Smitar's OS2:Finding Khushi#3Part15(1-3)Pg122(1/4) - Page 92

Originally posted by: rulama

Smita,😊

Here is my interpretation to Section 3 of Part 14.

Arnav unsure of Khushi's willingness asked her over the phone whether she would meet him at Divine Bites at 5 in the evening? Khushi, who did not understand the meaning parroted him, Divine Bites? She in her innocent way voiced her take on it saying that Divine means to her its Devi Maiyya and Bites means.. she was stumped as to why should Devi Maiyya bite anyone!? Arnav who was listening to her ramble, giving his ASR glare to his employees while observing them from his glass cabin at the mezzanine, who were working at the lower level of his office, was tickled by her thoughts and chuckled. He explained that it was a caff where only tea and snacks were on its menu, in between his mirth. Khushi was adamant of not meeting him at any tea shop and told him in no uncertain terms that she abhored such ideas. Arnav was amused by her vehemence at it. When he said he needed to talk to her she asked him to meet her at the park near his office at five. Arnav agreed and asked her to keep her phone handy to locate one another. Khushi told him that she would be by the duck pond so all he had to do was to get himself there. And he would be able to locate her with ease, making Arnav smile at her simple but logical solution.

He was late by two minutes and when he rushed to the spot it was to see Khushi sitting on her haunches by the pond feeding the ducks while talking to them. She was in a red chudidhar set with her red chiffon dupatta was trailing behind her. She was giving those ducks a lecture on the changes in weather and its repercussion on them if due care would not be taken. She was telling the ducks and their brood, that it was likely to rain that night and it would not bode well for them if they do get drenched in the downpour. Otherwise if they caught cold, they would be helpless as they would not be able to procure the herbal concoction to tide over the cold. The duckling hid behind its mother and peeked at her. Arnav who witnessed this asked her whether those ducks too were not spared of admonition from her. Khushi who was not aware of Arnav's arrival was startled. Catching hold of her hand lest she fell into the pond he led her to the bench nearby taking up a seat by her side.

A bilious Khushi asked him why he wanted to see her. Arnav looking at his locked fingers with a deep furrowed frown on his face and his elbow resting on his knees, told her with a deep drawn breath that he met her. Khushi thought it to be Lavanya and asked him as such with a frown. With a slight smile at her confusion, he told her that he hadn't meant Lavanya but the other woman in his father's life. Khushi exhaled deeply.

Arnav withdrew a cover from the folds of his jacket and handed it to Khushi. With a trembling hand Khushi took it and opened it with utter care to see a photo in it. It was that of an ordinary looking motherly figured middle-aged lady. Khushi not understanding the implication had her forehead crunched pondering as to what it meant. With a sigh Arnav asked her that the lady in the photograph doesn't look like a candidate for an extra-marital affair, does she? Khushi concurred with him and said in a soft dazed voice that she looks like a woman with culture and one who lives as per the norms of the society. Arnav bobbed his head in agreement.

He told Khushi that the Lady in picture was Kusum Bhandari, a widow of a worker in his father's Rampur factory. Khushi had her full concentration on him. She could see and feel the depth of pain he was was in. His voice throbbed with hurt and self-disgust. Arnav told her that Kusum Bahandari had lost her husband and was left with two children and a young Devar to look after. She had begged the foremen of the factory to give her a job but was refused and was told that she could get one only with the orders coming from the owner, Mr. Mallik. Though he told her in a low voice it carried clearly over to Khushi. He continued and said that she had come to Lucknow with her family i.e. her children and her Devar to see his father on his Di's wedding day. He paused in his narration finding it difficult to continue. Khushi understanding his situation and the need held his hands tight in her warm clasp giving him the much needed sense of being together. Looking at the ducks gliding with ease over the water he continued in a whisper that she met his father in his study alone while the other three were waiting outside. This took Arnav on a trip down the memory lane that he wanted to forget. He could hear his mother's high pitched scream while the musical strains of shehnai were floating all over. Continuing his narration he told her that the lady begged for a job with his father and he had promised to look into it asking her to return the next day with the details of her husband written on a sheet of paper. As she was leaving she had felt dizzy due to fever and hunger pangs. Arnav paused once more as he found it difficult to continue the narration. Swallowing the lump that seemed to have lodged in his throat, he told her that his father had helped her to the nearby chair gave her a drink of water and some money for her expenses. He said that maybe his mother saw him helping the lady and misunderstood the situation. Arnav shut his eyes in anguish. Khushi who was also moved, held his hand tightly on his lap, biting her lip to stop herself from sobbing that was trying to break out. She felt that it was a tragedy that occurred without any reason. It took the lives of two people , changing the life of two children who were orphaned overnight and made to undergo sufferings for no reason and all that was because of a misunderstanding!

Though he was narrating what had happened he was reliving the nightmare. He felt the pistol shot sound very real and almost searched for it but for the warm clasp by Khushi.

