" Mausi Kaki kaise bann gayi?" Amar frowned at his parents as Ajabde and Pratap looked at each other. Amar who always had a good ear had heard Heer's mention more than once on the engagement issue from various sources and had asked Aarchi. Aarchi was smart enough to get it out of Chaks and inform Amar who was now utterly confused. He decided to go to the only two people who could answer him now.
Pratap got up from the couch and immediately got busy with a file clearly indicating to Ajabde that it was her turn to explain. Ajabde made Amar sit on her lap as she caressed his hair.
" Woh kya hai na ke Mausi Kakasa ko itna pasand ayi ke woh Kaki bann gayi."
" Hein?" Amar still looked confused as Pratap frowned at Ajabde.
" Yeh kya bole jaa rahi ho tum?" He interrupted.
" Toh tum bolo. Bolo. Bolo." She urged.
" Umm... woh Kakasa aur Mausi ki shadi fix hui na toh..." Amar decided that Ranima's explanation was better. Papa always complicated things beyond his understanding. He interrupted asking,
" Toh kya Papa ko bhi Ranima pasand ayi?"
That made Ajabde look wide-eyed at the boy as Pratap smiled amused.
" Ayi na... agar nahi aati toh aj Ranima Aunty ji hoti." He chuckled.
" Hein... aisa thodi hota hai, tabh to Amar hi nahi..." Ajabde started as Pratap stopped her.
" Tumse bacche ke samne kisine biology ki gyaan mangi? Nahi na?!" He took Amar's hand and knelt to his height.
" Meri baat dhyaan se suno Amar, you will NOT take Kakasa's name in front of Mausi kal until the Sagaai is over."
" Aisa kyun?"
" Kyunki we will surprise Mausi."
" Yay, surprise."
" Hush." Amar nodded before hugging them goodnight as Ajabde excitedly blabbered on about the Sagaai the next day that Pratap decided to act like listening to while he worked.
The dawn saw Hansa's house in a mess as People ran here and there, someone lost jewellery while someone misplaced a key. Everyone was in a hurry to reach the temple. Ajabde drove up to the porch in Black Beauty with Amar and reminded him of the Dos and Don'ts once again. Amar was in a plum-coloured suit much "like Papa is in office" to his utter happiness. He even had a tie with it. Ajab was in an all-royal avatar as she decided to enjoy this wedding like never before. Her whitish golden embroidered lehenga had a Fushcia choli and a baby pink dupatta. Her hair was made into a fishtail braid to flaunt her long hair and she wore the traditional necklace, maangtika and nosering as per the traditions with her gold bangles. Her Payal was the one Pratap gifted a few days ago on karvachaut.
She entered the house and laughed at the scene as people were running helter-skelter and even bumping into each other. Mahek and Rohan who decided to stay back and extend their holidays till the wedding stopped annoyed at the perfectly dressed Ajabde as Mahek searched her phone and Rohan his purse.
" Ayi dekho Kuwaranisa." Mahek smiled taunting. Amar rushed to Rohan as Ajabde indicated to him not to let Amar go out of his sight hence, to Heer.
Ajabde entered her old bedroom as Heer sat in an aqua-blue lehenga with Maroon borders and a red dupatta. She smiled at how pretty Heer looked but there was a sign of irritation on her face.
" Nahi ma." She stopped her mother from putting on another Sitahaar over her neckpiece. "I have worn enough."
" Aree beta sagaai roz roz thodi..."
" Mera mann nahi hai." Rajlaxmi saw Ajabde come in and left the room.
" Jaso, yeh bangles utar do heavy hai," Heer complained.
" Aree aree, nahi." Ajabde stopped her. " You look perfect." Her hand reached to adjust the maangtika.
" Chalo ladkiyaan time ho gaya hai," Hansa called.
Ajabde was about to pull Heer up when she got up all by herself and her eyes twinkled. She hugged a taken-aback Ajabde. Ajabde patted her little sister's head and whispered,
" Jo hota hai acche ke liye hota hai. Remember that!" She smiled a little guilty. Surprise ke chakkar mein bohot pareshaaan... Her thoughts were cut off by a familiar sound. The sounds of Heer's Payal, as she walked away with Jaso and Asha, were... exactly... like hers. A smile curved her face. Love is worth all this and more... Shit Ajabde you are acting weird and emotional. She nodded her head before following Heer.
