69. FF: Keeping Khushi (Parts 91-)

Part 91

“What are you doing, Arnavji?”, hissed Khushi, trapped in her husband’s loving arms as he carried her up to the terrace.

“Carrying my wife to the terrace.” He tightened his hold, looking straight ahead with an expressionless face.

“Naniji, Mamiji, Buaji, Amma, the others….they will wonder where we are.”

“Let them.”, said Arnav evenly.

“The ladies will want to meet Aartiji. They will be searching for her in the crowd.”

“Let them.”

“Arnavji!”, sighed Khushi, exasperated.

They reached the terrace. Arnav slowly and carefully lowered Khushi to stand on her feet.

She crossed her arms and looked at him, challenging him to come up with a rational explanation for what he had just done.

Arnav looked at her. His wife. The rich, bright green silk of her sari lent a glow to her beautiful face, the diamond studs in her ears and the diamonds in her mangalsutra gleaming in the morning light….the diamond in her nosepin shining…..the jasmine flowers in her hair that she had left unbound except for some kind of clip at her nape, the strands of silky hair dancing in the morning breeze….. the challenge in her beautiful eyes, her warrior-like stance……… Arnav smiled, delighted that she was a part of his life, the most important part of his life, stimulating him at every level, keeping him on his toes, so to speak.

“You are amused?”, Khushi raised her eyebrow, imitating Arnav.

“Not like that. Don’t arch your eyebrow so much if you want to do an Arnav Singh Raizada. A slight lift will do.” He waited for her reaction, eager to be the focus of her full attention, her anger, her love….

Khushi drew in a deep breath, calling upon hidden reserves of patience.

“Naniji, Mamiji, Buaji, and the others think that you called all of us upstairs to talk about the preparations for the sangeet.”

“Let them.” He pulled her strings with delight coursing through his veins.

“They will ask us what you wanted to tell us. What am I supposed to say?”, she asked, her eyes steady on his.

Arnav moved towards her, closing the slight distance between them.

“Tell them….”, Arnav whispered, “….that I wanted to see my wife…” He kissed her left cheek….".....that I wanted to see the mehendi on her hands……." He kissed her right cheek…. “…that I wanted a moment alone with her….” He kissed her nosepin….."…that I wanted to kiss her……very badly….very, very badly….”

 (Thank u, Dumas!)

Khushi gasped.

“Tell them that I want everyone to enjoy the mehendi as I am doing now…..”…He kissed her chin, running a finger down her rosy cheek.

“So you wanted to see the mehendi on my hands!”, teased Anjali.

Anand nodded, smiling.

She hid her hands behind her back. “You can’t.”

“Why not?”, Anand widened his eyes.

“Because I don’t want you to.”, Anjali declared, hiding a smile.

“Oh! Can I change your mind, Mrs. Dwivedi?”, the ever polite Anand asked.

“You can try.”, conceded Anjali.

“Maybe I can persuade you…”, Anand walked towards his wife, who moved away, walking backwards, keeping a wary eye on him.

“Maybe we can negotiate…….find a mutually satisfactory solution…..fix the deal….”, his soft voice played on her nerves.

Anjali moved back, taking refuge behind the recliner first, and finding it too poor a cover, moving to the bed.

Anand pursued her, like a tiger chasing its prey.

Anjali got on to the bed hoping to run across it to the other side of the room, only to be brought down in a flying tackle by her husband.

Akash led Payal to the corridor.

Standing behind her, he held her arms up with the support of his, and studied the mehendi design on her palms with great attention.

Payal rested against his strong chest with a sigh, enjoying a moment’s respite after days of non-stop work in arranging the functions.

“You have beautiful hands, Payal.”, Akash said. “Beautiful, warm, and healing hands.”

Payal smiled.

“And beautiful eyes.”

She looked at him with her beautiful eyes, twisting her head.

“And a nose that tempts me to pull it.”

Payal smiled.

“And soft lips.” His voice was low, a tempting wisp of sound.

Payal lowered her eyes.

“And an enticing neck.”

Payal trembled as his lips met the curve of her neck.

NK took Aarti to his room, holding her arm gently.

“I just wanted to see you.”, he said.

Aarti smiled. “You saw me today morning.”

“Yes. But I wanted to see you again…and again…”

“Maybe I should just give you my photo.”, she teased with a straight face.

“I have your pics. My phone is full of them.”, NK confessed.

Aarti raised an eyebrow, imitating his Nannav to perfection.

“I can look at your photos, but I can’t touch you through them.”, NK said softly.

Aarti stared at him.

“Are you happy, Aarti? With the functions? With the family? With me?”

Aarti nodded, smiling.

He waited.

She looked down at the mehendi on her arms.

He waited, giving her time to sort out her thoughts.

“I am happy.”, she finally said.

NK nodded.

“I have never felt anything like this before.”, Aarti confessed softly.

NK smiled.

“I don’t know the girl in the mirror.”, she said, shrugging.

NK looked at her.

“She is a girl. She…she has a big family that laughs and cares for her. And..and a man who loves her…. And…. and…she is very happy.”

NK pulled her into his arms, hugging her as though he would absorb her into his being.

Aarti whispered against his chest, “This…all this…it is not a dream, is it?”

NK tightened his hold around her.

“If it is a dream, we are dreaming it together.”, he said softly.

Aarti looked at his face, her beauteous eyes on his earnest ones.

“If we wake up, we will still be together.”, he reassured her.

Aarti smiled, relieved.

Part 92

Khushi, Anjali, Payal, & Aarti rejoined the ladies adorning their hands with mehendi in the living room. The flush of happiness on the faces of the young girls was seen by most as a sign of joy on the wedding festivities.

But Mamiji’s sharp eyes and even sharper brain noticed the difference.

“Khushi Bitiyaa, what did hamre Arnav Bitwa want to tells you all?”

Khushi’s cheeks became red. In fact, her face resembled the sky at dawn, resplendent with many colours. Arnav stood at the head of the stairs, and smiled to see his wife find excuses for him.

“Woh, Mamiji, he wanted to … err.. make sure that everything was going well…at the mehendi…that we were all happy….”

Anjali, Payal, & Aarti looked at Khushi and the others.

Mamiji frowned, her plucked eyebrows and painted lips making her look fearsome.

“Hamre Arnav Bitwaa called you to ask you this?”

“Ji.”

Mamiji frowned, still not convinced.

“Manorama, our Chotey has changed a lot after marriage. See how caring he has become!”, Nani smiled, happy.

Buaji smiled. “It is all because of our Khushi Bitiyaa.”

“Haan.”, Nani cuffed Khushi’s chin.

“Woh sab theek he, Saasumma. But how can marrijj turn Amrish Puri into Akshay Kumar?”

Nani & Buaji laughed.

“Manorama, if Khushi Bitiyaa says that Chotey called the girls to ask them about mehendi, he must have asked her that.”, Nani said. Buaji nodded smiling.

“Haan…”, Mamiji agreed half-heartedly. “But for so long…?”, she asked.

Khushi looked away, feeling terrible. Her eyes fell on her nemesis, standing with his arms crossed, his head cocked, smiling at her discomfiture.

