57. Keeping Khushi (Parts 41-50)

Part 41



Arnav heard the door close behind Khushi, and turned to look at her. She stood at the closed door, shy like a new bride in her golden yellow saree. A tender smile appeared on his lips.




"Lock the door.", he instructed softly.
She obeyed, and turned around to look at him.
He held out his hand, his palm seeking hers. She walked softly up to him, and placed her hand trustingly in his.
He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the soft skin of her palm and her fingers, loving her rapid breathing and her lowered eyes.
"Khushi, unpin the pallu.", his wicked voice persuaded her along the path of pleasure.
She withdrew her hand from his, and eyes still lowered, unpinned her pallu, and let it drop to the ground.
"The buttons of your blouse...", he whispered.
Her trembling fingers undid the first four buttons, ending in the middle of her chest. As she touched the fifth button, he said in a thickened voice, "Shut your eyes, Khushi!"
She shut her eyes obediently. Arnavji's voice was a threat to the peace of her mind. The way he called her name!
Her thoughts became tangled as she felt his lips on her forehead. She jerked at the touch of his lips, warm, soft, sweet, so tender. His hands were not touching her, his body was not touching hers. Only his lips were making their way all over her face.

She gasped.

His lips moved down between her eyebrows, down her nose, up her nose, on to her cheek, her ear...
Khushi trembled, her hand rising to clutch the sleeve of his white shirt. She was in real danger of melting in a puddle on the tiled floor.
He freed his sleeve from her hold. She murmured a faint protest.
She tried to open her eyes, but his lips kissed them shut, and then moved to kiss her neck from all angles, walking around her, savouring the jasmine scent of her skin, enhanced by the rising warmth of her desire for him.

"Ar...navji...!", she whispered as she arched her neck, helpless against the tide of passion that he had set fire to within her.
"Hhmm?", he teased in his husky voice, the sound playing on her nerves like the fingers of a musician on the veena.
"Arnavji...", she swallowed hard.
She felt something warm and round circle her neck. She drew in a sharp breath of surprise, and her eyelashes fluttered open.



There was a double-strand pearl necklace with a diamond clasp around her neck. She touched the pearls with a wary finger, not having expected such a simple but lovely gift.
She looked into his eyes. How could a man's eyes be so full of love? Look like molten chocolate as they looked at her with so much tenderness and pride, so much want, need...?
"Like it?", he whispered.
She nodded, a small smile on her lips, her eyes telling him what she felt.
She opened her mouth to thank him. He kissed her, silencing her effectively. He didn't need her words.

When he lifted his lips from hers, she was in no condition to thank him. His fingers in her silky hair massaged her scalp, and lifted her face to ready her lips to receive his again.

She fell against him, her poor legs unable to hold up her body against his sensual assault.
He lifted her in his arms, his fingers touching her intimately as he hugged her close to his body. He carried her to his recliner, and sat down with her in his arms.
The golden sari slipped off her body, falling on the hard floor, unnoticed by the pair of lovers.


"Di, Naniji, Mamiji, I was thinking of visiting Payalji and her family today morning. Would you like to come with me?", asked Khushi.
Akash choked on his tea.
Arnav hid a smile behind his tea cup.
"The doctor?", asked NK.
Khushi nodded with a smile.
"She is nice.", certified NK, popping the last of the delicious aloo paratha his Bhabhi had made for breakfast in to his mouth.
"Acha?", asked Nani with a smile. "Then we should meet her."
"She helped our Khushiji. We must thank her, Nani.", said Anjali. Nani nodded.
"Haan, haan...", added Mamiji. "Let's see this nice girlwaa.", she teased NK.
Akash looked at his Bhabi, his Di, his mother, and his Dadi, one after the other. He could feel himself sweating even though the morning air was cold.
"Akash, why don't you take them to Payal's house, bring them back home, and then get to the office? Your meeting is after lunch, isn't it?"
"J..j..i...", stammered Akash.
"NK and I will be at the office, if you need anything.", Arnav said kindly.
"Ji.", gulped Akash.
On his way out, Arnav pulled Khushi into his arms, placed a firm, warm kiss on her cheek, and whispered, "Good luck!"
Khushi squeezed his trim waist with her arms, smiling into his face.


The Raizada ladies and Akash descended on the medium-sized house in Laxmi Nagar, and knocked at the door.
Payal opened the door, and stood shocked at the sight of so many guests early in the morning. She was dressed to go to the clinic.
Khushi stepped in and hugged Payal.
"Payalji! This is our Naniji."
Nani smiled and blessed Payal as she bent to touch the elderly lady's feet.
"This is Mamiji."
Payal touched her feet, and was blessed in half English and half Hindi.
"This is Di, Arnavji's sister."
Payal smiled and folded her hands in greeting. Anjali hugged her. "Thank you for saving and treating Khushiji. Had something happened to her...!"
Nani & Mami nodded.
Payal smiled and welcomed all of them in. It was then that she noticed Akash standing slightly behind them. She greeted him, both of them flushing slightly.

Payal led them into her house, and offered them seats. Her Buaji, Madhumati, came out of the kitchen to see the living room full of guests.
"Hai Re Nandkisore!", she exclaimed.
"Buaji, this is Khushiji.", said Payal. Khushi touched her feet, and took her blessings. Buaji smiled. "Payal told me about you. How is your ankle now?"
"Perfect, and all because of Payalji."
Buaji smiled, and said, "Garima, Payaliyaa's mother, is giving Prakash babua his medicine. They will come out soon."
As Nani and Mami talked to Buaji, Akash and Payal stole glances at each other. Khushi hid a smile.
Her mobile notified her that she had a message from Arnavji. She opened it.
"How red is Akash?", it read.
Khushi bit her lip to stop her smile from breaking out.


Then Payal's mother came out, pushing Dr. Prakash Sinha's wheelchair.
Mami gasped. Her eyes widened at the sight of Garima.
"Garima! Garima!", she squealed.
"Manno?", asked Garima in shock.
Mami ran to Garima and hugged her. Garima hugged her close, tears filling their eyes.
"Saasumma...", said Mami in a choked voice. "This is Garima, my classmate. We studied from nursery to tenth standard together."
Nani smiled, happy to meet Garima. She introduced Anjali and Akash to the Sinhas.
Mami hugged Payal, thrilled to meet her Garima's daughter, that too the girl who had saved her Khushi Bitiyaa from falling. 

Garima hugged Akash, pinching his chin, delighted to meet her Manno's son. Khushi couldn't hide her happiness at this unexpected good fortune. She couldn't wait to inform Arnavji. His face! His face would be a picture!
The Sinhas and the Raizadas had a jolly good time, laughing at amusing incidents that had happened years ago, finding out that they had many shared acquaintances.
As they all got on like a house on fire, Akash and Payal looked at each other, shocked but pleased at the turn of events.




 Part 42

"Payalji is so beautiful, isn't she?", asked Khushi.

"Haan, bilkul like Garima.", Mami smiled, slurping tea from the saucer. "How can the daater (daughter) of a suaaan (swan) be a crow?"

"So well-behaved.", added Nani with a smile.
"The whole family is very nice.", said Anjali.

Akash listened to them silently. He could hear his heart beat very loudly.

"I am sure they are searching for a groom for her, Naniji. It will be a lucky man and a fortunate family that get Payalji. So beautiful! Such a kind heart!", said Khushi.

Nani, Mami, & Di nodded.

"It will be a lucky man who becomes the damad of such a nice family.", added Khushi, desperately praying that Mami would jump in to claim Payal for Akash.
"Haan.", said Mami with a smile. Suddenly, she turned to Naniji. "Saasumma, why should this good fortune go to another house when we have two boys here?"
Nani & Di smiled widely.
Nani said, "I wanted to mention this earlier, Manorama. But as you were determined to get Akash married to Miss Universe with rich parents..."

"She is Garima's daughter!", Mami said. "Nothing else matterjj."

"This is a wonderful idea, Mami.", said Di.
"It is a brilliant idea, Mami!", said Khushi, hugging her.
"But should it be Akash or NK?", asked Mami.

Akash felt his breath stop. Khushi took one look at a pale Akash, and hurried to say, "Don't you think NK is too young for Payalji, Naniji? Payalji is so used to taking on responsibility, and our NK Bhai is only starting out..."

"Haan, haan.", Nani, Mami, & Di nodded and agreed.
"Our Akash Bhai will be perfect for Payalji.", Khushi smiled at Akash, and pulled his cheek. All laughed at Akash's blushing visage.

Nani asked him, "Akash Bitwaa, shall we take your proposal to the Sinhas?"
Akash nodded.
"What did you say, Akash Bhai? I didn't hear you clearly.", Anjali teased him.
"Hamre Bitwaa ijj bery shy!", Mami laughed. "Payaliyaa ijj bery shy too. Saasumma, just imagine, after marrijj, both of them..." She was laughing too hard to complete her sentence.

All laughed, and continued teasing Akash till he raced out of the house to go to the office, just to escape his female relations. On his way out, he touched his Khushi Bhabi's feet, and whispered, "Thank you, Bhabi."

She kissed his forehead.

"You will look wonderful in a bridegroom's sherwani and a turban on your head!", Khushi said, thrilled to bits.

Akash smiled, and left the house.
Mami said, "I have to informs Akash Bitwaa's father. He has to comes home for hijj son's bedding (wedding)!"


Khushi phoned Arnav immediately.
"Arnavji, I have laid out the cream kurta for you."
"Uuhh?"
"You have to wear it and go to Laxmi Nagar today evening. You can't go there in your coat and tie and scare them."
"Them? Who? Laxmi Nagar? What's happening in Laxmi Nagar?", he asked, totally clueless.
"Arre! Arnavji, aap bhi na! Your new sister lives there."
"Khushi, what the!"
"What the nahin, Arnavji! Akash's bride. Payalji! You have to go in the evening with Nani, Mami, & Di to fix Akash & Payalji's wedding."
"Khushi!", Arnav was shocked. "How did you manage all this? In such a short time?"
"What do you think of your wife, Arnavji?", Khushi teased him.
"A lot! But I can't tell you all that over the phone. Koi sun lega to..." His voice was downright wicked, reminding her of his love-filled whispers and dark, long nights of loving.
Khushi blushed.
She said softly, "I didn't do anything, Arnavji. Devi Maiyya did everything. Mamiji and Garimaji, Payalji's mother were classmates. Now Mamiji wants ony Payalji as her bahu, not a rich, fashionable bride."

Arnav laughed loudly. 

Aman peeped in at the sound. Boss must be talking to Bhabiji, he thought wih a smile. The production team waiting outside to meet him wouldn't have their skins singed by Boss's anger today.

