KHUSHI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 039)
WE MUST UNDERSTAND that Arnav was not jaded; though he may not speak sentimentally, he knew what he knew. He knew that Khushi had become his one reference point; his magnetic north; his journey and his destination. He could not measure his day unless he had felt her pulse and tasted her breath.
That part was not complicated.
What he failed to understand was how to live with this weighty emotion on a daily basis. His heart had seen monumental loss, and his response was to keep those he loved near him and preferably under his thumb. This was not the way to be, of course---but who amongst us has the courage to explain this to Arnav Singh Raizada?
When he went upstairs to fetch his briefcase, Khushi was standing in front of the long mirror struggling to fasten a necklace. One end was looped through her hair, thus the more she pulled, the more she winced.
"Wait, you're hurting yourself," he said, approaching her, and taking over. His hands brushed her fingertips as he caught the weight of her hair to move it out of the way. Their eyes joined in the mirror's reflection. He had no doubt that she felt what he felt. That smouldering fire that was always there, burning quietly, ready to leap up and consume them in a moment. His eyes skimmed over her body, and his hands slid over her waist and came to rest on her hips.
This saree? was his unspoken question.
Khushi responded with voice. "A gift from Amma. I thought I would wear this today. It will please her to see me in it."
In brief, that was his wife: Ever conscious of what could bring happiness to others. It was not a saree he would have selected for her---but he saw that she had paired it with a halter blouse from one of the sarees he had gifted her with, and that transformed it from something ordinary to something spectacular. She shimmered.
He turned her in his arms so she was facing him. Brushing some wisps of hair from her cheek, he stated, "you'll be pressed to stay the night and you are to say 'no'---are we agreed on that, Khushi?"
"Lekin---"
"No," he stopped her with a finger across her lips, "enjoy your visit, stay for dinner, but remember you sleep only with me."
KHUSHI FELT THE WEIGHT of the promise Arnav had extracted from her the moment she and Payal stepped out of the car; they were besieged by questions of where was their overnight bag and how long could they stay. Payal had no difficulties with Akaash, as he seemed to comprehend the protocol of the bride's first visit home. Khushi, on the other hand, answered to the one who had his own worldview. She didn't say she could not stay; nor did she say she could. Instead she busied herself with greeting the guests.
The Malhotras consisted of a widow, her son Yash and Yash's four-year old daughter. We have much to say about Yash Malhotra, Sisters, as he is an interesting figure in his own right, but suffice it to say that he had not named his own daughter, Khushi, spontaneously nor frivolously. Yash was a surgeon who had returned recently from America. He informed Khushi that he had joined the City Hospital in Lucknow and intended to make that his home once again. The old Khushi would have demanded details from this family friend, such as why he had left India so suddenly four years ago, and about his little girl, and also why he had been so silent these four years---but this new Khushi did not press him.
When one's own life cannot bear close scrutiny, it quickly cures one from cross-examining others.
Like all daughters, Khushi and Payal instantly resettled into their previous roles and with the Malhotras there. It felt as though they were all in Lucknow again. They talked of old memories and forged future plans. The recent past was omitted. The Malhotras did not ask how it was that Khushi's wedding invitation had not been enclosed when they received Payal's wedding invitation. And the Guptas did not ask why Yash had a young child but they had never received his wedding invitation. It was the ideal way for old friends to be; to speak only on that which did not disturb the other.
Late in the afternoon, while the oldies rested, Yash, Payal, Khushi and Little Khushi snuck out to Chandni Chowk for chaat. While they were munching away, Akaash called Payal and between the two it was decided that on their way home, they would have the Raizada driver stop by ARGroup offices to introduce their guest. Payal immediately had some chaat packaged to take to Akaash.
Yash asked Khushi, "Khush, shall we get a plate for your husband?"
Khushi shook her head. "Nahin, he won't enjoy it."
"Gulab jamuns?" Yash suggested, pointing to a vendor.
