84. Finding Khushi (Part 25 Section 3 onwards)
(Thanx a million for the banner, Naughtymallu!)
Manwaa Aage Bhage Re (Shreya Ghosal from Kashmakash)
(Thanx a million for the banner, Naughtymallu!)
Manwaa Aage Bhage Re (Shreya Ghosal from Kashmakash)
A blush
rose in her creamy cheeks, but she tried to say casually, “Theek he!”
Arnav
stared at her with eyes that couldn’t get any wider.
Khushi
lifted her chin, and said, “Aap itna keh rahe hein to….”
“Khushi…”,
he whispered. “Khushi…. Marriage….. you are ready….?”, he swallowed hard,
disbelief evident in his tone.
Khushi
nodded, her lashes falling over her eyes, bashful all of a sudden.
Arnav took
a step to get closer to her, and crowded her against the car.
“Arnavji,
someone will see…” Khushi looked over his shoulders and to the left &
right.
“Let
them…”, he whispered. "Dekhne do."
“Arnavji….”,
Khushi whispered her protest, her head lowered in shyness.
“When?
When, Khushi?” He wanted to be very sure.
“Jab bhi
aap kahe.”, Khushi was never one to do things half-way.
Arnav
seized the opportunity with both hands. “Now?”
Khushi
burst out laughing. “Now? What is the hurry?”
“I want you
married to me at the earliest.”, Arnav declared. “I will get Aman…”
Khushi
burst out laughing.
“I am not
going to run away, Arnavji…..”, she giggled.
“I want it
done at the earliest.”, Arnav said, holding her gently by her arms.
“And to
think that a few months ago, you were giving me lectures on how love and
marriage are meaningless, how you don’t believe in them…..”, Khushi tried very
hard to control her laughter.
“How could
I not change my mind, Khushi? Especially when you kept dropping into my arms from
various perches?”, Arnav teased.
Khushi
smiled. “Arnavji, you are trapped. Devi Maiyya has sent me to torture you till
the end of our lives.”
“Torture by
a halwai should be very sweet.”, Arnav smirked.
“Haan… But
you are diabetic!”, Khushi, as usual, had the last word.
Arnav
smiled at her, his heart in his eyes.
Khushi
looked to the left and right. The way was clear. She quickly placed her hands
on his shoulders, lifted up on her toes, and gave him a resounding smack on his
cheek, close to his lips.
“Khushi…”,
Arnav said in his husky voice into the phone.
“Ji?”, she
asked, setting the jalebi batter aside.
“What are
you doing?”, he asked, smiling, happy to be talking to her.
“Making
jalebis for a birthday party, Arnavji.”, she smiled, looking lovingly at the
mountain of her favourite sweets.
“Are you
busy on the 15th?”, he asked.
“15th?
Next Friday, Arnavji? Nothing special. Do you have some order for me?”, Khushi
crossed her legs, and lowered the flame under the big pan of oil. With a
slotted spoon, she dunked the jalebis in the smoking hot oil.
“Yes. Our
marriage. Will you be free for that?”, Arnav teased.
The spoon fell
from her hand into the oil with a splash.
“Careful,
Khushi!”, Arnav said anxiously, standing by the pool near his room.
“Our
marriage?”, Khushi asked, hesitant, shy… She pulled the spoon out.
“I told Nani
that you were ready to marry me. Nani called the Pujari, and he has given a
list of auspicious dates. 15th is the nearest one.”, Arnav said. “Is
it OK with you?”
“Ji…”,
Khushi said, looking at the perfect jalebis in the bubbling oil.
“I will
send Nani, Mami, & Di to talk to your parents and Buaji.”, Arnav declared. “Expect
them tomorrow morning.”
“Ji..”,
Khushi said.
“Khushi…
You are happy, aren’t you?”, Arnav asked, wondering at her unusual silence.
Khushi
smiled. “Very happy. So happy that I feel like distributing these jalebis to
our neighbours….”
Arnav
smiled.
“Arnavji,
after our wedding is fixed, you must help me fix Anamikaji & Ganeshji’s
wedding.”, Khushi reminded him of the promise he had made in a moment of
weakness.
Arnav
smiled, and said audaciously, “Khushi, after our wedding is fixed, I will help you marry
off anybody, even Buaji!”
‘Hai Re Nandkisore!”,
Khushi exclaimed.
Part 25
Section 4
Nani, Mami,
Payal, and Anjali hugged Buaji & Amma, grateful that Khushi had agreed to
marry Arnav at the earliest. NK & Akash smiled to see the joy on the faces
of the ladies, and sat down among them.
Sipping tea
and nibbling Khushi’s sweets, they discussed and fixed the dates for sagai,
sangeet, mehendi, haldi, & the shaadi. They then discussed about the guests
they needed to invite. Babuji watched them silently, happy.
Then Mami
said, smiling, “We hab brought all the gifats (gifts) for the shagun. Bhere is
your ladki?”
Buaji said,
smiling, “Today is her last day with Munshiji in the godown, Nandkisore. Her
work is over. She should be coming home anytime now.”
Nani &
Anjali nodded.
Anjali
whispered, “Chotey must have gone to get her, Nani.”
Nani
chuckled.
“Aphter (after)
all, Khussi ijj working bery (very) phar (far) away, on the next streetwaa!”,
Mami laughed.
Khushi
cleared her table to the accompaniment of
Bahon Main
Chale Aao
O, Hum Se
Sanam Kya Parda…
O, Hum Se
Sanam Kya Parda…
Khushi
looked at the radio with exasperation. Here she was all upset about leaving
Munshiji, and the radio was out to hug her?
Khushi
hooked her cloth bag around her neck, and laid a bunch of keys on the table in
front of Munshiji.
“Hum chalte
he, Munshiji.”, she said, trying hard not to cry. She bent to touch the elderly
man’s feet.
“Don’t be
sad, Bitiyaa. You are going to get married soon, aren’t you? Have a very
happy life! May you have many many children!”, Munshiji blessed her.
Khushi
shook her head in agreement, and tried to wipe all traces of tears from her face.
