.:. 10 years of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? | Holi Contest .:. CLOSED

Holi Hideout

by cheers2all

“Where is he?”

When this phone call started with a question instead of the usual pleasantries, Aman knew it is not going to end well. He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes in exasperation. He is clearly not paid enough to deal with these kinds of situations.

“I have no idea Khushi Bhabhi” he replied, trying to sound as empathetic as he could.

“Jhooth mat boliye, Amanji. I know you are aware of his every single movement. His phone is switched off too” she complained.

“I swear, Khushiji! After my last year’s disastrous effort to keep his whereabouts a secret, ASR said he doesn’t trust me with his secrets anymore” Aman whined. If Khushi wasn’t so incensed herself, she would have had a hearty laugh at Aman’s sulking tone.

“It’s ok, Amanji. I understand” she tried to make him feel better

“If it’s any consolation, he is replying to emails. You can try your luck that route” Aman tried to offer help.

“Seriously!? Is this how Laad Governor is playing hard to get?” Khushi mused.

“Shukriya Amanji! I will try” She then wished him & his family a very Happy Holi and disconnected the call muttering to herself.

“Kahan hain aap?”

That was the subject of the email…and the whole of it. Only one person can send him an email this short and make him feel so loved. Andmissed. His face broke into a fond smile as he opened the mail and wondered what he could reply to rile up his already furious wife.

“Ah! First email from my wife in 10 years. I feel blessed”.He also wanted to add an emoji with a halo, but that would be pushing his luck.

“Where are you? And why is your phone switched off?” She replied.

Her phone buzzed the moment she hit send. “Miss kar rahiho mujhe?” Arnav drawled

Khushi tried to ignore the effect his voice had on her and answered with a tone that she had mastered over the years knowing well that it had the power to bring the mighty ASR to his knees “One of us had to, because you clearly don’t miss me at all!”

It worked. Like a charm. “Khushi, you know…” he began.

“Don’t you dare “Khushi” me. Aisa koi karta hain kya? You literally sneaked out of your own home in middle of the night to avoid this day” she tried to bring back the irritation in her voice which she was feeling before she heard his voice. “Every year your tactics to avoid this festival goes up a notch. This time it has crossed the limits!!”

“You know me, Khushi. I just can’t handle the madness that comes with this festival. It’s as if everyone has a license to ambush me just by saying – Bura na maano Holi hain! Unbelievable”

Khushi couldn’t help but smile thinking of last year’s Holiwhen all kids had hunted him down and jumped on a perplexed Arnav amidst their collective shrieks of “Dad”, “Maamu” and “Chachu”. They spared no mercy in coloring him from head to toe. It was a sight to behold.

“But this year I have taken extra precautions. This place is as safe as it comes”. She was broken out of her musings with Arnav’s irritated but smug voice.

“Do you hate Holi so much Arnavji, that you feel the need to run away from home?” It was probably the helplessness in her voice that made Arnav finally share his secret. “I don’t hate Holi, Khushi. But I hate the fact that this is the one day that I want to spend with my wife, and my wife,” he sighed, “has time for everyone but me on this day”

Of all the reasons Khushi expected Arnav to come up with,this wasn’t one of them. “Kya?! What do you mean?”

“You probably don’t remember, but 10 years back, this was the day when you asked me a question, which was an answer to several of mine” He smiled, as he placed his laptop besides him and stretched his legs on the bed.

“So, you lied that day when you said you don’t remember?” Khushi reminisced the day when she had, for the first time openly confessed what hisnearness did to her. And it was the first time he had acknowledged she was not the only one who felt it.

“Hamari dhadkanein ek ho jaati hain” he had said.

She had locked those memories in some deep recesses of her heart knowing it was probably the bhaang doing the talking. Over the years she knew he truly meant it, but never had a reason to confront him about it again. Hearing him confess and knowing that those moments were equally important to him made Khushi giddy with joy.

“I am so sorry Khushi…for everything I said, and everything. I didn’t say during those days. No matter how many times I apologize, it will never be enough for the atrocities I committed. I wish I could go back in time and undo every single pain I inflicted on you. I…”

“If you are really sorry, tell me where you are” Khushi cut him off, not wanting him to go the guilt route again. Over the years Arnav had apologized repeatedly, in words and more so by his actions. He is still the arrogant, badass businessman to the world. But for her, he is just her Arnavji.Her Sapno Ke Rajkumar

“Trust you to leverage any situation to your benefit” Arnav crossed his hands behind his head and further relaxed in the bed; his laptop long forgotten.

“What can I say? I have learnt from the best” she replied haughtily

“Good try, Khushi. But I am not giving away my hideout”

“You are not playing fair, Arnavji” she whined

“Alright! I’ll give you a hint” he said. “This place has some good memories even when everything else was wrong in our lives” Arnav almost immediately regretted bringing up the past again. But he shouldn’t have worried. His wife was more focused on solving the challenge he had thrown ather.

