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A/N: I was busy with the Diwali cleaning at home so I couldnt update on time. Sorry for the delay!
Thanks for the likes & comments! Over to..
Part 123
Warning: Some portions are mature in content. Therefore reader's discretion is advised.
Warning: Some portions are mature in content. Therefore reader's discretion is advised.
*The next morning*
Khushi woke up when she felt Arnav's hands caressing her beneath the duvet.
Arnav: Good mornin' sweetheart!
She buried her head deeper in his chest instead of wishing him.
Arnav: Come on,baby! Get up fast!
Khushi: umm? (kyun)
Arnav: We have some work to finish, remember?
This question was punctuated with that husky tone of his voice which always gave her goosebumps.
Even though she understood what 'work' he was talking about and he knew that she understood the meaning of his words perfectly, he decided to give her an 'illustration' by drawing her hips into close contact with his lower body.
All traces of sleep and drowsiness vanished the moment his hardness brushed against her center.
She lifted her head to meet his eyes, which lit up with amorous desire.
His lips took no time to descend upon hers.
He was shocked when Khushi pushed him away.
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi: Pehle shave kar k aaiyye uss k baad humein choomiyega!
Arnav: Fine, main shave kar lunga par (leans closer) mujhe kiss toh complete karne do.
Khushi(places her hand on his mouth): umm hmm! Aapki daadhi chubh rahi hai..
Arnav(removes her hand): Fine. Toh tum mujhe kiss kar do..(points to his Adam's apple)yahaan..
Khushi: Jab tak aap shave kar k nahi aayenge tab tak aapko kuch nahi milega!
Arnav: Kyun?
Khushi: Kyunki aaj humara janamdin hai!
Arnav(frowns): What?
Khushi(nods): Aaj hum apni marzi chalaayenge! Jab,jo khaana hoga khaayenge, jab sona hoga so jaayenge aur.. baaki sab kuch bhi humari marzi se hi hoga! Toh agar aap humare saath sambandh banaana chaahtein hain,ya humein choomna chaahtein hain toh iss hi waqt jaaiyye aur shave kar k aaiyye! Aur haan, jaate-jaate humein ferrero rocher ka dibba pakdaate jaiyyega.
Arnav: You're sucha tyrant,I tell you!
Khushi: Tyrant,vyrant kuch nahi! (proudly) Aaj toh hum apni marzi k maalik.. (corrects herself) humara matlab maalkin hain! (turns to him)Ab ghoor kya rahe hain, jaiyye!
She allows herself to smile once he bangs the bathroom door shut.
Khushi(thinks): Arnavji ko pareshaan karne me jo mazaa hai woh kisi aur cheez me nahi hai!
She gobbles up a couple of chocolates and waits for him, growing impatient with every passing minute.
Khushi(wonders): Shave karne me itna samay kyun lag raha hai? Kaheen.. behosh toh nahi ho gaye?!
She flung the duvet aside and was about to jump out of the bed when the bathroom door opened and out came Arnav.
Khushi(sighs): Hum toh dar hi gaye the! Shave karne me kuch zyaada hi samay lagaa diya aapne!
Arnav(approaching her): Time to lagnaa hi tha..
Khushi: Kyun?
Arnav sat down opposite her before placing her hand on his clean chest.
Khushi(realizes): Aapne..?
Arnav: Maine socha tumhe mere stubble se itni problem ho rahi hai toh.. body hair se bhi hogi isiliye maine use bhi shave kar diya!
Khushi(appreciative glance): Kya baat hai!
He cocks an eyebrow and speaks in his businessman tone.
Arnav: Any other issues, ma'am?
Khushi(runs her hand over his chest): No!
Arnav: So can we get down to business?
Khushi: Yes, of course!
A hint of a smile appeared on his lips upon hearing her reply in a similar tone.
He brought her head closer to claim her lips.
Khushi was blown away by the intensity of the kiss coupled with the intoxicating fragrance of his aftershave.
She didnt realize when he laid her down and came down on top of her until her back met the soft matress.
Once he broke the kiss,she whispered against his lips: Kaun.. si posi.. tion?
Arnav: I thought.. aaj sab kuch.. tumhari marzi.. se hone.. wala hai..?
Khushi: Areh haan! Hum.. toh bhool hi.. gaye the!
He gave her a smile which told her that he took pride in the fact that he could make her forget about everything & everyone else.
Khushi: Humari favorite.. position ho jaaye?
Arnav(nods in approval): Ho jaaye!
His hands resumed their ministrations and Khushi heard herself moaning much before he entered her.
He pleasured her thoroughly, making sure that she had nothing to complain about.
Once they were satiated,he engaged in afterplay by cuddling her close and gently rubbing her back.
Khushi didnt feel like leaving the circle of his arms and the warmth of his body.
But she knew that she could not surrender to her desires(yet again).
So she reluctantly got up and stretched herself.
Arnav(getting up): What next?
Khushi: Pehle chay,nashta kar lete hain phir naha lenge.
Arnav: Par tum toh hamesha nahane k baad breakfast karti ho..
Khushi: Haan,par aapne raat k baad se kuch khaaya nahi hai toh..
Arnav: Don' worry! I'll be fine..(pauses)if I have a chocolate!
Khushi: Theek hai par aapko chocolate humare.. haathon se khana padega, honthon se nahi!
Arnav: In that case,tum usska outer layer kha lo, main hazelnut aur melted inner layer kha lunga.
Khushi readily agreed and immediately got to work.
She placed the tiny hazelnut in his mouth before offering the open half of the chocolate to him.
Khushi: Pehle aap isse chaat lijiye phir hum baahar ka hissa kha lenge.
Arnav: As you say!
She was shocked when he took her finger dipped it in the chocolate and licked it.
Khushi: Aap..
Arnav: Tum hi ne kaha na ki mujhe chocolate tumhare 'haathon' se khana padega? (shrugs)Toh maine kha liya!
Khushi(shakes her head): Aapka koi jawaab nahi hai! Chaliye,ab.. bachi hui chocolate bhi kha lijiye (stresses) humare haath se!
Arnav smirked as he coated her index with the remaining chocolate.
He bit the tip of her finger,eliciting a gasp from her.
Arnav: Ab chalo, naha lete hain!
Khushi: Sirf nahayenge ya.. badmaashi bhi karenge?
Arnav: Jo tum kaho!
Khushi: Sirf nahayenge,aaj subha! Kal.. waapis jaane se pehle.. achchhe se nahaakar jaayenge!
Arnav: As you wish!
He lifted her in arms and carried her to the bathroom.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
*Later that morning*
Khushi(drying her hair): Zara nashta mangvaa lijiye na.
Arnav: Pehle hum change kar lete hain.
Khushi: Kyun?
Arnav: Jab hotel k manager tumhe wish karne aayenge tab tum bathrobe me unhe greet karogi?
Khushi: Hey Devi Maiyya! Aapne hotelwaalon ko bataa diya ki humara janmdin hai?
Arnav(nods): Isiliye maine kaha ki change kar lete hain.
Khushi(complies): Theek hai.
****
Arnav made a call to someone while Khushi did her make up.
Arnav: Ya.. You can come now.(pauses) Okay.
The door was knocked soon after.
Khushi pushed her hair back,straightened her saree and waited while Arnav went to answer the door.
The person who entered inside was none other than Aman.
Khushi: Aap!? Aap Lucknow kab aaye?
Though she spoke to Aman,her gaze was focused on Arnav.
Aman: Thodi der pehle hi pahucha.
Khushi: Oh..
Aman(walks upto her): Janamdin mubaarak ho.. ma'am!
He handed her a jute shopping bag which seemed vaguely familiar.
Khushi: Shuk.. riya! (examining the bag)Yeh toh..
Arnav: Lakshminagar se aaya hai!
Khushi(stares at him): Lakshminagar se!? *when he nods* Toh.. rabdi aur jilebiyaan..
Arnav(completes the sentence): Buaji ne bheji hain.
Khushi(grins): Areh waah! (turns to Aman) Bahut,bahut shukriya, Amanji! Aap subha, savere humare liye humara pasandeeda nashta lekar aaye! Woh bhi Dilli se! (looks fondly at the bag)Iss k bina humara janmdin adhoora reh jaata!
