"Khushi, have you ever thought what might happen if all the truth is said?.. If Arnav says that Aarav will stay with him, then,.. what about me? What will I do? I cannot stay away from Aarav' cannot live without him! Then what will happen, Khushi? Will you leave Arnav due to all this? Or will Arnav leave you? No, Khushi! I cannot take away everyone's happiness for my happiness. I cannot leave without Aarav. And you, ..not without Arnav! " Sheetal points out. Then she poses a direct question, "Now, you tell me Khushi, what should I do? Tell me, Khushi, how do I reveal the truth?" Khushi has no answer at the moment.
At Aarav's school, parents start coming in for the Father's Day Function. Aarav looks at them as he stands there waiting for Sheetal.
Back at RM, Khushi comes down the stairs.. as she walks, she says to Devi Maiyya in her mind, "Hey Devi Maiyya, until today it had never happened that I asked for something and you did not it to me. Please, fulfill my wish like all other times." As she walks through the hallway, Nani ji comes, 'Khushi bitiya, are you going somewhere?" 'Yes, Nani ji, I have something important to do!" Khushi answers. "Okay, come back soon!" Nani says. As Khushi walks through teh corridor, she looks up and says, "Now, everything is up to you, Devi Maiyaa! Please, help!"
Sheetal stops the car at the red light. Frustrated, she exclaims, "Damn! Why am I hitting all the traffic signals?... Aarav must be waiting for me!"
The program is in full swing at Aarav's school, "Ladies and Gentlemen! This year's winner of the essay competition is Alok Shrivastav! Give him a big hand!" As everyone claps the emcee announces, "The title of his essay is 'I Love My Dad'. And it's very well written. A round of applause for Alok Shrivastav!" Aarav stands in the far back of the room. Some kids come running in and when they see Aarav they say, "Arey Aarav, where is your dad?" Another kid says, "Harsh, how should he know? He doesn't even know his father's name!" Another kid point out, "Doesn't know name? Then how will his dad come for the competition?" They all giggle and ran away.. Aarav's silent but rage filled gaze chases them. On the other side, Sheetal finally moves through the traffic. There at the school, the program is in its last segment, "Now is the final competition, musical instruments!.. The students who wish to participate in the competition should come on the stage with their fathers!"
As Aarav stands at the back of the room, a teacher spots him, "Aarav, are you not participating in the competition?" Aarav shakes his head in negative. The teacher says, 'But you are so good with the drums! Where is your Papa? Hasn't come?" Aarav shakes his head again. The teacher says, 'Okay, no problem! Go and sit with your classmates! Alright?" Aarav says in a low voice, 'I am waiting for my Mom!" "No problem! Your Mom will find you! You should not stand here alone. Now, come on, go! Go!" As the teacher walks away, Aarav comes inside and takes a sit. Just then Khushi enters. Sheetal enters soon after. As Sheetal rushes inside, she spots Khushi, "Khushi!" "Sheetal ji?" Khushi turns around. "You.. and here?" Sheetal asks. Khushi says, "I came here with a hope.. Now let us see if Devi Maiyya fulfills it or not!" As they look at each other, Khushi says, 'We should go inside! Come on!" Wow! I would have never guessed, that Khushi could be so comfortable with a chudail... a witch. A woman that has come in between her and her husband... All those movies made on the other woman in late 80s and 90s stand no value in front of Khushi's friendliness with the other woman!
"Ladies and Gentleman, we are about to start a special musical competition.. each team of father and son will have to chose an instrument.. and then each team has to give solo in competition with other teams.. the one that can carry on the performance longest, wins!" Aarav sits there waiting, "Where are you Mom? I asked you to come and pick me up early. I did not want to attend this stupid function." Sheetal and Khushi walk in as the emcee announces, "The instruments to compete on this year are Tabla.. flute.. guitar and drums!" Khushi goes to rush inside when she notices that Sheetal stays behind. Khushi comes back and asks, "What happened, Sheetal ji?" "Aarav likes drums very much!" Sheetal says. Khushi smiles and says, "Then come, why delay?" Sheetal calls for Aarav.. he does not hear her. "So, come on students! Pick your musical instrument and let the competition begin!" "We will play flute, Sir!" one of the parents says. Another ones says, "We like to play tabla!" As everyone claps, another team picks guitar. "And drums?" asks the emcee, "Anyone for drums?.. Friends, this is a golden opportunity to show your talent off! Anyone for drums?" Khushi looks at Sheetal's... Sheetal is in her own thoughts.."Students?.. Fathers?.. Anybody?.. for the last time.. anyone for drums? Come on, guys!"
"We'll take drums!" comes a familiar voice
... Khushi looks in the direction of voice. So do Sheetal.. and Aarav.. It's Arnav! Arnav's gaze finds Khushi.. a broad happy smile spreads across Khushi's face. "Give them a big hand!" the emcee says as Khushi and Sheetal clap happily. Arnav introduces himself, "Hi, I am Arnav!"
