Chapter 4

Aksha: Madam Singhania, this is Chadna, (to chadna) sit down

Chadna sits down but didn't really understand...

Aksha: From what I understand you are looking for a wife for your son and... And chadna here is ready for a commitment

Chadna: (surprised) Aksha.... (looks at Anika then whispers to Aksha) we don't even know each other and....

Anika: we would say that she is not ready for a commitment

Chadna: Yes... But... (Sighs) I don't even know you and,

Aksha: you're just looking for excuses, we'll do the introductions! Mrs Singhania this is Chadna.. she is 30 years old and has been widowed for several years with a child now... She is a really nice girl with a heart on the house but, (look at chadna) life is really unfair

Chadna: are you trying to sell me? (smiles) why so much praise? I'm not that perfect....

Aksha: and Aksha is Mrs. Singhania, she is looking for a girl like you for her son, her son has two 19-year-old daughters, he wants to find a woman who can take care of them

Chadna: (surprised) 19?

Anika: yes, (smiles) I have two little girls... Don't be so surprised my son is only 36 years old but he... he had them very very young

Chadna: ohhhh okay but all the same his...his daughters are quite tall, do they really need me?

Anika: (smiles) a child regardless of his age will always need his parents, apart from this fact I want my son to marry so that after my death someone can take care of him and the whole family!

Chadna: (smiles) you are far-sighted, that's good, but Aksha you know very well that I want to get married only for my son, (looks at Anika) I'm not doing it to be someone's wife!

Anika: fortunately my son is in the same vein

Chadna: (thoughtful)

Anika: (takes Chadna's hand) listen, I think you're a good and smart girl so think well (stands up) I'm going to have to leave you

Chadna: ok

Anika leaves and Aksha approaches Chadna,

Chadna: why are you staring at me like that? I'm going to see if Aayan is okay!

Aksha stops him....

Aksha: Chadna why are you so reluctant? If you don't want to get married, okay, I'm not going to force your hand... This woman you see there, she only has to say a word so that all the beautiful women of India come to marry his son!

Chadna: (sighs) Aksha I know what's best for my son, I won't take any family on a whim

Aksha: that's exactly why I'm introducing you to this family

Chadna: you... do you know them personally?

Aksha: not really but this lady made donations to the boarding school, we are not talking about a few cents here but millions

Chadna: How is it supposed to boost my opinion of getting married?

Aksha: just that it is an honorable family and if your son was part of it I assure you that he will have a good future (chadna think about it) think carefully because I will never do anything that will ruin the future of Aayan, you can go now

Chadna comes out of the office, she was walking in the halls of the boarding school thinking about it when Aayan comes....

Aayan: mom what are you thinking?

Chadna: (startled) what...what are you doing here? I tell you to rest

Aayan: (smiles at him) I'm fine but you don't look the same

Chadna: I'm fine too (they sit down)

Aayan: You shouldn't think so much, the other day I heard my teacher say that thinking too much makes you old

Chadna: (smiles) don't worry about me, uhh Aayan I wanted to talk to you about something, (holds her hand) you're a big boy now and therefore able to understand things clearly right? ?

Aayan: (nods her head)

Chadna: (strokes her head) perfect... Honey, tell me why are those kids at school harassing you?

Aayan: harass me?

Chadna: I know you're being harassed by your classmates at school, Aayan between us there shouldn't be any secrets you know that

Aayan: yes but I....I just didn't want you to worry about me because I'm fine

Chadna: (pulls her cheek) Since when do you have to take care of me?

Aayan: ouch....

Chadna: I'm the mother so it's up to me to take care of you (Aayan smiles) so... Uhhh why are they harassing you?

Aayan: they're just way too stupid, they...they harass me because I don't have dads

Chadna: (pause)

Aayan: Don't worry about that, they're just idiots!

Chadna: Aayan and if I found you a dad?

Aayan: (surprised) huh?

Chadna: sweetie listen, a little boy needs a father it's...it's the cycle of life and...

Aayan: but I'm not a little boy, (chadna smiles at him) I can manage without a father mum!

Chadna: and I'm proud but there are many things that only a father can do and that I can't (Aayan is surprised) listen Aayan I'm not going to give you to someone just me and aunt Aksha we talked and... maybe I could remarry

Aayan: (shocked) huh? Mom no.... No why? if you want to do it for me it's not worth it at all i'm fine

Chadna: I'm doing it for both of us, plus the man I might marry he....he's also a father so....

Aayan: do I have to share you?

Chadna: I remind you that you too will share the father of the other children! Come on Aayan I won't do anything if you say no (caresses her cheek) only your happiness counts in my eyes

Aayan: (smiles) if you think it's good for me I agree but says mom (hugs her) you're gonna love me like you love me right?

