Sonali's bhabhi arrived early morning... and immediately took charge of everything.
"Auntyji, aap aaram kijiye... Sameer ki shaadi ka sab kaam main aur Sonali mil ke dekh lenge." She told Rahul's mom.
The preparation for his haldi was done quickly. She asked Ramdhari to arrange for yellow fabric to decorate the hall for the function. Though there were only a few of them, she didn't want anything to be lacking in preparations.
Sameer was surprised to see the living room set up beautifully with yellow marigold flowers and flowing yellow curtain type of decorations all around.
"Bhabhi, yeh sab aapne kiya?" He looked at the changed room, mesmerized.
"Haan toh... ab haldi ka function hai yeh lagna bhi toh chahiye." She answered while arranging some petals in earthern containers around the entrance.
"Lekin aap kyon itni pareshani utha rahi hain... yahan koi dekhne thodi aayega." There was a hint of sadness in his voice.
Bhabhi stopped her work and came to him.
She pressed his arm and smiled, "Kisi ko dikhane ke liye nahi Sameer, apni khushi zaahir karne ke liye saja rahi hun... hum sab iss shaadi se kitne khush hain yeh batana chahti hun... love marriage toh bohot log karte hain... par tum logon ki tarah shaadi ke baad bhi alag rehkar parivaar ki marzi ka intezar karna shayad hi kisi se ho paaye... jitna pyar tum ek doosre se karte ho, usmein ek pal ke liye bhi alag hone se tum dono ka chehra utar jaata hai... aur yahan sirf parivaar ke liye tum dono na sirf alag rahe balki sabko khushi se shaamil hone ke liye mana bhi liya."
Sameer lowered his eyes, speaking in a low voice, "Sabko kahan mana paye, bhabhi."
She instantly knew he was talking about his mom.
"Jaanti hun kiski baat kar rahe ho... bas itna kahungi ki tum dil chota mat karo... tumhare pyar ke aage ek din sab log haar maan lenge... ismein har nafrat ko khatam karne ki taqat hai... lekin ab tum aise udaas nahi hoge... aaj tumhari haldi hai... aaj toh achhe se tumhe yeh ubtan lagani hai jisse hamara dulha ekdum chamak jaye dulhan ko takkar dene ke liye." She cheered him up.
Sameer beamed... any mention of Naina was enough to brighten his mood.
"Haldi ke liye main ekdum taiyar hun." He rubbed his hands in excitement.
"Chalo fir sabko bula lo." She directed him, going to the kitchen to get the prepared paste.
"Bhabhi, main bas paanch minute mein aata hun." He ran back to his room.
The phone started to ring when Naina was about to leave the room. She rushed back to pick it up.
"Hello Naina." His voice brought a wide smile on her face.
"Bolo." She looked back at the door, hoping no one comes in.
"Abhi mujhe haldi lagane wale hain... tumhari ho gayi kya?" He asked.
"Nahi, main bhi bas bahar hi jaa rahi thi... sab bula rahe hain." She told him.
"Achha suno... jab rasm ho jayegi toh balcony mein aana... main dekhna chahta hun tumhe." He said earnestly.
"Sameer, tum kaise aaoge... tumhe bhi toh rasm karni hai." She asked nervously.
"Woh tum mujhpe chod do... main dekhna chahta hun tum kal ki haldi ke baad zyada sundar lag rahi thi ya aaj lagogi." He said in a low voice.
"Itna sab chehre pe laga ke sundar kahan... cartoon lagte hain." She laughed.
He closed his eyes... the sound of her laugh making his heart flutter.
