Unexpected Meeting

Part 4: Unexpected Meeting

Arjun was ready to leave for Delhi, and Sagar was with him to give him a send-off.

“Your chopper is ready. You need to start from the airport since the rain damaged our helipad,” Sagar said.

“Yeah, I remember,” Arjun replied.

“Call me when you’re back, and I’ll send the car.”

“Sure. Bye.”

“Bye, dude.”

They hugged formally, and Arjun left for the airport.

...

Arjun’s family welcomed Meera and Vedha. Sagar liked Meera at first sight; she appeared innocent. She touched Nani and Ganga's feet to receive their blessings, while Sanjana hugged her, followed by Nisha and Pooja.

“Hi Meera! I’m Pooja,” she introduced herself.

Meera looked at her, confused.

“He is Sagar, Chintu’s friend. Pooja is his sister,” Sanjana explained.

“Who is Chintu?” Meera asked nervously, biting her nail.

“Meera Mami… Mumma calls Mama that affectionately,” Isha giggled.

“Thank God Arjun is not here. Otherwise, he would have given us a death stare for calling him that before his bride,” Ganga said.

Meera gulped when she heard that. Sagar smiled at her reaction. He looked at his watch. At the same time, Mr Dube called Arjun.

“Yeah, Mr. Dube, I’m coming,” Arjun answered.

“No, no, Arjun. I have to return to Singapore because of a family issue. I’m sorry for disturbing you,” Dube said.

“It’s okay, Mr. Dube. We will meet soon. Take care,” Arjun replied.

“Thank you, Arjun.”

Dube disconnected the call and called Sagar, announcing,

“I have cancelled the program. Arjun is coming back.”

“Thank you so much, Mr. Dube,” Sagar replied gratefully.

“It’s my pleasure,” Dube said before ending the call.

Sagar couldn’t help but smile mischievously. He walked to the living room, where everyone awaited the beautician’s arrival.

“I’m so happy that you and Narmadhaji also decided to move to Delhi,” Sadhana said.

“Meera has never been without her mother. She will feel more relaxed if we are nearby, but it will take a few months to relocate since the house has been rented out. The tenant needs time to move out. Only after that can we shift to Delhi,” Vedha explained.

“Excellent idea, Buaji. It will surely make Meera happy,” Sagar replied, glancing at his watch.

“Guys, please head upstairs. We can finish the decorations down here without disturbing you,” he suggested.

“He’s right. Let’s go upstairs,” Granny agreed.

As they stood up, Sanjana’s phone began ringing. It was Narmadha calling.

“Yes, Aunty…” Sanjana answered.

“Sanjana beta, can you pass the phone to Jeeji?” Narmadha asked.

“Sure, Aunty. (Looking at Vedha) Aunt Narmadha’s call. She wants to talk to you.”

Sanjana handed the phone to Vedha.

“Tell me, Narmadha.”

“Jeeji, where did you keep the cupboard key? The grocery shop man is here for the payment.”

“Where did I keep the key?” Vedha wondered.

“Buaji, it’s here,” Meera said, pointing to the keychain hanging from her waist,

“God! What have I done?” Vedha exclaimed.

“Buaji, give it to me. I will go home…” Meera started to say.

“Shut up. Sanjana beta, I have to leave. I’ll be back in an hour,” Vedha insisted.

“Vedhaji, we can send someone with the key,” Sanjana suggested.

“Narmadha doesn’t know the details of the payment. I forgot that they would come today. I will be back soon,” Vedha asserted.

Granny nodded in agreement. Meera went to send Buaji off.

Sagar struggled to contain his happiness. This was an unexpected twist.

“God must be great!” Sagar exclaimed, looking up.

“Don’t do anything stupid, okay? If they ask, ‘Are you okay with this marriage?’ you should say yes,” Vedha whispered.

Meera nodded, pouting in agreement. Buaji got into the auto and left. When Meera returned inside, she noticed no car had entered

the premises.