Heer entered the mandir, flocked by people as she could only sense the havan kund in the middle from behind her dupatta. Shakti sat in an aqua blue Jodhpuri Sherwani with cream pants and a maroon pagri as per the traditions with the royal brooch. Ajabde walked ahead of Heer and winked at Shakti n her way in as all eyes were on her. Everyone smiled as Pratap shook his head. He was made to wear a baby pink suit by Ranima much to his annoyance. Shakti's heart was beating fast and his eyes were fixed at the door. The last thing he wanted was for her to see him and run away. All night he had thought out the worst possible reactions out of Heer but still, his heart hoped and prayed he was wrong. Ajabde joined Pratap who looked at her up and down as she frowned " Kya?"
" Main dekh raha hoon."
" Kya?"
" Kisiko kitna pink pehenna aata hai."
" Pink." She giggled pointing at him as he stared at her to make her stop.
" Aj sab speciman lag rahe hai!" Amar declared glaring at his parents.
" Speci... Ajabde, why do you teach him all these?" Pratap frowed as Ajabde corrected.
" Specimens Amar! Bade log aise hi hote hai."
Shakti saw her, well all of her except her face as she walked into the mandir with all eyes on her. The sound of her Payal made him sigh inwardly as a smile curved his face. She chose to wear my gift.
Heer had no intention or will to look up and check on the groom. They would all be the same to her. They were not the ones she could love. They were.... she looked up from behind her veil and thought she was dreaming. It was a pleasant dream she never wanted to wake up from. But... But... Heer was utterly confused. The rasm was going on, Panditji was doing the pujas, and she stared at everyone visible to her, Pratap and Ajabde, Ranaji, Ranisa, Choti Ranisa, and Bade Kunwarsa all were so happy. Her own parents were talking with Shakti's. But how? Was it another cruel joke they were playing or was it all real? For a moment Heer felt like she would scream, then she was all blank, especially after seeing his nervous smile.
" Jaso." She whispered beside her.
" Ji Jija?"
" Call Ajabde Jija to me."
Ajabde took a deep breath and put up a smile as she sat behind Heer asking " Kya hua?"
" Kya hua? Jija aap jante hai..."
" Tum khush ho na?" Ajabde smiled.
" Lekin, yeh... kaise...."
" Woh tum fursat se Shakti se pooch lena, ab mujhe bohot kaam hai bye!" Heer kept staring at Ajabde walk away. She decided to take things as they come, with a shy smile.
Shakti was looking at his bride scared and nervous. He didn't know the kind of reaction she would give. Moreover, what irritated him most apart from the fact that they were in a crowd sitting together yet couldn't talk was the fact that he couldn't read her covered face. One look at her eyes could give him some temporary relief. He knew the " Talk" was somewhere shortly and he anticipated as well as dreaded it. He decided to take things as they come with a nervous smile.
Amar was playing in Ajabde's room that evening. He insisted on staying with Heer Mausi and refused to call her Kakisa much to Ajabde's happiness and Pratap's dismay. He was busy with his Hotwheels collection as Heer was undoing her jewellery. Everyone else was downstairs unwrapping her gifts. She had excused herself with Amar's help as he nagged her to go upstairs with him. Ajabde had left Amar repeatedly instructing everyone to get him to the Palace by 8 so that he didn't trouble the early morning Mehendi rasms. Heer looked at Amar playing and asked awkwardly,
" Kakasa ne kuch kaha kya?"
" Kaha na..."
" Kya?"
" Amar mujhe taang maat karo aj mera masti ka mood nahi hai."
" Kab kaha?" She frowned. Was he being forced...
" Subah."
Heer smiled and shook her head,
" Main evening ki puch rahi thi."
" Aapko milna hai unse?" Amar's question made Heer skip a heartbeat.
" Kya? Nahi... Nahi..."
" Waise unhone evening ko pond ke paas jaenge bola tha..." Amar thought aloud. " Haan! Last mein bye bolke wohi bola tha!" He smiled.
" Kya?" Heer's eyes widened. " Amar hum... hum dono walk pe chale?"
