Kyun uthe dil chor aaye ff - BANI MAIN HEER USKI

Chap 7- The wedding draws near

Amrit wanted to visit the radio station one last time before her wedding preparations began. She had a lot of memories attached to the place- how she would drop her stories in the suggestion box all of which she signed as Ranjhan, how she would sneak out after school every Friday to come to the place and hear her stories being recited, how she would write in her diary secretly at night and even the memories of meeting Randheer the first time were still fresh in her mind.

But it was difficult to leave the house as a lot of guests had arrived. It was her haldi ceremony the next day and preparations were being done.

"You are lacking a bride's glow Amru," Uday said.

"Dont you worry veerji," Rajnibala said," maa is preparing the best ubtan for her. She will soon have that glow."

A WEEK LATER

Amrit sat in her room in front of the mirror. Her bridal lehenga lay right in front of her, her hands were adorned with henna and her eyes sparkled with kajal. But she was upset, truly upset.

"No one will ever understand," she said to herself," my will to study, to write, to dream..........."

"Amru!"...........her mother knocked at the door," cheti kar putr. The barat shall arrive very soon!"

Finally, she removed her bangles and all accessories that she was wearing. She washed her face and changed into a simple salwar kameez.

She then opened the door and walked downstairs.

The barat had arrived. And it was being welcomed. Her parent's faces were sparkling with joy. Just then she stepped in leaving everyone shocked.

"What is all this Amrit?" her father said angrily," why arent you ready yet?"

"There must have been something wrong with her dress," her mother tried to cover up for her," I will see........."

"There is no need for that," Amrit spoke sternly.

"Whats the matter Amrit?" Vashma asked her," is everything okay?"

Amrit took a deep breath and said,"Bauji, I am not getting married today. I want to finish school and then continue my studies from a university. I want to write and let the world know that I am a good author and.......She paused for a moment and looked at her father's distraught face. She then said- Now, I want to write as Amrit Sahni and not under the disguise of Ranjhan."

There was a huge chaos amongst the guests. Everyone started chattering and bad mouthing her.

"This is your upbringing lalaji?" Veer's father said," your daughter has been fooling you till date and you have no clue about it. She is Ranjhan, the very Ranjhan who has poisoned the minds of our daughters!"

"There must be some confusion," Amrit's mother said," I will speak to her."

"NO!" Lalaji said," there is no confusion Rajrani. Your daughter has tarnished my name and blackened my face with her deeds. The daughter I had full faith on has made a mockery of my trust."

The wedding was called off and the barat soon left.

"I always used to tell you veerji," Mogar bua said," that you must be strict with her. Too much love and care isnt good for girls. Look at my Rajnibala- well behaved and disciplined. I would have broken her bones had she done something like this."

Amrit stood there with her head bowed down. She looked at her father whose eyes were moist.........

"Bauji...." she said.

"Yes Amrit putr......" Amrit saw her bauji smiling at her. Her mother was bringing the thal of haldi while Vashma and Rajnibala were serving sweets to the ladies who had arrived. It took some time for Amrit to come out of her daydream, a dream in which she had dared to speak the truth.

"You were saying something putr ji," her father said.

"Nothing bauji," Amrit said softly.

Her father smiled and left.

Vashma smiled and soon came and sat by Amrit's side. Amrit looked all around her. The house looked bright and happy due to the wedding festivities. The family members were overjoyed and dancing. But the bride to be was sad beyond limits.