Part 4: Home sweet home....
The rain drops on the windows and the music from heart beats had made my journey interesting but my sleep was incomplete…. I was ready to crash on the bed when I reached home……but my parents were waiting eagerly for my arrival…..After the initial chats and even a few fights with my mom, I managed to escape to the solitude of my room…..
I threw my bags to the chair and made myself comfortable on my plush bed……It felt like heaven to be back in my room after a very long time…..there was no place like home….I really missed this all these days……
My mom didn’t give me much time to be in my own company…she walked in with a cup of ginger tea, my favorite…..
Mom: Abhi, fresh up and come down for dinner…we need to talk……
Abhi: what mom??? I just came and you want to burden me with your bigggg talks….Whats the problem now??? Are the thoughts about my wedding causing you sleepless nights??? Is that the emergency for which you summoned me here??? [Abhi didn’t try to hide her irritation….nor did she limit her sharp words]
Mom: [sarcastically] Abhi, all parents who have unmarried daughters of your age would have sleepless nights……its not a new thing, but you know what the real problem is?? The daughters never seem to understand that till they themselves become parents…….
Abhi: ohhhh no MOM……don’t start again with your emotional out pour…..plzzz……by now, I would have heard all of this a 1000 times…..or may be even more……..
Mom: [angrily] shut up abhi……don’t show me this attitude of yours….[when Abhi showed no signs of regret, her mom was fed up]…..talking to you is a waste of my time and energy……..let your dad speak to you…….He is the one who grants you with all unnecessary freedom ……
Abhi: you are the one who tries all these emotional acts!!! dad will definitely understand me better mom……
Mom left in a fit of anger………She was fuming hearing all these accusations from Abhi……
Abhi was sure that her mom would fill up dad’s ears with all that happened between them adding more mirch and masala……Abhi didn’t have the energy to think deeply about all that…..
She took a warm shower and went down for dinner…..She didn’t want another round of fight for being late!
The dinner table was unusually silent and everybody were just eating from their plate…..my brothers(Aakash and Akshay are Abhilasha's elder brothers) alternatively looked at me and grinned indicating that I was in for a big storm…………I sensed that this was the silence before that…….
Dad cleared his throat…..All looked up from their plates….”Abhi ma, come to the study room after you finish your dinner……”
Ohhh no, dad had something serious to tell me……is it really about another proposal??? Dad had agreed to let me deal this in my own way…then what was it now?? Had mom injected all sorts of worries and tensions into him too???
I got up as soon as he left to the study……I tried to talk with my eldest brother….
Abhi: bro, what is it??? is it some trap for me??? Tell me na!!! plzzzzz
Aakash: sorry sweetheart….you first talk to dad….then we will speak in detail….
[I turned to my second brother Akshay but he posed to be busy on a call and went into his room…..”U too brutus” I murmured under my breath and walked into the study….]
Dad: [looking up from his regular frozen thoughts magazine as I entered] aaah…come in darling……
Abhi: [getting all agitated with the treatment she is getting] WHAT IS IT DAD??? WHY IS EVERYBODY BEHAVING SO WEIRDLY WITH ME???? WHATS WRONG????
Dad: [walks to her and holds her closely] relax dear……nothing is wrong……
Abhi: [getting out of his embrace] ohhh come on dad….out with it…..….i know you have something serious to talk about….
Dad: well…..yeah…..its not as serious as you think…..its just that I want you to meet a guy……
Abhi: [in a vexed tone] I guessed it right……you people never get tired of trying these tricks on me….i have told you over a 100 times that I don’t believe in such arranged marriages……..i will find my guy and the very next moment, I will make sure that you get to know him too….thats a promise dad…..
Dad: Abhi Abhi…….i just asked you to meet someone…..i never talked about marriage……whats the harm in meeting??? Its just a casual thing…..I promise that none of us will force it on you……
Abhi: you call it a casual meet?? It all starts with this so called casual meet…..and then slowly, I will get to hear praises of the guy and my brain will get washed from all sides…….and I will be forced to think “why not him??”….[the visuals of her mom and dad convincing her runs through her mind and she screams out] NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO……..thats the last thing I would want…….
