Nishaan laughed, shaking his head. “I wish I had a magic wand that would make everyone simply disappear. I want to make love to you desperately.”
Her eyes lit up on hearing that. “Let’s go meet your parents first. Then I’ll let you have your way with me.”
“Is that a promise?”
“Yes.”
“Come along then.”
It had taken them all of five minutes to get to the part of the garden where Nalini was anxiously waiting for them as Nishaan had circled one half of the garden as they chatted.
“Mom, this is Chaahat Wadhwa. She’s a fashion model who lives in Mumbai. Chaahat, my mother, Nalini Ahuja. And this is her best friend, Rekha aunty.”
“Welcome to our home, Ms. Wadhwa. I did wonder if you were a Bollywood star when I saw you get out of the car. I must say that you look beautiful.” Nalini’s smile didn’t reach her eyes when she spoke to Chaahat while refusing to meet her son’s gaze.
Chaahat smiled at Nishaan’s mother. “Hello, aunty. And thank you.” She also turned to greet Rekha, giving her a smile too.
Calling to a waiter, Nishaan asked for a glass of lemonade, before excusing himself. “I’ll go get Pop,” he said, pressing a reassuring hand on Chaahat’s shoulder before walking to the other side of the garden.
“Have you both known each other for long?” Nalini began her grilling.
“Almost a year now.” Chaahat sipped from her glass of lemonade, eyeing the older woman. That she didn’t like her was just too obvious. She mentally shrugged to herself. That was no surprise. Nishaan was an only child. His mother was bound to be possessive of him.
“Where did you meet?”
“At my brother’s farm. Shaan used to work for Dev, as his manager.”
A look of distaste crossed Nalini’s features as she nodded. “Oh, Dev Wadhwa is your brother. But Shaan? Who’s that?”
Chaahat smiled. “Shaan is Nishaan to you. He used to go by that name those days.”
Nishaan walked back with Aadarsh in tow. “Pop, this is Chaahat, the love of my life.” He didn’t notice his mother’s face darken when she heard his words. “And Chaahat, this is my father, Aadarsh Ahuja.”
“Hello uncle.”
“Hello beta.” Aadarsh gathered her in his arms to kiss her on her forehead. “I can see why my son is so smitten with you. Welcome to the family.”
Chaahat blushed, colour invading her cheeks at the unexpected warmth. Somehow, she had expected Nishaan’s father to behave exactly like his mother. But it wasn’t like that and thank God for that. She hugged him right back before saying, “Now I know where Shaan gets his handsome looks from. He looks exactly like you, uncle.”
Aadarsh laughed, pleased by the compliment. “So, you call him Shaan.”
Chaahat nodded. “Yeah, I find it difficult to think of him as Nishaan.”
“But Nishaan is the name given to him by his proud parents.” Nalini’s tone was decidedly unfriendly.
“And Shaan is the name I gave myself,” said Nishaan softly, hoping to avoid a situation. “Would you like to eat something? The buffet is through there.” He pointed to the back of the bungalow.
“Yes, please. I’m famished.” The two of them excused themselves to go through the bungalow to the other side.
Nishaan pulled her into an empty room on the way and shut the door behind them, turning the key. “I know you said you’re hungry, but I need a kiss before that.”
She laughed, throwing her arms around his neck. “I know I said I’m famished. But that wasn’t for food.” Her laughter got stuck in her throat as he kissed her passionately, pulling her into his arms. It was a long time before they came up for air.
“Was my Mom rude?” Nishaan was scowling when he looked down at her reddened lips, bruised from his kiss.
“Hey, is that what you can think of after kissing me senseless?” Chaahat patted his manly cheek. “Chill, Shaan. She’s possessive of her only child. There’s no surprise there.”
“If she was rude…”
Chaahat effectively stopped him from talking further by pressing her lips to his, her arms around his waist. “Don’t say something you might regret. We both love you, though differently. We are bound to clash. It’s best that you keep out of it.”
Nishaan looked at her in wonder. “I can’t believe it’s the same Chaahat I met at the farm, smoking under a tree. You have surely grown up a lot.” He pressed his lips to her cheek reverently.
Chaahat caressed his nape, playing with the silky strands of hair that touched his collar. “That’s all because of you. I feel totally loved, and unconditionally too.”
“Do you mind delaying dinner by a few more minutes?” The lion growled in her ear, his hand already removing her panties with a practised hand.
“Not at all,” she said, helping him along in his purpose.
That night, Chaahat was the last guest to leave, at around two in the morning. That her son escorted her back to her hotel was something Nalini couldn’t stomach. Worse was that he returned home only the next afternoon. How could she tolerate her son marrying a girl with no morals?
18
Karishma hit the ceiling the next day in the evening when she stared at the centrefold of a popular fashion magazine. It was of this ethereal model, wearing a diaphanous costume that barely touched the top of her thighs over the briefest of bikinis. The swimming costume was the same shade as her skin and seemed to not be there from one angle. The costume was in the exact shade of blue of the sea behind her. There was a glimpse of her lover on the beach, his features unclear, reaching out his hand to her as she rose from the waves.
