86. Finding Khushi (Part 38 onwards)

Part 38

 

Next, it was the turn of the intrepid Mami and ever ready Mamaji who turned out to be a fabulous dancers. As Gaurav announced their names, Khushi clapped in excitement, almost jumping up and down in her chair. 

Arnav smiled at her excitement.

“Aap ko pata he, Mamiji & Mamaji have been practicing this dance for one week!” Khushi informed him.

“Acha?” he asked. No wonder Mamaji had been missing from the office. 

He looked at Khushi. The pale green and pink lehenga she was wearing suited her very well. He pressed Khushi’s delicate fingers gently, and curled them around his arm. Khushi hugged his arm to her, smiled at him, and turned her head towards the stage.

Ta thaiya ta thaiya ho o...
Ta thaiya ta thaiya ho o...
Dhum tan nan...

Anamika looked at Ganesh. ASR’s whole family was talented?

The curtain rose to reveal coloured earthern pots placed one on top of the other. The stage also had big wheels, painted blue, red, and white. In their midst was Mamiji, wearing an orange choli and skirt, the dupatta pinned on her head, her body covered with gold jewellery. 
Anamika felt her breath hitch. Ganesh looked at the stage with wide eyes. Mami & Mamaji were going to dance on this song? He looked at Mamiji’s getup with shocked eyes.

Naino mein sapna, sapno mein sajna
Sajna pe dil aa gaya, kyun sajna pe dil aa gaya... 

Mamaji came on stage, dressed in tight white jeans, blue Superman T-shirt, & red jacket, two multi-hued brush-like dusters in his hands. He carressed Mamiji’s highly-painted cheek with it. Mamiji lowered her head in pretended shyness.
The ladies and gents in the crowd clapped wildly, remembering Jeetendra & Sridevi, the pots and the dusters bringing back fond memories. The youngsters sighed, their minds dwelling on Tamannah’s svelte form and Ajay Devgun’s masculine boldness.

Nani bent her head, chortling at the antics of her son & bahu. Payal patted Akash on his back to help him control his hiccups, laughing at his stunned face.
Anamika buried her face in Ganesh’s neck, and gave in to hearty laughter. She could feel his powerful body shaking with mirth.

Arnav looked at his Mami & Mama, wide-eyed, wide-mouthed, & slack-jawed. Khushi clutched his arm, sighing in rapture.

Kayi albele dekhe
Jawani ke rele dekhe
Hasino ke mele dekhe, dil pe… ho ho...
Tu hi chha gaya aa...
Tu hi chha gaya aa...


Mamaji-Jeetendra threw the dusters aside, marched up to his Sridevi, & kissed her rose-colured cheek, stopping himself from sneezing with great difficulty.

Arey naino mein sapna, sapno mein sajni
Sajni pe dil aa gaya, ke sajni pe dil aa gaya
Ta thaiya ta thaiya ho o...
Ta thaiya ta thaiya ho o...
Dhum tan nan...

The extra dancers they had hired for the dance, circled the pair shaking the dusters in their hands violently in time to the music.
Buaji, Amma, & Babuji sighed in bliss, their minds in the past.


Naa mila koi bhi tujhsa
Maine dekhi har gali…
Maine chhoda zamaana saara
Main tere sang chali..


Jeetendra Mamaji placed himself behind Sridevi Mami, held her hands, and stretched them in Titanic ishtyle. 
The high-spirited children clapped vigorously, jumping up and down in time to the music, some dancing, some singing along with the music.

Tan tera khila-khila chaman
Tu jawaani ki kali…
Teri khushbu hi meri saanson mein
Pal pal har pal…

Mamaji kneeled down on the stage, taking out a crushed red rose from his jacket, and offering it to his chikni chameli. Mami accepted it with pleasure.

Baahon ka sahara mila
Tera jo ishaara mila
Mujhe jag saara mila, Main toh… ho ho...
Tujhe paa gaya
Tujhe paa gaya…..

Mamaji stood up and moved closer to Mami. She danced away from him, taking short steps in time to the music. Like Jeetendra, Mamaji tapped her waist with his fingers.

Nainon mein sapna, sapno mein sajna
Sajana pe dil aa gaya, kyun sajna pe dil aa gaya...

