ANNIKA
It was nearing night by the time Annika reached her home. Sahil was out with his friends, probably playing with them. Sundari Bua was God knows where, but it was probably good that both of them were not in the house.
Annika was still soaked wet from the rain outside. In her hands was a cheque handed to her by none other than ‘Shivaay Singh Oberoi’. To some it may be just paper with value written on it, but to Annika it was insult from hell.
‘How dare he put Sahil in danger?’ Annika thought as she stared out of her window from her room, “How dare he buy her house and show her tadibaazi? He may be multimillionaire, but she was a woman whose self respect and honesty were more important to her than all those shiny, pricey things that rich people waved in front of ordinary people.’
Clutching tightly the bars of the window, all Annika thought the humiliation that she had faced just because she had met that man. Her gaze hardened each time she thought of him smacking the cheque into her hand and then discarding her like trash.
Soon, rain began to pour and thunder rumbled; it seemed like even Nature was mirroring her mood.
“Rhimjhim gire sawan….” Began to play from the radio kept in the table beside her, But Annika hardly paid attention to it and kept staring at the rain swept scenery all while thinking about her humiliation.
SHIVAAY SINGH OBEROI
“…sulag sulag jaaye Mann,
Bhige aaj iss mausam me, lagee kaisee yeh agan….” Chimed the radio. Shivaay’s blue eyes swept over the window tainted with rain water, as he walked towards the window.
It should feel like victory to show Annika her real place, but for once Shivaay had not reveled in his victory, he had felt hollow. While slamming the cheque in her hand gave a sense of satisfaction the shame and guilt that had followed when he saw her collapse in the road was unexpected.
Shivaay had tried so hard to not think about that girl Annika but he had found it hard, she got under his skin like no one else. Shivaay knew that people like Annika shouldn’t be entitled his 0.1% of attention but found himself thinking about her none the less.
Shivaay had tried to distract himself by tender reports and his work but all was in vain. For a moment Shivaay had thought maybe she wasn’t like all those opportunistic girls that he had displeasure of knowing and was actually a decent person all along and he was wrong.
But surely he was not. People, who don’t belong to good families, do not receive good values and are not good. It was matter of time before Annika revealed her true face.
All he has to do is waiting for Khanna give him the news that she had withdrawn the money, from the cheque. And his guilty conscience would be at ease.
KALYANI DEVI
The next came with the sharp sweet setting of sun that nowhere indicated that there had been rain just the day before. Kalyani Devi or as called Dadi had gathered Pinky and Shakti along with Om and Rudra to meet with Tia’s family. Tia’s family was small – just her mother and Brother Robin.
Priyanka had sat beside Dadi most comfortably. From her corner of eyes, Dadi could see Rudra fooling around while Om either smiled or rolled his eyes, seeing that Dadi let small smile slip in.
“Pinky ji, Shakti ji, Jab Shivaay aur Tia ne shaadi karne ka faisla kiya tha, maine socha that meri beti ko ek bahot accha ghar mil chukka hai jahaan uska pati uska khayal rakhega,” serenely said Tia’s mother, “Magar Shivaay ke baar – baar Engagement ke talne si kahon aadat ho gayi…Mujhe toh itna tension ho chukka hai ki mera nervous breakdown ho chukka hai jiske wajah se main Robin ko har jagah apne saat le jaat hoon…Akhir kab tak meri beti ko wait karna hoga?”
Tia’s mother did talk sense, Shivaay’s habit of postponing his marriage further and further even got Dadi nightmares.
“Puttar me samajh sakti hoon teri pareshaani magar, tum toh janti ho Shivvay kaisa hai, ek baar agar uska maan kisi baat pe nahi aata toh who us baat ko phisool manta hai.” Said Dadi.
“Aise kaise phisool manega!” protested Pinky, “Tia beta tu Abhi jaa aur use yahan leke aaja, aaj aur isi waqt Sagaai ki taril paki kar lete hai.”
