Jaldi aaiyye Arnavji! Thread Six - Page 73

Surprise update! I just remembered that I had written some portion of part 117 before the mishap occured. Since you all have been waiting for the update for so long,I decided to post whatever I had written. This is a short update. The next one will be longer,I promise! Also,Devi Maiyya's surprise will be revealed in the next update. For now,I hope you'll like whatever you're about to read.
Thanks for the likes, comments, wishes & prayers! Over to..

Part 117

*Later that morning*
Paayal smiles as Khushi enters her room.
Paayal(pats the bed): Aao,yahaan baith jao..
Khushi(sits opposite her): Kitne dinon k baad saath baithne ka mauka mila hai na jiji?
Paayal(agrees): Haan,so toh hai. Waise,tumhara bahaav(flow) kaisaa hai ab?
Khushi: Pehle se kuch kam hua hai. Kal raat dawaai lene par humein aaraam mila aur hum theek se so paayein.
Paayal: Achchhi baat hai!
Khushi: Baatein toh hoti rahengi. Laao,apnaa haath aage badhaao. Hum mehndi lagaa dete hain.
Paayal: Humein sardi hui hai na toh.. hum mehdni nahi lagvaa paayenge.
Khushi(disappointed): Oh ho! Humne toh socha tha ki hum tumhe mehndi lagaayenge aur tumse lagvaayenge.
Paayal: Tumhe mehndi lagaane se humein koi taqleef nahi hogi. Laao,hum tumhare haath k agle aur pichhle hisson me achchha sa design banaate hain!
Khushi: Par jiji.. tumhari mehndi ka kya?
Paayal: Jab tum Lucknow jaaogi,matlab jab humare mohalle me jaaogi na toh Akhtar baaji ki dukaan se humare liye 1 cone lete aana. 2-4 dinon me humari sardi theek ho jaayegi. Toh waapis aane k baad tum humare dono haath rang dena!
Khushi(smiles): Theek hai.(extends her hand)Lo,hatheli se shuru karo..
Paayal(points to her left hand): Baaye haath par nahi lagvaaogi?
Khushi: Kaise lagvaayein? Patti jo hai..
Paayal: Toh kya hua? Pichchhle hisse par lagaa denge. Patti khol do.
Khushi: Nahi jiji.. Hum patti nahi khol sakte..
Paayal: Kyun? Arnavji ne zakhm par marham lagaane k baad rui ko tape se chipkaaya hi hoga.. Toh patti kholne par koi nuksaan nahi hoga.
Khushi: Haan.. Tumhari baat toh.. theek hai par..
Paayal(smiles): Hum jaante hain ki tumhe Arnavji se patti bandhvaana bahut achchha lagtaa hai aur unk ilaava tum kisi aur se patti nahi bandhvaana chahti ho! Par..
Khushi: Areh nahi jiji! Aisi koi baat nahi hai. Woh toh.. bas isiliye keh rahe the kyunki.. unhone baar-baar patti kholne se manaa kiya hai. Woh.. infection hone ka dar rehta hai na.. toh.. Aur.. hum khud bhi soch rahe the ki.. ek haath khaali rahega toh behtar hoga.
Paayal: Achchha,achchha samajh gaye! Ab apnaa daayina(right) hand do,hum bas uss hi par mehndi lagaa dete hain.
Khushi(relieved): Theek hai. Lo..
Paayal starts drawing a pattern on her right palm.
Paayal: Jab tum Lucknow jaaogi na toh Hazratganj k bazaar..
Khushi(interrupts): Lucknow se yaad aaya! Humein tumse.. humare Lucknow wale ghar k baare me kuch baat karni thi..
Paayal: Humein pataa hai,Khushi. Aakash ne aaj subha hi humein bataaya.(smiles) Aur hum bataa nahi sakte hain ki Arnavji ka faislaa sunkar humein kitni khushi hui hai! Unhone humare ghar aur dukaan,dono ko bachaa liya!
Khushi(nods): Sach me!
Paayal: Iss hi baat k liye hum unhe dhanyavaad kehna chahte the. Balki hum toh.. unse dhanyavaad kehne k liye.. tumhare kamre tak aaye bhi the.. lekin..
Khushi(frowns): Lekin kya?
Paayal(blushes): Lekin.. wahaan humne kuch.. aisaa dekha jisse dekh k.. hum ulte pair apne kamre me laut aaye!
Khushi's heart skips a beat upon hearing that.
Paayal(teasing smile): Aur hum sochne lage ki.. ghar par.. subha-savere.. yeh sab ho raha hai toh.. (knudges)Paris me kya-kya hua hoga?!
Khushi(admonishing tone): Jiji! Kya kar rahi ho tum? Abhi mehndi kharaab ho jaati..
Paayal: Sorry! Waise,Khushi.. tumhe iss baat ka dhyaan rakhna chahiye ki ab tumlog ghar waapis aa gaye ho. Kamaskam darwaaza toh band kar leti!
Khushi ignored her comment and shifted her focus to her hand.
Paayal(pats her cheek): Dekho,tumhare gaal kaise laal ho gaye hain! Bilkul tamaatar ki tarah!
Khushi: Tamaatar nahi,dragonfruit!
Paayal(confused): Kya? Kaunsa fruit?
Khushi(realizes): a.. kuch nahi!
Paayal: Bolo na!
Khushi: Kaha na kuch nahi! Tum jaldi se mehndi lagaao na. Phir humein bahut kaam karna hai. Packing bhi baaki hai.
Paayal: Baat mat palto,Khushi! Kaunse fruit ki baat kar rahi thi? Bolo na..
Khushi: woh.. a..
Paayal(prods): Kya?
Khushi: Ar.. Arnavji.. kehte hain ki.. jab hum sharmaate hain toh.. humare gaal.. dragonfruit jaise ho jaate hain.
Paayal(grins): Oh ho! Toh yeh baat hai!
Khushi: Bas jiji! Ab agar tumne humari khichaai ki na toh hum tumse koi baat nahi karenge!
Paayal: Agar tumne humse baat nahi ki toh hum tumhari mehndi kharaab kar denge!
Khushi(shocked): haww!
She smacks her shoulder with her left hand while withdrawing her right hand.
Khushi: Tum kitni kharaab ho,jiji!
Paayal(nods): Haan,woh toh hum hain! Chalo,bataao: Paris me kya-kya hua?
Khushi: Bahut kuch hua. Humne.. Eiffel tower dekha,penthouse me rahe aur..
Paayal(interrupts): Sareeyon k saath kis tarah choli pehni thi tumne? Aur.. woh milte-julte.. andar k kapdein pehne the ya sharmaakar nahi pehnein?
Khushi: Pehnein the.
Paayal: Bahut achchha kiya! Ab haath aage badhaao aur chinta mat karo! Tumhari mehndi ko zara bhi nahi bigaadenge hum!
Khushi: Hum jaante hain! (extends her hand)Waise.. Tum sahi keh rahi thi,jiji. Woh.. rangeen wale pehenne k baad humein yeh ehsaas hua ki agar choli k rang se milte julte.. woh ho toh.. zyaada achchha lagta hai.
Paayal: Kise?
