4

Papaji and Mummiji were waiting for them at the door. Butler was ready with the Aarti thali. They came in. Kids ran into their room and Khushi sat on the sofa folding her legs at ease leaning back. Arnav did not approve of this. He looked at her sternly. 

"What?" she asked raising her eyebrows. He looked away. Anjali looked at both of them with a smile on her face.
"I have invited Shondeep for dinner!" said papaji. Khushi looked at him in surprise. He avoided eye contact. She started humming. "Shut up Khushi!" Arnav told under his breath. She looked at him and ignored him completely. He sat beside her and gripped her hand. She stopped. He smirked.

Shondeep walked in gracefully and the atmosphere changed. Raj, Arnav and Shondeep were engrossed in their business talk. Papaji was pretending to help mummiji and in the process was gulping the food in the kitchen. No one had allowed Khushi in the kitchen. Anjali and Lavanya were sitting on the sofa gaping at the mansion. 

Khushi never stopped chattering during the dinner. Arnav grew restless at Khushi's gibberish babble. "Why is she talking so much?' he wondered. She was sitting opposite him and he could not stop her. He tried to look at her sternly but she was not looking at him at all. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying her talk. "Why do I want her to stop? Why do I want her to behave? ... ?And why do I love her chatter when we are alone?" he lost in his own thoughts.

"Hey, guys! Have you decided anything on the international fashion event?" asked Lavanya who was dying to discuss the topic. Arnav and Khushi again looked at each other. 

"Oh Yeah! AR Group is participating!" said Arnav stressing on AR Group! Papaji nodded.
"And KFH (Kolkata Fashion House) is also participating, right papaji?" asked Khushi. Papaji again nodded.

"Have you given any thought on making it a big combined show?" asked Raj.
Mumiji looked nervous. Khuahi and Arnav declared "No! No collaborative event!". Papaji again nodded.

"Ok, in that case let us have an opinion poll!" said papaji puzzling everyone. He was enjoying.
"Let me know who is in whose party!" said papaji adding spice.

Mummiji looked furious! She wanted to stop this nonsense competition among the young couple and papaji was adding fuel.

"Come on everyone! Tell me whom are you supporting?" asked papaji.
"I am supporting my Son in Law, Arnav Puttar!" he declared himself starting the opinion poll.
"I am with my DAD and my BIL" said Raj looking at Khushi clearly with the intention of provoking her to retaliate. She gaped at them and turned her face flaring up her nostrils, contorting her face with rage.

"Oh! Yes, in that case, I am with KFH" declared Elsa challenging her husband. Raj looked furious.

"I am with Uncle!" said Tej jumping on his uncle's lap. Meera too was in her uncle's party.
Arnav smirked. He had clearly outnumbered Khushi. 

"Kids are not allowed!" said Khushi finding the loophole. There was a big argument on that and everybody opined that the kids do have a say in this.

Khushi looked at Lavanya for support. Lavanya got up and sitting next to Arnav on the sofa and wrapping her arm around his said "Of course I am with ASR!" Everyone looked surprised by her action. Arnav looked embarrassed and glanced at Khushi. She was shocked that Lavanya was not with her. 

"OK! Fine!" She said looking around. Everyone was looking at Shondeep and Anjali.
"Hum .." Shondeep started off. "I know you will be in my party!" said Lavanya confidently smiling sweetly at Shondeep still sitting next to Arnav. 

"Um.. I think Khushi will need my help so.. Um I am with her!" he said looking at papaji. Arnav startled and looked at Shondeep and Khushi in disbelief! Khushi was grinning broadly at Shondeep. 

"Di..?" Arnav spoke for the first time. 

"Umm.. I mean... I don't know anything in this fashion business...I don't want to take any sides..So “she started reluctantly. Mummiji looked happier. "She has a point. This is not a war game. No one should take anybody's side!" said mummiji smiling at Anjali. Anjali reciprocated.
But others ignored Mummiji's protest. "Ok. In that case, I and mummiji will be the referee!" said Anjali again invoking a big argument. Papaji looked at his wife's furious face and came down to compromise. 

"Ok! Agreed! You two are the referees!" he said looking at his wife and winking at her.
Arnav had a smile on his face. He had confidence in his ability to run this kind of shows. He looked at Khushi victoriously. She looked away. "Arnav ji! Even I would have taken your side!" she thought. She stole a glance at her husband who was staring at her.

"Khushi! I am with you!" he wanted to convey this to her. She was not ready to look at him.


..................
"Khushi..!" Arnav whispered. They were in Khushi's room. Shondeep had gone back by midnight and Lavanya and Anjali were sharing the guest room. Khushi never wanted to leave Anjali alone and wanted to be with her. But Lavanya offered to be with her. 