Tia nodded and smiled, “Ji Aunty”
Hopefully Tia is able to convince him or else she would have to put her foot down. Quite frankly Kalyani Devi had no illusions of Shivaay’s marriage being of love. But Shivaay hardly ever looked in any other girls’ directions and thought of his family mostly. If Tia did marry Shivaay maybe he’ll consider her family and maybe, just maybe he may come to love her. Because Ishqbaazi is not any instant infatuation, it is love, deep love with whom you are at most at your comfort zone.
All in all Kalyani hoped best for her grandchildren. Kalyani squeezed Priyanka’s hand as she thought of her relationship with her own husband. Hopefully, everything will turn out fine. Because what is world without Hope anyway?
By the time Tia came around, Kalyani instantly knew what Shivaay must have said, as her facial expression spoke more than her voice. Tia sat down beside her mother and gave her a sad look, while Pinky asked, “Kya Hua Tia, Shivaay mana ya nahin?”
“Tia bit her lip and said, “Who Pinky Aunty, Shivaay ne engagement karne se mana kar diya.”
Pinky fumed at that while Shakti let out a sigh, Tia’s mother looked like she may really pass out right then and there. Rudra let out a quiet triumph laugh but no one paid him attention except for Om who nudged him and said, “Quiet, Rudra”
“Kya Bhaiya, you’re no fun” pouted Rudra.
“Aur kitna time chaihye iss ladke ko,” protested Pinky “Agar chahta hai toh badi badi dada ji ke zamaane ki ghadi ko god lekar ghumein.”
Just in time, Shivaay walked into room and announced, “Main Saagai nahi karna chahta…”
Everyone looked shocked and troubled at the news only Rudra looked giddy at the aspect of not having Tia as his Bhabi. Everyone looked at Shivaay. Finally Pinky let out her classic “Oh My Maata”
Shivaay looked at her and then at Tia and said firmly, “Main Saagaai nahi karna chahta…”
At that Rudra and almost everyone jumped at their feet shocked but only Rudra went and did some sort of Victory/Bhangra Dance while Om tried to keep him grounded.
“…Kyunki main seedha Shadi karna chata hoon.”
At that everyone finally eased, while Rudra looked like someone had personally shot down his puppy. Pinky and Tia’s mother let out a wide smile while Tia smiled demurely at him.
“Shivaay Baby really? You are the best!” announced Tia as she hugged her mother in happiness.
“Oh my Mata, Yeh aut aur acchi good news ho gayi, Ek mahine mein shaadi aur uske baad baache, bas ab tu mujhe ek pyara sa nanha sa kanji akhon wala, thoda gusse wala aur daadhi wala pota dede uske baad main kuch aur nahi maangogi…” Pinky trailed off when she saw Shivaay who had raised his eyebrow, “Nahi…zaada ho gaya?” Shivaay nodded.
“….tune jo kaha who soch, samajh ke toh kaha na?” asked Dadi as she leaned in arm rest, while Shivaay faced her and leaned beside her, “Hum log toh saagai ki baat kar rahe then, tune toh shaadi ki baat kar li.”
“Shaadi toh karni hi hai sabko, isme sochne ka kya kaam?” shrugged Shivaay.
“Puttar shaadi koi khel nahi, yeh toh ishqbaazi ka safar hai, jahan tumhari saajhedaari janmo tak chalti hai.” Sagely said Dadi, “Jaise business mein jitney ke liye risk jaate hai uska theek oulta hota hai ishqbaazi mein, jahan tumhe haar kar hi jeet milti hai.”
“Phir toh muje lagata hai Dadi ki ishqbaazi mujhse toh kabhi nahi hogi. Shivaay Singh Oberoi kabhi bhi apni zindagi mein nahi hara. Aur kabh harega bhi nahi.” Announced Shivaay.
“Yeh toh tu abhi keh raha hai puttar, jab tu abpne saajhedaar se milga tab hi pata chalega.” Smiled Dadi.
“Yeh sab aap isiliye keh rahi hai kyuki aap mujhse pyaar karti hai.” Said Shivaay as he sat down beside Dadi and took her hand in his hand, “Mujhe lagta hai ki Tia is the perfect girl for me, and I should marry her. Uske saat main khush rahoonga, don’t worry Dadi.”
“Puttar, agar tu khus hai toh hume aur kya chahiye?” said Dadi as she squeezed his hand.
