A/N: As per the serial IPKKND, Sheesh mahal had been converted to a hotel when Arnav bought it from his chachaji. But,Sheesh mahal is not a hotel
in my FF. Please consider that chachaji & his family were residing in Sheesh Mahal during that period of 14 years. They were forced to leave when
Arnav bought that house. Once the fashion show (where Khushi fell in Arnav's arms) was over, Arnav gave the responsibility of taking care of Sheesh
mahal to his old, trusted servants. He left that very night & is coming back to that house only in this part,alongwith Khushi.
Thanks for the likes & comments! Over to..
Part 122
Khushi felt Arnav's hold on her hand getting stronger as they approached closer to the house where he had spent his cherished childhood.
Without caring about the driver, she brought his hand to her mouth & kissed it softly.
Arnav pulled her closer to himself.
Khushi could feel his escalating pulse when she stroked the back of his neck.
Khushi: Hum aapk saath hain..
Arnav(breaking apart): Thanks!
His eyes spoke of his heartfelt gratitude whereas her eyes spoke of her promise to be with him through thick & thin.
The gaze was broken when the car came to a halt.
Khushi turned sideways to find huge,ornate iron gates lined with spikes just ahead of the car.
As the gates parted, the driver took the car up on the driveway lined by manicured shrubs on both sides.
Khushi's eyes first went to the marble fountain & then to the majestic building standing in front of it.
She felt a sense of deja vu as she recalled her first meeting with her future sasuraal.
Khushi(thinks): Uss raat humein chinta khaaye ja rahi thi isiliye humara dhyaan is ghar par gayaa hi nahi! Ise ghar kehna galat hoga. Yeh toh sach me
1 mahal hai!
Her thoughts were interrupted when an armed security guard opened the door of the car for her.
Khushi thanked him as she stepped out of the car.
All traces of excitement vanished when she saw Arnav's forlorn face as he came to her side.
Khushi(placing a hand on his shoulder): Arnavji..
Arnav's gaze shifted behind her.
He nodded when the guard saluted him.
Arnav: Press reporters ko yahaan se door rakhne ki zimmedaari tumhari hai.
Guard(nods): Ji sir,aap befiqar rahein.
Arnav: Agar koi bhi anjaan aadmi ghar ki taraf aata dikhaai de toh mujhe immediately call kar dena.
Guard: Ji,bilkul sir. Hum chaukanne rahenge!
Arnav turned to Khushi once the guard left.
Arnav(holds her hand): Chalo. Andar tumhara intezaar ho raha hai..
Khushi(frowns deeply): Kya?
Arnav had already begun guiding her towards the porch by then.
Khushi: Par.. andar kaun hai?
Arnav: Andar chalkar bataaun?
Khushi(guesses): Dilli se Amanji aaye hain?
Arnav shook his head as they climbed the few steps leading to the main door.
Khushi was surprised to see diyas placed on either sides of the main door.
The door opened before she could voice any of her questions & Khushi saw an old lady standing across the threshold.
https://mimg.sulekha.com/hindi/lagaan/stills/suhasinimulay.jpgHer salt n pepper hair were partially covered by the pallu of her saree.
Her mouth wrinkled at the corners when she smiled & her large eyes glistened with tears.
Khushi did not fail to notice the aarti ki thaali in her hands.
Arnav: Yeh Deepa mausi hain. Inhe,waise toh,meri aur di ki dekh-bhaal karne k liye iss ghar me laaya gaya tha par, humari gairhaazri me, inhone iss ghar ka bhi utne hi achchhe tareeke se dhyaan rakhaa hai jaise woh humara rakhti thi jab hum.. iss ghar me rehte the.
Deepa mausi caressed Arnav's cheek as a tear escaped her eye.
Khushi(folds her hands): Namaste mausiji!
The smile on her lips grew wider as mausi greeted Khushi.
Mausi(pats her cheek): Namaste! (pats her head)Khush rahiye, bahurani! Sheesh mahal me aapka swaagat hai!
Khushi's heart skipped a beat when she heard that word: bahurani!
Her eyes filled to the brim while mausi performed their aarti.
When ArShi touched her feet, she blessed them to have a long,fruitful life.
Then she pressed a 100 rs note into Khushi's hand.
Mausi: Aapka shagun.. (turning to Arnav) Aur Chhotey raja, yeh aapk liye!
Arnav: Main yeh nahi le saktaa hoon, mausi.
Mausi: Manaa mat kijiyega! Hum apni khushi se de rahe hain aur.. yeh Rivaaz bhi hai..
Khushi saw the joy on mausi's face when Arnav relented & accepted the money from her.
She saw a man in his late thirties approaching them soon after mausi placed something sweet in her mouth.
Arnav: Yeh Keyur bhaiyya hain, mausi k bete..
Keyur greeted Khushi before placing a wide copper dish filled with red colored water at the threshold.
Mausi: Aaiyye bahurani..
Several tears escaped Khushi's eyes as she placed her right foot in the dish,followed by her left.
She clutched Arnav's hand as she stepped inside the house,marking it with her footsteps.
Once inside, her eyes took in the view of the grand living room: the embroidered carpets, the wall mounted fireplace, the crystal chandelier, the silk
curtains, the huge brass artefacts, the exquisite showpieces on the mantlepiece and the furniture, which was totally covered.
Khushi: Itne bade ghar ka dhyaan rakhnaa koi aasaan kaam nahi hai. Aapko daad deni hogi mausiji! Bade jatan se rakhaa hai aapne iss ghar ko!
Mausi: Shukriya! Aur.. Maaf kijiyega!
Khushi: Kis liye?
Mausi: Saadi si grah pravesh ki rasam k liye! Jaldbaazi me itna hi kar paaye aap k liye! Saanjh dhal gayi thi so phool nahi tod paayein aur.. ghar me
kalash toh hai par chaawal nahi the so.. woh rasam bhi nahi kar paayein. Mithaai banaane ya laane jitna samay nahi tha so Ramdana se hi aapka
moonh meetha karvaana padaa.
Khushi: Koi baat nahi,mausiji! Humare liye yeh hi bahut hai! Aur.. Ramdane se yaad aaya.. (looking around)iss ghar me mandir bhi hai?
Mausi: Ji,bilkul hai!
Khushi(smiles): Humein wahaan lekar chaliye na..
Mausi: Wahaan toh Chhotey raja hi lekar chalenge aapko! Hum dono baazaar jaakar aapk liye badhiya sa khaana lekar aate hain! Biriyani pasand hai
aapko?
Khushi(turns to Arnav): Arnavji ko bahut pasand hai!
Mausi: Jaante hain.. In k liye toh biriyani, raita aur paneer tikka laane hi hain! Aap kya khaayengi,bataaiyye?
Arnav(answers for her): Khushi ko naan, malaai kofta aur shaahi paneer bahut pasand hain!
Mausi(smiles): Theek hai. Hum woh bhi lekar aate hain!
Arnav was about to take out his wallet, when mausi stopped him.
