Part 92

Arnav and Papaji reached home by lunch. Khushi was waiting for them. She started off at the entrance itself. "Why are you so late? Where had you been? Do you know how worried I was?" she came forward...

"Khushi! stop!" Arnav ordered and then feeling papaji's presence said softly, "I mean, let us come in. We will explain" Khushi too had calmed down.

Mumiji greeted Arnav kissing his forehead. They gathered at the table. Papaji was still pondering. Arnav was little nervous looking at Papaji’s grave face. They were having lunch silently. Suddenly papaji got up taking out his phone. Everybody looked at him in surprise. "You carry on i will come in a minute and join you!" he said dialling a number.

Arnav and Khushi looked shocked. But mummiji said "Don't worry.. He will come back with the solution of whatever problem he has."

They waited for papaji. After 10 minutes he came back smiling and asked Butler to bring in another plate for him.

Khushi opened her mouth to ask but Arnav stopped her holding her hand. She looked at him surprised.
Papaji did not tell anything but enjoyed the lunch humming.

After the lunch he said, "Ok. Arnav puttar... here is a plan. We need to expose these pictures to Anjali. That too,  in Sham's presence. Wait for the reaction and then maybe we will find out about her other health complications. So first thing you will do is make sure she sees those snaps.." Arnav nodded.

Now the second point... Your marriage dates... Here are a few auspicious dates. First one is next monday.. just 10 days. Arnav's heart leapt with joy. He glanced at blushing Khushi.
"That will be ok!" said trying to keep his face straight.
"Oh! No! That is not ok. We have a very little time for preparation."said mummiji.

"That can be arranged!" Said Arnav in a rush.
"No no! Not possible" Papaji dismissed. "The renovation of the mahel will not be completed." Said papaji.
"We will increase the number of workers!" said Arnav.
Papaji thumped his hand on Arnav's shoulder sending off balance and said "nine mothers cannot deliver a baby in one month, puttar! So hold on to your horses! and let me think" Arnav was disappointed.

"But papaji, you called him here to decide on the date and he says..." Khushi took Arnav's side.

"Oh! Don’t be so eager you two and let the elders decide" He said laughing.
"I talked to Raj about this and he says 30th Dec. is the date! He will have to come here. They all will have Christmas vacations. He will be taking care of all the preparations. So 30th Dec is the date!" He looked at both of them for approval.

"December? another month? Khushi could not hide her disappointment.
Papaji looked at both of them and said "I know, it is difficult to stay away. But you have waited for so long ... now its a question of a month" Arnav and Khushi nodded reluctantly.

Papaji looked satisfied. He looked at his wife.
"Arnav Puttar, the celebrations start from the moment the boy agrees. She called the butler and all the servants. The cook brought in Thal and Aarti. Papaji put Tilak on Arnav's forehead. Mummiji slowly got up from the chair with the help of her walker and came forward. Arnav looked astonished at her recovery... she smiled... and papaji helped her with the Aarti. Papaji and Mummiji blessed both of them. And then papaji roared... Gifts!... He helped his wife with the wheel chair again and they both went in to their room.
Arnav glanced at Khushi and leaning towards her he asked "Khushi, what do you want?" He had not brought her anything. She knew it. "Nothing!" she said sulkily. He stared at her.

"I know, you got me nothing.." said Khushi. Arnav sulked. "Have I not given you anything before?" he asked knowing well that the answer is "No!"

Khushi muttered, "Oh! yeah! You have given me so many things. All you have given me is stare at me, making me nervous and weak; drag me, shake me..hold me by shoulders, making me shiver, grip my shoulders, hurting me, twist my wrist behind me pulling me in your arms; making me close my eyes and ..."

she suddenly stopped looking at Arnav's expressions. He got up and holding by her shoulders he pulled her up from the sofa and pushed her towards her room. She was frightened. He dragged her in and holding her shoulders pulled her closer. He stared at her making her nervous, he gripped her wrist and held it behind, twisting it. He, closing the gap between them and gripping her shoulder with other hand kissed her hard on the corner of her lips. And whispered in her lips.. This is what I gave you, right?' She closed her eyes shivering and held him by his arm. He left her wrist and wrapped her in tight embrace kissing her furiously. "This is what i give you right?" he asked her, cupping her face passionately with his hands and kissing her again. Khushi lost all her resistance.

"Khushi, Arnav... where are you?" called out papaji and they broke apart, breathing heavily.

** *** ***

Papaji handed over the pile of gifts. He said "Puttar, this is Roka from our side when you agreed to marry my daughter. This is small gift as token of love for all your family members. He embraced them both and blessed them with moist eyes.
 
"Now go out and buy something for yourselves! And don't forget visit Kaali Mandir!" He ordered.

"I am going to Gurudware tomorrow!" He declared turning towards his wife.

Arnav came home late in the evening with a pile of gifts and Bengali sweets. Everybody looked at him in surprise.
"Chote! What is this? You got us gifts?" Anjali asked astonished.
"No Di!" he said and transferring the pile in her hands went to his room only to come down for dinner. He glanced at Aakash and looked at the gifts.

"Chote! What is all this?" Anjali asked looking suspicious.
"These are the gifts for his Roka.(informal agreement between both the sides)" Said nani seriously. Everybody gaped at her including Arnav.

"How does she know?" he was surprised.
"Khushi bitiya's mummiji had called up! And I agreed. The wedding date is 30th December." Nani declared sending Arnav in shock.
"What?" they all blurted. "Hello, hi bye bye... where is the barbadee... I mean shaadi?" asked mamiji. Payal had got up and was sorting out the gifts.

" Venue is not yet decided. Khushi and her mummiji are going to arrange everything." said Nani looking at Arnav. He looked away.

"Bhai.. congratulations!" said Aakash smiling and came around to hug his bhai.
"Chote .. you should have told us earlier. We would have made some arrangements" said his Di, little disappointed. "Chote, you should have told me!" she thought.

"No need Di!" said Arnav dismissing further discussion.
"Did you give any return gifts, chote for their family and Khushi bitiya?" Asked Nani.

Arnav’s face changed colour, remembered his gift to Khushi and looked away smiling.
"Chote...!" called nani. "Yes nani." he said coming back to senses.
"Anjali bitiya, we have to call her family here and discuss the arrangements" said nani.

Arnav remembered, Guptas had gone back to their house with minimum repair work and had said they will manage. He had not stopped them.

Aranv was staring at Sham. He looked upset.
"Jijaji, are you ok? You look sick!" asked Aakash glancing at his bhai.
"Oh! No, I am perfectly ok. And congratulations saale saab! " he said holding out his hand. Arnav took his hand in a straight handshake and turning it down. to his dominance. Sham sensed his grip and withdrew his hand immediately. Arnav smirked.

Sham got up. "Jijaji, you haven't finished!" said Arnav looking at Sham's half full plate.

Sham did not answer and turned to leave. "Jijaji, wait a minute. Here is a gift for you too!" said payal handing over a box to him. He took it. But did not open it. Everybody else was engrossed in opening their classy gifts. Sham went back to his room. Arnav got up followed by Aakash,
"Aakash, we have to expose those photos!" Arnav said.
"Bhai I have the prints ready. The quality is not that good!" said Aakash.
"Good! now here is a plan.." said Arnav and went on detailing the plan.