Few days ago
"I'm going to have to move to New York in 2 months to handle our new branch there," Arnav said to the family as they began to feast on their breakfast.
"That's great news Bhai!" Akash told him.
"Yes Arnav bitwa, that ij great newj," Mami said.
"That's great Chotte, but how long will you be there?" Anjali asked.
"I don't know really, it may take 6 months, a year or even more," Arnav replied casually.
"But that's too long Chotte!" Anjali exclaimed and motioned Nani to say something.
"I agree with Anjali bitiya Chotte, that is definitely too long," Nani said looking up at him.
"But Nani I have to go, it's very important," Arnav said trying to reason with her.
"Chotte you aren't going there by yourself," Nani said.
"But Akash has to stay to handle the company here," Arnav said.
"I'm not changing my decision Chotte, you aren't going by yourself," Nani said adamantly.
"Nani are you seriously kidding me? I need to go," he said.
"Not by yourself," she said again.
"There's no one else to take," he replied back.
"I'll let you go under on condition," Nani said and looked back up at Anjali who understood what she was hinting at.
"Whatever it is, I'll agree to it," he said trying to convince them in any way.
"Are you sure Chotte? No turning back after this," Anjali said.
"Yeah yeah, whatever," Arnav replied without any interest.
"Ok, then get married!" both Nani and Anjali said at the same time.
"WHAT THE?!" Arnav yelled, "No way!"
"Chotte you just agreed, so no turning back now," Anjali said.
"Wait, how come you both said the condition at the same time? Did you already know about me having to move?!" he asked curiously. There had to be some way that they would come up something like this together. The only other person that knew beside him about his move was Aman. Aman! Of course it had to be Aman who told them, and they thought it would be a perfect time to get him married. Of course he needed to get married at some time in his life, but not right now. And on top of that, he didn't want them choosing the girl.
"Before you go to your room and spill your anger on Aman, let me tell you it wasn't him. I had heard you the other day talking on your phone with him," Anjali said.
"Di it's bad to eavesdrop on other people," Arnav said.
"But how could we let such a good opportunity go to waist?" Anjali said wiggling her eyebrows up and down.
"Di, Nani and everyone else here at the table, I am making it clear once again. I am not getting married and I will go to New York," Arnav said firmly.
"If you're going to New York without getting married, then you'll have to walk over my dead body," Nani said.
"Nani please don't talk like that!" Arnav said.
"Then get married," she replied back.
"Akash please make them understand," Arnav said looking at Akash with a pleading look.
"Sorry Bhai I can't help you, you're the one who said you will agree to whatever it is they say," Akash said.
Arnav looked between Nani and Anjali, neither of them willing to take back their condition they put forth. What had he gotten himself into?
"Fine," he finally said rolling his eyes.
"Sach?!" Anjali said with a wide grin on her face. (Really?)
"Well there's no other way out of this," he said giving her a glare, which she completely ignored.
"That was the whole point!" She exclaimed.
"Hari Prakash mithai leh ke aao, humare Chotte shaadi karne ke liye maangey," Nani said. (Hari Prakash bring some sweet, my Chotte has finally agreed to get married.)
"Nani it's nothing big, you don't have to do all this," Arnav said.
"What do you mean Chotte it isn't a big thing? My brother has finally decided to get married after so many years of persistence, it obviously calls for some sweets," Anjali said.
"And now that you have decided to get married, we can also get Akash married," Nani said.
"Yes Sasuma, ab Arnav bitwa ki shaadi hogi doom daal se, phir hum Akash bitwa ke liye ek achi si dulhan dhoonde gey," Manorama said picking up a piece of ladoo from the plate of sweets Hari Prakash had brought in. (Yes mother-in-law, now Arnav's wedding will happen with a lot of celebrations, then we can find a girl for Akash also.)
"Haan Mamiji, par shaadi karne ke liya humein pehle Chotte ke liye ek ladki dhoondni padegi," Anjali said. (Yes Mami, but in order to get Chotte married, we have a find a girl for him.)
"Mr. Mehta's daughter seems like a good girl, why don't we talk with them?" Nani said.
"You guys are not choosing any girl for me! I will chose the girl myself," Arnav said.
"Okay Chotte, we'll show you the pictures and you can decide which one you like," Anjali said.
"Di this isn't like picking chocolates where you chose the one you like and decide it. I'm not looking at any pictures at all! No," he replied back.
"Then how else are you going to choose a girl Chotte?" Nani asked.
"I'll let you know when I find one," Arnav said.
"Find one? Bhai is this like hide-and-seek where you'll just find a girl for you?" Akash asked with a confused expression.
"Shut up Akash. I'll tell you all when I find a girl that I feel like I want to marry," Arnav told everyone.
"But Chotte make sure it isn't one of your model type girls or anything, I don't want one of the them as my Bahu," Nani told him.
"As far as I know, she's nothing like that," Arnav told her.
"SHE?! That means you have already found a girl? When were you planning on telling us? What if we hadn't brought up the marriage thing, would you have kept it a secret from us? Chotte how long have you both been seeing each other?" Anjali asked all the questions one after the other.
"Di please calm down. It's nothing like you think it is and I'm not going to play 20 questions with you right now, I have to get to work," he said and got up to leave.
"But Bhai the office doesn't open till another 45 minutes, why are you going there so early?" Akash asked.
"Woh...because I have to go somewhere beforehand...," he told everyone as they gave him a confused look.
"Chotte you've been doing this for the past 2 months, where do you have to go every morning?" Anjali asked.
"Di it's nothing you need to know," he told her blankly.
"Par Chotte...," Anjali started off but Arnav had already left the kitchen and was making his way out the door.
Arnav got into his car and drove out of the gate. He drove through the busy streets and traffic like he'd been doing for the past few weeks. Instead of going straight to office, he'd been coming here every morning, and anyone who would spot him here would think that they were just hallucinating. Arnav parked his car when he arrived at the destination. The Mandir.
_________________________
Thanks for reading and please do leave your feedback.
interesting
ReplyDelete