Mausi: Paise hain humare paas.
Arnav: Theek hai. Baahar driver wait kar raha hai aaplogon k liye..
Mausi(nods): Aate hain..
Khushi: Ji. Sambhalkar jaiyyega..
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Mausi closed the door as she left the couple alone.
Khushi: Aapne.. (looking around) yeh sab kab karvaaya?
Arnav: Jab tum mandir gayi thi,tab..
An overwhelmed Khushi threw herself at Arnav who caught her weight while balancing himself.
Khushi: Ab bas bhi kijiye, Arnavji!
Arnav(confused): What the..!? Kya.. bas karoon?
Khushi: Humare liye aur kya,kya karenge aap? Aap itne dukhi ho rahe the phir bhi aapne humari khushi ka dhyaan rakhaa!? Bina humare kuch kahe ya
maange humare grah pravesh ki taiyyaariyaan karvaa di.. Humari bhaavnaao ko dhyaan me rakhaa.. humara..
Arnav(interrupts): Ssshh! Khushi..
Khushi: Humein bolne dijiye! (breaks the hug) Aap itne zyaada achchhe kyun hain?
Arnav silently mopped her teary cheeks.
Khushi: Boliye..
Arnav: Ab.. kya bolun main? (tucks her hair behind her ear)Har baar tum woh hi sawaal karti ho aur har baar main yeh hi jawaab deta hoon.. Main itna
achchha isiliye hoon kyunki tum itni achchhi ho! (pecks her lips)Tum mujhse bahut zyaada achchhi ho!
Khushi(shakes her head): Nahi! (cups his face)Aap humse kayeen guna zyaada achchhe hain!
Arnav: Kya hum yeh debate postpone kar sakte hain?
Khushi: hmm. Chaliye,ab humein apnaa ghar dikhaiyye. Aur shuruaat..
Arnav(completes the sentence): Mandir se karenge. Come with me..
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Once she had seen the pooja room,Arnav took her to the room next to it.
Arnav(opens the door): Yeh dadaji aur dadi ka room hai..
Khushi was surprised to find the walls of the room adorned with paintings and lamps.
Khushi: Dadaji aur dadiji ki tasveer kahaan hai?
Arnav: Pehle hua karti thi but.. ab nahi hai.
Khushi: Toh kya.. chachaji ne apne amma babuji ki tasveer.. nikaal di?
Arnav gave a short nod.
Khushi sighed as her eyes scanned the room.
The furniture had been covered so as to protect it from dust & dirt.
Arnav: Maybe nani k pass unki koi photo hogi..
Khushi: Ha.. ho saktaa hai.
Arnav: Baahar chalo..
He took her to the adjoining verandah which had marble flooring and granite pillars.
Khushi: Palaash ka ped?
Arnav(nods): Dadi roz subha Devi Maiyya ko Palaash k phool chadhaaya karti thi.
Khushi: Aangan me Juhi phoolon ki khushboo aa rahi thi.
Arnav: Garden me Juhi ka ped hai. Di ko Juhi phool bahut pasand hain! Diwali k time par.. maa aur di juhi phool k gajre pehna karte the..
Khushi immediately took hold of his hand.
Arnav: Iss verandah me baithna dadi ko bahut achchha lagtaa tha! Jab humlog school se waapis aate the toh woh yaheen baithkar dhoop sek rahi hoti
thi..
Khushi: Woh aapko bahut pasand karti thi na?
Arnav(nods): Main unka laadla tha! Aur main bhi unhe bahut pasand karta tha! Hum dono diabetic the. Aur humare beechh ek secret pact tha- Jab
mujhe chocolate milti thi tab main unhe aadhi deta tha. Aur jab woh mandir se laddoo churaati thi tab..
Khushi(shocked): Dadiji.. mandir se laddoo churaaya karti thi!?
Arnav(nods with a smile): Maa k haathon k motichoor k laddoo unhe bhi bahut pasand the aur mujhe bhi! Par maa hum dono me se kisi ko laddoo nahi
khaane deti thi! Generally woh sweets aur icecream par kadi nazar rakhti thi. Par kabhi unko baahar jaana padta ya unka dhyaan bat-ta toh dadi
laddoo chura leti thi! Aur phir hum dono yahaan baithkar laddoo khaaya karte the!
Khushi smiles as she imagines the scene.
Arnav: Unk jaane k baad maine kabhi mandir se laddoo nahi churaaye.. Aur na hi apni chocolate kisi k saath share ki..
Khushi(rubs his arm): Bahut miss karte honge na aap unhe? Khaas kar jab aap.. iss kamre ko dekhte honge tab..
Arnav: Haan. Dadaji k baare me mujhe.. utna kuch yaad nahi hai kyunki main bahut chhota tha jab.. unki death huyi thi. Mujhe sirf itna yaad hai ki
woh chashme pehente the jinhe kheenchne me mujhe badaa mazaa aata tha! Aur woh.. mujhe puchkarte huye kehte the: Chhota bachchha badaa
pyaara!
He became silent after saying that.
Khushi(leans her head on his shoulder): Aap bahut khushnaseeb hain,Arnavji. Aapko dadaji,dadaji,nanaji aur naniji.. sabka pyaar aur aashirwaad mila!
Humne toh apne dadaji aur dadiamma ko dekha hi nahi kyunki wohlog amma babuji ki shaadi se pehle hi chal base the. Kam waqt k liye hi sahi par
aapko apne dadaji ka pyaar aur unhe apne pote k saath khelne ka sukh mila!
Arnav nods as he kisses the top of her head.
Arnav: I love your positivity!
Khushi: Shukriya! Aapko.. dadiji ki punyatithi ki taareekh yaad hai?
Arnav: Of course!
Khushi: Toh aapko yeh bhi yaad hoga na,ki jab aaplog chhote the tab uss din ghar me pooja hua karti thi jis k baad aap sab vriddhaashram k logon ki
seva karne jaaya karte the..
Arnav: Rachnaa ne bataaya?
Khushi: Ji.. Hum soch rahe the ki.. humein bhi aisaa hi karnaa chahiye. Buzorgon ki seva karnaa punya ka kaam toh hai hi,saath me yeh dadiji ki
aakhri ichchha thi. Unk bete nahi hain toh kya hua,aap toh hain na,unk pote? Toh aapko unki uss ichchha ka maan rakhna chahiye na?
Arnav: Rakhenge,next year unki death anniversary par humlog pooja bhi karvaayenge aur vriddhaashram bhi chalenge!
Khushi(smiles): Theek hai.
Arnav: Ab uss taraf chalo..
Khushi: Wahaan kis ka kamraa hai?
Arnav: Wahaan guest room hai... jahaan.. maine tumhe.. band karvaa diya tha..
Khushi's face became pale as she recalled that evening when she had met him for the first time.
Arnav held both her hands in his as he apologized.
Arnav: I'm really sorry for whatever I did that night, Khushi!
Khushi took a moment to compose herself before replying.