"You need to make Devi Maiyya a partner in your marriage bureau, Khushi!"
"Just because I want my devars to be happy, you are teasing me, Arnavji!", she pouted.
"Khushi! My Khushi! Whom else can I tease except you?", his honey-filled words and husky voice touched her heart that was very, very susceptible to him.
Khushi smiled.
"Hum phone rakhte hein, Arnavji.", she said. "Please come home early this evening."
"I will."



All of them went to Laxmi Nagar in the evening, and shocked the Sinhas with their second visit on the same day and their proposal.
Buaji, Prakash Sinha, & Garima looked at each other and Payal. They were speechless. Payal blushed and left the room. Garima went after her to ask her if she liked Akash, and soon returned with a smile on her face.

Dr. Prakash Sinha told the Raizadas, speaking with great difficulty, "You should look for a more well-to-do family."
"We are not worried about that, Prakashji.", said Naniji. "We love Payal Bitiyaa, and want her as our bahuriya."
"Akash Bhai has no bad habits, and will be a son to you, Uncle.", added Anjali.
"And I will be the besht mother-in-laaa in Delhi.", said Mami.
The Sinhas smiled.


The Raizadas left Laxmi Nagar one hour later, having fixed the date for the shagun. As the ladies seated themselves in the car, Arnav said, "Akash, take them with you. I will be home a bit later."
"OK, Bhai.", said Akash, and drove away.
Arnav could see Khushi's eyes twinkling at him. He couldn't hide anything from her. He smiled.

He returned to the Sinhas, and asked to see Payal.

He told her, "Akash told you that he helps me in my business. It is not my business. It is a family concern. I just happened to start it. Mamaji, Akash, & now NK do their share. They own the firm, just as I do."

Payal smiled at him, thinking how wrong she had been to think of Arnav Singh Raizada as a cold man the first moment she had seen his closed face. His love for his wife, his love for his brother... She was lucky to be marrying Akashji, who was so loved by his dadi, mother, di, 2 bhais, and one bhabi.

"Akash is one of the nicest human beings I have been fortunate to meet in my entire life. He will never hurt you or your family. He will be a good husband to you, a good father if and when you have children, and a good son to your family."

Payal nodded, smiling.

Arnav said, dead serious. "And nothing will ever hurt Akash. Not as long as I am alive."

Payal looked into his determined eyes.

"He is my family. I look after my own. Now you and your family are part of my family. If there is any help, anything you need, call Khushi. Don't hesitate."

Payal lowered her tear-filled eyes, and nodded. She had been shouldering huge responsibilities all her life. Alone.

"Our family has been through hell in the past. It is only now that..." Arnav swallowed. "We had forgotten what it meant to be happy. Before Khushi came to our house...". He could not complete the sentence.

Payal and her Jetji sat silently for some time. Payal wiped away a tear. 

Then Arnav said, "Our firm gives huge amounts every year to charities. From this year onwards, that amount is going to be divided between Omkar and your clinic. I know you are doing excellent work, but this will help you pay the staff better, employ more people, help more people in need... After you expand your infrastructure, I want you to conduct medical check-ups for our employees. I will ask Akash to see to all that."

Payal stared at him.

"This is not charity. It is just commonsense to give money where we know good work is being done."

Payal nodded slowly.

Arnav stood up to leave. Payal followed him to the door. "As I said, if you need anything, call Khushi. Or Akash."

"Ji.", said Payal.

"You are not alone anymore.", Arnav said curtly, as he left the house.

Payal stood at the doorway, watching her Jetji drive away. So this was how it felt to have a big brother., she thought.



"So, Arnavji, you set Payalji's mind at rest about our Akash Bhai, didn't you?", asked Khushi.
"I... I just talked to her. That's all.", Arnav tried to escape the interrogation.
"You must have said, Akash Bhai is the best human being you know. That he is not a employee, but an owner. That he is your brother."

Arnav looked at Khushi in shock.

"That you will protect him with your life."

Arnav swallowed.

"That now Payalji is your sister, you will protect her and her family too.", Khushi's voice was soft, loving.

Arnav stared at her.

"That she is not alone anymore. That if she needs help, she should contact us.", Khushi's smile contained a world of love for her husband.

"Contact you. Or Akash. How did you know?", asked Arnav, his voice a mere thread.

"I know you, Arnavji!". Khushi cupped his face and kissed his moist eyes. She pulled him close to her to rest his face against her bosom.



Part 43


Dinner was a riot, with Nani, Mami, Di, & NK teasing Akash. Arnav and Khushi alone remained silent, laughing at a blushing Akash, but not adding to his woes.
Soon Arnav leaned across Khushi, and murmured, "Akash, you must spend your honeymoon in the cottage we purchased in Shimla."

Akash looked wide-eyed at his Bhai.

"It has a wonderful view, doesn't it, Khushi?", Arnav asked Khushi, his husky voice reminding her of love-filled mornings and days when they had seen little outside their bedroom.
Akash watched his Bhabi blushing, her cheeks as red as the petals of the roses in Bhai's garden.
Khushi quickly poured a fresh cup of tea for Akash, handed it over to him, and said softly, "Shimla is beautiful. And the cottage is very comfortable. If Payalji likes the idea..."
Akash nodded, smiling at his Bhabi.
"Shimla?", asked NK. "Akash, don't worry. I will come to Shimla with you. Then you won't feel bored.", he teased.
All laughed.
Mami said, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! In a honeymoon, two ijj company, and three ijj a crowd. A big crowd."
"But I have never been to Shimla, Maasi. I want to see it too.", said NK.
Nani said, "NK Bitwaa, we will definitely send you to Shimla very soon. Dil Dhaam Ke Baitiyee!"
"Uuhh?", asked NK, a perplexed look on his cute face.
Anjali said, "Akash's marriage is fixed." Mami nodded. "Now you are the only bachelor in our family."
"So?", asked poor NK.
"It ijj your turn next.", Mami laughed. "Bali ka bakra!"
"We will send you to Shimla for your honeymoon.", Akash added, getting his revenge.
"No. No way! I don't want to see Shimla. Never! I am too young to get married, Bhabi. My jawani! My beimaani! My diwaani! They will all be wasted. Let me enjoy life for some more time.", NK protested.

As the laughter died down, Arnav looked at his family.

"Payal's father won't be able to make all the arrangements for the wedding on his own." His tone was serious.
"Garima has to be with him all the time.", sighed Mami.
"Buaji and Payalji. How will they do everything?", asked Anjali, a cute frown creasing her forehead.
"The caterers. Decorators. Shagun, Sagai...", Khushi's voice was faint.
"Sangeet, Mehendi, Haldi, Shaadi!", aded Naniji.
"Shaapping for sarees!", said Mami.
"Jewellery!", added Anjali.
"Arranging a bootician (beautician)!", said Mami.
They looked at each other.
"Mamaji will be able to get here only next month.", Arnav muttered. "I can't ask him to leave the negotiations half way through when he is about to win."
"We will have to do everything, Chotey!", said Nani.
All looked at each other. Arnav and Khushi's wedding had been a song, arranged with minimum fuss in the shortest time possible by all of them and their children at Omkar. But this...And they had to do it without hurting the feelings of the Sinhas. After all, Payal was their only daughter...

Khushi's phone rang.
She picked it up with a wide smile on her lips. "Baba!", she said.
Smiles appeared on all the faces around the dining table.
"Taarva, are you alright?", Baba's voice contained a world of love.
"Ji. Not just alright, Baba. I am very happy today."
"That's strange. I don't know why... I was sitting in my room in the dark, looking out through the window, and I felt that you were calling me..."
"I was, Baba."
Nani was eagerly trying to take the phone from her.
"Nani wants to give you some good news, Baba.", smiled Khushi as she handed over the phone to Naniji.
"Sasiji! I was going to call you after dinner. Our Akash Bitwaa has met the girl he wants to marry. Her name is Payal. Can we come and see you tomorrow morning?"
"This is wonderful news, Devyaniji. You don't have to ask permission to come to Omkar. You are always welcome."
Arnav tried to take the phone from Nani, but Anjali snatched it from her.
"She is a doctor, Baba. And she is beautiful. And very simple. Just like our Akash."
"Perfect.", said Baba. "What does Manoramaji think of Payal?"
Mami snatched the phone from Anjali.
"Babaji, do you know who Payaliyya's maather (mother) ijj? My Garima. We used to sit on the same bench in school, from nursery to tenth standard..."
"That is wonderful!", said Baba.
"It is bonderful! Woh bhi kya din the, Babaji!", sighed Mami. "Eating ber chupke chupke, climbing the mango tree in the school compound and sitting on the branch, eating channa, making fun of Mishraji, our teacher with the bald head, looking at the pictures of Dharmendra in the phillum magazines and hoping for a hajjband (husband) like him!"

Baba smiled.

"Can you give the phone to Arnav?", he asked.
"Ji." Mami reluctantly handed over the phone to Arnav. He took it and walked away from the dining table.
"Badhai ho, Arnav.", Baba said.
"Baba...", Arnav said. "Payal's father, Dr. Prakash Sinha is bound to a wheelchair after a stroke. He needs his wife's help for everything. Payal and her Buaji won't be able to manage the wedding arrangements on their own. We will have to..."

Baba nodded. 

"Come to Omkar tomorrow morning. I will help you fix auspicious dates for the wedding functions. Then we can go to Payal's house and talk to her family. If they are OK with the dates, we can start the preparations."

"Baba? You will come with us?", Arnav couldn't believe his ears. Baba hated going out and meeting people. The only times he had left Omkar after Khushi's wedding had been to attend her concert once and to visit Arnav when he had been sick. And to record the CD.

"Haan. Is Payal's house big enough to hold the wedding?"
"No, Baba. It is  a small house in Laxmi Nagar."
"Then you can hold the wedding at Omkar. Or RM. Or some big hall."
"Omkar, if it is OK with you and the Sinhas.", said Arnav, feeling as though half his troubles had left him.
"The children are here to help you. Chotu and Vivek have already married off one sister. They know what to do. And we will have NK and Akash too. We will manage.", Baba comforted him.
Arnav smiled. "We will meet in the morning, Baba."
Baba smiled.

 
Part 44



Arnav and Baba knocked at the door of Dr. Prakash Sinha's house in Laxmi Nagar.
Payal opened the door, saw her Jetji, and smiled, folding her hands in a namaste. Arnav nodded, a slight smile on his lips.

