70. Keeping Khushi (Part 99-)

Part 99

Coco stood transfixed at Arnav’s dance, his moves, his expressions, the passion exuding from his body…. He was hot! Burning hot! Totally droolworthy! 

She had made the right choice. As usual. He would be an exciting lover, and would leave that cloth-wrapped wife of his for her. The thought brought a satisfied smirk on her face as she stood balancing on one heel by propping herself against a pillar.

The Sangeet was winding up. Hugs were exchanged, good nights were wished, hands were shaken, namastes were said….

Arnav saw off his acquaintances and the guests, standing by his family at the door. Only his family and NK’s mother’s friends were left. They were searching for Pinky Geelani’s daughter. Maybe the girl had gone to use the washroom in the guest room, Arnav thought. 

He turned to look at his wife. She was standing by him, laughing at something Anand Jiju’s mother had told her. She looked so fresh, so happy…. She was glowing with joy. Arnav could not take his eyes off her.

Baba and the children left after hugging and being hugged by Khushi several times. Arnav had arranged for a bus from Mishra’s to carry Baba and the children from and to Omkar before & after the function. The whole family went out of the house to see them off. 

“Babaji!”, Mami called. “Did you like my song?”

Baba remained silent for a moment, swallowed hard, and then said smiling, “I was astounded by your performance.”

Mami beamed. “See, even Babaji thinks I sing well.”, she told her husband. “You are the only one who does not like my singing. This is called Jealousy, Hello Hi Bye Bye!”

Mamaji looked at Baba, and Baba looked at Mamaji. They then turned away to hide their smiles.

As they neared the bus, Baba and the children stood shocked. A beautiful AC coach in the colour of golden laddoos waited for them, with 2 matronly ladies in uniforms waiting by it. The name ‘Omkar’ was written in a beautiful flowing hand across the body of the bus.

Baba turned to Arnav with a look of enquiry on his face. Arnav shrugged, disclaiming all responsibility with a smile. Both of them turned to look at Aarti. She slowly came to stand by them like a culprit, her face lowered.

Arnav looked away to hide his smile.

“Why?”, asked Baba softly.

“For the children.”, she said softly.

Baba looked at her silently.

“The girls are growing up.”, she said softly, looking into Baba’s eyes, taking hold of his hand. “It is not safe for them to…..”

Baba had to nod. Aarti pressed his thin fingers lovingly.

Aarti then introduced him to the 2 ladies, Veena and Vijaya, who greeted him with folded hands. “Both of them are certified drivers and mechanics, with an excellent safety record.”

Baba greeted them politely.

“They are employees of Mishra’s. They can take the children to their schools and colleges in the morning and bring them back in the evening. And take all the children on any trip you might fancy.”, Aarti said softly.

“But the bus! It must be expensive. You must let us pay for it.”, Baba was insisitent.

“I will, Baba.”, Aarti said. “I will take the first copy of your next CD from your hands. A signed CD.”

Arnav and the others burst out laughing. Baba sighed, smiling.

“Babaji, maan bhi jao. Aarti Bitiyaa has cornered you neatly. Now you will have to record another CD too!”, Mami laughed.

“You can’t beat her at negotiation, Baba!”, laughed NK, pulling Aarti close to him in a fond hug.

Baba looked at Khushi. She nodded, smiling at him.

Baba looked at Aarti. She was waiting for him to accept her gift. Baba nodded, smiling. “Thank you.”, he said.

Aarti hugged him gently. Baba touched her hair gently, blessing her. Nani, Anand & his family, Anjali, NK, his parents, Mama & Mami, Amma, Gopi Kakka, Buaji, Payal's parents, Akash & Payal, Khushi & Arnav…all of them smiled at the sight.

The children let out a whoop of joy and ran around the bus to inspect it from all angles. In the excitement, no one saw Nidhi making her way towards Aarti.

Nidhi hugged Aarti, and whispered "Thank you, Aarti Di." in her ear.

“I will teach you to drive when you are older.”, Aarti promised softly.

Nidhi nodded, smiling.

Aarti flicked her finger against her rosy cheek, smiling.

Part 100:  

 Congrats, darling readers and friends. We have reached the 100th part of this story together. I have had a wonderful time writing this, and have enjoyed reading your comments on the blog & I-F. THANK YOU for walking with me for the past 3 months!

Part 100 is in 2 sections. I am posting the first one now. I will be posting the second one in an hour's time.

ENJOY!

Section 1

All of them returned to the house after seeing Baba and the children off. Rani’s friends, tired of waiting for Coco, had left for their hotel, promising to send the car back for Pinky & Coco. Pinky was sitting on a chair, anxiously wringing her hands, Rani by her side, reassuring her.

“Kya hua?”, NK asked.

“Coco is missing.”, Rani said, her eyes begging NK not to express his views about where man-mad Coco might be, aloud.

NK sighed.

“Coco is missing? Yeh Coco kaun he? Your pet?”, asked Mamaji.

Mamiji poked him surreptitiously, & said loudly, “Your daughter must be here somewhere, Pinkyji. She can’t get lost here, Hello Hi Bye Bye!”

“Lost? Is your daughter a small child?”, asked poor Mamaji, in all earnestness.

“She is 20.”, said Pinky, helpless.

Mamaji stared at her. “Where can a 20-year old girl go?”

NK bit his tongue to stop himself from telling all of them where exactly Coco had been known to go, especially with older, married/ unmarried men. Coco was anything but choosy.

“We will search for her.”, offered Khushi.