Khushi: Koi baat nahi! Aapko apni galti ka ehsaas ho gaya hai yeh achchhi baat hai. Lekin.. hum kuch aur bhi kehna chahtein hain aapse..
Arnav: Kaho..
Khushi: Agar phir kabhi.. koi galti se aapk fashion show me pahuch jaay, phir chaahe woh ladka ho, ladki ho, koi bhi ho.. toh.. uss k saath ai.. aisaa
sulooq mat kariyega. Usse apni safaayi dene ka 1 mauka toh zaroor dijiyega..
Arnav: Sure! (hand on her arm)Tum pani piyogi?
Khushi(shakes her head): Hum theek hai.
Arnav: Tum uss raat Sheesh mahal kaise pahuchi? I mean.. tumhe yahaan ka address kisne diya tha?
Khushi: Galat pate par pahuch gaye the hum. Humein Taj mahal hotel jana tha aur.. raste me yeh haveli dekhi toh.. humein lagaa ki yeh hi woh hotel
hai jahaan.. Abhishekji aur unk parivaarwale reh rahe the.
Arnav: Unbelievable! Jo log Taj jaise 5 star hotel me rehna afford kar sakte hain woh log bhi dahej demand karte hain?
Khushi: Chhodiye na purani baaton ko! Humein woh kamraa nahi dekhna hai. Aur.. kaunse kamre hain?
Arnav: Ground floor par dining room hai, kitchen hai aur uss k peechhe servants' quarters hai, jahaan mausi aur unki family rehti hai.
Khushi: Itne saalon se wohlog hi iss ghar ko sambhaalte aa rahe hain yeh sunkar humein taajjub hua.
Arnav(leads her out of the room): Kyun?
Khushi: Chachaji ne.. unhe kaam se nikala kyun nahi yeh sochkar taajjub ho raha hai.
Arnav: Unhe pataa tha ki mausi aur phoopie se wafaadaar servants unhe poore Lucknow me kaheen nahi milenge!
Khushi: Phoophie.. kaun?
Arnav: Madina phoophie khana banaane me aur kitchen se related kaamon me maa ki help kiya karte the. Unk husband Rizvi miyaan humare gardener
the.
Khushi: Toh kya.. unhone kaam chhod diya?
Arnav: Nahi. Unk bete Rasool ko beta hua hai,jise dekhne k liye wohlog Unnau gaye huye hain.
Khushi: Varnaa woh dono bhi yaheen rehte hain?
Arnav: Haan. Rizvi Miyaan aaj bhi garden ki dekhbhaal karte hain. Aur phoophie sab k liye khana banaati hain.
Khushi: Itne badi haveli ko 4,5 log milkar sambhaal lete hain?
Arnav: 4,5 nahi poore 9 log hain. Sab k baare me main tumhe baad me bataaunga. Abhi chalo..
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Arnav took the covers off the old,carved,wooden dining table with a thick,glass top.
Arnav: Iss table ko banaane k liye dad ne Burma se teakwood import karvaaya tha.
Khushi: Isski kaarigari toh bahut hi baareeq(fine) aur sundar hai!
Arnav(looking around): Iss room me baithkar.. maa k haath se na jaane kitne nivaalein(morsels) khaaye hain maine!.. Mere aur Advayit k beechh kitni
ladaaiyaan hui hai yahaan!.. (runs his hand over the glass top) Har saal mere birthday ka cake iss hi table par kat-ta tha..
He walks over to the other side of the table & uncovers the dining chairs.
Khushi joins him as he inspects a couple of chairs.
Khushi: Kya dhoond rahe hain aap?
Arnav(smiles): Mil gaya! Look here..
He points to the back of 1 of the chairs which had scratches resembling 'Arnav' on it.
Arnav: Jab maa ko pataa chalaa ki maine iss chair par apnaa naam likha hai tab meri bahut pitaai huyi thi!
Khushi: Par aapne aisaa kiya kyun?
Arnav: Kyunki yeh meri favorite chair thi! Iss par baithkar main kitchen me maa ko kaam karte huye dekh sakta tha isiliye main hamesha yaheen par
baithta tha. Aur Advayit ko yeh pataa tha phir bhi woh din me 1 baar toh iss par aakar baith hi jaata tha! Jab main usse kehta ki yeh meri chair hai
toh woh bolta "Iss par aapka naam likha hai kya?" 1 din maine chammach se apnaa naam likh diya aur phir jab woh baithaa tab usse dhakke maar k
giraa diya!
Khushi(shocked): Haww!
Arnav: Usse bahut proudly apnaa naam dikhaate huye kaha ki ab toh iss par mera naam bhi likha hai toh yahaan sirf main hi baithunga! Dobara iss
par baithne ki galti mat karnaa!
Khushi(shakes her head): Aap bhi na Arnavji!
Arnav(pats the chair): Iss chair se,iss room se meri bahut saari yaadein judi huyi hai! Khaaskar family dinners ki yaadein! Dad.. bahut rarely humare
saath khana khaaya karte the. Par festivals k time par hum sablog saath milkar dinner karte the. Aur maa har festival par dad k favorite aaloo k
koftein banaaya karti thi.. apni khushi zaahir karne k liye.. uss dish k thru thanks kehne k liye.. unhe yeh bataane k liye ki woh kitni khush hain ki dad
ne humare liye time nikaala.. hum sab k saath khaana khaaya.. Par dad?
Khushi notices the stiff line of his jaw as he grinds his teeth.
Arnav: Unhone kabhi maa ki taareef me ya kofton ki taareef me kuch nahi kaha!
Khushi gasps when He bangs his fist on the table.
Arnav: Meri maa ne apni poori zindagi guzaar di unki 1,1 cheez ka dhyaan rakhne me, unka ghar sambhaalne me, unka khayaal rakhne me.. par
unhone kisi baat k liye maa ko kabhi appreciate nahi kiya! Bas order dete rahein.. yeh aise hona chahiye, woh waise hona chahiye.. Woh order dete
aur chale jaate aur peechhe se maa sab kuch unk hisaab se karti thi. Apni zindagi me kuch bhi apne hisaab se nahi kar paayi. Sab kuch maa ko unk
hisaab se karna padaa! par unhone 1 baar bhi maa k liye kuch nahi kiya! I hate that man to the core!
Khushi wordlessly wrapped one arm around his shoulders.
Arnav(gulps): Maa k saath-saath meri aur di ki bhi zindagi kharaab kar di unhone! Chheen liya humari ma ko humse! (looks at the ceiling)Iss ghar ko,
humare bachpan ko, sab kuch chheen liya!
Khushi cupped his cheek & turned him towards her.
Arnav: I jus'.. hate him!
He went into her soothing arms & shed tears on her shoulder.
Khushi: Dekhiye.. hum aapki bhaavnaaon ko aur aapk dukh ko samajhte hain. Aapki aur Rachnaaji ki baaton se toh yeh hi lagtaa hai ki unk liye aapki
nafrat kaheen na kaheen jaayaz hai. Par phir bhi,aap iss baat se inkaar toh nahi kar sakte na ki woh aapk pita the?
