Smitar's: Saving Khushi#2 Part 14 Pg 111 (9/10) - Page 77

Originally posted by: rulama

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation for Part 15.

This update is about the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim. It is also the way in which something has an effect or influence. A word that describes this is ACTION.

Hearing Anjali call, Chotey, and then hesitate to express her thoughts by just saying that she was thinking, Arnav encouraged her to open up by asking her to tell him what she wanted. Her hesitant, she wanted to learn painting, had Arnav tell her, if that was what she wanted he would arrange for someone to teach her at home, for Aman will be able to arrange things to satisfaction. But he was cut short by Anjali who told him softly but with a determination and a clear cut idea, that was not what she wanted. She needed to get out and see more of the world and its ways. She knows that they have evening classes at the nearby college. That was one step that was bound to please everyone, for it was a sign of control action of seizing her life into her hands by thinking for herself and aloud. Arnav felt overwhelmed to see his Di coming out of her cocoon and wanting to come out of her penchant to create the dream world of her own. With this development he now knew, that she was turning a new leaf and her zest to seek new pastures was a welcome change. Arnav promised her anything she wants could be materialized. All she needed was to state it and he would help her to strive for it. He could see optimism in her attitude and that was essential to achieve anything. Knowing that, it is also the solid basis for her to gain courage and true progress in life, he was extremely happy at the step his Di was taking. Her decision met Nani's smiling approval too, who told her that she would meet new people and make new friends. Mami added that it was a right move. This activity was a more viable option than staring at the four walls confined in her room. NK's offer, that he would accompany her to the class on the first day, made Akash raise an eyebrow in silent query. NK's assertion that, it would fetch her lot of friends as soon as they walk in, as all the girls will fall for him and surround her asking who this handsome Jasmine flower was had Akash bury his head in his hands thinking of the actual effectiveness of NK's presence and all the rest let out belly laughter.

Khushi twirling the fringe of her dupatta with her fingers, nervously called out, Arnavji. Arnav looked up from his laptop to see her standing by the door and perceiving from her gestures that she needed to ask him something asked her, what happened? Did she need something? His husky voice was an open invitation to her to come near him. Khushi stepping inside the room, told him hesitantly, she was thinking... and stopped short wondering how to proceed. His prompt, what? giving her the necessary courage, made her continue that Buaji had called her and it had been quite a long time since she visited them and she was thinking... She again paused wondering how he would react. Realizing what she wanted to tell him, he pondered over the matter and with a smile he responded that he needed to go to his office after lunch and she could accompany him. He would drop her at Buaji's house and he too would get a chance to meet them. Then she could spend her afternoon with them and later in the evening on his way back from the office he would pick her up. Khushi smiled and agreed.

As they drove towards Laxmi Nagar, he kept sneaking glances at his wife's happy face and her liveliness and felt extremely happy that even his small gesture could bring out so much of happiness for her. The glimpses of her smiling visage did not let him stress over the fact that he had to negotiate the vehicle amidst the sneaky autos and congested roads. As he stopped the vehicle before Buaji's house, Arnav caught hold of her hand making Khushi look at him. With his eyes trained on her face, taking in his fill of his beauty, he asked her softly, what she will do all afternoon. Khushi was only glad to let him know what all she had planned for a lovely time there. She listed out that her top priority was to talk to Amma, Babuji and Buaji to her heart's content, then go to Kamla Maasi's house, later play with her neighbouring kids, her battalion of friends, when they get home from school, eat golgappe with them... As she was rattling on the list that she planned to do, he asked her to, save one for him, in a husky voice that was easy and pleasing to the ear. It was so mellow, filled with warmth and love, that she felt as if a beam of sunshine had been melted into sound. It sent tingles along her spine making her look with wide eyes and nod while her soft cheeks bloomed like wild roses. He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her fingers making her gasp out Arnavji! Her reaction was both happy as well as uneasy. She was happy to be the recipient of his attention, uneasy lest this gesture be witnessed by somebody on the street. Telling him that, they were in public and anybody could see them, she looked around frantically, for the street was swarmed with Buaji's friends and neighbours. Quickly she pulled her hand away. Arnav smiled and opened her door and accompanied her in to Buaji's house.

Buaji who opened the door was surprised to see her Arnav Bitwaa and was extremely happy that she caught hold of his arm and pulled him into the house lest he went away from the threshold itself. Bubbling with happiness, she called out to Garima asking her, to come out to see who has graced their home! Her son-in-law has come and asked her to welcome him with aarti as he steps into their house rarely, on Diwali or Janmashtami! Buaji teased him and tweaked his chin. Her special brand of welcome made Arnav smile for he understood her feelings from the aura of happiness she was emanating. When Khushi in reply tried to defend her husband saying, that it was not a fair statement that Arnavji had been busy, Buaji caught hold of her by her ear and gently admonished, was that so? Protecting her husband from them, was she? Khushi's squeak, Buaji..., as she squirmed trying to save her ear from Buaji's strong and firm hold was watched by Arnav with a smile. Garima, who came out wheeling Babuji's chair, made Arnav sit on a chair saying that it had been quite a long time since they saw him. Arnav agreed saying that he was caught up with work and greeted Babuji who nodded and smiled by way of greeting.

