Part 108

There was a bang on Arnav's door. Anjali was at the door. He got worried. "What is it Di? Are you ok?" he remembered last night.

"I am perfectly ok, chote! But it seems you are not ok!" she said smiling at him.
"What?" he asked.
"I think, you forgot that its your haldi and sehara bandh today!" she pushed him inside and entering his bedroom,screamed!
"What? What happened?" Aranv came running behind her. She looked around the littered things on the floor.

"Chote? Is this your bedroom?" she asked with wide eyes.
"What? I am tiding it up now!" He blurted and hurriedly started picking up the things.
She caught his hand and said. "Never mind, Chote! The room service will do it! Go and get ready! There is very little time left. We have to go to Sheesh Mahel!" She pushed him towards the bathroom and went out of his suite.

*** **** ****
It was decided that for security reasons the haldi programs from both the sides will take place in Sheesh Mahel. Arnav got ready and came down. Aakash and Payal had already left. He saw Shondeep's parents leaving for Sheesh Mahel. Raj and Elsa were busy making the arrangements. Mummiji and Papaji were in Khushi's suite. He looked for Mamaji and Mamiji. Mamiji was getting ready and Mamaji was lingering outside his room for her to come out.

He saw Anjali coming out of her room, nervously searching for something. Sham was enraged and was muttering furiously. He was angry with his wife.
"But I haven't seen it!" she was pleading. "Then who kept it? You must have misplaced it!" said Sham almost scolding her. She had tears in her eyes.

"What is it Di? What happened?" Arnav asked coming to her rescue.
"Chote! He is misplaced his mobile! And now asking me to find it out. He had it when he went out last night!" she said sulkily.

"Then he must have left it where he had been!" said Arnav looking at his JIJAJI.
"Oh No! That's not possible. I never leave my things behind, Saale Saab!" he said angrily.
"There is always a first time, JIJAJI!" said Arnav smirking.

"No Way! I Remember I had kept it in my pocket when we left" he whispered under the breath. Arnav curled up his lips, shrugged and came back to the lounge area.

He saw mummiji and Khushi coming out of the elevator followed by papaji. Papaji came forward and thumping forcefully on Arnav's back said "Hello Arnav Puttar! How was your party?" Arnav felt embarrassed.

"Party? Which party?" Khushi asked suspiciously looking at Arnav.
"Oh! Nothing!" He could say. Papaji laughed like a villain and coming back to Khushi, opened his mouth to tell her ... "um Papaji, I think we should have our breakfast!" said Arnav hurriedly. Papaji looked at him and said "Ok! But you owe me a favor, right?" he held out his hand.

"Yes, I promise!" said Arnav reluctantly, unable to perceive what papaji could ask from him and when.

Khushi was still suspicious. "Papaji!" she called out flashing an angry look at Arnav. Arnav turned his face. Papaji was out of sight by that time. Sham still searching frantically for his cell phone, Khushi stood there like a statue thrusting her hands on her hips. Mummiji nudged her and they both moved.

**** **** *****
The haldi program was arranged in two part of the Sheesh Mahel. Anjali was all set with the haldi for her chote. Arnav had refused to go trough all this. But she insisted that he be there at least for some of the mandatory rituals. She wanted him to wear the silk kurta which he out rightly refused. Finally they both settled down on a cream shirt. "But no jacket or coat!" she insisted. He agreed. The ground haldi and Sandlewood bowl came from the bride's side and Anjali sent one to them.
The ladies put oil and haldi on Arnav's face with the help of Mango leaves touching his forehead, cheeks, shoulders and arms.. He refused to allow them to apply on his hands and legs. He sat there sulkily, with an awkward expression on his face.

*** *** **
Khushi was enjoying her Haldi Program readily accepting the application of haldi and sandalwood on her face and hands and also applying haldi to the ladies in return, laughing her heart out. She was wearing a yellow plain saree with yellow matching bangles and gold ornaments. She had haldi all over her face. Her Kajal outlined eyes emitting happiness; she wore a broad smile on her face.
Papaji had made arrangements to bring the water from seven holy rivers of India. He had made sure that the bath after the haldi be taken with this collected water. He had sent it to the grooms side too.

