Chapter 5

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Harvest Moon Chapter 5

ASthe vehicle travelled smoothly on the Jalandhar-Nakodar National Highway,Khushi sat in the backseat of the SUV looking out at the endless green fields,canals and grazing cattle. Manav was at the wheel with Anjali relating ananecdote about a client that Anjali and he had recently visited in Chandigarh.Khushi realized how much in tandem the duo were, often completing each other'ssentences. Soon, their conversation had veered towards business.

Manav'sfamily was in the education business, his dad being the owner and principal ofa school that taught kids from first to tenth grade. When Manav had entered thebusiness, he had expanded the school by starting a pre-university college inJalandhar whose main focus was to prepare students for the IIT course.  The recent trip to Chandigarh was gearedtoward scouting land to start a similar school in the area.

Nothaving slept very well last night, Khushi decided to catch a shut eye but itwas easier said than done, for questions reverberated through her mind.

SinceArnav had clearly stated his disinterest in the marriage, why had Nanijiinvited her to stay at their house? Wouldn't it create an awkward situation forArnav?

And what about youKhushi? Anagging voice inside her asked. She had stalled her grandfather the last timehe had brought up the topic of marriage but she knew it wouldn't long before hebrought it up again. With a nagging trepidation she wondered if she had thesame conviction as she had before in Delhi.

Andthen there was that embarrassing situation in her bedroom that night. How shewished she could turn back time.

Khushiwas impressed with what she saw in front of her. The Raizada house was a massivetwo storey structure in white, the width of the house almost as long as twohouses put together with a central porch supported with four pillars under asloping roof. The house had large windows polished in dark chocolate browncolor and a huge front door also in the same colour. The driveway was lengthy,lined on both sides by lush greenery all the way up to and around the house.

Nowshe understood what her father had meant by affluent. Even their house in Canadahad been just as big as Anjali's house.

Theinterior of the house was even grander, the furniture in the living room moreclassic than traditional. A lovely chandelier hung from the high ceiling of theliving room. As Anjali took her up the ornate stair case, Khushi realized thatthe house was divided by the huge living room at the centre while the bedroomswere on either side of it.

Herroom was as lovely as the one at Anjali's house except that this room hadlovely French doors on one side. Khushi stepped out and was thrilled to see asmall pool just outside.

"Theroom on the left is your grandfather's and the one on the right left isArnav's." Anjali informed from behind her.

Khushi'sheart skipped a beat when she heard that. "I think you have given me yourbedroom Anjaliji""

Anjalibrushed away her protests. "Don't be silly Khushi," Anjali said, "This is notreally my room anymore. I don't live here, remember? Moreover, Nani's guests generallystay on this side of the house. Don't ask. It's complicated.

"Iwill take the room next to Akash's."

Anjalihad already told her about their cousin brother Akash who was working in theUnited States, coincidentally in Wilmington, the city her uncle and aunt lived.

"Bythe way Akash told me he knows your uncle Dr Gupta through some association ofsome sort. He mentioned he will be attending their daughter's wedding. Yourparents are in the States already right?"

"Yes,they are in Raleigh right now with my sister Payal," Khushi said. They hadcalled her from Payal's apartment this morning to let her know that they weregoing to drive to The Smoky Mountains to see the fall colours. After that theywere planning to go down south to Florida. "They will go to back to Wilmingtonwith her a week before the wedding."

"It'sa small world, isn't it?" Anjali smiled.

Alittler later, Khushi sat in front of the mirror in her room brushing out herhair. Her grandfather's ambulancehad also arrived a while ago and theparamedics had carried him up to the room that had been arranged specificallyfor his care which also included a full-time nurse. She began to feel guiltywondering if she will be able to repay the Raizadas for all their help. At themoment, the least she could do was to go down and help Naniji and Anjaliprepare for the bhandara.

Whenshe saw Anjali's lovely green saree, she eyed her own attire ruefully. The rustcoloured kurta with a gold lace was pretty but paled in comparison with the saree.

AsKhushi sat arranging the pooja plates for the Kanya Pooja, she felt a prickleup her spine and she raised her eyes to look up the stairs to see Arnavwatching her. He looked absolutely dashing in a cream linen kurta.Her heart beganits erratic beat and she looked away.

"Ohmy God!" A shrill voice brought her out of her daze and back to the work athand. "You have done this all wrong!"

Khushilooked up to see a womanher mother's age dressed in gaudy yellow saree, wearingheavy jewellery. This was Manorama mami, Khushi surmised from Anjali'sdescription. Her forehead was contorted into a severe frown. Khushi looked downat the plates clueless as to what she had done.

