Jaldi aaiyye Arnavji! Thread Six - Page 61

Lovely update dear :)

Thanks for the PM

beautiful one di

Celebration was awsom..the way arshi being pampered was cuutee..still i mis a little arshiness..no??waiting for next..

Awesome chapter...thanks for the PM

Cute update

A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting this part! Was way too busy during the weekend. Have written sucha long part after a really long time. Hope you'll like it!

Thanks for the likes & comments! Over to..

Part 115

*The next morning*
Arnav met Anjali near the foot of the stairs.
Arnav: Good mornin' di!
Anjali(smiles): Good morning Chhotey! a.. Khushiji..?
Arnav: She's fine. Ab tak so rahi hai toh.. maine decide kiya ki joggin kar loon phir.. usse jagaa dunga.
Anjali: Tumne theek hi socha. Unhe aaraam karne do..
Arnav: Achchhha hua aap mujhe yaheen mil gayi. Mujhe aapse kuch baat karni thi. Main aur..
Anjali(interrupts): Humein bhi tumse baat karni thi,Chhotey. Aur nani ko bhi.. Par nani toh nahaane gayi hui hain. Toh hum.. breakfast karte waqt baat kar lein?
Arnav: Main woh hi bataana chahta tha ki main aur Khushi aaplogon k saath breakfast nahi karenge. In fact,hum lunch aur dinner bhi nahi karenge.
Anjali(surprised): Achchha? Toh a.. tum jogging kar aao phir hum baat kar lenge.
At that moment,nani called Anjali to her room.
Anjali(loudly): Aaye nani...!
Arnav: Di,main bhi aapk saath chaltaa hoon.
Anjali: Theek hai. Toh hum nani k kamre me hi baat kar lenge.
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Nani: Pahle aap bataiyye,Chhotey..
Arnav: Nani,maine bahut waqt pehle Khushi se kaha tha ki main usse Chandni Chowk lekar jaunga. Lekin ab tak main aisaa nahi kar paaya.
Nani(nods): Jaanat hain.. Pichchhli baar hum ahi aapko huaan jaane se roke rahe,kaahe se tab hiyaan bahutai zyaada garmi rahi. Aur aap dunno tabahu Kashmir se aaye rahe.
Arnav: I remember that. Aaj Sunday hai aur mujhe office nahi jaana hai toh maine socha ki main aaj hi usse wahaan lekar jaaunga.
Nani: Le jaiyye. Bitiya kal se bahutai udaas rahi. (smiles)Huaan k baajaar maa jai k bitiya khush hui jaayengi!
Arnav(nods): Humlog nashta aur dopeher ka khana waheen khaayenge.. aisaa Khushi keh rahi thi.
Nani: Bitiya ko jaun bhi khana hau oo ko khaane dijiyega par aap parhez kariyega.
Arnav: Of course,nani! Mujhse,waise bhi,bahut oily aur spicy khaana nahi khaaya jaayega.
Mami: Bhy phear bhen Manorama ij here!
Nani's expression changed the moment she saw mami outside the door.
Anjali held nani's hand and whispered: Mami ko aane dijiye,nani.
Nani(whispers): Manorama ko aap bulaaye rahi,bitiya?
Anjali shook her head slightly.
Nani(enraged): Matbal..(whispers) hamesha ki tarah ee aaj bhi chhupkar humri batiyaan sunat rahi! Bin bulaaye har jagah pahuch jaane ki aadaat kabhi naahi badlengi!
Mami(enters the room): Saary phar dee intermissan,sasumaa! Humka Om Parkaas bataaye raha ki Anjali bitiya hiyaan hai tau hum hiyaan aaye gaye.
Nani: Jaun aisa hai taun bitiya,aap aapan mami k saath oo k kamraa ma jai k batiyaa lijiye.
Mami: Naahi,naahi sasumaa! Bitiya ko seedhiyaan chadhaai k kaahe paresaan karnaa chaahat hain aap? Hum tau hiyaan hi batiya lenge! a.. Arnav bitwa,tum Chandni chowk jaaye se pahile humre paas se oo isspecial goliyaan lai lena jaun hum tumko tab diye rahe jab tum pahili baar Pha.. (corrects herself) Khusi bitiya k saath oo k.. maayike gaye rahe. Phir dekhiyo,tumhra isstomachwa bilkul control ma rahega!
Arnav: Sure mami! Aaj toh mujhe uss medicine ki zaroorat padhne hi wali hai!
Mami smiles as she sits down next to Arnav on one of the wooden chairs.
Arnav: Aur nani,main aapko yeh bhi bataana chahta tha ki next weekend par main Khushi ko Lucknow lekar jaa raha hoon..
Anjali(shocked): Iss ka matlab Khushiji k birthday par.. aap dono yahaan nahi honge?
Arnav: Nahi di. Khushi ka birthday hum aane k baad ya phir.. jaane se pehle hi aap sab k saath celebrate kar lenge.
Anjali nods.
Arnav: Khushi ko Lucknow gaye huye bahut time ho gaya hai. Toh maine socha ki.. apne birthday par woh apne pehle wale ghar me rahegi aur.. apne friends aur neighbours se milegi toh usse achchha lagega!
Nani(nods): Theek hai,Chhotey. Aap kitne dinan ki khaatir jaaye rahe hain?
Arnav: 3-4 dinon me waapis aa jaayenge,nani.
Mami: Hello hi bye bye! Ee tau too much hui raha hai,Arnav bitwa!
Arnav(confused): Kya mami?
Mami: Ee hai! Jab dekhau tab honeymoon! Aur honeymoon naahi tau outing! Aaj hiyaan tau kal huaan!
Nani: Aapko ee se kaa aapatti hai,Manorama? Kaa aap bhi Chhotey aur Khushi bitiya k saath kabaab ma haddi bankar Lucknow jaana chahe rahi hain?
Mami: Nebher,sasumaa! Hum tau ee kahe rahe the ki..
Nani: Kaa?
Mami: Nebher mind! Anjali bitiya,jaun tumhra discasan complete hui jaay taun humri khaatir pudinewali chaay banaaye dena. Aaj humra aur.. tumhre mamaji ka bahutai man kar raha hai ki hum tumhre haath ki isspecial pudine wali chaay peeyein!
Anjali: Zaroor mamiji! Hum Om Prakashji k haathon aapk kamre me chay bhijvaa denge.
Mamiji thanks Anjali before birdwalking out of the room.
Arnav: Ab aap bataiyye,nani..
Nani: Pahle aap bataiyye,Anjali bitiya.(holds her head)Ee Manorama ki wajah se humra paaraa chadh gawaa!
Anjali(arm around her shoulder): Aap gussa mat hoiyye,nani! Hum aapk liye bhi pudine aur adrak wali chay banaa denge. Usse peete hi aapka mood theek ho jaayega! (turns to Arnav)Aur Chhotey,hum toh bas.. Khushiji ki birthday party ko lekar hi.. baat karnaa chahte the. Par ab tum unhe Lucknow le jaa rahe ho,toh koi baat nahi! Wahaan jaane se unka birthday aur bhi khaas ho jaayega! Aur jab tumlog waapis aaoge toh hum..
Arnav(interrupts): Di,please,dobara koi party mat rakhiyega!
Anjali: Humari poori baat toh sun lo! Hum unki aarti utaar kar, unse cake katvaakar unhe gifts de denge! Aur kuch nahi karenge!
Nani: Aur hum Gupta parivaar ko bhi hiyaan hi aamantrit(invite) kar denge. Aur bitiya ki khaatir puri,aaloo aur halwaa banaa denge! Aur..
Arnav(interrupts): Nani! (smiles) Ab tak maine utne plans nahi banaaye hain jitne ki aaplog banaa rahe hain!
Nani: Tau banaaiyye,Chhotey! Bitiya tau aapk janamdin k dui hafte pahle se hi saari taiyyaariyaan shuru kar det hain!
Anjali: Chhotey tum.. Lucknow jaa hi rahe ho toh..
Arnav(interrupts): No di! Main sirf aur sirf Khushi k ghar jaa raha hoon! Aur kaheen nahi!
Anjali(holds his arm): Theek hai.. Hum samajhte hain.
Arnav: Ab toh bataiyye,nani,ki aap kal kya kehnewali thi?And.. I'm sorry! Mujhe der ho rahi thi isiliye main aapki baat sune bina hi chalaa gayaa!
Nani(smiles): Kauno baat naahi! Kal jaun aapne kaha ki Khushi bitiya bhi aapk saath office jaaye rahi hain,taun humein lagaa ki oo phir se office jana shuru kar rahi hain..
Arnav: Haan nani. Woh kal se mere saath office jaayegi aur apnaa dabba business phir se shuru karegi.
Anjali: Tumhare office ki canteen ka renovation ho gayaa?
Arnav: Nahi di,jaari hai..
Anjali: Toh.. bina canteen k dabba service..?
Arnav(interrupts): Humne temporarily canteen ko store room me shift kiya hai. Jaise hi renovation poora ho jaayega,waise hi Khushi canteen me shift ho jaayegi. Tab tak woh store room se hi apni dabba service chalaayegi.
Nani: Humre hisaab se bitiya ko ee bakhat office naahi jaana chaahiye.
Arnav(frowns): Kyun nahi?
Nani: Humka galat mat samajhiyega,Chhotey. Par baat ee hai ki.. Lavanya bitiya bahutai dinan se Khushi bitiya k lautne ka intezaar karat rahi. Oo ki shaadi ki saari kharidaari baaki hai. Bitiya aur Nanhe bitwa 20 taareekh ko waapis laut jaai hai. Tau hum.. bas ee hai kahe rahe the ki 20 taarekh tak aap bitiya ko ghar par hi rahne dijiye.
Arnav: Par nani shopping toh shaam ko bhi ho sakti hai na? Office se lautne k baad?
Nani: Naahi Chhotey. Har cheez ki kharidaari shaam ko naahi ho paayegi. Aur phir,bitiya ki aur bhi zimmedaariyaan hain..
Arnav: Matlab?
