Shravan was always a non-player in Holi. He didn’t like this celeberation at all. Only because he hated to be marked by colors . And that too so many. But today Anjum had strictly warned him that being Preeti's first holi after marriage, she was eager to see them play together. Shravan agreed but then he said he would finish his Calls and be down. She left the room . From past 4 hours, Shravan had not seen his wife. Not that he wished tosee her . It’s just that he was used to see her here and there every hour andtoday her such a long absence was only pricking him. So he dressed up in aWhite Shirt and Blue Jeans and walked down to find his wife.
Suraj: Today's Holi is so colorful. Hai na??
Anjum: True. And the presence of Preeti has made it so.(She smiled hugging her husband from the side)
Suraj: So true. She is such a kid sometimes. I guess she never got a chance to play Holi like this when she was in US and thats the reason she is enjoying . But where is Saale Sahab?
Anjum: He is coming in few minutes.
They were still talking when Radhika and Kishore came and pasted the Yellow color again on their faces from behind. Suraj and Anjum started running behind them and finally there all the four saw Shravan coming in the garden.
Radhika: Di. SHRAVAN. (She said gesturing towards him).
Anjum: Here he comes. Can’t stay away from his wife at all. (She giggled and so did Radhika)
Radhika: I dont have guts to apply color to him.
Anjum: I do have little. But I would prefer his Wife coloring him first.
Radhika: Great. Where is she??
Anjum gestured towards Preeti who was busy with her Mother and Nani to drink the Bhaang. She drank the first glass thinking it’s just a Prasad of Lord Shiva. (As Anjum told her that) and since then she herself had no count on how many glasses she already had. Shravan saw Anjum and Radhika and came to them.
Shravan: Di. Did you see Preeti?
Anjum: (Smiling): Haan Shravan. There she is. (Saying that she pointed towards Aarti and Nani but Preeti was not there now with them. ). Arre she was with them just seconds back. Where did she go?
Shravan: I will check.
Saying that he left from there to search his Wife. The guests were so many in number present in their garden that Shravan was finding it very difficult to see her. He continued searching. Preeti was busy in serving the Guests with the Bhaang Glasses and she did it very sweetly. Though she herself wasnt in her senses, she made sure she held the tray properly in her hands and served the others . Finally she herself came to Anjum and Nani and asked them to have the Bhaang.
Anjum: Preeti. Why are you doing this? Leave it. (Saying that Anjum took the tray off her hands as she had already seen Preeti was behaving like she wasnt much ok )
Preeti: But Di. I.
Nani: Bitiya. Shravan bitwa was searching you. You should be with him . Not serve the guests here.
Preeti (Hiccupping again): Shravan? (She started laughing now and Anjum and Nani were surprised).
Anjum: What happened Preeti?? Why are you laughing??
Preeti :(Smiling and almost losing her balance but Anjum holds her): Aaj jab hum. (Hiccup). Aaj hum akele mein. (Hiccup)
Anjum and Nani were eager to know what she wanted to tell??Was she revealing their marriage secrets? Hope not they thought. She was about to tell them about what Shravan did today morning,. How he wished her Happy Holi and all but the moment she opened her mouth, Shravan came there at the right time and stopped her.
Shravan: Preeti. Chup.!!
Preeti looked at Shravan and no doubt she was all Fida on him seeing him in white.
Preeti: Kyon Chup? (She said shrugging his hand off her) Humme Bolne dijiye (Let me speak). Di. Woh.
Shravan held her hand once again and interrupted her conversation .
Shravan: I said Ek Dum Chup Preeti.
Preeti : (Nervously feeling his strong grip on her hand):Kyon?
Shravan: No one needs to know here what we do when we are alone).
Nani and Anjum couldnt stop blushing while Preeti was still all Blank.
Preeti: Accha? Par?? (She was going to continue but he held her hand and started dragging her to the other side)
She struggled and finally he stopped at a spot.
Shravan: Tumne Bhaang pee hai?? (You drank the Bhaang??)
Preeti (smiling and giggling): Haan. (She then started counting her fingers ). Purre 5 glass. (She said 5 but showed 10 fingers to him as she wasnt in her senses.)
