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 3

Hamesha ~ A heartbeat Away 

This chapter is dedicated to Horizon. I love the way she owns ASR in her thoughts. Writing this story I get to own an ASR in my thoughts as well. Make him smirk, make him angry and let him do whatever he feels like.

Chapter 3

"Ha..Lakshmiji aur us laad governor ki... sab unki galati hai. Everything is their fault. Na toh Lakshmiji aap beech mein aati na toh hum takrate aur na toh.. What does he think of himself?"

Khushi Kumari Gupta put down Lakshmiji, who had been busy with leaves and Khushi's hair, and sat down on the stairway. Her bright blue kurti with it silver and gold trimmings was the color of the ocean on a bright sunny day. With it she wore a darker blue dupatta, the color of the deepest unexplored crevices of that ocean. Lakshmiji had managed to loosen Khushi's prudish braid, so a few strands had escaped their confines and flowed gaily framing her beautiful face.

Her cheeks still supported a blush. She still could hear her heart beating fast.. dhak dhak .. She pressed her palm where she knew her heart thudded, and willed it to slow down.. dhak dhak dhak.. 

hey devi maiyya.. why did he have to stand so close? Why did it feel like she was breaking some unwritten rule? Then why did it feel so right still? dhak dhak dhak.. She remembered every detail of his face. The way his eyes pierced as if looking into her most secret thoughts. Wanting an answer from her. How his lip dragged down towards the right, a telltale sign he was worried. How his strong fingers had rested on her arm.

She raised her hand, in a trance, and lightly let it curl around the same spot on her hand where moments ago his fingers had rested. Her skin tingled of a touch it sorely seemed to miss.

"Maee", unaware of Khushi's state of heart, Lakshmiji was trying to continue a conversation with her playmate. But Khushi was not in the mood. "All because of you Lakshmiji.. hmphh.. I fall all the time. pata nai why such things keep happening only to me? But, they do. unhe kya faraq padta hai?", she thought a little subdued, but slowly regaining back her usual chirpiness.

"lakshmiji I will not talk to you and Arnavji.. Ha yehi thik rahega. I shouldn't have agreed to what Anjaliji was saying. Devi maiyya aap toh janti hain only because jiji and Aakashji would be so happy it is okay to let Arnavji pretend he lov. mmm.. mera matlab.. To let him tell mamiji".

Khushi pursed her lips in irritation. "Really if it was such a crazy idea then why couldn't he say no to Anjaliji? jab zarurat thi why had he not used his scary face? If he had not said no, why should I? humein koi farak nai padta" Khushi reasoned with herself.

She remembered how Aakashji had stopped her before she went home the previous night. He had looked worried so she hadn't teased him, but she could not resist teasing her jiji when she handed her his letter. How pretty jiji looked blushing while reading Aakashji's letter.

Khushi sat grinning, lost in her world. She wondered what was in that letter. An audible sigh escaped her. Would someone ever write her a letter, she longingly wondered.

Smack went her palm and hit her forehead. "Khushi tu bilkul paagal hai, no wonder buaji calls you sankadevi. You did not ask Arnavji what happened with mamiji. devi maiya I even shouted at him. humara gussa he should not take out on poor mamiji. Please raksha karna." Quickly her hands went up and down in prayer.


*****


Manorma Raizada was all business like, deep in thought, eating peanuts off a plate, when her mother-in-law came and sat down next to her. Visibly glad to see her sasuma for once, Manorma perked up. "Sasuma happy newj.. humaar Arnav bitwa.. oo phati saree.. matlab Khoosie Kumari Gupta ke..  Kumari Gupta se married Raizada banane ka pilanning karat hai".

(Sasuma good news. Our Arnav bitwa wants to marry Khushi Kumari Gupta. He is planning to make her Mrs Raizada from Ms Gupta).

