Khushi stands at the window eating Jalebi. Talks to herself, slightly belligerent, "So what if I did not answer his call! Why should I?" Then walks back to her desk, sits down and talks to Devi Maiyya, "You saw it, Devi Maiyya, how he talked with me! He said that Khushi, you broke my trust! How can he even say that?" Then she again becomes restless... eager to receive another call, looks at her cell phone expectantly. Then says in a calmer tone, "I know what you are thinking.. that he called just to clarify all this, right?.. Well, it's not his fault also. I know, Devi Maiyya, that he hates Shyam ji. But I did it all for Di! Why doesn't he understand? " Her eyes continuously keep going back to the phone.."I should have answered his call.. May be I should call..." She reaches for her phone. As she starts dialing Arnav's number she thinks, "Why would he answer my call now?" Something mischievous pops in her mind.. her eyes twinkle, she folds her lower lip under her teeth, grabs her dupatta from the back of the chair, and takes off with her phone in her hand.
As soon as Arnav enters the room, his bedside phone rings. He picks up the call, "Hello!" Khushi on the other side, covers the mouthpiece with her dupatta and pretending to be Buaji says, "Haye re Nand Kisore..How are you, Arnav?" Arnav on the other side is not amused at all, he rolls his eyes and says, "Shut up, Khushi!" and hangs up. Khushi's jaw drops in surprise. She wonders, "I mimicked Buaji so well! I have even fooled Jiji!.. Are those the ears of Laad Governor or is it a machine that catches a lie?" Frustrated she starts typing a message. Arnav receives the text, "Sorry.. sorry a million times.. for not answering your call.. and then for trying to trick you with Buaji's voice. Call me!" But the lovers' tiff continues.. Arnav deletes the message... puts his phone away and starts working on his computer. Khushi keeps looking at her phone with expectations. Sits at her desk.. keeps looking at the phone.. gets frustrated.. upset.. starts munching on the Jalebis. Finishes the whole mountain of Jalebis on the plate! Then finally she picks up the phone, "Enough is enough!" Starts dialing Arnav's number when the phone in the living room rings... She says to herself, "Okay. Here he is calling now! That too.. on the land line!" She runs to the phone but before she goes to pick it up, she decides, "No! I won't give in so soon! Let him wait, get restless! Why should I give in every time?.. Let me make him wait.." folds her hands and stands... then goes and sits on the sofa as the phone continues to ring. Khushi enjoys staring at the phone as it rings, thinking that it is Arnav getting restless at the other end. After a while, she gets up and decides to answer the phone. Picks it up with style. "Hello Hi Bye Bye," says Mami ji on the other side, "Who is speaking, please?" Khushi yells on the phone, "Don't use my trick on me! You understand?" "Phati Saree... you just shut up! .. and give the phone to Buaji... quickly.." Khushi almost falls realizing that it is indeed Mami ji on the phone, "Mami ji, you? I thought.. it was.. someone else! Just a minute.." Then she calls Buaji and hands her phone without telling who it is. "Haye re Nand Kisore... Who is it? Why are you shouting?" "Hellooo.." goes Buaji.
Arnav goes to close the door to his room but stops when he notices Anjali coming towards him. Slightly worried, he says softly, "Di!... come'" and ushers her in, sits her down. Anjali says to Arnav, "Chhotey, you can see that I am on my own feet! Able to walk... and I am happy, Chhotey! I am smiling. You know why?...Because, my Shyam ji is back!" Arnav's face changes.. his jaw becomes firm, he starts clenching his teeth. His fist tightens and he averts her gaze.. I sooo loved this.. that Arnav does not hide his true feelings for Shyam though he is in front of Anjali, for once! Anjali notices his tight fist.. realizes that he is not happy... she reaches out, holds his hand and says, "Chhotey, sit down here!" He gives her a sharp look of a unhappy younger brother, "Come!" Anjali says softly. Arnav's face slightly relaxes as he sits down next to her. "He has come back because of Khushi ji. He told me all about it, Chhotey!" Gosh! Even here Shyam kept his upper hand! Came across to Anjali as he is the one who has no problem with Khushi. "And I know that you are very upset with Khushi ji!" says Anjali. Arnav does not react to it, just looks away with a stern gaze. "But.. doesn't that mean, Chhotey, that Khushi ji has contributed to your Di's recovery?" Then she puts a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Chhotey, you are upset with Khushi ji because she did not listen to you! .. But think about it this way, she went against you to save me! Your Di! The one who you love more than yourself! Khushi ji did all of it just for my sake. Because she knows that you will rest easy only if you see me happy!" "Anjali said it right!!" Nani ji declares as she walks in. Nani says to Arnav in a gentle tone, "Khushi did exactly what a good daughter-in-law should do!" Arnav says nothing. Averts their gaze. Nani and Anjali look at each other as if saying, "it's no use telling him all that!"
