258. OS 13. Laad Governor and Afghan Jalebi (Part 30-32)

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 30

Arnav woke up to see that Khushi had left the room.

His eyes fell on the roses . He drew in a deep breath of relief. She has asked, given him a chance to talk. And wonder of wonders, he had been able to explain. She hadn't rejected him. She was willing to give him a chance.

He jumped out of bed, eager to see her. On the way to the bathroom, he bent to breathe in the scent of the flowers in the vase.

A rose petal touched his lips.

He smiled. It was satin soft, but not as soft as Khushi's lips.

A few minutes later, he joined Khushi and the others at the morning prayer. He stood very close to her, his shoulders brushing hers.

Her wide eyes looked at him in wonder for a  moment before trying to focus on the aarti.

As soon as the prayer was over, he said softly in Khushi’s ear, “Khushi, come with me to office today.”

“Ji?” she asked in surprise.

“I will drop you back after I show you something,” he promised.

She nodded uncertainly.

“Jao, jao, go out to his office with hamre Arnav bitwaa,” mami, who had been eavesdropping on them, encouraged them.

“Yes, Khussi bitiya, jao,” nani said with a big smile.

“You should see where he used to spend all his time, Khushi bhabi,” Anjali said. “His office is your souten.”

Khushi smiled slightly.

“Haan, bitiya, come to office and see where your preetam works,” mamaji said with a smile.

Akash too nodded encouragingly.

“Where is NK bhai?” Anjali asked suddenly. “He went without taking the prasad,” she said, holding the thali of laddoos.

All looked around for him, but he was missing.

                                           ***

Arnav held the door open for Khushi. She settled in and he drove her to his mama’s garden crafted around his grandfather’s cottage.

Khushi looked around in amazement.

He waited for her reaction.

“It is so beautiful,” she breathed. “So peaceful.” All she could hear were the chirping of birds, the humming of bees and the rustling of leaves in the wind.

“Nana built this cottage. Mama planted the garden. I spend every moment I can spare here, tending to the plants she loved,” he said softly.

She breathed in the fresh air, fragrant with the smell of roses.

He took hold of her hand. “I have never brought anyone here, ever,” he admitted. “Not even di, nani, Akash, mama or mami.”

Khushi felt happiness fill her, leaving no space for doubts about the future of her marriage. ‘So there is space in his life for me,’ she thought with contentment.

“Khushi, look at this rose,” Arnav led her by hand to a bush with bright red roses.

“Altissimo,” he named it. “My mother’s favourite rose.”

Khushi bent to smell it. Her eyes fell shut in delight.

“Khushi, come with me,” he invited.

She looked expectantly at him. Was he going to take her to the cottage? Maybe he would skip office today and they could spend a lazy day in the bedroom of the cottage among her sassumma’s plants?

She held out her hand.

He dragged her out of the garden towards the car.

“But,” she protested, looking longingly at the cottage.

“Kya?” he asked, opening the door for her.

“Nothing,” she mumbled.

He drove directly to his office. He helped her out and led her in, nodding at the guards.

As they entered the building, many eyes followed them. 

Khushi’s step faltered.

Arnav caught hold of her hand and curled it around his arm. He matched his steps to hers and led her up to his office.

“Sir, bhabiji,” Aman came to them, smiling.

“Khushi, this is Aman, my secretary,” he introduced them. “Aman, this is Khushi, my wife.”

“I am delighted to meet you, bhabhiji,” Aman said. “And thank you.”

“Ji?” Khushi asked, perplexed.

“For making ASR leave his office at six every evening. He used to work till nine and ten before marriage and we had to work with him,” Aman complained.

Khushi looked at her husband.

He had a small smile on his face.

“Sir, I will order tea for bhabhiji,” Aman suggested.

Arnav nodded and led Khushi up to his room.

“Khushi, I work here,” he said.

Khushi looked around at the glass office with its black and steel furniture.

