Late at night:
Khushi rolls in the bed as multiple images flash in front of her eyes.. half asleep she twists and turns restlessly as she remembers how Arnav explained told her that Sheetal was his girlfriend in college.. how Aarav had put her finger down and uttered, "what the!" at the tailor's shop'. How Anjali had remarked that Aarav talked like Arnav.. How Mami ji had sais that the small packet is the same as the big one!... How Nani ji had made an observation that Aarav ate his toast the same way Arnav did.. How Mami ji had said that if Arnav had a son he would be just like Aarav'
As Arnav lays asleep next to her Khushi sits right up unable to stay asleep due to all these disturbing thoughts rushing through her mind. Khushi thinks out loud in frustration, "This Mami ji.. says anything that comes to her mouth any time!" She gets up and starts pacing in the room restlessly. She looks at Arnav. Who is deep in his sleep'. Utters, "How does it affect him, The Laad Governor of nowhere! He is done as soon as he told me that it 'meant nothing'.. as if that closed the topic!..But ask my pounding heart, what it is going through! I am able to eat or drink properly." Frustrated she thinks for a few moments.. then she gets an idea. She grabs the stool, gets up on it, and reaches for a box on the shelf on top of the closet. She throws a quick glance at her fast asleep Laad Goevrnor..before reaching inside the box' inside another box.. inside that box! Arnav briefly moves in the bed.. may be tries to open his eyes but falls asleep right away. This action was not very clear.. what it was supposed to mean or not mean..
Khushi takes the box full of channe'chick peas' and sits in the door by poolside. The light ripples in the pool water reflect light on Khushi's face as she reflects on her thoughts and life.. "Everything was going so well!..don't where this kid came out of blue!" Khushi mimics Aarav sarcastically, "I am ASR!.. I am not a kid, understand?" Frustrated, upset, almost in tears Khushi says, "Since he has entered my life everything has turned upside down!.. as if some storm has been generated!"
As Khushi nibbles on her chick peas.. worried sick.. her stomach in knots.. she looks up to the sky and says, "Hey Devi Maiyya, now you tell me what to do!" Then she wonders, "Am I thinking something senseless?" She puts the box in her lap and immediately puts her hands together, closes her eyes and prays, "Hey Devi Maiyya, prove me wrong! I promise you that I won't mind!" She prays hard. Arnav starts squirming in the bed.. his eye opens.. as he looks in Khushi's direction' he is stunned not to see Khushi there! That wakes him right up. As he gets up his gaze spots Khushi sitting in the door by poolside. He gets out of the bed and walks up to Khushi, "Khushi!... what's wrong? Why are you sitting there?" He asks worried. Khushi says in a slightly upset voice, "Nothing!" Arnav asks the right question, "You didn't make Jalebis?"
Obviously he knows that she is upset! So sweet, Arnav ji! "Had I been in the kitchen this late at night, it would wake the whole household up!" she says in a defiant voice. Arnav rolls his eyes to indicate that she is right about that. He sits down next to Khushi. He looks at her.. thinks for a moment and then correctly guess, "Khushi, you are thinking about Sheetal, right?" Khushi does not look at him, just shakes her head in negative and looks away. Her face still shows how upset she is. Arnav says in a matter of fact but softer voice, "Let me say this again, Sheetal means nothing to me!.. She was my past. Will you, please, stop behaving like other wives?" That comes as a challenge to Khushi, she immediately gives him a look and exclaims, "What!.. I am not like other wives.. it does not affect me at all!... Really!" Arnav wants to make sure, "So, you were not thinking about Sheetal?" Even though he keeps looking at her face inquisitively, Khushi does not look at him and says, "No! Why should I think about Sheetal ji?" Arnva says in half sleepy voice, "Then who were you thinking about?"
