Chapter 17: The First Gift

That afternoon, Mahendra Rathore called Haji Kareem.

The phone rang only once before Haji answered.

Haji Kareem: "Assalamu Alaikum, Mahendra."

Mahendra: "Wa Alaikum Assalam, Kareem. I have good news."

Haji smiled.

Haji Kareem: "Tell me."

Mahendra: "Veeresh has accepted the proposal."

Haji closed his eyes in gratitude.

Haji Kareem: "Alhamdulillah."

He smiled warmly.

Haji Kareem: "Poornima has also agreed."

Mahendra's face lit up.

Mahendra: "Then it's settled."

Haji Kareem: "Yes."

The two old friends discussed the arrangements for a while before deciding that the wedding would take place the following week.

After a brief silence, Haji spoke again.

Haji Kareem: "Mahendra, there's one tradition in our family."

Mahendra: "Tell me."

Haji Kareem: "Before the nikah, the groom's family sends the bride a pair of bangles and a saree. The bride wears them on her wedding day. It is our way of welcoming her with love and respect."

Mahendra smiled.

Mahendra: "Of course."

He replied without hesitation.

Mahendra: "We'll follow your tradition. Don't worry about it."

Haji's heart filled with happiness.

Haji Kareem: "Thank you, my friend."

Mahendra: "From today, your customs are our customs too."

Haji smiled.

Haji Kareem: "And your traditions will be ours."

Both friends laughed, their hearts at peace.

After ending the call, Mahendra called Veeresh into the living room.

Veeresh walked in.

Veeresh: "Dadu, you called me?"

Mahendra nodded.

On the table lay a small notebook containing the wedding preparations.

Mahendra: "There's something you need to do."

Veeresh looked at him.

Mahendra: "According to their family's tradition, the groom sends the bride a saree and a set of bangles."

Veeresh listened quietly.

Mahendra: "She will wear them on the wedding day."

He smiled gently.

Mahendra: "I want you to choose them yourself and send them to the girl's family."

Veeresh was silent for a few moments.

He had never bought clothes or jewellery for anyone after his divorce.

The thought felt unfamiliar.

Finally, he nodded.

Veeresh: "Okay."

Mahendra smiled with satisfaction.

Mahendra: "Choose them with respect, not because they are expensive."

Veeresh nodded.

Veeresh: "I understand."

As he walked out of the room, he wondered what colours she liked.

Did she prefer bright shades or simple ones?

Did she wear glass bangles or metal ones?

Then he smiled faintly.

He didn't know the answer to a single question about the woman he was about to marry.

But for the first time in many years, he found himself wanting to learn.