Suspicious Mind - Fantastic Daily Episode: pg 34 - Page 4

"Where did he go?" Khushi says surprised. Everyone looks around for Aarav. After some moments, they spot him next to the kitchen, drinking water. Mami and Anjali look at each other with relieved eyes. Nani ji makes an observation, "Seems to me that he does not want to bother anyone!" Khushi walks up to Aarav in the kitchen, holds him by his shoulders from behind, leans forward and says softly, "Are you done?" He shakes his head in affirmative. Khushi takes the glass, puts it down on the kitchen counter, holds his hand and brings him back to the longing area, "Come!"

Doctor happens to walk in just then. "Doctor, this is Aarav. I called you to see him," Khushi says, "In fact, he had passed out today." "Let me check up!" doctor says, "Come, dear!" Arnav comes and sits on the sofa. Doctor sits next to him. Opens up his briefcase and pulls out his stethoscope. He takes a listen to his lungs, "Breath, dear!... deeper!" Then he takes out a vial and starts preparing for an injection. A scream slips out of Khushi's mouth.. "awhhh'." Mami's eyes go wide.. Anjali's eyes go narrow with sacre. She caresses Arnav's face as she says to the doctor, "Doctor, please, be careful! He is a kid." Arnav looks at her as if its no big deal. "Just a minute!.. One minute!" Khushi stops the doctor as he gets ready to give the injection. Khushi holds Arnav on his shoulder and says to Aarav, "Arnav, be brave! You won't even know. I promise you that if you don't move while taking this injection, then I will give you a chocolate!" Khushi is scared herself. Arnav is just fine. He says, "Doctor Uncle, please, hurry up!" Mami makes a face to admire his courage. The doctor gives injection to Arnav. Not a muscle moves on his face as the injection goes in, though all the ladies either shut their eyes tight or avert the gaze. Anjali peeks in to see that Arnav is unaffected. "All done!" The doctor says, "Very brave child!" Pats him on the back. "Namaste!" "Namshaker!" Evreyone, greets the doctor as he takes their leave.

Just then they hear footsteps. All gazes follow the sound of the footsteps. Some little girls walk in to the house in row, one after the other, all dressed up. Khushi immediately walks up to them. Okay, can't wait till I get to my special note! Why cannot other family members do some of the things Khushi does? The script is not utilizing all the characters well. Anjali used to be the pro at all pooja stuff. Now she has taken a complete back seat. Why does Khushi have to be the do it all, say it all? Khushi goes and speaks with each of the girls. Arnav watches with horrified eyes, "These girls?" Anjlai smiles as she says, "It's Kanya Pooja .. 'worship of the young girls' today. We will be offering lunch to all of them." A thought occurs to Anjali, "You also join them! You will have fun!" What? He is not a girl, Anjali! "No, thanks!" Aarav says unenthusiastically. "Why?" Anjali asks with disappointment. "Because, I don't believe in all these customs!" All the ladies present look at each other with meaningful eyes. "You know, you talk just like our Chhotey!" Anjali says. Nani ji reminds them, "Come on, come everyone! We have to serve the meal to the children! Come!" All the ladies walk towards the kitchen. HP where are you?

Couple of girls immediately walk up to Aarav and ask, "What's your name?" "Arnav!" "Oh, Aarav! What nice name you have!" The other girl says, "You are so cute!" Aarav immediately stands up and says in a curt voice, "Excuse me! I am not cute!" The girls laugh at him teasingly. As soon as they see Khushi coming out of kitchen they run back to assume their places. As Arnav settles down on the sofa, Khushi asks, 'Aarav, you did not tell me what you would like to eat!" "Nothing!" comes the answer. "If you eat nothing, then you would pass out again!" Khushi says. Aarav mutters under his breath, "I was better passed out!" "What?" Khushi says with narrowed eyes. "Nothing!" he says in a bothered voice, "I want toast and juice!" Khushi is taken aback' she says to herself, 'toast.. and .. juice..? " as she remembers Arnav asking her, "Khushi, give me toast and juice, please!" In the meantime, Aarav grabs the paper from the table and starts reading. Khushi looks at him and starts biting on her nails as suspicion once again raises its ugly head in her mind.

