MM - Chapter 6 Preview

Maan said ‘achaaa?!  Toh phir dekh hi lenge’ and he turned away on his heels.

Then just as he turned so, he heard her:

‘Suniye'

Maan slowly turned around to look at the face of the caller and there she stood again besides her little sister... clad in her pink suit with jhumkis dangling as she stood anxiously fidgeting with the ends of her braid's long tassle (Paraanda). The sight of her now up close felt even more magnetizing than the first time when his eyes fell on her standing in the window from the Veranda. 

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So here is the teaser for the next chapter... I think this photo speaks for itself !!! One of my fav pics ever of Gurti aka Maneet

Masoom Mohabbat Chapter 5

Jassi ji realized that time was ticking away so she asked to begin the preperations for the sagai as she led Maan to a guest room in the back of the house so he could freshen up in the meantime.

A while later Maan freshend up and was walking out when he noticed a door on the side of the guest room leading to a back courtyard of the haweli and saw Haider pacing across the veranda clutching his stomach.

Maan leaned on the door and called his friend out ‘ Kya haal hai janab ka? Why are you pacing away over here… I’m ready to rock and roll in your procession to doom buddy!’ Maan laughed at his own sarcastic joke!

Haider still looked worried and said ‘ Tujhe yahaan mazaak sujh raha hai, meri yahaan phatt rahi hai’ ! (You think you have the time to joke here, Im shitting myself here!)

Maan said ‘Kya phatt rahi hai, tera salwar!’ he laughed. (Really shitting in your trousers! )

Haider now getting further annoyed at his friend teasing him pulled him by the collar and raised his voice and said ‘Abbe saale haan!! I said yes to the engagement but Abbu went one step further and asked for the wedding to be done now too…like in a day or two!! Meri toh soch soch kar phatt gayi yaar!! (I am on my nerves end just thinking it through man!)

He put his hand on his stomach and said ‘Havoc inside since we left home and I have been twice already since we came here… I came to look for you as an excuse coz now this is my thrice!!! He raised his three fingers indicating the number of times he has been to the toilet so far!

Maan looked bewildered at his friend then placing his hand on his shoulder he burst out laughing howling ‘you have got the runs!! And that too now!!! Wah wah what a timing Yaar’!

Suddenly from a window above, they heard a loud giggling noise. Maan looked above to see who else has joined him in his laughter session. His laughter died in his throat and he stood with mouth ajar frozen with his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

There stood Geet with her pretty pink net dupatta flaring in the wind off the side of her shoulder… laughing away holding her stomach, pointing at the two men down below and looking back in the room she stood in.. As she would look back her stray strands of ringlets bounced across her cheeks and her jhumkis.

Maan stood mesmerized at the sight of her: with a petite and slim frame bent over with laughter. Her laugh crystal clear and carefree. Her plump face devoid of any makeup and yet still bright and radiant without a tinge of worry.

Haider looked up too and just then Meer came towards to the window to grab Geet away from the window.

‘Come here, move away from the window Geeeeet!!… Abhiii what will they say!!’  Meer trying hard to shush Geet’s hyena laugh and move her away from the window before anyone else hears her laughing at the guest of honour: the Dulha and his best friend!

As Meer came in sight of the window she glanced back at the two men standing below them.  Each shell- shocked and staring with mouths wide open. Meer also laughed and chuckled lightly breaking Haider’s trance like state. He too looked back shyly at Meer and raised his hand to awkwardly wave at her. Meer timidly stepped behind Geet who was still laughing away, trying to breathe at the same time with the huffing and puffing. Meer also raised her hand to wave slightly at her future husband whom she is finally seeing after so many years but in that moment Geet in a jerk turned around towards her and in the process Meer’s hand tugged on Geet’s shoulder and pushed off her dupatta. With the strong breeze in the air, the light net dupatta got carried away in the wind towards the courtyard below.

Shocked at her dupatta flying off her shoulder,Geet instantly stopped laughing and tried leaping forward to catch the corner of her dupatta from the window and yelped ‘ Hayye Rabba meri Chunni’. (Oh gosh! My scarf!)  Meer screeched ‘Geeett’ and held her back so she doesn’t fall through the window.

