Chapter 26

RR through our eyes (Chapter 26)

 

No edits from Mano this week too. Wishing her a speedy recovery

 

 

Rudra waited for the Mehras to come down. So that he can get their go ahead before proceeding for work. He waited till 8:30 am. Dhruv and Koel already had left for the school with Sumer. The Mehras were still asleep. Were they really tired ? Or were they avoiding him ? Did they realise this is not their daughter ? Or are they just feeling fatigue due to the flood of information they received from him ? Oh so many questions. The answers still eluded him.

 

He was still in two minds when Paro walked in smiling at him and saying, “Breakfast is ready. We can eat.”

 

“What about your parents ?”

 

“Oh, they are still sleeping. I just checked on them. Looks like they are at peace after you asked for my hand yesterday. And are able to sleep peacefully “ she gave him a sly smile.

 

Rudra smiled too. But it did not reach his eyes. He was still not sure whether to take a day off from work. But then the call made the decision on his behalf. His team got wind of the news of a dead body found a few villages away. They had some photos of the body. But it was not possible to identify the person. Except that it was of a young girl. The inspector concerned was ready to divulge more info if Rudra met him personally. He had to leave.

 

He had his break fast. And just before leaving he looked back at Paro who was standing near the door. He wanted to say many things to her. About herself. About how her parents might have found out about her being Paro. About how much he missed her all these years. How afraid he is of her parents next step. How much he is looking forward to get married to her again so that nobody can force her to go away from him. More importantly not to leave him ever. But words failed him. All he could do was to lift his hand and touch her face. To look at her with all the love in the world. As if she understood his dilemma she smiled at him and told him,“ Be careful Rudra. And come back fast. I will be waiting for you. And don’t worry about Mom and Dad. I am sure they are impressed with you. They will give their blessings and we can get married soon. You have no escape from me.”  This time Rudra’s smile reached his eyes.

Mehras got up more than an hour later. And that too after Myrah woke them up. She could see sadness in their faces.

 

“Did you go to sleep quite late ? It is almost 10 o’clock. If you don’t get up now it will be difficult to beat the jet lag tonight also.”

 

Poonam murmured something to the effect that they feel so tired. That the journey was quite long.

 

Though Myrah had many questions to ask she thought it better to voice them after her parents had their food. Only by noon could she get hold of both of them again.

 

“Is everything okay ? You both seem to be a little low today. Is it because of the conversation you had with Rudra ?”

 

“No my child. It was not the conversation. We are just tired. That is all.”

Poonam replied.

 

“So you have agreed to give your blessings ? Rudra told me he asked for my hand. “

 

Inspite of the heavy feeling of loss he felt Rajeev could not help smiling. “ If he said that he has a unique sense of humor. He never asked for your hand. He told us he loves you. And that we should give our blessings. The guy has some attitude. No wonder you fell for him.”

 

“I knew you will like him. He is so cool. And brave. A good man at heart. A little short tempered. But very genuine. And loving.  You know, I feel we are destined to be together. I feel a connection with him. As if we are meeting again after ages. They way you talk about partners for seven births – remember ? “

 

Mehras noticed the changes in her daughter’s face when she said this. A slight blush on her cheeks. A dreamy look in her eyes. A shyness which they never saw in her before. For a few seconds it was as if Myrah forgot that she was not alone. And when she realised she looked at her parents sheepishly.

 

Mehras were happy for Myrah. They had had a long conversation early morning. It was time to bury the past. Bringing it up now, restoring the past to present will only mean lot of heartburns and sorrow for all involved. It is better to let the death and the accompanied guilt remain buried. They had a doubt all these years whether their daughter is still alive. But they had a hope that she was. Yesterday night proved it beyond doubt that they have lost their daughter - forever.  The only consolation for them will be that she had a good life before she passed away. She was happy and contented.  There is nothing more anybody can do now. Life has to go on. And the Mehras decided to move forward too by giving their blessings to the wedding. After all the bride and the groom love each other deeply. And they are meant to be together.

 

But secrets have a life of their own. We cannot decide whether we will bury it or not. There maybe circumstances which will bring out the truth. Maynot be in the open but at least in a closed circle. And that is what happened in the evening when the visitors landed in the haveli – unannounced.