“Yes, we will help you.”, seconded Mami.

Buaji, Nani, Anjali, Payal, Khushi, Aarti, NK, Akash, Anand, Mamaji, & Arnav set out on a search and rescue mission, looking for a Coco who wanted to be found only by Arnav.

Rani & Amma sat with Pinky in the living room, comforting her.

Coco watched Arnav stride to the guest rooms, and wanted to follow him. But Mamaji, Anand, and Akash were with him. She uttered a couple of the choicest expletives.

NK muttered to Aarti. “She is one nasty, deadly witch. Always getting into trouble with men.”

Aarti looked at him, surprised. She had never heard him make a derogatory remark about anyone before.

“Her father spoils her no end, buying her way out of all trouble. The more her mother tries to discipline her, the more the father pampers her. Poor Pinky Aunty! She deserves much better.”

“Oh!”, said Aarti.

“I need to go with Nannav.”, NK said softly.

Aarti nodded. He left after pressing her fingers under the cover of her dupatta.

The guest rooms were deserted. Arnav frowned. Where could the girl be? It was late at night. She was a visitor to Delhi, & had no friends here….

He sent Akash & NK to check the car park, and Anand Jiju & Mamaji to check at the venue. He looked in Anjali’s old room, but found it empty. 

He walked down the steps, and stopped halfway down. 

The lights in one part of his garden had fallen from the peg on which they had been fastened, and were lying on the floor. 

“Damn!”, he muttered. He had so hoped to sit in his lit garden with Khushi after all had retired to bed. He quickly walked into his bedroom, leaving the door open. He threw his phone on the bed, and strode across the floor at a rapid pace, and out into the garden, not noticing the shadow trailing him on soundless feet.

“What the!”, he exclaimed at the sight of the chains of fairylights lying on the ground, some of them on his potted plants. He tried to unravel them and hang them in their appropriate places.

Meanwhile, Khushi and the other ladies checked the ground floor thoroughly, finding no trace of the elusive Coco.

“Maybe she went out to enjoy the moonlight, Nandkisore!”, suggested innocent Buaji. Naniji nodded, and both of them and Mami went out to search for the girl.

“Maybe she went to the terrace!”, suggested Payal. 

Anjali, Aarti, & Khushi nodded, and they made their way up the stairs. When they reached the landing, Khushi heaved a tired sigh and placed her hand on the banister.

Payal, Aarti, & Anjali caught hold of her.

“You are feeling tired, aren’t you, Khushiji?”, asked Anjali.

“Slightly.”, Khushi said softly.

“We are taking you to your room. And you are going to rest.”, stated Payal. “You are not going in search of any girl.”

Aarti nodded. “You are not walking up one more flight of steps to the terrace.”

Khushi smiled, giving in gracefully. She was feeling very tired, fatigue conquering her in waves.... Her legs felt weak, her limbs trembling in exhaustion.... It had been a long day.

“We will see you to your room, and then search for her on the terrace.”, said Anjali. Khushi agreed thankfully.

The ladies helped her to her room, and stopped short at the door. The door was open. They looked at each other. Arnav never left the door to his bedroom open. Not before marriage. And definitely never after marriage. He valued his privacy too much to let his family traipse through his room as though it were a railway platform.

They walked into the dimly lit bedroom. Anjali switched on the light. There was no one there.

“Arnavji’s phone!”, Khushi exclaimed, seeing it lying on the bed.

All of them looked at the open door to the poolside, and moved towards it together. They saw Arnav standing with the fairy lights in his hands, trying to hang them on the branches, and smiled. Khushi parted her lips and raised her hand to call him.

Coco looked at the tempting back of her hero. He was standing among many pots, holding the strings of fairylights in his hand. The opportunity she had been seeking the whole day was here, finally. She had managed to get him alone. She launched herself at his back, throwing her arms around him.

Section 2

Arnav stumbled at this unexpected attack from behind, and lurched. Unable to withstand the weight clinging like a limpet to his back, he fell forward, landing on his knees among his pots, breaking some of them in the fall. Coco rolled away from his back, unable to cling on to him.

Khushi stood staring at the scene with her heart in her mouth. Anjali drew in a harsh breath. Payal and Aarti caught hold of Khushi, staring at this terrible scene that made no sense.

Was this a seduction or a bloody accident they were witnessing?

“What the!”, exclaimed Arnav loudly. He managed to get up, rubbing his bruised palms on his trousers. He looked at the dim outline of a girl lying on the ground with furious eyes. “Who the hell are you? And what the hell are you doing in my garden?”

Coco smiled. She raised her arm, wriggling her fingers hoping to tempt him into taking hold of them and lifting her up from the ground. Then she could fall into his arms and artistically faint.

His sisters and his wife watched Arnav’s face go from furious to cold. Ice cold. His voice matching his expression, he bit out, “Are you deaf? Get up and out of here at the earliest. The garden is private, and not open to guests.”

Coco got up gracefully, displaying the curves of her waist and other assets to an Arnav who was blinded by anger.

“I am Coco.”, she purred, trying to touch the lapel of his coat.

Arnav took a step back.

“So you are Coco.”, Arnav’s voice was faintly contemptuous. “Your mother is waiting for you downstairs. It is high time you left.”

“Why are you in such a hurry to send me away?”, Coco asked in a husky voice, trying not to let his hostility stop her from her mission of seduction. She ran her fingers down her throat to her chest, trying to captivate him with her beauty and her figure.

  

Arnav frowned, his fists clenching in fury. What was wrong with this bloody female?

