Smitar's: Saving Khushi#2 Part 14 Pg 111 (9/10) - Page 64

that was a passionate update smita - thx

smita .. upd ws short but thoroughly cute and i lubbed it !! 😉

this is very short..but its very sweet...

woowww awesome smitar...

but yeh to kab khatam ho gaya pata hi nahi chala... and we are left hungry still...

waiting for more...

please continue soon..

thanks for notification rashmi..

Such a small sweet and cute update just loved it. Naughty nannav .

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation for Part 14.

This update is about a fuzzy concept and can mean many different things to many people. It is a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. In a nutshell, it means HAPPINESS.😉

Khushi prepared a tray laden with sumptuous as well as nutritious food for Di to cheer her, and handed it to HP to be taken to Di. Once she had done it she gave her attention to the preparation of breakfast for the rest. As she sliced crispy apples wafer thin for Mami she felt the familiar gust of wind surround her and making her hair play truant. It delighted her as she knew for sure that her Arnavji was close-by. She only realized how close when his hot breath, caressed the skin of her nape giving her a run of goose bumps, for his presence always brought in exhilaration, reached out to her heart and invariably dragged out the deepest wishes in her. His nearness made her senses go crazy, winding her in a maze of love and she shuddered helplessly with her lashes falling over her eyes. His soft murmur, Khushi.., against her skin did not help to bring her out of her dreamy euphoria but his voice only induced her to let out a moan that came from deep inside. His voice, that held a hint of laughter that sounded to her like a tinkle of a jingle as he said, something is burning, had her sniffing daintily still with her eyes closed and thought contently that it must be her senses that were swimming and set afire. Suddenly as she realized where she was, her eyes flew open and gazed at stove to find a charred roti looking balefully at her from the skillet!

Anjali refused to have her meal from a tray in her room. She decided with a good spirit to come down and partake the delicious breakfast with the rest of the family. As all sat around the table sharing the meal, NK and Akash goofed around trying to bring a smile on their Di's wan face and their lighthearted fooling succeeded in doing so. Arnav, Nani,Payal, Buaji, Amma, Babuji and Mami heaved silent sighs of relief at the sight, each thanking their beloved deity for giving Anjali the strength, to bear so much of suffering with equanimity. They rejoiced at the sight of Anjali who was mingling with the rest. Khushi sat by Arnav and smiled at him, her eyes twinkling with happiness at the sight of the smile that lit Anjali's face. Arnav smiled back, pleased with the knowledge that his Di was on the mend. Di's willingness to smile was a ray of hope that led him to understand that it was only a matter of time before she started to take an interest in life and the healing process had started. It filled him with optimism knowing that she had made a decision to turn over a new leaf. That by itself was the starting point for her life ahead. It cheered him up no end.

The Guptas' left soon after breakfast. Buaji on her way out whispered to Arnav, asking him to bring Anjali Bitiyaa to Laxmi Nagar and let her stay with them for a few days for a change. They would keep her busy engaging her mind with varied activities and meeting their neighbours, new people to her, so as not to dwell on the past few days or the fiasco of Shyam being in her life and playing fool with her. With the change in scenario she would soon be on the mend and heal quickly. For they all wanted the old cheerful, vivacious Anjali Bitiyaa back in their midst. Arnav was touched by her genial warmth that extended to his sister too. Arnav agreed and promised her, that he would as soon as he could. Buaji pinched his chin with a fondness that showed how much she adored Arnav Bitwaa, just as she would if he were her own son.

While Khushi was in the kitchen preparing lunch along with Payal, she got a call. It was from her Laad Governor asking her in a whisper, to come to the room. Khushi who was scandalized to hear such a blatant request from him at that time of the day, knowing very well what that request meant, knowing very well that she would be the butt of the jokes, teasing and sniggering, asked him, did he mean it as of now? She told him that she was in the kitchen midway through the preparations for lunch along with her Jiji, and the rest were in the living room. She asked him, what will they think and their reaction be if they see her going up to the room? She cut the call before he could badger her to submission and weaken her resolve to behave in a decorous manner in the presence of their family, for she knew it took very little on his part to tear her defense and then, she could neither deny him nor her heart would obey the faint reminders coming from her mind. She knew that the time spent with him would be filled with bliss and she would be easily transported to seventh heaven.

