ARSHI FF: Gustakh Dil... (Stubborn Heart)

Chapter 19: Little things

[NOTE: There is Bengali in this chapter along translation and it's not pure Bengali but mixed with English and Hindi. Sort of like I speak as my Bengali not very good since I spend most of my life out of Kolkata.]

MORNING – 11:00 AM

Arnav cutely pleading: “Mishti yaar give me one kiss, just one kiss pleasshhh... Ek se kuch nahi hoga I’m telling you, come on now fast let’s kiss...” as he followed her around in kitchen holding her pallu like a lost puppy. Khushi looked at him wide-eyed giving him a ‘What-am-I-gonna-do-with-you’ look and knowing it meant her refusal he continued with his cute act to melt her saying, “Arre yaar this is so not done! Subah se bina kiss ke idhar-udhar ghoome jaa raha hoon main, aisa thordi na hota hai!” (Arre yaar this is so not done! Since morning I’m roaming around from here and there without kiss, so unfair!) 

Khushi looks at him with love filled eyes and says: "Jaanu I’ve gotten such a bad cold, I should’ve listened to you and itni sari ice-cream nahi khana chahiye tha. But like always seeing ice-cream I ignored your warnings and as a result I got cold, what if you get infection from me? No please zid maat karo...” as she stirred the curry with one hand and wiped her nose with the tissue she held in other.

Arnav unaffected simply said: “If I get infection then let it be, problem hi khatam! And see Mishti if we both get cold then there is no scope of getting infection at all and then we’ll both kiss all day... won’t that be awesome?” telling her the benefits of both them cold infected together.

Hearing his talks made Khushi smile bemusedly as she looks at him turning her face over her shoulder and smacked his arm then placed her lips on his, kissing him. Arnav twisted her around in his arms holding her by her waist as he continued to kiss her passionately and her she wrapped her arms around his neck tugging on his hair making him go crazy over as her all the more. Due to lack of breath they pulled back from there long kiss panting heavily and not wanting to let her go just yet, Arnav started kissing her neck tasting her sweetness making her get lost in his magic as he continued his loving assaults on her. Khushi felt herself turning a puddle of mush in her husband’s arms but the scrapes of her tattered sanity did knock her mind to remember that they were making out in kitchen where anyone can walk on them. So before she lost that little sanity she pushed him off her putting little distance between them but he wasn’t in mood to as tried coming closer to her by crashing her to him by her waist. 

Khushi put her palms on his chest started say: “Arnav kya kar rahe ho? We’re in kitchen and someone might just walk on us... leave me!” continuing to wiggle in his arms to get out from his hold.

Arnav only tightened his hold on her says: “Mishti stop wiggling like that I can feel things... and trust me that’s not helping your case at all.” this made Khushi turn statue and get tomato red which made him grin rakishly all the more.

 

She looked down not meeting his eyes due to shyness as she fumbled with his button asked: “What are you doing in kitchen in the first place, don’t you’ve any work to do..? Yeh sab karne ke liye office nahi gaye aur ghar se kam kar rahe hai? Get back to your work Mr. Raizada and let me do mine...” trying to shoo him off.

Arnav naughtily replied: “You’re damn right iss liye office nahi gaya so that I can steal many kisses from you. Ab kya karoon I just can’t stay away from my beautiful wife...” make her blush to newer shades of red if possible.

Hearing his talks made Khushi feel both shy and happy as she looked at his face, his eyes seemed to be twinkling with mischief and happiness. She has never seen him this happy in all the times she had known him and smilingly voiced out: “I’ve never seen you so happy or your eyes twinkling like this, aapko aise dekh kar bahut acha lagta hai.” as she stood on her tippy-toes and kissed his eyes lovingly one by one and then stands properly on her feet.

Arnav smiled back at her as he opens his eyes as he looked back in her loving violet eyes replied: “Sirf tumhari wajah se, this twinkling eyes and smiling lips are all because I’ve you. You know Mishti, life has taken away reasons to be happy from me at a very young age and I hadn’t thought that I could be happy ever again. But you changed it all, as long as I’ve you with me nothing could this happiness from me.”

Overwhelmed by his love she smilingly said: “And I’m glad to be the reason for your smiles...” then turning serious she asked again, “But on serious note, what are you doing in kitchen koi kam tha ya phir bas aise hi?”

