Jaldi aaiyye Arnavji! Thread Six - Page 39

many many happy returns of the day smith..may you have all the happiness and blessings in the world..specially for enlighting us with ur magical pen every time...thnx... 🤗

Many many happy returns of the day.🥳🥳🤗

I feel so sorry for the loss of ur beloved Nana n uncle...

oh may their soul rest in peace dear
dnt worry take ur time to update
nd yes happy bday dear :)

Thanks for the likes & comments! Over to..

Part 107

*Later that night,2.30 a.m.*
Arnav woke up with a start.
Arnav: Khuusshhhiii!
Khushi woke up from the impact of both,his scream as well as his racing heartbeats.
Khushi(cups his cheek): Kya hua Arnavji?
Arnav pulled her to himself & sighed in relief.
Khushi: Koi bura sapnaa dekha aapne?
Arnav nodded before kissing the top of her head.
Khushi wiped his damp forehead after breaking the hug.
Khushi: Aap rukiye,hum paani laate hain..
She switched on the lights before filling the empty glass lying on the bedside table.
When it looked like Arnav had calmed down,she took his hands in hers.
Khushi: Ab aaraam se bataaiyye,kya dekha aapne?
Arnav: I dont wanna recollect that,Khushi..
Khushi: Jab tak aap humein nahi bataayenge,tab tak woh baat aapko pareshaan karti rahegi. Phir aapko neend bhi nahi aayegi.
Arnav: Tumhe lagtaa hai ki main tumhare saath apnaa nightmare share karunga toh woh mujhe disturb nahi karega?
Khushi: Bilkul nahi karega! Baantne se koi bhi taqleef kam ho jaati hai. Ek baar humein bataakar toh dekhiye..
Arnav(sighs): Fine. Maine... Maine dekha ki main humare bedroom me ready ho raha tha jab tum coffee lekar aayi..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav(kisses her cheek): Thanks!
Khushi(smiles): You're welcome! Achchha,suniye..
Arnav nods while taking a sip of his coffee.
Khushi: Aaj agar aapk paas.. thoda waqt ho toh.. hum soch rahe the ki.. hum apni mannat poori kar aate.
Woh.. ulte pair Devi Maiyya k mandir tak chalne wali mannat?
Arnav(in between sips): Yaad hai mujhe.
Khushi: Paris se laute huye bahut waqt ho gaya hai aur ab tak humne uss mannat ko poora nahi kiya. Isiliye bas..
soch rahe the.
Arnav: Theek hai. (smiles) Aaj hum tumhari mannat poori kar denge!
Khushi(elated): Bahut,bahut shukriya! Toh bataaiyye,mandir kitne baje jaana hai?
Arnav(keeps the coffee mug on the table): Wait a minute..
He calls Aman before attaching the bluetooth device to his right ear.
Arnav: Ha,Aman..(pause)Mornin! Aaj ka mera schedule bataao..
Aman began reciting a long list of meetings,conferences,events,etc which were back to back.
Arnav stole a glance at Khushi's expectant face before speaking.
Arnav: Last meetin kitne baje hain?(pause)8 baje?
Khushi: Par.. mandir toh 8 baje band ho jaata hai.
His heart sank as he saw the color draining from his wife's face.
Arnav: What bout.. the first meetin? (pause) 9.30 baje,right? Toh usse postpone kar do!(pause)Clients na maane toh cancel kar..
Khushi(interrupts): Nahi,nahi,rehne dijiye!
Arnav(gestures Khushi to wait): Aman,I'll call you back. (pause)Nahi,abhi kisise koi baat mat karna. Jus' wait for further instructions.
He switched off the bluetooth device before turning to Khushi.
Arnav: Abhi mandir jaane me kya problem hai?
Khushi: Aapk kaam ka nuksaan karvaakar hum apni mannat hargiz poori nahi karenge! (hand on his shoulder)Aap meeting me jaiyye, hum khud hi mandir chale jaayenge.
Arnav: Fine,I'll come with you. I mean.. main road par dheere-dheere SUV chalaakar tumhe saath mandir tak chalta hoon.
Khushi: Par mandir toh aapk office ki taraf nahi padhta hai,Arnavji. Khaa-ma-khaa der ho jaayegi aapko. Aap jaiyye aur humari chinta mat kariye!
Arnav: Chinta kaise na karoon? Ulte pair,akele chalte-chalte pataa nahi kahaan pahuch jaaogi tum!
Khushi: Achchhha toh.. Hum di ya naniji ko saath lekar chale jaayenge,bas?
Arnav(agrees): Okay.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav took a deep breath before continuing further.
Arnav: Phir maine dekha ki main SUV ko rashly drive karta hua uss hi mandir ki or jaa raha hoon..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav(into the earpiece): Khushi tumhe akele mandir jaane ki kya zaroorat thi? Answer me, dammit?!
Khushi: Shaant ho.. jaiyye! Humne socha ki.. di ko ghar se lekar mandir tak chalne me taqleef hogi..
Isiliye unhe saath.. lekar nahi aaye. Aur.. naniji itni dhoop me.. kahaan chalkar aati humare saath? Khud hi
sochiye..
Arnav: Toh mami ko saath le leti. Aur koi nahi mila toh Hari Prakash ko hi saath lekar chalti naa? Akele kyun gayi?
Khushi: Arnavji! HPji kahaan.. ghar ka kaam chhodkar.. humaare saath aate? Aur humein toh.. yeh samajh nahi aa..
raha hai ki.. aap apni meeting chhodkar.. kyun aa rahe hain? Hum theek hain aur.. dhang se chal rahe hain.
Arnav: Yeah,right! Woh toh main dekh hi raha hoon..
Khushi(shocked): Kya? (looking around) aap.. kahaan hain iss waqt?
Arnav: Road k uss taraf hoon.. Tumhari side pahuch hi raha hoon. So wait for me..
Khushi: Ji..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav: Main turn lene k liye divider tak.. pahucha toh.. (gulps)maine dekha ki.. tumhare peechhe se ek.. tr.. truck aa.. raha tha aur..
Khushi let go of his hands only to hug him to herself.
Arnav tightly shut his eyes as beads of sweat reappeared on his forehead.
Khushi(rubs his back): Aap chinta mat kijiye. Hum aapk saath hi apni mannat poori karne jaayenge.
Arnav(breaks the hug): Tum kisi haalat me ghar se akeli nahi niklogi,chaahe tumhe kaheen bhi kyun na jana ho! Understood?
Khushi: Par..
Arnav(interrupts): And I dont wanna see you anywhere near an auto,forget bout travellin' in 1!
Khushi: Areh!?
Arnav: No areh! Tumhe jahaan bhi jana hai tum mere ya Aakash ya Mohan k saath jaaogi.
Khushi: Aur agar aap,jijaji aur Mohanji nahi aa paaye toh hum ghar par hi baithe rahenge kya?
Arnav: noways! I dont want you to wait till next month! Tum agle hafte se hi apnaa dabbaa business restart karo.
Khushi: Par ab tak aapki office ki canteen ki marammat..
Arnav(interrupts): Aman will make sure ki canteen ka renovation next week tak complete ho jaaye. Aur na bhi ho,toh bhi tum next week se office aana start kar do. Meri nazron k saamne rahogi toh.. tumhare liye bhi achchha hoga aur mere liye bhi!
Khushi: Arnavji! Aap kuch zyaada hi fiqr kar rahe hain!
Arnav(makes a face): I dont care!
Khushi(switching off the light): Achchha ab moonh mat phulaaiyye! In saari baaton ki charchaa hum phir kabhi karenge. Filhaal, aap sone ki koshish kijiye..
Arnav: No matter what you say,tum next week se office aa rahi ho!
Khushi: Theek hai. Let jaiyye aur ulti ginti shuru kijiye! Aur haan,aaj hazaar k badle do hazaar se shuru kijiyega!
Arnav(lying down): Okay.
Arnav could not sleep,even after completing the count.
Time & again his gaze returned to his bundle of joy,who was lying peacefully in his arms.
She jolted up like a spring when he planted a soft kiss on the top of her head.
Arnav(shocked): What the..!?
Khushi(equally shocked): Aap ab tak jag rahe hain?
She shifted so as to lie down next to him.
Arnav: Tum.. tum kyun jag rahi ho?
Khushi(propping herself on an elbow): Humari ginti jo puri nahi hui.
Arnav(confused): Ginti?
Khushi: Ha.. woh.. (lowers her gaze)Hum bhi.. aap k saath.. ulti ginti gin rahe the.
Arnav(lifts her chin): Really?
Khushi: Haan.. Kal toh aap humari ginti poori hone se pehle hi so chuke the. Phir aaj
kyun nahi soye? Aur neend nahi aa rahi thi toh humse kaha kyun nahi?
Arnav: Coz I thought tum so rahi ho.
Khushi: Aap bhi na! (runs a hand thru his hair)Itni der tak kis soch me doobe huye the?
Arnav: Bas.. aise hi.. soch raha tha ki subha uthte hi packin kar lunga. Phir.. socha ki
jis-jis ko pay karnaa baaki hai unhe bhi kal hi pay kar dunga toh parso k liye koi kaam baaki nahi rahega. Phir socha ki.. airport jaane k liye taxi book karvaani hogi.
Khushi: Humari flight kitne baje ki hai?
Arnav: 9:55 pm ki..
Khushi(shocked): Itni der se?
Arnav: Ya. Jab maine pichhhli tickets cancel kar k dobara booking ki tab iss hi flights me tickets available thi. Toh maine isse hi choose kar liya.
Khushi: Woh toh theek hai par yahaan ka checkout time toh subha 11 baje ka hai. Phir subha se shaam tak hum kahaan jaayenge?
Arnav: Kahin nahi. Hum airport par hi wait karenge.
Khushi: Aur khaana kya.. airport k restaurant me khaayenge?
Arnav nodded while supressing a yawn.
Khushi: Yeh dekhiye! Neend toh aana chaah rahi hai par aap usse aane se rok rahe hain! Chaliye,baaki saari chintaayein kal par
chhod dijiye aur sone ki koshish kijiye..
She runs a hand through his hair with patting his chest with the other hand.
Arnav smiles while picking her hand from his chest & kissing it.
Arnav: Goodnight!
Khushi(smiles): Goodnight! Ab aankhein band kijiye..
Arnav: Aankhein band karne se pehle.. can I get a kiss?
Khushi lowers herself on to him before he kisses her languidly.
Upon breaking the kiss,Khushi resumes patting his chest while running a hand through his hair.
Arnav falls asleep within no time.
Khushi(thinks): Achchha hua humne unhe sula diya,varnaa subha tak pataa nahi kya-kya sochte rehte! Kal raat bhi agar inki neend toot gayi
toh parso subha samay par uthna mushqil ho jayega! Flight me toh pichchhli baar bhi unhe neend nahi aa rahi thi. Isiliye kal raat ko unka dhang se sona behad zaroori hai. Kuch toh karnaa hoga humein.. (decides)Kal buaji ko phone kar k unse koi desi nuskha maang lenge! Kuch aisa jise aazmaate hi neend aa jaayein! Ek baar Arnavji ko gehri neend lag gayi phir hum bhi chain se so jaayenge!
With the course of action decided, a reassured Khushi falls asleep.
=====================================================
*The next morning*
Khushi(holds her head): Hey Devi Maiyya! Humein aaj bhi saridon lena padega.
Arnav(getting up): Mujhe bhi!
Khushi(climbs down the bed): Par usse pehle hum ek badhiya si,adrak waali chaay piyenge!
Arnav(stretches his arms): Sure! Main bhi woh hi piyunga.
Khushi(teasing smile): Rehne dijiye! Jab tak aap apni favorite,kaali,kadvi coffee nahi piyenge naa,tab tak na toh aapka dimaag kaam karega, na

shareer!
Arnav(finger combing his hair): Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai!
Khushi's gaze went to the laptop while she was wearing her slippers.
Khushi(realizes): Kal toh hum isse switch off kare bina hi.. shuru ho gaye!
Arnav turns to the laptop & smirks.
Arnav: I know! Aur baad me jab fresh hone k liye uthe tab bhi humein laptop ka khayaal nahi aaya!
Khushi: Ab tak toh iss ka charge gul ho gaya hai. (walks towards the coffee table)Sabse pehle isse charging par rakhte hain,phir chay banaane jaate hain.
A thought struck her when she was about to switch off the laptop.
Khushi: Arnavji..
Arnav(climbing out of bed): No Arnavji! Aaj bhi endearments use karenge,okay?
Khushi: Haan,theek hai. Hum yeh keh rahe the ki.. hum aapse poochhna hi bhool gaye ki aapk teesre dost ka e-mail aaya ya nahi?
Arnav halts midway and replies without turning to her.
Arnav: Haan,aa gaya..
Khushi(frowns): Toh aapne humein bataaya kyun nahi?
Arnav: It jus.. escaped my mind.
Khushi: Aap humein unka e-mail padhvaa dijiye na,jaise aapne Vijayji ka e-mail padhvaaya tha?
Arnav(turns to her): Pehle laptop ko charge toh hone do!
Khushi: haan.. yeh bhi theek hai.
Arnav: Waise bhi uss k mail me kuch.. khaas nahi hai,Khushi.
Khushi: Khaas nahi hai.. matlab?
Arnav: Matlab umm.. Uss ne bas.. yeh hi likha hai ki woh bhi,meri tarah,unn dinon ko yaad kartaa hai.
Khushi(smiles): Areh waah! Phir toh aapki baat sahi saabit hui! Vijayji,Swaathiji aur yeh.. aapk teesre dost, waaqai me aapk genuine friends hain!
Arnav(nods): Main brush aur shave kar k aata hoon..
Khushi(gets up): Ji. Waise, honey..
Arnav(turns around): Yes,sweetheart?
Khushi(approaching him): Hum kitne dinon se unhe aapk teesre dost,teesre dost kahe jaa rahe hain! Aapne toh ab tak humein unka naam bhi nahi bataaya!
Arnav: Uska naam Ranveer hai..
Khushi: Achchha naam hai! Hum.. jaakar chay banaate hain.
She leaves for the kitchen,much to Arnav's relief.
Arnav(thinks): I'm glad Khushi mera excuse maan gayi! Agar zyaada sawaal karti ya e-mail padhne ki zidd karti toh main phas jaata! Anyways, the matter is closed for now!
He climbs up the stairs to the first floor,pauses to see Khushi taking the bottle of milk out of the fridge.
Khushi: Kuch chahiye aapko?
Arnav: Nahi.
He then climbs the stairs to the second floor.
Khushi waits till she hears the sound of the bathroom door closing before going downstairs.
=======================================================
Upon switching on the laptop,Khushi waits anxiously for it to boot.
Khushi(thinks): Koi toh aisi baat hai toh Ar.. honey humse chhupaana chaah rahe hain! Pehle toh humein bataaya nahi ki Ranveerji ka jawaab aa gaya hai,phir unhone humari taraf dekhe bagair humare sawaal ka jawaab diya. Aur phir kaha ki kuch khaas nahi likha hai uss email me. Agar kuch khaas nahi hai toh usse padhvaane me unhe kya diqqat ho rahi thi? Jo bhi likha tha padhvaa dete! Par nahi! Unhone nahi padhvaaya. Iss ka matlab uss e-mail zaroor koi khaas baat ya aisi baat likhi hai jo honey humein nahi bataana chaahte hain!
She mumbles to herself while connecting to the wifi internet.
Khushi: Huh! Pehle khud hi apni patni se kaho ki humein ek doosre ko sab kuch bataana chahiye,humare beechh koi "barrier" nahi hona chahiye aur phir khud hi apni patni se baatein chhupaao!
She smiles and pats the laptop.
Khushi: Humari sautan bade kaam ki cheez hai! Aur iss ki yaaddaasht(memory) ka toh koi jawaab hi nahi hai! Jaise hi honey ka e-mail id dala waise hi,apneaap password bataa deti hai! (pats it again)Waah,waah! Bahut achchhe!
She pauses to click on the inbox tab.
Khushi: Kabhi-kabhi lagtaa hai ki hum bekaar me isse koste rehte hain. Itni bhi buri nahi hai yeh!
She stops mumbling in order to focus on the mails displayed by the screen.
Khushi: Oh ho! 1 din me kitne saare naye e-mails aa gaye! Logon ko pataa hai yeh videsh me hain,honeymoon manaa rahe hain phir bhi mail pe mail

