“Good choice,” smiled Ram. “I’m sure your Avantika will love it.”
“I think so too.” The brothers chatted for a long time before Shatru got up. “Will you take the stuff home? I’m planning to meet a few friends and will get back by evening.”
“Sure thing,” nodded Ram, smiling at his brother. “Good to have you back.”
Shatru smiled, waving to his brother before walking out of the cabin.
Dinner was a gala affair with their parents Mohan and Meera, Ram and Sapna with their little Samaira, Lakshman and a visibly pregnant Ruma, Bharat, Dia and Shatrughan. Everyone chattered away, laughing heartily every time Samaira entertained them with her baby talk.
Later, when the others had gone to their respective homes in the same compound, Shatru sat with his parents. “Pappa, Mamma, I’m planning to marry Avantika.”
Meera was visibly thrilled, her eyes damp with tears. “I’m so happy to hear that Shatru.”
Mohan smiled at his son. “Great. I’m glad to hear that too. Does that mean you are ready to settle down here in Jaipur or do you plan to continue with your travels?”
“I may travel a bit more before cutting down my tours after a year or two. I’m hoping that Avantika will go with me on my trips.”
Mohan nodded. “Will you have time to check on your farm this time? The trees are growing really well.”
“Yes, Pappa. I’ll stay for some time. I don’t have my next trip planned yet.”
“Thank God, Shatru. Now that you have decided to get married, let’s get that done first. What about Avantika’s family?” asked Meera.
“I’m going to Bengaluru on Wednesday, Mamma, to meet her parents.”
Mohan nodded again. “Perfect. Once you are done, bring Avantika home. Let’s find out how grand a wedding she’d like to have. We also need to decide if the wedding should be here in Jaipur or they want to have it in Bengaluru.”
Shatru nodded. “Right, Pappa. I’ll bring Avantika back with me to meet you guys.”
They chatted late into the night, before Shatru retired to his room on the first floor.
14
Early on Wednesday morning, Shatru received a WhatsApp message from Avantika. Change of plan. On my way to the airport to catch a flight to Mumbai. You come over to Mumbai too.
Her phone was switched off when he called her. Realising that she must already be on the plane, Shatru cancelled his flight to Bengaluru to book himself a ticket on one going to Mumbai in the afternoon. Packing a rucksack, he went down to pour himself a cup of tea.
His parents were already up and planning his wedding as they sipped on their tea. Lakshman walked in, calling out a ‘good morning’ before getting himself a cup too.
“Did you just get back from the factory?” asked Shatru.
“No, I’m going there now.”
The brothers chatted as they had their tea before Lakshman got up to leave.
“Laki, I’m leaving for Mumbai. Will be back in a day or two.”
“I thought you were going to Bengaluru to meet Avantika’s parents?” asked Lakshman. “Everything’s okay, nah?”
Shatru shrugged, even as his parents turned to look at him, unaware of the change in plan. “I hope. I got a message from Avantika that she’s returning to Mumbai. Probably had to get back to work.”
Restless, Shatru decided to leave early, immediately after breakfast, even though his flight was only at 12.30. His cell rang after he crossed security. It was Avantika.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he said, a smile in his voice. “Have you landed?”
“Just. I’m still inside the flight.”
“Okay. What happened?”
“It’s a long story. Please get here fast. I’m missing you, terribly.” Avantika’s voice seemed on the verge of breaking.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Shatru was shaken. She was neither the clingy sort nor one to break down in any situation.
“When’s your flight?” asked Avantika.
“12.30.”
“I’ll see you then.”
“Avi…”
“I love you, Shatru. I need you. See you soon,” said Avantika, cutting the call.
He tried calling her after that, many times. But she didn’t pick up her phone. Something was definitely wrong. Highly disturbed, Shatru called Dia.
“Hi Shatru, tell me. What’s up?” Dia was surprised by his call. They had met at breakfast and her brother-in-law had been rushing to the airport, on his way to meet her best friend. She was the happiest that Avantika was also going to be married soon into the Maheshwari family.
