That's it I got a job .
Khushi : Uncle. I will sign the project on a good day .
Rakesh : Thank you so much beta . We were waiting for your yes since years . The castings and all are ready . I'll call the producer and inform her about this . It will take a month or so to finalise everything and get the project on sets . Is it okay with you ?
Khushi : Yeah uncle . I'm okay with it . All I need is this job .
Rakesh : Okay beta . Thank you . Our dream project will be on sets soon . Bye .
Khushi : Bye uncle .
I cut the call . I accepted this offer . I stood up and took baby steps towards the mirror .
Khushi : Actor and me ?
I looked at myself . Am I beautiful enough to be a television actress ?
I sat on the stool in front of the mirror and drowned into memories .
In jiju's and jiji's sangeet , I danced on numerous songs . Rakesh uncle being a production manager loved my performances and offered me a role in an upcoming project . I simply denied it . For me studies were everything then.
Now after 5 years , I myself accepted the offer .
I have to tell this to Amma and bua ji ! How can I take such a big decision without their permission ?
I opened the door and saw bua ji and Amma .
Khushi : Amma , bua ji .. I accepted that project which Rakesh uncle offered me earlier .
Bua ji : We heard all that Khushi .
Amma : And we have no problem with it . We left it on you earlier and now also it is your decision . I already told you that you have chances of getting involved in media when you were small . See horoscope is never wrong !
I smiled . I went and hugged her .
Khushi : Haan Amma .
I then hugged bua ji too .
Khushi : And we will not tell this to anyone now except jiji and jiju . After their anniversary I will inform everyone .
Bua ji : But Khushi when will you marry if you become an actress ?
Khushi : Offo bua ji !! It is not Bollywood ! It is Television industry , there it doesn't matter if you are married or not . All that is needed is acting skills .
Amma : Yes you are Right .
Just then my mobile ringed .
Khushi : Hello jiji ! What preparations already started ! You didn't even inform me ? Okay I'm coming there .
I started to RM .
******
I was welcomed with great love and affection by the entire family .
Payal : We will be leaving the day after our anniversary . We have a lot of work pending . And I can't take leave for so long .
Khushi : Yeah .. Tum toh IAS ho !
She just smiled . She never behaves as an IAS . She acts as if she is a normal woman with a sweet and happy family . And that is why I respect my sister a lot .
Khushi : Okay jiji . Now you and jiju take some rest we are going to plan everything .
I sent the couple to their room .
Bhabhi and me sat together and jotted down all the programmes we want to put up on the special occasion .
Anjali : I hope NK comes fast . You know what ? Everyone go crazy for your pair . You both are just awesome together . Remember how much we all insisted you both to dance again .
Khushi : What Nanhe ji is coming here ?
Anjali : Yeah he will be here in any time .
The door bell rang . I ran towards the door and HP ji opened it .
I stood still . I saw Nanhe ji after 2 long years . We always are in touch on phone .
Arnav was standing beside him . Nanhe ji had a cute smile on his face . And I had a broad one .
Khushi : Nanhe ji !
I said a loud . He took small steps towards me .,
NK : Oh My God ! My princess is very beautiful! How are you strawberry ?
He calls me strawberry because I used to wear all pink clothes . Or clothes which had strawberries printed on them .
Khushi : Wonderful ! And how are you chocolate ?
And I also call him chocolate as he wears brown every time in some or the other way .
NK : Amazing . Long time isn't it ?
Khushi : Yeah and now you will leave me again and go back to Sydney .
NK : Not this time Berry , I staying here . Forever .
Khushi : What ? Aren't you kidding me ?
NK : No .
I laughed . Then I saw a raging figure standing at the door step and glaring us spilling out fires . Jealousy Raizada .
Let him go to hell . I don't care .
Bhabhi came there and hugged Nanhe ji .
NK : How are you ?
Anjali : Fine .
Khushi : Come on Nanhe ji , Bhabhi and me are planning everything related to the programme .
We sat on the sofa . I sat beside Nanhe ji . And Bhabhi sat opposite to us .
Arnav came and sat on the other sofa exactly opposite to me . He is staring angrily .
NK : Oh wow ! So we are going to dance agin together ! That is just awesome . I'm excited .
Khushi : Me too !
Arnav : So , bhai will be dancing with my girl .
I straightened up . Did he say that in front of everyone ?
NK : What ?
Arnav : I love Khushi .
NK : You love Khushi ?
Arnav : Yes . She was the one whom I loved since my childhood .
NK : So you are that girl Khushi ! Who changed this guy so much !
Khushi : Offo leave it na Chocolate ! Let us talk about our dance .