Anjali wanted to bathe her little brother but again Arnav refused and went into the bathroom securely closing the door. Khushi's Amma and Payal helped Khushi bathe and remove the haldi properly. Her face brightened up with turmeric and sandalwood massage. She was glowing.
"Avinash!!! Bhabhi!!!" She screamed seeing Avinash and his wife at the door. She came running kicking and knocking down some of the things that were kept on the floor! "Careful, Khushi!" Avinash shouted. His wife came forward and hugged Khushi!

"Great!! This is great!" Khushi screamed holding their hands and swinging happily. They both smiled at Payal. "She is the same!" said Avinash.

"You look beautiful, Khushi!" Anita, Avinash's wife complemented Khushi! She blushed. She dragged them in and called out for papaji and mummiji. They both welcomed the couple. Avinash's wife looked around.

"Where is Anjali?" she asked.
"Oh! Anjali ji? She is in other party!" said Khushi throwing her hand in the direction casually.
"Other party?" asked Anita, confused! "Oh! That's means that Laad Governer's .. I mean... Arnav ji's party!" blurted Khushi. Anita laughed and Payal took her to the other side.

Anjali came forward smiling broadly, when she saw payal and Anita, Avinash's wife. "Hi!" she greeted.
"Hello, Anjali, How are you?" asked Anita holding her hand.
"I am fine! And thank you for everything!" Anjali said with gratitude. Anita smiled. Arnav saw her and asked.."Avinash?"
She grinned and said "Other party!!"
"What?" he was confused. "I mean Khushi's party!" she said. "He won't come here soon, unless he listens to all her stories!" she said laughing. Anjali joined her.

"Di... Where is Shondeep?" Asked Arnav looking around for him.
"Oh! He did not come! He stayed back at the hotel with Lavanya!" She said turning her face and left.
"Thank you!" Arnav whispered looking at Anita. She just smiled and went to meet the other members of the family.

Avinash had enough of Khushi's relentless blabber. "Stop it Khushi! How much will you talk? Keep something for later!" he said grinning and said "Khushi, I will meet Arnav and come!" he turned to leave. She pulled him back. "No! You are not going. All our party members are turning his side" she said sulkily. He laughed and left.

Papaji and Aakash had vanished again. Everybody was searching for them. Sham was still furious for losing his important mobile.

Shondeep was in his room when Lavanya knocked on the door. He opened and was surprised to see her there.
"Hello Ms Lavanya!" he greeted her.
"Hi Shondeep, I mean.. Everyone is going to Sheesh Mahel for Haldi. Your mom told me that you are not going!" she said looking at him.
"Yes!" he said still standing in the door.
"What is your plan for the day?" she asked him.
"Nothing!" he said unable to understand her question
"I mean, if you are free, maybe we can go out to take a round in the city!" she said. "You know, I have heard a lot about Lucknow! But haven't got a chance to move around in the city." She said looking at him.

He thought for a while. He said "Yeah ok. May be we can go out. I will be in the lounge in half an hour!" he said. She felt happy and excited. "Ok!" she said and went away!
He came down within half an hour to find her in the lounge waiting for him. He took the next chair and asked her "So, why did you not go?"

"Um.. I mean.. Haldi is not that important! Why did you decide not to go?" she said looking away.
"Oh! I am waiting for a business call, that's why!" he said plainly.
"What? And how are we going to go out then?" she asked.
"Oh! That.. May be after the call?" he asked her apologetically.
"Oh..Ok" she said little disappointed. He looked at his watch. His cell rang.

"Yes!..Oh! Ok... yes I am coming!" he said getting up forgetting that he was with her.
"Shondeep!" she called out. "Oh! I am so sorry, Ms Lavanya," he said turning back! " um.. Actually I need to go to Sheesh Mahel... My boss called me! So would you like to come with me?" He asked her.
"What? Oh! Ok. What will I do sitting here alone? I will come" She said. Somehow she felt he was avoiding her.

