Jaldi aaiyye Arnavji! NOTE on pg 92

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BARUNODAYA

@BARUNODAYA

Voyager

Posted: 8 years ago

#121

omg!Smitha u r backk...I am glad u made it finally...feeling extremely happy to c u back...u were thinking that the readers might lost touch with the story?? u know I was missing this story so much that God knows how mAny times I 're-read it..kk now i need tht time back..with arnav khushi nd hamari chotti si duniya...nd I am also thankful tht u r not rushing it to end...it won't be justified...the progress and closure should be as you planned and that is what we ultimately want...so waiting for the update... [:$]

Edited by BARUNODAYA - 8 years ago

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-Roshini-

@-Roshini-

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 8 years ago

#122

Glad to have you back smita :)

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kushiasr26

@kushiasr26

Navigator

Posted: 8 years ago

#123

Happy to see you back

Will be waiting for your update

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Smita

@..Smita..

Dazzler

+ 4

Posted: 8 years ago

#124

Thanks for the likes & comments for the previous part! I'm yet to read your pms, scraps and post replies. Thought of completing this update first. Will read and reply to them over the next 2-3 days.

Note: Long update.

Part 124A

Khushi: Oh ho! (frowns) Yeh scooter..

Arnav: Kya hua?

Khushi: Kaartik ka scooter toh.. automatic tarah ka hai, humare purane scooter se bilkul vipreet! Humein nahi lagtaa ki humein isse dhang se chalaa paayenge.

Arnav: Tum utro,main chalaata hoon.

Khushi: Theek hai.

Arnav was turning the scooter towards the bylane when Khushi yelled "Rukiye,rukiye!"

Arnav halts the scooter with a jerk.

Arnav: What the..!?

Khushi(calls loudly): Susheela bhabhi..!

The family walking ahead of them turn around when they hear her.

A girl of about 8 yells: Khusi buaji!

Khushi hops off the scooter and runs towards them,without saying anything to a befuddled

Arnav.

Khushi(taking the girl in her arms): Kaisi ho tum?

Girl: Hum theek hain. Aap kaise ho?

Khushi: Hum toh bahut achchhe hain!

She puts the girl down only to take her younger sister in her arms.

Khushi: Aur humari chhoti si Buchiya k kya haal hain?

Arnav joins Khushi by this time.

The girl of about 4 winds her arms around Khushi's neck and laughs when she tickles her.

Arnav was about to speak to Khushi when he hears her exclaim Hey Devi Maiyya!

Khushi puts the child on the ground and rushes to hug her mother.

Khushi(breaking the hug): Yeh kya baat hui,bhabhi? Maanaa ki hum ab yahaan nahi rehte hain par isska matlab yeh toh nahi ki hum paraaye ho gaye hain!(looking at her protruding belly)Aapne humein itni achchhi khabar kyun nahi sunaai?

Bhabhi: Oo tau aisa hai jiji k hum khuskhabri phone par naahi, mulaaqaat hone par dene ma biswas rakhte hain!

Arnav is shocked when Khushi is addressed as 'jiji' by someone who looked visibly older than her.

Bhabhi: Hum tau raah dekh rahe the k kab Khusi jiji hiyaan aayenge aur kab hum ooka jilebiyaan khilaaik ee khuskhabri sunaayenge!

Khushi: Toh lo aa gaye hum!

Bhabhi: Ha tau chaliye humre ghar! Aap aapan bhaiyya se batiyaiyyega jab tak hum aur Raniya nastaa aur jilebiyaan taiyyaar kar denge!

Khushi(realizes): Areh bhaiyya se toh hum mile hi nahi! (turns towards him) Kaise hain bhaiyya?

Bhaiyya: Bas,theek. Tum batiyao. Aur batiyao nahi,pahile toh jijaji se humri mulaaqaat karvaao!

Khushi: Areh haan! (turns to Arnav)Hum toh bhool hi gaye the!

Arnav throws her a look of displeasure before nodding at the couple.

Bhaiyya: Namaste! Humara nam Garv kumar hai aur.. (pointing to his kids) ee hai humri bitiyan- Muniya, Buchiya aur Raniya., Aur.. (pointing to his wife)ee hai ooki amma, Suseela..

Bhabhi: Ji namaste!

Arnav(nods): Namaste. Mera naam Arnav Singh Raizada hai.

Bhaiyya: Aji aapko kaun naahi jaanta hai! Itne badi hasti hain aap!

Arnav: Main aaj yahaan koi badi hasti nahi,sirf Khushi k pati ki haisiyat se aaya hoon! Isiliye mujhe khushi hogi agar aaplog bhi mujhe waise hi treat karein, sirf Khushi ka pati samajh kar, na ki The Arnav Singh Raizada samajhkar.

Bhabhi looks at Khushi and nods to indicate that she appreciates Arnav's words.

Bhaiyya: Bahutai umda bichaar hain aapk! Aaiyye na, humre ghar padhaariye..

Arnav: Ji,zaroor par pehle Khushi ko chachiji se milna hai.

Bhaiyya(frowns): Par amma toh..

Khushi(interrupts): Inka matlab Lailaa chachiji se hain.

Bhaiyya: Oh,achchha.

Khushi: Woh.. jabse Thanveer chacha ki khabar suni hai tabse chachi se milne ka man kar raha tha. Toh pehle unhe mil aaye,phir baari-baari sab se milne aayenge!

Bhaiyya: Bilkul,bilkul!

Bhabhi: Aaram se chachiji se milkar aaiyye,jiji. Tab tak jilebiyaan bhi taiyyar hui jayengi!

Khushi: Areh nahi bhabhi,aap iss haalat me koi taqleef mat lijiye.

Bhabhi: Kauno taqleef naahi hogi humein! Aur waise bhi,aaj kal toh Raniya hi humri rasoi chalaati hai! Oo k papa aur bahino ka tiffin oo hai banaati hain.

Khushi: Achchha?

Bhabhi(nods with pride): Haan! Aapan bahinon ko bhi sambhaalti hai aur ghar ko bhi. Hum toh bas.. gine-chune kaam karte hain,baaki jyaadatar kaam ee khudai kar leti hai!

Khushi(appreciative smile): Areh waah Raniya! Yeh toh bahut achchhi baat hai,beta! Amma ki madad toh har beti ko karni hi chahiye!

Bhabhi: Aap aaiyye ghar par,aaj aapko Raniya k haathon ki jilebiyaan chakhaaye denge! Kaahe bitiya?

Raniya(confidently): Ha buaji! Bahut badhiya jilebiyaan banaayenge aapki khaatir!

Arnav suppresses the urge to mutter unbelievable.

Raniya(turns to Arnav): Aur.. phuphaji ki khaatir!

Khushi: Tumhare phuphaji ko meetha manaa hai,beta.

Raniya: oh ho..

Bhabhi: Kauno baat naahi! Humri Raniya samose tal degi aapki khaatir,aap humre ghar tau padhaariye!

Raniya: Haan,ee achchha rahega,amma! Khusi buaji ko bhi samose pasand hai aur Muniya ko bhi! Tau hum samose aur jilebiyaan dunno banaaye dete hain!

Arnav: No,no,no! Its fine. aapko kuch bhi banaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Aap achchhe se padhaai karo aur ghar k kaamon k saath-saath padhaai pe bhi focus rakho. Thats enough.

Bhabhi: Areh oo tau karti hi hai. Roj school jaati hai humri bitiya! Jab mehman aate hain tau tanik jyaada kaam karna hi padhta hai,. Oo kar legi.

Bhaiyya: Aap oo ki chinta nahi kijiye. (proudly) Humri bitiya bahutai sayaani hai! Aap bas jaldi se humre ghar aa jaiyye!

Arnav: Sure!

Khushi: Hum aate hain thodi der me..

While going back towards the scooter,Arnav asks the questions which were bothering him.

Arnav: Yeh.. Raniya kitne saal ki hogi?

Khushi: 13 saal ki.

Arnav(shocked): Itni chhoti age me yeh saare kaam kar leti hain?! Aur usk parents allow bhi karte hain?! Unbelievable man!

Khushi: Toh kya hua? Jab hum uski umar k the tab hum bhi ghar k saare kaam karte the.

Arnav: Really?!

Khushi: Haan! Humare yahaan naukar-chaakar thode hi na hote hain,Arnavji.

Arnav: Ha par bachchon se kaam karvaane ki ek age toh hoti hai na?

Khushi: Ha toh humne kab kaha ki nahi hoti hai? 10 saal ki umr tak bachhiyaan halka-phulka kaam karti hain. Usk baad unhe baaki k saare kaam sikhaaye bhi jaate hain aur unse karvaaye bhi jaate hain,kyunki humare yahaan yeh hi maanyaata hai ki ladki ko aage chalkar naya sansaar basaana hai aur pura ghar sambhaalna hai. Toh jitni jaldi seekh jayegi utna achchha hai, taaki shaadi hone tak woh sab hi kaamon me nipun ho jaayegi!

Arnav: Ni..pun?

Khushi: Matlab saare kaam bahut achchhe se sambhaal paayegi.

Arnav: Okay. And another thing..

Khushi: Ab kya?

Arnav: woh.. bhabhi tumhe jiji kyun keh rahi thi? I mean she must be my age aur woh tumhe aap aur jiji keh rahi thi!

Khushi: Humne aapko bataaya tha na,ki humare yahaan pati k bhaiyyon ko bhaiyya ya bhaisa'ab kaha jaata hai? Waise hi pati ki bhenon ko jiji ya didi kaha jaata hai,phir chaahe woh aapse umr me chhoti ho ya badi!

Arnav: Okay.

Khushi: Aur kuch poochhna hai ya chalein?

Arnav: Yahaan kitni chaachiyaan hain?

Khushi(frowns deeply): Kya? Cha.. chiyaan?

Arnav: Jus' so that I don' get confused..

Khushi(amused smile): Yahaan sabhi padosiyon k saath humare ghar jaise sambandh hain. Isiliye har ghar me ya toh mausi- mausa, ya phir chacha-chachi mil hi jayenge! Aur saath me moonh bole bhai, behen, bhaiyya, bhabhi, jiji, jijaji, bhatija, bhatiji..

Arnav(loudly): Okay,I got the drift!

Khushi(smiles): Isiliye agar koi aapko jamai babu ya daamaadji ya jijaji ya phuphaji ya mausaji kahe toh hairaan mat hoiyyega!

Arnav nods while mounting the scooter.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Arnav noticed the change in Khushi's expressions as she rang the doorbell.

He held her hand and squeezed it gently.

Khushi withdrew her hand when a man in his late twenties answered the door.

Khushi: Kaise hain Suhail bhai?

Suhail(surprised): Hum toh.. theek hain. Tum.. kaisi ho? Aur.. yahaan kab aayi?

Khushi: Hum bhi theek hain. Waise toh kal hi Lucknow aa gaye the par mohalle me abhi aaye. Chachiji se milne ka bahut man kar raha tha so sabse pehle aap hi k ghar aa gaye.

Suhail: Par ammi toh ghar par nahi hain. Ghar par kya.. woh toh Lucknow me hi nahi hain.

Khushi(shocked): Kya?

Suhail: Haan woh.. tum andar toh aao. Phir bataate hain. (glances at Arnav)Yeh tumhare shauhar hain?

Khushi: Ji haan. (turns to Arnav) Yeh Suhail bhai hain, Thanveer chachaji k bete.

He nodded at Suhail who shook his hand and led him inside the house.

Suhail: Baithiye. (calls loudly)Aapi..!

Khushi(surprised): Tuhina baaji aayi hui hain?

A voice was heard before Suhail could reply.

"Kya hua?"

Arnav turned around to find a lady in her early thirties wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.

