Face The Music - Jaisa Des Waisa Bhes: Page 63 - Page 29

As she continues her catwalk.. she loses her balance on the heels and falls down..."Awww...." a scream escapes her throat as she falls.. She manages to pull back into sitting position and holds on to her aching ankle when other members of the family rush in.. Aarav quickly puts his papers aside on the table and shuts the fan off. All the family members look at Khushi stunned.... NK rushes to get Khushi back on her feet, "Arey,.. Khushi ji, get up! Get up!" he pulls Khushi back up on her feet. Khushi struggles to stand on her feet as the heels make her lose balance. Concerned.. worried... Nani ji asks, "Khushi bitiya, tell me the truth.. what's going on here?" Khushi nervously runs her hands when Aarav jumps in, "Nothing! She just wants to participate in the Mrs. India competition. All eyes go wide.. including Khushi's as Aarav spills her secret, "Aarav!" she calls upon him in a voice showing objection.

 

"Hello Hi Bye Bye! Phati Saree and Mrs. India! This joke is quiet powerful!" Mami exclaims, "Phati Saree has a great sense of humor!" Mami bursts out laughing uncontrollably. Nani ji asks, "But, bitiya, why do you want to do this?" "Nani ji, because I want to do something on my own! Want to make a name for myself!... to prove that I have courage, intelligence and self confidence!.. to face the world!" Anjali and NK feel very proud as they think about Khushi's words. Mami has a slight sarcasm on her face... but Nani ji's sharp gaze shuts her up. Nani ji smiles affectionately and says, "This is a great thing!" Anjali adds, 'Yes, Khushi ji! Even I think that this idea is very good!" "Oh, so now I understand," it occurs to NK, "Khushi ji, That's why you have been into.. high heels.. western music... since this morning, right?" Khushi looks down as she says dejected, "Yes! ..but... I cannot even stand up properly in these!...and look at my face and hair! Those people won't even allow me to fill up the form. This way I am far from becoming Mrs. India! I have to submit the form before noon tomorrow... And look at me, I cannot even stand up in these sandals in front of you!" Nani ji says in a comforting voice, 'Don't worry.. bitiya! Everything will be alright!" Khushi requests, "Okay... but none of you should not tell Arnav ji about this! I want to give him a surprise!" Everyone nods in agreement.. Mami suppresses her smile. Khushi smiles happily. The expressions on Khushi's face and in her eyes stole my heart here.. the innocence and the worry.. the beautiful mix of perception of uncertainty and failure with a flicker of hope... was beautifully portrayed here.

 

 

 

Next day:

 

Arnav is in his office.. he says on the phone, "Get the AV ready before the meeting with the designers, okay?" "Yes, Sir!" the person on the other side says, "It will be done, Sir!" "And... that other thing that asked for?" "Just some finishing work is pending... it will be ready soon!" "Okay! Great!" a smile of satisfaction spreads across Arnav's face. He puts the phone down and starts working on his computer when his face again shows worries. Just then his phone rings again. He picks up the phone, "Yeah, Aman!... yeah!... okay.. okay... I yeah, that's true that they are the co-host with us.. but I don't care what they do... all our responsibilities should be well carried out! Make sure that you double check everything!.. okay... No, I am not coming! You just take care of things!... alright? Thanks! Bye!" he hangs up.

 

 

At RM:

 

