Chapter 1

My Diwalii Gift

(The whole OS Is mostly from Reyansh's ...POV)

Present-

Everyone was shocked. A pin drop silence. Only humming of silence was heard by my ears for few seconds and then slowly, very slowly, I sensed recovery of my senses from the shock. I could feel increased wetness emanating out in my eyes that I could not hold any longer. Ticks of wall clock of Kachahari of Haweli left far behind in race with my heartbeats. I did not find, however, even one second that passed. Oh my god! Time froze.

***

Year 2009, that day was June 23^th. This day of calendar had been always special for me. It was the day of result - The Day of Celebration.

As usual our principal, in his husky but clear voice, announced my name,

"And the best student award goes to REYANSH SINGHANIA..."

In roaring applauds I started my prideful walk to the stage.

".. he not only scored 99.7% in the 12 th board exam but also won state level dance competition, and led the cricket team that once again won the all district cricket championship.."

Everyone hailed especially my friends. I received mark sheet along with few medals and shields. After promising my close friends for a grand party I put everything in my bike and started towards my Haweli.

Haweli that was the word people used to address our house. It was a small town of Jodhpur that was long back founded by my great grandfather. My great grandfather came to jodhpur and started a business which was a mere business which started with a loan of 10 lakhs, but today it has a turnover of yearly 25 crores due the effort of my father and grandfather, but my father never allowed me to lead a lavish life coz he always believed in remaining in the ground and not to fly in air, his principal was to respect the earning but not to misuse it , so though we could afford to stay in a A-one city but he stayed in our ancestral place and carried on his world-wide business.

( O Hamdam O Hamdam Suniyo Re
O Jaaniya Suniyo Re
O Jaaniya Shaam Ko Khidki Se Chorii Chorii Nange Paav Chaand Aayega )...(2)
O Suniyo Re O Jaaniya Re
O Galiyon Se Aayega
O Siiti Bajayega
O Niim Ke Pedse
O Paas Bulayega )...(2) (crazy heart wouldn't rest without its lover)

Whistling famous song of super hit movie Saathiya', I entered in Haweli to see my mother standing at gate with aarti'.

"Ma, See!!! I topped again"

I jumped off the bike to touch her feet . She hugged me tightly.

"Ma, give me 5000 thousand rupees please. I promised my friends to give party. Can I go to Movie in INOX. Please. It is really good movie,ma. Do not go on its name. It is pure' family movie. Please. Please.. Please..."

And before I could get her yes to watch "Saathiya", I heard my father's footsteps. He came out of Kachahari (public meeting room) of Haweli.

"Yashoda, I am sure, he is topper again. Isn't it?"

I ran to him and touched his feet,

"Yes, Dad. I am"

I did not slow down my pace until I reached my room on first floor. Wait started. I was sure that my mother would give me 5000 thousand rupees and permission from my father to watch movie.

If it was not the result day, there would certainly have bomb exploded. Hiding myself with curtain, carefully I peeped out of window to see last stage of my mother's victory in pursuing my father. I could hear my father, loud but now yielding,

"Shameless boy. Now he will watch movie with his scoundrel friends. What is name you told.. ha - Saathiya-You are spoiling him. Be sure, one day he will bring someone out of our caste then do not come to me"

He called Muneeb uncle (his cashier).

"Muneeb ji, de dijye 5000 rupaye. Aur ha, gari ki chabii aur 5000 rupaye aur." (Muneeb ji, give her 10000 rupees. ...and the key of the car)

"Yashoda, tell him also to feel up the inter university college engineering form for the JNU exam while returning"

"Yes. Yes.. Yes... I love you ma." I started whistling, "

another song of the movie.

I put on a exact shirt and a torn jeans as Aditya did in the movie but instead of taking my car I took my bike ...hoping to see my Suhanii somewhere, whom I have seen only in my dreams.

Movie did not appear to be new. We had heard every dialogue, many times, from the early watchers. I kept telling each dialogue in advance, before hero Vivek Oberoi "Aditya" and heroine Rani Mukherjee "Suhani" could speak out, but what was new was first shot of infatuation for a girl that "Suhani" injected in me.

"Oh, girls are not just another gender. They are made to make us complete. A man."

My poor heart already surrendered it to someone who was yet to be seen by eager eyes.