Khushi: Baaji!

She ran upto the lady and embraced her.

When they parted, Arnav noticed tears in Khushi's eyes.

Khushi: Chachaji k baare me sunkar humein bahut afsos hua! Humara yakeen maaniye, jab hum aangan se hokar andar aaye to aangan bilkul.. khaali aur veeraan sa lag raha tha. Sab kuc

pataa hone k baawajood bhi hum.. aaraam kursi aur.. uss par baithe chachaji ko dhoond rahe the. Aisa lagaa jaise.. abhi woh poochhenge "Savere, savere kahaan chali savaari?"

Tuhina(gulps): Waaqai.. Abba k bina toh yeh ghar veeraan aur sunsaan hi lagta hai.

She paused when a trinking sound was heard.

Tuhina whispered while wiping her tears: Shifu aa rahi hai..

Khushi nodded while composing herself.

A girl of about 7 peeped from behind the curtain.

Tuhina: Sharmaa kyun rahi ho? (extends her hand) Aao beta..

The girl gingerly walked inside the room and clutched her mother's hand.

Khushi(smiles): Shifa! (cups her cheek)Kaisi ho aap? Aapne khaala ko pehchaana,beta?

The girl flatly declined: Nahi toh!

Tuhina(prods): Yaad karo.. Khaala bagal wale ghar me hi toh rehti thi.

Shifa(unable to believe): Achchha?

Khushi: Haan! Aur Shifa ko khaala k haath ka halwaa bahut achchha lagtaa tha! Aur jab.. Diwali me hum aur jiji aangan me rangoli karte the tab Shifa pass baithkar dekha karti thi na?

Tuhina: Aur tab tak nahi uthti thi jab tak rangoli puri nahi ho jaati!

Khushi: Haan! Ab yaad aaya?

Shifa(smiles): Aa gaya!

Khushi(kisses her forehead): Yeh hui na baat! (taking her in her arms)Aa jaao humare pass.

Shifa: Aap humein aaj bhi halwa khilayengi na?

Khushi: Nahi. Aaj toh hum aapko chocolate ka laddoo khilaayenge!

Shifa(licks her lips): Chocolate ka laddoo!?

Khushi: Haan! Par pehle aap apne khaalu se toh milo!

Arnav smiled when Khushi approached him,still holding Shifa in her arms.

Arnav(waves): Hi!

Shifa gave him a small shy smile in response before turning to Khushi.

Tuhina: Jawaab toh do,beta..

She waved briefly before turning to Khushi.

Shifa: Kya ab aap humein chocoalate ka laddoo dengi?

Khushi(pulls her nose): Badmaashu! Kisi aur baat ka koi matlab nahi hai! Asli matlab toh chocolate se hi hai,hai na?

Shifa(openly admits): Haan!

Khushi(smiles): Lo,tumhare laddoo..

She opened her purse & stuffed a ferrero rocher in each of her small hands.

Khushi(placing her on the floor): Chalo, ab toh khaala achchhe se yaad rahegi Shifa ko!

Suhail(smiles): Haan! (opening the wrapper) Khala aur laddoo dono!

Khushi: Jitne dinon tak baaji aur Shifa yahaan hain utne dinon tak aaplogon ka man behel jaayega.

Suhail nodded while patting the child's head.

Tuhina: Aa jao beta..

She left Shifa in her bedroom before returning to the living room where a sombre mood had descended with the departure of the child.

Khushi turned to her left where a freshly framed photograph graced the wall.

Khushi: Tasveer me bhi chachaji ki muskuraahat ubhar kar aa rahi hai!

Tuhina: Ab yeh muskuraahat toh bas.. tasveeron aur yaadon me hi rahegi. (sighs)Khair, abba baatein toh kabhi khatm nahi hongi. Aaplog baithiye, hum tab tak chaay banaakar laate hain.

Khushi: Nahi baaji. Hum toh bas milne aaye the. Bhaiyya k ilaava aapse aur Shifa se mulaaqat ho gayi, bahut achchha lagaa! Chachiji se bhi mulaaqaat ho jaati toh aur achchha hota.

Tuhina: Phoophie ki tabiyaat nasaaz ho gayi isiliye ammi ko achaanak unk wahaan jana pada. Do-chaar roz ruk kar hi lautengi.

Khushi: Chaliye,is hi bahane hawa badal jaayegi.

Tuhina: Ha par hawaa badal jaane se mahaul toh nahi badlega na? Wahaan bhi maatam chhaya hoga.

Khushi: Waise, jijaji kaise hain?

Tuhina: Achchhe hain.

Khushi: Aur aap k sasuraal me sab theek hain?

Tuhina: Wahaan toh sab khairiyat hain bas.. yaheen ki chinta khaay jaati hai humein!

Khushi: Woh toh swabhaavik hai. (with a hand on her shoulder)Par aap zyaada chinta mat kariyega. Yahaan bhi,dheere-dheere, sab kuch theek ho jaayega.

She turns towards Arnav who gives a short nod.

Khushi: Ab humein chalnaa chahiye,baaji.

Tuhina: Aise kaise? Kamaskam chaay toh..

Khushi(interrupts): Agli baar zaroor piyenge! Filhaal chalte hain.

Tuhina: Ruko toh.. Hum abhi aayein.

Upon coming back, she handed 2 sets of 21 rupees to Khushi.

Tuhina: 1 tumhare liye aur 1 Paayal k liye. Usse humara pyaar dena!

Khushi(hugging her): Zaroor! Iss k liye shukriya!

Suhail was visibly embarassed when he handed 51 rupees to Arnav.

Suhail: a.. Maaf kijiyega! Aap pehli dafaa yahaan aaye par.. yahaan mahaul aisa hai..

Tuhina: Hum aapki khaatirdaari nahi kar paayein isiliye maafi chaahtein hain.

Arnav: Aap dono maafi maang kar mujhe sharminda mat kariye. Main yahaan khaatirdaari karvaane k liye nahi, Khushi k padosiyon se milne aaya hoon! (turns to Suhail) Aur aaplogon se milkar mujhe bahut achchha lagaa!

Suhail(smiles): Humein bhi!

Tuhina(smiles): Humein aur Shifu ko bhi!

Arnav smiles at her before addressing Khushi.

Arnav: Next time zyaada chocolates lekar aana.

Khushi: Bilkul!

Tuhina: Nahi,nahi! Yeh hi kaafi hai!

Khushi: Achchha baaji, aap apnaa khayaal rakhiyega varna yahaan-wahaan ki daudaa-daudi aur chinta me aapki tabiyat kharaab ho jaayegi.

Tuhina: Tum bhi apnaa khayaal rakhnaa. Aur kabhi-kabhaar phone kar dena. Ammi ko achchha lagega..

Khushi: Yeh bhi koi kehne ki baat hai!

Suhail: Phir aaiyyega.

Arnav(nods): Sure!

Khushi: Bhaiyya, humare ghar ki chaabi aapk pass hai kya?

Suhail: Humare yahaan toh nahi hai, shaayad Kartik k wahaan hogi. Ek baar usse pataa kar lena.

Khushi: Ji,theek hai..

As they were leaving the house, Khushi glanced towards Gomti sadan.

Fresh tears gushed to her eyes as she took in the weary appearance of her house.

Sensing her feelings, Arnav placed his arm around her.

Arnav: Don' worry! Yeh ghar bahut jald bilkul waisa ho jaayega jaisa tum ise chhodkar gayi thi!

Khushi smiled through her tears and nodded.

Khushi: Humein poora bharosa hai ki aap is band makaan ko phir se humara ghar banaa denge!

They gazed into each other's eyes to find unconditional love and unwavering trust.

Their reverie was broken when someone yelled loudly.

"Khushi..! Beta, Lucknow kab aayi tu? Aur humare yahaan kab aa rahi hai?"

Khushi(blinking back the tears): Kal hi aaye. Aur.. thodi der me aapk yahaan aa rahe hain,tayiji!

Tayiji(smiles): Theek hai,main raah dekhungi!

Arnav: Ab kahaan jaana hai?

Khushi(points out): Wahaan, Kaartik k ghar.

Arnav: Okay.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

There were some 6-8 people standing at the small porch outside the house.

As soon as they saw ArShi,they all rushed towards them, evidently excited.

Since they all were speaking at the same time, it was difficult for Arnav to comprehend what they were saying.

So he simply stood there, smiling and nodding.

Khushi,however, was able to understand and respond to everyone.

Finally she turned towards him with a suspicious look.

Khushi: Aap.. samajh gaye na kya karna hai?

Arnav: uh.. main.. a..

Khushi: Rumaal nikaaliye..

Arnav(confused): Rumaal? Kyun?

Khushi: Hey Devi Maiyya! (turning towards the others) Sablog suniye..

They stopped talking amongst themselves and turned to Khushi.

Khushi: Aaplogone jo kaha woh hum toh samajh gaye lekin.. yeh nahi samajh paaye. Toh.. chachaji, aap zaraa.. samjhaa denge inhe?

Man1: Ha,jaroor bitiya.

Man2: Kauno baat naahi! Hum dobara samjhaaye dete hain!

Arnav(thinks): Okay so.. yahaan par ek hi ghar me do chachaji hain.

The older of the two chachajis spoke to him.

Chachaji: Kaa hai na daamaad babu ki aap dunno ka byaah tau Dilli maa hovat raha. Aur byaah k baad ki rasmein bhi huaan hi hovat rahi.

Arnav: Haan.. so?

Chachaji: Ab Khusi ka aapan maayike ma, matbal hiyaan Gomtinagar ma,pagphera naahi hua. Aur naa hi aapki moonh dikhaai hui.

Arnav: Meri.. moonh dikhaayi?

Chachaji(nods): Humre huaan rasam hai ki bitiya jaun pahili baar aapan maayike aavat hai taun bitiya aur daamaad, dunno ki aarti utaarike, oo ki najar utaarike oo ka swaagat karat hain. Aur tabhai oo dunno ghar ma parves karat hain. Sasi bhaiyya aur Garima bhauji hiyaan naahi hai tau kaa hua? Hum tau hiyaan hi hai na?! Aur Khusi humri najar ma humri bitiya hi hai. Oo hai naate se aap humre damaad babu huye. Ae hi liye hum kuchho rasmein karenge. Theek hai na?

Arnav: Haan, sure!

The younger chachaji spoke this time.

Chachaji2: Aapko kauno diqqat ya aapatti tau naahi hai na?

Arnav: Mujhe kya diqqat ho sakti hai? Aaplogon ko jo theek lage woh kijiye.

Chachaji2: Je baat! Tau chaliye, rasam suru kare se pahile aap rumaal se aapan sir dhak lijiye. Aur bitiya,tu bhi pallaa le le..

Khushi promptly covered her head with her pallu.

One of the chachis came forward with an aarti ki thaali and performed an elaborate aarti.

Once she was through, the other chachi came forward with a bunch of red chillies which she held in her right hand and rotated around their heads thrice.

When she threw them in a small vessel they smoked out,which resulted in Arnav having a coughing fit.

One chachaji patted his back while the other offered him water.

Khushi(concerned): Aap theek toh hain na?

Arnav could simply nod in response.

Chachi2: Dekh tau Khusi, mirch kaisan thirak rahi hai! Ee ka matbal hai ki tum dunno ko najar lag jaati jaun hum najar naahi utaarte!

Chachi1: Oo tau lagbe karti na, kaahe se ki Khusi ee saree ma naiki dulhaniya k jaisan laagat hai! Aur daamad babu par ee posaak kitna suhaay raha hai! Tau ee ko najar naahi lagi hai tau kaun ko lagi hai,bataao?

Chachi2: Sahi kaha,jiji! Chal Khusi, ab bheetar aa ja,bitiya.

