49. His Smiling Girl (Parts 1 to 10)

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Part 1

Arnav Singh Raizada watched the slip of a girl in a colourful red and green anarkali come down the steps of the temple. She was...she was... beautiful. To a man who had a low opinion of everything and everyone, even life, it was an astounding admission to make, even in the silent recesses of his mind. As he sat in the cool confines of his SUV and watched her, she smiled. For one second, his heart seemed to stop. Was she smiling at him? The twinkling eyes, the pearly white teeth, the pink, rosebud lips, the nose pin that glittered in the morning light, the dangling earrings that seemed to invite his fingers to send them swinging, her chotti si, laal naak... Then he saw her dive into her voluminous cloth bag and come up with a handful of something that she threw to the pigeons around her, the pigeons she had been smiling at. He gulped. The pigeons gathered around their kind, young benefactress. Her smile widened. Was it channa? He saw her throw a few into her mouth as she watched the pigeons feast. The smile on her face! As though all the joy in the world had been captured and stored there, in her heart!
He didn't see Di walk by the beautiful girl, limping down the steps, her hand held in Akash's. The first he knew was when Akash opened the door to help Di inside.
"You should have come with us, Chotey!", Di said, smiling. "The pooja was for you."
"Me?" He had to squeeze the words past the big lump in his throat.
"Haan, Bhai, for you.", Akash smiled, anticipating the fireworks coming.
"For your marriage, Chotey."
He sighed. "Di, how many time have I told you..."
"Too many to count, Chotey. But we can dream and pray, can't we?"
Arnav turned his exasperated face away from Di, his eyes stopping on the way, halting completely at the sight of the girl walking down the steps and getting into a rickshaw. The vehicle made its noisy way away from his car. All he could see of her was a bit of her red dupatta flying in the breeze.
"Aren't we going home, Chotey?", Di asked, curious at his fixed gaze ahead.
"Ha..an...", he muttered, starting the car to leave for home. He had to drop off Di at home before he and Akash could go to their office.
He drove on, till Akash exclaimed, "Bhai! Where are we going?"
Arnav looked at him, confused.
"We missed the turning to our home." He realised to his horror that he had been following the rickshaw.
The next morning, Arnav asked Anjali, "Di, aren't you going to the temple today?"
Anjali looked at Nani, surprised. Then she said, "Haan, Chotey. Why?"
"Err... I will take you there."
Anjali smiled at him. "No, Chotey! Don't bother. Mami & I will go with Mohanji in the other car. You and Akash can go to the office. Who kya he, it is Teej today. The temple will be crowded, and we will take a long time there. You will get fed up of waiting for us."
Teej! The girl would definitely come to the temple. "No, Di. I will take you both to the temple and drop you back home. Akash can manage  the office without me." Akash choked on his tea. Nani and Mami looked at him with eyes wide open. He walked away before the ladies could ask uncomfortable questions.
Mami whispered in Anjali's ears, "Anjali Bitiyya! Bhat happened to Arnav Bitwaa?"
Nani wondered, "Chotey mandir ma?"
"Something is happening to our Chotey, Nani, Mami..." Anjali's eyes filled with tears. "Maybe... maybe our prayers that he should find a girl to love, a girl who loves him are finally coming true.", she whispered.
He scanned the premises of the temple, hoping for a glimpse of his smiling girl. He looked closely at the people climbing the steps to the main building of the temple. He peered at the people exiting the temple. Maybe she had finished praying and was buying pictures of gods at the stalls there. He marched over to the shops and looked around. The devotees gave the stern-looking man in formal clothes, his eyes hidden by dark glasses, a wide berth. Maybe she was buying flowers and coconuts and other materials for the pooja. He looked at each face in the crowd there. She was absent. He clenched his fists. Where was she? He looked around desperate for a glimpse of her. Then he heard a shout, "Channa, channa... Rs 10 for 100g... Channa le lo, channa..." He dragged in a deep breath. Yes, channa. She must be there. He rushed to the corner where the channa vendor stood, but his smiling girl was not one among the children and men surrounding him.
Where was she? Who was she? Why wasn't she at the temple today? Today was Teej, after all..., he thought, furious that he was being denied a glimpse of the sweetest face he had ever beheld. His phone rang. Aman. He cut the call.
He looked around from his vantage point. The chudi wala. Maybe she would be buying chudis to adorn her slender arms. As he was about to make his way to the chudi wala, he saw her. He pulled off his sunglasses for a clearer view, and looked down at the steps leading to the temple.

A vision in a red sari. His favourite colour. Her hair was unbound, lying low on her back, the wind playing with the silky dark strands. The sari clung to her, outlining the full curves of her well-formed figure. She had a pooja thali in one hand, and the other was curved around the arm of an older man who leaned on a stick to walk. A beautiful older lady, her head covered by the pallu of her yellow sari, accompanied them. There was another girl in a green sari with them, older than his smiling girl. Father, mother, elder sister, and his girl. He watched them as they navigated their way up the steps and passed him on their way into the temple. There was a curious sound as she walked past him. He looked down at her feet. Payal. Clinging to the slender ankles of the most beautiful feet he had ever seen.
His feet followed them. He removed his shoes when they removed their footwear. He matched them step for step. He stood behind them as they prayed to Devi Maiyya, their hands folded in devotion. His own hands lifted in prayer, his eyes on his girl in red in front of him. He followed her as they made their way around the temple, his eyes seeing only her...
"Chotey!"
"Arnav Bitwaa!"
He looked disconcerted at his Mami and Di who were clutching at the sleeves of his coat.
"Hello Hi Bye Bye! Bhat are you doings inside the mandirwaa? Devi Maiyya ko shock dene ka iraada he kaa?", his Mami teased him.
His Di said, "Did you come in search of us, Chotey! We are done now. We can go home."
Arnav looked desperately at and around the spot where he had last seen his girl. She was no longer there.
That evening, Nani was waiting at home with phase 2 of Get-Arnav-Married-Off-at-the-Earliest scheme ready. Phase 1 (appealing to Devi Maiyya) had been done admirably well by Akash, Manorama, & Anjali. Now it was her turn.
"Chotey!", she bearded the lion in his den.
 Arnav lifted his tired eyes from the laptop to look at her.
"You work too hard, Chotey!"
"Did you want something, Nani?"
"Haan. Mishraji brought a proposal for you today." Nani sat down on his bed, placing a cover beside her.
"Nani!", he sighed. He was tired. Tired of thinking of that girl all day in the office when he should have been working... tired of trying to get her out of his mind, head, heart...tired of saving his freedom from the frequent attacks of his Di, Nani, & Mami... tired of wasting time battling his Nani when he could be dreaming of her, not Nani, but his girl in the temple...
"Chotey!", Nani looked down at her clasped fingers. "I know you don't want to get married. I can't blame you for this decision..." She sighed. "Your parents set a bad example. I can understand that whatever happened to them has put you off marriage. But..."
Arnav looked at the frail, grey-haired lady who had raised him, loved him for the past 14 years.
She continued softly, "Chotey! I go to bed every night scared that if I don't wake up the next day, you are going to be alone all your life."
"Nani!", his husky voice tried to reassure her. "Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise."
"You are Arnav Singh Raizada. You can buy the world, but you can't buy me time on earth." Her blunt, sad words tore into his heart.
"Anjali will soon have her own family. Akash will wait for you to get married as long as possible. When finally Manorama manages to have her way, he will marry and settle down. After I am gone, you will be all alone, Chotey!" Her thin voice tugged at his heart strings. He placed his hand over her clasped ones.
"Chotey, I am not asking you to marry someone tomorrow." She freed her hands from his to take the cover she had placed beside her and hand it to him. "Mishraji sent this photo to us. Her name is Khushi. She is an orphan. Her aunt & uncle adopted her ten years back when she was eight years old. She and her family are in Delhi now on a visit to her Buaji, but will return to Lucknow soon. Her uncle runs a big sweetshop on the Main Street. Just glance at the picture. If you like her looks, we can meet them. If you don't, then I won't nag you anymore."
"Till you get the next picture.", said Arnav wryly.
Nani smiled. "Till we get the next proposal. Chotey, will you atleast look at the photo?"
Arnav nodded reluctantly.
Arnav paced the length & breadth of his room after Nani left. Were they all crazy? Mishra, Nani, Di, Mami! Eighteen years old, dammit! What a match for a 28 year old businessman who chewed and spat out grown-up men daily! But ...but an orphan like him. From Lucknow. Pity for the girl compelled him to pick up the cover and slide his finger under the flap. He owed it to his Nani to look at the photo before he rejected the proposal. The image of his smiling girl feeding the pigeons in the temple flashed through his mind. He reluctantly opened the cover, and pulled out the photo.
It was his smiling girl in the temple. But without the pigeons.



Part 2



Khushi! Her name was Khushi! How appropriate..., he smiled looking at the mirth in her eyes and the delicate lines of her face. The fingers holding the photo trembled. Now she was reachable. He had her name and could locate her address with little difficulty. He could lay his hands on her. She wouldn't slip through his fingers again. He walked out to the poolside and sat down on the recliner, his eyes still on her smiling face.
An orphan like him. Were her aunt and uncle kind to her? They must have been the middle-aged couple who had accompanied her to the temple. She seemed very fond of them. The older girl in the green sari must be her cousin. And she was from Lucknow. Good. But she was only 18 years old. And he was 28. Damn! A difference of 10 years. He frowned. He hoped it wouldn't matter to her or her family.

