Perfecty Flawed

Ajabdeh pulled her black sweatshirt closer to her body as she put aside the laptop and closed the door of the balcony she had opened. Sitting on the windowsill of the hotel room she is now sharing with Heer for the three-day extravaganza called a “Destination wedding” of her friends, all she could think of was… She frowned at the Document with a few typed words and a blinking cursor waiting for her.

“Urgh… Deadlines!” She slammed the Laptop, making Heer wake up with a frown “Jija?” Ajabdeh looked out and stared out at the grounds below. It’s started to drizzle. The orange and pink drapes made a triangular shape above the round yellow sitting areas on the lawn of the Radisson Blue, where the grand wedding was being held. The wedding planning crew was preparing for the traditional Sangeet and Mehendi. In the evening, this would turn into a stage for the Bollywood-style extravaganza they all were told to practice for. Heer yawned slightly, stretching her arms, then typed her hair up in a bun.

She walked up to give her sister a warm hug “Didn’t you sleep at all?” She sounded worried.

“I need a walk.” Ajabdeh gave her a quick hug back, getting up.

“Now?” Heer frowned. “Don’t be late for breakfast, the Sangeet starts in two hours!”

“Pata hai!” She had put on her sneakers hurriedly and slammed the door behind her. “Just take care of the sangeet decorations while I'm gone.”

“But Jija, your phone!” Heer frowned at the closed door, then at the mess on the windowsill. Pen, scattered papers and the laptop. She shook her head, “Aap bhi na!!”

Pratap was on the jogging tracks, a little away from the destination wedding wing. His headphones played some good music as he walked with his hands in his pockets, pulling his grey sweatshirt chain up. The wind was turning cold with the drizzle. He secretly cursed Jalal and Ruqaiya’s “Romantic” idea of a monsoon wedding. He frowned and stopped at the sight ahead. Ajabdeh was leaning in and patting one of the security dogs as the security man smiled. She was on her knees, on the patchy, muddy ground, in her jeans and sweatshirt, her messy hair dangling out of the hood. He walked up to her, still frowning.

“Good Morning?”

“Urgh.” She got up, brushed the dirt off and faced him, “Bad Morning, Princy!”

“Still struggling with the ending?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Don’t ask.” She rolled her eyes. “Sarr fata jaa raha hai mera!!!!”

“I know something that can help.” He flashed a smile as she frowned at him.

Heer was dressed in a floral day dress for breakfast while she stood in the grounds and overlooked the decorations.

“Stop it.” She had startled the man on the ladder, putting flower garlands on the drapes. “What are you doing?”

“I was told to decorate with flowers, madam.” He sounded confused.

“Yes, I know, but… we specifically told golden yellow marigolds?” Heer frowned.

“What is the issue, Heer?” Ruqaiya rushed to her side in an elegant white and golden Kaftan. Maan followed in tow.

“Aree Aapa, remember we ordered golden yellow marigolds!” Heer pointed at the decorations.

Ruqaiya looked almost hysterical. “Where are my marigolds? These are orange. Can’t anything be perfect in this wedding?” Heer realised her mistake the moment Ruqaiya started panicking. “Where is Ajabdeh?”

“Aapa, you go along, I will check it out.” She assured.

“Haan Haan Bhabhijaan, we will see to it.” Maan pushed Ruqs towards the mothers, sitting on the other end of the lawn, drinking their morning tea. Shakti smiled at a rather puzzled Heer looking after the wedding decorations and decided to help her.

“There have to be flower vases for the centre table.” He reminded the Wedding Planner.

“Don’t worry, sir, everything will be done.” She assured. “Just as Miss Punwar told us.”

“Yeh, acha hai.” They turned to see Bairam Khan coming back from his morning walk rituals with a supporting stick in hand “You two are practising for your siblings' wedding.” He patted Shakti with a slight laugh as Heer smiled and looked around “Where are they?” making Shakti and Heer look at each other, then at Jalal and Shallavan at a distance. There was no sign of Pratap either.

