Opposite Poles..Part 124

Part 124

“Chamakili how come you are with them?” Lavanya asked surprised. 

“Aray, she met us at Mandir..!” Anjali said clarifying.  Lavanya shrugged.  “Chalo, Chamkili... help me!” Lavanya pulled her and Khushi came back on earth with a thud.  

“Yes, Lavanya ji let us go! You need to get ready for the party..!” she said smiling at her and going with her.  

“You know what? Nani ji sent our Kundalis to Panditji!” Lavanya said excitedly.  Khushi nodded.  “You know what? I didn’t know anything about that... I called up mom and she scanned some old paper and sent it!” Khushi smiled  turning Lavanya to dress her hair properly.  She made her sit on the revolving stool and helped her get ready.  

“You know Khushi? I am so happy.  This Diwali is surely going to bring some change in ASR!” she said dreamily.  “You know, last year, he didn’t even wish me!” she said and Khushi looked at Lavanya. 

“But this year, he came to my room..!” she was in a dream world.  Khushi looked away.  She didn’t understand what was burning inside her.  She looked in the mirror for the first time assessing herself in comparison with Lavanya.  Lavanya had closed her eyes as Khushi was applying foundation for her makeup.

“Um.. Chamakili, I will do the makeup... you know, I can do that better..!” Lavanya took over from then.  

“Khushi bitiya...!” Nani called.  “Umm Lavanya ji.. just call me when you finish.. I will do the rest!” Khushi ran down towards Nani.  

“Come on, have tea with us.. and then come to my room!” Nani said authoritatively and Khushi nodded sitting on the chair.  All others had retired to their rooms to get ready for the evening party.  Only Khushi was ready since morning wearing the same saree.  She didn’t mind.  She wore no makeup.. splashing cold water on the face and applying Kajal was enough makeup for her.  Nani was looking at her intently.  Khushi looked away not able to bear the gaze.

“Khushi bitiya... you should save some time for yourself.. ! “ Nani held her hand.  She knew how hard Khushi was working for the family.  “Haan  Nani ji.. I have enough time for myself..!” Khushi faked thinking hard what is her personal time in a day.  She had none.  “Humm...!” Nani looked lost.

“Do you have your horoscope?” she asked suddenly and Khushi winced.  “Ye.. yes... Buwaji has...!” she said.  Suddenly she felt drained out.  “Bu.. Buwaji says.. i am a bad omen..!” For the first time, Khushi had opened her sealed wound.  Nani stared at her and said “This can’t be true! I know for sure..!” she got up with determination. 

 “Come with me!” she ordered and Khushi followed. 

“Help me choose the saree for this party..!” Nani said smiling opening her wardrobe.  Khushi gaped at the sarees.  “Umm Naniji... which one do you like?” she asked.  “I am going to wear your choice toady!” Nani said looking at her fondly.  Khushi grinned flipping the pile of sarees.  “Umm ... how about this? I think you like blue.  How about this light blue?” Khushi asked picking up Kashidakaree saree.

“How do you know, I like blue?” she asked and Khushi grinned.  “Just like that!” she said jerking her head back with a glint. Nani smiled broadly.  

“Khushi didi, Lavanya ji is calling you!” Ram Prakash was at the door.  She turned to leave.

“Khushi bitiya... wait! I want you to wear this..!” she gave her pearl studded Kangan.

“No Naniji.. I already have bangles..!” she refused politely.  “But I want you to wear this..!” Nani thrust the kangan in her hand.  Khushi reluctantly took and went out of the room.

“Chamakili.. help karo naa!” Lavanya was standing in her room with her room door open.  Khushi looked at her and wrapped the nearby towel around her shoulders.  “What?” Lavanya asked.  Khushi winced and said “Woh.. make up will spoil!” covering up.  Lavanya looked into the mirror.

“You know? Di gave me this saree and this diamond ring... ASR! I had seen that in the Mall” Khushi shrunk with the memory of humiliation.  She looked away. Lavanya turned.. “Khushi..!” she held Khushi’s hand apologetically.  Khushi smiled.  Lavanya genuinely felt bad.