What if she didn't want to marry him once she knew about his parents, his family's past? A cold shiver ran down his spine at the thought. He shut his eyes tight and clenched his fingers around her photo as the terrible images of his past pushed their way into his head. The gunshot. The suicide of his parents. Di's wedding being cancelled. His Chachaji's treachery...

A while later, he calmed down. He had to give the girl, Khushi, a chance to back out, space to know him and to decide if she wanted to throw in her lot with him, time to figure out if she could bear him and his anger for an entire lifetime. But... but what if she refused him?
While Arnav was making such important and magnanimous decisions about her future, a blissfully unaware Khushi was dancing on her bed, teasing Payal. Pretending to be a love-lorn maiden, she was mouthing the words of the song being played on the radio, and doing Kathak on the bed, banging her head against the stars hanging from the bed frame.
Badariyaa barse re, Saiyyan...
Jhoola dheere jhoole re
Badariyaa barse re, Saiyyan...
She tickled Payal, who shrieked in a lady-like manner and tried to run around the bed to escape Khushi's far reaching arms and able fingers.
Kamariyaa lachke re, Saiyyan...
Jhoola dheere jhoole re
Kamariyaa lachke re, Saiyyan...
"Hai re Nandkisore! What is happening here? Who is killing whom?", asked poor Buaji who ran into the room followed by Garima.
Khushi & Payal were busy giggling, lying on their bed, gasping for breath.
"Woh, Buaji...", panted Payal. "...Khushi was just tickling me..."
"Tickling you? O Sanka Devi! When will you learn to act your age?" Buaji put her hand to her head in helplessness. "Old enough to be married, and acting like two infants with no brains between them!"
"Haan, Jiji!", said Garima.
"Don't scold my bitiyaa!", said Sashi Gupta mildly. "Let them enjoy life now, Jiji. Who knows what is waiting for them in their sasuraal?"
"Haan, Nandkisore!" Buaji sighed. "You are right. You two! Come for dinner. I have made aloo sabzi, poori, & besan ladoo, your favourite dishes." Buaji pinched the chins of Payaliyaa & Khushi.
Arnav made a very early call to Mishra who supplied him with the address of Khushi Kumari Gupta. On his way to the office, he drove to Laxmi Nagar, and located the house. It was one among many such old houses in a colony, having a wicket gate, a yard with a cot, a wooden railing bordering the verandah with multi-hued dupattas drying on it...
He looked around, still seated in his car. On the road in front of Khushi's house, many children were playing some game with columns drawn in chalk. Suddenly, a child shouted, "Khushi didi is coming!"

A loud roar of welcome rose from the kids, and all of them turned towards the house to welcome her. Arnav too turned his head. His breath left him in a rush. She looked like a goddess... A goddess in a blue lehenga... A goddess in a blue lehenga with two plates of samosas in her hands... Samosas? Arnav blinked to clear his vision. Samosas they were. One she distributed among the kids, and the other she took to the auto workshop across the street, handing it over to Happyji who thanked her with a wide smile on his lips. Then she crossed the road to the kids, eager to start playing. Sneaking a look at her house to see if Buaji was spying on her, she quickly tied the dupatta across her shoulder at her waist.
"Nikhil, keep an eye on Buaji and Amma. I am supposed to go for a wedding function. Let me take the first turn now. You can have the first chance in the evening.", she wheedled.
In front of an Arnav sitting motionless in his car, mesmerised by the sight, Khushi played hop, skip, & jump with the kids till Nikhil warned her softly, "Buaji!"
Khushi stopped in mid-action, lowering the skirts of her lehenga, straightening the dupatta, and smoothing the strands of hair that had fallen across her face from the severe plait she had tried to tame them with. She turned to look at her Buaji standing near the wicket gate, hands on her hips, an exasperated look on her face.
"O Parmeswari! If I take my eyes off you for one minute, you will run away to play with the children, won't you?"
Khushi ran to her Buaji and hugged her. "Haan, Buaji! So don't take your eyes off me!"
Buaji could not stop her smile. "Titliyaa, your Amma and Jiji are waiting for you. Go with them. And no more excuses."
Khushi stole another rib-crushing hug from Buaji and ran into the house. Buaji shooed the kids away and returned to the house.
Arnav sat watching his smiling girl go out with her Jiji and her Amma, the skirts of her lehenga swirling elegantly around her legs, her hand around her Jiji's waist as she regaled her sister with some funny incident. He caught a glimpse of himself in the car mirror. Who was this man with a gentle smile on his cruel lips, a soft look on his stern face, and tenderness in his cold eyes?



Part 3

That evening at dinner,  Arnav told his silent but anxious Nani, Di, & Mami, "I..err...I looked at the photo..."
"And?", Nani could not resist asking. Anjali & Mami held their breath.
Mamaji, NK, & Akash looked at Arnav first and then at Nani, wondering what this was all about.
"She seems...OK."
Nani, Mami, & Di heaved sighs of relief.
"Who seems OK?", asked NK.
"What is happening here, Amma?", Mamaji teased. "How is it that whenever I travel overseas, earth-shattering events happen in my family?"
"I had given Chotey's details to Mishraji and asked him to inform us if he came across a suitable girl for him.", explained Nani.
"Suitable for what?", asked NK. "Hey Nannav, do you need a new secretary?"
"Haan, NK bhai! A new secretary cum boss for your Nannav." , smirked Anjali.
NK scratched his head, confused. Mamaji laughed. Akash grinned.
"I am talking about a bride for Chotey!", said Nani gleefully. "Mishraji knows a Gupta family in Lucknow. He examined the kundli and felt that Khushi would be perfect for Arnav. So he gave me her photo."
"Hamre Arnav Bitwaa's shaadi!", Mami squealed in excitement. "Saasumaa, let's order sweets from Lucknow, saris from Benares, gold from..."
"Manno, let the boy meet the girl first! If you go on like this, you will serve the wedding feast before the invitation cards are printed!", Mamaji laughed.
"Nannav, mere bhai, congrats!" NK leaned over the table, trying to shake Arnav's hand.
Arnav pursed his lips. He had the craziest family on earth. His Khushi would fit in perfectly. A small smile played on his lips.
Not getting Nannav's hand, NK came up to Arnav's seat and kissed him on his cheek.
Arnav glared at him.
Akash hugged his Bhai.
"Where is the photo? Show us, show us.", demanded an excited NK.
Arnav went to his room and came down with Khushi's photo. NK tried to snatch it  from his hand. Arnav lifted his arm high in the air to block him. NK tried jumping up to get hold of the pic. But Arnav adroitly saved the photo from him and handed it over to Mamaji.
"Wah! Such a sweet bitiyaa!"
Akash & NK peered at Khushi's face over Mamaji's shoulders.
"Khushi is so beautiful!", exclaimed NK.
"Bhabi.", Arnav reminded NK grimly. NK looked at him confused. "She is your Bhabi. Take her name with respect."
"Oka...a..ay...", NK drawled. He turned to Mami and whined, "Maasi, Nannav hasn't married her yet and he is already scolding me. What will he do to me after he marries her?"
The whole family burst out laughing while Arnav fumed.


Later that night, Arnav talked in private to Nani, Anjali, Mama, & Mami.
"What is the next step?"
Nani smiled through her tears, "Mishraji will approach the Guptas with your proposal for Khushi."
"Don't borry, Arnav Bitwaa! The Guptas will jump at the chance. Such a rich, bootiphul boy for their daughter!"
Nani frowned at Mami. "Then we will all go to see the girl. If you like each other, we can have the Shagun then and there."
"Shagun?", Arnav asked.
"Haan, Chotey! We will give Khushiji and her family gifts and fix the wedding.", explained Anjali.
Arnav hid a smile at the thought of a Khushi wearing a lehenga and playing with kids on the road being called Khushiji.
"Please ask Mishra to contact them and to arrange our visit at the earliest. I want them to know that I am a diabetic. I also want to inform them about our murky past before they decide their daughter's fate." He looked at the pale faces around him. "These have to be done. I don't want a marriage based on falsehood and lies."
Nani & Mamaji nodded.
"Chotey!", Anjali protested.
"Arnav Bitwaa, let the sleeping kutaas sleep. Bhy blow hornwaa in their ears and wakes them up?"
"This has to be done." Arnav was adamant.
Mamaji nodded again. "Arnav Bitwaa is right.", he said.


The next morning, Arnav sat in his car outside the temple. He hoped desperately that Khushi would turn up. But there was no guarantee that she would. Maybe he should look around within the temple. Maybe she had reached there before him. He alighted from his vehicle and discarding his sunglasses, strode up the steps to come to a sudden halt. Khushi was walking down the steps, towards him. He stood still, captivated by the sheer perfection of her.

The yellow anarkali. The unbound hair. The wind ruffled her hair and rustled the folds of her dress. She was looking at the ground, a small smile on her lips.

