Udaipur

October 2019

Diwali was hardly 10 days away so the hustle bustle was clearly seen in the streets of the Lake city of Rajasthan, i.e., Udaipur. The scene inside the place was no different, where the nameplate Mahajan's was proudly hanged on the wall, beside the brown gate. Some annoyed scoldings can be heard from the person inside the living room, well it was Juhi Mahajan who was just getting annoyed with her Son's laziness, who without any care in the world was sprawled on the sofa in the living room scrolling on his phone, and didn't even bothered to get up and get his share of chores done. At the same time, she was time and again glancing on the wall clock, so that she and everyone else can be free by the time the clock hits 6. Why 6? Well, because Sunday's are the only time when Monami can video call at 6 p.m more precisely, 1800 hours, to her family for good one hour.

"Ved, stop being lazy and get your work done or else forget about you getting a chance to talk to Monu." Juhi threatened her son with the best possible warning.

Ved was horrified hearing this and quickly sprang on his feet and hopped upstairs to his room in the middle floor in their three storey home, to get done with the tasks, so that his mother dearest can spare him from her already angry mood. But the main reason being, that it is only once a week where they get to talk to Monami for some good time. Otherwise, it's just some odd 10-15 minutes on alternate days or so.

While Ved was upstairs setting his room, doorbell rang, it must be papa, he thought and just then his eyes went on his wrist watch, he quickly washed his face so that he doesn't look like a homeless monkey and then made a run downstairs.

Just as he was moving down, his gaze fell on his parents in the living room who were busy watching their family photo, which was taken almost 18 months back when Monami was home for a month. He quickly went behind both of them and placed his arms on his parents' shoulder, holding them lightly while himself taking in the sight of their happy faces in the captured memory. He found himself telling.

"Oye, why you are making me also a cry baby along with you two? You know na, Di will call any moment within the next 10 minutes and just a look at you, she'll tell that you were crying and then will scold me." Ved said and frowned while speaking his last set of words.

Deepak lightly smacks Vedant on his head. "Whom are you addressing as cry baby? But nonetheless, what you said is true as well. We'll just go and wash our faces while you set up the laptop for video call."

All the three members sit in a manner that they can easily be easily visible on the web camera. It was some 6:03 when they heard the ringtone of incoming WhatsApp call on the laptop.

Juhi quickly attended the call. And immediately a voice addressed them. Although they were very happy but immediately a frown was etched on the three faces seeing a small bandage on her forehead.

Monami with a slight but beautiful smile she said, "Namaste Mumma, Namaste Papa! Hey Ved! Aap sab kaise ho?"

(How are you all?)

Deepak with a hint of worry in his tone, said, "Monu, bacche hum sab theek hain. Tujhe kya hua hai? Yeh chot kaise lagi sir pe?"

(We're fine kiddo! But what happened to you? Have you got hurt?)

Monami smiled at the concern of her father. "Arrey kuch nahi hua hai, room saaf kar rahi thhi apna toh uss waqt table se lag gayi thodi aur kuch nahi. Aur papa, aap toh khud army mein reh chuke hain phir bhi itni chinta? Aap bhool gaye kya, aapki beti ko aise in choti si chot se dard nahi hota."

(It's nothing I just got a little hurt from the table while I was cleaning my room. And papa, you yourself were an army man, and then too this much worried? Did you forgot, that your daughter doesn't feel hurt with these little injuries.)

"Haan haan jaante hain, apne papa pe gayi ho tum. Aur agar chot choti hai toh yeh bandage kyu?" Juhi narrowed her eyes at her daughter.

(Yes yes, we know that you've gone after your father. But if the injury is small, then why bandage?)

"Kya yaar di, kya karte rehte ho? Aap bade bade missions lead karsakte ho without any loss, lekin khud ka dhyaan jab rakhne ki baari aati hai tab itni carelessness? Yeh defence waalo ko aapki clumsiness ka nahi pata kya?" Vedant said first in a concerned tone and by the end he was clearly mocking her, as a dutiful brother.

(What ya di? What do you keep doing to yourself? You should've taken care of yourself na. You can successfully lead the big daredevil missions but when it comes to looking after yourself, why do you show this level of carelessness. Don't these defence people know about your clumsiness?)