“Come with me,” he invited. He led her out through another door to a personal lift and whisked her up to the production department.

He introduced her to the manager and led her to a huge temperature-controlled room with dresses in bags, all stored on railings.

“The finished dresses are stored here,” Arnav explained softly to Khushi.

She nodded.

He threw open a cabinet and pulled out a few bags. He unzipped the first one and pulled out a red dress.

Khushi gasped.

The dress was the same colour as the altissimo rose and had roses strewn all over the skirt. It had a sweetheart neckline and ruching at the waist.

“For you,” he whispered. “I designed it sitting in the garden.”

She stared at him. “When?” she asked softly.

“Long before I had the courage or the wisdom to admit that I wanted to marry you,” he confessed.

Khushi swallowed hard.

He unzipped the next bag and pulled out a bright red evening gown with a split bodice.

Khushi gasped. The skirt was split too and if she wore it, her leg would be exposed.

“Will you wear it for me, Khushi?” he asked softly.

She nodded slowly. “Only for you,” she whispered.

He smiled, his eyes promising her a thousand delights in privacy.

He pulled out another one-shoulder, pleated chiffon mermaid gown in red.

“It is so beautiful,” she gasped.

He smiled, thrilled that she loved his vision.

“I will get them sent home today,” he promised.

She nodded.

“Khushi, will you go out to dinner with me tonight?” he asked urgently.

She nodded slowly, flushing with happiness.

“And, Khushi, leave your hair down? I—I like it when the strands dance in the wind,” he confessed awkwardly, unused to complimenting a girl.

“Ji,” she whispered, happy beyond measure.

“I will get home at six,” he assured her.

“I will be ready,” she said softly.

He led her out and drove her home, his lips relaxed in a slight smile, his eyes stealing glimpses of her sitting in the passenger seat by him, his heart leaping at the thought of sharing a candlelight dinner with her, just the two of them in their own world....

                                                 ***

Arnav seated Khushi in the chic restaurant in the heart of Delhi’s fashionable, upmarket location and watched her look around at the expensively-dresses ladies and formally-dressed men with them.

Arnav ran appreciative eyes over her in the pink saree and silver blouse he had designed. Her lush, silky hair fell over her shoulders like a waterfall. Her kajal-lined eyes looked mysterious and her creamy cheeks tempted him to take a bite of them.

He swallowed hard.

The waiter was by his side.

“Water, please,” he requested.

The waiter moved away with a polite nod.

“Arnavji, if you want to drink, please do,” she offered. “I don’t drink. That doesn’t mean you must abstain.”

“No, I am driving,” he said softly. Drink and maybe miss an expression on her face, a tilt of her head, a flash of her eye? Never.

“You can ask Mohanji to drive us back,” she suggested.

“No, I will drive you,” he said firmly. No way was he going to lose the few moments of togetherness they would get in the car on the way back.

Khushi gave in.

Two hour later, he sat back, replete, happy. He had no idea what they had eaten, but he was full. His heart was full of happiness, his head full of amusing incidents in her life she had shared with him of a childhood of mischief with Preetho and Payal.

“Then masterji said babuji had to take me out of school, that he wouldn’t teach there any more if I wasn’t thrown out,” Khushi said, her eyes twinkling.

“Phir?” Arnav asked.

“Babuji reminded him that the frog I had let loose in class had been captured from the pond near masterji’s own house by his own nephew and that if I had to be punished, then masterji’s nephew too must be punished,” Khushi said, sipping water.

“That ended masterji’s complaints?” Arnvav asked with a smile.

Khushi nodded, matching his smile.

She excused herself to go to the ladies’.

Arnav sat back, the smile still on his face. He had never enjoyed an evening more. If he weren’t taking her home, if they weren’t going home to sleep in the same bed, if he weren't sure that she was his wife, he would never let the evening end, he thought.

Khushi used the facilities and moved to the opulent vanity area with gleaming mirrors and a lounging area with plush seats and fresh flowers.

