Flaming Sun Collection 2: Marriages Made in India (Box Set with 5 novellas)

by Sundari Venkatraman

  She walked into her flat at 8 pm, calling out, “Hello, I’m home.” Her parents and grandmother had sat down for dinner when she walked into the dining room. “Hello everyone! Let me get a plate and join you guys. Where are Ryan and Shaan?” She picked a plate from the side table even as her brothers walked in.

  Her father Shyam grunted, concentrating on his plate. Rati asked, “So, how was your trip to Kasauli? Did you do a lot of trekking? I’m sure it must have been tiring.” She shuddered. She didn’t understand the modern generation’s penchant for climbing mountains.

  Ruma gave her silent grandmother a twinkling glance before answering her mother. “We had a wonderful time, Mom. The weather was simply beautiful and yeah, we did a lot of trekking.”

  Ryan turned to look at his sister. “What fun! I can’t wait to finish college and enjoy myself the whole year around like you, Ruma.”

  “Idiot! I work the year around, just in case you’ve forgotten. Yeah, I also enjoy my trips.”

  “But what a life—no home work, no projects.” Though Ryan complained, she knew how much her brother loved his course. Ryan worked hard, but loved to give the impression of being totally lazy.

  “I hate climbing mountains,” declared Shaan. “Give me a beach, any time.”

  Ruma chatted with her brothers, sitting down next to her grandmother. She pressed her left hand reassuringly on Ganga’s shoulder, letting her know that everything was fine. Only then did Grandma smile.

  “Do you plan to go to work, beta? Why don’t you take an off if you want to recover from your hectic trip?” asked Ganga.

  Rati nodded her head. “Yeah, why don’t you? There’s less than one month before your engagement. I don’t think the Vaswanis will let you work after that, anyway. Call and tell your office that you won’t be going tomorrow.”

  “Daadima, I actually feel rejuvenated after my trip to the hills. Do I look tired to you?” asked Ruma, addressing her grandmother.

  Ganga looked at Ruma’s radiant face and shook her head, smiling into the young woman’s eyes. “You’re right. You are glowing with good health. I suppose the mountain air has done you a lot of good.” She hugged her granddaughter, so glad for her. They had obviously done the right thing in marrying her off to the man she loved.

  Ruma turned to her mother. “Mom, I’ll continue to work even after my marriage. I won’t let anyone dictate to me,” she said quietly.

  Though Shyam appeared to be in his own world, he’d been listening to the conversation flying around him. “Ruma, you know that won’t be possible. If Bunty and his parents feel you cannot work, then it’s best you fall in with their wishes,” he said.

  “But Dad, that’s sick,” said Ryan. “Isn’t it Ruma’s call whether she wants to work or not?”

  Shyam gave his elder son a sad smile. “It doesn’t work that way in our homes, my son. A girl should fall in with the wishes of her men folk. Why do you think I’ve given your sister all the freedom she wants before marriage? Let her enjoy life now. After that, she’ll have to listen to what Bunty and his family says.”

  Rati nodded while Ganga looked silently at her son. Ruma gritted her teeth and refused to say anything. What did it matter anyway? She had her life to lead and that was definitely not with Bunty Vaswani.

  But Ryan couldn’t keep quiet. At twenty, he was a strapping young man with pretty clear cut goals in his life. “But Dad, that’s so unfair. I know it’s too early. But I want to know what happens when I get married. Will you insist that my wife plays housewife?” he grimaced, thoroughly disliking the idea.

  “What’s wrong in being a housewife?” asked Rati, a frown on her face. She had opted to remain at home even while her motherin-law had led a busy life working along with her father-in-law. Rati was pretty old-fashioned that way.

  “I don’t know about your mother, Ryan. But it really doesn’t matter to me,” said Shyam. “I think people should live the lives they want to.”

  “Dad, then why are you making me marry Bunty?” asked Ruma.

  “Huh?!” Shyam frowned at his younger daughter. She was feisty and a handful. “I don’t understand. You and Bunty like each other and that’s why the wedding is happening, right?” He looked at his wife. “What’s this Rati? You told me that Ruma’s ready to wed Bunty Vaswani.” His frown grew fiercer.

  “Of course she does,” insisted Rati, glaring at her daughter. “Ruma, what’s wrong with you? Of course you want to marry Bunty.”

