Chapter 12: chapter 12

Mowri, was putting away the clothes she had worn today when she heard a knock on her door and watched Preeti her youngest sister walk in."Still up," Preeti asked witha smile."Yes," Mowri, replied."It is late, almost everyone is asleep," she said."I know," Mowri, said, "they must be tired after such an exciting day. Any word frombSameer's family" she asked."Nope," Preeti said as she sat on the bed,"Kulraj is hyper and chachi is going nuts. Though chachi had called up his mother to find out what they have decided she said they need some time so not to hrry them,"she said. "They don't sound very keen for Kulraj," Preeti said with a frown, "Sameer seems decent but his family is weird," she said."Did you have a chat with biji,?" Mowri, asked."No," Preeti said, "I had gone to her room with a glass of milk but she was sound asleep. She cannot take so much excitement anymore withher age di," Preeti said."I know" Mowri, said closing the almirah door, "she was beat"She came to her bed and lay down sideways facing Preeti."I wonder how she agreed to this love match between Kulraj and Sameer" Mowri, asked with a frown, "everyone knows she is so against lovemarriages," she said."You dont know the drama that has taken place,"Preeti said, "chachi went on a fast and refused to eat till biji, accepted Kulraj's choice. And Kulraj cried every day in front of biji, that if she was not allowed to marry Sameer she would jump off the roof" she said and smiled."And biji, agreed?" Mowri, asked surprised.If her guess was correct then biji, would have asked Kulraj to go take that jump and Preeti's answer confirmed it."Are you kidding me," she said with her eyes big in her face, "biji, asked her to go take a hike. But it was chachi's drama that did the trick. Sheis still not happy but I think if Sameer's familyaccepts she will give in. Though she heads thisfamily she has no direct say in Kulraj's decisions"Preeti said and shrugged."Hmmm,"' was all Mowri, said."What about you?" Preeti asked."What about me?" Mowri, asked deliberatelyfeigning ignorance."You know what I am talking about di," Preeti said as she sat cross legged, "about the guy you met today. Did you like him?" she asked.Mowri, didn't have to think if she liked him or not, she did, and she was tired of thinking. She had been doing that all evening."Surprisingly I liked him she accepted."Wow" Preeti said excitedly, "his being divorced didn't faze you?" she asked."To tell the truth it did initially but then l realizedI was judging him when I didn't even know thedetails," she said, "and it was wrong of me. We allhave a past Preeti some good some bad but itdoesn't mean we start judging people for it" shesaid."Ma and papa had not been convinced earlier butsince the time they have met Abhay's family theyare harping a different tune," she said."I don't care what tune they are playing Preeti,"Mowri, said irritated with her parent's selfishness,"nothing is final yet. I still have some things toclear up with him and till that is done I am nottaking a decision," she said firmly.Preeti sighed. She knew Mowri,. And she alsoknew the strained relationship she shared witheverybody in the family. But she couldn't blameher. She had been the subject of a lot of ridicule and gossip for days, people hadn't stopped talking about it till date. Mowri, had endured so much rejection and pain over the past five years that it had hardened her and yet there were glimpses of the old Mowri, in her. Sometimes when she smiled Preeti was reminded of the days when her sister had been carefree, fearless and happy. The Mowri, she knew now was untrusting, angry and full of pain. And she had no  one to blame but her family for it."That would be wise di," Preeti said carefully, sheknew how certain things hurt Mowri, easily, "but heand his family did seem nice," she hinted."Yes' Mowri, said thoughtfully, "but you didn'tmeet them did you? You were inside all the whilegetting things in order" she said."Yes" Preeti said, "biji,'s orders. But I did meetJay" she said a little hesitantly, "when you hadgone to talk with Arnab,his brother had walked in the kitchen to get some water. He was very polite and decent though he did try his hand at flirting I guess he is a bit jovial,"' she said and smiled, "but I guess that is how he is," she told her sister lest she started thinking otherwise."And biji, allowed that?" Mowri, asked with her eyes big with question marks."I guess he had gone to the washroom to wash his hands then on his way out he must have felt thirsty and walked into the kitchen," Preeti said and shrugged. After all she had been just as surprised to see him there. And later when nobody had asked anything about it she knew they had no clueabout it. But she had liked the good lookingyoung man who had made her laugh with hisantics. He was sweet. And though he had jokedwith her he had never said anything that hadmade her uncomfortable. He had flirted butmaintained a certain decency and she had likedthat. Mostly when good looking guys flirted theyexpected the girl to fall on their feet and begto be charmed but he had done no such thing.When he had introduced who he was Preeti hadbreathed in a sigh of relief thanking God that hewasn't the either prospective groom. Then hehad gone back to sit with the elders."'So what did you think about him?" Mowri, asked."He was nice and warm di," she replied, "| think that is how his entire family is too because later biji, was talking to mummy and papa and they were all gaga about how good everyone was," she said, "how was Arnab,to talk to?" she asked. "He was nice, very grounded," Mowri, replied,"you know the strangest part," she said and Preeti shook her head in a negative motion,"he understood what I was saying without me explaining it in numerous words," she said."So will you be saying yes?" Preeti asked."So will you be saying yes?" Preeti asked."I don't know Preeti I have to get a few things in the clear so will just have to wait for tomorrow,"Mowri, replied without committing an answer. Preeti sighed. She knew Mowri, wouldnt tell her anymore on the subject. She would be verycautious this time, overly so. She just hoped Mowri, took the right decision. She wantedher sister to be happy and she trusted biji,'s judgment. She said goodnight to Mowri, and left wondering had she been in Mowri,'s position what would she have done.Mowri, switched off the light and lay in darkness.She faced the biggest question and the biggest fear of her life. Could she finally find it in her totake the big step? But a lot depended on their talks tonmorrow. With that she closed her eyes and fell in to a deep slumber.******