Sidharth stands in front of his Dad's photo.
"I don't know Dad, if I am doing the right thing or not. I couldn't see him in pain. I am not worried about me. I am prepared for the worst. I just hope she behaves well with Ma. "
"Dad, this is a big decision for me that will change just everything. Give me the strength to face all circumstances. Just be there for me."
"Sid!"
Sidharth turns to find his three musketeers standing at the door. They come in and Ryan puts his hand on his shoulder.
"Sid, are you sure about this? Suicide is a sin! You go to hell for that."
Rohan says,"Seriously, Ryan? How can you make fun of the situation?"
Sidharth removes his hand, "Isse kya padi hai? It's my life after all."
Ryan smiles and gives out a deep breath, he says,"I am sorry. But I feel frustrated as I can't really do anything. You shouldn't be doing this. You should be living a life not always sacrificing for others. I hate it when you keep doing it with that goody boy smile."
Sidharth presses his shoulder,"I am alright."
Ryan shakes his head,"No yaar. This is not done. Why do you care for someone whom you hardly know? If he lives or dies, why do you care? "
"You know, I do. This is how I am. I can't change suddenly."
Ryan says,"Listen, you go out through the back door. I will get you tickets to.. hmm.. Goa. Yes. Go and enjoy for a few days. Here I will tell everyone, you left for some urgent work. No, even better, I will say you were kidnapped.."
"And why would anyone kidnap me? What about Ma and Shini?Who will look after them? And my job?"
"Right. Yes! I will tell everyone that they mistook you for me and kidnapped you. And job, well I will invest and we can start something, an architectural firm maybe. And we are here to take care of aunty and Shini. Don't you trust us? Jaa bhag ja. You idiots, go and pack his bag."
Sidharth smiles and pulls the big guy from the back of his neck into a bear hug.
"Tu sachi pagal hai. Itna pyar karta hai?"
"Chal bey! Tu kya Katrina Kaif hai, jo tujhe pyaar karunga? Chal chod."
He breaks the hug and moves back.
Sidharth says,"Nobody is forcing me, Ryan. I am doing this because that old man will die if I don't. He is really worried. My one decision can reduce some of his stress. I don't expect anything from her. I just want her to stay in her best behaviour here at my place."
Rohan says,"She will now know you are Sidu. Maybe then she will be good with you too."
"Maybe, maybe not. But she doesn't love him. She believes she is in love with Sameer. How can he stay happy with her?", Ryan adds.
Sidharth nods his head, "This relationship will have no love. Yeh samjhota ka rista hoga. Par jo hoga nibha na toh hai hi. And I will do my best for that. My happiness is with my family, bas woh thik ho then I am happy."
Sidharth comes out of the room, in a simple white kurta. His friends follow him outside. They are all in simple Indian wear. In the living room are two elderly people, Rohan and Rohit's parents, Rajan and Urmilla Parekh. Sumitra stands up along with them and smiles at her son.
She was not surprised when he announced three nights back that he is going to marry Shehnaaz. She knew her son very well. He had such a kind heart. She knew he would eventually say yes to the proposal given by Sukhbinder Suri. She just said one thing to him,
"Sid, tu jo bhi karega, I am with you. I will just say one thing, you will not repent your decision. I have the feeling that you both will stay happy. I know, your sacrifice will not go in vain."
She signals to Shini who is really excited for his brother's wedding. She wears a new pista green Anarkali suit. She brings up a puja thali to her mother. Sumitra does aarti and puts a Tika on Sidharth's forehead. He touches her feet and she kisses his head.
"Chalo jaldi, we will be late bhaiya!"
Shini says with a smile.
"Tujhe badi jaldi hai?"
Ryan says with irritation in his voice.
"Uff Ryan bhai, it's bhaiya's wedding. I will be obviously excited. Just that I wish, sab grand hota."