“You are at the farmhouse?” Khushi asked excitedly

“No Khushi. But I love the way your mind is working” he smirked

Khushi colored at the insinuation. “That’s not what I meant….woh bass…”

“If you say so, Khushi” Arnav interrupted. “If you figure out the place, you know where to find me. Now let me get back to work. Bye” And he disconnected the call leaving a fuming Khushi on the other side.

“Samajhte kya hain apne aap ko? He thinks he can run away and relax like a Laad Governor in a Godforsaken place, and I won’t be able to find him? Did he forget I had managed to locate where the kidnappers had locked him? Woh bhi ek nahi, do baar! And I manage to find him on every Holi, no matter where he hides” Khushi muttered to herself as she walked the length and breadth of their room.

Arnav looked around the room, which hadn’t changed much in the past 10 years. The idiot’s poster was now replaced with their sangeet picture of him proposing Khushi on one knee, but everything else was still the same. He smiled to himself as he thought about how much he has changed from the moment Khushi stepped into his life. They had created their own choti si duniya, which wasn’t that choti anymore, he chuckled to himself.Aarav now had twin sisters, Arya & Shreya. They followed him like puppies,and he was unsurprisingly very protective about them. With Di’s son and Akash & Payal’s kids, the “shanti” in Shantivan was replaced with shrieks and chaos.Add Khushi to the mix who was no less than the kids in any department. But he wouldn’t want it any other way. The man who used to stay glued to his work for hours, now finds excuses to return home early. Today, being the only exception.As much as he hated staying away from his family & kids, this day has its own special relevance. His reverie was broken by the buzzing in his pocket.Think of the devil…”Kya hua biwi? Not having fun playing Holi without me” he teased.

“I just wanted to tell you that you still look very dashing and handsome in white” Khushi purred

“Is that right? Looks like I must run away from home regularly to get a decent compliment from my wife. We…wait a minute. How do you know I am wearing white?” He whirled around swiftly, losing his balance in the process. Khushi was by his side the next instant. Holding him by his arm, shewinked “Hum aapke baare mein har khabar rakhte hain”. Dressed in a white suit herself, and her waist length hair flowing unbridled in the wind, she looked nothing less than angelic.

“Tum white color mein bohot acchi lagti ho…aur khule baalon mein bhi” words said by him in the same room from a lifetime ago reverberated between them.

Arnav left no time in pulling Khushi in a bone crushing hug.“So, you found me” He murmured as he pressed her closer in his arms. It had only been few hours, but it felt like he hadn’t seen her since ages.

“I found you” She nodded as she snuggled more into his chest.“I don’t like it when you leave like this without telling me. Even after all these years, I cannot let go of the fear that I felt when you were…when you had left for London” Arnav felt like kicking himself for putting her through this…again.Never again, he promised himself.

“But I love it when you find me every single time”, he tried to make light of the situation. Brushing an errant lock of hair over her ear,he peeked at her and continued “No matter where I hide, you always find me. I don’t think anyone has the power to keep me away from you. Me included”

“Yes, keep that in mind the next time you decide to abscond”she replied sternly and gently extracted herself away from his embrace. Before Arnav could react, she pulled some gulaal from a concealed packet and generously applied on his jaw, spilling some on his pristine white shirt and repeated the process on his other cheek “Happy Holi, Laad Governor”

Arnav kept staring mesmerized at the eyes that looked at him with such love and longing. It surprised and excited him in equal proportion every time he realized that 10 years had done nothing to change the way he felt around his Khushi. She still had the power to slay him with a single look and as light touch was all it took for him to catch fire. Still in trance, he pulled her towards him once again and murmured in a husky tone “Not fair, Mrs. Raizada. You get to color me while you stay spotless?”

“Then you should have planned better, Mr. Raizada, knowing that I will find you eventually. Why didn’t you get some gulaal for me?”she mock complained

“After all these years you should know Khushi, I don’t need to prepare for anything when it comes to you” Arnav said as he languidly brushed his right cheek on her left. Staring into her eyes, he then brushed his left cheek to her right in the same unhurried way, as if he had all the time in this world “Happy Holi to you too, Khushi” his eyes twinkled. The very next moment he swooped her in his arms and took her lips in a toe-curling kiss. He poured every emotion he was feeling into the kiss letting her know what his words couldn’t. Khushi matched it all and then raised some.

Long moments later they finally broke off from the kiss and rested their foreheads against each other. “You really did miss me” Arnav teased. Khushi pushed him, not so gently this time and sat on the bed with a pout.

“So how did you find me?” Arnav was curious “I am very sureAmma & Babuji wouldn’t have spoken a word”

Khushi’s heart warmed every time Arnav referred to her mother as “Amma”. It hadn’t been easy for him to come to terms with dealing with his past, but he has managed to do it over the years.

