Salman 2

Salman after finishing his engineering was back home and planning his next. He wanted to continue his studies but was not keen on joining technical. After a lot of discussion with family and friends, he decided to join Management course in Travel and Tourism. This would also help him to take his business to the next level.

His parents were very happy and asked him to apply in the finest University. They even asked if he would like to go abroad and study, initially he thought of going abroad, however he then decided to help his dad in business while studying. Most of his Friends from engineering had moved to different countries, and a few joined jobs through campus placements.  Rajesh & Parvathy his close friend had joined a software company at Gurgaon. Salman Joined a college in his home town and used to visit Rajesh often whenever he used to come to Delhi or Gurgaon for any work or on leisure. Whenever they used to go out for lunch or dinner, Parvathy used to join them. Salman was actively getting involved in his father's business and help in the social activities of his mother. The popularity he had got from the TV program was getting him invitation for a lot of local political events. He was turning out to be a fine leader. Salman used to discuss all these with Rajesh and Parvathy whenever they met. Parvathy had started a liking for Salman's thoughts and she had also started reading a lot of books on religion and history. Eventually she fell in love with Salman and was looking forward to meet him and would eagerly wait for his next visit. 

Due to final examination and projects, Salman was not able to visit Rajesh and Parvathy for a few weeks. Although Parvathy was in touch with him on WhatsApp, she didn’t ask him to come. She was trying to find an excuse to meet him. The next week was a long weekend and they had 4 days of leave.

Parvathy asked Rajesh, "Why don’t we give Salman a surprise at his place?" However, Rajesh was planning to go to his home town instead.

So, he asked Parvathy, "Are you not planning to go to your hometown?" 

"My parents want me to move back to Bangalore and they also want me to get married. For two years, I am staying here alone, I may not get a chance to travel here again."

Rajesh also thought about Salman's parents requesting him to visit them for a long time.  He thought this would be a nice opportunity to meet all of them. Next day morning they drove down to Lucknow. Rajesh knew Salman's restaurant was quite popular in town, so they first went there and asked the manager to take them to Salman's home. The Manager wanted to call and inform Salman but Parvathy stopped him from doing so. 

"We are planning to give a surprise, so please don’t inform him" she requested. He smiled and asked one of the boys from restaurant to accompany them and show the house. When they reached home, Salman’s dad was reading the newspaper sitting in the courtyard and mother was drinking her morning tea sitting with her in-laws. 

When Rajesh was parking the car, Parvathy went in. The family was surprised to see their restaurant staff with some guests.

He said, "Sahib, Madam Delhi se aayi hai, Salman bhai se milne."

Everyone stood up in surprise, they knew his close friend Rajesh stays there, but they wondered who is this lady??? Just then Rajesh walked in and wished Uncle and Aunty. He had met them when they had come to College in Bangalore and seen them on Video calls. They were very happy to see Rajesh. Salman's mother came close to him and said, "Why didn't you inform us, we would have come to pick you up… and moreover you never informed us about your marriage? When did you get married?" For a moment Rajesh didn’t understand, then he started laughing loudly and said, "No, she is not my wife, she is our classmate from Bangalore and we are working together in Delhi for last two years. We are all friends… Her name is Parvathy…" Turning to Parvathy, Salman's mother apologised for her stupidity. She called the servant to get Parvathy's luggage and instructed him to place it at Guest room and Rajesh's luggage in Salman’s room. Before leaving to the room, Parvathy pulled out a small bag and presented to aunty. She had got a Pashmina Shawl for her and grandparents and a kurtha for uncle. His family were moved by her gesture.

Salman's mother Offered tea to both of them. All this while, Parvathy was looking for Salman. Unable to resist her excitement, she asked Aunty, "Where is Salman?" 

"He is still sleeping. Today is his final exam in the afternoon session, so was preparing till late night… I will ask someone to call him....."

Parvathy interrupted and said, "No aunty, we will surprise him, is it okay with you???"

Rajesh was surprised with her behaviour. Generally, she is very composed person and very non-expressive… but he agreed with this idea. Parvathy was very excited. She pushed open the room and shouted, "Surpriiisssse!!!" and Rajesh followed her. Shocked, Salman jumped out of his bed. He was sleeping in his boxers. He quickly grabbed his Tshirt and said, "WOW!! How come you guys are here?" 

