Shankar

She wants to marry me!!!! Yukti wants to marry Shankar Randhawa!!!

I knew it!! one day she will come to her senses that there is no one who could love her like me..

That day came soon. I mean it took her only 6 years 6 months and 7 days to be precise.

But it's nothing I could wait till eternity if it means she could be mine in the end.

Haye mareez- e -ishq kya kya krata h.

(Love makes you do all crazy things.)

But here is a teeny tiny problem my Yukti has challenged me to make her parents accept me.

Tch tch

Little did she know I had 6 fucking years guys to impress her parents with my charm.

And I completely seized that opportunity.

Yukti doesn't know but her parents are fond of me.

And right now I am on my way to the market where her mother must be shopping.

"Are! namaste aunty ji. " I say.

(Hello, Auntie.)

"Aree!! Shankar beta.. Tum kab aye?"

(Oh! Shankar what a pleasant surprise! When did you come here?)

I bend down and touch her feet,

"bas bas jeete raho." She blesses me.

(may god bless you.)" She blesses me.

"Bas wahi factory ke kuch kaam se aya tha. Aare yeh saman aap mujhe de dijiye mein help krta hu." I take the bags from her.

(Just came for some work at the factory. Let me help you with those bags.")

Gentleman son in law.

"Mere saath chaliye. Mein apko chord deta hu."

(Come with me. I'll drop you off.)

"Are beta iski kya zaroorat h. Kyu pareshan ho jaoge"

(It's fine, son, I'll manage. Don't trouble yourself.")

"Aap bhi toh meri ma jaisi h. Isme pareshaani wali kaisi baat." I gave her a polite smile.

(You're like my own mom. Why would I consider it a trouble?" )

After meeting her mother, I went to their house the next day with Amma from our village.

Yukti's  house is a few kilometres from mine . We sat in the jeep though Amma was reluctant at first since she is paranoid of my great driving skills.

So I had to lift her up and throw her in the backseat with Ishaan and Abhimanyu.

"Kanjar kahi ka."

(You scoundrel!! )

I laughed when she started cursing me. It's fun to mess with the old lady. Ishan stifled his laughter.

I drove to Yukti's house. All four of us entered in. Yukti's father, who is a retired school teacher was sitting on the chair and reading some newspaper.

He is a nice man. I mean how can you hate the creator of the love of my life.

You must be wondering how I met him?

It was sheer fate that we met. Yukti's father owned some property but some people captured it and claimed it belonged to them. Court cases were filed as her father believed in 'Justice.'

For many years this man visited the court for hearings but nothing happen.

Justice is just a mockery in this country if you personally ask me.

A few years back when Yukti was away, her father came to me for help. Since he was my soon to be father in law I had to help him. I also knew Yukti won't know about this matter. So I solved the matter within two days. After that day he became fond of me. Every now then I go to visit them.

When we step inside. Yukti's father upon seeing me quickly stands up.

"Are Shankar beta! "

(Shankar! My son)

"Namaste, Uncle ji. " I say touching his feet.

"Jeete raho. (May god bless you.)"

He blesses me,"Amma bhi ayi hain. " (Amma is here as well.)

Uncle touched Amma's feet.,

Everybody knows our old lady. Not only she is savage but also pretty famous.

Father is law takes us to the seating area. Amma sits in the middle between me and Abhimanyu. Ishan remains standing. Yukti's father sits in front of us.

"Bhai, Mohanchand teri patni kaha h usse bhi bula. " Amma said.

("Mohanchand, where's your wife? Tell her to come too.")

My mother in law comes out of the kitchen carrying tea.

"Namaste, Amma. Aur kaise ho?"

(Namaste, Amma. How are you?)

She sits beside her husband. All the adults exchange greetings and talk about each other's health.

My mood turns sour with every minute passing. Why the fuck are they not getting to the point.

I nudge Amma with my elbow to remind her of the important matter.

She gets the memo and diverts the conversation to the main topic , "bhai dekho, mera ladka tumhari ladki se biyah krna chahta h."

(Listen, My son is interested in marrying your daughter.)

Yukti's parents are shocked. Their eyes roll back at me. I keep my face impassive.

"Ladka mera ek dum suthra hai. Bhagwan ki kripa se bhot paise hain. Tumhari ladki rani ki tarah rahegi. "

(My boy is good looking and well off. He will keep your daughter like a royalty.)

If her parents deny this proposal. No worries I have a back up plan rolled up my sleeves.

"Tumhari ladki ki bhi umar ho gayi. Aj nahi toh kal biyah toh karao ge. Humare chore mein kya kami h. Mein toh nuh bolu. Kyu Mohanchand?"

("Your daughter is of age. Either today or tomorrow, you'll have to get her married. What's lacking in our boy? I'm telling you, Mohan Chand, why are you hesitating?")

"Haa baat toh theek h ek dum. "

(Yes, that's absolutely true.")

"Phir batao tum log? Kuch kami hai mere chore mein?"

(So, what's the problem with my boy? Why are you hesitating? )

"Are Amma, Shankar toh hai hi bete jaisa. Isme kya mana krna" My favorite Mother in law states, " Dekho humari taraf se toh haan hai. "

("Are Amma, Shankar is like my own son. What's there to object to?" My favorite mother in law states, "Look, from our side, we're okay with it.)

I can't hold my smile any longer.

"Ek baar beti se saath baith kar baat cheet krle. Phir batate hain waise bhi shaadi toh ek bada faisala hota hain."

(We will need to discuss with our daughter once. Then we'll see and think about it. After all it's a big decision."

My smile fades away once father in law says this.

"Theek hai. Poora soch samajh kr batana. Shadi biyah ke mamle mein jald baji toh waise bhi acchi nahi hai"

(Fine, think about it carefully. In matters of marriage, rushing into things is never a good idea.")

I silently glare at Amma. The old lady has take her revenge on me.

The conversation wraps up and we stand to leave. Yukti's parents come with us. Ishan takes Amma and Abhimanyun goes with them while I stall behind.

"Waise mene sunna hai ki apki Pustaini haveli ko lekar court case chal raha hai. " I tell my very soon to be father in law. "Aap chahe toh mein madad kr sakta hu...," I emphasize, "Sasur ji. "

"Chaliye mein chalta hu. " I say with a smile.

(I've heard there's a court case going on regarding your ancestral property. If you'd like, I can help with that, "Sasur ji (father-in-law)," I say emphasizing the last word. "See you soon. " I say with a smile.

Earlier the ball was in their court. But now it's in the referee's hand. Whoever catches it first. Wins.

After driving a few blocks away, Abhimanyu shakes me and says, "ohh bhai!! Teri shadi hone wali hai. "

(Bro, you are going to get married.)

I smile at the thought.

Yukti, intezaar rahega. Meri Jaan

(I'll wait for you. My life.)