She was most surprised by Deviyani Raizada's reaction. "jinko jo marzi so karat hai. This cannot happen here. Khushi bitiya is very dear to me, but as a buhuriya? ee humne socha naahi hain. ka aap jaanat hai ki oo humare ghar ka, chote ka khayal rakh payengi? To come and teach, Khushi bitiya did it perfectly, but to stay here? humka ee thik naahi laagat hai. aur chote.. kabhi kahat hai shaadi nahi nani.. kabhi Miss Kasyap.. And today Khushi bitiya? He does whatever he wants. I need time to know she will indeed be suitable for him."

(Everyone is doing as they please. I have not thought about making her a daughter-in-law of this house. Do you know if she can take care of the house, of chote? I do not like it. Sometimes he says no to marriage, sometimes it is Ms kasyap and today khushi?)

"aur Manorma .. You don't go helping Khushi bitiya, jaisan aapne Miss Kasyap ke help ki." Having said what she had to Deviyani Raizada did not stay behind to hear anything else. She determinedly walked away.

"ee saasuma bhi na saara happy momentwa ke sad karne ma mahir hain. hum kahe naat helpingj ? hum jarure helpingj phatee saree ke. phir saasuma ke eyej openingj phor phatee saree. Ikdum bestwa bahuriya material howat hai. ka ka karike pari is ghar ma humka.. " Manorma also left the hall with a wide smile on her face. She had a brilliant plan. All she needed to do was find phatee saree.

(Sasuma has a habit of turning all happy moments into sad ones. Why won't I help. I will definitely help phatee saree. And then saasuma will knoe she is the best daughter-in-law material. What all I have to do in this household!)

*****

ASR sat immersed in the documents Aman had mailed him this morning. The poolside provided a welcome respite from the heat outside. The tress cast a cool shade near the edge of the pool, while the shallow water within it glimmered from the sun rays falling on it.

He looked up when he heard the familiar sound of her approaching. Her numerous bangles, tassels on her kurti, dupatta, hair, right down to the elegant silver payals, he knew she must be wearing, all signaled her arrival. She was carrying a tray with a coffee mug on it.

Using her chirpiest voice Khushi started, "Coffee for you Arnavji". His face gave away his disbelief. Eyes narrowed, he frowned,"Coffee.. For me? tumne kuch milaya hai isme? What are you doing Khushi?". 

"Haw", she exclaimed, her mouth wide open into a perfect round 'O'. How dare that laad governor insinuate she had mixed something in his coffee. Perhaps that is what she should have done. Poisoned him. She glared at him.

Then just as suddenly her face softened. She could not get angry with Arnavji right now. Focus Khushi, she berated herself.  "I brought you coffee Arnavji. No sugar. Lijiye na."

"waise now that you are distracted from work hum soch rahe the, what happened with mamiji? Did you talk to her?" She tried her best to give her most innocent look while asking. She hoped he would directly tell her what she wanted to know even though she had walked away leaving him angry after their collision.

He, however, seemed to have other plans. Pushing aside the table he stood up. "So you remembered to be nice to me. subah jab tum bina sorry boli chali gayi then what happened? bhool gayi thi tum.. hmm?".

His eyes were not scary. But, they had a tenderness that made it difficult for her to look towards him. It made her feel all sort of things she had no name for. It was also the only place she wanted to look into.  She seemed to forget why she would want to look away. He kept moving forward. 

"dekhiye aa.. aap na.." She raised her finger in a failed attempt to keep him away.

"ha m.. main na.. what?" he moved closer. An intoxicating mirth clearly reflecting in his dark captivating eyes. A hint of suppressed laughter in him.

She took a step backward. Breath refusing to leave her. He seemed to glide forward. With each faltering step that she took back, she seemed to draw him closer. She moved back till there was no back left to go. His gaze lingered on her face, caressing and scorching at the same time. "aa.. Arnavji?", she bravely breathlessly whispered. Part of her was still unsure why she needed to object when this closeness felt absolutely scarily wonderful.