They were served tea and while having tea, they got into chatting. Rajesh said they have made 3-days plan with Salman but when they return, he wanted Salman to drop them. He agreed immediately. It was time for him to get ready for his exam. 

"I will go by 12 and should be back by 3 in the evening...do you guys have any plans?" They nodded negatively. Parvathy and Rajesh's luggage were kept in their respective rooms. They decided to freshen up and meet for breakfast. Salman guided Parvathy to the guestroom.  Meantime, Rajesh got ready and suggested to Salman. "I will accompany you to the exam center and wait outside until you finish. Then we can go to buy some stuff for my sister."

Salman asked, "What about Parvathy? I am sure she has shopping plans in Lucknow?" 

"I know you very well. You are not the kind who make sudden plans and give surprises. Although I am extremely happy of you both coming here, why did you plan for such a surprise?"

"It was Parvathy's plan. She not only asked not to inform you but also acting very strange." Rajesh said, puzzled. Turning towards Salman, Rajesh enquired, “Is there anything cooking, without my knowledge… Am I missing something?”.

"Rajesh, I am not hiding anything from you, at least in my knowledge, nothing is happening between us. Probably she wants to go around Lucknow, That’s it…”

“Doesn’t look like that, Salman!!!”

While having breakfast, Rajesh informed about their shopping plan to Parvathy and asked if she would join them. Salman's mother was also there."That’s a good idea, you can shop, nearby there is a nice market." She suggested.

However, Parvathy declined to go with them, instead, her wish was to spent the day with the family which surprised both her friends. Salman's mother was planning to prepare some special Lucknowi dishes for the guest. Parvathy proposed to help her in cooking. 

Rajesh gave a wired look at Salman, who was already in a shocked state of mind. They exchanged glances but said nothing. Parvathy said, "Salman take us to some Mehfil in the evening, I heard they are very good here." Salman Promised.

In the evening they went to Mehifil had dinner and spent a nice time. Next three days, was fun filled. They visited a lot of monuments, parks and all over. Parvathy’s Instagram and Facebook were flooded with pictures of Lucknow and three of them. It was very evident that she wanted to say something, she also tried many times but wasn't able to express her feelings for Salman. Rajesh and Salman did sense something but couldn’t make out of what it was. She became very friendly with the whole family.

It was time when they had to go back. As Salman had to accompany his father to find a place to open a new branch, he had to cancel his plan to go with Rajesh and Parvathy. He promised both of them he will meet them in the coming weekend. Obviously, Parvathy, was highly disappointed. She wanted to talk to him while driving back but as he was not coming, she handed over a small gift box to him and said take time to go through it.

The drive back was quiet. She wasn't the kind of happy girl who was a day before, she didn’t talk much. While dropping her at the hostel Rajesh asked, "Parvathy, Is there anything wrong? Is it that we are unable to read something which you want to say?" Parvathy, got down from the car, gave a wicked smile and said, "Will let you know in office tomorrow, by the way it was a very good holiday." 

Salman after his meeting, came back home and opened his gift given by Parvathy. It was a pen drive. He opens his laptop and started looking at the content in the drive. It was a Flash file, with a beautiful romantic number. There were a lot of pictures of Salman and Parvathy. At the end she had written, "If you feel the same, call me."

Salman was in a state of shock…He wanted to speak to Rajesh, by then his mother called him for dinner. Should I call Rajesh first or go for dinner? He knew the call will take long so when his mother called him again, he went to have dinner. While walking down the stairs, he checked the profile pic of Parvathy and it was a photo of 3 of them.

At the dinner table, his entire family was talking about Parvathy. Salman's mother asked, "Salman, you never have mentioned about her to us before. We had even visited you at Bangalore. Salman replied in a very casual way as if he didn’t care about it. "She was my classmate but we weren't close. We are group of students who used to eat together or go out. She was one among us. Whenever I go to meet Rajesh at Delhi, we all used to spend time together…I become close to her after she came to Delhi."

"OHHHH!! Close to her!!" Everybody shouted in unison.

After his dinner, Salman came back to his room. He was not sure about anything now. He tried calling Rajesh, his Mobile was off. He liked Parvathy, but never thought about it that way…He checked her on WhatsApp and she was online. He thought she might be waiting for his call…. He played the file again on his laptop and again and again but couldn't call her.