Dad: I said that we wont talk anything till you wish to tell us about it…..you just meet the guy and then come back…[pausing for a moment]…We do have our own reasons for proceeding on this….the family and the guy are good……but I promise none of that will be used to influence your decision……..
Abhi: you are already trying that dad…..
Dad: plzzz dear…..wont you do this much for your dad??? So far, I have let you do things your way…..i havent interfered or let mom hinder that……this is one thing which I want you to do my way……...just meet him once…..
Abhi: [thinking for a few minutes and then letting out a deep sigh] OK………I will do it for you……but can I see his photo first??
Dad: [smiling sheepishly] Photo is a problem…….he doesn’t believe in judging people with a lifeless photograph…..he feels that even the first impression should be after meeting personally……
Abhi: [a little impressed by the unique philosophy] OH OKAY……So where do I meet him???
Dad: tomorrow 5:30 at Flamingoes……you know the place na??
Abhi: yeah dad…….of course I know the place…….
[As Abhi turns to leave…….]
Dad: aren’t you missing something???? [Abhi turns to him enquiringly] Abhay….. Abhay Raghuvendra….thats his name……he works for his family business..the skyline group …….[Abhi nods while her dad continues] Abhi, plz meet him with an open mind…..for my sake make a genuine honest attempt…I mean, don’t push your ideologies too far and just for the living up to it, reject the proposal without a reason….………I hope you understand what I said!
Abhi: hmmmm….[She leaves the room]
On the way, her brothers catch hold of her and start their part of the drama……
Abhi: What is it now???? When I wanted to speak to you ppl, you ditched me….
Aakash: sorry darling……that was all set up by mom….she didn’t want us to talk to you about the proposal before dad…….you know how cranky mom can get….she literally blackmailed us emotionally and we had no way out……had to obey her….
Abhi: [melts away at their apologies] hmmmm….u guys know him???
The brothers were eager to share the piece of knowledge they had on Abhay
Akshay: whom??? Abhay?? Just heard about him……
Aakash: He is young, handsome, dynamic….perfect 10 on 10 businessman……
Abhi: so, u think he is perfect for your sister??
Akshay: that’s for you to decide sweety……
Abhi: what about his character?? Being handsome or being a perfect businessman doesn’t make him all perfect, right???
Akshay: dad and mom have met him once and they say he is a good guy…… all I can say is, after meeting him, may be you feel that he is the one for whom you have been searching all this while….may be you see in him, your Mr Right!! [winks]
Aakash: [snapping his brother short] Abhi, we don’t want to thrust our views into your head…..why don’t you meet him in the most casual way and then decide for yourself???
Akshay: [taking the cue from his brother] yup……big bro is right as always……we assure you that whatever decision you take, both of us will support you!!! [smiles]
Aakash: [patting her hand assuringly] that’s a promise darling……now don’t confuse yourself about all this…….you look tired, go and sleep…..we will talk in the morning……
Abhi: [hugging him] thanks Anna [she was immensely moved by their loving words….and at such instances, she fondly calls them Anna] I feel relaxed and clear after talking to you……..[Akshay also comes and close them in a group hug]
[Abhi returns to her room…….She takes her ipod to listen to the song which made her fall head over heels for the singer but then decides not to…….she feels that listening to it at this point would only confuse her rather than giving her solace…….She puts back the ipod into her bag and closes her eyes……She is damn so tired that she falls into a deep dreamless sleep the next minute…..]
*************************************************************************
Chaitanya checks into the hotel…….He speaks to Sanjay after reaching the room…..
Yeah just checked in…….no….i don’t feel any jet lag but I guess I need to get some sleep……I don’t want to look sleepy when I meet him tomorrow……
hmmmm…his secretary called when I was on my way from the airport………the appointment is for tomorrow evening……yup…..some place called Flamingoes…..I am still not sure if all this is going to make a difference yaar……He seems to be a tough nut to crack…..I am just hoping for the best deal…….keeping my fingers crossed da……yeah I really need all those wishes…….[patiently listens to all the advice from Sanjay]
ok…..thanks…..bye….good night….
