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Part 116
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(frowns): Kya?
Khushi: Areh woh hi jo nahi hona chahiye tha!
Arnav: Matlab.. exactly kya hua hai?
Khushi: Humara mahina lag gayaa hai,aur kya!?
Arnav: What the..!? Tumhari date toh bahut door hai..
Khushi: Woh hi toh! Pataa nahi abhi kyun lag gayaa? Yeh sab uss kambakht dawaai ki wajah se ho raha hai!
Arnav: Relax! In a way its good ki tumhare periods abhi start ho gaye hain..
Khushi: Good kaise?
Arnav: Teej k time pe ho jaate toh tum vrat nahi rakh paati na?
Khushi(agrees): Haan,woh toh hai. Waise, achchha hua ki humne aaj kaale rang ka kurta pehna tha. Varna.. hum poore baazaar me.. dhabbaa(stain) liye ghoom rahe hote!
She proceeds to highlight the date in her cellphone calender.
Arnav: Tumhare paas pads hain na?
Khushi: Ha,hain toh. Par soch rahe the ki 1 aur packet le aayein. Itne dinon k baad mahina lagaa hai. Kya pataa kitne dinon tak bahaav chalega?
Arnav(walks up to her): Abhi se tension mat lo. Aur jitne din chaltaa ho chalne do! Its good for your body!
Khushi: Haan,andar jamaa ho jaata uss se toh behtar yeh hi hai ki nikal jaaye! Par..
Arnav: Kya?
Khushi(sad face): Ab.. agle kuch dinon tak hum dono ko ek doosre se door rehna padega.
Arnav: Kyun?
Khushi: Areh!? Iss k chalte hum.. sambandh kaise banaayenge?
Arnav: I agree,nahi banaa paayenge. So what!? No sex ka matlab yeh nahi hai ki humein ek doosre se door rehna padega! Remember?
Khushi nods as she recalls their conversation in Paris.
Arnav cups her face & pecks her lips.
Arnav: I'm with you. Always remember that,okay?
Khushi nods before wrapping her arms around him.
Arnav: Ab jaakar change kar lo. Aur agar pain ho raha hai toh bataao. Main hot water bag lekar aata hoon.
Khushi: Nahi,hum theek hain. Aap bhi kapde badal lijiye. Phir neeche chalte hain.
Arnav: Tumhe aaraam karnaa hai toh tum..
Khushi(interrupts): Nahi,nahi! Kamre me pade rahenge toh baar-baar humara dhyaan iss hi par jaayega. Neeche chalkar sabse baatein karenge toh man behel jaayega. Aur phir sabk liye Chandni chowk se jo cheezein laayein hain woh bhi de denge.
Arnav: Okay. Aur main OP se keh dunga. Woh tumhare liye soup banaa dega.
Khushi: Theek hai. Garam soup peeyenge toh behtar mehsoos karenge. Aap bhi soup pee lijiyega,thakaan utar jayegi. Aur laptop lekar mat baith jaiyyega varnaa aur thakaan ho jaayegi.
Arnav: Nahi baithunga. Main tumhare paas hi rahunga,okay? So dont worry!
Khushi(smiles): Shukriya!
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*Later that night*
Arnav sat in bed with his face towards the bathroom.
The door opened a minute later and out came a visibly tired Khushi.
Arnav: Flow kaisaa hai?
Khushi: Bhaari(heavy) hai.
Arnav: Cramps toh nahi ho rahe hain?
Khushi shook her head as she got into bed.
Arnav gently ran a hand through her hair.
Arnav: Relax..
Khushi: Bahut samay k baad itna bhaari bahaav ho raha hai. Iss se pichhli baar tab hua tha jab hum kuch.. 11 ya 12 saal k the.
Arnav: Tumhare periods start kab huye the?
Khushi: Jab hum paanchvi(5th grade) me the,tab. Pataa hai? Humari kakshaa(grade) me hum woh doosre chhaatra(student) the jo itni jaldi mahine me baith gaye the. Humse pehle humari saheli Rani chauthvi(4th) me mahine me baith gayi thi. Baaki sab saatvi,aathvi tak aish kar rahe the! Aur hum har mahine dard sehen karte the!
Arnav: Awww!
Khushi was about to say something when a yawn interrupted her.
Arnav(kisses her forehead): Ab so jaao. Baaki ki baatein kal karenge.
Khushi: Kal aap milenge tab na hum baatein karenge! Aaj subha toh bina mile hi daud lagaane chale gaye the.
Arnav: Kal subha tumhe jagaakar jaaunga.
Khushi: Aur suniye..
Arnav: Boliye?
Khushi: Aaj toh hum.. roz ki tarah aapki baahon me nahi so paayenge. Toh.. aap zaraa dhyaan rakhiyega. Kaheen hum.. picchhli baar ki tarah, neend me aapki peeth par na chadh jaayein! Aur agar humne aisaa kuch kiya toh humein turant jagaaiyyega.
Arnav: Okay,I'll do that. Ab tum yeh sab sochna chhodo varnaa tumhe neend nahi aayegi.
Khushi: hmm.
Arnav(covers them with duvet): Goodnight!
Khushi(holds his hand): Goodnight!
But it did not turn out to be a good night for Khushi.
