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

The Contract of Hearts: A FF

Part I: KHUSHI AND ARNAV BOUND BY ANOTHER CONTRACT

Khushi had been working at AR as ASR's associate for the past six months in accordance to a new contract about which only KKG and the Laad Governor knew. A few momentous things had also happened during this period. Nani had taken an instant dislike to La the Blah, and parceled her off on a Vaishno Devi yatra to wash away the sins accrued from her minimal clothing and phenomenal bad mouthing with an injunction to never come back.

And wonder of wonders, Khushi Kumari Gupta is ASR's new girl friend and fiance, an arrangement hitched together by the well-meaning but meddlesome Naniji and sweet sister Anji. The ballistic couple, Arhi was forced to accept this irksome arrangement for various reasons of their own.

Arnav had agreed to it to checkmate his Jijaji's wrong intentions towards Khushi which he had detected some time back. It would also shut the mouth of his Nani who was literally eating his ears asking him to marry a sanskari and guni ladki from the tehzeeb ka sheher, Lucknow, as she had had enough with sheher hi ladkiyan (La). If he had another reason, he would never let anybody know it.

Khushi's Babuji's shop was girvi and Shyam had also complicated matters too much. Both of them knew what he was capable of. If Khushi had been given a free rein, she would have blurted out everything to Anji, but Arnav was very much against it.

Moreover Akash and Payal were in love and even 'Hello hi bye bye bye' Mami had consented to it in what seemed to be the miracle of this century. She wanted Akash bitwa to chado on the ghodi as fast as possible. Nani had thrashed aside all the sweet dreams by telling that Arnav had to be married first. The Laad Governor, to do him justice, had protested telling that he wanted to concentrate on his career for at least a year before marrying.

Nani gave in telling that at least his engagement had to happen, only then she would agree to the Payash marriage. So finally they had come to an understanding that they would be a couple for the sake of the rest. After her Jiji's marriage, he would redeem her father's shop, and there their contract with each other would end.

Cut to the Present:

Arnav thinking to himself, "What sort of a spot have I got myself in? Neither can I see her nor can I stay without seeing her. But then I see her every hour, every minute, ever second, eyes closed or eyes open. Nani also leaves me no peace of mind at home by inviting Khushi to come and meet her every evening and stay back for dinner. Surprisingly I seem to have very less appetite these days after eating and drinking her beautiful presence the whole day. Shit! Why are my thoughts wandering from the main point. Ever since we have met, we have been fighting with each other at the world war level. Only difference now, we fight silent world wars for fear of being detected by the rest of the family."

On his table lay an invite for the Jalebi Night organized by his Canada business partner. He would decline the invitation. After all he was a diabetic. His constant stress levels after this contract seemed to make it worse. What was happening to the people around him? What was happening to him? Long back he had given up the illusion that he was his own creator and made his own destiny, or to be even more precise, ever since he met her. Until he met her sanity and order had prevailed in his life. But now-

He had stopped thinking but did he really because she seemed to invade his thoughts unbidden just as she cut his words the minute he opened his mouth. Did she ever close her mouth? He preferred to always hide his thoughts behind his silence and sullenness, while she if she had the opportunity would climb on top of the Mount Everest and proclaim everything, her happiness, contentment, childish glee, sadness, anxiety, worry, and nervousness, practically everything to the rest of the world without the slightest hesitation or embarrassment. It was with the greatest difficulty that he was able to prevent her from blabbing about the contract to everyone.

At the Raizada House:

"Naniji, yeh lijiye apka jap ka mala", said Shyam smiling his ingratiating smile.

"Sukriya. Tum naahi hote thoh hum kya karte, bitwa", Nani looking super pleased. Everything had gone according to her wishes. La was out of Chotey's life forever, and in her place she had brought Khushi.

She had taken an instant liking to Khushi when she first came to their house with the Lucknow sarees. Both her pothas were getting married to the kind of girls she wanted as her bahus. What more to ask in life, thought the grand old lady. Only thing she still did not trust her Arnav bitwa. She would rest in peace if she could see him married after the one year he had asked.

"Naniji, mujhe Sale Saab aur Khushiji ke beech mein sab kuch theek nahi lagtha hai. Aaj bhi unhe unke Canada wale business partner ek party ke liye Khushiji ke sath invite kiye the. Par Arnav ne jane se mana kar diya. Kya pata who Ms. Kashyap unke zindagi mein wapas aagayi ho, is liye woh Khushiji se door ja rahe hain." Shyam chuckled to himself, "I will expose you and Khushi, Arnav."

"Kya?" It was almost as if an atom bomb had descended on her head. She asked Shyam to dial Arnav's office as she wanted to talk to him.

"Arnav bitwa" Nani spoke not allowing a gap for even a 'Hello, Hai, bye bye bye' from the other end of the phone. "Aap Khushi ko lekar us party mein jaa rahen hain!"

"Par Nani" Arnav tried to explain but to no avail as Nani had already cut the line.

(Following it up soon with Khushi's wide-eyed wonder on hearing about the Jalebi Party, ASR huva talli with bhaang, and the 'yeh dosti hum nahi chodenge' entry of Mr. Malhotra aka. Sameer Malhotra, Arnav's business partner from Canada and Khushi's childhood friend)

The Contract of Hearts: A FF (Last Part)

Part XXXV: THEY MEET AGAIN

Three years passed. Maya has grown up into a fine four year old child. She has a lot of questions for her mother Anjali, none of which her mother is in a position to answer.

"Mom, why does Payal aunty mop about the house on this particular day?"

"Nothing, darling! You must've been mistaken."

"Why does Arnav never smile?"

"He's like that, Maya! It's his nature!"

"Nani always locks herself up on this day, why?"

"She's praying for all of us", Anjali replied not knowing how to answer the innocent yet difficult questions posed by her daughter. Yes! She had adopted the baby when she threw Shyam out of the house as her own child.

"Arnav always cries whenever he sees jalebis, why?"

"Chotey has diabetes you know. He's not supposed to eat sweets. Hence he looks sad whenever he sees jalebis", Anjali replied even though she knew her explanation sounded quite silly.

Maya innocently and cutely asked, "You can make sugar-free jalebis for him instead of making him cry. You'll make them for him Na mom!"

"Of course I will, darling!" said Anjali hugging her daughter tight.