“Thank You, Chotu.” Ajabdeh took the steaming clay Matka of tea from the child’s steel plate on the roadside tea stall.

“Than kus Didi”, made her smile, “Welcome.” She corrected him.

“Welcome!” The child blushed slightly at her smile

“Aww. Go on.”

The drizzle had stopped, and the sun was out as she blew lightly on the brewing cup of tea. Pratap put his purse back in his pocket as he turned to see her talking with the child and smiled slightly. He walked up to them and took his cup from the boy with a smile, “Thank you.”

“His name is Chotu.” Ajabdeh interrupted.

“Welcome, Sa’ab," He grinned and walked away, making music on his now-empty plate.

“So…” Pratap sipped on the tea and sat down on the bench beside her, “Feeling better?”

“A little” Ajabdeh flashed a smile “Dhanyavaad.” She laughed at his funny face at that.

“I hope the wedding frenzy gets over soon.” His words made her frown.

“Why? This is like THE DREAM!! Best friend ki shadi hai yaar!” She nudged him with a laugh.

“I still dunno why Jalal called him.” He murmured under his breath, looking away from her and taking another sip.

“Kisko?” She frowned and gave him a push “Tell me!!”

“Shallavan!” He stared at her as she looked amused “He’s … he’s…”

“A friend?” Ajabdeh raised her eyebrows.

“Maan likes him.” He looked away, shaking his head as though that was the worst thing he could ever say.

“What?” Ajabdeh smiled, amused, then giggled, making him frown “That’s great!”

He frowned some more, now facing her. “Are you kidding me? What’s so great about that guy impressing my sister? Flirt!”

“Ohho!” Ajabdeh smirked with a hint of taunt, “Now someone has issues with someone else being a flirt?” made him stared at her, “I like that guy.” She was amused as he frowned at her.

“Of course. You like him! But Maan….”

“Princy, look, let me explain!” She placed her cup down between them and waved her hands to explain.

“Why should I look?” He frowned and sulked like a kid.

“ Maan is a kid. We have been through her age, and it's all normal. To crush on people, especially at weddings. After this wedding is over, they will go their separate ways. I think you are overthinking just because it is your sister.”

“Accha?” He looked annoyed at no one being really bothered as he is, “If this were Heer and not Maan, would you be saying the same thing?” He knew the moment he said that he was going to pay heavily for it as Ajabdeh’s smile vanished.

“I suppose we are getting late, Kunwar Pratap.” She got up, leaving her tea unfinished. “MY sister must be waiting for me.” He hurriedly gulped his remaining tea down as she had already stopped an auto and would leave him behind if he didn’t hurry.

“Radisson Blue Bhaiya!” He had managed to squeeze into the auto just in time. She looked away at the streets and people, humming a tune. The gates of the hotel arrived, and Ajabdeh promptly walked away while he paid the fare.

The breakfast was a very organised affair in the restaurant of the Hotel, as everyone sat around at tables of four. Ajabdeh sat between Heer and Maan at the round table to be joined by Jalal before Pratap could reach them. The two girls were discussing jewellery when Jalal noticed Ajabdeh nibbling at her sandwich. He nudged Heer slightly in a gesture to ask, and Heer cleared her throat.

“So Bhaijaan, I loved the saree, Jija, today's theme is red and gold for the sangeet, and we will be wearing lavender for the dances?”

Maan stopped at her cornflakes because of Ajabdeh’s lack of response.

“Jija?” Heer shook her hand “Are you even listening?”

“Haan? Haan. Haan.” Ajabdeh nodded in agreement.

“ Bhaijaan, our clothes are lovely.” Maan smiled, “Mine is a Pink and Red Kurti Lehenga with beautiful golden embroidery.”

“Jija didn’t see hers yet, it’s a golden lehenga with a red boat-necked choli, I kept both of ours in the cupboard. Aapa’s bridal Sharara is so pretty.” Heer stopped as Ajabdeh got up.

“Excuse me, guys, I…Have some work to finish.” She walked away as Jalal stared back at Pratap, watching her go.

