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Part 25 - Planning
Sheesh mahal was a busy place with all important decisions made. Morning saw the house busy with all the preparations for the show. Show over, the Raizadas were happily discussing the details of the wedding to happen. Mimi was quietly sipping her tea along with the rest of the family and the Gupta family. She was following Nani's strict instructions not to open her mouth.
"Shashi ji, considering your health, we are happy to accommodate any arrangements for the wedding. Infact our chote was suggesting to have the wedding here in Sheesh Mahal if you are all ok with it. Nani spoke while Majohar nodded approving the decision.
"Devyani ji, we are fortunate to get such an alliance, Shashi paused to take a breath, getting a glare from Mami who seemed to say "Really. And yet you took this long to decide?
Shashi continued, "but as is the custom, all the wedding has to be done from the girls side and I would want to exercise that duty, even if it is a simple celebration in the temple, that is if you are all ok with it. Shashi requested humbly, fully aware of the financial situation they were in.
Nani refused "No Shashi ji, while it was a custom for the girls side to do this, situation and times have changed. And if we don't adjust to it, we will be the ones to loose. And I am not ready to give up on your girls. They have proved continuously what treasure they are. This was a whole hearted appraisal of the Gupta girls. She also knew how much her family too wanted to enjoy the wedding, and be a part of it, especially being the only son, put some extra pressure on it.
"But if you are keen, we can have the celebration here in Lucknow as you want, but we like to have a reception in Delhi as well.
"Of course Nand kishore, you should also enjoy. All Shashi Babua wants to do is the Kanya daan (Literally means Give away their daughter, which is part of the wedding ritual). You see it has all suddenly come up, and our house is rented, otherwise it would have been enough for a simple wedding. Buaji had to have her say, while Garima was now sat nodding her head.
All the pros, cons, and the finer details were discussed. While the elders spoke, the younger generation had sat listening. Payal was naturally shy and sat with her head bent, nodding yes or no in between, which Anjali noticed with a cheeky smile, matched that of Akash's approval and disapproval.
However, the strangest part was the chatter box Khushi who did not speak a word through out and sadly looked quite emotionless. Anjali did not fail to notice her brothers repeated attempts to gain her attention in some form or the other.
With discussions leading to matters being repeated again and again, Anjali finally made a concluding statement.
"So that's all settled then Nani and Shashi uncle. Since the Pandit ji has told the engagement has to take place soon and the nearest date being only 4 days away, it will be conducted at the Gupta house, with just the two families. The pre wedding rituals and preparations will start once the wedding date will be fixed on engagement day.
All looked happy with the concise and clear conclusions by Anjali, but Anjali was not finished. Looking at Khushi, she complained,
"Everything is fine, but why is our Khushi ji so sad? Are you not excited about your only sisters wedding? Or are you sad because she will..
All attention turned to Khushi. And as was the norm, Buaji was to explain the situation. "Arrey our sanka devi is quiet since morning. Giggling and looking at the Raizadas, she spoke quietly, "If things go right, soon, she too will be flying away. And she raised her hands to show an aeroplane.
Shocked gasps followed and Khushi's attention immediately turned to Arnav. She saw all colour drain out of his face and he stood rooted to the spot.
"What are you saying Madhumati ji, where is she going? What is cooking behind? Nani asked surprised.
Aqain it was buaji who spoke addressing Nani,, "Do you remember we had told that there was an alliance for both our girls, but due to some problems they couldn't come?,
Nani and the others nodded eager to listen. Buaji continued
"when we went for Payals's horoscopes to be matched, Pandit ji told that the boys were now ready, but Payals as we know was fixed, so they agreed to come and meet Khushi today. But our Sanka devi refused. It was not nice to refuse from our side, so we arranged for the boy to meet her casually outside. And since she has come, bolti bandh hogiyee (tongue has been tied?...). She has become shy..
Buaji giggled, while Anjali looked sadly at Khushi and in turn at her brother who was still standing, face pale, staring at Khushi. She knew Khushi was not happy with what was happening. Totally disappointed with the turn of events, Anjali suggested,
"Akash and Payal, both of you can go and spend some time. It's ok isn't it Nani ? she asked Nani expectantly, who looked at Shashi for approval, who gave an assuring nod to Payal.
