Chapter 24: chapter 24

Arnab , was getting a little iritated with how he couldn't take Mowri, off his mind. Since the wedding he had found himself looking for her every time she wasn't close enough. What waswrong with him? He was still questioning his decision to remarry not sure if he had done the right thing and it had nothing to do with how orwho Mowri, was but just him and he couldn't stop looking at her. She had been with his mother for almost the entire afternoon and of courseSome relatives too and they hadn't had any time alone where he could have asked how she feltor if everything was fine and then they were hurried into changing and getting ready for theevening party. Damn these rituals and parties. He just failed to understand why was there such unwanted celebration? Two people got married but instead of them everybody else got to enjoy and celebrate while they just dressed up as dolls for display. But he had found it interesting that every timehis eyes had sought her she had been looking at him. Their eyes had made contact severaltimes over the evening. Was she trying to tell him something? Or was it a coincidence? What wasit? She looked gorgeous in the sari his motherhad chosen for her and the hair. He had been wondering all evening if her hair was actually this long. It went past her waist. How come he hadn'tnoticed it before? lIt was thick and heavy. Andthe way it draped over her shoulders and back like a curtain, it was beautiful. She had fixed a smile on her face for everyone's benefit he knew that and he had to smile because he knew shedidn't smile all that much. She had been polite to everyone so far. He had found her looking at him with a strange expression on her face. He could attribute it to interest but he wasn't reallysure with all the staged lighting and the distance between them but he had seen her expression change for sure when Simrit, her sister had approached her. Her face had suddenly turned cold, her smile froze and her eyes opened wide before she had turned. After that he could only see Simrit's face. And he had seen her expressions changing from smugness to irritation to anger and he had decided to check if all was well. But probably Simrit had noticed his approach because she had plastered a smile on her face. He couldn't hear much of the last Words Mowri, had said because of the noise and music but he was sure Mowri, Wwas upset even as Simrit left in haste. He could see her erect shoulders and straight spine. So when he had broached thesubject she had been a little too loud and tight in her reply. He had thought best to let it be but he was noW certain that all was not right between the two sisters. That comment Simrit had made last night was not made in jest. It was strangebecause both Kulraj and Preeti seemed fond of Mowri,. It was a puzzle and he needed to solve itcarefully. He didn't want to spook his bride. It had to be slow and steady. There were many layers toher and he had to peel each layer to get to knowthe real her.After dinner as the crowd thinned he noticed Mowri, was looking tired. She had to be. Therewere always more rituals in a bride's home than in a groom's. More preparations and more drama. And with all the hours poor things put in to look great on each occasion, the makeup, the heavy clothes and jewelry, the hair and all the other things that went with it. The late nights, the early mornings, the people, it had to be tiring. Hell as a groom he was fed up with these things. He had told everyone he had wanted a quiet wedding ceremony and no reception but his parents had been adamant and he had agreed reluctantly. He found biji, coming towards him and he stood up out of respect for the elderly lady she looked exhausted too."Beeji," he said with a smile as she came to stand in front of him."You don't need to stand up every time you see me coming Arnab ," she said smiling.Arnab , wasnt sure what kind of response was she expecting so he kept quiet waiting for her to say what she had come to say."Sit" she said, "I need to talk to you and I can't do that while you are standing' she said and hefrowned, "it will give me a crick in the neck she said and he almost laughed.Arnab , waited for biji, to sit first and then took a chair next to her. It seemed she wanted to talkabout something really important."First I need to apologize,' she started and at the concern she saw on his face she patted his hand, "don't worry it is nothing you have done or anything else. I should have told Mowri, about your divorce when I had spoken to her about you but I didn't and I had my reasons," she said seriously. "Mowri, is my granddaughter and I love her very much but since her engagement broke five years ago she has changed a lot. Trust has become an issue with her I am sure you eitheralready know that or you will soon she said, "I wanted her to realize that there are more things to look for in a man than just his past. To tell youthe truthI wanted her to say yes Arnab ," she said,"for some inexplicable reason I thought you two would be perfect for each other a thought yourmother agreed with. But I should have told her because it was wrong of me to hide an important fact like that from her I am sure she must havebeen shocked when you had told her of it" she asked and he nodded confirming but he didn't say anything. He was listening. This was justthe beginning but biji, was gearing up to say something more important."Secondly, Mowri, is a sweetheart she doesn't like to show it often controlling her emotions ormasking it with her sarcasm but she gets hurt easily," biji, said, 'she is very sensitive that way. She might come across asa shrew which she sometimes is and she becomes someone you might not be able to tolerate easily" she said with a smile and Arnab , smiled back, "but if you give her some time she settles down quickly too.You may be wondering why l am telling you this. You will discover these things about her but it isalways better to be pre prepared. She has claws too so don't think she is an innocent when shelets her anger get the better of her she can be vicious," biji, warned. "| know you can handle her in the right manner Arnab , but these little things can sometimes lead to misunderstandings which can lead to bigger problems. And then there are those who are ever ready to take advantage of such situations. You are new to our family and slowly you will find out how each member works but till then just don't trust what you see or hear easily," she said. "No family is perfect biji," Arnab , said quietly, "we have our own peculiarities too but I understand what you are saying. We dont knoW each other well so to form judgments would be easy. But to ease your mind I don't judge people in first few meetings I take my own time. As for Mowri, you don't need to worry about her" he said,"'she is my responsibility. Trust me when I say this I am not an easy man to live with either. And I hope we can work things out. When you didn't tell Mowri, all about me l am sure you had your reasons and she is already past that hitch so no point in talking about it and you don't need to apologize to me" he said reassuringly. "But I do have a question for you?" he added thoughtfully."What is it son?" biji, asked as she looked at him."I don't know if I have a right to ask but Mowri, doesn't seem to share a good bond with Simrit"Arnab , said and he found is suspicion turn to confirmation as biji,'s expression changed."It isn't that hard to miss is it" she replied and sighed, "but they both don't make any efforts to mask it either. You are part of this family now Arnab , and soon you will know why and how to your question but Simrit hasn't made it easy for Mowri, ever. She has more faults than I could count not that Mowri, doesn't but in this case it has mostly been Simrit's fault. The problem is neither Simrit nor Roop see it that way," she explained, "the result, both sisters can't stand the sight of the other"' she said, "and all l hope is that one day they will learn how to be civil," she saidtiredly. Arnab , didn't pursue the topic. He just needed to know so he didn't hurt Mowri, by mistake. To know the equation the two sisters shared made it easy for him to be careful. Of course he wanted to know why but he was sure as their relationship progressed Mowri, would tell him of her ovwn accord and that is what he wanted. To have that kind of trust in their relationship where she felt free and uninhibited to conme talk to him about anything."You must be tired biji,"' he said gently, "the party is just wrapping up I think you should alsomake a move now, he said as he helped her stand up."Oh, one more thing," biji, said, "if you make Mowri, cry no matter how tall you arel will box your ears,' she said with a strength Arnab , was amazed to see in a frail old lady like her."l promise you will never find a reason to box my ears," he said witha smile and she laughed. She patted his arm affectionately and blessedhim. Then walked away slowly towards her elder son unaware of the man who had been watching her and Arnab , with keen interest. He had beenwaiting for an opportunity to talk to this man who had married Mowri, all evening and now he had it. So witha calculative smile on his face he went to introduce himself to him.Arnab , had just turned to walk the other way when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see who it was. He knew the man. He had been introduced to him formally after the wedding and they had just said hello' to each other earlier at the reception but now it seemed the man wanted to talk a little. He was Simrit's husband and his brother in law, Varun Khullar.*************