Opposite poles..Part 122

Part 122

They reached home for lunch.  Khushi with the help of Ram Prakash laid the table under Nani’s supervision.  Lavanya had retired to her room so was ASR.  Ram Prakash called everyone. 

“Hello..!” payal had called up Raizada’s landline.  Mamiji had picked up. 

“JI... HUM  PAYAL  BOL   RAHAIN   HAIN?  KYA.. KHU...!” The phone was disconnected and Mami marched to her room.  

“Khushi bitiya, have lunch with us!” Nani told her.

“No Naniji, I will serve and then have ...!” she smiled at everyone.  Sham was still missing. 

“Anjali ji, Aap kay pati?” she looked at the empty seat.  “No! He has some urgent work..!” Anjali pursed her lips sulkily.  Arnav looked away.  Mami came with a grumpy face.

“Phati Saadi.. take care of your saari... Kahi Tumhaaray  Naseeb  Ki  Tarah  Phir  Say  Phat naa jaye..! Hello hi bye bye!” Mami said disdainfully.  Khushi looked at her saree.

“Ka  hain... ki  Acche  Kapaday  Pahan nay key liye  Achha Naseeb  Bhi  to Hona  Chahiye..Hello hi bye bye!” Mami rhymed to everybody’s annoyance. 

“You don’t deserve these costly costumes..!” Mami went ahead.  Khushi inadvertently touched her jewellery.  Sadness shadowed her face for a second and then next moment she said,

“Haan, Mami ji.. I will take care..! I know, my clumsiness...!” she couldn’t complete.

“Pass that Kheer bowl..!” he barked cutting the conversation off.  Khushi hurriedly went to serve him his sugar free Kheer!

“Khushi bitiya, Ram Prakash will take over.. you come and have lunch now!” Nani said kindly.

“No.. Nani ji .. I will have later!” she said stealing a glance at him.

“Aur  Nahi  toh  Kaa... She will have in the kitchen with Ram Prakash...!” Mami had crossed the limit.

“Manorama..!” Nani reprimanded and Mami looked away with disgust.  Khushi went into the kitchen not to come out till their lunch was over.  

“Khushi bitiya..!” Nani was at the kitchen door and Khushi turned her back to hide her tears. 

“Chalo bitiya.. Khana Khao! Have your lunch..! I will serve you today! HUM  KHILAYENGE !” Nani held her hand.  She looked away sensing his figure at the door.  

“Umm.. Nani ji.. I mean.. Amma Babuji must be waiting for me... Umm... there is still time ... umm... Can I go home for lunch?” she asked in a small voice.  

“Khushi bitiya..!” Nani held her hand.   She smiled.  “Nani ji please? Its diwali and they all must be waiting for me!” she said not looking at him.  He came a step forward to give way to his Di.

“Khushi..!” Anjali came in.  “Kitchen conference?” she asked smiling.  Khushi giggled.

“No Anjali ji.. I should be going home.  Babuji must be waiting for me!” she said trying to make her way out of the kitchen.  He had blocked her.  She didn’t look up.  

“Khushi ji.. there is a call for you!” Aakash came into the kitchen with the cordless.  She looked confused. 

“Hello? Jiji... no! I forgot to charge it.... Haan,  I am coming... !” she said disconnecting. 

“Umm  Nani ji please?” she asked permission. 

“Only on one condition...! You should be here by six in the evening.. before the party starts!” Anjali said holding her hand out.  She promised smiling broadly.  Arnav opened his mouth to offer ...

“I will drop you, Khushi ji.. I am going that side..!” Aakash was all excited.  Arnav raised his eyebrow so did Khushi smiling mischievously.  Aakash avoided their gaze.  

“Chaliye Khushiji!” he said going out.  Khushi followed.  Arnav clenched his fists losing the opportunity ...!

“Koi  Jarurat  Nahi  Jai  ki.. Yahi  Say Bye Bye kar leo!” Mami barked and Khushi turned. 

“Yes Aakash Sir.  I will manage!” she said walking past him before Mami could spit her venom.  She was out on the road running out of the gates of Raizada House.  She hailed an auto and hopped into it.  She saw a white SUV coming out of the gates and said.. “JARA  JALDI  CHALIYE!” 

