Dil Dandiya Dilemma
--Priyaa-- (Writer) - Bhavisweet03 (Graphicer)
(Thanks to Bhavi (Bhavisweet03) for the Beautiful Cover! đź’– This is the first time I'm writing an OS thanks to the Mixed Bag of Celebrations Contest I got the motivation)
At sunset, Khushi stepped out, her joy reflecting the vibrant Navratri decor.
On her way home, she met her neighbor, Manorama. “Hello hi, Khushi! Kahan thi tum?”
Khushi smiled, “Aunty, Navratri ki taiyari mein busy thi, aap toh jaante hain na!”
Manorama beamed, “Dhoom dhaam se manana iss baar, hamare Arnav aa rahe hain!”
Arnav, Manorama’s nephew, was the boss of a renowned event management firm in the city. Khushi felt both intrigued and annoyed by the constant praise he received.
Next day, Khushi arrived at the Navratri venue, excited for the festivities with her usual mischievous smile.
Suddenly, the power went out.
“Arey, achanak current kyun chali gayi!” Khushi exclaimed.
A sleek car pulled up. In the moonlight, a figure emerged. As he approached, Khushi’s curiosity grew. Suddenly, a short circuit sent sparks flying, nearly hitting her. In an instant, he whisked her to safety, holding her close.
In the glow of the sparks, she saw his handsome face and felt a spark of attraction.
“Are you fine?” he asked, his hazel-brown eyes puzzled.
Khushi snapped out of her daze, “Haan. Thanks, par mujhe aise bahon mein lene ki zaroorat nahin thi, kuch zyada ho gaya.”
He seemed shocked and annoyed and left, saying, “Maine sirf tumhari madad ki.”
Later, Khushi was eating panipuri when Manorama came to her. “Hello hi bye bye Khushi! Tum yahan khaate raho. Hamara Arnav aaya hai. Is baar woh sab kuch plan karega”
Annoyed, Khushi replied, “Bilkul nahin! Main har saal Navratri ka event plan karti hoon aur sabko pasand aata hai!”
Manorama said, “Par tumhare arrangements outdated hain.”
Before Khushi could respond, she sensed someone behind her. Turning, she was surprised to see the same man who had saved her earlier!
“Ye lo aa gaya Arnav!” Manorama exclaimed.
He said “Miss Khushi, Manorama Aunty ne mujhe tumhare pehle ke celebrations dikhaye. Kaafi average the. Iss baar ek grand event hai. Professionals ko karne do.”
Arnav walked away, leaving Khushi fuming. She ate jalebis, grumbling, “Khadoos Laad Governor! Kya samajhta hai apne aapko?”
Soon, Daadi came by. “Khushi, iss baar bhi grand banaao celebrations ko.”
Khushi sighed, “Is baar main nahi, koi event manager karega.”
Daadi, surprised, asked, “Kaun hai woh?”
Proudly, Manorama answered, “Mera nephew, aur event company ka boss.”
Just then, Arnav arrived.
Daadi smiled, “Achha hua. Ek kaam karo. Tum dono milke event host Karna.”
Both Khushi and Arnav shouted, “Nahin No way!”
The next day, Khushi arrived at the venue and saw Arnav already giving orders. She muttered, “Laad Governor subah-subah mood kharab karne aa gaye.”
When Arnav returned after a break, he was shocked to find Khushi replacing his decor with vibrant colors. Irritated, he approached her.
Arnav asked in an annoyed tone “Ms. Khushi, tumne kisse poochke yeh phool aur khachra latka diya?”
Khushi replied “Khachra? Aapka decor dull tha maine rang daal diya, acha kiya na!”
Arnav smirked, “Yeh minimalism hai, tum samjhogi nahi.”
Khushi snapped “Aapko kuch nahin aata, isliye minimalism ka bahaana bana rahe ho.”
Arnav scoffed, “Acha?! Abhi dikhata hoon tumhe.” He started to pull down her decors.
Fuming, Khushi grabbed his arm. “Stop! Aap aise nahi kar sakte!”
Their hands brushed, and they locked eyes, her fiery gaze met his determined one, heartbeats quickening.
Daadi’s calm voice cut through the tension. “Kya ho raha hai? Kyun lad rahe ho?”
Embarrassed, they let go.
Khushi complained, “Daadi, is Laad Governor ne mera decor kharaab kar diya.”
Arnav said, “Pehle main yahan tha, yeh sab ulta-pulta kar gayi.”
Daadi said, “Shaant ho jao. Saath milke kaam karo, ideas milenge toh kuch kamaal banega.”
They exchanged a softer, exhausted look, realizing Daadi might be right.
Arnav and Khushi started planning and discussing their ideas. The earlier tension had eased, replaced by focused energy.
As Arnav worked, his attention kept drifting to Khushi. She was scribbling in her notepad, a strand of curly hair tucked behind her ear, her eyes alight with creativity. For the first time, Arnav saw her beyond the usual chaos, someone who poured her heart into everything she did.