"hmm? ".. His eyes had now travelled downwards and were fixed upon her trembling lips. Unhurried, confident, with full right he raised his hand to touch her.."aap.. What are you doing?". She was in panic. Hypnotized by the searing sensation of his finger stroking her temple. Involuntarily her eyes fluttered, as she lost herself in his touch, but immediately opened at the loss of contact from him.

His fingers had moved to her hair. She watched mesmerized as his hand moved behind her ear and slowly a sinuous curving of those lips. His hand came down. In it.. a single leaf!

"Your friend left this for you Ms Khushi Kumari Gupta. Both of you are absolutely alike". He was clearly smirking now as he took her hand in his and left the leaf in it. Then he placed his finger on her slightly gaping lips. "dono ka muh band hi nahin hota."

She felt her heart flip. He took a step back. 

The rebellious part in her cried out at the distance. He gave her one long look. Then he turned and took a few steps away from her. She brought up her shivering hand, placed it on her thumping, stuttering, hyperventilating heart in an attempt to calm down. hey devi maiyya raksha karna.

ASR stopped. Without completely turning, with just his head angled towards her and a cool smile he stated calmly, "Relax Khushi. Everything went well. I told mamiji..". 

Still disorientated by the effect he had on her, she heard herself ask, "kya?"

This time he turned around and faced her. Then holding her gaze, with a tender thoughtful look, purposefully he walked towards her. She held her breath. Expectant. Nervous of what he had to say. No idea why it felt exciting.

"I want to marry you."

She could not bring herself to say anything. Her astonished eyes, remained unblinking, dazed. He turned and left, leaving Khushi clutching her frantically beating heart.. dhak dhak dhak..


*****


While two hearts beat furiously near the poolside, in the passage outside a slightly lost forlorn lover was interrupted in his reverie. "Aakash aap bhi na... Why are you sad. Become happy now. Everything is falling into place." Before Anjali's words could sink in an even stranger sight greeted Aakash.

"bhai you are smiling? Is everything okay?"

ASR had just left the clearly shaken Khushi who looked lovely with her nose all red. He had not stopped his stray smile in time and Aakash had spotted it.

"ha chote you are smiling?". Anjali's question had a teasing tone which ASR immediately caught on. "di don't start again. It is nothing like that". Anjali's laughter rang out. "Like what chote? I did not say anything about this mysterious that".

He rolled his eyes and gave up. ASR walked away concealing his smile as best he could. There was lightness in the winds of Shantivan and he found himself flying with it, carefree.

*****

"devi maiyya aap kya kar rahi hain?" Khushi rushed away from the pool talking to herself, "It is all Lakshmiji's fault.. wo.. Why stand so close.. That leaf.. My heart.. kyu? .. His smile.."

Out of nowhere a woman bedecked with heavy gold jewelry descended upon her. 

"Lakshmi.. phatee saree.. tumko oo miss call ke take caring karike pari".

(You need to take care of Lakshmi.)

"huh.. kyu mamiji?", asked a clueless Khushi.

"sasuma ke heart par kabja ka idea by Manorma mami." In her excitement mami had raced ahead with her plan to make Khushi win the old lady's heart. Of course, she did not stop to actually explain what and why of her plan to Khushi.

(Manorma mami has an idea to win saasuma's heart.)

"lekin naniji has always liked me... par.. why are you worried whether naniji ko hum pasand hai ya nahi?"

"becoj I caringj phor Arnav bitwa underistandingj phatee saree? Now only hearing no isspeaking."

(Because I care for Arnav bitwa. Do you understand? Now only listen and don't talk.)

Khushi's bewilderment was replacement with irritation as soon as she heard the name of the man who was doing all sorts of things to her heart. "Arnavji.. humein unki koi baat nahi karni.. Aakashji kitne achche hai.. He cares for everyone not like that .. that rakshas."

