"Khushi, what are you trying to do?' Arnav asks as Khushi climbs up the poolside stairs with Arnav, covering his eyes with her hand and her arm wrapped around his... half frustrated he protests, "This is not funny!... Khushi!" Since Khushi has reached her destination, she uncovers Arnav's eyes and let goes of his arm. With a smile she declares, "I just wanted to spend some time alone with you!" "But... we were alone inside the room too!" Arnav makes a valid point forcing Khushi to think... She says in an animated fashion, "Ya, but.... I wanted solitude!" "Solitude... really?" Arnav asks with disbelief. "Okay Okay.." Khushi says in a soft voice, "Sit down, please!" Offers him the chair. "Thanks!" Arnav says as he sits down, Khushi keeps his hand under her grip. Khushi sits down opposite Arnav and says to him, "I read in a magazine that for a happy life and to keep the love alive in a marriage... husband and wife should play the game where they look into each others eyes!" "What the!" exclaims Arnav. "No!" interrupts Khushi, "Keep 'what the' aside today!" Then smiles sweetly at him as she says, ".. and look into my eyes!"
Arnav is an expert at this game! He starts immediately
... Khushi wa
rns, "If you blink, then it means that you are thinking about something else!" Arnav tries to stop her, "Khushi, really
.... At this time
..." Khushi immediately interrupts him as she says with a mellow face, "You can'tdo even this much for me?" Of course, Arnav gives in, "Okay!" Khushi smiles and assumes her position, starts gazing into Arnav's eyes. Arnav whole heartedly enjoys gazing into her eyes, but Khushi is distracted
.... Pushes her agenda by starting flirtatiously, "You know, when you look at me with such concentration
... ekaagrata'then
kuch kuch hota hai (Name of a movie)... something happens to my heart!" "Eakaa
... what?" Arnav is confused by the heavy Hindi word she uses. "Let it be!" Khushi says as she keeps staring him into the eye, "We can play another game! I will say a word.. whatever comes to your mind, the first word of that thought, you blurt out right away! Alright?" "Okay!" Arnav says as he keeps looking into her eyes without blinking. Khushi smiles..
"Khushi!" "Crazy!" Arnav says with an adorable gaze. Khushi's jaw drops open in reaction. Then she says, "Arnav!" "Me!" "Love!" "Trust!"
Oh ho! Arnav just told Khushi how much trust means to him in the name of love... And Khushi does not trust him! What will happen when he comes to know this? My heart is scared..."Relation
..." Khushi says, "Strong!" Arnav responds. Khushi moves her gaze
.... "Hey!" Arnav catches her right away, says with a smile, "Concentrate! .. Otherwise you will lose!" Khushi immediately makes her gaze affectionate as she starts gazing back into his eyes
... but thinks otherwise, "This is what I wanted
... that you get immersed in this game.. so that my suspicion can be answered!" Khushi keeps her gaze steady as she reaches for the stuff folded on her dupatta.. a chain
... her ring.. she slides it out
.,.. hooks the chain into the ring as she maintains her gaze into Arnav's eyes.. and starts swinging the chain with the ring like a pendulum in front of Arnav's eyes
... his eyes track the pendulum without blinking!
Wow, Arnav's eyes were so adorable here! Khushi says like the magician's authoritative voice, "You are getting sleepy
..." Arnav says in a very casual voice, "Not really
..." Khushi tries again.. looks him into the eye and swings the pendulum.. tries to convince him, "Arnav ji, you are getting sleepy!" Arnav plays along, "Okay, if you say so.."
Loved Loved Loved the way he said it!