A bit later:

The customs of Kanya Pooja begins. All the girls sit in a row. Anjali puts their feet in a platter and washes them, Mami ji wipes those off. Then every girl is given a dupatta with Devi Maiyya's blessings. Then the food is served. After the meal, each one of them is given a gift. Aarav watched all of the rituals with disgust in his eyes. Did not like showing a child like this! Not believing in customs is one thing! But showing disgust on every step at such an young age, hard to swallow. Aarav heaves a sigh of relief as the girls leave. He continues to read newspaper as the ladies return to the lounge area.

Khushi brings the toast and juice, hands it to Arnav, "Here you go!" Everyone watches him as he bites on his toast and drinks his juice. Mami ji cannot help but make an observation, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! Phati Saree, this little packet is just like the big packet of yours!" Smile disappears from Khushi's face as Mami ji continues, "Same to same! Duplicate copy!" "Yes!" says Nani ji, "He eats toast just the same way Chhotey does!" Khushi's heart sinks as each one of them continues to agree with each other. Payal joins in, "Yes! And.. he does not like girls at all! Just like Arnav ji!" Remember that statement! Because it does not fit with what Arnav says later! Anjali adds, "His walk and talk.. .both are just like Chhotey!" Okay, these Raizada ladies need to step out of the house a bit more and see other children! May be their Chhotey never grew up!

Khushi looks at him with curiosity. Her eyes go wide as Mami ji says, "Ya! If Arnav bitwa had a kid, then he would be just the same, like him! Right?" Stunned Khushi looks at Arnav who shakes his head as if says, "I just can't believe it!" Khushi's heart sinks as suspicion gets stronger'. Just then the door opens and Arnav enters with Sheetal. Sheetal rushes to Aarav, throws her handbag aside and hold him by shoulders as she says, "Dear, are you alright? I am sorry, Mumma had to leave you alone." Arnav says with frowned forehead, "Mumma, don't overreact, please!" He stands up, "See, I am fine!" Then he adds, "Just the weather change'. Even the doctor said that I was fine!" Sheetal stands up and says to Khushi, "Khushi, thank you so much! If you were not there, then don't know what would have happened to Aarav!" Khushi smiles, as Sheetal continues, "Thank you so much that you brought him home with you! And.. you took care of him!" Khushi smiles politely. Arnav's eyes fill with pride as he hears this. He then looks at Arnav and asks in a very soft voice, "Are you okay?" Arnav says with a straight face, "I am fine! Thank You!"

"What fine!.. You fainted in front of me.. " Khushi says, but then she shuts up in the middle as Arnav gives her a pointed look. Arnav's eyes make a note of that. Arnav then instructs his mother, "Mom, listen! Don't tell anyone that I fainted! Because.. only the weak faints!.. and I am not weak!" A faint smirk appears on Arnav's face as he watches Aarav say all this to his mother. "Bitiya, what would you like.. coffee.. tea?" Nani ji asks Sheetal. "No, No! Nothing! We should leave, we are getting late!' Sheetal says, "We have trouble you so much anyway. Some other day!" "Hello Hi Bye Bye! You may leave.. why hurry? At least have a cup of tea! Otherwise, Arnav bitwa will say that we did not even welcome his friend!" "No, No! We really are getting very late, we must get going! Some other day!" Sheetal says. As she turns around, Arnav is not there! "Arnav.. where is he?" Sheetal screams with panic! All the yes look around for Arnav'. Khushi locates him, "Arnav.. there he is!" Everyone is surprised to see Arnav in the garden buy the poolside' touching Arnav's roses.

Arnav watches keenly as Aarav inspects his garden and touches his roses. Aarav's eyes spot a dead flower. As he goes to touch the flower, everyone's breath gets stuck in their throat' worried how Arnav might react, they look at Arnav's face.. Anjali walks over to Khushi and says, "Oh, God! Chhotey does not like kids in first place.. and Arnav.. is touching his palnts!.. It scares me! What if Chhotey yells at him?"

'Stop!" Arnav's voice attracts everyone's attention. He has walked up to Aarav by now. He says, "Don't pluck the flower!" Fearlessly Arnav says, "But this flower is dead already!" Arnav looks at the flower carefully, "Yeah.." Aarav does not sto there. He provides unsolicited advice, "You should add a fertilizer to this'. Anything homemade! Like..the tea leaves!" "Really?" Arnav asks with a disbelief. "Yes, I put that in my plants!" Arnav says as he adds, "This plant should not be here,.. it should be placed there!" Arnav listens carefully as Arnav continues, "This is rose! It does not like strong sunlight." Arnav asks with disbelief, "Are you serious?" Well well well'. This did not go down so well with me! Arnav.. who has been taught gardening by his mother' into gardening since childhood.. gardens everyday' does not know these simple things about such common plant as a rose? It's not an exotic plant! That's what I mean by depth! The dialogues are superficial and sometimes just take away completely form the story. Ahhh,'.