Next Day Parvathy was down and silent. Rajesh came to her and reminded her that she wanted to say something to him. She wanted to avoid the question but he insisted. So, to divert from the topic she told him that she is planning to resign and go back to Bangalore to stay with her parents…. 

Rajesh said, "Okay, let me take you out for a dinner today as you are planning to quit." She was not keen to go out but Rajesh too was not willing to take "No" in answer. He insisted and she had to agree. After the office, they both went to a very well- known restaurant. She wasn't very comfortable. 

"Why did we come to such a posh place, we could have gone to the eatery next to our office."

"As you are planning to leave, take it as my farewell party for you…" 

"Oh!! You are happy that I am going back!"

As they entered the Lobby, Salman was standing there with a huge bunch of roses, dressed in a suit… Parvathy was Zapped!! She was blown off. She jumped with happiness… and ran to hug Salman.

As they settled down, she complained Rajesh that you never informed me that he is coming. I was down whole day.

Rajesh retorted by saying you never told me about your plans as well.... I will make a move now. I am sure you both have a lot to talk about and I will wait for Salman at my place and Rajesh walked away.

Relationship was going strong and Salman was doing well in his business and would meet Rajesh and Parvathy most of the weekends. When Parvathy’s parents started looking for matches for her, she used to avoid by saying she might have to go offshore for a project and so on… When Pravathy went for a holiday to her home town, her mother insisted on looking at some proposals for marriage and asked her to shift to Bangalore.

"It is more than three years since you are staying in Delhi alone and now it is three months since your friend Rajesh has also moved to US." She was getting a lot of offer from Bangalore but was staying in Delhi for Salman. One evening at her home when she was speaking to Salman about the situation, her mother overheard the conversation… She was shocked. Unable to control her anguish, she started to scream at her daughter and had a lot of questions to her. She started crying and making a big issue. Listening to this her father walked into the house, he asked, "What's the matter?" Parvathy was very close to her father, she was the only daughter and was very pampered by her father.

She said, "Dad, I have not informed you about a matter." He ordered everyone to cool down and he picked up a cold bottle of water from refrigerator, poured into two glasses, gave one to his wife and the other to his daughter and drank a little by himself and said, “Tell baby, what is the matter? Are you in love with someone?"

Parvathy was shocked!!! She said “Yes Dad." 

Father asked, "Is he working with you in Delhi?”

She Said, “No Dad”

"Now, don’t tell me you have met him in some social media and he is your chat friend…"

She said, “No Dad, He was my classmate from Engineering.” 

"Then how come you never informed me for such a long time......?"

She Interrupted and said, "No dad, I am in a relationship only for the last one year with him…" Parvathy's mother was not happy the way the conversation was going on. She asked her husband, "What are you talking to her so coolly, put some sense into her, in our families, love marriages don’t happen…"

He said, "Okay, you tell me the complete details…" 

She said, "He is managing his father’s business in Lucknow and has finished his Management course in Travel and Tourism and only son of their family. Father asked, I had seen some pics of your in Instagram when you went to Lucknow, is it the same boy?"

“Yes, Dad, His name is Salman…"

"Did you just say Salman?” Mother started weeping and said, "Now he is a Muslim as well."

Father was taken aback.

“Is it Salman? Isnt he the same guy from your collage who once came on a TV show?”She said proudly, “Yes Dad.”

“I have heard you peacefully, now I want you to listen to me with your full attention, I am not against you choosing your life partner but I can’t approve of your choice.”

She fought back her tears and asked, "Just because he is a Muslim and I am a Hindu."

Father said very affirmatively, “Listen, I have listened to you without interrupting, now I am asking you to listen to me very carefully. Yes, I said, I can’t approve of this relationship, may be what you said is also one of the reason but that is not only the reason. Both the families’ will have a lot of cultural differences, from food habits to daily life to the way they look at things are quite different from that of ours. We are from south part of country and they are from North, that itself has a lot of differences, over and above the religion is different, so approach will be different, many more facts like that… Hereafter, I would not like to discuss on this, I would want you close this chapter and move on in your life.

She was adamant, she said, "If I am getting married, I will marry only Salman."

"I think you can think of staying back here in Bangalore itself, tomorrow I will make arrangements to get your luggage from Delhi and inform your company that you will not join. I will give them some excuses…"

"No, I will not agree, I will go back and join my job. I am a Major and can take my decisions." 