OMKARA SINGH OBEROI
“NAHI”
Snap.
“Nahi”
Snap.
“Nahi!”
Snap.
“Hey bhagvan, yeh din aane se pehle tune mujhe utha kyun nahi liya” said Rudra dramatically, as he waved past Omkara for what seemed like 20th time in an hour.
After Shivaay had announced he wanted to get married with Tia, Omkara and Rudra had retreated to Omkara’s studio room/ Bedroom, where Om had wanted to prepare for the Art festival peacefully but was unable to due to one reason: Rudra.
“Rudra, tu yeh kya kar rha hai? Just stop it already.” Firmly said Omkara.
“Om bro, Aap yahan bhaith kar itne peacefully apna kaam kasie kar sakte ho? Shivaay bhaiya ne sab kuch bigaad diya hai, woh kuch hi dino mein paraya dhan ho jayenge, hum kya karenge uske baat…Paraya dhan hone ke baad, Tia unke peeche peeche Shivaay Baby keh keh kar ghoomengi, Aur uske baad jab bache honge toh ABCD nahi universe ke signs yaad karenge woh, Shivaay Papa keh keh kar, Aur uske baad…Aur uske baad kya baato aapko mein O bro…Uske baad…” rambled off Rudra.
“Rudra chup hoja ek second ke liye…” pleaded Omkara, “Itna kaise koi bol sakta hai.”
Omkara turned back to his statues and starting to tick off, the ones to be shown in display of Art festival.
“Kyun chup ho jao? Kyun? Ab baas main yeh aur bardaast nahi kar sakta, Lady Baba ab Bhabhi Baba ban rahi hai humari, aur aap ho ki bass apne murtiyon ko set kiye jaa raho, jo kiye jaa rahe ho…Mujhe na shaadi ke system hi bura lagta hai…Pura corrupt hai, yeh pura system.”
“Shaadi ka system?” asked Om skeptically.
“Haan, Shaadi ka system, jab girlfriend boyfriend hote ho toh, Ok baby, Ok jaanu aur jaise hi shaadi hoti waise achanak se aaji sunte ho, aaji main kya keh rhi thi ki…Aur kya hona hai? Aurte bolti hi jaati hai aur mardo ko sunna hi padte rehta hai…pata nahi itni saari baatein kar kahan se leti hai yeh ladkiyaan?”
“Theek waise hi, jaise tu abhi kar raha hai.” Dryly responded Omkara.
“Hey guys, yahan chal kya raha?” asked Shivaay as he entered the room.
“Rudra Shaadi mat karo, Khud ko Bachao andolan kar raha hai.” Dryly responded Omkara.
“Kya?” asked Shivaay puzzingly while at the same time Rudra protested, “O bro, aap na…”
“Khair chodo, tumlog mere haath ka bana Italian pizza khaoge?” asked Shivaay as he lined the visage of one of the Om’s paintings.
Omkara looked at him with a raised eyebrow, while Rudra asked, “Bhaiya, Yeh toh aap tabhi banate hai jab app celebratory mood mein hote hai? Kuch special hua hai kya?”
“Haan, ek bahot badi business deal seal hui hai.” Smirked Shivaay.
Om smiled and raised his eyebrow, “Businees deal? Tia se shaadi ki khusi nahi hai?”
“Haan hai, magar apni jeet ka kuch alag hi maza hai.” Stated Shivaay, as all the brother moved to kitchen.
In the kitchen they moved and shuffled around to make their desired dish all while joking and fooling around (mostly Rudra.)
“Hey Guys” Tia said as she entered the kitchen with a bright smile.
“Hello Tia” greeted Om.
“Hey” greeted Shivaay. While Rudra just frowned at her, not that she noticed.
“Shivaay baby, Maine ek wedding planner hire ki hai, Dadi ke help se, Would you like to help me out with the preparation?” asked Tia.
Shivaay shoved the raw dough of Pizza and washed his hands off and wiped them clean, “Sure why not?” said Shivaay, Tia smiled and looped her hand around his arm, “You guys are coming?” asked Shivaay to his brothers.
Since Om had nothing better to do, he nodded and said, “Sure” and dragged Rudra along with him. Rudra silently protested but settled when he was chided.