The ladies heave a sigh of relief. They leave Arnav and Aarav alone. Anjali comes to Sheetal, asks, "So you were in college with Chhotey!" then she smiles and corrects herself, 'I mean, with Arnav? But then how come I don't know?" Khushi also silently awaits the answer. Sheetal avoids the question by saying, "We.. we were just in a class together!" and averts Anjali's gaze, discomfort evident on her face. Nani ji declares, "You guys sit down! Tea is ready!" Sheetal again says, "Not now! We are getting very late, we must get going!" "Arey, it's only a question of a cup of tea! Sit down! Sit!" Anjali insists. Payal brings the tray as everyone sits down.

"Aarav!" Sheetal calls as Anjali pours tea in the cups. All their gazes lift to look at Aarav.. and stunned they watch a scene their eyes can't believe! Arnav and Aarav have their gardening gloves on' they rake the soil in the planter, together' plant a new bush one together. Anjali says with a smile and surprised eyes as she says, "Wow! I have never seen Chhotey so happy with any other child!" Nani ji says with admiration, "It really feels good to see such a young yet so smart child!" Khushi's heart fills with the fear of unknown' her restlessness increases'

Anjali says to Sheetal, "Stay back for lunch! We would love it!" Sheetal goes back t her tangent, "In fact, we are getting very late! We will be back another time! Sorry!" Then she calls for Aarav. "Aarav, come!" Arnav and Aarav take their gloves off. Aarav comes running. Sheetal asks him, "Aarav, did you thank everyone?" Aarav turns around and looks at Nani ji as he says, "Thank You!" Anjali and Khushi smile pleasantly. Arnav walks in. Aarav looks at him, with a flat face he says, 'Bye!" Arnav smiles softly and waves lightly as he says, "Bye!" Khushi's smile disappears with that. Anjali and Nani ji look at Arnav with surprise and smile in their eyes. Their meaningful gazes do not go unnoticed by Arnav. Sheetal leaves with Aarav.

"Chhotey, wash your hands quickly, then we can eat together!" Anjali says to Arnav. Arnav curls his lips quickly and answers, "Sure!" then takes off. Mami ji must comment, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! When the small packet is with the big packet, it feels as if father and son are together!" Khushi's heart sinks as she looks at the other ladies smiling happily at Mami ji's comment! Wow! Who would make such a comment in such a sticky setting? I understand there are people like that but, it did not suit Mami.. she is always very defensive when it comes to protecting Arnav and Anjali! And Nani ji giggled with her .. first time out of her character! Other times she would have given her 'the look!' as Khushi was standing right there!

Later that day:

Arnav works in his garden, As he waters his newly raked plant, Khushi watches him from a distance.. rolling and rubbing her hands nervously. Then she slowly walks up to Arnav and says, "What are you doing?" Arnav smiles a bit as he says, "Arnav gave me a great tip on gardening! It's hard to imagine that such a young child knows so much!" This serves another blow to Khushi's worried heart. She says in a mellow voice, "Yes! When you look at him, it is hard to know that he is not like other ordinary kids!" But then Khushi is Khushi! She comes back to her element as she says, "Do you know how scared I was when he fainted? I thought that his Mumma will accuse me once again! But.. she is not that bad! Not like I thought!" "Ya!" Arnav says softly. Arnav looks at Khushi with slight surprise in his eyes as she says, 'By the way, she is so much like you!... stays quiet.. likes to be alone'" A smile flickers on Arnav's lips as he says not looking at Khushi, "I know, what you are saying! Sheetal is an introvert! Actually, we were very good friends during those days of college!" "Really? But she said to me that you both were not such good friends!" Ya, Khushi! Love you! Smart move!