“Khushi...!” she said in hoarse voice.  “Chaliye Lavanya ji..! I will drape you this beautiful saree..!” Khushi deflected.  Lavanya smiled.  Khushi gathered her hair and tied in a knot to manage the draping.  She gathered her pallu and wrapped it around her waist and tucked it.  Picked up the napkin and tucked it along with her pallu on her waist and said.. “Chaliye..!” she meticulously draped the saree making sure to highlight Lavanya’s beauty considering her figure and curves and her high heels.  It took her a long time to do the job.  She picked up the jewellery hesitantly and helped Lavanya wear it. 

“Aray.. what is this?” she asked looking at the Kangan on dressing table.  

“Woh  Naniji gave me to wear..!” Khushi said in a small voice.  Lavanya looked at her from head to toe and then nodded looking at her red bangles.  “Yeah.. wear them then..!” she said and Khushi nodded.  Lavanya looked at herself in the mirror.  She looked tall and graceful.  Her stunning beauty was highlighted by her makeover and her hair style.  Her mascara highlighted her eyelashes and the blush gave her eyes a new look.  She looked at herself from all the angles making Khushi run around her with the mirror.  Khushi stood back resting her back on the wall looking at God’s beautiful creation called Lavanya, unblinkingly.  “Arnav ji will be stunned ...!” she thought holding her breath.  Her eyes filled for no reason, making her vision hazy.

“Chamakili, come here!” Lavanya called her spraying expensive seductive perfume.  Khushi came forward with the mirror and looked at her own image in the mirror.  “There is no comparison!” she thought slapping herself for even thinking about it.  

“Lavanya ji.. you look beautiful..!” she said looking at Lavanya unblinkingly.

“Thanks Chamakili..!” Lavanya hugged her lightly and Khushi smiled broadly. 

“What do you think, Khushi? Should I wait for him to come here or should I go out?” Lavanya was confused.  

“Aray.. Lavanya..? Wow.. you look stunning..!” Anjali was proud of her brother’s choice.  Lavanya walked gracefully towards Anjali.

“Di.. how do I look? Khushi helped me!” She gave Khushi her due credit.  Anjali looked at Khushi and said... “Aray.. Wah! Khushi ko yeh bhi aataa hain..! She knows how to make other’s beautiful..!” Khushi smiled looking down at the floor.  

“Lavanya .. wait here..! I will send Chote..!” said Anjali excitedly and Khushi’s heart ached.  Anjali disappeared.  Lavanya waited with bated breath.  

“Umm.. Lavanya ji.. I will go out !” Khushi said looking away.  “Wait Chamakili... help me touching up for the last time..!” Lavanya held her hand surveying herself in the mirror.  Khushi stood there holding the mirror.

“Lavanya..!” he was at the door.  She turned.  He gazed at her.  Khushi stepped back.  Lavanya stepped forward and locked her fingers in his.  He looked at her.  “ASR!” she rested her head on his shoulder and he gazed at Khushi. 

"How do I look, ASR?" Lavanya asked holding his hand  passionately.  He nodded with a line of smile. Khushi gaped at the reflection of them in the mirror.  "Perfect!" her heart ached for no reason.

 Lavanya turned him with her and went out of the room.  Khushi gazed at both of them holding the mirror standing like a statue in the middle of the room.  She batted her eyelids to send her tears away and sighed keeping the mirror on the bed.  She turned and froze.  He was gazing at her.  Her mouth fell open.

He advanced towards her and she stepped back.  He didn’t stop till she banged her back on the wall with a thud. He was looking at her unblinkingly.  She was blank.  Her mind unable to think anything, she closed her eyes.  His hand moved.  He pulled her towards him. 

“Huh..!”A residue of her breath left her, parting her lips.... he released her hair from the knot and they bounced on her back loke a shockwave.  His hand moved towards her waist.  He pulled the tucked napkin and threw it aside.  His fingers again brushed her bare tummy and she shivered.  He pulled out her wrapped, tucked pallu and released it.  She looked at him mesmerized.  His hand moved on her shoulder adjusting her spread pallu.  He cupped her face sending back her curly hair locks  and turned her around to face the mirror holding her waist lightly, standing behind her.

She looked into the mirror at herself through his eyes.  “Better!” he said in a bear whisper in her ears and moved out of the room turning her into a wax statue. Indeed there was no comparison...!!