Sleep evaded her as she kept tossing and turning in her quest to find a comfortable position.
Eventually she gave up and decided to sit up for a while.
Khushi(thinks): Kuch der aise baithne se shaayad.. neend aa jaaye.
Her gaze fell on her husband who was sleeping soundly.
Khushi(thinks): Kahaan woh raat thi jab yeh nahi so paa rahe the aur hum inhe sulaane ki koshish kar rahe the. Aur kahaan yeh raat hai jab hum khud nahi so paa rahe hain! Bhed,bakri,ulti ginti koi tarqeeb kaam nahi aa rahi hai! Kaash hum buaji waali tarqeeb aazmaa paatein! Par mahine k chalte hum woh bhi nahi aazmaa paayenge! (sighs)Tab unhe craving ho rahi thi aur ab.. humein craving ho rahi hai! Yeh jaanne k baawajood ki iss haalat me kuch nahi ho saktaa! Taajjub ki baat toh yeh hai ki honey ko craving kaise nahi hui? Yeh itne aaraam se kaise so rahe hain?
She smacked her head to clear her muddled brain.
Khushi(thinks): Tu bhi na Khushi! Honey thak gaye hain isiliye so rahe hain. Waisi,thaki toh tu bhi kam nahi hai. Par yeh kambakht petdard hai jo tujhe sone nahi de raha hai! Ajeeb hai yeh bhi! Jab woh jage huye the tab nahi hua,ab ho raha hai! Aur ab.. hum inhe jagaa bhi nahi saktein. Kal inhe office jo jana hai. (clicks her tongue)Ajeeb museebat hai! Na ho toh bhi taqleef aur ho toh bhi taqleef! Par kya karein? Agar yeh dhang se nahi hua toh.. bachchhein kaise honge? Aur agar.. bachchhein.. nahi huye toh.. ?
She shook her head to get rid of such thoughts.
Khushi: Shubh-shubh bol,Khushi! Aur achchha-achchha soch! Mahina lag gayaa hai na? Toh bachhchein kyun nahi honge?! Bachchhein toh zaroor honge!
Arnav(in a sleepy voice): Kis k?
A shocked Khushi turns to him to find him raising his head from the pillow.
Arnav: Kis k bacchhein zaroor honge?
Khushi: Humare,aur kis k!?
Arnav(frowns): What?
Khushi: Kuch nahi! So jaiyye!
Arnav had barely put his head on the pillow when Khushi exclaimed: Nahi,nahi! Mat soiyye!
Arnav: What the..!? (switches on the bedside lamp)Kya problem hai?
Khushi: woh.. humare pet k nichle hisse me dard ho raha hai.. Toh aap zaraa.. neeche jaakar hot water bag le aayenge?
Arnav: Sure!
********
Khushi felt better after pressing the hot water bag to her lower abdomen.
Khushi: Ab kuch theek lag raha hai!
Arnav: Great!
Khushi: Ab aap batti bujhaa dijiye. Humein lagtaa hai ki ab hum so paayenge.
Arnav: Okay.
He turned to her after switching off the lamp.
Arnav(props himself on an elbow): Suno..
Khushi(turns to him): Ji,boliye?
Arnav: Agar bachchhein nahi huye toh bhi koi baat nahi! (kisses her cheek)Mere liye yeh bachchhi kaafi hai!
Khushi(smacks his chest): Magar humare liye yeh bachchha kaafi nahi hai uss ka kya?
Arnav: Toh hum adopt kar lenge! Aaj kal science ne bahut taraqqi(progress) kar li hai..
Khushi: Jaante hain..
Arnav(smacks her head): Phir bhi chinta kar rahi ho. Kahaan ki baat ko kahaan le gayi! Dr. ne aisaa kuch bhi nahi kaha hai,okay? So dont assume things just because 1 mahine tumhare periods delay ho gaye hain.
Khushi: Hum bhi khud se yeh hi keh rahe the!
Arnav: Ab khud ko goodnight kaho aur so jaao! Thodi der me subha ho jaayegi. Phir toh uthna hi padega.
Khushi: Theek hai. Ab hum baatein nahi karenge. (caresses his cheek)Khaamakhaa aapki neend tod di humne.
Arnav: Khaamakhaa kyun? Achchcha hi hua ki main jag gayaa. Varnaa tum sari raat baithkar khud se baatein karti rehti aur tumhara dard bhi kam nahi hota.
Khushi: Aap sahi keh rahe hain.
Arnav: Ab bhi agar neend na aaye toh bataana. I'm ready to stay awake by your side..
Khushi leans closer and kisses his cheek.
Khushi(smiles): Shukriya!
Arnav holds her hand in his and drifts off to sleep.
Khushi closes her eyes and eventually falls asleep.
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*The next day,2 p.m.*
Khushi(answers the call): Boliye..
Arnav: Tumne khana khaya?
Khushi: Haan,kha liya. Aapne khaaya ya nahi? Aur dawaai li ya nahi?
Arnav: Khaane baith raha hoon..
Khushi(looks at the clock): Itni der se?
Arnav: hmm. 1 meeting thi toh.. der ho gayi. Waise tumlogon ki shopping kaisi rahi?
Khushi(smiles): Bahut achchchi rahi! Lavanyaji aur humein dono ko bahut mazaa aaya! Aur phir humne woh.. frankie bhi khaayi!