"Guys, relax. I'm okay. It's just that ki morning mei training aur drills ka time mitti nahi lage, isiliye bandage hai." Monami said a little calmly and then scowled at Ved saying, "Aur Ved, tu na zyada mujhse bada mat ban, samjha. I look after myself just fine. Moreover, I have a smile - worthy news to share with you people."

(It's just to prevent the blister from touching the sand during the drills. And Ved, you don't try and act if you're elder than me, capisce?)

Ved scoffs. "I am just worried about you di."

"I know baby brother." Monami cooed.

Vedant rolls his eyes while saying, "Di please yaar!" And a slight wide grin gets plastered on her face seeing him getting irritated with the name she calls for this very reason.

"About the news which I was talking about..." Monami started to speak but again got interrupted.

"Oh yes. What is it? Say fast!" All the three Mahajan's said one after the other.

"Yeah you impatient people. If you only you guys let me say. So the thing is that, I'll be going Jodhpur on the upcoming Friday will stay there for approx three days and then I'll be coming to Udaipur for the next four days. I will leave on the day after Bhai Dooj." Monami informed her family about the plans.

"Diiii. Yessss. I'm so so so happy. We'll be celebrating Diwali together after almost 3 years. And Bhai Dooj too." The happiness in Vedant's voice was something not to be missed.

"Then be ready to empty your wallet." Monami squinted her eyes with a teasing smile on her face.

"Rest assured, you'll be extremely happy with your surprise." Vedant boasted.

"Monu, this is the happiest news." Juhi's eyes turned slightly misty.

"Indeed bacche." Deepak nodded, agreeing with his wife.

And they talked until it was time to bid adieu.

After the call ended, Deepak said, "Ved, I and your mumma have decided to finally get Monu married. Of course to the person who will not only understand her career choices but also respect them."

"But isn't it too soon? I mean she does not even have time to spend with us and now that time will be divided too." Vedant said, not liking the topic of conversation.

"It's not too soon, she is already 32 and at the peak of her career and there is neither going forward nor backward from here." Juhi explained to her son.

Vedant was confused, "Matlab?"

(Means?)

Deepak elaborated, "Beta, matlab yeh ki IAF mein ladkiyan 14 saal se zyada service nahi kar sakti hain, aur Monu yeh baat jaante huey bhi yeh karna chahti thhi kyuki usko na sirf fauj se judna thha lekin apni udaan bhi bharni thhi."

(Son it means, that in IAF, girls cannot serve for more than 14 years and this fact was well known by Monu. But then too she went ahead with this decision because not only she wanted to become a part of defence force, she also wanted to take a flight of her dreams.)

"Okay. But will she be okay with this development? And do you have someone in mind?" Vedant wanted to dig in as deep as he can, so that he can find more about the guy.

Deepak nodded and said, "Haan, hai toh. Jab Monu se baat karenge tab bataunga. And yes, it'll only proceed if Monu is okay with the arrangement."

(Yes, there is someone. When we'll talk to Monu at that time I'll tell.)

"Okay now enough. Have your food and go to bed. We have to do dusting tomorrow morning before you two venture out." Juhi ordered.

"Mummy yaar." Vedant cribbed.

(Mommm.)

"There is no escape from this son." Deepak sighed.

"Now go away, both of you before I assign you a different work." Juhi said in a fake stern voice and then looking at her son, she said softly "Aur Ved zyada mat sochna, aisa nahi hai ki hum Monu ki shaadi abhi ke abhi he karwa rahe hain."

(And Ved, don't overthink much. It's not like we're getting married right at the moment.)

And just like that, by the end of the day, reflection of the starry night and the moonlight could be seen in the beautiful lakes of Udaipur. The rustling of leaves could be heard with the night breeze. The cold in the breeze was an indication of beginning of winter and well it was beginning of a new chapter in certain someone's life too.

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I wanted to show the family dynamics as well in this story, hence the chapter. Upcoming chapter will mark the entry of Karan though.
I hope you liked the chapter. If you did, shower all you love.

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Much Love,
Nehal.