POST-ARSHI MARRIAGE UPDATE 9-10

Pt 09 - Khushi and her life in Lucknow

Maasi calls Buaji and enquires if Khushi had arrived. They come over to the house to discuss and check if Khushi could help them out at their shops. They were looking for someone. So Khushi obliges, since she too needs to take her mind off things and the added income would be a big blessing.

On the other hand, Arnav catches a flight to Lucknow and arrives at Sheesh Mahal. Aman was there waiting for him. Arnav gives instructions that he wanted some major renovations done at Sheesh Mahal and the garden especially. Gave instructions to redo the landscaping and plant only red rose bushes everywhere. He also wanted an outdoor gazebo built...and a glass house built... Then Arnav also told Aman to call in the architects, for he wanted an additional room to be built. There were certain things installed in that room. Aman looked at him with his mouth open and was questioning him if it was really required. Arnav said just do as I tell you to, dont ask questions. He also told Aman that he would be operating from Lucknow now and Akash would take care of the Delhi operations, so get his office ready.

Arnav then went into his car and made a few phone calls. He thought it best to stay away for Khushi for a while, though he would see her from a distance. Yes, he was going to make his wife fall in love with him AGAIN. So every day, he would take a rickshaw and would go all the way to Maasi's stores and stand outside of it, waiting for Khushi to come and go.

Arnav waited at the tea stall, in hiding away from her searching eyes...There she was, his beloved, his precious...talking to Maasi, and going into the shop...she turned...as if feeling his presence...Arnav hid away...there wasnt a smile, yeah he was responsible for taking that away from her...He had more than ruined her, he had killed her Soul...he now understood the depth of her love for him...but she was as stubborn as a mule, that was his Khushi...

Today she was dressed in a yellow churidaar. So simple, but her beauty stood out amongst the throng of people...The morning sun shone down on her, as if blessing her from above..., the breeze brushed her and moved on...her yellow duppatta furling away in glory waving out to him...

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Maasi to Khushi, "Khushi bitiya, aap toh iss chikankari kaan mein toh bahut hi tezz ho, jab se aie ho humare dookan main, humara karobar toh bad gaya hai"...Khushi thought, what is the use of this praise when it doesn't come from the lips of the one she loves...where is he now, sighed, he wouldn't bother come looking for her, the ASR group was more important for him than her.

And so the days passed by, with Khushi coming to her Maasi's shop and providing her expertise at chikankari works. They had increased their workshops to produce more of the chikankari products for the mainstream suppliers. Khushi brought in new designs keeping in mind the younger folk who would love to wear them and this brought about a huge turnover in her Maasi's business and Khushi in turn was equally rewarded. This provided her and the family with the much needed financial stability. The father and mother too were intending to return to Lucknow and restart their Halwai business.

Then one day, Arnav saw Khushi taking the rickshaw and going to the temple. He followed her. Yes he would meet her there at Shitla Devi Temple...She would not send him away from there.

Khushi entered the temple, wearing a white churidaar, with silver jhumkas. Arnav remembered the day he met her at the darga.

She rang the bells of the temple, and Arnav went and stood beside her...Khushi was afraid to open her eyes. She felt his strong presence, but was scared, her heart beat like crazy...Arnav rang the bells of the mandir too...and you could hear their sounds singing praises, and filling him with an inner strength... ...the Divinity welcoming him and bestowing him that inner peace that he felt right now...would he be forgiven...somehow he knew Khushi would come back to him, yes his beloved would be his one day. So Arnav closed his eyes, and called out to his mother..."Maa... bring back my Khushi to me...but all he could see with his eyes closed was the vision of his Healer – Khushi... and remembered Khushi's words that whatever happens is with the will of her Devi Mayya. Yes, he needed divine intervention.

Arnav opened his eyes and turned to Khushi beside him. She opened her eyes with disbelief...and he could see...those eyes questioned him...there was disbelief and sadness.

