Life is an enigma...
For those who understand it-it is an intermission between two births!
For those who try to-its an illusion!
For those who fight it ... its a eluding loop;
For those who question it, its a riddle,
But for those who live it..
Its either pure hell or sweet heaven!
For some its an open book;
yet for many its a MIRAGE!!!
Khushi stood staring into oblivion...her eyes showing nothingness in them!!!
Life has never been easy for her... not then not now... but it never went the way it is destined to now.
A different situation a different turn and an absolutely different dimension in her life.
As she stood on the terrace of her ancestral house-her home...THE LEGENDARY SHEESH MAHAL with all its secrets and stories from times unknown.she imagined the first time her cries echoed in the huge corridors of a house that is actually an old fortress. ...After all her ancestors were from a royal lineage although fallen from wealth, for centuries... they still preserved their pride and the family honour came to be of paramount importance.
Now the legend she has grown up listening to is again going to come true and in a different way of course and she would walk towards her own destruction for her family and its honour.
Baby saa, amma bulaavath hai', Dayee maa's shrill voice peirced her reveire and she turned only to stop as she caught her reflection in the mirror on the wall of the sunshade closest to her...there stood a bride, a most beautiful bride that eyes can behold staring at herself incredulously!!!
THE MIRAGE by GoldenHaze
Chapter-1 Into the Depths of Oblivion
Khushi kumari Ji Bhanusinghji Jethwa stared at her own reflection in the mirror! The setting sun in a way enhanced the tone of her skin and made it translucent and radiant. The red and green lehenga interspersed with the raw silk off white colour made her look beautiful almost... out of the world.The elegant and antique jewellery she wore increased the delicateness of her frame fourfold giving her an ethereal look.
The maang teeka that she wore along with the jewellery and the attire made her look like her ancestors whose portraits were still hung in the corridors of the great hall called the Jalsa Ghar with its mammoth chandeliers and ornate banisters. But Khushi was too much into herself to appreciate her appearance...little did she know how the dress and the jewellery enhanced her delicate features making her look fragile and breath takingly beautiful. She looked adorable and any grooms dream bride.
The maang teeka that she wore along with the jewellery and the attire made her look like her ancestors whose portraits were still hung in the corridors of the great hall called the Jalsa Ghar with its mammoth chandeliers and ornate banisters. But Khushi was too much into herself to appreciate her appearance...little did she know how the dress and the jewellery enhanced her delicate features making her look fragile and breath takingly beautiful. She looked adorable and any grooms dream bride.
Her posture did not give away any of the turmoil she was going through from inside and it was only her eyes, expressive and big that showed anguish and a determination which reddened them slightly... a rare combination and indeed a rare sight to behold!
But when was she ever common! Khushi sighed loudly and before dayee maa called her yet again, proceeded towards the narrow winding staircase to meet her destiny.
She neither saw the groom nor knew about him except for his name ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA. Yes!! but she did speak to him for a whole of two minutes on the phone two days back when her marriage was fixed all of a sudden by Babuji.
"Hello",her voice was nervous and sounded weak to her own ears!
Silence on the other end. five seconds...six and when Khushi did not know what to do and was about to hang up came the voice from the other end...
Khushi? A crisp voice pronounced her name and Khushi's toes curled in her casual chadaaws at the slight intonation of his voice while calling her name.
"Haan?', for the life of Khushi she could later never figure out how a stranger could sound so familiar, How his voice could be so alluring dragging her into a temporary stupor as if it were a drug and as to how she responded to it as if it was an everyday conversation she had with this man... a total stranger.
...Silence again! Khushi heard something like sucked in breath.., did she have the same effect on the stranger as he has on her? she wondered!
"Aman will call you for some details we shall be needing and you can coordinate with him",thundered Arnav Singh Raizada quelling all her doubts, his slightly accented English reminding her that he is a Harvard graduate, and a world apart from her .
"In 48 hours You shall be...Mine."
"Ji? ",Khushi could not believe her ears that she was being discussed as if she was some possession or a new deal ASR has clinched and most importantly the way he said mine with a slight pause was very alarming!
The phone went dead. There was neither a preamble nor a farewell. "What kind of a man she was getting married to? Is this a hint for how her life would be?" Khushi flopped off into the couch gearing up for a confrontation with Babuji.
Sweat beaded on khushis forehead as she thought of that incident two days back which reminded of the conversation with Babuji that led to this phone call...
...She walked into Babuji's office on the far side of sheeshmahal to give him his daily dose of medication and found him talking animatedly with someone.He was alternatively pleading and this grabbed Khushi's attention as ever since babuji suffered from a paralytic stroke that paralysed his left side khushi took over the overall administration of the family empire of gems and jewellery and the mundane matters of looking into the routine profit and loss of the Jethwa properties strewn in and around Ranpur just to avoid this type of stress.Munshi Brij Bhushan helped as they practically owned half of the properties in the purani chaawni and nava mohalla- both old and new wings of the town.
It is these proceeds that helped in the maintenance and the general expenses of the inmates of Sheesh Mahal.
Babuji was explaining something which the person on the other side was not convinced about and his slurred speech was no match added to that. Khushi thanked Devi mayya for showing such quick results and aiding in the speedy recovery of babuji and was happy he started fighting back in every way possible. Alerted by the clincking of her paayal, Babuji signalled munshiji to end the conversation. After Munshiji left Shashi Singhji asked Khushi to sit down ignoring her request to take his medication.
"Bitiya Humein haq tho nahi hain per...hum aap se kuch maangnaa chahthey hai! dengi humein? (I don't have a right to but...can i ask you for something! Will you grant me that?)he asked without any prologue.
"Hukum kijiye babuji... apko pura haq hai"( Just order me! You have a right to)Khushi said thinking what brought out this odd request from him?
"Apne Babujiko galat tho nahin samjhengi?"(Will You Misunderstand Me?) Shashi singhji asked gingerly.
"Nahin! Aap kabhi galat ho hi nahi sakhthey!"( No sir! You can Never be wrong)Khushi affirmed.
Babuji squirmed in his seat. But he went on, " you know what were the circumstances in which payalia got married!
Khushi shut her eyes and thought... believe me Babuji none knows it more than me as what you all know is nothing even nearer to the truth..."And how quickly we had to arrange for a grand wedding to befit our khaandaan as well as the Raizaadas?"...Shashi singhji went on oblivious of khushis thoughts...and the trials we went thru and the huge financial abyss we plunged into to make it one of the centuries most celebrated weddings she added silently! And the unprecedented spending to please the tantramatic mother-in-law Manoramaji of Payal jiji She mentally cursed.
"...Tho bitiya hum kya kahein unko Han ya na?"( So my dear, What should i tell them yes or no?)
Babuji's query brought her back to the present.
"About what?" She ventured.
Babuji just stared at her and it did not take much of his intelligence to figure out that khushi did'nt listen to him at all... ,
"Khushi listen my child we need to act fast as the mistake we did a few months back is going to cost us Sheesh Mahal!!! did u get me now?" Shashi pleaded with her.
"Babuji what happened? But...but... oh my god! we were given time, is it not ?...an year and...and... its not even six months yet', Khushi wailed!
"Han bitiya but Arnav ji can't wait for so long and he wants it to be settled in 48 hours", Shashi supplied.
Khushi was stumped. "Arnavji? Now where in the world is this related to him?"
...and then she saw her Babuji's guilty face and realised how!"Nay Babuji don't tell me you listened to Aakash Jijaji and took help from him. Not him...Please tell me you did'nt!"Khushi pleaded with him.
"Humein muaaf kardiejiye bitiya" Babuji said in a low voice and went on, "Believe me, that was the best i could do at that time and Raizadas are family now.It was the only thing that prevented Sheesh Mahal from falling into the hands of some outsider. Moreover Aakashji promised me he would prevail if need be if we took money from the raizadas rather than anyone else!"
"Well then where is jijaji? and what does this Arnavji want now? Babuji jiji told me The mighty ASR is very ruthless and everytime she calls me she tells me how he keeps business away from anything else. Be it family or pleasure."
"I know Khushi.Unfortunately i didn't then but I realise it now. But this time he has approached us with a different scheme ..." Babuji's voice trembled.
"What?" Khushi felt an odd sinking feeling inside which always brought something worse and this premonition of her was never wrong.
"Arnavji gave us a two shot payment option for freeing Sheesh Mahal!" Babuji exclaimed.
Khushi waited for her Babuji to explain looking at him expectantly.
Shashi gulped and slowly ventured looking everywhere except at her... "Arnavji is willing to free Seesh Mahal only if..."
"Only if?" khushi prompted unable to bear the ambiguity.
"Only if You marry him!!!" There he had said it and it hung thick in the air the sudden silence deafening Khushis mind and making her go first numb and then insane.
Khushi continued walking trying to figure out how her life has changed so very completely in a matter of 48 odd hours! And how has she allowed the controls of her life to shift to Arnav Singh Raizada? Did she allow or did it just happen on its own accord? When Babuji told her that ASR wanted to marry her in return for freeing Sheesh Mahal she was too shocked to even feel anything. What in the world? why? and well!! How could he?.... thoughts got jumbled and she was enraged perplexed and surprised all at the same time.
She tried her best to talk it out with Babuji but he only revealed this much and left the decision to her. As if there was a choice! There would have been if Babuji had not fallen ill on that fateful day five and a half months before. Then she would have fought her way back but now it's just next to impossible. After... after what she has done, now there is no way out.
Shashi saw that something was amiss. She had meekly accepted her fate and this did not go well with Khushi his spirited girl who never gave up without a fight. Is ther something he is missing? or is it because of the effect of stress sometimes in terms of dead lines and sometimes in terms of financial crunch that was continuously mounting the past six months?
