81.OS: Finding Khushi Part 15 Section 2

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Mera Man (Nautanki Saala by Falak Shabir)

 Part 15 Section 2

Arnav waited for her answer, but she could not find any words to express the odd mixture of panic, fear, and love that was bubbling within her heart.

She clutched her heart, trying to calm its galloping hoofbeats and slow her breath.

Arnav looked at her in silence, and then drove on.

He parked in front of RM.

Khushi turned to open the latch of the door, but Arnav caught hold of her arm.

She looked at him in silence.

He put his hand into his pocket, and brought out a cloth bag. He pulled a pair of antique bangles out of it.

Khushi frowned at him. Was he going to gift the bangles to Akash Jiju? Or Jiji? But why should he…?

While her mind was travelling on its usual wild tracks, Arnav slipped the bangles on her arms.

Gold with a peacock design in enamel. They were beautiful.

“My mother’s.”, Arnav answered her unspoken question. “For you.”

“Me?”, Khushi gasped. “But…”

“For your kind heart that wants everyone to be happy……. for selling your gold bangle to buy me what I like best, plants……..”, he said softly.

Khushi looked at him with wide eyes. “If these are your mother’s, they should go to Anjaliji… You have no right to give them away as and when you will…”

“She left them for me. For my bride.” He smiled, his eyes on her disturbed countenance.

Khushi stared at him with astonished eyes.

“I …I am not your bride….”, she protested.

“Yet.”, he qualified.

“I haven’t said, ‘Yes’.”

“You haven’t said ‘No’, either.”

Khushi sighed in exasperation.

“Do you like them?”, he asked.

Khushi looked down at the precious bangles, knowing what they meant to him.

Her lips trembled as she whispered, “They are beautiful.”

Arnav swooped down and kissed her cheek. “They were made for you. Mama selected the design and made the jeweller make them. For my bride.”, he whispered against her cheek.

Her eyes filled with tears.

“She put them in a box along with a letter for you, and asked Di to give them to you when I got married.” He rubbed his nose against hers.

Tears trailed down her cheeks in slow streams.

He kissed the wetness away.

“Don’t cry, Khushi.” He pulled her head to rest in the crook of his neck. They sat silent for a while. 

Then he said, “You know, Khushi. These bangles have been lying in my locker for years. I couldn’t even bring myself to open the box & look at them, but now…. Now I can. With a mind at peace. Knowing that she is happy… Papa is happy…. She would have loved you, Khushi… pampered you… not let you put your feet on the ground…covered you with silk and jewels….. given you every happiness on earth…. Even when I was young, she used to set aside sarees and jewels, saying, ‘When my Chotey marries, I will give this to my bahuriyya…’ ‘My bahuriyya will be like this…she will be like that….she will love me…she will take care of me… she will love my Chotey… she will look after my house… she will fill my house with laughter…..’… She used to chide me, ‘Chotey, put your things away in order. What will my bahuriyya think of your manners? Of the way in which I brought you up?’ I used to get wild… Di used to laugh…. But today….. I am so grateful, Khushi, that she was happy & smiling when she thought about you… that she set aside many things for you… Khushi, there is even a stone-studded pair of sandals for you in the big box of things that she left you! It is in the storeroom.”

Khushi looked into his moist eyes.

“Di teased Mama saying that Chotey’s wife wouldn’t wear them as she would have feet that were bigger or smaller than the size of the sandals… Mama…Mama just laughed….”

Khushi put her arms around him, and held him tight to her.

Khushi’s phone rang.

She moved away from him, sat in her seat, and fished her phone out.

 It was Buaji.

“Oh, Sanka Devi! Where are you, Nandkisore? Do you want me to come to your office and pull you out of your chair?”

“Buaji… I…”

“What jaadu has Munshiji done on you that your jaan is stuck to him? Or has he put fevicol on your chair? You can’t bear to leave him to attend your sister’s mehendi, Nandkisore!”

“I am here, Buaji.” She scrambled out of the car, and moved towards the house. Arnav followed.

“Khushiji! You came!”, NK ran up to her. “We were looking at mehendi designs for you.”

Khushi smiled at him and greeted him.

The ladies fell on Khushi.

“We were waiting for you, Khushiji! Come on!”, Di smiled, seeing her with Chotey. Her eyes fell on the bangles. Joy filed her heart. She quickly nudged Nani & Mami, and pointed out the bangles.

They sighed in relief.

“Hello Hi Bye Bye!”, Mami whispered. “Acha hua, Saasumma! Phinally the bangles are on her hands. Now we have to tie her feet down.”

Anjali led Khushi to sit among the ladies. Arnav, Akash, & NK sat near Babuji.

A mehendi lady moved to sit near Khushi. NK got up and went to sit by her. Arnav watched them both.

“Are you going to select the geometrical pattern or the creeper, Khushiji?”

“The creeper, Nanheji.”, Khushi said softly, not looking at Arnav who, she knew, was listening to them.

The wind coming in through the wide windows ruffled her hair. Silky strands fell against her cheek. Khushi tucked them behind her ear with her free hand, feeling his eyes on her.

“Khushiji, your kulfi (a dessert) ki ghata is very beautiful.”

The mehendi cone fell from the lady’s hand. Khushi looked at NK with astonished eyes.

“Zulfon, NK. Zulfon (hair)…”, Arnav corrected, as he took a seat by Khushi. She sent a startled glance at him, and kept her eyes on her hand.

All laughed at NK. Buaji pulled his cheek, and said, "Bade mazakiyaa ho, Nandkisore!" 

NK ran for his life, rubbing his red cheek.

Arnav looked at Khushi's arms with his Mama’s bangles, and felt peace fill his heart and mind. He watched the lady fill Khushi’s palm with an intricate design of mehendi. 

“Which letter of the alphabet should I write in the design?”, the lady asked Khushi.

Khushi parted her lips to reply, but found that she could not.

“Err…..woh….”

“A”, said Arnav.

Khushi looked at him in surprise. The wind blew strands of her hair on to her face.

Arnav gently smoothed the hair away from her face and behind her ear. His loving fingers caressed the sensitive skin behind her ear. She shut her eyes, unable to bear the pleasure of his touch.

The mehendi lady watched his stern face melt into a soft and loving look, and looked at Khushi in envy.

Section 3

“Chotey!”, Anjali called. “Don’t you have work to do?”, she teased him.

“Haan, Chotey. Sitting here, looking at the ladies putting on mehendi! Are you sure we are not boring you?”, Nani added, a naughty smile in her eyes.

“Err..no…”, Arnav flushed slightly. 

He was Arnav Singh Raizada, but she was Arnav Singh Raizada’s Nani.

“Mere haathon mein do do choodiyaan he,

Thoda thehro, sajan, majbooriyaan he…

Milan hogaa abhi ik raat ki dooriyaan hain…”, Mami hummed, leaning close to him & nudging him, her eyes on the bangles on Khushi’s arms.

Khushi blushed, & Arnav smiled slightly. His Mami was incorrigible.

Nani & Di giggled.

“Let me see the design, Khushiji!”, Anjali caught hold of Khushi’s arm.

She gasped. “'A'? Khushiji?” Nani & Mami looked at each other in a pretense of shock.

“Ee ‘A’ kahan se aa gaya?”, asked Mami.

Khushi blushed, not knowing where to look. 

“Woh…woh……” She stopped trying.

Arnav smiled.

“Crajjie (crazy) kiya re, crajjie kiya re…”, Mami sang. “Jaagi soyi rahoon, Khoi Khoi rahoon, Uske Yadon Mein, Uske dreamzwwa Mein, Jhoome Jiya Re! Crajjie kiya re..ta nan..nan.. Crajjie kiye re…”

Nani & Di laughed. Buaji & Amma joined them.

 

Arnav caught hold of Khushi’s arm, helped her up, and led her away to a new wave of laughter.

Mami sang after them,

"Mein herewaa bhi gai
Mein therewaa bhi gai
Socha pal pal usse
Mein jahan bhi gai…..

Crajjie kiya re…ta nan..nan… Crajjie kiya Re..."

Arnav led Khushi into the store room, and shut the door behind them.

Khushi was panting after the mad rush, a rosy hue still lingering on her cheeks. Arnav smiled fondly at her, his chocolate brown eyes showering love on her.

Khushi gulped & looked away.

Arnav opened a huge cabinet, and pulled a box out. It was made of wood, with a huge lock.

He carried the box to an old cot and placed it there. He fished a key out of his pocket, and unlocked it.

There were 3 old albums on top.

Arnav removed his coat & threw it on the back of a chair there. He then led Khushi to sit on the cot, and sat down by her.

He took out the first album, and showed her the old photos.

“Your mother is so beautiful…”

“Your father is so handsome!”

“Anjaliji had long hair!”

“You had such a cross look!”, she giggled.

Arnav looked at her, a smile in his eyes. “I hadn’t met you then, Khushi!”

“You have your mother’s eyes, Arnavji!”

“Your Nanaji? His moustache! It is so big! It must have tickled Naniji!”

Arnav burst out laughing. “Don’t go asking her!”

Time flew.

Arnav took out the saris that his mother had set aside for her bahuriya, and placed them on Khushi’s lap.

Khushi sat looking at the rich fabric and the intricate gold work on them, feeling tears fill her eyes. She was holding the hopes and dreams of his mother in her hands.....

Arnav kissed her cheeks.