" Yay walk... kaha jaenge?"
" Pond ke paas, tumhe ducks pasand hai na.... waha evening ko they rest."
" Yay chaliye na chaliye Mausi. Abhi Chaliye."
" Kapde to badalne do." Heer nervously hurried to change. She dreaded this meeting but wanted it more. Something told her so, did he.
Shakti was at the pond side, hoping and praying his little minion remembered his words and told the right person at the right time. He didn't have the guts to call her there himself, still scared of her reactions. Her Payal made him turn as Amar hugged " Kakasaaa!" and replied back to Heer " Told you he will be here." That made Heer go all red and Shakti all pale.
" Woh main...." Heer started as Shakti turned to Amar.
" Minion, dekho jaake kitne ducks hai."
" Paani ke paas maat jana." Heer added scared watching Amar run.
" Actually I..."
" Apka problem kya hai?"
" Kya?" He looked surprised.
" Nahi aapko kuch problem hai. Aap aate ho, chale jaate ho, jab baat karni hoti hai aap nahi karte jab mann hota gaana gaa lete ho... apka ..." Heer went on narrowing her eyes.
" Tum meri amanat kisi aur ko saupne chali thi, toh maine le liya." He cut her words as she stared stunned.
" Aap... aap samajhte kya ho apne aapko? Aapko kya lagta hai main... main....itni serious hoon ke main... apke liye intezaar karti? Uske liye jisne roka bhi nahi?"
" To tum itne saal bin behaye kar kya rahi thi?" He asked a little amused.
" Woh mera choice tha!"
" Accha? Toh yeh mera choice hai."
" Hum aapse shaadi nahi kar sakte."
" Tumhe nahi lagta ke sagaai ke baad yeh bolna thoda der..."
" Hum mile kal aapse aapne hum ko jaan bujh ke andhere mein rakha, you tricked me!"
" Ohh bol deta to kar leti shadi bina tamasha kiye?" Shakti was angry.
" Tamasha? Aapne toh wohi banake choda mera." She was in tears.
"Ajabde, let's go back, hum elders hai this is so wrong!" Pratap tried in vain from behind the bush he was forced to hide in, by his wife who was listening to the conversation she was waiting for.
" Hush, tumhe jana hai tum jao."
" Ab kaise jau bina unko darshan diye." He shook his head. " You should have been a detective. Tumne Shakti ko follow kiya, aur usse pata tak nahi chala." He was amused as she stared making him stop.
" I love you," Shakti spoke up determined looking into her eyes.
" Jhut bol rahe hai aap." She replied scared to believe what she heard.
" You know what problem mujhme nahi, tum mein hai, tum pehle se soch chuki ho ke main ek bhot bura ladka hoon aur mujhe kabhi pyar nahi ho sakta. Sab mazak hai, mera intezaar, mera pyar, mera commitment." His eyes teared up as his voice choked.
" Aap London ke badde log hai, bhala Bijolia ki ek sadharan ladki aapko pasand aye aisa kaise ho sakta hai?"
" Jab se I met you I didn't like another girl and you were making memories!"
" Kyun karte aap mujh jaisi ladki se pyaar?"
" Kyunki tum pyaar ke liye bani ho, tumse toh koi flirt kar bhi nahi sakta."
Heer looked at his face stunned. The next moment she was hugging him tightly as her tears fell free and he hugged her back, wiping away his own.
" Yay!" Ajabde was so happy that she hugged Pratap who was surprised by his wife.
" Kya kar rahi ho khuli garden mein?"
" Biwi hoon!" She smiled. " Chalo unke samne chalke..."
" No No NO!" he protested.
" Thik hai... phir?" Ajabde asked confused.
" Phir Yay! Mubarak ho, we did it!" He hugged her back as she struggled,
" Chodo, we nahi I , Mrs Ajabde Pratap Singh, Kuwarani of Surajgarh did it." She flaunted.
" How dare you make me cry like this on my engagement? Yeh baat kal bhi ho sakti thi na!" Heer frowned giving Shakti a playful punch as he smiled.
" Toh, are you ready to be Mrs Shakti Singh ya ap ko new memories banani hai ab?"
" Banani hai saath saath." She smiled.