Arnav: Kaisi lagi?
Khushi: Bahut swaadisht thi!
Arnav: Achchha,tumhara flow kaisaa hai?
Khushi: Ab tak bhaari hi hai. Isiliye hum abhi bhi hot water bag lekar baithe hain.
Arnav: Main yeh hi kehnewala tha.. Zyaada pain ho toh Paayal se woh painkiller le lena.
Khushi: Ji.
Arnav: BTW,mehndi aur catching up session ka kya hua?
Khushi: Woh toh kal hi ho paayega kyunki aaj shaam ko sablog Sharma auntieji k yahaan satsang par jaa rahe hain.
Arnav: Really?
Khushi: Haan. Ab.. hum toh jaa nahi sakte. Lavanyaji humare saath rukna chahti thi par naniji ne kaha toh woh unke saath jaane k liye maan gayi.
Arnav: Matlab ghar par tum akeli hogi?
Khushi: Nahi,nahi! Om Prakashji aur Lakshmiji honge na.
Arnav: Great! Lakshmi ki company is all that you need!..
Khushi: Sach me! Bahut waqt ho gayaa hai unk saath baithe huye.
Arnav: All that is fine par uss k peechhhe bhaagna mat. Let OP handle her.
Khushi: Haan,aap chinta mat kijiye. Hum apnaa dhyaan rakhenge. Ab aap jaldi se khana khaa lijiye!
Arnav: Okay.
Khushi: Toh.. hum phone rakhein?
Arnav: Tumne poochha nahi ki main kitne baje ghar aaunga?
Khushi: Nahi,kyunki humein pataa hai ki aap shaam ko 1 aur baar phone karenge. Toh humne socha ki hum tab hi poochh lenge!
She knew that he was smiling after hearing her answer.
Arnav: Alright. Toh main jawaab bhi tab hi doonga.
Khushi: Koi baat nahi!
Arnav: Take care.
Khushi: Aap bhi dhyaan rakhiyega. Aur man lagaakar kaam kariyega. Aur..
Arnav(interrupts): Aur jo kuch bhi kehna baaki reh gaya hai woh bhi shaam ko hi kehna!
He cut the call after saying that.
Khushi gave her trademark,shocked expression.
Khushi(ending the call): Lard governer kahin k!
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*Later that day,8:00 pm*
OP(hands her a bowl): Yeh lijiye bhabhiji..
Khushi: Tamaatar ka soup? Par.. humne toh..
OP(interrupts): Anjali di ne kaha tha aapko yeh dene k liye.
Khushi(smiles): Oh.. Shukriya!
OP: Hum Laksmi ko khaana khilaane ja rahe hain. Aap kuch der haal(hall/living room) me baithengi?
Khushi: Haan,haan zaroor! Agar koi aayega toh hum dekh lenge.
OP(smiles): Dhanyavaad!
*****
The bell rang 10 minutes later.
Khushi(surprised): Aap?
Arnav(smiles): Bang on time for dinner!
Khushi: Haan.. woh toh hai par.. aap toh keh rahe the ki aane me der ho jaayegi?
Arnav: Meetin cancel ho gayi toh main jaldi aa gayaa.
Khushi(doubtful): Meeting cancel ho gayi ya.. aapne karvaa di?
Arnav: Coffee banaa do..
Khushi: Samajh gaye! Aap bhi na! Kaam ka nuksaan..
Arnav(interrupts): Nahi hua hai! Meetin kal dopeher me hogi. Aur Main dinner k baad 1 ghante tak kaam karnewala hoon. So chill!
Khushi: Theek hai. Aap kapde badal lijiye. Tab tak hum coffee lekar aate hain.
Arnav: No,its okay. Tum yaheen raho. Main hi neeche aa jaaunga. Dinner k saath hi coffee le lunga..
Khushi: Jaisaa aap theek samjhein.
*****
OP: Humne khana garam kar diya hai,bhabhiji. Aur mez(table) bhi sajaa diya hai..
Khushi: Coffee bhi taiyyaar hai. Aap aisaa kijiye p..
Arnav(enters the kitchen): Om Prakash..
OP: Ji bhaiyya?
Arnav: Tum oopar jaakar Lakshmi k paas baitho. Agar kisi cheez ki zaroorat hui toh main tumhe bulaa lunga.
OP: Ji..
He gives a shy smile to Khushi before leaving the kitchen.
Khushi(thinks): Pataa nahi OPji k dimaag me kya chal raha hoga!?
Arnav(holds her arm): Come..
He pulls a chair for her.
Arnav: Main khana serve kar dunga.
Khushi: Nahi,nahi. Aap office se thak-kar aaye hain. Aap baithiye,hum kar denge..
Arnav: Tumne toh dopeher ko bhi yeh hi kiya hoga. Aur tum bhi thaki hui hogi. So,tum baitho..
Khushi: Nahi,aap..
The landline interrupted Khushi.
Khushi: Aap baithiye,hum dekhte hain.
She left to take the call while Arnav waited for her.
Khushi: Hello..
A man spoke from the other end: Nanhe ko phone dijiyega..
Khushi: Nanheji iss waqt ghar par nahi hain.
