Smitar's: Saving Khushi#1 Part 7 Pg 122 Link to # 2 on Pg 1 - Page 84

Originally posted by: rulama

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation for Section 2 of Part 6.

This update is about the direction one takes, STEP.

At the temple, the Purohit was all apologetic and said that he was sorry that he could not get them married the next morning as he is scheduled to go to a place 15 kms away once the morning duties gets over at the temple to conduct a pooja at a home. Arnav and Khushi had not expected any hindrance to their marriage and the Purohit saying so was a stepback for them. They had thought of forging ahead in their relation without anyone in the family being privy to what really had happened five months back. They had thought that it would be a closed chapter. Seeing them look crestfallen, Purohit smiled and offered an alternative saying, that if they were ready he could get them married that night itself. His words took them unawares but it was a most welcome alternative put before them. For Arnav who was of the type, who wanted to get things done yesterday itself of the idea that was thought of today, it was a sweet manna and he readily agreed. The Purohit looking at the prospective bride asked her the rhetoric questions, was she over eighteen? When she said that she was twenty-one and an adult he asked whether she was unmarried? Khushi bobbed her head in agreement. The priest carefully worded his next question addressed to Arnav whether he was married to someone else? Pat came the reply, of course not. (I wonder what happened to her mangalsutra? The one she wears was a short chained one and the way she wears her dupatta it was bound to be seen! Was the purohit an old man with not so sharp eyes? Was that why he asked Arnav whether he was married to someone else???) The Purohit with a smile asked them whether they have any family members with them there. When he was told, no, he explained that they needed witnesses for the marriage and asked them to wait till the night pooja time when a good crowd assembles. Then he would announce their wedding and would ask the devotees and the temple staff to sign the register as witnesses. That was highly appreciated by the love birds. He asked them to arrange for snacks for the witnesses and to give it after the ceremony and they agreed to do so. Thanking the Purohit, Arnav and Khushi went to a nearby shop and ordered a big basket of jalebi. With all the steps and measures for their wedding taken care of, they returned to the dhaba and changed into their wedding finery!

Arnav changed into his new brown shirt and black trousers and Khushi dressed in the beautiful red saree that Arnav had sneaked into her purchases. She braided her hair into a thick neat plait that reached her waist and joined Arnav. Arnav stared at the pretty alluring enchantress in a bright red sari, bordered with gold. Golden leaves were splashed all over the red saree and the short choli with an equally short sleeve highlighted the fairness of her skin. The saree was hugging to her willowy figure letting her creamy dream-waist peep every now and then when she walked. The bright sari, vied with her cheeks and her twinkling eyes made his chest swell in pride and happiness that his princess, very own princess was coming towards him with her love aglow just for him. They walked to the temple stepping together holding hands while the camera they had borrowed from their host was held safely in Arnav's hand. Arnav had fore thought about the necessity to have the photographs taken to get their marriage registered. It was a foresight, a step, that a businessman with sharp acumen would make as a contingency plan taking into consideration every aspect that needs to be considered.

Meanwhile Shyam who was pacing his room like a harassed sentry was fretting and wondering where Rocky was? Why was he not answering his call? Where was Khushi? While his head was swirling with multiple questions just like a spiral-staircase, winding him up, his Rani Sahiba walked in asking her Pati Parameshwar, what was wrong? He seemed to be extremely agitated! Was he upset about Khushiji missing just like the rest? Anjali's lashes glistened at the thought of missing her sweet sister-in-law. Shyam who was caught unawares, managed to compose himself and express that it was so and muttered Arnav... and asked her more confidently where Arnav was? She confided in him, that her Chotey had gone to arrange the five crores demanded by the kidnappers and he had called sometime back. He was also expecting the kidnappers to call that day. Hearing her words, his heart missed a beat.

