246. OS 13. Laad Governor and Afghan Jalebi (Parts 11-12)

Link to my new short story: Taking Care of You


“I thought I was dreaming when I first saw you," he said.

 “How did you know it was me?” she asked. “I could have been anybody. A thief even.”

He smiled wearily. “I don’t know many thieves who would look at me with anxious eyes and then cry because I was sick,” he mumbled.

Is it possible for love to bloom, sight unseen? Juhi and Abhay are strangers who know each other better than they know themselves. One night changes the equation and the even tenor of their lives and puts all their doubts and fears to rest.

http://pothi.com/pothi/book/ebook-smita-ramachandran-taking-care-you

Link to my first e-novel; A Home for Meenakshi

http://pothi.com/pothi/book/ebook-smita-ramachandran-home-meenakshi

"I love the way you love, Meenu," he whispered, his eyes on hers. "Such loyalty, such passion..."

Meenakshi Sharma, an orphan, lives in Varanasi with her uncle, a chronic bachelor who wants her to become a professional musician. She unwillingly relocates to Delhi to study under a renowned musician for eight months. Staying for rent in the outhouse of the Agrawals, she meets Aditya Agrawal, an attractive young man brooding over the memories of his horrendous past. Pulled between her uncle's expectations of her and Aditya's love for her, Meenakshi struggles with her feelings. How can she disappoint her uncle who had devoted his entire life to her upbringing? How can she pretend to be blind to Aditya's feelings for her? A romance that moves between the alleys of the holy city of Varanasi and the modern city of Delhi.

A blog for my VMs:

http://smitarsvms.blogspot.in/

Dedicated to Supriya Sahasrabuddhe (Sups/ aniyathi). She wanted Mami and Payal to plot to bring A-K together. So here goes,

Part 11

A slim boy jumped out of the driver’s seat and came running to them.

“Are you ok? Sorry, I took that turning too fast,” he apologised.

“Were you trying to kill me?” NK asked. “Behra (deaf) he kya?”

The boy blinked. What had deafness to do with bad driving skills?

“Andha (blind),” Khushi corrected NK. She told the boy, “It is fine. Nanheji was not hurt.”

The boy thanked her and ran back to his car.

“Khushiji, I need to get a new pair of gym shoes and a couple of t-shirts. Will you help me choose them?” NK asked sweetly.

“Yes,” Khushi said smilingly.

“The shop is just around the corner. Chaliye,” NK said.

“Ji,” Khushi replied.

They walked into an upscale sports goods and apparel shop.

As NK dug through hundreds of shoes, looking for a bright and garish pair, Khushi looked around.

“Khushiji, yeh kaisa rahega? How is it?" NK asked, lifting up a pink pair.

“Bilkul aap jaisa,” Khushi said with a laugh. “Happy happy wala.”

“I will take this,” he told the assistant. He turned to Khushi. “Let’s look at the t-shirts.”

They moved to the racks containing t-shirts. As he looked at and discarded tham, he came across one that was smaller in size. ‘My Best Friend’ was written on it.

“Khushiji, try this on, please,” NK insisted.

Khushi didn’t want to disappoint him.

She took it.

NK quickly asked the sales assistant to get her a pair of slacks too.

“Nanheji,” Khushi protested.

“Try it out, Khushiji. You will look wonderful,” he assured her.

“Really?” she asked. “Woh kya he, I have never worn anything other than suits, lehengas and sarees.”

“Time to try out something new,” he told her. “Leejiye.”

“You won’t laugh at me?” Khushi asked, scared of rejection.

“Never,” NK promised. "See, I am your best friend." He pointed to the writing on the t-shirt.

She smiled at him and went away to change.

Khushi wore her new clothes and came out, feeling very self-conscious.

“Khushiji, you look beautiful,” NK praised her. “Like a hoori, a poori....”

“Bas, bas,” Khushi said laughing. “I believe you.”