[To be continued]
I threw my bags to the chair and made myself comfortable on my plush bed……It felt like heaven to be back in my room after a very long time…..there was no place like home….I really missed this all these days……
My mom didn’t give me much time to be in my own company…she walked in with a cup of ginger tea, my favorite…..
Mom: Abhi, fresh up and come down for dinner…we need to talk……
Abhi: what mom??? I just came and you want to burden me with your bigggg talks….Whats the problem now??? Are the thoughts about my wedding causing you sleepless nights??? Is that the emergency for which you summoned me here??? [Abhi didn’t try to hide her irritation….nor did she limit her sharp words]
Mom: [sarcastically] Abhi, all parents who have unmarried daughters of your age would have sleepless nights……its not a new thing, but you know what the real problem is?? The daughters never seem to understand that till they themselves become parents…….
Abhi: ohhhh no MOM……don’t start again with your emotional out pour…..plzzz……by now, I would have heard all of this a 1000 times…..or may be even more……..
Mom: [angrily] shut up abhi……don’t show me this attitude of yours….[when Abhi showed no signs of regret, her mom was fed up]…..talking to you is a waste of my time and energy……..let your dad speak to you…….He is the one who grants you with all unnecessary freedom ……
Abhi: you are the one who tries all these emotional acts!!! dad will definitely understand me better mom……
Mom left in a fit of anger………She was fuming hearing all these accusations from Abhi……
Abhi was sure that her mom would fill up dad’s ears with all that happened between them adding more mirch and masala……Abhi didn’t have the energy to think deeply about all that…..
She took a warm shower and went down for dinner…..She didn’t want another round of fight for being late!
The dinner table was unusually silent and everybody were just eating from their plate…..my brothers(Aakash and Akshay are Abhilasha's elder brothers) alternatively looked at me and grinned indicating that I was in for a big storm…………I sensed that this was the silence before that…….
Dad cleared his throat…..All looked up from their plates….”Abhi ma, come to the study room after you finish your dinner……”
Ohhh no, dad had something serious to tell me……is it really about another proposal??? Dad had agreed to let me deal this in my own way…then what was it now?? Had mom injected all sorts of worries and tensions into him too???
I got up as soon as he left to the study……I tried to talk with my eldest brother….
Abhi: bro, what is it??? is it some trap for me??? Tell me na!!! plzzzzz
Aakash: sorry sweetheart….you first talk to dad….then we will speak in detail….
[I turned to my second brother Akshay but he posed to be busy on a call and went into his room…..”U too brutus” I murmured under my breath and walked into the study….]
Dad: [looking up from his regular frozen thoughts magazine as I entered] aaah…come in darling……
Abhi: [getting all agitated with the treatment she is getting] WHAT IS IT DAD??? WHY IS EVERYBODY BEHAVING SO WEIRDLY WITH ME???? WHATS WRONG????
Dad: [walks to her and holds her closely] relax dear……nothing is wrong……
Abhi: [getting out of his embrace] ohhh come on dad….out with it…..….i know you have something serious to talk about….
Dad: well…..yeah…..its not as serious as you think…..its just that I want you to meet a guy……
Abhi: [in a vexed tone] I guessed it right……you people never get tired of trying these tricks on me….i have told you over a 100 times that I don’t believe in such arranged marriages……..i will find my guy and the very next moment, I will make sure that you get to know him too….thats a promise dad…..
Dad: Abhi Abhi…….i just asked you to meet someone…..i never talked about marriage……whats the harm in meeting??? Its just a casual thing…..I promise that none of us will force it on you……
Abhi: you call it a casual meet?? It all starts with this so called casual meet…..and then slowly, I will get to hear praises of the guy and my brain will get washed from all sides…….and I will be forced to think “why not him??”….[the visuals of her mom and dad convincing her runs through her mind and she screams out] NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO……..thats the last thing I would want…….
