Tu Meri Pehalwan ~ A VeeRat Tale – Episode 7

Out of guilt

The episode starts with Veer plopped onto the ground, lamenting over Sasha’s cruel acts, “I trusted Sasha as my friend and she inflicted such a cruel deed upon me?” Keerat keeps her hand onto his shoulder and says, “She was never your friend Veer if she was, then she would have never misled you down the wrong path.” Veer rapidly rests his head on Keerat’s palm wetting it with his tears. Keerat was touched and felt her heart heavy for Veer’s grief. Veer clasps her hand tightly and utters, “I want to come out of it, Miss. Pehalwan….I want to come out of drugs.” Surprisingly, Keerat was happily taken aback by Veer’s gesture to reform himself. Veer continues, “I want to win my family’s heart once again. I want to remove all blackmarks which they endured because of me. I want them to feel proud about me once again and for all that I have to break free from drugs.” Keerat was overjoyed hearing that and hugs Veer tightly in delight. Veer was puzzled by Keerat’s sudden action of affection as he wasn’t expecting it; however the warmth in Keerat’s embrace made him feel really blissful within. He desired to hug her back tightly as she did, however stops himself (Teri Meri Doriyaann duet version plays). In a bit, Keerat releases herself from the embrace and tells Veer cheerfully, “You are on the right track…egois…” she stops herself when she sees Veer’s bewildered gaze. She stammers saying, “I mean…I mean…that’s a really good decision.” Veer, “Did you call me egois…” Keerat cuts in saying, “Now is that even important? Shall we just focus on what we need to do as now you have decided to leave drugs completely?” Veer agrees with a nod. Keerat continues, “Good, you said that when you tried earlier to give up drugs you weren’t successful and rebound back with an even greater force, right?” Veer affirms with a nod. Keerat again taking the speech, “So this time you have to try something even more effective.” Veer, “Like what?” Keerat, “Like seeking treatment in a rehab centre.” Veer was flustered. Keerat, “Look Veer, there will be experts there who can help you with the recovery and the treatment that have long-lasting effects.” Veer was still uncertain about it and says, “But how can I live without my family. Since childhood, I have never distanced myself from my family for any reason and now I have to live without them inorder to get a better life? How can I ever have a better life without my family?” after saying that Veer comes and hugs Keerat loosely by placing his head onto her shoulder and breaks into tears (Teri Meri Doriyaann dramatic tune plays). Keerat was overwhelmed. She remembered how the Brar family had ostracized Veer ever since they learnt of his drugs abuse. She felt a strong impulse to console him by reciprocating his hug however dives into deeper thoughts, “You need the backing of your family the most in this journey, Veer and I will ensure that you get that.”

Next Day

Veer gets a call early in the morning from Keerat who asks him to meet her at Punjab’s women’s wrestling association at 10 AM. Veer questions her, “Why?” Keerat, “I will let you know.” After hanging up the call, Keerat starts musing, “Today the Brar family needs to know the story behind their son’s drug abuse.”

