Khushi rocked Shiv back and forth with the steady rhythm of her breathing. Instead of sleeping, Shiv settled to nibbling on Khushi's Mangalsutra. His delicate fingers wrapped and unwrapped around the chain as his mouth curiously tasted the piece of jewelry on his mother's neck. Khushi ruffled his hair with a smile as she tried to free the chain from his grasp.
Khushi let out a chuckle. Her son wasn't letting go. "Shiv..." Khushi started laughing and then froze.
---
Arnav Singh Raizada had walked out to the most beautiful scene he had laid his eyes on in a year. Looking like a goddess, his wife was smiling at his son's attempt in devouring her Mangalsutra. Her voice reached an unheard softness and motherly warmth as she chastised her son with a smile. "Shiv..." She had said, as a smile Arnav Singh Raizada thought was lost slowly crept about her lips. Suddenly her laugh cause Arnav breath to catch and his eyes widen. It had been a year since he had heard the musical notes of something so elegant. She froze as she caught him watching her, the laughing stopped.
Arnav knew he had to move. He had to say something. He had to hold his son. Instead, he stood there as his eyes were trapped in the beautiful pools of hazel that stood across from him. She didn't move, yet her breathing increased speed. Shiv reached and pulled on a strand of her hair which caused her to break out of the trance she was immersed in. Khushi dropped her gaze and turned her body slightly, angling away from Arnav as her cheeks colored in a deep red.
---
Khushi had forgotten how it felt to be admired by Arnav Singh Raizada. She felt the her cheeks grow warm as the blood rushed to color them behind her skin.
Arnav watched as his wife's complexion took on an enticing color. The moonlight that shined above them enhanced her beauty and she began fretting, noticing that Arnav was still frozen where he stood.
He broke out the trance he was in and made himself focus on what had to be done.
"K-K- Khu..." He struggled to speak. She didn't even look up at his attempts. Arnav took a step closer which Khushi acknowledged with a slight head turn. This boosted his confidence and he strode over to where Khushi stood.
She looked up slowly trying to decipher thoughts hid in his chocolate eyes. There was confidence, an Arnav Singh Raizada size confidence. There something else that kept flashing through his eyes though. A sort of uncertainty... or was it regret? Khushi furrowed her brows as she tried to read his mind.
Arnav lost his train of thought as his wife looked up to gaze into his eyes. She was trying to read them and furrowed her brows in concentration.
"K-Khushi..." Arnav spoke.
It was as if an eerie silence fell around everything surrounding them as Khushi only heard Arnav. She only heard his breathing, his heartbeat, and she felt only his eyes that were boring into her own. And vice versa, Arnav stiffened with anxiety as Khushi's eyes softened at his speaking. He only heard her, his ears seeked only her voice.
Like a lost man in a desert finding an oasis of water, Arnav's heart felt as if it had found a reason to keep beating when Khushi replied, "Ji?"
"Meh- meh-" Arnav stopped. Never had he felt such a feeling of unsureness as he struggled to to find words.
Shiv twisted in Khushi's arms and looked curiously at the stranger in front of him. Arnav found another set of hazel scanning him.
"Khushi, I uh... I mean... Um... Maatlab meh..." Arnav shook his head internally at his nervousness. He was Arnav Singh Raizada for crying out loud. Arnav Singh Raizada and nervous were never supposed to be in the same sentence together. Khushi had tilted her head slightly, still trying to read his eyes and make sense of his words at the same time.
Arnav took a deep breathe, shut his eyes, and then opened them again to start new. "I mean... M- May I?" He finally said as he held out his arms and motioned to Shiv with his eyes.
Khushi's initial reaction to Arnav's request was fear. Her maternal instincts made her hands clutch Shiv tighter as she blinked with surprise at Arnav's request. No, Khushi, stop being so apprehensive. She started warning herself. This is what you wanted. Shiv needs his father too. Let him go. You can't hold on to him forever, afterall. Khushi loosened her grip on Shiv and took a small step forward extending Shiv slightly forward.
Arnav felt himself relax at Khushi's readiness. She had seemed scared at first, but her face took on an expression of reassurance as she stepped forward to him extending Shiv. Arnav slid his hands under Shiv's armpits and lifted the child out of his mother's grasp. Slowly Arnav rested the infant onto his chest feeling a sort of completeness. Arnav felt a small smile pull at the corners of his lips as Shiv looked up with Khushi's eyes and scanned the man that had intruded his Mangalsutra eating session.
Shiv reached a curled fist up to Arnav's cheek, slightly stroking it. Then with lightening speed he went for Arnav's nose, pulling it with all his infant strength. Arnav chuckled at his attempt.
"Hello to you too." Arnav reached down and placed a kiss on top of the child's forehead. Khushi dropped her eyes as tears sprang into her eyes. She quickly blinked them away and looked up to see Arnav settling down into a chair beside the pool.
"My name is Daddy." Arnav continued. "It's nice to meet you beta." Khushi was taken back with the tenderness Arnav spoke with. It seemed impossible coming from the same man she knew. She had never thought about what his paternal side would be like, yet there it was on display for her as Arnav stroked and murmured to his son.
Arnav couldn't put into the words the feeling that overtook him as Shiv stared into his eyes and flashed a tiny smile. He continued with his nose pulling escapades, completely oblivious to his father who was chocking on emotions. A thousand things Arnav had kept locked up inside him came crashing through. A small tear escaped the corner of his eye which he quickly wiped off. He turned to Khushi.
"Khushi, I'm... I'm sorry for earlier when... When you were talking. I, uh, I was... just... I'm sorry." This sorry was nothing in comparison to the list of things he had to apologize for, but Arnav felt it was a start.
Khushi was surprised. Arnav Singh Raizada had said sorry two times in the same sentence. She looked on before she realized that she was staring with her mouth wide open. She quickly snapped it shut. As shocking as it was, Khushi realized that this sorry was a genuine one.
She opened her mouth to speak again. "It's okay. I kind of- I don't know, I kind of expected a reaction." She slowly smiled. It wasn't a big, pleasing smile, but it was a forgiving one. "It's understandable." Khushi reassured.
She slowly made her way towards Arnav and Shiv, and she took a seat next to Arnav on the chair. Arnav was glad he had been forgiven for his outburst earlier. If anything, it decreased his list by a one.
"Khushi..." Arnav began. "You know I'm not usually fond of your taste, but I'm pleasantly surprised." He found Khushi looking at him confused. "Shiv is a good name." He said.
Khushi watched in awe as the signature smirk of Arnav Singh Raizada formed on his face. Teasing her was something he'd never put behind him she realized and let a small of her own form on her lips.
And as Arnav's smirk widened on his face, Khushi saw the first hint of the man she had fallen in love with a long time ago.
Arnav and Khushi's Story
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Chapter 9: First Step
There was a light knock at Khushi's door. She opened the door to find Payal there.
"Let's eat dinner. Come on." Payal looked at Shiv fast asleep. "I'll get him you go ahead."
Khushi smiled and started to walk out as Payal gathered Shiv into her arms. Her nephew was fast asleep on her shoulder and she smiled as her heart swelled with emotions. Khushi, too, admired the sight her sister embracing her nephew.
"Come on, Jiji, let's go to dinner. You can gawk at Shiv all you want there." Khushi addressed Payal with a smile. Payal let out a laugh and followed Khushi. Payal felt at ease as it seemed that Khushi was slowly returning to her old, bubbly self.
---
There was a light knock at Arnav's door followed by Hari Parakash's head which stuck through Arnav's door. Arnav broke out of his chain of thoughts and looked at the door.