Her reproachful gaze and pouting lips made him want to kiss her senseless till all her complaints were dealt with. She read his intention in his darkening eyes, and looked down at her fingers with mehendi, held away from her lap.

“And see how much Chotey cares for his sisters and their happiness!”, Nani said, smiling away.

Khushi, Payal, Aarti, & Anjali blushed. Anand, NK, & Akash joined Arnav to see & enjoy the effect of their hard work on their wives’ faces.

“Payaliyaa is lucky to get such a good, caring Jetji, Nandkisore!”, said Buaji.

Before anyone could respond, the doorbell rang. Mamaji rushed to answer it.

“Kaun he, Hello Hi Bye Bye! Coming late for mehendi!”, Mami was easily distracted.

As all watched, Mamaji pulled open the door with a flourish. 

NK’s parents stood framed in the doorway.

Mamiji gasped, covering her open mouth with her fingers. All the others too stood similarly astonished. Mama stood by them, a naughty smile on his face.

Mami, Nani, NK, Anjali, & Akash hugged them, exclaiming at their early arrival in India.

“It was all Manohar Bhai’s plan!”, laughed NK’s father.

 “He wanted to surprise all of you!” The rotund man touched Naniji’s feet and hugged her, to be followed by his wife, Rani, who was almost jumping up and down in her excitement.

Aarti stood looking at her future in-laws, her mouth not entirely shut.

Her father-in-law, Raj Kisore seemed a very jolly person with a booming laugh that echoed in RM. He seemed very fond of the Raizadas, and they seemed to be equally fond of him.

But more shocking was the appearance of her future mother-in-law, Rani. Short hair coloured a mixture of brown & red. Plump body squeezed into a pair of red trousers and a long red and white shirt. Arms adorned with funky jewellery that would have done a teenager proud. Pink goggles added glamour to her appearance.

“Where is my bahuriyya?”, she asked loudly, eagerly.

 Arnav shook his head to resettle his eardrums.

Anjali and NK led Aarti to her. Rani took one look at Aarti, and launched herself into the hapless younger girl’s arms. She squeezed the life out of Aarti.

As Aarti stood gasping for breath, Rani said, “Aarti is so beautiful! NK Bitwaa,”, she pinched his chin, “You have selected our perfect bahuriyaa. You have perfect taste!”

NK smiled, thrilled. "I have, Mama.", he said.

NK’s father hugged Aarti, but gently. “I hope some of your bones are still in one piece!”, he told Aarti, laughing. 

Aarti smiled feebly. If Buaji didn’t kill her with love, Rani Kisore would do it. Her fate was certain now. It was to die of love! 

NK put his arm around her shoulders, squeezing her gently.

Aarti gulped. Would her Sunflower hug her so tight too? If he did, he would have to search for her in the puddle on the floor. Or the heap of crushed bones on the ground.

Mamaji sidled up to her, and said softly, “How did you like your Saasumma?”

Aarti smiled. “She seems very nice.”

“But too young!”, Mamaji laughed. “Rani refuses to believe that she has grown up!”

Aarti smiled.

Mamaji & Aarti watched Mami & Rani laugh uproariously over some joke.

Mamaji said, “Donon pagal hein! Donon ek he khet ke mooli hein! You don’t worry, Bitiyaa.”

Nani introduced Aarti’s Amma to Raj & Rani. Both of them hugged her, and thanked her for agreeing to the wedding and apologised for not being present at the shagun & sagai.

Nani then introduced Khushi & Payal to the Kisores. The new bahuriyaas touched their feet, and both Raj & Rani, thrilled, hugged them thoroughly. Arnav, not a very demonstrative person, nodded and smiled at them. Akash took their blessings, & Nani introduced Anand to the guests. Anand was greeted warmly by them, Rani kissing him on his lean cheek. Naniji then introduced Buaji to them.

Buaji said, “I thought you would get here only the day before the wedding?”

Raj & Rani said that Mamaji & they had deliberately misinformed the family about the time of their arrival to surprise them.

Mami pretended to frown at Mamaji. “You are becoming naughty in your old age, Hello Hi Bye Bye.”, she said.

“Old age? Who is old?”, asked poor Mamaji.

“You.”, said Mami, pushing at his chest with her finger. 

“Acha? If you remove your makeuppiya and wash off the dye in your hair, I can, after a long time of 15 years, see what my wife really looks like.”

Mamiji sniffed.

“Ten families have come with us, Madhumatiji. We have booked them in a hotel nearby. They will be here for the sangeet.”, Rani said.

“Acha he, Nandkisore! Old friends of yours must want to attend NK Bitwa’s wedding.”, Buaji smiled.

“Ji. Today this house will burst at the seams.”, Rani laughed, eagerly waiting for all the fun and the noise that evening.

“Good, good. The more the marrier (merrier).”, said Mamiji.

Mamaji whispered in Arnav’s ears, “If I were a drinking man, I would have a couple of pegs, stick some cotton in my ears, and go to sleep after locking my bedroom door. I don’t think these ladies will let us breathe in peace today. Or sleep.”

Arnav smiled slightly.

“Your Mami won’t spare me for not telling her that Raj & Rani are coming today.”

“Why didn’t you?”, Arnav asked, smiling slightly.

“Pagla gaye ho kaa, Arnav Bitwaa? Tell her a secret? Your Mami is not just Mami. She is MBC, Manorama Broadcasting Corporation!”

 It was noon. 

All the ladies were resting, tired after having fun all morning at the mehendi, and getting ready to enjoy the sangeet.

Khushi sat on her bed in a loose white kurta and pyjama, ordered by Nani, Mami, Buaji, & Amma to take rest. 

She looked at her mehendi. It was deep red, the pattern of flowers and creepers looking very attractive on her fair hands. If the dark colour of the mehendi was any indication of Arnavji’s love for her, then he must love her very much indeed. Khushi smiled.

A hand lifted her chin.

 Updated.

She looked into the smiling eyes of her husband.

“You are very happy today, Arnavji?”, Khushi asked softly.

“Very.”

“Because Mamiji cornered me and I was struggling to find an answer?”

“No. Because you were trying to defend me.”

Khushi stared at him with eyes wide open.

“Especially after I had done something indefensible.”

Khushi gave him a look she normally reserved for toddlers in Omkar who did things they were not supposed to do.

“And because …”, Arnav continued, his soft, husky voice sending a thrill down her spine. “…And because I got to kiss you. Many times.”

Khushi looked away.

Arnav caught hold of her chin gently, and tried to turn her face towards him. Khushi twisted her face away.

He took hold of her hands. 

“So the mehendi has come out very dark.”, he mused, smiling.

Khushi tried to pull her hands away from his, but he held on firm. Khushi looked away. A solitary tear made its slow way down her cheek.

“Khushi?”, Arnav breathed. “What is wrong?”

Khushi shook her head.

“Khushi..?”, The urgency in his voice made his voice huskier still.

Khushi tightened her fingers around his.

“Did anyone say…. say anything to h..hurt you?”

“No.” Khushi spoke through a choked throat.

“What is wrong, Khushi?” He cupped her cheeks. “Why are you crying?”

“I…I don’t know…..”, Khushi whispered.

Arnav frowned.

