A/N: First of all apologies to all North Indians if I have gone wrong with any custom. I am from the state of West Bengal, situated in the center east of India so therefore have no idea about North Indian marriages. Thanks to the TV shows. More than that thanks to my class-mate Anmol Kaur Chaddha for actually detailing me every bit of a Punjabi marriage. Also thanks to my Indraa Di (Indraa Kaur) for checking my story summary so as to ensure if the customs are right or not. Thank You!
I hope you anjoy reading ^_^ Really, a verryyy long one! Phew! Sorry for all grammatical mistakes! AND, there's a little thing waiting for you at the end as well. Okay, you may read now -_-
Wada Raha- A promise can change everything.
~Chapter 3~
With the setting of the sun ended another day of joy and fun.
Now, it was time for the most awaited, 'Sagai' ceremony. With a very short notice of just five days the dulha had come all the way from US, to attend his marriage. Yeah, attend his marriage. This might sound somewhat funny, but this is the harsh reality which people face nowadays, 'No time for anything.' In fact, the Dulha came to know about his Dulhan when he landed in India.
With the increasing darkness up in the sky, lit up the whole mansion with golden lights! Lights, not too bright, not too dim; decorated every bit of the large ground leading to the hall. The theme for that day was purple and white, and with the visible efforts of the party designer the hall looked no less than heaven. Actually; not too much of unnecessary decoration added to perfection.
Well, more than the decorations, what was more noticeable were the guests. Kids in their little Sherwani's ran here and there playing. Women in their definitely gorgeous pink, blue, red, green saris stood discussing about either jewelry or husband, and few sensible ones talked about marriage. Some of them looked nostalgic as well, most probably thinking about Priya's Vidai. Men, mostly dressed in Indian clothes, stood with glass of drinks in their hands and discussed several things. Most beautiful was the youth. Dressed in beautiful clothes, danced every youngster with the loud music. Some of them sang their own songs while few of them fought on which music to be played. Mostly, the music fight was a brother Vs sister's issue. Some of the elder ones stood discussing about crushes and blushed.
In all this, Mr. Malhotra was seen running here and there all the time. He talked to every guest personally. Some of them were high ranked officers as well.
He had sent Daya to do some work so he was missing from the scene initially, but not too late, he returned at the perfect moment. Breathing heavily, he entered into the hall. His navy blue sherwani with velvet finish made him look nothing less than a hero of the movie (He is, anyway). As he walked in, taking soft steps, few girls looked at him and smiled. By now he knew them so he smiled back. He pretended to look at the arrangements and admire its beauty but what were his eyes searching, he knew that much better. His eyes were actually searching for that lady with whom he had spent the whole day. He never thought that things would turn out to be so good between them. In just few hours they had known each other so much that now they felt that before coming here they didn't know each other at all.
Daya was always comfortable with her till Abhijeet said one day that he's in love. Since then he used to be either a bit rude or a bit funny with her. (Well, without her…. We have already seen him in the first chapter). Anyways, it was only after she confirmed that they are just friends this morning, he came back to his real self. She was the same, smiling all the time but now it didn't matter.
They were just friends.
Well on Shreya's part, what would a girl do if she sees her crush always staying a hand away from her? Finally, she had to say they were friends. At least, he wouldn't be running away anymore.
Coming back to the scene: Daya walked to the stage. Sameer, on seeing Daya, smiled. Daya smiled back. Sameer signaled him to come up on the stage and join him with his friends but Daya refused and smiled once again instead. Like, really? He was looking for his yet-to-be-realized love and Sameer was calling him to have fun?
Before Daya could decide to do anything, he saw Major Malhotra coming to him. He had dressed himself in a crème color sherwani, and looked like the bride's dad. (He was, definitely) "Kaam ho gaya Daya?" He asked.
Daya smiled and then gave a slight nod.
"Chalo acha hai…. Yahan par itni tension hai, mein toh dar hi gaya tha… Yaar tum nahi aate toh."
"Kya sir? Aap bhi?!" Daya smiled. "Yeh lijiye aapki receipt." He said and looked around for a second. "Waise Sir…" He asked cautiously. "Jewelry maine locker mein rakh diya hai…. Aur password mere pass hi hai."