"You are sleeping
... Sleeping
... Sleeping
..." Khushi tries as if casting a spell
... Nothing really changes on Arnav's face.. but yes, he is completely concentrating on the pendulum when Khushi says, "Now say a girl's name." "Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada
..." Arnav says in a relaxed voice. Khushi looks away from the corner of her eye
... "Say another girl's name!" she says, "The one
... that is.. very
.... very.. close to your heart!" Arnav says, 'Okay
..." in a casual voice. Khushi's eye brows rise,
"Okay? Means, there is someone?" Arnav says almost in a whisper, "Yes!" Khushi clenches her teeth as she asks, "Who is that witch?" Then she controls herself and digs in, "I mean
... what's her name?" Arnav says in a soft, affectionate voice, "Very beautiful'" Khushi's heart sinks
..."Her hair?" "Fair.. fair.." Arnav says. Khushi gets confused, "Fair hair?" "No, cheeks
..." Arnav says in the same affectionate voice, his eyes still following the pendulum
... Sheetal flashes in Khushi's mind
... she asks, ".. and her face?' "Innocent
... very beautiful'" Arnav says as affection oozes from his voice. Sheetal again flashes in Khushi's mind. She gulps down uncomfortably as she asks, "She loves too?" "Very much!" Arnav says in a very soft voice, "She loves Jalebi very much!" Khushi's suspicious mind now imagines Sheetal eating Jalebi with passion! "What?" Khushi scream.. that breaks Arnav's concentration and thus the so called spell.. his eyes still don't blink. As Khushi put down her pendulum, he asks, "What happened?"
Fog lifts from his mind.... He asks, "What are you doing?" Khushi goes off on him with aggravation, "So, she likes Jalebis
... she is very beautiful
... she is innocent
...!
" Arnav interrupts in a flirtatious voice as his eyes twinkle, "Even you like them
... you are beautiful too
... innocent
... " As Arnav looks deep into her eye affectionately
... Khushi realizes that he apparently was talking about her
... But her scared heart does not rejoice
... her face still strained and worried
... Arnav attempts to ask, "Khushi, what have you been trying to ask?" Khushi has no answer of him. Arnav now almost pleads, "Okay, I am really sleepy now! I want to sleep. I have an early morning conference call with Japanese clients. Let go, sleep!" He gets up and tries to hold Khushi's hand when she starts,
"But.. Arnav ji. I want to ask
... you.." "Shhh
...." Arnav says as he lifts her in his arms and brings inside the room
...
Sadly enough, this did not do anything for me! It was such a casual lift... did nothing!
Next morning at RM:
Khushi and Payal serve tea in the lounge area. Thoughts crowd Khushi's mind, "Arnav ji... does not allow me to the anything right!..." Just then the doorbell rings. NK says enthusiastically, "Oh, relax," makes a gesture that he would check it out. He gets up and walks up to the door as he whistles and fixes his jacket. He opens the door.. Sheetal is at the door with Aarav. "Come on in!" NK says. "Sheetal bitiya!.." Nani ji welcomes her, "Come in! Come in, please!" NK cheerfully tries to make a conversation, "Hey, junior!" The obnoxious little child slaps back, "I am not junior! My name is Aarav." Wow! Was he not trained to say that he was "ASR"? NK takes it lightly, "Oh ya, ya! Might be! But..you know what. We all know that you are junior ASR!" What a disgusting dialogue! This family is totally out of their mind! Do they not know what such words imply and could be very hurtful to Khushi and demeaning to their own Chhotey and if Sheetal had a backbone then equally insulting to her?
NK now smiles and greets Sheetal, "Hi!" Sheetal smiles initially but says in a stern voice, "Hi!" NK compliments, "You look nice!" "What?" Sheetal objects. NK tries to blow it off, "Nice... Good... Good Morning!" everyone smiles at his attempt. "Yes, Good Morning!" Sheetal replies. "Please, come in!" NK invites them. As they walk in and sit down in the lounging area with everyone else, Arnav walks in dressed for the day, "Hi! Good, you guys are on time!" He says. "Hi!" Sheetal reciprocates. "HP, get their luggage inside, please!" Arnav says. REALLY? Is this the mighty ASR saying 'please' to HP just like that? Nothing wrong with saying that but... this is not the real ASR! "I am trying to get my keys. I won't stay long." "Right now, forget all that!" Anjali says nicely, "And have nice hot tea!... Khushi ji.." Khushi gets up and hands the tea to Sheetal with a smile. "Thank You!" Sheetal says. Sheetal informs them, "I am getting late. I have to go to Aarav's school. I have an appointment regarding his admission. I have to get all the forms in today." Anjali asks excitedly to Aarav, "What school will you be going to?" "Ved Academy Higher Secondary School!" Aarav gives the mouthful. Nani ji and Anjali get excited as Nani says, "Arey, our Chhotey went to that same school!" REALLY? Pulling my hair... shaking my head.. banging on my chest.. do they know anymore who they are writing about? Do they know Arnav Singh Raizada was in Lucknow till at least fourteen years of age... Now of course, things can be made up to cover up.. but... ALAS!
