79. OS 2: Finding Khushi

 A VM for my readers:

Kaun Mera by Chaitra Ambadipudi (Movie: Special 26)

Part 1: Out of Reach

Anjali frowned at her phone, and remarked, “It is already 10o’clock, and Khushiji hasn’t come yet.”

Arnav looked up from his plate.

“You are right, Anjali Bitiyaa! I was waiting for her. Especially after yesterday’s Diwali party and the way in which she helped to bring about and celebrate Chotey & Miss Kasyap’s engagement….”, Nani said.

Arnav clenched his jaw.

“Haan, Nani. It would never have happened without Khushiji’s help….”, smiled Anjali.

The spoon in his hand was in danger of being pulverised.

“I will call her.”, decided Anjali. “I hope she is not sick….Not that she ever is…but….”, Anjali called Khushi.

Arnav looked down at his plate, but all his attention, all his senses were focused on the phone Di was holding to her ear.

“Khushiji!”, Anjali trilled.

All looked at her.

“Aren’t you coming here today?”, Anjali smiled.

No one could hear Khushi’s reply, but they all saw Anjali’s face fall.

Arnav swallowed hard.

“Khushiji…. But we never thought of it as a job ….. How can you say that your job is over?...... It would be so much fun to plan Chotey’s sagai if you were here …… After all, you changed Chotey’s mind when we had all failed ……… but……. Khushiji ……”

Arnav grit his teeth, trying to control his breath.

Nani grabbed the phone from Anjali.

“Khussi Bitiya, why aren’t you coming here? We are waiting for you.”

She listened carefully.

“I am not going to listen to any of your excuses. Come here today to meet me. Won’t you listen to your Nani’s words?”, Nani wheedled.

A few moments later, she cut the call & handed over the phone to Anjali.

All looked at her.

“She said that she has an interview for a new job today… That we had employed her to make Miss Kasyap acceptable to us, and that her job was done …… that she won’t be able to come here…..”, Nani sighed.

Arnav got up and left the table.

Mami said, “Saasumma, she is right. Her job is over. Pay her this month’s salary, and say Bye Bye!”

“Manorama!”, Nani chided.

“Mami!”, protested Anjali.

Part 2: Within Sight

Arnav sat in his car, watching her house.

Khushi left the house and walked the short distance towards Kanshi Ram’s grain depot on the next street, her cloth bag swinging against her hip.

She looked pale, thinner……her face drawn …. her smile missing … her zest for life gone….. Arnav shut his eyes in pain.

“Khushiji! Going to work?”, asked Happy Singh, a cheerful smile on his face.

“Ji.”, Khushi made an effort to smile.

“Will you be coming here at night? We have a new truck to repair.”, Happy Singh invited.

“Ji.”

Khushi walked on, feeling the cool morning breeze stir the strands of her hair that had slipped the ugly clips she fastened in her hair above her ears. 

Arnav drove slowly forward, his eyes fixed on the slim figure walking listlessly on the road.

She looked around. Schoolchildren in uniforms waiting for their ride to school. They waved at her. She waved back, smiling for them. 

Men & women going to their offices. Kamla Chachi & Vimla Mausi at the hand pump. Preetho running after a rickshaw. There was a crowd in the kirana store. The paanwala bhaiyya was chatting with the chudiwala, shifting the ball of paan in his mouth to the other cheek to speak better…… 

Life was going on…moving ahead… She alone was left behind…. Alone again…… Her chest hurt.

“Will you take channa, Bitiyaa?”, the chana seller asked.

“Nahin Bhaiyya, not today.”, Khushi refused with a slight smile.

She failed to notice the car crawling after her. Or the man with burning eyes behind the wheel.




Part 3: Pehla Pehla Pyaar 

“I am going out for lunch, Khushi.”, Munshiji said. “I will get you the next batch of files when I return. You have your food and rest for a few minutes.”

“Ji.”, replied Khushi, over the noise of the radio that Munshiji switched on when he came to work in the morning and switched off only when he left in the evening.

“Dil Garden Garden Ho Gaya…”, the radio sang.

It was company for them. Stuck in the godown filled with cabinets & racks of files, the elderly man and the young girl needed the company of the friendly voice on the radio, the songs, the news…...

Khushi saved the entries she had made, shut down the laptop she had been given, and got up to wash her hands and face. Drying herself, she took out her lunch box from her bag, and sat down at a small table to have her meal. 

Poori .. aaloo … jalebi….. Her favourite food. And Buaji had smuggled the sweet into the box to tempt her appetite. Because Khushi no longer ate well……

The radio played an advertisement for slimming tea.

She tore a piece of the poori and dipped it into the aloo curry. She stared at the food held in her fingers. She was not hungry. But if she didn’t eat it, her Buaji would want to know why. She slowly brought it to her mouth.

Pehla Pehla Pyaar He….., the radio crooned. Khushi looked at it, startled.

Pehli Pehli Baar He…..

Jaan Ke Bhi Anjaana
Kaisa Mera Yaar Hai……

Her fingers dropped the morsel into her lunch box. She got up to switch off the radio. The last thing she needed right now was a pesky love song that gnawed at her heart strings ….. The look in his eyes as he had walked towards her by the pool……the feel of his hand as he had cupped her cheek….. the way her heart had felt as though it would shudder to a stop….. 

Two weeks without seeing him had done little to diminish the burn, the hurt, the pain of him sticking a knife in her heart and pushing it in…… Pehla Pehla Pyaar! Love should be banned! Especially when the man you loved was spineless!

Her hand reached towards the radio.

“Khushi…” The whisper reached her over the music.

She froze.

She turned around slowly to see Arnav Singh Raizada standing in her congested office.

Uski Nazar, Palkon Ki Chilman Se Mujhe Dekhti, Uski Nazar…. 

Her beautiful eyes…wide with shock….. He felt his heart skip a beat before racing faster than his breath. His eyes ran all over her, storing everything he could see for future use and comfort. He clenched trembling fingers.

Uski Haya, Apni Hi Chaahat Ka Raaz Kholti, Uski Haya…..

 

She looked away at the other occupants of the room — the tables, chairs, the old fan, the cabinets & racks with files, Munshiji’s old umbrella hanging from the peg…… She was in Kanshi Ram’s godown….. She pinched herself. No, she was not dreaming. She looked into his waiting eyes.

Chhup Ke Kare Jo Wafa, Aisa Mera Yaar Hai ……

Between them rose the ghosts of Khushi & Arnav on Diwali night, their lips on the verge of meeting……. Khushi swallowed and looked away. Not again. No more. She had cried enough.

Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai ... Pehli Pehli Baar He…

“Aap? What are you doing here?”, she took the initiative, making her voice businesslike.

Woh He Nisha, Woh Hi Meri Zindagi Ki Bhor Hai, Woh He Nisha….

Arnav swallowed at the closed look on her face.

“Di said that your phone is switched off.”, he said, his husky voice doing unmentionable things to her spine and nerves. No. No, Khushi. No more tears for an unworthy man.

She straightened her spine, and looked him in the face.

“I am working.” Her tone was casual.

Usse He Pata, Uske Hi Haathon Mein Meri Dor Hai, Usse He Pata…. 

“Nani called you at night. The phone was still switched off.”, Arnav said.

“I return late from work.”, she said.

Saare Jahan Se Juda, Aisa Mera Pyaar Hai….

“Di…”, Arnav started.

“My work in your house is done. I have moved on to the next job.”, she stated simply.

Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai, Pehli Pehli Baar He…..

Arnav clenched his jaw. His eyes showered fury at her.

“How can you call it a job? After all the love and respect my family gave you….?”

Khushi smiled at him with pity.

“I took up the job unwillingly because Anjaliji threatened me.”

Arnav stared at her.

“I am a Complan boy! I am a Complan girl!”, the radio shouted.

“When I refused her offer of a job to train Lavanyaji, Anjaliji said that I would have to pay the 1 lakh I owed you the next morning or turn up at your house for the job.”

Arnav felt his breath hitch.

“Why are you surprised? She is your sister, the sister of the great businessman, Arnav Singh Raizada, who is full of dimag….”

“Yeh Fevicol Ki Jod He….”, said the radio.

“So, unable to pay the amount, majbooran, I came to your house to teach Lavanyaji. My job was to make Lavanyaji acceptable to Naniji. You did my job for me by proposing marriage to her in front of your guests.” Her heart clenched in grief, but she pushed the pricking images away from her mind.

Arnav stared at her without blinking or breathing.