Chadna: (laughs) like I could one day not love you,

At the SINGHANIA, in the evening the whole family was at the table:

Bela: Dad in a few days we will celebrate our 19th birthday and.... You haven't forgotten at least?

Param: How could I forget? You text me all the time

Bela: (smiles) I thought you're not getting them, What will my gift be?

Param: (silence)

Bela: you're not funny!

Teri: Bela we're having dinner why do you always have to talk?

Anika: Speaking of presents, (smiles) I have a wonderful present for you two

Teri and Bela look at each other....

Bela: grandma the birthday party will be in a month why do you want to give us your present now?

Anika: because I want to, (smiles) today I went to boarding school

Param: at boarding school? (He was going to eat)

Anika: boarding school for women to find you a wife

Param stops and everyone was surprised,

Rajiv: (shocked) a woman?

Param: (looks at his mother) are you really serious?

Anika: (nods her head) this house needs a beautiful girl and...

Bela: grandma have you gone crazy?

Teri: Beautiful!!

Bela: (annoyed) how can you afford to look for a wife for my father?

Param: (shouting) Bela lowers the tone don't forget you're talking to your grandma!

Bela: (gets up from the table)

Param: sit down!

Bela: I'm not hungry anymore

Param: (shouting) I'm telling you to sit down!

Bela gets on quickly...

Sudha: I agree with Bela, Anika how can you want to bring a woman to this house? And on top of that coming from boarding school?

Anika: I don't think I made a mistake! Sudha if it was Rajiv who was in the same position I'm sure you will have done what it takes to make him happy right?

Param: (wry smile) So you think I'm going to be happy marrying a woman who's totally foreign to me?

Anika: well yes, Come on Param I thought you were okay provided that she has a lived experience and for once she is a widow and even has a child

They are all surprised...

Rajiv: (laughs) wow this is a show...I can't believe the great Param Singhania might be marrying an old woman

Param: if you think she's perfect for this family okay

Bela: (shocked) Dad!

Param: (stands up) oh though I hope you told him it won't be a romantic relationship

Sudha: Are you marrying her to be your servant? Otherwise you can take a maid from the house

Param: (looks at Sudha) if I have a good memory I am master of my actions, right? (He leaves)

Rajiv: (mimics his voice) I'm putting up with my deeds! What a jerk

Sudha: Eat instead!

Rajiv: yes

Bela was really pissed off, In Param's room Teri arrives with coffee:

Teri: Dad I made you some coffee!

Param: (takes the cup) thank you

Teri: Dad the decision to marry you is so sudden why?

Param: you are the same age as Bela but you are much more mature! I don't think I need to explain to you that this house needs a woman and even more you two.... Certainly I don't like it too but Mom is really determined

Teri: And who can face Grandma's determination? (Sighs) but dad is this...is this the right decision?

Param: we'll see,

Teri: I'm going to leave you (she was going to leave)

Param: Teri!

Teri: yes?

Param: take care of Bani and make her understand that it's important, I spoiled her too much she even allows herself to shout at mom

Teri: dad be not mad at her, you know her character well, don't you? I will talk to him

Param: (smiles) okay

In her room, Bela was walking around and was really furious when she received a call

#ON THE PHONE

Shivanya: (being massaged) yes why did you call me so much?

Bela: (furious) mom, something terrible happened at home

Shivanya: What happened? Your dad didn't have a case so he's mad?

Bela: if it was only that, but it's even worse!

Shivanya: you're scaring me! Just tell me or else let me enjoy my massage

Bela: Dad wants to get married!

Shivanya: (shocked) what?

Bela: yes you heard me! And...and it was grandma who had the idea, she even already found a girl

Shivanya: tell me.... Hahaha ru kidding right?

Bela: How could I possibly joke about that? Mom I don't want a stepmother! What do we have to do ?

Shivanya: what do you want me to do? Your father avoids me like the plague and doesn't want to see me....

Bela: But mom.....

Shivanya: Ahh let me think about it if your father marries another woman for sure I will never be in his life again and therefore we will never be such a beautiful family

Bela: (shakes head angrily) I wouldn't allow it

Chadna took her phone and called Anika:

#ON THE PHONE

Chadna: Hello?

Anika: yes, who's on the phone?

Chadna: oh sorry aunt I didn't even introduce myself it's chadna I.....

Anika: oh the boarding school girl? (smiles) how are you?

Chadna: I'm fine I wanted to talk to you about the...the wedding

Anika: oh on that? So what did you decide?