Khushi is filling in the information in the form to enter Mrs. India competition, "But, Nani ji..." Nani ji says, "But..? I won't listen to any buts, bitiya! They will test the talent in Mrs. India competition, right?" Mami listens to the conversation from the landing as Nani ji says, "Arey, leave this form... get up, come on! I will teach you dance!" Khushi caps the pen and puts the form away. Nani ji holds her hand and takes her to teach the dance. Mami's heart aches as she watches, "hello Hi Bye Bye! I too will see how this Phati Saree becomes Mrs. India!" "Take this hand like this!" Nani ji shows Khushi.. Khushi follows her action.. "Excuse me!" Mami's voice attracts their attention, "I thought that mrs. India is already present in this house!" Khushi seems confused.. Nani ji asks Mami with her eyes, 'Who? What?'...Manorama walks delicately and strikes a pose before saying, "I.. me.. myself!... Manorama!... Mrs. Raizada! Ms. Lucknow... Sixth runner up! Understood?" Khushi does not what to say so she keeps quiet. Nani ji says, "Manorama! This is not for you!" That shocks Manorama.. she immediately glides down the stairs... Comes to the lounging area and says, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! What do you mean, Sasuma, hey? I can participate too! I will fill up the form too!" Manorama grabs the form and starts filling it. Nani ji taps Khushi on the shoulder and gestures to neglect Manorama and focus on the dance. Khushi follows Nani ji as she shows her the next move. "Name!" Manorama looks up as she fills the form. "This hand here.." Nani ji demonstrates to Khushi... Mami looks at them intermittently as Nani ji says, 'Now turn around.. Half way,.. turn around halfway.." "Manorama.." Mami fills in her name, "Raizada!" As Khushi and Nani work on the dance... Mami reads, '"Age.,..." translates it in Hindi.. "Umar.. twenty five to thirty...thirty to thirty five... thirty five to forty...eee.... What is this? Nothing further?" Manorama wonders. Aarav walks in and says, "Simple! Tick I the correct box related to the age." He sits down next to Mami. "Hello Hi Bye Bye! Mention not! I know it!" "Really?" Aarav asks. Mami checks the box that has twenty five to thirty.... Aarav asks, "Your age is only thirty plus?" "Me....me.." Manorama stutters as she looks at Khushi practicing dance steps with Nani ji, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! I am young! I am not a senior citizen! What do you say....age fifteen and heart of a child!.. I need to get some consideration per this tradition! This is not fair!" As Nani ji and Khushi look on, Mami complains. With frustration, she puts the papers down and walks away.

 

"No problem, bitiya! Focus on your dance! Come on!" Nani ji says to Khushi as Manorama climbs up the stairs and stands fuming on the landing. "Do this.. one.." Nani ji shows the next steps to Khushi. Mami fumes and complains, "Did they have a problem in adding another box? What if they had a box of forty five to fifty five for make..then!" She looks at Khushi practicing dance moves... she angrily says, "I can't tolerate it! How can Phati Saree become Mrs. India if Manorama is not in!" Frustrated she dials a number on her phone. Arnav is in his office working. His phone rings. He picks it up and answers, "Hello!" "I have called you to give a very hard news!" Mami says with a voice that cracks due to emotions... "Alright? What news?" a bit surprised but calm Arnav asks. "Look, think whatever you want of what I am about to say..." "I didn't understand.. is everything okay at home?" Arnav asks. "All is...not well!" Mami says, "look, her name is Phati Saree..and dreams of diamonds and pearls! This is a huge injustice!" Arnav asks, "Mami ji, what happened?" as he is unable to understand what she says. "Hasn't happened yet... is about to happen!... Keep your ear drum and eyes alert, understood?"  "But, Mami ji..." before Arnav can say anything further, Mami hangs up on him. Khushi's phone rings... but it is on vibrate...Khushi misses the vibrations as she keeps practicing the dance moves. Mami leaves angrily... in frustration.. crying...

 

 

In Mami's Room:

 

Manorama sits on the sofa crying as NK provides her tissue after tissue to wipe her tears.

