Chapter 13

Rudra saw their faces for the first time. Rajeev Mehra and Poonam Mehra.

It looked as if being part of America has not touched them in anyway.  They looked quite Indian. Doting parents of Myrah. There was a warmth in their eyes when they were talking to Myrah. Rudra was still standing away from the laptop. He heard Rajeev Mehra asking,” Where is your boy ?” Rudra was surprised that the Mehras wanted to see Dhruv first. Dhruv must be fast asleep by now. The children were so exhausted after all the drama earlier in the day. Maybe Rajeev Mehra did not remember the time difference between USA and India. Hence his interest to see Dhruv at this point of time. He was about to voice his hesitation to wake Dhruv up in the middle of the night when Myrah came near him and pulled his hand and took him near the laptop.

“Here Dad, this is Rudra.” It took Rudra a couple of minutes to register that Myrah’s father had addressed Rudra himself as the “boy”. And he was caught unawares and could only mumble a feeble “Namaste” to the Mehras. Then Rudra saw the change in expression. In Rajeev’s face. There was clear unhappiness in his face. A subtle change for any normal person to observe. But for the ex-Major who was taught to read face expressions – it was enough. Clearly Mr Mehra was not happy with what he saw on his monitor. “Hello” – Rajeev responded rather curtly.

“Hello Beta” came the joyous reply from Myrah’s mom. No dislike, no disapproval. Only acceptance. Half the battle is won, thought Rudra.

“Rudra, these are my parents. The dashing Rajeev Mehra and the beautiful Poonam Mehra. The beeeeeeessssssssssst parents in this whole world.“ said Myrah happily stretching her hands to indicate the world. Her world.

 

Rudra could see a little bit of apprehension on Myrah’s face. About how this first meeting will go. And that made Rudra a little nervous too. Rudra of the past was never bothered about creating a good impression on anybody. But now he is a changed man. And his Paro and their love are at stake. He did not want to start on a wrong foot with Myrah’s parents.

“Hello Sir. Hello Madam” Rudra mumbled again. His BSD circle always made him address strangers as Sir and Madam. “ What rubbish. Beta, call us Mom and Dad. We are not your clients.” pat came Poonam Mehra’s reply. “ Haan Rudra. They are going to be your parents too.”

“Haan. Par.......” Rudra was not sure what to say. Mom and Dad ? Kaise ? Pehle Kisiko bhi Aise Angrezi Mein..

Myrah could sense his hesitation. Maybe he is not happy with the English words. “ What do you call parents ? Haan Baapusa and Maasa. You can call them that.” Myrah suggested

“OK” Rudra agreed. He just wanted to get over this addressing procedures. If the starting itself is so lengthy how is he going to survive the knowing them and mingling with them part ?

Rudra could not help remembering the way he first met Paro’s only relative. Her Mamisa. In the middle of a big crowd in the village while he dragged Paro and taunted and goaded Mamisa to identify Paro. So that he could find Paro guilty by association !!

 

Chapter 12

 

Rudra’s POV

 

We need to start the wedding preparations now, Myrah. Though you are my legally wedded wife. In a way it will be good to take you through a dream wedding than the one I put you though the last time. Thank GOD for small mercies.

So we move inside the haveli. Rohit comes downstairs. He has already changed out of his sherwani into his usual T shirt and jeans. He smiles at Myrah reassuringly, and I feel that sudden pang of jealousy again. Rohit has been a very good friend to my Paro for the last seven years. She has shared things with him that I will never know about. He can read her feelings in her eyes, he can feel her emotions.

But no, I have no reason to feel jealous, I should not feel jealous. Paro is mine. She fell in love with me all over again, not even knowing who she is, even after having changed so much. She lived away for the last seven years, she learned so much, she changed from my loving, gentle Paro to fiery, feisty Myrah, who is capable of anything. It’s as though she took a new birth. Yet she never fell in love with Rohit all these years. She fell in love with me only. She came back to India after so many years, and she fell in love with me, not knowing we were already married. This means that we – she and I – are meant to be. Always. For this birth and through the next seven births.

What did Paro always say to me? Destiny, Major Saab. From the time we met as children, you were meant for me and I was meant for you.

Paro was right. She always is.

So if she smiles at Rohit, it doesn’t matter. Paro has enough love in her heart for the world. While for me … for me, my world is Paro and only Paro. And of course Dhruv, my jigar ka tukda, my ansh, the part of me who carries Paro inside him too.

But why is Myrah talking to Rohit so seriously? What are they discussing? Damn my family, they are all talking at the tops of their voices, and Dhruv chooses this moment to tug at my shirt with a thousand questions on whether Myrah will really be his mummy and live with us for ever and ever. I can’t even join their conversation, or hear anything they’re saying … I have to answer him, as Myrah is too busy talking to Rohit.

What are they talking about?

The scene – as it is.

The pandit was looking more and more confused at the change of bridegroom and was becoming noticeably irritated at the delay in the proceedings. He interrupted the loud discussions among the Ranawats with annoyance in his tone.

‘Yajmaan, what is going on here? The mahurat is long gone, and I have other ceremonies to perform. Is there going to be a wedding here or not?’  

 ‘Yes,’ said Rudra loudly, just as Myrah equally loudly, said ‘No.’

Rudra glared at her.

‘Myrah?! You can’t change your mind again!’

Myrah smiled at him.

‘I haven’t changed my mind at all, Rudra. I’ve just been talking to Rohit. He spoke to my parents in the meantime, and they are obviously very upset at the change in plan. It is only fair that I talk to them and put them at ease. Get their blessings at least over skype. So we will have to wait.’

She turned to the panditji and spoke with her usual charming smile, which calmed him down completely.

