After some time guests are all called into the garden to have their dinner which is arranged in a buffet there. Patel family members along with newlywed couple have also accompanied guests for the dinner.When Akash and Varsha along with Ira walked into the garden, many eyes are on them and many people who just came moved toward them and congratulated. Akash did all the small talks and returned their greetings. Varsha just nodded while smiling as per the teachings of her teacher Ira as she called her jokingly. She also felt after some practice that this is the best way of acknowledging people without embarra.s.sing yourself by opening mouth.
Many people have found their acquaintances and are talking to each other in small groups. Some of such groups are sitting on the chairs or standing in a circle. Some are eating and some are going from one group to another to say hi to their friends or acquaintances. Grandpa Patel and his two sons have also joined some groups and are busy in their conversations.
Some journalists and local TV reporters are also invited to cover the reception party of Patel family. Some journalists have also joined on their y own accord and they are all given their pa.s.ses at the gate and are allowed to mingle and interview people in the garden.
Akash and Varsha have received the wishes and gifts from almost all the guests and are standing at one side. Ira is called by Grandma and when she came back she said to Akash "Brother! Grandma is calling sister-in-law to meet some ladies there. I will take her and you can also go around and say hi to some business people or friends."
Akash looked at Varsha and said in a low voice "Make sure you mind yourself if reporters are around. Even a small careless word can become an issue. So, if something feels odd, Let Ira respond to such things." He does not wish to be embarra.s.sed by her carelessness. He knows she can be a blabbermouth if she becomes relaxed around certain people.
Ira laughed and pulled Varsha and told Akash "Brother! Don"t worry, I will be with sister-in-law." Varsha just grimaced a bit seeing how less confident her husband is with her.
Akash stood few seconds and saw Ira and Varsha joining and greeting the ladies in the group where his Grandma and mother are also present. After that, he looked around and moved toward the group of some young people who are long familiar to him. Group of young people welcomed him warmly and did handshake with him.
Grandpa Patel is talking and laughing with some people while sitting on the chair around a table. These are the influential people in the business circle of Pune and some government officials. Everyone is chatting about things happening in the city and politics. Grandpa Patel suddenly noticed something and then he excused himself from the table and called his youngest son at the side.
At one side away from other people and groups, Grandpa Patel asked his youngest son in a low voice while pointing toward a certain direction "How is Mr. Pawar of Pawar Hotels here? Did you not know how much that person tried to coax us for the marriage of Akash with his daughter? He even threatened us and also ridiculed us for marrying Akash based on a promise."
Youngest uncle of Akash said "I or Akash did not invite him. I believe elder brother invited him and you can also see elder brother is escorting him everywhere. Elder brother is trying to make some deal with him and that is why he invited him in family function. I have also heard that Arpit"s girlfriend is his daughter."
"This is unbelievable. Mr. Pawar already has many hotels and now he wants to infiltrate our restaurant and Hotel business. That person is very cunning and even is using his daughter for his own purpose. How can my son be such a fool?" Grandpa hissed.
His youngest son kept silent and after few seconds Grandpa said "Just keep an eye on the deals your elder brother is making and make sure they are not approved without the signature of all the shareholders in the family which includes Me, you, your eldest sister-in-law and your elder brother himself. Involve Akash as well if possible. He can join in decision making in place of his mother as she does not take much interest in the business." His youngest son nodded and Grandpa Patel walked back to his group of acquaintances and joined the discussions like nothing happened.
Arpit, cousin of Akash is also with his group of friends and they are laughing and making comments while eating. They are standing in a circle and holding their plates in hand while eating and talking.
"Hey, Arpit! I saw, your sister-in-law is not bad looking and looks like a traditional girl. My mother just praised her a lot." One of Arpit"s friend said.
Arpit laughed and said "Good for my big brother. He was known as one of the most eligible bachelors in business and political circle but he got stumped by a peasant girl. Ha ha ha."
Another friend laughed and said "It"s not a bad thing though if he is looking for a wife. For being a good wife, a girl from the village also does not lack any of the qualities."
"You don"t know. She talks without thinking and she is also very less educated. Grandpa asked me as well and I said No, otherwise I would be the one in the place of my elder brother. I want a girl who is smart, well educated and well trained in social etiquettes of higher cla.s.s." Arpit laughed and said.
None of his friends responded after that and looked behind Arpit. Some of his friends even signalled him with their eyes. When Arpit turned, he saw that Varsha and Ira are standing just few steps from him. The look in Varsha"s eyes is of bitterness while Ira looks angry.
Ira came ahead with Varsha and said in low voice to Arpit while making his group also listen "Brother! Know it that you lack in many things from Big Brother Akash. He is a very intelligent person and well respected by everyone in the family and his friends. Why don"t you try to be like him first before you show your own superiority? Do you think you are showing how good you are by ridiculing others? You are only showing how much inferiority complex you are suffering from."
Arpit grimaced and smirked "You are really a chatterbox. You are already known as someone who keeps singing the praises of elder brother, so nothing new about that. It is also a truth that I got saved because I already have a girlfriend otherwise I will be the one being sacrificed."
"Well, I am happy that you did not get sacrificed otherwise I will pity my sister-in-law." Ira snapped at him.
Varsha pulled Ira and whispered "Ira! Don"t argue here otherwise others might notice and then it will become an issue." She looked toward the other boys in the group and smiled toward them apologetically.
"What? Is sister-in-law afraid that my big brother will be disappointed in you more than he already is?" Arpit commented in the tone of ridicule.
Varsha felt glumness cover her heart because she also knows that she is not the ideal girl in eyes of Akash but she cannot show it to others here. She will rely on the promise made by her husband to her and move forward with that.
She looked into the eyes of Arpit and returned the same smile of ridicule to him and said "Brother-in-law should not feel bad about me. Don"t worry, I would have said "NO" if it was you. I only agreed to marry because it was your elder brother. In my eyes no one can compare with him."
Arpit felt like he fell on the earth from the sky. He was just told that he does not compare in any way with his elder brother. He was also told that even a peasant girl can say "NO" to him because his worth is nothing to her.
Seeing the expression on the face of Arpit, Ira giggled and said "I love you, sister-in-law. You are really precise in your attack." and pulled her away toward the group of ladies. She is excited to share this adventure story of her daughter-in-law to Grandma and that of course in private.
Behind them Arpit could only grit his teeth in frustration because he did not get a chance to respond.