“Arnavji, I..I don’t know what is happening to me. I..I feel like crying at the smallest of things….I have been getting upset over the slightest of problems during the last few days……”

Arnav looked at her, astonished.

“One moment I am laughing at something…and the next moment I am crying!”, she pouted.

Arnav pulled her into his arms, close to his heart. A small smile danced on his lips.

Khushi put her arms around him, burrowing into his hold, all tight and snug.

“It is normal, Khushi.”, he whispered. “I checked online. It is all a play of the hormones because of the baby.”

Khushi looked at him in astonishment. “It is normal, Arnavji?”

Arnav nodded, smiling.

“You checked, Arnavji?”

Arnav nodded. “When we knew you were pregnant, I read up on all the details on the net.”

Khushi curled further into his embrace.

“I hate to cry, Arnavji.”, Khushi whispered a while later. “Even in the hospital… Baba used to say that my tears had dried up in the fire, making me a strong woman.”

Arnav kissed her hair, feeling his throat close.

“Even when my legs hurt, when the children fell ill, when it was difficult to find the money for the fees and the utilities....., I never cried. Baba used to say that if I came across a difficulty, I would stare it in the face and put it to shame, till it had no other option but to move out of my way.”

Arnav swallowed.

“But now…..I get angry for no reason…upset over silly things….”

Khushi cupped Arnav’s face. 

“I am sorry, Arnavji! For being so angry with you.”

A tear trailed down her cheek. Khushi made an exasperated sound, and tried to wipe it away. But Arnav caught hold of her arm.

He leaned forward, and kissed the tear away from her face.

He lifted her in his arms, and laid her on the bed. He got in beside her, and whispered in her ear, “Your tears, your anger, your smile, your love…… they are all mine. Only mine, Khushi. I will not let anyone else have them.”

He moved towards her trembling lips, his eyes on their plump, pink contours…..

Part 93

Khushi, dressed in a beautiful pink-red silk sari, adorned her hair with a string of jasmine flowers that Arnavji had gathered for her and she had strung together. She straightened her bindi, and applied sindoor to her maang. She was done.

She turned around to leave the room and stopped short.

Arnavji was standing near the door, his hot, molten chocolate eyes running over her from head to toe.

Khushi didn’t have to ask him if she looked OK. His bedroom eyes revealed their appreciation loudly. His intent gaze was already anticipating the night ahead when they would be alone in their room, basking in the moonlight and the scent of jasmine and other flowers that he grew in his garden.

Khushi blushed. Arnav smiled.

He walked up to her, his eyes taking in every aspect of her loveliness, caressing her face and form with his gaze, loving the hint of red on her cheeks..... 

He ran a loving finger down her cheek, bringing it to rest against the edge of her lips that trembled.

“Khushi!”, he murmured.

She lifted fluid eyes to his, her eyes revealing her love for him.

He lifted her chin with his warm finger, bending his head to taste the tempting curve of her lips.

Trembling, Khushi shut her eyes, waiting for the touch of his lps against hers eagerly.

“Chotey! Khushiji! Aren’t you coming down? The guests have started arriving for the Sangeet!”, Anjali’s excited voice came from without the door.

Khushi took one look at the chagrined look on Arnavji’s face, and burst out laughing.

“Has rahi ho?”, Arnav asked her, one eyebrow up in the air.

Khushi tried to stifle her chuckles.

“Let me see if you will still be laughing later this evening!”, Arnav whispered his threat in her ear, kissing it softly.

Khushi blushed and left the room in a hurry.

Updated

NK, Akash, Arnav, Anand, & the boys from Omkar had helped HP and Gopi Kakka decorate the house with thousands of strings of fairy lights, diyas, flower chains in many hues, big, sweet-smelling floral arrangements etc. Professional decorators had taken over the stage and the entrance to the house, making lavish use of pink and dark blue to create a magical world of fun & gaiety.

“Naniji, this is Kitty Singhania, and her daughters, Shefali and Shradda.”, Rani introduced her family friend who had travelled all the way from Sydney to take part in NK’s wedding.

The lady and her daughters greeted Naniji politely, and received a warm welcome in return.

“This is Ritesh Gandhi, his wife, Kajal, & their son, Siddharth.”

“This is Mridul Sinha and her daughter, Monica.”

The introductions went on and on till Rani reached the last family. “Naniji, this is Pinky Geelani and her daughter, Coco.”

Naniji looked carefully at the girl with the miniscule choli and the strange name, but greeted her & her mother warmly. “Namaste. I am very happy that you have come here today to share in our happiness.”

“Hello!”, drawled Coco, bored out of her skull. 

Pinky looked anxiously at her man-mad daughter.

Coco looked around. This place was crawling with old budda-buddies. Was there no one below 30 in this house? 

What a bunch of weirdos! That fat cow who kept on bleating Hai Re Nandkisore! That loud lady who kept on mixing English and Hindi! The way in which everyone fawned over the tall thin man, calling him Baba and Babaji! And the way in which they introduced the man called Gopi Kakka to everyone! You would think he was a millionaire rather than a servant! 

The whole family freaked her out. Big time.

The man with the specs was handsome, but he seemed besotted with his wife who was plump & not in the least fashionable! 

NK, the only guy here who was personable, knew too much about her to give her the time of the day. She fiddled impatiently with the thin dupatta of her lehenga and very short choli and turned around.

Her breath stopped. 

An M&B hero, all tall, dark, & handsome walked into the house as though he owned it. He removed his sunglasses in a fluid motion, whispering something to the servant who had taken a packet from his hand. His head held high, uncaring of the rest of the world, his face set in arrogant lines, he walked up the stairs and disappeared.

Arnav strode up the steps, his hand patting his pocket carefully. Yes, it was there. He hoped no one would notice his arrival and stop him from reaching Khushi who was helping Aarti dress.

He knocked on Aarti’s door.

Khushi opened it.

“Aap!”, she was pleasantly shocked.

Arnav caught hold of her arm and pulled her out of the room.

“I went out to get some red grapes and strawberries for Amma.”

Khushi gasped. “Her fruits! They were over! Arnavji! I didn’t notice.”

“It is OK. You were busy. HP told me about it. So..so along with them, I got something for you.”

Khushi’s eyes brightened up. “Kya?”, she asked, eager to know.

Arnav smiled. He put his hand into his pocket and brought out a small brown cover. He held it out to her.

She took it, & opened it.

“Channa!”, she exclaimed, her face lit with joy.

She took a couple of channa out of the cover, and held them to Arnavji’s lips. He opened his mouth and chewed on them. She popped a couple into her mouth.

“Shukriya!" She asked, "How did you know I wanted to have channa?”

Arnav smiled. “I read that pregnant women have cravings. So I…”

She looked around. There was no one there. She whispered, “I like channa, but I crave only you, Arnav Singh Raizada!”

Arnav stared at her, his eyes wide.

She quickly dropped a kiss on his cheek, and smiling at his happy but shocked face, darted into Aarti’s room to help her with the lehenga.

Arnav went to his room with a fond smile on his face.

Part 94

Coco scanned the stage and the surroundings, trying to locate the hero she had laid her covetous eyes on.

But he was nowhere to be seen. She grit her teeth in frustration.

“Coco!”, came her mother’s anxious call. “What are you doing there alone?”