Her eyes moved past her Jetji, and widened as they fell on the legendary musician, Pandit Sasi Sharma, standing behind him. She had known that he was Khushiji's Baba, but to see him in the flesh! All she had ever seen of him was a faded picture of him at a concert, taken about 30 years ago, still kept safe in her father's locker. A recluse who disliked people, and had a very well-known allergy to having his photograph taken...He was at her door? 

She bowed down to touch his feet. He blessed her, and asked, "Payal?"
"J..i..."
"I am Sasi Sharma, Khushi's Baba. Can we meet your parents and Buaji?"
"Please come in.", she said.
She offered them seats, and ran to get her family.

Payal's Amma, Babuji, & Buaji entered the living room from the kitchen and the main bedroom.
As Arnav watched in shock, Amma & Buaji touched Baba's feet and received his blessings. Dr. Prakash Sinha leaned forward from his chair, and tried to touch Baba's feet, but Baba stopped him, and blessed him lovingly.
"It is an honour to meet you.", said Payal's father with difficulty. "Payal bought your CD for me. I can't tell you how much joy it has given us." 

Amma & Buaji smiled, nodding in agreement

Baba nodded. "Arnav asked me to do the CD. I didn't want to, but I cannot refuse him anything."
The Sinhas smiled.
Baba said, "We, that is, Arnav and I were looking at the dates. If these are agreeable to you?"
Arnav handed over the paper with convenient and auspicious dates written on it to Payal's father. Amma helped him hold it.

He looked at them, and said, "It is better that the wedding happens soon..." He looked at Payal, and swallowed hard. "If something happens...", He looked at his own wasted body. Amma & Buaji lowered tear-filled eyes.

"Babua, nothing will happen. You will live long, and become healthy. Nandkisore will see to everything.", Buaji tried to cheer her brother up.

"The earlier the better." Payal's father said, looking straight at Baba and Arnav.
"Then, shall we have the wedding within a week? Shagun, Sagai, Sangeet, Mehendi, Haldi, & Shaadi?", asked Baba.

"Ji.", said Payal's father. 

Amma & Buaji looked at each other, horrified.

"Don't worry about the arrangements.", Arnav rushed to set their minds at rest. "We will manage them."
"A hall? It should be booked. Who will give us a hall in a week?", asked Amma, pale with worry.
"Why do we need to go for a hall?", asked Baba. "Before all these newfangled customs and extravagant practices, we used to hold weddings at home, didn't we?"
"Ji.", Amma agreed. "But, here...?"She looked around at the medium-sized house.
"Our house is too small.", said Buaji sadly.
"We can hold it in Raizada Mansion. There is ample space there.", suggested Arnav.
"Nahi Bitwaa.", Buaji rushed to say. "It is very kind of you to offer, but how can we hold the wedding in the boy's house? Payaliyaa should be married off from her house."

"Then, would you mind marrying her off from Omkar?", asked Baba. "Khushi & I run an orphanage there. We have 20 children there who would love to arrange Payal's wedding."

Payal's parents and Buaji stared at Baba.

"Arnav & Khushi got married there. The children arranged everything."

"It was a perfect wedding.", said Arnav. "Our family and our children."

"It is a complex of 4 houses in a compound. There will be ample space for all the guests you wish to invite."

Arnav nodded.

Payal & her family stared at Baba & Arnav.

"But... but you hate to meet people.", Payal stammered, as she placed tea & snacks on the low table.

Baba smiled at her.
"I dislike people, but not my family."



It was finally decided that Payal & Akash would get married within a week at Omkar.
As Baba and Arnav took leave of the Sinhas, Arnav said, "Khushi, Di, Mami, NK, Akash, & Nani will feel bad if they don't have a role to play in your marriage. If you don't mind, include them in the preparations. Give them something to do, please."

Amma & Buaji shook their heads, their eyes wide. "The boy's family, Hai Re Nandkisore! Helping with the wedding? Who ever has heard of this?"

Baba & Arnav smiled. 

"I am afraid our family is like this.", said Arnav, smiling slightly.
"We will meet you tomorrow for shagun.", said Baba.




Tore Bin Mohe Chain Na Parat
Tore Bin Mohe Chain Na Parat..., Khushi sang as she strung flowers together, smiling at Laxmi who was peering into the water in the pool. The plaintive notes of Raag Kirwani filled the air of his garden, as Arnav stood at the window of his room, looking out at his wife, a picture in a dark blue sari with a gold border.




Brij ke Nandlala...

Her hair in a single plait, flowers in her hair, the sindoor in her maang, the mangalsutra hugging her neck, the gentle smile on her lips as she sang, her fingers deftly passing the needle through the marigold flowers...

Paiyyaa Paroon, Binthi Karoon,
Daari Gale Maala...
Tore Bin Mohe Chain Na Parat
Brij Ke Nandlala...

She lifted her head and saw him watching her. Her fingers stilled. Khushi smiled warmly at her husband.
Arnav walked to her, his eyes running over her. He kneeled by her, and said softly, "Do you know how sweet your voice is?"
Khushi smiled shyly at him.
"It takes me to another world.", he whispered. He ran a lone finger down her silky cheek to rest at the edge of her lovely, full lips. The needle and flowers fell from her nerveless fingers.
He sat down, and his eyes watched her helpless reaction intently as his finger went exploring again, along her chin, her jaw, her ear, her eyebrows, her forehead, down her nose, moving to her lips... Unable to bear the torture of his touch anymore, she pulled away from his finger, and buried her face in his neck, her arms around his shoulders.

They sat for long, both of them very happy, loving these stolen moments.  Once in a while, Arnav dropped kisses on her hair, breathing in the fragrance of the jasmine flowers, pulling her closer into his arms, squeezing her closer to him...

"Chotey! Didn't you find Khushiji? Motilalji is waiting in the living room with the jewellery."

Arnav closed his eyes in mock exasperation. "I came to call you down. It is all your fault, Khushi, for distracting me."
Khushi laughed in his face.
"Motilalji has brought a display of jewellery. Pick what you like for yourself and Payal, Amma, Babuji, & Buaji. Buy gifts for the children too. They liked what I bought for them from Motilalji for our wedding."

Khushi nodded. 

"Will Baba wear a ring or a chain if I...?"
"You know him, Arnavji. He hates jewellery. He won't wear even a watch.", Khushi smiled, her eyes full of love at the thought of her father. "He won't use even a mobile phone. Do you know how many times I begged him to get one?"

"A kurta & dhoti? I have never seen him wear anything else."
"Ji. But nothing fancy. He won't wear them otherwise."
Arnav smiled, thinking of Baba's quirks.

"I have arranged for sarees and other clothes to be brought here too. A choice of lehengas and suits for the children too. Call me when the sariwala gets here? I want to pick kurtas for the boys, Baba, NK, Akash, Mamaji, & HP."

Khushi said, "Ji."

Arnav stood up, and helped Khushi get up. He handed over the basket with flower chains in them, and helped her walk to the door.

"I have a call to make. I will be down soon.", he said, his fingers on her shoulder caressing her, loving the feel of her.
Khushi smiled at him, and kissed his cheek. Then she went down, smiling.


The ladies fell on the gold and diamond jewellery displayed by Motilalji and his assistants. Akash & NK looked at them in wonder.

Mami picked an ostentatious gold necklace that covered her neck and a good part of her chest for herself. "I bill wear it with my new green Benaras silk sari for the wedding!", she declared.

Nani picked pearl jewellery for herself, and Anjali went for her favourite diamonds.

Khushi looked at the pieces without much interest. She was not overly fond of jewellery, and her long-sleeved and high-necked blouses did not require her to wear anything more than her mangalsutra. Her fingers carried her engagement and wedding rings. She didn't need anything more. The big box of jewellery that Baba had given her at her wedding was safe in her locker. She had never even taken them out after her wedding was over. The pieces that Arnavji delighted in giving her frequently were in a box in the locker in their bedroom. 

Arnav finished his call, and walked down.

NK called Khushi, "Khushi Bhabi, this will look wonderful on you!" He held an armour-like necklace around his neck to show her. "He na?", he asked, hopeful.
Unable to hurt him, Khushi said, "NK Bhai, it is beautiful, but..."

He picked out a diamond necklace. Exquisitely wrought, it was blindingly beautiful. But wasted on her. Khushi said, "NK Bhai, it is very, very beautiful. Why don't we give it to Payalji? She will be your Bhabi too, you know?", she teased him.

"Yes, she will be my Bhabi too. But you are my first bhabi. My best bhabi.", NK was adamant on that point.

"Yes, Khushi will always be your first Bhabi.", Arnav agreed, smiling at his wife, sitting by her and putting his arm around her shoulders.

"The Bhabi who makes gajar ka halwa phor you.", Mami agreed, laughing.
"Who reminds you to take your briefcase to work daily.", Akash teased.
"Who scolds you when you come home wet.", laughed Nani.
"And runs after you with a towel to dry your hair.", Di completed Nani's comment.

All laughed.



A few kilometres away, Aarti Mishra placed a plate of samosas in front of her mother.
"Amma, have one."
"No...No..your father..."
"He is dead, Amma. Mohan Mishra is dead." Aarti pointed to her father's photo on the wall, decked with a fresh garland. "He will never scold you again, find fault with you, control you, shout at you, make you feel that you don't deserve to breathe...It is over, Amma."

Kamla Mishra looked at her daughter with hopeful eyes.

Aarti cupped her mother's face in her hands, looked into her eyes, and said, "He is dead, Amma. You can breathe now. You can eat what you want now. Cook what you like. Buy the sari you like. Go out if you want to. Garden if you like. Buy flowers. Add sugar to your tea. Use the vessels you like for cooking. Listen to music. See the sea. Travel. Walk in the rain. Live, Amma."
 

Kamla Mishra looked into her daughter's eyes with hope.

"Amma, I am Aarti. Your daughter. I will look after you, Amma. Nothing bad will happen to you. Nobody on earth will hurt you, Amma. I promise."

Kamla nodded slowly.

Aarti broke a piece of a samosa and placed it in her mother's mouth.

Kamla Mishra chewed on the crumb, tasting a samosa for the first time in 23 years. Tears fell down her cheeks from tired eyes.

(Our NK deserves a wonderful girl, doesn't he? And the girl who gets him is lucky, isn't she?)



Part 45



It was shopping time. 

Mami, with Payal, Amma, Buaji, Di, & Nani in tow, were hitting the shops to get clothes. Khushi, NK, & Akash were supposed to meet with the decorators to fix the theme of the stage and the entire wedding venue, but Akash had to leave at the last minute for the office.

"Koi baat nahin.", said NK. "You fix the deal, we will fix the decorations!"