"Really?" Arnav asks with disbelief. "yes!' Khushi innocently says. "I am not surprised! Sheetal is just like that!" Arnav says in a very soft voice and a gentle smile. 'Means?" Khushi asks. Arnav says in 'not such a big deal' kind of manner averting her gaze most of the time, "Actually, Khushi.. when we were in college.. for some time. We were seeing each other!" Innocent Khushi looks at him and asks, "Then she vanished?.. You were not able to see her?" As Arnav looks at Khushi'. it occurs to him!.. A smirk appears on his face. He puts the watering can down. Hold Khushi's hands into his and says, "Khushi!" Oh, how I love the way he says 'Khushi' like this! Love it! Love it! Love it! I can listen to that brief second a thousand times! Sorry, that's me talking! Arnav suppresses his urge to laugh as he smirks deeply and says with mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "Seeing each other means.. that we were in a relationship! I mean.. girlfriend.. boyfriend!" poor Khushi! Her heart sinks! Her innocent eyes look at Arnav with hurt.. Arnav looks her into the eye as he says still holding her hands, "You know how I was! .. In fact.. I am!.. I did not have many friends. There was no one around to talk with. But Sheetal and I got along well, so became very good friends." Khushi's eyes fill with hurt as she looks at Arnav, unaware of her feelings saying, "After a while we realized that it was not love.. so we broke up!"

As Arnav looks back into Khushi's eyes, he realizes that she is hurt.. shocked.. Arnav reaches for her face. He holds her face in his hand as he says, "Sorry, Khushi, I did not tell you earlier. Arnav is shocked at Khushi's response as she angrily says, "Yes! Why did you not tell me earlier?" Arnav pulls his hand away. Looks away as if it's no big deal and says, "Khushi, there was nothing to tell! In fact, I did not even remember. I remembered it all when I saw Sheetal!' Khushi's expressions go from hurt, to anger to apprehension and anger again, "What is this? You were seeing someone and you don't remember?" Arnav does not get it.. why Khushi is so upset. He says, "Khushi, that's because it meant nothing! It was nothing for me!" Upset Khushi demands, 'Okay, tell me how many girls were in your life before Lavanya ji?.. and who were they?"

Arnav is about to answer when he thinks of something. His eyes change.. a slight smirk appears on his face as he looks at a very upset Khushi.. all worked up. He asks, "Are you sure?" "Absolutely!" Khushi says as she tries to control her heart. Arnav curls his lips and averts her gaze.. as he looks into space, he says, "There was Shreya to start with.. Natalie' Neeta' Samantha' Cindy.." Khushi's eyes go wider and wider as the list increases,.. her jaw drops open.. "Piya.. Aaradhana.. Aakansha'Lata.. aa' " Khushi interrupts, her eyes moist, "So may friends you had in your life?" Arnav corrects her with a non-chalant attitude, "Girlfriends!"

"Arnav ji.." Khushi's eyes fill up to the brim.. her lips quiver.. . as she tries to say, 'You.. " Almost in tears she looks at Arnav as she struggles to find words.. Arnav curls his lips.. his eyes twinkle..he suppresses a smile.. but a mischievous smirk appears on his face.. and mischief reflects in his eyes.. as his mischievous smirk spreads across his face Khushi looks at him with puzzled eyes...When Arnav mischievously raises his eye brows she gets it! She hits him on the chest.. Surprised Arnav looks at her as she goes off on him, "You were lying to me?" She goes on hitting him on the chest as she goes, "You.. You. . You know how scared I was?" Arnav keeps moving back as she keeps hitting him. "Arnav ji!" Khushi gets so aggravated.. Arnav quickly grabs both her hands and hold her in place, "Okay.. Khushi!" OMG! He killed me here again with his "Khushi!" Love just the way he says it! Arnav holds Khushi's hands in his as he looks her into the eye and says in a soft, whispering voice, "What matters is that I did not even know what love was until I met you! You made me realize what love means!" Khushi looks him into the eye.. realizes that he means it' she rushes to hug him. Khushi closes her eyes as she rests her head on Arnav's chest, wraps her arms around him tight.. Arnav's hands wrap around Khushi as he tightens the hug. A happy smile covers Khushi's face' her eyes still closed.

Still in each others embrace, resting her head on Arnav's chest, Khushi asks, "By the way, what's the name of Sheetal ji's husband? You must know him too!" Arnav realizes something.. he thinks' then he says, "Actually, I don't know! I saw Sheetal's application for job. Her marital status in it was 'Single'. I think that Sheetal is a single mother!" That serves another blow to Khushi's heart! She wonders, "Single' and a mother'?"