“Let us spend some time together.”, she crooned seductively. “Some alone time. Some quality time…”

Arnav looked at her with eyes wide open, his body almost trembling with rage. “No, thank you. Just get lost. And stay lost.”

Coco took a step closer to Arnav. He stepped back, stumbling slightly on a broken pot.

Khushi, Anjali, Payal, & Aarti moved towards Arnav and Coco.

“Arnavji…!”, Khushi’s voice shook tremulously.

Arnav looked at her and paled. “Khushi…”, he moved towards her, his arms outstretched.

Coco saw her chance and took it.

“He..he asked me to follow him here. He said that he had something urgent to tell me. He said that nobody should know…..But once we reached here, he…he caught hold of me…and kissed me…..” Fat tears rolled down her cheeks on order. “I tried to push him away….That’s how…”, she pointed at the broken pots and Arnav’s dishevelled appearance.

Arnav drew in a sharp breath in shock. “You liar…you….”, he breathed, looking at Coco. He turned to look at Khushi. She was pale, her face ghostlike, bloodless…. She was staring at Coco. 

“Khushi…!”, he whispered, shocked at the look on her face.

As he watched, Khushi swayed. Arnav caught her in his arms, holding her close to his heart. “Khushi…”, he whispered in her ear. “I …I …” How could he prove his innocence? What could he say to make her believe in him? He cursed himself. Why couldn't he find the right words at the right time? Why was he tongue-tied when words mattered? "Khushi..." He was almost in tears....She must be so hurt....

He felt her arms close around his neck, holding him tighter to her. He drew a deep breath of relief. Khushi was with him...She knew him. She didn't need his words...

He looked at Coco, disgust in his eyes, contempt curling his lips.

“I didn’t know that he would pounce on me…I…I....”

Arnav wanted to slap her silly, slap her till her lying mouth fell silent, slap her till she told no more lies…..But he had been brought up a gentleman. And gentlemen never hit ladies, regardless of how unladylike they were… With great effort, he clenched his fist and kept his arm lowered.

But his sister had no such qualms.

Aarti slapped Coco hard on her right cheek, sending her reeling to fall among the broken pots and mud. On her way down, Coco's arm hit a sack of cow dung stacked on a ledge, and it teetered, sending a shower of dung down  on her.

There was a moment of silence. Then they all turned around at the sound of someone clapping. It was NK.

Behind him stood Buaji, Mami, Nani, Rani, Pinky, Amma, Anand, Akash, & Mamaji, their eyes taking in the fallen warrior and the victor standing with his wife held locked in his arms.

Part 101

“Bhat ijj that?”, asked Mami, pointing a shaking finger at the dung-covered figure on the ground. “Ijj that a ghostwaa?”

“You were searching for Coco, weren’t you, Maasi?”, NK asked her.

“Haan. Bhy?”

“Coco is under the manure. Where she belongs.”, stated NK.

“Hein? How did she get there, Nandkisore?”, asked Buaji, looking confused, her hand on her head.

“I didn’t see the beginning of the natak, Buaji, but knowing Coco, she must have tried to seduce Nannav.”, NK was matter-of-fact.

The sound of many people gasping filled the air.

“Hello Hi Bye Bye!”, Mami squeaked.

“Hai Re Nandkisore!”, whispered Buaji.

Anand & Akash, along with Mamaji, went to stand by Arnav, who still held Khushi in his arms. The ladies, with the exception of Rani & Pinky, went to crowd around Khushi & Arnav.

Mami, Buaji, Rani, Amma, & Nani looked at Pinky who was pale as a sheet of paper.

“She knows that hamre Arnav Bitwaa ijj married to Khushi Bitiyaa.”, Mami stated. “Even then….on NK & Aarti Bitiyaa’s sangeet…..in our housewaa….”

There was perfect silence.

NK continued, “It looks like my Khushi Bhabi, Di, Payal Bhabi, & Aarti saw her pathetic efforts.”

All looked at Khushi. Her eyes were shut. She was lying against Arnav’s chest like a child, safe in his strong hold.

“Nannav refused her offer. Coco must have said something to hurt Khushi Bhabi. Anyway, my Aarti slapped her hard. Hard enough to fell her.” He hugged Aarti close to him for a moment, and then turned to look at Pinky. “Pinky Aunty, I am sorry to say this. But she deserved the slap.”

Pinky nodded, swallowing her tears. “I am so sorry…”

“Why?”, came the soft query. Aarti was looking at Pinky, her head tilted to the left like an inquisitive bird.

Pinky and the others looked at Aarti in silence.

“Coco is 20 years old. Old enough to take responsibility for her actions. Why should you apologise for her?”, asked Aarti in a casual tone.

Payal nodded, & added, “You are not responsible for her stupidity, Aunty.”

Anjali added, “Maybe you should take her back to the hotel.”

Pinky nodded, wiping away her tears. “I will take her now.”

Pinky & Rani tried to help Coco shed the shroud of gobar and stand up. Coco screamed and screeched loud enough to wake the dead. Apparently she had hurt her back badly along with her dignity in the fall. 

Finally, HP and some men who had been contracted to help out in the house for the function, tied pieces of cloth around their faces to cover their noses, and lifted her, holding her by her arms & legs. She looked like some dead animal carried by hunters to the camp at the end of the hunting session. Only drums and chants were missing.

Anjali stared at Coco’s feet, her mouth open. One foot had a high heeled sandal strapped on to it. The other foot had a flat sandal, the heel having fallen off. How had she walked on one heel? How had she planned to seduce Chotey, standing on one heeled sandal?