Maan’s spell broke when he heard her yelp. In an instant he ran forward in the courtyard to get a hold on the flying piece of fabric and jumped high to catch it in his hand.

He held the piece of net  sequined cloth in between his hands and looked through it at its owner.
Mesmerized he whispered her name gently

‘Geet’!

Geet looked straight down at Maan with a look of surprise and with sudden anxiousness marking her face. Maan could see her lips quivering even from down below.

Meer finally pulled Geet back and Said ‘Chal yahaan se, Ma ko pata chala toh kacha chaba jayengi humein!’ (Let’s get away from here!! If Ma comes to know of this she will eat us alive!!)

Haider watched Maan who was still holding the dupatta and staring at the window even after the girls ran back in their room. 

He hit his friend on the shoulder and whispered annoyedly ‘Dekha ab unne bhi maloom hogaya ke mujhe diarrhea shuru hogaya hai! Khudaya tu dost hai ya dushman!!! meri help karne ke bajaye meri hi khilli uda raha hai!!’ (See what you done… now they know as well that I have got diarrhea! Are you really my friend or feud!! Rather than take me out the situation you happily joked at my expense!!!)

Maan finally looked at Haider and half hazardly said ‘Pehle Tu washroom ja relieve yourself and Sagai ka waqt hone ko hai’. (You go to wash room first, the engagement ceremony is about to happen!)

Haider who suddenly felt the tides of urgency in his bowels gushing forth, he rushed back in the room to use the bathroom.

Maan followed him and waited for Haider to get done. He had the ruffled dupatta in his hand and the image of her laughter was replaying all over his mind. He felt as if he was given a new set of eyes which he couldn’t take off her. Her name was common and simple yet it felt good to spell it with his lips. He was confused at his own reaction since he thought he has seen more flaunting beauties in the hydes of Delhi  but there was something strangely attractive about that young girl and he looked forward to meeting her again.

Haider walked out of the bathroom exhausted. He wiped his face with a towel he found on the bed and said to his friend ‘Main kya karoon yaar, Abbu has put me in such a state of stress! I mean I thought engagement now and Shaadi later but he has set his mind on taking her back with us.

‘Waise tujhe problem kya hai? Ladki toh tujhe pasand hai na, Bhabhi toh pyari lagi mujhe?!’ (But what’s the problem? You like the girl right and she looked nice to me)

‘Mujhe kya problem hai! Tune uski saheli se nazar hi kab hatai aur Bhabhi ko dekha! Agar woh bhi tujhe pyari lage toh Teri bhi shaadi karwadoon kya mere saath!!’  (What’s my problem!?  When did you get the time to take your eyes off her friend that you even noticed her standing beside? If you also thought that ‘her friend’ is nice then shall I get you hitched and married to her too?’

"Arre apne gale ka phanda mere gale kyun baan rahe ho bhai mere" (Why are you trying to hang me along with yourself!?) said Maan holding his hands around his neck to show him the phanda!

"Wohi toh! If you like a girl will you marry her straight away??! No right! But I don’t know why Abbu doesn’t understand this!! He thinks getting me married will tie me down, now that I am just finishing college and he is afraid I will fly off somewhere."

Maan looked thoughtfully at his friend and said "try talking to her then".

Just then Noora, Haider's younger sister came looking for them, asking them to hurry up and join the rest in the hall where everyone is waiting. 

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Note: Tadantadaa.... Pehli Mulaqat ka nasha kaisa laga?! As a note to the scene where Maan saw Geet through the net dupatta standing at the window and whispered her name mesmerised! Well  I imagined this iconic scene from Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam except that Maan is holding the dupatta in his hands and looking up...

Next chapter will be here tomorrow

Masoom Mohabbat Chapter 4

The grand haweli of Behroz Khan’s was lighted up and the gates were thrown open to welcome  guests.

