Aarti: Aww. That looks impossible Preeti. You know how much I am tied up here. But I miss you too dear. It’s just a matter of few weeks and you would come back to US.
Preeti and her mother conversed for some more time after which they cut the call.
Raj Mahal
Devi: Saroj. Don’t forget we have to meet our Family Priest tomorrow. I have showed him the Kundali (Horoscope) of Shravan, Kishore and Radhika. He said he would be reading them today and then address us tomorrow regarding their future life.
Saroj: It’s good that you gave Shravan's horoscope too. I had thought that long time back. But I was afraid. What if there is something wrong in it?
Devi: Don’t worry Saroj. Till now everything is fine. And I am sure all will be Ok in future too.
Saroj nodded in agreement though she wasn’t much convinced. That’s when Devi remembered something.
Devi: Ohh Yes. I forgot. I had given that Preeti Mehra's horoscope also to our Priest. I thought we would like this girl and so thought of matching Shravan's and her Kundali. Who knew things would not be in our favour regarding this??
Saroj: It’s ok Devi. Let’s get her horoscope back and send it to Mrs Chaddha.She would then hand it over to her mother.
Devi: Whatever it is. But I liked the girl. She was nice.
Saroj: But I didn’t like her attitude. Anyways. let’s not discuss about her. She is no more my choice now.
Same Night
Shravan was working on his laptop inside his bedroom. It was raining heavily outside. Never ever in last few years , it had rained so heavily. Something looked wrong today. That’s the reason why it was pouring outside that too not in a Rainy Season. Shravan was still in his thoughts when he saw his Daadi and his Di rushing down passing his room. They looked tensed and in a hurry. What was wrong? Where were they going?? He got up from the Recliner and followed them. He saw Maakhan standing in the Living room all drenched in rain and was waiting to pass some information to the family .
The whole family walked to him.
Maakhan: (To Saroj): Hukkum. Someone has fallen unconscious at the gates of the Mahal.
Saroj: What? Unconscious?? How? I mean what are you doing here? Get that person inside. It’s raining so heavily. That person would fall sick. Go fast.
Shravan heard this. Someone is unconscious. Who?? Nobody went out but Shravan did. He followed Maakhan.
Saroj: Shravan. Where are you going? It’s raining. Maakhan would get that person. Shravan . Listen.
Saroj kept on calling Shravan asking him to Stop but he didn’t. He rushed outside in the rain just to check who was unconscious.? The moment he reached the gates of Raj Mahal, he was also totally drenched in the rain. He saw a girl whose face was hidden by her hair, lying unconscious on the wet land. Maakhan was about to touch that girl to get her in but before that Shravan himself kneeled on the ground, held the girls hand and pulled her on his lap. The next moment surprised him to an extent. She was the same girl whom he had met in the Jodhpur market today. The same girl who almost fought with him for a poor Cart Owner. The same girl who had called him "STUBBORN" Today.
Maakhan: Shravanji. You are getting drenched. Leave the girl. I will ask the guards to carry her.
Saying that Maakhan was about to hold her when Shravan held his hand in anger.
Shravan: Don’t dare touch her. !!!! (He said with almost a loud and a commanding tone. Shravan had never spoken with this tone to Maakhan anytime. ). I will carry her inside.
Saying that he picked this girl in his arms and carried her inside the gates towards the Raj Mahal entrance. Destiny had finally started playing it’s games with this family. The entry of this girl in the Raj Mahal was all planned by destiny. Once she is been taken inside this House, she would be linked to this Mahal forever. Nothing and no one could ever stop her fate from claiming to be the BRIDE OF RAJ MAHAL.
Shravan had no idea what he was doing. What he knew at the moment was that he had to save this girl. She was totally cold and wet. He walked till the door and crossed the boundary of the main door towards the Living room taking this girl in his arms. The entire family was shocked seeing Shravan himself carrying a girl like that. They all started walking towards him and he walked towards the Guest room.