Sheetal averts their gazes. Arnav's face brightens. Khushi's suspicious mind gets to work, "School admission form?.. That mandates father's name! .. yes! I won't get a better opportunity." She decides, "Sheetal ji, I will come with you!" Initially Arnav's face goes, "Here we go!" but he covers up for Khushi immediately, "That's a good idea! In fact, I will join you there! I might know a few people." Khushi nods with a smile. ABSURD! He has that much free time! That's all I will say so that I don't die of high blood pressure. "Ya, that's really good idea! I am free too, so I will come to with Sheetal ji!" Sheetal gives him "The" look! Nani ji and Anjali are amused. NK takes the cue and corrects himself, "I mean, with Aarav!" Mischievously Anjali says, "NK Bhai, are you not forgetting something? Remember, you made a promise to Nani?" NK's face drains enthusiasm as Nani ji reminds him mischievously, "Temple...!.. Monday!" "Oh, ya!" NK says, "I forgot! I am sorry, I forgot!" Fantastic expressions of all the three! Excellent execution of this tiny segment!
At the school:
Khushi, Sheetal and Aarav sit in front of the principal. "Hmm... bright student!" she says. Khushi's face lights up with a smile. Sheetal smiles too. "So, what's your favorite hobbies?" she asks. I AM NOT LYING! This is the exact dialogue! I have no choice but point out as a critique. "To show his ugly face in front of people!" Khushi mutters under her breath. Aarav's sharp ears catch it. Khushi smiles at him. He turns to the principal, "Reading. I like to read very much. Do you have a library?" "Of course! We do!" Khushi chirps enthusiastically, "In fact, Madam, I am ASR's wife!" "Oh, I see! He is the son of Arnav Singh Raizada! I thought so!" the principal says. Oh, Khushi! You make it so much easier for Sheetal and much harder for me! Then she immediately tries to correct, "No! No! Aarav is the son of Sheetal ji! Sheetal ji and Arnav ji are old friends!" "Oh, I am sorry! I n fact, I have been the class teacher of Arnav Singh Raizada! I must say that Aarav has taken after Arnav!" Okay, my blood is boiling... these inconsistencies.. same class teacher for ten years... what school system she is talking about? In some remote village where no one but one person tries to educate everyone? I am forcing my mouth shut!
An awkward silence fills the air for a few seconds before Khushi starts rambling, "Ya, Ya, absolutely! As if two similar pieces made in the same factory!... Now... only if.. you can... his admission'" "Yes!" the principal says, "Of course, Mrs. Raizada! Mrs. Sheetal, Aarav's father did not come?" Khushi, Arnav and Sheetal look at each other as Sheetal says hesitantly, "He.. he.. he could not come!" "No problem! Complete this form, please!" The principal hands the form to Sheetal. As Sheetal starts filling information on the form, Khushi's eyes spy on her. Khushi tries hard to peek in to see what is being written on the form.. she acts very immature and childish while spying... Aarav's eyes monitor her, sorts of! He is not amused with her childish behavior. Khushi now gets up and walks up to Sheetal.. stands behind her and tries to read what she writes on the form.. Talk about making a fool of herself! Sheetal senses her presence. As she looks up, Khushi pretends, "Water.." points to the water jug on the table in front of Sheetal, leans over and grabs the glass of water.. generates a fake cough and starts sipping on her water... without giving up.. continues to keep a curious eye on the form... Sheetal's hand hesitates as she gets to 'Father's Name' on the form. Khushi impatiently waits .. Sheetal skips that row... Aarav looks at Khushi with a pointed gaze as he notices Khushi peeking in.. Khushi again starts coughing and sips her water. Then she puts the glass down, takes her sit next to Aarav, clears her throat. Sheetal hands in her completed form, "Thank You!" The principal points out, "Mrs. Sheetal, you probably forgot to fill in one of the columns... the name of Aarav's father?"