Mami raised her hands in the air and shook them, causing her multi-coloured bangles to make a din.

Sun zara anaadi sun zara
Kahe kya meri choodiyaan...


Mamaji shook his head to clear his ears, and marched bravely forward.

Naagin ban ban ke dasti hai mujhko ab ye dooriyaan…

Sreedevi Mami raised her arms over her head in a naagin pose, and pretended to hiss at Mamaji who cowered away.

Dooriyan ye majbooriyan hai bas kuch hi saal ki
Le ke aaunga tere ghar main toh ek din paalki…. Poor Mamaji promised.

Neela gagan hoga, saccha bandhan hoga…

Mamiji batted her painted blue eyelashes.

Apna milan hoga, man ko… ho ho...
Tu hi bha gaya
Tu hi bha gaya…

Mamaji & Mami did a horse-riding step perfected by their role models in Himmatwala movie. The boisterous crowd loved it and made their appreciation clear.

Naino mein sapna, sapno mein sajna
Sajna pe dil aa gaya, kyun sajna pe dil aa gaya

Arey naino mein sapna, sapno mein sajni
Sajni pe dil aa gaya, ke sajni pe dil aa gaya...

The dance ended with cat calls and whistling from the crowd, demanding more from the rangeen pair of evergreen lovers.

Arnav fell back in his chair, unable to believe his eyes. What had he seen just now?

“It was fun, wasn’t it, Arnavji?” Khushi asked, her cheeks glowing with exhilaration.

Arnav could only nod, his eyes taking in her thrilled face.  An indulgent smile appeared on his lips as he took in his fill of his girl. Khushi hugged his arm to her.

Gaurav hobbled on to the stage to announce, “Saahibaan, Meherbaan, Kadardaan, ab dil thaam ke baitiye! Ab aap ke samne tashreef la rahe he, Buaji & Amma.”

The crowd cheered loudly.

“Now it is time to fix Buaji & Amma’s photos to our hearts, with Faavicol!” Gaurav warned.

Arnav lowered his head in laughter. Apparently he was going to be treated to the full show of the trailer he had seen in Buaji's house the other day.

Part 39

IPKKND Second Anniversary Special: Dil Se

 

A aa...

The crowd watched as Buaji & Amma came on stage, dressed in very colourful silk sarees with the pallu drapped over their heads.

Angadaiyaan leti hoon main jab zor zor se
Uff… angadaiyaan leti hoon main jab zor zor se
Ooh Aah ki awaaz hai aati har aur se…

Buaji stretched her arms above her head. The children whistled & clapped loudly. The adults stared at the sight of the normally demure ladies letting down their hair on stage. They joined their hands together to encourage the pair.

Main toh chalun is kadar
Ki mach jaaye re gadar
Hosh wale bhi madhosh aaye re nazar…….

Amma did a catwalk on the stage to the accompaniment of laughter and loud applause. Babuji chuckled.

Mere photo ko… mere photo ko seene se yaar
Chipka le saiyan Fevicol se… Buaji & Amma demanded.

Arnav chuckled, unable to hold back his pleasure at the show and the joy of the crowd. Khushi gave a shrill whistle, her fingers in her mouth, and clapped her hands loudly. Arnav turned to look at her, his heart in his eyes. She smiled at him.

Nani did a thumka, and pulled a giggling Anjali into dancing with her off the stage. Mami & Mamaji danced along with them.

Mere photo ko.. mere photo ko seene se yaar
Chipka le saiyan Fevicol se…

Payal doubled over in laughter. Akash stared at the sight of his in-laws asking him to fix their photo to his heart with fevicol, unable to believe his eyes.

Fevicol se fevicol se…
Main toh kab se...
Haaye! Main toh kab se hoon ready taiyar
Pata le saiyan missed call se…

Buaji pointed at Ganesh, the photographer.

Mere photo ko seene se yaar
Chipka le saiyan Fevicol se..

Ganesh & Anamika clutched their tummies, struggling to get their breath from laughing too much. Gaurav hobbled on to the stage, Scooby in tow, to be their Salman Khan.

