FF: Intezar ke Pal-Kuch Kathe Kuch Meethe Not - Pg 76 Jul 3rd - Page 34

Originally posted by: fffan123

Please update soon.

Dear Readers,

 Insomnia brought on by too much Asli duniya, prompted me to polish up part 8 and post it:) after the long break I had to take.  Hopefully you'll receive it with love   

 Quick Recap:  Arnav and Khushi relive the memories from October of 2013 to present.  The memories start with them sustaining the loss of their first baby and proceed through an ill at ease tranquility that hangs between them as they walk on eggshells around each other.  

Read on to see what happens next.  Will the loving family clue in on what's going on in the life of Arnav and Khushi or will they be left to deal with their demons on their own?  Read on... 

 Intezar ke Pal, Kuch Khathe, Kuch Meethe (English)

Disclaimer: All photos have been procured for illustrative purposes from public internet sources.  I do not own any rights to these.

Note:  My works are copyright protected.

Part 8

One Good Drama, Deserves Another

            "Aanya... baby... lookey lookey here mmm..., Kuku maasi is starving ... amm amm amm, I am going to eat you all up..."the corridors rang with the high pitched voice, followed by gurgling throaty giggles as Aanya kicked out her chubby little legs.  A sharp yelp and a "Owww, sorry, I promise not to eat you anymore" followed in Khushi's delightful voice, when her clever little neice grabbed a chunk of her lustrous locks, pulled her down, and clamped her mouth on the tip of her nose. With her diaper half-done and tiny droplets of water scattering from her hair, the tiny bundle of writhing arms and legs put up a tussle that sent her Kuku maasi into fits of giggles.

            So engrossed was Khushi in her attempts to finish drying Aanya and dressing her up that she was oblivious to the various pairs of loving eyes that watched her

            Arnav who had detoured into the nursery on his way back from his morning run, paused to lean against the door jamb and smiled at the sight in front of him, enjoying one of the few moments when Khushi seemed to be her usual self these days.  At other times, she was a mere shadow of her true-self. He sighed and his eyes met Payal's across the room.  He mouthed a silent Thank you' acknowledging her wisdom in assigning Aanya's daily morning routine to Khushi.  Payal as ever had been the quietly observant older sister and in her silent unobtrusive manner was taking whatever steps she could, to nudge her sister back to her bubbly self.

            Downstairs at the dining table, two sets of worldly wise heads bent over closer to compare notes on their observations from the previous night.  Buaji had astutely concluded that her titaliya was not truly joyful.  She had spotted the shadows of sorrow that rimmed her eyes when she was by herself, as had naaniji who had looked past the mask of false gaiety that her Kusi bitiya sported these days.

            "Hai re Nand Kisore!  Something is eating up Titaliya.  I have no doubt about it anymore." Declared Buaji fluttering her hands to emphasize her words.

"Madhumatiji, something is bugging my grandson as well.  Last night when all of us were discussing about Iyerji's invite to all of us to go to Kerala, he had not only jumped up to say yes first , but was hell bent on getting Khushi to agree."

"Normally it's the other way round, with Arnav babuwa being reticent about such gatherings and Parmeshwari jumping up with her gleeful assent.  I wonder if this sudden uncharacteristic behavior on their part is indicative of something else.  Is it possible that Damaadji is looking for ways not to be left alone with Kusi?" questioned Madhumati, looking perplexed at Devyani, her right palm on the side of her head.

"Madhumatiji, I have been puzzling over the exact thought and have reached the same conclusion.  These kids have something on their minds which most likely they have not shared with each other or with the rest.  Ever since the miscarriage, I have a feeling they have been repressing their true feelings and vulnerabilities from each other. They need to air their thoughts out.  This just won't do.  We have to do something about it before it gets out of hand.  If I know my chote, he is definitely stalling some major decision" said naaniji, her face tightening with determination.