Munshiji
looked over her shoulder, smiled, and said, “Acha he, your aadmi has come to
take you away in his doli.”
Khushi
turned around, startled, to see Arnavji leaning against the door. She smiled at
him through her tears.
“Munshiji,
we are getting married on the 15th. We would like you to attend the
function and bless us.”, Arnav said, softly.
Munshiji
beamed and said, “Zaroor, beta. Zaroor.”
“I will
send you the invitation card.”, Arnav promised.
Munshiji
nodded.
Arnav took
Khushi’s hand as he led her out of the godown and towards his car. He helped
her into her seat, fastened her seat belt, shut the door, and took his seat.
“Tum theek
ho?”, he asked.
She nodded,
wiping her cheek with her hand.
He offered
her his hanky.
Khushi took
it and dried her face.
“Munshiji…
and his radio…..”, she whispered. “I will miss both of them….”
Arnav
smiled. “You are not going to outer space, Khushi. You will be still in Delhi
after marriage. Just a few kilometres away…”
Khushi
nodded. “I know. But…. I don’t know why, Arnavji… It seems like another world…”,
she sniffed.
Arnav
leaned and pressed a kiss on her sweet cheek.
“Buaji is right when she called
you sanki, Munshiji’s chamchi..”, he said, smiling.
Khushi
pouted at him.
Arnav’s
eyes dropped to her pink lips, and his eyes sharpened with obvious interest and
intent.
Khushi
turned her head away, a blush rendering her cheeks rosy.
Arnav parked
the car in Happy Singh’s garage, and led Khushi across the road to Buaji’s
house.
They walked
in through the door to see all the Raizadas and the Guptas laughing over some
joke by NK.
“Khushiji
has come!”, Anjali exclaimed. She limped towards her and hugged her.
“I will get
coffee for Arnav Bitwaa.”, Garima said, and moved to the kitchen.
“Without
sugar, Amma.”, Khushi reminded.
“Saasumma,
give the shagun phast! Or Khussi will take up another jobwaa!”, Mami teased.
All
laughed.
“Khushiji,
how are your jalebis and pedas?”, NK asked.
“Fine,
Nanheji!”, Khushi laughed.
“Did your
Munshiji let you go?”, Buaji teased her. “I thought he would be heartbroken
when you said goodbye!”
Khushi
scowled at Buaji.
All laughed.
“Go inside
an dchange your clothes, Titliyaa. They have come to give you your shagun,
Nandkisore.”, Buaji said.
“Ji, Buaji.”,
Khushi nodded, and left for her room, accompanied by Payal.
Part 26
Khushi came
out of the room wearing a red and green lehenga, her head lowered as befitting a bride.Payal led her out into the
living room.
Arnav’s eyes ran over her lithe form in the
red silk skirt & blouse with lavish bead work and a transparent green
dupatta with beads and crystals dotting it. A maangtikka, a necklace, and
bangles with red and white stones enhanced her beauty. She looked gorgeous, the
shyness on her face adding to her allure. He swallowed hard, his eyes unwilling
to leave her figure.
Anjali
cleared her throat, hiding her smile, and NK nudged him.
“Control,
Nannav, control.”, NK whispered.
Arnav
blushed.
Mami, Nani,
Anjali, Akash, NK, Babuji, Amma, Payal, & Buaji laughed at his plight.
Khushi
blushed a fiery red.
Anjali
limped towards Khushi, and threw her arm around her. Payal & Anjali led
Khushi to a seat between Nani & Buaji.
Nani hugged
her, and kissed her forehead.
She whispered, “Khussi Bitiyaa, I am so happy
that you are marrying Chotey! I have waited too long to see this day!”
Khushi
smiled and returned her hug with interest.
“Shall we
begin?”, Anjali asked all the elders gathered there. All nodded, wide smiles on
their faces.
“Jaldi,
jaldi karo, Di. Here Nannav is very eager to get married.”, NK said, putting his arm
around Arnav.
All smiled
at Arnav’s flush.
“Somebody
is very impatient.”, Anjali whispered in Khushi’s ears.
“Laagat he,
Anjali Bitiyaa, hamre Arnav Bitwaa thinks that after shagun the next rasam is
suhaag raat!”, Mami chuckled.
Amma,
Buaji, Nani, & Anjali had to hide their laughter behind their hands.
Khushi’s
face rivalled the rich crimson of her lehenga.
Anjali
applied a tikka on Khushi’s forehead, and placed a richly-wrapped packet on her
lap. “Welcome to our family, Khushiji. May you and Chotey be very very happy
together.”, she said.
Khushi
smiled at Anjali, grateful for her warmth and affection.
Anjali
dropped a kiss on her forehead.
Mami pushed
her way through, and placed a packet on Khushi’s lap. “Inside is a
phoren-returned make-uppiyya kit. Ujj (use) it waisly (wisely) and become as
bootiphool as your Mami.”, she advised.
Khushi
smiled and nodded.
Nani gifted
her a Benares sari, gaily wrapped in red, and blessed her wholeheartedly.
Akash &
NK fought with each other to fill her lap with gifts till Khushi could hold no
more in her arms.
All laughed
to see her struggling with the parcels, and Anjali & Arnav helped her by
stacking them on an unoccupied chair nearby.
Nani said, “According
to our custom, the bridegroom is not supposed to attend the shagun, Chotey!”
Arnav
looked at her, not knowing what to say but determined not to leave.
“Saasumma, if
we had tried to stops hamre Arnav Bitwaa from attending the shagun, he would
have done a running marrijj with Khussi!”, Mami laughed.
All
chuckled at Arnav & Khushi’s expense.
“Hai Re
Nandkisore!”, Buaji exclaimed. She said in jest, “Our bitiyya is gently reared,
Manoramaji! She will not agree to a runaway marriage.”
“Agree
karne ki kono jaroorat naahi…”, Mami laughed. “Hamre Arnav Bitwaa is capable of
running on hijj (his) own, carrying Khussi in his strong armswaa!”
All looked
at Arnav’s lean physique, and guffawed.
“Nannav,
don’t get ghoosa!”, NK pleaded. “You will soon get used to being teased.”, he
laughed.
