Chapter Thirteen

The Mehfil Begins...

Everyone had settled in their respective spot in the baithak created in the lounge area. Karan and Anjali with Payal and HP had managed to decorate the area beautifully that evening.

Abundance of food was set on a table next to them.

Nani ji was sitting next to Garima. Shashi was in the chair next to the sofa behind them. Buaji sat next to Garima... Lovely was on the other side of Nani. Karan sat next to her. Aakash and Payal were next. Mami ji and Mama ji followed them. An empty spot held space for Shyam. Anjali sat next to the empty spot. Khushi sat next to Anjali and another spot next to her held a place for Arnav before the circle completed with Nani ji.

Khushi asked Anjali, “Di, why is Jijaji not coming? “

Anjali answered with disappointment, “He has severe headache… so, he wants to rest... most likely he won’t come...” Khushi sensed her gloom and so did everyone.

Karan immediately said, “Sweetheart, don’t you worry! I am here! I will keep you happy!”

Buaji and Garima looked at him with shock! Aakash smiled and said, “Buaji, Karan is very jovial… full of fun!” Buaji said, “No problem, Nand Kishore...” shyly she looked at Garima as both of them lowered their gazes.

Khushi insisted, “Di, I will make that Buaji’s kadha... the herbal mix. Jijaji’s headache will be gone in no time! Then he can join us!”

Payal, Buaji, Garima… everyone looked at Khushi puzzled… they did not understand why Khushi wanted Shyam to be there so desperately.

As Khushi rushed to the Kitchen, Payal followed her... Khushi got the ingredients for the Kadha ready, Payal helped her out. But she could not hold her curiosity, she finally asked, “Khushi, I don’t understand… why are you doing so much for Shyam ji?”

Khushi looked at Payal confidently as she answered, “Jiji, we are not the guilty ones… we are still afraid of something bad happening and fearful every moment of our life here… the one who is culprit… is enjoying life… some day he has to get the punishment!”

Payal looked at her stunned, said, “Khushi, I fail to understand most of what you say! It’s beyond my understanding… I just want to warn you… no matter whatever you do… be careful and think it through before you jump into something… Everything is going well... don’t mess things up!” When Payal left the kitchen she was worried sick… she then turned around… said, “By the way, I need to tell you something… but... not now!”

Khushi said, “Need to tell me something? About what, Jiji?”

Payal said,” About Shyam ji!” and she left before Khushi could ask her anymore questions when Khushi turned to switch the stove off.

Khushi wondered as she strained the kadha, “Yes, Jiji! Something has to be done! Otherwise… I will never be able to look Arnav ji in the eye! To tell you the truth… it kills me to know that he does not think of me highly…! It is very important that he knows that…. That I am not the wrong one… otherwise… I will never be able to tell him…. about... I mean… how much I…” rest of her words remained unsaid as Khushi startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

She quickly turned around… shocked to see Arnav… with his hand on her shoulder… his touch was gentle… her throat went dry… her senses went numb… her hands started to tremble… 
She said, “Y…o… u?”

Arnav grabbed the strainer from her trembling hands and put it away... his gaze was gentle... steady on her but was searching her soul as he whispered, “Ha, mein! Yes…me!”

“Aap  ... kab… Aaye? When… did you….come?” she managed a few words out of her mouth.

“When you were talking to yourself…..” he said with a mysterious look in his eyes.

“Ji... I mean…. were... you… listening to me for a while?”

Khushi asked him with panic...

Arnav said in a dismissive tone, “Relax, Khushi! I just came!”

Khushi heaved a sigh of relief... This did not go unnoticed by Arnav’s sharp eyes… he found her adorable... he looked at her face... the gentle breeze had blown a lock of hair on her face... he took couple of forward steps... Khushi reflexively tried to step backward…

 

Arnav said with an authoritative voice, “Stop! “

Khushi just stopped… shocked! He moved forward, gently removed the lock of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear... his gentle touch and his lingering fingers on her temple were enough to take Khushi’s breath away… she closed her eyes briefly… Arnav’s heart relished this moment… Khushi opened her eyes and shyly looked away as she gulped down… she still was on the edge... Arnav whispered, “Ab thik hai!’ Now it’s alright…” then he turned around to leave... Khushi tried to catch her breath… panic set in again as turned back... she looked at him, “Jiii?” her breath held in her throat...

Arnav said in a challenging tone and a twinkle in his eye, “Remember the challenge!” then gave a smirk and left... Khushi’s heart kept racing at the speed of lightening… Dhak Dhak Dhak Dhak…

She managed to call, “Hari Prakash ji, take this kadha upstairs!”

HP came running, “Yes, Khushi Bhabhi!”

************************************************************************************************************

Everyone was happily sitting around... Shyam and Arnav were still missing…

Soon enough, it was decided to start the evening… Khushi announced... “Suniye...Suniye... Suniye... aaj ki shyam... humaare Lovely ji ke naam! Aur ha, Karan ji ke naam bhi! Toh sahibaan, kadardaan, kahiye, kya kijiye...aap! Listen, everyone! This evening is in the honor of Lovely ji… as well as Karan ji… so, all the respected ones… and the admirers… tell me, what would you like to do?”