He told Khushi that the lady returned the next day with the sheet of paper to see two bodies lying in the main hall, all ready for cremeation. Arnav lowered his head to hide the moist that had found its way into his eyelashes. Khushi hugged him with her arm around his waist, letting the warmth of her soft body seep in comfort. He told her that his Papa had already called his Foreman instructing him to give her the job and when she returned she was given. He told Khushi that the lady never knew of the misunderstanding that had led to the tragedy and he didn't have the heart to tell her about it. Khushi agreed that he did the right thing. Arnav continued to say that the lady was full of praise for his father for his kindness. A lonely tear made its way down his cheek. By then the sun had set and in the twilight, sat the man and the girl in the arms of one another, encompassed in silence. They were oblivious to the ominous dark clouds gathering and the rumbling of the thunder. Only when the fat drops of the cold rain fell on them did they rouse themselves to see that they were about to be caught in the downpour. Arnav who quickly got his bearing grabbed Khushi's arm and told her to run to his car parked nearby. Like children they ran through the rain cutting across the lashing downpour and deftly slipping past the hefty branches that were swaying to the gushing winds. By the time they reached the car park the drizzle had turned into a downpour. They stood looking at each other. Arnav whispered her name, Khushi.. that came with all the love he felt making her she just stand facing him without even being aware of the sleet. It rained cats and dogs. Thunder accompanied by lightning was at the height of its beauty, illuminating the entire scene every now and then. Khushi who was scared of thunder was brought out of her reverie when a particular huge one rolled over resonating on the land below with a flash of lightning that shot across the sky like a vine branching out every now and then along its way. Khushi felt as though someone had taken the living daylights out of her. She just jumped up and with a jerk threw her arms around Arnav and buried her face in the warmth of his body. Arnav eagerly gathered her close to his heart and reveled at this unexpected bonus. Time stood still for them. They were oblivious to their surroundings. The rain and the darkness were forgotten, thunder and lightning became distant. Not a thing had any impact on the pair.

He could feel her shivering. Again he kept calling out her name hugging her tightly. He quickly opened the door, seating her inside he rushed to to his seat. Grabbing the thick towel that was always kept in the car at Anjali's insistence he started to wipe Khushi. She sat quietly like an obedient child giving in to his ministrations. When water started to drip from his hair on to her arm she took the towel and and quickly started to dry him. He shed his coat and the waist coat of his three piece suit and rolled up his sleeves. She dried his hair, gently ran the towel over his face, neck and his bare arms.

They sat watching the rain which was pouring unabatedly. They were cocooned amidst the the downpour in a world of their own cut off from the inquisitive eyes. It gave them moments to recover from the unexpected curves of life that they had to face.

Continuing his narration of what had happened when he met Kusum Bhandari, he told her that she had his Mama and Papa's picture on the wall taking the place of pride in her home. It was just a picture of both of them cut out from the obituary column and was adorned with a garland. She had told him it was only their kindness that facilitated her to live in dignity and raise her children well. So saying he reclined on his seat Khushi listening. Khushi listened silently to what he had to say. He told her that the lady wanted to know, if they were well, His Di and himself and he had assured her that they were. Khushi gulped with great difficulty. Arnav asked Khushi in a pain filled voice that had tinged with remorse and confusion why was it so. Khushi looked at Arnav to clarify what he meant by that. Soon Arnav's thoughts became clear to her when he whispered that if only his Papa had explained and his Mama had listened to him, if only they had waited for his Di's wedding to be over, if only his Mama had walked into the study earlier. He told Khushi that he had hated his father for 14 years thinking him to be immoral, a bad example of a husband and an unfit father. Tears started to traverse through his cheeks as he said that he was ashamed of him, ashamed to be his son, he had disowned his own father and had even changed his name. He started to say his father... and was unable to continue. Khushi hugged him tight and nuzzling his face in her neck he whispered that he thought they had died because love had died. In reality it was because that had felt that they had nothing to live for, without the other in their life. Khushi understood what he was feeling nodded and rubbed his back giving him the much needed comfort that would penetrate the haze of the misery blanketing him. He told her that they took away their life only because they loved each other and not because they didn't. He told Khushi that they were so engrossed in each other that they hadn't even thought of their children or Nani, or Mama or Mami or Akash. Khushi silently nodded at his statement. He told her with heartfelt feeling that his father was innocent and asked Khushi whether his mother knew that now. He looked like a lost child finding his way through the maze. Khushi who knew that she had to reassure Arnav told him that they were now together, joined forever like they always wanted to be and that would have made them extremely happy. Arnav concurred with her saying that they would be happy but his father must have felt extremely bad for being the recipient of such bad thoughts as harboured by his son. Though he had been upright all along he had fallen in the eyes of his son and it would have been a bad blow to him. He must have felt extremely low for having his son think of him so. Arnav's voice petered out with it. Khushi assured him that his father would have forgiven him. He would never have held it against his son. She asked him can parents ever remain angry with their offspring for long? Hearing her talk Arnav felt a ray of hope sprouting within his heart. Smiling with great effort, she asked him that if their own parents would not forgive them, then who would? Arnav let out a sigh that showed up his relief. The pep talk given by Khushi had revived him and in silence holding her hands he let all that she had told wash over him and assimilate.

Breaking the silence he asked her, could he forgive her for all the things that he had done to hurt her. Whenever he had hurled abuses he had not thought properly before uttering, whenever he hurt her with deeds he had never meant it to be so. He was always doing things opposing to what he really felt and wanted to do. Even his anger was never meant to hurt her but inevitably he always ended doing that. He called her name Khushi and stammered I petering off unable to complete. Seeing the panic on his face Khushi felt all her resentment towards him washing away and bobbed her head indicating that she holds no grudges. Still, he needed her verbal communication that she had forgiven him. So he once again asked her whether she could forgive him and said that he was extremely sorry for his words, his deeds and his behaviour. Khushi pulling him into a tight hug assured him in a whisper by asking him to hush up. She told him that it was fine by her and not to be upset. She was giving the ultimate forgiveness that he had sought since she her a sermon on righteousness and made him aware of the wrong fork on the road that he had opted for. She gave him not only the forgiveness by forgetting all the abuse hurled at her but also a hope that after reforming his ways he did have something really tangible to look forward to in his life. Life for him which was money-centric and status centric now had become love centric and value centric irrespective of the wealth or status one possessed.

