Like numerous others it came into my mind to write about "The honeymoon". I am going to be writing them in parts. This part deals with how the plan came into being. If it feels like there is too much detail, it is just because I can't seem to write just to get to the point. I feel like there should always be a build up to a story. That's just me. So hope you can bear with me on this Arhi journey.
Oh sis O'mine!
Khushi lay on the bed lost in thought. Life seemed a little close to normal in the past couple of weeks. After holi, Shyam was off on another one of his trips. It was a relief not to see his face around the house. His face was looking scarier and scarier with each passing day. I wonder if I made a mistake not telling the truth? she wondered. There was one face she missed, however. Only because she was stuck in this house with questions to which the answers were hidden behind that face, she corrected herself. He had refused to answer any of them. She would just have to keep persisting. He was away on a business trip abroad. There was a strange feeling around the region of her heart. It felt like she was waiting for something. She was imagining footsteps or looking for a particular name whenever her phone rang or looking out of the widow whenever she heard a car drive in. She couldn't understand this restlessness.
On the brighter side however, she was happy that she was able to mend her relations with Arnav's and her own family. She had been spending a lot of time with Anjali Di. With Shyam gone it was a good opportunity to bond with her. She was the only person Arnav loved from the bottom of his heart. She didn't know why that had suddenly become very important to her. With these thoughts in mind Khushi finally fell into a deep slumber.
Khushi's dhak dhak was increasing. She had been dreaming about Arnav. 'No! Don't' she said playfully as she pushed him away.
'Khuhshi! Wake up! What do you think you are doing?'
'Stop it Ar_____!' someone was shaking her roughly. Khushi woke up and opened her eyes to see a pair of really angry eyes. It was Arnav!
'What are you doing here?' said Khushi rubbing her eyes to see if she was still dreaming.
'What do you mean what I am doing here? It is my house and this is my bed. Remember? In fact I was going to ask you what you were doing on my bed!'
'I ..I thought you were coming back tonight' said Khushi still drowsy.
'I was, but I had to come back a day earlier for a very important meeting scheduled for this morning. And thanks to you I will go in to that meeting all groggy' he said irritated.
'What did I do?'
'You woke me up when you pushed me off the bed!' he grated.
'You slept on this bed?!' asked Khushi now completely awake.
'How was I supposed to know you were sleeping here? I came in around 2 AM. I couldn't sleep much on the flight. I was too tired to put on the light and change before I crashed. The next thing I know I am on the floor!'
'I don't think I did anything of that sort' said Khushi turning red when she remembered.
'You also said "No! Don't". Who were you dreaming about Khushi?' Arnav was curious now.
'I '. I Hariprakashji! He added mustard to the tadka instead of jeera. So, I pushed him. I must have shouted then.' said Khushi suddenly very interested in making the bed. And since she was trying to avoid looking at him she completely missed the 'What the ____?' expression on his face.
Arnav came down to the breakfast table to see some excited chatter going on. He couldn't see Khushi there. Just as well he thought.
Earlier today, he had come awake when he felt soft hands on his chest. She hadn't really pushed him off the bed. In fact her hands had clutched at his T-shirt. That was when his dhak-dhak had started deep inside him. He had put his hands on hers to move them away from him, but instead he found himself leaning toward her against his own volition! But then, it was her 'No! Don't' that had shocked him into falling off the bed! And damn! her expression when she had said those words! He wondered if she was dreaming about '. he quelled the thought immediately. She had been totally bluffing when she had said she was dreaming about Hariprakash. Hariprakash? She could be really weird at times. He had no time for this. Work was already lagging due to the weddings and it was time to catch up.
'Chotey! You are here at the right time. We were just discussing one more rasam that has been left undone after the wedding' said Anjali mischievously.
'So I suppose you have taken it upon yourself to make sure this so called rasam is completed?' said Arnav sarcasm lacing his tone.
Anjali just bobbed her head gleefully.
'Alright then, I will leave you to it and get back to work if you don't mind? Akash? Are you coming with me today?' he asked his brother whose eyes were glued to Payal seated next to him.
'Hold on chotey! This rasam cannot be completed without you or Akash' Anjali seemed keen on continuing the game.
'Come to the point Di!' said Arnav exasperated.
'The rasam I am talking about is your honeymoon you idiot!' said Anjali evoking laughter from a few present at the table.
This is exactly why people should avoid living in a joint family thought Arnav. How an intimate decision, pertaining to the couple involved was being made by other members of the family was something beyond his comprehension. This was just like the time when his Di and Jeejai had decorated the marriage bed on the Suhaag Raat! Hadn't they heard of the word privacy? All he wanted to say to this was," What the _____?" Instead, he compromised.
'No way!' he was loud and clear.
'What do you mean "No way" chotey? This honeymoon has already been delayed because of your trip abroad and your insistence that Akash take charge of the office in your absence!' Anjali berated.
