AFTER 6 MONTHS

CONVOCATION

The University is all geared up for it's 50th convocation. In the span of 5 glorious decades, it produced number of scholars and designed the lives of lakhs embarking it's name in the pages of history. Everyone are ready to celebrate the landmark journey.

First two rows in the monumental hall are occupied by the Chief Guests,Principal & Professors followed by students in the third row wearing coats & caps. The total scenario is bubbled with excitement & nervousness when the Principal took charge of the program.

After the oration, he calls for the Chief Guest who is Raghuveer. With a welcoming smile, he walks over to the podium and takes over the Mike,

Raghuveer: Good Morning everybody. It's an honor to be standing infront of you all and I would like to thank your Principal,my friend for inviting me.

He chuckles as the student mass prepare themselves for a long speech,

Raghuveer: Ok relax as you are all expecting, I am not here to lecture, your professors does a better job than me.Rather,hear an youthful story...... of a boy & a girl.

At this they straighten their backs curiously,

Raghuveer: All are awake now? Good! Let's get into it. There's a boy & a girl who doesn't know each other but their lives are somewhat similar.Their families are well off so obviously they are also good.Aise hein ki wo kuch bhi nai karega na tab bhi chalega.But they didn't think like that.Despite having an influential surname, they never used it.They choose their own professions going against their families.And like any other normal students,attended classes regularly & worked hard for merit scores.The girl joined her father's business when she was still a student & the boy went to pursue his passion.

While all their peers were enjoying & chilling,she juggled between college & office & he struggled between life & death.

Here, you might all think what's the need for them to strive? Rather having fun why are they straining themselves?

Even I used to think the same.It was my prejudice about this generation.Like the girl & the boy,there are many of you who struggle hard even though you are blessed with good lives.I never understood these people.
I thought why don't you follow what your parents say? Why are you choosing to suffer?

He looks at the student crowd, their expressions gave out their thoughts. Some are offended,some are frowning, some are interested but everyone are curious to know the next,

Raghuveer: Because of dreams.Dream to achieve something.Dream to become someone. Dream to make your name. Now dreams don't know who's rich & who's poor right? They appear to anyone at anytime.

He smiles before continuing,

Raghuveer: Living in this society, Parents fulfill all the wants and wishes of their children but when it comes to their dreams we don't consider them. Because we don't want them to go through the difficult journey of achieving their dreams. We can't see them having sleepless nights, depressed faces, exhausted selves.How can we? We are parents after all! Also this is 21st century where miracles happen in minutes & disasters happen in seconds.

But...... in that odyssey, you people see the lows & highs of life, you face challenges and seek solutions on your own, you make and break relations, you will get to see everything in a new perspective, you understand the objective of life, totally you discover a new "you".

What I say is, "Youngsters has the right to dream and parents have the responsibility to push them.Stand behind them like a rock, become their spine and help them hold their heads high."

Everyone clap for such a stimulating speech & he nods smilingly.

Raghuveer: Wanna know who are the girl & the boy who made me realize this?

Students shout even professors are excited,

Raghuveer: Ok the boy is your beloved lecturer Karan Luthra and the girl is the topper of your University who is also my other daughter........Preetha Raghuveer Arora!

The whole auditorium gasps at this disclosure while our girl is startled. She didn't expect him to reveal this. Hesitantly she glances around where everyone's eyes are only on her.

Raghuveer: Come up!

He encourages her.

With a little smile, she walks towards the dias and climbs the stairs internally glaring at her father. What's the need to reveal this?

Raghuveer: I am proud to present you what you always dreamt of.

He wears the gold medal around her neck and gives her the certificate. Preetha felt emotional receiving them from her father. She hugs him expressing her extreme happiness. The auditorium is filled with claps, cheers and shouts.

Principal: Mr. Arora you inspired not only the students but also parents out there.Thank you so much. Now I would like to call the youngest lecturer of our college and also a business tycoon Karan Luthra onto the dias.

Straightening his suit, Karan gracefully walks upto the podium,

Karan: To all the dignitaries and students present here,a very Good Morning. First of all I would like to thank the Principal who was also our Principal when I was a student here. Thank you for taking in a new bie like me. I would never ask for a better chance than this to fulfill my dream.(with a smile) Yes......teaching is my dream. And I thank my parents for supporting it.

I feel sad to say because of personal commitments, I will not be able to continue as a lecturer.(students protest) But I will try to come back as soon as possible because my dream is calling me.

