Chapter 2

Early next morning..  0400 hr.

Priya woke up early.. To the call of the birds.. She got ready for the eventful day in a beautiful royal Purple Mysore silk and some minimal jewelry..

On the other hand.. Ram was ready in a tux.. Looking as much as a business man as he was.. Par aaj ek cheez alag thi.. Chehre pe ek muskuraahat thi.. He checked his tie and wore his glasses..

He went down in a rush to check if everything was ready..

In SM: 

Priya: Kaka aaj khana mein banaaungi.. Aap baaki kaam dekhleejiye..
She finished cooking a variety of dishes..
Shipra and Sudhir came into the house..
Shipra: Wah kya baath hai.. Yaha tak Priya ki cooking ki swaad aarahi hai..
Sudhir: Ramu tum yeh sab leke jao and he walked to the kitchen..  Eager to know what his daughter had made..
Everything was ready neatly placed in the cutlery..
Priya: Ma papa.. Aap jaake tayaar hojaayiye woh aathe hi honge..

They left in a hurry to get ready while Priya walked to Karthik’s room..

Priya brushed his hair with her fingers.. Karthik late hogaya hai.. Uto..
Karthik: opening his eyes and smiling.. Good morning di!
Priya smirked at her lazy brother.. Jaldi tayaar hoja..

She walked out and started helping everyone with the decorations.. And drifted to her train of thoughts.. Sham ko hi mangni hai.. Wow mera chota bhai kitna bada hogaya hai.. A smile played along as she gracefully enjoyed giving her touches to all the arrangements.. Shipra was busy getting ready and Sudhir was busy inviting everyone for the engagement..

In KM: 

Everyone was ready and overly excited.. Ram felt fresh today as they all left to Lonavla.. His choti was getting married..

He drifted into his thoughts while everyone else giggled and chatted as they pulled Natasha’s leg..  Kitni badi hogayi.. Aur itna accha ladka mila hai usse..

He smiled as he explained telling everyone about how they have to wash their hands and legs before entering the house..
Nutz: Bhai karthik ne mujhe sab batadiya hai..
Vik giggles saying.. Aur Ram lagtha hai.. Priyaji bhi tumhaare tarah hygine freak hai..
Neha: Suna hai ki woh bohot khubsurat hai..
Nutz: Haan meine photo mein dekha hai.. Neha tum dekhogi na toh Vikram bhai ko bhuljaaogi.. Everyone giggled at Natasha’s comment..

Ram giggled at their conversation.. Krishna noticed this..
Krishuji: Ram.. Tu toh mila tha na kal usse.. Kaisi hai..?
Ram in a lost dreamy tone.. Jaisa unka ghar hai.. Who bilkul waise hi hai..
Everyone was surprised looking at Ram talk in riddles..
They reached SM..

The calmness in Lonavla had all of them in admiration.. Silence prevailed as they entered the majestic gates.. Their senses were drawn.. To the new green tranquil..
The cool air.. The butterflies.. The flowers.. The wooden path bridges and water ponds.. They were mesmerized.. Lost in the beauty of a world within a world.. They could hear the birds chirping.. The clear sky.. The mist here and there..

Krishuji breaking the silence said.. Agar jagah itni khubsoorat hai toh.. And smiled at Ram who was looking at a marble sitout.. He quietly parked the car lost in the reminiscence of the previous night.. Din mein bhi itni khoobsurat hai.. He looked around and stepped out.. Everyone quietly followed.. As everyone including him were surprised to see rabbits and butterflies.. As he walked over the wooden bridge he noticed fish and turtles in the water way below.. Everyone had been transported to a different world..

 They reached the entrance.. They took off their foot ware washed their feet and stepped in.. The cold marble floor put a smile on everyone’s face.. Sudhir and Shipra welcomed them.. Everyone sat down looking at the beautiful white marbled house.. It seemed like they had entered heaven’s gates.. The floral arrangement enhanced the beauty of the place..

Karthik came running down.. He was all smiles looking at Natasha while she tilted head down blushing.. Ram's eyes searched for Priya.. Karthik took everyone’s blessing.. But everyone’s eyes searched for someone they hadn’t seen.. Someone who had received Ram’s praise.. That was something..
Sudhir knew everyone was looking for her..  Priya.. He called out..
Priya from the kitchen.. Ji aayi.. Everyones attention was drawn to her voice.. It seemed to eco in their minds.. They all looked keenly towards the kitchen entrance.. 

