Chapter 5 - First Gift

Muskaan opened both boxes. One had a beautiful but pretty heavy necklace of diamonds and stones. And other had a chain with a beautiful dew drop shaped diamond pendant. It was elegant and beautiful. Kabeer was noticing her expressions couldn't guess anything that she liked that or not. So, he asked," what happened… don’t like it."

“no… I mean yes… these are pretty, but why two.” she asked softly.

Kabeer asked again, as if wanted to know something," really… I mean, if you don’t like anything, we can exchange it. Just say your heart. "

“No, it’s not like that… both are pretty, but...” she was a little hesitant.

“but…” he provoked.

“actually, I like this chain more…”

“why so… don’t you like the necklace...”

“no, it’s nice but… I mean, it’s pretty heavy. I don’t like such exhibitory jewellery. It looks like those noble ladies not wearing the jewellery, but showing off…." But she bit her tongue as realised that she was blurting something she shouldn’t.

While Kabeer's expressions changed and his eyes softened immediately. He replied, " if you like the chain more, wear that. For that necklace, keep it in some corner.”

Muskaan thought he might be angry, so she replied," no, this is nice too. I will wear this too."

Kabeer cut him in between, hold her shoulders and said softly," Muskaan, wear only what you like. Don’t be harsh on yourself. Do what you really want to do. And don’t worry, I will not feel bad."

She nodded as her eyes glittered on his soft words. She immediately lifted that chain to wear and went before mirror. But Kabeer was quick to hold her hands and asked a permission to do the honour.

Slowly taking steps he came closer to her and took the chain from her hands, came at her back slide her hairs at a side and pushed the clasp closed. Muskaan blushed profusely, she fisted her hands in side of her sari and closed her eyes squeezed shut. They were so close that even after she left running, he felt himself drenched in her fragrance while Muskaan felt her shoulders burning hot almost whole day.

After sometime on Breakfast table, grandpa sat for breakfast and Kabeer too joined him few minutes later. While Muskaan was in kitchen even after stopping for thousand times by grandpa himself. But Kabeer was unaware of it that the breakfast was mostly cooked by her.

When grandpa saw him all ready for office, he couldn't help but ask," Kabeer, you are going office?"

“of course, grandpa.”

“but your marriage was just yesterday. “grandpa immediately protested.

“that’s the thing grandpa. Because of this ceremony, I have already taken so much leaves. Now can’t afford to take one.”

“but Kabeer…”.

Kabeer cut him in between," grandpa, please... now don’t start that again; spend time with Muskaan, talk to her… please now not this."

And he was interrupted by grandpa," yeah right, now me, an old man… what can I say?"

Kabeer again cut him," grandpa, listen to me please. “he started to flattering him and said, “I heartily agree with everything you have said. But this is not possible in one day, is it? And I can’t sit idle till then. But I promise, I will come back earlier in evening and spend whole evening with her. Now happy…”

Grandpa looked at him keenly and said," it’s not about me Kabeer. Tell me, are you happy...”?

But before he could complete his eyes fell on him. And he was lost somewhere. While grandpa looked at his direction it seemed that he got his all answers, as his grandson was actually ogling and drooling over his legally wedded wife while Muskaan was coming from kitchen with a tray in her hands.

Teasingly grandpa leaned a little and whispered," Kabeer, do you want to eat some houseflies in breakfast. Close your mouth son."

Kabeer who was lost in her till suddenly jerked and a small blush crept on his face," grandpa, I... I was just… just waiting for Radhe… he didn’t bring me breakfast yet..." he smiled sheepishly.

Grandpa chuckled and said," listen you brat, I am your grandpa. Experienced enough to read you.”

Kabeer blushed. Just then Muskaan came with breakfast tray in hands. While Kabeer's eyes widened seeing a much elaborative breakfast than usual. He exclaimed in surprise," wow Radhe, great… such sumptuous breakfast.”

Radhe, who just entered with juice glasses replied," no young master… it’s not me, but madam… she has cooked this."

Kabeer surprised again," what… Muskaan… but why her… where were you… isn’t it your responsibility…"

Grandpa smiled on his concern and he too added," yes Muskaan… this is just for ritual. You need not to do such hard work. why didn’t you make some simple desert?”

Muskaan replied grandpa," grandpa, leave these things. Just taste and let me know; how is it."

Grandpa took one bite and praised whole heartedly," wow... it’s delicious. Really very nice. God bless you dear."

“really… you like it.” Muskaan exclaimed happily.

Grandpa nodded. And she continued," great. Then where is my gift." She spread her one palm before grandpa.

Grandpa surprised," oh really, ok dear, tell me what do you want."

“ummm… no grandpa, not now. I will ask when I need something. “softly she replied.

“ok, up to you, but there is something which I want to give to you. “grandpa said to her.

“what is that grandpa.” Muskaan was all curious.

Grandpa looked at Kabeer then replied," that I will tell you later. Now sit and have breakfast with us."

All this while Kabeer lovingly saw this naughty and mysterious communication. Later grandpa made her to sit and have breakfast. Kabeer didn't praise her verbally but extra servings of food made everyone understand his liking. While they were having breakfast Radhe came to inform," sir, young madam’s uncle has come. He is in living room, wants to meet you."

Grandpa nodded and tell him to serve water for Uncle while they were coming. But his expressions changed into a different which was quite surprising for Kabeer.

Later in hall, Uncle came to take Muskaan with him as technically it was her supper day at her maternal place. So, after exchanging the pleasantries he said his reason to visit," Actually, I am here to take back Muskaan for supper."

But grandpa cut him in between," no Sachin, Muskaan will not go in that house ever."

Uncle cleared his throat and asked politely again," but, this is a ritual.”

Grandpa," I don’t believe in such rituals. I have said that Muskaan won’t go in that house and this is final." And he walked out in anger.

This was shocking for everyone specially for Kabeer. H

he never saw his grandpa losing his temper. He looked at his direction and then on Muskaan and Uncle. Just then a lone tear escaped from Muskaan's eyes. For a moment he stood clueless about what to do. But somehow control himself and took the charge of situation. He said to Uncle," ummm, you don’t worry. Let me talk to grandpa. I am sure I will convince him. "

“no son-in-law, it’s not needed. I already knew, he won’t agree: but came here to see Muskaan. Anyways, I am leaving now. Take care. “her uncle slowly said and started to leave.

Kabeer touched his feet and Uncle left. Some more tears spilled from Muskaan's eyes seeing him leaving. Kabeer saw her, she was not shocked, it means she knew why grandpa did this in fact she knew that this would happen.

He thought," Everyone is hiding something. But what and why." but right now he stood in a dilemma that whether to wipe the tears of his newly wedded bride or calmed his rarely angry grandpa. He looked helplessly in both directions.

Muskaan understood his condition and Said wiping her tears," don’t worry, you go; I will talk to grandpa."

Kabeer asked concerned," are you okay."

Muskaan nodded and hummed. And he left for office.