  “Mom, are you asking me or telling me?” asked Ruma, her heart thumping in her chest. Had she been stupid in not talking to her father before now?

  “What’s the difference? Anyway, everything is fixed. There’s no going back. The invitations for the party are being sent even as we talk,” said Rati, her face mutinous. The Vaswanis were a rich and influential family. Being connected to them through this marriage was very important to Rati.

  Ruma shut her eyes for a few seconds, doing her best to calm down. Thank God she had had the presence of mind to talk to her mother before the invites were printed. She had convinced Rati that the engagement should itself be announced as a surprise and the cards should mention only a party hosted by the Malhotras.

  She opened her eyes when Ganga pressed Ruma’s hand, giving an imperceptible shake of her head, discouraging her from arguing. The matriarch of the house quickly changed the subject, asking Shaan about his exams. The subject of Ruma’s choice of partner was closed for that day.

  20

  Ruma went to Grandma’s room after 10.30 when everyone had settled down in their respective rooms. She sat down on the floor next to the bed where Ganga was leaning against the bed head, reading. Holding her grandmother’s hand, Ruma said, “Thank you so much Daadima.”

  Ganga smiled. “For what, beta? It was you who found Lakshman or maybe, he found you. I must say he’s a wonderful person. I’m so happy that you are married to him and even more than that I’m glad you don’t have to marry that Bunty.” She ran an affectionate hand over the top of Ruma’s head.

  Ruma nodded. “Tell me about it, Daadima. He gives me the creeps when he comes within two feet of me.”

  “Just forget him, Ruma. So, tell me, are you happy?” asked Ganga.

  Ruma nodded again, colour flooding her cheeks. “Yes, Daadima.”

  Ganga sighed. “I can’t wait for the day you’ll go to live in your husband’s home.”

  “Me too, Daadima. But I’m going to be too busy over the next few weeks. I’m taking up cake decoration classes.” She spoke to her grandmother about how she planned to add value to Laki’s Bakes.

  “I’m so proud of you, my child. This is a splendid idea. And I’m so glad you have such a supporting husband.”

  “So am I. I love him Daadima,” said Ruma passionately.

  “And it’s so obvious that he loves you too. And by the way, I forgot to mention. Akshay is totally impressed with your husband. He said that Lakshman is truly a gem of a man.”

  Ruma grinned, turning redder if it was possible. “Really? Wow! I hope he’s coming for the party. We’ll need all possible support.”

  “All are coming. His parents, Raj and Tanuja, Akshay, Sunita and the kids will all be here. And another thing. When I mentioned the Vaswanis, Akshay mentioned that they don’t have a good reputation in their business dealings. He’s promised to unearth more information regarding that.”

  “What? Are you serious, Daadima? Mom swears they are one of the greatest business families in Delhi.” Ruma frowned.

  “Rati’s right. They used to be that when Bunty’s grandfather was in charge. His father hasn’t kept with the times. They are still running the company by methods that are five decades old. And I don’t know about Bunty himself. Let’s wait for Akshay’s news. I’ve sent Lakshman an invite for the party to his office address. I’m wondering how to get the rest of his family here at the same time. I think I’ll collaborate with Chanda and Ranveer.”

  Ruma grinned widely. Her grandmother was so obviously
enjoying the scheming, cloak-and-dagger style. She decided to leave it to her. “I think you’re loving this, Daadima. Would you mind if I leave all the planning to you? I’d rather concentrate on my classes. And I also have to work off my notice period at RS Software.”

  Ganga smiled. “Of course, my dear. It’s given me a whole new purpose in life.”

  The next day, Ruma was so excited about her cake classes that she didn’t have the opportunity to miss Lakshman. She called him on her way. “Hey husband,” she whispered into her phone.

  “Hello, my darling wife. How have you been?”

  “Awesome. Did I tell you how much I enjoyed our honeymoon? You’re an awesome lover. I adore you!”

