arshi SS: Hamesha ~ A heartbeat Away, Epilogue

Epilogue


The brilliance of iridescent white light strangely did not hurt the eyes. It was wispy, blurred and shiny all at the same time. Three woman sat in a wide semi arc. It was hard to focus, but even without actually knowing you knew, they had benevolent sparkling eyes and kind satisfied smiles.

It you concentrated hard enough you could see the flashing silver payal on one ankle. The second woman held a cup. A pristine white cup from which the strong aroma of coffee drifted. Even if you happened to not like coffee you would still not think of scrunching your nose. Crispy, syrupy orange swirls of goodness were being put to good use by the third woman.

“devi maiyya jilebi humein bhi”.. Khushi Arnav Raizada extended her hand out.


*****

“Shut up Khushi“, a thick voice laced with slumber muttered gruffly near her. Arnav Singh Raizada had his eyes still closed, but his brows furrowed in lazy annoyance.

“Ye kaisa sapna tha? Hum na devi maiyya bilkul pagal hai. Arnavji’s mother surely did not like drinking coffee, or did she? Anyway this dream..”

(What a peculiar dream? I am completely crazy. )

She yelped in confusion. A firm hand had placed itself on the area above her navel, a little to the left. Just below her heart. Dhak dhak dhak dhak…

The confusion ebbed away. The tingly breathlessness remained. Of course, she was with Arnav Singh Raizada. Where else would Khushi Arnav Raizada be?

She wriggled a little to turn her head towards the clock. The sleeping figure next to her grunted in irritation at the slight movement.

“So ja Khushi. It is not even 6 yet.” Again she shifted around trying to find that perfect spot on her pillow.

(Go to sleep Khushi)


“Ye larki mujhe bilkul pagal kar degi“, he had not only opened his eyes but was quite definitely glaring at her. That too early in the morning! But, with unshakable certainty, she knew that hidden beneath the impatience was a lingering smile.

Smile, smirk.. She was still confused. It was hard to concentrate enough to find the difference even though Arnavji had teased her enough times about it.

Smile or no smile, this exquisite glare was him. The man she loved. A love that was nothing like what she had imagined, and still it was all she wanted and oh so much more!

He was asleep again, it seemed. She continued to stare at him, in the darkness that was slowly fading into light as soft rays made its way through the curtains near the poolside.

Was it days or weeks or months that she got to sleep with him close by? Usually by the time she woke up he was already back from his morning jog. However, if waking up at unearthly early morning hours meant getting a glimpse of Arnavji sleeping next to her, it was worth it.

She grinned as she tried to go back to sleep.

No one had told her this was the best part of marriage. Not her friends, not even Salman Khanji and Barun Sobtiji’s movies. She had no idea that the best part of marriage was not having to say bye ever.

She lived in the same house as Arnavji. If they fought he was still in her room. In their room. She could see him, he was present around her, his presence was around her. Even then, twenty four hours was less. She wanted to clutch on to every single moment with him and make it last for an entire eternity within iteself.

She wanted to wake up everyday and know that they had spent all night long wrapped in each other arms. When he pulled her close and would lay that first kiss there was no fear of interruption. And all that followed..

She blushed at the turn of thoughts and bit her lower lip to stop the smile from peeping out. Carefully she shifted closer to him.

He had turned around and now his back was towards her. He was wearing his white full sleeves t-shirt. Khushi frowned. She liked the feel of his bare skin against her. A connection that was a secret. Their secret; that had a place here in this very room, but also all day long in her heart. As if he was a part of her. An essential feeling that touched her deep within.

There was such a lot she wanted to learn from him. And there was so much more she was impatient to to hear him tell her. Those scary looking thick books that he seemed to enjoy reading. She wanted him to talk about all of that. His days in London, his business mergers…

Hmmpp laad governor and his deals. He had asked her if she wanted to join his office, but she had said no.

Di was at home and Khushi wanted to keep her company. Lately, di had said she was bored at times. Though there was lots of preparation for the little rajkumari or rajkumar that was to come, still it would be nice if di went out some more. But going outside was something di still seemed to resist.

If only Khushi could get di to go to AR Designs and..

*****

“Khushi hilna band karo." ASR rolled his eyes. Her leg was draped on his thighs. Her eyes were closed, but she was mumbling incoherent words. One hand, slender, but still quite surprisingly heavy was flung across his chest.

(Stop moving)

He was debating whether to leave for his jog or sleep some more when that hand on his chest grabbed onto his shirt and her beautiful head snuggled closer. A sigh escaped her lips.

The decision had been made for him. This had become a regular maddening dilemma for him. Sleep had never felt important. it was almost an utter waste of time. But, now, it was such a temptation. With Khushi close he loved his sleep.

Then again, he loved not sleeping too. A wicked gleam entered his eyes. He smirked in a self satisfied sort of male way. There were nights he took particular pride in ensuring that she didn’t sleep. He would watch her expressions flit from a shy acceptance to surprise. And with absolutel inevitability get lost in contended sighs as he made love to her.

But, then he also wanted to have her continue talking. How much could she talk! And eat! He had never felt this confused and certainly never enjoyed his confusion to this extent before. Talking, sleeping, not sleeping he wanted everything with Khushi. Even this girly pink bed sheet with flowers on it!

Sometimes, from office he would call her. To just hear her say “haylo” and imagine a smile lighting up that face.


He wondered once if she got bored while he worked, but she insisted in sitting next to him in their poolside under the stars, amongst his plants. No, their plants. He had come home one day early, and seen her watering them with the big green watering can he used. She could barely lift it, but he didn’t want to break the magic of the moment. He simply stood and watched her.