This update is basically about the bond, but a bond that a tie, connection or link. That is LIGATURE.

What exactly is a ligature?

In medical jargon, it is a tie or a bandage especially in surgery for a bleeding artery.

It can also be used to mean as a bond or anything that unites.

We see Arnav Singh Raizada asking Khushi Kumari Gupta to meet him at a cafe but she flatly refuses to do so but agrees to meet him at the park at the time stated by him. Though Khushi loves to defy him she doesn't like to hurt. She is against him issuing diktat. Knowing her present penchance for defying him he is unsure of whether she would agree to go to caff with him. But still for him she is an essential element, a necessity in his life. That is the bond they share.

If he issues a set of instruction she counters it and comes out with an easier and a simpler one, such as locating each other in the park. Such is the bond that it has passed the stage of taking offence by Arnav at her suggestions.

Arnav witnesses the caring side of Khushi who was seen telling the duck family to keep them warm when it begins to rain.

"When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched, you begin to discover that it's bottomless, that it doesn't have any resolution, that this heart is huge, vast, and limitless. You begin to discover how much warmth and gentleness is there, as well as how much space"

~ Pema Chodron

When he narrated that he met the other woman in his father's life and her theory of a different story had proven correct. The bond between the woman and her father were of just humanitarian and merely employer and employee. She as an employee was grateful for her employer for giving her a new lease in life by providing her with a job and enabling her family to come up in life.

The employer and his wife had bound that family with their generosity that they were venerated by them. Such was the bond that with just an obituary paper cutting, framed and garlanded adorning the wall in their house, the employee would remind herself everyday of the generosity of the couple.

"Give a bowl of rice to a man and you will feed him for a day. Teach him how to grow his own rice and you will save his life"

~ Confucius

A misunderstanding of the situation led to the shooting incidents. The wife, mother of Arnav Singh Raizada, under the misconception of her husband's infidelity took her life not wanting to live without her husband and without his love towards only her. The husband, father of Arnav Singh Raizada, though innocent took his life as he did not want to live without the love of his wife and her by his side. As she had taken her life out by misunderstanding a humanitarian help he felt belittled and also he knew for him to live without his wife by his side was to live like a living corpse. Since he felt his reason to live had gone he too took his life. The bond between the husband and wife was greater than their bond with their kids.

"Together we shared a bond not even death would violate"

~ Dee Remy, There Once Was A Boy

Arnav Singh Raizada who had loved his sister beyond duty felt that it was with Khushi Kumari Gupta that he wanted to share his findings first and not his Di. It was Khushi who had pointed flaws in the way he looked at the matter and nudged him to look into it as soon as possible. This was the bond he cherished and when he found what really had happened he wanted the news to be shared with her. He felt a bond between the two where he could easily open up. What she had pointed to him was indeed the truth he sought the solace only from her.

"Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone's hand is the beginning of a journey.

At other times, it is allowing another to take yours"

~ Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

Her assurance and reassurance were like a balm and a Ligature that had him believe in true love and all the values he thought that his father had not possessed were infact shining brightly putting a halo around his father's head.

This bandage of trust, assurance and reassurance along with the confiding by Arnav with Khushi created a brand new phase in their love story, making them bound by a bond called love.

"Words are a pretext. It is the inner bond that draws one person to another, not words"

~ Rumi

The ligature called truth and acceptance helped them overcome all the difficulties and reach out for each other.

"Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery"

~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

That is why it is termed as LIGATURE.

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.

Originally posted by: rulama

Smita,😊

Here is my interpretation to Section 1 of Part 15.

Khushi was looking at Amma and Buaji with an anxious face while they were packing innumerable things to be taken to Raizada Mansion for Her Jiji's Mehenedi Ceremony. Her Jiji was was placing a shawl on their father's feeble shoulders. They were getting ready to go in the cars that Arnav had sent for them.

She kept on debating in her mind as to how to ask and how could she not? All the while his smile, his eyes coming in her mind's eye and playing a havoc on her senses. Squeezing her eyes shut, gathering every bit ounce of courage in her, with a prayer sent to her Devi Maiyya, Khushi called out to her Buaji with much trepidation. Buaji who was counting the cones of Mehendi asked her Titaliya, what the matter was. Khushi asked her to go to RM as she would follow later. Buaji frowned at her Sanka Devi for her new antic. Khushi quickly told her that Munshiji needed her help in the morning and she would help him out and then go to RM. She sent out a plea to her Devi Maiyya for Her Divine intervention. Buaji asked her with her hands on her hips how long would it take? Khushi told her with the dread of not being allowed that it may take her an hour or so and she would be back by the time her jiji would start to apply the mehendi.

Amma who was always conscious what the society would think asked with a worried look what will the Raizada's think if Khussi doesn't reach on time for her only sister's mehendi function. Khushi assured her that she would be on time and all she needed was to go to her work place for some time. With great reluctance, still harbouring doubts Amma and Buaji gave their consent.

Munshiji who had not expected Khushi was wide eyed to see her dressed grandly for the function in a magnificient orange lehenga that looked totally and turn up at work in a dingy godown. It stood in stark contrast and Munshiji asked with fondness why had she come to work place when she was on leave. Khushi giving him a pasty smile said that she thought that she would enter a few pages of data before she was due to be present at the venue. She thought as to how could she explain her dilemma to poor Munshiji? Will he be able to understand about Arnavji's penetrative eyes doing havoc in her system and inciting so many unknown feelings in her, her dhak dhak, acidity, the feelings that his touch invokes, the way it eats up her sleep and when she does sleep the way it makes her flush even in her dreams, his mere look was enough to give her sleepless nights as well as daydreams and he was a Smiling Assassin. If ever she voiced out her thoughts to Munshiji he was a sure candidate for cardiac failure!