She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She looked good, very good. Laad Governor’s eyes had told her this truth a hundred times this evening.

She swallowed hard.

Maybe, finally, everything would be alright. Maybe she could hope to have a normal marriage with a loving husband. Maybe, finally, she could permit herself to hope...

She looked at herself.

There was a flush of excitement on her face and her eyes were eager to see him.

She shook her head, laughing at herself. ‘Why are you wasting time looking at yourself in the mirror in a fancy bathroom when you can spend those moments with your Laad Governor?’ she asked herself.

She turned to leave and her face and body froze.

“Khushi Kumari Gupta, I presume?” asked Lavanya.

Rash's interpretation:

Part 30

You are not a drop in the ocean... But you are the entire ocean in a drop.... This is what Arnav Singh Raizada is trying to convey to Khushi.... And has been quite successful at it...

Arnav opening his heart and his life to Khushi has set her mind at rest... By taking her to his Mama's garden and introducing her to its beauty and tranquility he has stated that she, his Serenity, is beautiful and has emphasized it by presenting her the sets of gowns that he had exclusively designed with her in his mind.... The gown with the Altissimo motif embellishment was the ultimate assurance for her that he values her in his life as much as she does. He had silently nourished the plant his mother had planted years back cherishing her memory... Giving her a gown with the design of the same rose motifs gave her the indication that she need not fear of being usurped in his life...  Though Arnav taking her to the garden gave her the understanding that she indeed had the space in his life that is meant to be occupied by the woman who holds his heart... By getting the gown she realized that she is indeed his amaanat... The rare gem that was given a part of him, his mother's legacy to be taken care off...

Taking her to his place of work, was an indicator to her that whatever he had told her about aukaat was just a talk in the heat of the moment time and again trying to convince himself of her being a forbidden flower… Introducing her there showed how much he is different from the man she had perceived him earlier to be… Giving her the gowns that were meant to be exclusively savoured by his eyes, he showed her, he not only loved to have her as his wife but loved to see her in his creations… but some were meant just for him, that feeling… when his love looks at him…. and their moments together… moments that take your breath away…

She in turn has seized the moment.... as the present moment is the only moment available to them, with it being the door to all moments... She opened herself up just like him and the dinner date was the sealing of their fate together.... She agreed to his request to don his creations in private, let him into her world of naughtiness and happiness….

Though they had accepted each other in the physical union... It is the union of souls that would let them face obstacles together... It is this clarity of vision of each belonging irrevocably to the other that made their dinner a pleasurable and memorable one.... Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect… It means that you have decided to look beyond imperfections...

While she was blissfully immersed in her thoughts of her Eden in the powder room.... out came the snake to mar its beauty.... An unwanted addition to their dinner… La has come as a la carte … in a la mode.. …femme fatale… a self invite to L’appel du vide… a self goal…  (on the menu in a the style of a deadly woman all set to seduce…  it is surely the urge to engage in self destruction…)


Even when it is easy to throw in the towel, just hang on... Things are thousand times better on the other side... One cannot run from weakness... You must at times fight, perish it out and if that be so why not now and where you stand...


Loved it Smita....

Part 31

Khushi looked at her husband’s girlfriend, no, ex-girlfriend with scared eyes.

Beautiful, dusky skin, flashing eyes, straight, dark hair to her shoulders, pointed face and an excellent figure clothed in a designer sari, the white band that passed as blouse barely covering her body.

Lavanya walked in, her high heels clicking on the marble floor.

Khushi gulped.

Lavanya studied Khushi from the top of her head to her toes slowly, sizing her up. Then she asked, “You are ASR’s wife, aren’t you?”

“Ji,” Khushi said, her voice low.

“Aman mentioned that you are Akash’s wife’s sister,” Lavanya stated.

“Ji,” Khushi admitted.

“Where are you from?” Lavanya asked.

“Ji, Lucknow,” Khushi whispered.

“Oh, Lucknow?” Lavanya asked conversationally. “What does your father do? Is he a businessman?”