*** **** ****
Shondeep opened the door for Lavanya. She got down and ascended the stairs to reach the main door of sheesh mahel. He looked at her till she disappeared. He did not enter the mahel but waited at the porche. He saw papaji and Aakash descending the stairs hurriedly. He sat in the car. Papaji and Aakash joined him. The driver raced away.

Lavanya entered sulkily. She saw Avinash and his wife and felt better. She had someone to talk to. Anjali was surprised to see Lavanya. "Hello Lavanya ji, I thought you stayed back with Shondeep!" she said looking around for him.

"Yeah, but he had some business meeting to attend." Said Lavanya. "Oh! Ok!" said Anjali and left.
Arnav had his bath and had changed into his normal attire, brown jacked, white shirt and black pair of trousers. He felt comfortable. He smiled at Lavanya. She felt better. "ASR, what do you think about Shondeep?"She asked him.

"Oh! He is a gem of a person!" replied ASR. Anjali was passing by. She stopped!
"Who Chote?" she asked. "About Shondeep, I was asking him!" said Lavanya little blushing.
Anjali went away. Lavanya had nothing to do. She went to Khushi.
"Hello Lavanya ji? Where is Shondeep Sir?' she asked naughtily. "Oh! He had some business meeting!" said Lavanya moving over to Avinash's wife.

*** ****
Papaji, Aakash and Shondeep returned after two hours exactly at the time of Sehra Bandh. Anjali was preparing for Chuda for Khushi and Papaji was preparing for Pagdi /sehra for Arnav.

The sehra was blessed by the elders in the house and Arnav was offered the sehra. The pink and white sehra was tide on his head and a ruby and emerald studded shir pech graced the sehra. Arnav looked like a prince with the sehra on his head and a tilak on his forehead. Papaji could not control his tears. He again took out money to distribute among the poor encircling it around Arnav's face. He handed over an envelope to Arnav and said "This is a small gift from this poor papaji" Arnav touched his feet willingly. He was learning to bow before the almighty.

Anjali prepared the chuda to be sent to Khushi. The mix of red bangles and ornate ivory bangles were decoratively placed in a silver plate with rose petals and boxes of gold bangles were to be sent to Khushi. She was ready to go.

"Wait Raani Saheba! I wish to join you in this auspicious occasion" Said Sham taking the plate from her hand. Arnav clenched his fists.

Anjali smiled at her husband and said "Ok baba! Let us go!" she turned to go. Sham smirked.
The maid came forward and took the plate from his hand saying "I will carry it for you sir!" She took the plate and pushed a black thread in the bangles. Anjali raised her eyebrows.

"To ward off evil, Madam!" said the maid. Sham and Anjali came to Khushi's side. Papaji was waiting for them. He saw Sham and came forward.

Joining his hands he said "Damadji, Its my honour to welcome you!" Sham smiled broadly. They came in. Anjali took the thal from the maid and offered it to Khushi. Then she slowly started putting those bangles around her wrist in an artistic combination inserting the gold ornate bangles in between the red and ivory bangles. Khushi's hands were full up to elbow. It looked so graceful that Anjali could not resist herself and kissed Khushi's hands when she placed the ornate bajubandh around Khushi's upper arms.

Sham was looking at Khushi unblinkingly. Khushi felt uneasy and angry. His stare disgusted her. She could not do anything. "Khushi ji, the set looks so beautiful on you that anyone would kiss you !" he said it giving her the feeling that he actually wanted to kiss her. She could not bear it anymore, she got up with a jerk angrily. But Sham was sent off balance suddenly with a forceful thump on his back. "Mr. Sham you are invited to the hall!"

Papaji forcefully moved him to the hall and said. "Mr. Sham, I thought you would rush to the hotel!" Sham looked at Papaji questioningly. "I thought, you knew about the news ... The breaking news today!" Sham looked confused and nervous.

"News about 101 ways of how to cheat your wife!" Said papaji loudly. Anjali, who was entering the hall stopped dead.
"What?" She asked loudly.
"Nothing, Anjali Puttar! It's a news stunt" Said papaji laughing. Sham was nervous. His knees gave way. She sat on the sofa with a thud! Papaji smirked. But papaji had made him sit there with tea and snacks forcibly putting his hand across Sham's shoulder. Sham could not move. Aakash and Shondeep were sitting opposite Sham and staring at him smirking. Aakash went out.