"Khushi..!" Arnav called her little loudly. She turned. She was busy tidying up the room..
"What?" she asked him. 

"Why are you so upset?" he asked looking at her intently. She was surprised.
"What? Who told you?" she asked looking at him.
"I can make out! I mean.. Because majority supported me.. Maybe you are upset!" he said coming to her and placing his hand on her shoulder.

She looked at him. "So what? Why should I be upset? It is their misfortune that they are not in my team!" she said confidently. Arnav gaped astonished for her over confidence.

"Ok....!" he said looking at her and placing his other hand on her waist. He pulled her closer.
"Khushi.." he blurted switching off the lights. The moon glowed through the window. He cupped her face, looking at her intently.  “Huh..”  She held her breath when he gently kissing her. Her arms wrapped  around his back. He kissed her again. She buried her fingers in his hair standing on her toes. He rubbed his nose against her. “Huh..!” She moaned. The memory of him, losing control and Khushi's submission in that same room flashed before both of them. He lost it again grabbing her tightly and kissing furiously.  

 “Arnav ji…!” She lost herself…!
"Khushi...!" he was groaning and snogging her. Slowly his passion turned into desire and his gentleness into aggression. She could sense a change in him,  in his kisses. She flinched as an instinctive reaction to his aggression. A shadow of fear appeared in her eyes. 

This was new to her. His embrace was always a pleasure to her. His moves were hinting at something else. She remembered Mummiji's words of unconditional submission. But her mind and body were reacting differently. She wanted to hide herself from him and reflexively buried her face on his chest! She was scared of him at the same time felt safe with his intimacy She wanted to run away from him but was seeking refuge in his arms! She could not understand her own feelings. She shrunk in his embrace. He sensed her slightest withdrawal and understood.
"Khushi..! You must be tired" he whispered in her ears pulling himself away, guiding her to the bed!

She slept like a baby in his arms leaving him bemused. He caressed her face kissing her and closed his eyes wrapping his arms around her tightly as if trying to save her from the entire world; from himself! He was ready to wait for her no matter how long!

** **** ********
Next day morning she woke up in his arms. She looked at his face and remembered the night. She felt guilty. She had to make it up to him. She was ready to do anything for him. She put her arms around him and snuggled rubbing her cheek against his, experiencing the same prick of his stubble. He opened his eyes and looked at her. She blushed and buried her face. He kissed her head running his fingers in her hair. "Khushi... good morning!" he closed his eyes with satisfaction. She raised her face and looked at him with dreamy eyes. She sat up and bending down kissed him cupping his face and hopped out of the bed. He looked at her in surprise and tried to catch her. She ran out of the room. He closed his eyes again folding his arms on his chest, waiting for her to come back.

"Chote, get up!" it was Anjali to get his bed tea. "Good morning Di!" he said with a little disappointment. She smiled. 

"Chote, Khushi and mummiji have gone to the temple" she said. "What? Only two of them?" he asked in surprise.

"Yes, per their routine. Both of them did not want any of us to accompany them. We are planning to go later!" she said smiling pleasantly. Arnav felt happy looking at his Di's brightened up face. The different place and environment had played the magic. She felt much better and happy. 

"Uncle, get up!" Tej was pulling him from his bed. "Wait!" he said. Tej and Meera were jumping up and down on his bed. He sat up. They both pulled him screaming excitedly. "Come on! We will play in the garden!" Anjali was smirking. "Yes chote, get up! Go and play in the garden!" she said sniggering.

"Stop it Di!" he looked away and got up to get ready.

** **** ******
Khushi and Mummiji reached the temple. They had prayer and aarti.
"um..Mummiji? Shall we go to the lake?' asked Khushi. Mummiji nodded.

They sat on the bench under the same shady tree without a word and gazed at Robindro Lake for a very long time. A storm of unanswered questions had erupted in Khushi's mind. 

"Khushi..!" Mummiji broke the silence. She was still looking at the lake lost in her thoughts. Mummiji held her hand to bring her back. Khushi looked at Mummiji and then immediately looked away avoiding mummiji's questioning look.

"Um... Mummiji? What should I do to keep everyone happy?' she asked looking at the lake waters. 

"Um.. I mean... everybody in the family.. Um..I mean how do I know their expectations?" Khushi asked looking lost. Mummiji did not answer but kept gazing at her intently. 

"Um... I don't know what will make them unhappy...What if I don’t come up to their expectations…? “she blurted incoherently. Khushi did not know what she was talking about. 

She was not able open her heart out. She was suffocating. She was not sure about herself. She was losing confidence.  She was sure, she had disappointed Arnav last night.  She didn’t know how to make it up…! 

Mummiji understood what she wanted to convey and her confusion. "Hmm..!" she said stroking Khushi's hand.