Nothing had prepared him for this joy of being with Khushi.’

He wanted to laugh at himself, or maybe even give himself a kick. How foolish he sounded. But dammit! How happy he felt. This rush of contentment and crazy boyish excitement whenever he was around her was irresistible.

“uff“.. A heavy hand had landed on his stomach and knocked the breath out of him. Khushi’s lips were still moving, but now her face was close to his. She was happily talking in her sleep, her lips grazing his ear lobe gently, every now and then. It was a lovely form of torture, till she pushed him further of the bed as she suddenly shifted.

“Stop moving sweetheart," he laughed aloud this time. How could anyone possibly sleep this way? At a weird diagonal angle..

He watched Khushi rub her eyes with the back of her hand and stifle a yawn. “I saw a dream Arnavji. Usme amma thi, and your mother and jilebi. I..”

“Shhh..sleep“, he hushed her. The sound barely leaving his lips.

“But, I have a plan..“, the sleep was gradually leaving her eyes.

Good, he thought. Now he needn’t fear waking her up. Since she was already awake he planned to take full advantage of the situation. He wound his arms around her and took those talkative lips between his own. The kiss was long and languorous. She moaned.

He was distracted and then completely shocked as she lightly nipped on his lower lip.

“Now listen to my plan Arnav..“. It still thrilled him whenever she decided to drop the ji. It came at unexpected moments and he never tired of the surprise.

She sat up. Her pink kurta and unwound hair were in disarray making her look even more gorgeous, he decided.

“We can blackmail di. If I go to AR Designs and work humein yakeen hain di bhi chalengi and then..”

(I am sure di will also come to AR Designs)

He couldn’t help it. He took the fluffy white pillow from under his head and hit her with it. “What crap Khushi“, he declared as she stared open mouth at him. He knew even when he was sixteen he would not have indulged in a pillow fight and here he was hitting Khushi with a pillow! But he wanted to throw caution in the wind..

Her mouth was open in a pronounced “o“. He was going to kiss her some more, but she surprised him as always. A soft cushion had landed on his arm.

She quickly scrambled away giggling. He lunged after her. No thought of resisting the call of this gleeful seraph. Within minutes they were ducking, out of breath and laughing quite uncontrollably. Clutching her aching stomach, with a few tears of mirth rolling down her cheeks Khushi stood on top of the bed.

ASR jumped towards her in a final tackle. Pillows, feathers, Khushi and ASR landed with a loud thud as the low rise bed cracked from under them.

For a second they were too stunned to react. They lay on top of each other, across a broken bed, covered in down feathers. Quite breathless, they watched the white feathers still fluttering above, deciding on a perfect spot to settle.

ASR’s lips curved upwards as he wondered out loud. “I never ever in my wildest dreams thought I would break my bed having, of all the things, a pillow fight with my wife." “my wife…“, he said the words a second time and turned to watch Khushi.

Khushi had raised her hands to catch a few feathers still in flight. Her hair had quite a few white flecks on it as well. She gave her head a violent shake, sending more feathers flying again. It caused ASR to sneeze.

“I always dreamed of watching feathers burst out of pillows after a pillow fight Arnavji“. She moved in excitement and the bed gave way further. An even louder creak elicited from it this time.

They burst out into another round of laughter. Hiccuping, catching her breath, Khushi said, “hum dono“.

(Both of us..)

“Kitne ajeeb hai“, ASR completed. His voice had such a sense of fulfilment, as if being ajeeb was exactly what every sane man’s aim in life must be.

(are strange)

****

A series of knocks on the door and whispers outside caught their attention. Khushi rushed to open the door.

The whole family was at the threshold. Nani was trying hard to keep a straight face. Payal, Akash and NK were giggling like a bunch of school kids. A sleepy OP was standing with a fidgeting goat in his arms, who leapt and made her way to probably investigate the interesting looking white feathers.

Mami’s sleep had vanished seeing her nephew sitting in an awkward angle on a clearly irreparable bed. She was all set to crack a joke about cricket and broken beds when Khushi started talking.

“di.. Ye laad governor.. Humara matlab Arnavji won’t let me join office, but if u join with me toh wo mana nai kar payenge. Ha keh dijiye di. Bahut mazza aayega.”

(I mean Arnavji.. won’t be able to say no if you join office with me. Say yes. We will have lots of fun)

Di was nodding her head and laughing.

While everyone was trying to process if the feathers and state of bed were collateral damage of a sanka devi and business tycoon fight, Khushi had smoothly turned her head in ASR’s direction.

She winked. Then to make sure he was in on her plan, for good measure, she winked fast, a few more times.

All ASR could think was this girl with pagal plans was his. He didn’t think he believed in such silly things as “forever“, but he wanted her. He wanted every moment of this crazy girl who he loved equally crazily. And he did not want it to ever end.

Hameshaa.. Whoever thought of the word must have undoubtedly been a genius…

****

arshi SS : Hamesha ~ A heartbeat away, Chapter 25

Chapter 25

It was one of those rare moments when Arnav Singh Raizada was simply sitting. A laptop was not open in front of him. Neither was his bluetooth attached to his ear. His books lay neatly arranged in alphabetical order on the distant bookshelves. Even the bright green watering can remained by the rose bush, not in use.

ASR did not believe in wasting time resting or in idle chatter. He throbbed with life. Even if his physical body was in one place, his sharp mind would constantly be solving problems, coming up with ideas. His mind would be categorizing, delegating, making sure everything went perfectly as planned.