The two matriarchs were reflecting upon the dinner time conversation from the previous night.  The family had been discussing Maya's father's invitation for all of them including the Rathods to celebrate Diwali at his farmhouse in Kerala.  Khushi had been reluctant to join in while Arnav had seemed overly eager to accompany everyone on the trip. It was a dead giveaway that he was avoiding a confrontation, and it had set the two elderly women on their current mission - How best to intervene and nudge their rather numskull children towards light?  They were busily examining and rejecting ruse after ruse when they were joined by Akash and Payal.  One look at Akash's smiling expression and Payal's smug one, and the women knew that not only had they been thinking along similar lines, but seemed to have a plan to boot.

            Akash slumped over the table and motioning the women to lean forward went on to outline his plan.  "Buaji, Daadi, Payal and I believe that this is the best option we have.  We will have to ..."

"Hai re Nand Kisore!" exclaimed Madhumathi her hand flying to her head, when Akash finished relating his plan, while Naaniji seemed lost in contemplation, the wheels in her head turning"

"Buaji, Naaniji, trust me, this is the only way.  Kushi had confided her heartache to Anjalidi during the course of her telephonic conversation with her last night.  She believes that Arnavji blames himself and holds himself responsible for putting Khushi through the pain she had to endure, and now she does not know how to comfort him.  She yearns to be pregnant again, but cannot bear to ask him and put him through an ordeal of self-loathing again.  Regardless of what the doctors say, my heart tells me that Khushi's instincts are right.  They need to conceive soon, to infuse happiness back into their lives."

"Payal is right.  I know how Bhai reacts to things like this.  He is stalling because he knows if Khushi confronts him with what she wants, he would be forced to make a decision.  Either he would have to distress her by refusing or give-in to her wish and live in fear of putting her life in danger.  The way he sees it, he loses either way and Arnav Singh Raizada does not like to lose.  He is doing all he can to avoid this situation, for as long as he can.  These unspoken fears although originating due to their mutual concern for the other will eventually tear them apart.  The first step is for both of them to open up and that will not happen with all of us milling around.   We have to force them to be alone.  And this is the only way to do that."

Devyani straightened in her chair and setting Lakshmiji on the floor declared regally, "I agree.  This seems to be the only viable plan.  Madumatiji, we have to help these children succeed in their plan.  Atleast, with this ploy, they will be forced to turn down the barriers between them.  The rest is upto the Goddess, may she always bless my children." 

************

            "What the...?  Aman, how come you are telling me all this at this eleventh hour?" Arnav rasped as he maneuvered his car round a hair pin turn.

"Sorry ASR.  I contacted you as soon as I validated the accuracy of the information.  We received this data late as well.  I am sorry sir, but I am afraid if you do not fly out to Havelock tomorrow morning, the house will slip away from you."

"Like hell, I'd let that happen!" fumed Arnav in a full on ASR mode now.  "Tickets?"

"Sent this afternoon sir.  Two tickets, for you and Akash sir have been dispatched to Shantivan this afternoon.  And all arrangements have been made for your pick-up and stay at Havelock."

"Ok, What about the Resort deal?"

"That is done sir.  The Resort is already transferred to AR Group. It's only the house that needs your personal attention" replied Aman Singh, his voice lifting with happiness that he had some good news to deliver to his boss, to take the edge off of his temper.

"Good.  Atleast you got that one right Aman.  Reschedule my appointments for the next couple of days."

            Arnav switched off the bluetooth with a careless flick of his thumb on the steering wheel controls, and gazed out the window on his final stretch back home.  People were milling around as usual, but the air had taken on the hustle and bustle of festivities.  The countdown to Diwali had begun. 

Arnav sighed imperceptibly; this call meant he would have to bail out of the trip to Kerala for Diwali.  "He and Akash had worked their butts off on closing the resort deal in Havelock for months now.  He was glad they had it in their kitty.  Andaman's beauty had captured his soul while he had been attending a conference there, and ever since, he had wanted a piece of it for himself and his AR group of resorts.  It was during one of his trips there to finalize the resort deal that he had fallen in love with an enchanting seaside bunglow and had decided to buy it.  He had hoped to surprise Khushi with it.  He could not let it slip, now that he was so close to snagging it.  He had cut down on his travel since --- the incident and was loathe to leave Khushi alone." 