"Hello hi bye bye..oo rakhsas.. eej mom inside ma".

"mom?", Khushi was getting more and more confounded by the conversation.

"arre phatee saree, mother India wala mom naahi.. mom batti wala mom.. candlej.."

"huh?". The conversation was making no sense to the already very distracted girl.

"oh ho phatee saree oo Arnav bitwa ke heart..jor se dhak dhakaying. baat samajh mein ayi ki naahi?"

(Arnav bitwa's heart beats. Understood?)

Huh? Khushi only heard one thing.. His heart.. dhak dhak too.. He never told her.. And what did any of this have to do with Lakshmiji.. Her head was spinning.

"mamiji I think hum paagal ho re hain.. I should go home.. and eat.. nai sleep.. no no he will be back in my dreams..". She scurried towards the door, the leaf safely held in her hand, with mami close behind. "hey devi maiyya what will I do?"  Ignoring all the confusion, her heart continued joyously.. dhak dhak.. dhak dhak..


*****


Close by, two delighted woman fi fived each other.

"This is going exactly as planned nani".  Anjali was all smiles.

"Haan Anjali bitiya, I will get not one, but two bahuriyas. A little 'no' from me and even your mami is now helping bring Khushi bitiya and chote together. ab Aakash aur chote ko kono baat ki takleef naahi satayegi".  

She could almost see her smiling daughter in front of her carrying her small smiling boy in her arms. Deviyani Raizada's first grandson. She had tried her best to shield chote from the unpleasantness, but very soon she had realized that he would be the one taking care of her and the family, not the other way round. Ratna bitiya would have been so proud of the man her little boy had grown up to be. 

Deviyani Raizada did not believe in living in the past. She gave a gentle smile. "I have always wanted to see Khushi bitiya become a part of chote's life. She will be able to handle his anger and keep him safe. Your ma, chote's ma, my dear bitya would have liked her bahuriya a lot. Khushi bitiya hai hi aisan. She wins everyones hearts."

Anjali rushed to hug the old lady, her nani, who had been there for her and chote.  The two women let the hug last longer than usual, drawing comfort  from each other, still mending the hollow parts of having tragically lost someone extremely dear.

Finally, Anjali looked at deviyani raizada with sparkling eyes, "par nani, ab kya? what will be do next?". 


With a bright smile that reached upto her aged wise eyes nani prophesied confidently, "chote and Khushi bitya will do everything. Love has the power to move mountains. And for any small stones in their way aapki Manorma mami hai na."

arshi SS: Hamesha ~ A heartbeat Away, Chapter 2

Hamesha ~ A heartbeat Away

Thank you for reading my first story. It encouraged me to write more. This chapter is dedicated to Javeria3991, the one who introduced me to this wonderful world of Arshi fanfiction. 

Fanfiction.. our way of keeping Arnav and Khushi not just close to us, but very much in love, thriving and full of life.

Chapter 2

The heavy velvet brocade curtains were pulled wide apart to let the bright sun rays through. The large spacious room lit up and echoed with the tinkling sound of glass against gold. Thick gold bangles, with a dozen thin glass ones, in red, adorned the hand that was opening the window latch.

"Utho Chote. It is your di's wedding today. Bahut saara kaam hai humein."

He pushed away the heavy silk quilt and slowly sat up in bed rubbing his eyes. A flock of pigeons had fluttered onto the window ledge. One ruffled its feathers and turned and flew straight into the room landing right on the bed. He remembered ma had said pigeons brought peace with them..  Sukoon, was the word ma had used.. He liked that word.. But this pigeon had blood red rims around his black beady eyes. It looked sad . Why was the pigeon sad? It scared him to see the pigeon sad.  He wanted his ma. She would know what to do to help the pigeon.. He looked towards the window, but ma wasn't there. Where had she gone?

"Ma?" He waited for an answer.. 

None came..

"Maa..."

