Shatru nodded vigorously. “Perfect.”
Avantika was less enthusiastic. “If you say so.”
Vidyut threw an arm around his sister. “Come on, Avi. Chin up! Your defeated attitude isn’t going to help the situation.”
Avantika gave a reluctant nod, understanding his logic. But she was completely shaken by her parents’ attitude. They had never been so adamant about anything, ever before. “Why are you rushing tonight? You must be jetlagged. Go tomorrow, nah?”
Vidyut had been checking the Indigo app for flights to Bengaluru and looked up on hearing Avi. He shook his head. “I don’t want to give them too much time to think negatively. Why do you think I took the first flight out? And,” he turned to Shatru with a grin, “I’m sure Shatru is a man with a travel agenda. I don’t want that fucked up.”
Shatru grinned back. “Right now, nothing. My next travel plan will include my wife, whenever she’s free to go with me.” He turned to kiss Avantika on her cheek.
“Right.” Vidyut got up. “All the more reason for me to get home to Bengaluru ASAP. There’s a flight in a couple of hours. I’ll leave now.”
Both Avantika and Shatru got up to see him off. “Thanks, bro,” said Shatru, bumping his fist with Vidyut’s before giving him a hug. Avantika hugged her brother a bit desperately. “Please Vidu, convince them somehow.”
“You know I will. Promise me not to mope and don’t get Shatru’s shirt wet with your tears. I ne’er knew you for a cry baby, Avi.” He hugged her back. “Do I have your promise?”
Avantika nodded. “Yeah, okay. I’ll not cry. You do know that they aren’t tears of weakness, but of anger, right?” she said defiantly.
Vidyut grinned. “I know that. But there’s no need for it sis. Will call you tonight. Bye now,” he said, waving to them before shutting the door behind him.
Avantika waited for her brother’s call in vain that night as her phone remained silent. She snuggled close in Shatru’s arms as he held her next to his steadily beating heart as they lay on her bed. He understood only too well that it was a hug that Avantika needed tonight and not sex.
16
Vidyut rang the bell at his home at six in the evening. His father’s car wasn’t on the portico. He obviously wasn’t home. He smiled at his mother when Vandana opened the door. “Hello, Amma,” he said, hugging her.
“Vidu, what a surprise!” said his mother, a broad smile of welcome on her face. “I’m so glad to see you.”
He walked in, leaving his suitcase below the staircase in the centre of the living room, before picking up a bottle of water from the fridge to gulp it down thirstily. “When will Appa be home?”
“By eight or so. He’s busy with extra meetings nowadays,” grimaced Vandana. Her husband had been coming home late over the past couple of weeks. “So, how have you been, Vidu? Good you could make it at such a short notice. Only you can talk sense to your sister. She’s so stubborn about marrying that farmer. I don’t know what she sees in him. I even told her about Swapnil. You remember Swapnil nah? You used to play cricket together. He’s such a good catch. I…”
Vidyut laughed, sitting on the sofa, dragging his mother down next to him. “I know Swapnil is a great catch Amma and he’ll make someone a wonderful husband. But that’s not the point, is it? Avi has given her heart to Shatrughan. She won’t be happy marrying someone else.” His voice was soft and persuasive.
His mother gave him a reluctant nod, an unhappy expression on her face. “But your Appa is also right nah Vidu? He takes his responsibilities so seriously. How will he agree to this match? The boy is a farmer and keeps travelling all the time, it seems. He doesn’t have a secure job.”
Vidyut laughed outright. “Will you give me something to eat? I’m hungry.” He planned to tackle both his parents at one go. And it was best to keep his mother busy till then.
Vandana got up immediately. “Our cook has already got dinner ready. I hope you don’t mind vegetarian today. I will tell her to make your favourite chicken curry tomorrow.” She opened the rice cooker to serve bisi bele bath—spicy rice flavoured with tamarind, spices, veggies and split red lentil—on a plate. She added a cup of cucumber raita and a side plate with some fried papad.
“This looks so yum, Amma,” said Vidyut, placing the plate on the dining table, before pulling out two chairs for the both of them. “Is there enough to go around?” He asked, spooning the food into his mouth.
