Our KTLK - Kashmakash Chap 17 (pg 136) Updated - Page 105

Chapter 17:

Priyanka: yaar yeh meri samajh ke bilkul baahar hain'I don't know whether to be angry with myself or pity myself'.i mean our exam is NEXT week and we are still not able to figure the head and tail of this topic. Nidhi! kuch karna yaar! We have been at this since morning.

Jyothika: Priyanka, jabaan sambhal ke baat kar! Ab yeh hamaari Nidhi nahi hain. Dean ki would be hain. I think we should start calling her ma'am or something. Ma'am, please, do something.

Nidhi gives her an angry look: ek baar'.buss ek baar aur tumme se kissi ne bhi mujhe ma'am bulaaya na toh dekhlena'

Just then Rihaan walks into the library: Nidhi'oops sorry, Ma'am, aap abhi tak'.

Nidhi throws a book at him which he neatly dodges and Nidhi comes after him with another one and both run around the table until the librarian comes and glares at them.

Priyanka: seriously Nidhi, why don't you call Dr Ashutosh? he could come and explain this topic for us na. after all its neurology related and he is your fiance. He is supposed to help you out in all this.

Nidhi bits her lower lip in thought: achcha nahi lagega shaayad'.i mean he is still our dean and calling him to the library'.

Jyothika raises her eyes heavenward: Bhagwaan iss ladki ka kya kiya jaye! Nidhi, you are asking him to help with your exam prep. Not giving out an indecent proposal. Enough nakhraas. Now call him and ask na.

Nidhi once again looks at the tired pleading faces of her friends and takes out her phone. All 4 of them were on leave since yesterday in preparation for the PG test and are spending almost the whole day in the library: uh'hello'Dr Ashutosh'

Ashu: yes Nidhi?

Nidhi: ji'.woh'.mein sochrahi thi'.you know ki'.actually na'..

Ashu: Nidhi'..baat kya hain? where are you?

Nidhi: in the library (the rest of the 3 start signing her to come to the pt and Nidhi gestures them to be quiet) we all are here since this morning.

Ashu: and how is the preparation coming along?

Nidhi: good. Good. Achcha chal raha hain. aap kya kar rahe hain? I mean abhi koi surgery scheduled hain kya?

Ashu: no. I am almost done for the day. Why? Want to talk or go out? (though he tries his best to suppress it, his desire to have some time alone with her comes out in a obvious way)

Nidhi's eyes go soft at his tone: I wish'.but I think we are going to do a night out today (Jyothika starts banging her head against the book in mock frustration and Nidhi closes her eyes tight and blurts out) neurology related ek doubt tha. I thought may be you could come and help us all out'..if'.you don't'.mind'..

Ashu smiles at the hesitancy. She never hestated an inch before barging into his house and declaring that she is going to stick with him irrespective of everything and here she is, feeling awkward about asking his help. I guess she still doesn't know if she should talk to him as his intern or his fiance: all of you are in the library now?

Nidhi nods her head vigourously: yes yes yes

Ashu: ok. I am on my way.

Nidhi grins and hugs the phone in delight which brings another "we give up" looks from her friends. Shortly after that Ashu comes minus the tie and coat with shirt sleeves rolled up till the elbows. All 4 get up hastily and Ashu gestures them to sit back down, pulls up a chair and seats himself: so, you guys seem to be stuck! Whats it about?

Rihaan hastily pulls the book close and indicates the chapter topic. Ashu goes through it, gestures for a paper and pen. Nidhi passes them both and all of them spend the next hour or so going through the whole thing and later Ashu asking them questions just to make sure they understood everything so far. Finally all 4 breathe a collective sigh of relief and their tired frustrated faces start smiling. They all chorus out: thank you so much sir.

Ashu: you are most welcome. So is that it?

Rihaan: yes sir. That's it. baaki ka hum sambhaal lenge. Aap jaayiye sir. Kaafi der hogayi.

