Prem Vivah

• A Decision •

Naina perched atop a wooden bench and monotonously looked at everyone. She couldn't see any valid reason for feeling disappointed at Sameer's rejection, so why should she run after him to convince him? He is just an ordinary human being who is breathing captivatingly amongst them, or rather in just front of her. Naina looked at her sleek hands and patches of goosebumps gradually arouse on her skin, reminding her about the unexpected encounter with the Rude Man. A shy smile naturally played on her tender lips, and her eyes veered on her shoulder, where Sameer accidentally or intentionally touched his hand to intimidate her.

Radhika's father's speech interrupted her beautiful thoughts, and Naina looked at the middle-aged man plainly - "Toh tay hogaya hai ki next month 12 tareekh ko theek dupehar 1 baje match shuru hoga...aur khatam hoga raat ko. Humne legally permission le li hai, toh koi chinta ki baat nahi hai...par kuch rules hai jo main aap sabko batana chahunga."

"Pehle rule...Koi bhi ghar se kuch carry nahi karega except Phone."

"Dusra rule yeh hai ki sabko apne ghar se jersey pehen kar aana hai, jo nahi aaya...use disqualify kar diya jayega. I am sorry but yeh rule important hai kyuki kahi baar log bhool jate hai ki woh actually kaunsi team se khel rahe hai, aur dil hi dil me support kise kar rahe hai...So please everyone do not forget to wear your jersey before coming to the ground."

"Teesra rule...Koi bhi match ke time kisi ka mind distract karne ki koshish nahi karega jis se player ka dhyan khel se hatt jaye. Agar kisi ne bhi aisa kuch kiya toh use batting karne ka mauka nahin milega."

"Fourth rule...Agar aap me se kisi ko koi injury ho jaye match ke ek din pehle ya kabhi bhi toh please humein inform kar dena. Do not hesitate, hum nahi chahte khamakha hum aapki raah dekhe aur aapke aane ke toh chances hi na ho."

"Fifth rule yeh hai ki koi bhi cheating karne ki koshish nahi karega. Humne 2 judge rakhe hai match ki puri highlights dekhne ke liye so be aware before trying to cheat your team."

"Last rule...Koi bhi umpire ko rishwat dene ki koshish nahi karega jeet ne ke liye...Yeh rule ke against hai, agar maine ya kisi ne bhi aisa karte hue dekha toh usi time aapko team se eliminate kar diya jayega aur future tournaments and games me aapko strictly participate karne ka mauka nahi milega."

Radhika's Father Mr.Ravi Kadam finished off his long and productive speech, and Everyone applauded him for his important policies regarding the match to not make anyone feel bad or discriminative. He bowed his head with a civilized smile, and said in a soft voice - "Agar fir bhi kisi ko rules yaad na rahein...toh sabko paper printout karwa ke unke ghar tak mil jayege, usme detail me sab likha hua rahega. Agar kisi ko koi sawal pooch na ho toh please don't hesitate."

"Sir, I have a question." Naina raised her hand with a sheepish smile, and Everyone quickly swerved their heads at her in astonishment.

"Haan pucho beta." Ravi looked at her meekly.

She wanted to ask him if she could enroll Sameer's name on behalf of his absence, but even her family was here. They might start wondering why she was reflecting so much interest in that new tenant. What does he mean to her? Naina fiddled with the hem of her top, disappointed, She said mellowly - "Kuch nahi, thank you."

"Are you sure?" Ravi asked her softly, and She reluctantly nodded her head in yes.

"Ek baat batana chahta hoon main aap sabko. Team Lions Of Maharashtra me ek member ki kami hai...toh aap me se agar koi bhi participate karna chahta ho toh please is Friday ya Saturday tak mujhe ya Mr.Kishore Kumar ji ko inform kar de, with a clear confirmation ki aap match ke din gayab nahi hoge kisi bhi reason ki wajah se, until it is personal and understandable." Ravi announced with a straight face, and The audience hummed in acknowledgment.