Chapter 47: chapter 47

Arnab arrived at  around seven fifty in the evening. The place was lit up as if it was Diwali. He cringed at the amount of flower decorations near where he parked. The engagement was on Sunday, it was only Friday evening why was there so much noise? He hated large gatherings. But it seemed his in laws were taking their revenge on him. After all they hadn't done preparations in his wedding to their heart's content so they decided to go overboard this time round. He shook his head. What a waste of money? He got down and went towards the inner courtyard and he paused at the entrance. There were so many people he wondered if he had come to the wrong address. He took out his phone from the pocket of his white kurta and called Mowri.She had called him in the afternoon to tell him she had reached safely. And he had felt his heart elate at the sound of her voice. Even her thoughtfulness had been appreciated by him. After all she had felt it necessary to call him after she reached so he didn't worry. She was a responsible girl and that was a sweet thought. When he had reached the house around four he had felt strange. It had only been two weeks since they had started living together but he had already gotten used to her presence in the house. She was always there when he returned no matter what the time. And it had seemed empty. Too quiet. He had gone upstairs to find his kurta and pajama already ironed and neatly kept out for him on the bed. All he could do was smile. She had thought of everything, she had even made him pack his clothes for the next two days Thursday evening and taken the bag with her. He hadn't been allowed to argue. He liked the way she asserted her rights every now and then but he also knew she did that only with him. He had seen her interact with Jassi and Harpreet though she had acknowledged them as her friends too but she never took liberty with them unlike Jassi who was always doing the opposite. But that was Jassi and this was Mowri. He had taken a shower and then changed into the outfit his thoughtful wife had taken out for him. He was about to leave when he had found the note at the back of the front door. Funny he hadn't seen it before but then he had had his back to it as he had closed it. He had taken it to find a neat handwriting mentioning something about rolls in the fridge and how he should heat them and eat them before coming. It was signed by Mowri. So madam wanted him to have some snacks before he drove to Ambala. Damn, the woman was caring and she was slowly melting the ice around is heart, this way she would worm her way right in and soon. Would he be ready for that kind of emotion? Would he be able to love again? Was he that strong? What if he made a mistake again? Hell. He couldn't doubt himself like that. What would he do if he really did land up in that situation? But it was later for much later. Right then he had needed to hurry so he had gone to the fridge and found the plate with plastic wrap around it. She must have made it before she had left. He found it endearing. He had quickly heated up the rolls and eaten them before locking the door and leaving. It would take about two and a half hours to three before he reached.Now that he was here he had to call up his wife to come meet him at the entrance or get lost in the maze of people that were surrounding him none of whom he recognized. How many relatives did the Vij have?"Hello," Arnab heard the familiar voice at the end of the phone and he breathed a sigh of relief, he hadn't been sure if she had her cell with her or not, "Abhay?" she said."Hi," Arnab replied, "are you somewhere in the courtyard?" he asked."Yes," Mowri replied then after a second of pause, "are you here?" she asked."Yes," Arnab said, "at the entrance. Is it possible for you to come get me," he said hesitantly, "I am not sure I will be able to find my way in this big a crowd," he said and smiled."Wait, I am coming," he heard Mowri say and the phone was shut.He waited as he watched the milieu in front of him. Seriously, where were so many people living? He knew his in laws had a big house but even that big a house couldn't accommodate so many people he was positive. Before he could think more he saw Mowri coming towards him. And he couldn't look at anybody but her. He felt relieved at seeing her. She looked so beautiful. She was wearing a burgundy brocade suit with sequin work around the neck and a simple necklace set. Her hair was tied in a fancy braid at least that was what he could make of it. She smiled as she came towards him and he felt he had come home. Weird. But it was as if wherever she was it was home for him. He smiled too. As she came and stood in