Face The Music - Jaisa Des Waisa Bhes: Page 63 - Page 4

Khushi looks at Aranv,.. finds him smiling at her mischievously... she moves away with the pooja thali in her hands.... she moves few steps away when Arnav swiftly wraps his arm around her waist and grabs her.. with his unexpected action, Khushi stumbles.. loses her balance.. the pooja thali is about to fall when his other hand hold it... Arnav's strong arms hold Khushi close and tight.. don't let her fall.. Khushi's one arm wrapped around his neck.. they gaze into each others eyes.. Khushi smiles as she gazes into his affectionate eyes, says, "Hold me! Be there for me!" He says in a soft voice, "I will always be there!" Both smile at each other with this promise as their hearts fill with happiness and contentment. Just then Mami's voice fills the atmosphere, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! Arey, is the moon up or not yet?" Reflexively Khuhsi says, "Arnav ji, let me go!... let me go!" Arnav instead holds her tighter. Pulls her closer.. "Khushi.." he says with a little smile... Khushi does not listen.. he lets her lose but points to the sky... his gaze though stays on Khushi's face. Khushi gently hits him on the chest and curls her lips to show her fake anger and protest... and starts to leave when Arnav grabs her by her arm..she looks at him with complaining eyes when he pulls her back to face him and with a gentle tug on her chin with the other hand makes her face the sky.. A broad,.. happy smile spreads across Khushi's lips as she screams, "Moon's up!" Excitedly she plants a kiss on Arnav's cheek and takes off... leaving him behind with a happy smile on his face.

Mami all decked up.. looks beautiful as she says on the phone while she looks at the moon through the decorated sieve, "Hello Hi Bye Bye! You are working so hard out there! I miss you a lot!...Just a minute, okay?" she says.. takes her phone on the other side of the sieve and looks at it through the sieve then puts the phone back to her own ear and says, "Okay, I saw your photo! Please, hold now.." She puts her sieve down and picks up the container of water, says on the phone, "Now, I am going to drink water to break my fast." Mami drinks the water and breaks her fast. All other guests are busy with similar rituals. Payal looks at Aakash through the sieve. Nani and Anjali stand by the side as Anjali takes pictures. Payal then drinks water from Aakash's hands, Anjali quickly grabs the picture. She keeps shooting the pictures as Payal and others bend down to seek the blessings from their husbands.. Nani ji's curious gaze is at times on the screen of the camera.. then she looks at Anjali with concerned eyes.. Anjali's eyes on the screen of the camera... Her face turns slightly mellow. .Nani ji puts a comforting hand on Anjali's shoulder. Anjali can sense what she is trying to say. Anjali turns to Nani and says, "Yes, Nani, I am a bit sad.. but not as much.. that I could not smile for all of you!" Nani ji gently caresses Anjali's face.. "I am alright, Nani!" assures Anjali. With a heavy heart Nani ji nods.... Her gaze settles on Payal now performing the aarti of Aakash.

A hand pops up from underneath the decorated table.. reaches the pooja thali... grabs something from there and disappears under the tablecloth. As Anjali goes to grab her next picture, she discovers this hand popping again from underneath the tablecloth... Her curiosity makes her trace the hand in reality.. she notices that this hand now has a sieve and as it inches down the table, she takes some pictures... Then she slowly walks up to the table and lifts the skirt of the table.. hidden underneath the table is NK! Nicely dressed for the festive night, he hides under the table.. Anjali smiles mischievously at him as he looks at her.. surprised and puzzled... Anjali gets couple of snaps of NK like that before she moves on. As soon as she leaves, NK comes out from under the table.. the sieve still in his hand and ducks down as he slowly walks from behind the row of all the husbands with their wives busy with the ritual... Including Aakash and Payal.. and manages to escape successfully. As he straightens up, he finds Sheetal looking at him from behind the sieve he holds in his hand. NK keeps holding the sieve in his hand and smiles at her.. Sheetal's face does not change mush.. even the surprise is subtle. As Nk looks down briefly and looks up he finds Mami on the other side, standing next to Sheetal, saying, "Hello Hi Bye Bye!.. Karva Chauth in reverse?" Caught red handed, NK does not know where to look as Mami throws her eyebrows and gestures with her eyes as to 'what's going on?'.. He shrugs his shoulders.. embarrassed.. he moves away from there. Mami then looks at Sheetal, who looks at Mami.. but difficult to gauge any reaction.. leaved hurriedly.. Mami bursts into a smile.. giggles.. as she finds it funny.

