Next Day
There are no words strong enough in the dictionary to describe Arnav's mood. After last night's ordeal, he feels like his heart has been ripped out of his chest, chopped into pieces and then ground till it's nothing but a pool of blood. He spent all night drowning out his torment over a bottle of fine brandy. Brooding over the blow fate and his beloved Di delivered quite gleefully. Correction, Anjali is no longer his Di, now if only he can wash away the pain caused by her betrayal. She had been his pillar of strength or so he thought. But it was all lies. Arnav was never Anjali's Chote. He was just the means, the deep pockets to satisfy her greed.
Arnav rubs his forehead willing for the pounding headache to leave his system. He is waiting for Tara and RK to show up at his room. Because his daughter has deemed they have some very important things to discuss without the presence of her mima and mama.
He closes his eyes in despair thinking about Khushi. How many times he has wronged her, hurt her all in the name of Anjali. She is his real strength, the one he should trust. But like the fool that he is, he once again hurt her last night. Arnav called her dozens of times last night to apologize but Khushi kept hanging up on him. He wanted to beg her for forgiveness and pour out his heart to her. Only Khushi can understand his torment and take away his pain. But blind, idiotic fool that he is he has pushed her away by doubting her words.
Shaking himself out of reverie, he opens the door at a pair of very insistent knocks.
Tara (bright smile on her face): Good morning daddy! (Hugs Arnav) I missed you! (Pouts) You left Tara last night...no good bye.
Arnav (kisses her forehead): Good morning sweetie. Daddy is very sorry for not seeing his princess before leaving. So what's daddy's punishment?
Tara (giggles): I gots to think about it daddy.
RK has been silent during the father/daughter exchange. One look at Arnav's haggard appearance and his dull, bloodshot eyes, he knew something was terribly wrong.
RK (inquiring): Arnav...you look like hell.
Arnav (sighing): I feel like hell!
Tara (confused): Superstar...daddy...how can you feel like hell? I thought that's where all the bad people go after they die?
RK (pats Tara's head): It's just a saying poppet. Nothing you should know about.
Arnav: And nothing you will ever know about. I won't let it happen.
RK: Neither will I.
Tara just stares at the two men, not really understanding their words. She shrugs her shoulders, adults say the funniest things. They rarely make any sense.
RK (to Arnav): Want to talk about it?
Arnav tilts his in Tara's direction and shakes his head no. RK nods his head in understanding. He'll ferret out the issue from Arnav when the little one is not all ears.
Tara (not liking the cryptic conversation, chimes in): Daddy...Superstar...we gots to do something for tomorrow.
Arnav and RK (at the same time): What's tomorrow?
Tara (gapes): Mother's Day!
Arnav and RK stare at each other sheepishly. Of course how could they forget? But then again they haven't celebrated in years so it's not foremost on their mind.
Tara: Tomorrow we gots to celebrate mama, mima, nan nan, nini, nani and hello hi bye bye dadi.
RK: That's a tall list kiddo.
Tara (stomps her feet in frustration): I gots to figure out gifts for them. (To RK) Superstar...what are you getting for nini?
RK (stumped): Err...I haven't thought about it.
Tara: Superstar...you gots to think about it! You gots to get a gift for nini, she's your mama. Don't forget mima as well, ok?
RK (bows to Tara and teases): As you wish Your Majesty.
Imp...if your superstar has things his way, your mima will have more than one reason to celebrate Mother's Day.
Tara (nods her head in a royal fashion before interrogating Arnav): Daddy...you gots to get something for mama too. Ok?
Arnav (nods his head): And what do you recommend princess?
Of course! Why didn't I think about it? I have to do something special for Khushi so she'll forgive me.
Tara (exasperated): I don't know. That's why we gots to plan!
Tara looks at the two men hoping they would come up with some ideas to celebrate Mother's Day. But they are clueless. She stomps her feet in frustration. It seems she will have to do all the work.
Tara (demanding): Daddy I need your laptop.
Arnav (surprised): Why princess?
Tara (as if speaking to an idiot): Google daddy. We gots to search for ideas.
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