“Lavanyaji became acceptable to your Naniji on Diwali night. My job was done. There was no further need for me to come to your house. I was free of your contract. I could finally lead my own life. Which I am trying to do….” She indicated the room.

“Utterly, Butterly Delicious, Amul Butter!

 Boss Ko Salaam, Subah Sham

To Pure Honge Saare Kaam..

Kyonki Makhan Se Chalti he Duniya…..!”, the radio informed employees.

“I suppose I should thank you. For my freedom…”, Khushi said, her voice bland.

Arnav stood staring at her, unable to speak.

“Magar Chaap Machar Batti!”, the radio listed its advantages.

“We may not meet again. So congratulations on your sagai and wedding. And good luck for your life ahead.” Khushi smiled.

“Gale Mein Ho Kharash..Ya Band Naak…..Vicks Ki Ek Goli Lo….”

Arnav turned and walked away.

Khushi sank on the floor, her legs giving way, her eyes filling with tears…..

“Women’s Horlicks…..”, sang the radio. “Khud Par Yakeen Karne Lagi…Yeh Sach He Main Badal Rahi Hoon…… Main Badal Rahi Hoon….”

Part 4 (Dedicated to Monsi, who celebrated her birthday on March 8th)


A VM for her: Jaadu He Nasha He

Arnav walked into the house, Akash following him.

Nani, Mami, & Di were waiting for them in the living room.

Akash went to join them, but Arnav made to take the stairs to his room.

“Chotey!”, Nani called.

Arnav shut his eyes. He knew the tone. She was furious. And Di would join her in cornering him today.

“Yes, Nani?”, he looked at her, his face impassive.

“Ms. Kasyap packed her things and left the house at noon.”, Nani bit out.

Arnav nodded.

“She said that you had both decided that you did not suit.”, Di said.

“She said right.”, said Arnav.

“You both decided? We don’t believe that. You decided. And she went home crying. Isn’t that the truth?”, asked a wise Nani.

Arnav nodded. “I told her that we wouldn’t suit. That we would be miserable living together. She thought about it and agreed with me.”

“But she loved you!”, gasped Anjali.

“She doesn’t know me. And the little she knows is not very comforting.”, Arnav said.

“You love her!”, shouted Di.

“I don’t.”, Arnav was definite on this point. “I never did. I liked her. I still do. That’s all.”

Nani & Di glared at him.

“I thought it was better to stop the sagai before it happened than to get engaged & married and then divorced.”, Arnav said.

Nani & Di looked at him with open mouths. But Mami nodded. 

“Arnav Bitwaa is right. When he marries, he should marry willingly. Bhat ijj the ujj (use) of marrying when he does not want to get married, Hello Hi Bye Bye?”

“He should have thought of all this earlier, Manorama. Not after bringing Ms. Kasyap to stay here and announcing his engagement to her publicly!”, Nani spit out.

“Saasumma! Ms. Kasyap is flying to London.” Mami flapped her hands as though to show Ms. Kasyap flying. “And hamre Arnav Bitwaa ijj here, working, working, and working. Ab pachtaye hoth kaa, jab all birds chuk gayii khet? And flew away after having dinner?”

Arnav sat in his room, the laptop in front of him. A slight breeze ruffled the leaves of his plants and the surface of the pool.

His mind was churning, his head was pounding. Day and night, all he could see were her tear-filled eyes as she stood in his garden and looked into the hall when he was letting the whole world know that he was marrying Lavanya Kashyap.

And her pain-filled eyes as he stood on the veranda of her house and insulted her so thoroughly that she wouldn’t dare to look him in the face again.

And her cold eyes as she stood in her office and made it clear to him that she was out of his life and staying there.

Eyes which condemned him for not having the guts to face what was brewing between them …. for taking refuge under Lavanya’s pallu…..

Arnav knocked the laptop off the table. It fell on the carpeted floor. He stood up and paced the length & breadth of the room.

Why couldn’t he get her image out of his mind? Why were her words ringing in his ears? Why couldn’t he stay away from her?

He grabbed his car keys and rushed out of his room.

Mami, Akash, Di, & Nani watched as Arnav made a beeline for the door, not even noticing them. As he did every night.

Nani sighed, “This boy! When will he find peace? Driving around most of the night and working all day!”

Anjali said, “Why is he so upset, Nani?”

“It ijj not Ms. Kasyap. That ijj pukka.”, said sharp Mami. “Akash Bitwaa, ijj there some other girlwaa in the ophice (office) that Arnav Bitwaa ijj interested in?”

“No, Mate. Bhai does not talk to any girls. He only shouts at everybody.”, Akash said.

Nani & Anjali sighed.

"This ijj a mystery.", Mami declared. "Inbestigation karega padi!"

Arnav drove rapidly to Laxmi Nagar. He stretched his neck to get a good peek at her front door. It was open. Golden light in the front room revealed Devi Maiyya’s idol and the furniture in the living room.

As he watched, Buaji came out of the house, a plate in her hand, and hollered, “O Sanka Devi! Aren’t you coming home for dinner?”

Khushi replied from Happy Singh’s workshop. “I am coming, Buaji!”

“If you don’t come now, I will feed your dinner to the dogs, Nandkisore!”, Buaji retorted.

“One minute, Buaji!”

He saw Khushi run across the road to her Buaji. She opened the latch of the gate with her elbow, her hands being covered with grease.

Buaji hit her head with her hand.

“Lo, dekho, Nandkisore! Parmeswari is covered in dirt! How will you eat food?”

Khushi giggled. “You feed me, Buaji. Just like you used to feed me & Jiji in our childhood.”

Buaji glared at her. Arnav felt a smile stretch his lips.

“And this is not dirt, Buaji! This is grease.”

“What were you doing, playing with grease, Nandkisore?”

“Happyji & I were operating on a car, Buaji. Grease in a car is like blood in a man.”

“Grease ki bachi, come here!”, Buaji pulled her by her ear towards the cot in the yard and pushed her on to it. 

She sat next to Khushi, and began feeding her.

Payal came out, a tray with 3 tea cups on it. She joined Buaji & Khushi, and all three began talking & laughing.

Arnav sat watching them, smiling whenever Khushi smiled, filling his head and heart with images of her.

Once Buaji had fed her to her heart’s content, she got up and left for the house. Payal carried the tray away.

The smile fell away from Khushi’s face. She looked pale & ghost-like in the moonlight. Arnav gulped, a lump of pain and regret choking him.

She looked at the stars in the sky, anguish in her heart. She sat still, watching the tiny pinpoints of light till Buaji summoned her in.

Arnav sat outside her house, watching the lights in her bedroom go out. She would come to the window now. She would spend most of the night at the window looking at the stars, he knew from watching her every night.

Soon, Khushi came to stand at the window. She stood still for a while. As he watched, she hugged herself, her shoulders hunched. A tear slowly trailed down her cheek.

Arnav clutched the steering wheel. No more. She had to come back. To RM. To him. Nothing else was acceptable.

Part 5: A Battle of Wills

Arnav ruthlessly cancelled his lunchtime appointment, and walked into her office during her break.

Khushi was tidying her table when she felt a familiar gust of wind ruffle her hair. She looked up, and there he was.

Arnav Singh Raizada.....

She stared at him. Six feet of a lean body in dark formal clothes. And his eyes burning into hers. It had been so long……..

“Di needs a private secretary.”, he did not waste any time. He mentioned an obscenely large amount as salary. “She wants you.”

She looked at him. His face looked as though it had been carved out of stone.

“I have a job.”, Khushi said finally.

“This will pay better.” He was curt.

Khushi nodded. “But I don’t want it.”

Arnav threw a bundle of notes on her table. “Come with me.”, he ordered.

“No.”, she said, shocked & hurt eyes on him. "Never."

Arnav stepped forward to take hold of her arm. She drew back.

“Don’t touch me, Mr. Raizada. I am not your girl friend, Lavanyaji.” Her eyes were cold. “And I am sure Anjaliji can arrange your sagai & wedding without my help.”

Arnav lowered his eyes. He gulped.

“Lavanya has returned to London.”, he said softly.

Khushi stood, silent, careful to keep her tears at bay.

“Our… our sagai has been cancelled.”, he said.

Khushi stared at him with astonished eyes. Arnav looked away.

Finally, Khushi whispered, “So you made her cry too......”

His eyes flew to hers. “Khushi….”

“She wanted to marry you. And you knew it. You pretended to give her what she wanted, and then took it away from her…….”, she continued.

“Khushi…… Lavanya and I, we wouldn’t suit…”

“How come you didn’t think of that when you announced your engagement, Mr. Raizada?” Her tone was cutting.

