Treasurer of My Sparkle

A Bolt from the Blue

Sandhu House, Living room 

Tejo absent-mindedly flipped through the albums, periodically glancing towards the stairs. 'What's taking them so long?' Tejo mused. 

"Di, why don't you just go upstairs and see whether Bhai has aggravated uncle or not?" Abeer leaned towards her and whispered sarcastically. Tejo tilted her head a little, seriously considering his suggestion making Abeer agape in disbelieve. Just as she was about to get up, he tugged her arm, "Baitho! I wasn't being serious. How muddle-headed are you? Didn't even catch on my sarcasm."

"Shut up," she glared at him. 

"Di," he called out seriously. 

"Hmm."

"Bhai was very annoyed at these people," he informed her. Tejo lowered her eyes and took a deep breath to keep her racing her heart calm. Abeer bit the inside of his cheek to control his smile after noticing her apprehensive expression. Swallowing his chuckle, he added,  "He didn't even get the time to get his feeling under control. I am afraid he might lose it if they talk too much." 

Tejo's face distorted in worry. She was well aware of Neel's protective nature for all his loved ones. He was a calm, patient man that could turn the world upside down when his patience was tested. No one knew better than her that he was not the fondest of her family. 'What if he scolds Papa?' she pondered in anxiousness. 

Abeer rolled his eyes and called out, "Di."

"Hmm," she hummed absent-mindedly. 

"Is there a way to test if you dropped your brain or not?" he inquired making Tejo look over in bewilderment. "No, I am just asking," he dryly elaborated, "because we might need to do that test on you."

"Abeer!" Tejo exclaimed in fury and smacked his head.

"Stop hitting me already," he whined in return. Tejo was about to refute when his phone rang. 

Ring Ring 

Abeer fetched his phone out, "Jaan's calling me. Di I will be right back." She nodded and asked Dilraj to guide him outside so that the network is better. 

"I don't remember you being this nervous even for your exams," Abhiraj teased after Abeer left. 

"Ab tu mat shuru ho," she glared at him and closed the album. When she noticed Rupy and Neel walk down the stairs. She stood up and called out, "Papa."

Rupy turned towards her and frowned, "Why are you sitting here?"

"Huh?"

"Aree, go help your mom in making snacks for Damad Ji," he told. 

"Da...Dama," Tejo fumbled over her words. 

"Woohoo!" Abhiraj cheered and hugged Neel, "I told you Chacha Ji, didn't I? Just one conversation with Jiju and you will be convinced." Rupy grinned and patted Neel's shoulder.

 Tejo opened and closed her mouth in disbelief, and turned towards Neel with a raised brow. However, he merely gave her a smug smile that screamed I-am-just-that-good. She narrowed her eyes at him, and Neel mouthed, 'Envious bab?' to add oil to the fire. Tejo rolled her eyes and responded with a, 'You wish.' 

"Waise Damad Ji," Rupy interrupted their silent talk, "when did the Pandit Ji say the date for the wedding was for?"

"In roughly one and half months," Neel replied, "I will ask mom once more to make sure."

"Okay, come I will introduce you to my elder brother," Rupy smiled.

Tejo lightly elbowed Abhiraj, and whispered, "Distract Papa for a minute."