Again, came the call from Arnav, with a request of needing a glass of juice, that too specifically it to be orange juice. He remembered with a fond smile, how she had poured out mango juice in his shoes as she could not find orange juice in the house, making him realize the prank played on him only when the shoes squished just like baby boots at every step he took! He could only shake his head with a smile at her playfulness that had bordered on childishness while she tried to shake him out of the rut he had fallen into and he had time and again fallen prey to it but had covered his defeat, her steady chipping of the stone, under the veneer of anger. Khushi with a gleeful smile agreed to make it for him knowing very well what it entailed.

Arnav, for whom, patience, not being one of the virtues that he had any inclination to master, paced his room ready to make the carpet thread bare. He was like a majestic feline on the prowl all set to pounce on its prey the minute it enters the vicinity and comes within the catching distance. For him, the time for her to come up started with the minute he requested to make it and at the knock on the door, he turned around eagerly. With a smile lit on his face, his eyes rested on the lean form with a tray in the hand. Arnav did a double take and much to his chagrin, it was HP who had brought in his glass of juice. Arnav was speechless with anger, and stared at him. As HP placed the tray on the table and asked, whether Arnav Bhaiyya needed anything else, his growl, no, had the poor fellow scoot away, for HP knew from the years of practice, when it was prudent to beat a hasty retreat. He knew, though Arnav Bhaiyya growled, he possessed a heart of gold inside.

For Arnav, Khushi not coming up to their room and outwitting him was the last straw. He strode to the top of the stairs and bellowed out, Khushi! Khushi! Nani, Mami, NK and Akash looked at him in surprise. Anjali was resting in her room with her nurse in attendance. Payal, who was working alongside Khushi in the kitchen, asked her with startled eyes, as to why Arnavji was so angry? Khushi's stammered, that she does not know Jiji, made Payal urge her to go and find out, with a playful admonishment, she was one of a kind! Khushi leaving her work, wiping her hands on a towel, ran out of the kitchen. A concerned NK came to her and whispered that, Nannav was in his very angry mode. Was she not scared to face him? Khushi gave him a watery smile on her way past him. When Nani asked her, what happened, why was Chotey angry, with her eyes warily resting on a fuming Chotey, who like a lion gazing down from its den in the mountain at its subjects on the grassland below, was standing at the top of the stairs and looking down at them. Her rushed, she does not know Naniji,accompanied by a blush springing on her face, as she dashed out just like a deer, hopping sprightly up the steps, was a tell-tale sign by itself. It amused Nani who looked at Mami and both looked down to hide their snicker. They were happy to see this form of their Chotey, and to think their Bitwaa, who would sizzle and scorn at the word love, would now be in this enchanted state was definitely something to rejoice and a source of much merriment.

