Marriage Carnival | 14. Trivial Joys

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🎶 Bin Tere by Vishal-Shekhar.

• Rihaan •

In a deep forest, it seemed, I was in quest of a mirage. The fallacy of the reality, I was seeking for, seemed unknown all of a sudden. Had it been gradual, I won't have been stunned to silence.

"I can't marry off my daughter to someone, who couldn't even propose her till now." A frown of disappointment lingered on the world-weary visage, which had no visible creases of worries.

"I support you, Oldie!" Vansh jumped up to take the seat beside her Dadu, who looked impressed at my brother's assistance.

"I love people, who support the just things, gentleman. You are one of them, hence, we are partners." Dadu sang his praise, trying to cultivate a meaningful friendship with my not-so-wise brother. Vansh's chest puffed up in pride as he nodded, accepting the appraisals.

"Go on, baby brother. Team up against me and I'll be awaiting for the day, that puffed up chest of yours gets pricked with a thorn, like the nightingale." My inner voice showed its divine presence after a lengthy span.

"No mood to propose, but too eager to kiss each other in a car, in the mid-road." The old man grumbled, shaking his head as if we committed the most heinous crime of the century, while we were embarrassed to an unfathomable extent, if it existed.

"Kids now-a-days!" Vansh sighed, shaking his head, disagreeing as he promptly supported the oldie.

"Vansh, I don't think you certainly belong to the 'kids now-a-days', do you?" I remarked sarcastically without a second thought as two pair of eyes fired bullets at me through their eyes. Who else, other than the two new found friends?

"Mind your tongue, brother, I've your grandfather-in-law in my control." Vansh wriggled his brows as he wound his arms around the aloof head of the Das family. This act of my brother somehow made my grandfather-in-law, father-in-law and father snicker.

"I've your bank account in control, brother darling! One call and the account is frozen." I played my last key to get him out of his teasing-my-prey drama.

The banter extinguished at that point, leaving behind a sulking old man as my brother didn't take a second to switch sides.

"Dadu, I'm going to propose her tomorrow. I've already did the arrangements. See." I whispered in his ears, showing him the ongoing arrangements of my pre-planned proposal. "But, you need not expose all my plans before my to-be wife. Please, let's keep it a secret."

He grinned at my urge and nodded with a boyish glint in his eyes. I could see a Vansh in him. Childishly mature!
Gancing at my to-be bride, I observed her stealing glances, inquisitively. After some time, Dadu stood up abruptly and declared, "It's time for my walk."

I nodded, making room for him to move out. As I did so, Vansh jumped in his way, startling him. Dadu lost his balance as his wooden stick unsteadied, making me inch forward in a jiffy to hold him by his shoulder. Getting back on his legs, I let Dadu go as Vansh continued his free flattering session.

"Should I come with you?" Vansh offered. His request made Dadu turn towards him as he grumbled and stated, pointing at me, "I'll go with you."

Turning to Vansh, he mumbled, "First, learn to stick to your decisions. You would make me fall, instead of catching me."

Vansh stomped his foot and ran out. Rolling his eyes, Dadu staggered, taking his next few steps but, he voluntarily stopped to eye me. Gesturing me to accompany him, he walked ahead as I sighed, nodding.

Our parents were laughing at my stiff stance but, I was still in a shock after a glimpse of a greater dramatic human than my brother in this world. Sharing a small nod at our parents and her, I strolled out.

On a bench near the water fountain sat the old man, tapping his stick on the ground. Seeing me, he patted the vacant place on the bench near him. On a cue, I sat beside him.

"Show me the venue." Smiling at his childish curiosity, I unlocked my phone to search the hotel's website to show him the hotel and then, moved to show him the designs selected by me.

"These are beautiful." He commented, pointing at the flower spirals with multi-coloured clothes hanging down, set into an artificial dome.

"Choose white, topaz and sky blue. These three are her favourites." He added, smiling at me. I nodded, texting the same to my event planner.

As Dadu proceeded to see the picture of the selected emerald studded gold ring, his eyes gleamed in glee.

"I had brought this exact ring for  Bhavna's grandmother." He informed me as he fumbled to fish out something out of his trouser pocket.

"It's the same. But, it seems like an exotic piece of emerald." I gasped, seeing the carbon copy of the design in my hand as I forwarded my palm to see it closely.

"But, it's not emerald. It's a red topaz in a sterling silver band." He clarified with a smile.

