Chapter 57

Chapter 56

The rest of the day had gone wonderfully.

A couple of days later Khushi was busy organising things on the phone. Anjali happened to be watching as Khushi was pacing back and forth in the sitting room. After Khushi had finished on the phone Anjali asked "Khushiji what are you doing?" Khushi turned to look at Anjali. "Di do din ke baad Arnavji ka janamdin hai to isi liye maine ek surprise party ka bandobas kar rahi hu (Di its Arnavji's birthday in two days, so I am organising a surprise party for him)" Khushi answered with a huge smile on her face. Anjali froze. "Ummm! Khushiji that's not such a good idea" Anjali said. "But why Di?" Khushi asked slightly disappointed. "Because Chote doesn't like his birthday being celebrated" Anjali explained to a dejected Khushi. "Lekin Di itne saalo mein main to nahi thi or is saal main hoon to mujhe yakeen hai ke woh kuch nahi kahenge. Aap chintaa mat kijiye sab tikh hoga (But Di all those years I wasn't there and this year I am here, so I am sure he will not say anything. Don't worry Di it will be fine. I'm sure of it)" Khushi said as she went back to her organising and didn't allow anyone to change her mind.

Nani had come down after a while from her room followed by mami who had gone to make sure her makeup was fine. Both of them also saw Khushi pacing and talking on her phone again.

Nani went and sat down next to a very worried Anjali. "Anjali bitiya why do you look so worried?" nani asked. "Nani Khushiji is planning Chote's surprise birthday party" Anjali replied getting more worried. "Hello hi bye bye, doesn't phatti...I mean Khushi bitiya realise that Arnav bitwa doesn't like celebrating his birthday?" mami interjected. "I know Mamiji and I even said that to Khushiji but she doesn't seem to want to listen to anyone" Anjali said looking over to see what Khushi was doing.

As soon as Khushi finished on the phone again she looked over to see both nani and mami with Anjali. NK who had been in his room came down to join them.

"Oh Khushiji what's happening?" NK asked. "Kuch nahi nanheji, main bas Arvanji ka janamdin ki party ki tayyaari kar rahi hu (Nothing nanheji I am planning Arnavji's birthday)" answered a very chirpy Khushi. "Oh nannav's birthday, when is it? I need to buy him a present" NK asked. "Do din ke baad (Two days later)" answered Khushi. "Oh wow! That's great" NK said.

"Khushi bitiya we would rather you not celebrate Chote's birthday" nani said. "Naniji sab tikh hoga (naniji everything will be fine)" Khushi said. "Hello hi bye bye there will be a bomb exploding if Arnav bitwa were to find out" mami exclaimed slightly scared. "Manorama" nani said looking towards her daughter-in-law with daggers. "Sasuma I am just saying. You know I am right. When Arnav bitwa gets to know he will not like it one bit" mami said. Nani had to agree with this, even she knew Arnav would go ballistic if he ever found out Khushi was planning a birthday surprise.

Khushi went on her merry way arranging the party.

"Nani I am worried, Khushiji is not going to listen to any of us" Anjali sad looking towards nani. "Why Di? Why are you worried?" NK asked confused. "NK bhai you know what Chote is like. All these he has never celebrated his birthday since I can remember. He would give in when Maa was alive but after that he just considered the day as just any other day but whenever anyone even mentioned his birthday he would go mad that people do not need to waste their time on an unimportant day. Unless it had something to do with work he wouldn't bother remembering it nor would he let anyone else remember it. Of course sometimes Akash would come back and say that some of his clients or models would wish him a happy birthday and he would thank them but then carry on as though it meant nothing but Chote doesn't like celebrating his birthday. Now Khushiji wants to celebrate his birthday but I am worried about Chote's reaction" Anjali explained thinking about the consequences if Khushi doesn't stop planning this birthday. "Oh" NK exclaimed thinking that Anjali was right. He knew what Arnav was like and he also knew how angry he could get but who could tell this to Khushi.