Soft waves lapped in the shallow pristine blue waters of the pool. A rhythmic gurgle could be heard as the water gently dashed against the walls of its confinement.

ASR’s eyes were a much darker startling pool of untold mysteries. They segued from turbulent storms to heavy downpour. Until, with a sigh he closed his eyes.

In his characteristic gesture he swallowed. He tilted his head upwards. The blinding brightness of the afternoon rays, even across closed eyelids, was apparent. The heat of the sun on his face felt good. Gradually his breathing calmed. The tension in his muscles started to recede..

Di was fine..

He recollected the scene from an hour ago..

“tumne suna chote? Tum mama bannane wale ho..”

(Did you hear? You are going to be an uncle)

Di had this increduluos look on her face, as if this wasn’t something that had truly sunk in yet.

He himself had heard the words and groped around in the dark. This was uncharted territory. All he knew about kids was that nani and mami had a habit of teasing di about them. That scoundrel of a Shyam would simper while di would blush and giggle in reply.

ASR was always safe behind his newspaper, with no intention of being part of such conversations. He did remain vigilant enough to step in if ever di appeared distressed. Thankfully he had never really needed to be part of such weird conversations because di had always been happy. But that was before..

What was he supposed to say? How was he to react? His di.. A mother? Arnav Singh Raizada.. mama?

“chote…”, di had cuppsed his face and broken into a wide smile. He had no doubts her eyes were sparkling.

“I am very sorry I went with..”, her voice shook a little and eyes clouded for a minute, but she went on. “I went with Shyamji because I hoped for some kind of miracle. Now look.. Ma sent us a miracle.. my very own miracle.. I am not alone.. my child..”

Her eyes were shining again, crinkling at the edges.

For a second ASR felt a stab of worry. Would di take this as an excuse to hide from the facts? The fact that the man she had married was a cheat and worse. Shyam was greedy, dangerous and remorseless.

“di main hoon. I will always be with you. Aap akeli nai ho..” He placed his own shaking hands firmly on top of hers.

(I am there. you are not alone)

She was nodding. “Hum jante hai. That is why I am not afraid for my child. Tum ho..”

(I know.. you are there.)

She removed her hands from his cheeks and lovingly caressed the curve of her belly. “I still can’t believe it. Tumhe pata hai I have had so many plans for her..”

(you know..)

Her?

Di giggled, sounding almost eighteen again. “Don’t look at me that way..Obviously I don’t know for sure lekin humein hamesha se beti chahiye thi. Even Shyamji..”

(I always wanted a daughter)

Her voice trailed away. Her gaze landed on the walls lined with photo frames. “Ask Om prakashji to take these away. Instead I will line the walls with disney princesses.”

She laughed. ASR was having a hard time deciding if di was genuinely okay.

“And now lets concentrate on the weddings..”, she made a movement to rise from the bed.

ASR panicked. “di maybe you need to rest a little. The wedding..”

“has to happen exactly as planned. And of course I don’t need to rest. The more active I am the better for my baby. And you can starting reading up on all this, because I am going to be asking Khushi bhabhi for a playmate soon.”

She laughed when she saw his alarmed expression. Then quickly sobered down.

“Pata hai chote there were moments today when I was almost ready to give up on life. Ma.. ko bhi aisa laga hoga na? we will never know..”

(ma .. must have felt the same)

She wiped away a teardrop from the corner of her eyes. He felt his jaw clench and had to blink a few times.

“di aap aise kyu keh reh ho?”, his voice was hoarse laced with pain.

(why are you saying such things?)

“because you were always right chote”, came her reply. “We should always face facts. Chote, ma gave up on living, but we have each other and now Khushi bhabhi.. my baby”. Her teeth were visible again as she grinned.

“there is nani, mami..oh everyone.. So there is a million reasons to live, but most importantly ma always believed in goodness and love. We can’t give up on that. Agar hum pyar mein vishwas nahi karenge toh unki zindagi yuhi zaaya ho gayi. Promise me we won’t let that happen”.

(if we don’t believe in love then her life was futile)

He had never known di to be this strong. Maybe she really was all right. The strangest realization hit him. He felt like laughing.. He was actually terribly relieved she was still talking about love. He had never thought he would be thankful about her crazy ideas of love.

She seemed to have noticed the slight drag of his lip and caught on. An excitement was clearly visible in her. “Ab hato chote. Let me go find Khushi and Payal bhabhi. Waise you have to admit you have been quite boring to be with all these years. Ab Khushi bhabhi aake tumhe thora kam ukhda ukhda bana de to meri sari mushkile khatam.”

(now move away.. now if Khushi bhabhi comes and makes you less cynical and sour all my troubles are gone)

He had let himself break into a smile then. This di he knew. This teasing, sprightly, slightly condescending di made him feel normal.
ASR opened his eyes as the sound of Khushi Kumari Gupta’s payal fell on his ears. Next he could hear her bangles as they slid across her lissom arms. She must be waving them about.

No di was not just okay.. She was happy..

And this poolside, where without understanding why, he had feared that he would never see Khushi again, would now always have Khushi around. All of a sudden he was hit by a powerful eagerness for the evening to come.

He was even more eager for the wearer of that payal and those bangles to arrive before him. Khushi.. He indulged in saying the name out loud.. A disarming boyish grin appeared on his face, that would have made any heart that saw it surely melt.
****

"humaar saaladwa koi isstealing karat rahe sasuma" , Manorma Raizada wailed.

(someone stole my salad)

Her mother-in-law could only roll her eyes and hope that Payal bitiya would someday complain about stolen salads to Manorama so that she got a taste of her own medicine.

