Zindagi Ke Mausam Part 22a
Thoughts: Italics
Translations: In Red
They were sitting in the coffee shop for 5 minutes now and the silence was becoming awkward.
Rey: Akash, I think I should answer your question before you jump to conclusions.
Akash: I'm listening.
Rey: Khushi isn't my girlfriend...
Akash: Wha--
Rey: Yet. I mean we've been dating each other and I haven't had a chance to ask her about making it official and when her coworkers asked I kind of just said it unsure of what else to say.
Akash: Khushi? Why haven't you mentioned him to me? Does Payal know?
Khushi: No! I mean Jiji doesn't know and I don't know and I'm sorry and...
Rey placed a hand over Khushi's, helping her calm down. The gesture did not go unnoticed by Akash.
Rey: If I may, request something of you Akash? Khushi and I are still getting to know each other and if you can give us a little time to figure out where this is going before disclosing anything. This isn't to say that she's not important to me but I'd like to do this without her having to be pressurized in to anything.
Akash: Fine. Khushi, tumhare paas NK ke aane thak ka waqt hai. Figure it out. Aur tum sab ko kaise explain karogi ke that he's a firaang is going to a whole other matter. Tum iske baahre mein serious ho Khushi? I still can't believe you...
Fine. Khushi, you have till NK comes back. Figure it out. And how you're going to explain that he's not Indian is a whole other matter. You..you're serious about him Khushi? I still can't believe you...
God. Why does everyone think he doesn't know Hindi?!
Khushi: I'm sorry Bhai. Really.
Akash: I'll see you Khushi.
---
Khushi: Boyfriend?! Aap ne aisa kyun kaha? And humari family itni modern nahin hai! Unko yeh casual dating jaisi cheez samaj nahin aati. They'll automatically direct this to a wedding. Shaadi?! Hum aap se shaadi nahin kar sakte! Haye Devi Maiyya!
Boyfriend?! Why did you say that? And my family isn't that modern! They don't understand what casual dating is. They'll automatically direct this to a wedding. Wedding?! I can't get married to you! Haye Devi Maiyya
Rey: Khushi. Khushi. Breathe. Look, I didn't know what else to say. Frankly, this makes my job easier. I can be around you without any questions. And we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Who's NK? I know Akash is your sister's fianc but...?
Khushi: God. I'm going to be so dead. We have to figure a story out you know. There'll be so many questions, haye Devi Maiyya!
Rey: Just another question before you start panicking again, does everyone around you just automatically like to assume I don't know Hindi? Although it can cause for amusement like that friend of yours. What's her name? Oh, yes, Noor.
Khushi's face flushed in embarrassment.
Khushi: I said I was sorry about that day! Well you don't clear their misunderstanding so I mean...and you don't even look Indian!
Rey: I'm kidding Khushi! We will figure it out. Now tell me, what do I need to know?
Khushi: You're serious? You really going to pretend to be my boyfriend?!
With a shrug of his shoulders he said "Why not?"
---
Rey knocked the door to Khushi's door as he did when they had to head out. He knocked again and again with no answer.
Rey: Khushi? Khushi, open the door. Khushi?
He dialed the number to her cellphone and heard it ringing from outside the apartment door. Muttering a string of curses he fished for the spare key he kept to her apartment.
He entered the living room which was eerily quiet until he heard the sound of muffled sobs. He walked in to Khushi's room to find her huddled next to the side table shaking.
Rey: Khushi! What the hell?! What happened?! Why are you crying?! Khushi look at me!
Khushi looked up at Rey with fear and panic in her eyes. His training kicked in as he looked around the room and then in quick strides went to the front door to see any sign of forced entry. If he hadn't had the experience he did, he would've missed the small stain of dried blood near the door handle. He checked the locks to see if they were at all tampered with. He walked back in to the room, coaxing Khushi to sit up on the bed. He handed her a glass of water and as she reached for it with trembling hands he saw the dried blood on her wrist. He knew she was scared so he would have to be careful of how to proceed.
Rey: Khushi. I'm here now. Don't be scared. Drink the water. Calm down. Breathe.
Rey: Are you hurt? Did someone come in to the apartment?
Khushi shook her head no.
Rey: Drink the water Khushi. Where's your medicine?
Rey looked in to the drawer and handed Khushi a pill.
Khushi: Woh...woh...
Rey: I'm right here Khushi. No more questions for now. I don't need to know right now. Now listen, I'm not going anywhere. Lay down okay? Just focus on making your breathing normal.
A long while later, as the medication kicked in Khushi drifted to sleep.