Later in the day Arnav had already known his birthday was in two days but he hated celebrating his birthday. Then he thought about Khushi and knew what she was like. Khushi had come back to their room after finishing all her chores with a smile on her face. Arnav observed Khushi and noticed that her mind was planning something. "Khushi you aren't planning my birthday party are you?" Arnav asked as he went back to typing on his laptop. Khushi stopped what she was doing and turned to look Arnav. "What makes you think that?" Khushi asked slightly worried that she had been caught. "I know you Khushi" Arnav said as he turned to look at Khushi. He stood up and walked towards her. He placed both his hands on Khushi's arms. "Khushi look my birthday is nothing special please don't waste your time it is just a normal day" Arnav said. "But why Arnav why can't I celebrate it" Khushi pouted. "Khushi to me it was always just like any other day. Just treat it like any other day. Please Khushi for my sake" Arnav said as he caressed one of Khushi's cheeks.

Arnav went back to his work while Khushi stood there disappointed. She went to the cupboard where she looked for her night clothes. As she was in the bathroom changing she suddenly had a plan. She was going to celebrate Arnav's birthday no matter what.

The next day everyone was going about their normal business.

Khushi during the day had been trying to figure out how she had in her own personal account. Arnav had set up this account in his wife's name a while back as Khushi now being a business woman herself he knew she would need access to her own money to help with her catering business. Khushi had gone to the bank with Mohan to check how much she had but she realised she didn't have enough to pay for a brand new suit she wanted for Arnav. She frowned thinking that she could not even give her husband a decent present after all the presents she had got from him. She wondered what she was going to do. Suddenly it was as though she had the perfect idea. She called up Akash.

Akash who was in the office looking through a file heard his phone ring. He looked at the caller ID and answered the phone. "Hello Khushiji. Are you alright? You just left a little while ago. What's happened?" asked a worried Akash. "Jiju esa kuch bhi nahi hai. Woh...mein...jiju mujhe Arnavji ke liye ek tohfa lena hai. Unka janamdin hai kal lekin mere paas itne paise nahi hai (Jiju it is nothing like that. The thing is I want to buy a present for Arnavji. His birthday is tomorrow but I haven't got enough money)" Khushi explained. "Oh Khushiji I could send you some money through my account to yours. How much do you need?" Akash asked as he opened up his laptop to go into his account. "Nahi Jiju, mujhe paise nahi chahiye (No jiju, I don't want any money)" Khushi said before Akash could carry on. "Then how can I help you?" Akash asked. "Jiju kya aap AR ke kisi designer ko yeh keh sakta hai ke kal ke liye Arnavji ko ek suit bana de? (Jiju can you get one of the designers to make Arnavji a suit by tomorrow?)" Khushi wondered. Akash thought that was a very good idea. "Khushiji I will make the arrangements" Akash said. "Jiju ek aur baat Arnavji ko is baare mein mat bataye or kya aap woh suit aap ke paas rakh sakthe hai. Mein aap ko sab kuch baad mein bataaoongi (Jiju one more thing Arnavji should not know about this and can you also keep the suit with you. I will tell you everything later)" Khushi said. Akash just confirmed that he would before both he and Khushi put their phones down.

The rest of the evening Khushi was happy that her plan was going the way she wanted to.

The next morning Khushi woke Arnav up by greeting him good morning. Arnav thought that Khushi was up to something but he was surprised that she was going on about her business as though it was any other day.

He got up freshened up, went downstairs and his whole family were already at the breakfast table discussing one thing or another.

"Good morning Chote" Anjali said. Oh here it comes Di would certainly say happy birthday even though Khushi didn't this morning Arnav thought. "Chote janmastami is tomorrow could you please get all the necessary items like you did last year" Anjali asked before she went back to her breakfast. This surprised Arnav. He could remember that his sister always wished him a happy birthday but he couldn't believe she didn't say it today. Then he looked towards the rest of the family who were either engrossed in talking about janmastami or eating their breakfast. He couldn't believe not a single person had wished him a happy birthday not even Khushi. He didn't know how to feel about this. He should be happy that they were all finally not bothering him about his birthday but he wasn't happy. Instead something irked him about this situation. He ignored his feelings while he ate his breakfast.

Later on during the day Khushi had come up with her and Arnav's lunch. Arnav though she would make him something special but when Khushi was laying the food out he was slightly upset that it was everyday food. He was getting irritated that Khushi was being like this. He didn't think that when he said not to make a big deal out of his birthday that it would be taken literally.

Once lunch was done Khushi went back to finish of her work leaving a very pissed off Arnav.