Aman: Aapko shukriya kehna hi hai toh sir aur buaji se kahiye. Maine toh sirf sir k instructions follow kiye aur delivery di hai! Banaane ki mehnat toh buaji ne kiya hai!
Khushi: Aap toh aise keh rahe hain jaise aap kuch na kiya ho! Aap bhi toh subha jaldi uthkar buaji k yahaan se yeh lene k liye gaye honge. Aur phir chopper me Davidji k saath yahaan tak aa gaye. Agar aap na hote toh humare liye yeh jilebiyaan kaun lekar aata? (opens the bag)Chaliye, hum aapka moonh meetha karvaate hain.
Aman: Mera moonh toh buaji pehle meetha kar chuki hain, aur David ka bhi! Isse aap enjoy kijiye!
Khushi: Par.. aise kaise?
Aman: Aap meri chinta chhodiye aur nashta kijiye varna thandaa ho jayega. Main chalta hoon!
Khushi: Rukiye!
Placing the bag on the coffee table, she went up to Arnav.
Khushi: Aap inke aur Davidji k liye khana pack karva dijiye na.
Aman: Uss ki zaroorat nahi hogi, ma'am! Humlog nashta kar k aaye hain!
Khushi(turning to him): Achchha? Toh.. aaplog abhi waapis ja rahe hain ya.. aaj ka din yaheen par hain?
Aman: Humlog shaam ko lautenge.
Khushi: Yeh badhiya hua! Aap dono dopeher ka khaana hotel me hi kijiyega! Yahaan ek se ek awadhi pakwaan milte hain!
Aman: Uss..
Khushi(interrupts): Manaa mat kijiyega, Amanji! Dekhiye,humein Gomti sadan jaana hai isiliye hum dono toh aaplogon ka saath nahi de paayenge. Par agar aap aur Davidji yahaan khana khaayenge toh humein bahut khushi hogi! Isse humare janmdin ki daawat samajhiye!
When she saw Aman looking at Arnav, she also turned towards him.
Arnav, who was about to mouth something, shut his mouth the moment Khushi turned.
Khushi: Aapko ink khaane ka bill bharne me koi diqqat hai?
Arnav: Of course not!
Khushi: Toh phir aap bina aawaaz kiye kya keh rahe the Amanji se?
Arnav: Main keh raha tha ki pehle kaam khatm karna phir lunch karna.
Khushi: Unhe apni zimmedaariyon ka ehsaas hain isiliye humein vishwaas hai ki woh aisa hi karenge! (turns to Aman) Zaraa Davidji se humari baat karva dijiye. Hum unse bhi lunch k baare me keh dete hain.
Aman left once the call was over.
Khushi: Ab hum nashta kar lein?
Arnav: Yup! Lets eat!
Khushi nodded as she took out the jilebis from the bag.
Khushi(sniffing them): Buaji ne in me kesar dali hai!
Arnav: Toh?
Khushi: Toh yeh aur bhi zyaada swaadisht hongi! (taking a bite)hmmm... Laajawaab! Nashta khatm hote hi hum buaji ko phone kar k unhe dhanyavaad keh denge!
Arnav: Sure! (thinks)Khushi ne ab tak mujhe thanks kyun nahi kaha?
Khushi(extends a jalebi towards his mouth): Lijiye..
She was surprised when Arnav took a small bite.
Khushi: Bas,itna sa?
Arnav: Yeh sugarfree nahi hai.
Khushi: Par buaji toh hamesha..
Arnav: Maine hi unse kaha tha isiliye unhone sugarfree rabdi bheji aur chaashni(sugar syrup) wali jalebiyaan.
Khushi: Aapne aisaa kyun kaha?
Arnav: Uss din tum hi keh rahi thi na,ki sugarfree ki chaashni achchhi nahi banti hai? Uss me mithaas kam hoti hai, etc.. Toh maine socha ki aaj k din toh tumhe waisi hi jalebiyaan milni chahiye jaisi tumhe pasand ho.
He was shocked when Khushi proceeded to finish the jalebi after smiling at him.
She poured the rabdi in the disposable bowl and spooned it for him.
Khushi: Jilebi na sahi, aap humare haathon..(changes the sentence) me pakde chammach k sahare rabdi toh kha lijiye!
Arnav smiled before opening his mouth.
Arnav: Your turn now..
Khushi: Chammach chhodiye! Humein toh jilebi rabdi me dubaakar khilaaiyye!
Arnav fed her like she asked while she fed with him the spoon.
Once they had their fill, Khushi placed the remaining portion in the fridge.
Arnav(glancing at the bag): Buaji ne kuch aur bhi bheja hai tumhare liye.
Khushi(coming back): Ji, humne tohfa dekha.
Arnav: Toh khola kyun nahi?
Khushi: Kyunki jilebiyon ko dekhkar humse raha nahi gaya!
Arnav(smiles): Fine.(hands her the gift) Ab kholkar dekh lo.
Khushi(reads the tag): Janmdin par aashirwaad aur badhaaiyyon k saath dher saara pyaar! -Amma, babuji aur buaji.
The grin reappeared on her face as she opened the gift box.
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Khushi: Yeh zaroor Naina chachi ki dukaan se liya hoga!(showing it to Arnav) Badhiya hai na?
Arnav(nods): Its pretty!
Khushi: Agli baar jab wohlog ghar aayenge tab hum isse pehenenge! Zaraa apnaa phone toh dijiye, hum unse shukriya keh dete hain!
Arnav: Tum..
Khushi: Haan,boliye?
Arnav: Nothing. Here you go..
He waited till she spoke at length to her family.
Arnav: Happy now?
Khushi: Very happy!
Arnav: Ab humlogon ko Gomti sadan k liye nikalna chahiye..
Khushi: Theek hai, chaliye!
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Nearly 20 minutes after they got into the taxi, Khushi asked the driver to stop at a crossroad.
Arnav: Are we there?
Khushi: Nahi. Gomti sadan yahaan se kuch 5 se 7 minute door hai.
Arnav: Toh tumne taxi yahaan kyun rukvaayi?
Khushi: Sadak k uss paar Devi Maiyya ka mandir hai jis k thode hi aage humara school hai. Humne socha darshan karte huye chalte hain..
Arnav: Thats alright. (to the driver) Tum taxi ko..
Khushi: Wahaan parking karne ki ijaazat nahi milegi unko, isiliye humne taxi yaheen rukva di. Humein chalkar wahaan jana hoga.
Arnav: Okay.
They crossed the busy road to reach a small temple surrounded by an equally small courtyard.
An orange flag was mounted on top of the white dome while small,stone benches bordered the courtyard.
Arnav noticed that Khushi covered her head before entering the temple.
He followed all the rituals after Khushi like touching the idol's feet, taking aarti and circumambulating the temple.
The priest offered them the prasaad of pomegranate seeds once they touched his feet.
Pandit: Sadaa sukhi rahiye!
Khushi: Dhanyavaad panditji! (hands him 2 envelopes) Yeh lijiye. Inme Khushi Singh Raizada aur Shashi Kumar Gupta k naam se 101 rupayein ka chadhaava hai.
Pandit: Hum inhe Mata k charnon me arpit kar denge.
Khushi: Kumkum hai?
He nodded while going inside the temple.
Arnav: Kumkum kaun hai?
Khushi: Kumkum yaani sindoor.
Arnav: Oh,okay.
Khushi: Woh dekh rahe hain aap?
She pointed to the wall opposite them.
It had handcrafted idols enclosed in a transparent box which bore the words 'Shiv-Shakti'.
Arnav: hmm..
Khushi: Jab bhi humare pados me kisi ki bhi
She stood in sucha way that the reflection of her face could be seen on that side of the box which had Devi maiyya's idol whereas Arnav's reflection could be seen on the side which had Lord Shiva's idol.
Khushi: Aisaa maanaa jaata hai ki jab pati,patni iss tarah se apni chhavi dekhte hain toh unki jodi bhi Devi Maiyya aur Shankar Bhagwaan ki jodi ki tarah amar(immortal) ho jaati hai! (sighs)13,14 saal ki umar se hum iss mandir me aakar apni chhavi dekhte the aur bagal me khaali jagah dekhkar sochte the ki na jaane woh kaun hoga jis k saath humari jodi banegi? Aur na jaane humari mulaaqat kab hogi? Kitne sapne..