Ashu: ok. you guys planning on a night out? (all nod their heads like puppets) then may be you should give yourselves a break now. go to the canteen, eat and walk around for a while before starting again. (that's enough for the whole gang to close their books and follow him out of the library towards the hospital building and its canteen. At the entrance he smiles at the rest and gestures Nidhi to come aside. Priyanka also starts to follow them which annoys the hell out of Ashu: Dr Priyanka, I have to talk something with Nidhi. please? I hope you don't mind? She will be back with you in 5 minutes. Can you manage being by yourself for 5 damn minutes? (Priyanka literally runs inside in her haste to get away from him and both Ashu and Nidhi walk to the basement parking lot, which is now empty and deserted save that of Ashu's car. Nidhi quickly looks around, makes sure there is no one lurking and catches hold of Ashu's arm and startes almost jumping in her excitement)

Nidhi: ticket booking hogaya? Everything taken care of right?

Ashu: achchaji, you took a whole week to decide and finalize where we should go and I am supposed to book everything in one day?

Nidhi pouts: ha toh? I had to think through all the angles na. ab boliye na. are we all set? When are we leaving?

Ashu smiles at her excitement: yes, everything taken care of and we leave on 10^th early morning flight directly to Kerala for one whole week. 3 days in Kumarkaum and 3 days in Munnar'just like you said.

Nidhi's smile is almost from ear to ear. She impulsively hugs Ashu and gives a smacking kiss on his cheek, covers her mouth in shock at her own actions and tries to run away only to get pulled back by her arm by Ashu. The action smacks her hard against his tall frame while he makes sure she doesn't move away by wrapping an arm around her waist.

Nidhi; yeh aap kya kar rahe hain? some one will see. Chodiye na please.

Ashu: in a minute. (he softly pushes back the strand of hair that fell over her cheek with his fingers) I want to tell you a couple of things first. 1: tomorrow morning I will be formally inviting my collegues, management and the rest of the staff for our wedding. And 2: I will not be calling you tonight at our usual time. might not get a chance to send an sms either. So don't panic. Ok?

Nidhi: ok to the first one. why to the second one.

Ashu: uh'Armaan has arranged a party tonight'.kind of'(he exhales, rubs his forehead and continues) a bachelor party

Nidhi's eyes go round in wonder: a bachelor party? Really? Oh wow! There are going to be strippers too?

Ashu: WHAT?

Nidhi: haan. I know what a bachelor party is although never attended one till now. drinking, dancing and masti time with strippers right?

Ashu coughs to cover his blush: I am off now Nidhi. you take care ok? goodnight.

Nidhi bites her lip to stop her laughter: photos kheenchiyega ok? have fun Dr Ashutosh! (Ashu gives a small wave without turning back)

Armaan is getting everything ready at Ashu's home. ROhan arrives with the drinks and Ranganath follows with some snacks soon afterwards. Ashu is the last one to arrive. He enters his own house with a lot of trepidation.

Armaan: here comes the groom guys! Aa meri jaan gale lagja. Waise toh we are supposed to mourn the end of bachelor days but kya karen'thoda celebration toh banta hain. now go and freshen up and come back down fast.

Ashu: par Armaan, yehi par? Baba aur HK?

Armaan: unn dono ko maine unke JS friends ke saath picture dekhne bhejdiya. English Vinglish. Uske baad all the retired and semi retired will spend the rest of the night in JS. Now go man! Party is about to begin. (Ashu freshens up, changes into a pair of jeans and t shirt and comes down again to find all 3 busy mixing drinks and arranging snacks)

Ashu: yaar Armaan, tumne kisi aur ko toh nahi bulaya na. I mean its just the 4 of us right?

Armaan: why? Should I have invited your father in law too?

Ashu: arre yaar nahi. Armaan, you didn't call'I mean there won't be anyone like'

Armaan: o o o'looks like you researched on bachelor party stuff!! Don't worry. The strippers are on their way. They'll be here in a few minutes.

Rohan: kya baat kar rahe hain Armaanji! Really? Wow!

Ranga rubs his hands in delight: can't wait I tell you!

Ashu's face has a look of horror: ARMAAN! You better be joking or you are dead in my hands!

