Once in the corridor.. Khushi looks at the board on school office and says, "I had to make tea for all the teachers just to get here! Don't know what else I will have to do!" She vows to herself, "Hey Devi Maiyya, it's now or never! Today I must find out the name of Aarav's father!" Her eyes spot a soft broom on the other side. An idea dawns upon her. She smiles to herself, puts the tray away and grabs the sweeper. Khushi is Khushi.. nothing ever goes right with her. She stumbles upon the sweeper itself but then is able to gather herself. She sorts of sweeps the floors to get to the door of the office. Once at the door, she leans on the door so that she can peek inside. She finds a gentleman working inside.. his head down.. , "Did he have to work here at this time..? How do I get rid of him?" Khushi thinks... as usual she does think of something,.. she walks in with quiet feet... starts sweeping the floors... her eye catches the name plate.."Mr. Hathi...Hathi.." she cannot read further... The guy looks up and says, "Mr. Hathirmani!" He sakes his head showing his disappointment and puts his head down.. starts working. Khushi immediately says in her thick accent, "Yes..Yes, Mr. Hathirmani! The principal madam wants to see you." "But.. it's tea break now!" he says, "Okay, go and tell her that I will see her after my tea." Starts sipping on his tea. Khushi says, "Yes, Yes! Tea time! That's why! That's why she had wants to have tea with you .. in the canteen.." Mr. H gets all excited.. he puts the cup down and says with a broad smile, "Really?.. Principal Madam had called me over tea?" Khushi nods.. he says, "It seems to me that there is something special today!.. I will be right back!" he gets up and leaves.
Khushi immediately puts the sweeper away and starts going through the files in the office. In the process she drops some.. picks some.. She moves the sweeper with her... sometimes uses it to pull the file folders down.. Just then couple of people enter the room and start searching for the files they need... occasionally Khushi has to run around to hide from them. Her mustache also comes off couple of times.. she presses it back in its place.. To Khushi's relief they leave. Khushi gets back to going through the files.. The Charlie Chaplin here was done well by Sanaya.. but did not like to see Khushi do this kind of stuff..She finally locates the file folder for admissions of 2012. Khushi excitedly opens the file, "This is it!" ,.. finds the admission form for Aarav... her enthusiasm wears off as..."What kind of school is this? They can't even keep an admission form properly? How did water spill on this...? Now whole paper is stained with the ink.. can't even read it properly!" Khushi still tries to strain her eyes to read the words.. Just then a voice comes, "Who is there?" Startled Khushi's mustache gets loose and thus sneezes Khushi. As a result her fake mustache is down on the floor after the sneeze! Khushi is about to fall down from the stool when someone supports her unsteady feet.. she looks down.. It's Aarav!
Aarav makes an unhappy face as he sees Khushi. She jumps down from the stool. Khushi realizes that her mustache is on the floor, she is about to get it when again someone asks, "Who's in there?" Khushi immediately hides behind a free standing cupboard. Aarav picks up the mustache from the floor and tucks it in his pocket. The Principal walks in, "What happened?.. What's with all those noises?" "Madam, it was a cat. I tried to move her out." Khushi becomes very happy and praises Aarav with a hand gesture... seen only by her. "Where is (the) cat?" The principal asks. Aarav makes up an answer, "Madam, (the) cat ran away." "But then, why are you here? Shouldn't you be in the class?.. (The) short break is over." Aarav shows her his pinky... indicating that he has to use the toilet.. "Okay!" the principal says. Khushi smiles happily. As soon as the Principal walks out, Khushi comes to Aarav. She heaves a sigh of relief.. "What are you doing here?" Aarav asks. Khushi brings a big smile to her face and puts both her hands on Aarav's shoulders and says, "I cam to see if you were doing alright with your studies..." "In Peon's uniform?.. In the school's head office? It seems as if you are going to some fancy dress competition!" Khushi immediately starts animated, "That's it! That's it.. there is a fancy dress competition in our neighborhood. That's why I came her.. to see how the peon looks like!" Aarav unhappily clenches his teeth, "Whatever! Now go from here.. before anyone sees you... and.. even if someone sees you, then don't tell them that you are with me!" "Okay...you would say anything to anyone?" Khushi pleads. "No, " Aarav says with a stern face, "But.. on one condition...Promise me that you will stay away from me!" Khushi's eyes go wide.. jaw drops.. Aarav pulls the mustache out from his pocket.. hands it to Khushi. "Okay!" says Khushi in a mellow voice. Aarav leaves. Too smart for a five year old, I must say.. and the dialogues.. even the school principal makes mistakes. Khushi starts saying to herself, "Hey Devi Maiyya, what did I get after all this effort.. a paper stained with ink all over. Now how will I know the name of Arnav's father?" She puts the fake mustache back on her face.
