O Meri Laila

|| 9 ||

The venue hired for the evening was a typical hall meant for these type of functions. With a raised platform, at one end overlooking about hundred chairs set up in rows. Two red and gold chairs, vaguely resembling some thrones, were placed towards the back the podium, also covered with a red carpet. The wall behind draped with white satin, was partially covered with strings of orange and yellow marigolds interwoven with mango leaves. A thermocol Ganesha decorated with glittering golden paper was stuck in the middle of the wall. As per Payal's wishes, two large brass pots filled huge bunches of fresh red and white Gladiolus were placed on either side of the two chairs.

The numerous strings of fairy lights, hung on all the walls, were currently switched off.

"Amol, uss wiring wale ko bol ek baar jara woh diwali lights bhi on karke check kar le." Pandit instructed one of Sameer's cousin.

Confusion clouding his eyes, the young lad blurted "Diwali lights?? Abhi kyu Pandit bhaiya?!"

"Aare... yeh jo lights ki malaye taangi hai... humare building mein toh Diwali ke liye wahi lagate hai!" Pandit impatiently waved around.

Nodding vigorously, Amol rushed to carry out the task delegated to him.

As Sameer approached him, Pandit asked "Munna se baat huyi??"

"Nahi, aur uske factory pe phone kiya toh pata chala abhi bhi client ke sath baitha hai."

"Koi baat nahi... hum sab hai yaha. Aur waise bhi saari tayari ho hi gayi hai. Thodi der pehele catarer se pocha toh keh raha tha ke rasoi ka setup thik se ho gaya hai. Aur kuch karna hai toh bol mujhe." Pandit assured him that everything was under control.

Sameer smiled "Thanks yaar! Papa aur Mamaji thodi der main aa rahe honge. " Suddenly recalling something, he exclaimed " Aare saari hadbad mein tujhe bolna hi bhool gaya! Preeti ka telegram aaya aaj subhe. Rohan bhaiya ke like congratulations ka."

Eyes gleaming with excitement, Pandit started interrogating him "Aur tu mujhe abhi bata raha hai! Kaisi hai Preeti? Kab aa rahi hai? Mere liye koi message bheja hai?" His friend muttered "Telegram bheja hai... khat thodehi bheja hai... bus do line hai best wishes ki."

When Pandit's face morphed into a deflated balloon, Sameer patted his back "Telegram aaya hai... toh letter bhi bheja hoga... mil jayega kuch dinon mein."

Just then Santosh accompanied by two of Payal's cousins, called from the entrance of the hall "Sameer, inn donon ko cold drink wale ke paas bhej raha hu. List mein kuch aur add karna hai?"

As Sameer walked away to review the list, Pandit ran a hand through the thick mop on his head, his frustration growing tenfold. And his uneasiness too. As per him, Preeti's continued silence could mean only one thing. There was something weighing down on her mind. Something that she couldn't share with him. For, their pen friendships had started with one simple rule. That every word shared be written in truth. No ink would ever be wasted on half-truths or a shade of truth designed to veil the truth.

His curved into a nostalgic smile, recalling the summer when he had first met the seventeen year old from Canada with a brilliant smile. The sort of smile that could easily sell millions of Colgate!

* * *

About four and half years ago.

"This is Naina's cousin, Preeti, from Canada. My friends – Munna and Pandit." Sameer carried out the introductions, standing outside the gate of Nirmala Niwas, when the duo had dropped by.

After few moments of silence, Munna muttered "Hi... how are you?" When Preeti beamed "I am fine. Naina has already told me so much about you!" A slightly horrified Pandit turned to Naina "Kya bola tune isse humare baare mein? Milne se pehele hi pura impression kharab kar diya hoga!"