“Khushi….”, he protested.

“Anyway, all this is not my problem. Your dheela character is your problem.”, she stated in an impersonal voice.

“Khushi…”, Arnav fumed, his tone warning her to mind her words. But Khushi was beyond all care.

“And your anger. And the foolishness your anger drives you to.”, Khushi said.

“Don’t talk to me like this!”, ordered a glowering Arnav, feeling the pinch.

“Kyon? What will you do if I talk to you like this?”, Khushi challenged.

He stepped forward to take her arm and haul her close, his body, mind, head, and heart hungry for her…for her nearness…for her scent… for the softness of her silky skin….. for her smile… for the twinkle in her eyes……

Khushi darted behind the table, avoiding him adroitly. She had lots of practice at this.

“You did your best to throw me out of your house & your life. For months. And now, finally, I am out. Then why are you here?”, Khushi did not mince words.

Arnav looked at her determined face. She wanted answers. But unfortunately, he did not know the answers. Or he was not willing to find out the answers…… or give them to her….

His silence irritated her no end.

She said, “You hate me, don’t you? You want me out of your life. You find my low aukat and third-class, middle-class mentality despicable, don't you? One moment, you push me away and the other moment …..”

Her voice died away at the look on his face as they both relived the moments by the pool on Diwali night.

Khushi looked away, swallowing the lump in her throat.

“What do you want, Mr. Raizada?”, asked Khushi, finally. “Do you even know what you want?”

Arnav stared at her. He knew what he wanted. Her in his house, among his family. Filling his house with laughter. Although he couldn’t say why or how…….. There was much he wanted to say, but….. He had never been one to make speeches. Or declarations. Words always abandoned him in moments of need…….. 

“Chodiye! Kya farak padta he? What does it matter anyway?”, Khushi said. “Good bye, Mr. Raizada.”

“Come home with me, Khushi.”, Arnav ordered.

“No.” She was equally adamant.

“You will regret this.”, Arnav warned, determined to get her back within his sphere of influence.

Khushi stood still, staring at him. He turned to go.

“One minute, Mr. Raizada.”, she said.

Arnav turned around, hopeful that she had seen sense.

Khushi gathered up the bundle of notes and handed it over to him. Her fingers grazed his as she placed the cash in his hands. His breath hitched. He watched the pulse in her throat throb.

They stood looking at each other.

Khushi received a phone call from Shuklaji, the owner of the house Buaji and her family were staying in.

“Ji, Shuklaji. How can I help you?”, Khushi asked. How did he get my phone number? And why is he calling me? He should be dealing with Buaji……. These thoughts ran through her head as she listened to him.

“I have sold the house that your Buaji is renting to Amezing Developers.”, Shukla dropped his bomb.

“Oh!”, murmured Khushi.

“The rent has been hiked to Rs. 20,000.”, Shukla continued.

Khushi gasped.

“Your rent is due tomorrow. The owner of Amezing Developers wants you to pay it by 4 in the evening at his office.”, Shukla said.

Khushi felt her heart stop.

“Who is the owner?”, she asked, her sound weak and feeble.

“You might have heard of him. Arnav Singh Raizada, the tycoon.”, Shukla said.

Typhoon, not tycoon. Born to wreak havoc and cause destruction in her life…….. Her eyes grew wet. Devi Maiyya was playing with her….. The more she tried to stay out of his life, the more she was being dragged into it…..

Shukla cut the call after giving her the address of the office, warning her once more of the deadline.

“Twenty thousand! Hai Re Nandkisore!”, Buaji gasped, her asthma kicking in. She collapsed in the chair.

Khushi ran for her inhaler, Payal ran for a glass of hot water, and Amma tried to make Buaji more comfortable. Babuji watched them with helpless eyes.

After Buaji had started breathing normally, Khushi asked, “What shall we do now?”

“How will we pay such a huge amount every month, Jiji?”, Amma asked.

“We can’t.”, Buaji stated, her head in her hands. “We will either have to shift to a smaller house or return to Lucknow. Delhi is getting too expensive for us, Nandkisore!”

Amma, Khushi, & Payal nodded. Khushi’s salary & Buaji’s pension wouldn’t be enough now that the rent was hiked.

“We will worry about that later.”, Buaji said. “First let us get the money to pay the new owner tomorrow.” 

Amma nodded, left the room, and came back with a bangle in her hand.

“Pawn this at our usual jewellers, Titliyaa, on your way to the office. You can go to the developer’s office during the lunch break and give the money.”, Buaji said. “Do you want me to come with you?”

Khushi looked at her sick Buaji. “No, Buaji, I will go alone.” After all, he was fighting her, not her Buaji!

Khushi looked at Kishorilalji.

“I can give you only 17,000 for this, Khushi.”

“But I need twenty, Kishorilalji!”, Khushi said, her eyes desperate.

“Do you have something more to pawn?”, he asked.

Khushi looked at the clock. 3.30. She had just 30  minutes to meet the deadline. There was no time to go home and get another piece of jewellery.

She looked at her bangles. Glass. Her neck was bare. Her feet….

She looked at her Amma’s payal, her last nishani, her only heirloom…… Then she looked at the clock. 3.35....

Khushi quickly took her payal off, and handed them over to Kishorilalji, her heart weeping. She had never been without them after her wearing them at the age of eight.

“Khushi Kumari Gupta….”, she told herself. “You have already lost your parents…. And now your family will lose the roof over your head. What is a pair of payal compared to that?”

She took the money that Kishorilalji handed over, and raced after a rickshaw. It was drizzling. The fine rain wet her suit as she threw herself on to the seat. “Go fast, Bhaiyya!”, she begged the driver. “I have to be there before 4pm.”

Arnav sat in his seat in his new office, and looked at the clock. Five to 4....

She wouldn’t be able to raise the amount. She would have to come to him to ask for time, and he could make her come home. He heaved a sigh of relief. She would have no choice, and she would finally be back where she belonged…….. 

He leaned back in his chair. Tonight, he would have to talk to Di & convince her of her need for a private secretary……..

The phone in his room rang. The receptionist announced the arrival of Khushi Kumari Gupta.

“Send her to my room.”, he instructed. He calmed his thundering heart, and waited.

Part 6

Arnav looked up.

Khushi stood in the doorway, all wet & bedraggled. A few strands of her hair had come loose, and were sticking to her pale face. Her red suit was like a second skin.

“Khushi….”, his voice was little more than a whisper. “You…you are wet….”

Khushi did not deign to reply. She looked at his clock. One minute to four. Munshiji had returned too late from lunch, and she had been too late in going to the jewellers…… and the mad race here…..

She walked to him, breathing rapidly after her frenzied dash to his office, pulled open the flap of her bag, took out a cover, and placed it on his table.

“Your rent. Please count it.”, she said softly.

“Khushi….”

“I need a receipt too.”, she added.

Arnav looked at her, shivering in the cool air in his office. 

Fury like he had never felt before overpowered him.

“Can’t you take care of yourself? Why did you have to get wet in the rain?”, he shot at her. He quickly shed his coat, and moved towards her to wrap it around her.

Khushi moved back, but Arnav was quicker this time. He caught hold of her arm, pulled her close to him, and covered her with his coat, lingering over pulling the flaps over her chest….his eyes drowning in hers…..

Khushi shivered. His fragrance… the warmth of his body…. enveloping her…… his angry eyes softening, focusing on her trembling lips, promising her till then unknown delights…..

Arnav’s hands moved of their own volition to cup her shoulders.

 Khushi trembled and pulled back. She blinked, and said, “The receipt.”

Arnav clenched his jaw. He called his secretary and asked for a receipt to be brought.

“Count the money, please.”, said Khushi.

“How did you raise it in such a short time?”, he asked, his eyes on hers.

“What does it matter?”, she asked. “Please count it.”

Arnav filled in the receipt, signed it, and handed it over to her, deliberately caressing her palm with his fingers.

She trembled & drew her hand back as fast as she could. Then she turned to walk away.

She halted at the door. She was wearing his coat. She made to pull it off, but Arnav stopped her.

“Keep it on. I will take it later from you.”, he said. That was one more excuse to go to her office.

“No. I will manage.” She tried to shrug the coat off.

“Dammit! Khushi Kumari Gupta!”, he bit out. “You have no idea what you are doing, and what is happening around you….”

Khushi stared at him.

“Are you really planning to travel across Delhi wearing a wet suit that clings to your body?” The fire in his eyes was different from the fire in his voice……

Khushi gulped. She turned to leave the room, the coat on her.

