I want to fly
Fly far and high
Till my wishes die
And then even more will i fly
Bhaabhi
Today Rahul - Satish's frnd - came home with a surprising news.When he said Vandana’s dad had no intention to get her married to Satish, I did not know how to take it. It seemed a rumours But, then what else could be the reason for her dad not allowing Satish or anyone in the family to talk to her. Even mom called yesterday and he, as usual, gave some lame excuse.
I did not ask Rahul how he came to know about it. Rahul had good contacts and he knew how to use them.
I decided to talk to my husband. He laughed at the matter and said that it is not possible.
"The old fellow is a bit conservative. May be he dont approve of young people talking before marriage."
“Then, why is he refusing to fix a date for marriage? He didn’t allow even mom to talk to Vandana after the engagement."
He didnt have an answer for that.
" Why don’t u enquire and see what is the truth” . He gave a silent nod.
I heard Satish starting his bike. Through the bedroom window I could see Rahul and Satish moving out.
That evening when Satish’s brother came home, he refused to talk about the proposal. All he said was “We are dropping it. Satish have informed them that he is no more interested.”
Rahul -
I was quite surprised to see that Vandana’s father didn’t allow her to talk to Satish on phone. He was the one who insisted on the engagement ceremony to be done soon where Satish’s family was ready to give time. Also now, dat old man is refusing to fix a date for wedding.
That made me enquire a bit. and I did it without asking Satish. You may say it as friend's right to interfere without warning. I know Satish well. And I knew this matter was eating his mind. I pulled some strings, rang a few ppl and the truth i found was unbelievable and insulting.
When I broke this news to Satish, I could see his face going red. On a normal day, he is the calmest guy you can find on the face of earth. But when he gets angry, I even think of leaving the country . Man, he is real dangerous then. . . .
I was watching Satish’s reaction and at the same time trying to find an exit door . . just in case. . . .
“How could they do this."
I didn’t know wat to say. Even thought Satish had not talked to Vandana since the engagement ceremony (that old man didn’t allow him to talk. :P ) , I know he had been preparing for a life with her. More than that, he was deeply hurt that someone had played such a trick on him.
He didn’t say anything. He just started the bike and went. I was expecting this. I too, followed him, till Vandana’s house.
Vandana’s father was sitting in the verandha enjoying hot tea. How dare he. After playing all these games and hurting my he is peacefully enjoying his tea?? Heartless Moron. . @#$@$.
The way Satish reacted that day, he made sure that no one in Vandana’s whole entire family would dare to play any such cheap tricks on any one. And I am glad that I too played my part very well in helping him that day. :D
Satish –
**** After that incident, for a few weeks, nobody at home dared to talk to Satish about marriage. But slowly bhaiyya started the topic. That irritated Satish to the limits. Even now bhaiyya was more interested on the wealth of the girl’s family . Satish, who wanted to take a break, was in no mood to listen. He even threatened to leave the house and stay at medical college hostel if bhaiyya wont give up the topic. . . It worked!. Bhiayya kept quite****
Brunda was never a bright student but she did well. The only subject she couldn’t score well was the one I taught - micro biology. She had great skill in pathology classes where I was sometimes asked to be a supervisor for tests and exams. Her frank and bold nature, and the calm attitude she had – I thought she was cool.
Later on when I came to know that her family is searching a groom for her. “He should be one lucky guy “ I told myself. The next day, I went to the class, I couldn’t help noticing how much distracted I am. Usually, I enjoy my classes, the questions, the interactive discussion sessions with students, everything about it. That day, I went on thinking about the guy who is gonna marry Brunda. I felt a spur of jealousy forming in my heart. It surprised me.
That night, I was on my way to the kitchen for a glass of water when I saw bhaiyya talking to dad.
“Pa, this new proposal is really good. I am sure Satish will agree with this. Why don’t you talk to him regarding this??”
Dad – “Come on, he had to break his engagement only a few weeks back. Let the boy take some time. “
Bhaiyya – “Pa, this family is very nice. . . “
I didn’t wait till he finished that sentence. I knew why this family is so good. In my heart I thanked dad for understanding my feelings and standing by my side. But if bhaiyya is gonna pester him again. . . I am not gonna stand that embarrassment any more. No matter what he says . . . .
and suddenly, Brunda’s face came to my mind.
I dialed Rahul’s number –
“hey. . u slept so early??? “
“Come to the point, idiot” – replied a sleepy voice from the other end of the phone.