Garima's query on, how Naniji was keeping, elicited a smile from him saying, that she was fine. Arnav for whom his Nani held a special place, the very thought of her always brought in a soft smile on his face. And Buaji's query on Anjali Bitiyaa, brought out a smile of relief in him and said that she was much better and it was more than what was expected of her. He added that, she was attending painting classes at a college nearby. Buaji showed her happiness and approval with her exclamation and asked what would she do all day and night if she sat at home? She will just waste herself away by fretting over everything that happened. It was good that she was keeping herself busy, involving herself in activities of her liking and not succumbing to unwanted thoughts. Khushi served tea to all of them, and sat by her husband as he talked to her family. Arnav asked them a bit diffidently, whether it was just him feeling so or has Babuji really improved? He had felt that Babuji's hand moved with more control over his reflexes and his smile was much less lopsided. Amma and Buaji smiled at him and in answer Buaji told him that his observation was correct and he has improved. The doctors were happy with his steady progress. Arnav feeling happy at this smiled at Babuji and asked to give him a call, when they have to go to the hospital, so that he could send a car with the driver. Amma and Buaji nodded gratefully.

As Arnav's eyes went to the clock he noted the time making him jump up saying, that he needed to rush as he had an appointment scheduled in a few minutes and sought their permission to leave. Though feeling disappointed at him having to leave so quickly, Buaji on behalf of the rest agreed and she turned to her Sanka Devi and asked her to accompany her beloved to his car. Khushi turned beet red at Buaji's words and accompanied Arnav. Arnav looking at Khushi as he opened the car door told her that he will come over and pick her as soon as he finishes his work in the evening. Khushi was all smiles to hear his words. Her smile made him gaze longingly at her lips and as he lifted his eyes to hers that showed what he really wanted to do, Khushi's lovely cheeks turned into blushing clouds, making her shiver and give rise to goose pimples. With great effort and utter reluctance, Arnav got into the car and drove away, his eyes glued on her image in his rear view mirror till it vanished.

When Khushi called Arnav and asked whether he was busy, he told her that, for her, he always had time and what happened. As he talked to her, a small smile hovered on his lips, for just the lilt in her voice made his heart lurch and smile, as it would let his imagination run riot... with pleasant and happy thoughts. Khushi with hesitation told him softly that, she was thinking that she would stay over there for a couple of days. The minute her words ended came the epithet, what the! She quickly added that, she would be back on Thursday; fervently hoping that he would not let his anger rule over him. His outright denial, that he was in no way letting her do so, gave her the clue that she needed to tread carefully. It was in line with his behavior pattern. He held her to her words, that, she had said she would be going for half a day and she was supposed to return home with him that day itself... Arnav paused, realizing he sounded too agitated about something that should not be made a big deal about but it affecting him very much. Khushi tried to reason out with him saying that, she was just two km away from his house, not in another city. She would be staying with her family, not strangers. And all she was telling was that it was for two days. Khushi's reasonable approach and explanation was a wasted effort, for all he could hear in his near panic state was she being away. The waves of panic that hit him were huge just like the tidal waves caused during tsunami, engulfing him and giving rise to the familiar panic pattern of being deserted and the loneliness it accompanied. He felt deserted just like the time, when his mother whom he was very much attached to, took her life leaving him alone. Squashing the rising panic within him, he in a decisive ASR tone sounded out that it was not possible and he wanted her back in RM that day itself. Having stayed with him, with a bit of his attitude rubbed on her, his decree made her set for a clash with him. Mrs. ASR with her nose high up in the air, asserted herself and countered, what if she does not? His menacing growl, that he will make her pay and no one messes with ASR, elicited a quick response, is that so? Then let her be the one to break the news to him that no one messes with Mrs. ASR too, and in a fit of pique cut her call. Taken unawares, all Arnav could do was glare at the phone in his hand, all worked up, fuming with the ire of the man who has lots to say but no one to listen.

