Ajabdeh had never felt so much of contrasting emotions as she did today. One month had passed since the time her mother was at her worst and to her relief, she was improving. Jaivanta Singh Songara kept her promise and visited her old friend every day. Although Hansa didn’t yet recognise her daughters she assumed they were her well-wishers and talked to them whenever they walked into her room. Heer had aced her examinations and had taken up a paid internship trying in her own way to help Ajabdeh as much as she could. Rukaiya took care of the corporate events and Ajabdeh did the weddings in an attempt to split up and earn more. Despite all the contacts both Jalal and Pratap had been kind enough to provide the money was not enough. Amid this conflicting emotion, Ajabdeh had to dress up and smile at the various wedding parties she organised. This one was Nandini’s.
As Ajabdeh had reached the venue as early as 5.30AM in the morning hoping to get on with the preparations alongside the decorating team, she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. Turning she saw Nandini, in a sweatshirt, looking as though she hadn’t slept all night.
“You are awake so early?” Ajabdeh forced a smile “Or did we wake you? Don’t mind us, your mother said...”
“There is something I want to talk to you about. Can we?” Nandini asked unsurely. Ajabdeh looked confused and nodded. Nandini led her to the furthest corner of the lawn of the Songara mansion away from the men at work and spoke to her.
It was about 8AM when the guests started arriving. The Sisodiyas were one of the first to arrive and Shakti was the first to walk up to Ajabdeh and enquire about her mother’s health. As the ladies sat down on the lawn meant for the Haldi ceremony and the young girls hovered around the bride, Pratap carefully avoided the eyes of his father who was busy mingling with old men showing off their assets and sat down at the bar.
“Why, it’s Mr Singh again!” Jacob smiled at the familiar face “The usual?” He shook his head.
“Maybe later.” He smiled “Thank you.”
His eyes immediately searched the crowd. He was too busy a man to accompany his mother to the hospital but guilty that he barely rang up Ajabdeh to enquire about the situation post that day. Truth be said, he felt awkward. Shakti was better with these conversations. He did the needful in pushing a few contacts and references her way to boost her business but that was it. As much as he admired the fact that Ajabdeh had refused monetary help, he thought it was also foolish of her because no way could she get the money on time. He looked around hoping to find her and ask about her mother. He spotted her with the bride, talking in whispers before the bride walked up to meet his mother.
He watched Ajabdeh look at her watch and nervously dial a number.
“Is everything fine?” His words made her jump as she fumbled “Yes.. yes... it’s the umm... flowers... excuse me?” She walked away making him frown. He observed Nandini looking visibly tense and Ajabdeh coming back towards the ladies.
“It’s time.” She said, “Come with me, Ma’am.”
“Where to?” Nandini’s mother interrupted before she got up, ready to leave with Ajabdeh.
“The makeup studio.” Ajabdeh reminded her “I will accompany her.”
“Okay.” Nandini’s mother gave her daughter a glance “Don’t lose sight of her.” Her words made Pratap frown a little. Ajabdeh nodded readily.
“Wait!” Pratap was in time to stop the ladies as they were about to get into a car. “I will come with you.”
“To the makeup studio?” Ajabdeh’s brows shot up.
“Dadabhai what will you do there? You will be bored.” Nandini spoke, exchanging a glance with Ajabdeh and Pratap took the keys and dismissed the driver. “Come on.” His words made a reluctant bride sit beside him as Ajabdeh occupied the back seat.
After the car was comfortably cruising through the expressway, right after a toll plaza, Pratap stopped the car making the girls look at each other.
“What’s going on?” He asked as the girls looked clueless. “I know something is up.”
“What?” Nandini let out a nervous chuckle. “We are going to the ...” Pratap stared at her coldly making her stop. He then looked through the rearview mirror at Ajabdeh who sighed.
“Tell him.” Her words made Nandini turn pale.
“Tell me what?” He asked.
“I... I am in love with someone else.” As the words came out of Nandini’s mouth Pratap looked at her and at Ajabdeh. “Why did you say yes to this then?”
“I didn’t, I was forced to. We are just meeting...” Nandini spoke as her eyes filled up “One last time.” Ajabdeh nodded. “Please don’t stop me Dadabhai. I told Ajabdeh this morning, and she also didn’t know...”
“So where is this boyfriend of yours from?” He asked as the girls exchanged a glance. “She is from... Australia...” Pratap stared at his cousin a little wide-eyed. “I... I’m...”
“She is into girls. There is nothing to be ashamed of in your choices, Nandini.” The voice of authority came from the back seat.
“My parents just heard that the lover is not Indian and they lost it, blackmailed me and didn’t let me tell them that I... if they find out...”
“Are you out of your mind?” Pratap looked at his cousin “Don’t go ahead with this wedding!” Ajabdeh was taken by surprise at his words. She expected him to be conservative-minded and have an issue with her sexuality.
“I can’t do anything. It’s too late.” Nandini shook her head, hiding her face with her palms.
“No, it is not.” Pratap shook his head. “We will meet her and we will go back to the mansion with her. I will talk to Mausi.”
“Or....” Ajabdeh interrupted “We can talk to the groom to cancel the wedding.” Nandini nodded “That sounds better.”
“Well let’s go meet her now.” Pratap agreed. “But what if the groom disagrees to cooperate?” He asked no one in particular.
On any other day, Ajabdeh would have promptly replied with what was on her head. But she kept her mouth shut. Pratap shook his head and continued to drive as silence filled the car once again.
When Nandini hugged Laura, Ajabdeh couldn’t help but smile. These little moments made her job worth living for. She sighed at the sight as Pratap walked up beside her.
“You didn’t answer.” He said in a monotonous tone.
“What was the question?” Ajabdeh seemed lost.
“What if the groom doesn’t cooperate?” he asked again.
“Then I guess you talk to the family like you said you will.” She shrugged. He shook his head.
“They will never accept her for who she is.” After a moment of silence, Ajabdeh looked up at him as he turned to her and their eyes met. For a brief moment, Ajabdeh felt that she could read his thoughts, or perhaps he hers. Or perhaps, they were thinking the same thing?
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