“Aap kahe drama karat hai Manorama. There is so many things to eat that the caterers have sent for lunch. Ee sab mein se kuch kahe nahi kha let hai?”

(why are you putting on this drama? why don’t you eat something from all this spread?)

“no noj saasuma. Shaam ko toh phull on eating karike pari. Toh abhi dieting eej impartant", Manorma patted her bun complacently.

(no no.. in the evening we will bring on the eating. So for now dieting is important)

Madhumatiji sat down on the dining table with the other ladies and peered into each dish with scary concentration.

“kya hua Madhumatiji?" , The head of the Raizada family asked politely.

(what happened?)

“hai re nand kisssoore. humaar gulab jamun aur kachoriyan naahi milat hai. I kept it on the table there“, she waved around her hand in a sweeping movement. The ‘there‘ could basically have meant any part of Shantivan if one went as per the movement of her hand.

(I can fin’t my gulab jamun and kachori)

“hello hi bye bye..“, Manorama was about to break into a dramatic soliloquy when one of the culprits ambled upto the table.

“nani gulab jamun and kachori toh swadisht hai. Main ek poora plate kha liya“, NK announced. He sat down rubbing his tummy contently. Smug that he managed a correct hindi word for once.

(its tasty. I ate a whole plateful)

“hai re nand kissore.. Natkhat nand kisore ki tarah tum bhi churakar khayat rahe maakhan“, buaji was looking loopily at the speechless boy.

(Like naughty nand kisore you are stealing and eating butter)

“err”, he was planning to make a run for it, but was stopped by mami’s reproaches.

“NK babua humaar saladwa kahe issteal karat rahe?”

(why did you steal my salad?)

“Salad? Jab gulab jamun hai and kachori main ghaas phoos kyu eat karunga mami. Something is fishy“, NK scratched his head looking all around as if crunchy leaves would appear out of thin air and mami’s salad would be found.

“machli? Naahi naahi.. Pure vegetarian salad rahat.. Only pattaj.. Green green“. mami had moved her hands in the motion of swimming fish. Then hurried to reassure everyone, worried that sasuma might think she had brought in fish into the house. NK babua sometimes was quite crazy she decided. He knew she was a vegetarian.

(fish.. no no.. it was a pure vegetarian salad. only leaves)

Anjali walked in leading a happy lakshmiji. “humaara sara kamra Lakshmiji ne ganda kar diya. Who gave her a salad to eat?”

(Lakshmiji dirtied my entire room.)

While nani was happy to see Anjali appear normal after long, Lakshmiji oblivious of her crime continued to munch on the remaining leaves in her mouth.

“Maeee“, maybe she was appreciating the wedding food too.

****

“Arnavji di suggested I bring you lunch. Om Prakashji is busy. Humne mamaji se suna Om Prakashji aur Mohanji mein jhagra ho gaya hai.. Amanji bhi hai waha. He is trying to sort it out.”

(I heard from mamaji Om Prakashji and Mahoanji had a fight. Amanji is also there)

The girl is bright green and sunny yellow sat down in front of him. Then with care she broke a tiny piece of poori and held it up for him.

He took the morsel into his mouth and munched.

“Aap thik hai na Arnavji?“, a pair of large beautiful questioning eyes stared anxiously at him, as another bite was held up. She was worried for him. She wasn’t sure what all Shyamji had said, but Arnavji and di had looked pale when she had burst into the house.

(are you all right?)

“I am ravenous“, he replied. The words had brought on an army of butterflies in her stomach. Those prehistoric giant butterflies the size of dinosaurs most probably. And the flapping of their wings clearly led to an undeniable acidity.. dhak dhak dhak dhak..

When he nipped at the fingers that held the food, she was sure it was to tell her how alright he was. She yelped and withdrew her hand. Her nose seemed to radiate heat and her tongue was tied in knots.

Her stomach decided to rumble and her mouth opened wide in embarrassment.

He laughed. As if there was no care in the world. A handsome young man enjoying himself on his wedding day. Had she called him handsome..hey devi maiyya.. Now her cheeks were aflame.

“tumne kuch khaya?“, his voice dipped low and held an intimate caress.

For once, she almost missed the words, as she concentrated on the plate in front. “Aise toh humne kha liya tha, par ek aur poorie toh kha hi lena chahiye.” She made a roll of the poori and stuffed it into her mouth. Food might help with the strange feeling in her stomach.

(I did eat, but I think I should eat atleast one more poori)

He was still grinning, his face looked uncommonly boisterous. Days ago when she had seen him laugh for the first time she had thought he did not look like a laad governor while smiling.. devi maiyya I was right.. when he laughs..

In reflex her hand went to slap her forehead.

“What the“, two bedazzled brown eyes followed her movement.

devi maiiya.. jab wo haste hai tab wo laad governor nai lagte.. But when does he laugh.. I could count those times on my fingers.. Aur humare toh aapki tarah das hath bhi nai hai devi maiyya.. I don’t have ten hands like you.. only two.. Bas 2 hath ke fingers mein sara counting ho jayega..

“Khushi.. One of these days you have to tell me what do you keep mumbling“.. He took a more reasonable size bit of the poori as he watched her.

She got up in agitation.

“We fought arnavji. Today of all the days.. And I like jilebis and aapko meetha mana hai.. Humare hero hai Barun Sobti aur aapke liye toh sirf wo hollywood movie.. I have only read chacha chowdary with excitement and you read those boring hard covered books jinki likhai dekh kar hi humein neend aa jayegi.. Arnavji humein teekha pasand hai aur aapki toh zindagi feeki hai..”