"Yes, one day she would enter in my life, My Princess My Taani (A class 10 student from St.Louis school Mumbai) whom I have met just for once in a Dance Camp. She is a brilliant dancer and a superb amazing beautiful girl, but I have never talked with her. But she is fresh in my dreams and whenever I meet her I would hug her tightly, forever."

"Oye, topper, stop hugging me and eat Chow Mein yaar. Here there is no Suhani ...oops Teri to Taani hai Aditya ki Suhani aur Hamere Rey ki Taani"Said my bff Swayam.

All giggled. Even few girls sitting at next table in that Chinese restaurant failed to keep themselves away from my rascal friends and burst out laughing.

My cheeks turned red in embarrassment reflecting crimson sky of that beautiful and romantic evening.

By the time I entered in Haweli, as much as possible not showing me to any possible sight from Kachahari from where I could hear my father's voice. I went to kitchen and put my hands on my mother's waist hugging her tightly from behind,

"Thanks Ma... oh You made my dayyy

And I became speechless, a mute, to allow my heart to take over me, but my heartbeat stopped for moment before it firmly decided to beat for her, every beat only for her, for whole life.

There she was, my "Suhani "I mean my Taani, standing next to my mother, helping her in frying pooris. My sight fell on her feet. They were bared. Slowly, without crossing limit so as not to be considered "shameless" it started traversing up side. Smooth. Very smooth legs. Now I was looking just above her knees. Scene from movie flashed in my mind when Vivek was staring at Raani 's leg when she was just wrapped in a towel after the shower. But there would be towel. Yes. My eyes caught sight of Red color frill of her short baby frock.

"You ought to be decent" My mind instructed my eyes that quickly traversed up, passing the flat belly covered with a red material of the cloth. They hesitated while leaving the bosom, where a white color "flower" was printed, but soon kept moving through shapely neck, chin, and those rosy lips. Oh my God'. Before I could remind my eyes that my mother was standing there, they already immersed in those lovely eyes to dip deep in the elixir of love. A.R.Reheman started resonating and stimulating testosterone in my jittering nerves,

Doston Se Jhuuthii Muuthii Duusron Ka Naam Leke Phir Merii Baatien Karna
Yaara Raat Se Din Karna
Lambi Judaai Terii Bada Mushkil Hai
Aahon Se Dil Bharna

Yaara Raat Se Din Karna
Kab Yeh Puurii Hogii Duur Yeh Duurii Hogii

Roz Safar Karna
Yaara Raat Se Din Karna
Chupke Se Chupke Se Raat Kii Chaadar Tale
Chaand Kii Bhii Aahat Na Ho
Baadal Ke Piichhe Chale
Jale Katara Katara, Gale Katara Katara
Raat Bhii Na Hii Le Aadhii Aadhii ...(2)
Chupke Se Lag Jaa Gale Raat Kii Chaadar Tale

"Seemingly somewhere from little far away bells chimed in my ears. It was the best chime I had ever heard,

"Congratulations, Aunty ji was telling that today you received Best Student prize"

She forwarded her hand. I held it, not as friendly handshake but gently with both hands. She allowed me to do so for few seconds and then pulled it forcibly when realized my mother's presence.

"She is Taani. Only child of Shekawat bhai sahib, your father's best friend.

He is new BDO of this district. Today only they moved here..."

A graceful lady entered in kitchen,

"Bhabhi ji, they are ready for dinner..."

I touched her feet.

"Oh... dear. You are a grown up man. Bhabhi ji... pura aap pe gaya hai..(he resembles you completely) so cute"

She kissed my forehead. I smiled sheepishly try to hide my emotions as much as possible. Little I knew then that very soon these emotions would explode affecting every one of both families for whole life.Because still then I was in my dream land dreaming with my princess for a happily ever after.

Monsoon is perfect weather to fall in love. Those two months of holidays proved it. Everyday either Shekhawat uncle family came to our Haweli or we went to his government bungalow. My mother and aunt both used to get busy in endless gossiping, shopping, preparing never ending recipes... endless activities, leaving both "kids" alone to play.

