Zindagi Ke Mausam - Part Three
Khushi and Payal dressed up in anarkalis with churidaars. Khushi left her hair in a messy bun, with a light pink anarkali, simple, with just some with white lace and embroidery. Payal, on the other hand had her hair open with a beige anarkali and golden design embroided all over, a bit more stylish, and fancy that was forced upon her due to Khushi's nagging. They both went downstairs to the hall to find Nanhe dressed in nice jeans with a button down white shirt, with a loosely done tie and a black blazer.
Khushi: Dii !! Do you see what I see?
Payal: Kya Khushi?
Khushi: Looks like someone here, looks like a human being..finally !!
Nanhe: Chal chal, jhalli kaheen ki. Payal Di, there's been a change of plans ! I've made reservations for us three and her at a restaurant because she was insisting on treating everyone for Chinese.
Khushi: Itni achi larki kahan se mil gayi?!
Where did you find such a good girl?
Payal: Khushiii, shush !
Nanhe: Aab chalein?
Khushi: Chalooo !
Khushi grabbed Nanhe's arm and marched out the door with Payal laughing behind them at their solider like stances.
At the restaurant...
We see a tall, slim yet curved body of a young lady dressed in haltered silver gown that fit her frame to the T. Her hair up with some strands coming loose.
Nanhe: Look Di, Khushi...she's there ! Lavanyaaa.
We turn around and see Lavanya Kashyap.
Khushi: Wowww NK, mahna parega, itni khoobsurat hai !
Nanhe grinned with delight twinkling in his eyes. He knew Khushi was right, she was beautiful, and she was soon to be his.
Payal: Sahi keh rahi hai Khushi, she's beautiful.
Lavanya made her way to the table and smiled cautiously, unsure of how to begin the conversation and her eyes on Khushi's arm that was around her to be fiance's.
Nanhe: Lav, this is my Di, Payal, and this one over here is my best friend, Khushi. And Di, Khushi, this is Lavanya, meri honay vali mangaitar.
Lavanya: Hello.
Khushi: Hi !
Payal: Hello.
Nanhe: So beautiful ladies, please do take a seat.
Lavanya's eyes and her smile were not in agreement, her eyes were troubled as if a nagging thought would not leave her alone.
Nanhe: Lav, sweetheart, you've been quiet all this time, this is not like you, whats wrong?
Lavanya: Nothing NK, I'm just tired from my shoot.
Nanhe: Sure?
Lavanya nodded and tried to initiate a new conversation with Khushi who had been dominating the conversation between the four of them. Payal was nice, she was sweet, and quiet..her behavior with NK was as of an elder sister...but Khushi? She just...she didn't know.
Khushi: I know what's wrong.
Lavanya came out of her thoughts and looked at Khushi.
Lavanya: No, nothing is Khushi, I'm sorry I'm not as bubbly as you tonight.
Khushi: Lavanya probably wants some fresh air, it's getting a bit too much in this restaurant, plus I think she'd like to go for a walk. NK pay the bill, and Di aap aajana iske saath. Lavanya, I'll wait for you outside.
Payal tried to eye Khushi for her overzealous behavior with Lavanya who seemed uncomfortable but NK oblivious said ok and asked for the check. Lavanya did not want to be rude, got up and agreed.
Khushi: Ok so let me get straight to the point. I know you're troubled. I'm probably the reason that you're troubled too.
Lavanya: Khushi, no I..I'm just
Khushi: I'm sure youre tired, but you're questioning my and NK's relationship with each other.
Lavanya's face had a quick jolt of surprise that caused Khushi to seal approval to her guess.
Khushi: Humne sahi kaha, haina?
Lavanya: I'm sorry Khushi. I know, I don't know you, but I think I already do. Ever since NK has known that you were coming to Delhi he's been so excited, he talks about you as if you're so important to him. And I can't help wonder...I mean, tum dono ke beech...are you sure you..both are just friends? Or there hasn't been anything in the past?
Khushi: Lavanya, he's my friend, my best friend. And I can't say that I don't love him, because I do, very much, but I'm not in love with him, and neither is he with me. We're not like siblings, and frankly, we never saw each other like that. . But if he's truly loved anyone, it's you. And I can say that because I know him, I know his secrets and I knew he loved you before he knew it. We're best friends, we're...hum ek doosre ko samajh thai hain.
Lavanya: Are you sure? Main nahin chahti ke I'm the Tina of your Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
With that Khushi erupts in to laughter.