"Okay, okay… very good! Kisiko kuch batane ki zarurat nahi…."
"Arey Major Sahab….?!" Someone said interrupting. Major sahab gestured an 'Aaya!' look and said, "Mein abhi aaya… aur kuch liya nahi tumne?"
"Sir mein…. Baadmein lunga na.."
"Haan, haan, thik hai. Zyada formal hone ki zarurat nahi…" He said taking a glass from the near-by waiter. Daya nodded in defense but Major sahab placed the glass in his hand. "Mein abhi aaya… ok?" He said and moved to the opposite direction.
Daya was staring at the cola glass when a young lady came to him. "Daya Sir…" She said holding her hone to him.
"Phirse?!" Daya said taking the phone from his hand. The girl blushed lightly and said, "Kya Karen sir, phone phirse kharab ho gaya.."
"Tum logo ko toh bas bahana chahiye mujhe pareshaan karne ka, kyun?" He laughed.
The girl bit her lips in embarrassment, "Haan sir, bahana toh chahiye… Bas aapse baat karne ka…"
"Tum Shreya ki behen (cousin) ho, okay?" He said sensing her flirtatious tone.
"Oho! Shreya kyun? Major sahab ka reference kyun nahi diya aapne?! Bolo, bolo.." she said smiling.
"Reference ki bacchi!" Said a lady standing behind her. "Tujhe mein kahan kahan dhund rahi hun…. Kya kar rahi hai yahan? Chal mere saath abhi!"
Daya watched the sisters fight, repairing the phone. Once it was done he handed the phone to the younger lady. "Thank You Daya Ji…" She said.
The other lady said, "Oh! Phone… Daya Ji… yeh na. Ek phone iska thik se nahi rehta!" Daya smiled, embarrassed. "Waise Daya Ji… Thank you haan. Agar aap nahi hote toh…."
"DI!?" The younger girl said, pulling her sister.
"Acha… mein aapse baad mein baat karti hun Daya Ji!" The lady said before leaving.
Daya looked at the crazy sisters walking and said, "Ghar pe saari larkiyan aisihi hai kya?! Thank God, Shreya aisi nahi hai!" He would have thought about Shreya for a bit longer till:
"Hi…" A noticeably sexy voice knocked Daya's ear. He turned and found a sizzling hot beauty, in her red sari, with a glass of cola in her hand, stood gazing into his eyes.
"Hi.." He said with a formal smile, trying his best not to stare at her.
"Aap…. CID officer hai na?" She asked intensifying her looks.
"Hmm…" Daya nodded taking a sip from his drink. Her eyes were captivating; he thought and turned his head lightly.
"Waise…..?" She said, "Aapki shaadi ho gayi hai?"
Daya kept quiet for a few seconds and then turned his head to say, "Nahi, par kyun?"
"Aisehi… Aap toh gussa ho gaye!" She smiled, "Toh…. Kisiko pasand karte hai?"
Daya looked at her again, clearly irritated. He shook his head lightly and said, "Nahi…"
Kamya took her hair and placed it on the left shoulder. Sliding her hand seductively down her neck, she said, "Waise, yahan pasand karne layak bohut hai….."
Daya stared at her for a few more seconds when everyone clapped their hands and yelled in joy. There came the bride with her bride's maids. Definitely, she looked beautiful in her green and maroon lehenga she was wearing but something else charmed Daya's sight more than the bride. She was her sister, Shreya. Dressed in her dark blue lehenga and her hair left open, she looked the most gorgeous among them, he thought. He also noticed that they were actually, wearing the same color. Coincidence might be, but some of the coincidences are the best!
"Sahi kahan aapne kamya Ji…" Daya said, his gaze fixed on Shreya. "Yahan pasand karne layak…. Bohut log hai…"
Kamya looked at the direction Daya was staring. Shreya and her sister were moving up the stage, she saw. There was a glitter in his eyes, she noticed. It was that glitter, which she always wanted in his eyes; but only for her. Daya turned his head to her. "Actually kya hai na Kamya Ji…. Apni apni pasand hoti hai. Now…. will you please excuse me?" He said sharply and walked away. Kamya stared at him as jealousy burned her every bit. She looked at Shreya for once and left from there.