Khushi sort of turns belligerent and says, "Baa..nke..lal ji!. About Baanke laal ji!" "What's Baanke lal?" Arnav asks confused. Khushi totally takes the non chalant but challenging attitude, says, "Ya!.. Everyone has a past.. that becomes 'meant nothing'! Same way even I had a past!" As Arnav looks at her with 'What The" feeling, Khushi starts acting nostalgic, "When you talked about your past, I remembered my colorful past! I remembered.. that old' sweet' affair of mine!" Arnav asks with frown on his head, just curious but nothing that he thinks serious, "An old affair?" Khushi now really gets in the groove, starts elaborating, "Ya' everyone has an affair.. yours.. mine.. the whole wide world!.. My affair was with Baanklalji!" Arnav says, "That's okay but' Baankelal?" Everytime I watch it, I burst out laughing!
Poor Arnav' more taken by the name than his wifey's so called old affair! Now Khushi really gets in a mood to show off. She says to Arnav as if she is sooo proud, 'What should I tell you about Baanklalji! No matter how much I say, it's not enough!" she says as she starts getting animated, she jumps to her feet and walks by poolside. "His manly arms' moustache covering his face.. and on his lips that innocent smile that I used to die for!" Poor Arnav looks at her as if what is she talking about'"He used to have the betal leaf' paan.. in his mouth.. and the mouth.. all red.. Haaye!" Khushi sighs nostalgically.. . Aranmv's face shows that he finds it more repelling than alluring. He exclaims, 'What?" It all becomes clearer as Khushi turns around and says, "Baankelal ji used to make 'paan' on the corner of Laxmi Nagar' Lajawaab' fantastic paan.. People used to travel long disctances.. in big cars' ! For me he used to make a special one.. "Meetha Paan"..every time I used to go to the market, he used to walk over and give me the paan!"
Arnav just finds the whole thing repelling.. but his imagination runs wild.., "Paan!" he blurts as he visualizes. . Khushi dressed in her earlier avatar.. sitting next to this guy with long moustache' feeding her paan.. and Khushi throwing him affectionate, bashful glances.. the guy saying, "Khushi ji' when you eat the paan.. so gingerly, .. something happens in my heart! ..he hehheee.." Khushi hitting him with a rose lightly before saying bashfully, "Baanke ji' you.. are just . too much!" "When I see you.. I wish to feed you twelve different types of Paan in the twelve months'" and he spits! Khushi hits him agagin with the rose flower and repeats her same dialogue .. "Khushi ji, I swear by my Paan, this Paan guy will take away the Jalebi!" "Haaye' Jalebi' means me!" Khushi says with happiness'
Arnav snaps out of his imagination! As Khushi remarks, "Anyway, that was my past!" Arnav says with relief, "I am glad that was your past!" His face unaffected by what she says. Khushi tries to rub it in, "Anyway, you said that these old flames do not really matter!" Arnav looks at Khushi with big eyes as she says, "So.. it meant nothing, Arnav ji!"
Arnav looks at Khushi as she still moves around nervously, with her fist rolled tight.. he is very much aware of what she is trying to cover up though she does not want to admit' "Yes, it does not matter to me, " he says'
that drains color from Khushi's face.. her efforts to make him jealous go in vain.. He stands up and asks in a concerned voice, "Are you sure that you are alright?" Khushi's heart sinks again but she does not want to look weak,. She pretends as if she is alright, says confidently, "Yes! Yes, I am absolutely alright!.. I am not a weak, helpless Indian female from the fifteenth century!.. I am modern!.. What do you call it?.. Cool.. Cool I am!" Khushi says overenthusiastically. Arnav watches her struggle to hide her discomfort. As Khushi keeps smiling sweetly, he looks at her and says, "That's right! You are the coolest person, I know!" Khushi shrugs her shoulders and smiles' Arnav's eyes fill with affection' passion enters his eyes as he takes very slow steps towards Khushi.. his gaze glued to Khushi's face. . Khushi's eyes realize what he is thinking' She looks at him with steady.. anticipatory gaze.. Arnav reaches for her. gently places his hands to hold her by her waist and pulls her closer'.
OMG.. I have watched this moment probably a hundred times already!.. Just the way he pulls her.. that's just something to feel...it gives me goosebumps!..
