Kyun uthe dil chor aaye ff - BANI MAIN HEER USKI

Chap 1- Basant panchmi

27 JANUARY, 1947 OM NIVAS

It was Basant Panchmi in Lahore. Lala Ratan Kishore Sahni was wearing his brand new yellow turban and waiting for his best friend Dr. Baig to arrive.

"Abdul!" he called out to his servant,"why dont you go and check why doctor sahab isnt here yet. Parjaiji has been here since morning."

"Some patients might have come," said his wife Rajrani serving him tea.

"Maybe," he said sipping his tea," where is Amrit? I havent seen her since morning."

A young sixteen year old girl is standing in the balcony of Om Nivas. Her bangles clicked and clanked as she tried to catch a glimpse of the street celebrations. A group of young men in in turbans were performing bhangra on the streets while the crowd was cheering for them.

"I wish," she whispered," I could be there too."

"Amru!" Vashma's voice echoed loud and clear in the house," Amru!"

"Namaste bauji," she greeted Amrit's father as she walked in," Abbu has sent his apologies. He might be a little late today."

"This doctor is always busy," grumbled lalaji," anyways, at least our beautiful little girl is here."

"Where is amrit bauji?" she asked.

"She was decorating the kites the last time I saw her," he said.

"I will go meet her then," said Vashma and rushed inside.

"Amru!" she yelled as she climbed up the stairs.

Amrit was standing in the balcony and enjoying the street celebrations when Vashma came.

"Oye hoye hoye hoye hoye!" she said giving Amrit a slight push.

"Vashma," said Amrit happily," thank God you are here!"

"Since morning," said Amrit," I have been dying to see him."

"I know," said Vashma rolling her eyes,"Since the day of your roka, you always go to shiv mandir on thursay  to  catch a glimpse of him. Sadly, he knows nothing at all."

"Never mind," said Amrit," Bauji says that I must love and care for the person they have chosen for me. I am trying to love him Vashma. And to some extent, I have developed some feelings for him. I cant say if its love or not but.........."

"But today everyone is at home," said Vashma," what excuse shall we make?"

"Uday veerji will help us," said Amrit.

ON THE TERRACE

Uday Sahni was preparing his kite. Every year he was the one to win the kite flying competition and this year was no exception.

"Bhanu veerji," he said," Today we will show that Sonu Chadda that he can never defeat us."

"No doubt Uday," Bhanu said," no one can ever defeat you."

"Uday veerji...................." said Amrit rushing to him," Veerji, please I need your help."

"What for Amru?" Bhanu asked her.

"Uday veerji promised to buy me a tricolor kite this time and it isnt here yet," she said.

"Veerji," she said turning to Uday," please take me to the market so that I can pick one. Please......................."

Uday sensed that somthing was cooking in Amrit's head but he kept quiet in front of Bhanu.

IN THE LIVING ROOM

Vashma was sitting next to lalaji and waiting for Uday and Amrit to arrive.

Uday arrived with Amrit and was mesmerised to see Vashma. He was used to seeing Vashma in her school uniform or burkha. But now she was wearing a light green salwar kameez with a golden glittery dupatta. Her earrings dangled as she spoke and she wore a beautiful gold chain too.

"Oye hoye hoye hoye hoye," she said getting up," so Uday finally agreed to buy us the kites."

"Yes," said lalaji," very soon we will be a free nation. Then not only these tricolor kites, but we will wear tricolor turbans too. Uday, make sure you take them safely."

The three of them nodded and left.