Smitar's: Finding Khushi #8 Part28(4) Pg 133(19/5) - Page 27

Originally posted by: rulama

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation to Section 4 of Part 25.

Nani, Mami, Payal and Anjali hugged Buaji and Amma, with happiness and were grateful that Khushi had agreed to marry Arnav at the earliest. All of them thanked their stars that finally she had allowed to set a date for the wedding. NK and Akash smiled to see the joy on the faces of the ladies and sat amidst them.

While having refreshments, Khushi's delicacies with tea, they fixed the date for all the marriage rituals, sagai, sangeet, mehendi, haldi and the shaadi. They prepared the guest list. Babuji watched them silently with happiness.Then Mami told them in her version of Hinglish that they had brought all the shagun gifts. Where was the girl? Buaji with a wide smile told them that she has gone to godown as that day was her last day at work with Munshiji. Her work has been completed and she was expected home anytime now. Nani and Anjali nodded. Anjali whispered to her Nani that Chotey must have gone to pick her up, making Nani chuckle. Mami with a loud laugh told them, of course he needed to go and pick her up as Khushi was working far away on the next street!

Meanwhile at her work place, Khushi cleared her table. The radio was broadcasting, Lata Mangeshkar's song from Anamika.

Bahon Main Chale Aao...

It was a call to the partner...

come to my arms,

beloved, what obstructs(screen/veil) you coming to me...

oh beloved, what stops you coming to me...

Khushi looked at the radio with ill concealed irritation. While she was upset about leaving Munshiji, the radio was belting out a song wanting to hug her! Khushi with her cross-body cloth bag slung on her shoulder, laid a bunch of keys on the table in front of Munshiji. In a tear filled voice and trying to control her sobs she told Munshiji that she would be leaving and touched his feet seeking his blessings. Munshiji consoled her asking her not to be sad. She was soon going to be married wasn't she? He blessed her to have a happy life filled with many children. Khushi bobbed her head in agreement and tried to wipe all the traces of tears from her face.

Munshiji looking over her shoulders, smiled and said, it is good your fiance has come to collect you and take you away in his palanquin. Khushi turned around and was startled to see Arnavji leaning against the jamb with his feet crossed. She smiled at him through her tears. Arnav said softly to Munshiji seeking his blessings that they were getting married on the 15^th and would like him to attend the ceremony and bless them. Munshiji was overjoyed and was beaming when he said he would definitely attend. Arnav promised to send the invitation card, making Munshiji nod his head.

Arnav taking Khushi's hand in his, led her towards the car. After helping her on to fasten the seat belt, he seated himself behind the wheel. Looking at Khushi he asked her whether she was feeling alright? When she nodded wiping her cheek with her hand, he offered his hankerchief which she used. Khushi haltingly whispered, that she would miss Munshiji and his radio. Arnav with a smile told her, that she was not going to outer space. She would still be staying in Delhi after marriage, but just a few kilometers away. Khushi nodded and sniffing she said that she knew it but she didn't know why she felt, that it was a completely different world. Arnav leaned and pressed his lips on her cheek and said Buaji is right when she calls her crazy woman and Munshiji's stooge. While Khushi pouted listening to his talk, his eyes dwelt on her pink lips with obvious interest and intent to capture it with his. Realizing it Khushi turned away blushing making her cheeks aglow.

Parking the car in Happy Singh's garage, Arnav and Khushi entered the house to see all Raizadas and Guptas enjoying the joke cracked by NK. Anjali who saw them enter exclaimed, that Khushiji has come and limped towards her and hugged. Garima got up to prepare coffee for Arnav Bitwa and entered the kitchen. Without sugar was Khushi's reminder. Mami told her Mother-in-law, to give the Shagun to Khussi and book her or else she may take up another job making all laugh.

NK asked her how were her jalebis and pedas. With a tinkling laugh she told him, they were fine. Buaji teased her asking, did her Munshiji let her go? She had thought he would be heartbroken when she bid adieu. Khushi scowled at her but the rest had a hearty laugh.

Buaji asked her to get changed as they had come to give her, her shagun gifts. Khushi acquiesced and left for her room along with Payal.

This update is about change. Change to adapt to new circumstances or accommodate oneself to. ORIENTATE.

It begins with the happy glow on the face of the members of the family of both Guptas as well as the Raizadas. They direct themselves to fix the dates for wedding, other related rituals and the guest list.

The Raizadas' come to Gupta house the very next day Khushi consented for an early marriage. They come with the Shagun gifts. They are determined to have a quick wedding and have come prepared with the wedding date. They are determined to have Khushi as their eldest bahu. They were glad for her having consented, as they had been expecting it and it had finally happened.

"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen"

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

When they realize Khushi is yet to come home bidding adieu to her work at go down, the family is not surprised not to see Arnav too. They know that the changed Arnav could now be found wherever Khushi was. This change in him caused much hilarity among the gathered.

"Love can change a person the way a parent can change a baby- awkwardly, and often with a great deal of mess"

~ Lemony Snicket, Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid

Meanwhile Khushi in the godown was in tears to leave Munshiji who had unobtrusively helped her with his silence and kind words when her mind had been in turmoil. She had love and respect for this elderly man who had never questioned her when in despair but had given her his brand of solace. During her time there in the godown, it was just Munshiji and his radio that were her companions and that had held her sanity together. Munshiji had even given her space when Arnav used to come over. She had got used to his comfortable silence. When she seeks his blessings, Munshiji blesses her to have a happy life blessed with many children. Now she knows that she has to adapt to a life very different from what she had been used to.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but rather the one most adaptable to change"

~ Leon C. Megginson

Knowing that she would be feeling sad to leave her work place, Arnav arrived to pick her. By now he has understood, Khushi always befriends people easily be it young or old and it is a lasting friendship. Arnav reaches in time to see her in tears, but through her tears smiles at him knowing that he would be there for her and with her, at all the times she is uncertain, making it easy for her to adjust and adapt.

"Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach. It's the end you're after" ~ Anthony Robbins

When Khushi tells Arnav that she would miss both Munshiji and his radio, he tells her that she is going to live just a few kilometers away in Delhi itself and not some godforsaken place. But Khushi saying that it seems like another world shows that she is quite apprehensive of the changes. She knows there are tangible and intangible things. She is certain about tangible things but it is the intangible ones she is apprehensive about. However much she is prepared by Arnav and Anamika to face the Beau monde it is she who has to do it and with all the changes in her life style she has to contend with it too. But all said and done, Arnav's presence by her side gives her the support and confidence she needs and his single minded devotion to her and the pleasures he gets from her always distracts her from whatever worries her. She knows she will be able to get her bearings with his support which is now unconditional.

"There are going to be times when you learn more about the world you're entering and feel defeated when you see the gap between the ideal and the reality - But that's something we'll all face. The people that face those obstacles and overcome them are people whose dreams come true"

~ Tsugumi Ohba

What Buaji says about Munshiji being heartbroken when she said good bye to him was quite true. It is rare to find girls like Khushi who would respect their elders as well as abide by their wishes. She was a gem who gave him company without disturbing him. The respect and love was mutual. Now he has to adjust to being alone once again.

"Nothing lasts. Everything changes. But the changes are the same. Winter will always turn to spring"

~ Susan Trott, The Holy Man

By asking Khushi to change for the shagun ceremony Buaji is directing her towards the new phase in her life that she would be stepping into.

"Time moves forward don't live backwards"

~ E'yen A. Gardner

That is why it is ORIENTATE.

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