The two
families had a wonderful evening, laughing at the bride & the groom. After
having a delicious dinner together, the Raizadas prepared to depart.
“Uncle,
Aunty, Buaji, I need to have a few words with Khushi.”, Arnav said.
The ladies
giggled, and Khushi blushed. Payal nudged Khushi.
“Why do you
need to ask permission, Bitwaa?”, asked Buaji. “You are here to talk to
Titliyaa so often, Nandkisore, that I always forget that you live in Shantivan!”,
Buaji teased him.
All
laughed.
Arnav
caught hold of Khushi’s arm and gently tugged to draw her into the comparative
privacy of her bedroom.
“Khushi…”,
he whispered.
“Hhmm..?”,
Khushi responded.
“What did
Munshiji say when you touched his feet?”, the devil asked.
Khushi
frowned. “He blessed me, Arnavji. He said, ‘Don’t be sad, Bitiyaa. You are
going to get married next week, aren’t you? Have a very happy life! May you
have many many….’”, Khushi came to a hasty halt, seeing the trap too late.
“Many, many…”,
Arnav asked, naughty lights in his caramel eyes.
“Nothing.”,
Khushi said crossly.
“Mamy, many
nothing?”, Arnav-the-devious-Raizada asked.
“Many, many…
children.”, Khushi mumbled.
“I didn’t hear
you, Khushi…”, he leaned forward, his ear near her lips.
“Many, many
children…”, Khushi whispered into his ears.
Arnav
looked into Khushi’s shifting gaze.
He cupped
her face, and whispered, “I promise, Khushi, that I will try hard to make
Munshiji’s blessing come true.”
Khushi
looked into his twinkling eyes with suspicious ones.
Arnav
smiled as he lowered his hard lips to her soft, waiting ones.
Part 28
Naina by Sadhana Sargam (Movie: Water. A.R.Rehman)
Part 27
“Do you
think Anamikaji loves Ganeshji?”, Khushi whispered in Anjali’s ear as they sat
in Gaurav’s hospital room.
Buaji, Mami,
NK, Nani, Amma, Payal, & Akash were sitting around the bed, asking after
Gaurav's health.
Arnav was seated near Anjali, and looked at Khushi with a resigned sigh
and a smile on his lips.
Anjali
looked at Anamika. She was standing near Gaurav, her arms crossed, watching him
chat with the Raizadas and the Guptas, a small smile on her normally
expressionless face. Ganesh was seated in a chair near the wall, behind
Anamika.
“After you
leave the hospital, maybe we can play chess together.”, NK suggested to Gaurav.
“You know, chess makes your dabaang grow.”
“Hai Re
Nandkisore!”, Buaji exclaimed.
“Dimaag, NK
Bhai.”, Akash said, smiling nervously at Anamika & Ganesh.
“Wohi,
wohi..”, NK said, putting the lobe of his right ear to beg pardon.
Anamika
turned to look at Ganesh with merriment dancing in her eyes, sharing her
amusement with him silently. Ganesh was chuckling soundlessly, his twinkling
eyes on Anamika’s face.
Anjali
clutched Khushi’s hand. “Yes. Yes, Khushiji. I am sure they love each other.”,
she declared softly.
Arnav shook
his head, accepting his fate. Now he would have to keep his eyes on Di
& Khushi. There was no telling what they would get up to, once let loose.
Khushi
hugged Anjali. “We need to do something.”, Khushi whispered.
Anjali
nodded enthusiastically.
“Why?”,
asked Arnav, trying to rain on their parade. “They are adults. If they want to get
married, they will. They don’t need you to remind them.”, he said mildly.
His sister
and Khushi turned to glare at him.
“You don’t
have to help us if you don’t want to, Arnavji.”, Khushi fumed. “But let us do
this in peace.”
Anjali
nodded. “You bury your head inside your musty file and your black laptop,
Chotey! We will manage everything.”
“That is
what I am afraid of.”, Arnav muttered.
“Kya kaha
aapne?”, Khushi asked, her head tilted.
“Haan, kya
kaha apne, Chotey?”, Anjali joined ranks with Khushi.
“Nothing.”,
Arnav muttered weakly.
He sat
watching Anjali & Khushi whisper and giggle together, smiling inwardly.
Anamika wouldn’t know what hit her! He could almost find it in himself to feel pity for her.
Nani,
Buaji, Amma, Payal, and Mami looked at Anjali and Khushi, big smiles on their
faces. They were in RM’s living room, having tea & snacks.
“Tip taap
(tip top) idea he, Anjali Bitiyya! Let’s get Ganesh & Anamika married!”, Mami
declared.
Nani
nodded. Amma and Payal smiled.
But Buaji
frowned. “What if Anamika Bitiyya is already married, Nandkisore?”, she asked.
The smiles
fell away in a second.
“Then where
is her husband?”, Nani asked.
“Bhy did she
say that she has only her son, Gaurav, Hello Hi Bye Bye?”, Mami asked.
“If she has
a husband, why didn’t he come when Gaurav Bitwaa was in the hospital, Jiji?”, Amma
asked.
“Maybe she
is a widow.”, Payal suggested.
All ladies
looked at each other.
“We have to
find out.”, Nani said, finally. “We can’t proceed otherwise.”
“Maybe I
can ask Koelji.”, Khushi said.
All faces
lit up.
“Do it now.”,
Mami instructed. “A good thing, then why ask, ask? Bhy postponiyaa (postpone) it?”
All nodded.
Khushi
called Koel. She greeted her, and asked her, “Koelji, can I ask you something?”
Koel
paused, her fingers over the keys of her laptop. “Yes, Khushi.”
“Is
Anamikaji married?”, Khushi asked.
Koel’s
voice and face iced over. “Why do you want to know?”
“Woh kya
he, Koelji, Anamikaji has helped me even though she didn’t have to. I would
like her to be happy. As happy as she has made us.”, Khushi confessed
artlessly.
Koel smiled
slightly.
“I was
thinking, Koelji, if Anamikaji is not married, we can get her married off to Ganeshji.
I think she likes him. Very much.”, Khushi said.
