Dinner Date

Dinner Date

The Fateh Sagar lawn lighted up for the dinner night with twinkling lights draped over the trees, chiffon curtains artistically weaved all over, tables and chairs placed in a circular manner leaving enough space for people to walk around, an international buffet was set-up, the bar was kept near the pool with live music playing at the side. Servers walked around carrying starters as well as soft drinks for the guests. Ramrakh Punwar mingled with all the guests while his daughter was checking on the dinner preps in the kitchen of the hotel. He smiled as he recalled his daughter working late into nights making sure everything was perfect for the event, the day she had been working on was here.

Both the Sisodia as well as the Solankhini families were seated together; all the ladies were seated enjoying their drinks while the men were talking to the others. Raja Hemant Solankhini was a proud man as everyone congratulated him and his daughter on their inclusion in the final contenders list as well as the upcoming wedding!

Men, atleast his brother and Raja ji, Pratap realised, don’t think the same way as society as he saw couple of ladies speaking with Manjhli Maa, Rani Meera and Heer. He was sure they were talking about the fact Heer would face them tomorrow as a contender. He had heard people gossip in the office as well and had a chat with his brother who seemed like he had matured too much for his age

“Dadabhai this is business. Raja ji himself said there would be moments when we would come face to face as competitors to the people we know and care for but that doesn’t mean we back out or surrender. I’m so proud of Heer and know that you are rooting for her success; all of us are for the same matter. We both keep our business and personal lives separate. The media will show anything to gain Trps and make money- it doesn’t affect us”

Pratap sipped his drink and looked around one more time at the crowd for a known face in vain.

Heer sat smiling ready to kill the next lady who thought her decision to go ahead with the presentation was wrong. She had worked hard for it and deserved to be in the contenders list. She had allowed her mother and Manjhli Maa to take lead and let them talk while she sat sipping on her drinks. They were soon joined by none other than Mr. Chundawat’s wife Padma.

“I’m so happy Heer beta with everything you have achieved “ the lady spoke holding her mother’s hand. “Ranisa your daughter is brilliant. My husband told me about her presentation and I’m so glad I know you personally. Heer beta you are a role model for many young girls of our community. Society has always suppressed the brilliance that is in our girls, questioned them and made them feel inferior. Heer I don’t know who will win this presentation but in my eyes you already won because you dared to go against the norms and proved you are a fighter.”

She kissed her forehead as they all sat chatting until her father called for her. Raja Hemant proudly introduced his daughter to his colleagues and was happiest when they met Mr. Chundawat, Mr. Punwar and Mr. Rathore, the jury.

Heer smiled proud hearing Mr. Punwar tell her father,

“We truly are blessed Raja ji for we have our daughters who have proved time and time again that they are as capable and deserving as our sons. I’m really proud of you Heer beta.”

Ajabde smiled as she saw the guests enjoying their dinner, from her balcony. She had chosen the lawn view room and wanted to avoid all the mixing and influences before the grand event and Jalal obliged to stay back with her and called Ruqqaiya to join them as well. A knock made her open the door as one of the hotel Boys  gave her a note that had been sent for her, she looked confused but as she read it and smiled to herself.

“Yeh sham mastaani madhosh kiye jaaye

Teri khusbo mujhe teri ore kheeche jaaye”

Intezaar hai tumhaara...Roof top par milne aana...

From Your....

Do I need to tell?

She wanted to go only but hesitated as she realised she had to fulfill her duties and could not leave but it was Jalal who decided to grace the occasion along with Ruqqaiya who told her otherwise.

“Everyone is having dinner and then will go to bed Ajabde” he reasoned with her “besides uncle toh aj Khan baba ke saath hain and they will like always talk of the good old days jab hum dono babies thee” he rolled his eyes making the girls smile.

“Haan Ajab” Ruqqs said “you haven’t had your dinner bhi toh you should go. Hum hain yahan toh tension ki koi baat nahi hai. Agar Jalal akele hote toh ek baar ke liye sochti tum but main hoon inke saath!” She made Ajabde laugh as Jalal made a face

Pratap had been surprised to receive a note from his musibat.

Rooftop dinner?

Aa jaana because mere ko intezaar karna pasand nahi hai

From You Know Who!

