Char Kadam

Chapter 3 - Marriage Proposal

Warning: Slightly big chapter

30th September 1950,

Gundala,

Prem was surveying his fields as it had rained heavily last night and some crops might have been destroyed because of this. He was surveying the fields with his munim (manager) when he saw his wife's cousin approaching them. He smiled and greeted him saying "Jai Jinendra Dheeraj. How are you?" Dheeraj replied "Jai Jinendra Bheniya(brother-in-law) I am fine. How are you and everyone in the family?" Prem replied "By Ambe Maa's blessing everyone is happy and healthy. Come let's go to House and have some Tea."

At Satra's House,

Prem while sipping tea asked Dheeraj "Dheeraj how come you came here suddenly? I hope everything is fine in Depa". Dheeraj replied "Everything is good in Depa. I had to purchase some land nearby and the I thought to meet you all". Prem nodded and continued having his tea with some freshly made bhajiya's.

Tara came to the veranda where her husband and cousin were sitting after ensuring both her kids are having their milk and bhajiya's. "Dheeraj now that you have come here stay today's night" hearing his sister Dheeraj shook his head and replied "Can't bena I have some important work pending in Depa".

While the trio were busy in chatting 11-year-old Bhavesh comes and greets his mama by touching his feet. Dheeraj smiled and patted him and asked "How are you Chora (boy)?" Bhavesh replied "I am fine Mamu"  while showing his smile. Looking at Bhavesh Dheeraj thought something.

Bhavesh then went on to play with his brother while Dheeraj looked at his brother-in-law and asked "Bheniya (Brother-in-law) have you started searching brides for Bhavesh?" Prem replied "I haven't yet. Do you have any girl of nice family in your mind for our Bhavesh?" Dheeraj smiled slightly and replied "Actually yes I have a girl in my mind which will be perfect for our Bhavesh". Prem looked at Tara and after getting a nod he asked further "Who is she?" Dheeraj replied "Jaya Suresh Dedhia, she is 9 years old. Very smart, very productive, well-mannered and belongs from a reputed family of Depa"

Prem looked at Tara, both of them of course knew who Suresh Dedhia was as Tara was from Depa before her marriage and Prem had met Suresh few times whenever he visited his in-laws. He also knew that if his brother-in-law is suggesting some girl than she would be best as Dheeraj is quite close to his both sons. Tara was happy to know that she will have a daughter soon.

Prem looked at Tara for her answer and Tara with an excited smile nodded hastily. Prem chuckled knowing the reason behind his wife's smile. He went to discuss this with his parent's as well. Nanji and Lata were very happy as they also knew the entire Dedhai family. Nanji and Lata didn't take an extra second to say yes to this proposal.

Prem smiling went to veranda and said YES to Dheeraj. Dheeraj smiled and hugged his brother-in-law, meanwhile Tara went to kitchen to fetch some sweets. After sweet distribution Prem and Tara decided that they will go to Depa with Shagun for God-Dhana next day if Dedhia's also say yes to this proposal.

Dheeraj rushed to his jeep as he wanted to reach his village before Sunset and distance between Depa and Gundala was hardly 40 mins. Dheeraj reached Depa before sunset and instead taking turn for his home he took his jeep directly to Dedhia's House.

Every member of Dedhia family was situated in dining room as it was their dinner time and all just had their dinner. (As said in last chapter they all follow Jainism and most Jain have their dinner before sunset.) As Suresh came into Veranda, he saw Dheeraj coming inside. Confusingly he greeted Dheeraj and asked "Dheeraj you here at this time? Everything is fine?" he asked worriedly. Dheeraj smiled and replied "Everything is fine" Suresh grew even more confused and asked "Sorry if I sound rude but what are you doing here at this time?". Dheeraj shook his head still with a smile on his face and replied "Don't worry Bha(brother) you don't sound rude. I came here with good news. I request Heerji dada, Deepa Baa and Hema Bhabhi to be here before I share the good news."

Suresh Called his family members to veranda and everyone sat to the available sofa set meanwhile Hema served water to Dheeraj. Suresh impatiently asked Dheeraj to share the good news as all elders were now available in veranda. Dheeraj nodded and started speaking "So today I went to gundala to my cousin sister's house Tara Prem Satra and while talking I suggested Jaya for their elder son Bhavesh. They happily accepted Jaya for Bhavesh and are ready to come here tomorrow with Shagun to do God-Dhana if you guys say yes."

Everyone looked at Suresh as Jaya is very very dear to her father. Suresh took a deep breath and asked his wife and parents about their opinion. Everyone gave positive answer as they all knew Prem Satra and his family. Suresh gulped and looked at Dheeraj who was excitedly waiting for his answer. Suresh knew he can't find any better family than Prem Satra's for his princess. Suresh gave Dheeraj a small smile and nodded his head confirming the marriage.

Hema ran to kitchen to get sweets and distributed it among her family happily. She knew her daughter would be treated as a Queen over there. She knew Tara and her wish to get a daughter and she knew Tara will treat Jaya as her own. Dheeraj hugged Suresh and touching elder's and Hema's feet he went off to his house to inform Tara and Prem.

Suresh called his son Darshan and his princess Jaya to veranda to share this good news as well. They knew that now if Jaya gets married Darshan can also get married to his fiancé Deepti.
Jaya and Darshan Came running to Veranda and saw sweet's box and looked at each other smilingly and picked the sweets and started eating it.

Seeing them like this family member started laughing as they were eating sweets like they didn't have any food for a week. Suresh cleared his throat to get their attention which he did successfully and getting smile on their sweet stuffed face. He then announced that tomorrow they will have Jaya's God-Dhana and soon her wedding. Listening this both brother-sister duo got sad. They don't want to be separated from each other. But there is one more thing bcoz of which Jaya is Sad.

Jaya went to her father and said "Addhha I don't want to leave you all this soon. I also want to study more. I don't want to quit my studies. Please Addhha." Its broke Suresh's heart to see her crying like this and without thinking he said "Don't worry beta you won't go away from us and you won't quit your studies too. I will talk to your in-laws. Okay betu." Hearing this Jaya smiled and bobbed her head happily.

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Next Day,

Suresh and his entire family were preparing for the arrival of Satra's and Jaya was seated in her room as she can't see her groom before marriage. Around 11am Satra's arrived. They were escorted to the Veranda where the lunch arrangement was done. Tara, Prem, Bhavesh and their 2nd son Keshav came to Depa. Bhavesh's Grandparents decided to stay at home as they had a marriage to attend in their village.

They all had their Lunch and on auspicious time the God-Dhana was done by both set of parents. Bhavesh's God-Dhana was done in veranda and Jaya's God-Dhana was done in her room. Tara couldn't stop gushing over Jaya. The wedding's date was fixed few days after Diwali i.e. on 20th November. Later Suresh requested that if Jaya can return back to Depa after Holi as to respect her wish of not getting separated from her parents at this young age.

They all agreed that Jaya will return to Depa after Holi and will stay with her family for more 9 years. And will come back to her in-laws on 20th November 1959 i.e. after 9 years of her marriage. So, both children's will be matured enough to start their marriage life and with that it was also decided that both Jaya and Bhavesh won't meet each other for this 9 years.

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Word Count: - 1394 words.