Back at RM:
Khushi puts the fake mustache in the drawer of the closet and closes it, says, "May be Arnav ji is right in saying that I need to get this suspicion out of my head.. and trust him!" There! Khushi admitted that she does not trust Arnav. "At the least until I get those DNA results."
Aarav sits in the lounging area by the landing,.. looks at his painting that was spoiled by Khushi.. now has two out of ten points scored! Sheetal comes and sits by him.. her gaze follows Aarav's gaze. She holds Aarav side ways and cajoles him, "It's okay, champ! It happens! Get higher scores the next time!... Let's do something exciting!" "No, Mom! Two out of ten! It's really bad." Aarav says. "Let it be, Aarav. Come with me!" Aarav shakes his head in negative. Sheetal leaves his shoulders and says, "Okay then. May be I'll have to play alone.." Aarav immediately cheers up, puts the painting down on the table and asks, "Basketball?" "Yes!" she says. "Promise.. that you will let me win? I want to win!" Aarav says. "Basket ball... hmmm.. it's a bit difficult for me to lose.." Sheetal says.. Arnav happens to walk in.. his eyes go wide as he hears Sheetal's words, "Excuse Me!" he says, "Did you say something about not losing in basketball?" Sheetal averts his gaze. Aarav proudly says, "My mom is a champion in basketball!" "So, Sheetal, who was that who used to lose in basketball in the college?" Arnav asks with a smile on his face in almost teasing tone. Aarav immediately jumps to his feet and declares, "My Mom cannot lose in basketball!" Arnav makes a slightly teasing face. "Come on, Aarav! Let's go, play!" Sheetal avoids Arnav's questions. "No, Mom! You did not lose, right?.. this is not true, right?" Aarav asks as Arnav looks at Sheetal with challenging gaze. "Let it be, Aarav! Let's go!" Sheetal says. "No, Mom!.. you did not lose!' Aarav insists. Arnav's lips curled.. a challenge in his eyes and a smirk suppressed. I did not like that Arnav had a smirk on his face here. Sheetal bends down and whispers in Aarav's ears but her eyes are on Arnav as if she is talking to Arnav, "Sometimes, I did lose... not always..." Arnav's smirk widens.. his eyes twinkle and go wide as he bursts into a broad smile, "Sheetal, you used to lose.. always!" Sheetal shrugs her shoulders and says, "Fine! Whatever you say!" She holds Aarav's hand and says, "Come!" As she leaves Arnav's smiling gaze follows them. Khushi listens to the whole conversation from behind the pillar. As Arnav leaves she utters, "Interesting! Very interesting!" and smiles to herself.
Later on..