A few minutes later

Keerat comes to the Brar family when the Brars excepting Veer were having breakfast. Sahiba gets delighted on seeing her and asks her to join them for breakfast. Keerat refuses and informs that she wants to talk urgently with the Brars. The Brars were confused. Keerat tells them it would be better if the kids are not involved in this discussion. Akaal orders Prince and Simran to go their rooms. Once Prince and Simran go to their rooms, Akaal asks Keerat, “What is the matter, Keerat? Are you still upset with us for asking your hand for Veer? I swear puttar, we had no idea about Veer’s involvement with drugs when we sent his proposal for you.” Keerat, “No Daarji, I’m not upset with whatever happened but I’m disappointed with you all for whatever is happening right now.” Everyone gave a blank expression. Angad inquires, “What is it Keerat? What have we done to you?” Keerat replies, “You have done nothing against me Angad jiju but you all are doing a big mistake to your own kin, Veer!!” The Brars gave a quizzical expression.” Sahiba tries to stop Keerat saying, “What are you trying to say Keerat? Don’t forget that they are my family.” Keerat, “No Di, I have not forgotten that they are your in-laws but they have surely forgotten that Veer is also their own blood.” Angad, “Don’t talk in circles Keerat, just tell us clearly what are you trying to accuse us of?” Keerat, “Angad jiju, Veer did not get into drugs out of his own will, he became a drug addict because of you all!!” The entire family was shocked to hear that. Manbeer angrily getting up asks her, “What do you mean Keerat?” Keerat narrates, “A few years ago when Veer was striving hard to make his image in the music industry. You all did not back him nor trust his abilities. He was fighting all alone for his passion and when he had nowhere to turn towards, he fell prey to drugs.” The Brars were flabbergasted. Keerat continues, “He turned into a drug addict because his mom and dad did not trust in his talent. He turned into a drug addict because his Daarji did not believe in his capabilities, he turned into a drug addict because he couldn’t become what the Brar family expected him to become; “the ideal son” like Angad jiju and Garry. So you all are responsible for Veer turning towards drugs.” The whole family was taken aback. Tears filled Gurleen and Jaspal’s eyes. Angad sinks down onto his seat; Sahiba comes and holds onto his shoulders comforting him. Bebe questions Keerat, “Puttar, how did you know all this?” Keerat takes a deep long breath and says, “Veer had revealed everything to me before our engagement day, Bebe!!” The Brar family was left speechless on learning that. Gurleen hesitantly, “Veer…Veer…had already…already informed you about his drug addiction?” Keerat, “Yes Aunty, he did which clearly reflects your good upbringing. He informed me beforehand because he did not want to harm me or any girl due to his drug influenced life, while he did not inform you all because he truly cared for your all feelings. He knew you all will be heartbroken after learning his truth and so did it happen as he thought. Gurleen Aunty, Jaspal Uncle, Bebe, Daarji, Angad jiju he was just trying to protect you all. He knew how the media will tarnish your family image when his truth comes out which is why he did not want anybody to learn his truth!!” Gurleen collapses onto her chair breaking into tears. Jaspal kneels onto the floor catching Gurleen’s shoulders and cries along. Ekam comes and tries to comfort her parents. Keerat approaches Gurleen, squats in front her and holds her hand saying, “You shouldn’t feel ashamed of your son, Aunty instead you should feel proud that your son values the emotions of his family so much that he wouldn’t allow anything to hurt his family.” Gurleen cries bitterly embracing Keerat. Manbeer moves towards Gurleen and says, “Keerat is right, Gurleen. We all misunderstood our Veer while he was only trying to protect us all. We all committed a big sin against him.” Keerat, “It is still not too late to mend things, Manbeer Aunty.” Manbeer gazes at Keerat questioningly. Keerat continues, “Now, Veer genuinely wants to free himself from drugs. But he wouldn’t be able to do it without the support from you all!! Family plays a great role in moulding the character of an individual so if you all back Veer atleast now, he will surely be able to come out of his drug abusive ways.” The Brars turn reflective on hearing Keerat’s advice. Keerat gradually seeks permission to take leave and turns around to exit when Jabyot stops her and comes near her to keep her hand on her head saying, “Rab da meher tum par sada bane rahe, puttar. I wish that you get the best life-partner in your life.”(Rab Aap Hi Ishq Ugawe, Rab Aap Hi Ishq Mitawe song plays in the background) Keerat smiles, kisses Bebe’s hand and leaves.