Taking sips from his glass, he started walking from there to the other corner. Her light makeup made her look more beautiful, he believed.
He didn't know what were they discussing but every time one of the girls said something, all of them laughed. Her laugh and her smile made the whole silent. With that dreamy movement of her head, swung her earrings lightly. Her eyes spoke so much; he wandered… till those eyes; those eyes moved and fixed suddenly on him. Both looked at each other and smiled.
From the stage, Shreya gave a 'Wah? Kya baat hai Sir?!" look. Daya smiled instantly. Closing his eye lids slowly, he gestured a 'Thank You' and smiled again. She smiled moving her hair back. With a little tilt of her head, she whispered something to her sister and then moved down the stage. Daya stared at her as she came down the steps and walked towards him. She was smiling, constantly smiling. She was coming to him, it seemed, till she moved beyond the expected line. Daya turned to look behind him as she walked straight. After picking up the thali, she was coming back now, once again smiling. This smile was somewhat becoming a torture now but every time he looked at her, he lost himself in her charms.
She had almost reached where Daya was standing. He shifted to his left to make the path clear, but coincidentally she also shifted to her right. Coincident, again! Both looked at each other and led a sigh. Daya moved to his right now but once again she moved to her left, blocking her own way. Both looked up again. Daya now raised his hand signaling 'wait', and moved from her way. A thankful giggle escaped her lips for working so hard on making a path clear. She shook her head lightly and moved back to the stage. She took the holy plate and handed it to her auntie.
She turned back and once again started walking towards Daya. This time Daya looked at her cautiously so as to move which side, till she proved his estimates wrong and came and stood by his side. Daya was somewhat shocked as well as over joyed. She was finally here and that too standing by his side. She was the only sensible girl with whom he loved to be, at least, among these stranger-turned-friends.
After a few moments he noticed that none of them had started speaking.
"Bohut, khubsurat lag rahi ho.." He whispered, while one of the Shreya's aunts did the dulha's tilak. Shreya smiled staring as her aunt placed the crimson mark on Sameer's head. Why was she smiling; she knew that better. "Sir…" She said, "Aap jab bhi mujhe dekhte hai, aap yehi bolte hai!" She giggled.
Daya smiled to himself innocently, "Ab kya karun, kabhi kabhi sach bolne ka man karta hai." He said in a Romeo style.
She shook her head lightly with an unavoidable smile, "Aap flirt kar rahe hai sir? Um, hmm?"
A scream of joy spread across the hall as both young and old clapped and yelled at the accomplishment of the Tilak ceremony. Sameer and Priya looked at each other and blushed. Now it was turn for the engagement. The boy's mother, dressed in a light pink saare and fairly young, came forth with the ring.
Daya smiled harder this time and looked around at few strangers' faces. "Marna hai kya?" He whispered again. Shreya looked at him from the corner of her eyes, smoothly tucking her soft, silky hair with the tip of her finger, behind her ear. Daya noticed every bit of her movement and smirked. "I mean, Major sahab ki beti ho…. Baat baat par bandook chal jati hai unki!"
She narrowed her eyes and somewhat tilted her head in annoyance.
"Mazak kar raha hoon baba…" He said innocently. The serious look on her face changed into a smile again and Daya sighed in relief.
Everybody clapped as the Dulha had booked the girl now. The shiny gold ring after being transferred from hand to hand had found its place finally: in Priya's hand, where it would remain for the rest of the life, as an unbroken promise. Shreya smiled broadly as her Di blushed from the stage.
"Waise sir…." Shreya said, "Agar papa ko pata chal gaya ki aap mere saath flirt kar rahe the, toh? Aapko dar nahi lagta?" She chuckled.
With a confident voice, he said, "Darte toh who hai jo jhooth bolte hai. Sach bolne wale nahi!"