“Khushi…”, he called. He didn’t want her to leave.

She looked at him.

“Come back to RM.”

“No.”

“How will you pay me 20, 000 every month?”

She looked at him.

“Come to work at RM, and I will waive the rent in addition to paying your salary.” He was at the end of his tether.

“No.”

“You are turning down a very profitable deal, Khushi.”, ASR warned, his face slowly turning red with anger. “You managed to raise the amount this month. How will you do it for the next?”

“I may not need to. We will be vacating your house at the earliest.”, Khushi said, and left the room.

A moment of stunned silence later, he called, “Khushi….”

But she did not stop to listen……

Arnav sat in a stupour throughout dinner.

Anjali, Nani, Mami, & Akash looked at each other. They passed him dishes. They served him food. His plate remained full & untouched.

“Chotey! Eat something. You have to take your medicines.”, Di said.

But Arnav was deaf, dumb, & blind. He sat there, lost in his pain-filled thoughts.

She had slipped through his fingers …….. and was going farther and farther away from him. She had left RM and him …… the job…. And now she was vacating the house too?

He got up and walked away, climbing up to his room.

He shut the door behind him, and sank on to the bed. He sat with his head bowed, his fingers locked.

Something was wrong. No, everything was wrong. All his plans were coming undone. Khushi, instead of coming closer, was moving farther away from him....

Anjali knocked on the door, but he did not hear her.

He put his head into his hands. Something had jarred when she had come to the office. What? What? What was it? He jumped up and began to pace his room, trying to remember.

Her beautiful face, hair, colourful earrings, the red suit, her red bangles………her eyes…. Her smile was missing…. But that had been missing since Diwali……. Arnav turned his anguished eyes to the image of the culprit in the mirror.

Khushi sat in her room on her bed, her legs curled beneath her. Amma, Buaji, Babuji, & Jiji had decided their future plan. At the end of this month, they would all return to Lucknow. Babuji’s treatment here would be over by then, and they could safely take him home. Buaji would call Aarti Chachi who ran a textile store in Lucknow, and arrange jobs for her & Jiji.

Lucknow…. Her home for all her life except for the short visits she & Jiji had made to Delhi….. Then why did it seem like an alien city now? Her fingers automatically took hold of his coat lying on the bed beside her, and pulled it closer to her.

His fragrance wafted from the coat. She pulled it closer to her heart. The look in his eyes as he had seen her standing in the doorway….. the warmth of his body as he had come close to her…. the feel of his warm hands on her shoulders… She shuddered, overwhelmed by the overload of sensations……

What was this madness? This inability to sleep, eat, think, laugh….. this weakness when she heard his voice or saw him…… feeling as though her legs would give way and her heart would burst out of her chest when he came close to her……

One moment of …… was it love?.... on Diwali night….. and days of agony… Khushi fell across her pillow, burying her face in the neck of the coat….. Tears seeped out of her eyes, and wet the coat. She wept silently till sheer exhaustion drew her into sleep.

Arnav jumped up at midnight, sweating….. Khushi’s name on his lips….

Her payal…… He hadn’t heard their sound when she had come to the office. Why hadn’t he heard the sound?

Every single time… whenever she had come to him, he had known that she was coming… It had helped him put on his cold face....

The hundreds of times she approached him daily……the many excuses….. to call him down for the pooja… to call him for his meals… to apologise….. to give him tea…. to give him messages…. to talk to him… sometimes just to stare at him….. He had always heard her payal. The payal had given her away everytime…. The payal that he had kept in his locker, safe from all eyes except his…. the payal that he had fastened around her ankle......Her Amma’s last nishani…

Why hadn’t he heard it in the office?

His hand slick with sweat, he grabbed his phone.

Part 7

Section 1

Her phone rang.

Khushi opened one bleary eye, pulled his coat closer to her, and looked around. What was the noise? Oh…her phone...

She fumbled to take it.

“Helloooo!”, she croaked, her open eye now closed.

“Khushi, where is your payal?”, his urgency made his voice huskier than usual.

Khushi frowned. The stupid things people asked when you were asleep!

“Sleeping. Beside me. What else will she do at night? Do bhangra?”, she yawned.

Arnav’s mouth remained open for a few seconds before he caught on.

“Not your Jiji. Your payal. The one on your feet. Your Amma’s payal……”, he made it clear.

There was silence from the other side. 

Her sleep left her as though it had never been. Her hand clenched around the phone as tears filled her eyes.

Arnav cut the call. He had gotten his answer from her silence.

Khushi lay on her side, weeping silently, taking care not to disturb her Jiji’s sleep.

A shadow appeared at her open window. Her eyes widened. A thief? A thief! A scream rose in her throat. 

She looked around, frantic. Anything to hit him with… Buaji’s belan… Babuji’s umbrella… Phuphaji’s walking stick….. Her eyes widened in hope. Yes! Phuphaji’s walking stick…

She jumped out of bed, and ran to the corner of the room on fast but silent feet. She grabbed the old walking stick and ran to the window, hiding herself In the dark, holding the stick in position to crack one on the thief’s head.

A leg… then the next leg came in through the window….. Khushi gulped in fear. He Devi Maiyya!

A male body entered the room, his head slightly bent to enter through the window comfortably.

Khushi closed her eyes and lifted the walking stick up in the air to bring it down with full force on the intruder's head.

The next thing she knew, the stick was out of her hand, falling with a soft clatter on the ground, and she was pushed back against the wall by a hard, warm, male body against her soft one.

Khushi’s eyes remained shut. The familiar scent of his body calmed her, and the feel of him against her took away the last of her senses…..

Panting, she opened her eyes.

His face was close to hers, its lean lines looking leaner and more dangerous in the dark....

She gulped. And opened her mouth to ask….

He clamped his hand over her mouth, pressing her deeper into the wall, his chest as hard as a wall, his legs crowding hers……. She squirmed. He pressed deeper into her.

Khushi couldn’t breathe. And the feel of him against her…… Her heart was thudding fit to kill her….. and his heart was thudding loudly too. She could feel his heart beat…. Khushi swallowed, her mouth dry. She would die if she didn’t get him off her….

She bit his hand. He jumped back with a soft yelp.

“Sshhh…”, Khushi said, placing her finger against his lips to silence him. “Jiji will wake up!”

Arnav glared at her, rubbing his hand.

She pushed him away. He moved away reluctantly.

“What are you doing here? Have you taken to patrolling Laxmi Nagar at night in your spare time? Making sure that your investment is safe?”, she hissed.

Arnav stared at her. She had no idea how right she was….

“Where the hell is your payal?”, he bit out.

Khushi took a moment to swallow the lump in her throat.

“What does it matter to you?”, she asked.

“Farak padta he, dammit!”, he caught hold of her arms and shook her. “Where is your payal?”

She remained silent.

“Tell me, dammit! Did you sell it?” His eyes bore into hers in the dark.

Khushi shook him off. “It is my mother’s payal, not your mother's. I can do whatever I want to do with it. I don’t need your permission!”

Arnav caught hold of her shoulders and pulled her close to him. “Don’t talk to me like that!”

Khushi glared at him and tried to free herself.

“Come out with me.”, he ordered.

“Where?”

“To the moon.”, he said, sarcasm filling the words.

“Acha! To the moon! I didn’t know you went there frequently…”, Khushi tried to match him.

“Fast.”, he instructed.

Khushi pushed him away and stood her ground.

“OK. I will wake up your parents and Buaji. And your Jiji. Then we can take their permission and go out.” He crossed his arms & cocked his head.

Khushi gasped. “Are you mad?”

He grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the window.

“Wait! Let me get my dupatta!”, she protested.

Arnav rolled his eyes. “It is one in the morning! Who is going to be up to see you without the dupatta?”

“You! You are awake!”, she grumbled as she went in search of her dupatta.

Arnav looked at her with intent eyes, but she was too preoccupied with searching for her dupatta without waking her Jiji. 

Arnav walked closer to her bed, and began arranging her pillows under the blanket to make it look as though she were in bed. His hand halted half way through. What was his coat doing under her pillow? He pulled it out.

Khushi picked up her dupatta from the floor, and put it around her neck. She turned to leave to find him holding his coat in his hand and looking at her, a question in his eyes.

Time stood still. The evidence of her vulnerability to him was in his hands. And there was nothing she could do to throw him off track. They stood staring at each other, feeling their hearts gallop.

Finally, she said, “You wanted to go somewhere…?”