“Don’t cry, Khushi.”, he whispered. “Your Saasumma loves you very much. As much as her son does.”

He took out the pair of stone-studded sandals.

Khushi gasped. “They are so beautiful!”

Arnav lifted her feet onto his lap, and eased the sandals on to her feet. They were a perfect fit.

Arnav stared at her feet. “How did she know..?”

They looked at each other.

“Maybe it was a lucky guess…”, Arnav whispered. Khushi nodded.

There was a knock on the door.

Mami sang, 

"Darwaja khula rakhana

Mera yaar aa raha hai

Adab se sar jhukana

Mera pyar aa raha hai…."

Arnav went to the door & opened it.

Mami, Di, & Nani stood waiting at the door.

“Yes?”, he asked. What did he have to do to get some time alone with Khushi in this house?

“Do you need any help, Chotey?”, Di teased him.

“Hum he ready, taiyaar!”, Mami offered her services.

“Kaa khayal he aapka?”, asked Nani, smiling.

“I will manage.”, Arnav said.

“Tum maineeijj kar lio, Arnav Bitwwa, but fasht (fast). Only haldi & shaadi are lepht (left) to patao the girlwaa!”, Mami warned him.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

Khushi jumped up from the cot, leaving the sarees behind.

“I ..I should go… Amma…. Buaji…”

Anjali gasped. “The sandals fit!”

Nani & Mami stared at Khushi’s feet.

Mami whispered, “Saasumma, her feet are also tied now. Call the priest and arrange their shaadi now, before she runs away!”

The Guptas and the Raizadas shared lunch with the guests. The older ladies who had washed off their mehendi, fed the younger ones. Amma fed Payal, & Nani fed Khushi.

“Koi mujhe bhi feed kar do?”, NK demanded.

Buaji said, “Come and sit by me, Nandkisore! I will give you food!”

NK said, “No, no, Nandkisore! I will have it by myself, Buaji!” He ran to hide behind Akash.

Arnav pulled a chair and sat by Khushi. Nani fed him too in turns.

Amma & Buaji smiled to see this.

It was time for the Guptas to leave. The other guests too were leaving in a flurry of goodbyes.

Anjali & Nani hugged Khushi & Payal.

Akash smiled shyly at Payal, saying, “We will meet at haldi, Payalji.”

Payal nodded, her eyes on the floor.

Nani, Mami, Anjali, Buaji, Amma, & Khushi smiled at the sight.

“Kitna slow he mera babua!”, Mami complained in Nani’s ear.

Arnav walked up to Khushi, pulled her into his arms, gave her a bone-crushing hug, and kissed her cheek.

“I will see you tomorrow.”, he whispered in her ear.

Part 16

Section 1

Khushi touched her cheek… the one he had kissed… and blushed. She was alone in her room, sitting cross legged on her bed.

In front of Naniji, Anjaliji, Jiju, Nanheji,  Mamiji… BUAJI!!!!... Amma, Babuji……… Arnavji had pulled her into his arms, hugged her, and kissed her cheek…..

She could still see the shock and dawning pleasure on the faces of both families, the confusion on Nanheji’s face, the wide-eyed shock on Akash Jiju’s face, the blush on Jiji’s cheeks……

The ladies who had witnessed the hug had asked Naniji when Arnav Babua’s wedding was, whether it was to be held along with Akashji’s…… All had looked expectantly at Khushi for the answer.. all, including Arnavji…..

Khushi buried her face in her hands.

It was so easy to ask questions…. And so difficult to find answers to them……

In the last few weeks, her life had turned upside down till she no longer knew if she was standing on her feet or on her head… Most probably her head, she thought. Because nothing made sense anymore!

The tragic meeting at Sheesh Mahal….. the mannat ki chabi…. the video clip shown on TV…. Jiji’s & her exile to Delhi……

Literally running into Arnavji in Delhi…. The debt of 25,000….. her attempts to find a job…… landing in Arnavji’s office to put up with his cruel words and rude behaviour, his hatred and his contempt…… She shuddered.

The night at the guest house, her resignation….. Anjaliji’s blackmail to get her to RM to train Lavanyaji to become a sanskari bahu……. Khushi sighed.

Arnavji’s anger, his uncontrolled fury….. moments and glances of attraction… fleeting touches……. Diwali night…… his attempt to run away from her… his anger at having lost control….. his reluctance to give in to the attraction between them…..

Unwilling and helpless attraction between two people who should have never met at all….. who were as different from each other as could be… who shared nothing except the loss of their parents, and a nagging sense of loneliness.

Were these enough to build a marriage on?, Khushi asked herself.

What did she know of life and marriage, except what she had seen in Salman Khanji’s phillums?

The marriages that she knew were arranged marriages like her Amma & Babuji, her Buaji & Phuphaji… men & women who were content with what they had, who had selected spouses from a similar background, with ordinary expectations…..

But Arnavji! He was no ordinary man. He lived in another world, with preoccupations that she could not share… His likes, dislikes, hobbies, his education, his view of life… All were alien to her….

What if he regretted marrying her? What if she regretted marrying him? She sighed heavily.

Payal looked at her with a smile in her eyes. “Khushi, what are you worrying about? Arnavji?”

Khushi looked at her with startled eyes. "Why should I worry about your Arnavji?", she asked with a cross look on her face.

“You know, Khushi, when you both met at Sheesh Mahal and then you started working for him, I would never have thought that one day…”, Payal smiled.

“One day…?”, Khushi asked.

“One day Arnavji would… in front of all of us…..”, Payal blushed.

Khushi looked away.

“You used to curse him, Khushi. And he used to be so cruel…… Khushi, tumhein pata he, when he carried you home from the guest house that night, I screamed at him for putting your life in danger….”, confessed Payal.

“You! Scolded Arnav Singh Raizada?”, Khushi stared at her sister. When had the lamb turned into a tigress?

Payal giggled.

“But, now… he is so different, Khushi. What happened? What made him change?”

Ee lo!, Khushi thought. More questions for her to answer!

“Shall we sleep, Jiji?’, she asked, clutching her head in both hands.

Khushi slipped the cloth bag around her neck, grabbing her lunch box and bottle of water on her way out of the house in the morning.

“Oh Sanka Devi! Where are you racing off to so early in the morning without breakfast, Nandkisore?”

“I have some work to finish, Buaji!”, Khushi managed to say against the glass of milk that Buaji was pressing against her lips.

“Finish this!”, Buaji ordered. “You won’t move an inch without finishing the milk!”

“Buaji!”, Khushi protested as a gulp of milk went the wrong way & she choked.

Buaji rubbed her back, and forced the milk down. “Piyo, piyo, Munshiji ki chamchi!”

When the glass was empty, Buaji looked up to see Arnav standing near the open door, looking at them.

“Arnav Babua, tum!”, she exclaimed.

Khushi jerked around, startled, to see him in dark formal clothes, looking at her.

“I was going to the office. Err.. I thought I would drop Khushi at her office….”, Arnav said.

Khushi looked at the clock. It was too early for him to go to the office.

“Oh Sanka Devi, wash off your milk moustache before you go with Arnav Babua!”, Buaji instructed.

Khushi ran off to wash her face.

“This girl, Nandkisore!”, Buaji placed her hand on her head.

As Khushi left the house with Arnav, Buaji shouted from behind, “Finish your lunch, Titliyaa! Your lunch box should be empty in the evening!”

Khushi shouted, "Haan, Buaji!" as she left the house on rapid feet.

Arnav opened the door of his car for her.

She hissed, “ The godown is on the next street. Even if I roll on the ground, I will reach it in 5 minutes, Arnavji! Why did you come here so early?”

“To see you.”, Arnav said softly, his eyes on her clear skin and bright eyes.

“To see me? Why? Is something wrong?”, she asked frowning, thinking of Jiji & Jiju’s wedding preparations.

Arnav sighed, and nodded his head.

Anxious to know the problem, Khushi got into the car, sitting by him.

“What is wrong?”, she asked.

Arnav drove in silence to her godown, stealing glances at her, loving her worried face and impatient gestures.

He parked in front of her godown.

“What is wrong?”, Khushi asked again.

“I can’t sleep at night, Khushi.”, he said seriously.

“Uugghh?”, Khushi asked.

“I can’t work, I can’t sleep…”, he said.

“It must be acidity…”, Khushi thought aloud.

“And dhak dhak.”, Arnav added. “I want to see you all the time. Be with you always.”

Khushi stared into his beautiful, serious eyes for long. 

Then she asked, “What happened to you, Arnavji? Why have you changed so much? You don’t get angry nowadays. You don’t even say ‘What the!’ anymore!”

Part 16 Section 2

“Don’t you know what happened to me, Khushi Kumari Gupta?”, asked Arnav softly, his melting eyes lingering on her genuinely perplexed face.

“No, I don’t. I mean… Arnavji… what you were and what you are now… how… why… when…?”, Khushi struggled to put her thoughts in words.

“Did you think love was all about running around trees and singing songs, Khushi?”, Arnav smiled.

Khushi frowned at him. Scenes from movies she had seen flashed through her mind. Kajolji standing in a mustard field… Shahrukh Khanji looking at Kajolji from a moving train & Kajolji running to catch it….. Salman Khanji smiling shyly at Sonali Bhendreji … like Jiju & Jiji…..

“Did you think love was something comfortable, Khushi?”, Arnav asked.

Khushi frowned at him.

“When did you become an expert on love, Arnavji? A few days back, you were twisting my arm behind my back and telling me that love does not exist…”, Khushi raised her eyebrow.

