Part 1
(please read the character sketch given in the first page.I'm not going to repeat the same in the story.If you read that only you will get connection in between the lines.)
Khushi Kumari Gupta closed the door of her room ,hurried to her cupboard ,opened it and took the photograph she was keeping as a treasure inside a locker there.She sat on a nearby chair and stared at the photo.She could see the most handsome face with a mocking smile,deep brown eyes and the sensual lips.No woman can resist him.She was remembering the day she met him.She was blushing at the memory.How dare he to kiss her?a total stranger..how could he?But can she forget him now?No..not at all...A woman can never foget the man who kissed her for the first time.She recalled the day they met each other.Her hands went to her lips.
It was a bright Sunday and everyone in Raichand house was busy in the arrangements to receive the Raizada family.Raichands and Raizads are family friends for a long time.Pratap singh Raizada and Dyan Raichand are child hood friends.Pratap's eldest son,Arnav Singh Raizada, was coming to meet Dhyan's eldest daughter Ananya.They were going to fix their marriage at the earliest possible.Ananya was back from Australia after taking her MBA.Arnav,an MBA holder is the leading business man in the country with its branches abroad.Khushi was busy in the kitchen helping her aunt,Rajeshwari,Ananya's mother along with Ananya's sisters Akshitha and Anjitha and Khushi's mother Garima.Khushi had already arranged fresh flowers in all the rooms.She was very good in house hold work.Her passion was listening to music,dancing, interior decoration and gardening.A student of humanities ,she was only average in studies.Akshitha and Anjitha were doing their college and were staying in hostel.Akshitha and Anjitha were very cordial,fun loving and chirpy girls.Khushi was very close to them.Ananya was a bit serious eventhough refined and reserved.But she also loved Khushi a lot.Dhyan Raichand treated her as his own daughter.She was Rajeshwari's late elder brother's daughter.
Prathap Singh reached the Raichand Mansion with his wife Sandhya ,eldest son Arnav ,daughters Asha,Anjali ,Shyam-Anjali's husband,Aman-Arnav's friend and secretary and Nani-Sandhya's mother.The Raichand family received them.The girls except Khushi were there.They were drooling over Arnav.They thought:Oh..god,he is so handsome.They met him some what 4 or 5 years back.He was so immersed in the business in the country and abroad.Whenever there was a get together he avoided it and made sure that he was not present.But the girls were very close to his brothers Aakash and Druv.All were seated and Akshitha and Anjitha went back to the kitchen to help their mother.They saw Khushi arranging the dining table.
Akshitha hugged Khushi and said:Oh..Khushi..didi is so lucky to have such a handsome hubby.
Anjitha:Do you see him for the first time?But Akshu I have a feeling that he is not that happy with the idea of marriage.
Akshitha:Why?
Anjitha:He seems distant,aloof and arrogant.He didn't even smile back and you know he doesn't seem interested in Anu Di.
Khushi:My god,Anju how can you say that when you meet a person for only a few moments?
Anjitha:Khushi,he looked straight at Anu Di,shook hands and see...they were very formal.No romantic exchange of glances.
Khushi:You are like Manorama aunty,filmy and dreamy .All that happens only in movie.
Anjitha:No Khushi...I know such boys in college also.
Akshitha and Anjitha again went to the living room.They called Khushi but she didn't go with them.
Khushi had an intense feeling to see him some how.Khushi had already seen his photograph with the title"the rising star in the business world"in a magazine and something struck her mind the moment she saw it .She couldn't take her eyes away from it.His eyes were so attractive that she wanted to look at it for the entire life..She wanted to meet him that day onwards.But she didn't share her feelings with anyone. She slowly moved towards the window straight to the living room and peeped through the iron bars of the window panel.She could not see him properly.He was looking straight.So she was embarrassed and quickly moved away.
At Raizada Mansion,Arnav Singh raizada was also recalling the moments of his first meeting with Khushi.
Arnav reached Raichand house with his family.Arnav was feeling very bored and he was looking at Anjali in a threatening way.It was Anjali who made him agree to the idea of marriage.He didn't want to marry but Anjali told him that Ananya is a perfect match for him.But Arnav's friend Aman wanted him to marry for love.Arnav recalled the conversation between them.
Arnav:I don't want to marry .The whole idea is boring.
Aman:See Arnav,Your families know each other for a long time.She is educated and refined.But do you know her well to marry her?
Arnav:Only thing that attracts me is the vast estates offered for marriage.It's not that I need dowry or any monetary benefits but I like the place very much since my childhood.Actually I wanted to buy it but before that Ananya's father purchased it.
Aman:You should marry for love ,love only Arnav.
Arnav:Stop your Bakwas on love.I won't be a fool to waste my life on such stupid matters.
Aman:Love happens without our knowing...We will realise it only later...
Arnav was very bored now and there was a window straight to where he was sitting .He saw a movement there and saw to his surprise somebody peeping through it.Those eyes...caught his attention...others were so much into conversations but his whole attention was on those eyes...He wanted to see who it was...He stood up...and asked:Shall I see the surroundings...