“Of course. You know there’s always a lot of food at home. Don’t worry about that and eat all you want.”
Vidyut did just that, filling her in about his life at university, distracting her as much as possible from Avantika’s beau.
It was another hour before Arun arrived. Vidyut opened the door the moment he heard his father’s car. “Appa,” he said, hugging the older man, taking the briefcase from him.
“What are you doing in Bengaluru Vidu? Did your sister drag you home?”
Vidyut smiled. “Not just her Appa. You sounded worried when you called me the day before yesterday.”
“Oh yes. Avi’s mad rush to get married to her farmer. Let me get out of this suit first and we’ll talk as we eat.”
“Sure, Appa,” said Vidyut, bringing the dishes containing the food to the dining table, setting two places for his parents. If his parents had had their way, he’d never do any of this work that was meant to be done only by women. But Avantika used to fight tooth and nail that he shared her work. That was the only way Vandana could get her daughter to help in the house. Avantika had refused to understand why Vidyut should be treated like a demigod just because he was a male. It had worked out in his favour at the end of it. And living in the US had taught him to be totally self-sufficient.
Arun walked down and sat at the table. “Why only two plates? You aren’t eating Vidu?” he asked, when his wife sat down next to him.
“I already had my dinner, Appa. I was too hungry to wait for you. Sorry about that.”
“Not at all son. So, tell me how to deal with your sister. She’s so adamant about marrying this boy who has no prospects. I don’t have the stamina to argue with her.”
“Appa, how do you know Shatrughan has no prospects?” asked Vidyut mildly. It looked like it was going to be a long night.
“Well, he doesn’t have a job. He spends his life gallivanting around the world. Over and above, he’s into farming, the most unreliable profession one could have, especially in a country like ours.”
Vandana ate silently, her eyes flitting from one man to the other as they spoke.
Vidyut smiled. “Appa, if Shatru goes gallivanting around the world, it’s obviously because he can afford it. You know how much it must be costing him. You and Amma went to Singapore for one week. That was eight years ago. Have you thought of a foreign holiday after that?”
“I’m a working man, Vidu. How can I afford foreign holidays? Be happy that we went on that one trip.”
Vidyut’s smile turned wider. “So, do you get my point? This man’s travelling the world and has been doing it since more than eight years. He…”
“Is he trying to achieve a Guinness record?” asked Arun sarcastically.
Vidyut pressed his fisted hands on his jean-clad thighs, holding back his rising temper. “You have missed the point Appa. Let me explain. Shatrughan has been travelling for so long. He wouldn’t be doing it if he couldn’t afford it, right? And we know it takes a lot of money. He…”
“Look here, Vidu. There are two angles to this. One is having money and another is holding a respectable occupation. This boy obviously has money, but no occupation. And hence isn’t good enough to marry Avantika.”
“Appa, you know Shatru is a farmer. Isn’t that a respectable occupation? Earlier, you felt that he won’t get enough income from that. But now, we have established that he has a lot of money. Now tell me what your problem is?”
Arun glared at his son, washing his hand on his plate. That was one habit the father had refused to forego how much ever his children
had dissuaded him. Vandana put up with this quirk, not having a choice. “I don’t have the time or energy to argue with you, son. It’s been a long day. Let’s watch some TV. You know how the country’s going to the dogs with Narendra Modi’s decision to withdraw 500 and 1000 rupee notes so suddenly. Then the US election and the unexpected win by Trump.” He shook his head, getting up to flop down in front of the TV.
Vidyut sat with his father for half an hour before getting up to call it a day. Tomorrow was another day.
17
Vidyut was up early the next day and went down to tackle his father. They sat down to have coffee while Arun took his time reading the newspaper.
“Appa…”
“If you’re going to talk to me about Avantika’s boyfriend, let me tell you upfront that I’m not going to listen.”
Vidyut shook his head. “That’s not fair, Appa. You’ve always been open to listening to our views on things. I know you love Avi and want the best for her. You also know that I love my sister and I too want the best for her.” He looked at his father intensely, pinning him down with his honey brown gaze.
