Chapter 162

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation to Section 4 of Part 43.

Arnav who was able to convince his and Khushi's family that staying together at RM had its advantage, hesitantly requested Ganesh and Anamika, would they mind moving in with the rest into RM that day? It would be easier to make all the arrangements for the wedding the next day in the evening. Ganesh and Anamika were all smiles. She, with a knowing smirk said, that she was sure that it would easier on him if they moved in. Ganesh with a smile agreed, that they would definitely abide by his request, after all it was a tricky as well as a sensitive situation. He found Khushi happily drying her tear-stained face while still having a tight grip on Arnav's arm. Arnav smiled at them gratefully.

NK went with Gaurav, Anamika and Ganesh to help them bring their wedding finery to RM, while Arnav, Akash and Payal stayed back at Gupta House to help Buaji, Amma and Babuji pack and lock the house.

Nani, Mami and Anjali left with the driver to get the arrangements done prior to the arrival of the impromptu guests. They had to arrange rooms and refreshments for the unexpected guests. They were shaking their head in disbelief, over their Chotey's shatir dimag and his Khushi's lovable childishness.

Arnav accompanying Khushi to her bedroom found two cases, all packed and ready to be taken away. Lugging them to the front door, with a smile, he asked her, what had she packed in her cases? Rocks? Khushi sulked and replied, yes stones, stored to pelt at him when he got angry with her, making Arnav chuckle. With her hands on her hips she turned around, inspecting and wondering aloud, whether she had packed all her things? Arnav, trying to keep a straight face, asked her, what does it matter if she left something behind? It made Khushi look at him. He reminded her with a smile, that she could always come over there and get it, as it is just a matter of a few kilometers' Though she agreed she was uncertain. Looking at the stars hanging over the bed like a canopy, he asked her, whether she packed her stars? Still looking around uncertainly, she said, yes, she had packed them first. Arnav walking to her and cupping her cheek in his wide palm, asked softly, what happened Khushi? Was she feeling scared about the next day? When Khushi looked into his compassionate eyes for a moment and murmured, that life was so strange wasn't it? Arnav waited quietly for her to explain. She said, first, her life was with her parents in their house. Then, one day, when she was eight, she had to shift into her aunt's house in Lucknow lock, stock and barrel. Then she met him and with him releasing the video clip to be aired she was propelled to move away Lucknow, leaving her house and move into Buaji's house in Delhi. Right now, once again she was leaving her house and going to his. She swallowed hard looking around at all that was familiar around the room. Arnav taking her gently in his arms placing his cheeks against hers said, she will never have leave his house to go anywhere else.

Khushi giving a slow nod, slowly crept her arms around, hugging him close to her. Arnav with his eyes shut held her close rubbing his cheek against hers giving her the much needed comfort.

They were tugged out of their reverie with a, Bhai, from Akash who was left agape at the sight of his stuck-up, grumpy brother who looked down on love, gone gooey and standing in the circle of Khushiji's arms. Payal giggled with her hand covering her mouth. Both Arnav and Khushi lowered their arms and reluctantly moved a step away. When Akash stammered, Bhai... All are ready to leave... Arnav offhandedly told, that they would be soon joining them. Only the flush on his face revealed his frustration and embarrassment.

By the time they reached RM, Anamika, Ganesh, Gaurav, Scooby and NK were already there and had been shown to their rooms. Ganesh had been given a room near Arnav's, Gaurav and Scooby were to share with NK, and Anamika along with Khushi were given a room on the ground floor, near Nani's room, with Amma and Babuji's room next to it, and Buaji was put up in a room nearby.