Arnav remembering for what he really came bit his tongue says: “Actually I came to ask you something but you distracted me...” remembering what he actually came for to kitchen in first place aside from teasing her. 

At this she frowned: “Excuse me, when did I distract you mister?!” giving him a sour look.

He being in flirting mood answered: “Now if you look so beautiful how I am supposed to focused anything..?” and gave a naughty look to her. 

She swatted him lightly saying: “Stop it Arnav! Just say what you came for?” turning different shades of scarlet.

Having mercy on her he didn’t teaser her anymore and told her what he actually came for other then stealing kisses from her: “Actually I needed your documents to get your name changed for diving license, passport, bank account and stuff. Can you get those for me now, I need to send them to Mr. Roy as soon as possible so he can start his legal processes and I don’t know where you kept them...”

Khushi scrunched her brows asked: “Arre my documents file is in my wardrobe side drawer, didn’t you find them there?” knowing well she had kept in easy place for him to find if he need anytime.

He shakes his head saying: “I searched for last half-n-hour but I can’t find it anywhere god knows where you kept them...” pressing his lips.

She turns to stove and stirs the curry and turns the stove off as it is ready and looks back at him says: “Okay you go and sit in living room, I’ll bring the file.” and he nods then pecks her lips a few times before smilingly turning around to leave only see Anjali standing on the doorway.

Khushi stirred the curry seeing it is ready turned the stove off and covered the vessel with its lid, turns around almost colliding with Arnav’s back unexpectedly. She frowned seeing him still standing but noting him frozen in his place and cold gaze followed his line of vision to see Anjali standing on doorway making her wonder since when was she standing there. Khushi signed looking at the brother-sister pair, it’s been a week since the stunt Anjali had pulled and Arnav is still angry giving her cold shoulder, paying no heed to her apologizes or any explanations. She made many attempts to get things fixed between them but with no success as Anjali sees her as if some enemy and Arnav just doesn’t want to hear anything, especially seeing how Anjali still behaves mean to her. 

Anjali had come to kitchen for a glass of water but saw Arnav romancing with Khushi neither of them had noticed her and stopped at doorway. Then when he turns around and seeing her giving her such hard looks, he still hasn’t forgiven her and it’s all because of that girl or else her Chotte would never ignore his Di. Not being able to take such cold looks from her Chotte her eyes got teary as she made face of almost crying hoping him to rushing to her but seems like it doesn’t affect anymore and not being able to take it she turned around leaving from there wiping her tears.

Arnav stood there trying to controlling his anger and Khushi felt bad, tucked his sleeves to get his attention said: “Arnav Di is crying, please go after her...”

 

Arnav looked at her replied: “She is fine and she needs to grow up, I can’t babysit her all the time.” With his jaw still clutched hard.

She signed seeing his attitude towards Anjali says: “But she is your Di...” trying to make him understand.

He counters her with pat reply: “And you’re my wife! See I understand that you want to make things okay between me and Di because you feel responsible for our tiff. But that’s not true because if anyone responsible here is then it is her. Okay I accept she has a right to be angry on us but that doesn’t give her right to break our marriage, she doesn’t get to take such decisions of my life like that just because she just feels like...” and Khushi tried to speak but he didn’t let her and continues, “...and I know even though you want me to patch up with Di, you’re scare of her...scared that she might do something again.”

Hearing this Khushi was stunned, she had been hiding this from him as she didn’t want to worry him or make things worse between Arnav-Anjali not realizing that he can read her like book. She tries to avert her eyes from him and feeling sad as he pulled her in a hug seeing her mood changing as she hugs him tight and saying sadly: “Why did Di do all this..? Why everyone hate me so much..? I don’t think they’ll ever accept me...” as few tears feel from her eyes and she rubbed her face in his chest.

Arnav caressed her hair lovingly as he tried to comfort her: “Aisa nahi hai Mishti, they’ll come around...in fact I think Nani has started to turn little soft subtlety and even if they don’t it’s their loss, they don’t know what they’re missing in their life. And anyways you’re a ready-made prefect bahu material, it’s hard to escape your charms and once they accept you than you’ll be all surrounded by everyone and I won’t get any attention of your. So for now this is good I might enjoy all your attention and time alone as long as it lasts before I’ve to share you.” adding lightly trying to cheer her up.