Khushi was very happy. She had prayed to Devi Maiyya to her heart's content inspite of the crowd. Her Babuji was getting better after the stroke. She and her family were returning to Lucknow next week. Buaji was going to accompany them home. Her Amma & Jiji were healthy and happy. She had nothing to worry about right now. She would worry about which course to join after returning to Lucknow. Right now, all she had to bother about was whether she would buy red or blue bangles for her Jiji.

A pigeon flew close to her head, almost touching her hair. She ducked, losing her balance. Twisting her right foot, she pitched headlong down the steps. She closed her eyes, her face scrunched in the expectation of pain and bruises. But she fell against a hard, warm wall and was gently gathered close by protective arms. She stayed content in the safe hold for a few moments and then slowly opened one eye to look at the face of the man she had fallen against.

A man, not a boy. With a face that spoke of maturity and responsibility. Frown lines on his forehead. Stubble. Strong nose. Stubborn chin. And... and the most beautiful eyes on earth. Like melting chocolate. And long eyelashes. She opened her other eye too to get a better view of his face. Beautiful lips. Better than the lips of the model in the magazine she and Jiji had giggled over. She swallowed, her eyes moving from his lips to his eyes and back again to his lips.

Arnav didn't want to let her go. Ever. But her heart was beating rapidly against his chest and her foot must be hurting. He slowly helped her stand on her feet. She winced, and held on to his shoulders. He lifted her up in his arms. Her right hand curled around his neck as though his neck had been made for the sole purpose of letting her cling to it. Her left hand clung to the neck of his waistcoat.

"Tum theek ho?"

His husky query set ablaze the remnants of her commonsense. How could a man have such a... such a 'touching' voice? The concern in his eyes was enough to floor her if she had been standing, which she thankfully wasn't.

He carried her to his car, careful not to jerk her and cause her further discomfort.

"You won't be able to walk on that foot right now. Let me see you home.", he murmured, depositing her in the front seat of his SUV and fastening the seat belt before she could reply.

"Ji, shukriya. I..I live in Laxmi Nagar."

It was a silent journey, but the silence was not an uncomfortable one. Arnav and Khushi stole glances at each other, both unable to believe that they were in one car, travelling towards her house.

When they reached Laxmi Nagar, she gave him the directions to her home. Arnav hid his intimate acquaintance with the surroundings of her house. He opened her door, unfastened the seat belt, and slowly helped her out. But as her hurt foot touched the ground, she closed her eyes and bit her lips. 

Arnav scooped her up in his arms and carried her into her house.

The knife and the piece of cucumber she had been cutting fell from Amma's hands as she stared at the vision of a stranger carrying her chutki into the living room. She ran towards Khushi, asking, "Khussi, what happened to you? Jiji, come fast! Payaliyaa, call your Babuji! Khussi!"

"I am OK, Amma...", she smiled, hiding the pain. Buaji, Payal, and Babuji came rushing into the room, and gathered around her. "I just twisted my ankle while coming down the steps of the mandir. He... he broke my fall and brought me home because I couldn't walk on my own."

Arnav found himself inundated with gratitude. Babuji thanked him gravely, his eyes revealing his anxiety for his daughter. Amma, Payal, & Buaji were in tears. They made him sit down in their midst and Payal brought him an assortment of sweets.

This was the best time. The perfect opportunity. He said, "I am diabetic. I can't have sweets."

"Hai Re Nandkisore!", said Buaji. "Payaliyaa, see to it that you don't put sugar in Bitwaa's tea."

"Ji Buaji", said Payal as she raced to the kitchen.

After he had his tea, Arnav stood up to leave. "Babua!", Buaji said, placing her hand on his arm. "We will never forget this kindness." 

Babuji and Amma nodded.

Arnav smiled at her, Khushi, and the rest of the family, and took his leave.

 

 He owed the pigeons a big bag of channa.


 Part 4

"Khushi, thank God that man saved you and brought you home. How many times have I asked you not to go anywhere alone? What if he hadn't been there?", Payal scolded her.
Buaji and Amma had finished their quota of recriminations. Buaji had massaged her ankle with her special medicine, and now Khushi could walk without much discomfort.
"I thought I would roll down the steps, Jiji. I would have been hurt worse had he not appeared in front of me. And I didn't even thank him properly!"
"Khushi! Tum bhi na! What is his name?"
"Name?"
"Haan, name. I am sure he has one. Don't tell me you forgot to ask him his name."
Khushi looked at Payal with a struck expression on her face.
"Kya?"
"I can't tell you. You asked me not to say it, Jiji."
"Uugh?"
"I forgot to ask him his name, Jiji!"
"Khushi!" Payal threw the pillow at her head.
The next morning, the Guptas had a visitor big with news. Babuji, Garima, & Buaji looked at Mishraji in horror.
"Mishraji! We did give you Payal and Khussi's details and ask you to find grooms for them, but... but...", Sashi Gupta was lost for words.
"How can we marry off Khussi before Payaliyaa? Payaliyaa is the older sister!", exclaimed Garima.
"The boy is ten years older than Khussi, Nandkisore! And she is only eighteen!"
"And such a well-to-do family! Mishraji, you know what we own and what we can give our daughters. How can we even think of an alliance with such a family?"
"Sashiji...", Mishra tried to explain. "..the Raizadas don't need dowry, and are least bothered about what you give or don't give your daughters. They are from Lucknow, and want a bride from Lucknow for Arnav Singh Raizada. A good girl from a good family."
Buaji looked at Garima and Babuji in horror.
"What is a difference of ten years? Isn't it good that your damad is a mature and responsible man?"
Buaji again looked at Garima & Sashi Babua.
"They liked Khushi Bitiyaa's photo." He continued in the same vein, explaining the matching kundlis, and finally coming to a halt with the most shocking news.
"The Raizadas are determined to meet you. They have asked me to inform you that they would like to see Khushi Bitiyaa and all of you this evening. They will be arriving at 5pm, unless you have any other appointment at that time."
Buaji, Garima, & Babuji looked at each other, unable to refuse the Raizadas permission to visit them that evening without appearing rude.
Mishraji left behind a pregnant silence.
Then Buaji said, "Our Sanka Devi! To be married? Hai Re Nandkisore!"
"Jiji, imagine her dancing on the bed in her sasuraal!"
Babuji muttered, "She is too young, too young!"
"What about Payaliyaa, Garima?"
"Everything is wrong, Jiji!", fretted Garima. "His age, his status, his family... Jiji, we must ask Khussi and Payaliyaa to return from the market immediately."
"Haan, Nandkisore! And we must prepare sweets for the evening. Even though we are going to refuse the proposal, we need to be hospitable. We can't insult them!"
Babuji and Garima nodded. Garima went to phone Khushi.
Khushi was fighting with a vegetable vendor, standing with a bunch of palak in her left hand and a cauliflower in her right.
"Bhaiyya, I asked for the price of one bunch of palak, not an entire field of it. One gobi ka phool, not a cartload of it. In our Lucknow..."
Chalo Maiyya Ke Bhavan, Bhavan, Bhavan,
Chalo Maiyya Ke Bhavan, Bhavan, Bhavan..., her phone sang. She dropped the palak & cauliflower and picked up the phone.
"Amma, what happened?"
"Come home soon, Khussi. Now."
"Amma, but the vegetables..."
"Leave the vegetables. And come home NOW!"
The doorbell rang. Khushi clutched her heart with both hands, scared that it would jump out of her ribcage and out through the open window of her bedroom.
"Khushi, don't be scared. It will be alright.", Payal whispered, patting Khushi's trembling shoulders with an unsteady hand.
"Jiji, it was supposed to be you first. How can I marry when you are older than me?", she mumbled.
"They want you, Khushi. It is something to do with the kundalis. But don't worry. Amma & Babuji said that they don't want this alliance. They will refuse it, Khushi."
"Jiji...", Khushi whispered, "If they don't refuse, will you take him? I don't want him. Jiji, my stomach hurts. Like I am going to write my exams. Or going to the hospital for an injection from that cruel Dr. Vasisht."
"Sshh, Khushi. Stand up. Let me fix the pallu of the sari."
"Jiji!", she wailed.
The scene in the living room was no less tense. Babuji, Amma, & Buaji stood still for a moment looking at each other, each one of them a perfect picture of reluctant hospitality. Babuji finally moved to the door to open it to a horde of people. He looked astonished at the veritable army standing outside his sister's door.

