Chapter 3: Crime and Punishment
Much to the Raizada clan's amusement and Arnav's chagrin, Khushi had spent the entire day ignoring him. He had ditched work thinking he would somehow try and talk to her. But she kept herself busy all day. First she was cooking lunch, then she was drying the mangoes out in the sun, then she was making papad from scratch. It was like she had gone to 1979 and decided she liked it there. He watched her all day, following her like a lost puppy, even though she didn't once glance his way. Her dupatta was draped on one shoulder and tied at her waist to keep it out of her way. Her hair was in a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She'd taken all the umpteen bangles she usually wore off and only wore his mother's kangans. She worked quickly and with focus, and brushed him away like she was swatting a fly. Anjali was helping her and biting her lip trying not to giggle at the sight of her Chotey being given short shrift.
"Chotey, why didn't you go in to work today?" asked Anjali, ladling the papad batter in tiny chunks onto the cloth on their terrace.
"Umm. I was tired, I decided to take the day off," said Arnav evasively.
"Oh! Do you feel alright Chotey? Are you ill? Should I make you some kaadha?" asked Anjali, exaggerating a concern she for once in her life didn't feel for her arrogant little twit of a brother.
"Actually, Di..yes. Kaadha sounds great. I think it will help. My throat feels a little scratchy and I remember when I lost my voice Khushi made me some fabulous kaadha that made it right in a jiffy. Can you make me that kaadha?" he asked, trying to sound hoarse and weak and wounded.
"Of course Chotey! Khushiji, do you have the recipe for that kaadha? Can you tell me?" Anjali asked Khushi.
"Of course Di. Add some powdered Potassium Cyanide along with a pinch of belladonna into a vat of crude oil, heat to 300 degrees and drink hot. Works every time!" said Khushi, not batting an eyelid. Anjali burst into peals of laughter, while Arnav looked on horrified.
"I think you better make this kaadha yourself Khushiji. I might get it wrong!" said Anjali, giggling.
"My pleasure Di!" said Khushi, rising from the terrace floor she'd been sitting on. Arnav swallowed. She wouldn't actually poison him. Of that he was certain. But he was quite sure the kaadha would taste like turpentine or worse.
"Actually, I feel better already. No need kaadha. I'll just gargle. Mamaji always says gargles work best," he said, rising hurriedly. Khushi shrugged her shoulders and sat back down. Anjali just buried her head in her sari and laughed.
Hours later when Khushi came into her bedroom after dinner she found the room completely changed. The wind chimes were back and tinkling pleasantly with the slight breeze that was blowing through the half open French doors that led to the poolside. There were 2 Salman Khan posters on the walls. The original one she had first pasted back in its place, and another one of him shirtless (well, of course!) and singing Oh-Oh-Jaane-jaana on the wall facing it. There were also those ridiculous paper stars she liked to hang above her side, now hanging over the entire bed. The bedspread was pink. Not a trace of brown or grey remained in the room. He'd changed it all to her taste. His only concession was the green recliner. That stayed. And he sat on it, looking a little exhausted. He looked at her, hoping for a reaction. When she said nothing, he asked her.
"Do you like it? I changed it all back," he said.
"I noticed," she said drily.
"The room is all yours Khushi. Not 50% mine and 50% yours. None of that crap. It's all yours. Everything I have is yours," he said earnestly.
"In that case what are you doing in my room?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, what?" he asked, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't like where this was heading.
"You remember the night we got married and you brought me here. Our first night as husband and wife. Woh din yaad karo," she hummed "Woh din yaad karo - woh phoolon ki chhaiyya, woh mausam suhana, woh din yaad karo."
"Say what?" he asked bewildered beyond understanding now.
"You said something to me that night Arnavji. You said Aajse meri jagah yahan hai, kamre ke andar, aur tumhari bahar. You remember what you said, no?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
"Khushi, I am so, so sorry. You have no idea how sorry.." before he could finish she interrupted.
"I was the intruder in your room that night. You are the intruder in mine tonight. Your poolside awaits, husbandji!" she said, handing him a pillow and blanket. Arnav looked blankly at her and at the pillow in his arms.
"You want me to?" he asked.
"Sleep by the poolside? Why yes. You can count the stars while you fall asleep. It's what I did. Very romantic it is! And it's not even winter anymore, so it's very pleasant outside. Enjoy!" she said, walking to the bed and picking up the TV remote.
"What are you watching tonight Khushi?" he asked, smiling ruefully as he left the room.
"Stars wars: Revenge of the Sith," she said, turning the TV on.
"So, if I'm not with you, I'm your enemy huh?" asked Arnav channeling Anakin Skywalker.
"If I remember correctly, you were never with me Arnavji. Good night!" said Khushi sweetly, dismissing him, and becoming completely engrossed in the movie that she was watching with Hindi sub-titles. She watched until it was over, glancing at her husband out of the corner of her eye from time to time. He was having trouble finding a comfortable position to sleep. She smiled to herself. Mamiji would have a field day with his hanging gardan tomorrow. She could barely wait.
Buddy me for pms. Thanks for all the nice comments. Glad you are all liking it.
WW11
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
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