Opposite Poles..Part 112

Part 112

Khushi’s phone rang.  It was Payal asking about the sweets.  “Oh! Jiji, I forgot! Actually Nani ji got a cramp and I am busy massaging her.” Khushi said thinking hard.  

“Khushi bitiya, if possible, ask Payal bitiya to get the sweets here!” Nani said weakly and Khushi winced. “No!” she blurted reflexively.  Nani looked at her questioningly.  

“No! I mean .. I will ask her!” she said going out hurriedly.  She came out and saw Aakash coming in.  She looked at his face.  He smiled at her.  She was surprised.  There was no trace of yesterday’s incidence.  She looked around and found Arnav at the top gazing down at her.  She shuddered and turned her back on him disconnecting the phone inadvertantly.

“Bhai, we had a meeting...!” Aakash approached him and he came down in sitting area.  They both were engrossed in talking and Khushi saw Ram Prakash coming out of his room cleaning the mess.  She again gazed at the brothers and dialled Payal’s number. 

“Jiji you will have to come.  I cannot leave Naniji!” she said and added.. “I think everything is normal Jiji.. The Monster has not told anything in the house.  Probably he has not seen you two.  I was unnecessarily scared..!” she said smiling and disconnected.

“Khushi Bitiya.. I am ok now! Go and help Anjali bitiya!” said Nani smiling and Khushi went out.

Pandit ji had arrived and Anjali was busy preparing for pooja.  Lavanya was sitting on sofa with a magazine.  Mami ji came out laden with ornaments.  Mamaji was already at the Pooja place.  Anjali was arranging for havan.  Khushi took over.  She helped Panditji and they were ready for the havan. 

Arnav went to his room and Aakash got ready for pooja.  

“Anjali ji? Where is your husband?” Khushi asked.  “Aankh  michouly  Khel   Rahain  Hain, Damaadji! Hello hi bye bye! He is playing hide and seek!” Mami spat.  She too was upset that Anjali’s husband had not turned up even for the pooja.  

“Umm.. Yesterday night he was here.  But today he got some urgent work!” Anjali explained.  Khushi nodded. 

“Chote?” Anjali looked around.  Khushi pointed at his room.  Her face shadowed with sadness.  “I have kept the pooja for him.. but he won’t come..! He will shut himself up!” she said sadly.  Khushi didn’t understand.

“Why?” she asked stupidly.  Anjali shook her head hopelessly and said.. “He wouldn’t tell! He doesn’t believe in these things!” Khushi remembered his shattered room.

“There is something else..!” she thought and looked at Nani’s room.  Anjali had reached Chote’s room.  Khushi followed.

“Chote!” Anjali was knocking on the door. “Di please, I am busy!” came a response from inside.

“Chote, please!” Anjali waited and he opened the door.  “No di! Please don’t force me! I am not coming!” he was determined. 

“Chote.. This pooja is for your new venture..! Please come down?” she pleaded.

“No! I had not asked you to keep the pooja..!” came a rude answer. Anjali came down crestfallen.  Khushi kept looking at his closed door and Anjali’s face.  

“Yesterday night he was very upset!” Anjali clarified.

“Why?” was Khushi’s question.  Anjali sighed.  “He wouldn’t tell anyone, how much he misses mamma! Let’s go Khushi!” she said turning.  Khushi followed but all her attention was up at his room.  The door remained shut.  Khushi went to the kitchen made a strong black coffee and knocked on the door.

“Di, No!” he opened the door and saw Khushi standing there.

 “What the hell are you doing here?” he was all set to close the door shut.  She had sensed it and had put her foot inside.  He looked down at her foot in his room and blew his head off in rage.

“Out!” he said in a deadly voice.  She remained unmoved.  She held out the tray.  He looked at it and took it.  “Go!” he said turning.  She already had made her way inside.  

“I said out!” he yelled coming on to her.  

“Shuu...! Pandit ji has arrived!” she put her finger on her lips signalling him to stop yelling.  She went and closed the door.

“What the..!” he looked more angry.  “How dare you..!” he twisted her hand driving her towards the door.  

“Nani ji is not well.  Anjali ji’s husband is not here.  Aakash sir came in just now... and you? You are here!” She said angrily wrenching her hand free.  He gaped at her.

“You are here, but not helping her.  She is running around alone!” she said looking at him.

“Why are you here for? You help her!” he retorted.

“Can I take your place?  A brother’s place?” she asked piercingly.  He gaped. 

“She needs you now ! “ she said and picked up his Laptop from the table. 

“Out!” he yelled snatching it back from her.  He held her by arm and dragged her out of the room shutting the door closed again.  