"Damn it!" he snapped at the steering wheel in exasperation.  "But wait, this may be for the best.  Khushi would now have no other option but to accompany the rest to Kerala and I would get a chance to mull over things alone, while dealing with business."  He deliberated, shushing a tiny pang in his heart at the impending separation from his wife.

            "Khushi... Hari Prakash..." he called out, stepping into the dark living room, after unlocking the door.  "Where's everyone?  Lights kyon off hai?" he called out aloud, flicking them on as he went.  When he heard no response he dropped his bag on the couch and sped up the stairs to the bedroom calling out to his Khushi on top of his lungs.  When he reached there he found an empty room and poolside awaiting him.

            Puzzlement and annoyance were rapidly giving way to anxiety as Arnav made his way down the stairs. His phone rang, flashing Khushi's name on its bright LCD face.  What the..." he snapped in response, but stopped short when the door clicked open and in walked Khushi balancing a pooja thaal in one hand while the other was on the door knob, her cell wedged in the crook of her neck, into which she was attempting to speak to him.

In a flash, he switched off his phone, bounded towards her and admonished her "Khushi, where the hell were you?  Why is it that no one's at home?"

Khushi looked at him with startled eyes, even as she let him take the plate from her hand and set it on the table and grab her by her arms. This was the first time in a long time that she had seen her Arnavji in this mood.  Her heart sang in relief.  She welcomed this outburst of emotion, temper though it was.  Anything was better than the stoic politeness and sugar coated attitude he had adopted towards her since the miscarriage.

"A-a-Arnavji, you are upset. Why?  I had gone to the temple on Buaji's insistence, I have no idea where everyone is.  Have you asked Hari Praka ---"

            "Khushi, are you even listening.  There is none in the house.  Not even the Prakash brothers.   The house was plunged in darkness when I came in and I have been worried sick"" he thundered as he paced and stopped short when his eye caught sight of a couple of sealed envelopes on the coffee table.  One was undoubtedly the tickets to Havelock that Aman had sent, but the other-?

"What do we have here?" he muttered, ripping the mystery envelope and pulling out the note proceeded to read aloud.  It was addressed to him by his Naani. 

"Chote, Kusi bitiya and you have not in my opinion reached a consensus on whether you plan to go with us to Iyerji's house for Diwali or not.   With only two days left for Diwali, we cannot delay our confirmation to Iyeri any longer.  NK and Maya have been eagerly awaiting our arrival.  Therefore we are leaving for Kerala right away.  Should you both talk it over and decide to join us, do meet us up at Iyerji's farmhouse.  May the Goddess shower you both with her blessings always.  Oh!  There is one more thing.  Hari Prakash, Om Prakash and Jai Prakash have not been to their hometown in a while.  I thought they might like to do just that this Diwali, and so I have granted them leave for a week."

"What the...  What's up with Naaniji?  How can they all just leave...?  Even Akash ?  How can he be so irresponsible?  I have to leave on an urgent Business trip, but now ..."

"Arnavji, listen, please..." began Khushi, her face aglow with hope. 

But Arnav was not to be stopped, he barely heard her, let alone notice the sudden surge of color in her cheeks.  Brushing away her words he dialed Akash's number only to receive an automated message notifying him that his phone was switched off.  He swore as he tossed the phone on the couch and ran exasperated fingers through his hair.  There were several minutes of absolute silence following Arnav's outburst.

            Khushi went utterly still at the sight of her husband who was fuming in silent rage.  She had been delighted that they had the house to themselves, but Arnavji seemed to be miserable.  "Was being alone with her such a trial, that he so desperately sought a way out?  He had been doting ever since... the ... episode.  But she did not want his dotting alone.  She wanted all of him, his passion, emotions, his thoughts and fears, everything that he seemed to carefully conceal from her these days."  Tears filled her almond eyes and threatened to spill over at the thought. But she blinked them back with determination and let her bottled up frustration and temper loose instead. Come what may she had to keep this mood from slipping back to polite consideration.  She would provoke him till he changed his mind and took her along.  And just may be while on this trip with him, they might be able to bring things out in the open between them.

