Destiny Changed

Rahul was getting ready for the special day. It’s the day when every man tries to look the most handsome man than the people who came to congratulate him. It was his wedding day. While he was looking into the mirror and admiring himself, he was thinking about Jhanvi, who might be looking the most beautiful bride for the day. The thought of Jhanvi brought a smile on his face. Her smile, the way she talks, her expressions every little thing of her took him back to the day when he saw her photo for the first time.

It was their Kul Guru who brought her photo as a marriage proposal as Rahul’s mother kept on calling him to bring them a perfect proposal for their son. Rahul was the only son of the richest industrialist Mr Harswardhan Rai. Unlike rich spoil brats Rahul was quite calm and obedient son. Soon he joined his father’s company and within two years he opened two more child company of Rai industries.

Reaching at a perfect age to marry, his mother kept on nagging him to get married. Rahul never had a girlfriend because of his shy nature. Not that he never had a crush in his school and college life but could never express his feelings to them.

Seeing the photograph Rahul smiled in approval that he liked the girl and would meet her for a cup of coffee.

Jhanvi on the other hand lived with her father and stepmother and a step brother of ten years old. She lost her mother when she was in class nine. Her father did the second marriage after one month of her mother’s death. Since then she never had an easy life. But she never complained about it. Her stepmother started showing her real face after a week of entering that house. Most of her household works were done by Jhanvi. Her step mother would load her with works so that she misses her class. But Jhanvi managed to complete her work and her classes too. In her graduation she got first class first and became talk of the town. The day when results were declared her father, step mother, her step brother and Jhanvi went to Mandir to offer prayer. It was then when Kul Guru of the temple saw her and thought perfect match for Rahul. Kul Guru has known her since her mother left this world. He was aware of her step mother’s cruelty on her and also soft nature of Jhanvi.

Jhanvi was in her pink Salwar Kameez, hair properly tide in a ponytail, closed eyes, bowing her head in front of God thanking for such a good result. Guruji approached her parents when she was busy taking care of her younger step brother. Though her father wanted her to go for higher study but her step mother gave approval for her marriage.

Jhanvi was a jolly girl who loved helping people in all sorts she could do.  She has been teaching poor children in her community for free since she was in class eleven. She did face problems in her life but she never disclosed it to anyone. Whom she would share with? She did not have friends in her life. Her step mother never allowed her to go out with friends neither her friends were welcomed in her home. Books were her best friends. She would complete reading one book in two or three days. Books kept her distracted from all of her all worries.