Arnav: Unfortunately no! And I hate the fact ki.. woh mere dad aur meri maa k pati the!
Khushi: Aapne apni taraf se unhe waise hi pyaar diya aur sammaan diya jaise 1 beta apne pita ko deta hai. Waise hi, maa ne apni taraf se unhe
waise hi pyaar aur sammaan diya jaise 1 patni apne pati ko deti hai. Unhone dad ki har baat maani,sab kuch unk hisaab se kiya sirf isiliye nahi kyunki
dad ne hukm kiya tha par isiliye kyunki woh unse pyaar karti thi!
Arnav(nods): I know. Par I doubt dad ne kabhi bhi unse pyaar kiya hoga. He jus'.. (gulps) used her.
Khushi felt his arms tighten around her waist.
Khushi: Inn ehsaason k saath jeena bahut mushqil hai! Ab humein samajh me aaya ki.. dad ka ziqar karte hi aap gusse me kyun aa jaate hain.
Humne jaane-anjaane me jab bhi.. unki baatein chhedkar aapko taqleef pahuchaayi tab k liye hum maafi chaahte hain!
Arnav broke the hug & shook his head.
Arnav: I'm sorry! Maine har baar unka gussa tum par nikaala!
Khushi: Koi baat nahi! Ab chaliye yahaan se..
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*Later that evening*
Khushi released a breath after ascending the stone staircase which conveyed her to the first floor.
Arnav: Tum theek ho?
Khushi(nods): Kitni saari seedhiyaan hain yahaan par! (sighs)Khair, chhodiye! Pehli manzil par kis k kamre hain?
Arnav pointed towards a room on the other side of the lobby.
Arnav: Yeh di ka room hai.
Khushi: Chaliye,pehle yeh hi dikha dijiye..
When Arnav switched on all the lights,Khushi felt like she was in a princess's chamber.
The room was elegantly decorated in shades of lavender and white.
The walls were adorned with canvas paintings of various Gods & Goddesses, Japanese sconces & woven tapestries.
Khushi: Yeh toh.. bilkul waisaa hi hai!
Arnav(frowns): Waisaa as in.. kaisaa?
Khushi: Jaisaa filmon me rajkumari ka kamraa hota hai,waisaa!
She entered the room & grinned while looking around.
Khushi: Di ko iss kamre me rehne me kitna mazaa aata hoga na?
Arnav smiled as she gazed around the room with her mouth hung open.
White,lace curtains were draped around the circular wooden bed forming a canopy of sorts.
Vintage glass candle stands shone on the bedside table.
The wall to wall cupboards had heavy, glass handles and abstract designs.
There was a floor length mirror in front of the white, dressing table and a round,cushioned stool behind it.
Khushi smiled upon seeing the small chandelier above the table.
Khushi: Iss ghar ka har 1 jhoomar kitna sundar hai! Aur yeh pankhaa?
She pointed towards the white fan with golden design on its blades.
Arnav: On karoon?
Khushi: Nahi! Hum keh rahe the ki.. yeh bhi kitna sundar hai!
Arnav: Seriously?
Khushi: Aur nahi toh kya!
She moved past the covered sofas and the low,coffee table to reach the other side of the room.
There was a huge table in front of her with chest of drawers on both ends and leg space in between.
Khushi: Yeh..?
Arnav: Di ka study table hua karta tha.
Khushi(wonders): Par iss k saath kursi kyun nahi hai?
Arnav: Thi.. Pehle yahaan par table k design se match karti hui wooden chair thi. Phir jab revolving chairs India me launch huye tab di ne bhi revolving
chair ki zidd ki.
Khushi: Toh kya.. dad ne unki zidd puri ki?
Arnav(nods): Di ko uss revolving chair par baithkar revolve karte rehna, poore room me yahaan se wahaan karnaa bahut achchha lagtaa tha!
Khushi: Toh woh chair..?
Arnav: May be toot gayi hogi?
Khushi nodded as she proceeded to survey the attached balcony.
Her face lit up as she exclaimed loudly.
Khushi: Jhoolaa!?
Arnav(nods): Di ka favorite hai! Roz iss par baithkar atleast aadhe ghante tak jhoolti rehti thi aur neeche garden me mujhe khelti huye dekhti thi.
It was only when he said that that Khushi realized that the balcony overlooked the garden.
Khushi: Yahaan se toh poora bageecha dikh raha hai. a.. kya hum.. iss par baithkar kuch der jhool saktein hain?
Arnav: Sure!
Khushi: Shukriya! Aap bhi baithiye na humare saath..
She held his hand & took him towards the swing.
Sitting beside him she clutched the rusted chain with one hand & his hand with the other.
Khushi: Shuru karein?
Arnav nodded before they pushed the swing forward.
Arnav noticed that the swing made a lot of noise.
Khushi was too happy to notice anything!
Khushi: Ab tez jhoolein?
Arnav: No,no,no!
Khushi(frowns): Kyun nahi?
Arnav: Yeh jhoola bahut purana hai,Khushi. Tez jhoolne jaogi aur yeh.. toot gaya toh?
Khushi: a.. achchha,theek hai. Dheere hi jhulte hain.
Arnav placed an arm around her as she leaned onto his chest.
Arnav stopped the swing with his foot.
Arnav: Ghar achchha lagaa?
Khushi: Bahut! Yahaan kitna suqoon hai, Arnavji! Sheher se,traffic se door, hariyaali k beechh base iss sundar se ghar ko.. aise..
Arnav: Kya? Bolo..
Khushi: Aise khaali nahi chhodna chahiye. Ya toh aapko iss ka hotel banaa dena chahiye..
Arnav: Noways!
Khushi: Kyun? Aaj kal har jagah yeh hi toh hota hai. Raja maharajaon ki havelion ko aur mehelon ko hotel me badal diya jaata hai..
Arnav: Par iss ghar k saath aisaa nahi hoga.
Khushi: Manaa karne ki wajah kya hai?
Arnav: Main iss ki taraf unnecessary attention nahi chahta hoon. Hotel me convert karunga,toh logon ka aana-jaana hoga. Log probe karenge toh unhe
iss ghar ki history k baare me pataa chalega.. Aur.. humare saath jo hua ko uss k baare me, maa aur dad k baare me log tarah,tarah ki baatein
karenge. I won' be able to stand that!
Khushi: Aap sahi keh rahe hain! Toh phir.. aapko iss k saath woh hi karnaa chahiye jo aap.. babuji k ghar k saath karnewale hain..
Arnav: You mean to say ki mujhe isse weekend home ki tarah..?
Khushi: Ji haan. Lucknow me do,do ghar hote huye hum hotel me kyun rahein bhalaa?
Arnav: Iss baare me baad me sochenge. Filhaal chalo..
As Khushi stepped inside the bedroom,she noticed a door on the opposite end.
Khushi: Woh bathroom hai na?
Arnav: hmm.