Chacha2: Aaiyye daamad babu. (folding his hands) Aapka haardik swaagat hai!

********

By the time they went inside the house, Arnav was sweating profusely.

To top it, he felt uncomfortable since he knew that each pair of eyes in that room was upon him.

Thus he gulped down the glass of cold water offered to him at one go.

Khushi(smiles): Matke k paani me alag hi thandak hoti hai.

Chachi2: Huaan, tohre sasuraali ma, matkaa naahi hai kaa?

Khushi: Nahi, wahaan toh sab filter aur fridge ka hi paani peete hain.

Chachi2: Achchha.. (smiles) Ee leyo, ammaji aur jiji mandir se aaye gaye.

Khushi(surprised): Areh waah! Buaji bhi yahaan hain?

Chachi2: Haan. Bahutai achchhe mauke par aai hai,bitiya! Baaki jaun tu kal aati na,taun jiji se

tohri mulaaqat naahi hoti, kaahe se ki oo kal bhore-bhore jatra par jaaye rahi hain.

Khushi got up and Arnav followed suit when two ladies, dressed in white, entered the hall.

The older of the two seemed to be older than nani while the younger was around buaji's age,or so thought Arnav.

Khushi: Yeh dadiamma hain aur yeh hain badi buaji.

Arnav(nods): Namaste!

Dadiamma(smiles): Jiyat rahau! Kaa naam raha babua tumhra?

Arnav: Arnav Singh Raizada..

Chachi1: Kaahe ammaji,bhulaaye gayi kaa? Kuch samay pahile parchaa(newspaper) ma daamaad babu ki tasveer aaye rahi.Taun Archu k bauji hum sabhai ko parchaa dikhaayi k bole rahe na.. ki ee hai Khusi k pati..

Dadiamma(holds her head): Areh haan! Humein tau bisar hi gayaa! Kaa hai na ki aakhon k saath-saath ab yaaddaast bhi kamjor hui gayi hai.

Khushi: Par aapne tau aankhon ka operation karvaaya tha na?

Dadiamma: Ek ahi aankh ka karvaaye hain. Dooji ki najar ab bhi kamjor hai.

Khushi: Oh.. Toh khayaal rakha kijiye. Aur dhoop me zyaada nikla mat kariye.

Dadiamma: Humri batiyaan tau hoti rahengi,bitiya. Aaj humka babua se batiyaana de! Baitho babua, baitho..

Arnav was about to sit when Khushi stopped him.

Khushi: Pehle buaji se aashirwaad to le lete hain..

Buaji hugs Khushi after blessing them.

Buaji: Aise hi dunno saath raho aur khoob khus raho! Dunno ka joda kitna sundar hai na?

Everyone gives apppreciative comments.

Khushi(blushes): Shukriya!

Buaji(points to the sofa): Biraajiye.. (once Arnav is seated)Aur, kaisan hain damaad babu?

Arnav: Main theek hoon. Aur aap?

Buaji: Humau theek hain. Aapk ghar-parivaar maa sab kusal-mangal?

Arnav: Ji.

Buaji(smiles): Aur aapki oo bua saas kaisi hai, matbal humri Phoolmatiya!?

Arnav(turns towards Khushi): Phoolmati.. buaji?

Khushi(smiles): Madhumati buaji ki hi baat ho rahi hai. Yeh buaji,matlab Indumati buaji humari Madhumati buaji ki saheli hain.

Arnav: I see..

Khushi: Ab yeh dubli,patli aur lambi hain, baans(bamboo) ki tarah, jab ki humari buaji gol-matol hai! (smiles) Isiliye yeh dono chhedkhaani me ek doosre ko Baansmati aur Phoolmati kehkar bulaati hain!

Arnav: Oh,okay.. (turns to buaji)Buaji achchhi hain.

Buaji: Oo ko aapan saathe laik aate na, tau hamau aapan saheli se mil lete!

Arnav: Next time pakka lekar aaunga!

Buaji(takes balaiyyan): Jiyat rahiye!

Chacha2: Ab hum aapka baki sabse parichay(introduce) karaay dete hain.

Once he greeted the entire,extended family, the older chachaji folded his hands.

Chacha1: Aapse ek ahi darkhwaast hai?

Arnav: Of course!

Chacha1: Dekhiye,waise tau tilak ki rasam roka k baad aur saadi k pahile hovat hai aur oo k peechhe ka kaaran ee hai hovat hai ki daamaad ka aapan sasuraali ma swaagat hui jaay. Ab hiyaan kaa hai ki.. aapki saadi ko waise tau kaafi samay hui gawa hai par.. kaa hai ki hiyaan kauno rasam naahi hui. Aur humre saath aapka parichay bhi aaj hi hua hai. Tau hum ee chaahte hain ki hum aaj aapki Tilak ki rasam karein. Aap.. ee hai samajh lijiye k.. humlog, ee rasam k jariye, aapka Gomtinagar maa swaagat karna chaahat hain!

Arnav: Okay..

Chacha2: Aapko taajjub hui raha hoga, ee sochkar k.. hum tau padosi hain. Aur hum ee sabhai rasam kaisan kar sakat hain? Par hiyaan sabhai padosi ek parivaar k samaan, mil-julkar rahte hain! Ab aap bhi humre parivaar k sadasya hain! Ae hi liye hum bahut prem aur aadar k saath,rasmon rivaajon ko nibhaate huye, aapka swaagat karna chaahat hain.(turns to Khushi)Khusi ko yaad hoga ki jab.. Payaliya k.. mangetar ka tilak hua tha, tabhau hum aur bhaisa'ab aur humre kuchhho aur padosi bhai Sasi bhaiyya k saath.. tilak ki rasam maa saamil huye the.

Khushi nods while trying to control the tears which threatened to spill from her eyes.

Chacha2: Hum aasa karte hain ki.. aap humri bhavnaao ko samjhenge. Aur.. aasa hai ki aapko Tilak ki rasam se.. kauno aapatti naahi hogi?

Arnav: Bilkul nahi! Aapko jo bhi rasmein karni ho,aap kijiye. Main taiyyaar hoon.

Khushi's heart surged in her chest and she felt an urge to embrace her husband and shower him with numerous kisses.

As if on cue, Arnav turned to her at that exact moment.

Her eyes promised rewards while his eyes promised acquisence for performing every ritual which made her happy.

They smiled at each other and were lost in their thoughts until Kartik snapped his fingers.

Kartik: Kahaan khoye gayi,didiya?

Khushi(embarassed): Yaheen toh hain!

Kartik: Tau chalo baitho phir aur humka rasam puri karne do.

Chachi2: Bitwa pahile Neerav bitwa ko tau aa jaane de..

Arnav(turns to Khushi): Neerav?

Chachi2(answers for Khushi): Haan,humre bitwa ka naam Neerav raha. Oo toosan(tuition) se aaye raha hoga. Tanik der ruk jaiyye..

Kartik: Rukne ki kauno jaroorat naahi hai. Aaye gaye dunno!

Entered two teenagers who were elated to meet Khushi while they appeared awkward when they greeted Arnav.

Khushi: Yeh hai Barkha, Neerav ki judwa behen..

Barkha(folds her hands): Namaste jijaji!

Arnav(nods): Hi!

Neerav: Hi jijaji!

Arnav: Tum Neerav ho?

When he nodded, he recieved a full smile from Arnav.

Arnav: Hi! Nice to meet you!

Before he could reply, his mother asked him to freshen up and come back for the ritual.

While the family got busy with the arrangements, Khushi bent her head and whispered.

Khushi: Hum samajh gaye ki aap Neerav ka naam sunkar aur use dekhkar itne khush kyun ho gaye! Aapko apna woh hi sapnaa yaad aa gaya na, jisme.. humare bete ka naam Neerav tha?

Arnav leans towards her while whispering conspiratorially in her ear.

Arnav(admits): Haan! Aur mujhe humari woh conversation bhi yaad aa gayi. Tumne kaha tha na ki mere bete ka naam Neerav nahi ho saktaa kyunki.. mera beta bilkul meri tarah hoga aur.. Neerav ka matlab hota hai shaanti?

Khushi: Ji haan. Bilkul sahi kahaa tha humne!

Arnav: Toh tumhare hisaab se mere bete ka naam kya hona chahiye?

They were interrupted before Khushi could answer.

Chachi1: Kaa khusar-phusar hui rahi hai,haan?

Khushi(sitting up straight): Kuch nahi chachiji,hum toh bas.. aise hi. Aap bataiyye na, Archana jiji kaisi hain?

Chachi1: Achchhi hai. Aapan sasurali maa bahut sukhi hai! Vinay babu aur oo k parivaar k saath oo ki khoob jamti hai! Khaas kar oo ki saas k saath!

Khushi: Sunkar bahut achchha lagaa! Jiji ne unka mobile number maanga hai. Jabse unki shaadi hui tabse un dono ka sampark toot gaya hai.

Chachi1: Archu k paas mobile phunwa tau naahi hai par oo k bauji se tu Vinay babu ka number lai lena. Aur Payalia se kehna ki Itvaar ko aur naahi tau dusar kauno din saam k 6 baje k baad

Archu se oo number par baat hui jaayegi.

Khushi: Theek hai,bataa denge.

Chachi1: Aur.. tilak ki rasam hui jaay oo k baad tanik.. bheetar k kamraa me chalna. Hum Archu ki saadi k gehne aur.. oo ki ki saadiyaan dikhaayenge tohko.

Khushi: Haan,haan kyun nahi?

Arnav: Par humein baaki sab se milne bhi tau jaana hai..

Chachi1: Aap tanikau chinta naahi kijiye, daamad babu! Hum bitiya ka jyada samay naahi lenge.

Meanwhile,the gentlemen returned with the neccesary items for the tilak.

Khushi watched with a smile plastered on her lips and tears glistening in her eyes as chachaji annointed Arnav's forehead with vermilion.

The younger chachaji did the same. Then he placed 51 rupees in his hands.

The older chachaji placed a dry coconut in his hands and welcomed him officially as the son-in-law of Gomtinagar.

Kartik and Neerav hugged Arnav after annointing his forehead and feeding him small pieces of laddoo.

Chacha1: Chaliye,ab humra tau hui gawa. Ab Khusi bitiya ko sagun deve ki baari aaye gayi.

Chachi1: Sagun taiyyaar hai ji, par.. rasam ki khaatir paanch suhaaganon ki aur paanch phalon ki jaroorat rahi. Ae hi liye hum Barkha bitiya ko bheje hain. Oo bas.. aati hi hogi..

Soon some other ladies from the neighbourhood joined the two chachis for the ceremony in which they perfomed Khushi's aarti once again.

Then they placed 5 different fruits, 5 betel nuts,5 betel leaves,5 1 rupee coins and 5 10 rupee notes in the pallu of her saree.

Chachi2(kisses her forehead): Doodho nahaao, pooton phalo!

Khushi(in a broken voice): Bahut,bahut shukriya!

They placated her while Khushi sobbed in the older chachi's arms.

Arnav watched this from afar even though his heart yearned to take her in his arms and comfort her.

*******

Once refreshments were had, Khushi asked for the keys of her house.

Khushi: Humein Suhail bhai ne bataya ki chaabi aapk pass hai.

Chacha1: Humre pass hi thi bitiya. Par jaun Sasi bhaiyya aaye rahe taun oo dukaan aur ghar, dunno ki chaabiyaan humse liye rahe. Phir lautaaye naahi..

Khushi: Achchha? (wonders aloud) Par babuji ne aisa kyun kiya hoga?

Chacha1: Oo kahat rahe the ki safaai vaghera karvaani hai tau oo agli baar bhauji aur bitiyan ko laike aayenge.

