Part 103-- The date

April 3^rd 2011

Golf Links Club…

Almost midnite…

He slid a ring slowly but surely on her finger… her nails were a pink/blush…. He held it unnecessarily for moments afterwards… he didn’t speak much anyway so he just smiled… she tugged her hand… smiled.. and tugged….

Ruchira squealed a “Bhabheeeeee”

Rohi:Not quite yet..

Panditji hurriedly sifted through a big “red book”

Sushil was overjoyed, Krishan barely smiled, the women hugged warmly

“This is not the one I picked” she accused, staring at the ring..

“Because it comes with fingers” he asked softly caressing her ring

“THAT and I picked a plain rose gold with a leaf like shape, yeh to solid hai”

“Its Van Kleef…” he murmured…

“Ateendra, quit gabbing you guys, picture time”

Radhika’s jaw dropped as she waved the back of her hand… theatrically, her female friends oohed and aahed

Dadis from both sides became friends… Pawan Uncle hugged her “Good luck!”

She touched his feet… Raghav joined.

Krishan walked up, “Happy times?” he enquired.

Thanks said Radhika warmly.

He tried to scrutinize that expression, he was a shrewd man, he was baffled why a middle class activist would pick his philanderer of a son.

Raghav sensed that look “Thanks Dad” he said smiling.

Radhika bent down, Raghav hesitated…

Krishan, held their shoulders discouraging them…

Krishan’s phone rang…

Mridula smiled and approached the couple

“You owe me that kiss now” he muttered in her ear..

“Here?” she asked (looking up at him, barely reaching his shoulder)

“Why not” he winked

She stood on her toes… his arm went around her waist..

Rohi screamed, “they are going to make out NOW”

“Ofcourse not! Pfffft!” she struggled in his grip, turning crimson…

Her friends mobbed her… “he is sooooooo hot” “How did you find him” “Does he really have 2 bros?” “Talll” “That’s a “soul patch?”

“His dogs have been named after his fave drink?”

“He writes apps?”

Raghav nodded smiled and gazed…. Her gorgeous outfit grazed his forehand… he messed with the folds… tried to touch her mid riff.. bent down and scarped his soul patch behind her ear, as if he was trying to say something to her, held her hand, and traced something on her palm, as she squirmed….

But continued to chatter…………. Ofcourse..

The family fed them mithai, chocolate, cake… more mithai…. Debated loudly over the wedding custom…

Dadaji declared “Punjabbbi”

Sushil’s Mom :Are nahi, hum Saryupareen Brahman hai… Tripathi… vedon aur shastron ko humse bhadkar kaun jaanega

Sudha squirmed… her face nervous, her fists clenched….

Dadi Kapoor: Arey saare riwaz Punjabi kar lenge, pooja aapke anusar?

Dadi Tripathi: Sushil.. beta…

Pundit stares… moving head from side to side like he was watching a tennis rally

Krishan: It does not matter Sushil

Padmini: Arey Bhabhi bhi to Marathi Brahman hain…

Sudha: Pehle tareekh to nikaalen aap

Punditji: Jee beta…

Everyone is talking at the same time…

Raghav pulls Radhika’s hand… she turns around smiling gloriously…

“Upstairs”

“Par date?”

“Upstairs” he repeats softly.. nobody notices their departure except Krishan and Sudha…