Nani and Anjali leave the room. As they start walking down the stairs through the workers taking down all the decorations, NK and Mami come rushing. Mami asks Anjali, "Why are you leaving the playground and returning to the pavilion?" Anjali says with a mellow face, "It's no good, Mami ji! Chhotey did not listen to me too!" NK immediately says, "Di, don't worry. Just relax! Because once my 'zaadoo'...'broom'.. starts working.. no one will be spared.. no one!" Mami gives him one hard pat on his arm and says, "Not zaadooo.. it's jadoo.. magic!" Then turns to Anjali, "Don't worry, Anjali! I am going get this match fixed before I take my next breath!" That brings a smile to Anjali's face, "What's the matter, Mami ji? You have been very supportive of Khushi ji!" NK looks here and there as if he noticed it too but did not want to bring it up. Mami says, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! That Phati saree.. however she might be.. at least did something good today!... saved your life!" Then adds chirpily, "Stop worrying now. I am going to get Arnav 'clean bowled'!.. Excuse me!" rushes NK, "Come on!" Mami and NK rush upstairs...as NK makes gestures to practice throwing a ball.
Arnav paces restlessly in the room. He misses Khushi terribly. His heart longs for her yet their little tiff continues. Just then Mami walks in with a decorated plate and a coconut on it in her hands. Says enthusiastically, "Hey, bachelorhood, Hello Hi... and marriage.. bye bye!" Arnav looks at her with questioning eyes, "Mami, you?" Mami walks in, all animated, "shhh'..." with a finger on her lips. Arnav looks at her, puzzled as she starts doing weird things.. Mami puts the plate down, picks up the coconut and starts circling Arnav making some weird chanting sounds.. then she almost hits Arnav with that coconut. Taken aback, Arnav asks her softly, "Mami, what are you doing?" Excitedly she answers, "Oh dear! We must do the ritual'" "What ritual?" "Arnav, I got the good news!" Arnav looks at her with puzzled face as she excitedly continues, "...that you and Phati Saree had a fight.. and now the marriage is cancelled!" Arnav makes a face that depicts "I can't believe this!" Mami continues her so called ritual.. starts circling Arnav again, chanting .. with the coconuts in her hands... intermittently waving those at him.. Poor Arnav.. puts up with her weird stuff.. though can't believe what she is up to, tries to interrupt, "Mami!" But Mami does not give him a chance. Says, "You know what, all these 'rich-ones' must be done to break the marriage." "Rich one?" Arnav asks. Mami answers, "Rich-ones!.. customs.. all these things must be done.. " Then she puts one of the coconuts in his hand and says, "Take this! Hold the coconut... " then goes with her finger on her lips and eyes big, "Quiet!" then instructs, "Dear, all these 'rich ones' (rituals) must be done properly to break the marriage!" Then she 'shhh' around and before Arnav could realize waves the coconut at him almost to strike it against his forehead. Taken aback, Arnav's eyes go wide and he exclaims, "Excuse me!" Mami does not give in, says, "This has been going on for years. Now, you do one thing, go and hit the coconut against Phati saree's forehead!" Arnav looks at her with wide, shocked eyes as she excitedly says, "And make the cancellation of marriage final!" "On Khushi's head?" Arnav asks with disbelief. "Yes!" says Mami vibrantly. Before Arnav can say anything, NK enters the room, "She has arrived as well... with Buaji!" Arnav feels happy within his heart to hear that as NK walks in, "Yes, Yes, my bro!" Mami adds, "Yes, we have to take back the 'Shagun'!" Arnav cannot believe that they have stretched out his tiff with Khushi this far. He stops them, "Hang on! What is this nonsense?" NK goes over, puts his hand around Arnav's shoulder, "Nannav, mere Bhai, see 'control, alt and delete' has to be done this way!" Arnav gives him 'what non-sense' look, NK goes, "I'll explain!" Puts hand on his shoulder and walks like a buddy, "This ritual is necessary to make 'the end' of the marriage!" "Yes.. " goes Mami. Then she nods at NK to imply, "job is done!" Frustrated Arnav shakes NK's hand off his shoulder, "Forget it!" and walks out of the room.