******

The dream had left him shaken, but Arnav Singh Raizada had deliberately set a pace slightly faster than was usual for his early morning jog. Gradually he could feel his muscles strain and then loosen up. The crisp morning chill and steady rhythm of calculated movement had helped his body relax. The mind however needed another distraction.

Just then his phone started to vibrate. Still rather lost in thought he answered the call.

"aap uth gaye hai na? You should not be late today.  Aur der toh hogi hi when the whole night you kept disturbing me.  Don't think you can come scare me in my dreams. Samjhe aap? Achcha aap ye sab rehne dijiye. Jayiye talk to mamiji.  Aur Arnavji feel.. Ha, say it with feelings, ok? Remember the plan. Ab hum phone rakhte hain.. Hello hi bye bye".

"What the!"

Khushi Kumari Gupta  had already disconnected the call before ASR could say a single word. He shook his head with an indulgent air. His thoughts returned to sheesh mahal again, but this time it focused on the light figure of an ethereal girl resting in his arms for a precious few minutes and a pair of rosy quivering lips that had caught his attention.

******

"Chote tum bhi na.. Why aren't you in the hall with mami? Pata hai since early morning she is in a very bad mood. Subah subah se Om Prakashji has been told by mami to make four different kinds of juice with and without sugar and lots of ice... aur tab bhi mami's gusaa is still this hot. Ab toh Om Prakashji is too confused and too scared to even venture anywhere close to her. What are you waiting for now? Go chote.."

Anjali had just returned from the mandir and was carrying a puja thal which seemed to be overflowing with items. She looked fresh and pretty clad in her baby pink saree with a shimmering thick silver border. There was an infectious smile that did not leave her face even as she raised her eyebrows in mock annoyance.

ASR continued to meticulously button up his charcoal gray waistcoat. Always one button at a time starting right from the bottom most, as was his habit.. It was a well-practiced precise movement and he let his eyes wander up to his smiling di. He felt happy seeing her this excited. Though she tried to hide it as best as she could, he knew, lately she had been missing jeejaji a lot. 

Now thoughts of Aakash's wedding had her distracted and ASR knew she was thoroughly  enjoying the fact that she had gotten her chote to say 'yes' to their crazy idea. In fact she was enjoying it a bit too much, he thought suspiciously.

His mind wandered to the previous evening.

******

Di had gone on to supposedly explain, "Chote, for being so intelligent sometimes you can be such a budhdhu. You look look like you have to actually marry Khushiji for real. Nahi baba.. She is only saying that you have to tell mami that you love Khushiji and want to marry her. Kyu? Thik kaha na maine Khushiji? Isn't this what you are suggesting? I think it is perfect." 

Khushi had looked completely flustered and mumbled something incoherent, but di had not given her a chance to speak further. He was quite certain that that this was not what Khushi had in mind. There was a strange sensation in him after hearing di's words. And now, seeing the clearly panicked Khushi, amused him further. Some corner within him felt a thrill that he could not quite explain. He did not want to analyze what it meant just yet.

Di was however not even close to done yet.

"Think about Akash chote. Payalji is such  a lovely girl. Our bhai will be very happy with her". Di did have a perfectly valid point, ASR mused. Payal was a very nice girl. She had a lot of spirit in her, just like her sister, he grudgingly admitted to himself. And only because he had refused to believe Khushi ,had Payal's marriage not taken place. 

Maine galat kiya. I should have listened to her. Wo sach keh rahi thi. The words reverberated within him. In fact if he had known then, he himself would have given the money to Khushi. No. He would definitely not have given any money. Payal was better off not marrying a spineless sorry excuse for a guy like that. It was good she met Aakash. 

"Payalji and Aakash are meant for each other. Just like you and Khushiji."