Nani: Jaun aur aap aur bitiya Paris maa rahe taun humre padosi,Bhatena parivaar k huaan shaadi rahi. Oo k huaan nayi bahuriya aayi hai. Aur humri bahuriya,Khushi bitiya naa toh shaadi ma,na moonh dikhaayi ma na hi kauno aur prasang ma bhaag le paayi. Mrs. Bhatena aapan bahuriya se Khushi bitiya ko milvaana chaahat hain. Oo humka kab se khaane par bulaaye rahi thi aur hum taale jaa rahe the,kaahe se ki aaplogan ne aapan waapsi taal di. Par ab tau bitiya waapis aa gayi hain. Ab bhi jaun hum oo ko lekar naahi gaye taun Mrs. Bhatena bura maan jai hain. Oo humri sabse puraani padosin hain. Humri bahutai achchhi saheli bhi hain. Aur aapki,Aakash bitwa ki aur.. Anjali bitiya ki shaadi ki har rasam ma oo shareeq hui hain.
Arnav: I get the point,nani. Par shopping aur lunch party me kitne din lagenge? Lucknow jaane se pehle yeh sab ho jaayega toh wahaan se waapis aane k baad..
Nani(interrupts): Naahi! Jab tak Lavanya bitiya aur Nanhe bitwa hiyaan rahenge tab tak Khushi bitiya office naahi jaayengi!
She continues,not allowing Arnav to speak one word.
Nani: Oo ka har bakhat aapk saath hona mumkin naahi hai,Chhotey! Ghar,parivaar aur samaaj k prati bhi oo ki kauno jimmedaari hai. Aur hum ee bhi chahte hain ki office jaane se pahile bitiya dui din aapan maayike hui aayein. Jaun oo aapk bina naahi jaayengi,taun aapahu dui din aapan sasuraal ma rahkar aaiyega. Aur huaan se hi office jaiyyega. Waisan bhi,bitiya tau humse ee kahat rahi ki oo agle mahine se office jaana shuru karengi. Agle mahine tak aapse intezaar na ho sake tau kauno baat nahi! Par 21 taarekh tak aapko intezaar karnaa hi hoga!
Arnav: What the..!?Pehle aap 20 keh rahi thi,ab aap 21 keh rahi hain!
Nani: 21 ko Itvaar hai ae hi liye hum 21 kahat rahe. Bitiya tau aapk saath 22 ko hi jaa paayengi.
Arnav: Aapko kuch aur kehna hai ya main jaaun?
Nani: Jaiyye..
Arnav leaves in a huff.
Anjali: Chhotey..
Nani: Jaane dijiye,bitiya. Oo ko ee batwa samajhni hi hogi ki Khushi bitiya keval oo ki patni naahi hai,ee ghar ki bahuriya aur Lavanya bitiya ki saheli aur hoye wali devraani bhi hain! Humka poori ummeed hai ki bitiya ee batwaa achchhe se samajh bhi jaayengi aur Chhotey ko manaa bhi lengi!
Anjali: Devi Maiyya kare aisaa hi ho!
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*Later that morning*
When Arnav opened the door of the bedroom,he found Khushi in front of the vanity table.
Arnav: Tum uth gayi?
Khushi(smiles): Ji! Uth bhi gaye,nahaa bhi liye aur ab taiyyar ho rahe hain! (points to her dress)Waise,yehwali anarkali kaisi lagi?
http://shreejifashion.in/product/beautiful-collection-of-black-thread-border-work-anarkali-suit/
Arnav: Not bad..
Khushi: Yeh bhi buaji ne Naina chachi ki dukaan se khareedi hai. Humne bataaya tha na aapko?
Arnav nods.
Khushi(points to the puffed sleeves and pompoms): Isse,khaas humare liye,chachi se kehkar lagvaaya hai buaji ne! Varna yeh kurta waise sleeveless tha.
Arnav nods again.
Khushi: Kya hua?
Arnav: Kuch nahi. Tum taiyyar ho jao toh bataana,main dressing change kar dunga.
Khushi: Toh aap usse abhi badal dijiye. Aur phir nahaane chale jaiyye. Jab tak aap nahaakar aayenge tab tak hum poori tarah se taiyyar ho jaayenge.
Arnav nods before fetching the first aid box.
Khushi: Kya baat hai?
Arnav: Kuch nahi.
Khushi: Phir aap itne chupchaap kyun hain?
Arnav(points to the wound): Soch raha tha ki tumhari chot ab tak theek nahi hui hai. Phir bhi tum usska khayaal nahi rakh rahi ho.
Khushi: Kyun,humne kya kiya?
Arnav: Kal tumne Paayal ka haath pakadkar dance kiya,taaliyaan bajaayi,mera haath pakdaa aur pataa nahi kitne kaam kiye honge tumne. Apne haath ka dhyaan rakhaa karo, Khushi. Dont forget ki tumhe chot lagi hai.
Khushi: Humein dhyaan rakhne ki kya zaroorat hai? (cups his cheek)Aap hain na humara dhyaan rakhne k liye!
Arnav(shrugs off her hand): I'm serious..
Khushi: Hum aayinda dhyaan rakhenge,pakkaa! Achchha bataaiyye,aapko sirf humare haath ki fiqr thi ya.. koi aur baat bhi hai?
Arnav: Bas.. yoon hi soch raha tha..
Khushi: Kya?
Arnav: SUV ko Chandni chowk le jaane se pehle refuel karnaa padega..
Khushi: Uss ki zaroorat nahi padegi.
Arnav: Kyun?
Khushi: Aap wahaan kabhi gaye nahi hain na isiliye aapko nahi pataa ki wahaan ki sadkein kitni patli hoti hain aur bheed kitni zyaada hoti hai. Aap SUV lekar Chandni Chowk ki galiyon me nahi ghus paayenge.
Arnav: In that case hum Mercedes Benz lekar chalenge..
Khushi: Bazaar me itni mehengi gaadi lekar jaayenge?
Arnav: Toh phir kaise jaana hai?
He speaks before she could utter a word.
Arnav: Ab yeh mat kehna ki rickshaw me jaana chahti ho!
Khushi: Aapko rickshaw me nahi jaana hai toh na sahi! Hum metro se chalte hain!Waise bhi, humein metro me baithe huye bahut waqt ho gaya hai.
Arnav(doubtfully): Met.. ro se? Chand.. ni chowk tak?
Khushi(non-chalantly): Haan! Hum kaunsa Chandigarh jaane ki baat kar rahe hain! Chandni chowk tak hi toh jana hai! (holds his hand)Chaliye na, metro se chalte hain.. (excited) Badaa mazaa aayega!
Arnav: Tumhe toh har cheez me mazaa aata hai!
He is about to get up when Khushi grabs his shoulder,forcing him to stop.
Khushi: Kya baat hai,honey? Aaj aap itne ukhde-ukhde se kyun hain? Kal toh aap bilkul theek the!
Arnav(tries to divert the topic): Aur kal toh tum itni dukhi thi. Roye ja rahi thi. Aur aaj itni khush ho! Subha-subha taiyyar bhi ho gayi. How strange!
Khushi(lets go of his shoulder): Iss me strange wali kya baat hai? Aisaa nahi hai ki humein aaj Tanveer chachaa k jaane ka koi dukh mehsoos nahi ho raha hai.
She is about to go when Arnav stops her.
Arnav(holds her hand): I'm sorry,Khushi!
Khushi(frees her hand): Ajeeb toh aap hain! Kal jab hum dukhi the, tab humse keh rahe the ''mat ro!" Aaj jab utsaahit ho rahe hain toh humse poochh rahe hain ki "khush kyun ho?" Ek baar me tay kar lijiye ki aap kya chahte hain!
Arnav: Main tumhare saath rehna chahta hoon!
Khushi(frowns): Kya?
Arnav: uh.. I mean.. main tumhare saath Chandni chowk jaana chahta hoon.
Khushi: Woh toh aap jaa hi rahe hain na?
Arnav: Haan. Main.. nahaakar aata hoon.
He leaves without saying anything else.
Khushi(wonders): Aaj inhe hua kya hai? Aur.. saath rehna chahta hoon ka kya matlab hota hai? Hum toh saath me hi hain! (decides)Aane do baahar,hum unk man ki baat ugalvaakar hi rahenge!
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When Arnav opened the bathroom door,he found Khushi standing just outside the bathroom.
Her hands were stretched wide such that they touched the door frame and it appeared like she was blocking his wayout.
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi: Aur 2-4 baar what the..!?,what the..!? kehna ho toh keh lijiye! Lekin uss k baad aapko humein bataana hoga..
Arnav: Kya?
Khushi: Woh hi jo aap humse chhupa rahe hain.. Jiski wajah se subha se aapka mood bigda hua hai.. Jab tak aap humein saaf-saaf nahi bataayenge ki baat kya hai tab tak hum aapko yahaan se baahar nahi jaane denge!
Arnav(cocks an eyebrow): Really?
Khushi(confidently): Ji haan,really!
Arnav: Okay..
He leaned towards his left and Khushi immediately shifted to her right.
Hiding his grin,he shifted slightly towards the right and Khushi shifted to her left such that her shoulder hit the door frame.
Arnav: careful!
Khushi: Bhaagne ki koshish mat kariyega kyunki hum aapko nahi jaane denge! Chaahe jo ho jaaye,hum yeh jaankar rahenge ki aapko kaunsi baat pareshaan kar rahi hai!
Arnav(sighs): Fine.(holds her shoulder) Come with me..
He sat her down on the bed before sitting opposite her.
Then he told her about his conversation with nani and di.
Khushi: Naniji ki baat toh sahi hai,Arnavji. Kitne dinon tak hum ghar se baahar rahe hain. Jiji ko aaj kal koi kuch khaas kaam karne nahi deta hai. Mamiji ko waise hi ghar k kaamon me koi dilchaspi nahi hai. Lavanyaji toh Nanheji k saath Agra gayi hui thi. Aise me,naniji ki umar ka lihaaz karte huye pichchhle kuch dinon me zyaadatar kaam di ne hi kiya hoga. Haan,Hari Prakashji aur baad me Om Prakashji the unki madad karne k liye. Par phir bhi,ghar k kaam ka aur kaaryakram ki taiyyaari ka saara zimma di k sar par aaya hoga. Unhone dono hi cheezon ko bahut achchchhe se sambhaal liya! Aapko nahi lagtaa ki ab di ko aaraam karne ki zaroorat hai? Hum ghar par honge toh rasoi ka kaam bhi dekh liya karenge aur mandir ki saaf-safaai aur pooja-archanaa bhi kar liya karenge.