Khushi(frowns): Unhe pataa tha ki hum aaj yahaan aayenge, aur yeh bhi ki humare pass chaabi nahi hai.. Phir bhi unhone humein chaabi kyun nahi di?

Arnav: Ghar ki haalat kharaab hai kya?

Chacha1: Ab kaa kahe,daamaad babu? Hum tau khudai jaai k jamadaar se dui baar ghar ki safaai karaaye rahe. Pahile baar ek bilaniya (female cat) ghar k aangan ma 4 bachhe diye rahi, oo ma se 1 bachchha kamjor raha hoga ae hi liye oo ki maut hui gayi.

Khushi: Hey Devi Maiyya! Ghar me hi?

Chacha1(nods): Jaun aisa hua taun se oo bilaniya khisiya gayi. Kauno ko ghar ma jaane hi naahi de rahi thi. Aur ghar se itna durgandh aaye rahi thi ki kaa bataayein! Bahut musqil se oo ko huaan se nikalvaaya humne.

Chacha2: Ghar band hai itne samay se,ae hi liye kutte-billi ghoomte rahte hain aur gandagi karte rahte hain. Dukaan k baahari hisse ma bahut seelan hui gayi thi. Ee batwaa hum Sasi bhaiyya ko bataaye tau oo humka bole k ghar k andar bhi kaafi seelan hui gayi hai aur deewaron se paint ukhad gawa hai.

Arnav: Yeh baat toh babuji ne humein bhi bataayi thi. Tab maine unse kaha tha ki jab humlog Lucknow aayenge tab main architect ko saath lekar aaunga aur woh ghar ka inspection kar denge. Par unki appointment nahi mili mujhe aur yeh baat maine babuji ko bataayi thi. (turns to Khushi) Maybe that was another reason, I mean.. unhe aisa lagaa hoga ki renovation ka kaam ho nahi paayega. Besides, he knows ki tum ghar ko aur dukaan ko lekar kitni sentimental ho jaati ho,isiliye unhone chaabiyaan nahi di hongi.

Khushi: Ho saktaa hai..

Chacha1: Renovation? Par oo tau ghar bechne ka kahe rahe the..

Arnav tells them about how he and Aakash planned to renovate the house,as per Khushi and Paayal's preferences so that they could use it as a weekend home.

Buaji(impressed): Ee tau bahutai nek bichaar hai! Iss hi bahaane kabhi humri Phoolmatiya bhi hiyaan aa jaayegi!

Chachi2: Sahi me! Daamaad babu bahutai achchhe hain! Bahut bhaag wali hain Khusi aur Payalia ki oo dunno ko aise pati mile hain!

Chacha1(pats Arnav's back): Ee jaankar humein bahut khusi hui ki aap dunno daamaad hokar bhi aapan sasurji ki khaatir, aapan patniyan ki khaatir itna kuchhho karne ko raaji hain! Ghar me tau aaplog kabhi-kabhaar rahne aa jaayenge. Par.. dukaan ka kaa karenge?

Arnav: Babuji keh rahe the ki kisiko chalaane k liye de denge.

Chacha1: Achchha hai, ae hi bahaane dukaan bhi chalti rahegi aur ghar me bhi aaplogan ka aana-jaana hoga tau ghar ki haalat bhi kharaab naahi hogi.

Khushi: Ab hum chalein?

Buaji: Aai hai tau dopahariya ka khaana khaai k jaa na!

Khushi: Nahi,nahi buaji. Abhi baaki sab logon se milna baaki hai. Dopeher tak yahaan ruke toh bahut der ho jayegi. Phir humlog shaam tak hotel nahi laut paayenge.

Buaji: Theek hai par agli baar aayenge tab khaana khaakar jaiyyega,kaahe daamad babu?

Arnav: Ji,bilkul!

Chacha2: Aap hiyaan aaye,humre saath itna bakhat gujaara, hum jaun bhi rasam karne ko kahe oo rasam karne ki khaatir aap raaji huye, ee hai bahut hai!

Kartik: Ee bahut naahi hai, chacha! Hum tau pataakhein phodkar jijaji ka swaagat karna chahte the! Par.. Thanveer chacha ki baat ko dhyaan ma rakhte huye aisa naahi kar paaye.

Arnav: Achchha hi hua jo tumne pataakhe nahi phodein kyunki usse bahut pollution hota hai.

Khushi: Ha aur inhe pataakhein pasand bhi nahi hai.

Kartik(makes a face): Dhatt! Hum toh agli baar phodne ka soch rahe the..

Khushi: Tujhe toh pataakhein phodne ka bahaana chaahiye! Humein yaad hai ki Diwali me tu pataakhon ki ladiyon k beechh- beechh me sutli bamb lagaakar jalaata tha tab kitni aawaaz hoti thi! Hum dono kaanon me rui daalkar,kaanon ko takhiyon se dhaak-kar baithte the tab bhi humare kaan bajne lagne the!

Everyone laughs.

Arnav: Ab chalein?

Khushi: Ji. (smacks her forehead)Humari baatein toh kabhi khatm nahi hongi! Aur wahaan tayiji raah dekh rahi hongi. Ab un hi k ghar chalte hain.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Edited by ..Smita.. - 8 years ago

Quote

Smita

@..Smita..

Dazzler

+ 4

Posted: 8 years ago

#125

Part 124B

Arnav read the metallic board hung just outside the door.

It read: Mirchandaani Niwaas

"Aa ja beta, aa ja!"

Arnav saw an old lady approaching Khushi with open arms.

Khushi hugged her before touching her feet.

The old lady kissed her forehead and hugged her yet again.

Arnav(thinks): Looks like she's really fond of Khushi.

Suddenly her gaze fell on Arnav who was standing outside the door.

Old lady: Areh beta, aap wahaan kyun khade ho? Andar aa jao..

She turned around and yelled: Areh Shirisha..! Halle..! (come)

Khushi: Arnavji, yeh Asha tayiji hain.. Aur tayiji yeh..

Tayiji: Areh, mujhe pataa hai ki yeh jamaaiji hai! Itni bhi boodhi nahi hui hai teri tayiji!

Khushi(teases): Achchha?

Tayiji: Aur kya?! (cups her cheek) Tere chehre ki rangat dekhkar hi samajh gayi thi main ki yeh tere pati hain! Aur main yeh bhi bataa sakti hoon ki jamaaiji tujhe bahut khush rakhte hain, hai na?

Khushi nods shyly.

Tayiji(places her hand on Arnav's arm): Aao beta. Bhali karay aaya! (welcome)

She blessed him profusely before introducing him to other members of her family.

Tayiji: Yeh Shirish hai, mera beta.

Arnav was about to extend his hand when Shirish came forward and hugged Arnav.

Tayiji: Aur yeh Sapnaa hai, meri bahu.

The lady greeted him with folded hands before hugging Khushi.

Tayiji pinched the cheeks of a rather mortified teenager.

Tayiji: Aur yeh mera kiko(bachchha) hai kiko!

Teenager(shrugs off her hands): Dadi!

Khushi: Kitna lambaa ho gaya hai, Raj!

Sapnaa: Mere se bhi jyaada lambaa ho gaya hai. Thode dinon baad apne papa ko bhi pichhe chhod dega!

Khushi: Sach me!

Raj was about to go inside when his grandmother pulled him.

Tayiji: Areh kahaan ja raha hai? (points to ArShi)Fui, fuffad aaye hain. Puchha, keda haal aayo? (ask them,how are you?)

Raj: Aap kaisi ho,fui?

Khushi: Hum toh theek hain. Tum kaise ho? Padhaai kaisi chal rahi hai?

Raj: Theek chal rahi hai. Aap.. kaise ho, fuffadji?

Khushi knudged him when he didnt respond.

Arnav: I'm fine.

Raj: Main abhi aaya..

Tayiji: Areh kiko..! Sun toh..!

Khushi: Rehne dijiye na,tayiji. Iss umar k bachchhe sharmeele hi hote hain!

Tayiji: Khair, tu bataa beta, tera kya haal hai?

Khushi: Aap dekh hi rahi hain, bilkul badhiya hai! Aap sab kaise hain?

Tayiji: Tu bhi dekh hi rahi hai, hum sab bhi badhiya hai!

Khushi(shakes her head): Aap bhi na tayiji!

Tayiji: Areh beta, aap itne chup-chaap kyun baithe ho?

Arnav: Ji?

Tayiji: Kuch bolo na..

Arnav(turns to Khushi): Kya.. bolun main?

Khushi slightly shakes her head before turning to tayiji.

Khushi: Yeh bhi thode se.. sharmeele hain!

Tayiji: Sharmaane wali koi baat nahi hai, beta! Isse apnaa hi ghar samjho! Hum toh Khushi ko apni beti hi maante hain! Yeh itni si thi jabse iss ghar me uss ka aana, jaana laga hi raha hai. Jab tak Khushi yahaan thi, tab tak poora mohalla chehekta rehta tha! Ab aapka ghar aur mohalla chehekta hoga..

Arnav: Ya, of course! Khushi jahaan bhi jaati hai woh jagah lively ho jaati hai! Her vivacity is so infectious!

Khushi knudged him slightly to remind him that he had to speak in Hindi.

Arnav: Ki.. sablog uss k fans ho jaate hain!

Tayiji(pinching her chin): Humari bachchhi toh hai hi aisi!

Sapnaa entered with a tray laden with snacks.

Khushi(gets up to help her): Areh bhabhi, itna sab kuch laane ki kya zaroorat thi?

Sapnaa: Chup kar k baith ja! (serving it) Iss me kya hai? Itna sa hi toh naashta hai!Aur waise bhi..(smiles) Main kya jaanti nahi hoon ki tujhe mere haath k chhola-chaap kitne pasand hain?

Teri kismat achchhi hai ki maine aaj chhola-chaap banaaya aur tu aaj hi humse milne aa gayi!

Tayiji: Woh hi toh! Le beta, seedhe kadhaai se utaar k laai hai teri bhabhi! Kha le,kha le.

Thande ho gaye toh mazaa nahi aayega!

Khushi: Woh toh hai, tayiji! (stares at the tray) Bhabhi k haath k chaap-chhole pe toh humara dil kitne saalon se atka hai! Inki khushboo se hi humare moonh me paani aa jata hai!

Everyone shares a laugh while Khushi takes a huge bite.

Sapnaa: Kaise bane hain?

Khushi: Hamesha ki tarah- teekhe, chatpate aur bahut swaadisht!

Tayiji caresses her head fondly.

Sapnaa: Areh.. Aap bhi lijiye na..

Arnav: No,thanks! Main.. Khushi ki plate se thoda sa taste kar lunga..

Tayiji: Itna kyun sharmaa rahe ho, beta?

Arnav: Nahi a.. waisi koi baat nahi hai. Bas.. mera pet bharaa hua hai.

Khushi: woh.. inhe sugar ki beemaari hai na toh.. yeh khaane-peene k maamle me zaraa.. parhez karte hain. Apni sehat k maamle me thodi bhi laaparwaahi nahi karte hain!

As she said that, an image of Arnav licking chocolate from her finger emerged in her mind.

Khushi(thinks): Yeh alag baat hai ki.. Jab inhe badmaashi soojhti hai tab inhe kisi cheez ki koi parvaah nahi hoti hai, sugar ki bhi nahi!

Tayiji: Khila na beta..

Khushi: Haan tayiji.

She extends her spoon towards Arnav with a smile.

Khushi: Lijiye..

Arnav returns her smile while eating a spoonful of the snack.

Arnav(clears his throat): Bahut achchha hai!

Sapnaa: Toh aur lijiye naa!

Arnav: Nahi,bas.. thank you!