I congratulate each and everyone of you who completed another milestone in your careers. Wish you all the best for your futures. My only suggestion is run....run until you reach your goal. Don't stop!

Though the students are disappointed but they feel happy at his wishes.

Karan: Before ending, Mr.Arora, your speech is motivating but there's one big folly in it.

Raghuveer frowns as to what was that so is everyone,

Karan: She's not Preetha Raghuveer Arora but Preetha Karan Luthra.

Her father laughs, students yell "what" , Preetha almost faints and Karan....he smirks.

Karan: Sorry Sweetheart. As per our deal, one year is over and you got your medal. So ladies & gentle men, meet my wife Mrs. Preetha Karan Luthra.

Preetha shoots daggers at both of them while the two men has widest smiles.

And that's how her father & husband made the convocation memorable for every student.

KENSINGTON, LONDON

On the same day,Luthra's, Arora's & their friends flew to London to celebrate their Post Graduation.

After a ruckus in the college because of the sudden disclosure, she is standing there, in the green lawn, with an annoyed face.

Elders sat on the coaches while youngsters on the picnic mats as they guffaw hearing the incident,

Preetha: I can't believe you both dropped bombs on me.

She's not angry but shocked,

Jahnavi: That's what my brother is expert at. Dropping bombs!

Preetha: Yeah yeah he's expert in hiding things also.

Sure,she has no problem with his job but she definitely uses it to taunt him at the right time,

Arhaan: Pot is calling the kettle back!

Preetha(frowns): What did I hide?

Arhaan: Your marriage, your name actually you hid yourself!

Preetha: That's from the world not from him. Unlike your friend,I told everything about me.

Karan who's silently listening clears his throat as she has a point,

Karan: Itna gussa sehat keliye acha nai hein Sweetheart. Cool down!

Arhaan: Bolo ki thumhareliye acha nai hein!

Karan throws a cushion at Arhaan.Preetha shakes her head vexed and glares at Karan,

Preetha: Really Karan? How can you say that so suddenly?  Thum mujhe fasakar chala gaya.Pata hein kitna questions aaya hein.Kya kya bol raha hein? Aur Papa (turns to her father) aap bhi?

Her father is sipping his tea when his daughter blames him,

Raghuveer(offended): Arey jab mein naraz tha thumhari decisions se tab thumhe problem ho rahi thi aur ab mein proud hu,kush hu thumse ab bhi thumhe problem ho rahi hein. What do you want me to do?

Preetha: Papa mera matlab....

Raghuveer: Baath math karo mujhse.

 Huffing, he continues sipping his tea,

Varun: Fir se? Had hein Mickey! Kitne mushkil se thum dono ko mila hein meine ab thu firse unko naaraz kar diya? I can't help now!

He gets irritated as if he's the one who shed his sweat & blood for uniting the father & daughter,

Mahi: Haw! Thumhari wajah se Papa ne isko maaf kiya?

Varun(with pride): Aur kiski wajah se?

Raghuveer: Achaa jara mujhe bhi batao thum kaise manaya tha mujhe?

Varun bites his tongue because that's not true,

Varun: Umm...wo...aapko meine...

He sutters and Mahi rolls her eyes,

Mahi: Rehne do hame pata chal gaya ki thumhe kuch nai kiya. Fir papa then why did you forgive her?

Preetha(exclaims): Matlab kya hein di. Do you want him to dislike me forever?

Mahi: Nai nai.What I mean is Papa thumse naraz the. Hamari baath bhi nai suni. Lekin achanak thumhare paas aaya kaise?  Birthday party pe invite karne keliye.Aise bhi kya hua tha?

Preetha(shrugs): Finally unko samaj gaya hoga ki  mere bine wo reh nai paayega. Simple!

Raghuveer: Thumhe bahot galath fehm hogayi beta. Ek baar hospital aa jao theek karunga mein.

He comments keeping aside his earlier annoyance.Everybody chuckle while she sulks standing infront of him,

Raghuveer(coolly): Mera damad ki wajah se usko maaf kiya.

That stills everyone including them,Preetha looks at Karan asking what did he do, he nods no saying he didn't do anything,and they look at Raghuveer,

Jahnavi: Usne kya kiya?

Raghuveer: Karan nai. Preetha ne kiya tha.(to preetha) Did you remember your little stunt when last time you visited Mahitha Gardens?