Khushi stood there, with her parted lips in astonishment. She was glad and sad at the same time...Arnav at the temple, joining hands, ringing bells! How did he land here in Lucknow? So many questions...why did he come...how did he know she was here?

She just managed to say, "Aap...yaahaa!" Arnav, "Khushi"...voice breaking up...and she could see the sheen of tears in his eyes. Arnav simply wanted to lift her up and carry her, but it took a lot of restrain to avoid doing that and hurt her again.

They stared at each other, as if seeking out each other, oblivious to everyone around them...and then she got pushed against him by a worshipper. Khushi got a hold of herself...and walked down the steps of the temple. Arnav came running behind her, 'Khushi wait...ruko..."

Khushi reaches the grounds of the temple...followed by Arnav..."Kaise ho"... Khushi looks away, not able to look into his eyes and give away her true feelings.

He looked terrible she thought, so out of compassion and love she asked, "aap kaise ho, kuch theek nahi lag rahe ho." Arnav replied "how could I be fine Khushi without you in my life? Can I drop you home?"

Khushi, "nahi...rehene dijiye"(no its okay...)...Arnav, "no car, we'll take a rickshaw..." Khushi is stunned...Arnav calls for a rick, and asks her to get in, he gives instructions to their home the driver and gets in too. Khushi looks at him...and says" App rasta janthe ho (you know the way!)…Arnav, "yes, I've been there to visit Buaji whilst you were at work".

The ride to the house is bumpy with road works and narrow streets. She holds on the rickshaw railing for balance, yet is being pushed against Arnav all the time. It was her longest journey with him...….

They get down from the rickshaw…Khushi invites him inside. Buaji is happy to see him and offers Arnav a cup of coffee, she then tells Khushi to make the coffee while she can chat with Damadji.

Khushi is confused and glad to see him after such a long time…or was it just a month ago that she came to Lucknow.

She serves them coffee…just the way he had it….Arnav looks at her over the rim of the cup……not taking his eyes off her…..Arnav gets up to go……and Buaji asks Khushi to reach him to the door…..whilst telling him that he could have waited for dinner…..

Khushi goes along with Arnav to the verandah, Arnav turns and says to Khushi, "Can I ask you something…..Khushi replies…"hmmm"….looking sideways not wanting to meet his gaze. Arnav continues, "Khushi,I won't be surprised if you say no, but I thought I could try…..I have no one to talk to….….can I call you sometimes?"……Khushi turns her gaze back to him, looking at him with surprise, "Haaa…lekin……" Arnav takes her phone from her hand, and dials his own number, it rings, he disconnects the call, and returns it back to Khushi saying, "There, I now got your number……good night Khushi…and take care of yourself, you look tired" Moves closer to her, and gives her a peck on the forehead……Arnav turns and walks away in the night, leaving Khushi to wonder what was all that about…..staring after him…...

She goes back into the house, gets dinner ready, takes a shower whilst Buaji retires for the night. Like always Khushi goes up to the terrace, and sits on the jhoola….looking out at the stars to gather her thoughts. She had made this place her own sanctuary of peace.This is where she would come and sit for hours, The ghosts from the past came to haunt her every day. And then she asked herself, Why did Arnavji come to Lucknow, what was he doing here, maybe for a short visit…and what did he want from her…where was he staying…….. Why did she feel so empty without him...she had run away from him, from Delhi...and today she felt alive a little more than yesterday..

And then the phone rang…she jumped…..and knew at once it was him….even before the second ring, Khushi answered, "Hellu……..at the other end Arnav said, "Khushi I miss you, just called to say Good night…" and disconnected. But she so wanted to continue to talk to him, then why did he disconnect. She was irritated…….and she started recollecting the first time she met ASR…and the fights they would have……and smiled to herself……the phone rang again…..this she thought to herself, let it ring for a while, but answered on the second ring….Before she could say anything, Arnav said, "Hi Khushi, are you still awake, looking at the stars? I couldn't sleep, so I thought I could speak to you. How was your day?" Khushi replied, "Humara" paused and then went on to narrate the whole day, about her suppliers, and the problems at the shop, and the paan wala next to them, and on and on and on. Her voice was music to his ears. His precious Khushi rattling off her mundane troubles.