Arnav and HP placed Khushi's cases in her room. Arnav's hesitation to leave the room, caused Anamika to turn her face and look out through the window with a smile hovering around her lips. Arnav gently running his thumb down her cheek asked, Khushi, are you fine? Her happy, yes, without a trace of her earlier unhappiness and tears had him taken aback. He still persisted and asked her, whether she wanted him to stay back with her. Her beaming face showing the happiness at sharing the same roof as him said, that she was absolutely fine. She knew that she would feel the warmth, brightness as long as her sun, her Arnavji was with her. His nearness kept her blues at bay. Her enthusiastic, Arnavji, just think how much fun they would have that day! Did not Nanheji tell him about his plans, made Arnav shake his head in the negative. She, with great relish told him that NK was planning to throw a party for men. He wants to take him, Ganeshji, Gaurav and Jiju out for a stag party. Anamika choked, while it left Arnav bug-eyed. Khushi, innocently continued to say that, when the menfolk spend time drinking lassi, cracking up with jokes and playing videos, the ladies too would have their hen party and have fun playing antakshari and eating golgappe. Won't it be Anamikaji? Her elucidation had the two set of eyes staring at her with absolute amazement!

This update is about be or feel at ease. In a word, RELAX.

Once Arnav got a green signal from both Nani and Buaji to shift to RM in preparation of the wedding, he requested Anamika and Ganesh would they be kind enough to shift too, citing that it would be of great help in making arrangements. His cleverly phrased query had them smile with admiration at his quirky charm. Anamika with a smirk told Arnav, that it was bound to make things easier for him if they moved in and Ganesh stated that they would definitely move in, given the sensitive nature of the situation, making Arnav give them a grateful smile and breathe easy!

"Where the waters do agree, it is quite wonderful the relief they give"

~ Jane Austen, Emma

Once everyone decided to move in the helping hands were split and the work was set to accomplish quickly. NK went with Ganesh and Anamika, Arnav, Akash and Payal stayed back at GH and Nani, Mami and Anjali went ahead to RM to get things prepared for the impromptu guests, to welcome and make them feel at home. The three ladies were filled with mirth, at the way their Chotey had accomplished what he set to do. They were floored by his cool and collected way of presenting intelligently his view and achieve what he set out to do by giving no scope to deny. It was also a cause for their mirth, him giving in to the childishness in Khushi that was quite a lovable trait. He was happy to comply with her wishes because though it looked childish, he was happy that she had expressed herself. That meant, she was calm enough to let herself go. She was a person who would always keep things to herself and never let others know her thoughts whenever something hurt her. She used to share only her happiness with others. But now that she was relaxed with Arnav she had opened up. That is why even though others had felt it as childish, he had given it due consideration. When she had asked him to take her with him, he had three options. One was not to heed it and laugh it off as nervousness. The other was to console her and let her know that it was just a matter of 24 hours. The third was to give due consideration to her feelings and act upon it. Arnav opted for the third as he understood behind that childish gesture of her's lay the feeling of insecurity. That is why he tried to bend the rules of tradition in a clever and smooth manner.

"Tradition is a guide and not a jailer"

~W. Somerset Maugham

Once he collected her cases and asked what was it that makes it so heavy? Was it filled with rocks, her surly answer, that it was stones, meant to be catapaulted at him at times of his anger, had him chuckle. But her loud musing as to whether she had left anything behind and her preoccupied, half-hearted answers to his subsequent queries made him enquire, as to what was the matter, was she apprehensive of the next day? His query was pertinent. Do you know why? Once, she had told him that she dare not dream about good things in her life. For her, whenever things were going great, it had a tendency to blow up on her face. So he asked her whether she was ill at ease with such thoughts. But this time it was not, not so. She was sure and had full trust in Arnav that he would not let things go out of hand and would be there to put things right for her. What was lurking in her mind was, the stability in her life and surroundings that she had sought had always eluded her. First, it was loosing her parents and moving out of her house to her aunt's house. Then, after their encounter at Lucknow, she had to move to Delhi, Buaji's house, due to his handiwork of airing the video clip. Now, she was leaving that house to move in to his house. It tensed her up with momentary uncertainty. Understanding her dilemma, he told Khushi, that she never needed to think in such terms, as that was the last time she was shifting her base and this was meant for, forever. To calm her, let her uneasiness simmer down and give her the strength to collect herself, he took her in his arms and rubbed her cheeks with his, letting her bask in his love. Khushi, letting his words seep into her, being reassured, felt at home. She loosened up enough to loop her arms across him and hold him tight. This short reassurance gave her the much needed tranquility to compose herself.

