SS: Keeping Khushi: Th5: Part 51 Pg 130 - Page 30

Todays update is mostly about the first impressions.

The story of Aarti Mishra is unfolded. Late Mohan Mishra, an Auto Dealer, owning a chain of auto showrooms, Repairs and Maintenance units and car rental outlets lived in Delhi with his wife, Kamala, and two daughters, Aarti and Shika and the trusty servant Gopi Kaka. It is revealed that the younger daughter, Shika threw away the shackles and escaped from her fathers' grip. The Lady of the house was oppressed by her husband, for the last 23 years. After the demise of her husband, she is unable to come to grips with the reality of being free from the menacles that was placed by him. She had got so used to the restrictions that her daughter Aarti has to keep reminding her of being free and urge her to lead a life of her choice and not submission. We are introduced to Aarti who manages her father's business single-handedly,was trained by him. The path to the top was by beginning with the basics. She was made to master the art of repairing the autos first before assuming the executive role. Hence in case of necessity she too comfortably chips in, a trait that definitely helps in Personnel Management. This resulted in binding well with her staff and eliciting work and respect from them.

In the Raizada family Kushi and NK go to the decorators to chose the theme and color for the wedding. They zeroed in on the Royal theme in Red and Gold.

On their way back the car breaks down they get stranded in the rains. When NK calls the Mishra Emergency Repair Services, Aarti comes to the rescue giving the mechanic on duty a break. Fitted with a hooded Mac, riding her Pulsar reaches the spot. She is told about the problem by NK unaware of her identity.

"It is only at the first encounter that a face makes the full impression on us "

-Arthur Schopenhauer

Here she is privileged to witness the love that the Raizada's exude for one another. First when she is silently working, she sees NK asking his Kushi Bhabhi whether she is fine, even when she is inside the car. She hears the worry in Kushi's voice when she talks about the family waiting for them back home. Then she finds two more men coming in a Benz who rush to Kushi. One was tall, with sharp features and a pair of specs. The other man was shorter, and had a stern face and cold eyes. She sees the later rushing to pick his wife and enquire about her well-being.

"What we learn only through the ears makes less impression upon our minds than what is presented to the trust worthy eye " - Horace

This is what happens to Aarti. She sees the love, care and protectiveness in his actions which overwhelms her. This makes her feel the folly of her parents marriage and realizes that the bond shared by Arnav Singh Raizada and his wife Kushi is how a marriage should be.

She further witnesses the family bond by their wait for the repair to get over to go back home together. The girl who was brought up with scant love is given a first hand view of how much the breathtakingly beautiful Kushi is showered with love and affection by all the three and how the younger two men, Akash and NK revere her and their elder brother, Arnav Singh Raizada. She also witnesses their faith in Kushi. When NK says that the theme of the decoration is Royals and it has Bhabhi's approval the matter is closed for Akash, the Bridegroom. Such is their faith in their Bhabhi Kushi.

In a close knit family you never have to be alone. The family keeps you standing strong. This was the impression taken by Aarti from her first impressions of the Raizadas' she met.

When the car gets repaired NK extends his hand for a shake with Aarti as he is under the impression that it is a man who has come out in rain and repaired the vehicle. Aarti finds both the other brothers moving towards her and finding no other way gives a quick shake. The touch awakens unknown feelings in her, gets flustered, and rushes away in her bike. Long after she is gone NK is stumped with the beautiful eyes and the soft handshake of the mechanic. He is at a loss of words. He is flabbergasted to have felt stirrings to a mechanic whom he assumes to be a male! Both Aarti and NK are left with unknown stirrings and that's their first impression about one another.

Pick of the day.

Once again it was difficult to choose as there were many.

"Khushi Bhabi, you are OK, aren't you?"

"I am fine, NK Bhai.", a sweet voice replied. "I hope they don't get worried at home. I forgot to take my phone, and Arnavji...!"

"I called Nannav & Akash, and told them..."

She watched as the man lifted the lady in the car to stand beside him on the road. Her hands were on his arms, and she was held close in his hold.

"Khushi, tum theek ho?" His face was bent towards hers, his body held protectively around hers.

"I am perfectly fine, Arnavji." Her voice was sweet, very melodious, like something out of a long-lost dream.

Aarti felt the muscles in her throat clench at the worry in the husband's eyes and the love in the lady's eyes. This was how a marriage should be.

The tall man bent over the lady, and said, "Khushi Bhabi, why don't you go home with Bhai in the Benz? I will wait with NK Bhai."

"No, Akash Bhai.", the lady said, a frown creasing her smooth, creamy forehead. "Your wedding is to take place in a week. How will I look Payalji in the face if you catch cold and sneeze throughout the wedding?"

Akash smiled, but before he could protest, Arnavji said, "Akash, we will wait in the Benz till this car is repaired. We will go home together."

Akash asked NK, seriously, "NK Bhai, did you make Khushi Bhabi stand for long at the decorators?"

"No, Akash. I forced her to sit down and look at the albums. We picked on a royal theme, all red and gold. Is that OK with you?"

"Khushi Bhabi liked it?"

"She loved it!"

"Then it is OK.", Akash smiled.

"Were they worried at home?", NK asked.

"Di was praying for your well-being, and Dadiand Mama were watching the door. Mama tried Bhabi's phone, but it rang at home. She tried your phone many times, but it was busy..."

"No, Khushi Bhabi's legs are not hurting. Bhai is with her. Yes. Yes, Dadi. There is nothing to worry if he is with her."

"Yes, Di. Bhai is with Bhabi. No, it is not raining here now."

"Yes, Dadi. We will all come home together. Yes, I will tell her not to worry about making dinner. Yes, I will tell her that you, Di, & Maate have made it." Akash ended the call.

She quickly placed her hand in his, but pulled it back in shock. She looked into NK's wide eyes, her own naked and scared.

These are the instances which left impressions on Aarti about Family bond, love, care, affection and marriage enjoyed by the Raizadas'

NK stood looking after her, his hand still held away from his body, palm up. His mouth was open.Such beautiful eyes! On a man? And the tingle in his hand, running up his arm? He was attracted to... he was feeling Kuch Kuch Hota He for a MAN...?

The first impression of Aarti imprinted in the mind of NK, unknown to what the destiny had in store for them.