Jhoot Bole Kauwwa Kaate... was the song that was coming out of the Munshiji's radio. As it was reflecting her deeds Khushi glared at it and rushed to her seat and got on with her work.

Arnav who was waiting for Khushi to turn up looked at Guptas' as they entered the house. He found Amma, Babuji, Buaji and Payal but where was Khushi? He peered to get a glimpse of her, but she was not to be seen! Just then unknowingly NK came to his rescue asked what Arnav wanted to know. He asked Buaji where Khushiji was? Buaji with a smile and a tweek on his cheek said that she had to go to her work place and she would join them soon. NK made a quick work of clearing from that place rubbing the reddening cheek vigorously.

Akash asked his brother Arnav whether they could all go over to the hall where the mehendi was being applied. Arnav with his mind occupied by what Buaji had told NK just bobbed his head. When NK told them that his Maasi had said that boys were not meant to attend as it was the exclusive women only Mehendi function Akash exhaled with his shoulders drooping in defeat. All his plans to be with Payal had gone down the drain. NK wailed and asked Arnav whether it was not unfair for only girls to have all the fun. When Akash agreed he continued to say with a heartfelt sigh that Khushiji hadn't come yet and he wanted to watch her wear a saree! Arnav and Akash were left gawking at him. With his fist clenched tight a stern What the! spit out of Arnav. Akash who was also stumped by NK's statement asked him what was he saying? His round eyes practically popped out at NK while peering through his specs. NK clarified that he wanted Khushiji to teach him how to wear a saree so that they could dress up like women and attend the function. NK was unaware as to how close he was to get his teeth realigned

Nani hugging Buaji told her that under usual circumstances boys were not allowed to attend the all women function of mehendi but as an exception this time we would love to have them along. Anjali seconded her. Nani continued to say that her family was happy after a long time with many bad memories of the past being wiped away slowly. So they wanted to share all their good and happy moments to be savoured with the boys too amidst them.

Buaji agreed to it saying that she doesn't have any problem to have boys amidst in their revelry. The more the people the merrier the occasion becomes and memorable too. So Mami called out to the boys, Arnav Bitwaa, Akash Bitwaa and NK Bitwaa to join in the celebrations. She told them that she would be applying Mehendi on them too, to make them beautiful.

Arnav, whose mind had dwelt only on Khushi looked at the clock and searched among the girls who were creating a din in his living room. He wondered where Khushi would be? She had not answered his call all the three times it had connected.

The girls were busy selecting the designs consulting NK who was in their midst. NK was enjoying himself so much that he was living true to his name. Akash was a different matter. It was like as though he was conjoined with Payal and wouldn't budge from being as close as possible to her. But Arnav's mind dwelt only on Khushi. Where was she was the question that his mind was mulling and quickly called her once more.

Her phone rang and Arnavji was displayed. Khushi looked at the laptop screen with psuedo concentration. Munshiji who was getting ready to go to the bank to deposit a cheque told her that her phone was ringing again. Khushi acknowledged him and thanked her stars that Munshiji was on his way to the bank. Munshiji instructed her to leave for the mehendi as soon as her work was done and not wait for his return. Khushi with a sigh agreed.

She had tried her best to stay away, ignore, avoid talking to him but had utterly failed in her attempts. Each day brought in a new facet of Arnav before her, who had changed from the stern, cruel, arrogant, anger personified to a soft, concerned, wounded bleeding man seeking solace from her and trying to make up for all the lost love in his life.

It was so difficult to ignore him or run away from him now. Earlier his rude demeanour had made it easy to ignore him. She thought why did her sister had to get married to that family only as though there was a dearth of boys in the entire city of Delhi!

Again the song that was coming from the radio reminded her of the lost sleep due to the memories of the love that went sour. She frowned at the statue of her Devi Maiyya who sat silent with her benevolent smile on her table. Khushi berated at her friend, that even with the daily dose of Jalebi and Aarti She couldn't even deign it fit to be kept away from crossing his path. Devi Maiyya just smiled on her beloved daughter. Khushi was riled seeing her serene smile without even showing any emotion. She told Her that She has been relaxing all the time while Khushi was fretting and fuming. She was burning herself out like a lamp lit in her honor and couldn't she even see that! Khushi buried her face in her arms placed crossed, across the table. It was inevitable for her to attend the mehendi. There was no way anybody would forgive her if she ever skipped it. If she did so she thought she would be the in the first batch of pooris that her Buaji would be frying for dinner that evening. But how to face him? How to camouflage her feelings? How to put up with her racing heart and her hyperventilation?

While all these thoughts were flitting across her mind, there came the call, Khushi.. Khushi sat up with a jerk and lo! Arnav Singh Raizada had materialized in front of her, his six foot plus frame clad in suit, coat and boot looking dashing just to have a chunk of her peace of mind. Looking at her was Arnav a picture of anxiety asking her whether she was alright. She wondered how she could ever be that when the cause of all her problems was standing before her. Throwing a scorching glance at her Devi Maiyya, for betraying when she had beseeched to save her from her Arnavji, She had sent him to her immediately. She threatened her friend, Devi Maiyya that she would take care of her later for her betrayal!

Arnav with a quick stride, catching her by her shoulder, made her stand upright. He asked her, what had made her look so whey faced? Khushi trying to free herself from his grip thought how could she look anything other than pale? Any other girl in her place would have been a basket case by now unable to withstand the sharp penetrating heat of of Arnavji's gaze and his single minded devotion to give her such focussed attention.

