Opposite Poles..Part 139

Part 139

“Biwi...!” Balwindar Singh sat on her bed.  She looked away.  He placed his hand on hers and she withdrew.  This was their everyday ritual for past decade.  She had gone into unbreakable shell and Balwindar Singh tried to keep himself away from her.  They both hardly spoke to each other.  She had buried herself in books and he in his business growing it exponentially.  If at all they spoke with each other, it was about business strategies.  

“Biwi, listen to me! I met Das!” Balwindar singh said in a low tone.  She looked at him. 

“We are going to Delhi and I plan to stay there for some days” he said softly.

“Ok!” she said looking out of the window. “We will go to Nainital..!” he proposed.  “Not in winter!” she dismissed.  He looked at her side profile.  A pale, fair, fragile face with an emptiness filled in her eyes.  He had a knot in his stomach.  “Biwi, he held her hand tightly with a lump formed in his throat.  She patted on his hand and said.

“I will come wherever you take me!” he kissed her hand in gratitude.  She smiled at her miserable husband faintly and looked away to hide her tears.  This was the rare thing that Balwindar Singh got upset and emotional.  He was a solid rock and never let anything out of his heart.  She knew how broken he was behind the facade of his jovial behaviour.  She felt helpless.  

“Balwindar, we will go to our Pind first and then to Delhi..!” she suggested.  “Really? Will you come?” Balwindar asked in disbelief.  She nodded.  “After almost a decade!” she said looking lost. 

“Ok. Don’t worry! I will make all the arrangements!” Balwindar Singh said getting up excitedly.  She looked at him.  “Don’t worry Biwi.. trust me! I will make it convenient for you!” he said hurriedly going out to make arrangements for their stay at Hussainiwala in Ferozepur, Punjab.  They had a family mansion and huge piece of land near Hussainiwala village.  Balwindar Singh prayed Guruji.  “I will make her stay a memorable one!” he thought resolutely.  “I want to see The National Martyrs Memorial for the last time in my life! I don’t know whether I will go there again..!” she thought closing her eyes.

********  ********  ********

“Kya hua hain issay? What has happened to her?” he looked at her curiously.  She was avoiding everybody’s gaze and was turning her face away.  

“Chaliye, Lavanya ji..!” She took Lavanya away under the pretext of training.  Lavanya went to her room with Khushi and ASR’s eyes followed the duo.  Khushi engrossed herself in training Lavanya and telling her stories of ancient culture.  She didn’t come out for a long time.

“Khushi, are you alright?” Anjali held her hand. “Ye..Yes!” Khushi forced a smile on her face.  “It..It’s the winter..!” she blamed on the weather for her swollen eyes and red nose.  

“Umm... Anjali ji, I may not be able to come here for a week!” she said feeling guilty.  “No problem Khushi...!” Anjali permitted to Khushi’s relief.  She already had told Lavanya.  She felt a surge of pain in her heart.  “Not only for a week, but forever!” her heart cried out.

“Kay hua?” he was standing before her.  She hung her head.  “N..Nothing!” she said turning around to go away.  He gripped her.  “Tell me, what it is!” he ordered looking at her face.  “N....nothing!” she tried to free herself.  “Ok! Your leave is not granted!” he said releasing her.  She flared up.  “I don’t work for you, Mr Raizada!” she said turning her back on him and moving out of the house.  He glared with clenched fists.

*****  *****  *****

“Khushi..!” Amma called out in despair.  Khushi turned her face.  “I am alright Amma!” she said brightly.  Amma turned her to face her.  “You had promised me..!” she said looking at Khushi’s face.  She forced a smile on her face and said, “Yes Amma! I did! And don’t worry, everything will be alright!” she turned and went inside.  Amma and Payal wept for her for a long time helplessly.  Payal had confronted Buwaji for hurting Khushi and in turn got a tight slap from her.  Amma came in between to Payal’s rescue.  

“Amma, we will stay in one room.  We will work hard, but I don’t want to stay here!” Payal said desperately.  Her Amma hugged her tightly.  “Stop thinking about that.  Think about Khushi now! We got to bring her out ..!” Amma  knew Khushi well.  She was going into shell.  Something must be done to bring her back to normal.  Payal cursed Buwaji for doing this to her sister.  