“I need a favour. Can you talk to Avantika? Something’s terribly wrong. She refuses to tell me. And I’ll take almost four hours to reach her home. Please…”
“Leave it to me, Shatru. I’ll get back to you soon,” said Dia, cutting his call to speed-dial her friend. It took her many attempts before Avantika answered. The friends talked for a few minutes and Avantika did her best to convince the other woman that everything was fine.
Dia didn’t fall for it. “Have it your way, Avi. Shatru should reach you soon. Don’t lose heart. I’m sure you can sort everything out with his help.”
“I suppose,” said Avantika, in a broken voice, before disconnecting the line.
Dia called Shatru immediately. “You’re right, Shatru. Something’s up. But Avi won’t tell me. One good thing though. She’s convinced that you can sort it all out.”
Shatru shut his eyes, a pained expression on his face as he listened to his sister-in-law, before saying, “Thanks Dia. Bye.”
He was extremely restless and couldn’t wait for his flight to be called. He spent the next four hours on pins, before he reached Avantika’s apartment to ring the bell.
A red-faced Avantika opened the door to fall into his arms. Shatru threw his bag down to crush her close to his chest, pressing his lips to the top of her head, his hand rubbing soothingly against her back.
“I love you, Shatru,” said Avantika, her voice muffled against his chest.
“I love you too, sweetheart.” He lifted her in his arms and sat down on the sofa, holding her on his lap. “Tell me what happened.”
“Will you mind terribly if we don’t get married?” asked Avantika pathetically, looking at him with dull, brown eyes.
Shatru stared at her, startled. Whatever he had expected, it wasn’t this. He spoke carefully. “I’d be happier if we marry. But I’m okay if you don’t want to. I’ll go with your choice, love. Is that what’s bothering you? You got cold feet?” He smiled gently. “I love you and that’s what matters. It’s a bonus that you love me too. I don’t have any expectations beyond that.”
“Shatru…” Tears filmed Avantika’s eyes, to his shock. His Avantika crying!!! He couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Sweetheart…what’s wrong? Please don’t cry.” He wiped the tear that rolled down her soft cheek with his thumb.
Avantika buried her face on his chest, her body shuddering with sobs.
Shatru held her tightly, rocking her, waiting for her to calm down.
Avantika lifted her head to look at him, saying, “It’s my parents. They…”
She had gone to Bengaluru on Monday to prepare her parents for Shatrughan’s arrival. It was dinner time when she opened the subject. “Amma, Appa, there’s this guy called Shatrughan Maheshwari. He’s based in Jaipur. They are a big family, very rich too.” Yeah, that was especially important to her father. He wouldn’t want to be associated with someone who wasn’t wealthy and successful.
“Where did you meet him?” asked Vandana, curious to know more about her daughter’s love life.
“At a wedding I went to, in Jaipur. You remember my friend Dia? It was at her wedding. Shatrughan is actually…”
“But that wedding was almost two years ago. Have you known this boy for that long?” asked her father Arun Kamath.
Avantika gave a shy smile. “Yes Appa.”
Her father grunted, signalling that she c
ontinued.
“As I mentioned, they are a big family—four brothers and one sister. Shatrughan is the youngest son. Mohan uncle runs a provision shop in the business district of Jaipur. Ram is the eldest son who’s a jewellery designer. He’s married to Sapna and they have a little daughter. Lakshman is the second one. He runs a baking factory along with his wife Ruma. The third son and Shatru’s twin is Bharat who’s married to Dia. He’s a super model and also runs a food truck business with Dia. Shatru…”
Arun interrupted. “What a strange family. Do none of them have regular jobs? What about Shatrughan?”
Avantika took off from where she had left off. “He travels the world, Appa and works his way through. He also has an organic farm outside Jaipur. He…”
“Come again?” Arun frowned heavily at his daughter, keeping his spoon down on the dining table carefully. “What does Shatrughan do?”
“I just told you, Appa. Shatru…”
Arun’s voice went up by a few decibels. “You told me what he does when he’s on holiday. I’m asking you what he does for a living.”