Ryan whispers into Rohan's ears,"Isse toh sirf enjoyment ki padi hai. I really have doubts that she is really his sister. "
Rohan shakes his head as Ryan says to Shini,"Seriously Shini? "
Shini makes a face, "Please Ryan bhai, I know bhaiya is doing a favour here by marrying someone he doesn't like. But he is getting married after all. Mera toh ek hi bhai hai na aur shaadi bhi ek baar hoti hai. So I said I wanted to enjoy it. Why do you make me a villain all the time? I don't want to spoil my mood talking to you."
Sidharth signals Ryan to stop,"Shini, enough. You go with Rohan."
"Ma is not coming. But aap kaise jaoge? Don't tell me, you are going on your bike for your own wedding. It will be a sight to see."
Shini says.
Ryan replies,"Ha.. ha.. ha.. ho gaya? He is coming with me."
Rohit says,"Guys, I seriously feel Shini is right here. Whatever could be the reason but our friend here is getting married. At least today, dance toh banta hai."
Ryan makes a face,"Seriously Rohit?"
Rohan nods his head and looks outside. He signals and a few men come to tha patio with dhols.
"Ryan, I know you are angry, but our buddy is getting hitched. We will not get this moment again. Chal, let's dance!"
The men start playing dhols and Rohit, Rohan and Shini start to dance to the tunes of Mere yaar ki shaadi hai..
They pull Ryan and Sidharth too, making them dance along to the tune.
Sidharth sits in the car and thinks about the day he said yes to Sukhbinder.
Three nights ago.
He takes a pause to breathe and then says,"Only if you.. agree to.. take her hand.. marry her.. be with her.. I can be peaceful… I can think about the surgery."
Sidharth looks at her not knowing what to tell him now. Sukhbinder holds his hand and starts crying,
"Please beta.. this old man is begging you.. Can't you do.. this much for me? .. please say yes .. to the wedding. Marry her this week … and then I will go .. to the US for my surgery. Please Sidharth, ..keep my request. Please don't let.. this dying man's last wish.. go unfulfilled."
Sidharth was helpless. Sukhbinder was crying, holding his hands. He was ready to die for his daughter. His father would have done the same for them, that's how fathers are. He knows the importance of this relationship in one's life. He has lost his, how can he let someone else lose theirs? If his one yes can give this man a hope, a chance to live then why not? He can't be selfish here. He just can't.
"Yes!"
Sukhbinder lifts his head and Sidharth says again,"Yes."
Sukhbinder asks,"What? Are you saying yes to marry Sana?"
Sidharth nods his head," Yes. I am saying yes to marry her. I will marry her. I promise."
Sukhbinder smiles with tears in his eyes.
"But Sir, you have to leave for the US next week. You have to get operated asap."
Sukhbinder nods his head," I will. I will go next week. I will do everything you say. Just marry her this week. I want to see you and her wedding before I leave."
Sidharth comes out of the room and Rajvir asks,"How is he? Can we meet him now? What did he say?"
He steals a glance of Sana who sits in front of the idol of Ganapati in the sitting area. He turns towards him and says,
"Make arrangements to take him to the US asap."
Rajvir with a smile asks,"Did he agree to go? Oh what a relief! Thank you Sidharth! Thank you for convincing him. I will arrange everything but first I need to meet Dad."
Rajvir goes inside and Sidharth walks towards Sana.
Sidharth stands behind Sana who prays sitting in front of the idol. He extends his hand to touch her shoulder but stops. He turns and leaves the hospital.
Sana calls him that night. But he doesn't pick up the call. He texts her to meet him the next morning at the office site.
Sana reaches right on time to meet Sidharth. He sits on an unfinished wall. She goes to him and calls his name.
"Sidharth. I wanted to tell you something. Thank you. Thank you for convincing Dad for his surgery. Thank you."
Sidharth gets off the wall and walks up to her. He crosses his arms at his chest and says,
"Do you know how your dad got convinced? Right?"
"Yes. I know."
"Then you must know that he wants us married in two days."
Sana nods her head.
"You had asked me to marry you and I had told you I couldn't. Don't you have questions as to why I said yes now?"
" No. I know you are doing everything for him. I am happy to know he has someone who cares about him."