This was Behroz's father's home, he grew up in this small town and in his youth he had wanted to venture to Delhi with his then childhood friend Waleed Ullah to set up a new business. But his father was not so well and he didn’t have the courage to leave his father at his time of illness. Therefore, Waleed Ullah took off to Delhi and so did his business! Waleed Ullah would visit Hoshiarpur whenever he could and valued his old friend’s principles in making that life changing decision. Although it was he who had brought up the idea of making it big in Delhi. Hence, he trusted his instincts in making this alliance and wanted a companion for his son with those very family principles instilled.

Although Behroz’s father was unwell but it was at the untimely death of his wife when he had befriended a young Mohinder who had come with his mother from Amritsar to live in their ancestral home. He married a girl from a close by town whom his mother had chosen for him.

And today they stood next to Behroz Khan and his mother in law (Daijaan) as two strong pillars of support to welcome this new change in his daughter’s life. His ‘Bacchi’, his reason for not moving on in life despite becoming widowed so young in age.

Waleed Ullah brought with him an entourage of people each holding platters and trays of all assortments of sweets and fruits as shagun for his daughter in law.

‘Salaam Yaareey!’ shouted Waleed Ullah in excitement and hugged his old friend and now family-to-be.

‘Khushamadeed (welcome) bohot Mubarak din hai aaj’ Behroz said in return. ‘Salaam Bhabhi ji’ he said to Waleed Ullah’s wife Asma.

‘Walaikumsalaam bhaisaab, we have been waiting for this day for years and now it’s finally to be!’

‘Salaam Daijaan, aap kaisi hai’ said Waleed  ullah as he raised his hand to say salaam in a traditional manner to Daijaan. ‘Yeh raha aap ka beta Haider’ (here is your son now Haider) who stood behind his parents wearing a simple white kurta salwar and he raised his right hand in the same manner as his dad to say salaam to Daijaan and Behroz.

Daijaan said ‘Bohot khush hoon Waleed Ullah, tumne iss budhiya ki zindagi main rang bhar diye phirse’ (I'm so happy Waleed Ullah, you have filled this old woman's black and white life with new colours)

Behroz held Haider in a warm hug then released him and turned him towards Mohinder.

‘Beta yeh mere bhai se bhi badkad mera dost, Meer ka Chacha Mohinder hai’. (Son, this is Meer’s Uncle Mohinder, my brother like friend)

Mohinder had seen Haider a long time ago when the boy was still in high school and they had come to spend summer holidays here with Behroz’s family. Mohinder smiled at Haider and looked at the change in the boy appreciatively.Haider has grown into a handsome and tall young man with warm eyes and a friendly smile.He patted him on the shoulder and said ‘ Satriyakal ji Swaagat hai aap sab ka yahaan, yeh Jaswinder hai’ he hugged Jassi ji sideways as he introduced her to Haider and his parents.

Jassi ji smiled excitedly, came forward to hug Asma and said ‘Aap ko bohot mubarakan ji, aap andar aye humein aap sab ka bohot intezaar tha’ (Congratulations to you all please come inside we have been awaiting your homecoming)

Asma smiled back warmly at Jassi ji and added ‘Humein bhi, bohot saal baad hum sab aisey mil rahe hain’. (Yes we have been eager as well, it’s been many years since we all met up like this)

‘Yeh meri choti beti Noora hai’ Asma introduced her younger daughter ‘Mujhe yaad hai tumhari beti bhi hai na Noora jitni badi shayad’ (This is my daughter Noora, I remember you had a girl closer to her age too, right?) Jassi ji nodded and said ‘Haan ji, Geet hai meri beti, bas upar hai dulhan ke saath hai, dono behne zyada aur saheliyan kam hain’ (Yes it’s Geet she is just upstairs with the bride, they are more like sisters than friends)

Asma then realized that she needs to introduce other members of her family and friends who were also here with them.

Asma said ‘yeh lo!  humare khaas mehman ko toh main milwana hi bhool gayi’ (Oh gosh! I failed to introduce our most special guests with us here) she looked behind and found Savitri Devi standing there quietly watching everything with a smile on her face.

