Arshi: Story 2 Part I Completed! - Page 2

2: The Guest Enters!

"Namaste ji," the teen girl said, and held out her hand, expecting a shake from HP.

Hari Prakash asked, "Ji, aap kon?" (Who are you?) Though he did not know much about the awaited guest, he was told that she was a business accomplice of Akash and Arnav. He expected someone older. Arnav bhaiya didn't like children, and he most certainly did not run a babysitting service.

"I am, mera matlab hai, main Jivvy hon. Lekin aap mujhe Azmih boola sakte hai. Aap kon?" (I mean, I am Jivvy. But you can call me Azmih. Who are you?) By this time, Mamaji had arrived at the door. Jivvy reintroduced herself, and a shocked Mamaji led her inside the house, and directed her up to her room.

"Why don't you freshen up and then come downstairs?" offered Mamaji as he opened the door to the guest room.

"Okay! Thank you Mr. Raizada!" Her voice did not show any tiredness. "Oh, by the way, since I will be living with three Mr. Raizadas here, can I call you Dadaji?" Mamaji nodded, and went back downstairs, thinking, "How did I become a grandfather in one day? And that too of the chairman of GBD?"

"What happened Dadaji?" Khushi asked as he came in the room. Getting out of his trance, Mama told them to go to the dining room and that Jivvy would come soon.

HP was walking through the large corridors when the girl stopped him. "Excuse me bhaiya! Dining room'nahi, khane ka kamra kidhar hai?" (No, where is the dining room?) He chuckled as the girl attempted to speak pure Hindi with him; while he led her to the dining room, he told her that he understood a little bit of English so she didn't have to speak in Hindi. The walk down the stairs was eventful, and he learned quite a few things about the guest.

"Good evening everyone," exclaimed Jivvy as she sat down on the chair right beneath the chandelier. The Raizada family smiled at the new arrival, and tried their best to mask their shock ' of how young she was, and of where she was currently seated. Only one person smiled widely at her, and as expected, that odd one out was Khushi.

Jivvy turned to Mamaji and asked, "Dadaji, where are Akash and Arnav Singh Raizada?"

Mamiji coughed and asked, "Hello hi bye bye! What Dadaji? I don't see any grandfathers here!"

"Manu, she is talking about me," interfered Mamaji. Turning to Jivvy, he said, "They had an urgent meeting, so they will come home late. I hope you don't mind."

"Not a problem!" replied the girl as Payal began serving.

* * *

Khushi, though childish, was not ignorant of peoples' expressions as her older sister Payal. So, when Khushi saw Jivvy's surprised expression as Payal continued to serve her, she spoke, "Jivvy'ji, we weren't sure what you would like for dinner, so we just made international food."

"Call me just Jivvy not with the ji! I am younger than you. No, actually, call me Azmih; friends and family call me that. And as for the food, it looks really good, but you didn't have to do anything special. In fact, Punjabi food is my favorite! Mali kofta and butter naan! With some gulab jambuns and a few jalabies, and sweet mango lassi!"

"Really!" said an excited Khushi. "I love all sweets, and I am an expert at making jalabies! Tomorrow, I will make all your favorites!"

"Call me when you cook tomorrow! I will make the jalabies! I love making them, but I hate cleaning up afterwards."

"I cannot believe that you like Indian food despite living in foreign countries. There are people out there who live in India, but still like firangi (foreign) food. Take my husband for example!"

"Really? I like burgers and pizzas and pasta, but Indian food is still the best. Didn't you know?"

"Know what?"

"Mera joota hai japani, yeh patloon englishtani, sar pe laal topi roosi phir bhi dil hai Hindustani!" sang Jivvy in a loud voice. (My shoes are Japanese, pants from England, wearing a red hat, but my heart is still Indian.) She continued singing as everyone else on the dining table looked at her, shocked and surprised, but smiling.

"Hey Devi Maya! You also know Hindi songs, and that too of old times?" Khushi had found herself a great friend. When Akash had informed them of Jivvy's position, and importance for AR, Khushi thought that there would be a female version of Arnav or Akash living in the house for a few months. She never expected Jivvy to be a mere teenager, and fun loving person.

"You are calling these songs old? They aren't that old, right Nani? They were probably made when you were in school?" Jivvy had turned to a smiling Nani, and wiggled her eyebrows at her.

"Yes bitiya! It is one of my favorite songs." Nani reminisced. "You know, I used to sing it with my husband a lot."

"How sweet! Then you have to sing in front of us, right um'um'didi?" Jivvy turned to look at Khushi, realizing that she did not know her name.

"Khushi! My name is Khushi!" said a very happy Khushi, and she turned to look at Nani once again.

"Come on! Nani! Nani! Nani!" chanted Azmih, and was very soon joined by a loud Khushi, a shy Payal, and a pleased Anjali and Mama. Even Mamiji wanted to hear Nani sing.