" Amar kaha hai?" They said together looking around.
Amar Singh was counting the ducks until they started moving. It confused him as sometimes they were ten and sometimes eight. He decided to leave the ducks and go roaming in the adjacent garden. While looking for flowers Amar saw Ranima's dupatta. He was delighted that she was there to take him home from this boring walk but then frowned as he saw Papa hug Ranima. And Amar thought Papa loved him most!
" Aap kya kar rahe hai? Aap mujhse pyaar nahi karte?" Amar's voice broke them apart as they looked stunned. Before they could react Amar was actually shouting,
" Papa mujhse pyaar nahi karte."
" Hush," they said in vain.
Hearing Amar's voice Heer and Shakti followed it and were taken aback to see Pratap, Ajabde they expected but Pratap!
" Hum walk pe aye!" Ajabde smiled holding Pratap's upper arm!
" Hum bhi aye thee walk pe!" Amar jumped up. Then remembered it again.
" Papa Ranima ko yaha hug kar rahe thee."
Heer and Shakti inhaled to control their laughter as they shared an amused glance Pratap looked a little embarrassed and Ajabde picked up her kid saying
" Chalo Sone."
" But Ranima am hungry." Amar frowned at being picked up.
" Toh Chalo khaane."
" Nani ke ghar?"
" Nahi Mahal!"
Pratap offered to drop Heer home as Shakti followed Ajabde and Amar amused at their conversation about how birds fly using magic.
Pratap and Ajabde were sitting with the Event Manager's catalogue. There was so much to do and so little time.
" Theme wedding Jodha Akbar!" Ajabde concluded.
" Ab bolo Cinderella! Kya bakwas!" Pratap laughed.
" Neons!" She pointed at the colour palette.
" Brown and Gold." He replied.
" Meri choice." She narrowed her eyes at him.
" Mera Bhai." He smiled.
" Mera Devaar Meri Behen." She pointed at him.
" Aur Meri Tum!" He took her hand and they started laughing.
" Hush!" Came a noise from the open door as they looked up to see a sleepy-eyed Amar.
" Aap dono ke liye nini tut gayi." He frowned. " I l complaint Dadisa."
" Come here, baby!" Ajabde got up to take him to sleep while Pratap smiled and returned to the catalogues.
Pratap got up from the couch and immediately got busy with a file clearly indicating to Ajabde that it was her turn to explain. Ajabde made Amar sit on her lap as she caressed his hair.
" Woh kya hai na ke Mausi Kakasa ko itna pasand ayi ke woh Kaki bann gayi."
" Hein?" Amar still looked confused as Pratap frowned at Ajabde.
" Yeh kya bole jaa rahi ho tum?" He interrupted.
" Toh tum bolo. Bolo. Bolo." She urged.
" Umm... woh Kakasa aur Mausi ki shadi fix hui na toh..." Amar decided that Ranima's explanation was better. Papa always complicated things beyond his understanding. He interrupted asking,
" Toh kya Papa ko bhi Ranima pasand ayi?"
That made Ajabde look wide-eyed at the boy as Pratap smiled amused.
" Ayi na... agar nahi aati toh aj Ranima Aunty ji hoti." He chuckled.
" Hein... aisa thodi hota hai, tabh to Amar hi nahi..." Ajabde started as Pratap stopped her.
" Tumse bacche ke samne kisine biology ki gyaan mangi? Nahi na?!" He took Amar's hand and knelt to his height.
" Meri baat dhyaan se suno Amar, you will NOT take Kakasa's name in front of Mausi kal until the Sagaai is over."
" Aisa kyun?"
" Kyunki we will surprise Mausi."
" Yay, surprise."
" Hush." Amar nodded before hugging them goodnight as Ajabde excitedly blabbered on about the Sagaai the next day that Pratap decided to act like listening to while he worked.