In the evening, when it was time for her Arnavji to leave his office, Khushi looked nervously at the phone. She was with mixed feelings. One minute she was a bundle of nerves thinking, what would he do, drag her back to RM? Should she call him? Appease him? The very next she would be annoyed and determined not to buckle down. She would think how dare he order her around? Was she HP? Or Amanji? She would dig in her heels thinking no, she was his wife. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. No one would be able to push her around, not even her Arnavji. She drew in a deep breath and prayed to Devi Maiyya for courage to fight, tooth and nail if necessary, to be able to make her stand clear even if she had to go the extra mile. While her mind was debating on it, she heard Buaji calling out to her and ask, whether she was sure that she wanted to stay over for two days? When Khushi affirmed, Buaji was a bit taken aback to know that she was leaving her Arnav Babua alone in RM. She posed a query, who would take care of him there if she was here, for was she not responsible for his well being? Hearing it, Khushi fumed. She who was at her tethers end told Buaji that her Arnav Babua was old enough to take care of himself. If she was not aware, here was a piece of information that, he had been taking care of himself for the past 28 years without any help from her. And he has a house full of family there. He could not be alone even if he tried. The elderly lady was perceptive enough to know that they must have had a lover's tiff and exclaimed, so it was because of the spat, she wanted to stay over for two days, was it not? Buaji's exclamation, with her eyes wide, rolling around like a wheels of a chariot, as though it was her eureka moment, had Garima chuckle behind her hand and Babuji smile. Khushi's unladylike, Hhmmmpppfff! that made her view clear as she left, amused her family. She was cheesed off seeing that her family managed to get a rise out of her, went to her room and locked the door in a huff.

A few minutes later, knocking at her door, Garima called out to Khushi to open the door. Swiping the tears with the back of her hand she opened the door to see her Amma there, holding a tray with two cups of tea and a bowl of snacks in her hands. The sight before her made her frown and ask why she had to bring the tea there. She would have come out... her voice tapered out as she saw the person behind her Amma, making her gasp in a query, Arnavji? Arnav made his way into her room, wheeling a bag behind him. Khushi was so stunned to see him that she was left open-mouthed in disbelief! She wondered, what was going-on? Garima placed the tea tray on the table and turned to Arnav. She cupped his lean cheek in one palm and asked him to rest for a while and she would call when it was time for dinner. She asked Khussi to take care of Arnav Bitwaa and help him unpack and make space for his things in her cupboard and cabinets among all her hoarded junk. This strict admonition to Khushi to make her Damadji as comfortable as possible left Khushi staring in silence as her Amma left, closing the door after her. As Arnav locked the door and turned to look at a stupefied Khushi, he saw the telltale signs of tears that had been shed. He cupped her cheek and running a gentle finger down the curve, he asked, was she crying? What was the reason? Was it because he lost his temper? First, she nodded affirming and then, shook her head to mean a no, making Arnav smile at what he thought was her indecision and ask what exactly she means? Yes or no? She replied, both and she had cried, not because he was angry with her. When he shouts at her she does not feel like crying but gets the urge to respond with shouting back at him and she does. So that was fine by her. Her reply made him smile and think, that his employees should hear her. For they were sure to die of shock to hear her dismissing his anger as of no consequence when he had the ability to make grown men quiver in their boots and a mere look from him was enough to make them cry. He asked her in a tender loving voice, if not for his anger, then why was it she had shed tears? Her confession, with her eyes not meeting his, that it was what Buaji had said, she should have not left him alone in RM, made him feel a lump in his throat. She continued to say in a small voice that she had told Buaji that he would not be alone there, but... and paused. When Arnav prompted her to continue, Khushi looked away, for once lost for words.

Recognizing what her silence meant, it as a reaction with the knowledge that he would be lonely and had realized it after Buaji's talk, he confirmed her thoughts by whispered confession that, he was always lonely without her. Even in the middle of a crowd he would feel that loneliness if she was not by his side, making Khushi stare at him with her eyes like saucers. As he whispered his fingers deftly dealt with the buttons of his coat and the waistcoat and he continued saying, that was a fact known to all. When he reached home from office and told them that she was going to stay for two days, Nani scolded him for leaving her alone. Khushi was stunned to hear it. And with a smile he added that, Mami had told him that he should have stayed back with her and let his in-laws take care of him. He threw away the coat, waistcoat and tie, and slid two buttons of his shirt out of their buttonholes. Khushi who was taken aback hearing what he had to say, asked him in confirmation whether Naniji and Mamiji asked him to come there? As he said yes, and with a smile explained, they can understand her need to spend some time with her family, and also they know how miserable he would be without her, a half smile, like the moonlight of laughter, dawned on her face. Arnav cut a joke that, HP was one happy person and was in such a hurry to pack him off that he ran to keep Arnav's bag in the car. HP had not wanted him shouting or breaking things that he would resort to do if he were alone in RM. It brought out full bloom smiles on her rosy lips with soft laughter as just like the ripples on the sea. Khushi rushing to her husband threw her arms around him and whispered against his neck that, she was so glad that he had come, burrowing closer to him she confessed that, as soon as she had finished fighting with him, she had started to miss him. His, good, against her cheek as his lips moved towards hers and his arms gathering her as close as they could, made her query, what did his good mean? As she gazed at his eyes seeking answer, he said, very good, in appreciation of her angling her face just the way he wanted as he captured her startled lips with his eager ones. His motto, don't talk just act, don't say just show; don't promise just prove, for action speak louder than words were very effective in stopping her from asking anymore questions. Not that Khushi had anymore to ask for she felt words were vastly overrated and any day action was better, much better and her Arnavji knew only the best.

That is why it is titled ACTION.

"Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions"

~ Dallin H. Oaks

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