“Payaliya...!” Buwaji called out and Payal ignored her completely going into babuji’s room.  Khushi had stopped talking to anyone.  She didn’t even go to bubuji’s room.  Amma felt tormented.  But Khushi had made up her mind.  She wouldn’t even visit Mandir.  She kept to her work without a word.

“Khushi...!” Payal put her hand on Khushi.  “I am tired, Jiji!” Khushi said from under the blanket.  Payal withdrew her hand.  She knew, Khushi was not to be disturbed.

*********   *********   ********

“Khushi, are you not going?” Payal looked at the time.  Khushi shook her head.  Payal came and held her hand.  “Khushi.. go! You will atleast get that much time away from this house!” Payal pushed her out of the house.  Khushi went to Raizada house.

“You? What are you doing here?” he asked angrily seeing her at the main door.  She looked down.  “Work!” she said.  “But you were on leave!” he was puzzled.  “You cancelled!” she retored and he smirked.  “Is she back to normal?” he looked into her eyes.  The emptiness stabbed him.  “She is not the same!” he concluded letting her in.  She went straight to Lavanya’s room.  He shrugged.  Lavanya went out for her regular spa visit for her skin care.  Khushi went to Naniji. 

“Khushi bitiya, have breakfast with us!” Nani invited.  “Nani ji, I had at home!” she said going into the kitchen. He stared at her.  “Something is wrong!” he concluded getting up and going into the kitchen.  She was busy preparing tea for everyone.

“I don’t want!” he declared and she looked up at him.  He gazed waiting for her response.  There was none.  He came out puzzled.

“Nani send my tea to poolside!” he said and left.  Everyone looked puzzled.  He waited for her.

“Khushi bitiya, Can you take this to poolside?” Nani asked Khushi a favour.  Khushi went away with the tray. She kept the tea on the table and turned.

“What the..! why are you here?” he asked her angrily.  She pointed at the tray.

“I had told you, I don’t want tea!” he yelled.  She looked astonished.  “Bu..But Nani!” she spoke a word after a long time.

“Nani? So Nani sent you here?” he clenched his fists taking a step ahead. 

“Why can’t she stop interfering ...!” he blurted angrily.  Warning bells ringing in her head, she stood in his way.

“No! Please...!” she pleaded.  He glared at her.

“No.. I mean.. its ok.  I will take it back..!” she turned to take the tray back.  He still stood there furious.  She turned with the tray.  “Take it back..!” he ordered “And tell her..!” he was stopped.

“No!” she forze.  Taking back the tray meant a definite row between them.  She stopped and looked at him furiously.  He waited expectantly.  She turned to go without a word more.  She walked past him, and went away.  He followed only to see that she had closed her eyes, contorted her face and was taking a sip of sugarless tea. 

“Yukk..!” she somehow gulped.  “Tasteless like me?” he returned her taunt and she opened her eyes in shock.  

“You could have requested me to drink it!” he said picking up the cup.

“And why would i request you, when I can manage myself?” she retorted coming back to her fighting spirit.  

“Ok..!” he thrust the cup in her hand.  She contorted her face.  He smirked.  “Kadavi hain!” she blurted drinking it.

She went out.  “Nani!” where is my tea?” he was asking.  And she turned back angrily.

“What? Just now you said you didn’t want it!” her voice raised.

“Watch your tone!” he warned her.  She looked at Nani embarrassed.  Nani was watching both of them.

“Why did you make me drink, when you wanted the tea?” she was furious and took a step ahead aggressively.  

“What? You drank that tasteless tea?” asked Anjali giggling and Khushi ran into the kitchen.  Arnav smirked sitting at the table.  Nani smiled broadly.  Anjali raised her eyebrows.  

“Bhai..!” Aakash came in.  Arnav shut his laptop hurriedly.  “Bhai... you have a big meeting tomorrow with the financers.  I just came to remind you!” he said sitting on the chair.

“I know! I am prepared!” he said confidently. 

“Best Luck, Chote!” Anjali looked at her brother proudly.

“I don’t need luck to bag the project, Di! I write my own destiny!” he said smugly.