"My flower like Aakash bitwa... and that Khoon Bhari Taang.. ahhh... awww..."Manorama bursts in tears and cries loudly..NK offers her more tissues and says, "Masi ji.. first decide why you are a sad story.. what reason?" Mami controls her emotions and says, "Look, in this carnival of the world, I am all alone..lonely! My only son.. left me alone!" she starts crying again. NK hugs her briefly, sideways and says, "Masi ji, I understand. I thought.. that.." he leaves his sentence half way and offers another tissue to her. Manorama looks at him and says, "I feel that my loneliness can go away only if I become Mrs. India!.. That's why I want to be the Mrs. India!" "Oh, yes... What?...Mrs. India?.. what?.. since when, Masi ji?" surprised NK asks, "You know nothing about that contest! No knowledge.." "So what?.. since now.. I do... from now!" Mami retorts.. throws the tissue  and walks up to the mirror..looks at herself in the mirror and ask, "Tell, what is the difference between other contestants and me! Tell me!" "Masi ji, dozen's of difference... dozens!" NK says in his broken Hindi. "Not dozen... it's the weight.. wajan... " Khushi says as she walks in. Mami starts crying loudly again.. comes back and sits on the sofa...  NK rushes to get her more tissues when she says, "In one more box.. what would have gone wrong had they given an option for forty to fifty?" As Nk supplies tissue after tissue...  Khushi gestures to NK to move away. "My make up also is getting ruined..." Mami cries as NK and Khushi switch places. "Mami ji.." Khushi goes to offer a tissue when Manorama pushes her hand away..

 

Khushi puts her hand on Manorama's shoulder and says, "Mami ji, even I wish that you could participate in Mrs. India competition...  but you know what, those people have kept the limit of age purposefully...  because they knew that if you participated then you would definitely win!" Mami stops crying all of a sudden as she hears Khushi's words...  NK is impressed by Khushi's move. "Hello, Hi Bye Bye!" Mami says, "Finally you said the truth!" "Yes, Mami ji!" Khushi nods, "That's why I want you to help me. It's just that I don't know anything about make up and all that stuff!" "That's the truth!" Mami says, "After all, you are the Phati Saree!" "That's the thing! That's why, Mami ji, only you can help me!" Khushi says to sulked Manorama.. offers a tissue.. as Mami looks at her angrily she points to the nose and says, "Black.. on the nose.." Mami takes the tissue and wipes her nose off. "Seriously?" NK wonders watching Khushi's trick work. Khushi gives him 'the' look! He gestures her to continue and leaves. "Okay, I will try but there is no guarantee that you would look as beautiful as me!" Mami says. "Yes, Mami ji! I can't even try to look like you!" Khushi says pleasing Mami ji. "Okay!" says Mami ji happily, "Let's go! Come!"  As Khushi walks away with Mami, her phone vibrates again.. it's Arnav...  another call goes unanswered.

 

 

NK rushes down the stairs and bumps into Aarav. "Hey, junior! Let me see! What's going on?" NK grabs the cube from his hand.. Aarav points to Mami's room and asks, "What's going on there?" NK whispers in his ear, "I don't know..' and tells him more.  "Yes, Anjali bitya! Alright! Have a good visit at the temple! I will hang up now." Nani ji says on the phone as she walks in and finds NK and Aarav whispering to each other. She asks, "Arey, what is being whispered?" "One minute, Nani ji.. come on!" NK and Aarav each grab one hand of Nani ji and pull her up the stairs.

 

Manorama puts make up on Khushi...  holding all her tools...  brushes and palette's in her hand. Then she excitedly says, 'Phati Saree... you are looking..." "Manorama!" Nani ji calls as she enters the room with NK and Aarav, "Show us, how have you done her make up!" "Look at my amazing creation!" Manorama says proudly as she moves aside to reveal a made up Khushi! "Awww...." Nani ji and NK scream loudly in horror as they look at Khushi....Aarav also screams... Startled Khushi stares them in the face. Manorama does not get it, she says, "Arey, why are you screaming so much with happiness? Relax... relax!" "What happened?" Khushi asks, "You all..." and turns to look at herself in the mirror when she herself bursts into a loud scream...