The dawn saw Hansa's house in a mess as People ran here and there, someone lost jewellery while someone misplaced a key. Everyone was in a hurry to reach the temple. Ajabde drove up to the porch in Black Beauty with Amar and reminded him of the Dos and Don'ts once again. Amar was in a plum-coloured suit much "like Papa is in office" to his utter happiness. He even had a tie with it. Ajab was in an all-royal avatar as she decided to enjoy this wedding like never before. Her whitish golden embroidered lehenga had a Fushcia choli and a baby pink dupatta. Her hair was made into a fishtail braid to flaunt her long hair and she wore the traditional necklace, maangtika and nosering as per the traditions with her gold bangles. Her Payal was the one Pratap gifted a few days ago on karvachaut.
She entered the house and laughed at the scene as people were running helter-skelter and even bumping into each other. Mahek and Rohan who decided to stay back and extend their holidays till the wedding stopped annoyed at the perfectly dressed Ajabde as Mahek searched her phone and Rohan his purse.
" Ayi dekho Kuwaranisa." Mahek smiled taunting. Amar rushed to Rohan as Ajabde indicated to him not to let Amar go out of his sight hence, to Heer.
Ajabde entered her old bedroom as Heer sat in an aqua-blue lehenga with Maroon borders and a red dupatta. She smiled at how pretty Heer looked but there was a sign of irritation on her face.
" Nahi ma." She stopped her mother from putting on another Sitahaar over her neckpiece. "I have worn enough."
" Aree beta sagaai roz roz thodi..."
" Mera mann nahi hai." Rajlaxmi saw Ajabde come in and left the room.
" Jaso, yeh bangles utar do heavy hai," Heer complained.
" Aree aree, nahi." Ajabde stopped her. " You look perfect." Her hand reached to adjust the maangtika.
" Chalo ladkiyaan time ho gaya hai," Hansa called.
Ajabde was about to pull Heer up when she got up all by herself and her eyes twinkled. She hugged a taken-aback Ajabde. Ajabde patted her little sister's head and whispered,
" Jo hota hai acche ke liye hota hai. Remember that!" She smiled a little guilty. Surprise ke chakkar mein bohot pareshaaan... Her thoughts were cut off by a familiar sound. The sounds of Heer's Payal, as she walked away with Jaso and Asha, were... exactly... like hers. A smile curved her face. Love is worth all this and more... Shit Ajabde you are acting weird and emotional. She nodded her head before following Heer.
Heer entered the mandir, flocked by people as she could only sense the havan kund in the middle from behind her dupatta. Shakti sat in an aqua blue Jodhpuri Sherwani with cream pants and a maroon pagri as per the traditions with the royal brooch. Ajabde walked ahead of Heer and winked at Shakti n her way in as all eyes were on her. Everyone smiled as Pratap shook his head. He was made to wear a baby pink suit by Ranima much to his annoyance. Shakti's heart was beating fast and his eyes were fixed at the door. The last thing he wanted was for her to see him and run away. All night he had thought out the worst possible reactions out of Heer but still, his heart hoped and prayed he was wrong. Ajabde joined Pratap who looked at her up and down as she frowned " Kya?"
" Main dekh raha hoon."
" Kya?"
" Kisiko kitna pink pehenna aata hai."
" Pink." She giggled pointing at him as he stared at her to make her stop.
" Aj sab speciman lag rahe hai!" Amar declared glaring at his parents.
" Speci... Ajabde, why do you teach him all these?" Pratap frowed as Ajabde corrected.
" Specimens Amar! Bade log aise hi hote hai."
Shakti saw her, well all of her except her face as she walked into the mandir with all eyes on her. The sound of her Payal made him sigh inwardly as a smile curved his face. She chose to wear my gift.
Heer had no intention or will to look up and check on the groom. They would all be the same to her. They were not the ones she could love. They were.... she looked up from behind her veil and thought she was dreaming. It was a pleasant dream she never wanted to wake up from. But... But... Heer was utterly confused. The rasm was going on, Panditji was doing the pujas, and she stared at everyone visible to her, Pratap and Ajabde, Ranaji, Ranisa, Choti Ranisa, and Bade Kunwarsa all were so happy. Her own parents were talking with Shakti's. But how? Was it another cruel joke they were playing or was it all real? For a moment Heer felt like she would scream, then she was all blank, especially after seeing his nervous smile.
" Jaso." She whispered beside her.
" Ji Jija?"
" Call Ajabde Jija to me."
Ajabde took a deep breath and put up a smile as she sat behind Heer asking " Kya hua?"
