Chapter 4

[MEMBERSONLY]

Chapter 4:

Arnav was exhausted due to a very busy day at work. After the Ashadaan function, he had been occupied with back-to-back meetings, which had given him no time to think about his soul-stirring experience of the morning. Finally, as he drove back home, he kept seeing flashes of a set of beautiful hazel eyes, tempting trembling lips and long lustrous hair. All belonged to this one enchanting woman, an angel named Khushi. He parked his car in the driveway of his grand home, Shantivan with a slight smile on his face.

As he walked into the grand hall, a bouncing body just crashed into him, making his smile grow wider. "Hey maa, look bhai is home" he heard his younger sister Anjali, scream at the top of her voice. He looked adoringly at his sister who was always bubbling with happiness and said, "Hey Anjie, how was your day?" "It was awesome, as usual, bhai. You know, what! Myra, Kria and me went on a shopping spree today. Myra bought almost the whole of Zara and Vero Moda. Then we had lunch at 'The China Kitchen', and then, I had my dance class where I am so enjoying to learn Hip-Hop. I am telling you bhai, you must try it out too... Or you could join in for the salsa class with one of your girlfriends." She said all this in one breath, and the last part with a wink at her brother.

By now, Arnav was used to getting an answer in a paragraph for a one line question. His sister could chat for hours, even if the other person was not listening to her. While she kept blabbering, he had walked towards the couch and made himself comfortable. He saw his maa come out of the kitchen with a hot cup of coffee. Maa always knew what he needed, without even saying a word. He had always adored his mother. She was a strong and intelligent woman and her loving heart made her the best. As she walked towards him to give him his sugar-free coffee she said, "Anjali, can you give him some time to relax. As soon as he comes, you just start attacking him with your chatter. He is tired, let him freshen up and then you can trouble your bhai as much as you want." His mother came around and lovingly ran her hands through his hair. This one gesture could de-stress Arnav after the most chaotic days. He was enjoying the hot cup of coffee, the warm liquid flowing through his body, relaxing every tired nerve in it.

"It's ok maa. She is my stress buster. Her laughter is infectious and never bothers me" he said pulling Anjali's cheeks. "What bhai!! Stop pulling my cheeks. I am not a kid anymore ok!" she said with a fake frown on her face. Anjali always hated when someone pulled her chubby cheeks and that's exactly what her brother always did. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and said in a very serious voice, "Yes Anjaliji. I will remember to never pull your cheeks from tomorrow." And then getting up suddenly, he pulled her cheeks again and sprinted upstairs to his room with an angry and screechy Anjali following him.

A few kilometers away from Shantivan, Khushi scampered around her house, banging into things and trying to hear even the slightest of sounds. Her hands waved around in front of her body to avoid crashing into anything as she could not see a thing. And before you guys start imagining if there was a power cut at her house, let me tell you that our very own Ms Khushi was playing blind man's bluff with the Dilerganj children. Khushi had come back home from Ashadaan. She had taken the rest of the day off because she knew that she would be really exhausted after the function. So, she had come home, cooked food for Payal and herself and then cleaned out the entire house. Khushi had been wanting to avoid thoughts of a certain pair of caramel eyes that had been haunting her since morning, so she had kept herself busy. Payal had still not returned so finally due to extreme frustration she had gathered the galli children and started playing with them. As she tried to hear some sound to catch hold of at least one kid, she crashed into a very stiff Payal. She pulled the scarf from her eyes and hugged Payal.

"When will you grow up Khush?" Payal asked in a stern voice and then turning around spoke even more loudly "Chalo baccha party, go back home. Enough of playing games with your Khushi Didi. She is going to get a beating for playing and not doing her homework." As she said that, tiny heads popped out at different corners of the house and then there was a dash of about seven-eight children towards the door. "What Payal? Why did you have to scare them off? You are such a spoil-sport!" Khushi said, frowning at Payal as both of them sat on the sofa in the living room. "Khush, sometimes I wonder who is a kid... they or you?" Payal hit Khushi lovingly on her arm.

Payal and Khushi's bond was a special one. Even though both of them were the same age, Payal was mature and Khushi was a kid at heart. Payal had been extremely protective of Khushi since childhood, and as Khushi had no parents to look up to, Payal had been her guardian. So, while one thought with her heart the other used her brain. And that's how they complemented each other. Payal worked for 'The Design Sutra', a well-known Fashion House in Delhi. She was a junior designer there and had managed to win the trust of her seniors in a short span of time. So after a hectic day at work, Khushi's innocent chatter brought a certain calm to her tired mind.

