Chapter 31: Gaata rahe mera dil'
2 days later
Anjali opened the door. Khushi stood there with a gigantic bouquet of orchids in her hands and a look of contrition on her face.
"May I come in?" she asked.
"Come on in," said Anjali, smiling slightly.
"I've come to apologize. I behaved badly that day. You came to.."
"Stop!" Anjali interrupted her. "You don't have to apologize. Not to me. I understand how you feel. I'm a woman too. And although it was never my intention, I have ended up hurting you. More than once. For that, I apologize most sincerely Khushi."
"It's all in the past Anjali. I need to move on. I think I have. I'm sorry Anjali. I'm sorry I said all that. And I'm very very happy you're going to be a Mommy. I can't tell you how pleased I am." Khushi smiled widely. Anjali leaned over and gave her a hug.
"Thanks for the lovely flowers," she said, leading Khushi into her kitchen.
"Where's Aadit?"
"Oh, he went out for a bit. Want some cake?" she asked, opening her fridge to fish out a magnificent offering smothered in chocolate. She cut Khushi a generous slice and herself one double the size, as they sat down at the kitchen table.
"Oh, don't look at me like that. Ever since I've found out I'm pregnant, I've been eating like a pig. I don't think its cravings either. Just greed!" said Anjali, in response to Khushi's wide eyes stare. They'd barely finished the cake when Anjali looked at the clock and exclaimed. "Oh, look. Is that the time? I'm supposed to meet Aadit at the park for our daily walk. Why don't you go with me Khushi? He'll be very happy to see you."
Khushi wanted to see Aadit too. She wanted to apologize to him as well for her appalling behavior. She readily agreed. They sauntered happily to the park discussing whether or not they should venture to watch "Don-2". Anjali was a Shah Rukh fan unlike Khushi, and she'd been dying to watch it, except Aadit didn't watch Bollywood and had put his foot down. Khushi suggested she call her brother, who didn't appreciate the magic of King Khan, but would do anything for his sister. Even if that meant suffering through a movie he didn't care for. She smiled to herself secretly, "That's revenge for preferring cricket over ME, Mr.Raizada."
They'd reached the park now, and were making their way up a pretty path to the rose garden which was blooming now. Suddenly, the quiet evening air was disrupted by a loud voice that said:
"Yo boys i am sing song" Freddy stepped into view.
"Soup song" said Nigel, wheeling out Nita in a stroller.
"Flop song" sang Aadit.
Khushi stared open-mouthed at them while Anjali just laughed.
"Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di?
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di?"
They sang in unison, all 3 of them, perfectly in sync, like they'd been practicing.
"distance la moon-u moon-u
moon-u color-u white-u
white background night-u nigth-u
night-u color-u black-u", sang Freddy with a perfect Chennai accent, as if he'd been raised in Egmore, not Ealing. He ended by offering Khushi a pink rose that she accepted.
"What is going on?" Khushi asked Anjali. Anjali shook her head, as if to say she didn't know.
In the meanwhile Khushi's FANs were standing shoulder to shoulder and singing the chorus together again.
"Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di?
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di?"
"White skin-u girl-u girl-u
girl-u heart-u black-u
eyes-u eyes-u meet-u meet-u
my future dark" , sang Aadit soulfully to Khushi. He finished with a flourish, handing her a single yellow rose, and Anjali a red one.
"Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di?
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di?", they sang together again.
Suddenly Arnav appeared from behind a tree, with Sheila clutching one hand.
"hand la glass
glass la scotch
eyes-u full-aa tear-u
empty life-u
girl-u come-u
life reverse gear-u
lovvu lovvu
oh my lovvu
you showed me bouv-u
cow-u cow-u holi cow-u
i want u here now-u
god i m dying now-u
Marry me Lovvu"
He knelt in front of Khushi, and pulled out a box from his pocket. He took her hand in his, and opened the box to reveal a sparkling, solitaire diamond. "May I?" he asked. She was too stupefied to say a word, so she merely shook her head. He slid the ring onto her finger.
"Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di?
Why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di?", Aadit, Nigel and Freddy sang while Arnav and Khushi kissed. Sheila and Nita clapped their hands gleefully, even though they understood nary a word.
"Why this strange choice of song?" asked Khushi later on when they'd all trooped back to Aadit's house to celebrate.
"Oh, you know, you seemed in such a murderous rage the other night, it seemed appropriate to ask!" said Aadit slyly.
"Oh Aadit. I'm so sorry about that. I really am," said Khushi remorsefully.
"No Min. It's quite alright. We were selfish and you were right," said Aadit, hugging her.
"If you must know, it was Anjali's idea," said Freddy lazily, twirling his champagne flute in his hand.
"What? You knew about this?" Khushi turned to Anjali.
"I merely suggested that a romantic proposal might be appropriate. The choice of song was certainly not mine!" she shuddered.
"Oh! Who chose the song?" Khushi raised an eyebrow. Freddy looked at his shoes. Nigel pretended Nita's cap needed adjusting, and Aadit decided he needed more, well he hadn't decided what he needed more of, just that he needed more of something not currently available in the living room. He made to go into the kitchen. Arnav alone looked unflinchingly at Khushi.
