Together...Forever, Sweetheart - Hey, Shona: Pg16 - Page 5

Khushi completes her ramp walk beautifully.. Sam seems very happy with her as he smiles proudly... Amrita seems disheartened... Arnav's face fills with pride and smile as his eyes twinkle with affection watching his Khushi glides so beautifully on the ramp. Sam is all proud.. Khushi smiles as she walks.. Khushi's eyes find Arnav' Arnav smiles and then briefly averts her gaze before returning back to applaud for Khushi. Khushi's eyes fill with immense love and gratitude as she watches Arnav clap for her.. Just then Arnav's phone starts ringing. He reaches for his phone, looks at it, he seems happy as he leaves to answer the call.

Khushi paces nervously in the lounge when Sam comes down the stairs, "Khushi! Khushi!... where did you disappear? Jay has been looking for you! He wants to talk with you." Jay walks in, "Hey, Khushi! What you did on stage today was just fantastic! I don't think that anyone would have the guts to do what you did!" Khushi politely says, "But still' forgive me if you felt bad'" Jay interrupts, "No,.. No! Not all!" Riya walks in and listens on as Jay says, "It was fine!" Khushi smiles politely. Riya fires, "Why would she feel bad? .. because you said it' then it must be true!.. Anyways, you were good' but next time, make someone else the pray!" she says sarcastically and leaves. Jay shakes his head and sighs. Sam says, "Hey, Jay, how does Khushi look? Nice, right?" "Yeah!" Jay says, "She is looking absolutely gorgeous! Nice work."





Arnav looks at him with sharp eyes.. his gaze pointed and few frowns crowd his forehead'His phone rings again. As Arnav walks away talking on the phone, Khushi steals a quick glance at him and says to Jay, "Yeah! Sam Bhaiyya did everything!" "Khushi, please' stop calling bhaiyya!" Sam says, "This is so uncool!" Jay smiles as Sam threatens, "And if you call me Bhiayya next time then I will commit suicide!... or otherwise, I will make you wear such a worst costume in the next round that you will be out!" "Sorry, Sam, but the way Khushi performed today.. I don't think anything like that is going to happen!" Jay says. Sam also smiles. Amrita looks at them from a distance'She seems unhappy.

Khushi's eyes show worry as she watches Arnav return to his office.. his face sharp.. he seems very upset as he briefly pauses at the door before walking in. He walks in and goes straight to his computer.. starts working. "Hey, Khushi! Be focused, okay?" Jay's voice distracts her from Arnav, "I am sure that you will make strides! All the best!" Khushi smiles politely. Riya is busy talking to another contestant.. but her eyes keep checking on Jay' as anger and disappointment reflects on her face. Khushi catches a glimpse of her angered face..

Khushi walks up to Arnav's office.. looks through the glass door.. Arnav continues to work on his computer.. head down as she walks in leaving the door open.. Khushi starts talking chirpily, "Arnav ji, did you see how everyone praised me! Even Jay Sir said that I mimicked everyone on stage pretty well. Arnav does not look up.. his eyes stay focused on the computer screen.. "And he also said that I am talented! You know what.. I used to think in initially that I was among weird people!... but now it seems like they are not all that weird.. what do you think?" Arnav does not look up.. Khushi says, "Arnav ji, say something!" Arnav says in a low rushed voice without looking at her, "Khushi, I have a lot of work to do!" Then he gets up and walks out of the office.. gently pulls on the knob of the door to close' Khushi does not think too deeply.. she reminds herself, "Oh, now I get it! Arnav ji is the sponsor of this event at this time! ..not my husband. That's why he is not talking to me properly." .. but then it dawns upon her, "But then.. why is Arnav ji so sad?" Worried she turns around and pulls the half closed glass door open when she hears Riya say to Jay, "Do you see anything other than yourself?" "Riya, you are saying this to me? The one who never stops looking at herself!"Jay says. Riya says all worked up "Please! It's you who wants everything your way.. at least once in a while try to look at something else!" "Look who is talking.." Jay says. Khushi thinks, "These judges are fighting like husband wife! Arnav ji and I fight this way!" All of sudden a thought occurs to her.. she looks at them carefully.. and thinks, "Is it possible that'" her curious eyes go back to them'