Armaan: but whats a bachelor party without them buddy.

Rohan: Ashutoshji, who told you about this aspect? (the clicks his fingers as if an idea just struck) haan'Nidhi ne bataya hoga na?

Armaan slaps his hand over the forehead: hey Bhagwaan! You are not supposed to tell her about this party man! Tu toh abhi se joru ka ghulaam bangaya re!

Rohan: to be very frank, I searched. Par Lucknow mein no luck.

Ashu: thank God for small mercies!

Ranga gets the drinks for everyone but Ashu refuses. Armaan opens his mouth to argue but then remembers Ashu's childhood: arre tu kya peeyega boss, tujhe toh Nidhi ke pyaar ka nasha poori tarah se chad gaya hain. go and get a soft drink from the fridge. (a few rounds of drinks later, Armaan, Rohan and Ranga are totally out of it while Ashu is still sipping his coke. Armaan seats himself in the hall in a typical Gautam Budh style with Ranga and Rohan sit on the floor like obedient disciples. Ashu is sitting in another chair. He doesn't know whether to get angry at the trio or laugh his head off)

Armaan: shaadi matlab kabza. Hamaare ghar pe, ghar ke logon pe, kamre pe, kamre ke cheezon pe, kapdon pe..

Ranga: kya baat kar rahe hain shir'kapdon pe bhi?

Armaan: wardrobe buddy wardrobe. Her clothes will come and our clothes get kicked out. buy a new wardrobe, shtill not enough'I tell you'women!!

Rohan: toh aap ke kapde kahan pe rakhte ho?

Armaan scratches his head in thought: don't know. Maansi se poochna padega. I will ask. (but the talk to wardrobe and clothes sparks Ashu's interest. Where will Nidhi put her things once she comes here? Will she find the room and bed and everything comfortable?)

Armaan: bidu, apun kya bolta haina'seedhi baat no bakwaas'.since I am the only one with exshperience here, all of you are my shtudents'.bolo haan ya na

Rohan joins his hands: haan sirji haan. Ab aage boliye. Shaadi ke baad ACTTTUALLLY kya hota hain?

Ranga: guruji mujhe bhi ek dum wahi doubt hain.

Armaan: arre dulhemiya, aap ko jaanna nahi hain kya? Ya pehle se hi'.he he he

Rohan starts laughing like a maniac: I have the shame doubt Ashuji!

Ranga: everyone in KGH is also ashking the shame thing'

Ashu: aisa kuch nahi hain. yaar Armaan, if you want to tell something, then tell. Beech mein mujhe kyon laaraha hain yaar?

Armaan: beech mein? Abe tu toh iss party ka centre point hain yaar'.aur shaadi mein hameshaa ek centre pt hoti hain'(Ranga starts laughing uproariously)

Ranga: centre pt bole toh kuch aur hi matlab aata hain Armaanji'shenshor cut shenshor cut'comment edit

Armaan thinks for a bit before joining the laughter: sachchi toh bola meine shaadi mein or rather shaadi ke baad THAT plays a major role. Toh sshhhishya log, always remember that.

Rohan: shirji, suhaag raat mein kya hota hain? (Ashu pretends disinterest but continues to listen in. kya pata, they might give out some sensible suggestions for future reference)

Armaan clears his throat: dulhan sajdhajke bed pe sitting and waiting and waiting'for our dulheraja'.woh comes, darwaja close, friends giggle baahar. Uske baad dulha bhi sitting on bed'.dulhan sharmaoing, Ashuji sharmaoing'arre yaar I think yahaan pe Ashuji more sharmaoing than dulhan. Ashu, be brave! Be a MAN man! Tension nai leneka. You jusht shtart ok? and this is for you two also (he gestures to Rohan and Ranga)'baaki apne aap'.will happen(Ashu covers his face with his hand in a mixture of exasperation and embarrassment)

ROhan: waishe ek baat toh maani padegi Ashuji, aap ki Nidhi jo hain na, woh aapki deewani hain. total crazhy about you. hameesha "Dr Ashutosh yeh, Dr Ashutosh woh!" so you won't have any problem there'.i think'.