"He's diabetic."
"Something else then. I can't visit your husband's office for the first time empty-handed," Yash pressed, laughing.
She smiled in reply, "he won't be offended."
Payal caught this comment, and feeling at ease with their old friend, she openly teased, "prepare yourself to meet my Jetji, Yash---he is the exact opposite of Khushi. Where she's all masti, he's all gussa."
"A case of opposites attract?" he asked, his eyes on Khushi.
Khushi gave a smile combined with a shrug. For months she herself had unceasingly criticized Arnav's faults, but now it seemed a gross injustice when Payal reduced his complex character to all gussa.' Her loyalty was piqued, and she marvelled at the shift love had wrought within her.
"YES?" Arnav answered the internal line.
"It's Khushi."
Khushi? Here?
"Where are you?" he asked.
"I'm in the conference room with Jiju. If you're not busy, may I introduce you to our friend visiting from Lucknow?"
"Sure. Come to my office."
From Arnav's office, he had a view of the entire lower floor, as well as the staircase which led from the conference room. Khushi descended, crossed the floor and climbed up to his office. In his wife's arms, was a young child nuzzled up to her neck---and next to her was a tall well-built man, in his early thirties. Had Arnav not known the contrary, from this distance, the group climbing towards him appeared a young family.
Khushi entered first and rather than coming to stand next to him, she remained opposite. She smiled at her friend and said, "Dr Yash Malhotra---this is my husband, Arnav Singh Raizada."
They shook hands cordially.
Dr Yash Malhotra indicated the child. "This is my daughter, Khushi. Say namaste, darling."
Now, Sisters---Arnav was nothing if not a man of composure; however, even he would admit a degree of discomposure when he learnt that his wife and this man's daughter shared the same name.
"Khush was saying that you are also from Lucknow," Dr Malhotra said.
Khush! More discomposure. Did this man call her 'Khush'?'
Arnav caught Khushi's eyes wanting to read her response to this verbal intimacy, but her eyes were on the child, who was playing with her necklace.
"Yes. A lifetime ago," Arnav said. He was not proficient at small talk, even at the best of times.
"One leaves Lucknow, but it never leaves us," the man stated. He looked at Khushi, drawing her into the conversation, "don't you agree?"
Khushi smiled and nodded in agreement. "I sometimes dream of Lucknow," she added.
Arnav asked, "you've been away?"
"I've been living in America for the past 4 years, but now I'm home. For good."
There was a little bit more of the chit-chat of which the burden fell mostly to Khushi and Yash.
Khushi then said to Arnav, "we'll leave you to your work then."
The two gentlemen shook hands again.
"Dr Malhotra, will you give us a moment?" Arnav said, stopping Khushi with his hand as she turned to leave the office.
"Please call me Yash," he insisted. Then lifting his daughter from Khushi's arms, he left the office.
Arnav rested against the edge of his desk and taking her hands, he drew Khushi near. She seemed self-conscious. He didn't want to speculate whether it had to do with Dr Malhotra's presence below.
"I'll come to Buaji's for dinner, then we can go home together," he said. If Khushi was surprised by his words, Arnav was no less surprised. He had not planned that, but as it was said, he realized it was a good plan.
"They would like me to stay the night," Khushi said, her eyes touching on his.
"Then they will be disappointed."
"Buaji has called Naniji. Jiji is staying the night," Khushi elaborated.
Arnav felt irritation rise in him. But he chewed back his words and said instead, "you can stay as late as you wish, and when you are ready for bed, I'll pick you up. And I'll drop you back first thing tomorrow morning."
Khushi shook her head. "No, come for dinner and we'll go home together. I'll make Buaji understand."
She began to step away, and he stopped her. "Khushi, you looked especially beautiful with that child in your arms."
Khushi was smiling as she left his office.
By Jalebi Jane
Edited by JalebiJane - 7 years ago
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