Next Morning at RM:

Dressed for the day, as Khushi descends down the stairs, she says to herself, "Don't know here Arnav ji went this early in the morning!" She finds Anjali, "Di! Have you seen Arnav ji? Don't know.. haven't seen him since this morning!" 'Yes!" Anjali says with a smile, "Chhotey has left long back! And yes, he said that you should take the small car. He does not want anyone to suspect that you are ASR's wife!" Nani ji walks in, "And yes, he also said that there is no need to take the auto!" "Okay, take this salad!" Anjali offers her the box, "It's fat free! No problem!" NK walks in, hands her a drinks bottle and says, 'And take this.. this is very beneficial for your health!" Then he checks with Nani ji, "The words was right?" Then he looks at Khushi as Nani ji nods in affirmative, "beneficial.. means low fat protein shake!" Khushi bursts into smile. Nani ji takes out an apple from the paper bag and says, "And these are fruits! No matter when you eat them, fruits are always good for health!..take this!" Nani ji hands her the bag. As Khushi tries to balance all the stuff she has been given, Nk says, 'And yes, Khushi ji, if anyone says anything mean to you.. don't worry.. you just mention my name.. " he winks and says, "NK!... I am well liked by girls! ' so no one will be mean to you!" Nani ji and Anjali smile joined by Khushi. "Don't forget that this is your dream!" Nani ji says, "And.. don't give up!" Everyone turns around as they hear Aarav, "Excuse me, everybody!" He walks in with a bag and offers it to Khushi, "Take this.. for all this stuff!" Khushi smiles at him affectionately as she takes the bag. Aarav says to the family, "She is going to participate in the contest, not to the border to fight a war!" Khushi says, "By the way, that audition room is no less than a border!.. okay, I am getting late. I should get going!" Nani ji puts the tika on Khushi.. Khushi seeks her blessings.. NK pretends to bless her as Nani ji blesses her, "Long live!.. and come back a winner!"

At the training site:

Khushi tries to sneak in.. as all the contestants exercise with Sam.. she tries to move towards the back of the room.. Sam's eyes catch her sneaking in, "Khushi! Come here!" As Khushi walks up to him, he says, "You are late!" "Forgive me, Sam Bhaiyya!" Khushi says as Sam rolls his eyes in frustration, "In fact, I had a flat tire!" Irked Sam says, "First of all.. you add this uncool Bhiyya after my name.. and then you lie to me!.. Twenty squats.. two sets.. NOW!" Khushi makes weird faces as she starts to do the squats. Sam goes to help other contestants. Khushi almost falls as she loses her balance making Sam topple and thus making him unhappy. All the girls burst out in smiles as she says, "Forgive me, Sam Bhaiyya! I lost my balance!" "Shut up!" is all Sam can manage. "I was better off at him.. wish I could go home!" Khushi thinks as she resumes her squats. Jay walks in and declares, "Alright, girls! That's al for today! Time to go home!" Khushi says to herself, "Oh ho! I should have wished for something else.. I would have gotten it!" Jay says, "There is a special round tomorrow.. husband and wife round. You all will have to bring your dear husbands with you!" Sam explains, "The task will be that.. we will ask you to do something that will help us assess the degree of coordination between you and your husband!" "Means we will see what wavelength you share with your husband!" Jay adds.