"Everything will be clear once the dust settles down. Don't worry! You will make everyone happy! Your husband Arnav will be the happiest person in the world!" said mummiji. Khushi looked at her turning her face. Mummiji smiled. 

"Khushi... let us go back!" said mummiji signaling at her walker. Khushi looked puzzled. She wanted to talk ... wanted to ask, she wanted Mummiji to solve her puzzle..." But mummiji had understood each of her unspoken word.

"Chalo Khushi!" she said holding Khushi's hand. Khushi reluctantly got up and walked up to the car slowly with mummiji. Mummiji knew what to do! 

***** **** ******
Arnav had no other option than to play with the kids in the garden. He sat on the swing and read the news paper keeping a watchful eye on the kids. Kids were engrossed in the play. They just wanted him to be around. Papaji walked in the lawn where kids were playing. He lifted the kids and declared "We are going out for lunch and then to a movie!" 

Arnav looked at him and said "Good Morning Papaji!" 

Papaji came forward and thumped on Arnav's back. "So? You got up early! Haan?" he winked at him. Arnav looked away. Papaji sat beside him on the swing and swung. Arnav felt a knot in his stomach. 

"Life is like a swing! The one which goes up.. Down it will bring!" Papaji was altogether on a different level. He looked at Arnav grinning.. "Good rhyme... isn't it?" he praised, patted himself. Arnav gaped at him. "How can he be so child like?" he thought amused. 

"Hey kiddy! Go and call your DAD!" ordered papaji. Meera went in. Papaji was enjoying the swing..! 

Raj came out with the butler bringing the trolley of tea. They had another round of tea pulling Arnav's legs for being so serious. Papaji even mimicked Khushi bringing smile on Arnav's face and Raj roaring with laughter. 

They saw Lavanya coming out and approaching them. Frown appeared on Papaji's face which went unnoticed. He got up from the swing and said "Good morning Ms Lavanya!" Lavanya had a broad smile. She came and moved towards the swing. Papaji inadvertently had assumed his place on the swing. She turned away and took a chair in the lawn. Raj was busy reading the news paper. Tej had picked up the fight with Meera and she was screaming at the top of her voice. He had snatched  her toys. Arnav got up and said "Hey buddy.. go get your football! Let us play!" Even Raj had kept his paper aside and was approaching the kids. Tej ran inside excitedly giving back all her toys. Meera grinned. 

They saw Khushi's car stopping at the porch. Khushi helped mummiji to get down and walked her inside without looking at the men in the garden. 

"Balwindar!" mummiji called out loudly to everybody’s surprise. She rarely called papaji by his name. 

"Herr Hitler.. I mean Frau Balwindar!" muttered papaji winking at Raj and dashed in behind his wife. She went into the room followed by papaji shutting the door behind them. Khushi stood there like a statue. 

Everyone came in. Khushi was still standing there in the hallway looking at Mummiji's closed door.

"What did you do?" asked Arnav in a bear whisper.
"What?" she turned to face him.
"Why is she so upset? What happened? And why were you late? Where had you been?" Arnav bombarded her with questions not giving her any chance to open her mouth. She gaped at him with open mouth.

"What?" he looked at her.
"What did I do? I don't know! Why are you asking me?" she retorted back.
Elsa came out and asked "Where are kids?" looking around.

"Oh! Shit!" Arnav ran out. Kids were in the garden. He called them in. He waited for them to get into the house and came back in.
"Mom and Dad will take some time to settle the scores! I think we should go ahead with our breakfast" Said Raj trying to sound casual, but he was also tensed.

"Yeah! I think it's a good idea!" said Lavanya.
The all went to the table. Khushi was lingering behind. She was not going to have her breakfast without mummiji and papaji and so was Arnav.

"Khushi.. Tell me what happened?" he again asked.
"Nothing! I mean we went to the Mandir and then to Robindro Lake and came home!" Khushi told him the facts.

"What did you talk? What did you say to her to make her upset?" asked Arnav visibly annoyed.

"What? Why are you blaming me? I am not like you to go on hurting people!" she fired back.
His eyes spat anger. She turned her face away from him. 

"Hey chill!" Lavanya said coming in between them. Khushi looked at her for support.
"ASR.."Lavanya started off ...
"Stop it, Lavanya! It’s between us!" Arnav raised his hand to stop her and looked at Khushi disdainfully.

Khushi held Lavanya's hand and moved away from him, leaving him alone in the hallway.
"Leave it, Chamakili!" Lavanya said trying to pacify Khushi. Khushi did not respond but went and sat on the sofa.

"Khushi!" called out Raj. She looked at him. "Come on! The table is laid" said Raj.
"I am not coming!" she said angrily.
"Now what, Khushi?" he asked her standing in front of her.
"Nothing! But I am not coming!" she said and stomped to her room.

