Arnav dribbles the ball.. Sheetal is after the ball.. Arnav passes to Aakash.. Aakash dribbles... Sheetal grabs ball..as she dribbles NK watches eagerly... Aarav snatches the ball from Sheetal and he dribbles... "Oh, Come on, Aarav!" Arnav cheers... Mami ji starts with her tactics.. "Give me that ball.. give me ball.." she nicely asks Aarav, "Hey, listen to me!" Sheetal covers Arnav' Khushi covers Aakash.. in the funniest manner... by waving her arms in front of him... Mami ji continues to cajole Aarav as he dribbles, "I will get you lots and lots of colors... Give me the ball.. Listen to me!" Finally, Mami ji pinches Aarav's both cheeks.."Sweet.. dearest.." she grabs the ball thet Aarav drops and rejoices... NK comes running, blows the whistle, declares, "Foul!.. Masi ji.. It's a foul!" Everyone looks at Mami ji with disappointment including Arnav. "What foul?" Mami protests. "What what? It's a foul!" NK grabs the ball from Mami and explains after bouncing the ball of the court and catching back, "No touching.. only playing... This is our rule!" "You cannot touch the player from the opposite team!" Aarav yells at Mami. Mami ji tries to find an alternative, she says, "It was just that I found bitwa so adorable... Ah, well! Anyway, it's time for my touch up.. make up... I am leaving'" Mami leaves the court. "Yeah, okay!" NK says. "Come on, Mami! Come!" Anjali says. "Don't worry, Mami! The win is ours!" Sheetal says. Mami turns as she leaves, "All the best!" gives 'Thumbs Up' and says, "Can't even touch their cheek even if found adorable.. whatever.."
"Come, Manorama, come! You must be tired.. have something to eat and drink.." Nani ji says sarcastically. As Aakash passes the ball to Arnav,.. Khushi continues to cover Aakash in her weird style' Sheetal goes after Arnav and the ball.. she finally gets hold of the ball as Arnav and Arnav follow her' "Sheetal.. Sheetal.." the ladies cheer.."Khushi bitiya, you go too!" Nani ji suggests.. but Khushi keeps waving in front of Aakash.. Now Arnav gets hold of the ball.. as he dribbles, Sheetal follows him.. One moment' grabs Khushi's attention as Arnav and Sheetal pass by.. Now Khushi continues to stare at them..as they play'. Play a close game.. while playing finally they both almost collide with each other as Sheetal grabs the ball from Arnav..and that moment Sheetal's eyes lock with Arnav's eyes.. stunning Khushi.. Next moment Sheetal turns around, "Khushi!" and throws the ball to her.. reflexively Arnav yells, "Watch out!" His inner self reflects in his voice,.. But that never reaches Khushi's ears as she freezes' she manages to catch the ball but stands frozen.. holding on to the ball.. lost somewhere' Arnav looks at her with worried eyes as Nani ji says, "Khushi!.. Khushi bitiya, what are you doing?" Anjali yells, "Khushi ji, take the ball!" As she stands frozen there, Aarav grabs the ball from her hands and starts nearing the basket.. as he dribbles, Arnav cheers, "Go, boy! Go.. go.. go!" All the ladies cheer Arnav from the stand.. Aakash also cheers him' Aarav brings the ball to the basket and throws a shot.. it hits the basket but does not make it.. Aarav stands there with a disappointed look on his face as he watches the ball come down.. Arnav looks at his dejected face.. a smile appears on his face as he makes his move. He runs forward, grabs the ball before it makes to the ground .. jumps up.. and makes a basket! That cheers Aarav beyond limit.. Khushi looks at them.. dejection deepens on her face. "Okay.. boys two.. girls.. zero!" NK announces.
