The topic of discussion in Naina's house was only one... the opulence and grandeur of Maheshwari Mansion, more so because it would be Naina's house from tomorrow.
"Waise ladka bhi bada sundar hai... ghar bhi itna uncha hai... fir Naina hi kyon... matlab unhe toh koi bhi sundar aur raees ladki mil sakti thi." One of the ladies said in a low voice.
"O bai, yeh koi rishta thodi hai... iss Naina ne hi phansaya hai uss bhole se ladke ko... mujhe pehle hi pata tha ki yeh ladki koi bada gul khilayegi." Taiji pitched in.
"Aisa kyon keh rahi hain, bhabhiji... Naina toh bechari bohot seedhi si hai... bachpan se dekh rahe hain... usne kabhi bacchon jaisi koi zid ya shararat nahi ki... toh ab aisa kya kar sakti hai... uss ladke ko hi Naina pasand aa gayi hogi." Another lady quipped.
"Lo sun lo... hai kya uss bina shakal surat ki ladki mein jo koi pasand kare." Taiji twisted her mouth.
"Ab jo bhi ho... baat toh yehi hai na ki woh Ahmedabad ke sabse ameer parivaar ki bahu banne jaa rahi hai." First lady said with a tinge of jealousy.
"Parivaar? Arre woh log jo aaj wahan the unmein se koi bhi Sameer ka rishtedaar nahi hai... sab dost the... pata hai, uski maa ne doosri shaadi kar rakhi hai... Dilli mein rehti hai apne doosre pati ke ghar... dekh lo... apne bete ki shaadi tak mein nahi aayi... yun toh uske sautele baap ko bhi aana chahiye tha... suna hai bhai behen bhi hain sautele... par jab maa hi nahi aayi toh koi aur kyon aata." Taiji started to spread venom about Sameer's family.
The ladies listened with interest. Having found appreciative audience, taiji felt more confident.
Adjusting her pallu on the head, she leaned to whisper, "Ho sakta hai ladka hi aisa ho ki maa baap rishta nahi rakhna chahte."
"Apne khud ke bete se kyon rishta nahi rakhegi koi maa?" The second lady wondered aloud.
"O bai, paise wala hai shuru se, koi bada nahi tha ghar mein... socho kitna bigda hua hoga... kisi ne sahi galat sikhaya nahi toh aish ki hogi abhi tak... kya pata Naina se shaadi bhi isliye kar raha ho ki chote ghar ki anaath ladki hai... ek baar le gaya toh kaise bhi karke nibhayegi... aur woh maze se apni aiyashi karta rahega." Taiji showed off her dirty mind.
"Bhabhiji." Bela's loud voice made everyone look up at her.
She stood with a tray of milk glasses... right behind taiji. There was no doubt that she had been a witness to the acrimony that her sister in law had been spreading.
Eyes blazing in indignation, she said with gritted teeth, "Mat bhooliye ki aap iss ghar ke daamaad ke baare mein baat kar rahi hain... meri beti ke hone wale pati ke baare mein agar achha nahi bol sakti toh bura toh kam se kam mat boliye... aur Naina anaath nahi hai... uske toh do do pita hain... aur maa bhi hai... meri beti ke paas poora parivaar hai... iss ghar mein meri beti ki akhiri raat hai, main nahi chahti usse kisi baat se thes pohoche."
"O bai, uss ladki ke peeche ab tu mujhe aankhe dikhayegi... apni jethani ko... badon ka lihaaz bhi bhool gayi kya?" Taiji retorted angrily.
"Aap jiss tarah ki baatein kar rahi hain unse badappan toh bilkul nahi jhalakta." Bela could not stay quiet like always... she had been badly effected by the words taiji had used for both Naina and Sameer.
"Suno zara... aisa kya keh diya maine... jo sabke mann mein hai wohi bola na... jab jodi itni bemel hogi toh baatein banengi hi... kya surkhab ke parr lage hain teri ladli mein... koi baat toh hogi jo yeh ladka apni badi gaadi ke liye aisa purana tyre le jaa raha hai... ab yeh sab aage jaake hi pata chalega... fir mat kehna ki humne badon ka farz nahi nibhaya... tumhe aagah nahi kiya." Taiji rolled her eyes.
