Face The Music - Jaisa Des Waisa Bhes: Page 63 - Page 21

"Come on guys, don't you want to give us a farewell or not?" Aakash says. Tear filled eyes and still a smile on her lips, Mami says, "Well said, bitwa!" Payal's eyes full to the brim.. though a smile flickers on her lips. With heavy heart she looks at Aakash. Aakash gently holds her arm and leads her to say "Good Bye." Nani ji gives them blessings with tear filled eyes. As Aakash hugs Manorama. She caresses his face affectionately and says in a heavy voice as tears trickle down her face, "Take care of yours' " Aakash gently pats her on the face and says, "I love you!" "Love you too!" Mami manages to say before she breaks down into tears. Every heart around heavy' every eye tearful.. all voices crack.. some look at others, others avert gazes.. waving 'Good Bye" to Aakash and Payal is not easy on anyone in the family. "Amma!" Payal hugs Garima. Garima hugs her back and cries silently. Aakash looks at Khushi and says, "Khushi ji, stay cheerful always! " Khushi nods with a smile.. eyes moist. "Take care of Bhai!" Aakash requests. Payal rushes to hug Khushi.. both sisters hug each other tightly' tears trickle down their faces.

Aakash then comes to Arnav. In a heavy voice Arnav says, "I will miss you a lot!" Aakash makes a gesture with his face and lips to disagree and says, "Don't think so.. now that Aarav is here!" Arnav says nothing.. averts his gaze as his eyes fill with tears' he looks at the floor. Khushi's heart goes out to him. "Aakash Bhai!" NK says as he hugs Aakash, "Won't you forget us after going to America?" "Can I forget you all?" Aakash asks.. then to lighten up the mood he jokes, "Anyway, you guys will call five times a day!" "At night!" NK says' "It will day time there and night here! Right?" This brings smile to every face.. "Aman has made arrangements for your stay' you should have no problems. Make sure' that you eat' homemade food!" Arnav says in an emotional voice. "Of course!" Aakash says, "Of course, Bhai! Payal is with me' so obviously!" Aakash replies in equally emotional voice. The big brother and the bro-in-law in Arnav does not forget to mention, "Take care of Payal!.. Don't leave alone to be outside.. it's a new country for her!" Payal and every one else listen with tearful eyes. "Yeah!" Aakash. "Come on!" NK says, "Come on, guys! What's wrong, yeah? I mean, come on! It's not that difficult! It's only four words' I will miss you! Okay?" Arnav can no more hold it back.. he moves forward with tearful eyes and hugs Aakash. Everyone cries as they hug. Payal hugs Anjali' both cry silent tears. "I am going to miss you!" Arnav says as he lets go of Aakash'"Bhai!" Aakash barely manages before he looks at Anjali with tearful eyes, "Di!" Anjali controls her tears and hold his writs.. then she takes out the Raksha Dhaga..and starts tying it around his wrist as she says, "I made a wish for you! This is the Raksha Dhaga.. it will protect you' Take care of yourself!" Both caress each others faces affectionately as tears flow freely.. Arnav comes and joins Aarav and Khushi as all eyes settle on Aakash and Payal as they head towards the door. At the door they turn around and look back.. Aakash blows a kiss in the air and Payal waves bye with tearful eyes' Khushi and Aarav wave back.. As Aakash and Payal walk out of the door..Nani ji's affectionate hand comes to rest on Manorama's shoulder.. She then hugs Nani ji as her tears flow freely. Aarav looks at Aarav's mellow face.. Arnav gently soothes him with his hand over his hair as Khushi looks on.

Next Morning:

"Gopal ji, light up diyas all around the house! Make sure that no corner is left without one!" Khushi instructs Gopal as she hands him a platter full of diyas.. lamps. "Khushi ji, listen! I need diyas for my temple!" Anjali says as he walks in. "Yeah, Jiji said that there were more diyas in the kitchen! I will get those!" Khushi says. "No problem, I will get those!" Anjali says with a smile. Mami and Nani ji chat with each other as they get the flowers for the evening ready. NK walks in a she talks over the phone, "Oh, yes! Yes! I need more flowers'. Especially that one..'gandaafool''dirty flower..yeah!" Just then Mami throws a marigold flowers at him. "What?" NK says on phone, " There is no flower with that name? ' Oh, yes, 'Gendaafool'.. Marigold... yeah! Yeah! I have it in my hand..Okay, brother! I mean, bhaiyya! See you soon!" He looks at the phone, "He hung up on me!" "Oh, yes!" Nani ji says, "I ordered sweets and saltines to give as gifts to friends and relatives.. is it here?" NK says, "Nani ji, relax Nannav is there! He has fulfilled the responsibility of North Delhi and West Delhi side relatives!" "For so many people?" Aarav says to himself as he listens to the conversation. "But'I want to order some more sweets!" Nani ji says, "What should I order?" "Ahh'chocolate pedha.." NK says! "Hello Hi Bye Bye! Cham cham.." Manorama starts salivating at the thought' "Burfi as well!" Anjali adds. "Jalebi?" Nani ji asks. "That' Khushi ji will make it!" Anjali, NK and Mami say in unison! "Oh, yeah!" Nani ji says. Proud, happy Khushi syas, 'Yeah! What's the need to order Jalebis since I am here?" Her eyes spot Aarav.