As Arnav walks through the hallway, Khushi throws the basketball at him.. Arnav is surprised by this sudden move, "What the!" he blurts.. then he asks in a sharp tone to Khushi, "What is this?" "I know that you are upset with me.." Khushi says. Arnav raises his eyebrows and says, "Oh! So, you hit people with basketball if they get upset with you?" then he sakes his head and says, "Regardless' I am not upset!" Khushi is Khushi! SDhe does not allow the dust to settle. She pushes it, "I still want to cajole you!.. with this.." her eyes point to the ball. "By hitting with the ball?" Arnav says with a suppressed sarcastic smile. As he tries to leave, Khushi spreads her arms and obstructs his path. Khushi then tells him enthusiastically, "You love basketball so much, right? So, I have a surprise for you! A basketball match!" Too many discrepancies...Arnav never was portrayed as a sportsman before... Never before he mentioned basketball... now all of a sudden.. it's too difficult to swallow when the track has jumped by 180 degrees,.. "I have made all the arrangements and the players are ready to.. " she starts counting on her fingers, "Nanhe ji..Aarav and Jijaji! Everyone else is getting ready too... Nani ji, Mami ji, Di, Jiji..." Arnav asks with subtle sarcasm in his voice and in his eyes, "They will play to?" Khushi says, "Won't play!.. Will watch!... The game is more enjoyable if the audience is there!" Just then Aakash walks in with NK, "Of course, NK Bhai! I will take my glasses off when playing!" "Throw it in dustbin!" NK says. Everyone walks in. Payal says, "No, we won't play. We will only cheer!" Nani ji smiles with hat on, Mami ji shows off her streamers in her sweats. Arnav feels slightly embarrassed, he says, "Khushi, you did not have to do that!" "Hello, Mister!" NK says to Arnav, "Jurrat...dare.. was ours, okay?" Arnav makes a puzzled face.. Aakash corrects NK, "Jaroorat.. need!" "Ya! Thanks.. thanks!" NK says, "God! I am so excited! My joy knows no bounds! No place to hide!" Anjali smiles with her bunch of streamers.
Just then walks in Sheetal dressed to play, says to Arnav, "Okay, Aarav, listen! Keep your gaze on the basketball. Okay? Keep running.. and always follow the ball
... and please, don't show off too much!.. and if three pointer game is not happening then don't try it. Play the simple laps.. okay?" NK walks over to them, "Wow, Sheetal ji! You know how to play basketball?" Sheetal nods. Arnav interjects, "No! She thinks she knows! Obviously.. it is tough to play well on the court to be able score!" Khushi and Sheetal look at him. Aarav immediately defends, "My mom knows how to play!.. and she plays very well!" Everyone smiles at his defensive action. "She is not a bad player.. but to say she is good, would be just too much!" Arnav says with a teasing smile. "Arnav, don't lie!" Sheetal says. "Sheetal, you never won!" Arnav says. "Sheetal ji, is this true?" NK asks. "Oh.. whenever Arnav used to cheat.. I would lose!" Sheetal says. Arnav laughs it off, "Oh.. " then he clenches his teeth and says with a vengeance, "I never cheated! Okay!" "What? Don't lie!" Sheetal says as everyone enjoys their argument, "You used to always distract me and then I could never give my shot!.. and you know what! You used to bring your boys' team and despite that.. you used to lose against me!" "Sheetal, have you forgotten everything? You used to win because I used to let you win!" Arnav stabbed me right here! So far, my understanding was that it was a special thing reserved for Khushi
... .but I guess all this boyish charm and smile etc.. Arnav was not a guy bothered by his past when he was with Sheetal obviously and obviously she was more than "Meant Nothing"! "You wish!" Sheetal challenges. "I never used to cheat, okay?" Arnav says. "And.. I never used to lose!" Sheetal says with an oomph. Everyone but Khushi enjoys this argument between Arnav and Sheetal.
"Okay, guys!" NK says, "Cut it out! I think, this argument is going to lead nowhere! Let's prove it, right?" Arnav nods and curls his lips. "Then we can see who wins." As NK says that Khushi's face drains color as she thinks, "I did all this to fix Arnav ji's mood
... not to spoil my own mood!"
