Reawakening

Part 25 - Planning

Thank you all to the wonderful resposes and voting the updates.

Please keep them coming, gives a lot of hope for writing the next chapter..

Here we go...

Part 25

Sheesh mahal was a busy place with all important decisions made. Morning saw the house busy with all the preparations for the show. Show over, the Raizadas were happily discussing the details of the wedding to happen. Mimi was quietly sipping her tea along with the rest of the family and the Gupta family. She was following Nani's strict instructions not to open her mouth.

"Shashi ji, considering your health, we are happy to accommodate any arrangements for the wedding. Infact our chote was suggesting to have the wedding here in Sheesh Mahal if you are all ok with it." Nani spoke while Majohar nodded approving the decision.

"Devyani ji, we are fortunate to get such an alliance," Shashi paused to take a breath, getting a glare from Mami who seemed to say "Really. And yet you took this long to decide?"

Shashi continued, "but as is the custom, all the wedding has to be done from the girls side and I would want to exercise that duty, even if it is a simple celebration in the temple, that is if you are all ok with it." Shashi requested humbly, fully aware of the financial situation they were in.

Nani refused "No Shashi ji, while it was a custom for the girls side to do this, situation and times have changed. And if we don't adjust to it, we will be the ones to loose. And I am not ready to give up on your girls. They have proved continuously what treasure they are." This was a whole hearted appraisal of the Gupta girls. She also knew how much her family too wanted to enjoy the wedding, and be a part of it, especially being the only son, put some extra pressure on it.

"But if you are keen, we can have the celebration here in Lucknow as you want, but we like to have a reception in Delhi as well. "

"Of course Nand kishore, you should also enjoy. All Shashi Babua wants to do is the Kanya daan (Literally means Give away their daughter, which is part of the wedding ritual). You see it has all suddenly come up, and our house is rented, otherwise it would have been enough for a simple wedding." Buaji had to have her say, while Garima was now sat nodding her head.

All the pros, cons, and the finer details were discussed. While the elders spoke, the younger generation had sat listening. Payal was naturally shy and sat with her head bent, nodding yes or no in between, which Anjali noticed with a cheeky smile, matched that of Akash's approval and disapproval.

However, the strangest part was the chatter box Khushi who did not speak a word through out and sadly looked quite emotionless. Anjali did not fail to notice her brothers repeated attempts to gain her attention in some form or the other.

With discussions leading to matters being repeated again and again, Anjali finally made a concluding statement.

"So that's all settled then Nani and Shashi uncle. Since the Pandit ji has told the engagement has to take place soon and the nearest date being only 4 days away, it will be conducted at the Gupta house, with just the two families. The pre wedding rituals and preparations will start once the wedding date will be fixed on engagement day."

All looked happy with the concise and clear conclusions by Anjali, but Anjali was not finished. Looking at Khushi, she complained,

"Everything is fine, but why is our Khushi ji so sad? Are you not excited about your only sisters wedding? Or are you sad because she will.."