She stopped when she saw the priest coming towards them with a small,steel container.
Pandit(to Arnav): Lo beta..
Arnav noticed tears in Khushi's eyes as he anointed her with the sindoor.
Arnav: Shukriya panditji!
The priest smiled before leaving.
Arnav wiped Khushi's tears with the pad of his thumb.
Arnav: 1 baat kahoon?
Khushi: Ji,bilkul!
Arnav: Iss red saree me, sar pe pallu rakhkar aur especially sindoor lagaane k baad tum bilkul new bride ki tarah lag rahi ho!
Khushi blushed and was about to lower her gaze when she saw that he was about to kiss her forehead.
She shook her head and indicated the temple with her eyes.
Arnav nodded briefly, making a mental note to kiss her once they sat in the taxi.
Khushi: Ab humare haath par apnaa haath rakhiye phir hum ek saath ghanti bajaayenge.
The brass bell clanged loudly as ArShi rang it thrice.
Arnav: Ab chalein?
Khushi: 2 minute k liye baahar baithte hain. Phir chalenge?
Arnav frowned as he saw the old,rickety stone bench.
Khushi dusted it with her hand before sitting down on it.
Khushi: Saaf hai. Baith jaaiye..
The bench rocked as Arnav sat down beside her.
Khushi: Jab shaam ko thandi hawaa chalti hai tab yahaan par baithne ka mazaa hi kuch aur hota hai! Hum waise toh aate-jaate har baar mandir k darshan karte hi the par mahine me 1 din toh hum lambi line me khade rehkar,logon ki dhakka-mukki sehen kar kar darshan karte the.
Arnav: Kis din?
Khushi(nods): Durga Ashtami k din yahaan bahut bheed hoti hai,jiska 1 kaaran yeh bhi hai ki uss din Devi Maiyya ko saabudaane ki kheer ka prasaad chadhaaya jaata hai!
Arnav(teases): Doosron ka pataa nahi par tum toh definitely kheer khaane k liye hi line me khadi rehti hogi!
Khushi made a face & knudged him.
Arnav: Ab chalein? (wipes his forehead with a kerchief)Dhoop tez hai aur kaafi garmi lag rahi hai.
Khushi: Kisne kaha tha silk ka kurta-pyjama pehenne k liye? (points to his embroidered kurta) Woh bhi bhaari kaarigari wala!
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Khushi: Humne aapse pehle hi kaha tha ki aapko garmi lagegi par aap maane hi nahi!
Arnav: Garmi toh tumhe bhi lag hi rahi hogi kyunki tumhari saree mere kurte se zyaada heavy hai. Phir bhi tumne yeh hi saree peheni, just because maine Paris se isse khareedte waqt tumse kaha tha ki yeh tumhara birthday present hai!
http://www.sareeka.com/red-and-beige-embroidery-work-net-saree.html
Khushi: Aisi baat nahi hai! Woh.. shaadi k baad pehli baar wahaan jaa rahe hain na toh.. humne socha aisi saree pehenna sahi rahega!
Arnav: Thats exactly why I wore this!
Khushi: Haan,haan hum jaante hain ki aapne moonh dikhaayi k liye hi iss kurte ko chuna!
Arnav(confused): Moonh dikhaayi?
Khushi: Haan! Aaj humare pados me aapki moonh dikhaayi jo honewali hai (smiles)daamaadji!
Arnav: Lag raha hoon na,daamaadji material?
Khushi: Bilkul! Bas wahaan Angrezi kam se kam boliyega aur haan. Agar koi hasi-mazaak me kuch keh dein toh unki baat ka bura mat lagaaiyyega. Aur haan,sabse zaroori baat..
Arnav: I know! Unlogon k saamne mujhe tumhara haath bhi nahi pakadna hai!
Khushi: Woh toh hai par hum shagun ki baat kar rahe the. Woh.. kya hai na ki.. Wahaan par.. 11 rupaye ka shagun dene ka.. rivaaz hai. Toh.. agar humare koi padosi aapko 11 rs 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! Ab yahaan se chalein? Tumhara school dekhna baaki hai.
Khushi: Haan,chalenge lekin jaane se pehle baahar se namaskaar kar dijiye.
They folded their hands and bowed their heads for a few moments before walking towards Khushi's school.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Arnav read the bold,blue Hindi letters printed on black metallic board: Vaidika Kanyaa Vidyaalaya**.
The metallic gate housed a double storeyed building, a basketball court,a dilapidated cycle stand and a small patch of grass which served as a playground.
Khushi(smiles): Yeh raha woh school jis me humne apni zindagi k 8 suhaane saal bitaayein hain!
Arnav(frowns): Sirf 8 saal?
The smile disappeared from Khushi's face as she replied.
Khushi: Hum teesri kakshaa me the jab babuji ne iss school me humara daakhla(admission) karvaaya. Uss se pehle hum doosre school me padhte the. Par jab.. amma babuji ne humein godh liya toh unhone humein bhi iss school me daal diya kyunki jiji bhi yaheen padhti thi.
Arnav: So you mean tum 3rd se 10th grade tak yahaan padhi ho.
Khushi: Ji. Tab yahaan dasvi tak hi kakshaa thi. Aur sirf yeh maidaan tha, basketball court toh baad me banaa.
Arnav: Toh tumne higher secondary ki padhaai kahaan se ki?
Khushi(casually): Nahi ki.
Arnav: What!? Tumne.. 10th k baad.. padhaai nahi ki!?
He continues without allowing her to speak.
Arnav: Iss school me higher secondary section nahi tha toh tumhe kis aur school me admission le lena chahiye tha. For this silly reason,tumne padhaayi chhod di?! (runs a hand through his hair) Unbelievable man!
Khushi: Nahi,yeh wajah nahi thi! Humne toh padhaayi isiliye chhodi kyunki.. aage padhne ka koi faayda nahi tha!
Arnav: Oh,really!?
Khushi: Haan! Gyaarvi,baarvi me kaunse bachchhe padhte hain?(answers)Woh hi jinko college me padhnaa hota hai. Aur college me padhne kaunse bachchhe jaate hain? (answers again)Woh hi jinko,aage chalkar, naukri karni hoti hai. Ab humein aur jiji ko shaadi hone tak ghar ka kaam karne me amma ka haath bataana tha,jis k liye padhaai ki zaroorat nahi padhti hai! Aur babuji k saath dukaan sambhaalni thi, jis k liye hisaab-kitaab karnaa aata tha humein. Uss k liye bhi dasvi se aage padhne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Toh hum nahi padhein!
Arnav: You mean.. tumhare school ki koi bhi ladki H.Sc pass nahi hai?
Khushi: Jo ladkiyaan avval aati thi unko sarkaar(government) ki taraf se madad milti thi isiliye unk amma,babuji unhe baarvi tak padhaate the. Hum aur jiji, dono hi ghar k kaam,kaaj me avval aur padhaai me theek-thaak the. Doosri baat, gyaarvi baarvi ki fees bhi zyaada thi aur babuji k paas na toh utne paise the aur na hi humein aage padhne me koi dilchaspi thi so hum nahi padhein!
Arnav: Khushi.. (sighs) Baby,you dunno ki tumlogon ne kya miss kiya hai! Higher Secondary education sabk liye bahut essential hoti hai, phir chaahe woh housewife ho ya businesswoman! Main tumhe kaise samjhaaun..
Khushi: Hum aapki baat samajhte hain par.. hum toh bas yeh hi keh rahe hain ki uss samay yeh utna zaroori nahi tha aur humare samaaj me toh bilkul bhi zaroori nahi maanaa jaata tha! Aaj-kal k zamaane me baarvi paas hona zaroori hai isiliye toh humare school ne uchhtar shikshan(higher education) dena shuru kiya hai.
Arnav: Ya,thats a good thing. Aaj toh.. school band hoga na?
Khushi: Ji,aaj Itvaar(sunday) hai na. Waise.. aap yeh sawaal kyun poochh rahe hain?
Arnav: Kyunki main tumhare school ko donation dena chaahta hoon, taaki tumhari tarah jin ladkiyon k pass H.Sc ki fees dene k paise nahi hain, unhe financial support mile aur wohlog 12th k board exams de paayein.