Punjab’s women’s wrestling association

Veer paced up and down constantly gazing at his watch, “Miss. Pehalwan asked me to come here at 10 AM and now it is already 12 noon still she is not here. Where the hell is she?” Just then, Keerat comes there and taps on his shoulder. Veer turns around and gets furious seeing her, “Where were you? I have been waiting here for around 2 hours and you are coming just now? Why do you women take so much of time to get ready!!” Keerat looked at him annoyedly and says, “Oh Mr. Rockstar, I did not get late because I took time to get ready, infact I got late because…” she was on the brink of unveiling her discussion with the Brars, however she quickly changes the topic saying “…I’m sorry I got late.” Veer emits a perplexed glare, “What? You are sorry? But just a few seconds ago, you were about to pounce on me like a lioness and now all of a sudden you are a tamed cat? Why are you women so complex to understand?” Keerat, “Now is it even important to know why I got late? Aren’t I saying sorry for that, now please let it go!!” Veer looks away and mutters, “(imitating Keerat, I’m sorry…sorry my foot! The way she bosses around with me, she should be saying atleast a 100 sorries.” Keerat asks him, “Are you saying something?” Veer gets conscious and says, “Yes, I was asking why you called me here?” Keerat looks around if there is someone over there and after making sure no-one is around, she says, “You should restart you music career.” Veer was stupefied, “What? Restart my music career? But how can I even do that? I’m banned from the Punjab’s music association” Keerat, “You are banned from the music association not from singing and emoting music in your life. Don’t forget that music can serve as an outlet of your subjugated emotions which can help you to come out of drugs.” Veer was confused and demands Keerat, “But how can I even sing when no music company in Punjab or in India wants to sign me up?” Keerat, “Is it not written anywhere that you should sing only for music companies and other business purposes? Haven’t you seen street singers singing infront of the crowd in the streets?” Veer angrily, “I’m not a street singer!!” Keerat, “Of course, you aren’t a street singer but aren’t you a singer? So what’s wrong in showcasing your talent to common people? In fact it was these same common people who became your admirers and made you the Rockstar of Punjab. Hence, what is problem in restarting your music career with the same people?” Veer dives into deep thoughts. A few minutes later, Keerat snaps at Veer bringing him out of his contemplation and asks him, “So what have you finally decided?” Veer tries to explain, “Look, Miss. Pehalwan, the situation is not the same as before. After the exposure of my drug addiction infront of the public; everyone has started hating me. The people who once never got exhausted in singing my praises are today hurling stones at me because they consider me as someone who is misleading the youth. In that case, how can I stand infront of them and sing?” Keerat, “Rockstar Sahab, just the way, how the public’s love for you turned into hatred because of your drug abuse, the same way can’t their hatred be also transformed into love through your music? Don’t you trust in your voice?” She goes on praising Veer innocently. “Your voice has the power to captivate hearts because it makes them forget everything and get lost into a different world…” she halts seeing Veer’s gazing at her curiously hearing her praise his music. Keerat tries to divert his attention saying “Don’t you remember what you kept saying? Keerat starts imitating Veer saying…I’m the Veer Singh Brar…Punjab’s best Rockstar…wherever I go people get attracted to me…” Veer lets out a loud laughter seeing that. Keerat was stunned to see him laugh his heart out. It had been a long time since, Veer last laughed his heart out the act of laughing made him feel lighter from within. Keerat smiles seeing him laugh (Teri Meri Doriyaann female version plays in the background). Veer finally controls his laughter and says, “That was a good one!” Keerat tells him, “It was good to see you laugh your heart out forgetting your miseries.” Veer was moved to know that someone cared about his feelings too when he faced backlash everywhere including from his own family.” Keerat continues, “So Mr. Rockstar, are you ready to unleash the power of music?” she gestures her palm-up seeking affirmation. Veer reflects for a while and keeps his palm-down onto Keerat’s palm confirming his affirmation. Keerat smiles.