Arnav nodded. His fingers let go of the coat, leaving it to lie on her pillow. Grabbing her arm, he left the room through the window.

Section 2

He opened the car door for her. She got in, her loose hair flying in the wind against his face. He closed his eyes in pleasure, her jasmine scent flooding his lungs.

He pulled the seat belt across her torso, taking the opportunity to look at her face and body in close quarters. The hair caressing her cheek, her nose pin, her bright eyes, her trembling lips, her body in her white suit……..

Reluctantly, he moved away from her and shut the door. He walked around the car to take his seat. 

He drove to an empty square a while away from her house, and stopped the car.

“Now what?”, Khushi asked him.

“Where did you sell the payal?”

Khushi sighed. She remained stubbornly silent.

Arnav nodded. “OK. We can stay here the whole night. In the morning, I will take you home and ask your Buaji.”

Khushi gasped. “What is wrong with you, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada?”

“Tell me, where did you sell the payal?” Her stubborness was matched by his.

Khushi sighed. “For your information, I did not sell it. I P.A.W.N.E.D it. Kishorilalji will keep it for me till I go to redeem it at the beginning of next month. So save your anger for some other fool, Mr. Raizada!”

Arnav grit his teeth.

“Where is his shop?”

“What has that got to do with you?” Khushi was genuinely confused.

“Khushi, don’t test my patience.”, Arnav bit out.

“Arrey! You have patience that I can test?”, Khushi gaped at him. “That is news to me. Devi Maiyya Ki Jai Ho!” She folded her hands in piety.

Khushi looked at him. “What was that sound? Oh! You are grinding your teeth! Suniye! You will look very ugly without teeth!”

Arnav’s eyes bored into hers.

“What will people say? Such a young boy! And someone knocked down his teeth!”, Khushi tut-tutted.

“Khushi!”, the lion roared.

“What?”, the lioness roared.

“Give me Kishorilal’s address.”, he demanded.

“No.”, she stood firm.

“OK. We will sit here all night.”, he stated calmly.

“You can sit here all night if you want to.”, Khushi said. “But I am going home.” She tried to open the door, but he had locked it.

Khushi looked at his smug face and fumed.

“Get ready to answer your family’s questions tomorrow, Khushi Kumari Gupta!”, he smirked.

Khushi recited Kishorilal’s address like a parrot, and sat back, her arms crossed.

Arnav smiled slightly as he started the car and drove her back home.

“Do you need help to get in through the window?”, he asked in pseudo concern.

Khushi cursed him under her breath as she clambered in through the open window with his help.

“Good night, Khushi!”, he said, a smile in his voice.

“Good bye, Mr. Raizada!”, Khushi replied, all fire & fury.

Khushi finished her meagre lunch, feeding most of Buaji’s cooking to the dogs in the alley behind the godown. She washed her hands, and returned to the small table and chair she normally used to have her food to pick up her lunch box.

A gust of wind caressed her face, and her heart began to beat fast. She turned around. There he was!

Khushi sighed. “Now what?”

He did not bother to give her a reply. He walked to her, covering the distance between them quickly.

Khushi looked at him with wide eyes as he came to stand very close to her and look down at her.

Her eyes widened and her breath hitched as she felt his hands lovingly clasp her by her waist and gently lift her to sit on the table. Her hands automatically clutched his shoulders.

His hands clasped hers gently and slowly brought them down from his shoulders to her lap.

He pulled her chair and sat down in front of her. He caught her left leg, removed her jooti, and placed her foot on his thigh, his eyes devouring her all the while. 

Khushi’s heart beat as it had never beat before. She panted as though breathing was going out of fashion.

He put a hand into his pocket and drew out her payal. 

She tried to pull her foot away, but he caught it tight in his warm, large hand.

He fastened the payal on her left foot. He returned the leg to its original position, and caught hold of her right leg. 

He removed the jooti, and placed the foot on his thigh. He fastened the remaining payal around her ankle, trailing his fingers over the sensitive skin of her foot so that she trembled and tried to jerk her foot off his thigh.

 

He let her go, stood up, and pushed the stool away. He put his hand into his pocket and drew out her mother’s bangle, the rubies gleaming in their old setting.....

Khushi stared at the bangle first and then at him.

He came to stand very close to her, her knees touching the flap of his coat. Khushi looked uncertainly at him.

He took her right hand, and slowly slid the bangle on to her arm, his full focus on the task at hand. 

She flinched as the bangle caught at her knuckle.

“Khushi! Tumhe lagi?”, Concerned chocolate brown eyes looked into hers.

She shook her head in the negative, breathing deep to draw some much-needed oxygen into her lungs.

Arnav inspected her knuckle, and slowly blew on it. 

Khushi shuddered at the feel of his warm breath. He looked at her, his eyes drinking in the signs of her distress and her pleasure.

He bent his head and dropped a kiss on the slight bruise.

“I am sorry, Khushi. For hurting you.”, he whispered.

Part 8

Tears filled Khushi’s eyes.

She pulled her hand out of his, and tried to jump down from the table.

“Wait.”, he said.

He caught her by the waist and helped her down…. slowly….. sliding her against his body...

Her feet touched the floor, but his hands remained on her waist, and he held her close to him, looking down at her face.

“Come back to RM.”

“N..no….”

Khushi pulled back.

“Why did you get the bangles and my payal from Kishorilalji? I didn’t ask you to do it.”, she asked.

Arnav squirmed. 

He said, with pretended anger, “You can ask questions, but I don’t have to give you answers.”

He turned and walked away before she could insist on an answer he didn’t have.

Khushi returned home, keeping the bangle and the payal wrapped in a piece of paper in her bag. If her Buaji or Amma saw them, she would find it impossible to find answers for the questions they would ask.

Who had returned the jewellery? Why? Who was the owner of Amezing Developers? Why was he insisting that Khushi return to RM when her work there was done? 

What could she say when she herself did not know the answers to these questions? Could she tell them that the root of the problem was her dhak dhak and acidity when he came close to her? That she felt butterflies in her tummy when he looked at her? That his smile made her feel as though she had been let into heaven? That his touch……..

Khushi buried her face in his coat.

“Where did you get this coat from, Khushi?”, asked Payal.

Khushi looked at her, discomfited, her fingers clutching the coat.

“Err…woh….Jiji……I was wet…..so he gave it to me to wear….”, Khushi felt herself tremble.

“Who? Munshiji? How kind of him!” Payaliyaa folded the dupattas she had washed and dried earlier in the day, and placed them in the cabinet.

Khushi panted in relief, wiping the sweat off her forehead.

“Khushi!”, Payal called as she was about to leave the room. “Wash it and return it at the earliest!”

“Ji, Jiji!”, Khushi murmured, pulling the coat closer to her heart.

Arnav stared at the laptop screen, his mind still lingering in Khushi’s room.

His coat was under her pillow. And the way her heart raced when he came close to her…… Why couldn’t she come back to RM? To him?

He had apologised for causing her pain. He had returned her payal and bangle. Why was she still trying to go away from him?

She would intensify her attempts to shift out of the house in Laxmi Nagar. If he knew anything about her, he knew this. Her self-respect. Her dignity. Her self-worth. She would not compromise on these.

Where would she go? Another house in the locality? Then he would have to buy that house too. It was better that he found out at the earliest.

He called her.

Khushi looked at the display of her phone. ‘Arnavji.’ Her heart began thundering.

“Hello.”, she said.

“Khushi, when are you vacating the house?”, he asked. And then felt like kicking himself. In his anxiety to find out how much time he had to persuade her, he had made it sound as though he wanted her out at the earliest.

“Don’t worry. We will be leaving at the end of this month.”, Khushi said, bitterness coating her words.

Arnav said past the lump in his throat, “Have you found another house, Khushi?”

“We don’t need to find another house. We are returning to Lucknow at the end of the month.”, she said.

Arnav heard Buaji call, “Titliyaa! Where are you, Nandkisore? It is time for Sasi babua’s medicine.”

“Coming, Buaji!”, she replied. She spoke to Arnav, “Hum phone rakhte he!”.

“Khushi!”, he called.

“Ji?”

“How can you…?”

“Ji?”

“How can you go to Lucknow? How can you leave…. leave the j..job?”

Khushi frowned. “I am not the only person in Delhi who can enter the details of a room full of files in a spreadsheet!”

“But…but what about.. your co-workers?”

“Co-workers? There is only one elderly Munshiji!”, Khushi’s forehead creased in a perplexed frown.

“What about him? How can you leave him alone?”, Arnav asked.