"Khushi! Bitiya you have a choice! I will not mind it if you refuse this alliance. You don"t worry about anything. Your Babuji is still alive!" he spat. "Infact i tried every possible way to get out of this situation but well Devi Mayya has something different planned for you so it has come to this. "
Khushi saw a man once robust in health and pride but now frail and defeated yet with that Jethwa spark in his eyes trying to give strength knowing fully well how futile it was!
"I would not have accepted to even listen to such a proposal had it not been for Paayalia since Arnavji is her Jeth."
"Moreover, I just want to say one thing bitiya... In these circumstances i would have not found a better husband for you Than Arnavji. He is accomplished successful and most importantly from a good family and damaadjis brother.After payal got married and i broke down financially and health-wise i was worried for your future. I was worried how i would answer your parents when i meet them after my death",
..Khushi put her palm up to stop Babujis words.
"Never say that babuji. For me u and amma are my parents. You don't need to answer anyone." she hugged him and wept. "If you think Arnavji is a good match for me i will never question your decision. So be it."
...Khushi tripped on the embankment and lost her balance and the next thing she new was that she was falling as she realised she in her thoughts walked to the far side and was not on the stairs but on the low roof that hung over the eastern section of the mahal which housed the marriage party and was called the lord Governer ki koti as the legend goes that once the British governer of the province stayed as a guest at Sheesh Mahal in that section of the eastern haveli.
She was falling in one second and in the other a pair of strong arms caught her before she landed on the hard tiled floor and then everything went blank!
"Bitiya Humein haq tho nahi hain per...hum aap se kuch maangnaa chahthey hai! dengi humein? (I don't have a right to but...can i ask you for something! Will you grant me that?)he asked without any prologue.
"Hukum kijiye babuji... apko pura haq hai"( Just order me! You have a right to)Khushi said thinking what brought out this odd request from him?
"Apne Babujiko galat tho nahin samjhengi?"(Will You Misunderstand Me?) Shashi singhji asked gingerly.
"Nahin! Aap kabhi galat ho hi nahi sakhthey!"( No sir! You can Never be wrong)Khushi affirmed.
Babuji squirmed in his seat. But he went on, " you know what were the circumstances in which payalia got married!
Khushi shut her eyes and thought... believe me Babuji none knows it more than me as what you all know is nothing even nearer to the truth..."And how quickly we had to arrange for a grand wedding to befit our khaandaan as well as the Raizaadas?"...Shashi singhji went on oblivious of khushis thoughts...and the trials we went thru and the huge financial abyss we plunged into to make it one of the centuries most celebrated weddings she added silently! And the unprecedented spending to please the tantramatic mother-in-law Manoramaji of Payal jiji She mentally cursed.
"...Tho bitiya hum kya kahein unko Han ya na?"( So my dear, What should i tell them yes or no?)
Babuji's query brought her back to the present.
"About what?" She ventured.
Babuji just stared at her and it did not take much of his intelligence to figure out that khushi did'nt listen to him at all... ,
"Khushi listen my child we need to act fast as the mistake we did a few months back is going to cost us Sheesh Mahal!!! did u get me now?" Shashi pleaded with her.
"Babuji what happened? But...but... oh my god! we were given time, is it not ?...an year and...and... its not even six months yet', Khushi wailed!
"Han bitiya but Arnav ji can't wait for so long and he wants it to be settled in 48 hours", Shashi supplied.
Khushi was stumped. "Arnavji? Now where in the world is this related to him?"
...and then she saw her Babuji's guilty face and realised how!"Nay Babuji don't tell me you listened to Aakash Jijaji and took help from him. Not him...Please tell me you did'nt!"Khushi pleaded with him.
"Humein muaaf kardiejiye bitiya" Babuji said in a low voice and went on, "Believe me, that was the best i could do at that time and Raizadas are family now.It was the only thing that prevented Sheesh Mahal from falling into the hands of some outsider. Moreover Aakashji promised me he would prevail if need be if we took money from the raizadas rather than anyone else!"
"Well then where is jijaji? and what does this Arnavji want now? Babuji jiji told me The mighty ASR is very ruthless and everytime she calls me she tells me how he keeps business away from anything else. Be it family or pleasure."
"I know Khushi.Unfortunately i didn't then but I realise it now. But this time he has approached us with a different scheme ..." Babuji's voice trembled.
"What?" Khushi felt an odd sinking feeling inside which always brought something worse and this premonition of her was never wrong.
"Arnavji gave us a two shot payment option for freeing Sheesh Mahal!" Babuji exclaimed.
Khushi waited for her Babuji to explain looking at him expectantly.
Shashi gulped and slowly ventured looking everywhere except at her... "Arnavji is willing to free Seesh Mahal only if..."
"Only if?" khushi prompted unable to bear the ambiguity.
"Only if You marry him!!!" There he had said it and it hung thick in the air the sudden silence deafening Khushis mind and making her go first numb and then insane.
Khushi continued walking trying to figure out how her life has changed so very completely in a matter of 48 odd hours! And how has she allowed the controls of her life to shift to Arnav Singh Raizada? Did she allow or did it just happen on its own accord? When Babuji told her that ASR wanted to marry her in return for freeing Sheesh Mahal she was too shocked to even feel anything. What in the world? why? and well!! How could he?.... thoughts got jumbled and she was enraged perplexed and surprised all at the same time.
She tried her best to talk it out with Babuji but he only revealed this much and left the decision to her. As if there was a choice! There would have been if Babuji had not fallen ill on that fateful day five and a half months before. Then she would have fought her way back but now it's just next to impossible. After... after what she has done, now there is no way out.
Shashi saw that something was amiss. She had meekly accepted her fate and this did not go well with Khushi his spirited girl who never gave up without a fight. Is ther something he is missing? or is it because of the effect of stress sometimes in terms of dead lines and sometimes in terms of financial crunch that was continuously mounting the past six months?
"Khushi! Bitiya you have a choice! I will not mind it if you refuse this alliance. You don"t worry about anything. Your Babuji is still alive!" he spat. "Infact i tried every possible way to get out of this situation but well Devi Mayya has something different planned for you so it has come to this. "
Khushi saw a man once robust in health and pride but now frail and defeated yet with that Jethwa spark in his eyes trying to give strength knowing fully well how futile it was!
"I would not have accepted to even listen to such a proposal had it not been for Paayalia since Arnavji is her Jeth."
"Moreover, I just want to say one thing bitiya... In these circumstances i would have not found a better husband for you Than Arnavji. He is accomplished successful and most importantly from a good family and damaadjis brother.After payal got married and i broke down financially and health-wise i was worried for your future. I was worried how i would answer your parents when i meet them after my death",
..Khushi put her palm up to stop Babujis words.
"Never say that babuji. For me u and amma are my parents. You don't need to answer anyone." she hugged him and wept. "If you think Arnavji is a good match for me i will never question your decision. So be it."
...Khushi tripped on the embankment and lost her balance and the next thing she new was that she was falling as she realised she in her thoughts walked to the far side and was not on the stairs but on the low roof that hung over the eastern section of the mahal which housed the marriage party and was called the lord Governer ki koti as the legend goes that once the British governer of the province stayed as a guest at Sheesh Mahal in that section of the eastern haveli.
She was falling in one second and in the other a pair of strong arms caught her before she landed on the hard tiled floor and then everything went blank!
THE MIRAGE by GoldenHaze
Chapter-2 (Arnav & Khushi) Moonlight and
Sunshine
"What The ****" Arnav singh Raizada let out an explicative at his bride now in his arms unconscious! His first reaction was to check her pulse as for one insane moment he thought that she tried to end her life. But it came back to him that one does not die falling from a height of seven to ten odd feet and that too especially when caught midway safely.
"Baby Saa", someone was rushing towards him and at the same time naani shrieked "Arnav bitua ka hui gawa hai? aap aisan?",
'ASR you have exactly ten seconds to remove the veil and look at the lady', his inner voice said and before he could adjust her wait and free his left hand, dayee maa naani and paayal came running and he had to put her on the stone bench near the pool where he was sitting minutes ago.
Someone got water and sprinkled on her face and Khushi moved a little.
Paayal was bombaarding him with a volley of questions...Ye aapse milne tho nahi aayi thi na? chot lagi hai kya? kya kiya aapne? yeh yahaan kaisey aayi?
ASR stared at her and when he thought it was enough he just put one hand up and said," relax paayal! Just breathe! I dont know where she came from and why. She just fell from over there", ... he showed the place... ,"and i was sitting here caught a reflection and could save her. Nothing much. I think we are getting late naani he turned to naani we shud start getting ready for the wedding!"
Saying this he turned to leave but something pulled him back. "What th...," he turned back and stopped cursing midway when he found that Khushi still held on to his shirt front! when he stared at her fingers he saw her hands and smirked but not before admiring the shapely and delicately beautiful hands that held on to him as if he was the last straw
"... what is he thinking?" He immediately came out of his thoughts and looked at his bride. Khushi still had her veil drawn and now it was even more pulled forward by payal and dayee maa as they mumbled something about bride and groom seeing each other just before the wedding is an Apshagun and so on...
As he stared at her chin and her lips...which were the only visible parts of her face, Khushi slowly unclenched her fingers and let go of his shirt and moved a little back realising lately that it was a narrow bench and there was nothing to hold her when she moved back.She was howled up into a hard chest with a volley of curses and was roughly showed back into place again.
"Bitiya!!!" naani and dayee maa cried out!
"Its ok",ASR muttered.