‘I’m sorry to waste your time, panditji. There will be no wedding for now. But rest assured we will be calling you again very soon. Do accept our apologies. You must have understood the circumstances so please forgive us.’

The pandit taken care of and safely dispatched, Myrah turned to Rudra.

‘Rohit says my parents would like to speak to you. They are waiting on Skype.’

Rudra wasn’t very sure what Skype was, but he agreed. 

Myrah, Rohit and Rudra went to Myrah’s room, and Rohit connected to Myrah’s parents. Between Myrah and Rohit, they spoke to her parents, who were visibly upset at the change in plans, and even more so, at the change in bridegroom. Myrah and Rohit took turns at talking to them, trying to convince them, and Rudra sat in a corner and listened to the conversation. Again he felt the feeling he had had earlier, of feeling left out in this new world that Myrah lived in.

Not Myrah. Paro. His Paro. He had to keep reminding hmself that this modern laughing, confident girl was really his Paro. And that she loved him, and he loved her. 

Chapter 11

RR through our eyes (Chapter 11)

From Rudra’s POV –

God also has strange ways of teaching us lessons. But he also shows us the way out. And I am hoping that he shows me a way out of this mess which I created – a mess I created then by convincing you, Paro, to break your promise and the one I created now by not able to convince you,Paro, to break your promise.

But I know the extent of love you feel for me as Myrah. God himself made me realize this when you pushed me out of the danger which was going to crash down on me. The way you threw yourself on me and went crazy with worry was enough to make me understand that though you may not remember your past. You may not have belief in my love like Paro. But you will love me just the same way.

 

In spite of all this you were not ready to call off your wedding with Rohit. You were still adamant to not hurt him. Rohit is not as clueless as you think Myrah. He had got your video message. He was just goading me to express my love to you – by proposing to you knowing very well that I was around. By asking me very relevant questions while I was acting drunk and then walking out at the right time so that I could confess to you. By advancing the wedding date to tomorrow so that you will realize your love for me and agree to cancel the wedding. He knew this all along. He told me yesterday once you ran to you room after saving me from the chandelier. He has also informed his and your parents quite some time back. Hence the absence of all of them. How did you miss this point Myrah ? You know him so well. How did you not know that he will never go against your wish ? He just wants you to confess it in person to him. He wants to make sure you take the right step. On your own. He clearly also let me know that he will never let this marriage happen – if turns out that you still decide to go ahead with it. He is a true friend Myrah. I have also told him everything except the fact that you are Paro. He also has not seen your earlier photos. I was not sure whether he will believe me if he had seen them. So I decided to keep quiet on that part.

 

Between the two of us we decided that it is better that I leave the haveli so that I do not put further pressure on you. Please come around for me Myrah. I have changed. I am not the old Rudra either. Did I not take the step and confess my love to you ? Not once but twice ? Did I not leave the letter for you so that you will miss me ? Did I not make you again feel how you will manage without me when I picked up your lehenga ? Did I not come to you in the night and run my hands in your hair ? And that chain Paro. Hope you like it and have a faint remembrance. This is the one I had wanted to buy for you along with the butterfly earrings. The earrings which you would like and this one from my side. But I never gave you this gift due to all the drama which happened that Karvachauth. I knew you had seen this gift as I saw the wrapper opened much later. After you left. Hope you remember the chain.

More than everything I hope God helps me here. Makes you cancel your wedding with Rohit. At least you agree to stay back with me and Dhruv.

I am now driving away from you Paro. And I have your Rudraksh with me. I failed you Paro. You wanted me to pursue you and find love and keep you. I tried but I failed. Now isn’t it fair that you also do your bit ? And stay back ? What if you don’t succumb to your heart ? And decide to go ahead with the wedding. But Rohit will stop it. He promised. I wonder whether I can trust him. Did I make a grave mistake ? By believing him and leaving you behind ? You haven’t even called me yet. Oh what have I done ? Paro tere liye, I have to come back. I cannot just wait anymore for you.

Rohit’s POV

How much more time should I put up with this charade ? To act as if none of my senses are working ?

As if I have not seen Rudra while proposing to Myrah

As if I did not plan the entire act

As if I did not goad Rudra to talk about his pain and love

As if I got a call when I knew very well Rudra will confess

As if I never saw the concern and love Myrah felt for Rudra

Myrah, when will you come running to me to repeat the lines you left for me in the video message ? Why are you still hesitating ? I want to just hear it from you babe. So that I can be sure this is what you want. That you want to marry Rudra.

You know I already had a long discussion with Rudra. I am convinced that he loves you. From the bottom of his heart. So please Myrah realize your own love for him and cancel our wedding. I have promised your parents and mine that I will never make you do anything against your wish. Please do not make me cancel the wedding. Do it yourself. For your sake. For Rudra’s. And mine.

And here you are. Thank God. Myrah, I am fine. Please go after your love. Bring him back and get married to him. I wish you all the best. I will remain your friend always. Your best friend.

The only thing I do not understand is how did Rudra get those edited pictures of yours ? With him. Well maybe love makes people do strange things.

From Rudra’s POV –

Oh Myrah. Why are you running out like that and straight into my car. Tumhe Kuch Ho Jaata To. Oh my love. Why are you crying ? I have no intention of letting you go. Never will. Shhhhh, see I have come back for you. You don’t have to tell me why you stopped the wedding. I know. I know that you love me. And I love you too. Dhruv, this is not Myrah. This is your mummy. And that is the only thing I can tell you now. The rudraksh is finally back where it belongs. Paro, we will be together. Always. You , me and Dhruv.

We need to start the wedding preparations now Myrah. Though you are my legally wedded wife. In a way it will be good to take you through a dream wedding than the one I put you through last time. Thank GOD for small mercies.

 

(to be continued..........)