As pictures went, it was damn attractive; beautiful even. But what Karishma couldn’t stomach was that the model was her daughter. How dare she bare herself like this? Who would marry her if she went around flaunting her body in half naked poses?
She threw the magazine on her husband’s lap, her index finger trembling as she pointed to the picture. “See what your daughter’s been up to,” she snarled.
Durgesh looked at the picture, not really angry. He understood his daughter’s view. She wanted to be a fashion model and she had really reached the heights. So, what if she was in a bikini? Didn’t women wear them all the time? She couldn’t very well go into the sea wearing a jumpsuit now, could she? He looked at his wife, as her whole body shook with temper. “Karishma…”
“Don’t Karishma me. Chaahat is truly out of our hands now and I’ll blame you and Dev for that. I’ll call him right now and tell him what a horrid brother he is.” She took her cell phone and speed-dialled her eldest born. “Did you see the wretched magazine?” She snarled into the phone without preamble.
“Which magazine are you talking about, Karishma?” It was her mother-in-law, Meena, who had answered Dev’s phone.
“Where’s Dev?”
Meena sighed at the other end, not really surprised by her daughter-in-law’s rudeness. “He’s upstairs. And how have you been? You sound angry.”
“Of course, I am angry. That idiot grandson of yours encouraged Chaahat to do what she pleased and see what has happened today. She’s posed so dirtily for a magazine photo that I’m too ashamed to show my face outside the house.”
“But I don’t understand. Chaahat has insisted on placing a clause that she won’t pose for nude pictures. I know that for a fact. Which magazine are you talking about?”
Karishma took the phone away from her ear to stare at it in astonishment. Was that really her mother-in-law talking? Did she know what kind of contract Chaahat had signed? How come her own mother—herself—hadn’t known anything about it?
“Doesn’t matter,” she replied in a defeated voice. “It’s not a nude picture. She’s wearing clothes, though they are indecent.”
Meena laughed softly. “Is that the one of Chaahat in a swimsuit? I personally thought that she looked beautiful.”
Karishma cut the call, not bothering to reply.
The arrival of an unexpe
cted guest changed the scenario completely. The doorbell rang and Durgesh went to get it as his wife continued to mutter even as she cooked up a storm in the kitchen.
He was surprised and glad to see Chaahat, before he noticed the young man standing a few steps behind her. “Hello Chaahat.” Durgesh hugged his daughter, drawing her into the house.
“Hello Pappa.” She kissed his cheek before turning to Nishaan and introducing the two. “Pappa, this is Nishaan Ahuja from Delhi. Nishaan, this is my father, Durgesh Wadhwa.”
“Hello uncle.” Nishaan shook the older man’s hand firmly, looking directly into his eyes. “How do you do?”
“Very well, Nishaan. Ahuja from Delhi! Would you have anything to do with Ahuja Constructions?”
Nishaan smiled. “Yeah, my father started the company and I work there as the vice president nowadays.”
Durgesh was impressed. He guided the guest to a sofa and invited him to sit. “Chaahat, go get your mother. No, wait. I’ll get her myself.” He didn’t want Karishma to resume her shouting the moment she set eyes on Chaahat, not with Nishaan Ahuja sitting in the living room.
He went inside the kitchen. With the exhaust fan on and the mixer going full blast, Karishma had neither heard the bell nor people chatting. Durgesh pressed a hand to his wife’s shoulder and warned her with his eyes to keep quiet. “Chaahat has come, and she’s brought a guest with her. A big shot, mind you. He’s the son of Aadarsh Ahuja. You’ve heard of Ahuja Constructions in Delhi.”
“What? Are you serious?” Karishma was impressed despite herself. “How does she know him?”
“I don’t know. But I don’t think your daughter is as stupid as you think. Come now, fast. You can finish your cooking later.”
Karishma wiped her hands on the apron and removed it to walk along with her husband to the living room. More introductions happened before Chaahat’s parents put Nishaan through a prolonged question-answer session.
Chaahat watched on quietly, an amused expression on her face as Nishaan answered each and every one of their queries with patience, his manner charming and easy. That her parents were impressed was only too obvious.
“So, uncle, aunty. I wish to marry your daughter. Not immediately, but in a few years. I hope we have your blessings and best wishes.” Nishaan came straight to the point.
Karishma was nodding her head vigorously, even before Durgesh said, “Of course, beta. We’d be honoured to have you for our son-in-law.”
“That’s right.” Karishma, who had been so angry just a short while ago, was a relieved parent. Chaahat wasn’t their responsibility any more. If Nishaan wanted to marry her, despite the career she had chosen, then it was all on his head.
Durgesh got up to get a bottle of chilled red wine, pouring it into four flutes after getting Nishaan’s nod.
“You must stay for dinner,” insisted Karishma.
“Another day, aunty. I promise,” said Nishaan, accepting the wine glass from Chaahat’s father. “I have a flight to catch.”
