FaTejo : Yeh Mausam Ka Jadu Hai, Mitwa | Udaariyaan | Priyanka Chahar Choudhary | Ankit Gupta | Udariyaan

 Tying a towel around her body, Tejo stepped out of the shower, facing the mirror as she untangled her hair with a comb.

 

            She'd needed that refreshing shower -- it'd been a tough day at work, and she'd gotten into an argument with a friend online, which was still nagging at her.

 

            Sighing, she looked at herself in the mirror. I'm tired of pleasing everyone around me. Maybe it's time I tried pleasing myself too.

 

            Just as the thought entered her head, she heard faint music through the bathroom doors. She looked towards her left, then right. The door on the right belonged to Shahrukh, her older brother, and the one on the left was hers.

 

 She couldn't place where the music was coming from, but the song was definitely something out of her iPod, unless Shahrukh had borrowed it again.  Shaking her head, she started nodding her head to the beat as the music was turned up.

 

"Sanu Tere Naal Hogaya Pyaar

Ni Gal Sun Le Sohniye,

Sanu Tere Naal Hogaya Pyaar

Ni Gal Sun Le Sohniye"

 

Patting her face with a towel, she turned the doorknob and trudged into her room, her eyes closed as she hummed the song still playing on the stereo.

 

Suddenly, the music died out and there was silence. Alarmed, Tejo opened her eyes just to be face to face with three guys, most likely her brother's friends.

 

Stunned, she slowly took a step back, heading towards the bathroom. At the same time, one of the guys stood up and turned his back on her, blocking her from the view of the rest.

 

Her face beet red, Tejo ran back in the bathroom and closed the door, taking deep breaths to calm down her breathing.

 

That had definitely been her room-- Shahrukh's room was on the other side! They must've entered the wrong room!

 

She heard some clattering and then some footsteps outside. Then, a soft voice, "We're out, you can come out now….er, sorry"

 

Waiting for the sound of the door shutting, Tejo sighed in relief as she peeked out and noticed the room empty. She ran up and locked it, half-laughing at the embarrassing situation and subconsciously wondering who that one guy had been.   

 

Tejo smiled at the memory, adjusting her duppata one final time.  How long had it been? Eight months?

 

Eight months later, she was sitting in front of her dresser, getting ready for her engagement with Fateh Virk, her brother's best friend.

 

She sighed as she recalled Shahrukh's reaction to the news.

 

P-p-Fateh—m---ee? Wait, but dad, she's too young to get married! She's still a little girl!

 

Their dad had been in a jolly mood, and Tejo bit on her lip as she peeked through the door, waiting for the reaction.

 

"Fateh is a wonderful boy, he'll keep her very happy!" her father's voice boomed. "And little girl? Shahrukh, your little sister has grown, she's reached marriageable age now, and this is a wonderful proposal for her!"

 

"But--I've got to talk to Fateh first. And, wait, you DID ask Mee right? Tejo, and Fateh, Fateh and Tejo…" Shahrukh paced the room, extremely confused and worried. After all, this was a matter of his little sister's happiness, the decision of her life, it couldn't be taken hastily!

 

From her post, Tejo watched her brother pace and put her hand on her mouth to hold back the giggle as her father rolled his eyes and patted his son on the back before walking off.

 

A knock on the door brought Tejo out of her musing. "Come in" she said softly, now adjusting her bangles.

 

"Hey" Shahrukh quietly replied, gently closing the door behind him as he walked into the familiar room.

 

Tejo turned to him and grinned, "Hey back! Ooohh, that sherwani looks great on you!"

 

"Well, nice to see that you're very happy!" Shahrukh murmured, uncomfortably glancing around as he placed himself on the bed.

 

"Why wouldn't I be?" Tejo's eyes darted to her brother's reflection in the mirror.

Shahrukh just shrugged back, clearing his throat as he pulled at the pillow covers. "I…Fateh…Fateh's gonna keep you happy. He's a really nice guy."

 

His sister turned to face him, her head tilted. "Here I thought you were saving this for the wedding day" She waited for his reaction, but he just redirected his gaze towards the photographs on the wall. She sighed, walking over to the bed and placing herself next to him, hand on his shoulder. "Fateh's a great guy Shahrukh, and I wouldn't have gone on without your approval. But something seems to be irking at you. Wanna tell me about it?"

 

Shahrukh finally met her gaze, and she could see the frustration in his eyes. "I…Mee…the bond we share is special…we aren't just siblings, we're best friends. We've shared almost everything with each other, including you and your crazy fantasies…the kind of guy you want, Fateh might meet the expectations, but…I, this arranged marriage thing. I know you've always wanted a love marriage, so I don't get how you could agree to it. You've barely met the guy. And, I…you…Fateh"

 

  Tejo giggled, pinching his cheeks. Shahrukh narrowed his eyes at her, rubbing at his cheek grimly. "You are soooo cuuuuute! Best brother ever!" She hugged him, completely catching him off guard.

***

 

Fateh made a final grab at the railing, grinning as he caught onto it, and leaned over, smoothing down his suit as he stood at the balcony.

 

He slowly peeked in, making sure none of his "saalis" were around, or else there'd definitely be some trouble. But what caught his sight made his stomach churn.

 

Tejo, his Tejo, his fiance-to-be Tejo, was hugging some other guy. Stunned, Fateh moved back, turning around to face the sky as he moved over to hide behind the shades. He was glad he couldn't hair the conversation, for the window was shut, but he didn't think he could handle anything more.

