This is the first day of the rest of our lives and I want to spend it with you. We need to begin nurturing our relationship. There is absolutely no time to lose.
Mili smiled as she read and reread the note that Ahaan had handed her last night, OMG! He is so eager. Is he like this all the time, I wonder.
It is amazing that just a few days ago, he didn’t even feature in my thoughts and now… he is the only one! … Good Lord Mili! Hadh hai yaar (This is the limit.)
She burst into a fit of giggles, and pulled the thick embroidered quilt over her head. Thank heavens Ahaan isn’t here, or he wouldn’t hesitate to change his mind!
Then she sat up straight frowning. Really? Would he change his mind? And if so, would that bother me? She fell back flat on the bed. Yes, it would…it would bother me quite a bit.
She grabbed a pillow and curled herself around it, “damn you Ahaan! Who asked you to come into my life and mess it all up when I was doing just fine by myself? Who asked you to be so charming and smart and cool? Who asked you to drop down from the sky like the perfect Godsend son in law?…Who..?”
Her rant was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Guess what came by special delivery bright and early today?” Kiran was standing at the door holding a bunch of fresh and colorful wild flowers. “I’m really starting to like Ahaan’s style of wooing!” She said seeing her daughter’s face light up instantly.
“Of course you would! You would like him even if he turned out to be Osama Bin Laden’s nephew!”
“What are you muttering about?”
“Tell me mama. Are you going to miss me or not?”
“Of course I am, Mili. We both are!”
“Then I’m not getting married and that’s that!” Mili said plummeting face down on the bed.
Kiran pulled her up and wiped her tear stricken face with the edge of her palloo, “My darling. Enough with all this fuss! I know exactly what is going on in that little head of yours and it bears no resemblance at all to what you say.” She smiled… “Now get ready quickly. Ahaan is waiting impatiently for you!”
“He is here?!” Mili exclaimed as her heart did a cartwheel in her chest.
“Yes he is!” Kiran laughed, “Who else do you think brought the flowers?” Placing a gentle kiss on her daughter’s soft cheek, she said. “my silly little Mili…” then abruptly turned and hurried away.
`
Mili stood at the entrance of the dining room, inhaling the aroma of hot spicy sambhar (a type of South Indian lentil soup) and fresh filter coffee and silently observed what was going on inside. It was a scene one may find in any normal household. Everybody was there, including both her parents, Ramu kaka and of course Ahaan and they were all doting on him.
She saw Ramu kaka blush with pleasure when Ahaan praised him and said that he wished he could kidnap him and take him to Delhi, when her father and mother screamed in unison, “No way!” and they all burst into merry laughter.
Mili was glad to see the smiles of happiness and contentment on her parents faces. At least I am able to give them something in return for what they have done for me.
And to say the truth, she couldn’t find anything to complain about either. Ahaan seemed to value and respect her feelings and that meant for a lot.
“Mili!… her father said noticing her, “Beta, Look who’s here!”
Ahaan swung around in his chair…
“Yes, I know. Hi Ahaan.” She smiled, drawing herself to her full height of 5’7”. She knew she looked good in a simple flared sunshine yellow cotton kurta (long shirt), crushed scarf of forest green and tight leggings to match.
“Uh huh… Hi..Mili..”
Gosh Ahaan! Close your mouth. You look like a startled frog!
“Careful son!” Jai exclaimed with concern when he saw his future son in law dissolve into a violent coughing spell.
Working hard to suppress a giggle, she ran to his side. “Paani?” she asked with a straight face.