 

 

 

A bit later in her room:

 

 

Khushi sits in front of the mirror, taking her make up off as she talks to Payal on the phone, "Then what, Jiji... I screamed and yelled a lot.. and Mami ji cries so mush that I almost lost it controlling her! Now finally I have got a chance to remove the make up.... You know, Jiji, today Di got me a lot of new clothes and jewelry. Everything is going well. Everyone is with me. But.. still I miss you! If you were here then my racing heart would calm down! Whatever...  auditions will be starting soon...  I am very scared... "

 

 

Just then Arnav enters the house.... He also is on the phone, talking to Aakash, "Yeah, me too, Aakash!... by the way, how is your project going?... great!...No... No, I am not in the office." Arnav says as he looks around in the lounging area. Khushi upstairs says on the phone, "No, Jiji! Arnav ji is in the office!.. but, if you happen to talk to him then don't tell him that I am participating in the contest. Once selected, I will surprise him... Today Arnav ji called so many times but I could not answer it! You know, Jiji, he can smell what I am up to every time!" Downstairs Arnav says on the phone, "I don't know.. these days she is behaving very weird.....no, I have reached home... I .. am. Just about to give her a surprise..so.." Just then NK enters the landing...  his eyes go wide as he sees ASR downstairs... talking on the phone... "Oh, God!" NK exclaims, "Nannav... Khushi ji..." he looks up and makes a run upstairs before Arnav can see him. Khushi is still busy talking to Payal on the phone.  I soo loved this parallel phone conversation....  brilliant!

 

Nk comes running into the room.. starts jumping. .flabbergasted..."Khushi ji,... Khushi ji.. where are you?"...Khushi shuts the phone and hits him lightly, "What happened?" "Khushi ji.. that... Na..Na... na.." NK tries.."Nani ji?" Khushi asks....

"No..no... Nannav.."he finally blurts. 'W..h..a...t?" Khushi screams. Khushi immediately looks in the mirror.. covers her face..wonders, "Hey, Devi Maiyya! Now what should I do?" Khushi rushes to pick up the gift bags and things lying around on the bed... NK tries to help her... Khushi says, "Nanhe ji, let it be! Do one thing... You go and stop Arnav ji.. stop him from coming inside.. go...  hurry up!" NK runs as Khushi rushes to the closet to put the bags inside.

 

Arnav in the meantime is on another call as he climbs up the stairs, "Yeah, Mr. Narang! No... I spoke to Aman, our meeting is fixed for tomorrow post lunch!..." He climbs up to the landing and lingers there as he talks on the phone, "I actually saw the designs... I like them!" NK rushes there and smiles broadly as he says "Hi" with a whisper taking Arnav by surprise... as he says, "And obviously your opinion matters too!... so, I will have Aman mail them to you!... Okay, see you soon! Bye!" As Arnav hangs up Nk says "Hi!" again. "Where is Khushi?" Arnav cuts to the chase, "I have been calling her since the morning!" "Khushi ji?...Khushi...." NK looks upstairs.. then cannot say anything so he tries to think of what he should say... makes weird gestures in the meantime.."Khushi ji..aww....  haahhaaa,.. .aww... I .. don't..aww...Khushi ji... is mehfoos in her work!...crazy!" NK finally manages to say! He stands then with both his hands tucked in his pockets. Arnav says in a soft but curious voice, "Even though you thought for so long, you said it wrong!" OMG.. No matter how many times I watch it, I burst out laughing here! Surprised NK looks at him with questioning eyes. "Not mehfoos... it's musroof... busy..." "Yes!" NK goes enthusiastically, "Exactly.. mehfoos hai... mashroof hai..." Arnav gives up and starts walking when NK grabs him by both the shoulders and says, "Nannav... mere bhai... my bro... you did not tell me how come... you are... back home... so early?... How?.. why?" He places his hand on Arnav's shoulder as he intermittently looks up the stairs. Arnav says in a soft and calm voice, "It's a personal thing!" and makes a move only to be pulled back by NK. I soo loved this dialogue! It was short and sweet.. implied so much.. and the way he said..as if wanted to say, "it's none of your business!'. All animated, NK says, "Let me complete. I was saying.. say.. .. say..." NK does not know what to say...."Yeah... yeah.. I was saying... Yeah... yes! That... since a long time.. you haven't spent time with us, right?" Arnav's face shows the reaction as 'what are you talking about?' NK keeps holding Arnav on the shoulder.. his eyes still dart upstairs off and on as he says, "So.. I was thinking... aaa.a... aww.... Abbb... .why don't you ....with me... and with Aarav spend some time! Let's play together.. let's play Antakshari...  or something.. Dumb Charades...  or.... Something!" "Aarav has gone for playtime with Di, right?" NK asks back, "Is it?" Arnav waits no more and leaves...  He says as he leaves, "Are you on drugs?" OMG... I burst out laughing here every single time! Just the way he says that dialogue brings the effect! "Nannav..." NK chases after him.

