FF|Arhi|Th#3 How IPK should've been[Ch18/Sc3 Pg117 - Page 71

😊 abhi to shuruat hai dear.. stay strong for more to come 😉

CHAPTER 18 Scene 2

[Purani Haveli]

Khushi is looking down at her feet in amazement after hearing NK's words. She was indeed wearing shoes in the opposite feet. Humein iske bare mein kuch pata kyun nahin chala, she wonders. Then she looks straight up and watches Arnav run up the staircase two stairs at a time. Her eyes narrow. Ye sab aapki wajah se hua. Na to woh hamare paas aate, na humara dil zor se dhadakta, na hum kho jate... Khushi stops her thoughts midway. "Ye tu kya sochne lagi Khushi?" She reprimands herself. "Tera dimag bilkul kharab ho gaya hai!" she exclaims angrily. NK stares at her muttering to herself.

"Uhm, mera dimag to theek hi hai Khushiji," he replies sheepishly. Khushi looks towards NK immediately.

"Arre nahin Nanhe ji. Hum aapse nahin, khud se baat kar rahe the," she replies and quickly wears the shoes on the correct feet. NK looks confusedly at her. "To fir hum chalein Nanheji?" she asks. NK immediately cheers up.

"Haan haan chaliye Khushiji," NK walks her out showing her the way.

Arnav stops at the top of the stairs and turns around watching a distraught looking Khushi walking towards the main door. He smirks to himself, a feeling of momentary victory coursing through him. Jitna bhaagna hai, bhaag lo Khushi. Laut ke to tumhe mere paas hi aana hai, he thinks to smugly himself and starts climbing the stairs again.

[In the Car, NK's driving]

A few minutes later they are in the car and NK is weaving in and out of the traffic. Khushi is actually surprised that he knows quite a few shortcuts to get to Gomti Nagar quickly.

"Aapko to wakai mein rasta kaafi ache se pata hai Nanhe ji," Khushi says appreciatively. NK smiles embarrassedly.

"Haan woh... mujhe thodi practice ho gai hai," he replies. Khushi thinks about what Aakash had been saying all the time during breakfast and even last night about NK going sight seeing in and around Gomti Nagar. Curiousity itching all over her, Khushi decides to ask him about it.

"Waise... aap Gomti Nagar mein kahan kahan ghoom kar aaye?" she asks. NK throws her an embarrassed look no wonder still thinking about the morning fiasco at the breakfast table with the whole choomna-ghoomna confusion.

"Bas yahan wahan, idhar udhar," NK offers lamely. Khushi furrows her eyebrows as she watches him evading to answer her directly. Something was fishy. NK seems to sense her narrowed eyes on him. He finally lets out a long sigh and pulls over the car to the side. Khushi's looks of suscpicion turns to surprise.

"Aapne yahan gaadi kyun rok di? Hamara ghar to abhi thoda aage hai, Nanhe ji," she asks him. NK turns to face her.

"Khushiji! Mujhe aapse ek bahut important baat karni hai," NK starts off in a desperate voice. Khushi raises her eyebrows in surprise. He was looking really tense to her, as if he had done something terrible and needed help from a partner in crime.

"Haan boliye na Nanheji. Kya baat hai?" She asks him concernedly.

"Woh actually..." NK fidgets with the zipper of his jacket. He opens his mouth to say something, but then stops. Then he looks thoughtful for a moment before again opening his mouth. "Pehle aap God promise karo ki aap kisi ko kuch nai bataoge!" Khushi stares at him, surprised to hear NK talk like a small kid.

"Theek hai. Devi Maiyya ki kasam, hum kisi se kuch nahin kahenge," Khushi assures him. "Bataiye to sahi Nanhe ji, hua kya hai?"

"Uss din jab hum aapke ghar aaye the, Gomti Nagar mein..." NK starts off awkwardly and pauses. Khushi nods her head encouraging him to go on. "To... ek lakdi aapse milne aayi thi..."

"Lakdi nahin ladki Nanhe ji," Khushi automatically corrects him. "Haan, woh hamari bahut purani saheli hai. Nandini ji," she says. NK repeats the name reverentially and then looks away from Khushi's eyes, a dreamy expression coming on his face. Khushi raises her eyebrows quizzically again as she stares at NK's change in expression. Suddenly she taps him on his arm.