How could she tell Maya that three years back, on this very day, the joys of this house had been blighted forever. Maya was trying to coax her mother into telling her a bed-time story. Anjali was trying to put her off saying, "Tomorrow. Mamma is feeling sleepy and tired." Maya started crying and Anjali was forced to tell Maya her bed-time story even though she did not feel like it.

Anjali narrated, "Once upon a time, there lived a handsome prince and a very beautiful princess. Both of them loved each other very much. They were about to marry each other when the wicked magician kidnapped the princess across the seven seas away from her prince. To this day the prince has been trying to find his princess."

At this juncture, Maya espied a shooting star in the sky. She pointed it to her mom and said, "Shooting star, please make the prince and princess meet each other. Mamma I've asked the shooting star. Both of them will surely meet. You have to tell me what happens next after some days."

Anjali sighed, "Wish your words come true and both of them meet each other!"

Arnav was on his way to Shimla to take over Mathur and Co. He was buying this company as an obligation to Mr. Mathur who had helped him in the initial stages of his career. Mr. Mathur was planning to settle abroad along with his son and daughter-in-law. He wanted to leave his company in Arnav's able hands and retire from business.

Arnav had not yet forgotten the past. He had tried everything in his power to find her but in vain. He knew that fate could not be so cruel as to separate him forever from her. His heart told him that they would meet someday.

Mr. Mathur was showing him around the company. Suddenly he came across her face in some photos. He enquired Mr. Mathur who told him, "That's Kay, our Manager, I mean Khushi. She's been working with me since the past few months. She's a very talented girl. She joined us after completing her MBA from Bangalore IIM. She went to England on a student exchange program and joined us as soon as she completed her course. I've sent her on a site inspection. She'll meet you in course of the day."

Arnav replied, "It's okay. I'll meet her when the time comes. Can you please send someone to me with the file containing employees' details?"

Mr. Mathur replied, "Sure! Okay now I've to get going! Please tell Kay that I asked for her!"

Khushi knocked the door. She was wearing a light pink kurthi and blue-colored jeans. ASR smirked. Though the style of dressing had changed, the person was the same. He thought, "Mrs. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada! At last I've found you! And this time I'll not let you go so easily. I'll keep you with me by hook or crook! And that's a promise by Arnav Singh Raizada!"

Before Khushi could say anything, ASR said, "Remember me! Let me tell you one thing! I've just seen the employees' file. You've signed a contract with Mathur and Co. stating that you would work with them for two years. You might not accept our marriage which happened three years back, but I hope you will agree about this contract. Even if you want to break it, I'll see to it that you don't break it, and abide by all the terms and conditions, as from today onwards I'm your boss. Last time I let you go scot-free. This time I won't!"

Khushi gasped for breath. Some people never change, do they? There ends the contract of hearts or rather let me put it this way------there began a new saga of the contract of hearts. What can we really say about their love? Was it the end or the beginning? Was it love or hatred? Is Pyar Ko Kya Nam Doon!

PS: Thanks to all of you for making this FF a grand success. It started as an OS, changed into an SS, and later into a FF. According to my original plan also, I wanted to end my FF at this point. This time it will be Arnav who will be pursuing Khushi unlike the previous time where Khushi was after Arnav. I leave the rest to your imagination. Which characters and tracks did you guys like the most in this FF?

The Contract of Hearts: A FF (Continued)

Part XIV: KHUSHI HERE I COME!

ASR began cursing himself ever since he boarded that damned flight to Singapore, and he had been doing that for the past one hour with no respite. His Nani, Di, Akaash, Payal, Sameer and even Buaji had jumped into the bandwagon along with his own taunting conscience for deserting her for the sake of a tasteless business meeting on her B-Day.

By the time he got some space from all these sting operations by high and low for his despicable action in not keeping up his word to her, he found that he had not even called her once to wish her happy birthday. He knew that she would not be happy without him beside her, but as they say, what can't be cured must be endured.

He would talk to her. She too would feel better and be in a better frame of mind for the evening party. He had by this time asked Sameer to take care of it as he would not be available. Much as it hurt his ego to ask Sameer, he could not bear to see her unhappy on her special day.

Just as he was about to call her he received another call from Sameer, "You should be very happy now ASR! Khushi has said that she will not celebrate her birthday this year. She has thrashed aside all the arrangements which we made saying that all these things do not matter to her now. If I were you, I would ----".

Now he knew what to do. Nothing could stop him from flying back to her. "A thousand meetings could rot in hell, but he, Arnav, would not attend even a single one while she was unhappy. He would book his return flight as soon as this flight landed at Singapore. Here I come Ms. Khushi Kumari Gupta!" Arnav told himself. "Okay now for the call to wish her happy birthday! I will not let her know that I'm coming yet. I'll keep that as a surprise", he mischievously thought.

Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by another call from the event manager for Sparkles 2011 saying, "Sir, actually Mr. Shyam had asked our sponsor, Mr. Maan Singh Khuranna to pre-pone the meeting, and he too had agreed to it as it was your request. But now it seems Mr. Khuranna has some emergency and cannot make it to Singapore. He has asked if you could meet up with him on the date earlier planned. He has apologized for the inconvenience and suggested that it would be better if Khushi Mam also comes to the meeting next week as he was very impressed with Mam's organization of our last event."

"So Shyam is behind everything!" ASR ground his teeth with anger at his Jeeju's wicked plan. He promised in his heart of hearts, "I'll defeat you in your own game. You wanted to create differences between us? But you'll end up bringing us together. Mind it!"

Finally for that call to her! He speed dialed her number. "Challo Maiyya ke Bhavan Bhavan Bhavan ----- Challo Maiyya ke Bhavan Bhavan Bhavan ----- Challo Maiyya ke Bhavan Bhavan Bhavan"

No response!

(To be continued with will ASR make it to Khushi's birthday and ASR and KKG to meet MSK and Geet at Singapore in connection with the event Sparkles 2011)

The Contract of Hearts: A FF (continued)

Part XXIII: EK, DO, TEEN

At the first light of dawn, Geet was seen hurriedly muttering to herself, "I've to go and give Khushi this before she goes for the meeting with ASR and MSK. The time has come to put ONE into action."

MSK who was expecting a lot of attention and love from his dear wife could not understand why she seemed to be preoccupied with something else when she ought to be preoccupied with him. He thought she had come so far to Singapore to spend quality time with him. But no he was wrong. She seemed to have some sort of hidden agenda weighing on her mind.

"Maan, I'll meet Khushi and be back in a second" Geet informed him.