"Arnav bhia, dinner is ready."
"Huh? Oh. Okay, I'm coming." Arnav replied. His heart felt heavy from the sudden guilt that had resurfaced in him. He had to make it up to Khushi, but how? Standing up he headed to dinner.
---
As soon as Payal approached the rest of the family at dinner, Shiv woke up. He let out a small cry and everybody in the household was suddenly willing to do anything to appease their newfound bundle of joy.
"Ah, he just needs his milk. Give him to me and I'll put him back to sleep." Khushi took Shiv from Payal and asked her prepare a bottle of milk as she tried to rock Shiv to sleep.
The table was being set for dinner and Khushi realized the excess noise wouldn't aid Shiv's sleep. She walked off with Shiv to the poolside, remembering how peaceful it was out there.
---
Arnav walked to the stairs to find Khushi standing next to Payal who was holding Shiv. Arnav directed his eyes back at Khushi, trying to see the changes a child and a year had brought to her.
Looking at Khushi, one would never guess she had gave birth 5 months ago. Her slender body looked slimmer and her flowing hair hung to hips. Her glistening skin still had its glow and her eyes had the spark which had always captivated Arnav. Arnav realized with a pang of guilt that the only thing that had changed about Khushi was her smile. It had been a cheeky smile that stretched across her face and radiated enough energy to light up the city of Delhi. Now it was small smile that looked forced as she kept her lips pushed together and struggled to look happy.
Suddenly Shiv let out a cry and Arnav felt uncomfortable. He realized that he didn't like Shiv crying. Another pang of guilt hit him as he realized that he had made Shiv cry earlier due to his anger. He watched Khushi taking a hold of Shiv and walking to the poolside.
Shiv. It suddenly occurred to Arnav that the best way to start his road to redemption was to show Khushi he wanted to be a father to Shiv. Arnav descended the stairs and followed Khushi to the poolside.
"Let's eat dinner. Come on." Payal looked at Shiv fast asleep. "I'll get him you go ahead."
Khushi smiled and started to walk out as Payal gathered Shiv into her arms. Her nephew was fast asleep on her shoulder and she smiled as her heart swelled with emotions. Khushi, too, admired the sight her sister embracing her nephew.
"Come on, Jiji, let's go to dinner. You can gawk at Shiv all you want there." Khushi addressed Payal with a smile. Payal let out a laugh and followed Khushi. Payal felt at ease as it seemed that Khushi was slowly returning to her old, bubbly self.
---
There was a light knock at Arnav's door followed by Hari Parakash's head which stuck through Arnav's door. Arnav broke out of his chain of thoughts and looked at the door.
"Arnav bhia, dinner is ready."
"Huh? Oh. Okay, I'm coming." Arnav replied. His heart felt heavy from the sudden guilt that had resurfaced in him. He had to make it up to Khushi, but how? Standing up he headed to dinner.
---
As soon as Payal approached the rest of the family at dinner, Shiv woke up. He let out a small cry and everybody in the household was suddenly willing to do anything to appease their newfound bundle of joy.
"Ah, he just needs his milk. Give him to me and I'll put him back to sleep." Khushi took Shiv from Payal and asked her prepare a bottle of milk as she tried to rock Shiv to sleep.
The table was being set for dinner and Khushi realized the excess noise wouldn't aid Shiv's sleep. She walked off with Shiv to the poolside, remembering how peaceful it was out there.
---
Arnav walked to the stairs to find Khushi standing next to Payal who was holding Shiv. Arnav directed his eyes back at Khushi, trying to see the changes a child and a year had brought to her.
Looking at Khushi, one would never guess she had gave birth 5 months ago. Her slender body looked slimmer and her flowing hair hung to hips. Her glistening skin still had its glow and her eyes had the spark which had always captivated Arnav. Arnav realized with a pang of guilt that the only thing that had changed about Khushi was her smile. It had been a cheeky smile that stretched across her face and radiated enough energy to light up the city of Delhi. Now it was small smile that looked forced as she kept her lips pushed together and struggled to look happy.
Suddenly Shiv let out a cry and Arnav felt uncomfortable. He realized that he didn't like Shiv crying. Another pang of guilt hit him as he realized that he had made Shiv cry earlier due to his anger. He watched Khushi taking a hold of Shiv and walking to the poolside.
Shiv. It suddenly occurred to Arnav that the best way to start his road to redemption was to show Khushi he wanted to be a father to Shiv. Arnav descended the stairs and followed Khushi to the poolside.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Chapter 8: Mistakes
Upstairs in his own room, Arnav Singh Raizada paced the perimeter. Anjali's words had their desired effect on Arnav as he thought about his faults, his mistakes.
---
---
Arnav opened his eyes as he thought of what he had done. It was his mistake. How could he misunderstand her again? Khushi was everything but the deceiving, horrible person he had made her to be.
"Chote, when Khushi-ji left this house a year ago, she was hurt." Anjali's words flew back into his mind. Arnav hung his head and continued to think of what had happened.
---
---
Arnav came back to reality. Everything that had happened was because of him. He always messed up. If she could have proved that she was innocent, why didn't she? Why did she never call NK to vouch for her? Arnav's mind buzzed with thoughts. Why? As if to answer his question, Anjali's words came to his mind.
"Chote, when Khushi-ji left this house a year ago, she was hurt."
Of course. It was because of him. She didn't prove her innocence because of him. She was tired of trying to make him see her for who she really was. Again, it was his fault. Again, Khushi had suffered because of him. Because of his mistakes.
---
"You're not going anywhere. I need answers. Now!" Arnav blasted through the bedroom door as Khushi gathered her things.
Khushi deliberately ignored the accusations from Arnav. Just leave Khushi. No more of this. She chanted the mantra that had been going through her mind since the morning.
"Dammit Khushi, Answer me!" Arnav grabbed her elbow and forced her to face him.
Khushi looked at the ground, refusing to meet his eyes. She tried to free her elbow from Arnav.
"You can't run away from this Khushi. No damn way! I need answers! Were the past two months a joke? A ridiculous game that you concocted with him?" Khushi flinched at Arnav's reference of Shyam.
"Do not associate me with that man!" Khushi slowly but sternly said as she looked up to meet his eyes.
"Is this how you're going to deal with it? Run away? Well you bloody can't, Khushi Kumari Gupta! You know very well who is going to suffer if you try to run away! I bet he's planning on joining you, huh?" Arnav spat at her.
His words hurt her like the whip of a lash. "I cannot believe this. You think the past two months were a joke? How could you-" Tears began to run down from Khushi's eyes, which held the weight of Arnav's accusation. "How could you think of me like that? Time and time again I trust you, and time and time again you show me how lowly you think of me."
"Yes! Because people like you are only after one thing. Paisa! You want money! And today you proved your gold digging personality! What were you thinking Khushi? That you can trick me into signing a will and everything will be yours?" Arnav was yelling now.
"Look-"
"-No you look! You try to run away from this and I can have you arrested dammit! Answer my damn questions because you're not going anywhere!" Arnav spat at her with only hatred in his words.
"NO!" Khushi was tried of it. Sick of it. "A man like you deserve no answers! What did I ever do to you other than be a victim of your misunderstanding? And even today, don't you want to know what really happened?" Khushi was pleading now. She desperately searched his eyes for the hint of the Arnav she had gotten to know in the past two months. "Now, all of a sudden you think I'm such a person to stoop so low? I don't want your money! I only wanted you!" Khushi shook with pain as honest words escaped her mouth.