“I was thinking. . . you know Brunda right??”
Samreen –
“Sam, say something”
“Oh. . what. . I. . ahem .” God, y do my mind always drift so quickly.
“So, my dear, wat did u answer?” I asked. Trying hard to keep my mind focused.
“I didn’t know wat to say. Then I thought, let him approach my dad. I said he may talk to my dad”
Hmm. . not bad an answer. . .infact, coming from Brunda, a very predictable answer. Oh. . common Samreen, focus on what Brunda is telling, or else she might even eat u alive. . .
“hey, have u prepared for that microbiology test tomorrow”
“wat. Micro. . oh yes. . I was trying to read my notes when u came in”. . Damn !!! why God, why this subject. . . . . . . .
precaution agains this virus. . .wait a minute, which virus are they talking about.??
I’ll have to start all over again.
I hope no one else will storm into my room with any more surprises.
****Samreen returned to her notes and started again, frm the first page.****
Samreen:
**** Samreen was sitting on her bed, with a heap of big books by her side. Playing with a pencil, she was trying to drill the microbiology notes slowly into her mind. She always hated microbiology lessons. But Samreen knew she will have to work hard. Becoming a doctor is after all not dat easy.****
Brinda came in to the room. . “Sam. “
“hmmm??” I replied, without lifting my head frm the book
“Sam, I need to tell u something.”
“hmmm” – the only way of precaution from this virus is. . . Y do they have to schedule a test tomorrow. . damn!!. . precaution from this virus. . . .
“Sam, Satish Sir prposed me”.
“WHAT THE . . . . “ the entire microbiology lesson vanished from my mind.. A soft thud from somewhere made me realize dat the pencil have slipped off from my hand.
“I must be hallucinating. .did u just tell me dat Staish sir proposed u???”
Brunda gave a nod.
She is saying “Yes” ?? Hell, I was expecting a “No”.
“I thought that guy was already engaged ”
“Yeah but Seema was telling yesterday dat they broke the engagement a month back, remember??”
“Did she?” I could not remember. This microbiology is really driving me nuts. . But, oh wait. Yes. . of course, Seema had told.
I felt happy at the thought dat am still very much sane.
“I remember dat. And I guess it was Satish sir who broke the engagement, rt?”
“Yup”.
“I thought ppl learn lessons frm their mistakes. Why do he want to get committed so soon after dat. And.. . “ It was at that precise moment that I understood the depth of the matter.
“That guy want to marry you???” Oh my God!!! I hope this is not a joke.” I almost screamed at her.
“It is not a joke, Samreen”
All right, she is calling me “Samreen” and not “Sam”. She’s got to be serious then. I better listen to Brunda and forget all those stupid questions.
Allright sweetie, I am all ears. Tell me wat is going on.
“I dunno. He just asked me if it is okay with me if he approaches my dad asking my hand”
“you mean, he is ready to move ahead with a formal proposal. For u??”
“I guess so.”
Satish Sir is a nice guy. But I never really liked him much. Why?? Because he teaches microbiology. How could a man interested in that subject be normal??? Or, may be I am not so normal. .
Brunda’s curious eyes brought me back to reality. I should keep these thoughts for some time later.
Satish:
***Satish’s mobile buzzed for the seventh time dat day. He knew it was his big brother. From the moment he had informed home about his decision to marry Brunda, his brother has started missing him too much. A smile appeared across his face and he pressed the red button on the mobile once again. The buzz went off. “Sorry bhaiyya, but I don’t want to spoil ur time. “**
Things started 3 months back, when chaachu came there and mom started her usual list of complains on me not being ready to get married and all. “ Mom, y don’t u understand, being a bachelor is the coolest part of life.” Dad understood, he always gave me a wink and asked mom to calm down.” He is just 28, y should we hurry” he would say
But this time, every one was so stubborn. Every one was so interested in the proposal chaachu had brought dat no one was ready to hear a “no” from me. Not even bhaabhi.
Bhaabhi said “ Satish, you brother says this is a very good proposal. Why don’t we all go there to meet the girl and the family. If u didn’t like her, u can of course say a ‘No’. right?? . “
I knew mom had asked my bhaabhi to talk to me on this. they had deicded not to leave me this time. Fine fine. .i finally agreed to go and meet the girl.
I found Vandana very sweet. Sweet and pretty. She had big eyes and a childish face. More than that, I liked they way she talked to me without any inhibitions or a ting of shyness.