She found herself alone in the living room, which felt empty. Not knowing where to go, she glanced around. At that moment, she heard footsteps. She turned around and saw Arjun entering the house. Startled, she began to tremble and quickly entered a nearby room to hide.

Arjun stopped hearing the sound of the anklet. It seemed like something new. Meera slowly peeked from the room and saw Arjun standing there, deep in thought. She pulled her head back inside fearfully.

Arjun sensed his empty hand; he had forgotten to take his laptop from the car. He called the servant, Ram, taking a few steps back, and ordered him to bring it from the vehicle. Seizing the opportunity, Meera quietly slipped out of the room and ran upstairs. She was about to bang on Sagar when he asked,

“Meera, what happened?”

“Bhaiya, where is everyone?” she replied.

“Everyone is upstairs, in the first room on the left side.”

“Thank you,” she said, rushing to the room Sagar had indicated. Sagar quietly left the area, noticing Arjun heading toward his room… the first room on the left.

Meera was confused about finding the room empty. Just as she considered leaving, she froze when she saw Arjun approaching. Nervous, she searched for a hiding place and sat behind the sofa with no other option.

Arjun entered the room and muttered, “Thank God Dube called me before I started.” He tossed his coat onto the recliner, and his phone in his coat pocket accidentally hit Meera’s head.

“Ow…” she hissed.

Arjun was puzzled by the sound and moved toward the sofa, where he saw Meera sitting. He could hardly believe his eyes; he thought he was hallucinating. As Meera stood up and darted away, Arjun finally came to his senses and tried to catch her, but she was quicker. Bewildered, he wondered what Meera was doing in his room. Just then, he spotted Sagar approaching.

“Sagar… did you see Meera?” he asked.

“Yeah, she’s here.”

“Is she really here? God! I thought I was hallucinating when I saw her sitting behind the sofa!”

“What? Behind the sofa?”

“I thought she was just playing ‘Hide and Seek’ with Isha.”

“Of course, she was playing ‘Hide and Seek’—not with Isha, but with you.”

“What????”

“Yes, she wanted to hide from you.”

Arjun rolled his eyes with a smile. “This girl… But why is she here?”

“She came to participate in the Mehndi ritual.”

“But no one told me about it.”

“Because men aren’t allowed at Mehndi functions. Her Buaji seems orthodox, so they planned it today, thinking you wouldn’t be

here.”

“But you didn’t say anything to me either?”

“But, I brought you here at the right time. No one can say, ‘You can’t come’ to the mighty Arjun, and they also can’t stop the Mehndi.”

“Is that your plan?”

“Yeah, I asked Dube to postpone the meeting.”

“Damn you, Sagar…”

“How was your meeting with Meera behind the sofa? Wasn’t it worth watching?”

“She’s such a crazy girl.”

“Are you going in or not?”

“Who’s going to stop me?” he winked.

“Let’s start the fun.”

Everyone was surprised to see Arjun back. How did he return? Meera hid behind Ganga, who insisted that the beautician draw the design she had selected the day before.

“Chintu, didn’t you go to Delhi?” Sanjana asked.

“Mr. Dube wanted to return to Singapore urgently, so I came back,” Arjun replied.

Everyone felt awkward, unsure how to restrict Arjun from joining, given how strongly he disliked rituals. To their surprise, he sat on

the couch.

“Di, I want coffee,” he said.

Sanjana looked at Granny, who gestured for her to be quiet. She called Ram to bring a cup of coffee. At that moment, Rahul rushed in with Sagar and Raj.

“This isn’t fair, Di. You said this is a women’s ritual, and men aren’t allowed, but you allowed your dear brother here?” Rahul protested.

“Shut up,” Arjun glared at him.

Rahul pretended to zip his lips. Arjun couldn't see Meera because she was still behind Ganga. Everyone tried to stifle laughter as Meera adjusted her position based on Ganga’s movements. If Ganga turned, Meera turned; if Ganga leaned back, Meera did too. It provided a great deal of entertainment for onlookers.

The beautician finished the design and asked for the groom's name.