“I couldn’t pull you into my arms and carry you off as I wanted to, Khushi. That’s why I twisted your arm behind your back. Lagi tumhe?”, Arnav looked anxiously at her arm.

He caught hold of her arm, and ran his fingers down its length, caressing it.

Khushi pulled her arm out of his grasp with a jerk. The twisting was better. Atleast then, her heart hadn’t threatened to jump out of her ribcage!

“And I hadn’t realised that I had fallen in love with you then.”, Arnav confessed.

“Falling in love…?”, Khushi ruminated. “How can you fall in love? Is love a banana skin lying on the floor to make you fall?”

Arnav laughed.

“And in the great fall, you lost your anger, your khadoos nature, your akkad? Unbelievable!”, she quoted him.

Arnav smiled at her.

Khushi looked at him with suspicion.

“Kya?”, Arnav asked her, an amused smile on his lips.

“I am waiting for you to rise up, to fall out of love with me. To become what you were before. Laad Governor… Rakshas… Kans Mama…. With steam coming out of your ears, shouting at me about my aukat and my lack of character……”

“Khushi…”, Arnav whispered, feeling the pain behind her seemingly casual words.

“Because I don’t believe that you can fall in love with me. I mean, Arnavji, your falling in love itself is a miracle! But with me!!!! That is just unbelievable!”

“Khushi…”

“We are too different… You have been telling me how different we are… ever since we met…”

“Khushi…”

“This is all a mistake. You will realise it soon and get up from where you have fallen.”, she was adamant.

“You think I will regret loving you, Khushi?”, Arnav asked, pain lacing his question.

Khushi nodded.

“And you think I will leave you, like I left you on Diwali night?”, he asked to be sure.

Khushi nodded, staring out through the window.

“So you don’t trust me to love you for ever, marry you, and stay happy with you?”, he asked.

Khushi remained silent, looking at her fingers systematically shredding  the ends of her dupatta. Now he would blow up. Shout. Break things. Throw a tantrum….

But Arnav surprised her.

“It all happened too soon, didn’t it, Khushi?”, he asked softly.

Khushi looked at him, and then nodded.

“We need time together. Time to know each other. Time for you to trust me, trust my love for you…..”, Arnav said softly, looking at her perturbed eyes.

Khushi had to nod.

“Six months?”, he asked.

Khushi looked into his sincere eyes, and nodded.

Part 16 Section 3

“Nani!”, Arnav called.

Nani, Mami, Di, NK, & Akash looked up from their plates.

“I met Khushi today….”, he said.

The ladies looked at each other and smiled.

“We have decided to wait for 6 months before getting married.”, Arnav stated.

There was a moment of perfect silence. Then, Anjali found her tongue.

“Six months?”, she asked in a faint voice.

“Why six months, Chotey?”, Nani asked.

“To know each other better. I don’t want Khushi to regret marrying me later.”, Arnav sipped water from his glass.

“Saasumma!”, Mami whispered. “With Layanya Kasyap it was live-in. Now with Khussi, it ijj wait-in?”

Nani glared at Mami, & turned to look at Anjali with worried eyes.

“Chotey, after six months…?”, Anjali tried to voice the fear in everyone’s mind that Khushi would refuse him after the period.

“We will get married.” Arnav was definite on the point. “After Akash’s wedding, you can fix the date & the venue, and make all arrangements.”

“Chotey…”, Nani hesitated. “Khussi Bitiya is not like other girls. Six months without even a sagai… Her family…”

“Don’t worry, Nani. I will take care not to hurt Khushi’s or her family’s reputation.”, Arnav sat back in his chair.

Nani, Di, & Mami sighed in relief, & smiles appeared on their faces. Akash hugged Arnav, leaning over the table.

“Hey, Nannav, mere bhai! Marry Khushiji fast. Or she will run away, scared of your ghooosa. You know, Chaat Mangli, Phat Baag!”, advised NK.

“NK Bhai, Jhat Mangni, Pat Byah!”, Anjali corrected him.

NK scratched his head. Hindi had changed beyong recognition since he had last spoken it in his childhood!

“And Khussi Bitiya will not run away.”, Nani declared. “If our Chotey roars like a lion, my Khussi Bitiyya will roar like a lioness.”

All laughed. Arnav smiled slightly, looking at his plate.

“Lion, lioness… Is this a zoo, Nani?”, asked NK, laughing.

“No, NK Bitwaa.”, clarified Mami. “This is a marrijj (marriage). And a marrijj is worse than a joo (zoo).”

All laughed.

“Err…Nani… Just call the Guptas and let them know, please. I don’t think they will object… but they should know…..’, said Arnav.

Nani nodded, smiling.

“Six months! Hai Re Nandkisore!”, Buaji exclaimed.

“Acha he, Jiji. Let Arnav Bitwaa & Khussi know each other.”, Garima said. Babuji nodded.

Buaji nodded slowly, looking at Khushi who was eating the cucumber that she was supposed to be cutting for dinner and watching Kamlesh Khabri on TV.

“I think Arnav Babua will take up sanyaas after 6 months of knowing Sanka Devi, swearing off marriage for ever!”, Buaji remarked, smiling.

Garima & Babuji chuckled.

The next day, Khushi looked up from her work to see a young boy standing in front of her, a big bouquet in his hands.

“Khushi Kumari Gupta?”, he asked with a pleasant smile.

Khushi nodded reluctantly. Why were strangers asking for her? And Munshiji had just stepped out to buy paan…..

‘Take Me Home.’, his jacket read.

Khushi stared at the boy. Was he an orphan? What would Buaji say if she took him home?

“There is a delivery for you, Madam.” He handed over the bouquet to her, and gave her the slip to sign.

Khushi obeyed as if in a dream. Nobody had ever sent her anything before. She stared at the bouquet and then at the boy.

“We at Take Me Home Florists are ready to deliver flowers 24 hours, 365 days, Madam. If you ever need our services….”, the boy smiled. He handed over a card to her.

Khushi swallowed.

“Have a good day, Madam.” The delivery boy left, smiling.

Khushi looked at the bouquet. Fresh, red, dewy, fragrant, thornless roses. And too many to count. She opened the accompanying card.

“I don’t have roses in my garden. So I am planting them today.

I will see you tonight.

Arnav.”

Khushi traced his writing with one finger. And bent to smell the roses. As she breathed in the fragrance, her eyes filled. This was the first bouquet she had ever received. She would treasure it always.

She needed to thank him. 

She picked up her phone & selected his number. She hesitated, her finger held motionless above the dial button.

Maybe he was in a meeting. Maybe he wasn’t expecting her to call him….. Maybe the flowers meant nothing much to him. Maybe he was used to giving flowers & gifts to Lavanyaji….. and maybe other girl friends he must have had before meeting Lavanyaji….

She leaned forward to abandon the phone on the table.

The phone rang. Khushi, startled, almost dropped it.

‘Arnavji’, the display read.

She answered in a shaking voice, “H..hello..o..”

“Khushi…”, his husky voice was enough to make her limbs tremble. Thank God she was sitting, Khushi thought.

“J..ji…”, she stammered.

“Did you get the roses?”, he asked in his honey-thick drawl.

“J..ji.. Shukriya…”, she said softly.

“Did you like them?”, he asked.

“Ji…”

“I made sure that all the thorns have been removed, Khushi.”, he assured her.

“Ji.”

“What are your favourite flowers?”, he asked.

She couldn’t remember. She couldn’t see any flower past the red roses.

“I never asked you, Khushi. Which flowers you like best? Which colour….? Which food….?” Regret laced his words.

"Red roses.”, she murmured. “All bright colours. Jalebi.”

Arnav smiled. She could sense his relief over the distance.

“I asked for the most fragrant ones, Khushi.”, he said.

“The godown smells of roses now.”, Khushi smiled. “What is your favourite flower?”

“I … I don’t know.. I mean… “, she could see him shrug. “I never thought…. I guess, red roses from now on.”

Khushi laughed.

Arnav smiled at her laughter.

“Thank you… for the bouquet. It.. it was my first one… I mean, nobody has given me flowers before…”, she said softly.

Arnav swallowed.

A moment later, he asked, his voice soft and tender, “Your first bouquet?”

“Ji.”

“Then be ready, Khushi…”, he said.

“For what?”, she asked, puzzled.

“Be ready for many ‘firsts’, Khushi.” His voice was naughty, his tone teasing, his intent not at all shareef…..

The phone fell from her nerveless fingers.

Part 17 Sec 1

Arnav looked at his watch. It was late. But he was going to disturb the Guptas. There was no way he was going home without seeing Khushi.

As he turned into Laxmi Nagar, he noticed signs of celebration. A temporary stage had been built. Residents were seated in chairs facing the stage. Children were being given prizes for their excellent performance in studies….. Was Khushi here too?

He leaned out to scan the crowd. He saw Amma & Buaji clapping their hands at the achievements of the children of their neighbourhood, but Khushi & Payal were nowhere to be seen. Babuji too was absent. He drove slowly through the crowd to Khushi’s house.

He parked in front of the house. The lights were on, the door was open.

He left his car, & walked up the steps, almost walking into Payal who was on her way out.

“Arnavji! Aap!”, Payal exclaimed.

“Err..Khushi…”, he muttered.

