As everyone gathered their belongings and dusted themselves of all the dirt on their clothes, lavanya said, "Chalo'ab ghar chaltey hain'.sab log hamaari wait karr rahe hongey'waise bhi Khushi aur Arnav paani aur mitti mein bilkul sann chukey hain'." She smiled as she saw the state they were in.
As they drove back, akash and lavanya sat in the front seats;payali sat in the middle of the back seat with Arnav and Khushi on either side. payal kept leaning towards Arnav and pressing herself against him but Arnav tried to keep a respectable distance from her. He finally put his arm around her but his long arms could also reach Khuhsi sitting in the other corner. He gently caressed Khushi's ear with his fingers-the same ear he had kissed earlier-as if to remind her how his touch felt. Khushi tried her best to turn her head away; she was red with anger and clenched her teeth. She could not say or move away too far in that closed space. lavanaya looked back to talk to them and noticed the expression on Khushi s face, "Kya hua Khushi?'.tumhara pair dard karr raha hai kya?.."
"Nahin'didi'bas wo ghar jaakar change karna chahti hoon'." Khushi tried to regain her composure.
"Arnav'change karr ke, main tumhey apney favorite coffee shop parr ley jaoongi'."payal tried to get some attention too.
Arnav pulled his arm away and sat up, "Oh..wo payal'mere pait mein dard ho raha hai'I think I will pass on the coffee'.." he was in no mood to spend time alone with payal
They arrived home and after freshening up came down to have tea with the elders.
"Samosey!..my favorite'." Arnav's eyes lit up at their sight
Khushi was quick to respond, "Arre'Jijajee'.aapkey tho pait mein dard hai na'.aap ko samosey nahin khaane chahiye'main aapke liye kuch aur bhej thi hoon'" she left for the kitchen
Garima and anjali got worried, "Arre beta'kya hua'kuch dawaii le lo'Khushi theek keh rahi hai'samosey pait aur kharaab karr saktey hain'." Garima said in a concerned voice.
payal added, "Pata nahin Khushi ney khaney mein kya pack kiya tha'Arnav ke pait mein dard ho gaya'" lavanaya looked at payal and defended Khushi, "Arnav ka system hi thoda sensitive hai'hum sab ney wohi khana khaya tha'..we are all fine'"
Khushi sent Hariram with a glass of "haldi with milk"- "Sahib..yeh aap ke liye hai.."
Arnav looked at the contents of the glass with a disgusted expression, "Kya hai yeh..?"
Garima said, "Peelo beta'naak bandh karke peelo'.iss ghareloo ilaaj sey sab dard theek ho jaathe hain'"
Arnav had no recourse; he saw payal watching him-he would have to go out with her if he said he was feeling better'he pinched his nose and gobbled up the yucky mixture. Khushi was watching him from a distance with a smile on her face, her tongue rolling inside her mouth at the pleasurable sight'she turned around and left for the kitchen.
payal followed her, "Khushi'tumney ussey kya pilaaya hai'.that haldi ka doodh is disgusting'.I will call a doctor'.next time don't try these old fashioned treatments on Arnav'.I will take care of him!" she stomped out and did not notice that Arnav was standing right outside the door. Arnav felt bad for Khushi'.why did payal boss around so much?
Arnav went inside and said, "Khushi'thanks for the milk'.it really helped me'by the way please call me Arnav'I am not your jijajee yet!
" Khushi was surprised at what he just said. She replied, "you are welcome…A..arnav."
After dinner, everyone sat down to play cards and other board games.
Shashi felt a little chilly and said, "Khushi beta..zara oopar sey sab ke liye kambal aur chaadar ley aana…"
"Jee mausaji…abhi aayi…" Khushi got up to get the blankets. lavanay thought Khushi might need some help, "main bhi aati hoon…."
"Nahin bhabhi….let me go and help…aap bhaiya ke saath taash kheliye….you both are winning anyways…main tho haar raha hoon" Arnav looked at Khushi and emphasized the words "haar raha hoon…."as he got up to go.
payal saw Arnav leaving to help Khushi, "Main bhi aati hoon…."
Shashi, who never wanted payal to lift even a finger, protested, "payal…beta yahin baitho…mere paas…batao kaunsa card chaloon…" payali had no choice but to sit down next to her dad.
Khushi pulled out a whole stack of blankets and sheets from the store room upstairs, and turned around to go downstairs. She saw Arnav standing in front of her, "I can help….laao mujhe de do.." he extended his arms and tried to grab the blankets; he could not resist the temptation of brushing his hands against hers as he grabbed the blankets. Khushi was aware he would do something like that, she took out a sharp hairpin and jabbed it into his arm.
"OUCH!" he screamed, "yeh kya karr rahi ho…main tho bas help karr raha hoon…"
"Jab mein local bus aur train mein travel karthi hoon…tho saare perverts ko aise hi tackle karthi hoon!" her eyes were burning with fury.
"Pervert? Is that what you think of me?" Arnav was also furious. He threw the blankets on the floor and grabbed her by her waist. He looked into her eyes and before Khushi could set herself free, he kissed her passionately on her lips. Khushi resisted it for a moment but then melted in his arms, returning his kiss with the same passion. Arnav then pulled her away and said, "main jaanta hoon Khushi….tum itney saal sey issi ka intezaar karr rahi thi…."
She was embarrassed but looked up, "what do you mean?"
He picked up the blankets and said, "apney dil ki baat kisi kaagaz parr likh karr mat chhoda karo….pata nahin kab kiskey haath lag jaaye….?"
He turned around and left. Khushi stood there like a statue trying to make sense of what was going on. Should she confide in payal or Garima…no… they will never understand….payal would blame her instead of doubting Arnavs intentions…..she could not do this to her mausi, who had been like her mom all these years…..she started sobbing and ran into her room..
CID