Tayiji: Najar na lage! (taking her balaaiyyan)Khushi,beta tu aaj itni pyaari lag rahi hai ki kya bataaun! Aur teri saree bhi bahut sundar hai!

Khushi: Toh phir aap kahiye na woh.. suthho, suttho!?

Tayiji(smiles): Daaddo suttho! (its very nice!)

Sapnaa(sitting opposite Khushi): Sajne-savarne ka shauq toh Khushi ko bachpan se hi tha!

Khushi nods while savouring the snacks.

Sapnaa: Jaante hain jamaaiji, jab.. humari nayi-nayi shaadi hui thi tab Khushi aur mohalle ki saari bachhhiyaan roz mujhse milne aati thi!

Khushi: Tab aap mohalle ki nayi bhabhi jo thi!

Sapnaa(nods with a remenescent smile): Aur in sab ko mere shringaar k saamaan se bahut lagaav tha! Koi meri kaanch ki choodiyaan pehenti thi, koi laal bindi lagaata thi.. Tujhe yaad hai, Paayal ko meri hari wali chunni(dupatta) kitni pasand thi?

Khushi(nods): Usme sunhere dhaage se sundar kaarigari jo ki hui thi!

Sapnaa: Isiliye woh use odhkar baith jaati thi! Aur aapko pataa hai, Khushi kya pehenti thi?

Arnav(inquisitive): Kya?

Sapnaa: Baal!

Arnav: Sorry? I mean.. kya?

Khushi laughed as she recalled those incidents from her childhood.

Sapnaa: Shaadi k waqt mere baal zyaada lambe nahi the isiliye maa ne nakli,lambe baalon ki wig banvaayi thi. Khushi ko lambe baalon ka bahut shauq tha! Isiliye har baar woh uss wig ko, jo uss k sir k naap ki bhi nahi thi, ussko pehenkar aayine k saamne matakti rehti thi!

Arnav smiled as he imagined the scene.

Khushi(sighs): Woh din kitne achchhe the na,bhabhi? Ab sochte hain toh aisaa lagtaa hai jaise humara bachpan badi jaldi beet gayaa!

Sapnaa: Sab ko apne bachpan k baare me aise hi lagtaa hai!

Shirish: Mujhe toh Raj k baare me aisaa lagne laga hai ki yeh kuch zyaada hi jaldi badaa ho gayaa!

Khushi: Ab toh Raj ko dekhkar humein bhi aisaa hi lag raha hai! Waise bhaiyya, aapki dukaan kaisi chal rahi hai?

Shirish: Jhulelaal ki kripa se achchhi chal rahi hai!

Arnav: Kis cheez ki dukaan hai aapki?

Shirish: Chhoti si hardware ki dukaan hai,jise main aur mera chachera bhai milkar chalaate hain. Waise,aapka dhandaa(business) kaisa chal raha hai?

Arnav: Bahut achchha chal raha hai!

Khushi: Hum zaraa haath dhokar aate hain..

Arnav nodded as she left.

Shirish: Lucknow kaise aana hua?

Arnav(lies): Meeting thi kal aur.. aaj socha, chhutti hai toh.. aap sab se mil lete hain.

Tayiji: Bahut achchha socha,beta! Aise hi milne aate rehna. Ab meri toh umar ho gayi hai aur ghutnon me bhi jor nahi hai toh.. main toh jyaada baahar aati-jaati nahi hoon. Iss tarah se.. Kabhi koi milne aata hai toh bada achchha lagtaa hai!

Arnav: Ji,main samajhta hoon.

Khushi: Ab humein ijaazat dijiye, tayiji.. Bahut logon se milna baaki hai.

Tayiji: 1 minute beta. (yells) Arih Sapnaa..!

Sapnaa appeared almost immediately with a plastic bag.

Khushi: Yeh kya hai,bhabhi?

Sapnaa: Tale huye paapad aur biscuit hai, safar me kaam aayenge.

Khushi: Hum toh hawaai jahaaz se jaayenge. Safar do ghanton me poora bhi ho jaayega!

Sapnaa: Rakh le na.. Ghar jaa k khana. Iss hi bahaane apni iss bhabhi ko yaad toh karegi!

Khushi: Areh bhabhi, hum toh waise bhi aap sab ko bahut yaad karte hain! Arnavji se poochhiye, woh bataayenge aapko ki humne unhe yahaan k kitne kisse sunaaye hain!

Sapnaa(cups her cheek): Main toh mazaak kar rahi thi! (hugs her) Hum sab bhi tujhe utna hi yaad karte hain!

Khushi's eyes misted as they parted.

Tayiji(smacks her back): Chari(paagal)! Jaate waqt koi rota hai kya? Haste-haste jana chahiye taaki safar aur man,dono achchha rahe!

Khushi(with tears running down her cheeks): Humari bidaayi nahi hui na yahaan se, isiliye iss baar hum toh ro kar hi jaayenge! (hugging tayiji)Jab agli baar aayenge tab haste-haste jaayenge!

Tayiji(pats her back): Achchha,theek hai. Ro le.. aur humein bhi rula de saath me!

Khushi broke the hug to find tears in tayiji's eyes.

Khushi: Tayiji! Aap toh humein aur rulaane par tuli hui hain!

Tayiji(wipes her tears): Na beta, aisi baat nahi hai! Tu khushi,khushi ja aur khush reh, main toh bas itna hi chaahti hoon! Ghar me sabko meri yaad dena.

Khushi nods.

Tayiji: Aa ja, ab main teri najar utaroon. Aa jaao beta aap bhi..

She took a 10 rupee note and rotated it around their heads thrice.

Tayiji(hands the note): Le Shirish, dukaan jaate waqt chaurahe waali bhikaaran ko de dena.

Shirish: Haa.

Tayiji: Chal beta.. Pehle tere tayaji ka ashirwaad le le phir mere pair chhoona.

Arnav(wonders): Tayaji kahaan hain?

Khushi: Aaiyye..

She leads him to a corner of the room where a garlanded photograph of an old man was kept on a wooden table.

Khushi folded her hands and bowed her head so Arnav did the same.

When they touched tayiji's feet,she blessed them with a 50 rupee note each.

Khushi: Tayiji,yeh..

Tayiji(interrupts): Chup kar chari! Misri khaa..

She stuffs some rock candy in Khushi's mouth.

Tayiji: Sugun hai yeh sab.. Aur beta, yeh aapki moonhdikhaai hai! Ab.. aapko sugar hai isiliye aapka moonh toh meetha nahi karva paaye lekin uss k alaava agar humse koi bhool-chook ho gayi ho (folds her hands)toh apnaa samajh kar maaf kar dena!

Arnav: Aap mujhe sharminda kar rahi hain! Aur aapse koi bhool nahi huyi hai so please.. aap aisaa mat sochiye!

Tayiji(pats his head): Khush raho,beta. Aur jab bhi Lucknow aane ka wakhat mile,tab yahaan jaroor aana!

Arnav: Ji,zaroor!

Tayiji(yells): Areh kika..! Fui-fuffad ja rahe hain..!

Raj came out to bid them goodbye.

Raj: Phir aana fui! Bye fuffadji!

Arnav: Bye and.. you can call me uncle!

Raj: Okay.. uncle!

Arnav(extends his hand): All the best for your exams!

Raj(shakes his hand): Thank you!

The family came out of their house to see them off.

Arnav noticed Khushi looking sadly at the house next to Mirchandaani Niwaas.

Arnav: Wahaan bhi jana hai?

Khushi(shakes her head): Wahaan nahi jana hai. Chaliye..

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Before climbing the staircase, Arnav casually glanced upwards.

That is when he saw a woman in her late twenties scowling at them.

She went away as soon as she realized that he had seen her.

Arnav(while climbing): Khushi,yeh kis ka ghar hai?

Khushi: Yeh Dhaniram tauji ka ghar hai. Woh humare babuji k bahut achchhe dost hain.

Arnav: Okay.

*Meanwhile,inside the house*

"Woh dono yaheen aa rahe hain.", announced Kshama as she entered the kitchen.

"Meri balaa se!",replied her mother Manisha while washing the dishes.

Kshama: Aap dekhna kaise itraayegi Khushi. Pehle toh usk pass keval roop tha, ab toh ameer pati aur uski dhan-daulat bhi hai! (sighs)Jab ki mere pass na toh pati hai,na rupiya-paisa aur na hi shaadi ka koi thikaana hai! Aise me mujhe zaleel karne ka ek mauka nahi chhodegi woh!

In the meantime they heard Arshi being welcomed into their house.

Manisha(whispers): Tere papa bhi kam thode hi na hai!? Ab dekhna kitni farmaaishein lekar aa jaayenge. Yeh banaao, woh khilaao! (scowls) Rasoi ka kaam kam tha kya jo ab yeh bin-bulaaye mehman tapak pade!

At that moment they heard Dhaniram calling them outside to meet the guests.

Both of them unwillingly walked outside,fake smiles intact.

Manisha: Areh Khushi beta,tu? Kaisi hai?

Khushi(smiles): Hum theek hai,taiji. Aap kaisi hain?

Manisha: Bas,theek hi hoon. (when she touches her feet)Bas, bas! Jeeti reh.

Khushi: Aur aap kaisi hain,jiji?

Kshama: Main bhi theek hoon.

Arnav finds it odd when she doesnt ask about Khushi's well being.

Khushi(points to Arnav): Yeh humare pati hain..

Kshama nods at him while eyeing his expensive clothes.

Kshama(thinks): Kapde toh dono ne aise pehne hain jaise kisi ki shaadi me aaye ho!

Dhaniram: Ink liye chay-nashta toh lekar aao..

Manisha(fake smile): Kyun nahi? Kya lenge aap,chaay ya thandaa?

Khushi: Kuch nahi tayiji. Hum toh bas aaplogon se milne aaye hain.

Kshama(thinks): Milne aaye hain ya humein jalaane aur zaleel karne aaye hain!?

Manisha: Haan,woh toh main dekh hi rahi hoon! Shaadi k baad toh teri chaal hi palat gayi hai Khushi! Saree, kangan, jhumke.. sab bahut jach rahe hain!

Khushi(smiles): Shukriya!

Manisha: Jamai babu ne dilvaaye honge na?

Khushi: Ji. Kangan humari saasuma k hain. Saree aur gehne inhone dilvaaye.

Manisha(thinks): Zaahir si baat hai, varna shaadi se pehle yeh sab khareedne ki tumhari haisiyat hi kahaan thi! Mehenge kapde aur gehne kya pehen liye, itra toh aise rahi hai jaise kisi rajya ki maharani hi ban gayi ho!

Dhaniram: Areh tum khadi-khadi kya dekh rahi ho? Jamai babu pehli baar aaye hain. Unka moonh meetha karvaao..

Arnav: Nahi,rehne dijiye. Mujhe diabetes hai isiliye meetha nahi kha sakta.

Manisha: Oh ho ho! Itni kam umar me yeh rog kaise lag gaya?!

Arnav: Bachpan se hai..

Manisha: Areh re! Toh.. kya lenge aap?

Arnav: Kuch bhi nahi, thanks!

Dhaniram: Kuch toh lena hi padega. (turns to his wife)Tum aisa karo, mathri le aao! Aur koi namkeen ho toh woh bhi le aana.

Manisha: Abhi laaye.

As soon as they entered the kitchen, Kshama pulled her mother aside.

(A/N: They are whispering throughout the conversation)

Kshama(convinced): Ab toh baat pakki ho gayi ki Khushi ne sirf paison k liye hi shaadi ki hai! Varna usk jitni khoobsurat ladki aise insaan se shaadi kyun karegi jo umarbhar(lifelong) dawaaiyon aur injectionon k sahaare jeeta ho?