She steped out.. Everyone was mesmerized.. The only thing one could hear was her paayal.. There was so much dignity and calmness in her gait.. Her smile had everyone spellbound..
Priya stoped and placed the tray with tea on the teapoy.. She folds her hand and said namaste..
Ram smiled.. Broke the silence.. Yeh aapne banayi hai..?
Sudhir: Aaj khaane aur peene mein joh bhi hai sab Priya ne banaai hai..
Priya smiled as she poured tea for everyone..
Ram: Toh everyone yeh duniyaa ki sabse acchi chai hai.. Enjoy..
Priya smirked at his compliment..
Krishuji: Wah kya swaad hai..
Vik: Neha kuch seekho Priyaji se..
Everyone laughed.. They started disscussing the engagement..
Krishuji: Humne sab ko phone par buladiya hai lekin bado ko personally invite karna padega..
Sudhir: Aap tik keherahi hai.. Lekin itna kaam hai.. Priya beta tu humaari taraf se jaayegi..
Priya: Ji.. She smiled she and left to see if the dining table was ready..
Krishuji: Ek kaam karthe hai Sudhirji.. Kyu na hum Ram aur Priya ko dono parivaar ke taraf se bhejde..?
Sudhir: Haan yeh tik hoga..
Ram was inattentive as he watched Priya's behaviour with the maids.. And drifted to his thoughts.. Sabko itna izzat dethein hai..
Krishuji: Ram tum Priya ke saath bado ko bulaane chale jaana..
Ram: Ji..

Priya comes and says.. Breakfast ready hai.. Aap sab khalijiye..
They all sat down.. Khaane ki swaadh se sab ki chehre pe muskuraahat thi..
Krishuji: Priya tum bhi baitjao..
Sudhir: Krishnaji yej tab tak nahi khaayegi jab tak sab na khaale..
Krishuji thought to herself as she watched Priya serve for everyone.. Aise sanskaar aaj kal kis ladki mein hoti hai.. Sarv gunn sampan.. Humaari ghar ki bahu banjaaye.. Toh wah..
Krishnaji: Wah kya khaana bana hai.. Priya tum toh sarva gun sampan ho..
Neha: Are ab mein toh cooking classes keliye roz aaungi..
Vik: Haan.. Nahi toh mein yaha shift hojaaunga..
Everyone laughed..
Nutz: Bhai aapne kuch nahi kaha..
Ram: Smiles and looks at Priya.. Bohot acchi hai..
Priya: Thankyou.. She walked away with a smile..
Everyone finished..

Krishuji: Ram tum Priya ko lekar jao.. Hume bohot kaam hai..
As everything had been arranged in a short notice.. Nutz and Karthik left to go buy the rings while the entire Sharma and Kapoor khandhaan got busy with arrangements..

Ram walked to the kitchen.. He watched Priya.. She had just finished her breakfast and was washing her hands.. She turned the tap and put her hand below the cold flowing water.. He was lost as her bangles dangled on her thin wrists.. The soft hands rubbing each other.. She turned the tap and looked back..
Priya: Aap..? As she wiped her hand with a white towel..
Ram snapping out.. Haan hume chalna chahiye..
Priya: Haan.. Chaliye..


Ram and Priya walked.. Ram was lost in the rhythm of her paayal which jingled.. Chan chan chan.. She walked along the beautiful pathway towards his car..
Being a thorough gentleman.. He opened the door for her.. They seated themselves..
Ram: Kaka aapko iss address pe jaana hai.. He gave the chauffeur the directions while Priya keenly observed Ram’s gentlemanly ways..
Priya: Hume theen ghar jaana hai.. Toh jaldi chaliye kaka... Wapis jaldi aayenge toh madat hojaagi ghar pe..
Kaka: Ji.. He started off quickly and they zoomed away.. Ek baath kahu aapse..
Priya: Ji boliye na..
Kaka: Aapne mujhe kaka kaha beti mujhe bohot accha laga..
Priya smiled at him..
Ram looked at her lost in her beauty.. His phone which lay between them vibrated.. He tried to take it in haste.. His hand touched hers.. She immediately withdrew her hand but the stars above had other plans.. They smiled at each other as the thread of his cuffing got entangled to the intricate design of her bangle..

She slowly detangled it.. It was just them, strangely.. They weren’t strangers even though they had just met the previous day..