She came down.  Payal walked in nervously and Khushi felt better. 

“Jiji, Achha hua Aap aa gai! Thank god, you came! Help Anjaliji here and I will look into the kitchen!” she said taking the sweets packets from her.  Payal nodded nervously.  “Lekin Khushi..!” she was scared.

“Don’t worry, Jiji... !” Khushi assured her.  Mami came out and seeing Payal there shrieked.

“Hello hi  Karanay say  Pahalay hi bye bye! Yeah Phati sadi kafi hain.  We don’t want another beggar at our door!” Payal shrunk in fright.  She took a step back and Anjali came to her rescue.

“Thank God, Payal! Come help me!” she held her shaking hand and took her aside.

“Don’t pay attention to her.. She is like that only!” Anjali whispered.  But Payal had lost all her confidence.  She went with Anjali.  

“Aray Mamiji... here is your diet juice...!” Khushi came out smiling.  Mami looked around guiltily and took the glass moving to her room.

“Call me when everything is ready!” she ordered and Khushi winked at Payal.  Payal smiled faintly.  Aakash entered and froze seeing Payal.  

“Woh... I came to deliver the sweets..!” Payal stammered.  Aakash came forward excitedly to help his Di in pooja.   Khushi turned and saw him with his laptop.  She gaped at him.  He came down and sat on the nearby sofa.

“Di.. If you need anything, I am around!” he said glancing at Khushi.  Khushi had a broad smile on her face.  Anjali came hurriedly.

“Really? Chote? I am so happy!” she hugged him and kissed his forehead.  She joined her hands in prayer thinking god for sending her brother.  Khushi turned her back on them joining her hands too.  Payal engrossed herself in flower decoration turning her back on them all.  She was scared to the core.  She remembered her conversation with Khushi.  

“Payal ji.. I will help you!” Aakash was all set to create havoc.  Arnav glanced at both of them and looked back at his laptop.  

Pandit ji started performing Havan.  Mami and Mamaji were the hosts.  Anjali was looking after the preparations and Payal was helping her to Mami’s annoyance.  Khushi whispered in Lavanya’s ears requesting her to sit on the carpet for Pooja.  She obliged.  She looked at Arnav.

“Iss  Laad  Governor   Ko  Ab  Manaanaa  Padega! I have to request this Laad Governor begging him to sit for Pooja!” Khushi frowned thinking what she should do.

“Sunaa  Maine!” he said staring at her and she jumped in shock.

“Suna? Kaise? Hey Devi Mayya... Aap  ki Tarah  Yeh  Bhi  Hamaaray  Mann  Ki  Baat  Sunanay  Laga? Does he read my mind, like you? Devi Mayya, what is this?” she shuddered clutching her mouth. 

“I can read your mind!” he said in a deadly voice.  She looked frightened.  “Beware!” he raised his finger threateningly.  She clutched her mouth as if blocking him from reading her unspoken words!  He smirked going towards the havan place and sat down by his Di.  Khushi’s face lit up.  She ran towards Nani’s room.  Nani was sitting on her bed.

“Nani ji, how are you feeling now?” she asked smiling.  “I am alright Khushi bitiya! Has the pooja started?” she asked.  Khushi nodded.  Nani tried to get up.  Khushi supported.  

“I feel much better.  I would like to go down!” said Nani and Khushi brought her down supporting her.  She pulled the nearby chair and helped her to sit.  Nani looked at the sibling and was shocked.  Khushi felt embarrassed.  She looked away.  

“Khushi bitiya?” Nani had a question.  Khushi fumbled.  “Woh... Lavanya ji persuaded him to come for Pooja!” she said looking away.

“Humm!”  Nani understood.  

“Lavanya ji.. go and sit there! Next to Arnav ji!” she whispered in Lavanya’s ear.  Lavanya got up and sat next to Arnav.  He glanced at her and then looked back at Khushi who again was with Nani.  She smiled sheepishly.  

Pooja was over and Payal came to Khushi. Mami had retired to her room. Ram Prakash was cleaning the area and pulling back the sofa and chairs.  

“Khushi, let’s go!” she said pulling Khushi’s hand.  “Haan  Jiji.. Chalo!” Khushi looked around for Anjali and Nani.

“Bass Jiji, Nani ji ko bataa Kar Jaengay! I will go and tell Nani and then we will go!” Khushi went to Nani’s room.

“Um Payal ji, have lunch with us!” Aakash whispered in her ear and she got up picking up flower basket to keep it in Mandir.