Shravan: What The Hell.!! You aren’t in a position to even stand.Let’s go inside.
Saying that he held her again but she moved back.
Preeti: Nahi. I won’t leave this place. I like Holi.(Saying that she started running from there and he was surprised at her childish act.)
Shravan: Preeti Stop. You will fall down Dammit. (Saying that he started following her again)
She was running everywhere not to be caught by him and he was surely getting pissed by this act. Finally she stopped.
Preeti: Ek Minute. Ek Minute. (She said breathing hard as she was actually exhausted.)
Shravan stopped near her and waited to know what she wanted to tell.
Preeti: You want me to come inside with you right?
Shravan: Ofcourse. (he said getting irritated)
Preeti: Okay. Toh Pehle. Aapko bhi Bhaang peeni padegi.Woh bhi humaare jitne. 5 Glass. (Okay. Then even you would have to drink 5 glasses of Bhaang) (She said proudly and once again showing 10fingers instead of 5)
Shravan: Bhaang?? Aur main?? Stop fussing Preeti. Chalo Andar.(Bhaang and me? Stop fussing and come inside)
He was about to hold her but she ran again screaming"Bhaang nahi peeyenge toh main aapke haath nahi aaungi." (If You dont drink the Bhaang , I won’t come with you). He finally had to agree and he screamed a Yes and she stopped. SHe quickly picked the Glass placed on the Table and then gave it to him.
Preeti: Lijiye.(Take)
Shravan took the Glass and smelled it. He didn’t like the smell at all.
Shravan: No Way.I can’t. (Saying that he kept the glass aside and she angrily picked it.)
Preeti: Theek hai. Then I wont come in (Saying that she started gulping the 6th Glass of Bhaang and Shravan had to stop her from drinking more.).
Shravan: Okay. I am drinking it. Stop now.
Saying that he picked the glass and started drinking the Bhaang making sure she stops after seeing him to do. Preeti was happy. The moment he finished drinking and placed the glass aside she came to him.
Preeti: Haayeee mere Yuvraj. Yeh hui naa baat ) Wow.. That’s like my Yuvraj) (Hiccup)
Shravan: Khush??? (Happy). Ab chalo.
Saying that he again tried to hold her but this time he was almost seeing 2 Preeti's before him instead of one. He nodded his head and rubbed his eyes and tried seeing her again.
Part 27
Preeti: Kya Hogaya?? Chad gayi?? (What happened? Feeling drowsy?) (She said giggling).
Shravan: (Trying to balance his mind ): Preeti. I . Said Chalo Andar.
Preeti (moving a stepback and nodding a No): Aapko Kya laga aap bade hoshyaar hai?? . Hum kahi nahi jaayenge .Yeh toh humne aapko Bhaang pilaane ke liya kahan tha. (She hiccuped again) (You thought you have brains ?? I won’t go anywhere. I just told you this to make you drink this Bhaang.)
Shravan couldnt believe his wife tricked him. (He watched her angrily hiccuping )
She ran from there and Shravan could do nothing.
Everyone were enjoying the Holi festival like never before. Suraj had pulled Anjum for a Dance and she was dancing with him happily. They were the only Two who didn’t consume the Bhaang and were fully in their senses. Naani and Daadi too had little Bhaang and the effect was not allowing them to sit at one place. They too were playing with water and colors and were enjoying . Radhika, Kishore were in their own Playful mood with their friends and Rajeev , Kriti were busy too. Shravan was searching his wife Preeti still to take her in as he knew she wasnt in a good mood to be out here. What if s
omeone tries to play Holi with her and she doesnt understand that person's bad motive?? He saw her dancing in between the crowd of relatives and friends and she really looked all lost . That was a scene to watch for him. His wife in between everyone dancing like there is no tomorrow. She was so much engrossed in this festival . He took steps towards his Di and Jeejaji who were standing and watching everyone's dance on the Dhol beats. He placed his hands on both Anjum and Suraj , still looking at his pretty wife and smiled . Suraj and Anjum looked at each other and then back to Shravan.
Shravan (Seeing Preeti): Isnt she Beauuuuuuuuuuuutiful??