Arnav: Toh Lavanya ki trousseau shopping ka kya?
Khushi: Woh bhi ho jaayegi. Hum Lavanyaji k saath nikalne se pehle naashta banaakar jaayenge aur dopeher k khaane k baare me OPji ko bataakar jaayenge. Woh aur di milkar dopeher ka khana dekh lenge. Waapis aane k baad hum chay-nashta kar k kuch der aaraam kar lenge. Phir naha-dhokar shaam ki aarti karenge aur raat ka khaane banaa lenge. Saaf-safaai toh hum kar hi lenge. Aur baithe-bithaaye karne wale kuch kaam jiji ko de denge. Paudhon me paani aap daal diya karenge,jaise hamesha daalte hain. Ho gaya na sab kuch?
Arnav(nods): Saare kaam toh ho hi jaayenge par unk liye tum apneaap ko overstrain kar dogi.
Khushi: Nahi,hum aisaa kuch nahi karenge!
Arnav: Isiliye maine kayeen baar di se kaha hai ki hum ek qualified chef rakh lete hain. Aisaa koi jise Lucknowi zaayike ka khaana banaana achchhe se aata ho. Uss se OP ko baaki k kaam karne ka time mil jaayega. Lakshmi k liye toh Rahim chahcha aa hi gaye hain. Phir tumlog bhi aaraam kar paaoge aur jahaan jaana hai wahaan ja paaoge. Par di aur nani meri baat hi nahi maantein!
Khushi: Woh isiliye kyunki apne haathon se banaayi hui rasoi ka alag hi swaad hota hai!
Arnav: Thats alright par chef k haathon ka khana bura nahi hota hai. Ab.. houseboat wale cook ki baat le lo.
Khushi: Saaqibji?
Arnav: Haan,tumhare 'bibbi' wale Saaqibji! Uss k haath ka khana tumhe aur amma,babuji,buaji sabko pasand aaya tha na? *when she nods*Toh,waise hi, chef k haathon ka khana bhi sabko pasand aayega.
Khushi: Dekhiye,chef iss ghar me aayenge ya nahi yeh toh humein nahi pataa. Humein bas itna pataa hai ki hum naniji ki baat ko nahi taalenge. Toh.. agle do hafton tak hum ghar par hi rahenge.
Arnav makes a face when she says that.
Khushi: Suniye..
When Arnav does not respond,she cups his face.
Khushi: Suniye na! Office me bhi toh hum dono alag-alag jagah hote na?Har waqt ek-doosre ki aakhon k saamne thode hi na hote? Aur phir aap apni deals ko lekar aur hum dabbon ko lekar vyast hote toh.. ek-doosre se baar-baar milne ka mauka bhi kahaan milta humein?
Arnav(removes her hands): Whatever! Atleast hum lunch toh saath me kar paate na? Aur dinner bhi. Aur mujhe yeh tasalli toh hoti ki tum mere qareeb ho. Main 5 minute k andar tum tak pahuch saktaa hoon. Yahaan toh ghar aane k liye aadhe-ek ghante k traffic jam se deal padhega. Aur uss k baad bhi aisaa nahi hai ki mujhe tumhare saath privately kuch time spend karne ka chance milega. Pehle gharwaale,phir dinner,phir tumhara kitchen ka kaam,inn sab se deal karne k baad kaheen jakar hum dono ek saath akele me time spend kar paayenge!
Khushi: Haan,toh ghar aayenge toh gharwaalon se toh milna hoga hi na? Aur hum rasoi k kaam ko aadha-adhoora chhodkar oopar aa jaayenge toh kaisaa lagega?
Arnav: Lemme make 1 thing absolutely clear,Khushi. Agar tumhe ghar par rehna hai toh tumhe 2 cheezon ka dhyaan rakhnaa padega..
Khushi: 1 toh humara haath hai aur doosra?
Arnav: Doosra yeh ki tum sabk saath dinner kar logi.
Khushi: Areh?! Par hum toh aap..
Arnav(interrupts): Do hafton ki hi baat hai,right? So inn do hafton me tum sab k saath dinner karogi aur mere aane tak bhookhi nahi rahogi!
Khushi: Hum phal khaakar intezaar kar lenge..
Arnav: Noways! Ya toh tum meri baat maano ya phir main nani se lad-jhagadkar kal se hi tumhe apne saath office le jaaunga!
Khushi: Achchha,theek hai. Hum aapki dono baatein maanenge par please.. aap ghar me,iss baat ko lekar,koi ashaanti mat kariyega!
Arnav: Fine.
Khushi: Ab humara 1 kaam kijiye..
Arnav: Kya hai?
Khushi(opens her arms wide): Humein kas k gale lagaaiyye!
Arnav readily complies with her wish.
Khushi(smacks his back): Ziddi lard governer kahin k!
Arnav(kisses the back of her neck): Tum ziddi!
Khushi: Aap ziddi! (lifts her head) Kya lagtaa hai aapko? Sirf aap hi humein miss karenge ya sirf aap hi humare saath rehna chahte hain? (rests her head on his chest)Hum bhi aapk saath rehna chahte hain! Har pal aapko apne paas dekhna chahte hain! Par.. aisaa nahi ho saktaa hai! Humara honeymoon khatm ho gaya hai aur.. kal se humari rozmarraa ki zindagi shuru ho jaayegi. Toh.. behtar yeh hi hoga ki hum bhi apne honeymoon ko bhulaakar nityakarm me dhalne ki koshish karein.
Arnav(frowns): Kis me?
Khushi: Routine me..
Arnav: Woh toh humein dhalnaa hi padega. Anyways,all that is for tomorrow. Aaj ka din hai humare paas ek saath enjoy karne k liye!
Khushi: So toh hai! Toh chalein Chandni chowk?
Arnav(cups her cheek): Tum jahaan le jaaogi main wahaan chalunga! I'm up for spendin' as much alone time with you as I can,away from home!
Khushi: Toh phir jaldi se taiyyaar ho jaiyye. Jitni jaldi pahuchenge utna hi achchha hoga!
Arnav: Okay. Jus' gimme 10 minutes..
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*Later that morning*
Akash dropped ArShi outside the Mayur vihar extension metro station.
Akash(smiles): Have a nice time,bhai!
Arnav(smiles): Thanks a lot!
Akash(smiles): Aur Khushiji,aap khoob ghoomiyega,dher saari shopping kijiyega aur bahut sara yummy khana khaiyyega!
Khushi(grins): Ji,bilkul jijaji! Uss hi k liye toh ja rahe hain!
Arnav: Exactly! That goes without sayin,Akash! That is the whole point of goin to Chandni chowk!
Akash: Right! Waise,aaplog waapis bhi metro se hi aayenge kya?
Khushi: Woh hum aapko phone kar k bataa denge.
Akash: Theek hai. Enjoy yourselves! Bye!
Khushi(waves): Jiji se kahiyega ki hum unk liye jhumkein zaroor lekar aayenge!
Arnav: Now,come on..
As he went inside the station,Arnav kept looking around & reading the various signages and display boards.
On one of those boards he noticed the line distribution of the Delhi metro.
Khushi: Aap yaheen rukiye,hum token lekar aate hain.
Arnav: Wait!
Khushi: Kya hua?
Arnav(points to the display board): Wahaan toh kisi bhi line par Chandni chowk station ka naam hi nahi hai.
Khushi: Woh terminal nahi hai na,isiliye. Dekhiye,hum aapko samjhaate hain. Filhaal hum Mayur vihar me hai,jo blue line me padhta hai. Aur humein jana hai Chandni chowk,jo yellow line me padhta hai.
Arnav: Toh blue se yellow me jaane k liye..
Khushi(interrupts): Hum Rajiv chowk par utar jaayenge aur wahaan se Chandni chowk k liye doosra metro le lenge.
Arnav: Iss me toh bahut time lag jaayega,Khushi. Tumne yeh Rajiv chowk wali baat pehle hi bataa di hoti toh main Akash se keh deta. Woh humein directly Rajiv Chowk k metro station par drop kar deta aur hum wahaan se, ek hi baar me Chandni chowk pahuch jaate.
Khushi: Jijaji ko subha-subha kahaan Rajiv chowk tak daudaate aap,woh bhi chhutti wale din?! Humari baat ka yaqeen kijiye,iss me zyaada samay nahi lagega. Hum Lakshminagar se wahaan jaate waqt bhi,aise hi,metro badalkar jaate the aur fataafat pahuch jaate the! Aap chaliye toh sahi..
Arnav: Theek hai,chalo. Main token lene k liye tumhare saath hi chaltaa hoon.
Khushi: Nahi,aap yaheen rukiye. Hum abhi aaye..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav felt better once they got inside the metro.
Partly because of the air conditioning and partly because they'd found vacant seats in a relatively packed coach.
Khushi(points to the window): Baahar dekhiye na.
Arnav(looks outside): Kya hai baahar?
Khushi: Humare kehne ka matlab tha ki baahar dekhte huye jaiyye. Yeh metro me aapka pehla safar hai na? Jab hum pehli baar metro me chadhe the tab INA station pahuchne tak hum khidki se chipke huye the!
Arnav: INA station kyun jaa rahi thi tum?
Khushi: Hum sabko Dilli haat jana tha,isiliye. Wahaan jaane k liye INA station par utarna padhta hai.
Arnav: I see..
Khushi: Aapne Dilli haat dekha hai?
Arnav shook his head.
Khushi: Kisi din hum wahaan bhi chalenge.
Arnav: Sure!
Khushi: Laal qila dekha hai aapne?
Arnav: Nahi. Tumne?
Khushi: Haan! Humne toh Laal qila,Jama masjid, Qutub minar,Humayun ka maqbaraa,India Gate, Dolls museum sab kuch dekha tha!
Arnav: Kab?
Khushi: Tab jab hum amma,babuji aur jiji k saath Dilli darshan karne gaye the!
Arnav: India gate toh maine bhi dekha hai.
Khushi: Aur kya-kya dekha hai aapne?
Arnav: Connaught Place, Hauz Khas village, J..