Mishraji stepped in to make the introductions.
"This is Devyani Raizada, the Nani of the boy. This is Khushi Bitiyaa's father, Sashi Gupta." Babuji folded his hands in a Namaste which Nani reciprocated with a beaming smile. Babuji invited them inside and he, Buaji, & Garima ran around trying to find chairs to seat all of them. The Raizadas placed a mountain of gifts on the table at the centre. The gifts that could not be accommodated there were taken by Mamaji and NK to be heaped on the dining table.
"Arnav and Akash Bitwaa are parking the cars. They will be here in a moment.", Nani informed them cheerfully.
Babuji nodded, smiling weakly.
"Let me introduce my family to you.", Nani said. "This is my son, Manohar. And this is his wife, Manorama. This is Nand Kisore, Manorama's brother's son from Sydney." NK smiled and waved his hand at Babuji, Amma, & Buaji in excitement. They smiled shakily at him.
"This is Anjali, my granddaughter, Arnav's sister." Anjali folded her hands, greeting the Guptas with a very happy smile. The Guptas smiled at her, greeting her in return. Babuji introduced Garima and Buaji to the Raizadas.
Akash walked in, to be introduced in turn. He added apologetically, "Bhai will come in a few minutes. There was a phone call from the office..."
Nani continued after Akash found a seat, "We would like to ask for your daughter, Khussi's hand in marriage for my grandson, Arnav."
Babuji, Buaji, and Garima stole glances at each other.
Buaji said, "Haan, haan, Nandkisore, we can discuss it. Let's have tea. Payaliyaa!", she shouted desperately. "Serve tea to our guests."
Nani said, "Sashiji, Arnav liked Khussi's photo. We have been searching for a girl for him for so many years that... I can't tell you how happy we are about this proposal. If you are agreeable, we can have Shagun today. In fact, right now. We are perfectly ready for it."
All the Raizadas nodded, smiling.
Babuji cleared his throat, and said, "My Khushi is just 18 years old, Devyaniji."
"Haan, we know, Sashiji. Our Chotey is 28. He will take good care of her."

"She is young and not really ready to be a responsible housewife, look after the whole household..."
"She won't have to do anything, Sashiji. Please don't worry. As long as she looks after our Chotey, we will have no complaints against her." Mami, Mamaji, Anjali, Akash, & NK nodded in agreement. "If she needs any kind of help, we will always be ready to support her. She will always have a sister in Anjali, brothers in Akash and NK, a Mama & Mami, and a Nani."
"She wants to continue her studies...", Babuji fought bravely.
"We have so many colleges in Delhi, Sashiji. She can learn whatever she wants, where ever she wants. We have no problems with her continuing her studies after marriage."
"Devyaniji, Khushi is my second daughter. Payaliyaa is older to her. Without marrying her off, we can't think of..."
"Don't worry, Sashiji! We will get Mishraji to find an eligible groom for Payaliyaa in Delhi at the earliest." Mishra nodded, smiling. "We can conduct the two weddings together.", Nani smiled.
Payal served tea to the guests.
"Is this Payaliyaa?", asked Nani.
"Ji.", said Buaji, sounding like a deflated balloon.
Payal touched Nani's feet and received a loving hug. She was introduced to all the Raizadas who were delighted to meet her. 

 On being introduced to Payal, NK asked loudly, "Nani, what should I call the sister of my bhabi?" The Raizadas smiled, and NK told Payal, "If I don't say your name with proper respect, Nannav, I mean Arnav, will scold me, bahut ghoosa karega."

Into the silence that followed came Arnav, softly.
"Namaste Uncle, Aunty, Buaji, Payal!"


 Part 5


Amma, Babuji, & Buaji looked towards the open doorway at this greeting, and stared open-mouthed at Arnav.
"Aap?", Babuji asked in wonder.
Amma had her hand covering her gaping mouth.
Buaji muttered, "Hai Re Nandkisore!"
Payal stared at him.
All the Raizadas looked at the Guptas and then at Arnav, waiting to find out what was happening there.
Arnav took the seat set aside for him, and smiled gently at the Guptas.
Buaji was the first to find  her voice.
"Babua, YOU are Arnav Singh Raizada?"
"Ji."
"We didn't know." Buaji hit her head with her hand. "We forgot to ask your name yesterday, Bitwaa. I am so sorry. I don't think we even thanked you properly. We were so upset that..."
"It doesn't matter, Buaji."
"What happened, Madhumatiji?", Nani asked.
"Yesterday morning, Nandkisore, Khussi twisted her leg at the temple and was about to fall down the steps. Arnav Babua caught her, drove her home, and carried her inside. We didn't know that he was Arnav Singh Raizada."
Anjali cleared her throat meaningfully and looked at Chotey, her eyes twinkling.
Mami looked at Nani, "Our Arnav Bitwaa seems to be livings in the temple these days, Saasumaa. Wonder bhy?"
Akash hid his smile.
"Naughty Nannav!" NK punched him in the shoulder.
Mamaji laughed. "Can we have a glimpse of the heroine of this piece?", he asked Babuji cheerfully.
"Ji, ji." Babuji signalled to Payal to bring Khushi out from her bedroom into the living room.
"Khushi, Khushi!" Payal ran into their bedroom.
"I am still here, Jiji!", came a shaky, small voice. She was sitting on the floor, almost hiding under the bed.
"You will never believe this, Khushi."
Excitement and hope played on Khushi's face. "They left, Jiji? They don't want to meet me?"
"No, you idiot!" Payal kissed her forehead. "See for yourself. Come out to the living room."
"No, Jiji, Please, Jiji. Don't push me, Jiji."

Arnav and the Raizadas saw the bedroom door open and a heart-stoppingly beautiful Khushi in a divine violet sari appear and pause in the doorway. 

Payal pushed her from behind, and Khushi jerked forward. She then walked slowly to the living room, her eyes on the floor, her arm held firmly by a Payal who was gently pushing her forward. Arnav hid a smile. Payal made her sit beside Babuji.

Before Nani could greet her or Babuji could introduce her, Arnav decided to set her mind at rest.

He said softly, "Hello, Khushi."

Big, doe-like eyes left their perusal of the floor and rose rapidly to his face. A smile so bright as to rival the rising sun bloomed on her face.

"Aap!"

Arnav nodded, smiling gently.

"I was so scared!", Khushi blurted out. "Had I known it was you, I would never have been so terrified!" She realised too late that the room held her family and his, and paled.

Babuji looked at Garima and Buaji in wonder. The Raizadas were grinning from ear to ear.

Arnav introduced his family to Khushi.
"Khushi, this is my Nani." Khushi touched her feet, and was hugged thoroughly for her pains.
"My Mamaji and Mami."
Mamaji blessed her, and Mami lifted her face, placing her finger beneath Khushi's chin. "So this is Arnav Bitwaa's Miss Uniberse!" She turned to tease Arnav. "You haves good taste, like your Mamaji!"
Anjali hugged Khushi and kissed her forehead. "I am so happy to meet my Chotey's Khushi!", she said, tears in her eyes.
Akash greeted her, smiling in his usual shy manner.
NK grabbed her hand and pumped it vigorously. "Welcome to the family, Khushi Bhabi!", he said loudly.

Khushi blushed.
Nani said, seriously, "Sashiji, before you make a decision, we need to talk about a few issues."
Babuji nodded.
Mishra got up to leave. "After your conversation, if you decide to go ahead with the wedding, just let me know. I need to visit a friend on my way home."
The two families bid him goodbye.
Nani turned to Babuji, "If you don't mind, Payaliyaa can take Akash, NK, & Khushi into another room. They can get to know each other and we can have a frank conversation."
"Ji." The boys and Khushi left the room with Payal, Khushi turning to smile at Arnav as she went out.


"Sashiji, we have been trying to get Chotey married off for the past 3-4 years, and he had been resisting rather strongly. But he saw Khushi's photo and liked her.", Nani smiled. "Sashiji, nothing else matters to us. As long as Chotey is happy, we are not worried about the age difference or whether Khushi wants to learn after marriage or not. Nothing else matters to us.", she stressed.

Nani continued, "Your concerns about Payaliyaa are very valid. I promise you that we will help you fix and conduct her wedding before or at the same time as Arnav & Khushi's."

Babuji took a deep breath and put his cards on the table. "Please forgive us, Devyaniji. All this is such a shock..."
He continued, "We had given Payaliyaa and Khushi's details to Mishraji a few months back, expecting him to keep an eye out for a suitable boy for Payaliyaa. We thought that we would conduct her wedding now, and a few years down the line, a good boy could be found for Khushi. We never thought...", Babuji shook his head helplessly.

"Devyaniji, I am a halwai. I have a shop in Lucknow city and my old ancestral house. That's all. I seriously don't think that you should be looking for an alliance with our family. You can do much better." Buaji and Amma nodded.

Buaji rushed to add, "It is not that we don't like Babua. He is a gem. Any girl will count herself fortunate to marry him. So well-behaved. So responsible. So modest."

"Haan, Devyaniji! We are honoured that you should like our daughter, but..." , Amma hesitated.

Mamaji said, "We know all about you, Sashiji. I enquired about you in Lucknow. People have such a high opinion of you and Satwik Mistaan Bhandaar."

Babuji sighed. "Khushi, unfortunately, is not my daughter. Her parents died in an accident when she was eight. Khushi's mother was Garima's sister."

"Mishraji mentioned it.", Nani said.

"My wife died when Payaliyaa was born. When she was 10, I married Garima. Her parents were dead. Her sister and Jijaji had been killed. It was just her and Khushi."

"Oh!", said Nani.

"Khushi was with her parents when the accident took place. She escaped while her parents died. In the first few years after our marriage, Khushi used to have nightmares." Babuji sighed, "She is still scared of sleeping alone. Other than that, she won't admit to missing her parents or being scared. But I am sure she does miss them and that the accident has taken its toll on her."

"My sister and Jiju named her 'Khushi', expecting her to be happy all her life. But...", Garima's eyes filled with tears.

Buaji added tearfully, "She delights in making others happy, our Sanka Devi!"

"We were looking forward to her going to college, living life a bit, having a few carefree years before taking on the responsibilities of marriage. The past year, she was stuck at home looking after the shop and me after I had my stroke.", Babuji said.

