Opposite Poles..Part 120

Part 120

They drove out of Raizada House.  He was speeding up.  Khushi was unusually quiet.  She gazed at the setting sun.  The twilight always made her vulnerable, disconsolate.  She gazed ahead praying her Devi Mayya.  He glanced at her.  The sunset always made him emotional.  He always used to avoid looking at the setting sun.  Khushi looked ahead at the setting sun unblinkingly.  He kept glancing at her.

“Yeh.. bol  Kyun  Nahi  Rahi  Hain? What happened? Why is she so quiet.. !” he wondered but didn’t want to stir her mood.  The secluded road sped up his car.  She winced coming out of her trance.  He glanced and sped up further.  She closed her eyes in fright.  He smirked. 

 “So she gets scared of speed!” he concluded speeding up further.  The headlights of the oncoming traffic made her shut her eyes closed tightly.  “Huh..” a faint sob left her, he couldn’t stop looking at her.  The oncoming truck honked frantically flashing high beam and he turned in time..he escaped narrowly gazing back to the road ahead.  She pressed her hands on her ears and screamed.

“Stop it!” he yelled getting irritated.  She looked at him with tearful eyes.  

“What? Nothing has happened..!” he said looking at her face.  She looked away.  He didn’t slow down.  “Oh! Shit!” they both saw a dead dog run over by a vehicle.  Khushi took her legs up, wrapping her hands around her knees and putting her head down.

“Unhay  Bhi  Aisay  Hi  Kuchalaa  Hoga! They must be knocked over .. li..like th..this?” she blurted sobbing.  “Who?” he asked slowing down considerably, looking at her shocked. 

“M.. my....!” her grip around her knees tightened.  “Khushi...!” he stopped the car turning to face her.  His hand moved to touch her shoulder but she released her knees from the grip and wiping her eyes said..

“No! I am ok! S..Sorry!” she looked at him.  He went back to his seat and gazed at her.  “Khushi..?” he had a question ...

“No... Th .. This nightfall makes be vulnerable..! “ she confessed.  He looked at her.  “Tum Thik ho?” He asked huskily.  She nodded.  

“Koi baath nahi..! Abhi Taray  Timtimaanay lagengay!  Stars will twinkle soon in the sky!” she said consoling herself.  He looked ahead igniting his engine...!

Her phone rang.  “Hello?” she answered and listened, then cupping her mouth said..

“No! Not today! Tomorrow...night! on the eve of Dhan Teras...!” she was talking  in a low tone.  He glanced at her.  “No, Lavanya ji..!I am not coming tomorrow..!” she said disconnecting the phone stealing a glance at him sheepishly.  He flared up his nose.

“What were you hiding in my room?” he asked angrily.  “Nothing!” she said with a smirk.

“Stop the Drama, Khushi, you were hiding something..!” he asked feeling better that she was back to her self.

“What do you think? Hiding a bomb in your room?” she asked angrily.

“You are capable of that, Khushi Kumari Gupta!” he retorted.

“What is this? Am I a terrorist?” she asked angrily.

“No! You are an errorist..! goofing up ...!” he said disdainfully.  Her phone rang again and he looked away frustrated speeding up again...

“Hello jiji.. Yes.. Coming home! Haan? Ok.  You don’t do it.  I will come and make it...!” she said hurriedly and disconnected again looking at him sheepishly.  He stopped with screeching brakes and she bumped on the windshield.

“What?” she asked angrily.  “Ghar aa gaya!” he pointed at her house. 

“Haan..!” she smiled sheepishly.  “Would you like to come in?” she asked formally.  He ignored her and drove away.

“Goo .. Good Nig...!” her voice trailed looking at the tail lamps of his car.  She frowned and came in.    

“Khushi why are you so late?” asked Payal.  “Jiji... my scooter broke down... Woh Rak.. I mean.. Arnav ji dropped me ..!” she said going into her room to change.  She sensed the tension.

“What happened, Jiji?” she asked going into the kitchen to help her Jiji.  “Same... topic! Sham ji had come.. He looked upset..!” Payal told her.  “Khushi, careful...Buwaji is not at all in a good mood ... She will bash you, if you poke her!” Payal warned her. 

“Yeah Jiji, and I don’t have the energy to argue with her today..!” said Khushi going into her babuji’s room.

“Babuji... She rested her head on his feeble shoulder.  “Couldn’t even see you, the whole day..Sorry babuji!” she said taking the bowl from her Amma and helping her babuji to sit up in the bed. 

“I will do it Amma!” she said wrapping the napkin around his neck like a bib and feeding him with spoon.

***********   **********   **********

“Lavanya ji..!” Look under the foreposter... I hid them there..!” Khushi was on the phone. 