"I was smart to use a free resource to impress my Shanti." The love in his eyes was quite evident; dolor too flashed on his eyes reminiscing those good-old days.

"Free resources?" I questioned. His feeble smile turned into a full blown laugh as I awaited his answer.

"Ever heard of the name 'Gold Empires'?" I nodded. Who wouldn't know 'The Gold Empires'!

"The second mineral estate of India. Dad used to talk a lot about this gold hub, which functioned till 1930s at Koraput, Odisha. Er. Khyatimohan Mishra owned it, right?" He nodded and looked satisfied with my answer.

"Trying to earn extra brownie points with your general knowledge?" He laughed, making me snicker at his use of words.

"He is my maternal grandfather." He drawled, waiting for me to process it.

"Huh? Er. Khyatimohan Mishra?" I gasped at the revelation. But his nod startled me at the very realisation of my impending wedding to the sole heir of 'Gold Empires'.

"You own the 'Gold Empires'?" I questioned again. It was too difficult to digest the fact, I just got to know.

"So, 'Gold Empires' stopped functioning after your family shifted from Koraput to Juhu?" I asked him instantly after this thought came up to my contemplating mind.

"No" His clipped voice made it clear that there was more to the story, but, he wasn't willing to disclose this sore topic. He added, "My maternal uncle took it over after grandpa passed away. After years, he passed it on to me as per grandpa's wish that led to an irrevocable rift between his only son, Shyam and me. I talked with uncle and he agreed for partition too. But, we could never give him his shares. He committed suicide, even before we could tell him about the amends we made and I could never step into that estate again. I gave up the 'Gold Empires' and diverted my attention to nurse these homeless and helpless animals. I feel like making Shyam smile, out of his miseries seeing these dull and innocent faces shine with a smile."

"Why do people end their lives? Are they too courageous or too cowardice?" I inquired as a fleeting memory passed through my brain. Something I was guilty of!

"It require guts to end life. I won't deny that they aren't courageous enough. But, at the same time, they are cowards too. They are cowards for cowering away from obstacles of life, which are a part and parcel of life too. To be clear, in the case of self-harming, coward or courageous are two subjective terms. It all depends on how you perceive and interpret them." The old man ranted with a forlorn look.

"For that reason, you left koraput too?" I tried to divert the topic of our talks as the old man seemed drowned in his own world.

"That was a tough decision, leaving my home and comfort place behind. But, I would say, leaving behind the soreness of the past in that placecwas easier than guilt-traping myself forever. I wanted a way out, desperately. I knew, it wasn't my fault but, unintentionally, I held myself responsible and it weaned off my image in my own eyes. I was losing myself." I sighed, hearing the underlying pain in his tone.

"I felt unworthy of all the comfort, I was endowed with." He concluded, inhaling deeply.

"It's okay to feel like that, sometimes." I patted his shoulder, which he returned with a faint smile.

"My Shanti would've loved you. You are so calm and patient like her. You assure and sooth others with your voice and tranquility. But, I can't deny that I've always dreamt of seeing Surfraaz with my Bhavna. Nothing against you but, I never wanted Bhavna to marry a businessman. Because, businessmen always act on their profits and treat everything in life as a business deal. Don't feel bad at my words but, I still feel Surfraaz would've been better for Bhavna." He spilled out while, I nodded.

"I'll prove you to be the best one for Bhavna, Dadu." I chirped, trying to extinguish the flame of insecurity in me, getting alive again.

"Let's see." He challenged, making me chortle.

"By the way, on a wooden bench like this, I had proposed Shanti to be my wife at Deomali, Koraput. In the hill's misty dawn, we were sharing tea from a cup, when I had broached the topic of marriage. She was so startled yet she agreed." He beamed with his boyish charms as he brimmed with joy.

"Must have been a great sight!" I exclaimed, trying to view the same scenario in my head.

"Indeed. It was a surreal view." He added, probably mesmerised mentally imagining the same again. Our images were interrupted at someone's arrival.

"The dinner is ready." Bhavna informed us as she approached closer to sit beside her grandfather.

"Are you trying to terrify my fiancè? So, that he runs away from the wedding?" She reprimanded him in a sweet tone, lightly smacking his head.

"Stop hitting me. I was just stating him about my hatred for the whole clan of businessmen. I honestly admitted that Surfraaz was better for you than him." The old man ranted as Bhavna gasped. Sparing me an apologetic look, she turned to her grandfather.