Dad: I said that we wont talk anything till you wish to tell us about it…..you just meet the guy and then come back…[pausing for a moment]…We do have our own reasons for proceeding on this….the family and the guy are good……but I promise none of that will be used to influence your decision……..
Abhi: you are already trying that dad…..
Dad: plzzz dear…..wont you do this much for your dad??? So far, I have let you do things your way…..i havent interfered or let mom hinder that……this is one thing which I want you to do my way……...just meet him once…..
Abhi: [thinking for a few minutes and then letting out a deep sigh] OK………I will do it for you……but can I see his photo first??
Dad: [smiling sheepishly] Photo is a problem…….he doesn’t believe in judging people with a lifeless photograph…..he feels that even the first impression should be after meeting personally……
Abhi: [a little impressed by the unique philosophy] OH OKAY……So where do I meet him???
Dad: tomorrow 5:30 at Flamingoes……you know the place na??
Abhi: yeah dad…….of course I know the place…….
[As Abhi turns to leave…….]
Dad: aren’t you missing something???? [Abhi turns to him enquiringly] Abhay….. Abhay Raghuvendra….thats his name……he works for his family business..the skyline group …….[Abhi nods while her dad continues] Abhi, plz meet him with an open mind…..for my sake make a genuine honest attempt…I mean, don’t push your ideologies too far and just for the living up to it, reject the proposal without a reason….………I hope you understand what I said!
Abhi: hmmmm….[She leaves the room]
On the way, her brothers catch hold of her and start their part of the drama……
Abhi: What is it now???? When I wanted to speak to you ppl, you ditched me….
Aakash: sorry darling……that was all set up by mom….she didn’t want us to talk to you about the proposal before dad…….you know how cranky mom can get….she literally blackmailed us emotionally and we had no way out……had to obey her….
Abhi: [melts away at their apologies] hmmmm….u guys know him???
The brothers were eager to share the piece of knowledge they had on Abhay
Akshay: whom??? Abhay?? Just heard about him……
Aakash: He is young, handsome, dynamic….perfect 10 on 10 businessman……
Abhi: so, u think he is perfect for your sister??
Akshay: that’s for you to decide sweety……
Abhi: what about his character?? Being handsome or being a perfect businessman doesn’t make him all perfect, right???
Akshay: dad and mom have met him once and they say he is a good guy…… all I can say is, after meeting him, may be you feel that he is the one for whom you have been searching all this while….may be you see in him, your Mr Right!! [winks]
Aakash: [snapping his brother short] Abhi, we don’t want to thrust our views into your head…..why don’t you meet him in the most casual way and then decide for yourself???
Akshay: [taking the cue from his brother] yup……big bro is right as always……we assure you that whatever decision you take, both of us will support you!!! [smiles]
Aakash: [patting her hand assuringly] that’s a promise darling……now don’t confuse yourself about all this…….you look tired, go and sleep…..we will talk in the morning……
Abhi: [hugging him] thanks Anna [she was immensely moved by their loving words….and at such instances, she fondly calls them Anna] I feel relaxed and clear after talking to you……..[Akshay also comes and close them in a group hug]
[Abhi returns to her room…….She takes her ipod to listen to the song which made her fall head over heels for the singer but then decides not to…….she feels that listening to it at this point would only confuse her rather than giving her solace…….She puts back the ipod into her bag and closes her eyes……She is damn so tired that she falls into a deep dreamless sleep the next minute…..]
*************************************************************************
Chaitanya checks into the hotel…….He speaks to Sanjay after reaching the room…..
Yeah just checked in…….no….i don’t feel any jet lag but I guess I need to get some sleep……I don’t want to look sleepy when I meet him tomorrow……
hmmmm…his secretary called when I was on my way from the airport………the appointment is for tomorrow evening……yup…..some place called Flamingoes…..I am still not sure if all this is going to make a difference yaar……He seems to be a tough nut to crack…..I am just hoping for the best deal…….keeping my fingers crossed da……yeah I really need all those wishes…….[patiently listens to all the advice from Sanjay]
ok…..thanks…..bye….good night….
[To be continued]
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