Missed.. missed.. missed the aura of ASR. This is not how he is supposed to introduce himself... his presence has to be felt! But.. I guess.. this is not the ASR/Arnav.. this is totally different Arnav anyway.. "Aarav is my partner!" These words bring smile to Aarav's face
... as well as Khushi and Sheetal's face too. Khushi thanks Devi Maiyya, "I had complete faith in you, Devi Maiyya! I knew that you won't disappoint me!" "Aarav, please, come on the stage!" Emcee says as Arnav waits for Aarav. As everyone climbs on the stage, Khushi starts biting on her nails as she wonders, "Hey, Devi Maiyya!.. Arnav ji does not know how to play any musical instrument! How will he play drums?... Now if they lose because of Arnav ji, how sad will Aarav be!.. This Arnav ji.. why did he have to make an entry like Salman ji?"
Next begins a segment of music and melody.. Initially all the students play their instruments as adults watch.. Aarav plays drums really well. I am impressed.. a five year old knows how to play adult height drums.. miracles. . prodigy..Amazing...! Arnav folds the sleeves on his shirt as he stands watching Aarav play the drums. Khushi's face fills with worry as Arnav takes the stand to play the drums. Aarav hands him the sticks. As the music begins.. Arnav starts playing drums...Khushi's jaw drops open.. Arnav seems to enjoy playing the drums,.. The first team to go out of the competition is on the flute. Khushi blurts, "Arnav ji knows how to play drums!" "You don't know! He was a hot shot drummer in the college!" Sheetal says..as soon as she looks at Khushi she realizes,.. "I am sorry, I was.." "No.." Khushi says in almost apologetic tone.. "No problem!" Wow! Great, Khushi! Continue to apologize... Next segment begins.. Arnav plays drums with ease.. next team to go out is on the guitar. Now the final jugalbundi.. begins between tabla team and the drums.. Arnav plays beautifully with few beautiful tricks up his sleeve... Aarav watches him with mesmerized eyes. Finally the tabla team gives way and Arnav and Aarav win!
The teacher asks Aarav, "Aarav , how do you feel?" Excited Aarav takes the microphone and says, 'I feel. So.. so.. so
... good!" then grabs Arnav's hand, kisses it and says, 'Thanks, Dad!" Stunned Arnav looks at him .. then averts his gaze.. Khushi looks at them
... not really stunned
... Sheetal looks at Khushi's reaction.. Aarav mellows down as he realizes what he did, "Sorry!" Arnav looks a little distraught and then he says in a compromising tone, "Take it easy, big guy!" Aarav stands holding Arnav's hand tight.. Khushi's eyes fill with tears watching them together. Aarav is give a trophy.. which he then hands to Arnav
... Arnav looks at him, Why me?" but then without making fuss he holds it in his hand. Just then Arnav's cell phone rings. He frees his hand from Aarav's grip, pulls out the phone.. shuts it off
... puts it back in his pocket.. Aarav grabs his hand within a second. Khushi's eyes make a note of it.
I absolutely hated the way Sheetal kept looking at Khushi... I do not know what the director tried to show.. but did not feel good.. Then Arnav kneels down and Aarav and Arnav do the high fives and hand hold ritual.. Sheetal smiles.. happily.. Khushi's eyes fill up with tears.. all she thinks about is Aarav, "Aarav did not leave your hand even once
... doesn't wish to either!.. because he is your son, Arnav ji! And he needs you!" As Khushi watches Arnav and Aarav happy together, she vows to herself, "No, Devi Maiyya, I wouldn't allow this to happen! I cannot keep a child away from his father. I cannot hide from a father that he has a son. I must tell Arnav ji the truth!"
Later at RM:
Everyone is in the lounge area.. excitedly Aarav tells everyone, "And then, Mr. ASR threw his stick up in the air..and then.." Mami exclaims as she munches on her banana, "Hello Hi Bye Bye.. then what happened?" Aarav says, "Then it was magic.. he grabbed the stick like this ,.. and played drum so well that the tabla guy had to give up! .. and we won!" Nani ji claps with a happy smile. Everyone smiles except Khushi... Sheetal looks at her face carefully... Aarav sits next to Arnav and holds his hand and says, "And this all happened because of ASR!" "That's not true! Even you played pretty well!" Arnav says. "That's great guys! May I say something? Your team is amazing!" NK says. Sheetal and Khushi look at each other with meaningful gazes. I just don't understand... why does Khushi keep giving gazes full of guilt? "Sheetal bitiya, your ASR has changed our ASR!.. This means that our Chhotey is ready to start his family and I believe that he will be a good father!" Mami ji chirps in, "Are you listening, Phati Saree?" Khushi's worried eyes look at Arnav.. As Arnav looks at her she brings a fake smile on her face.. then gets up and leaves. "hello Hi Bye Bye!" Mami ji chirps excitedly, "Arey, Phati Saree can be bashful! Seeing it for the first time!" Arnav seems a bit in his thoughts. Sheetal thinks a bit and leaves.
Book Talk
Cricket
32