Chapter 4

[MEMBERSONLY]

I am going on a vacation with my gang of dearest cousins...YAY!!😛 But before I disconnect myself from IF for few days, I thought of wishing you all VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR in advance with a quick update. I have written this story in very very less time so if you don't find it matching up to your expectations, please forgive me. See You in NEW YEAR 😃

Banner Credit: Divyahet

Khwabon ke Parindey

The sun was shining bright in the sky and so was someone's smiling face. She held her suitcase firmly in one hand balancing its heavy weight and tucking her dupatta which was sliding over shoulder back climbed steps of the first train compartment she came across.

Peeping in cautiously, she took hold of an empty seat. Her beating heart ceased its rate and returned to its normal speed as the train picked its speed up. She sighed relaxed and clapped her hands together in glee. Finally she was free. Free from all those binders which had kept her hostage for so long.

"Gayi Duniya Bhaad mein. Now I am a free bird" She spread her hands wide and tried to fly in the confined air of that empty compartment only to bring them down when a passerby threw a weird look at this crazy girl.

Udein, khule aasaman mein khwabon ke parindey

Udein, dil ke jahaan main khaabon ke parinday

[In the open sky, fly the birds of dreams

In the land of heart, fly the birds of dreams]

'Khushi , Khuhsi Kumari Gupta' Naam to suna hi hoga!!! The biggest fan of Hindi Movies in Lucknow. The walking-talking Encyclopedia of Bollywood. A playful, always brimming with enthusiasm, chatterbox girl; she was the younger daughter of Shashi and Garima Gupta. A certified crazy who always treated every moment of her life as though it was some scene from a Hindi movie.

Today too was no exceptional for her theatrics. When she came to know that she had received a proposal for marriage and the boy and his family were visiting her house today itself, the hell broke loose in Gupta house. The scene Khushi created was no less than any overrated drama sequence shown in Hindi cinema.

The main reason behind her dramaturgy was her devotion and loyalty towards Hindi Cinema. How could Khushi Kumari Gupta being a strong supporter of Bollywood 'Love-Shove de Marriage' could marry in an usual, boring way of arranged marriage?? 'Akhir usaki ijjat ka sawal hai!' She was not allowed to violate her own oath of having a thrilling love marriage where she would get a chance of eloping with her 'sapno ka rajkumar?' After all "Ek bar jo usane commitment kar di to fir woh apane aap ki bhi nahi sunati'

However, her only dream of life had two barriers from getting fulfilled. First one was that her family was too cool unlike in the movies and was ready to get her married to the guy she chose and second was, she had brutally failed to find a guy she could fall in love with. If these two issues chose to neglect then her plan of getting married according to her wish was all set and ready to be executed. If only her family would value her dream. When she could not find a suitable guy for herself till her older sister Payal got married, they became adamant on looking suitable proposals for her in a traditional way.

'Duh!! In their dreams. No way that I can let my pledge breaks.' She had recited to herself while packing her suitcase and jumping out of the window of her room to get away from her potential groom who had all the potency to quash her childhood aspiration. Of course she had planned to elope with someone she loved but for time being she could manage doing that alone. And the little hope that had kindling in her heart to meet some handsome hunk like DDLJ style when she had stepped in the train was dashed too. But at least she was a step closer to fulfill her dream and a step away from that traditional way of marriage.

She again heaved a sigh of relief.

Wait a minute. But where is this train going?' A very less important thought struck her mind after half an hour of her journey. Whatever' She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. I don't mind wherever Devi Maiya decides to take me but please Devi Maiya make sure that I meet him very soon' She joined her hands together and prayed to her deity religiously.

