“He is exactly the same today as before. Not even changed a bit. But I’ve changed a lot! My heart, which had been compromising with him for so long, may have fully understood him today. Just some memories, I don’t know good or bad, but they are! Come & go, just like a gust of wind. But whenever they come, they refresh my mind, like they're doing now...”
Aarti said veiling on Palak's head, “You’re looking beautiful!” Palak was in bride's costumes in front of the mirror. Aarti, who was her sister in law, was beautifying her. Palak said, “Bhabhi, you & Bhaiyya have done a lot for me. Today I am here only because of you.” Sameer said from the door, “Seems that our sister has grown up! She has started talking like a wise.” Aarti went to Sameer & asked him, “What’re you doing in bride’s room?” Sameer said, “I have come to tell you that it’s time for the procession to arrive. So hurry up.” Soon Krishna came. He was looking worried. Aarti asked, “What happened Krishna, is there any problem?” Krishna said in a lower tone, “Bhabhi... Bhabhi, the procession is not coming!” Sameer asked shockingly, “What do you mean by procession is not coming?” Krishna explained, “That boy was already in love with someone else! So... eventually, his parents supported him.” Aarti and Sameer scared to hear this. Sameer yelled, “How can they do like this?” Krishna stood quiet. Sameer turned and looked at Palak. Palak said, “Bhiyya...” Sameer came to her & said, “Palak you don’t worry! I'll talk to them. Everything will be fine.” He left the room dialing their number. Krishna followed him. Palak falled in the chair. Aarti said, “Control yourself, Palak!” Palak said, “So many people, so much expense, so much preparations...” She ran to the door. Someone had asked something to Krishna and Krishna was telling him something. He told this to another in no time and the another to third! Palak's eyes filled by tears. Sameer disconnected the call & turned back where all the people were waiting for him to say. Sameer tried, “The thing is that...” One of them said, “The news has spread to all the guests sameer! There’s nothing to hide now!” Aarti came to Palak stood in the door. Sameer said, “The thing is that... procession is not coming.” Aarti kept her palm on Palak's shoulder. Someone from the crowd taunted, “See, there’s no function here today!” Soon Palak heard some words, “Shiksha, When will I get married? I also want to be a bride.” Palak's eyes turned towards the voice. Shiksha, Palak’s friend, was stood in a corner with her elder brother – Karan! Age about 25 years! But his voice was sounding like...! Talks were going on in the crowd. Shiksha silenced Karan, “Ssshhhh... Bhaiyya!” A lady from the crowd said, “Let’s go, we wasted our time here!” Everyone started leaving. Sameer's mobile falled from his hand. Palak said wiping out tears, “Wait!” Everyone stopped. Palak moved to Shiksha. She looked at Karan for a moment; Karan smiled. Palak asked Karan, “You wanna get married?” Shiksha looked in a doubtful view. Karan said laughing, “Yes!” Everyone's eyes were on them. Palak asked Karan, “Will you marry me?” Karan said, “Yes I’ll! I’ll marry you.” Shiksha quickly held Palak’s hand & asked, “What are you doing Palak?” Aarti & Sameer reached there. Palak asked Shiksha, “Do you have any objection my friend?” Shiksha said, “Objection? I think you know Karan very well!” Sameer said, “Don’t hasten, Palak! Look, I’m trying to handle it.” Palak said, “Hasten? Do you really think that I am rash for marriage?" Aarti said, “I can understand your feelings, Palak! But such decisions are not taken in a moment.” Karan asked laughing, “When will we get married?” Shiksha scolded, “Will you please shut up Bhaiyya?” Then said to Palak, “Try to understand, Palak! How can I let you marry to my brother? It’s matter of your whole life, girl!" Pandit Ji came to Sameer & said, “My boy, cancellation of Marriages in a filled pavilion is inauspicious. I think you should consider her point.” Palak said to Shiksha, “Please Shiksha, for our friendship’s sake?” Shiksha looked at Sameer with filled eyes. Sameer looked at Aarti. Aarti nodded head. Sameer looked at Shiksha. Shiksha said with fallen glance, “Mom and dad will have to be informed.” Palak hugged her. Karan said happily, “Yeah... marriage!”
A car decorated by flowers was waiting for Palak & Karan. Everyone was near that. Palak came in front of Sameer. Sameer said, “Today you put your life at stake in order to save my honor!” Palak said, “Bhaiyya, I am really happy.” Sameer veiled on Palak's head. Palak moved to Aarti. Aarti hugged her tightly & said, “What to say now! Be happy, Palak!” Palak moved to Shiksha. Shiksha kept looking at her. Palak said, “I will be grateful to you all my life.” Shiksha hugged her crying & said, “I am very angry with you!” Palak smiled. Both kept looking at each other. Karan tried to touch legs of Aarti. Aarti said, “Hey, there’s no need to...” Karan said innocently, “It is a good thing to take the blessings of the elders.” Aarti looked at Sameer. Taking their blessings, Karan came in front of Shiksha. Shiksha said, “Bhaiyya, Take care of Palak!” Karan nodded head. Palak & Karan sat into the car & the car started. Palak peeked out of the window of the car. Aarti, Sameer & Shiksha had tears in their eyes. Soon Karan looked out from back and did ‘bye’ to all of them. They all wiped out their tears and did the same. The car accelerated and moved towards the city.
( To Be Continued... )