Man: Tau kahaan hai oo? Hum oo k mobile par phone milaaye rahe par oo bhi naahi uthaaye raha hai.
Khushi: Ji,woh.. ghar k sablog satsang par gaye huye hain. Toh.. shaayad unhone phone silent par rakhaa hoga?
Man: Tum ka.. bahuriya bol rahi hau?
Khushi: Ji. Maaf kijiyega! Humne.. aapko pehchaana nahi.
Man: Hum Jugalkishore bol rahe hain..
Khushi(turns to Arnav): Jugal.. kishore..? (whispers)Kaun hain?
Arnav: NK k dad..
Khushi(holds her head): oh ho! Namaste mausaaji!
JK: Jeeti rahau,bitiya!
Khushi: Maaf kijiyega woh.. pehli baar aapse bat kar rahe hain isiliye aapko pehchaan nahi paaye!
JK: Kauno baat naahi! Achchhaa ee bataao ki tum kaisi ho?
Khushi: Hum theek hain. Aap aur mausiji kaise hain?
JK: Hum dunno theek hain! Huaan sab kaise hain?
Khushi: Sab theek hain.
JK: Nanhe aa jaaye tau jaraa phone karvaaye dena.
Khushi: Ji,zaroor!
JK: Waise bitiya,humein tumhra 1 kaam raha..
Khushi: Ji kahiye..
JK: Tumhre babuji k ghar ka pataa likhvaaye diyo. Oo ko Nanhe bitwa ki shaadi ki nimantran patrika(invitation card) bhijvaani thi.
Khushi tells him the complete postal address.
JK: Dhanyavaad! Tum ghar maa sabko humri yaad dai dena aur ammaji ko humaara pranaam kahe dena!
Khushi: Ji,hum keh denge. Aap bhi mausiji ko humara namaste kahiyega!
JK: Jaroor kahe denge! Tum swastha rahau, sukhi rahau aur jald hi humka khushkhabri sunaaye diyo! Chalo bitiya,ab hum rakhte hain. Namaste!
He cut the call before Khushi could say anything.
Arnav: Kya hua? Tum phone ko aise kyun dekh rahi ho?
Khushi: Lagtaa hai unhe.. galatfehmi ho gayi. Shaayad woh.. humein jiji samajh rahe the.
Arnav: what makes you say that?
Khushi: Unhone humse kaha ki.. jald hi khushkhabri sunaa dena. Ab.. yeh baat koi.. humse kyun kahega? Hum thode hi na..
Arnav: Tum.. unhe mausaaji kehkar bulaa rahi thi na,isiliye unhe aisaa lagaa ki line par Paayal hai.
Khushi nods while replacing the cordless in its socket.
Arnav(serves the food): Waise.. tum unhe mausaaji kyun keh rahi thi? Woh Akash k mausaa hain,humare nahi.
Khushi(walks up to him): Toh kya hua? Jijaji k mausaaji matlab humare mausaaji. Waise.. aap unhe kya kehkar bulaate hain.
Arnav: Uncle,aur kya!?
Khushi(sits next to him): Unki baaton se.. aisaa nahi lagaa ki woh bahut saalon se videsh me reh rahe hain. Achchhe swabhaav k lage.
Arnav: Woh bahut simple aur grounded hain. And.. he's a desi at heart!
Khushi(smiles): Achchchi baat hai! Aise hi hona chahiye..
Arnav: Wait till you see NK's mom!
Khushi: Aap aisaa kyun keh rahe hain?
Arnav: Woh bilkul mami ki tarah hain!
Khushi(smiles): Phir toh jab mamiji aur mausiji saath hote honge toh dono ki baatein sunne me badaa mazaa aata hoga na?
Arnav(smiles): Right! Chalo,ab khaana khao..
He tears a piece of chappati,dips it in the dal and brings it to her mouth.
Khushi (shakes her head): Aap na! Koi maukaa nahi gavaate!
Arnav(feeds her): Gavaana bhi nahi chahiye kyunki aise mauke baar-baar nahi milenge! So we should cherish these moments!
Khushi nods as she prepares a morsel for him.
The family returns soon after ArShi are through with the dinner.
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ArShi retire to their bedroom after a quick chat with everyone.
Khushi: Bahut der tak kaam mat kariyega..
Arnav: Maine kaha na? Sirf 1 ghante ka kaam hai. Tum change kar k let jao..
Khushi: Ji.
When Khushi came out of the bathroom,Arnav noticed that her hand was on the lower abdomen.
Arnav: Cramps aa rahe hain kya?
Khushi nodded while getting into bed.
Khushi: Yeh hot water bag apni jagah theek hai par hum soch rahe hain ki..
Arnav(interrupts): Main bhi yeh hi soch raha tha ki tumne medicine le leni chahiye..
Khushi: Nahi,hum yeh soch rahe the ki kal savere amma ko phone karenge. Jab bhi humein dard hota tha tab amma humare pet par ek khaas tel ko garam kar uss ki maalish kiya karti thi. Uss se bahut aaraam milta tha!
Arnav: Toh tumne pehle kyun nahi baataya? Amma ko aaj hi phone kar leti na..
Khushi: Pehle humein hot water bag se aaraam mil raha tha isiliye humne socha ki tel ki zaroorat nahi padegi. Waise bhi,aam taur par jab humara mahina lagtaa hai toh hot water bag se humara kaam chal jaata hai. Par.. iss baar kuch zyaada hi dard ho raha hai.