“No chamakili...!” Lavanya was panic.  

“Are you looking for these?” came a voice and Khushi shuddered at the other end. 

“Mar gaye..! Thank god, i am not here, That rakshas would have killed me!” she thought but next moment was worried about Lavanya!

“Lavanya ji..Bhaag jaiye!” she yelled over the phone.

“Shut up!” came a rude voice and Khushi shuddered.  “No one will lighting the lamp in my room!” he declared and disconnected the phone.  She frowned.  “This darkzada... even on dewali, wants to be in darkness..!” she muttered furiously.  Then smiled and said... “But there surely will be a lamp in your room, Mr. Raizada..! Khushi kumari gupta has accepted the challenge!” she raised her fist in the air.

“Hello, Ram Prakash ji?” Khushi dialled his number.  “Yaad hain? Humnay aap ko ..!” She started off.

“Yes Khushi didi, I know you have given me that silver color...!” he said excitedly.

“Yeah... you know what to do!” she said and “Yes didi! I will do it.! Nobody will know!” He said and she grinned.

“I have a remote control of the bomb.. Mr. Raizada..!” she jerked her head back and puffed her cheeks smugly.

“What the...!” he came into the room and saw a lit lamp on his table covered by a silvery lamp shade protecting the flame.  He looked at the netted design on the lamp shade.   The dancing flame made the shadows  on the wall dance.  He gaped at his own room which looked different and beautiful modifying his memory and he forgot to yell!  He kept gazing at the lamp and the lampshade for a long time.  “Touch me not!” he removed the lampshade and moved his finger near the flame.. smiling ..!  

***********   ***********

“Khushi... look at you!” her jiji gazed at Khushi grinning happily.  “You look so pretty...! Khushi..!” Payal hugged her tightly.  Khushi smiled.  “And what about you? You look prettier..!” she complemented her elder sister.

“Khushi look at your saree... Look at the peacocks on the border, Khushi! This must be a very costly saree..! Look at the feathers embroidered on your pallu, Khushi.. I mean.. Even I can’t get the finishing of such an intricate work.  Look at the peacock feather eyes...  simply awesome! And the stone work..? Khushi... this is just pretty like you...!” Payal was still holding Khushi’s pallu, looking at the intricate work.  “You look..!” she again started..

“Oh! Stop it Jiji.. I know..!” Khushi put her finger on Payal’s lips and said, “Come on for the pooja!” she dragged her jiji out of their room.  Amma had brought babuji out on a wheel chair.  Buwaji came and applied black kajal spot below the earlobe of both the girls to remove the effect of evil eye on them..! “Hi Ray  NandKishore..! look at the girls...!” she hugged the girls smiling broadly.  

“Chalo  Buwaji,  Pooja Karenge..!” Khushi was eager.  “Aray.. wait.. let us  wait for Sham Babua!” said Buwaji and Khushi rolled her eyes.

“NandKishore! Sham Babua won’t come.  He must have run away again..! Buwaji... let us start the pooja.. It’s Laxmi pooja... we should not keep our laxmiji waiting..!” Khushi giggled.  

“You know? Sometimes i feel he is a fugitive,  Always on the run..! Someone came in from the front door... he is vanished from the back door... sometimes even jumping through the window...! And always getting an urgent call..!” she winked at Payal and Buwaji came on to her angrily.  

*****  *********  *******

“Umm.. Raani Saheba.. Umm I need to go out for some time..!” Sham was all set to go out for some urgent work.

“Aray.. Do the pooja first and then go!” Anjali ordered and Sham looked away  frustrated.  He knew the pooja in gupta house will be over by the time he reached there.  He desperately wanted to go there for Laxmi pooja.  He wanted to see Khushi wearing the saree he had selected for her which Raizadas gifted her.  He wanted to see her first.. before anyone could! 

“Raani Saheba... Please, let me go! I will come back soon!” he said.

“No!” she said sulkily holding his hand.  “Ok!” he gave up.  He was also waiting for the surprise gift the brothers had planned for him.  He stroked his chin.   “Its better be something expensive, saale saab..!” he smirked.  “Raani Sahebaa!” he hugged her from behind kissing her cheek.  Anjali blushed.. “Hatiye!” she said turning in his arms and resting her head on his chest.  His grip tightened. 

“Diwali is so Romantic..!” he cuddled her in his arms and lifted her off the ground.

“Aray.. aray.. !” she wrapped her arms around his neck holding on to him.  He grinned.  “You know what? This saree and the ornaments and this festive season turns me on...!” he carried her to the bed and she said..