"Not so soon, Mrs. Khurrana" Maan unwilling to let her go. "Your husband is here so you also stay here"

He pulled her towards him and pinned her to the wall. He started moving closer to her until he could feel her hot and bated breath caressing his face. Her heart beat came in jumps and starts in the excitement. Geet closed her eyes she was losing track of what she wanted to do and what was happening around her.

All Geet could feel was the magnetic charm and pull of her hot and handsome husband. He whispered in a husky tone in her ears blowing her twirly curls aside, "Ek second first night hojaye?"

Geet was powerless against his charm and intensity of passion when he had made up his mind to make use of them. She tried weakly protesting, "Par yeh rath nahi, din hai"

Maan nonchalantly, "Toh pehli din hi sahi, kyonki tum rath ko gayab ajeeb tareeke seh hojathi ho, jaise ki kal rath"

Geet understanding that her husband had been awake last night when she went to see Khushi. She could not hide it anymore from him. Both of them had been very honest and straight-forward in their relationship. That was what sustained it from all the storms that life had placed before them. Maan would surely help her in her endeavor to bring the two love birds together.

Geet explained in brief what had transpired between Khushi and her, and how they were trying to make ASR confess his love. Maan laughing a full throated laugh, "And you're planning to use that Bhaavesh from Chickmunji for stirring jealousy in ASR. There no comparison between the two in whichever angle you look. You think ASR will fall into this trap? BK is a true specimen. I think you must choose somebody else."

Geet agreed, "Even I know that, but here we don't have any other option. Where will we get an admirer and stalker reciting shudh Hindi-Urdu poetry in Singapore? That chap even invited Khushi to a Kavi Sammelan in which he was participating."

Maan was stifling his smiles which he found hard to control, "Don't tell me both of you are going to go to this Sammelan to make ASR jealous"

Geet little bit upset with the cavalier manner in which Maan was taking the whole serious issue, "Of course! And you know one thing; you're going to bring ASR to that Sammelan under the pretext of picking both of us up!"

"Can't you spare me this torture?" Maan pleaded.

"Of course not! You have to, means you have to. Both I and Khushi will not be in a position to convince ASR to come to the Sammelan. And if he does not come, how will the jealousy for BK pick up momentum?" Geet ordered.

Geet escaped from his loving arms which enveloped her, saying, "Now I'm getting really late. I've to meet Khushi at all costs. And don't forget the work I assigned to you for the evening!"

Ding! Dong!

"Jiji, good that you came! I was waiting for you since a long time. I've been having a very hard time avoiding ASR after what happened yesterday night. He literally rained me with questions after you left. I had a tough time answering in just mono syllables. He's called me six times on the intercom to ask if I was ready for the meeting. It's just 6.30 A.M. and the meeting is after three hours. I've not even had my bed coffee and he wants me to be ready for the meeting!!! At this rate I'll die of starvation before squeezing that confession out of ASR! And as for BK, I'm sure ASR will murder that chap if he sees him near me!"

"Shanth! Shanth! Sabre ka phal meeta hota hai!" Geet consoled Khushi, who she saw was exhausted with the tornado unleashed by ASR after yesterday night. "Hush! We're on the right track. And you know one thing; we're going to that Kavi Sammelan today evening. For now, wear this after your shower."

"You're not joking, Di. I just agreed to BK's invitation on the spur of the moment to get rid of him. I don't intend to go there!" Khushi flabbergasted with Geet's idea.

"If you want ASR, we have to bear all this pain and noise pollution. Can't you do that much for your love?" said Geet convincing Khushi towards this unpleasant idea.

Geet herself didn't look forward to this evening. But if she guessed right, ASR would be jealous of even a bamboo pole dressed in clothes if he perceived it as a competition in the attentions of his Khushi. And this was Bhavesh Kumar from Chickmunji, pahaadi ke peeche, neele aasmaan ke neeche! It could not fail! Before parting from Kushi, she encouraged her telling, "Get ready soon darling! See you at the meeting!"

"Khushi, open the door or I'm breaking it!" ASR preparing to damage the door a second time. The door opened and for a second he felt that he had come into the wrong suite.

Khushi was wearing a grey colored classy business suit. He swooned seeing her in this smart, sleek and cool dress oozing of professionalism. His eyes unconsciously went towards her milky white thighs and then to her straightened, silky-soft, loose hair exposed to the morning air.

Arnav snapped out of his unholy thoughts quickly and asked, "Are you ready? We'll have our breakfast in the restaurant and go for the meeting with MSK!" This question was utterly superfluous because he knew that she was perfectly ready and dressed for a kill.

Arnav had been trying to compliment her throughout the breakfast and later on their way to the meeting but in vain. He was tongue-tied. The words just would not budge. "Ahem! (coughing)Khushi, you----you---look" when they were met by MSK who immediately commented, "My! My! Young lady, you look utterly gorgeous and stunning."

Khushi, all smiles, "Thank you!" and gave a dirty look to Arnav as though to say you could not say this simple thing since an hour.

(To be continued with ASR ki band bajayi nari shakti ne, aur kaan pakayi BK from Chickmunji)

The Contract of Hearts: A FF (Continued)

Part VII: THE BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN

Buaji's house:

Khushi beginning a fruitless conversation with Payal who had made up her mind to sleep at all costs for the 10^th time with no results. "Jiji, main bata rahi thi --- "

"Jaldi bathadho na, Khushi" said Payal "Mujhe sona hai. Aur kitni bar mujhe uttaogi?"

"Kuch nahi, Jiji. Sojao", replied Khushi brushing aside whatever she hard to say with a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Jiji, kya hai na ki -----" By this time Payal looked ready to murder her.

"Khushi tumhe sona nahi hai toh mat sona. Mujhe toh sone doh na" expressing her annoyance at sweet sister, Khushi, who sometimes could be the most irritating person on earth just like she was now.

Khushi turned to the other side of the bed she shared with her sister Payal, dreaming sweet dreams with her eyes open. Did she want jalebis now? No! She wanted the gruff ASR in that sweet avatar which she and only she had seen at the Jalebi Night to be by her side. It was enough to satisfy all the hunger, thirst which she ever had in life. At last she knew about the place where she belonged, close to his heart.

ASR could lie a countless number of times that she meant nothing to him and it was only the contract which kept them together. But she knew the truth. She had seen what was in his soul and now even a million of his words could not mislead her. She would wheedle that damned confession out of him by hook or crook in his full senses before the whole world. Nobody could stop her, not even Arnav Singh Raizada, from attaining her Arnav!