There was a huge Smile on both Suraj and Anjum's faces hearing this. Their Shravan was already in LOVE. Though he never showed it off to anyone. But today this Bhaang could get the truth out of him and that too before his sister and his Jeejaji.
Suraj: Saale Sahab. Agar aisi baat hai. Toh aap bhi jaiye. Aur Preeti ka saath dijiye. (Saale Sahab. If this is the case, then you too go and start dancing with her.)
Shravan nodded and then walked to his wife . But before he could reach her, he saw a random guy trying to dance with Preeti and Shravan's possessiveness already started playing it’s role. He held the Guys's neck and moved him back.
Shravan: (Angrily): How dare you dance with my Wife??
The guy was frightened .
Guy : Bura naa Maano Holi hai. (Saying that he passed a nervous smile to Shravan gesturing him to leave and Shravan pushed him back. He ran to the other side and Shravan then once again turned back to Preeti.)
But he saw Preeti pulling Suraj and Anjum for the dance and they couldnt deny her. She started dancing with them and later also came to her husband waving his hands for dancing on the beats too. The whole family enjoyed the moment. It was really very rare to see Shravan Singh Khurana dancing. That too on a Holi . And with his wife beside.
The Holi was finally over and everyone were back inside the house. Anjum made sure to make everyone taste Bitter Lime to fade the Bhaang Effect. Preeti and Shravan were the first ones to come back to their senses. They all were sitting on the Couch at the Living Room .
Anjum: We never had so much fun before. Hai naa Shravan??
Shravan knew his sister was teasing her. Did he do something wrong which he didn’t remember?? He looked at Preeti and she too was trying to know what she did with Shravan in that Bhaang effect.
Kishore: Di. Show everyone what all we did. Please.
Anjum: Yeah Yeah of course Kishore bhai. I want everyone to see What the Bhaang made them do today.
Saying that she played the Recording which she had asked servant to do outside sometime back and everyone were eager to see their doings. When Shravan saw the scene with Anjum and Suraj where he confessed how beautiful his wife is, everyone were blushing and only watching the LIVE Shravan and Preeti present beside them who were searching Place to hide .
Shravan: What The Hell.!! How dare Servant shoot this?
Anjum (Giggling): Why Shravan?? You wanted this to remain a Private Compliment?? But then if so, then you should have given it to Preeti when you are alone with her. Why did you say all this before me and Suraj then?
Shravan was more Shy now. He excused himself from them on the pretext of calling someone and then left for his room. Everyone started teasing Preeti for getting such a Cute and Romantic husband masked behind that Attitude Face and she felt totally Shy . She ran from there back to her room.
Shravan - Preeti Room
Since the time the couple was back, Shravan was trying to ignore his wife's charm . He knew she was on Cloud 9 after hearing such lovely praises from her husband about her beauty. So he made sure she comes down from that Cloud soon and act normal again like before. He didn’t want her to think that he is all Bowled by her beauty. On the other hand Preeti was just waiting for Shravan to speak something more. Thats when Shravan remembered something. He closed his laptop screen and looked at her.
Shravan: Preeti. Did you call me Yuvraj again today ??Outside??
Preeti eyes were stuck to his face now. SHe remembered that when he drank the Bhaang, she called him Yuvraj being happy. She cannot lie now. She said a Yes and continued her work.
Shravan: Dont call me by that name. I dont like it much.
Preeti: You Dont like it?? Why Shravan?? It’s such a nice name. I mean sounds richly. Isn’t it??
Shravan: So what? I dont like it. I feel something inside me when I hear that name. Thats the reason I denied Nani and daadi too to call me by that name. You too better know this.
Preeti was about to argue on this but then she thought this would be too early. He wasnt even in a state to believe their reincarnation, forget understanding. Servant came at the door and knocked. Shravan and Preeti both saw him.
Servant: Bhaiyaa. Raaghav Ahuja is here.
Preeti was actually holding her and Shravan's marriage Photo frame in her hand to wipe it with the cloth. But the moment she heard the name Raaghav Ahuja , she dropped it down. The Photo was out of the frame and the glass pieces scattered on the floor.