Koel
smiled. “Anamika Madam does not have a husband.”
“And she
likes Ganeshji, doesn’t she?”, Khushi asked, just to be sure.
Koel
smiled. “I have seen her smile only at Gaurav and Ganesh. No other man.”
Khushi
clapped her hands in excitement, and her phone fell into Anjali’s lap. Anjali
grabbed it and returned it to Khushi.
“And Gaurav
likes Ganeshji, doesn’t he?”, Khushi asked, knowing the answer.
“Gaurav
thinks that Ganesh hung the moon. If Ganesh tells him that he is supposed to
walk on his hands and not his feet, Gaurav will do handstands all his life.”,
Koel’s voice was dry, but laced with genuine love for Gaurav.
Khushi let
out a cry of victory.
“Ab
dekhna, Koelji, Gaurav will get his father soon.”, Khushi proclaimed.
Koel
smiled, but said softly, “Khushi, Anamika Madam & Ganesh have known each
other for 20 years. If in these 20 years they haven’t thought of each other in
a romantic light, then…”
Khushi
frowned, but her face soon cleared up. “Devi Maiyya he na? Aap fikar mat
kiijiye, Koelji! I will tell her everything, and ask for her help. And give one
kilo of my jalebis as prasad.”
Koel smiled
and nodded, hoping that Khushi's jalebis were good enough for Devi Maiyya to heed her pleas.
“We need to
get Anamika Bitiyaa and Ganesh Babua here together, Nandkisore!.”, Buaji said.
All nodded.
“What about
a satsang, Nani?”, asked Anjali.
All nodded,
pleased expressions on their faces.
“We won’t
invite outsiders.”, Nani said. Mami and Anjali nodded. “Especially not your
kitty party friends.”, Nani added.
Mami
pouted.
“If they
say something nasty to Anamika Bitiyya…”, Nani’s voice trailed away.
Mami nodded
quickly. “That ijj true, Saasumma. They are not sweet like me, Hello Hi Bye Bye!”
Nani &
Anjali hid their smiles. Payal looked away to control her blooming smile. Buaji
looked at Garima, and then away.
Khushi
phoned Arnav late at night.
“What are
you doing, Arnavji?”, she asked, smiling, knowing that he must be working in his garden.
He looked
at the data on his laptop. He had been staring at the same page for the past
few minutes, dreaming about Khushi.
“Thinking
about you.”, he said briefly.
Khushi
blushed. “Truly?”
“No, I am
lying.”, Arnav retorted.
Khushi
pouted. “Woh kya he, Arnavji, it is difficult to think of you as a …”
“As a ….?”,
Arnav asked, smiling, stretching out his legs.
“As a
romantic hero, like Salman Khanji. Or Shahrukh Khanji…”, Khushi muttered.
Arnav
smiled.
“Why,
Khushi? Are only your heroes supposed to fall in love?”, Arnav asked.
“No…”,
Khushi said. “Ordinary people fall in love. But you are not ordinary.”
“Then what
am I?”, Arnav asked, smiling tenderly.
“You are
Arnav Singh Raizada!”, she said. “You should be khadoos, angry, with smoke
coming from your nostrils, with angry eyes capable of reducing others to ashes…..”
Arnav
laughed out aloud.
“Instead, you
are talking sweetly, you are thinking of me, you are smiling, and you are never
angry! What happened to you, Arnavji?”, Khushi asked anxiously. “Tabiyat theek
he na?”
Arnav burst
out laughing.
He managed
to say between guffaws, “Do… do I have… to be ill…, Khushi…, before I… can
love… you?”
Part 28
Naina by Sadhana Sargam (Movie: Water. A.R.Rehman)
Section 1
Anamika
frowned as she phoned Ganesh.
“Anamika…”
he said.
“I received
a call from Khushi. Apparently, Anjali is holding a satsang in her house today
evening, and wants us to attend it. She said she would be inviting you…”
“She did.
So, would you like to attend it?”, Ganesh asked, smiling slightly.
Anamika
hesitated. “Khushi said that her family would be attending it. And that there
would be no other guests…”
Ganesh
waited.
“Maybe we
can go…” she said.
“Gaurav…?”,
Ganesh asked.
“I asked
him, but he doesn’t want to use a wheelchair. NK is apparently coming over for
a game of chess today evening.” Anamika explained.
“When shall
we leave?”, Ganesh asked.
Anamika
frowned. “Why should you travel all the way here to get me, and then drive half
the way back to the Raizadas?”
“When?”,
Ganesh asked.
Anamika
sighed. “Five, you stubborn, stubborn man.”
Ganesh smiled.
The
Raizadas and the Guptas were waiting for Anamika & Ganesh. Khushi ran to
hug Anamika as Hari Prakash opened the door to them. Anjali and Payal followed,
with Buaji, Amma, Mami, & Nani bringing up the rear.
ASR, Akash,
& Mamaji joined the ladies in greeting the pair and leading them inside.
Anamika
looked around. RM was beautifully decorated with flowers and diyas, and the
purohit was seated by the havan, examining the materials for the pooja. Thick
mats were placed on the ground for the devout, and the ladies led the guests
towards the havan.
Payal and Nani sat down near Khushi's Babuji and Amma. Khushi
& Anjali made sure that Anamika was seated between them, and Buaji and Mami
sat on either sides of Ganesh. Arnav met Akash’s anxious eyes, and sat down by
Mamaji.
The pooja started.
Khushi
whispered to Anamika, “Anamikaji, you have no idea how happy I am that you
could join us for the havan.”
Anamika
smiled at her.
Anjali
added, “I was scared you would have some previous appointment.”
“I was free
today evening.” Anamika said.
“And isn’t
it wonderful that Ganeshji could come too?”, Anjali asked.
Khushi did
not let Anamika speak. She said, “Ganeshji will cancel any appointment for Anamikaji
and Gaurav.”
Anamika and
Anjali looked at her.
“Aap ko
pata he, Anjaliji, Ganeshji thinks the world of Anamikaji and Gaurav.”
“Acha?”
Anjali played along.