Everyone clapped as Khushi completed her announcement in filmy style.

Karan enthusiastically came forward and said, “Hum aakp ke hai kaun? Who am I to you?”

Everyone looked at Karan puzzled…

Karan said in a very dramatic manner, “Look, the way we all are settled here reminds me of “Hum Aapke Hai Kaun”…. The Salman Khan, Madhuri movie… so, why not play the same game as shown in the movie.?”

Anjali chirpily said, “It’s a fantastic idea... what say, Khushi ji?” she looked at her for approval...

Khushi said excitedly, “Yes, Di! I like it as well… I had planned for Antakshri… but… I am all for the game now…”

Then she looked at Aakash and asked, “Jijaji, can you get some music?”

Aakash said smilingly, “Already done! Tell me, what kind of music would you like to play?”

Mami ji said, “Great! Now... playing the gamewa….. interesting evening ahead… it seems…”

Lovely asked Anjali, “So Shyam ji also is not coming?”

Anjali said, “Oh, yeah! Khushi ji made the Kadha… he took it… don’t know…” Just then came a voice, “Since Khushi ji made the kadha especially for me… I had to come…”

Anjali turned around to see Shyam walking towards them. He came and sat down next to Anjali as he said, “Rani Sahiba, when Khushi ji made the kadha with so much affection and care… then how I dare say ‘no’?”

Anjali smiled… Khushi gave Shyam a penetrating look, said, ”Ji, I only helped Di per her request!”

Anjali was all enthusiastic now, “Khushi ji, is Chhotey not coming? He said ‘no’ again?”

Lovely answered first, “Anjali, ASR flatly refused to join us... he has been always like that anyway…”

Khushi calmly added, “Arnav ji will come! I am sure… he will... he just needs to prepare a bit more for the meeting tomorrow and then he should be able to join us.”

Mami said, “Hello Hi Bye Bye! Arnav bituwa has been through a complete transformationwa…what do you call it.. yeah…he has changed…” Then she tried to suppress her smile as she said, “Ms. Lovely... few days back…. Arnav bituwa had put on such a shirt…. All red… and he was so awkward in it… we could not stop laughing…. laughing matters…”

Nani ji gave her a sharp look that shut Mami up… then Nani ji said to Laxmi, sitting next to her, ”Laxmi, at least Arnav bituwa has been changing little by little but some people…. They will never change!” looking at Manorama... who made a face on Nani ji’s remark.

Buaji and Garima smiled... Shyam seemed to get angry... Anjali asked him to pass the box of sweets next to him but he was so engrossed in his anger that he did not hear it… Anjali gently shook him, he came out of his trance... he stuttered, “Woh... hum… I…” Anjali gave him a disappointed look, as he fumbled for words… She said in a soft yet complaining voice, “See now, these days even when you are with me… it is as good as not having you with me…. I just don’t get it… why do you have to work so much?”

Karan was watching them carefully. He happened to notice that Shashi’s face turned angry whenever he looked at Shyam… he seemed to want to say something but he could not. Khushi followed Karan’s gaze. She noticed that Shashi was upset. She got up and rushed to calm him down,”Babuji, we all are here…. With you! Are you alright? Shall I call the doctor?”

Shashi nodded “No” as Buaji and Garima also came there... He signaled that he was fine... everyone went back to their respective place.

They started with the game…

Khushi’s eyes intermittently wandered up the stairs in hopes of seeing Arnav.

The pillow was passed round…. when the music stopped, the pillow fell on Laxmi... everyone burst out laughing...

Just then, Arnav came down the stairs…. Looking as handsome as ever in his simple button down white shirt and blue denims… Khushi and he looked at each other as he took his place next to Khushi… briefly their eyes spoke to each other... “You came!” Khushi’s eyes said with a soft thankful gaze... “I had to…” Arnav’s eyes said with some unknown warmth making Khushi blush.

Lovely passed a remark, “ASR… There is something special about your Khushi… that’s why… I guess…” Then she turned to Anjali and said, “Right, Anjali? He flatly refused us… but when Khushi said… he agreed right away! Wow, that’s how love should be! Hats off to you, Khushi ji!” she bowed to her...

Initially Khushi blushed but then her heart filled with worry. She looked at Arnav from the corner of her eye… worried what his reaction might be... Arnav noticed that Shyam was looking at them irked… Arnav looked at Lovely and said with a smile,”Khushi is my wife after all!”  Nani and all company nodded happily… while Shyam seemed to get restless…

They began the game…again… next go around it was Buaji’s turn... Karan said to Buaji, “You have three options… Dance, song or some dialogues from your favorite movie.”

 

Buaji said to Karan that she could enact a dialogue from ‘Sholey’ but she needed someone to play Jay. She looked at Arnav who immediately reacted, “Me?.. Noooooo, I don’t know any dialogues...” Then Buaji looked at Aakash, he said, “You know, Buaji! I no nothing about these things…” Payal suppressed her smile on his hesitation.

