Opposite Poles..Part 98

Part 98

“Jiji, where were you in the morning?” Khushi asked turning to her side in the bed.  Payal looked at her nervously.

For a fleeting second, Payal thought of lying to her, but then said “Umm.. Khushi.. I went to the market…!” Khushi searched in her eyes.

“Alone?” she asked her.  “No! U.. umm… actually,  Aakash ji was with me!” Khushi raised her eyebrows and Payal blushed.  Then getting serious..

“Khushi… I know.. this is not right! I know who I am… but!” she looked at Khushi for support.  Khushi was staring at her.  Payal held her hand. 

“I know, Khushi, we are already in deep trouble.  I know I should not meet him like this… but…!” she broke into tears.  Khushi sat up and held her hand.

“Sub  Theek  ho  jayegaa  Jiji! Everything will be alright!” Khushi assured her.  Payal started crying uncontrollably.  Khushi was shocked.

“Jiji, what happened?” she asked her.

“Khushi… you… you are handling everything… I don’t want to put you in more trouble…that’s why I didn’t tell you… !” she said sobbing.

“It’s ok Jiji…!” Khushi squeezed her hand considerately.  Payal felt better. 

“Are you serious?” Khushi asked.  Payal had no answer.

“Khushi.. I know, this is not going to work…! I know!” she said trembling… “B  but I can’t stop myself..!” she looked miserable.  Khushi didn’t know how to console her sister…

“Chalo jiji, so jaatain hain! Let’s sleep, jiji!” she wrapper her elder sister and stroked her.  Payal closed her eyes. 

***********   ********

She was running down the dark corridors… He was carrying his bride in his arms… Khushi was running behind him engulfed in darkness in her Meera dress.. her hair sprawled scattered on her face… she was suffocating… He was taking away someone else…

Stop!  Please.. stop…please… huh…!” her voice trailed with her sobs… she had stopped, merging herself in the darkness… he had reached to the end of the corridor… A small window had opened and he turned… she looked at him still in the darkness and a sob left her …!  She came forward to meet herself in his arms… he was carrying her as his bride…!  Arnavji…!  She broke into a run… she was panting.. losing her breath… he was still far away… she was gasping for  breath… and fell down … he watched her … he was unreachable… she lost her breath…!!

“Huh… aweee.. !” Khushi got up with a start sweating profusely.  She looked around and touched her chest.  Her heart was beating.  She took a sigh of relief.  “Huhhh  It was only a dream.. I am not dead!” she blurted getting down from the bed.

“I think, that was Lavanya ji, not me.. he was carrying…!” she blurted making tea with her eyes burning. 

********    ******    ********

“Lavanya ji is going today for a week!” she exclaimed entering Raizada House and froze!  He was on the stairs.  She took a step back, remembering his order.

“Get in!” he barked.  She came in and hurriedly went to the dining area where all had gathered.  He turned and went to his room. The atmosphere looked tense.  Nani was sitting at the table looking upset.  Lavanya was frowning and Anjali looked helpless.  Mami was sipping her juice indifferently.  Khushi came and sat near Nani.  She looked at Lavanya raising her eyebrows.

“I am going on an assignment..!” Lavanya started off.  Khushi looked at Nani. 

“This is not allowed in this house!” Nani retorted.

“Why?” asked Lavanya defiantly.  Khushi understood.  She poured tea in Nani’s cup.

“Lavanya ji, for how many days you are going?” she asked casually.  “Five!” came an answer.  Khushi nodded. 

“So you will be back before Durga Pooja! Yeah that will be great!” she turned to Nani.

“Nani ji… Navaratri  ki  Tayyari  bhi  Karani  Hain..!” she started off excitedly.  Nani’s eyes lit up.  She nodded.

“We will do like this!  Lavanya ji, will be back in five days… after that Navaratri.. we will start preparing for the pooja.  This time, for Navaratri we will change the decoration every day… nine themes for nine days..!” She looked at Anjali for approval.  Anjali nodded happily.

“Humm!” Nani said suikily.

“Done! Lavanya ji.. you go and start packing for your trip.  I will prepare the check list with Nani and Anjali ji.. but remember.. I will keep some work for you and you will have to do it when you come back! Ok?” she winked at Lavanya.  Lavanya nodded smiling.  Khushi grinned at Anjali.  She looked at Nani…

“Nani ji, is it ok?” she asked holding her hand and Nani smiled.  The situation was successfully defused. She picked up the notepad and busied herself in planning for Navaratri!