Jhoom jhoom jhoom barabar jhoom jhoom jhoom
Jhoom jhoom jhoom barabar jhoom jhoom jhoom
Jhoom le jhoom le maze me jhoom le…
Jhhom le jhoom le nashe me jhoom le…

Buaji ran down the stage to take hold of Ganesh and Anamika by their hands. She pulled them on to the stage. The crowd went wild with excitement.

Hmmm..Pyar karle tu aaj angur ki daughter se… The male voice sang.

Buaji pinched Ganesh’s cheek. He blushed.

Pyar karle tu aaj angur ki daughter se…
Naseeyat bhool jayega tu ek quarter se…

Amma pushed Anamika in to his ready arms, and the two ladies & Gaurav plus Scooby danced around Ganesh & Anamika.

Peene wale ko bhi jeene ka maza aayega
Ye woh daru hai jo chadh jaaye sirf water se…. the song went on.

Anamika sang,

Aaja mere raja tujhe jannat dikhaaun main
Barfeele paani me fire lagaun main… She pretended to light a matchstick and place it on his heart.

Ganesh, not to be outdone, sang,

Sare India...
Ho Saare India ko tu ne gulam kiya re…

The whole crowd stood up and danced & sang along with the pairs on the stage. NK whistled.

Main to tanduri, main to tanduri murgi hoon, yaar
Gatka le saiyan alcohol se, oh yeah.
Mere photo ko seene se yaar
Chipka le saiyan Fevicol se….

Anamika sang,

Log kehate hain mujhe main to hun namkin butter
Log kehate hain mujhe main to hun namkin butter…

She pretended to cut into Ganesh’s heart.

Kaat dungi main dil ko meri jawani hai cutter
Mera jalwa jo dekh le woh faint ho jaye
Close karke tu rakh le apne nainon ka shutter… She placed her hand over Ganesh’s eyes.

Gaurav beamed at the sight.

Public shehar ki kare hai tera wait re
Arey thumke jo kamariya, hile zilla kya state re…

Ganesh clasped her waist, and moved in time to the music, with Amma, Buaji, Gaurav, & Scooby dancing along with them.

Par kahaani...
Ho par kahaani o rani purani hai teri
Phir bhi photo ko… tere photo ko seene me, yaar
Chipka lunga main Fevicol se… Ganesh promised Buaji.

Buaji pretended to shy away.

Arnav buried his face in his hands, laughing at the sight. Khushi leaned against him, trying to catch her breath from guffawing.

 

My gypsy with siren taiyar
Bhaga le isey petrol se, petrol se petrol se…. Anamika invited.

Mere photo ko seene se yaar
Chipka le saiyan…. hoye hoye...
Chipka le saiyan… Fevicol se…  She placed her hand against Ganesh’s heart, and raised her eyebrows enquiringly.  He fell at her feet, astonishingly graceful for a man of his size.

On his knees, he promised rashly,

Fevi… Fevicol se Fevicol se
Nain hum ladayenge baby doll se…

Anamika pretended to blush.

Ho laundiya patayenge missed call se
Bat-ball se, Cinema hall se
Are marriage-hall se, Overall se…

Anamika pushed him away playfully as he tried to cajole her.

Tere photo ko seene me yaar
Chipka lunga main Fevicol se… He pulled Anamika in to his arms, holding her close to his heart.

Gauarv whistled.

The whole crowd sang with them,

Mere photo ko seene se yaar
Chipka le saiyan
Chipka le saiyya Fevicol se…

“Ganeshji can dance? I never knew, Arnavji!” Khushi exclaimed.

“I am sure he too didn’t know.” Arnav said, smirking.

After the audience got their breath back and could hold their laughter under control, Gaurav announced, “Now let’s see the jadoo of our Mohini Mami’s ghagra on Delhi shehar.”

Loud cries of encouragement rose from the crowd.

Part 40

A Telugu VM on ArHi by Yours Truly

After the audience got their breath back and could hold their laughter under control, Gaurav announced, “Now let’s see the jadoo of our Mohini Mami’s ghagra on Delhi shehar.”

Loud cries of encouragement rose from the crowd.

Mami came on to stage, dressed in Madhuri Dixit mode, with NK as Ranbir Kapoor.

Khushi clapped loudly, nudging Arnav to take note of his Mami. Arnav buried his face in his hands. Ganesh & Anamika stared at the stage, slackjawed.