"Manorama!"Naniji came up to them, "why are you shouting?"

"Shehad added sindoor and toe rings in the plate!" Manorama exclaimed. "Thosethings are meant for married women and not for little girls."

"Isthat all?" Anjali had also joined them. "Someone must have mixed up the bagsand Khushi probably got confused."

"Howcan one get confused?" Mamiji persisted, "this is basic knowledge. Oh Icompletely forgot --"Mami touched her forehead. "Khushi was brought up inCanada, wasn't she? She probably had no idea about these things."

Khushistood up bracing herself to explain something she had done many times in thepast.

"It'snot because I was brought up in Canada auntyji," she began, "it's because myparents follow Guruji and their rituals are slightly different from theconventional ones."

 "Oh I see!" Mamiji exclaimed caustically, "nowonder you weren't able to do this job given to you. You should have told usearlier. We wouldn't have given you this job."

"Iwant to do this--" Khushi said even as she noticed that Arnav had come down thestairs. "I love all these rituals. I used to go to my friends' house andparticipate in all their festivals. But somehow haven't come across this one."

"Wonderful!"Mamiji clapped her hand, "Sasuma, you seem to have work cut out for you."

Arnavstepped forward. "No one is born with the knowledge about rituals and such," hesaid."Everyone has to learn at some point or the other. Ritualsdon't matteranyway."

"Ofcourse it doesn't matter to you -" Mamiji said looking at Arnav, "You have thisgreat conflict with God. You both are made for each other!"

"Ohbut I believe in God mamiji," Khushi corrected the older woman, "Even myparents do. They express their devotion differently - that's all. My parentshave never forced us to follow their beliefs. My sister and I have the freedomto choose whatever path we like."

Manoramasmiled suddenly. "You are very smart, aren't you?"

Arnav'sjaw clenched with anger. Just as seemed like he was going to say somethingAnjali said loudly, "Oh look the girls are here!"

Khushisaw five little girls walking in through the front door.

"Ihave to take care of the lighting on the roof," Arnav said and hurried up thestairs.

"Khushi,if you don't mind will you please help Manav in entertaining the girls?" Anjalisaid urgently,"The rest of the girls will be here soon and I still have to makethe halwa."

"Whowill arrange the plates?"Mamijji said.

"Youof course!" Naniji quipped. "Who would know rituals better than you?"

Arnavstooda few feet away watching Khushi surrounded by the little girls. Khushi lookedsimply beautiful with her huge almond eyes, her pink lips and her fair cheeksthat turned red when she was flushed.

You are made for eachother mamihad said. For a change mami had said something sensible even if she had said itderisively. He wanted Khushi from the moment he laid eyes on her and he had almost given in to his desires a coupleof times already.

Hethought about the night in her bedroom when she had closed her eyes, her lipsinfinitesimally close to his. It had taken superhuman effort for him to tearhimself away from her but he had done it.He had to.

"Khushididi please dance for Manwa Laage!" The girls begged her.

"NoI don't think I can -

Khushi'seyes flicked up to where he was standing and he stared right back at her, hishands folded in the middle and a smirk on his lips.

Suddenlylittle Rinki rushed to him and he lifted her up in his arms. "Arnav uncle, canyou please tell Khushi didi to dance?"

"Khushiis didi and I am uncle?" he saidaffably. Nani's friend Mr Ahuja's granddaughter was an adorable little minx.

"Arnavuncle - please."Rinki said impatiently.

"AskManav uncle."  He suggested.

"Heis helping Anjali aunty in the kitchen."

Arnavlooked up to see Khushi staring at him suspiciously. "She is not going tolisten to me."

"Pleeesse."Rinki implored with the cutest lisp he had ever seen in his entire life.

Arnavwalked closer. "Khushi - I think you should do as they say," he said, "that'syour favourite song, isn't it?" He added smugly.

Khushiscrewed up her eyes, shaking her head a little threatening him with direconsequences if he spoke another word.

"Lookshe is getting angry," He whispered to Rinki, "I told you she won't listen tome."

Rinkiconsidered what he said and then leaned in to whisper something in his ears.When Arnav looked at her in disbelief, she said, "I saw it on TV and itworked."

Shewanted him to spread his arms out like a certain movie actor. "How old areyou?" He said.

"Eight."She informed him.

"Idon't think that's going to work," he told the little girl, but when he saw thedisappointment on her face he said, "I will try it my way."

Arnavwalked right up to Khushi, his eyes never leaving her face even for a momentand took her hand in his."Khushi," he said.