Asma went to her and held her hand to bring her at the forefront, she then hugged her sideways and said ‘ Behroz bhai yeh Savitri ji hai hum sab inhe Dadima kehte hai aur yeh Waleed ke business partner ki Ma hai aur humare sabse purane dost hai Delhi se, Haider ko apne pote se bhi zyada chahti hain’ (Brother Behroz this is Savitri Ji, we all call her Dadima and she is Waleed’s business partner’s mother as well as our oldest family friend from Delhi, honestly she loves Haider more than her ow grand child!)

Behroz looked at the elderly lady who stood infront of him emanating a strength beyond his age. He raised his hand to say Salaam and said ‘Aap humare yahaan itni door se humari bachi ko apna ashirwaad dene aye humein bohot khushi hui’ (You have come so far to give blessing to our daughter in her special journey ahead, we are very happy to welcome you here). He then turned to Daijaan standing next to him and said ‘Yeh meri Ma hai, Meer ki Nani, She lives in Amritsar with her son and spends time with my Meer in her holidays’. (This is my mother, Meer’s maternal grand ma…)

Daijaan came forward and held Savitri Devi’s hands and said ‘aap ka bohot swagat hai’

Savitri Devi held Daijaan’s hand tightly too and said ‘aap ka bohot shukriya humein swagat karne ka, hum bohot saare armaan aur khushiyan lekar aye hain Haider bete ki shaadi ke liye’ (we are thankful to you for welcoming us with such warmth, we have come here with many wishes in my heart and for Haider’s wedding)

Asma turned to then introduce Haider’s close uncles and aunts who were with them as well.

They then were all seated inside and given refreshments by the house servants under Jassi ji’s guidance.

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Haider was sitting in between all the elders and was anxiously checking his watch. Jassi ji noticed that the groom to be was eagerly watching the time. So she walked towards him and said ‘kya baat hai hone waale Dulhe raja, itni bechaini kyun, ab aur intezaar nahi hora apni hone waali dulhan ko dekhne ke liye!’ (What’s going on handsome! you seem very anxious... is the wait too long to finally see your bride infront of your own eyes!) She chuckled out loud and caught attention of others sitting around.

Haider who looked embarrassed said ‘Nahi toh Jassi Chachi, woh woh main apne dost ka intezaar kar raha hoon, usne kaha hai ke woh aaj sham tak ajayega’ (No no Chachi, Umm I am just waiting for my friend, he had said he would be here by now)

Jassi ji laughed and said ‘haan haan acha bahana hai ji’ (Yeh yeh, he’s a good enough excuse)

Asma who overheard and laughingly added ‘Nahi ji woh sach keh raha hai, Savitri ji ka pota aur Haider ka sabse acha dost hai woh. Usi ka intezaar ho raha hai sagai ki shuruwaat woh aate hi karenge’ (No Jassi ji, Haider is  saying the truth he is his most closest of friend and Savitri ji’s grandson, we are all just waiting on him then we can proceed ahead with the ceremony)

‘Acha, kaun hai woh? Abhi tak kyun nahi aaya’ (Oh really! I wonder who he is and why has’nt turned up yet.)

‘Maan Singh Khurana!’

A young man announced from the footsteps of the entrance as he entered holding a duffle bag in one hand and a bouquet of roses in another, wearing a white shirt on denim jeans.

His deep voice resonated his name across the hall they all sat in and everyone turned to look at him. A head full of black hair with a light stubble not quite grown to its full maturity, sharp jaws set with a slight smile on his lips as he walked towards Jassi ji and Haider. ‘Main hoon jiska yahaan intezaar tha!’ (It’s me who everyone was waiting for)He said and then held the bouquet across to Jassi ji and added ‘Yeh gulab aap ke liye’ (these roses are for you)

Jassi ji looked at the handsome young boy and shook her head with a light laugh and asked ‘Mere liye?! Phool toh jiske liye laaye ho beta use hi dena!!  Apni hone waali Bhabhi ko’ (For me?! No no, give them to whom you have bought them for: your sister in law to be!!)