They all raised their glasses in a toast, Chaahat’s parents feeling on top of the world. Nishaan met Chaahat’s eyes over their glasses and grinned when he saw her wink at him outrageously.
That same evening, a similar drama took place more than 1400 km away, at the Ahuja residence. Nalini had returned from a kitty lunch, a copy of the same fashion magazine tucked under her arm. While one part of her couldn’t help but admire the young woman in the centrefold, her hourglass figure that was aesthetically clothed, the other part of her, the one that was Nishaan’s mother, couldn’t stomach it.
How can this woman, who posed for half-naked pictures, become the daughter-in-law of the Ahujas? What will people say? She had heard whispers among her friends this very afternoon. Each woman had had a copy of her own, thanks to Rekha. And they had all admired as well as bitched about the picture.
Nalini paced up and down as she waited for her husband to arrive. She had called him the moment she reached home, insisting that he leave whatever he was doing and get home to her.
Aadarsh walked in, asking, “What happened now, Nalini? You are fine, I hope.”
“How can I be fine?” Nalini yelled, pushing him into a sofa and shoving the magazine, opened at the centrefold, into his hands. “See for yourself.”
Aadarsh took a few seconds to realise that he was looking at a picture of Chaahat. She looked amazing, he thought, a perfect figure for a model. “Isn’t that Chaahat?” he asked mildly.
“Exactly. But is that all you can say?”
Aadarsh shook his head. “What else? She’s going to be my daughter-in-law. I don’t want to say anything else.” He couldn’t stop the smile that appeared on his face.
“How can Nishaan marry that creature? She’s flaunting her body so shamelessly.” Nalini was screaming by now.
Aadarsh took her hand and pulled her down to sit beside him on the sofa. “Dayanand, get two cups of masala chai,” he called out before talking to his wife. “Look here, Nalini. Our generation was different. We liked to do things in hiding. It isn’t as if you have never gone swimming in a bikini. And it isn’t as if other men haven’t been around at that point in time.” He paused, waiting for the words to sink into her. “So, what’s the problem here? Don’t you have pictures of yourself in a swimsuit?”
“But that’s different. It was only for us to see.” But her voice was shaky by now, as she sounded less convinced. Her husband did have a point. They had been on many foreign holidays and even on cruises. Nalini loved to swim and had a number of swimsuits. “But this magazine is read by millions.”
“A hundred or a million, what’s the difference? You need to realise something. She is the woman our Nishaan loves. He’s going to be happy only with her. He has chosen her, as he has every right to. As parents, our role is only to love our children. When he marries Chaahat, she becomes our daughter. So, do you want to be her mother or mother-in-law? Think about it. I don’t think you want to alienate our only child.”
“You be scared of him. I’m not.”
Aadarsh laughed. “Scared of him? Do you really think so?”
“You need his help to run your business. He’s your only heir and that’s why you listen to whatever he says.”
Aadarsh shook his head. “You are so mistaken, Nalini. Nishaan is my child, my heart. I love him, absolutely. If he hadn’t wanted to run Ahuja Constructions, I would have handed over the company to someone who really wants to. My business is a labour of love. I would never force my son to work at something that doesn’t interest him. And believe me when I say that I can run my company with both my hands tied behind my back. I am not dependent on Nishaan for that matter. It’s just that both of us love what we are doing and enjoy doing it together.” He sipped his tea, looking at his wife.
She refused to be pacified, more now because she felt that both the father and son had got closer over the past few months and didn’t really think much of her.
It was past eleven when Nishaan got home to find both his parents awake, his mother’s face puffy and her eyes red.
“What happened guys? Why haven’t you gone to sleep?” He went on his knees in front of the sofa where they were seated. “Has somebody died?” He hoped to lighten the situation, confident that nothing like that must have happened. He would have got their message the moment he got off the flight, if that were the case.
Amusement flared in Aadarsh’s eyes as they met his son’s. He shook his head silently though, tilting his head towards his wife.
“Mom? What’s upset you?” Nishaan turned to her. She shook her head, not saying anything. “Mom, how will I know unless you tell me?” He got up to sit on the arm of the sofa, hugging her. That’s when he noticed the magazine lying on the table, open at the centre. He raised an eyebrow at his father, pointing to the magazine with his eyes.
Aadarsh gave a small nod, holding back his laughter.
“Mom? Is Chaahat’s picture bothering you?” Nishaan got straight to the point.
Nalini sniffed loudly. “To begin with, yes. But then, you father pointed out that even I have many pictures taken in a bikini, so that’s not a big deal.”
Nishaan bit back his grin when he heard the note of pride in his mother’s voice. “Then what has upset you?”
“Neither of you—father and son—really need me.” Nalini sniffed, rubbing a hand over her wet cheeks, refusing to look at her son.
“Mom, that’s really so silly of you.” Nishaan hugged her closer, kissing her on her cheek. “How can you say that? I won’t even exist if you hadn’t given birth to me. I love you, Mom.”
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