She looks up at him and cups his cheek with one hand and replies looking in his eyes: “You’ll never have to share or fight for my attention or time, you’ll always be my first priority than anyone else.” as she firmly made it clear what her priorities are and would always be.

He turns his face kissing the inside of her palm smiles at her saying: “I know and I totally love that!” smiling at her and making her smile in return. This what he loves, a smile on her face and not tears and to make sure her smiles are forever intact he’ll do anything and everything.

Khushi pulled out of his arms and wipes tears off her face speaking to him: “Okay now you go and sit in living room, I’ll bring my document file from room.” and he nods in agreement, kissed her forehead before walking out of kitchen leaving behind smiling.

She comes out of happy trance when HP walks into kitchen holding a tray and keeps it in the sink, she instructs him to cut vegetables and start with lunch preps then walks out. Khushi passes the hall to see Nani, Mami and Anjali sitting on one couch chatting with Lavanya who came to visit Raizada’s. Payal was going to kitchen to bring tea and snacks passed by her side going inside kitchen and Arnav sat working on his laptop sitting at one corner of other couch away from them with grumpy face, clearly not happy or interested in entertaining any of these. When she passed by he looked up at her briefly as she gave him a sweet smile as she climbed up the stairs then out of sight as she went to their room while he stared at her with mooning eyes which got interrupted rudely by NK who out of nowhere munching chips made an entry and nosily sat beside Lavanya making Arnav groan in frustration seeing him and went back concentrating on his laptop.

Few moments later the doorbell rang and HP went to open the door welcoming Garima and Buaji inside and seeing them Nani, Anjali, NK happily greeted them while Lavanya smiled warmly and Mami just arrogantly held her head high as Arnav made no move to acknowledge them. Garima-Buaji greeted them back warmly though Mami’s attitude made them awkward passing the sweets they brought which Nani handed HP for keeping in kitchen and to asked to him to inform Payal about Gupta’s arrival.

Everyone comfortably sat down and Nani smiling starts speaking: “It’s nice that you both visited Payal bitya bahut yaad kar rahi thi aap logo ko.”

Before the Gupta ladies could reply all saw Payal came rushing out of kitchen exclaiming happily: “AMMA!! BUAJI!!” ran to them as she took them in bone-crushing hug.

  

They broke the hug and smiled at each other as Buaji asked: “Hai re Nandkishore! Kaisen ho Payaliyaa..?”

Payal replied with a teary smile: “Theek hoon Buaji, I missed you all so much.” as she hugged Garima again who lovingly caressed her.

Garima also hugged her back saying: “We were missing you too, the house feels so empty without you...” as she looked at Payal with motherly affection.

Everyone smiled at the mother-daughter duo except for Manorama Mami and Arnav; they both just rolled their eyes seeing the daily soap drama. Then everyone had settled down comfortably and the ladies had already started with their chit-chat with NK joining them while Arnav silently sat working on his laptop without paying much attention. 

HP and OP brought the snacks and tea, kept on the table and left from there, Payal handed the tea to all except Arnav as everyone knows he doesn’t prefer tea. Garima politely says: “Naniji we need to ask your permission...”

Nani smiled sweetly saying: “Ji poocheye...” taking a sip of her tea.

Garima nervously asked: “Woh I was thinking that if we could take Payal with us to Lakshmi Nagar today for Pag-phere Rasam, it’s been delayed already...” as she looked at Buaji fleetingly and looked back at Nani.

Nani replied sweetly: “Yes of course you can take Payal bitya for Pag-Phere...” giving her consent.

Manorama Mami added in her typical style: “Yejj yejj, pleajjj takes her with you and I say tum do-char din Gupta house mein hi stay kar aao Khoon bhari tang, hello hi bye-bye!” thought it was nice chance for her to strengthen her grip even more on her son in the absence of Khoon Bhari Tang. (Yes yes, please take her with you and I say you stay at Gupta house for two-three days Khoon bhari tang, hello hi bye-bye!)

 

Anjali too supporting the idea said: “Haan Payalji, stay there for two-three days you’ll also feel nice...” as she smiled at the Gupta ladies.

Payal beamed happily thanking her in-laws and feeling happy at the prospect of getting to stay a few days at her parents’ house. Nani smiled seeing Payal’s face asked them: “Garimaji, Madhumatiji would you like to take Khushi also for her Pag-Phere along with Payal?” looking at the Gupta ladies.

