To the most smartest, most sensible and most organized BLASTER!!! Hamaari pyaari D!
Toffee se meethi hai...😆
ok will spare the rest but have to say
D di hai sabse sayani 🤗
Mein shayar toh nahin, magar aye haseen,
appke birthday par...is nacheez ki koshish...
Wishing you a day as beautiful as your heart
A day that that unfolds rightly from the start
Moments that fit together,
Feeling like no other,
Like the lyrical verses you write,
may it flow throughout from day to night.
A very very happy birthday Durgey!
OUR VERSION OF DURGA!LOL
...multi-tasker in every sense :)
you are most def a wheel of this thread without which we would loose direction. I mean look at all you do! God bless the day you broke your silence and decided to share variety of your talents in addition to helping organize our thread.
More than anything else i'm so glad to have got to known you on a personal front, you've become like a big sis to me and so many of us. Thank you for all you do and say to make my day better.
Since you are no Phanki, i won't give you hotwa..kahiin aap fissal gayee toh? we need a good girl in the currupted group..
here is some food instead :)
To start, some mubai chaat...
I gotta treat you to my fave, DOSA!
and last but not least...mmm
And i hope you do act a bit wacky...afterall need do something to feel young right? Love ya tons!
Javeria sends an OS for you, Durga...
it's her first one too.
"Tick tock!!!" "Tick tock!!!" "Tick tock!!!" Arnav glanced at his watch and he couldn't help being obnoxious.
If Arnav Singh Raizada's darling wife will order him to make jalebi late night, he will happily fulfil his wife's craving. Hell! He will even dance to Salman Khan's loud songs for her.
If his di will request him to sit in Poojah in kurta pajama, he will do so without any excuse.
But if someone asks Arnav Singh Raizada to wait, he will never waste his precious time at any cost. Patience and ASR are worst enemies but there are certain special moments in life in when one has no choice except to wait and be patient.
Arnav was also going through a certain moment. His temper was rising with every passing second but he couldn't do anything. He was helpless at the moment and ASR hates that.
He can't wait more now, he was infuriated. He fished out his iPhone and dial a number.
"ASR speaking, how long more will the reports take to deliver? I can't wait anymore, Damn it."
"OH oh ASR it's you. The reports are already delivered and I am sure they will be with you in any next moment," Dr.Durga tried to calm hyper Arnav whose call wasn't expected.
"They haven't arrived yet. I should have come to pick them. Your delivery service is very slow. I am the biggest donor of your hospital and what do I get in return except carelessness and irresponsibility."
"ASR, calm down it's not like that. I also have a copy of the reports. Do you want me to tell you?"
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
Arnav's fury faded a little and he gathered his calm, "I... I would like to know the gender of my baby."
Durga decides to play with the expecting father.
"Ok ASR, the reports are in my hands. Tell me what will you want your baby to be, a girl or a boy?"
"I have no preferences. I just want a healthy kid. I would love to have a daughter. Now stop playing games and tell me," Arnav demanded.
"You got me, ASR. I am sure your girl will be smartest like you."
"A... A girl...," Arnav murmured, his voice became soft and slow.
"Yes, ASR, you are going to be blessed by a princess. Congratulations."
"A girl... I can't believe. Thank you so much, Durga, for revealing this awesome news. My dream is coming true," Arnav was ecstatic with the news; radiance was visible on his face.
"I am sure Khushi will be happier than you. Should I tell her too?"
"No" Arnav stopped Durga. "I will tell her."
"Ok, ASR. Take care; don't forget your next appointment and congratulations once again."
Arnav couldn't believe that his dream is coming true. Last month he dreamt of a cute girl who looks exactly like Khushi; her fair skin was shining in the sun, cheeks red and her little hands were immersed in soil. The miniature Khushi was busy planting new seasonal seeds in their kitchen garden and enlightening her daddy cutely with new gardening tips who was admiring the most gorgeous girl after his wife. He suddenly woke up from this pleasant dream and glanced at his five months pregnant wife sleeping blissfully hugging him. His hands automatically found their way to the swell in the stomach of his wife where his child was resting. He caressed the bump and an innocent wish left his heart that he wants to be blessed by a daughter.
Next morning as soon he woke up from his slumber, he straightaway dialed Durga who happens to be his best friend and gynecologist of his wife. He wished to know the gender of his child ASAP but to his disappointment he was told to wait for a month. From that day he was eagerly waiting for the month to be over, gladly the time passed in a jiffy handling his business and taking care of his pagal cute wife. But time suddenly started going slow, very slow. It was moving with a snail speed. Last two day's thoroughly tested his patience and tolerance. Each second was like an hour. He was losing his mind, he was restless but he decided to be patient. Khushi worriedly asked him the reason of his restless but he didn't reveal the actual reason but satisfy her anxiousness by a convincing excuse of a business tension. Making Khushi worried was the last thing on his mind and he was planning for a surprise too for her.
