The Mirage Chapter-4 Destiny You and Me

THE MIRAGE by GoldenHaze

Chapter-4 Destiny You and ME

As Arnav got ready his mind was galloping everywhere. Suddenly he remembered and forgetting that it was not Shantivan he shouted,"DI DI!!" 
"Chote chilla kyun rahein hai aap?" (why are you shouting?) Anjali walked in with a sherwani and his footwear for the wedding! 
"DI Jijaji aagaye?" ( did jeejaji arrive) Arnav enquired. "Not yet chote", she replied and as if on cue Shyam appeared at the door way! 
"Tho Saale saab hamare bane Dulhe raja!"
"Aap kab aayae?" ( when did you happen) anjali asked running to him and giving him a hug! 
"just now Rani saheba!",he said and then turned to Arnav and added...
"Bhai maan leni padegi ki saale Saab apne liye bilkul ek pari ko chune hain aur aisi jo soorat se tho laajawaab hai per seerat se bhi bahut hi acchi hai. Aur jo mizaaj ki mirch hai aur sankat mein ekdum sherni hai! "
Arnav stared at him and spat," You seem to know Khushi very well jeejaji! How come?"
Shyam was taken aback but for a fraction of a second. He immediately recovered by saying, " ofcourse, we worked together in Akaash's wedding and i have never seen a more lovely and lively young woman and with grit as well as great zest for life! kyun Rani saheba?", he looked at his wife!
"Aap bhi naa! sach mein aapko sabhi mein acchaayiyaan hi nazar aathi hain! per chote hum khud unse miley hain aur kahthey hain ki Khushiji waquey mein laa jawaab hai... theek humare chote ki tarah ,"( you are a sucker for seeing good in people and i myself have met her and find her to be just that...one of her kind just our chote!)she added proudly and said ,"common lets go we need to be on time!"
"Aap chaliye hum abhi aatey hain", Shyam followed her as Arnav fumed.
The gal of that man to stand and speak infront of him! A new determined look came into Arnav's eyes. "I will do this for my Di. Come what may!" he banged his fist on the dresser!

...Khushi was walking  towards the baraamda and continued to remember how Shyamji tried to introduce her to Arnav Singh Raizada!
"Ei Khushi zara jay maal tho laana! "(Khushi get the garlands.)Buaji's voice made khushi jump. 
"Laarahein hain buaji"( just getting it). She tried one last time to look at the man but now he was completely turned to the other side. 
What followed that was too much of activity and as Khushi was still teasing Paayal along with her friends she heard Shyam's voice," aap kahan thi? Hum Saale saab ko aapse milwana chahthey they!" Wher wher you. Here I was  trying to introduce you to my brother in law.
"Woh hum kaam mein lag gaye they! ab chalein?"( ...was busy...can we....now?)
" Kushi said sheepishly.
" Haan chaliye Khushiji chalthein hain Delhi airport" ( let's go to Delhi Airport then!)Shyam said smiling.
"Kya" (What?)Khushi exclaimed.
"Aap ko Saale Saab wahi milenge aur woh bhi agle dus pundrah minute tak. Uske baad aap ko Amstradam jaanaa padega!" ( You can meet him there that too within the next ten fifteen minutes. If not you can see him only in Amstradam)Shyam teased.
"Yeh aapke Saale Saab hain ki koi tez hawaa ka jhonka?Jhat se aaye Jhat se nikal gaye!" ( Is he your BIL or a gust of wind?)Khushi teased Shyam.
"Arey Khushiji Toofan boliye Toofan!" ( Call him a tornado)Shyam said laughing.
"Khushi kitni pyaari lag rahee hai meri bacchhee!Kahin humaari hi nazar na lag jaaye!" ( Look at how lovely my daughter looks!)Garima's voice intercepted her thoughts.
"Amma humein aashirwaad dijiyena!"
Khushi touched Garima's feet as Buaji looked at them lovingly. Garima hugged her and said," Bitiya hamara aashirwad humesha aap ke sath hai aur rahega! Bus aap apna khayal rakhiyega aur damaadji ko tang math keejiyega!" she teased tweaking Khushi's cheeks as she made an o with her mouth at what Garima said!
"Wahi tho kahath rahein hum Nand Kishore!" Buaji added chuckling
"Aap dono humare taraf ke hain ya dulhe ke?" Khushi pouted!
"Hum tho aapke taraf ke hi hain per aap unke hone wale hain!" garima croaked her voice thick with emotion. Khushi hugged her amma and would not let go until Buaji bulldozed both of them calling out.... "chalo chalo der hui ja rahi hai!" (Get going, we are late)
Khushi turned to them and said," amma app jayiye hum gol mandir jake devi mayya se milke aathey hai."( You please proceed i shall visit the temple and come)
Buaji opened her mouth to object when Garima prevailed!" theek hain per jaldi karna bitiya samay kam hain."( Ok! But make it fast dear)

Khushi walked into the gol baraamdaa which true to its name was a round open place and the heart of Seesh Mahal from which several passages led to different wings of the mahal. At the centre was a big old neem tree under which was the temple of goddess Durga the presiding diety of Seesh Mahal. Khushi went and stood there in silence holding back tears which would not stop flooding her eyes like memories that started to flood her heart. 
"Hey devi mayya i am doing what i can! Please let Babuji live with his honour as if his pride is hurt he won't survive.Let me do this! I know i havent told this to anyone but you know why!"
Khushi looked at the passages that led to the outer Haveli and as if on cue Shyam appeared saying "Hum aagaye Khushiji"( I am here)
He handed her an envelope and said" I still cannot understand but remember i shall always be there for you. Now that you will be closer and we are related it would be easier you know!" He put a hand on her shoulder.
Khushi just bent her head and opened the envelope...A cheque came out of it and Khushi smiled mirthlessly thinking   " Here i come Destiny"

Arnav Singh Raizada never felt furious enough to wring someone's neck before! He was well known for his temper but what he felt know was black fury...as he looked at Shyam and Khushi from the shadows of the passage from Laad Governor ki koti.He took a step further and felt a hand on his shoulder! " What the@$%&" He turned...


Next...
Chapter-5 DEAL SET