Now this question from Nani made Arnav look up at them and the Gupta ladies faces turned dark while smiles on other face dimmed also. Before Garima and Buaji could say anything their eyes went towards stairs from where Khushi wearing a beautiful red sari with navy blue border with diamond stone and matching blouse, she had a beautiful set of diamonds and her wavy hair open giving her an enchanting look as she ascended. 

Khushi's sari and look

Khushi saw the Garima and Buaji sitting and straight walked to Arnav sat beside him smilingly as she handed him the file saying: “Here you go, my documents you wanted...” without giving two pins about the Guptas’.

Arnav smiled taking it from her: “Thank you” as he opens it to see.

Garima and Buaji definitely didn’t like Khushi’s lack of response towards them; they felt anger bubbling in them with her ‘I-don’t-give-a-damn-to-you’ attitude and seeing her glowing with happiness with her husband after causing such embarrassment to them was too much. She should be running after them begging forgiveness rather she is here enjoying, this won’t do. 

So with the thought to wipe the smile off her face and hurt her Buaji replied to Nani’s earlier question: “Naniji we’ve only one daughter and that is Payal and we want to take her with us for Pag-phere. But still if you want we can take this orphan girl with us for the sake of fulfilling Rasam as she doesn’t have any maayka to go and even though she is selfish to not think about us but we’re generous enough to still take her along with us for ritual’s sake if you ask...” throwing a taunting look towards Khushi.

Hearing the remark Arnav felt his rage and was about to blast, already to give a sharp back answer but Khushi put a hand on his arm, stopping him as she gave Buaji a flat blank look. The remark of Buaji wasn’t liked by Nani who frowned distastefully, even Manorama Mami while others looked taken back and Buaji felt frustrated seeing lack of desired reaction from Khushi. The tensed silence was broken before anyone had a chance to speak anything with a pop song ringtone making all look around for its source...

“Cause, baby, now we got bad blood

you know it used to be mad love

so take a look what you've done-”       

They all saw astonished that Khushi picked up an expensive I-phone from somewhere it was on the sofa beside her and looked at the caller-id with wide-eyes and showed it to Arnav. Then excited answered the call holding it to her ears: “HELLLLOOOOOOO RISHI!!” with a huge bright smile on her face, bouncing on her place out of excitement.

All who were present except Arnav who went back in looking in his file were shocked with her reaction and also seeing the phone, as they had never seen Khushi with other than cheap tacky phone with equally tacky ringtone of ‘Chal Maiyya ke bhawan’ type. But here in front of them Khushi was holding an I-phone and they could see the backside had a princess-butterfly design in red color with glittering white stones which seems like diamonds. It could easily be guessed as quite an expensive phone and all thought that Arnav might have gotten this for her and this fact wasn’t liked by anyone except Naniji and NK. Anyways they all put halt to their thoughts and started listening one sided conversation Khushi was having with some guy name Rishi making them wonder who this guy is?

Blissfully ignorant to all the stares she was receiving and happily having her conversation as she replied the question asked from other side beaming happily: “I’m fine, thank you... tumi kamon acho? Tomara ascho kobe Delhi? I’m missing you.” saying the last part sadly. (I’m fine, thank you... how are you? And when are you coming Delhi? I’m missing you.)

Then she carefully listened to the reply of the person saying from other side and then speaking again replying: “Okay I’m not being senti anymore... haan amar paase boshe ache...” and turned to Arnav saying to him, “Rishi is saying ‘Hello’ to you Arnav...” conveying the message to him. (Okay I’m not being senti anymore... yes he is sitting beside me...)

Arnav looked up at her smilingly said: “Say ‘Hi’ on my behalf to him.” then resumed back his task.

Khushi smiled speaking back on phone: “Haan tomake ‘Hi’ bolche... acha bolo na, kobe ascho tomra sobai?” asked her question again for which she hasn’t gotten reply yet. (Yes he said ‘hi’ to you... now tell me, when you are all coming?)

As she carefully listen the reply from other side but hearing it she exclaimed surprised: “What the! Next weekend asho mane..? Tomar toh do diner modhe asher kotha chilo na... toh phir ki holo?” (What the! Next weekend meaning..? Weren’t you supposed to be coming in two days... then what happened?)