When Nani began singing, everyone stayed quiet for the first few stanzas, but soon joined Nani and sang along. The Raizadas' plus Jivvy's voice reached the other corner of the house, where HP was having dinner with his Prakash brothers. They were curious, and went to the dinning hall to see everyone singing and laughing.

* * *

When the singers quieted down, Anjali asked, "Azmih, you are a surprise to us all! We weren't expecting you to be like this; we were actually thinking that it would be a female version of Akash or Chote, but you are completely unique. Do tell us about yourself!"

Jivvy drank her juice and started. "Um'I was born in India, and moved to USA in the middle of my 3^rd grade. I was in USA ever since. I live with my parents and my younger sister, and my grandparents come to visit us occasionally. The rest of my family lives in Gujarat, and one of my uncles lives in Dubai.

My dad was doing his MBA when I was in 9^th grade, and I saw some of the case studies he was doing. I was inspired by many of those businessmen to start my own company, and one day after school, I went to lots of stores and found clients that needed web sites. After that, my company kept growing, and I had to hire employees since the work was getting too much to manage for me. Now, my company does software making, web designing, and also manufactures hydraulic pumps.

I love watching movies, solving math problems, reading, climbing trees, swimming, playing tennis, and lots of other things. But my mom thinks I am a very bad cook and does not allow me to come in the kitchen."

"How old are you bitya?" Mamaji asked.

"Dadajiii" exclaimed Jivvy. "Don't you know, never ask a woman her wage and a man his age?"

"Hello hi bye bye!" said Mamiji. "What new saying is this?"

"I mean, never ask a woman her age and a man his wage?" corrected Jivvy, much to the amusement of Khushi. She reminded her of Nanheji. "But no problem! I am not a woman yet, so you can ask. I am fifteen. And you?"

Mamaji chocked on food, and said, "Why are you embarrassing me bitya?" Everyone started laughing and finished their dinner.

* * *

The Raizadas were all seated in the light blue sofa set, when Khushi jumped up and said, "Hey Devi Maya! I completely forgot!"

"What happened Khushi?" asked Payal.

"We haven't introduced ourselves to Azmih! She must be feeling so awkward, not knowing anything about us, or even our names!"

"Oh yes Khushiji!" added Anjali.

"No problem Anjaliji and Khushi didi." They heard Jivvy come downstairs in her nightdress and holding on to a pillow, her iPhone, and a green stuffed frog with a digital photo frame. "I already asked about all of you, and the Prakash brothers told me everything about you all!"

"Ah! My little detective!" exclaimed Anjali.

"Azmih, why did you bring down your pillow and other things?" questioned Khushi.

"Didi! I wanted to watch a movie! I thought we could all watch together."

"But Chote has put all the movies in the basement. Hari Prakash will have to go down and get them. You chose what movie you want to watch, and we will tell HP," pointed out Anjali.

"Chote? Doesn't that mean small?" Jivvy was very curious; she had heard the name pop up a few times.

"Chote is Arnav Singh Raizada, my younger brother." Anjali said with fondness.

Khushi went closer to Jivvy and whispered in her ears, "Don't be misled by the name! He is a Laad Governor, a Rakshesh! You will also see in a few days."

"Aren't you his wife?" asked a grinning Jivvy.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Why do you give him all those scary names then? Is he that scary?"

"Yes! You don't know him yet, so you haven't seen his wrath! If he looks with those eyes, then even Yamdev will change his mind and allow him to live. He isn't scared of anything, and always goes around threatening people."

"Really? I am sure he is scared of something! In fact, if I don't make him scream for his life before I leave, then you can change my name!" No matter how successful GBD was, Jivvy was still a child at heart, and pranks were a part of the package that Akash had brought to the very temporary Shantivan.

Originally posted by: ipkknd_gbdfan

Thanks for liking!

And don't worry about the "Mein, Meri Patni, or Woh" track - that will NEVER EVER EVER EVER happen in ANY of my work! I hate the jealousy tracks that a lot of people are making...I stopped watching the show during the Sheetal fiasco too; in my opinion, marriage is a sacred bond between two people - there shouldn't be a past...it should only be the present and the future. (I know a lot of chicks like "naughty" or "cool" boys, but if a boy tries to FLIRT with me or even tries to make me jealous, that would be the end of the "relationship" we had going on.) So, even though I've lived in U.S. since 2nd grade, and have very liberal parents (who wouldn't mind me having a boyfriend - as long as he doesn't do drugs or illegal activities) that do not set a curfew for me, I seriously dislike the "exes" trend that's been going on - if you like a guy in high school, make sure that he is the right guy and like him for the right reasons (not cause his biceps are awesome or cause he is cool), and then settle down with him in life. And once that happens, never look at another man in "that" way.