Arnav pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. He whispered to her that he was waiting for her at home making Khushi acknowledge the fact with a constricted throat. He told her that the girls were all set for the ceremony and only she was missing. Khushi whose senses were reeling, stammering like a fool, told him that she had work to complete. Hearing her excuse he whispered, that was his line. He dropped a kiss on his her chubby dimpled inviting cheek. He told her that he had told all at home about his Papa and the past.Nani, Di and Mami had cried with relief and wasting so many years with misunderstanding the situation. It was like a dark cloud lifted by the Mistral leaving behind a warm sunny bright weather. When she looked at him he thanked her for her support, trust and direction to solve the heartache that had made the memory of his parents painful. He verbalized his thanks followed it by deed. He kissed her on her forehead. Khushi swallowed at this onslaught on her senses. She managed to blurt out a protest in a soft tone, that she had not done anything. He told her that she had made him see that there was a lacuna in their perception of the events. Her logical analysis of the situation had convinced him that he needed to rethink his thoughts. Kissing her nosepin he told her that it made him search for the missing link and it turned out to be Kusum Bhandari. He kissed her eyes and said that this made him find the truth. Pausing to kiss her chin he said that knowing the truth freed him from the past. He kissed her cheek. This he told returned his Papa to him. Seeing that he was hell bent on capturing her lips Khushi jumped away.

She stammered that they had to attend the mehendi. The radio in the godown was belting out a song on the spell cast and how the talks were formulated.

Arnav drove with Khushi by his side. Though he kept stealing glances at her she sat with her face turned towards her side glass. Seeing that it would be a futile exercise to wait for her to turn, he called out to her and she was forced to look at him. When he said that she looked beautiful and that colour suited her Khushi's face took in the hue of a flamingo. The words and the look in his eyes made her hitch her breath and out popped the question that she had been dreading. He asked her with a tender look and a voice caressing her when was she going to marry him? Not being able to face his love filled gaze, Khushi looked out through the side glass. The pulse in her throat throbbed madly like the flapping of the wings by a bird in captivity.

In this update we see, Khushi Kumari Gupta trying to avoid her presence at RM as much as she could. She was planning to be present at her sister's Mehendi function at the nth moment.

"Do you ever wonder why things have to turn out the way they do?"

~ Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember

Then she spends her time logging on the entries at her work place that could have been done at a later date too.

We see her dawdling over her work.

We see her not accepting calls that were able to draw the attention even of Munshiji.

All this was done just to avoid meeting one person, Arnav Singh Raizada who seems to have occupied all her thoughts both day and night.

"Avoiding someone has two reasons: you either hate that person or you're in love with that person"

Even while working, she dreams about the feelings his presence invokes in her.

When the person who dwells in her thoughts materializes she is stumped, as he first enquires about her well being and proceeds to thank her for being his guiding light, his very own Personal Pole Star. He effectively verbalizes his gratitude along with the actions making her stop in her flight.

"I know well what I am fleeing from but not what I am in search of"

~ Michel de Montaigne

In fact his deeds make her into a flightless bird and stopped her from her flight, that was meant to avoid him at any cost.

It also made her feel like a pet bird with no options but only one, homing to its keeper and that to her was him. He once again pops out the question and she feels that she is a bird who has no wings that were light enough to help in flying away.

"What is more agreeable than one's home?"

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

That is why I have termed it as RATITE... a Flightless Bird

That's it from me. Hope you like it.

Originally posted by: rulama

Smita,😊

Here is my interpretation for Section 2 of Part 15

After popping the question, Arnav waited for her answer, but she was unable to find words as all her coherent thoughts had literally flown out of the glass pane of his car. All she felt was a mishmash of her emotions ranging from panic, fear to love all bubbling within her heart as though from a cauldron with a spell cast on it. She clutched at her heart trying to calm its thundering hoofbeat to a slow but comfortable trot that would go easy on her breath.

Arnav who was observing her in silence, seeing her emotional dilemma just drove on.

Once they reached RM Khushi tried to open the door but to her chagrin, Arnav caught hold of her arm as if to stop her. She looked at him in silence. He brought out a cloth bag and pulled out a pair of antique bangles out of it.