Khushi cannot stop smiling, "Oh, this is great! I Arnav.,.." she stops.. as she realizes.. "Hey, Devi Maiyya! I cannot bring Arnav ji!" she starts biting on her nails.. "Aaa..w.. can we not bring a friend?" Amrita asks. Sam asks pointedly, "Does that friend happen to be your husband? .. not, right? Then.. No!" Khushi gets worried, "Hey, Devi Maiyya! I cannot bring Arnav ji either!" "What do we have to do?" another contestant asks. "Just wait and watch!" Jay says, "If we tell you everything today then what will you do tomorrow? Go home and start preparing for tomorrow.. alright?" "All the best girls!" Jay says he walks away. Khushi chases him, "Jay Sir! Can I talk to you for a minute?" Amrita's sharp eyes catch her as Khushi asks, "In fact, my husband will not be able to come." Amrita is very happy.. listens as Jay asks, "Why?" "My husband is very busy with his work' no time to breath! These days he is busy with a huge event! That's why he is running around,.. so many meetings.. so can I bring someone else from my family?" Jay thinks for a moment and says, 'Okay! But.. you automatically get less points compared to other contestants!" Jay declares, 'Alright, girls! If any of your husbands is out of town tomorrow.. or due to any reason he cannot come here tomorrow'. Then you can bring someone else from your family!.. and mind you, girls, for this.. you will get a bit less points compared to other contestants! I mean, there will be cut in your marks.. unless you do something dramatic!.. something drastic! See you tomorrow!"

As he walks out, Khushi rejoices, "This is rounds is going to be so easy for me! I don't have to be afraid of anything!" Amrita looks at her and vows, "I will not lose under any circumstances!" One of the contestants say to Khushi, "Khushi, I am very tense about tomorrow! Aren't you?" Khushi smiles, "It's alright to be worried." Another girl walks over and asks, "Khushi, you don't look like a glamorous model.. then why are you participating in this contest?" Khushi says, "Because I want to do something on my own! I want to show it to someone that I can do something big!" Amrita asks, 'Who do you want to prove it to, Khushi?" Khushi opens her mouth to answer but then controls herself before she answers, "To the world! Who else?"' Amrita says, "I heard that your husband is not coming. Very busy, right? How lucky you are! You know' my husband.. he dots over me.." Amrita says as if it is a hassle. Khushi asks, "Your doting husband bothers you? It's his love!' Amrita sighs and says worried, "I don't know.. what's going to happen tomorrow.. some say it's opera...some say it's international dance! Khushi, I am very scared. What do you think will happen tomorrow?.. what if they require us to do something that requires good coordination then?" Khushi says, 'Wish I could bring my husband tomorrow' then I would win this round for sure!" her eyes twinkle as her face brightens with a smile. Amrita says, "You have s o much confidence in yourself and your husband?" Khushi boasts, "Yes! Because,.. we share great wavelength!" Amrita asks, "Wow, what do you do?" Khushi spills the beans, "We see movies together' I see English movies for his sake and he watches Hindi for my sake! We also do gardening together.. and throw water on each other often! Wish he could participate with me in this round.. then we both could have danced one of Salman Khan ji's dance!" As Khushi giggles Amrita smiles to herself, thinks, "Hunh! You have given me so many ideas unknowingly!"

Arnav looks at Khushi.. his face turns sharp as his gaze fills with apprehension.. then his face turns soft.. his gaze tender' worried he thinks, "She is so nave!"

At RM in the lounge area:

Manorama excitedly waves her hand and smiles ear to ear as she says, "Hello Hi Bye Bye!.. I mean.. only Hello Hi! Myself Manorama Raizada! I have been the beauty queen in my days! Ms Lucknow.. sixth runner up! So, my experience is something! So now you must have guessed that this Phati Saree.. hunh'. I mean Khushi.. I am the reason for her win! Muah! Muah! Muah!" She blows kisses holding the squash in her hand like a microphone. "Hello Hi Bye Bye!.. So, what was I saying?..Yes, as soon as she learned about the contest.. Phati saree' I mean, Khushi bitiya..came to me and said that Mami ji you are so beautiful.. why don't you participate? But I knew that if I I participated then I would win! But I have a big heart' so I said to Khushi bitiya that she should participate." Manorama pretends to wipe her tears of joy off as she says, "Now see' Oh, no! No need to thank me!" Mami pretends to have a heavy heart' "Manorama!" Nani ji says as she walks in with NK and Aarav.