Paayal was the first to regain her presence of mind. She tried to make khushi stand and as Khushi stood, She was again rammed into the lithe hard frame of the man who stood rock still without even moving back out of courteousy.She realised his left arm was still around her upper back where he held her to howl her up from falling off the bench. She put her right palm on to his chest and tried to gain some balance and immediately heard a sharp intake of breathe so sharp and fast that none apart from her would have even heardit. She pushed further as she was crammed between the bench and this boulder of a man who did not budge an inch and flinched as the arm round her tightened with a soft exhalation of her name.
"Khushi!" Did she hear it or was it her imagination?
She jerked her head up and tried to see his face but the veil was pulled way down and the heavy zari work plus the border was not helping much... instead she was extricated from his arms by Paayal who mumbled something about getting late to ASR and turned to leave and was pulled back!" Hey Devi Mayya" she softly sighed as she fell back this time her cheek brushing his! ...and turned back to see what was retaining her and heard a soft growl as her ear was against his mouth not before noting that her odhani was stuck into his belt buckle.
"This is getting insane"... Arnav thought! "What is this woman doing? does she even know what she is doing to him rubbing against him before the entire female population of Sheesh Mahal?"And then he noticed the quivering of her lips and her bent head to see that the border of her odhani was stuck in his belt buckle.She was trying to pull her odhani and was frantic when he caught her hand into his to stop her and immediately realised it was a mistake as he felt a strong jolt rake his body.
This was getting out of hand! He put his right hand in between and freed her odhani but in the process his fingers brushed her belly which was exposed cause of the odhani flying astray as it was stuck and felt her shudder!" Good Lord!" Another time another place ASR did not know what he would have done but at that moment he just wanted to grab the lady and taste her luscious lips but not before pulling off her veil to reveal her eyes. Arnav held Khushi with both his hands and put her away! That was hard as he suddenly felt the urge to pull her back into his arms as she felt just right ther! "Wait! was she also reluctant to leave the sanctuary of his arms? or was he imagining it?"
"Ab Chalein?",Paayals words broke the spell and Both Khushi and Arnav moved apart simultaneously. Khushi moved slowly away and turned to go half expecting some other glitch while Arnav just looked on incredulously as his beautiful bride's anklets echoed in the suddenly silent pool side.It spread melancholy. He felt as if his life was fading away from him...
"Whats wrong with him he is arnav singh raizada who cared two hoots about others!"As she moved away Khushi partly turned to her left and slowed for a second before turning back and walking away as if trying to say thank you and Arnav just stood looking at the sight for a second before he just left all of them at the pool side and went towards the room allocated for him.
He went in banged the door shut! "Is he insane! what's wrong with him? He was just about to loose it to that slip of a girl out there! How could he?"
He landed a few hours back in India and drove directly to Ranpur finishing all his work pending cause of his trip to singapore.Aman and a cousin of Khushi, Viraj was there to receive him at the Delhi airport, although he despised the tradition. He was bulldozed by Shashi ji who pleaded "let us perform the wedding in our way the rest anyway is all according to you."
As the car made its way to the rustic land he could not but help thinking about how much has happened within the past two weeks! Whatever it was he was now on a mission and it has to be accomplished at any cost. HE cannot back down now as the stage is set. "Di! How much more you have to endure? Won't that god you pray to so fervently ever have any mercy on you. Every time at every turn, you are denied. But I am there to protect and take care of you! I shall do anything for you and yes! Here i am just doing that!"..." sir, there won't be any meetings for two days as you instructed...," the voice of Aman Mathur his right hand man brought him back to the present. "Yep" he quipped. " Aman Di naani and the rest are settled?" He enquired. "Yes sir no issues there" Aman replied.
They soon reached Ranpur and weaved through the crowded streets to the Sheesh Mahal which stood proudly on the Ranaagadh named after Khushi's ancestors. ASR was received in the traditional way and the Jethwas after a splendid welcome ushered him into the eastern haveli which was fitted with modern amenities and is mostly used to entertain the business guests from India and abroad.
"Chote! Aap aagaye! Shukar hai! hum tho yahi soch rahe they ki Amanji ko phere lene padenge aapki jagah mein", Anjali teased him. "No di I promised you i shall go through all the rituals and i will! My work delayed me but here i am!" He gave her a quick hug and nodded at the others.
He then proceeded to his room Lord Governor ki koti! What funny names! He was amused by each and every room and corrider having a name and some story behind it. As he stepped in he found a pool on the far side! Khushi's Cousin who was still lingering to make him comfortable saw Arnav gazing at the reflection of the afternoon sun in the water and explained," Jijaaji, This was a natural pool turned man made for the then governor of this province Lord williams. If you see yonder you will see that this part of the Mahal is made out of the rock from the hillock leaving the rest of the hill untouched. A mountain stream trickles down to form a pool just where the pool is right now but when the lord was supposed to stay here the then rana... Rana VishwaManohar singhji got a pool constructed in such a way that this could be filled and emptied using levers. As you know water is scarce in this part of the world but Vaishali the stream always keeps the pool from being empty.Ranaji got the pool bed embedded with mirrors so that during nights when they lit the lanterns the pool became a replica of the sky with the mirrors appearing like stars for people afar downtown or at Sheesh Mahal. It Is thats why named Taarasarovar which is now pronounced as taaravar! ASR smirked! Here goes one more story one more name!
"Accha? tell me does your cousin also have a story behind her name?' He could not help but tease the young man trying so hard to please him. "Hanji! Haitho! When jiji was born she brought happiness to one and all. The entire town was supposed to be wiped out cause of some mysterious viral fever but the day on which she was born a vaccination was developed by the local doctors and the town was protected. The doctor who cracked it was Buajis husband and he named her Khushi the one 'who brought happiness'... further inspite of loosing her parents she always was a source of happiness at Sheesh Mahal he added proudly!"" oops! There it goes! Round one to Khushi ASR thought".
Viraj left after Arnav assured him he was comfortable with the arrangements. He went for a quick bath and pulled over a white cotton shirt owing to the heat ... thanking Aman who was thoughtful to add this to his stuff from Shantivan his home.
After checking on his mail he sauntered towards the pool fascinated by it and sat on the edge lost in his thoughts...Today was his wedding! A self professed die hard bachelor! who vowed never to get married after he has seen how hollow the institution is getting married to a woman who he has never seen till date. The pictures googled out by Aman were bad .Only two one from some private party and the other when she got some award at Mumbai... god knows for what may be college or something. Someone has removed all traces of khushi! from the google.That was very strange. And there was'nt any time to trace through private investigators and anyways he knew what he had to and was busy tracing more important stuff!
The chatter of birds brought him back to gaze at the the pool which was exquisite with a tiled bed which was embedded with tiny mirrors in a pattern that was a replica of Sheesh Mahal! Fascinating! he thought! The afternoon was balmy and still with no sign of even a slight breeze and then he sensed it! A strong presence! "What the! whats wrong with him? He never had such a feeling of awareness! as if someone ...someone was there!"He saw it...in the pool! The reflection... he was not sure of whom but it was moving towards him and as it came closer, he realised it was a lady and in a veil! A slight breeze started to blow from the western end and the veil shifted showing him a glimpse of the sharp nose and a set of perfectly shaped lips but hazy as it was in water now rippling a little cause of the breeze. Arnav was captivated by the beauty of the sight!And then it struck him that the reflection was too big and as he turned he saw that the lady was walking on to the low roof and before he knew he was running towards her muttering "Are you..."and could not complete as he was just in time to catch when she landed into his arms calling out loud "Hey Devi mayya !!!"
THE MIRAGE by GoldenHaze
Chapter-3 Is It Worth It?
"Thu theek tho hai?" ( You ok?) paayal enquired in a troubled tone!
" Aah. huh! haan jiji"(yeah!) Khushi tried to pacify her settling on the bed back in her room..
"Woh bus hum aise hi..."( Its just that...)
"Rehne dey Khushi! tum ab yeh sab band hi karo ku ki Arnavji ko yeh sab bilkul pasand nahi hai."( Stop being this way as Arnavji does not approve of foolhardiness)
"Tum apnaa paagal pan chodogi tho acchha hoga samjhi?" paayal chided her.( It is better if you stop being an idiot).
"Humne kya kiya jiji. Woh bas hum aise hi tehlthe tehelthey bhoole se ustaraf..."( what did i do Jiji? By mistake i just wandered off...)
"Bhoolesey??? tumhe pathaa hai tum behosh hoke girgayin thi! Buddhu agar Arnavji nai hothey tho?"( By mistake? Do you realise you were about to fall? Idiot! what if Arnavji wasn't there to...?) Paayal left the sentence midway.
"Hosh mein tho tum rehthi hi nahi. Batha dethey hain Khushi!Tumhara honewalaa pathi badaa hi gusse waala hai aur unhey hasi mazaak bilkul pasand nahin hai." ( I am telling you Khushi. Your fiance is a very short tempered man and he does not approve of this tom foolery.)
"Woh bade hi...( He is...) she was searching for an appropriate word when Khushi supplied "khadoos hain!"( Wretched)
" Khushi!" paayal chided again.
"Tum baithi raho hum tumharey liye paani latthey hain! hilna nahi!. " ( you stay put i shall get something to drink!),Paayal left Khushi who was reminded of the incident earlier.
"Is it really worth all this? isn't it a bit to late to think on those grounds! Sheesh Mahal is just not their home! It is their honour their pride! Babuji always told her and jiji that he never regretted not having a male heir to his vamsh. He used to say i am sure my daughters will do much better than any son! Thinking about these things is different but getting married that too in return for something to a stranger ...well almost a stranger is something else! "Hey devi mayya!"