"Khushi ji you come with me, we need to sort out everything for the engagement, only 3 days to prepare. She pulled Khushi to her room, while the elders sat discussing further.
"Di, I am going out. Anjali heard her brother shout. "where to chote? She asked, but he was not looking at her. His gaze was intense and would not move away from Khushi.
Khushi looked at him once, pain evident in her eyes, and moved away sadly with Anjali. What could she do. Before Anjali could repeat, he was out.
This is what Anjali liked about Khushi. As soon as they reached the room, Khushi was back to herself. All chirpy, bubbly and lively. "Anjali ji, honestly, there is so many things to prepare. First of all, ring, then clothes, then sort out food. Tell me Anjali ji, what does Akash ji like. "
Anjali looked at Khushi in awe. Just a moment ago, the very same person was sad and off mood, now as if she had been switched on, she was non stop talking...
"Khushi ji, we will sort all that soon. First tell me about your,... woh .. what is his name? When did you meet, where? See we don't even know that. Anjali asked, not to be fooled by her chattering .
Once again as if she had been switched off, Khushi went quiet but she had to answer.
"Anjali ji, I will tell you everything later. In fact I have told amma and babuji not to talk about that until Jiji's wedding is done. So lets concentrate on that. I want my jijis wedding to take place without any hurdles... and full concentration should be on that..
"ok baba, don't worry, I will find out. she winked at Khushi, trying to be cheerful and both started on with the arrangements to be made for the upcoming engagement.
With all plans made for shopping and managing the next two days, Anjali and Khushi promised to keep in touch with any changes in plan. Considering Shashi's health, the elders had long gone. With too many people around, Akash and Payal had decided to go on a drive.
Anjali walked out with Khushi to see her off after their long planning process. Khushi opened the door to find Arnav walk up the stairs and face her. Eyes red, mind agitated, he did not know what to say, and the cause stood in front of him. He could still see the sadness in her eyes.
Anjali came forward. She knew he was upset and gone out for a drive, which was the norm when he was very upset. What can she do? She remembered his behaviour towards Khushi the same day.
"Chote, looks like you have been on a drive. I just came to drop Khushi. Anjali, though not asked explained. Now his thoughts turned to dropping her off and he was expecting his Di to suggest, but none came by and what more, he heard Anjali say,
"Ok Khushi ji, we will meet tomorrow.
"Huh, bye Anjali ji Khushi too was surprised, since it was so unlike Anjali and she had already started thinking of excuses to refuse.
Irritated and feeling uncomfortable that he had to take the initiative, Arnav quietly said, "I will drop you but was surprised when both Anjali and Khushi said "No
He looked at his sister.
"It's ok Chotte, she will manage she told him giving a sarcastic look.
"Di, it is quite late and what will Shashi uncle think if she goes alone after you held her to spend time with her? Arnav reasoned
Anjali thought, "clever move chotte, but I won't budge this time. Come out with what you have in your mind and heart, otherwise it may be really late, or is it already
Khushi, getting irritated "Arnav ji, don't worry. My Babuji is not worried about that and he will not think otherwise too. Sometimes we make some late journeys when there are parties.. so he is used to it.
"Khushi it is late and I am dropping you. No arguments. Sit in the car. he decided to take control. But Anjali came forward to stop him. "Chotte you cant force her. And moreover after what I saw,...
"Di, he stopped her from repeating. "I am sorry for what happened before. I should not have vented my anger on her. I have already apologised to her. and he was running down to open the door for Khushi.
"You've already apologised? When did that happen? From what I know she has always been with me. Mused Anjali marching her way to Nani. There was so much to discuss.
Once again Khushi was switched off. She did her seat belt without being told, and basically she felt proud at being in control in his presence. However hard she might try, it was impossible to not not talk to him or interact with him, especially when Jiji was going to be married to the same family. With these and other thoughts running, Khushi did not hear him when he asked "why?
Surprised he did not get an answer, he emphasized "Why Khushi? there was so much pain hidden, she immediately looked at him.
His eyes conveyed all the pain he held, but what can she do?
"Sorry Arnav ji, what? she wanted to be clear and not jump into any conclusions.