front of him still smiling he hugged her. If she was surprised he didn't see that. After a few seconds he released her and saw her get all conscious. He had to laugh."What, a husband is not supposed to greet his wife?" he asked teasing her."I didn't say that," Mowri replied unsteadily, "why are you standing here?" she asked changing the topic and he let her."Well, with so many people here and none that I recognize I was wondering if I had come to a wrong address," he told her as he scanned the crowd and saw a few people look at him."Yeah," Mowri said with a frown, "my uncle and aunt did go a little overboard," she said."Yup, just a little," Arnab said and smiled, "so where is everyone?" he asked."Oh, biji is over there," Mowri said pointing towards the right side, "come, she has been wanting to meet you. Apparently she has been hounding me ever since I came as to when you would be coming," she said and made a face."Hounding you?" Arnab asked."Yes," Mowri said, "she likes you way more than I do," she replied.And Arnab laughed drawing attention to himself."You aren't jealous of your grandmother liking me are you?" Arnab said teasing her. All he got for a response was a face that suggested he could take a hike with that statement. He smiled broadly as he saw biji sitting in one of the chairs with some elderly ladies surrounding her. She looked up as she saw him and Mowri approach."Abhay," she exclaimed, "my dear boy," she said and rose from where she sat and Arnab bent to touch her feet, "finally. You are late?" she complained."I am sorry about that biji," Arnab replied smiling at the elderly lady and her theatrics, "but work comes first," he told her."Yes, and that is very true," biji said and smiled, "I was wondering where you were and I asked Mowri a couple of times about when you would arrive but she didn't tell me," biji said and glared at Mowri."Couple of times biji," Mowri retorted, "you are getting old you know. That couple of times equals two hundred times," she said."Watch your mouth girl," biji replied, "Arnab you have got to be strict with her. She has no manners at all," she said in mock anger, "but I am glad you are here. Did you meet the rest of the Vij brigade," she asked."No, I just got here," Arnab responded."Mowri, take him to meet the rest and then attend to him," biji said.Mowri shook her head at her grandmother wondering if the lady was ever going to change then took Arnab along. They met Roop in the kitchen who was her usual nervous self though she greeted Arnab warmly, Nimmi and Nihal near the DJ stand busy with attending guests, a few close relatives on the way. Then they met Kulraj who was sitting in the guest room with her friends who were getting her ready. Even though Arnab hesitated at first then on Mowri's insistence went inside to meet his sister-in-law. Kulraj got up and came to meet him. He congratulated her and she giggled. Then unexpectedly hugged him. For a second Arnab was at a loss then he hugged her and teased her a little to which the girl blushed and giggled. Arnab was glad he could make friends with Kulraj. They left to find Amardeep his father-in-law and they found him deep in conversation with Varun and another man. Arnab wasn't sure who the man was but he looked familiar and Arnab frowned trying to figure him out. As it is he was a little uneasy having to meet his father-in-law in the company of the man he knew Mowri hated and he himself wasn't all that fond of."Who is the other man?" he whispered to Mowri."Varun's father," Mowri replied with distaste.Of course, he had met Mr. Khullar at his engagement and wedding but having to meet so many new faces that day he couldn't recognize the man."It seems they are discussing something serious maybe we should greet him later," Arnab suggested knowing fully well Mowri wouldn't hesitate to use her infamous charm."Serious?" Mowri scoffed, "I can tell you what they are discussing or rather demanding. Varun must have come up with another of his foolish money making schemes and must be pestering papa to invest in it. And that father of his must be supporting his son's nonsensical scheme," she said annoyed."Money making scheme?" Arnab asked wondering what that meant."Yup," Mowri said, "every once in a while Varun comes up with a 'great idea'," she said as she raised one hand in the air and bent her index and middle finger to make a sign, "then he comes here with his wife and son in tow and while he pesters papa into investing in it Simrit goes the other route," she said and looked at Arnab who was watching her, "my mother," she said, "to convince papa into giving the money," she said with disgust, "only never has any of his schemes worked," she said and looked