Chapter 2 : The Approved Union
1607 Words
The Approved Union
You only have one chance, so don't f**k it up.
Anil's P O V :
It had been two days already since the Malhotras came to our house. We all thought they liked my sister, but maybe that was not the case. They haven't called us back since and mama and papa were getting worried. They were afraid that they would miss this golden chance.
" Come on, Mama, don't worry. I am sure they will call ", I said to my mama, hoping it might calm her down a bit. Just after I said that, the phone suddenly rang and mama saw it was none other than Malhotras.
" It's them ", Mama whispered to me and my papa before finally picking up the call.
We all impatiently waited as my mama talked with them. She really was not saying anything other than yes or no, so we could not figure out what was happening.
" Okay, okay, Thank you so much Sarita Ji ", Mama said, and hung up. Both Papa and I looked at her face. The air was thick due to the suspense.
" What is it ? ", Papa asked her.
Mom just sat there like a statue, her eyes fixed on both of us.
" Mama, what did they say ? " I asked her loudly. That seemed to have done the work as she came out of her trance.
She looked at both of us and smiled a bit.
" They said yes ", Mama said, her voice merely a whisper, probably because she herself could not believe it.
" They said yes ", Mama said again loudly and started laughing. My father joined her laughter and I was happy too. My parents called everyone who was close to our family and gave them the good news. Anjali didi was very happy and I was happy for her.
We all celebrated by eating a special kheer, made by mama and grandma.
It had been over a month since the Malhotras accepted my sister as their daughter-in-law. Right now, the elders of both the houses were together matching their Kundali. Everyone was hoping that all of their qualities matched, so there would be no problem in the engagement or in the marriage.
" Pandit Ji. Don't keep us in the dark. Tell us what you think ? " Mrs. Malhotra asked.
" If there is any kind of objection or complication, then you have to find a solution to it ", my mama said.
Everyone was worried now, since Pandit Ji was taking too much time studying their Kundalis. I looked at my mama and she was sweating a lot. That only happens when she is way too worried. Finally, Pandit Ji looked up and all of us looked at him.
" So ? ", Mrs. Malhotra asked.
" Congratulations, Sarita Ji. You found a diamond for your son. She is very lucky for your Varun. Most of their qualities matched. It seemed like this is a match made in heaven ", Pandit Ji said, and everyone including me breathed a sigh of relief.
" You almost scared us to death Pandit Ji ", Mrs. Malhotra said chuckling. Finally, the date of engagement was set to be on the sixteenth of next month.
It had been a month exactly and the date of the engagement was tomorrow. In the past month, I have encountered Varun almost five to six times. That was not strange because everytime Varun and my Didi used to go anywhere, I used to tag along. I was strictly ordered by my parents to keep an eye on both of them. During these encounters, I found something interesting about Varun. Like me, Varun also did not like to use ketchup on everything. Black and white were his favorite colors. He preferred horror and thriller movies, much more entertaining. Sometimes our eyes met when I was glancing at him, but then I would look elsewhere immediately. I still remember how embarrassed I felt when we both went to a men's room together, but I could not take a piss since he was there with me and we were both alone in the restroom. At that time, my heart was beating so fast inside my heart, I thought it would explode. Varun chuckled loudly when he saw me like that and went ahead, giving me some time to calm myself down. Right now, everyone is working their ass off since the engagement is tomorrow. The elders of both the families decided to host the engagement at the temple nearby, which was merely a quarter of a mile away from our home. Even though the Temple had an organisation who were taking care of arrangements and decorations, there was still a lot of work to do.
" Anil Beta, you have to go and receive your uncles and aunt ", Papa said, and I groaned.
Great more relatives to receive. Can't they just book some auto or cab and come straight here ?
" Now, don't make that face and go ", Papa said, and I groaned again, annoyed. Sometimes I think I should never have learnt how to drive. That would have saved me from a lot of work and trouble. By the time I reached the railway station, everyone was impatient already. After picking them up, I was on my way back to the Temple, when mama called me saying I had to pick up a few things. By the time I arrived at the Temple, everyone was already there. My didi looked beautiful as ever but my eye caught Varun's Kurta. The way that white-golden Kurta hugged his body, it seemed like that kurta was specially made only for him. From his Kurta to his royal shoes and the way his hair was styled, everything was just perfect. He looked like fire. Our eyes met and, as usual, I found myself avoiding direct eye contact. Fortunately, everything went great. Everyone fed each other sweets after the rings were exchanged. My didi looked super happy. My parents were happier and I was also happy. Everyone went to the food stall. Every food item on the menu was prepared with authenticity without even using onions or garlic, made in pure butter. The server started fixing plates for everyone and they all looked like they were enjoying the food. I saw Arohi was fixing a plate.
" You just ate. Why are you fixing another plate ? ", I asked her.
" This is for Jiju. He is hungry ", she said, and I nodded my head. I was busy attending to other people, but then I heard my mother yelling my name loudly.
I hurried my steps towards her and saw the mess that had already happened. The food was scattered on the floor. Both Arohi and Varun were a mess and I kind of figured out what might have happened. Arohi must have stumbled or slipped and made this mess.
" What should we do now ? " I asked no one in particular.
" Take Varun to your home and give him one of your shirts. We can't let our guests see Varun like this ", Mrs. Malhotra said and I nodded my head. Both Varun and I left for our home. Since everyone was at the temple, our house was locked. I unlocked the door and welcomed him inside.
" Take your kurta off and give it to me ", I said to him. He was about to undress right in front of me, so I told him to go change in the restroom.
" Don't be shy. We are both men here ", he said, and started unbuttoning his kurta. I knew I couldn't resist staring at him and what was underneath this kurta, so I went up to my room to search for a shirt that would fit him. He was a bit larger and bulkier than me. I finally found a loose yellow shirt but it had wrinkles on it. When I went downstairs, I choked on my saliva seeing Varun half naked. The broad chest, abs glistening with sweat made my mouth watered. His defined jaw, perfect cheekbones, stubbled beard added charms to his look. Just as I feared, I was practically assaulting him with my eyes. He cleared his throat loudly and that caught my attention.
" I am sorry ", I said, stuttering, and he chuckled.
" That's okay. I mean I built my body so people can stare at it. It's okay, you can stare at my body as long as you want ", he said with a smirk, and I saw his eyes sparked. I ignored him and started looking for the press. Once I found it, I started pressing the shirt he would wear. I gave the shirt to him and he put it on. I couldn't help but notice his biceps and muscles. I heard him chuckling again and I looked elsewhere.
" We have to go hurry up ", I said to him, since he was taking so much time buttoning the shirt.
" Hey, you can't hurry perfection ", he said, and I groaned loudly. After making sure I locked the house properly, we both headed towards the Temple. Everything went great and everyone enjoyed it a lot. Since there were so many relatives, I had to share my room with two of my cousins. I was already exhausted from all the work so I slept in no time.
( Jiju is a respectful form of address to brother-in-law, sister's husband )
- Writer