Sidharth nods his head,"Miss.Suri, marriage is not something you get into just for fun. You love someone else and I..We don't like each other and it will be difficult to stay together. I promise I will do my duty as a husband. I will ensure you don't have any problem. However I need something in return too. "
Sana stares at him,"What? You told me, you didn't want money? Do you want a house or anything else?"
Sidharth suddenly gets irritated,"Shut up! You won't accept that poor people need something else too, other than money. I don't need any money or things from you. I have a few conditions that you need to fulfil. Only then will I marry you. Are you okay with that?"
Sana thinks for a minute and then nods her head.
He continues,"My first condition is that the wedding will be done in the most simplistic way. No celebration, no parties, no gathering of guests. Just family and friends. Secondly, you will live in my home after marriage and adjust to my lifestyle. Your money is yours, you will never spend a penny on me."
Sana nods her head,"Anything else?"
"Whatever problem you will have in my house, you will talk to me directly about it. I don't want you to create any scene in front of my mother. Just.. behave properly with her. That's all I ask for."
The chain of thoughts breaks as the car stops with a jolt. He realizes they have reached the Suri's farmhouse, outside the city. The exterior has been decorated with flowers.
Sidharth mutters under his breath,"Chal Sidu, halal hone ke liye ready ho ja."
He and Ryan go inside to find a big sized living room decorated and only a handful of people sitting on the chairs. Shini and Parekh couple sit on a couch. Beside them are Rohit and Rohan. They are well attended by Rajvir and another older lady.
Sidharth walks to them and Rajvir smiles.
"Our groom is here. Welcome Sidharth."
Sukhbinder comes to him and beside him is a lady, older than him. She is tall, healthy and fair. She wears a peach coloured saree, hair tied into a bun and adorns diamond jewellery. Her face clearly shows the annoyance.
Sidharth touches the feet of Sukhbinder and he pulls Sidharth into his arms. He introduced the lady as his older sister, Gurleen Bedi from Canada.
Sidharth touches her feet but she stops him,
"Please, no touching of feet. I don't like those things."
Sukhbinder smiles," Jiji, our Sidharth is such a decent boy. He knows how to respect elders."
Gurleen smiles, "Sukhi, yeh actually middle class trait hai."
Sidharth smiles,"You are right. I am middle class but this is not a trait. That's my upbringing."
Sukhbinder nods his head,"So true. So true. Chalo baitho."
Sidharth excuses himself to go outside. He needs a breath of fresh air. Everything around him is so uncomfortable. He could read the eyes of a few guests who were present from Suri's side. He knows they are finding this wedding not right. There's no match between the rich Suri's foreign returned daughter and a middle class showroom manager.
He walks to the backyard and stands there looking at the green lawn ahead. He runs his fingers through his hair.
"F*** man! What have I got myself into?"
Then he hears laughs coming from the room nearby. There must be a dozen or more voices. He walks towards it.
Sidharth could see Sana in a robe from outside. A girl doing her makeup and another her hair. She is surrounded by about 10 to 12 girls of her age.
"Seriously? What is his name, Sidharth, right? What did you see in him?"
"Yeah! I have heard he works at some showrooms."
"C'mon girls, he is handsome. Did you check his biceps? He is hot! Model type."
"Yes,she is right. Sana baby, you stay with him or not, that's your lookout. But do sleep with him. I would love to check out his body. Baby do send us some pics. "
"Why pics? Usse hi bhej dena. I am ready to pay thousands for having him in my bed."
They all laugh.
Disgusted, he turns to leave and he dashes with a waiter. The glasses he was carrying fell on the floor with a loud crash. Sana gets up and looks outside.
Rajvir walks towards him, "Are you alright?"
"No. I am not. I need to go."
Rajvir, confused, says, "You are getting married to my sister in a few minutes. Did you change your mind?"
"I might. After everything, I might."
Rajvir stares at him, waiting for him to explain.
"I had clearly mentioned no gathering of guests. Then who are those girls inside?"
"Friends."
They hear a voice. They turn to see Sana standing in her robe.
