Chapter 5
"Who was that guy?" Garima yelled at Khushi.
"I said I dont know. He is some random stranger that I bumped into twice" Khushi explained.
"You expect me to believe that? I know how you are. Devi Maiyya knows how many boys you meet behind our backs!"
"What the hell mummy!"
"Dont yell back at me. I have seen the way men look at you. Because of your heavy figure your chest and back side are very prominent"
"Mummy enough" Payal cut in between.
"Its the truth Payal. I dont blame Kishore for leaving. Who would like to marry someone who hangs out with boys. Girls from a good cultural household, are not like this" her nostrils flared in anger.
"Mummy I was there, that boy is seriously some stupid stranger. He clearly just played around. This is not Khushi's fault. Kishore's behavior is not excusable" the sister defended Khushi.
"She is always in her own world. How do you know she is not constantly with some man?" Garima asked.
"I have had enough. I am not listening to anymore crap!" Khushi cried.
"It is true thats why you dont want to listen" Garima yelled behind as Khushi ran away.
"Mummy! You need to stop assuming things and be so suspicious. I know Khushi and I know she isnt doing anything wrong according to your society. Please stop!"
"She makes me suspicious. Nearly twenty two and doesnt care about her future, and always likes to be alone. Of course I am going to think she has relations with boys"
"Not wanting to get married or liking to be alone does not mean that maa"
"You are always on her side" she snapped.
"No, I am on the truth's side" said Payal and went after Khushi.
~~~
In the next week, again everything was normal. These kind of storms passed their household very frequently and left without a trace behind.
"Mummy Im leaving!" Khushi yelled grabbing her coffee mug and a banana.
"Come here, you cant leave without hugging and kissing mummy" Garima said as she finished her morning prayers.
Hurriedly Khushi smacked her lips on her mothers cheek, hugged her and left tripping over the step on her way out.
"Dont I get a kissy?" mocked shyam slinging his back pack over his shoulders.
"Chup brat" Garima pushed him out the door.
"Khushi needs to go find a job. Its not fair she is enjoying her life while I have to study" whined shyam as he walked out.
"Give her a break, she will after a while"
~~~
"I am telling you Priya that boy is an idiot as much as smart he is. Devi Maiyya knows when he will change" Anjali cried in frustration to her friend.
Going through the racks the friend matter of factly said, "he is not ready Anjali. Leave him alone, the more you all cloud over him, the more he will act stupid...in everything...and with everyone."
"Its dadaji! Why wont he, afterall he is growing old, he has been taking care of Arnav and them for thirteen years. Every parent wants to see their kid settled."
"Yeah yeah dadaji will live another ten years. Chill out" Priya rolled her eyes.
"Ugh! Akash doesnt want kids yet...what is up with these brothers?!"
"Anjali honey this is your only time to live life. You do know there if no life after kids...babe do all the romance...positions now!" she winked.
"Oh shut up" Anjali tried to hide her smile.
"So what happened afterwards? What did the girl do?" Priya asked.
"Nothing apparently he left right after" Anjali shook her head.
Priya laughed out loudly, "so he kissed her and ran...that sounds like an obnoxious teenage thing to do"
"Tell me about it" Anjali walked towards the changing rooms.
"Lets just get into one room Anji...we wont have to keep coming out to show each other" Priya walked behind her.
Anjali knocked on the door of the changing room before she pushed it open.
"Aaahhh Im changing!" this girl screamed hiding behind a dress.
"Oh my god Im sorry!" Anjali panicked and quickly shut the door.
Two minutes later the girl walked out of the room, dressed very chic in denim capris, pink cowl neck top and a grey cardigan on top. Her hair were twisted in a knot, long beaded necklace was hanging on her chest and silver hoops circled her ears.
"Oh god I am so sorry...I did knock" Anjali apologized again.
"Its alright, I probably didnt hear it. Its all good" she laughed it off and made her way out.
"Her cardigan was so cute!" Priya stared at the girl's retreating back.
"She had pretty hair..."
"Yeah lets go in now"
~~~
"I told you to wait for me outside. Somebody walked in on me!" Khushi growled at Sunny who was drooling over some sausage pretzel picture board.
"Whaaat?" she replied dreamily.
"Sunny!" Khushi shook her friend.
"Yeah?"
"I said someone walked in on me in the changing room!"
"Oh my god! How did they do that? Why would they do that? Didnt you yell at her?" Sunny asked, her attention now completely on Khushi.
"Well I couldnt, she did it by mistake" she shrugged her shoulders.
"Its alright, I dont think anything worse than what happened that night can happen in your life now...or at least for a while"
"Please! Dont remind me of that night. Im hoping to bump into him again so I can show that loserface...-"
"Hey lets go get that pretzel, it looked so yummy!" Sunny cut her off and went over to the pretzel stand.
~~~
"Bhai?" Arnav called his brother who was immersed in some file.
"Yeah?"
"I was thinking..."
"Hmm"
"I think we should include Dhruv in this project" he said.
"Its not necessary, he still has time to finish off his internship" Akash replied.
"Yeah I know. But this one will broaden his sight and experience on many things. This will be or shall I say can be a great oppurtunity for him to actually put his knowledge to work and see where he stands" said Arnav now playing with the boat shaped paper weight.
"Fine he is in. Prepare him...youre in charge. Nothing should mess up, this is very important for us" he closed the file and got up.
"I know, I will. Thanks" he smiled appreciatively.
As he was near the door, he looked back and said, "oh by the way brother you are an ass for what you did. What did you get out of that?"
"Mmm satisfaction, fun and hey she was quite a sexy chick" he grinned and winked.
"Yeah? Shall I tell dadaji that?" he raised his eyebrows.
Arnav laughed and said, "brother dadaji wont be able to do anything."
"Maybe she is who you need" Akash muttered to himself and waved at Arnav bye.
Anupamaa
Debate Mansion
35