“She is a little troubled with the deadlines”, Heer inferred.

Jalal had dragged Pratap out to the lounge for a talk.

“Tell me what happened.”

“What happened?” Pratap frowned.

“With Ajabdeh.” Jalal narrowed his eyes at him “If you two are going to ruin it again this time, I swear I am not going to…”

“I may have said something…” Pratap shrugged sheepishly, “I didn’t mean to, I swear!”

“Where is your Ranima?” Jalal looked around the room.

“What? Come on, bro! Are you going to complain to her now?” Pratap raised his eyebrows as Jalal walked away from him “Listen to me, I will sort it!”

The third knock on the door was probably the loudest as Ajabdeh rushed out of the bathroom to open it, and she stood there, surprised. She was in her lehenga, and her choli, still untied from the back, her hair let loose and no makeup or jewellery. She assumed it was Heer, coming to get ready and also help her do her makeup, but at her threshold stood someone she didn’t expect.

“Ranima.” She smiled, looking around for her dupatta. “Please come in.”

“Ajabdeh beta, let me help you with that.” Jaivanta had closed the door behind her and made Ajabdeh sit in front of the full-view mirror. Ajabdeh couldn’t help but notice how elegant the queen looked in her lemon-yellow saree teamed with a golden embroidered maroon velvet blouse and a stunning pearl set. She chose a necklace from the ones the girls had brought with them and placed it on her neck.

“Perfect”, Jaivanta smiled. “Heer was overlooking the decorations with Shakti one last time, so I thought you may need some help”

“I am glad you came, Ranima.” Ajabdeh smiled at her through the mirror.

“What about these earrings?” She pointed out a pair.

“Those seem fine”, Ajabdeh shrugged.

“Are you fine?” Jaivanta’s question made her look up at her with a giveaway shock.

“Ranima I…” She looked away.

“Pratap didn’t send me here, Ajabdeh, Jalal did. He knew you were not okay, so will you tell me what’s wrong?”

“Ranima. I dunno.” She shook her head as she moved from the chair to the bed. “I … have so many things running on my mind…”

“Like?”

“Like a deadline… There shouldn’t be a deadline on things,” she shrugged.

Jaivanta patted her head gently with a smile, “I know you will handle that. Anything else?”

Silence filled the room as Jaivanta sat beside Ajabdeh, taking her hand in her own.

“ Ranima.” She seemed distant “Did you ever feel that I am not treating you or Shakti as a family?” Jaivanta caressed her hands in hers with a smile, “Never. In fact, no one can ever say Ajabdeh Punwar doesn’t treat them like family. You treat everyone like you know them forever, and that is what I like the most about you, Ajab.”

“But then…” She moistened her lips with her tongue and looked away.

“Let me tell you something today. You know why a girl leaves her home and everything behind, and not the men?” Jaivanta made her look up and shake her head.

“Because, as much as they try, they can never make any place, any situation or any person they are favourable to or call home. A woman finds it easier to adapt to people and places. And they will never understand how you treat everyone equally because they can’t.” Jaivanta smiled at her, “Am I sounding feminist?” Ajabdeh smiled.

“You see, Ajabdeh, Pratap sees Heer as your sister, or Shakti’s fiancée. So from his point of view, he assumes you see Maan as his sister. I guess he understood he was wrong. But God knows when this child of mine will learn to apologise.” Jaivanta stared at Ajabdeh's frown.

“He told you…”

“No, Jalal did.” Jaivanta smiled, “And I thought I should tell you not to fear treating people wrongly. You are doing great.” Ajabdeh smiled, hugging Jaivanta as she whispered, “Now get ready quickly.” The knock on the door and a peep from Heer made Jaivanta say, “We are done here. Get ready and come down for the sangeet and mehendi beta”

“Yes, Ranima”, Heer smiled as Jaivanta left.

Udai Singh and Bairam Khan were reliving old memories of his wedding with Jaivanta and sharing a few laughs over drinks when Dheer walked into her eyes searching for Udai Singh, who immediately looked away, making Bairam wave at Dheer, “Here!”