With a scrunched up forehead she wondered whether he was going to gift the bangles to Akash Jiju or her sister. But what was the reason? While her mind was being fertile with assumptions, Arnav slipped the bangles into her arms. They were beautiful set of bangles. They were gold bangles with intricate peacock design in gold filigree work inlaid with enamel making them a totally out of the world outstanding pair. They were simply beautiful and would capture the heart of anyone who happened to just glance at it. And possessing them was not an option she could ever think of! His two two word phrases answered her unasked question. My mother's and for you. Khushi was taken aback and asked for her? But.. and tailed off. He told her softly that it was for her kind heart that wants everyone to be happy, for selling her gold bangle to buy him what he likes best, plants.. Khushi was stunned to hear his explanation. She told him that if they belonged to his mother then Anjaliji should be the beneficiary. She told him in no uncertain terms that he had no right to give it away as per his whims and fancies. With a warm smile dancing on his lips, his eyes taking in her perturbed face, he told her that it was her legacy left for him, for his bride. It made Khushi stare at him with utter astonishment, that was vividly depicted in her eyes. She stressed that she was not his bride. He just modified it with a yet. Khushi being not the one to give up easily said that she hadn't given her consent making Arnav point out that neither had she given her dissent. Khushi took umbrage at his remark and sighed. Pretending not to see her indignation he asked her whether she liked them. Khushi knowing what they meant to him and the significance of him placing it on her arms, looked at them for a while and answered tremulously, that they were beautiful. Arnav who was overjoyed swooped down and kissed her cheek. Brimming with happiness, he whispered against her cheek that they were made for her. His Mama had personally selected the design had it order made for his bride. Tears pooled in her eyes. Rubbing his nose against hers he told her that his mother had put them in a box along with a letter for her had asked his Di to give them to her when he got married. Tears made a path of their own down her cheeks, making him kiss it away. Tucking her head in the crook of his neck he whispered to her not to cry and sat in silence relishing the fact they they were in each others arms. He told her in a soft whisper that those bangles had lain in his locker for years and he couldn't even bear to look at them. But now with his mind at peace, knowing fully well that both his parents would be happy, he was able to enjoy everything connected to his past and relish the sweet memories associated with them. He told Khushi that his mother would have loved her, pampered her, cherish her, not letting her lift a finger, heaping her with nothing but the finest of things, in silk and gold. Even when he was young, she had set aside things like sarees, jewels saying that were for her Chotey's bride. She had lots of dreams about her daughter-in-law. She was sure that she would get a wonderful daughter-in-law, who was an epitome of care, love, giving, forgiving and happiness. She always had told them that her daughter-in-law would take care of her and she would love her Chotey very much. She would look after her house and fill her home with laughter. She used to chide Arnav to straighten his room telling him what her daughter-in-law would think of his manners and her upbringing if he was unruly and untidy. He told Khushi that he used to get miffed at such talk and Di would have a whale of a time seeing his discomfiture and would be subjected to endless ribbing unmindful of his glares. He told her that now he was so happy that his mother had thought so positively about her and his mother with happy thoughts and a smile always had set aside many things for her. She had even kept stone studded sandals in a big box with an assortment of things for her which was in the store room. Khushi looked into his moistened eyes when he continued to say that his Di had teased his Mama saying that Chotey's wife would not wear them as she would not be able to fit into that particular size of sandals. But his Mama had just laughed. Hearing such conversations that had taken place more than fourteen years back, Khushi who felt that she was welcome not only at Raizada Mansion but even at Malik Mansion, The Sheesh Mahal, wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.

While she was basking in the warmth of his love, warmth of the welcome that his mother had exclusively set aside for her, her cell rang breaking into the silence and the serene atmosphere. Pulling out her cell phone while moving away from him, she saw that it was from her Buaji. She was greeted with a loud enquiry as to her wherebouts and wanted to know if her Sanka Devi wanted her Buaji to pick her up from her office. Not allowing Khushi to say anything she berated in the name of her favourite diety, Nandkisore, saying what spell had Munshiji cast on her to have made her stuck to him. Or has he applied the adhesive, fevicol that says bond forever on her chair? Couldn't she even bear to be away from her work to attend her sister's mehendi?

At last, able to put in a word Khushi scrambling out of the car and said that she was right there. She entered the house with Arnav right behind her. NK who was happy to see his friend ran up to her and welcomed her and said that they were selecting designs for her mehendi design. Khushi smiled at him and greeted. The ladies who were lying in wait for her pounced on her. Di who was beaming seeing her with her Chotey said that they had been waiting for her and pulled her to come along. While doing so her eyes fell on the bangles that sent joy soaring in her heart. With a quick nudge she pointed it to Nani and Mami making them heave a sigh of relief. The incorrigible Mami told her mother- in- law that finally the bangles had adorned her hands and now they had only to bind Khushi to Arnav for seven lives with her feet tied. Khushi was led by Anjali to sit among the ladies and the three, Arnav, Akash and NK sat beside Babuji. While the mehendi lady sat by Khushi to start the design of her choice, NK moved to her side while Arnav watched them both. NK's enquiry of her choice whether it was the creeper or geometrical pattern, Khushi told him in a soft voice that she would go in for a creeper, knowing fully well that Arnav had his ears sharpened at their conversation. When a gentle breeze coming in through the window ruffled Khushi's silken voluminous hair a few silky strands caressed her cheek. Tucking them behind her ear she was fully conscious of Arnav's watching her, following her every movement with caressing eyes, that lit her up from inside. She heard NK compliment on her beautiful hair in his mix up Hindi, calling her hair Khulfi instead of Zulfon. The mehendi lady who was experiencing NK's goof's for the first time was stunned and the cone slipped through her fingers. Arnav who was waiting for an opportunity to be near his love, corrected him while taking a seat next to her. Sending a startled glance, Khushi kept her eyes on her hand. NK's goof led to a laughter riot and Buaji tweaking his cheek, told him that he was very naughty Nandkisore! NK who hated being squeezed ran for his life rubbing his cheek.

Arnav looked at Khushi's arms adorned with his Mama's bangles and felt peace settle both on his heart and mind. Under his watchful eye the mehendi artist drew an intricate design. When she asked with which letter she had to weave an intricate web of vines, Khushi found that she was unable to utter. She stammered to say A but just couldn't manage to come out with it. Then Arnav told on her behalf that it was an A. Khushi looked at him in surprise and again when the wind blew masking her face with her silky strands, Arnav with soft gentle touch taking his own sweet time, rubbing her cheek with his knuckles, caressing her already flaming skin with his fingers, before smoothing it away. Unable to bear the pleasure that his touch gave her, she squeezed her eyes shut.

The mehendi lady watched his stern handsome face transform with a soft loving look, adoring the girl in front of him. It made her look at Khushi with envy.

This update is about accepting one's fate.

It's submitting to one's destiny.

It's TO DREE ONE'S WEIRD.

The phrase TO DREE ONE'S WEIRD is quite interesting.

Here is a jist of how it originated and why it is apt in this context!