At last the D-day arrived. He confirmed the news that the report of his wife's previous checkup will be delivered to his office. After a light breakfast he rushed to office and was counting seconds glaring at the entrance of his office. He ordered his secretory to transfer all the packages and mails to him directly without any delay. The restlessness and excitement was beyond control.
Time was mocking his patience and emotions were out of control.
Finally he gave up and called Durga to find out the reason of delay who in return gave him the happiest news of life.
"I am going to be a father of a girl." Arnav whispered in a hoarse voice, dreamily looking at the screen of his laptop, the presentation was long forgotten.
"Excuse me, I didn't get you. What did you say?" Aman inquired.
"I am going to be a father of a girl", Arnav replied to him. He didn't notice when Aman entered in his office and started working on the files.
The news zipped Aman's mouth. He couldn't understand what he should say now. He knows his boss and Khushi bhabhi were expecting a child. He was also a father and he could understand the feelings and emotions of a father.
Aman wasn't just the MD of AR Designs; he was a very close friend, supporter of Arnav in his hard times of life and company. He watched ASR emerging and conquering the world till Khushiji stormed his life and last but not the least he was also his brother in law.
"Congratulations Arnav," he went to Arnav and gave him a tight hug. Aman was so happy that he was the first one with whom Arnav shared this news.
"This is great news, Arnav. We are proud of you. I am very happy and I am sure we can't even think of Anjali happiness."
He warmly shook hands with Arnav. "Let me ring her and share this news," Aman proceeded to call his wife.
"No, Aman. Not now. If you will tell her she will share it with Khushi in no time."
"Oh... Okay. It's up to you and Khushiji that how you will reveal this news to the family."
Aman understood Arnav, he wants to first share the joyous news with Khushi and obviously his wife will spread the news in the whole city if she got hint of it and will ruin the surprise of her brother. It's better to shut mouth for the time being. He saw his friend smiling, his eyes shining with the utter joy. He decided to give some space to Arnav.
"Arnav, I came to tell you that there are no more important meetings today. There is just some paper work which I will handle. If you want you can call it a day."
"Yes, Aman. I am leaving. Thanks for the help."
He didn't wish to attend office today. Just for the surprise to Khushi he went to office. And now that surprise is ready, he can't wait to watch the expressions of Khushi.
**********************************************************
Khushi was enjoying the fruit salad her husband ordered cum requested to take regularly for the extra nutrients for their child, in pool side.
"Child"
This word brought a smile on her glowing face and her hand hovered on her baby bump.
Four months before she didn't have an idea that the reason of her tiredness and upset mood will be the joyous news of her pregnancy. She wasn't aware of it that she was six weeks pregnant. She was on her daily checkup appointment with an anxious Arnav who thought that his wife was suffering from an ailment. When the report came out, they were little shocked and much more surprised to find out that they were expecting.
She still remembered her husband's expressions changing from shocked to amazement, surprise to slight nervousness and then to utter joy which made his chocolate orbs shine more. She could feel happiness and excitement bubbling up in her husband.
He was very nervous and feeling awkward to announce the three words "Khushi is pregnant" in the family. Hari Prakashji's constant interferences were making him angry and he lost his determination. Naniji and Anjali Di were eager to know the results of the checkup and instead of telling them he left her to answer their queries. She sent a silent thank you to Devi mayyah when a phone call came to her help and she raced to her room leaving Di to answer the unknown phone call. She planned to scold Arnav but her anger faded when Arnav gave her a tight hug and swooped down her in a toe turning passionate kiss, he gifted her diamond bracelet.
Both were dreaming of their future life when Naniji called them loud and angrily. They found a furious Di and Naniji glaring at them, they were scared and worried because they got no clue of what went wrong. Suddenly Di and Naniji were laughing, started hugging and congratulating the expecting parents. They finally told the truth that they found out about the delightful news because the reports were left on the reception and it was receptionist who called before.
A soft alarm on her cell phone broke her thoughts which was displaying a message
"Afternoon nap time"
"Hmmpff Laad governor and his silly alarms!" She dismissed the alarm and pouted.
She walked into her room and slid on the bed. Nowadays a little activity made her tired. She better sleep because if she did not then Hari Prakashji who was now reporting her every move to her possessive husband, will complain to the Laad governor.
"Her Laad governor!"