She reached home to see Sham was waiting for her.  She dashed to her room and before he could say anything closed the door latching it from inside.  He rubbed his palms frustrated.  He had not seen her properly and what she was wearing was not the one he bought for her.

Khushi came out after fifteen minutes to see Payal in the kitchen reheating the food for Khushi.

“What? You all already had lunch? Without me? How mean!” she screamed sulkily.

“No.. I am waiting for you, Khushi ji!” sham came forward smiling.  She smiled back.  “Humm... AB  SHURU  HO  JAO  KHUSHI... AGALAA  PADAV   IN  KON  BANEGAA  MERAA  PATI...” She thought laying two plates for lunch.  

Sham gaped at her.  She had comeback in her normal attire.  He sulked. 

“Why did you change? You were wearing festive dress...!” he started off cautiously.  She narrowed her eyes.  

“Yeah! It was gifted by Raizadas... !” she said concentrating on her food.  “This one? The red one?” he asked at once and Khushi looked up with a jerk.

“Why? I should not wear a red costume? “ she asked glaring at him.

“No.. I mean... “ he had no justification.  “Its not like that.  You were looked stunning ..!” he said lowering his voice.  She sipped curry noisily in response.  He looked away. 

“Tell me Sham ji...!” Khushi started off to his annoyance.  

“Not now... !” he stopped her holding her hand.  “Enjoy the food first!” he said slyly.  Khushi withdrew her hand.. “You too!” she said looking at his plate.  He concentrated on his plate and they had food quietly.

“Ok.  I should take a nap now...! A Power nap of say.... umm.... four hours?” she looked at the clock.  It was noon.  Sham gaped at her.  She cleared the table in no time and turned to go to her room.  He held her hand.  “Wait Khushi!” he said authoritatively.  Khushi glanced at his grip on her wrist.  She tried to jerk it free in vain.  

“Sham ji.. HAMAARAA  HAATH  CHODIYE!” she said little loudly.  “CHODANAY   KAY   LIYE   NAHI   PAKADAA   HAIN...!” he said sweetly coming nearer.  “Skip your power nap Khushi ji.  Let us go out for some time...!” he said still holding her hand.  She looked at Buwaji.  She was nodding happily.  Khushi had no option.   “Ok..!” she said.  “I will go, get ready!”

She was out with him.  He hailed an auto.  “Let us go to the Mandir!” she said.  He looked at her disappointed. 

“I want to take you somewhere else...!” he said holding her hand.  She withdrew.  But his grip tightened.  She could sense aggression.  She was uneasy.  There was no point resisting... She had to tackle him somehow.  She felt helpless.  Disgust ran through her spine and she winced. 

“Sham ji?” she said sweetly, not showing her fright.  His palm was sweaty... she felt filth.  

“Khushi..!” he looked at her passionately.  She shuddered.  “Umm yeah... but we will go to the temple first and then may be wherever you take me..?” she said looking at him trying to withdraw her hand.  He was happy.  He smiled broadly.  “Yeah.. that will be great!” he said gripping her hand.  She looked at his grip.

“Sham ji... !” she said in a sweet voice.. “You said you are an orphan...! Where are you from?” she asked.  Sham glared at her.

“No Questions..!” he said sternly.  She glared back at him. 

“You don’t want to talk about it? I can understand!” she said considerately.  He looked away smirking.  “You are under my control!” his smirk grew.  

“ARAY.... RUKO   RUKO  BHAIYYA !  MANDIR   AAGAYA...!” she stopped the auto.  He had to leave her hand.  She got down and without even looking back started walking briskly towards the Mandir.  He stopped to remove his shoes and she had reached inside the Mandir.  He frowned.  His phone rang and he switched it off immediately.  She was inside praying hard.  “Raksha Karana! Protect me... I... Don’t want to go with him... Please... listen to my prayer devi mayya... do something..!” she could sense his presence by her side and she shrunk.  Her Devi Mayya was smiling at her.  She looked up at her smiling face and frowned.

“AAP KO  MAZA  AA  RAHAA  HAIN NAA?” she asked.  “Yes!” came an answer from Sham.  She shuddered.  “CHUP HO JAA KHUSHI... !” she warned her self shutting her mouth up.  She looked at the idol and spoke to her Devi Mayya with her eyes.  

“If you protect me from this trouble today... i will come to your Mandir bare foot!” she prayed and looked at her Devi Mayya.

