MM - Chapter 7

Haider was sat in the centre of the canopy decorated with fresh flowers and frills. Maan came and stood next to his DadiMa with the rest of the family.

All guests had arrived from both Waleed Ullah and Behroz’s side and just as everyone were waiting to see the bride to be, Meer appeared at the top of the stairs with her godmother Jassi on one side and her best friend Geet on the other side.

With a net dupatta covering her head, Meer’s eyes were glued to the ground and Geet guided her down the stairs holding her by one side. Meer was made to sit on another chaise facing Haider.

Asma, Haider’s mother came and sat on one side of Meer and on the other was Jassi ji. She held Meer’s face from her chin and said ‘Masha’Allah iss Chand jaisi beti ko aaj se humare ghar ka noor banayge hum’ (God has willed it, that this moonlike beautiful daughter will become the light of our home). Jassi ji held out Meer’s hand forward and Asma slipped the engagement ring on her left hand finger.

Across them next to Haider sat Behroz Khan who hugged Haider and gifted him a band as a token of the engagement.

Maan whispered to his Dadima ‘yeh kya dadima (what’s this Dadima) why aren’t the bride and groom exchanging the rings and instead the elders are slipping rings on them?!’ Dadima replied ‘In muslim tradition, the girl and boy should not have any physical contact until the Nikah (marriage ceremony) is done so out of respect to this rule the elders have performed the engagements rites’.

Maan listened intently and said to his Dadima, ‘Itne saare rules lekin bohot cute hai, shaadi ke baad pehli baar woh milna aur baatein karna its super cute Dadi ma!’ Dadima was pleasantly surprised at Maan who didn’t think it to be backwards but respected the differences. She was proud of her grandson’s genuineness. She patted his cheek lovingly and moved forward to meet Haider’s now fiancée.

Asma moved out of the way for Dadima to sit down next to Meer and she introduced her. Meer shyly spoke to Dadima. Then to make small talks with Meer and put her at ease she commented on her beautiful star stringed dupatta. Meer looked appreciatively and with ease said ‘Geet sewed the beads and made the dupatta so pretty for me’ Dadima asked ‘who is Geet beta?

Meer pointed Geet out to Dadima, who was with Jassi ji arranging the platter of sweets and drinks for the guests. She then told her that she is Mohinder Chachu’s eldest daughter and like a sister to her.

Dadima chuckled as she noticed Geet hiding a laddu in her dupatta and turned towards a younger girl who was also hiding under the table and handed the laddu over to her.

Meer noticed and informed Dadima ‘Woh Roop hai! Geet’s younger sister. Her only interest in life is to eat and they both play and love each other as much as they fight’. Dadima and Meer both looked at each other and started laughing as they noticed that just moments ago Geet who gave Roop the laddu now both were being reprimanded by Jassi ji who caught their blatant attempt of cleverly!

Haider and Maan who were now sat together were watching Dadima and Meer interact and Maan then told his friend ‘Bhabhi looks friendly yaar, she comes from this small town but seems like she might be alright to talk to and let her understand your situation’.

Haider who was also thinking the same said ‘ Yeh I was thinking the same that maybe your idea of talking to her might work… but bro you manage a meeting for us… over here all girls and women are just staring at my every move! I can’t even attempt to talk to her here!’

Maan was thinking how to make it happen when all of a sudden Geet walked towards them with a tray of sweets and drinks.

She held the tray forward to Haider and as he smiled and raised his hand to pick up a glass of juice she turned the tray around and said quietly ‘Di ne kaha aap ke liye thandai banana ke liye (Di, asked me to make a drink for you) you have an upset stomach so this will help’.

Haider looked embarrassed but Geet didn’t laugh at him just smiled warmly and moved onto serve Maan who was watching her closely. He said to her ‘and what’s there for me?’ Geet looked at him and wryly replied ‘Ji, the dulhe bhaiya got a special drink for his special problem… Do you have a problem too?!’

'Ji I have a problem with my toe, its hurting ever since a wild cat decided to attack me!’

‘Main jungli billi nahi mere bauji mujhe sherni kehte hai! Geet said proudly!’

‘Aur main koi dusht nahi apne papa ka Maan hoon!’

Meer sensed something going on when she saw Maan stand up to Geet and to avoid her toofan express like sister doing some embarassing herself in front of guests… she called her out ‘ Geet!! Yahaan aana!Come here)'.

Geet who heard Meer call her name said to Maan ‘aap ko drink chahiye ya nahin! Aur bhi khaas mehmaan hai yahaan!’(Do you want a drink or not! there are other special guests out here too).

Maan annoyed at her rebuttal yet again, just said ignored her and sat back down.

Geet walked away towards Meer and placed the drinks tray on a table closeby said ‘dekhno na Di, dulhe bhaiya ka dost bohot hi akdoo hai! Maine toh sirf chunni mangi thi waapis aur woh de nahi raha tha toh maine bhi usko ek de di!’(Look at him Di, dulhe bhaiya’s friend is such a snob! I had only asked for my chunni..when he wasn’t giving it back I gave him one good one!)

Meer looked at her surprised ‘ Ya Allah kya Di tuney usko!(Oh God! What did you give in return!!?)  

‘One good kick to his foot’! said Geet proud of herself.

Dadima who was sitting next to Meer still, and totally ignored by the two girls burst out laughing!

Meer tried covering up for Geet.. ‘Aisa nahi hai Dadima, yeh na bas toofan ki tarah hai..bina kuch samjhe keh jaati aur karjati hai!’ (It's not as it seems Dadima, She is just a motor mouth! Does't think before she speaks or does something!)

Dadima placed a hand on Meer to calm her down and looked at Geet and ushered her close. Geet walked towards the old lady and touched her feet then said ‘Satriyakal Dadiji aap Dulhe bhai ki dadi ho na?’(you are Haider bhai’s grandma right?)

Dadima smiled at the innocent girl and said ‘Yes and his akdoo friend’s too’. 

Geet caught offgaurd went red in the face and started twining her chunni in loops around her finger.

She said ‘woh maafi ji, maine unhe chot nahi pohchani thi woh bas hogaya!’ (I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt him kicking it just so happened!)

Dadima touched her face softly and said ‘acha kiya use thodi akal toh aye, (good he learnt a lesson) on how he should behave with such pretty and nice girls’.

Geet giggled and looked at the kind old woman who sat with so much elegance. She looked fun and yet respected by all. Geet then offered her the drinks and sweets tray...and sat with dadima who asked Geet how she knows to stitch so well.

Haider turned to Maan and pointed towards Geet who was now leading dadima towards the dinner hall and  said ‘Bro that girl is the key to arranging a meeting for me!you approaching the bride would be too suspicious as well… this is a small town and people talk very easily’

‘No way! Am I approaching that chalta phirta toofan and request her to arrange a few mins for you with her friend! She is too dumb to understand why and this time she might just really hurt me!’

‘Maan Singh Khurana and scared!!! Wah aaj yeh din bhi dekhne milgaya!(today I got to witness this too)

‘Main kissi se nahi darta! You know’… Haider interrupted his warning and said ‘Toh bhai mere please help me out!’

Theek hai Theek hai I will think of something! Maan exhasperatedly said.