“Have you seen Kunwar Pratap? I am looking for him everywhere.” Dheer smiled.

“You look so pretty.” Bairam made her blush as Udai shook his head. “There! He pointed at the door, Pratap. Go on”

The boys had decided to hit the poolside while the ladies celebrated their Traditional Sangeet and Mehendi. There was no work for them until tonight, and it was a good opportunity to relax. Pratap, however, sat on his deck chair with his drink, his hawk eyes on Shallavan, who was enjoying a good swim with the sun out. Pratap noticed the girls around the poolside were noticing Shallavan’s nicely sculptured body, and he enjoyed the attention.

“Arrogant.” He murmured under his breath.

“Dadabhai, Dheer Bua has been looking for you”, Shakti called him.

“For me?” He frowned “Why?” Shakti shrugged cluelessly.

The ladies had gathered around the nicely decorated lawn area. The bride beamed the prettiest in her heavily embroidered red sharara and sat in the middle while three ladies did her bridal mehendi. In one corner were the ladies with the dhol singing traditional songs while the married women were decked in yellow and the maidens in shades of red. Heer was watching Maan and a few other girls dancing to the dholak, while Ajabdeh sat beside Ruqs, admiring her mehendi.

“How are you?” Ruqs smiled as she stuck out her tongue “It's time I ask you that, Bridezilla!”

“Ajab!” Ruqs scolded as she smirked, “You can’t even move with this Mehendi”

“Accha beta!” Ruqs looked around, then smiled at Hansa Mausi “Don't you think Ajab should apply Mehendi too?”

“Ha Zaroor.” Hansa smiled at Jaivanta, who added, “She should practice sitting for it patiently.”

“What? Nahi.” Ajabdeh tried in vain to get up as Heer pushed her back to her seat, and one of the ladies started with her hand, “Just a little, please”, she pleaded as Ruqs and Heer shared a laugh.

Pratap raised his eyebrows at Dheer “What happened, Bua?”

“I don’t know what your parents saw in Ajabdeh, but I…”

“Bua, I don’t know why you are saying this to me, and it is of no use…” Pratap cut her short as Dheer frowned.

“I know you are concerned, Bua, but trust me, she is ….”He stopped as Dheer frowned, “She is the best I could get.” He smiled half a smile as Dheer left him in the garden alone.

The evening stage had a grand gold and silver decoration with a lot of mirrors and floral setups. A stage with a projector was set up in one corner with rows of chairs neatly arranged on round tables with placards. In a lavender printed skirt and a pink crop top with fashion silver junk jewellery, and hair in waves, Ajabdeh was busy overseeing the light setup and sound check. Heer, in her comfortable indigo cocktail Anarkali dress, helped Maan fix her messy bun to complement her off-shoulder blouse and violet saree. Ruqkaiya sat pretty in her Sabyasachi Udaipur collection floral printed saree and the best traditional Kundan jewelery. The men chose blue. While Jalal wore a bandh Gala sherwani with silver embroidery on Midnight blue, Pratap looked handsome in a deep blue semi-formal suit teamed with a lavender shirt. Shakti wore a navy blue waistcoat and bow tie, while Shallavan decided to go traditional with a sky blue kurta pyjama.

After a round of couples and children dancing, it was time for the bride’s friends’ performance, and Shakti had decided to help the Punwar sisters on this one, as they needed more people.

Munda thoda.. offbeat hai, Par kudiya de naal.. bohat sweet hai. Ajabdeh smirked at Jalal, who shrugged and made Ruqs laugh. Dhongi sa ye bada dheeth hai Viral hogya ye Tweet. Heer and Shakti had joined Ajabdeh on stage as the family smiled. Par Phool wool karne mein cool, Tu badi tezz katari hai, Shagan teri ki, lagan teri ki Humne kardi taiyari hai. Ajabdeh had dragged Ruqs to join them. Nachde ne saare ral-mil ke, Aaj hil-dul ke. Le saare ke saare nazare Khasma nu khaane! Pratap stared in shock as Maan dragged in Shallavan, and no one even noticed he was not dancing. Hallu bade karaar Karam na laalu bade karaar Chadh chadh ke chaubaar Karam naal sweetu aaja maar Everyone circled around Ruqaiya and Jalal.