Downstairs, Anjali and rest of the family welcome Khushi and Buaji. "How are you, Khushi ji?" asks Anjali. 'I'm fine Di!" "Namaste, Buaji!" As Anjali welcomes Buaji Shyam looks on. "Be happy!" blesses Buaji. Aakash and Payal are very happy to see them. Dadi in the background pushes her agenda, says to Nani ji, "If Arnav does not want to get married, why should we be forcing him? I don't like this girl anyway!" Nani does not like her remark. Very wisely she says, "Don't say that, Sumi! Chhotey never said 'no' to this marriage. In fact, he loves Khushi very much!" just then walks down the stairs Arnav. His feet stop for a moment on the landing as he his eyes spot Khushi. Khushi's eyes find him as well. Both of them look at each other but do not really make eye contact. Khushi immediately turns around as Arnav walks over to her... surrounded by the family. NK and Mami follow him closely. They gesture to each other that their trick seems to be working. Anjali makes a mellow face. Arnav's gaze catches the plate Buaji holds in her hands.. sweets, coconut and shagun cloth... he asks apprehensively as he thinks that even Buaji might have misunderstood him,"Buaji, what are you doing?" Not knowing exactly how to explain, Buaji starts, "Dear.. this.." then hands the plate to Anjali. Arnav asks, "What's the need for all this?" Buaji looks at him, just then her eyes spot the coconut in his hand, she asks, "Babua, why is there a coconut in your hand?" Reflexively he answers, "This is for Khushi's head.." as Khushi looks at him with wide eyes with questions, he leaves his sentence half way and looks around.. everyone looks at him with questions in their eyes. Mami and NK struggle to control their laugh. Buaji pokes Khushi as her eyes ask Khushi "what is he saying?" Khushi's eyes say, "How do I know?" as she shrugs her shoulders. That aggravates Arnav, he says, "That's not the point!.. When did I say that I wanted to break the marriage?" Buaji and Khushi look at him with surprise. Nani and Anjali smile mischievously as they exchange glances. Aakash says with a serious face," Bhai, you yourself asked to remove the decorations!" Arnav realizes that they all misunderstood him... when he asked the decorations initiated by Shyam to be removed, "Aakash, that does not mean... what I meant was..." Nani cannot control her laugh.. Arnav looks at her as Khushi gives him an angry look. Anjali struggles to control her laugh. So do Buaji, Aakash and Payal. Mami, however, cannot control hers. She giggles loudly. As Arnav turns around and looks at her she makes a serious face but Arnav catches NK laughing with her.. NK immediately straightens his face. Nani says pleasantly, "Chhotey, when did we say that we are breaking the marriage?.. I called Madhumati and Khushi to get her mehendi fixed."
Arnav realizes that he was fooled. He looks at Khushi who gives him another angry look, then averts her gaze and walks away with Anjali. His longing eyes follow her as Anjali starts to redesign Khushi's mehendi. Everyone laughs around Arnav. NK says, "Nannav, this is not a ritual to break your marriage.. instead, it is to 'seench'... 'irrigate'... your leg!" Mami corrects him, "Not to irrigate the leg.. to pull his leg.. 'Kheechne ke liye!" Arnav makes a face to show his disapproval as NK continues to tease, "Nannav, mere Bhai, .. my bro.. whatever happened is 'so gaya'.. has fallen asleep (when he wants to say 'whatever has happened is behind us but his Hindi messes him up)!.. so now, you apologize to Khushi ji quickly..and let's get this moving!" Everyone looks at each other with shock.. Khushi also is shocked that NK asked Arnav to apologize to Khushi in front of everyone! Nani looks at Khushi, Khushi looks away and mutters under her breath, "Laad Governor' and apology!" shakes her head. Anjali suppresses her laugh. Arnav pretends to neglect the comment and asks, "What's the next ritual?" Nani says with enthusiasm, "Haldi.. turmeric application ceremony.." "Great! Then let's start the preparations!' Arnav says. Everyone smiles happily, NK and Mami give each other high five. Nani looks at Dadi, Dadi looks very unhappy and disgust obvious in her eyes. Dadi walks away angrily.. Everyone gets on with preparations.
