CHAPTER 38 - A WEEK TO GO

AFTER 2.5 YEARS

Dhruv's POV

At Delhi

Evening 5pm

“Garv, are you coming or not? ” I asked, entering the room of my flat in Delhi. I shifted to Delhi last year for my doctorate in Modern Indian English Literature.

“Yeah, I will be there before Haldi," he replied, on the other side of the call. Garv shifted to Mumbai 2 months ago as he got an offer from the music industry .

His social media handle grew after his few videos crossed more than 5 million views.

He left his doctorate in Biotechnology and with his family support ,he made a decision to try his luck in the music field.

“Okay but I won't accept any excuse incase you didn't show up in my shaadi”I warned and after a while ,I hung the call as he was busy with recording.

So, my wedding is in 10 days.  The day is arriving when our morning messages will turn into morning hugs. Instead of waiting for our texts or calls, we will wait to meet in the evening after our work here.

Today is her last day of working at the Hyderabad branch as she is transferred to Delhi. She will join here after 1 month and I bought this flat 3 months back after earning.

I have published two more books which have broken the record of best selling recently. Who knew one day I will be writing books and they will turn out to be popular among readers.

Tomorrow evening I am leaving for Sirohi as rituals are going to start in two days. I took my laptop and checked some official mails.

I looked at my instagram which is an official handle as an author where I share more about my work than my personal life.

I checked a few comments I got from my readers congratulating me for my wedding.

“Dhruv, I love you so much but thukra ke mera pyaar mera intekaam dekhoge'' One of the comments I read.

I scrolled down and another comment got my attention

“They are best friend goals. Garv is a singer and Dhruv is an author” I checked only to see it was on the collab post of us.

Suddenly, I realized I had to pack my bag. I did my shopping from Jaipur last month and gave it to tailor for some fitting . The outfits which are required for different functions and I will get them on my way.

That is, I will go to Jaipur first then from there I will head towards Sirohi.

Last day here as a bachelor, I will return to this place with my wife after 20 to 25 days.

I got a call from Shivu jija which stopped my thoughts.

“Ha Shivu jija”

“Dhruv, have you given cards to your colleagues?”She asked on the call.

“Yeah, I have. What about relatives?”

“Your jijosa and Bhabosa have completed that work ”

“Where's Mumma? ”I asked, going inside of the kitchen, to make coffee.

“She is busy packing stuff. Make sure you bring Bari from Jaipur, your Jijosa will join you there ”She informed me while I was boiling milk on the gas stove.

“Ha, Don't worry.”

“Wait,  did Geet like the jewellery design for which we placed an order, you know very well that she has to wear the jewellery which is brought by us for pheras?” I heard her words , pouring coffee powder in my mug with the help of a spoon.

“Yes, she liked it . I have confirmed it twice last month.  And don't stress much, I don't want any  effects on my future bhanej or bhaneji. Have your food on time ” I instructed as Shivu jija is 2 months pregnant and she got married to Aditya jijosa two years back, right after 6 months of my engagement.

After some talks, we cut the call and I took my coffee mug along with me to my room.

Geet's POV

At Hyderabad

“What a hectic day it was! ”I said, leaning on my recliner in my room.

Today was my last day at Hyderabad office and last day here as well because tomorrow we are leaving for Udaipur.

Half of the preparations are done including fixing caterers, decoration and shopping.

I am done with buying all my necessary things which I need in my sasural.

“Geet jija, I have fixed your appointment in the spa at Udaipur ”Kavya announced as soon as she entered my room.

She is now a first year B. A LLB (hons)  student while Avantika is in her final year at Delhi. She will join us directly in Udaipur.

“I need some rest please let's not talk about this shaadi. I will start crying ” I informed as this is what I have been doing for the past month . The less days are remaining, the more emotional  I get.

“Love marriage hai aapki!!  What if it was an arranged marriage… ..''She taunted me while sitting on my bed.

“Go and help Mumma,” I ordered and she stepped out of  the room without uttering a word.