She listen the person other side giving his explanation and she started frowning then she spoke: “Toh tumi bolcho je ek ta business deal is causing the delay... so now business deal is important then me?” (So you’re saying one business deal is causing the delay... so now business deal is then me?)

Khushi scowled in displeasure as the person from other side spoke but she cut him off saying moodily: “No I’m right, akhon business deal tomar jonno beshi important... amar theke beshi, you care about the stupid deal more!” the pausing a bit to hear other side and then spoke again, “Don’t Titli me, ami tomar saath-e kono kotha bolte chai na, thako tumi tomar business deal niye, ashte hobe na!!” as she angrily cut the call and threw the phone which landed on the other couch beside NK. (No I’m right, now business deal is more important... more than me you care about the stupid deal more! Don’t Titli me, I don’t want to talk to you, you stay with your business deal, no need to come!!)

Arnav looked at Khushi beside him to see her sitting with arms folded on her chest, sulking like a child and asked her: “What happened?”

And that all she need to start venting her anger: “Arnav you won’t believe what Rishi said...he said that they visiting plans are being postponed because of some stupid business deal, can you believe that?! Since when did business deals get more than me, I mean hadd hai! You know right I was so excited for them coming and was so looking forward to it but seems like nobody cares...okay I don’t care either.” and then she started muttering things angrily in Bengali which of course Arnav didn’t understand a word but understood that she most likely was cursing in anger.

He put an arm around her and spoke, trying to calm her down and stop her blabbering: “Okay Mishti calm down now, I might understand little bit of Bengali courtesy to staying with you. But however when you speak at such Rajdhani-Express-speed, you’ve me totally lost...now I understand you’re upset but try and understand, he normally never refuses you and now if he is then must be for genuine reason... it’s okay happens sometime...”

Khushi frowned at him: "Why are you taking his side??? Humare pati ho, humari side lo...” giving him almost an accusing glare.

Arnav thumbed up not wanting her wrath to fall upon him: "Set hai Biwi!! Tum bilkul sahi ja rahi ho." showing his full support is with her. 

All this while the others have been staring at Khushi like she is some alien, yes she has always been little crazy and childish but they haven’t seen her like this, being demanding or throwing tantrums. Other hand Garima and Buaji were shocked to see Khushi speaking in Bengali after so many years, they had thought that she might have forgotten it by now but seems like that’s not the case. In this time NK had picked the phone which landed beside him and was carefully looking at the I-phone 7 even Lavanya was eyeing it, feeling jealous seeing that Khushi got such an expensive phone which most likely ASR gifted her.

NK: “Khushiji your phone...” as he stretched his hand out for her to take the phone which she quickly grabbed it from him giving a grateful smile and he asked out of curiosity, “New phone? Nannav gifted you?”

Khushi replied: “No its not new phone, I got this in Diwali and Arnav didn’t gift it to me...” smilingly at him.

Probing further NK asked: “Last Diwali... but never saw you with this earlier and if not Nannav then who gave this to you..? Looks pretty expensive...” others were thankful to NK for asking these as they too wanted to know.

Khushi answers: “Rishi gifted me on Diwali as he knows too well that I’m a total gadget freak and this is absolutely the cutest phone I ever had. And yes this is expensive, quite a lot as this is a I-phone 7 which is expensive and this is custom-made with back design of a princess with butterflies and has these diamonds...so yeah this definitely cost a fortune. And about not seeing this earlier, I did much rather not talk about it right now...” pressing her lips firmly not wanting to speak further over it.

Being the forever curious NK asked: “Any specific reason for such customized design?”

Khushi simply shrugged her shoulder: “Butterflies because my nickname is ‘Titli’, Princess as I was very much pampered girl like princess in my family and diamonds are one of my birth stones.” as she explained.

Now everyone was confused as to whose is this person gifting Khushi such expensive phone but further questioning her was interrupted. Arnav simply went asking Khushi: “Mishti, you finished your engineering from UPTU Lucknow, right?” brushing off others talk.

Khushi looked at him replied: “Ah huh, I did my Architectural engineering from Faculty of Architecture, UPTU and I was the topper. Why are you asking?” tilting her head a little sideways.

