Free Palestine 🇸🇩

And there's a massive student protest happening in Bangladesh.

•••

Yash wasn't really sure why Jigyasa sounded so surprised when he offered to pick her up from her residence. But when he reached there, he understood the reason for her astonishment. Because she lived in a Chawl. There were kids touching his car with eyes full of fascination. There were women staring at him while washing clothes. And there was Yash, who was trying to avoid their gazes while impatiently waiting for Jigyasa.

He breathed a sigh of relief when Jigyasa stepped out of her house.

“I'm sorry, I got late,” said Jigyasa.

Yash waved off his hand, “Oh, you aren't late. I came early.” He replied politely and like a gentleman that Yash is, he opened the door of passenger's seat for Jigyasa. Now that's a different thing that the gentleman inside him goes on vacation when he gets into argument with Veer or any other annoying society member.

Jigyasa mumbled a thank you and sat inside the car. She somehow managed to secure the seat belt by the time Yash ignited the engine. And they drove away.

✿ ✿ ✿

Yash took Jigyasa to the hotel where his granny was staying. The hotel belonged to his grandfather and it will be his as soon as he gets married. It felt like a dream to him. Just one signature on the marriage certificate and he will become the owner of three electronics showrooms and a hotel chain in Mumbai. So dreamy.

In his excitement, Yash didn't notice Jigyasa's changed demeanor. She was nervous yet fascinated. Nervous because Yash could afford a lot more than just ten lakh rupees. And fascinated because his world was straight out of a fairytale for her.

The gatekeeper greeted Yash and opened the door for them. As soon as they entered the hotel, Jigyasa began feeling like a misfit. It wasn't just any hotel. It looked like a hotel that only the upper class could afford.

Suddenly a question was raised in her mind.

“Yash, will your Baa approve me?” She asked him.

Yash chuckled at her question, “She will instantly like you.” He held her hand, taking her by surprise, and led her to the private lift that took them to the penthouse at the top floor where Baa was staying.

The lift door opened into the penthouse and Jigyasa was staring at the interior in amazement.

“Wait... this is a private lift?” She asked, because the lift directly opened in the penthouse.

“Yup, only the owners can use it,” Yash informed her casually as they stepped out of the lift.

“This is your hotel!?” Jigyasa hardly controlled herself from shouting in disbelief.

“I did tell you that I'll get a hotel chain after getting married.”

He did tell her. But this hotel was equivalent to ten average Mumbai hotels. She could never even think of stepping into such a luxurious setting.

“I didn't expect you to be this much rich.”

“How much rich is enough rich for you?”

“I'm a middle-class chef. And you are the first rich man I've crossed paths with. I don't know how to answer your question.”

“Hmm, makes sense. Come, Baa must be waiting for us.” And he held her hand again.

Together they entered the living hall where his Baa was having some tea. Her face lit up seeing a girl with Yash.

“Jai Shree Krishna, Baa,” Yash greeted his Baa. Jigyasa also greeted her.

“Come, come. Have a seat. What would you like to have?” She was talking to Jigyasa, who had no idea how to respond to Yash's over-excited grandmother.

Yash and Jigyasa sat down together on the couch. Baa was sitting opposite them, her attention solely on Jigyasa.

“Baa, she is Jigyasa...” that was when he realised he still didn't know her surname, “... she is a professional chef and works at my favorite restaurant.”

“What's your surname, dikra?”

(My Gujrati is limited to the sentence- Gaando thayi gayo che. So if any Gujrati is reading, tell me if Dikra is the right word to use here.)

“Mehta. Jigyasa Mehta.”

“How old are you?”

“I'm twenty-seven.”

“Tell me about your family.”

“My parents passed away years ago. Its just me and my younger brother.”

“What's your-” Baa was about to ask another question but Yash stopped her.

“Baa, she isn't here for an interview. We came to discuss the wedding.”

“Oh, of course, of course. We will have a grand Gujrati wedding in Ahmedabad.”

“But, Baa, there's only a week left. You said that I have to get married before 10th of January.”

“Oh, yes, I totally forgot about it. Then let's have a simple wedding in a temple tomorrow.”

That was it. They are getting married. For real. Yash gets the hotel chain and Jigyasa gets ten lakh rupees for her brother's bail. But their marriage sounded more like a business deal than an actual marriage.

✿ ✿ ✿

The car halted in front of the Chawl where Jigyasa lived. Both of them pretended as if people were NOT giving them curious looks.

“Pack your stuff today. I'll pick you up in the morning for the wedding and then we'll head straight to my residence. Is that okay with you?”

“Yes. Umm... Yash, when will you... give me the money?” Jigyasa didn't want to sound desperate but she really was desperate.

“Right after we get married, my lawyer will personally return the money to your brother's employer and get him out of the jail,” he informed her.

Jigyasa nodded and removed her seat belt before stepping out of the car. She looked back at him and waved him a Bye. Yash too waved at her and drove away.

So... they really are getting married.

✿ ✿ ✿

Jigyasa wore a red Bandhani saree for her wedding. The same saree was worn by her late mother on her wedding day. This saree made her feel the presence of her mother on her wedding day, making her feel emotional. There was nothing normal about getting married to Yash. She was doing it to save her brother. Yash was doing it to accumulate more wealth. Neither of them thought about the aftermath of their marriage. What will happen after their motives are accomplished? Jigyasa had no answer.

She heard honking outside. With a heavy heart she picked her luggage and stepped out of her house. She locked the door unwillingly, as if giving up on a loving family member. The neighbors were already informed that she is getting married. They asked a lot of questions but Jigyasa didn't entertain their curiosity.

Yash came forward to take the suitcase from her as she neared the car. He put the luggage in the trunk and then opened the door of passenger's seat for her.

“Thanks,” she passed him a small smile and sat inside the car. Yash shut the door after her and sat behind the steering wheel. He looked at her for a moment with eyes full of admiration and then drove to the temple.

So it's really happening. He is marrying the girl he proposed over an accidental Vada Pav treat. But it couldn't be that bad. He is marrying a chef. At least, he will get to eat good food for the rest of his life. Or, at least, till the time they stay married.

•••

Hello 👋

Ques: What if you get married to someone with amazing cooking skills but annoying personality? Is it worth it?

My answer: HELL, YES 😋