Arnav: Isiliye keh raha hoon,aaj medicine le lo. Varnaa theek se so nahi paaogi. Kal subha amma se baat kar k tel ka naam le lena. Main Mohan ko medical store bhejkar mangvaa dunga.
Khushi: Woh tel toh ayurvedic dawaaiyyon ki dukaan par milta hai. 1 shishi shaayad amma k paas padi hogi. Hum poochh lenge..
Arnav: In that case,main usse buaji k ghar bhejkar tel collect karvaa lunga.
Khushi: Aap rehne dijiye.
Arnav: Kyun?
Khushi: Darasal Nanheji k 1 dost inn dinon Dilli aaye huye hain. Toh kal Lavanyaji aur Nanheji unn se milne Cafe wink jaane ki baat kar rahe the.
Arnav: Woh kahaan hai?
Khushi: Anand vihar me. Phir Lavanyaji ne humse kaha ki hum bhi unk saath chalein,taaki cafe se hum seedhe kharidaari karne k liye nikal paayein. Varnaa unhe humein lene k liye ghar aana padega ya humein rickshaw se..
Arnav(interrupts): Rickshaw se mat jana! Tum unn dono k saath hi chali jaana.
Khushi: Hum bhi woh hi soch rahe the. Aur.. Anand vihar Lakshminagar se paas padtaa hai toh hum aate ya jaate waqt amma se tel le lenge.
Arnav: Theek hai but kal hi le lena.
Khushi: Ji,bilkul. Achchha,ab hum jiji se dawaai lekar aate hain varnaa jiji so jaayengi.
Arnav: Tum ruko,main lekar aata hoon.
Khushi(shocked): Aa.. aap?
Arnav: Haan,m.. main!
Khushi: Nahi,nahi! Aap kyun.. dawaai lene jaayenge?
Arnav: Relax! Main dawaai lene ja raha hoon,pad nahi! Waise,uss tablet ka naam kya hai?
Khushi: Baralgan..
Arnav: Fine,main abhi lekar aata hoon.
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When Arnav reached PaYash's room,he saw Akash near the door with a glass of saffron infused milk in his hand.
The brothers smiled at each other.
Arnav: Paayal rest kar rahi hai?
Akash nodded.
Arnav: Tum apne first aid box se Baralgan lekar aaoge?
Akash: Sure bhai! Bas 1 minute..
Akash returned very soon with a strip of tablets.
Akash: Lijiye..
Arnav: Thanks! Main baaki ki tablets subha de dunga..
Akash: Aap isse apne room me rakh lijiye. Waise bhi,Paayal ko abhi iss ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Arnav: Ya.. right.. Okay,fine.
Akash(smiles): Goodnight bhai!
Arnav(nods): Goodnight!
Arnav walked back towards his room only to find Anjali approaching him.
Arnav: Kya hua di?
Anjali: Chhotey,hum tumhare liye rakshaa dhaaga laaye the. Par baandhna hi bhool gaye!
Arnav(extends his right wrist): Ab baandh dijiye..
Anjali nods while tieing the holy thread on his wrist.
Arnav notices the gold kangan in her hands.
Arnav: Di,aapko bangles pasand nahi aaye kya?
Anjali(confused): Kaunse bangles?
Arnav: Woh hi,jo Khushi ne aap k liye Chandni chowk se liye the.
Anjali: a.. nahi,humein toh bahut pasand aayein! Par.. humne socha ki hum Khushiji k birthday par.. matlab jab aaplog Lucknow se waapis aa jaayenge tab hum.. woh wali choodiyaan pehenenge.
Arnav was about to say something when she continued.
Anjali: Filhaal humein bahut bhookh lagi hai! Aur nani bhi intezaar kar rahi hain toh.. hum chalte hain. Goodnight!
She left in a haste failing to see the wet sheen which had appeared in Arnav's eyes.
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*The next night,11 p.m.*
A weary and tired Arnav entered Shantivan to find Om Prakash waiting for him.
Arnav: Tum yahaan kya kar rahe ho?
OP: Hum aap k hi aane ka intezaar kar rahe the,bhaiyya.
Arnav: What the..!? Tumhe mere liye intezaar karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai! Jao,jaakar so jaao!
He was about to leave for his bedroom when OP spoke in a tensed tone.
OP: Hum kaise sote? Khusi bhabhiji ne aaj khana nahi khaya.
Arnav(shocked): Kyun? Uss ki tabiyat theek hai?
OP: Woh hi theek nahi thi isiliye unhone humse kaha ki hum baad me kha lenge. Phir jab naniji ne humko unki thaali lekar aapk kamre me bheja toh.. humne andar se sisakne ki aawaaz suni. Humne..
Arnav did not wait for a second after hearing that.
He sped up the stairs and reached his bedroom in no time.
Khushi raised her head from her knees when the door flung open.
Arnav: Khushi.. (runs up to her)Tum theek ho?
Khushi patted the bed and Arnav sat down beside her.
That is when Arnav noticed the tears in her eyes.
Arnav(cups her cheek): Whats wrong,baby? Tumne lights kyun band rakhein hain? Aur.. tum ro kyun rahi ho?