Khushi: Aapko kya lagtaa hai,sirf paison ki madad karne se hi sab hi ladkiyaan baarvi pass ho jaayengi? Aisaa nahi hota hai. Baarvi ka parinaam sirf bachchhi ki mehnat aur akal par hi nahi, Ghar k mahaul(environment) par bhi nirbar(rely) kartaa hai. Aap toh uss ki padhaai k paise de denge par ho saktaa hai ki uss ladki k gharwaale usse padhaai karne ki ijaazat na dein, ya.. ghar k kaam-kaaj karne k baad usse padhne ka samay na milein! Sirf paise dene se iss masle ka hal nahi niklega.
Arnav: Jo log padhne ki aur life me kuch karne ki chaahat aur himmat rakhte hain,woh har haalaat me aage badhkar hi rehte hain! Nothin can deter their spirits! Iss baat ka proof tumhare saamne khadaa hai!
Khushi(understands): Shaayad aap sahi keh rahe hain. Hum toh Devi Maiyya karenge ki aap jis ummeed se school ko paise dena chahte hain uss ummeed par school ki bachhiyaan khari utre!
Arnav: I sincerely hope so.. Main Aman se keh dunga. Woh school k principal tak donation pahuchaane ka arrangement kar dega.
Khushi: Theek hai. Humein waise toh aapko bahut kuch bataana tha humare school k baare me,saari saheliyon k baare me par yahaan nahi. Kisi din poolside par baithkar aapko aaraam se apne school k dinon k kisse sunaayenge aur aapse aapk school k kisse sunenge!
Arnav: Sure! Lets go..
She has a realization while walking with him towards their taxi.
Khushi(realizes): Areh! Humne toh aapse poochha hi nahi! Aapka school kahaan hai?
Arnav: Mera school Rajendra nagar me hai.
He pauses as they cross the road.
Arnav: Its one of the best schools of Lucknow!
Khushi: Kaheen aap.. Pioneer school ki baat toh nahi kar rahe hain na?
Arnav: Exactly! Main Pioneer montessori* ki hi baat kar raha tha!
Khushi(surprised): Aap aur di uss school me padhein hain?
Arnav: Haan,kyun?
Khushi: Woh toh humare zamaane me Lucknow k sabse naamcheen(famous) schools me se 1 hua kartaa tha!
Arnav: Naamcheen toh woh aaj bhi hai. And I'm proud to have been a part of that school for 11 years!
He instructs the driver to take them towards Gomti sadan.
Khushi: 11 saal kaise?
Arnav: Nursery se lekar 8th tak. 9th grade k sirf.. kuch hi mahine attend kiye the maine iss school me. Uss k baad humlog Delhi shift ho gaye aur maine wahaan school me admission le liya.
Khushi: Woh bhi toh Dilli k sabse naamcheen school-on me se ek hai! Aap kitne naseebwale hain,Arnavji,jo aap aise schools me padhein hain!
Arnav(opening the taxi door): You're right!
Khushi was about to sit inside when she heard a familiar voice.
"Khusi jiji,tum!?''
Arnav turned around to find a boy of about 18 beaming at them.
Khushi(surprised): Kaartik!? (cups his cheek)Kaisaa hai tu? Aur.. Tu yahaan kya kar raha hai?
Kaartik: Areh yeh hi toh hum tumse pooch rahe hain ki tum hiyaan kaise? Aur Dilli se kab aayi?
Khushi: Kal hi aaye hain.
Kaartik: Ghar nahi chalogi ka?
Khushi: Waheen toh jaa rahe the,par socha Devi Maiyya k darsha karte chalein. a.. waise (points to Arnav)Yeh tere jijaji hain.
Kaartik: Hi jiju!(surveying him) Aap toh qeher dhaa rahe hain iss kurte me!
Arnav: Thank.. you!
Khushi: Yeh Kaartik hai, jiji ki saheli Archanaa jiji ka chhota bhai. Humne aapko bataaya tha na ki mohalle k kuch ladke humare mooh bole bhai hain?
Arnav: Toh yeh bhi tumhara bhai hai?
Kaartik: Bilkul,aur aapk saale hain! Aapka toh A one swaagat karenge hum! Chaliye toh sahi..
Khushi: Abhi nahi,Kaartik. Pehle hum zara Laila chachiji se mil aayein. Jabse Thanveer chachaji ki khabar suni tabse unse milna chaahte the. Aaj jab yahaan aa hi gaye hain toh hum sabse pehle unhi se milna chahte hain. Phir tere ghar hi aayenge,pakkaa!
Kaartik: Jaisi tumhaari marji! Hum amma se kahe dete hain ki swaagat ki taiyyaariyaan suru karein,hain?
Khushi(smiles): Theek hai. Ja! Hum thodi der me aate hain.
Kaartik: Badhiya! Bye,bye jiaji! Come soon!
Arnav gives a slight smile as Kaartik mounts his scooty.
Khushi: Kaartik,zara sun toh!
Kaartik: Batiyaao..
Khushi: Tu aisaa kar,apne scooter yaheen chhod ja. Hum taxiwale ko yaheen chhod dete hain.
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi: Mohalle me taxi le jaayenge toh aane-jaanewalon ko diqqat hogi. Tu paidal chalaa jaayega na?
Kaartik: Haan,haan,kaahe tensan leti ho! (throws the keys)Ee leyo chaabi.
Khushi(catching the keys): Shukriya! Thodi der me milte hain.
Arnav turned to Khushi once Kaartik left.
Arnav: Yeh sab karne ki kya zaroorat thi,Khushi? Humlog chalkar chale jaatein.
Khushi: Kaartik humare chhote bhai jaisaa hai. Iss hi haq se humne uss se scooter ki chaabi maangi. Aur waise bhi aap dhoop aur garmi se behaal ho rahe hain. Phir chalkar jaate toh aapko aur taqleef hoti na? Bas isiliye..
Arnav leaves to pay the taxi driver without saying anything.
When he comes back,he sees Khushi sitting on the scooty,all ready to drive.
Khushi: Fataafat se peechhe baith jaaiyye. iss par jhatt se pahuch jaayenge!
Arnav scowls as he sits behind her.
Khushi: Aapka man hai toh aap chalaa lijiye..
Arnav: No,thanks!
Khushi: Kya hua Arnavji? Moonh kyun phulaa liya aapne?
Arnav: Kuch nahi. Chalo..
Khushi: Agar aap aise chalenge toh humein nahi jana scooter par! Sadak k kinaare isse park kar k hum paidal hi chalte hain.
Arnav: Thats not required! Iss hi par chalo..
Khushi: Par aap apni shaqal toh theek kijiye. Aise jaayenge toh sab sochenge ki hum zabardasti aapko yahaan kheench laayein hain? Ki sabse milne me aapko koi dilchaspi nahi hai!
Arnav(thinks): Kaartik se milne k baad uss ki family se milne me mujhe actually koi dilchaspi nahi hai!
Khushi: Mood theek kijiye na,please.. humare liye?
Arnav(sighs): I'm fine,Khushi! Agar humlog yaheen,dhoop me baithe rahe toh mera mood kaise theek hoga?
Khushi: Haan.. theek hai,chaliye. (thinks)Hey Devi Maiyya! Wahaan par sab kuch theek kariyega! Dekhiyega ki jab tak humlog hotel waapis nahi chale jaate tab tak Arnavji ka mood achchha hi rahe! Uss k baad unka mood kaise sudhaarna hai (smiles)woh hum jaante hain! Aap bas filhaal sthiti(situation) ko sambhaal lijiyega!
She takes Devi Maiyya's name before starting the vehicle.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Precap:
Arnav: Maine observe kiya ki tumne subha se 1 baar bhi mujhe shukriya ya dhanyavaad ya thanks nahi kaha. I guess it was intentional..
Khushi: Sahi socha aapne!
Arnav: Ab yeh bhi bataa do ki aisaa karne k peechhe wajah kya thi?
Khushi: Hum saare shukriya jamaa(collect) kar rahe the taaki raat ko hotel lautne k baad hum 1 hi baar me 1 hi saath me shukriya adaa kar sakein!
Arnav: I see! So, kuch socha hai ki shukriya kaise adaa karogi?
Khushi: Bilkul socha hai! Aap k liye pukhta intezaam kiye hain humne! Aap aaiyye toh sahi!