Oho, kya pata, jaayenge kahaan

Khule hain jo par, kahe yeh nazar

Lagta hai ab hain jaage hum

Fikrein jo thi, peechhe reh gayi

Nikle unse aage hum

[o, who knows, where shall (they) go

now that the wings are open, the sight says (eyes say)

it seems we have woken up now

worries that were there, have been left behind,

we have come ahead of them,]

As the train came to halt at next station, Khushi looked out of the window to read station name. Kanpur' the hording at the station displayed. Khushi exhaled a long breath wriggling in her sitting position of crossed legs. How boring the journey was. She shook her head displeasingly. No one was around her to speak with. The compartment was empty and even TC had not shown up to check her tickets so that she could make use of her high quality convincing skill and persuade him to accept how tragic her story was and so she needed to travel unplanned and without ticket. Now even meeting that boy and talking to him seemed better idea to her. She made a face.

As soon as the train left the station with succeeding speed, her ears pricked up with the sound of footsteps arriving towards her compartment.

The dapper owner of dynamic personality and charming attitude was warmly welcomed by flashing smile of a young girl sitting near window in the otherwise empty compartment.

"Thank God you came" She spoke hastily.

The man, completely startled with her words threw a suspecting glance at his back to check if there was someone to whom she was talking. But he was the only leaving creature there she could speak with if she was sane.

"You talking to me?" He asked uncertainly.

"our nahi toh kya? Will I thank someone else sitting in adjoining compartment for coming to my rescue as being an entertainment package?" She said in obvious tone.

"Excuse me" He bunched his eyebrows in offence. "Entertainment package?? Really?"

"Arre, Please don't mind. Sometimes I say few things which I do not mean at all. Come, sit. Feel at home" She beckoned at the seat.

Unable to form an appropriate response, he hesitantly captured the seat in front of her.

"I am Khushi, Khushi Kumari Gupta" She enthusiastically offered her hand for a handshake as soon as he settled down..

He contemplated for few seconds before finally shaking his hands with her and spoke with the unmistakable pride

"Arnav Sigh Raizada"

"I am yet single and ready to mingle" She informed with some extra smile "And you?"

He frowned and might have cursed himself in his own mind at his choice of compartment for travelling but nevertheless chose to answer. "Me too"

Khushi beamed generously. If not DDLJ then even 'Chennai Express' would do. Her eyes twinkled.

'But wait!' Some crucial thought suddenly interrupted her felicitousness. No. I can't get kidnapped by my own brothers on the orders of my Don Father.' She had already pitied at character of Dipika Padukon in the Chennai Express' various times.

At the same time her extra smart brain tried to participate in her devout thought process. 'But I don't have a brother and my father is a mere shopkeeper in Lucknow, not a Don.'

She earnestly rebuffed her brain's contribution 'Whatever! Why to take unnecessary risk??' She more than agreed. Shaking her head determinedly, she scrutinized him head to toe. Wesebhi, he does not even look like SRK of Chennai Express. If some abductor tried to harm me, he looks that competent to dash them unlike SRK in the film. He is that sturdy.' She concluded.

Well, let me think over it again .Very handsome and young -checked , masculine and fit to carry her in his hands - checked, well to do by his appearance- checked, single- checked.' And immediately name slipped from her mouth. Shahid Kapoor!!! Yes Aditya from Jab We Met! Perfect.' She clapped happily. Devi maiyya. Apane to hamari life bana di. Thank you Devi Maiyya' she thanked her devi mayya repeatedly joining her hands together for creating the situation like that of in one of her favourite movies.

And all that time Arnav watched her with wide eyes. Blabbering with self - checked, clapping for no reasons- checked, doing absurd movements - checked. Perfect! The girl is undoubtedly one of the craziest specimens on this earth.' He concluded.

"Di, what have you done with me? Kaha fasa diya aapane muze??" He muttered under his breath only to be interrupted in his telepathy warnings to his beloved sister by Khushi's question.

"If you don't mind can I ask you something?" She asked politely to display her good manners.

"I guess you will ask anyway even if I deny the permission, won't you?"

She bit her lower lip sheepishly and he smirked at her action "Go on" He consented.

"Don't you feel suffocated in this three piece suit when it is so hot here? Well I don't mind you wearing those. In fact I like guys wearing such suits. They look cool you know. Even I like boys wearing jeans and t-shirts..."