Ladke o re ladke kahaan se aaya hai re tu
Pyara hai re shaqal se
Akal ka mara hai re tu…

Mami caught NK by his chin, and studied his face.

Haan jal gayi, haan jal gayi
Meri baaton se tu jal gayi…
Haan khal gayi, tujhe khal gayi
Meri beparwahi khal gayi
Mohatarma tu kis khet ki mooli
Hai zara bata….

NK tried to avoid her marked attentions by dancing away from her. Mami pulled him closer to her by the thin shawl he had wrapped around his neck to complement his silk kurta & pyjama.

TV pe breaking news haaye re mera ghagra haaye
Baghdad se leke Delhi via Agra … Mami informed him.

Arnav looked at the stage, marvelling at the many avatars of his Mami.

Ghagra ghagra tera ghagra ghagra
Tera ghagra ghagra via agra ….

Ghagra Ghagra...
Ghagra Ghagra...
NK tried to get rid of Mohini Mami.

Main hawa - Toh ud ja
Ghata - To mud ja
Kali - Kahaan ki
Adaa - Hat abhi

Bada besharam hai tu to likha hai padha… Mami pushed NK away in play. He fell on the ground, staring up at his Maasi.

Yeh kamar - chhupa le
Nazar - Ghuma le
Pata - Main poochun
Umar - Tu jaane
Dekho berukhi pe kaise atka hai pada…

Mami swirled, her ghagra spinning around her. NK went down on his knees, as though floored by the potent lure of the shiny cloth.

Haan dhal gayi re dhal gayi
Tu shaam ki tarah dhal gayi…
Haan khal gayi tujhe khal gayi
Meri bheparwahi khal gayi

Mohatarma tu kis khet ki mooli
Hai zara bata
Bematlab ki...
Bematlab ki bakwaas tera ghagra
Baghdad ho ya ho Delhi via Agra….

NK tried to argue with bulldozer Mami.

TV pe breaking news haaye re mera ghagra
Baghdad se leke Delhi via Agra… Mami asserted her claim to fame.

Haaye re mera ghagra
Mera ghagra... ghagra aa aa...
Haaye re mera ghagra aa..
Ghagra mera.. mera mera... She twirled and twirled till her head spun.

Nani chuckled, and Buaji clapped loudly at the sight. Payal looked at Anjali & smiled at her mother-in-law’s moves. Anjali giggled. Akash looked at his father who was enjoying his mother’s performance, shouting out his encouragement to her.

Main nasha - utar ja
Khata - sudhar ja
Itar - main soonghu
Ghazal - main gaaun

Aise ban raha hai jaise koi tope hai…. Mami was making the temporary stage swing and sway with her impassioned moves.

Main maza - main chahoon
Saza - main kaatoon
Raza - main poochhoon
Juaa - kyu kheloon
Hopeless hai tu phir bhi thodi hope hai… Mami delivered her judgement about NK’s prowess as a lovelorn swain.

The crowd sighed, looking fondly at the handsome kunwara NK.

Haan tal gayi, haan tal gayi
Aafat ki tarah tal gayi
Haan khal gayi, tujhe khal gayi
Meri beparwahi khal gayi
Mohatarma tu kis khet ki mooli
Hai zara bata… NK tried to avoid the snares of the matron.

Udhti firti afwaah tera ghagra
Baghdad ho ya Delhi via Agra… NK made his stance obvious.

TV pe breaking news
Haaye re mera ghagra haan....
Baghdad se leke Delhi via Agra...

Ghagra ghagra tera ghagra ghagra
Tera ghaghra ghaghra via Agra…  Mami did a couple of belly dancing moves, and the crowd roared in appreciation. Khushi, Anamika, Ganesh, Gaurav, and the others applauded as Mami’s show came to an end.

It was time for a break in the festivities.

The crowd gathered around the big tables heaped with delicacies that the ladies had prepared all day. Buaji filled plates for Arnav, Khushi, Ganesh, & Anamika, and led them to sit in the covered temporary shelter constructed in Preetho’s yard to eat in peace.

“My stomach hurts from laughing!” Ganesh chuckled. 

Arnav smiled.

“Are they…are they always so…so mischievous?” Anamika asked Arnav.