"Nanhe ji? Kya hua? Aap aise kho kyun gaye?" NK ruffles up and clears his throat consciously.

"Nahin. Main bas unka name poochna chahta tha," NK replies offhandishly. Then a moment later, he adds sheepishly, "Woh Gomti Nagar mein nahin rehti hain kya?"

Thoughts fly into Khushi's mind in supersonic speed at hearing this strange question from Nanheji. His enquiry about her friend; his frequent trips to Gomti Nagar; Jeejaji teasing him non stop; NK blushing at every mention of his trips; and last but not the least, his reaction at finally hearing her name. Khushi's mouth dropped open. Could it be?

"Aap Nandini ji ko pasand karte hain?" she gasps in shock.

NK winces back a little. He raises his eyebrows too, "Haan?" he murmurs tentatively, gauging how Khushi would take the news. He didn't have to worry, because where there was shock on Khushi's face a second ago, now there lay a look of utter excitement.

"Arre WAH! Ye to kitni badhiya khabar hai Nanhe ji!" Khushi exclaims enthusiastically. "Ye to bilkul filmon ki tarah hai!" Khushi claps her hands together, intertwines her fingers, cocks her head sideways and looks heavenwards. NK follows her gaze to the ceiling of the car wondering what Khushi is looking at.

"Filmon ki tarah?" NK asks confusedly. Khushi looks at him and nods her head vigourously.

"Aur nahin to kya? Ladke ne pehli baar ladki ko dekha. Aur ek hi nazar mein, uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi," Khushi dramatically sighs and places her hand on her heart. "Aur aankhon hi aankhon mein ishara ho gaya, baithe baithe jeene ka sahara ho gaya," Khushi ends up singing the last line (lyrics to a famous old song). NK blushes and looks away.

"Khushiji, aap bhi na. Too much ho," NK murmurs embarrassedly.

"Arre bilkul bhi nahin! Hum bilkul sahi matraa mein pagal hain," Khushi says reassuredly. NK stares at her in amazement. He had never mentioned her being mad. But by now, Khushi is lost in her own world, not caring about NK's reaction. "Pehle baatein hongi, phir mulakaatein hongi. Fir pyaar badhega. Haye! Kitna mazaa aayega!" Khushi exclaims happily at the prospects of the impending match making.

"Woh sab to theek hai Khushiji, par Nandini ji to mere bare mein jaanti tak nahin hain," NK moans miserably. Khushi starts rubbing her chin pondering over how to solve this problem. Suddenly she brightens up and clicks her fingers together.

"Humare paas ek badhiya tarkeeb hai! Aaj shaam jab hum sab bazaar jayenge, to hum Nandini ji ko bhi apne saath bula lenge. Iss tarah aap unse mil payenge. Fir baatein hongi, fir mulakaatein hongi-"

"Haan haan Khushiji, uske baad ka plan mujhe pata hai," NK says happily cutting Khushi's words midway. "Waise, woh mujhe like to karengi na Khushi ji?" NK suddenly asks in a worried tone, he turns on the ignition again and slowly merges with the traffic.

"Arre pasand kyun nahin karengi? Aap to kitne ache hain Nanhe ji. Woh zaroor aapko pasand karengi," Khushi replies reassuredly, feeling thrilled that she was going to play such a big role in bringing her friend and Nanheji together. Nothing excited her more than match making and jalebi making, and she was elated thinking there was a good scope for doing both in the nearest future.

[Gupta Residence, Gomti Nagar]

Shashi was sitting on a wheelchair in the open courtyard of the house. The morning sun was shining down hard on him, but for the first time ever since he could remember, he didn't mind the harshness of it. He could feel the warmth of the sun's rays on his body; he could move his previously immobile hand and leg, albeit a little. And it was the inch by inch progress he was doing, gently being encouraged by his wife that was making him feel less of a burden that he had been all this time. He glances around the courtyard.