bhejte rehte hain! (scrolling down)Ranveerji ka e-mail kahaan chala gaya? (wonders aloud)Kahin honey ne usse delete toh nahi kar diya?
Arnav(answers from the door): Nahi kiya.
A shocked Khushi looks up to see Arnav standing near the door.
Khushi(gets up with a start): Aa.. aap?
Arnav(entering the bedroom): Yeh hi sawaal mujhe poochhna chahiye. Aa.. aap? Ya..haan? (approaching her)Aap toh adrakwaali chaay banaa rahi thi na?
Khushi(lowers her gaze): Hh.. haan woh..
Arnav(interrupts): Phir yahaan kaise aa gayi?
Khushi musters up some courage when Arnav stops at a distance of a couple of steps from her.
Khushi: Pehle aap bataaiyye ki aap yahaan kya kar rahe hain? Aap bhi toh moonh dhone gaye the na?
Arnav: Ha,gaya tha. Bathroom tak pahuchkar mujhe yaad aaya ki tumne bhi moonh nahi dhoya hai.
Khushi(realizes): Areh haan! hum toh.. moonh dhoye bagair hi rasoi me chale gaye.
Arnav: Main tumhe tumhara brush dene k liye kitchen me aaya par tum mujhe wahaan nahi mili. Tab main neeche aaya.
He closes the distance between them taking 1 big step.
Arnav: Aur tab maine dekha ki tum meri jaasoosi kar rahi ho!
Khushi(turning her gaze away from him): Agg.. ar aap.. humse.. baatein.. chhup.. aayenge toh.. humein toh.. jaasoosi.. karni hi.. padegi.. na?
Arnav: Kya chhupaya maine tumse?
Khushi: An.. jaan mat.. baniye! Aap.. achchhe se.. jaante hain.. ki.. hum.. Ranveerji.. k jawaab.. ki baat.. kar rahe.. hain.
Arnav: Laptop ki yaaddaasht jitni achchhi hai,tumhari utni hi kharaab hai!
Khushi(turns to him): Kya?!
Arnav: Haan! Kuch der pehle hi maine tumhe bataaya tha ki uss ne jawaab me yeh likha hai ki woh bhi,meri tarah,unn dinon ko yaad kartaa hai.
Khushi: Humein yaad hai ki aapne bataaya tha!
Arnav: Phir tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho?
He continues without allowing her to answer his question.
Arnav: Tasalli karne k liya e-mail padhnaa chahti thi? Kyun? Bharosa nahi hai meri baat par?
Khushi(admits): Nahi hai bharosa! Sun liya aapne? Ab aap humein e-mail padhne denge?
Arnav: Nahi!
Khushi: Kyun nahi? Aakhir aisa kya likha hai uss me jo aap humse nahi baantna chaahte hain?
Arnav: Uss me kuch aisaa likha hai jo hum dono friends k beechh ki baat hai,isiliye main tumhare saath share nahi karna chahta hoon!
Khushi: Par..
Arnav: Jab tum Sarita se baatein karti ho toh kya main tumse poochhta hoon ki tumlogon k beechh kya baatein hoti hain? Kabhi maine tumse tumhare aur Preeto k beechh ki endless conversations ki details maangi hai?
Khushi: Nahi. Par hum..
Arnav: Main tumse uss e-mail ki details share nahi karnaa chahta hoon. But main tumse itna zaroor keh saktaa hoon ki hum dono friends k beechh sab kuch theek hai. Aisa kuch nahi hai jisse lekar tumhe chinta karne ki zaroorat pade. Okay? So please leave it at that.
Khushi(disappointed): Theek hai.
She is about to leave the room when Arnav stops her.
Arnav: Mujhe bina poochhe meri cheezon ko haath mat lagaaya karo,chaahe woh mera suitcase ho ya mera laptop!
Khushi turns to him with tears in her eyes only to see his expressionless face.
She turns around,wipes her tears & speaks in an equally rude tone.
Khushi: 1 baat aap bhi dhyaan se sun lijiye! Agli baar,bina humein poochhe,humare liye koi bhi saree ya nightie, ya koi aur cheez mat laaiyyega! Yeh zaroori nahi hai ki har woh cheez jo aapko pasand aaye woh humein bhi achchhi lage!
She leaves the room after saying that.
================================================
*Later that morning*
When Arnav finds the kitchen empty,he turns towards the dining room.
He sees Khushi sitting on one of the dining chairs,scribbling something in a writing pad while sniffing.
When he walks up to her,he's shocked to see the paper full of coils.
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi stops as soon as she hears his voice.
Arnav: Tum.. jalebiyaan banaa.. I mean draw kar rahi ho?
Khushi: Humari badnaseebi hai ki hum jilebiyaan kha nahi sakte! Ek toh videsh me desi halwaai ki dukaanein aasaani se nahi milti! Oopar se ghar me jilebiyaan banaane ki saamagrih nahi hai!
Arnav: Kyun? Maida aur cheeni toh hai ghar me. Phir..
Khushi(interrupts): Sirf maide aur shakkar se jilebiyaan nahi banti, Mr. Raizada! Suji,kesar,pisi hui elaichi,kewra,ityaadi(etc) ki bhi zaroorat padhti hai. Yeh sab kahaan se laate hum? Toh socha ki.. kaagaz par hi jilebiyaan banaa lete hain. Iss hi bahaane dil behel jaayega.
Arnav: Raghu se..
Khushi(interrupts): Koi zaroorat nahi hai! (resumes scribbling)Hum iss hi se kaam chalaa lenge! Aap jaakar apni packing kar lijiye.
Arnav turns around & is about to leave when he hears Khushi mumbling to herself.
Khushi(mumbles): Pehle din ladaai,aakhri din ladaai,hawaai jahaaz me ladaai! Humara toh naseeb hi kharaab hai!
Arnav(turns to her): Pehle din ladaai kis ki wajah se hui thi?
Khushi stops scribbling and throws the pen on the floor.
Khushi(standing up): Humari wajah se hi hui thi,yaad hai humein! Aur aaj bhi humari wajah se hi humari ladaai hui! Aur aage jitni ladaaiyaan hongi na? Woh sab bhi humari wajah se hi hongi! Bas?
Arnav: Khushi,tum..
Khushi(interrupts): Maaf kar dijiye humein! Aayinda hum aapki kisi cheez ko yahaan tak ki.. aapko bhi,bina aapki ijaazat k,nahi chhuenge!
She walks away from him.
Arnav: Khushi,tum itna over react kyun kar rahi ho?
Khushi: Kyunki hum aise hi hain! Over react,filmy, jo kehna hai keh lijiye!
Arnav: Right! Aur tumhe bhi jo kehna hai tum keh lo! Yeh mat samajh lena ki yeh sab sunkar main tumhe e-mail padhne k liye keh dunga.
Khushi(shocked): Aapko lagtaa hai ki hum.. yeh sab e-mail padhne k liye keh rahe hain? Hum.. naatak kar rahe hain?
Arnav(avoids looking at her): Woh sab mujhe nahi pataa! Lekin agar tum naatak kar bhi rahi ho toh its of no use,kyunki main nahi maanunga!
Khushi(yells): Ha toh mat maaniye! Jo jee me aaye woh kijiye!
Arnav(yells back): The same goes for you! Jo karnaa hai woh karo!
He marched to the bedroom while Khushi turned towards the kitchen.
==================================================
*An hour later*
An irritated Arnav slammed the laptop shut.
He had been trying to concentrate on the quotations mailed by Aman since a long time.
Everytime he tried to think,the image of Khushi scribbling on the writing pad popped in front of his eyes.
And he forgot all about the quotations.
He heard her voice as he rubbed his temple with his thumb & index finger.
"Jab tak aap apni favorite,kaali,kadvi coffee nahi piyenge naa,tab tak na toh aapka dimaag kaam karega, na shareer!"
Arnav(realizes): She's right. Ab toh coffee peene k baad aur Raghu se baat karne k baad hi kaam kar paaunga.
As he climbed the stairs,his nostrils were filled with the smell of spices tempering in oil.
He paused to sneeze before climbing the rest of the stairs.
When he entered the kitchen,he saw Khushi switching on the chimney.
He pretended to ignore her and walked towards the living room.
"Nashta..",came her voice from behind him.
When he turned around,he saw her plating his breakfast.
He was quite surprised when she placed a mug of black coffee on the tray,beside the sandwich.
Khushi: Lijiye..
Arnav stood where he was and stared at her.
Khushi: Ladaai apni jagah hai aur sehat apni jagah.
Arnav(nods): Thanks!
He took the tray from her hands but kept standing there.
Khushi spoke while chopping some boiled potatoes.
Khushi: Kuch chahiye?
Arnav: Tumne nashta kar liya?
Khushi: Nahi,hum bas.. banaa hi rahe hain.
Arnav nodded & left for the dining room.
Khushi fried pooris while preparing aaloo ki subzi simultaneously.
She could hear him as she took out the last poori from the hot oil.
Arnav: Ya,this is Arnav Singh Raizada.(pause)Mornin! Order likho: Kesar,sooji and.. um.. Jus' hold on for a second..
He walked up to her & spoke quite loudly.
Arnav: Khushi,aur kya-kya chahiye jalebiyaan banaane k liye?(continues immediately) Khair, jo bhi chahiye woh bol do..
When Khushi glared at him,he replied with his gaze fixed on the cordless.
Arnav: Hurry up! Raghu's waiting..
Khushi did not want to yell at him in front of Raghu.
Niether could she end the call,coz she didnt want to be rude to Raghu.
She took the cordless from his hand rather reluctantly.
Khushi: Namaste Raghuji! (glaring at Arnav)Inhe toh kuch bhi nahi pataa! Bas aise hi keh diya ki kesar aur sooji chahiye! Kitni maatra (quantity) me chahiye yeh toh bataaya hi nahi!
Arnav quirked his eyebrows & sighed as he left the kitchen.
Khushi: Khair,hum aapko bataate hain. Likhiye,50 gram sooji. Aur.. woh jo dahi ka chhota dibba aapne uss din bheja tha? (pause)Ji,waisa hi 1 dabba bhej dijiyega. Aur likhiye..
She ended the call after listing the ingredients.
Then she placed the cordless on the dining table.
Khushi: Meherbaani k liye shukriya!
She left before Arnav could reply.
======================================================
Khushi was about to have the first bite of poori aaloo when Arnav came into the kitchen.
"Main nahane ja raha hoon",he said while placing the tray on the marble slab.
Khushi's hand halted midway as she recalled her words from the previous day.
"Kal hum Amberji se der se aane k liye keh denge. Phir.. hum dono,aaraam se,saath me naha paayenge!"
When she turned to him,she found him looking at her.
They gazed at each for a second or two before Khushi said "Ji".
He stood there for a few moments,looking at her as she began eating.
Arnav: Mera wallet bedroom me hai. Agar Raghu aa jaaye toh usse paise de dena aur saamaan kitchen me rakhvaa lena.
That said, he turned on his heels and left.
Khushi(thinks): Achchha hi hua jo Amberji ko humne der se bulaaya. Unk aane se pehle hum dopeher ka khana bana denge aur rasoi samet lenge.
(sighs)Kahaan hum ek saath khana banaane wale the,phir ek-doosre ko khilaane wale the aur phir.. saath nahanewale the! Yahaan toh sara kaaryakram hi chaupat ho gayaa!
When she tried to put a morsel in her mouth,her mind displayed an image of Arnav feeding her.
She ignored it & put the morsel in her mouth.
Her favorite, delicious, perfectly made aaloo poori suddenly seemed tasteless.
Khushi: Aa oo umm a-ae-ae ee nee aa aa-ae-ne! (Aaj toh hum akele bhi nahi kha paayenge!)
She folded her hands & asked for forgiveness before placing her plate in the fridge.
============================================
The bell rang while Khushi was cleaning the stove.
Khushi(thinks): Hey Devi Maiyya! (clutches her chemise) Raghuji aa bhi gaye aur.. humne toh.. kapde bhi nahi badle.
She rushed downstairs and into the bedroom while the bell rang again.
Khushi(from the bedroom): Haan, aaye..!
She wrapped her dupatta around her chest and bare shoulders before running towards the main door.
Khushi(opens the door): Aai.. (stops midway) You? a.. who are you?
Boy: I'm Marwin,a.. delivery boy. I have something for Mr & Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada.
Khushi: Yes,what is it?
She was most surprised when he handed her a big bouquet of red roses.
Khushi: Who has sent this?
Marwin: Wait a minute,ma'm..
Khushi was shocked when he handed her a bottle of champagne next.
Marwin: And.. there's something else..
He took out a square shaped box and a white envelope from his bag and gave those to Khushi,who struggled to hold them.
Khushi: Wait a minute..
She kept all the 4 things on the coffee table before returning to the door.
Marwin(reading from the receipt): These have been booked through an online order from Beijing,China.
Khushi(shocked): Cheen?! I mean.. China?! Please tell me,who has sent these?
Marwin(nods): The sender is.. Mr Ranveer Saini.
Khushi gave her trademark shocked expression which left the delivery boy quite puzzled.
Marwin: Any problem,ma'am?
Khushi: No..
She quickly signed the receipt and thanked him before closing the door.
Then she switched on the lights and sat down on the floor,next to the coffee table.
Khushi(thinks): Yeh guldastaa,champagne aur yeh dibba..
She was shell shocked to read the label of the box which said 'Montecristo #2 , Handmade Cigars'.
Khushi(thinks): Cigar?! Ranveerji ne Arnavji k liye cigar ka dibba bheja matlab.. sharaab k alaava woh.. cigar bhi peete hain?!
(slams her forehead)Hey Devi Maiyya!
When she lowered her gaze,she saw the white envelope lying right beside the bottle of champagne.
Khushi(thinks): Iss me se kya niklega kaun jaane?
She tore one end of the envelope with unsteady fingers and took out the sheat of paper enclosed within it.
Then she read the words printed on the paper slowly,trying to make sense of everything.
The paper read:
Hey bro!