Khushi: Tum kitni filmy ho !
With that Lavanya's hesitation towards Khushi vanished and realized she was right. After all, her best friend too was all the support she needed before NK came in to her life...the only difference was that Lavanya had been infatuated with her best friend and had mistaken it for love. He was impossible, and possibly had no capability to be in love. She thought about how understanding NK was, he knew everything yet him and NK were good friends and he never questioned her intentions, even when they worked together. She hadn't been fair to NK, not treating him the way he should be treated. The way he expressed his love for her, she never did that and now that had to change.
Lavanya: I think it's NK's fault, Bollywood ka new-found obsession hai us hai, and I'm beoming influenced !
Khushi: You know, jab se hum chohte thai, woh aapne aap ko Salman Khan samajh tha, tha.
You know, when we were younger he thought he was Salman Khan.
Lavanya & Khushi burst in to her laughter as Payal and NK walked out of the restaurant.
Nanhe: Whats going on? A new friendship?! Lav, please iss jhalli se dhoor rehna aur iski koyi baaat ko sach na mahna.
Lav, stay away from this crazy and don't think anything she says is true.
Lavanya: Ok...Salman Khan !
Nanhe: KHUSHI ! How can you...
All three ladies started laughing and NK tried to offer his explanation.
NK dropped off Khushi and Payal at the Jha Mansion and went to drop off Lavanya to her home.
The drive home was unsually quiet but NK knew better than to say anything. He was confused; he loved Lavanya, very much. Did she love him? He wasn't sure of that. He had fell for her since he met her 2 years ago, but just recently of 6 months had the courage to say anything, Lavanya had been hesitant but agreed to date him due to ruining their good friendship. And now, 6 months in when her parents had asked them about marriage she said she was ready. NK was overjoyed but he was marrying her because he loved her. He didn't know if that was true to her. Though a couple, though they shared some physical intimacy -- there wasn't any reciprocation from Lavanya. He wasn't sure why they were heading in the direction of marriage if she didn't feel anything. Now, as the day of their engagement just three days away her behavior had become even stranger, and he couldn't wait any longer, he had to clean the air between them.
NK stopped the car in the driveway, opened the car door, and walked to the front door with her.
Lavanya: Goodnight...
NK: Lav?
Lavanya: Haan?
NK: Can I come inside?
Lavanya: Sure
Lavanya: Let me change out of this and I'll get some coffee started.
NK: No, tum change karlo, and I'll start the coffee.
Lavanya: I'm back.
Lavanya had changed in to her tanktop and pajamas with her hair up in a ponytail. NK loved her when she was at home, she dressed down, and was just so much more beautiful to him. Gone was the elite high-class air about her, gone the model. She was just a girl next door.
NK: Coffee's ready too, let's go to the living room.
They both sat next to each other and sipped the coffee quietly, the silence becoming awkward. NK turned the tv on and they both just sat not really watching the television, figuring out where to start.
NK: Lavanya, can we stop pretending, and talk, actually talk to each other?
Lavanya turned the television off and faced him.
Lavanya: Kaho, jo kehna hai.
NK: I don't know..do you want to marry me? Are you marrying me because you think that's what I want or...because you think you have to settle ? Main tumhe samajhne ki koshish kar raha hoon lekin nahin pata mujhe ke tum chahti kya ho, I don't even know if you...
Lavanya: If I love you?
Lavanya moves her had to Nanhe's chest, right on his heart. Nanhe was a bit surprised but didn't let it show on his face.
Lavanya: What does your heart say?
Nanhe: Yes.
Lavanya: And your brain?
Nanhe: No.
Lavanya: Do you love me with your heart or brain?
Nanhe: Dil
Lavanya: If you love me from here (points to his heart) then why (points at his head) do you listen to it, I feel for you from here (points at her heart). Had I listened to this (points at her head) we wouldn't be together.
Nanhe looks at her with mixed emotions, she just said she loved him, not directly but...it was close enough, and that's all he needed. He would wait till she was ready to say the three words, but for now, he was satisfied.
Nanhe: Lav, sweetheart, I'm going to leave now, it's late and you should get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow?
Lavanya: You don't have to go.
NK stopped for a minute and tried to figure out where this clarity was coming from. Lavanya had never before initiated this kind of behavior. He wasn't going to question it though. He was happy and she seemed just as happy and that he was thankful for.
Nanhe: I don't have to, but I should. I don't want the papparaazi making some story up if they happen to see me leaving any later.