I stared at my phone's lock screen which had few notifications and the time -6.20pm

I have a conflict with my feelings in my heart, I am happy I am getting married to the man I have dreamt of but at the same I am sad leaving my family.

I have no idea whether I will be able to manage the responsibility of being his wife, a daughter in law, a sister in law and a daughter to my parents.

Time skip

I had my dinner and my whole family was sitting in the living room.  Aapsa and Mumma were talking about the works which are still pending.

They asked me before whether I want to have a destination wedding somewhere out of Udaipur but I denied as I wanted to have a proper traditional wedding in my home.

Kavya was sitting at the dining table, busy submitting her assignments online. She won't be able to  attend her classes for the next 2 weeks.

“Geet, dekh beta,  tu Jamaisa ko pehle se jaanti hai par fir bhi waha hai na poore mann se uss family ko apnana, teri saas bhale hi strict dikhe par woh Tuje hamesha khush rkhegi Shivu baisa ki tarah maanti ” Mumma raised my spirit after she noticed my face which has nothing except dullness.

(Geet, listen, you know him already but accept his family whole heartily. Your mother in law may look strict but she will give you all the happiness and will treat you like Shivu baisa)

“Aapko kaha hai na  ki aise mat bolo , mai rona shuru kar  dungi” I expressed,hugging her and keeping my head on her shoulder. .

(i have told you already don't talk like this, I will cry again)

“Koi na Dhruv jijosa chup kara denge call Krlo ”Kavya teased while her eyes were on the laptop.

(No problem, Dhruv jijosa will uplift your mood on the call)

“Aapsa Mumma ke saamne aise kon bolta hai?”

(Who speaks like this in front of Mumma and Aapsa?)

“kyu aap toh 5.5years se baat kar rahe ho tb toh ghar walo se nahi sharmaye . ab mai kahu toh sharam waah waah ”She turned her head, facing us and smiled.

(Why, you have been talking with him for 5.5years , at that point you never felt shy while talking. You are feeling it now just because I said it. Wow)

“Acha Mumma mai sone jati hu, kal flight bhi hai shaam ko, kal kaam bhi hoga”I stood before I could take a step for my room, I heard my chatterbox words

(I am going to sleep, we have a flight tomorrow. We have so many work to do)

“Kahona jijosa ka call aane ka time ho gaya hai”

(Tell us jijosa is going to call you at this time)

“Sharam kar Kavya ki bachchi , apni behen ko kon aisa kehta hai '' My Mumma's words were clearly audible while I opened my room door.

(Shut your mouth Kavya, who speak something like this to your sister)

It was 11pm already and I stared at my room as  soon as I closed the door.

This is my last night here as Geetanjali who is yet to marry. Next time when I will enter this to sleep will be as a girl who has married.

I looked at the shelves above my study table. I started recalling the memories right from my primary class till now, from studying for my board exams, doing assignments for my college to all our virtual dates.

My eyes fell on the photo frames hung on the wall next to the table.  I sat on my chair and stared at all the things arranged on it.

I don't want to marry now, I don't want to leave my family but the date is already announced and the cards are already sent to everyone.

My bags which I have packed for Udaipur were kept near my bed. I took a deep breath as I felt a pain in my heart. Will my parents be able to live without me?  What about them when Kavya will get married ? Wish I had a brother to look after them but we sisters have already made several plans to take care of them.

I changed my clothes into my night dress and then laid on my bed. I noticed Avantika's message informing that she will leave for Udaipur along With Dhruv.

Dhruv is doing his doctorate and teaching in Avantika's university. She will get her poshaks from Jaipur and then she will come to Udaipur.

My head was resting on my pillow, while my eyes were on my engagement ring which he gave me two to three years back. The time passed like wind.

Suddenly, I noticed my phone ringing and I looked at it, it was him

“Mr. Deora”

Yes I have changed his contact name because if my phone is in someone else's and what they will think  I call my fiance  as Book magnet.

“Hello Patidev Ji" I spoke as soon as I received it.

“Hi Rainbow but we still have time” He said while I covered myself in a blanket as it was a chill weather.