"Practice'makes.. Man.. perfect.. So, I'" Manorama stutters. "So, you?" Nani ji asks with her hand on her hip. Manorama explains, "I was practicing.. now if Khushi bitiya wins then she surely will thank me!" "What?" NK says, "but why you?" "What does that mean?" Manorama asks, "Arey from the make up to the style.. I did everything!" "And..I gave her encouragement to eat right!' Nani ji says proudly and stands with folded hands. Manorama sarcastically says, "So, do you think that Khushi bitiya will thank you?" "Who else? You?" Nani ji says. NK says, "Masi ji.. Nani ji.. calm down, please! Just relax! It's not that Khushi ji is going to thank the two of you' in fact, Khushi ji will thank me!.. Yeah, me! I am so cool..and handsome.. so only I will be seen on the stage, who else? And I think that you are forgetting that I taught Khushi ji to walk!" Mami ji rubs it in, "And how do plan to give your speech on the stage?" To NK's surprise, Nani ji imitates his broken Hindi and his accent, "Khushi is very wheel like to me!" Manorama corrects, "Not wheellike.. thankful!" Nani ji grabs her ear NK style and says, "Sorry.. that's it!" NK sulks as they both laugh. Aarav who has been watching this quibble leaves to go up the stairs. "Arey, Aarav bitwa! Where are you going? What happened?" Nani ji asks. "Quibble al you want! But don't forget! Every Mom thanks her children.. so, I don't care!" Nani ji and Mami's eyes pop! Mami says, "This is called attitude!" "Very good!' Nani ji says.

Back at the training site:

As Khushi walks' a hand comes and grabs her' pulls her aside.. it's Arnav! "What are you doing, Arnav ji?" Khushi asks as she looks around. Arnav acts indifferent as he says in a rushed style, "Listen Khushi, I want you to come to a party with me in a short dress!" "What?" Khushi asks him as her eyes go wide. "You will, right?" he asks. "No!" says Khushi. "Okay'" disappointed Arnav looks away for a jiffy then he says, "I think that we should separate from the family.. just the two of us, you and me' alone!" he looks Khushi into the eye, "You will, right?" "No.. but.." Khushi says apprehensively. "Okay.. forget it!" he takes a step forward.. comes closer to Khushi' holds her hand and says, "I want you to kiss me right now!" "No!" Khushi whispers with objection in her eyes. "I said so many things.. why the answer is 'no'?" Arnav asks. "Yes, Arnav ji,.. it's because I cannot!" Arnav's gaze reflects concern as he looks at her and says, "Exactly!.. then why couldn't you say 'no' to those models?" "What?" confused Khushi asks, "What do you mean?" "So, why were you giving them tips.. that this can be done.. that can be done?" he asks. Khushi says, "Arnav ji, we were just talking!" Arnav tries to tell her, "Khushi, that was not just the loose talk' they were trying to make you spill the beans.. what you wanted to do!" Khushi tells him, "It's nothing like that, Arnav ji! All those girls are very nice' and Amrita ji is my friend!" Arnav still keeps his cool as he says, "Khushi, how many times do I have to tell you about the world of fashion?... no one is anyone's friend here! Why can't you just say 'no'? " Khushi becomes angry, "Whatever I can do is what I do! If you have forgotten then let me remind you that I am doing all this to prove that I am no less than you!" I never like when Khushi talks like that! Why does she have to compare herself with Arnav? Proving herself is much healthier than proving herself superior to Arnav!

