Shaam Shandaar

Shaam Shandaar

Shakti stared at his self in the mirror with a sense of déjà vu, couple of months back he was getting dressed to end his relationship with Heer and now here they were, stronger than before in the midst of new relationships that were born from the heart. He stared at the gardens that were decorated for the cocktail evening. He was wearing beige colored kurta with trousers and as the norm he wore diamond studs in both his ears. The ping on his cell made him smile, Jalal had sent him a couple of pics from his collection and the title made him laugh, Kharus Kunwar ki Musibat!!

Shakti had reached out to Jalal with an idea for a gift he wanted to give his Dadabhai on the occasion of his wedding. Everyone wished for the elder duo to be married first before the younger couple. Everyone had agreed except Ajabde who agreed only after taking the promise that their wedding would be an intimate affair while the grand wedding would be for them. So in the end it was decided that all of their ceremonies would be combined only the main wedding would take place on different days and venues followed by the grand reception. He walked out lost in thoughts seeing everyone run here and there when he stopped in front of the room he hadn’t stepped into for ages, slowly he opened the door and entered his RaniMaa’s bedroom- it still smelled like her. Everything was arranged the way she liked with a vase of fresh flowers kept near the window. Her temple was clean but no diya was lit so he took off his shoes and went to light up the diya.

Sajja Bai couldn’t believe she had forgotten to light the diya in her Jija’s room but as she reached the doorstep the scene made her stop. Both the boys were standing in front of the temple with the lit up diya illuminating the temple and the room. Pratap had taken a step back but Shakti stood still

“Aaj Ranimaa hoti toh bahut khush hoti. She would have definitely danced” The elder two looked at the younger one as his voice shook a little, “I miss her so much. Kyun gayi choddke humko she knew hume unki zaroorat thi”

Shakti fell on his knees his frame shaking as even Pratap couldn’t control his tears. It had been far too long since they had spoken about her. Her loss was the biggest blow life had served them. He hugged his brother who placed his head on his shoulder as he held him tightly. Sajja patted their heads as they both turned to include her in their hug after all she had played the role of their mother, father as well as guardian through their growing years. 

As guests mingled amongst themselves Shakti and Heer stood in the corner speaking softly about their day,

“Aaj Daata made kheer” she told her about her father’s adventures in the kitchen “and post-meal jab Maasa kitchen gayi she got the shock of her life- aisa lag raha tha ki kitchen mein earthquake and tsunami ek saath aaye ho”

She giggled as Shakti smiled but his smile didn’t reach his eyes making her worry, 

“tum theek ho?” He looked at her, “aaj Ranimaa ki yaad aa rahi hai bahut. Pata hai as kids jab humaare yahan parties’ hoti thi toh RaniMaa would make sure ki dhol waale aaye and then me and Dadabhai would dance like no one was watching us. Humko dance karta dekh Ranimaa would get so happy”

Ajabde stared at her Kharus Kunwar who was busy greeting the guests and not at all paying attention to her. She had even dressed in all her finery and not one compliment from him. She took a step back and was about to walk away when she heard him

“You are supposed to stay here with me Musibat” he told her only to see her make a face, “Kharus Kunwar this party is boring and you haven’t even complimented me!”

Pratap shook his head, “Madam musibat this is a royal pre-wedding reception. We are supposed to be like this and greet humaare guests ko besides woh tareef hi kya jo maangi jaaye” he teased her

“Here you go meri would be dulhania your drink” he looked at Pratap who gave them a side eye, “Kunwarsa I hope you know that last time jab Ajabde ek boring si party mein thi toh she had runaway”. He said it with a straight face while Ajabde nodded her head and decided to tease her Kharus a little more

 “Main jaa rahi hoon dance karne Jalal ke saath you stay and greet sabko” she took Jalal’s hands as they both joined the odd couple on the dance floor doing the waltz

Pratap smiled as he checked his cell, it was time for his surprise, “meri parties are never boring musibat”

Heer held his hand trying to be there for him but not knowing how to be; she couldn’t even comprehend the pain of losing a parent and Shakti had in a sense lost both his parents. Though he had reconnected with his father but the loss he had bore growing up could never be replaced. She was happy he had Dadabhai with him because Dadabhai was the father figure in his life who protected him and was present for him. Thinking about the elder Songara she looked around to see if he was anywhere nearby but she couldn’t see him

“DadaBhai kahan gaye?”

Everyone in the party stood still as they heard the sounds of dhol. Sajja smiled as she saw Pratap leading the dhol people himself playing one. All the guests clapped as the eldest Songara was finally seen in his old fun avatar. Ajabde stared at her fiance with her eyes wide in disbelief

“He can play the dhol too!!”

Shakti smiled as he saw his elder brother finally living the life the way he used too. Pratap gave Shakti a wink as he signaled him to join him and the music just flowed out

Sar jhuka ke kar salaam hai shaam shaandaar
Aasmaan se aa giri hai shaam shaandaar

Chak de andhera
Chaand jala de, bulb bana ke..
Fikr na kariyo
Karna bhi kya hai, bijli bacha ke..
Sar-e-aam pila khushi ke jaam shaandaar
Aasmaan se aa giri yeh shaam shaandaar

As the duo danced everyone around them clapped and took their cells out to make videos of the Songara brother enjoying themselves completely. As the dhols again gave the beat Pratap stretched out his hand for Ajabde who took off her heels and joined in the fun. Heer also joined the group with Shakti and as with each beat all four danced to their hearts content with everyone else joining in the fun too. Pratap pulled Ajabde on his arms making her raise her eyebrows at him but he gestured to look up into the night sky as fireworks lit it up in the most beautiful formations ever. The night ended with everyone saying

It was indeed a Shaam Shaandaar!!!