“I know but still, I am trying  to get  into the habit of not calling you by your name in front of your family,"I explained looking outside of the window.

“Then you won't call me Dhruv? ”

“I will but not in front of everyone”

“Then when? ” He whispered on the call.

I don't know what he meant but I was blank.I don't know what to say further but how can he make me run out of words everytime.

“Aapne khana khaya? ”I diverted the topic.

“Yeah yeah, I know you are blushing so you have changed the topic . But don't think it in that way I said as friendly, you know ”

“Yeah I know you are an old school person”

“Well,  let's go on a virtual date now  or shall we play scribble? ” He said, while I was busy switching off the room light.

“Date and scribble at the same time?Okay done ” I replied and switched the light on.

“Then give me five minutes,  I will get my laptop ” saying that we cut the call.

I got up from my bed and took my laptop from my cupboard, placed it on my foldable study table ,and set it up on my bed.

Wi-fi check.

Earpods check.

Light check.

And ofcourse myself check.

The laptop screen displayed the request to join facetime. I accepted it and he welcomed me with his most beautiful smile, the reason I had a crush on him.

“Am I audible?”He asked, adjusting his earphones in his ears.

I nodded but I couldn't stop my cheeks turning as red as a tomato. I can't believe that I  am marrying him after 10 days.

I noticed the changes in the background as he was sitting on a sofa.

“Can I see some changes around? ” I asked, pulling the blanket up to protect myself from the low temperature of the room.

"Yeah, actually I did. You will be shifting to Delhi next month so it should look like a newly married couple house so I changed the wall colours and did some alteration here and there”

“Can I have a look, I mean can you show me what you have done? ”I requested leaning towards the screen.

“No Geetanjali, wait for some time. I will show you in person once you come here”

I don't know why he likes keeping everything a surprise. He is so fond of doing this that last time when I asked him about the renovation of his room at Sirohi, he denied.

“Okay but it has been two years since we met. ”I said, opening the cap of the bottle and closing it.

“Yeah I remembered at Shivu jija's shaadi. But you showed up only for 2 hours, that too for the Haldi function. ” He said, folding his hands and resting his back on the sofa, placing some pillows.

“You know very well that after engagement it isn't allowed to visit sasural, somehow I convinced my family to attend the Haldi  function. ”I explained my side as I can't go there until I marry him.

Shivu jija is my friend along with being my nanad so I was permitted to attend it.

“I know we did a ritual as well, you in ghoonghat, sitting along with me after vinayak pujan” He reminded me while I tried my best to not blush, otherwise he would call me tomato.

“Yeah, all the ladies were like how can she come here? She is not even married? Jaideepsa ki bahu  toh jyada hi  ye woh!  Huh, They were gossiping about us.” I said, when I noticed him forcefully stopping himself to burst into laughter looking at my talent for copying their actions.

“What Dhruv? ”

“Nothing, well can you believe after 10 days at this time, you and me? ” He came closer to the screen while his words made my body filled with butterflies. No, I should say it is like a zoo with all the species living on this planet.

“What you and me?”

“Geetanjali, this time we will be sitting in a mandap, no we will be in the middle of the pheras ” He assumed as our pheras and wedding rituals will begin at 10.30pm.

“Hmm, but we will get exhausted, I mean we have our wedding on 27th of December , 26 is Bandoli at night and during morning it's my mehandi, 25th will be Haldi and also remember the small small rituals ”   I mentioned , counting it on my finger.

“I know but in that whole event,  don't forget to enjoy. Because shadi ek baar hi hogi hamari and do send your photos ” He said stretching his arms.

“You are sleepy Dhruv, I think you should sleep now. And Avantika will join you tomorrow ”

“She told me when she met me in the staff room. Don't worry about that”

"You know when she informed her class friends you are marrying me, I am that girl which you wrote about in your book, they were surprised actually” I informed  him for the sixth time though  he knew this already.

“I know, lots of girls have a crush on me in college.  By the way, did you remember you warned me 5 years back to break my teeth? ”He smirked  and ran his fingers through his hair.