Arun nodded, unable to deny what his son said.
“I’ve met Shatrughan. I…”
“Huh? And when was that?”
“Yesterday. Believe me, the man is cultured and confident. You can’t get a better guy for your son-in-law. Appa, he’s doing something we all just dream of doing. Do you know that he’s been working his ass off since he was barely eighteen? He dares to dream and he works towards fulfilling his dreams. Believe me, he’s not spending his father’s money, but making his own. He’s a billionaire. His farm isn’t a one-acre plot. It’s set up in twenty-five acres of land. The Maheshwaris live in a huge compound that has five bungalows—one for the parents and one each for the brothers. Avi will live like a princess when she marries him.” Vidyut had gathered the information partly from his sister and the rest from the World Wide Web.
Arun stared at his son, surprise on his face, the sarcasm and condescension having disappeared. “Are you serious? How is that even possible? And…and how come such a guy wants to marry our Avi?”
“Appa, Avi is beautiful, intelligent and has a rocking career. Any guy would give an arm and a leg to make her his wife.”
“Our Avi? What rocking career? She dances every day. Are you saying she makes money from that? I don’t understand this modern generation at all. They want to have fun and they call it a career.” Arun shook his head, an expression of disgust on his face.
Vidyut smiled. He knew how successful his sister was in such a competitive sector. But he wasn’t interested in convincing his father about that. His sister surely wouldn’t thank him for that. “Will you meet Shatrughan Maheshwari? Give him an hour of your time. Let’s take it from there.”
Arun turned to look at his silent wife. “What do you say, Vandana?”
She nodded, looking relieved. She had been listening to her son. Avantika’s boyfriend seemed to have a lot going for him. “I think we should meet him.”
“Vidu, you ask Avantika to bring that boy home.”
Vidyut jumped up from his chair, nodding to his parents before stepping out into the garden to call his sister.
18
Things moved fast after that. Shatrughan’s behaviour impressed his future in-laws too much. He bowled them over with the love and respect he showed them. After spending a whole evening with the Kamaths, Shatru invited them over to Jaipur.
“You all must come home, uncle, aunty. Let me invite you on my parents’ behalf. Vidyut, I hope you’ll also come.”
Vidyut smiled, his arm around his blushing sister. “Sure, bro. Actually, if you guys can get married within a week, I can extend my leave too. It’ll surely save me another trip,” he said, tongue-in-cheek.
Shatru took him at his word. “It’s an excellent idea. Why not?”
“What? How is that even possible? I…” Arun was speechless. “Shatrughan, your parents might not be too happy with that. We need to find out what their expectations are, how much dowry we should give, the jewellery. And organising a wedding is not child’s play.”
Shatrughan burst out laughing. “I’m sorry uncle. I don’t mean to offend. But it’s too funny. We Maheshwaris don’t take dowry. It’s your daughter I want and need, not what you can give her.”
Vandana was astounded as she turned to stare at her husband. Could something be wrong with the boy or his family? Why would they want to marry Avantika for free? She gave a slight shake of her head to her husband to stop him from agreeing to everything.
When neither of them said anything to that, Shatru said, “Why don’t you come home first?”
“Yeah Appa. Let’s go tomorrow itself. I can’t stretch my leave too much,” said Vidyut.
Arun hemmed and hawed for a few minutes before capitulating. He rarely denied his son anything.
Vidyut insisted on Shatru spending the night at their home when the latter offered to go to a hotel. “We’ve got a comfortable guestroom. Why would you want to go to a hotel?” He also booked five tickets to Jaipur for the next day at noon, with a stopover at Mumbai, after consulting his father.
It was past eleven when Avantika entered the guest room stealthily, locking the door behind her.
Shatru was reading with the bedside lamp on. He immediately kept the book away to open his arms to hug her close, kissing her firmly on her lips. “Happy?”
“Hmm…” she said, tracing the lines of his throat with her lips. “You smell awesome. Love me?”