“And look what I have selected, Khushiji,” NK said, lifting up the t-shirts he had picked. One was an exact replica of hers, but in a larger size.

“Nanheji,” Khushi was moved to tears.

NK held out his hand. “Best friends?” he asked.

“Yes, best friends,” Khushi put her hand in his and he shook it vigorously.

“Bas bhi keejiye, Nanheji. My arm is not the handle of a borewell,” she protested laughingly.

NK let her go with a laugh. “Khushiji, let’s wear this and roam about the city. We can pack the clothes we came in,” he suggested.

Khushi hesitated. “Are you sure, Nanheji?” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied.

“But the Raizadas?” she hesitated. "What if they get angry?” she asked with a worried look.

“Only Nannav gets angry in RM,” Nk said. “If you are scared of him, then...”

The picture of Laad Governor leading his skimpily dressed girlfriend out into the dark jumped out from the box she had locked it in and set fire to her modesty and shyness.

“No, I am not scared of your Nannav,” Khushi declared, a militant look in her eyes.

“That’s the spirit, Khushiji,” NK congratulated her.

“Chaliye, Nanheji,” she said, determined to have a good time and not waste a moment thinking of the devil with the laptop in one hand and his girlfriend on the other.

                                      ***

ASR marched down the steps from his room to the living room, looking at the door with an irritated look on his face.

“Kya hua, Chotey? Are you expecting someone?” Anjali asked.

“Where is that idiot, NK?” he asked as though he didn’t know NK was out with Khushi.

Anjali shot a quick look at mami, Payal and nani. All was not lost, it seemed.

“NK bhai has taken Khushiji out,” Anjali said innocently. “I thought you saw them leave?”

ASR grit his teeth.

“Acha he, Arnav babua,” mami pitched it. “Koi to he who is willing to take her out. Akass bitwaa ijj bijji, you don’t like girlswaa, Hello Hi Bye Bye.”

“Yes, Khussi bitiya is young. NK bitwaa knows how to make her smile. They are well-matched,” nani said with a benign smile.

ASR clenched his jaw and looked at the time on his watch. It was noon.

“They have been gone half a day,” he fumed. “NK should be back home by now. He has no sense of responsibility.”

The ladies struggled to keep smiles at bay.

“They bill have lunch together, Arnav bitwaa. Tum chinta naahi karo,” mami poured a bucket of ghee into the smouldering fire in ASR’s chest.

His phone rang.

He looked at the display. Lavanya.

Fury welled in his heart.

He turned and walked away to his room before answering the call.

“Yes?” he asked.

“ASR, I am so sorry,” Lavanya began.

“You should be,” he replied. “Not for getting drunk. That is your business. But you should be sorry for calling me.”

“ASR, don’t be angry with me,” Lavanya tried to wheedle her way into his affections.

“I am not your local guardian, your boyfriend, your brother or father to carry you home when you are drunk out of your skull,” he raged. “Next time, don’t call me. Got it?” he asked.

Before Lavanya could open her mouth, he went on, “Delete my number from your phone. I am going to do the same with your number. Get out of my life.”

“ASR, why are you so angry?” she asked, unable to comprehend the reason for his outrage.

“Don’t call me again,” he said. “And thank your lucky stars that I am going to work from home for the rest of this week. Goodbye, Lavanya.”

He threw the phone on the bed and went back to patrolling the area near the front door.

“Kaa hua hamre Arnav bitwaa ko?” mami asked softly in Anjali’s ear.

“Who knows, mami?” Anjali asked in exasperation. “One moment he gives us hope, the next he dashes it to the ground.”

“Phind out, Anjali bitiya. Taime bahute kam he,” mami reminded her. “We have only three more days. Khussi will return on phourth day.”

“What can I do?” Anjali asked mami helplessly.

“You don’t need to do anything. Hum hi kar devat he,” nani said softly. “Just go along with me.”

Mami, Payal and Anjali nodded.

“Payaliya,” nani called loudly.