I'm sending you a bottle of your favorite champagne! And my favorite cigars! Hope they remind you of that wonderful evening @ Hemmingway!Thanks for reminding me of our adventurous Hawaai trip! And our Harvard days! Its been a long time since we've met each other. Kabhi Beijing bhi aaya karo,yaar! Tum toh poori duniya me ghoomte rehte ho! Anyways,I guess we can catch up online sometime,if not personally. I'm usually free on Sundays. Do lemme know when you're free & we'll fix a 'meeting' accordingly! ;) Take care. Enjoy whatever's left of your honeymoon!

Cheers,
Ranveer.

(P.S. The flowers are for my bhabhi. Tell her that I'd love to come to India but kambakht business aisa hai ki fursat nahi milti!)

Khushi folded the letter and placed it in the envelope before getting up from the floor.
=============================================
*Later that morning*
Khushi was as shocked to see Arnav in his nightrobe as Arnav was to see the bouquet on the kitchen table.
Khushi: Aap ab tak nahaaye nahi?
Arnav(simultaneously): Yeh bouquet kahaan se aaya?
Khushi: Waheen se jahaan se aapka tohfein aaye hain! Yeh toh humara tohfa hai,aapk tohfein fridge k andar aur oopar rakhein hain. (points to the fridge) Khud hi dekh lijiye..
Arnav inspected the bouquet closely but there was no tag on it.
Arnav: Yeh sab kisne bheja?
Khushi: Fridge k oopar jo khat rakha hai uss me sab kuch likha hai. Padh lijiye na!
Arnav: Kyun? Tumse nahi bataaya ja raha hai?
Khushi: Ab.. Hum jilebiyaan banaate-banaate aapko kya-kya bataayein?
Arnav scowled as he walked towards the refrigerator.
Khushi glanced at him while switching off the stove.
His face displayed a range of expressions as he went through the letter.
She waited till he took the box of cigars in his hand.
Khushi(walking up to him): Isse kholkar cigar nikaliye na! Humne aaj se pehle cigar sirf filmon me dekhi hai,asliyat me kabhi nahi dekhi!
Arnav: Yeh cigar hai,koi filmstar nahi hai! Isse dekhne k liye tum itni excited kyun ho rahi ho?
Khushi: Kyunki humne aaj tak kabhi kisi cigar ko rubaroo nahi dekha,kabhi haath me nahi pakdaa isiliye! Kholkar dikhaiyye na..
Arnav(pushes the box towards her): Khud hi dekh lo..
Khushi tore away the seal,opened the box and took out a cigar.
It felt quite heavy,contrary to what she had imagined.
Twisting it between her fingers,she peered closely at its round end as well as the tapered end.
Khushi: Isse kis taraf se jalaate hain?
Arnav,who had turned around by this time,turned to her when she said that.
Arnav: Jalaate hain!?
Khushi: Haan.. isse bhi toh,cigarette ki tarah,phookne se pehle jalaana padta hoga na?
Arnav: Ya but.. tumhe yeh sab kyun jaanna hai?
Khushi: Kyunki humein phookna hai! Ab jalaaye bina phookein kaise?
Arnav: Are you out of your mind?!
Khushi: Ji nahi! Hum poore hosh-o-hawaaz me aapse keh rahe hain ki humein cigar peena hai!
Arnav: Kyun?!
Khushi: Bas,aise hi! Humein peekar dekhna hai ki kaisaa lagtaa hai.
Arnav: Yeh koi reason nahi hua..
Khushi: Yeh hi kaaran hai. Hum aapse waadaa kar rahe hain,hum 1 cigar se zyaada nahi piyenge!
Arnav: Tum 1 bhi nahi pee paaogi,Khushi. Curiosity apni jagah hai aur reality apni jagah hai. Tumhe smoke karne ka idea kafi exciting lag raha hoga but peekar tumhe bilkul bhi achchhha nahi lagega!
Khushi: Achchhha lagega! Aur.. hum pee paayenge! Aur agar na pee paayein toh cigar aapko saup denge. Aur phir kabhi cigar peene ki zidd nahi karenge! Waise,iss baar bhi yeh humari zidd nahi,humari ichchha hai. Aapk dost ne kitne pyaar se bheja hai! Aap toh piyenge hi,toh saath me hum bhi pee lenge! Aap bas humein sikha dijiye ki kaise jalaate hain aur kaise peete hain.
Arnav: I'm not doin that.
Khushi: Toh phir humein kisi aur se poochhna padega. Shaayad.. Amberji ko pataa ho? Ya phir.. bakery waale uncle ko?
Arnav: Are you..!? Tum bakery jaakar uss k owner se poochhogi ki cigar kaise pee jaati hai?
Khushi: Aap humein nahi bataayenge toh humein kisi na kisi se toh poochhna hi padega na? Ab toh hum laptop ka sahara bhi nahi le saktein varna internet se sab kuch pataa kar lete! Khair,woh saari baatein rehne dijiye. Aap sirf itna bataaiyye ki aap humein sikhaayenge ya nahi?
Arnav: Toh tum cigar peeye bina nahi maanogi? *when she shakes her head* Fine! I'm sure tum 1 baar se zyaada nahi phoonk paogi!
Khushi: Dekhenge. Filhaal,hum maachis lekar aate hain. Phir aap isse jalaa dijiye..
Arnav: Isse yahaan nahi jalaa sakte hain kyunki iss penthouse k andar smoke karnaa allowed nahi hai.
Khushi: Oh ho! Toh.. hum kapde badalkar baahar chalte hain?
Arnav: Koi zaroorat nahi hai! Terrace par chalo,wahaan pee sakte hain.
Khushi: Aap chaliye,hum maachis lekar aate hain.
===========================================
*At the terrace*
Arnav warned Khushi as he took the matchbox from her hand.
Arnav: 1 baar phir se soch lo,will you be able to handle the smoke?
Khushi: Ab yeh toh phookne par hi pataa chalega na? Aur.. agar hum handle nahi kar paaye toh hum poori cigar nahi piyenge.
Arnav: Woh toh tum waise bhi nahi piyogi! Look here..
A mildly fragrant smoke filled the air as he lit the cigar.
Khushi(thinks): Khushboo toh theek hai. Aisa kuch nahi hai jisse soongte hi dum ghutne lage! (sighs)Iss hi khushboo ka istemaal kar k agar banaanewale ne cigar k bajaay dhoop ya agarbatti banaai hoti toh kitna achchha hota! Uss se kisika nuksaan bhi nahi hota! **
Arnav: Man me kya keh rahi ho tum?
Khushi: a.. yeh hi ki iss ki sugandh kitni achchhi hai!
Arnav: Ab mujhe dhyaan se dekho.
Khushi's heart skipped a beat as he took the cigar near his mouth.
How she wished to take the cigar,throw it on the floor & stomp it under slipper covered feet!
Arnav: 1 saans halke se andar lo aur phir dhuaa baahar phenko,aise..
Khushi took a deep breath and tightly balled her fists as he took a puff.
Khushi: 1 baar me itna sara dhuaan?
Arnav: hmm..
He took it again near his mouth,drew a slight but firm breath and released yet another bout of smoke.
Khushi: Bas,bas! Hum samajh gaye. Ab humein dijiye..
Arnav: 1 baat ka dhyaan rakhna: Bahut gehri saans mat le lena.
Khushi: Varnaa kya hoga?
Arnav: Khaansi(cough) hogi,aur kya hoga?!
Khushi: Theek hai. Hum dhyaan rakhenge. Aap dijiye toh sahi!
Arnav: Careful..
Khushi took the cigar from him under his watchful eyes and brought it slowly towards her mouth.
Khushi(thinks): Hey Devi Maiyya,raksha karnaa!
She withdrew her lips as soon as she placed them on the mouth end of the cigar.
Arnav: Kya hua?
Khushi: Thodi si.. garam hai..
Arnav: Woh toh hogi hi!
Khushi: Haan,woh toh..
Arnav: Nahi pee paaogi. Mujhe de do..
Khushi(takes a step away from him): Nahi! Hum pee paayenge! Dekhiye..
She took it to her mouth,drew slightly and blew out soon after.
Arnav: kaisi lagi?
Khushi(gulps): Haan.. achchhi hai!
Arnav: Toh itni jaldi kyun nikal di?
Khushi: Woh.. pehli bar pee thi na.. isiliye.
Arnav nodded and gestured her to give the cigar.
Khushi: Abhi nahi!
Arnav: Khushi..
Khushi: Abhi hum aur peeyenge!
Arnav: Fine. 1 aur baar pee lo.
Khushi ignored him as she took the second puff.
Khushi(thinks): Humein toh kuch bhi nahi hua,Devi Maiyya! Humne toh kya-kya suna tha! Cigarette-cigar pehli baar peete hi kisi ko khaansi hoti hai, toh kisi ko chakkar aate hain, toh kisi ki tabiyat kharaab ho jaati hai! Phir.. humare saath aisaa kyun nahi hua?
Arnav: Kya soch rahi ho?
Khushi: Yeh hi ki.. hum poori cigar pee lenge!
Arnav: Seriously?
Khushi: Haan!
She took another puff and then yet another.
Yet nothing happened to her,apart from a slight,tingling sensation at the back of her palate.
Khushi(thinks): Ab gehri saans leni hi hogi!
She was about to draw a long,deep breath when Arnav took the cigar from her.
Arnav: Kya kar rahi ho tum?
Khushi: K.. kya? Kya kiya humne?
Arnav: Itna nahi kheenchte hain. Maine kaha tha na gehri saans nahi leni hai?
Khushi: Oh! Maaf kijiyega! Humara dhyaan nahi tha.
Arnav: Now,let it be.
Khushi(takes the cigar from him): No! I'm not letting it be!
Arnav: Khushi,please..
Khushi: Kya taqleef hai aapko? Achchhi tarah se pee toh rahe hain! Phir kyun manaa kiye ja rahe hain? Aapko peene ki jaldi hai toh doosri cigar le aaiyye!
Arnav: Aisi koi baat nahi hai!
Khushi: Phir humein shaanti se peene dijiye!
Arnav: Fine! Do whatever you wanna do!
He walks towards the garden chair & slumps down on it.
Khushi(thinks): Yeh tarqeeb bhi kaam nahi aayi. Ab toh koi aur hi raasta lena padega!
Arnav: Kya hua? Ab pee kyun nahi rahi ho?
Khushi: Iss ki raakh neeche gir rahi hai na,isiliye. Farsh(floor) gandaa ho raha hai. agar isse jamaa karne k liye kuch mil jaata toh..
Arnav: Ab yahaan ashtray toh hoga nahi. Lemme see if I can get some other thin'. Tab tak tum isse mat peena,okay?
Khushi: Kyun?
Arnav(glares): Kyunki main keh raha hoon isiliye! Mujhe pataa hai tumhe cigar peene ka shauq chadhaa hai lekin I think 2 minute tak intezaar toh tum kar hi sakti ho!
Khushi: Ji,ji,hum rukte hain. Aap.. jaldi se kuch lekar aaiyye.
Arnav nodded & left for the kitchen.
Meanwhile Khushi turned to the cigar.
Khushi: Jee toh kartaa hai ki isse uthaakar itni door phenk de ki Arnavji,chahkar bhi,kabhi na dhoond paayein! Par uss se kya hoga?
Ranveerji ne poora dibba bhej diya hai! 1 cigar phenk denge toh woh doosri jalaa denge! Khaansi bhi nahi khaane de rahe hain! Ab toh kuch aisaa karnaa hoga ki Arnavji khud hi isse uthaakar baahar phenk dein! Aur phir kabhi haath na lagaa..
She heard Arnav's footsteps before she could complete the sentence.
Khushi(shocked): Itni jaldi aa gaye?! Ab.. ab kya karein?
The sound of footsteps got louder as Arnav climbed the stairs towards the terrace.
Unable to think of anything else in sucha short span of time,Khushi took the burning end of the cigar and pressed it hard against her left palm.
An involuntary scream came out of her mouth,which alerted Arnav.
He ran towards her and turned her towards himself.
Arnav: Khushiii! (cups her cheek) Kya hua tumhe?
Khushi(closing her left fist): Kuch khaas nahi! Bas..
Arnav: Dont lie to me! Tumhari aankhon se pani nikal raha hai aur.. maine suna tumhe chillaate huye. Cigar kahaan hai?
Khushi(holds it up): Yeh raha..
Arnav examined it for a moment before throwing it in the ceramic bowl which he had brought from the kitchen.
Arnav(leans closer): Sach bataao,Khushi. Kya hua hai?
With each passing second,Khushi became increasingly uncomfortable due to his piercing gaze.
Khushi(lowers her gaze): Woh.. yeh.. humse.. ho g.. gaya..
She held up her left hand with the now unclosed fist.
Arnav winced when he saw the burn mark on her palm.
Arnav(yells): What the f..!? Aise kaise ho gaya? Aur tum mujhe bataa kyun nahi rahi thi?
Khushi: Aap.. fiqr karenge toh.. isiliye.
Arnav: Fiqr toh hogi na? (yells)Tumhari hatheli jal gayi hai,dammit! Aur tum aaraam se khadi ho?! (shakes his head)Unbelievable! (bends slightly) Chalo yahaan se!
He scooped her in his arms & raced down the stairs.
=========================================
Khushi tried her best to maintain her expressions as Arnav dressed her wound.
Khushi: Aap.. itne pareshaan kyun ho rahe hain,Arnavji?
Arnav glares fiercely at her before answering.
Arnav: Is that even a question,Khushi? Tumhe dikh nahi raha hai ki tumhari hatheli jal gayi hai?
Khushi: Haan. Humare kehne ka matlab tha ki.. aap humari hatheli ko lekar itne pareshan kyun ho rahe hain?
Arnav: Yeah, right! Mujhe tumhare dimaag ko lekar pareshaan hona chahiye kyunki mujhe nahi lagtaa ki woh sahi tarah se kaam kar raha hai!
Khushi: Aapko humare phepdon(lungs) ko lekar zyaada pareshaan hona chahiye kyunki jale toh woh bhi hain.
Arnav frowned deeply when she said that.
Khushi: Hatheli ka ghaav aapko nazar aa raha hai isiliye aap fiqr kar rahe hain. Phepdein nazar nahi aate isiliye unki koi fiqr nahi?
She continued when Arnav kept mum.
Khushi: Jitni baar aapne cigar pee hogi utni baar aapk phepdein jale honge. Par aap uss ki khushboo aur dhuye me aise khoye honge ki aapko yeh baat samajh nahi aayi hogi!
Arnav(enraged): Oh,I see! Toh tumne jaan bhoojkar apni hatheli jalaayi,haan?
Khushi: Humein majbooran jalaani padi kyunki jab baat hum par aati hai,toh chaahe chhoti si kharoch hi kyun na ho,aap hairaan-pareshaan ho jaate hain!
Arnav: Yeh koi chhoti si kharoch nahi hai,Khushi! Iss ka dard aur nishaan kitne dinon tak rahega,koi idea hai tumhe?
Khushi: Haan,hai! Isiliye yeh toh nishaan banaaya hai taaki isse dekhkar aapko yeh ehsaas ho ki cigar,cigarette jaisi cheezein kitni haanikaarak (harmful) hoti hain! Aur agli baar jab aapk haath me jalti hui cigar aaye toh aapko yeh nishaan yaad aaye!
Arnav closes his eyes,grits his teeth and mutters unbelievable.
Khushi: Phepdon ka ghaav(injury) aapko dikhaayi nahi deta hai,unka dard aapko mehsoos nahi hota hai isiliye aap aaraam se cigar peete hain! Waise hi,kaleje(liver) ka ghaav bhi aapko nazar nahi aata hai isiliye aap usse sharaab se bharte rehte hain! Jis din yeh dono jawaab de denge na uss din aapko pataa chalega!
Arnav: Khushi,its not as if main rozana cigar peeta hoon ya drink kartaa hoon.
Khushi: Toh kya hua? Saal me 1-aadh baar cigar peene se phepdon ko nuksaan nahi pahuchta hai kya? Agar nahi pahuchta hai toh bataiyye humein. Hum abhi naniji aur buaji ko phone kar k kehte hain ki saal me 1 cigar peene se koi nuksaan nahi hota hai! Toh buaji,naniji,di sab hi saal ki 1 cigar pee sakte hain! 1 baar aapk bhatije ya bhatiji ka janm ho gaya,phir toh jiji bhi pee paayegi! Hai na?
She got up from the bed and went out of the room.
=========================================================
When Arnav found Khushi having jalebis in the kitchen,a thought crossed his mind.
Arnav: Tell me something,Khushi. Tum jo yeh.. jalebi,pakore,yeh sab khati rehti ho isse tumhari body ko nuksaan nahi pahuchta hai na?
Khushi: Maante hain ki pahuchta hai par uss nuksaan ki bharpaai kar sakte hain.
Arnav: Kaise?
Khushi: Wazan ko qaaboo(control) me rakhkar! Aur agar sugar ki beemaari ho toh sugar ko qaaboo me rakhkar! Isiliye humne kabhi bhi aapko maansaahaari vyanjan khaane se nahi roka! Humein achchhhe se pataa hai ki woh sab khaane k baad aapk shareer me jo charbi(fat) jamti hai, usse aap daud lagaakar utar lenge. Lekin 1 baar phepdon me dhuaan ghus jaaye na,Mr. Raizada,toh phir usse wahaan se nikaalna namumkin hai! Samjhe aap?
Arnav(nods): Haan. Aur yeh bhi samajh gaya ki tumne yeh sab kyun kiya. (approaches her)Par Khushi.. (in a mild tone)mujhe samjhaane k liye apneaap ko itna gehra ghaav dene ki kya zaroorat thi?
Khushi: Iss ka jawaab hum aapko pehle hi de chuke hain. Ab hatiye,humein dopeher ka khana banaana hai.
Arnav: Are you..? Tum iss chot ko lekar khana banaaogi?
Khushi: Toh aur kaun banaayega? Aapne toh subha ki ladaai k baad se apne haath khade kar diye! Na nashta banaane me madad ki, na parosne me, na rasoi sametne me. Bas,jalebiyon ki saamagrih mangvaane ka kaam kiya hai aapne. Koi hosh bhi hai ki kitne baj rahe hain? Thodi der me Amberji aa jaayengi. Neeche ka kamraa kal raat se bikhra padaa hai. Usse bhi hum hi samet lenge. Aap baithkar champagne aur cigar pijiye!
Arnav: Aisaa nahi hai ki maine koi kaam nahi kiya hai! Bathroom me paani nahi aa raha tha. Overhead tank me kachraa jam gayaa tha jise maine clean kiya hai.
Khushi(realizes): Toh.. iss wajah se aap nahi naha paayein?
Arnav nods while taking her hands in his.
Khushi: Haath chhodiye! Hum ab bhi aapse naraaz hain.
Arnav: I know! Aur main bhi tumse naraaz hoon!
Khushi(looks him in the eye): Aap humse naraaz hain?
Arnav: Ji haan! Yeh jo tumne harkat ki hai na,woh mujhe bilkul pasand nahi aayi! Bhale hi tumne yeh sab mujhe sabak sikhaane k liye hi kyun na kiya ho! Maine pehle bhi manaa kiya tha,tumne waada bhi kiya tha par tum sab kuch bhool gayi. Maine bahut samjhaane ki koshish ki par tum meri baat nahi samajh rahi ho. Toh ab maine bhi decide kiya ki agli baar tumne meri wajah se apneaap ko koi nuksaan pahuchaaya na toh I swear (pauses)main apneaap ko double nuksaan pahuchaaunga! Agar tumne apni 1 hatheli jalaayi toh main apni dono hatheliyaan jalaa dun..
He pauses abruptly before letting go of her hands.
Arnav: In fact,yeh kaam main aaj bhi kar saktaa hoon!
He pretends to go when Khushi grabs his arm.
Khushi: Paagal mat baniye!
Arnav: Tumhare paagalpan ka jawaab apne paagalpan se dena aata hai mujhe! You better remember that,Khushi Singh Raizada!
He holds her hands tenderly while looking into her eyes.
Arnav: Ab kaam ki baat karein?
Khushi: Itni der se hum kaam ki baat hi toh kar rahe the!
Arnav: Main humare jhagde ki baat kar raha hoon. Jhagda suljhaana hai ya nahi?
Khushi(nods): Suljhaana toh hai hi. Pehle aap apni baat kariye phir hum apni baat karenge.
Arnav: Fine. Maine subha jo kaha woh tumhe bura lagaa na?
Khushi(admits): Bahut bura lagaa! Sach kahein,toh baat theek se samajh nahi aayi. Aap kehte hain ki hum dono k beechh koi mera-tumhara nahi hai,sab humara hai. Aapki gaadi humari gaadi hai aur aapke paise humare paise hain. Toh,iss hisaab se,aapka laptop humara laptop hona chahiye.
Arnav: Ha,hona chahiye aur hai bhi.
Khushi: Toh kya humein humara laptop istemaal karne k liye aapki ijaazat leni padegi?
Arnav: Bilkul nahi! Tum jab chaho tab laptop use kar sakti ho!
Khushi: Subha aapne kya kaha tha,yaad hai?
Arnav: Of course! Maine kaha tha ki tum,bina poochhe, meri cheezon ko haath mat lagaaya karo,chaahe woh mera suitcase ho ya mera laptop!
Khushi: Hmm! Aur ab aap kuch aur hi keh rahe hain!
Arnav: Subha maine woh sab gusse me kaha tha. And you know mujhe gussa kyun aaya tha?
Khushi: Ji..
Arnav: Tum isse jaasoosi kaho ya chori-chhupe kaam karna kaho,baat 1 hi hai. Aur yeh baat galat hai! Yeh hi cheez tumne kisi aur k saath ki hoti tab woh bhi utna hi naraaz hota jitna main hoon. Bina bataaye,bina poochhe kisi ki cheezon k saath chhed-chhaad nahi karna chahiye.
Khushi: Pehli baat,hum koi chhed-chhaad nahi kar rahe the. Doosri baat,humne aapse kaha tha ki humein e-mail padhvaaiyye. Jab aapne manaa kiya