(you are not allowed sweet. My hero is Barun Sobti and all you like are Hollywood movies… looking at the print in your books I fall asleep.. I like hot and spicy, and your whole life is bland..)

She didn’t want him to become serious.. but devi maiyya.. She turned to face him..

“Aapko toh sukoon pasand hai aur mujhe shor gul na ho toh neend nai aati..”

(you like peace and I can’t even fall asleep if there is no noise)

For a moment her breath left her as she looked at her Arnavji and their eyes met. He had that casual assured air around him, a slight pout on his lips. He looked inviting and dangerous. He looked like her Arnavji.

“hey devi maiiya ye toh humne socha hi nahi.. Humein teekha pasand hai that is why..”

(I didn’t think of this.. I like hot and spicy that is why..)

“that is why .. what?“, his gaze smouldered as he took a step towards her.

She shuffled her feet backwards. He moved closer. A familiar exhilarating dance that they had performed numerous times in the past. She knew she was about to hit the wall behind her when a firm voice inside her urged her to say it. Out loud. Because, she wanted him to know.

“is liye toh I love you Arnavji“, she whispered and flashed her pearly white teeth, happily.

(that is why)

Before he could say anything, she cut in, “par aapko.. Why me Arnavji?“, she was genuinely puzzled now.

(but for you..)

“Didn’t you say I like peace.. Even when you talk non stop and make my life chaotic I find sukoon. You bring me peace Khushi Kumari Gupta“.

The laad governor could say the tenderest of words at times.

His hand had found its way around her back and jerked her sinfully close. His lips hovered right above hers as he spoke. A heady husky timbre that came from a mix of desire and sincerity.

“We can order different dishes to eat, and when I want something sweet I will taste your lips. I will definitely not be watching that idiot Barun Sobti, but you sure will have to watch a few scandalous English movies with me. We’ll fight and make love.. I’ll yell and tease and not pay attention and you can irritate me and defy me and make me laugh.. And through all this I will love you and you will love me.. And we will share our lives hamesha.. How does that sound? hmm..”

The kisses that followed were a seal to the promise. A vow of two lovers.

When they broke apart for some air, with a cool smirk the wicked one proceeded to remind her that their suhaag raat was a few hours away and they might as well behave themselves till then.

Khushi was sure this time the blush that set in was permanent. An avalanche had descended on her ears..

dhak dhak dhak dhak..

****

It was sometime later that Khushi and Payal sat with their babuji. Garima was bustling around the room worried that the girls would be horribly late, but they had wanted to spend some time with their father. Not just Khushi, but even Payal had cajoled her into staying a little longer. How could she possibly say no to them!

She watched them with their father. Garima could not believe he had spoken. As his voice gained strength, it felt like there was no gap of months when she had not heard him. The voice was familiar. The words he uttered were the ones she had imagined these past few months.

He rested on a comfortable arm chair, already wearing the cream kurta that Anjali had bought for him and her mamaji. Raw tasar silk with maroon and gold thread embroidery around the neck and small pearl buttons. He looked distinguished in it.

Garima thought about the rani pink silk she was going to wear. She had been worried it was too bright for the brides mother, but Anjali had convinced her to wear it. The fall had a mauve tinge and a thick silver border right uptil the aanchal. And on each pleat would show an intricate madhubani motif.

On jeeji’s insistence she had even tried on the saree a few days earlier and liked it, but now she hoped she would look nice next to the man who was perfect.

“Khoosie.. Payaliya.. Now get up and start getting ready“, she had to be firm. Who knew where jeeji was and these two girls showed no signs of moving!

Through the open door Nk and Akash babua came running in. Atleast, they were still not dressed either, she thought with a bit of relief.

“Aunty humein jhootha hide karna hai.. Otherwise marna hai“, NK spoke frantically.

(We want to hide a liar)

“Nk bhai jhootha nahi joota“, her usually calm son-in-law also was apparently excited and breathless.

(Not a liar a shoe)

“Akash tum decide kar lo tum meri Hindi correct karna chahte ho or do you want to hide these shoes?“, an indignant NK demanded.

(you decide if you want to correct my hindi or want to hide these shoes)

While they were busy arguing about where to hide the shoes, with a few helpful hints from Payal and Khushi, Anjali walked in.

Garima was pleased to see the color had returned on her face. Her limp was hardly noticeable and her happiness seemed genuine and complete. She was a strong woman. Garima felt a maternal pride envelop her. A motherless girl, who had already been through too much. Yet she was here. Hopeful and strong.

A comanding voice bellowed from below. “NK Akash where the hell are my shoes? Om Prakash go find them..”

Garima was about to to get worried. Arnav bitwa sounded angry.

The kids in the room however, had all burst out laughing. And though the one downstairs was shouting currently, Garima knew for sure her daughters' were getting married into a house with wonderful people. Khushi’s amma, her jiji, would have been blissful to see such a match.

Her husband had turned to watch her. There eyes met and a feeling of contentment was shared without words.

Only a few more hours and her bitiyas would be married..


****

arshi SS : Hamesha ~ A heartbeat away, Chapter 24

Chapter 24

"di main aapko kabhi kuch nahi hone dunga".. He promised di nothing bad would happen. One hand held the steering wheel steady and the other ran through his hair.

(I won't let anything bad ever happen to you)

The white SUV coruscated against the blazing sun. The occupants inside had not said anything out loud since they had sat inside. The horn blared, jarring, insistent, as the car cut sharply to the left. The driver was quite clearly impatient.