Father said “Listen Baby, I have been good with you till now, I would like to repeat that I have no problem with you choosing your life partner but not Salman…I hope you understand.”

All the while Salman was trying to reach Parvathy, as he had heard her mother screaming at her. When Salman called again, she was about to disconnect his call but her father snatched the phone from her and answered the call. He asked very courteously, "What is it all about?"

Salman requested, "Uncle, can I speak to Parvathy once, please…?" Father replied in negative and asked Salman that are you serious about this relationship. He answered in positive.  

"Then have you informed this at your family and have they agreed?"

"I have not informed…yet "

"This shows your seriousness, I think you should never call back this number and disconnected the call."

He handed over the phone to Parvathy and she tried calling Salman immediately and that’s when he got angry and took away the phone from her and switched it off and kept in his pocket. He asked her to have dinner and go to sleep. We will work out how to go about tomorrow morning. Parvathy wanted to speak to Salman but had no phone and father has taken the Laptop into his room. Desperately, she wanted to talk to Salman. After her parents went to sleep, she tried to sneak out of the house to go to her friend's house to call Salman. However, her Father was not asleep; how can he be! He came out of his room and asked her where she was going. I had a lot of faith in you. Till now I was thinking of understanding you but at this moment I have taken a decision to get you back to Bangalore and within next few months will be your marriage.

He asked her to go to her room and he slept on the couch in the living room. Few days passed, Parvathy's father managed to get her luggage and got her resigned from her job in Delhi. Salman was getting desperate to reach her. He tried contacting all their common friends but none were able to help. As most of them have moved out from Bangalore and some didn’t want to get into issues like this. Parvathy was sure that her father wouldn’t allow her to go out till she gets married. Her father was looking for good matches in their community itself. 

One Sunday morning, she found her laptop lying on the table and at the spur of the moment she wrote a mail to the High Court Judge informing that she was been detained in her house without her consent by her parents. And that she is married to Salman and her father is not allowing them to stay together. There was an immediate action, Police came to the house and asked them to come to police station. Neighbors were all shocked by the developments happening around Parvathy's house. Local community leaders came to know and converted it as a "Love Jihad" case.

A few of local newspapers also covered the story but with the influence of local leaders Parvathy was send back home. One of Salman's friend forwarded the news article to Salman and said, "She is suffering all because of you and you are sitting there doing nothing." Salman was upset and it was evident on his face for the last few weeks. His dad noticed it and enquired, "What is the matter?" 

Initially he was reluctant but on coaxing he told the entire situation. He also showed the news article. Salman’s father was very upset and didn’t like how the whole situation was blown out of proportion. He couldn't believe that Salman had not done anything to prevent the girl from further suffering.

"Can I speak to Parvathy or her parents?"  

Salman replied sadly, "I have only her number and it is switched off for over a few weeks, I do not have her parent's number."

Salman’s father ordered him to book flight tickets for three of them on a for early morning flight.

"Do you have their address at least?"

"I will find out, dad" Salman replied.

While searching for Parvathy’s House, the neighbours and a few community leaders could understand that they are Salman’s family and started grouping up near Parvathy’s house. As Salman was about to ring the doorbell, the crowd was losing its patience and someone shouted at Salman to go back and not to make any nuisance here. Sensing something wrong, Parvathy’s father came out and saw a sizable number of people in front of his house and wanted to know what was happening there. All these while Salman’s father was sitting in the car. He got down from the car and greeted Parvathy’s father and introduced his wife and son Salman. He requested to Parvathy's father for a private discussion rather than making it public.

Parvathy’s father, though not very happy with the new developments, reluctantly welcomed them to the house and requested the gathering to disperse. He was thankful to the crowd of well wishers and told that he will call them if any help was required. 

Salman’s father introduced himself and his family to Parvathy’s mother."We came to know about all this yesterday and are very sorry for what your family had to go through for a couple of weeks. We came to apologies to you both personally."

Parvathy’s parents were humbled by their concern and suggested to feel like home and she proposed to have a cup of coffee. Salman’s parents were pleased and agreed. Over a cup of coffee discussion resumed. Salman's father reassured them that they are not in favor of a relationship where girl's parents have not given their consent and there will not be any trouble from Salman in any way.