“She is in the bathroom.”, Payal looked worried. “Babuji is asleep…. I was going to join Buaji & Amma at the function. Woh kya he, Arnavji, children from our colony are presenting dances and I have to help them dress …. Khushi will be coming later…”

Arnav nodded. “You go on, Payal. I will meet Khushi, & send her on her way.”

“Ji.”, Payal smiled. She walked out of the house & Arnav walked in, shutting the door after himself.

Khushi smoothed the yellow paste of sandalwood & turmeric on her beautiful face, humming, Chale Aao Saiyyan, Padoon Mein Tohri Paiyyan… 

Diye Ki Mein Bathi, Jal Jal Mein Mariyaan….

Arnav stood outside the bathroom door, smiling, listening to her song.

There! She was done. She would bet a fortune that nobody could recognise her now! Her eyes alone twinkled on her yellow face.

Humko Raja ji, Saiyaan ji
Aaj Neend Nahi Aaye…
Tum Baithe Koti Pe Bangle Pe Mehfil Sajaye….

She opened the bathroom door & came out smiling…

She let out a squeak. “Arnavji! Aap?” He wasn’t at any kota or bungalow, but standing outside her bathroom door!

“Khushi…?”

“Ji.. It is me… under the yellow paste.”

“What… What have you done to yourself, Khushi?” Arnav struggled to keep the laughter from his voice.

Khushi sighed. “It is haldi & chandan, Arnavji. To look beautiful!”

“You don’t need it, Khushi.” He pulled her into his arms.

“Arnavji! Yeh aap kya rahe hein?”, Khushi squealed. “You will stain your clothes.”

“They will wash.”, Arnav held her tighter.

Khushi squirmed. “Let me wash my face, Arnavji.”

“Let me help you.”, Arnav said softly, a wicked look on his face.

“No!..No.. I will manage.” Khushi ran into the bathroom, Arnav following her on quick feet.

Khushi cupped water in her palms & splashed it on her face. Rivulets of yellow poured down her face & neck and wet her white suit.

After she finished washing her face clean, Arnav took a towel hanging on a peg, and moved towards her to wipe her face dry.

Mistrusting the look on his face, Khushi took a step back. He followed, imprisoning her against the wall.

He ran the thin towel over her forehead, her nose, one cheek, the other, her chin, her lips…..

Khushi pulled her face away, gasping for breath.

The sound of their hearts beating rapidly in tandem almost deafened them.

Arnav touched her neck with the towel. She shuddered.

He ran the towel gently along one side of her neck. Khushi fell back against the wall.

Looking into her wide, fascinated eyes, Arnav swallowed hard. He gently ran the towel down the other side of her neck, his hand trembling…..

He moved the towel to the wet neck of her suit, rubbing the fabric to dry it…

Khushi took a deep breath, trying to retain her slight hold on her sanity. She pushed him aside, and ran out of the bathroom.

He followed her silently but swiftly.

She raced into her bedroom, and turned to shut the door.

He was right behind her.

They stood looking at each other.

Behind her, he saw his red roses arranged in a big vase by her bed. Her first bouquet! The scent of the sixty roses he had sent her perfumed the air.

He walked in, taking slow but sure steps towards her. She withdrew, walking backwards in matching steps till the back of her knees hit the bed and she half fell, half sat on it.

Arnav took a rose out of the vase, and brought it to his nostrils. It smelled divine. She watched him with a heaving chest and anxious eyes.

He brought the rose to her cheek, trailing the soft, red petals against the creamy skin. Khushi closed her eyes and struggled to swallow with a mouth as dry as a desert.

He brushed her lips with the rose, letting the soft petals linger lovingly against the plump curves. Her lips parted.

In a quick move that Khushi never expected, he covered her surprised lips with his warm, hard ones.

A few moments later, he drew back slightly, his lips freeing hers reluctantly.

Her eyelashes fluttered and she opened her eyes to look at him, all dazed and languorous.

“Your first kiss, Khushi…”, he whispered.

She stared at him, too caught up in the dream to move.

“Liked it?”, he asked, his devilish eyes twinkling.

Khushi blushed.

Part 17 Sec 2

It was the day of Akash & Payal’s haldi.

“O Titliyaa!”, Buaji called. “Take this set of clothes to Arnav Babua’s house and give it to Akash Bitwaa.”

“Uughh…?”, asked Khushi, not very bright in the morning, having been woken up at an ungodly hour by her Buaji’s soothing voice & dulcet tone as she screamed orders at the boys who had come to decorate the house.

Buaji sighed. “Sanka Devi! Akash Bitwaa has to wear this for his haldi. Go & give it to him.”

Khushi nodded slowly.

“Or do you want him to do haldi without clothes because you are too lazy to go there on time, Hai Re Nandkisore?”, Buaji teased.

“I will go. I will go..”Khushi jumped out of bed as Payal giggled, hiding her laugh behind her fingers.

Khushi stood at the door to RM, feeling her heart work overtime. Why did she feel feverish whenever she thought about Arnavji? Was love a disease? A contagious one? Then flu was better! 

She clutched the packet of clothes closer to her chest, the memory of his kiss making her lips tremble and her hands sweat.

Maybe she wouldn’t see him, she comforted herself.…. Maybe he would be working… She peeked into the house, taking care not to attract attention.

“Khushiji, aap? Why are you standing outside? Shall I call Arnav Bhaiyya?”, Hari Prakash’s cheerful face came into focus.

“NO!”, Khushi almost yelled. “Don’t call him. I mean, Hari Prakashji, don’t call anyone… “, she smiled bravely. “Why should you disturb anyone? Just give this packet to Akash Jiju. It is his clothes for haldi.”

If he came before her… What could she do? The way in which he had touched her face with the rose, and then… 

She blushed.

“Ji.”, said Hari Prakash reluctantly. He didn’t think Arnav Bhaiyya would be too pleased to have missed Khushiji’s lightning visit. “Are you sure you won’t come in?”

“Ji. I have work at home. I am very busy…..”, she paused. “…very busy applying haldi on Jiji…”, she concluded weakly.

How could she look at him after his kiss?

“Ji.” Hari Prakash took the packet from her, and turned to leave. Khushi turned and almost ran away, trying to miss her nemesis.

“Khushiji…”, came the dreaded call.

Nanheji was smiling at her.

“Nanheji! How..how are you?”, she asked.

“I am great, bilkul tandoori.”, NK flexed his muscles.

“Tandurust (healthy), Nanheji!”, Anjali corrected as she, Nani, & Mami came to join him.

Arnav was standing behind them, watching Khushi, a smile on his sinful lips.

All laughed.

“Ji.. I .. I… I came with Jiju’s clothes for haldi…”, Khushi stammered the explanation for being there.

“Why didn’t you come in?”, Anjali asked, hugging her.

“Why did you stop at the door, Khussi Bitiyaa?”, asked Nani.

“Andar aao… Belcome, belcome!”, said Mami.

“Ji.. I have work at home.. Buaji.. Amma.. Jiji…”, Khushi tried to leave.

“Come in.. atleast for a moment!”, Anjali said, and holding Khushi’s arm, towed her into the house.

She looked at Arnav watching them & said with a smirk, “Chotey, see who has come to see us!”

“Khushi”, he murmured, walking towards her slowly, smirking his famous smirk.

Khushi looked away.

“Have you come to play haldi with us?”, he asked, his voice all seduction.

Di, Mami, Nani, & NK watched the lovebirds with close attention, finding Arnav the lover very hard to digest.

Khushi could not find her voice to reply.

He did not wait for one. Arnav walked up to her and hugged her tight.

The family watched the long hug with open mouths.

NK whispered, “Di, I have to take notes. How to patao a lakdi in a few steps!”

Khushi tried to struggle out of his arms, but they were firm around her, and she was pressed against him as close as close could be.

“Arnavji, chodiye hamein!”, Khushi whispered.

“You didn’t tell me if you liked it?”, he whispered, his naughty murmur sending a tingle down her spine.

“Arnavji!”

“Khushi!” He pulled her closer still.

“All are watching us.”, she said, frantic.

“Let them. Give me my answer.” He caressed her waist.

Khushi jerked.

“Yes. Yes…”, she muttered.

“Yes, what?”, he asked, a laugh in his husky voice.

“I… I l..liked it..”, she whispered, trying to push him away.

Arnav chuckled. She could feel the rise & fall of his chest against hers.

“Good. You can have many more of them.”, he promised in her ear.

Part 17 Sec 3

Khushi left the godown, and walked to the road. It was late evening, and a balmy breeze was blowing. It stirred the strands of hair lying against her cheeks, and she shut her eyes to draw in a deep breath of pleasure.

She opened her eyes and stood still, surprised.

Arnavji was standing, leaning against his white car, his arms crossed.

She walked up to him, slowly.

“Arnavji, aap…?”

“Hmmm..”

“Kya hua?”, she asked, nervously.

“Does something have to happen before I can come to see you?”, he asked, a smile on his lips.

“No… but…. Are you on your way home from the office?”, she asked, wondering what he was doing there. There were just two days to Jiji’s wedding.

“Hhmm.. I came to give you a lift home.”, he said.

Khushi smiled. “Buaji’s house is just around the corner.”

Arnav opened the car door, and waited for her to take her seat.

“Arnavji…”, she protested.

“No excuses, Khushi.”, His voice was soft but very determined. “Or I will follow you home.”

Khushi swallowed. She quickly took her seat.

Arnav shut the door, taking care to ensure that the ends of her dupatta were well within the car. He walked around the car, and took his seat.

