First of all,I'm really sorry for posting this OS few days after Diwali! Wish I could've posted it on Diwali itself. But anyways,better to be late than never!
P.S. This OS is not related to any of the One shots which I've written in the past.
Translation of OS: Golden Diwali
Arnav's lips curved into a smile as he examined the Rangoli.
Arnav: Perfect!
Just then he heard her approaching footsteps.
Even though she was not wearing her anklets or footwear,he could make out that she was approaching him.
He knew that his heart deserved more credit than his ears 'coz he could feel her presence even when she far away.
His chain of thoughts was broken when she came & stood before him,looking as beautiful as ever in a red saree.
Her cheeks turned red as she took in his admiring glances.
She gave her thudding heart a few moments to compose itself before wishing him.
Khushi(blushes): Ha.. ppy Diwali!
Arnav(hugs her): Thanks & same to u! *********************************************************
The first thing Arnav does after breaking the hug is pecking Khushi's lips. Before he could take things ahead,Khushi pushes him away. Arnav: What the..!? Khushi: Have some shame! Niether r u a newly wedded groom nor am I newly wedded bride! Arnav(tilts his head): Really? Then y r u blushing like a newly wedded bride? (tweaks her nose)And y has ur nose turned red?
Khushi: If u.. stare at me like this & do all that,it is bound to turn red. Isnt it ? Forget about me! Lets talk about u tonight-when will u start having some shame? Ur grand-daughter's just got married & ur grandsons r growing into young men! Yet u keep doing all this!
Arnav: Which book says that the granfather of two young men cannot kiss his wife? And,dont forget,I'm ur husband first & their granfather later!
Khushi: When do u allow me to forget this?! (points to her saree) U bought this red saree for me without my knowledge! Do u think this suits me at this age?
Arnav: Of course it does! It suits u today as much as it did when we were young! U're still as beautiful as ever!
Khushi: What rubbish! My head is full of grey hair,my face has so many wrinkles,my eyesight is weak,I have to wear bifocal glasses. And my bones are getting weaker by the day. And u're telling me that I'm still beautiful?
Arnav: Ya,of course u're still beautiful! And beauty has nothing to do with age! Take me,for example!
Khushi: What?!
Arnav(non-chalantly): Ya! My hair have also turned grey,I need to wear glasses all the time,I hav a bad knee problem. I had blood sugar since long but now I also have blood pressure. I've put on some weight ever since I stopped jogging. But(pauses) I'm still handsome! (quirks an eyebrow)Am I not?
Khushi(smiles): Yes,u r! I gotta say..(points to his white kurta) u still look awesome in white!
Arnav: Thank u!
Khushi: Black color suits u much more than white!But since its Diwali today & wearing black is considered inauspicious,I chose this white kurta for u.
Arnav: Forget about the kurta. Tell me,where is my Diwali gift?
Khushi: U'll get it after Lakshmi pujan! Come with me right now & do some work!
Arnav: Excuse me?! U're talking as if I havent done anything since morning.
Khushi: Y dont u tell me what all u've done since this morning?
Arnav: I supervised the decorators,bought a gift for u, made the Rangoli and..
Khushi(interrupts): Did u make the Rangoli or.. did u simply spread the color on the paper which has rangoli design?
Arnav: Its one & the same thing..
Khushi: Let it b! Its time u do some real work..
Arnav: And what is that?
Khushi: I need 21 diyas(lamps) for Lakshmi pujan. Help me in making the wicks from cotton. And then we'll pour oil in the diyas.
Arnav: I'm not doing that!
Khushi: Y not?
Arnav: That'll make my hands messy. And it'll spoil my kurta as well.
Khushi: Y dont u fold the sleeves of ur kurta? And about the oil,u dont need to pour it. I'll do that. But atleast help me in making thr wicks.Will u?
Arnav does not reply to her question.
Khushi: Plz Arnavji.. Till last year the kids were here to help me. But this year niether could Aarav & Sia come home nor could Aarushi & damadji. To top it up the servants r on leave. There's nobody excepting u & me in this house. Now if u dont help me then who will?
Arnav: Fine. Lets go..
*********************************************************
Once Lakshmi pujan was over,Arnav helped Khushi in placing the lamps around the house.
Arnav: Dont bend too much or else ur backache will get worse.