She saw him coming down from his room and she dashed to the kitchen.  He saw her going to the kitchen and sat at the table.

“Di, I will be late.. I have a meeting in the evening..!” he said seriously.

“ASR!” Lavanya came out with her bag and put her arms around his neck from behind.  He looked up at her.  “Wish me luck, ASR!” she said happily.  He didn’t respond.   “All the best, Lavanya!” Anjali wished.

“Besht aaf Luck.. Ms tiptop!” Mami too wished her.  Khushi was looking at Lavanya from kitchen.  She coughed to drive her attention and Lavanya looked up and so did ASR.  She turned her back and went into the kitchen.  ASR clenched his fists.  “Is she trying to avoid me?” he thought  “I don’t care!” he smirked.  Lavanya went into the kitchen.  Nani looked in her direction still sulking.

Lavanya came out and touched Nani’s feet.  “Bless me Nani ji!” she said feeling awkward.  Nani smiled for a fraction of second and said.. “bless you!” Lavanya straightened herself up and looked at ASR.  He was busy gazing in the kitchen with a serious face.

“ASR!” Lavanya called out and he looked at her.  “I am going!” she said sulkily.  He nodded.  Aakash came in. 

“Bhai, I am going!” he said picking up an apple and dashing out hurriedly. 

“Lavanya, Driver will drop you at the airport!” ASR said and got up from the chair. He went to his room.  Ram Prakash got Lavanya a glass of juice.  Khushi was still in the kitchen.  She came out after a while and said..

“Lavanya ji, all the best!” in a hushed voice.  Lavanya nodded smiling.  “I wish, you could come with me!” she said genuinely. 

“No, Lavanya ji, you will manage, I am sure!” she winked at her.  Lavanya nodded.  “Hope so!” she said and Khushi gave her an encouraging smile.  “I know you will!” she said. 

“Di I am going…!” he came out and she turned her back on him. 

“ASR!” Lavanya got up and hugged him without any inhibitions.  He wrapped his arm around her lightly.  Khushi gaped at both of them turning her face.  He looked at her sternly and she looked down. 

 “Aray  Khushi Bitiya.. you can go with him..!” Nani suggested. 

“No!” they both said at  once.  He looked at her and before she could justify, turned his back and moved towards the door.  She frowned. 

“Chote, you didn’t have your breakfast! Have something and go! I know you will skip your breakfast otherwise!” Anjali got up from the chair.  Khushi startled.  She looked at her bag and looked up at ASR.  He too was looking at her bag.

“He will snatch my breakfast today also!” she looked at him angrily.  He smirked. 

“Umm Nani ji… Can I leave? I have to go to Mandir!” she said picking up her bag.  He glared at her.  Nani nodded.  She walked past him hurriedly under his glare clutching her bag tightly. 

******   *****

“Yeah Regi!” ASR picked up the phone.  A line of smiled appeared on his face.  Regi sounded much better.  His mother’s treatment had started.  He was happy.  ASR had made it possible. 

“So? How are the things moving?” asked Regi casually knowing that he will get the answer in monosyllable. 

“Yeah!” came the answer. 

“I know! They had a department send off for Ranjan!” Regi provided the information.

“Humm!” came the response.  “You didn’t go?” Regi asked in a teasing voice, knowing well that ASR never attends any departmental functions.  ASR flared up his nose.

“Regi I am busy..!” he had no intention for gossip.

“I know… Rekha called me… they had a great party! And finally…!” Regi kept the conversation hanging.  ASR waited.

“Come to the point Regi! Why did you call me in the morning?” asked ASR irritably. 

“Oh.. nothing.. just wanted to hear your voice!” Regi pulled his legs laughing.

“Ok! I am disconnecting..!” said ASR.

“I think your informant’s network is weak!” Regi again went into different mode.

“What is it Regi?” ASR was alert.

“I don’t know what is her response, though!” Regi was not ready to progress in the riddle.

“Cut the crap, Regi!” ASR was really annoyed now.

“You know, there is a news… our Khushi..!” Regi created enough suspense.  ASR clutched his phone to his ear and waited.

“Hello… are you there? ASR?”  Regi was really having fun. “Stop it Regi!” ASR yelled and Regi felt better.

“Humm  This is like real ASR!” he mocked and Khushi looked up at his cabin.

“I mean… I really miss being there, ASR! I would have loved to ask her personally! Oh!  Wait… I will call you later… I will ask her first!” he teased.

“You are testing my patience!” ASR gritted his teeth. 

“You know? Ranjan proposed her!” Regi waited for the response cum explosion.  ASR disconnected.