"Shuttup Khushi!" Arnav grabbed her arms. "Save your load of crap for Shyam! After all that's whose side you've always been on. I was nothing but a joke, right Khushi?!"
"No, please, listen! If only Nanhe-ji was-"
"-Don't. I mean DO NOT drag another member of my family into this. You made a mess like you always do. Now I want answers! How much were you going to take from me? Did you want the house? The company? Were you going to kill me? Was he going to help you?"
"Please-"
"-How long did it take you to think of that kidnapping drama? Or was that why you stalled me in front of the airport?" Arnav cut her off again, his words dripping with hate as if it were venom.
"I'm done!" Khushi shook free of his grasp. Khushi felt a part of her resurface. The part which was tired of trying to not take everything he said to heart. She was tired of being a person getting flung around as a victim of his mood swings, his misunderstandings.
"I'm done." She repeated. "You're not going to get answers because there are no answers. Trying to make you see me for who I am is useless! And don't you think I'm running away, Mr.Arnav Singh Raizada! Don't you dare! I'm removing myself from the misery of your company. I'm keeping myself away from an environment that I absolutely despise!"
Arnav tried to talk but Khushi cut him off and kept going. She wasn't stopping for anybody.
"You always think you can control people, right? Well not anymore! May I remind you that 6 months are over? Your time to control me is over! And don't you dare try to threaten me on behalf of my sister, Mr.Raizada. I'm tired of being the one to suffer on everyone else's behalves!" Khushi was yelling now. She was exasperated. "This joke of a marriage ends here! You hate me, don't you? Well consider this your lucky day!" Khushi grabbed her bag and ran for the door.
Six months were over. It had never occurred to Arnav what would happen when six months were over.
"Khushi stop!" But Khushi didn't listen. She was already heading down the stairs. Arnav stormed out of his room. She wouldn't dare, he told himself. But she did. Afterall, she was Khushi Kumari Gupta. He wasn't going after her. He knew she'd be back.
Arnav fumed back into his room. How could she? I had trusted her! No, let her go! She should not matter to you anymore. Khushi Kumari Gupta has only caused you problems. With that thought Arnav did what he did best. He locked away his emotions.
---
Arnav opened his eyes as he thought of what he had done. It was his mistake. How could he misunderstand her again? Khushi was everything but the deceiving, horrible person he had made her to be.
"Chote, when Khushi-ji left this house a year ago, she was hurt." Anjali's words flew back into his mind. Arnav hung his head and continued to think of what had happened.
---
It had been a month since Khushi left. He knew she wasn't with her parents. Maybe she had went to Lucknow somewhere. She never picked up his calls and- Arnav stopped. Why am I worrying about her? He had no time to be dominated by thoughts of her.
"NANAV!"
Great... NK was back again. Arnav stood to greet NK who was pulling in his bags.
"Nanav! How are you? And, where's Khushi-ji?" NK greeted Arnav.
An awkward silence spread among the family. NK looked around. Everyone except Khushi-ji. "Come on, tell me. Where is she?"
"Khushi-ji..." Anjali started to speak. "Khushi-ji left."
"Left?" NK was confused.
"She left. Packed her bags and left. Good thing she did. This family doesn't need anymore people deceiving us." Arnav cut in.
In an instant NK knew exactly what it meant. Nanav didn't? Oh no! NK figured out everything that had happened in his head.
"Oh no, Nanav!" What did you do?"
"What do you mean? Please don't try to argue with me on Khushi's behalf! I'm sick and tired of people-"
"No, Nanav, no!" NK started to pace. "Come here!" NK grabbed Arnav by the elbow and led him to the poolside.
"Tell me everything that happened!" NK waited, staring at Arnav.
"Why do you-" Arnav started.
"Don't hesitate, Nanav! Come on just tell me what happened!"
Arnav had his doubts, but he began recounting everything that had happened. He came home after escaping from the kidnappers. They decided to not expose Shyam till Di had given birth. Two months of bliss for Arnav and Khushi before he found out about the will. How he accused her. How she left. Arnav told NK everything as NK shook his head.
"Oh no, Nanav! Jiju. I swear to you it was probably Jiju that planted the will on Khushi-ji!" NK started.
"What do you mean?" Arnav was now genuinely confused.
"I mean that Khushi-ji is innocent! I knew about a document that Jiju had made her sign! Khushi-ji was suspicious so she hid it but he later stole it! We didn't know it was a will!"
"We?"
"Yes, Nanav, I knew about it too!" NK let out an agitated sigh. "I left at the wrong time. You have to call Khushi-ji back."
It didn't take long before NK filled in Arnav on what had happened.
Everything that happened after that had a domino effect. Arnav nearly killed Shyam. Anjali was shattered. NK tried to sort out exactly what Shyam's motives were. But in between all this, Arnav and NK's desperate attempt to find Khushi's whereabouts failed. That was until- till she asked him to never find her.
---
Arnav came back to reality. Everything that had happened was because of him. He always messed up. If she could have proved that she was innocent, why didn't she? Why did she never call NK to vouch for her? Arnav's mind buzzed with thoughts. Why? As if to answer his question, Anjali's words came to his mind.
"Chote, when Khushi-ji left this house a year ago, she was hurt."
Of course. It was because of him. She didn't prove her innocence because of him. She was tired of trying to make him see her for who she really was. Again, it was his fault. Again, Khushi had suffered because of him. Because of his mistakes.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Chapter 7: Claim
The pain was excruciating. Never had Khushi ever experienced such a gut wrenching, agonizing pain. It seared through her muscles and suddenly it was over. It was time. The wait was over.
Khushi reached her sweaty fingers to the phone that lay on the table beside her bed. Grasping it tightly, she dialed.
"Monisha! I-I can't! We have to go! To a hospital! NOW!" The last word tore out of her throat as a piercing cry before she felt her back hit the mattress. Khushi laid there for two seconds before her neighbor, Monisha, burst through the door. Beside Monisha was the bulky and muscular shape of Rohan, Monisha's husband, who started to lift Khushi out of the bed and into his arms.
Khushi kept a protective arm around her swollen belly as she gripped Rohan's shoulder with another. Within two minutes, they were on the highway, heading straight to the hospital. Monisha held Khushi in the backseat while reminding her how to breathe.
Monisha couldn't contain her excitement. "I'm so happy right now, Khushi! I mean - I'm sorry, but oh my god its finally time!"
"Monisha, save it for after our little buddy's kicking it on earth." Rohan admonished from the driver's seat. Khushi showed a weak smile encouraging Monisha to continue despite Rohan's scolding.
"I mean he- or she- is eager to get out. Our little guy- or girl- is two weeks early!" Monisha continued.
However, before Monisha could finish, Khushi felt another collapsing pain rip through her belly, and she let out another scream. Soon, they were in the labor room with Khushi holding onto Monisha's hand in an iron grip as the voices of nurses encouraging her to push floated to her brain.
Push Khushi! A voice in her head commanded! But Arnav... Another voice complained, desperately hopeful. He's not coming Khushi! You already knew that! Your the reason he's not here right now! Just push. There's someone else who needs you right now. You need to welcome that person into this world. Focus, Khushi, focus! The voices in Khushi's head continued.
Khushi felt another heart breaking pain shake her body as she screamed and pushed. The voices in her head still continued.
"We should get her on Epidural." A voice of someone in the background suddenly broke through all her thoughts.
"No!" Khushi gasped and clinged on to Monisha.
"Khushi, listen to me. It's going to make it easy, sweety! Just a little help, that's all." Monisha reasoned.