Salman, was confused, he had thought that his parents were going to talk in favor of him but here they are talking all against it. He was highly disappointed and was about to burst out, when Salman's mother sought permission to meet Parvathy. She came out of her room on the 1st floor of her duplex house. When she saw Salman and his family, she was overwhelmed and came running and tightly hugged Salman's mother. She made her sit beside her and she sat holding Parvathy's hand.

Salman’s father wanted to talk to Salman as well as Parvathy. So, he requested for a very brief discussion with both in the presence of both the family members. He made them sit at opposite end of the room facing each other and both the parents sat in the middle facing each other.

"I am here to make a new friend and I agree with your father and mother when they said 'NO' to your relationship. I am very upset and unhappy with what you have done to your parents by writing email to the court, bringing the episode to public domain. Have you both ever thought why your parents have said no to this proposal? Have you given one-minute thought to why my parents are saying no…? I am sure you have not. Before going to that, I would like to remind you some small incidents in your life. I remember when you visited Lucknow, you showed me some old pictures you have saved on your mobile, one of them was of your first birthday. Do you remember, the pic??? Have you seen your father and mother so happy and they had called the whole world to celebrate your birthday…?"

"In another picture, your father was carrying you on his back, you maybe 7-8 years old then and running in a beach? Do you remember the happiness you got from that run….? I will remind you one more incident, when you had fever and your parents were sponging you whole night and still your father went back to office without making a fuss of no sleep. They have sat with you in the night when you had examination and were more anxious about your results than you. He has thought only about the best decision for you all the time till last month, then how come they have become villains in your life suddenly? You might be thinking how do I know all these because I have done the same for my son… Yes, sometimes, in the process of fulfilling your needs with the best, we might have been tough on you that doesn’t mean we don’t love you guys. I have a question to you both. 

"Has Salman done any one of these above things for you? And do you think he will do it for you…? He or you are with each other because it gives you happiness. As you move ahead in life, fun will be taken over by responsibilities’ and all the other feelings will take back seat. 

Have you ever thought about the cultural difference you are going to face on a day to day life? It is not only about the region, Religion and caste. It could be anything...maybe as simple as you are sitting cross-legged in front of me here. It is acceptable and considered okay, but at our place it would be rude… 

Have you thought of your career? He has taken his family business as his future that means, he may travel to promote and expand the business. However, the base will be always there. You have a bright career, opportunity to go abroad, today you feel okay, may be 10 years down, you may regret your decision… 

Have you ever thought about your kids? what kind of trouble they will face when they have to visit their grandparents with two cultural backgrounds and what about the religious conflict they and you guys will go through?"

"Now… I am asking you both; Parents who you have stayed with you people for 24 years, taken care of all your needs, given you unconditional love and affection, thought about your good always…How come someone whom you have not even known for 24 months become more important, lovable and caring & to my surprise they have not even stood by you at your difficult times. 

If you have not understood people staying with you for 24 years, how can you say that 12 months old relationship is better? When you can’t love your parents, who have given or rather giving you unconditional Love and Affection. Even after giving a legal case still standing by you to do good for you, how will you love your spouse or their parents?"

"Kids we are not against you both, we love you both, I like Parvathy as much as my daughter, but I want you kids to think before jumping into some conclusions. I am sure this is exactly what your parents also have to say."

Parvathy’s father got up and hugged Salman’s dad and whispered in his ears, "Thank you". Today, I will be happy if my girl wants to get married to your son. A family where there is so much of understanding for the new family member, I am sure she will be happy, A son who is not opposing his father at this critical phase of life, he surely has the maturity to handle any situation in life, I leave the decision to my daughter…"

Both the parents asked them to go out to a coffee house, discuss and come back with a decision. It was lunch time, Parvathy’s mother offered them to have lunch and over lunch, continued their discussion about family history. 

Suddenly, door opened and both of them walk in. Parents were surprised to see them return so soon.

"Well, that was quick, it is not even an hour after you went out. They stood in front of their parents and said, "Whatever you people decide we are okay with it…"

Parents looked at each other and there was a silence. Parvathy’s mother who was completely against such relationships excitedly said, "If so, then let’s keep the religious ceremonies aside and go for a court marriage followed by a grand reception for all those who matter to us, to take Salman as our Son…"