After freshening up, Payal walked into the Kitchen to help Khushi heat up the food. She asked casually, "Khush, how was your function today? Generally you can't wait to tell me. I wonder what happened to you?" Well, what could Khushi answer? She herself didn't know why she was feeling so restless. Where had she paid any attention to anything that happened in the function? Her whole focus had been on that Laad Governor. He surely had done some black magic on her, she thought. As she stirred the dal without even noticing her surroundings, Payal asked again, "Oye Khush! Kya hua? Why are you not replying? Did the function not go as well as you had planned? Did anyone say anything to you? Tell me who it is Khush, I swear I will..." Before Payal could say anything more Khushi interrupted her and said, "Arrey Payalia, chill! Nothing happened to me. I am just a little tired. The function was fabulous. Everyone loved the acts we had put together and I am sure Ashadaan will soon get good funds." While talking both the girls laid out their plates for dinner and got into an easy conversation like they had been having for years.

Back in Shantivan, Arnav had finished his dinner. Inspite of strong disapproval from nani and his mother, the conversations between Arnav and his father had been about business deals and new ventures. Anjali as usual, had eaten much earlier, due to her diet plans. And now Arnav, was lying peacefully on his recliner, listening to some retro hindi songs. Arnav loved music and he loved all kinds of music. With friends at Harvard he had been into metal and rock, with his friends in India he would listen to Bollywood and hip-hop. But what he loved the most when he was alone was, old Hindi songs. He had grown up seeing his maa and dad enjoying these songs every night. When they were living in a much smaller house, his mom used to pat him to sleep with these songs playing in the background. This side of him was extremely private, and only a very few close friends knew how much he enjoyed them.

As he sat humming the end of one song, the next song began playing, making Arnav think of the only person who he had been thinking of, ever since he had seen her. The song played on his music system as flashes of her played on his mind...

Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi
Phir Kya Hua Yeh Na Poochho
Kuch Aisi Baat Ho Gayi...

Wo Achanak Aa Gayi
Yun Nazar Ke Saamne
Jaise Nikal Aaya Ghata Se Chaand
Chehre Pe Zulfen Bikhri Hui Thi
Din Mein Raat Ho Gayi
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi...

Arnav remembered the traffic scenario, the way Khushi had removed her helmet and swirled around. Even now he could feel the thudding of his heart in his chest. This was a very new feeling to him. He had seen and been with many beautiful women. In fact even now, many women had been throwing themselves at him, but not once had he felt this kind of pull for anyone. He had not given them a second glance, forget seeking them in anyway. His heart had been elated seeing her on stage again, her graceful dance was making his heart dance to her tunes already. Every memory of her had been etched in his mind and he felt as if he was reliving it.

Jaaneman Jaane Jigar
Hota Main Shaayar Agar
Kehta Ghazal Teri Adaon Par
Maine Yeh Kaha To Mujhse Khafa Wo
Jaane Haya Ho Gayi
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi

And again she had come onto the stage, right in front of him to give him a bouquet. He turned around and walked to the dressing table to pick up the planner that he had been gifted. He touched it lovingly, remembering her touch. It was a mere second, but it had electrified him. He had been speechless. When he thought back about it now, he cursed himself for not even thanking her. He had missed that great opportunity to speak to her.

Khubsurat Baat Yeh
Chaar Pal Ka Saath Yeh
Saari Umar Mujhko Rahega Yaad
Main Akela Tha Magar
Ban Gayi Wo Humsafar
Wo Mere Saath Ho Gayi
Ek Ajnabi Hasina Se Yun Mulaaqat Ho Gayi

He smiled thinking about how correct he had been about her eye colour. This was absolute serendipity. How could he possibly meet her twice in the same day, know her exact eye colour and feel these crazy things for her? Yes, he was smitten by Khushi Kumari Gupta whom he had not spoken to a word yet. He was so lost in his thoughts that he missed the noise of the door opening. He felt a strong pat on his back and that's when he turned around to face his best friend, Sumer Diwan.

"Hey bro, wassup? Where have you been lost? I called your name twice before I had to pat your back to get your attention" Sumer said in his usual excited way. Sumer and Arnav had been together since the third standard, when Sumer's dad had been posted to Delhi. One could call them 'the chaddi buddies'. At least that's what Sumer called their pair, much to Arnav's irritation. Sumer worked as a free-lance fashion photographer, where most of his work was for AR Designs. Also he lived two blocks away from Raizada Mansion, making it his second home. "Everything all right, na? Is something bothering you, Arnav?" Sumer asked again when Arnav did not respond to him.