 

 

Upstairs Khushi is busy hiding things.. her vanity box and her make up brush kit...  she hides behind the bed. As she rushes to wipe off remaining make up from her face, Arnav enters the room. NK comes running, "Nannav"...  Arnav shuts the door behind him as soon as he enters straight in the face of NK. Loved it!  Khushi immediately turns away from him as Arnav asks, "Khushi how come you are not answering my phone?" Khushi turns to face him. Arnav looks at her curiously as he asks, "I called you so many times. Mami also called. She said that you were planning something!" 'Plan?" Khushi stutters for a moment and then says, "What plan?.. which plan?. No!.. not at all!" Concerned Arnav asks, "Khushi, what's going on? What are you doing?" Khushi asks him back, "What are you doing, Arnav ji?" Arnav's face fills with questions as Khushi says, "I did not answer your phone so you left work and came home?" Arnav makes a bashful smiley face...  but soon it changes as Khushi says, "This way if you behave like the slave of your wife then.." "Excuse me!' Taken aback Arnav exclaims, "Me?..." His face becomes sharp and anger displeasure mounts as Khushi says, "Yes, you! Since I did not answer your phone..." Angrily Arnav takes couple steps ahead...  Khushi takes backward steps as Arnav says, "I came, to tell you that..." Khushi cuts him off as she asks demanding, "Tell me, what did you come to say?" Arnav clenches his teeth and controls his anger as he says, "Watch the tone, Khushi!" Khushi acts completely different.. she looks him into the eye and fires back, "Who tone? What tone?" Arnav stands close to Khushi.. takes a step forward.. Khushi moves backward as he says in a stern voice looking her into the eye, "You know that I don't like it if someone talks to me like this!" His face sharp.. his eyes show disapproval and anger. Khushi stutters but tries to keep her voice up, "So.. yes...  what did I.." Just then  Khushi's phone rings. She leaves angered Arnav and grabs the phone from the table...  answers, "Hello!... Yes, yes!... Yes, alright!...okay!" Arnav's curious gaze stays on her until she hangs up.

 

As Khushi hangs up, Arnav walks up to Khushi...  Khushi turns around to walk straight into Arnav..."Who was it?" Arnav asks. Khushi looks at the phone and says with a smile, "No one!" Arnav says, "You just took a call!" He reaches for her phone as he says, 'What's the ma..." His sentence stays half as Khushi pulls her hand back and up in the air to Arnav's surprise. Khushi says, "Do I ever check your phone?' Arnav looks her into the eye and says, "That's because I never lie!" "Okay?" Khushi challenges him. Arnav cannot believe it.. he clenches on his teeth and controls his emotions.. says, "Never mind!...Khushi, I came to tell you that.... " then he looks at her face... her hand holding the phone away from him up in the air... and feeling disgusted he says, "Forget it!" and moves away. But then Khushi's eyes turn wide as he walks towards the closet. Khushi rushes to obstruct his path.. almost close to the closet she stands in his face and screams, "Stop!"