Love is very difficult to understand. It can make a soul to wander vast deserts, cross several oceans, climb many mountains and travel through dense forests to reach the soul mate just to express love. But it was different case with me. I was so close, so near to my destined destination but seeing her froze me always. Nearer she was, more I was hiding myself from her, farther she was, more desperate I was to come near to her. An unintended, unwanted, un wished silence was drawn between us. I could hardly recall any conversation between us. Once we were going together to her bungalow from Haweli in hot afternoon. We both were silent, trying hard not to see each other. I offered my cap to her. She took it and put it on. Still silence. No Thank. Indeed, she was close to me,

Days passed quickly. Her School started again. It was board examination for her - class 10. She was 2 year younger to me - . I wished I would have failed in class . Most of time I lingered near class 10 of my old school to get her glimpse without letting her adept eyes to know my presence. One day, one of my scoundrel friends caught me red handed. I was writing her name on my notebook while all friends were busy feeling up forms for their college entrance.

"Topper, you cannot be just friend to her. Tell that you love her"

After many round of pestering, persuasions, threats I confessed,

"Yes, I love her"

Tears were quite clearly visible in my eyes.

"But do not know whether she does... I am really afraid of my father. He would never accept even if she does. He would not accept a girl from other caste, even though she is like his daughter and the most beautiful one..."I said to Swayam , coz they are Marwari's and we Punjabi

My friends understood gravity of the issue. Swayam who was expert in subject matter tried to solve the problem by breaking it in pieces and then solving every piece one by one. Good strategy indeed.

"Yaar topper, firstly we should know whether she also loves you and then whether would always support your every move, then only we should think how to convince your father"

If girls had to be defined in a single word it would have been "insensitive"... no no... it was wrong.. it would have been "expressionless" ...no ...that wasn't fair.. it would have been "shy". Yes, it made perfect sense. We understood after a week that she would not open up publicly.

"Letter... a love letter is only solution"

"No.. no. If I would be caught then my father will kill me"

"But even now you are not alive... isn't it? Said Swayam , At least there is good chance that she would accept it"

Yes. He was right. But how to write a love letter - the first love letter.

"It must be short, expressive and impressive" My friend reminded me several times.

Short. Expressive. Impressive. There was a way. I took a blade and cut my thigh - a small cut. Very small. But big enough to provide me few milliliters of blood to dip my index finger and write on a drawing sheet,

"I Love You"

Next day was last day of her school before Diwali holiday. My heart was sounding louder than honking of cars on nearby railway crossing. Few silhouettes of girls appeared in my blurring vision. Natural lenses of my eyes tried to focus to see her coming in middle of three girls. Few more seconds and then they would pass me.

I stood up, with a firm determination, moment they passed us.

"Taani..."

She stopped and stood motionlessly without turning a bit. Other two girls continued walking in brisk. I went near to her.. walked little more.. then turned to face her.

"I love you"

I put my first love letter in her hand and walked away without seeing her reaction.

"Awara... shameless... "

My father pushed my mother while dragging me from Kachahari to his room.

"Yashoda, do not come between us. You have spoiled him already... movie, letter, love... I am going to teach him a lesson that will erase all heroism from his mind"

"For god sake leave him. He is grown up now... it is better to ta..l...k"

My ear stopped listening anymore after a hard slap from my father.

"Does she really love me? If she loves me, she would have not shown letter to Shekhawat aunty"

***

Time is almighty. But it was not so powerful to heal my 5 year old wound. After that Diwali, I was sent to Delhi to my aunt to complete my rest of schooling. I was allowed to come to the town only on Diwali. In these 4 years I saw her only thrice. She had become prettiest woman of the universe. But my true love could not fill the chasm of doubt, Does she love me?'

After completing electrical engineering from IIT Delhi, I was selected in IIBM and sent London for 1 year training. I returned home, the town, on Diwali not expecting anything different than last 5 years. I could meet her, perhaps, could even speak few words... but how would I know her feeling about me.

I brought gift for everyone, except for her. What relation I had to give her gift. Still I bought a diamond ring from my first salary and kept it with me to assure my heart that I love her but she?? The answer was unknown to me, I presented silk sarees and pearl sets to ma and Shekhawat aunty, silk kurta for my father and Shekhawat uncle. I even brought ready made safari suit fitting perfectly to Muneeb uncle. Everyone seemed to be very happy except me. She wasn't around.

Next day was Diwali. My father called me in Kachahari. He was proudly wearing clothes I brought for him. My mother also came and sat near me. She was wearing the saree but not the one I brought..