"Take this and replace this in his room. It should look damaged!" Aakash gave the phone to the maid and whispered.

In the early evening, after a lavish lunch, Anjali took a chunari, to Khushi. She had placed it in a silver plate on the rose petals and golden threads. The Red chunari was finely embroidered with gold thread and studded with semi precious stones making it heavy and ornate. The edges were red silked tasseled with pearl threaded in it. The thal was covered with yellow silk cloth and was taken to Khushi.

Arnav was in his room. Anjali went to him with the thal and said "Chote, don't you want to see the chunari ?"

"What? Arnav asked loudly.
"Shh! Chote! Quiet! ... I am doing you a favour. This chunni is to be sent to the bride which she will wear during the marriage." She whispered. And removed the silk cloth.
Arnav looked at it mesmerized. Staring at it once again, he kept his hand on it and looked at his Di, dreamily. She nodded with tears and covered it again.

“Regi is flourishing as a designer....!” He blurted and Anjali turned.  Arnav smiled....!

Khushi removed the yellow silk cover and her mouth fell open, her eyes widened with amazement and she looked mesmerized. "Hannn! She inhaled but forgot to breathe out! She held her breath for a long time, not taking her eyes off the chunary!" Then slowly she touched it gently and running her fingers on it feeling its texture and closing her eyes to take it in..

"Beautiful!" she whispered. She looked at Anjali. Anjali looked satisfied that Khushi liked it.
"Khushi, Mami will send the bridal dress (Shaadi ka joda) in the evening. You wear this tomorrow to cover your head and face" Khushi nodded. "And.." Anjali went ahead... "Chote has seen it, touched it and liked it very much" said Anjali in a bear whisper. Khushi blushed.

*** *** ***
Sham was desperate to come back, alone. But Papaji did not leave him so easily. He was with him all the time talking to him politely and respectfully. He always made him sit with him calling him "Damadji!" Aakash kept glaring at him and smirking. Shondeep on the other hand was busy talking to Lavanya, making good for not taking her to the market. Khushi and Arnav were made to sit in their rooms and were not allowed to enter the hall. Anjali had come back to Arnav and had all the praises for Khushi. She described to him how she was looking gorgeous; how she wore the bottle green saree with kundan work on it' then how she changed into a yellow saree again for chuda Daan. How she liked the chunni. Arnav was restless with desperation mounting to see his Khushi... Anjali went on describing her chuda and how beautiful she looked. She described Khushi so well that Arnav could not control himself from asking "Di where is she now? Which room?"

"Oh! No no Chote! You are not allowed to see each other after haldi!" Anjali stepped into papaji's shoes not allowing them to see each other.  Arnav looked away frustrated... And his eyes flashed.... “Wait a minute!” he dashed forward...

“Aray Chote...!” Anjali called out from behind.  Arnav walked out ... Anjali followed....!

“Hey... ASR!” Regi had hugged him tightly.  Arnav patted on his back.  “Hi ASR...!” Rekha was not behind.   “Oh yes... Aman!” Arnav hugged him too.  Regi held him at arms length....

“Humm... Not Bad!” he chuckled looking at Arnav’s outfit...!

“Where is Khushi?” Rekha asked and Arnav fumed...!

“Other side!” he sulked and next moment found himself deserted.  All had vanished to Khushi’s side.  Arnav couldn't do anything.
"Bhai... " Aakash whispered in his ear. Arnav was thrown out of the trance. "hm?"
"bhai.. 101 ways is aired!!!" said Aakash in a bear whisper. Arnav looked around and rising from his seat held Aakash's hand. "Aakash.. We should keep Di away from the TV!" he said worriedly.
"Yes Bhai.. We will have to do something.. but You should see that!" Aakash said smiling.

*** **** ****
The groom's side came back to the hotel in the evening. The Bride's family stayed at Sheesh Mahel. Papaji told shondeep to take care of the groom's family.