“Sham ji.. Pooja bhi toh Karani hain!” he pulled himself away sulkily.  She tidied up her peacock green saree and pushed him away.  “Raani Sahebaa! You look beautiful..!” he hugged her again resting his head on her shoulder, smirking wickedly.  

“Humm...” Khushi’s beautiful face flashed before him.  He licked his lips.  “I will be with you soon, Khushi! I will be the first one to see you this Diwali, in that Lemon yellow saree!” he sighed dreamily.  “You are a challenge! The more you run away, more is my urge to have you...!” his grip around his wife tightened.

“Sham ji..!” Anjali pushed him a bit and freed herself.  “Come on! Let us go!” she said going out of the room.  “Yeah! We have to hurry up.  I have an urgent work!” he said smirking. 

“Hello... where are you?” Nani was asking Khushi.

“Hello Nani ji.. I am leaving now...! Will reach there in half an hour!” Khushi had hailed an auto.

“I want her for laxmi pooja...!” Nani blurted and came out.  Everyone was ready for the pooja. 

“Lavanya?” Anjali looked around and found only Arnav waiting restlessly.  She went to Lavanya’s room to call her.

“Yeah, Di! Coming..!” she said awkwardly.  Anjali pushed the door.  Lavanya was standing there with saree not knowing how to drape it.  “Umm.. Khushi had said she will come in time!” she said sheepishly.  

“You all go ahead with the pooja, i will come..!” she said dialling Khushi’s number. “Wait, I will help you with the saree..!” Anjali helped her drape the saree and finally she was ready for the pooja. 

 “Let us start the pooja..!” Sham was in a hurry.   

“Hello hi bye bye! Why are you in a hurry? Do you want to meet someone?” Mami asked suspiciously.  “Yeah.. Mami, he has some urgent work!” Anjali said sulking.   “Raani Sahebaa! What to do? Its my work!” he said putting his hand around her.  She smiled.  

“Umm  .. Where is saale saab?” he looked around.  Arnav had vanished.  “Chote?” she called out.  “Call me when you are ready..!” he yelled from his room working on his laptop.

“Let us start the Pooja..!” he was desperate.  “Ok baba!” Anjali gave up.  “Chote..!” she called out and Nani lighted the lamp in the thal.  They started off praying and invoking godess Laxmi to shower her blessings on the people and on this house.  Nani kept looking at the main door.   The doorbell rang.  Nani’s face brightened up.

“Raani Sahebaa.. Pooja is over.. I won’t stay for Aarti.. I should be going..!” Sham grabbed the opportunity but Anjali  held his hand.  “Wait..!” she said pulling him closer.  

Ram Prakash pulled open the door.  There was a courier for Anjali Zaa! Nani was disappointed.  The courier delivered two tickets to Mauritius and a holiday package for a week in Hilton resort..! Anjali jumped in excitement.  “For us?” she asked her brother.

“For who else Di?” Aakash grinned at his brother.  Arnav nodded in acceptance.  Anjali gave the packet to her husband.  “How sweet...!” She thanked her brothers.  

“This is the surprise?” asked Sham.  “Yes!” said Aakash.  “Haan Anjali bitiya... just elope with your husband for some days and enjoy..! He is very busy now a days.. You hardly get time together..!” Nani said looking at Sham.  Sham frowned.  “Holiday with Raani Saheba? I wanted to take HER with me!” he thought curling up his lip.  

“But Raani Saheba.. next week? I have some urgent work, next week!” he said in a small voice.

“Your urgent work can wait, Damaad ji..! You two are going!” Nani put her foot down.  Sham knew when to stop stretching.  He nodded in acceptance.   Anjali smiled happily.  

“Ab Aarti Karain?” She asked her husband.  “Umm.. I have to go.  I have to make arrangements and postpone my appointments for the holidays..!” he winked at his wife and she blushed allowing him to go.  He vanished in no time.

Khushi got down from the auto; Haggled with him for charging more during festival time.  Then paying money, said, “Happy Diwali, bhaiyya ji.. Ghar may Sub Ko Bhi! Happy Diwali to you and your family..!” she smiled and the autowala reciprocated.  She pulled her plaits for her saree little up for ease of walking and ran towards to main door.  

Door bell rang, and this time Arnav pulled open the door.  Khushi stood looking up at him with open mouth.  He was gazing at her mesmerized.  She felt nervous and dropped the plaits from her hand. He stood there unmoved.  He was the first one to see her! 

“Ha...Ha..Happy...Di..Diwali...!” she stammered nervously.  “Chote..?” someone had to break his trance to let Khushi in.  