"Arey, Aarav! What do you want to eat?" Khushi asks, "Arey, yeah' I forgot that you' sweets' you can it!" Arnav smiles and nods.. as Khushi walks towards him saying, "Because you don't have diabetes!.. Okay, tell me, what do you want to eat? You like sweets?" "No!" Aarav says, "I love them!" Aarav's answer brings broad smile to both their faces as Khushi says, "Here, Devi Maiyya brought together two who fancy sweets!" Everyone looks affectionately at them. Anjali says, "Arey, Khushi ji, there is so much to do! I have to go to the temple and feed the poor." Okay, the quality of dialogue just lowered here.. Anjali never talked in these terms about the disadvantaged. "So many gifts! ..work'food..why today?" Khushi smiles and pinching his cheeks affectionately she says, "Today is Diwali.. have you forgotten?... Today we spread happiness.. and light our houses with diyas.. lamps. On Diwali.." "Khushi ji!" Anjali interrupts her, "I was thinking that Pandit ji also should get a gift for sure!" Khushi forgets about Aarav and moves closer to Anjali, "Yes, Di! But.. what can we give him?" Arnav leaves with a mellow face. Just then Arnav comes in and asks, "Khushi, where is Aarav?" Anjali and Khushi both are surprised to see Aarav missing. "Arey, he was just here! Don't know where he went!" Khushi says, "May be he went to his room!" Arnav thinks for amoment and leaves.

Arnav knows well where to find Aarav. He comes to the poolside.. finds Aarav making Diwali greeting cards. "Hey!" he says in a very soft voice. "Hi!" Aarav says without looking up. Arnav sits on the chair next to him, picks up a card he made as he looks at it he says, "That's creative! You are making cards for the family?" Aarav shakes his head in negative. "For your friends?" Arnav guesses. "No!" Aarav says and adds, "In fact, every year we make such cards on Diwali in the ashram.. the group home. Then we put these up for sale in the evening. Many people come to purchase these." This mellows Arnav Singh Raizada down. He asks in a soft voice, "What else did you do on Diwali?" Aarav looks up and says, "And, yes! Sometimes people used to come to donate stuff'. Like books, pencils'clothing!" Arnav says, "Then I promise you that this Diwali will be a very different one for you!..because just like on every other festival.. my family goes crazy on Diwali as well!" Alright! That certainly is not Arnav Singh Raizada! He does not talk like this about his family and why should be he the one demeaning his family in front of Aarav.. because the gesture he does with 'crazy' indicates 'going nuts'! "Yes, I saw!" Aarav says, 'I have not seen anyone get so excited on Diwali. In fact, it is my first Diwali outside of the ashram.. in someone's house!" "Not in someone's house, Aarav! In our house!" Arnav says in a soft voice but with worried face. "Yeah!" Aarav responds'