“What’s the groom’s name?”

Meera looked at Ganga, expecting her to respond, but before Ganga could speak, Pooja interrupted.

“Mami, don’t.”

Everyone looked at her in confusion. “Why not?”

“Let the bride say her groom's name,” Pooja chuckled.

Meera’s eyes went wide. Arjun smirked at her expression.

“Wow… that’s a great idea,” Sagar smiled.

“Yeah, Meera Bhabi, come on…” Rahul insisted.

Meera nodded, glancing down, pouting.

“Why are you troubling her, guys?” Sanjana defended Meera.

“There’s nothing wrong with a little fun,” Ganga said.

“Meera beta, tell her Chintu’s name!” Granny said.

“Yeah, she’s waiting,” Ganga added.

The room fell silent. Meera leaned over to the beautician's ear and whispered. Everyone sighed in disappointment.

“Do you want me to write ‘Arjunji’?”

Arjun’s face lit up at the sound of his name. Arjunji! Interesting!

“Wow, so we will be hearing Thunder's name in a new way from now on,” he remarked.

Meera then leaned closer to Ganga and asked what made Ganga laugh, leaving everyone confused.

“She’s asking, ‘Who is Thunder?’”

Arjun shot a glare at Rahul, who was scratching his head.

“Thunder is none other than your Arjunji,” Ganga teased.

Meera gulped at the mention of “your Arjunji.” She felt a tremble of nervousness. Arjun enjoyed watching her expressions; they were rare and innocent, drawing his attention. The beautician finished writing Arjun’s name, and Ganga held Meera’s palms together, revealing Arjun’s full name.

“Wow! Your Arjunji is in your hands now,” Pooja said.

Meera slowly glanced at Arjun through a small gap created by Ganga’s neck. When she caught his gaze, she instinctively bowed her

head.

“Finally… she saw you,” Sagar whispered to Arjun.

Arjun nodded, raising his eyebrows and pursing his lips in a smile.

Sanjana’s phone rang, and Meera’s house number was displayed. She answered the call.

“Jee, Buaji…”

“Sanjana beta, I’m stuck here because our relatives have come from the village. Can you send Meera back with someone?”

“Of course, Buaji. Don’t worry. I’ll send her,” Sanjana replied.

“What’s going on, Sanjana?” Granny asked.

“Buaji said she couldn’t come to take Meera back because she got busy.”

“What???? Then how will I go?” Meera panicked.

“Stay with us here,” Pooja teased playfully.

“No, no. I won’t!” Meera shook her head hurriedly.

“Either way, you must come here in three days,” Sagar said, smiling.

“Naniji… I want to go home,” Meera pleaded.

“Don’t worry, Meeraji. I’ll send you,” Sanjana assured.

“I’ll drop you, Meera. Just relax,” Sagar offered.

Meera nodded, sighing in relief. She gulped when she saw Arjun smiling at her.

“Will you drop her, Sagar?” Sanjana asked.

“Yeah, sure,” he replied.

“I’m leaving,” Meera announced, standing up.

“Let your mehndi dry,” Nisha said.

“Yes, Meera beta, wait a while,” Granny added.

Pooja gently pulled her hand, making her sit back down.

“Di, I’m tired; I’m going to my room,” Arjun said.

Sanjana nodded in understanding. Arjun looked at Meera, who had bowed her head again. He noticed a hint of relief on her face. It wasn't hard to conclude that it was because he was leaving. How would she handle staying in the same room with him after their marriage? He went with those thoughts in mind.

Meera bid farewell to everyone, and Sagar led her to the car. They found Arjun standing by the vehicle, leaning against it.

“Sagar, I’ll drop her,” he said.

“No… no… I won’t go with him,” she fidgeted as usual.

“Don’t worry, Meera. I’ll come with you,” Sagar reassured her.

“No… I want to go by myself.” She insisted, then rushed out.

Meera stopped a cab and got inside quickly. Arjun and Sagar exchanged confused glances, completely taken aback as they watched her leave in the cab.

To be continued…