****
"Aah..." Zara screamed, standing up from the seat. She was finding it hard to believe what her best friend just told her "Baby you went to a five stars hotel?"
Priyanka bit her lower lips and nodded. She barely slept last night after what happened yesterday. The only image she saw in her head or when she closed her eyes was Karan. He has become the drug, she was addicted to.
"Oh…mine" She hugged her. "I'm so happy for you girl. Now, everything is clear to us."
"What exactly?"
"The love that Karan has for you," Zara told her. ", He didn't say anything yesterday but the dinner should be able to tell you everything. He likes you."
Priyanka's eyes widened as she listened to her friend. If Karan truly loved her then she was ready to start a new beginning with him "Are you sure of this, Zara?"
"Yes, I am hundred percent sure of it. He is the man for you, just wait and see."
She smiled shyly. If Zara was positive then she was going to think the same "I hope everything goes well this time around."
******
"Priyanka?" Saraswati asked. She was surprised. Everyone was in shock after hearing that Karan had a girlfriend, but his grandmother still doubted him. She knew her grandson well.
"Pri...Y-yanka...oh... yes" He stammered, slapping his thighs. Salem put him in a difficult situation. How was he going to explain this to his grandmother? Why must it be the name, Priyanka?
"Since when did you become a stammered?" Grandmother Gangaa asked, looking at his awkward behavior. He was lying. "You can't even tell a proper lie."
"They are not lying, Grandmother" Koran spoke for the first time. He was going to help his brother in this situation because he helped them when they were in need "I know this girl very well. They met a long time ago but started dating not quite long."
"Really?" Saraswati was the first to answer. She believed in their lie, easily.
"They even went on a date yesterday" Salem added. "That's why Karan was nowhere to be found."
Karan felt like shouting a big 'I hate you to his Salem.' It was no longer a lie if he kept on bringing out the truth. Grandmother was curious and she might decide to check at the hotel, they went yesterday. If she finds out that Priyanka came from the slums, she will bring the whole world on their heads.
"If this is true, then it is good news," Aunt Jigyasa said. "Congratulations, my dear nephew. Can you see Salem? You should be like your older cousin."
"You shouldn't praise his efforts yet," Grandmother Gangaa told them. She sat back and watched the boys closely.
"I have a girlfriend now, Grandmother" Karan announced like it was the first time, he was telling them today. He moved to where his grandmother sat and asked "So can Aarti go back to Goa this evening? There is no need of keeping her. She should go and try her luck somewhere else. It is not good to keep..."
"If I don't get to meet your girlfriend tomorrow evening, I will start sending cards out for your wedding," Grandmother Gangaa made her final decision.
It was not surprising because he had fooled them many times. They were not going to believe it except he bring her home.
"We will bring her, tomorrow then," Salem said, all of a sudden.
Karan sighed. This was getting tougher because of the boys. He needed to have a private conversation with them "Can we go upstairs Salem?"
He knew he was in trouble but poor Salem followed him behind. Koran joined them later.
Inside the room., Karan closed all the windows and doors. The elders in the family had a habit of hiding behind curtains, windows, and doors to listen to their conversation. They turned to surprise them by stopping their plans.
This time, he took precautions.
"Why did you have to call Priyanka's name?" Karan asked.
"Well.." Salem rubbed his neck. His tongue became heavy that he could not pronounce any word even if he wanted to.
"Did you wish you were dumb while Grandmother was talking to you?" Koran asked. Whatever his cousin was in trouble, he would ask the Lord to make him dumb and it happens... Or Salem pretends!
He nodded.
Karan clapped his hands and started pacing around the room.
After moving from one angle to another, Salem got his voice back.
"What do you expect me to do? There was no plan and you got me involved knowing fully that I'm afraid of Grandmother's questions."
"Then why did you choose that name?" Karan asked.
"Because it was the only name that came to my mind at that moment. Don't blame me big brother" Salem relaxed on the couch in the room. He wasn't going to kill himself for a mess that could be easily solved if they wanted to do it.
"Forget about Salem's running mouth" Koran tries to calm the situation. "Let's think of moving forward. If we don't pronounce a Priyanka before tomorrow evening, Grandmother will start sending out your invitation cards without checking your horoscopes."
He couldn't control himself. Salem laughed so hard that his ribs ached from excitement. This was the first time that horoscopes will not be checked in the family before marriage. Certainly, this will be fun.
"Don't be stupid" Karan shouted, tightening his jaw. He ran his hand in his hair and took a deep breath. Calming down in such situations, was the only therapy. Anger was not going to solve but create more troubles. "This is not good at all. Our Grandmother is so serious about this marriage with that girl, she brought her from Goa."
"As if there are no girls in Dehli. I'm sorry, Karan" Koran pats his back. "I was told about it this morning, she kept it away from me."
"I think I have a plan that might blow all your minds" Salem declared to them.