As Khushi reached the top of the steps she came face to face with her Arnavji, a piqued Arnavji, standing with his feet apart, his arms crossed with a stubborn and peeved look enhancing his sharp features. Khushi was not the one to give in easily. She frowned and her dainty mouth like a crimson rose curled up with lips pursed tight, showing her disapproval at his action, asked him, what was the matter? Why was she summoned, making her leave the work in the kitchen? Without uttering a word, Arnav caught hold of her arm and led her away to their room and secured the latch once inside. Cornering her against the door in jubilation and crowding her with his body, he whispered in her ear that, he missed her terribly. All the while she was viewing him with slit eyes wondering what was to befall and bracing herself for whatever it was, suddenly let her eyes open wide hearing his declaration and in a puzzled tone asked him, how could he miss her when she was in the house, in the kitchen? His explanation that, he missed her in his arms, followed by wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug, burying his face against her throat and his tongue lapping the skin behind her ear in elation, making her quiver and rock just like a boat when the waves lap its sides. Khushi gasped, Arnavji! and in response, a pleased Arnav nipped her earlobe making her yelp in surprise and pleasure. His hands forayed into the tempting curves of her waist that to his mind seem to beckon to touch. It was a visual sensuous treat for him to see his wife in a sari, his fingers that traversed her skin, sought her navel ran a finger along its edge, making her jerk in shock and fall heavily against the door at her back. He showed his approval at her wearing a sari by murmuring in her ear to always wear a sari at home. Her heart gladdened at his appreciation and asked him, does he remember selecting the sari she had draped? The one he had chosen for her when she had come with her relations to meet Naniji on her Jiji's wedding day... her voice trailed away, as all coherent thoughts seem to vanish into thin air with his fingers kindling a flame in her. His whispered words that, he remembers it, draped in it she looks beautiful and ravishing just as delectable out of it too. He told her that, he loves to see her in sari and asked her to wear it always at home for it was one heck of a convenient garment as he proceeded to show her exactly how convenient saris' were on their way to blissful contentment. A long time later, Khushi buried her face against his neck and panted what would the others think of them. His ready reply, that they would think that he loves her a lot, came from a distance, as he was busy yielding to the persuasion of her pink lips that were like dewy rose buds peeping out of snow calling on to kiss. With his hungry lips settling on it making music like a nightingale in roses, they settled themselves to be transported to their personal paradise where he and she, were the only inhabitants.

That is why this is titled, HAPPINESS.

"The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, rather, loved in spite of ourselves"

~ Victor Hugo

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation for Part 15.

This update is about the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim. It is also the way in which something has an effect or influence. A word that describes this is ACTION.

Hearing Anjali call, Chotey, and then hesitate to express her thoughts by just saying that she was thinking, Arnav encouraged her to open up by asking her to tell him what she wanted. Her hesitant, she wanted to learn painting, had Arnav tell her, if that was what she wanted he would arrange for someone to teach her at home, for Aman will be able to arrange things to satisfaction. But he was cut short by Anjali who told him softly but with a determination and a clear cut idea, that was not what she wanted. She needed to get out and see more of the world and its ways. She knows that they have evening classes at the nearby college. That was one step that was bound to please everyone, for it was a sign of control action of seizing her life into her hands by thinking for herself and aloud. Arnav felt overwhelmed to see his Di coming out of her cocoon and wanting to come out of her penchant to create the dream world of her own. With this development he now knew, that she was turning a new leaf and her zest to seek new pastures was a welcome change. Arnav promised her anything she wants could be materialized. All she needed was to state it and he would help her to strive for it. He could see optimism in her attitude and that was essential to achieve anything. Knowing that, it is also the solid basis for her to gain courage and true progress in life, he was extremely happy at the step his Di was taking. Her decision met Nani's smiling approval too, who told her that she would meet new people and make new friends. Mami added that it was a right move. This activity was a more viable option than staring at the four walls confined in her room. NK's offer, that he would accompany her to the class on the first day, made Akash raise an eyebrow in silent query. NK's assertion that, it would fetch her lot of friends as soon as they walk in, as all the girls will fall for him and surround her asking who this handsome Jasmine flower was had Akash bury his head in his hands thinking of the actual effectiveness of NK's presence and all the rest let out belly laughter.

Khushi twirling the fringe of her dupatta with her fingers, nervously called out, Arnavji. Arnav looked up from his laptop to see her standing by the door and perceiving from her gestures that she needed to ask him something asked her, what happened? Did she need something? His husky voice was an open invitation to her to come near him. Khushi stepping inside the room, told him hesitantly, she was thinking... and stopped short wondering how to proceed. His prompt, what? giving her the necessary courage, made her continue that Buaji had called her and it had been quite a long time since she visited them and she was thinking... She again paused wondering how he would react. Realizing what she wanted to tell him, he pondered over the matter and with a smile he responded that he needed to go to his office after lunch and she could accompany him. He would drop her at Buaji's house and he too would get a chance to meet them. Then she could spend her afternoon with them and later in the evening on his way back from the office he would pick her up. Khushi smiled and agreed.