Manisha(nods): Aur nahi toh kya!? Pehli badi behen ne ameerzaade ko fasaaya,phir jab chhoti ne

dekha ki uska bhai kanwaara hai toh usne bhi use fasaa liya! Kal toh agar isse kuch ho bhi gaya toh kya? Paisa toh bharpoor chhod kar jaayega apne peechhe, Khushi k liye.

Kshama(makes a face): Toh kya!? Aur yeh ta-umar raani bankar aish karegi!

Manisha(mutters): Gupta parivaar ki toh chaandi ho gayi! Do-do ameer jamaai mil gaye woh bhi ek hi ghar me!

Kshama: Tab hi toh Dilli shift ho gaye woh log! Aur jabse wahaan gaye hain tabse yahaan aane ka naam hi nahi le rahe hain!

Manisha: Wahaan samdhiyon ki khaatirdaari chhodkar yahaan gareebi me rehne koi paagal hi aayega!

Kshama: Sach me! Khushi aur Paayal waise toh bahut seedhi-saadi banti hain par main toh pehle se hi jaanti thi ki dono bahut chaalak hain!

Manisha: Woh toh main bhi ink parivaar ko bahut achchhe se jaanti hoon. Bas agar tere bhole

papa bhi samajhte toh kya baat hoti! Waise toh Sahshi bhaiyya ink bahut qareebi dost hai aise

jataate hain lekin jab ghar aur dukaan bechne ki baat aayi toh kise chuna? Banwaari bhaiyya ko!

Yeh baat kisse chhupi hai ki humari aarthik sthiti theek nahi hai aur tere papa ki dukaan badi

mushqil se chalti hai. Aise me agar humein dusri dukaan mil jaati toh ghar me do paise zyaada

aate, teri shaadi k liye dhang k rishte bhi aa jate aur teri shaadi me hum zaraa haath kholkar kharchaa kar paate. Par nahi! Unhone aisaa hone nahi diya, jab ki woh achchhe se jaante hain ki Banwaari bhaiyya ka beta achchha kamaa leta hai, khud k liye ghar aur dukaan khareedna chahe

toh khareed bhi saktaa hai!

Kshama: Jaan kar anjaan ban rahe hain,aur kya!?

They continued to blame Gupta family while arranging snacks on a tray as though they(Guptas')

were the sole reason behind all their problems.

Manisha: Ja,tu nashta de de jab tak main kuch aisaa dhoondti hoon jo Khushi ko tohfe me diya

jaa sake.

Kshama(enraged): Yahaan woh humein apna pati dikha-dikha k jalaa rahi hai aur aapko use

tohfa dene ki padi hai!

Manisha: Mera bas chale toh main phooti kaudi na doon use! Par tere dhanwaan papa hai na!

Unhe kaun rok saktaa hai? Agar maine kuch nahi diya use toh mujhe dar hai ki woh toh apni puri jeb khaali kar denge in dono par!

Kshama: Theek hai,par kuch aisa dijiyega jo humare kaam ka na ho.

Manisha: ha,ha woh main dekhkar de dungi, tu uski chinta mat kar! Isse pehle ki tere papa ka

bulaava aaye, tu jaldi se nashta paros de.

Kshama: Ji.

She served the snacks and pretended to listen to the conversation taking place between Dhaniram and ArShi, hardly saying anuything to either of them.

Khushi: Ab hum chalein tauji?

Dhaniram: Teri taiji aa jaaye phir chali jana. Aji sunti ho..

Manisha: Aa rahi hoon.. (turns to Khushi)Yeh tera shagun hai Khushi aur yeh aapk liye, jamaai

babu..

She hands a box to Khushi and 21 rupees to Arnav.

Khushi being Khushi is unable to resist the temptation. So she immediately opens the box and is

delighted with the gift.

Khushi(smiles): Kaanch ki choodiyaan!? Humein yeh tohfa bahut pasand aaya taiji, dhanyavaad!

Manisha: Mujhe jaankar achchha lagaa ki tujhe tohfa pasand aaya! Ab.. sone k kangan dene ki

toh aukaat hai na humari, toh jo de sake woh diya.

Dhaniram,who was about to give Khushi some money,felt embarassed and withdrew his hand

from his pocket.

All this did not go unnoticed by Arnav.

Arnav: Man se diya hua sab kuch achchha hi lagtaa hai! Beman se di hui cheez ki koi value nahi

hoti hai, phir chaahe woh kitni bhi mehengi ya sasti kyun na ho!

Kshama(thinks): Akad toh dekho janaab ki! Khushi bhi kuch kam nahi hai! Aise jataa rahi hain jaise abhi apne haathon se sone k kangan utaarkar kaanch ki choodiyaan pehen legi!

Manisha(thinks): Keh toh aise raha hai jaise koi ise beman se tohfe me heere-moti dega toh yeh

thukraa dega!

Arnav: Ab hum chalte hain. Namaste..(turns to Dhaniram)tauji.

Dhaniram(folds his hands): Namaste jamaai babu. Khud bhi khush rahiye aur humari bachchhi ko

bhi khush rakhiye! a.. aaiyye, main aapko baahar tak chhod deta hoon.

Khushi: Areh nahi,nahi tauji. Aap kyun neeche tak utarne ki taqleef lenge? Hum kya jaante nahi

hain ki aapk jodon me dard rehta hai. Aap rehne dijiye. Hum khud chale jaayenge. Namaste taiji!

Manisha(fake smile): Namaste! Amma ko kehna maine yaad kiya. Kabhi fursat mile toh phone

kar liya karein.

Khushi: Zaroor kahenge! Chalte hain jiji.

Kshama nods with a fake smile.

Khushi(turning to Arnav): Chaliye..

She took him to meet other neighbours who greeted them with love, respect and warmth.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

*Later that day,6 pm*

Arnav greets a middle aged couple who smile warmly at him.

Khushi: Inse miliye..

She gives the lady a bear hug.

Khushi: Yeh hain humari pyaari Poonam mausi!

The lady smiles while placing her arms lovingly around Khushi.

Man: Aur hum hain ink pati, yaani ki aapk Maadhav mausaji!

Arnav bends to touch their feet.

Mausi: Sukhi rahiye!

Mausaji: Khoob taraqqi kariye! Waise.. Humse aapki patni ko khaas lagaav nahi hain!

Khushi: Kya mausaji? Mausi,dekhiye toh kaisi baatein kar rahe hain mausaji?

Mausi: Aisi koi baat nahi hai,bitiya! Tumhare mausaji mazaak kar rahe hain. Baithiye na

daamaadji..

Arnav nods and sits beside mausaji,his eyes glued to his wife,who was still hugging mausi.

Mausaji: Bilkul aisa hi hai! Aur aisa kyun hai woh bhi hum bataate hain aapko! Kya hai na,

bachpan se hi Khusi bitiya aur aapki mausi ki jugalbandi badi achchhi hai! Dono ko khana

banaane ka shaukh, mithaiyaan khaane ka shaukh aur gungunaane ka shaukh hai! Humare pass

inme se koi gun toh hai nahi,toh hum kya karte the bataayein? Hum bas aaraam kursi par baithk

in dono ko gungunaate huye sunte aur inki banaayi mithaiyon ka lutf uthaate!

Arnav is glad when Khushi finally addresses him.

Khushi: Mausi na makhaane ki laajawaab kheer banaati hain! Humare ghar me kabhi makhaane

ki kheer banti nahi thi kyunki jiji aur babuji,dono ko makhaane pasand nahi hai. Toh jab bhi

mausi woh kheer banane wali hoti, tab woh humein bula leti. Aur hum dukaan ka sara kaam

chhodkar aa jaate!

Mausaji: Aur bhaiyya inko rokte bhi nahi the!

Khushi: Kyunki babuji ko pata tha ki ek baar humne makhaane ki kheer ka naam sun liya toh jab

tak woh kheer nahi khaayenge tab tak kisi kaam me humara dil nahi lagega, hisaab me galtiyaan kar denge aur un hi ka nuksaan hoga!

Mausi: Bilkul sahi baat hai! Aur kheer banaate-banaate hum dono purani filmon k gaane gaaya karte the!

Khushi(turns to mausi): Yaad hai mausi, woh gaana jo hum aksar gaate the? Areh aapki chaheeti Asha Parekhji ka gaana!

Mausi(nods): Woh gaana hum kaise bhool sakte hain bhalaa? Aaj bhi zabaani yaad hai!

Mausaji: Woh gana toh yeh ab bhi gungunati rehti hai.

Khushi: Areh waah! Aaj bhi aapki aawaaz utni hi meethi lagti hogi jitni ki tab lagti thi!

Mausaji: Bilkul! Hum toh kehte hain ki aaj phir se woh hi gana ho jaaye?

Mausi(bashful): Kya keh rahe hain aap? (whispers)Daamaadji baithe hain saamne..

Mausaji: Toh kya hua? Daamaadji bhi Khushi ko gaate huye sunna chahenge, kyun?

Arnav: Ya, of course! I'd love that!

Khushi stares at Arnav momentarily before walking upto mausi and holding her hands.

Khushi: Maan jaaiyye mausi, Gaaiyye na humare saath! Kitne dinon baad toh yeh maukaa aaya hai..

Mausi(relents): Chalo,theek hai! Ek,do..

Khushi(grins): Teen!

The gentlemen smile as the ladies start singing.

Mil gaye,mil gaye aaj mere sanam

Aaj mere zameen par

Nahi hain kadam!

Aaj mere zameen par

Nahi hain kadam!

Mausaji: Tum dono khade-khade kyun gaa rahi ho? Baithkar aaraam se gaao!

Mausi: Haan, aao bitiya..

They sit on the diwaan,facing their husbands.

Khushi: Agla bhaag shuru kariye na mausi. Aap gaayengi toh humein bhi bol yaad aa jayenge.

Mausi(sings): Aye nazaaron zaraa

Kaam itnaa karo

Khushi(looking at Arnav): Tum meri maang me

Aaj moti bharo

Mausi and mausaji notice the smiles which ArShi share.

Mausi(to mausaji): Aise kisse zamaane me

Hote hain kam,

Khushi joins mausi in repeating the first stanza.

Mausi: Ab yaad aa gaya?

Khushi: Ha..

Mausi: Toh aglaa bhaag tum hi gaa lo na bitiya.

Khushi: Areh nahi,nahi! Hum saath me gaate hain na..

Mausi: Nahi bitiya. Tum gao jab tak hum kuch lekar aate hain. Tum dono kabse aaye ho aur humne ab tak daamaadji ko na chay poochha na pani.

Arnav: Please koi formality mat kariye!

Khushi: Ha mausi,aap taqleef mat lijiye. Hum har jagah se khaa-khaakar aaye hain isiliye (keeps her hand on her tummy)pet poora bhar gaya hai!

Mausi: Achchha toh sharbat toh pee lo!

Mausaji: Sharbat kyun, jaljeera bana do! Bitiya ko pasand bhi hai aur paachan me bhi madad karega.

Khushi: Ab.. agar aap jaljeere ki baat karengi toh hum manaa kaise karenge?

Mausi: Karna bhi mat! Hum abhi banaa k laate hain! Tum jab tak gaana khatm kar do..

Khushi: Kyun? Hum aate hain na aapk saath rasoi me..

Mausi: Bilkul nahi! Tum yaheen baitho aur tumhare mausaji aur daamaadji ko gana sunao. Aur hum bhi rasoi se sunte hain.

Khushi: Theek hai.

She turns towards Arnav and resumes singing.

Khushi: Umra bhar ki tadap ko

Qaraar aa gaya. *blushes*

Unse aankhein mili,

Mujhko pyaar aa gaya!

Arnav's lips curve into a smile as he recalls their first meeting.