Khushi: Jiji!?
Paayal laughs while drawing on her palm.
Khushi: Zyaada khi-khi,khi-khi mat karo varnaa tumhara haath hil jaayega! Agar humari mehndi zaraa si bhi yahaan-wahaan ho gayi na toh hum tumhe nahi chhodenge!
Paayal: Achchha,theek hai. Ab hum nahi hasenge! Tumhe jo bhi bataana ho tum bataao..
Khushi tells her how Arnav wore kurta pyjamas throughout the trip.
Paayal(surprised): Waaqai?
Khushi: Haan jiji. Vishwaas nahi ho raha hai na?
Paayal(shakes her head): Bilkul nahi!
Khushi: Pehle din humein bhi vishwaas nahi ho raha tha. Par jab unhone rozana pehenna shuru kiya toh..
Paayal: Toh unhone ek baar phir tumhara dil jeet liya,hai na?
Khushi(nods): Haan. Jis saralta se aur aaram se woh.. Paris ki sadkon par kurta-pyjama pehenkar chal rahe the na.. usse dekhkar humein kitni khushi hui woh humara man hi jaanta hai! Humne bachpan se babuji ko kurta pyjama me dekha hai. Kaheen na kaheen humare man me yeh hi vichaar aa gayaa tha ki humare pati bhi humare babuji ki tarah saral(simple),sachchhe,pyaare,shaant aur seedhe-saade,kurta pyjama pehenne wale vyakti(person) honge. Par jab Arnavji se humari shaadi hui toh.. hum apne man se yeh khayaal nikaal diya. Par.. Paris me unhe waise dekhkar.. humara ek aur armaan poora ho gayaa!
Paayal: Hum samajhte hain. Har ladki apne pati me apne pita ki gun dhoondti hain. Hum dono bahut hi khushnaseeb hain ki hum dono k patiyon me humare babuji k kuch gun hain!
Khushi: Sahi kaha,jiji. Tumhe sunkar yaqeen nahi hoga lekin.. Arnavji ne humse Bhojpuri me baatein bhi ki!
Paayal(shocked): Arnavji aur.. Bhojpuri?!
Khushi(nods): Haan! Bahut manaaya tab jaakar maane! (wide smile)Par kya Bhojpuri bolte hain,aay haay haay! Mazaa aa gayaa!
Paayal: Aur kya-kya hua?
Khushi tells her in detail about their Paris trip,while cautiously omitting the nitty gritty details.
Paayal teases her occasionally while listens to everything intently.
Khushi: Humare haath par chhota sa 'A' likh do na..
Paayal: Kaho toh.. A aur K dono saath me likh kar uss k ird-gird(around) dil banaa dein?
Khushi: Paagal ho gayi ho kya?! Koi dekhega toh kya sochega?
Paayal: Hum mazaak kar rahe the! Lo,ho gaya tumahra 'a'. Ab haath palat do..
Khushi does what she's told.
Paayal had barely begun to draw the design when Khushi interrupts her.
Khushi: 1 second chhodo..
Paayal(frees her hand): Kya hua?
Khushi: Kuch nahi! Hum apnaa haath tumhe tab hi denge jab tum humein bataaogi ki Gulmarg ki vaadiyon me kya-kya hua?
Paayal: Khushi!
Khushi: Agar tumne humein nahi bataaya na toh hum yeh aadhi-adhuri design sabko dikhaayenge aur kahenge ki jiji ne isse poora karne se manaa kar diya!
Paayal smacks her arm before grabbing her hand.
Paayal: Chalo,laao. Hum bataate hain tumhe.. Waise,agar tum yeh nautanki nahi karti na tab bhi hum tumhe bataa dete. Hum tumhari tarah sharmaate nahi hain!
Khushi: haan,haan! Tum humse kyun sharmaaogi,bhalaa? Tum toh sirf Akashji se sharmaati ho na?
Paayal: Tumhe sab kuch jaanna hai ya nahi?
Khushi: Bilkul jaanna hai! Chalo bataao..
Paayal tells her about their babymoon in Gulmarg.
Paayal: Tumhe pataa hai? Aakash bhi achchha gaa lete hain!
Khushi: Areh waah! Unhone kaunsa gaana gaaya tumhare liye?
Paayal: Gaana toh nahi par woh Jagjit Singhji ki ghazal gaate hain humare liye.
Khushi(surprise): Ghazal? Kaunsi wali?
Paayal: Hothon se.. chhoo lo tum.
Khushi(teases): Aay haay!
Paayal: Khaaskar yeh wali line gaate hain: Aakash ka soonapan mere tanha man me,
Paayal chhankaati tum, aa jaao jeevan me!
Khushi(teasing smile): Kya baat hai! Kabhi unse pyaar-mohabbat wale gaane bhi gavaaya karo na!
Paayal: Hum unse iss maamle me kuch nahi kehte hain. Jab unka man hota hai aur jab.. ekaant(privacy) milta hai toh woh khud hi se gaate hain.
Khushi: Haan,par tum kahogi toh woh manaa thode hi na karenge!
Paayal: Yeh baat bhi theek hai.
Khushi: Humein yeh baat pehle pataa hoti toh hum shaadi ki saalgirah par unse gana gaane k liye keh dete. Koi baat nahi! Iss saal na sahi,agle saal hi keh denge!
Paayal: Nahi,nahi Khushi. Woh sabk saamne gaane se sharmaayenge.
Khushi: Agar aisi baat hai toh hum unse akele me gavaa lenge! Jahaan sirf hum,Arnavji,tum aur woh honge. Theek hai?
Paayal: Woh tumhare saamne gaayenge ya nahi,humein nahi pataa! Tum khud koshish kar k dekh lena kabhi.
Khushi: Theek hai. Ab aage bataao..
Paayal: 1 minute..
She wipes the tip of the mehndi cone on the back of her left hand.
Paayal: Lo,tumhare haath k dono hisson me bhi humne mehndi lagaa di. Par iss cone me ab bhi mehndi bachi hui hai.
Khushi: Tum isse doosre wale cone k saath fridge me rakh do. Shaam ko Lavanyaji aayengi tab unse poochh lena. Agar woh lagaana chaahe toh unhe lagaa dena.
Paayal: Doosra cone humne khola nahi hai so hum fridge me rakh denge. Par yeh wala cone fridge me rakhne se mehndi patthar jitni kadak ho jaayegi. Phir usse lagaane par rang aayega ya nahi,woh bhi nahi pataa. Hum tumhare pair par bachi-kuchi mehndi lagaa dein?
Khushi: Pair par?
Paayal: Haan! Uss se mehndi ka cone bhi khatm ho jaayega aur mehndi bekaar bhi nahi jaayegi.
Khushi: Par jiji pair par toh sirf.. shaadi se pehle hi mehndi lagaayi jaati hai na?
Paayal: Aisaa kisne kaha? Tum suhaagan ho,Khushi. Toh tum agar pairon me mehndi lagvaaogi toh.. humein nahi lagtaa hai ki uss se kisi ko koi aitraaz hoga.
Khushi: umm.. Achchha,theek hai. Lagaa do. Lekin chhota sa design banaana..
Paayal applies a small,circular pattern of mehndi on the centre of Khushi's feet and dots on her toes.
Paayal: Lo,ho gayi..