"No! I want to do this-," Khushi gasped for more air as sweat rolled down her head and back. "I want to do this without help. I can do this without help." She had gone through 9 months without help. If she didn't have it when she most needed it, she didn't need it now.
After hours of pushing and screaming, Khushi heard the cry of the object that suddenly, without hesitation, became the center-point of her life. Her eyes were squeezed shut and she opened them as Monisha spoke to her.
"Khushi? Baby, open your eyes. Look." Khushi slowly opened her eyes and peered into a set of hazel eyes that were an exact, mirror image like replication of her own.
"It's a baby boy, Khushi. It's a bouncing baby boy."
Khushi looked to see a tear streaked Monisha holding her son. Her son! Khushi let a slow but growing smile to move through her cheeks as she opened her arms to hold the newborn.
"Shiv." She whispered before her fatigue took over and the weight of her eyes suddenly became known to her. Before completely losing herself to the medicines that were now moving through her veins, she heard Monisha.
"Welcome to the world, Shiv Singh Raizada!" Monisha whispered.
Khushi slowly opened her eyes to find herself in the guest bedroom of the Raizada mansion. She shook her head and smiled, overcome with nostalgia. She had dozed of the seat next the bed where Shiv laid. Her dream had taken her down memory lane.
Khushi walked over to the bed and watched her son, sound asleep in the middle of a barricade of pillows. A gentle smile crept upon her face as she analyzed the features of her son's face. The features almost shockingly resembled his father's. She sat down and stroked the hair away from Shiv's face.
"Your my Raizada. The only one that I can ever undoubtedly claim a right over." Khushi whispered to her slumbering son, as tears filled her hazel eyes.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Chapter 6: Better Than Never
Anjali Jha expected her brother to behave the way he did. However, she wished her Chote had atleast taken the effort to acknowledge his son.
The door to his room was shut but not locked. Anjali let herself in to find Chote on the recliner, bent over with hands supporting his head. He looked up to see his Di walking over.
"Not now, Di. Please leave me alone." He sounded tired.
Anjali wasn't here to go away. She was here to make him see something. "Chote, I'm not here to admonish you for the way you reacted." She started gently and took a seat beside him on the recliner.
"Chote, I'm here to show you the other side."
"Are you picking sides now, Di?" Arnav asked curtly.
Anjali smiled at her younger brother. "No. I'm simply here to show it to you."
Arnav didn't respond.
"Chote, I'm on your side. I just found out I had a nephew. This entire family is on your side, but they didn't react like you because they're willing to see the other side."
"I have a son, Di!" Arnav exploded. "One year! It took her an entire year to let me know that-"
"-Why should she have let you know anything, Chote?" Anjali wasn't yelling but her voice had raised a pitch and her eyes were stern.
"Why?" Arnav was annoyed and shot up from his seat.
"Ji, Kyun?" Anjali stood up as well. "Chote, when Khushi-ji left this house a year ago, she was hurt. And as far as I know, you did nothing to bring her back. If anything, you should be grateful, Chote. You need to understand that Khushi-ji didn't have to do any of this. She didn't have to return to Delhi, she didn't have to call Nani, and she did not have to let you know you had son!"
Anjali hadn't meant to say it like that. The words just erupted from her before she could stop herself. Arnav fell back on the recliner not knowing what to say.
Anjali softened her tone. "For a mother to present her child to the man that has hurt her is not easy, Chote." Anjali was now speaking out of experience. "If anything, we want to be selfish and guard the child from the person who hurt us. We know what they're capable of and we don't want to put our child in that position."
Arnav looked up at Anjali, who now had tears in her eyes. He knew she wasn't just talking about Khushi now.
"Chote, you learned an hour ago that you have a five month old son. And instead of acknowledging him, you take out your anger on Khushi. Did you not even want to hold Shiv? He's your son, Chote! Aur haa, Khushi-ji didn't let you know for a year. She here now though. She didn't have to be here, but she is here." Anjali stood up to leave. As she approached the door, she turned to remind her brother. "It's better late than never, Chote."
Who knew such a cliche saying would have such an impact. Arnav realized that Di was right.
It's better than never.
The door to his room was shut but not locked. Anjali let herself in to find Chote on the recliner, bent over with hands supporting his head. He looked up to see his Di walking over.
"Not now, Di. Please leave me alone." He sounded tired.
Anjali wasn't here to go away. She was here to make him see something. "Chote, I'm not here to admonish you for the way you reacted." She started gently and took a seat beside him on the recliner.
"Chote, I'm here to show you the other side."
"Are you picking sides now, Di?" Arnav asked curtly.
Anjali smiled at her younger brother. "No. I'm simply here to show it to you."
Arnav didn't respond.
"Chote, I'm on your side. I just found out I had a nephew. This entire family is on your side, but they didn't react like you because they're willing to see the other side."
"I have a son, Di!" Arnav exploded. "One year! It took her an entire year to let me know that-"
"-Why should she have let you know anything, Chote?" Anjali wasn't yelling but her voice had raised a pitch and her eyes were stern.
"Why?" Arnav was annoyed and shot up from his seat.
"Ji, Kyun?" Anjali stood up as well. "Chote, when Khushi-ji left this house a year ago, she was hurt. And as far as I know, you did nothing to bring her back. If anything, you should be grateful, Chote. You need to understand that Khushi-ji didn't have to do any of this. She didn't have to return to Delhi, she didn't have to call Nani, and she did not have to let you know you had son!"
Anjali hadn't meant to say it like that. The words just erupted from her before she could stop herself. Arnav fell back on the recliner not knowing what to say.
Anjali softened her tone. "For a mother to present her child to the man that has hurt her is not easy, Chote." Anjali was now speaking out of experience. "If anything, we want to be selfish and guard the child from the person who hurt us. We know what they're capable of and we don't want to put our child in that position."
Arnav looked up at Anjali, who now had tears in her eyes. He knew she wasn't just talking about Khushi now.
"Chote, you learned an hour ago that you have a five month old son. And instead of acknowledging him, you take out your anger on Khushi. Did you not even want to hold Shiv? He's your son, Chote! Aur haa, Khushi-ji didn't let you know for a year. She here now though. She didn't have to be here, but she is here." Anjali stood up to leave. As she approached the door, she turned to remind her brother. "It's better late than never, Chote."
Who knew such a cliche saying would have such an impact. Arnav realized that Di was right.
It's better than never.
Chapter 5: Reactions
Arnav froze. She didn't know? About what? Oh, he realized what she meant. She didn't know she was pregnant.
---
Tears continued to stream down Khushi's face. The family took in what she had said and waited patiently for Khushi to continue.
"When I left I just wanted to go back to Lucknow. I changed my mind then because... Because I just wanted to be alone and went to Bombay. I've been there for the past year."
Arnav took in what she was saying. He had always thought she went to Lucknow, not with her parents, but somewhere there. Bombay was unexpected.
"I had money from the lunch service I had started saved up, so I rented a room at a decent hotel and started looking for a job. I got a job at a sweet shop and I was set on settling in Bombay."
That doesn't explain why she took the money. She had a job? Arnav's mind was filled with thoughts.
"One day, I collapsed on the stairs that led to my room. I had shifted to a women's hostel. My room mate found me and took me to a hospital. It turned out I was already 2 months pregnant and unaware of it. I didn't have to think twice about it. I was keeping and having the baby."
When Khushi said she didn't have to think twice, Arnav felt a surge of emotions. He felt a sort of unspoken gratitude towards her and continued to listen. It was making sense now.
