It wasn’t this man’s fault that her husband - his son - had run away. And he had obviously suffered. She opened her eyes to give him a hesitant smile. Surendra put it down to shyness.
Surendra held her small hands in his as he said, “I’m so sorry for what you had to undergo because of Veera, my child. I—”
Chanda shook her head in protest just as Mohan cut short Surendra’s apology. “Surendraji, please let the past go and let’s look forward to a much better future.”
Surendra felt overwhelmed by the affection bestowed on him by the Maheshwari family. He held his daughter-in-law’s hand gently as he led her to the sofa. He sat her beside him and quizzed her about her life in general.
To begin with, Chanda felt quite choked with thoughts of Ranveer crowding her mind. But soon, she sat up straight and answered all the questions that Surendra had for her.
Surendra couldn’t help but admire the way Mohan and his wife Meera had brought up their children. All were so well-mannered and obviously educated. He couldn’t help wondering about Veera. But then, the astrologer, Vidyasagar, had insisted that Veera must be very well educated and doing great financially too. A deep sigh shook up Surendra from within as he thought of his missing son. He wondered whether he would ever set eyes on him again. But then, Mohan and Vidyasagar had given him a lot of hope.
The rest of the family came to sit around the father-in-law and daughter-in-law.
“So,” said Mohan, “according to the astrologer, Veerendra must be living in or around Delhi.”
Chanda looked at her father in surprise and asked, “How is that possible, Pappa? Can the astrologer find out the whereabouts of a person just by seeing his horoscope? I can’t understand.”
Meera smiled widely as she said, “That’s the beauty of it all Chanda. You don’t know Vidyasagarji. He’s just amazing. You know something, he saw your horoscope and immediately said that you and your husband were in the same place.”
Chanda went pale. What could they mean by that? She tried to recall the names and faces of all the men she had met since going to live in Delhi. She couldn’t imagine any one of them being her errant husband.
“I don’t understand, Mamma. I never met Veerendra. I’m sure I would’ve known if I had,” she said, a frown on her face.
Mohan continued from there. “It’s like this my dear. Vidyasagarji could pin point where Veerendra must be positioned geographically. He said that it was very close to you. In fact, I was quite irritated with the astrologer in the beginning. I told him that you stayed in a ladies’ hostel and so it wasn’t possible for Veerendra to be close to you.”
Chanda stared at her parents one by one. What were they saying? She couldn’t understand. She shook her head, obviously perturbed. How could they trust the words of an astrologer and drag her father-in-law into the picture? She couldn’t believe that her parents could have acted so foolishly.
Mohan then explained their visit to the astrologer, the conversation, the astrologer insisting that Veerendra’s horoscope had been wrongly written, how he must be very intelligent, probably a professor or a computer whiz, how all he touched would be turning to gold and more.
Chanda listened to her father without interrupting him, a dazed expression on her face. Could all this be possible for someone to predict by just seeing a janam kundali? She found it difficult to comprehend. But then, her parents sounded so sure. So much so, that they had contacted Veerendra’s family and convinced them too.
Then what about her growing attraction for Ranveer? Chanda closed her eyes in sheer exhaustion. She didn’t think she could take any more. She recalled her latest meeting with Ranveer, how he had kissed her. Her throat closed up as tears stung her eyes. She heard her father’s voice in the background as her mind stopped registering his words.
Chanda’s head buzzed with lack of sleep, the shock of meeting her father-in-law and the fear that she might never see Ranveer again. To everyone’s shock, Chanda dropped from the sofa down at her father-in-law’s feet in a dead faint.
RANVEER SAT IN FRONT of his laptop, trying to get some work done. It was Sunday and he hadn’t heard from Chanda. He had been hesitant to call her as she must be quite busy with her family. She had gone for just two days and he didn’t want to interrupt their reunion. But he so missed her.
Was it only a few weeks since he set eyes on Chanda? Ranveer couldn’t believe it. It seemed as if she had been a part of his life forever.