Lavanya: Ok, you're right. Chalo, main tumhe darwaze thak chohr deti hoon.
They walked to the door and as NK turned to say bye he tripped and fell towards Lavanya who flinched and fell back against the wall. He gained his balance by putting his hands against the wall. She opened his eyes and saw him looking at her...and they were closer today than they had been in all the time they had known each other. She closed her eyes and leaned in to his face...
Nanhe: Goodnight Lav
Lavanya opened her eyes confused and the apparent disappointment reflective in her eyes.
Lavanya: Goodnight
Nanhe: Acha, sunho
Lavanya: Mhm...she turned around?
He kisses her forehead softly and whispers "sweet dreams beautiful". The butterflies ran wild in her tummy and she turned away with a smile.
Nanhe got home and sat on the sofa in the hall grinning dreamily.
Khushi: Hello ! Aapne dream world se nikal jao.
Nanhe: Oh. Khushi, tum?
Khushi: Haan, main.
Nanhe: Mhmmm and he started smiling again.
Khushi: Acha tho aaj Lavanya ke khayalon main ghum?
So your lost in Lavanya's thoughts today?
Khushi got NK's attention at the mention of Lavanya.
Nanhe: Kya?
Khushi: You're thinking about Lavanya?
Nanhe: Haan. Khushi, tum tho larki ho, tho main tumse kuch poochoon? It's about Lavanya.
Khushi, you're a girl. So can I ask you? It's about Lavanya.
Khushi instead of cracking a joke noticed his seriousness and turned in to best friend mode.
Khushi: I'm assuming she's behaving differently with you. And there's always been that..underlying strangeness between you to?
Nanhe: Yeah, you know.
Khushi: She loves you NK, aur hum yeh jaantein hai. I know you've been apprehensive because of her prior infatuation lekin she's moved on from that. Maybe she hasn't been able to express it properly that's all. After tonight, I know she loves you and even more so cares for you. Please go in to this clear minded, she's good for you.
Nanhe: Love you Titli. Now come give me your best friend a hug.
Khushi: Me too.
Nanhe gets up and grabs Khushi embracing him in a bear hug.
*Cough cough* Am I interrupting something?
Khushi and Nanhe separate but even then Nanhe keeps his arm on Khushi's shoulder.
Nanhe: Arre yaar, Shyam tu?!
Khushi: Haath hatao, batameez.
Khushi shrugs off his arm from her shoulder and fixes her dupatta.
Shyam: Yeh tho Lavanya nahin hai, nayi girlfriend hai kya?
Khushi: CHI! Iski girlfriend, aur hum?! Kabhi nahin !
Nanhe: Shut up Titli !
Khushi: You shut up ! Kitne batameez ho, aapne dost ke saamne humse larai kar rahe ho.
You're so insolent, fighting with me in front of your friend !
Shyam: Yeah NK, what is this?! Aapne cousin ke saamne aise karte hain kya?
Yeah, do you fight in front of your cousin like that ??
Khushi: Haan koyi,..wait cousin?
Nanhe: Khushiii, milo mere Dad ke cousin ke bete ko, Shyam Jha.
Meet my Dad's cousins son, Shyam Jha.
Khushi: Oh. Hello.
Shyam: Tuhne mujhe tho introduce karwaa diya, lekin yeh kaun hai?
You've introduced me, but who is she?
Nanhe: She's my best friend, Khushi Gupta.
Shyam: So yeh Khushi hai?
Khushi: Ji, hum hi Khushi hain. Did he say anything bad about me?
Shyam: Nahin Khushi.
Nanhe: Bhabhi kaisi hai yaar?
Shyam: She's good. I was coming to tell you that everyone's shifting back here. Everything is finally set.
Nanhe: Isliye itne excited ho, ke Bhabhi wapas arahi hai?
So that's why you're excited because your wife is coming back?
Shyam: Hoon tho sahi, lekin Saale saab sab kuch set karke, kuch dinon ke liye London ponche ve hain. Keh rahe thai ke Lavanya aur teri sagai thak wapas aa jayega.
That I am, but my brother in law is in London for a few days. He said he'd back before your guys engagement.
Khushi: NK, I'm heading upstairs. You talk to your cousin. Nice meeting you, bye.
Shyam: Bye
Nanhe: Night Titli
Khushi: Night Bandar !
Khushi ran upstairs to her room to head for a good night's sleep hoping to see Akash finally in the morning.
