Arnav learns a lesson Thread One - Page 36

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Part 22
Deepak: Phuphaji aap kya kaam karte hain?Aur aapka daftar kahan hai?
Arnav(confused): Daftar?
Deepak: Office! (giggles)Itni Hindi bhi nahi aati?
Arnav glares at him and doesnt reply.
Deepak: Pata hai,Lucknow me humari itni... badi dukaan hai!
Arnav(mocks him): Tumhari dukaan hai?
Deepak: Ha! Humare dadaji aur papa dukaan sambhaalte hain. Aap kiske yahaan kam karte hain,bataiyye na?
Buaji(entering): Babua,tumhre phuphaji kauno k neeche kaam naahi karat hai!Oo ke neeche saikdon log kaam karat rahe! Bahut bade kaarobaar k maalik hai tumhre phuphaji!
Deepak(turning back to Arnav): Sachchhi?
Arnav(smugly): Yup!Sachchi!
Buaji: Aur babua,tumhre phuphaji ki Ingreji bahut ae jabardast hai! Tumko kauno prasn poochhna ho tau poochh lena aur... (looks at Arnav) Nandkisore, ee Deepak babua Ingreji maa tanik kamjor hai. Tum ee ki madad kar sako tau bahut ai achchha hoga!
Arnav(reluctantly): Of course.. buaji!
Buaji takes his balaiyyan and leaves for the kitchen.
Deepak: Aapko Ingreji kavita aati hai,poem?
Arnav ignores him.
Deepak(shocked): Nahi aati?
Arnav(irritated): Aati hai!
Deepak: Toh sunaiyye naa!
Arnav(through gritted teeth): Johnny,Johnny!Yes papa?
Deepak smiles at him.
Arnav(under his breath): Eating my head?
Deepak(interrupts): No phupha! Galat bol rahe hain aap! Eating sugar?No papa!..
Just then they hear a lot of voices outside and Deepak jumps down from the chair.
Deepak: Sablog aa gaye!Amma, hum papa se milkar aate hain!
Ramaa: Kauno jaroorat naahi hai! Tumhre papa se abhai tau mile rahe isstaisan(station) par,kaunsa saalon k baad mil rahe hau!?Chupchap baitho aur (hands him a glass of milk) ee doodh khatam karo!Hum biskut(biscuit) laike aavat hai.
Arnav excuses himself and goes near the entrance of the house.
****
A girl of about 20 greets him.
Girl: Namaste jijaji! Humara naam Suchitra hai.
Arnav(eyes searching Khushi): Namaste!
To his horror of horrors,the girl touches his feet.
Arnav: Woah! Yeh.. aap kya kar rahi hain?
Suchi(still at his feet): Aap humse bade hain tau ee toh humara haq banta hai naa?Aashirwaad.. toh de dijiye!
Arnav(super irritated): Ya.. jeeti raho!
Just then he spots Khushi coming in with another lady,who has a small girl of about 3 in her lap.
He notices that Khushi has draped her dupatta in a different manner and smiles to himself.
Khushi sees Arnav and nearly runs to him,despite the luggage in her hands.
Arnav(screams): Careful Khushi!Lao,mujhe do..
Khushi: Nahi,nahi! Aapke haathon me waise hi chot hai,aap rehne dijiye, hum le jayenge. (turns to her cousin)a.. jiji,inse milo,yeh.. (blushes) humare woh hain!(turns to Arnav) Yeh humari mauseri behen hai,Sumitra jiji!
Sumi: Namaste jeejaji!
Arnav notes that even that lady seemed younger to him and was thus preparing for another round of aashirwad giving session.
Khushi: Suniye... (pats his arm) kahan kho gaye? Jiji ne namaste kaha aapse!
Arnav: O ya! Namaste!
Sumi(tells her daughter): Seemu,bitiya,mausaji ko namaste karo!
The girl smiles at Arnav and folds her hands in greeting.
There was something about her innocent,kiddish smile that made Arnav smile genuinely as he greets her.
Sumi: Bitiya,ab tau ghar aaye ghar hain,ab utro amma ki godh se! Khusi mausaji aur mausaji k pair chhuon..
The child touches Khushi's feet and when she's about to touch Arnav's,he picks her up in his arms.
Arnav: Nnno!Its ok,baby. Aap itne chhote ho,aapko pair chhoone ki zaroorat nahi hai!
Seema smiles.
Khushi notices the affection in her husband's eyes and voice for her niece and smiles.
Seema: Aap bhi yahan par hi rehte hain,naniji aur nanaji k saath?
Arnav: Nahi beta.Main apni family k saath mere ghar me rehta hoon.Mera ghar yahan se bahut door hai.
Seema: Kitni door hai?
****
The sight of Arnav holding Seema in his arms and talking animatedly to her brings tears to Khushi's eyes.
She could totally imagine Arnav holding their daughter in his arms and talking like that to her.
Arnav kisses the child's forehead while Khushi blinks her teas away.
Sumi: Khusi,tumhre jeejaji aur bhaiyya naa jaane kahan reh gaye?
Khushi: Amma aur babuji k saath aa rahe honge.
Sumi(turns behind): Lo aaye gaye! (she waves and calls loudly to her husband): Ayeji!Sun rahe hain?
Arnav is scared for a second,hearing her loud voice.
Her husband waves back.
husband: Aaye rahe hain,tanik ruko tau!
Sumi(screams): Areh tau jaldi aaiyye na! Kahe itna dheere dheere chal rahe hain?
husband: Haath ma saaman dikhat naahi hai kaa?