Khushi(smiles): Shukriya!
Paayal(smiles): Koi baat nahi! Ab tum yaheen baitho. Hum rasoi se neembu ka ras aur shakkar ka ghol lekar aate hain.
Khushi: Humne OPji se kehkar ghol taiyyaar karvaa liya hai. Tum neeche mat jao.
Paayal: Kyun?
Khushi: Bekar me seedhiyaan kyun utrogi? Unhe aawaaz de do. Jab woh ghol lekar aaye tab unhe cone de dena.
Paayal: Theek hai.
Once Paayal leaves the room,Khushi admires her mehndi covered hand & feet.
She inhales the fragrance and smiles.
Khushi(thinks): Achchha hua iss me neelgiri ka tel(eucalyptus oil) nahi hai. Uss ki khushboo Arnavji ko zaraa bhi pasand nahi hai! Ab.. iss ki khushboo se unhe koi taqleef nahi hogi! Office se aate hi unki nazar humare haath par padegi. (dreamy smile)Aur phir..
Paayal: Khushi... zaraa yahaan aao na..!
Khushi: Aaye jiji..!
She carefully gets up from the bed and walks out of the room,taking extra care of her mehndi.
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*The next night,11:30 p.m.*
Arnav(answers the call): Haan,bolo..
Khushi: Hum kya bolein?! Aap boliye-kitni der me aa rahe hain aap?
Arnav: Mujhe time lagega,baby..
Khushi: Aur kitna time lagega? Ghadi dekhi hai aapne? Waise hi itni der ho gayi hai. Oopar se kal humein Lucknow jana hai. Aapki aadhi packing bhi baaki hai.
Arnav tried to say something but was forced to stop when Khushi continued with her rants.
Khushi: Subha hote hi aap daud lagaane chale jaayenge! Phir waapis aakar,jaldbaazi me taiyyaar honge,jaise-taise naashta karenge aur turant office k liye nikal jaayenge! Aur phir wahaan se shaam ko seedhe airport chale jaayenge. Toh packing kab poori karenge? Ek toh aapko humare packing karne se pataa nahi kya taqleef hai? Aap hamesha apni packing khud hi karte hain! (pouts)Humein kabhi nahi karne dete hain!
Arnav: Relax,Khushi! Jus' take a deep breath.. Listen,tumhe jo bhi kehna hai tum kaho,lekin ek saans me nahi!
Khushi lets out a deep breath before speaking.
Khushi: Ab theek-theek bataiyye,kitne baje aa rahe hain aap?
Arnav: umm.. 1 baj jaayenge..
Khushi(exclaims loudly): 1?! (clicks her tongue)Hey Devi Maiyya! Kal aap 12 baje aaye the tab hi itne thake huye lag rahe the. Aur.. aaj 1 baje aayenge toh.. (sighs)Jaldi aa jaiyye na,Arnavji! Itna zyaada kaam karnaa aapki sehat k liye theek nahi hai.
Arnav: Mujhe 3 dinon ka off milega na Lucknow me? Tab main aaraam kar lunga,okay? But I need to finish some important work tonight, so..
Khushi: Theek hai. Aap.. aaiyye apne hisaab se. Hum intezaar karenge.
Arnav: Kal jaise.. (smiles)sofe pe sote huye?
Khushi: Arnavji!
Arnav: Tum bedroom me jaakar so jao na,honey. Jab tak main ghar pahuchunga tab tak toh tum waise bhi so chuki hogi. Toh.. you might as well go & sleep properly on the bed.
Khushi: Nahi,nahi. Hum yaheen theek hain. Ab aap phone rakhiye aur jaldi se kaam khatm kariye!
Arnav(gives up): Alright! I'll see you soon!
Khushi: hmm..
After ending the call,Arnav tried to work as fast as possible.
But his tired,food deprived body could only do so much in an hour's time.
He left his office at 12:45 a.m. with only 70% of his work complete and 30% pending (to be completed by the next morning).
*******
When he opened the main door of Shantivan,he expected to see Khushi sleeping on 1 of the sofas.. or the dining chairs.
He was shocked to see her fully awake in the kitchen.
Arnav: Khushi?
Khushi came out of the kitchen with a glass of water.
Khushi: Yeh lijiye aur woh humein dijiye..
She took the laptop bag from his hand and gasped.
Khushi: Yeh itna bhaari kyun hain?
Arnav: Kyunki iss me kuch important files hain. Mujhe do..
Khushi took a step back when he tried to take the laptop bag from her.
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi: Aap yeh.. sari files Lucknow lekar jaayenge?
Arnav: Nahi. Kal subha office lekar jaaunga.
Khushi(realizes): Iss ka matlab.. aapka kaam ab tak khatm nahi hua? (groans)Oh ho..!
Arnav: Ssshh! Sabko jagaaogi kya? Idhar do..(takes the bag from her)Main change kar k aata hoon.
Khushi: Aap waheen rahiyega,hum khaana oopar lekar aate hain.
Arnav nods before heading up the stairs.
*******
Arnav noticed Khushi's crestfallen face as she fed him.
Arnav(arm around her): I'm fine,baby. Aur.. zyaadatar kaam complete ho gaya hai. Thoda-bahut baaki hai jo main.. subha uthkar kar lunga.
Khushi: Toh kya aap kal daud lagaane k liye nahi jaayenge?
Arnav: Jaaunga but jogging k liye jaane se pehle hi kaam complete kar lunga.
Khushi did not say anything as she brought the morsel near his mouth.
She waited till he finished his meal.
Arnav: Thanks! Main abhi aaya..
Khushi(hand on his shoulder): Suniye..
Arnav: Boliye?
Khushi: Humein.. Lucknow nahi jaana hai!
Arnav could not believe what he heard.
Arnav: Kya?!
Khushi: Humne kaha ki.. humein Lucknow nahi jaana hai! Aap.. ticktein cancel karvaa dijiye.
Arnav(shocked): What?! What are you sayin,Khushi?
Khushi: Woh hi jo aapne suna.
Arnav: Par.. tumhe Lucknow kyun nahi jana hai? Tum toh itni excited thi iss trip k liye! Phir..
Khushi(interrupts): Hum toh har chhoti-moti baat ko lekar excited ho jaate hain! Uss me kya badi baat hai?
Arnav: Yeh koi chhoti-moti baat nahi hai! Its like.. a dream come true! Yeh trip tumhare liye kya hai aur kitni important hai yeh hum dono jaante hain. Phir tum.. manaa kyun kar rahi ho? Periods khatm nahi huye.. iss wajah se?
Khushi shook her head.
Arnav(tilts her chin up): Toh kya baat hai? Tell me honestly..