Of course he hadn't been able to say it, but that is truly what he had felt since the day his body had been paralysed and consequently, his life had come to a standstill. For day's he had watched his daughters, his wife and his sister taking care of him, tending to his needs day in and day out. But not for too long. Soon, he'd be back in Delhi, he'll start his physiotherapy, he'll be able to stand on his two feet, literally. And he won't be a burden on anyone anymore. He'll probably return to Lucknow at some point too, again start working on his sweet shop. As future prospects came into his mind, the feeling of determination did too.

One day, all this would be in the past, throttled lifeless along with that snake of a person Shyam Manohar Jha.

A loud, familiarly out of tune singing voice snap Shashi out of his thoughts and he stares towards the main door with a smile creeping up on his face. It looked like his daughter was home. And indeed just moments later, he saw Khushi appear at the door, stop for a moment in surprise to see him sitting and smiling at her, and then bolt in full speed towards him yelling "Baujiii!!!!" If Shashi's vocal chords would have supported him, he would have probably burst out laughing at this display of affection, although he does manage a weak chuckle. Khushi hugs her father as soon as she reaches him, and then once she has her heart's fill, she withdraws herself from the hug and sits down on the floor right next to her father. She keeps her hands on his knees.

"Aap kaise hain Bauji?" she asks him concernedly. Shashi nods his head reassuredly indicating he is fine. Slowly he raises his newly mobile left hand and keeps it tenderly on Khushi's hand. This simple movement immediately brings tears of joy to Khushi's eyes. Shashi looks disturbed for a moment before slowly extending the same hand to her face and gently wiping off her tears. Khushi grabs his hand with hers, staring at it as if it was something magical. Father and daughter sit quietly for sometime, both feeling overwhelmed by all that has been happening since the past few days.

"Kal hum sab Dilli wapis ja rahe hain. Amma ne aapko bataya?" Khushi asks after a while. Shashi mutely nods his head. "Jeejaji ne sabke ke liye hawai jahaaj se jane ki vyavastha ki hai. Woh chahte hain hum sab unke saath wapis jayen." Shashi smiles to show he was touched by the concern shown by his son-in-law. Khushi however, bows her head down and becomes silent. Shashi's trembling hand lifts her face by the chin. He looks at her enquiringly, his eyes asking her why was she suddenly upset.

"Humein Dilli wapis jane ka bilkul bhi mann nahin hai Bauji," Khushi says the thing that had been troubling her all this time. "Itna kuch ho chukka hai wahan. Hum wahan wapis kaise jayenge, Bauji?" Khushi mumbles tearfully. Shashi stares at her helplessly. He never wanted to see his daughter feel so vulnerable again. But he knew that she was strong. She was really the strongest of all and she could survive in her right. He struggles to vibrate his vocal chords but nothing happens. Conceding that his voice wasn not going to be of much use right now, he squeezes Khushi's hand comfortingly. Khushi looks up into the gentle eyes of her father looking down at her.

"Sab theek hoga na Bauji?" Khushi whispers in trepidation. Unspoken words pass from the father to the daughter as Shashi nods his head. Khushi lets out a deep breath of relief. Just then, Payal and Garima walk out of the house to meet them in the courtyard. Both are looking really happy. Khushi fixes a smile on her face welcoming them.

"Khusee bitiya, kal raat to theek se so pai na?" Garima says anxiously. Khushi feels her ears burning up as she remembered the happenings of the morning with Arnav in the bedroom. Firmly wiping off those images from her mind, she nods smilingly.

"To hum shaam ko kahan ja rahe hain Khushi?" Payal suddenly asks. Khushi stares at her in confusion. Jeeji ko kaise pata chala hum bahar ja rahe hain? Khushi wonders.

"Woh Aakash ka phone aaya tha abhi kuch der pehle," Payal explains shyly. Khushi jumps up and gives her sister a side hug.

"Arre haan, hum to bhool hi gaye. Aapke pati parmeswar bhi to yahin hain," Khushi teases her sister. Just as Payal turns to Khushi to punish her, Khushi tightens her arms around Payal in a deeper hug. Payal struggles to reach Khushi's arm to slap her but in vain. Khushi is holding Payal in a death grip. Finally Payal gives up and lets Khushi rest her face against hers laughing gleefully. Watching the two sisters' antics, Garima too starts laughing, while Shashi looks at them lovingly.