tab humein aisa qadam uthana pada.
Arnav: Dont try to justify what you did,Khushi! Jab maine manaa kiya tab tumhe accept kar lena chahiye tha. Baat waheen khatm ho jaati!
Khushi: Agar yeh hi cheez humne ki hoti toh kya aap maante? (answers herself)Aap kuch na kuch kar k baat ugalvaa hi lete!
Arnav: Right! Main tumse baat ugalvaane ki koshish kartaa,tumhari purse ki ya tumhare suitcase ki talaashi toh nahi leta na?
Khushi realizes the truth in his words.
Arnav: Main yeh nahi keh raha hoon ki tum har kaam mujhse poochh-poochh kar karo. Bas.. bataa diya karo. Pehle bataao ya baad me bataao, whatever suits you! But.. aise,chori-chhupe mat kiya karo,okay?
Khushi nods in response.
Arnav: Aur rahi baat jo tumne kahi uss ki,toh you were right. Yeh bilkul zaroori nahi hai ki mera diya hua har surprise tumhe pasand aaye. Toh jo surprise tumhe pasand na aaye,woh tum lautaa diya karo! Cheezein exchange bhi ho sakti hai, its no big deal! Aur agar tumhe mere surprises dene ki aadaat pasand nahi hai toh..
Khushi(interrupts): Nahi,woh baat nahi hai.
Arnav: I guess tumhe nayi wali chemise pasand nahi aayi?
Khushi: Jo aapne dikhaayi thi woh toh pasand aayi. Par jo.. chemise.. aapne.. suitcase me chhupayi thi.. woh..
Arnav lets out a huge sigh.
Arnav: Suitcase me kya dhoond rahi thi tum?
Khushi: Dhoond nahi rahe the,chhupa rahe the..
Arnav(frowns): Kya chhupa rahi thi?
Khushi: Humne kuch.. banaaya hai aapk liye jo hum.. aaj aapko dene wale the.
Arnav: Really? *when she nods* Toh ab.. tum mujhe woh cheez nahi dogi?
Khushi: baad me denge. Filhaal humein aapse kuch poochhna hai..
Arnav: Poochho..
Khushi: Aapne jo.. naatak wali baat kahi thi woh gusse me kahi thi ya.. aapko waaqai lagaa ki hum naatak kar rahe the?
Arnav: Mujhe waaqai lagaa..
Khushi(shocked): Kya? Arnavji aap..
Arnav(interrupts): Mujhe meri baat toh complete karne do! Mujhe lagaa ki maine tumhe e-mail padhne se manaa kar diya aur tumhari chori pakad li toh tumne.. melodrama ka.. teesra raasta chuna. Tum.. e-mail padhne k liye itni desparate the toh.. mujhe yeh hi lagaa..
Khushi: huh! Dekh liya aapne,Devi Maiyya ki marzi k aage kisi ki nahi chalti,lard governer ki bhi nahi!
Arnav: Kya matlab?
Khushi: Ranveerji k tohfe dekhkar hum andaaza lagaa sakte hain ki unhone e-mail me kya likha ho! Ab humein e-mail padhne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai!
She turns her face away from him.
Arnav: Hum yahaan jhagda suljhaane k liye baithe hain na?
Khushi: Haan,toh?
Arnav: Toh mujhse moonh mat phero!
When he turned to face him by holding her chin,he saw a mixture of disappointment,sadness and anger in her eyes.
Arnav(cups her cheek): I'm sorry!
Khushi: 1 baat bataiyye Arnavji: Aap kehte hain ki pati-patni ko ek-doosre se kuch nahi chhupana chahiye. Unk beechh koi barrier nahi hona chahiye.
Phir aap hi humse e-mail ki baat chhupaate hain. Poochhne par bhi theek se nahi bataate hain. Aisa kyun?
Arnav: Pehle tum mujhe bataao- Kabhi tumhare aur Sarita k beechh ki baatein hum dono k beechh barrier bani hain kya?
Khushi: Nahi.
Arnav: Phir mere aur Ranveer k beechh ki baatein kyun hum dono k beechh barrier ban jaayengi?
Khushi does not answer his question directly.
Khushi(fiddling with her bandage): Jab hum baat chhupaate hain tab bhi hum daant khaate hain aur jab aap baat chhupaate hain tab bhi hum hi daant khaate hain. Waah! Yeh badhiya kanoon hai!
Arnav: Tum daantogi toh main daant khaalunga..
Khushi looks at him with a cross expression.
Arnav: No,I mean it. Waise bhi tumne jo bhi kaha maine patiently suna na?
Khushi: hmm.
Arnav: Aur koi issue hai?
Khushi: Ji..
Arnav: I knew it! Cigar ko lekar tumhare man me jo bhi sawaal hain woh poochh lo.
Khushi: Aapne pehli baar cigar kabhi pee thi?
Arnav: Maine apni pehli cigar yaheen,Paris me,pee thi. Woh bhi Ranveer k saath!
Khushi: Humein lag hi raha tha!
Arnav: Woh yahaan kisi meeting k liye aaya hua tha aur main fashion week k liye aaya hua tha. Co-incidentally,hum dono ki meetings Ritz-Carlton hotel me thi. Humari mulaaqaat lobby me hui aur humne uss ki agli shaam ko milne ka decision liya. Jab hum uss hotel k Hemmingway bar me mile tab Ranveer ne mujhe cigar se introduce karvaaya. Uss k kehne par maine 1 cigar try ki. I sort of.. liked it toh..
Khushi(interrupts): Toh aapne woh cigar pee li! *when he nods*Aur champagne bhi zaroor pee hogi?
Arnav: Haan. Maine 2 cigars peeye, thodi-bahut champagne pee.. Uss k saath dinner kiya,baatein ki,college k dinon ko yaad kiya. It was a lovelyevenin!
Khushi: Uss shaam k baad aur aaj subha se pehle aapne kabhi cigar pee thi?
Arnav: Haan..
Khushi(thinks): Hey Devi Maiyya!
Arnav: Main jab Madrid,Spain gayaa tha tab maine wahaan pee thi. Phir jab main Milan fashion week k liye gaya hua tha toh,wahaan meri mulaaqaat Mr. Wilson se hui. He was a chain cigar smoker. Toh.. maine unk saath pee thi.. Khushi(thinks): Satyaanaash! Pehle Ranveerji ne aur phir Wilsonji ki inhe cigar ki latt(addiction) lagvaa di!
Arnav: Phir jab last year L.A. gaya tha toh wahaan bhi pee thi. Main jab Dubai gaya tha tab mere associates aur dealers k saath after party me ek-aadh shisha bhi pee thi.
Khushi(confused): Shisha.. kya hota hai?
Arnav: Hookkah..
Khushi(shocked): Hoo.. hook.. kaah!?
Arnav(nods): Ya.. Waise,iss baat ko kaafi time ho gaya hai but.. tumhe jaanna tha toh maine bataa diya.
Khushi: Aur bataaiyye.. Cigar aur sharaab k alaava aur kya-kya peeya hai aapne? Cigarette.. pee hai?
Arnav(makes a face): Maine college k dinon me try ki thi par mujhe pasand nahi aayi.
Khushi(sighs): Devi Maiyya ki kripa se! Aur.. charas,gaanjaa(drugs) toh..
Arnav: Noways!
Khushi(relieved): Devi Maiyya ka lakh,lakh shukar hai!
Arnav(smiles): Main koi drug addict nahi hoon,Khushi! (pats her back) So,just relax!
Khushi: Ji,hum jaante hain ki aap drug addict nahi hai. Par.. inn sab ka sevan saal me ek-do baar karne se bhi apnaa nuksaan hota hi hai. Aur aise.. nuksaan karne ka koi matlab nahi hai,Arnavji. Aapko lag raha hoga ki hum haath dhokar aapk peechhe padh..
Arnav(interrupts): Nahi,aisi koi baat nahi hai. And I get your point. Tum meri bhalaai k liye hi keh rahi ho.
Khushi: umm hmm! Uss me aap k alaava humari,humare parivaar ki aur humare honewale bachhhon ki bhal..
Arnav(interrupts): Excuse me? (shocked)Humare.. honewale.. bachchhe?!
Khushi: Jab honge tab!
Arnav(sighs): Oh..!
Khushi: Bachchhon par in saari cheezon ka galat asar padta hai.
Arnav: I know! Par.. (points to her left palm) Bachchhon par iss tarah k incidents ka bhi galat asar padhta hai.
Khushi: Jaante hain..
Arnav: Bachchhe sabse bade copycats hote hain! Woh yeh saari cheezein dekhkar unhe badi jaldi pick up kar lete hain.
Khushi: Aap sahi keh rahe hain. Hum aisi harqat dobara nahi karenge. Waise.. hum aaj bhi nahi karte. Agar humein behtar upaar soojh jata toh.. yeh sab karne ki zaroorat hi nahi padti! Par.. aap aa rahe the aur hum har haal me aapko rokna chahte the,samjhaana chahte the.. Waqt kam tha toh.. aise me jo soojha humne woh kar diya!
Arnav: Woh toh theek hai par.. ghar par sabse kya kahogi? Patti dekhkar aur.. nishaan dekhkar sab sawaal karenge.
Khushi: Hum keh denge ki garam kadhaai se chatkaa lag gaya. Aur.. jab tak nishaan nahi mit jaata tab tak hum patti baandhe rakhenge.
Arnav(holding her left hand): Iss ka nishaan mitne me kaafi time lagega,Khushi. (clicks his tongue)Tumne jaldbaazi me.. bilkul galat kadam uthaaya!
Whats worse is.. (gulps)tumhe yeh sab meri wajah se karnaa padaa! (looks away)And that thought is killin me!
He kicks the kitchen cabinet in frustration.
Khushi: Areh!? Lag jaayegi aapko..
Arnav: Aur tumhe jo chot lagi hai uss ka kya? (yells)Pretend nahi kar sakti thi kya? Pretend karti toh bhi main aa jata tumhare paas aur tumhe jo samjhaana tha woh samjhaa deti. Actually me apni hatheli jalaane ki kya zaroorat thi? Cigar haath se chhoot kar pair par gir jaata toh?
Khushi: Hum keh rahe hain na ki humein kuch aur soojha nahi toh..
When Arnav does not say anything,Khushi cups his cheek.
Khushi: Sorry! Humein maaf kar dijiye!
Arnav: Maaf nahi main tumhe warn kar raha hoon- Agli baar aisa koi stunt kiya na toh hatheli nahi main.. Main apni puri body par..
Khushi(hugs him): Please Arnavji! Aisi baatein mat kariye! Sochkar hi humara jee ghabraata hai..
Arnav: Toh socho tumhe dekhkar mera kya haal hua hoga? Ek toh hatheli jalaa li oopar se usse chhupa rahi thi!
Khushi: Hum andaazaa lagaa sakte hain ki aapka kya haal ho raha hoga kyunki aapko cigar peete huye dekhkar humara bhi woh hi haal ho raha tha.
(breaks the hug)Isiliye humne aapko do baar se zyaada peene nahi di. Jee toh kar raha tha ki uss cigar ka kachumbar banaa dein! Itna gussa aa raha tha ki kya bataayein? Humne jaise-taise khud ko sambhaala! Varnaa humara bas chalta toh usse pairon tale masal(crush) dete! Aur ussk dibbe ka..
She stops upon seeing Arnav's smiling face.
Khushi: Abhi toh aag-baboola ho rahe the,ab muskuraa kyun rahe hain?
Arnav(straight face): Tumhara description sunkar mujhe hansi aa gayi.
Khushi: Toh.. ab?
Arnav: Tum bataao,aur koi complain?
Khushi: Nahi. Aur aapki?
Arnav shakes his head.
Khushi: Toh hum yeh samjhein ki aap ab tak humse naraaz hain ya yeh ki ladaai sulajh gayi?
Arnav: Naraaz toh main ab bhi hoon. Mujhe khud se zyaada naraazgi hai.
Khushi: Khud se kyun?
Arnav(regrets): Mujhe tumhe cigar k saath akele chhodkar jaana hi nahi chahiye tha! Na main neeche jaata aur na tumhe yeh sab soojhta!
Khushi: Ab iss me aapki kya galti hai? Aapko thode hi na pataaa ki hum aisaa kuch karnewaale hain?
Arnav: Whatever! Ab mera decision aur bhi pakka ho gaya hai. Tum agle hafte se hi office aa rahi ho & that's final!
Khushi: Theek hai,aa jaayenge.
He takes her left hand in his & kisses the bandaged part.
Arnav: Now,come here..
He pulls her into his arms & Khushi readily hugs him.
Khushi: Suniye..
Arnav: Boliye?
Khushi: Woh jo.. aadha jala cigar chhat par padaa hai uss ka kya?
Arnav: Woh ab tak khaak(ash) ho gaya hoga.
Khushi: Aur.. dibbe me jo cigars pade hain,unka kya?
Arnav: Watchman ko de dunga. Aur champagne ki bottle Amber ko de dunga. Aur Ranveer ko mail kar k thanks bhi keh dunga aur yeh bhi keh dunga ki maine peena chhod diya hai.
Khushi is relieved to hear that.
Khushi: Aur suniye..
Arnav: Aur boliye?
Khushi: Ranveerji ko yeh baat kaun samjhaayega ki yeh sab cheezein nuksaandaayi hoti hain?
Arnav(breaks the hug): Usse pataa hai Khushi! Aur jo baatein uss ki samajh me nahi aa rahi hai woh jab uss ki shaadi hogi tab uss ki biwi usse samjhaayegi! Filhaal hum meri biwi ki baat karein?
Khushi: Aapki biwi ki kya baat karni hai?
Arnav: Tumne nashta kiya?
Khushi: a.. thoda sa..
Arnav(hand on her tummy): Tab hi tumhare pet me se aawaazein aa rahi hain!
Khushi(looks at her tummy): Sach me?
Arnav: Obviously! Jab kisiko bahut bhookh lagti hai tab hi aisi aawaazein aati hain. Ab bataao,nashta kahaan rakha hai.
Khushi: Fridge me..
Arnav: Fine,main lekar aata hoon. Lekin uss se pehle tumse kuch kehna hai..
Khushi: Ji,kahiye?
Arnav: Tum apne haath ko rest dogi aur koi kaam nahi karogi! Which is very difficult coz tum ek jagah par shaanti se nahi baith sakti ho! You have to do or say something or the other ,all the time!
Khushi smacks his shoulder with her right hand.
Khushi: Hum kaam karenge,lekin apne haath ka dhyaan bhi rakhenge.
Arnav: Nope! Main kaam karunga aur tum meri madad karogi,okay?
Khushi: umm.. Chaliye,theek hai.
Arnav: Aur doosri baat yeh hai ki.. (leans closer)maine subha se tumhe kiss nahi kiya hai toh..
Khushi: Badi jaldi yaad aa gayi yeh baat!
Arnav: Der aaye durust aaye!
Khushi: Kya baat hai! Aaj lard governer kahaawat bol rahe hain!
Arnav: No lard governer!(pecks her lips) Back to using endearments,okay baby?
Khushi: Okay honey! Aur.. baaki sab?
Arnav: Waise hi hoga jaise humne socha tha,with slight changes. (reassuring smile)Dont worry! We'll make the most of whatever's left of this day!
Khushi nodded as he pressed his mouth to hers.
==============================================
Precap:
Arnav sat on the stool in front of the piano with Khushi on his lap.
Khushi(turns to him): Aapko yeh bajaana aata hai?
Arnav: Nope! Aur tumhe?
Khushi: Humein bhi nahi aata. (clicks her tongue) Aisaa sirf humare saath hi hota hai!
Arnav: Aisaa matlab.. kaisaa?
Khushi: Matlab shantivan me pool hai par humein tairnaa nahi aata! Yahaan par piano hai par humein bajaana nahi aata!
Arnav: Jahaan tak tairne ki baat hai woh toh main tumhe sikha dunga!
Khushi: Theek hai! Aur hum aapko piano bajaana sikhaa denge!
Arnav(frowns): Jab tumhe khud isse bajaana nahi aata toh tum mujhe kaise sikhaaogi?
Khushi: Hum waapis jaakar isse bajaana seekh lenge. Phir agli baar jab hum yahaan rehne aayenge naa, tab hum roz aap k liye yeh piano bajaayenge!
Arnav brings her head closer and pecks her lips.
Khushi(sighs): Hum agli baar yahaan kab aayenge,honey?
Arnav(shrugs): I dunno,baby.. I cant say anythin as of now..