Shreya looked at him with a serious look. He was staring the same way she was doing. "Kya baat hai? Aajkal bohut sach bolne lage hai? Kabhi bureau mein toh nahi kaha aapne, Kahi aapko mujhse pyaar-wyaar toh nahi ho gaya?" She said with the same confidence.
Daya stared into her eyes with a surprised look till she smiled and added, "Waise, ek baat bata dun? Aapko flirt karna bilkul nahi aata!"
Another roar of joy scattered among the guests as Priya had also finally booked the dulha. Everyone clapped and Shreya moved to hug her sister. Daya wanted to stare at her a bit longer till loud music started again and began the crazy dance.
~Wada Raha ~
.
"Arey yaar, mein use generally bol raha tha…. Aur use laga ki mein flirt kar raha hun!", Said a disgusted Daya, roaming in the garden.
Abhijeet smiled reading the files, holding the phone to his ear. "Haan toh kya fark padhta hai yaar? Dosti mein flirting chalti hai na!"
"Haan, par…."
"It's ok yaar, chalta hai! Aisi baatein toh mein bhi Shreya ko aksar bolta hun. Aur who mind nahi karti. Dosti mein chalta hai!"
Daya said, "Arey mein flirt nahi kar raha….. Ek minute? Tum kyun bolte ho aisi baatein Shreya ko, huh?"
"Aaahhaaa…. Gussa, huh?" Abhijeet smirked closing the file. "Hum dost hai bhai! Aise toh baat kar hi sakte hai!"
"Nahi, dost aise baatein nahi karte, okay?"
Abhijeet smiled harder, "Yahi toh mein bol raha hun dost, 'DOST' aise baatein nahi karte."
"Tum kehna kya chate ho?! " Daya said confused.
"Yaar, tum pehle yeh bolo ki tumhe gussa is baat pe hai ki mein uske saath flirt karta hun ya phir usne tumhari tareef ko flirt samjh liya?"
After thinking for a few seconds, Daya said, "Dono Se….. Pehli baat toh tum uske saath flirt mat kiya karo! OK?"
"Thik hai yaar? Gussa kyun ho rahe ho? Aur agar tum dost hokar aise baatein karoge toh use flirt hi lagega na?"
"Yaar, sab dost flirt nahi karte…."
"Achha? Aaj kal dost bhi alag alag tarah ke hone lage hai? Toh aap uske kis tarah ke dost hai Daya Ji?" Abhijeet smirked.
Daya felt silent for second as his face filled with light blushes. "Yaar, tum har baar ek hi baat kyun karte ho? Huh?"
"Kyyyyaaaa yaar?" Abhijeet laughed. "Aur usne flirt nahi samjha hoga, usne aisehi kaha hoga…. Mein jaanta hun use!"
"Haan, haan, tum toh bohut jaan—ek minute Abhijeet! Shreya bula rahi hai!" Daya said as he saw Shreya waving to him. He waved back gesturing an 'Aa raha hun abhi.'
"Haan, ab toh paraye hi hogaye… kyun?!" Abhijeet said teasing.
"Abhijeet… yeh sab emotional drama mat kiya karo yaar! Mein thori der mein phone karta hun. Bye.." Daya said and moved towards the direction Shreya was standing.
Abhijeet laughed on the other end and looked back into his files again.
~Wada Raha ~
.
After the party, it was definitely time for food.
All had taken their dinner. Only a few main family members were left, including Daya who requested to eat with Major Sahab. Insisting, to have food on the dining table, arrangements were made. A long dining table was prepared for twenty people. Daya sat beside Major Sahab and Shreya sat on the opposite side, facing him. Two of her brothers sat by her side like bodyguards, followed by their better halves. Daya's other side was occupied by Kamya and her mom sat beside her. Uncles and aunties sat randomly talking and laughing, having food.
"Chalo! Toh Phir hamari Priya ki mangni ho hi gayi…." Said one of the auntie's laughing delightfully. Priya and Sameer, who were sitting side by side, blushed at each other.
"Haye…. Dekho toh kaise sharma rahe hai!" Said another auntie and everybody laughed with joy.