Nani looked anxiously at Arnav, Anjali, Mama, & Mami. They couldn't discount the genuine concerns of a loving parent.

After a moment of silence, Arnav said, "I can't do anything about being ten years older than Khushi, but I can do something about her education. What if we have the Shagun and the Roka now, and the wedding a year later? She can start college in Delhi, and we will get the time to know each other better. When we finally marry, she will be 19. In this one year, we can arrange Payal's marriage too."

"Haan, Sashiji, that is a wonderful idea.", said Nani. Mamaji, Mami, & Anjali nodded, smiling.

Babuji looked at a smiling Garima & Buaji, and said, "What can I say to this except 'yes'? Khushi is fortunate to get such a good boy and such a good family."


There was absolute silence. One could hear a pin drop.


Arnav said, "Uncle, before you agree to this marriage, there are two more things you need to know about me."

Babuji looked at him expectantly.

"If you decide to refuse our proposal after hearing what I have to say, we will understand."

Nani looked anxiously at Arnav. Anjali bit her lip, and Mami clutched Mamaji's hand.

"One, I am a diabetic."

"Haan, Bitwaa, you told us yesterday.", Buaji said.
"Two, Di and I are orphans. Our parents died when I was 14 and Di 18."

"Just like Khussi!", remarked Garima.

"There is a difference, Aunty.", Arnav said, his voice huskier than usual. "Khushi's parents died in an accident. My parents... my parents committed suicide."

"Hai Re Nandkisore!"

Arnav took a deep breath. If the Guptas could not accept his past, he would lose Khushi. This was a matter of life and death. For him. 

"My father...my father had an affair with some woman."

Mami interrupted him to reassure Babuji, "But our Arnav Bitwaa is not like that!"

Arnav continued, "Di's wedding was arranged. That night just as the function was to begin, that woman came to our house with some people, informed all the guests about her relationship with my father, and told them that she was pregnant. The groom and his family walked out." He swallowed the big ball of tears that had lodged itself in his throat.

"My mother took my father's gun that he used for hunting, and ...and...shot herself. My father did the same a couple of days later when he realised that his brother had cheated him of his wealth and property."

He looked at Babuji. The older man looked at him with moist eyes. Buaji and Garima were openly crying. Silent tears were falling down the cheeks of Nani & Anjali. Mamaji & Mami were trying very hard not to cry.

"My father's brother threw us out of our house. Nani, Mamaji, & Mami were kind enough to take us to their house."

"Kind? Bhat has kindness to do with it, Arnav Bitwaa? It is your house! Your Nani's house.", Mami said.

Arnav swallowed hard. "They funded my studies. When I wanted to start my business, Nani gave me money. Mami gave me her jewels to sell. Mamaji..."

"Arnav Bitwaa! Bas!", Mami stopped him. She addressed Sashiji, "Hamre Arnav Bitwaa is a very good businessman. He turned lakhs into crores, and regained everything that our phamily lost and more.Today, eberything that we have, our Arnav Bitwaa made."

"Now you know everything about us. Chotey was particular that you should be told everything before you took a decision.", Nani told Babuji.

The two families looked at each other. 


Arnav could hear the irregular beat of his heart, sounding like a drum in his ears. There was every chance that he could lose Khushi. There were too many strikes against him.

Then Babuji said softly, "Shall we have the Shagun now?"



Part 6





The Raizadas looked at the Guptas and especially Babuji with awe in their eyes.
Babuji placed his hand over Arnav's and said, "An ideal world would be one in which Khushi's parents would be alive, Payal's mother would be able to see her daughter grow up, Garima wouldn't be married to a widower with a grown-up daughter, but to a young man more in keeping with her station, Jiji's husband would be still alive, your father would be a good husband, your mother would be happy, and both would be alive today, you would have a childhood instead of becoming an adult at the age of 14...". Babuji sighed. "But the real world is anything but ideal. You can't change your past. Khushi can't change her past. I can't change my past. Regardless of how much we wish to do so. We can only learn from it, bear it, and live on to the best of our abilities."
Arnav swallowed hard.
"I meant it when I said that Khushi is fortunate to get such a good boy and such a good family. You have rebuilt your life. You have tried to move ahead. And you want a marriage based on truth and mutual understanding. I appreciate that." Babuji smiled at the Raizadas. "You have  a family that loves you very much. Your Nani, Mama & Mami, your sister, and your brothers. They are willing to do anything for you. Khushi is truly lucky, and we will be honoured to call you our damadji."
Nani clasped Sashiji's hands in gratitude, and hugged Buaji and Amma. Mamaji & Sashiji hugged, and Anjali and Mami hugged Buaji & Amma. Arnav couldn't believe his eyes.
A while later, Nani said, "Shall we let Chotey and Khussi Bitiyaa talk in private before having the Shagun ceremony?"
"Haan, Devyaniji.", said Babuji.
Buaji said, "Nandkisore! Let's have another round of tea and sweets while the children talk."
Arnav walked into Khushi's bedroom, leaving the door open. She was standing near the bed, her fingers curled around the bedpost.
"Did you know it was me when you saved me in the temple?", she asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"Yes. I... err... I had seen your photo, Khushi."
"Oh! I forgot to ask your name yesterday, and so didn't know that you were the bridegroom.", she smiled at him, happy. Arnav smiled in return.
"Khushi, your family has agreed to the proposal."
"Really? I am so happy! Aap ko pata he, before I knew it was you, I was begging Jiji to marry you instead of me. I was so foolish.", she shook her head at the magnitude of her folly.
Arnav gulped at the near miss.
He wanted to make sure of her. "Khushi, you are willing to marry me, aren't you?"
"Of course. I will definitely marry you. Because I don't think I will ever meet anyone I like more than I like you."
Arnav looked at her smiling face, wonder struck at her confidence in him, vowing to make her like him more and more all their lives... He stared at her, still unable to believe that all the hurdles on his path to Khushi had been removed. He got her phone number and gave her his, and then reluctantly left the room.
It was time for Shagun. Arnav watched as the ladies of his family applied tika on Khushi's forehead and filled her lap with gifts. They hugged and kissed her. NK went up to her to congratulate her, and threw open his arms to hug her, only to feel an unknown force restraining him. He turned around to find Arnav clutching his jacket, pulling him back.
"Nannav, this is so not done. She is just your wife. But she is my Bhabi!"
Akash rolled his eyes, muttering "NK Bhai!", and all the others burst out laughing.
The next morning, Arnav jogged along his usual path, feeling the sweat drip from his body with pleasure, drawing in deep breaths of the cool morning air. As he neared the end of his run, he spied a familiar figure sitting on a bench in the park, his eyes closed, one hand on his stick leaning against the bench. He slowed down. It was Khushi's Babuji.
"Good morning, Uncle!", Arnav jogged up to Babuji.
Babuji opened his eyes to see Arnav standing in front of him, and smiled. He shifted his stick out of the way so that Arnav could share his bench.
They sat together for a long time, mostly silent, exchanging a few words once in a while, both of them enjoying the company, watching the sun grow brighter, the birds and squirrels in the park foraging for food, a few people walking and exercising, the world slowly waking up together...
Before leaving, Arnav gave Babuji his card with all his phone numbers so that he could contact him at all hours.
That evening, while poring over his accounts after working hours, his phone rang.
He picked it up absently.
"Arnav Singh Raizada.", he said curtly.
"Khushi Kumari Gupta.", she responded in an equally pompous tone.
He could hear the hidden laughter in her voice. He relaxed, his fingers letting go of his pen, his head falling against the back of his chair, a smile blooming on his lips.

"Accha? And why has Ms. Khushi Kumari Gupta called Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada?", he drawled, his husky voice tender.
"To inform him that his Roka has been fixed for tomorrow evening." Her excitement thrilled him no end. He didn't have to search for words to convey his pleasure. She didn't expect it from him.
"Arnavji! Naniji called just now. She talked to Babuji, Amma, & Buaji, and they fixed it for tomorrow evening at your house. Then she talked to me. She said that she was waiting for me to come home as your bride."
"Accha?" Honey had nothing on the sweetness of his tone.
"Ji." She was grinning away to glory. "Then Mamiji took the phone from Naniji, and asked me if she should wear blue or yellow for the Roka."
"And what did you say?", he encouraged her to keep on talking. He wished he could listen to her talk till the end of time.
"I said yellow. Because it suits her sunny personality."
Arnav smiled.
"Arnavji, where are you?"
"In the office."
"Shall I cut the call now, Arnavji? You must be having a lot of work to do if you are still in the office at this late hour."
"No, no, Khushi. Don't cut the call. Err... what exactly happens in a Roka?"
"The boy's family applies a tilak to the girl. The girl's family does the same to the boy. Then the boy and the girl exchange rings. Then all dance."
"All dance? The groom & the bride too?"
"Ji. It will be so much fun, Arnavji. I love to dance. Don't you?"
Arnav loosened his tie. Dancing was not something he was good at or used to doing. "Khushi, I... I won't be dancing.", he said,  his voice slightly reserved.
There was a moment's silence from Khushi's side. Then she said, "It is not difficult, Arnavji! You just have to raise your arms in the air and move your feet according to the music. And no one will notice if you make mistakes because all will be dancing. I will teach you tomorrow evening."
Arnav remained silent.
"Don't worry, Arnavji! We will be dancing together anyway."
Arnav was speechless.
"Arnavji! Don't be scared. I will be there with you."