Ranga: I agree shir. I totally agree. Aap nahi the toh I thought she would slowly but shurely go mad. Day after day after day after day after'.

Armaan: yeh saala Ashu ne meri behen ko rulaaya hain'.i tell you'hey, what am I doing here? Meri behen toh wahan hain. e Dr Ashutosh, aaj se, nahi, abhi se, I am on Nidhi's side. Me going to be dulhan party.

Ashu: Armaan, what are you saying? How will i'.

ROhan: Armaanji, not fair'.Ashuji was alone all those months'.Nidhi had you and her family'.but HE was alone'.aap dulhan party toh mein dulha party'abhi se.

Armaan: done. (Ashu gives up trying to reason with them. jo hoga dekha jaayega. They would not even remember this convo probably) so dulhe raja and party, here is to dulhe raja and a shuccesshful first time! cheers!

Rohan: cheers cheers! Par Armaanji'..kisshhka first time?? (all 3 dissolve in another round of laughter at the expense of the said dulhe raja)

The next day morning:

Ashu is just about to go out of his cabin with the invitation cards in hand, when the phone rings. Its from Rohan. Contrary to his expectation, both Armaan and Rohan remembered their conversation from previous night and true to word changed parties. Armaan left with his bag to Nidhi's house and Rohan with his bag to ashu's house. but since Maansi called and assured Ashu that she would be staying at Ashu's place to help out, he felt a little better.

Ashu: yes Rohan?

Rohan: ashutoshji, there are some people here. From the interior design firm.

Ashu: yes. I called them. I am going to remodel my room. I already met them in the morning and gave them the sketches and specifications. So just show them the room and make sure they don't make a mess. I left a copy of my specifications on your table.

Rohan: cool. Ok. par hangover kuch zyaada hain'.kuch milega kya?

Ashu: the way you guys were going on last night, it's a wonder you even got up this morning. Have a couple of cups of strong coffee and take an aspirin. Eat light lunch.

Rohan: ok. thanks. And you don't mind, do you, that me and Armaan'.

Ashu: I am glad to have you at my house. don't think about it. chalo I got to go now. call me if there are any issues. And tell them they have finish up everything before the wedding.

For the most part, KGH is more like extended family to the doctors and staff who work there and have been working there. so the Dean of KGH marrying one of the interns has already created quite a buzz. Although reactions were a bit mixed, most of them were genuinely happy. Ashu didn't skip any of his collegues or the staff members.

Dr Sanjay: looks like the mighty has fallen Dr Ashutosh! and what a fall! But take care ok? she is a mighty spirited young lady I must say!

Dr Khanna: Hearty Congratulations Dr Ashutosh! although I wish you had done this instead of leaving for 5 months. Count me in for the wedding.

Dr Rao: perfectionist weds another perfectionist! Lord help us!

Dr Kothari; thank God! Finally! And I assure you none will miss the wedding. Either they would be genuinely happy or genuinely curious. Congratulations Dr Ashutosh and good luck! I have a feeling you are going to need it.

Finally the management, where all the 4 members are non doctors. Although they knew Ashu for a long time, their relationship never went beyond professional. 3 of them just wished him and accepted the invitation. But Mr Bhandari had something to add to his wishes: great going Dr Ashutosh! but shaadi itni jaldi? Iss jaldbaazi ki wajah apne intern par pyaar hain ya kuch aur? Kahi aisa toh nahi ki doctor saab forgot about protection?

His laugh at his own joke gets abruptly cut off at the look on Ashu's face. The look was capable enough to freeze the anti-freeze. He quickly realizes that there was an invisible line around Dr Ashutosh which no one dares to cross. Not even the management team, who were technically his bosses. He stammers a half hearted apology, congratulates Ashu and leaves the room immediately.