Frustrated Arnav says, "Khushi, it's not about proving anything to anyone! Try and understand.. it's about facing the real world! If you are left all alone tomorrow, how would you face all this?" My heart was sinking here! I cannot even bear to hear it from Arnav.. he keeps talking about his not being around and than fills my heart with fear' I thought that Khushi was going to get worried.. concerned.. get angry that why he talks like this' hugs him and asks not to talk like that.. but, no! Nothing like that happened! The girl who was talking about the fantastic rapport she shared with husband acts totally indifferent! Stunned Khushi looks at him.. but just in a few moments her anger mounts.. she tells him off, "I will face it!.. the world!" In typical ASR style that Khushi understands, he says, 'I am sure that you can do it but for that you have to learn to say "No!" he clenches his teeth as he comes down very hard on her, "You will have to learn to say 'no'!" Khushi keeps looking at him.. I just sooo loved the way he said it!

Back At RM:

Khushi enters the house' talks to herself, "What does he think of himself! I am not that nave!" "Arey, Khushi bitiya! Back so soon?" Nani ji asks. "They released us early today!' Khushi says, "In the preparation for tomorrow." "Wow! That's great! Then what round is it tomorrow, Khushi ji?" "Husband wife! They said that we had to bring our husbands there. They want to see how well our wavelengths match!" Nani ji, NK and Anjali start thinking. "But, Khushi ji," Anjali says, "Chhotey'" "I know, Di! That's why I talked to Jay Sir. So, he said that I could bring my family!" Everyone smiles happily.. "Family? That's great!" Nani ji says, 'You will definitely win!" "Yes,.. they should get to know how much we all love her!.. and when it comes to loving'. There is no one better than Raizada family!" Anjali says, "And I will tell them that my Bhabhi.. sis-in-law'is the best Bhabhi in the world!" "Yeah, that's right, Di!" NK says, "And you know what Khushi ji, if I come then your glamour quotient will surely go up!.. And that judge of yours' Riya! That's right!' She will fall for me right away!" Nani ji rolls her eyes. Once again he requires correction in his Hindi. "Alright!" Anjali says, "Then it is decided! We all will go with Khushi ji tomorrow, right Khushi ji?" Khushi smiles happily.. almost jumps in her place happily'. When she hears Arnav enter the house.. her face changes.. as she remembers telling him off, " I will face the world!" and how he told her to learn to say 'no'!

Arnav watches her with keen eyes.. Khushi says, "No, you all cannot come!" Smile disappears from their faces as they look at Khushi. Arnav starts walking towards the lounge area as NK asks puzzled, "Cannot come?,,, but why?" Arnav asks as if he knows nothing, 'Khushi, you cannot take THEM?" his voice soft.. his face relaxed.. his eyes innocent yet surprised'.Ohhh' how I loved it! It was so heartwarming to watch ASR so pretentious and play innocent! "No!" Khushi says in a strong voice as she averts their gazes. He asks in a vulnerable soft voice with almost pleading eyes, "Nani.?" Khushi looks at him as he says, "She has done so much for you! Not even her?" Khushi's heart goes out to Nani ji as she looks at Khushi with affectionate eyes and a smile on her face. Khushi averts her gaze as she says, "No!" Arnav now really rubs it in as he tests her, "NK has taught you to walk.. I mean, catwalk!" "No!" Khushi says with a heavy heart. Now Arnav acts even more emotional as he says in a soft voice, "And, Di?.. the one who has prayed so much for you!.. tied the thread of protection to you.. raksha dhaga!... You won't bring even her?" Khushi is almost in tears as she says, "No!" Arnav comes to the finishing step, "And Aarav?... not even him?" Arnav's eyes pleading' face vulnerable.. but Khushi knows what he wants her to say' almost in tears she says as her lips quiver, "No!... because I can only bring one person with me' not everyone!" Arnav's face brightens with a winning smirk' his eyes twinkle' his Khushi finally said "No" to someone else than him! Khushi runs up the stairs as her tears are ready to roll down' Family members understand her constraints now' Arnav however watches her with affectionate yet proud eyes as a happy smirk deepens on his face'. Task accomplished!