Part 1
Arnav Singh Raizada sighed deeply in pleasure; he was sweaty, dirty, there was a pleasant buzz in his blood, his elbows and knees hurt after their repeated contact with the unforgiving floor of the basketball court as he tried not to squash Aarav in his enthusiastic but often misdirected moves around the court. But he was happy. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed playing basketball, the dribbling, the passing, the satisfaction of the ball hitting the basket; the thrill was no less than winning million-dollar deals.
Trust Khushi to instinctively know things about him without being told. When it came to him, Khushi had an uncanny ability to sense and feel.
He felt a tug and looked down at Aarav pulling at his track pant, the habitual frown missing from his face, his teeth sparkling in his grimy face as he smiled up at Arnav. 'That was a great game, hai na uncle? We must play again.'
'Yeah, it was and we must thank your Khushi aunty for arranging this', he advised, more as a reminder to himself as he ruffled the silky hair of the child.
Now where was that crazy wife of his; he bit back a smile as he thought of her antics on the field; right from kicking the ball, to her feigned injury, Khushi had ensure that there was not a single dull moment on the field. But what if she was really hurt? His heart clenched at the thought of Khushi being hurt. Call him overprotective, call him paranoid, but the mere thought of Khushi suffering shook him to the core.
He stared unseeingly at Sheetal as she approached, his eye searching for his wife. Where was she? Di and Mami were laughing at something NK had said, while Akash lapped up Payal's attention as she massaged his suddenly hurt shoulders. Lucky lucky Akash.
Arnav suddenly realized that he has not seen Khushi for quite a while now. So enthralled was he in the game that he has missed seeing his wife leaving the field, for there was no trace of her; no bright clothes, no sound of her excited chatter or her tinkling laughter'wait a minute, when was the last time he has heard her laughter, inhibited, child-like in its innocence, gleeful, free. A frown knitted his brows as he could not recall the time.
Sheetal said something to Aarav and the child reluctantly moved away, dragging his feet. Khushi would have tried to cheer up the child, unable to see anyone being sad. Shrugging off her hand from his arm he went up to the side-lines where his family was gathered.
'Di, have you seen Khushi, where is she?'
'I have enjoyed watching the game, thank you so much for asking, Chotey', Anjali beamed at him.
'Di..', at the impatient growl, Anjali bit back a smile, 'She went home Chotey, did not you notice?'
'Don't worry Nannav, Mohan dropped her home', NK chimed in.
'Haan Bhai, Khushi reached safely', Payal added.
How come everyone but him knew about Khushi's whereabouts? She went home, without telling him?
"Lets go", his previous good mood spoiled, he marched towards the parking lot. He opened the door of his SUV and Aarav climbed on the front seat followed by Sheetal, without so much as a by your leave. He frowned, he wanted to drive fast and reach home as early as possible. And he wanted to be alone. These days, the front seat of all his cars was reserved only for Khushi. He liked to hold her hand, placing it on his thigh, brushing his fingers on the creamy skin, as he drove. Khushi would be chattering nineteen to the dozen, the sound music to his ears.
Sheetal fiddled with the music system and the voice of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan filled the car; 'Surili Aankhiyon Wali'', and a pair of doe-eyes filled his vision.
Khushi.
'Arnav Singh Raizada and Hindi songs'.since when?', Sheetal laughed, the sound grating on his sensitised nerves.
'Since Khushi', he said shortly, and concentrated on his driving.
My two cents on the current track. I refuse to believe that the Harvard-educated shatir dimag of Arnav Singh Raizada has not picked up on the distress signals sent by his wife, yet.
Will be posting Part 2 shortly. I swear on Dadiji.
Part 2: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/68651134�
Part 3 :https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3267510/os-feeling-khushi-part-3-updated-on-page-28
Udne Ki Aasha
Cricket
10