Arnav's passionate gaze stays on Khushi's face as he brings her face closer to his.. Khushi lowers her gaze' The closer Arnav's face gets.. Khushi's eyes lift and start looking at his face' she imagines Arnav in similar situation with Sheetal'. Arnav is about to kiss Khushi when her eyes fill with anger and she slaps him on the cheek! A shocked Arnav pulls away!.. Taken aback, he looks at her' as she looks at him with anger and her hand still up in the air' she yells at him, "Are you not ashamed of yourself' while doing this?" Surprised Arnav thinks for a moment' before he says, "Why should I be ashamed? You are my wife'" Khushi comes back to her senses' she looks around.. as she gathers herself, she pretends to be alright, she smiles and says, '"Yea.. ya,'that's right!.. I was not asking,.. I just said' saying'.!" Her face fills with uneasiness.. Arnav asks in a concerned voice, "Khushi, are you alright?" Khushi smiles and nods in affirmative. Arnav's eyes show that he is pretty aware of what is going through her mind' He says in an affectionate voice, "Okay, come here!" Carefully, slowly he pulls her closer, rests her head on his chest.. holds her close as he pats her on her head to confort as he says, "Let's sleep! Okay?" Disturbed but tired Khushi sorts of gives up putting a brave face and says, "Alright!"
Next Morning:
Sun is up.. birds chirp' Khushi still in bed.. as she tries to open her eyes she sees that someone is helping Arnav fold his collar on his shirt' her eyes pop open.. wide eyed Khushi sees looks at Arnav getting cozy with Sheetal. As Arnav holds Sheetal's face in both his hands is goes to kiss her on her forehead, Khushi springs out of the bed as she yells, "Arnav ji!" Arnav looks at her with wide eyes as he tries to straighten his collar.. Khushi jumps over the bed and runs to him, "What are you doing?" Surprised Arnav asks her, "What?" Khushi stares him in the eye.. then she looks around.. hesitates, "That' that' She does not look good while straightening collar!" Arnav raises his eye brown with a questioning gaze. Khushi averts his gaze and demands, "Don't wear this shirt!" Arnav answers not affected, "Khushi, all my shirts are similar! How does it matter?" Khushi says frustrated, "Don't wear this one! This does not look good on you!" Arnav looks into the mirror' a puzzled look on his face. Khushi starts biting on her nails nervously.. Arnav says to her, "They are no different. It's okay!" Khushi stops biting her nails'lost for words she stares Arnav in the eye'
Little bit later' Khushi is dressed for the day. As she descends down the stairs she talks to herself, "Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada, stop thinking about such non-sense!" Anjali wonders as she hears Khushi say, ". Otherwise people will think that you have gone crazy!" Anjali turns around and calls, "Khushi ji!" Startled Khushi turns around to find Anjali' she walks up to her as she stands up and says, "Good Morning!" Anjali asks with a smile, 'Is everything alright?" Khushi puts a smile on her face and says, "Yes, Di! Everything is alright!. There is no old affair.. I mean.. there is no affair!" Anjali knows better, she asks with concern, "Khushi ji, what happened?" Luckily, the door bell rings and Khushi seizes the opportunity, "I will get it!" Anjali nods but her eyes follow Khushi with a gaze filled with questions. Payal and Mami ji bring some stuff on platters.. Nani ji says, "let me see!' she checks it out and says, "Yes, it will be alright for Dusshera!"
Khushi's eyes go wide as she opens the door and looks at Sheetal standing at the door. 'Hi!" Sheetal says with a smile, her face immediately changes as Khushi closes her eyes shut looking at her! Khushi opens her eyes and whispers at her, "Go! Go away!" Sheetal looks at her confuse as Khushi continues, "I know that you are just my imagination!.. neither were you fixing the collar' nor are you standing here! Go!" "What?" Sheetal asks. Mami ji and Nani ji turn around. Nani ji asks, "Khushi bitiya, what are you doing?" Then she looks at Sheetal and says, "Sheetal bitiya, why are you standing there? Come in, please!" Khushi looks at Sheetal.. her jaw drops open seeing Sheetal herself in front of her along with Aarav. I know this was not funny but I could not help but laugh!