Shravan: Rajeev. Call the doctor immediately. Di. Get some clothes for her.
Rajeev and Anjum rushed to follow his orders and the others still followed him. Saroj and others were still unaware of whom Shravan was carrying in his arms. They still had not seen this girls face. When Shravan placed her on the bed , that’s when the entire family came to know that she was none other than Preeti Mehra. The same girl they had been to see for Shravan.
Radhika (Almost screaming): Naani. . She is Preeti. She is Preeti.
Kishore: Ohh Yes Radhika. My God. What happened to her?
Kriti: But what was she doing at our gates? That too in such a stormy night?
Anjum walked inside with some clothes and asked everyone to leave so that she could change Preeti's wet dress.
Everyone left outside the room.
Daadi: Shravan. You too change your clothes. Or else you will catch cold.
Shravan: No Daadi. I am fine. Where is Rajeev?? Did he call the doctor?
Rajeev came running there informing that the doctor was on his way.
Nani: Shravan. We all are here. And we know her. Her name is Preeti Mehra. We just met her yesterday. (Saroj immediately held Devi's hands asking her to stop from giving Shravan any more information on this girl. If by any chance he comes to know that the family had been out today to see a bride for him, he would take the Entire Raj Mahal on his head)
Shravan saw the way his Daadi stopped his Nani from speaking.
Shravan: Preeti Mehra? You all know her? And you met her yesterday?? Why??? For what Nani??
Daadi: Shravan. Calm down. You better get changed.Please. We will talk on this later.
Shravan could sense some things been hidden from him but he let it go at this moment and left for his room to change .
Saroj: (Still waiting for Anjum to open the Guest room door): What was Preeti doing here?
Devi: May be she was just passing by. And fell unconscious.
Saroj: I don’t know Devi. But something is surely wrong today.
Saying that she left for the Pooja room to pray for the wellbeing of her family. She was scared of something. She truly expected things to turn out in a good way . In next few minutes Anjum opened the door and then finally came out.
Radhika: Di. Is she ok?
Anjum: She has high fever. And she is shivering too. I have placed two warm quilts on her, yet she is shivering . I just hope she becomes fine soon. Check with Rajeev Bhai when is the doctor coming?? And where is Shravan??
Radhika: SHRAVAN is in his room changing.
Anjum nodded and then asked Nani and Daadi to be in Preeti's room so that she can check Shravan. The doctor had arrived now and Rajeev got him inside the Guest room. Anjum walked to Shravan's room and there she saw him wiping his head with a Towel. He truly looked like a Kid when he wiped himself like that. She smiled and entered inside his room.
Anjum: Shravan. Let me wipe your head.(She said extending her hand to get the towel)
Shravan: No Thanks Di. I will do it myself. And what are you doing here? You should be with her. What’s her name??
Anjum: Preeti.
The name "Preeti" almost ringed Alarms in his ears as if he has heard this name many a times in his life. Anjum shook him seeing him all lost.
Anjum: Shravan. You lost in some thoughts?
Shravan: Umm. No Di. I am ok. I mean . We should walk down and check What The doctor has to say.
Saying that he and Anjum left for the Guest room .
Dr Suman Sinha was their Family Doctor. She was a very good friend of Radhika too. She diagnosed Preeti who was still unconscious and then injected her with some medicinal dose and then turned back to the family.
Suman: Mr Khurana. She has high fever.
I have injected her and hopefully by tomorrow morning, she would be fine. Just make sure she doesn’t eat anything cold again for some days. That would only attract the viral fever.
Shravan nodded a Yes though he didn’t understand why Suman told all this to him and not anyone else from the family. Everyone were little relaxed now.
Radhika: Thanks Suman. Would be coming back tomorrow morning to check Suman?
Suman: Yes I would Radhika. Don’t worry. Your Would be Bhabhi is fine. She just needs rest.
The word "WOULD BE BHABHI" almost kicked Shravan's brains in seconds and he questioned back to Suman.