Singing
Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu
Chin Chin Chu, Baba, Chin Chin Chu
Raat Chaandni Mein aur Tu
Hello Mister, How do you do?
Ha... Ha... Ha... Ha..., he tripped down the steps to accompany Khushi.


Aarti looked at her mother who was sleeping soundly. The pills had worked. Kamla Mishra needed a long sleep, time to heal. Twenty three years of mental torture by her husband had taken its toll.

She pulled a low table closer to the bed, and switched on her laptop. Her father had established a chain of auto showrooms, car rental outlets, and car repair workshops across Delhi and its outskirts. She quickly checked all the transactions that had taken place that day, sending mails to concerned managers, asking necessary questions, giving the needed answers.

One thing she did not need to worry about was the business. Her father had put a spanner into her hand as soon as she had been old enough to hold it. There was little she did not know about vehicles...but much she did not know about living.


"Shall we have a South East Asian theme, Bhabi?"
Khushi smiled at NK.
"What about Hawaiian? We can wear muumuus and do the hula dance and welcome the guests with a lei around their necks."
"Imagine Baba in a shirt with a flower pattern!", said Khushi.
"Oh! A royal theme? Akash in a turban and red sherwani with a sword!"
"Let's get him a big mush too!", suggested Khushi, laughing.
"And contact lens. He will look more like a king than a real one."


Aarti looked out through the window of her mother's room. The long driveway, secluding the house from the road. The huge gate. The fortress-like mansion... 

A prison that Mohan Mishra had built to keep his wife and two daughters in. Shikha! Shikha, her younger sister! She had escaped early.

It started raining. Aarti turned to look at her mother. She would sleep for a few more hours. And Gopi Kakka was at home to keep a watch on Amma. 

She needed a ride in the rain. Badly.

Aarti got into her worn raincoat & pulled its water repellent, shapeless bottom over her trousers. She pulled the hood tight around her face, leaving only her eyes to see the world. Taking her Pulsar, she raced away from the house, towards the nearest 24-hour emergency assistance outlet of her company.

Nitin had received a call for assistance. As he was about to leave with his kit, Aarti took it from him, and held her hand out for the slip containing the details of the call, the make & model of the vehicle, the location, & the complaint. Nitin handed it over gratefully, & Aarti rode towards the site of the SOS call.

A white SUV was parked on the side of the road. Aarti pulled the hood down to hide as much of her face as she could. She parked the Pulsar, & walked carefully towards the car across a road glistening after a good rain.

NK jumped out of the car. "That must be the mechanic, Khushi Bhabi!", he exclaimed in relief.

Aarti looked at the well-built, handsome, young man as he explained what was wrong with the car, his face looking perplexed at having the car die on him.

Soon Aarti was deep in the insides of the car, the open bonnet shielding her from the eyes of the people within the car. The only problem was the man who had greeted her. He was welded to her side, watching her deft hands as she worked.

"Nannav must be so upset.", he muttered, looking at his watch. "I phoned him and Akash, but..."

Aarti stole a look at his face.

"Khushi Bhabi and I were at the decorators. We got so caught up in selecting the right theme that we didn't notice that it was getting dark. And then the rain!" He left her to knock on the window.

"Khushi Bhabi, you are OK, aren't you?"

"I am fine, NK Bhai.", a sweet voice replied. "I hope they don't get worried at home. I forgot to take my phone, and Arnavji...!"

"I called Nannav & Akash, and told them..."

Before he could say a word further, a car came screeching to a halt a couple of metres away, and as Aarti watched, the doors opened, and two men leaped out. One was tall, with sharp features and a pair of specs. The other man was shorter, and had a stern face and cold eyes.

"Nannav, Akash!", the man beside her exclaimed happily.

Aarti lowered her face to hide it. She felt the two men glancing at her before marching to the car. The shorter man pulled open the door.

"Khushi!"

Aarti lifted her head, unconsciously. The heart-felt feeling in that word did something to her heart.

She watched as the man lifted the lady in the car to stand beside him on the road. Her hands were on his arms, and she was held close in his hold.
"Khushi, tum theek ho?" His face was bent towards hers, his body held protectively around hers.

Aarti stood mesmerised at the sight of the lady. She was beautiful, like a goddess. Long hair, braided, with flowers in them. A mangalsutra around her neck. A bindi. Sindoor. Long-sleeved red blouse. Red silk saree. Two rings on her fingers. But more beautiful than her saree was her smile.

"I am perfectly fine, Arnavji." Her voice was sweet, very melodious, like something out of a long-lost dream.

Aarti felt the muscles in her throat clench at the worry in the husband's eyes and the love in the lady's eyes. This was how a marriage should be. Not like her parents' marriage, which had been more a punishment than a marriage.

She looked on as the husband named Arnavji turned to look at the man who had called the repair centre.
"NK, you had no trouble getting a mechanic?"
"No, Nannav. I called Mishra's. Their number is posted on every board throughout Delhi."
Arnavji nodded.
The tall man bent over the lady, and said, "Khushi Bhabi, why don't you go home with Bhai in the Benz? I will wait with NK Bhai."
"No, Akash Bhai.", the lady said, a frown creasing her smooth, creamy forehead. "Your wedding is to take place in a week. How will I look Payalji in the face if you catch cold and sneeze throughout the wedding?"
Akash smiled, but before he could protest, Arnavji said, "Akash, we will wait in the Benz till this car is repaired. We will go home together."

Akash & NK nodded. Apparently their Bhai's word was law.

Arnavji led his wife across the road, and Aarti watched him settle his wife in her seat with utmost care.
Akash asked NK, seriously, "NK Bhai, did you make Khushi Bhabi stand for long at the decorators?"
"No, Akash. I forced her to sit down and look at the albums. We picked on a royal theme, all red and gold. Is that OK with you?"
"Khushi Bhabi liked it?"
"She loved it!"
"Then it is OK.", Akash smiled.
"She said you would look like a king if we could get you a big mush."
Akash smiled.
"You can sit on the throne and twirl your big mush, Akash! That will impress Payal Bhabi no end!"
Akash laughed.
"I will give you a red rose. You can smell it, and look like a Jaaneman."
"A what?"
"A Jaaneman. A King! Like Akbar."
"Jahaanpanah! NK Bhai, your Hindi will kill me one day.", Akash protested.
"Haan. But you will die laughing, Akash. That is a nice way to die, isn't it?"
Akash shook his head in loving exasperation.
"Were they worried at home?", NK asked.
"Di was praying for your well-being, and Dadi and Mama were watching the door. Mama tried Bhabi's phone, but it rang at home. She tried your phone many times, but it was busy..."
"I called Nannav, you, and the workshop."
Akash nodded. "Let me ring home."
Aarti was at the fag end of her work. As she wiped her hands on a rag, she heard Akash speak on the phone. Apparently he was answering the questions of many people over the phone.
"Haan, Khushi Bhabi is OK. NK Bhai is alright. There was some problem with the car."
"Haan. It is being repaired now, Maate."
"No, Khushi Bhabi's legs are not hurting. Bhai is with her. Yes. Yes, Dadi. There is nothing to worry if he is with her."
"Yes, Di. Bhai is with Bhabi. No, it is not raining here now."
"Yes, Dadi. We will all come home together. Yes, I will tell her not to worry about making dinner. Yes, I will tell her that you, Di, & Maate have made it." 
Akash ended the call.


Aarti signalled NK to start the car. NK tried, and it worked. He jumped out smiling, and walked towards her, hand outstretched.
"Thank you!"
Aarti looked at his smiling face. Akash was looking at them from a distance. Arnavji was walking towards them. There was no escape.

She quickly placed her hand in his, but pulled it back in shock. She looked into NK's wide eyes, her own naked and scared.

She turned and walked away to her bike. She hooked the kit to its customary peg, threw her leg over the seat, pushed the switch, started the vehicle, and rode away.

NK stood looking after her, his hand still held away from his body, palm up. His mouth was open.
Such beautiful eyes! On a man?
And the tingle in his hand, running up his arm? He was attracted to... he was feeling Kuch Kuch Hota He for a MAN...?

 
Part 46


Shagun and sagai were conducted by the Raizadas, the Sinhas, & Baba in Laxmi Nagar with a minimum of fuss. Taking Dr. Prakash Sinha's ill health into consideration, the functions were low key and held only immediate family. Mehendi and sangeet were to be held at Omkar on Thursday, haldi on Friday morning, and the wedding on Friday night.

Arnav looked at the many papers scattered on the low table in front of him, and said, "NK, Akash, Mamaji, we need to hire at least two small buses and 4 cars to transport the guests from Laxmi Nagar to Omkar and back on Thursday and Friday. Who...?"
NK jumped in. "I will see to the transportation."
Arnav looked at him, surprised at his interest. "You will?"
"Of course, I will."
"OK.", Arnav drawled.

Later, Mamaji whispered in NK's ear. "You seem to be in a hurry to get Akash married off? Majra kya he? Got someone lined up, eh?"

"Mujra nahin he!", NK cleared his name. "Mujra nahin he!"
Pale in the face at the thought of the strange man with beautiful eyes, shaking his hand in the dusk and sending a thrill down his arm, he raced out of the room.

"Ab isse kaa hui gawa? Maasi & bhanja, both are mad!", Mamaji declared, laughing. "Some people have a bee in their bonnet. These two have an entire beehive there!"


NK rang the number of the emergency assistance outlet he had called before, and asked for their location. Soon, he was standing at the reception desk of a posh building.
"Err... I called your office one evening, a couple of days back...", he stammered.
"Ji?", asked the well-dressed lady manning the desk.
"A mechanic came to help us. We...We were stranded..."
"Ji?"
"I... I..."
"Was the service satisfactory, Sir?"
"Very, very satisfactory.", NK rushed to pay tribute to the unknown man.
 "I... I just wanted to thank him... Err... Personally..."
The receptionist smiled, and led him to Nitin.


Seated, NK tried to find out the details of the man who had helped him.
"He came on a Pulsar. It was late in the evening, with a slight drizzle. He repaired the car. I forgot to pay the bill, and..."
Nitin didn't know what to do or say. How could he tell this customer that his car had been repaired by the owner of Mishra Vehicle Rental, Mishra Service Centres, & Mishra Auto? By Aarti Mishra herself?

Aarti, standing in her office upstairs, looked with trepidation at NK talking to Nitin downstairs. Dressed in a black T-shirt and black jeans, a yellow jacket, and black & yellow sneakers, he looked like a sunflower. Or a bee. She sighed. Not satisfied with stealing her sleep for the past two days, he had turned up at her office too? She had hoped she would never see him again!
After he left, she asked Nitin, "What did the man in the yellow jacket want?"
"He wanted to thank you for repairing his car. And pay the bill for the repairs. And book 2 coaches and 4 cars for 2 days for his brother's wedding this week."
"Give me the details, please.", Aarti instructed in a toneless voice. "I will arrange the vehicles."