Khushi: And if u place diyas like this,then ur kneepain will get worse. Ur knees must b aching ever since u made the rangoli. Isnt it?
Arnav: No,I'm fine.
Khushi: I can see that! Allow me to help u. Jiji will call me from the U.S. in an hour's time. I want to finish this before she calls. And then I need to talk to Aakruti as well. I wanna know how she's spending her first Diwali at her in-laws' place?
Arnav: Khushi u've already spoken to her today. And not once but four times! And u asked this question every time u spoke to her!
Khushi: So what? Diwali isnt over yet. I can surely call her one more time before the day ends. U leave all that aside & allow me to help u..
Arnav(gives up): Okay.
Khushi's phone buzzed as soon as she placed the first lamp on the poolside.
Arnav: Looks like Paayal is as eager to talk to u as u r!
Khushi: No,no! Its Nanheji's call! (answers)Hello Nanheji! Happy Diwali! (pauses)Thanks a lot! How r u now? Hope ur cateract operation went well?
Arnav scowls as Khushi continues her animated conversation with NK.
Khushi: Yes,I'll tell him. (pauses)U too.bye!
She smiles after ending the call.
Khushi: There's 1 more thing which hasnt changed in all these years-u're still jealous of Nanheji!
Arnav: Of course not!
Khushi: Of course yes! Its written on ur face!
Arnav: Whatever!
He walks off,fuming with rage only to come back a minute later.
Khushi: What happened?
Arnav: Nothing.
He starts placing the lamps around the pool.
Khushi(thinks): Arnavji came back despite being miffed with me coz he didnt want me to bend & place the diyas. He's more worried about my health than I am. And look what I did! I teased him & spoilt his festive mood.
Khushi: Listen..
Arnav continues what he was doing without responding.
Khushi: Arnavji..
Arnav does not respond the second time either.
Khushi: Will u help me in lighting the phooljhadis?
Khushi is disheartened when she does not get a response for the third time.
Khushi: Fine. I'll.. light them myself after placing diyas near the main door.
**********************************************************
Khushi was about to place a lamp near the main door of Shantivan when she felt a pair of arms around her waist.
She would've dropped the burning lamp on her saree had it not been for Arnav, who was quick to catch it in time.
Khushi: Y.. you?
Arnav: Yes,me!
He places the diya near the door before turning to her.
Khushi shifts her gaze to the floor as Arnav turns her around so that her back was facing his front.
She closes her eyes when she feels his breath on the crook of her neck & shoulder.
Arnav: Not only ur eyesight,even ur memory has become weak!
Khushi(opens her eyes): What did u say?!
In response,Arnav wraps the pallu of her saree around her waist & tucks it in her saree skirt.
Arnav: How many times hav I told u to take care of ur dupatta or saree before u do anything related to fire? That day u were about to burn urself in the kitchen & tonight u were about to burn urself over here! Where is ur mind these days?
Khushi: Plz forgive me!
Arnav turns to go when Khushi grabs his shoulder.
Khushi: Sorry Arnavji! I didnt want to irritate u on a festival. I'm really,really sorry! Plz forgive me..
Arnav could make out from her voice that she was about to cry.
And,sure enough,when he turned to face her,he saw her eyes brimming with tears.
Khushi: I'm..
Arnav(interrupts): Ssshhh!
He pulled her into his arms.
Arnav: Its okay.(pats her back) Just relax..
Khushi breaks the hug to stare at him with tear filled eyes.
Khushi: Did u forgive me?
Arnav(wipes her eyes): Yes,I did! In fact I'm sorry!
Khushi: For what?
Arnav: For making u cry!
He presses a lingering kiss to her temple.
Arnav: Now,shall we go inside?
Khushi: Let me place the rest of the diyas around the house.
Arnav: We'll do that later. We must go now. Our phones r lying at the poolside. We wont get to know if Aarav or Paayal call us.
Khushi: Okay,lets go. BTW,what must b the time in London right now?
Arnav: 2:30 pm..
Khushi: And what about the time in U.S.?
Arnav: 8 am. Come now..
*********************************************************
Once ArShi were through with the videocalls,they decided to exchange presents.
Khushi: Ur turn first!
Arnav: Fine. Take this..
Khushi opens the jewellery box to find four,thin,diamond encrusted gold bangles.
Khushi(smiles): Oh wow! These r beautiful!
Arnav: Thanks! Give it here..