“By which pen?” came a question from Kitchen door.  Khushi was standing with the tray with popped out eyes in bewilderment.  

“What?” he asked back.

“You said you write your destiny! Which pen do you use?” she asked looking at the tucked pen at his shirt pocket.

“It requires something else, which you do not have!” he said contemptuously.  She frowned, keeping the tray with a thud.  He smirked.  She looked lost in her own thoughts.  “Can we write our own destiny?” she was not sure.   He went away without drinking tea again. She sat in his place looking al lost.

“Khushi..!” Anjali nudged.  Khushi came back to her senses and picking  up the tray went into the kitchen muttering.  “Wish I could write my own destiny!” 

“I don’t know what, but Nani, Kuch toh hain, inn dono main!” she said looking at her younger brother’s vanishing figure.  Nani smiled inwardly.

“I want to know, what it is..!” she thought.  

********   *********   ******

“What the? Arnav glared at the screen in shock.  “How is it possible?” he read and re read the email and the scanned photos.  He read it once again and his expression changed.  He dialled the number.

“Di, where is Jijaji?” he asked.  “Oh! He had some urgent work.  Why chote?” she asked.  He opened his mouth to tell her about the email but thought otherwise.

“I need to be sure! This is not possible!” his heart didn’t want to accept what his eyes saw and what his brain assimilated.  

“Does he have a connection or is it a coincidence...!” he gaped at the scanned documents.  He dialled commissioner’s number narrating his doubts.

“ Sir, I want to reopen the case.  As I am the affected party!” he said.  “Yes Sir, I will do that!” he said disconnecting.

“Aman, fix a meeting with our lawyer in half an hour!” he ordered.  “I have to reopen this accident case.. No matter who is involved in this.. I must find out...! Why Jijaji had a joint bank account with Prashant? Something is missing here... I have to find out the missing link!” he stood up clenching his fists.  

“Jijaji!” he gritted his teeth in rage.

Opposite Poles..Part 138

Part 138

“Haii.. Nandkishore!  How beautiful! Look Payal, Khushi’s engagement dress!” Buwaji was excited. 

“Actually Buwaji, I wanted to buy a saree for her, but she refused.  She picked up this dress!” Sham smiled at Khushi.  “So I had to pick up matching kurta for me!” he went ahead.  Khushi sat there expressionless.  Only Buwaji and Sham seemed excited about the engagement.  Amma buried herself in babuji’s room and Payal went inside without a word.  

“Khushi got up with a jerk and went into the kitchen.  “Jiji, Mandir Jaanaa hain! Akelay!” she said gravely.  She badly needed to talk to her Devi mayya.  

“At this time? Mandir will be closed soon..!” Payal said.  “Bass Jaanaa hain!” Khushi was determined.  “Ok! Go this way!” she whispered pointing at the backyard.  I will handle  here..!” she assured her younger sister.

“Aii Khusi...!” She was caught by Buwaji.  “Buwaji, Mandir Jaanaa hain! I have to go to Mandir..!” Khushi said miserably.

“No way! Not now!”Buwaji pulled her in sternly and Khushi lost her last ray of hope.  She looked at Payal she was hopeless.  Sham smirked.  

“Ok! Chaliye! I will come with you!” he said grabbing the opportunity.  “No!” Khushi shrieked in disgust.  Buwaji gaped at her.  Payal was on the verge of crying.  Amma was miserable in helplessness.  Babuji’s pillow was soaked with his tears.  

“Khusii.....!” Buwaji gripped her wrist and pulled her inside her room closing it behind her.  Sham smirked.  Payal sobbed and ran towards Babuji’s room.  When Amma saw Payal’s ghostly face she understood and broke down.  

**********   *********   *********

“Balwindar...!” Dasgupta was sitting in Balwindar Singh’s office.  Balwindar looked startled.  “If you have nothing to say, I leave!” Dasgupta said sternly.  He was sitting in Balwindar Singh’s office for more than half an hour doing nothing.

“Umm yeah! Das...!” Balwindar still was lost.

“Stop calling me Das.. and I will come some other time!” he said getting up.

“I am worried about Biwi!” said Balwindar Singh.  “You should be!” snapped Dasgupta.  Balwindar looked lost again.  “You are aging!” Dasgupta said and Balwindar Singh, chairman of BTR group of industries rose with rage.