Khushi: Hum dekhkar aate hain..
The bathroom was no less of a spectacle with a circular bath tub, circular washbasin, a big, round mirror, round wall lamps, lace curtains separating
the shower area and color co-ordinated tiles and bathware.
Khushi: Yeh bhi bahut sundar hai! Man kartaa hai ki yaheen reh jaayein, iss hi ghar me!
Arnav: Hum yahaan nahi reh sakte,Khushi..
Khushi(turns to him): Aaj raat bhi nahi?
Arnav(shakes his head): Humein raat ko hi hotel lautna hoga.
Khushi: Kyun Arnavji? Aaj ki raat yahaan ruk jaiyye na..
Arnav: I'm sorry,Khushi! I cant take that risk. Abhi tak media tak yeh khabar nahi pahuchi hai ki humlog yahaan hai. Agar unhe pataa chal gayaa toh
wohlog humein chain se rehne nahi denge. 100 sawaal karenge. Aur kal subha tumhare birthday k celebrations chhodkar mujhe press conference me
jana padega. I don want that to happen!
Khushi: Theek hai.
Arnav: Next time jab hum Lucknow aayenge tab..
He was interrupted by the door bell.
Arnav: Neeche chalo. Baaki k rooms dinner karne k baad dekh lenaa..
Khushi: Ji.
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ArShi waited in the living room while Keyur set the table.
Khushi sat on the diwaan with her legs folded and the bolster on her lap.
Khushi: Humein iss tarah k diwaan khaat bahut pasand hai! Jab hum chhote the tab humare ghar me bhi 1 diwaan tha. Jaante hain hum uss par kaise
let-te the?
Arnav: Kaise?
Khushi: Seedhe letne k bajaay (gestures horizontal postion)aise let-te the! Humare pair deewar par hote the aur humare baal diwaan k chhor se
neeche jhulte rehte the! (sighs)Kya-kya harkatein karte the hum bachpan me! Aapne bhi toh aisi koi harkatein ki hongi na?
Before he could answer..
Khushi: Hum unse poochhte hain!
She went into the dining room with Arnav following her.
Khushi: Mausiji..
Mausi: Hum abhi Keyur ko bhej rahe the aapko bulvaane k liye!
Khushi: Oh.. Khaane ki khushboo toh zabardast hai! Baahar tak aa rahi hai!
Mausi(smiles): Baithiye..
Khushi admired the exquisite Benjarong tableware.
Khushi: Aise bartan humne pehle kabhi nahi dekhein hain! Yeh videsh k honge na?
Arnav(nods): Maa ki friend laayi thi, Phuket se.
Khushi: Kahaan se?
Arnav: Thailand se. Maa had a fabulous crockery collection! Alag-alag cities aur countries k collectibles,crockery aur kundan jewellery ka bahut shauq
tha unhe!
Khushi: Humein naniji ne 1 baar bataaya tha ki unhe kundan k kangan bahut pasand the!
She noticed Keyur & mausi who were waiting to serve them.
Khushi: Aaplog bhi humare saath baithiye na.
Here she turned to Arnav who took the hint & coaxed mausi to have dinner with them.
Mausi: Nahi.. Hum baad me quarters me jaakar kha lenge.
Arnav: Wahaan toh aaplog roz hi dinner karte hain,mausi. Aaj humare saath dinner kar lijiye..
Khushi: Please mausiji,manaa mat kijiye na! Abhi toh humein Arnavji k bachpan k kisse bhi sunne hain aapse! Phir na jaane kab aapse milkar
batiyaane ka.. (looks around)iss ghar me aane ka mauka milega humein!
Mausi(cups her cheek): Theek hai! Par pehle aap baithiye,hum khana paros dete hain..
Khushi: Ji,theek hai.
Arnav felt a lump in his throat as he sat down on his favorite dining chair.
Khushi placed a hand on his knee as she sat beside him.
Arnav nodded to indicate that he was fine.
Mausi: Shuru kijiye..
Khushi: Mausiji, aap Arnavji ko Chhotey raja kyun bulaati hain?
Mausi(smiles): Pehle hum inhe Raja bitwa kehkar pukaarte the,par unhe woh naam pasand nahi tha. Phir jab humne inhe chhotey raja kaha toh yeh
bahut khush ho gaye! Uss hi din se humne unka naam chhotey raja rakh diya!
Khushi: Tab inki umar kya rahi hogi?
Mausi: Dedh-do saal..
Khushi: Oh..! Aapne.. tab se sambhaala hai inhe?
Mausi nodded as she sat down opposite ArShi.
Mausi: Tab inhe 'au' bolna nahi aata tha. Yeh humein 'musi,musi' kehkar pukaarte the! (smiles fondly)Ink meethi zaban se musi sunkar humein kitni
khushi milti thi hum.. kaise bataayein?
Khushi: Hum andaaza lagaa sakte hain! Bachchhein apni tutlaati zabaan jo bhi bole woh bahut meetha lagtaa hai!
Arnav: Khana shuru karo,varnaa thandaa ho jaayega..
Khushi: Baat mat palatiye! Aaj toh hum aapk bachpan k kisse sunkar hi dam lenge!
Arnav shrugged as he proceeded to savour the biriyaani.
Arnav: Khana bahut achchha hai! Iss biriyani ko chakhkar phoophie ki biriyani yaad aa gayi!
Mausi: Jab aap agli dafaa aayenge tab Madeena behen se kahenge ki aapne biriyani ki farmaaish ki hai! Phir dekhiyega, biriyani k ilaava aapki saari
manpasand cheezein banaa dengi woh!
Khushi: Phoophieji se mulaaqat ho jaati toh aur achchha hota. Khair,aap unse aur Rizvi miyaan se kahiyega ki Arnavji ne unhe yaad kiya. Aur un dono
ko humara salaam kahiyega.
Mausi: Ji,zaroor. Aapne toh ab shuru bhi nahi kiya! Naan thandi ho jaayegi..
Khushi: Ha bas.. shuru kar hi rahe hain. Aap bhi khaiyye na.
Mausi nodded as she filled her plate.
During the course of dinner, mausi narrated several stories from Arnav's childhood.
Khushi listened with to her with a grin plastered on her face.
Whereas Arnav listened to her with a sad smile & an occasional wet sheen in his eyes.
When his gaze fell on the kitchen,he recalled maa making rotis for him while he waited on the table,hungry and angry.
Maa would feed him with her hand to placate him.
Her smile accompanied by her words and the yummy food would melt his anger in minutes.
His heart lurched as he thought of the night before Anjali's wedding day.
Maa had made sugarfree halwaa for him.
Even though she had a lot of work to do and hordes of relatives to attend to, she had sat by him as he had dinner alongwith the other kids of his age.
And when it was time for dessert,she had taken the bowl of halwa from his hands & fed him lovingly.
Arnav inhaled deeply and his vision became hazy because of the tears.
He closed his eyes when he felt Khushi's hand on his shoulder.
Mausi immediately came to his side.