Khushi had no idea what made the earth open up below her feet as she totally forgot where she was! When she slipped she thought that was the end and the emotional and physical exhaution of the past few months caught up with her knocking her off her senses.
Khushi had no idea what made the earth open up below her feet as she totally forgot where she was! When she slipped she thought that was the end and the emotional and physical exhaution of the past few months caught up with her knocking her off her senses.
When she opened her eyes she first felt absolutely at peace safe and warm then she realised she was in someones arms and got to know her groom was holding her when naaniji shouted his name.Her heart beat quickened on its own accord as she was seized by warm hands and was laid down on the stone bench. She tried to settle further by moving back but lost her balance and was howled against a lithe body. She was too confused to relax but how could she react to a total stranger... it was as if her body has a way of its own. She despised him for bulldozing her into this marriage but when he was so close she felt a strange awareness of him his presence all round her!
She tried to stand when Jiji egged her on and was cramped between him and the stone bench and lost her balance! She steadied herself by shooting her palm up and realised it was a mistake. Her palm was branded by searing hot skin that scorched her sending shudders down her spine. Khushi never felt like that before in her life.
...And then she heard a sharp intake of breath as if Arnavji was having some trouble breathing...her name! "did she hear him calling out softly? Was it her imagination?"How good it sounded on his lips! ha! look at her thinking of him like that when she actually dispised him for taking advantage of her and Babuji!
...And then she heard a sharp intake of breath as if Arnavji was having some trouble breathing...her name! "did she hear him calling out softly? Was it her imagination?"How good it sounded on his lips! ha! look at her thinking of him like that when she actually dispised him for taking advantage of her and Babuji!
She managed to just look at him through the veil and although hazy she could clearly see the unfathomable intense eyes of his boring into hers ... a little unsure as she thought smugly as her veil made him disconcerted. so... round one to Devi Mayya! Khushi thought. she wanted to do something anything to intimidate this man as he was famous for his ruthlessness and undaunted attitude! How dare he played with their sentiments!!!
Ever since the phone conversation if one can say so about it with hardly two and a half words exchanged, everything got busy! entire family prepared for the wedding on war footing and she never got a chance to even tell babuji she dint see the groom!
Everyone naturally assumed that she and Arnavji have already met during Paayal's wedding. But in reality they somehow happened to miss meeting each other! Destiny! Khushi thought. Who would have even dreamed of her getting married into the Raizada clan... even Paayal for that matter.It so happened that life has something different chalked out for itself as far as Khushi kumariji is concerned...she mused!She then remembered Jiji's wedding...
ASR turned up smack on time for jijis wedding and he was busy mingling with his invitees on the behest of naani as she felt it was rude of him to be late and not participating in any rituals at all. Khushi was mostly working behind scenes and was so busy that she never even came to see the wedding actually but for the lovely brother in law of ASR Shyam Manohar Jha.
Everyone naturally assumed that she and Arnavji have already met during Paayal's wedding. But in reality they somehow happened to miss meeting each other! Destiny! Khushi thought. Who would have even dreamed of her getting married into the Raizada clan... even Paayal for that matter.It so happened that life has something different chalked out for itself as far as Khushi kumariji is concerned...she mused!She then remembered Jiji's wedding...
ASR turned up smack on time for jijis wedding and he was busy mingling with his invitees on the behest of naani as she felt it was rude of him to be late and not participating in any rituals at all. Khushi was mostly working behind scenes and was so busy that she never even came to see the wedding actually but for the lovely brother in law of ASR Shyam Manohar Jha.
They hit it off very well from the beginning. He was a perfect guest who tried his best to comfort everyone and stepped in once or twice to soften the rough edges when manoramaji tried to create trouble. He was actually the son in law of the house but he took up the responsibility of a son as Aakash jijaji was the groom and could not help much!
Shyamji helped them so many times and by the end of the wedding they were the best of friends. It was Shyamji who asked her if she met ASR at all! she remembered!
"Nahi Shyamji kahan hum yahan se gol baaramda tak hi nahi aapaaye ab mandap tak kahan aayenge?" ( No Shyamji! I couldn't even make it to the gol Baaraamda how can i even reach the mandap?),she asked him!
" Itnaa kaam karogi tho apni jiji ki shaadi kya dekh paayengi Khushiji! ek aap hai aur ek hamaare saale saab! Ek ghanta pehle aayein hai aur naaniji ka dil rakhne ke liye sabse milke unhe uphaar de raheein hain. Uske baad turanth chale jayenge!" If you keep yourself so busy then you will miss attending your sister's wedding. You and ASR are alike! he has come bang on time and is entertaining guests that too to please naaniji and then he would be gone soon)Shyam teased her.
"HAAW! kaise bhai hain Arnavji!"( What kind of a brother is he!) Khushi exclaimed!
"Bade hi zimmedaar! ( A responsible one!) he supported his brother-in-law endearing himself to Khushi as Khushi always liked people who stood by their people through thick and thin. "Aakashji ki shaadi jo jaldi mein pakki hui uss wajahse unhe jo transnational project karnaa tha woh bhi saale saab hi kar rahein hai!" (Aakash's marriage being settled all of a sudden,whatever unfinished jobs are ther coz of this wedding, he is handling them) explained.
"Per yeh humein taajyyub horaha hain koi unse aapko milwaaye kyun nahin? chaliye hum milwaadethey hai aapko unse." (But this beats me as how both of you are yet to be introduced ) Shyaamji had said.
He dragged her out and pulled her towards the mandap and as they reached it he showed ASR and said,"There he is!!! see! let me introduce you". Khushi craned her neck to see a well built man clad in severely formal western outfit standing out amongst all the guests coz of his attire. He was facing the other side and she could only see his back!
Shyamji helped them so many times and by the end of the wedding they were the best of friends. It was Shyamji who asked her if she met ASR at all! she remembered!
"Nahi Shyamji kahan hum yahan se gol baaramda tak hi nahi aapaaye ab mandap tak kahan aayenge?" ( No Shyamji! I couldn't even make it to the gol Baaraamda how can i even reach the mandap?),she asked him!
" Itnaa kaam karogi tho apni jiji ki shaadi kya dekh paayengi Khushiji! ek aap hai aur ek hamaare saale saab! Ek ghanta pehle aayein hai aur naaniji ka dil rakhne ke liye sabse milke unhe uphaar de raheein hain. Uske baad turanth chale jayenge!" If you keep yourself so busy then you will miss attending your sister's wedding. You and ASR are alike! he has come bang on time and is entertaining guests that too to please naaniji and then he would be gone soon)Shyam teased her.
"HAAW! kaise bhai hain Arnavji!"( What kind of a brother is he!) Khushi exclaimed!
"Bade hi zimmedaar! ( A responsible one!) he supported his brother-in-law endearing himself to Khushi as Khushi always liked people who stood by their people through thick and thin. "Aakashji ki shaadi jo jaldi mein pakki hui uss wajahse unhe jo transnational project karnaa tha woh bhi saale saab hi kar rahein hai!" (Aakash's marriage being settled all of a sudden,whatever unfinished jobs are ther coz of this wedding, he is handling them) explained.
"Per yeh humein taajyyub horaha hain koi unse aapko milwaaye kyun nahin? chaliye hum milwaadethey hai aapko unse." (But this beats me as how both of you are yet to be introduced ) Shyaamji had said.
He dragged her out and pulled her towards the mandap and as they reached it he showed ASR and said,"There he is!!! see! let me introduce you". Khushi craned her neck to see a well built man clad in severely formal western outfit standing out amongst all the guests coz of his attire. He was facing the other side and she could only see his back!
"Hai reh Nand Kishore! Ka karke aayee hou parameshwari! ( what have you done now)"Buaji's voice brought Khushi into the present as she hovered in like a dragon and gave her a shove! "Wahan kaise pahunch gayi aur kaa karne? seedha dulhe ke kamre ma jaane waali thi ka? ( how did you even get ther? were you planning to stalk the groom in his room?)"Buaji went on...
"Buaji hum aapse kuch poochein?"( Can i ask you something?) Khushi intervened.
"Kuch khaaneki sochiyo bhi math kaahey ki toh ka vrat hai aaj! "( don't even think of eating as you are supposedly on a fast today!)she bellowed.
"Nahi buaji! hum Babuji se bath karna chaahthey hai! Amma kahan hai?"( No! I just wanted to have a word with Babuji. Wher can i find Amma?) Khushi asked.
"Chup chaap baithi reh. Tohre kaarnaame sunke aarahe hai! pagalaa gayi hou ka?" ( Be where you are. Now enough! I came to know of what you did back there! have you gone crazy?) Buaji chided!
Then she produced a small square talisman.
"Ei Khushi bitiya! Yeh sadaa tumhre paas rakhiyo! NandKishore tohri rakshaa karenge!" (My dear child keep this always with you as a blessing from me. Nand Kishore will be with you aleays!)
Kya hai buaji isme? ( what's there in this?)Khushi asked and got a chiding in return.
"Bus rakhiyo titaliya. samajhlena apni buaji ka aasheerwaad hai!"
Khushi suddenly felt sad! she hugged buaji and wept. "aap sab yaad ayenge buaji. Hum nai jaayenge." ( I shall miss you all! I don't want to go!)
"Pagaliya! jaana hi hai sabko! ek din!" ( Everyone must go one day!) buaji spoke softly.
"Acchha accha ab tayyar ho gayi hou tho chalke tumhri amma ka asheerwaad leike mandap mein chalthey hain chalo!" ( Now that you are ready lets go take your Amma's blessings and go to the mandap!Lets go!)she led the way trying to hide her tears and Khushi followed.