Shravan : Would be Bhabhi? What do you mean Preeti??
Before the family members could realize what Suman meant by this, She replied back.
Suman: Radhika told me that the family has chosen Preeti for you. So in that sense she is her Would be Bhabhi Mr Khurana. Isn’t she?
The entire family including Radhika were tongue tied. They had tried their best not to reveal this matter to Shravan but fate didn’t chose the same. Nani and Daadi both gave some Angry Glare to Radhika for telling Dr Suman about this. But those Glares were still much bearable compared to the "WHAT THE HELL" looks that her brother SHRAVAN was giving her from the other corner.
Radhika: Umm. I . I will drop Suman till the door. Come Suman.
Saying that Radhika held Dr Suman’s hand and tried to run away from the situation.
The family was only looking down as they were not able to meet their Shravan's eyes after hiding this truth from him, that they had been to see a Bride for him the last day. Shravan looked angrily at his Di who was just gulping her fear of being caught. After scanning the fearful looks of his entire family, he then saw the girl lying on the bed once who was still unconscious and then left that room .
Part 5
Radhika bid bye to her Dr Friend Suman and was walking inside when she saw her bhai SHRAVAN waiting for her on her way. She looked down as if she had nothing to say and quietly started walking past him when he stopped her by his commanding voice.
Shravan: WAAAIT.
Radhika froze at her place but didn’t turn back to see her brother. He himself moved and stood ahead to face her. She was looking down.
Shravan: Now would you bother to tell me what happened yesterday ??
Radhika: Yesterday?? Well SHRAVAN. Yesterday was a very busy day. I mean I learnt to cook Paneer Chilly. And it was yummy. (She said trying to change the topic but he was smarter.)
Shravan: I am not asking you that Radhika. And you know what answer I am expecting from you.
Radhika bit her lower lip for being in this situation where she had to answer alone to her brother about the Bride hunt.
Radhika: SHRAVAN. (She looked scared in his eyes). Actually the whole family had been to see a Bride for you. I mean you know Chaddha Uncle. Preeti is his friend's daughter. But don’t worry SHRAVAN. That matter just stopped there. She REJECTED you. I mean she denied getting married. So it’s all fine now.
Saying that Radhika ran away from there leaving her brother alone to think.
Shravan (TO himself): What The Hell.!!! She Rejected Me?? Me?? Damm you Preeti Mehra.!!!
The entire family was dispersed back to their respective rooms except Devi and Saroj. These two old ladies were still in the same Guest room where Preeti was been kept. They were sitting on the small couch there talking to each other in a low voice .
Saroj: I guess we should tell this matter to our Family Priest tomorrow. He also should be made aware of this incident.
Devi: Saroj please. You think Preeti bitiya getting unconscious before our House is an incident to be even discussed about to our Priest?
Saroj: Yes Devi. It’s important.You can call me Orthodox. But I can’t risk my Family for some evil incident like this.
Devi: Evil Incident?? What are you saying Saroj?? What’s wrong with you?
Saroj: Yes Evil. Don’t you remember what Preeti was wearing when she was brought by Shravan inside the Mahal?
Devi: She was wearing a Red Chudidar Saroj. And I don’t find it unusual.
Saroj: It is unusual Devi. Because she was wearing "RED". Because Shravan didn’t let Maakhan or the guards Carry her inside. Because Shravan has never felt so much of attraction to anyone until now like he felt for this girl. Did you see the look on Shravan's face when he got her inside the house?? Did you realize Shravan just carried this unknown girl in Red and crossed the boundary of the main door of Raj Mahal almost completing a ritual of a Khurana Heir who is asked to carry his newly wedded wife like that?
Her tone was almost raised now making Devi understand where this conversation was leading to.
Devi: Sshh!!! Quiet Saroj. She is resting.!!
Saroj got up from the couch and walked away. She knew it was tough sometimes to convince Devi who still believed that that Curse, that past won’t harm them anymore.