When she placed her hand on his head,Arnav could no longer control himself.
Tears emerged in mausi's eyes as she placated him.
Khushi felt tears emerging in her eyes as well but she blinked them away.
She had to be strong for him.
When Arnav was about to get up,she stopped him.
Khushi: Nahi arnavji! Iss tarah se khana adhoora chhodkar mat jaiyye! Maa kabhi nahi chahti ki aap iss tarah se uthkar,anna ka apmaan karein. Hum
sahi keh rahe hain na mausiji?
Mausi: Ha bahurani. Chaahe inki pariksha ho ya koi match, badi maalkin kabhi bhi inko bina khaaye nahi jaane deti thi.
Khushi: Humare kehne par na sahi,par maa k liye hi sahi.. kha lijiye.
Arnav could not refuse to eat when she said that.
They finished their dinner in silence before Arnav took Khushi to his old bedroom.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
A/N: Arnav & Khushi's conversation and details about the room will be revealed later as a flashback during Khushi's conversation with Anjali.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav closed the door of his bedroom before taking Khushi's hand.
Khushi had already guessed where Arnav would be taking her next.
The slow pace of his steps and the strong grip on her hand told her that they would be going to his parents' room.
When he opened the door, Khushi went inside with him & sat down on the bed beside him.
She did not survey the pastel hued room like she had surveyed the others.
Her eyes, which generally paid attention to every little detail, did not spare a glance for the dressing table with three way mirrors or the curio
cabinets on the wall or the Victorian settee.
Not even the large,filigreed wooden partition which separated the bedroom from the adjoining study.
Her gaze was fixed on Arnav who seemed to be lost in his memories.
She sat there & waited till he was ready to vocalize his feelings.
And when he did so,his words moved her to tears.
Arnav: Jab tak main 5 saal ka hua tab tak main iss hi bed par sota tha,ma aur dad k beechh me. Mere 5th birthday k kuch din baad hi main apne room
me shift hua tha. Wahaan shift hone k baad main iss room me sone tab aata tha jab ma ki tabiyat kharaab hoti thi aur dad out of town hote the ya
phir tab jab meri tabiyat ya mood bahut kharaab hote the. Jab main bahut pareshaan hota tha aur mujhe peace of mind chahiye hota tha,tab main
yahaan aakar maa k pass baithta tha, unse kuch der baad kartaa tha & my sanity would be restored.(swallows)Tumhe pataa hai main pichhli baar iss
bed par kab soya tha?
Khushi: Kab?
Arnav: Maa aur dad k daahsanskar(last rites) k baad. Jab humlog dopeher ko samshaan se laute tab main seedhe yaheen aa gaya. Na maine khana
khaya aur na hi kisi se koi baat ki. Main yahaan aaya,maine darwaaza lock kiya &..
His lips quivered as a tear ran down till the corner of his mouth.
Arnav: & I collapsed on this bed.
Khushi could feel the raw emotion in his voice as he continued.
Arnav: Meri poori body kaanp rahi thi.. I was.. so badly shaken with everythin'. I dunno kisne aise stupid rites banaaye hain! Kis idiot ne yeh.. kaha
tha ki jab tak maa,baap ki.. bodies poori tarah se.. jalkar.. kh.. khaak(ashes) nahi ho jaati tab tak bete ko samshaan me hi wait karnaa chahiye! I
wanna know the name of that idiot!*
Khushi: Aisi baat mat kijiye, Arnavji! Shaant ho jaiyye..
Arnav: Woh jo koi bhi hoga I'm sure uss k dil me koi emotions nahi honge, koi feelings nahi hongi! apni maa k liye.. zaraa sa bhi pyaar nahi hoga
isiliye ussne aise rules banaaye! Isiliye usse pataa nahi chalaa ki 1 bete par kya beet-te hai jab woh.. apni maa ko.. apne.. haathon se.. jalaata hai!
Aur woh panditji!? Woh chita,chita, chita kehte rahe.. Mera man kar raha tha ki main cheekh-cheekh kar sabse keh doon ki koi unk liye chita word use
nahi karega! (yells)Woh meri maa hai, dammit! Koi inanimate object nahi hai!
By this time even Khushi had tears in her eyes.
Arnav: Mujhe yaad bhi nahi hai ki main kitni der tak yahaan baithkar rota raha. Aur kab rote-rote main so gaya. I was so damn exhausted, physically,
mentally & emotionally! Jab aankh khuli tab I realized ki shaam ho gayi hai. koi zor,zor se darwaaza khat-khataa raha hai. Baahar se di ki aawaaz
sunaai di. She sounded damn worried. Jab maine darwaaza khola toh unhone mujhe gale lagaa liya. Woh bahut ghabraai hui thi. Pehle mujhe lagaa ki
main itni der tak room me band tha isiliye woh tensed thi. Baad me unhone bataaya ki.. chachaji humein neeche bula rahe hain. Aur woh bahut gusse
me hain. Tab bhi mujhe aisaa lagaa ki shaayad woh mere behaviour se naraaz hain ya iss baat se naraaz hai ki maine di aur chachi ki baat nahi suni,
kisi aur ritual ki parvaah nahi ki aur.. aise hi oopar chalaa aaya. I could never imagine ki.. woh itni ghatiya harqat karenge! Woh bhi uss din! (shakes
his head)Jis tarah se unhone humein zaleel(insult) kiya,maa aur dad ki insult, dad aur.. uss aurat k relation ki wajah se unhone.. maa k liye jis gande
shabd ko use kiya woh sunkar.. I wonder ki maine hosh kaise sambhaala? Agar di ne mera haath nahi pakdaa hota toh main kuch kar baithta! Uss din
jo bhi hua humare saath.. I'll never be able to forget that! Jab unhone humara saamaan phenk diya.. That was the last straw on the camel's back! Uss
hi din maine thaan liya tha ki main iss ghar ko haasil kar k rahunga! Chaahe jitna bhi time kyun na lage, chaahe mujhe jitni bhi mehnat kyun na karni
pade! Jo karnaa pade main karunga lekin unse zyaada ameer bankar dikhaaunga! Aur 1 din unhe uss hi ghar se nikaal dunga jis ghar se unhone mujhe
aur di ko nikaala tha!
Khushi: Aapne iss ghar ko haasil toh kar liya par iss ghar ko dobara apnaa ghar nahi banaaya. Isse aise hi,naukaron k havaale chhod diya. Kyun?
Arnav: Kyunki I realized ki na toh main dobara iss ghar me pehle ki tarah reh paaunga aur na hi.. iss ghar ko kisi ko bech paaunga ya..
Khushi: Ya?
Arnav: Maine initially isse todkar yahaan mill banaane ka socha tha.
Khushi(shocked): Kya keh rahe hain aap?
Arnav: Sach keh raha hoon. Par.. (closes his eyes) main aisaa nahi kar paaya!
Khushi: Kaise kar paate bhalaa? Iss ghar me aapne apnaa bachpan bitaaya hai. Aapk dheron jazbaat jude hain iss ghar se. Aise kaise aap ise tudva
detein?