As they drove towards Laxmi Nagar, he kept sneaking glances at his wife's happy face and her liveliness and felt extremely happy that even his small gesture could bring out so much of happiness for her. The glimpses of her smiling visage did not let him stress over the fact that he had to negotiate the vehicle amidst the sneaky autos and congested roads. As he stopped the vehicle before Buaji's house, Arnav caught hold of her hand making Khushi look at him. With his eyes trained on her face, taking in his fill of his beauty, he asked her softly, what she will do all afternoon. Khushi was only glad to let him know what all she had planned for a lovely time there. She listed out that her top priority was to talk to Amma, Babuji and Buaji to her heart's content, then go to Kamla Maasi's house, later play with her neighbouring kids, her battalion of friends, when they get home from school, eat golgappe with them... As she was rattling on the list that she planned to do, he asked her to, save one for him, in a husky voice that was easy and pleasing to the ear. It was so mellow, filled with warmth and love, that she felt as if a beam of sunshine had been melted into sound. It sent tingles along her spine making her look with wide eyes and nod while her soft cheeks bloomed like wild roses. He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her fingers making her gasp out Arnavji! Her reaction was both happy as well as uneasy. She was happy to be the recipient of his attention, uneasy lest this gesture be witnessed by somebody on the street. Telling him that, they were in public and anybody could see them, she looked around frantically, for the street was swarmed with Buaji's friends and neighbours. Quickly she pulled her hand away. Arnav smiled and opened her door and accompanied her in to Buaji's house.

Buaji who opened the door was surprised to see her Arnav Bitwaa and was extremely happy that she caught hold of his arm and pulled him into the house lest he went away from the threshold itself. Bubbling with happiness, she called out to Garima asking her, to come out to see who has graced their home! Her son-in-law has come and asked her to welcome him with aarti as he steps into their house rarely, on Diwali or Janmashtami! Buaji teased him and tweaked his chin. Her special brand of welcome made Arnav smile for he understood her feelings from the aura of happiness she was emanating. When Khushi in reply tried to defend her husband saying, that it was not a fair statement that Arnavji had been busy, Buaji caught hold of her by her ear and gently admonished, was that so? Protecting her husband from them, was she? Khushi's squeak, Buaji..., as she squirmed trying to save her ear from Buaji's strong and firm hold was watched by Arnav with a smile. Garima, who came out wheeling Babuji's chair, made Arnav sit on a chair saying that it had been quite a long time since they saw him. Arnav agreed saying that he was caught up with work and greeted Babuji who nodded and smiled by way of greeting.

Garima's query on, how Naniji was keeping, elicited a smile from him saying, that she was fine. Arnav for whom his Nani held a special place, the very thought of her always brought in a soft smile on his face. And Buaji's query on Anjali Bitiyaa, brought out a smile of relief in him and said that she was much better and it was more than what was expected of her. He added that, she was attending painting classes at a college nearby. Buaji showed her happiness and approval with her exclamation and asked what would she do all day and night if she sat at home? She will just waste herself away by fretting over everything that happened. It was good that she was keeping herself busy, involving herself in activities of her liking and not succumbing to unwanted thoughts. Khushi served tea to all of them, and sat by her husband as he talked to her family. Arnav asked them a bit diffidently, whether it was just him feeling so or has Babuji really improved? He had felt that Babuji's hand moved with more control over his reflexes and his smile was much less lopsided. Amma and Buaji smiled at him and in answer Buaji told him that his observation was correct and he has improved. The doctors were happy with his steady progress. Arnav feeling happy at this smiled at Babuji and asked to give him a call, when they have to go to the hospital, so that he could send a car with the driver. Amma and Buaji nodded gratefully.

As Arnav's eyes went to the clock he noted the time making him jump up saying, that he needed to rush as he had an appointment scheduled in a few minutes and sought their permission to leave. Though feeling disappointed at him having to leave so quickly, Buaji on behalf of the rest agreed and she turned to her Sanka Devi and asked her to accompany her beloved to his car. Khushi turned beet red at Buaji's words and accompanied Arnav. Arnav looking at Khushi as he opened the car door told her that he will come over and pick her as soon as he finishes his work in the evening. Khushi was all smiles to hear his words. Her smile made him gaze longingly at her lips and as he lifted his eyes to hers that showed what he really wanted to do, Khushi's lovely cheeks turned into blushing clouds, making her shiver and give rise to goose pimples. With great effort and utter reluctance, Arnav got into the car and drove away, his eyes glued on her image in his rear view mirror till it vanished.