Aarav immediately turns to Khushi and says,
"I want to go to the washroom!" "Now?" Khushi asks. "Yes, now!" he says. "Can't you wait a bit?" "No!" Aarav says. "Mrs. Raizada, you may leave. No problem!" the principal says. "Aarav, I will take you!" Sheetal says. Khushi jumps in, "No, no, Sheetal ji! I will go with Aarav!" She nods at him, "Come!" As soon as Khushi and Aarav walk out of the room, Sheetal informs the principal, "Aarav's father does not live with us. I am a single mother!" Outside, Khushi asks Aarav, "Listen! Did you real want to use the bathroom?" "Yes!" he answers and then obnoxiously adds, "Now, don't you, please, think that my mom could not have taken me! She could have taken me! She thought that once I leave, she could talk to the principal madam about dad!"
How clever! Strategic removal of Khushi, not Aarav! But, brainless Khushi would not realize that... she needs to get her brain out from the locker of the bank! She wonders, "Nothing affects this kid! What if I directly ask him?"
Really, Khushi? The kid, who walked out of the room with you so that his mother could reveal whatever about his father, is going to tell you the truth just like that? Now you know why I called her brainless! " What if he feels bad? I must ask in around about manner," she thinks. "The weather is so nice today.. cool!" "I don't like cold!" Aarav snaps. "Me too! Even I don't like cold! I like sunshine! Just the same way I like Jalebis. " Khushi nervously gets loud. "So?" he asks in a sharp voice. BUT.. Khushi does not stop, "So.. nothing!.. You know, when I was little, my Amma used to make nice Jalebis for me! Now I have learn
ed to make them. Whenever I am stressed, I make Jalebis." "Do you always torture others with your non stop chatter?" Aarav asks in a sharp voice.
I AM KEEPING MY MOUTH SHUT! It's taking a lot out of me already! Khushi smiles and says, "No, No! Sometimes people are bothered without my chatter!" She smiles proudly.
Thank You, CVs, for ruining Khushi's character once more.. self confidence in a wrong thing! Wow! I know, it is supposed to be funny... it might be for a brief moment... but it is more demeaning to a girl's character in the situation and context Khushi is acting in!
"So, where was I?" she asks with a smile. "In the kitchen.. making Jalebis..." Aarav answers. "Whenever I get stressed, I make Jalebis first!" she starts again. "Okay!" Aarav interrupts, stunning Khushi, "So, now, what should I do?" Khushi stutters.."No.. Nothing!.. end of the topic!" Frustrated Aarav starts walking away from her. Khushi starts walking with him, continues her chatter, "You know, everyone says that I smile just like my Babuji and cry like my Amma." "Congrats!" Aarav stops and says. Khushi smiles, "Thank You!" then leans forward and probes, "And you?.. Your Amma does not make such a disgusting face. And.. does not do this either!" She mimics Aarav by rolling her eyes, "So, does your Papa do this?" Khushi Khushi Khushi... haven't you gotten it yet? That kid is way too smart for you! He snaps stunning Khushi, "Yes, my Papa does so!... My mom has told me that I am exactly like my dad! Walk like him.. talk like him!" There you go Khushi, you invited this! Her face drains color as Aarav stares her face. "Okay?... what is the name of your Papa?" Khushi asks with a sinking heart. "Can I go to the washroom?" he snaps and takes off. I told you Khushi, that kid is way too smart for you! He strategically removed you from the room, threw in the dreadful information and now walks away! Khushi looks around and heads back to the Principal's office.
Khushi opens the door slightly.. squeezes herself in through the slit in the door as she tries hard to peek in... Sheetal is writing something with her back to the door. Khushi wonders, "This much time to fill in one line!" Then she counts on her finger, "Arnav Singh Raizada!... It will take time!" Then she pulls back.. she crushes her foot in the door as she pulls back, a scream escapes Khushi's throat. She holds her foot in her hand... As she keeps making noises with pain.. ultimately falls on the floor. Just then Aarav walks over, says, "Do you know that you are..." "Weird?" Khushi completes his sentence, "I am aware!" Aarav gives her the look. Khushi says to herself, "As if one Arnav was not enough!" Just then Sheetal walks out of the office with the principal. "Oh, what happened? Are you okay?" "No, No! She is alright! It happens to her often!" Aarav immediately offers the information. Khushi gives him and angry look mixed with dislike. He tries to smile back. "I will get my purse!" Khushi says. As Khushi enters the office, Sheetal and Aarav walk away with principal. She hands them a paper, "Congratulations! Your child has been admitted."