---
Khushi woke up with a start, afraid to be alone again.
Khushi: Reyaansh?
Rey: I'm right here. Come outside when you're ready.
Khushi walked out of the room and sat across from Rey. She fiddled with her thumbs knowing Reyaansh was waiting for her to speak. She began with her voice barely above a whisper.
Khushi: I was 18 years old when I was engaged to a man 10 years older than me. It ended badly. A few weeks ago, I...I saw him again. He...he tried to...hurt me. And today...I heard the door knock and I thought it was you so I opened without looking and he was there standing in front of me. I tried to close the door quickly but he managed to grab my wrist and somehow I locked the door but...but he knows where I live now. How does he know? I don't know anything anymore. That night even he said things...but how can he know? What do I do? What do I do?
Khushi buried her face in to her hands and Rey processed everything she said. She sounded and looked much older than the Khushi he'd got to known in the last few days.
Rey: Khushi. How does Mr.Sahay factor in to all of this?
Khushi: He's my... grandfather.
Reyaansh Moretti definitely wasn't expecting this. But it's not what he needed to focus on right now either.
Rey: Khushi. I need to talk to Mr. Sahay. Let's go.
As Rey closed the door to the passenger seat, he was very aware that they were being watched.
---
Rey: Mr. Sahay, I need more information on what or who Khushi needs protection from.
RS: Moretti, I told you, Khushi will tell you details if you need to know. Why have you brought her here so late?
Rey: Sir, as her grandfather, I need you to understand that it's necessary for YOU tell me what you know. Khushi is not in the right frame of mind to be questioned further.
RS: How do you...what do you mean not in the right frame of mind?
Rey narrated the events of earlier in the evening and after much contemplation RS told Rey, Khushi's story. Rey's hands clenched in anger as Khushi's scared face flashed through in his mind.
RS: I still don't know details of what happened...then. She couldn't speak about it and I didn't push it. Her safety is of upmost importance to me Moretti. I want you to be around her 24/7. A repeat of today's incident should not happen again. Ever. Everything else is being taken care of.
Rey: Yes sir. I think Khushi should stay at yours tonight. I'm going to go back to her apartment and set up new locks and speak to the security guard of the building.
RS: One more thing. No one should find out about anything unless Khushi takes the initiative to do so.
---
Noor: Khushi! We've been dying to ask you but GG won't give us any time to breathe ! Like hell man, I don't even know how she lets us have lunch.
Yusuf: Noor, Mrs.Gill ne kaha tha...
Noor, Mrs. Gill had said that..
Noor: Oh Yusuf save me the lecture, I hear it from you all the time. "It's not GG unless I say so, blah blah blah"
Jay and Vikrant burst in to laughter and high fived Noor.
Vikrant: So Khushi, what's up with all the secrets? Boyfriend and all? And what's with calling Akash sir... Bhai? Didn't you say you just had an older sister?
Noor: Kyun? Khushi ko line nahin mar sakte tho aab uski behen pe line maroge?
Why? You can't hit on Khushi anymore, so you're going to hit on her sister now?
Vikrant: Is that smoke I smell? You jealous Gilani? Tujh pe bhi line mar leta hoon.
Is that smoke I smell? You jealous Gilani? I'll hit on you too.
Jay: Shut up you both! What gives Khushi, batah na.
Vikrant: Waise Khushi, teri sister hot hai kya? Age se bahri bhi ho tho I don't care. Chalta hai.
So Khushi, is your sister hot? Even if she's older, I don't care. Works for me.
Khushi rolled her eyes at Vikrant's comments.
Khushi: Jiji, I mean my sister Payal and...
Vikrant: Yaar what a nice name, dekha na, apni sister ki picture.
Yaar what a nice name, show me, your sisters' picture.
Khushi: Shit. Tu tho gaya.
Shit. You're done for.
"Mr. Joshi, may I ask why you're asking Khushi to show you a picture of my fiance?"
Vikrant: Wwwohhh...wohh sir...
Khushi: Bhai, actually that's what I was telling them. About how you're engaged to my sister. So they asked if I had any pictures from the engagement. Right guys?
Jay: Yeah, yes sir. Exactly. Right Vikrant?
Vikrant: Ji sir, of course sir. Congratulations on the engagement sir.
Akash: Thanks. Khushi, I came to remind you that after I come back from the meeting with Bade Papa I will be picking you up, so tell your friend not to come.
Khushi: Ji Bhai. Okay.
Akash walked away and Vikrant let out a breath of relief.
