PHIR SE

Mischeif

CHAPTER 14

"Ma?” Khushi enquired as she  approached Indrani who was standing with her hands joint in front of a man.

“Khushi beta this is Rahul ji’s chacha ji. He has just arrived from Delhi .”

“Oh! Namaste uncle ji! I hope you are comfortable and liked the wedding arrangements.”khushi bowed her head and joined her hands.

“Huh! What arrangements? Beggars can do better arrangements than this. This was not expected of the mahant family.”the man scoffed. “ My nephew is so educated has such a big job in such a big company and this is the arrangements you have done for his wedding?”

Khushi had planned everything tastefully and the décor was better than a fairytale yet this old man was scoffing! This made Khushi feel mad.

“So Indrani ji, tell me when shall we get the 1 crore rupees you promised offering our Rahul?”,the man asked shamelessly.

“1 crore rupees ! For what ?” Khushi exclaimed.

“Arre what for what? We are getting our priceless nephew getting married to your daughter. We deserve at least this much.”

“Dowry?” Khushi asked shocked.

“No! This is just the way Indrani ji shall show her love for her daughter and bless the marriage.” the man smiled cheaply.

Khushi gasped and tried to say something but was pulled away to a corner by Indrani.

“Ma, this people are asking so shamelessly for dowry...”

“It is their right, the bride’s family has to give a certain amount to ensure the bride’s peaceful married life...” Indrani tried to pacify her.

“This is illegal!“ Khushi exclaimed.

“Keep your modern world to yourself! Don't you understand that if we don’t give them what they want, they shall leave Esha unmarried on the altar…Then what face shall we show to the society. Our reputation shall be destroyed.”

“Had we paid for Ira too?”

“Yes, 1 crore!”

Khushi gasped. “ But ma our funds are exhausted .”

“If we break our deposits and sell our jewellery maybe..." Indrani acted to be helpless

“The jewellery is ancestral! We can't give up on them.”

“Maybe Shyam, he can help us? He is very rich, you must ask him"

"But this shall take time..." Khushi thoughtfully said.

“ That is exactly what I am asking the groom's side for... time!”

They both nodded to each other and left to prepare for the wedding.

Arnav had witnessed the whole  conversation and was shocked to see how easily Indrani convinced Khushi to give up her self esteem and beg to that Syam. Indrani had really wound up Khushi around her fingers.

It shall be difficult to persuade Khushi against Indrani.

***************

Indrani talked to the groom’s family and they agreed to give 10 weeks time – each week -10 lakhs to be paid.

This was a big relief to Indrani  but Khushi remained tense all the while.

How am I supposed to ask Shyam for monetary help?
Did he not ask for any dowry, why? Maybe because it’s his second marriage.