Khushi cleans the small table next to the chaise vigorously' Arnav walks in asks with a little surprise, "What are you doing? You just cleaned it in the morning!" "It's been two-three hours since then! If dust collects then.. Laxmi ji will feel bad (Godess)! And if she feels bad then how will she come to our how house?" Khushi says and goes back to cleaning. Arnav realizes that she is in her own world.. he says nothing.. with a mellow face sits at the foot of the bed. I did not find this dialogue cute, it felt very immature for someone like Khushi who was teaching Lavanya culture and related things last year at this time! As Arnav sits quietly, Khushi realizes that there is something different on his mind' she stops cleaning and walks up to him' sits next to him.. puts her hand on his shoulder and asks, "What's the matter, Arnav ji? Is everything alright?" Arnav says, "I am a bit upset about Aarav. He has not celebrated Diwali outside the ashram, in someone's house'he does not know how to celebrate! Seems to me he feels out of place probably!" "Everyone needs time to blend with the new atmosphere. Aarav also must be finding it difficult to accept that now this is his family." Then Khushi gently rubs on Arnav's shoulder and says in her chirpy style, "But, don't you worry about him! I will make his Diwali a blast! Small ones.. big ones.. will get fire crackers of al kind! Kids like all this! That rocket ' that whistles and then disappears in the air!.. and then those firecrackers that fill up the sky with bright light!... the wheels' how many types of the wheels there are!" "No, Khushi!" Arnav's voice dampens Khushi's spirit! "No one will burst fire crackers in this house. And Aarav' not for sure! Do you know how dangerous fire crackers are? ' and bad for health?.. at the most he can light two-three diyas and light some sparklers!" 'What are you saying?" Khushi protests, "If no sound is to be made then how would it feel like Diwali?" "Not sound' noise pollution!" Arnav corrects Khushi, "Have you thought about the elderly.. or the kids? How this must bother them? What must be happening to the sick ones? Diwali is the festival of lights' not to make noise!" Khushi still tries, "Okay.. if not the big ones' few small bombs?" "No!' Arnav makes it clear, "'.means no!" "You'. You have problem with every festival! Just like yourself don't allow Aarav to become interested in anything'. Then what fun is it?... disinterested!" Khushi says and leaves angrily! "What the!" Arnav mutters.

The huge thal' platter.. of Boondi.. a sweet' is in the center'.everyone sitting around in the lounging area helps make laddoos with that' balls'as they listen to the story of Diwali from Nani ji, "Ram and Ravana were at war for ten consecutive days but, no one won! Then Ram used his special arrow, given to him by the Gods. Ram killed Ravana with that arrow and won!" Aarav comes playing with his toy car.. remote controlled.. that runs into Khushi's feet.."Aarav! Come here!" Khushi calls him. he comes, picks up his car,.. puts it on the table and sits next to Khushi as she says, 'Sit down and listen to what Nani ji is saying!" As Khushi makes the laddoos, Aarav sits next to her and listens, "Ram and Sita returned to their home in Ayodhya with Laxman and hanuman after fourteen years in exile. The day Ram got crowned the king is celebrated today as Diwali!" "Nani, you know, every year you tell us this story' but every time it feels like the first time we are listening to it!" Anjali says cheerfully. Just then Aarav puts his hand into the thal and grabs a laddoo. 'No, Aarav!" Khushi says, "You cannot eat this! This is for Laxmi pooja!" "But Laxmi ji does not eat it!" "Certainly she will! If you feed her whole heartedly then she will!" Khushi says. "Then I will eat it whole heartedly!" Aarav goes to grab the laddoo again. "No, Aarav!" Khushi says, "I said that you cannot eat it! I have to put this as offering! This will be used then.. dipped into!" Aarav stands up and screams, "Then why did you make the laddoos if cannot eat them?" Stunned everyone looks at him as he continues, "And the one who wants.. you are not allowing him to eat! Anyway, now I don't want to eat these laddoos!" "Aarav try to understand!" Khushi says, "I am just saying'" before Khushi can say anything further, Aarav reaches for the expensive vase on the side table.. picks it up and throws it on the floor' shattering it into pieces!" Every eye in the room goes wide' Khushi jumps to her feet as she says in a scolding voice, "Aarav, is this the way you behave with your elders? I will not tolerate this behavior! Understood?" Aarav turns around and takes off as Khushi screams, "Aarav!" "Hello Hi Bye Bye!" Mami ji exclaims, "Look at the temper of this little packet!" Khushi turns around and says, "No problem, Mami ji! Kids behave like this, right?" nani ji and Aanjli nod silently as Khushi says, "What a family is' and how to behave with the family members' how should Aarav know?" Arnav listens to her from the corner of the room.. his face sharp' his eyes mount displeasure'disapproval..