Humre parivar ko kisi ki nazar na lage, he wishes in his heart.

ENGLISH VERSION

CHAPTER 18 Scene 2

[Purani Haveli]

Khushi is looking down at her feet in amazement after hearing NK's words. She was indeed wearing shoes in the opposite feet. Why didn't I figure it out, she wonders. Then she looks straight up and watches Arnav run up the staircase two stairs at a time. Her eyes narrow.This is all because of you. If he hadn't come close to me, My heartbeats wouldn't have raced, I wouldn't have been dazed... Khushi stops her thoughts midway. "What are you thinking Khushi?" She reprimands herself. "Your brain is completely losing it!" she exclaims angrily. NK stares at her muttering to herself.

"My brain is fine Khushiji," he replies sheepishly. Khushi looks towards NK immediately.

"Arre no Nanhe ji. I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to myself," she replies and quickly wears the shoes on the correct feet. NK looks confusedly at her. "So, shall we Nanheji?" she asks. NK immediately cheers up.

"After you, Khushiji," NK walks her out showing her the way.

Arnav stops at the top of the stairs and turns around watching a distraught looking Khushi walking towards the main door. He smirks to himself, a feeling of momentary victory coursing through him. run all you want Khushi, you'll come back to me only in the end, he thinks to smugly himself and starts climbing the stairs again.

[In the Car, NK's driving]

A few minutes later they are in the car and NK is weaving in and out of the traffic. Khushi is actually surprised that he knows quite a few shortcuts to get to Gomti Nagar quickly.

"You do know the roads pretty well Nanhe ji," Khushi says appreciatively. NK smiles embarrassedly.

"Yeah, actually I've had a little practice," he replies. Khushi thinks about what Aakash had been saying all the time during breakfast and even last night about NK going sight seeing in and around Gomti Nagar. Curiousity itching all over her, Khushi decides to ask him about it.

"By the way... where all did you go when you went to Gomti Nagar?" she asks. NK throws her an embarrassed look no wonder still thinking about the morning fiasco at the breakfast table with the whole choomna-ghoomna confusion.

"Just around. you know, here and there," NK offers lamely. Khushi furrows her eyebrows as she watches him evading to answer her directly. Something was fishy. NK seems to sense her narrowed eyes on him. He finally lets out a long sigh and pulls over the car to the side. Khushi's looks of suspicion turns to surprise.

"Why did you stop the car here? My house hasn't come yet, Nanhe ji," she asks him. NK turns to face her.

"Khushiji! I need to speak to you about something very important," NK starts off in a desperate voice. Khushi raises her eyebrows in surprise. He was looking really tense to her, as if he had done something terrible and needed help from a partner in crime.

"Yes, tell me Nanheji. What is it?" She asks him concernedly.

"Uhh actually..." NK fidgets with the zipper of his jacket. He opens his mouth to say something, but then stops. Then he looks thoughtful for a moment before again opening his mouth. "First you swear to God that you won't tell this to anyone!" Khushi stares at him, surprised to hear NK talk like a small kid.

"Okay. Devi Maiyya's promise, I'll not tell anyone anything," Khushi assures him. "What is going on Nanhe ji, what is wrong?"

"That day when all of us had come to your home, in Gomti Nagar..." NK starts off awkwardly and pauses. Khushi nods her head encouraging him to go on. "Uhm... a girl had come to meet you..."

"Yes, She's an old friend of mine. Nandini ji," she says. NK repeats the name reverentially and then looks away from Khushi's eyes, a dreamy expression coming on his face. Khushi raises her eyebrows quizzically again as she stares at NK's change in expression. Suddenly she taps him on his arm.

"Nanhe ji? What happened? Why do you look dazed?" NK ruffles up and clears his throat consciously.

"No. I just wanted to know her name," NK replies offhandishly. Then a moment later, he adds sheepishly, "Does she not live in Gomti Nagar?"

Thoughts fly into Khushi's mind in supersonic speed at hearing this strange question from Nanheji. His enquiry about her friend; his frequent trips to Gomti Nagar; Jeejaji teasing him non stop; NK blushing at every mention of his trips; and last but not the least, his reaction at finally hearing her name. Khushi's mouth dropped open. Could it be?