'I am sorry for causing such inconvenience Di but we do run a multimillion dollar business here you know?' he used sarcasm again. 'In fact Akash is due in Nainital in a couple of days to finalize the deal which we started a few weeks ago.'
'It's alright Di. We'll go when I get back from Nainital' said Akash always the dutiful brother.
'Sorry Akash. We are tied up for the next couple of months. We are expecting our overseas client next month and we have a hell lot of preparation to work on when you get back from Nainital' Arnav wished he could take back his words when he looked at Akash's fallen face. But he said nothing as he was not one to give in to emotions. But guilt had started creeping up on him.
This worked to a full advantage for Anajali when she said 'I have an idea! Payalji can go along with Akash on this trip. Can't she? This will be a business cum pleasure trip!'
'Err' Di, that might be a bit of a problem because Akash will have a whole lot of work to do. There would really be no point ____' he was cut off by Anjali.
'That is why you and Khushiji will be going along as well! I am sure you will be needed there anyway. Khushiji and Payalji will keep each other company when you both are working. And mamaji will take care of everything here, won't you mamaji?'
'Of course, Anjali bitiya. I think it is a great idea!' said mamaji not helping.
'Ok fine Di. But I don't think Khushi will want to go on this trip' he began but stopped when he saw the strange look that Anjali was giving him. 'Err I mean with such short notice and all.' he wasn't sure what to say and just blurted out 'I am sure Payal will convince her, won't you Payal? he finished lamely. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Anjali smiling.
'Of course Arnavji' said Payal, a big smile on her face. Not helping at all.
Arnav knew when he was defeated. The lovey dovey look passing between Akash and Payal, the daggers that mamiji was shooting at the duo, the happy looks of his Di, Naniji and Mamaji had all contributed equally. He should have walked out of this mad house when had the chance all those months ago!
Later in the day, Payal found Khushi in the garden tending to the plants at the pool side of her bedroom.
'Khushi! I didn't know you had started gardening!' exclaimed Payal in delight.
'I had to take care of them in Arnavji's absence jiji' she said as removed dead leaves from the pot. Her jiji sounded chipper than usual, 'Were you looking for me?'
'Yes Khushi! You know what? I have some good news'.' she said demurely.
'Already?!! That was really really quick jiji' expressing fake shock.
'Khushi!! Stop it!' said Payal when realization dawned. 'Akashji is taking me to Nainital for our honeymoon you idiot!'
'What? Why didn't you say so earlier? That's great news jiji! When do you leave? For how many days? How _____'
'Hold on Khushi! I am not done yet. You are going too' she said happily.
'Are you crazy!?? I can't go on your honeymoon! I know you love me and all that but this is just too much. I don't have any idea of becoming Kabab mein haddi.'
'Khushi! You will not be anything of that sort because Arnavji is also going' she said.
'Hey Devi Maiyya! What is going on here? Next you will be telling me that mamiji, naniji and Anajali Di are also going on your honeymoon!'
'Stop being silly Khushi! It is just going to be the four of us. It is your honeymoon too, remember?'
'No way! I don't want to go on any honeymoon! You and Akashji should go by yourselves jiji. You hardly got any time with him since you got married. Mamiji has made sure of that. In any case who goes to honeymoon like this in a group?'
Payal realized that she will have to explain everything that was discussed at the breakfast table. After listening to everything Khushi was angry.
'I knew it! It had to be the Laad Governor who has a hand in this! He couldn't let you go in peace, could he? I will have to go talk to him! How dare he spoil your honeymoon like this?'
'Khushi stop! You will not go and talk to Arnavji about anything. Akashji and Arnavji have a lot of work to do in the next two months. Under the circumstances they have managed to squeeze in this honeymoon for our sake.' Payal was firm.
'But jiji ___'
'Please Khushi? This will be a great chance for me to spend some time with Akashji. And moreover, don't you want to go on your honeymoon?' she asked with a strange look on her face.
Khushi fell silent.
That night Arnav stood at the pool side thinking. Honeymoon? Dammit! He just hadn't thought this through! He saw Khushi making her bed on the floor. He walked up to her.
'I think Payal told you about the Nainital trip. If it were not for Di, Akash would be going on this trip all by himself. All this honeymoon nonsense was totally unnecessary.'
'I think you are right. I don't want to go the trip either. I will tell Anjali Di tomorrow'
'Please don't do anything of the sort Khushi. She is already suspicious. We will have to go through with this'
'Then why don't you explain our marriage to her? That will solve the problem.' she said sarcastically.
'Look it is just a matter of few days. Both you and I have to go on this trip whether we like it or not. Let's just get it over with'
'Alright! I will go on one condition'
'What now?'
'In the trip, I get to sleep on the bed.'
'Done!'
Next:
Arhi:Himalyayan Magic ' Part 8
Continuation of this series in a new FF:
My previous works which is sort of a prequel:
Just you wait Mr. Raizada, Just you wait.
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