" Kya hua? Jija aap jante hai..."
" Tum khush ho na?" Ajabde smiled.
" Lekin, yeh... kaise...."
" Woh tum fursat se Shakti se pooch lena, ab mujhe bohot kaam hai bye!" Heer kept staring at Ajabde walk away. She decided to take things as they come, with a shy smile.
Shakti was looking at his bride scared and nervous. He didn't know the kind of reaction she would give. Moreover, what irritated him most apart from the fact that they were in a crowd sitting together yet couldn't talk was the fact that he couldn't read her covered face. One look at her eyes could give him some temporary relief. He knew the " Talk" was somewhere shortly and he anticipated as well as dreaded it. He decided to take things as they come with a nervous smile.
Amar was playing in Ajabde's room that evening. He insisted on staying with Heer Mausi and refused to call her Kakisa much to Ajabde's happiness and Pratap's dismay. He was busy with his Hotwheels collection as Heer was undoing her jewellery. Everyone else was downstairs unwrapping her gifts. She had excused herself with Amar's help as he nagged her to go upstairs with him. Ajabde had left Amar repeatedly instructing everyone to get him to the Palace by 8 so that he didn't trouble the early morning Mehendi rasms. Heer looked at Amar playing and asked awkwardly,
" Kakasa ne kuch kaha kya?"
" Kaha na..."
" Kya?"
" Amar mujhe taang maat karo aj mera masti ka mood nahi hai."
" Kab kaha?" She frowned. Was he being forced...
" Subah."
Heer smiled and shook her head,
" Main evening ki puch rahi thi."
" Aapko milna hai unse?" Amar's question made Heer skip a heartbeat.
" Kya? Nahi... Nahi..."
" Waise unhone evening ko pond ke paas jaenge bola tha..." Amar thought aloud. " Haan! Last mein bye bolke wohi bola tha!" He smiled.
" Kya?" Heer's eyes widened. " Amar hum... hum dono walk pe chale?"
" Yay walk... kaha jaenge?"
" Pond ke paas, tumhe ducks pasand hai na.... waha evening ko they rest."
" Yay chaliye na chaliye Mausi. Abhi Chaliye."
" Kapde to badalne do." Heer nervously hurried to change. She dreaded this meeting but wanted it more. Something told her so, did he.
Shakti was at the pond side, hoping and praying his little minion remembered his words and told the right person at the right time. He didn't have the guts to call her there himself, still scared of her reactions. Her Payal made him turn as Amar hugged " Kakasaaa!" and replied back to Heer " Told you he will be here." That made Heer go all red and Shakti all pale.
" Woh main...." Heer started as Shakti turned to Amar.
" Minion, dekho jaake kitne ducks hai."
" Paani ke paas maat jana." Heer added scared watching Amar run.
" Actually I..."
" Apka problem kya hai?"
" Kya?" He looked surprised.
" Nahi aapko kuch problem hai. Aap aate ho, chale jaate ho, jab baat karni hoti hai aap nahi karte jab mann hota gaana gaa lete ho... apka ..." Heer went on narrowing her eyes.
" Tum meri amanat kisi aur ko saupne chali thi, toh maine le liya." He cut her words as she stared stunned.
" Aap... aap samajhte kya ho apne aapko? Aapko kya lagta hai main... main....itni serious hoon ke main... apke liye intezaar karti? Uske liye jisne roka bhi nahi?"
" To tum itne saal bin behaye kar kya rahi thi?" He asked a little amused.
" Woh mera choice tha!"
" Accha? Toh yeh mera choice hai."
" Hum aapse shaadi nahi kar sakte."
" Tumhe nahi lagta ke sagaai ke baad yeh bolna thoda der..."
" Hum mile kal aapse aapne hum ko jaan bujh ke andhere mein rakha, you tricked me!"
" Ohh bol deta to kar leti shadi bina tamasha kiye?" Shakti was angry.
" Tamasha? Aapne toh wohi banake choda mera." She was in tears.
"Ajabde, let's go back, hum elders hai this is so wrong!" Pratap tried in vain from behind the bush he was forced to hide in, by his wife who was listening to the conversation she was waiting for.
" Hush, tumhe jana hai tum jao."