The next morning, at Raizada House:

"Oh! My head! Seems like it will break into a thousand pieces!" shouted Arnav, suffering from the hangover of the memorable bhaang-filled Jalebi Night.

"Of course! You should have drunk 5 more glasses for it to break into a ten thousand pieces, shouldn't you?" replied Anjali Di unable to control her laughter for some strange reason known only to herself. She had brought him some nimbu ka sharbat and headache tablets to relieve him from the pain.

"Mujhe laga tha ke mein kal rath duniya ka attva ajooba dekh rahi thi. Tum gaye theh ASR banke aur aye shayar bankar. Wah bhai! Wah!" said Anjali still unable to suppress herself from describing this new roop of her chothey she had seen last night.

"Aur Di, yeh duppatta kiski hai?" asked Arnav when he realized that he was creating more confusion for himself than clarification by asking the question.

"Aur kiski? Khushiki! Uske hath ko toh tum chod nahi rahe theh, aur upar se uske duppatta ko tujse pyar hogaya tha. Isliye usse apni duppata ko yahan teri company ke liye chodna pada tha" Di smiling at her dear brother's lovable harkat.

For some unaccountable reason his thoughts flew to the day when he tore her duppatta in the car parking basement. She had been extremely shocked and scandalized that day with his action. And yesterday, she had willingly given up a part and parcel of her 'sharam and haya' as she called it so that he could sleep an undisturbed sleep.

Their secret orchard of memories was already overgrown with trees and fruits which threatened to split any day scattering seeds of emotion all over. No! He, ASR, could not allow it to happen! But he could not suppress himself from asking about how----

"Toh, ussne kya?" Arnav a little bit embarrassed with himself.

"Fikkar not! Hai na hamari Akaash duppata matching centre. Akhir hone wali saali hai uski? Ek aur duppata gift kar gaya khushi ke liye", Anjali having a blast teasing Chotey on his misdemeanor.

"I met your partner, Sameer Malhotra yesterday night when he came to drop you and Khushi. I learned that he is Khushi's friend. I have invited him for dinner today. Nani will be pleased to see him. After all, he is also from Lucknow!" said Anjali

"I was thinking ----" Anjali continued, "why not invite Khushi and Payal too? After all the love life of both my buddhu brothers depends on my able match making skills and not their wooing skills! Don't you think so?"

Arnav remonstrated, "Di, aap bhi na----"and silently cursed in his heart of hearts, "Aur yeh Sameer ko abi tapak padna thah!"

"Akaash kahan hai" asked Arnav to divert a topic which was becoming too uncomfortable for his taste.

"Usko yeh kabhar main ne pehle hi dehdiya hai toh woh koya hai apni aur Payal ki sapnon mein. Tumhari aaj woh kisi kaam kaa nahin", Anjali smiled.

Arnav knew that he had to meet her today before the diner to clarify any doubts she might have in her mind after yesterday night. But on what pretext would he go to meet her without exciting the interest of the other family members, specially his Di. Ah! The duppatta! He could say that he was going to her house to return it.

Buaji's house:

"Kahan ho tum, parmeshwari" Buaji, at her wit's end about the whereabouts of her niece KKG. "Aayi, Buaji" replied Khushi

"Main aur Payal mandir ja rahe hain. Hum aate hi tujhe aur Payal ko Raizada house jana hai na. Samay se tayyar rehna, aur ghar ka khayal rakhna", Buaji reprimanded KKG.

"Theek hai, Buaji", Khushi feeling relieved that she would be alone at home for some time before going for the dinner. After yesterday night, she would have to brace herself up for meeting Arnav again.

"Sajjna hai mujhe sajjan ke liye" Khushi, singing and applying a chandan ka lep as a preparatory to her dressing schedule for the dinner today evening.

Ding Dong! Ding Dong!

"Kaun hai? Buaji bahar gayi hain---", when she fell into the arms of Arnav who had just entered.

(Coming up next lal huva ASR jhallan seh, ASR ko baahar jana padega business trip par Khushi ki birthday ki mauke par)

PS: For some reason I'm finding this update rather tame after ASR's Sher-O-Shayari. Tried my best. Promise to come back with a vengeance in Khushi's birthday track.

The Contract of Hearts: A FF (Continued)

Part XXVII: ARHI CONFESSION OF LOVE

Khushi indicated with a glance to Geet that she wanted to be left alone with ASR. Geet left from the room glancing back at the couple worriedly. She felt sorry that in a way she was responsible for this state of things. But she did not mean any harm. She had wanted the best for Khushi and Arnav. She never anticipated that things would go so wrong. Geet prayed to her Babaji, "Babaji sab theek karlena! Is tuffan seh in donon ko bachao!"

Khushi turned back facing Arnav and calmly replied, "Yes! I did it Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada! I did it!Come on. Throw me out of your life. I cheated you, haven't I? A 'chotti haisiyat ki ladki' had the guts to bamboozle you? Don't spare me! Punish me for my impudence!"

She was getting angrier with each sentence she uttered, "Scream your heart out saying 'OUT! I SAY GET OUT!', for that is what you had to say to me before this contract came between us, forcing us into an unwanted engagement. And I ------I believed this contract----this false engagement for real!"

She caught hold of his vest and shook him saying, "You were with me for Anjali Di, and I, with you for Payal Jiji and Babuji. And I----I had the nerve to imagine that you were with me for me! I was foolish enough to fall in love with the man whom I thought I hated. I was even more foolish to expect that I would also be loved by him in return!"

She broke down into sobs. Her knees sank beneath her and she found herself falling to the ground crying inconsolably, while Arnav found himself taken aback by her outburst that he could not utter even a single syllable. She continued, gasping between her sobs, and tears rolling down her eyes,

"I loved you not because you are ASR, and have a lot of money, and wield a huge amount of power and importance. I loved you because you are my Arnav who was with me whenever I needed him. Not the ASR who made me cry and suffer for no fault of mine, but my Arnav for whom even a single tear of mine was like hell. I didn't love the hard, soulless, cold-blooded business man who saw this world just in terms of profit and loss, and for whom human emotions held no value. I fell for that poor, innocent, kind, generous, loving, affectionate Arnav, bruised by a past about which he never told me, but with which I could emphasize and feel for him, and be with him. He was weak but he was human! He was just like me!"