They both frown and after few seconds the incident strikes them.He's talking about their adventure where they both entered the gardens by climbing wall escaping from the security & where they also kissed.

It startled them while Raghuveer smirks,

Preetha(surprised): Aapko kaise pata?

Raghuveer: That is my place Mickey.

She gulps while Karan is not in a different state.

Preetha: K....kaise?

Raghuveer: Cameras.

Preetha: Sab dekha hein aapne?

His expression is enough to let her know that he saw everything.

Varun(excited): Kya kiya thu ne aur Papa kya dekha hein?

That reminds her that everyone are looking at them inquisitively.She gives him a forced smile,

Raghuveer: Yeh sawal Karan se bhi puchlo.

Her father is enjoying this a lot,

Varun: What? Ab Karan ko bhi thune badal diya.Very bad!

Preetha: Meine kuch nai kiya jiju. (To Karan) Thum kya aise statue ki tarah khare ho? Bolo kuch.

She harshly pats Karan who is in shock but gets rectoverd by her,

Karan: H...ha ha kuch nai kiya.

Arhaan: Joru ka gulaam!

Arhaan & Varun chuckle while Mahi & Jaanu tap their heads,

Jaanu & Mahi : Aur aap?

Arhaan & Varun (gulps): Ham bhi.

Karan smirks at them while the elders shake their heads.

Mahi: Coming back.....kya kiya tha yeh logon ne?

Raghuveer: Wo....

Before he says,she pleadingly falls on her knees without any hesitation,

Preetha: Papa. No. Please. Mein kabhi nai karungi aise. Please math kaho.Please.Please.

If their siblings got to know, they wouldn't leave them.Its so embarrassing!

But her gives her attitude ignoring her pleas,

Raghuveer: Kuch keh rahi thi abhi abhi....

Preetha: No no papa mein yeh keh rahi hu ki aapne bahot acha kaam kiya tha. Actually mein hi sab ko bathane wali thi lekin aapne kiya. Thank you so much Papa.

She changes her plate instantly while Karan just sits there quietly,

Raghuveer: Karan bathao maaf karenge ham?

She is shocked at this while Karan is surprised but seeing his father in law's subtle wink he composes,

Karan: Chod do papa iss baar. Bechari rone lag rahi hein.

Preetha stands up digesting the partiality she faced just now,

Mahi: No hame bathana hoga ki thune kya kiya aur Papa ne kya dekha hein waha?

She looks at the youngsters and they too agree. Karan & Preetha try to divert them but will they agree? When they heard his voice,

Raghuveer: Unn dono ka pyaar dekha hein meine.

That silences everyone including them who are expecting endless teasing,

Raghuveer: Being her father, I couldn't understand her but Karan understood her & supported her. Though this girl took some silly decisions like hiding her marriage and many more, he accepted them just so he could see her happy. He's content with the little time she spent with him.She didn't talk with me for 6 months but he made sure to update him about her without any ego. Ab Itna acha pati aur damad aise jamana mein kaha miltha hein? (smiling) Mahesh aur Sahana ji, you both did a wonderful job in bringing up your children.

After that incident, both the families came closer than ever and this is one of a touching moment for Luthra's. They proudly sees their children who look at them gratefully.

Preetha: Saara praises apka damad keliye ya apni beti keliye bhi kuch hein? After all,he's my choice.

Sarla: How can we forget you? Thank you Mickey for bringing Karan to the family. Otherwise I would have missed another son.

Preetha widens her mouth seeing her parents openly supporting Karan,

Preetha(shocked): Aap bhi?

Mahi: Obviously,Ma papa ke peeche hi hogi.

Varun: Aur unka beta unke peeche.

They too give their support to Karan while Arhaan too joins them,

Jaanu: As he's my brother I am with him.

Sameer also joins him leaving her alone. Preetha with a pouting face looks around,

Preetha: Mere side mein koi nai hein?

Mahesh: Jaane do inn logon ko beta. Thumhara sasur hein thumhare paas. I know you are the best!

Sahana: Ofcourse meri bahu apni saas se kam nai hein!

At once, she felt re-energised as they join & she mockingly sees everyone,

Preetha: Dekha!

Varun: Just two!

Preetha: And(he pulls Rishi).......Mera best friend bhi hein mere saath. Wo apki tarah mujhe kabhi nai chodega. Haa!

She wraps her hand around his neck and says with pride while he stiffens at her words.

And continues in the next slice.....