Arnav curiously asked: “I see a 02 year diploma certificate of Fashion designing also...so why did you do the diploma course?” going through the certificates.

Khushi replied off-handed: “If anything fascinates me more other than buildings than it is fashion, toh bas mann kiya toh I did an diploma course.” shrugging her shoulder.

Others present were listening to this were pretty shocked discovering this new fact about Khushi, even the Gupta’s who weren’t aware much about Khushi’s qualifications. They all had thought that Khushi too might be some B.A. pass from some local college like Payal, never expecting her to be an architectural engineering student of such prestigious university and also a topper not to forget was quite shocking to them.  

Lavanya not really accepting it sarcastically commented: “Yeah right, a behnji like you is a graduate architect from such a prestigious instituted and that too topper. Also you did Fashion diploma when you were a walking fashion disaster wearing such bright salwar-suit with pompoms on it... like totally believable!”

Arnav didn’t like the comment and was about to lash but Khushi put an arm on his hand calming him said calmly: “Have a look yourself...” taking the file from Arnav and holding out for Lavanya to take.

Lavanya with an arrogant attitude took the file and opened to see as Payal, NK, and Anjali also peeped to see and their eyes grew wide seeing the certificates. Indeed Khushi was a topper; her whole academic record was flawless. She had her education from best institutes be it schooling or higher studies and there were many certificates of other extra-curriculum activities like dance, music and many more in which Khushi seemed to excelling as well. Going through the certificates they all looked at Khushi’s face wide eyed like she is an altogether a new person in front of them and even Payal looked like she hadn’t really known Khushi despite living her for a long time of life, she had been seeing so many unseen sides of Khushi’s in last few days that she hadn’t seen all these years while living her under one roof.

While the four youngsters were hurdled looking through the certificates, the curiosity of the senior citizens sparked up and Mami asks them in the forever loud typical manner: “Bhat ijj in da philewa..? Hello hi bye-bye...” (What is in the file..? Hello hi bye-bye...)

This snapped the three of them out of their shock and a dazed NK replies stammering: “Khu—Khushiji is ex—extremely talented, academically and otherwise...” and then turn to look at Khushi says, “Wow, is there anything that you do or not excelled in..? Where on earth you did get time for so many extra-curriculum while being a topper..?” staring at her in awe.

Khushi shrugs carelessly: “I try...”

Anjali questioned: “Why is your surname ‘Raichodhary’ here?” looking up at Khushi from the file sort of doubtful that if they were really hers or someone else.

Khushi simply replied: “Because ‘Raichodhary’ is my real parental surname and even if Gupta family adopted me, actually to think about it they never really adopted. They were foster caring me and I never officially let my surname change. It’s a different story that people assume my surname to me ‘Kumari Gupta’ like Jiji’s and I simply let them if they don’t ask me directly.”

Payal looked up from the file at Khushi in shock daze questions: “Khushi, your schooling, college and all the extra-curriculum activities you participated in and all, they are expensive... How did Babuji pay for all these..? Did he take loan for you..?” gets distressed over the fact that her father might have taken loan.

Hearing this, the Gupta ladies tensed and Buaji, who was waiting for an opportunity to insult and take out her frustration and started ranting: “Hai Nadkishore! Sashi Babua ne karz liya tumhare liye, Khushi... And you’re so shameless that you didn’t think twice before smearing our name in mud... How can you so ungrateful girl... we took pity on you and adopted you while you backstabbed us! You’re just backstabber and ungrateful like your mother was. This is why I told Sashi babua not to bring you home; I told him it was a mistake to take you in, ever since your black shadow fell on our family only bad had happened. You’re a bad omen to people and wherever your mere shadow falls, it turns things for the worst... god knows for what sin had a bad omen like you landed in our life and god knows how much money you made Sashi babua waste after an ungrateful, cheap, bad om--” but she never got to finish that sentence because an angry voice cut her off.

Arnav practically screamed cutting the fat old lady’s cursing his wife: “ENOUGH!!” shaking the whole house with his loud roar making everyone jump out of their skin. Anger was pouring out of him and he looked to be in murderous rage, no one has seen Arnav this angry in their life and he definitely looked very scary and about to pouch on Buaji any second. And the big mouthed Buaji almost shrieked back in her place and all her bravado leaving her seeing angry ASR, wanting nothing more than to escape or hide under a rock right now.

