Khushi sat in her room, bored out of her mind. For some reason, no one allowed her to do any work since morning - they wouldn't let her cook, they wouldn't let her help with the household chores, they didn't even let her massage her father's feet - which was very weird, considering the fact that her Buaji would always keep her busy with some work or the other. Just a few minutes ago, she had asked her Amma if she could go and visit Geet and Kajal, since they hadn't come home today, she nearly jumped out of her skin when Madhumati shouted "Nahi nahi nahiiii... tu aaj kahin nahi jaayegi" (No No Nooo... You will not go anywhere today) and literally shoved her into her room. She just didn't understand what was going on...
The ringing of her phone pulled her out of her thoughts,
she smiled looking at the caller id, and immediately answered the call Arnav Ji
Hi Khushi she nearly dropped her phone hearing the husky tone of his voice
Arnav did that on purpose.. he already had an idea regarding the effect that tone of his had on her.. and the absolute silence on the other end confirmed his theory, he couldn't help the smile that formed on his face. Hello... Khushi? Line cut hogaya hai kya (Did the line get cut) He deliberately said out loud
Nahi Arnav ji.. hum hai line mai (No Arnavji.. I am still on the line) Khushi spoke finally finding her voice
Oh.. Busy ho kya? mai baad mei phone karun? (Oh.. Are you busy.. should I call later?)
Nai nai.. Busy nahi hu.. Aap kahiye (No No.. I am not busy.. You say)
Hmm.. Aaj ke liye tumhari plans kya hai? koi kaam hai kya? (Hmm.. What are your plans for today? Do you have any work?)
Khushi pouted remembering how bored she had been Koi plan nai hai arnav ji.. dekhiye na.. aaj bache bhi nai aare hai tuitions ke liye... koi cricket match dekhne jaare hai sab.. aur (There is no plan Arnavji... See will you.. Today the children are also not coming for tuitions.. they all are going to watch some cricket match... And)
Khushi.. Arnav stopped her from continuing with her speech Maine tumhari plans ke baare mei poocha tha.. poori mohalle ka nahi (I asked about your plans.. not the entire neighbourhood's plans) He shook his head exasperatedly
Meri koi plans nai hai... aisi hi baiti hu ghar mei (I have no plans.. I am just sitting idly at home) He smiled at her complaining tone
Tho teek hai... Mai tumhe ek ghante mei aake pick up karlunga.. hum bahar jaa rahe hai.. be ready (That's fine then... I will come to pick you up in an hour.. we are going out.. be ready) He stated so casually
Khushi sat up straight.. KYA? (WHAT?)
What? He asked as if what he had just proposed was an everyday occurrence Be ready.. Ek ghante mei Mai tumhe pick up karne ke liye aara hu.. (I will be there to pick you up in an hour) He repeated himself
Par Buaji (But Buaji) Khushi got off her bed
Arnav chuckled Khushi.. Buaji humaari saat bahar aake kya karegi? (Khushi.. What will Buaji do joining the two of us?) She could literally hear the laughter in his tone..
Arnavjiiii Khushi whined, making Arnav chuckle even more
Khushi couldn't help smiling as well, but she quickly sobered up Buaji mujhe jaane nahi degi.. Abhi thodi der pehle meine Geet ke yahan jaane ke liye poocha tha.. aur Buaji ne mujhe jaane nahi diya... (Buaji won't let me go.. Just a few minutes a go I asked if I could go to Geet's place and Buaji didn't let me) Khushi pouted
Woh tumhaari problem hai Khushi.. Convince her... and be ready, I will be there in an hour (That's your problem Khushi..)