Khushi woke up when she felt Arnav's hands caressing her beneath the duvet.
Arnav: Good mornin' sweetheart!
She buried her head deeper in his chest instead of wishing him.
Arnav: Come on,baby! Get up fast!
Khushi: umm? (kyun)
Arnav: We have some work to finish, remember?
This question was punctuated with that husky tone of his voice which always gave her goosebumps.
Even though she understood what 'work' he was talking about and he knew that she understood the meaning of his words perfectly, he decided to give her an 'illustration' by drawing her hips into close contact with his lower body.
All traces of sleep and drowsiness vanished the moment his hardness brushed against her center.
She lifted her head to meet his eyes, which lit up with amorous desire.
His lips took no time to descend upon hers.
He was shocked when Khushi pushed him away.
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi: Pehle shave kar k aaiyye uss k baad humein choomiyega!
Arnav: Fine, main shave kar lunga par (leans closer) mujhe kiss toh complete karne do.
Khushi(places her hand on his mouth): umm hmm! Aapki daadhi chubh rahi hai..
Arnav(removes her hand): Fine. Toh tum mujhe kiss kar do..(points to his Adam's apple)yahaan..
Khushi: Jab tak aap shave kar k nahi aayenge tab tak aapko kuch nahi milega!
Arnav: Kyun?
Khushi: Kyunki aaj humara janamdin hai!
Arnav(frowns): What?
Khushi(nods): Aaj hum apni marzi chalaayenge! Jab,jo khaana hoga khaayenge, jab sona hoga so jaayenge aur.. baaki sab kuch bhi humari marzi se hi hoga! Toh agar aap humare saath sambandh banaana chaahtein hain,ya humein choomna chaahtein hain toh iss hi waqt jaaiyye aur shave kar k aaiyye! Aur haan, jaate-jaate humein ferrero rocher ka dibba pakdaate jaiyyega.
Arnav: You're sucha tyrant,I tell you!
Khushi: Tyrant,vyrant kuch nahi! (proudly) Aaj toh hum apni marzi k maalik.. (corrects herself) humara matlab maalkin hain! (turns to him)Ab ghoor kya rahe hain, jaiyye!
She allows herself to smile once he bangs the bathroom door shut.
Khushi(thinks): Arnavji ko pareshaan karne me jo mazaa hai woh kisi aur cheez me nahi hai!
She gobbles up a couple of chocolates and waits for him, growing impatient with every passing minute.
Khushi(wonders): Shave karne me itna samay kyun lag raha hai? Kaheen.. behosh toh nahi ho gaye?!
She flung the duvet aside and was about to jump out of the bed when the bathroom door opened and out came Arnav.
Khushi(sighs): Hum toh dar hi gaye the! Shave karne me kuch zyaada hi samay lagaa diya aapne!
Arnav(approaching her): Time to lagnaa hi tha..
Khushi: Kyun?
Arnav sat down opposite her before placing her hand on his clean chest.
Khushi(realizes): Aapne..?
Arnav: Maine socha tumhe mere stubble se itni problem ho rahi hai toh.. body hair se bhi hogi isiliye maine use bhi shave kar diya!
Khushi(appreciative glance): Kya baat hai!
He cocks an eyebrow and speaks in his businessman tone.
Arnav: Any other issues, ma'am?
Khushi(runs her hand over his chest): No!
Arnav: So can we get down to business?
Khushi: Yes, of course!
A hint of a smile appeared on his lips upon hearing her reply in a similar tone.
He brought her head closer to claim her lips.
Khushi was blown away by the intensity of the kiss coupled with the intoxicating fragrance of his aftershave.
She didnt realize when he laid her down and came down on top of her until her back met the soft matress.
Once he broke the kiss,she whispered against his lips: Kaun.. si posi.. tion?
Arnav: I thought.. aaj sab kuch.. tumhari marzi.. se hone.. wala hai..?
Khushi: Areh haan! Hum.. toh bhool hi.. gaye the!
He gave her a smile which told her that he took pride in the fact that he could make her forget about everything & everyone else.
Khushi: Humari favorite.. position ho jaaye?
Arnav(nods in approval): Ho jaaye!
His hands resumed their ministrations and Khushi heard herself moaning much before he entered her.
He pleasured her thoroughly, making sure that she had nothing to complain about.
Once they were satiated,he engaged in afterplay by cuddling her close and gently rubbing her back.
Khushi didnt feel like leaving the circle of his arms and the warmth of his body.
But she knew that she could not surrender to her desires(yet again).
So she reluctantly got up and stretched herself.
Arnav(getting up): What next?
Khushi: Pehle chay,nashta kar lete hain phir naha lenge.
Arnav: Par tum toh hamesha nahane k baad breakfast karti ho..
Khushi: Haan,par aapne raat k baad se kuch khaaya nahi hai toh..
Arnav: Don' worry! I'll be fine..(pauses)if I have a chocolate!
Khushi: Theek hai par aapko chocolate humare.. haathon se khana padega, honthon se nahi!
Arnav: In that case,tum usska outer layer kha lo, main hazelnut aur melted inner layer kha lunga.
Khushi readily agreed and immediately got to work.
She placed the tiny hazelnut in his mouth before offering the open half of the chocolate to him.
Khushi: Pehle aap isse chaat lijiye phir hum baahar ka hissa kha lenge.
Arnav: As you say!
She was shocked when he took her finger dipped it in the chocolate and licked it.
Khushi: Aap..
Arnav: Tum hi ne kaha na ki mujhe chocolate tumhare 'haathon' se khana padega? (shrugs)Toh maine kha liya!
Khushi(shakes her head): Aapka koi jawaab nahi hai! Chaliye,ab.. bachi hui chocolate bhi kha lijiye (stresses) humare haath se!
Arnav smirked as he coated her index with the remaining chocolate.
He bit the tip of her finger,eliciting a gasp from her.
Arnav: Ab chalo, naha lete hain!
Khushi: Sirf nahayenge ya.. badmaashi bhi karenge?
Arnav: Jo tum kaho!
Khushi: Sirf nahayenge,aaj subha! Kal.. waapis jaane se pehle.. achchhe se nahaakar jaayenge!
Arnav: As you wish!
He lifted her in arms and carried her to the bathroom.
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*Later that morning*
Khushi(drying her hair): Zara nashta mangvaa lijiye na.
Arnav: Pehle hum change kar lete hain.
Khushi: Kyun?
Arnav: Jab hotel k manager tumhe wish karne aayenge tab tum bathrobe me unhe greet karogi?
Khushi: Hey Devi Maiyya! Aapne hotelwaalon ko bataa diya ki humara janmdin hai?
Arnav(nods): Isiliye maine kaha ki change kar lete hain.
Khushi(complies): Theek hai.
****
Arnav made a call to someone while Khushi did her make up.
Arnav: Ya.. You can come now.(pauses) Okay.
The door was knocked soon after.
Khushi pushed her hair back,straightened her saree and waited while Arnav went to answer the door.
The person who entered inside was none other than Aman.
Khushi: Aap!? Aap Lucknow kab aaye?
Though she spoke to Aman,her gaze was focused on Arnav.
Aman: Thodi der pehle hi pahucha.
Khushi: Oh..
Aman(walks upto her): Janamdin mubaarak ho.. ma'am!
He handed her a jute shopping bag which seemed vaguely familiar.
Khushi: Shuk.. riya! (examining the bag)Yeh toh..
Arnav: Lakshminagar se aaya hai!
Khushi(stares at him): Lakshminagar se!? *when he nods* Toh.. rabdi aur jilebiyaan..
Arnav(completes the sentence): Buaji ne bheji hain.
Khushi(grins): Areh waah! (turns to Aman) Bahut,bahut shukriya, Amanji! Aap subha, savere humare liye humara pasandeeda nashta lekar aaye! Woh bhi Dilli se! (looks fondly at the bag)Iss k bina humara janmdin adhoora reh jaata!
Aman: Aapko shukriya kehna hi hai toh sir aur buaji se kahiye. Maine toh sirf sir k instructions follow kiye aur delivery di hai! Banaane ki mehnat toh buaji ne kiya hai!
