Khushi-"Nanheji, why do you have to leave now when we were having so much fun here? I will really miss you."
NK-"Don't worry Khushi. Since some urgent work requires my presence in Sydney, I'll have to go. But I'll be back in a week. I cannot miss Akash's wedding." He was standing at the door of the RM, saying goodbyes to the whole Raizada family and Khushi. He could clearly seen disappointment in his Mausi and Khushi's face, but only his Naanav was really relieved that he was leaving. He himself didn't want to leave Khushi, but there was no other option left, unless- A superb idea flashed his mind.
NK-"I have a brilliant idea. Why don't you people also come to Sydney in the next flight, even you Khushi. That way you could have a tour of Sydney, and then we could return back together."
Khushi-"Arrey wah, that's such a great idea. I will definitely come." She had never been out of India and Australia was one of the places in her long wish list. She was overfilled with excitement at this prospect. Actually everyone was, except Arnav. He loathed his irritating cousin and could never imagine going on vacation with him. He thought about all the important office work that he had and jumped into a conclusion.
Arnav-"If anyone wants to go, they may go but I'm not interested to go cause I have loads of work to do."
Anjali-"Chote, you always have work 24 X 7. But we will be having loads of fun there. Please come with us."
Arnav-"No Di. It's my final answer. I'm not going."
Khushi-"It's ok Anjaliji. Let him be here. We will go and have loads of fun there." She flashed her I-don't-care-about-your-wish look at Arnav. Somewhere, Arnav felt bad that she chose to go leaving him behind to spend time with NK. But he brushed aside that feeling of disappointment and left to his room. He convinced himself that it really didn't matter what Khushi did or who did she spend her time with.
Mamiji-"I have always wanted to go to Sydney. Now my dear nephew has made my wishes come true. I'll go and pack my suitcases now itself." She was turning around to leave when she heard Nani's voice.
Nani-"Only the kids will go. Manorama if we go, who will take care of all the marriage preparations. You will have to stay here and that is final." Nani had so much authority that no one could argue her decisions. Mami wanted to protest but decided it was not worth it.
NK-"OK then. I'll have to leave now. Bye for now, but I'll see you guys tomorrow in Sydney." Saying he took leave of everyone and went to the Airport.
Akash-"Nani, shall I also invite Payalji to come along with us?" The idea of touring Sydney with Payal had excited him.
Nani-" Ofcourse you can call her too. Afterall, Khushi is also going along with you all. Anjali, what about Shyam. Is he also going to come with you all?"
Anjali-"No Nani, he has some important work and so is out of station. So only Akash, Payal, Khushi and I will be going. I so wish Chote would also come with us."
Khushi was very happy that Shyam was not going to be there. Otherwise her vacation would have been spoilt. But somewhere, she didn't know whether to be happy or sad that her Laad governor was not coming along. Why did his presence matter to her? She was confused.
Anjali-"Khushi, can you go to Chote's room and ask him to book four tickets to Sydney as soon as possible?"
Khushi-"Ok Anjaliji, I'll go and tell him." She could never understand why was she always the one who had to go and face him in his room. Nevertheless, she left to his room. She knocked at his door and entered his room. Everytime she entered this room, her heart leapt forward as she never knew what was she gonna face from him. She saw him sitting on his bed with a laptop busy with his work.
Khushi-" Arnavji, actually Anjaliji told me to tell you to book four tickets to Sydney. So please can you do it?"
Arnav-"OK". That was all that came from his mouth and he acted all indifferent towards her. Khushi turned to leave the room when the reality suddenly dawned upon her.
Khushi-"Hey Devi maiyya". She exclaimed as she realized how would they pay for the tickets. There was already the burden of marriage expenses and she decided that she couldn't add on more to it. All her excitement crashed boom and was replaced with clear disappointment on her face.
Khushi-"Arnavji, don't book my ticket. I shall not be going." She thought that she could somehow manage Payal's expenses because if her Jiji doesn't go, then Jiju wouldn't go and nor would Anjaliji. So she decided that she couldn't be the cause of their disappointment.
Arnav-"But why? Two minutes ago you were so excited. What happened all of a sudden?" He was curious. But she didn't want to reveal it to him. So she made up an excuse.
Khushi-" If I go, then who will look after the marriage preparations in my house. So I decided I'm not going. But I'll send my Jiji." She quickly turned around to leave lest he could spring up more questions but quickly remembered something.