Next...
" Di is looking for you its getting late Bhai" Aakash's voice made Arnav flinch ! " I am therein a min".. he turned back to see Khushi and Shyam gone. Arnav set his jaw and walked towards the passage that led to the grounds were a huge mandap was erected.
"Buaji hum aapse kuch poochein?"( Can i ask you something?) Khushi intervened.
"Kuch khaaneki sochiyo bhi math kaahey ki toh ka vrat hai aaj! "( don't even think of eating as you are supposedly on a fast today!)she bellowed.
"Nahi buaji! hum Babuji se bath karna chaahthey hai! Amma kahan hai?"( No! I just wanted to have a word with Babuji. Wher can i find Amma?) Khushi asked.
"Chup chaap baithi reh. Tohre kaarnaame sunke aarahe hai! pagalaa gayi hou ka?" ( Be where you are. Now enough! I came to know of what you did back there! have you gone crazy?) Buaji chided!
Then she produced a small square talisman.
"Ei Khushi bitiya! Yeh sadaa tumhre paas rakhiyo! NandKishore tohri rakshaa karenge!" (My dear child keep this always with you as a blessing from me. Nand Kishore will be with you aleays!)
Kya hai buaji isme? ( what's there in this?)Khushi asked and got a chiding in return.
"Bus rakhiyo titaliya. samajhlena apni buaji ka aasheerwaad hai!"
Khushi suddenly felt sad! she hugged buaji and wept. "aap sab yaad ayenge buaji. Hum nai jaayenge." ( I shall miss you all! I don't want to go!)
"Pagaliya! jaana hi hai sabko! ek din!" ( Everyone must go one day!) buaji spoke softly.
"Acchha accha ab tayyar ho gayi hou tho chalke tumhri amma ka asheerwaad leike mandap mein chalthey hain chalo!" ( Now that you are ready lets go take your Amma's blessings and go to the mandap!Lets go!)she led the way trying to hide her tears and Khushi followed.
Next...
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...
THE MIRAGE by GoldenHaze
Chapter-5 DEAL SET
Part-1
" Di is looking for you its getting late Bhai" Aakash's voice made Arnav flinch ! " I am therein a min".. he turned back to see Khushi and Shyam gone. Arnav set his jaw and walked towards the passage that led to the grounds were a huge mandap was erected.
Khushi walked towards the office room and opened the door. It was empty as expected as Babuji was busy with the wedding. She placed the envelope on his desk and turned back and joined Garima at the main entrance to walk to the mandap.
Paayal accompanied Khushi on to the dias where Anjali and Arnav were already present. The rituals started. Khushi tried to take a peak at her husband through the heavily brocaded veil but caught only his long chiseled nose and a set jaw. Everyone said he was famous for his temper and god knows how she will manage in future.
Arnav was fuming from inside! How dare that @##$$ tried to cheat on his Di who thought the world of him. " Aap kanya ka haath apne hath mein lijiye... aap apni beti ka hath inke hath mein rakhiye" the pandits words brought him back to the present. He looked at Khushi from below his eyelashes! In all the @#$%%ing things imagine! imagine Arnav Singh Raizada getting married and that too to a woman he never saw! For all that he knew she could be a scheming @#$%^!!! He involuntarily knotted his fist forgetting Khushis hand in there and the flower that was placed in his palm!
Khushi's heart stopped beating. She only read that somepeople have a strange effect on you. But it's ridiculous how she felt around him. As if she is expecting all the time that somethings going to happen! Babuji put her hand in his which was warm and she felt herself liking the warmth that spread through her. Atleast he was not repulsive. But when he held it tight and crushed it suddenly she felt butterflies in her tummy. Hey Devi Mayya!
Arnav realised what he had done and loosened his grip and saw that the jewellery Khushi was wearing on the back of her hand made a mark on it, when she withdrew her hand from his. He smirked! Well! You just wait til I get the complete details of everything! You will be sorry you ever messed up with my Di! He mentally vouched.
According to the customs of the Jethwas the Bride was supposed to be in the veil til the wedding was done with and the couple visited the Gol Mandir. So Khushi was in the veil even for the Jaymal ritual. Amidst lots of hoots and shouts and teasing of Arnav's cousins and friends Khushi tried to put Jaymal. "Itni aasani seh apke hath nahin lagne waale hai humaare bhai Khushiji!" Anjali laughingly teased. Han humare bhai ko Jaymal pehnana hai tho seedi chadke aanaa padega aapko Akash blew out the words as he with Sukesh and Shanthanu was holding Arnav above the ground away from Khushi's reach. "Khushi Chal ek bar chalaang maar aur batha dey inko", Buaji Payal and her friend vani shreiked. Khushi in keeping with the spirit tried to reach Arnav but it was impossible to do that as three robust men were holding him above the ground. Khushi tried once again as they lowered him! but it didn't work. The next time they lowered him, she never knew why may be the gutsy side of her prompted it, but she shot her left hand to grab his shoulder! This was unexpected and as Arnav turned to look to his left his weight shifted and the men holding him lost their balance as they were huddled together and they had to let go off him. Arnav landed on the ground and Khushi stepped forward at the same time. This brought her smack into him her feet on his and Khushi in reflex caught hold of her garland to prevent it from being crushed but realised she was fast loosing balance before Arnav's right hand grabbed her by her waist to prevent her from falling! In this whole fiasco her veil moved towards her right and the left side of her face was left to the harsh focussing lights of the dais.
"What the hell is this? Is this lady crazy! She first threw everyone off balance and this spilt some turmeric from the containers kept aside on the mandap on Di's sari!" as he noted from the corner of his eye Payal helping Di to brush it off! Akash Sukesh and Shanthanu were rolling on the floor laughing and taking jibes at each other. On top of this she barges into him and looses balance with that stupid heavy outfit and he had to put his arm around her to save both of them from falling sidewards.
When he focused his eyes then he was left staring at the exquisite site before him! He saw a beautiful delicate ear adorned with heavy yet delicate jewellery and her skin tone was pure porcelean! The cheeck tapered to a perfect bow shaped pair of lips which were in shadows cause of the angle but the eyes that were staring at him were mesmerising liquid pools which had fear and and uncertainity in them! He found himself drowning in them and he moved forward to gain balance and cursed "what the #@$%^" as he found he could not budge an inch and there was something soft on his feet which ran a tingle up his spine. He bent down to see and realised that both Khushis feet were on his and the soft soles were branding his hard feet. she hardly weighed anything. Khushi looked down too and their heads banged against each other!
"Hey Devi...Are You?" they each stopped simultaneously as they started! Arnav saw the eyes stil partially covered get a naughty glint in them and in the next moment Khushi very surely and steadily put the garland around his neck while he held her with both his hands. Cameras clicked and people clapped and bellowed! Shehnai started playing but Khushi and Arnav remained locked in the embrace as both did not know what was going on!! everything seemed to be going on its own accord. Khushi was the first to recover as Aaksh chided his brother! "Bhai aap hum se bhi battar nikle!Humko Paaayalji ke samne sar jhukaaneke liye kitney taane diye gaye?" He asked Nani manorama and others who were standing just aside below the mandap! ..."and see how height kum padega bolke yahan uthaake jaymaal pehnvaaya jaarahaa hai. This is cheating!!! "
That was when Khushi realised why she was so comfortable with his height and Arnav was at loss for words! Khushi slowly tried to move back but Arnav's arm was still around her strong and tight. Realising it he eased it slowly but as he did his watch caught the netted veil of Khushi and she swayed forward by its pull. Catcalls followed and Khushi turned crimson while Arnav got irritated and tried to disentangle his hand. Anjali jumped to his rescue but not before teasing "Khushiji aap abhi se humaare chote ko apni pallu se bandhke rakh rahin hai?" As she helped she lifted the veil smiling slightly as she knew she was giving them a chance to have a peek at each other! Khushi for the life of her could not raise her eyes but curiosity got the better of her and she slowly looked up and saw the most powerful set of brown eyes staring intensely at her and they looked quite awestruck! What did he think she would be a no looker! But then when she saw his jaw set and perfectly toned muscles of his shoulders and his hair which was peeking out of the pagdi which she heard he refused to wear... she was struck by his manliness. He had a charm so potent that she was already shaking in her legs! Here she was thinking that she would get back at him for ruining her life!! And those eyes... they were dark brown and intense! He was looking straight at her and as she looked on his gaze changed from intense to amused and a shade naughty and it shifted towards her neck then back and Khushi realised she must be blushing! Hey Devi Mayya! This is the problem with her as her very fair and delicate skin gave away everything. Involuntarily she tried to cover her cheek and got ek minute "Khushiji yeh ulajh gaya hai!"
"Dear God!!! she is a looker! He had to give her that. She had exquisite skin and a set of big exppressive eyes... if only she looked up so that he can see through them".... Arnav thought as over a period of years setting up his vast empire he has learnt to read people and that too through their eyes! "... Aah she is looking up finally"
...To be continued
"Dear God!!! she is a looker! He had to give her that. She had exquisite skin and a set of big exppressive eyes... if only she looked up so that he can see through them".... Arnav thought as over a period of years setting up his vast empire he has learnt to read people and that too through their eyes! "... Aah she is looking up finally"
...To be continued
THE MIRAGE by GoldenHaze
Chapter-5 DEAL SET
Part-2
A beauty! Kushi Kumariji is stunning! ASR thought as she looked into his eyes for the first time. Her skin, her face and facial features were delicate and absolutely beautiful. Long eye lashes and beautiful big eyes with drooping eye lids a chiseled sharp small nose and a bow shaped pair of lips set into a pert chin. The neck was again slender and the shoulders upright and her bearing showed her royal lineage.