“Suniye! Munshiji has been working in that office even before I was born. I am sure he will manage to work even after I am gone!”

“Titliyaa! Where is this girl? Has she flown out through the window like a butterfly, Nandkisore?”, Buaji asked aloud.

“I need to go.” She cut the call.

Arnav stood shocked, the dead phone in his hand, staring at the wall. Lucknow! She was leaving him to go to Lucknow! How could she? Panic spread its octopus-like tentacles through his mind.

What could he do now? Go to her house and carry her home? Demand the rent and force her to pawn her jewellery again? No…No…. He was running out of time… and options…… His chest hurt.

He sat down, his fists clenched, his face pale, his head lowered, his brain working furiously to devise new ways of stopping her from leaving him.

“Bhai!” He heard the knock on the door as though it were coming from a great distance.

“Uuhh?”, he managed to say.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?”, Akash entered the room.

“Sure.”, Arnav mumbled, his mind still on Khushi and Lucknow.

“Bhai, I need…”

“Sure. Take whatever you want…”

“Bhai, I want to get married.”

“Of course. Take it. You don’t have to ask….WHAT?” Arnav stared at Akash.

Akash’s face turned red. “Bhai….”

“You..you want to…. marry?”, Arnav clarified.

“Haan, Bhai!”, Akash blushed.

“OK. That’s fine. Whatever you want…”, Arnav comforted him. “What is the problem?”

“Mate won’t like it. She…the girl..”, Akash blushed again, “…is not very well off….”

“That’s OK. Don’t worry about all that. Do you like her?”, Arnav asked, standing up.

“Ji.”, Akash’s bashful visage was a sight to see.

“I will talk to Mami, and fix it.”, Arnav promised rashly.

“You will, Bhai?”, Akash’s eyes shone.

“Sure.”, Arnav said.

“Thank you so much, Bhai.”, Akash threw his arms around Arnav, who hugged him back awkwardly.

“Who is the girl?”, Arnav asked, rather late in the day.

Akash’s face brightened. “You know her, Bhai.”

“I do?”, Arnav frowned.

“You do. Remember Khushiji who came to train Lavanya Kashyap?”

Arnav paled. “Khushi! You…you want to m..marry Khushi?”, he whispered. He sat on his bed, his legs weak. This seemed to be the day for shocks.

Akash laughed. “No, Bhai. I don’t want to marry Khushiji. I want to marry Payalji, Khushiji’s sister.”

“Payal! You want to marry Payal….”, Arnav made sure.

“Haan, Bhai.”

Arnav nodded, relief letting him breathe. “Consider it done.”

“Really, Bhai?”, Akash could not believe his ears.

“Really. I will fix it with Nani, Di, Mami, & Mamaji tonight.” Arnav smiled at Akash. Now he would see how she would go to Lucknow! With her sister marrying into his family, Khushi would be always with him. She would never be able to leave him and go away!

Akash threw himself at his Bhai in gratitude. Arnav patted him on his shoulder, his devious mind examining all possibilities and advantages of this timely lifeline.

He owed Akash one.

Part 9

Khushi walked home in the dark after a hectic day entering data about cereals and their purchase and supply. Her head ached. How many kinds of dal could man eat? 

Rubbing the back of her neck, Khushi walked on, lightly kicking a few dry leaves flying on to her path in the wind.

The skin of her neck pricked. She rubbed it, frowning. How could he be anywhere here? He would be either at his home or the office, barking into his phone at poor Amanji.

“Khushiji! Finished your work only now?”, asked a cheerful happy Singh.

“Ji.” Khushi made an effort to smile at the kindly man.

 Behind him were two familiar cars, parked in the empty space adjoining his garage. Did they belong to…? 

Khushi chided herself. Why should his cars be here? Khushi, Khushi…, she told herself. Get a grip over yourself. Clinging to his coat at night, seeing him everywhere, hearing his voice…. You have always been sanki. Now you are ripe for a bed in an asylum!

Khushi walked up the steps to her house. The door was partly closed, leaving only a small gap between the two flaps. She raised a hand to push it open.

The door opened before she could touch it, and Arnav Singh Raizada stood on the threshold to welcome her in.

Khushi hit her head with her hand.

Arnav Singh Raizada opening the door of her house for her! Next she would imagine him doing aarti for her and escorting her in!!!

Khushi smiled in derision at her own fertile and vivid imagination, and tried to enter her house by walking right through the apparition. And crashed into his chest.

She raised wide, shocked eyes to his amused ones.

“Kya hua, Khushi? Lost your eyesight along with your dimag?”

Khushi pursed her lips & pushed him away.

“What are you doing here?”, she hissed.

“Just came for a visit.”, Arnav said casually.

“When did the great Arnav Singh Raizada start visiting my Buaji’s house in Laxmi Nagar for no reason?”, she asked, a frown creasing her forehead.

“Don’t frown. You will have wrinkles.”, he said, hiding his glee.

“Hhmmmppffff”, she snorted, and walked into the front room, pushing him aside.

And came to a sharp halt.

Nani, Di, Akashji, & Mamaji smiled at her. Mami grimaced.

“Khussi Bitiyaa!”, Nani exclaimed, and got up to hug her thoroughly.

 Anjali followed, cupping her face in her hands and complaining, “So you are too busy for us, are you?”

Akashji greeted her with a 'Namaste', and she greeted Mamaji politely.

“What happened, Khushiji? Why are you silent? Surprised you, didn’t we?”, Anjali trilled.

“You can say that!”, Khushi murmured.

Arnav hid his smile.

“Titliyaa, get tea for all.”, said Buaji.

“Ji, Buaji.” Khushi escaped the room with alacrity.

Buaji & Amma followed her into the kitchen.

“They have come with a proposal for Payaliyaa!”, Buaji muttered.

Khushi gasped. “Who is the boy?”

“Akash babua.”, said Amma.

All 3 stared at each other.

“Why?”, Khushi asked the question that was running through all their heads.

Buaji sighed. “Apparently he saw her in the market and liked her, Nandkisore.”

“Akashji is very nice. Just like Jiji…..”, Khushi smiled at Buaji. And muttered under her breath, “..and not like his brother, the Rakshas Laad Governar!”

“Did you say something, Khushi?”, Amma sked anxiously.

“No, Amma.”, Khushi smiled. If this wedding took place, she would be tied to the Raizadas. Forever and forever. And if there was something longer than forever, then that too! Compulsory meetings at festivals and anniversaries, forced attendance at the numerous satsangs and the daily poojas that Anjaliji organised…! With the Rakshas smirking at her! Hai Re Nandkisore! Her life would be done for!

“I think Payaliyaa too likes him.”, said Amma, a worried look on her face.

Khushi gulped. A vision of her freedom floating away danced through her head. Her heart and her hopes sank without a trace.

“But I don’t think his mother likes this proposal very much, Titliyaa! What kind of a lady is she, Nandkisore?”, Buaji asked.

Khushi sighed. To speak the truth or not?

If she told them about Mami’s nasty, vindictive tongue and ambition for her only son, that would be the end of this proposal. The Guptas would never send Jiji into a house with a Saasumma who hated the very thought of her.

But if Jiji liked Akashji…… And if Akashji liked Jiji… How could she shatter their dreams? Just because she did not want to step into RM?

Khushi smiled with great effort.

“Mamiji doesn’t know Jiji. And Jiji doesn’t know Mamiji. Maybe Mamiji will like her very much once they get to know each other.”, Khushi said, crossing her fingers behind her back. “I will make tea.”

Khushi stared into the pan of water on the stove.

She felt him come to stand by her.

She stared at the water, stubborn in her effort not to look at him.

“So now you will be a part of my family, Khushi Kumari Gupta!”, he said softly, with satisfaction flooding his husky voice.

Khushi straightened her lips in fury. The boiling water had nothing on the anger bubbling inside her. Devi Maiyya was going to get an earful at night! And no jalebis this week!

“Now how will you go to Lucknow? Will you leave your Jiji behind and shift to another city?”, he whispered.

Khushi dumped tea leaves into the boiling water, switched off the stove, and glared at him.

“Yes, we will be related. What a misfortune!”, she said.

Arnav raised his innocent eyebrow.

“What shall I call my Jiji’s Jetji? Jiju? Or Bhaiyya?”, she asked with a venomous look as her hands deftly placed the cups on the tray.

“No! Not Bhaiyya! Or Jiju. That’s Akash.", Arnav was quick to respond. "Call me Arnavji…. as you used to call me before…”, he murmured.

Khushi flicked her head in disdain, and lifted the tray to leave the kitchen.