Khushi Khushi Khushi... first, you go set up a basketball match, once again everyone else knows but Arnav.. when you decided to do that you knew that Arnav and Sheetal had that sport in common.. now why are you resenting? You are the one who are helping them refresh their memories! Now, why complain? You are hurting yourself, dear! "Oh, please! I don't want to prove anything. Just let it be!" Sheetal says. This brings a smile to Khushi's face. Arnav makes a face and says, "I Know!.. It's okay!.. Must be out of practice! I understand." Aarav defends his mother again, "She has practice!" Arnav smiles with some challenge in his eyes.. Arnav says with a vengeance, "Mom! Tell him.. show him that you are a basketball champion!" Sheetal meets the challenge in Arnav's gaze, "Fine! Let's go.. play!" Arnav says with a smirk. Everyone smiles cheerfully. Khushi says with a broad smile, "Yes! ..I will play too!" Arnav immediately says, "Oh.. no! No! Not you! You will get hurt!" Khushi's enthusiasm wears off as she thinks, "Here we go! Now, I am out of the field! Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.. you could have made halwah.. a sweet dish.. why did you have to find basketball?" She hits herself in the head with frustration.. irritation. Finally when she looks ahead.. Sheetal and Arnav's gazes are fixed on each other with challenge and smiles mixed.. their eyes twinkle..
On the basketball court:
The scorching sun is out. The boys team is on the court.. Aarav, Arnav and Aakash.. The score board says Raizada Family Basketball Match, Boys. Girls
... no score yet
... Nani ji, Anjali and Payal sit on the stands and watch them. NK, the referee, declares, "So, the boys team is on the court! And gir
...Where is the girls' team?" All of a sudden all eyes go wide
... NK says enthusiastically, "There they are! Come in, come in! Come!" Khushi walks in all proud.. dressed shabbily in her long velvet churidaar
.... Her dupatta.. scarf still on. With a headband and a pony tail. She looks completely out of place and pitifully ignorant. Arnav's eyes show a little embarrassment with disbelief.. Aakash gives her top to bottom look with disbelief.. Aarav shakes his head with disapproval. Khushi turns bashful as she smiles to herself and says, "Why are they all looking at me like this! .. am looking so beautiful?" She pulls her hair some more in front.
Just then Arnav's gaze changes and he says, "Of course!" Khushi follows his gaze.. it's Sheetal.. she walks in with style.. gives Khushi a smile..but all boys. Aakash, NK, Arnav and Arnav.. their eyes stay glued to Sheetal's face. Sheetal comes to the center of the court.. meets Arnav's steady gaze
... then she pulls her jacket off.. Khushi's eyes go wide as she looks at Sheetal's tank top. NK folds his hands and savors every moment of Sheetal's taking the jacket off and getting ready for the game
... he almost falls as he drools.. Embarrassed he looks around.. Arnav's sharp eyes catch NK's reaction.. a smirk appears on Arnav's face at NK's act.. Everyone observes Sheetal with admiring eyes except Khushi when she starts warming up with some stretching exercises. . Even Aakash drools.. Arnav's gaze though remains unchanged.
Then Sheetal, Mami and Khushi take their position on the court. Surprised Arnav blurts, "Are you kidding me? Do you even know how to play basketball?" Mami, in her pink sweats and her sunglasses goes, "Why not? If we can fry the round and round poori.. then this basketball I can play with my left hand!" Khushi says in an aggressive manner, her hand on hip, "And.. we are not the loosers! We make people lose!" Arnav looks at her amused.. Khushi says, "Why? Are you scared. Arnav ji?" He just shakes it all off and says, "Whatever.." NK goes, "Okay, guys! Let me explain the rules before we start. Rules.. because.. it's a mach within the household so . rules will be homemade too!.. Mami ji,. Get your specs off!" "What if I get dark circles?" Mami responds. "Masi ji, if you get hit by this ball accidentally. Then accidentally you will have a darker circle!" NK tries to explain. "Hello, Hi Bye Bye! I did not think of that!" Mami ji says and takes her sunglasses off. "Guys, first rule is that no one can hold the ball in their hands,.. nor can they run with holding the ball in their hands
... it's not allowed.. you have to pass it..okay?.. ..and yes. To hold the hand of someone from the other team.. or any actions like karate.. will disqualify you
... and play with a team spirit!.. and if you play this way.. then.. then.. the win will be yours!" NK says in an emotional voice to Sheetal. Arnav, Khushi, and Mami look at NK with surprised eyes. Embarrassed NK stutters, "I mean.. play well.. oaky.. cheer up, guys!" Mami and Khushi high five each other. "Okay, guys, may the best team win.