Suddenly she realized she had been talking on and on and he hadn't interrupted. The she asked hesitatingly, "aur aa...aapka din...kaisa tha". To that Arnav replied, "well first came to visit you at the shop, then had some work at the office, yes I have set up an office here in Lucknow...and then went to Sheesh Mahal, had some work with Aman and came back just in time when you usually leave Maasi's shop". At the other end, Khushi's eyes widened in disbelief that he was at the shop morning and evening, thank goodness he couldn't see her.

Khushi continued, "aur khana, where did you eat". To that he replied, well do you want the truth?" "Hmmm"...said Khushi.

"My wife's not with me, so I have to make do with hotel pasta and stuff...I miss her finger-licking food..." like as if he was talking about someone else. Khushi blushed at the other end...but didn't reply back, nor did she say that he can come home for his meals, she was not ready yet for that...or was she?

Then Khushi felt kind of shy, so thought it best to cut off the conversation, so said "I am sleepy now, goodnight..." Arnav then continued, "I know you have a busy day ahead of you, so goodnight, miss you Khushi..." and disconnected.

After the phone call, Khushi kept tossing and turning in bed, but she felt a kind of peace engulf her. She fell asleep, and got up a bit late, and could hear the phone ring... Looked at the clock it was 8 am, she answered with a flutter in her heart, "Khushi good morning, get up" said Arnav at the other end and disconnected without waiting for her to reply back.

Update Part 10 - Red roses

She just stared back at the phone, and found herself blushing...What was happening. This wasn't like Arnav to call her. She got ready to go to the shop, and was out of the house, ready to catch the rickshaw. There was Arnav standing, with his hands behind his back. Arnav searched her face, she looked so pretty, with her tiny earrings and the mangalsutra round her neck. They represented his mark on her. Khushi belonged to him and him alone. And she realized his eyes upon the mangalsutra which he had never really noticed or cared about. There was tiny smile around the corner of his mouth when he gave a short glance. Arnav said, "Hi, good morning...here are some flowers for you, and it was a bunch of 3 red roses. He handed it over to her...She hesitatingly took it...and said "aap yahan subhe subhe..."

"Just came to give you the flowers. Thought they would make you happy...Hah...and today is Saturday, would you like to go for a movie after work, Salman Khan's new release! I am free too in the evening. Will take Buaji's permission if you want to and pick you up from home"

She was jumping with joy, but she didnt want to say yes right away..." Aap aur picture? Nahi hume bahut kaam hai.". The wounds he had inflicted on her emotionally were still raw thought Arnav...how much longer before they are healed. "It's okay Khushi some other time," Arnav replied.

"At least let me drop you to the shop," he turned and called out a rickshaw and asked her to get in, and got in after her. She didn't know where to look and what to say that too in front of the driver. They silently sat through the journey, and it felt like it was the shortest one.

The rickshaw stopped, and Khushi got out and was about to pay. Arnav stopped her and paid off the driver. Khushi turned to him and said, "you don't need to do this...why have you come? what do you want from me.." So Arnav said, "You know what I want and I know what your reply to that is, so can I at least see you sometimes?"

Khushi turned back to him and whilst walking away, "I have to go now." She turned back and Arnav was still standing there.

She first placed the roses in a cut out plastic mineral water bottle. She couldn't keep her mind at work...kept thinking about him and worrying like a wife about what he would do for lunch. What do I care she said to herself, but still felt bad, that he had to depend on pastas and whatever. What if his sugar levels were low or high?. Di wasn't here as well...how was he coping? And then the phone rang again, whilst Maasi looked on with mischief in her eyes. Did everyone know that Arnavji was in town? It was Buaji calling, telling her to come home early today.