“Ji, he is a halwai,” she said simply.

“Halwai? That’s the person who makes sweets, right?” Lavanya asked, frowning. ASR had married from the middle class just as Akash had? Why? Had he picked her because he wanted a biddable wife?

“Ji,” Khushi replied.

Lavanya looked at the pure lines of her beautiful face, the glow of innocence and youth that emanated from her and sighed inwardly. Middle class girl married off by her family to a rich businessman who cared squat about her.

Lavanya’s lips twisted. What a life! What a fate!

“Do you know who I am?” Lavanya asked, sitting down comfortably on a plush chair.

“Ji.....” Khushi stammered.

Of course, she didn’t, Lavanya thought. ASR is not going to point out his former girlfriends to his dehati wife, is he?

“Lavanya Kashyap,” she introduced herself.

“Ji, namaste,” Khushi folded her hands in greeting. It seemed impolite not to. What would babuji say if she didn’t?

Lavanya shook her head in pity.

“I used to work in ASR’s office here,” Lavanya explained.

“Oh,” Khushi murmured. She hadn’t known that. She frowned. Lavanya was supposed to be in London, wasn’t she?

“ASR and I—we were in a relationship for three months,” Lavanya admitted.

Khushi swallowed hard.

Lavanya looked at her pale face. Maybe she hadn’t understood, Lavanya thought. “He was my boyfriend and I was his girlfriend.”

Khushi nodded slightly.

“I know him well, very well,” Lavanya claimed.

Khushi said nothing.

“Why don’t you sit down?” Lavanya motioned to a chair.

Khushi sat down. Her legs were none too steady.

Lavanya studied Khushi’s face closely, but could detect no emotion except a certain stillness, a blankness, maybe even a bit of fatalism. Poor thing. She was out of her depth. Must have been pushed into it by her family.

“I am sorry,” Lavanya found herself saying.

“Ji?” Khushi asked, startled.

“You married him for your family, didn’t you?” Lavanya asked the poor lamb who had been thrown into the starving lion’s den by her greedy, grasping relations.

“Yes,” Khushi had to admit. A picture of her loving babuji flashed through her mind.

Lavanya sighed. “I am sorry you had to marry him,” she said, shaking her head slowly. “It was a bad bargain.”

Khushi’s mouth fell open.

“Bad husband, bad boyfriend,” Lavanya admitted. “I was stupid to get involved with him. No, let me say it like it was. I was beyond stupid to chase him from London to Delhi, transfer to his Delhi office, offer myself to him on a silver platter like a spineless noodle, let him use me without expecting or getting anything back.”

Khushi stared at her in silence.

“I changed my life for him, Khushi, but he never even noticed the changes. He didn’t ask me to, but I did it because I wanted a future with him. I am glad he ended our relationship, Khushi. Otherwise I would have been hanging on to a man who is so selfish that he can see nothing except his convenience.”

Khushi blinked. Arnavji and selfish? Never.

“He told me he didn’t believe in love and marriage. I am sure he doesn’t. He doesn't lie. Then why did he marry you?” Lavanya asked. “Because it suits him. Maybe it was to stop his family from nagging. Whatever the reason was, it wasn’t because he wanted to marry.”

Khushi blinked again. Arnavji hadn’t wanted to marry her? Then why had he brought his family to Lucknow and proposed to her? And Laad Governor would never marry to stop his family from nagging. His roar was loud enough to silence his family.

Lavanya sat back with a sigh. She said thoughtfully, “I was so stupid. My birthday gift was picked by Aman and couriered to me. He wouldn’t stay at my flat. That should have been like a red flag to me. I mean, what kind of boyfriend refuses to spend the night at his girlfriend’s?”

Khushi looked away.

“Forget the night. What kind of bf refuses to even enter the living room of his gf’s place? What kind of man takes his gf to a hotel room for a romp and then drops her back home in one hour?”