“And Gaurav
loves Ganeshji like a father. Is that not correct, Anamikaji?” Khushi asked.
“Yes.”,
Anamika said.
“How old is
Ganeshji?” Anjali asked Anamika.
“Err…he
will be 45 this year. In December.” Anamika said.
“Is he
married?” Anjali asked.
“No.”,
Anamika said.
“What a
pity!” Anjali commented. “He must be so lonely!” she sighed.
Khushi took
over. “Ganeshji should be leading a happy life, running after his Chunnu and
Munnu and fighting with his wife! Thank God he has you and Gaurav, Anamikaji.”
Anamika
stared at her, Khushi's words striking her.
The purohit
rolled his eyes at Khushi for daring to chatter when the pooja was going on.
Khushi placed her forefinger on her sealed lips, and silently promised him that
she would be silent.
“Ganesh
Bitwaa! Are you married, Nandkisore?” Buaji asked, a smile on her lips.
“Err… no…”,
Ganesh said.
“Bery good.”,
Mami said. “Bhy don’t you marry our Anamika Bitiyaa?”
Ganesh
stared at her multi-coloured eyelids.
“Bechari
Anamika Bitiyaa! Cutting and stitching cloth all day! What kind of life is it,
Nandkisore?”
“Haan,
dressing up other girls as brideswaa when she should be the bridewaa herself!”
Mami said.
“Poor Gaurav
Bitwaa! Growing up without a father’s protection!” Buaji lamented.
Ganesh
looked at both ladies with wary eyes.
Arnav took
a deep breath. Whether Anamika and Ganesh would deign to step into RM again was
debatable.
Part 28 Section
2
Anamika
looked at Ganesh. He was driving through the night, his big body relaxed in the
spacious seat of his luxury vehicle.
“Ganesh?”
Anamika whispered.
Ganesh
stood on the brakes. “What is wrong, Anamika?”
“Are you
lonely?” she asked.
Ganesh
looked at her for a moment, his eyes inscrutable. Then he navigated the vehicle
to the side of the road and parked it.
“Why do you
ask?” Ganesh queried softly.
“Khushi and
Anjali were saying that it is a pity that you are not married, with a family….”
Anamika came to a halt.
“It is a
pity that I am not married, Anamika. Because I have always wanted to marry and
have a family.” Ganesh said softly.
Anamika
stared at him, her face vulnerable, for a moment. Then she turned her head away.
“But I have
never felt lonely. I have you and Gaurav.” Ganesh said, his voice low but sure.
Anamika
looked out through the window.
They sat in the car, silent, waiting...
“Ganesh,
did we…. is it because of us… that you didn’t get married? I mean, did we stop
you from having a life?”, Anamika finally asked.
“Yes, you
did.” Ganesh was blunt.
Anamika
looked at him, heart-felt regret in her eyes.
“To take
the example of Khushi, when her heart is set on jalebis, rabri won’t do the
job, however good it might be.” Ganesh smiled.
Anamika
stared at him, her eyes wide in shock.
“When my
heart was set on you and Gaurav, no other woman would do, no other family would
do.” Ganesh explained.
Anamika
felt tears sting her eyes.
“Don’t cry,
Anamika. I didn’t tell you the truth to upset you. But maybe twenty years is
too long for me to remain silent about my dreams.” His voice was soft and
soothing, love and care evident in it.
Anamika
dried her eyes, looking out at the road.
“I would
like to marry you, Anamika. And be Gaurav’s father. Think about it, hhmm?”
Ganesh smiled at Anamika’s averted face.
She remained silent.
“Listen, if
you don’t want to marry me, it is alright. Things will go back to what they were
before. I will be a father to Gaurav and a friend to you. Don’t worry, OK?” Ganesh said mildly.
Anamika
nodded.
Ganesh
started the car and drove towards Anamika’s house.
“Khushi…Khushi…what
the hell are you and Di up to?” Arnav was furious. His fingers holding the
phone were trembling.
Khushi frowned,
setting aside the laddoos she had been making.
“Hell?” she
asked, perplexed. Then she laughed. “Not hell, Arnavji. Heaven. When Anamikaji
and Ganeshji get married…”
“Khushi!”
the lion roared. “Anamika must be in her thirties…”
“Thirty-nine,
Arnavji!” Khushi said cheerfully.
“And Ganesh
must be…”
“Forty-five.”,
Khushi helped him.
“Khushi,
what I am trying to get into your and Di’s heads is this. You have no right to
force the idea of marriage down their throats. They are old enough to make
decisions about their lives.” Arnav fumed.
Khushi
grimaced. “Acha? And what have they done these 20 years? Looked at each other like
small children look at gola (ice candy) on a hot day! Offo!” she was very vocal
about her disgust at their tortoise-like pace in matters of the heart.
“Khushi…”
Arnav tried to put in a word for Anamika and Ganesh, and their right of choice.
“They are
39 and 45 now. What are they waiting for? To hit century? Why do they want to
marry when they don’t have teeth and are ganja (bald)?” Khushi was genuinely
perplexed.
“Khushi…”
It had to be said that Arnav tried.
“Life is so
short, Arnavji. We should enjoy each and every day, shouldn’t we? Aap hi
sochiye, had Anamikaji and Ganeshji married earlier, they would now have a
vanar sena (army of monkeys) of naughty children and Gaurav would have many
brothers and sisters to fight and play with.”
Arnav
rolled his eyes.
“Arnavji!
Just imagine! How would your life be without Anjaliji, Akash Jiju, and Nanheji?”
Arnav
opened his mouth to reply, but could not find anything to say.
“How would
your life be without me?” she asked, a smile in her voice.
“Khushi…”
Arnav looked around his garden for inspiration.
“Peaceful,
but as dull and drab as your curtains. As boring as your laptop. As lonely as a
flower in your garden that a bee does not hum around.”
Arnav was
silenced.
“We are not
forcing Anamikaji to marry Ganeshji, Arnavji. We are just telling them…”
“That it is
a good idea to get married before they are too old, too bald, and too toothless
to marry.” Arnav smiled.
“Ab aaya na
truck pul ke neeche!” Khushi exclaimed, popping a laddoo in her mouth.