"I quit my job." Khushi gave Arnav a meaningful look. That explained the money to Arnav.
Nani had taken Shiv from Anjali and was gently patting him down. Khushi wanted to take Shiv from Nani, but she reminded herself that she had been selfish for the past 5 months and now it was Nani's turn to care for Shiv.
"Look..." Khushi's voice broke and she inhaled a deep breath. Don't stop now, Khushi. Not now. Spit it out and let them know.
"Look I know what I did was selfish. Extremely insensitive and pathetic even. And I'm not here to ask you to take me back or forget everything that's happened. I'm here because it's the right thing to do. I'm here because Shiv is a Raizada and all of you deserve to know about him." She paused and softly added. "His father needs to know about him."
---
Arnav Singh Raizada took to the emotion that was he was known for using best. Anger. No, anger was an understatement. He took to outright and pure fury.
"And you're here after an entire year claiming to do the 'right thing'?" He exploded. As soon as the words left his mouth he wished he had stopped himself.
Shiv broke into tears and clutched to Nani's saree in desperation. Arnav looked at his son. Great, he thought, I didn't even hold the kid and managed to make him cry while standing across the room.
---
Arnav had exploded and Khushi had in a way expected it. However, Shiv breaking into tears was not what she expected. Her maternal instincts kicked in as she shot Arnav a look of disgust and went to gather Shiv into her arms. She was about to turn around and unleash her fury on Arnav when he stormed away. He went up the stairs and into his room. Khushi watched him go.
Does he even want to hold Shiv? It's his son too for god's sake! How dare he make the little thing cry and then storm away from here. I'm here to tell him about Shiv for his sake! And he doesn't even take a minute to realize that I didn't have to come here or tell him about our baby or even let Shiv know he has a father and Arnav Singh Raizada walks away? Khushi felt the tears forming in her eyes and closed them to diminish any tears. She rocked Shiv till he fell asleep. Anjali had followed her brother and Akash along with the rest of the family sat there speechless.
Khushi had never expected this to be easy. And Arnav's reaction was as extreme as she had thought it to be. Even then, somewhere in the back of her mind she had hoped for a second that Arnav would take the time to understand why she did what she had done. Typical Arnav Singh Raizada. Judge without looking at both sides of the story.
"Khushi, does Shiv need to eat food before he sleeps?" Nani asked with concern in her tone.
"Nahee, Nani, he'll wake up in an hour. I feed him then and he sleeps for a couple of hours." Khushi explained realizing that they didn't know anything about Shiv.
"Achaa. Well you can go to your room Khushi. I think we all need time to take in everything that's been revealed." Nani said standing up.
"Ji Nani." Khushi stood up with Shiv and left without a word to the room Payal led her to. As soon as she got to the room, she closed the door without letting Payal in. She needed some time alone.
There was a knock at her door.
"Khushi betiyan, give Arnav some time. You know him just as well as we all do. He's bad with matters of the heart, betiyan. Just give him time." Nani comforted Khushi from the other side of the door and walked away.
Khushi felt better at Nani's words. She'll give time. She already knew he'll take time. She just didn't know how much.
---
Tears continued to stream down Khushi's face. The family took in what she had said and waited patiently for Khushi to continue.
"When I left I just wanted to go back to Lucknow. I changed my mind then because... Because I just wanted to be alone and went to Bombay. I've been there for the past year."
Arnav took in what she was saying. He had always thought she went to Lucknow, not with her parents, but somewhere there. Bombay was unexpected.
"I had money from the lunch service I had started saved up, so I rented a room at a decent hotel and started looking for a job. I got a job at a sweet shop and I was set on settling in Bombay."
That doesn't explain why she took the money. She had a job? Arnav's mind was filled with thoughts.
"One day, I collapsed on the stairs that led to my room. I had shifted to a women's hostel. My room mate found me and took me to a hospital. It turned out I was already 2 months pregnant and unaware of it. I didn't have to think twice about it. I was keeping and having the baby."
When Khushi said she didn't have to think twice, Arnav felt a surge of emotions. He felt a sort of unspoken gratitude towards her and continued to listen. It was making sense now.
"I quit my job." Khushi gave Arnav a meaningful look. That explained the money to Arnav.
Nani had taken Shiv from Anjali and was gently patting him down. Khushi wanted to take Shiv from Nani, but she reminded herself that she had been selfish for the past 5 months and now it was Nani's turn to care for Shiv.
"Look..." Khushi's voice broke and she inhaled a deep breath. Don't stop now, Khushi. Not now. Spit it out and let them know.
"Look I know what I did was selfish. Extremely insensitive and pathetic even. And I'm not here to ask you to take me back or forget everything that's happened. I'm here because it's the right thing to do. I'm here because Shiv is a Raizada and all of you deserve to know about him." She paused and softly added. "His father needs to know about him."
---
Arnav Singh Raizada took to the emotion that was he was known for using best. Anger. No, anger was an understatement. He took to outright and pure fury.
"And you're here after an entire year claiming to do the 'right thing'?" He exploded. As soon as the words left his mouth he wished he had stopped himself.
Shiv broke into tears and clutched to Nani's saree in desperation. Arnav looked at his son. Great, he thought, I didn't even hold the kid and managed to make him cry while standing across the room.
---
Arnav had exploded and Khushi had in a way expected it. However, Shiv breaking into tears was not what she expected. Her maternal instincts kicked in as she shot Arnav a look of disgust and went to gather Shiv into her arms. She was about to turn around and unleash her fury on Arnav when he stormed away. He went up the stairs and into his room. Khushi watched him go.
Does he even want to hold Shiv? It's his son too for god's sake! How dare he make the little thing cry and then storm away from here. I'm here to tell him about Shiv for his sake! And he doesn't even take a minute to realize that I didn't have to come here or tell him about our baby or even let Shiv know he has a father and Arnav Singh Raizada walks away? Khushi felt the tears forming in her eyes and closed them to diminish any tears. She rocked Shiv till he fell asleep. Anjali had followed her brother and Akash along with the rest of the family sat there speechless.
Khushi had never expected this to be easy. And Arnav's reaction was as extreme as she had thought it to be. Even then, somewhere in the back of her mind she had hoped for a second that Arnav would take the time to understand why she did what she had done. Typical Arnav Singh Raizada. Judge without looking at both sides of the story.
"Khushi, does Shiv need to eat food before he sleeps?" Nani asked with concern in her tone.
"Nahee, Nani, he'll wake up in an hour. I feed him then and he sleeps for a couple of hours." Khushi explained realizing that they didn't know anything about Shiv.
"Achaa. Well you can go to your room Khushi. I think we all need time to take in everything that's been revealed." Nani said standing up.
"Ji Nani." Khushi stood up with Shiv and left without a word to the room Payal led her to. As soon as she got to the room, she closed the door without letting Payal in. She needed some time alone.
There was a knock at her door.
"Khushi betiyan, give Arnav some time. You know him just as well as we all do. He's bad with matters of the heart, betiyan. Just give him time." Nani comforted Khushi from the other side of the door and walked away.
Khushi felt better at Nani's words. She'll give time. She already knew he'll take time. She just didn't know how much.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Chapter 4: Understanding
Arnav was shocked for a second time this day. Both times because of Kushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.
Shiv. The minute Khushi had taken him into her arms from Hari Prakash, Arnav thought he had lost the challenge. There was no way he told himself. Not while she was still married. It's Khushi, he thought then. She always surprised him. He thought the child's father was the "important news" Khushi had to share with Nani. With the entire family.