He made no move to start the car.

The dusk was marred only by the street lights. Men & women went about their business, unaware of the speaking silence within the car.

He looked at her in pleasure. The silky hair in a neat plait, the flimsy  dupatta, the light blue suit, the cloth bag, her fingers clutching each other in anxiety, scared of what he was up to, her breath coming in rapid gusts……

Arnav smiled slightly, and caught hold of her hand.

“I just wanted to give you something, Khushi.”, he murmured.

Khushi looked into his eyes, and her eyes slipped unconsciously, hopefully to his lips….

Arnav placed a gift-wrapped packet on her lap, and murmured in her ear, “Sorry to disappoint you, Khushi.”

Khushi blushed and lowered her eyes to the packet.

“Sh..shukriya…”, she muttered.

He looked at her. Her head was bowed over the packet, her fingers were clutching it like a lifeline…… He smiled.

“Khushi.. you can open it, you know…”, he reminded her.

“Ji..ji..”, Khushi stammered and opened the packet.

In it was a sari. Red. With beautiful gold work done on it. Khushi stared at it, open-mouthed.

Arnav watched her astonished face with pleasure. She gently touched a gold design as though it would fly away if she touched it too hard.

“For me?”, she asked, unable to believe that Arnavji would gift her something so beautiful.

“No. I was thinking of wearing it for Payal & Akash’s wedding.” He quirked his eyebrow.

Khushi burst out laughing, the picture of Arnavji in the sari tickling her no end.

Arnav chuckled along with her, enjoying her mirth. Inducing people to laugh had never been one of his achievements. That was, till he met Khushi…..

“Liked it?”, he asked.

Khushi nodded. “Very much.”

“So, thank me.”, Arnav requested.

“I did.”, Khushi frowned.

“You know what I want.”, he whispered, looking at her lips.

Khushi blushed a fiery red. Now she was a perfect match for the sari. She turned her head away to look out through the window.

Arnav sat waiting.

She peeped at him. She knew that he would not budge  unless & until he got what he wanted.

Khushi turned her head to look at him. Arnav strove to look as harmless as he could manage to look.

Slowly… slowly, she leaned forward.

Arnav could feel his heart thumping, every nerve in his body eager for her touch, every sinew braced for the gentle torture……

She pressed her plump, soft lips against his lean, hard cheek. He closed his eyes in a hiss of pleasure.

As he felt her withdrawing from him, he leaned forward, unwilling to let her go away from him, and quickly captured her lips with his.

Arnav slipped into his coat while barking orders into his phone. There were a hundred & one things to be seen to before the wedding. NK was helping Akash dress. He hoped he wouldn't make the groom wear his sherwani inside out.....

He looked impatiently at the clock. Khushi & her family must have arrived.

“The caterers have to be here by 6, Aman.”, he instructed.

He listened to his private secretary, and then continued to check all the details.

Khushi walked into RM behind her family & Jiji, anxiously fiddling with the pleats of her red saree. Where was he? Would he like her in his gift? She looked down at herself. Was it too transparent? She adjusted the pallu over her shoulder.

Anjali, Mami, Mamaji, & Nani welcomed the Guptas in, hugging Payal & Khushi.

“From today, your Jiji is ours, Khushiji!”, declared Anjali, laughing. “If you want to be with her, you will have to marry Chotey soon & join her here.”

"Haan, Hello Hi Bye Bye! Today she bill be Payal Akash Singh Raijjada, no more Payal Kumari Gupta!!!!", laughed Mami.

Nani smiled, “We are stealing both your daughters away from you, Madhumatiji! One today, and the other soon.”

“Le lo, le lo, Nandkisore!”, smiled Buaji. “They have been eating my head for the past 20 years and more. Now you can bear them.”

All laughed.

Khushi looked at a blushing Jiji. Today, she wouldn’t be returning with them. She would become Akash Jiju’s wife and would stay on in RM. She would be alone tonight. And every night…… Khushi swallowed hard to  hide her tears.

As all the others moved towards the living room, Anjali took one look at Khushi’s face, and said softly, “Khushiji, can you do me a small favour?”

“Ji.”

“Chotey hasn’t come down yet. The guests will be arriving soon. Can you go up to his room and ask him to come down?”, Anjali pleaded nicely.

Khushi gulped. How could she say ‘No’? Did she really want to say ‘No’? She wanted to see him, see his smile, hear his husky voice call her name…. It made everything alright. He made everything alright. Safe. Always. Even when he was angry…. All that mattered was that she could see him, be near him…..

Khushi nodded, and lifting the trailing hem of her sari, climbed the stairs to his room.

Arnav ended the call with a sigh of relief and turned to go down to her when he saw Khushi standing near his door, a hand raised to knock on the open door.

“Khushi…”, he whispered, his eyes lighting up.

She literally took away his breath. She looked gorgeous in his designer sari, the red material clinging to her curves, the gold work giving her a regal air.

“Anjaliji… She wants you to come down. The guests…. The guests will be arriving now…”, she murmured, her eyes drinking him in, feeling much better now that she had seen him.

Arnav strode to her, and cupped her face in his palms.

“Kya hua, Khushi? Why are you upset? Did anyone say anything to hurt you? Who the…?”

Khushi placed her finger against his lips.

“No one.”, she whispered.

“Then why are you upset?” His worried eyes looked into hers.

Khushi threw herself into his arms, hugging him for all she was worth. Arnav wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his warmth.

Burying her face against his neck, she whispered her complaint like a child, “You are going to take my Jiji away from me.”

Arnav stood silent for a moment, his eyes wide in shock, and then he smiled.

“Stay here with her. Don’t ever go back.”, he suggested, hoping desperately that she would acquiesce.

But Khushi was lost in her own world of injuries.

“Aap ko pata he, we have never slept apart in the last 10 years. When Amma wanted to exile me for causing a scandal in Lucknow… because you aired the video clip of me falling into your arms……. Jiji had to accompany me to your stupid Delhi. Because I am scared of sleeping alone……”

She clutched him closer still, burrowing into him, uncaring of her make up & fine clothes, wanting only his warmth, his company, the comfort that only he could provide…… If only she could crawl into his clothes.....she would be warm forever...

“Marry me, Khushi. I promise you, you will never have to sleep alone then. Never, Khushi. Not even a single night.” His whisper sounded like a loud proclamation in the silent, waiting room.

Part 18 Section 1

Khushi stilled, her body freezing in his arms.

Arnav shut his eyes in despair. He had hurt her too badly for her to trust him so easily, regardless of how much she cared for him. How could she give her heart & life into the hands of the man who had never shown her the least consideration and had used every chance to humiliate and mock her & her values?

“So, Khushi, shall we go down?”, he made his voice neutral.

She lifted her head and looked into his eyes.

What ever it was that she read there calmed her. She nodded. She then turned to leave.

“Khushi, wait for me.”, Arnav requested.

He picked up a small jewel box that Di had entrusted him with and pocketed it. He checked that his phone was with him, and taking hold of her hand, left the room.

Nani, Anjali, Mami, Mamaji, Buaji, Payal, Amma, & Babuji watched Arnav and Khushi come down the stairs holding hands. 

“Hello Hi Bye Bye! Bhat a pair! Bilkul Romeo & Julietwaa!”, said Mami.

Nani glared at her for invoking the name of ill-fated lovers.

“Hasn’t Akash come down yet?”, Arnav frowned. “NK was helping him….” He still held on to Khushi.

“Nannav, we are here…”, said NK.

All turned to look at the boys.

Akash was wearing his sherwani, and looked very dapper in it, but his turban was askew.

“Ee kaa hua! Did you boys fight over the turban?”, Mamaji asked, laughing.

“NK Bhai said that I should wear it at an angle, like a hat…”, Akash said, looking at a beautiful Payal with shining eyes.

“This NK Babua! He will make his Maasi die laughing!”, Mami exclaimed.

“Where were you till now, NK Bitwaa? You should have come earlier!”, Mamaji teased Mami, and set the turban straight.

“Khushiji, Khushiji, doesn’t Akash look good in his white sherwani?”, NK asked.

“Very, Nanheji. Jiju looks good in everything he wears.”, Khushi smiled. “You look handsome too.”, she consoled him.

NK’s face lit up. “Who looks the best, Khushiji? Akash in his white sherwani, me in my red sherwani, or Nannav in his old, boring, BLACK suit?”, he teased Khushi.

Khushi looked at Jiju. He was handsome. She looked at Nanheji in red. He was very good looking. Seeing Khushi looking at him, he preened. Biting back a smile, Khushi looked at Arnavji. Her eyes got trapped in his, her breath hitched.

“Arnavji…”, she said.

“That is partiality! That is beinaami, that is beinaami!”, exclaimed NK.

“Beimaani, NK Bhai!”, Akash & Anjali said together.

“Whatever.”, pouted NK. “But it is still partiality!”

Arnav smiled into Khushi’s eyes, expressing his happiness at her choice. Khushi blushed.

“They have become Heer & Mirza, and now Khushiji finds only Nannav handsome!!!”, NK complained, hiding his smile.

“Hai Re Nandkisore!”, Buaji cried. “Heer and Ranjha and Mirza & Sahibaan!”

NK frowned. “Who are the other two, Buaji?”

Buaji hit her forehead with her hand. All laughed.

Guests started arriving in earnest then, and both families set about welcoming them in. In the middle of the greetings and the laughter, the crowd and the joy, Arnav retained hold of Khushi’s hand, pressing her fingers at intervals.