Khushi looks at Arnav through the sieve.. a happy smile spreads on her face.. The mischievous lover in Khushi wakes. She smiles and say, "You had given me a challenge.. what happened then?" Arnav briefly averts his gaze.. then looks back at her through the sieve and says, "I lost.. you won!" Khushi rubs it in.. , "What did you say? I could not hear it!" Arnav pulls her hand down along with the sieve.. looks her into the eye and says in a soft voice, "I said, you won and I lost! Means.. now every year, I will have to let you do all of this!" "Every year!" Khushi says. Unaware that Sheetal is watching them.. they look into each others eyes.. as Arnav says, "Yeah!" and reaches for the container of water on the platter that Khushi holds.. takes it in his hand and holds it to Khushi's mouth. Smile brightens their faces as Khushi drinks the water and breaks the fast. Sheetal's prying eyes stay on them.. Arnav then places the container back on the plate as he supports the thali with his other hand. He then picks up the sweet from the plate and goes to feed Khushi... it's a piece of Burfi.. Khushi stops him, says, "Not this.. " then points to her plate.. with a flicker of smile on his face, Arnav puts the piece of Burfi down and picks up what Khushi pointed out to... He feeds Khushi Jalebi.. Khushi savors teh taste of Jalebi after the long day of fast.. her eyes closed.. her face full of heavenly feeling.. she opens her eyes and smiles.. her eyes twinkle with happiness.. Arnav's eyes sip in the satisfaction and happiness on her beautiful face.. a pleasant.. affectionate smile brightens his face as his eyes stay on Khushi. Arnav and Khushi have eyes for each other only at this moment.. Sheetal's eyes keenly observe them as happiness, love and affection ooze through Arnav and Khushi's actions.. her eyes seem a little jealous.. As Khushi savors the Jalebi, she realizes that she forgot something... she rushes to touch Arnav's feet. Arnav holds her and straightens her back up on her feet. Khushi grabs her Jalebi back. And goes to take another bite.. her gaze moves away from Arnav while doing so.. only to catch Sheetal prying on them.. .Sheetal quickly turns around as if caught.. Smile disappears from Khushi's face... questions start crowding her eyes and her mind... Arnav's gentle touch on her arm brings her attention back to him.. he gestures to the pooja thal and the sieve he is holding for her.. Khushi quickly takes it from him..

Later that night:

Khushi starts cleaning up by the poolside.. she collects al the platters on the table. When she hears Anjali cal for her, "Khushi ji.." "Coming, Di!" Khushi yells back. Then she wonders, "Where did I out the thal?" As she thinks about where might she have put the pooja thali.. Sheetal looks at her as she stands next to the dining table. "Oh, come on! Hurry up! Quick.. I am too hungry.." NK says. That brings Sheetal's attention back to the dining table. Most of the Raizada family is gathered at the dinner table. Mami ji says, "Hari Prakash, just for today, you become 'hurry up'! Be quick, Bhaiyya!" Sheetal's eyes still spy on Khushi who is collecting stuff from table by pool side. Nani asks Sheetal, "Bitiya, where is Aarav?" "He is asleep. He ate dinner early, "Sheetal replies. "Alright!" Nani says. Sheetal's eyes again go towards Khushi but just then walks in Arnav. As he goes to take his seat, his gaze catches Khushi by the poolside. His face turns firm as he looks at her. He leaves with determines eyes with hurried feet.. goes by the poolside, "Khushi, come on! Let's go! I am hungry.. He grabs her by the elbow as he says, ".. Hari Prakash can take care of the rest of it!" Khushi protests, "Arey, how can I just let it be? Just couple of minutes!" She smiles. Arnav closes his eyes.. shakes his head to protest, "Come on, I am hungry!" he say in a tired voice. Khushi does not listen. She goes back to the table.. Arnav waits for her. Sheetal watches them from inside.. she says to Nani ji, "I will go and help Khushi!" Nani nods with a smile. Sheetal leaves.. Mami ji yells, "Arey, bring the food quickly.. there is fire in my stomach due to hunger!" Arnav is not happy as Khushi takes longer.. frustration mounts on his face and in his eyes as Khushi keeps smiling sweetly at him and continues with her chore..