A smile spread on her face again.
Since the day Arnav found that they are expecting, he was with her every second showering love and giving her extra attention. He was always punctual on their prenatal appointments and concerned the best gynecologist of the city. He never denied her cravings even at the ungodly hour. He was patiently bearing her mood swings and always cheers her up. A laugh escapes when she remembered Arnav dancing on an item number to lift her upset mood.
He made sure that she was given medicines and fruits on time in his absence by involving the whole family in his plans, even the house help. He participated in the Poojahs which Anjali Di held for the baby. The kitchen was filled with her favorite sweets and snacks. She always found a red rose besides her when she woke up every morning. Arnav tries his best to come home early to spend as much time with her as he can. And she knows that when she will wake up he will be besides her. Khushi didn't remember when she drifted off to dream about her Arnavji.
***********************************************************
When Arnav entered in his room he founded the mother of his daughter, his cute wife asleep peacefully. He made his way to bed and carefully sat on his side. He placed a long kiss on the forehead of his wife and caressed the baby bump. He felt a kick which made frowning lines appeared on her forehead which led him to smile. His baby was quite active nowadays. He kissed the baby bump where his daughter kicked.
"Don't be a naughty girl, Princess. Let mama rest, I will play with you when you will come to me. Papa mama loves you." He whispered near the bump and felt a light kick as a response of her daughter "I love you too, Daddy." This widened his smile.
He decided to spend some time admiring his wife and giving attention to his daughter and then in the evening he will reveal the surprising news to Khushi.
************************************************************
"Arnavji! Your coffee." Khushi brought the coffee to poolside where his husband was busy making patches in the soul and adding manure with seeds. Arnav didn't budge from her call, his mind was somewhere else.
"Yeh Laad governor Kab se din mein khwaab dekhna shoroh ho gye?"
("When did Laad governor started day dreaming?")
"Arnavji" This time she shook Arnav which took him out of his dream land. "Kahan kho gaye hain Aap? Apki coffee thandi ho rahi hai."
"Nothing, let me wash my hands and then I will join you." Arnav told her and went to wash his hands.
He came back and enjoyed warm sips of his coffee made by his wife just like he wanted.
"Arnavji, aap kya soch rahey thay?"
("What were you thinking?")
"It's nothing important, Khushi."
"Bataye na, Arnavji. Please!! Please!!!"
"Ok!! Okay!!! I have a confession to make."
"Kya?!" Khushi questioned him.
"I am in love, Khushi." Arnav said in a soft voice.
"WHAT?!!!" Khushi exclaimed.
"Ouuch, Khushi, I will be deaf soon. What's the need of shouting?" Arnav frowned lightly
"Kya kaha aap ne? Hum ne sahi se suna nahin."
("Come again. I didn't hear it correctly.")
"Khushi, you are such a drama queen. I know you heard it well. I have no problem repeating it. I said I am in love."
"Accha. Kaun hai woh?" Khushi was cursing that Churail.
"Aj mausam hai suhana, Khushi Singh Raizada se mazaak karney ka hai bahana."
Arnav decided to play with his cute nervous wife who was looking adorable "Khushi, you know her well. You have to guess."
"I know her." Khushi recalled all the ladies with whom she recently is acquainted.
"Yup! You know her too well."
"I don't remember, Arnavji. Please cut the curiosity and tell me her name."
"No, Khushi! Not so fast. Ok let me give you some hints. I met her first time four months ago."
"Four months ago?!?"
"Kaun hogi woh Churail. Arnavji doesn't go anywhere except his office and boring and tasteless official dinner parties. He must have met her there or she is someone at the office."
"Is she Natasha? Your new secretory. Or a new chammak challo model in your company?!"
"No, Khushi. Natasha joined AR three months before and I don't work with models anymore, it's NK's job."
"Arnavji, Hamein essey pata nahin chal raha hai. Accha yeh bataye app uss se Kahan milay?"
("Arnavji this is hard to guess. Ok tell me where did you meet her?")
"Not me Khushi, "we" met her in the hospital."
"Hospital??" Khushi was confused.
"Hamari batti jal gye. It's Dr. Durga right."
"Again wrong guess, Mrs. Raizada. I thought you were smart," Arnav said naughtily.
"Then who is she? Ab hum se or bardhast nahin ho raha hai. Seedhey seedhey bataye kaun hai warna..."
("I can't bear the curiosity anymore. Tell me straightly who she is or ...")
"Warna kya Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada?" Arnav said huskily making Khushi gulping her breath and he in return smirked.
("Or what?")
"Warna hum Di ko batayengey. Haan I will tell to Di and she will ask you about that churail."