The helpers & HP dropped a stinking Coco on to an old mattress (previously used & discarded by Laxmi), lifted the mattress, & placed it in the car. The driver of the rented car took her, Pinky, & Rani to the hospital, breaking all speed limits to rid himself of the stinking baggage.

Buaji ran her hand over Khushi’s head. “My poor Bitiyaa…..my poor Bitiyaa…, Hai Re Nandkisore!”, she lamented.

Nani dropped a kiss on Khushi’s head, and said, tears in her eyes, “Chotey, she needs rest. Especially in this condition.....”

Arnav nodded.

“Take her to your room and let her sleep, Arnav Bitwaa.”, Mamaji said, patting his shoulder.

Arnav lifted Khushi in his arms. She coiled her arms around his neck, her eyes opening to look at him.

He lay her on their bed, looking into her eyes. 

Akash took hold of his Khushi Bhabi’s feet and gently placed them straight on the bed so that she could be comfortable. NK covered his Khushi Bhabi with her black blanket. She looked into Arnav’s eyes as he sat by her, his hand on her stomach, comforting her and their child. 

Slowly, her lashes fell and she slept.

“She was smiling and laughing today evening. And then this…”, Mami could not control her tears. “We wanted her to be happy, Arnav Bitwaa, in her condition, and then this bandariyaa…”

“Don’t cry, Manorama.”, Nani comforted her. “Nothing will happen to our Khushi Bitiyaa. Come with me.”

Nani took Mami down with her. 

The workers were clearing the house of the decorations and the extra furniture….. Nani went down to the prayer room, lit a lamp at the feet of Devi Maiyya, and sat up the whole night with Mami, praying for the health and well-being of Khushi & her child, for saving Khushi & Arnav’s marriage, for the extermination of all their enemies, for the warding off of jealous eyes……

Payal, Anjali, Aarti, Arnav, Akash, Anand, NK, Mamaji, Buaji, & Amma sat around a sleeping Khushi on the bed, the recliners, and a few chairs filched from the hall. Gopi Kakka, who had heard the commotion and learnt of the happenings, came regularly to check on Khushi, placing a flask filled with hot water and a box with some snacks by the bed, in case Khushi woke up at night and wanted a meal.

Around 2o’clock, Arnav asked the others to go to bed in their rooms. All of them checked on Khushi for the last time. She was still asleep. Reluctantly, after dropping fond kisses on Khushi’s forehead and hands, the ladies went away. The men followed them, after making Arnav promise that he would summon them if he needed help or if Khushi woke up. 

Aarti, Payal, Anjali, Buaji, & Amma joined Nani & Mami, and all prayed throughout the night.

Arnav sat by Khushi, holding her hand in his, caressing her face with the other hand….. How hurt she had looked! How devastated! Even though she had known that he would never, ever do something like this…… The shock had been too much….And that too when she was carrying their first baby…. He kissed her hand and then her cheek, feeling moisture build in his eyes.

Khushi opened her eyes to see Arnavji. His eyes were red and he was holding on to her hand. She asked, her voice rough due to sleep, “What time is it, Arnavji?”

“2.15.”

“Why aren’t you asleep?”, she asked.

Arnav couldn’t answer her. He just kissed her fingers over and over again.

Khushi tried to sit up. Arnav helped her up, and arranged two pillows behind her.

“You haven’t even changed your clothes, Arnavji!”

Arnav just hugged her, burying his face in her neck.

“Arnavji, I am perfectly fine. Please don’t worry about me.”, Khushi consoled him, running her fingers through his hair.

Arnav hugged her tighter still.

“I was just shocked at the extent to which the girl was ready to go to get her way, that’s all.”, Khushi said quietly.

Arnav looked at her, his hands cupping her face, gently smoothing strands of hair away from her creamy cheeks.

“She saw you. She wanted you. She knew that you were married. She knew that it was NK Bhai & Aartiji’s sangeet. She knew that she was a guest in this house…”

Arnav nodded.

“And she was willing to destroy our marriage, spoil the sangeet, hurt her hosts & her mother….just to get her way.” Tears filled her eyes, trailing down her cheeks.

Arnav sighed. “I didn’t know that she was standing behind me….” He wiped away the drops gently.

Khushi nodded. “I know. We saw it happen. We saw her run and hug you when you were trying to hang the lights.”

They sat together, silent, for a long time.

Finally, Khushi said, “Arnavji, shall we change into our night clothes and go to sleep?”

Arnav nodded. He went to the wardrobe and returned with her white night suit and a  set of casuals for himself.

He unpinned Khushi’s sari for her, and after helping her to stand up, gently unwound the fabric from around her.

“I will manage the rest, Arnavji.”, Khushi said, giving him a one-arm hug.

Arnav nodded. “Call me if you need me. I won’t close the bathroom door.”, he said, kissing her cheek.

Khushi smiled at him, slipped off her clothes, and crawled into her white suit. She took the medicine kit from the cabinet and sat on the bed, waiting.

Arnav returned in the casuals, ready to go to bed.

But Khushi made him sit down by her, and she applied an antiseptic lotion to the slight bruises on his palms. Then he put away the kit, dimmed the lights, and slipped into bed with her.

Khushi crawled into his arms, burying her face in his neck. He hugged her close.

A long time later, Arnav whispered, “I was thinking, Khushi…”

“Hhmm…?”

“Had you reached there a few seconds late and seen the girl hug me….” Arnav swallowed. “What would you, Payal, Aarti, & Di have thought about me?”