It was time for jaimala.

Arnav had to leave Khushi’s side to support Akash during the function, but his eyes remained on her glowing face and twinkling eyes. Mamaji helped Babuji do the kanyadaan. The bride and the groom took the seven steps and the seven vows, and Arnav stood by Khushi, watching the wedding happen.

“Soon, it will be you in Payal’s place.”, he whispered in her ear.

“Acha?”, she countered.

“And me in Akash’s place.”, he murmured.

“And if I say ‘No’?”, she teased.

“I will carry you away.”, he promised.

Khushi looked at him with saucer-like eyes.

“I will carry you to a temple, and marry you. You won’t have to take the seven phere. I will carry you around the havan.”, he said softly.

Khushi looked at him in silence.

“And don’t think anyone in our families is going to help you. They will all hold the doors open for us and cheer us on our way.”

Khushi glared at him.

“And then we can have our suhaag raat.”, he said, looking into her scared eyes with amusement.

Khushi gulped.

“Don’t think I will let you sleep even for a moment, Khushi!”, he warned, hiding his smile, loving her horrified look. “You are making me wait 6 months to marry you. So be ready to pay the price.”

Part 18 Section 2

Dedicated to darl Kajal (I-F ID Hazza.oneD). May your soul rest in peace, sweetheart! Nobody can match your courage and cheer. Ever.

Arnav watched the guests and the families having a lovely time at Payal & Akash’s expense, egging them on in the games after marriage. NK was devising new games to keep the couple from their bed, and the crowd was encouraging him. Akash looked harried, and Payal was one big blush.

He looked at Khushi. She was laughing at some comment by Buaji. Di had her arm around Khushi’s shoulders and was laughing with her. Mami, standing by them, was chuckling.

It was time to call it a night.

“Nani, it is late. Shall we wind this up?”, he asked.

Nani smiled at him & nodded.

Akash & Payal got up with relieved smiles, and the guests joined them in rising.

Arnav looked at Di. She smiled and nodded.

Arnav put his hand in to his pocket, and took out a jewellery box. He walked up to Payal and placed it in her hands.

“Welcome to the family, Payal.”, he said. The Guptas gasped. The Raizadas were no less surprised.

Payal stared at him for a moment, astonished. Then she bent to touch his feet, he being her Jetji. Arnav almost jumped back in shock, not having expected such respect from Payal who was now his sister. 

All smiled.

“Open the box and see if you like it, Payalji!”, Di joined them.

Payal opened the box. Akash joined her to peek into the mystery box.

In it was a jewellery set. A necklace with diamonds, rubies, & emeralds, matching bangles & earrings, maangtikka, & anklets…..

“It is beautiful!”, gasped Payal.

“Bhai, you shouldn’t have….!”, Akash said.

“Why shouldn’t he?”, Nani smiled.

NK nodded. “Payalji is Nannav’s sister now.”

The Guptas and the Raizadas looked at each other and at Arnav, moved beyond words at his generosity.

Khushi stared at Arnavji.

Low aukat…… choti family…. A girl like you will do anything for money….. What does it matter if your Jiji loses one groom? Girls like you will always snare another man…… His words rang in her ears. Was this the same man who was welcoming her Jiji into his family?

As she watched, he motioned NK to take Akash Jiju & Jiji to their room and neatly herded the guests away.

“Hello… Khushi…?”, Arnav drawled in to the phone, abandoning his laptop without a thought and leaning back in his recliner to savour the few moments he could hear her voice.

“Arnavji… hum….”

“Kya hua?” His concern could not be doubted.

“Woh….Vimla Chachi wants me to return to Lucknow with them. Woh kya he, Sudhakar Chacha needs to go to a clinic for 2 weeks for an Ayurvedic treatment for leg pain. She needs help in the shop, and……”, Khushi came to a halt.

Arnav swallowed hard. Khushi was going away… leaving him….?

“I had promised to do so. Earlier. After Jiji’s wedding. The wedding that didn’t happen because of us meeting at Sheesh Mahal…. But then Jiji & I came over to Delhi…..”, her voice trailed away.

There was perfect silence from the other end.

Khushi tried again. “They have a textile shop in Lucknow. Chachaji & Chachiji run it together…”

There was no response.

“It is just for 2 weeks….”, she said.

“Khushi…..”, he finally found his voice. “Khushi… your work…. Delhi… Buaji…..”

“Buaji, Amma, & Babuji are happy that I am going to Lucknow to help Chachaji & Chachiji. I can also check on our house and clean it.”, Khushi said.

“Munshiji…… “, he tried again.

“He gave me 2 weeks’ leave. He said that the files in the godown would go nowhere, and that I needn’t worry. That there was enough work for me to do there till I became an old Dadi Amma and had to walk with the help of a stick.”, Khushi laughed.

Arnav looked around, desperate for inspiration. His chest hurt as though someone had placed a boulder there. Drawing breath was an effort, a very painful effort.

“Arnavji, are you listening to me?”, Khushi asked, thinking that he had abandoned the phone, her chatter having driven him away.

“Khushi, what about us?”, he finally asked.

“What about us?”, Khushi frowned, perplexed.

“Are you… we… Khushi…. You will be in Lucknow and I will be in Delhi…”, he struggled to express his anguish at her departure, having little experience in voicing his feelings.

Khushi smiled slightly, confused. “Arnavji, it is just for 2 weeks. Fourteen days. Then I will be back here in the godown.”

Arnav’s fingers tightened on the phone, almost crushing it.

Khushi looked at the phone. It was silent. She frowned at it. Why couldn’t it ring? When she was in Delhi, Arnavji used to call frequently. So frequently that Munshiji had given up leaving the room to give her privacy. Now that she was in Lucknow, he couldn’t even call her more than 3 times daily?

It had been one week. One week with her in Lucknow and him in Delhi. She sighed.

Well, she could call him. She selected his number and pressed the requisite button. Switched off. 

Khushi pursed her lips and looked out through the window at the busy street outside, trying to hide her moist eyes.

Vimala Chachi smiled at the defeated posture of Khushi. She said, “Khussi Bitiyaa, why don’t you go to the cellar and bring up the latest consignment of Banarsi saris?”

Khushi nodded, not looking at her, and hastily left the hall.

One week. Seven days without him. Seven nights of dreaming about him as she lay in the narrow single bed of her childhood in her old room in her ancestral home, Gomti Sadan…… Khushi dragged a chair up to the cabinet, got up on it, and pulled the big packet of saris closer, and untied the knot.

Her eyes lingered on the bright colours and gold design on the precious silk, not seeing them. 

How could one be lonely when surrounded by people? Why did she want to catch the next bus or train to Delhi, when Lucknow was her home? How could one man cast such a spell over her that everything familiar seemed foreign to her?

She blinked red, wet eyes, and lifting the bundle of silk, turned around.

She gasped. The saris fell from her nerveless fingers in a cascade of multi-coloured silk. She wobbled on the delicate chair, struggling for balance.


Part 18 Section 3

Khushi fell from the chair to be caught and held safe against a hard, coat-covered chest by strong arms.

“Arnavji…..”, she whimpered, looking into unreadable eyes.

“Khushi…”, he murmured, his husky voice caressing and trying to soothe her frayed nerves that refused to be soothed.

She pushed against his muscular shoulders, forcing him to loosen his hold on her. She stood on her feet and looked at his impassive face.

“Aap! Who do you think you are….? You….”, she lit into him, her longing for him making her furious with him.

“Arnav Singh Raizada.”, the voice hid a smile.

“You can’t even bother to call me! What did you think? That once I was out of your sight, I was dead to you?”, Khushi did not hesitate to air her grievances.

Arnav hid his smile and relished the look of anxiety and anger on her face.

Khushi fumed. “If this is the way you behave when I am gone for 2 weeks, it is good that I didn’t go for a month. You would have forgotten that a girl named Khushi Kumari Gupta ever lived!”

“You are the one who insisted on coming to Lucknow.”, he said mildly.

“Tho? Couldn’t you have said, ‘Khushi, don’t go. Stay with me?’ Couldn’t you have told me how much it would hurt…. How difficult it would be….. without seeing you….. without….?”, Khushi was furious. She pushed him away.

“Without…?”, he asked.

“What kind of a man are you? I don’t have any experience in such matters, but you should know! You are older than me! You have had girl friends! You should know how much it would hurt!” She caught him by the lapels of his coat and tried to shake him.

Arnav could not control his smile from slipping out. 

Khushi had the uncanny ability to kill his self-control.

“Don’t smile.”, Khushi ordered.

Arnav could not stop smiling.

“Aap ko hasi aa rahi he! When I am dying here.” She pushed him away with her hands against his shoulders. “Acha! This is your love, your mohabbat for me, your prem….” Her eyes filled with tears. She pushed him again with all the force she could muster. 

She found herself caught by her arms and pulled into his hold. His lips swooped down on hers. 

There was silence in the cellar.

A while later, Arnav lifted his head. His lips left hers reluctantly. His arms held her safe and close to him, his heart thudding against hers.

“No. This is my love.”, he said. “Do you doubt it?’, he asked, rubbing his nose against hers.

Khushi parted her lips to answer, but the fire in his eyes as they rested on her parted lips and the thundering of his heart against hers silenced her.

“How could you leave me alone for a week?”, she finally asked in a low voice.

“Do you think it was easy for me, Khushi?”, he countered.