"Shondeep, we are not coming tonight. You manage on my behalf. Take care of the Groom's family and guests on my behalf" said papaji. And placing a hand on Sham's shoulder he told Shondeep "Take care of Damadji. He is a very important person! See to it that nothing goes wrong in his arrangements!"

Shondeep smiled and took Sham's hand in his, saying "Sir, Don't worry! I will be honoured to take care of the family and especially the Damad ji of Raizada family. I will not leave any stone unturned in keeping them happy!" Papaji thumped on Shondeep's shoulder.

Raj was standing behind papaji. He came forward and shook hand with Arnav and then gave him a hug. "BIL, see you tomorrow! The D-day!" he winked at Arnav. Arnav looked away.

"Sham ji! I mean.. Damad ji! You will be the guest of Honour tomorrow! Damad from Groom's family is placed at the highest by Bride's side. So keep your demands ready!" He winked at Sham too! Anjali laughed her heart out!

****** *  *********
"These people are so nice naa?" asked Anjali entering her suite. Sham was surfing the news channels hurriedly. He switched off the TV immediately seeing Anjali entering and without answering went into the bathroom.

She heard a scream "What is this?" Sham came out holding a completely soaked Mobile.
"What is this Raani Saheba? I found this in a bath tub!" he was furious trying frantically to pat is dry with the napkin and picking up Anjali's hair dryer.

"I don't know!" She said looking confused. Sham paid no attention to her.
There was a knock on the door. Aakash was at the door.
"Di.. Nani has a headache. Will you please come and see?" he asked her.
"What? What happened to her? Let us go Aakash!" she said coming out of her suite.
Sham took a sigh of relief holding the remote.

Aakash went to Arnav's room. They both surfed the news channels and found what they wanted.
"The 101 ways to cheat your wife...and successfully getting away!!" The talk of the town of Lucknow, where the high profile wedding of the top businessman from Delhi with the foster daughter of the textile tycoon is being held, the Son in law, of the family slipped out in a party about cheating his wife.

"He was heard sitting in a pub with his other relatives and was caught blurting out the ways he tried on his wife... ! Does his wife know about this? What is her reaction?? We couldn't get anyone from the families for their reaction...!!!

It was a small news item with Sham's photo having his back at the camera.
"What?" Arnav blurted.."Why didn't they show the footage?"
"Bhai, Papaji stopped us from sending the clipping now! Once the wedding is over there will be a blast!" Aakash grinned.

Arnav kept gazing at the TV screen. Suddenly he sat upright. And waited for the marquee to repeat. There was a one line news not of much importance to any one other than Arnav. He waited for it with bated breath.

"A fifteen year old case of tutelage and paternity was reopened in Alahabad highcourt involving a politician and a minister in the UP government!! Arnav gaped at the marquee and smile appeared on his face. "Time to pay back!!" he muttered.

"Bhai..What?" Asked Aakash still thinking about the 101 ways..! "Bhai.. we should have seen the entire news!" he regretted about not being there when the news was first aired.

**** **** ****

Sham was enraged. He knew someone from the other four has leaked out the news. He was thankful that his photo was not shown. He paced the room trying to pat dry the mobile. He had all the numbers stored in the phone. He hurriedly went to the wardrobe, took out his bag and pulled up a diary. He found out the number and from the hotel landline dialled the number.

The phone was picked up from the other side. "Did you see the news?" asked Sham furiously. "We both are sailing in the same boat. If we do not do anything now! We will never be able to do it!" Sham said raising his voice.

"What do you want me to do?" asked the other person. Sham talked to him for a long time and when he hung up he looked relieved and satisfied.

"You will not do anything, saale saab! I will pull him out of the mess and he will do anything for me then!" He hurriedly went out of the room and moved towards reception area. He was stopped by Shondeep. "Hello Mr. Sham! Is everything ok? Do you want something?" he asked politely.
No! Nothing... I am just going out!" Sham said curtly.

"Ok! The security persons will accompany you and our driver will take you wherever you want to go!" said Shondeep smiling at him.

Sham went out muttering. He asked to stop the car at the ATM. He needed cash for his plans....