Noor: Yaar, why didn't you tell us you Akash sir was your brother in law? And is that friend he talking about your hottie firaang?? Notice kiya hai, jab se sab se introduce hua hai, he's always outside waiting to pick you up. Mast item hai Khushi.
Khushi: Noor!
Noor: Chill kar, I'm appreciating your taste but don't worry I'll only end up with a desi. Isn't that right Siddiqui?
Noor winked at Yusuf who became flustered at the comment and they all burst out laughing.
Khushi: The engagement happened not too long ago and I had gotten the internship acceptance before then and I didn't want anyone to think it was because of...
Noor: Khushi, your hard work speaks for itself. We know that having Akash sir as your brother in law has nothing to do with you being here. Right guys?
Everyone nodded and assented in agreement to Noor's statement.
---
Khushi was waiting for Akash when her phone rang.
Rey: Khushi, why are you standing outside? How many times have I told you to stay inside unless someone is with you?
Khushi: I told you Reyaansh, Bhai is going to...wait are you seriously keeping a watch on me? Where are you?
Khushi turned around trying to find out where he was keeping an eye on her from and saw he was leaning against a car across the street.
Rey: I'm your bodyguard Khushi, of course I am going to keep a watch on you. We need to be more alert after what happened. Couldn't you have waited inside still? You're not even letting me come wait with you.
Khushi: I am tired of being scared every second of the day Reyaansh. Nothing is going to happen, don't worry. And I told you, you could go enjoy your evening, I'll be fine with Bhai.
Rey: You know I can't do that. Khushi your safety...
Khushi: You and Dadu seem to have practiced the same dialogues. Okay look I see Bhai's car...I'll talk to you later.
Khushi: Hi Bhai! What's the plan today? Today isn't our regular night in.
Akash: Why Khushi, did I disturb the plans you had with your friend? If it wasn't important I wouldn't have disturbed.
Akash's reply came out harsher than he intended, surprising Khushi.
Khushi: No Bhai I was just...
Khushi looks down at her dupatta fiddling with it between her fingers when the traitorous tears dropped on to her hand. Akash sighed and looked over at Khushi when he saw her wiping her face with the back of her hands.
Akash: Shit! Khushi! I didn't mean to make you cry honey.
Khushi: No Bhai, I... I'm not crying. Ssorry.
Akash: Look, I know we've been avoiding the topic but I can't understand why you've hidden this from your sister you know? I don't like having to lie to her. And if you really like...him, then why hide it? If he really cared for you, he wouldn't make you hide it. It makes me judge his sincerity. I don't want you hurt Khushi.
Khushi took a deep breath in before exhaling. She hated lying, why was her life so complicated? She knew she'd had have to tell everyone the truth about Rey sooner or later but just wanted NK's reception out of the way and this time she'd tell Akash the whole truth too. Her eyes welled again at how concerned he was for her, how would he react when he found out the truth? Khushi wiped her face again and looked at Akash. She decided she'd try to be as truthful as she could.
Khushi: Bhai, Reyaansh is a really great guy. He's older than me, mature, smart. He takes care of me and is concerned for my safety. He's not the one who wants to hide this, I asked him for time and I promise to you I'll tell everyone everything after NK's reception.
Akash stayed silent for a few moments before he spoke.
Akash: You called him Reyaansh, but isn't he...
Khushi: He's part Indian. He's born and raised here. He speaks and understands Hindi. So yes, he totally knew what you were saying that day and I said something really stupid when we met for the first time too. Everyone seems to do that...
Akash: You said he was older, I could tell but how older than you is he Khushi?
Khushi: Bhai...uh I don't freak out okay?
Akash: Khushi you telling me not to freak out isn't helping. How old?
Khushi: He's...uh 12 years older than me.
Akash: You're joking. This is a joke right? Khushi. Khushi what the hell. Is this even legal? God. You know what, fine, you need until after NK's reception you have it. How you're going to explain everything is not something I understand and right now I don't understand what you're thinking by being with him but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt Khushi.
Khushi: Just trust me Bhai.
Akash: I have a surprise for you so cheer up.
Khushi: Surprise? Mere liye?! Kya hai?! Tell me na. Batao. Please please!
Akash: How about you look outside the window, maybe you'll figure it out yourself?
Khushi: Outside? But I don't...wait! We're going to the airport. Kaun araha hai???
Akash: Oh so you are kind of smart honey!
Khushi: BHAI! What's that supposed to mean??? Whose coming? Tell me!
Akash: Can't say. I've said more than I should have as is.