Khushi-"Arnavji, you should really go with them. Anjaliji would be really happy if you would also go." She then turned around and left the room.
Arnav was shocked. He had mixed emotions in his mind. Somewhere he was glad that she wouldn't be spending her time with NK afterall. But somewhere he knew that there was a more genuine reason other than what she had said to him, because that disappointment on her face couldn't be explained by that mere fact. He was also greatly surprised by that fact that she had requested him to go along with them to Australia when she herself wouldn't be going. He knew she was hiding something and thus decided to sneak behind her and find out the true story.
Khushi went downstairs to meet Anjali. She wanted to have a private conversation with her and thus pulled her aside into the kitchen. Somehow, she felt she could confide in her and that she would understand her situation and feelings.
Khushi-"Anjaliji, I cannot come to Australia with you all as you can understand the financial situation of my house. I can only afford to pay one person's expenses and I would prefer Jiji to spend some time with Jiju."
Anjali-" But Khushi, you don't have to worry about all that, we can take care of it. You should just come with us and enjoy."
Khushi-"No Anjaliji, you people have done so much for us, that I cannot add one more favour to the list. I only accepted your help when it was absolutely necessary for us, but this trip is not a necessity. I can manage without it. So please don't force me to come with you all. But I will definitely send my Jiji with you all. Please take care of her and have fun there and don't tell this matter to anyone. And I've also told Arnavji to go along with you all. I'm sure he would come with you all." Saying this she left towards the door to leave without listening to what Anjali had to say to her.
Arnav all the while had been standing secretly outside the door listening to their conversation. Now he knew what was disturbing her. He was amazed with her actions, how she could sacrifice her own desires for the people around her. She always made sure that people around her were happy, even his Di. So that was why she had asked him to go along with his Di, so that his Di wouldn't miss Khushi's presence in the trip. He felt really sad for Khushi. He wrote his own destiny, but now he would help her write hers.
In the evening at the Gupta's, Khushi was busy helping pack her Jiji's clothes. She had somehow convinced Payal to go without her. Her Buaji was against the idea of sending Payal without Khushi, but Khushi had convinced them saying that Anjaliji would be accompanying them and it would be great idea for her to spend some time with her in-laws.
Khushi-"Jiji, I always knew these passports would come handy one day. That's why I had asked Babuji to apply for it. See, now it has come to our need and we could atleast be happy be yours won't be empty anymore."
Payal-"But pagli, yours will be. I still think you should come with us."
Khushi-"I want to come too Jiji, but If I come along, who will do all the marriage arrangements. Then we will have to send away all the Baraatis without food, there would be no music, only Happiji's horns." Saying this both the sisters laughed. But at that minute Khushi wanted to cry. Cry so badly that she couldn't go. But she tried to cover it with a smile on her face.
They heard the car horn outside.
Khushi-"Hurry up Jiji, Jiju has arrived to pick you up." They quickly put the last item in her bag, took her luggage and went outside. Khushi could only see Anjali and Akash in the car. So Arnav had decided not to go, she thought to herself.
Payal-" Bye Amma Babuji, Buaji and you too Khushi. See you soon." And she went outside and sat in the car. Khushi stood outside waving at her until the car was out of sight. She went to the backyard of the house and sat on the bench. It was sunset time and the atmosphere was such that she couldn't control her feelings. Tears suddenly rolled down her eyes, which were all the while restrained by her sheer determination. Here, no one could see her and she was glad for it. She was happy for her sister but still she felt like crying like a kid who had his candy taken away. Sacrifices were really painful but she had to do it. She had never been on a plane, and it was her dream. Now Australia really seemed far away to her and she realized her passport would remain empty forever. She folded her legs and arms and buried her face between them feeling really sad.
And then suddenly she felt someone sit beside her and one arm wrapped around her body and the other held her palm. She felt a whisper near her ear, that familiar voice. "Won't you come to Australia with me?".
I know this is not great but please don't throw vegetables at me. I'm sick and tired of eating vegetables 24X7. Please throw lots of Kaju Burfis. That will do for now😆
Part 2 :Acceptance. Already here
Comments please!!! 😊
EDIT:
PRECAP:
Khushi-"Hey Devi Maiyya, I don't want to see your face so soon. I Don't want to die." Saying this she grabbed Arnav's hand and he squeezed it tightly back to reassure her that they would be alright.
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