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Don’t cry. Don’t cry, Khushi.” He kissed her eye lids and wiped her tears off with his fingers.

Khushi hugged him, burying her face against his neck.

“Don’t let me go away from you again.”, she ordered in a low tone.

Arnav smiled, rubbing her back, soothing her. “No. Never.”

“And if I say I want to go?”, she muttered into his neck.

“I will handcuff you to me.”, he said, kissing her silky hair, smiling into the dark cloud.

“You are like alcohol.”, Khushi declared, tightening her trembling fingers around his lapel.

Arnav raised one eyebrow.

“One sip of you and I am addicted to you.”, Khushi frowned at the strange phenomenon, missing the darkening of Arnav’s eyes.

The first she knew of his intention was the seductive sweep of his hard, warm lips against her soft, plump ones.

“Return home with me?”, Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded happily but then her face fell. “But… Vimala Chachi…”

“I talked to her on the phone. She is OK with it.”, Arnav smiled.

Khushi’s mouth fell open. “Awww…. When did you…?"

"Buaji gave me her number.", he smirked.

"You…you…. natkhat….devious….. Akhdoo Singh Raizada!”, she exclaimed.

“Aashik Singh Raizada…”, he murmured into her ear.

Khushi blushed.

The change of Akhdoo Singh Raizada into Aashik Singh Raizada was a remark by my friend, sun_shine_girl. Thank u, darl!

Part 18, Section 4

Khushi & Arnav left Vimala Chachi & the textile shop to go to Khushi’s house, Gomti Sadan, for lunch. The sales girls and Vimla Chachi watched the pair walk out holding hands, and smiled at each other.

Arnav drove to Gomti Sadan, following Khushi’s directions which were confusing and very informative to say the least.

“You have to turn left near Devi Maiyya’s temple. Then you will see Rajesh Chacha’s wheat mill, milk booth, and Nathu’s sweetshop. Then we have to turn right near the street tap where all the ladies dump garbage at night, and go on for a few minutes. Then you will come to a rickshaw stand….”

Arnav looked at her, taking his eyes off the mad rush on the road for a moment. 

“Left. I said, left, Arnavji! This is Devi Maiyya’s temple!”, Khushi exclaimed.

Two adolescent cyclists attempted to commit suicide by crashing into his car. He deftly swung the steering wheel to save both of them, and tried to find space between a lorry carrying household items and a public bus with men hanging by their toenail to the footboard…...

“You see that shop, Arnavji?”, Khushi asked, leaning towards him, and pointing to a small candystore hidden behind the butchers and a shop selling musical instruments.

Arnav glanced at it, scared to take his eyes off the road for too long.

“Bankelalji used to sell channa there. When we left school, we used to go there and buy channa daily from him.”, Khushi smiled, lost in the memory of the good old times.

Arnav smiled, looking at her lost expression.

“That’s our school, Arnavji! Jiji and I used to go there. Aap ko pata he, the biology teacher used to cane me everyday. She used to ask, are you sure you and Payal belong to the same family?”, Khushi laughed.

Arnav smiled.

“Ramu Chacha sells thandai there…. That is Ritesh Mama’s kirana store…. Babuji used to run Satwik Mistaan Bhandaar next door…..”, Khushi sighed. “People used to stand in queue to buy his Agra peda and my jalebis……”

Arnav looked at her downcast face, upset for her.

Khushi’s face lit up. “Ramu Chacha used to call me Jalebi Rani of Lucknow!” 

Arnav smiled.

“Turn right here, Arnavji! That is the garbage dump!”, Khushi pointed out.

Arnav obediently turned right, like the good boy he was.

Khushi led him through the big arch of an old house. ‘Gomti Sadan’ and the year of construction were written in metal on the arch. He drove into a big courtyard. A cot had mango pieces left to dry on it, to be pickled later. Another had brass utensils washed and left to dry in the sun. There were a few plants in pots, and a stack of folded clothes on a stool.

“Please come in.”, Khushi the hostess invited him in. She led him into the living room, a huge hall with a TV in one corner, and old chairs with plush cushions and tables. The walls had many decorative hangings, and the whole room looked colourful and lived-in. The stained glass windows lent piquancy to the appearance of the room.

Arnav stood in the centre of the room and looked around. There was a photo of Buaji & Phuphaji. Buaji looked impossibly slender and shy, standing by a Phuphaji with a walrus moustache. Arnav smiled.

“Coffee.”, Khushi gave him a cup of the unsweetened beverage, and placed the tray on a table. “I will make lunch now.”, she announced.

Arnav shed his coat & waistcoat, unbuttoned a couple of the buttons on his brown shirt to beat the heat, and followed her to the kitchen.

It was a big, sun-lit room, with jars and jars of pickles, a basket of vegetables, bins of atta and sugar… He watched Khushi deftly mix atta for roti and mince vegetables for curry.

Soon the kitchen was redolent with the smell of delicious cooking. Arnav washed the utensils she had used for cooking, wetting himself more than the pans. Khushi leaned against the counter, laughing, clutching her tummy.

“Arnav Singh Raizada…. ha..ha…  washing.. the..the… dishes…..”, she chuckled.

“Khushi Kumari Gupta!”, he growled in pretended anger.

Khushi laughed more.

Arnav smiled and sprayed some water on to her. Khushi ran from the room, carrying the dishes to the dining table. Arnav followed, laughing.

Arnav and Khushi sat down to have their meal. Khushi served him and then herself. The food tasted like ambrosia to Arnav, especially when Khushi broke a piece of roti and dipping it in the sabzi that she had made, placed it in his mouth. Arnav chewed slowly, savouring the morsel. When he finished, he parted his lips and sat waiting for her to feed him. 

Khushi giggled. Arnavji was so funny! Like a child, she thought. And being Khushi, she blurted out her thoughts as soon as she thought them.

“Arnavji! You are so like a child! No wonder Anjaliji & Naniji call you Chotey!”, she smiled.

Arnav looked down at his plate. Where had his childhood gone? Had he ever had a childhood? All he could remember of it was the suicide of his parents and the helplessness he had felt when his uncle had thrown him & Di out……. He looked at Khushi’s happy face. Maybe he had been given a second chance at life and happiness. He was no fool to waste it!

They finished their meal, enjoying each other’s company. After the meal, Arnav helped Khushi wash the plates and crockery they had used. He then took his glass of water and walked around, studying the photos hanging on the walls of the corridor leading away from the kitchen.

There was a family photo. Arnav took a mouthful of water. 

Amma & Babuji were sitting. Buaji was standing behind them, Khushi & Payal on either side of her. Khushi had taken hold of Buaji’s long plait and put it around her neck. Arnav chuckled, choking and spilling water all over his shirt.

Khushi came running to him. “Arnavji, what happened? Are you alright?” She patted him on his head and rubbed his back so that he could get his breath back.

“You have wet your shirt!”, she gasped. “I will dry it if you remove it.”

“I will remove it.”, he said, laughter still lingering in his voice. 

Khushi pointed out her bedroom to him, and went to lock the back door.

When she got to her bedroom, Arnavji was sitting without his shirt on her bed, leaning against the headboard. Her feet halted at the threshold. She clutched the sides of her suit, bunching the material in her fists.

“Khushi… Here’s the shirt!”, Arnav said, holding out the wet shirt.

Khushi had no choice. Breathing deeply to calm herself, Khushi walked up to him, and held out her trembling hand. He looked at her hand, and then placed the shirt in it. Her fingers closed over the material. She took it to the terrace leading from her room to hang it out to dry.

Arnav sat watching her, a smile on his naughty face.

Drawing on all her reserves of courage and self-control, Khushi returned to the room.

Arnav sat back, relaxed, looking at a visibly uncomfortable Khushi who was trying very hard not to look at his bare chest and torso.

Khushi tried to leave the room inconspicuously.

“Khushi…”, Arnav called.

“J..j..i..i..?”, she quavered.

“Just come here for a moment.”, he invited.

Khushi took a couple of steps to the bed. And halted.

“Closer…..”, Arnav invited in his bedroom voice, his molten eyes calling her to throw all caution and fear to the winds and enjoy the moment.

Khushi gulped…. And took one step forward.

“Closer…”, his voice went huskier.

Khushi took one more step closer to him on trembling legs, feeling short of breath, feeling asthough all the nerves in her body were stretched on a rack……

Arnav leaned forward in a quick movement, and caught her arm in a vice. He pulled her to sit by him on the bed, facing him.

Khushi panted. Arnav’s heart raced to match hers.

He flicked a finger against her pale cheek. 

"What is wrong, Khushi? You look scared..." He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling in mirth.

“He is dangerous, Khushi. Don’t look into his eyes….”, Khushi told herself. As usual, she spoke aloud, and Arnav burst out laughing.

Khushi frowned at him. How dare he steal her breath first, and then laugh at her breathlessness? She made to get off the bed, miffed with him.

Arnav pulled her into his arms, holding her close against his bare chest. Her hands clutched his bare shoulders, and pulled back as though she had touched fire.

“Aap… aap kya kar rehe he? Chodiye hamein!”, she said. Unfortunately the words sounded more like an invitation to hold on to her tighter rather than a warning. And her eyes slid to his tempting lips…..

Arnav smiled, his delicious lips twisting in mockery. “Tut tut, Khushi. You still don’t know what I am going to do to you? That’s a shame. We have to correct it at the earliest.”