"Ab toh aap choti ke liye bhi dulha dhund lijiye major sahab…. Ab toh iski bhi shaadi ki umar ho gayi hai."
Shreya lifted her eyes a bit surprised and stuffed a spoonful in her mouth, clearly avoiding the topic.
"Haan, bas ab Shreya ki bhi shaadi ho jaye…." Major sahab said supporting. Daya now came to know who was 'choti' and looked at Shreya in amazement who was staring at her father, thinking if to smile or not.
"Kyun Shreya, shaadi karwa de teri bhi?" Maasi said laughing. Shreya wasn't able to control a blush anymore. Daya stared at her, smiling sarcastically. All smiled and laughed till one of Shreya's brothers said, "Chal Shreya, bol…. Kaisa larka chahiye tujhe?"
"Bhai?!" She whispered blushing and her brother gave her a light hug.
"Haan Shreya, bolo…. Tumhare yeh sare bhai hai na? Jaisa larka bologi, waisa larka la denge!" said Shreya's eldest cousin brother, Rohan, with a slight tap on her head. She blushed hard now and looked down embarrassed. All her bhabis (sister in laws) looked at each other and smiled.
"Mama Ji, mere nazar mein ek larka hai choti ke liye… baat karun?" said Rohan to Mr. Malhotra.
Before her dad could even utter a word she said, "Nahi papa! Mujhe nahi karni shaadi!" and blushed.
All looked at her shocked till Mr. Malhotra said, "Kyun? Kisi ko pasand karti hai tu?"
She blushed even harder and Daya looked here and there, as he didn't like the 'thing' going on at the dining table. How can they discuss her marriage in front of him, he thought and swallowed his food quietly.
"Zarur pasand karti hogi….." Said one of the aunties and she turned red.
All were blushing and smiling when another brother said, "Haan, pasand karti hai na…. Mickey Mouse se karwa dijiye iski shaadi!"
Shreya glared and everybody laughed till Maasi said suddenly, "Waise…. Kunware toh yahan bohut log hai…. Hai na Daya Ji?"
Kamya looked at Daya and smiled and he had to smile back.
"Arey haan Daya, tumne shaadi kyun nahi ki ab tak?" Major sahab asked.
"Sir who… koi mila hi nahi…" He said. Shreya looked at him. Daya was about to look at her when Major Sahab said, "Koi baat nahi, Priya ki shaadi hone ke baad tumhari karwa dunga!"
Daya smiled lightly. Kamya took hold of his gaze and whispered, "Koi baat nahi…. Aapko bohut jald koi mil hi jayega….". She placed her hand on his hand, which was on his lap and pressed it lightly. Daya looked at her for once. The shine in her eyes was beautiful, but not exactly what he wanted to be in his girl's eyes. He looked down at the hand and moved it softly.
~Wada Raha ~
.
"Toh….. tumhe shaadi karni hai?" He asked walking on the grass with her. The garden lights had been switched off and their only source was the moon.
She smiled lightly at his question. "Haan…." She answered with an 'obvious' nod.
He gave a slight nod and walked.
"Par aap yeh kyun puch rahe hai?" She asked.
"Huh? ... Nahi, who tumhare papa tumhare shaadi ki baat kar rahe the na… isiliye." He said.
"Toh, hai koi larka aapke nazar mein?" She teased.
Daya looked into her glittering eyes and decided to tease her the same way. "Haan, hai na…. Doctor hai, Pagalon ka doctor, baat karwaun?"
"Haaaww! How mean!" She said angrily.
Daya laughed, "Kya tum bhi Shreya? Mein tumhe kisike bhi haathon mein kaise saop sakta hun?"
"Kyun? Aapko shaadi karni hai mujhse?" She teased.
Daya looked at her to see if she was serious. Well, she was not. Daya smiled at her and said, "Pagal ho tum? Mein tumse shaadi karunga?!"
Daya walked a few more steps when he found Shreya was not by her side. He turned back and saw Shreya staring at him angrily. "Kya?" He said but she didn't reply, just kept staring. "Ok baba, I am sorry… ab chalo!" He said.