A bright red chunari with golden gota was tied to the mirror. It flapped with a frantic intensity, due to the veering motion of the car. Ostentatious and conspicuously out of place, in the otherwise sleek, urbanely male interior of the car, it remained.

"chup karo chote.. Humein ye devi maiyya ki chunari tumhari gari mein lagane do. Otherwise I will stop talking to you..".. di's eyes had twinkled as she delivered that threat.

(keep quiet.. Let me tie this holy cloth)

Arnav Singh Raizada had no idea where Shyam might have taken Anjali. From the time Khushi's dad had spoken, an added sense of urgency weighed upon ASR. A desperation had entered his search to get to di.

Beside him, his usually garrulous companion was silent too. Her vividly colorful lime green and periwinkle kurti had shiny stuff too, ASR took note. Khushi Kumari Gupta always had some shiny stuff somewhere around her.

She was chewing her lip, her hand stretched out to grip the dashboard.

"aaj bhi humein tez gari se dar lagta hai". He had been attempting to apologize when she had spilled this secret.

(Till today I am afraid of fast cars)

He remembered. ASR lifted his foot a fraction off the accelerator.

"don't slow down Arnavji. hum thik hain", her lips were pressed together in resolve.

(I am alright)

He gave a sharp nod, and put his foot back. The car zoomed forward.

This time it was ASR's phone that broke the silence. The urgency conveyed itself even in the vibration. He placed it on speaker, needing both his hands to maneuver the car.

"bhai did you hear form di? Any idea yet?", came Akash's worried voice from the other end. It filled the confined space of the SUV with what had remained unspoken. Di was no where to be found. And ASR had no idea where to reach her.

"No, not yet", came his crisp reply. No trace of the panic his insides were in, was visible on the outside. Only a slight impatience to get to the task at hand. Still staring ahead, weaving through the traffic he asked, "Akash did you get the commissioner on the phone?"

Akash confirmed he had. Then added, "bhai tell Khushiji her babuji is able to talk. The doctor has asked him not to exert, but after this initial break through the doctor is hopeful that babuji will recover soon. Payal wanted Khushi to know..".

"hum sun rahe hai jeejaji.. I heard you..", Khushi spoke up. Her voice shook slightly. Her hand rose in quick fervent prayer. "hey devi maiyya", she chanted.

ASR slammed the breaks and faced her. "Shyam will pay for what he did. I will make sure he pays for it".

It was Khushi's turn to nod this time. She had no doubt that Arnavji would do as he promised.

"Akash I am going towards Shyam's flat in greater Kailash. Call me as soon as you find something."

As the car sped up a rising storm of dust left its trail behind.

"ma.. ma... "

He was running, as if his life depended on it, when the second bullet had pierced the silence heralded by the first. This time a dissonance of shouts had played. There were more legs and a jumble of bodies moving towards that sound, but he still ran. He was too late.

"Arnavji..", a soft whisper broke through his diurnal nightmare. "aap chinta mat kijiye. You will find her.."

(you don't worry)

"main di ka khayal nahi rakh paya Khushi. I failed her", inside, he felt as hollow as his voice.

(I couldn't not take care of di)

"don't say that Arnavji. You know it is not true." She said equally sincere in her denial.

"main sach dekh nai paya...", his fist slapped the steering wheel. "All those years back I didn't see.. And after all this time I made the same mistake. Maine us insaan ko di ki zindagi mein aane kaise diya dammit?"

( I could not see the the truth)

(How could I let that man enter into my di's life dammit?)

"How would you have known?", Khushi asked extremely concerned at the agony apparent on his visage.

"nahi Khushi.. It is my fault.. I should have seen.. mujhe aur dhyam dena chahiye the.. It's just.. That di khushi thi.. aur jab di khush hoti hai toh aisalagta hai ki sab thik hai.. Khushi I utterly failed her.. main kuch nai kar paya.. phir kisike karan di dukhi thi aur main kuch nai kar paya"

(no.. I should have payed more attention.. di was happy.. and when di gets happu it's as if everything becomes okay. I could do nothing. again because of someone di was sad and I could do nothing)

Khushi helplessly watched. He was suffering.

How could she forget the siblings sitting on the temple steps that day.. "hamesha ukhda ukhda".. di had giggled finally, while singing the silly song.. nai devi maiyya.. nothing bad could happen to Arnavji's di..

(always aloof and brooding)

"humein bharosa hai.. di thik hongi.. wo aapse bahut pyar karti hai Arnavji.. When she has you by her side she will not need anyone else. Sab thik ho jayega".

(I have faith. di is fine. she loved you very much. everything will be fine)

Khushi meant it with all her heart. His strength, love and sheer will power made one feel strong in his presence. di would gain strength from it too.

"kuch thik nahi hota hai Khushi Kumari Gupta. Kuchi bhi kabhi bhi thik nahi hota hai". His face had grown grimmer if possible.

(Nothing becomes fine . nothing ever becomes fine)

Khushi cringed at the violence in his words. What could she possibly say to make it better?

chal maiyya ke bhawan bhawan.. her phone sang loudly.

In her nervousness the phone fumbled from her hands and fell down. She tried to reach it, but couldn't seem to bend enough. She struggled harder, the phone continued to ring. She was scared he would get angrier.

A strangled sob escaped her, that she tried to choke back. Still her fingertips could only skim the back of her phone, where it lay just out of her reach near her jaipuri silver jooti.

He must have noticed and had enough. The car screeched to a halt. He leant forward and undid her seatbelt.