Khushi: Aaj dopeher ko jab hum amma se tel lene k liye gaye the tab.. babuji se humari baat hui.
Arnav: Woh Lucknow se kab waapis aaye?
Khushi: Aaj subha hi aaye. Aur.. woh keh rahe the ki.. humare Lucknow wale ghar ki haalat bahut kharaab ho gayi hai. Iss se pehle ki woh ghar.. dher (destroy) ho jaaye.. babuji usse.. bechna chahte hain.
Arnav: Oh.. no! Listen Khushi..
Khushi(sobs): Ab hum uss ghar me nahi reh paayenge,Arnavji! Apnaa janamdin bhi.. wahaan nahi manaa paayenge! Humara ghar ab.. humara nahi raha kyunki.. babuji uss ki marammat(repair) karvaakar usse.. jald se jald bechna chahte hain.
Khushi paused when Arnav pulled her into his arms.
Khushi: Humse keh rahe the ki.. jab hum wahaan jaayein toh.. apnaa aur jiji ka.. saamaan chhaat lein. Jo kaam ka ho woh Dilli le aayein baaki.. bech dein. Humne toh ab tak jiji ko bhi.. nahi bataaya. Kaise bataatein?
Arnav: Mujhe yeh samajh nahi aa raha hai ki babuji ghar ko bechna kyun chahte hain?
Khushi: Woh toh humein bhi nahi pataa. Pataa nahi kaunsa bhoot sawaar ho gayaa hai unk sir par,jo ghar aur.. dukaan dono ko bechne ki baat kar rahe the. Amma bhi nakhush lag rahi thi. Aur hum? Humne toh badi mushqil se apne aansoon roke aur.. wahaan se chale gaye. Jaate-jaate bas.. amma ko yeh kehte suna ki.. babuji akele dukaan aur.. ghar ko.. khaali nahi kar paayenge. Humein aur amma ko bhi.. unki madad karni hogi.
Arnav: Toh kya.. amma aur babuji bhi humare saath Lucknow jaayenge?
Khushi: Humare saath jaayenge ya nahi,woh toh nahi pataa par jaayenge zaroor! Aur humse.. ghar khaali karvaane ka mushqil kaam bhi karvaayenge! Aisaa kaam jo hum kabhi,kisi ghar k liye nahi karnaa chahte hain! Lekin.. humein karnaa hi padtaa hai!
Arnav(frowns): What do you mean?
Khushi: Jab humare amma babuji.. chal base the tab bhi.. yeh hi hua tha. Humein apnaa pyaara ghar chhodna padaa.. Apne kapdein sametne pade.. Amma ki woh.. hari saree,jis ka chhor pakadkar hum unk peechhe-peechhe bhaagte the, woh daan karni padi.. Aur babuji k kapdon ka bhi woh hi haal hua.. Woh bistar,jis par hum apne amma babuji k saath sote the,woh baaki saamaan k saath bech diya gayaa.. Aur toh aur,humari nazron k saamne humara ghar.. khaali ho gayaa. Bilkul khaali! Jis ghar me aap ek arse tak kisi k saath rahein ho aur aapne apne aas-paas har jagah cheezein aur khilaune dekhe ho,woh ghar jab.. khaali ho jaata hai na,toh.. thodi der k liye toh.. vishwas hi nahi hota ki yeh.. woh hi ghar hai jo kal tak itna har bharaa tha! Aur phir.. sachhaai ka ehsaas hote hi.. dil ko dhakkaa sa lagtaa hai. Uss khaali ghar ka drishya(image) hum aaj tak nahi bhoolein aur na hi kabhi bhool paayenge! (gulps)Humse na tab khaali ghar dekha jaata tha aur.. na ab dekha jaayega! Isiliye hum toh amma,babuji se keh denge ki.. hum saamaan aur kapdein chhaat lenge par.. ghar aur dukaan khaali karte waqt.. hum wahaan nahi rahenge! Hum.. khaali ghar ki safaai karne me.. amma ki koi madad nahi karenge! Uss ghar k saath humari anginat(innumerable) yaadein judi huyi hain.. Humare bachpan ka zyaadaatar hissa uss hi ghar me beeta hai. Hum kaise..? (shakes her head)nahi! Hum unki madad nahi karenge!
Arnav: Madad karne ki naubat hi nahi aayegi,Khushi!
Khushi(confused): Kyun?
Arnav: Kyunki na toh woh ghar khaali hoga aur na hi bikega!
Khushi: Par babuji toh..
Arnav(interrupts): Unhe main samjhaaunga. (kisses her forehead)Tumhe apnaa ghar khaali nahi karnaa padega! Trust me when I say that! Main uss ghar ka renovation karvaaunga aur woh ghar bilkul waisaa hi rahega jaisaa tum usse chhodkar gayi thi! Tumhare aur Paayal k room k curtains, tumhare cupboards,tumhara bed sab waheen k waheen rahega! Uss me koi changes nahi honge,unless you approve..
Khushi: Sach?
Arnav(nods): Much!
Khushi wanted to thank him but she was so overwhelmed that no words came out of her mouth.
So she allowed her lips to convey the message.
Pretty soon her fingers found themselves in the mesh of hair that they loved!
Her tongue found its way into his mouth.