She suddenly looked up, catching his intense gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, and she returned a puzzled yet curious glance.
Soon after, they began setting up the decor with their team, a blend of modern black and white accents with traditional touches. The result was both elegant and stunning.
Arnav and Khushi exchanged soft smiles, relieved after all the hard work.
Khushi thought, “Laad Governor ke saath kaam karna itna bura bhi nahi.”
Arnav, hiding a smile, thought, “Miss Khushi, not bad, not bad at all.”
Next day, with just one day left, Khushi and Arnav were excited. Khushi was relaxing with her friends when Arnav called, “Come to the venue now we need to discuss.”
She arrived to find Arnav stressed. He said, “Two performers quit last minute!”
Khushi, worried, replied, “Yeh toh bahut bura hua.”
Soon, Khushi said, “Mujhe dance aata hai, main karoongi.”
Arnav agreed, “But you'll need a partner.”
Arnav's sister Anjali arrived and teasingly said, “Arnav tumhara partner ban sakta hai, woh ek acha dancer hai.”
Arnav softly protested but eventually agreed, stealing glances with Khushi.
The sound of dandiya sticks clashing echoed through the empty venue as Khushi spun around, trying to teach Arnav the rhythm of the dance. He followed her steps awkwardly.
Within hours, their world narrowed to just the two of them, the rhythm of dandiya sticks blending with soft music and racing heartbeats. Their moves grew smoother, and their eyes met, exchanging undeniable chemistry.
Suddenly a snapping sound was heard, and Khushi gasped, “Arey, mera favorite payal toot gaya!”
Her eyes welled up a bit, and Arnav felt a sting in his chest, surprised by how much it mattered to him.
He said, “Calm down, Miss Khushi. Koi baat nahin… aise hota hai rehearsals mein.”
Khushi shook her head, still sad.
Arnav sat beside her in an attempt to cheer her up. He tapped his feet together, clicking his shoes, and said with a sweet, cheeky smile, “Yeh dekho, Miss Khushi. Payal nahin hai toh kya hua? Hum zaroor nachenge. Humare paas yeh do pair, dandiya, aur ziddi dil hai… humein ab kuch bhi nahin rok sakta.”
Khushi stared at him with a smile lighting up her face, surprised to witness this playful side of the usually serious and stern Arnav.
The big day of Navratri celebrations had finally arrived. By evening, Khushi appeared in a stunning lehenga, while Arnav, already at the venue, looked dashing in traditional attire. The venue buzzed with festive energy as their eyes met, unspoken words lingering between them. But soon, the celebrity singer arrived, and the crowd’s focus shifted. They danced with everyone, their dandiyas and hearts clashing in sync.
He smiled and said. “Miss Khushi, ek second mere saath aaye,” leading her away. Curious, she followed him to a nearby canopy connected to the venue, illuminated with fairy lights.
“Arey, yeh toh humne plan nahin kiya tha. Kya yeh sab ke liye koi surprise hai?” she asked, glancing around.
“Haan, hai, par sab ke liye nahin, sirf tumhare liye,” he replied with an affectionate gaze.
She hesitated, “Arnav ji..Main sabko check karke aati hoon, ek minute.” But before she could leave, he locked her path by entwining their dandiya sticks. Stunned, she turned to find him looking at her with a mischievous smile. He pulled her closer by tugging at the dandiya.
The music swelled around them as they began to move with the rhythm, twirling and clicking their sticks with the beat. As the twirls brought them closer, Arnav gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, both their hearts racing.
Their gazes turned intense, their closeness undeniable. His head tilted, and before she could react, he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Khushi’s breath hitched, a nervous but sweet smile spreading across her face.
“Arnav ji, yeh kya tha?” she asked her voice barely above a whisper.
Arnav smiled softly, pulling two payal from his pocket. Kneeling, he gently fastened them around her ankles. The festival lights and full moon bore witness to the moment. Standing, he met her gaze, a quiet connection passing between them.
"Khushi, yeh event tumhare bina itna successful nahi hota. Main tumhe aur samajhna chahta hoon. Kal wapas jaa raha hoon, par yahan aata jaata rahoonga kyunki main apne dil ka ek tukda yahan chhod kar ja raha hoon."
Khushi’s cheeks flushed, her heart warm at his words. She took a step closer, placing her hand on his chest as she gazed into his eyes, full of hope and passion.
Khushi smiled kissing his cheek “Aap bhi itne bure nahin ho, Laad Governor. Aapke saath kaam karne mein bahut maza aaya,” she admitted teasingly.
He responded by pulling her into a tender hug, their hearts beating in sync.
This Navratri was just the beginning, a beautiful start to many more moments and memories for Arnav and Khushi.
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. The ending was especially cute... perhaps in a cheesy way... but I like cheese 🧀... so all I'll say is give me MOAR! 
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Kumkum Bhagya
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
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