Khushi held Arnav’s hand before he could say anything to Buaji and he turned to look at her as she gestured him not to then looked at the older woman who had being cursing her till now. She had a poker face and answered passively: “First of all Mrs. Madhumati, your brother never took any loan from anybody because of me and neither did he ever paid for any of my expenses ever, I had my monthly allowance to pay my expenses.... for which I’m very thankful of because the world might see the kindness of yours of foster caring a orphan child but they never saw that how the so-called kind and generous family never missed a chance to remind the child of what a huge favor they’ve done to her. Secondly, no one ever asked your family to take me in and frankly speaking, what I don’t understand is it’s clear that I’m not welcomed in your family then why did you all bothered to even take me in? Trust me; you people would’ve done more favor on me if you all didn’t just enter my life like ever. Third and this is my last warning, never ever dare to say a single word... scratch that, never even dare to think a bad word to my parents or else, I swear I’ll show you what really Khushi Raichodhary is and then not even your Nandkishore will be able to save you... Did. I. Make. Myself. Clear?” emphasizing on her last words pairing with a threatening cold glare to Buaji which defiantly showed just how serious she is.

All stared wide-eyed at this bold Khushi they just witnessed, she looked so much like furious ASR or maybe scarier than him cause no one ever saw her like this. If Buaji had thought that she could bully Khushi like she had done all her life then she had another thing coming at her. Till now if Khushi had been silently taking her taunts was only because she didn’t want to upset Sashi, the only person in Gupta family who had genuinely cared for her but not anymore. Buaji if had been scared by Arnav’s anger then Khushi’s had almost made her faint out of fear and not being able to speak anything, just nodded a yes hastily and kept her mouth shut smartly.

Arnav at that moment never had felt so proud or turned on by his wife seeing her going all guns blazing and had to control himself from kissing her senseless in front of all. Khushi nodded saying: “Good that we’re cleared and this goes for all, as long as you say things about me I can take it but never a word about my parents and my husband. Because trust me then things would turn very ugly that you did wish that you had never spoken in the first place also I did hate to doing that...” giving all a cold stare as if anyone wants to challenge her and then smiled brightly satisfied, “Nice than we’re all good then.” and leaned in Arnav’s shoulder, snuggling him like nothing happened a moments ago and he too smilingly wrapped arms around her then kissed her forehead lightly giving her a smile when she looked at him.

Everyone looked at Khushi for few moments and then tuned averted their eyes away and Nani talked with the Gupta’s about the Pag-phere trying to dissolve the awkwardness. Today Devyani Raizada was sure as hell that no one can be a better for her grandson then, Khushi Kumari Gupta or rather Khushi A. Raichodhary, who is not only gentle but also fierce as lioness when needed. Truth to be told she truly dispersed the way Buaji was speaking with Khushi, it wasn’t just right and now she can see that Gupta’s aren’t that welcoming towards Khushi as they portray to be, there is lot inside which her experienced eyes have started to catch now. She also realized there are still a lot of things they don’t know about Khushi and were seeing a lot of little things up and close of what and how her true personality is underneath the entire crazy-childish image everyone thinks of her. Lavanya passed Arnav the file silently and engaged in conversation with NK and Anjali but sure got a lot of inferiority complex knowing Khushi’s qualifications and intimated by her. While Payal had been concentrating on watching her in-laws talking to her Amma and Buaji but kept secretly glancing at Arnav and Khushi who seemed too lost in their own world which stirred a pang of jealousy in her.

The tension had dissolved and it was almost back to normal with everyone chatting but that was broken off by the doorbell ringing making all heads turn towards door. HP walked out of kitchen and went to open the door to see who it is. In front of him stood a middle-aged pleasantly smiling couple standing holding bouquet and gift in hands but not recognizing them he politely asked: “Ji, kise milna hai?”

The elder man in suit who had a big gift in hand questioned in: “Titli hai?” his voice pleasant and polite but still held an undertone of authority. (Is Titli here?)

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[ NOTE : I'm back... again! Yes yes I know I vanished without notice but I had to visit to Kolkata and after that I had exam which finished last week. Anyways, I already said this  year would be of a bit busy on and off but good news that for a while I'm free and you guys can expect more updates if I don't get lazy. 

Hopefully next update be soon, till then take care.

With love,

  Kavya ]