** Views of the character,not the author.

A/N: I know! This was not the kind of chapter one would choose for a comeback. But the timing was such that I couldnt help it! Many of you might not have liked the chapter. So I promise I'll make amends with the next one, which will be long & romantic!

Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Translation in the post below. Next update on Thursday,18th September.

Thanks for the likes & comments! Over to..

Translation for Part 107

*Later that night,2.30 a.m.*
Arnav woke up with a start.
Arnav: Khuusshhhiii!
Khushi woke up from the impact of both,his scream as well as his racing heartbeats.
Khushi(cups his cheek): What happened,Arnavji?
Arnav pulled her to himself & sighed in relief.
Khushi: Did you have a nightmare?
Arnav nodded before kissing the top of her head.
Khushi wiped his damp forehead after breaking the hug.
Khushi: Wait,I'll just get you some water..
She switched on the lights before filling the empty glass lying on the bedside table.
When it looked like Arnav had calmed down,she took his hands in hers.
Khushi: Now tell me,what did you see?
Arnav: I dont wanna recollect that,Khushi..
Khushi: Until you share it with me,it'll keep bothering you. And you wont be able to sleep,either.
Arnav: What makes you think that sharing my nightmare with you will ensure that it doesnt disturb me?
Khushi: Sharing your pain always make you feel light. Thats why I'm telling you. You'll see the result yourself,trust me!
Arnav(sighs): Fine. I saw that I was.. in our bedroom,getting ready for office,when you came with my coffee..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav(kisses her cheek): Thanks!
Khushi(smiles): You're welcome! Listen..
Arnav nods while taking a sip of his coffee.
Khushi: If you could.. find some time today, we could've fulfilled my mannat. The one which involves walking backwards till
Devi Maiyya's temple?
Arnav(in between sips): I remember.
Khushi: Its been a long time since we came back from Paris but we couldnt fulfill it till now. So.. I just thought that..
Arnav: Fine. (smiles) We'll fulfill your mannat today!
Khushi(elated): Thank you so much! Tell me,what time do we leave for the temple?
Arnav(keeps the coffee mug on the table): Wait a minute..
He calls Aman before attaching the bluetooth device to his right ear.
Arnav: Ya,Aman..(pause)Mornin! I wanna know my schedule for today..
Aman began reciting a long list of meetings,conferences,events,etc which were back to back.
Arnav stole a glance at Khushi's expectant face before speaking.
Arnav: When is the last meetin?(pause)At 8 pm,right?
Khushi: But.. the temple closes at 8 pm.
His heart sank as he saw the color draining from his wife's face.
Arnav: What bout.. the first meetin? (pause) 9.30.. Get that postponed!(pause)If the clients dont agree,you can cancel..
Khushi(interrupts): No,no! Dont do that!
Arnav(gestures Khushi to wait): Aman,I'll call you back. (pause)No,dont do anythin right now. Jus' wait for further instructions.
He switched off the bluetooth device before turning to Khushi.
Arnav: Why cant we go to the temple right now?
Khushi: I wont fulfill my mannat at the cost of your work! (hand on his shoulder)You go for the meeting, I'll go to the temple on my own.
Arnav: Fine,I'll come with you. I mean.. I'll drive the SUV slowly till you reach the temple.
Khushi: But your office & the temple are in opposite directions,Arnavji. You'll get late if you do that. So you go directly for your meeting. And dont worry about me!
Arnav: I'm bound to be worried! There's no guarantee where you will go while walking backwards!
Khushi: umm.. okay! I'll take di or naniji to the temple. Is that fine with you?
Arnav(agrees): Ya.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav took a deep breath before continuing further.
Arnav: Then I saw myself driving the SUV pretty rashly while going towards the temple..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav(into the earpiece): Khushi,why did you have to go to the temple alone? Answer me, dammit?!
Khushi: Calm.. down! I thought.. di will have a hard time.. walking all the way.. till the temple..
So I didnt.. ask her to accompany me. And.. how would naniji walk.. in such terrible heat?Think.. about it yourself
Arnav: Then you could've asked mami to accompany you. And if nobody was available,you could've told Hari Prakash naa? Why did you have to go alone?
Khushi: Arnavji! HPji has so much.. work at home. How could I.. ask him to leave it and.. accompany me? And I dont understand.. as to why you.. had to leave.. your meeting? I'm fine.. and walking properly.
Arnav: Yeah,right! I can see that..
Khushi(shocked): What? (looking around) Where.. are you?
Arnav: On the other side of the road.. I'm coming to your side of the road. So wait for me..
Khushi: Okay..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav: When I reached the divider in order to take a turn,I.. I saw.. (gulps)a.. tr.. truck right behind you.. And..
Khushi let go of his hands only to hug him to herself.
Arnav tightly shut his eyes as beads of sweat reappeared on his forehead.
Khushi(rubs his back): Dont worry! I will fulfill my mannat only if & when you'll accompany me.
Arnav(breaks the hug): You're not goin outta house alone,no matter where you have to go! Understood?
Khushi: But..
Arnav(interrupts): And I dont wanna see you anywhere near an auto,forget bout travellin' in 1!
Khushi: Areh!?
Arnav: No areh! Wherever you wanna go,you'll go with me,or Aakash or Mohan.
Khushi: And what if you,jijaji and Mohanji are unavailable? Will I keep sitting at home?
Arnav: noways! I dont want you to wait till next month! You can restart your dabbaa business from next week itself.
Khushi: But your office canteen hasnt been renova..
Arnav(interrupts): Aman will make sure that canteen renovation is completed by next week. And even if that doesnt happen,you're comin to office startin next week. It'll be better for both of us if you.. stay in front of me!
Khushi: Arnavji! You're worrying too much about me!
Arnav(makes a face): I dont care!
Khushi(switching off the light): Okay,now dont sulk like that! We'll save this discussion for some other time. You need to sleep now..
Arnav: No matter what you say,you're comin to office next week!
Khushi: Okay,okay. Lie down now! And yes,start counting from 2000 till 1!
Arnav(lying down): Okay.
Arnav could not sleep,even after completing the count.
Time & again his gaze returned to his bundle of joy,who was lying peacefully in his arms.
She jolted up like a spring when he planted a soft kiss on the top of her head.
Arnav(shocked): What the..!?
Khushi(equally shocked): You're awake?
She shifted so as to lie down next to him.
Arnav: You.. why didnt you sleep?
Khushi(propping herself on an elbow): Coz I havent finished counting.
Arnav(confused): Countin?
Khushi: Ya.. I.. (lowers her gaze)I was also.. counting backwards.
Arnav(lifts her chin): Really?
Khushi: Yes.. Last night,you fell asleep before I could finish counting. Then why arent you able to sleep tonight? And why didnt you tell me about it?
Arnav: Coz I thought you were sleepin'.
Khushi: Arnavji,you're too much! (runs a hand thru his hair)What are you worried about now?
Arnav: I wasnt worryin about anythin. I was jus' thinkin that.. I'll finish my packin in the mornin itself. Then I thought.. I'll make all the payments tomorrow. I dont wanna leave anythin for day after. Then I thought of.. bookin the taxi for goin to the airport..
Khushi: What tim does our flight depart?
Arnav: 9:55 pm..
Khushi(shocked): So late?
Arnav: Ya. When I cancelled the previous tickets & booked these at a short notice,I had to choose whichever flight was available. And only this flight had a few seats so..
Khushi: Ya,thats okay but.. we need to checkout from here at 11 am. So where will we spend the remaining part of the day?
Arnav: At the airport.
Khushi: And.. will we have our meals in the.. airport restaurant?
Arnav nodded while supressing a yawn.
Khushi: Look! Your body wants to sleep but you're not allowing it to do so! Come on,forget about everything else now. Try to sleep..
She runs a hand through his hair with patting his chest with the other hand.
Arnav smiles while picking her hand from his chest & kissing it.
Arnav: Goodnight!
Khushi(smiles): Goodnight! Now,close your eyes..
Arnav: Can I get a kiss first?
Khushi lowers herself on to him before he kisses her languidly.
Upon breaking the kiss,Khushi resumes patting his chest while running a hand through his hair.
Arnav falls asleep within no time.
Khushi(thinks): I'm glad I could make him sleep. Otherwise he wouldve continued to worry till morning! If he is unable to sleep properly tomorrow, he wont be able to get up on time day after! He wasnt able to sleep in the flight while we were coming here. So its very important for him to get adequate sleep tomorrow. I'll have to do something.. (decides)Let me call buaji tomorrow! I'll ask her to give me some desi nuskha(tip). Once Arnavji sleeps properly,I will also be able to sleep peacefully!
With the course of action decided, a reassured Khushi falls asleep.
=====================================================
*The next morning*
Khushi(holds her head): Hey Devi Maiyya! I'll take saridon today as well.
Arnav(getting up): So will I!
Khushi(climbs down the bed): But I'll have a nice,hot cup of ginger tea before that!
Arnav(stretches his arms): Sure! I'll have tea with you today.
Khushi(teasing smile): Let it be! Niether will your mind work nor will your body function properly until you have your favorite,black,bitter coffee!
Arnav(finger combing his hair): Thats not true!
Khushi's gaze went to the laptop while she was wearing her slippers.
Khushi(realizes): We started.. off.. last night without switching it off!
Arnav turns to the laptop & smirks.
Arnav: I know! We didnt think of it when we got up to freshen up later in the night!
Khushi: It must've lost its charge by now. (walks towards the coffee table)I'll keep this on charging first. Then I'll make the tea.
A thought struck her when she was about to switch off the laptop.
Khushi: Arnavji..
Arnav(climbing out of bed): No Arnavji! We'll use endearments today as well,okay?
Khushi: Ya,okay. I was saying that.. I forgot to ask you about your friend's e-mail. Hasnt he replied till now?
Arnav halts midway and replies without turning to her.
Arnav: Yes,he has..
Khushi(frowns): Then why didnt you tell me about it?
Arnav: It jus.. escaped my mind.
Khushi: Please open the e-mail. I want to read it like I read Vijayji's e-mail?
Arnav(turns to her): Let the laptop get charged for sometime!
Khushi: ya.. you're right.
Arnav: And anyways.. his e-mail has nothin special,Khushi.
Khushi: What do you mean?
Arnav: I mean umm.. He has just written that.. he also remembers those days,like I do.
Khushi(smiles): Really?! So,you were right! Vijayji,Swaathiji and this third friend are your genuine friends!
Arnav(nods): I'm goin to brush & shave now..
Khushi(gets up): Okay. BTW honey..
Arnav(turns around): Yes,sweetheart?
Khushi(approaching him): I've been reffering to him as your third friend since so long! Why dont you tell me his name?
Arnav: His name is Ranveer..
Khushi: Its a nice name! I'll.. go & make the tea.
She leaves for the kitchen,much to Arnav's relief.
Arnav(thinks): I'm glad Khushi accepted my excuse! Had she asked questions or insisted upon reading the e-mail,I would've been in a fix! Anyways, the matter is closed for now!
He climbs up the stairs to the first floor,pauses to see Khushi taking the bottle of milk out of the fridge.
Khushi: Need anything?
Arnav: No.
He then climbs the stairs to the second floor.
Khushi waits till she hears the sound of the bathroom door closing before going downstairs.
=======================================================
Upon switching on the laptop,Khushi waits anxiously for it to boot.
Khushi(thinks): There's something which Ar.. honey is trying to hide! First he didnt tell me that Ranveerji has replied,then he answered without turning towards me. Then he told me that there's nothing special in that email. If it wasnt special then why couldnt he let me read it? He didnt allow me to read the email which means there is something special about it! Or may be there's something which honey doesnt want me to know?
She mumbles to herself while connecting to the wifi internet.
Khushi: Huh! First you tell your wife that there should be no "barriers" between a husband & his wife. And then you hide things from her!