"Arnavji, if being alone with me has become such an issue, I can easily help you out.  I have been alone before and can be so again.  You should definitely go on your trip as planned and not put yourself out on my account" she said in a bone-chilling voice. 

It was the aloofness that cut him to the core and had him whip his head up.  "Was that for real?  Was it Khushi who just said that?  Heck! What was he doing?  This was going all wrong.  It was because he desperately cared and wanted her safe, that he had to get away for a while.  But now it had backfired.  He could not possibly leave her alone and have her get depressd again.  Why did he not school his expression?  He had to think fast and get her to go with him."  He leapt to his feet, his brain rapidly looking for options to turn the situation around. 

"What nonsense Khushi?  You know that's not what I meant.  I am just worried about who will take care of you when I am gone if no one's around.  I have this important deal to finalize and have to go to Andaman tomorrow" he explained patiently, "With the family gone, You can't stay back alone."

"Arnavji I am not a child who would need adult supervision, nor am I a china doll that I should be trated with such care.  I understand what you meant perfectly well and I assure you I have no intention of chaining you here with me." 

Arnav's face blanked for a moment, "Did he really not want her alone?  Heck no... wait a minute, Khushi was mad..."  His lips twitched at this unexpected belligerence from his wife.  She had presented him with the perfect opportunity.  Khushi often committed herself thoughtlessly when provoked.  Deciding that baiting her was the best resort to salvage the situation and get his way, he folded his hands across his chest and proceeded with his signature smirk, "So you are capable of managing all by yourself?"

"Have no doubts about it"

"And you'll stay all alone, all by yourself, here in this house?"

"Yes, Yes and Yes!" she retorted, crossing her arms too and jutting her chin out.

"Well think about it.  Anything could happen.  There might be a storm"

"I will keep the doors and windows tightly shut", came the reply

"There could be mysterious noises at night, may be a thief-"

"I'll summon Pandeyji" she replied even before he could finish

"Hmmm, and on one such night, what if there is a blackout?" he said struggling now to keep his lips from twitching at the sight of her petulant pout.

The words had barely left his lips, when the house was plunged in darkness as the lights went out.  With a quick lunge, Khushi launched herself at him, her body slammed into his and her arms coiled around his neck in a death grip.

Arnav chuckled in relief and whispered in her ear, "Khushi, this time, it's not my doing.  I swear.  The electricity went off on its own.  And guess what?  I am sorry.  I did not mean to hurt you.  You are going with me to Havelock islands.  It's settled." 

Khushi sniffled, nodding, and bit her trembling lower lip as she offered a silent prayer "Hey Devimayya!  My ruse worked.  I'll get to spend some time alone with Arnavji.  Please give me the strength to brach what's on my mind with him.  And please, Please, let everything work out Devimayya, I beg you."  

She closed her eyes and tightened her grip around her Arnavji, wishing for the first time in her life that the lights not come back on till dawn.

************

                       Miles away, down south,  speeding in a car from Kumarakom to the farmhouse, Akash smiled smugly at the missed calls from Arnav and the blinking voice mail icon, which he chose to ignore for the first time in his life.  "Trust me, you'll thank me Bhai." He thought typing out a text message instead to Aman, instructing him to have the driver take his Bhai and bhabhi to the house directly once they reach Havelock." 

"He finally had been finally presented with an opportunity to repay his debt to Khushiji and Bhai for the time they had enacted the drama to get Payal to admit that she loved him, and he was not going to let it slip.  Bhai and Bhabhi will face each other and their fears.  Bhai had no idea that the bunglow he wanted was already his.  He had already ensured that the title had transferred in Arnav's name before creating this fake situation to get him to fly out to Havelock.  And now that it had served the purpose, he could let the driver take his Bhai to his seaside retreat and let him sort things through with his beloved Khushi in peace... or not quite in peace ... as the case may be." 

He smiled at Payal with a slight nod that answered the silent question she posed with a barely raised eyebrow.   

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