The Contract of Hearts (Last Part Updated Pg.97) - Page 4

The Contract of Hearts: A FF (Continued)

Part IV: THE JALEBI NIGHT

Di used to say "Jab woh tere zindagi mein ayegi, toh tumhe patha bhi nahi chalega. Woh tumhari zindagi ban jayegi, teri sanse ruk jayegi, uske bina tum ji nahi pawoge." Arnav had scoffed at the idea at that time. But now he knew how true those words were.

Life had never seemed so complicated for Khushi, battling with tumultuous emotions and passions about which she hardly knew. Devi Maiyya had always protected her from ever danger, every mistake she ever committed. But could she save her from herself? Khushi Kumari Gupta's life of simple joys and sorrows had been turned upside down ever since she had met the Raakshas. She was still unsure about the tremendously incoherent feelings she was experiencing.

Both of them were still in a daze unable to take their eyes from each other when they arrived at the party venue. Mr. Malhotra's PR was ready to receive ASR and his fiance with all the alacrity, importance and fear attached to the arrival of such a high, mighty, mercurial and moody personality like the fashion tycoon was rumored to be by the inner circles of Page 3.

The man was already shivering in his shoes. Mr. Malhotra's flight was late and the guests had already started arriving. He could manage the rest, but ASR was in a different league altogether. Moreover Mr. Malhotra had asked him to take "special care about the couple until his arrival as they were very important to him".

ASR enquired the PR, "Mr. Malhotra is here?" his eyebrows raised in enquiry at the conspicuous absence of his host. "SSSir's flight has been dddelayed bbbut he will meet you as sssoon as he aaarrives. We have organized this NNNite with the ccconcept "Ek Shyam Lucknow ke Nam". As you know, Mr. Malhotra is also from LLLucknow, and literally loves the LLLucknowi way of life and culture", he stammered helplessly and rather hesitantly for fear of the fashion tycoon taking offence about this lapse on their part.

The PR continued, "SSSameer Sir has been abroad for ssseveral years but he believes that hhhowever high one flies in the skies of ambition, one should never ffforget one's rrroots. Many of SSSir's important ccclients and ffforeign delegates are expected today. We have named this the JJJalebi Night to give it that unique LLLucknowi ffflavor. We have made all arrangements, SSSir, to make this night the experience of a lifetime fffor both of you." Whew! Quite an explanation thought Arnav!

The sprawling country guest house of Mr. Malhotra was transformed and lit up by the huge chandeliers, and earthern lamps, Lucknowi isshtyle. They were welcomed in the Shahi andaaz, with sandal wood paste, kumkum ka tikka, and sprinkling of rose water by beautiful women dressed in old world fashion of the Nawabs. The reminiscence and nostalgia which the entire scene evoked transported them to another world.

"Aayiye huzur, tashreef layiye"

"Bring the what-", said Arnav sounding very astonished at the whole spectacle.

Khushi intervened telling, "They are asking us to come in, in a polite manner. But then, you will never know these things because you hardly know the ABC of etiquette."

Arnav sighed, "Ah! There you go launching on your tirade against me!" and said aloud, "Will you shut up your mouth for some time! We are here in the midst of high society people. For God's sake don't make a fool of yourself at least for my sake. I, ASR, have some reputation. See that you maintain it throughout our contract."

Khushi interrupted, "What again my haisiyat? When will you stop bringing it in our discussions?"

Arnav whispered angrily to Khushi, "Shush! People think that we are a couple. Let's maintain it for the sake of appearances. Got it!"

They were led into the lawn where a huge campfire was lit, and the poets were entertaining the guests with their Sher-o-Shyari, and the musicians were enthralling the audience with their melodious and intricate ghazals.

"Arz kiya hai -------- "and blah blah blah

Khushi was drinking into all this with a wonder-struck expression as if she was back in her dear home town attending a fiesta, while ASR was peeved with the whole set up. "What sort of nonsense is this?" He thought.

"SSSir, would you like to bbbuy sssome gifts for Mam? We have organized fffor the latest collection of antique jjjewellery and CCChickan kadi dresses for which LLLucknow is famous", suggested the PR to divert the growing discontentment he saw in ASR's eyes.

True! Their clients and foreign delegates were enjoying every bit of this, but ASR was too important for them to antagonize or displease. He still had not the slightest idea why Sameer Sir was bent upon inviting a man like ASR who would neither take pleasure in all this nor allow the others to enjoy this.

"Yes! Anything than this Sher-o-Shayiri?" thought ASR.

Khushi was having a whale of a time ransacking the whole collection. This could very well be the first and last gift she would get from ASR. Why not gift(s) from ASR instead of a gift, thought she with a wicked smile?

"Bhaiyya,yeh kadda dhikhayiye? Aur yeh neeli chunari? Yeh kali rang ki sadi toh bahut khubsurat hai. Aur yeh set is sadi ke sath toh bilkul match kar raha hai." ASR sighed. He never knew that ladies could not be trusted when it came to shopping of clothes and jewels. He was having first-hand experience of the whole concept, thanks to Ms. Khushi Kumari Gupta!

"If you are done with your shopping, can we proceed for dinner? I am very hungry", interrupted Arnav in the full flow of KKG's shopping spree.

"SSSir we have an elaborate and mmmeticulously laid-out DDDastarkhwan set out for all our guests with the finest of Awadhi dddelicacies with a meal fffit for the NNNawabs and KKKings" said the poor PR torturing his tonsils another time the same night.

"I was asking about the dinner not that Dakwin, Dockin or whatever strange thing it is" explained Arnav practicing patience too unusual to his ordinary nature.

"That's precisely what he is telling us" said Khushi astonished at ASR's lack of minimum knowledge about the Lucknowi way of life which was like life breath to her. They reached the dining hall led by the fumbling and bumbling PR who was literally cursing his predicament in attending to the great ASR whom he could neither please nor afford to displease

"Hello we can't eat here. Where do we sit?" ASR squealed in utter amazement at this complete lack of arrangements while inviting clients and foreign delegates.

"In a tttraditional LLLucknow dinner, the ggguests are seated on the fffloor on these embroidered dddastarkhwans which are spread on dddares and white ccchandnis (white sheets). WWWe also rrretained it to gggive our ggguests a uuunique fffeel and authenticity of the whole JJJalebi NNNight." The PR by this time half-faint after all the explaining he had managed to do in his faltering and stammering tone.

"To hell with you and your Jalebi Night! You have the nerve to suggest that I, ASR, sit on the floor for my dinner" roared the Lion Singh Raizada while the poor man would have hid under the white chandnis spread for the guests for the dinner if not for the iron lady i.e. our own KKG accompanying ASR.

Five minutes later, ASR and KKG were seated enjoying the finest dishes of Awadhi cuisine with the serving of jalebis in Khushi's plate happening on an infinite scale. ASR's appetite was filled with the very sight of his lady love pouncing upon jalebis with a vengeance. Arnav heaved a sigh of relief when she was done with when they heard a voice telling, "Hogaya kya, Jalebi Bai, ya aur laavun tere liye"

(Coming up next ASR huva talli with bhaang and his Sher-o-Shayari on our dear KKG)