Khushi: Baat aapki hai,honey! Aap.. humare saath Lucknow me 3 din chain se bitaane k liye kitni mehnat kar rahe hain.. Had se zyaada kaam kar rahe hain.. Aapne gaur kiya ho na kiya ho,par humne dekha hai. Aap takhiye par sar rakhte nahi hain ki aapko neend aa jaati hai. Aur aisaa isiliye ho raha hai kyunki aapka shareer thak kar choor ho jata hai! Iss tarah se.. aap kaam karte rahe toh.. beemaar padh jaayenge. Aur hum aapko beemaar kar k apni ichchha ya apna sapnaa hargiz poora nahi karenge! Agar Lucknow jaane ka matlab yeh hai ki aap dugna kaam kar k apneaap ko nuksaan pahuchaayenge toh hum Lucknow na jaakar Dilli me hi apnaa janamdin manaana pasand karenge. Amma aur babuji kuch dinon baad Lucknow jaane hi wale hain. Jiji bhi unk saath jaane ki baat kar rahi thi. Aur humein bhi saath aane ko keh rahi thi. Jiji ka maanna hai ki hum chaaron saath honge toh... purani yaadein taaza ho jaayengi! Ab hum bhi soch rahe hain ki hum unlogon k saath hi Lucknow chale jayenge.
Arnav: Sure! I wont mind it 1 bit! Tumhe unk saath jab jaana ho tum chali jaana lekin kal tum mere saath Lucknow jaa rahi ho!
Khush: Ji nahi! Kal aap office jaa rahe hain aur wahaan se theek samay par ghar aa rahe hain! Aur phir,humare haath ka banaaya hua aapka pasandeeda khaana khaakar aaraam se so jaa rahe hain,bas!
Arnav: Noways!
Khushi: Yesways!
Arnav(in a no non-sense tone): Khushi..
Khushi(mimics his tone): Arnavji..
Arnav let out a sigh before pulling her close.
Arnav: Come here..
Khushi readily filled the space between his arms.
Arnav: Look,I really appreciate the fact that you're so concerned bout me. But I'm equally concerned bout you. Main jaanta hoon ki tumhare adhoore sapnon ko sirf main poora kar saktaa hoon! Amma,babuji woh kaam nahi kar paayenge. And besides,mujhe bhi office se 1 break chahiye. Agar hum Lucknow nahi gaye toh mujhe woh break kaise milega?
Khushi: Aap 3 dinon tak ghar par rehkar aaraam karenge na toh aapko office se break mil jaayega.
Arnav: That wont be possible,Khushi. Aman ne saare clients ko,dealers ko aur staff ko inform kar diya hai ki main 3 dinon tak Delhi se baahar jaa raha hoon. You know.. so that they dont disturb us. Toh,jaise hi unlogon ko pataa chalega that I'm in town,they'll start bombardin me with e-mails and phone calls. Aur,ghar par rehte huye bhi,main aaraam nahi kar paaunga. Do you get my point?
Khushi nods.
Arnav: So,its best if we stick to the original plan. As far as the extra work is concerned,dont worry! Main 1 ghante k andar usse complete kar dunga!
Khushi: Aap kal ka din daud lagaane mat jaiyye na. Uss samay ko aap apnaa kaam poora karne k liye istemaal kar sakte hain.
Arnav: I have to go for a jog,no compromises on that 1! Waise bhi,agle 3 dinon tak main jogging nahi kar paaunga. So I'll get a break from that as well.
Khushi: Theek hai. Aapko jo sahi lag raha hai,woh aap kariye. Lekin agar Lucknow me aap apnaa laptop lekar baithe toh..
Arnav(interrupts): That wont be possible coz main apnaa laptop Aakash k paas chhodkar jaaunga.
Khushi(agrees): Yeh achchha socha aapne! (getting up)Achchhha,ab baaton me waqt zaaya mat kariye. Waise hi bahut der ho gayi hai. Kapde badal lijiye. Hum rasoi me thaali rakhkar aate hain. Aur bachaa hua khaana fridge me rakh denge. Aap k liye kuch aur lekar aayein?
Arnav(gets up): No,thanks!
Khushi: Theek hai toh aap so jaaiyye.
Arnav: nope! Tum jaakar aao. Main wait karunga..
Khushi: Kis liye?
Arnav(holds her right hand): Tumhari mehndi dekhne k liye! (caresses her palm)Kitni dark ho gayi hai yeh! Ab tak mujhe isse dhang se dekhne ka,iss me apnaa naam dhoondhne ka time hi nahi mila!
Khushi: Aapko kaise pataa ki humne iss me aapk naam ka akshar likhvaaya hai?
Arnav: Woh sab main baad me bataaunga! Pehle tum yeh plate rakhkar aao.
Khushi: Theek hai. Aapk kapde humne bathroom me rakhein hain. Aap jaldi se kapde badal lijiye. Hum yoon gaye aur yoon aaye!
Sadly for Khushi,Arnav had dozed off by the time she came back.
Khushi(kisses his cheek): Goodnight honey!
Arnav(groans): umm..
Khushi(whispers): Ab hum aapko apni mehndi Lucknow me hi dikhaayenge! Intezaar kijiye!
She switched off the lights before getting into bed.
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*The next evening*
Most passengers onboard the Lucknow bound Jet Airways flight felt irritated as their plane kept hovering above the airport without descending on the runway.
Some blamed the pilot,some cursed the air traffic,some abused the weather,some kept looking at their watches while some others were busy convincing the airhostesses to let them make a trip to the loo.
Amidst them was a couple in the business class which was just not bothered!
Rather,they were so busy in their own worlds that they hardly noticed the ongoings in the flight.
Khushi's eyes were busy admiring the skyline of Lucknow.
Though she could not see anything clearly,thanks to the darkness,the sight of the twinkling lights itself was enough to make her heartbeats rush.
Khushi(thinks): Iss roshni me kaise jagmagaa raha hai humara sheher! Inn me se Aminabad ki streetlightein kaunsi hongi? Aur Hazratganj ki kaunsi?