“Oh Amma-Babuji wouldn’t tell on you even if their life depended on it. They are in Lucknow anyways with Buaji. Plus they adore you way too much. They seem to have forgotten that I am their daughter, and you are the son-in-law” she complained good naturedly.

“That’s true!” Arnav agreed. Another aspect that he was grateful to Khushi for. “So, if it wasn’t them, how did you know I was here?” he asked her again “I purposely didn’t get my car and didn’t tellAman either. Aman is losing his sense of loyalty anyways” he added, feeling betrayed.

“Don’t bring Amanji into this. Poor guy was almost in tears thinking you no longer trust him” Khushi spoke up in Amanji’s favor “Kya Laila-Majnu ki jodi hain” she rolled her eyes.

She then settled comfortably on the bed and tapping on it said with pride “The only one who didn’t betray me is this bed”

“Excuse me?” Arnav was more amused than curious by this statement

“Teak wood. It stayed with Buaji for fifty long years, and now it led me to you” Khushi said as a way of explanation.

“Huh?” the Harvard return was still having issues following the workings of his wife’s mind.

“Aap bhool gaye? Hamari taraf waala bistar aawaz kartahain” Khushi wriggled in her place to make her point. “I heard it over ourcall. I can recognize this squeak from any part of the world. Ergo, I knew where you were” she concluded proudly

“Ah! I see” Arnav said with a twinkle in his eyes. “Looks like I have forgotten what ruckus this bed can cause. How about I reacquaint myself with it?” With that he started walking towards her with a predatory glance. Knowing the look very well, Khushi squealed and jumped from the bed trying to make a headway towards the door. But Arnav was too quick for her. He grabbed her by the waist and plonked her back on the bed. And for rest of the afternoon, Arnav showed Khushi exactly how much ruckus this bed can cause.

To Years and Laughs

by IPodcastKKND

Holi at Shantivan was a grand affair. From a noisy household with four generations under a roof to loud music, colours and a mouth watering buffet set by the lovely Mrs. Raizada. Not the Mrs. Raizada who religiously attended satsangs, nor the Mrs. Raizada who was loyal to her Bollywood loving kitty parties, nor the America - return Mrs. Raizada who held an air of grace and a besotted husband beside her.

No, it was the jovial Mrs. Raizada who was instantly written off by the elites for being loud, opinionated, stubborn, steadfast, witty, charismatic and openly critical of the socio economic status of the city. It didn’t help that Mrs. Raizada was stunning as well.

And what had started as a loud party where none of the elites wanted an invite to, turned into the media and fan favourite fun parties where none of the elites were ever invited to. So despite all the money and jewels thrown by the snobby neighbours, Shantivan had the grandest Holi celebration in the town.

“We are betters than everyone Saasuma. These page 3 articles about our parties are only written because they’re jealous!” Manorama gruffed, throwing the paper aside. Devyani laughed at her daughter-in-law’s antics. They were far from perfect - but with Khushi and Payal’s blessed entry in their household, Devyani realised that walking with the time was the way to sustain the family and be with the new generation.

“Arrey what are you all doing here?” Speaking of the new generation, Aarav quickly touched Devyani’s feet and ushered them to the corner.

“There is time for Phati-,” Aarav raised an eyebrow at Manorama, “humara matbal Khushi bitiya to be here.” It was eight o'clock. At any point of time Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada would leave the kitchen - after supervising all the food to be laid out for the festival - and go to her bedroom.

And it was the only day Arnav Singh Raizada slept in - hence there was no obstacle in colouring Khushi from head to toe. Last time the Raizada brood - Khushi’s Aarav, Kairav and Kainaat, followed by Payal’s Kushal and Anjali’s Ratna and Maan thought it was an excellent idea to throw colours in the kitchen.

With a thousand sweets getting contaminated and thrown to the bin, the kids didn’t venture near any kitchen for a year.

“Khushi bhabhi, relax. The food will be perfect. You take some rest - there’s still a few hours until the party.” Hari Prakash smiled, unaware of the turmoil his dearest Khushi bhabhi was facing. One of the upsides of Arnav indulging her to do anything on Holi was that she spent the next seven years pranking everyone with bhaang and colours and changing the look of Shantivan.

On the downside she was the number one target of getting colored first thing in the morning. Even Aarav, who was on the quieter end like his father, chose to wake up early in the morning and join the family in pranking her.

Two years ago Khushi was shocked to her bone when Aarav walked up to her in a white kurta - haye her beta was so handsome! - and touched her feet, wishing her a happy Holi. Tears rolled down her cheeks as he called her Amma - otherwise Angrez ke bete preferred Mum. That should’ve been an indication that something was up his sleeve.

But never to judge her own child, Khushi was lured by Aarav and his sanskaar trap right into the middle of the garden where she was greeted by three buckets of colored water.