And without any doubt Arnav Singh Raizada cursed himself colorfully again for allowing her to ask the first question itself.

His day had decided to be totally abnormal from his other bearable days of life. First he had had traveled all the way from Delhi to Lucknow against his wish. Thanks to his family. Then he was forced to board on Lucknow to Delhi train' Credit goes to that particular person. And now he had to travel with a magpie ,almost mad girl who does not even need to breathe between her nuisances talking forget about taking any long pauses. Arghh..

How his fate had ceased him to be such a pitiable man today. He closed his eyes in frustration. Why was he punished today so cruelly? What a grave mistake he had done to be treated so savagely?

If you can't control the situation, try to enjoy it rather' Today's newspaper provided salvage to that troubled man. And he obeyed, concentrated on the girl sitting in front of him talking nineteen to dozens. And surprisingly he started sort of enjoying it.

She was beautiful. He realized first time after he had stepped in that compartment. Clad in normal Lucknowi salwar suit, with sharp features and soft buttery skin, all together she was a pleasant sight to watch. He agreed. Her dove-like eyes having uncommon greenish hue were full of zeal. Her chick bones were high leaving her chin sharp and thin which had provided a subtle attractiveness to her face. Her skin radiated with natural glow even without having any trace of make-up on her face. Her petals like lips were pink and plum. She was an exquisite metaphor of beauty. There was no second thought in that.

He kept staring at her as she continued talking in an animated way. Her expressions on face changed every minute without much effort as she changed her subject of talking. Her pizzazz had charged up the whole dull and draggy surroundings instantly enveloping him into fimbria of her innocence. Unknowingly a bemused smile gently touched his lips and he felt completely at peace forgetting his earlier irritation.

He stretched his hands and slumped into his sit more feeling very calm and relaxed like never before. Her voice sounded like a tinkling music to his ears, her smile made his heart warmer. Rather her whole existence turned the air around him magical. He felt good. No actually he felt very very good. Period. He had never felt so before in the company of any other girl. He liked the feeling.

Hawaon mein beh rahi hai zindagi

Yeh hum se keh rahi hai zindagi

Oho.. ab to, jo bhi ho so ho...

[life is flowing in the wind

life is saying this to us,

now, whatever happens, let it be..]

Khushi abruptly stopped talking when she saw him dozed off while intently listening to her. She smiled fondly looking at his form. He had sagged lower in his seat. His hands loosely folded at his chest. His head rested at back and mouth left open. He looked like a child while sleeping, she noted.

She had irked him with her non-stop gabbling, she knew. But it was unintentional. She was talking more than usual today but it was out of nervousness more than out of her habit. Though she had left her house without informing anyone very confidently, slowly panicky had started shadowing her determination. She had never traveled alone in her life leave travelling alone to unknown destinations. She had not left any note for her parents and did not bring her cell phone too. Her parents must be hell worried and frightened for her. As she was covering more distance opposite to her home those thoughts had started unnerving her..Her decision of secretly running away felt so impulsive and stupid now. She should not have done that.

You have chosen your way happily and now can't turn back at any cost.' She tried to convince herself. As her agitation started making her feeble, her urgency to hold her earlier decision at its place increased. And the only way she knew to avoid breaking her resolution was talking. People might be losing their energy by talking and feel exhausted after lots of talking but in her case she used to charge up by non-stop rambling. So she did her best of it without caring if that troubled him. But the gentleman that he was did not tell her off.

She carefully observed him. His contours were definite, manly and still beautiful. His broad shoulders were providing hint of his masculinity. His chiseled jaw defined strength he carried. His lips looked soft very rare for a man. His nose sharp and strait, forehead broad. His brown hairs neatly combed back but few mischievous loose hairs dancing on the tunes of wind.

Her heart felt an unfamiliar pull towards that man. He was total stranger to her but somehow she was experiencing an unidentified attachment with him, as if she belonged to him always.

His striking cologne was wreaking havoc in her nerves. And automatically her gaze shifted to his shapely lips again.

Khushi Kumari Gupta. Stop there only' She reprimanded her thoughts before they could stray too far away. Though she was admirer of on-screen romance, her virgin mind did not allow her to tour into refrained territory of own imaginations. Still she could not control herself from staring at his innocent face lovingly.

Ude, khule aasaman mein khwabon ke parindey

Ude, dil ke jahaan mein khwabon ke parindey

Oho, kya pata, jayenge kahaan

[In the open sky, fly the birds of dreams

In the land of heart, fly the birds of dreams]

It had been more than two hours and train was at Tundla junction. He was still sleeping. Finally completely bored Khushi's urge to wake him up overpowered her good sense and she shook him lightly.

"Arnavji, uth jaiye(wake up)"

Arnav heard someone calling him repeatedly but the sense of soft, silky frequent touches felt so wanted that he ignored the faint sound and pulled that soft thing near him not wishing to lose the tender feel. Ouch'. Something heavy fell all over him. Startled by the sudden weight, opening his eyes was his first instinct. And his heart skipped a beat with what he saw when he opened them. The same beautiful face he was thinking about some time ago was an inch away from him. Her eyes looking at him surprised and lips quivering. He could even feel the rapid thudding of her heart. Ohh' the dream was so real. He smiled happily.

But the smile did not last long as he felt an acute pain because of a prick.

Hey'. A squeak left his mouth and Khushi pushed him hard before returning to her place.

"You pinched me" He stated rubbing his eyes.

"You pulled me near you" Her voice trailed off at the end as she realized what she was speaking aloud.

She immediately looked out of window not wishing to meet his eyes. But her flushed cheeks wearing scarlet red hue conveyed right message to him without mistaking. He pleasantly delighted.

Kisi ne chhua toh yeh hua

Phirte hain mehke mehke hum

[o, who knows, where shall (they) go

when someone touched it happened]

"Do you know where the train is going?" Finally it was Khushi who broke that awkward silence settled in the air.

"Great! It is you who took the train before me and you don't even know where the train you are travelling in is heading?" He asked her amused. For him, continuing the conversation was a welcome distraction from the unfamiliar jittery feelings settling in his heart.

"Well, woh... I was in hurry so did not bother about the destination." She replied with guilt.

"Obviously you must not have bought ticket too?" He said as matter of fact

"NO" She asserted in low voice. "That is what I was wandering. How has TC not showed up yet for checking the tickets?" That one question was constantly popping in her mind.

But a commendable smirk was all that Arnav provided her instead of an answer and she left the question to that only as her mind lingered in deciding how handsomely he smirks while he got busy observing how sensuous she looks when she bites her lower lip in deep thoughts.

Khoye hain kahin baatein nayi

Jab hain aise behke hum

[I roam around scented,

I am lost somewhere, there are new things happening,

so intoxicated I seem to be,]

"Would you like to have some tea??" She courteously asked him taking glass of tea through the window from the boy standing on the platform.

"Thanks but no. I don't eat or drink at ummm... Less hygienic places" He made his opinions clear to her.

She smiled mystically taking a sip of hot tea. "You know, even I prefer eating at clean places. But I feel very bad when I look at such less fortunate children who struggle very hard for their bread and butter. We are so lucky that we have secured lives, Arnavji! We can afford being hygienic. But look at him, our idea of hygiene must be luxury for that poor boy" She heaved a sigh of helplessness looking the boy still standing at the window. "It is the least that we can do for them. Don't you think so??" She asked him in an expectant voice.

" Arre, ek chai dena (Hey, give me a cup of tea)" Arnav said to the boy offering a hundred's note from his pocket.

"Chutta nahi hai saab (I don't have change, sir)" The boy said with little voice.

"Koi baat nahi rakh lo. Ghar jate waqt kuch khareed lena (It's okay. Keep the change.Buy something for your family)" He replied taking glass from him and returning a smile to Khushi who was very pleased by his action.

