Chapter 28:

Gujarati Love Story

(Part 3)

 

Dev, Naintara and Nisha were on their way. Mr Joshi had informed them about the deal with Sona Kapoor and the little party she had arranged. Other than usual it was Dev who was nervous. So long had their waited to find out where she was and how to reach her. Sona was a person who could disappear with the snapping of her fingers and would not be found if she didn't want to. But they had found her. It took them a lot of work to locate her and get close to her. She had set up tight security around her and her family, hiding them from every evil, isolating them from the rest of the world.

The party was in a grand hall, reporters and other media people were strictly not allowed. Dev held his wife's and daughter's hand in his and led them in.

"Hello Mr Khurana, so nice you could make it" Mr Joshi welcomed him.

"Hello Mr Joshi. Let me introduce my wife Naintara to you." They chatted for a while and then Dev saw her. She had changed big time. She had got her long hair cut to give her a more professional look. Her clothes had changed from a sari to business suits. And her face looked old and tiered. He went near her and put his arm on her shoulder. She turned around to face him and dropped the glass she was holding.

 

Maan had been picked up by Adi who had all the information.

"Maan you will not like this. The guy who was with her and Pinky is Yash Patel, our client." Maan balled his fist.

"He is currently in Ahmadabad and Geet and Pinky are on their way there, too." Maan was silent. He just couldn't understand what was going on. Everything was so obvious but how could Geet do this to him? He his angry mind started to compare Geet with Samira but his heart scolded him for doing that. The journey was long and Maan felt bad for not meeting Dadi once before leaving again. He had just called her to say he had some meeting and will be back in a few days.

 

Geet and Pinky had a hasty departure and it had been necessary since Adi had seen the wedding dress and he even had called. Geet was at her apartment when the phone had rung but she didn't pick up. She just grabbed all her luggage and took off. Only her Babaji knows how both girls managed to reach Ahmadabad with so many luggages and were glad when Yash picked them up. They were to stay at Yash's place because Meera wouldn't know and because Ketki had insisted.

Since both were from girl's side and like sisters to Meera they were treated very specially. Geet and especially Pinky was fed with Gujarati specialities which they ate with great pleasure. Geet had asked Ketki to teach her some dishes and she obliged with much enthusiasm. At a point Ketki had to leave as her relative had come and Geet remembered her mother again. Before she burst into tear she ran into hers and Pinky's room and had cried into the pillow. The last time she had remembered her mamma she had been in the embrace of Maan sir and she missed him so badly. She was hurt to have gone without telling him but she would call him as soon as Meera and Yash were married. She wondered why Maan sir never allowed romance in office if he did it himself. 'Arre Geet, Maan sir toh dushth daanav haina, unke dimaag me kya chalta rehta hain kya pata.' With this she dozed off thinking about her Maan sir.

 

Meera had been in Ahmadabad for a few days now. She had a week from office to finish her work but the way things had gone she was finished much earlier. The problem which Yash had talked about wasn't a problem as such and had easily been cleared out over the phone. She had the suspicion that Yash was up to something. He would call her everyday and ask her random questions like what her favourite colour was or which music she preferred. Then when the work was done she actually wanted to head back to KC but Yash asked her to come to his home. He had brought her the bag Pinky had given him for Meera and asked her to dress up. Meera had inquired and Yash had just said that there was function t his place and her presence was very important. So Yash and Meera had made their way. When they reached, Meera was shocked. The entire family was outside the house from elders to children and in the middle was Ketki with a pooja ki thali welcoming both. She wanted to ask what was going on and but no one gave her a chance to talk. Yash had quickly retreated and had left Meera with his family. For someone who had lived almost all of their life alone, so much attention was quite unbearable. Meera was asked to sit and eat, everyone wanted to chat with her or play. The women congratulated her and said she was very pretty indeed. At a point where Ketki had come up to her, lovingly held her head and gave her forehead a kiss Meera burst into tears. It was such a small gesture but ever since she had been small she had craved for it.

"Arre beta, aise rote nahin. Tu meri beti haina" Ketki said and hugged Meera which instantly made her feel better. Geet, Pinky and Yash who had been watching from behind the pillars gave each other thumbs up.

Meera still wasn't sure as to what was going on but she didn't ask and just let herself get carried away in the happiness of this big family.

 

Maan and Adi had reached Ahmadabad and straight headed for Yash's place. Adi wondered if telling Maan everything had been a good idea after all. He had panicked but now that he was cooled down Maan's behaviour was frightening him. Maan was hurt and angry and his silence indicated an upcoming storm.

When they reached the place Maan did not want to enter immediately. He told Adi his plan and both waited at the backyard from where they could see and hear everything.

It was night time and the place was full. Everyone was dressed in nice rich colours and having a good time. They saw Meera and looked at each other. So she had been involved, too. They had given Meera Yash's project and send her here so she must have arranged everything for Geet and Pinky. Then they saw Yash wearing a white sherwani and blushing at the women's comments. Maan thought he would burst any moment when he saw her. Geet had entered the hall with a tray in her hands and serving drinks. She was wearing a red lehenga with silver work on it. Her dupatta was transparent and put over one shoulder and pinned together around her waist. She looked like a bride and the blush on her face, oh how Maan had missed it. Wait, why was she blushing….Maan came back to reality and took in the whole situation. He couldn't take it anymore. But Adi gestured him to wait as there was an announcement. Ketki stood on the second step so she could see everyone.

"Motao, chokrio ane bachao. Aaje mara mate ghani khushi no diwash che kemke aaje mara ghare mari thawa wali wawu avi che." Everyone clapped. Meera, Geet, Pinky, Maan and Adi didn't have a clue as to what she was saying but still listened further.

"Aaje khali sagai che pan lagan ek atwarya ma thashe." Again everyone cheered and Geet, Pinky and Meera took Yash to the door near where Maan and Adi was standing and asked:

"Yash, tumhari mom ne abhi kya bola?" Pinky asked.

"My mom is happy because today is the engagement and the wedding is to be held in one week." Geet and Pinky congratulated but Meera still confused asked:

"Who's wedding?"

"Mine of course!" Pause.

"With whom?"

"You of course." Pause.

"WHAT?" Everybody fell silent as not only Meera but Maan and Adi had screamed, too. All looked out and saw both men, who had forgotten they were hiding and now stood there, being the centre of attention.

"D..D..D..DD?" Pinky screamed.

"MK?" Meera asked confused.

"Maan sir?" Geet held her mouth with her hand.

'Damn it, why is everyone looking at me, Adi is standing here, too.' Maan thought.

Then, there was a silence again.