Sumi(turns to Khusi): Batiya aisan rahe hain jaisan ki hum tau khali haath aaye gaye hain aur saara saaman oo hai utha rahe hain! Ee,(points to her daughter) ee jaun sabse keemti saaman ko hum uthaye laaye, oo ka kaa,haan?
Ramaa(calls from the kitchen): Seemu...!Bheetar aaye jao bitiya aur aapan bhaiyya k saath baithkar dudh pee leyo!
Seema: Hum jaaye mausaji?
Arnav(puts her carefully on the floor): Ha beta,go!
Seema(running inside): Aaye mamiji!
Sumi: Dekh tau Khusi,tohre jijaji kitna bakhat lagaye rahe hain aaye maa! Ek attache uthane me ee haal hui jaat hai inka!
Khushi: Jiji,tumhari aur jeejaji ki tu-tu-main-main ab tak khatam nahi hui?
Sumi(shakes her head): Oo tau humre marne k baad hi khatam hogi, haan!
husband: Tsk,tsk,tsk!Subha- sabera kaisan asubh baat karat rahi hau!?
Sumi: Oo chhodiye aur inse miliye!(points to Arnav) Ee rahe humre jeejaji,humri Khusi k oo!
Arnav: Namaste!
husband: Areh aap tau humre gale lag jaiyye, saadubhai!
He hugs Arnav.
Arnav: Ji,kya kaha aapne?
husband: Saadubhai!
Khushi: Maaf kariyega jijaji,inki Hindi bahut kamzor hai!
husband: Oh!Kauno baat naahi,hum baad me samjhaaye denge! Abhai aap kebal itna yaad rakhiye ki humra naam Chetan hai.Aur hum aapki saali k pati hai!
Arnav: Ok,nice to meet u!
Another man comes to the entrance.
Man: Aur humra parichay naahi karvaaiyyega kaa jijaji?
Chetan: Areh aisan kaisan ho sakat hai bhaisahab? (turns to Arnav) Ee hai Sumitra aur Suchitra k bade bhaisahab,yaani humre aur aapke saale, Sukumar babu!
Arnav greets him.
Sukumar: Namaste chhotey jijaji!
Arnav(shocked): Ji?Aapko kaise pata chala k..
Sukumar(interrupts): Areh humne aapki saadi k photu dekhi hui hai,so humne pehchan liya aapko!
Arnav(thinks): But inhe yeh kaise pata laga ki mera nick name Chhotey hai?(looks at Khushi) Zaroor Khushi ne bataya hoga!
***
Khushi wonders why Arnav is glaring at her?
Khushi(thinks): Lagta hai ab tak naraz hai humse..
Her cousin interrupts her chain of thoughts.
Sumi: Khusi,aao bheetar chale.
Khushi and Sumitra go inside the house to keep the luggage.
Sukumar: Chaliye jijaji,humau bheetar chalte hain!
He keeps the suitcases in his hands on the floor and sighs heavily.
Arnav: Let me help u!
Sukumar: Areh kaisi baat karat hai jijaji?!Aap ee ghar k damad hai,humri bahin k pati hai,hum aapse kaam naahi kara sakat hai! Hum khudai le jayenge,bas tanik aaram kar le. Oo ka hai ki... saas phool gayi hai!
Chetan: Waah bhaisahab! Aap unse saaman naahi uthva sakte, kahe se ki oo aapke bahin k pati hai! aur hum? Hum kaun hai?
Just then Sumitra and Khushi come out to fetch the rest of the luggage.
Sumi(angry): Aye ji!Tum bhaiyya ko kaahe dos de rahe hau,haan? Bhaiyya ka bas chalta tau oo hai humra saaman uthaye lete. Oo tau hum mana kiye rahe oo ko!
Chetan: Areh hum majaak karat rahe,kaahe serious huyi rahi hau!?
Garima: Areh!Bitwa aap sab hiyaan kaahe khade hain?Andar chaliye naa.
Sukumar: Ji mausiji,aaiyye!
Garima: Khusi,dekh bitiya,Chetan bitwa tohre liye jilebiyan lekar aaye hain!
Khushi: Sach?!Shukriya jijaji!
Chetan: Areh sukriya kahe ki kauno jaroorat nahi hai saliji! Tum tau bas chain se baithkar jilebiyan khao aur khus rahao!
Everyone goes inside the house.
****
After a while..
Sukumar: Lijiye,humne dobara sabse aapka parichay karva diya.Ab tau aapko yaad rahega naa ki kaun aapke kaun laagat hain?
Arnav(still confused): Ya.. ya.. sure!
Buaji: Arey Garima,ee dekhau, Ramaa bahuriya ne aaye k rasoi sambhaal li!Sabka naasta jhat se banaye diya!
Garima: Humri bahuriya tau bahutai guni hai jiji!
Buaji: So tau hai!
Ramaa smiles as she serves jilebis to her husband and Arnav.
Arnav: No thanks!Main.. sweets nahi kha sakta.
Ramaa: Maaf kijiyega,hum tau bhulaaye gaye the ki aapko sugar ki bimari hai!
Arnav: Its ok.
Sukumar: Waise, jeejaji..Apni salaainiji se tau aap pahile hi mil liye honge?
Arnav(confused): Sorry?Kis.. se?
Sukumar(points to Ramaa): Inse.. Ee humri srimatiji aur aapki salaainiji hai,Ramaa!
Arnav: O yes,of course!Inse aur Deepak se toh main mil chuka hoon!