Khushi jumped out of the car as soon as Akash parked the car, running at jet speed towards the entrance of the airport when she saw a car speeding her way. She froze; all common sense told her she needed to move but she was rooted to the spot. All of a sudden she felt hands tighten around her waist and spin her away from the middle of the road and in to his arms. She grabbed the lapels of the suit coat closing her eyes tightly. She felt her heart beating erratically and her chest heaving at the sudden movement. The hands and his presence, both felt much more familiar than they should've.
Akash: Khushi!
Khushi heard Akash's voice and opened her eyes to look up, seeing Arnav's eyes burning in to her.
Akash: Khushi, you're okay right? Thanks so much Arnav.
Khushi let go of his coat lapels and felt his hands slip off of her waist.
Devi Maiyya, I think shayad maybe mujhe banate ve, kuch software dalna bhool gayi hongi aap. Aaj tho mein mar hi jaati. Mera dil abhi bhi itni Zor se dhak dhak kar raha hai. Hum jaante hai yeh sirf almost accident ki wajah se nahin hai. I'm not supposed to react this way to him! To someone who thinks so low of me. To someone who doesn't like me. Tho phir why?!
Devi Maiiya, I think when you were making me, you forgot to install some software in to me. I would've died today. Even now my heart is beating so fast. You and I both know that it wasn't because of the almost accident I had. I'm not supposed to react this way to him ! To someone who thinks so low of me. To someone who doesn't like me. Then why?!
Akash: Khushi! Say something. You're scaring me now.
Khushi: Huh? Sorry sorry Bhai. I'm I'm okay. Thank you. Wait! Yeh yahan hai Matlab...NK araha hai?! Lavanya ke saath?! But I thought they were supposed to come for the next few days! Haw! Mujhe nahin bataya?! Zara aane tho dho unn dono ko...
Huh? Sorry sorry. Bhai, I'm..I'm okay. Thank you. Wait ! he's here meaning..NK is coming?! With Lavanya?! But I thought they weren't coming for the next few days! Haw! They didn't tell me?! Just watch, let them come...
Akash: And she's back.
Akash chuckled at Khushi and Arnav couldn't help but half smile at the way her mind worked. She almost got hit by a car and here she's getting upset about being surprised?
Akash: Tu smile kar raha hai?
Khushi looked at Arnav as soon as Akash spoke, she too had to see this rare sight and lo and behold, he was smiling...kind of.
Kitne cute lagh rahe hain...Devi Maiyya! No no I can't think like this!
What the-- why am I smiling at this girls stupidity?!
Arnav: The flight has probably already landed Akash. Let's go.
--
Khushi: They're here! Do you see them?! Can I go now???
Akash: Honey, wait for them to come out of the exit completely. Pagal.
As soon as NK and Lavanya stepped away from the rush and towards them Khushi ran towards both of them and hugged them.
Khushi: You guys are here!!!
Lavanya and NK hugged Khushi with their free arms and laughed at her enthusiasm.
Akash: How about we have a turn to say hi too? What's up brother? How was the flight?
NK: It was great Bhai! Place was awesome man. Hey Arnav. How are you man?
Arnav: Good. Let's head out before we catch traffic.
Lavanya gave Arnav a hug which he reciprocated by lightly wrapping his arms around her. "Thanks for coming ASR."
NK: Titli I know you must be bursting with stories to tell me. So let's get in the car? I missed you Khush.
NK grabbed Khushi for another hug sending waves of emotion throughout her. She stifled the sob that was building up in her throat. He was so happy and her complicated life shouldn't interfere in that, ever. She blinked back her tears and plastered a smile on her face for NK to see when he pulled away. Lavanya's smile faltered slightly at the hug and Arnav didn't fail to notice it.
Lavanya: Let's go guys. We can catch up in the car and at home.
Khushi felt herself pale at Lavanya's statement.
Home? Why did this have to happen all of a sudden? How am I going to explain this without him blowing a fuse? Shit. And I really...I really need to distance myself from NK. Meri zindagi simple nahin hai...yeh meri problem hai. He shouldn't have to deal with this. It's not fair anymore. No more telling the truth, not to him, not to anybody.
NK: Khushi? Chal, what are you doing?
Khushi: I'm... I'm coming.
Arnav: Khushi.
Khushi: Ji?
Arnav: Come in the car with me.
Everyone looked at Arnav with wide eyes as if he'd said something entirely blasphemous.
Arnav: What? GG told me she's impressed with the idea for the final project. I want to discuss it with you.
Khushi thought quickly, this was the only way she'd get time to think about what to do with the NK situation and even if it meant she'd have to be with the Laad Governor she'd do it.
NK: Work even now?
Khushi: Yes. We'll discuss it. NK I'll see you there.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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