"I am getting late! I came only to grab my prescription! I forgot it here yesterday. I need to buy Aarav's medications." "yes, I have kept it carefully aside!" Come in!" Khushi manages to say. "No, I will just get the prescription and leave. Getting very late." Nani ji says affectionately, "Dear, nothing will change in a little while! Come, come on in!" Just then walks in Arnav.. "No. .. No! It wil be too late!.. Please..! Just the prescription'" Anjali walks over and says, "Sheetal ji, you can leave' but later.. First come in!" Just then Aarav says to Sheetal, "Mom, hurry up! I am very hungry!" Anjali asks, "Have you not had your breakfast?" He shakes his head in negative. "Now, you must have breakfast before you leave!" Anjali declares as she says affectionately, 'The little one.. Chhotey' is hungry after all!" "No, no! We must get going. It's getting late!" Sheetal resists. To Khushi's surprise, Arnav says, "Of course! Come join us!... Come!" Sheetal looks at everyone uncomfortably.. Khushi looks at her but says nothing. Anjali requests, "Come in, please!' Sheetal gives in, "Okay!"
Everyone assumes their places around the breakfast table. Aarav sits next to Arnav, Sheetal being exactly opposite from him. "Aarav, will you have idli?" Anjali asks enthusiastically. Aarav answers in a stern voice, "No! I want toast and juice only." Khushi sorts of snaps, "I know!" She looks at Arnav who is busy checking his phone. As Khushi serves, Mami ji goes, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! Answer one important question of mine! Why are you always in a hurry? Why?" Sheetal answers, "We are moving in the new house, that's why!" "Oh!" Mami goes. Khushi brings toast over. Payal joins them at the table. Khushi's suspicious mind now gets a lot to work with as she watches Arnav and Aarav do things together at the same time.. in the same style.. both spread butter on their toast.. then take a sip of juice' even put the glass away same way.. She looks at Arnav as he takes a bite out of his toast. Then her eyes observe Aarav' do the same! Follow that with another sip of juice in the same style in unison! Khushi's heart sinks!
"Mom!" Aarav asks, "Can I go back to the hotel? I am in no mood to go to the doctor's!... And anyway, our new house is very dusty!" "No, Aarav! I have so may things to take of during the day' how can I leave you alone there?" Sheetal says, "You come with me!" Nani ji suggests, "Why don't you leave Aarav here?" Sheetal says, "Actually.. Aarav is just finding excuses'. His favorite football team is playing a match that's why!" Arnav's face brightens as he looks at Aarav. "Brazil!" Aarav says. Arnav says, 'Versus Argentina!" Khushi's eyes go wide as she listens to Arnav say to Aarav, "Four O'clock! Right?" "You too like football matches?" Aarav asks. Khushi's jaw drops as he answers, 'Of course! I love football!" Sheetal's gaze shows that she knows it. Khushi asks surprised, "You never told me that you like football?" :Never got a chance to tell!" Arnav says as if it's no big deal, "It's a good thing that I have no meetings today! I can be just home and watch the match." Khushi's face drains color as she hears him. She thinks to herself, "He has kept so much about himself from me! What else is there to spill, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada?" Arnav looks at her as her face goes through a change of emotions.
"Well, Mumma thinks that football is a waste of time.. because twenty players run after one ball!" Sheetal smiles to herself. Arnav says, "Those who don't play think so!" Sheetal looks with a gaze as if this has some history between the two of them. She looks at Khushi. Just then Aarav asks, "Can I watch the football match with you?" Arnav immediately looks at Khushi.. she does not say anything. He turns to Aarav and says, "Of course!" Khushi's eyes almost bulge out with surprise mixed with suppressed anger!
"Okay, it's decided then!" Anjali says elated, "Aarav will spend the whole day with us, right, Aarav?" "No, Anjali ji!" Sheetal says, "I don't want to trouble all of you!" Nani ji says, 'It's not trouble at all. If you take the child with you, you will be in trouble!" Anjali goes on to say, "And anyways, your son is'.." as she looks at Aarav's stern face she changes her tone, "I mean, Aarav is not a kid! See, how much he has grown! And no one will be bothered by your Chhotey' little one!" Khushi gets very upset as she makes a note to herself, "She has called him Chhotey twice by now!" Mami ji adds, "Regardless' in this adults only house.. it will bring a change of weather! Let it be!" Sheetal says, "Alright! Since you are insisting so much, Aarav might stay here." Mami ji smiles in agreement. Aarav's face shows a slight flicker of smile as Sheetal continues, ".. my prescriptions?" "yes, one minute!" Khushi says. "Okay!" Sheetal responds. Khushi leaves to get the prescriptions.