"apna phone uthao", his voice was grainy and curt. There was no flickr of smile in the hidden recesses of his eyes. There was only a rising tempest that unsettled her.

chal maiyya ke bhawan bhawan.. Oblivious to the rising agitation in her, the phone continued to ring.

"hayloo".. She said into the mouthpiece. She was a little too lost to recognize the voice at the other end.

The man was saying an awful lot of things and they did not make much sense until she jerked upright. Was he really saying..

"Happyji?", she questioned.

"Ha Khushiji..", the voice was familiar and comforting now that she knew who it was.

She listened for a few seconds before handing over the phone to Arnavji.

"Arnavji di is in buaji's house. Happyji says he saw Shyamji take her there.. Aap baat kijiye.."

(you talk)

Happyji had said he saw buaji's paying guest come in with the Raizada's daughter. He had thought is strange that the man should return, specially when everyone was out.

In fact, It was quite by chance that he was in the big courtyard. Buaji had instructed him to make sure the cows did not wander in to eat the flower decorations. He had been busy making sure no cow ate what it was not supposed to, when he saw the odd unwanted guest arrive.

devi maiyya.. Aapka lakh lakh shukr hai.. Now they knew where di was. Arnavji would find a way to deal with all of this.

(thank you so much)

They had been quite close to Lakshminagar when Happyji's call had come. The SUV had grown wings and the few miles were covered in minutes.

"Khushi call Akash. Tell him where Shyam is. Tell him to call the police. And stay in the car". Arnavji ordered, as they made the final turn that would lead to their destination.

"nai Arnavji I can't let you go inside alone. hum bhi aapke sath jayenge". She was all ready to insist.

"shup up Khushi. I can't risk it.. samjhi tum? tum gari mein rahogi and that's it". She shivered. The strict words had not masked the vulnerability behind.

(understood? you will stay in the car)

She persisted valiantly. "nahi hum aapke"..

(no I will)

"dammit Khushi.. Listentme.. Agar tumhe kuch ho gaya toh main jee nahi paunga.. So I need to know you are safe.. And I can focus on getting di..", he held her by her shoulders and shook her slight frame.

He had parked right in the middle of the narrow road outside the Gupta house and had slammed the door and raced towards the house.

****

Anjali sat huddled tottering on the edge of a wooden chair. Should she be worried that she felt nothing? Absolutely nothing, staring at the man she had wanted to deify every moment for the part three years. She had worshipped this man.. At this moment it felt impossible..

Shyamji wore a maniacal grin as he polished the gun in his hand. He had proudly stated it was a colt 89. She wondered if that meant it would make death more painful or easier. Well, it didn't matter. Nothing did.

Had she really loved this fiend? Lied to her brother to come meet Shyamji. What had she hoped for? A miracle? How gullible was she really?

When Shyamji called her, she felt like she had heard his voice after years. He had been sweet as ever and begged her to come outside. Meet her once. She had wanted desperately to believe that there was something he could say that would make it all better.

"rani sahiba humein yakeen tha you would come with me. Humare bharosa ko nahi tutne diya aapne".

(I was certain you would come. you did not let my trust break)

Her chair creaked as she shifted. In a flash, the gun was pointing at her, and the grin was replaced with a ruthless impassive stare. She meant nothing to him. There was no familiar flikr of recognition. There was apathy.

"toh.. rani sahiba ab aapka itna haq toh banta hai ki you come to know why you are here. I underestimated Arnav.. Humein laga tha wo aapki baat maan kar mujhe Shantivan mein rehne denge. Well it didn't go as I planned. So now I have run out of time and unfortunately you have to go... away for good."

(so you have this much right.. I thought he will listen to you and let me remain in Shanitvan..)

She watched him. He stood a few feet away, but it felt like he had receded into a blurred past. His words reached her, but they evoked no emotion.

"You see rani sahiba.. I can no longer waste time playing nice. Aapne bahut sath diya humara, par ab I need this last thing from you .. I"

(you were by my side for long but)

The door swung open and ASR came to a halt. The gun from Shyam's hand had swivelled towards the brother before returning back to the sister.

"Shyam.. you..", ASR snarled.

"aayiye saale saab.. I had not expected you so soon.. Par ab let us end this story once and for all."

(come)

"I will rip you apart if you dare lay a hand on di.." , ASR spat out the words, but did not move a muscle. Shyam had grabbed onto Anjali by her hair and had the gun trained at her temple.

The gun felt cold next to her skin. Hard and cold. Would death feel cold? Had her mother felt cold when she used a gun to take her own life, Anjali found herself wonder.

"oh saale saab.. Don't worry. If you can't see me hurt rani sahiba, then I will kill you off first. Yehi thik rahega.. And don't take one step further or I pull this trigger." In an off hand manner Shad had threatened to kill Arnav.

Kill chote? Her chote? The words found a way through the muddled haze of thoughts and awoke something primal in Anjali. She started to fidget. There was no way Shyamji could kill chote..

Shyam grasp tightened giving her no room to move.

"bas kijiye rani sahiba. Atleast for these last minutes of your life do not irritate me. The plan is simple. I need to kill you both. Do you know why I am here? Saale saab you pride yourself on your astute thinking do you know what happens next?"

(enough)

"Shyamji let chote go. I am here with you.. Let him go", she was ready to plead.

Ignoring her plea, the fiend continued. "What happens next is I kill you both. And Anjali will have her finger prints on this gun". He thrust the gun into her hands, keeping it locked under him.

"For the world.. history is going to repeat itself tonight. Apni ma ki tarah apni beti aatma hatya karegi. Ooh Anjali Jha could not bear her husband falling for another woman, so she killed herself. She came to the other woman's house.. Aur us dusri aurat ke ghar mein unhone apne aap ko khatam kar diya."