As Arnav slides the bangles down her wrists,Khushi expresses her surprise.
Khushi: So u remembered haan?
Arnav(frowns): What?
Khushi: That this is the 50th Diwali post r wedding?
Arnav: Yes,I do remember that. But.. thats not the reason behind buying these bangles. I thought if I buy glass bangles then u'll say that u're ageing & glass bangles dont suit u anymore. That's y I decided to buy these. A lady is never too old to wear diamonds!
Khushi: So true!
Arnav: I have something else for u..
Khushi: Now what?
Arnav takes out a pair of silver anklets from his pyjama pocket.
Khushi(surprised): Paayal?!(anklets!?)
Arnav: Yup! I knew that ever since u gave ur paayal to Aakruti(grand-daughter)on her wedding,u were missing them.
Khushi: Thats bcoz I'd got so used to wearing those. And also bcoz those were my amma's anklets & hence very dear to me .
Arnav: Then what was the need to give those to Aakruti?
Khushi: How could I not give it to her? That's the only thing which I could give her from her great-grandmother. I'd already given amma's jhumke(earrings) to Siya(daughter-in-law) on her gruhpravesh(bride welcoming) ceremony. And I gave Garima amma's kangan(bangles) to Aarushi(daughter) on her wedding. I had nothing else to give to my children as my amma babuji's blessings. Thats y I..
Arnav places an arm around her shoulder.
Arnav: I can understand. But I hope that u wont miss ur paayal so much now. These might not b ur amma's paayal but the design is exactly like hers!
Khushi: Thats what I was observing as well. This is such an ancient design which is rarely used in ornaments now-a-days.From where hav u bought these?
Arnav: Forget about it! U got ur new paayal right? So b happy with these!
Khushi(sighs): Okay.
Arnav: I'll put them around ur ankles. Now I can no longer sit on my knees like I used to do in the past but..
Khushi(interrupts): Doesnt matter! I'll stand up & put my foot on the sofa & then u tie the paayal.
Arnav: U dont need to do that. U shift to that side of the sofa & extend ur legs towards me.
Khushi shifts to the farther side of the sofa & sits in sucha way that her feet were resting on Arnav's thighs.
Arnav caresses her ankles after placing the anklets around them.
Khushi: Arnavji?
Arnav: hmm?
Khushi: Now shall I give u ur Diwali gift?
Arnav(realizes): Oh,ya! Sure!
Khushi: When a special day completes 50 years,we celebrate its svarnim jayanti.
Arnav: Svar what?
Khushi(shakes her head): Areh, svarnim jayanti meaning.. golden jubilee.
Arnav: Oh.. okay. Ya,so?
Khushi: Since this is the 50th Diwali post r marriage i.e.svarnim Diwali,so I thought of gifting u something made of gold. I knew that u wouldnt wear a gold chain. U never wore the ohe which amma gave to u on r wedding. Whats even worse is that even Aarav & damadji refused to wear it.
Arnav: But obvious,Khushi. In the old days it was a custom to gift a gold chain to men bcoz back then men used to wear gold chains. Nobody wears it now.
Khushi: Lets talk about u. U've never worn any other ring apart from the one which I'd made u wear during r roka ceremony. And u were never fond of wearing watches.
Arnav: Come to the point,Khushi. What hav u bought for me?
Khushi: Gold rimmed glasses!
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi: Ya! (hands him the box)Take this..
Arnav: Seriously?
Khushi: Ya,damn seriously! I thought of giving u something which would b of use to u. And what could b better than a pair of glasses?
Arnav reluctantly wears the gold rimmed glasses.
Khushi(smiles): U're looking good!
Arnav: Lemme see for myself.
When Arnav saw his reflection in the mirror,he was quite surprised.
Arnav: Not bad..
Khushi: Didnt I say that ?
Arnav: Ya. Thanks Khushi! Had u gifted me a ring,I wouldve worn it for sure!
Khushi: In that case I'll gift u a diamond studded gold ring on ur next birthday!
Arnav: Alright but plz choose a simple design.
Khushi: Okay. Now its time for some sweets!
Arnav: Oh no,its not! Let the sweets remain for the guests.
Khushi: What r u saying? Its Diwali,Arnavji!
Arnav: I know! But u should think less about Diwali & more about ur teeth. U had an RCT(root canal treatment) last month,remember?
Khushi makes a face.