Mrs Chaddha was informed by the Khurana's that Miss Mehra was here and she was fine. Though they had narrated the whole incident to Mr and Mrs Chaddha over the phone, they requested them not to be panic and she was safe here. Anjum called The Chaddha Family to come to the Raj Mahal and meet her the next day morning as there was no use of coming now. She was still unconscious. The Chaddha family thanked her and then informed about this to Sheetal who in turn informed to Aarti Mehra. Hearing this, Aarti couldn’t control herself and all she did was, she started for India from her Private Jet in order to be with her daughter here.
Shravan was tossing and turning on his bed since he wasn’t able to get any sleep tonight. The moment he closed his eyes, all he could see was this girl Preeti lying unconscious at the Mahal gates. He got up in frustration from his bed , wore his slippers and walked down to get some fresh air. The moment he was crossing the Guest room, he could feel cold breeze pricking him. He looked aside and found the Guest room door was slight open. It was on his orders only that the door was left open . In case if this girl wakes up at night, she shouldn’t be considering herself to be locked by someone in an unknown place. Was the window open too? May be that’s why the breeze was coming in this direction from the room. Should he walk in and check??? What if this girl wakes up?? No. He can’t do this. It’s so unprofessional to enter a girl's bedroom and that too at late night. His mind wasn’t allowing him to enter inside, but his heart overpowered his mind. He slowly slid the door open and entered inside. Preeti was sleeping peacefully on the bed. She looked innocent while she slept. She may be innocent. But she had a poking nose to interfere in other's problems. Who was she?? Where was she from?? Was she from Jodhpur?? And if not then why was she here? He had so many questions revolving in his head . He needed answers. And he knew he had sources for that. But this time, he thought of giving himself some time and not wasting his brain in thinking about an unknown girl. He saw the window was open. He closed it and left the room.
Next Day Morning
Anjum finished her Pooja at early morning 06:00 and she walked with the Pooja Thali directly into the Guest room. There was some kind of attraction towards this girl Preeti. She didn’t knew why? Whatever it was , this girl was surely having some connection with this family and that’s the reason she was here since last night with them. Anjum opened the Guest room door and walked inside. Preeti was still sleeping. Anjum kept the Thali aside and then checked Preeti's temperature. She was little warm now. The touch of hers on Preeti's face made Preeti wake up and open her eyes slowly. She felt as if she was sleeping since years. It was the longest sleep she ever had, that was her situation. Anjum saw her opening her eyes and she wished her.
Anjum: Good morning Lazy bones. How are you feeling now?
Preeti could slowly recognise this face before her. But she was still very much unresponsive. She felt exhausted. Anjum immediately dialled in the Kitchen room to ask the Maids to get some Juice for Preeti. It was so obvious that she didn’t had anything since last night.
Shravan who was passing back to his room after his Morning Jog, saw his D
i inside the Guest room and couldn’t control himself from coming inside. He walked in and the first thing that he saw was if Preeti was ok and awake. Preeti who was still very weak couldn’t believe she was seeing the same person before her who she had met and fought on the streets the other day. She opened her eyes wide seeing him and then tried to realize where she was. She looked around the room where she was and then her mind started pacing up it’s function. She was not in her room?? She was not in her house?? Where was she? What was this person doing in this house?? Was she in Anjum's house?? Was this Man whom she knew as "Shravan Khurana" (as termed by the Cart Owner) related to Anjum? No way.!! And above all. WHAT WAS SHE DOING HERE?? The last thing she remembered was she was on her way to the Airport. To go back to Delhi. Then what happened to her? Why was she here?
The entire family came inside the room in few minutes and she was able to recognise each and every face.
Nani came forward and sat beside her on the bed touching her forehead.
Nani: How are you feeling Bitiya?
Preeti tried to get up from the bed and sit and Anjum and Radhika helped her. Shravan was only watching this girl from a distance and also observing his family's reactions towards her.
Cursed Bride Page 3