 

***

 

"Okay, what's up with the over-affection?" Shahrukh narrowed his eyes yet again, making Tejo wonder if it ran in the family as Fateh had said earlier…Fateh. "And ew your eyes have that dreamy look they usually have when you watch Shahid in movies"  

 

Shaking herself out of it, Tejo grinned at Shahrukh, ruffling his hair. "Well, Shahrukh…steady yourself for the blow…I'm in love with Fateh Virk."

 

"WHAT? HOW? WHEN?"

 

Shahrukh took a deep breath when he saw his sister glare. There was a knock on the door. "Tejo, you ready yet? Fateh and his family are on their way!"

 

"Almost, just gimme a few more minutes, Shabz?"

 

"Sure" Shabo chirped, skipping off towards the main hall. "OYE, WHERE ARE THE GULAAB JAMUNS?"

 

Tejo and Shahrukh looked at each other and laughed. "Okay, in short summary, the first time I met Fateh…" She related the 'towel' incident, followed by their second meeting…and then the constant run-ins, and finally, the proposal.

 

"When Fateh had his mom send a rishtha, I was as shocked as you. I…But I realized…that Fateh really was my knight in a white t-shirt if not a horse…Oh God….This is awkward" Tejo admitted, suddenly shy.

 

Shahrukh agreed, getting up. "I needed that confirmation. The twinkle in your eye is now enough though, no need to go on or I might as well puke"

 

"Hey!" Tejo glared.

 

The response only came as an involuntary shrug, peck on the forehead as a silent blessing, and a – "I'll send Shabo over!"

 

***

            Tejo sighed, opening the door to the balcony and leaning forward to see if the Virks had arrived yet.

 

From her peripheral vision, she caught sight of a figure in black standing next to the door.

 

            Eyes wide, she leaned back and gasped, expecting a burglar. It was a wedding house after all!

 

            She started pulling the window back when a hand grabbed hers. Scared, she looked away with her eyes closed.

 

            Fateh stared at her, captivated by her beauty. She'd only put on some light makeup, yet she looked breathtaking under the moonlight.

 

 He slowly moved his hand up to remove a stray hair from her face, placing it behind her ear.  

 

            Tejo shivered as the cold hand touched her face. She opened her eyes just to be drowning into Fateh's. "Fateh? Tum, yahan?"

 

            "Who was that guy?" Fateh asked, his eyes reflecting his sorrow.

 

            "Guy? You mean Bhaiyya?" Tejo asked, naturally confused.

 

            "Bhaiyya? Shahrukh? That was Shahrukh in there with you?" Fateh asked, astonished.

 

            "Yes? Who else would it be?" came the response.

 

            Fateh sighed in relief and grinned, pulling Tejo back to her feet and allowing her to re-enter the room. "Just a little misunderstanding"

 

            "Oh" Tejo replied, suddenly conscious of his gaze on her. "Um, what, did, did you wanna talk about something?"

 

            Regaining his composure, Fateh cleared his throat. "Yea, um, I. I---Okay I didn't really want to talk about anything, I just wanted to see you before everyone else." He looked down and murmured, "I've got some money hung on this"

 

            "What? Money? What are you talking about?" Tejo asked, confused again.

 

            "Yea, um, ahem. The guys were betting on how much my mouth would drop by when you'd walk down the stairs…so I -- Preet gave me the idea of seeing you beforehand, so then the reaction wouldn't be that bad?" Fateh looked at her and smiled sheepishly.

 

            Tejo giggled, blushing. "Dekh liya?"

 

            Fateh nodded like a good schoolboy.

 

 "I love you" he whispered sensuously.

 

            Head whipping up, Tejo looked at him, eyes wide. "Love…?"

 

            Another nod came from Fateh, who was now holding both of Tejo's hands in his own. "Mrs. Tejo Fateh Virk-to-be…I've fallen irrevocably in love…with you…"

 

            "Mr. Fateh Virk" Tejo whispered, staring into his eyes to make sure the moment was true. "I never expected to hear that from you…" She put her hands on his cheek. "I love you too"

 

            "Really?" Fateh asked, eyes wide.

 

            "Really" Tejo whispered, leaning her forehead with his. "I love you too" she repeated, as if to confirm the statement.

 

            Fateh leaned in, grinning. "Say it again"

 

            "I love you" Tejo smiled, her forehead still brushing his.

 

            "Again" he whispered, gently moving back.

 

            "Tejo! YOU AREN'T READY YET ARE YOU? I'M COMING IN!" Shabo screamed, banging on the door.

 

            Fateh groaned, and then chuckled. "I'll see you later" He left a kiss on her temple before taking in her blushing face one more time.

 

            But he couldn't help turning around one last time before leaving. "Ek aur baar keh do, please?"

 

            "Kyun, shaq hai?" Tejo asked, her eyebrows rising.

 

            "Nahin…I just…it makes my heart flutter every darned time. Is that normal?" he whispered, pouting slightly.

 

            "It happens with me too" she whispered, grinning again.

 Fateh smirked, screaming loudly before jumping out from the balcony again. "I LOVE YOU MEEEERA!"

 

            Tejo waited for her heartbeat to calm down before her face turned a deep shade of crimson and she laughed at the loud cheers from outside. Well someone was gonna be face to face with all the guests as he jumped down from that balcony.

           

***

I love you Tejo. The End.