"Bu..but Anjaliji.." Khushi had tried to interrupt di. He knew di when she got into such a mood. She would not easily stop. So he hadn't even bothered to interrupt. And a little mischief was bubbling inside him too, seeing Khushi all worked up. Serves her right for coming up with such a crazy scheme. Paagal. He couldn't stop himself from softly saying it.

"Kyu hai na Khushiji? Chote just has to convince mami he cannot live without you. What a brilliant idea you came up with Khushiji. waah!". So di had continued talking till he and Khushi had slowly given in.

Though in reality he knew another reason that had compelled him to say yes. 

That day at the cliff after her ridiculous idea to get Payal and Aakash together had worked Khushi had looked so happy. It had reminded him of the girl jumping and smiling widely with two silver coins in her hands.

******

"Chote stop staring at your laptop. Ab jao bhi. And I have called your office and let them know you will be at home today."

"Fine di..". He slammed his laptop shut with a purposeful air and strode out of his room to get this thing over with. If this insane nonsense was what it would take to get mami to agree to the marriage then he would get it done.

Hearing the quick footsteps across the staircase Manorma Raizada turned her attention towards her nephew approaching. She had been sitting moodily on the sofa feeling very sorry for herself. Why did her son not want to listen to her at all? All she wanted was his wellbeing. All this worrying was not good for her skin, so she had decided to sit down and relax.

"Come Arnav bitwa humre sang tanik reelaxing kari liyo. Too much hui gaya ee daraama. Aaj marning marningma eyeej ma dark circlej hain. Uhi liye toh ab hum ihan isilentma essitting hain."

(Come relax a bit with me. Too much of drama. Early morning I have dark circles. That is why am silently sitting here now.)

ASR  had thought it would be simple enough to say it, but now that it had to be said out loud it sounded even more silly than how it sounded in his head. Inspite of all her whacky ways mami was quite smart, really. He couldn't just blurt out whatever di and Khushi wanted him to say. Instead, he tried changing tactics.

"Mami listen.. Mujhe aapse important baat karni hai. I have to talk to you.  Aakash is your son, but he also has a right to choose a life partner for himself", words rushed out of his mouth, slightly slurred, as it often happened when he was being earnest.

"hello hi bye bye.. oo khoon bhari taang ke..".

No, this approach was not working. ASR was good at making split second decisions and as a rule of thumb he was always right. He took pride in being able to gauge a situation. It was a vital trait needed to be successful in the field he was in. So, he knew it was time to say it. He clenched his hand into a fist, swallowed hard and spoke.

"Mami.. I am in love".

Mami looked aghast. He took a deep breath and forced himself to swallow the rising whirlwind of emotions. He had no idea why it felt the way it did to say it out loud.

"Mami I said I am in love".

"Hain?", this time the words seemed to have finally sunk into her because she blinked a couple of times and made an effort to start speaking.

"Bhat you sayingj bitwa? Oo mees teep taap ke phir bulai rahe ho ka? Sasuma eej knowingj? Aur ee doono baratherj  ikdum issame timewa par aisan sochat ho. Kono phoren se naya phason istart hua hai ka.. Seajan phor pyaar".

(what are you saying? Are you bringing back miss tip top? Does sasuma know? And at the very same time both brothers are thinking alike. Is this a new fashion from abroad.. Season for love.) 

He forced himself to exhale again. "Mami I am going to marry Khushi. And I don't see any problem with her family. She is smart and independent. Thori ajeeb hai lekin cute hai. Her family members are also very respectable. I see no reason at all that this will not work out." Once he said the first sentence the rest of the words rushed out of him, as if even if he tried they would not be stopped.

If Manorma had been shocked a second earlier listening to her nephew talk about being in love, now she was sure this must be a hilarious funny dream she was in. Arnav bitwa was in love with phatee saree? She pinched herself on her rather wide forearm a little too energetically. 

"Aaa.." She was definitely awake. 