She smiles and pats the laptop.
Khushi: I must say,his ex(laptop) is very useful! And her memory is unbeatable! The moment I entered honey's e-mail id,she automatically told me his password! (pats it again)Wow! You're excellent!
She pauses to click on the inbox tab.
Khushi: Sometimes I feel like I keep cribbing about her for no reason! She's not that bad!
She stops mumbling in order to focus on the mails displayed by the screen.
Khushi: Oh ho! He's got so many new e-mails in 1 day! People know that he's not in the country,that he's on his honeymoon yet they keep sending mail after mail! (scrolling down)Now,where is Ranveerji's e-mail? (wonders aloud)I hope honey hasnt deleted it?
Arnav(answers from the door): No,I havent.
A shocked Khushi looks up to see Arnav standing near the door.
Khushi(gets up with a start): Y.. you?
Arnav(entering the bedroom): I should be askin you the same question. Yy.. you? Hh.. here? (approaching her)You were brewin ginger tea,werent you?
Khushi(lowers her gaze): Yy.. yes. I..
Arnav(interrupts): Then how did you land here?
Khushi musters up some courage when Arnav stops at a distance of a couple of steps from her.
Khushi: First you tell me,what are you doing here? You said you wanted to brush & shave,didnt you?
Arnav: Yes,I did. But the moment I reached the bathroom,I realized that you havent brushed your teeth either.
Khushi(realizes): Oh yes!I went into the kitchen without.. brushing my teeth.
Arnav: When I came to the kitchen with your brush,you were nowhere to be seen. Thats why I came downstairs.
He closes the distance between them taking 1 big step.
Arnav: And thats how I came to know that you're spyin on me!
Khushi(turning her gaze away from him): Ii.. if you hide.. things.. then I will.. have to.. turn into.. a .. spy na?
Arnav: What did I hide?
Khushi: Dont.. act as if.. you dont know any.. thing! You know.. very well that.. I'm talking about.. Ranveerji's email.
Arnav: The laptop's memory is very strong but yours is very weak!
Khushi(turns to him): What?!
Arnav: I told you a while back that he has written in his reply that he misses those days,like I do. Yet you forgot about it!
Khushi: I remember that!
Arnav: Then what are you doin here?
He continues without allowing her to answer his question.
Arnav: You wanted to read the e-mail to satisfy your curiosity. Am I right? *when she doesnt answer* Why? Dont you trust me?
Khushi(admits): No,I dont! Heard that? Now,will you allow me to read the e-mail?
Arnav: No,I wont!
Khushi: Why not? I want to know what is so secretive about it that you cant even share it with me?
Arnav: Its something which is between two friends. So I dont wanna share it!
Khushi: But..
Arnav: When you chat with Sarita,do I ask you to share your conversation with me? Have I ever asked you for the details of your endless conversations with Preeto?
Khushi: No. But I'm..
Arnav: I dont wanna share the details of that e-mail. But I can tell you that everything's fine between both of us. There's nothing which you should be worried about. Okay? So please leave it at that.
Khushi(disappointed): Fine.
She is about to leave the room when Arnav stops her.
Arnav: Dont touch my things without my permission,be it my suitcase or my laptop!
Khushi turns to him with tears in her eyes only to see his expressionless face.
She turns around,wipes her tears & speaks in an equally rude tone.
Khushi: Now listen carefully! Dont buy any saree or nightie or any other thing for me without telling me about it! Its not necessary that I would like everything which you like!
She leaves the room after saying that.
================================================
*Later that morning*
When Arnav finds the kitchen empty,he turns towards the dining room.
He sees Khushi sitting on one of the dining chairs,scribbling something in a writing pad while sniffing.
When he walks up to her,he's shocked to see the paper full of coils.
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi stops as soon as she hears his voice.
Arnav: Are you.. scribbling jalebis?
Khushi: Its my bad luck that I cant prepare jilebis when I need them! As it is its difficult to find desi sweet shops abroad! On top of that,we dont have the ingredients required to prepare it!
Arnav: Why? Refined flour and sugar are there in the kitc..
Khushi(interrupts): You cant prepare jilebis with only refined flour and sugar, Mr. Raizada! You need semolina,saffron, powdered cardamom, kewra essence,etc. From where will I get all this? So I thought of.. drawing jilebis on paper. I thought it would make me feel better.
Arnav: Raghu will..
Khushi(interrupts): Dont bother! (resumes scribbling)I'll make do with these! You go ahead with your packing.
Arnav turns around & is about to leave when he hears Khushi mumbling to herself.
Khushi(mumbles): We fought in the flight,we fought on the first day & now we're fighting on the last day as well! My luck is too bad!
Arnav(turns to her): We fought on the first day because of who's mistake?
Khushi stops scribbling and throws the pen on the floor.
Khushi(standing up): Because of my mistake! I remember that! Today also we're fighting because of my mistake! And whenever we fight in future,it'll be because of my mistakes! Are you satisfied now?
Arnav: Khushi,you're..
Khushi(interrupts): Please forgive me! Henceforth I wont touch any of your belongings,in fact I wont even.. touch you without your permission!
She walks away from him.
Arnav: Khushi,why are you over reactin?
Khushi: Coz that is how I am! Over react,filmy, you can say whatever you want to!
Arnav: Right! And you can say whatever you wanna say! Dont think that I will allow you to read his e-mail if you say all this.
Khushi(shocked): So you think I'm doing all this for reading the e-mail? You think I'm acting?
Arnav(avoids looking at her): I dunno all that! But even if you're acting its of no use,coz I'm not goin to relent!
Khushi(yells): Ya so dont relent! Do whatever you want to do!
Arnav(yells back): The same goes for you!
He marched to the bedroom while Khushi turned towards the kitchen.
==================================================
*An hour later*
An irritated Arnav slammed the laptop shut.
He had been trying to concentrate on the quotations mailed by Aman since a long time.
Everytime he tried to think,the image of Khushi scribbling on the writing pad popped in front of his eyes.
And he forgot all about the quotations.
He heard her voice as he rubbed his temple with his thumb & index finger.
"Niether will your mind work nor will your body function properly until you have your favorite,black,bitter coffee!"
Arnav(realizes): She's right. I'll be able to work only after havin my coffee & speakin to Raghu.
As he climbed the stairs,his nostrils were filled with the smell of spices tempering in oil.
He paused to sneeze before climbing the rest of the stairs.
When he entered the kitchen,he saw Khushi switching on the chimney.
He pretended to ignore her and walked towards the living room.
"Breakfast..",came her voice from behind him.
When he turned around,he saw her plating his breakfast.
He was quite surprised when she placed a mug of black coffee on the tray,beside the sandwich.
Khushi: Here you go..
Arnav stood where he was and stared at her.
Khushi: We should'nt ignore our health just because we've had a fight.
Arnav(nods): Thanks!
He took the tray from her hands but kept standing there.
Khushi spoke while chopping some boiled potatoes.
Khushi: Need something?
Arnav: Did you have anythin?
Khushi: No. I'm just.. preparing it.
Arnav nodded & left for the dining room.
Khushi fried pooris while preparing aaloo ki subzi simultaneously.
She could hear him as she took out the last poori from the hot oil.
Arnav: Ya,this is Arnav Singh Raizada.(pause)Mornin! Take the order: I need some saffron, some semolina and.. um.. Jus' hold on for a second..
He walked up to her & spoke quite loudly.
Arnav: Khushi,what else do you need to prepare jalebis?(continues immediately) Anyways,tell him whatever you need..
When Khushi glared at him,he replied with his gaze fixed on the cordless.
Arnav: Hurry up! Raghu's waiting..
Khushi did not want to yell at him in front of Raghu.
Niether could she end the call,coz she didnt want to be rude to Raghu.
She took the cordless from his hand rather reluctantly.
Khushi: Namaste Raghuji! (glaring at Arnav)He doesnt know anything! He simply said that he needs saffron & semolina! He didnt tell you how much semolina is needed for the jalebis!
Arnav quirked his eyebrows & sighed as he left the kitchen.
Khushi: Anyways,I'll tell you about it. I need 50 grams semolina. And that.. small bowl of curd which you'd sent that day? (pause)Yes,I need 1,similar bowl of curd. And..
She ended the call after listing the ingredients.
Then she placed the cordless on the dining table.
Khushi: Thanks for the concern!
She left before Arnav could reply.
======================================================
Khushi was about to have the first bite of poori aaloo when Arnav came into the kitchen.
"I'm goin for a bath",he said while placing the tray on the marble slab.
Khushi's hand halted midway as she recalled her words from the previous day.
"I will ask Amberji to come late tomorrow. Then.. we'll be able to bathe together,at ease!"
When she turned to him,she found him looking at her.
They gazed at each for a second or two before Khushi said "Okay".
He stood there for a few moments,looking at her as she began eating.
Arnav: My wallet is in the bedroom. If Raghu comes before I'm through,give him the money & ask him to keep the stuff in the kitchen.
That said, he turned on his heels and left.
Khushi(thinks): I'm glad that Amberji is coming later than her usual time. I'll cook lunch & clean the kitchen before she arrives.
(sighs)We were going to cook together,feed each other & then bathe together today! The whole program got spoiled!
When she tried to put a morsel in her mouth,her mind displayed an image of Arnav feeding her.
She ignored it & put the morsel in her mouth.
Her favorite, delicious, perfectly made aaloo poori suddenly seemed tasteless.
Khushi: I ont ee ae al oo ee a-o-n! (I wont be able to eat alone!)
She folded her hands & asked for forgiveness before placing her plate in the fridge.
============================================
The bell rang while Khushi was cleaning the stove.
Khushi(thinks): Hey Devi Maiyya! (clutches her chemise) Raghuji is here and.. I havent even changed yet.
She rushed downstairs and into the bedroom while the bell rang again.
Khushi(from the bedroom): Haan, aaye..! *yes,coming...!*
She wrapped her dupatta around her chest and bare shoulders before running towards the main door.
Khushi(opens the door): Aai.. (stops midway) You? a.. who are you?
Boy: I'm Marwin,a.. delivery boy. I have something for Mr & Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada.
Khushi: Yes,what is it?
She was most surprised when he handed her a big bouquet of red roses.
Khushi: Who has sent this?
Marwin: Wait a minute,ma'm..
Khushi was shocked when he handed her a bottle of champagne next.
Marwin: And.. there's something else..
He took out a square shaped box and a white envelope from his bag and gave those to Khushi,who struggled to hold them.
Khushi: Wait a minute..
She kept all the 4 things on the coffee table before returning to the door.
Marwin(reading from the receipt): These have been booked through an online order from Beijing,China.
Khushi(shocked): Cheen?! I mean.. China?! Please tell me,who has sent these?
Marwin(nods): The sender is.. Mr Ranveer Saini.
Khushi gave her trademark shocked expression which left the delivery boy quite puzzled.
Marwin: Any problem,ma'am?
Khushi: No..
She quickly signed the receipt and thanked him before closing the door.
Then she switched on the lights and sat down on the floor,next to the coffee table.
Khushi(thinks): Yeh guldastaa,champagne aur yeh dibba..
She was shell shocked to read the label of the box which said 'Montecristo #2 , Handmade Cigars'.
Khushi(thinks): Cigar?! Ranveerji hasnt sent a box full of cigars for Arnavji! It means.. apart from alcohol,he.. also smokes.. cigars?! (slams her forehead)Hey Devi Maiyya!
When she lowered her gaze,she saw the white envelope lying right beside the bottle of champagne.
Khushi(thinks): I dont know what will come out of this?
She tore one end of the envelope with unsteady fingers and took out the sheat of paper enclosed within it.
Then she read the words printed on the paper slowly,trying to make sense of everything.
The paper read:
Hey bro!

