Pastiche

                                                           PASTICHE

                                                GATHERING HEIGHTS

 At Humming Grange, Once there lived a wealthy farmer named Mr.Grangercliff and his wife Mrs.Grangercliff. They had a son and daughter named Heathcliff and Josefinacliff. Heathcliff appeared to be a romantic and calm observer. His sister Josefina was a daydreamer who often dreams about her future husband. Nearby there lived a Businessman and his family, they were Mr. and Mrs.Earnshaw and their son Hindley and daughter Catherine. Hindley who always used to restrict and scold on his sister's actions. Whereas Catherine was such an amazing girl who wished to help others.

  Even though these two families belonged to two different social status, they developed a very good rapport between them. Hindley and Josefina loved each other secretly. They often used to roam together. Heathcliff and Catherine appeared to be best friends. But Hindley used to warn Catherine’s relationship with Heathcliff. Soon after Catherine discovered the affair of  his brother. But she didn’t warn or even questioned him. 

Mr.Earnshaw invited his family friend Mr.Linton and his family to spend vacation at Humming Grange this time. Mr.Linton was also a Businessman, his wife Mrs.Linton. They had a son & daughter named Edgar and Isabella. After their arrival, both the families had spent a lot of time together discussing their ups, downs and future plans. At one night dinner Mr.Earnshaw confessed his wishes about the marriage between Hindley and Isabella, Catherine and Edgar so that their family could emerge more deeply. Without any hesitation Mr.Linton wholeheartedly accepted the marriage proposal between their children. Everyone in the family seems to be very delighted except Hindley. Catherine noticed her brother's sad facial expression and she too felt bad for him.

Catherine wanted her brother to be married to Josefina as she never liked to see his brother in such a sadistic situation. She explained her brother’s situation and revealed the affair of his sister with her brother. She sought help from him. Heathcliff seemed to be vexed and  moved away silently. Edgar noticed the meeting of Catherine and Heathcliff. Another side, Hindley and Josefina planned to elope but in vain. Hindley never wanted his father to be low so he dropped the idea of eloping. Instead, he asked Josefina to wait for some more time. Days passed, the engagement date has been fixed. Situation had moved out of Hindley's hand. And he started to avoid Josefina bitterly. Josefina lost all her hope and decided to end her life. When she was about to cut her hand, there came Heathcliff and Isabella. Heathcliff scolded Josefina and her cowardly decision. Heathcliff and Catherine seem to be in a state of confusion about what to do next , again this was noticed by Edgar, this time Catherine too noticed and guessed Edgar’s doubtfulness by seeing her with Heathcliff. Through this she had an idea and asked for the opinion of Heathcliff. At the beginning he denied her idea but later on he accepted the continuous approach of Catherine. 

The engagement day has arrived and everyone appeared to be very joyful and happy. Guests enjoyed watching ball dance, party drinks and fun etc.. When the engagement ceremony was about to begin, all of us suddenly Edgar stood up and shouted that he dislikes Catherine, he never wanted to marry her, Mr.Earnshaw wasn't able to bear the situation and asked the reason for disliking his daughter. Edgar replied ‘’yeah I had a strong reason to accuse Catherine’s character, I had witnessed many times Catherine and Heathcliff together, friends mustn’t be like that they would definitely be lovers'’. His words had shook everyone’s heart. Especially Mr.Earnshaw had a great shock. On seeing this worse situation Mr.Linton asked Edgar to shut up and engage with Catherine. But he stood strongly upon his reason. Both the families didn’t have any option of what to do next. Mr. and Mrs.Earnshaw broke down sadly.

Catherine appeared on the scene and asked everyone to stay. And she also said that the engagement will definitely happen. Everyone started murmuring & talking themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Grangercliff asked everyone sorry on behalf of their son. There came Heathcliff and asked his parents not to be worried, saying ‘’I hadn’t done anything wrong’’. Catherine joined Heathcliff and said’’ yes, we didn’t do anything worse’’. In a low tone, Mr.Earnshaw asked her daughter’’what’s going on my dear ? ‘’. Catherine had replied softly ‘’Everything happening now is for good dad’’.  ‘’I couldn’t understand my dear’’replied Mr.Earnshaw. Heathcliff came front and revealed the relationship between Hindley and Josefina . Again everyone was to be in the state of confusion. Now Catherine divulged that myself and Heathcliff planned to appear as lovers, in order to make Edgar doubt us so that the ceremony might stop and we could have a chance to reveal the truth and to unite Hindley and Josefina as per their wishes. ‘’We knew that what we have done is not fair but we did this only for the welfare and better future for our siblings’’said Heathcliff. ‘’If everyone is not ready to accept this worse situation please punish us and don’t hurt the feelings of true lovers’’ said Catherine. Between these worse things Isabella observed Heathcliff and had a secret crush on him. Both Heathcliff and Catherine requested Mr.Earnshaw to allow marriage between Hindley and Josefina. All of us suddenly Isabella came front and requested Mr.Earnshaw to forgive them and arrange the marriage between Hindley and Josefina. Until this Mr.Earnshaw sat down and kept quiet. At last Hindley put forward and cried at his father and asked him to forgive him. He asked his father to tell at least yes or no, and he said ‘’I won’t want anything beyond your words dad’’. Mr.Earnshaw hugged his son and cried ‘’No, my dear my boy you’re deserved to be married as per your wish’’. Then he appreciated Heathcliff’s involvement and he also felt proud about his daughter’s sacrifice for her brother’s love. 

Finally he accepted their request and he also wished  Heathcliff and Catherine to be married. But both Catherine and Heathcliff denied the proposal and said ‘’we are only friends and friends forever’’. Edgar praised their true friendship and felt sorry for his false accusation on Catherine’s character. And he wholeheartedly proposed to her to marry him. Catherine happily accepted him and his sorry. Mr.Earnshaw felt very happy and overjoyed.. 

By observing Isabella’s fine heart and good spirit, Heathcliff too developed feelings for her . So, he proposed to Isabella to marry him. Isabella cheerfully accepted his proposal.

Eventually, all the three families gathered and arranged the marriage ceremony in such a grand manner. Finally, Hindley – Josefinacliff, Catherine – Edgar , & Heathcliff – Isabella united happily. All of their parents appeared to be very blissful and triumphantly happy!