Par Arnavji.. aap samaj (But Arnavji.. you try to) She tried to make him see reason
But Arnav stopped her before she could say anything 59 minutes Khushi and he hung up
Arnavji.. Arna.. Khushi looked at her phone "Phone rakhdiya" (He hung up) She stomped her foot on the floor huffing
She started to pace the room muttering to herself "Yeh laad Gorvernor... asaani se kehdiya.. tum manalo.. hum kaise manaayenge... kya kahenge buaji se... hume yeh bhi nahi bataya ke hum jaa kahan rahe hai... agar buaji ne poocha tho hum kya kahenge" (This Laad Governor... So easily he said.. You convince.. how will I convince... what will I say to Buaji... He didn't even tell me where we are going to... If Buaji asks me what will I tell her...)
She continued to pace her room while chewing on her nails in nervousness and then suddenly stopped to look at the wall clock, she put her hands on her head "Hai Devi Maiyya... do minute nikal gaye... Arnavji time pe aajayenge... humko tayyaar bhi tho hona hai... buaji ko manaane mei na jaane kitni der lagegi... Khushiii... aaj tho tu gayi..." (Hai Devi Maiyya... Two minutes flew away... Arnavji will be here on time... I have to get ready as well... I don't know how long it will take me to convince Buaji... Khushi.. You are dead meat...)
She put on hand on her hip and the other slapped against her forehead. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down, after straightening her clothes, she opened the door and walked out with purpose. Her confidence took a sudden dive when she saw that her parents were also seated in the hall along with her aunt...
"Hey Devi Maiyya" she whined and tapped her foot on the ground trying to think what to say "Ay SankaDevi.." She looked up at her aunt "Kaa?" (What?) Madhumati gestured with both hands "Kaa soch rahi ho parmeshwari?" (What are you thinking Parmeshwari?) Khushi gulped a little... "Buaji... woh..." She walked closer to her elders "Woh..." She fidgeted with her finger "woh.." she struggled to get further than that
"Woh woh woh kaa laga rakha hai.. jaldi bolo" (Why are you stuttering? Speak faster) Madhumati urged her, Khushi shut her eyes "Arnavji ne phone kiya tha aur kahan tha ke ek ghante mai aake hume kahin bahar leke jaare hai" (Arnavji had called and informed me that he will be here in an hour to take me out somewhere) She spoke in one breath and closed her eyes tighter anticipating her Buaji to rain reprimands on her.. a few seconds passed and there was nothing but silence. Khushi slowly opened one eye, then the next, and gaped at her family who were just looking at her, with no reaction what so ever.
"Sab khamosh kyun hai? kya inhone suna nahi ke humne kya kaha tha.. phirse kehna padega kya" (Why is everyone silent? did they not hear what I said.. would I have to repeat myself) She puckered her face and started to bite her nails again, Madhumati's chest started to rumble with laughter but she stopped herself "Tho jaake tayyaar hojao parmeshwari" (Then go and get dressed parmeshwari) She stated plainly and Khushi abruptly stopped what she was doing and stared at Madhumati, both her eyes and mouth wide open. "Kya?" (What?) she squealed out, her face contorted in confusion
Madhumati rolled her eyes dramatically "Humne kaha.. jaake tayyar ho jaoo" (I said.. Go and get readyyy) She shook her head and muttered something inaudible, Khushi took a few steps back in confusion, she was about to turn around when Madhumati stopped her "sanka devi sun... dang se tayyar hojana.. teek hai? arnav babua ke saat jaa rahi ho.." (Listen SankaDevi.. dress up properly.. okay? You are going out with Arnav) Madhumati warned her with a pointed finger
Khushi's eyebrows knitted in confusion.. she couldn't decipher her family's reaction at all... "ab khadi khadi humaari shakal kaahe dekhat ho... jao jao.. jaldi se tayyar hojao.." (Now why are you standing there looking at our faces.. go go.. quickly get ready) When she still didn't move, Madhumati shouted out "Areyy parmeshwari... JAO!" (Hey Parmeshwari... GO!) Khushi quickly ran away into her room
Once the door to Khushi's room closed behind her, Madhumati and Garima let out the laughter they had been holding "Hai re NandKishore... ee bachon ka hum kaa kare" (Hai re NandKishore.. What do I do with these kids) Madhumati shook her head with the biggest smile on her face, she turned to her brother "ho na ho yeh arnav babua ka hi kaam hai Sashi Babua.. unhone humaari titaliya se yeh nahi kaha hoga ke unhone humse pehle hi iss ke liye anumati maanga tha" (This is definitely Arnav's doing Sashi... He wouldn't have told our titaliya that he has already taken our permission for this) Sashi nodded his head with a broad smile "haan jiji... aapne dekha na.. kaisi dar dar ke aake humse baat kar rahi thi" (Yes Jiji.. Did you see how afraid she was to come and talk to us) Garima laughed shaking her head.