Her face had minimum make up on as ASR realised she cleverly touched up here and there to accentuate her features. There wasn't any highlighting done as she didn't need any. This was new to him as he always saw people trying to add more to themselves especially women and that too wedding...her own! Is she that simple in her attitude too... somehow his shrewd mind could not put the facts together into a logical sequence. There was something missing. 'Coz this woman was supposed to be extra smart, put on and tacky! Right! That's how she should be. But here she is beautiful, very attractive and classy not to mention the fact that her demeanour was very elgant and not to forget how innocent she looked! Like a fresh bud that was waiting to bloom. If not for this fiasco he would have really thought she made a perfect bride for him! He needs to figure it out once Aman comes back with Shyam's bank statements! Till then he will have to bide by his time and give her the benifit of doubt all though there is a little chance that she is not guilty!As he thought he saw her lips part in a slight smile transforming her face. Holy molly!!!what was that how can an excuse of a smile make some one look so ethereally beautiful! Oh my god! of all the things in the world! he will have to deal with one looker of a woman in the name of a wife and that too when he is not sure what she is up to! great!
How stunning ASR looked! The man exuded power and charm and something else! What was that? A kind of ruthlessness bordering on insensitivity? A chin set firmly with his jaw which was quite rigid stating how stubborn he could be!Then she raised her eyes further and saw his lips again feeling that tug of awareness.... his lips were quite different from the rest of his facial features. They were as he was! perfect, sensual but gave him a look of being generous !Khushi blushed looking at them! Khushi looked into his eyes that already sought hers. And.... she gasped! Liquid brown eyes which were deeeep... and she thought something didn't match quite there! They were intense,shrewd and were assessing her... true it's the first time he was looking at her she understood! But she could see something else! They were sensitive.she saw a slight flicker of emotion as if it was uncertainity and they softened for a fraction of a second and again that intense all tearing look was clamped on to them! Why did she have this feeling that the intensity the shrewdness was put on and not the actual man! May be ASR was not as bad after all! That made her smile a little and she heard a slight intake of breath and the eyes boring into hers flashed with... what was that she saw? awareness?for a milli fraction of a second that too!
"Lijiye!! hogaya! Ab chote aap Khushiji ko chodiye!" Anjali's voice brought both of them back out of their musings. But they stood stock still each of them unsure of the other!
"Chote! "Naani gently reminded Arnav once again and he realised his right arm was tightly wound round her waist so slender that it settled in its crook! He found her blushing again and although the veil was drawn he now knew her reaction already. His wife could blush crimson and right from her neck! Now wait a minute! his wife? Where that came from! ASR watch out this woman is trouble with a T. No wonder Shyam.... The thought made him jerk back and Khushi found herself being freed suddenly from Arnav's arms! She somehow felt at loss! Don't expect too much Khushi! Expectations bring heart breaks! She chided herself mentally!
Arnav and Khushi continue with the rituals as they were moved to a smaller mandap which was set up inside the gol baraamda as the rest of the guests were dining in the main grounds of the Sheesh Mahal. It turned quite chilly as it was almost ten as the wedding started later than expected and Khushi thanked the sacred fires for the warmth! Arnav sat patiently as he promised his Di he would! as time passed the pandit sked him to apply sindhoor on Khushi's maang and he turned to apply it as Paayal lifted the veil of khushi slightly as according to the tradition the groom was not supposed to see the brides face till after the wedding! Arnav could not resist from snatching a look at the woman sitting beside him. What he saw made him a trifle concerned as Khushi looked visibly tiered. For a second he really felt bad for her as he could see how tired she was and also under what pressure she was after his deal with her father! Khushi just let her eyes be, as even rising them was a thing beyond her energy levels. As Arnav applied sindhur with a gold feather according to their tradition, he sensed something wrong. They were then made to fulfill some more rituals and all along Arnav felt Khushi was not up to herself.After maang bharai and the pheras they took the blessings of the elders!
Now it was almost midnight and only the family and few close friends were around. The rest scattered across the ground and the quarters given to them while many others left. Arnav and Khushi were taken by Garima Shashi and Buaji to the Gol Mandir along with Anjali and Nani who accompanied them from the groom's side.
The mandir was closed but for a grilled door which would be opened in the morning! The pandit opened the doors and asked Khushi to apply tilak to the sword that was given to Arnav at the beginning of the wedding as per the tradition and then apply tilak to Arnav.
Khushi felt she was about to be out on her feet but how ever she applied tilak to the sword and when it came to Arnav she could just not figure out as she was feeling dizzy and also her veil was heavily brocaded."Paayalji inki madad keejiyena!" ( Please help her) Anjali urged Paayal and added, "ab tho yeh ghoonghat hataake tilak lagaa sakthi haina?"( Now she can lift her veil isn't it?) "nahi Di remember for my wedding also i did not till i applied tilak to aakashji" Paayal clarified. "But why?"Arnav's voice suddenly echoed amidst them.
Paayal was a little scared of her brother in law but she loved him too as now she knew him for the past six months and found hm to be a very nice person with a put on tough exterior.
"Haan bitiya kyun? hum bhi poochna chahath rahe!" (Oh yes i too ws curious to know the reason. Can you elaborate?)nani asked?
"Nani ji one of the Jethwaa prince when he was getting married, enemy attacked Ranpur as they thought everyone would be busy with the wedding! The prince finished all the rituals in haste as he could not leave the bride midway. He promised her he will come back to her after winning and present the enemy's sword as her wedding gift and left.Jethwaas are known for their word and he left without even seeing the bride's face as she was in a veil.It so happened that there was a tough battle and the news came out that Ranpur was loosing and everyone at the mandap started cursing the bride that she brought ill luck. This hurt her and she a princess of alamgarh refused to go back and kept a fast at the gol mandir praying to devi mayya and vowed she would not lift her veil till her husband came back to fulfill her word. It seems three days later the prince turned up badly bruised but victorious and presented his bride with the enemys sword and kept his word by lifting her veil. So it became a tradition as the bride continued the tradition with her children as she did not want any other woman to suffer from what she did. Paayal concluded"
Here goes another tale Arnav thought. Khushi slowly swooned once to Paayal's side and then to Arnav's and her weight shifted making her to bend slightly to her right and on to Arnav. Arnav suddenly noticed khushi's weight on his left arm and turned his head and found that she was fading! reflexively he edged his shoulder under her's to give her support and muttered under his breath ,"tum theek ho?"( You OK?).
Khushi realised with a start that she was about to fall but for the support and grabbed Paayals arms! "Khushi? Bitiya? khushiji?" Everyone screamed and she blurted "hum theek hain. ( I am OK)"
Naahi aap vrat rakkhe haina? kaise theek rahenge? Paayal bitiya inhe juice pilaayiye tab griha pravesh karake fir inhe arram karne denge. Baaki ke rasam kal howath rahenge!" ( No you are not. You are fasting.Paayal give her some juice and after griha pravesh we shall leave the couple to rest and the rest of the rituals let us continue with... tomorrow)Nanni decided looking at Garima.
Garima was relieved as she too wanted to wind up as it was very late and did not know how to request the Raizadas to consider that!"
Garima was relieved as she too wanted to wind up as it was very late and did not know how to request the Raizadas to consider that!"
"Ji naaniji. Jaisa aap kahain!" ( As you say) she thanked her with her eyes too for understanding"
Naani smiled back and assured her with her eyes which said "it's ok. relax" They made the bride and groom to sit in the two chairs arranged there face to face.
Paayal brought a glass of juice and was about to make khushi drink it when Khushi bent and wishpered something in Paayal's ear for which she looked at Arnav and said "haan per unke liye ek aur layenge na!" ( yeah but i shall get another one for him)
Kya baath hai paayal ji? ( What happened) Anjali asked. Nahi Di! Khushi says Arnavji should be given this as he too must be hungry! Paayal explained! Arnav looked at her...shocked!Nani and Anjali beamed and Anjali started teasing Arnav! "Wah chote! abhee se tumhari patniki itni chintaa hai tumhaari!" ( Your wife is so very concerned for you)
Arnav thought he had to control this situation as usual. He inched forward towards Khushi his knees almost touching her and said," you take care of yourselves then you can think of others!"
Khushi fumed. How dare he says that to her! And that too when everyone was around!
"Chote! Khushiji kithee sweet hai and you are a spoilt sport" Anjali intervened. She took the glass from Paayal and said "chalo ab Khushiji ka ghoonkat uthaawo!" ( lift her veil)
Arnav reluctantly did what he was told to and as he lifted the veil he was once again struck by her beauty! Everybody present there cheered with AAkash saying "atlast" which made everyone laugh.
"Chalo chote ab tum Khushiji ko juice pilaao!" (Offer her this juice) Anjali insisted giving him the glass.
"What the!"Arnav swore. "Di ... apko..." " common chote itni si baath hai!" Anjali cut into what ever he was to say. Arnav gave up as he realised it was neither the time nor the ocassion. He took the glass and took it to Khushi's lips.
Khushi looked up into his eyes just then and he saw her eyes red with fatigue, anger and also sorrow.He somehow did not like the tears in her eyes.
His hand shook and Khushi took the glass from him and took a sip.
Everyone started hooting and Anjali prompted," Chote you guys go ahead to your room and wait near the pool as without Griha pravesh you cant enter the house.
"Di we ARE in the house if you must know" Arnav countered.
"Rasam hai Chote !"Anjali pleaded with him for which he had no answer. He got up and walked forward and everybody burst out laughing.
He turned to see what made them to and found Khushi huddling towards him and then remembered they still had the gat bandhan from the pheraas.