Khushi enters the office, makes sure that the door is closed behind her.. but does not lock.. her eyes spy on the black file folder on the principal's desk. She picks up the folder and prays, "Hey, Devi Maiyya!" Khushi is about to open the file when a hand takes the folder out of her hands. It's the principal! She checks the file and hands it to the peon, says, "Prasad, take this file away!" Nice job, Khushi! You just brought shame to the name of Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada! Khushi's eyes follow the file as he takes it away. The principal asks, "Mrs. Raizada, do you want something? Mrs. Sheetal and Aarav are outside!" Khushi stanmmers'"Yes,.. huh.. that... nothing.. hmmm.. just wanted to see how the form looked like!" She picks up her purse as she says, ".. in future.. even I will have kids... so.." XXX I really felt ashamed to be a girl after watching her like this! "Thank You for coming!" The principal says, "Thanks!' Khushi smiles sheepishly.
Sheetal's feet stop as she looks ahead while walking through the corridor as she exclaims, "Arnav!" Arnav says, "I was done with work early.. so I thought of coming here!" Okay, ASR.. I doubt if you even work anymore... I don't know of a full time working person who has so much time to spare.. let alone a business tycoon that you are supposed to be! His posture... his body... do not have that nice ASR stiffness.. or confidence in his eyes.. "So, admission?" he asks. "Done!" Aarav answers, "Very simple." Sheetal smiles at Arnav. Arnav smiles and kneels down as he sorts of gives high fives to Aarav... "Good job! Congratulations!" As Khushi walks out she hears Arnav saying to Aarav, "It's a super school. You're going to love it!" "And I ,.. the super student from here!" Aarav says, that brings a smile to Arnav's face, "I'm sure!" Aarav hands him the papers.. Arnav starts browsing through them. Khushi watches them from a distance together as she wonders, "Is it true? Their expressions, behaviors are similar... similar pride.. walk similar.. and anger makes him look like ASR exactly! .. what looks like! He is ASR!.. On top of it, Sheetal ji is avoiding telling me more about his father. Clearly... it seems to be a blood relation!"
Back in RM:
Aarav sits in Nani ji's lap.. Everyone in the lounge area. Nani ji says, "This was good, Chhhotey, that you made it to his school!" "Yes, Nani! But, it made no difference! Aarav's admission was done already!" Khushi sits their stressed. Mami ji starts chuckling as she looks into the newspaper in her hands.. "Mami, what happened?" Anjali asks. "Arey, have you seen today's newspaper?" Mami asks, Anjali shakes her head in negative. "Here! Listen to this news! Two kids.. born in the same hospital on the same day. And got exchanged!" Mami feeds in the information, "Now parents don't know who belongs to whom!" "Wow!" NK comments, "This seems like the plot of a Hindi movie!... You know.. Mom-Dad should have put in a locket or a tattoo soon after the birth of the child!" As everyone listens in, Mami ji says, "But this is not a movie! Now, tell me, how would they know who is whose child?" NK says, "By the way, it's not that difficult! Times have changed... new technologies exist.. DNA test! That's right! Right, Di?" Anjali nods as NK continues, "You know, these days, just with a hair or a nail... it's very easy to find out whose child it is..!" Khushi's flag goes up, excitedly she asks, "Really? It's that easy?" NK nods with a smile. Sheetal's sharp eyes make a note of Khushi's enthusiasm and interest. Khushi thinks to herself, "Yes! DNA test! This is the solution to my problem. I don't even need to ask anyone. Why didn't I think of it earlier? Hey, Devi Maiyya, help me! Yes, I just need Aarav's hair.. and Arnav ji's as well!"
Anupamaa
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