“Bura na maano Holi hai!” All her traitors grinned.

Since then Khushi had realised that on Holi no one was family - especially one’s own family! And out of all the days her Laad Governor found the perfect day to sleep in. Otherwise no one could touch him - and in lieu - touch her!

The Raizada family had one strict rule - if anyone genuinely said ‘no’ to colours and loud music - that was to be respected. It was Payal’s attempt of teaching boundaries to the younger generation, that finally exonerated Arnav from loud noise.

Not that he needed a rule, one glare and all the kids - including NK - would run away.

Think Khushi! Try to spot the family! Khushi had cultivated her Arnav Antenna - or Nannav Network (as NK put it) - into the Raizada Roundup. After two consecutive failures she could finally sense where all the sixteen members of her family were.

Hmph! Nani-ji was being extra devotional to Devi Maiyya. But if you look at her eyes then they constantly looked sideways - so much for a morning prayer. Thus, the temple was eliminated. Behind the sofas there were the k’s of Raizada - Kairav, Kainaat and Kushal. Haye, the babies were grown up! So couldn’t they realise she could see their heads even from the kitchen?

Aarav was tuned to the latest football match with Aayushi and Ratan by his side, but why were all of them sitting with one litre water bottles? Amateurs. Khushi surveyed the living room, Mami was seated - staring into her makeup kit. When did that get twice the size and… why isn’t Mami doing any makeup? Even Lakshmi was conveniently roaming by the corridors - bleeping a 'meeee' in warning.

NK hadn’t made his entry yet - thank God he and Lavanya were ten hours away from India - and Mama ji seemed to be rehearsing something under his breath, a sweetbox in his hand. Could she see a flicker of green in those laddoos? Bhang! Payal and Akash made themselves useful at the dining table, but she knew that with two steps Akash could clearly throw a water balloon aimed at her.

She had seen her Jija-ji play basketball. Oh that reminds her of her other Jija-ji. Aman and Anjali were truly bad actors as they tried to hide their smiles in between reading newspapers and entertaining the Guptas.

Now how could she run to her room before anyone?

Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada had only two rules for Holi:

One, she would colour everyone and be the last to have bhang. Two, her first rang would be from the great Arnav Singh Raizada.

Well you could say that Khushi could walk up to her family and state, “Don’t colour me, I want my husband to colour me first.” But what could a naturally bashful woman do if it led to incessant teasing by sixteen family members? Like her name, her family was too big and enjoyed embarrassing her to bits - they still played clips from Akash and Payal’s wedding and begged for details of the fiery Teri-Meri.

“I have to ask, how were you all so blind?” Aarav once commented, snickering as all the Raizada’s and Gupta’s matched Khushi’s red blush for once. Even as a child he had seen the way his parents were enamoured by each other. Something he hoped to have one day.

Khushi was stuck. Perhaps ten years gave her family the perfect training to corner her.

“Hey Devi Maiyya,” Khushi whispered and jogged in her spot. Every day she complained, religiously, as he pulled her to join him for a run but today she realised that the exercise would benefit her. Not that she'll admit that to him. Honestly, she’d rather go for a jog with Arnav than be ambushed by her family when she had planned nothing for them!

And then there were other incentives to run with her husband. The adrenaline and endorphins led to great se- focus Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada!

Now was not the time to get distracted. It was the time to invoke Devi Maiyya’s blessings and make an impossible sprint from the kitchen to her room.

Taking a deep breath, she targeted the stairs, unaware of the fact that Maan had tied the end of Khushi’s white saree to a twelve feet long rope attached to a kitchen counter to give the family enough time to catch her.

“Devi Maiyya, shakti dena” Khushi prayed for the final time.

No one expected Khushi to literally run through the living room. Their faces turned from amusement to horror as her pallu tore, rope split and pull her back causing Khushi to fall head first into the floor.

“MAA!” Aarav screamed, leaping from the sofa towards Khushi.

Except she never fell.

She was pulled right into the arms of Arnav Singh Raizada. Khushi’s eyes were screwed shut, her heart beating loudly. Arnav let out a harsh breath, calming his own racing pulse.

"I'm fine," Khushi reassured their kids, who relaxed in visible relief.

A few minutes ago he woke up from his sleep, sensing a tense Khushi. Of course, it was Holi. He did enjoy his family’s antics of attempting to colour her first. As his Di often said “Jaise ko taisa,” he loved hearing Khushi rant about how Nani or NK had planned something for her. He did have to remind her she was no less of a menace!

However, today he couldn’t fall back to sleep. Something bugged him.

He got up, brushed and headed downstairs. He let out a laugh at how concentrated his family was in colouring Khushi that none saw him coming down the stairs!

That’s when he saw the rope tied to Khushi’s saree and her running across the hall.

Oh no.

“How many times have I told you all to play it safe? She would have broken her head!” Arnav yelled, a protective hand on her nape. The house quietened. Everyone shifted on their feet, unable to answer.

