MM- Ch 14

Across the hallway of the veranda and up the spiraling stairs overlooking the orchards at the back of the haweli, Geet ran with a letter in hand, her dupatta as usual flaring behind her and her long thick curls bouncing with her quick steps.

She entered her father’s room from the wide doors of the balcony connected from the stairs and excitedly she called out ‘Bauji, My letter has come!’

Mohinder was on an international call for business. He saw his 18 years old Geet standing across him, grown into a young beautiful woman but as she stood waiting for him to finish the call, her masoom child like patience couldn’t let her stand still in nervousness and excitement.

‘I am due to fly out at the start of next month, so I will see you then, but send me the preliminary blue prints that you have’. Mohinder said and hung up on his call.

‘Bauji Bauji, please open it for me! I can’t do it myself’ Geet nervously hand the letter to her father.

‘Acha acha theek hai!  Let’s see what the letter beholds for your future’.

‘To Ms Geet Jhatt Handa,

We are glad to welcome you at University of Delhi as you have successfully qualified for a Honoroury fully funded Scholarship at our university!’

Oh hoye! My Geetey! You done it! Meri Beti makes me so very proud! You have outdone us all’.

Mohinder hugged her daughter with outmost happiness on her achievement.

Geet hugged him back gleefully and said ‘not yet Bauji, still need to reach your’s and Amma’s standard’.

Jassi ji stood on the doorway to the bedroom with tea in her hand and overheard the good news. She couldn’t keep herself contained and said ‘Hayye meri Kudi! Your hard work paid off! Haye Sardar ji, Bebe was right, she really is the Maan of our khandaan’. Jassi hugged her daughter and showered her with kisses.

A 13 year old pudgy little Roop entered the room announcing that Daijaan has come by with Behroz Uncle downstairs. She was excited to know what her sister has done to be cuddled by her parents.

On hearing the news, she suddenly turned with tears and left the room. Geet looked at her parents and sighed ‘She thinks I will be gone forever! Just like Meer did!'.

A tinge of sadness could be felt from Geet’s words but Jassi ji waded it off by saying 'Well on the thought of Meer, your most favourite person has come and that too at the right time… let’s tell her your good news too’.

Geet followed her parents happily to meet Daijaan and Behroz (Bade Baba) downstairs.

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As Geet served tea to Daijaan and Behroz, she heard her mother say ‘Acha bohot mubarakan aap sab ko Praaji Ji, Meer ke yahan doosri baar khush khabri hai! Rabb ussey changa rakhey (Congratulation to you Behroz brother, Meer is expecting her second child, may God keep her happy)’.

‘Iss baar toh zaroor woh yahaan ayegi na? Pehli baar bhi nahi bheja tha, shehar main aur acha khayal rakhenge uska kehkar phir baad main bhi nahi bheja usko’ (Well this time, they will send her here right? For the first born they kept her with them saying that in the city she would get better care and then didn’t send her over later either)’ said Mohinder.

Daijaan looked saddened but said ‘Nahi ji, woh hi humein wahaan aaney ko keh rahe hain, toh main soch rahi thi ke hum sab jayenge isiliye aayi hoon yahi kehne ke agley hafte Delhi ho hi aayein’(No, they are asking us to come over there. So, I am thinking that this time we should all go and visit Delhi together)’.

Geet clapped with excitement and said ‘Sachi! Main abhi Roop ko bol kar aati hoon’ (Really! I will go and let Roop know of the good news).

Daijaan smiled after her and said ‘ Yeh abhi bhi kitni masoom hai (She is still so innocent’), look at her running off to share the good news with her sister, just like she had done the same when Meer’s wedding was fixed and she ran off with Jalebis in her hand’.

Everyone chuckled at the fond memories of the wedding three years ago. Mohinder then said ‘She isn’t so small anymore Daijaan, we just got the letter for her scholarship, she scored the highest in the state and got it on her own merit!’.

Jassi ji added ‘Haan ji samajhdar hogayi hai meri kudi, ghar wich saarey kaam bhi aagay lekin haan shararti toh abhi bhi hai, (Yes, she has become so sensible and has learnt all of the household chore but she is still very naughty). 

She then began to tell them of her daughter’s daily antics on which everyone laughed and began planning the Delhi trip.

Mohinder suggested that they visit Delhi at the time when when he is due to go on a business trip to Europe, so he can accompany them.

Geet and Roop were excited at the prospect of seeing their sister and best friends Meer.