"What's wrong with you Dadu?" She chided. Though it was low, it was audible to me.

"It's fine, Bhavna. Let's go inside. Everyone would be waiting for us and Dadu must be hungry." I interrupted her and supported Dadu to stand and stride till the dining hall.

The dinner was a silent affair as everyone was famished. It was already late, but, we chose to return back as Vansh had college the following day, while I had an urgent meeting.

"I can't wait for the next six days. The next time, you would be here as our son-in-law." Rashmika Maa gushed as Bhavna blushed and the whole family guffawed at her excitement.

I could get no time with Bhavna as we were in a hurry to reach back home. But, I could feel Bhavna wanted to talk to me.

•~~•~~•

"Will you be the mother of my children?"

"Shit! It sounds like a proposal of surrogacy." Vansh scrunched up his nose at Chirag's suggestion.

"Decide something quickly. There's less than twenty minutes." I roared, pacing around the room, stressed.

"Let's check your blood pressure." Chirag declared, making me glare at him.

He walked to me and in an instant, he wrapped the cloth cuff over my arm and the digital sphygmomanometer flashed numbers.

"140/95 mmHg and pulse rate -105." Vansh read out to Chirag, who looked satisfied.

"What the hell is it, Chirag?" I barked at him, again.

"Congratulations, brother. You are on the correct track. Already a hike in blood pressure just three days before marriage, no doubt, you will be close to a brain stroke like me when she gets pregnant. You are on the perfect pace." He explained, grinning.

"I don't understand a single thing." I sighed.

"Don't worry. After a week, you'll understand, how good it feels to see others suffering in marriage like you. Such a relief!" He exaggerated.

"Chi cha and his hyperbole." Vansh rolled his eyes, sighing.

"Don't listen to me now. You'll realise it gradually. This initial love-shove doesn't exist longer, mind you!"

"Seems like, someone is starving!" I laughed at his nauseated expression while, Vansh closed his ears at our censored talks.

"Don't even bring it up!" He grumbled, glaring at me.

"You tell me, How's it going with Bhavna? You look a little lost since yesterday." He inquired, patting my shoulder.

"Nothing!" I sighed.

"I don't know what I'm feeling. I just feel neglected at times. Last night, her grandfather told me, he still feels Dr. Surfraaz was better than me for Bhavna."

"Are you still holding onto that old man's words? You did promise him to prove yourself as the best one, didn't you?" I nodded at his words.

"I did. But, you don't understand. Surfraaz is so rooted in them that I doubt, if I'll ever be at par with him. Adding onto it, Bhavna was in love with him. I get insecure whenever Surfraaz comes up and I'm afraid, it will continue to be the same forever."

Chirag's no expression at my confessions left me with more dilemmas.

"I guess, she knows about Sam?" He inquired and I sincerely nodded.

"How do you assure her, in case, she gets insecure of Sam?"

"I don't contact Sam, unless necessary.I don't meet her and I intentionally avoid bringing her name up in our conversations these days." I confessed and he nodded.

"Are you really insecure of Surfraaz or all these insecurities are the result of Bhavna's lack of assurance for you?" He questioned me as his brows raised.

"After knowing about your conversation with Dadu about Surfraaz, did she call or interact with you?" He added to his questioned and I slowly and hesitantly shook my head in negetive.

"So, have courage to tell it to Bhavna that you don't like it when Surfraaz gets involved between both of you everytime." I contemplated and nodded at his words.

"Thank you, Chi cha." I embraced my brother and Chirag as he sheepishly smiled at me.

"Today, while proposing, whatever comes to your mind just speak it out." I nodded again.

Soon enough, the sun was down the horizon as the sky draped its blue sky in the curtails of dark orange and purple.

I checked my phone again as I looked out of the sparsely populated venue. Setting my tie a little loose, I proceeded to pace around until I saw her at the main entrance, being dragged inside by Bhoomi bhabhi.

"We can never match in our lifetime!" I exclaimed, drawing a comparison between her purple bordered mauve anarkali with my brown leather jacket over a white cotton shirt and brown fitted trousers.

"Shut up and get inside, unless you want me to castrate you!" I was jerked off my position hearing a loud yell. Viewing ahead, I saw a raged Bhoomi pouncing on Bhavna.

"Woman, I don't have a freaking male copulatory organ." I facepalmed as both of them had held each other's hair in a vice grip.

