Opposite Poles..Part 116

Part 116

Nani sensed something was wrong.  Arnav and Lavanya had returned earlier than her expectation.  She was at the table and he came down for dinner.  “So they didn’t have their dinner in the hotel!” Nani noted.  Anjali came and looking at the pile of shopping bags asked excitedly.

“Aray wah, Chote! You did lot of shopping..!” she smiled.  Lavanya walked in from her room. 

“Aray, Lavanya.. I thought you would have a romantic dinner tonight..” Anjali teased.  Arnav looked away.  

“Hayin? Shopping? Hello hi bye bye! Which Mall Ms. Tiptap?” asked Mami looking at the bags greedily.  Lavanya had conveniently forgotten to buy anything for anyone in the family.  She ignored Mami’s question.  

“I forgot Chote, I was thinking of setting the ‘rudraksh’ Khushi bitiya had got from Nainital in a golden socket..! you take it to the jeweller tomorrow..!” said Nani looking at Arnav.  He nodded. 

“I want to get the pendent done ..!” she added looking at Ms Kasyap.  

“Arnav Bitwa.. Ms Tiptap ki toh Shopping Hui gai! Hamre wastay  Kucho  Laiy  Ho Ki  Naahi? Hello hi bye bye?” Mami asked raising her eyebrows gazing at the bags. 

“Oh! Mami ji.. you should visit that Mall once.. You get a grand variety!” Lavanya said and Mami looked at her husband sulkily.

“Aray Manorama.. Arnav Bitwa is her boyfriend, not husband..! “ Mamaji pulled her legs.  “Hum!” Mamiji twisted her nose.  “Hum  toh  Aap  say Expect hi Naahi Karat Hain.. Hello hi bye bye!” she said contemptuously.  “Thank god!” Mamaji took a sigh of relief.  

“Aray Chodo naa.  Tell us Lavanya.. what all you bought?” Anjali asked excitedly.

“Oh Di! All brand new designs were there...!” Lavanya started off.

“Why didn’t you go out for dinner, Chote?” asked Anjali cutting her off.

“Oh Di.. he just drove back home!” Lavanya said sulkily.  

“Did you drop Khushi home?” Nani asked looking at Arnav piercingly. 

“Aray, Nani she got a call from home and went away ...!” Lavanya informed.

“Went away? You didn’t drop  her? What happened?” Nani turned to Chote questioning. 

“Servants are not allowed inside...!” he remembered her words and looked at Lavanya clenching his fists.  Nani noted his change of mood.  He got up and went back to his room leaving the food in the plate.  

“hum” Nani sighed.  “Hope you realize the difference, Chote!” she thought gravely.

********   ***********

“I must put an end to this Khushi business!” Lavanya was pacing the room.  She had sensed ASR’s comfort level with Khushi.  Her insecurities overriding her good senses she picked up a particularly hot dress and wore it.

“ASR!” she was in his room pushing the door. 

“I am busy Lavanya!” he said sternly.  She ignored and wrapped her arms around him sitting on the recliner where he was working.  He looked away frustrated. 

“I love you ASR!” she closed her eyes resting her head on his shoulder.  He didn’t react. 

“Do you love me?” she asked and he glared at her angrily.

“What rubbish, Lavanya! You know!” he said pushing her away a little.

“ASR! Just to be sure.. is there anyone else in your life?” she asked rubbing her nose on his neckline.

“Stop it Lavanya! Are you out of your mind!” he pushed her away angrily. 

“Sorry ASR! I just wanted to make sure!” she hugged her boyfriend tightly closing her eyes.  He gazed unfocused over her shoulder.

“ASR, let’s go on a long drive!” she suggested dreamily.  “No!” he said removing her hands.

“Why not,  ASR?” she asked sulkily.

“Can’t you see? I am busy!” his voice rising he got up from the recliner. She gaped at him.  He closed his eyes and said. “I am busy Lavanya! Good night!”

Lavanya went out sulkily.  He was back to his work.  

“You win, this time!” “I always win!” he smiled closing his eyes and switching off the lights.

Lavanya came back to her room.  She was bugged up with his attitude.  “What is he thinking? Is he not happy with me? “ She thought gravely.  Her insecurities mounting, she fidgeted furiously.

“I have to do something...! He said there is no one in his life other than me! But he didn’t sound convincing..! I must do something before its too late!” she thought rocking on the bed nervously.

“I should get married to at least get engaged.. as soon as possible.!” She concluded. 

“This Nani is a pain in the neck..!” she frowned.  “I should take Khushi’s help ...!” was her second conclusion.

“I am taking Khushi’s help to oust her out of this house! Once I get engaged, she is out of this house..!” Lavanya smiled.  “I must patch up with her... till I get what I want! I know, only Khushi can convince Nani!  I wil manage ASR!” she thought loudly.

“I will go to her house and bring her back!” she thought.

“Chamakili... help me to throw you out of my life!” she said switching off the lights resolving that she will patch up with Khushi in the morning.

********   ********   *********

 “Aray, Khushi didn’t come?” asked Nani, next day at the breakfast table.  “Ram Prakash, give me the phone!” ordered Nani. 