"isstap isstap and peeleejh rewindingjh do not fast forwardeenjh. Tum aur oo phatee saree ki parem kahani.. Hum logan ke nojej ke under. How this happeneengjh? Telljh peeleej. Ab bhy not isspeakingjh?"

(Stop..stop.. Rewind.. Don't rush ahead.. You and phatee saree's love story.. Under our noses. How did this happen? Tell me please. Now why are you not speaking?)

"Money is not everything Mami. Aur jab mujhe uski family mein koi problem nai dikh raha hai then I think  you also will not have a problem." 

Bitwa wanted to marry? Was he serious? He had to be serious. He always was. Maybe someone had practiced some jadoo Tona on her poor Arnav bitwa. She again turned her attention back to what he was saying. And was he smiling?

"Mami Khushi sabse alag hai. I have never seen anyone like her before. I want to keep her safe and have her with me. There are times when it amazes me how important her happiness has really become for me. Uski smile.."

"par..par bitwa.. Eej this youj? Tum issmile karat ho bith safed teethwa isshowing oo phatte saaree ke memoriejh ma? Phatee saaree eej knowingjh all? Oo jaanat hai?"

(But..but bitwa is this you? You are smiling with your white teeth showing in phatee saree's memory? Does she know of all this?)

"Nahin mami, she does not know. Kabhi kabhi mujhe lagta hai she still thinks I still only want to scare her." ASR stopped talking. He had said way more than he had meant to. It was time he left and cleared his head. He would call Aman and get some real work done". 

Leaving behind a clearly bewildered disbelieving mami he took long loping strides back to the poolside with his familiar plants waiting for him.

******

Khushi clutched on to her jhola's strap with one hand while she used her other hand to pop channa into her mouth. She had gone to her favourite thele wale bhaiya on her way to Raizada mansion and brought ten whole rupees worth of channa. She knew she needed lots of channa today. She had wanted to make jilebi, but she got up late having hardly slept at all and had rushed to reach here. That laad governor.. What did he think of himself.. Hey devi maiya.. Why did he have to come continuously in her dreams and keep scaring her? Did he have no other work to do?

She was busy thinking all this as she rushed down the hallway. She completely missed the fast approaching form of the very man whose thought's she had been immersed in. 

ASR had gone back to his room, called Aman and was now blissfully immersed in things he did understand and have control over. In his one hand he was balancing his mac book and in the other he had a bunch of print outs.

Unnoticed by both, a third person was leisurely  making her way towards the same spot.  Her mouth full of juicy leaves she had managed to get from the poolside. Though some might say being a goat did not qualify her as a person, but Lakshmiji was as much a member of the Raizada household as all the other people who lived in it.

The man, the girl  and the goat all banged into each other... and papers and channa and leaves showered over them..

"maaee".. Lakhsmiji's bells tinkled loudly..

"Can't you watch where you are going?"

"Hum watch kar rahe the. Pata nahi from where you came up right in front of me. And you saw na..  Lakshmiji also came here at the same time so humari galti nahi hai". She countered back rubbing her elbow. The macbook's edges were sharp and they had hit right across her bones. 

"aahh".. An involuntary cry rose from her. She sqeezed her eyes shut trying to shut out the pain as well.

"Khushi, Tum thik ho?  What happened? Let me see..". His voice an urgent whisper. With her cry ASR's gussa had immediately left him. His hand had moved to grasp Khushi by the shoulder and he was peering at her intently. When she did not respond, instead remained with her eyes closed and a grimace on her face, he jerked her closer to him. 

"Khushi?".. A faint caress in his tone.  

She could feel his breath on her. He was that close to her, his hand clutching her arm and the rest of him just shy of coming in contact with her. The air seemed to simmer between them and each of his breath that landed on her face left her a little more breathless than before. 