Shyam, who had been just worried till now became a bit panicky and started sweating profusely. He wondered how he could ask Rocky to call Arnav when Rocky himself was missing. How could he take 5 crores from Arnav without showing him Khushi? This was a step back in his plans. Anjali told him that she had received a call from the bank manager and was told that there was very little money in their joint account. The amount was less than the minimum amount that needed to be retained and if not corrected quickly they would be fined for not maintaining a minimum balance. The Manager wants him to deposit money immediately. He was struck dumb to hear it. This was again an unexpected step down at the landing stage. His mind went to the expenses, for kidnapping was an expensive business. The kidnappers needed to be paid, their food, drinks, chloroform, fuel expenses for the jeep to run were to be met. All these would not come for tuppence! Anjali with a frown expressed her doubt saying, that a few days back they had 2 lakhs in their account. Did they not? Shyam side stepped the query smoothly saying that he would take care of it and his Rani Sahiba need not worry about such matters, especially at this particular time. She needs to focus her attention on Naniji and Mamiji. Payalji must be so very unhappy about Khushiji and he successfully diverted her attention. Anjali went back to the rest of the family to cry and pray along with the other family members.

Shyam panted. He had to do something urgently. Lallan, Rocky's boss would soon demand the payment. He had to raise the amount immediately. His bank account amounted to nothing at present and by the looks of it, joint account too was of the same state, as good as empty. Now there was only one way out and that was the back stairs, to use of the duplicate key to Arnav's locker that was in his possession and filch a portion of the cash from it. That would anyway go unnoticed. He opened his drawer and took out the duplicate key. Slowly, stealthily, just like a common burglar, he padded his way to Arnav's room. He looked around and found the women huddled up at Devi Maiyya's feet, with their eyes tightly shut, praying. Akash was in his room, busy with his office work and the fool, NK, was nowhere to be seen. He slipped in. Daiyya ho! He could get in without anyone seeing him enter. Shutting the door gently in precaution, he moved to the locker and pushed the key in. It was a perfect fit. He swaggered in appreciation of his own intelligence. He thought that it was a step-up in the right direction for him. His forethought had paid off. It was just as easy as taking off candy from a kid and like a dog with two tails, he gleefully turned the key. But, nothing happened. The lock failed to open. Shyam's eyes threw daggers at the recalcitrant lock. He tried again and again, frantic, looking towards the door frequently so as to avoid being caught. He pushed the key in more firmly and tried to turn it. But the lock proved more stubborn than Shyam Manohar Jha. Thinking that there was no use hanging around, Shyam decided that it was high time he left Arnav's room lest he got caught and tried to remove the key. But it refused to budge. He stared at it in horror. After the gruelling pushing and pulling with sweating like a pig from all the exertions, Shyam decided to give up. Once again he was hit by a blow that made him back down.

Furious at being outwitted and scared of his inability to raise the necessary cash he thought of having a stab at the valuables that Arnav may have left around! But that room held nothing! It was spartan as always only with the bare necessities! Once again he came up with nothing! He was furious and thought there were no valuables in Arnav's room and there were no funds in his account! How dare the Raizadas' not give him the necessary cash! It was like a red flag to a bull. After all, money and life style were the only reason why he was putting up with their Anjali! All the steps he took seemed to come out in a naught. He looked around the room, his eyes rolling, red, like a mad bull. He saw just Arnav's books. Foaming at the mouth with a swipe of his hand he knocked them down! Being driven up the wall he ripped open the doors of the wardrobe that held clothes. In a mad frenzy fuelled by his hatred of Arnav and his need for money, Shyam threw down some of Khushi's suits and Arnav's shirts. Many files were kept in a lower compartment. He ripped them off the folder, shredded them to pieces and flung them around. As he took the last file while pulling the papers out, raising them to shred into pieces, his eyes caught the name Khushi Kumari Gupta! He paused midway and wondered what was her name doing on that document? Shyam lowered his arm to read it and at last he seemed to have landed on something that held value.

This update is about Arnav and Khushi taking their marriage and their life step forward.

Shyam was being made to take steps backward. The noose seems to be tightening around him but it looks as though he has got a breather.

That is why this is titled STEP

"It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward"

~ Old Chinese Proverb

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