A cool morning breeze washed over the rows of elegant brick houses as a small group of birds sang away their usual morning melodies, dancing across the neighborhood pond. A silver shaded Lexus pulled up in front of one of the brick houses.
The heavy knock on the door sent me rushing to the window. "Mr. Chopra!!" I exclaimed to myself. I unfastened the lock on the door as quickly as I could.
"Hi, Mr. Chopra"
"Hello, Ms. Gupta, Mr. Khan has sent me to congratulate you on your new position as the Chief Editor of Bombay Times."
I stood there dumbfounded and utterly speechless before whispering,
"Seriously? Really??"
Mr. Chopra smiled saying,
"Yes, of course Ms. Gupta! You can start from tomorrow morning."
"Thank you so much Mr. Chopra. I don't know how to thank..."
"OOO SANKA DEVI!! GET UP...! IT'S 7 a.m...!"
A distant voice that sounded like Buaji seemed to grow louder by the second.
I jumped up at Buaji's pounding screech against my ears and heaved a sigh.
If only it were real instead of just being a dream.
Buaji started screaming yet again,
"KHUSHI... you're still sleeping aren't you? I mean it get up right now! It's already so late!!"
I tossed over moaning, as my sleepy eyes turned towards the clock...
"7 am... it's too early and its a Sunday..." I whined before dropping my head back down onto my fluffy pillow.
Just as sleep was slowly taking over once again my door banged open revealing Buaji!
Before I could even begin to comprehend the fact that I was screwed she pulled at my blanket making me desperately fight back to get it.
Alas Buaji won the battle as the blanket lay disregarded at the far corner of my bed.
What looked like a hint of a smirk stretched across her face before she yelled again seeing me lay back down on my bed.
Buaji: Khushi you better get your little behind up right this minute!!"
Refusing to give up just yet, I whined back,
"But Buaji its only a Sunday na. And I don't even have any classes today... can I please sleep in?? I'm just too sleepy."
As a finishing touch to my little request I pouted hoping it would do the trick as usual.
However Buaji wasn't going to have any of it and told me to cut the tantrums saying,
"Oye Parmesuri don't even try acting cute with me!! You know when I was your age I used to be up and ready by 6 am everyday. And here its already 7 am yet you're still complaining? Chalo now get up! Enough of the drama!"
As she finished her lecture she finally snatched away not only my blanket but my pillow too. And then rattled on and on until I finally dragged myself out of bed.
"What a way to start off my Sunday!" I thought to myself.
As I crawled out of my cozy bed Buaji began bragging about a suitor for me,
"Titaliya you will live like a Queen if all works out. You know he's very well off. He has a house as grand as the Taj Mahal! Plus its the perfect age for you to marry!!"
I clenched my teeth hard, trying my level best to contain the rising frustration within me.
I just hate the typical desi trend: a girl hits her mid teen years and before you know it a million rishtas start lining up! Ugh!!!!!!!!!!! I...
My thoughts suddenly came to a pause...
Wait a minute!!!!!!!!!
Since when did Buaji start looking for rishtas for me?? She has always encouraged and supported my studies so what happened to her all of a sudden???
Buaji knows very very well that as of now I just wanna study and become something instead of being married off to some rich potential moron!
Besides its not like I don't want to get married at all! In fact I want to settle down but would prefer to only after I reach my goals!!
And Buaji knows that then why all this rishta talk all of sudden???
My mind pondered over these thoughts for merely a few seconds until Buaji decided to burst my bubble by announcing that they were coming today!
The ground beneath me just seem to collapse as complete shock struck me hard!!!
My jaw fell and eyes grew as big as saucers. And my mind fogged with panic, shock, and confusion all at once as I stood there utterly speechless.
A good few minutes passed by until Buaji shook me slightly, wondering why out of the blue I decided to became some kind of a comical looking cartoon.
"WHAT??? THEY'RE COMING TODAY??? WHY????" I screamed just as soon as I found my voice.
Buaji clapped her hands over her ears and glared at me!
Buaji: Are you crazy?? Sanka Devi!!! And YES they are coming today! That's why I came to wake you up genius!
I glared right back saying,
"Buaji Why Didn't You Tell Me About This Before?????"
"O ho stop freaking out! They won't bite you I promise!" Buaji said chuckling.
I was about to open mouth but Buaji cut me...
"Now go get ready! Make sure to wear something decent and then come help me in the kitchen!"
And with that Buaji quickly left... leaving me no choice but to obey her.
UGH!!!!!! Why me!!! I screamed out loud before heading towards the shower.
About an hour later I trudged down the steps all dressed for the occasion and headed towards the kitchen where Buaji was busy preparing a Lucknowi buffet.
For a moment I stood there watching her quietly as she went back and forth from the Masalas cabinet to the stove.
Buaji: Sanka Devi do you plan on standing there all day and admiring me? I know you love me but seriously don't stare at me like that! Kuch Kuch Hota Hai...!!
My mouth fell open in shock as I exclaimed,
"Buaji!!!!!"
Buaji laughed saying,
"Well that did the trick now didn't it! Chalo now come help me already!"
As I walked over to where she stood I saw the line of dishes she had began to prepare. I shook my head saying,
"Buaji why are you making like a million dishes?? Just one or two is fine na! That'll be more than enough for them! Besides, they'll only be here for 2 to 4 hours! Why go through all the trouble for nothing?"
Buaji: Uff Titaliya you won't understand! They've sent you a rishta... we should definitely have good enough food prepared. Now stop stalling and help me na.
I sighed in defeat. There was no point in arguing with her so might as well help her instead of wasting my breath for nothing.
As we cooked Buaji went on and on about how perfect the guy is for me!
"I just have to think of a way to get outta this" I thought to myself.
Question is how, what, when...
A thought struck my genius mind!
My lips curved into a evil smirk as I eyed the hot species and the dishes in front of me!
According to Buaji the guy and his family preferred less spicy food. Hehehehehehe... I giggled to myself!!
And so the rest of the two hours was spent in not only cooking the dishes but cooking up a plan to get rid of Mr. Whoever He Was!
Just then the doorbell rang.
Buaji: OMG it must be them! Oye Sanka Devi go answer the door!
I was about to argue but one look at her face told me to just shut up and do as she says.
I went to answer the door all the while feeling a tad bit nervous as I began pep talking myself.
"Khushi get a grip, there is nothing to worry about. Just stick to your plan and all will be fine!" I told myself over and over again.
For some reason despite having a plan intact my heart wouldn't stop with its Dhak Dhak as I finally approached the door.
Realizing that I could stall no longer I pulled open the door as I sent a small prayer to God.
"AHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Was the first thing that came outta my mouth as I saw just who stood there before me!
Panic, shock, nervousness filled my entire system as all my heart could do was pound harder...
DHAK DHAK DHAK DHAK DHAK...
As the door continued to remain open he stepped forward and said in a low husky voice,
"Hi...Khushi Kumari Gupta"
I stared back at him both nervous and confused as I whispered to myself,
"Arnav Singh Raizada???"
To Be Continued...
Cricket
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