Maan smirked and said ‘Phool toh main Aap hi ke liye laya hoon, maine suna hai ke ladki se pehle uski Ma ko phasana chahiye, baat phir jab banti hai’ (Well, this bouquet is really for you, since I once heard that to get through to the girl, its important to have her mother on your own side first!)

Jassi ji rounded her eyes in embarrassment and exclaimed ‘Haww, kya gal karte ho tussi, sach main tum shehri munde bohot aagey ho hum sabse’ (Your fast forward big city banter is way ahead of us simpletons here!)

Dadi ma held Maan’s ears from behind and said’ kyun tang kar raha hai, abhi toh aye hain aur abhi se tamashe!! Dramebaazi yahaan nahi chalegi yeh sab bohot saade log hai, Aap ki chikni chipdi baatein nahi samajhte’ (You have already started the teasing and drama! The people here are nice and simple unlike your melodrama which won’t work here!)

‘Oucch ouch Dadi Ma!! Sab dekh kar kya kahenge, itna jawan aur handsome ladke par kitna zulm, mera kaan laal ho raha hai’ (Ouch DadiMa, what will all others say, so much of misery on such a handsome man!) Maan squirmed under his Dadi ma’s hands and watchful gaze.

She chuckled and let go his ear Maan then bent forward and touched Dadima’s feet and said ‘Satriyakal meri khoobsurat Dadi’ (Hi my beautiful Dadi) and then walked ahead to touch Daijaan’s feet.

Daijaan stepped back and said ‘yeh kya kar rahe ho beta, iski koi zaroorat nahi’ (Oh there isn’t a need for all this dear son)

Maan raised back up and gently said ‘Aap meri Dadi jaisi hai toh aap ka bhi ashirwaad lena tha bas aur waise bhi dulhe ko toh sab aashirwaad dete hi hai koi dulhe ke dost ko bhi poochle’ (You seem just like my grand ma so Im taking your blessing too and anyway the star of the show i.e. the groom gets all the attention so please spare some for me as well!) Daijaan laughed at his funny banter and blessed him with her hand on his head.

Maan then turned to Haider and said ‘sorry Yaar! The car broke down in the middle so had a detour ! But let’s begin with your engagement now that I am also here’.

Chapter 4 Small Preview

‘Acha, kaun hai woh? Abhi tak kyun nahi aaya’ (Oh really! I wonder who he is and why has’nt turned up yet.)

‘Maan Singh Khurana!’

A young man announced from the footsteps of the entrance as he entered holding a duffle bag in one hand and a bouquet of roses in another, wearing a white shirt on denim jeans.

His deep voice resonated his name across the hall they all sat in and everyone turned to look at him. A head full of black hair with a light stubble not quite grown to its full maturity, sharp jaws set with a slight smile on his lips as he walked towards Jassi ji and Haider. ‘Main hoon jiska yahaan intezaar tha!’ (It’s me who everyone was waiting for)He said and then held the bouquet across to Jassi ji and added ‘Yeh gulab aap ke liye’ (these roses are for you)


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This is that jovial sneaky fun and mysterious Maan Singh Khurana... 
Hope the laughter in his eyes like in the pic below can be seen when you read the scene above.....

Masoom Mohabbat Chapter 3

Not to over burden Behroz with hosting his family, Waleed decided to meet in the evening for Rasm e sagai (engagement) and introduce the rest of his family and guests to Behroz’s family.

On the other hand, Jassi ji hasn’t given a moments worth of rest to her restless mind and neither to anyone around the house. All were running on the click of her fingertips with errands ranging from bringing the grocery to even the smallest tasks of arranging flower garlands for the guests. Everyone was busy following strict instructions from their one and only mother matron.

‘Jaldi jaldi  haath batao, aaj bohot kuch karna hain humein Preeti aur zara ladkiyon ko khana de aao aur tum sab bhi pehle khana khalo.. kaam toh chalte rahenge aaj’(lets work fast, we have many errands to run today Preeti andcan you send a tray of food for the girls upstairs and you all eat first too)  said Jassi ji, who came in the rasoi area to check on the progress. She had asked Preeti and all the rest of her household helps to be at Behroz’s house for the next few days. Some were busy with arranging dishes & cutlery, others were helping in chopping veggies whilst some were working under the khansaba and Daijaan.

