Chapter 9

Param takes Rajiv to his bedroom and then to his bathroom:

Rajiv: (washes his face) That girl wanted to kill me!

Param: (standing in the doorway, smiles) sure all the girls were disgusted by your reaction! And take a bath before you go out (Move your head and walk away)

Sudha: (comes into the room) my baby, how are you?

Rajiv: Mom... How do you want it to go?

Sudha: tsuuu I wanted to make Param pay for the other day by playing a little joke on him but .... But you're the one who paid the price

Rajiv: (washes his eyes) Stop with that because I almost lost my eyes!

Sudha: (stifles laughter) okay, okay!

Param was coming down the stairs...

Leyla: (entering) Hi Param

Param: Hi you.....

Leyla: is he okay? It's my fault that he ended up with hot pepper on his face

Param: he's fine, but why are you worried about him?

Leyla: Uh...Param it's not because you don't worry about others that everyone is like you (arranges the wick)

Param: I hope so! (He leaves)

In the evening, Chadna was sitting outside looking at the moon:

Aksha: (comes) the weather is very nice tonight

Chadna: (pause)

Aksha: Tomorrow you will remarry are you stressed?

Chadna: (sighs) Not really! I'm a little mixed tomorrow is the wedding but I ask myself so many questions!

Aksha: like what?

Chadna: do I really want to get married? (looks at Aksha) I feel like I'm betraying Chiv but...

Aksha: I understand you, But think that after your marriage your life will be even more beautiful than usual (look at the sky) my husband left when I was still very young you know? I never wanted to remarry because .... Because I loved him very much but if I had children I would have done so because a child grows up in safety when he has both parents!

Chadna: I have the impression that this family does not like me too much apart from aunt, Bela despite being very young is really harsh in her words and her remarks

Aksha: (puts his hand on Chadna's shoulder) listen honey it's not because our Aayan is really open-minded enough that it's going to be the case for everyone, You marry Param so that Aayan can have a father and he marries you so that you are the mother of his daughters so it will be your duty to help them!

Chadna: It's not going to be easy, that's for sure.

Aksha: Exactly, but we never get anything for nothing.... It's getting late, go to sleep!

Chadna: ok good night

She goes inside, Meanwhile in Bela's room she was on the phone:

Chivanya: yes (half asleep) but why are you calling me at such a late hour?

Bela: Mom, why haven't you picked up my calls for the past few days?

Chivanya: I'm not in India, our schedules are not the same

Bela: not in India?

Chivanya: (gets out of bed) It's 4am Bela, what do you want?

Bela: Forget it! (She hangs up) Dad is getting married tomorrow but she doesn't give a damn! (With a disturbed face) I really hope daddy isn't going to take this woman as his wife.

The next day, At the boarding school everyone had started to prepare things... The boarding school was so beautiful and well decorated, Aksha and Aayan arrive in the room:

Aayan: Mom, did you see the boarding school? It so well decorated more than Christmas days!

Chadna: (smiles) Really? You like ?

Aayan: (nods) how could I not like that? I adore !

Chadna: (happy) glad to hear that but Aksha you shouldn't have spent so much on me

Aksha: (slaps him on the forehead) What are you talking about? You deserve more than that! (Smiles) Just enjoy this moment

Chadna: (looks in the mirror) enjoy?

Gauri: (comes) Aksha why did you have such a big wedding? The whole boarding school is decorating tsuu what's left for my wedding?

Aksha: Bahh for your wedding it will be even bigger

Chadna looked a bit pensive....

Aksha: Chadna I'm going to put the jewelry on you and help you with the make-up what do you say?

Chadna: (nods her head)

Aksha: Gauri can you help me? Help Aayan prepare

Gauri: let's go to the bathroom Aayan

Aayan: you stay there I'm going to take my bath alone I'm a man now

Gauri: like I wanted to help you hahaha

Aksha was doing Chadna makeup all of a sudden she sheds a tear...

Aksha: (wipes away her tear) A woman shouldn't cry before her wedding, that's a bad sign.

Chadna: (looks down) I..... You know a few years ago when I got married to Chiv (looks at Aksha smiling) I was very young and... And I had dreams really beast ! Chiv wasn't rich let alone his family but I was so happy to be part of this family, Aksha... (sheds tears) I'm afraid this family won't like me or... N don't accept Aayan! I don't want to prove that I deserve them....