I'm sending you a bottle of your favorite champagne! And my favorite cigars! Hope they remind you of that wonderful evening @ Hemmingway!
Thanks for reminding me of our adventurous Hawaai trip! And our Harvard days! Its been a long time since we've met each other. Kabhi Beijing bhi aaya karo,yaar! Tum toh poori duniya me ghoomte rehte ho! *Come to Beijing some day! You keep roaming around the world!* Anyways,I guess we can catch up online sometime,if not personally. I'm usually free on Sundays. Do lemme know when you're free & we'll fix a 'meeting' accordingly! ;)

Take care. Enjoy whatever's left of your honeymoon!

Cheers,
Ranveer.

(P.S. The flowers are for my bhabhi. Tell her that I'd love to come to India but kambakht business aisa hai ki fursat nahi milti! *but my business is such that it doesnt allow me to do that!*)

Khushi folded the letter and placed it in the envelope before getting up from the floor.
=============================================
*Later that morning*
Khushi was as shocked to see Arnav in his nightrobe as Arnav was to see the bouquet on the kitchen table.
Khushi: You havent had your bath yet?
Arnav(simultaneously): From where has this bouquet arrived?
Khushi: From the same place from where your gifts have arrived! This is my gift,whereas your gifts are lying inside & above the fridge. (points to the fridge) Have a look..
Arnav inspected the bouquet closely but there was no tag on it.
Arnav: Who has sent all this?
Khushi: The letter lying on top of the fridge will tell you everything!
Arnav: Why cant you tell me bout it?
Khushi: Now.. what all shall I say while frying jilebis?
Arnav scowled as he walked towards the refrigerator.
Khushi glanced at him while switching off the stove.
His face displayed a range of expressions as he went through the letter.
She waited till he took the box of cigars in his hand.
Khushi(walking up to him): Why dont you open this & show me a cigar? I've only seen it in films,I've never seen one in reality!
Arnav: Its a cigar,not a filmstar! Why are you so excited to see it?
Khushi: Coz I've niether seen nor held a cigar till date! Show me,please..
Arnav(pushes the box towards her): See it yourself..
Khushi tore away the seal,opened the box and took out a cigar.
It felt quite heavy,contrary to what she had imagined.
Twisting it between her fingers,she peered closely at its round end as well as the tapered end.
Khushi: From which side is it burned?
Arnav,who had turned around by this time,turned to her when she said that.
Arnav: Burned!?
Khushi: Yes.. It needs to burnt before one can smoke it,just like a cigarette! Am I right?
Arnav: Ya but.. why do you wanna know all this?
Khushi: Coz I want to smoke it! Now I cant smoke it unless I burn it,can I?
Arnav: Are you out of your mind?!
Khushi: Absolutely not! My mental health is perfectly sound! I just want to smoke a cigar!
Arnav: Why?!
Khushi: Just like that! I just want to know how it feels to smoke a cigar.
Arnav: This is not a valid reason..
Khushi: This is the real reason. I promise,I wont smoke more than 1 cigar!
Arnav: You wont b able to smoke even 1,Khushi. Curiosity is a different thing but reality is something else. You might be pretty excited about the idea of smoking but you wont like it one bit if you actually smoke it!
Khushi: I will like it! And.. I will be able to smoke! And in case I'm unable to bear it,I'll hand it over to you. And then I wont insist upon smoking ever! Not that I'm insisting right now! I'm only expressing my wish of trying 1! Your friend has sent these with so much love! You will be smoking it as such,so I'll also smoke alongwith you! You just teach me how I should smoke it!
Arnav: I'm not doin that.
Khushi: Then I'll have to ask someone else. May be.. Amberji knows how to smoke? Or that.. uncle who owns the bakery?
Arnav: Are you..!? You'll go all the way till the bakery & ask the owner to teach you how to smoke!?
Khushi: If you wont tell me then i will have to ask someone na? I cant even use the laptop now or else I would've taken help from the internet! Anyways,let it be. Just tell me whether you're teaching me or not?
Arnav: So you wont budge? *when she shakes her head* Fine! I'm sure you wont be able to tolerate even 1 puff!
Khushi: We will see! I'll get the matchbox. Then you show me how its burnt..
Arnav: You cant burn it here coz smokin is not allowed in this penthouse.
Khushi: Oh oh! Then.. I'll just go & change,ya?
Arnav: No need! Come to the terrace,you can smoke o'er there
Khushi: Fine. You go ahead,I'll join you pretty soon.
===========================================
*At the terrace*
Arnav warned Khushi as he took the matchbox from her hand.
Arnav: Think once again,will you be able to handle the smoke?
Khushi: How can I say that unless I smoke it!? And.. if I'm unable to handle it,I wont smoke the whole cigar.
Arnav: You're not doin that anyways! Look here..
A mildly fragrant smoke filled the air as he lit the cigar.
Khushi(thinks): The fragrance is alright. Its not something which would induce nausea the moment it enters one's nostrils! (sighs)Had the maker utilised this fragrance to make dhoop or agarbatti(incense sticks) instead of cigar,it would've been so much better! It wouldnt have caused any harm to anyone!**
Arnav: What are you sayin to yourself?
Khushi: This.. fragrance is nice!
Arnav: Now watch what I'm doin with complete attention.
Khushi's heart skipped a beat as he took the cigar near his mouth.
How she wished to take the cigar,throw it on the floor & stomp it under slipper covered feet!
Arnav: Take a slight breath & then release the smoke outta your mouth,like this..
Khushi took a deep breath and tightly balled her fists as he took a puff.
Khushi: Its producing so much smoke in 1 puff!
Arnav: hmm..
He took it again near his mouth,drew a slight but firm breath and released yet another bout of smoke.
Khushi: Enough! I understood. Now,give it here..
Arnav: Keep 1 thing in mind: Dont take a very deep breath.
Khushi: Or what'll happen?
Arnav: You'll cough,what else?!
Khushi: Okay,I'll take care. Now give it to me!
Arnav: Careful..
Khushi took the cigar from him under his watchful eyes and brought it slowly towards her mouth.
Khushi(thinks): Hey Devi Maiyya,raksha karnaa!
She withdrew her lips as soon as she placed them on the mouth end of the cigar.
Arnav: What happened?
Khushi: Its a.. little hot..
Arnav: Its bound to be!
Khushi: Ya,thats.. right.
Arnav: You wont be able to manage. Gimme the cigar..
Khushi(takes a step away from him): No! I'll manage! See..
She took it to her mouth,drew slightly and blew out soon after.
Arnav: How was it?
Khushi(gulps): Ya.. its nice!
Arnav: Then why did you take it out so soon?
Khushi: It was my.. first puff,thats why.
Arnav nodded and gestured her to give the cigar.
Khushi: Not now!
Arnav: Khushi..
Khushi: I want to smoke some more of it!
Arnav: Fine. 1 more puff.
Khushi ignored him as she took the second puff.
Khushi(thinks): Nothing happened to me,Devi Maiyya! I had heard so many things! Upon having the first puff of cigarette/cigar,someone has a coughing fit,someone faints,someone feels sick. Then.. why didnt I get any such feeling?
Arnav: Whats goin on in your mind?
Khushi: I was just thinking that.. I'll be able to smoke the entire cigar!
Arnav: Seriously?
Khushi: Yup!
She took another puff and then yet another.
Yet nothing happened to her,apart from a slight,tingling sensation at the back of her palate.
Khushi(thinks): Now I'll have to take a deep breath!
She was about to draw a long,deep breath when Arnav took the cigar from her.
Arnav: What are you doin?
Khushi: W.. what? What did I do?
Arnav: You dont need to draw so heavily. Didnt I tell you not to take a deep breath?
Khushi: Oh! I'm sorry! I should've been careful about it.
Arnav: Now,let it be.
Khushi(takes the cigar from him): No! I'm not letting it be!
Arnav: Khushi, please..
Khushi: What is your problem? I'm smoking it quite well! Then why are you not letting me smoke in peace? If you're so eager to smoke,you can jolly well light another cigar for yourself!
Arnav: No,I'm not so eager as you!
Khushi: Then let me smoke in peace!
Arnav: Fine! Do whatever you wanna do!
He walks towards the garden chair & slumps down on it.
Khushi(thinks): This idea didnt work. Now I'll have to think of something else!
Arnav: What happened? Why arent you smokin?
Khushi: Coz the ash is falling down and the floor is getting dirty. It would've been better if I had something to collect the ash.
Arnav: You wont get an ashtray here. Lemme see if I can get some other thin'. Till then you're not smokin,okay?
Khushi: Why?
Arnav(glares): Coz I'm askin you not to! I know you're very eager to smoke the cigar but I think you can easily wait for 2 minutes!
Khushi: Fine,I'll wait. You get something quickly.
Arnav nodded & left for the kitchen.
Meanwhile Khushi turned to the cigar.
Khushi: I wish I could throw it so far away that Arnavji would not be able to find it,no matter how hard he tried! But that'll be of no use coz
Ranveerji has sent the whole box for him! If I throw 1 cigar,he will light another 1! He's not even allowing me to cough! Now I'll have to do something which would compel Arnavji to throw it out! Something which would prevent him from smoking aga..
She heard Arnav's footsteps before she could complete the sentence.
Khushi(shocked): He came back so soon?! What do I do now?
The sound of footsteps got louder as Arnav climbed the stairs towards the terrace.
Unable to think of anything else in sucha short span of time,Khushi took the burning end of the cigar and pressed it hard against her left palm.
An involuntary scream came out of her mouth,which alerted Arnav.
He ran towards her and turned her towards himself.
Arnav: Khushiii! (cups her cheek) Whats the matter?
Khushi(closing her left fist): Nothing! Just a..
Arnav: Dont lie to me! Your eyes are waterin and.. I heard your scream. Where's the cigar?
Khushi(holds it up): Here..
Arnav examined it for a moment before throwing it in the ceramic bowl which he had brought from the kitchen.
Arnav(leans closer): Tell me the truth,Khushi. What did you do?
With each passing second,Khushi became increasingly uncomfortable due to his piercing gaze.
Khushi(lowers her gaze): I.. did.. this.. by mistake..
She held up her left hand with the now unclosed fist.
Arnav winced when he saw the burn mark on her palm.
Arnav(yells): What the f..!? How could you do sucha mistake? And why werent you tellin me bout it?
Khushi: Coz.. you would worry about it..
Arnav: I'm bound to worry na? (yells)You've burnt your palm,dammit! And you're standin so calmly?! (shakes his head)Unbelievable! (bends slightly) Come with me!
He scooped her in his arms & raced down the stairs.
=========================================
Khushi tried her best to maintain her expressions as Arnav dressed her wound.
Khushi: Why.. are you so worried,Arnavji?
Arnav glares fiercely at her before answering.
Arnav: Is that even a question,Khushi? Cant you see the wound on your palm?
Khushi: Ya,I can see that. What I meant was.. why are you so worried about the wound on my palm?
Arnav: Yeah, right! I should be much more worried bout your brain,coz i dont think its workin properly!
Khushi: You should be worried about my lungs coz even they've got burnt.
Arnav frowned deeply when she said that.
Khushi: You're worried about the palm coz you're able to see the wound. Just because you cant see the lungs,you're not bothered about them!
She continued when Arnav kept mum.
Khushi: Your lungs mustve got burned everytime you smoked a cigar. But you mustve been too lost in its fragrance & smoke to think of all this!
Arnav(enraged): Oh,I see! So you deliberately burnt your palm,isnt it?
Khushi: I was forced to do so coz when it comes to me,you get panicky even if its a small cut!
Arnav: But this is not a small cut,Khushi! Have you any idea as to how long the wound will take to heal? Or how long the scar will remain on your palm?
Khushi: Yes,I have a fair idea about it! Thats why I've made this mark so that it would make you realize that cigar,cigarette,etc are very harmful for the body! The next time you hold a burning cigar in your hand,you'll be reminded of my wound!
Arnav closes his eyes,grits his teeth and mutters unbelievable.
Khushi: Just because you cant see the lungs nor can you feel the pain,you smoke the cigar at ease! Similarly you cant see the condition of your liver hence you keep filling it with alcohol! The day these two refuse to work will be the day you will realize your mistake!
Arnav: Khushi,its not as if I smoke a cigar everyday or drink daily.
Khushi: So what? If you smoke 1 cigar in a year,doesnt it harm your lungs? If it doesnt,then tell me about it. I'll call buaji and naniji right now & tell them that smoking 1 cigar in a year does not do any harm! So buaji,naniji,di everyone can smoke once a year! Jiji will also be able to smoke once your nephew/niece is born,isnt it?
She got up from the bed and went out of the room.
=========================================================
When Arnav found Khushi having jalebis in the kitchen,a thought crossed his mind.
Arnav: Tell me something,Khushi. Dont you cause any harm to your body by eatin all this.. jalebi,pakora & stuff like that?
Khushi: I admit,it does cause harm to my body. But that can be taken care of.
Arnav: How?
Khushi: By controlling the body weight! And if someone has diabetes,it can be taken care of by controlling the sugar level! Thats why I've never stopped you from having non-vegetarian food! I know very well that you will be able to get rid of all the fat that is accumulated in your body by jogging. But once smoke enters your lungs,Mr. Raizada,then its impossible to get rid of it! Understood?
Arnav(nods): Yes. And I also understood why you did all this. (approaches her)But Khushi.. (in a mild tone)Why did you have to hurt yourself so badly in order to teach me a lesson?
Khushi: I've already answered this question. Now,let me go. I have to prepare lunch.
Arnav: Are you..? How will you prepare lunch in this condition?
Khushi: Then who will prepare it? You've tied your hands(given up) ever since we fought this morning! Niether did you help me in preparing the breakfast,nor did you help me in cleaning the kitchen. The only work which you did was ordering the ingredients required to prepare jalebis. Do you know what's the time? Amberji will be here very soon. The bedroom has been in a mess since last night. I will take care of it. You sit & drink your champagne & smoke your cigar!
Arnav: Its not as if I've not done anythin! There was no water in the bathroom. I cleaned the Overhead tank.
Khushi(realizes): So.. thats why you couldnt have a bath?
Arnav nods while taking her hands in his.
Khushi: Leave my hand! I'm still miffed with you.
Arnav: I know! And I'm miffed with you as well!
Khushi(looks him in the eye): You are miffed with me?