Ranveer decided then and there that he would get in touch with his birth parents in the village and go forward with getting his marriage annulled. But before that, he wanted to see Chanda once again and reassure himself that their feelings for one another were genuine.
Ranveer couldn’t wait for Monday morning to come fast enough.
Twenty-eight
Lakshman opened the door to Chanda’s bedroom. It was late in the evening on Saturday. The family had left her alone after lunch as it was obvious that she didn’t want to be disturbed. But all of them had been surprised when she hadn’t come down till now.
The room was in darkness as Lakshman looked at the bed. Seeing that Chanda wasn’t there, he turned towards the light switch when he noticed that she was sitting at the window. As he walked towards her, Lakshman was shocked to notice her posture. She looked defeated as she sat there, her knees drawn to her chin while her face was buried in them. Her small body shook now and again as sobs overcame her.
He walked to his sister silently and placed a hand on her head, stroking it fondly. Chanda raised startled eyes to see who it was. Seeing her favourite brother, she fell into his arms, crying.
Lakshman held her tight, not saying a word. He waited for the tears to abate before pulling her gently towards the bed. He made her sit down before taking a seat next to her. Again, he willed her to talk with his very silence.
Slowly the story came tumbling out. Chanda didn’t leave anything. She told him how she had always kept away from boys and later men, believing herself to be a married woman. She said how she met Ranveer and couldn’t help the growing attraction right from first sight. Once her sorry tale was over, she looked at Lakshman with red-rimmed eyes.
“I love him, Lakshman. I can’t go back to become Veerendra’s wife. How can I? All these years there was no news of him. Now suddenly after I meet someone I love, his father turns up after Mamma and Pappa go to an astrologer who has a lot to say about him. Why? Why me?” She smote her forehead before Lakshman could stop her.
He took her hand and held it tightly as he hugged her. He thought hard, not saying anything. Lakshman was a man of few words and when he spoke, it usually struck a strong chord with the listener.
Chanda put her head on her brother’s muscular shoulder and waited for him to come up with a solution. She was confident that it would be in her favour, just as it had always been since childhood.
After some time he told her, “I’m sure you can take a week off from your college and work, can’t you?”
Chanda looked up at him, her dark eyes searching. What did he want her to do? Not that she had an argument. She was just curious. She nodded as she said, “I think I can.”
“Tell you what? Why don’t you take a break from everything while Ram and I sort out things here? You go to Mount Abu and just chill. Who do you want to go with? The twins or Mamma-Pappa?” He stopped to answer his own question, “I think Mamma-Pappa is out of the question as Surendra Uncle is here just now. Do you want to go with Bharat and Shatru?” He looked at his little sister, love overflowing in his heart. He had adored her from the moment she opened her eyes for the first time.
Chanda looked at Lakshman steadily as she asked, “Will you go with me?”
“I’m sorry Sweetie. I’ll be best off holding the fort here. This thing needs to be sorted out before we decide what to tell Veerendra’s father. I wish that he hadn’t been dragged into the picture at this stage,” he said, echoing Chanda’s thoughts. “But then, it’s already done. Ram and I will set out t
o find the errant Veerendra and set the record straight. You—”
“Will it be expecting too much to ask to go on my own? I don’t think I’ll be good company for the twins. You know they love fun and just now I’m not in the mood for it,” said Chanda. She felt strongly that she wanted to get away from everyone. She wouldn’t have minded Lakshman’s company as he knew how to keep silent. Chatter was one thing she couldn’t stomach just now.
While Chanda’s family was very close and loved one another absolutely, each one also knew how to give the others their space.
“You must go alone if that’s what you want, Chanda.” Chanda blushed when he said, “Give me your Ranveer’s contact number before you leave. I’ll only get in touch with him if and when it’s absolutely necessary,” he smiled, looking at her red face.
Chanda nodded her head. It all sounded so simple. She only wished that the next week was already over. What a weekend! And she had expected to spend it in Ranveer’s arms.