at the trio."If that is a standard routine why does your father give in?" Arnab asked."Because he is the son in law of the family," Mowri replied, "and he will keep Simrit happy and blah blah blah," she said and looked away.She was always embarrassed because of Simrit and Varun especially in front of Abhay."But isn't that sort of blackmail," Arnab asked incredulously wondering why his father-in-law didn't take a stand and ask Varun to do things on his own. More so wasn't it humiliating for Varun to ask his father-in-law for finance. He could get a loan and do whatever he wanted or ask his own father for it. After all he did tell him that evening about how big they were. And what about Simrit?"Let's not even go there," Mowri said, "come on, it seems papa needs rescue for a while," she said and linking her arm with his almost pulled him towards the trio. Arnab followed."Papa," Mowri said as they reached them, "Arnab is here," she announced.Amardeep turned and as Arnab watched he actually looked relieved. He saw the other two men turn too. While Mr. Khullar looked irritated at the unexpected interruption, it was Varun whose expression was the most comical. He looked apprehensive, unsure and surprised. Before Arnab could work on what to make of Varun he found himself engulfed in a bear like hug by his father-in-law. As he responded to the man's warm gesture he saw Varun scowl before he looked away."Good to see you son," Amardeep said happily."Good to see you too Sir," Arnab replied smiling."Sir," Amardeep said and laughed, "it is papa for you son," he said pleasantly."Right," Arnab said keeping his smile in place."When did you arrive?" the older man asked."A little while ago," Arnab said, "but because of the large gathering it took some time to spot you," he said."Yes," Amardeep said smiling, "I understand. I heard you were hurt. How are you feeling now?" he asked."Much better thank you," Arnab said, "your daughter took good care of me," he replied."Yes and I am still upset with her for not telling us sooner," Amardeep said as he looked towards Mowri who stood behind them in mock anger, "we would have come to see you," he said."There was no need," Arnab replied, "it was a small scratch nothing big," he said, "besides I had asked Mowri to not tell anyone so she is not to be blamed," he said politely.Amardeep laughed."Since when did Mowri start listening to others," a voice said interrupting them.Arnab turned to see who the owner of the voice was. It was Mr. Khullar. He watched his father in law's face turn serious and he heard Mowri's intake of breath. She was gearing up to come up with a reply but he decided to intervene on her behalf."My guess is she always listened to others," Arnab said politely, "only people misunderstood," he told them with a smile.Mr. Khullar scoffed but Varun was watching keenly. Arnab had no idea what he was seeing on Mowri's face because Arnab had his back to her but he was very sure of the speculative glean in Varun's eyes."Anyway I am glad it was nothing much," Amardeep said coming to the rescue, "did you meet Kulraj?" he asked."Yes," Arnab said."Good," the older man said, "you of course know Varun," he stated and Arnab nodded both at his father-in-law and a greeting gesture at Varun then extended his hand which the other man took in his limp one with a crooked smile, "and this is Varun's father," he said as he placed a hand on Abhay's shoulder and Arnab folded his hands to greet the other man. "It is good for you to be here Arnab finally we can get to know each other better. After all we haven't spent that much time together and as the son in law of our family we must know the other well," he said."Of course," Arnab said with a smile and excused himself, "I believe you were in the middle of something when we interrupted, please carry on and we will see you later," he said and at the warm smile he got from Amardeep he felt welcomed.He turned and almost bumped into Mowri. He saw the concern in her eyes as she searched his face. He smiled reassuringly then putting his arm across her shoulders turned her to walk towards the large milieu of people that surrounded them. He was aware of a lot of pair of eyes that watched them with curiosity. But he was particularly aware of just one that came from the direction they had just left. Not that he told his wife. But he was sure there couldn't be any friendship between him and Varun. Of course he will be civil considering he was a part of Mowri's extended family but that was the limit and it had been set already. He was another breed altogether and Arnab had always been very picky about the people he associated with and Varun sadly didn't make that list.******************