Khushi(interrupts): Nahi,nahi! Humara matlab aetihaasik(historic) jagah se tha.
Arnav: Raj Path aur India Gate k alaava aur kuch nahi dekha hai.
Khushi: Aapko dekhna chahiye. Jab do dinon ki chhuttiyaan saath me padengi na,tab hum Dilli darshan karne chalenge. Dilli itna achchha,itna sundar aur itna badaa sheher hai na ki dekhte-dekhte poora din nikal jaayega. Aur thakaan bhi bahut ho jaayegi. Toh baad wale din chhutti hogi toh aapk liye behtar rahega.
Arnav: Thats true. Waise,mujhe Dilli darshan karne ka shauq nahi hai. In fact,kabhi bhi nahi tha. Bachpan me bhi maa aur di ne ek baar mujhe manaane ki bahut koshishein ki thi but I never gave in. Phir woh dono mamiji,mamaji aur Akash k saath Dilli darshan karne chale gaye.
Khushi: Toh aap?
Arnav: Main ghar par nanaji aur nani k saath ruk gayaa.
Khushi: Aap k.. babuji kabhi.. Dilli nahi aate the?
Arnav: Bahut rarely.. Generally hum teeno ko airport tak chhodne aur airport se lene aate the,bas. Aur jab Dilli aate the tab bhi unk paas humare liye time hi nahi hota tha.
Khushi: Kyun?
Arnav: Woh apne kaam ko lekar hi busy rehte the. Family ko attention dena zaroori nahi samajhte the..
Khushi placed her hand on top of Arnav's.
Arnav: I'm fine.
Though he said that he was fine,Arnav entwined his fingers with hers.
An action which,Khushi knew,meant that he was seeking solace and support from her.
She quietly gazed out of the window,choosing to offer solace to him wordlessly.
*********
An old lady wearing an orthopaedic hip belt got into their coach at the Indraprastha station.
Khushi got up & offered her seat to the lady.
Khushi: Aap yahaan baith jaiyye..
Lady(smiles): Jeeti raho,beta!
Arnav(getting up): Khushi,tum yahaan baitho.
Khushi: Nahi,nahi,aap baithe rahiye. Waise bhi,3 station baad to utarnaa hi hai.
Arnav: Still,baith jao.
Reluctantly Khushi took the window seat and sat down next to the lady.
Lady: Yeh.. Tumhare mister hai?
Khushi(nods): Ji.
Lady: Kahaan se ho?
Khushi: Lucknow se hain par filhaal maayika aur sasural dono Dilli me hi hai.
Lady: Dilli me kahaan?
Khushi: Sasural Mayur vihar me hai aur maayika Lakshminagar me. Waise,aap kahaan se hain?
Lady: Indore se hoon. Yahaan kuch dinon k liye ghoomne aayi hoon.
Khushi: Akele?
Lady: Na,na. Saath me mere 3 bete,3 bahuein,2 pote aur 4 potiyaan bhi hain!
Khushi(smiles): Areh waah! Aapka toh bharaa-poora parivaar hai!
Lady(nods): So toh hai!
Khushi: Phir aap.. metro me akeli kyun chadhi? Aapka parivaar kisi aur dibbe me hai ya.. peechhe chhoot gayaa?
Lady: Na beta,aisa kuch nahi hai. Main akeli hi chal padi! Purani saheli se milne k liye Rajiv chowk ja rahi hoon! Waise,tum kahaan ja rahi ho?
Khushi: Rajiv chowk hote huye Chandni chowk ja rahe hain.
Lady: Khareedaari karne k liye ya Laal qila dekhne aur ghoomne-phirne k liye?
Khushi: Laal qila toh dekha hua hai. Filhaal toh khareedaari karne aur khaane-peene k liye ja rahe hain!
Lady(smiles): Achcha,achchha..
Khushi: Waise,humne aap k Indore k baare me bahut kuch suna hai! Khaas kar wahaan k saraafa bazaar k baare me!
Lady: Saraafa bazaar k alaava bhi ghoomne-phirne k liye kayeen achchhi jagahein hain Indore me. Kabhi wahaan apne mister ko lekar aana.
Khushi: Ji,zaroor! Humari nanad ki bachpan ki saheli Jabalpur me rehti hain. Woh bhi humein apne sheher aane ko keh rahi thi. Toh.. humein yeh poochna tha ki.. Jabalpur se Indore jaane me kitna samay lagtaa hai?
Lady: 1 raat ka safar hai. Do-do ghanton me Jabalpur k liye gaadi(train) jaati hai Indore se.
Khushi: Phir toh hum poori koshish karenge ki Jabalpur jaate waqt ya phir aate waqt Indore ho aayein! Waise,Dilli se kaunsa nazdeek padega- Indore ya Jabalpur?
And the conversation continued till it was almost time for ArShi to disembark from the metro.
Khushi(smiles): Aapse milkar bahut achchha lagaa! Chalte hain..(folds her hands)Namaste!
Lady(smiles): Mujhe bhi bahut achchha lagaa! (folds her hands)Hari om!
Khushi(folds her hands): Hari om!
Arnav spoke to Khushi once they were on the platform.
Arnav: Tum kisi k saath bhi baatein karne lagti ho! Aur baatein karte-karte usse apni history,geography sab kuch bataa deti ho!
Khushi: Toh kya hua?
Arnav: Har kisi ko apne baare me itne details dena theek nahi hai.
Khushi: Humein insaanon ki pehchaan hai. Humein pataa hai ki kise kya kehna chahiye aur kise nahi. Woh bechari,buzurg mahila kisi se baat karna chahti thi aur hum bas unka saath de rahe the. Toh uss me kya bura kiya humne?
Arnav: Metro me tumhare aur unk alaava bhi bahut se passengers the,jo tumhari baatein sun rahe the. Openly apne baare me itne details divulge karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai! Aage se dhyaan rakhaa karo.
Khushi(in a small voice): Ji.
Arnav spotted the floor signage which read: Yellow line: Towards Jahangirpuri: New Delhi/Chandni Chowk/Kashmere Gate.
Arnav: Uss taraf chalo..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
The metro for Chandni Chowk was jampacked.
ArShi stood next to each other in the aisle.
Arnav noticed that Khushi was unusually quite.
Arnav(thinks): Maine kuch galat toh nahi kaha. Khushi ko baat samajhni chahiye. Uss k bhale k liye hi toh keh raha hoon main! Jab Khushi uss lady se baat kar rahi thi tab woh jacket wala ladka uss hi ko dekhe jaa raha tha! Kaunsa passenger kaisaa hai yeh kise pataa? Careful toh rehna hi chahiye.
Maine jo kaha sahi kaha!
Though he knew that he was right,he could not bear to see Khushi so quiet.
Arnav: Paani..
Khushi: huh?
Arnav: Paani do.
Khushi: Chalti gaadi me kaise piyenge? Station par utarkar dete hain.
Arnav: Pahuchne me kitni der lagegi?
Khushi: Kuch hi der me pahuch jaayenge.
Arnav directly broached the topic without looking for further excuses to make her talk.
Arnav(holds her hand): Maine kuch galat kaha kya?
Khushi: Nahi. Hum toh yeh soch rahe the ki aapki baat sahi hai. Woh mahila toh saaf neeyat ki lagi par.. coach me aur bhi log the. ab kaun-kaisaa tha yeh humein kya pataa? Toh.. humein soch-samajhkar unse baat karni chahiye thi.
Arnav: Exactly! Mujhe iss baat se koi problem nahi hai ki tum unse baat kar rahi thi. Main bas yeh chahta hoon ki tum public place me apne baare me selective information diya karo.
Khushi(nods): Hum samajh gaye. Ab darwaaze ki or chaliye. Chandni chowk aane hi wala hai..
Arnav held Khushi's hand as they got off the metro.
Arnav(looks around): Ab kis taraf jana hai?
Khushi: Fauvvare wale gate se baahar nikalna hai.
Arnav: Aur wahaan se market kaise jaayenge?
Khushi: Chalkar.
Arnav(turns to her): What?
Khushi(nods): Ji,bazaar paas me hi hain. Chalkar chalenge toh jaldi pahuch jaayenge. Bas 1 baat ka dhyaan rakhiyega.
Arnav: I know. Yahaan bahut bheed hai. Isiliye toh maine tumhara haath pakda hai.
Khushi: Bheed hi nahi,bazaar me jebkatre(pick pockets) bhi hote hain. Isiliye aap chaukanne(alert) rahiyega.
Arnav: Okay,wait a sec..
He removed his wallet from the backpocket of his jeans and transferred it to the pocket of his black shirt.
Khushi: Paani lijiye..
Arnav returned the bottle to Khushi after taking a sip of the cold water.
Khushi: Ab chalein?
Arnav: Yup! So far so good. Ab.. aage dekhte hain kya hota hai?
Khushi: Abhi toh aapne kuch dekha hi nahi hai! Ek baar station k baahar qadam rakhenge na phir aapko pataa chalega ki Chandni chowk kise kehte hain!
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
The market was a picture of utter chaos.
Arnav was aghast to see the filth as well as the crowd.
He held Khushi's hand tightly as they went passed the negotiating buyers,the yelling vendors,the passers by,the noisy kids and the stray animals.
He felt claustrophic and wanted to get out as soon as possible.
Arnav: Pehle kahaan jaana hai?
Khushi: Pehle nashta kar lein?
Arnav: Whatever you say!
Khushi: Theek hai. Toh parathe wali gali ki taraf chalte hain.
********
Arnav sneezed the moment they entered the gali(bylane) which was lined by various eateries, all of which were emanating a plethora of smells.
Khushi: Aap theek hain?
Arnav(nods): Jaldi chalo..
Khushi took him to the very first paratha house.
