Chapter 86

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation to Section 9 of Part 19.

Buaji who was cleaning the raw rice, picked up a black grain from the heap on the plate and throwing it away called Garima and told her that, they would have to arrange the money for Titaliyaa's marriage and get the jewels polished. Garima said with a sigh that, they'll have to mortgage Gomti Sadan to get the requisite amount as that was the only solution. Buaji agreed with her with a slow nod and replied that there was no other option left for them. Arnav Babua was such a good boy and a good match for her Titaliya. Both love each other and the family too is good! She told Garima that she was surprised, when Arnav Babua gave her the papers to their house, and it had her in a tizzy! Garima concurred with her and said, Arnav Bitwa is really kind and good. They had to make sure that the wedding would be befitting. Buaji nodded setting the plate of rice aside. Khushi, who had returned home to retrieve the phone that she had left behind, listened to their conversation, and quietly let herself out.

That evening saw Khushi declare to Buaji that, she would be going into halwaii business. When a surprised Buaji asked her in Arnav Bitwaa's house? Khushi laughed and and told her, not there but here at Laxminagar. Buaji, invoking the name of her favorite diety, Nandkisore, told Garima that her beloved daughter has lost her brains. It seemed to have sprouted wings and flown out through the window. Garima too who was taken aback, asked her, what was she talking?, with Babuji looking at her anxiously. She smiled and said that, she had adjusted her work timings with Munshiji and shifted it from 10~5 to 7~2. Buaji who couldn't follow what she meant questioned her so? Khushi answered her saying that, now she has half a day to spare and she had already arranged with Happyji and Bediji for the use of space next to their garage like before. But this time, she would be preparing only one type of sweet and not many like the earlier time and that too only in small quantities and her customers would mainly be the devotees who come to the temple in LaxmiNagar in the evening. Buaji who couldn't believe what she heard with her hands holding her head, asked her in the name of Nandkisore, whether she intends to become a halwai?

Khushi told her that she was a halwai and tying a thin towel around her, prancing around with a ladle she asked her Babuji who was a halwai before he took ill, that she looks like one doesn't she? Babuji smiled at his darling daughter, Khushi. Buaji who was practical asked her in her ortund voice, where would she get the money for her shop? Khushi had her answer ready and reassured Buaji that she was self financing it with the savings from her salary. She had already spread the word in their neighbourhood that she would be starting her venture. She wanted to start it the next day itself as it was Friday, an auspicious day, the day dedicated to Godess Lakshmi, provider of wealth, the day many devotees visit Devi Maiyya's temple. So it should be a profitable venture and she told Buaji that they should be able to retrieve her bangle that they had pawned earlier to fund the sweet making. Her explanation made Buaji look at Shashi and Garima. Buaji asked her Sanka Devi, so what was Arnav Babua's reaction? What does he have to say about this plan of hers? Khushi said nothing making Buaji say sceptically, nothing Nandkisore? Khushi suppressing the mirth that bubbled inside her said, how can he think anything when he knows nothing about it? All gaped at her saucy answer. Taking her phone she answered on her way to her room that she was going to inform him then itself. Buaji overcome by Khushi's crazy but cute behavior, slid her ample body into a chair and said, that girl, her Sanka Devi is bound to drive Arnav Babua insane!

Khushi declared to Arnav on the phone that, she was going to make jalebi's. Arnav who knew that it was her stress buster blinked and asked her, whether she was upset? There was a note of anxiety in his voice. Khushi with a peal of laughter told him that, she was not upset but would become a businessman like him and corrected herself to say no,no, not a businessman but a businesswoman. All Arnav could utter was Uughhh? With relief. She cheerfully told him that she would be starting Satwik Mistaan Bhandaar near Bediji's garage. Finally Arnav was able to ask her why?

Heaving a sigh, Khushi told him that she was appointed at the go down to prepare soft copies of the details that were in the form of hard copies and at the pace she works, it would get over in a couple of months time. Hearing her explanation, Arnav with a hope filled voice, that very much wanted to hear a yes, told her that they could prepone their wedding. Khushi with a laugh told him, Why should they prepone it when she was having a whale of a time, now. Arnav warned her Khushi, but she, without heeding the tenor of his voice, teased him saying that, she gets a regular delivery of red rose sent by him, he takes her out in the evenings on date, sometimes buys her favorite peanuts and jujube fruits and utters sweet nothings. When she had so much going on for her why would she give it up to marry him? Arnav who was frustrated at her thwarting every attempt on his part for an early marriage, growled at her asking her not to test his patience. Hearing the irritation in his voice, the naughty minx cracked up. Hearing her laugh, Arnav with a deep husky voice making Khushi's skin tingle, asked her whether she was laughing? He asked her to laugh all she wanted, as she could only because he was not present there. If he was, then she would not have been laughing. His statement made her blush to the roots. Gathering her wits together she declared with dignity that, after the marriage she did not want to sit at home idling away the time. So she had thought of starting the sweet shop.