"He didn't leave me dangling mid-air to drop me without the least bit of compunction like ASR. He guarded me from every harm and preserved me like a precious jewel in one corner of his heart. My Arnav made me feel special, the most special girl in this universe! He made me feel like a girl, while ASR made me feel lesser than a worm! He admired my beauty, loved my words, enjoyed my silence, and cherished my whole persona within him. Arnav sprinted like an Olympics runner when my feet grew weak from fasting, while ASR ran away from my very thought and shut all the doors to his heart."

"I loved the Arnav who saved my honor, my Babuji's shop, and my Jiji's love, and not the ASR who tarnished my image in front of the whole of Lucknow, was the cause for my Jiji's broken marriage, and my Babuji's financial debts. I loved the Arnav who supported me in everything, pushed me to my limits, extracted the best out of me, and was my strength, and not the ASR who found fault with everything I did, tested me very badly, tried to corner me so that I would fail in my attempts. What is my fault if I found my Prince Charming in the Raakshas?"

Saying this torrent of words, Khushi was leaving from the place wiping her never-ending tears. She reached the door when Arnav roared, "STOP! KHUSHI, ISAID STOP! I HATE PEOPLE WHO ASK ME SOMETHING AND DON'T LET ME COMPLETE MY WORDS!"

Stunned, Khushi stood listening to him as though transfixed. Arnav came to her, took her hands in his, and started speaking, "Often, when I was small, my mother told me this ancient fairy tale where the princess is imprisoned all alone since her childhood by the evil witch in a high tower! One day a handsome prince comes into her life, frees her from her prison, loves her, kills the evil witch, and takes her along with him, leaving the walls of the fortress and high tower crashing behind him."

ASR started pacing to and fro furiously saying, "It happened with me also! Only difference, I myself built up the walls of this high tower brick by brick, cemented them with my hatred towards the rest of the world which had shut itself to me when I needed help. I decided that day that I would not give anybody another chance to shut their doors. I would shut those doors myself! I was suffocating and asphyxiated in my self-imposed and self-built hell, but was afraid to venture out for fear of what I might lose this time just as I had lost the last time. But I didn't know that one always does not lose but also gains!"

"You came into my life like a whiff of fresh air. For a moment, I was stunned! Perhaps I should not crave for the fresh, placid, pure and innocent air outside my high tower, my mind told me! But my heart cried the opposite! It taunted me telling, 'You're happy with this damp, dank, soggy, stale and morbid air within your tower that you fear purity? You deserve better, don't you?'"

"I never knew that my angel would just fall into my arms from the heavens! My mind doubted, 'Are you crazy? Such things don't happen! Angel! My foot!' but my heart was sure, 'Just because your heart is black like soot doesn't mean that you have no right to aspire for better! Everybody has an angel who looks after him and guards his best interests. God sends them when the appropriate time comes! What remains for you is to just wash the accumulated soot and grime from your heart so that you can offer it to your angel!'"

"I ran away from the thought, from my heart! But it only started beating even louder to remind me that I could not silence it! If I was tainted and coal-black, why not tarnish the angel also? I would not be tormented by this difference between us. That is what I did! But what had happened? The black just stuck to her cheek like a mole making her even more beautiful! I flew from the place in a flurry! But she followed me with her fragile but inexorable wings of fire!"

"She entered my fortress as a maid in disguise! I discovered her and threw her out because I told myself I could not fail! I could not change! But change, I did! She challenged me. How dare she? But she won each and every battle. I could not be worsted! I banished her to the dark cave of the demons where her light could not enter. But what happened? I rescued her myself. How could I who deemed her my worst enemy? I had no answer! But she had an answer. She was very angry with me and left me!"

"I thought that my angel had left me for good! I ought to be happy, but I was not! I was constantly pursued by her thoughts which never left me. Then again, I convinced myself that there ended my story with her. But it was not to be! She came into my life bringing sweets as though reminding me it was the very thing I lacked. I bristled with rage, but battle her I could not, for she had won over to her side everyone whom I had regarded as my allies! Then came the pact we made!"

"An uneasy peace dwelt between us. Gone were the days when I took an eye for an eye. She taught me to give an eye for an eye. My whole world turned upside down. My beliefs and the premises on which my world rested went for a toss. I ran even faster, but found that I couldn't, because I stopped each second to find whether she was following me or not!" said Arnav to Khushi.

"Well after all this rambling; let me come to the point. We've reached a dead-end. Now the only way before us is to turn back and traverse the rest of the path together." Kneeling before her feet, he said, "Will you be Mrs. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada? I've realized that both these names 'Khushi' and 'Arnav' are meant to be together. Do you feel the same? Can I ask you to be with me for the rest of this journey as my companion, my life, my wife?" Khushi replied smiling, "Yes, I will!" and fell into his arms. Both of them were locked in a tight embrace, true love having conquered all odds.

People who are meant to be, come together despite everything which separates them, because for them what differentiates them is not important, but what bring them together in this journey of life is the most significant thing. One reason to unite them is sufficient to overweigh a thousand reasons which say they have to separate. So were Arhi and their love which conquered all odds, pulverizing all the obstacles in their path to dust. And what a journey it was! Geet and Maan were overjoyed that their efforts to bring this magical couple together had borne fruit. BK from Chickmunji realized that it was their love story all along, while he was the joker whose job was just to evoke a few laughs.

(Hope all of you liked this confession. I tried to give it my best shot. Not yet planned the next track fully. Will update shortly after I have planned.)

The Contract of Hearts: A FF (Continued)

Part III

THE LONG DRIVE AND THE DANCE OF SOULS

"When I told Di about the party, she told me that you make jalebis every time you are upset with something. How come you never told me?" Arnav, a bit disappointed that he hardly knew anything about her.

"Well, you never asked." She replied irritated at his making even this as a mistake on her part. He never seemed interested in her or her likes and dislikes. Of course, why should he be? Theirs was a false engagement. The day their contract would end, they would also part. One unpleasant thought after the other came crashing into Khushi's mind. Could they really part as they thought they could?

Silence! Silence! Silence! Arnav was getting impatient. A girl who never kept quiet for even a second had been silent for the past five minutes. He fidgeted with the FM radio when the program Love Is in the Air blazed on air with the favorite love guru, Prem Chopra on line.

Arnav occasionally listened to this program when nobody was around. Okay they could listen to this program to break the embarrassing silence which had suddenly sprung between them. They still had a long way to go to Mr. Malhotra's country guest house.