Part 7

Mishraji led Babuji, Amma, Buaji, Payal, & Khushi into Shantivan. All of them looked around, and quailed.
How would Khushi manage such a big household? What kind of bahu would she make the Raizadas? Would they feel disappointed in her? Or would they recognise her for the gem she was, understand and appreciate the purity of her heart and her immense capacity to give and receive love, value her as she deserved to be valued? These were the thoughts that fled through the minds of Amma & Buaji. Babuji alone remained calm and collected as he had recognised Arnav and the Raizadas for what they were.
Payal whispered in Khushi's ears, "Khushi, the hall looks as large as a football field, doesn't it?"
"Haan, Jiji! Wonder how they keep it so clean.", she remarked casually. Her eyes were busy searching for her Arnavji among the huge crowd of people gathered in the brightly lit home.

NK saw the Guptas first and he dropped the basket of flowers he had been holding, exclaiming, "Khushi Bhabi is here!" All faces turned towards the door, and all gazes got caught in the beautiful face and form of Khushi dressed in a gorgeous pink lehenga and Payal in a golden sari.



The Raizadas trooped to the door, welcoming the Guptas into their home with great warmth and heart-felt joy.
NK beamed at Babuji, Amma, Buaji, Payal, & Khushi. "Welcome, welcome. Aap sab ka Suhaagraat (Swagat) he!"
"Hai Re Nandkisore!" Buaji's eyes widened like saucers.
Amma stared at NK, unable to believe her ears. Nani, Mami, & Anjali flushed. Payal & Khushi giggled.
Akash hissed, "Swagat, swagat!"
"That's what I said, Aap sab ka..."
Akash couldn't take another chance on him. "NK Bhai, will you help me shift these chairs?" He dragged NK away.
"Our NK Babua doesn't knows Hindi well. Only Inglis, only Inglis...", Mami made excuses for him.
"Ji. It is alright.", said Garima. Buaji nodded.
Nani, Anjali, Mama, & Mami led the Guptas in.


The house was decorated within an inch of its life in pink and golden silk hangings. Sweet-smelling flowers covered every available space. Any spots remaining were taken over by chains and chains of fairy lights. A bower had been created in front of a big idol of Devi Maiyya for Arnav & Khushi to exchange rings.

Khushi turned around and around to admire the beauty of the interior, her lehenga skirt fanning around her in a circle. She felt Arnavji watching her. She turned around to see him in a gold sherwani, leaning against a pillar, his arms crossed, looking at her as though... How strange, she thought. ...As though she were an ice lolly and he a parched child. She must have misunderstood, she comforted herself. She smiled widely at him, delighted to see him. He looked like a prince, the sherwani accentuating his regal air.



Arnav looked at her, the soft pink dress adding a pink blush to her entire body. Her face looked rosy, the silver jewellery and silver beads on her dress glinting and glimmering as she moved. She looked like a firefly, shedding light where ever she went. The silver & blue bangles on her arms emphasised their slim length, inviting him to slide his fingers along the sensitive skin. The curve of her waist, revealed by her short choli, seemed to beg his hand to claim it. He swallowed. He looked into her eyes. They seemed confused at the expression in his eyes. As he watched, a bright smile bloomed on her face. He smiled slightly and moved forward, closer to the angel in pink who had graced his abode and life with her presence. His breath quickened with every step. She was going to will herself to him today, and take him, warts and all. He promised her silently that he would never give her cause to regret it.

Di limped towards them, NK in tow. "Chotey, Khushiji, it is time for the Roka."
She led Khushi by the arm to the specially decorated bower. Arnav, the Raizadas, and the Guptas followed. Khushi stood to the right of Arnav. First, Anjali marked a tika on her forehead, and then Buaji did the same to Arnav. She tied a raksha dagha on his right wrist, and blessed him with long life and prosperity. Then it was time for the couple to exchange rings. Arnav extended his right hand towards her, an intent look in his eyes. Khushi smiled at him, took a thin gold band in her right hand, and cupping his right hand safe in her left, slid the ring on to his finger.
Then it was Arnav's turn. He took a ring with a sparkling diamond in his right hand, and took hold of her left hand. He hesitated for a moment. Which finger was he supposed to...? All, including Khushi smiled seeing Arnav's confusion. Anjali quickly pointed out the right finger to him. She said, "Chotey, this finger is said to have a nas running directly to the heart. That is why the engagement ring is worn on this finger."
"Oh!", he said. He slid the ring onto the right finger. His education had been sadly neglected, he realised. Avoiding weddings and marriage functions over the years had left him totally ignorant of the rituals and the rules associated with them. Time to remedy that! He wondered if he could find some online tutorial or Marriage for Dummies to help him out.
Members of both families hugged and blessed them, all of them shedding tears of joy. The guests lined up to congratulate them. Arnav introduced Khushi to many of his business associates, hoping that the fuss would end soon so that he could snatch a moment alone with her. When he managed to get rid of all the guests wanting to shower their blessings on him and Khushi, Nani & Mami stole her from right under his nose to introduce her and the Guptas to their friends.
It was time for some drastic action, he decided. But before he could take a step forward, there was an ear-splitting din. A band of drummers and other musicians entered his living room. The crowd went crazy at their entry. It was time for them to dance and make merry. He looked frantically around him. Where was Khushi? She was not familiar with the layout of the house. If she got lost...
A small hand slipped into his larger one, holding him in a warm clasp.
"Shall we dance, Arnavji?"
He didn't hear her words. Her touch had deafened him to all sound. He looked at her moving lips, feeling only the tingles that her simple touch was sending through his body and heart.
Khushi misinterpreted his silence & stillness as reluctance, and slowly led him by hand to the centre of the dancing crowd. Arnav followed, lost in her eyes.
They stood facing each other in the midst of the mad, frenzied crowd of the young and the old.
Khushi stepped closer to him to shout in his ear, "Arnavji, just lift your arms in the air and move them in time to the music. Just shuffle your feet."
All Arnav could do was smell the flowers adorning her hair, drag in deep breaths of her very essence, look into her deep eyes, her plump lips, her slender neck bearing the weight of an elaborate necklace...Dancing was beyond him. Hell, even thinking was beyond him.
Khushi thought that Arnav was still because he could not hear her words over the music. She stepped closer to encourage him to dance. A girl, spinning around, knocked into Khushi's back, tipping her into Arnav's arms. Now his arms rose without her instructions and closed around her, pulling her into the safety of his hold. She lay against his heart, her right hand clutching his shoulder, her left around his slim, hard waist. She could stay like this for ever. She closed her eyes.
"Is Bhabi alright?", Akash asked him, shouting into his ear, anxious.
Arnav turned his head, looked at him, & nodded.
Akash continued to dance, his mind at rest. Arnav slowly eased Khushi away from him, both reluctant to part.
He looked at her sweet upturned face, and asked her in a voice that was not quite there, "Tum theek ho?"
She couldn't hear anything over the music, but could read his lips and eyes. She nodded.
NK threw his arm around Arnav's shoulders. "Nannav, dance! It is your tokra (roka)."
Khushi caught hold of both of Arnav's arms and slowly lifted them. He complied. She began moving to the music, slowly nudging him with her body into shuffling his feet. Slowly he began to be more comfortable, and soon started enjoying the hand waving and the feet shifting. Akash & NK came to keep them company, and the four of them danced to their heart's content.
Soon it was time for dinner, and the guests began to leave the dancing for the laden tables, lured by the appetising scent of delicious food wafting on the gentle breeze.
"Nani, Babuji, I would like to show Khushi around the house." He waited for their permission, which was readily given.
"Arnav Bitwaa, shows her your bedroom.", Mami instructed softly. Arnav looked at her, startled.
Anjali giggled. Nani hid her smile, and chided, "Manorama!"
"I mean, Sasumma, she has to lib there after a year. It is good that she knows the bay (way)!" Mami, Nani, & Anjali tittered. Buaji & Amma concealed their smiles.
Arnav caught hold of Khushi's hand, and took her over the ground floor, showing her the many rooms and the kitchen and introducing her to Hari Prakash and Laxmi. As he watched, she chatted away with Hari Prakash like old friends and kneeled on the floor in her gorgeous clothes to make a fuss of the goat who was lapping it all up. He had to drag her away from the kitchen to the top floor, Laxmi trailing behind them. He closed his bedroom door with Khushi in the room and Laxmi out, wanting desperately to share atleast a few moments with her in peace.
He turned to see Khushi looking around his room at the dull drapes, his green recliner, his big bed, the pictures on his walls, the books on his shelf... It was like a dream come true. He had imagined her in this room a million times in the last few days, dreamt that she was sharing the bed with him, standing by him at the poolside, sharing his recliner while he worked on his laptop...He had even seen her sitting in his office across the table eating channa while he did his work, sitting by him in the conference room holding his hand while he listened to his marketing manager drone on...
"Khushi!", he said as he moved towards her.
Laxmi, furious at being left out, butted the door open, and fell in.
Arnav muttered, "Unbelievable!", and escorted Laxmi out of his room and latched the door.
He turned around to find Khushi missing. The door to the poolside was open. A mild wind blew through the door to ruffle the curtains in his room. He strode to the poolside to come to an abrupt stop.
Khushi was standing mesmerised at the sight of a thousand fairy lights strung on the trees and bushes of his garden, their reflection turning the water of his pool into a dark sea with gold coins scattered on the surface. She looked like a pari, ethereal, a figment of his imagination... Scared to make a noise or a hasty movement lest she vanish, he moved on silent feet, slowly towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
She turned around and smiled into his eyes. "This is so beautiful! It is like a fairyland."
Arnav swallowed.
"Arnavji, I wanted to tell you something earlier, but didn't get a chance in the bustle. You look very handsome in the sherwani. It suits you very well." She smiled.
Arnav bent his head and dropped a kiss on her right cheek.
She stood shocked, still. The spot burned. Her hand crept to the cheek he had kissed, covering the burning skin. She raised astonished eyes to his melting ones.
"Why?", she whispered.
Arnav could feel his lips stretching in a smile. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For the compliment."
She swallowed hard, and brought her hand down, leaving her cheek uncovered.
Arnav bent his head and kissed her left cheek, letting his lips linger on her soft, scented, silky skin. She shut her eyes tight to contain the surge of pleasure his touch produced in her. She stayed with her eyes shut even after his lips left her cheek. Her limbs trembled, weak, almost unable to keep her standing. Her heart pumped at a mad rate and her breath almost deserted her.
"For marrying me.", he whispered.
She felt him take her left hand in his, look at the ring he had given her, raise her hand to his lips, and kiss the ring. She trembled in pleasure, her eyes still shut.
She felt him come closer still, his sweet breath brush her face, and then she felt his lips on her eyelids, first the right one and then the left. She shut her eyes tighter still.