Arnav Singh Raizada. One of the most successful businessmen in India. So that was the eldest brother. No wonder he had looked familiar. She had seen a grainy photo of his in the business section of a newspaper a long time back.

He was married. His wife was Khushi Bhabi, the beautiful goddess with the long-sleeved blouse and bad legs. Whom he loved to distraction.
He had two brothers, who called him Bhai & Nannav. Aarti processed everything she had seen & heard that evening on the road.

The brothers were Akash & NK. NK? What kind of name was that? What was the full-form? NAT KHAT? Nitin K? Nikhil K? Nihaal K? NAUGHTY KRAZZY Raizada?

Akash was getting married. To a Payal. She looked down at the form the Sunflower had filled in Arnav Singh Raizada's name.

Payal lived in Laxmi Nagar. The wedding was to be held at a house named Omkar, located 2km away. They needed 2 coaches and 4 cars to carry the family, the bride, and their relations to Omkar & back on 2 days. Thursday & Friday. For mehendi, sangeet, haldi, & shaadi.

Payal had a father in a wheelchair. So the vehicle allotted to the family had to be spacious and capable of accommodating it with little trouble. 

Aarti quickly did the needful, allotting 2 luxury coaches and 4 luxury cars with their extremely well-behaved and competent drivers for the job.


On Thursday morning, Aarti fed her mother by hand, talking to her of the rose garden she was planning to build in front of the house, asking for her opinion, trying to draw her out, get her to talk, take an interest in life...

Finally, Kamla Mishra said, "Red... Red roses..."

Aarti smiled, sighing inwardly. 

Mohan Mishra had married a cheerful girl 23 years back, and killed her soul, cutting her away from her family and friends, keeping her at home, not letting her go out even into the garden, choosing the sari she had to wear everyday, banning sugar from the house, making lightning inspections of the kitchen at night to see if someone had smuggled sugar in... The list of Mohan Mishra's iniquities was long.

"We will go together and choose the roses, Amma. We will plant them together, and fix a bench in the centre. If you like it, we can have a small stream too. And we can have our tea there in the evenings...", Aarti said, painting a smile on her face.

A small smile danced on Kamla Mishra's face.

Aarti held the cup of tea for her Amma to sip. As she tasted the sweet tea, a film of tears covered her eyes. Aarti set down the cup, and hugged her mother close. 

"It is over, Amma. We are free.", she whispered into her wispy hair.



As Aarti reached the office, Nitin was frantically searching their database, the phone held between his ear and his neck.
"I will try my best, Sir. But these 2 days are busy ones for our firm, with many demands for our vehicles..."
"What is wrong?", Aarti asked him when he cut the call.
"There was a booking for 2 coaches & 4 cars by Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, Madam."
Oh, today was the mehendi & the sangeet of Akash & Payal! At Omkar!, Aarti thought.

"Mr. NK called just now. It seems more guests that they expected have turned up. They need one more car urgently." Nitin hesitated. "All our cars are booked, Madam. All our coaches too. All the drivers are out on their runs."

"I will go.", said Aarti tonelessly. "I will take my Benz. Ask Jayesh Bhai & Nakul to decorate it, please. Tell the client that a car & a driver will be there in 20 minutes."

"Ji.", Nitin smiled, not at all surprised. He had seen his boss empty dustbins, crawl under cars to be repaired, string flowers & fix balloons on vehicles that were to be rented out for weddings & parties, serve as a driver in the case of emergencies, slog night & day to manage the chain of outlets the company ran...She was a walking wonder. He was proud to work for Aarti Mishra.


While Jayesh Bhai & Nakul decorated the car, Aarti got into her chauffeur's uniform of white shirt and trousers. 

She looked at herself in the mirror. A slim frame, but with womanly curves. She quickly wore a loose white jacket over the shirt. There! Now no one would figure her out as female. She picked up the white cap, and placed it over her head. Her hair, cut as short as a boy's, would not reveal her gender. As long as she kept her eyes hidden, no one would know. 

Especially not the Sunflower. 

A hand came up to rest against her rapidly beating heart. What was happening to her? She had played the chauffeur on many occasions for many functions. Then why was she so worried today?

She had met many men in the course of her work. Heck, she worked with men all day. No one had made her heart beat faster. No one's touch had sent her spine tingling, ever. She had never taken a second look at any man. No man had ever troubled her peace. What was happening to her?

She looked at the hand she had placed on her chest. Short nails. Like a man's. Her eyes moved up. Hair cut short like a man. Dressed like a  man. Mohan Mishra had insisted on all these. The punishment he had devised for her for being born a girl. For not being a son.

She looked at her face. No make up. She had never worn make up. Never worn jewellery. Never worn a bindi. Never worn a dress. It had always been jeans, trousers, loose shirts, & jackets. She had grown up living like a man, doing a man's work. And now... Now she didn't know how to be a woman.

She clenched her jaw, turned away from the mirror, and walked out of her room. 

She had a car to drive. Guests to carry. Somebody's wedding depended on her doing her duty. At least somebody would be happy today!, she thought as she slipped into the driver's seat.

 
Part 47


Aarti drove into Laxmi Nagar, and located the house she was supposed to collect guests from. Her eyes widened. It was a modest house, decorated simply with flowers in honour of the wedding the next day.

Akash Raizada was marrying from a middle class family? And his brothers and Bhabi were thrilled about it? What was happening here? Were the Raizadas from the moon? No self-respecting money monger in Delhi would look down for a wife, only up the financial ladder.

Aarti left the car, and rang the door bell. 

"Hum aa rahe he, Nandkisore!" A plump lady with the pallu draped over her head, and her specs perched on her head, came to the door.

"I have come with the fifth car to take guests to Omkar."

"Hai Re Nandkisore! We were waiting for you. Tum thehro. Let me just get Payaliyaa, mehendi, and the sweets, and then we can leave."
Aarti nodded.
The middle aged lady returned with two big bags, too heavy for her to carry. Aarti quickly helped her carry them to the car & safely stored them as the lady went to get Payaliyaa.
"Payaliyaa!", she called.
"Aayi, Buaji.", came a sweet voice.



Payal locked the door of her house, and followed Buaji to the car. Aarti caught her breath. She was so beautiful. In the morning sun, Payal's skin glowed, the dark green & gold sari making her eyes look luminous. Akash Singh Raizada had a pair of specs that worked!

Aarti opened the front door for Buaji, and helped Payal settle in the back. She slipped into the driver's seat, and started making their way to Omkar.

"Tumhre naam kaa he, Nandkisore?", Buaji asked Aarti.

Taking a leaf out of the Sunflower's book, Aarti said, "AM."

"Eeiyaam? Ee kaisan naam he, Bitwaa?"
Aarti smiled slightly.
"How old are you?"
"22."
Buaji closed her open mouth with the fingers of one pudgy hand.
"22? I thought you must be 18, Nandkisore. You look like a school boy."
Aarti smiled slightly.
"Licence Wisence he kaa, Bitwaa? Gaadi chalane keliye?"
"Ji.", Aarti smiled.
Buaji poked her finger at Aarti's arm. "You should eat more, Babua. You are too thin. Don't other boys make fun of you?"
"Ji."
"Eeiyaam Bitwaa, there is an akhada near our house. Join it, and lift weight to build up your muscles. And grow a moustache. Otherwise, boys will mistake you for a girl, Nandkisore."
"Ji."
"Today is Payaliyaa's mehendi and sangeet. At Omkar. You will be there with us till night, won't you, Nandkisore?"
"Ji."
"Good. Good. Don't forget to have lunch and to dance in the sangeet."
"Ji."


They reached the huge, open gates of Omkar. The entire building was festooned with flowers and other decorations. Children, men, & women in colourful clothes were busy with the preparations for the mehendi in the morning & the sangeet in the evening. Aarti deftly drove her car in and parked it. She opened the door for Buaji, and helped her out.

"Nandkisore, I don't know why your parents named you Eeiyaam, Babua, but they have made you very sanskari." Buaji pinched her chin, and said, "Jeeyath reho, Babua."

Aarti nodded, and helped Payal out of the car.
"Thank you.", she said softly.
Aarti smiled slightly, her eyes lowered.

"Don't mind Buaji.", she whispered.
Aarti nodded. So Payalji had a kind heart too. Akash Singh Raizada was beginning to look like a wise man in Aarti's eyes.

She hauled the bags with sweets and mehendi out. As she prepared to carry them in, she found Payal and Buaji helping her. As they were about to move into the house, a huge crowd converged on them. Many hands reached for the bags. Aarti relinquished her hold on them, and silently withdrew to her car.

She contacted one of the other 6 drivers on the premises, and informed him that she was there and was using the name, AM.
She looked around for familiar faces, especially faces that reminded her of flowers, and failing to find the one she wanted, withdrew her laptop from its bag.
She slid her favourite CD into the slot, and humming along with her favourite singer, opened her laptop, and began to work.

Tum Bin Kaise Katte,
Katte Din Ratiyyaa...
Tum Bin Kaise Katte
katte Din ratiyyaa...
Aavan Kahi, Ajahu Na Aaye... in Raag Jog

Once in a while, her eyes lingered on the 4 houses that made up Omkar, on the men scurrying here and there, searching for a yellow jacket. But the Sunflower was no where to be seen.

Suddenly, the car she had repaired that night came to a halt beside hers, and Arnav Singh Raizada & the Sunflower alighted. Aarti felt her heart race. Drawing breath was difficult. What kind of illness was this?

The men extracted packages from the vehicle, and both of them entered the main building with them. Aarti fell back in her seat, telling herself to relax, breathe deep, that he wouldn't see her, that he wouldn't recognise her even if he saw her...that she was a chauffeur today, not a mechanic...
A few minutes later, she saw the Sunflower come out, and walk in the direction of the parked cars. He had a tray of steaming coffee/ tea mugs with him. Aarti cursed softly.

He was looking for the drivers, making sure that all were fed & watered properly.
Continuing to curse his kind heart, Aarti slid out of the car, and hiding behind the long line of cars, sought refuge in the house. Would she have to spend the whole day running about in the 4 buildings, one step ahead of the Sunflower?

She entered through the back door. The door to her left led to a big kitchen. She could see Khushi Bhabi, Buaji, and many ladies in there. To her right was a small, slightly dark room. She dived in, cloaking herself in the mild darkness, and taking refuge behind an ancient screen with enamel work on it.

