Cursed Bride Read online

  Cursed Bride

  Part 1

  It is said that every Palace has it’s own history buried deep inside the walls that supports it. It isn’t easy to know what had actually happened in the past. It isn’t simple to digest the truth that was been hidden from long.

  Raj Mahal, the biggest Palace in Jodhpur and the 3rd biggest in India had a very Unfortunate Past. It had seen 3 generations of the Khurana Family who lived there. Something worst had happened years back but no one from the family ever talked about it. In fact this Cruel Past was always hidden from the new generations of the family. None of the Grandsons and Granddaughters who lived in this House ever knew what that Past was. Only the elders of this Family knew.

  Saroj Khurana, the eldest member of this Family was sitting on the Recliner placed in the Centre of the small garden in front of the palace. She was thinking something very important. Her Grandson "Shravan" was now a very established business tycoon. He was almost in the age to get married now. She knew she would have to hunt the best bride for him. But then she was worried of something. In fact she was worried of "Shravan's" marriage right from the time she had come to know the Unfortunate Past of this Palace.

  She closed her eyes and tried calming herself down but the screams of her Youngest Granddaughter Radhika Khurana "Daadi save me. Daadi" made her open her eyes instantly. She immediately turned behind only to find her Youngest Grandson Kishore running behind his sister Radhika, his hands all filled with mud and he was chasing his sister to paste this wet mud on her face.

  Kishore and Radhika both were very childish in behaviour. They teased each other, played pranks on one other, sometimes even made the other laugh and cry at the same time by their acts. But they were the second best Sibling pair of this house. Well then who were the first ones?????

  Radhika came and started hiding behind Saroj's recliner trying to avoid her brother's playful actions.

  Radhika: Kishore. Don’t do this. Please. I am wearing a White dress. The Mud stains won’t go. Please.

  Kishore: Ohh ho ho.!! So now you are worried of your dress?? What happened when you poured this same wet mud on my new jeans?? Didn’t you think about me then??

  Radhika held her ears and stood beside her Daadi looking at her brother.

  Radhika: I am sorry Kishore Bhai.!!!!! Forgive me. I promise I will buy a new Jeans for you today. Happy??

  Kishore (Still trying to chase her): No way Radhika. You spoiled my outfit and I would spoil yours too.

  Saying that he was about to paste the mud on Radhika when Saroj held Kishore's hand.

  Saroj: Kishore. !!! Your sister is asking your forgiveness. Didn’t I teach you to forgive people when they are really sorry for What They did??

  Kishore stopped and then moved his hand behind giving up.

  Kishore: Ok Daadi. I remember. I forgave her.

  Radhika smiled and hugged her Daadi for saving her from her brother today.

  Daadi: And you Radhika. Remember one thing. Now you are grown up girl of Khurana Family. You shouldn’t be playing around like this all the time. In few months you would be getting married. I want you to learn everything from your Di and Bhabhi. Understood??

  Radhika nodded a Yes and kissed Daadi's Cheeks.

  Radhika: Daadi. I have already learnt a lot from Di and Bhabhi. I guess it’s time for Kishore Bhai to learn somethings from SHRAVAN and Rajeev Bhai. (She giggled teasing Kishore and ran from there followed by Kishore who was once again facing the naughtier side of his sister.)

  Saroj knew nothing can stop these two from playing with each other. She saw Maakhan (An Old Servant of this Palace) walking towards Saroj hurriedly.

  Maakhan: Hukkum. (He said bending his head down showing respect to Saroj which he always did). Shravanji has come back from his Trip and he is not in a good mood. Anjum Bitiya sent me to call you inside.

  Saroj: What?? Shravan is back home?? But he was supposed to come next week.

  Saroj got up from the Recliner and started walking towards the doors of the Palace to check what the matter was. Maakhan followed her.

  .

  Devi Jaiswal, was the next elderly person in this Palace. Her only Daughter was married to the Eldest Son of Saroj Khurana. After the death of Saroj's Son and her Daughter, both the families stayed together in this Palace. Devi and Saroj were good friends and they always took decisions for the family only after seeking each other’s advice. Devi had a Son Manveer Jaiswal and a daughter in law Malti Jaiswal. They too stayed in the same palace. Their Son Rajeev Singh Khurana was married recently to his childhood friend Kriti.