A String of Beautiful Moments:
Arnav sits by the poolside... works on his laptop but his gaze stays on Khushi. By this time, Khushi's mehendi is done. Khushi and Payal sit together as they look at some bridal a magazine.. Arnav's lover's heart has been desperate to talk with Khushi all this time.. He looks at her with longing eyes, with a question that how come she does not want to be with him... Khushi senses his gaze on her.. her eyes briefly meet his eyes..he smiles slightly... she gives him another angry look and looks away.. Arnav briefly raises his eyebrows to say, "really?" his gaze becomes more adorable... Just then he hears NK give instructions to the workers, "Put this red thing there up on that wall! OK?" Arnav calls out for him, "NK!" Nk looks at him as Arnav repeats, "NK, here now!" "Yes, my bro!" NK asks. Arnav looks at Khushi with longing and says to NK, "Go, tell her that I called!" NK follows his gaze and realizes he is talking about Khushi, "OK" Turns around but then stops and asks, "Just a minute! What if she says 'no'?" Arnav looks at Khushi. his eyes full of affection and mischief, he watches Khushi looking at her mehendi . henna happily.. he shakes his head and says in a sift voice, "She won't say 'no'!" NK looks at him with admiration as Arnav continues, "She won't dare!.. " then looks at NK says, "Just go and tell her to hurry up! I don't wait for anyone!" NK responds, "Yes, alright!"
As Khushi and Payal chi chat, NK arrives, "Hi! Khushi ji.. that Nannav has called you inside.. there!" points to Arnav. Khushi looks at Arnav who looks at her with eyes filled with longing and a slight challenge mixed with a little mischief, ever so subtle smile brightens his face. Well, his fierce lover, Khushi does not plan on giving in so easily, says, "Tell him that I won't!" NK thinks for a moment and then blurts...'you won't say no'' .."you won't dare''.. and 'I don't have 'adalat' (court instead of aadat = habit) to wait for anyone!" Khushi looks at him wide eyed initially and then asks, "What?" NK says, 'No.. no.. no!. I did not say that.. Nannav said it!.. It's just that Nannav is not in a 'adalat = court' for anyone! That's why!" Khushi corrects him, "it's not adalat.. it's aadat, Nanhe ji!" "That's right.. aadat.. adaalat.." NK repeats.. Khushi says fiercely, "And the one who wants to show so much 'adawat'... animosity... I don't have a habit of showing them my face!" Since Khushi uses many difficult Hindi words, NK feels overwhelmed, "Wo.. wo.. Khushi ji! First of all you are sending such a difficult message in Hindi.. on top of it, Nannav is sitting angry on his laptop! .. This is crazy..?" Well, Khushi gives it to the messenger, 'So! What's new in it? He is always angry!" "Yes, you are right!" agrees NK. "You go and tell him that neither am I his gulam..slave nor am I mohtaaj... deprived of his anger!"
Arnav asks with narrowed eyes, "What?" Nk says, "Yes!.. Neither is she your 'Gulab.. rose'... nor is she the 'Mumtaz' of your anger.." "Not Mumtaz, Nanhe ji, mohtaaj!" yells Khushi, 'Mohtaaj!" Arnav looks at her.. she gives him another angry look before looking away.. Now Arnav's face firms up.. He says in a sharp voice, "Go and tell her that all this 'guroor'.. pride that she is showing.." NK screams, "What?.. Just a minute!.. stop it. Guroo. goorooo" pulls out his cell phone, dials Khushi's number. Khushi picks up the phone,"Yes, Nanhe ji!" Nk smiles and waves at her.. Khushi lifts her eyebrows to asks, "What?" To her surprise, NK hands the phone to Arnav, "Take this!" Khushi can hear rest of it on the phone as NK says, "Put it to your ear!.. then talk.. and how many ever difficult Hindi words you want to say to each other.. say all those! Be hijacked!.. OK?"