Smile fades away from her face as her gaze settles on distraught Sheetal approaching them.. Arnav's gaze follows Khushi's gaze.. "Can I help?" Sheetal asks as Khushi and Arnav both look at her. Khushi says, 'No..No! I will manage!... I don't seem to find my thal.." Sheetal's gaze gets curious as Khushi thinks for a moment.. tries to remember. Then blurts out, "Oh, yeah! I have placed it under the table." Arnav in the meantime pulls out his phone.., Sheetal's eyes make a note of where the thal is. Arnav's eyes on his phone.. Khuhsi grabs a bunch of sieves and says to Arnav, "Come!" He follows Khuhsi. His eyes still on his phone. Sheetal offers, "Give it to me! I will take them!" Khushi says, "No.." but before she can say anything more, Arnav interrupts, "No..No..No! You will come and eat right now. I am very hungry... I won't eat without you!" His eyes on Khushi.. 'Oh, yes.." Khushi says.. Sheetal extends her hand with a smile .. but Khushi pulls back. "No problem, Sheetal ji! I will manage!" Arnav looks at both of them. Back and forth.,.. couple of times before his gaze stays on Khushi as she says, "Hari Praksh ji will take care of rest if the stuff!" "Come!" she says to Arnav. "Let's go!" he says as he starts playing with his phone.. . Khushi follows him.

Sheetal rushes to the table. Arnav steps out of the room.. his eyes on his phone.. Khushi follows him.. her mind deep in thoughts.. Sheetal wipes of a pooja thal. Then she holds her dupatta up. makes a barrier.. and looks at the moon through it... Arnav immersed in his phone... Khushi's uneasy mind does let her rest easy. Just then Nani ji calls, "Khuhsi bitiya, come here!" "Coming, Nani!" Khushi says.. just then Sheetal calls out loudly, "Arnav!" and turns around still holding the dupatta in her front of her face.. Arnav reflexively looks up in the direction of the voice, "Yes?" says.. as Khushi and he see Sheetal waving her dupatta as if she is drying it. Sheetal puts her dupatta on her shoulder quickly and says with a light smile, "You know, who called?" Arnav looks at her as if, "How should I know?" "Pranav!" Sheetal says. Arnav's face initially does not register the name. After few moments of thinking he remembers, "Oh. Pranav! Where is he these days?" Sheetal says, "He is in Australia!... Crazy like earlier times! He said that he will call you tomorrow." "Great!" Says Arnav. "Anyway! Now you go! I have to make a call then I will come!" "Sure!" says Arnav. Khushi says, "Arnav ji, you go ahead! I will follow!" Arnav waves his hand to say 'No' but Khushi holds him by the arm, pushes him away as she says, "Go! I will come.. just have to put these away.." gestures towards the sieves in her hands. Arnav leaves.

Khushi looks out of the window' Sheetal initially continues to do something on the phone then she sits down and reaches Khushi's pooja that.. Khushi watches her hidden behind the wall.. her heart fills with fear as Sheetal takes the container of water from the thal and drinks some water from it and then replaces it in the thal! Stunned Khushi's heart sinks as she wonders, "This was my thal! Sheetal ji knew where I had placed my thali. .. She did this purposefully' it means that she kept the fast.. and that too for Arnav ji!" Khushi 's heart sinks as she thinks'

As everyone eats at the dinner table.. Arnav holds Khushi's hand and leads her away from the table. Khushi asks, "Arnav ji, where are you taking me?" "I need to talk to you!" Arnav says. As they start walking away, Aakash yells over his shoulder, "But,.. Khushi ji.. at least have food!" "Two miutes!" Arnav replies in a string and stern voice. Sheetal's gaze follows them as she eats her dinner at the table. Arnav walks with Khushi' "I want to give you something!" he says. Khushi looks over her shoulder as she follows Arnav. Sheetal eats her dinner peacefully. As they climb up the stairs, Khushi says to herself, "I will have to talk to Sheetal ji!" "Huh!" Arnav looks at her as he continues to walk.. "Nothing!" Khushi says as she follows him hand in hand' he face filled with worries.