Arnav: Jahaan main isse tudva nahi saktaa wahaan main iss me dobara aakar reh bhi nahi saktaa hoon. Thats jus not possible!
Khushi: Hum aapki baat samajh rahe hain. Hum yeh nahi keh rahe hain ki aap yahaan aakar bas jaiyye. Par.. kuch samay k liye toh hum yahaan aa hi
sakte hain na? Saal me 1 ya 2 baar hi sahi.. Bas.. aap iss ghar se moonh mat pheriye. Yeh ghar aapka hai. Aap yahaan k maalik hai. Agar aap hi aise
karenge toh.. iss sheesh mahal ka kya hoga?
Arnav: Kuch nahi hoga. Sab kuch waise hi chaltaa rahega jaise ab tak chaltaa aaya hai. Mausi aur phoophie aur baaki saare caretakers honge yahaan.
Khushi: Naukaron me aur sadasyon me farq hota hai. Aur aap yeh bhi toh sochiye ki ab tak aap iss ghar me aane k liye raazi nahi the isiliye na di, na
naniji aur na hi koi aur itne barson me iss ghar me aa paayein. Di ka bhi toh jee kartaa hoga na kabhi apne bachpan k ghar me aane ka? Par.. uss din
k baad phir kabhi nahi aayi,kyunki woh aapko dukh nahi pahuchaana chaahti thi. Ab jabki aapne apne beete huye kal se sulaah karne ka faisla liya
hai, aap sheesh mahal se bhi sulaah kar lijiye. Khud ko bhi yahaan aane dijiye aur doosron ko bhi.
Arnav: Main kisi ko yahaan aane se nahi rokunga,tumhe bhi nahi.
Khushi: Aur.. aap? Aap kab lautkar aayenge yahaan?
Arnav: Aaunga par thoda waqt lagega.
Khushi: Koi baat nahi! Aap jab yahaan aayenge hum bhi tab hi aayenge, aapk saath!
Arnav(gazing at her): Kyun?
Khushi: Kyunki pati k bina sasuraal adhuraa lagtaa hai. Aur aap toh jaante hain, aap k bina hum kaheen chain se nahi reh saktein! Phir chaahe woh
shantivan ho, buaji ka ghar ho ya phir sheesh mahal ho!
Arnav caressed her cheek & smiled.
Khushi wiped his tears before kissing his widow's peak.
Khushi: Kuch aur kehna chahte hain aap?
Arnav: Bahut kuch kehna hai. Yeh toh bas.. shuruaat ki hai maine. Baatein toh kaheen par bhi ho sakti hain. Filhaal humein yahaan se chalnaa
chahiye. Agar tum second floor par jaana chaahti ho toh jao par main wahaan nahi aaunga.
Khushi: Hum samajh gaye ki wahaan par chachaji aur unk parivaar wale rehte honge. Humein bhi wahaan jaane me koi dilchaspi nahi hai. Filhaal aap
humare saath neeche chaliye. Humein Gangaajal chhidaknaa hai.
Arnav nodded as he got up from the bed.
He gave the room a once over before closing the door.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
When they came downstairs, ArShi found the ground floor deserted.
Khushi: Mausiji aur Keyur bhaiyya kahaan chale gaye?
Arnav: Wohlog servants' quarters me gaye honge. May be they wanted to give us some privacy..
Khushi: Mausiji k parivaar me aur kitne sadasya(members) hain?
Arnav: Keyur bhaiyya ki wife hain aur unk do bachchein hain.
Khushi: Aur phoophieji k parivaar me?
Arnav: Bas woh aur Rizvi miyaan hain. Unka 1 hi beta hai, Rasool bhai,jo Unnau me job karte hain.
Khushi: Agli baar jab hum yahaan aayenge tab hum inn sab k liye koi na koi tohfa lekar aayenge, theek hai?
Arnav: Sure!
Khushi: Ab hum.. ghar k har kone me Gangaajal chhidak dete hain.
Arnav: Har kone me chhidakne ki kya zaroorat hai? Tum bas mandir me aur ground floor par chhidak do. Thats good enough.
Khushi: Nahi,nahi. Maa aur dad ka kamraa toh oopar hai. Aur unk kamre me isse chhidaknaa zyaada zaroori hai.
Arnav(frowns): Kyun?
Khushi: woh.. Rachnaaji bataa rahi thi ki.. aap aur di.. kriyaakaram wale din hi.. Dilli k liye ravaana ho gaye the.. Toh..
Arnav: Toh?
Khushi: Maa aur dad ka chautha, unki tervi aur punyatithi.. sab kuch waheen par hua hoga. Jis ghar me woh log rehte the, waheen par saari antim
vidhiyaan honi chahiye thi. Par.. yahaan toh.. kuch hua hi nahi. Isiliye.. Gangaajal.. chhidakna zaroori hai. Aur.. agar aap nahi chaahte toh koi baat
nahi par doosri manzil par bhi.. hum isse chhidakna chaahtein hain.
Arnav(shrugs): As you wish!
Khushi: Aap chaliye na humare saath..
Arnav: Main kyun? Mujhe toh isse chhidakne ka sahi tareeqa bhi nahi pataa hai.
Khushi(insists): Phir bhi.. Aap iss ghar k bete hain. Aap bas humari kalhaai par haath rakhiyega.. aur kuch nahi karnaa hoga aapko!
Arnav nods in acquiesence before following her towards the mandir.
Khushi(closes her eyes): Hey Devi Maiyya! Ab hum aap k mandir k ird-gird(around) aur iss ghar k har kone me Gangaajal chhidakne ja rahe hain. Iss
ghar me sadaa shaanti aur khushaali bani rahe, iss ghar se jude har insaan ko sukh, shaanti aur samriddhi mile aisi humari praarthna hai!
She bows her head in reverence before opening the sealed pot & splashing some of the Holy water around the temple.
Khushi: Humare saath boliye: Om Shanti,shanti,shanti hi!
Arnav repeats the verse with Khushi as she splashes some Gangaajal in the four corners of the temple room.
They do the same thing in every room of the house.
Lastly,when they reach maa's bedroom,Khushi pauses to recite a prayer.
Khushi: Hey Devi Maiyya! Humare maa aur dad ki aatmaaon ko shaanti dijiyega! (holding Arnav's hand) Ab aap jal chhidak dijiye aur humare peechhe
shanti mantra boliye: Asatoma sadgamaya..
Arnav: Matlab?
Khushi: Baad me samjhaayenge,pehle aap boliye toh sahi!
Arnav repeats the verse after her as they disperse the droplets of Gangaajal in every nook & corner.
Khushi explains the meaning of the verse once they leave the room.
Khushi: Asatoma sadgamaya ka matlab hota hai humein agyaanta se gyaan ki or lekar chaliye. Tamasoma jyotirgamaya matlab humein andhere se
ujaale ki or lekar chaliye aur.. Mrityorma-amritam gamaya matlab humein maut k baad amarta ki or lekar chaliye, aisi humari praarthna hai.