Yeh toh humein yahaan se pataa nahi chalega lekin jo bhi ho! Hain toh yeh sab humare sheher ki hi na? Inhi ki badaulat humare Lucknow me suryaast(sunset) k baad bhi ujaala(brightness) rehta hai! Humara Lucknow kaise.. nayi naveli dulhan ki tarah sajaa-dhajaa lag raha hai! (sighs)Humaraa Lucknow.. Yahaan se yeh nazaara dekhkar aisaa lagtaa hai ki.. Lucknow aa hi gayaa hai! Bas.. kuch hi der baad hum Lucknow ki zameen par pair rakhenge! Gomtiji(river) k kinaare se aati taazi hawaayein humare tan aur man dono ko chhoo lengi! (elated)Jee toh kartaa hai ki cheekh-cheekh k sab hi yaatriyon(passengers) ko bataa dein ki.. Hum.. poore do saal baad apne Lucknow aayein hain! Aur parso hum.. apne ghar jaayenge! Ghar ki sthiti chaahe jaisi bhi kyun na ho,hai toh woh humara ghar hi na? Aur uss ghar me kadam rakhne k liye hum na jaane kab se tadap rahe hain! Hey Devi Maiyya! Aapka laakh,laakh shukriya! Der lagi par.. aakhir hum Lucknow aa hi gaye!
Arnav's eyes were on Khushi from the moment they had taken their seats.
His mind had replayed the nightmare of his parents's death several times through the day.
His stomach had flipped at the thought of going back to the city with which he shared a love-hate relationship.
He tried his level best to keep all negative thoughts at bay but they did haunt him even when he was not alone.
But all that had changed the moment he saw Khushi waiting for him outside the Delhi airport.
*Flashback*
Arnav was happy when he saw Khushi clad in a saree,that too a red one.
https://www.jabong.com/mrignain-Chiffon-Red-Saree-811735.html
Her eyes were bright,her lips had that lovely, 1000 watt smile,her cheeks were glowing and he could make out from her body language that she just couldnt wait to board the flight!
She waved madly the moment her eyes caught sight of him.
And the smile turned into a full fledged grin.
When he approached her,she turned her gaze to his cheeks.
Khushi(surprised): Aapne shave kab kiya?
Arnav: Office me..
Khushi(appreciative smile): Bahut achchha kiya! Ab aap.. utne thake huye nahi lag rahe hain jitne ki kal lag rahe the.
Arnav: Meri baat chhodo! Tum yeh bataao ki tumne saree kyun pehni? Flight k liye salwaar kameez zyaada comfortable rehti na?
Khushi: Humne socha ki sirf 2 ghanton k liye hi toh flight me baithna hai. Utne kam samay k liye saree pehenkar baithne me humein koi diqqat nahi hogi! So humne pehen li!
Arnav: Achchha kiya! (gives her once over)You're lookin very pretty!
Khushi(blushes): Shukriya! Ab andar chalein? Humse aur intezaar nahi hota!
Arnav: Haan,chalte hain. But andar chalkar bhi boarding announcement hone tak humein wait karnaa padega,you know that na?
Khushi: Haan,woh toh karnaa hi padega. Agar humare paas pankh hote na toh hum fauran udkar Lucknow chale jaate! Aur saath me aapko bhi le jaate!
Arnav: I know! Agar tumhare paas pankh hote toh tum every other day udkar Lucknow chali jaati!
Khushi: Aur har hafte me 1 baar Paris chale jaate!
Arnav(smiles): Yeah,wishful thinkin! Come..
Khushi: Rukiye!
Arnav: Kya hua?
Khushi: a.. woh.. (holds his hand)Humein Lucknow lekar jaane k liye bahut,bahut shukriya! Hum jaante hain ki yeh aapk liye bahut mushqil hoga lekin phir bhi..
Arnav(interrupts): Jitna bhi mushqil kyun na ho..(cups her cheek)Jab main tumhe smile karte huye dekhunga toh saari mushqil apneaap hal ho jaayegi! Khushi: Humein aap par bahut garv hai,Arnavji! Aap humari khushi k liye yeh bhi kar sakte hain yeh jaankar hum..
Arnav(interrupts): Main tumhari khushi k liye kuch bhi kar saktaa hoon,Khushi!
With tears in her eyes,Khushi wrapped her arms around him.
Arnav couldnt help but smile as he realized that it was their first hug at the Delhi airport.
And,hopefully,not the last.
*Flashback ends*
Now when he saw her bubbling with joy,he couldnt help but smile himself.
Arnav(thinks): Abhi tak flight Lucknow me land bhi nahi hui hai aur abhi se Khushi itni khush hai. I wonder jab woh apne ghar me jaayegi toh kya karegi? She'll be over the moon!
The plane hovered above the Amausi airport for quite some time,thanks to air traffic.
When it landed,it brought tears to Khushi's eyes.
Khushi(smiles thru her tears): Aakhir hum apne Lucknow pahuch hi gaye!
Arnav nodded while placing his arm around her.
He felt nostalgia envelop him the moment they disembarked the flight.
His mind replayed two scenes from the past-one scene of his younger self coming to the airport alongwith Anjali & their mother & waiting excitedly to see their father,who was never half as excited to meet them.
And the other happier scene of waving madly at nanaji n nani the moment they stepped out of the airport.. Of the old couple acknowledging the warm reception with warmer smiles.. Of nanaji lifting him in his arms.. Of nani hugging her daughter with tears in her eyes.
His reverie was broken when he felt Khushi's hand on his arm.
Khushi: Kya soch rahe hain aap?
Arnav: Kuch khaas nahi. Chalo,taxi stand par chalte hain..
He walks ahead without offering her a chance to say anything else.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Precap:
"Mumma..!"
Khushi(wonders aloud): Yeh kisne kaha?
The doors of the lift parted to reveal a boy of about 5,who was anxiously peering inside.
The smile on his tear stricken face disappeared when he saw Khushi.
He took a few steps away from Khushi as she came out of the lift.
Khushi: Dariye mat,beta! Hum aapko kuch nahi karenge. Humein sirf.. itna bataaiyye ki.. aap yahaan kya kar rahe hain? Woh bhi akele?(looks around) Koi hai kya aapk saath?
Boy: Hum apni mumma ko dhoond rahe hain. (sniffs)Woh.. kho gayi hain. (points to the lift)Humein lagaa ki.. lift me humari mumma hain par.. (sniffs)woh toh yahaan bhi nahi hain..
Khushi's heart lurches when he starts crying loudly.
Khushi(cups his face): Roiyye mat. Darne wali koi baat nahi hai. Hum hain na yahaan par? (wipes his tears)Hum aapki mumma ko dhoondne me aapki madad karenge,theek hai?

Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Translation here: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/124521421

Finally u are back

You are back with a bang

Welcome back dear 😊

hai dear smita pl tk care of urself
will wait for next updt
tanx for pm

Wonderful update smita!!!
Loved payal and khushi's convo
Arnav is truly an amazing husband
Khushi is really lucky to have him in her life
Who's the little boy in the precap???
Can't wait to know what is Devi Maaiya's surprise for khushi
Loved the update
Thanks for the pm :)
P.S. Hope you're doing fine dear.take care of yourself and get well soon :)

great update as usual
loved it...

Beautiful update 😳

Thank YOU Thank You Thank You soo soo soo much 4 the update

Surprise update! I just remembered that I had written some portion of part 117 before the mishap occured. Since you all have been waiting for the update for so long,I decided to post whatever I had written. This is a short update. The next one will be longer,I promise! Also,Devi Maiyya's surprise will be revealed in the next update. For now,I hope you'll like whatever you're about to read. Thanks for the likes & comments! Over to..

Translation for Part 117

*Later that morning*
Paayal smiles as Khushi enters her room.
Paayal(pats the bed): Come & sit here..
Khushi(sits opposite her): We've got a chance to chit-chat after sucha lonnnggg time!
Paayal(agrees): So true! BTW, How's the flow now?
Khushi: Its slightly lesser than yesterday. I was able to sleep well last night only because I took that medicine.
Paayal: Good for you!
Khushi: Well,we should start applying the mehndi now. We can always chat while it dries. Come on,gimme your hand.
Paayal: Sorry,I cant.. since I'm having a cold.
Khushi(disappointed): Oh no! I'd thought that I'll apply mehndi on your hands & get you to apply it on mine.
Paayal: I dont mind applying mehndi to your hands. Give me your hand. I'll draw a nice pattern on your palm & a veil on the back of your hand!
Khushi: But jiji.. What about your mehndi?
Paayal: When you visit Lucknow,I mean when you visit our neighbourhood,then you get a cone for me from Akhtar baaji's shop. My cold will be gone in another 2-4 days. So,once you're back,you're free to apply mehndi on both hands!
Khushi(smiles): Alright.(extends her hand)Now,start from my palm..
Paayal(points to her left hand): You dont want to get mehndi on your left hand?
Khushi: How can I,jiji? There's a bandage..
Paayal(interrupts): So what? I'll apply it to the back of your hand. Remove the bandage..
Khushi: No jiji.. I cant do that..
Paayal: Why not? Arnavji mustve secured the cotton in place with tapes after applying the ointment.. So even if you remove the bandage,the wound will be protected.
Khushi: Ya.. you're right, but..
Paayal(smiles): I know that you love it when Arnavji bandages your hand & you dont want anyone else to touch it! But..
Khushi: No, no jiji! You're getting it all wrong. I was refusing coz.. he has asked me not to.. remove the bandage frequently.. coz.. there's the risk of getting an infection.. so.. And.. I was also thinking that.. it would be better if.. 1 of my hands is free.
Paayal: Alright,alright! Dont worry.. I'll just apply mehndi to your right hand.
Khushi(relieved): Okay. Here you go..
Paayal starts drawing a pattern on her right palm.
Paayal: When you visit the Hazratganj bazaar in Lucknow,please get ..
Khushi(interrupts): Lucknow reminds me of a very important thing that I wanted to tell you! Its something related to.. our house in Lucknow..
Paayal: I'm aware of everything,Khushi. Aakash told me about it this morning itself.(smiles) And I cant tell you how happy I was with Arnavji's decision! He not only saved our house but also our shop!
Khushi(nods): Very true!
Paayal: I wanted to thank him for the same. Infact I even.. came to your room.. to thank him. But..
Khushi(frowns): But what?
Paayal(blushes): But.. I saw.. something over there which.. prompted me to leave immediately!
Khushi's heart skips a beat upon hearing that.
Paayal(teasing smile): And I started wondering.. that if all this is happening in the house.. that too in the morning, then.. (knudges)what must've happened in Paris?!
Khushi(admonishing tone): Jiji! What are you doing? You would've ruined my mehndi..
Paayal: Sorry! But seriously Khushi,you should.. take care now that.. you guys are back at home. Atleast close the door!
Khushi ignored her comment and shifted her focus to her hand.
Paayal(pats her cheek): God! Your cheeks have turned so red,just like ripe tomatoes!
Khushi: No,like dragonfruit!
Paayal(confused): What? Which fruit?
Khushi(realizes): umm.. nothing!
Paayal: Tell me!
Khushi: I told you,its nothing! Hurry up & finish the design now. I have a lot of work to do. I havent even started packing yet.
Paayal: Dont change the topic,Khushi! Which fruit did you mention just now?Tell me na..
Khushi: umm.. uhh..
Paayal(prods): What?
Khushi: Ar.. Arnavji.. says that.. when I feel shy.. my cheeks.. resemble the color of.. dragonfruit.
Paayal(grins): Oh! Is it?!
Khushi: Enough jiji! I wont talk to you if you dont stop teasing me!
Paayal: If you dont talk to me then I will ruin your mehndi!
Khushi(shocked): haww!
She smacks her shoulder with her left hand while withdrawing her right hand.
Khushi: You're so wicked,jiji!
Paayal(nods): Yeah,I am wicked! So tell me now: What happened in Paris?
Khushi: A lot many things happened. We.. went to the Eiffel tower,stayed at a penthouse and..
Paayal(interrupts): What kind of blouses did you wear with the sarees? And.. did you wear.. those colorful undergarments? Or were you too shy to wear them?
Khushi: No,I did wear them.
Paayal: You did the right thing! Now tell me everything! And dont worry,I wont ruin your mehndi!
Khushi: I know that! (extends her hand)You know.. you were right,jiji. It was only after I wore.. those.. colored things that I realized that.. matching undergarments look better!
Paayal: Really? Who told you so?
Khushi: Jiji!?
Paayal laughs while drawing on her palm.
Khushi: Stop your khi-khi,khi-khi or else your hands will shake! I wont leave you if you ruin my mehndi or spoil the design!
Paayal: Okay,okay.I wont laugh now! Tell me whatever you want to..
Khushi tells her how Arnav wore kurta pyjamas throughout the trip.
Paayal(surprised): Seriously?
Khushi: Yes jiji. You're not able to believe it. Am I right?
Paayal: Ya,totally!
Khushi: Even I wasnt able to believe my eyes on the first day. But when he started wearing those daily,I..
Paayal: You fell in love with him all over again,right?
Khushi(nods): Ya. When I saw him.. roaming around the streets of Paris,feeling absolutely at ease in kurta-pyjamas,I just.. I cant tell you how happy that made me! I've seen babuji wearing kurta pyjama ever since I was a kid. This thought was there at the back of my mind that.. my husband would also be like my babuji- a simple,honest,loving,caring,calm & kurta pyjama clad man. But then I got married to Arnavji and.. I shrugged this thought off my mind. So,when I.. saw him like that in Paris,another unfulfilled wish of mine was fulfilled!
Paayal: I can understand. Every girl looks for her father's qualities in her husband. We're very lucky coz our husbands do have some qualities of our babuji!
Khushi: You're right,jiji. You wont believe if I tell you that.. Arnavji even spoke to me in Bhojpuri!
Paayal(shocked): Arnavji and.. Bhojpuri?!
Khushi(nods): Oh yes! Only I know how I convinced him! But he did agree for it,finally! (wide smile)His Bhojpuri is awesome! Aay haay haay! I was so thrilled!
Paayal: What else do you want to share?
Khushi tells her in detail about their Paris trip,while cautiously omitting the nitty gritty details.
Paayal teases her occasionally while listens to everything intently.
Khushi: Write a small 'A' on my palm..
Paayal: If you say then I can even.. enclose the letters A and K within a heart?
Khushi: Have you gone mad?! What will I say if someone asks me about it?
Paayal: I was just kidding! Here,your 'a' is ready. Now turn your hand..
Khushi does what she's told.
Paayal had barely begun to draw the design when Khushi interrupts her.
Khushi: Leave it for a second..
Paayal(frees her hand): What happened?
Khushi: Nothing! I will give you my hand only if you tell me about all that happened in the valley of Gulmarg!
Paayal: Khushi!
Khushi: If you refuse then I'll show this incomplete design to everyone & tell them that jiji refused to complete it!
Paayal smacks her arm before grabbing her hand.
Paayal: Give it here. I'll tell you about it.. Had you not done this drama,then also I would've told you. I'm not as shy as you are!
Khushi: Yeah,right! Why will you feel shy here? You're only shy in front of Akashji!
Paayal: You want to know everything or not?
Khushi: Of course, I do! Go on..
Paayal tells her about their babymoon in Gulmarg.
Paayal: You know what? Even Aakash sings well!
Khushi: Oh wow! Which song did he sing for you?
Paayal: He didnt sing a song but.. he sang 1 of Jagjit Singhji's ghazals.