"Sheetal, there's still time left.. why do you want to embarrass yourself? It's very simple' say that you twisted your ankle.. I will cancel the game!" Arnav makes an attempt to get Sheetal to give up. Sheetal does not fall for it, "You are forgetting that the game is not over yet! .. You know what, don't jump so high! You might just fall in your face!" She warns. Arnav makes an amused face and smiles, "Okay!" "Khushi!" Sheetal calls .. this breaks Khushi's trance.. "Come, let's show them!" Sheetal says as she confidently marches towards the ball. She takes the ball and serves it to Khushi. Khushi dribbles the ball' "Bhai!" Aakash calls out.. Arnav takes the cue and rushes in grabbing the ball quickly.. and passes it to Aakash.. As Aakash dribbles the ball.. Khushi whispers, "Jijaji, give me the ball!" "Khushi ji, what are you saying?" Aakash asks with surprise. "Give the ball!" she whispers again. "No.. Khushi ji.. " Aakash says,.. Khushi steps forward and purposefully tangles her foot with his and falls down.. screams loudly.. every one runs towards her as Nani ji, Anjali , Payal watch with wide eyes.. Masmi ji exclaims, 'Hello Hi Bye Bye!" NK blows te whistle.. Aakash says, "What happened?" Mami ji screams, "Aakash are fouled!" Arnav looks at Khushi.. as she screams'Aarav shakes his head to imply that 'she is a hopeless case!' Khushi screams, "Jijaji, you did it purposefully.. made me fall!" She rejoices as stunned Aakash hears it from NK, "Aakash, you are a very bad boy! Very bad!.. You are fouled!.. Now, go and sit outside!" "NKI Bhai, I did nothing! Khushi ji.." Aakash protests. "Aaka...sh.." NK says, "You are disqualified.. you are fouled! Please, go!" Then he turns to Khushi, "Khushi ji, get up... are you alright?" and says to Aakash, 'Go!" As Khushi stands up. Arnav wonders but with a careless attitude, "Recovered so fast!"
Payal gives Aakash a consoling pat as he sits down. He looks over his shoulder and says, "Khushi ji cheated!" "Okay.. okay, guys! Let's continue!" NK says. Game begins.. Arnav dribbles.. . Sheetal grabs the ball from him.. starts dribbling.. Arnav gets closer and says, "Wow! Your game has improved a lot!" "Really? Do you have your secession speech ready?" Sheetal asks. "Take it after the game!" Arnav says. "We will see!" Sheetal says. "We sure will!" Arnav says as he tries to get the ball.. Sheetal continues to dribble as Arnav tries to grab the ball and Aarav covers... Khushi just stands there and watches from a distance. Thinks, "Arnav ji seems so happy!" The game gets exciting as Sheetal keeps both Aarav and Arnav on their toes. Khushi starts yawning' stretching.. sorts of cleaning her teeth.. Aakash watches her with a face that is amused by her disinterest in the game. Every one from the stands except Aakash cheers as Sheetal nears the basket and makes it! Now Arnav had the ball.. "Come on, Bhai! Come on!" Aakash cheers. Arnav runs fast and makes his basket... NK declares, "Boys.. three.. girls.. one!" "Third basket!" Aakash says excitedly, "Boys are leading!" Anjali cheers, "Good, Chhotey!" Sheetal makes the next one.. "Boys three.. girls.. two!" NK says excitedly. Mami ji and Nani ward of evil.. throw flying kisses at Sheetal. Khushi stands way over almost outside the court as Sheetal, Arnav and Aarav continue the game with enthusiasm. "Don't worry, Champ! The win is ours!" Arnav says to Aarav while running. Sheetal makes another basket. The ladies happily cheer.. Aakash, of course, not so happy. NK screams with enthusiasm, "Boys ,.. three.. girls.. three!" Mami ji excitedly jumps to her feet and starts with her pomp poms, "Soda lemon ginger pop.. girls are on the top! East or west.. girls are the best!" "Okay, let's go!" NK says, "Score is three three.. Boys three.. girls three.. It's a tie! Now, the final basket will decide which team is the winner.. alright?.. So, please, take your positions.." Sheetal looks at Khushi and says, 'Khushi, be ready!" Khushi says in a voice with draining enthusiasm, "Been standing ready forever!" "That's right! I like the spirit! Come on!" NK says and throws the ball up in the air. Arnav grabs the ball and starts dribbling.. Khushi grabs the ball.. starts dribbling.. at one moment she holds the ball in her hands and watches as Sheetal and every one from the stand scream. "Pass it!.. Pass it!.. Khushi.. give it!.. Khushi!,.. Khushi!.. " Sheetal keeps screaming to have Khushi pass the ball... Khushi dribbles it couple more times before she grabs it again and runs to make a basket. .. she makes a basket..Starts dancing in her own style.. That brings a smile to Arnav's face.. he smirks as he looks down.. Khushi continues dancing on the court.. Mami blows a whistle with fingers in her mouth.,."Ma, it's foul! It's foul!" Aakash says.