Daijaan was given the task of overlooking the khansaaba (cook) in the rasoi and guide him in the traditional cooking methods of all the nawabi dishes on the menu tonight. Of course, Daijaan needed assistance so claimed Roop as she officially took on the responsibility of tasting everything that khansaba had cooking in the pots and literally her finger were dipping in every handi on the stove.

‘Iss main aur doodh dalo na Khan Baba, this kheer is too thick’ (add some more milk in here Khan Baba, this pudding is too thick) said Roop who managed to sneak a spoon from the large pot resting on the worktop. Jassi ji tapped Roop’s shoulder and lifted her eyebrows as if to ask what’s going on?! And Roop instead showed her spoon and said ‘I’m the taster Amma, Daijaan can’t taste all the sweets so many times her sugar level will go up. Hain na Daijaan?!’

Daijaan who was busy guiding khansaba for the ‘dum biryani’ just said ‘haan haan jassi, use chak lene de warna sham tak uske pait main dard uthe ga aur woh Rabdi hai Kheer nahi Roop rani’ (yes yes Jassi, let her taste it otherwise by evening she will ache with the wait!! And princess that’s a Rabdi not kheer)

Jassi ji, smacked Roop on the shoulder lightly whilst laughing away and said ‘Jhalli tu bas khaa thi rahe! (Silly! You just forever eat!)

She then asked Daijaan if the dishes were almost ready and on hearing the affirmative, Jassi ji walked out towards the front courtyard of the house and found Mohinder and Behroz who were watching the men put up the shamiyana for the week’s functions ahead as well as welcoming Behroz’s close family members who heard the news and were hoping to attend the functions.

 She overheard Behroz say ‘Aaj somwaar hai toh shukrwaar ko shaadi ka hum kahenge kyunki ravivar ko Waleed ullah ke mehman wapis jaana chahte hai, Tumhari kya raye hai Mohinder?’ (Today is a Monday so we will say that we think Friday is best for the wedding day since by Sunday Waleed Ullah’s guests want to return to the city, what do you think of this proposition Mohinder?)

Jassi ji said ‘Itni jaldi praaji’ ek hafte main bitiya parayi!’ (Woah! So soon Brother, in just a week our daughter will be gone!)

The men turned back to find Jassi ji wiping her wet eyes with her Chunni They looked at her with similar empathy and Behroz said ‘haan Bhabhi ji, woh bas unhe jaldi hai shehar lauth ne ki, unka wahaan ka sab kaam hai aur Haider bete ka college shuru hojaye ga thode din baad’ (Yes Bhabhi, its just that they are in a rush to return to the city because of their business and Haider’s college will soon be starting again)

Mohinder added ‘haan ji, ladkiyan toh aise hi parayi hojati hai.Humari Geet aur Roop ko bhi aisey hi jaana hai koi din’. (Yes you are right, Geet and Roop will have to one day leave their homes as well girls just leave so soon)

Jassi then sighed and said ‘Haan ji, Geet ka metric agle saal hone ko hai phir uske haath peeley karne hai mainu’ (Yes you are right, Geet will be done with her final exams for high school and I just want her married off soon after)

Mohinder looked at his wife with a resigned look and exasperatedly said ‘ kitne baar main samjhoun aap ko mainu use padhana hai abhi bohot’ (we have discussed this many times, I am going to make her study much much more)

Jassi ji hesitated and not to sour her husband’s mood she changed the topic by saying ‘Geet se mainu yaad aya…woh ladki hai kahan?’ Subah se mujhe mili hi nahi kuch ghar ke kaam main haat bata de toh kuch seekh hi legi’ (Talking of Geet, I just realized where is that girl! I haven’t seen her all day, it’d be for her own good if she helps out and learns a thing or two!)