Aksha: (smiles) you ask too many questions! (Stands behind her) Look in that mirror you have such a beautiful, innocent face that wouldn't like to accept you?

Chadna: (looks at herself and cries)

Aksha: Chadna!

Chadna: I miss Chiv and his family Aksha! I lost the only family that loved me and seeing me again in that red saree breaks my heart, (crying) I feel like I was in a movie and...and I I was saying that in the end Chiv will come back but now (shakes his head) I just got a slap Chiv will never come back Aksha!!!

Aksha hugs her, Aayan and Gauri had heard them from the bathroom...

Gauri: uhh (cough) You better get in the shower

Aayan: (Nods and goes)

Gauri: hmmm poor child growing up without remembering his father it must have been so hard, their house burned down Chadna has no picture of his daddy it must be so hard, (Joined his hands) my god help them.... Chadna and Aayan deserve to be happy in their lives

Among the Singhania,

Anika: (to the driver) Are the cars ready?

- Yes Madam

Anika: (happy) okay

Teri: (comes) Grandma I called all our relatives and don't worry they are on their way

Anika: everything is fine then, phew I tend to get stressed in this kind of situation

Teri: As long as I'm by your side why stressed huh? (Smiles was going to leave)

Anika: Teri (she stops and looks at her) My darling tell me, did I do anything wrong by wanting your father to get married?

Teri: Are you telling me that because of Bela?

Anika: (a bit sad) She's so capricious and doesn't always understand what we're trying to do and so...

Teri: don't worry grandma I'm not like Bela, I fully understand your choice and then I'm sure Bela will understand it too

Anika: Hopefully, is she at least coming to your dad's wedding?

From the top of the stairs,

Bela: Are you going to stop me from coming? (Go down)

Anika: my princess you....

Bela: Grandmother, I'm not at all happy with the fact that my dad is getting married, (Anika looks at Teri) but hey, since in this house no one seems to want to listen to me, I have to comply with your choices.

Teri: Bela....

Bela: please Teri shut up because you should be against this too, (shakes her head) if mom finds out about your actions I assure you she will be disappointed in you what a shame (she leaves)

Teri: Shame? (points at herself) wow and it's me who's embarrassing

Anika: don't forget you're more reasonable than her go ahead I'll go get Param

Sudha: (coming) just hope he remembers it's his wedding

Rajiv and Sudha are laughing....

Anika: Sudha are you ready yet?

Sudha: I am well and truly invited, reassure me

Anika: what are you telling me here? Param is like your son so yes

Sudha: Rajiv let's go (they come out)

Anika was about to go up the stairs when she sees Param coming down:

Anika: (reassured) You're already ready, that's perfect

Param: We can go (arranging his watch)

Anika: (happy) I'm so happy to see that my son will finally be able to get married

Param: (turns eyes up)

Anika: ok ok, let's go

They leave the house and get into their cars.... Back to the boarding school Chadna was already ready, she was splendid in her red sari and her jewels when Aayan comes:

Aayan: tadaaaaa!

Chadna: (looks at him) oh how beautiful you are

Aayan: yes, isn't it? (Happy) these are new clothes I find them beautiful

Chadna: hmm, but it's my son who makes them even more beautiful

Aayan: yes (he kisses Chadna on the cheek)

Chadna: (surprised) why so much love?

Aayan: (puts his hand on his head) I promise you that I will never leave you, I will always be with you.

Chadna: (remembering Chiv's gesture the day of the explosion, moved) Really? (She hugs Aayan) Don't worry about it I won't let you go

Aayan: (smiles)

Aksha: (Comes) enough of the talk the Singhania family just arrived

Chadna: Really?

She goes to window level and looks at the oncoming cars...

Chadna: (Think: Am I really going to marry another man today?)

Aksha: we should go

Chadna: ok

Shortly after, the Singhania family was already settled, Param was seated near the sacred fire:

Teri: wow that's really beautiful

Bela: are you talking about these low quality flowers? Tsu-tsu-tsu who are you trying to please by lying like that? (folds his arms) nothing is beautiful

Teri: You're not going to spoil my mood,

Bela: (sulking)

Chadna comes down arrives accompanied by Aayan and Aksha, all eyes are on her...

