Khushi is someone who would like to wake up every
morning with the belief that there is always a bright side that no matter what,
life is beautiful and one should live it to the fullest. With a bright smile
that could shine the worlds of the lucky ones who are honoured to witness such
a lovely side, Khushi stepped out of her bed. The freshness of mornings can
beat any other time of the day, Khushi thought while stretching her arms
lazily and stifling a yawn.
After a warm shower, Khushi walked down the stairs,
sniffing to guess what her mother had made for breakfast today.
"Khushi, here you come. I was telling your
mother that I've missed having breakfast made by you," Shashi Gupta spoke
with a glint in his eyes as he thought of the different replies Khushi can come
up with.
"If you want so, I'll make it tomorrow,"
Khushi replied in un-Khushi-fied tone that told her father some thing was off
about his daughter, but he decided not to probe her for neither the time nor
place were suitable.
"Are you going to be late today?" Payal
asked.
"Why?" At this reply-cum-question, Shashi
Gupta smiled. This was his Khushi. Khushi would not give a satisfying
answer before knowing what she is asked for and why the other needs to know
anything from her.
"I'm planning to visit Di and thought of going
there together. What say?"
"I have three classes. But tell me, don't you
have anything else to do. When is your interview scheduled?"
"Next Monday," Payal replied
enthusiastically. The mere thought of the upcoming interview could lighten up
her day. She was so excited for it. She had already got the highest grade in
the test assigned for the wanna-be teachers, and now only the interview was left.
Payal had completed her bachelor's degree
in physical geography. At a very young age, Payal had been very interested in
knowing countries' names and their capital cities. As she had grown older, she
had shown a deeper interest in learning more about maps, cartography and all.
When she had studied geography at school, her teachers used to praise her for
the wide knowledge she displayed. Her decision to specialize in geography had
come almost naturally to Payal, and her family expected that.
"I'm so happy for you, bitya,"
Garima squeezed Payal hands affectionately.
"Mom, the parathas are delicious.
Thank you." Saying this, Khushi stood up and bid everyone a goodbye. She
was about to leave when she heard her buaji complaining to others about
how careless her son, Arjun, is being when it comes to his health. Khushi's
shoulders stiffed slightly at the mention of her cousin, and that was the last
thing she heard of her family as she walked out.
~~~~~~
Khushi had an hour break after her Shakespeare
class, so she decided to have some juice from the university's cafeteria. She
sat there alone as Lavanya, who was still angry with her, had another class for
a course Khushi had already had. Adjusting her long skirt, Khushi sat on a
bench for a while. She felt tired. Last night, she could not sleep properly and
it seemed as if she were catching up with the exhaustion of the last few weeks.
Truth be told, Khushi was mentally tired more than physically. Her eyes caught
a while butterfly flying around before resting on a flower's blossoms.
Automatically, Khushi's lips curved into a small smile. That moment, she craved
to be as carefree as the butterfly in front of her eyes...she wanted to go higher
and let go of whatever tired her out. Heaving a deep sigh, Khushi sipped on her
mango juice.
"Hi, Khushi." Khushi chocked on her juice
hearing Sanjana Singhania's sweet voice.
Oh, no!
"Hello," Khushi greeted her with no
enthusiasm.
"May I join you?"
I do not wish.
"Actually, I was just about to leave,"
Khushi lied blatantly or maybe she did not lie. Suddenly, she felt like leaving
everything including her last class and just have a walk regardless the hot
temperature of Delhi in that afternoon. Well, she was that crazy.
"Oh, My bad! Then convey my greetings to all
the Guptas and Raizadas specially ASR." Somewhat, Sanjana's friendly tone
provoked Khushi.
Oh, yes! I can send a letter to him if you wish.
"I will. Bye."
Oh, Goodness! What's wrong with me?
Khushi was on the verge of snapping at some drivers
as she crossed the road to walk on the shadowy streets.
Hmph.
~~~~~~~
Khushi's phone rang when she was nearing the main
gate of her home. She stopped to take the call as she read the caller ID,
Anjali Di.
"Hello, Di."
"Keep this hello for yourself and tell me
where are you?" Anjali's voice dipped with fake anger in Khushi's ears.
"Just reached home."
"Come over. We're waiting."
"But..."
"I don't want to hear anything. If you need
some rest, RM is all yours."
It is your Chotey's.
"Are you coming?"
"As if I had a choice."
"That's cool. Thank you. Bye."
Although Anjali is not Khushi's biological sister
yet the former had more 'authority'- if we can call it by that- on Khushi than
Khushi's own sister, Payal. Khushi had an immense respect for Anjali that she
rarely disobeys her. Not that Khushi did not respect Payal. She did. Maybe the
age difference is a big element here.
Khushi gave her car's keys to the watchman and
asked him to hand them to her family's driver, so that the latter pick it from
the park outside her university before she headed to Raizada Mansion.
~~~~~~
Arnav walked
out of the meeting conference to his office with Akaash beside him.
"Bhai, you nailed it. I liked how you made him
stutter."
"This is business, Akaash, not games. Have you
done what you were asked for?"
"Of course, Bhai."
One of the finest qualities that Arnav liked in
Akaash is his dedication to his work. No matter what or how much Arnav demands
from Akaash, the job would be done accordingly. Ever since Akaash entered AR,
he had been this loyal to Arnav and his work. As a child, growing up in front
of and with Arnav, Arnav could trust Akaash blindly on everything for the
honesty, loyalty and love that Akaash bestowed.
AR had
recently started preparing for their next big show, which would be held two
moths from now. Arnav had assigned Akaash to make the primer statistics for the
show taking into consideration the new textures and colours AR would use for
the first time.
For Akaash, Arnav was his idol when it comes to
work and responsibilities. He had seen how Arnav turned his father's small
company to this AR, a company that beats others in their industry, one
that is known internationally now. Arnav had offered his time and hard work for
AR, and Akaash is always ready to do his best to make his brother proud,
and see that look of appreciation in Arnav's eyes. More than any other
feelings, Akaash feels gratitude and love for Arnav, Di and their parents. He
could never forget, in years, what they had done to him and his own parents
when they had nothing.
"Akaash, is everything alright? Where are you
lost?" Arnav's questions halted Akaash's thoughts.
"Nothing. What were you saying?"
"Who is occupying the smart mind of my brother's?"
Arnav said amusingly. It was not everyday that he got a chance to tease his
little brother.
"What?"
"Now you are really acting smart. Who's
that?"
"No one, Bhai. You tell me, why the sudden
interest in green and altering most of our initial plans for the show?"
A chiffon, floor
length, green dress which hugged a slim figure gracefully, conjured up in
Arnav's mind.
"Just for a
change." Arnav's voice sounded distant to his own ears as he heard his
own words.
Somehow, Akaash
could not swallow Arnav's reply, but he chose to keep quiet. "Whatever.
Can I go home now?"
"Yes."
Arnav sat on his chair.
"Bye,
Bhai." Akaash put the file he had on the desk and turned to leave, but
Arnav called him once he turned the door's knob.
"Akaash,
tell her I said hi," Arnav winked.
Akaash shook his
head and muttered 'Aap bhi na' as he stepped out. His heartbeats
quickened in anticipation of seeing Payal, who had called him earlier, in his
home.
I will tell Bhai
soon.
*******
No ArShi scenes here! I wanted to let you know PayAsh better. Hope you liked the update. Do drop your comment if you have some time.
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