"Won't you open your eyes, Khushi?", he whispered.
She shook her head to mean 'no'.
She could feel him smile.
"For me?"
She slowly opened her eyes, the lashes fluttering as she looked into his burning eyes reminding her of their shared pleasure. For the first time in her entire life, she felt shy. She blushed.


Part 8



Babuji arranged admission for Khushi in an all girls' college in Delhi. She joined for BA Hindi, and the first day passed uneventfully and soon. As she left her class at the end of the day, she found the sky to be overcast and the clouds dark and heavy with rain.
There was no other way. She would have to make a run for it. As she slung her bag on her shoulder, she caught sight of her engagement ring. She smiled, and gently touched the diamond with her finger. Arnavji! Her Arnavji! He must be in the office, busy working. If only she could have a glimpse of him! The yearning to see him, atleast for a second, was so strong in her that she felt her heart ache.
She walked out of the college gate to see Arnavji leaning against his white SUV, his arms crossed, his eyes on her, a small smile on his face. She stood still, unable to believe that he was here, he was slowly walking towards her, his strong legs were covering the distance between them, that he was standing very close to her...

His molten eyes ate her up. She looked like something forbidden, like a pink flower with a 'Do Not Touch' sign on it in her pink anarkali, like a delicious, sweet dessert he was banned from tasting... The muscles of his throat worked to swallow.
She couldn't believe her eyes. Had Devi Maiyya heard her desperate plea for a sighting of Arnavji, and granted her wish? Was he real or a figment of her overactive and wild imagination? She poked him in the stomach with one finger. He seemed solid, the muscles rippling under her touch.
"You are real!", she exclaimed.
He smiled.
"I thought... I thought I was seeing things.", she smiled. "I wanted to see you so badly, and there you are!", she confessed artlessly.
He looked at her open face. How had he gotten so lucky? He captured her hand in his eager one. She slipped her fingers into his, and they walked the short distance to the car. He helped her in, closing the door after her. He then drove her to a cafe, where they had unsweetened coffee and sweet tea in its cosy comfort as the rain lashed against the glass walls. He then drove her home.

As she was about to leave the vehicle, he asked softly, "Won't you thank me?"
Khushi looked at the wickedness in his eyes and blushed.
"Shukriya!", she said, and quickly ran into her house with a flaming face.
He laughed softly.
He called at night. Not used to making small talk, he listened to her chatter about her new college, her teachers, her classmates, a smile permanently etched on his lips. Her unique take on things, her ability to make friends with all & sundry, her cheerful and positive way of tackling difficulties, all fascinated him no end. He wanted to meet her during her lunch break next day, and asked her to come out of her class at noon.
She was waiting for him when he reached the gate of her college at noon. He drove to a park nearby, and she took two dabbas out of her bag. She had brought lunch for him too. Lunch that she had cooked for him. It was finger licking good. They fed the squirrels and the birds that dropped in, and sat in a cocoon of happiness and togetherness, letting the world go by. Till she saw the time on his watch!

"Arnavji, I need to get back to college! It is very late!"

Arnav drove her back, laughing at the panic on her face. When they reached the entrance of her college, she put out her hand to open the door and paused. She turned to look at him, a naughty look in her twinkling eyes.
He cocked an eyebrow.
"Arnavji, hmm...err...won't you thank me for lunch?", she asked, her eyes shying away from the look in his.



Part 9


Arnav swooped down and placed a smacking kiss on her cheek, enjoying her playfulness. He rubbed his nose against the rosy cheek, breathing in her jasmine fragrance. She shivered, her hand slipping off the door handle, feeling all weak and nerveless.
He asked, his husky voice soothing her ragged nerves. "Khushi, will you come with me tomorrow to my office in the afternoon? Have lunch with me there? I will drop you back home in the evening." His loving finger flicked her red nose.
She could only nod, her mouth dry like a desert.
"I will take Babuji's permission.", he promised, his finger pushing a loose strand of hair behind the curve of her ear.
She nodded, his touch driving her wild with a longing she didn't understand. What magic did his fingers have?
He opened the door for her and waited till she vanished from sight before leaving for his office.
She dressed with care the next day. Arnavji was taking her to his office. He might introduce her to his employees and friends. She didn't want him to be ashamed of her. She turned to the left and the right, inspecting her white & gold anarkali. She hoped she looked OK.

 

She looked with trepidation at the huge building staring at her. Her fingers clasped each other in her lap as Arnav walked around the car to open her door. He smiled at her as he helped her out, and not letting go of her hand, led her to the huge glass doors. She noticed the gaping mouths of the security guards in the car park. The same funny expression was etched on the faces of the men guarding the entrance. She could not control her smile. The guards smiled back at her, rushing to open the door for their normally irascible boss and the beautiful angel whose hand he was holding as though she would fly away if he didn't.
Arnav led her into the brightly-lit, posh building decorated in white and red. Many formally-dressed men & women were going about their work, busier than bees. That was, till they caught a glimpse of their boss with a girl. Silence. Perfect silence. A pen rolled off a table and fell on the floor, the sound seeming as loud as thunder. Into this silence came the welcome greetings of Akash and NK.
"Bhabi! Aap? This is a wonderful surprise."
"Khushi Bhabi! How are you? Aap kaise he, eh, eh? Is Nannav looking after you well? If he gets angry with you, just tell me. I have lots of tarkari (tarkeebein) with me."
Arnav glared at NK. Khushi giggled. Akash tried to save NK from Arnav's fury by reminding Arnav about a meeting he had at four in the evening. Arnav nodded, and led Khushi up the stairs to his office.
He made her sit across him, and sat back in his seat looking at her. She looked like a princess in her white anarkali. But more than the dress and her undeniably fascinating looks, he was fascinated by the good humoured look in her eyes, her zest for life, the way in which she enjoyed everything that she did with a full heart, even if it was something as simple as feeding pigeons. She blushed at the look in his eyes, shifting her eyes to his laptop and the files on his table.
He had arranged for lunch for two in one of the smaller conference rooms. But lunch for two became lunch for four as Akash & NK joined them at Khushi's insistence. Two hours flashed by in fun and laughter, and Arnav looked at his watch in amazement. Soon he would have to leave her and go with Akash for the meeting. He had been planning to drop her home before attending the meeting, but... but he didn't want her to go. He wanted to bask in the sunshine of her presence for some more time. He quickly phoned Babuji and informed him that they would be a bit late.
He asked Khushi, "I have to attend a meeting with Akash in one of the big conference rooms. Will you wait in my office, Khushi? I have already informed Babuji that we will be late."
She smiled her assent. NK said, "Don't worry, Nannav. Bhabi & I will play games on my laptop for a while."
He and Akash left NK and Khushi arguing amicably about the merits of two games and boasting about their scores.

The meeting ran later than he expected. He rushed to his office to see her reading through and correcting pages and pages of writing.
"Khushi, I am so sorry. The meeting..."
"It is alright, Arnavji. I called Babuji and told him that you were stuck in a meeting. Nanheji left just an hour back."
"Nanheji?"
"Oh, your NK Bhai. NK sounds so odd. And how can I fight with him after calling him Nandkisoreji? So Nanheji it is.", Khushi grinned. "And he agreed."
Arnav smiled.
"Then I finished my assignment for tomorrow." Her grin grew wider. "And Manju Didi sent me tea and samosas."
"Manju Didi?"
"Your canteen manager."
Oh, his canteen manager was named Manju? She deserved a raise. "I see... Err... I am glad you got tea and managed to finish some work. Ghar chale?"