***
Khushi stood in front of her wardrobe looking at her clothes.. she was unable to decide what to wear.. for some reason she wanted to doll up a little today. She bit her lower lip and ran her palm through her clothes aaj kyun hume bahar leke jaa rahe hai... kahin...(Why is he taking me out today... is he..) her thoughts ceased when she caught a glimpse of green. She pulled out that particular salwar suit, She had purchased this way back, in Lucknow but had completely forgotten about it. She had liked it as soon as her eyes fell on it, It wasn't something very grand, it was quite a simple looking Shalwar, with hand embroidery.. but the combination of colors made it look very royal - Emerald green with a generous sprinkling of Black.
Khushi's neck and cheeks suddenly heated up as she remembered her little encounter with Arnav, in the room, after their sangeet dance. Her breathing got ragged as she remembered the way he walked towards her.. his eyes drinking in her appearance.. .. "Waise yeh rang tumpe... Utna bhi bura nahi lagta" (By the way this color... doesn't look so bad on you) Khushi clutched her chest as his words reverberated in her mind
She looked at the salwar in her hand.. If she wore this today... would he also remember? and if he did, would he comment on it? She chewed her lower lip again... "Dekhte hai" (Lets see) she spends the next 5 minutes meticulously selecting accessories that would match.. and when she was satisfied , she laid out everything carefully on the bed, and rushed to the washroom.
In 5 minutes she was out, she quickly patted her face dry and threw the towel haphazardly on the back of the chair. She changed her clothes in record speed and stood in front of the mirror.. She smiled at her reflection, even without any makeup or accessories she was looking beautiful.. "Aaj kya hogaya hai... itna kyun chamak rahi hai humaari shakal" (What happened today... why is my face glowing so much) she touched her cheeks. She picked up her hairbrush and removed all the knots from her hair, She ran her finger through her hair, trying to decide of she should tie it in a pony tail or pleat it..
She was not able to make a decision, she dropped her hands down "baad mei dekhti hu" (I will see later) She dabbed some cream on her face and applied a generous amount of kajal around her eyes, she looked at her reflection again.. her hair was freely cascading down her shoulders "Ab teek hai" (Its fine now) she heard his voice in her head, she touched her hair and smiled.. he liked her hair this way.. Maybe she should leave it open
She felt the very telling breeze against her face, her heart skipped a beat before it started to hammer away against her ribcage, She clutched her chest tight, and took deep breaths to calm herself down. "agaye" (He's here) she whispered to herself.
Khushi felt jittery.. so she bid her time by sliding the bangles onto her wrist, as slowly as possible, finally when she was done, she picked up her jhumkas one by one and clasped them on her ears. She was nervous to face him... VERY nervous. She didn't have the faintest idea why that was so.. for the past two months she practically saw him every other day, either he came over or she had gone to Shantivan and they spent a considerable amount of time together discussing the case.
So why was her stomach fluttering so much at the thought of spending the day with him? No.. it wasn't nervousness... it was anticipation.. Anticipation of what was to come.. now that the case was over, there was nothing more standing in their way.. and she knew what that meant.
She heard Madhumati's voice booming through the door.. she took a deep breath and gave herself a final look in the mirror, before slowly walking to the door.