Karan jumped to his feet, took a bow and declared in filmy style, “Mausi jii aap ka Jai hazir hai! … Aunty ji, your Jay is here!”

Everyone clapped...Karan and Buaji then enacted the famous Jay- Mausi dialogue sequence from Sholay: 
(PLEASE, SKIP IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HINDI>>> YOU WILL NOT MISS ANYTHING REGARDING THE FF.... Just skip to the bottom, please.)

Mausi: Arre beta, bas itna samaz lo ke ghar me jawaan beti seene par 

        pathhar ke sil ki tarah hoti hai. Basanti ka byaah ho jaaye 

        to chain ki saans loo.

Jay     : haa sach kaha mausi aapne. bada bojh hai aap par.

Mausi   : Lekin beta, is bojh ko koi kunwe me to phaik nahi deta.Bura nahi

        maananaa , itanaa to poochhanaa hi padataa hai ke ladke

        kaa khaandaan kyaa hai uske lachhchhan kaise hai, kamaataa kitnaa

        hai?

Jay     : Kamaane ka to ye hai mausi,..,ke ek baar biwi bachhon ki jimmedaari

        sar pe aa gayi to .. kamaane bhi lagegaa.

Mausi   : To kya abhi kuchh bhi nahi kamaataa?

Jay     : Nahi nahi ye maine kba kahaa mausi, kamaataa hai lekin,... ab roj

        roj to aadmi jeet nahi sakataa na. .. kabhi haar bhi jaataa hai

        bechaaraa?

Mausi   : haar jaata hai?

Jay     : haan mausi ab ye kambakht juwaa cheej hi aisi hai ab mai kyaa 

        kahoon ?

Mausi   : heynnnn. to kya juwaari hai?

Jay     : chhi chhi chhi chhi mausi, woh aur juwaari na na. woh to bahot hi

        achchha aur nek ladka hai.Lekin mausi, ek baar sharaab pi li na phir,

        achchhe bure ka kahaa hosh rahataa hai. Haath pakad ke bitha liyaa

        kisi ne juwaa khelane. ab isme bechare Veeru ka kya dosh?

Mausi   : Thik kahate ho beta. juwaari woh sharaabi woh lekin, uska koi

        dosh nahi.

Jay     : Mausi aap to mere dost ko galat samaz rahi hai. woh to itanaa

        seedha aur bhola hai. aare basanti se uski shaadi karke to dekhiye,

        ye juwe aur sharaab ki aadat to do din me chhoot jaayegi.

Mausi   : Arre beta, mujh budhiyaa ko samaza rahe ho. ye sharaab aur juwe ki 

        aadat kisi ki chhooti hai aaj tak.

Jay     : Mausi aap Veeru ko nahi jaanati , wishwaas kijiye wo is tarah kaa

        insaan nahi hai. Ek baar shaadi ho gayi to woh us gaane-waali ke ghar 

        jaanaa band kar degaa. bas, sharaab apne aap chhoot jaayegi.

Mausi   : Hi hi, bas yehi ek kami raha gayi thi. to kya kisi gaane-waali ke

        ghar bhi aanaa jaanaa hai?

Jay     : To isme kaunsi buri baat hai mausi. arre , gaana soonane to raajaa-

        mahaaraajaa unche unche khaandaan ke log jaate hai, haan.

Mausi   : Achchha ! to beta ye bhi bataate jaao ki tumhare yeh gunwaan dost

        kis khaandaan ke hai?

Jay     : Bas mausi, khaandaan ka pataa chalate hi ham aap ko khabar de 

        denge.

Mausi   : Ek baat ki daad doongi beta. bhale sau buraaEyaa hai tumhare

        dost me ,phir bhi tumhare munh se us ke liye taareefe hi nikalti hai.

Jay     : ab Kya karoo mausi.. mera to dil hi kuchh aisa hai.(pause)...

        To.. mai ye rishtaa pakkaa samazoo?

Mausi   : Pakkaa? . bhale saari jindagi ladaki kuwaari baithi rahe. lekin

        mai aise aadami se Basanti ko nahi byaahanewaali. Sagi mausi hoon.

        koi sautelee maa nahi.

Jay     : Ajeeb baat hai. mere itane samazaane par bhi aap ne inkaar kar

        diyaa.. Bechaaraa Veeru... naa jaane kya karega?

Everyone clapped again… Khushi smiled and ran to hug Buaji… and did some dancing steps forgetting where she was... Arnav had a gentle smile on his face as he watched Khushi dancing happily… Shyam looked at her with a smile on his face... Arnav’s eyes caught Shyam’s prying eyes on Khushi… he looked at Shyam... gave him a penetrating look... Shyam did not miss the opportunity to act evil... His smile got wider... teasing Arnav More… while Khushi danced with joy… unaware of the battle of gazes.

IF Link:
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