Coco shot a venomous look at her mother. “Breathing. Do you have  a problem with that?”

Pinky Geelani swallowed. What had she done to be saddled with such an obnoxious brat who chased everything in pants? She looked around to make sure that no one had heard the nasty remark.

“Coco! Behave yourself!”, Pinky cautioned and pleaded in the same breath.

Coco opened her mouth to give her mother a verbal bashing that she wouldn’t forget in a hurry, but had to swallow her words as Naniji, Buaji, Amma, and Mami joined them.

“Saasumma, looks at the stagewaa! NK Bitwaa and Aarti Bitiyaa selected the colours and the lights!”

“It looks like somehing out of a fairytale!”, breathed Naniji.

“It looks magical!”, said Amma, smiling at the glorious sight.

"We will have great fun tonight, Nandkisore!", said Buaji smiling. "It is our Aarti Bitiyaa and NK Bitwaa's Sangeet. The children will all dance away the night, I am sure!"

Coco looked at the stage with disinterested eyes. Suddenly her eyes brightened. She caught sight of the hero, standing near the stage, looking at the arrangements and discussing them with some representative of the event management company.

“It is all the work of hamre Arnav Bitwaa!”, smiled Mamiji.

“Who?”, asked Pinky.

“Hamre Arnav Bitwaa! Didn’t you meet him?”, asked Mami astonished.

Pinky shook her head in the negative.

“How can you come to Delhi and not meet Arnav Singh Raizada?”, asked Mami scandalised. “He is like the ...the..Rashtrapati Bhavan. Compulsory darshan for tourists. Delhi is nothing without hamre Arnav Bitwaa.......Arnav Bitwaa, Arnav Bitwaa!”, she screeched.

Arnav looked around, excused himself to the man he was talking to, and walked up to the group of ladies.

“Chotey! This is Pinky Geelani and her daughter, Coco. They are Rani’s friends.”, said Nani.

Arnav smiled slightly and nodded at them. 

“This is NK’s brother, Arnav Singh Raizada.”, Nani continued with the introductions.

“I hope you enjoy the functions.”, Arnav said mildly, his mind on the flowers that Aman was supposed to bring to the venue in a few seconds. And then he had to get NK down from his room, where he was dressing with the assistance of Anand Jiju & Akash. He smiled inwardly. How he hoped that NK was not going to wear a yellow sherwani he had been holding in his hands the last time he had seen him! NK was taking the Sunflower thing too far! Aarti would soon puke at the sight of yellow if he continued in the same vein.....

Pinky thanked him, while Coco drank her hero in.

The formal clothes, the air with which he wore them, his stern face, his aura of power…they all made her drool. He had a sculpted body beneath the coat, she gauged, without the need for any kind of padding…..lips that begged to be kissed…

“Hamre Arnav Bitwaa ijj a big bujjinejjman (businessman), very, very bijji (busy) making dealjj (deals) din and raat!”, Mamiji said, proud of her nephew.

Arnav excused himself, and left to oversee the final arrangements. He wanted everything to be perfect for NK & Aarti. Where was Khushi? Wasn’t it time for her to come down the stairs?

Khushi, Payal, & Anjali led Aarti, dressed in a pink and red lehenga down the steps to the seats laid out at the foot of the stage.

Aarti had actually worn a blue anarkali for the function, when Rani had knocked on her door and made her a gift of this pink and red lehenga.

Rani had made Aarti open the box in her presence, with Payal, Anjali, & Khushi looking on.

“Do you like it?”, she asked, her anxious eyes scanning Aarti’s face.

Aarti smiled. “Yes.”

Rani sighed in relief.

“When we went to buy the lehenga for you, I selected this and the other ladies in the party said I should go for something more elaborate. With lots of frills and bows.” Rani cupped Aarti’s face. “From what NK told us of you, I thought you might prefer this.”

Aarti nodded, touching the beautiful lehenga with loving fingers.

“I fought with the ladies, and finally dragged your Sasurji from the office to the shop to support me.” Rani said. “He never says ‘no’ to me.”, Rani smiled.

All the girls smiled at Rani.

 “Do you like it, Aarti Bitiyaa?”, she asked.

“Very much.”, Aarti said.

 Rani heaved a heartfelt sigh of relief. “Then it is all worth it.”

Aarti swallowed.

“Khushiji…… Maybe I can wear this lehenga for the Sangeet?”, Aarti asked.

Rani stared at her with mouth wide open.

Khushi kissed Aarti on her cheek, and Payal & Anjali hugged her. While Rani looked on speechless, the girls helped Aarti wear the lehenga and matching jewellery. They draped the dupatta across her chest and waist to cover the scars of the surgery.

Finally, Aarti stood in front of Rani, dressed in her gift, looking like a princess. Rani could only hug and kiss her repeatedly.

“NK is a very lucky boy.”, Rani managed to say through a choked throat. “He has chosen well. A kind heart and a beautiful face, modest and sanskari!”

Aarti shrugged in her characteristic way, and said quietly “Err….I think I am the lucky one here.”

Updated 

Arnav led NK, Anand, & Akash down, his eyes searching for the lovely form of his wife. 

She was standing with Di, Aarti, & Payal. 

As Arnav watched, Mami, Buaji, Amma, Rani, & Nani joined them and all laughed at something Mami said.

He looked at the glee-filled face of his wife. How he loved to hear her laugh!

Khushi looked towards the stairs, and saw Arnav, Akash Bhai, NK Bhai, & Anand Jiju walk down. They looked gorgeous, all of them. 

Arnavji was still in black formals, not having the time or the inclination to change. NK Bhai was, thankfully, in a blue sherwani, not a yellow one. Akash Bhai was in pale green and Anand Jiju was in cream. 

Her eyes were caught by the intent gaze of her husband who silently reminded her of his promise for that night.

Khushi smiled, and looked away.

The boys looked at the girls. Khushi was in a pink-red sari, Aarti in a pink-red lehenga, Anjali in a red sari with lots of silver work and beads, & Payal in a red sari with a gold border. All of them looked gorgeous, their faces bright and smiling, their jewellery accentuating their beauty, excitement lending a faint, becoming flush to their cheeks.

Anand winked at Anjali, who laughed. The men strode down the steps, eager to join their wives.

Mami clutched her heart.

“Saasumaa, nazar uttaro! Lower the eye! Lower the eye! Hamre Bitwaa! They are so handsome!”

“Who is handsome, Maasi?”, NK asked, smiling as he came to join them.

“HP. Hum HP ki baat karat he!”, Mami teased him. “Not about you.”

“Chodo, Manorama. Don’t tease him on his Sangeet!”, Nani said, laughing.

NK tried to put an arm around Aarti, but Payal and Khushi blocked him, laughing. “Wait karo!, laughed Mami. “You are in the queue!”

Aarti laughed, and NK pouted.

Buaji pinched NK’s chin. “You are handsome. You look like Nandkisore, NK Bitwaa!”

NK turned confused eyes on Buaji. “But I am Nandkisore, Buaji!”

Aarti bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. Akash looked heavenwards. Arnav shared a smile with Khushi.

 "There are times I pity Aarti!", whispered Devil Raizada in his wife's ear, breathing in her jasmine scent.