Arnav read the name of the shop which they were about to enter: Pandit Babu Ram Devi Dayal (parathe wale).
The owner greeted them with folded hands before ushering them inside.
The seating arrangement was modest.
The menu card was placed on the table the moment they took a seat.
Arnav found some unusual variants of parathas on the menu.
But what caught his attention was the dirt cheap price.
He wondered about the taste and quality of ingredients going into a paratha which was that cheap.
Khushi saw through his hesitation.
Khushi: Chinta mat kariye! Yahaan ka khana swaad me jitna achchha hota hai uss me padhne wali saamagrih(ingredients) ki gunvatta(quality) bhi utni hi achchhi hoti hai! Aap bas paratha pasand kariye..
Arnav: Tum kaunsa khaogi?
Khushi: Mixed paratha. Aur aap?
Arnav: Main tamatar ka paratha try karne ki soch raha hoon. Thats somethin unusual..
Khushi: Kyun nahi?! Aap saath me namkeen lassi lenge?
Arnav: Nope!
Khushi: Theek hai.
********
Khushi turned to Arnav after placing the order.
Khushi: Yahaan se hum Dariba kalaan jayenge.
Arnav: Wahaan par kya hai?
Khushi: Wahaan se hum jhumke,choodiyaan,bindiyaan.. yeh sab khareedenge.
Arnav: Okay. Phir?
Khushi: Phir ittar khareedenge. Aur wahaan se baahar nikalte waqt ek bahut hi prasidhdhh jilebiwale ki dukaan padhti..
Arnav(interrupts): Jahaan se tum jalebiyaan pack karvaaogi.
Khushi: Pack kyun? Hum toh garam-garam jilebiyaan khaayenge!
Arnav: Desi ghee ka paratha khaane k baad tumhare pet me jalebiyaan khaane ki jagah bachegi?
Khushi: Bilkul! Bazaar me chalte-phirte parathein pach(digest) jaayenge. Aur waise bhi,jilebiyaan toh taazi aur garm hi khaani chahiye!
Arnav: Alright.
Khushi: Phir hum shikanji bhi toh peeyenge! Uss se paratha pachaana aasaan ho jaayega!
The piping hot parathas arrived shortly.
They were served with several types of chutneys and mixed vegetable pickle.
Khushi's lassi was served in a kulhad(small clay pot).
Khushi: Toot padiye!
Arnav: No! Abhi nahi! Parathe ko thoda sa thanda hone do..
Khushi: Thande parathe bilkul beswaad lagenge!Aapne kabhi iss tarah se khaaya nahi hai na isiliye aapko nahi pataa ki garamaagaram parathaa khaakar jeebh jalaane ka ek alag hi mazaa hota hai! Phir thandi-thandi,meethi si lassi peekar moonh aur galaa,dono thande ho hi jaate hain!
She was about to dig into a paratha when Arnav caught her hand.
Khushi: Khaane dijiye na!
Arnav: Wait a sec..
He tore a piece of her paratha,dipped it in the chutney and held it near her mouth.
Khushi(whispers): Yahaan bahut log hain..
Arnav: Jo tumhare rishtedaar(relative) hain?
Khushi: Nahi! Par..
Arnav(interrupts): Toh padosi hain?
Khushi(whispers): Anjaan hain par sab.. humari or dekh rahe hain. Aap apnaa paratha khaiyye aur humein apnaa khaane dijiye!
Arnav: Tumhe mujhe paratha nahi khilaana chahti toh mat khilaao. Thats okay! Par main toh tumhe apne haath se hi khilaaunga!
He withdrew his hand after stuffing the morsel in her mouth.
Arnav: Hows it?
Khushi(smiles): Hamesha ki tarah,badhiya!
Arnav nodded while having a bite of his tomato paratha.
Arnav: This is nice! Wanna give it a try?
Khushi: Thoda sa chakhaiyye.
Arnav deliberately made a sorry face while feeding her.
Khushi: Kya hua? Achaanak se aapka chehra kyun utar gayaa?
Arnav: Soch raha tha ki hum Paris me hi achchhe the! Wahaan rozaana tum mere haath se aur main tumhare haath se khaaya karte the. Yahaan toh.. (sighs) Ghar par gharwaalon ki wajah se aur ghar k baahar anjaan,baaharwaalon ki wajah se tum mujhe khilaana toh door,mere haath se khana bhi pasand nahi karti ho!
He made a puppy face while feeding her again.
Khushi: Aisaa toh nahi hai na ki hum aapko nahi khilaana chahte hain. Woh toh..
Arnav(interrupts): Tum sochti rehti ho ki yeh kya sochega,woh kya sochega?.. Jise jo sochna hai sochne do na! We're a couple,yaar! Na toh hum criminals hai aur na hi marketplace me haath pakad lena ya ek doosre ko khaana khilaana crime hai! But.. anyways..
He sighed heavily as he dipped a piece of his paratha in the mint chutney.
Khushi: Laiyye..
As he brought the piece near her mouth,Khushi redirected it towards his.
Arnav smiled as she fed him.
Khushi was surprised when he picked up the kulhar.
Khushi: Ab yeh mat kahiyega ki lassi bhi aap hi pilaayenge!
Arnav: Kyun nahi?
Khushi's cheeks flushed when he held the pot for her while she was having the lassi.
The thick lassi ensured that Khushi's upper lip was coated with a layer of cream.
Arnav supressed the urge to wipe her lips.
He handed her a tissue instead.
Khushi: Shukriya!
They stepped out of the joint after Arnav payed the bill.
Arnav: Chalein?
Khushi: Ji. Aap thakein toh nahi na?
Arnav: Not yet.
Khushi: Theek hai toh chaliye..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Khushi's eyes twinkled the moment they entered a shop selling costume jewellery.
Owner(smiles): Aaiyye behenji! Boliye,kya dikhaaun?
Khushi: Rangeen jhumkein dikhaaiyye..
She selected 2 pairs of earrings for Paayal and 1 for Lavanya.
When it came to selecting earrings for herself,she turned to Arnav for his approval.
Khushi: Yeh wali zyaada achchhi hai ya (points to the other earring) yeh wali?
Arnav: Dono me se koi bhi achchhi nahi hai! I mean.. (points to another, heavy earring)Yeh zyaada achchhi hai..
Owner: Bhaisaab ki pasand bahut achchhi hai! Yeh wali baali har dress k saath match ho jaayegi.
Khushi: Woh sab toh theek hai par isska daam kya hai?
Owner: Aapse zyaada paisein thode hi na lenge hum! Aap toh har baar humari dukaan se hi kharidaari karti hain.
Khushi: Phir bhi,bataiyye toh sahi..
Owner: Bas.. Dedh sau rupaye!(150 rs)
Khushi(shocked): Dedh sau!? Aur aap bas keh rahe hain?! Yeh toh bahut zyaada hai,bhaiyya! Theek se bhaav lagaiyye..
Arnav was about to say that the price was alright but he decided to keep quiet.
He watched as Khushi bargained and argued with the shopkeeper.
Finally she got the earrings at the nearly half the price.
Khushi: Pichchhle saal hum apni jiji k saath unki shaadi ki kharidaari karne k liye aapki dukaan par aaye the na?
Owner: Haan,haan..
Khushi: Tab humne 1 jodi lambi wali baaliyaan khareedi thi.
She described the design of the earrings which Arnav had accidently broken while they were in the train.
Khushi: Woh filhaal milengi aapk paas?
Owner(shakes his head): Nahi behenji. Woh design toh aana band ho gayaa. Humare paas latest design ki bahut si baaliyaan hain. Aap kahengi toh..
Khushi: Nahi,rehne dijiye. Humein toh woh hi chahiye thi. Khair,ab aap metal wali choodiyaan dikhaaiyye. Sahi-sahi bhaav lagaayenge toh hum poore 8 darjan(dozen) lenge. Varnaa hum chalein!
Owner: Rukiye,rukiye behenji! Humare paas kal hi nayaa stock aaya hai. Aap dekhengi toh khush ho jaayengi!
Again Khushi turned to Arnav after selecting bangles for Anjali.
Khushi: Ab bataiyye: In teenon me se kaunsa set sabse zyaada achchha lagega hum par?
Arnav helped her with the selection first before picking up a set of mixed bangles.
Khushi: Yeh kis k liye?
Arnav: Obviously,tumhare liye! Par yeh set utna achchha nahi lag raha hai. (to the owner) Aap combination change kar k denge?
Owner: Bilkul! Aap bataiyye,aapko kaunse rang ki choodiyaan chahiye? Hum golden kadon k beechh unko daalkar aapk liye aapki pasand ka set banaakar denge!
Arnav told him the combination and the shopkeeper immediately prepared a set of bangles according to that.
Arnav: Thats better! (to Khushi)What do you think?
Khushi(approving smile): Yeh choodiyaan saath me bahut achchhi lag rahi hain!
Arnav: Isse ek,alag box me pack kar dijiye.
Khushi: Daam toh poochhiyein!
Arnav: Wait, I havent finished yet!
He got the shopkeeper to make two other sets of bangles with silver and diamond studded kadas(wider bangles) respectively.
Khushi: Humein filhaal iss ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Arnav: Hum phir bhi yeh choodiyaan khareedenge.
Khushi: Kyun?
Arnav: Kyunki choodiyon ki koi expiry date nahi hoti hai! Jab chaaho tab pehen sakti ho! Kisi ki shaadi ya engagement me ya kisi aur function me kaam aayenge hi na?
Khushi: Ha,woh toh hai..