Prem Chopra crooned, "Aap nikle ho ek long drive ke liye apni girlfriend ke sath. Aur ankhon hi ankhon mein bahut batein ho rahi hain, par apni dil ki baat khehne ke liye himmat nahi ho rahi hain. Thoh lijiye hum apka kam aasan kardete hain. Yeh pyara sa gana aise premiyon ke liye."

Arnav blushed thinking, "How did he correctly say what we were feeling? There's no CCTV camera in here is it?" When he turned round, he saw Khushi also shuffling in her seat uneasily. He was enjoying all this though he could not tell the reason why?

It was the beautiful melody "Hum mile na mile" which broke the air waves. Both of them found themselves drifting into the sweet and poignant lyrics of the song.

"Hum hain iss pal yahan, jaane ho kal kahan, hum mile na mile, hum rahe na rahe rahegi sadaa yahan, pyar ki yeh dastaan, sunenge sadaa jisse, yeh zameen asmaan

Rang dhal jaate hain, din badal jaate hain, raatein so jaati hain, raahein kho jaati hain, pyar khota nahin, pyar sota nahin, pyar dhalta nahin, haan badalta nahin

hum jahan aaye hain, meherbaan saaye hain, hum yahan khwaabon ke
Karwaan laaye hain, dhadkane hain jawaan, gaa raha hai samaa, pigli pigli se hain, mekhi tanhaiyan

Hum hain iss pal yahan, jaane ho kal kahan, hum mile na mile, hum rahe na rahe
rahegi sadaa yahan, pyar ki yeh dastaan, sunenge sadaa jisse, yeh zameen asmaan"

Both of them were together in an exquisitely beautiful locale painted by the wings of fantasy. Time stood still between them. So what if they were like parallel lines which could never meet? This moment they were together on this carpet of clouds, beneath the sky of a zillion rainbows, lighted up by the brilliance of countless stars of all hues and colors, lost in each other's eyes, bound to each other by a magical spell which would never break.

They were gliding together in a smooth and ethereal dance of souls. He held her softly as though she were a feather which he had to cherish and keep close to his heart forever. Hearts beating at the same instant, every cell in their bodies vibrated in unison with each other. They had that perfect harmony between them which could only be elicited by the contact of one soul with another. They were never more alive and never more lost to the rest of the world.

(Friends, sorry for making very slow progress with the story but this beautiful moment just happens between Arhi to make them realize that it is not anymore a mere contract that binds them but a contract of souls.)

The Contract of Hearts: A FF

Part XXI: GEETOPADESH

"What's up darling, between the two of you? Sorry if I've been too curious. I just wanted to help you" said Geet as soon as she and Khushi were alone.

Khushi was stumped and taken aback by Geet's direct approach. She was searching for what to say when Geet remarked, "Both of you are a very beautiful couple, so much in love, yet unable to express it in words. I can see it all. You remind me of Maan and me before our marriage. Just think of me as your sister, or your friend or just an agony aunt with whom you are sharing your problems."

Khushi could not help being influenced by Geet's kind and understanding manner and words. She badly needed an outlet for all her feelings. She could not discuss anything about her and Arnav with her Jiji, Payal, for fear that it would ruin her dear sister's marriage prospects with Akaash.

Khushi thought "Yes, Geetji is just like my Jiji. I'm sure she'll help me in my love." The scene which followed next figuratively sounded and looked like that famous sequence in Mahabharata where Arjun was about to renounce and give up everything as he was pitted against his own kith and kin in the war of Kurukshetra.

But was this love not Khushi's Kurukshetra? This battle was not any less. It was the battle for her life, her love, her life-breath, her very soul! It seemed as though Geet was standing on a high pedestal and listening to Khushi's emulation of her problems and dilemmas.

The famous lines of Lord Krishna reassuring Arjun "Parithraanaaya saadhunaam, vinaashaaya cha dushkruthaam, dharma samsthapanaardhaaya, sambhavami yuge yuge" (To save the good, to punish the evil, and to reinstate rightful thinking and actions, I incarnate from time to time) seemed to acquire new meaning from the conversation of Geet and Khushi which progressed on similar lines.

Khushi lamented, "Hey, Devi Maiyya, why is it that we have to confront our own people who mean the world to us? Why this conflict? Why? Why?"

Geet replied, "Because they are too blind to realize in which their real good lies in. When a person is too confused to make the correct decisions, the people who really care for them should take those decisions for them and make them accept it. They might protest but ultimately you are doing it for their own good. By doing so, you will not be regarded as a selfish person, but as a selfless person who kept the other person's welfare and happiness before your own. Got it!"

Khushi thought, "Truly Geetji has come into our lives to save me from losing hope in ever gaining my love, destroying the distances between us, and making Arnav see the right path, and put him on the road to that long awaited confession of love."

After listening to the entire story, Geet thoughtfully said, "Babaji yeh toh kamala hogaya! From what you have said, I've understood that ASR is Dusht Daanav Part II, and you are having a tough time making head or tail out of his behavior, just as I had with Maan before our marriage. So let's get cracking. Here are the Pyaar ke Super Hit Formulae which I've culled out from my own experience in life. You'll have ample opportunity in trying them out during this Singapore trip. If your Iron Man does not melt, then my name is not Geet! Remember that you are not alone in this. I'll be with you always."

Formula One:

Geet: Get rid of these pom-poms and flashy clothes!

Khushi: But this is my style, why should I change it for anybody?

Geet: You are not changing it for anybody and everybody. You're doing it for the love of your life. Honey, though you do look adorable in these clothes and Arnav also likes you as you are, here we are trying to squeeze out those three magical words from DD Part II. A different style of attire occasionally used will not harm your prospects. How about some tanning in the beach sands of Singapore with a bikini? ASR is gonna swoon seeing you like that!

Khushi: Didi, aap bhi nah------

Geet: Okay! Okay! We'll give that up. A nice western frock with a floral pattern or a green or black colored velvet and satin dancing gown, howzat?

Khushi: Hmm-------That could be------

Geet: So that's fixed!

Formula Two:

Geet: Ignore your man! Pay him a studied silence. Avoid him!

Khushi: What? I'm trying to make him confess, and if I start avoiding him how will he do that?