Avantika scowled, irritated. “Appa, you didn’t understand me. Shatrughan travels the world. That’s his passion. And he works in every city and town he visits. He…”
“What kind of a career is that? How will he take care of his wife and a family later on?” Arun was furious.
“Appa, I don’t need my husband to take care of me. I can manage very well on my own. And Shatru…”
“Stop,” yelled Arun. “That’s not the point, is it? What does your job pay you? Will that pittance be enough to run your life? This is bullshit, Avi. I’ll never agree to your marrying this…this man who leads such a Bohemian life. I don’t approve and that’s final.” He got up, pushing his chair noisily and went to sit in front of the TV.
Vandana looked pathetically at her angry daughter. “Give him some time, Avi. Your father will come around. But Shatru will get a job, nah? Before getting married?” she asked anxiously.
“Amma, he has a job—two actually. One is his passion for travelling and the other is his farm.”
“How can you expect your father to agree to your idea to marry a farmer? This is just ridiculous, Avantika. Farmers are poor people and they are villagers. Has this Shatrughan even been to school or college?” It was her mother’s turn to frown at Avantika.
She wanted to bang her head against the wall. How to make them understand? They had no clue as to the lap of luxury the Maheshwaris lived in. But just now, she knew that it was an impossible task getting her parents to go visit Shatru and his family in Jaipur. She drew in a deep breath to calm herself down before saying, “Amma, of course Shatru is a graduate. He even speaks four foreign languages besides English.”
Vandana nodded, looking impressed. “Why does he want to be a farmer, then? Couldn’t he get a job in a multinational company or something?”
Avantika took an about turn and went to her room before she blew a blood vessel. It was past nine. It must be around eleven in the morning at Princeton University where her brother was doing his Masters. She sent him a message. Call me ASAP, however late it is.
It was 11.30 pm when Vidyut called her. “Hey Avi, what’s up?”
Avantika growled, startling him. “I think Amma and Appa are crazy.”
“What happened?” he asked patiently. He adored his sister who was younger to him by three years. They used to squabble a lot when they had been teenagers but had become as thick as thieves over the years. It was thanks to Vidyut that Avantika had got to live independently in Mumbai and pursue her dancing career. He had a way with persuading them. It also helped that he was a male in the patriarchal family.
Avantika quickly filled him in on what had happened during dinner. Vidyut already knew that his sister was in love with Shatru and had recently accepted his marriage proposal.
“Appa said a flat ‘no’. He says that I can’t marry someone who doesn’t have a job. What do I tell him, Vidu? I had a good mind to scream.”
Vidyut smiled. The younger Avantika would have done just that. But his sister had become extremely calm as her career soared and she had begun to give her heart and soul to her dancing.
“You do one thing. Let it go for a day and talk to them again tomorrow. If it works, it does. If it doesn’t, let me deal with it.”
“Please Vidyut. That’d be for the best, I think. I’m going to stop Shatru from coming to Bengaluru. I won’t let them insult him.”
“Don’t say anything just now. Give it one more chance before pressing the panic button, okay? What if they are convinced tomorrow?”
Avantika sighed exaggeratedly. “Okay. I’ll do that.”
“Good girl. Now I need to rush for my lecture. Catch you tomorrow, bye.”
Avantika spent a restless night, wondering how to convince her parents. The next day, her father seemed more determined than ever that she should forget the idea of marrying Shatrughan.
“Appa, let’s do one thing. Both you and Amma come with me to Jaipur and meet Shatrughan and his family before you decide he’s unsuitable.”
“Are you mad, Avantika? That’s not very practical. I know he’s not suitable husband material for you. I refuse to waste my time and money on a worthless trip.” Arun roared. There were two more years to go before his retirement as Financial Director with an MNC.
“How can you know without meeting them, Appa? Please, do this one thing for my sake.”
“Listen, Avantika,” said her father with an impatient sigh, “this boy doesn’t have a job and so can’t marry you. That’s final! Maybe, just maybe, he gets a suitable job that will earn him at least 40-50 thousand a month, then you talk to me about marriage, okay?”