Her lips tingled as his stubble rubbed against them.
Her body ached for a different reason altogether.
She longed to kiss him for as long as she could.
But something broke the momentum.
A tear rolled down Arnav's cheek and fell on their cojoined lips.
Khushi broke the kiss when she tasted the salty drop.
Khushi(leans away): Kya.. hua.. honey? (caresses his cheek)Aap.. kyun ro.. rahe hain?
Arnav: Kyunki jo.. tum mehsoos.. kar rahi ho.. woh main.. mehsoos kar raha hoon! Mujhe pataa hai ki.. apne ghar ko khaali.. dekhna.. ,apne.. khaali room k.. andar jaana.. kya hota hai. Kaisaa lagtaa hai jab.. aapko bina.. apni marzi k.. apnaa ghar chh.. odnaa padhta hai. Jab aapko.. apne kapdein.. sametne padte hain.. Jab aapka.. sab kuch.. aapse chhin jaata hai!
Khushi wiped his tears before embracing him.
Arnav: Jab aap.. saalon baad uss hi ghar me.. jaate hain jahaan.. aapki life ka ek hissa guzraa hai par.. woh ghar aapko anjaan.. sa lagtaa hai. Yaadon k.. alaavaa jahaan.. kuch nahi hota hai.. (takes a deep breath)Yeh bhi maine dekha hai. Par,I swear,tumhe yeh nahi dekhna hoga! Woh ghar.. jahaan tum apne amma babuji ki death se pehle unk saath rahi.. woh aakhri ghar tha jisse tumne.. khaali hote huye dekha! Ab aisaa kabhi nahi hoga!
Khushi(cups): Humein aapki baat par poora bharosa hai! (kisses his widow's peak)Aap sab kuch theek kar denge! Iss baar na sahi par.. jab uss ghar ki marammat ho jaayegi tab.. 1 baar hum dono wahaan chalenge,uss ghar me rahenge! Aur.. humare kuch adhoore sapne bhi poore ho jaayenge!
Arnav: Woh toh iss baar hi ho jaayenge. Bhale hi hum uss ghar me na reh paayein par hum Lucknow jaayenge! Aur tumhara birthday,waheen manaayenge!
Khushi smiles through her tears.
Arnav(wipes her tears): Chalo,ab rona band karo!
Khushi: Aap bhi.. (caresses his cheek)Aapki daadhi chubhne lagi hai. Lucknow jaane se pehle isse saaf kar dijiyega.
Arnav: Deal! Ab tum fresh ho jao aur phir mere saath khana kha lo..
He gets up from the bed and carries her to the bathroom in his arms.
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*The next morning,8 a.m.*
Arnav waits impatiently as the landline at Gupta Niwas continues its tring tring.
Finally buaji picks up the phone.
Buaji: Helloo Nandakisore!
Arnav: Namaste buaji!
Buaji: Jeeyat rahau,babua!
Arnav thought buaji's voice sounded unusually dull that morning.
Buaji: Kaisan hau?
Arnav: Theek hoon. Babuji hain aas paas?
Buaji: Thahro,hum bulaate hain. (loudly) Ae Sasi babua..! Arnav babua ka phunwaa aaya hai..!
He could hear babuji's distant voice: Aa rahe hain,didi..!
Half a minute passed before he heard babuji's voice.
Babuji: Namaste Arnav babu!
Arnav: Namaste babuji!
Babuji: Sabere-sabere phone milaaye rahein.. Sab theek tau hai na?
Arnav: Ji. Main aapse.. kuch poochhna chah raha tha..
Babuji: Haan tau.. poochhiye?
Arnav: Babuji,aap apna Lucknow wala ghar kyun bechnaa chahte hain?
Babuji(sighs): Hum.. oo ghar ko naahi bechnaa chaahte hain par.. hum majboor hain.
Arnav: Kyun?
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 dein. Aisaa karne se ghar bhi theek rahega aur oo ki madad bhi hui jaayegi.
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.
Babuji: Aap oo ghar khareedkar ka karenge? Huaan rahna tau aapk liye sambhav naahi hoga.
Arnav: Hum sabse pehle uss ghar ko renovate karvaayenge. Aur phir Jai Prakash ko wahaan bhej denge. Filhaal woh humare Chhatarpur wale farmhouse ka caretaker hai. Wahaan se hum usse aapk ghar bhej denge. Woh ghar me rahega bhi aur saaf-safaai bhi karega. Aur ghar ka dhyaan bhi rakhega. Uss k wahaan rehne se aapka ghar maintained rahega. Aur sabse important baat,jab bhi Khushi ya Paayal ka man karega,wohlog wahaan jaakar reh paayenge!
Babuji was about to say something when Arnav stopped him.
Arnav: Pehle aap meri poori baat sun lijiye,babuji.
Babuji: Boliye..
Arnav: Hum aapko moonh maangi keemat dene k liye taiyyaar hain. Woh ghar Khushi aur Paayal k liye priceless hai! Uss ki jitni keemat lagaayi jaaye utna kam hoga! Main kisi bhi haal me uss ghar ko kisi aur k haathon me nahi jaane dunga kyunki Khushi ki khushi uss ghar se judi huyi hai! Isiliye main aapse request kar raha hoon ki aap ghar mujhe aur Aakash ko bech dijiye. Hum usse Paayal aur Khushi k naam karvaa denge. Waise bhi, dekha jaaye toh,aapk baad uss ghar par unn hi ka haq hoga.