If he keeps repeating this in front of me in person, my age won't be longer. He will be the reason if nobody finds me after a few days.

“You told todna bhi mat  warna ladkiyo ka college attendance kam ho jayega. Well, this reminds me that we should play scribble ” I suggested while my hands made their way to search my phone.

Saying this, we unlocked our phone and sent the link of the private room created on the game.  He accepted it and began playing.

“First chance is mine ”He informed me, tapping on his screen.

He started drawing, meanwhile I started admiring him on the laptop screen.

Few days, I will see his face right in front of me instead of this screen. I won't have to wait to hug him, I can do it anytime.  I don't have to wait for the night to call him. Instead, our calls will turn into our face to face talks.

“Rainbow, eyes on the drawing ”

I moved my eyes from my laptop to my phone and he drew a butterfly already. I typed my answer in the box.

I was right so I gained points. Next it was my turn, I chose mountains from the options available .

I started drawing but before I could complete it, he guessed it already , scoring more than me.

One by one we completed our turns, and this time I won it.

“Revenge is taken, Mr. Deora,” I announced, flipping my hair.

“You won because I let you win”

“O please, get your eyes checked, Budhe ho gaye ”I repeated his words which he told me a few years back.

“Ab tak bachche bhi aane hai, usse pehle buddha declare kr diya” ,I was awestruck when this sentence went into my ears and I hid my face in my palms avoiding to look at him.

"Dhruv please, kabhi aisi baat nahi ki aaj kya hai stop mujhe sharam aa rahi hai”

“Truth is Truth, but I won't say further ”  He smiled and winked.

“Good night, I have a flight to catch tomorrow” I said, while my hands made a sign to sleep.

“Ha ha, Good night and Happy journey ”

“Thank-you and let me know once you start your journey. ”

The Next Day

“Yeah Avu jija, we are on our way to the airport.”Kavya  was on call with Avantika , sitting between me and Mumma.

Aapsa was sitting on the front seat next to the driver.  Aapsa and Mumma were busy talking with each other related to some preparation.

I sat on the seat behind the driver, looking outside of the window. The wind passed touching my face while I recalled my days spent here in this city of Hyderabad.

Though I love Udaipur, I can't forget the fact that I love Hyderabad more than any place in this world. The place where I was born,where I completed my education and had my job. I spent 26 years of my life. Now it's time to bid goodbye to it.

“Geet jija, see our school ”Kavya said, leaning a little in front of my face and I joined her too, looking outside of the window.

I don't know what lies in my destiny but the memories i have created here will always have a special place in my heart which no cities of this world can replace it.

I checked my phone and there was no message from his side. I guess he will be busy leaving for Jaipur. Maybe he went to pick Avantika from her hostel.

I took a gulp in my throat whenever the thought crossed my mind of the days left. 9 more days to start my new journey.

My eyes were on the verge of breaking into tears if I crossed the limit to hide my feelings looking and admiring keenly the city.

A notification flashed on my screen

“I know it's hard to leave the city where you lived your 26 years of life, it's never easy for a girl to leave her everything and marry to someone, but trust me I am with you. I won't let you feel alone, I will stay by your side because if you can leave everything behind to be my wife, I can Atleast try my best to make you feel comfortable at my place. Happy journey. 9 days left ! Love you and take care of yourself otherwise you will get dark

circles ”

Before I could reply to him, aapsa informed us that we had reached the airport. We got our luggage out of the car trunk and headed towards the boarding gate.

I turned and looked back, hugged my Mumma and Kavya who tried to divert my mind  so I wouldn't end up crying. They know it very well. I am so sensitive in such cases.

Kavya took a selfie of us and sent it to Avantika only to get a selfie from their side in return. They have their flight from Delhi to Jaipur and then train at midnight for Sirohi, which will be via Udaipur.

After 4 days all the rituals will begin marking the official start of wedding week  , to be precise in my sisters language, we are going to celebrate

#DhruvGeetkaMilan the whole week.

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Take care and lots of love ❤

See you soon in the next chapter

Avina,