“Kya zaroorat-”

“Arnav-ji,” Khushi broke the hug, holding his tensed face in her hands. His skin had turned hot in anger, his glare softening at her pleading eyes.

“Please don’t yell. How would they know I’d be P. T. Usha?” Khushi smiled, setting his ruffled hair straight.

“Don’t try to be funny.” Arnav snapped, “and how many times have I told you to not run around in the house. Tum ho ya bacche, nobody listens to me.” He scowled. Khushi grabbed his shoulders and gave him an affectionate squeeze.

“We do listen to you, Arnav-ji. Have I ever not heeded to what you’ve said?” Arnav raised an eyebrow in response. Khushi cleared her throat, “I mean have I ever done anything intentionally to displease you?” At this Arnav folded his arms and glared at her. The audacity of this woman!

Khushi blushed in guilt, knowing Arnav Singh Raizada he might start with a list of things she did to displease him. She took his hands and attempted to mollify him. The Raizadas stood rooted to the spot, not wanting to distract Arnav. Fortunately his attention was on Khushi, otherwise they would’ve been carrying their own funeral at this moment.

“Arnav ji, I was just running to meet you soon.” Khushi batted her lashes.

“If you ran a little faster Khushi, you would’ve met your darling Devi Maiyya instead.” Arnav raged and turned to stare at his family who was attempting to leave the scene.

“Where are you all going? Tell me who did this!” Maan closed his eyes. His beloved Bade Mama was going to kill him and even his mum couldn’t save him. Here he was, unbeaten by the pandemic, about to die as a single sixteen years old man or be jailed for attempted murder of his dearest Badi Mami.

He had thought he’d win the glory for the Mathurs by defeating Badi Mami. Who knew Badi Mami would instantly go ‘Lo Chali Main’ on all of them?

Anjali and Aman looked at their son who had vocalised half of his thoughts out loud. Aarav stared at Maan in incredulity, his chappal ready in his hand, Buaji started muttering her ‘Hai Re Nandkisores’.

“MAAN MATHUR-”

“-has grown so much, haina?” Khushi grabbed Arnav’s arm, saving her nephew from danger. Maan ran and hid behind Anjali, knowing only his mother could save him. Aman twisted his ear as Maan whispered hushed sorries to everyone.

“Seriously Khushi?” Arnav sighed in frustration. Couldn’t she see how dangerous this could’ve been?

“Arnav-ji, we’ve all learned our lesson. Sacchi. Now please don’t be upset. It’s Holi!” She perked up.

“Toh kya main nachu? (So should I dance?)” Arnav glared. His nose flared as Khushi actually thought for a moment.

“You should Arnav-ji! And in your bhang-wala style. Bachcha party, the only reason Laad-” Khushi coughed, “Arnav-ji doesn’t dance in public in Holi because it introduces his 90s Bollywood B-grade hero avatar.”

Khushi shrugged her shoulders and did pelvic thrusts.

“What?” Arnav grimaced as the whole family burst into laughter.

“Poora boliye na! What the!” Khushi grinned and winked at him, raising her arms in the air and moving her shoulders left to right. Arnav couldn’t resist forming a small smile at her awkward dancing. Looks like his talents were limited to couple dancing.

Khushi stopped as Arnav heaved an affectionate sigh and shook his head.

“Buaji, your niece is truly Sanka Devi.” Arnav commented.

“Haan Nandkisore!” Buaji smiled, more in relief that her dearest but short tempered damad-ji had relaxed. The family dispersed and Maan gingerly approached the couple to receive a slight ear twisting a whole lot of forgiveness from his aunt and uncle.

“So have I successfully cajoled you Arnav-ji?” Khushi asked, walking up the stairs, hand firmly locked in his.

“Why are you asking?” Arnav asked, taking each step carefully.

“Then we can play Holi together!” Khushi jumped, excited at the prospect of chasing him through the fields - or better, him chasing her through the grounds. As Mama-ji had once commented, Arnav had started an opposite tradition where men literally ran behind his wives.

“Stop jumping,” Only Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada could think of jumping on stairs right after being saved from a bad fall, “and Khushi, we have celebrated Holi together.” Arnav reminded her.

“Haan we have but this is our tenth year. I promise we won’t do anything you don’t like. But I’d like to dance with you in front of the whole wide world.” Khushi proclaimed.

“Khushi, our parties have only selected invitees. So it won’t be the whole wide world. Also after the demo I’ve seen, I’ve sworn off dancing. I have no wish to be a 90s B-grade hero.” Arnav visibly shivered from the memory of the pelvic thrusts.

“B grade hi sahi, you’re my hero.” Khushi whispered, giving him a small peck on the cheek.

“Don’t try seducing me into this.” Arnav warned.