Khushi then immersed herself in work, and by the end of the day was exhausted. She bid bye to Maasi and walked out of the stores. She thought she might see him, but he wasn't in sight...and her heart sank...

She reached home only to find Arnav busy talking to Buaji about her pension issue. He had comfortably made himself at home. But she found no car parked, so wondered did he take a cab or rickshaw. Arnav looked up when Khushi entered the house. Their eyes met across the room. Buaji noticing their eye-locks, walked away from the room obliviously to the two.

Arnav called out "Hi...how are you?" He took the bag of vegetables from her and went into the kitchen to place it there. He noticed that she had bought karela and smiled to himself. "Buaji has asked me to stay for dinner, hope you don't mind," says Arnav to Khushi who had followed him. She immediately says, "Nahi...you can stay for dinner...I will prepare something soon, hatiye..." and tells him to move out of the kitchen. But Arnav stays on and says, "I'll watch you cook." Khushi, "Nahi aap aap bahar jaiye, hume apna kaam karne dijiye". (no, let me do my job, go out)...he knows the effect he has on her, and how unnerving it could be for her to cook whilst he looked on...He approaches her, close enough to kiss her, but just brushes a lock of hair from her face, letting his fingers rest on her cheek for a minute, and says,"ok will do as you say" and looked right into her eyes, and continued, " but I'M HUNGRY". She could see the want in his eyes. She was all flustered, and turned her back to him. "Khushi ek glass pani milega, pyaas lag rahi hai". She moves away and gets him a glass of water, he takes it whilst brushing his fingers over her soft hands, and drinks the water, whilst not taking his eyes off her from above the rim of the glass. Buaji calls out to Arnav, so he goes out being irked by the shout-out. She smiles to herself knowing he wanted to stay.

Khuhi cooks everything he likes, the dal and karel….and calls out to them to come to the dining table. She says she would be back, after her shower. They sit at the table...waiting for Khushi. She returns, hair tied up falling on one side of her shoulder. Her head adorned with sindoor and the mangalsutra round her neck. Buaji beckons her to serve Damadji first. She does so obediently, and is so glad that he was eating a proper meal. He ravenously gulps down the meal, and Khushi's heart was filled with love and joy, just looking at her hungry husband. She then gets the bowls of kheer for Buaji and Arnav. Buaji gets up to wash her hands. When she serves Arnav the kheer, she remembers the time he made her feed him just for the sake of Di. But it doesn't hurt her anymore...she puts the bowl in front of him and says, "there is no sugar in it, you can eat it". But he softly says into her ears, "I would have preferred if you were to feed me with your own hands, it would be like honey." Buaji returns, whilst Khushi turns red. Buaji tells him to stay for the night...it was late...To that Arnav says no it was okay, he had to go today, but he would come tomorrow since it was Sunday...

She follows Arnav to the verandah...Arnav turns towards her, "Khushi, if you dont want me to come, I won't...tell me, is it okay?" Of course she wanted him to come. She only manages to say "Haa". Her heart is racing like crazy, she thinks I am sure he can actually hear her heartbeats. He raises his hand, pushes the lock of hair from her eyes, and lets his thumb caress her cheek and then lifts her chin up. She almost shuts her eyes, the effect he had on her...and Arnav says "I know I have hurt you Khushi, these eyes have cried a thousand tears, and I am sorry for that, but I can never stop loving you." Khushi looks up and gets teary-eyed again listening to him, so he softly plants his lips on each corner of her eyes, taking in the teardrop and kissing them away, whispering "goodnight". And suddenly he let go of her, hurriedly turning his back to her and walks ahead, thinking if I touch her again, I will end up carrying her right into the house and in her room. I have to control myself. He was finding it hard to keep his hands off her, how could he, those dead nights and days that he had lived through for so long…...

Khushi stares at his retreating back in bewilderment and disappointment. Why did he have to leave? Why couldn't she have asked him to stay?

Apologies for all the incorrect punctuations, grammatical errors!

To be continued...