In "To dree one's weird" "Dree" is a very old word found mostly in Northern England and Scotland today meaning "to perform" or "to endure, to submit to." Although we use "weird" today primarily as an adjective meaning "strange or uncanny," it was originally a noun meaning "fate or destiny," or, in a personified sense, the three Fates themselves (who appear as the "weird sisters" in Shakespeare's Macbeth). Thus "to dree one's weird" means to endure one's fate or submit to one's destiny, and the phrase dates back to at least the 14th century.

In this update though Arnav did not get the answer to the question he asked earlier he was not perturbed. Once his car parked in front of RM he placed the bangles set aside by his mother for her Chotey's bride in Khushi's arms. When it was revealed that it was meant for his bride only, she tries to fight with destiny saying that it should be given only to his bride and he doesn't have the right to dispense it at his will. When she protests saying that she was not his bride he points out to her that she has not rejected the offer either. When he asks her did she like it she just says that they are beautiful and she has without thinking given him the verbal consent for his offer of marriage.

"Submission is not about authority and it is not obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect"

~ Wm. Paul Young, The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity

Then he proceeds to list out all the things that his mother had collected for his bride. He tells her all her hopes and dreams concerning her Chotey's bride! All the traits that she had thought to be in her daughter-in-law like the girl being an epitome of care, love, giving, forgiving and happiness, were the description of Khushi herself.

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans"

~ Allen Saunders

Finally there was a pair of stone studded sandals like Cinderella that were made for her. It is to be seen whether they are a perfect fit or not.

When the Mehendi lady asks what letter needed to be centered in the design, it was Arnav who got A written on her palm when she was tongue-tied and she doesn't object to it. She has neither removed the bangles nor denied having her hand decorated in his name. She has submitted herself to her destiny.

"You often meet your fate on the road you take to avoid it"

~ Goldie Hawn

Her wedding with Arnav was preordained and however much she fought against it, her fight would turn out to be of no consequence just like pitter patter of rain drops on a boulder.

"What's meant to be will always find a way"

~ Trisha Yearwood

It was inevitable to accept her fate and submit to her destiny which was entwined with that of Arnav Singh Raizada!

"There's nothing you could do to me now that I wouldn't want"

~ Tiffany Reisz

That is why it is TO DREE ONE'S WEIRD.

Thats it from me. Hope you enjoy it.

Originally posted by: rulama

Smita,😊

Here is my interpretation to Section 3 of Part 15.

Anjali called her brother Arnav and teased him by asking whether he doesn't have work to do that had been his usual excuse to skip each and every function. Nani too with a twinkling eyes and a naughty smile lurking on her lips joined her. If he was Arnav Singh Raizada, she was Arnav Singh Raizada's Nani She questioned whether he was not bored to be sitting idly and looking at the ladies applying designs of mehendi. Though a bit flustered at being the target of their teasing he said a halting No. Mami started to belt out a song on two bangles adorning her hand and asking her lover to wait until they overcome certain constraints. She leaned close and started to nudge gently with her eyes riveted on the bangles on Khushi's arms. Khushi's face started to vie with the flamingos while Arnav had a flustered smile pasted on his lips showing that he was uncomfortable of being the target of the teasing of The Trio. He knew his Mami was an incorrigible woman. When she sets her heart at something then the target will not hear the end of it soon. Nani and Di giggled.

Anjali catching Khushi's arm in her grasp told her to let her see the design. Peering at it, she pretended to be shocked and uttered A? asking Khushi what was it that she was trying to imply. Nani and Mami too did their bit by giving a superb performance of being shocked! Mami asked her where this A appeared from, making Khushi vie with the beet not knowing where to look. She stuttered that..(woh..) but unable to come up with an explicit excuse just gave up. Arnav smiled at her, seeing her predicament and bashfulness.

Mami who was not the one to let go of this chance started to croon in her raspy voice, crazy kiya re... where in she sang about the daydreams, being engrossed in his thoughts and engulfed with nothing but the feelings for him. Nani and Di had a hearty laugh at their expense. Seeing their merriment, Buaji and Amma joined them. Arnav quickly caught hold of Khushi's arm taking care as not spoil the mehendi helped her up and led her away to the fresh wave of resounding laughter echoing all the way through. Mami continuing with her song sang that wherever she was she was thinking only of him and was loosing her mind in his thoughts.

Arnav led Khushi into the storage room and shut the door behind him. Khushi who was given a dose of teasing of The Trio was panting to get her breathback and the loud beat of her heart in her ears to recede. She saw Arnav looking at her fondly, with love oozing out of his caramel eyes making her feel drenched with the shower of his love.

Taking out a wooden box sporting a huge lock from a cabinet, he placed it on an old cot stored over there. Unlocked the box using the key that he fished out from his pocket, he took out the three albums containing memories of his childhood. He made Khushi sit on the cot and joined her over there, once he made himself comfortable by getting rid of his coat.

In the first album he showed her his old pictures, which made her comment that his mother was beautiful and father handsome making a picture perfect pair. She exclaimed her surprise at Anjali's long hair picture and couldn't control her giggle when she came across a picture of Arnav clicked when he was cross looking rather cute! When she expressed that it was funny to see such a small boy with such a huge amount of negative expression, Arnav smiled that reached his eyes and said that he hadn't met her then to change his ways. She told him looking at his family picture that he had inherited his eyes from his mother. Seeing his Nanaji, she was wonderstruck at his huge moushtache and expressed that it was big and blurted out that it must have tickled Nani a lot! Hearing her comment Arnav let out a whoop of laughter and told her not to ask Nani so, as he knew Khushi was capable of doing it perfectly. Both were enjoying their time together. Arnav placed on her lap all the sarees his mother had collected for her daughter-in-law. Khushi was overwhelmed with the feeling of love that his mother was bestowing on her. Looking at the intricate woven gold work on rich silk fabric her eyes quickly pooled with tears. With the tears swimming in her eyes, she realized that she was the one destined to fulfill all the hopes and dreams of his mother. Arnav comforted her by gently kissing her cheek and whispered that her mother-in-law too loves her as much as her son.