“Next Sunday you are going to meet this boy. We have decided to fix your marriage with the richest industrialist of the city. Rahul Rai”, her step mother placed her decision. Jhanvi was never asked for any approval. Neither had she objected on their decisions made on behalf of her. She believes whatever happens, happens for good and accepts whatever comes on her way.

~~~~~~

As decided, Rahul and Jhanvi met each other on Taj Vivanta on a Sunday evening. It was one of the costliest places of the town where only rich people could be found. Rahul being punctual reached on time. Jhanvi reached late as she could not get an auto on time. The atmosphere was quiet and calm. Soft saxophone music was being played on the speakers.

Rahul was checking few of his E-mails when Jhanvi entered. She had never been on such expensive place. She visits a normal restaurant occasionally or rather to say only on her birthday to treat her tuitions students.  She was wearing her white salwaar kameez beautifully fabric done by herself.

Rahul was mesmerized by her beauty. She looked more beautiful than her photograph, he thought. She walked slowly admiring the interior. Rahul thought of admiring her some more time before approaching her. She carried a hand bag, not a branded one and a high heel shoe. Black dark kajal and pink lip paints were complimenting her beauty. She halt after taking few steps and looked at the tables. Few tables were occupied by couples. Due to low light she could not recognize any face. There was a different sitting area for business people. As she had an image of Rahul as a business man she took her steps towards business lounge.

Getting an idea what she might be thinking Rahul moved from his place towards her.

‘Hi’ said Rahul extending his hand as if he was here for a business deal. She gave her hand gently and gave a smug smile. She looked at the corner which she did not check.

‘Rahul’ he said without breaking the eye contact and hand-grip.

‘Jhanvi’, she replied.

She looked prettier from such a close distance, he thought again. This was the first time he felt a female hand after his close female relative’s.

‘Please’, he said and gestured her towards their seat.

First he was about to take his seat when suddenly he remembered what he read on a website about ‘being a gentle man on your first date’. He went near her and pulled the chair for her.

‘Thank you’, she said and took her seat.

Few seconds of awkward silent passed which seemed like hours. For both of them it was their first mini date. Though AC was fixed at a right temperature Rahul could feel few sweats on his forehead. His sweats were shining in low dimmed light. Waiter filled their glass and Rahul took his first glass of water. He has cracked big deals for his company, presented before thousands of clients but never felt such nervousness in his life, neither in his first business deal.

‘So you know right why we are here?’ Sensing the nervousness of Rahul Jhanvi thought of initiating the conversation.

‘Yes, Kul Guru showed your photo and my parents have already liked you, just waiting for our approval so that they can match our Kundali’.

Rahul could only say yes and rest of the words stuck on his throat. Ho could not utter a word after saying ‘Yes’.

‘So if you have anything to ask, you can ask.’ Jhanvi said calmly.

Rahul had mentally prepared what would he ask her, but his mind went blank at that moment.

‘Why don’t you start?’ Rahul managed to say this time.

‘Being the richest person of the city why would you marry a simple girl like me? And not going for someone of your standard?’ Jhanvi asked something which was running on her mind when she got to know about Rahul from her step mother.

‘Same standard means Rich like us?’

Jhanvi nodded.

‘Well, we don’t have this thinking like rich poor or apne level ka. I just want a girl with whom I can spend rest of my life happily, one who could stand by my side always.’

Waiter interrupted by refilling is glass, ‘would you like to order anything sir?’

‘Give us a minute’, Rahul replied. As he is a regular customer most of the waiters know him.

‘Why don’t you order something of your choice?’, Rahul handed over the menu.

After flipping few pages of the menu Jhanvi said, ‘Actually other than chow, roll, momo, fried rice I have never seen such a fancy foreign menu. Here names are also tongue twisting.’

Rahul liked her honesty and smiled at her.

He signaled the waiter and make the waiter write something.

‘My grandfather was a farmer. He left his village and came to this city thinking of doing something on his own. He worked in a cloth factory and later started his own shop. He got married and people say that my grandmother was lucky for him. Just within few days of marriage he started his own factory, Rai Industry. My father was born and he took over the factory when he was twenty and started chain of factories.’ Rahul started being comfortable with Jhanvi, ‘So we are connected to the roots as my Grandfather told my father never to forget from where we came and always work for humanity. Even my mother was a daughter of a Tea Garden worker. Both my father and mother fell in love and they got married. We don’t have poor mentality. All I want is a good human being. Of course a female human being. Even we have been working thinking about our worker. My father considers them as family member. We give them bonus whenever there is some occasion. We provide them financial help whenever required without imposing tax.’ Rahul realized he spoke like giving presentation to some client.

By then the waiter brought two glasses of chilled mojitos.

Rahul took his first sip, ‘Now tell me about you.’

‘What to say. I lost my mother when I could not even understand what death is. Before my tears would have dried up my father brought another woman. I was not over this shock and she started showing her true self from the next day itself.’ Jhanvi was deep in her thought and unknowingly rotating her glass.

Rahul was touched by her words. He could feel her pain. He thought of consoling her by holding her hand, but thought it might be like showing off his desperate to touch her in the first meeting.

She took a sip from the glass and continued, ‘Life has never been easy for me. I wanted to be artist but to financial issue my father could not afford the cost. Best fine arts colleges are in metro cities. My father could not afford all the expenses. I applied for scholarship but did not get approval. Whatever I try to do there is always some obstacles in my life.’

She took another sip and continued, ‘after completing my graduation I wanted to do job and be self-dependent. I wanted to fulfill all of my dreams. But again life had some other plans. My parents want me to get married.’

‘You never objected?’ Rahul asked.

‘I read in one book, “Everything happens for Good”. So I guess this is also happening for some good reason. And I never expect much. Expecting hurts. I indulge myself in reading, so I don’t get much time to complain for what I did not get in life.’

Rahul smiled and took his last sip from his drink.

Jhanvi never spoke so much in front of someone other than her parents and her students. She was getting into comfortable zone of Rahul.

‘Do you want something else?’ Rahul asked.

Jhanvi left half of her drink untouched. She did not like the taste of it.

They left the restaurant.

‘Would you mind if I take you on a drive?’ Rahul asked as he wanted to spend some more time.

Jhanvi nodded as her step mother instructed not to decline any offer offered by Rahul.

Rahul asked his driver to leave as he will drive the car and also he wanted some space to talk to her.

He drove his Audi towards the outskirt of the city where traffic was minimal.

‘I always wanted to have my own car. Not this costly. May be a second hand but of my own.’ Jhanvi started this time inside the car.

‘You know to drive?’ Rahul asked without moving his eyes from the street.

‘No, owing my own car is just a dream for me, which is never going to be fulfilled.’

Rahul felt like applying brake and looked at her, but he just looked at her for few seconds.

Jhanvi was admiring the interior of the car.

Story of Rahul was completely opposite. He was born with a diamond spoon in his mouth.  Whatever he tried in his life it was a huge success at first attempt. Kul Guru said on seeing his Kundali whatever he wished for will be accepted by God. He never faced failure in his life.

Rahul drove the car from one end of the city to the other end. During their first long drive they got to know each other very well. Their likes, dislikes, hobbies, favorite movies, actor, actress, they talked about everything. Couple of hour passed by but it felt as if they talked for just few minutes. Rahul dropped her near her home as the lane was very narrow for his car to move.

‘Before leaving I want to ask you one thing.’ Rahul said.

Jhanvi nodded.

‘I won’t mind marring you. I kind of, you know...’ Rahul hesitated and was blushing.

‘If you have any objection you can tell me. After knowing you today I know you won’t say anything to you parents. I will deny from my side. But I would like to keep our friendship.’ Rahul finished up in one breath.

Jhanvi got down from the car and turned towards him, ‘I too won’t mind marrying you.’

Rahul drove back home smiling. He played his favorite band Back Street Boys.