Khushi: Aap toh aise keh rahe hain jaise aap kuch na kiya ho! Aap bhi toh subha jaldi uthkar buaji k yahaan se yeh lene k liye gaye honge. Aur phir chopper me Davidji k saath yahaan tak aa gaye. Agar aap na hote toh humare liye yeh jilebiyaan kaun lekar aata? (opens the bag)Chaliye, hum aapka moonh meetha karvaate hain.
Aman: Mera moonh toh buaji pehle meetha kar chuki hain, aur David ka bhi! Isse aap enjoy kijiye!
Khushi: Par.. aise kaise?
Aman: Aap meri chinta chhodiye aur nashta kijiye varna thandaa ho jayega. Main chalta hoon!
Khushi: Rukiye!
Placing the bag on the coffee table, she went up to Arnav.
Khushi: Aap inke aur Davidji k liye khana pack karva dijiye na.
Aman: Uss ki zaroorat nahi hogi, ma'am! Humlog nashta kar k aaye hain!
Khushi(turning to him): Achchha? Toh.. aaplog abhi waapis ja rahe hain ya.. aaj ka din yaheen par hain?
Aman: Humlog shaam ko lautenge.
Khushi: Yeh badhiya hua! Aap dono dopeher ka khaana hotel me hi kijiyega! Yahaan ek se ek awadhi pakwaan milte hain!
Aman: Uss..
Khushi(interrupts): Manaa mat kijiyega, Amanji! Dekhiye,humein Gomti sadan jaana hai isiliye hum dono toh aaplogon ka saath nahi de paayenge. Par agar aap aur Davidji yahaan khana khaayenge toh humein bahut khushi hogi! Isse humare janmdin ki daawat samajhiye!
When she saw Aman looking at Arnav, she also turned towards him.
Arnav, who was about to mouth something, shut his mouth the moment Khushi turned.
Khushi: Aapko ink khaane ka bill bharne me koi diqqat hai?
Arnav: Of course not!
Khushi: Toh phir aap bina aawaaz kiye kya keh rahe the Amanji se?
Arnav: Main keh raha tha ki pehle kaam khatm karna phir lunch karna.
Khushi: Unhe apni zimmedaariyon ka ehsaas hain isiliye humein vishwaas hai ki woh aisa hi karenge! (turns to Aman) Zaraa Davidji se humari baat karva dijiye. Hum unse bhi lunch k baare me keh dete hain.
Aman left once the call was over.
Khushi: Ab hum nashta kar lein?
Arnav: Yup! Lets eat!
Khushi nodded as she took out the jilebis from the bag.
Khushi(sniffing them): Buaji ne in me kesar dali hai!
Arnav: Toh?
Khushi: Toh yeh aur bhi zyaada swaadisht hongi! (taking a bite)hmmm... Laajawaab! Nashta khatm hote hi hum buaji ko phone kar k unhe dhanyavaad keh denge!
Arnav: Sure! (thinks)Khushi ne ab tak mujhe thanks kyun nahi kaha?
Khushi(extends a jalebi towards his mouth): Lijiye..
She was surprised when Arnav took a small bite.
Khushi: Bas,itna sa?
Arnav: Yeh sugarfree nahi hai.
Khushi: Par buaji toh hamesha..
Arnav: Maine hi unse kaha tha isiliye unhone sugarfree rabdi bheji aur chaashni(sugar syrup) wali jalebiyaan.
Khushi: Aapne aisaa kyun kaha?
Arnav: Uss din tum hi keh rahi thi na,ki sugarfree ki chaashni achchhi nahi banti hai? Uss me mithaas kam hoti hai, etc.. Toh maine socha ki aaj k din toh tumhe waisi hi jalebiyaan milni chahiye jaisi tumhe pasand ho.
He was shocked when Khushi proceeded to finish the jalebi after smiling at him.
She poured the rabdi in the disposable bowl and spooned it for him.
Khushi: Jilebi na sahi, aap humare haathon..(changes the sentence) me pakde chammach k sahare rabdi toh kha lijiye!
Arnav smiled before opening his mouth.
Arnav: Your turn now..
Khushi: Chammach chhodiye! Humein toh jilebi rabdi me dubaakar khilaaiyye!
Arnav fed her like she asked while she fed with him the spoon.
Once they had their fill, Khushi placed the remaining portion in the fridge.
Arnav(glancing at the bag): Buaji ne kuch aur bhi bheja hai tumhare liye.
Khushi(coming back): Ji, humne tohfa dekha.
Arnav: Toh khola kyun nahi?
Khushi: Kyunki jilebiyon ko dekhkar humse raha nahi gaya!
Arnav(smiles): Fine.(hands her the gift) Ab kholkar dekh lo.
Khushi(reads the tag): Janmdin par aashirwaad aur badhaaiyyon k saath dher saara pyaar! -Amma, babuji aur buaji.
The grin reappeared on her face as she opened the gift box.
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Khushi: Yeh zaroor Naina chachi ki dukaan se liya hoga!(showing it to Arnav) Badhiya hai na?
Arnav(nods): Its pretty!
Khushi: Agli baar jab wohlog ghar aayenge tab hum isse pehenenge! Zaraa apnaa phone toh dijiye, hum unse shukriya keh dete hain!
Arnav: Tum..
Khushi: Haan,boliye?
Arnav: Nothing. Here you go..
He waited till she spoke at length to her family.
Arnav: Happy now?
Khushi: Very happy!
Arnav: Ab humlogon ko Gomti sadan k liye nikalna chahiye..
Khushi: Theek hai, chaliye!
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Nearly 20 minutes after they got into the taxi, Khushi asked the driver to stop at a crossroad.
Arnav: Are we there?
Khushi: Nahi. Gomti sadan yahaan se kuch 5 se 7 minute door hai.
Arnav: Toh tumne taxi yahaan kyun rukvaayi?
Khushi: Sadak k uss paar Devi Maiyya ka mandir hai jis k thode hi aage humara school hai. Humne socha darshan karte huye chalte hain..
Arnav: Thats alright. (to the driver) Tum taxi ko..
Khushi: Wahaan parking karne ki ijaazat nahi milegi unko, isiliye humne taxi yaheen rukva di. Humein chalkar wahaan jana hoga.
Arnav: Okay.
They crossed the busy road to reach a small temple surrounded by an equally small courtyard.
An orange flag was mounted on top of the white dome while small,stone benches bordered the courtyard.
Arnav noticed that Khushi covered her head before entering the temple.
He followed all the rituals after Khushi like touching the idol's feet, taking aarti and circumambulating the temple.
The priest offered them the prasaad of pomegranate seeds once they touched his feet.
Pandit: Sadaa sukhi rahiye!
Khushi: Dhanyavaad panditji! (hands him 2 envelopes) Yeh lijiye. Inme Khushi Singh Raizada aur Shashi Kumar Gupta k naam se 101 rupayein ka chadhaava hai.
Pandit: Hum inhe Mata k charnon me arpit kar denge.
Khushi: Kumkum hai?
He nodded while going inside the temple.
Arnav: Kumkum kaun hai?
Khushi: Kumkum yaani sindoor.
Arnav: Oh,okay.
Khushi: Woh dekh rahe hain aap?
She pointed to the wall opposite them.
It had handcrafted idols enclosed in a transparent box which bore the words 'Shiv-Shakti'.
Arnav: hmm..
Khushi: Jab bhi humare pados me kisi ki bhi
She stood in sucha way that the reflection of her face could be seen on that side of the box which had Devi maiyya's idol whereas Arnav's reflection could be seen on the side which had Lord Shiva's idol.
Khushi: Aisaa maanaa jaata hai ki jab pati,patni iss tarah se apni chhavi dekhte hain toh unki jodi bhi Devi Maiyya aur Shankar Bhagwaan ki jodi ki tarah amar(immortal) ho jaati hai! (sighs)13,14 saal ki umar se hum iss mandir me aakar apni chhavi dekhte the aur bagal me khaali jagah dekhkar sochte the ki na jaane woh kaun hoga jis k saath humari jodi banegi? Aur na jaane humari mulaaqat kab hogi? Kitne sapne..
She stopped when she saw the priest coming towards them with a small,steel container.
Pandit(to Arnav): Lo beta..
Arnav noticed tears in Khushi's eyes as he anointed her with the sindoor.
Arnav: Shukriya panditji!
The priest smiled before leaving.
Arnav wiped Khushi's tears with the pad of his thumb.
Arnav: 1 baat kahoon?