Khushicould feel her insides melting at the mere sound of his husky voice. Hisfingers caressed her palm in the lightest of feather touches and a jolt went upher arm and spread through her entire body.

Hewent down on one knee. "Khushi please - " His caramel brown eyes simmered, "Pleasedon't break my heart." He bent his head and kissed her hand.

Khushisnatched her hand away like it had been burnt.

Arnav'sshoulders began to shake as he began to laugh.He was joking!

Thelaughter had transformed his face, taking years off of it in that one instant.

"Khushiplease dance and spare me from their torture -- please." He begged, stillsmiling widely.

Khushididn't know if it was the voice, his touch or his laugh but she knew she couldnever so no to Arnav now. "Yes."

Khushidanced beautifully but he knew that already, having witnessed her thumkas at the dhabha the other night.He stood mesmerized as her body moved gracefully in tandem with the music.

Asthe dance ended, there was a ring of applause as Naniji and Anjali had comeinto the room to watch.

Anjaliwalked up to her and hugged her in delight. "That was awesome Khushi!"

"Thatwas indeed beautiful Khushi bitiya!" Naniji exclaimed.

"Wheredid you learn to dance like that Khushiji?" Manav's adulation was quiet evidentin his tone.

"Ilearnt ballet and Kathak for ten years in Canada," Khushi said, "here, I had tolearn Bollywood dancing so I could choreograph for my students. It's just ahobby."

"Ifthis was hobby I don't know what you would have done if you were aprofessional!" Manav exclaimed.

"Manavuncle is going over the top with his praise, isn't he?" Arnav muttered toRinki.

Rinkilooked appalled. "Not at all -Khushi didi dances like an angel!"

"Angelha?" Arnav looked at Khushi's flushed face a small smile playing on his lips.

"Ifwe are done with the entertainment for the evening - shall we start the pooja?"Mamiji said scathingly.

Khushiand Anjali helped mamiji in washing the girls' feet and handing over their giftplate consisting of a packet of bindi, bangles, mehendi, and a red chunri. Oncethe girls had eaten the feast of poori, channa and halwa, they left for theirrespective homes amidst excited chatter.

Thenextevening Khushi sat in her grandfather's room when the Raizada household wasbusy preparing for the jagrata.

Nanijihad explained that the programme would start with Mata Ki Chowki which was apooja offered to the Goddess and followed by Jagrata where they would playdevotional songs well into the night.

Arnavwasn't going to be there tonight. Anjali had told her that he had gone toBatala  to take care of some problem inthe farm there. Khushi wondered if she could make an excuse not to go downtonight.

"Khushi,you aren't ready yet!" Anjali exclaimed walking in.

"Idon't think I can come down Anjaliji," she said in a low voice, "I - I think Iwill sit with Nanaji."

"Youhave to go Khushi." Her grandfather said as firmly as it was possible for him.

"OkNanaji. You please rest." Of course he would want her to go, Khushi thought toherself as she and Anjali walked toward her room. According to him, this washer future home and he wouldn't want her to disappoint her future in-laws inany way.

"What'sthe problem Khushi?" Anjali enquired.

"Idon't have anything appropriate to wear Anjaliji," Khushi wondered if thatwould be a good enough excuse.

Itwas also the truth for she had packed most of her regular clothes and left all her best suits back home. She had no idea at the time that she would end up inthe Raizada house of all places.

"Isthat all?" Anjali said, "Wait in the room --- I will be back in a minute."

Whenshe came back, she had a packet in her hand. "Khushi, I bought this suit inChandigarh but unfortunately I didn't have the time to try it on in the store.Turns out it is too tight for me. Wear this tonight."

"ButI can't accept this --"

"Nobuts." Anjali said firmly, "Go ahead and change."

Itwas the most beautiful Patiala suit Khushi had ever seen. The thigh lengthkurtawas a bright pink with self-embroidery and lace sleeves finishing justabove the elbow. The Patiala bottom was red and flowed smoothly showing off allthe pleats to perfection. The dupatta was a combination of red and pink.

"Herewear these," Anjali placed gold earrings and bangles on the dresser."Now sitdown and I will do your hair."

AsKhushi wore the earring and bangles, Anjali pleated her hair in an irregularfish tail pattern.

"Thankfully,Arnav and Manav are taking care of all the arrangements downstairs."

"Arnavjiis here?" Khushi's heart skipped a beat.

"Yes,he changed his mind about going."

"Oh."Khushi tried to be nonchalant.

"Nowlet's get on with some make up."

Arnavcouldn't take his eyes off Khushi as she walked down the stairs. She lookedbreathtakingly beautiful in the patialia suit. He had never seen her with kholin her eyes and the effect was simply mesmerizing.