Shiv Singh Raizada. Arnav's knees felt weak. He understood everything. "He's my five month old son," Khushi had said. It echoed in Arnav's ears as his eyes froze on the tiny human being clutching to his mother's shoulder. His family said nothing. He said nothing. The child's father wasn't the important news Khushi had to share, it was the child. There was no need to present the child's father. Everybody knew who it was.
"Matlaab, this is... this is..." Anjali stuttered in realization.
"Meaning this is Arnav Singh Raizada's son also." Khushi said softly and finally looked at Arnav.
Arnav looked up suddenly at Khushi as if it had just struck him. He knew it. Yet, hearing it said out loud shook him to the core. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know whether to be angry or happy. He didn't know if he should ask questions or let Khushi tell everyone everything. He didn't know whether to hold his son in his arms or walk away from it all. So he stood there, staring at Khushi, who had looked down.
"But... but you never told us! You never told anyone!" Nani-ji accused Khushi with tears as she reached for Shiv. Shiv cooed and went with Nani without hesitation.
Arnav looked at him. The baby was chubby and happy with a head full of curls and eyes just like Khushi. He looked at Khushi as she stood there with tears streaming down her face.Tears entered his own eyes and he blinked them away. The rest of the family stood smiling through tears as they all went up to hold Shiv.
"Why don't we all go inside now?" Akash asked. "And once we sit, Khushi-ji can..." Akash shot a look at Arnav. "Khushi-ji can explain."
Arnav silently thanked Akash and walked to Khushi. The family froze with tension.
"Come." Arnav said taking hold off her elbow. It wasn't a command, tt wasn't a request. It was a plea. Slowly but steadily, the pieces were falling together in Arnav's head. Why she left Delhi, why she accepted the money, why she never asked for a divorce...
"Look at him! Bilkul like our Chote. He has his mother's eyes though!" Anjali praised her nephew as she held Shiv.
"Khushi betiyan, you have a lot to tell us." Nani reminded her.
---
When Arnav stood silently as she explained who Shiv was, Khushi knew that he understood. When he held her elbow in his Laad Governor way and asked her to come, she knew he wanted to know. He wanted to understand.
She didn't know how to begin, or where to begin. Anjali held Shiv and he seemed at ease. Everyone in the family had by now reached for Shiv and held him. Everyone except Arnav. Arnav stood watching Khushi. She took a seat as Nani, Anjali-ji, and everybody else settled around her. Arnav remained standing eager to know everything.
"I didn't know." Khushi started and whispered. "If I knew, I would've never left."
Shiv. The minute Khushi had taken him into her arms from Hari Prakash, Arnav thought he had lost the challenge. There was no way he told himself. Not while she was still married. It's Khushi, he thought then. She always surprised him. He thought the child's father was the "important news" Khushi had to share with Nani. With the entire family.
Shiv Singh Raizada. Arnav's knees felt weak. He understood everything. "He's my five month old son," Khushi had said. It echoed in Arnav's ears as his eyes froze on the tiny human being clutching to his mother's shoulder. His family said nothing. He said nothing. The child's father wasn't the important news Khushi had to share, it was the child. There was no need to present the child's father. Everybody knew who it was.
"Matlaab, this is... this is..." Anjali stuttered in realization.
"Meaning this is Arnav Singh Raizada's son also." Khushi said softly and finally looked at Arnav.
Arnav looked up suddenly at Khushi as if it had just struck him. He knew it. Yet, hearing it said out loud shook him to the core. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know whether to be angry or happy. He didn't know if he should ask questions or let Khushi tell everyone everything. He didn't know whether to hold his son in his arms or walk away from it all. So he stood there, staring at Khushi, who had looked down.
"But... but you never told us! You never told anyone!" Nani-ji accused Khushi with tears as she reached for Shiv. Shiv cooed and went with Nani without hesitation.
Arnav looked at him. The baby was chubby and happy with a head full of curls and eyes just like Khushi. He looked at Khushi as she stood there with tears streaming down her face.Tears entered his own eyes and he blinked them away. The rest of the family stood smiling through tears as they all went up to hold Shiv.
"Why don't we all go inside now?" Akash asked. "And once we sit, Khushi-ji can..." Akash shot a look at Arnav. "Khushi-ji can explain."
Arnav silently thanked Akash and walked to Khushi. The family froze with tension.
"Come." Arnav said taking hold off her elbow. It wasn't a command, tt wasn't a request. It was a plea. Slowly but steadily, the pieces were falling together in Arnav's head. Why she left Delhi, why she accepted the money, why she never asked for a divorce...
"Look at him! Bilkul like our Chote. He has his mother's eyes though!" Anjali praised her nephew as she held Shiv.
"Khushi betiyan, you have a lot to tell us." Nani reminded her.
---
When Arnav stood silently as she explained who Shiv was, Khushi knew that he understood. When he held her elbow in his Laad Governor way and asked her to come, she knew he wanted to know. He wanted to understand.
She didn't know how to begin, or where to begin. Anjali held Shiv and he seemed at ease. Everyone in the family had by now reached for Shiv and held him. Everyone except Arnav. Arnav stood watching Khushi. She took a seat as Nani, Anjali-ji, and everybody else settled around her. Arnav remained standing eager to know everything.
"I didn't know." Khushi started and whispered. "If I knew, I would've never left."
Chapter 3: Shiv
Arnav was back at a place he returned from months ago. Khushi. As if losing her wasn't enough, she was now coming back. Did she want to taunt him? Haunt his dreams again? Exhausted he sat down onto his recliner. That's when another thought struck him.
Maybe she was back for him. Maybe this was his chance to get her back. He had failed once and maybe this was his second chance. Maybe she was here to challenge him. That's what they did best - challenge each other.
Arnav Singh Raizada was well educated on how to win over clients. He was ready to take on this challenge. Khushi Kumari Gupta was something else, he warned himself. Oh wait, he thought. Kushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. He smirked with the knowledge that he already had the upper hand in this challenge.
---
At 6 o'clock, a knock at Khushi's door announced that a car was waiting to bring her to dinner.
"How typical of Mr.Raizada," she thought, "treating everyone like a client."
With Shiv, Khushi climbed into the car. Her heartbeat increased with each mile the car traveled. She wanted Arnav to be there today, but she didn't know how to face him. Where would she find the courage? She looked at Shiv, who was watching Khushi with his eyes. She would find courage in him, he reassured with his eyes.
---
Payal Singh Raizada was overcome with emotions as she waited for her sister's arrival. One year felt like an eternity. Her beloved sister was returning. As soon as she heard the gates of the Raizada mansion open to let the car in, Payal and the entire family hurried to the door. Payal paused in surprise for a second as she saw Arnav slowly descend the stairs, and then she proceeded to run out the door.
---
Arnav heard the commotion downstairs that confirmed Khushi had arrived. He would be brave, he had decided, and be there to greet her. After all, she was coming back.
He stayed in the back with Akash as Payal ran out the front door and everybody else waited in the doorway.
---
The car had barely stopped when Khushi's door was thrown open and her Jiji, overcome with emotion, pulled her out the car and embraced her.
Tears sprung into Khushi's eyes as she whispered, "Jiji..."
Her Jiji kissed her cheeks and pulled her toward the door. Khushi turned to the car and saw Hari Prakash unloading her luggage.
As she was pulled away, she motioned Hari Prakash to the backseat and was able to say "Get Shiv!" before her Jiji pulled her away.