His face came closer to hers, his lips approaching hers.

Khushi gasped, her half-fried brain capable of coming up only with “Arnavji…. Arnavji…the shirt…”

“Shirt ko goli maro.”, Arnav whispered as he moved in for the kill.

Part 18 Section 5

A VISHU gift for all my readers & friends. Enjoy!

As his lips were about to touch hers, Khushi turned her head away, bashful, scared of his pull, the power of her longing for him….

Arnav smiled, his predatory eyes softening at her uncertainty.

Arnav twisted his body so that Khushi was flat on the bed, trapped under him.

“Now what will you do, Khushi Kumari Gupta?”, he asked in his husky voice.

Khushi breathed shallowly, panting as her eyes rested on his smiling visage and intent eyes.

“This…”, she murmured, as she proceeded to tickle him.

Her hands were everywhere. Running over his neck, trailing over his chest, tickling his ribs and his washboard stomach……

Arnav burst out laughing. Khushi chuckled to see him squirm, unable to bear the torture of her fingers. Arnav tried to duck, to move away, but she was determined to bring him to his knees. 

She wrestled him to the bed, and pinning him down with her body weight, tried to make him admit his defeat at her hands. Her silky hair fell over his face, clouding his vision and caressing his rough cheeks marked by bristly stubble.

But Arnav was made of sterner stuff. And he was not her Jiji. 

He locked her lower limbs with his in a wrestling move, and turned her along with him, lying over her. He laughed into her face, chuckling at her chagrin. 

The laughter slowly vanished from his face as he gazed at her petal soft rosy lips and beautiful eyes. His eyes lost their playfulness, and Khushi could feel the heat growing in his gaze. Not taking his eyes from her, Arnav caught her arms one after the other with one of his and raised them above her head, curling her fingers around the small, thin wooden railings on the headboard.

He trailed his fingers down her arm, caressing the sensitive skin of her inner arms with loving, knowing fingers, his eyes still holding hers captive.

Khushi gasped at the sensation, her mouth parting in shock. How could such a simple touch make her so weak, so needy, so…so….

Arnav swooped down, capturing her lips with his. He tasted the softness of her lips and their addictive sweetness, making the most of the opportunity that had fallen to them to share a few moments in privacy without any of their family members summoning them.

Time lost all meaning as he made a thorough exploration of her sweet mouth. As he withdrew his lips reluctantly from hers, both of them were panting, gasping for breath.

She was totally lost, buffeted by waves of such sensations that she had never experienced before, unaware of who she was, where she was… She saw only him, his face as he gazed down at her, its stern lines tightening in his attempt to find self-control.

Arnav could feel himself trembling as he tried to grasp at the threads of his fleeing self-control and his rapidly vanishing determination to keep her safe from his overwhelming need for her till she was safely married to him. His family… her family… the trust they had placed in him… He couldn’t break it. And Khushi….. She didn’t have an ounce of self preservation in her. He had to look after her interests.

He tried to lift himself off her, in an attempt to remove temptation from his sight and touch.

Khushi caught his shoulders and tried to pull him closer.

He tried to move away.

She pouted, and tried to lift herself closer to him.

With a super human effort that almost unmanned him, he freed himself from her eager arms, and leaped off the bed.

“Arnavji….!”, Khushi complained.

Arnav swallowed. Hard.

“Khushi…. We need to leave for Delhi now. It will be very late otherwise.” He tried to keep his voice toneless, but failed. Only he knew the meaning of the word 'late' in his statement. It did not mean a dark night.

Khushi sat up, parting her lips to persuade him to delay their journey.

Before she could speak, Arnav butted in, “My shirt… Khushi, it must have dried by now….”

Khushi pursed her lips disapprovingly, crawled off the bed, and flounced out of the room to get his shirt.

An hour later, the house was clean and the doors locked.

Arnav helped Khushi into the front seat of his car, and proceeded to make his way away from the house.

As they left, Khushi turned to take one last look at the beloved old building that had sheltered her for the past 10 years. Her eyes filled with tears.

“Let’s come back for a visit…. after our wedding.”, said Arnav softly, taking hold of her hand as he drove through the comparatively less crowded lane leading to the Main Road.

Khushi nodded, trying not to let the tears fall.

“Then you can take me to your school….”, he suggested.

Khushi smiled widely through her tears. “My biology teacher will ask you how you put up with me!”

“I will tell her that I can’t do without you.”, he smiled, pressing her fingers. Khushi blushed.

“She will faint, pukka!”, she mumbled.

Arnav smiled. “And we can go to the thandai shop, the kirana store, the channawala, and visit all your friends…” It was a relief to think about Lucknow without seeing Sheesh Mahal in his mind’s eye, without feeling a cruel hand close around his heart, without feeling that his head would burst with a replay of terrible scenes from the past.....

Khushi looked at his relaxed visage, and hesitated.

Arnav looked at her, an eyebrow raised in question.

“Arnavji… you didn’t mind coming to Lucknow for me?” Her voice was low. So low that Arnav had to cock his ears to hear her question.

“Mind?”, he asked.

“With your past…”, she paused.

Arnav smiled. “No.”

Khushi sighed in relief.

Arnav slammed on the brakes, and lifted her hand to his lips for a loving kiss. “You have freed me, Khushi. The past no longer hurts. We can come to Lucknow as many times as you want to, every year. And maybe one day, Nani, Di, Akash, Mami, Mamaji, Payal, you, me, we can all visit Sheesh Mahal together.”

Khushi looked at him, amazed at the change in him.

Part 19 Section 1

“Khushi, come out with me tomorrow night?”, Arnav asked.

“Come out with you? Kahan?”, Khushi asked, frowning at the file in her hand.

“AR Designs is giving a new year party at Purple Orchid. For our clients, business associates, and employees.”, he invited.

“Your office party! With lots of girls in chote kapde and murgi ka tail?”, Khushi asked, scandalised. “No, no! My clothes are long and I don’t drink daru. What will I do there?”

“Akash will be taking Payal. NK & Di will be there. And… and we can dance.”, Arnav tempted her.

Khushi swallowed. 

“We can see the New Year in together, Khushi.”, he invited.

Khushi hesitated, torn between wanting to join him and her unwillingness to put up with the bitchiness of many of the ladies she had worked with once upon a time.

“Buaji…?”

“I will take her consent.”, Arnav promised rashly.

Buaji opened the door to him on New Year’s Eve.

“Hai Re Nandkisore! Arnav Babua, you look so handsome! Dark blue suits you well.”

Arnav Babua blushed.

Buaji pinched his chin. “Babua, tum kaahe sharma rahe ho, in front of your Buaji?”

Arnav felt about 10 years old in front of Buaji’s all-encompassing love.

Then Khushi walked out of her bedroom.

“Is this OK, Arnavji?”, she asked, twirling to show him her red and dark blue lehenga from every angle.

Arnav felt his heart stop for a moment, and then pick up its beat. He could only nod.

“Err…we will be a bit late, Buaji.”, he said.

“New Year’s party sharty he, Bitwaa! You can’t come home before midnight! And you are both looking so good, Nandkisore! Jao, mauj masti karo! Anyway your Di is with you.”, Buaji smiled.

Arnav smiled his thanks at Buaji, and led Khushi out to his car.

Arnav helped Khushi from the car, and held her hand as they walked up the steps to the upscale Purple Orchid. He led her to the cavernous banquet hall. Khushi blinked, trying to see in the dim light. Slow, sensuous music played as a background to the animated conversation of the guests who were having fun.

“Khushiji!”, Nanheji shouted in welcome. “So you are Arnavji’s date for the evening!”

“Date? Khajur?”, Khushi frowned. “Nanheji! Do I look like a khajur to you? From which angle?”, Khushi asked him.

All laughed.

“Jiji, you look beautiful!”, Khushi complimented Payal, who was dressed in a pink and light green fancy saree, and looked beyond gorgeous.

“Anjaliji, you are so beautiful!”, Khushi exclaimed. Anjali was in a golden tissue sari, and looked like a celebrity.

All smiled as Di hugged Khushi.

“Acha?”, she teased Khushi. “Then why is Chotey looking at you as though he wants to carry you away to some uninhabited island?”

All laughed at Arnav & Khushi, who flushed slightly at the comment.

“How do I look, Khushiji?”, NK asked.

“Like natkhat Nandkisore!”, Khushi praised him.

All smiled as NK flushed in happiness.

Arnav had to meet and greet all his business associates and clients who had been invited to the party. He hated doing the pretty, but there was no way he could avoid it. He kept Khushi close to him, locking her fingers with his, introducing her only to elderly and married guests.

The models who regularly promoted his clothes were also in attendance, as were his employees. Lisa, a well-known model, asked Pam, “That girl with ASR looks familiar. Who is she?”

“Chamkili!”, Pam grimaced. “The idiot who spoilt your fur coat during the fashionshoot.”

Lisa ground her teeth in fury. Her precious fur coat from Paris!

Pam added, malice coating her words. “She is all set to be La’s replacement. And why not? Her sister has trapped Akash Singh Raizada. Now Chamkili is related to ASR, and is stitching her bridal clothes in anticipation of being Mrs ASR.”

“La’s replacement? This… this… clumsy freak?”, Lisa could not believe her ears. “She wants to become Mrs. ASR?”, she fumed. Many had tried and failed. How dare the dehati girl even dream of landing ASR? Thoughts of her ruined fur coat further infuriated her.

She sashayed towards ASR.