Suddenly Muneeb uncle came in,

"Wo log aa gaye (they just reached)"

I lifted my head to see goddess of my dream coming slowly toward me. She was wearing the saree and jewellery set I brought for my mother. She came first to my father, touched his feet and then slowly passed me to reach to my mother. I could scent the same freshness of her that I had when I met her first time in same Haweli.

Shekhawat uncle and aunty also entered in the hall. Behind him were few staffs carrying big trays covered with silk clothes. I touched uncle and aunty's feet and sat on sofa.

My father started,

"Reyansh, this year you brought Diwali's gifts for everyone. We also thought to give you something in return that you would remember your whole life"

I was surprised to hear such a long dialogue first time from my father. He continued,

"We thought a lot but were not able to find anything matching our expectation" He took out something from his pocket. It was a letter - a paled old letter.

"Oh my god, my first love letter written with blood" I would be dead soon.

"Then we remembered this, and now we all present to you Taani, your love, as your bride. WE have fixed the marriage , tomorrow is Haldii".

It was unexpected. I was shocked. I did not know what kind of emotions were filling in me. Intrinsically I hugged my mother, covering my face in her saree. There was something wrong. Yes. It was saree that I brought for my mother but she was not wearing it... before I could realize I did blunder it was too late. I did not realize that my mother made Taani sit next to me. I was caught hugging my dream girl with my face in her shoulder, in front of all family members and staffs of bungalow and Haweli...

Everyone was shocked. A pin drop silence. Only humming of silence was heard by my ears for few seconds and then slowly, very slowly, I sensed recovery of my senses from the shock. I could feel increased wetness emanating out in my eyes that I could not hold any longer. Ticks of wall clock of Kachahari of Haweli left far behind in race with my heartbeats. I did not find, however, even one second that passed. Oh my god! Time froze.

"Shameless!" shouted my father at me.

I ran to my room as fast as I could, leaving a burst of laughter behind me in the hall and then when I felt a soft hand on my shoulders I turned only too see Taani standing there..

T-Mere liya kuch nahii layee...Us din bhi aap ne meri baat nahi sunni,

R-Taani...aj to batao, tumehe us letter dene ke liya mai 5 saal tak ghar se bahar tha,

T-Nahii kuch nahi bataungii...aap ki saja yeahii hai ki ...sasdhi se pehele ab mai ap se milungii bhi nahiii

And she started moving away out of the room but I pulled her, first time I touched her ,I pulled her with bit pressure, and she came crashing to my chest and I turned her, and said "Thik hai ab jo kuch bhi tumhe batana hai Saadi ke baad hi kehena but mujhe tumse kuch lena hai aur who mujhe abhi cahiyaa..."

T-Kya?

I pulled her more closer by pulling her waist...and said I Love U then hugged her tight ,squeezed her waist and then finally kept my hard lips on her soft petal like lips ...I nibbled her lower lips. She was hesitating ...I gave a small bite on her lower lips she opened up and I thrust my tongue inside her..Mouth and tasted every bit of her ...by this time she too responded. We had a passionate kiss...then when both needed oxygen I pulled out she hugged me tight, she had tears in her eyes, she said SORRY...I separated her and kissed and soaked the salt drops from her eyes and then pushed the diamond ring in her fingers, she hugged me back and we separated from the hug, and we once again shared a passionate kiss...

After that I asked her the reason of saying SORRY...She went away but before going said

T-Nahii bataungii

That was the best Diwalii ever...

Epilogue:

We are married now, and enjoying our honeymoon in Mauritus it is the second Honeymoon I am spending with her , it's the first Diwalii after our marriage, Last year after Diwalii we got married.I always wanted to know why 5 years back she gave my letter to her Mom , but never asked her again ,but after our marriage on our first night when I was loving her passionately I saw a deep cut mark on her wrist and that night when she was almost in her birth suit in my arms I came to know that, that day it was her friend who ran to bungalow and told everything to Shekhawat aunty. Next day, when Taani heard the incident in Haweli, she cut her wrist and, before she was taken to hospital, wrote SORRY' on the floor with her blood. She was unconscious for three days.

I Love her , she indeed was my best Diwalii gift...and after that I really don't want any gift...She means the world to me..Mrs Taani Reyansh Singhania...My Love

.

GUYS PLS COMMENT HOWS IS IT?? FIRST TIME WROTE SOMETHING DIFFERENT