Khushi(surprise): Ghazal? Which 1?
Paayal: Hothon se.. chhoo lo tum. (Touch me with your lips)
Khushi(teases): Aay haay!
Paayal: He especially sings this line: Aakash ka soonapan mere tanha man me,
Paayal chhankaati tum, aa jaao jeevan me! (The emptyness of the sky is reflected in my lonely heart,
Come into my life with your tinkling anklets!)
Khushi(teasing smile): That's wonderful! You should ask him to sing romantic songs for you!
Paayal: I dont say anything to him regarding all this. He sings on his own when he feels like it &.. when there's privacy.
Khushi: Ya,but I'm sure he wont refuse if you ask him to sing a romantic song!
Paayal: I dont think he will refuse!
Khushi: Had I known about this earlier,I wouldve asked him to sing a song for us on our anniversary. But anyways, I can always ask him to sing for us next year!
Paayal: No,dont do that, Khushi. He'll feel shy if you ask him to sing in front of everyone.
Khushi: In that case I'll ask him to sing only in front of you,me & Arnavji. Is that okay?
Paayal: I'm not sure if he'll agree to sing in front of both of you! But you could give it a try.
Khushi: Alright. Now continue..
Paayal: Wait a minute..
She wipes the tip of the mehndi cone on the back of her left hand.
Paayal: I've drawn on both sides of your hand but there's still some mehndi left in this cone.
Khushi: You can keep it in the fridge alongwith the other cone. Once Lavanyaji is back in the evening,ask her about it. If she's interested then you apply mehndi on her hands.
Paayal: I havent cut open the other cone as yet so I can keep that in the fridge. But I keep this as well,then the mehndi will become as stiff as a stone. I cant guarantee if it will give color or not. So.. should I apply the remaining mehndi on your feet?
Khushi: On my feet?
Paayal: Ya! That way the cone will be emptied & the mehndi wont be wasted either.
Khushi: But jiji.. you can only apply mehndi to a bride's feet na?
Paayal: Who said so? You're a suhaagan(a married woman who's husband is alive),Khushi.So if you get mehndi on your feet.. I dont think anyone will have any problems with that.
Khushi: umm.. Okay,fine.Apply it on my feet. But make a small design..
Paayal applies a small,circular pattern of mehndi on the centre of Khushi's feet and dots on her toes.
Paayal: Done!
Khushi(smiles): Thank you!
Paayal(smiles): You're welcome! Now,you sit here. I'll just get the mixture of lemon juice & sugar from the kitchen.
Khushi: I'd asked OPji to prepare the mixture. You dont need to go downstairs.
Paayal: Why?
Khushi: Why should you climb up & down the stairs for sucha small thing?You ask him to come upstairs with the mixture. And you can always ask him to keep the cone in the fridge.
Paayal: Okay.
Once Paayal leaves the room,Khushi admires her mehndi covered hand & feet.
She inhales the fragrance and smiles.
Khushi(thinks): Thank God it doesnt have eucalyptus oil. Arnavji cant tolerate its fragrance! Now.. he wont have any issues with the fragrance of the mehndi! His gaze will fall on my hands the moment he's back from office. (dreamy smile)And then..
Paayal: Khushi...!
Khushi: Coming jiji..!
She carefully gets up from the bed and walks out of the room,taking extra care of her mehndi.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
*The next night,11:30 p.m.*
Arnav(answers the call): Ya,tell me..
Khushi: Now,what should I tell you?! You tell me-how long will it take you to come home?
Arnav: It'll take some time,baby..
Khushi: How much time? Have you seen the watch? Its already late & you havent even started for home yet. On top of that,we're going to Lucknow tomorrow. You're yet to finish packing for the trip.
Arnav tried to say something but was forced to stop when Khushi continued with her rants.
Khushi: You'll go for a jog the moment you get up in the morning! After coming back,you'll get ready in a rush,finish your breakfast in a hurry & leave for office immediately! And from there you'll leave directly for the airport in the evening. So,when will you finish packing? And I dont know why you dont want me to pack your stuff? You always pack it on your own! (pouts)You never allow me to pack your suitcase!
Arnav: Relax,Khushi! Jus' take a deep breath.. Listen,you're free to rant as much as you want to,but not in the same breath!
Khushi lets out a deep breath before speaking.
Khushi: Now tell me honestly-At what time will you come home?
Arnav: umm.. At around 1 am..
Khushi(exclaims loudly): 1 am?! (clicks her tongue)Hey Devi Maiyya! Last night you came home at 12 yet you were dead tired. And.. tonight you'll be coming back at 1 so.. (sighs)Come soon,Arnavji! Working for so long is not good for your body.
Arnav: Wont I get 3 days off in Lucknow? I'll take adequate rest at that time,okay? But I need to finish some important work tonight, so..
Khushi: Okay. You finish everything & come. I'll.. wait for you.
Arnav: Like last night.. (smiles)while dozing on the sofa?
Khushi: Arnavji!
Arnav: Why dont you sleep in the bedroom,honey.You'll be fast asleep by the time I reach. So.. you might as well go & sleep properly on the bed.
Khushi: No,no. I'll be fine over here. Now just end the call & finish your work fast!
Arnav(gives up): Alright! I'll see you soon!
Khushi: hmm..
After ending the call,Arnav tried to work as fast as possible.
But his tired,food deprived body could only do so much in an hour's time.
He left his office at 12:45 a.m. with only 70% of his work complete and 30% pending (to be completed by the next morning).
*******
When he opened the main door of Shantivan,he expected to see Khushi sleeping on 1 of the sofas.. or the dining chairs.
He was shocked to see her fully awake in the kitchen.
Arnav: Khushi?
Khushi came out of the kitchen with a glass of water.
Khushi: Take this & give that..
She took the laptop bag from his hand and gasped.
Khushi: Why is it so heavy?
Arnav: Coz it contains some important files. Give it to me..
Khushi took a step back when he tried to take the laptop bag from her.
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi: Are you planning to take.. all these files to Lucknow?
Arnav: No. I need to take them back to the office tomorrow.
Khushi(realizes): That means.. you still havent finished your work? (groans)Oh no..!
Arnav: Ssshh! You wanna wake up the whole family or what? Give it here..(takes the bag from her)I'll just go & change.
Khushi: You stay there,I'll bring your dinner to the room.
Arnav nods before heading up the stairs.
*******
Arnav noticed Khushi's crestfallen face as she fed him.
Arnav(arm around her): I'm fine,baby. And.. I've completed most of the work. A little bit is remaining which.. will be completed in the morning.
Khushi: So you wont go for a jog tomorrow?
Arnav: No,I will but I'll complete my work before leaving.
Khushi did not say anything as she brought the morsel near his mouth.
She waited till he finished his meal.
Arnav: Thanks! I'll be back in a minute..
Khushi(hand on his shoulder): Listen..
Arnav: Yeah,tell me?
Khushi: I dont want to.. go to Lucknow!
Arnav could not believe what he heard.
Arnav: What?!
Khushi: I said that.. I dont want to.. go to Lucknow! So please.. cancel the tickets.
Arnav(shocked): What?! What are you sayin,Khushi?
Khushi: You heard me.
Arnav: But.. why do you wanna cancel the trip? You were so excited to visit Lucknow! Then..
Khushi(interrupts): I get excited for every little thing! Whats so unusal about that?
Arnav: This isnt just any little thing! Its like.. a dream come true! I know what this trip means to you. Both of us know how important it is for you. Then.. why are you refusing now? Just because.. your periods are going on?
Khushi shook her head.
Arnav(tilts her chin up): Then whats the matter? Tell me honestly..
Khushi: The matter is related to you,honey! You're working so hard just because.. you want to spend 3 days with me in Lucknow. You're overstressing yourself.. I dont know if you've noticed it or not,but I've noticed that you fall asleep the moment your body hits the bed. And its because you're so tired at the end of the day. If you keep on working like this then I'm afraid you'll end up falling sick. And I dont want to fulfill my dreams at the cost of your health! If going to Lucknow means that you'll work doubly hard & for longer hours then I'm not interested in going to Lucknow! I'd rather celebrate my birthday in Delhi. Amma & babuji will be going to Lucknow in a few weeks time. Jiji wants to join them. And she was insisting that I join them as well. She feels that.. if all 4 of us go together then we'll be able to rekindle some old memories! Now even I'm thinking that it'll be better if I go to Lucknow with the 3 of them.
Arnav: Sure! I wont mind it 1 bit! You're free to go whenever you want but,tomorrow you'll accompany me to Lucknow!
Khush: No,I wont! You'll go to office tomorrow morning & come back home in the evening! And then you'll have your favorite dishes,all cooked by me for dinner! After that you'll go to sleep & thats it!