“You know we should try and see what theme colors our wedding should be oriented, It’s going to be June soon, so rain will start….” Trailed Tia while Shivaay meticulously listened.
Rudra and Om walked behind her and mimed her or scowled at her while Om tried to stay serious and chided him if he went too far.
When they reached the Hall, Tia tripped and her sandal broke as she let out a huge, “Ouch!”
But Shivaay didn’t pay attention to her as he moved ahead and saw the person whom had been hired.
It was Annika.
Om looked like he was about to witness train wreck while Rudra openly gaped his mouth but for once no voice came out of his opened mouth.
As Annika finished giving the staff her instruction, she turned to Shivaay and gave him a smirk but didn’t say anything. Tia finally got unengaged with her shoe and walked up to Shivaay, “Shivaay baby, tumhara Dyaan kahan hai? I called you for help for like 100 times already!” then she noticed Annika, “Oh Hey Annika! Shivaay meet Annika, our wedding planner.”
Shivaay didn’t say anything just kept looking at Annika. Tia blissfully stayed oblivious to all this. Om and Rudra just kept looking at the pair; Rudra seemed a little giddy seeing Annika.
Then Dadi entered the Hall, “Annika puttar, tu aa gayi.”
Annika stooped low to take blessing from her, “Haan dadi, aapne jab bulaya hai toh mujhe aana hi pada.”
“Accha kiya kit um aa gayi Annika, I was just discussing with Shivaay about our theme – ” Tia got cut off by the ringing of her phone, “Give me a sec please. Hi Mom.”
“Ye iss ghar mein kaam karegi?” asked Shivaay indignantly.
“Nahi, Nahi maine isse yahan Japan se kaam karne ke liye bulaaya hai.” Answered Dadi sarcastically, “Shaadi yahan hai toh yahin se hi kaam karegi naa.”
“Woh kya hai naa Billu,” whisphered Dadi, “Humne is ke bilkul bhi achha nahi kiya. Tune toh jail bhi bhijawa diya. Maine socha Prinku kis friend hai, use jaanti hai aur bharose mand hai, isiliye isse yahan bula liya.”
“Dadi aapne yahan bulaya hai toh mujhe aana hi tha,” said Annika as she kept looking at Shivaay.
“Dekha isse kehte hai sanskar, Itna meetha bolti hai,”
Suddenly Shivaay remembered her talking to him.
“Shant hai,”
Shivaay remembered how incessantly she kept talking.
“Seedhi hai, aisa lagta hai ki muh mein zaban hi nahi.” Dadi said as she cupped Annika’s face in her hand and patted her cheek.
‘If this girl is seedhi then, I am not Shivaay, I’m someone else’ thought Shivaay as he clearly remembered Annika thrashing his personal car.
“Tum log baat kar lo, main baas abhi aayi.” Said Dadi as she went away to do her chore.
With a few moments of silence, Annika raised her eyebrow and said, “Bahar toh, aap badi badi baatein kaar rahe the…Shivaay Singh Oberoi, aisa hai, Shivaay Singh Oberoi waise hai…pata nahi kaise hai? Kya hua Shor in the City se achanak aap, Nil baatein Sannata ho gaye?”
“Mujhe tumse kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai, Main already jeet chukka hoon. Isiliye tum apne attitude ko bahar phenk kar yahan aaogi.” Ordered Shivaay.
“Yeh kisne keh diya apse ki aap jeet gaye hai? Aap abhi tak jeetein nahi hai, rahi baat mere attitude kit oh main yeh na apke muh par phenkungi, baar baar phenkungi, roz – roz.” Announced Annika with a triumph smirk.
Shivaay took an intimidating step towards her and to her credit Annika did not budge even an inch.
“Annika Puttar!” called Dadi.
“Aayi Dadi!” answered Annika as she went to meet her.
Shivaay kept looking at her, “Khel abhi khatam nhi hua hai.” Repeated Shivaay as he ran his hands through his hair.
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Thank You guys for the awesome reviews! Special Thanks to Khushilovesrumya, for being my first reviewer and Kanfi who pointed out my flaws in previous post. Hope you enjoyed, the next one will be up soon.