“Oh..Ok! Let her take rest!” said Nani seriously and disconnected.  “What happened, Nani?” asked Anjali.  “She is not well!” Nani said gravely.  “What happened?” Anjali asked concerned.  Nani didn’t answer. ASR came back to his room.  “She is not well?” He was worried.

“Bhai..!” Aakash was at the door looking like a sleep deprived person.  Arnav looked at his little brother.

“She said no!” he looked aghast.  He came in and sat on the recliner.  Arnav gaped at him.

“No?” he blurted.

“Yes.. she said No!” Aakash was doomed.  “Bhai.. i can’t live without her!” he looked all lost.  Aakash buried his face in his palms, losing all hopes.

“Are you serious, Aakash?” Arnav himself was not sure about his brother’s feelings.

“Yes, Bhai! Either I marry her or none!” he declared.  Arnav couldn’t comprehend.  “How could one person make such an impact on the other?” he wondered.  “No one can do that to me!” he thought smugly.  He looked at his brother.  He had to take control!

“Have patience, Aakash!” Arnav said placing his hand on Aakash’s shoulder.  He looked up at Arnav with moist eyes.  “Bhai..!” he broke down.

“Oh! Come on, Aakash!” Arnav looked away.  “I don’t know, what to do!” Aakash got up to go.

“Are you ready to wait...Aakash? Till she says yes?” asked Arnav gravely.

“..I will wait for her forever...!” Aakash pressed his hand on his chest.  Arnav thought for a while.

“Ok I will handle it..!” Arnav assured and Aakash felt better.

“Yes.. bhai.  I will not give up!” he said with determination.  Arnav was determined to do anything for his little brother.  

“Come with me!” he said picking up the car keys.

*******  ******

“No Jiji, tell her I am not well!” Khushi didn’t want to go anywhere leaving her jiji. Nani had called but  Payal was upset the whole night and so was Khushi.  She kept on asking her jiji.

“Jiji.. why?” Khushi was asking her.  

“Yes Khushi.  That’s the best thing for both of us!” Payal said seriously.

“But jiji, break up is not the solution!” Khushi tried to persuade Payal.  Payal already had made up her mind to end it and no one could change her mind.

“No discussion on this, Khushi! The chapter is closed!” Payal said and went into the kitchen. 

“Which chapter is closed, Khushi?” Sham was at the door of their room.  Khushi frowned.  She had to find some excuse.

“Umm Nothing Sham ji.  Jiji lost an embroidery contract!” Khushi said.  “Oh! Ok!” Sham came in.

“Umm Sham ji, from which college you passed out?” she asked him sweetly.  She knew, awkward questions drive him out of the room.  Sham got up turning his back on her.  “Umm Delhi college!” he said frowning.  She had opened her question bank again to his annoyance.

“Oh really? Thats great! You must be a very brilliant student... My friend was telling me.. Only brilliant students get admission there!” she praised him smirking at his back.  He closed his eyes in frustration.

“Which year?” she asked the next question.  He had reached the threshold of her room.  “One more question and you will be out of my room!” she thought grinning. 

“Khushi, I came to ask you for a cup of tea!” he said  sidestepping her question.  He went out of the room.  “Aray Khushi  Kitanay  sawaal  karogi, Sanakadevi? How many questions do you ask!” Buwaji came to Sham’s rescue.  Khushi grinned.  “Aray Buwaji.. I should know! What if my friends ask about my would be husband? I should know about him!” she smiled at him sweetly.  He gaped at her innocent face. “You will know everything about me.. soon!” he smirked.  Khushi observed the change on his face.  “don’t be so happy, Shamji!   Here is my next question, Agalay  Padav  Kay  Liye! Question number three!” she grinned again.

“Tell me Sham ji.. why did you decide to take up law?” she asked a descriptive question this time.  “Question for ten marks!” she thought.  Payal had given him tea.  He sipped one thinking what to answer.

“I wanted to help the needy ones” he said sweetly smiling at Buwaji.  Buwaji nodded.  “Haan NandKishore! You are doing that..! How noble of you!” she said smiling satisfactorily.

“Great!” Khushi admired thinking whether to shoot the next question now or some time later.  She decided to ask later.  “Take some breathing time, Shamji for my next Padav!” Khushi smiled at him.

“Aray.. how much do you talk..!” Buwaji too was irritated.

“We have to Buwaji.. the other day I read somewhere.  They had given the list of questions.. What should parents ask and know about the groom before finalizing the marriage! You know the article name, Shamji? It’s ‘Kaun  Banegaa  Meraa  Patee!’ Hihihi...”  She said brightly giggling.  

“Toh.. parents should ask those questions.. why are you asking?” Buwaji fell in trap easily.

“What to do Buwaji? Babuji.. you know! Amma is busy with Babuji’s nursing.. So who should ask?” Khushi questioned and turning to Sham asked “Isn’t it Sham ji? One should be careful!” Sham had to nod.  She was getting out of control for him.  “This fire will spread soon if I don’t put it out in time!” He thought of his next move.  Khushi was humming shaking her leg.  

“Achha... tell me Sham ji..!” Khushi started off again when she saw he had finished his tea.  Sham clenched his fists.  He stared at Khushi she was looking at him smiling sweetly.  Door bell rang, to Sham’s relief.  He looked through the window and got up with a jerk.

Khushi had already reached the door pulling it open.

“You?” she was shocked.