October 2019

Udaipur

Shergill's

The chitter-chatter could be easily heard from the doorstep of the Shergill house, as the three men entered in. The giggles of Baby along with Atul and prattling of Barkha with Zeenat and Koel filled in the living room with a lively sight.

With the three ladies working in the kitchen and baby being the ultimate goofball, was sitting on the dining table outside kitchen entertaining the people with her antics and Atul was seen on the dining table as well laughing at some silly talks that his granddaughter made, simultaneously working on filling the emptied sweets in the box for the guests that'll come for the Diwali meet and greet. All in all, everyone was busy in their own little bubble of happiness.

It was Koel who saw the three people making their way towards them and notified the other two women about the same. Barkha from the kitchen itself said, "Param, Faizi, Karan jaao tum teeno freshen up hoke aajao. Aur Karan tum, Poore kapde pehen ke aana yu nahi ki loose ganji mei he aajao. T-shirt daal ke aana."

(Param, Faizi, Karan. The three of you go and come back after freshening up. And you Karan, get fully dressed and then come, not that you just come out in your Ganji. Wear a proper T-shirt.)

All the members laughed at it, especially Param and Faizi with the loudest laughter. While Karan was so embarrassed that his ear tips turned slightly red. “Bhabhi yaar. I know this.” Saying this he skedaddled to his room.

Seeing Param and Faizi still laughing, Zeenat said, “Ab tum dono ko kaan pakad ke bheju? Chalo jaao jaldi.”

(Should I pull your ears to make you two go? Go, quickly.)

“Ammi, hum jaa he rahe the.” Faizi remarked.

(Ammi, we were just going.)

And the two men hurried with their steps too, because clearly Zeenat's words should not be taken lightly.

“Ammi yeh accha hai ki kamse kam Faizi aapse darta toh hai, toh aap jo bolte ho kar leta hai. Varna toh mujhe pareshaan kiye bina kahan kuch karta hai.” Koel rolled her eyes at her husband.

(Ammi thankfully Faizi is afraid of you, at least he does his chores. Otherwise, he doesn't do anything without troubling me.)

“Haan aunty, aap hote ho na toh Param aur Karan aapke darr se mujhe thoda kam tang karte hain.” Barkha agreed with Koel.

(Yes aunty, Param and Karan troubles me a little less in your presence.)

Zeenat chortles a little and said, "Ab bas hogaya, mere baccho ke baare mei aisa bhi mat bolo. Itne toh pyaare hain. Haan maana shaitaani karte hain, par phir dil rakhna bhi jaante hain."

(It's enough now. Don't talk about my children like this. No doubt they are there is no end to their mischief, but then they know how to treasure your heart too.)

Karan, Param and Faizi who listened to this while coming towards the dining table had a big grin plastered on their faces. Karan scurried towards Zeenat and hugged her from back, startling her.

"Sirf aap he humko itna pyaar karte ho." Karan said with a cute expression on his face.

(It's only you who truly love us.)

“Haan mera baccha.” Zeenat said pulling his cheeks, still embraced by him.

(Yes my child.)

“Haan haan, hum toh iss se patthar tudwaate hain na.” Atul narrowed his eyes.

(Yes of course, we make him do excess of work.)

“Aur kya, din bhar sirf daant te he hain issey.” Barkha sided with her father in law.

(What else? We only scold him na.)

"Sab ke sab draamebaaz hain." Param rolls his eyes.

(Everyone is a big drama king.)

After having some random conversation while having dinner, they talked about the some recent happenings and developments about each other's families.

Once everyone settled with their dessert bowls of Gulab Jamun with Vanilla ice cream in the living room, Atul saw Param and Karan exchanging some looks with each other and hence decided to break the stare game.

“Param, Karan. Kya baat hai? Yeh kya ishaare kar rahe ho aapas mein?” Atul said gaining the attention of all the people and Param and Karan immediately straightened up.

(What's the matter? Why are you both exchanging looks?)

“Kuch nahi papa, aaj mai, Faizi aur Karan bahar gaye they. Toh mujhe laga shayad Karan kuch kehna chah raha hai aapse par ghabra raha hai ab.” Param pushed Karan under the spotlight.

(Nothing papa. I, Faizi and Karan went out today. So I thought that Karan might have something to tell you, he might be nervous.)

“Kya baat hai beta? Kis baat ka dar hai bhai? ” Atul said taking a bite of the dessert in his hand.

(What's the matter Son? Why are you nervous?)

“Bhai sahab hum chale jaate hain, aap log baat kar lijiye aapas mei. Shayad Karan humare beech hichkicha raha hai.” Zeenat said in concern.

(Brother, we shall leave. Karan might be hesitant to speak clearly amidst our presence.)