"Arnav, did you choose the song?" asked Khushi.
"Err.No. I wanted to sing "All I want is you" by U2," said Arnav.
"Then what made you change your mind, to such drastic effect?" asked Khushi, looking extremely serious.
"I dunno. The guys felt a comic effect was wanting," he shrugged.
"It was a proposal of marriage. It's supposed to be romantic, not funny you twerp!" said Khushi.
"I thought you already proposed. I was just giving you a ring," said Arnav brazenly. There was a collective gasp at this. Freddy, Aadit and Nigel looked at each other furtively. They didn't think this was going to end well. Anjali stood up and walked to her little brother. She pinched his ear hard, and he let you a loud yelp.
"Di! What the!" he exclaimed.
"Chotey! What a stupd thing to say. A lady never proposes. And if she does, a gentleman never tells. This was supposed to be your big romantic gesture. Though I guess I was a fool to leave it up to you men and not ask you which song you'd picked. All Aadit said to me was, "It's the biggest hit of the year! She'll love it." She turned to her husband. "Did you really think this was an appropriate choice of song you idiot?" she yelled.
"Now, now honey. Calm down. It can't be good for the baby for you to get all stressed out like that," She swatted his arm away angrily. "Fools!" she muttered under his breath.
"It's OK Anjali. I'll live" said Khushi dryly. "We better get going, it's time for the children's bed time."
"We'll bring them over in a half hour Min, why don't you and Arnav enjoy a nice walk home?" said Freddy. Khushi looked at Arnav. He shrugged his shoulders at her. They left together.
She unlocked the door and stepped into the dark foyer of her home. He pushed a switch, and the lights turned on. She gasped. The entire living room was lit up with strings and strings of lights. Blinking, golden lights. Much like the ones she'd wrapped herself in, a long long time ago, by a pool. There were also lilies, sunflowers, gerberas, carnations and violets all over the room. Arranged tastefully in vases and baskets.
"Arnav, what is all this?" she turned to him, surprised. He held out a single red rose to her. She took it. He led her to the couch and sat her down. Then he knelt beside her.
"Arnav, you already.."
"Shhh. Quiet," He said. He picked up a guitar that he'd hidden behind the sofa. Then, in a soft, scratchy, raspy tone that sounded like he had a cold, but was actually just him trying not to get too emotional, he sang.
I wanna make you smile,
Whenever you're sad.
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad.
All I wanna do,
Is grow old with you.
I'll get you medicine,
When your tummy aches.
Build you a fire if the furnace breaks.
Oh it could be so nice,
Growin' old with you.
I'll miss you, kiss you,
Give you my coat when you are cold.
Need you, feed you.
Even let you hold the remote control.
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink.
Put you to bed when you've had too much to drink.
Oh I could be the man,
Who grows old with you.
I wanna grow old with you.
(Original song: I wanna grow old with you, by Adam Sandler).
And Khushi. Khushi looked at him like she'd never seen him before. Her eyes shone with unshed tears and unmeasurable love. Her lips quivered with emotion. And she was too choked to speak.
"I already gave you a ring, so I can't give you another. But I have something else for you. Something much better," said Arnav. He fished out a trinket from his pocket. Then he slid her sandals off and placed first one, then the other silver anklet around both ankles.
"I once stole an anklet from you as a keepsake. I returned that one. But I wanted to give you one myself. So we can make new memories. We need new memories, you and I," he said.
"Arnav. I love you. I love you. I love you. I. LOVE. YOU." She said, throwing herself into his arms. He hugged her back. "I love you too Khushi," he whispered.
At Aadit's place.
Freddy phone rang. He answered it briefly and then turned to the others. "It's safe to go home now," he said to the others.
"What do you mean safe?" asked Aadit, puzzled.
"I mean Arnav has finished proposing properly.We can drop the kids off there now," explained Freddy patiently.
"Didn't he just propose in the park?" asked Nigel puzzled.
"If that was a proposal, my granny's a Victoria's secret model!" snorted Freddy.
"No, that was just an elaborate ploy. A decoy if you will. For something better. Much better," He said.
"So, you mean Arnav had a better idea up his sleeve than my Kolaveri plan?" asked Aadit.
"I knew it was you who picked that awful song!" said Anjali, swatting him on the shoulder.
"Arnav! Of course not. But, luckily Arnav has a friend in Me. I had a better plan. Though, to be fair, he did come up with the details himself. I only told him to surprise her at home. I don't exactly know what he did. I'm as keen to find out as you folks." They left soon after for Khushi's home. Freddy wasn't the only one who wanted details!
"They'll be here in 20 minutes," said Arnav. Khushi nuzzled his neck. "You better be quick then. 20 minutes isn't too long." she said laughing.
Alrighty people. That's the last one for 2011. Let me wish you all a very, very Happy new year. I am off on vacation tomorrow. Expect no updates till late next week. Or, be very, very surprised if I do update. (I'll be surprised myself, honestly😆). I wanted to leave you all with a sweet chapter at the end of the year. I hope I've done that. Tell me what you think.
Cheers!
Vidhya
Edited by madmaxine - 13 years ago
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