Ashe watched Khushi distributing the prasadfrom the pooja, he realized that she was meticulously avoiding him. How couldshe do that to him? There was only one thing to do now.

Thenext time Khushi walked across the hall toward the kitchen, he caught her handand pulled her into the powder room.

"Whatare you doing?" Khushi demanded trying to unclasp his hand from her wrist.

"Iwant the prasad." He looked at the emptytray in her hand.

"Didn'tAnjaliji distribute the prasad onyour side already?" Khushi retorted.

Arnavraised his eyebrow. "What's going on?" he smirked.

Khushilowered her eyes trying not to show him how his raised eyebrow was making herfeel right now. "Let me go!" She tried extricating her hand from his.

"Khushididi!"Rinki shouted from outside making Khushi jump up. "What are you doinghere with Arnav jeejaji?"

"Whatthe --?" Arnav demanded trying to laugh at Khushi's red face.

"Youwere the one who told me not to call you uncle!" She said innocently.

"Khushicame here to give me the Prasad Rinki,"Arnav said, calmly removing her hand from her wrist.

"Inthe bathroom?"Rinki looked at them doubtfully, "I guess it's okay. I saw thison TV one time. Now can I please use the bathroom?" She asked sweetly.

"Hopefullyno one heard what Rinki said," Anjali whispered to Manav in the kitchen.

"LookslikeNaniji invited Khushi so she could convince Arnav about the marriage," Manavsaid as he helped Anjali put the prasadinto the bowls.

"Shetold me it was Satyaprakashji's idea."

"Ican see that it's working." Manav chuckled.

Anjali'seyebrow twisted. "But Khushi said that it wasn't possible ---"

"Well,I don't know about that," Manav smiled, "Arnav cancelled his trip to Batala andsent his foreman - he has never done that. When I asked him about it, hepractically growled. You know very well he does that when he is hidingsomething."

"That'strue!" Anjali agreed. "Coming to think of it, I think Khushi was trying to skipthe jagrata because she thought Arnavwasn't here. When I told her he had changed his mind - she positively glowed!

"Sothere is hope after all!" Anjali grinned.

"Hope-- is the key to life, Anju." Manav winked at her.

Afterdinner, Khushi came up to her room and stepped into the pool side. She neededto get away from the jagrata, for itwasn't appropriate for her to be in a devotional place where she was feelinganything but. She had been oddly restless all morning and it had gotten worseafter seeing Arnav in a chocolate brown pathan suit.

Somethinghad happened to her from the moment she had laid eyes on Arnav, but the momenthe had taken her in his arms in the hospital room, her defences had comecrumbling down like a pack of cards. His tenderness had undone her completely.

Thatwas why she had let herself go when he had taken her out to dinner --- for shefelt free of the walls she had builtaround her. She was hurt when he had left her the next morning without saying aword, feeling restless in his absence over the next few days, the samerestlessness she was feeling right now.

 "Khushi..." She heard Arnav's husky voicebehind her and she turned around, "are you okay?" His molten chocolate eyes werepiercing as he came up to her.

 "What are you doing here?" Her heart began to beat erratically.

"Youdanced beautifully - yesterday," He said huskily.

 "Did you come all the way up here to tell methat?"

"Iwanted to tell you earlier but you seemed -- agitated."

"NoI am not!" she defended herself taking a step back.

"No?"he smirked, advancing toward her, "I am pretty sure you were avoiding medownstairs."

Asshe took another step, she hit the wall."You should be one to talk!" He was theone who had run away from Jalandhar.

"Whatis that supposed to mean?" He placed one hand on the wall behind her. He liftedthe other hand and brushed back her hair, tucking it behind her ears. His handslid down her jaw to rest below her chin.

Hisfinger was creating havoc with her senses. "Nothing!" She couldn't make a foolof herself again after the way he had left her that night. She placed a hand onhis chest and pushed. "Let me go!"

Hedidn't budge an inch.

Thenwithout warning, he touched his lips to hers in the lightest of kisses sendingan electric jolt right through her body. When she looked at him with herluminous eyes, he lifted her chin and captured her lips in his own, drinkingfrom her like a man who had been thirsty for a long long time.

AsArnav took his time tasting her lips, Khushi was lost in a maze of bewilderingsensations.

Itdidn't matter what was going to happen tomorrow, but tonight Khushi knew shecouldn't deny him --- couldn't denyherself.

Thenwith startling clarity she realized that there could be no other reason for allher restlessness and confusion. She hadfallen in love with Arnav Singh Raizada!