Ram looked at her.. He was reminded of what was told to the media.. That they were working on a project together.. He smiled to himself wondering if she would accept working with him..

Ram looked at her to ask if they could work together.. He watched the wind play with her hair.. He noticed how soft her skin was.. Her cheeks seemed to glow as the sun hit them.. Her eyes turned brown when she looked at the sun.. His thoughts were broken as they reached his daadi's house..
Ram: Suniye.. Meri daadi todi straight forward aur sherni types hai.. Agar woh aapse kuch kahe toh bura mat maniyega..
Priya giggled..
Priya: Chale..?
They walked to the mansion.. And as they were about to step in..
Daadi: Oye kotiya rukh..
They both stood in surprise.. Priya looked at Ram giving a confused expression whereas Ram just stood routed..
Daadi: Aur golu tum aur bahu peheli baar ghar aaraheho toh.. Aarthi toh karne do pehele..
Ram was shocked.. Daadi woh..
Priya: Mr. Kapoor.. Is she mistaking me for someone else?
Ram: A little confused.. Nahi.. Aise kaise hoosaktha hai..
Daadi brought a huge thaali.. And Priya without a second thought put the pallu on her head.. Ram smiled at her..
Daadi: Hai kitni soni kudi hai.. Tenu kisi ki nazar na lage.. And put a tika on her bindi.. Priya took her blessings.. Ram followed..
Ram thought as everything felt so right.. Mujhe ajeeb kyu nahi lagraha hai? And walked in..
Daadi: Ram puttar tu bahu ke saath beit idar.. She made them sit close and stood watching them for a few moments and smiled.. Mein abhi aathi hu..
She walked to her room..
Ram looked at Priya who still had her pallu on her head..
Ram: Ab kya kare..
Priya: Rehene dijiye.. Dheere dheere pata chalhi jaayega unhe.. She smiled..
Daadi walked to them and Ram told her about Nutz and Karthik while Priya's phone rang..
Priya: Boliye papa..
Sudhir: Beta aap dono Ram ke daadi se milo kaafi hai.. Karthik aur Natasha ka shopping hogaya.. Wohi jaakar baaki sabko bulaadenge..
Priya: Tik hai.. Hum Daadi ke saath aajaayenge..

In SM:

Sudhir smiled.. Thinking.. Ram ke daadi ko Priya ne Daadi bulaaya.. Kuch toh mitaas hai indono ki saathgi mein..

Krishuji: Came behind him.. Sudhirji kya mein aapse ek baat puchsakthi hu?
Sudhir: Ji puchiye..
Krishuji: Kya aap Priya ko humaare ghar bhejenge kuch dino keliye..
Sudhir: Ji zaroor.. Lekin kisliye?
Krishuji: Woh shaadi se pehele saari rasme ladki waalon ke ghar mein hogi toh.. Priya itna acchi tarike se sab handle karthi hai..
Sudhir: Ab toh humsab ek hi parivaar hai.. Ek baar Priya se puchlijiye..
Krishuji: Ji thankyou..

There Ram and Priya left with daadi..
In the car:
Daadi: Golu tu toh bada hoshiyaar hai.. Itni soni aur sanskaari kudi chuna hai..
Priya looked at Ram and giggled.. Ram was a little embarrassed but found the situation funny.. Ram kept stealing glances at Priya while she keenly listened to Daadi about all the Rasams before and after marriage..
Ram wondered how nicely they bonded.. He was a little uncomfortable as every time Daadi called Priya bahu she would look at Ram and smile as if to taunt him..
Daadi noticed this.. Oye golu.. Kya hua..?
Ram: Daadi Priyaji aapki bahu nahi hai..
Priya looked at him and blinked conveying a thankyou..
Daadi: Giggled.. Mein jaanthi hu.. Mein toh Priya ki swabhav dekhna chahthi thi.. Looking at Priya.. Sach bolu toh bohot mann baagayi tu..
Priya smiled at daadi..
Daadi: Golu Rishab kab aaraha hai..?
Ram: Woh aaj sham pohunchjaayega daadi.. And in a few minutes they arrived at SM..
They got down.. Daadi was mesmerized.. A smile crept her face.. The entire garden had beautiful lights defining the pathways in the evenings darkness..
Priya: Mr. Kapoor Mangni Puja hall mein hain pointing to the left..
It was big structure.. Diyas adorned the beautiful mini temple.. They walked through a stone pathway.. Sudhir walked towards them..