“Absolutely.” He stopped her when her stroking hand moved along his naked chest towards his boxers. “Avi, no,” he shook his head. “Your parents…”
“Have as good as agreed to the wedding. I want you.” She tried to get a hand inside only to be stopped again.
“Avoid nah sweetheart.” He gulped when he felt her hand against his shaft as she determinedly pushed his boxers down his thighs. “Are you going to rape me?” he asked, his black eyes twinkling in the lamp’s soft light.
“If I have to,” said Avantika, giving him a challenging look. “Shatru, don’t you dare stop me. I need you. Last night was torture. We were meeting after so many weeks and I was in no fit state to make love with you.”
“It happens at times. Our relationship is not only about sex, right? I love you sweetheart.” He groaned softly as she went on her knees to pull his boxers right down to his feet and remove it off him.
“Of course there’s more to our love than just sex. But it sure is the icing on the cake, right?” She grinned, laying her body across his after removing her nightshirt. She nibbled on his ear, taking a bite off his lobe, making him groan again. She laughed when he protested that someone might hear them.
“Vidyut is sleeping across and my parents are in the other wing. Stop giving excuses Shatru. Do you want me or not?”
He capitulated with another groan, throwing his arms around her before rolling on the bed, going on top of her. He obliged her every whim as he made excruciatingly slow love to her, worshipping her lips and breasts and her feminine core, before entering her. He rode her long and hard, making her climax twice before he found his release.
Avantika protested when he got up after their breathing turned to normal. “Where are you going?”
“Just a sec,” said Shatru, pulling the jeweller’s box from his rucksack. He went back to the bed and took her left hand. “I got this for you, but couldn’t find the right moment.” He placed the diamond ring on her finger before bending his head to kiss it.
“What?!” squeaked Avantika, her eyes rounded in surprise. “You got a ring for me? This is simply gorgeous, my Shatru.” Taking her eyes off the ring with difficulty, she threw her arms around his neck, kissing him on his masculine lips.
“I’m glad you like it. Now you’re officially my fiancée,” he said before kissing her back.
19
Ram was waiting for them at the airport the next day, to welcome Avantika and her fam
ily. Arun Kamath couldn’t help but be impressed with Shatrughan’s elder brother’s perfect manners. Vandana forgot to shut her dropping jaw when the car entered the gates of Nakshatra. While the Kamaths were from Bengaluru, a city that had many sprawling bungalows, they themselves living in one, she was still impressed by the huge compound full of trees and flowering shrubs.
Mohan and Meera greeted their guests warmly, the latter hugging Avantika. Arun and Vandana couldn’t find even one fault with the whole family as they were introduced to each one of them. The next day, they got to see Shatrughan’s house, another sprawling structure that was built on the lines of an Italian villa with a central courtyard. It was built on two levels and boasted of four bedrooms.
Mohan, Meera, Shatrughan, little Samaira and the four Kamaths left in two cars at around ten in the morning to go to Kotputli to visit Surya Farms—the plot that belonged to Shatru. There was a cottage and a lake on the fenced property, with at least five hundred trees planted. There were coconut palms, mango trees, chikoo trees, jackfruit trees, papaya trees, orange trees and a few flowering trees. They weren’t too tall since they were less than five years old. The trees looked lush and healthy, with green papayas of various sizes hanging clustered under the branches of their trees while the rest were still too young to bear fruit.
Arun and Vandana realised that the Maheshwaris were rich way beyond their imagination. That evening, they sat down to discuss the wedding.
Arun said, “Mr. Mohan, we are nowhere as rich as you are. But we have set aside some cash and jewellery for our only daughter’s wedding…”
Mohan raised his hand to stop the other man in mid-sentence. “Sorry to interrupt. Why don’t you keep all that for your daughter-in-law, when Vidyut gets married? We don’t accept any dowry, cash or kind. My daughters-in-law can vouch for that. The children want to have a grand wedding. We can share the expenses, if you want. Where do you want to have the wedding? We are okay with either Bengaluru or Jaipur.”
Flaming Sun Collection 2: Marriages Made in India (Box Set with 5 novellas) Page 40