Arnav took the tray from her, his hands touching hers and sending tingles up her arms. She stepped back to escape the fire. He then took it to the living room.

At dinner, Khushi looked at the faces around the table.

Buaji & Amma were happy for Jiji, but worried if she would be able to adjust to living in such a rich family and big house… Naniji & Anjaliji had done much to allay their fears, but….. Now they would have to arrange the wedding at the earliest. Clothes… jewels….. food…. invitations….

Babuji was pleased that Jiji would get her heart’s desire.

Jiji looked shy and lost in dreams, the food on her plate neglected.

Khushi sighed. She was dead! Shagun was over. The Raizadas had filled Jiji’s lap with expensive clothes and jewellery, gifts, and what not. Next, it would be sagai. Then sangeet. Then mehendi. Then haldi. And, finally, shaadi. Then pag phera. Don’t think it ends there, Khushi, she thought. With your luck, there will be another dozen rasams in which the sister of the bride had to smile at the brother of the groom!

Khushi rested her head on her arm. In her efforts to go away from him, she had ended up very close to him. Any closer, and she would be sitting on his lap! She hit her head. He Devi Maiyya! Why did this happen only to her?

Khushi got into bed to lie awake, worrying.

The sagai was to take place in 4 days’ time. Just 4 days. And she would have to dress up and accompany her Jiji and family to RM. She grit her teeth. He would stand there and smirk at her. If only she could knock that superior smile off his face!

Anjali asked Nani & Mami, “Why did Chotey go to the kitchen?”

“I was thinking the same, Anjali Bitiyaa! He seemed to spend a lot of time there with Khushi Bitiyaa….”, mused Nani.

“Hello Hi Bye Bye! My two bitwaa, go went, gone for 2 girls from chota phamily!!!”, Mami lamented.

“Don’t be sad, Manorama. They are both good girls.”

Mami snorted. “They dalled their dore on my bitwaa. One came to work here and got the other one in through the doorwaa too!”

“Mami, don’t say such things about Khushiji!”

Mami snorted.

“Anjali Bitiyaa, we need to watch them closely during sagai.”, said Nani.

“Haan, Nani. Do you think that is why Chotey refused to marry Lavanyaji?”

“We will find out on the night of the sagai. Manorama, keep your sharp eyes on them.”, Nani requested.

“Saasumma, Manorama Baand ijj at your serbice (service)!”, Mami promised.

A gift VM for my friends

Tu Hi Tu from movie, Nautanki Saala!


Part 10

Section 1

She needed a plan, Khushi decided. A plan to handle the mess her life had become since Diwali. 

Running away was an attractive option. A very, very attractive one. But not practical. Khushi twisted her lips in annoyance. She couldn’t spend all her life running away from the Rakshas. Especially since they were going to be related through Jiji & Akashji’s marriage…

She would have to stay away from him. Being in the same room was hazardous to her health and her sanity. Her dhak dhak & acidity would kill her if her anger did not. 

And he would still be smiling in that irritating, superior way of his while she lay dying on the floor!

He would gloat about getting her back in RM after she had tried every trick in the book to avoid that very situation. Khushi clenched her fists. 

She couldn’t stop him from gloating, but she could pretend not to see it. There was no rule against being blind and deaf and dumb when he came close to her, was there?

She looked at the smiling visage of Devi Maiyya.

“Laugh! You sit there and laugh! Why should you not laugh? It is very amusing to see me worrying and fretting about him, isn’t it? How many times did I ask you not to let him appear in front of me? How many jalebis did I give you? And you still….! Why are you favouring him over me? Don’t forget that you are my Devi Maiyya, not his.”, she huffed. “Partiality! That’s the problem. Partiality. Why? He doesn’t even believe in God. Then why are you so kind to him? Did he smile at you and make khichdi of your brain too?”

Devi Maiyya’s smile did not waver.

Khushi sighed. She had to handle him carefully. She was alone here. No Devi Maiyya, no Buaji, no Amma, no Babuji, & no Jiji. Just her.

Buaji asked the sales girl to show her the red sari.

The girl spread it over the table. It was beautiful. Red silk with a gold border with a line of green.

“Titliyaa, take this. Wear it for the sagai.”, Buaji suggested.

Khushi looked at the sari in horror.

Scenes from Diwali night flashed through her head. Her red sari that had been meant for Lavanyaji, the way in which he had looked at her, the poolside, the sprain, the way in which he had squatted at her feet and twisted her foot, made her wear the payal……… and then ……. and then come close to her…….. cupped her face ………

“No!”, gasped Khushi, clutching her heart. “No. I won’t wear red.”

“Kaa hua, Nandkisore!”, Buaji asked. “Won’t wear red? Why? Have you become a bull instead of my Titliyaa?”, she teased.

Khushi smiled wanly. What did poor Buaji know of her travails?

Arnav sat in the living room, working on his laptop. 

Akash, Mami, Mamaji, Nani, & Di were sitting around him, examining the rings and jewellery sets in many boxes displayed by the jeweller.

He heard them exclaim at the beauty of various pieces, but his eyes and focus remained on his work.

“Akash, choose this ring. The diamond is beautiful and the setting is grand. It will suit Payalji!”, he heard Di suggest.

“Ji, Di. It is beautiful. I will take this.”, said Akash.

“Chotey, look at the ring. Do you like it?”, Di asked.

Arnav glanced at it for a second, and said absent mindedly, “Fine.”

Di sighed. “This boy! How can you live, breathe, & sleep work?”

“It ijj your brother’s marrijjj….to a kangal girl, Arnav Bitwaa! Look at the ring!”, said Mami.

Arnav heard none of this. His eyes were on the screen.

“So the sagai ring has been selected. Now I will looks at the sets. After all, I am going to be a Saasumma! Position maintain karega padi!”, declared Mamiji.

“You just need an excuse to shop, Manorama!”, he heard Nani tease Mami.

All laughed. 

Arnav frowned at the screen.

“Anjali Bitiyaa, select a ring for Khussi Bitiyaa. I want to give it to her.”, said Nani.

Arnav looked up from the screen at the mention of Khushi’s name.

Mami, Di, & Nani stared at him.

He quickly lowered his eyes to the screen.

The ladies looked at each other.

Then Mami picked a ring. “Do you think this will suit her, Hello Hi Bye Bye?”

“Haan, Manorama. This ring will be perfect for Khussi Bitiyaa’s finger.”, said Nani, smiling.

Arnav leaned forward to look at the ring. He failed to notice the ladies staring at him.

“It will be too big for her. Her fingers are slender.”, he said before turning to  stare at his screen.

The ladies gaped at him.

The doorbell rang.

HP opened the door.

“HP! How are you?”, a cheerful voice greeted him.

“NK Bhai!”, squealed Anjali.

All went to the door to see Nand Kisore in a yellow T-shirt, blue jeans, & brown jacket, hauling heavy bags.

"My nephew from Kidney!", Mami gasped in joy.

“Naniji, Di, Maasi!”, he greeted them. “Yeh Akash, naughty boy! Going to marry Ankletji, eh?”

 

 All laughed. 

“Nannav, when is your turn?”, NK teased him.

Arnav raised an eyebrow.

 

“Nannav, no. Don’t raise your eyebrow. Woh kya he, Di, I feel I am still in the principal’s room being scolded for something I didn’t do when he does that!”

All laughed.

Section 2 

 

“Tan.. ta nan…ta nan…ta nan…ta.. nan..ta..nan..ta nan…ta.. nan….”, Mami sang her detective tune as she came down the stairs, her pair of binoculars hanging around her neck. She was in full Baand mood, the pink goggles, the binoculars, and her green & yellow Benarsi sari making her look a spectacle.

“Maasi, what are you doing? Why are you wearing a pair of binoculars?”, NK asked, scratching his head.

“Err..woh…NK Bitwaa, I bant (want) to see the sagai in jhoom (zoom) vijjon (vision).”, Mami found an excuse.

NK stared at her.

Akash, NK, & Arnav, all dressed in dark blue-black sherwanis & formals, stood in the passage leading to the front door, inviting guests in.

Akash peered over NK’s shoulder to see if Payalji had come for the function, and Arnav peeked over Akash’s shoulder to see if Khushi had come. He had sent 2 cars to pick them up.

Every sense went into high alert mode as he saw Buaji at the door, pushing Babuji in his wheelchair. Amma in an orange saree, with the pallu draped over her head came next, leading a shy Payal in a red & green lehenga.

Arnav heard Akash’s breath leave him in a whoosh, but he had no time to spare for him. He looked at the entrance. Where was Khushi?