“We would all have been shocked at the sight, Arnavji. But we would have believed you were innocent, even if you hadn’t said a word.” She tightened her hold on him.

Arnav looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

“Because we know you. You would never stoop to something so… so…sordid. And….”

“And…?”

“And the whole family knows how much you love me.” Her voice was soft and sweet.

Arnav looked at her, his mouth open.

“The whole world…. knows…. how much… you… love… me…..and …how…much…I…love…you…” Khushi peppered the words with sweet kisses on his face and eyes and hair.

Arnav sighed in relief. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of Khushi’s lips on his face, loving him. 

She smiled at him, caressing his cheek.

He could finally breathe.

Part 102

Early in the morning, after the prayers, Nani peeped into Arnav’s bedroom to see Khushi sleeping in Arnav’s arms, their arms tight around each other, Khushi’s face buried in the crook of his neck…..

She smiled, went down, and sent everyone off to bed.

“Shall we check on Khushi Bhabi, Naniji?”, asked NK.

“Chotey he na? When Chotey is with her, does she need any one else to look after her?”, asked Nani with a smile.

“Theek kahat ho, Saasumaa. Bhy phear when hamre Arnav Bitwaa ijj there?”

“If Bhai needs help…?”, said Akash.

“Both of them are asleep. Let us rest too.”, said Nani.

“Let me get home now, Nandkisore! I will come later to check on Khushi Bitiyaa.”, said Buaji yawning.

“You are not going anywhere, Madhumatiji. A guest room has been prepared for you. Akash will get you a pair of clothes from Laxmi Nagar at noon when we wake up.”

All nodded. Buaji said, “Theek he, Nandkisore!”

The ladies and Gopi Kakka went to their beds.

They woke up in time for lunch, and after washing & changing, came downstairs and stood shocked.

The table was laden with delicacies, the divine fragrance of the food wafting to tempt the Raizadas, NK, Aarti, Amma, Gopi Kakka, Buaji, Anand, & Anjali. Rani & Raj were at the hospital with Pinky. 

They watched Arnav laying the table, and Khushi in a red sari, placing the dishes on the table. HP was in the kitchen.

“Nannav! What are you doing?”, NK’s shocked voice made Arnav & Khushi look up at them, smiling.

“Good. You are awake. Come down and have your lunch.”, Arnav said, a small smile on his lips.

“We have made gajar ka halwa, NK Bhai.”, Khushi said.

“Khushi Bhabi! You…you..made this? You should be resting....”, NK said. The others nodded, and protested loudly.

Khushi smiled. “I am the only one who had a good night’s sleep.”

“Arnav Bitwaa, you helped in the kitchen?”, Mami asked, her eyes wide.

“Sure. Why not?”, asked Arnav, a naughty twinkle in his eyes.

“You knew where the kitchen was, Chotey?”, Anjali teased him.

“He must have lost the way to it a couple of times before he found it, Anjali Bitiyaa!”, teased Mamaji.

“Are you alright, Khushi Bitiyaa?”, asked an anxious Nani.

“I am perfectly OK.”, Khushi smiled and hugged her, seating her at the head of the table. All sat down, making Khushi & Arnav sit down in their midst.

“Khushi Bhabi, you should not have worked so hard. You should have called us to help you…”, Akash said.

“Why didn’t you call me & Aartiji?”, complained Payal. 

“You could have instructed us, and we would have done everything as you wanted them done.”

Aarti nodded. “Err…I don’t know how to cook…but I am sure I could follow instructions…”

“You don’t know how to cook?”, Manorama gasped to tease Aarti. “How can we have a bahuriyya who does not cook?”

“Manorama!”, Nani sighed. “When was the last time you made something for us?”

Mami thought long and hard, but could not remember.

“Amma, the first and the last time this Manno got into the kitchen was on the day after our marriage when she burned the halwaa and charred the pooris.”, Mamaji teased. “On that day, this Munni became Badnam…”

Mami poked him with a spoon.

All laughed, and Mami said, “That ijj bhy I said that Aarti Bitiyaa and her Maasi are rab ne bana di jodi. She can’t cook, and I can only burn, Hello Hi Bye Bye!”

Aarti and the others smiled.

“Don’t worry, Aartiji! Hum he naa? We will teach you to cook.”, Payal said.

Khushi nodded.

“This paneer is delicious. Did you make it, Khushi Bitiyaa?”, asked Amma.

Khushi smiled. “Arnavji made it.”, she teased him.

Mami choked over the morsel she had been about to swallow. Anjali had a coughing fit, and Nani held the piece of puri she had been about to put in her mouth suspended in the air.

“Arnav Bitwaa can cook, Nandkisore?”, asked Buaji.

Nani and Anjali hid their smiles. Mami coughed.

“I put the paneer in the curry, Amma, Buaji. So that means I know how to cook, doesn’t it?”, asked Arnav, smiling.

“Haan, haan, Nandkisore! You put the paneer in the curry Khushi Bitiyaa made. That is cooking.”, Buaji comforted him, hiding her smile.

Amma and the others laughed.

“Don't tease him. We all have to start somewhere…”, Buaji said.

“And I laid the table.”, Arnav claimed.

NK put the big spoon down, clapped his hands at Arnav's feat, and spooned gajar ka halwa into his mouth.

After the leisurely meal, the family gathered in the living room with bowls of their favourite desserts.

Mamaji said, “We need to decide on the arrangements for Haldi.”