Munde plenty mere layi hogaye senti O tere layi hogaye senti Tere layi hogaye senti Ajabdeh was up on the bar, and Dheer looked like she had just had the biggest shock of her life. Tere liye main set hoon Iss baat ki guarantee! A rather shocked Pratap saw everyone, including his parents, stare at him while Ajabdeh twirled, smiling at him.

Par Phool wool karne mein cool Tu badi tezz katari hai Shagan teri ki, lagan teri ki Humne kardi tayaari hai Shakti was up at the bar to join her as Dheer gave her daughter a don’t you dare look! Sehra bandh, tujhe kood-faand Tujhe le jaana iss baari hai Nachde ne saare …. Pratap noticed as everyone went in rounds, Maan and Shallavan were sharing smiles and dancing together. That made his blood boil as he was about to walk up to them and almost reached for Shallavan, he was pulled by the hand and forced to turn as he faced Ajabdeh in the crowd with a rather shocked look, “Don't you dare!” She warned and walked away as he stood there.

“ Now, Kunwar Pratap, something for your best friend?” Hakim smiled at him as everyone clapped. “I… haven’t… actually…” Before he could speak anymore, Jalal took the mic from Hakim with a smile. “In school, we all used to take guitar lessons; this one, however, had the best voice. He will sing.”

“What?” Pratap raised his eyebrows as Shakti dragged him to the stage. “C’mon, Pratap.” Jalal whispered, “For someone, maybe?” He handed Pratap the mic as he stared at the eager faces in the crowd, hers smiling beside his mother.

“Umm… it’s an old song… umm…” He cleared his throat.

“Na Jaane … na jaane na jaane kaha se ayi hai…. “Made Shakti and Heer share an amused smile “Na jaane kaha se ayi hai, woh jaane kaha se ayi hai… kabhi kabhi mujhe deewani lage, kabhi kabhi mujhe anjaani lage, kabhi kabhi hawa ki ravani lage, kabhi kabhi gulo ki kahani lage… “

Everyone clapped in rhythm with “Pyar ki hai isko jaldi, dil yeh apna leke chaldi, behki behki ulti seedhi, aise leheraye jaise hawa mein ure hai khusboo…Aasmaan se Jannato ka Noor Layi hai…”

“Apology accepted.” That was the first thing he had heard from her since morning.

It was way past midnight, and people had retired to their rooms for the day, as the next day was the Haldi rasam. Ajabdeh had been instructing the Planner on the last-minute changes of décor, and Pratap decided to stick by with excuses of losing his key card in the lawn.

Now, with a glass of wine each, they were sitting on the stage set up, her feet dangling as she stared at the night sky and repeated “Apology accepted.”

“I didn’t…” Pratap decided it was best to not talk about it. “ What if Maan is serious about…”

“I will talk to her.” Ajabdeh shook her head, “Happy?”

“You will?” Pratap suddenly remembered Dheer Bua’s words, “Umm… be a little careful… Bua….”

“I will deal with it.” Ajabdeh’s smirk scared him as he asked in a shaking voice, “What?”

Ajabdeh giggled at his face and shook her head “Good night, I have an early morning appointment with KB”

“Wait.”He had managed to stop her. “Did you get your ending?” Ajabdeh smiled at him.

“You will know when the book is out.”

“That’s unfair.” Pratap sulked as she took out her note app

“Okay, just a line.”

“Done.” He smiled.
“ Choices are when you know you are flawed in your own ways, but fit into each other and oversee them. Choices are treating each other as one perfectly flawed individual instead of a flawed one. ” She looked up at him for a reaction as Pratap smiled and pulled her into an embrace.