IPKKND FF: KHUSHI by Jalebi Jane Thread 2: EPISODE 052-082 - Page 24

KHUSHI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 068)

A MALADY OF LIMITED AFFLICTION had descended at Sheesh Mahal. Limited in that only the two Raizada women---Anjali and Khushi---seemed to suffer. They both sat listlessly at the breakfast table, determined to be unwell though they each knew the cure. The malady was man; the cure was also man. Little Khushi was being fed by Anjali. She was chattering on in that way that children do, requiring from the ladies only the occasional sound of approval.

"Di, you're not eating," Khushi pointed out.

"I only want tea this morning," Anjali replied. "What about you? Are you waiting for Chotte?"

Khushi was sipping tea, waiting to breakfast. Waiting for her husband to make an appearance at the table. "What's keeping him?" she wondered out loud. She had woken up with a hunger deeper than she had ever experienced. She almost felt faint from it. On any other day, she would have shot out of her chair and gone to search for him---but not on this day.

She wanted him but didn't want him to know she wanted him. Any woman who has loved will comprehend this riddle.

"I'll go look," Little Khushi offered, sliding off her seat. The ladies did not stop her, but as soon as she turned around, she squealed upon seeing the man in question, "Magic!"

Arnav strode to the table and silently took his usual chair next to Khushi.

"What kept you?" Anjali asked. Khushi was pleased that that question had not fallen to her.

"I had some calls to make first thing this morning," he said. If such a thing was possible, Khushi felt him avoid meeting her eyes as he replied his sister.

Anjali was not so easily pacified. "But we sent a servant to the lounge---"

"---I'm now working from the Book Room," he supplied.

At his words, Anjali leaned forward, and said with excitement, "Akaash told me you've redistributed your workload. You will focus on expansion and he on the day-to-day. Does that mean you'll turn into one of those house husbands, always underfoot."

Here Arnav interrupted with more bitterness than was required, "A man can never win with women, can he? He's either never home enough or he's underfoot. Either possessive or negligent. f**k!"

Khushi, who was feeling especially sensitive, felt that this comment was directed at her. She looked at him and waited until he met her eyes, and then turned away as quickly to show her displeasure.

"Why are you so cross? I'm teasing, Chotte," Anjali said. And added in a loud whisper, "and watch your tongue!"

"I know that word! That's not Hindi. That's a bad word," Little Khushi pointed out in that overly-helpful manner of a child.

"Yes, it is a very bad word. And you are never to use it," Anjali gently schooled her, cutting up some pineapple on her plate.

"Daddy said it when he fell off the ladder." She enlightened them all.

Anjali was about to change the subject when Khushi's phone rang.

"Yash!" she exclaimed as she took the call. Anjali and Little Khushi looked up with expectation. Had Khushi been attentive she would have noticed that her sister-in-law had a touch of anxiety in her eyes. Khushi listened to Yash's words and said she would call him back. She sensed that Arnav was waiting for an explanation.

She said, "That was Yash."

"I gathered," Arnav replied, drily.

"He's arranged an appointment for Bawji to see a specialist at the hospital this morning. He's asked me to be there," Khushi said. She added, though she knew it was not necessary, "I'd like to go unless---"

Arnav offered, "I'll take you."

She shook her and said, "Yash said he'll pick me up. He said he was picking up Little Khushi anyway."

Anjali and Little Khushi exchanged looks. Anjali said, almost to herself, "But, he said he would come this afternoon. And not until two."

I AM THE MAN FOR YOU. Yes---no doubt---he had written those words. But did it follow that every honest feeling deserved expression? Yash knew---with the certainty of a man's body---that Anjali Raizada was as attracted to him as he was to her. And he knew that if he continued his campaign of soft pressure, Anjali would be his. Not because he had any special power over her, but because they were both ripe for each other. This energy between them wasn't random or impersonal. It was as though they had made a non-verbal pact to taste each other and now only fulfillment remained.

But he also knew, with equal certainty, that two people led by passion and subject to libido-run-rampant was an accident waiting to happen. An accident that neither could afford now that they were connected by family and friendship. They could not be selfish: They could not---even if they wanted to!---enjoy each other, and then forget about it. But that was not the least of it. Yash knew that Anjali was raised to believe that sex belonged to the marital bed, so even if she succumbed to temptation, it would be at the price of her moral code. So no matter how pleasurable the moment, the memory of it would fill her with distaste. Distaste for him and disapprobation towards herself.

This is what he had reflected on in the bright light of dawn. His decision was to immediately cease and desist. This time he would abide by his decision, however much he desired her. No debate.

KHUSHI SHARED ANJALI'S SADNESS that Little Khushi was going home today. In fact, a perceptible gloom hung over the household.

"Khushi," she said to the girl, "why don't you go into the garden and collect some flowers for your Dadi?" She added for Anjali's ears, "Di, I'll go and pack her things. You stay with her."

After she completed the packing, Khushi went upstairs to freshen up. She found a white saree on the bed. With an eye to the calendar she wondered at the prudence of wearing pale colours, but a greater wisdom told her that not wearing the saree Arnav had chosen would disappoint him. Matters remained awkward between them since last night. They had not touched since the rooftop. They had not spoken beyond the necessary. Much as she resented his nebulous understanding of full disclosure, she knew his conduct was guided by love not deceit. And, just like that, Arnav Singh Raizada was forgiven. It is not every man's fate to marry the woman who loves him best.*

She found him in the Book Room. His new office. He was not seated at the desk but stood at the open window, his hands on his hips. She went to him, and saw that he was watching Anjali and Little Khushi gathering flowers.

"They are so attached," she said, softly.

He turned to look at her. His eyes sweeping her form, acknowledging the saree. "Too attached," he replied.

Khushi shrugged. "Attachment is not consciously done. One is well deep in it before it makes itself felt. There is no cure."

"Separation," he suggested.

"That's not a cure. That's amputation," she replied.

A knock sounded on the door. A servant came to say that Dr Malhotra was waiting.

"Speaking of amputation---" Arnav's voice trailed off.

Khushi closed the distance between them. "Are you serious about our new lifestyle?" she asked with a small smile on her lips.

"Perfectly serious," he said solemnly.

"Will you pick me up at the hospital when I'm done and take me out for lunch?"

It was not really a question, therefore, it was not necessary for Khushi to wait for a reply. She walked to the door, where she stopped and turned and looked at him over her shoulder. He was watching her. It occurred to Khushi that a woman who waited for an answer from a man before acting had reason to be doubtful of his reply. She had no doubt Arnav would be waiting for her after the appointment.

*Adapted from Jane Austen's -Emma-

By Jalebi Jane

Originally posted by: asha_mehta

Loving the story

It is only natural for anjali to doubt her feelings and emotions towards yash. But then again she should not worry when it comes to yash...he is the right choice.

Little khushi is just too cute and a world in herself. Yash has been a great father...teaching his daughter discipline and fun.

Khushi is worried and hurt by the angelica episode.

Waiting to see what happens next

Continue soon