Khushi: Ji,bilkul!
Arnav: Iss red saree me, sar pe pallu rakhkar aur especially sindoor lagaane k baad tum bilkul new bride ki tarah lag rahi ho!
Khushi blushed and was about to lower her gaze when she saw that he was about to kiss her forehead.
She shook her head and indicated the temple with her eyes.
Arnav nodded briefly, making a mental note to kiss her once they sat in the taxi.
Khushi: Ab humare haath par apnaa haath rakhiye phir hum ek saath ghanti bajaayenge.
The brass bell clanged loudly as ArShi rang it thrice.
Arnav: Ab chalein?
Khushi: 2 minute k liye baahar baithte hain. Phir chalenge?
Arnav frowned as he saw the old,rickety stone bench.
Khushi dusted it with her hand before sitting down on it.
Khushi: Saaf hai. Baith jaaiye..
The bench rocked as Arnav sat down beside her.
Khushi: Jab shaam ko thandi hawaa chalti hai tab yahaan par baithne ka mazaa hi kuch aur hota hai! Hum waise toh aate-jaate har baar mandir k darshan karte hi the par mahine me 1 din toh hum lambi line me khade rehkar,logon ki dhakka-mukki sehen kar kar darshan karte the.
Arnav: Kis din?
Khushi(nods): Durga Ashtami k din yahaan bahut bheed hoti hai,jiska 1 kaaran yeh bhi hai ki uss din Devi Maiyya ko saabudaane ki kheer ka prasaad chadhaaya jaata hai!
Arnav(teases): Doosron ka pataa nahi par tum toh definitely kheer khaane k liye hi line me khadi rehti hogi!
Khushi made a face & knudged him.
Arnav: Ab chalein? (wipes his forehead with a kerchief)Dhoop tez hai aur kaafi garmi lag rahi hai.
Khushi: Kisne kaha tha silk ka kurta-pyjama pehenne k liye? (points to his embroidered kurta) Woh bhi bhaari kaarigari wala!
http://feeds2go.com/sherwani/806-deep-beige-cotton-silk-fabric-kurta-pajama-s309.html
Khushi: Humne aapse pehle hi kaha tha ki aapko garmi lagegi par aap maane hi nahi!
Arnav: Garmi toh tumhe bhi lag hi rahi hogi kyunki tumhari saree mere kurte se zyaada heavy hai. Phir bhi tumne yeh hi saree peheni, just because maine Paris se isse khareedte waqt tumse kaha tha ki yeh tumhara birthday present hai!
http://www.sareeka.com/red-and-beige-embroidery-work-net-saree.html
Khushi: Aisi baat nahi hai! Woh.. shaadi k baad pehli baar wahaan jaa rahe hain na toh.. humne socha aisi saree pehenna sahi rahega!
Arnav: Thats exactly why I wore this!
Khushi: Haan,haan hum jaante hain ki aapne moonh dikhaayi k liye hi iss kurte ko chuna!
Arnav(confused): Moonh dikhaayi?
Khushi: Haan! Aaj humare pados me aapki moonh dikhaayi jo honewali hai (smiles)daamaadji!
Arnav: Lag raha hoon na,daamaadji material?
Khushi: Bilkul! Bas wahaan Angrezi kam se kam boliyega aur haan. Agar koi hasi-mazaak me kuch keh dein toh unki baat ka bura mat lagaaiyyega. Aur haan,sabse zaroori baat..
Arnav: I know! Unlogon k saamne mujhe tumhara haath bhi nahi pakadna hai!
Khushi: Woh toh hai par hum shagun ki baat kar rahe the. Woh.. kya hai na ki.. Wahaan par.. 11 rupaye ka shagun dene ka.. rivaaz hai. Toh.. agar humare koi padosi aapko 11 rs 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! Ab yahaan se chalein? Tumhara school dekhna baaki hai.
Khushi: Haan,chalenge lekin jaane se pehle baahar se namaskaar kar dijiye.
They folded their hands and bowed their heads for a few moments before walking towards Khushi's school.
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Arnav read the bold,blue Hindi letters printed on black metallic board: Vaidika Kanyaa Vidyaalaya**.
The metallic gate housed a double storeyed building, a basketball court,a dilapidated cycle stand and a small patch of grass which served as a playground.
Khushi(smiles): Yeh raha woh school jis me humne apni zindagi k 8 suhaane saal bitaayein hain!
Arnav(frowns): Sirf 8 saal?
The smile disappeared from Khushi's face as she replied.
Khushi: Hum teesri kakshaa me the jab babuji ne iss school me humara daakhla(admission) karvaaya. Uss se pehle hum doosre school me padhte the. Par jab.. amma babuji ne humein godh liya toh unhone humein bhi iss school me daal diya kyunki jiji bhi yaheen padhti thi.
Arnav: So you mean tum 3rd se 10th grade tak yahaan padhi ho.
Khushi: Ji. Tab yahaan dasvi tak hi kakshaa thi. Aur sirf yeh maidaan tha, basketball court toh baad me banaa.
Arnav: Toh tumne higher secondary ki padhaai kahaan se ki?
Khushi(casually): Nahi ki.
Arnav: What!? Tumne.. 10th k baad.. padhaai nahi ki!?
He continues without allowing her to speak.
Arnav: Iss school me higher secondary section nahi tha toh tumhe kis aur school me admission le lena chahiye tha. For this silly reason,tumne padhaayi chhod di?! (runs a hand through his hair) Unbelievable man!
Khushi: Nahi,yeh wajah nahi thi! Humne toh padhaayi isiliye chhodi kyunki.. aage padhne ka koi faayda nahi tha!
Arnav: Oh,really!?
Khushi: Haan! Gyaarvi,baarvi me kaunse bachchhe padhte hain?(answers)Woh hi jinko college me padhnaa hota hai. Aur college me padhne kaunse bachchhe jaate hain? (answers again)Woh hi jinko,aage chalkar, naukri karni hoti hai. Ab humein aur jiji ko shaadi hone tak ghar ka kaam karne me amma ka haath bataana tha,jis k liye padhaai ki zaroorat nahi padhti hai! Aur babuji k saath dukaan sambhaalni thi, jis k liye hisaab-kitaab karnaa aata tha humein. Uss k liye bhi dasvi se aage padhne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Toh hum nahi padhein!
Arnav: You mean.. tumhare school ki koi bhi ladki H.Sc pass nahi hai?
Khushi: Jo ladkiyaan avval aati thi unko sarkaar(government) ki taraf se madad milti thi isiliye unk amma,babuji unhe baarvi tak padhaate the. Hum aur jiji, dono hi ghar k kaam,kaaj me avval aur padhaai me theek-thaak the. Doosri baat, gyaarvi baarvi ki fees bhi zyaada thi aur babuji k paas na toh utne paise the aur na hi humein aage padhne me koi dilchaspi thi so hum nahi padhein!
Arnav: Khushi.. (sighs) Baby,you dunno ki tumlogon ne kya miss kiya hai! Higher Secondary education sabk liye bahut essential hoti hai, phir chaahe woh housewife ho ya businesswoman! Main tumhe kaise samjhaaun..
Khushi: Hum aapki baat samajhte hain par.. hum toh bas yeh hi keh rahe hain ki uss samay yeh utna zaroori nahi tha aur humare samaaj me toh bilkul bhi zaroori nahi maanaa jaata tha! Aaj-kal k zamaane me baarvi paas hona zaroori hai isiliye toh humare school ne uchhtar shikshan(higher education) dena shuru kiya hai.
Arnav: Ya,thats a good thing. Aaj toh.. school band hoga na?
Khushi: Ji,aaj Itvaar(sunday) hai na. Waise.. aap yeh sawaal kyun poochh rahe hain?
Arnav: Kyunki main tumhare school ko donation dena chaahta hoon, taaki tumhari tarah jin ladkiyon k pass H.Sc ki fees dene k paise nahi hain, unhe financial support mile aur wohlog 12th k board exams de paayein.