A while later

Veer starts singing in an open space with his rabab “Tujphe Sajan Re Aaya Ye Mann Re…Tujhse Hi Na Keh Paaye…Bole Yeh Aankhein Jo Saari Baatein…Labon Talak Na Aaye” Keerat anxiously looks around at the people waiting for their response, she prays, “Rab ji, Veer nu madad karlo”. The public get attracted to Veer’s voice and come closer towards him however stop a few metres away being uncertain seeing that it was Veer Singh Brar who was singing, they mutter, “Isn’t it Veer Singh Brar, the drug addict?” Veer continues to sing without paying attention to anyone when a child comes running from behind and starts dancing to his music. Gradually, the public too inch closer towards Veer, some of them shoot the video of Veer singing. The music continues, “Sab Jaante Hai Tere Alawa…Tujhko Hi Apna Hai Maana Ree” Keerat feels delighted seeing the faces of the crowd gradually brightening up. Finally, a few minutes later, Veer concludes his song and looks around for the public’s response. The crowd stared confusedly at each other. The child comes running towards Veer, makes him squat infront of her and kisses his cheek. Soon, there was a big round of applause from the crowd. Veer and Keerat were overjoyed seeing that. The mother of the child comes forward and says “You really have a magic in your voice!!” Veer gleefully thanks her. In a little while, the crowd steadily disperses and there was only Veer and Keerat left. Veer cheerfully runs towards Keerat and almost wraps his arms around but refrains. Both sense a strange awkwardness between them, a strong emotion in their hearts which they couldn’t comprehend. Finally, Keerat breaks the ice saying, “Didn’t I tell you that your music will do wonders? See everything happened just like I had said!!” Veer doesn’t respond anything and kept giving her a tender look. Keerat asks him, “What?” Veer takes a deep long breath and says, “Thank you!!” Keerat was greeted with joyful surprise. She playfully asks, “What? What did you say?” Veer says, “I always thought that you are a haughty, ill-tempered and irritable girl who has no respect for other’s feelings. But today I understood that I was wrong.” Keerat comes closer to Veer, stands face to face with him and says, “Mister. Veer Singh Brar, there are so many other things that you don’t know about me.” For a moment, both of them were lost in each other’s eyes however their eye contact is broken by Gurleen’s call on Veer’s phone. Veer picks up the call when Gurleen on the other side asks him, “Veer, where are you?” Veer tells her, “Mummy, I’m just a few kilometers away from home.” Gurleen, “Come home fast!” Veer surprisingly, “Why Mummy? What happened?” Gurleen, “Come home we will let you know.” Gurleen hangs up the call. Keerat tells him, “I think you should return home because your family is waiting for you.” Veer nods and bids adieu to Keerat. As he leaves, Keerat enters into thoughts remembering her revelation to the Brars that morning.

Scene shifts to Brar Mansion

The Brars were waiting anxiously for Veer in their living room. Veer comes there and was surprised to find his whole family in the living room. He asks them, “What happened why are you all here in the living room?” All the heads turn towards him. Gurleen is about to run towards her son but is stopped by her husband. Veer was perplexed seeing the expressions of contrition on the faces of his family members and asks them, “Why are you all looking so glum?” Akaal gets up and asks, “Veer Puttar, I think we were all too quick to judge you that we forgot to enquire you about something.” Veer still confused, “About what Daarji?” Akaal, “Why did you fall into drugs, Veer?” Veer was stunned to hear that unexpected question. He tries to deviate the topic saying, “Now is that important Daarji? It was my fault that I chose the way leading towards drug abuse and I accept that.” Akaal, “That is not the answer to my question, Veer.” Veer gets nervous as he did not want his family members to hold themselves responsible for whatever happened with him and says, “Daarji, I’m not feeling quite well so I’m going to my room to take some rest.” As he spuns around and started walking towards his room, Angad asks him from behind, “Are you still trying to protect us Veer? When we are the most accountable for your drug addiction?” Veer was petrified in his position unable to turn towards his family; he was stupefied to realize that his family was already aware of the secret which he wanted to keep under wraps from them all this time. Jabyot gets up, staggers a few steps towards Veer and tells him, “Bebe nu maaf karde, Puttar” she instantly falls down on saying that. All the family members including Veer rush towards her. Jabyot who now was choked up with tears tells Veer, “Mainu maaf karde Veer. I did not know what difficult phase you were going through that you had to take support from drugs.” Veer tries to pacify her saying, “It’s nothing like that Bebe, and my family has always been my best support system.” Gurleen asks him, “How long will try to justify us Veer? Keerat informed us everything about your past!!” Veer was dumbfounded to hear that. He recalled his meeting with Keerat that morning and realizes that Keerat had manipulated him so that she can reveal his truth to his family. He gets enraged thinking, “That Miss. Pehalwan, how dare she?”

——

To be continued.