“Yes, dadiji?” Payal asked with a nervous look at her jetji who was wearing out the carpet near the entrance.

“Now that your shaadi is over, Sasiji must be looking out for good boys for Khussi bitiya?” nani asked casually.

ASR’s neck turned so rapidly towards them that the ladies almost jumped. He stopped pacing to listen to them.

Payal swallowed and said, almost shrinking away from saying it, “Yes, daadiji.”

“Aur nahi to kaa, saasumma. One daughter ijj gone, ab next ijj is line,” mami said, lifting her legs to sit cross-legged on the chair.

“How old is Khushiji?” Anjali asked Payal, casually lifting the thali to place it on her lap. She began to roll the cotton wicks.

“Twenty-one,” a jittery Payal said, knowing that her jetji was looking fixedly at the back of her head.

“Time to think of her marriage,” nani said thoughtfully. “Sasiji must be considering proposals for her.”

ASR swallowed hard.

“Sassumma, soon we bill go to Lucknow to celebrate Khussi’s bedding. Kitna maza aayega, Hello Hi Bye Bye,” mami said excitedly.

ASR clenched his fists and ground his teeth in helpless fury.

“I hope Khushiji gets a very good boy, Payal bhabi,” Anjali said slowly, making sure that her Chotey could hear every word. “Someone who worships the floor she walks on.”

All the ladies smiled.

ASR’s eyes alone spit fire.

“Waise Anjali bitiya,” nani dropped the bomb on ASR’s head. “Khussi bitiya will be leaving on Sunday. Saturday is rakshabandhan. Make sure that she ties rakhi to Aakass bitwaa, NK bitwaa and Chotey.”

“Yes, nani,” Anjali smiled sweetly.

ASR almost collapsed at nani’s plan.

“That ijj correct, saasumma. It is the first rakshabandhan after Payaliya’s shaadi. Grand to hone ki padi,” mami supported them ably.

ASR turned and walked away, feeling his life slip out of his hands.

Payal drew in a deep breath of relief.

The ladies leaned forward to whisper.

“If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what will,” nani murmured.

“I hope the fear of losing Khushiji will bring him to his senses,” Anjali said, her voice low.

“If jetji finds out,” Payal whispered shakily.

“We will all be deadwaa,” mami put it simply.

                                        ***

NK and Khushi reached home in time for dinner, tired in a pleasant fashion.

HP opened the door and stood shocked at Khushi’s appearance.

“I am a magician, HP,” NK claimed. “I took one girl out and returned with another.”

“You look very nice, bitiya,” HP said before letting them enter the house.

Feeling very self-conscious, Khushi pulled the hem of her t-shirt down to cover as much of her hips as possible. ‘Please, Devi Maiyya, don’t let him see me. Let me go up to my room without seeing him,’ she prayed desperately.

Devi Maiyya ditched her yet again.

Arnav Singh Raizada came sauntering down the steps.

The ladies came running to see the free show.

Khushi hid behind NK.

“So you are back?” ASR thundered, the only thing stopping him from tearing NK into pieces with his bare hands being the rakhi from Khushi waiting for NK on Saturday.

“Yes, Nannav. It was such fun,” NK said innocently.

“And where is Payal’s sister? Did you lose her on the way?” ASR asked sardonically.

NK frowned. “Of course not,” he replied. He put his hand behind him and tugged gently at Khushi’s arm to make her stand by him.

All gasped. ASR gasped the loudest.

Khushi and NK were wearing matching black t-shirts with ‘My Best Friend’ written on them. NK was in his blue jeans and Khushi was in a pair of cream slacks.

ASR’s wide eyes took in her unbound hair and the changed appearance with disbelief. It had been hard enough resisting her when she had her hair tied up and her body covered in loose clothes. Now what would he do? His addicted eyes traced the length of her slim legs, her tiny waist and the thrust of her bosom helplessly. He was doomed.

ASR did the only thing he could do. He turned his back on the scene and walked away.

Khushi heaved a sigh of relief.