"Sshhh!", Khushi hushed him, smiling.

 The others clutched their tummies, laughing.

Anjali sighed, smiling. “NK Bhai, you are, you are Nandkisore. And this is Aartiji. And this is Khushiji. Now, why don’t you sit down here? Let’s start the programme!”

Rani and Payal pushed NK and Aarti into the seats reserved for them.

Mamaji & Raj Kisore joined them.

“So the bali ka bakra is all dressed and ready!”, Mamaji muttered, looking at NK.

The men smiled.

“Bali ka bakra? I thought he was the murga.”, whispered Raj Kisore, smirking.

“Bhai, imagine NK Bhai as a father, with lots of kids running around him…”, whispered Akash in Arnav’s ear.

“I won’t. It will give me indigestion.”, smiled Arnav as he moved closer to his wife.

Naniji, Raj & Rani, Anjali, Anand, his mother & Buaji, his sisters & their family, Baba and the children, Dr. Prakash Sinha and his wife, Buaji, Aarti’s Amma, Gopi Kakka, Nitin and family, Jayesh Bhai and his family, Mami’s friends from her club, Arnav & Akash’s business associates, Rani’s friends from Sydney….they all found seats, ready to enjoy the entertainment planned and arranged for their delectation.

In the rush, Rani happily and proudly introduced Payal & Khushi to her friends.

“Pinky, Kitty, Kajal, Mridul, Mona, Reena…… This is Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada and this is Payal Akash Singh Raizada, the two bahuriyaa of this house.”

The ladies hugged them, glad to meet the two bahus who held a place in the hearts of all the Raizadas, and who held the family together.

Coco drew in a sharp breath. So her hero was married. To this…this abomination…. She glared at poor Khushi who was laughing at something Mona said.

Long hair. Jasmine flowers. Rich saree. Sleeves up to her wrists… Was she a nun? Coco looked at her own short choli and low-waisted lehenga with satisfaction. It would be sooo easy to reel in Arnav Singh Raizada.

“And this is my daughter, Coco.”, said poor Pinky, introducing her to Khushi and Payal.

“Namaste!”, said Khushi and Payal, looking at an 18-20 year-old girl in a very revealing lehenga, who would be pretty if she would wipe off some paint from her face, stop scowling, and wear some clothes.

As Payal turned to answer Kitty, Coco growled at Khushi. “YOU are Arnav Singh Raizada’s wife?”

“Ji.”, said Khushi, smiling.

Before Coco could go on the rampage, the curtain lifted, and Payal & Khushi excused themselves to sit with their husbands.

Part 95

The programme started with Mama & Mami welcoming all their relations and friends to the Sangeet ceremony of NK & Aarti.

Mami sang, 

Tere mast mast do nain,
Mere Dil ka le gaye chain.....
Mere Dil ka le gaye chain
Tere mast mast do nain…… 

Baba looked at her, wide-eyed in appreciation of her courage in singing on stage even though handicapped by a serious lack of musical talent.

Mamaji rubbed his ear positioned closer to her.

“Let us see how this ajab prem ki gazab kahani took place, how a pair of bootiphool aijj (eyes) clean-bowled hamre NK Bitwaa.”, laughed Mami.

The crowd roared in encouragement.

With Anjali and Anand playing the roles of Aarti & NK, the family enacted the love story of NK & Aarti to the enjoyment of all. 

The children from Omkar hooted as Anand/NK stood with his mouth open and his hand scratching his head after his first glimpse of Aarti the 'male' mechanic’s eyes. 

The ladies and gents doubled over in laughter as they watched Buaji’s attempts to fatten up her Eiyyaam Bitwaa and to help him grow a moushtache.

NK caught hold of Aarti’s hand, and threaded his fingers through hers, both of them happy and loving the show their crazy family had put together.

NK’s attempts to find out Aarti’s identity by haunting the Mishra’s office were rib-ticklingly funny, Anand having a fine sense of the dramatic & the comic. 

The stolen kisses and Aarti’s painful past alone were left out of the telling.

The five invitations to the same wedding scene was enacted by Buaji, Arnav & Khushi, Payal, Anand, & Naniji to the delight of the crowd. Some ladies in the audience were seen whistling in appreciation.

Aarti’s frantic attempts to escape and the Raizadas’ earnest attempts to net her were so well depicted on stage that Aarti could feel her stomach muscles cramp from laughing too much. Gopi Kakka looked at her and smiled. He looked around to catch Nitin and Jayesh Bhai smiling at Aarti’s laughter. Amma too was looking at Aarti with a smile on her face.

Mami continued, “The maral (moral) of the isstory (story) ijj that if you luve a girlwaa, you should try and try and try until you succeed, like a spiderwaa.”

The audience howled with laughter, some of them having tears flowing down their cheeks.

“Let’s introduce you all to the groom, Nandkisore!”, said Buaji.

“Haan, haan, Buaji!”, shouted the children from Omkar.

“The ‘where is Aarti?’ man!”, shouted Nitin.

“The Nannav guy!”, said Arnav, smiling.

“The basketball coach!”, said Simi.

“Who plays cards & drives well!”, lisped Nidhi.

“Who kills Hindi daily…..”, said Anjali.

“…and still lives to tell the tale…”, laughed Anand.

“The mehendi man! And our own Nautanki!”, smiled Khushi.

“Khushi Bhabi’s pet!”, shouted Payal.

“Who thinks he is Nandkisore!, Hai Re Nandkisore!”, Buaji hit her forehead with her hand.

“Who thinks jalebis and julabein are the same!”, shuddered Akash.

“Who has a heart of gold!”, added Nani, smiling.

NK blushed and blushed and Aarti laughed.

“You are all after my NK Bitwaa, hein? Bhat about Aarti Bitiyaa?”, asked Mami, winking at the crowd.

“The Bitiyaa with the heart of gold!”, started Gopi Kakka.

“Hidden under an expressionless face.”, said Payal, laughing.

“The best daughter in the world, more than a son!”, said Amma.

“The best boss, the best friend!”, said Nitin.

“Honest to a fault, straighter than an arrow!”, complimented Jayesh Bhai whose bald head told Aarti that he had gone to Tirupati and given up his hair to keep his vow on her marriage.

“The sister we all need…”, said Arnav, smiling at Aarti’s embarrassment.

“….And the driver we all want…”, added Nidhi.

“Our maadern (modern) bahuriyaa!”, smiled Mami.

“Our devrani!”, said Khushi & Payal.

“NK Bhai’s dil ki dhadkan!”, teased Chotu.

“Who puts up with his Hindi!”, added Vivek.

“Our bahuriyaa!”, smiled Rani with satisfaction.

“The Mahalaxmi of our house!”, shouted Raj Kisore, smiling.

Coco yawned in boredom, her jaws freezing halfway through the motion. The Raizadas, Buaji, & the others were leaving the stage to loud applause and shouts of appreciation. Mamaji helped Mami down the steps, Anand & Anjali supported Buaji, and Akash held Payal’s hand. 

Arnav looked at the steps. The lights were dim, and he was not comfortable about letting Khushi walk down them, even though she was wearing flats. With no thought to the audience watching them, Arnav lifted Khushi in his arms, cradling her head against his left shoulder. 