  “Oops!” said Lakshman, grimacing. He had kept himself extremely busy to not miss her too much. And then she comes up with such comments. “Ruma sweetheart, I’ve been thinking of our honeymoon too. I want to…”

  Ruma turned red and hot, listening to what all her husband planned to do to her the next time they came within touching distance of each other. She listened, not saying much, just in case the rickshaw driver was listening. At the entrance to her classes, she said, “I’m going in. Will text you.” By the time the classes began, she had sent Lakshman half a dozen messages in reply to his verbal love making. With a mischievous grin on her face, Ruma put her phone on silent to turn towards the chef.

  21

  Akshay Malhotra let his kids hold his hands as they went down the escalator on the Friday before Ruma’s supposed engagement party. Suryansh noticed his mother sitting at the coffee shop ahead and yelled, “Mamma.”

  Sunita waved, smiling, putting her iPhone inside her handbag. Her heart swelled with love for her husband and their two kids. They were in Delhi for two reasons. One was the party hosted by Shyam and Rati Malhotra and the other was the meeting Sunita had had that morning with a client.

  Suryansh ran to his mother, chattering. “We saw Angry Birds. I had popcorn and ice-cream.”

  The snooty Akshara followed sedately, giving her mother a toothy smile when she got closer. “Nice film, Mamma. I missed you.”

  “Aww baby.” Sunita hugged them close, even as she eyed her handsome husband. The decade of marriage had simply been wonderful and Akshay had kept his promise to her. Today, she was a successful interior designer, running her own business. She was making a name for herself in both Mumbai and Delhi.

  “And how was your meeting?” he asked, his throaty baritone giving her goose bumps even after all these years.

  “It was a success. They have given me the advance cheque and I have a month to come up with ideas.” This was the first time she was venturing into the corporate world, designing office space for a client. The fee would be twenty lakh rupees at the end of it.

  “I’m proud of you,” said Akshay, hugging her. “Let’s go have lunch. I need to have a long talk with Shyam bhaiya and Rati bhabhi about Bunty and his father.”

  “Something’s wrong?” Sunita knew about Ruma’s secret wedding and had even called to congratulate her.

  Akshay shrugged, as they walked towards the Chinese restaurant on the same floor of the shopping mall, the children skipping ahead of them. “Maybe something is absolutely right.” He grinned. “The Vaswanis’ business is in doldrums. Their only hope of getting it back into black is to tie up with Shyam bhaiya’s business. The sad part is that Rati bhabhi is insisting on this wedding because she believes the alliance will improve their status in society,” he grimaced. “Suryansh,” he called out as the little boy was going to walk into the McDonald’s outlet.

  “Pappa, I want Happy Meal,” said Suryansh, “with Ninja Turtle.”

  Akshara stopped beside her brother, one of those rare occasions she saw eye-to-eye with him. “I want Hello Kitty.”

  Sunita looked at her husband, an appealing look behind her long, curling eyelashes, “Please Pappa.” Her grey-green eyes shone with mischief.

  Akshay capitulated and walked into the fast food joint along with his family.

  After lunch, they went back to Ruma’s home where Sunita took the kids to their room for a nap while Akshay went in search of Shyam and Rati. He found his parents—Raj and Tanuja—and Ganga also there. “Where’s Ruma?” he asked, sitting down.

  “She’s working today,” said Rati, a scowl on her face. “The girl just refuses to listen. We are planning to announce her engagement tomorrow and she insisted on going to work today.” But then, she wasn’t aware that her daughter wanted to become the best cake designer this side of the country and was working hard towards her goal.

  “Okay. Listen, I’ve something important to discuss with you people. Shyam bhaiya, what do you know about the Vaswanis’ business?” asked Akshay, coming straight to the point.

  Shyam looked at his young cousin and said, “They are into construction and extremely successful too.”

  Akshay shook his head. “Bunty’s grandfather was successful. Can you recall any of their recent projects?” He knew there hadn’t been any over the past two decades.

  Shyam frowned, doing his best to think of their latest work, but unable to recall any.

  Rati looked at Akshay, anger in her eyes. Was he trying to ruin the alliance? How dare he? “Akshay, the Vaswanis are renowned builders and Bunty is the third generation in this line. They have a great name among their peers. I can’t understand what you’re getting at.”

  Raj sat back and listened to his son explain the situation to Shyam and Rati and felt proud of him. Akshay had obviously studied the situation thoroughly, though he was curious to know what had triggered his interest.