He then took out the pair of stone studded sandals. Khushi was so mesmerized by the beauty of it that she involuntarily gasped that they were beautiful. Lifting her feet on to his lap, he eased it on her feet. It was a perfect fit as though order made just for her! Arnav was stumped! He found it extremely hard to believe what he saw. He uttered to himself in a whisper, how did she know? They looked at each other and Arnav whispered may be it was a long shot that hit the mark. Khushi too was of the same opinion.

There was a knock on the door followed by singing by Mamiji from her never ending potli of songs. It was song asking the doors to be kept open as the loved one would be coming soon. When Arnav opened the door, it was to find The Trio in attendance. He wondered what would he have to resort to to get some alone time with Khushi in his house and asked them what they wanted with a yes? His Di who was naughtiness personified teased him by asking whether he needed her help in any way? We are ready, and at your service was Mami's rejoinder. Nani who belied her age asked him what his opinion was on that matter. Arnav told them he could manage perfectly well. Mami gave him an advice that they knew that he was capable of managing but he needed to speed up things as there were only two ceremonies left, Haldi and Shaadi left to find out which way the wind was blowing! Arnav rolled his eyes and Khushi who was sitting on the cot jumped up leaving the sarees behind, came out saying haltingly that she should go to Amma and Buaji. But Anjali's eyes went down to her feet and with a gasp exclaimed, that the sandals had fitted. Nani and Mami's eyes too were drawn to Khushi's feet adorning the sandals that were snug fit for her. Mami in a stage whisper told her mother-in-law, that since her feet were also bound it was time to arrange their wedding before the girl runs away! It was a sort of Cinderella story!

That day lunch was a merry affair. The older ladies had washed off their mehendi fed the youngsters. Amma fed Payal and Nani took charge of Khushi. Seeing the girls being fed, NK too wanted someone to feed him and asked out loudly. Buaji volunteered and asked in the name of Nandkisore to come and sit beside her and that she would do the honors. But NK who was always scared of her ways told her in the name of her Nandkisore he will have his lunch by himself and hid behind Akash. Arnav being a man of few words but mostly action, quietly slipped in to a seat beside Khushi and had his food fed by Nani alternating morsels between him and Khushi. Amma and Buaji were amused at his silent tactic but getting his wishes done without much ado.

When it was time for Gupta's to leave, the other guests too were leaving. It was a flurry of goodbyes. Anjali and Nani hugged Khushi and Payal. Akash with a shy smile at Payal told her that they would be meeting next at haldi and Payal with her eyes glued on floor nodded her head. Nani, Mami, Anjali, Buaji, Amma and Khushi smiled at the sight. Mami lamented in whisper in her mother-in-law's ears, what a slow poke she has for a son!

Meanwhile Arnav strode upto Khushi, pulling her into a tight hug kissed her cheek and whispered that he would see her the next day!

This update is about meeting the required standards of acceptability. Hence it can be termed as PASS MUSTER

It throws into light all the standards that needed to be met by Khushi Kumari Gupta if Mrs. Malik, mother of Arnav Singh Raizada was alive.

First it was the Kangan or bangles. They were perfect fit for Khushi's arm.

Then of the various items of trousseau that Arnav's mother had collected for her Chotey's bride, sarees with gold work and jewels. They were loved by Khushi.

The stone studded sandal that was presented to her was a perfect fit as though it was order made for her.

Then as per his mother's hopes and dreams of her daughter-in-law she was a perfect fit being an epitome of care, love, giving, forgiving and happiness.

"She's kind of a walking poem, she's this perfect beauty...but at the same time very deep, very smart"

~ Johnny Depp

Though ribbed by his family, Arnav stuck to his position of being beside Khushi.

"Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone's hand is the beginning of a journey.

At other times, it is allowing another to take yours"

~ Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

Seeing that the sandals fit, all the ladies were awestruck and even if there was an iota of doubt whether she was the one destined to be Chotey's bride it was nipped off, making them happy. She was the chosen one for Arnav Singh Raizada, and Khushi Kumari Gupta met the required standards of acceptability set forth by her mother-in-law.

Even if she had not met it still she would have been the bride welcomed with open arms. But by meeting the requirements she has given the family, Arnav and herself the added bonus of happiness.

"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the best out of everything that comes their way"

Arnav who had never shown any inclination to participate in the family functions was enthusiastic to attend even the all female function, Mehendi Ceremony. Arnav met the required standards that his family had wanted him to follow since long.

"Humility means accepting reality with no attempt to outsmart it"

~ David Richo, The Five Things We Cannot Change: And the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them

Arnav who always was taking his food alone in his room had come out to have his lunch with Khushi, eating from the hands of his Nani.

Once again, Arnav met the required standards that his family had wanted him to follow since long.

"Nothing brings down walls as surely as acceptance"

~ Deepak Chopra

While Akash told Payal that he would meet her on Haldi Day with just a shy smile, making his mother sigh that he was such a slow poke, Arnav strode along and right in of all, hugged Khushi tight and kissed her smack on her cheek and whispered that he would meet her the very next day.

Arnav passed the muster with an excellent grade from his Mami.

"My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations"

~ Michael J. Fox

That's why I call it PASS THE MUSTER.

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.

Originally posted by: rulama

I am back as you can see!

Thanks a lot for waiting so patiently.

Thanks for all the love too.

Rashmi.