As Raj gave his hand to Simran running towards him in slow motion our entire nation waited with bated breath to see what happens next. Not that it wasn’t predictable (the movie’s name gave it away, literally!). We cheered that no khadoos Baujis or weapon-wielding fiancés could stop true lovers from coming together. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge quickly became the benchmark every romantic movie was measured against. It led to many corny inspirations but none could hold a candle to the OG love story. Pointless, right?

However, a hyper-imaginative mind like me doesn’t stop wondering, what next? Apart from their undying love for each other Raj and Simran had precious little in common. Simran’s father was a desi Hitler while Raj’s celebrated his failure with beer and a paid vacation. She begrudgingly surrendered to her father’s wishes for her marriage while he pompously prided over his ever-expanding list of dalliances. Would they have cute pillow talks or throw them at each other with killer precision? What would our favourite couple’s domesticated life look like? If Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge could have a sequel, how would it be? I wonder.

Whatever the case, the Malhotra household would never have a dull day for sure. Since today is Sunday, shall we go and see how they are doing? This is a fun fictional situation that has elements of the now legendary Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Let me know what you think!

Its morning time. Simran and Pops (she calls him that too!) are sitting at the island of their luxurious kitchen sipping on their coffee and masala chai respectively. His eyes are glued to the newspaper while she’s on her constantly buzzing phone excitedly chatting with her friends about their girls date night. A plate full of crisp mathris sent over by his caring samdhan Lajwantiji are laid out in front of them. As he picks up another one, he indulgently glances at his loving bahu and silently thanks her for spoiling him with chai and so much love. Just then, the peace is shattered as Raj walks in sleepily. He picks a chilled beer from the fridge, noisily pulls out a chair in front of them and clumsily drops into it.

Simran: *sarcastically* Ohho, a spirited start of the day, huh?

Raj: *nonchalantly* Come on Sim, don’t be such a bore. Thanks to you, I have lost Pops’ company else we would both be cheering right now. I go to office with Pops now, no? Ek beer to banti hai.

Pops slides lower in his chair and pulls the newspaper higher up to avoid facing either of them.

Simran: *angrily* Raj, I won’t repeat myself. Your test reports have come and the doc said…

Raj: *interrupting her* Ok ok, Senorita. Here, I’m putting it away. 🙂

Raj raises both his hands in surrender and keeps the beer aside. He smiles sweetly at her while she’s incredulous at his sudden change of heart.

Raj: *making circles on her open palm with his fore finger* Umm, Sim. Listen, I wanted to tell you something. That Paunchy na…

Simran: *irritably* What happened to him now?

Raj: Oh, nothing. He’s fat and cute as always. Thing is, he is planning a vacation to the U.S. You see, his Uncle has a lavish villa in Miami and he asked, HE ASKED ok, if I and Roby would join him. Not long, just for a month. Backpacking across the country.

Simran: *smiling widely* Vacation? In the U.S? For a month? Pops would you please tell Raj that he has gone completely mad?

Pops: *laughing and folding the newspaper* Bacche, sahi to bol rahi hai. What are you trying to do? Didn’t your Europe trip teach you anything? Thank Wahe Guruji you met Simran there, warna tujhe kahan kuch akal hai! 😛

Raj opens his mouth to say something clever but is cut off with Simran’s phone ringing. It’s Bauji.

Simran: *happily picking up the phone* Good morning, Bauji! Pahoch gaye aap? It’s so sweet that you reserve Sundays to call me. Ma says I’m sharing her legacy *laughs aloud* and I don’t mind. Yahan to kisiko ye emotion hi nahi samajhta.

She looks accusingly at Raj who is leaning closer to Pops and having some animated discussion with him.

Simran: *continues* How’s everyone? Aloo paratha khaya aapne aaj? Oh, I miss them so much. I sent our English cook on leave today and am going to interview some Indian ones in the afternoon. Till then, I’ll have to make them myself. I’m making pyaaz ke parathe. Bhijwaun aapke liye?

Raj: *turning to her* Pyaaz ke parathe! Oye hoye! Kab banenge?

Simran: *putting the call on speaker without letting Raj know* When you’ll help me of course! 😉

Just then, Pops reads something on his phone and laughs hysterically. He shows it to both Raj and Simran.

Raj: *upset while Simran cracks up* Pops, hasiye mat aap. Anyway, we’re not having upma today. We’re having super tasty parathas that my Sim will make and I can’t dream of spoiling her dish.

Pops: Beta, upma ya paratha, its your duty today. Chup chaap maan ja.

Raj: But Pops….

Bauji: *roaring on the phone* Oye, Raj! Kya kaha tumne?

Raj, alarmed, looks around him, then at the phone and breathes a sigh of relief. Pops and Simran are falling over each other guffawing by this point. 😀

Raj: *haltingly* Umm, ahem, good morning, Bauji. Ki haal chaal? Oh ji,main keh raha tha aaj Malhotras ke ghar mein poora parivar milke parathe bana raha hai. Please, you’re most welcome to join.

Bauji: *cooling down* Hmmm, maybe some other time. Take care of my Simran, and stop calling her Sim. She’s not a card!

Raj: *holding his breath* Ji Bauji. Have a nice day, Bauji! Bye! :-/

Simran hangs up while Raj forcibly heads towards the grocery section to fetch onions. “Don’t we have electric choppers for such stuff? Ye sasur bahu hain ya baap beti? Jaan boojh ke meri jaan lete hain.” He mumbles under his breath.

After a while as Raj is wiping off onion tears from his face Simran slowly walks up to him.

Simran: *keeps her arm on his shoulder* Let me do it. I was just messing with you. I miss our nok-jhok when I’m at the university.

Raj: *adoringly* Senorita, bade bade deshon mein aise chote mote pyaaz katte rehte hain. 🙂

They smile and hug each other while he lovingly kisses her forehead. Pops looks at them dotingly from a distance. “If this isn’t happily ever after, then what is?” he muses and hums “Le jayenge le jayenge, dilwale dulhaniya le jayenge..”

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon

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