“But Shatru already makes way more than that, Appa.”
“Doing what? Farming? But that’s so unreliable. And I don’t want my daughter to marry a measly farmer.” He got up before saying, “That’s my last word on this. If you still want to marry him, I cannot stop you. You are an adult and have the legal right to marry the man you choose. You should do what you want.” He walked away, his disapproval obvious.
“Appa, of course I won’t marry someone without your blessing,” said Avantika in a broken whisper.
“Forget this boy, nah, Avi. Why don’t you meet Swapnil, my friend Radhika’s son? He’s so good-looking and educated in America. He’s working for a bank in New York City and is earning in dollars. He…”
Avantika glared at her mother, shutting her up effectively.
She left home the next morning, after sending messages to Shatru and Vidyut about her return to Mumbai. What she didn’t know was that her parents had already spoken to her brother about Avantika’s mad scheme to marry a farmer and he was on his way home to talk to them on her behalf. Seeing her message, Vidyut decided to get off his flight in Mumbai when there was a stopover.
Avantika felt so much better after talking to Shatru about her visit with her parents. While she didn’t tell him everything in so many words, he read between the lines and understood that her parents didn’t approve of him as the right husband for their daughter. Well, he would have to work at persuading them, obviously. Before he could say anything, Avantika’s doorbell rang.
She left his lap reluctantly to open the door and squealed in delight, jumping into the arms of a tall, dark and handsome man. Shatru stared, his jaw dropping. Who the hell was this?
15
Vidyut held Avantika at arm’s length and tut-tutted when he saw her red face. “Avi, this is not done,” he said, giving her another hug. “Is your Shatru here yet?”
She nodded, a look of relief in her eyes as she pulled her brother into her living room. “Shatru, this is Vidyut, my brother. And Vidu, meet Shatru, the love of my life.”
Shatru got up from the sofa to shake Vidyut’s hand, relieved to know that the handsome stranger Avantika had hugged enthusiastically was actually her brother. “Hello, Vidyut. Good to meet you.”
Vidyut shook Shatru’
s hand enthusiastically. “Wonderful to meet you, Shatru. I hear that you’re living the life we all are just dreaming about. You must be feeling so proud of yourself,” he smiled widely.
Shatru smiled back at the other man, seeing his strong resemblance to Avantika and liking him already. “Thanks, bro. Not proud, but definitely happy with my lot.”
Avantika went to make coffee as the two men chatted, Vidyut asking Shatru a lot of questions about his life. “I hope you don’t mind. I need to know as much about you as I can before I present my case to my parents.” He wrinkled his nose, shaking his head. “Our dad’s pretty formal and our mom just follows his lead. I hope you don’t take offence. They are basically nice people, but a bit old-fashioned.”
Shatru shook his head. “Not at all. Parents are our roots. We won’t be here without them. Let’s all three of us go and convince them that I’m good enough for their daughter.”
“I won’t let them insult Shatru,” said Avantika in an angry voice, addressing her brother, as she placed the tray of coffee on the centre table.
“Sweetheart, don’t you worry your pretty head about that. I won’t be insulted, whatever they say. I promise. They’ve given birth to you and I respect them for that.” He touched a forefinger to her soft cheek in a caress, bringing a smile to her drooping lips. “It’s not the end of the world. Cheer up, love!”
Avantika turned red when she saw her brother’s grin. “There,” said Vidyut. “Looks like I needn’t have rushed home.” He winked at her, making her smile wider.
The truth was that Vidyut was totally impressed with Avantika’s choice of a life partner. Shatrughan Maheshwari was smart for one thing and truly valued family. It was obvious that he was comfortable in his skin and at peace with his world. His sister couldn’t ask for a better husband. It was time he went home to convince his parents.
“Tell you what, I’ll go home tonight and talk to Amma and Appa. You lovebirds follow when I give you guys the green signal. That’ll be sometime tomorrow. What say?”
Flaming Sun Collection 2: Marriages Made in India (Box Set with 5 novellas) Page 39