Part 12

“Akash, I will be working from home for the rest of the week,” ASR told his brother without looking at him. “You will have to meet the Jovani delegates.”

Akash looked at his bhai who had his eyes on the laptop screen and a frown on his face.

“Fix the meeting with the Faviana group at one of our usual hotels. I will get there on time,” ASR added.

“Yes, bhai,” Akash said slowly. “Kya hua? Aren’t you feeling well?”

ASR raised a brow, hoping to cow down his brother. “Kyon?” he asked. “What makes you think so?”

“You normally work seven days a week at the office, bhai. But this week you want to be at home and you are looking tired. Are you sick, bhai?” Akash asked, unable to think of another reason for such a change.

“I am fine. Just felt like a change,” ASR said evasively.

Akash smiled in relief. “Then it’s fine, bhai,” he said.

ASR looked at the shut door after Akash left, feeling like there was an typhoon happening in his head, bound to leave only devastation in its wake.

What was he doing? Not going to the office. Staring at the laptop without getting any work done. Dreaming of Khushi all day and night. He shook his head in acute distress. What was happening to him?

Was it guilt for hurting her with his sharp words?

It was. It must be. It had to be, he concluded. He drew a breath of relief. This had a solution. All he had to do was apologise. Yes, that would do the job. He would be free of her.

A picture of her in the lehenga at Akash’s wedding rushed into his head, to be followed by her in the black t-shirt and cream slacks.

He jumped up from his seat.

Lust. It was plain lust. A feeling that any male of a species would feel for a female of the same species. No big deal. Maybe he was obsessing about her because she was the only unattached lady in his world right now, he thought, disregarding Lavanya without a second’s thought.

He paced the room like a mad man on a mission.

He normally took a break of six months after one affair came to an end before looking out for the next girl, but maybe he should find another girlfriend now, he thought. The idea left a bad taste in his mouth; his face reflected his revulsion at the thought. But he had to try. There was no other way out of this fascination for Khushi, this preoccupation with Khushi.

If he didn’t do something, he would go crazy soon, he realised.

                                           ***

Khushi sat and counted the days she had to stay in Delhi. “Today is Thursday,” she thought aloud. “I can leave on Sunday. Just three more days. He Devi Maiyya, I know you won’t listen to me, lekin phir bhi I am begging you. Don’t bring that shameless man before my eyes. Let him take his foul tongue and plague his girlfriend. After all, he likes her, approves of her. Let she bear him. It is not my job. Besharam kahin ke! Hugging her in public and walking away with her into the dark like a  phillum hero. Chi!” she exploded.

NK knocked on the door. “Khushiji, come down to breakfast. Bahut bhook lag raha he. My pet is full of chulhe (stoves).”

“What?” Khushi asked, opening the door. “Chulhe?”

“Yes, mice. Big, big mice,” NK informed her.

Khushi hit herself on the head. “Chuhe, Nanheji, Chuhe.”

“They seem like lions. They are eating my guts,” NK said seriously, hanging on to the railing for support, looking very starved and weak.

“I am coming,” she laughed.

They went down, the laughter still on her face, only for it to vanish when she saw that her nemesis was seated at the table.

She quietly took her place.

Payal, as she did every day, served Arnav and then sat down by her husband.

“So Khushiji, what shall we do today?” Anjali asked with a  big smile on her face.

“I don’t know, Anjaliji,” Khushi said softly, a small smile on her face.

“Will you come with me to the temple in the morning?” Anjali asked.

“Ji,” she replied.

“I will join you,” NK announced.

“Hum bhi aayenge,” mami declared.

“Hum bhi,” nani added.

“Hum bhi, di,” Payal said.

“I am going to the office, di,” Akash explained with a smile.

All looked at ASR who was eating paratha in silence.

Akash said softly, “Bhai is working from home.”

The ladies shared glances of hope and excitement, all except Khushi.