She came in, slowly, reluctantly stepping into the house she had wanted to avoid at all cost. She was in a blue lehenga, with a pink & blue dupatta decorously pleated and pinned to cover her bosom & midriff. 

Her hair was plaited, and jasmine flowers and pearls adorned it. She held a small bag in her hand, and stood at the fringes of the crowd, not seeking anybody’s attention. Arnav stood staring at her, unable to take his eyes off her.

“Nannav, mere Bhai! Is it time for dinner? I am feeling very hungry!”, said NK, rubbing his stomach.

Arnav heard & saw nothing except Khushi.

Nani, Di, Mamaji, & Mami welcomed the Guptas into their home. They hugged each other, and the Raizada ladies & Mamaji blessed Payal.

Buaji stared at Mami’s binoculars.

“Woh.. woh.. I want to see the sagai clearly!”, Mami explained.

Buaji frowned. Was Payaliyaa’s Sassumma mad?

“And it ijj the latest phasion!”, Mami declared.

“Hai Re Nandkisore!”, Buaji whispered, smiling at Mami’s ridiculous getup.

Nani & Di latched on to Khushi.

“Khussi Bitiyaa!”, Nani exclaimed, hugging her. Khushi smiled slightly at the elderly lady who had shown her nothing but kindness.

“Khushiji!”, Anjaliji hugged her. Khushi smiled. “Come in! You know the way.”

Khushi nodded. Where was the Rakshas? It would be too much to hope that he would leave his home and go to the Himalayas to meditate just because she didn’t want to see him. And that too on his brother's sagai! Khushi sighed.

She watched Nani & Di teasing Jiji about how eager Akash was to see her, and smiled slightly.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the lean & straight figure of Arnav Singh Raizada standing next to Akashji & another man. 

Khushi, remember what you decided to do. Blind, deaf, & dumb, she told herself. 

She deliberately turned her head away to see Mami staring at her through the binoculars. What was wrong with Mamiji? Had disappointment over her son’s undesirable alliance turned her mad?

Arnav frowned. Why was Khushi not looking at him? 

He felt somebody’s eyes on him. His Mami was staring at him through the binoculars. 

“What the!” left his lips.

Akash pulled Arnav & NK to join the crowd.

After greeting Buaji, Amma, Babuji, & Payal, Arnav introduced NK to them.

“This is NK, our cousin bhai from Australia.”

All smiled at NK.

“NK, this is Payal’s Amma & Babuji.”, Arnav introduced them.

NK folded his hands politely.

“Jeeyat raho, babua!”, Amma blessed him. Babuji nodded. NK frowned. Wasn’t he alive?

“This is Payal’s Buaji.”, Arnav said. His eyes were on Khushi. Khushi looked elsewhere.

“Hai re Nandkisore, you have come all the way from Australia to attend your brother’s marriage!”, Buaji exclaimed.

“How did you know that my name is Nand Kisore, Buaji?”, NK asked, astonished.

All laughed.

“This is Payal.”, Arnav said, looking at Khushi. She was fiddling with the fringes of her dupatta.

“I know. I know. Akash’s ankletji!”, NK smiled and moved to hug her, but Arnav caught hold of his arm.

“Akash will hug her when the time comes. You find some body else to hug.”, Arnav whispered in his ear.

NK nodded.

“And this is Khushi, Payal’s sister.”, Arnav introduced her, trying to meet her eyes.

Khushi smiled at NK, folding her hands in greeting. She totally ignored Arnav.

“Is your sagai over?”, asked NK.

Khushi stared at him, and said, “No.”

NK beamed. “My sagai too is not over.” He turned to Arnav and asked him, “Can I hug her, Nannav?”

Khushi burst out laughing as Arnav fumed. NK looked at both of them, perplexed, wondering what he had said to infuriate Nannav.

Anjali had arranged a pooja before the sagai. All the family members and the guests sat on mats laid on the floor, waiting for the priest to start the pooja. 

Akash and Payal were seated near the havan kund. Amma sat near Babuji’s wheelchair. Feeling Arnavji coming close to her, Khushi darted between the guests, and sat down beside Buaji.

“Kaa hua, Titliyaa?”, Buaji asked. “Why are you panting as though you have run a mile?”

“Nothing, Buaji.”, smiled Khushi, scooting closer to her.

Arnav sat down behind her, watching her with hooded eyes.

What was he doing here? He didn’t believe in God. What was he doing at a pooja? Just her luck! Khushi tried to calm her choppy breath.

Mami, Di, & Nani watched Arnav & Khushi with eagle eyes.

“Chotey! You are going to join us for the pooja?”, Anjali asked, hiding a smile.

Arnav fidgeted. “You may need something…. I should be here… Akash may need help…”

“That is so considerate of you, Chotey!”, Nani laughed.

Arnav looked at the back of Khushi’s choli. The low neck, the dori, the creamy skin…….. the fresh flowers in her long hair… their sweet fragrance……. 

Khushi turned to listen to something her Buaji said.

Her heavy earring….. he hoped it didn’t hurt her ear. The tie of her choker, the curve of her neck…. He memorised every line of her body that he could see…..

Khushi squirmed. Why was he staring at her back? It felt as though he were untying her dori and running his fingers over her bare skin…… She shuddered.

NK sat down by Arnav.

“Khushiji!”, he called.

Khushi turned her head, trying her best not to look at Arnavji.

“With you here, bahut moza aayegaa at this sagai.”

Khushi looked at his feet. What had socks got to do with sagai? Then she caught on. Laughing, she said, “Maza, not moza.”

“Maza, maza….”, NK repeated to be certain.

Both of them giggled like a pair of kids. Arnav stared at them, seeing all his plans toppling over like a ton of bricks.

“I will call you Nanheji!”, Khushi declared.

“You can call me anything you want, Khushiji!”, NK said, smiling.

Nannav grit his teeth.

The pooja was finally over and the prasad distributed by Anjaliji. Soon it would be time for the sagai.

Khushi looked at the kitchen with longing in her eyes. She badly wanted a glass of water. She was parched.

She looked for Hari Prakashji. She saw him arranging chairs to seat the guests. It was no use calling him!

But how could she go to the kitchen? What if the Rakshas followed her?

Maybe she could take Nanheji with her. She looked around for him. He was nowhere to be seen.

She looked at Arnavji. He was standing with his face turned away from her, talking to some men in suits. This was her chance. She may not get another opportunity.

 She darted into the kitchen.

There was no one there. Khushi heaved a great sigh of relief. For a few seconds, she could let go of her façade, her tension, her pretense……

She drew a glass of water from the pot, brought it to her lips, and drank deeply. She filled the next glass and drank half of it before she felt someone standing behind her.

Maybe Hari Prakashji had come in….. She turned towards him with a smile to stand petrified.

Arnav Singh Raizada was standing behind her, his eyes burning into hers.

Her hand with the glass of water trembled.

He caught it, his fingers curling over hers to steady them. He brought the glass to his lips and sipped.

She tried to pull it back. The glass had been used by her… he should use a fresh one…. But his fingers pulled her hand closer to his lips, and he drank all the water in the glass.

Khushi swallowed.

“What are you up to, Khushi?”, he asked, his husky voice raking over her nerves like nails on a black board.

She frowned. Had he noticed that she was avoiding him?

“Are you trying to make me jealous?”, Arnav bit out.

Khushi frowned at his preposterous question.

Forgetting that she had decided to be blind, deaf, & dumb, she opened her mouth to blast him.

They heard someone come into the kitchen.

Both of them stiffened. As Khushi tried to leave, Arnav caught hold of her arm and pulled her into the store room, closing the door behind them. 

“What the!”, Khushi exclaimed.

Arnav placed his finger on her lips to silence her. In the dim light, they looked at each other.

He slowly withdrew his finger from her lips, taking the chance to caress the plump curves. Khushi jerked away.

Arnav peeped into the kitchen.

Mami stood looking around, her binoculars in hand.

“Bhere did they go?, she asked herself. She looked in the cabinets, behind the stove, in between the bins placed on the cooking platform, in the basket of vegetables waiting to be cooked…….

“Bhere ever you go, you cannot escape Manorama Baand!”, she said, firing an imaginary pistol, and blowing the residue from her fingers.

Mami turned to look at Laxmi who was chewing a bunch of palak from the basket.

“Did you see them, you chewer of palak?”

Laxmi bleated.

Mami snorted, and left the kitchen, walking her billi walk.

Arnav looked at Khushi. She gulped.