"Chote ab tum akele nahi ho mere bhai! Khushiji bhi tumhare saath hai! Yeh baath kabhi nai bhoolna! "( Don't forget my dear that now you are not on your own. She is there with you. Never forget THAT) )Anjali said as if to tease her brother but Arnav looked into her eyes and found that his sister meant much more than what she said!
"Yeh baath my bhoolna tho door yeh bath mujhey kabhi bhulaane nahi degi Di" (Even if I want to it won't let me)he added silently "kyunki I never forget once the deal is closed. DEAl SET"he thought.
Khushi fumed. How dare he says that to her! And that too when everyone was around!
"Chote! Khushiji kithee sweet hai and you are a spoilt sport" Anjali intervened. She took the glass from Paayal and said "chalo ab Khushiji ka ghoonkat uthaawo!" ( lift her veil)
Arnav reluctantly did what he was told to and as he lifted the veil he was once again struck by her beauty! Everybody present there cheered with AAkash saying "atlast" which made everyone laugh.
"Chalo chote ab tum Khushiji ko juice pilaao!" (Offer her this juice) Anjali insisted giving him the glass.
"What the!"Arnav swore. "Di ... apko..." " common chote itni si baath hai!" Anjali cut into what ever he was to say. Arnav gave up as he realised it was neither the time nor the ocassion. He took the glass and took it to Khushi's lips.
Khushi looked up into his eyes just then and he saw her eyes red with fatigue, anger and also sorrow.He somehow did not like the tears in her eyes.
His hand shook and Khushi took the glass from him and took a sip.
Everyone started hooting and Anjali prompted," Chote you guys go ahead to your room and wait near the pool as without Griha pravesh you cant enter the house.
"Di we ARE in the house if you must know" Arnav countered.
"Rasam hai Chote !"Anjali pleaded with him for which he had no answer. He got up and walked forward and everybody burst out laughing.
He turned to see what made them to and found Khushi huddling towards him and then remembered they still had the gat bandhan from the pheraas.
"Chote ab tum akele nahi ho mere bhai! Khushiji bhi tumhare saath hai! Yeh baath kabhi nai bhoolna! "( Don't forget my dear that now you are not on your own. She is there with you. Never forget THAT) )Anjali said as if to tease her brother but Arnav looked into her eyes and found that his sister meant much more than what she said!
"Yeh baath my bhoolna tho door yeh bath mujhey kabhi bhulaane nahi degi Di" (Even if I want to it won't let me)he added silently "kyunki I never forget once the deal is closed. DEAl SET"he thought.
The Mirage
Chapter-6 The Midnight Sun
Part-1
People suddenly started moving here and there as Garima, Buaji and Shashi along with Payal Anjali and nani headed towards the inner palace while Aakash tried to relax.
Anjali added as an after thought, "chote you and Khushiji just be by the pool side while we make arrangement for Grihapravesh here. After that we shall resume tomorrow! "
Arnav started walking towards the Lord Governer ki kothi and found Khushi dragging herself to catch up with him.
One thing he noticed was Shyam was no where in sight. During the Jaymal he was there but mostly taking care of all the relatives from their side and entertaining them.
After that he was not to be seen. At all! May be he did not want to attend the wedding!
He sat on one of the benches provided and Khushi kept standing.
"Sit" he ordered eventually. She sat besides him but he could make out ...very gingerly. He was a little intrigued by the whole thing.
They had lit the pool side with the posts bordering it decorated with lanterns and it really looked very beautiful. The sky was clear and owing to the height of the Sheesh Mahal, being perched on the cliff and above the town of Ranpur the stars were pretty clear and Arnav realised that if not for the strange situation he would have enjoyed the arrangements and the scene.
As he thought of what his future action would be he felt a slight increase in the weight of his left shoulder."What the f#$%" he turned and was speechless as his brides head rested on his shoulder and she dozed off or rather crashed due to exhaution.
Arnav panicked for a second and checked whether she was breathing alright and found her ok.
Though it was not a full moon there was moonlight and coupled with the light from the lantern, it glowed showing shadows everywhere giving the whole place a very cozy look.
Khushi's head was on his shoulder while the rest of her body was turned towards the pool. Arnav moved towards Khushi involuntarily as he saw her neck craning to get support. As he moved she turned and put her hand on his chest. The nose ring she was wearing had a chain attached to it that went to her ear and it tickled him as he tried to adjust on the bench.
ArnavSinghRaizada! entangled in a situation which was beyond his reasoning was never going to be believed!
But here he was! And he hadn't any clue as to what was happening and why! So much for his thinking that he could have everything under his control.
What was this Shyam up to? And Khushi from what he has seen looked innocent! She is very poised classy and very simple!
"Common! Who knows what lies beneath the deceptive looks!" His inner self chided him. But his keen business sense has given him a perceptive eye which told him that his understanding was contrary to the actuals! And his hunch was never wrong.
Something was amiss but Khushi looked innocent. Atleast for now!
Whatever but his Di and her happiness cannot be compromised at any cost.
He pinged Aman if the bank statements were procured and Aman after trying to evade finally gave in and sent a mail. The poor signals were making it difficult for him to open the attachments on his mail when Anjali and others joined them with the thaal and ready to perform the Grihapravesh rasam.
They all saw a handsome groom with his beautiful bride on his arm who was deep in sleep.
The picture was perfect and adorable."Khushi uth!" Garima tried to wake her daughter.
Khushi nudged her nose further into Arnav's chest and would not wake up. Arnav now had to put an arm round her to maintain his balance.
Then... as if sensing him she opened her eyes slowly and Arnav was a witness to one of the most beautiful moments of his life!
Her eyes opened red sleepy and child like. She closed them for an instant and opened them again focussing against the blur and looked at the brown orbs of fathomless depths staring right through her.
She could not avert her eyes as the eyes of her husband held hers and bore into them as if... as if seeking an answer!
Why did she feel so! She stared back mesmerised by the beautiful eyes that were soft in contrast to the ruthless and powerful man who they belonged to!
There was a glint in them that told her that the man could be naughty when he wanted to be. The subtle narrowing of them told her that he can be merciless but its the light in them the shine that gave her hope. Cause it made him look very loving.
There was a hint of innate goodness in them that appealed to her and that one would miss easily behind the facade ASR built for himself. Can i ever reach behind and make those eyes look at me with care affection and passion? How would they be if he actually loved me? Khushi contemplated?
The eyes that were focussed on her looked contemplative as if they were assessing her.
Khushi also found that he was fighting with something and was reluctant from inside.
Gosh! Jiji told her many times her jeth ji's face remained inscrutable as his moods but how did she miss it, that ASR had such expressive eyes? or was she the only one able to read it? "Does he acknowledge the fact that he married me by force and i may not like to be with him?
Many questions came up in Khushi's mind and reflected in her eyes!
She was reading him damnit! This was not what he wanted. He never wanted his opponent to know him well nor his next move.
That took away the power in his strike! Arnav knew Khushi was able to see through him.
Her eyes were very expressive and every single of her expression was evident to him.
Her hope, her analysis, her doubts and worst of all when she acknowledged his inner self being soft.
Hell!!! This is the worst thing ever. He has to be indifferent for him to do what he has deigned for himself and this kind of entanglement is not welcome.
"Khushiji aap zindagi bhar dekh sakthey hain ! License milgayaa hai! lekin hum sonaa chahthey hai agar aap donon ka yeh ek rasm hogayaa ho th!" Anjali's teasing brought both of them out of their respective thoughts.
Khushi jerked to get free of Arnav and her nose ring and the chain got stuck in his sherwani. She tried to pull but could not free herselves.
"Wait" Arnav chided her and kept his other hand in between her ear and his chest and tried freeing it and as he did that his fingers brushed her cheek.
Khushi blushed as his touch sent shivers down her spine and when Arnav lifted his eyes to hers he saw a young woman with eyes full of hope and dreams.
His gaze hardened. Damn it! Why in the world is he in this fix.
Khushi saw her husband hardened gaze and felt very uncomfortable.
What is the reason for his blow hot blow cold behaviour! As a matter of fact why did he choose to marry her.
All the relatives were told that the families mutually fixed the match.
While Nani and Di and Jiji told her that ASR personally expressed his wish to marry her as he wanted her.
WANTED HER? without even seeing her!
This did not fit at all.
Anywhere!
And the man if he married her out of love... er lust or whatever has not shown one sign of it!
For the life of her she did not understand his motive.
She felt a strange fear grip her. What if he was a sadist or a pervert!
No! No! common Khushi it cannot be so ! Buck up!
She mentally patted herself.
As she was freed from him she got up and to her chagrin found herself sinking to the ground as her legs gave away!
Arnav caught her before she collapsed! "What are you trying to do lady ?",he yelled at her!
...to be continued
PART-2
"What an accent!" Khushi thought even while struggling to stand on her feet. She felt dizzy. She did not remember when was it last that she had food and her body was not supporting her while mind was too stressed out cause of it being a marriage under duress.
"Chote? Aisa koi kehtha hai?"( How can you say that Chote) Anjali chided her younger brother while Garima and Buaji looked at him disapprovingly.
"Saale saahab aapko yaad rakhna hai ki woh apki patni hai. Aisa chillane se kam nahi chalega!( You must remember you cannot yell at her for she is your wife now!) "Shyam made his appearance. Arnav saw Khushi's face brighten up. A muscle twitched in his jaw.
"Aap aagaye. Chalo ab mazaa aayega! Kaam hogya aapka?( You are back! Now it's gona be fun! Job done?!"Anjali enquired.
