Ek Duje Ke Vaaste

108. Engagement

Hello ! Welcome to part 108...

Sumedh stepped out of his hotel room and saw his family gathered, engrossed in conversation. He approached them with a hint of urgency.

"Are aap sab yaha khade khade gappe kya lada rahe hai? Chaliye, late ho raha hai... dau toh chale bhi gye hai..." he exclaimed, trying to hurry them along.

Suddenly, Aai grabbed his ear and twisted it, causing him to wince in pain.

"Arey, aah !... Aai ye... kya.. Aah !.. Aapne mera.. Aa.. kaan kyun pakad liya? Chhodiye, dard ho rhaa hai..." Sumedh pleaded.

Aai responded sternly, "Ulta chor kotwal ko daante! Khud itni der lagata hai tayar hone mein aur hume keh rha hai gappe lada rahe hai. Basant samay se tayar hogya tha, isliye humne unhe pehle jaane ko bola aur hum sab yaha tera intezaar kar rahe the. Samjha?"

Sumedh, grimacing, replied, "Ha... Aah... samajh gya, sorry... ab toh choriye..."

Aai finally released his ear, and Sumedh rubbed it, trying to soothe the pain.

Bade Baba, with a tone of disappointment, chimed in, "Sumedh! Aaj sakhar puda (engagement) hai, tumhe pata haina... Shaadi ka pehla function!"

Sumedh nodded sheepishly, "Ji... bade baba."

Bade Baba continued sternly, "Toh phir itna late kaise ho gaya tumhe ready hone mein? Tum jaante ho wahan Mallika, uski family, sabhi guests, media, sab intezaar kar rahe honge humara. Aise mein pehle hi function mein late jaana kya achha lagta hai? Kya sochenge sab log humare baare mein?"

Bua ji : "Mujhe toh laga ki aaj toh sagai ka muhurat hi nikal jaega !"

Baba added his disapproval, "Sumedh, sach mein bahot galat baat hai ye. Thoda wakt ka bhi dhyaan rakhna chahiye na... Aise late hoga toh kaise chalega.."

Kaka teased, "Haan beta, aaj toh tuney ghar ki aurton ko bhi peeche chhod diya... Ye sab tujhse pehle hi taiyaar hokar aagayi!"

Like this everyone started scolding him meanwhile Sumedh tried to explain himself, but no one listened. He sighed and looked at Kaki for help.

Kaki stepped in, "Arey bas bhi kariye aap log... Kitna sunayenge bechare ko. Theek hai na, ho gayi der toh kya hua. Aaj uska din hai, sagai hai uski, achhe se tayar toh hona padega na. Khamakha itna daant diya mere bachhe ko. Dekho kaise muh utar gaya hai uska..."

She moved closer to Sumedh, "Koi baat nahi beta, tu dil chhota mat kar. Ho jaati hai der. Waise dekhun toh sahi... Aga Bai Bai bai! Khup chaan dista ahes! Kitna handsome lag raha hai re tu... Kisi ki nazar na lage..." she added, performing the action to ward off the evil eye.

Sumedh smiled and hugged her, "Thank you so much, Choti Aai!"

The rest of the family also softened, smiling and complimenting his appearance.

Sanket added, "Nahi ismein toh koi Shak nahi hai ki tu sach mein bahot achha lag raha hai par phir bhi itni der ?"

Samiran walked over, placing his hands on Sumedh's shoulders, and said with a smirk, "Kya Sanket bhai, der toh lagegi na... aaj itna special din jo hai engagement hai Sumedh Bhai aur Mallika bhabhi ki toh roz ki tarah sirf accha thodi lagna hai aaj toh special lagna hai aakhir bhabhi ko impress karna hai isliye thode extra efforts toh lagenge na aur extra efforts ke liye extra time bhi lagega.. hai ki nahi bro ?"

He looked at Sumedh who narrowed his eyes at him, and he quickly retracted his hands.

"Aisa kuch nahi hai!" Sumedh protested, looking at everyone.

Feigning shock, Samiran exclaimed, "Kya! Aaj aapki engagement nahi hai!!!"

Sumedh glared at him, making Samiran shut his mouth instantly while the others suppressed their laughter.