NK looked for the drivers. They were not near the vehicles. If only he could meet them and ask after the mechanic who had helped him that night...

"What are you doing here, Bhaiyya?", asked Chotu. "Are you so thirsty?", he teased him, looking at the many cups on his tray.
"I was looking for the drivers.", murmured a distracted NK.
"Oh! Baba gave them a room on the top floor so that they can rest. How can they sit in their cars till night?"
"Oh! Thank you!"
NK made a beeline for the room Chotu had indicated. As he served tea to the 6 drivers, and cleared his throat to ask after the mechanic, one of them said, "There are seven of us today, Sir."
"Oh, the extra car I asked for!", NK exclaimed. "Where is the seventh person?"
The drivers looked at each other.
"He..he just went out. Must be in some other room. If you leave the cup with us...", one finally said.
NK was adamant. "No, I will serve him tea." The tea was cooling. He would locate the seventh driver first, and then dig for info. He went to all the rooms, looking for the elusive driver.



"Arnavji, what are you doing?", asked Khushi in a low tone, as he gently pulled her into the dark room.
"Drinking coffee.", was his laconic reply. He sat in a low chair, set the coffee mug on the floor, and pulled his wife on his lap.

Aarti stood petrified. If she were caught!

Khushi put her right arm around his strong shoulders, and lay her head in the crook of his neck. She was wearing an Uppada silk saree, pink and parrot green. Her hair was in a bun, and had a string of jasmine flowers over it. Arnav kissed the flowers. As he did everyday, he had plucked the flowers for her today too.




"I didn't get my morning kiss.", he murmured in his husky voice.

Aarti blushed. What had she got herself into?
Khushi pressed her lips to his neck, and whispered, "Good morning!"
"Hhmmm! Now the morning is good." He pulled her closer to him.
"Khushi?"
"Ji?"
"What was the meaning of the song you were singing the day Motilalji came with the jewellery?"
"It was about natkhat Lord Krishna, and how he is hiding and the gopis and Yashoda Maiyya are missing him. Tore Bin Mohe Chain Na Parat..., Brij Ke Nandlala...", she sang.

Aarti's eyes widened. That voice! That heavenly voice! Not Khushi Singh Raizada, but Khushi Kumari Gupta, the daughter of Pt. Sasi Sharma, the legendary musician whose CD she had been playing in the car. Her favourite musician, whose face she had never seen.

Arnav said, "Missing Lord Krishna, are they?"
"Ji."
"You don't have to miss him, you know?", his eyes twinkled in the dim light.
"Ji?", Khushi was confused.
"We can have our own Lord Krishna or Radha. An army of them. Running up and down our house and Omkar...", his tone was naughty.

Family planning in a store room! Aarti hit her forehead with her right hand, knocking the cap slightly back. Kahan phas gayi, Aarti Ki bachi?

Khushi blushed, and jumped up from his lap.

"Arnavji, I... I have work in the kitchen." She ran out, her face rosy. Arnav laughed.

Aarti watched the great Arnav Singh Raizada smile in contentment as he sipped the coffee his wife had prepared for him. When he finished it, he got up and went to the kitchen to return the mug, and maybe tease his wife more.

NK kept the tray on the small table outside the kitchen. There was just one more room to check. He walked into the dim room near the kitchen briskly.
Aarti raced out from behind the screen. Who knew what she was going to see next? Akash romancing Payal? She rushed out of the room, colliding with a tall, strong, male body. His momentum pushed her into the dim room, and more fully into his arms.

The Sunflower! That was the only thought whizzing in her scrambled brain. The hard heat of his broad chest against her soft one, the gentle touch of his hands on her shoulder and back, the warm, male scent of him... She had noticed the fragrance that night on the road too...

She tried to keep her head down, and to squirm out of his arms. He held on firmly.

This was a chauffeur. The missing chauffeur he had been searching for the past one hour or more.

The chauffeur was female. Definitely, without-a-doubt-female. Her warm lushness against his chest, the slim, slight frame in his arms were proof enough. Was she...? Could he hope...? His heart beat louder than a drum, and hers was no less loud.

He lifted her cap and threw it down. Boyish hair cut. Strong features, but very, very pleasing ones. A straight, patrician nose that asked to be tweaked. Full lips that begged to be bitten. He cleared his throat. Her eyes... her eyes would clinch the matter.

He lifted her face. She lowered her eye lashes.

"The mechanic, I presume?", he whispered.

Her eyes flew to his. Yes. He heaved a sigh of relief. The same beautiful eyes that had been stealing his ninni (nindiyaa) and his chain and his common sense.

"What is your name?", he asked urgently.
She remained stubbornly silent.
"Will you marry me?", he asked.



Part 48

Aarti's mouth fell open.
NK, never one to waste an opportunity, especially not one that had fallen into his arms like a ripe plum, kissed her, hauling her soft body closer to his hard one.



A while later, when their lips parted, Aarti's eyes were dazed. She couldn't get her breath, and was panting, gasping for air. Her head was spinning. Her limbs were trembling. Her first kiss! And maybe her only kiss.
She managed to free herself from his hold, maybe because he too was in shock after the mind blowing kiss.


"What is your name?", he asked again when he got his breath & senses back.
"Jaankar kya karoge?", she asked, her voice shaky, but her chin up in the air.
"I can print it in the wedding invitation."
She glared at him, trying to be angry.
"Who said I will marry you?"
"I know you will." The cute dimple on his chin made him more devastating to her self-control. "Mujhe pyaar ho gaya he."
"What the!"
"Pyaar! You know, Mohabbat! Love! Ishq Vishq!"
"You love me?" Aarti was sceptical, and it showed.
"Sacha pyaar. Even before I knew you were female."
"Uuhhh?"
"I thought you were a man. Woh loose clothes mein...", he shrugged, "I couldn't make out you were female!"
Aarti stared at him for one long second, her eyes almost popping out of the sockets. Then she burst out laughing. She clutched her stomach as she laughed hard, guffawing. Her first heart-felt laugh.
She fell against the wall, trying to control her giggles.
NK stood looking at her, smiling.
Finally she asked, softly, without any anger, "You want to marry a chauffeur?"
"Who is also a mechanic."
"What will your family say?", she was casually curious.
"They will say Rab Ne Bana Di Joru for me. Because I am hopeless at repairing things." NK smiled sweetly.
Aarti sighed. What had she gotten herself in to? Ever since she met the Sunflower, her life had been hurtling away on its merry way, totally out of her control.
"Surajmukhi kahin ka...", she muttered.
"What?", NK asked, curiously.
"Nothing.", she said crossly.
"What is your name?", NK persisted.
"Eeiyaam." She pronounced it like Buaji. Now what would he do?
"Eeiyaam? What does it mean?" He looked perplexed, and too cute for words.
"Does it have to mean anything?", she asked.
"No.", he admitted. "So Eeiyaam, when will I get to meet your parents?"
Aarti's face closed up. "Never?", she asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Can you make that 'soon', ummm?", NK asked.
Aarti looked around, searching for inspiration to get rid of him. Failing inspiration, even a stick was acceptable.
Fate was kind to her.
"NK Bhaiyya! NK Bhaiyya!", came Vivek's call. "Where are you? Akash Bhaiyya is asking for you."
NK said, "I have to go. Promise me you will dance with me at the sangeet?"
"I don't dance."
NK sighed.
"NK Bhaiyya! Where are you?", came Vivek's call again.
He  turned to leave, stopped, & turned back.
"Come with me, Eeiyaam. Let me introduce you to my Khushi Bhabi & Payal Bhabi."
"No.", she rushed to say. "No."
NK walked up to her. With her back against the wall, there was no where to go.
"Your name, you say, is Eeiyaam. You won't introduce me to your parents. You don't want to be introduced to my family. You won't dance with me. You won't marry me...", NK said sadly, sounding exactly like a kid who had had his balloon blow up right in his face and was left with just the rubber bits in his hands.

Aarti nodded with difficulty, swallowing a big ball that seemed to be lodged in her throat.

"Then, will you kiss me?"



Part 49

"No.", muttered Aarti, meant mostly as a warning to herself, as she pushed NK and ran out of the room like a bat out of hell.

There was something wrong with the air in that room, Aarti thought, sweating profusely as she escaped. First it was Arnav Singh Raizada melting all over his gorgeous wife. Then it was the Sunflower trying his best to melt her into a puddle and succeeding with little effort.

Aarti wiped the sweat off her forehead with her right hand, realising to her horror that her head was bare. Her cap was lying in solitary splendour on the floor of the store room, knocked down by the eager hand of Mr. Surajmukhi.

Cursing him, she tried to make her way to her car without any more accidents on the way. Hiding behind pillars and dodging children (Why were there so many children around here, anyway?), she sneaked into her car & shut the door with relief. She quickly pulled out her spare cap, and slipped it on.


NK did not believe in wasting time. He walked right into the kitchen to find his Bhabi who would make everything alright for him.
Khushi was arranging laddoos she had made, on a big tray. As he watched, she leaned against the wall for a minute, eyes closed, resting after the hot & tiring work.
"Bhabi? Are you alright?" All other thoughts flew out of his mind.
Khushi turned her head, and smiled at NK.
He quickly caught hold of her hand, and drew her to a low stool, and made her sit down.
"Kya hua, Bhabi?" He kneeled at her feet, his worried eyes on her pale face.
Khushi touched his hair, comforting him. "I am OK. Just tired, NK Bhai. The heat seems to be getting to me."
NK jumped up to get her a glass of cool water. She sipped it gratefully.
"Bhabi, where do you want me to carry this tray to?"
"To the hall where all the ladies are getting their mehendi done.", Khushi smiled lovingly at him.
"OK." NK lifted the tray, and was about to leave the room when something struck him. "Why aren't you getting mehendi done, Khushi Bhabi?"
" I..I was thinking I will do it later." Khushi smiled.
"Payal Bhabi's relations are all there." , said NK slowly, realising that his Bhabi didn't want them to ask about her scarred arms & legs.
Khushi nodded, smiling wryly at him. "Payal knows. But her relations don't. If someone says something in the spur of the moment, Naniji, Mamiji, & Di won't like it. It is better to avoid all chances of conflict."

"Family is a very masakali thing, isn't it, Bhabi?"

Khushi smiled, knowing that he was deliberately joking to make her laugh. "Haan, NK Bhai. Family is a very mushkil thing. But worth it. Worth every bit of the masakali." Her eyes showered love on him.

He smiled at her, nodded, and left the room with the tray.