Arnav: Today Diwali,tomorrow new year,day after Holi-if u keep having sweets on every festival then very soon we'll hav to get a complete denture for u!
Khushi: Shut up! I'm not that old also that I'd need to change all my teeth. Arnav: Ya,right! U're only 73 years old! Which is like the new 20,isnt it?
Khushi: I'm going to keep the boxes of jilebis & laddoos in the fridge.
Arnav: Wait!
Khushi excitedly turns towards him,hoping for a change of heart.
Arnav: I can indulge in these sweets since they're sugarfree!
Khushi gives her trademark shocked expression as Arnav bites into a laddoo.
Arnav: ummm! Amazing!
Khushi: There must not b any other person as heartless as u in this world!
She is about to leave when Arnav grabs her arm.
Khushi: Let me go!
Arnav: Not before giving u ur award!
Khushi(frowns): Award?
Arnav turns her to face him.
When Khushi opens her mouth to say something,he stuffs it with a laddoo.
Khushi is both shocked as well as surprised.
Arnav: U must get an award for living with this heartless person for 50 years! (points to the laddoo)U deserve it!
Khushi smiles as she bites into it.
Arnav feeds her a jalebi after that.
Arnav: This is a special award for showering this heartless man with so much love!
Khushi: Dont say that!
She wraps her arms around his neck.
Arnav: What did I say? U urself said that..
Khushi(interrupts): I'll take my words back. There must not b any other woman as fortunate as myself in this world,for I've got a husband like u!
Arnav: Thank u! But that doesnt mean that u'll get to eat more sweets.
Khushi: I know. And dont worry. I'll brush & floss my teeth before going to sleep.
Arnav: Good! Shall we have dinner now?
Khushi: Yes.
**********************************************************
*Later that night*
Khushi kisses Arnav's cheeks before going to bed.
Khushi: Once again,wish u a very happy golden Diwali!
Arnav: Thanks & same to u!
Khushi: I had a really nice golden Diwali all bcoz of u!
Arnav: I also had a great Diwali,thanks to u!
Khushi rewards him with a sweet smile.
Arnav: U know what? This is ur 51st Diwali in this house. We had celebrated a Diwali together even before we got married.
Khushi: I know. I'll never b able to forget that Diwali! And niether will I b able to forget any other festival which we've celebrated together. I remember every single detail of every festival,as though we just celebrated it yesterday! Thats y I dont want to leave this house. I hav innumerable memories attached to this room & this house. I've spent my youth & old age in this house. Our kids have grown up in this house.Our daughter & grand-daughter's bidaai took place from this house.
Naniji, mamiji,mamaji,di,Lakshmiji-I've spent so many happy moments with them over here! Their memories & blessings r over here.Even now when Nanheji,jijaji or jiji call me,I talk to them about those wonderful days. Shantivan is the storehouse of many wonderful memories. Then how can I leave it & go?
Arnav: What u're saying is true,Khushi. But I'm not asking u to shift permanently to London. Cant we go there for sometime,like a month or so? Dont u think that we should spend some time with r grandsons? They deserve our love & care. Now they cant leave their college & life to come to India & live with us. But we can surely do that.
Not just for them but also for Aarushi,Vinay,Aarav & Sia. I know that Aarav & Aarushi want to live with us. But they'll never ask us to come & stay with them coz they know that u prefer to live in India.
Khushi: Similarly,we'll never ask them to come back to India since we know that they would like to stay in London.
Arnav: Exactly! Had things been in their hands,they would've made frequent trips to Delhi,like Paayal & Aakash.But they have their job,kids have their college & so they cant do that. What do we hav over here?We've spent most of r life in this house,agreed. But we were'nt alone at that time,we had r family with us. Today r family is over there. We should spend the remaining part of r lives with r family. As far as Shantivan is concerned,no matter where we go or where we stay,Shantivan will always b with us,in r memories!
Khushi: I agree but we need to think about the other problems as well?
Arnav: Which problems?
Khushi: The weather over there will affect r health. Its so cold over there,for most of the year. So ur jointpain & my backache will trouble us a lot.
Arnav: So what? Cant we bear the pain for 1 or 2 months? Its not as if London is having a dearth of doctors. In case there's a problem we can always consult doctors over there.
Khushi: Ya.. u're right.
Arnav: See Khushi,right now everything is fine. Since we're together we dont feel lonely. But,what'll happen once I die?