Khushi answered for him. “What does Arnavji know? He spends all his time in the office.” She smiled at him. He smiled in response. “They can be naughtier than this!” Khushi declared her faith in the never-ending talents of her new family. “And when they join forces with the Guptas…. Anamikaji, you have no idea what they can get up to!” she warned.

The other three chuckled.

Khushi looked at Arnav’s plate. It was still full.

“Arnavji, eat well. It will be our turn to dance now.” Khushi cautioned him.

“Excuse me?” Arnav was all wide eyes and raised eyebrows.

 “It is no use my excusing you, Arnavji. Buaji, Anjaliji, Naniji, & Mamiji will force us on stage, mark my words. In fact, if they don’t, I will cut off my hair!” Khushi was that sure of her family’s devious brain.

Anamika & Ganesh hid their smiles at the exchange between the unlikely pair.

“I don’t know how to dance.” Arnav said shortly.

“Koi baat nahi, Arnavji. You can learn.” Khushi smiled as she popped a piece of jalebi in to her mouth.

“Learn? Now?” Arnav asked. “Don’t you think we have left it a tad too late to learn, Khushi Kumari Gupta?” Arnav asked mildly.

Khushi pushed a full poori in to his mouth. “It is no use worrying about that, Arnavji. If Ganeshji can dance, you can too.”

Ganesh nodded fervently.

Anamika looked at ASR’s horrified expression & burst out laughing.

Khushi patted his back as Arnav choked over the food, saying, “It is alright, Arnavji.”

Anamika & Ganesh had to look away to stop themselves from howling in laughter.

Part 41

Crazy Kiya Re

After dinner, Arnav vanished from the scene. Khushi looked low & high for a glimpse of him. 

Had Arnavji left out of fear of dancing in front of such a large and noisy crowd?, she wondered. Would she be left all alone on the stage? She peered anxiously for a glimpse of the fine lines of his dear form, but was disappointed.

Anyway, she had to perform. After the performances of Amma, Buaji, Naniji, Mamiji, Mamaji, & Nanheji, she couldn’t disappoint them. Even Ganeshji & Anamikaji had danced. She quickly walked into her house, rushing into her bedroom to change for the dance.

Dressed in a plain green sari, her hair left untied, she walked up to Nanheji.

“Nanheji, did you see your Nannav anywhere?” she asked him, her eyes examining & discarding the men milling around her as they made their way to occupy their seats.

“Nannav? No, Khushiji. I didn’t see him? Kya hua? Is he gumsum?” NK asked, a sly smile on his face.

Khushi stared at him, perplexed. Then she smiled. 

“Gumshuda, Nanheji. Not gumsum!” She made her way towards the stage. NK followed her.

“Is Nannav going to dance with you?” NK asked.

“Haan…” Khushi said uncertainly.

She walked on to the stage, and stood in the centre. The curtain was lowered, but she could feel the expectant crowd waiting on the other side. She would have to manage all alone. 

She had selected Baahon Mein Chale Aao to dance to. Arnavji would have to do nothing, just let her dance around him and cajole him. That way, he could participate in the event and still not dance. But where was he?

The crowd started whistling, eagerly waiting for the next show. As Khushi watched, small kids from the neighbourhood began to lift the curtain and peek under it to see why there was a delay in the starting of the next item.

Khushi swallowed nervously. Arnavji…Arnavji….. her heart chanted. Where are you?

“Khushi Di…Khushi Di…” the children sang.

She motioned Gaurav to lift the curtain, & NK to play the song. There was no other way. She couldn’t make the audience wait any longer. But how could she dance to Bahon Main Chale Aao when there was no one to come into her bahein?

As she pondered on this, the curtain lifted. The strains of the song wafted to her ears. She turned her head to frown at Nanheji. This was not Bahoon. It sounded like… like… The words vanished from her mind like water droplets from the desert air.

Arnavji was walking towards her from the wings, smiling at her astonishment.

He came to stand close to her, looking into her eyes. “I don’t know how to dance.” he murmured.

“I know.” she murmured.

“But how can I not dance at our sangeet?” he asked.

Khushi smiled tearfully.

 (Teri Meri scenes in slow motion, set to Tum Hi Ho, just for my lovely readers.)

He caught her arm and pulled gently. She twirled into his hold, her unbound hair flying around her.