Owner: Aur kuch dikhaaun behenji?
Khushi: Ab aap hairclips dikhaiyye.
Owner: Saade ya designer?
Khushi: Pehle toh kaale rang k saade clips ka ek packet de dijiye. Aur.. phir designer wale bhi dikhaaiyyega.
Arnav frowned when the owner opened a box containing various shapes and colors of hairclips.
Owner: Aap designer wale pasand kariye jab tak main saade wale nikaalta hoon.
Arnav(points to the box): Yeh.. designer hain?!
Khushi knudged him yet Arnav did not shut up.
Arnav(whispers): Kisi fashion designer ne yeh.. "designer" clips dekh liye na toh suicide commit kar lega!
Khushi glared at him before turning towards the counter.
Khushi selected one clip and placed it on the counter.
Owner: Bas,1 hi chahiye?
Khushi: Ji. Ab aap multicolored bindiyon ki teen pattiyaan de dijiye aur hisaab lagaiyye.
Arnav: 3 kaafi hongi?
Khushi: Ji.
Arnav: Are you sure?
Khushi: Haan. Ek patti me 20-25 bindiyaan aati hain.
Arnav: Okay.
Arnav was surprised when Khushi bargained with the owner about the total bill amount.
She succeeded in reducing a significant amount of money from the total.
Arnav(thinks): Wow! She's a pro at it!
********
Khushi caught Arnav smiling as they stepped out of the shop.
Khushi: Muskuraa kyun rahe hain?
Arnav: I'm impressed with your negotiation skills,Mrs Raizada!
Khushi: And I'm impressed with your skill,Mr Raizada!
Arnav(confused): Meri kaunsi skill?
Khushi: Choodiyon k sets banaane ki skill! Jab aap,humari pehli shaadi se 1 raat pehle humare liye woh naarangi(orange) rang ki choodiyaan laaye the,tab humein lagaa tha ki aapko dukaanwaale ne choodiyon ka set banaakar diya hoga. Par ab humein lag raha hai ki woh choodiyaan aap hi ne chunkar apne pasand se set banvaaya tha,hai na?
Arnav: Right!
Khushi: Aapko choodiyon ki parakh toh hai hi aur aap set bhi bahut achchhe banvaate hain! Yeh sab kahaan se seekha aapne?
The smile disappeared from Arnav's face as he replied: Di se.
He paused to release a long breath before continuing.
Arnav: Di ko hamesha se hi choodiyon ka bahut shauq tha! Kayeen baar,jab unk exams hote the ya ghar par unko koi kaam hota tha tab woh mujhe apne liye choodiyaan laane k liye bhejti thi. (sighs)Kitni khush ho jaati thi woh jab main unki pasand ki choodiyaan lekar aata tha! Dono haathon me bhar-bhar k choodiyaan pehenti thi! Kabhi bhi unka haath khaali nahi hota tha. Yahaan tak ki sote waqt bhi 2 choodiyaan toh pehenti hi thi. Aur ab.. di ne choodiyaan pehenna hi chodh diya hai. Jab unk haathon ko dekhta hoon tab un me sone k woh hi puraane kangan nazar aate hain. Sajna-savarna kitna pasand tha unhe! (gulps)Par ab toh unhone sajnaa bhi chhod diya hai. Party me bhi halki jewellery peheni thi. (enraged)Sab uss.. Shyam ki wajah se! That bloody..
Khushi(places a hand on his arm): Shaant ho jaiyye.. Hum choodiyaan lekar jaa rahe hain na di k liye? Dekhiyega,woh yeh wali choodiyaan zaroor pehenengi! Hum unhe manaayenge! Thoda waqt zaroor lagega di ko.. uss sab se ubharne k liye. Unk talaaq ko abhi 6 hi mahine huye hain. Talaaq se pehle baar-baar unhone court k chakkar lagaayein hain.. Kitne bayaan diye hain.. Logon se aur news channel walon se tarah-tarah ki baatein suni hain.. Iss sab ka asar toh padhta hi hai na, Arnavji? Andar se chaahe unhe jaisaa bhi lagtaa ho,hum sab k liye woh khush rehti hain. Ghar k kaamon me khud ko vyast rakhti hain. Humare saath,pehle ki tarah,hasti-bolti hain. Unhe thoda aur waqt dijiye. Phir dekhiyega! Woh phir se pehle ki tarah apneaap par dhyaan dene lagengi.. Sajne-savarne lagengi.. Aur rozaana choodiyaan pehenne lagengi!
Arnav(covers her hand with his): I hope so..
Khushi: Aage chalein?
Arnav nods and they leave for the desi perfumery.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Khushi(smiles): Salaam walekum Kadarbhai!
The middle aged,bespectacled man behind the counter smiles warmly as ArShi step inside his shop.
Kadarbhai(smiles): Areh?! Walekum assalaam! Kaisi ho Khushi bitiya?
Arnav was surprised when he took her name.
Khushi: Hum theek hain. Aap kaise hain? (looking around)Aur Ghulambhai kahaan hain?
Kadarbhai: Bhaijaan aaj dukaan par nahi aayenge. Bhabhijaan ki tabiyat nasaaz hai. Isiliye woh unk paas hi ruk gaye.
Khushi: Oh ho! Unse bhi mulaaqaat ho jaati toh achchha hota..
Kadarbhai(points to Arnav): Maaf karnaa,miyaan! Par.. aapko humne pehchaana nahi..
Khushi: Yeh.. humare woh hain.
Kadarbhai: Pehle bataana chahiye na,bitiya,ki tum daamaad sa'ab ko lekar aayi ho! (smiles at Arnav) Aaiyye,aaiyye.. (points to the wooden stool)Baithiye..
Arnav: No,thanks!
Kadarbhai(calls loudly): Areh Dilaawar...!
A teenaged boy comes running from across the street.
Dilawar: Ji abba?
Khushi(smiles): Kaise hain Dilaawar miyaan?
Dilaawar(shyly): Durust hain.
Kadarbhai: Bitiya,Gianiji ke wahaan se falooda mangvaana hai kya?
Arnav was about to refuse when Khushi answered: Haan,haan! Bas 1 minute rukiye..
She took out a 100 rs note from her purse and gave it to the boy.
Khushi: 1 rabdi falooda lekar aaiyye.
Dilaawar: Ji.
Kadarbhai: Aur ink liye?
Khushi: Yeh nahi kha paayenge. Sugar ki beemari hai na,isiliye.
Kadarbhai cluck clucked his tongue while glancing at him sympathetically.
Arnav(thinks): Yeh shaqal toh aisi banaa rahe hain jaise maine world ki sabse best dish miss kar di ho!
Kadarbhai: Santre ka juice mangvaa dein kya? Bina shakkar ka mil jaayega.
Arnav: No,no thanks! I'm fine.
Kadarbhai: Theek hai. Dilaawar,ja beta.. Baaji k liye jaldi se falooda lekar aa.
*Once the boy left*
Khushi: Ab ittar ki baat par aa jaayein?
Kadarbhai: Haan,bilkul bitiya! Mogre ka nikaalein ya gulaab ka?
Khushi: Gulaab ka.
Kadarbhai took out a small,glass bottle called ittardaani from one of the shelves.
Khushi took a whiff of it and smiled.
Khushi: Yeh sahi hai!
Kadarbhai: Ab yeh wala dekho,bitiya.. Yeh Gul hina ittar hai.
Khushi(to Arnav): Aap zaraa isse soongh kar dekhiye na. Agar aapko iss ki khushboo se taqleef nahi hui toh hum yeh khareedenge.
Arnav sneezed the moment he brought the bottle closer to his nose.
Khushi: Yeh wala rehne dijiye,Kadarbhai. Koi aur dikhaiyye..
Kadarbhai: Mogre ka dikhaayein kya?
Khushi: Nahi,nahi! Inhe uss se taqleef hoti hai. Aap.. Gulmohar ya juhi wala dikhaiyye na. Aur jiji k liye Rajnigandha wala bhi nikaliyega.
Kadarbhai: Zaroor! Waise,Paayal bitiya kaisi hain?
Khushi: Achchhi hain.
Kadarbhai: Aur tumhare amma,babuji aur buaji?
Khushi: Sab theek hain.
Kadarbhai: Yeh lo Paayal bitiya k liye Rajnigandha wala. (passes a royal blue ittardaani) Aur tum yeh wala dekho..
Khushi: Yeh kaunsa hai?
Kadarbhai: Yeh naya aaya hai,Bakul ka ittar. Ladeejon(ladies) ko bahut pasand aata hai! Jabse aaya hai tabse khoob bik raha hai!
Khushi: Achchha? Arnavji,dekhiye zaraa..
Arnav(nods): This is okay..
Khushi: Yeh bhi de dijiye. Woh.. juhi wala rehne dijiye. Agli baar le jaayenge.
Arnav: Tumhe pasand hai toh le lo na..
Khushi shook her head slightly.
Khushi: Kadarbhai,aap humare liye Gulaab aur Bakul wala,jiji k liye Rajnigandha wala aur buaji k liye chandan wala ittar de dijiye..
Dilaawar arrived with a giant sized glass of falooda shortly after Arnav paid the bill.
Khushi(smiles): Bahut,bahut shukriya Kadarbhai! Aur Dilawaar miyaan,baaki k paison se aap jilebi khaiyyega!
Dilaawar(smiles): Shukriya!
*******
Arnav: Ab kahaan jaana hai?
Khushi(points out): Uss taraf..
Arnav: Kya baat hai,Khushi? Ittar wali dukaan me tumne zyaada bargaining bhi nahi ki,owner ne tumhare liye falooda bhi mangvaaya aur unk bete ko tumne tip bhi de di! Besides,unki baaton se lagaa jaise woh tumhe qareeb se jaante ho.
Khushi: Woh toh jaanenge hi na! Phoophaji aur Kadarbhai k bade bhai,Ghulambhai k beechhh gehri dosti thi. Phoophaji jab bhi kaam k silsile me purani Dilli aate tab unse milne yahaan aa jaaya karte the. Iss dukaan se buaji ki pehchaan unhone hi karvaayi thi. Ab itna purana sambandh hai toh jaan-pehchaan aur baat-cheet bhi waisi hi hogi na?
Arnav: Toh tumne unhe bataaya kyun nahi ki Paayal pregnant hai?