Khushi: Arnavji! Dont say such things! I've told u many times in the past that I dont want u to talk about it.
Arnav: For how long will u avoid practical conversations? Its a fact. U need to face it! The biggest tension for me is.. what'll happen to u after my death? Living all alone over here wont b easy,Khushi. U wont b able to
survive only with memories.. And even if u shift with Aarav & Aarushi it wont b easy even then. So it would b better if u start staying away from home from now itself. I'm there with u now to help u. Sooner or later u will get used to it. And when I'll see u adjusting with everyone in London & living happily over there,then I'll also feel assured that.. u'll b able to manage on ur own once I'm gone.
Khushi: How can b so sure that u'll die first? May b Devi Maiyya will call me first?
Arnav: May b. But in that case I will b able to stay in London. It wont b as difficult for me to adjust over there as it'll b for u. R u getting my point?
Khushi: If Devi Maiyya calls u before calling me,I will.. consume poison.
Arnav: Stop the nonsense,Khushi!
Khushi: What is nonsensical about it? (hugs him)I wont b able to live without u!
Arnav(pats her head): Relax Khushi! Dont think like that. U will b able to live without me. And u'll have to do that! Just imagine-what if buaji had consumed poison after phuphaji's death or nani would've done that after nanaji's death?
Khushi breaks the hug as realization hits her.
Arnav: Would we get to spend all those special moments with buaji & nani which we cherish till date?
Khushi: I understand what u're trying to say.
Arnav: Good!
He wipes her tears before holding her hands.
Arnav: Isnt today a very special day? So lets make a promise- If we die together,nothing like it! But in case that doesnt happen,whoever lives will continue to live happily for r family! Coz r children need us.
Khushi nods.
Arnav: Promise?
Khushi manages to utter promise in a small voice.
Arnav: Great! And..
Khushi(interrupts): Enough! U've said much more than u should've said! Now u only listen to me!
Arnav: Deal!
Khushi: I hav 1 condition..
Arnav(confused): What kinda condition?
Khushi: I'll go to London with u only if u promise me that.. u wont talk about death & dying again!Not till I'm alive!
Arnav: U're being unreasonable now..
Khushi: I dont know all that! If u want me to go to London,u'll have to agree to the condition. Tell me,u agree or disagree?
Arnav: Okay,I agree!
Khushi lies down on her side of the bed & closes her eyes.
Arnav follows suit.
He turns towards her after switching off the light.
Arnav: Hey..
Khushi: Hmm?
Arnav: Dont end this special din so sadly.
Khushi: Y dont u tell me how I should end it?
Arnav: Like this!
He kisses her cheek.
Khushi: Hey Devi Maiyya! I should've known!
She kisses his stubbled cheek before pecking his lips.
Khushi: Now lie down carefully on ur back or else ur knees will hurt.
Arnav: Yes ma'm!
Khushi: And listen..
Arnav: Ya,tell me?
Khushi: Dont worry. Nothing will happen to u so soon! U're yet to see many things. R Aakruti has just got married. U hav to see her getting adjusted to her new life;u hav to hold ur great-grandchildren in ur arms;narrate stories to them;see ur grandsons getting married; see all my hair turning grey and..
Arnav: And?
Khushi: And love me a lot more than u already hav! The whole world should give an example of ur love for me!
Arnav: Hasnt the world done that already,Mrs. Raizada?
Khushi: um.. yes,it has! But now its time for u to break ur own record & show them once more that love never grows old! It only gets better & stronger with time! R u getting my point now?
Arnav: Yes,I am. Now go to sleep.
He brings her hand to his mouth & presses the softest kiss to its palm.
Arnav: Goodnight!
Khushi: U also go to sleep! And stop worrying! Goodnight!
She entwines her fingers with his before closing her eyes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kindly ignore typos & mistakes.
Dedicated to: a) My grandparents.Their endless fights & making up sessions. I miss them!
b) Though it'll sound wierd but I'm dedicating this OS to our ancestral house which is the storehouse of memories of my childhood. I miss it!
c)To my grandfather's love for my grandmother. Its been more than 8 years since she passed away but that has not changed him or his love for her.He still wears his wedding ring & the diamond encrusted gold ring which my grandmother had gifted to him on his 75th birthday.
d)To all those who read it. Thank u so much for reading this!
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
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