"You know what?" NK says at the table. Aakash and Payal look up as NK says, "Food tastes even better after keeping a fast whole day!" "NK ji!"Payal says. "Ji?" "Juice!" Payal hands him a glass of orange juice. "Thank you, Payal Bhabhi! I missed it whole day!" NK says. "Nanhe ji!" Nani ji says, "With all the faith you have kept the fast today.. seems to me.. that you will find a nice bride one day!" No expressions change on Sheetal's facer as NK looks at her' 'Absolutely!" Aakash adds. Payal smiles teasingly. "Of course!" NK says uneasily.. as he smiles at Sheetal who does not even register him.

As Arnav pulls Khushi with him and enter their room, Khushi asks, "Arnav ji, what are you.." He turns around and cuts her off, "No questions! Get ready fast. We are going out for dinner!" Khushi says in a mellow voice, "No, Arnav ji, not today.." "Khushi, I don't want any excuses today! We are going for dinner' get ready!" Khushi says in a mellow voice, "Arnav ji, I am very tired today.. I don't feel like it!" "Obviously you must be tired.. you have not eaten anything since the morning!" Arnav says. He tries to cheer her up, "All your tiredness will disappear once you see your favorite food in the restaurant, okay? Let's go!" Khushi says with dampened spirit, "Really' I don't feel like it." Arnav reaches for Khushi.. gently holds her face in his hand and says in a soft voice, "Khushi, today is your day! I want to do something special for you.. that's why we are going out for dinner' and to pop the Champagne.. I will open it! Don't you even try, okay? Let's go!" As Arnav pulls his hand away, Khushi grabs it.. looks him in to the eye but says with a very lack luster voice, 'Arnav ji.. let it be today'" her face filled with uneasiness.. she seems disturbed.. Arnav looks at her for a few moments as she walks away.. his face turns firm.. he pulls out his phone as Khushi picks up some file folders. She hears him say on the phone, "Yes, Aman!.. Cancel the reservation at the restaurant' No.. we are not going!... Okay! "

As he hangs up, Khushi asks, "Arnav ji, where are your files supposed to go?" "Wherever you feel like!" comes the answer. "These are your files.. tell me!" she says. Just then she happens to pull out an envelope with her name on it. She puts the file folders down as she reads from the envelope, "Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.." Arnav looks at her over his shoulder as she pulls out papers from inside the envelope. It's a deed of a company being gifted to Khushi from Arnav. She reads, "KKGSR Catering Service.." Arnav comes and stands in front of her, "The company is yours.. and the file as well...!" Khushi looks at him with soft eyes as he says, "I have gotten it registered.. Your tiffin service is now a legitimate business!. You can start whenever you want.. pay as you wish.. and you can make anyone your partner as you wish!" Khushi's eyes turn moist.. she feels overwhelmed by his gesture... Arnav says in his usual straight forward style, "You have kept a fast since this morning.. so, I thought of giving you a catering company in gift!.. Thought of taking you out for diner a restaurant.. without hitting anyone in head with a cork! Never mind.." he says with disappointment as he tries to walk away, Khushi rushes to put the envelope down and grabs her own ears, says, "Sorry!" She quickly squats and stands up as a gesture of asking for forgiveness... and self punishment... Arnav's face stays sharp.. his eyes though seem concerned do not mellow down.. Khushi's changing mood is beyond his understanding.. he looks at her with questions in his gaze as Khushi reaches for his hand.. hold it and makes an excuse, "I have not eaten anything whole day today.. that's why I am not able to think.. Please, forgive me!" Arnav's face softens.. his eyes turn gentler.. his gaze fills with affection as a flicker of smile appears on his face. He says nothing.. Khushi knows now this will not do it.. she looks down and wonders, ".. okay... now how do I correct my mistake?" Next moment excitedly she says, "Got it! When I would start my tiffin service, then I would send you non sugar sweet daily at no cost!.. with aloo poori from Mathura!..." Arnav's face stays nonreactive.. he looks away.. Khushi thinks to herself, "Okay.. even this is not working!.." Next moment she says with a broad smile on her face, "Alright! I will make non-oily pakoras.. fritters for you!" A flicker of smile appears on Arnav's face as he hears his Khushi chirp, "It's a big deal!.. and,.." Khushi stops talking as she watches his smirk deepens and his lips part in a smile.. his face soft.. smile spreads across his face. As he looks at Khushi affectionately.. he reaches for Khushi and pulls her in his embrace... holds her close to his heart.