Before Atul could utter a single word, Karan spoke, '“Kaisi baatein kar rahi hain ammi? Ammi kehta aapko, aur ma ke saamne kaisi hichkichahat?”

(What are you telling Ammi? I address you as Ammi, and hesitance has nothing to do with a mother's presence.)

“Toh phir bol kya bolna chahta hai.” Zeenat looked at him.

(Then say what you want to say.)

“Uhm, voh papa maine aapki baat ke baare mei socha. Bhaiya aur Faizi se bhi iss baare mei baat ki. More like about my fears and apprehensions. And I'm ready with the answer.” Karan mumbled the last part slowly, but everybody heard him.

(Papa, I thought about what you said to me the other day. I've talked about the same with Bhaiya and Faizi.)

Confused about the entire matter, Zeenat asked, “Uh bhaisahab, yeh kis baare mei keh raha hai Karan?”

(Brother, what is he talking about?)

“Bhabhi, Karan ki shaadi ki baat chal rahi hai.” Atul said.

(Sister, this conversation is about his marriage.)

[Atul address Zeenat as bhabhi since the father's of Karan and Faizi used to call each other as bhaisahab.]

“Arrey waah. Bol beta, kya socha hai tune?” Zeenat was very happy.

(That's great. So son, what have you decided?)

“I'm ready. It's a yes from my side.” Karan let out a breath.

The moment he said these words there was a wave of happiness that could be felt in the living room, and the plus point they all were already having a dessert.

Atul was not surprised hearing Karan. He knew that Karan is now ready for this responsibility and hence decided to initiate this topic. And somewhere he had a strong feeling that Karan will agree for the same too. “Mujhe pata thha tera yehi he faisla hoga.”

(I knew that this would your decision.)

Baby who did not understand what is happening poked Barkha. “Mumma, yeh sab ekdum se itna khush kyu ho gaye jaise he chachu ne yes kaha?”

(Mumma, why everybone became so happy abruptly just after uncle said yes?)

“Woh isiliye baby, kyuki tumare chachu ne shaadi karne ke liye haan keh di.” Barkha pulled Baby's nose affectionately. “Ab bohot jald tumhari chachi aayengi is ghar mei aur tumhare chachu ke life mein.”

(The reason is that your Uncle has said a yes for getting married.)(Now very soon, your Chachi will come in this home and your uncle's life.)

Baby jumped excitedly, hearing her mother. She knew for a fact that this new addition will love her a lot and as it is who doesn't appreciate love and affection? She quickly dashed towards Karan. “Chachuuuu. Sach mei meri chachi aane waali hain?”

(Unclee. Is it true that my aunt is coming?)

Karan, who was already fighting with his blush, had to do a little more effort before answering baby. “Uhm. Haan I guess.”

“Chachi kab aayegi? Kaisi hain woh? Aap mile ho unse?” Karan was stunned hearing his niece and finally the red tint covered his cheek, making everyone laugh at him. Seeing him fidget in his seat to answer the asked question, Param came to his rescue and called Baby towards him.

(When will my aunt come? How is she? Have you met her before?)

“Baby, beta it is your dadu who knows about chachi.” Param said, putting a full stop to his daughter's questions.

"Karan tum arranged marriage kar rahe ho?"Koel asked in a surprised tone.

(Karan you are going for arranged marriage?)

Karan just shrugged.

“Ab mahashay ke paas na khud ke liye waqt hai aur na he yeh kisi aise se mile hain jinse inko 'she is someone special' waali vibe aayi hai. Hence the best option for him is arranged marriage.” Faid said with amusement, although he recieved Karan's glare as well when he mentioned about the Special Someone.

(Now this mister neither has time for himself nor has he met someone who gives him that 'she is someone special' vibe.)

Baby probed her grandfather, “Dadu, batao na chachi kaisi hai? Hum unse kab milenge?”

(Grandpa, tell me about aunt please? When will we meet her?)

“Oh ho baby, wait toh karlo thoda.” Barkha chuckled at her daughter's inquisitive nature.

(Wait for sometime baby.)

“Haan uncle ji, jaan na toh hume bhi hai, koi hai kya aapki nazro mei Karan ke liye?” Faizi looked at Atul.

(Yes uncle even I want to know if there is someone you've seen for Karan?)

“Papa, I guess ab aap bata he do.” Param shared a look with Atul.

(Yes papa, I guess now it's high time that you let us know.)

“Haan papa, hume bhi jaan na hai kon hai woh? Aapne sivaaye Param ke kisi ko bhi nahi bataya.” Barkha couldn't hold herself back from asking.

(Yes papa, even we want to know. You've not disclosed about it to anyone except Param.)

Karan was stupified with the speed of events that were happening in his life lately. But of course why would his father ask him to think about this prospect had he not met someone.