“No! I am not!” he said angrily. “Ok!” Dasgupta got up too.

“She needs a change!” Balwindar Singh said gravely.  “I know! Take her somewhere!” Dasgupta advised.  “I am taking her to Delhi!” Balwaindar Singh said. 

“You are paying for your mistakes..!” Dasgupta was blunt enough.  Balwindar Singh nodded. 

“You need someone in your life!” Dasgupta concluded.  “And my intuition says, you will have someone soon!” Dasgupta left Balwindar bewildered.  “Hope So!” Balwinder placed his hand on his chest looking up at the skies.  

*********    **********    ********

“Khushi, sit here!” Buwaji pulled her on the bed holding her hand.  Khushi looked away sulkily.

“Look at me!” ordered Buwaji, Khushi obeyed.  

“Khusii.. its not your fault.  But its your fate!” Buwaji started off gravely.  Khushi started digging her own grave by listening to her.

“Your grandfather died in the year you were born”  She started off. Khushi listened.

“Then  your father lost his job..! When you were eight, your parents died!” she was blunt enough.  Khushi quivered with tears.  “Why?” Buwaji asked.  “Because of me!” Khushi answered trying to pull her toe nail.  

“Then Shashi Babua brought you here and adopted you.  Next year my husband, your fufaji died..! Then Payal’s baarat went back without wedding... why?” Buwaji asked.

“Because of me!” Khushi admitted applying all the force to rip open the nail.  “Then the TV footage brought disgrace..!” Buwaji.. “Because of me!” Khushi broke down in tears.

“Then You came here with me.  And your babuji lost his shop! His health deteriorated.  He had to come here.  You were charged with fraud and theft ... he got a stroke...! Why?” Buwaji asked gripping Khushi’s wrist.

“Because of me!” Khushi hid her face in her palm.

“Nothing happened because of you, Khusiii!” Buwaji gave her a shock.  Khushi looked up.

“Its your horoscope.. your planets.. your fate, Khushi! Its not your fault!” Buwaji said gravely.  Khushi gaped at her with her mouth falling open.

“Do you understand? Your horoscope says... “ Buwaji couldn’t complete.

“that I am a bad omen..!” Khushi said in a small voice.

“Khushi... Do you think i am enjoying by telling you this?” Buwaji asked her with tears in her eyes.

“No, Khushi... My heart is stabbed while telling you this.  I am not educated... I don’t know about this modern science... I go by the old books and traditions... Khusii... we just can’t do anything against our destiny.  We just have to bow our heads...!” Buwaji stopped to breathe.  Khushi resumed pulling her nail.

“Khusii.... do you understand?” she asked looking at crestfallen Khushi.  She felt sad for this girl.  She placed her hand on Khushi’s head and said..”Khusii... you just can’t do anything.  You cannot change your destiny.  The only thing you can do is..!” she paused.  Khushi looked up with hope.

“Understand the signals and hints of destiny and try to mitigate the loss...!” Khushi looked blank.  She didn’t understand anything.

“Khusii... I went to Pandit ji with your horoscope... and what he said about your past was hundred percent true!  Then he gave us some hints about your future...You are going to be very happy, Khushi!” Buwaji had a smile on her face.  Khushi didn’t understand how?  

“Khusiii... some people are born unfortunate...!” Buwaji started off again.  Khushi gaped.

“But I am not unfortunate.. I have a great family ...I have...!” Started off Khushi but couldn’t complete.

“I know...but are we? With having you in this family?” Buwaji nailed her finally.  Whatever unfortunate things happened in this family are all..!” 

Because of me!” Khushi concluded shrinking in anguish.  

“No Khushi... its not your fault.  Its your destiny...!” Buwaji sighed.

“Now.. If you want to free us from all these....you will have to bow before your destiny and do as Pandit ji says!” Buwaji showed her a ray of hope.

“You should be  married to a person who has no family, thats what Pandit ji said. You are a bad omen for the family members! You cannot marry a person who has his family alive.  That will be bad for them...!” Buwaji said.  Khushi looked up and nodded.