***
Arnav knocked on the door, and Madhumati opened it immediately "Tum aagaye ho Babua.. Ander aao" (You are here dear, come in) she smiled at him and stepped aside to let him enter. He walked over to Sashi "Kaise hai aap uncle?" (How are you uncle?) Sashi nodded his head with a smile. Arnav then took a seat and indulged Garima and Madhumati in a short conversation.
The last two months had given him so many opportunities to interact with Khushi's family, and it completely took away his awkwardness. He had actual meaningful and genuine conversations with them. Like the saying goes - every cloud has its silver lining - In any other universe, Arnav knew that he wouldn't have been so casual with them.. even if he had gotten married to Khushi.. he wouldn't have openly accepted her family, because he has always been very closed off and weary with letting people inside his personal space.
Garima and Madhumati treated both him and Akash like their own, especially Madhumati, since she didn't have any children of her own. In the beginning they too had been a little weary, but slowly the ice was broken. Now, they didn't think so much before sharing their troubles with either him or Akash, they didn't even hesitate when help was offered.
He smiled at something Madhumati told him, and his eyes involuntarily darted towards Khushi's room, as luck would have it, Madhumati had noticed it "titaliyaaa" she bellowed out, Arnav almost closed his eyes feeling embarrassed at being caught out like that. Madhumati waited for a few seconds, when Khushi still didn't step out of the room, she tutted and she was about to stand up. But she didn't have to, the door opened and Khushi stepped out.
Madhumati's eyes widen, and she placed both her hands on her cheeks in surprise. Garima and Sashi smiled broadly at their beautiful daughter, and Arnav's breath was stuck in his throat. His eyes slowly took in her appearance... Khushi looked absolutely radiant... the green highlighted her complexion even more, and the black accentuated her curves beautifully. He could see that she had put in a little more effort than usual to get ready today.. just for him.. a proud smile threatened to spread all over his face...
Khushi almost wanted to run back into the room and hide herself, the way Arnav was looking at her threatened to stop her heart once and for all. He had not blinked even once since she stepped out of the room. She gulped down, and her eyes flicked to the others in the hall, they all had the same expression of surprise on their face, making her question the decision to doll up today.
As if he sensed her urge to run away, Arnav cleared his throat, her eyes darted back to him "chale?" (Shall we leave?) he asked as he stood up, she nodded her head, and slowly walked toward him. Although she just took near about 20 steps from her room to where he stood, walking under his constant gaze made it seem much longer. She stopped right next to him, not knowing what to do "Chalte hai Buaji" (We will take your leave Buaji) she heard him address her aunt "Teek hai babua.. humri sanka devi ka khayal rakhna" (Okay dear.. take care of our SankaDevi) Khushi was sure she heard him stifle a giggle, she looked at him from the corner of her eyes, but he had already turned around and moved to the main door.
She was about to follow him when she realised that she had not said anything to her family, she turned to them "Amma Babuji Hum chalte hai" (Amma Babuji, I am leaving) Her parents smiled at her, she turned to her Aunt, before she said anything Madhumati placed a hand on her head as if she was blessing her, then dragged her hand down to her cheek and pinched it lovingly "jaldi se wapis aaja na.. teek hai NandKishore?" (Come home soon.. alright NandKishore?) Madhumati had a soft smile on her face, Khushi nodded her head and walked out of the house.
Arnav was waiting for her right outside the house, and when he felt her presence next to him, he started to walk ahead and she followed him. When they reached his SUV, he opened the passenger side door for her, and waited for her to look up.. but she didn't dare to. He cleared his throat.. still nothing.. "Waise yeh rang tumpe..." (By the way this color...) he paused on purpose and she finally looked up, surprise written all over her face. The glint in his eyes, and his lopsided smile let her know that he knew why she chose this particular dress "Bohot achi lagti hai" (Looks very good on you) his words made her smile "Shukriya" (Thankyou) she tucked her hair behind her ear and bowed her head a little to hide her blush.