Khushi blushed. Coco fumed.

The crowd hooted.

Arnav carefully made his way down with his precious bundle, and gently lowered her on to her seat near Payal, taking advantage of the dim light to brush a kiss against her cheek and to ask, “Tum theek ho?”

Khushi nodded, hoping no one had noticed them.

“Not feeling too tired, Khushi?”, he whispered in her ear, his warm lips brushing against the silky skin of her cheek.

Khushi shook her head. Speech was beyond her.

A lady commented loudly, “No wonder the groom is so romantic! He must have learned it from his brother, Arnav Singh Raizada!”

Updated.

Coco grit her teeth so hard that her jaw hurt. Her nails made cruel marks on her palms.

Khushi blushed all shades of red and hid her head against Arnavji’s shoulders as all laughed at their expense.

“Aur naahin to kaa?”, asked Mami, laughing. “NK Bitwaa was a good boy in Kidney. Once he came to Delhi and saw his Nannav running after his Khushi Bhabi asking ‘Tum theek ho, Khushi?”, ‘Kya hua, Khushi?’ and saying, ‘Khushi, don’t walk. Bhy should you walk when I am here to carry you?’, my poor NK Bitwaa haath se gayaa!”

Amidst all the giggles, Mama said, “Arnav Bitwaa has made life difficult for us old, married, hen-pecked husbands too. Our Biwi keeps on asking us, ‘Why can’t you be more like Arnav Bitwaa, Ji?’ ”

Khushi wished the earth would open up and she could vanish without a trace. Arnav sat back, supposedly relaxed, only a mild flush on his cheeks revealing his embarrassment. He held Khushi’s fingers in his, and gently pressed them.

“Aap hi kahiye, how can I lift Manno like Arnav Bitwaa lifts Khushi Bitiyya? Purane haddi he, bhaiyya, toot jayenge. But will she understand? No! Arnav Bitwaa, you have gotten all of us into trouble!”, laughed Mamaji.

Mami pushed her husband away in mock anger.

Naniji said, sadly, “Truly, Chotey and Khushi bitiyaa have set a bad example for others. Their marriage hui nahin, everybody in the family began getting married in a hurry!”

“Haan, Saasumma. My Akash Bitwaa found Payaliyaa….”, said Mami.

“Anjali Bitiyaa got her Devdas…”, Buaji chipped in.

“And now NK Bhai will get his Aarti ki thali!”, laughed Anjali.

It was time for dancing.

The curtain rose. All leaned forward eagerly to see who had taken the stage. 

Raj Kisore and Rani were ready, dressed like Ajay Devgun & Sonakshi.The strains of ‘Rani Tu Main Raja…’ filled the air. 

Chairs were pushed to the fringes with eager shouts, and the whole crowd got ready to join them in shaking a leg or two. Arnav too led his wife to a corner, making sure that they could dance without being knocked down by enthusiastic dancers.

 

Tu meri rani, main hoon tera raja
Aaja meri baahon mein aaja
Haan kar de mujhko, main tere ghar le aaunga, band baaja...

Plump Raj Kisore twirled his equally plump wife in his arms. The crowd went wild, clapping their hands and dancing along with them.

You will be mine, I'll be yours
Karenge hum enter, of course
Pyaar ki hogi, baby, nayi shuruwaat
Phir yaad rakhegi tu yeh raat….

Arnav pulled his wife close to him, locking her in his arms, his forehead against hers. They swayed in time to the music.

Coco tried to dance her way closer to them, her gimlet eyes on the happy couple, very content in getting  a few moments alone in each others’ arms.

Milan swayamvar aaj racha ja
Dil ke sheesh mehal mein aaja
Bin pheron ke byah racha ja
Rani tu main raja
Rani tu main raja….

Rani pulled her husband’s cheeks, laughing at his efforts to woo her. NK bent over, laughing at his parents’ antics on stage. Aarti clutched her tummy, laughing. Raizadas and the other family members clapped their hands in keeping with the music, loving their dance and masti.

Tujhe dekhun jab jab mera jiya dhadke
Kabhi aag lag jaaye, kabhi shola bhadke
Bin badra ke jaise bijli kadke
Rani main tu raja
Rani main tu raja….

Khushi clasped Arnavji closer, resting her head against his shoulder, letting her fingers trail lovingly down his muscled back covered by the black coat.

O meri Madhubala, tujhko bin varmala
London ghumaunga, ghumaunga Patiala
Ooh la la, ooh la la
Tu chaabi main taala
Aaja ab aa bhi ja, hai mood bada dilwala…

Raj Kisore twisted his imaginary mush as he promised his wife long trips and romantic days.

Chal meri Chandramukhi, aish karaunga
Jannat dikhaunga, tujhe chaand pe le jaaunga
Kolaveri ki dhun, tujhko sunaunga
Tokyo mein Taj Mahal tere liye banwaunga….

Rani clutched her heart at her husband/ lover’s tall claims.

Tujhe dekhun jab jab mera jiya dhadke
Kabhi aag lag jaaye, kabhi shola bhadke
Bin badra ke jaise bijli kadke
Rani tu main raja
Rani tu main raja….

Coco finally reached near Arnav & Khushi, impeded by the large number of people having a wonderful time dancing. As she neared the couple, she saw Arnav jerk slightly. Khushi lifted her head, and freed him to answer his vibrating phone. Coco watched Arnav lead Khushi towards the old, tall man everyone called Baba, and seat her beside him. Arnav sat by her & Baba as he talked to someone on the phone.

The children danced along with the middle-aged couple, and cheered them on with shouts and whistles, Wah! Wah!s, and fistfuls of flowers thrown at the pair. The end of their dance was greeted with generous applause and loud comments on the armaan in Raj Kisore’s heart at his age.

Coco heard nothing, saw nothing except Arnav Singh Raizada as he made his excuses to his wife & Baba, and got up to leave them. She saw him walk away from the crowd towards the entrance of the house. 

Like a heat-seeking missile, she followed him.

Part 96

Coco followed Arnav Singh Raizada as he strode to the front door of his house. As she watched, he threw open the door to 3 men waiting there with bulky packages. He signed for them. The men left the packets near the door, and left.

Coco decided that it was time to make her move. The old helpless damsel in distress trick would work well. He seemed to be a sucker for weaklings, if his choice in a wife was any indication. She smirked.

She adjusted her transparent dupatta to maximum advantage, and batting her eyelashes, moved to make the kill with the precision of a man-eating shark that had smelt blood.

Arnav’s phone rang, and he listened to Baba at the other end in silence, smiling slightly.

As she was a few metres away from him, Arnav turned around, smiling. Coco congratulated herself. But too soon! Arnav Singh Raizada was smiling at someone behind her. Bile turned her face yellow and green.

“Bhaiyya, Baba said you might need help.”, Chotu said.

“What are these?”, asked Vivek, flexing his muscles.

“Mami’s costumes.”, Arnav smiled. “The shop renting out the costumes left these out in the first delivery.”

“Mamiji must have had a fit!”, Chotu chuckled.

“And said, Hello Hi Bye Bye! How can you forget Manorama Raijjada’s fancy dress?”, laughed Vivek good-naturedly.