‘Why is he sitting at home? Did his employees get fed up of him and poison his water? Khadoos, akhdoo, besharam, ghatiya man,’ she chanted in her mind to shore up the dam protecting her heart.

“Chotey, we are going to the temple,” nani told him.

He nodded. Aman called. He excused himself from the table and left.

                                    ***

The family returned from the temple and met around the dining table for lunch.

“It was beautiful,” Anjali spoke about their visit. “A visit to the temple always gives me so much peace.”

“Yes, di,” Payal agreed.

“And it was not very crowded today,” nani added.

Khushi spared a look at the rakshas sitting across from her, drinking his soup as if he had no other concern on his mind.

‘Hhmmpppffff,’ she snorted. ‘Must be thinking of his girlfriend. Must have gone out to meet her while we were at the temple. And must be planning dinner with her in his evil heart even as he sits here drinking soup like an innocent bacha.’

“I loved the bells in the temple, di,” NK told her. “I remember trying to ring them when I was young and failing because I was too short. Nannav lifted me up so that I could reach them.”

‘Why are you obsessing about a man who doesn’t know that you exist, Khussi?’ she asked herself. ‘Count the days before you can leave and go when it is time. Leave this man out of your thoughts. He doesn’t need you and you don’t need him. You world is that of babuji, amma, buaji, Preetho, Munna, Krishna, jalebi. Chodo yeh sab bakwas.’

But that was easier said than done.

When the whole family sans Akash got ready to go shopping at noon, ASR joined them, dressed impeccably in his formal clothes, his light blue shirt making his face look brighter and his stubble darker. He was determined to apologise to Khushi today.

Khushi swallowed hard. ‘Hey Devi Maiyya, why are you testing me like this?’ she asked. ‘The Shaitan is going to dog my steps all afternoon, lacerating me with his sharp tongue and disapproving looks.’

“Chotey,” nani couldn’t control her joy. “You are joining us?”

“Yes,” he muttered. “It is better that I am with you.” He tried to make it look that his protection was essential for the ladies.

They lapped it up because it suited them to.

“Haan, Arnav bitwaa, your company is jaroori. How can we do everything on our own?” mami asked him, a big smile on her face.

Payal smiled happily.

“I am so happy, Chotey,” Anjali beamed.

“Nannav, thank God,” NK said. “I was the only boy in a crowd of ladies till now. Now I will have you for support.”

Khushi grimaced, lowering her head to hide her expression.

ASR sat in the driver’s seat.

“Where are you planning to go?” he asked Anjali.

“Kishorilal’s sari shop,” she said, delighted beyond belief that he was escorting them. Hopefully he was doing this because he wanted to keep Khushiji in his sight.

He parked the car and led the ladies to the shop.

The owner came to meet them and took them to the topmost floor reserved for expensive silk sarees.

Arnav and NK sat on elegant chairs and watched the ladies inspect the wares. ‘When can I apologise to Khushi? How can I get her alone?’ he wondered.

Khushi picked an orange-pink Benarsi saree and placing it against herself looked at the mirror. Her lips twisted. It didn’t look as attractive as it did on the hanger.

ASR’s eyes were locked on her. He had no idea what the others were doing. ‘Stop it,’ he told himself. He looked away to see his di looking at him.

“Chotey,” she called.

He walked up to her.

She held up two sarees. “Which one will suit Khushiji best?” she asked in a whisper. One was a yellow kancheepuram and the other was a green and red paithani.

ASR touched the paithani saree.

“Kishorilalji, I want this gift-wrapped,” Anjali quickly handed over the saree.

“I want one more for her,” Anjali said softly.

Silently, ASR picked a katan silk saree in purple and handed it to Anjali. Thrilled, she handed it over to be packed.

Khushi fingered the sarees displayed in the room, unaware that two sarees had already been packed for her.

ASR looked at her. She was alone in a corner. He could talk to Khushi now. He took a step in her direction and came to a sudden stop as NK joined her.