“Why? Is it working?” Khushi trailed a hand up his chest. Arnav caught it, his eyes darkening with desire.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish Mrs. Raizada.” Arnav nipped on her earlobe. Khushi giggled, looking around for their family. Fortunately everyone was out.

“On the contrary Mr. Raizada, I’m known for finishing off rather well.” Khushi winked. Arnav’s eyes turned wide,

“Have you already had bhang Khushi?” Arnav chuckled.

“No, but I want to - with you if you're okay with it. Do you know how adorable you become? I still remember everything you told me ten years ago.” Khushi sighed, a soft smile playing on her lips. Arnav grew quiet, watching her face intently.

“You know, when I had asked-” Khushi started,

“Why does your heart beat fast when you’re near me? Why couldn’t you forget these feelings despite trying so hard to forget them? That you tried to understand why it happened but you couldn’t?” Khushi stopped short, staring at him in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to remember, word to word.

Arnav drew her closer, resting her palms on his chest.

“And I told you that when we come close, then it’s not just your heart that’s beating fast. Mine beats just as fast too. Humari dhadkane-”

“-ek ho jaati hai.” A single tear of happiness rolled down Khushi’s eyes. Arnav frowned, brushing the stray tear with the pad of his thumb. Khushi sniffled and smiled, touched by his memory.

“Arnav, I…” Khushi sighed, she couldn’t find the right words to express the happiness she felt every time he reminded her that even in the worst days love had prevailed.

Despite not being one for regrets, Khushi found herself revisiting the moments but upon recounting what she thought was a forgotten memory, a wound she didn’t even remember closed.

“I understand,” Arnav whispered, brushing his nose against hers. In his ten years of marriage there were only a few moments when he was surprised that Khushi was with him. The past, although peacefully asleep, would bother them once in a bluemoon.

He never doubted their love, not even for a second, but when Aarav would ask poignant moments about his parents’ lives - like why was there a double wedding? Or watch Aman and Anjali have a fuss free fairytale wedding, Arnav would look at Khushi’s happy eyes and wonder, how did it all work out?

Khushi looped an arm around his neck, closed her eyes and caressed his cheek. She could feel his dimple under her fingertips. She loved feeling his smile rather than seeing it.

“Alright then,” Arnav broke the hug, “to commemorate our ten years of Holi I’ll celebrate, drink and dance publicly.” Khushi jumped in the air and grabbed his wrist, “COME ON ARNAV-JI I HAVE TO GET YOUR SHIRT AND JEANS-”

“Khushi!” For a small woman her enthusiasm brought strange strength as she dragged him to their room and opened the door.

A big bucket of water turned and splashed water on them.

“HAPPY HOLI KHUSHI-N-Nan-Nannav?” NK paled seeing who received his surprise. The Raizadas and Guptas quickly assembled and found NK hiding behind Lavanya.

“Arnav-ji,” Arnav snapped out of his shock and caught a reflection of him and Khushi in the mirror. They were soaked to the toe in green.

“This colour suits you too.” Khushi completed.

The Raizadas and Guptas nearly closed their ears but heard Arnav laugh. A carefree, loud laughter.

– – –

by x.titli.x

by bhavisweet03

Wohi Din, That Day Again

by dramebaaz.af

Arnav’s eyes followed Khushi’s movements as she skipped from one person to another with the tray full of a thandai glasses in her hand. His head leaned against the pillar he was standing next to, doing his best to avoid the colors being carelessly thrown by everyone on each other.

The Raizada Holi party was known for its grandeur. It was also one of the few annual parties that were thrown on their farmhouse outside the city skirts. As it turned out, the sprawling gardens of Shantivan weren’t large enough to accommodate 3000+ guests invited year after year, and almost all the people invited, much to Arnav’s displeasure, opted to come rather than find something more intimate to do with their own families, something he very much preferred over the choice of his family.

She was wearing one of her old suits from before their wedding. It wasn’t yellow like the one she had worn on their first Holi, but stitched similarly with orange panels on the side and top half instead of the yellow. There were doris on the side that hung with matching pompoms on them. Her hair was pinned from the front,`with strands slipping out to frame her face but left loose at the back for her hair to sway alongside her hips as she rushed from person to person. Despite years in between, she didn’t look a day over twenty-five to him.

This was the first year of her, and Payal being handed the reigns by Manorama to organize the Holi Party. Ecstatic at the prospect, Khushi had decided to hire her own caterers to serve the party. He soon realized that this meant he was literally paying his wife to throw a party that Mami had been organizing for free.

He observed her cheeks appearing flushed from behind the streaks of red and yellow smeared over her face. The remnants of the pigments were still lingering on his fingertips. He shook his head at the absurdity of the events. She clearly wanted to play Holi yet here she was, trying to still make sure that the party would run smoothly. He shook his head at the absurdity of events and walked over to pull her away from the arrangements. Arnav Singh Raizada’s aversion to Holi and colors hadn’t completely vanished but years of nagging and whining by his life, including the antics of his children had dimmed that aversion down by considerable notches.