"
As everyone assumes their positions, Arnav takes Aarav aside and says, "Since your Mom is in that team, don't make us lose the game! Okay, big guy?" "Game means everything to a team.. it does not matter who is in the other team!" says Aarav..
Too mature and coherent for a five year old! Arnav and Aarav high five.
Mami, Sheetal and Khushi high five each other. Sheetal says, "Okay, boys! Are you ready or need some more time? Practice losing!" As Arnav, Aakash and Arnav walk up to them, Arnav says, "Sheetal, are you sure.. you want to do this?" Sheetal says sharply, "I should ask you this question." 'You will lose!" Arnav says. "You will!" Sheetal says. "Correction!" Arnav says, "I will make you lose! Your Hindi is till bad." "But my game is really good!" Sheetal says. Arnav laughs it off, "Oh, stop..please!" "Stop what?" Sheetal says, "... playing well?" Arnav says with a teasing smile, "Sheetal, Ramu used to play better than you!" Khushi immediately steps in and asks Arnav, "Who is Ramu?" Arnav's smile disappears quickly.. he looks at Sheetal with eyes that harbor a secret,.. his face,.. his gaze.. depict that he uttered something that he should not have.. "He... was our previous landlord!" Khushi seems satisfied.. Sheetal does not react. NK calls, "Come on, Girls versus boys!" "Khushi.. Ma ji..all the best!" Payal screams..from the stands. "so.. the two of you.. come on the mark!" And thus the game begins... Aakash dribbles the ball first.. Khushi sorts of stays on outrskirts.. Anjali cheers them up.. Then Aakash passes the ball to Arnav.. he dribbles for a bit.. and makes the first basket. "first score by Arnav.. for the boy's team!" NK declares, "So, one point to the boy's team!.. and girls.. zero.." Nani ji immediately says, "No problem... Khushi bitiya, you make some points too!"
Sheetal throws the first pass to Khushi, "Khushi!" Khushi catches the ball and dribbles.. Arnav manages to quickly get it from her.. then he passes it to Aakash.. Couple passes between the tao.. Aakash tries to make a basket but misses it. Sheetal dribbles the ball next.. Aarav grabs it from her.. then Arnav takes over.. he is about to go to make a basket when Khushi grabs the ball from him and puts it on the ground and kicks like a football!.. and smiles happily. "Khushi ji, foul!" NK yells. "Khushi ji, it's a foul!" NK says. Arnav says, "You can't kick the ball!" "Why not? Once the ball is in my hands, I can do whatever I want!" Khushi argues
... I would have sooo preferred for Khushi to not act stupid and keep quie... but no! She had to demean herself in public! She would argue for a wrong thing! Arnav cannot believe that she did it and then argues.."Khushi ji, to kick is a foul!" Aakash says. NK says, "Khushi ji, this is basketball.. not football!" Arnav.. NK.. no one can believ it when Khushi continues to argue, "One mistake.. is pardoned by Devi Maiyya!.. So, I must get one more chance!" Mami ji adds, "Absolutely!" Sheetal cannot believe that Khushi is acting like this. Nani ji, Anjali plead from the stands. NK says, 'Okay, this is last chance! If anyone makes a foul or makes a mistake, they will be out of the game, okay?" Arnav now is obviously unhappy. "Come on, let's play!" NK calls out. The game resumes.. The ball now is with Arnav with Sheetal trying to snatch it
... Khushi just keeps watching as they play with each other..
Book Talk
Cricket
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