NK had a cream sari with gold work and pearls draped on himself. “Khushiji, look at me. Don’t I make a beautiful girl?” he asked.

“You do,” Khushi smiled. “I will give you my high heels too.”

“And I will give you my bindi and bangles,” Payal offered.

“Then you will look gorgeous,” Khushi told him.

They laughed.

ASR clenched his fists.

Nani told mami, Anjali and Payal, “Select sarees for Madhumatiji and Garimaji. We will send them back with Khussi bitiya.”

They nodded and set about their job.

Nani asked Kishorilal for a selection of kurta pyjamas for Sasiji.

ASR slowly moved towards Khushi and managed to corner her near a display stand. NK was with Payal.

“Khushi,” he called softly.

She jumped and turned around to look at him.

“I am sorry,” he said quickly before someone interrupted them.

She frowned. “For what?” she asked, not making it easy for him.

“For being angry with you on Akash’s wedding day. I had no idea you were Payal’s sister,” ASR said quickly. “You were just being polite, but I....Sorry, Khushi,” he said softly.

She swallowed hard. She hadn’t approached him out of politeness, but out of insatiable curiosity and an interest in him as a handsome young man. She was not entirely blameless. But only she knew the truth.

She nodded slowly, not because she forgave him for the rubbish he had said, but because she wanted to be free of him, didn’t want to be angry and upset all the time, didn’t want to think of him day and night. She wanted to be the old Khushi before she had laid her eyes on this shaitan.

ASR heaved a silent sigh of relief. Now he would be rid of his fascination for her. He could get on with his work without dreaming of her and sketching clothes for her.

He turned and walked away, feeling free, euphoric. Khushi had forgiven him. Now everything would go back to normal.

Khushi heaved a sigh of relief. It was done. She had distanced him from her. Now there was no bond linking them. He could have a hundred girlfriends and it wouldn’t matter to her. She could return to her jalebis and her family, heart-whole and fancy-free.

                                      ***

It was Friday.

ASR sat in his room, staring at his laptop, a sweet smile on his lips. He felt good for the first time in many days, in fact, after Akash’s shaadi. The look on Khushi as she had nodded her forgiveness, the way she had smiled at di afterwards, laughed at NK’s jokes, helped Payal select a sari—he sat there smiling, lost in his dreams.

The sound of music being played interrupted his day dream.

He got up from his recliner and walked out of his room to stand on the landing. He blinked.

Khushi and NK were dancing to the song Afghan Jalebi.

Maqtool jigar
Qaatil hai nazar
Ik mehjabin
Ik noor-e-nabi
Rab ki rubaai
Ya hai tabaahi
Gardan surahi
Boli ilaahi

ASR had to smile again. They were prancing about like a pair of clowns and Khushi’s face had a big smile on it.

Afghan Jalebi
Mashooq farebi

Khushi did the jalebi bai dance, her unbound hair whirling around her face.

Ghayal hai tera deewana bhai wah, bhai wah

Khushi pointed an umbrella at NK as though it were a gun.

Bandook dikha dikha ke kya pyar karegi
Chehra bhi kabhi dikhana bhai wah bhai wah

She dragged Payal out of her chair and by nudging her jiji with her hips, made her dance to the tune. Then she ran to get mami, di and nani.

Afghan Jalebi
Mashooq farebi

Ghayal hai tera deewana bhai wah, bhai wah
Bandook dikha dikha ke kya pyar karegi
Chehra bhi kabhi dikhana bhai wah bhai wah

O.. dekh darazi
Banda namazi
Khel ke baazi Khamakha
Ab thehra na kisi kaam ka
Mir ka koi
Sher suna ke
Ghoont laga ke jaam ka
Main raha khan mehaz naam ka

ASR stood watching as his family went crazy, dancing and laughing. His eyes widened as he saw his nani do a thumka and NK try to imitate her.

Khushi was twirling around, laughing when her eyes fell on a smiling ASR.

She stopped dancing abruptly. NK dashed into her and both fell down.