Read Online The Runaway Bridegroom by Sundari Venkatraman - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sundari Venkatraman
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the truth. They never even thought of lying to their parents, never having felt the need for it.
Ram had a devilish grin on his face when he saw the twins enter. Yeah, Bharat and Shatru were twins and identical ones at that. Not that the family ever got them mixed up. In fact, they could find a dozen differences between the two while strangers tended to get confused all the time.
When they caught Ram’s look, the twins immediately knew that they were in for a lecture from their father. Mohan frowned up at them, or was trying very hard to. Only, he had too much love for his sons, especially the twins. He did his best to keep a stern expression on his face when he asked, “Where did the two of you take off last night?”
Bharat replied honestly, “We went to see London Paris New York , a new film Pappa.”
Shatrughan was not far behind, “It was such fun. Ali Zafar has not only acted, he has also sung—”
Mohan interrupted Shatrughan with a raised hand that stopped the young man in mid-flow. “That’s not the point, is it? You both know I don’t like you going out late at night. You should have gone for an evening show,” he insisted.
“Aww, Pappa, all our friends were going for the late night show. We wanted to go with them,” said Bharat in a pacifying voice. He knew, just like the rest of his siblings, that Mohan’s bark was way worse than his bite.
Mohan nodded sagely. “Next time, tell your friends that it makes more sense to go for an earlier show. Don’t know why the theatres have to run these late night shows!” he muttered on an aside. “Even better, bring your friends to me and I’ll advise them about not going out late at night.” It never bothered Mohan that he was making suggestions that would never be taken seriously. He had an opinion and he gave it out, clear and loud. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t approve of late night outings and he made his opinion clear. Now, it was up to his sons to take it or leave it. It was never an issue that they didn’t follow his dictates.
Bharat and Shatrughan smirked at one another before pouring themselves tea while Ram gave them a ‘thumbs up’, a grin breaking out on his face. It didn’t seem to bother him that his plan to drag the twins into trouble hadn’t worked. There was no malice in him, just the urge to tease.
A loud discussion broke out about the railway budget that had been announced and each man had a strong opinion and was insistent on being heard. Meera watched them all indulgently as she sat down to eat her breakfast. The men had all finished eating the hot parathas that were dripping ghee.
She thought of Chanda and a small frown marred her countenance. She so missed her youngest child. But then, both Meera and Mohan had always made sure their children had all the freedom possible. They had seen some of their friends and neighbours sending their children abroad for studies and careers. Yeah, even their daughters. That’s when they had decided to give Chanda an opportunity to go to another city to complete her studies. And after all, it was just Delhi and not America or Australia.
IN THE AFTERNOON, Meera and Mohan set off to meet the astrologer. Mohan had left the running of his shop to his manager for the day and had taken the whole day off. Their appointment was for 3 pm.
They arrived at Vidyasagar’s residence at 2.45 pm, quite anxious to find out what he had to say about Veerendra and his horoscope. They waited for the astrologer to come out after his siesta. In fact, theirs was the first appointment for the afternoon.
Vidyasagar came out to sit on his divan before inviting Meera and Mohan to make themselves comfortable on the chairs across the table in front of him. An assistant brought forth a couple of almanacs and a new sheet of card paper in a roll. The astrologer opened the roll and spread it on the table in front of him. “This is Veerendra’s
Ram had a devilish grin on his face when he saw the twins enter. Yeah, Bharat and Shatru were twins and identical ones at that. Not that the family ever got them mixed up. In fact, they could find a dozen differences between the two while strangers tended to get confused all the time.
When they caught Ram’s look, the twins immediately knew that they were in for a lecture from their father. Mohan frowned up at them, or was trying very hard to. Only, he had too much love for his sons, especially the twins. He did his best to keep a stern expression on his face when he asked, “Where did the two of you take off last night?”
Bharat replied honestly, “We went to see London Paris New York , a new film Pappa.”
Shatrughan was not far behind, “It was such fun. Ali Zafar has not only acted, he has also sung—”
Mohan interrupted Shatrughan with a raised hand that stopped the young man in mid-flow. “That’s not the point, is it? You both know I don’t like you going out late at night. You should have gone for an evening show,” he insisted.
“Aww, Pappa, all our friends were going for the late night show. We wanted to go with them,” said Bharat in a pacifying voice. He knew, just like the rest of his siblings, that Mohan’s bark was way worse than his bite.
Mohan nodded sagely. “Next time, tell your friends that it makes more sense to go for an earlier show. Don’t know why the theatres have to run these late night shows!” he muttered on an aside. “Even better, bring your friends to me and I’ll advise them about not going out late at night.” It never bothered Mohan that he was making suggestions that would never be taken seriously. He had an opinion and he gave it out, clear and loud. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t approve of late night outings and he made his opinion clear. Now, it was up to his sons to take it or leave it. It was never an issue that they didn’t follow his dictates.
Bharat and Shatrughan smirked at one another before pouring themselves tea while Ram gave them a ‘thumbs up’, a grin breaking out on his face. It didn’t seem to bother him that his plan to drag the twins into trouble hadn’t worked. There was no malice in him, just the urge to tease.
A loud discussion broke out about the railway budget that had been announced and each man had a strong opinion and was insistent on being heard. Meera watched them all indulgently as she sat down to eat her breakfast. The men had all finished eating the hot parathas that were dripping ghee.
She thought of Chanda and a small frown marred her countenance. She so missed her youngest child. But then, both Meera and Mohan had always made sure their children had all the freedom possible. They had seen some of their friends and neighbours sending their children abroad for studies and careers. Yeah, even their daughters. That’s when they had decided to give Chanda an opportunity to go to another city to complete her studies. And after all, it was just Delhi and not America or Australia.
IN THE AFTERNOON, Meera and Mohan set off to meet the astrologer. Mohan had left the running of his shop to his manager for the day and had taken the whole day off. Their appointment was for 3 pm.
They arrived at Vidyasagar’s residence at 2.45 pm, quite anxious to find out what he had to say about Veerendra and his horoscope. They waited for the astrologer to come out after his siesta. In fact, theirs was the first appointment for the afternoon.
Vidyasagar came out to sit on his divan before inviting Meera and Mohan to make themselves comfortable on the chairs across the table in front of him. An assistant brought forth a couple of almanacs and a new sheet of card paper in a roll. The astrologer opened the roll and spread it on the table in front of him. “This is Veerendra’s
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