“Khushi!”

She turned around to see him walking over to her. Om Prakash was quick to spot the encounter and rushed to take the tray from her hands before the familiar yelling by Khushi Bhabhi’s husband would ensue.

“Arnav ji! Aap kahan the itni dair se?” She questioned as he came to stand next to her. “Esha aur Priya dono gain hain! Hum ne Amma ke paas chora tha dono ko!”

“Yahin hoonge saare bache! Khel rahin hoon ge!” He reasoned and took her hand into his, “Tum itni dair se busy ho! Chalo hum apni Holi manatein hain!”

Khushi didn’t miss the twinkle in his eyes. She grinned back and was about to follow him inside the house when Aryan showed up crying. The comical widening of her eyes had Arnav break into a grin. He looked over his shoulder to see Aryan slowly walking towards them with the ugliest crying face whilst being covered head to toe in an array of colors.

“Kya hua beta?” The parents kneeled to meet his height.

“Didi aur didi ne!” The three-year-old had the misfortune of having an older sister whose antics and mischievousness rivaled the practical pranks pulled of by her parents throughout their youth. Khushi used the corner of her dupatta to remove some of the color off his face as tears continued streaming down his face. Aryan pulled his formerly white kurta and burst into more tears.

Laad Governor’s son was just as picky about his clothes being perfect as he was, and the colors drowning the whiteness of his kurta was simply unacceptable. “Koi baat nahi, hum change kar lete hain? Theek hai?” Khushi tried to placate.

Arnav helped dust off some of the color off his clothes before shouting for Hari Prakash to find the Esha.

“Bhaiya, hum usse hi dhoodh rahein hain!” The man replied back. His tone probed Khushi to look away from her son, which left her mouth fall open. Poor Hari Prakash appeared to be doused in water and colors from head to toe which meant only one thing. He too was a victim of Esha Singh Raizada’s holi shenanigans.

“Mil gayii!!” Aarav shouted from the buffet tables seat up about two feet away from the three of them.

Arnav got up to see what Aarav was pointing towards. Esha Singh Raizada, and her newly recruited partner in crime, Priya Singh Raizada were hiding underneath one of the buffet tables with large packets of colors tightly clutched in their tiny palms. Arnav suppressed his smile at seeing Priya’s scared face and the indignation spread across Esha’s face. Despite being dragged along in Esha’s antics every no and then, Priya’s demeanor reflected the temperament of her mother’s who shied away instantly at the confrontation that had her facing off against her dearest Chachu.

He forwarded his hand towards her. The young girl glared back at her father for about two minutes before finally letting go of the packets of color she had been holding onto.

“Baki bhi.”

She lifted her shirt, and handed the packets of color that she had stuck around her waistband as arsenals.

Arnav nodded and then stood up to hold the fabric hanging off the table for the girls to step out. Aarav couldn’t help but snicker and was readily hit by Esha on his legs. Before Arnav could say anything, Madhumati had spotted the family and rushed over with a handful of color to smear all over them.

The horrors of Madhumati smearing neon colors all over his face flashed before Arnav’s eyes and he turned to look for Khushi instantly.

“Dad, I’ll take care of it!” Aarav assured him.

He narrowly escaped Madhumati smearing colors all over Esha’s face, unintentionally avenging every other victim of the poor child throughout the morning, to find Khushi walking towards the remaining family members.

“Kitne packets nikle iss baar?” Khushi asked her husband just as he caught up with her and Aryan.

“Saath. Teen apne waistband mein phasai hue the!” He remarked.

Khushi shook her head in disapproval. “Apne daanta?” She asked.

“No! Holi hai toh I thought let it be!”

Khushi’s eyes wandered to spot the remaining family members. Deviyani was seated next to Nikhit, both laughing at Riya, Anjali and Nikhit’s daughter dancing with her Aditya bhaiya by constantly twirling one another and being upset at their hands falling apart for twirling at the same time.

Payal and Akash were sitting on one of the swings few feet away, appeared just as inebriated as Mama and Mami who were showing off their dance moves to one another in middle of the dance floor filled with guests just as drunk as them. Arnav spotted Garima and Shashi in the crowd as well and looked away instantly at the cartoonish dance moves he just saw the two pull.

“Chalo, aap Adi aur Riya ke saat khelo!” Khushi pushed Aryan towards his siblings who pulled their brother in between them instantly.

“Chalo, lets go!” Arnav whispered in Khushi’s ear, who nodded when out of nowhere Anjali and Madumati came by

“Chottteee!!!” Anjali threw herself into a hug! “Happy Holi!!!”

“Kya Chotte, sirf Khushi ji ke rang?” She complained and then took a handful of gulaal to smear his face with except unlike his sister, Arnav hadn’t had any bhaang and was quick to duck behind his wife which led to Anjali’s hands landing against Khushi’s cheeks.