  “Bhabhi,” said Akshay, “You know I was here in Delhi last month. When you guys told me that Ruma’s wedding was going to be fixed, I spoke to some business associates and I didn’t hear anything good about Bunty and his family business. I’m sorry to say this, but he’s totally unsuitable for Ruma.”

  Shyam’s jaw dropped while Rati snarled, “What the hell do you mean by that?” She didn’t care what her husband’s chacha and chachi—Akshay’s parents—thought of her. She had been planning this wedding since six months. How dare did Akshay throw a spanner in the works one day before the engagement party?

  “Please don’t be angry bhabhi. Isn’t it a good thing that we know of the facts before the event? I…”

  “Akshay, aren’t you being irresponsible, demeaning your cousin’s fiancé like this? He’s…”

  Akshay interrupted Rati. “I’m sorry to bring you bad news, but Bunty is a drunkard and a womaniser. He’s facing two charges of molesting women who work for Vaswani Constructions. How they managed to keep this away from the media is the biggest wonder. There’s more bhabhi. But I…”

  Rati howled like an animal in pain. She had so looked forward to the alliance. Though she’d be the last person to admit it, she was a thoroughly bored housewife, searching for excitement all the time, like a drug addict looking for her next fix. She had spent two years scouting for an NRI husband for her elder daughter Saloni and another eight months preparing for the grand wedding. She had returned only four months ago after staying in the USA for six months, caring for Saloni during her first childbirth. Right from the day she returned, she’d been hunting for the perfect bridegroom for her second daughter. Relying on Saloni’s successful match, Rati had been confident of her skills at arriving at the right choice. She had refused to listen to her daughter’s protests when Ruma kept saying she was revolted by Bunty. And now, Akshay was insisting that Bunty Vaswani was totally unsuitable.

  What would she tell her friends? Even if all the guests for the party weren’t aware of the engagement plan, her close friends knew about it. These high society ladies would never let her live with the shame. What was she to do? Rati sobbed.

  Shyam seemed to have aged over the past half an hour. He sat there slouched, his face in his hands, not able to decide what to do. His mother and uncle came and sat on both sides of him, their hands on his back.

  “Shyam,” said Ganga in
a soft voice. “Don’t take this to heart. It’s a good thing we haven’t mentioned to people what the party tomorrow is about. We can…”

  Shyam turned to look at his mother, his face pained. “But that’s not the only thing, Mamma. How do I tackle the Vaswanis? I know Ruma won’t be too upset. I sensed that she’s not too keen on the wedding.”

  Raj spoke from the other side. “Don’t worry Shyam. Whatever happens, happens for the best. I know it sounds trite, but that’s the truth. You aren’t alone. We’ll face them as one, all the Malhotras together. You have Akshay and me on your side.”

  “Oh my God!” wailed Rati. “The shame of it. What will all my friends say? I’ll be a laughing stock by tomorrow evening if Ruma doesn’t get engaged.”

  “I have a suggestion,” said Akshay. He paused, waiting to get Rati’s complete attention as the others’ turned to look at him. “I know of this young man from Jaipur. He runs a multi-crore business, first generation. Well, his father is also a businessman and so is his elder brother. But they all run their own independent operations. Actually, I was going to suggest Lakshman for Ruma, only you all had already planned her wedding.” Yeah, he was capable of telling a few white lies if he could bring happiness to his niece.

  Rati wiped her eyes, asking, “Are they rich? What’s the surname? What caste are they? Will…”

  Akshay grinned. “Bhabhi, the Maheshwaris are probably ten times as rich as you. Mohan Maheshwari is the father. He runs a provision shop. Their elder son, Ram, is a jewellery designer with a huge showroom in Jaipur’s main market, with a turnover of more crores in a year than we can count. And Lakshman runs a bakery chain that…”

  “He’s a baker?” Rati’s face fell. What kind of income would a baker make? Even if his father was rich, the boy must be making less than fifty thousand a month. And the name Maheshwari meant they were probably Marwaris. She didn’t like the idea.

  “Yeah, he is. Listen, he runs a baking factory, no less. There are thirty-two outlets of Laki’s Bakes. It’s a major brand in Jaipur, bhabhi. He must be making at least a couple of crores every month.” And Akshay was proud that his niece Ruma was taking classes to join her husband’s business.