Deepak: Papa,phuphaji se kahiye naa ki humein unka daftar dikhane le jaye..
Arnav: Beta,aaj Sunday hai naa,so mera "daftar" band hai!
Deepak smacks his forehead in disappointment.
Deepak:Phir toh agli baar hi dekh payenge,hum kal jaa rahe hain.
Arnav(turns to Sukumar): Aaplog ek hi din k liye aaye hain?
Sukumar: Naahi,naahi! Oo ka hai ki.. humre jaun guruji hai oo ki 90vi janamtithi aaye rahi hai.Ee hai liye hum oose milne Jaipur jaaye rahe hain.
Arnav: I see..
Sukumar: Huaan unka paribaar,matbal ooke bhai,bahin aur ooka paribaar rahat hai.Tau guruji ne aapan janamtithi ka saara karyakram huaan Jaipur ma rakha hai. Ab kaa hai ki Lucknow se Jaipur ki kauno direct train tau naahi hai. Tau hum soche ki pahile Dilli aa jaaye,hiyaan sabse mil le aur phir hiyaan se agle din Jaipur k liye rabaana ho jayenge!Ketan babu,humre jijaji k bade bhaiyya,rail k karamchaari hai.Oo hai bataaye ki bahutai achchhi train hai,Bihar Kranti express,jaun Lucknow se raat k 9.30 baje nikalti hai aur hiyaan sabere 6:30 ko pahuch jaati hai.Tau humne oo hai train ka ticket kataya aur hiyaan aa pahuche!
Arnav(getting bored): Oh!Ok..
Sukumar: Hum pahile phone karke aaye ka soche the,phir Ramaa ne kahi ki hum jaun surprise denge taun mausiji,buaji aur mausaji khus hui jayenge! Tau ee hai liye hum bina batiyaye aaye gaye!
Arnav: Hmm.
Sukumar: Ab humein kaa pata tha ki humau ko surprise mil jayega?Aapse aur Khusi se mulakaat hiyaan hi hui jayegi! (sighs)Payalia aur bade jijaji se bhi mulaqat ho jaati tau achcha hota,khair,agli baar mil lenge!
Arnav realizes that he called him chhotey jijaji not bcoz he knew his nick name,but bcoz he's the husband of Sukumar's younger sister!
****
Khushi: Suniye..
Arnav turns to look at her.
Khushi: Woh.. chay pee li ho toh pattiyan badal lijiye.
Buaji: Hay re Nandkisore! Mehmaanan ka swagat karne ma, babua,hum tau bhulaye gaye! Hum abhai baraf laike aavat hai..
Garima: Humne lep taiyyar hi rakha hai,hum abhai laaye..
Sukumar: Kaa baat rahi jijaji?Ee sab lep,baraf... kaa hua hai aapke haathan ko?
Arnav: Nothing,chhoti si chot hai!Actually,ammaji aur buaji bahut sweet hain aur meri bahut care karte hain.. so main karne deta hoon,but otherwise, chot par aisa kuch bhi lagaane ki zaroorat nahi hai...
Sukumar smiles and gives an understanding nod.
Khushi looks at him but doesnt say anything.
Khushi(thinks): Ha,ha!Inki fiqar toh bas amma aur buaji hi karte hain naa!Humein toh jaise inki koi chinta hi nai hai!
Garima: Ee lai Khusi,lep aur baraf.(to Arnav)Jaiyye bitwa,lagvaa lijiye,aapke haathan ko aaram milega!
Arnav (smiles): Ji. Excuse me,bhaisahab.
Sukumar: Ji.
Ramaa: Nandoiji,aap naaste maa kaa lijiyega?Hum sabki khatir khatte aaloo aur poori banaye rahe.Aapko kauno aur cheej..
Arnav(interrupts): No bhabhiji! Aaloo poori works for me! Kuch aur mat banaiyye,plz.
Khushi smiles as she sees Arnav addressing her brother and bhabhi as his own.
Ramaa: Theek hai. Khusi..
Khushi: Ji bhabhi?
Ramaa: Ab.. nandoiji k haath ma lep lagi hai tau oo tau kha naahi sakenge.(blushes) Hum ek ahi thaali ma tohra aur ooka naasta paros det hain,tu khilaye dena!
Khushi(blushes): a.. bhabhi aaplog nashta kar lijiye aur hum.. baad me le lenge naashta.
Ramaa nods,while Khushi follows Arnav inside her bedroom and then closes the door.
****
Arnav sits on the bed,without saying a word to Khushi.
Khushi: Sorry! Hum.. josh me aakar,humne.. bahut zor se..
Arnav: Its ok.
Khushi: Hum.. baraf laga dete hain,aap kurta utaar dijiye.
Arnav(removes kurta): Mujhe de do,main laga leta hoon.
He snatches the bowl containing ice from her.
Arnav: Tum jao,guests ka khayal rakho,I'll manage.
He drops the ice cube the moment he lifts it.
Khushi(makes a face): Theek se pakadna toh aata hai nahi,lagayenge kaise?!
Arnav doesnt say anything.
Khushi: Aise nahi lagaate baraf..(holds the ice cube inside her dupatta)Aise pakadte hain aur phir aise lagaate hain!..
She applies it on his shoulder and Arnav swears under his breath.
Khushi: Suniye..
Arnav looks at her.
Khushi(feeling his shoulder with her fingers): Khoon toh.. nahi nikla naa?
Arnav: Tumhari Devi Maiyya ne tumhare sir me normal insaano jaisa dimaag toh nahi dala,but thankfully tumhare moonh me normal insaano jaise daant daale hain! Khushi frowns.