" Ab kaise jau bina unko darshan diye." He shook his head. " You should have been a detective. Tumne Shakti ko follow kiya, aur usse pata tak nahi chala." He was amused as she stared making him stop.
" I love you," Shakti spoke up determined looking into her eyes.
" Jhut bol rahe hai aap." She replied scared to believe what she heard.
" You know what problem mujhme nahi, tum mein hai, tum pehle se soch chuki ho ke main ek bhot bura ladka hoon aur mujhe kabhi pyar nahi ho sakta. Sab mazak hai, mera intezaar, mera pyar, mera commitment." His eyes teared up as his voice choked.
" Aap London ke badde log hai, bhala Bijolia ki ek sadharan ladki aapko pasand aye aisa kaise ho sakta hai?"
" Jab se I met you I didn't like another girl and you were making memories!"
" Kyun karte aap mujh jaisi ladki se pyaar?"
" Kyunki tum pyaar ke liye bani ho, tumse toh koi flirt kar bhi nahi sakta."
Heer looked at his face stunned. The next moment she was hugging him tightly as her tears fell free and he hugged her back, wiping away his own.
" Yay!" Ajabde was so happy that she hugged Pratap who was surprised by his wife.
" Kya kar rahi ho khuli garden mein?"
" Biwi hoon!" She smiled. " Chalo unke samne chalke..."
" No No NO!" he protested.
" Thik hai... phir?" Ajabde asked confused.
" Phir Yay! Mubarak ho, we did it!" He hugged her back as she struggled,
" Chodo, we nahi I , Mrs Ajabde Pratap Singh, Kuwarani of Surajgarh did it." She flaunted.
" How dare you make me cry like this on my engagement? Yeh baat kal bhi ho sakti thi na!" Heer frowned giving Shakti a playful punch as he smiled.
" Toh, are you ready to be Mrs Shakti Singh ya ap ko new memories banani hai ab?"
" Banani hai saath saath." She smiled.
" Amar kaha hai?" They said together looking around.
Amar Singh was counting the ducks until they started moving. It confused him as sometimes they were ten and sometimes eight. He decided to leave the ducks and go roaming in the adjacent garden. While looking for flowers Amar saw Ranima's dupatta. He was delighted that she was there to take him home from this boring walk but then frowned as he saw Papa hug Ranima. And Amar thought Papa loved him most!
" Aap kya kar rahe hai? Aap mujhse pyaar nahi karte?" Amar's voice broke them apart as they looked stunned. Before they could react Amar was actually shouting,
" Papa mujhse pyaar nahi karte."
" Hush," they said in vain.
Hearing Amar's voice Heer and Shakti followed it and were taken aback to see Pratap, Ajabde they expected but Pratap!
" Hum walk pe aye!" Ajabde smiled holding Pratap's upper arm!
" Hum bhi aye thee walk pe!" Amar jumped up. Then remembered it again.
" Papa Ranima ko yaha hug kar rahe thee."
Heer and Shakti inhaled to control their laughter as they shared an amused glance Pratap looked a little embarrassed and Ajabde picked up her kid saying
" Chalo Sone."
" But Ranima am hungry." Amar frowned at being picked up.
" Toh Chalo khaane."
" Nani ke ghar?"
" Nahi Mahal!"
Pratap offered to drop Heer home as Shakti followed Ajabde and Amar amused at their conversation about how birds fly using magic.
Pratap and Ajabde were sitting with the Event Manager's catalogue. There was so much to do and so little time.
" Theme wedding Jodha Akbar!" Ajabde concluded.
" Ab bolo Cinderella! Kya bakwas!" Pratap laughed.
" Neons!" She pointed at the colour palette.
" Brown and Gold." He replied.
" Meri choice." She narrowed her eyes at him.
" Mera Bhai." He smiled.
" Mera Devaar Meri Behen." She pointed at him.
" Aur Meri Tum!" He took her hand and they started laughing.
" Hush!" Came a noise from the open door as they looked up to see a sleepy-eyed Amar.
" Aap dono ke liye nini tut gayi." He frowned. " I l complaint Dadisa."
" Come here, baby!" Ajabde got up to take him to sleep while Pratap smiled and returned to the catalogues.