"Yeah dude, all's good. Just tired today. Why are you here so late?" Sumer laughed and said, "What's gotten into you? You are asking such formal questions bro! Come lets go get ourselves some beer and chill out. Looks like you desperately need a drink." Arnav laughed along with Sumer, "Haha... no Sumer, I really am tired today. It has been a hectic day. Had to attend this beautiful function in the morning. It has kind of left me drained." Sumer nodded his head in acknowledgement, as he knew how hard Arnav had been working lately and said, "Okay, I shall not disturb The Arnav Singh Raizada tonight. I will let him catch his beauty sleep." And with that the two boys laughed heartily.

When Sumer walked towards the door to leave, he turned back and said, "Dude, the day after we have to attend a party at The Hyatt. It's organized by 'The Design Sutra', where they launch their new line of clothes. They are the future of fashion, so we better attend and see their work." Arnav nodded in response and saw the retreating back of his best friend, his brother. He wondered if he should have shared his 'Khushi' experience of today. But on second thoughts, he left it in the hands of fate.

Here, back in Dilerganj, Khushi had finished off washing the dishes as Payal had gone to help a neighbour with some chores. She went into their room and switched on her small music system that Payal's parents had gifted her a few years ago on her birthday. Everyone knew, how much Khushi loved music and dance. She was extremely filmy and loved Bollywood music. But what she loved the most was old Hindi songs. They reminded her of her childhood.

When she had just been shifted to Ashadaan in Lucknow, she used to miss her parents a lot. As a small girl, she did not understand the meaning of death and so one of her teachers had told her that her parents have gone far, far away from her. They had gone closer to God, and become two brightest, twinkling stars in the sky. Every night she would sit for hours looking at the sky, talking to her parents. That was the time when the caretaker of Ashadaan would play old Hindi songs on his radio. She would sometimes fall asleep listening to them in the courtyard. Then some teacher would pick her up and take her inside. So, the combination of old songs, two twinkling stars and a courtyard was a favourite for Khushi's lonely nights.

Khushi stood at the window with a song playing in the background. But today for the first time, she did not even hear what was playing. Her mind was occupied by Arnav. His thousand watt smile, his beautiful eyes, his thrilling touch, everything overwhelmed her. She did not know that such feelings could exist. Being filmi by heart, she had always wished for a Prince Charming. But she was not prepared for what had happened to her today.

And to break her out of her reverie, Payal spoke loudly "Hey Khush, you really are not yourself today. By the way, you did not tell me how was it seeing Arnav Singh Raizada. You know how much I respect him. In the past six months, he has taken AR Designs to new heights. My boss fears him so much. How I wish I could have met him. Does he look as hot in real life, as he does in the pictures?" Payal's innocent questions had started a raging conflict in Khushi's mind. She knew how much Payal would always rave about Arnav. She had known that Payal was in awe of him and admired him deeply. And till today it was absolutely fine, but at the moment Khushi was feeling a certain anger against Payal. This confused her innocent mind.

She immediately tried to cover up her chaotic emotions with a smile and said "Yeah he is good, Payal. Actually, very kind. And so were the other celebrities and entrepreneurs." Payal smiled at her knowing that something was not right with Khushi. She never answered in one line. It was always a long speech. But she let her be, knowing that when Khushi would be ready to share what was bothering her, she would. While removing her night clothes from the cupboard she said, "Khushi you are coming for my office party, the day after. We are going to be launching a new line of clothes and a couple of them are my designs." Khushi spun around in excitement, hearing this wonderful news. She forgot all about the chaos she had just felt, a few minutes ago and jumped up in joy, "Wow Payal, congrats. You Paayalia, have been hiding so many things from me these days. I am so happy for you." She hugged Payal warmly and as if even the CD player sensing the mood began playing an old upbeat number...

Ina mina dika dai damo nika
Maka naka naka chika pika rika
Ina mina dika dika, de dai damo nika
Maka naka maka naka, chika pika rola rika
Rumpum posh, rumpum posh

Dil de du hai koi lene wala, aise vaise ko nahee dene wala
Suratiya hasin ho, umariya jawan ho
Koi bhee use dekhe toh bas yeh guman ho
Yahee hai yahee hai yahee toh hai woh

And with that Khushi pulled Payal along with her to dance. The twirled around like small girls enjoying the rhythm and the madness of the song. Their laughter and giggles echoing down the Dilerganj road.

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Chapter 5

Thank you guys, for loving the story and your lovely comments. It's fun to read what you guys like in an update... Makes me realize what I should be adding or I should be avoiding to write...

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