NK comes and blows the whistle. "That's a foul!" Arnav says. Khushi fires back with her hands in his face all animated, "No foul.. nothing!.. You are upset that I made a goal!" This brings a sarcastic smirk on Arnav's face
... that converts in a broad smile
... NK comes running, "Khushi ji
... Khushi ji! .. You are fouled!. . Now, you have to leave the court. Leave, please." Arnav walks over to Khushi.. briefly brushes his finger off the tip of her nose and says, "Khushi, learn to play the game first!.. and yes, goal is scored in football
... not in basketball.." and he walks away,.. Khushi's gaze follows him
... Sheetal walks over and says, "Khushi, you have to dribble the ball.. Not allowed to run with the bal in hands!" Khushi whispers, "You know what, Nanhe ji did not explain this properly in the beginning!" "It's okay, Khushi! Don't be tense! I, alone, am good enough for them!" Arnav raises his eyebrows,.. curls his lips..and looks at Sheetal with challenging eyes. ..Sheetal looks at him with challenge in her eyes' Khushi smiles and says, "Okay, I will leave." As Khushi leaves, Arnav gives a teasing look with a smirk on his face mixed with a challenge in his eyes to Sheetal. Khushi goes and sits next to Anjali,
pulls out an umbrella for shade from the sun.
Game beings with Arnav passing the ball to Aarav. Everyone cheers as Arnav dribbles the ball.. including Sheetal. She stops covering him and starts cheering, "Come on, Aarav! Go for it! Go for it, Aarav!" Aarav takes a look at the basket but worries that he may not make it.. same smile appears on Arnav's face as he watches Aarav ... Arnav's eyes twinkle as he makes a quick decision.. runs. Lifts Aarav on his shoulder.... Arnav makes the shot.. and makes the basket! "Yes!" Sheetal says with a smile. "Oh ho.." screams Arnav with joy.. laughs happily as Aarav cheers happily! "Give me five!" Sheetal comes and high fives with Aarav. Arnav puts him down on his feet as Sheetal says, "You did it!" 'Wow!" NK cheers.., "It's amazing!" "I scored a basket!" Aarav says to Sheetal excitedly. Sheetal jumps with joy as she says, "I know it! I saw it! I am so proud of you!" Sheetal hugs and lifts Aarav... goes round and round.. Khushi looks at everyone as they leave to go on the court. NK says with excitement as a smiling Aranv watches, "What a sight! Losing team is happier than winning team!" Sheetal puts Aarav down on his feet and gives him a kiss on forehead.
All the Raizadas except Khushi walk on to the court.. clap.. Arnav gives Aarav a high five.. then Aakash does, "Very good, Aarav! Good teamwork!" "Excuse me.." Mami goes, "Excuse me.. excuse me.." Once everyone quiets down, Mami asks NK, "When I touched Aarav's cheeks, you screamed foul! Foul!.. Now, what?" NK shrugs his shoulders. Sheetal smiles to herself.. so does Anjali as she shakes her head. Arnav explains, 'Mami, as NK said, rules are rules! Aarav is in my team.. and a game is won by teamwork. That's what we did and we won!" "Exactly!" NK says, "So, the final score is boys four.. and girls three.. so, winner team is boys'!" Khushi looks at them still sitting in the stands. "Yeah!" Aarav goes. Everyone claps. Mami ji says, "Okay, let it be! The win belongs to Aarav!" Aarav gives her a happy smile. Khushi gets dejected as she watches Arnav smile at Sheetal. Aarav puts his hand up.. Arnav walks up to him.. Khushi watches with apprehension as Arnav and Aarav do the sequence of high fives and hand holds... Arnav's face shows a broad happy smile.. Sheetal kneels down as well. Aarav then does the same with Sheetal as Arnav watches with a smile on his face and Khushi with apprehension.. Aarav then turns to Arnav as he says, "We are the winners!" 'We won!" Arnav says to him with a happy smile and hugs Aarav... Sheetal's face again becomes mysterious. Khushi gets up.. puts the umbrella down.. and leaves... as everyone else is bust talking and rejoicing on the court.