Hum tere bin ab reh nahi sakte
Tere bina kya wajood mera …. he asked.

Tujhse juda agar ho jaayenge
Toh khud se hi ho jaayenge judaa…

Khushi passed her left hand over his shoulder for a firmer hold, caressing the strong muscles. He lowered her, holding her in the safe cradle of his arms, and bent over her, not losing eye contact.

Kyunki tum hi ho
Ab tum hi ho
Zindagi ab tum hi ho…

The audience watched them, spellbound, but they were too preoccupied with each other to see them.

Chain bhi, mera dard bhi
Meri aashiqui ab tum hi ho… Arnav stood behind her and lowered his face to rest his cheek against hers. She shut her eyes, revelling in the sensation of his prickly stubble against her baby-soft skin. His fingers trailed over the skin of her waist. Khushi jerked back, further moving into him, and she tried to catch hold of his straying fingers before she collapsed on the floor in a puddle of sensation.

He lifted her hands in the air, and gently let her left hand slide down his cheek in time to the music.

Tera mera rishta hai kaisa
Ik pal door gawara nahi…

He twirled her, and lifted her in his arms, over his shoulder.She felt as though she were swimming in a vat of honey, her limbs weighed down by a sweet weight.

Tere liye har roz hai jeete
Tujh ko diya mera waqt sabhi…

Her lush, silky hair fell over the expanse of his shoulder, and he rested his face against hers as she slid down to the floor.

Koi lamha mera na ho tere bina
Har saans pe naam tera…

He lifted her arms in the air, and brought them down. Khushi leaned further back against him, needing his support to stand.

She looked at the crowd. All were still, caught in the rapture of the magic they were witnessing.

Kyunki tum hi ho
Ab tum hi ho…

Khushi tried to take a few steps away from Arnavji.

Zindagi ab tum hi ho…

She turned around to look at him. He was waiting for her, unwilling to let her move away from him even for  a second. Her feel moved towards him without her volition.

Chain bhi, mera dard bhi
Meri aashiqui ab tum hi ho…

He caught hold of her arms, and pulled her close to him, their faces close. She could see the golden flecks in his chocolate eyes, eyes that seemed to want to devour her, make her his… They stood still, lost in each other’s gaze, till Khushi realised that they were on a stage in front of hundreds of guests.

Tumhi ho... Tumhi ho...

She moved ahead of him.

Arnav followed, unable to be apart from her even for a second. As she lifted her arms to make a sweeping motion through the air, his arms followed.

He caught hold of her lifted hand, clasping its slender digits in his warm hold.

Tere liye hi jiya main…

He curled his fingers around her nape & swan-like neck through the weight of her hair.

Khud ko jo yun de diya hai…

Teri wafa ne mujhko sambhala…

He lowered her to the ground, bending over her as her supple body lay almost horizontal to the ground.

Saare ghamon ko dil se nikala…

Somewhere in the crowd, two families, Anamika, Ganesh, & Gaurav were looking at them with wonder and tears of happiness in their eyes, but the pair on stage was in no condition to notice them.

Tere saath mera hai naseeb juda
Tujhe paake adhoora naa raha... hmm..

Arnav lifted Khushi from the ground, bringing her face close to his, his fingers lingering on her neck as she moved a few steps away from him. Strands of her hair clung to his fingers, unwilling to lose all contact with his warmth.

Kyunki tum hi ho
Ab tum hi ho
Zindagi ab tum hi ho...

Khushi walked away in to the darkness. Arnav stood waiting, every nerve, every sinew protesting the loss of her nearness.

Chain bhi, mera dard bhi
Meri aashiqui ab tum hi ho…

She turned around to look at him.

Kyunki tum hi ho
Ab tum hi ho
Zindagi ab tum hi ho...

Arnav looked at her innocent face, the beautiful eyes, her hair flying like  a cloud around her...

Chain bhi, mera dard bhi
Meri aashiqui ab tum hi ho…

A picture of how she had fallen into his arms in Sheesh Mahal flashed through his mind.

The music died down.

They stood looking at each other, lost to the world, till thunderous applause brought them back to their senses.

“I love you, Khushi.” Arnav said in her ear.

“I know.” she smiled at him.

Part 42

Lazy Lad (Warning: Editing is not very good)