(like her mother her daughter will commit suicide. In the other womans house she finished herself off)

ASR made a move evidently lunging towards Shyam, but Shyam had moved the gun at him.

"chote stop..", Anjali pleaded, terrified now.

"I even had buaji's key from last time. You do know I stayed here? Andar waha humara kamra tha." Shyam continued talking.

(inside there was my room)

"Tomorrow's news will have this headline.. millionaire kills himself after seeing his sister dead. After all your future bride is having an affair with your jeejaji.. A double suicide... its almost poetic, don't you think? a tragedy."

Anjali could hear the shehnai playing in her head.

"humein aapse bahut pyar karte hai Anjaliji. I will keep you like a queen.. Ranishiba.. Humari ranisahiba.."

This man, who was training the gun at her chote was sitting on the temple steps asking her hand in marriage. She had sobbed and told him how her mother and father had taken their own lives. She had trusted him with the truth. And he was mocking it. How had she ever made the mistake of trusting him?

"when I get my hands on you.."

Anjali almost wanted to smile. Her chote.. He never gave up.. Always the fire to beat the adversary. Always the desire to fix every broken thing. No.. Chote was bursting with life.. An evil man like Shyamji would not be able to touch him.. He was insignificant.. Strange enough for her, Anjali was certain that the night would not end with chote getting hurt. devi maiyya could not be this harsh..

"by then you will be dead. Anjali ji already had her will made. In the eyes of the law, as her surviving heir I will get everything. Aur yehi nai Arnav.. I will get Khushi.. Arre koi bari baat thore hai.. One little slip .. Kaun thi wo dusri aurat.. Aur Khushi.. Bechari Khushiji ki toh puri zindagi hi barbad ho gayi na.. Who will marry her then? Aur aap toh mar chuke honge. You would have committed suicide. Poor mausaji can't even talk. They will need someone to hold their hand. Don't worry, I will take good care of Khushiji. I will keep her happy jaisa ki main itne saal ranisahiba ko.. "

(and not only that Arnav.. its no big deal..who was the other woman.. and Khushi.. poor Khushiji will have her whole life ruined.. and you will be dead..how I kept ranishahiba happy all these year)

With a deafening roar ASR attacked Shyam at the exact instant that the door opened further and Khushi came running in.

"Arnavji.. di".. Shyam's concentration had flickered towards Khushi . The split second was enough for ASR to knock the gun out of Shyam's hand, even as it struck ASR across his temple.

"chote..".. Di had pushed Shyam away with all her might, horrified to see the blood. ASR paused briefly to make sure di was fine, before he directed his wrath at Shyam.

Vaguely he registered Khushi rush to di. He wanted to focus on Shyam. He wanted to see him in pain. Hell! He wanted to kill Shyam with his bare hands. Bring him unimaginable pain. Most definitely would have if Akash didn't show up.

"bhai.. di.. aap thik hai?" Akash had burst in with the police close behind. Things were happening quickly. They separated ASR from Shyam.

(are you okay?)

Khushi had come close peering at ASR's cut. She lifted her dupatta to wipe of the trickle of blood, but he stopped her.

"I thought I said tum gari mein rahogi".

(you will remain in the car)

"I reached at the exact time Arnavji.", she flared up. "aapko kya lagta hai? Only you care? I don't ? What if something happened to you or di.. Toh hum..", her voice broke and refused to put the unthinkable into words.

(what do you think.. otherwise I..)

His temper had subsided. Full of tenderness his hand rested on her shaking shoulder. "shh.. I am fine Khushi"..

"no you are not.. ye.. ye khoon hai.. you are hurt..", adamant and agitated she shook his hand away and used her dupatta to dab at the would. He let her.

(this.. this is blood)

His eyes moved back to di. Akash had brought her a glass of water that she was taking sips from.

di was okay.. di was in front of her..

The dupatta reached a particularly raw spot on the wound. ASR winced. Khushi panicked some more.. devi maiyya.. came a hushed whisper from her as she blew even more softly into the wound. His ma would do that when he would hurt his knee while playing.

He felt bile rising from the pits of his stomach to the back of his throat. He forced himself to take a deep breath and swallow. His prominent adam's apple bobbled down.

di was right here..

Out of nowhere came a voice no one wanted to hear. One that had been laced with poison and greed.

"rani sahiba humein maaf kar dijiye..", Shyam had made a movement towards Anjali. ASR wanted to gauge his eyes out, but waited for di's reaction. Did she still think this man was redeemable?

(forgive me)

Clearly not. Anjali remained unmoved. Unwavering and frozen, she calmly stared right back at her husband. The man who had been seconds away from killing her and passing it off as suicide groveled before her. She remained impassive.

"saale saab think about it .. If I go to jail your di will no longer have a marriage.. Arnav humari baat suniye.. I .. I don't know what came over me.. Stop the police.. Humein maaf kar dijiye.. Forgive me..", he had flung himself on the floor and wrapped his hands around ASR's ankles refusing to let go.

(listen to me.. forgive me)

"Get your filthy hands off me Shyam. If you want to stay alive get out of my sight", he barely spared the sorry excuse of a man a single glance.

"Arnav Singh Raizada does not do forgiveness. Take him away".

The police led Shyam out. His body had sagged. No longer playing the master mind, he was a broken weakling. He was nothing.

It was all over. di was safe.

He turned to look at his di.

In a surreal slow motion, Anjali's body swayed, before falling limp into Khushi's terrified arms.