In the kitchen At RM:
Obviously upset and aggravated Khushi brings a pot with Jalebi batter ready in it. Puts the pot next to the gas stove and starts talking to herself, "So, what's wrong in it? He will rejoice...after all, he has won!" As she folds the cloth over the batter, Sheetal walks in.. well dressed... She watches Khushi make Jalebis. She gets very aggressive all of a sudden and asks Khushi, "What are you doing?" Khushi turns around and says politely, "I am making Jalebis." Sheetal yells back at her, "What? You are making Jalebi? Jalebi?" Taken aback, Khushi asks, "Why?" Sheetal responds, "Despite knowing that Arnav cannot have sweets?" Very nicely Khushi says with a light smile on her face, 'Yes, yes! Sheetal ji, I know! But..." "But. What?" Sheetal asks in her aggressive tone again, "You want Arnav to get sick? You don't care about Arnav at all! Or.. what is your plan?" Khushi's face loses color with every accusatory statement that comes out of Sheetal's mouth, she asks, "Why would I want that?.. I was just..." she stops talking as she hears footsteps... It's Arnav in his casuals. Sheetal smiles and immediately puts her hand on his shoulder.. and flirtatiously complains, 'Darling, look at her.. she keeps making Jalebis whole day! She will create a mountain with all those Jalebis! And, you know what, you will be crushed under that mountain running in circles..." OMG.. every single time I watch it, I burst out laughing! It's probably the most hilarious dialogues I have come across... Poor Khushi.. her jaw drops as she hears Sheetal..her hand covers her mouth.. disbelief in her eyes... Arnav gives her a pointed look..his face stern..angered... Khushi waves her hand to indicate, "No"...but.. Arnav says, "You're right!.. Sheetal, you are said it right!" Poor Khushi.. vulnerability takes over her eyes and face as she watches Sheetal and Arnav together with Aarav standing by side. Sheetal sorts of straightens his collar as she says flirtatiously, "Arnav Darling, shall I say something?" He goes, "Sure!" "You throw her out with her frying pan!" Another hilarious dialogue.. makes me laugh every time.. just the way she says it! Shocked Khushi looks at them as Sheetal says, "I will make salad for you... fat free, sugar free.." Finally Khushi takes an initiative, she walks over to Arnav and says, "No.. No, Arnav ji! Even I cam make salad for you!" Arnav looks at her and says in an unfriendly voice, "No. No.. No, Khushi! Actually, Sheetal is right! Get out of here!" Khushi covers her ears with her hands and screams loudly in a filmi style, "No..." Sheetal, Aarav and Arnav put fingers in their ears as scream is just too loud. Arnav clenches his teeth as he covers his ears. Khushi is almost in tears, says, "Arnav ji, you cannot do this to me!" She looks at Sheetal, who just puts her bangs in place..and rolls her eyes. Khushi gets down on teh floor and holds Arnav's leg as she pleads crying in a filmi style, "My heaven is at the bottom of your feet..." Arnav pulls his leg out of her grip and screams at her, "Just get out, Khushi! Get out of here!" "No, my lord!" Khushi puts her hands together as she pleads, "Please, don't do this to me!" Sheetal smiles cunningly.. Arnav looks at her and then looks at Khushi, yells in an angry voice, "Yes! Just get out!" 'No!" Khushi grabs hold of his leg again,"No.." tears trickle down her face. All of a sudden the voice of loud and sarcastic laugh fills the atmosphere.. Khushi looks up.. she sees that Aarav... Sheetal and Arnav are laughing at her.. mocking at her.. their faces distorted..Khushi screams, "I won't leave this house to anywhere!" As she looks up with her hands put together, "Swami... my lord..." her words stop in the middle as she realizes that she is pleading to one of the JP/OP brothers. She looks around.. she realizes that she is in the kitchen... she gets back up on her feet.. Embarrassed.. she wipes off the perspiration from her face.. stutters, "That.. It's just that.. I ..am..tired.. that's why.." He says, "Take it out of frying pan then, it won't be burnt!" "What?" Khushi asks surprised. "You were saying that you won't burn it! If you remove it from the frying pan, the Jalebi won't burn down." Khushi runs back to the gas stove and takes the Jalebi out... he asks, "Khushi Bhabhi, may I help you?" 'No!" Khushi says, "I will manage! You may go!" As soon as he leaves, Khushi fiercely says, "Dare someone stop me!"
Everyone from the Raizada family enters the house.. Aarav says, "Last shot was my favorite! Next year, when I grow tall, I will make my own basket, promise!" "Of course!" Sheetal says.. Arnav and Sheetal's eyes meet for a while. Khushi watches from a distance with the plate of Jalebis in her hands. 'Come!" Arnav leads Sheetal and Aarav into the lounge area.. every one settles down. "Sheetal ji, you are a great player! I mean, amazing. Sheetal ji, I say you should try for the professional team!" NK says. Sheetal smiles and gives him a 'Thumps Up'. Nani ji says, "If Sheetal plays then how will she care for the child?" Anjali says, "Nani, Sheetal ji is a modern girl. Why cannot she do both?" Nani ji nods, "Yes, that's right too!" Aakash says, 'Okay, leave it alone! By the way, the game was much fun. What say, Bhai?" Arnav sits relaxed on the sofa, says, "Seriously, guys! Actually, you all should have seen us in college days.. the two of us used to be on one side and rest of the team used to be against us!" Khushi looks at him with vulnerable eyes. "Wow, so cool!" exclaims Aarav. In fact, we used to have a nickname. I don't remember
... what was it/" Arnav says..as he thinks.. "Awesome Twosome!" Sheetal says. Reflexively Arnav says with excitement, "Bang on!' as he raises his hand to give high five to Sheetal
... but.. his face immediately changes
... reflects some awkwardness.. same happens to Sheetal..