Arnav couldn’t hide his smile. “Very close. She also threatened to send the nearest kotwaal to the shop to shut it down if her clothes were not delivered at the earliest!”

HP came running, seeing Arnav and the boys tugging at the heavy packages. “Arnav Bhaiyya, I will manage. You go and watch the dance.”

“It is OK, HP. We will help you.”, Arnav said.

The four of them dragged the bulky bags to the rooms set aside for the performers, the boys cracking jokes and all of them laughing away to glory.

Coco ground her teeth in fury. But all was not lost. She would wait and watch for another opportunity. She smiled. She then untied the top dori of her choli, hoping to ask Arnav Singh Raizada for help in tying it.

HP went to the kitchen once the job was done. 

Arnav and the boys walked towards the stage together, the boys teasing him that lugging Mami’s luggage for years had given him the bulging muscles on his arms.

Arnav laughed, loving the cheerful and uncomplicated companionship of the two boys who were brothers and sons to Khushi. As they were about to enter the venue, Arnav’s phone rang. It was Aman.

Coco watched Arnav Singh Raizada send the two pesky brats inside the venue, and walk away to talk on the phone in peace. She again arranged her dupatta, lehenga, & choli to make the maximum of her assets, and walked up to him, rolling her hips.

“Haan, Aman?” Arnav walked away from the noise emanating from the stage.

“Boss, Handa called just now. He wants a meeting to be set up tomorrow.”

Some girl was walking towards him in a drunken gait.

“No way, Aman. I need time to go through the reports and to check the figures.”

“Sir.”

The girl was in danger of walking into him. Arnav frowned. He veered away to avoid knocking her down, and continued his conversation with Aman.

“Ask him to back off. I will not be pushed into doing business with him.”

“Sir.”

“By the way, what are you doing attending business calls during Sangeet?”

Aman laughed. “I thought it might be important…”

“Switch off the official phone and give it to your wife.”, Arnav instructed.

Aman laughed. “Yes, Boss.”

Arnav returned to the Sangeet venue, his eyes searching for his pink-red sari clad wife. She was where he had left her, sitting by Baba, her head resting against his lean shoulder as they both watched Anand and Anjali dance with the children from Omkar to

 Mere piya gaye Rangoon,

 
Kiya hai wahaan se teliphoon,

 
Tumhari yaad sataati hai, jiya men aag lagaati hai.... 

 Both of them were smiling fondly at the pair on stage, and laughing at times at the dance moves of the Omkar children dressed in period costumes. Arnav felt his heart melt. His eyes softened as they lapped up the smile on her face.

Khushi felt Arnavji's eyes on her, and looked towards the entrance. He was standing there, looking at her. Khushi sat up, intending to get up and join him. Arnav quickly strode to her, and sat with them.

"Did the boys help you?", asked Baba.

"Yes.", Arnav smiled.

They watched the dance together, Khushi sitting in the centre, leaning against Baba on her right, and Arnav on her left, holding her hand.

 Coco looked at Arnav Singh Raizada’s black coat-covered back with incredulous eyes as he walked away from her and out of her sight. He had looked through her! How dare he? How could he? No man had ever.....

 

“Auntyji!”, came a call from near her knees.

Coco looked down.

A gap-toothed child stood near her, a laddoo in hand.

Coco looked behind her. Maybe the kid had called someone else. But, alas, that was not to be! This was just not Coco's day.

“Auntyji! Shame, shame, puppy shame! The dori of your choli is open!”, said Nidhi, before she went away, laughing, to locate more laddoos.

Part 97

After Anjali, Anand, & the children left the stage to a standing ovation, it was Mami & Buaji’s turn. 

The audience rolled over laughing as the two ladies started dancing to Mami’s favourite song, Munni Badnam Hui….

Munni badnaam hui, darling tere liye…

Mami & Buaji pointed to the crowd as the culprits in making them badnam.

Munni ke gaal gulabi, nain sharabi, chaal nawabi re…..

The duo did a catwalk to loud hoots and calls of encouragement, especially from the children who were dancing off-stage to keep the ladies company.

Le Zandu balm hui, darling tere liye..

The crowd watched mesmerised as the ladies put the original actress to shame while demonstrating the various uses Zandu balm could be put to.

Khushi buried her face against Arnav’s neck, trying to control her laughter while Arnav & Baba chuckled openly.

Munni badnaam hui, darling tere liye…

Munni ke gaal gulabi, nain sharabi, chaal nawabi re
Le zandu balm hui, darling tere liye…
Munni badnaam hui, darling tere liye…..

“Mere Liye?”, asked poor Mamaji loudly. “Kab? Kaisen? Kahan?”

Shilpa sa figure….

Buaji placed a loving hand on her ample hip. The eyes of the audience widened to impossible sizes.

Bebo si adaa, Bebo si adaa…..

Mami did the Fevicol Se step that had Chotu and Vivek whistling.

Hai mere jhatke mein filmi mazaa re filmi mazaa…..

The crowd watched the thumkas of the 2 ladies with loud appreciation. Mamaji clutched his heart.

Haye tu na jaane mere nakhre pe
Haye tu na jaane mere nakhre pe laakhon rupaiya ude…..

“Who is the fool who threw lakhs on your mother?”, asked Mamaji in Akash’s ear.

“Err…”, Akash said. “That would be you, Pitasree. Remember the bills you paid after her last shopping marathon?”

By the time the ladies left the stage, the crowd was ready for a big dinner. A lavish spread had been arranged in special pavilions built for this purpose. All men, women, & children made their way to the feast, laughing and chatting, gearing up for the second session of the entertaining evening.

Coco watched Arnav, Khushi, & Baba join the children and the rest of their family. This big crowd of people moved towards the pavilion, inviting all those remaining in the hall to have their dinner.

They ensured that all the children got their plates of food and seats to sit. Then they went around the hall making certain that no guest had been left out. After that, they sat down together to share the meal.

NK said, “Buaji, Maasi, both of you rock!” He kissed both of them on their cheeks. All the others nodded.

“I knows, I knows.”, smiled Mami happily.

“Tum sach kahat ho, Nandkisore! “, Buaji laughed. “The stage certainly rocked due to my weight when I stepped on to it.”

After the meal, Arnav excused himself. Aman & his wife were sitting a few tables away, and he wanted a few words with him. After talking to Aman, he found himself being accosted by a few business acquaintances, and he had to talk to them.

The hall began emptying, as the guests finished their dinner and moved back to the hall to enjoy the rest of the evening. Only the Raizadas and their extended family and a few others remained.

Arnav signalled Akash to take his family back to the venue. Soon, the hall was empty except for Arnav who stopped to have a word with the caterers.

Coco stood behind  a pillar, eyeing Arnav Singh Raizada, her prey. 

Pinky Geelani searched for her daughter among the huge crowd of boys & girls dancing near the stage, an anxious look in her eyes. Where was she? What trouble was she going to cause now?

Coco walked up to Arnav. He was checking the messages on his phone, unaware of the machinations of the amoral lady approaching him. She stumbled beautifully, naturally, well enough to make any actress weep in jealousy. 

But unfortunately, Arnav was unable to appreciate her skill and prowess at an act she had practiced countless times. He was looking at his garden through the glass windows. It was lit with a million fairylights, and looked gorgeous. Like another world. 