Arnav: What a silly question?! Tumhare daant kya dracula ya vampire jaise hain ki khoon niklega? (snatches the ice n dupatta from her hand) Kuch nahi hua hai,bas thoda pain hai.
Khushi(snatches them back): Aap toh is baat ka shukar manaiyye ki humari Devi Maiyya ne humare sir par do seeng nahi diye! Varna na jane aapka kya haal hota?!
Arnav cocks an eyebrow.
Khushi: Waise seeng toh aapke sir pe zyada shobha dete! Sochiye toh, kaisa hota agar aapke sir par do bade-bade seeng hote? Phir jab bhi aap gussa karte,aapke seeng laal ho jate,aapke kaano ki tarah!
She laughs at her own little joke till Arnav pulls her towards himself by her waist.
Khushi(shocked): Kya kar rahe hain?Had hoti hai!
She removes his hand from her waist.
Khushi(irritated): Khud toh jab mauka mile tab humara aur humare dimaag ka mazaak udate rehte hain! Jawab me humne zara sa kuch keh kya diya,gusse se aag baboola ho gaye!
Arnav tries to say something but she shuts him up.
Khushi: Ek sabak hum bhi aapko sikhana chahenge mr. Raizada- agar aapko apni patni ka mazaak udane ka haq hai toh woh hi haq aapki patni ko bhi hai! Agar aapse mazaak bardaasht nahi hota toh kisi ka mazaak udaiyye bhi mat!Ma..
Arnav keeps his index finger firmly on her lips,thus preventing her from completing her sentence.
Arnav: Ek sabak tum bhi seekh lo mrs. Raizada! Apne husband ko underestimate karne se pehle do baar soch liya karo! Apne husband k intentions par zara sa bharosa rakho!
He shows her the bowl,which has the last cube of ice.
Then he takes it in her dupatta and applies it on her neck,where he had given her the love bite.
Khushi is at a loss of words.
She waits till the ice cube melts and then before he could turn away,she cups his face and kisses his forehead.
Khushi: Humein.. maaf kar dijiye!Kal raat ko bhi.. humne aap par.. aur.. aaj bhi..
Arnav removes her hands from his face.
Khushi: Hum.. yeh sabak yaad rakhenge.Par.. abhi k liye toh maaf kar dijiye.Itna bhi kya gussa karna,hmm?
She holds her ears.
Arnav(removing her hands from her ears): Plz Khushi,tumhe yeh sab karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai.Its okay.
He takes her hand in his.
Arnav: I just want u to hav a little more faith in me,thats it! And.. this applies to me as well!
Khushi: Hum samajhte hain..
She runs a hand through his hair and kisses his widow's peek.
Arnav leans his head and rests it in the crook of her neck and shoulder.
Then he wraps his right arm around her waist.
Khushi,in turn,wraps her arms around his neck,pulling him closer.
Arnav sighs loudly.
Khushi: Humare alava kaun pareshan kar raha hai aapko?Kiske baare me sochkar yoon aahen bhar rahe hain?
Arnav: Di..
Khushi: Di ya di ka rishta?Di k rishte ko lekar chintit hai naa aap?
He nods.
Khushi: Devi Maiyya sab theek karengi,chinta mat kariye!Humara dil kehta hai ki di aur Rakshitji ka rishta pakka ho jayega!
Arnav: Is hi baat se tensed hoon main.
Khushi(puzzled): Ji?
Arnav: I dont think di ka Lucknow me rehna sahi hoga!
Khushi(confused): Kyun?Lucknow me kya kharaabi hai?
Arnav(leaves her embrace): Koi kharaabi nahi hai Khushi.Its just that.. humare past ki wajah se.. I dont know,I'm very skeptical about that city.
Di ka rishta agar wahaan na ho toh hi achcha hoga.
Khushi: Aisa mat kahiye!Di ki baaton se toh aisa laga jaise unhe Rakshitji pasand aa gaye hain. Rishta ho jaay toh hi achcha hoga! Aur waise bhi, purani,kadvi yaadon ko mitaane k liye nayi,achchhi yaadon ka hona bahut zaroori hai!
Arnav gives a small smile.
Khushi: Rakshitji di k madad karenge,unhe khush rakhenge,unhe nayi,haseen yaadein denge! Aap dekhiyega,agar yeh..
Her phone beeps.
Khushi: Arnavji,naniji ka phone hai!Lagta hai Rakshitji k yahaan se phone aa gaya hai!
Arnav(eager n anxious): Mujhe do!
Khushi: Humein bhi sunna hai,speaker par rakhiye!
He answers the call and then switches the phone to loudspeaker mode.
****
Arnav: Ji nani?
Nani: Mubaarak ho,Chhotey!Anjali bitiya aur Rakshit babu ka rishta tay hui gava hai!Aane wale mahine ki 7 taareekh ko aapki di ki sagaai hai!
Khushi(elated): Areh waah!Devi maiyya ne humari sun li!Yeh toh bahut hi achchi khabar sunaayi aapne,naniji!Badhaai ho!
Nani: Ha bitiya,aapko bhi bahut,bahut badhaai ho!Ab aap jilebiyan taiyyar rakhiye! Aapan di ko aap jilebiyan khilaakar hi badhaai dijiyega!
Khushi: Zaroor naniji!Di hain kya wahaan?
Nani: Ji,lijiye,baat kijiye..
Anjali(in a soft tone): Hello Chhoti?