Khushi: Kyunki ab tak jiji ka chautha mahina shuru nahi hua hai. Amma kehti hain ki teesra mahina poora hone se pehle sabko achchhi khabar sunaane se honewale bachchhe ko nazar lag jaati hai. Achchha,ab chaliye. Humein jiji k liye motiyon k chhor wala dupatta lena hai. Aur apne liye zari aur gota.. Aur phir jilebiyaan khaani hain. Aur uss k baad..
Arnav(interrupts): Hum ghar chale jaayenge na?
Khushi: Nahi! Ab toh bahut kuch baaki hai!
Arnav: Ab kya baaki hai?
Khushi: Woh hum aapko jilebiyaan khaane k baad bataayenge. Sabar rakhiye!
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
*Later that afternoon*
ArShi entered a bylane dotted with shops selling all kinds of footwear.
Khushi stopped in front of a shop and started admiring the sandals on display.
Khushi(points out): Woh dekha aapne?
Arnav: Haan. Pick ki spelling galat hai.
Khushi(confused): Kya?
Arnav pointed towards a board hung outside the shop which read: Pik any for 150.
Khushi: Oh ho! Hum uss ki baat nahi kar rahe the! (points out)Hum toh uss sunheri rang k sandal ki baat kar rahe the.. (loudly)Bhaiyya,zaraa woh golden wali sandal dikhaaiyye..
A twenty something guy came out of the shop and helped Khushi.
Khushi: Haan,yeh theek hai. Iss ka doosra hissa bhi le aaiyye. Phir hum chalkar dekh lenge.
Guy: Ji.
Khushi: Aur humein gulaabi rang ki hawaai bhi dikhaaiyyega.
Arnav: Hawaai?
Khushi: Haan,hawaai chappal.. (points out)Woh jo wahaan par lagaai hui hai.
Arnav: Oh,woh?! Toh flip flops kaho na!
Khushi: Hawaai kahiye ya flip flops,ek hi baat hai!
Arnav: Tumhe yahaan se footwear khareedne ki kya zaroorat hai? Main tumhe Saket wale mall me lekar..
Khushi(interrupts): Bilkul nahi! Ek toh woh mall waise hi ghar se itna door hai. Oopar se wahaan sab kuch branded milta hai! Aur branded cheezon k daam hamesha saatve aasmaan par hote hain!
Arnav: So what!? Aisaa toh nahi hai ki hum usse afford nahi kar sakte hain?
Khushi: Dekhiye,iss maamle me na toh hum kabhi aapki baat samajh paayenge aur na aap humari. Behtar hoga agar hum maamle ko yaheen rafaa-dafaa kar dein!
Arnav: Fine!
Khushi selected silver kolhapuri chappals for herself and broad belted purple sandals for Paayal.
Guy: Aur kuch?
Khushi: Ji nahi. Ab hisaab lagaaiyye.
Owner: Hisaab taiyyaar hi hai,madam. sab milaakar aapk huye 550rs.
Khushi: 4-4 jodi chappalein khareedi hain humne! Aap 50 rs ka discount toh de hi sakte hain na?
Owner: Humare yahaan discount ka system hi nahi hai,madam. Har item ki fixed price rehti hai.
Khushi: Aise kaise? Thoda-bahut discount toh dena hi chahiye na?
Owner: Sorry madam!
Khushi: Theek hai,toh aap Hawaai nikaal dijiye.
Arnav: Pasand aayi hai toh le lo na..
Khushi(glares): Areh! Aise kaise le lein?
She turns towards the shopkeeper.
Khushi: Humara budget 500 ka hi tha. Hum uss se 1 paisaa zyaada nahi kharch karenge! Badi door se aaye hain hum aur waapis humein waheen jana hai. Aane-jaane ka kharchaa bhi toh hota hai na? Ab aap discount dene k liye raazi nahi ho rahe hain toh na sahi! (to the other guy) lijiye bhaiyya.. Hawaai waapis rakh dijiye. Aur agli baar hum aapki dukaan me naa aakar kise aise bhaiyya ki dukaan me jaayenge jo humein achchhaa-khaasa discount denge!
Owner: Kya madam aap bhi! Sirf 50 rs k liye itna kuch suna rahi hain!
Khushi: Haan,toh? 50 rs ped par toh nahi ugte hain na?! Aur agar aap k liye "sirf 50 rs" ka koi mol nahi hai toh bhaav kam kar dijiye!
The owner made a face as Khushi placed a 500 rs note on the counter.
Owner: Mol toh sab k liye hota hai par har koi aapki tarah itna nahi bolta hai!
Khushi: Jaiyye,jaiyye! Humse bhi zyaada mol-bhaav karne waale,adial(stubborn) customers rozaana aate honge aapki dukaan me! Hum toh phir bhi saal me ek-aadh baar hi yahaan aate hain!
Owner: Aap saal me ek baar aaye woh hi kaafi hai humare liye! Jaiyye,le jaiyye yeh sab 500 me! Aap bhi kya yaad karenge!
Khushi(collecting her stuff): Aapko toh hum kabhi yaad nahi karenge! huh!
"Unbelievable man!",said Arnav when they were well out of the lane.
Khushi: Kya hua?
Arnav: Uss dukaan me waise bhi sab kuch itna sastaa tha. Tumne phir bhi bargaining ki aur uss k liye owner se lad padi!
Khushi: Aap jaante nahi hain,Arnavji! Yehlog jaan-bhoojkar har cheez ka daam badhaakar rakhte hain kyunki inhe bahut achchhe se pataa hota hai ki graahak mol-bhaav karne hi waale hain!
Arnav: I dont believe this!
Khushi: Aap na har dukaan me jaakar "yeh bhi le lo" ya "pasand aaya hai toh le lo" mat kaha kijiye!
Arnav: Kyun nahi?
Khushi: Aapk aisaa karne se hum theek se mol-bhaav nahi kar paate hain! Dekhiye,aisi dukaanon me agar aapko koi cheez pasand aa bhi jaaye na toh aapko fauran yeh zaahir nahi karnaa chahiye. 2-4 aur cheezein dekhkar,parakhkar phir kehna chahiye.
Arnav: how would I know all this? Main toh pehli baar tumhare saath iss market me aaya hoon. Aur shaayad.. aakhri baar.
Khushi(shocked): Kyun? Aap agli baar humare saath Chandni chowk nahi aayenge?
Arnav: Mujhe aane me koi problem nahi hai! But I thought.. shaayad tum hi mujhe saath nahi laana chahogi. May be I'm.. more of a.. hindrance than a partner?..
Khushi: Kisne kaha? Dekhiye,agar humari baaton se aapko aisaa lagaa ho toh hum maafi chahtein hain! Hum toh har jagah aapko apne saath le jaana chahte hain! Agar hum kaheen aapk bina jaate hain toh hum har pal yeh hi sochte rehte hain "Kaash Arnavji bhi humare saath yahaan hote!" Agli baar jab humein Chandni chowk aana hoga tab hum aapk saath hi aayenge!
Arnav(smiles): Pakkaa?
Khushi: Sau fisadi!(100%)Ab chaliye yahaan se..
Arnav spoke shortly after they resumed walking through the dusty and busy lanes of the market.
Arnav: Chalo,ab bataao ki tumhari to-do list me aur kya-kya baaki hai?
Khushi: Amma k liye humein sil-battaa(mortar pestle) lena hai,jiji aur apne liye mehndni k cone lene hain,Shiv-Gauri k mandir me darshan karne jana hai..
Arnav: Phir se mandir?! Kal hi toh mandir jaakar aaye na?
Khushi: Haan,par yeh toh doosra mandir hai. Aur hum jab bhi Chandni chowk aate hain hum uss mandir me darshan karne zaroor jaate hain! Phir aaj yahaan tak aakar mandir na jaayein aisaa kaise ho saktaa hai?
Arnav: Okay,fine. Aur kya karnaa hai?
Khushi: Phir humein khaana khaana hai..
Arnav(shocked): Khaana!? Aur kya khaana hai tumhe?
Khushi: Dahi bade,tikki wali chaat,aate ka halwaa aur sabse zyaada zaroori- golgappe! (smiles)Woh hum aapk saath khaayenge!
Arnav: Fine..
Khushi: Phir,kulfi kha..
Arnav(interrupts): Kulfi kyun? Falooda khaya na tumne?
Khushi: Falooda aur kulfi me farq hota hai,Arnavji!
Arnav(shakes his head): I jus' dunno..
Khushi: Kya?
When he stopped,Khushi turned towards him.
Khushi: boliye toh,kya samajh nahi aata aapko?
Arnav(places his hand on her tummy): Itne se pet me itna saara khana kaise jaata hai?! And how come it doesnt show up in your weight!?
Khushi's ears moved when she felt his hand.
Her cheeks turned a shade darker and she averted her gaze to the road.
Arnav: Khushi?
Khushi: Ch.. chaliye yahaan se..
Arnav smiled as he removed his hand.
Arnav: Aur kuch karnaa hai ya aaj k liye itna kaafi hai?
Khushi: Karnaa hai na! Dariyaganj k bazaar se amma k liye Sarita khareedni hai.
Arnav: Sar.. ita as in? Koi novel hai?
Khushi: Nahi! Hindi patrika(magazine) hai. Amma ko usse padhne ka bahut shauq hai! Waise toh Lakshminagar k chaurahe pe jo newspaper wale ki dukaan hai,wahaan se amma Sarita khareedti hain. Par Dariyaganj k Itvaar bazaar me kitabein aur patrikaayein wholesale rate me mil jaati hain. So Sarita k alaava hum amma k liye Vanita naam ki patrika, buaji k liye bhajanon ki kitaab aur jiji k liye bachchhon ki parvarish par aadhaarit kitaabein bahut hi kam daamon me khareed sakte hain. Aur iss baar toh hum soch rahe the ki naniji k liye bhi Sarita le lein. Woh Hindi upanyaas(novel) aur kavitaayein(poetry) padhnaa pasand karti hain na? Toh socha shaayad.. patrika bhi unhe pasand aa jaaye?
Arnav: I'm sure unhe pasand aayegi! Ab bolo,sabse pehle kahaan jaana hai?
Khushi: Mehndiwale se 2 cone le lete hain.
Arnav: Okay. BTW,tum mehndi kyun khareed rahi ho? Koi function ya occasion toh hai nahi. Anniversary ki party ho chuki hai aur teej ko aane me abhi thoda time hai.