She looked at him and walked again. After a few seconds she said, "Waise…. Papa meri bohut shaadi karwane wale hai."
Daya looked down as he didn't like this sentence from her mouth, but he had to say something, so he said, "Kisse? Pagalon ke doctor se?"
"This is not funny Sir! Papa meri sach mein shaadi karwa denge….."
"Haan, toh acchi baat hai na!" Daya replied. "Par larka kaun hai?"
"Aur koi bhi ho! Aapse toh nahi karwaenge…!" She said boldly.
Daya nodded his head lightly with a 'Very fine!' expression. He was about to reply when she said, "Acha Sir! Agar papa ne meri shaadi ki zimmedari aapko saup di, toh aap meri shaadi kisse karwaenge?"
"Usi se, jisse major sahab kahenge… Aur kya?" He said.
"Aur meri marzi ka kya?" She stopped walking and waited for him to answer, looking into his eyes.
He too stopped walking and looked into her eyes. "Tumhari marzi toh mein… Sabse pehle sununga Shreya!" He said smiling enthusiastically.
"Accha? Aur agar halaat ne majboor kar diya toh?" Shreya said. Daya looked at her seriously now. "Tab kya karenge aap?"
Daya pictured the whole scenario and a shiver went down his spine. He was talking about Shreya's marriage, like, really? 'Shreya's marriage' He thought. For a second, he kept quiet and regretted the ego war he just had with her. They shouldn't have dragged it too long, he thought. Much uncomfortable with her questions, he said, "Dekho Shreya, Pehli baat! Tumhari shaadi abhi ho nahi rahi hai. (Shreya smiled) Aur dusri baat, mein…"
"Mein…?" She smiled mischievously.
"Mein tumhari Shaadi nahi karwa sakta!"
"Kyun?" She giggled.
"Kyunki….. kyunki mein nahi chata…. Aur kya?!"
"Oh come on Sir! Maan kyu nahi jate ki aapko mujhse….. aap…. Aapko flirt karna bilkul nahi aata!" She blushed and ran away towards the hotel.
"What? Flirt?!" He thought confused. "Flirt kahan se? Shreya? SHREYA?!" He called but she had gone too far. He looked at her faint figure as she entered safely inside. He thought about everything he said. He blushed lightly and thought:
'Yeh kya ho gaya hai mujhe? Uske shaadi ki baat se mujhe kyun problem ho rahi thi? Kahi mujhe usse sachmein pyaar-vyaar toh….?! Nahi, dost hai who meri. Is Abhjeet ke chakkar mein na….. mera dimaag hi kharab ho jayega! Kuch bhi bolta hai…..'
.
A/N: Thanks for reading! ^_^
Heya! Do you all know something? As a writer I love communicating with my readers. It helps me to improve my story and the most important, make new friends ^_^. So introducing a separate column where I can share my feeling and talk to you all: 'The Chit-Chat corner'. It's not compulsory to read. You may read only if you want to :)
The chit-chat corner:
Hi, How are you all? :D
I think I can never write Dareya the way I write Abhirika. In fact, I was so upset with the falling response that I thought that I should stop writing but then I felt….. No, I have to write, if nothing else, for all those PMs I have got. ^_^ So, started writing again. But that is not my point. I want to know something as a writer-who-writes-for-readers. I would like to know if the story's quality is falling because I can sense that actually, and if you all feel the same I can just add a little more hard work and write something that would please you all.
And, now coming to the reviews which say: 'the review will now change into a chapter if I don't stop writing'. Ah! Seriously? Do you all feel that I am gonna get angry at the long reviews? Come on! I love them :D The way you all point out every detail, makes me feel so, so good *Smiling-hard* Thank You! Hugs and kisses to you all :*
Finally, to everyone who's upset with Dareya's separation; that chapter is really far :P Till then I have put in many Dareya scenes which you all might like *fingers-crossed* I just hope that I don't have to change the rating to M but don't worry, even that scene's at least two chapters far. Let Daya fall in love first. Oops! I mean, realize his love first :P And please say if this story is not up to the mark, I will try my best to improve.
Thank You! Stay well. Love you all ^_^