“You should marry an orphan..!” Buwaji concluded.  Khushi nodded again.  “The prosperity of this house, will return only when you go out from here!” Buwaji made the final strike.  Her blind faith and superstitions were speaking through her.  Khushi nodded.  

“Khushi.. the planetary positions are changing when uttarayan behins... I want you to get married before that!”  “Panditji said it will be too late if this does not happen.  Do you want that to happen? Look at your babuji’s condition...Do you want all of us in trouble again?” Buwaji crucified her.  Khushi looked up with tears.  

“I should go away... !” she said trying to convince herself.  “Yes!” Buwaji said.  “By getting married!” she added.  Khushi gaped at her.

“What if I run away?” she asked innocently.  “Still you will be Khushi Gupta!” Buwaji showed her the technical hitch.  Khushi looked lost.  

“Khushi, do you understand what I am saying?” Buwaji asked her.

“Yes. Buwaji.  I understand and I will get married to Sham ji!” Khushi concluded to buwaji’s satisfaction.  Buwaji got up to go.

“Buwaji..!” Khushi called out.  Buwaji turned.

“Umm.. I too believe in destiny.  I too believe that one cannot change the destiny...!” she looked at her Buwaji “Can I ask you something?” she asked. 

“Haan Khushi ...!” Buwaji was kind enough to answer her query.

“I know, I believe in destiny.  But it is unknown to us..!” Khushi paused.

“Are you sure, the pandit ji who told you all this, by reading my horoscope, told you the truth...? Do you trust his knowledge?” Buwaji looked aghast.  

“Are you sure, my horoscope is drafted correctly?”  Buwaji took a step ahead.  Khushi stood her ground.

“Are you sure about the time of my birth ... you said my horoscope is based on the time and place of my birth...!” Khushi nailed her Buwaji.

“Khusii...!” Buwaji screamed angrily for khushi’s arrogance in not believing the pandit ji, who sham had introduced to her.

“No! Buwaji... you are right.. I am a bad omen and I will listen to what Pandit ji says!” Khushi gave up finally hiding her face in her knees.

“Now, you don’t have to tell anything about what we spoke to any other person.  This should remain between two of us. Understand?” Buwaji held out her hand.  Khushi nodded hiding her face.

“Promise me, Khushi...!” Buwaji waited.  Khushi looked up at the held out hand and placed her palm on it promising that she will not tell anyone anything about it.

Buwaji opened the door and saw Payal at the door.  Payal looked inside at Khushi on the bed with drawn blanket over her head.

“What did you tell her?” Payal asked angrily feeling khushi’s anquish.

“I told her what must be told!” Buwaji snapped back and went out.  Payal dashed in.  Khushi had already disappeared under the blanket.  Payal understood, that Khushi didn’t want to talk to anyone.  She decided to leave Khushi alone and went out to confront Buwaji who was sitting with Sham.  Sham had given her a cup of tea.  She was gasping and using her inhaler.  Sham looked at Payal and said,

“Please, do not talk about it now.  She is exhausted” He held buwaji’s hand and took her inside.  She needed rest after talking her heart out to Khushi.  Payal went inside burning with rage.

Opposite Poles..Part 137

Part 137

“Jiji, I am still puzzled.  I don’t know.. but I think I have heard that voice somewhere...! That damn pressure cooker had to whistle at that time only...!” Khushi said this again irritating Payal.

“Khushi you old me this a hundred times since morning..!” Payal said angrily and went inside. 

“Look, I am going out! Will be back in half an hour!” Payal said sternly.  “Subji laani hain! And come out of your hallucination! And work!” Their routine had started.  But Khushi was still in Raizada House mentally.  She was uneasy.  She couldn’t see the person but his voice was too familiar.  She stared unfocused and kept on telling her Jiji.

Sham walked in and Khushi got up with a jerk.  “Sham ji.. “ she said excitedly.  “Khushi?” Sham looked at her confused.  “What happened?” he asked.  She again was lost.  “N..Nothing!” she said going in the kitchen.  He smirked.  The phone rang.  Khushi ran and picked up the phone.

“Hello, this is Sham Manohar Zaa! Mrs. Anjali Raizada-Zaa’s husband.... Can I talk to Ms Payal?” asked the other person.  Khushi looked at Sham sitting at the table.