Arnav pondered What the...? What is wrong with Khushi? Normally if I tell her to do something she doesn't listen but today. Oh why the hell do I care? as he went back to his work.

About 3o'clock Khushi called up Akash to go give Arnav her present which she has wrapped up before she left leaving behind a note with it.

Akash went and knocked on Arnav's door, handed him the package with the note and left.

Arnav first opened up the note and read it.

Arnavji

Kya aap mere liye ek kaam karenge? Kya aap mujhe PVR saket mein mil sakte hai or jo tohfa aap ke haath mein hai woh pehen ke zaroor aana. (Can you do one favour? Can you meet me at PVR saket and the present I you have in your hand can you please wear it)

Aapki Khushi (Yours Khushi)

Arnav was a bit stumped. He put the note down and opened up the package to find an AR latest designer suit for him. He couldn't believe his wife had gone behind his back and done this but he knew also that this was the Khushi he knew and fell in love with. He immediately went to the changing rooms in AR and wore the suit. He had to look in the mirror at the just to see what he had gotten. Of course he knew his designers would always outdo themselves but for Khushi to get one of his designers to design him something was only something she could think of. He liked what he was wearing and made sure that this turn out to be an exclusive. After all he didn't want anyone else wearing something that his wife had his designers to make for him. He walked straight into Akash's cabin.

"Akash I am guessing you know something about this?" Arnav asked as he showed Akash his new suit. "Well bhai Khushi asked if this could be done for you" said a guilty Akash not knowing whether or not his brother was going to fume at him. "Well do me a favour. Get whoever designed this to not design anymore as I want only one of kind and also you will have to attend the meetings. I have to go meet Khushi" Arnav said to a very shocked looking Akash who couldn't believe that Arnav didn't get angry.

Arnav left after saying that to his car but not before informing Aman what was going on.

Akash got onto the phone to the designer and told them not to make any more of the suits that they had just designed for Arnav as was his instruction.

About twenty minutes later Arnav arrived at the multiplex cinema. He couldn't believe that Khushi had gone through all this trouble for him but he was happy that she had remembered his birthday plus the three piece suit, shirt and shoes all matched and were a perfect fit. He knew that only Khushi would have gone into his clothes and gotten his measurements after all apart from him, his di and Khushi who else had access to his clothes.

He walked inside the multiplex and started to look around for Khushi. He looked around but couldn't find her. He took out his phone and called her. "Khushi where are you?" Arnav asked still scanning the foyer but not finding his wife amongst the crowd. "Main kuch kaane ke liye line mein kadi hu. Aap aagaye? ( I am waiting in the line to get some food. You have arrived?)" Khushi asked as he was getting to the front of the queue. "Yes I am here. I am coming towards you" Arnav said as he headed over to meet her. He looked around the food court but still couldn't notice where Khushi was. He knew she was around as he had felt her but still he couldn't see her. "Where are you?" Arnav asked as he still had the phone to his ear. Khushi turned around to see if she could see Arnav or not. She saw him. "Hum yaha hai ( I am here)" Khushi answered as she waved to get her husband's notice. Arnav turned to look again and was mesmerised at what he saw. There was Khushi not in a salwar, not in a chudidaar nor in a saree but she was wearing a long white skirt with a blue top and white cardigan making her look breathless. Arnav couldn't believe his wife could pull off wearing western clothes but there she was wearing western attire and to add to her beauty her hair was all curled up with a big blue flowery clip on the side.

Arnav stood there just staring at her from top to bottom. Khushi could feel her husband's gaze on her making her feel conscious. Arnav began to move towards her making Khushi turn her gaze away back to where she was. She knew she would just drown into her husband's arms if she didn't look away. Arnav noticed Khushi's uneasiness but he knew it was because she was shy nothing more. What he didn't like was that there were a couple of guys behind her eyeing her up. This pissed him off. He walked over to Khushi and placed his arm around her waist before giving those guys a back off look. He turned back to look at Khushi who was looking at what she could have to eat.