The tea had never tested so heavenly.

Was the tea so good or was it an effect of good company?' Both of them pondered over the thought while enjoying glass of tea at hand.

Hua hai yoon ke dil pighal gaye

Bas ek pal mein hum badal gaye

Oho.. ab to, jo bhi ho so ho..

[It has so happened that hearts have melted,

in a moment I (OR we) have changed

O.. Whatever happens now...]

To Khushi who had visited Delhi very first time, Delhi Station seemed so big and crowded that anyone could get lost easily. She looked around very scared unable to decide what to do next. Where would she go? She did not know anything about the city Akeli ladaki khuli hui tijori ki tarah hoti hai.'(A lonely girl is like a free treasure') She remembered the famous dialogue from Jab We Met. What had she done with herself in her impromptu feat of leaving her safe home? What if something happens to her? As it is the city was not safe for woman. What will her parents feel if something bad happened to her? They love her so much. A lump formed in her throat remembering her family's love and care for her. She was such a big fool.

What Next?' The question froze her.

"What next?" He asked catching with lost Khushi and she looked at him hell shocked.

"Ji?" Could he read her mind? Did he find any mysterious idol like Tushar Kapoor in Gayab' and received any boon of knowing others' thought? She wondered.

"Hello, where do you plan to head next? Or is there any unknown place again which you wish to explore like this train?" He asked hoarsely cutting through her thoughts.

"Woh..Umm...I don't know." She replied honestly.

"Well, you can come to my house if you wish." He offered her generously.

She mused over his suggestion and decided to follow it. To tell the truth, she had no choice than compiling his suggestion. She could trust him any time than any other stranger in the city.

She bobbed her head.

The current of high capacity ran under her skin when he firmly held her one hand and pulled behind him leading her through the crowd towards the exit. His touch changed something inside her. She felt as if her quest had come to an end.

Roshni mili

Ab raah mein hai ek dilkashi si barsi

Har khushi mili

[(I) got light,

now such a charm has rained in the paths,

got every happiness,]

She was left mesmerized when she saw a SUV arriving to pick them up. She had never expected him to be such affluent by his gentle and amiable nature. Are not the rich boys always spoiled brats in the movies? But he was so different. He was perfectly fitting in the shoes of Aditya Kashyap.' Her heart danced.

If she was impressed earlier by his car, exterior view of his house rendered her speechless. When the car left them at the doors of a magnificent palace like villa she could not stop herself from commenting,

"Though you are Aditya Kashyap of Jab We Met, your house is like Rohan Raichand of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum, you know?"

'Unbelievable' he only muttered entering house.

As Khushi stepped into a lavish living room of the villa, she saw the hall full of people and there sat her parents and her sister among them.

"WHAT??" She rubbed her eyes for the illusion to disappear.

But her illusion only turned into reality when her mother rushed at her to take her into an urgent hug and asked caring, "Are you okay, Khushi bitiya?"

Khushi was hardly recovering from the shock of seeing her parents there when her father too approached her and put his loving hand over her head saying "You should not have done that, bitiya"

Khushi stood with her head bowed down in front of her parents and offered her heartfelt apology.

"Amma, Bauji. I am really very sorry. I did not know what took over me to behave so. Please forgive me. Hereafter I won't do anything silly which may hurt you"

"Subah ka bhula shyam ko ghar aa jaye to use bhula nahi kahate" Her Babuji said and another round of hugs and batch of tears followed by his forgiveness.

Ab zindagi pe hai zindagi si barsi

Ab jeena hum ne seekha hai

[Now a life (liveliness) has rained upon life

now I (/we) have learnt to live,]

In the middle of all the commotion, Khushi realized that her sister still had not moved from her place to meet her. She leapt towards her. "Jiji" She called her sister who was trying her best to ignore Khushi. "Naraj ho kya? (Are you upset?)" She asked tenderly taking her hands in her own

" Baat to naraj honewali hi kiyi hai tune." Payal replied sternly "You did not inform even me??" She chided her forgetting that she had decided not to talk to her earlier.