“Bata ta hoon baccho. Lekin uske pehle, Karan kya tum abhi sunn na chahoge uske baare mei? Mai nahi chahta ki kisi tarah ka dabav ho tumpe.” Atul asked Karan.

(I'll say kids. But before that, Karan would you like to hear about her? I don't want to pressurise you with anything.)

“Haan beta, bol tu kya chahta hai?” Zeenat looked at Karan while correcting the dupatta on her head.

(Yes kiddo. Do you want this?)

“Uhm, its okay I guess. Aaj nahi toh kal baat honi he thhi so yeah, Papa aap bataiye.” Karan hesitantly said.

(Be it today or tomorrow, this conversation was supposed to take place so its fine. You say papa.)

“Haan lekin yeh baat zaroor hai ki koi bhi tumhe uss sey abhi milne ka nahi bolega. You'll meet her in December after your series will be finished. Jab tum ghar pe rahoge for a month. Uska bhi usi time pe kuch 15 dino ka off hai. Tab araam se na sirf uss se mil paoge balki thoda time bhi spend kar paoge. And then if you'll be ready, we'll proceed further.” Atul briefed.

(I assure about one thing thing that no one will tell you to meet her in these days.)(When you'll be home for a month, even she has her off for I suppose some 15 days at that time. At that time not only you'll be able to meet her but also will be able to spend time with her.)

“O...kay.” Karan sighed.

“Papa naam kya hai uska?” Barkha asked Atul.

(What's her name?)

“Monami. Squadron Leader Monami Mahajan.” Atul said.

“The only female Air force officer of India serving at that position? Is she the one uncle?" Surprise was evident in Koel's voice and hearing her, every person in the living room except for Atul, Param and baby were caught off guard. Well baby because she is a kid and besides her, the other two already knew.

“Haan beta, she is the one.” Atul smiled at Koel.

“You know what Karan, there are hardly two or three pictures available of her, but she is such a personality that you should meet her once in a lifetime. She is head strong, diligent and filled with valour. She has lead one of the most successful missions in our history with no casualties. I so wish to meet her one day." There was a twinkle in Koel's eyes her words were filled with deep admiration towards Monami.

Somewhere, Karan was already filled in with a lot of regard and respect for her, mainly because she is serving their country.

“And how do you know so much about her, mohtarma?” Faizi quizzically.

(My lady.)

“Faizi you forgot? When I was writing an article about Women empowerment in one of my blogs, and through thorough research I came across her profile. Then I just went on and on. Her enigma and the way she have with her words, is such that won't let you leave from the place where she is present.” Koel excitedly spoke.

“Wow, indeed the one to grab your attention.” Barkha was impressed.

“But papa as you said, that she is an officer and from what I'm assuming from your way of speaking and Koel's brief information about her, she sounds like an officer of high authority and I'm a cricketer, how will we manage our time together if decide to be together?” Karan's tone was underlined with concern.

“Yes she is an officer at high command. You get this position after 8 years of your service in IAF. And regarding the question you've asked, it's just a matter of two years and why it is so, this you should ask from her. Agar mai he sab bata dunga toh tu kya karega.” Atul said and then narrowed his eyes at last.

(If I'll only tell everything then what are you going to do?

“Um yeah.” Karan rubbed the back of his neck.

“Now coming to Baby's question about meeting her. You all remember about the reunion of the officers, I was talking about? All the officers have to attend this get together with their families; you all will meet Monami there.” Atul disclosed about the meeting plans.

“Udhar Kaise?” Barkha confusedly asked.

(There. How?)

“Her father had served in Indian Army too and he was my junior in Longewala. 12th of December is the date you'll meet her Karan.” Atul further shared.

After a few more talks about the main subject of conversation and few here and there the day was ended with Karan left to think about this new development of his life.

And just like this the festival of lights was spent too, with lot of Kaju barfis and Indian cuisines that had to be later covered by gym for the two boys. They spent family time, made memories, met many close and far off relatives, pulled each other's legs, and made fun of the people they disliked, watched movies and hearty laughter's that they did.

Soon it was the time for Karan and Faizi to leave for Australia for their upcoming series. But before that Karan went with Faizi and family to Mumbai for two days and then they left from there. Overall this Diwali was filled with a lot of unexpected events that were anticipated. And Mr Shergill had all the time in the world minus the series and work that kept him busy to think about certain Ms Mahajan.

|~|~|~|~|

Done with the chapter! So finally even Karan had said a yes and now what? Yes, they meet in the next one, finally. It took them 10 chapters to meet, lol. Your author is slow at that!

How did you'll liked this chapter?

P.s~ I hope I'll do the justice with your expectations in the next one!

The Target is same, 15 votes and 5 comments!

Please vote & comment!

Much love,
Nehal.