Part 28
Section 3
Ganesh was
setting up tripods for a shoot when he felt someone watching him.
He turned
around to see Anamika standing near the door.
Dressed in a white tunic and dark
chocolate pants, she looked her normal self if one discounted the faint
bruising under her eyes.
Ganesh
smiled at her, putting her at ease. He set the equipment aside.
“Good morning,
Madam.” Vinni greeted Anamika, who responded with a faint smile. “Commander,
chodiye. Hum dekh lenge.” Vinni said, smiling at Ganesh as she brushed past
him.
Ganesh
nodded his thanks, and walked towards Anamika. Both of them left the room
silently, and walked into Ganesh’s office. He shut the door, feeling that she
would prefer it.
Anamika
looked around. How many times had she been here? Too many times to count. The
racks with books and journals were on the point of collapsing under the weight.
The priceless landscapes on the wall. The table with his laptop and other
requirements of his work. His music system…
She turned
around to look at him.
“Ganesh…”
she started and stopped, not knowing how to go on.
“Did you
sleep last night?” Ganesh asked.
She looked
at him, startled, for a moment.
“No…” she
whispered.
Ganesh
smiled ruefully. “So I succeeded in stealing your sleep, but for the wrong
reasons.”
Anamika
looked at him, swallowing hard.
“I am too
old for this romance thing, I guess.” Ganesh laughed. “I need to ask Gaurav for
tips on how not to scare the girl you love.”
Anamika
rushed up to him and threw her arms around his waist, pressing herself against
his hard, rock-like chest.
“There is
nothing wrong with you, Ganesh. It is all me.” she whispered.
“What is
it?” Ganesh asked softly, his right hand patting her head. His left hand did
not touch her. The last thing he wanted to do was remind her of the horrible
attack on her.
Anamika
crawled closer to him, her fingers gaining purchase in the soft cloth of his
navy blue T-shirt.
“I am a
mess, Ganesh. Totally messed up, totally, totally messed up…”, she confessed, her
face buried in his vast chest, breathing in his clean sandalwood scent. It was
so familiar, so, so safe, like a lullaby soothing her frayed nerves…
Ganesh
remained silent, his silence giving her the space to think and confess.
“After…after
that terrible incident…. Ganesh, I…I don’t like being touched. Only Gaurav
touches me. And now Khushi…”
“Hhmm...”
Ganesh said softly, looking at her.
Anamika ran
her hands up his back, pressing herself closer to him. Her feet moved closer to
his. She clasped him close, so close that a postage stamp would fail to fit in
between them.
“I don’t
like touching anybody. I hate being touched.” Anamika confessed in a low voice.
“If I marry you, then…”
Ganesh
looked down at her, and hid his smile. She had plastered herself against him so
thoroughly that she could not touch him anymore.
“Anamika…”
“You will
be disappointed in me…” she whispered.
“Anamika, I
will never be disappointed in you. Never. Whatever happens.” Ganesh said
firmly. “I think you are the strongest woman in this world, and the best human
being I have come across. I am honoured to know you.”
“I don’t
think I could bear it if I disappointed you…” she whispered.
“You won’t
have to bear it, because you will never disappoint me.”, he whispered back.
Anamika
looked into his face, her eyes slightly pink with unshed tears.
Ganesh asked
her, “Do you dislike touching me, Anamika?”
Anamika
looked at him, and then at her arms which were around him. Conscious, she tried
to withdraw her arms, but Ganesh stopped her.
“No.” she
said.
“Why don’t
you dislike touching me, Anamika?” he asked gently.
She looked at
him, lost for an answer.
Ganesh
waited.
Finally,
she said, “Because I feel safe with you. Because I know that you will never
hurt me. Because you…you never touch me even if I touch you.”
Ganesh
smiled at her. “Let us take this slowly, Anamika. We need to get used to
touching and being touched.”
Anamika
nodded her agreement.
“To do this
effectively, we need to be together. For long stretches of time. In private.”
Anamika
nodded slightly.
“Why don’t
we get married? That will let us live together, under one roof. It will give us
time to experiment, to practice.” Ganesh smiled gently at her.
Anamika
looked at him, all her fears in her eyes. He could cry at her distress.
“What if I
can never…?” she asked tremulously.
“Then we
live with it. Together.” Ganesh said.
Arnav
picked up the phone. “Khushi?”
“Arnavji,
can you come home early from office tomorrow? And spend the afternoon with me?” she asked nicely.
“Tomorrow?”
He looked at his schedule. He didn’t have time to breathe. “Sorry, Khushi. I
have meetings after meetings.”
Khushi
frowned. “In phillums, the hero goes down on his knees in front of the heroine,
and says, ‘My life is at your feet.’ And here, I am stuck with a man who can’t
even give me an afternoon of his day!” she pouted.
Arnav
smiled.
“What will
you do with me if I give you my afternoon?” He sounded hopeful.
“I will
take you out to see a phillum. We can watch Salman Khanji or Hrithik Roshanji
or Shahrukh Khanji… or any actor you like.” She was very generous in offering
him entertainment.
Arnav’s
mouth fell & remained open.
She went
on, throwing light on the many treats in store for him. “Arnavji, you don’t
have to feel bad that Anjaliji, Mamiji, and Naniji won’t be able to see the
phillum. They, Buaji, Jiji, & Jijaji too will be coming with us. Nanheji
said he wants to play some game with Gaurav, and so won’t be coming for the
movie.”
“They…they
are all coming…?” Arnav managed to speak.
“Haan! Isn’t
that wonderful?” she asked.
It was many
things, but they were not things to sully her ears with.
“Arnavji,
please come with us. Please? It will be so much fun with you there.” she
pleaded.
Arnav
consigned his meetings to the darkest depths of his dustbin.
“Khushi, I
will come with you.” he said.
The next moment he had to hold the phone away
from his ear as her screech of joy was loud enough to tear his eardrum.
Arnav
smiled.
Part 28 Section 4
Part 28 Section 4
The army of
Raizadas, Khushi, and her Buaji walked into the movie theatre, Arnav bringing
up the rear.