Shyam: Bahri alag si hai, teri dost.
Your friend, is pretty different.
Nanhe: That she is
NK waves his hand in front of Shyam, who seemed to be lost in thought.
NK: Oye, tujhe kya hua hai?
What happened to you?
Shyam: Kuch nahin, acha chal ek drink ke liye chal
Nothing, let's go for a drink.
The next morning Khushi awakened early, showered and headed downstairs before anyone else. Breakfast passed and yet again she missed seeing Akash. This was getting too much, finally she asked NK about him when Payal wasn't around.
Khushi: Akash Bhai hai kahan? Teen din hogaye hain, aur abhi thak hum unse nahin miley
Where is Akash Bhai? It's been three days, and we still haven't met him.
NK: He's sleeping in today, unko raat ko flight catch karni hai. He's going to London. Yaad hai, kal Shyam ne bataya tha ke uska brother in law bhi wahan hai? Tho Akash Bhai aur woh bohut ache dost hain. Akash Bhai unki maddat karne ke liye wahan jaa rahe hain, aur parson thak..aajayenge. Aur phir Saturday ko sagai hai Lavanya aur meri. Waise bhi, yeh sagai Akash aur uske beghair ho hi nahin sakti.
He has to catch a flight at night. remember, Shyam was saying his brother in law was there? So Akash Bhai and him are really good friends. Akash is going to help out and they should be back the day after tomorrow. And then on Saturday is Lavanya and my engagement. The engagement can't happen without Akash Bhai or him.
Khushi: London?! I don't get you guys, you guys are going to London every other day like it's not London but Lucknow. Wait, I understand why the engagement can't happen if Akash Bhai isn't here but uh, he, the person, his friend, why is he important?
NK: Kyun ki, he's Lavanya's best friend, Lavanya has a share in his company We're related by marriage to their family. His sister is married to Shyam. Isliye titli.
Khushi: Well ok aab main tayar honay jaa rahi hoon, I have to go out.
Well, okay now I'm going to get ready.
NK: Out?
Khushi: Haan, Lavanya ne bataya ne? I'm going with her to the designer for her engagement clothes. Di yahan ke arrangements dekh rahi hai Devani Aunty aur Buaji ke saath.
NK: Excuse me?! Since when did you both become friends??
Khushi: Jealous maht ho !
NK: I'm coming with you both !
Khushi: You have to wait outside, the clothes are all a surprise you Bandar !
NK: FINE !
And then the doorbell rang.
Khushi: HI Lavanya !
Khushi ran and gave her a hug.
Lavanya: Hey Khushi !
NK: And where's my hug?
Khushi: Lavanya, I'm going to get my phone and purse. I'll be right down.
Khushi ran upstairs winking at NK along the way.
NK approached Lavanya and wrapped his arms around her pulling her in to a hug.
NK: I missed you
Lavanya: Me too.
Lavanya looks up at NK and smiles at him.
Khushi: cough cough* Are you both done with romancing?
Lavanya tries to move away from the hug but NK just holds her tighter.
NK: No, but aab tum kabab main haddi bahn gayi ho tho phir main bhi besharm ki tarhan karta rahoonga romance.
No, but now if you're insisting to be the the third wheel, I'm going to be shameless and romance as much as as I want.
Lavanya: Shut up ! Leave me and let's go.
With that they went to the designer and finalized Lavanya's dress.
Friday Night...
NK: Titli ! It's 12 am. Go to sleep. You're going to have dark circles under your eyes tomorrow. Don't complain to me then !
Khushi: NK! I will meet Akash Bhai today ! Bas, final
NK: It's important for Payal Di to meet him and she's sound asleep upstairs.
Khushi: Ok teek hai, just one more hour ! If he's not here by 1 am then I'll go to sleep. Till then you sit with me and watch tv.
NK: Are you going to force me??
Khushi: Yes, I am. If you don't listen I'm going to complain to Lavanya !
NK: Oye ! Chal chal meri honay vali biwi hai. Shoo, shoo she's my to be wife.
Khushi: Meri dost hai !
My friend !
NK: Shut up !
Khushi: YOU !
NK: Ugh, fine. Move, over. Let me sit down too.
Khushi: Go get your laptop !
NK: I'll get it but on one condition.
Khushi: Kya?
NK: Till I find a movie to watch you go make jalebis for me to eat !
Khushi: Deal !