Khushi looked down at her lap where her fingers were tightly crossed.

“Doesn’t kiss. Have you heard of any man who doesn’t kiss his gf? Who doesn’t permit his gf to kiss him? And detests being touched? Who turns away and is back to business as soon as the job is done?” Lavanya shook her head at her own folly.

Khushi stared at her. Was she talking of the same man? Laad Governor kissed her every chance he got, touched her whenever he could.

“I don’t blame  you, Khushi, for marrying him. You had no idea what he was. And I am sure you never had a boyfriend before him,” Lavanya said with pity in her voice and heart.

Khushi nodded. Lavanya was right.

“I did. I had boyfriends before him and I am seeing someone right now in London. Just seeing him. Nothing serious, nothing committed. I mean, it is early days yet and I want to be cautious after my experience with ASR. With him, I—I rushed in where angels fear to tread. I don’t want to do that a second time. I mean, look at a guy, fall for his looks, moon over him, chase him shamelessly without knowing anything about him and then regret it terribly. So I am careful this time,” Lavanya thought aloud.

Khushi nodded.

“But it is when I got together with Sunny that I realised how hollow my relationship with ASR was. It was so one-sided, Khushi. It was a relationship that followed a path he dictated. It was like I wasn’t there in it at all. I felt invisible at times. If I wanted to party, no way. If I wanted to go out to dinner, no way. If I wanted to spend time with him, no way. I couldn't even touch him in affection. I wanted to travel with him to Paris while he was on business there. But no way. I had to stay here like a dog, waiting for him. And if I wanted out, all I had to do was say. He wouldn’t even have noticed it if I had dropped off the face of this earth!”

Khushi felt disoriented, like she was stuck in a dream with no way out.

“But there is one thing I could count on, Khushi. Maybe you can too. He is faithful. Fanatically, zealously faithful while a relationship is on.” Lavanya looked Khushi in the eye. “And he normally takes a six-month break between relationships. This is not just my experience, Khushi. I talked to Lisa, his previous gf. She told me the same stuff. No kissing. Doesn’t spend the night, just an hour or so in a hotel room. No gifts except those that Aman picks out. Don’t expect him to remember b’days and anniversaries. No shopping trips. No romance, no conversations. But he always helps out when the relationship is over. He sent Lisa to Paris. I returned to London to find out that he had bought me a flat in a posh location. I mean, Aman did it. ASR would never do it, except order Aman to do it and then pay for it.”

Khushi said nothing but her head was whirling.

“I am sorry for you, Khushi. I am sure he will be kind, but,” Lavanya sighed. “I wish he were a better man or you a stronger woman, at least stronger than me.”

Khushi looked at the roses in the urn by the door.

Lavanya’s phone rang.

She answered it. “I will be there in ten,” she said before cutting the call.

“My cousin is getting married today. I called ASR from London asking him to help me find a venue. He passed it on to Aman who suggested this hotel,” Lavanya explained. “I saw ASR and you walking into the restaurant. I wanted to have a word with you.”

She stood up.

Khushi stood up too.

“When Aman said ASR had gotten married, I told him that I needed to offer my condolences to ASR. But once I saw you, I knew the condolences were all yours. I am sorry, Khushi, that you are stuck with such a difficult man,” Lavanya said softly, meaning every word of it.

“I am glad I met you today,” Khushi said, her voice low. “You have given me much to think about.”

“I tried to change him. Lisa tried to change him. We pushed and pulled, cajoled, pleaded—but nothing worked. He remained what he always was—cold, unfeeling, heartless, distant. Do you think you can change him, Khushi?” she asked directly.

“No, never,” Khushi replied honestly. “I have never tried and will never try to change him.”

Lavanya looked at her in silence.

“If there is any change in him, it will come from within him, because he wants to change, not because I want him to change,” Khushi said quietly. “If he changes, it will be because he wants to grow up, be an adult, leave the past behind him, because he wants to live a life with me, a life that will have its share of troubles and trials. I don’t want him to change unwillingly, reluctantly, just to suit my notions of who a husband should be. I am not perfect and I don’t expect him to be perfect.”