~~~~~

Rahul gave his approval to his parents. But before both the family move forward with all other rituals Kul Guru decided to check both their Kundalis. Till then both of them kept in touch with each other through phone. Rahul was somewhat falling for her.

‘I have checked their Kundalis. And there are dosh in her kundali’, Kul Guru explained about different planets which were not in proper place in her Kundali, Due to which whatever she will try will end up in failure. After marriage it will affect her husband too. Whatever he does will end up in failure. ’

‘Does that means this relation could happen?’ Rahul’s mother asked Guruji.

‘Not exactly, there are some processes through which this Dosh can be removed. But still it can’t be said that she will completely be Dosh Mukt’, Kul Guru replied.

‘No no, we cannot risk his life. Rahul is one and only son of ours.’ Worried Rahul mother replied.

So the planets which were millions of kilometer away from us cancelled the marriage Rahul thought. Rahul could not sleep that night. He did not have enough courage to go against his mother. Not that he was deeply in love with Jhanvi and could not leave her, but there was something about her. May be because for the first time he talked freely to an opposite sex.

He decided to talk to his Kul Guru. Next he went to meet the Kul Guru.

‘Guruji, you said that there are some process through which her Dosh could be removed.’ Rahul asked Guruji with folded hand.

‘Yes, but I already told you. She won’t be completely Dosh Mukt. But yes she won’t be facing failure all the time.’

‘I want to do the process.’ Rahul was determined.

‘But…’

‘It needs to be a secret. My parents should not know about it.’

‘As you wish Beta’, Guruji put his hand on Rahul’s head for blessing.

After few days Rahul gave some excuses and took a day off from his work and reached the temple where the rituals were to be done to satisfy the stubborn planets.

‘Beta whatever I say you repeat after me. And in between to satisfy the planets you have to exchange something in return for good to happen in her life. And say it in your mind whatever you want to exchange. It can be anything money, tirth yatra, feeding poor people anything.’

Rahul thought for some time and decided what he was going to exchange.

Rituals started and went for almost four hour. Rahul was satisfied after completing the rituals. He felt like cracking a successful business deal with the planets.

~~~~

‘Rahul, time to leave Beta’, Rahul’s mother’s voice brought back Rahul from his past memories. It has been almost two year after the ritual was done. It remained a secret between Kul Guru and Rahul.

Rahul was ready in his lemony coloured Sherwani to bring his bride. While reaching the bride’s place, he was welcomed in a grand way, as if Prince of some country has arrived. A board was placed outside the banquet hall ‘Rahul weds Priyanka’.

What happened in this two year? Well Rahul’s mother never agreed on marrying Jhanvi. Neither did Rahul tried to convince his mother. But they never broke their friendship. They kept in touch occasionally. Rahul was getting married to his father’s best friend’s daughter Priyanka. And Jhanvi was getting married to Ravi who works in Rahul’s company. Since that Ritual was done, Jhanvi’s destiny changed completely.  Whatever she did she got success. Even she got scholarship from an institute where she applied for studying craft. She kept on teaching under privileged children. This news was spread across the city and few renowned people donated money for the children. Now she has a class room where she teaches around 80 students in a week. Though she did not own a car yet, but she believed one day she will have her own car.

On the other hand Rahul kept losing business deals on a regular basis. He had to close two of his companies due to bankrupt. It was his father’s friend who decided to buy his companies on one condition. Marry his daughter.

Next day after the marriage a news headline was talk of the town.

“Renowned industrialist Rahul Rai died in a car accident. However the bride had major injuries but was saved by the doctors.”

What did Rahul exchange in the Ritual? He exchanges his destiny with her destiny.

‘God, I am exchanging my destiny with Jhanvi’s destiny. Whatever Good I am supposed to get in life I want to exchange with all her bad incidents that is coming to her life. Please accept my Ahuti’

~~~~