Khushi: Bahut,bahut badhaai ho di!Agar aap abhi yahaan hoti toh hum aapko gale lagaakar badhaai dete!
Anjali: Shaam ko toh hum mil hi rahe hain,aap.. humein tab gale laga lena!
Khushi: Bilkul!Waise di.. (teases) aapke man me toh laddoo phhoot rahe honge naa? Aapke andesha sahi jo nikla!
Anjali: Chhoti! Humein chhediye mat!
Khushi: Yeh toh shuruaat hai,di! Ab toh jab tak aapki bidaai nahi ho jaati,hum aapko aise hi chhedenge!
Anjali: Yeh sab chhodiye aur bataiyye,Chhotey kahan hain?
Arnav swallows a lump.
Khushi: Yeh rahe! Humare.. (shocked to see tears in Arnav's eyes)
Anjali: Kya hua Chhoti?Kahan hain Chhotey?
Khushi tries to cover up.
Khushi: Woh.. di.. Arnavji.. pata nahi kahan.. hain? Abhi toh.. yaheen the.Humein lagta hai a.. babuji k kamre me gaye honge,amma-babuji ko yeh khabar sunane?
Anjali: O.. achchha!Jab woh aaye toh aap unse humari baat karva dengi?
Khushi: Ha,ha.. bilkul di! Hum.. thodi der baad aapko phone karte hain!
Anjali: Theek hai.Aap apna aur Chhotey ka dhyan rakhna.Aur wahan sabko humari or se namaste kehna.
Khushi: Ji di.. rakhte hain!
She ends the call and keeping the mobile aside,wipes Arnav's tears.
Khushi: Kya hua Arnavji? Aap.. ro.. kyun rahe hain?Bataiyye na?
Arnav pulls her into a hug.
***
PRECAP: Ramaa: Nandoiji tohra dhyaan toh rakhte hain naa?Ki sara bakhat aapan kaarobaar ko hi det hain?
Khushi: Aisa nahi hai,bhabhi. Woh humara bahut khayal rakhte hain!Aur humein kabhi,kisi cheez ki kami nahi hone dete!
Arnav,who is hiding behind the door,smiles as he hears that.
Ramaa: Tohri kismat bahutai achchi hai,Khusi.
She sighs heavily.
Khushi(concerned): Kya hua bhabhi? Bhaiyya aur.. aapke beechh.. sab theek toh hai?
Ramaa: Ha.. theek hi samjho..
Khushi: Bataiyye na bhabhi! Koi baat hai kya?Aap humse keh sakti hain,hum.. amma,bhaiyya,kisise nahi kahenge!
Arnav(thinks): Khushi ko unke private maamlon me padne ki kya zaroorat hai?

Kindly ignore typos n mistakes. PMs later. Translation in the post below. Next update on Saturday.

Translation for Part 22
Deepak: Phuphaji,what work do u do?And where is ur daftar?
Arnav(confused): Daftar?
Deepak: Office! (giggles)Dont u know even this much of Hindi?
Arnav glares at him and doesnt reply.
Deepak: You know,I have a very... big shop in Lucknow!
Arnav(mocks him): You!?You have a shop?
Deepak: Ha! My dadaji and papa take care of it. In whose shop or office do u work,say naa?
Buaji(entering): Babua,ur phuphaji doesnt work under anybody!There r many people who work under him! Ur phuphaji has a very big business!
Deepak(turning back to Arnav): Really?
Arnav(smugly): Yup!Really!
Buaji: And babua,ur phuphaji's English is fabulous! If u want to ask him something,u may do so n... (looks at Arnav) Nandkisore, Deepak babua is a bit weak in English. It would b very nice if u could help him!
Arnav(reluctantly): Of course.. buaji!
Buaji takes his balaiyyan and leaves for the kitchen.
Deepak: Do u know Ingreji kavita,poem?
Arnav ignores him.
Deepak(shocked): U dont know!?
Arnav(irritated): I know!
Deepak: Then tell!
Arnav(through gritted teeth): Johnny,Johnny!Yes papa?
Deepak smiles at him.
Arnav(under his breath): Eating my head?
Deepak(interrupts): No phupha! That's not correct! Eating sugar?No papa!..
Just then they hear a lot of voices outside and Deepak jumps down from the chair.
Deepak: Everyone is here!Amma, I'm going to meet papa!
Ramaa: No need! U've met ur papa at the isstaisan(station) this morning,its not like u r meeting him after ages! Sit quietly and (hands him a glass of milk) finish ur milk!I'll get u some biskut(biscuits).
Arnav excuses himself and goes near the entrance of the house.
****
A girl of about 20 greets him.
Girl: Namaste jijaji! My name is Suchitra.
Arnav(eyes searching Khushi): Namaste!
To his horror of horrors,the girl touches his feet.
Arnav: Woah! What.. did u just do!?
Suchi(still at his feet): I'm younger to u,so isnt this my right?Please give me ur blessings!
Arnav(super irritated): Ya.. jeeti raho!
Just then he spots Khushi coming in with another lady,who has a small girl of about 3 in her lap.
He notices that Khushi has draped her dupatta in a different manner and smiles to himself.
Khushi sees Arnav and nearly runs to him,despite the luggage in her hands.
Arnav(screams): Careful Khushi!Give it to me..
Khushi: Noways! U've hurt ur hands so u shouldnt hold this,I'll take this. (turns to her cousin)a.. jiji,this is.. (blushes) my woh!(turns to Arnav) This is my maternal cousin,Sumitra jiji!
Sumi: Namaste jeejaji!