NK : Okay .
Bhabhi took up the initiative to invite all the guests . Bhayya and Arnav will be looking after the event managing and we will help them . Nanhe ji and I will take care of the programmes and such related fields .
We have only five days left and we have to do so much .
We have to do shopping also .
A caterer came up and he gave the menu card .
Caterer : We have talented chefs with us . And since this is Akash sir's wedding anniversary we will give our best . All you need to do is select dishes .
Khushi : Thank you . We will do it now itself . What do you say Bhabhi ?
Anjali : Yes Khush . We will have the dishes which Akash and Payu like .
Me and Bhabhi ticked all those dishes which jiju and jiji like . We also added a few because not everyone will prefer eating what they like .
Khushi : We will have stalls like Chinese , Indian and Italian . So it becomes easy for guests to access their favourite cuisine !
Anjali : And we must have a wedding cake .
Khushi, NK , Manik and Aisha : Chocolate cake !!
We all shouted aloud at once . Nanhe ji and I bursted out laughing .
Arnav is glaring as if he is going to eat us alive .
Khushi : Ji we want the cake to be ' The Best ' . And possibly a tier cake .
He nodded and left .
The event managers too arrived and they were taking all the information they needed .
I was helping Bhabhi for the lunch preparation .
Uff . Then this fact struck me that I didn't even meet Aunty !
Khushi : Bhabhi , I will go and meet Aunty . I was so involved in all this that I totally forgot about her .
I took Nanhe ji along with me . Even he didn't meet her so we both thought of to meet her together .
Aunty was looking at a box and a letter .
Khushi : Aunty ..
I knocked the door . She saw us and a broad smile occupied her face .
Sudha : Arrey NK tum kab aaye ? Mile bhi nahi humse . [ Arrey NK when did you come ? You didn't even meet me ! ]
We both entered and kneeled down I front of her . Nanhe ji touched her foot taking blessings from her .
Sudha : You both have to stay like this forever ! How good you both look together !
I skipped a heartbeat . Arnav is here . May be at the door step .
Arnav : Of course mom ! They will look good together .
Sudha : Chottey !
We all got up . He gave a serious look to his mother and went away .
NK : What happened to him ?
Sudha : Leave it NK .
We both got down . We didn't speak anything . I sat on the sofa .
NK : Strawberry , you love him ?
Khushi : I don't know Chocolate . I don't have such strong feelings he has for me . But that doesn't mean , I don't like him . But he always presents himself in a wrong way in front of me . He hurts me , my feelings .. I sometimes feel that the Arnav I liked so much is dead .
NK : Khushi , when I first saw Arnav , I understood that he madly wants something in his life . At that time I didn't know that it was you . I know how much he wants you . And I know it is hard for you to accept his worst side .
Khushi : Nanhe ji ..
NK : First tell me what all happened between you both .
I narrated him the whole story .
NK : Hmm .. A complicated love story , I must tell . All in all , do you love him .
Khushi : I don't know .. I do feel something for him .. But it is not as strong as Arnav feels for me .
NK : Strawberry , I have an idea . Why don't you act all lovey do ey with him . We will get to know his other side .
Just then Arnav came in his ASR attire . Walking with his office bag held in his hand . He stopped seeing us .
Rolling his eyes he marched to the door . He stopped and looked back . I was also looking at him. He is extremely jealous . Anyone can say that looking at him .
*********NIGHT
Nanhe ji and I were practising the whole day and helping Bhabhi in the breaks .
Arnav came early today . He changed and joined me in playing with Aisha and Manik . I didn't bother to look at him . You know just to pull his leg . I'm actually having fun seeing him so desperate to strike a conversation with me !
Arnav : Umm .. Khushi , stop all this talk to me . Please . At least look at me .
He whispered .
Khushi : Manik , it's your turn now . Here you go roll the dice .
I passed the dice to Manik .
Arnav : Khushi please , I never begged anyone like this .
He whispered again .
Manik : Yes maami , Maamu never begged anyone in his life !
He started giggling . Aisha was looking at us confused .
Khushi : Manik I will be back in a moment .
I stood up and walked out . And Arnav followed me .
Arnav : Khushi , look at me . Don't get on my nerves .
Khushi : I'm angry on you . I'm not going to look at you . And I'm not going to talk to you .
Arnav : Which you can never do .
I remained quiet .
Arnav : Okay , so what shall I do to convince you ?
Khushi : Dance .
Arnav : What ?
Khushi : Dance in front of everyone in the function . If it is appreciated by all the guests , then I will think of looking at you or talk to you .
_______________
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
330