Fitoor

Chapter 36

Mishti Bose

I stood biting my nails in anticipation. I had to meet that asshole in the evening. And now, we were at Kuhu's house readying everything for Kirtan ceremony. Since it was a proper Punjabi wedding, we had to perform each and every ritual perfectly. Kirtan was the funniest of them all. Just ladies from both the sides had to gather and perform pooja to begin the wedding prep.

Tying the flowers near the front veranda, I clapped my hands and sat down, tired.
"Andar aur kaam bacha hai. Chalo chalo utho." Maa ushered.
"Sahana aunty nahi kar sakti kya? Kab se dekh rahi hu bas bolti jaa rahi hai, bolti jaa rahi hai." I grumbled.
"Mehmaan aaye hai to wo unke paas hi rahegi na?" Maa replied.
"Par-"
"Mishti! Are kaha hai tu?" The devil's incarnate shouted.

"Ji aunty abhi unfortunately zinda hu. Kahiye?" I questioned smiling.
"Power chali gayi hai aur pankha nahi chal raha. Thoda hand fan dhoondke doge?" Sahana aunty asked.
"Kyu nahi aunty? Aur kuch chahiye? Chai? Coffee? Usme thoda zeher?" I enquired faking sweetness. Her friends chuckled and laughed like group of sheep ready to shit at any time.
"Common Mishti! Jaldi karo." She glared and sent me away.

Maa and Nitya aunty stayed as far away from that lady as possible. Sindhu Vardhan was nowhere to be found tho. God knows what she was planning! And Kuhu, well she was in her room, getting ready.
"Maa ne bheja kya?" She laughed as I rolled my eyes and sat beside her.
"Unko kitna garmi lag rahi hai pata hai? Hand fan chahiye my ass." I cursed.

"Bas thode aur din. Phir unka awaz bhi sunna nahi padega." Kuhu told.
"Agar unko police arrest nahi kiya na, to mai hi unko isi fan par latka dungi." I declared as Kuhu laughed.
"To phir? Tera aur Abir ka kya?" She wiggled her eyebrows.
"Ghuma rahi hu usko. Maza to bilkul aaraha hai." I giggled as she squatted my arm.
"Pyaar ka experience tab hi hoga jab tum bhi respond karoge. Zyada wait mat kara." She suggested adjusting her bangles.

I pondered over her words. What she said was true but I needed to know if he wanted to wait for me. If I asked time, I knew he'd give it without a second thought. But would he wait as long as I wanted? That was the lingering question that kept me busy the entire evening. Women buzzed around the house, laughing and gossiping when we took Kuhu downstairs.

The ladies were singing 'lathe di chadar', the famous folk song in Punjab. But Maa nudged me and signalled to start.
"Chota sa surprise hai." I told as Kuhu nodded. Then when I noticed near the window, I saw some movement. Maanav! This fellow had brought Abir and Kunal with him also. Gods these boys!

I took the guitar and strummed it. As I sang the prelude, closing my eyes, a smile broke on my face as I knew Abir was staring at me.

Heer heer na akho odiyo
Mai te sahiba hoye
Ghodi leke aave le jaaye
Ghodi leke aave le jaaye
(Don't call me Heer, my friends, I've become Sahiba. I hope he comes on a horse and takes me away.)

I opened my eyes and looked at Kuhu smiling widely as she was in tears. Clapping her hands softly, she grooved over the lines as the other ladies looked at me with smiles. They didn't think I could muster such a good Punjabi accent.

Le jaaye Mirza koi
Le jaaye Mirza koi
(I wish my Mirza comes for me and takes me away.)

For this part I looked at the window where Abir was leaning in and listening. Our eyes locked as I sang the lines with a hopeful voice.