A few days later my bhaabhi asked me “so, Satish, wat do u think of her?? “
“Bhaabhi, I found her quite nice. If she finds me good enough, I am ready for it. But, I need like to talk to her more and get to know her better.”
“Why would she think u not good enough??? Paagal. And after engagement till marriage, u will have enough time to talk to her.” She gave a warm smile and ran back to inform this to bhaiyya and Dad.
After engagement,?? Wait . . bhaabhi. . . . I meant before engagement. . nobody was ready to listen. Bhaiyya even gave me stare when I said this.
Chaachu came the next day and started describing how good this rishta is and all. . and in between he added . . .
“The girls father have told that he will give a big amount as dowry. He agreed it all by himself you know. We didn’t ask him or anything. Why should we?? We are not in need of money from them. Are we??? But I have told him that he can give his daughter wat ever he wishes. Am sure this kind of rishta is gonna be good thing for our family.”
Okay, so that is one of the reasons that some ppl at home were not ready to let this proposal go. But I had decided that she is gonna be the owner of whatever she brings. She can enjoy that. I know to make my living with my job.
Three days later, an engagement ceremony was arranged at Vandana’s house.
Vandana –
**** Vandana was trying to make a decision. She didn’t know what to do. She thought about Satish, she thought him sweet and nice. Very decent sort of fellow. But, dad says”. Dilip is settled in London and makes 6 times as much money as Satish does. But I am engaged to Satish.”
She didn’t know wat to do. Vandana never knew how to make decisions. She was very happy when someone else did the same for her. She found it hard to trust her instincts and it was hell a lot easier to accept someone else’s words and go ahead.” Atleast, If something goes wrong somewhere, I wont be the one to be blamed.” She thought. And as usual, Vandana left the decision to her dad.
Daddy had told her “Beta, I have’nt talked to Dilip yet. Let me talk to him and his mom. Am sure his family wont have any problem. He is after all your cousin. We will tell Satish’s family some excuses once Dilip has agreed.
For Vandana, She is going to marry a stranger. And for her, the names didn’t matter as long as daddy says yes.****
**** Samreen was sitting on her bed, with a heap of big books by her side. Playing with a pencil, she was trying to drill the microbiology notes slowly into her mind. She always hated microbiology lessons. But Samreen knew she will have to work hard. Becoming a doctor is after all not dat easy.****
Brinda came in to the room. . “Sam. “
“hmmm??” I replied, without lifting my head frm the book
“Sam, I need to tell u something.”
“hmmm” – the only way of precaution from this virus is. . . Y do they have to schedule a test tomorrow. . damn!!. . precaution from this virus. . . .
“Sam, Satish Sir prposed me”.
“WHAT THE . . . . “ the entire microbiology lesson vanished from my mind.. A soft thud from somewhere made me realize dat the pencil have slipped off from my hand.
“I must be hallucinating. .did u just tell me dat Staish sir proposed u???”
Brunda gave a nod.
She is saying “Yes” ?? Hell, I was expecting a “No”.
“I thought that guy was already engaged ”
“Yeah but Seema was telling yesterday dat they broke the engagement a month back, remember??”
“Did she?” I could not remember. This microbiology is really driving me nuts. . But, oh wait. Yes. . of course, Seema had told.
I felt happy at the thought dat am still very much sane.
“I remember dat. And I guess it was Satish sir who broke the engagement, rt?”
“Yup”.
“I thought ppl learn lessons frm their mistakes. Why do he want to get committed so soon after dat. And.. . “ It was at that precise moment that I understood the depth of the matter.
“That guy want to marry you???” Oh my God!!! I hope this is not a joke.” I almost screamed at her.
“It is not a joke, Samreen”
All right, she is calling me “Samreen” and not “Sam”. She’s got to be serious then. I better listen to Brunda and forget all those stupid questions.
Allright sweetie, I am all ears. Tell me wat is going on.
“I dunno. He just asked me if it is okay with me if he approaches my dad asking my hand”
“you mean, he is ready to move ahead with a formal proposal. For u??”
“I guess so.”
Satish Sir is a nice guy. But I never really liked him much. Why?? Because he teaches microbiology. How could a man interested in that subject be normal??? Or, may be I am not so normal. .
Brunda’s curious eyes brought me back to reality. I should keep these thoughts for some time later.