As the
ladies were about to take their seats, Arnav caught hold of Khushi’s arm. She
looked at him, a smile on her face.
“Kya hua,
Arnavji?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
Arnav said. He had no intention of sitting in dim light for 2-3 hours with all
the Raizadas and Guptas between him and Khushi.
She smiled
at him. “Arnavji, this is a dhamakedaar movie. Once you see this, you will want
to see a movie every day!” she claimed cheerfully.
That would
be the day, Arnav thought, smiling inwardly.
Nani sat in
her seat, with Buaji, Anjali, Mami, Mamaji, Akash, and Payal taking their seats
after her.
Arnav let Khushi sit down, and claimed the seat next to her.
Khushi
looked around, smiling at the crowd that had decided to spend their afternoon
in such an inane exercise. Arnav smiled.
Aaj mausam
he suhaana
Phillum
dekhne ka he bahana…., she sang under her breath, almost dancing in her seat in
excitement.
Arnav
looked away, the darkness hiding his smirk.
The movie
began. Arnav stared at the screen in horror.
Dilwale
Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge?
The cinema was celebrating Yash Chopra week? He fell
back in his seat. He looked at Khushi and the rest of his family. All had
smiles on their faces, and were clapping in excitement. Mami whistled, and
Khushi joined her, placing two of her fingers in her mouth.
Arnav
looked around. What the! Where was he stuck?
Raj Malhotra
met Simran. Arnav rolled his eyes at their antics. What crap! How many more
hours of this? he wondered. Suddenly, he felt Khushi fingers grip his thigh in
excitement.
Arnav
jerked in shock and turned his head to look at her. Her face had a beatific
smile and her eyes shone with excitement. Arnav stared at her in wonder.
Bade bade
deshon mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hai…, Raj said.
Khushi
sighed in pleasure, turning her head to smile at Arnavji.
Arnav
swallowed hard, and placed his fingers over hers, pressing them gently.
On screen,
Baldev, furious at his daughter, Simran’s fascination for Raj, forced his
family to relocate to Punjab, but Arnav saw only Khushi’s face that showed
distress at the untimely death of the Raj-Simran love saga.
What the! She
must have seen the movie before? he wondered. Knowing Khushi, atleast 10 times?
She knew that the guy would get the girl anyway before the movie ended, didn’t
she? Then why was she upset? Arnav wondered.
He leaned
forward to look at the rest of his family. Nani, Mami, Buaji, Anjali, &
Payal were wiping tears and sniffling. Unbelievable! He looked up, unable to
believe what he was seeing. Khushi was in perfect company!
As he
watched, a fat tear rolled down Khushi’s alabaster cheek. Arnav sighed, hiding
his smile, and pulled his hanky out. He handed it to her. She took it with a
faint smile and dried her cheeks.
Mamaji snored away, the noise and the music not making a dent on his sleep.
Arnav covered his lips with strategically placed
fingers, and continued to watch Khushi’s face. He could see everything that was
happening in the movie on her face. The joy when Raj & Simran reunited, the
anxiety when Raj tried to woo Baldev, the excitement when Simran cut her finger
to avoid wearing the engagement ring, the look of almost heavenly bliss when Raj
fed Simran on Karwa Chaut…
A while later, Arnav turned his head to look around
at the other viewers. Most of them were women who had dragged their unwilling
husbands, boy friends, brothers, cousins, sons, uncles, male neighbours, fathers
etc to watch the chick flick. Arnav felt heart-felt sympathy for the male of
the species.
He turned to look at Khushi.
Her fingers were now in his. He had managed to
salvage his thigh, his virtue, and his much vaunted self-control from her
advances.
He looked at her smiling face, her rapt eyes on the
screen.
He gently ran a finger along her palm. She jerked,
and looked at him, shocked, the movie forgotten.
Arnav smiled at her. Khushi looked around to see if
anyone was watching, but all had better things to do and the hall was dimly-lit.
He ran his fingers along her palm, darting into the crevices at the base of her fingers, playing expertly with her nerves. He could see
her breathing deepen, her lips part in an effort to draw more air into her
lungs...
He slowly lifted her hand to his mouth, and dropped a
kiss on her palm. She curled her fingers, trying to protect herself against his
insidious attack, and glanced nervously at the rest of their family.
They were sitting at the edge of their seats,
watching Kuljeet and his friends beat up Raj.
Arnav kissed her fingers, and gently bit one of
them. She yelped softly.
The sound was lost in all the dishoom-dishoom going
on screen, but Arnav heard it and loved it.
He soothed the area he had bitten with slow laps of
his tongue. Khushi shivered. He could feel every tremor of her body, and he
relished his effect on her.
Raj stood at the door of the train waiting for
Simran to come to him. Baldev was holding Simran back.
Arnav dropped a kiss on Khushi’s open palm, right on
the mount of Venus. She almost melted into a puddle in her plush seat.
Simran ran after the train to reach Raj.
Arnav kissed her mount of Jupiter, holding her palm
in both his hands. Khushi fell sideways against him, her body lying against him her left
side against his right.
The credits rolled, the lights came on. People got
up from their seats with yawns and stretched their arms and legs.
Khushi pulled her hand away from Arnav, and lowered
her red face. Arnav smirked at her discomfort.
“Bhai, how
was the movie?” Akash asked him.
“Very…very
interesting. Akash, I think we need to do this more frequently.” Arnav said, smiling
innocently.
Lovely VM Smita,
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the update.
Thank u, darl. Making ArHi VMs is my stress buster!
Deleteloved the vm awesome scenes loved the song congrats on the new thread
ReplyDeleteThank u, sweetheart!
DeleteOMG...I m smiling like a fool...what an update...so cute n romantic...loved it smitaji!!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo so glad!
Deletei just like rainy day smiling like a fool she said yes and asr wanted to get married same time loved how he said he will marry off anybody after they are married loved the update brilliant amazing fudging awesome
ReplyDeleteHe has been waiting so long!
DeleteVery cute convo between Arshi!
ReplyDeleteGlad u enjoyed it!
DeleteAaah, what a happy, fun update. I can not hide the smile on my face...such a goofy smile.