"A man of calm is like a shady tree.

People who need shelter come to it"

~ Toba Beta

When they were woken up from their reverie by Akash's, Bhai, they saw that he was open-mouthed and Payal behind him trying to hide her giggle. Akash was stumped to see his khadoos brother, going sweet on Khushiji openly and being relaxed in the circle of her arms. This was something that he had never dreamt to see. Though they put some distance between them, as Akash continued to say, that all were ready, Arnav showed that he was unflappable with his brusque comment, that they would come too. Only the tinge of red on his face, was a betraying factor, of his discomfiture at being caught so.

"The world belongs to the Enthusiast who keeps cool"

~ William Mcfee

At RM, Khushi and Anamika, the two brides, were putup together. When Arnav and HP brought Khushi's bags, Anamika turned her back to give them some privacy, as Arnav hesitated to leave the room. His, Khushi, tum teek ho? running his thumb down her cheek, was to reassure for himself that she was fine, along with giving her the assurance that he was always there for her. Her, yes, made him ask her once again, was she sure and did she want him to stay. It was to reconfirm that every thing was fine with her. Her mind was like that of a child. Once she had blurted out her insecurities and he had addressed them, she who had complete faith in him, had no dark clouds hovering around. For her, he was her sun. Her mind was free from the mist of insecurity that had encompassed it. His assurance and warmth had evaporated them, leaving behind a clear sky, a mind that was cool and collected.

Having been reassured, her mind had already gone to dwell on thoughts of what Nanheji had said. She asked Arnav to think about all the fun and enjoyment that had been planned for that day. Seeing his surprise she asked him whether Nanheji had not told him about it? At his negative answer she informed him, that a party for men had been planned. Nanheji wants to take him, Ganeshji, Jiju and Gaurav for a stag party making Anamika choke and Arnav stare at her stunned. Her next comment that, when men were enjoying their lassi, jokes and video games, ladies too had planned hen do with anthakshari, golgappe that would be a blast, showed her innocent take on it. She sought confirmation from Anamika. Khushi told them this, with in her innocent demeanour while the other two in the room were staring at her in amazement.

Khushi's statement would make one wonder could she be this innocent!?

Yes, she could be. She sees only good side of others first and the right way of doing things. That was one of the reasons she could not comprehend the Arnav-Lavanya equation in the beginning and she made Arnav apologize to Lavanya. By innocently telling Arnav, what her thoughts are on stag party, she has bound him with her wishes.

Why was she able to say so?

It is because she is calm and relaxed as she has reposed her faith in Arnav to do the right. She knows her Arnavji now, would not tread the wrong path. This thought has given her confidence that he, for one would listen to his conscience. That is why drinking lassi, cracking jokes and playing video games are feasible thoughts. This has made both Arnav and Anamika stare at her in amazement. Arnav with the knowledge that he is bound by her wishes, Anamika with the knowledge how coolly, casually and innocently, Khushi has put the Laxman Rekha to Arnav. She is relaxed and is able to twist Arnav around her little finger.

What exactly is a stag party or a bachelor party?

It is a party held for a man shortly before he enters marriage, to celebrate his "last night of freedom" or merely to spend time with his male friends, who are often at his wedding party afterwards.

The "traditional" bachelor party was with drinking and strippers. But in recent years it has often changed to a less rowdy and more reflecting time with friends. Many grooms-to-be have instead been treated to activities of their interest, be it pinball, video games, golf or trips any such activity. Friends plan it in secret, the activity that they feel the groom will enjoy.

But Khushi has unwittingly let the cat out of the bag. She gave Arnav the clue as to what that evening held for him, and he being one not good with surprises would now be prepared and take it easy!

"When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of a beloved person, you know that a man can have no vocation but to awaken that light on the faces surrounding him. In the depth of winter, we finally learn that within us there lies an invincible summer"

~ Albert Camus

That is why this is titled RELAX.

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

rulama2013-06-23 04:15:35