Mohinder smirked and said ‘Meri beti ke kayi hunar hai bas dekh ne waaloun ki nazar kamzor hai…subah se weranda ko saja rahi thi aur thodi der pehle Meer beti ke saath thi’ (my daughter has many talents, its just a matter of looking with the right eye! She has been busy decorating the front Veranda all morning and later she was seen with Meer)

‘Haan haan saari kharabi mujh main hi hai, chaddo mainu aap se baat hi nahi karni. Main Meer ko dekh aayi Praaji aap log bhi jaldi tayyar ho jayiye ladke waale thodi hi der main aate honge’ Jassi ji turned away taking hasty steps towards the staircase. (Yes yes all the wrongs in the world is all in me! Im’ just not good enough, anyway I am done here with you. Brother Behroz I am going to check up on Meer, and you all should get ready soon as well the groom’s side should be arriving soon anyway)

Mohinder followed her close behind and held Jassi’s hand. He said ‘Kitpit baad main kar lena pehle aap aur bachiyoun kuch rasoi se khalo, mehman aane ko abhi der hai aur aap sham main khud ko bhool jayengi sab ka khayal karne main’. (You can bicker later but for now you and girls should eat something, there is still a while for the guests to arrive and once they will, you will emerse in everyone else and forget yourself)

Despite being from a traditional chauvinist male household Mohinder always kept to his manners especially to the women of his family. He was the favourite brother in law to all his bhabhis.  Jassi looked around to see if Behroz could see them and when she realized he couldn’t, she looked up at Mohinder and found him smiling down at her. She suddenly felt shy but grudgingly added in a low voice ‘maine Preeti ko kaha hai ke khana lekar upar ladkiyon ko de aaye aur aap ko chai’ (Woh, I have already asked Preeti to send food upstairs to the girls and tea for you) Mohinder let go of her hand and she walked up the stairs with a faint smile on her lips.

 She shook her head with the thought that she needs to count her blessings for having a husband who not only cares for her but also shows affection through his words and actions. She quickly held her hands in prayers and whispered ‘Rabb meri kudiyon ko bhi aisa chah ne waala preet mile’ (Lord, give my girls such a doting lover)

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Geet was haunched over a table in Meer’s bedroom fiddling with a needle and thread in her hands over a dupatta that Jassi noticed was part of Meer’s Sagai joda (engagement outfit) that was sent over from Waleed Ullah’s family in the morning by a servant saying it’s their request that the bride wears this traditional attire when introduced to the guests tonight.

Jassi alarmed at what new thing her daughter is sprucing up over something so valuable so she literally ran over and grabbed it off the table in a panic. Suddenly the look of panic turned into surprise she looked at Geet who stood across her with scared eyes and mumbled ‘woh woh Ma, woh dupatta hone waali dulhan ke liye bohot saada hai toh usko chamki aur taar taaka maine’ (Umm umm Ma, that scarf was too plain for a bride so I stitched some sequins and beads on it)

Jassi ji with surprise in her voice added ‘tujhe yeh sab kisne sikhaya?’ (Who taught you all this stitching?) Meer who was sitting on the bed all this time laughed and said ‘Aur kaun! Daijaan ne humein chuttiyoun main sikhaya aur iss jhalli ko bohot saada laga dupatta toh dekho na ma kitna khoobsurat kaam kiya hai meri Geet ne mere liye’. (Who else but Daijaan, last summer’s project! And this silly girl thought my scarf is too plain so look at it Ma, how pretty she has made it look all for me)

Geet gently took the dupatta back from her mother’s hands and said ‘bas hogaya Ma Meer ke haath ki mehendi abhi sookh hi rahi hai phir woh tayyar ho jayegi’ (Its almost done Ma in the mean time Meer’s henna will dry up so she can get ready soon after)

Jassi ji turned in amazement to look at Meera’s hands which had mehendi on just the fingertips. She added ‘woh shaadi se ek din pehle poora haath ko lagoungi abhi Geet ko maine itna hi lagane ko kaha hai… Aap use kuch na kahiye woh phone par design nikaala humne’. (Umm I know it’s just on tips of my fingers for now, but night before the wedding I will get my hands filled with Mehendi. It’s not Geet’s crazy idea I asked asked her put this much on because we found this design from our phone)

Mohinder’s words of praises for their daughter rung in Jassi ji’s ears as she stood stumped at her daughter’s handiwork of first the dupatta then the mehendi, she wondered what new shades of Geet’s colourful personality will she get to see in Meer’s wedding ahead.

