Chapter 15

Goldenflowers

@Goldenflowers

                                                          Part 15

Ratna loved gardening. Arnav neither had a chance to know his mother nor know her existence till recently but somehow, he has developed that love for gardening. When young Ratna married Pratap Raizada she had made a beautiful garden in their sheesh mahal situated in Lucknow. When her husband said they are moving to Delhi she never questioned him but then she missed her garden. Even though they have a big house here and adjoining garden has variety of trees she missed her rose garden and flowering plants. She made Shantivan terrace one big garden with variety of roses, flowering plants and medicinal plants.

 This particular part of the house attracted Arnav since his childhood days. They have a small pent house adjoining the terrace and he has decided to make that as his room. Neither Akashi bhai nor Anjali Di accepted it as they thought he will be all alone on terrace and that too distant from them but he was adamant to take that room. This room is very special to him because he has all memories of his and kushi in this room. Young Kushi used to be over fascinated with his room that she stayed in his room more than he ever stayed in it.

Payal and Arnav silently sat near the swimming pool thinking about the recent revelations. While payal is thinking about her Raj bhaiyaa problems and how she couldn’t help him anything on the other side Arnav was guilty. Hewas guilty for not standing for his Anjali Di and he was guilty that somewhere he used to blame Kushi that her stubborn nature of not listening to him lead to Anjali and Raj bhaiyaa to accompany her and Raj bhaiyaa getting caught in some brawl and landed him in jail

Now that he thinks of it maybe it is because of him and his ego of not letting Kushi go with her choice of cloths Raj and Anjali Di agreed to accompany. If only he didn’t leave the house in haste, if only he came back quickly, if only he accompanied Kushi, if only Raj bhaiyaa didn’t agree to ago –the tragedy might not have happened. But then what would have happened with his father if Raj bhaiyaa was not there? He didn’t understand whom to blame in the whole fiasco. If he wants to blame the real culprits – it starts with him being such a chauvinistic and possessive boyfriend, he should blame his Chachu for having such illegal activities, he should blame his father for not revealing such activities to the police, blame his cousin who wanted to blackmail on something his father didn’t do, blame on Shyam to take advantage of the situation and frankly blame on Almighty for such a messed up situation. Does Kushi Devimaiyaa loves to test everybody?

Thinking of the dreadful day, he still remembers when he returned to his room after 1hour he has seen a neatly folded pink colored girlish letter sitting on his desk. And he knows at that moment it is from Kushi. “Fine you don’t want me to go in this dress and I don’t want to go in any other dress. As I am smart, I have found a solution too. I wore a beautifully crafted over coat which I designed as my first assignment for Anjali Didi company. Are you happy now? That’s how intelligent people have to work mister.” And just like that his mood was back. He knows both him and Kushi are extremely stubborn but then extremely respect each other words. It is their way of working out things. When she says something, he doesn’t like he makes sure he doesn’t stop but do changes in the way she likes and she does things in the same way

He misses Kushi like hell. Like real hell. The way he used to show authority and be a possessive beast used to irritate her but she used to show who is the boss when they used to fight. And he knows she secretly loved all his over pampering and protectiveness. With Kushi he can be himself and need not fear for judgement. He misses her friendship where she used to lighten up his mood within seconds. They both are like missing parts of eachother. Both are extremely stubborn but caring, good at heart individuals. But then there are different in their own ways. He can shout at any person but with Kushi he will not say a word whereas Kushi can’t shout on anyone, but with him she can say anything. While he is introvert, reserved, private and secretive, she is extrovert, jovial, chirpy and fun-loving girl

His Dysfunctional family has taught him harsh realities at young age and that made him more mature than he should be at a tender age, on the other side she is an over pampered bratty little princess of both the houses. When he knows how to gets things done being silent and being stubborn, she on other hand knows to make whole house upside down to make people listen to her whims and fancies. Payal and him always used to call her the little menace.

Do you remember the day we completed our X exams payal?

The question has broken Payal trance and she said how can I forget that day? We enjoyed the whole day with 3 bratty kids

Do you know Payal?