The office visit hadn't gone as he had planned. He looked at her humming along with some song playing on the radio. But he wouldn't change a moment of it. She had served food for him, thumped him on the back when the food had gone the wrong way at some joke NK had cracked, held the glass to his lips... She had laughed so much during lunch, and he had relished each smile that she had given him. He was happy with the day because she had enjoyed it.
He took her home, chatting with Babuji, Buaji, & Amma who were delighted to see him, smiling and nodding at Payal as she gave him tea...



Khushi came to his car to see him off. He looked at her standing by the car door, a fairy in white, and lowered the window. In the growing darkness, he snatched a kiss from her leaving a burning imprint of his lips on her forehead.
He looked into her wide eyes, reflecting her shock and her pleasure.
"Why?", she asked, as though every kiss had to have  a reason.

"That was a no-reason kiss. You can expect more of them in the future." He winked, and drove off, leaving her breathless on her doorstep.


Part 10


Nani frowned at the photos and details of boys that Mishraji had brought for Payal, and passed them onto Mami & Anjali, commenting that not one of them seemed to be a match for Payaliyaa.
"Haan, Sasumaa.", agreed Mami. "How can we marry off a swan to a snake or a chimpanzee?"
"She is so beautiful, well brought up,  mature, and responsible. The man who finally marries her will be one lucky person.", added Anjali with a smile.
"What is happening here?", asked Akash with a smile as he entered the living room. "The Raizada ladies seem to be having a round table conference!"
"Round table naahi, Akash Bitwaa, square table conpherence!", said Mami, pointing to the square table in their midst.
"We were looking at photos of boys for Payaliyaa.", said Nani.
Akash paled.
"What happened, Akash? Are you alright?", asked Anjali, concerned.
"Haan, Di. I...I have some work to do." He left the room.

Nani, Mami, & Anjali looked at each other, suspecting that something was wrong.

NK walked in, rattling a packet of chips. "Hey, wassup?"
"NK Bhai!", Anjali ventured a try. "We were thinking..."
"Haan, Di?"
"Payal has to get married. Our Akash is a bachelor. Do you think he will like it if we suggest...?"
"Di! That would be wonderful! He couldn't take his eyes off her when we met the Guptas in Laxmi Nagar. And he drives to his office through Laxmi Nagar every morning just to catch a glimpse of Payal."
Nani, Mami, & Anjali had big smiles on their faces.


The next morning saw the Raizadas once more at the Guptas, asking for a shy Payal's hand for a blushing Akash. Arnav smiled at a Khushi dressed in a turquoise suit, his eyes lingering on her lips. Khushi flushed, biting her tingling lips.

The Guptas didn't know what to say or do. They had never even dreamt that both their daughters would marry into the same family, or that they would be fortunate enough to have such nice in-laws. The Guptas gave their assent readily.
In the ensuing exchange of congratulations, Arnav threw his arms around Akash and hugged him tight. "I am so happy for you, Akash.", he whispered.
Nk threw his arms around both Akash & Arnav and hugged them.
"Barbadi ho, barbadi ho!", he sang.
"Barbadi nahin, Nanheji! Badhai, badhai!"
All laughed, and proceeded with the Shagun. Arnav and Khushi smiled at each other, remembering their own Shagun. Payal & Akash didn't need to wait for an entire year for their wedding. Arnav watched Khushi counting the months to their marriage in her mind. Eleven more months. Her lips drooped. Arnav had to bite back a smile.

Nani and Babuji fixed their Roka for the next week. Mami, Nani, and Anjali wanted to take Payal and Khushi shopping for dresses for Roka. They sought permission from the Guptas.
Babuji and Amma smiled their consent.
"Titliyaa and Payaliyaa are now yours, Naniji.", said Buaji. "You don't need our permission to take them where ever you want to."



The next evening, the Raizadas got dressed to go shopping. They were planning to go to Laxmi Nagar and collect Payal & Khushi before hitting the shops. As they gathered in the living room, they saw Arnav, Akash, & NK come down the stairs, all dressed and ready to go out. Mamaji alone was at the office.

"Hello Hi Bye Bye! Are you goings somewhere?"
Arnav cocked his eyebrow. "We are all going shopping, aren't we?"
The ladies looked at each other, and almost collapsed in laughter.
With tears of laughter in her eyes, Mami said, "Arnav Bitwaa, did you forget that you hates shapping!" She turned to Anjali & Nani, "Now our Bitwaa remembers only his lub for Khussi, not his hatred for shapping."
"Akash, NK, what are you going to do in a garment store for ladies?" Anjali teased them.
"We will help you choose, Di.", NK swore. Akash blushed.
Still giggling, the ladies led the way out of the house, followed by 3 men with red faces.


In the shop, Anjali placed an orange-coloured sari against Khushi, and asked her to look in the mirror and decide if she wanted to wear this for Akash & Payal's Roka.
Khushi looked at herself in the mirror. Behind her, she could see Arnavji looking at her. He grimaced slightly, looking at the sari. Khushi rejected the orange sari.
Nani selected a pale green sari with a lot of beads & pearls worked into its borders for Khushi. Khushi placed it against herself, and looked at Arnavji's image in the mirror. He frowned. She added the green sari to the pile of discards.

NK came dragging an yellow sari with bold blue and green lines drawn across it by some Kindergarten student learning to paint. Khushi blanched at the very sight of it. It look a lot of diplomacy to refuse Nanheji's selection.
Akash and Payal were sitting together, looking at the saris being displayed by the salesgirls.

Khushi looked with dismay at the big pile of saris she had refused. What would she do now? Maybe she could wear one of the saris at home or maybe a lehenga in her wardrobe? She felt Arnavji walk closer to her, and stand behind her, just an inch of space between her back and his chest. Her heart beat quickened, drawing breath became difficult, and the hand that she placed on the display counter was unsteady.
Arnav held out a sari for her. She looked down and felt her heart stop. It was red. A glorious red. With a golden border.



She looked at his face in the mirror. He stood like a large, dark, strong protector behind her, hovering over her, enclosing her in his blanket of warmth and safety. With trembling hands, she took the sari from him, and whispered, "Shukriya!"

They had come in 3 cars. The ladies pushed Akash & Payal into one, Arnav and Khushi into another, and got into the car driven by NK.
"Goodnights, Arnav Bitwaa, Akash Bitwaa!", Mami called out. "We will be asleep by the time you both gets home!" Anjali & Nani laughed.
NK shouted, "I will be awake, Nannav, Akash, if you need my help!" He winked.


Akash drove to Laxmi Nagar, his left hand holding Payal's right. As he stopped the vehicle in front of Buaji's house, he said, "You will look beautiful in the red and green sari that we selected, Payal."
Payal blushed and smiled.
"Nani said that we can have the wedding next month." He looked at the most beautiful girl on earth in his eyes, and said, "I am waiting for the day, Payal."
"Me too.", she whispered.


Arnav drove away from Laxmi Nagar, not towards it.
Khushi, being Khushi, asked directly, "Kya hua, Arnavji? Aren't we going home?"
He looked at her open face, and said equally directly, "No, I want to give you a surprise."
"Accha? That is nice!", she smiled, and settled back in her seat, ready to be surprised.

He parked the car outside a shop selling designer bangles, and led her in. She looked around in awe. She was surrounded by thousands and thousands of boxes of bangles.

He took the red sari out of its wrapping and showed it to the sales assistant.

"We want bangles to match the sari."

The lady produced boxes and boxes of red and gold bangles. Arnav and Khushi looked through them and selected one set.

Arnav took the bangles out of the box and eased them one by one on her arms. She winced as a bangle brushed roughly against a knuckle. He stopped pushing the bangle immediately.

"Lagi tumhein?"

She shook her head to mean 'no'. The look of concern on his face almost moved her to tears.

He cupped her left cheek and part of her neck with his large, hard hand. She closed her eyes, unable to bear the torment of his touch.

"Sure?", he confirmed.

She nodded. He withdrew his hand reluctantly, brushing against the soft, creamy skin of her cheek one last time. She shuddered. His intent eyes watched her reaction closely, his heart leaping to match hers.


He took her home. She was still wearing the new bangles. He smiled thinking about how she had refused to remove them from her arms. The sales assistant had offered to box them if she removed them, but she had refused. She had said that she wanted to wear them. He looked at the red & gold glass circles on her arm, tinkling as she moved her arms.

It was late when he parked his car in the street in front of Buaji's house. The road was deserted, a chill wind blowing dry leaves and rattling cans  along the road.
He wanted to take her home to RM. He didn't want to leave her here. He didn't want to spend one more night alone in his bedroom, on his wide bed. One day, he promised himself, one day, after visiting the Guptas along with Khushi, he would be able to drive away to RM with Khushi sitting by his side. And if he asked her to come to their room and close the door behind her, she would. He wouldn't have to share her with anyone else. He would...

That thought vanished from his mind at the feel of soft, warm lips on his cheek. He turned to look at her with shocked eyes, but she had already slid out of the car, and was standing on the road, a smile on her face.

"That was a 'thank you' kiss. You can expect more of them in the future."

She winked at him, and laughing, ran towards Buaji's house to lean on the bell.