Kabhi to nazar milao

Relatives

The morning started with lots of activities in both houses. Being the wedding day, there was no ritual in the morning where both families had to meet. Sameer was not aware of this. He got ready in the morning and stood whistling in front of the mirror as he brushed his hair.

Rahul entered the room, still in his tracks.

Sameer looked at him in surprise, "Arre tu abhi tak taiyar nahi hua? Late ho jaayenge."

Rahul was puzzled, "Late? Kahan jaana hai?"

"Kahan jaana hai matlab? Roz ke jaise Sonali ke ghar nahi jaana?" He shot an uncertain look, fearing what would be coming.

"Shaadi ka muhurat toh shaam ka hai bhai, abhi se jaake thodi baithna hai." Rahul sprawled on the bed.

He tried to hide his disappointment, "Oh achha... chalo koi nahi... main toh isliye ready hua tha ki roz kuch hota hai... aaj bhi hoga."

Sameer was not happy with the situation. He had expected another function or ritual where either they could go to Sonali's house or their family could come here.

Rahul could see the sadness... he sat up, waving at Sameer to sit with him.

"Yaar tu na aise dukhi mat ho... mujhe achha nahi lagta... tu aisa kar, jaake Naina se mil aa." Rahul said seriously.

Sameer stood up in an instant, "Haan, main usse kahin bahar le jaata hun... bike pe, shaam tak wapas aa jaunga."

Rahul pulled him back, "Chup kar ke baith, mazak kar raha tha... chal pada usse milne... aaj ghar pe rehna hai shaam ki taiyari main madad karne ke liye."

"Yeh achha hai... tu shaam ko apni dulhan le aayega aur uski taiyari ke liye koi aur apni dulhan se na mile." Sameer showed his annoyance.

Rahul laughed, "Oye, abhi teri dulhan bani nahi hai Naina... jab ban jayegi tab kiski himmat jo tujhe roke."

Sameer made a grumpy face, "Shaam ko kitne baje jaana hai?"

"Saat baje ka time hai," Rahul replied.

Sameer laid back on the bed... it was too long a wait.

"Rahul beta, tere kapde aa gaye hain press hoke... dekh le zara." His mother called from the living room.

Rahul jumped up, waving at Sameer to follow him.

The sherwani in gold looked elegant. Rahul checked the complete set properly.

"Kitne badhiya kapde diye hain tere sasural walon ne, Rahul, " his father exclaimed.

"Badhiya toh dene hi the... ek jodi ladke ke kapdon ke alawa aur kuch toh diya nahi... ab kya woh bhi dhang ke naa dete?" Rahul's tauji said in an irritated tone.

Rahul turned towards him angrily but stopped as his father shook his head at him.

"Bhai sahab, yeh bhi isliye le liye humne kyonki shagun hai warna unse kuch lene ka matlab nahi banta." He tried to explain to his elder brother.

"Kyon nahi banta? Ladki wale hain... unko toh zabardasti dena chahiye tha sab kuch... yeh kya baat hui ki tumne mana kiya aur woh aa gaye khaali haath hilate hue." Tauji retorded.

Rahul's mother stepped out of her room, "Khali haath kahan bhai sahab, woh toh apni ladki de rahe hain... aur kuch dena banta hi nahi hai."

"Tum sabka dimag kharab hai, aise koi apna ladka muft mein nahi deta... ladki walon ka farz hota hai sab kuch dena... lekin unko jab tum logon jaise bewakoof mil gaye hain toh unki chaandi ho gayi...  bas mehmano ki tarah baith jaate hain har rasm mein... na koi rishtedaron ko lifafe diye na sikke... Arre kam se kam sabke kapde toh dete... hum toh aise hi kiraya laga ke aaye... pata hota ki yahan upar se milna toh chodo apna kharcha tak nahi nikalega toh bhai hum aate hi nahi." Tauji bitterly remarked.