Arnav: Noways!
Khushi: Yesways!
Arnav(in a no non-sense tone): Khushi..
Khushi(mimics his tone): Arnavji..
Arnav let out a sigh before pulling her close.
Arnav: Come here..
Khushi readily filled the space between his arms.
Arnav: Look,I really appreciate the fact that you're so concerned bout me. But I'm equally concerned bout you. I know that only I can fulfill your unfulfilled dreams! Amma,babuji wont be able to do that. And besides,I also need a break from office. How will I get that much deserved break if we dont visit Lucknow?
Khushi: You'll get that break even if you stay at home for 3 days.
Arnav: That wont be possible,Khushi. Aman has informed all our clients,dealers & staff that I'm goin outta Delhi for 3 days. You know.. so that they dont disturb us. So,the moment they get to know that I'm in town,they'll start bombardin me with e-mails and phone calls. And I wont be able to take rest despite stayin at home. Do you get my point?
Khushi nods.
Arnav: So,its best if we stick to the original plan. As far as the extra work is concerned,dont worry! I'll complete all of it within 1 hour!
Khushi: If you dont go for a jog tomorrow,you'll be able to utilise that time to finish your work.
Arnav: I have to go for a jog,no compromises on that 1! Anyways,I wont be able to go for a jog for 3 days after tomorrow. So I'll get a break from that as well.
Khushi: Okay. Whatever works for you. But,if you open your laptop in Lucknow then..
Arnav(interrupts): That wont be possible coz I'm leavin my laptop with Aakash.
Khushi(agrees): You've taken the right decision! (getting up)Now,dont waste time. You go & change into your nightclothes. Meanwhile I'll keep the plate & bowl in the kitchen. Shall I get something for you?
Arnav(gets up): No,thanks!
Khushi: Okay. So you go to sleep once you've changed.
Arnav: nope! I'll wait..
Khushi: For what?
Arnav(holds her right hand): To have a closer look at your mehndi! (caresses her palm)It has turned so dark! I never got the time to look at it closely or to find my name in it!
Khushi: How do you know that I've got your name in this?
Arnav: I'll tell you once you're back from the kitchen!
Khushi: Okay. I've kept your towel & nightclothes in the bathroom. I'll be back in a jiffy!
Sadly for Khushi,Arnav had dozed off by the time she came back.
Khushi(kisses his cheek): Goodnight honey!
Arnav(groans): umm..
Khushi(whispers): Now I'll show you my mehndi in Lucknow! So keep waiting!
She switched off the lights before getting into bed.
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*The next evening*
Most passengers onboard the Lucknow bound Jet Airways flight felt irritated as their plane kept hovering above the airport without descending on the runway.
Some blamed the pilot,some cursed the air traffic,some abused the weather,some kept looking at their watches while some others were busy convincing the airhostesses to let them make a trip to the loo.
Amidst them was a couple in the business class which was just not bothered!
Rather,they were so busy in their own worlds that they hardly noticed the ongoings in the flight.
Khushi's eyes were busy admiring the skyline of Lucknow.
Though she could not see anything clearly,thanks to the darkness,the sight of the twinkling lights itself was enough to make her heartbeats rush.
Khushi(thinks): My city is shining thanks to these lights! Though I cant make out which are the streetlights of Aminabad & which are the streetlights of Hazratganj,I know 1 thing for sure- My Lucknow stays bright and well lit even after sunset all thanks to these lights! My city is dazzling and glowing just like a newly wedded girl! (sighs)My Lucknow.. After seeing this view I feel.. I'm so close to Lucknow! I'll get down in Lucknow after a few moments. The cool breeze blowing on the banks of Gomtiji(river) will have a calming effect on my body & soul! (elated)I feel like yelling on top of my voice & letting all the passengers know that.. I'm back to my Lucknow after a good 2 years! And I'll be going to.. my house day after! No matter what the present condition of the house,it will not change my feelings for it. I've been dying to step inside that house since sucha long time! Hey Devi Maiyya! Thank you so,so much! It took a long while but.. I've finally come to Lucknow!
Arnav's eyes were on Khushi from the moment they had taken their seats.
His mind had replayed the nightmare of his parents's death several times through the day.
His stomach had flipped at the thought of going back to the city with which he shared a love-hate relationship.
He tried his level best to keep all negative thoughts at bay but they did haunt him even when he was not alone.
But all that had changed the moment he saw Khushi waiting for him outside the Delhi airport.
*Flashback*
Arnav was happy when he saw Khushi clad in a saree,that too a red one.
http://www.jabong.com/mrignain-Chiffon-Red-Saree-811735.html
Her eyes were bright,her lips had that lovely, 1000 watt smile,her cheeks were glowing and he could make out from her body language that she just couldnt wait to board the flight!
She waved madly the moment her eyes caught sight of him.
And the smile turned into a full fledged grin.
When he approached her,she turned her gaze to his cheeks.
Khushi(surprised): When did you shave?
Arnav: In the office..
Khushi(appreciative smile): I'm so glad you shaved! Now.. you're not looking as tired as you were looking last night.
Arnav: Forget about me! Tell me-why did you wear a saree? Salwar kameez would've been for comfortable for the flight.
Khushi: It'll only take 2 hours to reach Lucknow. So I thought I might as well wear a saree!
Arnav: I'm glad you did coz (gives her once over)You're lookin very pretty!
Khushi(blushes): Thank you! Shall we go in? I just cant wait now!
Arnav: Ya,we will go in right now but you'll have to wait till the boarding announcement. you know that na?
Khushi: Yes,I do. I wish I had wings! I would've immediately flown to Lucknow! And I would've taken you along as well!
Arnav: I know! If you had wings,you would've flown to Lucknow every other day!
Khushi: Ya & I would've flown to Paris once in every week!
Arnav(smiles): Yeah,wishful thinkin! Come..
Khushi: Wait!
Arnav: Now what?
Khushi: uh.. I.. (holds his hand)I just want to thank you for taking me to Lucknow! I know its going to be very difficult for you but..
Arnav(interrupts): No matter how difficult it is..(cups her cheek)All the difficulties will dissolve the moment I'll see you smile! Khushi: I'm proud of you,Arnavji! I'm overwhelmed to know that you're ready to do even this to make me happy!
Arnav: I can do anythin to make you happy,Khushi!
With tears in her eyes,Khushi wrapped her arms around him.
Arnav couldnt help but smile as he realized that it was their first hug at the Delhi airport.
And,hopefully,not the last.
*Flashback ends*
Now when he saw her bubbling with joy,he couldnt help but smile himself.
Arnav(thinks): The flight hasnt even landed in Lucknow yet & Khushi is so happy. I wonder how she'll react when she goes to her childhood home? She'll be over the moon!
The plane hovered above the Amausi airport for quite some time,thanks to air traffic.
When it landed,it brought tears to Khushi's eyes.
Khushi(smiles thru her tears): We've finally reached!
Arnav nodded while placing his arm around her.
He felt nostalgia envelop him the moment they disembarked the flight.
His mind replayed two scenes from the past-one scene of his younger self coming to the airport alongwith Anjali & their mother & waiting excitedly to see their father,who was never half as excited to meet them.
And the other happier scene of waving madly at nanaji n nani the moment they stepped out of the airport.. Of the old couple acknowledging the warm reception with warmer smiles.. Of nanaji lifting him in his arms.. Of nani hugging her daughter with tears in her eyes.
His reverie was broken when he felt Khushi's hand on his arm.
Khushi: What are you thinking about?
Arnav: Nothing much. Lets go to the taxi stand..
He walks ahead without offering her a chance to say anything else.
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Precap:
"Mumma..!"
Khushi(wonders aloud): Who was that?
The doors of the lift parted to reveal a boy of about 5,who was anxiously peering inside.
The smile on his tear stricken face disappeared when he saw Khushi.
He took a few steps away from Khushi as she came out of the lift.
Khushi: You dont need to be scared,beta! I wont do anything. Just tell me-what.. are you doing here? That too alone?(looks around) Is anybody there with you?
Boy: I'm looking for my mumma. (sniffs)I.. cant find here. (points to the lift)I thought.. mumma's in the lift but.. (sniffs)she's not here either..
Khushi's heart lurches when he starts crying loudly.
Khushi(cups his face): Dont cry. You need not feel so scared. I'm here na? (wipes his tears)I'll help you in finding your mumma,okay?

Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Next update on Sunday,19th July.