Shravan: (Immediately pulling Preeti aside): Preeti. Are you fine?? Did the glass prick you?? (He said checking her hands and she nodded.).(He then looked at Servant).Inform others and get him seated. We are coming.
Servant nodded and left the room.
Shravan then concentrated back on her.
Shravan: Is there any problem Preeti? I mean since the time I told you about Raaghav, I can see some change in you whenever you hear his name. Do you know him??
Preeti gulped her fear. She couldnt tell him anything. She wasnt sure herself if this was the same Raaghav who was Shravan's younger brother in their last birth. And even if he was, then why was she fearing him. ?? He didn’t harm her that time, did he?? She was still lost in the same thoughts and Shravan had to shook her to get her back to concentrate on him.
Shravan: Preeti. Main tumse kuch pooch raha hoon (Preeti. I am asking something to you.). Answer me Dammit.
Preeti : Nahi woh . I mean. I. Kuch nahi.
Giving such confused answers she herself walked out of the room and he followed her.
Preeti and Shravan both walked down the stairs only to meet the new Guests of Raj Mahal. Mr Raaghav Ahuja. The moment Preeti saw him sitting with the family and talking, she clutched Shravan's hand tight to hold him and he was little surprised. He stopped again.
Shravan: Preeti. Tum theek ho?? ( Preeti you alright?)
Preeti faked a smile and nodded a Yes and started walking with him again. Shravan easily could guess things wrong between Preeti. But why?? Anjum and Suraj were also talking to Raaghav and the moment Suraj saw Preeti , he just passed a weak smile and so did she. Raaghav got up from the couch and then hugged Shravan.
Raaghav: Nice meeting you back. (Saying that he pulled back from the hug and Shravan asked him in surprise.)
Shravan: Back?? We didn’t meet before Raaghav.
For some seconds Suraj and Preeti looked at each other trying to decipher what Raaghav mean.
Raaghav: Though we didn’t meet like this, But then I always was aware of you and this family Shravan. I mean come on. Who doesnt know the Khurana's??
Shravan smiled at him.
Shravan: So you must have met my family here. Let me introduce my Newly wedded Wife. Preeti Khurana. (Saying that he gestured Raaghav towards Preeti who was still looking a bit uncomfortable.)
Raaghav (Smiling ): Aahh!!! So I finally see her here.
Shravan: What ?? (He asked being serious to know what Raaghav meant. )
Raaghav: Yeah. I mean it. You know when I first saw her and your Picture on the News, I was jealous of you Shravan. Who won’t like a Wife like her? She seems just perfect. (All the time he said this, his eyes were only on Preeti while she looked down. )
Shravan (Little serious): I dont like anyone praising my wife. Not before me. Not behind me. So Raaghav. Keep that in mind next time.
Raaghav : Possessive haan?? But nice. A husband should be so possessive. I agree.(He tried calming
the situation.)
Preeti: Uhh!! I will get the tea for everyone.
Saying that Preeti left for the Kitchen and Shravan got seated with Raaghav and the other family members.
Kitchen
Preeti felt something wrong when she met this new Man. The way he talked to her and Shravan was like so much different. Who talks like this so openly on their first meet? She walked inside and to her surprise she saw Radhika already with the Tea cups and Tray.
Preeti :Someone is getting all girly types today.
Radhika blushed and then started changing the topic.
Radhika: I am not going to take this out. You take it.
Preeti: He Isn’t here to see me Radhika.He if for you. Come on now. Dont be so much Shy. Doesnt suit you. Come.
Saying that Preeti started walking with Radhika who was holding the Tea tray. Everyone were happy seeing Radhika being escorted by her friend Preeti cum Bhabhi outside. Raaghav saw Radhika and then his eyes were back on the family.
Radhika served him tea and then Preeti made her sit with Shravan opposite to Raaghav. The family started introducing Radhika to him and her likes and dislikes. Shravan was a silent member in this discussion. He just kept looking at his wife who was sitting with Anjum and Suraj. She too wasn’t talking much. May be she wasnt comfortable? But was she Ok? She never looked so nervous as she was at the moment.
Cursed Bride Page 18