Arnav notes that even that lady seemed younger to him and was thus preparing for another round of aashirwad giving session.
Khushi: Suniye... (pats his arm) Didnt u hear? Jiji said namaste!
Arnav: O ya! Namaste!
Sumi(tells her daughter): Seemu,bitiya,say namaste to mausaji!
The girl smiles at Arnav and folds her hands in greeting.
There was something about her innocent,kiddish smile that made Arnav smile genuinely as he greets her.
Sumi: Bitiya,now that v r home,its time u get down from amma's lap.Now go n touch Khusi mausiji and mausaji's feet..
The child touches Khushi's feet and when she's about to touch Arnav's,he picks her up in his arms.
Arnav: Nnno!Its ok,baby. U dont need to touch my feet!
Seema smiles.
Khushi notices the affection in her husband's eyes and voice for her niece and smiles.
Seema: Do u also stay here with naniji and nanaji?
Arnav: No beta.I stay in my house with my family.My house is very far from here.
Seema: How far is it?
****
The sight of Arnav holding Seema in his arms and talking animatedly to her brings tears to Khushi's eyes.
She could totally imagine Arnav holding their daughter in his arms and talking like that to her.
Arnav kisses the child's forehead while Khushi blinks her teas away.
Sumi: Khusi,I dont know where ur jeejaji n bhaiyya got stuck?
Khushi: They must b coming with amma n babuji.
Sumi(turns behind): Look they're here! (she waves and calls loudly to her husband): Ayeji! R u listening?
Arnav is scared for a second,hearing her loud voice.
Her husband waves back.
husband: Coming,wait for a while!
Sumi(screams): Hurry up,will u?! Y do u need to walk so slowly?
husband: Cant u see the luggage in my hands?
Sumi(turns to Khusi): He's talking as if I've come empty handed and he's the one who's carried everything! What about this,(points to her daughter) this most important "luggage" that I was carrying,haan?
Ramaa(calls from the kitchen): Seemu...!Come inside bitiya n have some milk with ur bhaiyya!
Seema: Should I go mausaji?
Arnav(puts her carefully on the floor): Ha beta,go!
Seema(running inside): Coming mamiji!
Sumi: See Khusi,ur jijaji is taking such a long time to come! This is what happens when he has to lift just one attache!
Khushi: Jiji,ur and jeejaji's catfights havent ended yet,have they?
Sumi(shakes her head): They'll end only once I'm dead, haan!
husband: Tsk,tsk,tsk!What r u saying early in the morning!?
Sumi: Leave all that aside,come n meet him!(points to Arnav) This is my jeejaji,r Khusi's woh!
Arnav: Namaste!
husband: Areh u should come n hug me, saadubhai!
He hugs Arnav.
Arnav: Pardon,what did u call me?
husband: Saadubhai!
Khushi: Forgive him jijaji,his Hindi is very weak!
husband: Oh!Doesnt matter! Let me explain. U just remember that my name is Chetan.And I am ur sister-in-law's husband!
Arnav: Ok,nice to meet u!
Another man comes to the entrance.
Man: Wont u introduce me jijaji?
Chetan: Areh how is it possible, bhaisahab? (turns to Arnav) This is Sumitra n Suchitra's older bhaisahab,ur and my saale, Sukumar babu!
Arnav greets him.
Sukumar: Namaste chhotey jijaji!
Arnav(shocked): Ji?How do u know...
Sukumar(interrupts): Areh I have seen ur wedding photu,so thats how I could recognize u!
Arnav(thinks): But how does he know my nick name Chhotey?(looks at Khushi) Khushi must have told him about it!
***
Khushi wonders why Arnav is glaring at her?
Khushi(thinks): Looks like he's still angry with me..
Her cousin interrupts her chain of thoughts.
Sumi: Khusi,lets go inside.
Khushi and Sumitra go inside the house to keep the luggage.
Sukumar: Chaliye jijaji,even we should go inside!
He keeps the suitcases in his hands on the floor and sighs heavily.
Arnav: Let me help u!
Sukumar: What r u saying chhotey jijaji?!U r the damad of this house,my bahin's husband,I cant let u take this!I'll take it myself! I'm just resting for a while.. was.. out of breath,thats y!
Chetan: Waah bhaisahab! U cant let him lift the luggage since he's ur sister's husband!And me?Who am I then?
Just then Sumitra and Khushi come out to fetch the rest of the luggage.
Sumi(angry): Aye ji!Y r u blaming bhaiyya,haan? Bhaiyya wanted to lift our luggage as well!Its me who told him not to do so!
Chetan: Areh I was just joking,y r u gettin so worked up!?
Garima: Areh!Bitwa,y r u all standing outside?Lets go inside.
Sukumar: Ji mausiji,plz come!
Garima: Khusi,look bitiya,Chetan bitwa has got jilebis for u!
Khushi: Really?!Thank u jijaji!
Chetan: Areh there's no need to say thank u!U sit peacefully n eat them,thats all u've got to do!
Everyone goes inside the house.
****
After a while..
Sukumar: So,I've introduced u to everyone once again.I hope.. u will remember now who here is related in which way to u?
Arnav(still confused): Ya.. ya.. sure!
Buaji: Arey Garima,look here, Ramaa bahuriya took charge of the kitchen from the moment she came!She's already made breakfast for everyone!
Garima: My bahuriya is very talented and thoughtful jiji!
Buaji: Thats true!
Ramaa smiles as she serves jilebis to her husband and Arnav.
Arnav: No thanks!I.. cant have sweets.