Okay, the awkwardness should not have come in the picture if they were just friends! It is all in the body language... "Now we have me also on the team, so , it's Awesome Threesome!" Aarav says.
Gosh! This guy talks too much for a five year old! Arnav smiles slightly. Khushi's heart sinks.. her face turns more vulnerable as she says, "Awesome.. Threesome?"
Nani ji says, "Aarav reminds me of Chhotey's childhood!" Sheetal and Aarav both immediately look at Arnav. Arnav rolls his eyes and quickly asks, "Where is Khushi?"
Yehhh... dance of joy! Arnav remembered Khushi at the critical point.. that's a VERY GOOD sign! Multiple emotions reflect on Khushi's face in those few seconds.. from vulnerable
... to sad.. to relieved.. to joy.. as she smiles slightly and says, "I am right here!" Arnav looks in the direction of her voice,. Khushi walks over to the lounge area
..Arnav asks in a soft voice, "Khushi, where did you go?"
His eyes genuine. His voice says he means it! Mami says, "Oh, yeah! Today everyone has won.. so, we must get some sweets! Hello Hi Bye Bye! Bring it here!" Mami ji gets up, walks up to Khushi, grabs the plate of Jalebis and brings it to Aarav, "First
... it's the youngest member
..."
"No!" scream Arnav and Sheetal together
... Startled Khushi looks at them with apprehension. Mami's face drains of color
...Anjali shakes her head. Sheetal says, "Aarav cannot eat this!" Mami says, 'Oh, yes! I forgot!" "But why, Mom? Why cannot I eat this?" "Because you don't eat sweets, Aarav!" Arnav thinks for a moment and then says, "Actually, Arnav, all the great basketball players always watch out for what they are eating. You want to be a basketball player?" Aarav nods. "Then
... sweets and all. You will have to give them up!" Arnav explains, "But, you can have soups, salads.. and homemade food..that's only if you want to be a basketball player
... Otherwise Jalebi is good!" Somewhere Khushi feels the hurt. Aarav says, "I want to be a good player. Just like you! But.. the big players have to do their home work also
... so, I want to do it.. " He throws the basketball at Arnav, Arnav catches it.. a smile spreads on his face. Aarav gets up and leaves. "Chhotey, "Anjali says with meaningful yet mischievous eyes, "Even you have learnt to handle kids now!" Arnav's face is straight
... Khushi's face shows lots of worries.. none of them looks at each other.. Mami says, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! What do they say
... perfect makes practice man.." NK corrects her, "Masi ji
... practice makes (a) man perfect! Okay?" "That's it!" Mami says, "And then if you have your own kid then it will be easier.. what say, Arnav bitwa?" Arnav looks up. .. no expressions on his face
... Sheetal averts his gaze.. Khushi looks very worried..
Unlike two people in so much love, they don't even look at each other...
Later on:
Sheetal has a smile on her face as she browses through some photographs.. sitting on the bed' dressed in jeans and a white top' As Khushi passes by, it grabs her attention. Khushi walks in to the room and asks, "You are sitting all alone?" It startles Sheetal.. she jumps to her feet' Smile disappears from her face'She hides the pictures behind her back.. "Forgive me! I should have knocked!" Khushi says. Oh, Khushi , nice job acting perfectly nosey! "It's okay!" Sheetal says. Khushi now walks up to Sheetal, smiles.. Sheetal looks uncomfortable.. she briefly smiles at Khushi then she puts the pictures in the drawer of the nightstand. Few pictures fall on the floor but Sheetal does not notice. Khushi proves to be the perfectly nosey person, "What is that?" Sheetal smiles and says, 'Nothing!.. I mean, nothing important!" Khushi still continues, "About' Aarav's dad'" Sheetal does not say anything.. Khushi still probes, "Sorry, but I have seen that whenever there's talk about Aarav's father'" Sheetal interrupts, "Khushi, please! I don't want to talk about it. I am sorry but that's the life I have left behind!" Sheetal picks up her phone and leaves, "Excuse me!" Khushi stands there thinking for a few moments.. then she is about to leave when her eyes catch the pictures on the floor.. Khushi picks them up and is about to put them on the table when she looks at them.. It's Arnav and Sheetal together. Playing basketball. Khushi's eyes well up.. her face turns vulnerable.. Khushi says to herself, "If Sheetal ji was looking at those pictures then it means that she still'. About Arnav ji'Means that she has not been able to forget her past.."
Book Talk
Cricket
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