"Do you like Nandini ji?" she gasps in shock.

NK winces back a little. He raises his eyebrows too, "Yeah?" he murmurs tentatively, gauging how Khushi would take the news. He didn't have to worry, because where there was shock on Khushi's face a second ago, now there lay a look of utter excitement.

"Oh great! This is excellent news, Nanhe ji!" Khushi exclaims enthusiastically. "This is so filmy!" Khushi claps her hands together, intertwines her fingers, cocks her head sideways and looks heavenwards. NK follows her gaze to the ceiling of the car wondering what Khushi is looking at.

"Filmy?" NK asks confusedly. Khushi looks at him and nods her head vigourously.

"Of course! The guy sees the girl for the first time. And just by one glance, his heartbeats started racing," Khushi dramatically sighs and places her hand on her heart. "And glances exchanged, silent conversations were held, and love came beckoning," Khushi ends up singing the last line (lyrics to a famous old song). NK blushes and looks away.

"Khushiji, you're too much," NK murmurs embarrassedly.

"Not at all! I'm mad just in the right quantities," Khushi says reassuredly. NK stares at her in amazement. He had never mentioned her being mad. But by now, Khushi is lost in her own world, not caring about NK's reaction. "First there'll be conversations, Then there'll be meetings. Then love will bloom. Oh wow! This will be so much fun!" Khushi exclaims happily at the prospects of the impending match making.

"That is alright Khushiji, but Nandini ji doesn't even know I exist," NK moans miserably. Khushi starts rubbing her chin pondering over how to solve this problem. Suddenly she brightens up and clicks her fingers together.

"I've a wonderful plan! when we go out for shopping today afternoon, I'll ask Nandini ji to accompany us. That way you'll be able to meet her. Then there'll be conversations. There'll be meetings-"

"Yeah ya Khushiji, I know the plan after that," NK says happily cutting Khushi's words midway. "By the way, will she like me, Khushi ji?" NK suddenly asks in a worried tone, he turns on the ignition again and slowly merges with the traffic.

"Why wouldn't she? You're so nice Nanhe ji. I bet she'll definitely like you," Khushi replies reassuredly, feeling thrilled that she was going to play such a big role in bringing her friend and Nanheji together. Nothing excited her more than match making and jalebi making, and she was elated thinking there was a good scope for doing both in the nearest future.

[Gupta Residence, Gomti Nagar]

Shashi was sitting on a wheelchair in the open courtyard of the house. The morning sun was shining down hard on him, but for the first time ever since he could remember, he didn't mind the harshness of it. He could feel the warmth of the sun's rays on his body; he could move his previously immobile hand and leg, albeit a little. And it was the inch by inch progress he was doing, gently being encouraged by his wife that was making him feel less of a burden that he had been all this time. He glances around the courtyard.

Of course he hadn't been able to say it, but that is truly what he had felt since the day his body had been paralysed and consequently, his life had come to a standstill. For day's he had watched his daughters, his wife and his sister taking care of him, tending to his needs day in and day out. But not for too long. Soon, he'd be back in Delhi, he'll start his physiotherapy, he'll be able to stand on his two feet, literally. And he won't be a burden on anyone anymore. He'll probably return to Lucknow at some point too, again start working on his sweet shop. As future prospects came into his mind, the feeling of determination did too.

One day, all this would be in the past, throttled lifeless along with that snake of a person Shyam Manohar Jha.

A loud, familiarly out of tune singing voice snap Shashi out of his thoughts and he stares towards the main door with a smile creeping up on his face. It looked like his daughter was home. And indeed just moments later, he saw Khushi appear at the door, stop for a moment in surprise to see him sitting and smiling at her, and then bolt in full speed towards him yelling "Baujiii!!!!" If Shashi's vocal chords would have supported him, he would have probably burst out laughing at this display of affection, although he does manage a weak chuckle. Khushi hugs her father as soon as she reaches him, and then once she has her heart's fill, she withdraws herself from the hug and sits down on the floor right next to her father. She keeps her hands on his knees.