"Don't you dare call her churail. She is very beautiful and such a darling."
"Hum se bhi zyada khoobsurat hai?" Khushi asked disappointedly.
"Haan tum se tu bohat zyada khoobsurat hai."
("Yes she is more beautiful than you")
Tears filled in her eyes and started to drop, she stood up angrily.
"Khushi, Kitni baar bola hai essey jaldi kharhi mat hua karo. Kitni baar bolon damnit." Arnav touched her shoulders to make her stand straight and she shoves them out angrily.
("Khushi how many times I have told you not to stand so suddenly.")
"Hum aap ki koi baat nahin maney gey or na hi koi madad chahye. Aap Jaye or us khoobsurat larki par order chalaye, Laad governor. Hum par nahin"
("I will not listen to you from now onwards neither I need your help. You go to that beautiful lady and fire your orders on her Laad governor, not on me.")
Khushi said angrily controlling her sobs.
"Damn Arnav Singh Raizada you crossed the line." He scolded himself.
Anger flushed her face and feisty mood was making her adorable. Arnav decided to stop his act. He made her sit again, took her beautiful hands in his grip and sat in front of her on his knees.
"Ossi ke lye tu bool raha hoon"
"What?!"
"Khushi, okay now you will definitely guess. We were introduced to that girl four months back in Dr. Durga room. She is with us always. She is no Churail. She is very pretty like you and that's not I think, I am sure of it. Her name is Poori Kumari."
"Poori Kumari!!!" revelation dawn on her. She pointed to her baby bump and said in slow, teary voice
"Our Poori kumari" Khushi caressed her baby bump.
"Yes, Khushi." Arnav sat besides Khushi nodding and put his hand over hers. His eyes too filled with tears and kissed her tear stricken cheeks.
Khushi gave him a tight hug, putting her head on his chest.
"Arnavji, you don't know how much happy I am. A princess is coming in our lives. I am so happy." She was crying and laughing.
"Yes, Khushi Princess," Arnav pecked her forehead and wiped her tears softly.
They sat back on the poolside deck in each other warm embrace.
Khushi was surprise and speechless.
"When did you come to knew about Poori Kumari?"
"Today when I was in office, I asked from Durga."
"You asked from her, why?!"
"Yes I was curious to know the gender of our baby and a month back she told me that I have to wait till the end of six month. So she took some tests in your previous appointment and informed me about its results today."
"Why didn't she tell me?"
"I stopped her."
"Why?"
"I wanted to break this news to you as a surprise", Arnav confessed.
"You wanted to surprise me. Bad news, Mr. Raizada, you have to work more on your strategies of giving surprises. Instead you almost gave me a heart attack. You know how much it hurt me to see you uttering praising words for other girl."
"Other girl?"
"Yes. I wasn't aware that you were talking about my daughter. It made me so much upset." Tears started shedding again.
"Sshh, Khushi!!! No need to cry sweet heart." His heart melted seeing her crying again.
"No I am not listening to you. I am angry." Khushi tried to be angry, huffing and puffing with a pout.
"I love you. Ok Kya kar sakta hoon main tumharey lye?"
("What can I do for you?")
The three words were enough for her but she wanted to teach a lesson to Laad governor for troubling her "You will do anything?" Khushi questioned.
"Yes I will do anything."
"Okay I want to go watch Salman Khan movie in cinema."
This is golden opportunity to make Laad governor dance on my fingers. Don't let it go that easily Khushi.
"Done", Arnav agreed.
"And you will make jalebis for the rest of the week."
"What? No, Khushi. Please make it twice or thrice but not for a week. Making jalebi is very hard compare to running business. And too much sweet is not healthy for the baby."
"You are breaking your promise. Aap hum se pyaar nahin kartey na. Look Poori Kumari, your dad doesn't love us." Khushi feels her princess kicking her in response. Khushi placed his hand on her swollen belly, he too feels his baby active. "Dekha my daughter is agreeing with me."
"Khushi I love you both and you know that."
"No, words aren't enough. You have to show it", Khushi shook her head.
"Show it. Well I have my ways to shows it", an impish and naughty glint gleams in Arnav's eyes.
He slid his arm around Khushi's waist and drew her to him as much the baby bump allowed. Khushi read his naughty intentions; she knew what's going on in his mischievous mind. Still after more than two years of their marriage, she shies and blushes like a newly wedded wife and become nervous on her husband warm touches.
"Arnavji, koi a Jaye ga."
("Someone will come.")
A nervous Khushi tried to push Arnav but instead his hold got tighter.
"Nahin koi nahin aye ga."