  Saroj saw Devi and Malti sitting on the couch and discussing about "Shravan".

  Malti: Sasuma. I don’t understand why Shravan beta gets hyper for every small thing?

  Devi: Malti. This is not something to discuss now. We can see how much angry he is. I hope Anjum bitiya calms him down.

  Malti nodded her head in agreement and Saroj came towards them.

  Saroj: Devi. What happened to Shravan? And he came a week before? Is everything alright. ?? (She asked worried for him)

  Devi: Calm down Saroj. He is fine. Nothing has happened to him. He just finished his work of Delhi today and thus he came a week early.

  Saroj: But then Makkhan told me he is Angry. ?

  Devi (Little tensed): Yes. Woh!! He met with a small accident.

  Saroj was hell shocked hearing this.

  Saroj: Accident?? Ohh God!! I hope he is fine. Did he get hurt? Call the doctor Malti.

  Devi: (Holding Saroj's hand): Saroj . Relax. He is not injured. Just a small cut on his hand that’s it. Nothing much.

  Devi made Saroj sit on the Couch and she asked Malti to get water for her.

  Devi: It was the Driver's fault. New drivers always drive Rashly. Shravan fired him today. Don’t worry. He is all fine. Anjum is bandaging him in his room.

  Saroj looked at Devi with fear in her eyes. All she could ask at the moment was just one thing. It was such a coincidence that minutes back she was thinking about the Unfortunate history of Raj Mahal and now she comes to know her Grandson "Shravan" is injured.

  Devi's expressions also changed suddenly seeing Saroj in fear and nervousness. She caressed Saroj just to let her know that everything is fine. "THEIR SHRAVAN is fine"

  Anjum Kapadia was the Eldest daughter of this House. She was married 2 years back to Suraj Kapadia who was a Lawyer by Profession. Since her husband always had to travel different cities for his work, he made sure his wife is been dropped to Raj Mahal before he starts his journies. This time also he was not in town and hence Anjum was back to her Mayka for some days. After the death of her paren’ts, she had taken utmost care to bring up her younger brother "Shravan Singh Khurana (Shravan)" in a proper way. She always made sure of needs and likes and everything he ever wanted was always made available before he even asked . She treated her younger brother like her own Son. She also cared for her other two siblings Radhika and Kishore who were her Chacha's Children’s (Saroj's Second Son's Children’s). But Her Shravan was her priority all the time.

  Anjum was dressing the small Cut on the Wrist of her Brother Shravan who was sitting at the edge of the bed fuming, remembering how he had warned his driver to drive normally and how he ignored his orders.

  Anjum: Shravan. You shouldn’t have fired the Driver. He was New to this Job. You should have given him one chance.

  Shravan's temper which was already high , raised to it peeks now.

  Shravan: What The Hell.!! Shravan Singh Khurana never gives a Second Chance to anyone and anything Di. You should know that.

  Saying that he got up from the bed and walked to the Exclusive Poolside of his Room .

  Anjum: Shravan. I know that. But then he told me that it wasn’t his fault. He just cou
ldn’t control the speed at that moment. He tried applying the brakes and yet the Car didn’t Slow down. Which means there should be some technical fault with the Car. You should have confirmed that at least before firing him from the Job?

  Shravan (Turning Back to Anjum): Checking the Car's Servicing is not my Job Di. He should have serviced the Car properly before picking me from my Office. He has failed to do his duty and has been fired for that. I don’t want anyone .Specially you to even ask me to rethink on this decision. Once I decide , I don’t look back.

  Saying that Shravan Singh Khurana, the only Short tempered person in this Raj Mahal left his room.