Ramaa: Plz forgive me,I completely forgot that u have blood sugar!
Arnav: Its ok.
Sukumar: BTW, jijaji..U must have already met ur salaainiji,right?
Arnav(confused): Sorry? Who?
Sukumar(points to Ramaa): She is my srimatiji n ur salaainiji,Ramaa!
Arnav: O yes,of course!I met her n Deepak first!
Deepak: Papa,plz tell phuphaji to show us his daftar..
Arnav: Beta,today being a Sunday, my "daftar" is closed!
Deepak smacks his forehead in disappointment.
Deepak: Then I'll b able to see it next time since v r leaving tomorrrow.
Arnav(turns to Sukumar): U all have come for just one day?
Sukumar: Naahi,naahi! Actually.. r guruji's 90th birthday is approaching,for which we r going to Jaipur.
Arnav: I see..
Sukumar: Since his family,I mean,his brother,sister and their families r settled over there,in Jaipur,so he decided to celebrate his 80th birthday over there. Now, there's no direct train from Lucknow to Jaipur. So v thought of coming to Delhi first,staying here for a day and then leaving for Jaipur!Ketan babu,my jijaji's bade bhaiyya,is an employee of railways.He told us that there's a very nice train, Bihar Kranti express,which leaves Lucknow at 9.30 pm and reaches here at 6:30 am.So we booked the tickets for that train and reached here!
Arnav(getting bored): Oh!Ok..
Sukumar: Earlier I had planned to call and inform mausiji,but Ramaa said that mausiji,mausaji n buaji will b happy if v surprise them!So v came without informing them!
Arnav: Hmm.
Sukumar: Now v didnt know that v would b that v would end up getting a surprise! That v would meet Khusi n u over here! (sighs) It would hav been very nice if v could have met Payalia n bade jijaji,but,its okay,there's always a next time!
Arnav realizes that he called him chhotey jijaji not bcoz he knew his nick name,but bcoz he's the husband of Sukumar's younger sister!
****
Khushi: Suniye..
Arnav turns to look at her.
Khushi: Woh.. if u r done with the tea,come n change ur bandage.
Buaji: Hay re Nandkisore! In the process of welcoming the guests, babua,I completely forgot about it! I'll just get u some ice..
Garima: The lep is ready,let me get it for u..
Sukumar: Is everything ok jijaji?Why all this ice,lep.. a.. hav u seriously injured ur hands?
Arnav: Nothing,its a small injury!Actually,ammaji n buaji r really sweet and care a lot for me.. so I let them do it,but otherwise, there's no need to apply anything on the wound...
Sukumar smiles and gives an understanding nod.
Khushi looks at him but doesnt say anything.
Khushi(thinks): Ya,ya!Only buaji and amma care for him!He's talking as if I dont even think about him!
Garima: Here Khusi,take this lep and ice.(to Arnav)Go bitwa,I'm sure u'll feel better once u apply it on ur hands!
Arnav (smiles): Ji. Excuse me,bhaisahab.
Sukumar: Ji.
Ramaa: Nandoiji,what will u have for breakfast? I've made khatte aaloo n poori for everyone.If u need something else..
Arnav(interrupts): No bhabhiji! Aaloo poori works for me! Dont prepare anything else,plz.
Khushi smiles as she sees Arnav addressing her brother and bhabhi as his own.
Ramaa: Ok. Khusi..
Khushi: Yes bhabhi?
Ramaa: Now since.. nandoiji's hands r hurt,he wont b able to eat on hiw own.(blushes) So I'll serve ur and his breakfast in the same plate,u feed it to him.
Khushi(blushes): a.. bhabhi u'll carry on with the breakfast n we'll.. hav it later.
Ramaa nods,while Khushi follows Arnav inside her bedroom and then closes the door.
****
Arnav sits on the bed,without saying a word to Khushi.
Khushi: Sorry! Hum.. I got enraged n.. I bit u real hard..
Arnav: Its ok.
Khushi: Plz remove ur kurta then I'll apply ice on ur shoulder.
Arnav(removes kurta): Give it to me,I'll do it myself.
He snatches the bowl containing ice from her.
Arnav: U go,take care of the guests,I'll manage.
He drops the ice cube the moment he lifts it.
Khushi(makes a face): How will u apply it when u dont even know how it is to be held?!
Arnav doesnt say anything.
Khushi: Thats not the way to apply ice..(holds the ice cube inside her dupatta)Hold it like this and apply it like this!..
She applies it on his shoulder and Arnav swears under his breath.
Khushi: Suniye..
Arnav looks at her.
Khushi(feeling his shoulder with her fingers): I hope there was no.. bleeding?
Arnav: Ur Devi Maiyya hasnt put a normal brain inside ur head,but thankfully she's given u normal teeth!
Khushi frowns.
Arnav: What a silly question?! R u teeth like those of dracula or vampires that u'll bite me n I'll bleed? (snatches the ice n dupatta from her hand) This is nothing,its just that it pains a bit.
Khushi(snatches them back): U should b thankful for the fact that my Devi Maiyya hasnt given two horns on my head! Else I dont know what would have happened to u?!
Arnav cocks an eyebrow.
Khushi: BTW,horns would have suited ur head a lot! Just imagine, how would u look with two big-big horns on ur head? Whenever u would get angry, they would turn red,just like ur ears turn red when u're angry!
She laughs at her own little joke till Arnav pulls her towards himself by her waist.
Khushi(shocked): What r u doing?This is the limit!
She removes his hand from her waist.
Khushi(irritated): U keep making fun of my brain every now n then.If I say make fun of u even once,ur blood starts boiling!