Chadna: I talked about it with my son and.... We made the decision to accept,

Anika: (happy) really?

Chadna: yes

Anika: ohh that's really good news!

Chadna: and your son?

Anika: don't worry, he's going to marry you but we'll all have to meet tomorrow to make the introductions

Chadna: with my son?

Anika: yes of course (Chadna was hesitant) it's your son's future that we're talking about if he doesn't like us you could always change your mind!

Chadna: (smiles) thank you

Anika: what are you talking about? It's up to me to thank you!

Chadna: (looks at Aayan sleeping) I'm going to have to hang up have a good evening (she hangs up)

Anika: (happy) it's a good thing but will her child even like Param?

In a bar, Rajiv was drinking with his friends:

--- so man your brother blocked all your accounts?

Rajiv: I can't take him anymore if I could make him disappear I will but you know me I'm not a bad wolf

--- ohhh! Hahahahahaha

They were having fun, a girl approaches them:

--- hello beauty!

Leyla: (to Rajiv) hi handsome

Everyone are surprised to hear this sentence from a girl with such an honorable face....

Rajiv: (a little embarrassed) uhh hi! (Whispers to his friend) Did I hear right where she called me handsome?

Leyla: do you want to dance?

Rajiv: uhh (laughs) no you see I....I don't know how to dance!

Leyla: I can teach you (takes her hand) let's go

Rajiv: (pushes his hand away) no thank you I.....have to go (walks away quickly)

Leyla: (looks at her friends) Are you her friends?

--- uhh yeah

Leyla: (smiles) give me her number!

--- we can't, have you seen it? Limit he ran away when usually it's the girls who run away from him

Leyla: Interesting! (put money on the table) hold this and give me her number

They were surprised but complied it was a lot of money,

The next day in a taxi:

Gauri: (sulking) why do I have to come with you?

Aksha: Gauri, the future in-laws of our chadna, wanted to meet her as her relatives don't have an obligation to go there?

Aayan: and then aunt Gauri, it seems that these people are quite rich, they will serve you good food!

Gauri: I look like an elephant to tell myself that? Am I so greedy?

Aayan: Am I lying? Who eats all the cakes at night?

Gauri: you I..... (Notice that Chadna is pensive) Chadna why don't you say anything?

Chadna: (looks at her then smiles) It's nothing!

The taxi stops, they get off and they were in total decomposition after seeing the big SINGHANIA house...

Gauri: (looks at the sign) We got the wrong house?

Aksha: (smiles) no let's go!

Aayan: it looks like a castle, how beautiful it is!

They go inside to arrive he knocks on the door of the house it is a servant who opens them...

--- Good morning ! Please come in

They enter....

Chadna: (surprised, Think: the house is really big but how.... how much money do people have to afford such a luxury?)

Bela: (enters) who are you?

--- uhh miss these are the guests of madame!

Bela: (looks them up and down) These people?

Anika: (comes) be a little more respectful, okay? Be sure to sit down

Bela: (annoyed) We don't have the right to say what we want anymore?

Anika: if it's to be arrogant, you'd better shut your mouth!

Bela: (surprised, leaves angry)

Teri: (entering) Why did Bela leave like that? (see the others) ohh hello!

Chadna: hello

Anika: Chadna, let me introduce you to my son's two daughters! The other....

Gauri: is it the proud one who just left?

Teri: Excuse my sister her.... She is more sensitive

Chadna: (Think: From what I see they are educated in a modern way, and the other one is so rude!)

Aksha: your little girl is pretty good

Teri: (smiles) thank you,

Anika: oh I just had a great idea, it's sure that our presentations are not as they usually are but I would like to see if you know how to prepare tea

Aayan: Of course, my mother is the best!

Teri: you are...

Aayan: I am his son!

Teri: ok.... (smiles) you're cute

Chadna: (smiles) no problem I can make you some tea, but where is the kitchen?

Teri addresses him...

Chadna: I'll go then

Anika: don't get lost, the house is quite large

Chadna: Don't worry!

Bela was watching them from the top of the stairs, Chadna was walking in a hallway looking for the kitchen when she sees a library, she enters:

Chadna: (surprised) wow there are lots of books! (Think: Chiv loved to read!)

She was touching the books, she stops on a book and starts looking at it suddenly a book from the top is about to fall on her head without even realizing it a hand pulls it towards her, and the book falls to the ground Chadna raises her head and comes face to face with Param, she remembers him and is surprised... In surprise she tries to get away from him but is about to fall and Param catches her, they were face to face close to each other....

Chadna: (surprised)

Param: (looks at her) you!

TO BE CONTINUED....