"Why are you doing this? he asked again.
Look in at him confused, she thought, "this man will never give up
"Doing what Arnav ji? she asked acting as innocent as ever.
Her reluctance was getting on his nerve. "Don't act Khushi, you know what I'm talking about.
Now this was enough to trigger her. It was not just him who could get angry, she had enough up her nose too. In a highly irritated voice she asked. "Arnav ji, please be clear with what you want to ask, what you want to know. Even before you were accusing me of not coming to the show, not being responsible, being arrogant. So please don't talk in riddles.
Taking a deep breath, making a hissing sound, biting his teeth, he asked, "Khushi, I meant what is this, you have been to see somebody? Why are you doing this when you don't want to?
"What do you mean by that? I have not done anything wrong. My family wanted me to meet this person, get to know him, so what's wrong with it? Babuji says, it is going to happen one day or the other, so why delay, unless I have a proper reason.
"So you are ready for marriage, leaving your family, you want to go far away? he asked her, himself confused how to ask her to stop all this and get on with usual life as before.
"Honestly Arnav ji I don't want to discuss this. I told Anjali ji as well. So please leave this matter, and leave me to myself. She told not wanting to answer the questions he was asking, at the same time not to be rude to him.
"That means you don't want to, but you are doing it for your Babuji isn't it? You are not doing right. You will never be happy with the person you don't love. They don't know that. You know you will never be able to love him he told her straight on her face, feeling disgusted with the thought of Khushi loving someone else.
Now she was getting frustrated. She stared at him. On one hand she cannot keep pushing things at home without a good reason, on the other, the man she loves will never accept or love her back, what more he was making it hard for her to move on. She thought it would be easy to put off Buaji when the matter arrives, but she just could not refuse when Babuji asked her just meet once.
"And you know? she asked not caring if she was rude.
"Khushiii you don't understand.. he started stressing the iii, but she put her hand up showing her palm to stop.
"Arnav ji, it does not matter. So leave this issue. Leave me to my own troubles. When Jiji's wedding will be done, and all celebrations finished, you would have all gone to lead your own lives back in Delhi, we will have to get back to ours. Why should you really care isn't it? After all, you may think my sister has won a jackpot by having a rich man behind her, but please be assured, it was not your money or status that my Babuji saw, but he saw the love both Akash ji and Jiji have for each other. That is the reason things took this long. Anyway, why am I explaining all this to you? Am I not taking enough care to not cross your path so there can be no misunderstanding? See that's the reason I did not come for the show. Knowing me, I would have done something and you saw what happened in your previous show. she said it. Though she didn't want to put him in an awkward situation, she said it. All the pent up emotions did come out though not completely out.
It pained to listen to her. It reminded him of the diwali night when he had mocked her. "Dont dream your life is settled thinking a rich man was holding your anklet to his heart...
He swallowed hard. He did not know what to say. How could he tell her he wants her to be how she is. All the time. But is it possible? With things moving so quickly, he shuddered to think if she might be married even before Payal as if she was trying to get away from him as soon as possible. Still he was not ready to tell her. He did not know what was stopping him from the issue of marriage.
In a way he was right. Khushi was escaping. Escaping from everyone, and mainly herself. She knew what he said was true. But how long can she wait for her heart to heal. Will it heal really, or just increase the pain more. Will her Babuji wait? However if things change quickly, she will not have enough time to think about her heart and she can move on in life. Little did she know bringing another person would only cause more heartache. But would her heart listen when, all it wanted was to escape?
Both were quiet for the rest of the journey, which thankfully didn't take long. When it was time to leave, she made sure to look everywhere and take all her belongings, though her heart was left behind.
When she turned to open the door, Arnav husked, "Khushi..
She looked at him, relieved to hear his voice though it was only a few minutes of silence. "Sorry. Sorry. It all meant something.. everything to me..
She raised her eyebrows not able to fully understand where he was coming from. But she was too tired to probe further, rather too scared to fully understand what he meant.
Only when he was half way back home did he come to a sudden halt. "Did I say that to her loud?
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That's it guys for this part. Hope you all enjoyed reading. Please comment.
Udne Ki Aasha
Cricket
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