Khushi: Arnavji,mehndi lagaane k liye bhi koi avsar(occasion) dekhtaa hai kya?! Mehndi toh jab man karein aur jab haath khaali ho tab lagaa leni chahiye! Hum toh aise hi karte hain! Ab dekhiye na,agle do hafton me humein dabba businees ka kaam toh karnaa hai nahi. Ghar ki rasoi hai,jo hum ek haath se sambhaal lenge. Toh kal-parso me hum aur jiji saath baithenge aur baari-baari se ek-doosre k baaye(left) haath par mehndi lagaayenge! Iss hi bahaane gappe maar lenge aur puraani yaadein bhi taaza ho jaayengi!
Arnav: Right! Paris se aane k baad you havent really got a chance to chat freely with Paayal. Tumhara catching up session pending hai..
Khushi: Bilkul sahi kaha aapne! Ab iss taraf aaiyye..
She turned around the corner and Arnav followed suit.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
*Later that afternoon*
Arnav cleared his throat soon after Khushi popped the first golgappa in his mouth.
While Khushi licked her lips after having a golgappa loaded with the filling,water and sweet n spicy chutney.
Khushi: umm! Mazaa aa gayaa!
Arnav: Not really..
Khushi noticed that his eyes were watering because of the spicy cum tangy water.
Khushi: 1 aur lenge?
Arnav: Le lunga but.. this will be the last one,okay? I cant handle all that spice!
Khushi(feeds him): Theek hai.
He picked up one of Khushi's loaded golgappas from her plate and was about to lift it to her mouth when he saw her tensed face.
Arnav: Anythin wrong?
Khushi: Nahi..
Arnav: Are you sure?
Khushi directed the golgappa towards her mouth.
Khushi: a-ee-aa-ee-ae au a-ee a-ee-ae! (Jaldi khaiyye aur jaldi chaliye!)
Arnav(frowns): Kyun?
Khushi(gulps): Hum keh rahe hain,isiliye!
Arnav was surprised when Khushi said she did not want to have kulfi or visit the temple.
Khushi: Seedhe ghar chaliye!
Arnav: What's the matter with you? Pet dukh raha hai kya?
Khushi shook her head.
Arnav: Toh vomitting sensation..
Khushi(interrupts): Nahi,waisaa kuch nahi hai.
Arnav: Toh kya baat,bataao na? It has to be somethin serious,varnaa tum mandir jaane se manaa nahi karti.
Khushi: Yahaan nahi. Hum ghar jaakar bataayenge. Humein gali k baahar rickshaw mil jaayegi. Chaliye..
Arnav: Rickshaw?
Khushi: Arnavji please rickshaw me chaliye na! Humare haathon me kaafi saara saamaan hai aur iss waqt metro station tak chalkar jaane ka bilkul man nahi kar raha hai! Please..
Arnav: Okay,okay. Chalo..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Driver: Kahaan jana hai?
Khushi: Mayur Vihar..
Driver: Nahi jaayenge.
Khushi: Toh kahaan jaayenge,Timbaktu!?
Arnav: Relax! Chalo,hum aage waale rickshaw driver se poochhte hain..
Khushi sighed in relief when the other driver agreed.
Khushi: Meter se chalenge na bhaiyya?
Driver: Haan,haan behenji.
Khushi: Achchhi baat hai! (sits inside the auto) Chaliye,metre down kijiye..
Driver: Aap bas 2 minute gaadi me baithiye. Main abhi aaya..
Khushi: Theek hai par zyaada der mat kariyega.
Once he left,Khushi tied both the ends of her dupatta behind her back.
Arnav: Yeh kyun kar rahi ho?
Khushi: Taaki dupatta hawaa me na udh jaaye!
Arnav: You know what? Jab tumhara dupatta hawaa me udhta hai toh.. I like it!
Khushi: Haan par I dont like it! 1 baar toh.. (embarassed) udhkar seedhe driver k sir par jaa pahucha tha! Aisaa lag raha tha jaise unhone ghoonghat odha hua hai!
Arnav smiles as he imagines the scene in his head.
Khushi: Aap muskura rahe hain?! Wahaan sharam se humari jaan nikli ja rahi thi! Uss din k baad hum jab bhi rickshaw me baithe hain,hum apnaa dupatta peechhe baandhkar hi baithe hain. Aur.. baal bhi.
She gathered her hair above her haid and tied a free style bun.
Arnav: Kyun? Baal bhi driver k sar tak pahuchte hain kya?!
Khushi: Areh nahi! Woh..
She stopped when the driver returned.
Arnav knudged her once he started driving.
Arnav: Bolo na..
Khushi(whispers): Woh.. humne lipstick lagayi hai na? Toh baal jab chehre par udhte hain toh lipstick se chipak jaate hain. Phir chehre k jis hisse par udhte hain wahaan laal ya gulaabi rekhaayein(lines) ban jaati hain. Aur sab humse poochhte hain "Khushi,tumhare gaal par yeh.. laal,laal kya lagaa hua hai?"
Arnav: Toh yeh experience bhi ho chuka hai?
Khushi: hmm.
Arnav: Phir bhi tum rickshaw se travel karnaa prefer karti ho!
Khushi(whispers): Haan,toh?! Kyun na karein? Rickshaw me koi kharaabi ya kami thode hi na hai! Waise,aaj aap aur hum saath me pehli baar rickshaw se safar kar rahe hain na?
Arnav: Yup! Par mujhe ab tak samajh nahi aa raha hai ki tumhe rickshaw me baithkar ghar jaane ki jaldi kyun padh gayi?
Khushi: Kaha na,ghar jaakar bataayenge.
Arnav(gives up): Okay,I'll wait. Meanwhile..
He indicated his shoulder through his eyes.
Khushi shook her head,declining the offer of resting her head on his shoulder.
Arnav: Fine! As I told you this mornin,tumhe problem ho sakti hai par mujhe koi problem nahi hai!
He shifted slightly and placed his head on her shoulder,even though Khushi tried to prevent him from doing so.
She knew that the driver could spot them,thanks to the rear view mirror.
Khushi(thinks): Avval darje k Laila-Majnu lag rahe honge hum dono! Yeh Arnavji bhi na! Waise,tujhe toh shukar manaana chahiye,Khushi! Abhi toh unhone sirf sir hi rakhaa hai tere kaandhe pe.. Kaheen.. kamar me haath dal diya na toh.. ho chuka!
She was glad when he did not do anything apart from kissing her shoulder before he lifted his head off it.
Khushi grabbed a few of the shopping bags and went inside Shantivan even before Arnav had paid off the driver.
Arnav: Isse hua kya hai?
He followed her as fast as he could but still could not match up to her.
When he entered the living room,he found Anjali waiting for him.
Anjali: Kaisi rahi?
Arnav: Achchhi rahi! I had a good time! Waise.. Khushi kahaan gayi?
Anjali: Bathroom..
Arnav(thinks): Oh,I see! Tab hi usse ghar pahuchne ki jaldi thi!
Anjali: Tum bhi fresh ho jao,Chhotey. Tab tak hum tumhare liye coffee banaate hain.
Arnav(smiles): Thanks di!
********
When Arnav entered the bedroom,he found Khushi exiting the bathroom with a worried expression.
Arnav: Kya hua?
Khushi: Woh hi jiska dar tha!
Arnav: Matlab.. kya?
Khushi: Humara.. mahina lag gayaa hai.
Arnav: What the..!?
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Precap:
Arnav: Babuji,aap Lucknow wala ghar kyun bechnaa chahte hain?
Babuji: Aisaa hai ki.. ab hum aur Garimaji tau jiji ko chhodkar huaan rahne jaayenge naahi. Aur.. itne bakhat se band padaa-padaa oo ghar kharaab hui gawaa hai. Andar ki deewaron maa seelan hui gayi hai aur paint ukhad gawaa hai tau baahar ki deewaron me kaae lag gayi hai, jameen ki tilein aawaaj karat rahi. Chhat se paani tapak raha hai. Aisan hi band padaa raha tau oo khatam hui jaayega. Ae hi liye.. soch rahe the ki.. oo ko Banwaarilal ko bech de.
Arnav: Banwaarilal kaun hain?
Babuji: Humre mitra hain aur padosi bhi. Oo k bete ki saadi hui gayi hai aur oo bitwa ki khaatir doosra ghar dhoond rahe hain. Pados me jaun ghar mil jaayega taun oo k parivaar ki khaatir bhi achchha hoga aur humri khaatir bhi. Banwaarilal ek bahutai imaandaar aur sajjan aadmi hai! Humra ghar oo k naam karne maa humko kauno aapatti naahi hai. Naahi Garimaji ya bitiyan ko hogi.
Arnav: Aap ghar unko mat bechiye,babuji..
Babuji: Par Arnav babu,baahar k kauno.. anjaan byakti ko ghar bechne se..
Arnav(interrupts): Aapko ghar bechna hi hai toh usse hum khareed lenge. Hum as in main aur Aakash. Aap apnaa ghar humein bech dijiye..

Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Translation will be up tomorrow night. Next update on Sunday,6th November.

P.S. Views expressed belong to the characters,not the author. No offence intended.

Wow fabulous update!!

Finally you updated
loving this story
continue soon

I loved how naniji explained arnav that khushi cannot just be his wife but she is the bahu as well.. n den how he whines like a child.. mujhe tumhare saath rehna h!
The chandni chowk visit was also nice! It seems arnav just don't wanna let go any moment to spend with khushi.. n dat is so cute! Arnav feeding her the parantha n den complaining like a baby. N then keeping his head on her shoulder!