Arnav stands in the room.. anger fills his eyes,' his face sharp.. jaw firm.. few frowns crowd his forehead' Khushi walks in' excitedly she says, 'What happened? You called for me?" Arnav turns around.. both hands tucked in his pockets'"Khushi, what you did downstairs.. what did you mean by that?" "What did I do?" Khushi asks. Arnav asks in a firm voice, "Aarav wanted to eat laddoo and you scolded him?" "Those laddoos are meant for pooja!' Khushi says. "It was a matter of just one laddoo!" "It's the offering!" "But.. a laddoo after all!" "What do you mean to say?" Khushi asks. "That.. if someone wants to eat the laddoo, they can!" Khushi says, "But you cannot eat laddoo! You are not to eat sweets!" "I am not talking about myself.. talking about Aarav!" Arnav says angrily' frustrated.. I did not find it funny or amusing.. I just found this whole conversation out of place! As if the story was about Aarav and not Khushi and Arnav. "Arnav ji, Aarav does not know about rituals and customs..This is our responsibility to impart good values to him." "What values?... that if he eats one laddoo then Gods will be upset?" Arnav says angrily. "That's not the matter, Arnav ji! Matter of fact is that Aarav needs to know that he cannot do everything he wants. We will have to teach Aarav the right from the wrong." "Okay tell me something!" Arnav asks, "When you were little. Did you ever pick up a ladoo from the pooja thal and eat it?" "Yeah..but'., "Khushi stops.. closes her eyes and then says, "Let it be! That's all in the past." "What your age was then in the past, is the age of Aarav today!" Arnav says in a sharp voice, "You have to understand, Aarav is still very young!" "I understand, Arnav ji! That's why it is our responsibility.. that we teach Aarav what the customs of the society are and what the rules are!.. and anyway, Aarav should apologize to me!" Khushi says.. Arnav turns away and says, "I think that I will have to talk to him! I will have to cajole him!" "What?" yells Khushi, "I am talking about an apology and you want to cajole Aarav?" "Khushi, I don't want to argue with you because you will not understand!" Arnav says,.. and then he instructs, "And if Aarav wants to eat something then he can! Alright?" and he leaves the room. "What the!" exclaims Khushi, "Arnav ji.. too' will make Aarav an atheist just like him! Then son and father both will drive me nuts!" She puts both her hands on her hips and fumes with anger'

Later that day:

Khushi sits making rangoli on the floor.. the house is tastefully decorated. As Khushi pours color into the floor design she talks to herself.. unaware that Arnav has just walked in and is listening to her'."By the way.. I have celebrated Diwali in this house before! But.. it's my first Diwali after the marriage.. and even today the Laad Governor had a fight with me!.. before the marriage' and after the marriage' this tradition is intact! No one can beat my Arnav ji in not breaking such traditions!" Frustrated Khushi makes a sad face. Just then Mami ji walks in with a pile of gift boxes in her hand, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! I am so tired' exhausted completely!" As she walks she accidentally steps on the Rangoli.."Mami ji!" a scream escapes Khushi's throat as Arnav reflexively stretches his hand to pull Mami back! Startled Mami ji steps back, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! You know what.. it's has not come out well here' I cannot give you a helping hand to make the rangoli.. so, gave my helping foot! Hello Hi Bye Bye!" Embarrassed but hiding it, Mami takes off.

Khushi starts fixing the rangoli as she talks to herself again, "Seems to me that today is just not a good day!" With silent feet, Arnav walks in.. holds on to the plate of color and moves it away. Then kneels down next to Khushi' takes a pich of colorful rangoli abnd starts filling into the design.. "What are you doing?" Khushi asks. Arnav looks her into the eye and says with a smile, "I am celebrating my first Diwali with my wife after the marriage! No comparison exists to your no in starting a new tradition!" Khushi looks at him with a mellow face.. Arnav looks at her and touches his nose pointing at her' Khushi reflexively reaches for her nose and touches it.. then looks at her hand to see what's there! "What is it?" she asks with a little annoyance. The flirtatious lover in Arnav smiles and says, "Pink suits your nose!" Khushi wipes it off with other hand..then reaches her nose with her dupatta' Arnav grabs her hand with the dupatta..and reaches her nose with the thumb of the other hand' brushes of the tip of her nose spreading pink color across' as his affectionate eyes gaze into her eyes flirtatiously.. Khushi gets lost in those flirtatious yet affectionate eyes' Both gaze into each others eyes as Arnav gently reaches for Khushi's hands in her lap and gives them a little squeeze. His eyes filled with tender love' his face soft and gentle'. He leans over.. as his face comes closer' and closer. And closer.. Khushi's eyes fill with a sweet anticipation'her heart beats faster and faster' Arnav leans over '. His warm breath touches Khushi's face' "Happy Diwali, Khushi!" Arnav whispers in his husky voice in Khushi's ear'. A smile flickers on Khushi's lips' as Arnav's lips touch her temple in a gentle kiss.. she savors the moment by closing her eyes' a contentment reflects on her face'As Arnav pulls away.. his gaze stays steady on Khushi's face.. his affectionate eyes ooze love' Khushi's eyes sips in all the love from those eyes that make her feel so loved'. Her tender love reflects through her eyes. The feeling that she is Arnav's Khushi'reflects in her eyes.. so pure' yet so gentle' how he makes her feel so complete' no feelings can fill those eyes except the reflection of affectionate Arnav himself! As they get lost in each others eyes' once more. There exists nothing but a sweet, tender love that knows no bounds!