Shakti literally pushed Pratap towards the rooftop and sent thumbs up emoji to his new bff, Jalal who responded instantly with the same. Before he could keep his cell it was taken from him by none other than Heer who looked ready to murder him.

“Itni der se dekh rahe hain hum aap busy chal rahe hain on your cell” she said trying to unlock his phone, “aisa kaun hai jo mujhse zyaada important ho gaya?”

He looked at her sheepishly as she handed him the  phone to unlock it.

“I’ll tell you everything Heeriye I promise par abhi nahi!”

The rooftop had been decorated with candles with a table set for two, soothing music played as the fragrance of the flowers permeated the air. Pratap stood his back to the entrance looking the view of the banks of lake Picholi, illuminated like stars when he felt her presence. He closed his eyes as he took a deep breath allowing his crazy heart to calm down before he saw her.

“Pratap?” her voice sounded melodious to him as he slowly turned to see her. His senses were blown away by her beauty. The emerald green saree draped across accentuated her figure, hugging her curves, making his mouth go dry.

Her kohl lined eyes drank his presence as she took a step towards him, she had been away from him for less than a week but felt like an eternity had passed since she had seen him. They smiled at each other as he pulled out her chair his fingers trailing on her shoulders for a moment longer than usual making her lose her senses in his touch. The dinner was a quite affair as the two enjoyed each others company in silence except the two couples who were keeping an eye on them.

“Yeh Dadabhai kuch bol kyun nahi rahe?” Shakti asked as he looked at the duo from his binoculars. Even Jalal frowned as he realised his chatterbox best friend was so quite.

“Mujhe lagta hai dono ko sadma lag gaya hai ek dusre ko dekh kar!” he concluded as Shakti nodded his head while their respective halves shook their heads.

“Ho sakta hai” Ruqqaiya spoke “ki un dono ko pata ho ki aap dono ne unko wahan bheja and are keeping an eye on them...”

Jalal looked at his fiance, “am a genius when it comes to such things would be begum of mine” she nodded her head “Ajabde has no idea ki yeh sab….”

Ajabde smiled as she looked at Pratap, “Jalal ne kiya hoga. He’s the only duffer I know jo yeh karega” she shook her head making Pratap smile. Yes. He had missed her.

“Waise Shakti bhi kam nahi hai am sure he’s involved too ismein” she looked at him eyes wide, “matlab Heer bhi?” She looked scared at the notion of Shakti-Heer knowing about her feelings or their relationship.

Was it a relationship she thought after all they had just kissed in the washroom and then at the haveli.  There was physical attraction but she was attracted to the man as well but what if he was not?

“Ajabde you are playing with your food?” his voice made her look at him. He could see the fear in her eyes and he knew just the perfect way to make all her fears go away.

He stood up and held his hand out, “dance with me.” She gave her hand in his as he pulled her close to him. They moved slowly to the beats of their heart, his assuring her while hers soothed him.

“Chalo kisi ki life mein toh romance hai!” Ruqqaiya said looking at Heer making both the guys look at her as the girls sighed. Jalal and Shakti looked at each other as an idea popped into their minds.

“Aayie hum dikhaate hain romance kya hota hai would be begum jaan!” Jalal pulled Ruqqaiya close to him making her blush. The two couples walked away in opposite directions smiling that their plan had worked.

Ajabde snuggled closer to Pratap whose hand was on her back as he tightened his hold on her. They had been talking about everything from their families, past and their future. Ajabde’s frame shook in laughter as Pratap told her about one of the pranks he had played on Shakti.

“And then Shakti went off main jaa raha hoon Manjhali Maa ke paas in such a dramatic way only to trip on his shoes” she looked at him pleased to see his eyes so full of life and happiness just like hers were.

“It’s getting late” she spoke knowing fully well that it was a little over midnight. Pratap took a deep doubtful look at her and hugged her tight.

“I…I don’t want you to go” he confessed. She smiled as her hands caressed his cheek, “I know but Kunwar Pratap Singh Songara you have an important presentation tomorrow and besides hum jaldi milenge” she tried to appease him. They stood up their hands still entwined as he pulled her close to hug her but she went a step ahead and pressed her lips to his.

“I enjoyed humaari dinner date…thank you”

Pratap smiled as he saw her retreating figure, it was a really an amazing dinner date. He needed to thank his younger brother and aafat for it later!