Geet: Darling, you have to keep these men on their toes. ASR is too confident about you and your attentions. You have to take him down a peg or two. This silence will also give him the much needed space and opportunity to realize his true feelings. Sometimes too much love and attention becomes suffocating. We don't want to push ASR to confess, do we? We want him to realize the truth for what it is.

Formula Three:

Geet: Ever tried the jealousy angle? Could you just talk or flirt with another guy before ASR's eyes so that he would blurt out what we want?

Khushi: Yes! I've a childhood friend, Sameer. ASR used to be terribly jealous of him.

Geet: Toh samasya kya hai? Let's bring him over here and spring him on DD Part II as an unpleasant surprise.

Khushi: Chance hi nahi! ASR knows that Sameer is just my friend. He'll see through our play act very easily.

Geet: Yeh toh gadbad hogayi, Babaji. Now we have to manage with some aira-gaira bali ka bakra for the time being. Poor soul whoever it is! ASR is gonna beat that chap to pulp if ever he sees him near you. I'm damn sure of that. Your man seems pretty possessive about you. He seems to regard you as his own sole property. So jealousy will do the trick for us.

Formula Four:

Geet: Physical proximity.

Khushi: Kya? Shadi seh pehle?

Geet: Ek dum buddhu ho tum! I didn't mean that. I was just imagining a nice romantic dance number in a dreamy and beautiful setting to fan the embers of the rocking chemistry between the two of you.

Khushi: Oh! Dance hi hai toh koi baath nahi!

Formula Five:

Geet: Creating the impression that he is going to lose you forever if he does not confess now.

Khushi: How will we do that?

Geet: Hmm---Let's see when the time comes for that!

Khushi: And Didi, these formulas---------- we try them one after the other or together?

Geet: You can start One and Two directly, but for the rest we need that bali ka bakra I was talking about.

Khushi: Ab woh kahan seh aayega? Aasman seh tapak padega kya?

While they we anxiously discussing this in the lobby of the hotel waiting for Maan and Arnav to return, they were accosted by

"Hello, myself Bhaavesh, from Chickmunji, pahadi ke peeche, neele aasmaan ke neeche, aap se milkar bahut khushi huvi. Kya aap mere dost banoge?" turning to Khushi.

Khushi to herself, "Ain, yeh kya hai? Isse pehle main mili kya usse?"

Geet was clapping her hands with joy, "Babaji, aapne meri sunli! Thank you Babaji!"

Just then both the men returned, and ASR was staring at the chipku, champu, bespectacled, weird nerd in flashy multi-colored clothes, or to say in simple words, chamkeeli clothes, who stood before them staring at his Khushi. He felt a strange antagonism for this guy. He unconsciously clenched his fist before he asked Khushi, "Who's he?" to which both Geet and Khushi together replied, "Bhaavesh, from Chickmunji, pahadi ke peeche, neele aasmaan ke neeche!"

(To be continued with ASR ki band baj gayi)

The Contract of Hearts: A FF (continued)

Part XXIV: MAAR DAALA! ALLAH MAAR DAALA!

At the Meeting:

ASR asking Khushi, "Have you informed about the event Sparkles 2011 to our delegates? All of them are high profile people. We have to be very careful about what we do."

Khushi continuing the monosyllables she had started since yesterday night, "Yes!"

"All the arrangements for their reception have been made?" asked ASR.

Khushi replying, "Yes!"

ASR continued in an extremely exasperated manner for he knew that she spoke every single sentence in paragraphs whenever she opened her mouth. But today, why was she behaving like this, he hardly could understand. ASR spoke, "AR has never given anybody the slightest chance to point out any mistake. Nothing will go wrong, will it?"

Khushi in the same manner, "No!"

Maan wanted to know if any cultural entertainments had been made to which Khushi elaborately replied, "We have organized for a fusion of Eastern and Western instrumental music spanning a variety of genres in which renowned artistes from all over Asia will be participating. It will be conducted by the eminent Zubin Mehta. I've spoken to the event manager and he has informed me that the program will be a real treat for all the music buffs and a real treat for the ears. Several cine actors have also been roped in to give their individual performances. Apart from that the collection which is adjudicated the best among all the designers will be staging a ramp show featuring famous international models. A line of designer wear based on that collection will be simultaneously launched."

"If she can talk to MSK like this, why can't she with me?" ASR thought angrily.

"You have to coordinate everything with the organizers and let me know the further developments" ASR added.

Khushi replied, "All right!"

"You'll be able to coordinate and manage this event and the party after that?" ASR, by this time at the fag end of his patience levels.

Khushi being as brief as possible, "No problem!"

Arnav groaned to himself, "Oh! Not Again!"

That evening at the Kavi Sammelan:

One of the fellows from the audience was commenting to his neighbor, "Tamatar yahan milenge kya? Kisne isko is Kavi Sammelan mein amantrit kiya hai. Kitni gandhi gandhi kavitayen sunaaraha hai. Mere kan pakgaya hai, aur un mein seh khoon nikal raha hai!"

The person sitting near him explained, "Self-invitation hai. Is nammona sponsor kar raha hai yeh Sammelan. Abhi abhi isse ek bahut bada jaidhat mila hai. Kal thak toh bikhari thah par iske ek door ke ristedar ne iske nam Chickmunji mein ek tea estate aur teen companiyan likkar margaya. Toh yeh un paison ko aise uda raha hai"

Khushi was fretting to Geet, "Didi, main yahan seh bhag jaun? Bardaash nahin hota yeh ghatiya kavitayen sunne ka?"

Geet warning her, "Kahin nahi ja rahi ho tum jab tak ASR aur Maan nahin aathe. Nahin toh hamara sare kiye karaye par pani pher jayega. Samjhi."

Just then Geet spotted ASR walking into the hall in an unwilling manner followed by Maan. Geet gave the hint to Khushi, "ASR's here. Start your acting!"

Bhavesh Kumar from Chickmunji setting the stage on fire with his poetry, "Main ne zindagi bhar jisse talash kiya, woh talash khattam hui, kyunki talash mujse haffa hui aur main ne talash ko beech rasthe chod diya, aur unse samjautha kar liya joh mujhe bina talash ke mil gayi!"

Khushi and Geet praising, "Wah! Wah!Wah! Wah!" A stunned silence prevailed in the hall when they heard this. And heads turned round to see who was, or rather who were the mahapurush who liked this kavita.