"Haan Rani saheba thodi si der hogayi muafi chahtha hun.( yeah! I apologise for being a trifle late)" he said.
"Arey aap maafi kyun maangthey hain! kehke hi tho gayein hai! ...( Why say sorry! You left informing me)"anjali took his arm!
Their conversation was going on but Arnav's blood rushed to his ears and he could not hear anything. The way Khushi's face transformed when Shyam walked in him got etched onto his mind. He felt like breaking something! anything. But for his Di, he would have broke that b@##$$&*'s neck.
An idea flashed on his mind and a slow lethal smile spread on his lips. Khushi was struggling to stand as her stamina gave in and it was past midnight! Arnav stepped closer to Khushi and he lifted her in his arms!!! before Shyam and the world and said "Di enough of this tamasha. I want to take my wife to bed."
Khushi just gaped at Arnav dumbfounded while Shyam grew very stiff!There was a sudden silence followed by several breaths sucked in shock! Then came Anjali and Nani's "chote" simultaneously.
"Chote yeh kya battameezi hai? neeche uthaaro Khushiji ko!( Chote Behave and Put Khushiji down!)"Anjali whispered to him.
"Di this is my wife, I am carrying and for god"s sake! Andany which way i am kinda' bearing half her weight for the past hour. You guys are goin on and on!" He yelled in English in his typical accented voice.
Khushi just stared at her husband's eyes and thought. 'Oh ! So this is how the mighty ASR looks when he is mad at someone or something!'
"Isi liye maine sab end karneka faislaa kiyaa hai. All right everybody... the wedding's done for the day." ( And that's why I HAVE DECIDED TO END THIS CIRCUS) He shouted as everyone made disapproving noises, Arnav looked at Khushi who was in his arms! Her lower lip was quivering. 'Was she nervous? or was she scared of his mighty temper? Eitherways it is going to be a win-win situation for him.' He thought.
Chote1Yeh ka keh rahain hai aap?( What are you saying Chote?)" Naani asked him
"Haan naani... i want us to retire for the day... he went on in english. I had a very hectic week and a rather heavy day. Now we are done and let us go. Finish your rituals tomorrow that is if we still last till then.Khushi chalo" He just walked through and everyone was left dumb struck!
Khushi did not know how to react. should she support her husband? as in a way he was right! But the way in which he brushed everyone aside was very rude. The others were just fulfilling the rituals and they were tierd too.
"Naahi Arnav bitua ek hi tho rasam bachaa hai taniq rukiye( No son! Only one more ritual left! please hold on!)"This time buaji pleaded and she rushed to make arrangements.
"Jo bhi hai buaji jaldi Kijiye( Do it fast! Whatever)" Arnav coaxed.
The ritual of Grihapravesh was done immediately and Arnav refused to put Khushi down. When Khushi had to push the urn of rice he placed her infront of it for a second and lifted her back in his arms. Khushi felt a strange feeling of security instead of being embarassed.
"Raani sahiba dekhiye saalesaab abhi se kitna khayaal rakh rahein hai Khushiji ka( Look! How concerned is your brother for his wife fron now on...)" Shyam teased.
"Woh tho my rakhunga JI... JJa... JJI! Kyunki Khushi meri patni hai aur myne shaadi ki isliye ki hamesha my use apne paas rakhoon!!! ( That i will! Coz she is my wife and i married her to have her with me for keeps!)"Arnav said and added only for Shyam as he was standing nearer," Khushi ab meri hai hamesha ke liye( She is mine FOREVER!)"very slowly and very lethally.However it was lost in the context as the rest of the crowd cheered and started telling Khushi how lucky she is to get a groom who was crazy for her.
Khushi jerked open her nerves with his admission. Why? Couldn't the great ASR not find any mighty lady? Why did he want her?
"Which way"Arnav asked her and she started and then showed him the way to the Lord Governer ki kothi. This particular quarters had a door to the inner pasage that garnered the pool and the main suit for privacy- an arrangement that was made for the then Lord and his lady.
Arnav walked in and then shut the passage door with his leg. He then took Khushi into the suit and put her down. He went to the side table picked up a glass with some juice in it and gave it to her saying..."drink this now!"
Khushi took the glass and stared at him not knowing what to say!
"What?"Arnav asked exasperatedly. "Khushi just... DON'T stand like that DRINK that !
Khushi drank the whole juice in one swig scared- at his temper.
She saw a slight hint of amusement in his intense eyes but for a second. Arnav turned and left the room saying "freshen up and then call me. Quick!"
But what was she going to change into? She was supposed to get her bag after the final ritual which was rushed coz of her husband!
"Hey Devi Mayya ab hum kya karien? He is going to bite my head off if i even try explaining this."She flopped on the bed.
THE MIRAGE
Chapter-6 The Midnight Sun
Part-3
"Arnav ji" Khushi nervously called him.
He did not seem to hear her as he was lost in deep thought staring at the water in Taaravar!
...And exactly at that moment Payal's voice came through the passage,"ArnavJi... "
This time he heard and looked up to see khushi...
"What the", he was about to say something when Payal called again.
Arnav went and opened the door.
Payal stood there scared!Who wouldn't be when Arnav Singh Raizada said its over for the day, its over. None can ask him to accommodate them.
But before he could say anything she extended a bag towards him. It was more of a hand luggage sort of a bag and she stuttered saying "Khushi Arnavji ke kapde isme hain.
( Khushi ji Arnav's clothes are in this bag)"
Arnav said" what? Payal?"
Then she corrected herself and said "Arnavji Khushi ke kapde isme hain!
( Arnavji Khushi's clothes are in this bag)"
He took the bag and said, " right!! kuch aur( Anything else?)?"
Then Payal looked over his soulder at Khushi... was it sympathy? Khushi thought... or something like Oh! Khushi how are you going to handle this man now kind of a look!
Arnav said," she is fine Payal and asked bluntly," DO YOU WANT ANYTHING ELSE?"
Payal then smoted her palm to her forehead and said'" Bhool hi gayi.( I forget)"
She turned to her right side and then Khushi noticed that there was a tray of food covered by a cloth which was kept on the high embankment which was used for placing lanterns. She handed it over to Arnav.
She said " Kuch halkaa saa Khaane ke liye! Aap ko bhook lagthi hogi!
( A light snack! You must be hungry)"Then she stood fidgeting with her hands.
"What now?" Arnav asked.
Payal now was visibly shaking she cleared her throat and croaked," can i help Khushi to change...
Then she hastily added "amma said she needs help with all that heavy jewellery and..."
Arnav shot a look at Khushi over his shoulder and said "Ok. Come in but you guys make it fast as i need to freshen up myself."
"Ji "Payal said and scurried to Khushi and took her arm and led her into the Kothi.
"Jiji! yeh aap yanhaan?( Jiji you here?)" Khushi whispered to Payal as Payal led her inside.
"Shhh!!! Pehle apne kapde lo aur my jo bolthi hun suno!
( Take your clothes and listen to what i say)" Payal said.
As she was talking to Khushi Payal closed the door and started helping Khushi in getting out of her bridal gear!
"hum logonki tho jaan hi nikal gayi thi! Pathaa hai Amma ne mujhey tumhe dekh aane ke liye bhejaa! Khushi tum samajh rahi hona? Tumhaari shaadi ho chuki hai aur ab tumhey sambhaalnaa hai apne aapko aur arnav ji ko bhi!
( We were so worried for you. You know? amma sent me to check on you.Khushi are you getting me?You are married now. You need to take care of your self and Arnavji)" Payal went on... " Agar woh tumhare paas aayein tho...( If he comes to you)"
"Jiji! Khushi shrieked in embarassment!"
"Nahi Khushi! Amma ne kehalwaaya hai kyun ki kaayde se unhe yeh sab samjhaanaa tha but she cannot come here. It is not proper. So khane kapde ke bahane mujhey bhej diya!"
( No Khushi. Amma old me to tell you as she is the one who is supposed to talk to you all this. But she cannot come here so she sent me on the pretext of giving you your clothes and some snack. )
"ab sun! Agar tumhe lagthaa hai ki tum ... ( Now listen ...if you feel you)" Payal hesitated and then resumed, " If you do not like anything just let me know. Believe me there is no need to bow down for any reason as this is your life"
Khushi was dumb struck!" Jiji? Yeh aap?( Jiji you know?) "She was shocked!
"Haan Khushi humey sab patha hain! Humne Arnav ji ko phone pe baath karthey hue ek din shanthivan mein sun liyaa tha!
( I know everything Khushi. I overheard a conversation of Arnavji at Shanthivan and got to know)"Payal clarified.
"phir aap kuch boli kyun nahi?( Then why didn't you say anything?)" Khushi demanded!
" Kyunki mujhey lagaa unse acche pathi tumhe nai milsakega!( Because i thought he is the best man for you"
" Are you serious?" Khushi asked.
"Yes Khushi. I came now to tell you this. Amma and Babuji do not know about him. But I do. He is arrogant egoistic and stubborn. But he is very loving and genuine. Yeah he has short temper! But all of us have some flaws." Payal handed over Khushi her dress for the night. A creation which was in a mix of raw silk and cotton and was in off white...
Awesome start. Loved it. Seems very interesting. Looking forward to the next update. :)
ReplyDeleteFirst if all the demand of online shopping malls have increased. Shopping sites such as jabong, snapdeal ,myntra, etc. does the work of delivering fashion at the doorstep. These websites run all over the country and they are available at most of the pin codes. And since the girls wear all kinds of clothes, now those fashions have come into the real market too. The growth of social media and overall the demand of time which lures everyone to look confident and updated, have made people quite inclined towards making himself look fashionable.best dermabrasion machine
ReplyDelete