Lavanay nodded slowly.

“I hope you are never disappointed, Khushi,” Lavanya said seriously.

Khushi nodded. “I need to leave now. Good bye, Lavanya,” she said softly. “I hope things work out between you and Sunny and that you are very happy with him.”

Lavanya smiled her thanks.

Khushi smiled as she left the ladies’.

Rash's interpretation: Part 31

People make assumptions and don't take time to ask individual experiences. We pretend we understand, and our assumptions are often wrong... Before Lavanya assumed what was the state of Khushi.... she could have tried a crazy method called asking... Knowing from hers and Liza's experience with ASR... assuming it to be the same with Khushi, the least questioned assumption by Lavanya about ASR and Khushi's relationship was the most questionable...

One thing that stood out clearly to Khushi was ASR was his mom's Chotte with her in the form of her Arnavji.... His girlfriends were always only in the fringe, as whom he had come into contact with... They were never brought into his inner core circle... That exclusive privilege has been hers and only hers, his wife... None of his girlfriends understood what he stood for and were not emotionally attached ever... So far Khushi's thoughts on what kind of relationship it was to have a detached unromantic boyfriend got a parallel thought what kind of  relationship were they in to enable a girlfriend to move on to greener pastures so soon once she got the ultimatum of break up...!?

To Khushi it was surreal... For her, the picture of ASR painted by Lavanya was not recognisable... It was the complete antithesis to her observation and experience... like it was of two different individuals... Her imagery of Lavanya, whom she had hated to confront, was very different from the one she met.... Lavanya's monologue gave her a lot to ponder over... It showed her whatever her Arnavji had been telling her, has been unwittingly vouched by Lavanya...  Now, she could feel what her Arnavji feels for her is very different from what he ever felt for his girlfriends which amounted to zilch in romantic sense... She understood never to go back and repair the past which is highly impossible... but to be prepared to construct the future which is very much possible....

Judging a person does not define who they are... it defines who you are... Khushi has judged Lavanya to be a good Samaritan and her Arnavji to be a person who has changed for her and her alone… for no one is perfect… that’s why pencils have erasers… It’s up to us to give them a chance to rectify…. She has come to love not the perfect Arnavji but by learning to see the imperfect Arnavji perfectly… That’s why she won’t be swayed away by any amount of negative vibes from anyone on her Arnavji…

Loved it Smita… Brilliant portrayal of Lavanya… 

Part 32

Arnav frowned. Why was Khushi taking so long? He made to get up and go looking for her.

His phone rang.

Aman.

“Yes, Aman?” he asked.

“Boss, I received the signed contract from Agnee Fabrics. They want to meet you at Agra tomorrow.”

“Agra?” ASR asked. A vision of him and Khushi standing before the Taj Mahal flashed through his mind. “Yes,” he replied. “And cancel my appointments for a week, Aman. I am taking your bhabi on a honeymoon.”

Aman smiled from ear to ear. “YES, sir,” he said. “Shall I bring the contract home now?”

“Leave it with di,” Arnav said. “I am at Zen with your bhabi.”

“Zen?” Aman asked paling. “The restaurant in Residency Palace?”

“Yes.”

“Sir, please, get out. Fast,” Aman said.

Arnav frowned. “What the!”

“Lavanya is attending her cousin’s wedding there. I made the arrangements,” Aman confessed.

Arnav stood up. He didn’t need this. He really didn’t. And Khushi was late. Where was she? Has she run into Lavanya? His heart stopped for a moment in panic.

“Sir?” Aman called.

“I will see to it,” Arnav said shakily before cutting the call.

But before he could do anything, he saw Khushi walking towards him. There was a small smile on her lips and her eyes seemed to shine.

“Khushi, tum theek ho?” he asked, stepping closer to her.

“Ji,” she said softly.