One more crazy week passes in which Nidhi gives her PG entrance test (Armaan, having taken the role of her brother seriously, dropped her at the entrance hall and later picked her up too. although Ashu was there while he picked her up and drilled her about the paper at length). Ashu's bedroom gets completely remodelled with extra wardrobes with full length mirrors attached, a King size bed with side tables on both the sides and the whole room repainted with a new creamy white colour. Maansi and Anjali arrive at Ashu's house after which BB breathes a sigh of relief at having a female to oversee all the important stuff. Armaan other than coming in to discuss something with Maansi, spends all his time with Nidhi's family. CV, after the initial hesitation at this strange arrangement, is really glad of his help with regard to the hall decoration and invitations stuff. Solanki and Shyama oversee the catering and Anji totally devotes herself to Nidhi's dressing and packing her stuff to her sasural. She even makes a separate carryon for Nidhi's honeymoon so that Nidhi doesn't have to search for anything immediately after going to her sasural. The haldi and mehendi functions go without any hitch. Nidhi gets the name "Ashutosh" inscribed on her right palm in hindi although she was very tempted to put in the name "Chweetu" instead. and Ashu endures all the accompanying teasing and ched chaad mostly in silence. These days all he and Nidhi seem to do is count the days until they can be together chaperone free. Both are tired of this constant monitoring and Ashu's temper is frayed at best. The nonstop chatter of Anjali is the only thing that's really helping him in keeping a smile on his face. That and the thought that he and Nidhi can be together for their joint Sangeet ceremony that evening. Today sangeet, tomorrow wedding! Finally!

CV had booked the marriage hall for the previous day too for the sole purpose of this sangeet and dinner for immediate close family and friends. CS is in his element and has been planning and practising his performance for the last couple of days. Everyone arrives at the hall in super high spirits. Nidhi is wearing a purple and blue double shaded sari with a zari border and Ashu is wearing a dark grey and red sherwani. CV comes and hugs Ashu and welcomes the groom's family and friends. All the hungama makes Ashu extremely uncomfortable and as if realizing that Nidhi, who is seated right beside him entwines her fingers with his and joins their palms in a gesture of understanding. He silently squeezes her hand as a silent thank you. Almost everyone is in a traditional outfit. Nidhi's friends arrive with a loud hoopla and music begins.

CS is the first one to go with his revised version of Munni badnaam huyi'

Nidhi Badnaam Hui, Daktar tere liye...
Nidhi ke gaal gulabi, Nain sharabi, chaal nawabi re...
Yeh ada khaas hui, Daktar tere liye...

Shart aisi lagi ki na koi phone, na mulakat...
Ek dukhiyari pe waade ka bojh, mushkil halat...
Ek din barsaat hui, Daktar tere liye..
uspar saugat payi, Daktar tere liye...
Nidhi ke gaal gulabi..
Ab to yeh halat hai na ankhon mein neend aur din ko hai chain
Unhe bas dekhne ko dil hai bechain, phir tarase hai nain...
Yeh Bimari khaas hui, Daktar tere liye...
Dawa na koi kaam aayi, Daktar tere liye...
Nidhi ke gaal gulabi...

After a huge round of applause and Nidhi almost falling off her chair with laughter, Ranga starts his song directing it to Anji:

Apun bola tu meri laila woh boli phenkta hain saala

Apun jab bhi sachchi bolta arre eh usko jhoot kahe ko lagta hain re..

Nidhi joins him:

Yeh uska style hoyenga hoton pe na dil mein haan hoyenga

Aaj nahi toh kal bolegi ay tu tension kahe ko leta hain re

Ashu while clapping gives Anji a look as if to say "is THAT so?!" Anji blushes and bows her head in response to that look.

Armaan immediately pulls Maansi along with him and starts his:

Heeriye Sehra Baandh Ke Main Toh Aaya Re
Hey Ya
Doli Baarat Bhi Saath Mein Mein Toh Laaya Re
Hey Ya
Ab Toh No Hota Hai Ek Roz Intezaar Soni
Aaj Nahi Toh Kal Hai Tujhko Toh Bas Meri Honi Re
Tenu Leke Main Javanga
Dil Deke Main Javanga (2)

At the end of that Anjali also joins in and all 3 hug each other after which Nidhi runs laughingly and hugs all 3 of them. then come Solanki and Shyama with: