Mr & Mrs Arjun

Part 6 Mr & Mrs Arjun

Evening.

Narmadha and Vedha were nervous. They were tensed about what Arjun wanted to talk to them about. They didn’t disclose Arjun’s arrival to Meera so that she looked normal. Meera heard a bell sound. Her face brightened as she thought it was Rima. She went to open the door, hopping. She opened the door and got rooted, seeing her Groom standing there. Arjun removed his goggles casually. In fact, that was unexpected for him, too. He smiled at her.

“Hi…”

Meera slowly started taking steps back and got hit by Vedha. Meera was about to run inside, but Vedha clutched her hand, stopping her from running while smiling at Arjun.

“Namaste…” Arjun said.

“Namaste… Please come inside, Beta,” Vedha greeted him.

Arjun nodded yes and got inside. He saw Meera leaning on Vedha’s shoulder because she didn’t want to show her face to him. Vedha pushed Meera’s face by her shoulder and glared at her. Meera stood, looking down, pouting. It was not necessary to say that Arjun enjoyed it.

“Go and prepare coffee for him,” She ordered Meera. Taking the best chance, she rushed into the kitchen. Narmadha came there, welcoming him.

“Please don’t mistake her, Beta. She was brought up in a small Village. That’s why she is like this. She will learn everything quickly.” Vedha said.

“And I’m sorry for what happened that day in the Temple. She hadn’t had a chance to meet you before, and that’s why she panicked when she saw you suddenly.” Narmadha said, feeling sad.

“Aunty, relax. You don’t need to be sorry. I understood her that day itself. I’m not here to talk about it.”

Narmadha and Vedha spared a glance.

“I think she is nervous because she fears leaving you. So…”

“So?” Narmadha & Vedha asked worriedly.

“Di told me that you and buaji will move to Delhi after a few months. Why don't you move right away after our marriage? This is the time she will miss you a lot. She will be relaxed if you are there for her. You can also come to our mansion whenever you want to meet her. It’s just my suggestion. Please think about it.”

Narmadha and Vedha felt blessed to have such a son-in-law. They were also so happy about Meera. If he had thought about Meera to this extent before marriage, then he would have never hurt her.

“Actually, I, too, wanted the same after Meera’s father’s demise. But Narmadha was afraid of moving to a new place. We will surely do that soon, Beta. My house has been rented. They need some time to shift. We will be there soon.” Vedha said.

“I can help if that’s your problem. Why should you wait until the tenant shifts? I can arrange a house for you.”

“It’s ok, beta. We will be there in one or two months.” Narmadha said hesitatingly.

“You can move to Buaji’s home after the tenant vacates. Until then, why not stay at my place?” Arjun suggested.

Narmadha and Vedha looked at each other.

“Don’t be hesitant, Aunty. We should think about Meera more than anything. That’s why I’m saying this.”

“Ok, beta, if you think to this extent, we will,” Vedha said delightedly.

“Thank you for understanding me. I’m leaving.” Arjun said half-heartedly.

“Meera is preparing coffee for you. Please wait. (Looking inside) Meera, come fast.” Vedha said.

Meera came with a coffee tray, bowing down. She gave it to Vedha.

“Give it to him,” she ordered.

Meera took small steps towards Arjun. She extended the tray, bending down. This was the first time he had seen her so close. He took a few seconds to capture her face in his mind and took the cup. Meera was ready to run, but Vedha asked her to stay there. She stood there, hugging the tray over her chest. Arjun sipped the coffee without complaining, even though the coffee had double sugar.

“Good coffee,” Arjun said, looking at Meera.

“He is only talking to you,” Vedha said.

Meera slightly raised her eyelids towards him and again looked down.

“It’s ok, Buaji. She will be with me after our marriage (pause) forever…” Arjun purposely said that to see Meera’s reaction. As he

expected, she gulped, widening her eyes, but her eyes remained glued to the floor. He smiled, seeing her.

“Ok. I’m leaving. We will meet in the marriage hall tomorrow. Bye.” Arjun stood up.

Meera wanted to cry. Not that she would be with Arjun forever, but she would leave her mother and Lucknow forever.

Marriage day

Arjun was waiting for Meera on the stage. There… she was coming… towards the stage… towards him… towards his life. Her face looked like she might cry anytime. Her hands shivered like hell. When Arjun tied the Mangal Sutra, she looked at her mother, turning her face like a child who was entering school for the first time. Her look seemed like “everything is over.” Arjun filled Meera’s partition with Vermillion and made Meera Mrs Arjun.

Meera started crying. Because of her sob, the marriage hall looked like a battlefield. She cried while tightly hugging Narmadha. She

was not ready to break the hug, no matter how hard Narmadha tried. Finally, Vedha pulled her from the hug forcefully.

Narmadha and Vedha had difficulty getting her to sit inside the car. Arjun was witnessing the drama without any expression on his face. It seemed like he needed another three years to mend things. Sanjana was amazed at her brother’s patience. She thought he would get irritated by Meera’s actions, but that didn’t happen. At last, Vedha hit her forehead and scolds her.

“Shut up… I said, shut up… Sit inside.” Vedha chided.

An unbelievable chuckle broke inside Arjun’s throat. Vedha made her sit inside the car, pressing her shoulder and closed the door.

“Start the car”, She ordered the driver, and he started the car.

Meera tapped the car window, which was closed because it was an AC car. Arjun opened the window for her. She waved her hand until the car turned at the corner of the road. She pulled her head inside and saw Arjun forwarding his handkerchief. She nodded, no pouting, and moved so close to the door, taking enough space from Arjun as much as possible. She looked nothing less than a LIZARD who was sticking on the door. Arjun spilled his lop-sided smile when he saw that. She was sniffing all the way to their place.

……

Arjun's family welcomed Meera. They felt terrible seeing Meera crying nonstop, but she obeyed their command and did whatever they said. She kicked the rice kalash. She stepped inside, leaving red footprints as she dipped her foot in red liquid.

Meera came inside, finishing the Grahapravesh ritual. That was when something caught her attention. Her face brightened, and she

smiled in between tears. People had no idea what had made her smile so suddenly. They turned their gaze towards that direction and sighed in relief. It was Spicy, a Pomeranian dog. She rushed to Spicy and sat, kneeling in front of him.

“It looks so cute,” Meera said.

“Do you like it?” Sanjana asked.

“So much.” She lifted it in her arms.

“His name is Spicy,” Granny said.

“I like your name, Spicyji”

All were dumbfounded hearing Meera’s respectful “JI” for a Dog.

“Thunder, I was glad she called you 'Arjunji. But she added “ji” for Spicy too. What to say?” Rahul said, feeling sad.

Both Arjun and Sagar chuckled at his comment.

“Is it your dog, Naniji?”

“It’s Chintu’s, but Nani takes care of her because Chintu is so busy,” Sanjana said, trying to control her laugh as she saw her

brother’s expression.

“But I didn’t see you on the Mehandi day? Where were you, Spicyji?” Meera asked, looking at Spicy as if he would answer.

“Spicy was in the garden that day,” Ganga answered.

“You don’t worry, Naniji. I will help you take care of Spicyji.” Meera said.

Nani nodded, smiling. At last, Spicy achieved what they couldn’t; they were amazed.

“Thander, if you want Meeraji to talk nonstop, you must keep Spicy with you.” Rahul countered.

Arjun glared at him.

“Don’t worry. You will be at Spicy’s place soon.”

Arjun looked at Meera, who was caressing Spicy’s back lovingly and blabbering with her. He would be the happiest person if it was to come true.

A few minutes later.

Arjun sat in the living room with Raj and Sagar. He saw Sanjana and Meera going towards his room. He should have waited until he was asked to go.

“I know what’s going on in your mind… excitement, curiosity, and nervousness. Right?” Sagar asked.

Arjun nodded yes, raising his eyebrows.

“Cool. Be relaxed.”

Sanjana came out of the room and gestured for Arjun to come. Arjun went to her, controlling his curiosity.

“Chintu, I hope you understand about her by now. Please take care of her.”

Arjun nodded yes and went inside. He was puzzled seeing an empty room. He didn’t see Meera there. Where was she? He checked the washroom; nope, she was not there. He remembered her hiding behind the sofa that day. He checked there; she was not there, too. He was confused. He had seen her coming inside with Sanjana. But where did she go? That was when something dragged his concentration. He saw the curtain was slightly moving. He slowly reached the place, moved the curtain, and saw Meera hiding behind the curtain, closing her eyes tightly.

To be continued…