"Jiji, I am really sorry. You know na how crazily I behave some times." Khushi really felt so sorry for troubling her family so much.

"Some times?" Payal asked mischievously to change the mood of the gloomy environment and Khushi hid her face in Payal's embrace utterly embarrassed by the peals of laughter burst around her.

And in the middle of the hustle-bustle suddenly the doubt hit her.

"Amma" She went near her mother. "But how come you are here?"

"Arnav bitiwa's family brought us here" Garima replied suppressing her chortle seeing Khushi's curious face.

"But how do they know you? I mean how do you know them? No...actually how does Arnavji know you? Ufff...just tell me how we all know each other?" She asked all confused.

It was Payal who chose to answer puzzled Khushi. She slowly walked towards her and looked intently at her face while saying, " Arnavaji is the same guy who was to come to meet you."

"What?" Khushi felt like someone had splashed a whole bucket of cold water on her in blood freezing temperature. She alternatively kept looking between Arnav and her parents forgetting to close her mouth dropped open. As everyone let pass the moment of her utter shock, she got the much needed time to recover. Finally she asked but only after gathering her wits "Then why and how did he accompany me in the train?"

Payal who was very much enjoying the one of the most entertaining scenes of her life satiated her curiosity calmly.

"The plan was made by me, Arnav ji and Anjali ji , his sister . It was mainly to ensure that you are safe during whole journey. And then to give you both an opportunity to get acquainted with each other without any preamble."

She continued her story without offering any chance to Khushi to speak who was ready to bombard her set of questions.

"Actually, to tell you from the start; it was Irfak chacha who had seen you walking alone towards the station with the suitcase in hand and informed babuji on phone. Till then Arnavaji and his family had arrived at our home and when they all came to know about your little adventure ,they supported us wholeheartedly being such good people. We all cooked this plan. It was chacha only who informed us about your train number. Then we dropped Arnavji at Kanpur station and left for Delhi by his car. He managed everything else." She completed her side of story waiting for the information to sink into her kid sister's filmy brain.

Khushi turned around completely to have a better look of much talked about Arnav Sigh Raizada'

He stood there calmly with his hands in pocket and wearing his signature smirk on his handsome face. She immediately marched towards him, keeping her hands on hips, seething anger through nostrils and throwing daggers by her eyes. She halted when there was a very little distance left between them. His tall frame towering over her. Both stilled with their eyes locked.

Yaad hai kal, aaya tha wo pal

Jisme jaadoo aisa tha

Hum ho gaye jaise naye

Woh kal jaane kaisa tha

[I remember yesterday, when that moment came,

which had such magic,

I became like-new,

how was that yesterday,]

The earth might have traveled a complete circle around her or that is what Khushi felt when much time passed without anyone of them doing their first move. So finally it was her who broke the look-into-my-eyes-session. She asked him by poking at his chest with her finger "Why did not you tell me anything of this during the whole journey?" Pressure purposely put on every word was hard to miss.

Arnav did not stir nor did teasing expression of his face changed by her question. Nevertheless he did answer her in his husky voice, "The character of Bride and Prejudices was quite similar to that of me for performing. Instead I found the roles of these Hindi movies interesting. And I like taking up new challenges, you know!"

And no matter how much Khushi would deny agreeing it, she was totally flattered by his performance.

"Ahem, ahem"... Came Anjali near them plastering her usual beautiful smile on her lips through the people who had surrounded both.

"If you both have done by promoting your movie, shall I declare it a block blaster hit already? Kyu bhabhi?" She asked Khushi with tongue in cheek.

And Khushi blushed... Exactly like Amruta Rao in 'Vivah'


Kahe yeh dil ki jaa udhar hi tu

Jahan bhi leke jaaye aarzoo

Oho, ab toh...

Jo bhi ho so ho..

[Heart says go that way only

wherever your wish takes you,

now,

whatever happens..]



praj.shrish2014-01-29 02:12:04