"Rajvir, tu ja. I will talk to him. "
After he left she said,"You said only friends and family. These are my friends just like you have got yours."
Sidharth takes a step towards her, "Really? I said I want an intimate ceremony. This definitely doesn't look like one. "
"Dad has allowed my friends. Go and talk to him."
She turns to leave when Sidharth says,"Miss Suri, don't act smart with me. You and I know very well what we had decided. So stop playing these games with me. I will leave right now, never to return."
"What is your problem, Sidharth? I am doing everything you asked. Sukhbinder Suri's daughter is getting married. It would have been a destination wedding with over 1000 guests that would include celebrities, politicians and businessmen. Media would have been outside 24/7 clicking snaps, waiting for inside pics. And here I am dressing up in a room in my farmhouse, with a handful of family members, with no fun, no guests, nothing. Can't I have my friends with me too?"
Sidharth turns back, "Right.. right.."
He lowers his head, thinks about something and says,"Keep your friends and let me go. I knew this was a bad idea. Real bad. I am sorry I can't do this.."
He is about to leave when Sana calls his name.
"Sidharth, stop. I am sorry. I will send them away. Don't go. I can't break Dad's heart again."
He stops,"Miss.Suri, I get it you have had dreams for your wedding. I can never be a part of that dream. Shale mera aukat hi nahi hai, uss dream ka part Banu. I am not your match. I am sorry I can't fulfil anything you wished for. I can't."
"I am okay with that. Trust me. I am okay with it. They were supposed to leave once I was ready. They were here for my wedding pictures. Please don't go."
"Sidharth, I just said all those as I was frustrated. Don't ditch me now. Dad will not survive this."
Sidharth takes a moment and then says,"I don't want to hurt your Dad. That's why I am here. Despite of knowing our differences, I am here. But.. I am not ditching you. I just can't."
He turns his face, "Just let your so called friends know, this guy doesn't sleep around for money and neither are you going to send them any pics. Tell them to have the minimal decency and respect for their friend and her husband."
He takes a pause and then says,"Friends are those who stand by you, give you the right advice and stop you when you are wrong. I am not sure, you have anyone like that. Still if you have anyone like that then they are welcome to stay back."
Sidharth sits on a tiny chair inside the decorated mandab in the living room. A pandit sits in front of him chants a few mantras. Suddenly Shini touches her brother and points towards the front. He looks ahead to find her walking towards him in a beautiful wedding attire. He for a moment gets lost in her beauty.
She wears a red designer lehenga with a red veil, covering her head. She matches her attire with gold choker necklace with uncut diamonds and pearls, a big matching jhumkas, matha patti and big nath. On her wrist are red chudda and diamond bangles with golden kalire dangling below.
She is looking gorgeous!
He keeps staring at her as she comes and sits beside him. He turns away immediately and lowers his head as she turns to look at him.
Sidharth and Sana stand up to take phera. The priest explain the meaning of every phera.
I know you really don't understand the meaning of the pheras that we are taking right now. These are promises that a couple make to one another keeping the holy fire as witness.
You have no value for this relationship and hence these promises mean nothing to you. Our hearts might never be one, but I will keep my side of promises.
I promise I will always take care of you.
I promise I will protect you in every circumstances.
I promise I will work hard to earn enough for you and family.
I will respect your decisions. Wait, I will but only for those which I will find wise.(a smile appears on his face.)
I promise I will consult you for all important decisions. Don't know if you can give any good advice. Still.
I promise I will stay loyal to you. Waise bhi mujhe koi interest nahi kisi aur ko dekhne ki.
And finally I promise I will stay in this relationship no matter what happens. I will live with you till my last breath, my friend.
They sit down and he is given a mangalsutra to tie around her neck. Both look at each other and taking a deep breath he does as asked. After filling the hair parting with vermilion, both sit silently hearing the claps of people around them.
F****! I am married!
Hell! I married Mr.Superman!
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OK wedding done but drama will continue..bolete toh full-tu drama..
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No more delays now. I am still not good but better. Update will come after crossing 250 stars..