“What is there to arrange, hein?”, asked Mami. “Just make the paste, apply it on the bride and the broom, and call them, Yellow Yellow, Dirty Phellows!”

All laughed.

“Talking about Dirty Phellows, where is the Coco in the cowdung?”, asked Mami.

All looked anxiously at Khushi. She smiled as she took a sip of water, and then said, “Haan, Mamiji. I wonder what the doctor said.” 

Arnav continued to have his sugar-free dessert calmly.

All heaved sighs of relief.

“Rani called. The doctors have asked the girl to stay in the hospital for 3 weeks with her leg strung up.”, Nani said.

No expressions of sympathy were forthcoming.

NK said, his eyes serious and troubled, “Khushi Bhabi, Mama is sorry that she brought trouble home by inviting Pinky Aunty and her crazy daughter.”

“It is OK, NK Bhai.”, smiled Khushi.

“It is not OK, Khushi Bhabi. But don’t worry about Coco. She is just a nacheez.”

“A what?”, asked Akash. All looked at each other.

“Nacheez. ‘Cheez’ means ‘thing’ and ‘Na’ means ‘No’. So ‘Nothing.’” 

Anjali hit her head on the dining table. “NK Bhai, you are getting better! Must be Aartiji's sangat......”

Aarti could not stop her laughter.

“So Nacheez means 'Nothing?' I thought it meant ‘Not Cheese’ in your dictionary.”, teased Akash.

All laughed.

Part 103

Akash fixed his specs on his nose with a glee-filled smile, looking at his image in the mirror. 

“Today, we get to cover NK Bhai in haldi!”, he laughed.

Payal laughed, hugging him from behind.

He lifted his arm and brought her to stand under it. 

Dressed in a yellow anarkali with a pink border, she looked delicious. He nuzzled her neck. Laughing, she pushed him away, and ran out of the room.

Akash followed.

Arnav, dressed in a white kurta, entered his room, pulling at the sleeves and the slight collar. What wouldn’t he give to wear his black formals! But Amma had made him a gift of the kurta, and he couldn’t very well refuse to wear it.

Khushi came out of the washroom, and stood staring at him.

Arnav turned his head & looked at her. Her eyes were wide and her mouth open.

“Kya?”, he asked her.

She stared at him, silent.

“Khushi? Kya hua?”

Khushi shook her head. “Nothing. It is just that…..that you look so handsome!”

Arnav blushed.

Khushi giggled, seeing the red colour spread on his cheeks.

“Err…the pyjama….”, Arnav mumbled.

“The pyjama?”, Khushi bit her lip not to burst out laughing.

“I think it will fall off.”, Arnav confessed.

Khushi took a moment to swallow her giggles, and said in a choked voice, “Would you like to fasten a belt over the waist? No body will be able to see it over the kurta.”

Arnav nodded gratefully.

Arnav, Anand, Gopi Kakka, Baba, Akash, Mamaji, Raj Kisore, & NK watched the ladies lead Aarti down the steps to the hall for the haldi ceremony.

Aarti was wearing a simple, sleeveless yellow anarkali with stones worked down the front. Her hair now touched her shoulders in a straight, silky fall, cupping her beautiful face. 

NK, in a white kurta, smiled at her. She smiled back, stars twinkling in her eyes.

Arnav looked at the ladies. All were in different shades of yellow, some in suits and some in sarees. He noticed Mami’s pink goggles and then saw only his Khushi. She was in a yellow silk sari. 

The pallu was pinned against her shoulder, and she held the end of it against her front, covering their baby. His eyes melted. She looked up, saw him, and smiled shyly.

Mami called her, “Khushi Bitiyaa, Maana ki hamre Arnav Bitwaa ijj bery handsome and it ijj bery diphicult (difficult) to look abay (away) from him, but if you apply haldi to Aarti Bitiyaa looking at hamre Arnav Bitwaa, her hairwaa will become yellow not her phacewaa (face)!”

All laughed, while Khushi blushed and blushed.

Nani and Anjali joined the fun.

“Why are you hiding my great grandchild behind the pallu?”, asked Nani.

“Let everyone know what our Chotey has managed to do!”, teased Di.

“Aur naahin to kaa…..hamre Arnav Bitwaa has put in so much hard work…Credit to milni chahiye ke naahi….”, Mami laughed. 

All giggled, while Khushi looked as red as a ripe tomato.

Arnav looked at her and smiled.

After praying to Devi Maiyya, the haldi ceremony started in earnest. Ladies began applying haldi to Aarti and NK, taking great delight in spreading a thick layer of the yellow mixture on their feet, hands, & faces.

NK protested. “What is this, Maasi? This is too much. Don’t cover my eyes! My kaan, my kaan! I can’t breathe!”

Mami pulled his nose. “This is your naak, not kaan, NK Bitwaa. And don’t complain. Don’t you want to be bootiphul like your Maasi?”

NK looked at her, scared.

“How do you think I maintain my boooty, NK Bitwaa?”, asked Mami. “It is bery painful! The girls at the isspa pull my hair out, squeeze me, and cover me in pastes of dipherent colors to make me boootiphul!”, she sighed.

Aarti smiled, looking at her feet.

Updated

Khushi and Payal applied haldi to NK lovingly, teasing him.

“Our Sunflower is looking very sunflowerish today, Payalji!”, laughed Khushi, spreading more yellow on NK’s yellow face.

“More sunflowerish than a real sunflower, Khushiji!”, replied Payal, tweaking NK’s nose.