This story is supposed to be light hearted - nothing sad or depressing or emotionally "deep" (like my other story - A New Desire), so don't worry!

3: ASRs Meet Their Business Associate

"Yes Aman, schedule the conference for Monday, and consult with Ms. Jivvy's assistant. It is imperative that she is present in the meeting," ordered Arnav as he entered into the dark house. He went to the kitchen and found a covered plate with a note from his wife; he ate the food, without realizing how essential his temporary wife was in his life. The great ASR needed to realize it; no life without wife.

When he entered his room, he found his wife coming out of the bathroom. As soon as Khushi saw him, she grinned from ear to ear, arousing Arnav's suspicions. "What is she up to now?" he thought, cautiously.

He placed his bag on the table in front of the recliner, and watched his wife settle in her side of the bed, with the pink cartoon bed sheets. She covered herself with the blanket, and a few minutes later, immediately rose up, shocking him.

"Arnavji! I thought you didn't like kids."

"What the!" Why was she suddenly bringing up kids?

"So you like them or you don't?"

"I don't like them!"

"Yes, see I thought so. Remember when you got angry when Di had a pooja and invited all the little kids over? That's when I realized how much you disliked kids. But then I was confused; if you don't like them, then why would you work with them?"

Fed up of Khushi's weird statements, he took out his nightclothes and went to change. Unfortunately, he missed the little victory dance that Khushi did, and her mischievous grin, which would have warned him of the next day's events.

* * *

Like usual, Arnav woke up early and went for his routine jog. After coming back and taking a nice shower, before his wife declared that she deserved to use the bathroom first, he sat down on his recliner with Khushi's sautan. He was typing on it ferociously when Akash came in the room.

"Bhai! Payal told me that Ms. Jivvy came yesterday but we couldn't meet her since we had that meeting with Mr. Bakshi. So, do you think we should go now, or wait till breakfast?" Akash asked nervously, shifting the weight of his tall self on one foot to another.

"Oh, Ms. Jivvy, I must have forgotten." Arnav contemplated a while before saying, "Okay, let's go now. She'll open the door if she is awake."

And so, the two Raizadas made their way to the gust room, and were surprised to see the open door but no one inside. A MacBook Air, a Dell Studio black colored laptop, and an iPad were sitting on the wrinkled, but made bed. The windows were opened, and the bathroom door was also open.

"Ms. Jivvy?" Arnav called out. Hearing no reply, they turned to go to the dining table for breakfast, but they were met with an unusual sight. Hari Prakash, holding a tennis racquet, wearing sneakers ' Akash's sneakers, bending on his knees, sweating profoundly and breathing heavily. He was supported by a young girl, who was dressed in dark blue shorts, white polo shirt, a bandana on her head, and holding a Prince tennis racquet bag in one hand, while giving a water bottle to HP with the other.

Akash stared at the sight ahead of him, while Arnav snapped and shouted, "What the? Hari Prakash? Is this how you report to work! And why were you playing tennis? And who is the girl?"

HP replied, or tried to, "Arnav bhaiya!" Breathe. "I'I'was'cooking'" Breathe. Azmih interfered, to save her tennis mate. "Hello! I asked Hari Prakash to come and play with me." HP sniggered, or tried to, and her version of "asking".

He was quietly doing his work in the kitchen, making sure that breakfast was ready before the Raizadas woke up, when Azmih popped in the kitchen and grinned at him.

"What are you doing in the kitchen so early?" she had asked.

"Making breakfast," he had replied, still busy with cutting the tomatoes.

"Will you come and play tennis with me?" She showed him two tennis racquets and lots of balls.

"No Azmih! I have lots of work to finish." HP had replied like a loyal servant.

"Okay then," she had shrugged it off, and sat on the kitchen counter with her feet swinging back and forth. "You work for the Raizadas, right? You do everything from managing the house to giving the clothes for laundry, right." He nodded. "Raizadas treat their guests eloquently, right?" He nodded again. "Then, it is also your job to make sure that no Raizada guests are left unsatisfied with your behavior, right?" He nodded. "I'm a Raizada guest too, right?" He nodded again. "Then I want you to come and play tennis with me, and you cannot refuse, because if you do, I'll be very disappointed with the way you all are treating me." Saying this, she jumped off the counter, took HP by the hand, and dragged him outside, stopping only to grab a pair of sneakers from the house.

"What the? Who are you?" Arnav was confused, and so he did the one thing he could do best ' convert the confusion into anger and scream.

"I'm HP's tennis mate!" Azmih stated as if it was obviously.

"I mean, what the hell are you doing in here?" There was only so much patience a man like Arnav could have, and right now, the girl in front of him was reminding him of his irritating wife.

"I'm here to eat! I am so hungry!" she replied while taking off her sneakers, and placing the tennis racquets on the floor, making them lean against the wall.