“N..Namaste! Jiji has gone out!” “Ok I will call later!” she kept the receiver down.  She again looked confused. This was a different voice.  “Let it be!” she dismissed the doubt and went inside.  Sham followed.

“Who was that?” he asked

.  “Anjali ji’s husband!” Khushi answered.  Sham went out again smirking. 

“So my dear smart sisters.. you will pay for this..!” he thought to himself playing with his mobile.  “Now time to go home .. Raani Sahebaa is waiting..!” he got up !!

********  ********   ******

“Aray where did you disappear in the morning?” Anjali asked the obvious question.  Sham smiled slyly and hugging her said,

“You ordered me to enquire about that another Sham Zaa! I remembered that when I heard that Khushi’s name and went to get the information..!” he gave a perfect answer  Anjali looked satisfied.

“And you got the information...!” she said smiling at her husband’s smartness.  He nodded and took out a large directory.  

“See! There are thousands of practicing Lawyers in this part of the country..And... umm.. there are hum.. let me see... umm... say around  sixteen Sham Zaas!  Umm this Sham Zaa I had to find out...!” He said giving full statistics.  She looked at him fondly.  “Humm  see... there are twelve of them who are married like me! So I could find out this young, dynamic, boy Sham Zaa through my friend!” he said slyly .  She waited.

“Raani Sahebaa! He is a gem of a person.  Very intelligent and good looking!  He has a very good repuration among our lawyer community.  I mean he is young, and smart with flourishing practice.  I think they should go ahead with the proposal..!” Anjali nodded happily.

“You know, Raani Sahebaa? I had called on the number you had given me! But Payal ji had gone out.  Now you call them up and give this information.  I got to go!” he said smiling and going away.

“Aray... ruko!” Anjali called out loudly.  He stopped.  “woh.. Chote was asking me about our trip..!” she said blushing.  He came back staring at her.  “You mean, our second Honeymoon?” he asked naughtily.  She flushed.  He smirked.  “Where did we go after our marriage?” he asked teasing her.  

 “Kashmir!” she said missing those magical days.  “Humm..!” he hugged her again.  

“You know Raani Saheba.. I am thinking of postponing it for some more time.  You know.. looking at the condition here in the house..!” he started off.

“But everything is set right now... Khushi also has returned..!” she said a little disappointed. He frowned looking away.

“You know, Raani sahebaa.. I still believe everything is not alright between Nani ji and Saale saab! I think we should stay here for their sake.  They need us, Raani Saheba!” he said getting emotional.  She looked at him passionately.  “You care for all of us so much!” she said with tears of content. 

“Humm.. Whatever is mine, is yours and whatever is yours is mine.. right? So your sorrows are mine..!” he hugged her tightly lifting her off the ground.  She moaned with pleasure.

“And you know. I don’t want you to come with me with the baggage of worries... I want you to think about starting a family..!” he said kissing her passionately. 

**********  *****   *********

 “Khushi, you don’t have to worry now! We got the information from Anjali ji~ He is a good person.”  Payal was satisfied with the information and was happy to have this Sham ji as her Jijaji! Khushi looked lost.

“If Anjali ji has said it.. it must be true! Sham ji must be a very good person.  I think I shouldn’t doubt his intentions again...!” Khushi was not sure though.

“Dekh, Khushi... Devi mayya showed you the way.  I think Sham ji ....!” Payal said trying to convince Khushi.  Khushi nodded nervously.  “Jiji...!” she called out in anguish.

“It is ok Khushi! Don’t worry about it now!” Payal gave up.  Khushi hung her head. 

“Khusii...” Buwaji called out after dinner and Khushi shuddered.  She came out of the room to find Buwaji with her inhaler.

“What happened, Buwaji?” Khushi asked concerned.  “N..No..Noth..Nothing.. Na..Nandki..!” Buwaji said gasping.  Khushi went inside to get her inhaler capsul.  Buwaji felt better after some time. 

“Khusii... I want to talk to you..!” Buwaji said seriously and Khushi looked at her Jiji.

“Chalo mere saath, Nandkishore!” said Buwaji dragging her along.  Khushi followed to the backyard.  Buwaji sat on the stairs and looked at standing Khushi.