Arnav: Okay.
Khushi: Om shanti,shanti, shanti hi!.. ka matlab samjhaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Arnav: Nahi. Chalo,ab humein nikalnaa chahiye.
Khushi: Theek hai. Agli baar.. din k samay aayenge. Humne dhang se bageeche ko dekha hi nahi! Aur na hi hum chhat par ya pehli manzil wale
jharokhe par jaa paayein. Ghar k peechhe wale taalaab ko bhi bas.. door se hi dekha humne. Agli baar hum iss poore ghar ko aur aas-paas k nazaaron
ko din k ujaale me achchhe se dekhenge! Aur.. yahaan thoda aur samay guzaarenge.. Hai na?
Arnav: Of course! Tumhara ghar jab renovate ho jaayega tab hum phir se Lucknow aayenge. Tab tumhari yeh wish bhi poori ho jaayegi!
Khushi hugged him dearly to convey her gratitude.
Arnav wrapped his arms around her before kissing the top of her head.
They bid goodbye to mausi & her son before leaving for the hotel.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Once they had changed into their nightclothes, Khushi covered the pot of Gangaajal with a newspaper.
Khushi(thinks): Iss me jo thoda-bahut Gangaajal bach gayaa hai usse hum kal Gomti sadan lekar chalenge aur wahaan..
Her thought process was interrupted by Arnav who put his arm around her shoulders.
Khushi: Arnavji?
Arnav(kisses her cheek): Thanks a lot!
Khushi: Kis liye?
Arnav: Tumne jo bhi rituals kiye aur.. mujhse karvaaye uss k liye.. (smiles)Tumhare moonh se 'humare maa aur dad' sunkar bahut khushi hui!
Khushi: Jab woh humare maa aur dad hain toh hum unhe waise hi sambodhit karenge na? Aur rahi baat Gangaajal chhidakne ki toh.. uss k liye aapko
Rachnaa ji ko shukriya kehna chahiye! Unk kehne par hi humne yeh kiya.
Arnav: 1 hi din me and in fact 1 hi mulaaqat me, you've grown really fond of her!
Khushi: Woh hain hi itni achchhi! Aur sirf woh hi kyun, auntyji aur Apekshitji bhi bahut achchhe hain! Aur Nirvan? (smiles)Woh toh sabse pyaara hai!
She was surprised when the smile disappeared from Arnav's face.
Khushi: Kya hua?
Arnav: Khushi.. (holding her hands)I know that.. you long for a baby!
Khushi was confused at the sudden shift of topic.
Khushi: Aap.. iss waqt yeh sab.. kyun..?
Arnav: Maine shaam ko dekha ki tum.. Rachnaa aur uss k bete ko dekhkar smile kar rahi thi. May be tum.. apneaap ko aur.. humare baby ko imagine
kar rahi thi? I.. (sighs) Maine ab tak tumhari iss wish ko pending rakhaa hai. I'm so sorry to keep you waiting! But,I promise,main tumhe 1 saal se
zyaada wait nahi karvaaunga! Aur iss 1 saal k dauran.. I will prepare myself to embrace fatherhood!
Khushi smiled before placing a soft kiss on his lips.
Khushi: Aapne yeh kehkar humein kitni khushi di yeh hum shabdon me bayaan nahi kar paayenge! Par haan,hum yeh zaroor bataana chaahenge ki hum..
yeh nahi soch rahe the ki Rachnaaji k paas un k pati aur beta hai isiliye unka parivaar poora hai ya.. kaash humare paas bhi humara bachcha hota!
Hum toh Rachnaaji aur Apekshitji ko saath dekhkar khush ho rahe the! Un dono ki aankhon me pyaar dekhkar dil ko tasalli mili!
Arnav: Really?
Khushi places the pot of Gangaajal on the side table & turns fully towards him before continuing.
Khushi: Haan,sach me! Jab kisi ka pyaar poora ho jata hai tab humein bahut achcha lagtaa hai! Hum nahi chahte ki iss duniya me koi bhi akela reh
jaaye ya kisi ka bhi pyaar poora na ho paaye! Pyaar hai hi itna khaas ehsaas! Har kisi ko usse mehsoos karne ka mauka aur jinse pyaar karte hain
unka pyaar paane ka sukh milna hi chahiye!
She was startled when Arnav pulled her closer by wrapping his arm around her waist.
Khushi: Areh!? Aap ne yeh kyun..
Arnav(interrupts): Main bas tumhe mauka de raha tha!(leans closer) Apne pati se pyaar jataane ka aur (pecks her lips)apne pati ka pyaar paane ka
maukaa!
Khushi(laughs): Mauke pe chaukaa marnaa toh koi aapse seekhe!
She cupped his face & placed her mouth on top of his, initiating a rather short kiss.
When she broke the kiss, Arnav tried to pull her closer but she firmly resisted.
Khushi: Sun.. iye na..
Arnav(groans): Kyaa?
Khushi: Aaj toh.. humein 12 baje tak.. jagnaa hi padega.. kyunki.. jiji ne kaha.. tha ki.. 12 baje.. woh humein.. badhaai dene.. k liye.. phone karengi..
Arnav: Haan,toh?
Khushi: Toh agar.. aap zyaada.. thake huye na.. ho toh.. kya hum.. koi puraani.. position.. aazmaa lein?
Arnav: Main bahut.. thakaa hua..
He pauses to gauge Khushi's reaction.
As he was expecting, the shine disappears from her eyes and her face bears a look of disappointment.
Arnav(smirks): Tha!
Khushi: huh?
Arnav(nods): Frustrated tha.. irritated tha, gusse me tha but.. thanks to you, ab main.. bilkul theek hoon! (leans closer) Which means.. you can
continue from where you left!
Khushi smiles before taking his mouth in a long,tantalizing & satisfying kiss.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Precap:
Khushi: Wahaan par.. 11 rupaye ka shagun dene ka.. rivaaz hai. Toh.. agar humare koi padosi aapko 11 rupaye dein toh.. aap.. bura mat maaniyega!
Arnav: Kya sochkar wohlog shagun me 11 rupaye dete hain? I mean.. utne kam paison me kya milta hai?
Khushi: Bindi!
Arnav: What!?
Khushi(non chalantly): Haan! Bindiyon ki 1 patti 10 rs ki aati hai! Toh 11 me se 10 rupayon ka kharchaa aur 1 rupaiyye ki bachat ho gayi! Aur doosri
baat, yeh zaroori toh nahi hai na ki shagun k paise humein kharch karne hi honge? Hum paison ko jodkar baad me.. kuch achchha sa khareed sakte
hain! Kyun?
Arnav(shrugs): Whatever!
Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Translation here:
Next update on Thursday, 15th October,2015.
Pic used for illustrative purpose only. Credit goes to google and respective uploaders.
*Views belong to the character,not the author.
Edited by ..Smita.. - 9 years ago
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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