Arnav tries to say something but she shuts him up.
Khushi: Even I would like to teach u one lesson, mr. Raizada- If u hav a right to make fun of ur wife,then she has the same right!And if u cant tolerate anyone making fun of u,u better dont make fun of others!U always..
Arnav keeps his index finger firmly on her lips,thus preventing her from completing her sentence.
Arnav: Its time even u learn a lesson, mrs. Raizada! Think twice before u underestimate ur husband! Hav some faith in ur husband's intentions!
He shows her the bowl,which has the last cube of ice.
Then he takes it in her dupatta and applies it on her neck,where he had given her the love bite.
Khushi is at a loss of words.
She waits till the ice cube melts and then before he could turn away,she cups his face and kisses his forehead.
Khushi: Plz forgive me!Yesterday night.. also I.. and today I..
Arnav removes her hands from his face.
Khushi: I'll remember this.. lesson.But.. forgive me this time.What is the need for u to be so angry,hmm?
She holds her ears.
Arnav(removing her hands from her ears): Plz Khushi,u dont need to do all this.Its okay.
He takes her hand in his.
Arnav: I just want u to hav a little more faith in me,thats it! And.. this applies to me as well!
Khushi: I understand..
She runs a hand through his hair and kisses his widow's peek.
Arnav leans his head and rests it in the crook of her neck and shoulder.
Then he wraps his right arm around her waist.
Khushi,in turn,wraps her arms around his neck,pulling him closer.
Arnav sighs loudly.
Khushi: Who,apart from myself,is troubling u?U r sighing like this thinking about whom?
Arnav: Di..
Khushi: Di or di's marriage proposal? U r worried about her marriage proposal,arent u?
He nods.
Khushi: Devi Maiyya will make everything alright,dont worry! My heart tells me di n Rakshitji's marriage will b fixed!
Arnav: I'm tensed about just that.
Khushi(puzzled): Ji?
Arnav: I dont think it would b alright for di to stay in Lucknow!
Khushi(confused): Y?What is wrong with Lucknow?
Arnav(leaves her embrace): nothing is wrong, Khushi.Its just that.. bcoz of r past.. I dont know,I'm very skeptical about that city! It would b better if di doesnt get settled over there.
Khushi: Dont say that! From what I could make out,di likes Rakshitji.. a lot! It would b better if they agree to the proposal! And anyways, u need new,good memories to erase old,bitter ones!
Arnav gives a small smile.
Khushi: Rakshitji will help di,he will keep her happy,he will give her new,beautiful memories! U just wait and watch,if this..
Her phone beeps.
Khushi: Arnavji,its naniji!Looks like Rakshitji's family has given their answer!
Arnav(eager n anxious): Give it to me!
Khushi: Even I want to hear her,put it on speaker mode!
He answers the call and then switches the phone to loudspeaker mode.
****
Arnav: Ji nani?
Nani: Congratulations Chhotey!Anjali bitiya n Rakshit babu r going to get married soon!Ur di will get engaged on the 7th of next month!
Khushi(elated): Areh waah!Devi maiyya heard my prayers! U gave us a really good news,naniji! Congratulations!
Nani: Ya bitiya,congratulations to u as well! Now u keep the jilebis ready! U congratulate ur di by feeding her jilebis from ur own hands!
Khushi: Of course,naniji! Is di there?
Nani: Ji,here,talk to her..
Anjali(in a soft tone): Hello Chhoti?
Khushi: Congratulations di! Had u been here,I would've hugged u n then congratulated u!
Anjali: We r meeting in the evening right?So u hug me that time!
Khushi: Sure! BTW di.. (teases) u must b on cloud 9 right now! Ur intuition was right!
Anjali: Chhoti! Dont tease me!
Khushi: This is just the beginning,di! Now I will keep teasing u in the same manner till ur bidaai!
Anjali: Leave all this aside n tell me,where is Chhotey?
Arnav swallows a lump.
Khushi: He's right here ! He's.. (shocked to see tears in Arnav's eyes) he's..
Anjali: What happened Chhoti? Where is Chhotey?
Khushi tries to cover up.
Khushi: Woh.. di.. Arnavji.. I dont know where.. he went? He was here.. just now. I think.. a.. he must've gone to babuji's room,to convey this good news to amma-babuji?
Anjali: O.. alright! Will u ask him to call me when he's back?
Khushi: Ya,ya.. sure di! I'll.. call u sometime later!
Anjali: Ok. Take care of urself n Chhotey. N convey my namaste to everyone.
Khushi: Ji di.. bye!
She ends the call and keeping the mobile aside,wipes Arnav's tears.
Khushi: What happened Arnavji? Y r u.. crying?Tell me..
Arnav pulls her into a hug.
****
PRECAP: Ramaa: Nandoiji takes care of u,doesnt he? Or does he spend all his time on his business?
Khushi: Its not like that,bhabhi. He takes very good care of me!And he makes sure to give me all that I want or need!
Arnav,who is hiding behind the door,smiles as he hears that.
Ramaa: U r really fortunate,Khusi.
She sighs heavily.
Khushi(concerned): What's the matter bhabhi? Is.. everything alright between bhaiyya... n u?
Ramaa: Ya.. its almost ok..
Khushi: Tell me bhabhi! Is anything bothering u? U can tell me ,I wont say anything to.. amma or bhaiyya!
Arnav(thinks): Y does Khushi need to interfere in their private matters?
Kindly ignore typos n mistakes.PMs later.Next update on Saturday.