- I can not believe that a woman with a son managed to see such a rich beautiful family it's impressive!

Anika: (Think: she's so pretty)

The Pandit: the bride is there so the ceremony can begin

Chadna looks at Param,

Chadna: (in a low voice) even on the wedding day he looks grumpy! I'm not going to pray for the wedding vows here but for god to protect me against this man!

Param: (looks at her)

Chadna: (startles, looks away, Thinks: did he hear me?)

The ceremony begins, Param and Chadna recite their vows

Param puts the nuptial necklace on Chadna and the vermilion, she sees her marriage with Chiv again .... Chadna and Param make the rounds of the sacred fire, and the guests throw flowers at them:

Teri: (to Bela) Won't you throw flowers? Now there's nothing you can do about it they're married

Bela: (furious, leaves)

Param and Chadna take blessings from Anika and Sudha, Aksha hugs Chadna:

Aksha: you know I consider you as my own sister don't you?

Chadna: (nods her head)

Aksha: I only want you to be happy and (shed a tear) be happy Chadna!

Chadna: (in tears) Aksha (hugs her)

Aksha: (strokes her head) don't worry sweetheart Hmmmm (shakes her head) you'll be fine you'll be happy and that's all that matters! !looks at Param, walks up to him) I know you are a great businessman and commitments are precious to you, aren't they?

Param: (silent)

Aksha: (folds his hands, sheds a tear) take care of Chadna and Aayan, the walls in this place are full of our Aayan's laughter but he will be happier with you! Please watch over this child I...I saw him grow up it's like my son!

Anika: (holds Aksha's hands) don't worry, we'll take care of them okay? My son may be tough but never leaves his commitments or his promises! You don't have to worry, and then I won't let anything happen to Aayan and Chadna

Aksha hugs Aayan...

Aksha: big boy, now it's time for you to go to a new house, ok?

Aayan: (in tears) Don't worry I....(wipe her tears) I'll take care of my mom

Aksha: yes I know,

Anika: (takes Aksha's hand) let's go now

They leave, Some time later, they arrive at the house... Chadna is brought to Param's room:

Chadna: (dazzled by the room)

Anika: (smiles) it's the most beautiful room in the house after my room and Sudha's of course!

Chadna: the bedroom is beautiful (look at the bed) wow I have never seen such a big bed hahahahah

Anika: (makes her sit down) Here

She gives him a glass of milk....

Chadna: my aunt.....

Anika: Mom!

Chadna: (smiles) okay, mom I know the principle of milk but you know that me and Param we married only for children

Anika: I know it but my other members of our family don't know it and then I have the right to dream, don't I? (smiles) I'll go

Chadna: And Aayan?

Anika: Teri took him to his new room, she decorated it especially for him

Chadna: What.... I never sleep without my son in I don't know if it will be easy for him

Anika: don't worry about him rest ok? (She leaves)

Chadna: (looks around) the room is really nice! (Think: my rich really don't deprive themselves!)

Param arrives at his bedroom and finds his cousins (the children of Anika's brothers) standing there:

- you know the customs, don't you? You need money to get in!! Or else ....

Param: (glares at him)

— uhh hahahahaha we can do without it, can't we girls (they leave quickly)

Param enters the room and sees Chadna who was sitting on the bed,

Chadna: (stands up) are you there? (takes the milk) here

Param: (looks at the milk then Chadna) do you at least know the meaning of this glass of milk?

Chadna: you see my dear Param, you may be a few years older than me but me... well (smiles) I was married once you see!

Param: Oh really? So tell me how you were once married does that mean?

Chadna: hmm? P.....why would I tell you huh? (Put the glass on the table) just drink it I'm leaving

Param: (mocking smile)

Chadna: are you kidding me? Why do you always look down on me?

Param takes a step forward and Chadna is surprised,

Chadna: stay where you are because....

She wants to take a step back but her foot stumbles and was about to fall, she holds Param's jacket which holds her by the waist so that she doesn't fall.... She looks at Param for a few seconds when she comes back to herself , she realizes that she opened Param's jacket and that he had nothing underneath

Chadna: (surprised)

TO BE CONTINUED....