When Khushi called Arnav and asked whether he was busy, he told her that, for her, he always had time and what happened. As he talked to her, a small smile hovered on his lips, for just the lilt in her voice made his heart lurch and smile, as it would let his imagination run riot... with pleasant and happy thoughts. Khushi with hesitation told him softly that, she was thinking that she would stay over there for a couple of days. The minute her words ended came the epithet, what the! She quickly added that, she would be back on Thursday; fervently hoping that he would not let his anger rule over him. His outright denial, that he was in no way letting her do so, gave her the clue that she needed to tread carefully. It was in line with his behavior pattern. He held her to her words, that, she had said she would be going for half a day and she was supposed to return home with him that day itself... Arnav paused, realizing he sounded too agitated about something that should not be made a big deal about but it affecting him very much. Khushi tried to reason out with him saying that, she was just two km away from his house, not in another city. She would be staying with her family, not strangers. And all she was telling was that it was for two days. Khushi's reasonable approach and explanation was a wasted effort, for all he could hear in his near panic state was she being away. The waves of panic that hit him were huge just like the tidal waves caused during tsunami, engulfing him and giving rise to the familiar panic pattern of being deserted and the loneliness it accompanied. He felt deserted just like the time, when his mother whom he was very much attached to, took her life leaving him alone. Squashing the rising panic within him, he in a decisive ASR tone sounded out that it was not possible and he wanted her back in RM that day itself. Having stayed with him, with a bit of his attitude rubbed on her, his decree made her set for a clash with him. Mrs. ASR with her nose high up in the air, asserted herself and countered, what if she does not? His menacing growl, that he will make her pay and no one messes with ASR, elicited a quick response, is that so? Then let her be the one to break the news to him that no one messes with Mrs. ASR too, and in a fit of pique cut her call. Taken unawares, all Arnav could do was glare at the phone in his hand, all worked up, fuming with the ire of the man who has lots to say but no one to listen.

In the evening, when it was time for her Arnavji to leave his office, Khushi looked nervously at the phone. She was with mixed feelings. One minute she was a bundle of nerves thinking, what would he do, drag her back to RM? Should she call him? Appease him? The very next she would be annoyed and determined not to buckle down. She would think how dare he order her around? Was she HP? Or Amanji? She would dig in her heels thinking no, she was his wife. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. No one would be able to push her around, not even her Arnavji. She drew in a deep breath and prayed to Devi Maiyya for courage to fight, tooth and nail if necessary, to be able to make her stand clear even if she had to go the extra mile. While her mind was debating on it, she heard Buaji calling out to her and ask, whether she was sure that she wanted to stay over for two days? When Khushi affirmed, Buaji was a bit taken aback to know that she was leaving her Arnav Babua alone in RM. She posed a query, who would take care of him there if she was here, for was she not responsible for his well being? Hearing it, Khushi fumed. She who was at her tethers end told Buaji that her Arnav Babua was old enough to take care of himself. If she was not aware, here was a piece of information that, he had been taking care of himself for the past 28 years without any help from her. And he has a house full of family there. He could not be alone even if he tried. The elderly lady was perceptive enough to know that they must have had a lover's tiff and exclaimed, so it was because of the spat, she wanted to stay over for two days, was it not? Buaji's exclamation, with her eyes wide, rolling around like a wheels of a chariot, as though it was her eureka moment, had Garima chuckle behind her hand and Babuji smile. Khushi's unladylike, Hhmmmpppfff! that made her view clear as she left, amused her family. She was cheesed off seeing that her family managed to get a rise out of her, went to her room and locked the door in a huff.