Chanda pulled at Lakshman’s elbow just as he got up. “Lakshman, can you give me another SIM card? I don’t want Ranveer to call me when—.”
Lakshman nodded his head in understanding. “Of course! I’ll put you on a flight maybe tomorrow? Or do you want to leave today?” he asked.
“I don’t want to fly. I think I’ll go by bus,” said Chanda as she mentally planned her trip. She was glad that she had something else to focus on. She felt a mite better that she had transferred her problems to her brother who was more capable of sorting things out. She knew he was an expert at that.
A small smile broke out on Chanda’s face as she moved forward to hug Lakshman. “You know something? I must be the luckiest girl on earth. To have such parents and brothers, especially one such as you Lakshman,” she said, meaning every word.
Lakshman hugged her back before saying, “Do you need help with your packing? It’s bound to be very cold out there. And promise me that you’ll not worry too much? I’ll ensure that you’re free of Veerendra and get hitched to this Ranveer. That is, if Ranveer’s also keen to wed you.”
A wide smile broke out on Chanda’s ravaged face as she knew that Lakshman never made a promise that he didn’t keep. She nodded her head through the tears of affection that sprung to her eyes.
Lakshman wiped them away before saying, “That’s one thing I can’t stomach, Chanda. I know you’re feeling emotional and all that, but please don’t cry. I don’t think Ranveer can handle it either,” he said, tongue-firmly-in-cheek.
Chanda laughed softly, quite sure that Ranveer would never be able to handle it. It seemed that Lakshman could already sense how the other man was.
She decided to call Parth at the office and inform him of a family emergency and the need for a week off. She wouldn’t call Ranveer. While she knew that he would want to know what had happened to her, Chanda decided that it would be best if they kept out of touch until everything got sorted out. It would be nice to go up to the hills. They always had the ability to bring a sense of calm.
Her parents weren’t too happy at the turn of events. But the understanding folks that they were, they realised that not all was hunky dory and agreed to let Chanda go on the trip. They let Surendra believe that Chanda had to get back to college when she left the next day afternoon. She had a new phone number that was known only to the family and it had been quite easy to wangle the leave of absence from Parth.
Chanda set off on her journey into the hills, a backpack carrying all the stuff she would need. Lakshman saw her off at the bus stop and reassured her that he would take care of everything and keep her posted on the various developments.
RANVEER WALKED INTO THE OFFICE on Monday morning, a small scowl on his face. He had still not heard from Chanda and was quite irritated. He knew that her family was important to her and all that. But was she being fair to him?
He thought back on their last meeting. She had cuddled up like a kitten in his arms. What had happened now that she couldn’t call him even once? Or even pick up his call and just say ‘hi’? Ranveer was quite disgusted.
He had forgotten all about his plan to go back to his village, see his family and annul his marriage. That didn’t seem to be the priority just now.
One hour later, he was surprised to see that Chanda was not logged on to the office LAN. His scowl grew heavier as Shikha walked in just then.
“Hi Ranveer, how was your weekend?” she asked, her voice extra cheerful. She had just heard from Parth that Chanda was on leave for a week. That meant that she had Ranveer all to herself. It was one of those Mondays when nothing could go wrong, it seemed.
“I’m kind of busy, Shikha. Did you want something urgent? You can always—”
“Talk to Abhi, I know. That’s what you tell me and I’ve heard you, every time,” said Shikha, quite boldly. In her cheerful mood, she didn’t realise that her boss was feeling anything but. She went to seat herself on the edge of his large table and said, “I don’t need anything. I just came to ask you whether you’re aware that Chanda, you know the kid from that college, is on leave. Don’t quite know about the kids of today. They really think they can get away with anything. In my days as a trainee—”
Ranveer drowned out her voice further as he tried to understand whether he had heard her right. Chanda wasn’t coming to work for how long? He was ready to burst a blood vessel. He got up from his chair and told Shikha sarcastically, “I’m sure with the new week beginning and all that, you do have some work to do. If you can’t find work, do tell me soon. It’ll help me decide whether the company can afford to keep you or not.”