Arnav: Oh yes! I just didnt like what you did today! So what if you did this for my benefit! I'd told you not to punish yourself many times in the past,you'd promised as well but you forgot bout everythin. I've tried my best to make you understand but you're jus not gettin it. So,I've decided that the next time you punish yourself for my fault,I swear (pauses)I'll punish myself much more severely! If you burn 1 of your palms,I'll burn both my..
He pauses abruptly before letting go of her hands.
Arnav: In fact,I can do that today itself!
He pretends to go when Khushi grabs his arm.
Khushi: Are you crazy?
Arnav: I know how to tackle your craziness by being equally crazy! You better remember that,Khushi Singh Raizada!
He holds her hands tenderly while looking into her eyes.
Arnav: Now,we'll talk of some important things..
Khushi: I've been talking of the important things since a while now!
Arnav: I'm talkin bout resolvin our fight! You wanna resolve it or not?
Khushi(nods): Yes,I do. You say whatever you want to say first then I'll come to my point.
Arnav: Fine. You felt hurt coz I said all that in the morning,didnt you?
Khushi(admits): I was very hurt! To be honest,I didnt really get what you were trying to say. You say that there's no you & me between us. Everything is ours! Your money is my money & your car is my car. So,that way,your laptop should be my laptop.
Arnav: Ya,it should be and it is.
Khushi: So do I need your permission everytime I want to use my laptop?
Arnav: Of course not! you can use the laptop whenever you want to!
Khushi: Do you remember what you told me this morning?
Arnav: Of course! I asked you not to touch my suitcase or laptop or any other thing without my permission!
Khushi: Hmm! And you're saying something totally different now!
Arnav: I'd said all that in rage,in the mornin. And you know why I was enraged?
Khushi: Ya..
Arnav: You may call it spyin or you may call it sneakin,its 1 & the same thing. And its totally wrong! Had you spied on anybody else,that person wouldve been as angry as I was. You shouldnt fiddle with anyone's stuff without askin or tellin them bout it.
Khushi: Firstly,I wasnt fiddling. Secondly,I'd told you that I want to read the e-mail. It was only when you refused that I had to take sucha step.
Arnav: Dont try to justify what you did,Khushi! When I refused,you shouldve accepted it. The matter wouldve got solved then n there!
Khushi: Had I done the same thing,you think you wouldve accepted it? (answers herself)You wouldve compelled me to reveal the truth,someway or the other!
Arnav: Right! I wouldve tried to get the truth outta you,but I wouldnt have searched your purse or suitcase. Right?
Khushi realizes the truth in his words.
Arnav: I'm not askin you to do everythin only after seekin my permission. Jus.. tell me bout it. Whether you tell me before or after,but tell me. Dont.. spy or do anythin behind my back,okay?
Khushi nods in response.
Arnav: And now lets come to what you told me. Actually you were right. Its not necessary that you would appreciate each of my surprises. You're free to reject the ones which you dont like! Things can be exchanged, its no big deal! And if you dont like my habbit of givin surprises..
Khushi(interrupts): No,thats not an issue.
Arnav: I guess you didnt like the new chemise?
Khushi: I liked the 1 which you showed yesterday. but..the 1 which you had hidden in your suitcase..
Arnav lets out a huge sigh.
Arnav: What were you searchin for in the suitcase?
Khushi: I wasnt searching for anything. I was hiding something..
Arnav(frowns): What was it?
Khushi: I had.. made something.. for you,which I was planning to give today..
Arnav: Really? *when she nods* So,you mean to say that.. I wont be gettin it anymore?
Khushi: I'll give it later. Right now I want to ask something..
Arnav: Go ahead..
Khushi: Did you actually feel like I was acting this morning or.. did you say that coz you were angry?
Arnav: I actually felt that..
Khushi(shocked): What!? Arnavji,you're..
Arnav(interrupts): Lemme finish! I thought that you chose to do some melodrama since I refused to show you the e-mail &.. I caught you while you were secretly lookin for it. Since you were so desparate to read,I thought..
Khushi: huh! You see,nobody can win against Devi Maiyya's wishes,not even the lard governer!
Arnav: What do you mean?
Khushi: By seeing Ranveerji's gifts,I can guess what he mustve written in that e-mail! Now I dont need to read it anymore!
She turns her face away from him.
Arnav: We're here to resolve our fight,arent we?
Khushi: Yeah,so?
Arnav: So look at me!
When he turned to face him by holding her chin,he saw a mixture of disappointment,sadness and anger in her eyes.
Arnav(cups her cheek): I'm sorry!
Khushi: Tell me something, Arnavji: You tell me that husband & wife shouldnt hide anything from each other. There should be no barriers between us. Then you hide the e-mail from me. When I ask you about it,you dont answer properly. Why?
Arnav: First you tell me-have any of your conversations with Sarita ever been a barrier between us?
Khushi: No.
Arnav: Then why would my conversation with Ranveer be a barrier between us?
Khushi does not answer his question directly.
Khushi(fiddling with her bandage): I get scolded when I hide things. But when you hide things,then also I get scolded! Wow! Thats a nice rule!
Arnav: I'm ready if you want to scold me..
Khushi looks at him with a cross expression.
Arnav: No,I mean it. Anyways,Ive heard whatever you said patiently. Havent I?
Khushi: hmm.
Arnav: Any other issue?
Khushi: Yes..
Arnav: I knew it! You can ask whatever you want to ask with regards to the cigar.
Khushi: When did you smoke your first cigar?
Arnav: Right here,in Paris! That too with Ranveer!
Khushi: I thought so!
Arnav: He was here for some meeting while I was here for the fashion week. Co-incidentally,our meetings were at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. We met in the lobby & decided to meet again the next day. When we met in the Hemmingway bar the next evenin,Ranveer introduced me to cigars. I tried 1 on his insistence. I sort of.. liked it so..
Khushi(interrupts): So you smoked it! *when he nods*And you mustve drank champagne as well?
Arnav: Yes. I smoked 2 cigars,had some champagne.. Then I had dinner with him,chatted with him for a long time & we remembered our college days. It was a lovely evenin!
Khushi: Have you ever smoke a cigar after that evening n before this morning?
Arnav: Yes,I have..
Khushi(thinks): Hey Devi Maiyya!
Arnav: I smoked some when I went to Madrid in Spain. I met Mr. Wilson durin the Milan fashion week. He was a chain cigar smoker. So.. I smoked with him..
Khushi(thinks): Oh no! First it was Ranveerji & then Wilsonji was responsible for his cigar addiction!
Arnav: I'd smoked some while I was in L.A. last year. When I'd been to Dubai,I'd smoked a shisha or two in the after party with my associates and dealers.
Khushi(confused): Shisha.. whats that?
Arnav: Hookkah..
Khushi(shocked): Hoo.. hook.. kaah!?
Arnav(nods): Ya.. Its been a long time since I'd smoked it but.. I'm tellin you bout it since you wanted to know..
Khushi: Have you ever had any other thing apart from Cigar and alcohol? Like a.. Cigarette?
Arnav(makes a face): I tried 1 when I was in college but I didnt like it.
Khushi(sighs): By Devi Maiyya's grace! what else have you tried? Drugs?..
Arnav: Noways!
Khushi(relieved): Thank you so much,Devi Maiyya!
Arnav(smiles): I'm not a drug addict,Khushi! (pats her back) So,just relax!
Khushi: Yes,I know that. But even you have these once or twice in a year,its bad for you. You may not realize that,Arnavji. You might be thinking that I'm after your life but..
Arnav(interrupts): No,I dont think that way. And I get your point. You only want me to be healthy,you're concerned so.. thats why you're sayin all this.
Khushi: umm hmm! Its not just about you. Its also about me,our family,our kids..
Arnav(interrupts): Excuse me? (shocked)Our kids?!
Khushi: Whenever they would be born!
Arnav(sighs): Oh..!
Khushi: All this gives a wrong impression to kids.
Arnav: I know! But.. (points to her left palm) All such incidents also create a wrong impression on the kid's mind.
Khushi: I know..
Arnav: Kids are the biggest copycats! They see all this & pick it up really fast.
Khushi: You're right. I wont do anythin like this in future. I.. wouldnt have done it today either. I couldnt think of anything else in sucha short span of time so.. I had to resort to this!
Arnav: Thats okay but.. what'll you tell everyone at home? Everyone will ask several questions after seein the bandage n the wound scar.
Khushi: I'll say that I got burned due to the hot wok. And.. I'll keep tying the bandage until the scar becomes light.
Arnav(holding her left hand): That'll take a lot of time,Khushi. (clicks his tongue)You took the wrong step in a hurry!
Whats worse is.. (gulps)you had to resort to this bcoz of me! (looks away)And that thought is killin me!
He kicks the kitchen cabinet in frustration.
Khushi: Areh!? You'll get hurt..
Arnav: What about you gettin hurt? (yells)Couldnt you pretend? You couldve pretended to hurt yourself n explained everythin to me. Why did you actually have to burn your palm? What if you lost control of the cigar? It couldve landed on your foot!
Khushi: Hum keh rahe hain na ki humein kuch aur soojha nahi toh..
When Arnav does not say anything,Khushi cups his cheek.
Khushi: Sorry! Please forgive me!
Arnav: I'm warnin you- Next time you do sucha stunt,I'll burn my whole bod..
Khushi(hugs him): Please Arnavji! Dont say such things! The thought itself shatters me..
Arnav: Can you imagine what I am goin thru right now? First you burn your palm n then you hide it from me!
Khushi: Yes,I can imagine coz I felt the same way when I saw you smoking the cigar. Thats why I didnt allow you to puff more than twice.
(breaks the hug)I felt like crushing the cigar! I cant tell you how angry I was! I barely managed to control myself! Time & again I felt like throwing it on the floor & grinding it under my feet! And ma..
She stops upon seeing Arnav's smiling face.
Khushi: You were so angry a moment ago. Now youre smiling?
Arnav(straight face): A smile crept on my face while I heard your description.
Khushi: so,what now?
Arnav: You tell me. Any other complain?
Khushi: None. What about you?
Arnav shakes his head.
Khushi: So are you still miffed with me or have we resolved the fight?
Arnav: I'm still miffed with myself.
Khushi: Why?
Arnav(regrets): I shouldnt have left you alone with the cigar. Had I not gone downstairs,you wouldnt have burnt yourself.
Khushi: Whats your fault? You never knew I was going to do this.
Arnav: Whatever! Now my resolve is even more stronger. You're comin to office next week & that's final!
Khushi: Fine,I'll join next week.
He takes her left hand in his & kisses the bandaged part.
Arnav: Now,come here..
He pulls her into his arms & Khushi readily hugs him.
Khushi: Listen..
Arnav: Ya,tell me?
Khushi: What about the half burnt cigar which is lying on the terrace?
Arnav: It mustve turned into ash by now.
Khushi: And.. what about that box full of cigars?
Arnav: I'll give that to the watchman. And I'll give the champagne to Amber. I'll mail Ranveer & say thanks. But I'll also tell him that I've quit smokin & drinkin!
Khushi is relieved to hear that.
Khushi: And listen..
Arnav: Yes?
Khushi: Who will tell Ranveerji about the harmful effects of all these things?
Arnav(breaks the hug): He knows all this, Khushi! And if he's unable to understand certain things,his wife will make sure he understands everything! That is once he gets married! for now,can we talk bout my wife?
Khushi: What is it?
Arnav: Did you have breakfast?
Khushi: a.. little bit..
Arnav(hand on her tummy): Thats why your tummy is makin noises!
Khushi(looks at her tummy): Really?
Arnav: Obviously! Whenever someone is damn hungry,the tummy makes such noises. Now tell me,wheres the food?
Khushi: in the fridge..
Arnav: Fine,I'll get it for you. But before that,I wanted to.. say somethin..
Khushi: Sure!
Arnav: You'll give rest to your hand! And you're not doin any work! Which is very difficult coz you cant sit in 1 place for long! You have to do or say somethin or the other ,all the time!
Khushi smacks his shoulder with her right hand.
Khushi: I'll do some work but I'll also take care of my hand.
Arnav: Nope! I'll do the work. You can help me,okay?
Khushi: umm.. okay.
Arnav: And the second thing is.. (leans closer)that I havent kissed you since this mornin. So..
Khushi: You thought of it pretty soon!
Arnav: Its better to be late than never!
Khushi: Wow! the lard governer is saying a kahaawat(saying) today! Incredible!
Arnav: No lard governer!(pecks her lips) Back to using endearments,okay baby?
Khushi: Okay honey! And.. what about the rest of the things?
Arnav: We'll go as per the plan,with slight changes. (reassuring smile)Dont worry! We'll make the most of whatever's left of this day!
Khushi nodded as he pressed his mouth to hers.
==============================================
Precap:
Arnav sat on the stool in front of the piano with Khushi on his lap.
Khushi(turns to him): Do you know how to play this?
Arnav: Nope! What bout you?
Khushi: Niether do I. (clicks her tongue) All this happens with me only!
Arnav: All this means.. what?
Khushi: I mean there's a pool in shantivan but I dont know how to swim! There's a piano over here but I dont know how to play it!
Arnav: As far as swimming is concerned,I'll teach you how to swim!
Khushi: Alright! I'll teach you how to play the piano!
Arnav(frowns): How will you teach me when you dont know how to play this yourself?
Khushi: I'll learn how to play it after going home. So I'll play this for you on our next trip to Paris!
Arnav brings her head closer and pecks her lips.
Khushi(sighs): When will we come here again,honey?
Arnav(shrugs): I dunno,baby.. I cant say anythin as of now..

** Views of the character,not the author.

A/N: I know! This was not the kind of chapter one would choose for a comeback. But the timing was such that I couldnt help it! Many of you might not have liked the chapter. So I promise I'll make amends with the next one, which will be long & romantic!

Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Next update on Thursday,18th September.

After so long. I missed it. Gonna read it now. BTW welcome back

aiyya
these two what to do
but to be fair this is part and parcel of married life
at least i think it is
hubby wife do have such silly fights
which dont seem so silly to them
waise he keeps telling khushi about her worrying about money and to change that
but what about him and his anger
when is that gonna be controlled
one of these he may say something which he should never say
but i know that wont happen
after all this is light hearted stuff
this was perfect comeback
this is what arhi are all about
not their never ending romance only
but their tiffs and then the making up of same
well they learn dont they from these tiffs
she burned her hand on purpose
wow what a way to make him understand
no wonder he was mad at her
i toh just hate peeps who smoke cant stand it
makes me feel am smoking too weird right
anyway forget that
wow scary dream arnav
hope that doesnt come to be though

nice update.

This was a amazing chapter
loved it
continue soon