A few minutes later, knocking at her door, Garima called out to Khushi to open the door. Swiping the tears with the back of her hand she opened the door to see her Amma there, holding a tray with two cups of tea and a bowl of snacks in her hands. The sight before her made her frown and ask why she had to bring the tea there. She would have come out... her voice tapered out as she saw the person behind her Amma, making her gasp in a query, Arnavji? Arnav made his way into her room, wheeling a bag behind him. Khushi was so stunned to see him that she was left open-mouthed in disbelief! She wondered, what was going-on? Garima placed the tea tray on the table and turned to Arnav. She cupped his lean cheek in one palm and asked him to rest for a while and she would call when it was time for dinner. She asked Khussi to take care of Arnav Bitwaa and help him unpack and make space for his things in her cupboard and cabinets among all her hoarded junk. This strict admonition to Khushi to make her Damadji as comfortable as possible left Khushi staring in silence as her Amma left, closing the door after her. As Arnav locked the door and turned to look at a stupefied Khushi, he saw the telltale signs of tears that had been shed. He cupped her cheek and running a gentle finger down the curve, he asked, was she crying? What was the reason? Was it because he lost his temper? First, she nodded affirming and then, shook her head to mean a no, making Arnav smile at what he thought was her indecision and ask what exactly she means? Yes or no? She replied, both and she had cried, not because he was angry with her. When he shouts at her she does not feel like crying but gets the urge to respond with shouting back at him and she does. So that was fine by her. Her reply made him smile and think, that his employees should hear her. For they were sure to die of shock to hear her dismissing his anger as of no consequence when he had the ability to make grown men quiver in their boots and a mere look from him was enough to make them cry. He asked her in a tender loving voice, if not for his anger, then why was it she had shed tears? Her confession, with her eyes not meeting his, that it was what Buaji had said, she should have not left him alone in RM, made him feel a lump in his throat. She continued to say in a small voice that she had told Buaji that he would not be alone there, but... and paused. When Arnav prompted her to continue, Khushi looked away, for once lost for words.

Recognizing what her silence meant, it as a reaction with the knowledge that he would be lonely and had realized it after Buaji's talk, he confirmed her thoughts by whispered confession that, he was always lonely without her. Even in the middle of a crowd he would feel that loneliness if she was not by his side, making Khushi stare at him with her eyes like saucers. As he whispered his fingers deftly dealt with the buttons of his coat and the waistcoat and he continued saying, that was a fact known to all. When he reached home from office and told them that she was going to stay for two days, Nani scolded him for leaving her alone. Khushi was stunned to hear it. And with a smile he added that, Mami had told him that he should have stayed back with her and let his in-laws take care of him. He threw away the coat, waistcoat and tie, and slid two buttons of his shirt out of their buttonholes. Khushi who was taken aback hearing what he had to say, asked him in confirmation whether Naniji and Mamiji asked him to come there? As he said yes, and with a smile explained, they can understand her need to spend some time with her family, and also they know how miserable he would be without her, a half smile, like the moonlight of laughter, dawned on her face. Arnav cut a joke that, HP was one happy person and was in such a hurry to pack him off that he ran to keep Arnav's bag in the car. HP had not wanted him shouting or breaking things that he would resort to do if he were alone in RM. It brought out full bloom smiles on her rosy lips with soft laughter as just like the ripples on the sea. Khushi rushing to her husband threw her arms around him and whispered against his neck that, she was so glad that he had come, burrowing closer to him she confessed that, as soon as she had finished fighting with him, she had started to miss him. His, good, against her cheek as his lips moved towards hers and his arms gathering her as close as they could, made her query, what did his good mean? As she gazed at his eyes seeking answer, he said, very good, in appreciation of her angling her face just the way he wanted as he captured her startled lips with his eager ones. His motto, don't talk just act, don't say just show; don't promise just prove, for action speak louder than words were very effective in stopping her from asking anymore questions. Not that Khushi had anymore to ask for she felt words were vastly overrated and any day action was better, much better and her Arnavji knew only the best.

That is why it is titled ACTION.

"Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions"

~ Dallin H. Oaks

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.