Khushi(lowers her gaze): Yaad karti rahi main

Unhe dam-ba-dam,

Aaj mere zameen par

Nahi hain kadam!

Aaj mere zameen par

Nahi hain kadam!

(looking at Arnav)

Mil gaye,mil gaye aaj mere sanam

Aaj mere zameen par

Nahi hain kadam!

Mausaji: Waah bitiya! Bahut badhiya! (in a louder tone)Tum kya kehti ho?

Mausi(from the kitchen): Humse kyun poochh rahe hain? Humein toh pataa hi hai ki humari Khushi k pag me Lakshmi aur kanth me Saraswati ka vaas hai!

Arnav(frowns): Lakshmi?

Khushi: Kahaawat hai..

Arnav: Oh..

Mausi: Poochhna hi hain toh daamaadji se poochhiye ki unhe kaisaa lagaa?

Mausaji: Toh bataaiyye daamaadji..

Arnav(loudly): Aap bahut achchha gaati hain,mausi!

Mausi(laughs): Dhanyavaad! Par hum apne baare me nahi, Khushi k baare me poochh rahe the! Usk baare me kya khayaal hai aapka?

Arnav(looking at Khushi): Woh toh Khushi ko pataa hi hai!

Khushi: a.. hum.. rasoi se hokar aate hain..

Mausi(entering the living room): Baitho waheen par! Thanda, thanda jaljeera pee lo aur humein ek aur badhiya sa geet suna do!

Mausaji(approves): Ha,bilkul. Sirf woh hi kyun,Poonam,tum bhi suna do!

Khushi: Haan mausi. Agla gaana hum dono saath me gaayenge,woh bhi poora!

Mausi: Chalo,theek hai. Pehle jaljeera toh pee lo,phir gaana-waana hota rahega.

Khushi gladly accepts the offer.

Mausi: Aur suno, agli baar aane se pehle humein itella kar dena,samjhi?! Pehle se pataa hota toh makhaane ki kheer taiyyaar rakhte na hum!

Mausaji: Aur kya?!

Mausi(embarassed): Daamaadji pehli baar aaye hain aur hum unhe.. sirf jaljeera pila rahe hain. Achchhha nahi lagta hai na,bitiya..

Khushi: Aapki unki chinta mat kariye,woh bilkul bhi bura nahi maanenge! Aur haan,agli baar hum pakka aapko phone kar k aayenge aur moholle me aate hi seedhe aapk yahaan chale aayenge! Sabse pehle aapse milenge, phir kheer khaayenge,aapk saath gane gaayenge aur phir baaki sab

se milne jaayenge!

Mausi: Waada?

Khushi: Pakkaa waada!

They share a warm hug.

Mausi: Khush raho bitiya.. Aise hi,muskuraati rehna! Aur aap bhi,daamaadji.. Sadaa khush rahiye aur aise hi, humari bitiya ka achchhe se khayaal rakhiyega!

Arnav(smiles): Of course!

*10 minutes later*

Mausi: Chalo,ab kaunsa geet gaana hai?

Khushi: Jo bhi aapko gana ho!

Mausaji: Tumlog woh.. Dev sa'ab wala gana kyun nahi gaate? Areh woh hi.. jis me woh.. seeti wala bhaag tha?

Khushi(knudges her): Jo aap bajaaya karte the, mausi k liye!

Mausi(whispers): Chup kar!

Mausaji(laughs): Theek pehchana!

Khushi: Toh kya aap aaj bhi seeti bajaayenge,mausaji?

Mausiji: Haa, kyun nahi bajayenge!?

Mausi(glares): Aap kya iski ha me ha mila rahe hain!

Mausaji: Areh naraaz kyun ho rahi ho? Humare liye nahi toh.. Khushi ki baat rakhne k liye hi ga lo!

Mausi: Par humein toh saare bol yaad bhi nahi hain.. Tujhe yaad hai bitiya?

Khushi: Haan. Aap humare saath-saath gayengi toh aapko bhi bol yaad aa jaayenge.

Mausi: Chal,theek hai. Shuruaat saath me karte hain..

Arnav turns to Khushi as they start singing..

Hum hain rahi pyaar ke,

Hum se kuch na boliye!

Jo bhi pyaar se mila

Hum us hi k ho liye!

While mausaji whistles to the tune of the song,Arnav notices that,unlike the previous song, Khushi does not sing this song while looking at him.He keeps looking at her while she keeps looking at mausi while singing..

Khushi: Dard bhi humein qabool,

Chain bhi humein qabool!

Mausi: Humne har tarah k phool

Haar me piro liye.

Khushi & mausi together: Hum hain rahi pyaar ke,

Hum se kuch na boliye!

Jo bhi pyaar se mila

Hum us hi k ho liye!

Mausi: Agla bhaag.. yaad nahi aa raha hai,Khushi..

Mausaji: Koi baat nahi. Usk peechhe peechhe ga lo..

Khushi(nods): Dhoop thi naseeb me, dhoop me liya hai dum.

She waits while mausi repeats the line.

Khushi: Chandni mili toh hum

Chandni me so liye!

The lyrics stir something within Arnav's heart and he instantly withdraws his gaze from Khushi.

His mind reminds him of the time when he threw Khushi out of the bedroom and she was forced to sleep in the open poolside.

His heart aches as a vision of Khushi trembling in the cold unnerves him.

He's brought back to the present when mausaji gently places a hand over his shoulder.

Mausaji: Sun rahe hain na daamaadji?

Arnav nods,even though he missed the previous stanza.

He is relieved when he hears Khushi saying..

Khushi: Ab aakhri bhaag hai,mausi.

Mausi: Tum hi ga lo,bitiya.. humein toh bilkul yaad nahi hai!

Khushi: Toh rehne dete hain..

Mausaji: Areh nahi,nahi bitiya. Tumhe yaad hai toh ga lo na!

Khushi(reluctantly): Theek hai..

Khushi(sings): Raah me pade hain hum

Kab se,aapki kasam!

Arnav's heart skips a beat and his eyes automatically go to Khushi,who appears a bit hesitant.

Khushi(sings): Raah me pade hain hum

Kab se,aapki kasam!

Dekhiye toh kam se kam,

Boliye na boliye!

Arnav gets up with a start before Khushi could continue.

Mausaji(shocked): Kya hua?

Arnav: a.. ek important call hai.. Excuse me..

He walks out of the house without even sparing a glance at the others who keep looking at his retreating back.

Mausi: Daamaadji aise.. achaanak se..?

Khushi: Aaplog.. bura mat maniyega. Darasal unhe kaam k silsile me din me 10 baar phone aate rehte hain! Isiliye woh.. phone silent par kar dete hain. Waise toh.. phone nahi uthaate hain par.. zaroori kaam ho toh unhe baat karni hi padhti hai, Itvaar hi kyun na ho!

Mausaji: Haan,haan bitiya,hum samajhte hain. Itna badaa kaarobaar sambhaalna koi aasaan kaam thode hi na hai!

Khushi(glancing at the wallclock): Baaton,baaton me waqt ka pataa hi nahi chalaa. Ab humein ijaazat dijiye..

Mausi: Areh par.. daamaadji ko toh waapis aa jaane do..

Khushi: Unk phone toh bahut lambe chalte hain,mausi! Aadhe ghante tak baat khatm nahi hogi..

Mausi: Achchha?

Khushi: Haan.. Toh.. hum baahar jaakar unse keh denge. (folds her hands)Unki or se bhi aapko namaste.

Mausaji(places a hand on her hand): Dono ko aashirwaad hai.

Mausi: Lo bitiya,shagun..

She hands her 101 rupees.

Khushi: Areh,itne kyun mausi?

Mausi: Rakh lo.. Mausi ko na nahi kehte!

Khushi: Shukriya!

Mausi(hugs her): Humari or se daamaadji se maafi maang lena.. Iss baar koi khaatirdaari hi nahi kar paayein. Agli baar zyaada samay k liye aana aur khaana khaakar hi jaana.

Khushi: Aapko unse maafi maangne ki bilkul zaroorat nahi hai! unki taraf se nishchint rahiye. Aur hum aapse keh rahe hain na,jo aapk ghar humein mila,woh humein kisik yahaan nahi mila- gaane ka mauka! Khaana toh sab hi ne khilaya lekin gaane ka mauka sirf aapne diya! Iss hi bahaane kitne meethe pal taazaa ho gaye humare zehen me!

Mausi: So toh hai,bitiya.. Yoon toh akele hi gungunaate rehte hain,bade dino bad koi saath ganewala mila. Aur woh bhi humari pyaari bitiya!

Khushi(smiles): Agli baar hum Phir se gaano ki mehfil sajaayenge. Toh aap pehle se hi kuch gaane yaad kar k rakhiyega!

Mausi(smiles): Ha,zaroor!

She touches their feet before nearly running outside.

Arnav catches hold of her and steadies her.

Arnav: Kya hua Khushi?

Khushi: Hotel chaliye..

Arnav: Are you sure? I mean.. kisi aur se nahi milna hai?

Khushi: Agli baar mil lenge.

Arnav: Fine. Chalo..

Khushi turns around to glance at her house before accompanying Arnav out of the lane.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

*Later that evening @ the suite*

Khushi: Kya hua Arnavji? Raaste bhar me aap chupchaap se the. Suite me waapis aakar aapne coffee bhi nahi maangi..

Arnav(sighs): I'm sorry Khushi. Meri wajah se..

Khushi: Kya?

Arnav: I dont know.. (sighs)I mean.. Main kis kis cheez k liye sorry kahoon? Maine toh..

Khushi(interrupts): Toh mat kahiye sorry! (hugs him)Humein woh geet nahi gana chahiye tha.

Arnav: Its okay,Khushi. Tumne woh hi gana gaya jo mausaji ko pasand tha. Theres nothing wrong with that.

Khushi: Par geet k bol aise hain ki.. (sighs)Isiliye hum aapki taraf dekhkar nahi gaa rahe the.Kyunki.. humein yeh hi dar tha ki aap un bolon ko sunkar bhaavuk(emotional) ho jaayenge

aur aapko pichhli baatein yaad aa jayengi. Aur dekhiye,aisaa hi hua.

Arnav(breaks the hug): Sirf mujhe hi woh baatein yaad aayi? Tumhe lyrics sunkar kuch bhi yaad nahi aaya?

Khushi(accepts): Yaad toh aaya tha lekin humne uss yaad ko bhulaa diya! Humne aapse kaha tha na ki jab bhi aapko koi buri yaad sataaye toh aapko kya karna chahiye?

Arnav: Kise achchhe incident ko yaad kar lena chahiye..

Khushi: Toh aapne aisa kyun nahi kiya?

Arnav: My guilt got the better of me.. (kisses her forehead)I'm sorry!

Khushi: Phir se sorry?!

Arnav(hugs her): Meri wajah se tumhe Poonam mausi k ghar se abruptly aana pada. It must have been difficult to explain yourself.

Khushi places her head on his chest and closes her eyes.

Khushi: Chhodiye un baaton ko. Aur kuch der humein aise hi rehne dijiye,aapki baahon me!

Arnav(smiles): With pleasure!

Khushi kisses his chest and sighs.

Arnav(runs a hand through her hair): Tired? *when she nods* Tum bed pe aaraam se baitho,main tumhare liye chay aur apne liye coffee banaakar laata hoon.

Khushi: Aap rehne dijiye, kyunki aap bhi utne hi thake huye hain. Hum..

Arnav(interrupts): Main order de deta hoon room service k liye. Kuch khaaogi tum?

Khushi(shakes her head): Din bhar kha-kha kar humara pet kuch zyaada hi bhar gaya hai. Hum toh soch rahe the ki raat k khaane me bhi kuch halka- phulka, soup jaisa hi le lenge,bas. Par pehle chaay! Soup der se pee lenge?