("No one will come.")
He kissed her neck and continued giving open mouth kisses till he reached her jawline.
"A..arnav ji..." Khushi stammered loosing herself in his smooching kisses.
"Hmmm, Khushiji." He flicked and kissed her nose as he saw her grinned.
He proceeded to shower kisses on her forehead, ears and eyes when a cough broke his trance.
Khushi froze and her eyes got wide as saucer. Arnav sighed in disappointment and turned to look around. It was Hari Prakash again interfering in their romantic moment.
"Woh.. Woh.. Arnav bhaiyah, khana tyaar hai. Sab aap ko neechey bola rahey hain." Hari prakash stammered in fear, concentrating his sight to the floor.
"Tum jao. Hum a rahain hain", Arnav scowled and dismissed him.
("You go, we are coming")
"Aap baaz kyun nahin atey, Arnavji", Khushi tried to pulled her away from him and smacked his shoulder playfully with a cute frown.
"Sshhh!!! Don't disturb me now", Arnav wasn't in mood to listen her rants and decided to shut her mouth in his way. He brought Khushi closer to him and Khushi too couldn't resist his touches, getting lost in a passionate kiss. He continued to complete his unfinished business.
khushi, they say, surprised asr,
but durga, what you did to me, i am still reeling and giggling.
remember when we met on blast? you said i had been the first one to say "hi", hope it was absolutely asr style. i would look at your name and smile... durga. apart from the ten armed one i met every year growing up, there was another famous durga with just two arms and the most touching tale... maybe you've met her in satyajit ray's pather panchali? intense she was and lovely too. let me see if i can find her for you.
there she is. moving, isn't she? the film was called song of the road... sometimes i think we are also on some road with a song of its own, which no one understands but us pagals. it's good to know i have my durga too on this trip. in fact, the road would go nowhere if she weren't there, doing the million and three things she does. without fuss. without rave rant, without talking, without tiring...
i still remember a gobsmacked what the moment when you said you are telugu but write hindi poems. huh? how could that be... but it was and wonderfully too. thanks to you, after centuries i read lots of hindi and i must say the way you get into it, i so enjoy, you use words from now and then and with such expert easy handling. wish we got to read your poetry in school rather than the extremely dry ones they showed a preference for back in the early seventies.
so you did poems you said, then one day you offered just like that to help out with the thread. i was touched. and thought, yeah, she will help out a bit, that will be good. now you do everything, and i do a bit. sometimes i forget and you remind me... i fretted putting this thread together without you, quite sure i was overlooking something or someone and had you been around, you'd catch it in a sec.
then you started doing all sorts of things, writing stories, making edits, of course the news updates and i kept thinking, wow, she is into that too... how come she is doing audio?? and edits on powerpoint? and who is that drinking coffee in her os, is that me? the surprises kept coming.
when you began to index other people's work, completely selflessly, with no agenda of your own... i was a little stunned, impressed. so much work, why would you bother with my weird writing at all? and yet you did... all our work, neatly indexed under different easy to find files. an ongoing project across all threads, your fab mega index. thanks to all this i think many of us are finding our work posted on facebook for the anniversary celebrations.
i sort of loved you a little nuttily when you said a ginger "o-kay" to my suggestion that you give my slightly "hot" writing a try. i know you don't like such things, yet, just because i requested you and you sort of like me (i'm hoping that's the case), you went out of your comfort zone and read... up to the point you could. and in that inimitable durga way, told me, what you liked and what exactly you didn't. this deserves many salaams and bahut saare hugs.
i know you will surprise me again in the future. but take it easy. as i said, i am still adjusting. and what about the first birthday thread that you planned with your co-conspirators kate and supi... it was mine! wo... i am sure there's not a person on the thread and who hasn't been touched by your kindness and sincerity and talent. there must be many outside too... in both skad and ad.
we all know you love the disney princesses. again when i heard that the first time i was taken aback. really? durga likes those happily ever after sorts? okay... but you know, as i got to know you i started to get a sense as to why. there's a noble, upright quality in them, and an ability to dream, to believe in fairy tales, to work from the heart and yet be strong, and yeah they are beautiful (i just fell for tiana myself).
durga, they are in so many ways just like you. (because i hate exclamation marks i made do with a full stop there.) so today on your birthday,
i the old lady of the ship declare you...
princess durga
go on, get your fancy gown and fetch your crown... and yes don't forget your wand or pen, if you will, it's time to do some durga kinda magic.
happy birthday, my dearest most wonderfullest sweetest durga.
(and i know i know, there's a shyam lurking in you wink wink.)
Anupamaa
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