Khushi: Aapko kya lagtaa hai,sirf paison ki madad karne se hi sab hi ladkiyaan baarvi pass ho jaayengi? Aisaa nahi hota hai. Baarvi ka parinaam sirf bachchhi ki mehnat aur akal par hi nahi, Ghar k mahaul(environment) par bhi nirbar(rely) kartaa hai. Aap toh uss ki padhaai k paise de denge par ho saktaa hai ki uss ladki k gharwaale usse padhaai karne ki ijaazat na dein, ya.. ghar k kaam-kaaj karne k baad usse padhne ka samay na milein! Sirf paise dene se iss masle ka hal nahi niklega.
Arnav: Jo log padhne ki aur life me kuch karne ki chaahat aur himmat rakhte hain,woh har haalaat me aage badhkar hi rehte hain! Nothin can deter their spirits! Iss baat ka proof tumhare saamne khadaa hai!
Khushi(understands): Shaayad aap sahi keh rahe hain. Hum toh Devi Maiyya karenge ki aap jis ummeed se school ko paise dena chahte hain uss ummeed par school ki bachhiyaan khari utre!
Arnav: I sincerely hope so.. Main Aman se keh dunga. Woh school k principal tak donation pahuchaane ka arrangement kar dega.
Khushi: Theek hai. Humein waise toh aapko bahut kuch bataana tha humare school k baare me,saari saheliyon k baare me par yahaan nahi. Kisi din poolside par baithkar aapko aaraam se apne school k dinon k kisse sunaayenge aur aapse aapk school k kisse sunenge!
Arnav: Sure! Lets go..
She has a realization while walking with him towards their taxi.
Khushi(realizes): Areh! Humne toh aapse poochha hi nahi! Aapka school kahaan hai?
Arnav: Mera school Rajendra nagar me hai.
He pauses as they cross the road.
Arnav: Its one of the best schools of Lucknow!
Khushi: Kaheen aap.. Pioneer school ki baat toh nahi kar rahe hain na?
Arnav: Exactly! Main Pioneer montessori* ki hi baat kar raha tha!
Khushi(surprised): Aap aur di uss school me padhein hain?
Arnav: Haan,kyun?
Khushi: Woh toh humare zamaane me Lucknow k sabse naamcheen(famous) schools me se 1 hua kartaa tha!
Arnav: Naamcheen toh woh aaj bhi hai. And I'm proud to have been a part of that school for 11 years!
He instructs the driver to take them towards Gomti sadan.
Khushi: 11 saal kaise?
Arnav: Nursery se lekar 8th tak. 9th grade k sirf.. kuch hi mahine attend kiye the maine iss school me. Uss k baad humlog Delhi shift ho gaye aur maine wahaan school me admission le liya.
Khushi: Woh bhi toh Dilli k sabse naamcheen school-on me se ek hai! Aap kitne naseebwale hain,Arnavji,jo aap aise schools me padhein hain!
Arnav(opening the taxi door): You're right!
Khushi was about to sit inside when she heard a familiar voice.
"Khusi jiji,tum!?''
Arnav turned around to find a boy of about 18 beaming at them.
Khushi(surprised): Kaartik!? (cups his cheek)Kaisaa hai tu? Aur.. Tu yahaan kya kar raha hai?
Kaartik: Areh yeh hi toh hum tumse pooch rahe hain ki tum hiyaan kaise? Aur Dilli se kab aayi?
Khushi: Kal hi aaye hain.
Kaartik: Ghar nahi chalogi ka?
Khushi: Waheen toh jaa rahe the,par socha Devi Maiyya k darsha karte chalein. a.. waise (points to Arnav)Yeh tere jijaji hain.
Kaartik: Hi jiju!(surveying him) Aap toh qeher dhaa rahe hain iss kurte me!
Arnav: Thank.. you!
Khushi: Yeh Kaartik hai, jiji ki saheli Archanaa jiji ka chhota bhai. Humne aapko bataaya tha na ki mohalle k kuch ladke humare mooh bole bhai hain?
Arnav: Toh yeh bhi tumhara bhai hai?
Kaartik: Bilkul,aur aapk saale hain! Aapka toh A one swaagat karenge hum! Chaliye toh sahi..
Khushi: Abhi nahi,Kaartik. Pehle hum zara Laila chachiji se mil aayein. Jabse Thanveer chachaji ki khabar suni tabse unse milna chaahte the. Aaj jab yahaan aa hi gaye hain toh hum sabse pehle unhi se milna chahte hain. Phir tere ghar hi aayenge,pakkaa!
Kaartik: Jaisi tumhaari marji! Hum amma se kahe dete hain ki swaagat ki taiyyaariyaan suru karein,hain?
Khushi(smiles): Theek hai. Ja! Hum thodi der me aate hain.
Kaartik: Badhiya! Bye,bye jiaji! Come soon!
Arnav gives a slight smile as Kaartik mounts his scooty.
Khushi: Kaartik,zara sun toh!
Kaartik: Batiyaao..
Khushi: Tu aisaa kar,apne scooter yaheen chhod ja. Hum taxiwale ko yaheen chhod dete hain.
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi: Mohalle me taxi le jaayenge toh aane-jaanewalon ko diqqat hogi. Tu paidal chalaa jaayega na?
Kaartik: Haan,haan,kaahe tensan leti ho! (throws the keys)Ee leyo chaabi.
Khushi(catching the keys): Shukriya! Thodi der me milte hain.
Arnav turned to Khushi once Kaartik left.
Arnav: Yeh sab karne ki kya zaroorat thi,Khushi? Humlog chalkar chale jaatein.
Khushi: Kaartik humare chhote bhai jaisaa hai. Iss hi haq se humne uss se scooter ki chaabi maangi. Aur waise bhi aap dhoop aur garmi se behaal ho rahe hain. Phir chalkar jaate toh aapko aur taqleef hoti na? Bas isiliye..
Arnav leaves to pay the taxi driver without saying anything.
When he comes back,he sees Khushi sitting on the scooty,all ready to drive.
Khushi: Fataafat se peechhe baith jaaiyye. iss par jhatt se pahuch jaayenge!
Arnav scowls as he sits behind her.
Khushi: Aapka man hai toh aap chalaa lijiye..
Arnav: No,thanks!
Khushi: Kya hua Arnavji? Moonh kyun phulaa liya aapne?
Arnav: Kuch nahi. Chalo..
Khushi: Agar aap aise chalenge toh humein nahi jana scooter par! Sadak k kinaare isse park kar k hum paidal hi chalte hain.
Arnav: Thats not required! Iss hi par chalo..
Khushi: Par aap apni shaqal toh theek kijiye. Aise jaayenge toh sab sochenge ki hum zabardasti aapko yahaan kheench laayein hain? Ki sabse milne me aapko koi dilchaspi nahi hai!
Arnav(thinks): Kaartik se milne k baad uss ki family se milne me mujhe actually koi dilchaspi nahi hai!
Khushi: Mood theek kijiye na,please.. humare liye?
Arnav(sighs): I'm fine,Khushi! Agar humlog yaheen,dhoop me baithe rahe toh mera mood kaise theek hoga?
Khushi: Haan.. theek hai,chaliye. (thinks)Hey Devi Maiyya! Wahaan par sab kuch theek kariyega! Dekhiyega ki jab tak humlog hotel waapis nahi chale jaate tab tak Arnavji ka mood achchha hi rahe! Uss k baad unka mood kaise sudhaarna hai (smiles)woh hum jaante hain! Aap bas filhaal sthiti(situation) ko sambhaal lijiyega!
She takes Devi Maiyya's name before starting the vehicle.
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Precap:
Arnav: Maine observe kiya ki tumne subha se 1 baar bhi mujhe shukriya ya dhanyavaad ya thanks nahi kaha. I guess it was intentional..
Khushi: Sahi socha aapne!
Arnav: Ab yeh bhi bataa do ki aisaa karne k peechhe wajah kya thi?
Khushi: Hum saare shukriya jamaa(collect) kar rahe the taaki raat ko hotel lautne k baad hum 1 hi baar me 1 hi saath me shukriya adaa kar sakein!
Arnav: I see! So, kuch socha hai ki shukriya kaise adaa karogi?
Khushi: Bilkul socha hai! Aap k liye pukhta intezaam kiye hain humne! Aap aaiyye toh sahi!
Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Translation in the post below. Next update on Sunday, 15th November,2015.
** Fictitious name & identity.
* Name used for illustrative purpose only.
Pics used for illustrative purpose only. Credit for pics goes to google and respective uploaders.
Credit for outfits goes to respective designers.
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