As Khushi pulls away she says, "Great! At least you smiled at my craziness today!" Arnav says to her, "I'm thinking of getting you registered as well! You deserve to be made into a trademark! You are one of a kind in the whole wide world!" Khushi smiles and says coyly, "Now, shall we go?" Arnav smiles at her as his affectionate gaze stays on her face. Khushi asks, 'By the way.. how come all of sudden you remembered this tiffin service?" Arnav says, "I know that you love food and cooking as much as you love me!" Khushi's jaw drops at his answer. Arnav reaches for her hand and says, "Actually, Khushi, at least this will make you independent financially. You don't need to be dependent on anyone for money." Khushi's heart fills with fear as he says, "I mean.. I don't know.. what if tomorrow.. I am not there.." He is taken by surprise as Khushi slaps him.. He looks at her with stunned eyes as she asks him angrily, "Why?" His face turns sharp.. as slight rage mounts in his eyes. Khushi says in a scolding voice, "Why are you hurting my feelings when I am so happy by talking this non-sense?" Arnav says with apprehension, 'I am being practical.. what drove you to slap me?" All worked up Khushi says, "I don't want to listen to your practical things!.. On one hand, I have not eaten anything whole day.. and on the other you are making me listen to your nonsense!" Angrily Khushi turns away and folds her hands making a sulked face. With a flicker of smile on his face,. Arnav reaches for, turns her to face him, :"Okay.. okay.." then he makes a serious face as he says, "you really need to eat!" and breaks into a smile as Khushi says, "Let's go!" "Let's go!" Arnav says with a smile.

Just then comes a voice, "Excuse me!" There eyes follow the direction of the voice.. It's Aarav at the door, "Hey, Aarav!" Arnav says. He walks in and says, 'I need a favor!" Khushi and Arnav quickly exchange glances.. before Arnav says, "What? Sure.."

Everyone sits in the lounge area.. Aarav and Arnav play chess.. NK says, "Come on, junior! You can do it! Move the horse ahead! Come on!" Immersed in deep thoughts Khushi barely eats anything.. when Payal says to Aakash pointing to Arnav and Aarav, "Look at them! They have forgotten everything else. They look so much alike!" Okay, I have had it with this type of talk.. are these all adults are juveniles? Don't they understand what their words imply? Khushi's heart sinks.. suspicion raises it's ugly head as Akash raises his head from the file in his hand and says, "You are right! They look alike!" Nani ji says, "I never thought of this!.. That Chhotey could mingle so well with a kid!.. I was always worried thinking how Chhotey might handle fatherhood. But after looking at Aarav... now this worry is gone!" Everyone looks at Aarav and Arnav immersed in their game. Khushi says to Payal in a worried voice, "Jiji, where is Sheetal ji?" "She must be in her room, Khushi! What happened?" Payal says. Khushi looks very distracted... worried.. Nani ji looks at her worried face. Payal looks at her plate. Khushi has eaten barely any food. Payal asks, "Khushi, did you eat properly?" Khushi says, "yes, Jiji! Let me put the plate away!" "Khushi ji!" NK calls as Khushi gets up to leave, "Khushi ji, if you are going to the kitchen.. then please, get me a glass of water.. please.. please.. please!" "Yes," Khushi says in a mellow voice.

Khushi puts the plate in kitchen, pours some water in a glass and turns around when Hari comes and hands her and envelope, "Khushi Bhabhi, this is for you. You were busy in the function of Karva Chauth so, I could give it to you." "Okay, Thank You!" Khushi says as she takes the envelope form him. She puts the glass of water down and looks at the envelope. Her heart sinks as she finds that the envelope is from the 'City Hopsital". She says to herself, "DNA report?" The events from the recent past flash back in her mind when Arnav said outraged, "Khushi, you ran a DNA test on me and Aarav?" and how she tore the envelope with the report before she read it, "Forgive me, Arnav ji! I made a mistake! I promise you that I won't even think about it!" Khushi says to herself, "May be this is what Devi Maiyya wants. That I come to know the truth!" Yeah, alright! Blame DM! So, you don't trust Arnav, Khushi! So, you think he lied to you? You don't even keep the promise you made to him! You breech the trust and say it is Devi Maiyya's wish? Great, here is your punishment! For opening that envelope.. breaking the promise and not trusting who you know... Khushi opens the envelope.. Her eyes well up as she reads the report. Tears trickle down her face as she reads and looks the report. She looks at Arnav and Aarav playing the game outside in the lounge. She says as tears trickle down her face, "You.. are.. his..." then she looks at the report again..