Guilt, trust, love

Part 33

-After one week

The Bhallas and Iyyers are dressed and ready for Manoj-Shagun marriage. In the guest room, Mihika, Vandu are getting Shagun ready.

-In Ishra bedroom

I: Oh God! Mujhe toh kuchh nahi sujhh raha. What do I wear?

R: Isme itna kya sochna?

I: Phir bhi Mihika mujhse keh rahi thi ki akka aap pehle ki apni sadi decide kar lo warna last minute confusion hogi.

R: Ishita, wahi toh main poochh raha hoon. Isme itni confusion kyun?

Saying so, he opened his side of the wardrobe. There was a nice red Kanjivaram saree hanging neatly ironed and folded.

I: (surprised) Oh!! Wow! It's very nice and sweet of you Raman!

R: Sweetness abhi baaki hain Madrasan. (pointing towards a jewellery box)

I: Isme kya hain?

Ishita opened it like a kid opening a cookie jar. Raman was looking at her fondly.

The box had all the accessories needed. A pair of gold bangles, gold earrings, gold necklace. Ishita was surprised and pleased.

I: Thank you Raman. Impress kar rahe ho mujhe inn dino!

R: Achha ji! Are ab main kyun patau? Ab toh tune shaadi ke liye haan bhi bol di!

I: Haww! Toh ab aap mujhe nahi pataoge?

R: Are zindagi bhar pataunga meri Jhansi ki Rani! Lekin abhi jaldi se tayyar ho ja.

-IN THE COURT

Registrar: Yahan dulha aur dulhan sign karo.

Shagun and Manoj signed.

Registrar: Witnesses?

S: Ishita, Raman, kya aap dono witness ban kar sign karoge? Humein bohot achha lagega agar hume itne happy couple ki wishes milengi apni married life ke liye.

I: Of course Shagun! Why not! Hum bhi yahin chahenge ki tum dono bohot bohot saari khushiyan mile.

R: Yes, Ishita is absolutely right. Shagun, Manoj, wish you a very happy mariied life.

They signed as witnesses and the court declared Manoj-Shagun as a married couple.

Toshiji: Shagun, Manoj, aap dono abhi humare ghar chalo.

Mrs. Iyyer: Haan, humne tum dono ke liye ek post-wedding lunch arrange kiya hain. Chalo, chalo.

-IN THE BHALLA HOUSE:

Ishita, Simmi, Mihika were serving everyone. Raman was leaving no chance to romance with Ishita.

When everone was sitting in the hall, Ishita called Raman in the kitchen.

R: Kya hua Madrasan? Missing me?

I: Huh! Kuchh bhi! Jara yeh gulab jamun taste karo na. Mujhe toh achhe lage, aap bhi batao.

R: (after eating one gulab jamun) Yaar, gulab jamun toh bohot achhe hain. Lekin...

I: Lekin kya?!

R: Lekin yaar chashni toh bilkul pheeki hain. Kuchh meethas hi nahi hain. Aisa lag raha hain kisi diabetes patient ke liye banayi ho.

I: (frowns) Itni buri hain?

R: Tu khud chakh ke dekh.

He dipped her finger in the sugar syrup and made her taste it.

I: Achhi toh hain.

R: Achha? (Saying so, he licked it from her fingers.) Haan, ab hain world ki best chashni. Yaar isse meetha toh maine aaj tak kabhi kuchh khaya hi nahi!

I: (blushing) Raman, shut up! Aap bhi na. Kahin bhi shuru ho jaate ho.

R: Are kyun na ho! Ab meri biwi itni sundar hain, itni sweet hain...

I: Bas, bas. Samajh gayi main.

R: Kya samjhi?

I: Ki gulab jamun achhe hain.

R: Kya yaar! Mera saara romantic mood barbad kar diya.

I: Aww! So sorry mere Raavan Kumar! But no romance now. Hamari shaadi hui nahi hain abhi tak, sirf aapne mujhe propose kya hain by the way.

Raman held Ishita's hand and brought her in the hall.

(To everyone)

R: Actually mujhe aap sab se kuchh kehna hain.

T: Kya hua puttar?

R: Actually, main kisise pyaar karta hoon aur usse shaadi karna chahta hoon.

Mihika: What jeeju? Kisise pyaar...

Vandu: Kisise pyaar aur shaadi?

Mihir: Bhai, aap ye kya bol rahe ho?

Ishita started laughing while Raman was flustered.

R: Mihika, Vandu, Mihir, relax! Main aap sab ko yeh batana chahta hoon ki main Ishita se pyaar karta hoon aur usse shaadi karna chahta hoon.

Mr. Bhalla: Lekin tum dono ki shaadi toh ho chuki hain.

R: Main jaanta hoon papa. Lekin beech mein kuchh dino jo kuchh bhi hua... khair... main chahta hoon ki hum phirse woh kasme, woh vaade dohraye. Aur humari shaadi, uski neev aur bhi majboot karein. (looking at Ishita) Hain na? (forwarding his hand)

I: (taking his hand and smiling lovingly) Yes!

All the family members had tears in their eyes.
Raman went near Amma and Appa who were also in tears. He sat next to them.

R: Amma, Appa, mujhe aap ki beti se shaadi karni hain. Yeh samajhiye ki main aap se officially uska haath maang raha hoon. Please, kya aap mujhe usse shaadi karne ki ijaajat denge?

Appa: Raman, tum Ishu se phir se shaadi karna chahte ho!

R: Of course Appa! Kyunki main aap ki beti se bohot pyaar karta hoon. Woh meri zindagi hain, mere dil ki dhadkan hain. Aur main usike saath apni puri umra kaatna chahta hoon. Main aapse vaada karta hoon, hamesha uska saath doonga, use khush rakhunga.

Amma: Raman, tumne hamara saalon ka sapna poora kar diya. Hum hamesha se chahte the ki Ishu se bhi koi ladka itna pyaar karein. Uska haath maangne hamare paas aaye. Lekin jin circumstances mein tumhari shaadi hui, humein kabhi nahi laga tha ki aisa bhi din aayega.

R: (wiping her tears) Aap ki beti se pyaar karna mere zindagi ki sabse khubsoorat pyaar hain, Amma. Isiliye toh aaj aap se ijaajat chahta hoon. Kya aap apni amaanat sirf iss janam ke liye hi nahi, balki aanewale saat janmon ke liye mere naam karenge?

Everyone bursted into tears. Amma, Appa held Raman's hand and nodded in a yes. They were utterly speechless. The Bhallas and Iyyers were overjpyed.
Ishita who was also crying  by now just kept looking at Raman with lots of love and gratefulness for the wonderful and probably the most romantic proposal. Raman held her gaze and gave her a flying kiss which she she treasured in her heart.