“No? Not good? Ok.  Umm... I will make laddus and bring it here for your bhog!” she licked her lips.  A flower fell down from Devi Mayya’s shoulder and Khushi jumped in excitement!

“Laddus? Done!” she said loudly.  “What?” asked Sham turning to leave.  Pandit ji was all set to close the Mandir for afternoon nap of Devi Mayya.  Khushi turned sulkily.

“You want Laddus... but don’t want to help me!” she rolled her eyes angrily.  She was thinking hard for escaping from that place.  She saw a tall figure with spectacles...

“Aakash sir?” she blurted and called out loudly... “Aakash Sir?” she started descending the stairs hurriedly.

“Khushi..!” Sham held her hand.  “I saw our Aakash Sir..! Just wanted to wish him happy Diwali!” Khushi wrenched free her hand. 

“No!” He pulled her back looking around.  She looked up at him surprised.  The tall figure had moved away.  “He is not Aakash!” said Sham and Khushi froze.

“How do you know?” she asked narrowing her eyes.  He fumbled.  “Umm.. I mean... I have seen his photo in the papers!” he had a readymade answer.  She looked at him.  Pandit ji had closed the sanctum.  She turned with him sulkily.  He bent down to wear his shoes and  

“Anjali ji!” Khushi called out loudly.  Sham turned his face in the direction and the next moment sat down hiding his face.  Khushi descended with excitement forgetting that sham was with her and called out.

“Anjali ji!” Anjali turned and saw Khushi running towards her.  “Aray Khushi..!” she smiled broadly at her and Khushi held her hand completely relieved.  She saw Mami’s figure behind but it didn’t matter.  She was ready to take any insult now.  Devi Mayya had helped her.  Laddus were due.

“Hello hi bye bye... Phati Sadi... Chappal  churanay  aai  ho  kya?” she asked disdainfully.  Payal’s call still ringing in her head, she blew her head off when she saw phati sadi. 

“Nahi... Dil Churanay  Aai  Hain.. Khushi!” Anjali said holding Khushi’s hand.  Khushi smiled ear to ear.  She was saved.

“What are you doing here?” came a rude question and Khushi further felt relieved.  “Humm..!” she turned around to face him grinning. 

“Dil  Churanay  Aai  Thi!” she said loudly.  He raised his eyebrow.  “Devi Mayya Kaa!” she said and Anjali giggled.  “Tum  Kisee  Kaa  Bhi  Dil  Chura  Sakati  Ho, Khushi! You are so sweet!” Anjali cupped her face.  Khushi blushed.  He looked away.

“Akelay  Kay  Kar  Rahi  Ho?” came another rude question and Khushi looked around for Shamji.

“Akelay? Nahi... Sham ji  Thay  Hamaray  saath!” She searched for sham.  He had vanished from the scene.  “Sham ji?” Anjali asked surprised.  “Oh! Woh.. your family friend...! Kay  baat  Hain  Khushi?” Anjali giggled.   Khushi felt embarrassed.  Arnav looked at her suspiciously.  “What was she doing with that Sham alone?” he thought angrily.  

“Nahi.. woh... Buwaji sent me with him..!” she said sheepishly trying to avoide his gaze.

“Hain  Kahan  Woh? Where is he?” Anjali asked.  Khushi looked around.  “Gayab?” she thought feeling relieved.  “Kuch toh gadbad hain  Khushi..! Sham ji  has disappeared again!” Khushi grew suspicious.  But she had to answer.  This was not coincidence.  

“Umm.. Anjali ji.. he went away.  We had to talk to Pandit ji and then he went away for some work and I am going home now!” she said avoiding to look at his grumpy face.  Anjali saw Pandit ji descending and called out.

“Pandit ji... “ He stopped.  She went ahead to talk to him.

“Aray, Haan...!” Pandit ji gave her Thali.  “Sham  Kaa Bhog  Bhej  Denge!” she said and Pandit ji Nodded.  

“Mandir is closed..!” Khushi said in a small voice.  “Haan... we came half an hour back... ! Nani Ko  Kundali  Banaani  Thi!” Anjali said smiling.  Khushi stole a glance at Arnav and he looked away.

“Aakash, Chote and Lavanya ki!” Anjali informed.  Khushi’s heart ached for no reason.