“Aray, wah.. Khushi..! Come in!” Anjali held Khushi’s hand pulling her in.  Arnav followed still fixing his gaze on Khushi.  She blushed.  Nani looked relieved.  

“Aao bitiya.. Aarti Shuru  Honay wali hain..!” She said pleasantly.  Khushi came in touched her feet.

“You look beautiful.. Like a princess!” she said fondly and Khushi involuntarily glanced at Arnav.  

“Chamkili.. why are you late? It was so difficult to drape this saree... Di helped me!” Lavanya held her hand.  She smiled sheepishly.  “Woh... auto milanay main der  ho gai! I couldn’t get the auto in time..!” she said guiltily.  Arnav stood behind her.  She sensed his presence and fidgeted nervously.  Nani took the Aarti and Khushi moved ahead towards Nani.  Lavanya and ASR followed.  His gaze was making her nervous, his closeness send waves of shiver through her spine.  She slowly moved backward and went behind Lavanya.  He glared at  her angrily.  

“Khushi bitiya... Prashad do!” Nani ordered and Khushi took the plate of Prashad.  She gave it to everyone under his watchful gaze and held one for him.  He ignored her.  “Prashad.. “ she whispered still holding it out for him.  He turned his back on her, knowing her reaction.  She followed him.

“Please?” she pleaded and he took it from her.  Their fingers brushed and Khushi blushed with her cheeks growing red.  He smirked and Khushi turned her back on him hoping no one noticed.  He turned to go back to his room.

“Aray wah.. pretty saree... !” Anjali complemented Khushi.  Khushi looked at her confused.  “Your gift..!” she said looking at herself in the saree.

“What? This one?” Anjali was now confused.  “Yeah..! That day you gave me the diwali gift.  Jiji altered the blouse for me..!” Khushi said revolving around herself.

“Haiyen? This? Hello hi bye bye..! Your sister changed the color of the saree?” Spat Mami and Khushi turned thoroughly confused.

“You didn’t gift me this?” she asked Anjali and she shook her head.

“But you gave me that bag with my name on it.  This was in that bag...!” Khushi looked lost. 

“Lemon yellow ka Red Hui gawa..! Hello hi bye bye..!” Mami declared.  Anjali looked confused.  “Its ok Khushi..!” she said still looking lost.  Khushi didn’t understand anything.  This was the gift given by Raizadas and she wore it.  She looked at Lavanya.

“Actually, Chamakili.. Di had bought.. I mean Jijaji had bought a lemon yellow saree for you and we had gifted you that..!” Lavanya clarified.  “Bu.. but this is not lemon yellow.. this is red..!” Khushi again looked at herself stupidly.

“whose saree is this then?” she asked loudly looking at everyone.  Anjali shrugged.  

“How did it change color? Sorcery?” Khushi winced in fright.  Anjali grinned.  “Khushi.. this is a different saree.  The design is also different.  It had pearls on the border.. this one had miniature peacocks on the border... Everything is different.  This is different saree..!” Anjali said looking at her.

“And I am wearing someone else’s saree..!” she asked bewildered.  “Yes!” Anjali said nodding. 

“And you all do not know from where it came?” she asked again.  “No..! we do not know!” Anjali again nodded.

“And you had not bought this for me?” Khushi questioned.  “No!” Anjali said now grinning looking at Khushi’s ghostly face.  

“And this is red saree?” Khushi looked at herself touching her saree and feeling the color.

“Yes” Anjali again nodded.

“And that was lemon yellow..?” Khushi’s questions never stopped.

“Yes!” now Anjali said giggling.  Khushi’s mouth fell open.  Her questions exhausted, she sat on the nearby chair still looking lost.

“Where is that lemon yellow saree?” she asked.  “I gave it to you!” came the answer from Anjali.  Khushi’s mouth fell open again.  “Hey  Bhagawaaan! Oh God!” Khushi clutched her head stopping it from spinning uncontrollably.  Anjali giggled.

“Its ok, Khushi! Forget it! This is prettier... you look so beautiful in this... Its a better choice..!” Anjali consoled her.  

“You mean.. it got exchanged? With whom?” Khushi still was not ready to accept.

“I don’t know Khushi.  We had bought a different saree.. everybody has seen it.  I packed it.. put it in the bag with your name tag... that bag i gave it to you..! I don’t know .. but it got changed magically!” Anjali giggled.  Khushi looked with gaping mouth.  

“And the jewellery?” she asked touching her necklace and earrings.  “No.. this is not the one we bought..!  Forget it, Khushi and enjoy..!You have a better gift!!” Anjali pulled her.  Someone was watching the drama from the top of the stairs.  He turned, “Huf.. Lemon yellow!” blurting disdainfully and going into his room smugly.