“Baitho, Sanakadevi!” she pulled her hand.  Khushi sat with a thud.  For a long time Buwaji didn’t speak.  Khushi kept gazing the stars.   

“Aray, what is going on?” Amma came and sat next to Khushi.  Buwaji looked at Amma angrily and said, “I wanted to talk to this Sanakadevi!” Amma sighed.  “Jiji, she is tired now.  Can you not talk to her some other day?” asked Amma politely.  Buwaji frowned.  

“Ok! But let me warn you, Khushi! You are getting engaged next week.  Tomorrow I will go and get the date from Panditji.  We  should do it before your planetary conditions change.. Understand?” she asked sternly.  Khushi was looking up in the sky.

“Khushi..!” Buwaji screamed.  “Yeah Buwaji, I am asking the planets to stay for some more time...!” Khushi said giggling.  Her Amma looked away.  “Ignorance is bliss for you, Khushi! Hope your Buwaji won’t talk to you at all!” Amma pulled Khushi nearer. “I won’t be able to save her for long..!” she thought gravely, tears rolled down on her cheeks.  

“I don’t know, what is in store for you Khushi...!” she sobbed.  Khushi brought her gaze back from the sky to her Amma.  “Don’t worry Amma! Devi Mayya hain naa?” she said consoling her Amma.  Garima gaped at her brave daughter wondering her strong faith on her Devi Mayya.

“Please .. give her strength.. Devi Mayya..She needs your blessings!” Amma prayed for her daughter.

“Chalo Khushi.. so Jao!” she got up and brought Khushi in.

******  *********  ********

Both the sisters were busy in their routine work.  Buwaji had got the date for engagement to Khushi’s dismay.  Sham was all the time lurking behind her whenever she was at home.  Her Raizada house visits annoyed him.  She didn’t care.  That was the only time she enjoyed without sham presence.  Lavanya had become very close and over dependent on Khushi, so was Nani.  She could sense some uneasiness between Arnav ji and Nani still lingering.  Anjali had postponed her trip with her husband.  Mami ji had suddenly become quiet looking lost in her thoughts.  Aakash kept meeting payal.  Everything was running smoothly except for Khushi.  She was worried about her engagement date approaching.   Buwaji had insisted and Amma had no other option.

“Aap ko pata hain naa? Mujhe yeh shaadi nahi karani hain? You know, I don’t want to get married..!” she was looking at her Devi Mayya with some hope.  Her devi mayya was smiling.  “Yeah.. you are taking pleasure in troubling me like this.  Just once.. only once.. show me my destiny book, devi mayya.. I want to know what is in store for me! Please? Just once?” she asked her devi mayya.

“Beti.. you want to know your future? Come, show me your palm..!” A sadhu baba was standing before her in the Mandir and asking her.  She frowned.  She got up and touched his feet.  “No Sadhu baba..! I don’t want it from you.  I have a direct connection with my Devi Mayya..! I will read it from her!” she said smugly and went out of the Mandir.  Pandit ji standing behind the Sadhu baba smiled shaking his head.  

*************   *********  ******

“What happened, Khushi? Why you are so red faced? And why were you late?” Payal bombarded Khushi with questions.  Khushi went in without a word.  

“Khushi..!” Payal stood there thrusting her hands on her hips.

“No..woh.. Arnav ji had a head ache.  I.. I gave him a head message!” Khushi said stuttering.

“So?” Payal looked at her questioningly.

“Umm.. I mean.. I slept off..!” Khushi blushed furiously.

“You slept off? While giving head message?” Payal asked flabbergasted.

“What to do, Jiji.. He asked me to shut up..! You know naa... I cannot keep quiet like that.. I dozed off..! So this late!” Khushi concluded going away hiding her red face.  Payal shook her head hopelessly.

“Chalo Ab.. Today there is order for Jilebees..!” Payal shouted back.   Khushi changed and was ready to make Jilebees.  

“Nandkishore... be ready in the evening for shopping!” Buwaji ordered and Khushi frowned banging her forehead with her fist.  

“Ok!” she said grumpily.  Sham smirked sitting outside.  Khushi prayed her Devi Mayya!