 

The couple had come to visit the Ranawats after more than a year. Rudra had talked to them about him getting married again. And that Myrah looks just like Paro. He had told the husband that Myrah is Paro. After all the husband was quite trustworthy. The wife was trust worthy too but Rudra had asked the husband to keep this a secret. Yes, it is the lovely and dashing couple – Gitanjali and Singh Sir.

 

 

The whole Ranawat family was so happy to receive them. They visited the haveli in the evening. Inspite of knowing the similarities between Paro and Myrah, Gitanjali was taken aback. Myrah liked the couple.  Mrs Singh who was quite talkative. And Singh Sir who was quite quiet. Very similar to her own parents. Myrah was bombarded with so many questions from Gitanjali about how she and Rudra met. Who proposed to whom first. When they decided to get married. The questions kept on coming........Myrah liked Gitanjali. And also Singh Sir. Some people you like them at the first instant itself. And these two – particularly Gitanjali was one such person as far as Myrah was concerned.  Over the next half hour Maithili and Shatabdi moved to the kitchen to bring in the Chai and snacks. And Gitanjali being the BSD officer’s wife had a suspicion whether Myrah is indeed Paro. The questioning went in this direction.

 

“Paro ?” This was to check whether Myrah responded with a “Yes ?”

 

Myrah looked back hearing Paro’s name. “Paro ? You knew Paro ?” Oh well that trick did not work.

 

“ Yes I have met her a couple of times”

 

“I hear a lot about her from everybody. She was quite loved by all.”

 

“ Yes. I am yet to meet a more beautiful person.”

 

“Sometimes I wish I had met her. I hear so much about her”

 

“I am sure you are loved by all too. You are a sweet person as well. I can see that.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Do you like Imli ?”

 

“Yes I love it. You too love it – right ? With salt separately ? ”

 

“Exactly. How did you know ?” That sounded suspicious.

 

“Just guessed. “

 

“Do you wear saree ? Or Indian dresses ? I am just asking. You look beautiful in these western clothes too.”

 

“No I rarely wear saree.”

 

“You should. Am sure Rudra will love to see his love in a saree. “

 

“Hmm.. I will. Thank you. “

 

“And make sure you make him dance with you while you are wearing a saree. He is such a great dancer. He may not agree to the suggestion. But make sure he does. You two will make a great pair“

 

“Oh I never knew. Thanks for mentioning it. “

 

“He never danced with you before ? “

 

“ Well sort of. A couple of steps. But he was drunk. And it was before he ....”

 

“Yes ?”

 

“Well before he confessed his love. “

 

“Hmmmmmm. Just like Rudra. A couple of drinks and he will tell you all the secrets. “

 

“Particularly if it is bottoms up.”

 

“Where did that one come from ?” Is she paro ? If yes, does she know it ? Is she acting ?

 

Before more investigation could be done Rudra arrived.

 

Quite some pleasantries later Gitanjali asked him, “ Rudra , was yours love at first sight with her ?”

 

“No Mam. It was not. I actually ran........”

 

“Liar... who kept looking back while going away from me ? Your uncle ?”

 

All the others burst out laughing.

 

Gitanjali would have loved to continue the discussion but Kakusa intercepted and mentioned that Myrah’s parents are here. And they introduced them to the Singhs. Once the introductions were Poonam and Gitanjali kept looking at each other.

 

“Gitu ? Tu ? Itne Saal Baad ?” Poonam finally burst out.

 

“Poonam ? Wohi Toh. I was wondering where I have met you before. “

 

Then they clarified the situation to the others. They were both in the same college. And had even kept in touch after Poonam’s wedding and a few months after that. Almost till Gitanjali got married and left to Assam.  The marriage which Poonam could not attend as it was a week after her delivery. Then they lost contact and are meeting each other now. Small world – it is.

 

“It is so good to meet you Poonam after so many years.  How are your  ....?”

 

Poonam kept a restraining hand on Gitanjali. Who having known her friend many years knew that as a signal to stop. And she did not finish the question.

 

“My brothers are fine. And they are in Lucknow now. Running their business.”

 

The answer was in no way related

to the question Gitanjali was about to ask.