"Hi" Arnav said in his husky voice. "Hi" Khushi replied looking at her husband before she noticed his suit. "Aap bohot aache lag rahe hai (You are looking very nice)" Khushi said as she blushed while her hand brushed up against the silky material of her husband's suit. Arnav caught her hand and kissed it. "Thanks for the present and Khushi you look beautiful" as he placed his hand on her cheek. Khushi looked up into Arnav's eyes which were displaying nothing but love. "Now what are we doing here?" Arnav asked still confused as to why they were here. "Oh yes" Khushi replied as she looked in her bag to find two cinema tickets. She presented them to Arnav. Arnav was taken aback but then dreaded having to watch a hindi film. He took the tickets from her hand and looked at what they were to watch. He was looking mildly surprised as he read TOTAL RECALL on the tickets. "Khushi are you sure you want to watch this?" Arnav questioned knowing full well that Khushi rarely watched English films. "Arnavji happy birthday" Khushi smiled. "Wait English?" Arnav said surprised. "Yes we are at the movies to watch an English film so I am speaking in English" Khushi added as she saw she was at the front of the queue. Arnav smiled slightly at his wife before joining her at the front as Khushi ordered herself food.

Once she had the food they headed towards the cinema hall and seated themselves at the back of the cinema towards one corner. Arnav looked at where they were sitting while his mind went somewhere else. "Khushi if you wanted us to be alone that could have been arranged somewhere else you know" Arnav smirked for only to gain a hit on his chest by Khushi as he could tell she had gone crimson. "Arnav these were the only back seats left" Khushi said as she defended herself. Arnav just chuckled at her innocence. "Ok, ok but if you ever just want it to be you and me all you have to do is ask" Arnav whispered into Khushi's ear making her shudder at his closeness. She looked towards Arnav as he looked at her before the lights went out and the adverts started.

As the film progressed Khushi who was sitting near the wall had her head on Arnav's shoulder while her arms circled his arm and her hand was intertwined with Arnav's.

Once the film had finished they went back to the car and headed home.

On the way home Arnav started talking. "Khushi you do remember I said that today should be treated like any other day?" Arnav stated. Khushi looked up at Arnav as her face fell thinking that he didn't like what she had done. Arnav glanced towards Khushi as her saw her get upset. "I guess when you didn't say happy birthday most of the day I really didn't like that" Arnav started. Khushi carried on staring at him as Arnav continued. "I never thought I would want to celebrate my birthday but today you changed my mind. What I mean is that I guess from now on we can celebrate my birthday as well" Arnav said with a calmness he had never felt. Khushi's frown turned into a beautiful smile. She felt like she was on cloud nine. Arnav glanced back at Khushi as he saw her smile back on her face making him smile.

The car stopped outside of RM. As Khushi took her seatbelt off she leaned towards Arnav but as Arnav was about to turn to look at her before they both knew Khushi had kissed him. She pulled back the moment she realised what she had done. Arnav looked at her bewildered look, quickly scanned the area before he kissed her and this time he didn't let go. Khushi melted in his arms. They only pulled apart to breathe before they departed from the car and headed inside.

As they walked inside everyone who were sitting down in the living room turned to see Khushi wearing English clothes. This shocked everyone. "Khushi bitiya what's this?" nani exclaimed in surprise. Khushi looked towards nani then realised she was still wearing the English clothes she had changed into at work before meeting up with Arnav. "Oh nani she looks very pretty" Anjali said as stood up to go towards Arnav and Khushi. "Chote have you been somewhere?" Anjali inquired out of curiosity. "Yes di. We went to watch an English film" Arnav as he took a hold of his sister's arm and made her sit back down on a chair as she was very heavily pregnant. "Really?" Anjali said surprised. "Actually it was Khushi's idea" Arnav said as he looked at his wife who looked back at him her mouth wide open in o' shape making Arnav smirk. "That means Khushiji wanted to spend your birthday with you like you did for her" Anjali said looking from her brother to her sister-in-law making both of them embarrassed. Anjali laughed as did other member's in the family seeing the pair of them embarrassed. "It's ok Chote, Khushiji we understand. Now go freshen up for dinner" Anjali said.

Arnav and Khushi headed back to their room while Anjali just saw how Khushi was finally bringing back the light into her brother's life. Thank you devi maiyya for bringing khushji into my Chote's life. Maa I hope you are watching. Your Chote is finally happy Anjali prayed and thought as she smiled at how her brother's life was finally settled little knowing how her life was going to be turned upside down.

PRECAP:

Janmashtami and BIG DHAMAKA!