Bhavesh Kumar with redoubled vigor starting another apology for a poem, being tremendously encouraged by this response, "Har pal teri soch jab mujhe pukarti hai toh main khud ko kahin ghira hua patha hoon, kyonki main duniya ka sabse gira hua insaan hoon, fir sochtha hoon ke nayi sire se suru karoon, magar kaise akkal ayegi aise akal ke andho ko?"

ASR thought within himself, "Told the truth for once in your life, dude!"

BK was having a gala time while the audience was boiling with a rage which could break out into a volcano any moment, "Tum bahut yaad aate ho raat ki tanhaayi mein, kyonki agar tum hothi toh mere upar chadhar odhlethi, dhoop mai chalte chalte jab saaya nahi miltha, tum bahut yaad aate ho, kyonki agar tum hothi toh mere liye chatha pakkad lethi, shaam dhalte suraj mein jab akela baazar ghumtha hoon tum bahut yaad aate ho, kyonki agar tum hothi toh mera bag pakkad lethi!"

ASR genuinely surprised that this would be regarded as a kavita fit for public presentation. "Khushi is enjoying this nonsense! Grr! I'll go mad if I stay for some more time. I'll go! ------No! No! I can't go! If I do, BK from Chickmunji will get another opportunity to come close to Khushi. I can't let that happen. I can't stand here and see her ruining her life for a weirdo like BK. I've to stand my ground here until this torture ends."

(To be continued with ASR versus Bhaavesh Kumar from Chickmunji about who is greater than the other and who deserves KKG)

The Contract of Hearts: A FF(continued)

Part XXII: THE MIDNIGHT SAUNTER

"Psst!" Geet signaled to Khushi in a secretive manner, "We'll meet at night to plan how to put these formulas into action when both Maan and ASR are sleeping."

"Yes boss!" said Khushi when MSK and ASR were out of the hearing range. ASR turned back and saw that the chipku was still hovering round Khushi. Both the ladies, Khushi and Geet were whispering in undertones. Something was cooking up between them. But only time would tell what it was!

That night, in his part of the suite, ASR was pacing to and fro, furiously. The door between them had been repaired. He wished the hotel staff had not been too diligent in repairing it immediately. He would be in a much more peaceful frame of mind if she was constantly before his eyes. But that was not possible.

Khushi had also sufficiently recovered from her fear of the bhooth when the manager told her that it was just a rumor, and that it was an altogether different suite in which the incident occurred. "Drat! That stupid manager! Why did he have to tell that to her? That guy whom he saw this morning with her, things didn't seem all right" Arnav thought to himself.

His sixth sense told him that she was going to go out from her room this night. Just then, his sixth sense was reinforced by his auditory sense which told him that her room door had been opened. He put his head out of his part of the suite to investigate where she was going.

Arnav saw Khushi walking on a tip-toe very stealthily as though she wanted to hide something. But what? He began to follow her. He felt so ashamed that he, the garment tycoon, had come to this level, but he was forced to. He didn't rely that stupid fellow, Bhaavesh from Chick ----something, whom he saw in the morning. If that fellow was not looking for chances and pretexts to get closer to her, he Arnav Singh Raizada would be very surprised. He had to protect her from him at all costs.

His assumptions were very soon justified when he saw her bumping into Bhaavesh Kumar from Chickmunji when she turned just round the corner. Khushi remonstrated BK from Chickmunji, "Aap hamesha seh aise hi tapak padthe hai kya? Main dar gayi thi."

"Mautharma, pahadi ke peeche, neele aasmaan ke neeche, aapki husn ki ada mujhe yahan keechlayi. Vaise mere neend ko toh apne chura hi diye, ab mere dhil bhi leelijiye" Bhaavesh very plaintively.

Khushi rather confused, "Yeh koi offer hai kya? Ek ke saath ek free!"

"Jo kuch jo mera tah woh ab mera nahi raha. Us par apka aur sirf apka nam likka huva hai" Bhaavesh expressing his feelings in a very grand style.

Khushi's head was whirling with all this superfluous shudh Hindi and Urdu poetic language. She thought that she herself spoke the chastest Hindi possible but here was this gentlemen who seemed to be her baap in that respect. She questioned him, "Aap hamesha seh aisa hi bath karthe ko?"

Bhaavesh replied, "Kavi hoon toh bhasha mujhe sarltha seh uplabdh hota hai"

Khushi was curious to know what this unique specimen was doing in Singapore. So she asked, "Kavi maharaj ko yahan Singapore main kya kam hai?"

"Main yahan ek kavi sammelan main bhaag lene aaya hoon. Agar aap kal sham ko sammelan me aayegi toh mera himmat aur bad jayega. Aphi mere prerna ho, meri----" Bhaavesh requested.

"Theek hai. Ajkeliye agar aap ijaasat deh toh main kal aapaavungi, hain na?" said Khushi who wanted to escape from this namoona at all costs. She had heard enough of Hindi and Urdu for one night!

"Jane ka man nahi mantha par kya kare yeh zalim zamana hame juda kare toh kya kare", Bhaavesh as a parting shot. But at this juncture, it was not zalim zamana which parted them, but Zalim Singh Raizada who could contain himself no longer.

"What are you doing at this time of the night outside your room? Are you mad or are you sleep walking? Go to your room immediately" ASR ordered Khushi. He was highly incensed with whatever he saw. His anger had reached the boiling point.

"No. I can't. I've to meet----" Khushi tried to linger around as she had to meet Geet at all costs.

Just then Geet dropped in like a savior, "Woh mujhe goodnight kehne aayi thi, hai na Khushi?"

Khushi catching the hint, "Haan, main Geetji ko goodnight kehne aayi thi. Goodnight!"

ASR was staring at this entire exchange with disbelief, "Woh itni raath ko itni door goodnight kehne ke liye aayi thi? Yakin nahin hota. Kuch na kuch pakraha hai. Mujhe jaldhi patha lagaana padega aur is namoona ka bhi kuch karna padega"

Geet talking in codes, "Tum woh pehli aur doosri kaam karlena, teesri kaam ke bare main kal subhah tumhe batavungi. Samajgayi?"

"Theek hai. Main ek aur do karlungi" said Khushi, understanding that Geet was referring to the formulae.

"Kya ek aur do?" ASR terribly confused with what was happening.

"Kuch nahi. Geetji mujhe karne ke liye kuch kaam diya thah" Khushi explained rather unconvincingly.

"Kaam, aur tum?" ASR's eyebrows raised into two question marks of enquiry.

(To be continued with ASR ki band baj gayi)