Khushi froze at the doorway of the Raizada mansion as memories flooded her. The last few memories were the freshest and she shut her eyes to stop the tears. She opened her eyes to take in Nani-ji, Anjali-ji with a thali,Mami-ji, Mama-ji, Shyam (she did a small cringe), Akash, and... Arnav-ji. She dropped her gaze as Anjali and Nani embraced her and welcomed her into the house.
She could feel Arnav's eyes on her, but she looked at everyone but him.
"Khushi dear, you finally came." Nani said as she embraced her.
"Khushi-ji, you've been missed. A lot." Anjali added stroking her cheek.
A voice outside interrupted the reunion. "Khushi-ji," Hari Prakash was at the door with Shiv. "Here you go." Khushi looked at Shiv and took him into her arms. He cooed as he recognized Khushi.
The Raizada family stood silently watching. Even Arnav, who a second ago couldn't keep his eyes off Khushi, now looked back at the baby in Khushi's arms and back at her.
"Who is this, Khushi?" Nani asked concerned.
Khushi took a deep breathe. The time had come and everyone was here. She looked at Shiv and smiled. Shiv, her five month old son, played with her earrings.
"Nani, I told you about something important..." Khushi started.
The family waited for her answer. Arnav was impatient, but he too waited.
"Nani, this is Shiv. He's... He's five months old." Khushi continued.
"Yes but who is he, betiyan?" Nani asked her.
"He's... He's Shiv Singh Raizada. He's my five month old son."
Maybe she was back for him. Maybe this was his chance to get her back. He had failed once and maybe this was his second chance. Maybe she was here to challenge him. That's what they did best - challenge each other.
Arnav Singh Raizada was well educated on how to win over clients. He was ready to take on this challenge. Khushi Kumari Gupta was something else, he warned himself. Oh wait, he thought. Kushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. He smirked with the knowledge that he already had the upper hand in this challenge.
---
At 6 o'clock, a knock at Khushi's door announced that a car was waiting to bring her to dinner.
"How typical of Mr.Raizada," she thought, "treating everyone like a client."
With Shiv, Khushi climbed into the car. Her heartbeat increased with each mile the car traveled. She wanted Arnav to be there today, but she didn't know how to face him. Where would she find the courage? She looked at Shiv, who was watching Khushi with his eyes. She would find courage in him, he reassured with his eyes.
---
Payal Singh Raizada was overcome with emotions as she waited for her sister's arrival. One year felt like an eternity. Her beloved sister was returning. As soon as she heard the gates of the Raizada mansion open to let the car in, Payal and the entire family hurried to the door. Payal paused in surprise for a second as she saw Arnav slowly descend the stairs, and then she proceeded to run out the door.
---
Arnav heard the commotion downstairs that confirmed Khushi had arrived. He would be brave, he had decided, and be there to greet her. After all, she was coming back.
He stayed in the back with Akash as Payal ran out the front door and everybody else waited in the doorway.
---
The car had barely stopped when Khushi's door was thrown open and her Jiji, overcome with emotion, pulled her out the car and embraced her.
Tears sprung into Khushi's eyes as she whispered, "Jiji..."
Her Jiji kissed her cheeks and pulled her toward the door. Khushi turned to the car and saw Hari Prakash unloading her luggage.
As she was pulled away, she motioned Hari Prakash to the backseat and was able to say "Get Shiv!" before her Jiji pulled her away.
Khushi froze at the doorway of the Raizada mansion as memories flooded her. The last few memories were the freshest and she shut her eyes to stop the tears. She opened her eyes to take in Nani-ji, Anjali-ji with a thali,Mami-ji, Mama-ji, Shyam (she did a small cringe), Akash, and... Arnav-ji. She dropped her gaze as Anjali and Nani embraced her and welcomed her into the house.
She could feel Arnav's eyes on her, but she looked at everyone but him.
"Khushi dear, you finally came." Nani said as she embraced her.
"Khushi-ji, you've been missed. A lot." Anjali added stroking her cheek.
A voice outside interrupted the reunion. "Khushi-ji," Hari Prakash was at the door with Shiv. "Here you go." Khushi looked at Shiv and took him into her arms. He cooed as he recognized Khushi.
The Raizada family stood silently watching. Even Arnav, who a second ago couldn't keep his eyes off Khushi, now looked back at the baby in Khushi's arms and back at her.
"Who is this, Khushi?" Nani asked concerned.
Khushi took a deep breathe. The time had come and everyone was here. She looked at Shiv and smiled. Shiv, her five month old son, played with her earrings.
"Nani, I told you about something important..." Khushi started.
The family waited for her answer. Arnav was impatient, but he too waited.
"Nani, this is Shiv. He's... He's five months old." Khushi continued.
"Yes but who is he, betiyan?" Nani asked her.
"He's... He's Shiv Singh Raizada. He's my five month old son."
Chapter 2: Why?
Why?
Khushi sighed. "It's important, Nani. It's very important. I'm going to need the family there. The entire family."
Nani knew what she meant by "entire". It meant Arnav. "Of course dear. You'll be here for dinner?"
"Ji han, Nani."
"Okay, dear, we'll talk then. I need to prepare to receive you properly. Do hurry."
"Of course, Nani."
---
Khushi, his Khushi, was on the phone with Nani. Nani had passed through an array of emotions throughout the conversation and Arnav was able to figure out something was happening today. Then Nani talked about her coming for dinner.
"Khushi was in Delhi? Why was she here? Why didn't I know about it? And she's coming here today? Where was she now? She has no place to stay! She's back!" Arnav's internal monologue sped up with each question.
"CHOTE! ANJALI! MANORAMA! AKASH!" Nani's voice sounded from the main room.
Arnav descended the stairs quickly. It was about Khushi - he knew it. From all corners of the room, the family members emerged. Manorama with Mama-ji, Akash with Payal, and Anjali with her baby and Shyam trailing behind.
Arnav still didn't like the sight of his brother in law, Shyam. He took a deep breath in and reminded him of Shyam's condition.
"I have some important news." Nani started. Once she had everyone's attention, she continued. "Believe it or not, Khushi betiyan just called me."
Gasps and murmurs were exchanged and Nani kept her gaze on Arnav. Payal shed tears of joy as Akash held her. Arnav's eyes had flashed at the mention of her name, but his face remained emotionless.
"She will be reaching here in time for dinner. I don't know know why she's coming, but she has told me it is important. She has requested everyone to be present when she comes." Nani threw a stern look at Arnav. "Everyone."
"Aur han-" Nani reminded. "She is still the daughter in law of this house. Preparations to welcome her should be done without flaw." Nani paused with uncertainty as she said the next sentence and kept her eyes on Arnav. "Anjali, you, please... Please arrange the guest room for her."
---
Anjali Jha was more surprised than pleased at the news Nani had just delivered. She had watched Chote as Nani shared information about her recent phone call. He left with Nani's last comment to Anjali. Anjali sighed. Maybe there's still a chance.
Anjali - the entire family, actually - was now aware of why Arnav had married Khushi. She was aware of the deceit her husband had pulled her entire family into. She was shattered at first. When Chote and Khushi told her the truth about her husband, Anjali had fallen into an emotional pit. It took some time, but Anjali realized that as devoted as she was, she was not a bad judge of character. There had to be something, something, that triggered her husband.
It took more time, but the family learned of Shyam's mental condition. He was a schizophrenic. Anjali took to nursing him with open arms and blamed everything he had done on his condition. Chote was the most difficult to convince, but he too had started on the path of forgiveness.
And now Khushi...
---
Khushi Kumari Gupta had never imagined what it would be like to make that phone call. She smiled in relief. That wasn't so bad. However, dinner tonight - no, going there tonight - would be difficult. She clutched the Mangalsutra that still hung to her neck. "I have to do this." She reminded herself.