ReplyDeleteKhushi is finally ready to make a honest man of Arnav Singh Raizada....ooh la la.
And Bitwa is not letting this opportunity to slip off, so now there is only a week left for the wedding...its making my heart go dhak dhak.
Lovely, Smita, this is all sunshine and sweetness and I am so so so happy to read this.
You are awesome!
Where was this sunshine hiding all these days? You will have to pay a fine for this absence!
DeleteI borrowed your Aashiq Singh Raizada and included it in an update. Our friends & readers loved it.
No more leave-taking permitted!
awesum...she agreed to marry and he is on top of the world......the marriage fixed on 15th....even in her happiness she didnt forget anamika and ganesh wedding to be fixed....continue sooon.....
ReplyDeleteAwww im smiling like a fool now u know. that was so cute update and really an awesome one. u rock Smita.
ReplyDeleteArnav is not even consciously trying to be nice. He is naturally pleasant. Arnav's change is gradual, but it is there to stay and Smitha, the journey is beautifully portrayed by you.
ReplyDeleteloved the update so cute khushi was crying after leaving her job loved how arnav was teasing her awesome update beautifully done
ReplyDeleteloved the update so cute and sweet loved how asr and khushi were being teased and the out fit is gorgeous need the link to the shop loved how he took her to talk to her loved how he promised to fulfilled the blessing loved the update
ReplyDeleteThis Arnav Babua is so naughty.... Love it!
ReplyDeleteContinue soon!!!!!
No comments. I have melted away into a gooyey puddle .......of, awwww.......
ReplyDeleteLove where the story is right now. Smita, I swear I can see starts and flowers and sweet candle lights, softly lit houses and happy families, lovers strolling hand in hand into the sunset!!!!!!
Awwww *sigh*
ReplyDeleteAtlast the marriage is happening....soooo happy :-D
Poor Arnav and Khushi hahahahaha, the family teasing is hilarious but loved it and they are a wonderful family for sure. love raizadas and Guptas. god bless u Smita for this wonderful update
ReplyDeleteLoved it....cute, romantic...beautiful chapter
ReplyDeleteHa...
DeleteWow! the entire Khandan has joined forces. Arnav's thought is so right! Anamika will never know what hit her! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a phamily battle!
Deletepoor Anamika and Ganesh ..no one can save them now
ReplyDeleteNow that Khushi is on their case, they are doomed!
DeleteOh my god! how I want to look at Anamika and Gaurav's faces. Love it Smitha.
ReplyDeleteThey must be wondering if they walked into a madhouse!
Deletehahahah this khushi is damn crazy and ASR is gonna crazy lolz. beautiful smita just loved it to the core and really u r a wonderful writer. god bless u my jaan
ReplyDeleteThank u, darl. If Khushi is Sanka Devi, then Arnav is Sanka Dev!
Deletehhmm looking like we are going to have double marriage..yeepeee
ReplyDeleteHa..ha..
Deleteloved the update been very busy sorry loved how khushi and anjali got ganesh and ami thinking awesome khushi and her laad governor conversation was wicked cute awesome update
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate ASR now in taking the matters of heart seriously and not dilly dally around them for 20 yrs as Ganesh had done... I think now that finally Anamika opened up about her reality to Ganesh, he has found the confidence to propose to her... thanks to Khushi for doing something about it... Ganesh, quickly take a crash course from ASR...
ReplyDeleteThat was very intense...she loves him a lot...doesnt she...
ReplyDeleteShe has suspended her feelings as a woman after that incident...for 20 yrs...all that dhak dhak and acidity... usko bhi aate honge...but she wud have just stopped them short...or just didnt have the time for them until now...
i officially hate Ganesh who mockingly remarks about being 20 yrs late... she is so comfortable with him... but still he has not made an advance to take their rtnship to the next level...what was he waiting for... khushi..nani...buaji and their havan? lazy bugger...
Ha..ha..
DeleteLOVED LOVED LOVED THE UPDATE LOVED GANESH AND ANAMIKA CONVERSATION SO CUTE THEY WILL GET MARRIED BEFORE KHUSHI AND ARNAV CAN'T WAIT LOVED HOW SHE TOLD HIM HOW SHE FELT AND WHAT SHE WAS AFRAID OFF AND HOW SHE WAS AFRAID OF DISAPPOINTING HIM LOVED HOW SHE COMFORTED HER AND ASSURED HER SHE COULD NEVER DISAPPOINT HIM BLOODY AMAZING UPDATE
ReplyDeleteFinally caught up with the updates. This is awesome story. Love the Anamika-Ganesh saga.
ReplyDeleteOne qq who is pairing for our beloved NK and also are u planning pairing for Anjali?
Of course Arnav will go! Where Khushi is Arnav will be there! :)
ReplyDeleteFinally after 20 years, one push from Khushi and Anjali, Anamika and Ganesh have started talking. They will overcome all hurdles together.
Yeah! Very Interesting!:) Khushi will think the gussa vala Arnav is better than this naughty romantic Arnav.
ReplyDeleteHe is bad for her heart! Dhak dhak & acidity can kill!
DeleteSmita you have once said that making arshi vms is your stress buster, well reading your Arshi stories is mine. I have read and re-read, again and again and again, all your stories. Each one so distinct in portraying emotions. 'Finding Khushi', I must admit, is a masterpiece. I missed Ganesh and Anamika in the last section. For me, Ganamika are as much a part of 'Finding Khushi' as our own Arshi. :)
ReplyDeleteHa..ha.. Ganamika will reappear soon. Will post today's part soon.
DeleteI love your sense of humour,,,its a cherry on top....
ReplyDeleteKhushi n family play cupid for Anamika and Ganesh ...khushi z right...20 yrs r 2 long ..they ve wasted more than a life time...i like this couple as well
n the movie scene is just....Awesome...hilarious n wow
hi smitha I know you are not writing anymore but I read your stories several times, whenever I read the characters of Anamika and Ganesh these are pictures that come to my mind Rajshree Thakur as Anamika and pankaj dheer as Ganesh.
ReplyDeleteSwapna