Arnav: As you wish. Tum jaakar baitho, main order dekar aata hoon.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Arnav: Feeling better?

Khushi(nods): Chaay peekar chusti aa gayi! Aur man toh pehle se hi khush hai! Itne samay k baad sabse milkar bahut achcha lagaa!

Arnav: Sabse kahaan mil paayein? Kuch neighbours toh nahi the aur kuch k yahaan hum ja nahi paayein..

Khushi: Haan par jinse mulaaqat hui un sab se milkar.. aisaa lagaa jaise humare guzri hui zindagi laut aayi ho! Kitni ajeeb baat hai na Arnavji? Hum saare padosiyon k ghar gaye par.. apne hi ghar aur dukaan me nahi ja paayein!

Arnav(holds her hand): Next time chali jana. Tab ghar aur dukaan dono dekhne laayak condition me honge.

Khushi nods.

Arnav: Mujhe yeh baat samajh nahi aayi.

Khushi: Kaunsi?

Arnav: Tumne mujhse yeh kyun kaha ki main kisi ko yaad na karvaaun ki aaj tumhara birthday hai?

Khushi: Aapne dekha na ki sab kaise humari aav-bhagat me jut gaye?

Arnav: Aav-bhagat as in?

Khushi: Matlab khaatirdaari me jut gaye. Iss par agar humne unhe yeh baat yaad karva di hoti toh aaj humara hotel lautna mushqil ho jaata!

Arnav(smiles): I know what you mean! You must've noticed ki kisi bhi neighbor ne shagun me 11 rupaye nahi diye!

Khushi: Woh toh aapko dekhkar nahi diye varnaa yahaan shagun me 11 rupaye dene ka hi chalan hai.

Arnav(frowns): Mujhe dekhkar nahi diye?!

Khushi: Kehne ka matlab aap.. bahut ameer hain toh aapko.. 11 rupaye dena unko theek nahi laga hoga.

Arnav: Tell me somethin, 11 rupaye aur 21 rupaye me kitna farq hai?

Khushi: Poore 10 rupayon ka farq hai! Aap k liye 10 rs ka koi mol nahi hoga par yahaan k log eet-patthar ek kar k paisa jodte hain. Isiliye kharchein bhi haath kheenchkar hi karte hain.

Arnav: I dont get it. Kharchein haath kheench karte hain aisa.. lag toh nahi raha tha. I mean they went all out to recieve us. Mithaai, khaana,yeh woh.. sab.. Kya sirf isiliye kyunki main ameer hoon?

Khushi: Ji nahi! Agar aap ameer nahi hote tab bhi wohlog woh sab kuch karte jo unhone aapk aur humare liye kiya! Kharche,shagun.. ink baare me mat sochiye aap. Paison se zyaada dene wale ki bhavnaao k baare me sochiye!

Arnav: I know what you mean. I'm sorry.. Mujhe aisa nahi kehna chahiye tha.

Khushi: hmm.(pouts) Jab hum paison ki baat karte hain toh humein daant-te hain aur ab khud paison ki baat kiye jaa rahe hain!

Arnav: Ab nahi kahunga,I promise!

Khushi walks into the attached balcony and stares at the various lights which illuminated the hotel.

Arnav comes to stand behind her.

Arnav(placing his hands on her shoulders): Mujhse naaraaz ho?

Khushi(nods): Humein toh lagaa tha ki aap.. wahaan k baare me, sabne jis tarah se.. aadar aur sammaan k saath aapka swaagat kiya,jis pyaar se aapse pesh aaye us baare me ya.. sabse ghul-milkar aapne jo baatein ki uss bare me kahenge. Par aapko jo mila uski nahi, jo nahi mil paaya uski padi hai! Jabse aaye hain tab se yeh nahi hua, woh nahi hua, yeh nahi mila, woh nahi mila kiye jaa rahe hain!

Arnav: Khushi.. (turns her around to face him) Baby,aisa nahi hai ki main khush nahi hoon ya mujhe wahaan mazaa nahi aaya. I had a pretty good time o'er there! In fact I was quite

shocked..

Khushi: Shocked kyun?

Arnav: I mean.. jis tarah se sabne.. itne apnepan se mujhe apne-apne ghar invite kiya, jis tarah se rituals k zariye mujhe welcome kiya, pyaar se khana parosa, baatein ki.. aisa lag hi nahi raha tha jaise woh mujhse pehli baar mil rahe the! They were so warm! Except.. you know who..

Khushi: Unlogon ki baat alag hai,Arnavji. Kshama jiji Paayal jiji se 1 saal badi hain phir bhi ab tak unki shaadi nahi huyi. Jab ki hum dono unse chhote hain,phir bhi humari aur humari bahut si saheliyon ki shaadiyaan ho gayi hain. Is hi baat ko lekar unk aur taiji k man me bair aa gaya hai. Aisa hota hai.. Humare yahaan sahi umar me shaadi na ho toh.. ladkiyon ko aur unk parivaar ko bahut kuch sunna aur sehna padhta hai.

Arnav: Isiliye unka behaviour aisaa tha jab ki tauji..

Khushi(interrupts): Tauji dil k bahut achchhe aur saaf hai. Unk man me kabhi kisi k liye koi bair nahi aata hai! Khair,unk yahaan jo hua so hua. Baaki sab k yahaan..

Arnav(interrupts): Mujhe bahut achchha lagaa! Initially main awkward feel kar raha tha aur mujhe garmi bhi bahut lag rahi thi but.. later on I forgot about it. You know why?

Khushi: Why?

Arnav(cups her face): Kyunki maine tumhe dekha- unk saath haste huye, rote huye, purani baatein yaad karte huye.. You were so elated with everything! Tumhe utna khush dekhkar main baaki sab kuch bhool gaya!

He kisses her cheek.

Khushi: Yeh mat bhooliye k hum baahar khade hain!

Arnav(kisses her other cheek): Like I care! Main bas yeh hi sochkar khush hoon ki tumhara birthday bahut achchha gaya aur Lucknow aane ka mera decision sahi saabit hua!

Khushi(smiles): Ha, woh toh hai! Ab,sahi maayine me, behtar mehsoos kar rahe hain hum! Waise, aap jis tarah se wahaan sab k saath ghul-mil gaye aur jo baatein aapne kahi, unse aapne ek baar phir humara dil jeet liya! Khaaskar jab aapne yeh kaha ki wohlog aapko Arnav singh Raizada nahi balki sirf unk (pulls his cheeks) daamaadji samjhe!

Arnav: Mat bhoolo ki hum baahar khade hain! In full public view!

Khushi(smacks his arm): Chup rahiye!

Arnav: Aur?

Khushi: Aur kya?

Arnav: Mujhe lagaa ki tum mujhse bahut khush ho..

Khushi: Ha,woh toh hum hain hi. Kal hum aapk beete huye kal se ru-ba-ru huye the aur humne usse jude logon ko apnaaya tha. Waise hi aaj aap humare beete huye kal se ru-ba-ru huye aur aapne usse jude logon ko apnaaya. Isse zyaada khushi ki baat aur kya ho sakti hai!

Arnav(cocks an eyebrow): Toh..?

Khushi: Toh.. kya?

Arnav: Toh kuch kahogi nahi?

Khushi: Kaha toh sahi ki hum bahut khush hain aur aapne humara dil jeet liya!

Arnav: Haan,par woh nahi kaha jo tum normally din me 10 bar kehti ho!

Khushi(feigns ignorance): Kya?

Arnav(folds his arms): Maine observe kiya ki tumne subha se 1 baar bhi mujhe shukriya ya dhanyavaad ya thanks nahi kaha. I guess it was intentional..

Khushi(smiles): Sahi socha aapne!

Arnav: Ab yeh bhi bataa do ki aisaa karne k peechhe wajah kya thi?

Khushi: Hum saare shukriya jamaa(collect) kar rahe the taaki hotel lautne k baad hum 1 hi baar me 1 hi saath me shukriya adaa kar sakein!

Arnav: I see! So, ab toh hum hotel pahuch gaye hain.

Khushi: Haan!

Arnav(leans closer): Toh kuch socha hai ki shukriya kaise adaa karogi?

Khushi: Bilkul socha hai! Aap k liye pukhta intezaam kiye hain humne! Aap aaiyye toh sahi!

She holds his hand and drags him inside the suite.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Precap:

Khushi: Yahaan jo Big Bazaar hai na?

Arnav: Haan..

Khushi: Woh humari zindagi ka pehla mall tha! Hum aur jiji wahaan jaakar, saari cheezein dekhkar itne khush ho gaye the ki jis kaam k silsile me hum Hazratganj aaye the humne woh jaise-taise niptaaya aur ghar bhaage! Mall me ghoomne me waqt kahaan nikal gaya, pataa hi nahi chala tha!

Arnav: Sirf ghoomte rahe ya kuch khareeda bhi tha?

Khushi: Khareeda tha na! Lakme' ka strawberry facewash! Us samay woh 40 rupiye ka aya karta tha.

Chori-chhupe ghar lekar aaye aur istemaal karte rahe. Hum dono ko hi woh itna pasand tha ki 10 dinon me tube khaali kar di thi humne!

Arnav: Chori-chhupe kyun?

Khushi: Kyunki amma-babuji ko pataa nahi tha ki hum mall jaakar aaye hain. Amma ko pataa chalta toh daant pad jaati kyunki unk hisaab se mall aur badi dukaanon me dugne daam me saamaan bikta hai. Sari cheezon ka pradarshan(exhibit) aise karte hain ki koi ek cheez lene jaaye toh usk badle paanch cheezein utha laaye! Isiliye woh kabhi humein kisi mall ya.. superstore me nahi jaane deti thi.

Arnav: Oh.. toh tumne usk baad woh facewash kisi medical store se ya.. kisi general store se khareeda hoga na?

Khushi(shakes her head): Nahi. Phir kabhi nahi khareeda.

Arnav: Par tumhe toh woh facewash pasand tha na?

Khushi: Haan,pasand toh bahut tha lekin..

Arnav(interrupts): Toh yeh lo! (thrusts a tube of the same facewash in her hands)Enjoy!

Khushi(shocked): Yeh.. yeh aapk pass kahaan se aaya?! Aur.. aapko kaise pataa chalaa ki humein yeh pasand hai?

Arnav: Yeh Paayal ne mujhe diya tha,tumhe dene k liye. Aur sirf yeh hi nahi, ussne aur bhi cheezein di hai. Have a look..

Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Translation will be up on wednesday. Next update on Friday, 17th March,2017.

Edited by ..Smita.. - 8 years ago

Quote

zohakhan7

@zohakhan7

Trailblazer

+ 10

Posted: 8 years ago

#126

Awesome update

Loved it

I m glad u r back Smita

Continue soon

Quote

rafiki84

@rafiki84

Explorer

Posted: 8 years ago

#127

Bookmarked! I wonder why I never read this...? Silly me now I will😃

Edited by rafiki84 - 8 years ago

Quote

Prerna

@prerna1

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 8 years ago

#128

Welcome back dear
And awesome update
Liked it...

Quote

cutelasya

@cutelasya

Beginner

Posted: 8 years ago

#129

Welcome back...very happy to see u in this forum again...superb update

Quote

Param

@pup03

Sparkler

+ 4

Posted: 8 years ago

#130

So happy to read the update after long time.. ArShi had such a good time meeting Khushi's neighbours.. liked the way they all welcomes ArShi and wishing them and blessing them.. Khushi had her birthday the way she wanted and her Arnavji was truly Khushi's husband and not Arnav Singh Raizada that day.. loved the awesome update.. thanks a ton Smita for coming back to complete this wonderful story.. 😃

thanks for pm 😊