I know Arnav you always loved Kushi

No payal I mean I may sound psychotic and pervert to have feelings for 10yr old but then I think I always loved her

I know Arnav, I know you loved her even before you know what is love, if only things were not the way it turned out, if only some people didn’t enter our lives, our lives would have been little organized

That’s true if only things were little normal as the day they enjoyed their high school completion

When Arnav and Payal completed their X exams, they wanted to celebrate. It’s their friendship promise that they both would celebrate with each other first, for anything they achieved and they would share their secrets to each other first. That’s how both knows their love interest before anyone else. But when they didn’t get permission for big celebrations as their grades are yet to be announced they decided to go to lunch, then favorite movie outing and then park. When they were planning their day the little munchkin, she is Kushi said she has to go with them. Her logic was simple how can you both enjoy without taking me in. They tried convincing that you are not allowed for a movie as you are just 10 years and her mom would kill both of them. Did Kushi ever listen? She said either you take me to the movie with you or no one goes here. With no choice both of them agreed for the bratty little girl to be accompanied but to their utter shock NK and Lavanya tagged along the little stubborn Kushi. Her explanation is simple – if they both forget her in their enthusiasm, who will look after her.

A day which was supposed to be two friend’s celebration turned out to be a day of their baby sitting three naughty, bratty, hyperactive Kids. As much as they want to disagree it turned to more fun, more celebrating and happier day for both of them. The day program was drastically changed and they didn’t regret. When they went to Raj bhaiyaa for seeking permission from Shashi Uncle, Raj bhaiyaa was like how can you all decided that? You are still young and his tirade was highjacked by puppy dog look Kushi throws and frankly no one can deny her. Raj bhaiyaa is no exceptional. He said ok I will convince dad and he gave some money to Arnav and said spend wisely. Then their next task was to convince his family. They went to Anjali Di and Akash who said it was a bad idea to take three musketeers with them as they know the pain of handling them. For which NK and Kushi promised that they will not ask their Arnav or Payal Di to buy anything which they know is just a lie to convince but still they agreed. With lots of promises and so many do’s and don’ts Akash has given them his saving to Payal and said spend wisely and the car which was supposed to take him and Anju to the college. Next was his Dad who didn’t bother to listen what they wanted and just gave money to Arnav and said have fun son. Kushi being Kushi got a little doubt whether the money is only for Arnav or for all of them. The inquisitive soul she is, questioned Pratap Singh Raizada in her own way – Uncle we are 5 ppl, you only said have fun to Arnav, what will happen to us? His father who looks almost robotic to anyone because of no expression burst of laughing saying that the wish is for all, not just for Arnav. Then her immediate question is then can we spend that money you gave to Arnav? Payal admonishing left unheard when Pratap Singh Raizada took his purse and gave to Kushi some notes and said not only that money but you can use this money too. Such was his childhood where there is brightness and normlacy too because of Payal and Kushi. He missed all of it

 They went for Entertainment park which was very near to their house and gosh every other ride is so fascinating for little Kushi and naughty NK. Be it Giant wheel or Marie Columbus everything has to be tried and tested. Every other time the Giant wheel goes up Kushi would shout what will happen to her little teddy bear if she dies now. Arnav and Payal were tired answering her that she is not dying and that she will reach safely and her little teddy bear is safe. In Marie Columbus Payal sat at one end, after that lavanaya, then Nk, then Kushi and in the other end its Arnav. Kushi is fine when it started but then fear started gripping her when it started to pick up speed. She doesn’t want to accept she feared but she chanted Jiji will be scared. Arnav are you understanding payal di doesn’t like heights and speed, she will be scared and she should come here. Then arnav said do you want to go there. And she is like you will not be there at that place. That warmed his heart that Kushi wants him. He might know the exact feeling then but he knows now he always loved Kushi. He dont know the exact time and place but he always loved her.This Tutu main main continued for the whole ride and when they came out, she complained to Payal that Arnav didn’t let me enjoy the ride, I have to go back again. But Arnav and NK better know her fears and changed the topic to different direction

They went to paly fortune of wheel and they didn’t get anything. Kushi started saying that guy is cheating, she didn’t say to start it but he started it, that’s why they didn’t win anything which made the stall owner anger. It took so much time for Arnav and Payal to convince him not to get angry. Then came balloons shooting, trains, stalls of eating, again rides and lastly the dance shows. He never knows there are so many things in this entertainment themes parks until he did his outing with these friends. The day might not have gone the way he planned but this is what he wants – a close knit vacation. Throughout the day Kushi never left his hand as she promised to Raj bhaiyaa and Payal never left Lavanaya hand. NK complained all along that they loved the girls more than him and Kushi used to bring him in between the gang and used to say everyone is protecting you.

When the day has come to end Kushi has a teddy bear, small dolphin she won after 20 rounds, NK has a magic set and Lavanya has some cute little clips. Payal has shopped for each and everyone in the house including Rahim Kaka the driver who brought them here and who is observing them since morning. Arnav has captured almost all the moments in the camera he got as a gift from his Akash bhai.