomorrow. She signed and headed to her bed. She wants to marry but not to some rich brat. She pouted and pulled her pillow close and drifted off to sleep.
Romi was chuckling now and then. Raman was glaring at him and he would stop but start it again. Raman said yes to his mother and he will go to meet the girl tomorrow. Finally he decided to get married to the girl chosen by his mother. He will not say anything else then yes tomorrow to the girl doesn't matter if she is good or not he will say only yes. He drifted off to sleep not knowing what awaits for him.
Next morning, ishita's house was full of hustle as the boy was coming to see her. She draped one banarsi saree and looked herself in the mirror. She was looking for her earrings and by mistake she broke her grandmother's specs. She called her grand maa and told her the truth and to add to her guilt she told ishita "beta I am completely handicapped without my specs. I can't see anything without it. she felt sorry for her deed. Her grand maa let go of the matter and asked her not to think much and get ready.
Vandu on the other hand was wearing a saree too. They all were ready just then they heard a knock on the door. Ishita's heart started beating wildly. Vandu went to open the door. Ishita was not allowed to peep in the hall room but unknowingly she did and she could see the back of two guys but to her utter dismay she couldn't see his face and she doesn't even know who the guy is. Just then she turned around to sit but his voice reached her ears. It's him. Her mouth hung open. She can't go outside. She thought to herself. No matter who the guy is she can't go. Because the stranger knows she is married and the other guy would know after this. She started to panic. She heard her dadi say "go and get her.. she nearly fainted.
Vandu came in their room and saw visibly tensed ishu. She thought she would be nervous and decided to make it easier for her little sister. She tapped on her shoulder and ishita just told her everything then and there. Vandu held her head in her hands and stared at ishita.
"Now what?? Vandu asked and ishita shouted "idea
"dadi's specs broke this morning. She wouldn't know. Please and I will tell mom I didn't like the guy.. ishita literally begged and Vandu agreed.
Raman looked at his watch and then at the door. Why women take forever to get ready. He thought angrily. But just as he looked up again his world stopped. She was there..and the girl who opened the door was there too. But wait a minute..is she her friend or sister?? And his doubt cleared when ishu's dadi said "this is my darling grand daughter ishita Vandu glared at the DARLING GARND DAUGHTER. Vandu faked a blush and batted her eyes at him. But he was too busy in scanning nupur. He just want to know who she is to ishita. He blinked and asked her dadi "who is the other girl?? and his world stopped at the reply "ishu's sister.. he looked at romi who was having a hard time in controlling his laughter. Raman glared. Wow a small world indeed. He is here to meet the girl who is gonna be his future wife but met the girl he is crazy about. He let go of the thought. And her dadi asked them to go around and see the house. She could barely see the guy's face as her specs broke but none the less it's just a formality she thought to herself.
Vandu didn't know what to say. She was already mad at her innocent yet notorious sister. Raman thought she must be shy that's why not saying anything. So he decided to start the conversation.
"so she is your elder sister?? he asked. Vandu could sense his feelings. But she is not sure if they are genuine or not and plus ishita is planning to say no. So there is no point in thinking anything else. She replied "yes
And again there was an awkward silence between them.
"How old she is?? he asked.
"You are here to marry me not my sister. Vandu said and raman faked a smile and said "yeah..i thought you would be more comfortable in talking about your sister..
The random conversation started and he instantly got a message from his mom stating "I want yes..nothing but a yes.. and that sounded more like an order than a request. He decided to give up his feelings for nupur and say yes to her.
They came back and his scanned her thoroughly. She looks too young to be a mother or even married as a matter of fact. He brushed it away from his mind and they left. Ishita breathed a sign of relief and Vandu looked at her not knowing what to do. And just then the phone rang. Their dadi picked it up and she was visibly happy. And vandu's eyes got wide when she heard her dadi "he has said yes..
Ishu could feel vandu's intense glare. Her dadi broke the obvious and Vandu dragged ishu in the room and threw a phone on her side of the bed "call mom and tell her you don't want to marry him.. ishita picked up the phone and called her mom.
"Amma I didn't like the guy..he is just not nice.. she said and Vandu could hear her mom shouting " ishu this is final. You will get married to him no matter what. Before ishita could argue. Her mother has put the phone down. Vandu said in menacing voice "I don't care ishita. You manage it. I can't believe you did something like this..ishu you know I love bala..what if he will get to know about it..
Ishita said "just put up with it for some more days. I will talk to dad about it.
Vandu couldn't deny her pleading eyes and said "just one week ishu and they both agreed. Not knowing someone up there had different plans stored for them.
vandu was tossing and turning in her bed as sleep was the last thing on the mind. She was thinking about bala what if he will get to know about it. And just then she knew what she had to do. She smiled ans drifted off to sleep.
The morning came sooner than expected. Ishita was in kitchen and was lost in thoughts..she just want to make everything right for her sister. Just then vandu entered and smiled at her little sister. She know what goes in that head of hers. She startled ishu when she planted a kiss on her cheek "don't worry baby sister. i have got your back. Don't think much..i have a plan and we will work according to that only."
Ishita's eyes turned wide as vandu told her the entire plan..and she could feel already sorry for raman..who will deal with all this.