But NK has lost Arnav already. Arnav's eyes steady on Khushi. .. full of longing.. urging... 'why won't you?... can't you see this love in my eyes?' his gaze asks her..phone held to his ear. Khushi's gaze locked into his gaze.. still angry.. sulked.. "I am upset with you! I am angry with you!" As they communicate with each other NK observes them closely. Carefully.. exclaims, "Gosh! It's amazing! Someone has said it right, that love is blind.. and stupid too!" Arnav thinks that he has communicated his wish with Khushi and gives the phone back to NK. Khushi's eyes go wide with disbelief as Arnav gets up and walks away with his laptop. That irks her more, she folds her lower lip under her teeth and shuts the phone, puts it away angrily.
A bit later.. Khushi sits alone on the sofa... looks at her mehendi... phone rings. Khushi picks up the phone taking care not to mess up her mehendi. Puts it to her ear, "Hello!" "hello, Madam, this is Aman speaking!" "Yes, Aman ji, Namaste!" "Madam, I have been trying to reach Arnav Sir for a while now.. but his mobile is unreachable. And your land line has been busy constantly." "Then what can I do?" asks Khushi not so happily. "Madam, please, just let him know that the deal he was worried about so much has not gone through!" Khushi immediately jumps to her feet, "What?" Worried Khushi runs to Arnav's room, mutters to herself, "Hey, Devi Maiyya! His deal is not done! Now.." then she stops suddenly! Asks Aman, "Just a minute! Aman ji, why are you telling me to convey all this? You could text message him!" Aman says, "Madam, his phone is unreachable.. how will the message reach him? Madam, please, this is urgent!" and he hangs up.
Arnav sits in his room, working on his laptop. Khushi opens the door and enters with rushed feet, says in a rushed voice, "Arnav ji, there is some big problem with one of your deals! You call Aman ji right away, he will tell you all about it!" Arnav does not look up. Calmly asks, "What did Aman say to you?" Very worried Khushi says, "he said that the deal that you were worried about did not go through!" Arnav still does not look up, says indifferently, "Did not happen.. then so be it! It's OK!" Khushi's jaw drops, "What?" then her anger mounts as he does not look up or say anything. She angrily turns around and says as she walks away towards the door, "Does not say 'Thank You'.. nor can he apologize!" Just then Arnav grabs her arm from behind, turns her around to face him gently.. His gaze full of longing.. Khushi looks at him surprised. Arnav rushes her with him as he takes forward steps Khushi gets pushed behind. He closes the door behind her shut, quickly.. Khushi stands flushed against the door, with Arnav's both hands by her side on the door and his body very close against hers.. she yells with aggravation, "What are you doing?" Arnav says calmly looking her into the eye, "Now repeat what Aman said!" Khushi angrily shakes his hands down from her side, and says without meeting his eye, "He said that the deal did not go through!" Arnav looks her into the eye and is about to say something when his phone rings. Arnav pulls the phone out of his pocket, "Yes, Aman!" then listen and says with a smile, "The deal is done!.. Khushi has come!.. Thanks!" Khushi looks at him with stunned eyes. As he puts his phone back in pocket, Khushi says, "Cheating?" Arnav looks at her with adorable gaze as she yells at him, "You purposefully made Aman call me!" Arnav puts his hand once again by Khushi's side on the door as she again gets flushed against the door as he moves forward and leans over .. he asks in a husky voice, "Is the deal final or not?" Khushi asks angrily, "Okay, so I am a deal for you?" Arnav says in a confident voice, looking Khushi in the eye with an adorable gaze, "Of course! You are the biggest deal of my life!" Khushi is lost for words for a moment.. her lips quiver.. her gaze lowers... she still tries not to give in, "You cheated!" "Had I called you in an honest, straightforward way, would you come?" Arnav asks calmly, in a matter of fact but sifter voice looking her into the eye. Khushi yells back, "No, I would not!" Then she fiercely attacks him, her finger in his face, she starts taking steps forward aggressively, Arnav matches her steps moving backwards as she screams into his face, "Because I am angry with you!.. You hung up on me!" "You did too.. three times!" Arnav says calmly. "Because I was angry with you!" Khushi responds, "You hurt me, Arnav ji! I.." By now Arnav is flushed against the wall, cornered by Khushi. Khushi looks him into the eye.. hurt.. angry.. upset.. but something in his eyes stops her from getting aggravated further.. Arnav looks her into the eye and says very softly, "Sorry..." Khushi stands surprised as she does not expect it from him. Her eyes become moist.. as they keep gazing into each others eyes...Khushi knows that Arnav means it!
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Kumkum Bhagya