  Delhi Airport

  The Flight from US had landed few minutes back. A White Mercedes Car waited outside the Arrivals with a Young girl in her formal attire holding a Bouquet of Flowers in her hand waiting to receive her Managing Director's Daughter Miss Preeti Mehra. She was constantly seeing her watch and then searching for this known face that would be coming out at any moment. Finally she saw Miss Preeti Mehra in a very casual dress, a blue Jeans white Top, wearing a Black sunglasses and dragging a Medium Sized Black Trolley walking towards her. She stopped at the Car seeing Sheetal who greeted her with the Flower Bouquet.

  Sheetal: Welcome to India Ma’am.

  Preeti removed her glasses accepting the bouquet and then frowned at Sheetal for that one wrong word in her greeting "MAAM".

  Preeti: I suppose we are good friends first Sheetal. Every other relation between us comes next. So stop being so formal. (Saying that she smiled and hugged Sheetal )

  Sheetal was very much delighted by Preeti's behaviour. Yes she and Preeti were good friends. They had met each other in Mehra Office in US where they became friends. Sheetal got posted to India and now she was seeing Preeti after 2 years. She hugged her back with equal comfort.

  Sheetal: You must be tired. Let’s drive to Mehra House.

  Preeti : Yeah. And I have a lot to talk to you.

  The Driver loaded the luggage in the Car and the two girls sat inside only to start sharing their lives since last 2 years.

  Jodhpur - Raj Mahal.

  Everyone were enjoying their Dinner in a very authentic style sitting on the Terrace and having a Candle light theme planned by the Servants for the Family. This family always made sure the Dinners are always done together since all the men’s of the house are never present at home during the Lunch times. So it was a compulsion to have dinners sitting with the whole family . But Shravan Singh Khurana and his Sister Anjum had been out for a Small Party and hence they were not present at the Dinner table.

  Maakhan and two other maids were standing aside waiting for the orders of the family to serve them if they needed anything.

  Manveer: Amma (Devi) . I had met Mr Chaddha today.

  Malti: Mr Chaddha or Mrs Chaddha ?? (She said looking at her husband.) I know very well how much Mrs Chaddha had tried to impress you at that party.

  Kishore and Radhika looked at each other and tried hiding their laughs remembering that Party where their Uncle Manveer Jaiswal had danced with Mrs Chaddha purposely leaving his wife fuming and watching them from the corner.

  Manveer: Come on Malti. Everyone knows I did that to make you feel jealous. Nothing else. And well I am not talking about Mrs Chaddha here. So please let me finish the topic.

  Malti looked back at her plate and continued eating accepting her husband’s words.

  Devi: What did he say??

  Manveer : He has a Proposal for Shravan Beta .

  Saroj and Devi stopped eating and looked at each other.

  Manveer: Yes Amma. I too was shocked when I heard this. But he was very much interested in this Proposal and well who won’t be interested ?? After all Shravan Beta is one of the most wanted "Daamad" here.

  Kishore: Wow Maamu. You mean Shravan would be getting married. Finally.!!! I am going to wear the best Sherwani in his wedding. Radhika. We need to go for some shopping tomorrow. Ok?

  Saroj: Kishore. Don’t build your hopes so high. It’s just a proposal till now. We haven’t finalised yet.

  Kishore: So What Daadi. You and Naniji would surely fix this proposal soon. I am sure. You guys were thinking of Shravan's marriage from long time. And see here we got the first Proposal for him and that too from Malti's rival Mrs Chaddha.!!! (He said giggling and looking at Rajeev who gave him a Hi- Five for seeing his Mother been teased by his young brother).

  Devi: Kishore, Rajeev. You guys don’t need to make fun of Malti now. (She said strictly and then looked at her son Manveer.) Who is the girl?

  Manveer: She is Mr Chaddha's Old Friend's daughter . Preeti Mehra. That’s her name. Mr Mehra died some years back . So the entire business is been handled by his Wife and Daughter in US. I haven’t seen the photo of the girl. But Mr Chaddha would be sending me that soon. I would say we should really think about this proposal. What do you say Amma?

  Devi took a sigh and then replied back.

  Devi: Fine. ME and Saroj would talk on this and let you know. But till then do not inform Shravan.