“Oops!” She giggled

“Bhaiiiii!!” Akash had joined in with Payal still holding his hand. “I love you Bhai!”

“Unbelievable!” Arnav muttered before adding in a “Thank you” in affirmation.

“Kya hai Arnav ji!” Khushi winced at being pushed forwarded by her husband as a sheild as Bua ji approached both of them.

“Arre babua kahe chuup rahe ho! Thoda tou raang lagwa lo!” Madhumati insisted but just then their tornado of a daughter ran through with Aarav running behind her. Madhumati moved back while Anjali sighed with contentment at the sight of the children running around.

“Bua ji! Dekhain Mami ji kitna acha naach rahin hain! Aap bui jaain na!” Khushi piped in which in turned roused the unsaid rivalry between Mami ji and Bua ji!

Arnav and Khushi were about to slowly step away when they halted at hearing Payal and Akash gush over their daughter. Priya stood confused between her parents while “Meri beti, meri beti!” was repeated between the two. Arnav looked at Khushi and she looked at him. Holi brought out the most cringe parts of their family members to the forefront.

“Kahan jaa rahein hain aap dono!” Deviyani called from the back. She had seen Khushi run around since morning, and intended to have her sit for a while to catch her breath without knowing that like every Holi since the first one, the couple always had plans to disappear although the choices were conscious compared to the first time they had run off to the little haven they had built outside their room in Shantivan.

“Kuch nahi, bas arrangements check karne Nani!” Arnav replied back to which Deviyani nodded, fully understanding what was going on. She nodded as the two tried out slipping out of sight again but perhaps Devi Mayyian had other plans, because Mahinder stood between the two with a tray full of two glasses of bhaang.

“Come on Phatti Sari!” Manorama cheered from the back in midst of a dance off with Bua ji. Khushi’s eyes widened at the sight before her eyes.

“Nahi Mama ji, humain nahi chaye!”

“Kyun?” Mahinder was genuinely upset. “Hum tumre khaatir laying hain betiya!”

“Acha,” Khushi added uncomfortable before slowly picking up the glass. She elbowed Arnav the moment the glass touched her lips for him to accept the glass as well.

“Thank you Mama ji. Hum chaltein hain!” Third time's the charm and slowly the two slipped away towards the back of the grounds.

With half a glass of bhaang down, Khushi’s steps faltered a bit but Arnav’s hand dutifully wrapped around her the instance she tripped over her feet. They stood next to the gazebo behind the house, looked at one another and finally let out the laughter bubbling inside them.

“Just unbelievable.” He let out, “Sab ke sab pagal hain!”

“Acha, aur apne bare mein kya khayaal hai?” Khushi flung her arms over his shoulders, while her back leaned against one of the pillars of the gazebo. Her eyes flittered for a second as a bird flew in and sat on the de of the bird bath filled with rose water around the edges of the gazebos, before looking back at her husband whose smile had disappeared to be replaced with a frown resting in between his brows.

“Kitni mehnaat karni padti hai har saal tumhe apni pas bulane mein!” He remarked, his fingers traced the profile of her face which made her lips part involuntarily.

“Aur haar saal aap jo holi khelne se bhaag rahe hotein hain.” She complained.

“Yeh baat hai?” His brows cocked up, “Kahin tum bhool toh nahi ke mein kaise Holi khelta hoon?”

“Hmm.” Her fingers interlocked with each other behind his neck while she pretended to appear thoughtful knowing full well that he was addressing something completely different from what she was talking about, “Nahi humein toh yaad nahi” She said, before adding in to humor him, “aap yaad kyun nahi dilatein?”

“Really!” He slowly leaned towards her face, with his cheeks slowly rubbing against hers for the colors on them to imprint on his face. He repeated with both the cheeks before slowly pulling away to see a coy smile dance on her lips.

“Chalein?” He asked.

“Chalein!” She whispered back as he picked her up and the two disappeared from the party altogether in a few more minutes.

*

Arnav and Khushi joined the party about two hours later to find everyone in the same state as they were before they had left.

“Oh good!” Nikhit remarked as they slowly made their way towards everyone. “Hum family photo lene wale the aur aap dono mil nahi rahe the!”

Before either one could react, Esha ran up towards Arnav with her arms stretched out wanting to be picked up. She had tried gluing Madhumati and Manorama’s pallus to each other before resorting to simply tying them together which led both of them to fall while still in midst of their dance off. Knowing full well that her actions would land her into trouble, the almost six-year-old ran up to her father in hopes of avoiding the consequences.

Slowly everyone in their tipsy state were pushed into the frame of the camera by the Prakash brothers, documenting the chronicles of another Holi with its own taste of chaos, laughter, and colors.

__________________________

by bhavisweet03

by PriyaArshiSarun