Faraq padta hain...

Arnav walked away from his Di, heading to his sanctuary, his plants. He wanted some time to collect his own feelings.. Who knew one sweet kiss planted by HER would cause so much havoc in his mind, no, his heart… He knew that Di would be able to see right through him.. He needed to be alone..

******

What was it that he heard…Naniji and Di talking about Khushi.. Then he heard Di say.."Lets ask Arnav for his opinion as well…"

"Opinion about what… Di"

"About Khushi bitiya…"

His heart stopped..

"When there are so many eligible men in the house, we should try and get her married to one of them.." said Naniji

"But, Naniji, mein aur khushi…."

"Arre hum aapke aur Khushi ke baare mein nahi baaat karat hai, Arnav beta. Hum tho NK aur Khushi ke baare mein bol rahe the…"

He looked up at Naniji as if she had driven a sword right through the middle of his heart..

"We know that you don't believe in marriage. So, I would never ask such a thing of you.."

As Arnav turned away to take a minute to compose his feelings, Naniji winked at Anjali..

"Haan, hamein to lagaa ki Khushiji bhi NK ko bahut pasand karti hain. Nahi tho unhe pyaar se Nanheji kyun bulayegi… Nani, humein lagta hain ki humein jald-se-jald Buaji se baat shuru karni hogi…Chotey, tum kya bolte ho"

"Aaa..aapne Khushi se poocha?" Arnav asked in a measured tone..

"Arre, Khushi bitiya se kya poochna, humein pataa hain unki pasand.." Naniji said, unable to hide her laughter…

"Jo aap teek samjhe, Naniji.." said Arnav, before walking away without a backward glance..

*****

As Khushi entered RM, she glanced around and sent a little prayer to Devi Maiyya… "Devi Maiyya, agar aaj Havan mein hum uss Laad Governor se na mile tho mein aapke mandir mein aake phool chadaenge"

"Hello, Khushiji" NK welcomed her smilingly, camcorder in hand…

Khushi smiled at him, still looking a little worried at the thought of LG..

****

Arnav looked at her smile at NK from the top of the stairs.. Unable to look at that scene, Arnav walked back to his room " Maybe it is for the better… Is marriage with her what I want…. I don't know. But, I know that is what Khushi wants.. "

****

"Khushiji…" Anjali followed Khushi into kitchen..

"Haan, Anjali ji.." Khushi smiled at her..

"Khushiji, aap se kuchh baat karni thi.. Naniji abhi aapke Buaji se baat chedne hi wale hain aur hum aapki dil ki baat jaanna chahte hain.."

Khushi immediately looked flustered.."Humari dddil ki…"

"Haan, hum aapki shaadi ki baat karna chahte hain.."

"H..hh..humari s.ssshaadi...?" Khushi stammered…

"Humari icchha hain ki aap bhi, Payalji kejaise, humari ghar ki bahu bann ke aaye.."

"Dhak dhak…dhak dhak…" Khushi clutched her heart as it started to go again…

"Bbb…bahu..?"

"Haan, hum aapki aur NK.. sorry, aapke Nanhe ji ke baare mein baat kar rahe hain…."

"KYAAA???"

"Haan. Mein, Naniji aur chotey socch rahe they ki abhi acchi time hain, iss baare mein baat karne ki…"

"A..Arnavji…?"

"Anjali bitiya… yahaan aayiye…" Nani called from the living room…"Panditji bula rahe hain…"

***

As Khushi walked, as if in a trance..her legs seemed to have a mind of their own and she found herself standing near the pool…

****

"DAMMIT, why couldn't he get her out of his mind…"..Arnav shut his laptop, angry at himself.. He looked up… She stood there, with a dazed expression on her face…

"Khushi…"

***

"Khushi…" His voice snapped her out of the daze..

"Kya hua…?" he asked..

"Tum theek tho ho na?" he asked, concernedly

She looked at him, unable to hide the look of betrayal in her eyes.. Tears started rolling down her eyes..

"Nahi, hum theek nahi hain…"

"Khushi…" he said, getting up from his chair and walking over to her…

"Hum teek nahi hain…

Aapne Diwali ke raat jo kiya, thab bhi hum teek the,

Uske baad bhi aapne jab humse aise bartaav kiya, thab bhi hum teek the,

Humari sagayee ke tootne ke baare mein jo aapne uss din party mein kahaa, thab bhi hum teek the,

Aapne humare saat sangeet mein naacha, thab bhi hum teek the

Aapne kal sham ko pool mein humare dupatta pakda aur…" she touched her cheek… "thab bhi hum teek the

Par, aaj aapne jo kya, uske baad HUM THEEK NAHI hain…"

As tears rolled down her eyes, Arnav moved towards her…

"Nahi, Arnavji…aap wahi rahiye…" Arnav stopped..

"Agar humare aapke zindagi mein hone ya na hone se aapko koi farak nahi padta hain…tho hum wo bardaash kar lenge…Par, aapko humari shaadi N..n..nanheji ke saat thaey karne ka koi haq nahi hain…" she cried

Arnav could not stand watching her any longer….He walked over and enveloped her into his warm embrace.

"Khushi….shhh… Khushi…." He tried pacifying her…

He wiped her tears… before taking her sweet face in his hands…"Meri taraf dekho, Khushi…."

As she tilted her face to see him..he said…"Farak padta hain, Khushi…Aur hamesha farak padtha tha…"

***