“Hello hi bye bye!  AAKASH..!”  Mami shrieked and the flower basket fell down on the floor from Payal’s hands.  She shuddered.  Aakash looked at his mother.

“Come here!” she ordered.  “And you! If your work is over, get out of this house!” Mami pointed her finger at Payal.  Payal clutched her mouth looking down.  Khushi came running out.

“You and your sister, just get out of this house... Bye bye!” Mami yelled.  

“Kya hua Mami?” Anjali asked.  Lavanya got up too.  “Par  Mami ji, what happened?” she asked.

“Kya hua? Kuch  Honay  Se  Pahalay  Yeh  Dono  Ghar  Kay  Bahar  Jaye Kay Padi...! I want these two out of this house, right now!” Mami yelled holding Payal by hand and dragging her out.  Khushi ran behind them.  “Don’t you come here again!” Mami yelled.

“Maa.. please!” Aakash held his mother’s hand.  “No Aakas Bitwa, you stay out of this!” she pushed him back.  Arnav got up slowly from his seat.

“Out.. out of this house, right now!” Mami pushed Payal with force.  Khushi caught her in time.  She looked at Arnav angrily.

“Now I understood.  This was his new plan to humiliate my Jiji!” She came forwarded shielding her sister.  

“Manorama!” Yelled Nani from the door of her room.  “Saasu Maa.. you stay out of this.  I want her out of my house right now!” Mami yelled blowing her head off in anger and disgust.

“Aray, Manorama... What happened?” Mamaji held his wife’s hand to stop her from dragging Payal.

“What happened? This is what happened..! Hello hi bye bye!” she held out Aakash’s phone. 

“Dekho... Your son!” she yelled in disgust.  Mamaji gaped at the screen.  

“These two sisters are all set to trick my son!” she was trembling in rage.  Payal broke into tears.

“But Mami ji..!” Khushi opened her mouth and Arnav raised his hand to stop her. 

“Chalo Jiji!” Khushi now dragged her sister towards the main door. 

“Mami.. give that phone to me!” Arnav said authoritatively.  Mami handed over the phone.

“See for yourself Arnav Bitwa.. All her photos.. What does this mean? You cheap, downmarket beggar girl.. don’t you dare trick my son!” Mami came on to Payal again.  Arnav glanced at Aakash.  Khushi looked aghast.  The things she wanted to hide for some more time, were exposed by Aakash himself.  Khushi looked at her sister in shock.

“Jiji’s photos? Aakash sir took her photos?” Khushi went beyond shock with numb limbs and brain.  “What do I do now? How can I save her? Hey Devi Mayya Raksha Karna! Show me the way, Devi Mayya!” she prayed hard closing her eyes.

“Oh! Ok!” Aranv said loudly in a casual tone. 

“These Photos...!” he said scanning those photos.

“It’s because of me!” he said to everybody’s shock.  Even Aakash shuddered.  He looked at his bhai and crying Payal.  Khushi froze.

“Hello hi bye bye..Arnav Bitwa? What do you mean?” Mami was shocked too.

“Oh! Mami.. I had asked Aakash to take the photographs..!” he said dropping the bombshell on everyone.

“What?” said everyone including Aakash which went unnoticed. 

“Yeah! Look at those photos... She is wearing the embroidery work.  I wanted the samples and I asked him to take the photographs... Regi had a fair idea of how the motifs will look on traditional clothing...!” he explained logically.  Aakash took a sigh of relief and looked at his brother gratefully.  Khushi gaped at ASR.  He casually walked back and said I have sent these photographs to Regi too! Do you want to see?” Khushi gaped at his blatant lie. So did Aakash.  He smirked.  

“Right, Aakash?” he turned to Aakash.  Aakash nodded with gaping mouth.

“So.. this is it! Aakash I think you forgot to delete after I copied them..!” he said taking the phone again and thrusting it in his hand.  Aakash pocketed the phone immediately.  Mami lost all her aggressiveness.  Khushi had tears.  Payal still was in a shocked state.  Anjali smiled broadly.  Aakash took a sigh of relief stealing a glance at Payal.  Lavanya was back to her fashion magazine and Arnav buried himself in his laptop again.  

“Khaanaa!” Ram Prakash had laid the table.  Khushi and Payal turned to leave.

“Wait Khushi bitiya.. have lunch!” Nani invited.

“No Naniji, we have to go! Tuition students must be waiting..!” Khushi said turning to Nani.  Payal had already reached the threshold.  Khushi glanced at Arnav who had turned his back on her.  “Laad Governor!” she smiled broadly at his back.

“Sunaa Mainay..!” he barked and Khushi ran out of the house sticking out her tongue...! The day was saved..!