Babuji: Aapki baat sahi hai. Par hum aapko oo ghar waise hi de denge. Bechenge naahi..
Arnav: Kyun babuji?
Babuji: Arnav babu,aap aur Aakas babu humre liye daamaad kam aur bitwa jyaada hain. Aur.. Hum aapan bitwan k saath kauno saudaa naahi karenge! Sach bataayein tau humri bhi ichchhaa naahi thi ki hum aapan dukaan ya ghar ko bech dein. Par dunno ki haalat ko dekhte huye hum ee kathor faislaa lene par majboor huye rahe.
Arnav: Main samajh saktaa hoon,babuji. Raha sawaal dukaan ka toh aap usse kisi achchhe halwaai ko rent par de dijiye. Woh dukaan aapk naam se chalaayega aur uss k wahaan kaam karne se dukaan maintained bhi rahegi. Na toh aapka ghar aapk haathon se jaayega aur na dukaan! Aapka jab man karein tab aap amma aur buaji k saath uss ghar me jaakar reh paayenge. I'm sure buaji ko kuch dinon k liye Lucknow jaakar rhene me koi problem nahi hogi. Aur 1 baat, renovation ka poora zimma mera hai! Main waise bhi Khushi ko lekar Lucknow ja hi raha hoon. Toh main apne architect ko bhi saath le jaaunga. Woh aapk ghar ka inspection kar denge jis k baad main renovation ka kaam jald se jald shuru karvaa dunga! Aapko dobara wahaan jaane ki zaroorat nahi padegi.
Babuji: Jaisan aapko theek lage. Par oo ka kharchaa..
Arnav: Main dunga. Aur aap mujhe nahi rokenge kyunki aapne khud mujhse kaha hai ki main aapk bete ki tarah hoon!
Babuji: Arnav babu,aap..
Arnav: Maine aapse kaha na babuji? Woh ghar Khushi k liye priceless hai! Uss k peechhe main jitna kharchaa karoon utna kam hi hoga! Aap bilkul tension mat lijiye! Renovation k baad ghar waisaa hi ho jaayega jaise woh pehle tha. Aur phir hum ek grand house warmin party rakhenge!
Babuji: Aur Satyanarayan ki kathaa bhi rakhvaiyyega.
Arnav: Sure! Jo aap kahenge woh hoga,babuji. Bas aap uss ghar ki chaabiyaan mujhe de dijiye.
Babuji: Zaroor Arnav babu! Aap kaam suru karvaaiyye phir dui-ek haftaa baad hum aur Garimaji bhi huaan 1 chakkar lagaakar aayenge. Kaam kaisan chal raha hai oo bhi dekh lenge aur oo ko padosiyon se bhi milvaaye denge.
Arnav: Fine. Ab main phone rakhtaa hoon.
Babuji: Theek hai. Dhanyavaad! Sukhi rahiye!
Arnav: Thank you!
Khushi entered the room a few minutes after Arnav ended the call.
Arnav(smiles): Congratulations,Mrs. Raizada! Babuji maan gaye!
Khushi(smiles): Humein pataa tha ki aap unhe manvaa hi lenge! Isiliye humne nashte k saath-saath garmaagaram sugarfree jilebiyaan bhi banaa di!
Arnav: Thats great! So,lets celebrate!
Khushi: Abhi nahi. Pehle aap naha lijiye phir hum nashta karne chalenge!
Arnav: Jalebiyon wala celebration toh baad me hoga. (smirks)Right now its time for a private celebration!
He pulls her closer by the waist.
Khushi: Aaraam se!
Arnav: Oops! Sorry! Waise,aaj flow kaisaa hai?
Khushi: Thoda sa kam ho gayaa hai. Ab humein lag raha hai ki yeh 5 dinon me, matlab Shukrvaar tak khatm ho jaayega.
Arnav(smiles): That gives us 1 more reason to celebrate!
He was about to place his mouth on hers when she created a barrier by placing her hand on his mouth.
Khushi: Hum aapko celebrate tab hi karne denge jab aap humse 1 waadaa karenge.
Arnav cocked his eyebrows.
Khushi: Agar Lucknow jaane se pehle humara bahaav band ho gaya toh.. Lucknow wale hotel me hum.. 1 nayi position aazmaayenge! Waadaa?
Arnav nodded vehemently.
Khushi(smiles): Theek hai. Toh ab..
Arnav pressed his mouth on hers as soon as she removed his hand.
They were so lost in the kiss that they failed to notice that the door was open.
Initially Paayal thought of closing the door.
But she ditched the idea as she knew that the door would make noise, which would disturb the couple.
Paayal(thinks): Aaj toh Khushi k saath gappe maarne k liye baithnaa hi hoga! Usse chhedne me khoob mazaa aayega!
She hid her smile as she quietly walked back towards her room.
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Precap: Devi Maiyya's birthday surprise for Khushi.
Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Translation will be up on Tuesday night.
A/N: 1 of my childhood friends is getting married next Sunday. So there will be no updates next week. Part 117 will be updated on Sunday,21stDecember.
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