Preeti walked in with a tray of food and brought Jassi out of her own thoughts. She fed both the girls with her hands whilst she ate some too and told them of Roop’s food tasting abilities in the rasoi.

As she was leaving the room she informed Geet that she will send her clothes by a servant from their house and she will be back in an hour to help Meer get ready for the sagai tonight.

An hour later closer to sunset, Jassi ji was back in the room fussing over Meer’s hair and jewellery. As she was setting the tikka on Meer’s forehead she saw Geet’s reflection in the mirror who had just stepped out of the bathroom clad in a baby pink Patiala suit with a dupatta draped around her shoulders. She stared at her young daughter’s and at Meer’s reflection with tears brimming in her eyes noting that both her daughters no longer look like those piggy tailed little angels running around her and have now grown into beautiful young girls.

Meer held Jassi’s hand which was resting on her shoulder and blinked a smiled at her whispering ‘Geet mujhe se bhi pyaari dulhan banegi’ (Geet will look a even prettier bride than me )

Jassi ji smiled and in the background Geet tumbled over the edge of the rug and landed right on her bum. Jassi ji turned around laughing and  said to Meer ‘ Pyaari toh yeh zaroor hai lekin bohot jhalli hai dekha toofan ki tarah tezi phir takra gayi’ (its true that she is pretty but is a crazy fool too look at her coming in lika s storm and crashing in on her self) she bent over to help Geet up and with a chuckle she added ‘ ek din tune apne dulhe par bhi aise hi bijli ki tarha gir jaana hai’ (One day you are going to thunderingly fall just like this on your groom!)

Geet looked at her mother annoyed and said ‘Maaaa.. aap phir mujhe chida rahe ho.. I’m not getting married any time soon.. you have Meer to tease now and take out all your armaan in her shaadi.. I am ready to host this gudda of her’s who has come to take my sister away’ she muttered the last sentence to herself with pranks running through her mind.

Meer and Jassi both started laughing at Geet’s annoyance on her brother in law to be!

To save Geet from further teasing, Preeti rushed from downstairs to announce that the dulhe waale are here.

On hearing the news, Geet jumped in excitement and squealed running to the upstairs weranda looking down at the entrance lobby ‘mainu bhi dekhna hai dulhe waloun ko main bhi aayi Preeti… woh phool mainu bhi phekna hai dulhe par’ (I want to see the groom’s side too and shower the rose petals on the groom with everyone else)

Jassi ji quickly made her way to the stairs and stopped Geet from running downstairs saying ‘Arreee Geettt!! Tu yahin ruk yahaan apni behen ke saath,  Meer ko lekar aana hai tujhe..’ dulhe ko baad main dekh lena..’ (Ohh Geet, not now see the guests and the groom later, you stay with your sister and come with her)

Par Ma, mujhe bhi dekhna hai dulhe ko’ Geet moaned. (But Ma, I too wanted to see him)

‘Haan haan dekh lena baad main aur yeh shaadi ki baraat nahi hai. Kuch hi din baad jab baraat ayegi Meer ki, tu hi swagat karna theek hai’ (Yes, later in the week you can welcome the wedding guests all yourself but for now stay up) Jassi ji touched Geet’s cheeks and coaxed her to go back, not wanting to set a bad impression of their family in front of dulhe waale she only wanted the elders to be present first time.

Geet contemplated her mum’s words and lifted her spirit up with the prospect of welcoming the real baraat in a few days. She went up the stairs and into Meer’s room again to give her company until they are summoned.

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Note: From this chapter onwards I have added English subtext for every dialogue spoken in Hindi/Urdu as it’s not easy for non-Hindi speakers to understand the conversation and in turn miss out on essential points of the story… So hope that helps! I am sorry for posting this chapter after soo much delay but good news is that it’s a very long almost 2500 words chapter!! Anddd I have two more chapters ready to post J Soo happy reading