"Bhavna, let her go. For chocolate's sake, she is pregnant." I stifled a laugh as I saw Chirag trying to meddle between the two angry women. Feeling the necessity of my intervention, I jumped into the dual, only after my friend had received a thunder punch on his jaw from his wife.

"Bhabhi, come with me. Vansh has arranged a full platter of sweets for you. It has two big bowls of rasmalai too." I tried to tempt her and it was working to some extent as her hold on his collar slipped off.

"Is Vansh inside?" She smiled at me as she clawed my wrist.

"Yes. Let me take you to him." I supported her as I walked to the dessert counter with her, sparing a glance at Bhavna, who was busy sighing in relief.

"Hey. Sweets aren't good for her health. I won't let her eat those desserts." Chirag intervened, snatching the plate from Bhoomi, who was close to make him bald, given her harsh hold on his hair.

"Dr. Husband, let her eat two sweets or else, you eat punches from her." I whispered warning him as Bhoomi's anger was amplifying at an alarming rate.

I decided to walk out of the hall to give privacy to the expecting parents, but before I could do so, Bhoomi caught my wrist and declared pointing at me, "If I don't get to eat my sweets, I will divorce you and marry him."

"What the absolute fuck!" I heard Chirag cuss as I stared at Bhoomi in disbelief. I knew the statement Bhoomi used against Chirag would only instigate him for the worst but, seeing his red face, I realised, he had already lost his temper.

"Fine! Go and marry him. Even I'll get married to your friend, Bhavna." He hissed at her before dashing out of the room.

"Vansh make her eat those sweets and drop her at our apartment. Tell her to ask help from Amma at home. I will be late to reach back home." We heard Chirag say, before he moved out of the venue with his satchel.

"Bhabhi, bhai is gone. You can freely have sweets now." Vansh hopped next to Bhoomi, presenting her the platter. But, soon enough, he walked away from her pouting as her hand smacked his cheeks.

"Calm down, bhabhi. He is just angry. He will come back soon." I tried to assure her.

"I want to go to hospital." She pouted and I could see her tears.

"Oye, why are you crying?" I patted her shoulder as she quickly rubbed her eyes.

"He is angry. But, I swear, I didn't say it intentionally. I just blabbered in anger." She ranted, sobbing.

"Mummy whale, stop whining. We will now go and track your husband. Stop crying now." Bhavna sat beside me, patting Bhoomi's arms. Three of us rode towards the hospital and I dropped her at Chirag's cabin, who was occupied signing some papers.

Leaving her at the door of Chirag's cabin, I turned to Bhavna. A sigh left my lips, unintended. The day had to go totally against my plans. Holding her palm, I walked her towards our car, outside the hospital.

"Want to eat something?" I questioned her, looking at my watch.

"Yeah. Let's grab a burger." I nodded at her urge as we moved to the nearest restaurant. As we were conversing about how our day went, an idea struck my head.

Excusing myself to arrange the set-up as she tended to her hunger, I was confident to fulfill one of her heart's longings.

"There's a beautiful roof-top view on the terrace of this restaurant. Are you accompanying me there?" I tried to put up a smile on my visage as my heart pumped in anticipation.

"Roof-top view? Let's go." She was right there, clutching my arm to escort her to the terrace as I wished.

Pushing the terrace gate open, she laughed out and I followed her footsteps.

"Baking soda, seriously?" She chuckled as we sat on a tawny wooden chair. Garnering an ample sum of artificial snow in her palms, she smiled, before she poured them on my head.

Ruffling my fingers through my hair, I shook of those faint solid particles off my hair as I caged her both wrists in my right palm's grip.

"I heard from your Dadu that he proposed your grandmother on the snowy hills of Deomali amongst those dense trees, while sharing a cup of tea. So, how about we do the same?" I smiled, seeing her stunned. Her hitched breath was the proof of how unexpected this proposal was!

"I'm really awful at words and even through certain habits of mine. I can't say, I'm the Mr. Perfect, you would've dreamt of marrying. But, I would accept that I'm a flawed man, who has committed irrevocable mistakes in the past. Still I want to be selfish enough to ask you to be my guide for life. My life partner." I slide down on the ground on my knees to settle on my right knee. Keeping my cup of tea on the center table, I looked into her eyes.

"Will you give me the honour to be known as your husband, Dr. Bhavna Das?" My palms gently placed over her thighs, pressed her palm in anticipation.

"Rihaan-" She gasped.

"Will you, Bhavna?" I asked her, again.

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