SS: Keeping Khushi: Th5: Part 51 Pg 130 - Page 46

Originally posted by: rulama

Smita,😊

This update is mostly about the human relationship. It is a continuation of the study of the relationship between the members of the Raizada clan and also of its extended family. The theme adhered to here is "The Enlightenment".

Judge not the book by its cover is an age old saying. It aptly applies to the assumption Aarti had made of the Raizada's! When Aarti reached Lakshmi Nagar to collect the Bride and her Family to be taken to the venue Omkar, she was in for a surprise. She was taken aback to see the Bride of Akash Singh Raizada to be from a Middle-Class family of modest means.

"Akash Raizada was marrying from a middle class family? And his brothers and Bhabi were thrilled about it? What was happening here? Were the Raizadas from the moon?"

The best vision is insight. ~ Malcolm Forbes

This gives her an insight to the priorities of the Raizadas'. At the door she is greeted by a Buaji, who along with Payal and the Mehendi accessories get into the waiting car. The first vision of the Bride leaves her stunned.

"I think happiness is what makes you pretty. Period. Happy people are beautiful. They become like a mirror and they reflect that happiness."
~ Drew Barrymore

The Glow of happiness emanating from the face makes the already pretty Payal into a stunning Lass. This is the insight that Aarti perceives. She is further treated to the wealth of warmth of Buaji when she suggests Aarti to eat well and to build the body muscles at the Akhada to escape from being the butt of peer jokes. Buaji's well meaning suggestion is given under the impression that Aarti, who introduces herself as AM, is a boy. She is invited for the luncheon too arranged at Omkar.

"Tumhre naam kaa he, Nandkisore?", Buaji asked Aarti.

Taking a leaf out of the Sunflower's book, Aarti said, "AM."

"Eeiyaam? Ee kaisan naam he, Bitwaa?"

When they reach Omkar she sees that the entire complex is decorated and people busy with the preparations. Helping Buaji with her luggage earns Aarti the praise of being well brought up. Payal quietly asks her not to mind Buaji's chatter. This gives her the insight of Payal, being beautiful as well as kind-hearted. Aarti contacts her drivers' on duty at Omkar and says that she is using the name AM and not to disclose her identity!

Once her job is done while waiting she starts looking around for NK. Failing to spot him she works on her laptop listening to the music. Later when the car she repaired comes with Arnav Singh Raizada and her Sunshine Boy she tries to hide. But calms herself saying that he would not recognize her as she has come as chauffer and not mechanic. When NK brings in a tray of beverages, for the drivers' with the intention of finding more about the mechanic, Aarti quietly slips into the dark room beside the kitchen.

"Do not seek the because - in love there is no because, no reason, no explanation, no solutions."

~ Anas Nin, Henry And June

When Nk takes the tray to the room where the drivers had gathered he was not able to find the seventh and they covered up for Aarti. But NK persisted looking for the elusive seventh. Our Holmes seems to follow the adage Try, try, try you'll succeed at last.

In the dark room Aarti eavesdrops to the conversation between Arnav Singh Raizada and his wife Kushi. She sees once again the bond of love existing between them, and them talking about the meaning of a song which Kushi duly belts out beautifully. That is when she is enlightened that Kushi Singh Raizada is none other than her favorite singer Kushi Kumari Gupta! While discussing the jist of the song the naughty remarks of Arnav Singh Raizada makes his wife blush and leave the room.

Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is the man who finds that true friend is his wife ~ Franz Schuber

Aarti notices the contentment that is seen in the face of Arnav Singh Raizada while savouring the coffee made by his wife. For Aarti, who is lacked of love and affection in her life, enlightenment must come little by little - otherwise it would overwhelm. So these small doses of insight are slowly seeping into her. This is educating Aarti.

Meanwhile Investigator NK comes to the kitchen in search of The Elusive Seventh. He realizes only one room is left to be searched that is next to the kitchen and enters it. At the same time Aarti not wanting to witness anymore love-scenes just rushes out and Bang!! collides with NK her SunFlower! She falls into her arms.

NK who doesn't let her go realizes that the seventh chauffer is a female and his instincts which has been over-working makes him look into her eyes!! And lo!! It was the same eyes that was haunting his dreams!!!!!

He liked her; it was as simple as that."

~ Nicholas Sparks, The last Song

Him asking her for the confirmation of being a mechanic, elicits no response and neither the request for a name.

"None of us can choose where we shall love..."

~ Susan Kay, Phantom

NK being NK simply asks the girl he fell in love with, "Will you marry Me?"

Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be. ~ Kahlil Gibran

A true follower of Gibran isn't our NK Bitwa? 😉 This is the enlightenment that NK received.

Some conversations:

Buaji poked her finger at Aarti's arm. "You should eat more, Babua. You are too thin. Don't other boys make fun of you?"

"Ji."

"Eeiyaam Bitwaa, there is an akhada near our house. Join it, and lift weight to build up your muscles. And grow a moustache. Otherwise, boys will mistake you for a girl, Nandkisore."

Here Buaji talks to Aarti as a friend, and a well-wisher. This conversation showed Aarti, family is often born of blood, but it doesn't depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family."

Arnav said, "Missing Lord Krishna, are they?"

"Ji."

"You don't have to miss him, you know?", his eyes twinkled in the dim light.

"Ji?", Khushi was confused.

"We can have our own Lord Krishna or Radha. An army of them. Running up and down our house and Omkar...", his tone was naughty.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." ~ Sren Kierkegaard

This particular conversation tells us that Arnav Singh Raizada though filled with bitterness for the deeds of his father looks ahead for a bright and rosy future with his wife, a victim of his father's negligence.

Aarti who is brought up strictly is exposed to the loving banter of Arnav Singh Raizada and his wife.

A moment's insight is sometimes worth a life's experience. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

This too is an insight for Aarti who had thought him to be cold and distant person. The age old adage Judge not the book by its cover holds good.

Pick of the Day:

He lifted her face. She lowered her eye lashes.

"The mechanic, I presume?", he whispered.

Her eyes flew to his. Yes. He heaved a sigh of relief. The same beautiful eyes that had been stealing his ninni (nindiyaa) and his chain and his common sense.

The truth is revealed to the Investigator NK. It was a case successfully concluded to his satisfaction.

That's it for today. Hope you enjoy it.

Originally posted by: smitar

It is a pleasure to read your comments on each part, Rashmi.
Aarti has to understand the Raizadas & NK. Enlightenment can come only slowly.