Shikha’s jaw dropped as Ranveer walked out of his office.
Twenty-nine
Desperately seeking privacy, Ranveer went to the conference room that was the furthest away from his cabin. It had a large table in the centre and could accommodate twenty people comfortably at one go. More than anything, it offered him the solitude he sought. It was one of the two rooms that had walls not made of glass. He couldn’t care less if it had been booked by any of his staff. They could always manage to have their meeting in the smaller one at the other end of the office.
He lifted the landline and dialled Abhimanyu’s extension. It lifted on the second ring and Abhi said, “Yes? Abhimanyu here.”
“Abhi, can you come over to the large conference room?” said Ranveer, hanging up immediately. Abhimanyu arrived there in a few seconds. He walked in and closed the door behind him, catching the stormy expression on Ranveer’s face even from afar. When he moved closer, Ranveer indicated that he sit down.
The moment Abhimanyu sat down, Ranveer began, his eyes staring unseeingly at the white board on the wall, “Abhi, we’ve known each other since ten years. I think you’re the only friend I have. I—”
Abhimanyu interrupted to ask softly, “Is something the problem, Ranveer?”
Ranveer turned to look at Abhimanyu and the latter was shocked to see the anger in the younger man’s eyes. “I don’t quite know, Abhi. You’re probably aware that Chanda and I are seeing each other,” he said, on a different tack.
Abhimanyu nodded, waiting for his boss to continue. “Do you by any chance know that Chanda’s on leave this week?”
“No, I didn’t know that. Has she informed you?”
“She told Parth. I got to know about it through—”
“Shikha,” said Abhimanyu, surprising Ranveer. The latter raised an eyebrow questioningly as Abhimanyu said, “I guessed as I noticed that she was in a jubilant mood before she went into your office. Five minutes later, you’re here and obviously upset.”
“Upset’s putting it mildly. I wonder what reason she gave Parth. If it was some major problem, I’m sure she’d have told me.” Ranveer was reassuring himself more than informing Abhimanyu. His very confidence was shaken up on getting the information through Shikha that morning. He had been sure that Chanda was in love with him just as he had fallen for her charms. He had even been ready to go meet his family and set right the wrong in his
past life. Her disappearing like this seemed very strange.
“Do you want me to talk to Parth?” asked Abhimanyu. When Ranveer made no objection, he dialled Parth’s extension and said, “Hi Parth, Abhimanyu here. How was your weekend?” He gave Parth ten seconds to reply before asking, “Do you know why Chanda’s off this week? A family emergency?” Abhimanyu looked at Ranveer as he continued to talk on the phone. “Nothing terrible I hope. Did she sound okay or—.?” Abhimanyu nodded and realising that the other man couldn’t possibly see him, said, “Alright then. Okay, thanks. Catch you during lunch.”
Abhimanyu told Ranveer, “She didn’t sound too upset says Parth.”
Instead of calming Ranveer, the answer appeared to inflame him further. Hot colour ran up his cheeks as he did his best to hold back his temper. Losing it right now was just not fair to Abhimanyu. If Chanda had been in front of him, Ranveer would probably have blasted her. Shikha would have definitely received the boot at that moment.
Abhimanyu watched his friend calmly, not saying a word.
A couple of minutes later, a huge sigh shuddered out of Ranveer. He turned to look at Abhimanyu and asked, “What do you think Abhi? Chanda seemed decent. I thought I could trust her. I—”
“There’s no reason for you to change your mind, Ranveer. Chanda is as decent as they come. Don’t come to any conclusion in a hurry. There’s obviously some kind of a problem. Why don’t you—?”
“Why the hell couldn’t she have called me?” roared Ranveer, getting to his feet in a fury. He wanted to smash something. “I have no pride. I called her, so many times. Her bloody phone’s switched off.” He was totally frustrated and a mite worried, although he didn’t want to admit it even to himself.
The Runaway Bridegroom Page 11