Arnav came in looking for her. He looked at Raj. He gestured at her room. Arnav shrugged and sat on the chair at the table.

"Come on! " Raj pleaded.
"Chote, Anjali came out of her room and looked around unaware of the things happening around.
"What is it Di" Arnav got up from the chair.
"Did Khushi come back?" she asked. "Yes Di! She is in her room!" he said calmly. 

"Anjali, come. Let us have breakfast." Said Elsa, requesting everyone to sit down at the table.
"Where is uncle?" asked Anjali.
"Oh! Dad and mom will have later. They both are busy right now!" said Raj chuckling.
Arnav pretended to have a phone call and went out to the hallway.

****** *********

Papaji closed the room door behind him and looked at his wife puzzled.
"What?" he asked sitting next to her on the bed.
"We have to send the couple away for some days... Away from everyone else!" she said.
"I know! Raj has given them tickets! Why? What happened?"
"She is confused. She is not sure about her position!" said Mummiji. Smile appeared on papaji's face.

"She is always a confused soul. Don't worry!" papaji said patting his wife on her back.
She held his hand. "This is the time they should understand their places in each other's life" she said.

"I know! But.." started off papaji.
"Very nasty and abominable things are happening in their life at the beginning of their journey together. I could sense her dilemma. She is confused. She might detach herself. You know her. They are not yet tuned. We have to do something. Earlier the better" she said gravely.
"What? What are you trying to convey? I mean they may take time but everything will be smooth at the end!" he sounded optimistic.

"I know! But look at their situation. The future is so uncertain for both of them. We do not know what will happen to them and their family. And they both are not comfortable with each other.. I mean..She is scared of him, Balwindar... are you getting what I am trying to say?" she asked shaking her husband. He nodded thinking hard.

"But they are made for each other!" he said looking at his wife.
"That's what we know! We have to make them realize!" she said. 

"Look at their problems.. each one has tons of things to blame the other for! Though they are one, their life is incomplete without each other but they haven't realized its significance. And you are adding to their problems" She said accusing him. He looked at her raising his eyebrows.

"Balwindar, I had warned you not to push them into the competition!" she said.
"I know, but it’s fun! It is not a real competition!"
"But under these circumstances it will take a worst turn!" she warned him again.
"But, there is still time! Everything will get settled. They will be fine!" said papaji. But he himself was not sure about his own statements.
"I wish! But they should know each other well to compete well! It should not create rift in their relationship" she said. "And now the way they are heading, your competition will take them on battle field!" she was clearly upset. 

"It will be fun for you all but they will get burnt in the fire!" she said.
"Biwi, you are thinking too much. Nothing will happen" said papaji grinning at his wife and placing his hand on her shoulder.
She rebuffed it forcefully and said "Tell me, are you going to do something? Else I will do it!" She was determined.

Papaji had a hard look at her and said "Ok! I will do something. Happy?"
"Ok! When?" she asked
"Oh! Come on! I promise, I will!" he said looking at his wife.
"Now give me your million dollar smile!" he said tickling her.
"Come on! Go out!" she said with mock anger.
"Come or Go?" he asked her winking.
She pushed him and said "Remember your promise!" he nodded and opened the door.

He saw everyone at the table.
"This is not fair!" he said loudly. Every one turned to look at him. "You left me to face the cannonade alone and enjoying the food here?" He looked clearly upset.
Anjali felt guilty. "Um.. Uncle sorry! I mean I should have waited ..!" she said guiltily.
"Oh! Don't bother, Anjali, we don't have to wait for him. His love birds anyway are waiting for him!" Said Raj grinning.

"What? Where are they? Khushi... Arnav... Where are you?" Papaji called out going towards Khushi's room.

"She is in and he is out!" said Elsa laughing. Mummiji had come out and had assumed her seat next to Raj. "What?" she asked.

"Nothing Mom! The usual fight!" said Raj casually. Mummiji got serious. Her worst fears were coming true. 

"Khushi..!" Papaji knocked on the door.
"Papaji!" Khushi came out at once. "Are you ok? Is everything ok?" she asked him in a worried tone.

"Oh yes! Everything is ok. I had a routine dose, that's it." He said winking at her. She smiled happily.
"You needed one!" she said swinging his hand.

"And where is your husband?" he asked her.
Anger appeared in her eyes "I don't know!" she said.
Arnav came in from the hallway and looked at papaji.

"Oh! Here you are! Chalo... I am hungry! Let us have breakfast!" he said leaving Arnav flabbergasted.

Arnav gaped at him and came to the table followed by Khushi sitting next to him. Papaji took his place and ordered the butler.

"Where were you?" she whispered. He did not answer nor looked at her. "Oh! He had a phone call!" said Anjali smiling at her brother! He nodded. 

"You too waited for him!" she said leaning towards him. He looked away.