As he served the laddoos, Nani, Di, & Mami asked him about Khushi.
"I called her two times. But both times, hum phail (fail) ho gaye!", Mami said. "I told her, let the women here open their mouthwaa against our bahuriyyaa. I know how to shut uppiyaa the ladies!"

"I told Khushi Bitiyaa that I will sit with her in the kitchen, but..."

"...Khushiji sent both of us here, saying that as it is there are so few of the boy's family that we too shouldn't stay away.", completed Di, shaking her head.

NK nodded. "I will keep an eye on her. Nannav & Akash are dealing with the caterers. They will be free soon, and we will all stay with Khushi Bhabi.", he set their minds at rest.


He returned to the kitchen to find Khushi daintily biting into a piece of pickled lime. The smell & the imagined sour taste of it tingled his taste buds. He pulled a chair beside her, and joined her. Soon both of them were biting into pieces of lime they spooned out of a big earthern jar.

"Khushi Bhabi, are you alright?", asked NK, huffing & puffing, unused to eating such hot stuff.
His Bhabi nodded, licking the last of the pickle from the tip of her finger.
"I wanted to tell you something, Khushi Bhabi..."
Khushi looked at him expectantly, a small smile on her lips.
"I met a girl..."
Khushi's eyes brightened in hope.
"I... I would like to marry her..."
Khushi jumped up with a joyful cry, and forgetting that she had just had pickle, cupped his face with her hands, and kissed his forehead repeatedly.
When both Bhabi & Devar realised their folly, both of them ran laughing to the sink to wash their face & hands.
Laughing, they settled in place again. Khushi caught hold of NK's hand, and said, "Who is she? How does she look? When can I see her? Will she like us? Shall we go to make a formal proposal?"
NK started laughing.
"Bhabi, it is complicated."
Khushi laughed. "All good love stories are."
"Her name is Eeiyaam."
"What?" Khushi cocked her ear, imagining that she was getting hard of hearing.
"Eeiyaam."
"O...K...", she said slowly.
"I don't think that is her real name.", NK smiled.
"Then, what is her real name?"
"I don't know." NK was unfailingly cheerful.
"Her parents?", Khushi asked faintly.
"No idea." NK smiled.
"Where does she live?"
"I don't know, Khushi Bhabi."
Khushi became pale. "What do you know about her, NK Bhai?"
"She is the most wonderful girl I have ever met." The happiness on NK's face was very evident to Khushi. She relaxed.
"Actually, Bhabi, you have seen her."
"I have? When?"
"That night on the road, when our car died on us..."
"That night?", Khushi said doubtfully. "But... but we didn't meet any girl..."
"We did.", NK smiled. "We didn't know that she was a girl."
Khushi stared at him, her heart quailing at the thought of what was coming.
"You remember the mechanic, don't you?"
Khushi stared at him, open mouthed.
"That was my Eeiyaam. She is here now.", NK sighed in pleasure.


A few seconds of blankness later, Khushi said faintly, "She is here?"
NK nodded happily.
"Can I meet her?"
"Khushi Bhabi, of course you can meet her. Come with me, Bhabi!" Happy at the turn of events, NK dragged Khushi, and took her to the spot where the cars were parked.


They reached the site a few minutes too late. Buaji had reached before them, and had hauled Aarti out of the car. As they watched, Buaji said, "Eeiyaam Bitwaa, open your mouth! Aa...aa..aa..."

NK & Khushi could see only Eeiyaam's back, but even her back looked scared.

"Why, Buaji?", she asked in a low voice.
"Don't you trust me? What do you think I am going to do to you, Nandkisore? Open your mouth!"
Aarti parted her lips slightly. That was all the gap Buaji needed. As NK & Khushi watched, Buaji stuffed a big laddoo into Aarti's mouth. 

As the poor kid choked over it, Buaji said happily, "Eat it, Nandkisore! It is made of desi ghee. It will make you strong, and help you grow a mush, Babua." She patted Eeiyaam on the back lovingly, and left.

A loving pat to Buaji was a blow to a frail Eeiyaam.

NK & Khushi rushed to help Eeiyaam, both of them patting her back & the top of her head to get the laddoo down her throat. She sagged against her car, tears in her eyes, gasping for breath. NK got her a glass of water, and she sipped it as Khushi caressed her back.

Finally fine, she looked at the Sunflower and his Khushi Bhabi. 

"Thanks.", she said softly, in her husky voice, smiling slightly at Khushi.
Khushi smiled back. "What is your real name?"
Aarti looked at Khushi's open face and the mischievous look in her eyes. "Aarti.", she said plainly.
NK frowned. "But that's what you do every morning in front of Devi Maiyya, Khushi Bhabi."
Khushi & Aarti smiled at him.
Aarti looked at the Sunflower & his Bhabi. Both wanted to know the story behind the Eeiyaam. They were waiting, and she had no good reason not to tell them.
"Err...I came with the seventh car for the function, the one that was arranged at the last minute.", she said.
Khushi & NK nodded.
"I collected Payalji & Buaji from Laxmi Nagar. Err...On the way here, Buaji asked me a lot of questions. She thought I was a boy, and I didn't want to tell her I was a girl...", she shrugged. "...So when she asked for my name, I said AM, standing for my initials. She heard it as Eeiyaam." 

"And now she is out to build you muscles and a mush at the earliest.", Khushi laughed.
"Yes. She thinks I am too thin. That boys will mistake me for a girl & make fun of me." Aarti said with a straight face as Khushi & NK collapsed in peals of laughter.

Finally, when they were done laughing, Khushi gasped, "Why don't you change and join the ladies for mehendi? I will get you clothes to wear."

NK nodded eagerly.

Aarti said in a rush, "No, err...no thanks. I am on duty."
Khushi sighed, "Aartiji, chaliye na, please. How can you stay away when there is such a function at home? Chaliye na?"
"Err..., no. I am sorry, Khushiji. I... I don't use mehendi and such stuff. I..."

Khushi caught hold of Aarti's arm, and said, "Then keep me company. I am making laddoo in the kitchen." 

NK looked on smiling as his dear Bhabi carried his darling girl along with her into the kitchen. He tagged along, a cat-got-the-cream-smile on his face.
Aarti glowered at him. He smiled some more.


Aarti looked at the happy, sunny face of the Sunflower as he walked alongside her, and at the smiling face of his Bhabi, one of the most promising classical singers of the age, as she led her by hand into the big kitchen. She was made to sit on a low stool, and Bhabi & Devar sat with her.
"NK Bhai was telling me about you.", Khushi started. "How you repaired our car that night... I didn't know you were a girl... Otherwise, we could have met that night itself..."
"Ji." Aarti looked at the door. It was there. It was open. But Bhabi & Devar were sitting on either side of her. There was no escape.
"Don't you like mehendi?", Khushi asked.
Aarti didn't know what to say. How to tell an intensely feminine and beautiful lady that she had never tried mehendi before, never owned a  saree, never worn a saree, never worn bangles or rings or any jewellery... 

She paled.

Khushi turned to NK. "NK Bhai, will you get us a few cones of mehendi from Payalji or Di?"
"Ji, Khushi Bhabi." NK ran to get the cones.
"Shall I apply it for you?", Khushi asked Aarti. 

What could she say in the face of such kindness? Aarti nodded.

"We can sit here in the kitchen and apply it. Woh kya he, I can't apply mehendi on my arms & legs in public.", Khushi confessed.

Aarti stared at her. Maybe Khushi Bhabi was very modest.

"I have burn scars all over my body.", Khushi said cheerfully.

Aarti stared at her, horrified.

"That's why I wear such blouses.", Khushi pointed to her full sleeves.

Aarti swallowed hard.

"My husband, my Naniji, my Mamiji, my Di, my Devars, my Mamaji...", Khushi's smile as she spoke of them conveyed a world of love, "...don't mind. My Baba and my children are used to it. But Payalji's family... They may find it uncomfortable..."

Aarti could feel the salty tang of tears in her throat. And she was a person who could rarely cry! Not even when she wanted to bawl.

"Your Baba? Pt Sasi Sharma?", Aarti managed to ask.
Khushi's face lit up as though some one had set a fire off within her. "My Baba. Do you know him?"
"Err... No. I...I...I just bought his CD. I... I like his music..."

 That was all Khushi needed. 

"My baba is the best musician in the world. The best! And the best human being!" She caught hold of Aarti's hand. "I will introduce you to him.", she promised. "Baba doesn't speak much, so people think he is proud and arrogant. But he is not. My Baba just doesn't like people much, that's all. But he will like you." 

Aarti smiled faintly, unsure of where she was and what was happening to her, whether she was standing on her head or her feet...

"I will introduce you to my children too.", Khushi promised her the next treat.
"You have children?", Aarti was confused. Arnav Singh Raizada could plan an army of children in the morning & have an army of children by noon of the same day?

"Ji.", Khushi smiled, her maternal love flowing over Aarti and the world. "Twenty of them."

Aarti gulped. What was Arnav Singh Raizada? A baby machine? A fast worker? And Khushi Bhabi? An incubator?

Khushi said, "My Baba runs an orphanage here. I was his first orphan. After taking me in, he adopted 20 others. I will introduce you to them all."

Aarti felt her BP lower to normal. For a moment, she had been in imminent danger of a stroke. She smiled wanly.

NK returned with the mehendi cones.
"Khushi Bhabi, this Buaji na! Offo! She was asking me if the mehendi was for me!"
Aarti & Khushi smiled.
Khushi made NK sit beside Aarti, and holding Aarti's hand on her lap, asked her, "What pattern do you like the most?"
Aarti stared at her.
"Leaves, flowers, birds, vines?"
"Flowers.", Aarti admitted.
"Which flower?", Khushi asked.
Aarti stole a glance at NK, and said faintly, "Sunflower."


Khushi drew many sunflowers on Aarti's right hand, and linked them using vines. Aarti looked on amazed at her skill. "You are amazing!", she whispered, "Khushiji...you are truly amazing!"



"Khushi Bhabi.", Khushi corrected. "Amazing to hum he hi.", she claimed. "After all, I am the Bhabi of 2 amazing Devars. How can I be ordinary?" She pinched NK's chin. NK laughed, and Aarti had to smile.

As she was about to draw on Aarti's left hand, Khushi heard her husband call her. She said, "NK Bhai, can you do this hand?"
NK and Aarti looked at her with open mouths.
Khushi handed over the cone to NK, and placed Aarti's left hand on NK's thigh, holding it there and looking meaningfully into NK's eyes.