"How are you feeling, Bauji?" she asks him concernedly. Shashi nods his head reassuredly indicating he is fine. Slowly he raises his newly mobile left hand and keeps it tenderly on Khushi's hand. This simple movement immediately brings tears of joy to Khushi's eyes. Shashi looks disturbed for a moment before slowly extending the same hand to her face and gently wiping off her tears. Khushi grabs his hand with hers, staring at it as if it was something magical. Father and daughter sit quietly for sometime, both feeling overwhelmed by all that has been happening since the past few days.

"Tomorrow all of us are returning to Delhi. Did Amma tell you?" Khushi asks after a while. Shashi mutely nods his head. "Jeejaji has booked flight tickets for everyone. He wants all of us to return with them." Shashi smiles to show he was touched by the concern shown by his son-in-law. Khushi however, bows her head down and becomes silent. Shashi's trembling hand lifts her face by the chin. He looks at her enquiringly, his eyes asking her why was she suddenly upset.

"I don't want to return to Delhi at all, Bauji," Khushi says the thing that had been troubling her all this time. "So much has happened there. How will I get back to my life there, Bauji?" Khushi mumbles tearfully. Shashi stares at her helplessly. He never wanted to see his daughter feel so vulnerable again. But he knew that she was strong. She was really the strongest of all and she could survive in her right. He struggles to vibrate his vocal chords but nothing happens. Conceding that his voice wasn not going to be of much use right now, he squeezes Khushi's hand comfortingly. Khushi looks up into the gentle eyes of her father looking down at her.

"Everything will alright, right Bauji?" Khushi whispers in trepidation. Unspoken words pass from the father to the daughter as Shashi nods his head. Khushi lets out a deep breath of relief. Just then, Payal and Garima walk out of the house to meet them in the courtyard. Both are looking really happy. Khushi fixes a smile on her face welcoming them.

"Khusee bitiya, did you sleep well last night?" Garima says anxiously. Khushi feels her ears burning up as she remembered the happenings of the morning with Arnav in the bedroom. Firmly wiping off those images from her mind, she nods smilingly.

"So where are we headed in the evening, Khushi?" Payal suddenly asks. Khushi stares at her in confusion. How does Jeeji know that we are going out? Khushi wonders.

"Uhm, Aakash had called me some time ago," Payal explains shyly. Khushi jumps up and gives her sister a side hug.

"Oh yes, How did that slip my mind? Your dear darling hubby is here too after all," Khushi teases her sister. Just as Payal turns to Khushi to punish her, Khushi tightens her arms around Payal in a deeper hug. Payal struggles to reach Khushi's arm to slap her but in vain. Khushi is holding Payal in a death grip. Finally Payal gives up and lets Khushi rest her face against hers laughing gleefully. Watching the two sisters' antics, Garima too starts laughing, while Shashi looks at them lovingly.

I hope no one jinxes my family's happiness again, he wishes in his heart.

Writer's note: I know I know a short one, but you guys needed to know the NK scene clearly.. now you know why he offered to drop Khushi home.. everything I write has a meaning somewhere folks, you just got to trace it. anyway.. next one will be longer and Arshi will meet (YAY!!) 😊

FEEDBACK people! please!!

Damn !!!! thought I'll beat ya Shwetha !!!!!

Oho my screen froze for a min ..I swear ..DM on your side you see, thats why you came first !!

LOL are we actually fighting ? tells tells 😲

~~~~~~~~ Edited !!! ~~~~~~~~~

Just ignore the convo plzzz 😉

Smitzy ...what Ramanchi ya !!! Itna chhotu update , but guess we should be happy we got any ...considering the mental frame of IPK fans today ! 😆

Uff so it was Arnav ka shatir dimag ...awesome !!! So cute ...jitna bhagna and bhag lo Khushi, laut ke toh tumhe mere paas hi aana hai ...indeed !!!

Loved the father-daughter interaction, made me emotional ...parivar ko sach mein kisi ki nazar na lage !

Aah i can actually see NK and Nandini ki matchmaking total filmy style mein... Awesome !!! Loved the bit about nothing excites Khushi more than matchmaking and jalebimaking ... Satya vachan !!!

Dude, I am very excited for this shopping trip now, esp with a determined-to-woo-her-back-wala-ASR and the-unke-bare-mein-sochna-band-kar-wali-Khushi ...will be waiting with popcorn and Coke ..same time !!! 😉