Satish:
***Satish’s mobile buzzed for the seventh time dat day. He knew it was his big brother. From the moment he had informed home about his decision to marry Brunda, his brother has started missing him too much. A smile appeared across his face and he pressed the red button on the mobile once again. The buzz went off. “Sorry bhaiyya, but I don’t want to spoil ur time. “**
Things started 3 months back, when chaachu came there and mom started her usual list of complains on me not being ready to get married and all. “ Mom, y don’t u understand, being a bachelor is the coolest part of life.” Dad understood, he always gave me a wink and asked mom to calm down.” He is just 28, y should we hurry” he would say
But this time, every one was so stubborn. Every one was so interested in the proposal chaachu had brought dat no one was ready to hear a “no” from me. Not even bhaabhi.
Bhaabhi said “ Satish, you brother says this is a very good proposal. Why don’t we all go there to meet the girl and the family. If u didn’t like her, u can of course say a ‘No’. right?? . “
I knew mom had asked my bhaabhi to talk to me on this. they had deicded not to leave me this time. Fine fine. .i finally agreed to go and meet the girl.
I found Vandana very sweet. Sweet and pretty. She had big eyes and a childish face. More than that, I liked they way she talked to me without any inhibitions or a ting of shyness.
A few days later my bhaabhi asked me “so, Satish, wat do u think of her?? “
“Bhaabhi, I found her quite nice. If she finds me good enough, I am ready for it. But, I need like to talk to her more and get to know her better.”
“Why would she think u not good enough??? Paagal. And after engagement till marriage, u will have enough time to talk to her.” She gave a warm smile and ran back to inform this to bhaiyya and Dad.
After engagement,?? Wait . . bhaabhi. . . . I meant before engagement. . nobody was ready to listen. Bhaiyya even gave me stare when I said this.
Chaachu came the next day and started describing how good this rishta is and all. . and in between he added . . .
“The girls father have told that he will give a big amount as dowry. He agreed it all by himself you know. We didn’t ask him or anything. Why should we?? We are not in need of money from them. Are we??? But I have told him that he can give his daughter wat ever he wishes. Am sure this kind of rishta is gonna be good thing for our family.”
Okay, so that is one of the reasons that some ppl at home were not ready to let this proposal go. But I had decided that she is gonna be the owner of whatever she brings. She can enjoy that. I know to make my living with my job.
Three days later, an engagement ceremony was arranged at Vandana’s house.
Vandana –
**** Vandana was trying to make a decision. She didn’t know what to do. She thought about Satish, she thought him sweet and nice. Very decent sort of fellow. But, dad says”. Dilip is settled in London and makes 6 times as much money as Satish does. But I am engaged to Satish.”
She didn’t know wat to do. Vandana never knew how to make decisions. She was very happy when someone else did the same for her. She found it hard to trust her instincts and it was hell a lot easier to accept someone else’s words and go ahead.” Atleast, If something goes wrong somewhere, I wont be the one to be blamed.” She thought. And as usual, Vandana left the decision to her dad.
Daddy had told her “Beta, I have’nt talked to Dilip yet. Let me talk to him and his mom. Am sure his family wont have any problem. He is after all your cousin. We will tell Satish’s family some excuses once Dilip has agreed.
For Vandana, She is going to marry a stranger. And for her, the names didn’t matter as long as daddy says yes.****
. . . to be continued
The 62nd anniversary of the great Indian Independance. Besides all those intrnal conflicts, the leftovers of the British "Divide and ruly policy" , those bomb blasts, the terrorist attacks, wars and all those unacceptble incidents;. . . .. .Besides, all these, India did manage to survive 62 long years. And she will continue to shine for many more years to come, till eternity. We the Indians should and shall bring back its glory and transform her to her true self. To what she was - the torchbearer of knowledge, power and humanity to the world.
Jai Hind!!
Jai Hind!!
I want to be invisible.
Sometimes, life give ur chances which u are not prepared to take. You are just scared to accept the gift and admire it. It cause a whirl wind of thoughts and emotions in your mind. And they get so intense that you are no longer able to express or comprehend them. And you let them go. Those wonderful gifts.
Sometimes, being a coward is the only option you have.
I want to be invisible. I hate being a coward.
Sometimes, life give ur chances which u are not prepared to take. You are just scared to accept the gift and admire it. It cause a whirl wind of thoughts and emotions in your mind. And they get so intense that you are no longer able to express or comprehend them. And you let them go. Those wonderful gifts.
Sometimes, being a coward is the only option you have.
I want to be invisible. I hate being a coward.