  Radhika: What Nani. If we don’t inform SHRAVAN then how would we tease him. This is unfair.

  Saroj: Radhika. Do as we say. Do not inform this to Shravan till we agree for it. (She said commandingly.)

  Radhika and Kishore had to agree.

  Part 2:

  Mehra House - Delhi

  Preeti ( On Phone): Mom. I am doing really good. I hope you taking care of yourself. Don’t even think of skipping your medicines since I am not there to keep a check on that.

  Aarti laughed hearing her daughter bossing her.

  Aarti : Okay Okay Preeti. I won’t skip them. Fine?? Actually I had called you for some important reason.

  Preeti picked a Pillow from the Couch and placed it on her lap hearing interestingly what her mother wanted to tell her.

  Preeti: Important Reason?? What is it?

  Aarti: Chaddha Aunty has invited you to Jodhpur to meet them. You know it’s been years they haven’t met us.

  Preeti ( Showing disinterest): No way Mom. You know I don’t like staying with people I am not comfortable with. I can’t go.

  Aarti: Come on Preeti. You never deny me. And it’s just a question of 2 - 3 days. That’s it.

  After much argument, Preeti agreed to start for Jodhpur the next day. Aarti happily cut the call and then dialled Mrs Seema Chaddha.

  Aarti: Seema. Finally Preeti has agreed to come to Jodhpur.

  Seema Chaddha: Really Aarti?? Does she know why we have called her here?

  Aarti: No Seema. Not yet. If I would have told her that she needs to see a Groom for her in Jodhpur , she wouldn’t have agreed. So I didn’t tell her anything about this. Just make sure she meets that guy but she isn’t aware of this marriage proposal. Ok?

  Mrs Chaddha agreed and it was decided that Mrs Chaddha would make Miss Preeti Mehra meet Mr Shravan Singh Khurana by some means and then try to check if there is any compatibility between them that could lead to this marriage.

  Same Night - Jodhpur - Raj Mahal

  Devi and Saroj were inside a Closed room discussing on the marriage Proposal for Shravan.

  Devi: I think we should meet that girl first and then decide what we need to do.

  Saroj: What if you like the girl Devi?? Would you still hide all these facts from her?

  Devi: We don’t have a choice Saroj. You think any girl would agree to get married after knowing the truths?

  Saroj: But we cannot take a Risk of getting Shravan married .

  Devi: So are you ready to keep him Single for his entire life?? What if he someday gets an unknown girl in the house and tells you he would be leading his life with her, won’t that affect you that time??

  Devi had a point. It was baseless to think of letting this girl Miss Preeti Mehra knows what past this Family carried with them.

  Saroj: If you say so Devi, ask Manveer to call Mr Chaddha and tell him that we want to meet this girl first. Only after that we would decide of letting her meet Shravan.


  Devi agreed and in next few minutes Mr Chaddha was informed the same .

  Next Day - Chaddha House - Jodhpur

  Mrs Chaddha: It’s so good to see you here Preeti. Come. Let me show you your room.

  Preeti smiled at the kind gesture of Mrs Chaddha and then looked at Sheetal.

  Sheetal: I would stay in the Guest House of Mehra Industries here. Please ring if you need me.

  Sheetal accompanied Preeti as Preeti didn’t wanted to travel alone here. But Preeti was never comfortable anywhere except her own house. If it wouldn’t have been her Mom's request, she would never have come here.

  Preeti: No Sheetal. You are staying with me in this house. I can need you anytime. (Preeti then turned back to Mrs Chaddha). Aunty. Sheetal also would be staying here. In the same room. I don’t mind sharing the room with her. Do you??

  Preeti was quite straight forward in getting her things done. Mrs Chaddha asked her maid to keep the luggage of both the girls in the Upper room and then instructed the maids to take special care of Preeti as she was the guest here. As informed by Aarti, Mrs Chaddha didn’t tell anything about the Marriage proposal yet to her.

  Preeti unpacked her luggage in the Closet while Sheetal assisted her in doing so.

  Preeti: Sheetal. Don’t you think Mrs Chaddha is being Too kind than usual??