Udariyaan: A Different Perspective (Part 2)

First Thought

“Click, click, click…” Sameer typed away at his laptop as he finished replying to his last email. Sameer liked to finish his small trivial tasks at the begining of the day and preferred to use the rest of his time on more important tasks. Looking at the time, it was 7:30, he still had 30 minutes before everyone got up and met downstairs for breakfast. Sameer had completed his workout, meditation, was showered and only needed to change his clothes. He put his laptop aside on the table next to him and looked out onto his bedroom balcony watching the sun shine on the slight ripples of the water. Sameer’s family home was close to Punjab but on the quiet outskirts of the town, the area was known for the beautiful and quiet locations, the homes were large and spread out increasing the home value. Sameer looked out at the water and while that usually brought him comfort the shine of the water reminded him of the tears flowing down the girls face, the girl in the blue saree. It had been several weeks since the incident, Sameer had finished his work there and had come back home, however even after leaving there, he couldn’t seem to leave the girl there. Sameer had never given any other girl this much thought, but for some reason she kept on creeping back into his thoughts. Sameer figured it was mere curiosity, he was just curious as to how she was and hoped she was doing better.

Truth is she was, Tejo along with both the families had seen Fateh and Jasmines true faces. While it hurt her for the longest time what hurt her more was not the fact that they both cheated but the fact that neither of them had any regrets. Jasmine didnt once regret her deed and her adamancy about how she did nothing wrong pushed Tejo to cancel her divorce with Fateh. After several more fights and arguments Tejo decided to end things and finally divorce Fateh. Now after some time Tejo had divorced Fateh and afraid of what society would think of their cheating, Fateh and Jasmine got married in a small court marriage. Tejo was now free from her toxic relationship and those toxic people. In order to get a much needed break Tejo decided to go and visit her Mama and Mami, her Mami the only lady who had gotten the hint and warned everyone about Jasmine before anyone knew. No-one had trusted her but she was the only one who cared for Tejo and wanted to save her from further hurt, Tejo wanted to apologize and thanked her for caring about her when even her family did not at times. Tejo had decided to stay there for some time to get a break and her mama and Mami were more than happy to have her. After helping mami finish the early morning chores Tejo was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the three of them.

Sameer got up to change his clothes and looked around his room, often at times he felt like he lived in a completely different house. His bedroom, which was large enough for a small home had a sliding door which welcomed one into a small sitting area, there was some couches and a large aquarium which divided the space acting as a wall, on the left were chairs and on the right was a study area for Sameer with his bags and papers, walking further into the space via the small middle opening was a large open bedroom, Sameer was a minimalist and didn’t like having much stuff in his room and preferred to have things organized. His room was modern designed with large beige stones as walls and having light shades of brown and beige. The large space seems slightly empty as there was only a large bed towards the right with long side tables on each side, on the left hanging from the roof was a large flat screen TV with speakers built in the roof throughout the room. As quiet as Sameer was he enjoyed watching TV when he had the time and when working he preferred listening to some light quiet instrumental music. Sameer was already quiet and the music really added to his personality, he didnt say much with words but people who knew him understood that he speaks through his actions. He might not tell anyone he’s upset but his choice of music would give an indication if one were smart enough to catch it. Further down the room on the left was the large doors to his balcony, the home was built in a way that every major room in the house gave everyone a view of the lake but couldn’t see each other, it also gave everyone the privacy they needed. Inside the room in front of the balcony were some double couches and chairs with a large coffee table in the middle and some tables on both sides of the chairs and two couches. On the same side on the corner was a standing bike, Sameer liked to get a slight workout but didn’t enjoy going to a gym. He preferred getting his muscle workouts through yoga and Surya namaskar and enjoyed biking for some cardio. Turning the wall behind the bike was a large walk in closet, Sameer’s mom insisted to make the closet as big as hers. She wanted her daughter-in-law to have plenty of space for her things and hence asked to builder to make all three walk in closets just as big, one for her, one for Sameer’s babhi and the other for Sameer’s wife. His mom had already prepared for his wife and in his closet hanging in the different sections were saree’s, some had Indian suits and his mom and babhi had also got some western dresses and jackets from whenever they traveled. Sameer’s mom had also purchased some jewelry and placed it in the shelves of the closet. Sameer was often surprised at the idea when he looked at the closet, there might just be more ladies clothes than his own he thought, but was touched seeing his mom’s gesture. Sameer’s mom had a heart of gold and seeing him accept and prepare for someone who was yet to come, Sameer found that idea very sweet. Picking out his suit from the section next to the jacket and sweaters for his wife Sameer turned around his eyes landing on a blue saree hanging at the opposite section. He stopped and before he would think much of it, shaked his head and walked out to change and go downstairs. Walking out the closet on the right corner were double doors to his bathroom. Sameer quickly washed his face, got changed and after putting his clothes in the laundry basket hung the hand towel back in its spot before leaving, he hated a dirty bathroom and dirty bedroom and insisted to clean his own space. He believed if he could keep his space clean, his mind would also not be clear. Turning off the lights and closing the room he walked downstairs.