Khushi ran in to the kitchen quickly and started making jalebiyan. As soon as she was done she went in to the hall and started watching the movie with NK. NK's phone rang as soon as the first song began.
Khushi: KYA HAI !
NK: Lavanya ka phone hai. Tehro.
Khushi: UTHAO phone stupid. What if it's important?!
NK: That's what I'm doing ! WAIT.
NK: Hey Lav? What happened baby? Oh, alright, ok yeah. No no, don't worry. Just, yes relax, give me one minute.
Khushi: Kya hua?
NK: She's not feeling well and on top of that she can't sleep. I'll be back in 10 minutes, ok Khushi?
Khushi: Haan, jao jao.
Khushi ate her jalebi's and waited for Nanhe to come back.
30 minutes later...NK is walking down the stairs to the hall
NK: Khushii, Khushii sorry yaar itni dehr hogayi...woh
Sorry I'm late, woh..
...footsteps...
NK: Bhai ! Hey you're home !
NK gave his brother a one armed hug and took his bag and briefcase from him.
Akash: How are you NK?
NK: Bhai let me go put your bags away, two minutes.
Akash: I'll do it NK
NK: Nahin Bhai, it'll take two minutes
NK ran upstairs to put his brothers bags away. When NK comes back downstairs he sees Akash isn't by the doorway, so goes to the hall where he knew Khushi was waiting for him.
NK walks in and sees Akash walking towards the hall.
NK: Bhai, you're here? Come, let me introduce you to someone.
Akash: Who? And NK I wanted to tell you that..
NK: Let's go...
NK and Akash walk to see a young man near the sofa where Khushi had fallen asleep facing her back towards them, her head buried in to the cushion and her hair falling apart from her loose braid. She had almost fallen off the sofa when the young man caught her waist by his arm. Just as he was about to see her face...
NK: NANAV !
Akash: I was going to tell you that Arnav came with me.
Arnav moved his arm around Khushi's waist and positioned her back on to the sofa.
Arnav: NK, hey, how are you doing?
NK: I'm doing good man, pleasant surprise !
Akash: NK, yeh..yeh larki kaun hai?
Nk, whose..whose this girl?
NK: Bhai, I told you meri best friend aa rahi thi Lucknow se? Uski sister ke saath? She was waiting to meet you but then she fell asleep I guess while waiting for me as well.. when I was on the phone.
Suddenly, a chord struck in Arnav's head. His best friend, the one Lavanya had been going on for the last month?
Akash: Mera..intezaar?
Waiting for me?
NK: Haan woh rishta...I mean, woh ghar main sab se...matlab rishtedaar se mil chukhi thi..aapke siwaa...that's why
Yeah your alliance, I mean..at home.. she met every relative except you that's why.
Arnav: What are you going on about NK?
NK: It's late I guess I need sleep.
Akash: Sleep se yaad aya. Arnav is going to be staying here for tonight, open up the guest bedroom.
NK: Well, let's see kaunsa guest bedroom open hai. Upstairs ke 5 out of 5 rooms booked hain. Mom-Dad ka, Chachu-Chachi ka, Khushi ka room abhi empty hai, Di bhi soh gayi, my room is available for Arnav to share. I'll take the sofa bed and he can have my sofa.
Arnav: I don't want to cause inconvience and I don't share rooms well with others.
Akash: NK what about downstairs, the room down the hall from mine?
NK: That room is being renovated to become Lavanya and my room after marriage. And the guest house isn't cleaned up enough for anyone to live in as of yet.
Arnav: Its alright, I'll just head home...
Akash: No Arnav, just go and sleep in NK's room. I'd give up mine but it's a mess.
NK: You guys head upstairs. I'll be there...I'm going to wake her and take her to her room.
Akash and Arnav were walking upstairs when Arnav remembered he forgot his phone and laptop bag downstairs. Arnav headed towards the hall...
NK: Hey Titli, come on get up..chalo.
Khushi mumbled something incoherently hardly awake from her deep slumber.
NK leaned over, sighed and picked her up, taking her upstairs to her room.
Arnav tried to get a glance of her face all the time wondering whether there was just friendship between NK and this Khushi. Lavanya had talked his ears off this past month about her. About how NK only talks about her, about how she means so much to him. I mean from what Lavanya had said, she was just from another middle class family. So what was NK so interested in that he'd become best friends with her? What he was seeing now, seemed a bit too friendly in his head. She had better not be ruining what his best friend Lavanya and NK had between each other ...who did this girl think she was anyway?
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
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