Their dadi shouted and informed them "you both have to go with raman and his brother..your mother want you to spend some time with him.." ishita chuckled and was more than ready to meet him along with vandu who was going to make his life a living hell so that he can so no...A BIG NO.
Raman and romi were waiting for them...romi chuckled "bhai isn't it hilarious that you are getting married to the girl whose sister you love dearly and that too elder sister. Yesterday i had a hard time in controlling myself from laughing..." and he laughed. Raman glared him " and i had hard time in keeping himself from hitting you hard.." romi murmured sorry but started laughing again. Before raman could do anything they arrived and he was not surprised to see nupur with ishita. She looked serene he thought but in the next minute slapped himself mentally for ogling at his elder to be sister in law. A MARRIED SISTER IN LAW his mind shouted. But just as his eyes fell on ishita..she was wearing suit and was winking at a guy who was passing by. Romi's looked haunted as she winked at him too. They approached the duo and ishita threw her arms around raman. He was stunned at her sudden clingy nature. Real ishita was having a hard time in controlling her chuckles.
"Let's go ramu baby. I am dying to spend my day with you..." vandu said and ishita and romi chuckled at her "RAMU BABY"
"Umm let's go but don't ever call me that...that ramu baby.." he said and romi's whole body was shaking with laughter. But it stopped after receiving a glare..
Vandu and raman were moving ahead, romi and ishu followed them quietly. And just then vandu started her antics. "Ramu baby please pluck that beautiful flower for me..." to raman's horror it was on a tree..a huge tree. He looked at her as if she has grown two heads. And said no..a clear cut no and it gained him lot's of attention as vandu sat on the bench and started crying loudly..everyone started to gather and he murmured under his breathe "thanks mom.."
He hushed her and asked the gathered people to leave them alone. He turned to look at her and she said it again "flower ramu baby.." and he flinched "ok i will get it but no ramu baby for god sake ishita.." and just then real ishita turned..and romi was confused..AS TO WHY SHE TURNED. Vandu nodded and raman rolled up his sleeves and started climbing and he was murmuring some curse..they could see it. Vandu and ishita chuckled and romi was genuinely concerned about his brother. Somehow he managed to get her the flower and joined his brother.
"bhai shaadi se pehle ye haal hai to shaadi ke baad kya krengi bhabhi.." romi whispered and raman nodded in agreement "mom needs to know this..how can she tell us that she is the best you could ever get.." raman whispered back. Before he could heave a sigh of relief vandu came back "ramu baby can you please get me something to eat.." and there he go again..RAMU BABY..
"bhai ye to sach mei aapko ramu bana kar chodegi.." romi said. Raman just got three plates of freshly baked vegetable curry and ten chappatis. He sat down and her words made them spill out the water "why didn't you get something for yourself ramu baby.." said vandu. Romi was having a hard time in finding his voice but fortunately he found one and said "you will eat this much??"
Vandu looked at romi "i know it's less but it's okay i will adjust.." and their expressions were complete horror when she finished the entire meal within fifteen minutes..and just then she burped loudly and gained eww expressions from raman and romi. And just then they thought they should get something for themselves and nupur. She declared "i am full let's go.." and raman and romi were visibly pissed off now.
Raman had enough of her and her RAMU BABY so he decided to go home and he made an excuse "we are expecting some guests..we need to rush.." said raman and vandu shrugged and said "okay ramu baby.." his jaw clenched but he didn't say anything and turned to leave..romi too turned to leave but turned and asked them "is there any short route? We need to get home earlier.." ishita was about to reply but vandu held her hand and said "take a left from that road and head straight you will reach earlier.." he thanked them and left. Ishita turned "di that's not the right route.." she looked puzzled and vandu grinned " i know but we need to do this ishu..i want him to break this marriage on his own..as u know mom would never allow you to break it. That's the only way you know.."
Raman and romi started walking..they were hungry,angry and sulky. They walked for 5 kilometers but yet they couldn't see the road..they looked at each other and again started walking..half an hour later they saw a road. They approached it and were pissed off..as it was the same road where one hour back they left the iyer sisters...and raman had enough of this. He decided the first thing he will do is to call his mom and break this marriage.
Raman entered in his room and picked his cell to call his mom. Toshi answered and he told her everything. But his mom turned him down saying "i know her very well so you better come up with a better excuse.." and disconnected the call and raman punched the wall..
On the other hand iyer sisters were lying in the bed and just then vandu started giggling "ramu baby.." and they looked at each other and burst in to laugh.
"God ishu he was so pissed off with whatever i did and not to mention after taking the wrong route he will surely break this marriage.." she said and ishu nodded "but don't you think you should call him once and ask him if he reached home or not.." vandu looked at ishita and shook her head "you want to break this marriage right??" vandu asked and ishita nodded "then don't ask me to ask them if they reached safely or not.." ishita nodded and they were chatting just then vandu's phone beeped "baby i will be coming to banaras tomorrow.." it read and vandu literally fainted. Then ishita's phone buzzed "raman will be coming there tomorrow and bala too. Treat raman nicely.." and they both read the message and looked at each other..
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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