Walking through the hallway and going down to the second floor he heard his little munchkins laughing and running. The house was always bustling with their noise and Sameer loved it. They were his older brother’s two kids, Diya and Shaurya, seeing Sameer they ran to him and Sameer played with them for a few minutes before bringing them downstairs for breakfast. Walking down Sameer saw his mom bringing plates of food while his babhi finished the remaining dishes. Sameer’s father was already seated at the table reading his newspaper. The two chairs at the front of the table were empty, Sameer’s grandfather had gone to visit a small pilgrimage and he looked around but didnt see his grandmother. “Where’s Dadi” asked Sameer as he sat down next to his father. “Temple” replied his father still focused on his paper. “Bauji please first eat or else the food will get cold” said Sameer’s babhi as she brought the remaining breakfast following Sameer’s mom. “No, no, the newspaper is more important beta” Said Sameer’s mom to his babhi, “why do we get up and make warm breakfast, so it can get cold as we read the paper” Sameer’s mom and babhi clapped each others hand as they both laughed as they sat to eat. “Alright, alright” said his father, “just because mother isn’t here, doesn’t mean you both taunt me on her behalf, and beta you too” asked his father looking at his babhi who responded with a innocent smile holding her ear. “you stay away from your mother-in-law, your starting to become more and more like her” Sameer’s father said as he starting eating. “What do you mean stay away from her, she’s not my daughter in law, she’s my daughter, you can keep the boys and I’ll keep my girls” Sameer’s mom said giving his babhi a hug. Admist the fun morning banter, Sameer could hear his phone ring. Typically when he was with his family his phone was on DND, but if it rang it meant it was important, he looked at his phone and saw it was his Dadi, he quickly picked up and walked aside to hear better. “Jay Mataji Dadi, I’ll be right there” and with that Sameer quickly grabbed his keys and left stating he had important work. Someone had called from his Dadi’s phone stating that she had fainted and was at the nearby doctors clinic.

Sameer didnt want to bother his family and so he quickly left and racing through the streets pulled outside the doctors office to find his grandmother walking out to her car. “Dadi” said Sameer running up her. “I’m fine, I’m fine” she said, My blood pressure just fluctuated and I got light headed at the temple. “Dadi, why don’t you take care of yourself, you didnt even have breakfast and went straight to the temple. Without your breakfast, you can’t take your medicines, then of course your blood pressure will flucatue.” The usually calm and composed Sameer was now affected, he spoke calmly yet sternly with respect to his Dadi, he was very close to her and the slightest detail about her bothered him the most, everyone in the family knew that. “That’s why I left before you guys came downstairs, I knew you wouldn’t let me leave without my medicines and I needed to get to the temple for the first prayers.” “Dadi, I would’ve come with you, we could’ve had breakfast early and then come here” Sameer said, speaking in his usual calm manner. “I’ve taken a vow for you, until you find a bride, I’m going to come to the temple every week, on an empty stomach to pray.” “Dadi” asked Sameer surprised. “No, I’ve had enough of you not taking this matter seriously” Dadi replied. “Your a gem of a person with a gem of a heart, I know how much your family matters for you and you always put everyone else before you, its about time you find someone who understands you and shares all your sorrows and pains. You share your happiness with us all but never give anyone an inkling of how your really feeling. I’m praying to find the perfect life partner for you, someone who deserves you.” Sameer stood quietly as he continued to listen, while listening he thought of the girl in the saree again, he didn’t know why but it was the only face that came in his mind. “And look today” his Dadi continued “when I was getting dizzy I didn’t realize when I lost my balance and was about to fall when a sweet girl came and held me. She helped me sit down and brought me some lemon water and sweets. She fanned me until I felt better and managed the situation to prevent a crowd hovering over me. I told her I was better and would go home in my car but insisted to get me checked by the doctor. It was she who brought me here, she was sitting here with me while the doctor did my checkup and even made sure with the doctor if I was well to go home.” Sameer looked on hearing carefully. “I felt like she was sent by god, I don’t know why but I feel like she might be perfect for you, just like how you help others, she came and helped me a complete stranger. She had this sweet innocence to her, you can’t help but look at her and smile. I don’t know who she is I got her name but I’m going to find out about her. Will you be willing to meet her, I have a feeling she’d be perfect for you?” Sameer lost in his thoughts, simply nodded after a couple minutes of thinking, if she helped my grandmother then I should meet her once, at-least to thank her if not anything else. Sameer agreed much to his Dadi’s happiness asking the driver to bring Dadi’s car home, they both got in Sameer’s car to go home and to tell the rest of the family about this girl.