Chapter 5 .The proposal

That night Dhani was describing the arrangements of the wedding. Sometimes praising, occasionally criticising about it. Sanjana was keeping her head on her lap and listening to her nani with interest as she was telling some fairy tale to her.

  Then she described the relatives and their issues and then to her favourite part that is the wedding lehenga  ( bridal dress)of the bride as she was always fascinated about lehenga. Dhani Chauhan doesn't like any lehengas to date, some lehengas she found too goddy, some colour doesn't impress him. In total, she never liked any bridal dress.

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  Sanjana laughed at her descriptions and asked her nani ma " Nani you never like any bridal dress and do you have any specific bridal dress in your mind."

" Hmmm, your mother once participated in a designing contest in her college days, you know she won the best bridal dress design prize too. When I saw the design on paper I was mesmerised by it. I didn't tell her but I decided that I will make that lehenga her bridal wear and surprise her. But she never gave me a chance."

  Sanjana hugged her more from her waist, Dhani laughed at her antics, she hold her tears at bay  and patted her head 

 " don't worry now I will design that lehenga for my gudiya, you know I  still kept the design " 

"Can you show me nani, please... Please "

   " No, you will have that as a surprise and also as a blessing from your mother at your wedding ok. 

Now good night and sleep "

   Dhani kissed her cheek and left for her room.

     

The next morning was a usual morning routine as they all got ready and entered the dining room. As the clock struck 9 the whole family gathered to have breakfast on the dining table. Mr Paresh Chauhan enters the dining room with his wife, where his son, daughter in law, grandsons and granddaughter were already waiting for them.

The breakfast was always a silent meal for the famìly, as the temper issues of senior Chauhan is well known to the family. After breakfast, Mr Parmesh Chauhan ordered his family to meet him in his study to discuss some family matters. But the family members know very well that they are called to inform or order something because the senior Chauhan never left any room for discussion. For him whatever he wants or decides to do is always for the best for his family. 

Sanjana started sweating while fidgeting with her dupatta as she was not getting any good vibes about this so-called discussion. After everyone entered the study the door was locked as they didn't want the house staff to listen to their discussion. 

"I want to talk to you all about the decision that I made for Sanjana. As Sanjana is going to complete her post-graduation very soon, I have fixed her wedding with Shimla's renowned Batra family. Mr K.N.Batra is a high court advocate and a very respected person of Shimla. His elder son Rohan Batra has done MBA in international business and is presently running his own textile business in Chandigarh. I met this family on my last month trip to the Shimla law council meeting ."

"But her graduation is still incomplete, and for marriage, her consent is also very important " Mrs Chauhan interrupts her husband's talk.

"The Batra family is coming tomorrow evening to meet our family and to specially meet Sanjana. If they agree that I am sure that they will, we will decide an auspicious date for their engagement that will be done within this month and the wedding will be held after her final exam that is hardly three months from now. "

" I want all of you to be present tomorrow and any kind of mistake or improper behaviour will not be tolerated".

" But please ...." Mrs Chauhan again tried to say something, but he cut her off.

" I am not interested in her consent, whether she likes it or not. I have already investigated the boy and his family.No bad habits, previous affairs, a well-earned business and a very good family background am sure that they will keep her happy. What else do you want Dhani, you know that I want to complete this last responsibility on my shoulder as soon as possible. Am I clear to you all?" He asked in a raised voice. 

Everybody nods their head in yes.

"Great, thank you all can leave and start doing the needed preparations ".

Sanjana was the first one to leave the room and went to her room in a hurry. As she entered her room she hugged the pillow close to her chest and started crying badly. 

All her dreams of studying further were looking like a broken dream to her .she always wanted to do a job.

The very next moment the room door opened with a thud and Nani entered the room with a worried expression.

Mrs .dhani chuahan hugged Sanjana and started patting her hair. 

        

            "Sanju, don't cry my doll, your nanaji will never let any harm come to you. We only want to give your responsibility in safe hands, before we leave this world. You know na bacha, that we never trust your uncle and aunt when it comes to you. "

         

         "But nanima, I don't want to get married, as it's too early for me. I have so many dreams to fulfil, complete my education, and earn a decent job. So that I will never be a burden to anyone" Sanjana completed with a sob.

       " Sanjana, please listen to me and try to understand the situation. I know that this generation is more advanced and open-minded. The boy belongs to an educated family and he is an independent person we can say a self-made man. I genuinely hope that he will understand your feelings and will help you in chasing your dreams. "

       " Just hope for the best and keep your thoughts positive . Maybe the type of love and care that you always wanted in your life, future holds a lot of love for u".

       " Nani ma, you don't understand, you always taught me that after marriage the girl's first responsibility is towards her in law's family.  How will I manage everything? What if the boy doesn't agree with my further education or future job?  then what will I do nanima "Sanjana asked her Nani and started weeping badly.

     

     "Stop crying my child, have some faith in God. Today I promise to you that after meeting the Batra's if you tell no to this alliance, I will never allow this marriage to happen. Even if I have to go against your nanaji's wishes I will do that. Trust me ok! now take some rest".

      Sanjan fell asleep after some time, Mrs Dhani Chauhan sat there patting her head... She had already decided that her daughter's history will not repeat this time. She was not able to save her daughter Naira but she will never let anything bad happen to her Sanjana. 

      As the next morning arrived, the preparations in the Chauhan mansion were in full swing. Mrs Dhani Chauhan personally instructed the house help from cleaning, changing curtains, table cloths, fresh flowers from her lawn to the expensive vases She also made the cooks prepare different lavish meals for the special guests .she never rely on Nandini especially in matters which are related to Sanjana's future.

    On the command from her husband she convinced Sanjana to prepare two dishes of her choice, they wanted to show them that her granddaughter is well talented in managing the kitchen. Mrs Chauhan is very proud of her granddaughter who is an all-rounder in every field just like her mother.

     

          There is no competition for Sanjana's beauty in her social circle. Sanjana was a true example of beauty with a brain and a girl with a very down to earth nature. But the only drawback in her personality was a lack of confidence, Mrs Chauhan never understood why her granddaughter looked so terrified every moment.

Dhani Chatham somehow convinced Sanjana for this meeting she assured her that he will keep her promise, nothing will happen against her will. Sanjana was a naive girl who always maintained a distance from the opposite gender. All her life she was just scared of any other man, even the men of her house whether it was her nanaji, uncle or her brothers too.

 When she told her friends about this alliance they teased her that she has to meet the boy alone, and the only thought of this is enough to frighten her.

  When she told her doubt to Dhani she felt pity for her granddaughter, as imposing so many restrictions on her had badly affected her confidence 

Only Sanjana knows the actual truth of her miseries.