Khushi stared at the city from the window of the hotel she stayed at. She no longer had a place to call home in Delhi. Buaji, Bauji, and her Amma had moved back to Lucknow. She felt alone now in this city that, a year ago, meant so much for her.
In another room, a voice awoke Khushi from her thoughts. Shiv. With a smile, she realized she wasn't alone.
And why? "It's the right thing to do," the voice reminded her.
Khushi sighed. "It's important, Nani. It's very important. I'm going to need the family there. The entire family."
Nani knew what she meant by "entire". It meant Arnav. "Of course dear. You'll be here for dinner?"
"Ji han, Nani."
"Okay, dear, we'll talk then. I need to prepare to receive you properly. Do hurry."
"Of course, Nani."
---
Khushi, his Khushi, was on the phone with Nani. Nani had passed through an array of emotions throughout the conversation and Arnav was able to figure out something was happening today. Then Nani talked about her coming for dinner.
"Khushi was in Delhi? Why was she here? Why didn't I know about it? And she's coming here today? Where was she now? She has no place to stay! She's back!" Arnav's internal monologue sped up with each question.
"CHOTE! ANJALI! MANORAMA! AKASH!" Nani's voice sounded from the main room.
Arnav descended the stairs quickly. It was about Khushi - he knew it. From all corners of the room, the family members emerged. Manorama with Mama-ji, Akash with Payal, and Anjali with her baby and Shyam trailing behind.
Arnav still didn't like the sight of his brother in law, Shyam. He took a deep breath in and reminded him of Shyam's condition.
"I have some important news." Nani started. Once she had everyone's attention, she continued. "Believe it or not, Khushi betiyan just called me."
Gasps and murmurs were exchanged and Nani kept her gaze on Arnav. Payal shed tears of joy as Akash held her. Arnav's eyes had flashed at the mention of her name, but his face remained emotionless.
"She will be reaching here in time for dinner. I don't know know why she's coming, but she has told me it is important. She has requested everyone to be present when she comes." Nani threw a stern look at Arnav. "Everyone."
"Aur han-" Nani reminded. "She is still the daughter in law of this house. Preparations to welcome her should be done without flaw." Nani paused with uncertainty as she said the next sentence and kept her eyes on Arnav. "Anjali, you, please... Please arrange the guest room for her."
---
Anjali Jha was more surprised than pleased at the news Nani had just delivered. She had watched Chote as Nani shared information about her recent phone call. He left with Nani's last comment to Anjali. Anjali sighed. Maybe there's still a chance.
Anjali - the entire family, actually - was now aware of why Arnav had married Khushi. She was aware of the deceit her husband had pulled her entire family into. She was shattered at first. When Chote and Khushi told her the truth about her husband, Anjali had fallen into an emotional pit. It took some time, but Anjali realized that as devoted as she was, she was not a bad judge of character. There had to be something, something, that triggered her husband.
It took more time, but the family learned of Shyam's mental condition. He was a schizophrenic. Anjali took to nursing him with open arms and blamed everything he had done on his condition. Chote was the most difficult to convince, but he too had started on the path of forgiveness.
And now Khushi...
---
Khushi Kumari Gupta had never imagined what it would be like to make that phone call. She smiled in relief. That wasn't so bad. However, dinner tonight - no, going there tonight - would be difficult. She clutched the Mangalsutra that still hung to her neck. "I have to do this." She reminded herself.
Khushi stared at the city from the window of the hotel she stayed at. She no longer had a place to call home in Delhi. Buaji, Bauji, and her Amma had moved back to Lucknow. She felt alone now in this city that, a year ago, meant so much for her.
In another room, a voice awoke Khushi from her thoughts. Shiv. With a smile, she realized she wasn't alone.
And why? "It's the right thing to do," the voice reminded her.
Chapter 1: Nostalgia
The phone in the Raizada mansion rang without pause. Arnav Singh Raizada slowly rose from the recliner in his room with impatience.
"HARI PRAKASH!" He yelled.
No reply. Letting out an exasperated sigh he descended the stairs to the main room.
---
Nani was busy with Lakshmi when she heard the phone. Hari Prakash had gone to the market, so Nani hurried to the main room.
"Hello?" Nani spoke into the reciever.
"Na-Naniji?" A frail voice on the opposite side whispered.
---
Arnav Singh Raizada was not a man accustomed to the element of surprise. However, the words his Nani spoke into the telephone shocked him.
Arnav was half way down the stairs when he saw Nani approach the phone. With an annoyed grunt he had turned around and began his climb up the stairs.That's when he heard Nani slowly say a name that awoke in him an unsettled past. She said the only name that had any kind of control on the uncontrollable ASR.
"Khushi betiyan? Is it really you?" Nani had said.
Khushi. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. Arnav was frozen. His left foot was caught midway in action. Slowly, he put his foot down and turned to face his Nani, listening.
---
Nani could not control the emotions that went through her mind when she first heard the voice. Khushi, her beloved granddaughter in law.
"It's me." Khushi replied.
"How are you? Where are you, betiyan? It's been so long! Do you not miss me? Do you not miss your Jiji? It's been a year, darling, where have you been?" Nani couldn't stop herself.
"Me teek hoon, Nani. I'm fine. How are you, Nani?"
"I'm fine now. I'm glad you called, child. You have yet to answer my question, where are you?"
"Nani, actually, I'm..." Khushi hesitated. Was this what she wanted to do? It didn't matter, she told herself, it was the right thing to do and so she'll do it.
"Tell me..." Nani urged.
"I reached Delhi today, Nani. I'm coming back... today."
"Aaj?!" Nani was delighted. "When?"
Suddenly Nani was brought back to reality. "Khushi... Why?"
"HARI PRAKASH!" He yelled.
No reply. Letting out an exasperated sigh he descended the stairs to the main room.
---
Nani was busy with Lakshmi when she heard the phone. Hari Prakash had gone to the market, so Nani hurried to the main room.
"Hello?" Nani spoke into the reciever.
"Na-Naniji?" A frail voice on the opposite side whispered.
---
Arnav Singh Raizada was not a man accustomed to the element of surprise. However, the words his Nani spoke into the telephone shocked him.
Arnav was half way down the stairs when he saw Nani approach the phone. With an annoyed grunt he had turned around and began his climb up the stairs.That's when he heard Nani slowly say a name that awoke in him an unsettled past. She said the only name that had any kind of control on the uncontrollable ASR.
"Khushi betiyan? Is it really you?" Nani had said.
Khushi. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. Arnav was frozen. His left foot was caught midway in action. Slowly, he put his foot down and turned to face his Nani, listening.
---
Nani could not control the emotions that went through her mind when she first heard the voice. Khushi, her beloved granddaughter in law.
"It's me." Khushi replied.
"How are you? Where are you, betiyan? It's been so long! Do you not miss me? Do you not miss your Jiji? It's been a year, darling, where have you been?" Nani couldn't stop herself.
"Me teek hoon, Nani. I'm fine. How are you, Nani?"
"I'm fine now. I'm glad you called, child. You have yet to answer my question, where are you?"
"Nani, actually, I'm..." Khushi hesitated. Was this what she wanted to do? It didn't matter, she told herself, it was the right thing to do and so she'll do it.
"Tell me..." Nani urged.
"I reached Delhi today, Nani. I'm coming back... today."
"Aaj?!" Nani was delighted. "When?"
Suddenly Nani was brought back to reality. "Khushi... Why?"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)