Arnav offered her that, if she was keen to work she could join his office.No thank you. She had enough of files and laptop was Khushi's answer that was given with a smile. Arnav offered an alternative saying that he could get her trained to design clothes. Khushi let out a peal of laughter and said with a gasp, She! Chamkili! Designing dresses for the models!! No, no, that was cruel! She asked him what grudge was he holding against his models to think of her designing clothes for them. She had no sense of fashion. Arnav asked her whether she was absolutely sure of wanting to start a sweet shop. She said that she was and she liked making sweets. Hearing her say so, he agreed to it and said that, he would ask Aman to choose a good location for the shop in an upscale locality. Once the site was zeroed on, they could decide whether to buy it outright or lease it and the staff to help her could be employed. He asked her whether she was sure that she didn't want to locate it in his office building.Then she could have her outlet in the canteen. She, thanking him for his offer said, No, Thank you, she did not want to disturb Amanji. She would do her business right across the road from her Buaji's house.

When Arnav protested Khushi, she trying to explain to him said, let her begin it in a small way. Arnav cut in and asked her to allow him to fund it but she said she would like to do it on her own. Arnav told her that she need not do everything on her own, trying to convince her that he was there for her to shoulder the burden. She answered sweetly in a soft voice quelling his worried heart saying that, she knows Arnavji, that whenever she falters he would be there to catch her, support her. Arnav with a sigh told her that he missed her. Khushi with a smile told him that, she too misses him even though they meet daily. But she needed the five months. She said let her set up her enterprise and start making a profit. Then she could work part-time and her Amma and Buaji could take over. It would give them a steady source of income even after she was carried away by him as his bride, in a palanquin. Arnav replied that he could make a monthly allowance for them but Khushi pleaded with him saying that they won't like it. The house that he bought for Buaji was by itself a deed beyond the call of duty and found that it had made them indebted to him. So her way of doing things was a much better option, an option they would embrace later without any hesitation. She could hear Arnav sigh. Khushi told him that Amanji had called her and said that he had summoned Pamji and Simji to his office and shouted at them. Khushi spoke slowly in a soft voice testing waters, wanting to know how he would take it. She did not want to confront an angry lion right now. When he said he did, she ventured on softly to say that he had dismissed them. He declared that he did and nobody would hurt her and get away with it. And a determined Arnav stated that they will not be able to find a job in this industry in this country and he would see to it. When Khushi protested Arnavji, he told her in a stern voice that it was a case not open for discussion and no appeals on the judgement would be entertained. It was a cut and dry declaration. Khushi wisely kept her counsel to herself.

A few weeks later, Arnav walked into Buaji's house at night to see Khushi happily counting moolah. She laughed and told him biting into the succulent jalebi that she would become very rich and in a jestful vein said that soon she would have to employ people just to count the cash! The childish glee on her face made him smile while he took a seat beside her. Khushi leaned over and kissed him soundly on his cheek. It was a surprise gift for him that pleased him very much.

She told him that she doesn't know how or why but many of his acquaintances and employees seem to be dropping in to buy sweets from her. Hooking up her eyebrow in a question mark she waited for him to answer. He hid a smile. He had dropped in a word for her, and Aman had mentioned it to a few people. What could he do if his employees were a fan of her sweets?

Khushi laughing at his silence and holding his eyes, told him that, orders have been pouring in from Mamiji's friends for their kitty parties. She had been making Prasad for Anjaliji and Nani's satsangs and he wouldn't believe it that, these satsangs are being conducted everyday these days.

Arnav could not help himself from chuckling at the way she had put it and was glad that she had not rejected this form of help. Chuckling deeply she continued to say that, Nanheji had come to buy sweets from her and he had dragged in Jiju, Jiji and Mamaji too with him. Now, only Hari Prakashji and Laxmiji were left from buying out her sweets!

This update is about revealing matters and I am going to title it UNFOLD.

We see at first, Garima and Buaji conversing about making arrangements to procure funds for Khushi's marriage. They know when they are getting a boy with golden heart for a son-in-law, they don't want finance problem to mess up the relation. So they solve their problem by thinking of mortgaging Gomti Sadan to get the requisite amount. Buaji explains her surprise and the largesse of Arnav by giving her the papers of the house they reside. They feel indebted to him for such a wonderful gesture and resolve to give him and Khushi a befitting wedding.

This was an indication of their thoughts as well as Arnav's. They think very highly of Arnav and he thinks them as his family. He has accepted Khushi's family as his. This exposed the mindset of Arnav, Buaji and Garima.

"Family is not about blood relationships, it is about the meaning behind them. I realize now that sharing chromosomes is not the only way to having a family, it is about the friendship behind it"

~ Sarah Dessen

Khushi who has overheard their conversation too decides to resolve their predicament. It reveals her attachment to her foster family. She too could have gone and got married like Payal without much thought to the family that nurtured her like their own. She is made of a different stuff and it divulges that her heart and mind rule equally.

"Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things"

~ Arthur Schopenhauer, Parerga and Paralipomena

That evening, she disclosed to her family that with adjustments made with her work at godown she has spare time and she would become a sweet-maker, a halwai, and she would work in the space next to the garage beside their house. She reveals with this venture, her resolve to procure the bangle of Buaji, that had been pawned earlier and she would stick to preparing only one sweet that would be bought by devotees who go to the temple.

"It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required"

~ Winston Churchill

When she informs Arnav of her wanting to work as a halwai he confirms whether it was what she really wanted. Arnav tries to give her the option of working in his office, getting trained as a designer but she is resolute in her desire of wanting to be a halwai. And when she confirms it he tries to help her out with the premises and manpower. He reveals his thoughts on her venture.

"Non nobis solum nati sumus. (Not for ourselves alone are we born)"

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

He even tells her about preponing their wedding when she says that her work at the go down would be over in about two months. She says that she really needs that extra time of 5 months as she had some essential things to look into. She even brings in jest, saying why should she give up the dating aspect of their life when she enjoyed it very much, much to his amusement as well as frustration! This was also her resolution to enjoy her life to its fullest while fulfilling her duties too. This divulges that she would heed his reasoning only when necessary, and would always have her own stand.

She explains to him that she needed to do it by herself and in small scale and that too right beside her house. She tells him why she resolved to do so. She explains that it would help her parents and Buaji to be on their feet and have a comfortable income after they get married. Arnav discovers a devoted daughter who always has the welfare of her family at the back of her mind.

"A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend"

She rejects his offer of allowance in a sweet manner saying, that would make them uncomfortable and feel indebted to him more than, they already feel they are. This shows how much she values, dignity and self respect. Even after agreeing to marry him, she thinks about her parents and their comfort. She does not want the society to point it's finger at them saying that they are living off on their son-in-law's wealth. That is her resolve and exposes the protective nature of her's.

"Self-respect is the root of discipline: The sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself"

~ Abraham Joshua Heschel

Arnav with his offer of helping out, giving her various ideas reveals that he is always with her in anything she does and, all he needs is her by his side. He realizes her need of being able to stand on her own feet so that when she slowly hands over the business when its successful to her Amma and Buaji they don't feel indebted to him. This reveals the change in him to give her ample space to work things out.

"Service to others in their time of need is a privilege and an honor"

~ Harley King

When she speaks about him punishing Pam and Sim, he tells her his decision is irrevocable and she has no say whatever in that matter. It revealed his resolve never to let anyone go scot-free after hurting her. It could be interpreted as his warning to others as well as Lisa. It divulged the fact that, there would be a time for Lisa and when the eventual comeuppance happens it would be worth the wait!

"Everybody, sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences"

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

After a few weeks when Arnav entered GH he was greeted by a laughing Khushi who was counting money while munching her favorite, Jalebi. Her ever increasing income had put her in a happy frame of mind and she revealed whom she had to thank for it. With Arnav and the family sending out messages that her Jalebi's were good she had a thriving business of catering sweets for kitty parties, prasad for Satsangs and people dropping in for purchase for their own use. She even had NK, Akash, Payal and Mamaji buying from her and the only left in the family were HP and Laxmi!

"If you want to support others you have to stay upright yourself"

~ Peter Hoeg

This revealed that Arnav's resolve to make her venture a success and unfold the fact that she being a halwai made no difference to him. He was not for fashionable girls with many boyfriends as declared by Lisa. He wanted only Khushi and that too right beside him. Her happiness was of utmost importance to him. And he was ready to help in her venture by putting in a word with his acquaintances and employees about her sweet shop. This was his way of showing his unconditional love.

"The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance"

~ Brian Tracy

When he received a surprise kiss on his cheek, it also revealed to him that she was not averse to give him a surprise or two and he was not the only one capable of kissing whenever he felt like. It explained her feelings and she had started to display her emotions as she had felt comfortable with him and was thrilled to have him beside her. She too likes to see him happy all the time.

Finally she made him burst out in laughter with her comments on Hari Prakashji and Laxmiji!

"You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving"

~ Amy Carmichael

It disclosed her resolve to trust in Arnav and not in Lisa and women of such caliber. This made him, happy and her, serene and happy.

"Do not trust all men, but trust men of worth; the former course is silly, the latter a mark of prudence"

~ Democritus

It also revealed that for Khushi to be happy she needed her family and the people surrounding her to be happy.

It also divulged that for Arnav to be happy he needs Khushi to be happy and in touch with his heart.

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony"

~ Mahatma Gandhi

It was a discovery of how the mind works in both Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta and how they complement each other.

"Most people believe the mind to be a mirror, more or less accurately reflecting the world outside them, not realizing on the contrary that the mind is itself the principal element of creation"

~ Rabindranath Tagore

That's why I have termed it UNFOLD.

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us"

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.

rulama2013-04-25 08:02:58