When Khushi brings the prescription, she looks at it and her thinking wheels churn.. "If I want to get to the bottom of Arnav ji's relation with Aarav, I should go with Sheetal ji!.. I can find out while talking!" "Here it is!" Khushi says with a smile. "Thank You so much!" Sheetal says as she gets up from the table. "Sheetal ji!" Khushi goes, "I wil come with you!" "Thank You, I will manage!" Sheetal says. "No.. No! It's just that I have to get a check up from the doctor as well!" Everyone looks at Khushi with surprised eyes with questions. "Khushi, what's wrong with you?" Arnav asks,. Offers, "I'll come with you!" Nani ji gets worried, 'What's wrong, Khushi bitiya?" "No, I am absolutely fine!" Khushi says. "Then why are you going to see the doctor?" Arnav asks. "It's' a regular.. check up'. For a regular check up!" Khushi says. Arnav and Payal look at her with puzzled eyes. "Shall we go?' she then asks Sheetal, she nods in return with a smile.
Sheetal makes a final attempt, "Aarav, are you sure that you don't want to come with Mumma?" Aarav nods his head in affirmative. "I will try to finish my work quickly!" Sheetal says. Mami ji declares as she says to Sheetal, "It's not allowed to force anyone in this house!.. so, you get out!" The she looks at Aarav and says with a smile, "And I know that Aarav will not miss you a bit! What say?" Aarav actually gives her a faint smile. "Shall we?" Khushi says to Sheetal. "Aarav, be on your best behavior, okay?" Sheetal says. "Mom, please!" Aarav says. Arnav observes him keenly. "Let's go!" Sheetal and Khushi leave. Arnav looks at Aarav who gives him a little smile' Arnav smiles in return.
At the doctor's:
Khushi and Sheetal wait at the doctor's' Sheetal keeps looking at her watch, then she says, "I hope, Aarav is not disturbing your family!" "No, he won't do anything like that!" Khushi assures her with a smile, "He doesn't talk at all!" Then she probes, "He must have taken after his father!" Sheetal looks at her nervously but says nothing. Just then the doctor walks in. "Doctor, is everything alright? .. Do we have Aarav's reports?" The doctor assumes his place and says with a serious face, "Sorry, Sheetal ji! '. Based on the blood tests of Aarav.. sorry to say.. but he has diabetes!" Khushi's jaw drops at the news as Sheetal exclaims, "What?" Khushi and Sheetal look at each other' "But, .. Doctor, there is some mistake!" Sheetal says, "Aarav is just a child!" "A child can have diabetes!" The doctor says, "Aarav has juvenile diabetes!" "I don't know.. how is that possible?" Sheetal worries. 'Sheetal ji, please, don't worry. With some changes in life style and some regular medications, his sugar levels can be controlled. You just will have to be careful with him." Sheetal looks distressed. Khushi reaches out to her.. holds her hand and says, "Sheetal ji, the doctor is absolutely right! You just look after Aarav, it should not be very difficult. You know, even Arnav ji also has diabetes. You don't worry. I will tell you about what Aarav can eat and what he can't." 'But how is it possible? Aarav does not even eat sweets!" Sheetal says. The doctor explains, "Diabetes is not due to non dieting or not exercising. It is a hereditary disease. If either parent has diabetes, then the child stands a chance of having diabetes." This information serves a blow to Khushi's psyche. Her heart sinks. Sheetal says, "Thank You, doctor. I will take good care of Aarav." The doctor then scribbles a prescription, "These are some medications and few things that Aarav should avoid." Khushi's heart sinks as she thinks, "Arnav ji and Aarav both have diabetes! Hey Devi Maiyya, do what I think is right?"
Book Talk
Cricket
717