NK quickly caught on. He caught hold of Aarti's hand, and said, "Of course, I can do mehendi."
Before Aarti could get a word out, Bhabhi neatly handed over her future Devrani into the clutches of her Devar, and left the room smiling to join her husband.

Section 2

"Aarti!", NK murmured, as he ran a finger down the palm of her hand held firmly against his thigh.

She swallowed. Why did her name sound exotic & interesting when the Sunflower said it? She tried to pull her hand away, the hardness of his thigh beneath it and the warmth of his finger on her palm sending quivers down her body. But he was very strong, and his hold was firm.

He began to squeeze the mehendi in the cone on to her palm, saying softly, conversationally, "My name is Nand Kisore, but everyone calls me NK. I am Akash's cousin." He looked into Aarti's eyes. "My parents are in Sydney. I was with them till a few months back. I came to visit my family, and decided to stay back. I help Nannav in his business. I am learning to make deals." He smiled. "To negotiate." He looked into Aarti's eyes. "Looks like I will need all my negotiating skills to win your hand." He looked at the hand he held in his.

Aarti's eyes remained fixed on his face, her focus on his words and tone. She forgot about the mehendi.

"I don't care how much time it takes, Aarti, but I will marry you. Only you."

Aarti stared at him, her face pale.
NK set aside the cone, and smiled at her.

She stared at him, her breathing rapid, her face pale.
"Why so serious?", NK cuffed her chin gently. "You have a choice, you know. You can always refuse me if you think I am not good enough for you. That I am a loafer, a badtameez, a meherbaan, a bewapoof...a lawaris...a bhanwara (awara)..."

Aarti had to smile.

"You look more lovely than usual when you smile." NK was matter-of-fact.

 Aarti stared at him.

"Do you like your mehendi?", he asked anxiously.

He had tried to draw sunflowers across her palm. Some of them looked like wilted roses, some like carnations, some like shoe flowers, and some like lotuses. Some were plainly unrecognisable. Aarti swallowed.

"Is it OK?", he asked.

Aarti looked at him. He was eager to know her answer, anxious that she wouldn't like it.
"It is very... beautiful.", said Aarti quietly.

 
Part 50



Aarti stood in her chauffeur's uniform, with mehendi on her hands, looking at the ladies, men, & children dancing at the Sangeet of Akash & Payal.

Buaji and Mami were on the stage, dancing to Halkat Jawani. The children were whistling and dancing at the foot of the stage, encouraging the dancers with comments shouted at them. Men and women were swaying, dancing, and putting their hands together in time to the music. Aarti had to smile at their excitement.

She looked around. The entire place looked magical. Omkar was an old haveli with 4 buildings, all constructed many years back. The elegant lines of the old buildings, the lights strung across every surface, the music, the masti, the gleeful children in colourful clothes, the ladies in rich sarees and jewels, the laughter, the flowers strung across the entire area, the fragrance of food being cooked for the feast, the men in sherwani, looking like princes...all made her feel as though she had entered a world of dreams where good things happen, only good things happen...

The sound of applause brought her back to her senses. She quickly called Gopi Kakka to check on her mother in the gap between two performances.

As she slipped the phone back into her pocket, she caught sight of Khushiji's Baba stealthily making his way to his room, maybe unable to bear the noise and the crowd any longer. An amused smile appeared on her lips as her eyes rested on the tall, thin man with overlong hair, dressed in a white dhoti kurta, making his way to his room through the crowd. Khushiji had introduced her to Baba during lunch time. Aarti had touched his feet, and he had blessed her with a gentle smile, before leaving with the box of fairylights he had come to collect from the store room.

Her eyes travelled over the children. Khushiji had introduced most of them to her in the afternoon as & when they had come to have their lunch. Chotu was describing the performance by Payalji's mother and her female relations to Simi who could not see. The adults were dancing to Mere Piya Gaya Rangoon, an old Hindi film song, with one lady acting as the male lead, aided by a gargantuan mush. What was the name of the child with a big gap where her front teeth should be? Nidhi. Yes. She had a laddoo in her hand as she jumped up and down in excitement. Akansha & Akshaya were laughing at some joke. Akshaya had tiny Ritu on her lap. Ritu was playing with Akshaya's bangles. Vivek was in a cream kurta & dhoti, smiling as he chatted with Akash. The Sunflower...

The Sunflower was in a golden yellow kurta and dhoti. As she watched, he said something to Arnav Singh Raizada, fingering the ties of his dhoti, as though in doubt that it would fall off him at any moment. There was a worried frown creasing his forehead. As Aarti watched, Arnav straightened his dhoti & kurta for him, an amused look on his face. Aarti stole a look at the mehendi on her hands, the flawed lines and shapeless flowers on the palm that Surajmukhi had commandeered. Her fingers closed in on her palm, almost unconsciously.

Her eyes fell on Payalji.

Dressed in  a gorgeous anarkali of red & white, she was sitting with Akash, right in the centre of a crowd of relations who were dancing & cheering a group of children dancing on stage. As she watched, she saw Akash try to peep at the mehendi design on his bride-to-be's hands. Payal, blushing, looked around, and seeing all the others otherwise occupied, extended her hands to Akash so that he could see his name written on her palm. Aarti smiled. Romance in the midst of cacophony...

Where was Khushiji? Aarti looked around, her eagle eyes scanning the crowd. She had been running around serving food and drinks to the guests, helping others with the hundred and one things they needed her to do to get this act on the road, dressed in the same pink & green Uppada silk sari she had been wearing all day. She had tried her best to make Aarti wear feminine clothes, displaying the contents of her wardrobe in Omkar for her to choose. But Aarti had been adamant. 

But that was some time back. Where was Khushiji now?

 As her eyes searched for her, she saw Khushi come out of her room.

She was dressed in an orange & gold anarkali with full sleeves, the gold embroidery around her neck making it look as though she were wearing a heavy necklace of gold. Her long hair was unbound, falling down her back to the back of her knees in a lush fall of silk. She looked beautiful, glamorous, a perfect match for the debonair Arnav Singh Raizada, who at that very moment, was tickling Ritu who was shrieking with laughter.
As she watched, Arnav Singh Raizada turned away from the children to walk towards the house, and stopped short at the sight of his wife. 


(Mariam_Sultan, thanx!)

He stood still, looking at her, the noise and the dancing around him not registering in his brain. He walked slowly towards her, his eyes talking to her. Aarti could not see his eyes, but could see the blush on Khushiji's cheeks. She had to look away. The moment seemed too private to be intruded upon.

"Now, let's see who is coming on stage to surprise us!", announced Anjaliji, Arnav Singh Raizada's sister. Aarti looked at the stage. The lights dimmed.

Baalika Tumhare Sapno Ka Raajkumar, Aa Raha Hai...
Varmala Doli Baarat Sajake Dulha, Cha Raha Hai...
Shubhmangal Savadhan...

The children clapped their hands loudly. Apparently, they knew who the surprise package was. Aarti turned away, smiling, planning to take refuge in her car.

Hey Ya... Hey Ya...
Hey Ya, Heeriye, Sehra Baandh Ke Main Toh Aaya Re...
Hey Ya, Doli Baarat Bhi Saath Mein Main Toh Laaya Re...


Aarti turned her head to look at the stage one last time, and froze in position. The Sunflower in his yellow kurta dhoti was on stage, dancing, looking straight at her. Children carrying a palanquin were dancing behind him.

Ab Toh Na Hota Hai Ek Roz Intezaar, Soni,
Aaj Nahi Toh Kal Hai, Tujhko Toh Bas Meri Honi Re...
He pointed to his bridegroom-like turban, and then directly at her.

Tenu Leke Main Javanga, Dil Deke Main Javanga...  He winked at her. The crowd cheered at his antics.

Hey Ya... Hey Ya...

Payal & Akash smiled at each other. Arnav joined Khushi, and pulling her close with his arm around her shoulders, stood watching his brother prancing on stage and his excited wife with an indulgent smile. Khushi clapped her hands vigorously, encouraging him, stealing glances at Aarti, who was standing with her mouth wide open.

Aa Keh De Zamane Se, Tu Mere Ishq Ki Hai Daastaan...
Hey Ya...Hey Ya...
Aarti gulped. She raised her arm to run her hand through her short hair, and stopped at the sight of the mehendi. She quickly pushed her hands into her pockets.

O Jaaniya, Keh De Bahaane Se...
Main Tera Jism Hoon, Tu Meri Jaan...
Kuch Na Chupa...

Aarti glared at Surajmukhi, hoping to keep his pretensions down, but he was not NK for nothing. In the true tradition of his illustrious, intrepid brothers, he continued to dance his love out on stage.

Mushkilon Se Milta Hai Aisa Sona Pyar, Soni...
Cheez Tere Jaisi Na Mujhko, Na Mujhko Khoni Re
Tenu Leke Main Javanga, Dil Deke Main Javanga... He clutched his heart, looking delicious in the traditional dress and his turban.

Akash, Arnav, Nani, Mami, Di, Khushi, & Payal cheered him on. Buaji whistled an ear-piercing whistle. The crowd went mad with excitement.

Jaan Aise Na Tadpa Ke, Dekh Le Madhbhare Andaaz Se...
Hey Ya...  Hey Ya...

Aarti dragged her eyes away from his, looking away from the stage, feeling her heart thudding louder than the drums in the song.

O Jaan Tu Awaaz Ko Apni, Aa Mila Ab Meri Awaaz Se...
Arre, Haan Keh De Haan... Aarti could not help but look at the stage.

The curtains of the palanquin parted, and Nidhi, the gap-toothed, laddoo lover, jumped out. Dressed in bridal dress, with a var mala in her hands, she looked more than cute.
Kar Diya Hai Tune Mujhko Yun Bekaraar Maahi,
Keh Diya Duniya Se Main Teri Main Teri Ho Gayi Re...
She ran to NK, who bent down so that she could place the garland around his neck.
Tere Naal Mein Aavaangi, Sasooral Mein Jaavaangi...
NK lifted little Nidhi up in his arms, and danced, circling around and around, laughing. The children danced in a circle around them.

Hey, Tenu Leke Main Javanga, Dil Deke Main Javanga...
Hey Ya...Hey Ya...

The crowd went mad, shouting and cheering them on. Aarti watched as Arnav Singh Raizada and Akash Singh Raizada laughed out aloud, their love for and pride in their brother evident to the world. Mami had tears of pride in her eyes as she swayed in time to the music, her bangles and hip chain keeping time with the music. Nani was laughing, and Anjali was clapping her hands, a loud, proud smile on her face. Khushiji had tears of joy in her eyes, and Payal was thrilled to bits. 

Aarti turned, and walked away.