He would love to sit with Khushi among his plants, enjoying the lights and the sounds of the crickets….How she loved the garden he had created with his hands and long hours of labour! Maybe tonight, after the Sangeet was done and the guests had left, they could sit together for a while in the garden....

Coco grabbed the back of a chair nearby to avoid measuring her length on the floor, and managed to save herself from paying for new teeth at the dentists by a hair’s breadth. As she hung over the back of the chair like a limp rag, Arnav went closer to the glass window to take one last look at his garden, a sweet smile on his lips, and then left to join his Khushi and his family.

This was the limit!, Coco fumed. She could feel heat waves emanating from her ears.

“Are you alright, madam?” Someone sprinkled water on her expensively made up face, hoping to revive her.

She looked up. 

An old, wrinkled face of a bearer peered at her.

“Grrrr…”, she growled as she hauled herself off the back of  the chair. Fury at being thwarted in her aim made her more violent than normal. She pulled the table cloth away from the table, making sure that all the crockery on it crashed to the ground.

The wait staff stared at her in horror. Was she mad?

Arnav Singh Raizada had ignored her for the last time. He would pay for this. Pay long and hard for this, she promised herself. 

She looked at the mess on the floor.

One white plate had escaped full demolition. Only a part of it was broken. She stamped on it, her anger making her forget that she was wearing not boots, but a pair of flimsy, high heels with more golden straps & crystals than anything else.

The heel of her designer footwear cracked under the strain that was not part of their job description. 

A few moments later, the waiters watched Coco limping towards the venue, one leg longer than the other, leaving behind the high heel of her right sandal to languish on the floor along with the crushed crockery.

Part 98

Akash & Payal took the stage amidst cheers and shouts of encouragement.

Achaa ji main haari, chalo maan jaao naa…, sang Payaliyaa, trying to manaofy an Akash sulking in the corner.

Akash sang, Dekhi sabaki yaari, meraa dil jalaao naa….

Payal tried to make Akash look at her, but he resolutely turned his face away.

Chhote se kasoor pe, aise ho khafaa…, Payal said.

Roothe to huzuur the, meri kyaa khataa..., replied Akash.

Dekho dil naa todo..., pleaded Payal.

Chhodo haath chhodo…., demanded Akash.

Dekho dil na todo

Are! chhodo haath chhodo

Chhod diyaa to haath maloge samajhe?, warned Payal, a cross look on her face.

Ajii samajhe!, declared Akash.

Akash looked ridiculous with a petulant look on his normally pleasant face and Payal’s efforts to tease, trick, & prod him into laughter tickled the audience, especially the older ladies.

As the applause and laughter died down, the stage became dark.

“Dance with me?”, Arnav asked Khushi softly, holding his hand out.

Khushi laughed and put her hand in his, expecting him to join the guests dancing off-stage. His hand engulfed hers, and to her shock, he led her on to the stage.

“Arnavji…? What…?” Her voice was a thin thread.

Arnav smiled.

Mami’s mouth fell open. “Hamre Arnav Bitwaa dancing?”

Anjali looked at Nani, shocked. Buaji clapped her hands, delighted. Amma smiled. Aarti & NK looked at the pair with anticipation, wondering what they were up to.

The applause was deafening, the children leading in shouting their encouragement. Baba smiled.

Arnav handed over a CD and his coat to Chotu and Vivek standing in the wings, and brought Khushi to stand at the centre of the stage, facing him.

“You planned this? With Chotu & Vivek?”, Khushi looked into his naughty eyes.

“Hhmm..”

“Arnavji!”, Khushi was frantic. “What will NK Bhai & Aartiji think? We haven’t practiced the dance. All the others have been training for a week atleast…If it is bad….”

Arnav looked into his wife’s beautiful eyes. He took hold of both her hands.

“Khushi, we are in our garden. It is lit by many strings of fairylights, making it look like a paradise.”, he whispered.

The beginning strains of the song floated on the air.

“I can smell the jasmine.”, Khushi whispered, lost in him and the magic of his words.

Aapki kashish sarfarosh hai…. the husky voice crooned.
Aapka nasha yun madhosh hai….
Arnav ran his hand over Khushi’s hair and down the softness of her right cheek. Khushi closed her eyes in pleasure.

Kya kahe tumse jaane ja
Gum hua hosh hai…..

He twirled her gently within the safe net of his arms, their eyes locked, unable to look away.

Aapki kashish sarfarosh hai….

 (Manal, thanx!)

Khushi lifted her left hand and rested it on his right shoulder and curled it around his neck.


Duba rahoon sada tere khayalon mein,
Uljha rahoon sada tere sawalon mein.....

Khushi bent backwards, lying warm and safe in the cocoon of his strong arms, his face close to hers.

Tere bina kahin ab na karaar hai,
Jaaneman tujh pe toh jaan bhi nisaar hai....

Arnav raised her back to standing position, and kneeled down in front of her.

Khushi sang, Jaana re jaana re maine jaana,
Tu mera tu mera deewana…

Khushi circled his kneeling figure, the wind playing with the soft silk of her pink-red pallu and the even softer and silkier strands of her hair. She lovingly placed her hands on his shoulders, and helped him rise to stand by her.

Na meri khata, na mera dosh hai
Aapka nasha yun madhosh hai…  

Arnav seemed to be whispering his love to her. He turned her, and drew her to rest against him, her back to his front. Her head rested in the crook of his neck, and he held her close with his arms around her waist.

Kya kahe tumse jaane ja
Gum hua hosh hai…


The audience stared at them without drawing breath for fear that the magic bubble would break, that something precious would shatter to pieces if they disturbed it, that the aura of love and passion would vanish into thin air if they so much as breathed.


Teri adaaon ka, jaadu joh chal gaya
Deewana main hua, dil machal gaya
Halka dhuan utha, mausam badal gaya
Roshan hua sama, parwaana jal gaya…

Arnav curled his fingers around the back of her slender, creamy neck, the strands of her hair clinging to his fingers as though they did not want to let go of him. He held her as she bent in time to the music.

Khushi sang, Jaagi re jaagi re main soyi,
Teri hi yaadon mein khoyi….

Arnav caught hold of her arms and lifted them away from her body to circle his neck.

Ab mera jahaan, Teri aaghosh hai...

He pulled her into his arms, holding her close and sheltered against his bigger, stronger body.

Aapka nasha yun madhosh hai...
Kya kahe tumse jaane ja…..
Gum hua hosh hai….


Aapki kashish sarfarosh hai
Aapka nasha yu madhosh hai
Kya kahe tumse jaane ja
Gum hua hosh hai….

The music died down. The pair stood lost in each other, unaware of where they were. There was a moment of perfect silence in the huge hall as the guests stood electrified by the raw passion and love they had just seen on stage.

Then, slowly, the children began to clap their hands. The adults woke up from the dream they had been lost in, and started clapping hard. Arnav and Khushi blinked their eyes, returning to the real world from their paradise of love and dreams.

They smiled at each other. Then they bowed to the audience, and Arnav carried his wife down the steps to her seat, gently cradling his world, his wife and his unborn child, in his protective arms.