 "Leave me.. And why only me Lakshmiji must also be hurt, though she should not have come in the middle.. Hum khud kar lenge.. Lakshimji can take care of me.. Mera matlab Lakshmiji and me are completely fine..aayiye Lakshmiji", Khushi jreked back, still affronted by his sharp rebuke from a second ago and completely disoriented by the close proximity to this man. Feeling strangely lightheaded she quickly turned around, picked up Lakshmiji, who had managed to salvage some leaves and was happily munching again, and swiftly walked away leaving a slightly dazed ASR staring in the direction she had disappeared in..

His eyebrows arched a tad bit higher. "Unbelievable", was all he could manage at that moment.

******

Back in the hall Anjali had heard the exchange between mami and chote. In fact, to her it felt like she spent most of her days now listening to things. She had a lot of free time on her hands. When Shyamji was with her then all her waking minutes would be blissfully centered around him, but these days he spent so much time wrapped up in his work. She longed to be able to spend more time with him. 

However, meanwhile instead of moping around the house she was eagerly planning matchmaking for her dearest chote. It was her much cherished dream to see him with a wife. He may laugh all he wanted, but Anjali knew how uplifting and exhilarating being in love felt. Chote was beginning to figure that out too. She could see it. And everything she had heard until now told her she was right. Chote's words had convinced her that she was definitely right. But the more pertinent question this instant was whether his words had convinced mami.

"mami aapne dekha these days humare chote remains so happy. He even scolds Om Prakashji less. Achcha mami hum abhi aate hain." She walked away grinning to herself.

******

Left alone in the hall mami struck a theatrical pose, plopped herself back onto the sofa and placed her palm on her forehead. 'me, manorma mami, not iseeing Arnav bitwa ke Khoosie?'

(I did not see Arnav's happiness?)

She thought over the past few months. Of course, he & Khushi were in love... hmmph.. And of course she knew what being in love meant. Had she not had a love marriage herself? She glared at all the invisible people who might be around to challenge this statement.

She clearly remembered one summer month many years ago when she had been a new bahuriya in Shantivan. She had been feeling quite lonely and out of place. She had worked here and now she was the daughter-in-law. She had tried her best to hide it for her husband's sake, but all the while she had been unnerved.

 And then Arnav bitwa and Anjali had come for their summer holidays. One afternoon, when everyone was in their room taking a nap, the small boy had walked into her room and asked her curiously whether she was his mami now? He had said he did not understand why everyone was in tension over her being the new mami. He had demanded she play with him because when she was Manorma mausi then also while making him eat his meals she would always play with him. Arnav bitwa had taken her English magazines from the table and had wanted her to read it aloud to him. And once she started to read, he had laughed and run up to give her a hug.

Manorma remembered that small little laughing boy. She also equally clearly remembered the fourteen year old broken boy with sad haunted eyes who had returned a few summers later with no smile on his face.

"Bahutehi galat hui gava ee humse. I doingj Bhery Bhery much wrongs". Unshed tears glazed Manorma Raizada's eyes. Arnav bitwa has a chance at happiness and his mami would do all she could to make that happen, she thought to herself, rather fiercely.

(I committed a grave mistake. I did wrong.)

Not having money meant nothing at all. Look at herself now... With an extremely self satisfied air she gingerly patted the red and yellow flowers that she had painstakingly pinned to her bun like always. All class and sophistication, she had always been meant to be a Raizada bahuriya, she thought complacently. 

There was not too much wrong with khoon bhari taang and phatee saree, just as much wrong as there would be in any girls trying to take her bitwas away from her. Manorma sat thinking all this and then came to a decision.

Arnav bitwa had said phatee saree did not know of his love. That was unacceptable. "oo bilack aur bhite phillum jaisan larka needingj khube helpwa. I gibhingj. Hum meeteengjh kairabe Arnav bitwa and phatee saree ke" Full of resolution she hauled her heavy frame off the sofa. "ee match ke fixing toh karike pari."

(That black and white film like boy needs lots of help. I will give. I will make Arnav and Phatee Saree meet. This match had to be fixed.)

******