“I was worried,” he said hoarsely.

“Why?” she asked easily. Without waiting for a reply, she stepped closer and placed her hand lightly on his chest.

‘Will he push me away? Does his dislike extend to my touch?’ she wondered, trying out Lavanya’s theory.

Arnav caught hold of her hand.

Khushi tensed. Would he push it away?

He held it more firmly against his heart.

“You were a long time,” he said, seeking answers from her expression. “Kuch hua tha?”

She smiled into his face. “What can happen to me?” she asked, removing her hand from his chest.

He smiled back, feeling gloriously happy.

“Shall we leave?” he asked.

She nodded.

As they walked out, she said, “Arnavji, I feel like eating golgappe.”

He turned to look at her, surprised. Then he said, “Fine. I will stop at a golgappe cart.”

“I don’t want to go home tonight,” she said whimsically.

His eyes widened. “Where do you want to go?” he asked.

“Will you take me where I want to go?” she asked, her eyes twinkling.

He smiled. “Tell me,” he said.

Khushi just smiled.

“Khushi, trust me this time. Come with me now,” he said.

“Ji?” she asked.

“We need to go to Agra tonight,” he said. “I have a meeting there tomorrow morning.”

“Oh,” Khushi said. Keeping Lavanya’s words in mind, she said, “Aap jaayiye na? You go. I will stay here.”

“No, Khushi. I want you with me,” he replied.

“But I will be a nuisance to you. You are going on business, aren’t you?” she asked easily.

“No, you won’t be a nuisance. I don’t want to leave you here. Come with me, Khushi. We can have our honeymoon in Agra. I asked Aman to free me for a week,” he said.

Her mouth fell open.

“One week,” she asked in a faint voice. “Oh,” she tried to sound disappointed.

“Kya hua?” he asked

“Woh--I was thinking of visiting Lucknow. Alone,” she said, peeping at him to see his reaction.

She didn’t have to peep. His reaction was loud enough.

“No, no way, Khushi. You are not going anywhere alone, especially not to Lucknow. I am your husband. It is my duty to take you to your maikka. We can spend a couple of days there next month,” he stated.

“Ji,” she said meekly, her heart dancing in joy. Laddoo, jalebi and rabri phooted in her chest.

“Now it is time for our honeymoon,” he declared.

“Ji,” she murmured meekly, her eyes twinkling.

He nodded, relieved that he wouldn’t have to stay away from her in Agra. And a week of togetherness with no disturbances was like a slice of heaven.

“Waise,” she drawled.

He looked at her.

“I was thinking—matlab—you designed lehengas and sarees for me. How come,” she paused, blushing.

“How come?” he asked.

“How come you didn’t design any nighties?” she asked.

He looked at the roguish expression on her face and her merry eyes and lost it. He burst out laughing and hugged her to him.

Khushi chuckled.

Lavanya, who had been watching them leave, almost collapsed in a heap in shock.

                                              ***

Rash's Interpretation: Part 32

Taking Lavanya's warning with a pinch of salt... Khushi tested Lavanya's theory of what sort of a person Arnav was… The theory couldn't hold itself upright... Khushi's subtle posers and her Arnavji's response just bull dozed those theories and flattened them out unwittingly leaving a gawking Lavanya behind... One good thing that came out of it was... both Arnav and Khushi did not need to resort to stepping gingerly around one another but could respond clearly without inhibition... Ah Lavanya! What have you and Liza missed…!!! Such a delicious man who could have been yours if you understood but…but… but… Devi Maiyya had already reserved him for her child… Sometimes the road of life takes an unexpected turn and you have no choice but to follow it to end up in the place you are supposed to be… what’s meant to be will always find a way…

Fate brought two people coming from different backgrounds together for a reason… to make a change in the life of one. so as to be the one, for the other…. Though fate brought Arnav and Khushi together… it is they themselves who decided whom to let stay, whom to let walk away and whom to refuse to let walk out…

A sweet update Smita…