NK laughed, and Khushi and Payal kissed him lovingly on his forehead, wiping off the haldi that stuck to their lips afterwards.

Then they applied haldi to Aarti, teasing her.

“Our Aartiji has taken on our NK Bhai’s favourite colour, yellow!”, laughed Khushi.

“Soon we will have two sunflowers here instead of one!”, added Payal.

As the ladies and gents enjoyed the haldi ceremony, Arnav received a call from Aman, and moved away to take it.

As he talked over the phone, he felt Khushi’s presence near him, and turned around. She was standing there with an innocent look on her face, her hands behind her back.

Arnav smiled at her, cupping her beautiful face with his free hand, caressing the strands of silky hair that had fallen against her cheek. He continued to converse with Aman as his eyes adored her. Soon, he switched off the phone and pocketed it.

“Kuch chahiye tha, Khushi?”, he asked in his husky voice.

She shook her head in the negative, a small smile playing on her lips. Then, in a sudden move, she applied haldi to his nose, and turned to run away, laughing.

He hauled her back against him, his hold on her arm firm but gentle.

He bent his head and breathing in her jasmine fragrance, rubbed his nose against her creamy cheek, neatly transferring most of his haldi on to her face and her haldi on to his.

 (Chowna baby!, thank u!)

She turned her head to look reproachfully at him, her lips pouting.

“You know, Khushi…”, he whispered in her ear, his hot breath falling against the sensitive skin behind her ear.

She shuddered.

His arms closed gently around her waist and their baby. 

“Mami is wrong. It was not hard work. I enjoyed it…….”, he whispered.

Khushi blushed all shades of red.

Part 104

Haldi was finally done, and NK & Aarti, along with the others, took bath and came down in fresh clothes. 

Both of them had glowing faces, more from the happiness of their impending wedding rather than the haldi.

They joined their family in the hall, and sat around chatting with them.

Anjali said, “Artiji, did you ever think you would meet someone like NK Bhai and get married to him?”

“No.”, Aarti laughed.

“What kind of a man did you imagine yourself marrying?”, asked Payal.

“I never thought of marriage.”, Aarti smiled at NK. He caught hold of her hand, and squeezed her fingers gently.

Khushi, with a naughty look in her eyes, asked Payal, “What kind of husband did you imagine you would get, Payalji?”

Payal winked at her, and said, “A hero. Like Salman Khan.”, she teased Akash.

Akash gasped. Arnav hid his smile. Mamaji doubled over with laughter. 

Mami laughed. “My poor Akash Bitwaa. He does not even watch Salman Khan’s movies, Hello Hi Bye Bye!”

Payal sang, 

Maine tho maanga tha, saheli jaisa saiyaan
Haan… maine tho maanga tha, saheli jaisa saiyaan
Mua pale pada, paheli jaise saiyaan
Paheli jaisa saiyaan, paheli jaisa saiyaan..

Khushi joined in,

Bhoola bhoola sa rehta hai, jhoola jhoola sa rehta hai
Nayi Dilli mein, Bareli jaisa saiyaan
Bareli jaisa saiyaan, bareli jaisa saiyaan

Oh… maine toh maanga tha
Na na na na. na na na na, na na na na…

Mami croaked, Sara din afwahon sa, udta phirta hai gali gali, Gali gali, mora saiyaan….

Rani sang,
Aake ghar anghithi sa, baatein karta hai, jale jale
Jala jala, mora saiyaan…..

Anjali looked at Anand, and added, 

Bawre ne hi, bawri kiya
Haai, maine kya panga le liya,
Chuna bhooton ki, haweli jaisa saiyaan,
Haweli jaisa saiyaan, Bareli jaisa saiyaan…..

All of them sang,

Haan.. maine toh maanga tha,
Saheli jaisa saiyaan…

Khushi complained,

Uthte hi akhbaar pe, toot padta hai subah subah,
Bhooka sa mora saiyaan…

Mami nodded in agreement. Khushi leaned against Buaji, lamenting,

Biwi se zyada toh yeh laptop se hai juda juda,
Chipku sa mora saiyaan….

Arnav’s laughing eyes warned Khushi of dire consequences.

Bawre ne hi, bawri kiya, kaise na bhala, jale ye jiya
Pade jhele na, jo daily aisa saiyaan, jo daily aisa saiyaan,
Jo daily aisa saiyaan… , Khushi continued.

All the ladies sang together,

Bhoola bhoola sa rehta hai… jhula jhula sa rehta hai,
Nayi Dilli mein.. Bareli jaisa saiyaan
Bareli jaisa saiyaan, paheli jaisa saiyaan
Oh… maine toh maanga tha, saheli jaisa saiyaan….



Akash looked at Mamaji, Raj, Arnav, Anand, & NK.

“This is ghor atyachaar, Bhai! We have to protest against it!”

Arnav nodded.

“But no bhook hartal! Please!”, said NK, scared.

“No, NK Bhai, no bhook hartal.”, Anand laughed. “Don’t worry.”Anand leaned to whisper in the ears of the other men.

The ladies watched the men planning and plotting their downfall with wary eyes. Then they saw NK run up the stairs.

Soon they saw a manly figure make its way down the stairs, holding on to the railings carefully. NK was wearing a red sari from Khushi’s wardrobe, holding the pleats up at his knees to avoid tripping on them. 

All ladies stared at him, their mouths open. Aarti burst out laughing. Buaji exclaimed, “Hai Re Nandkisore!” and hit her head with her hand.