Dhyan Raichand:Of course beta...
Then he called his brother Sudeep and asked him to take him around.
Arnav:No..thanks,,Iwant to explore it myself.
Khushi again peeped through and she saw him talking something to Ananya's father and rising from his seat.She moved to the dining hall and to her horror she saw him coming through the corridor.She picked up her skirt and ran through the kitchen door to the backyard and hid behind a tree and peeped through. Arnav was thinking:Who was peeping through the window with that beautiful eyes ?He had an intense desire to see its owner.He continued to walk. Arnav saw acres of beautiful land lying around .He looked around.He heard a sound from behind .He turned around.There was no one but he heard the sound of payal (anklets) nearby.He began to move towards the area.The sound of payal also began to move away.He stopped and the sound also stopped.
.Khushi again ran forward through the trees.He heard the rhythmic sound of the payal and followed it.The sound stopped.He also stopped .There was silence except the chirping of birds.Khushi peeped from behind the tree.He was standing near the shed where they keep the old things .She decided to run and reach her house nearby.She picked up her skirt and ran again and to her horror heard the quick running steps through the dry leaves behind her .Shequickly hid behind a tree and stood there breathing heavily.
He reached now an area with huge trees and suddenly he hid behind a tree.He waited and peeped.He saw the end of a pink dupatta flying in the wind behind a tree.He quickly went to that side and caught the dupatta.
The person hiding gave a startling sound and tried to catch it. Arnav now came face to face with the person.
Oh my God...
He was speechless.He stood there motionless.He saw the most beautiful girl he has ever seen in his life.He stood there staring and staring.
The girl was staring at him wide eyed .Oh my God..he is so handsome...More handsome than in the photo.They forgot every thing.They stood there as though they know each other for years.
Arnav slowly moved towards her with the dupatta.she was pressing herself to the tree.She was trembling with fear,She crossed her hands along her breast.Arnav looked at her from head to toe.A beautiful face with the most attractive eyes,alluring red lips.The small pink top and the blue long skirt stuck to her skin and her beautiful neck was now open without the dupatta. The thin top revealed her perfectly shaped breasts .she wanted to run but her legs didn't move, mouth went dry and he came nearer.she could feel his breathe on her.The exoctic perfume made her weak. Arnav could not take his eyes away.He put the dupatta down caught her by the waist and kissed her hard on her mouth.
She didn't understand what was happening and was in an utter shock.She was caught in a rapture which sent a fire through her body.When she realised the truth she began to struggle.Then he tightened his hold ,raised his head and whispered.Tell me who are you?Khushi began to struggle again in his hands and beat him with her hands.
Khushi:How dare you?How dare you to behave like this?
Arnav saw tears in her eyes and at once released her.They stared at each other and at last she fled from there crying.He stood there looking at the retreating figure till she disappeared from sight.He was caught in a rapture,an unknown intense desire to see her again. Arnav could not believe himself.He was thinking:My God,what happened to me?What made me kiss her?Who is she?
He looked to the way she went.
Now he was very sure of one thing.He wanted to see her again.He wanted to know more about her.He slowly picked up her dupatta and could feel the smell of a perfume which began to haunt him since then.He walked to the place where his car was parked he opened it and kept the dupatta in side the glove box.
Khushi came back to the present and again and again looked into the photo and kissed his lips in the photo.She had an intense feeling to see him again.
...
.
Arnav returned to the living room as though nothing has happened.Every one was eagerly discussing about marriage.Arnav stood up and said:Sorry, I've to reach the office by afternoon.There is an important meeting.
Dhyan Raichand:Beta, the lunch is ready.Let us have it together.
Rajeshwari:Yes Beta,Khushi has made special dishes for all of you.She will be so sad if you go without tasting it.
Arnav:Khushi..Who is Khushi?
Rajeswari :She is my late brother's daughter and Rajeswari pointed at Garima and said:She is her mother.They were in Lucknow .Dhyan ji brought them here when my brother died a few years ago.
Prathap:We have already met her.You came here a few years back know?That is why you haven't met her.Aakash and Druv know her.
Arnav was thinking:May be it was Khushi whom I met.
Dhyan:Garima ji,Where is she?
Anjitha:she may be in the kitchen.Let me see.
Arnav stayed back in the hope of seeing her again.But she didn't come .The food was so tasty and Pratap insisted to see Khushi.Garima went to her house to bring her.But when she reached there she saw Khushi lying down in her room and Manorama applying ointment on her head.
Garima:What happened?
Manorama:She has headache.
Garima:Khushi Pratap ji wants to meet you.
Khushi:No..Amma I'm not well.
Garima returned and mentioned the matter .So Arnav was now sure that it was Khushi whom she met.
Pratap:It's ok,.Next month is Druv's birthday .all of you Please come .Garima ji please come with your daughter.
Anjitha:Khushi sings and dances well.She likes Dhruv's music.
Arnav was feeling uneasy:What the...?
They left after sometime.
...
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
CID
Book Talk
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