NK had the pallu over his head, exposing just his face. He was wearing a big red bindi & a handbag filched from Payal’s room, and a big, gem-studded necklace from his Maasi’s room.

He walked through the crowd, swaying his hips in an exaggerated manner, making the ladies giggle and the men smile. He reached the men, unzipped the handbag, and took out a belan, brandishing it.

Mujhe meri biwi se bachao...., cried Akash.

Mujhe meri biwi se bachao..., added Anand.

Anjali & Payal placed their hands on their hips & glared at their husbands.

Akadti hai bigadti hai

Hamesha mujhse ladti hai…, added Raj.

Rani rolled her eyes at her husband, who winked at her.

Mujhe meri biwi se bachao

Mujhe meri biwi se bachaa

Akadti hai bigadti hai

Hamesha mujhse ladti hai

Mujhe meri biwi se bachao…., all of them sang.

NK ran around, trying to hit the men with his belan, almost falling flat on his face, the pallu and the pleats of the sari getting him into trouble. He wished he had 10 hands to manage the sari, the handbag, & the belan....Really, how did women manage all these with 2 hands?, he wondered.

Jo dil ho pyar karne ka

To sau nakhre dikhati hai....., sang Arnav.

Khushi raised her eyebrow, imitating him perfectly. “Really?”, she drawled. Buaji & Mami clapped their hands, laughing.

Gale liptana agar chahu

To susri taal jati hai…., sang Mamaji.

“Acha? Dekh lenge aapko….”, threatened Mami, hiding a smile.

Na meri bat sunti hai,

Na mere pas aati hai….

Mujhe meri biwi se bachao….., pouted Anand.

Mujhe meri biwi se bachao

Akadti hai bigadti hai

Hamesha mujhse ladti hai

Mujhe meri biwi se bachao……, all the men sang loudly.

Mizaz uska bada kadwa

Mere ghar me kayaamat hai…., sang Mamaji, doing thumkas in keeping with the music.

“Aap to shutuppiya hi karlo ji!”, said Mamiji.

Mai banda seedha saadha hun

Mere sar par musibat hai…., added Akash.

Main malik hun is ghar ka

Magar meri ye halat hai……., sang Arnav.

Mujhe meri biwi se bachao

Mujhe meri biwi se bachao

Akadti hai bigadti hai

Hamesha mujhse ladti hai….The men danced as they sang…..

Mujhe meri biwi se bachao…….

The ladies, not to be outdone, sang the last stanza of the film song,

Tumhi to ghar ki Rani ho….

Mera ghar baar tumse hai…, Khushi and Payal stripped NK of the sari, sending him circling as they pulled it off his body.

Kasam leloon, kasam leloon, mera sansar tumse hai….

Tumhi tum ho mere dil me…

Mera pyar tumse hai….

Mujhe meri biwi se milaa lo….

All clapped their hands, and fell into their chairs, laughing & gasping for breath.

“Khushi Bhabi, Payal Bhabi! You made me Draupadi!”, NK complained."You did my kheer haran.”

Buaji pinched his chin lovingly. “Cheer haran…cheer haran……Atleast you had pants under the sari, Nandkisore! I don’t think Draupadi had that convenience!” 

“And nobody has taken your kheer away!”, Akash laughed. “It is on the table!”

“Our dance was good, wasn’t it, Amma?”, NK asked, sure of his mother-in-law’s  support 24x7, all 365 days.

“Haan, it was very nice.”, Kamla caressed his cheek.

“Then Thalli bajao, thalli bajao!”, NK demanded, hugging Aarti.

Aarti bit her lip, eagerly anticipating Akash Bhai’s reaction. He did not disappoint her.

Akash hit his head with his hand. “Hai Re Nandkisore!”,  he swore.

All burst out laughing.




Later that day, when Arnav managed to steal a moment with his wife, she glared at him.

Arnav raised his eyebrow and opened his innocent eyes wide.

“Jo dil ho pyar karne ka

To sau nakhre dikhati hai.....?”, Khushi quoted him.

Arnav cleared his throat, biting back his smile.

“You want to be free of your wife?”, Khushi asked in mock anger. “You should have said, Arnavji. I would have left you long back and gone to live with my Baba and my children.”

“Khushi….”, he ran a finger down her rosy cheek. She knocked his hand off.

“Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachao?”, Khushi asked, frowning.

“Khushi…” Arnav put his arms around her waist, and pulled her close.

She tried to wriggle away from him, but his hold was firm though gentle.

Khushi pouted. Arnav leaned forward to tackle the complaining lips, when he halted in shock.

Their baby had just kicked him.

Arnav looked at Khushi’s tummy with astonished, moist eyes. “Khushi…Khushi…I felt….our baby….our baby just kicked me…”

Khushi nodded, her eyes filling with happy tears.

“Khushi…this is normal? Yes, yes, this is normal…The site said it happens when you are five-and-a-half months pregnant…….” His hands covered her tummy, trying to feel their baby. It kicked against his hand again. He swallowed. 

“But Khushi, you are only 5 months pregnant…”, he panicked. “This is too early….Khushi, we need to go to a doctor. I will get the car!” Arnav turned away from her.

Khushi caught hold of his kurta-covered arm, and pulled him into her arms.

 “Our baby just wanted to meet you…Tell you that she or he is in there….Don’t worry…..” Khushi caressed his lean cheek lovingly, kissing him, feeling the stubble prick her lips.

“But…But, Khushi, our baby is kicking too early!”

Khushi huffed. 

“Of course, our baby is kicking too early. It is your child, isn’t it?”, she asked.