Chapter 3

Swati

@SwatStar_Arshi

Chapter 3 - Exposing Payal and Khushi by Ks

Arnav was still in his own world of basketball though he felt bad not seeing Khushi after the game was done. But then his Di and Sheetal never let him think and dragged him home for lunch to further continue with the fun they were having... Di even showed him Khushi's message that she was Lakshmi Nagar and will come later. He wonder why Khushi messaged Di but not him... By the time he ponders over his thoughts, Aarav came with chess board and wanted to play chess. He attended couple of business calls with foreign delegates and instructed Aman over phone. He came down looking for Khushi when Di announced they were having dinner outside to celebrate their basketball game. Payal was trying to ask Arnav to call Khushi but Sheetal quickly distracted Arnav with their college talks and Aarav dragged him to the car. Of course his big ego also was stopping him to call her!! Payal felt odd and decided to talk to Khushi later. Payal had never liked the idea of Khushi inviting Sheetal to stay in RM and now Sheetal acting the lady of the house. Payal was always shy and timid between the sisters but she was taken aback when Khushi started giving up and Sheetal started getting more aggressive openly saying things to Khushi in front of Arnav.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Akash was sitting next to her but busy attending his mother. Payal missed her sister's company. Aarav as usual ordered and ate whatever Arnav ordered. Sheetal was enjoying her moments with Arnav and Payal wondered if Arnav even missed Khushi.

The only good thing happened in her life after a long time was meeting her old friends. Even though Payal was 2 years older than 3Ks and they called her jiji, they always involved her in their chats, gossips, teasing and acted as besties.

Akash was curious to know why Payal's friends wanted to meet her next day. Payal herself had no clue and she ignored his question saying no idea. These days Payal talked minimal with Akash and his mom to avoid any arguments. She was slowing losing faith and respect in Akash. Even after Arnav explained his sudden marriage to Khushi was forced by him, she could not completely forgive Akash and his mom for their behavior towards her and Khushi. It hurted her how Raizadas never apologized to them after knowing the truth.

Arnav was still his arrogant best and asked Khushi "Did you leave the game to meet up with your friends?" Khushi just looked at him shocked and said no. Arnav was curious to know about her friends, why Karan wanted to meet up the next day but his ego and her one word answer closed the chapter.

"Good night Arnavji" and Khushi slept. First time Arnav felt bad seeing Khushi sleeping. Who was he kidding, he had missed her during the day and dinner. He wanted to sit with her and chat. Somewhere he felt he was going away from Khushi and initially he decided to ignore her over DNA issue, he realized maybe he should talk and forgive her. Oh hell, why was she so adamant not accepting her mistake of doing DNA test? But he decided to let it go but maybe has to wait another day.

"Good morning rainbow and happiness!! Morning Payal and Khush" Karan's loud voice moved everyone at the dining table. If they all heard correctly, Karan just called Payal rainbow. Akash was stumped at the thought of someone calling his plane Jane Payal a rainbow meaning full of colors and life!! Even Arnav hated and felt like choking Karan for calling Khushi Khush, but he was more surprised about Payal being colorful as a rainbow.

"Jiji, you take the toast and juice and I will bring poori sabji" Khushi said walking out of the kitchen. She gave a big smile to Karan who ran to help her out in keeping things at the dining table. Kritika was right behind.

"Your famous 540 calories diet Indian breakfast!!" Both Karan and Kritika shouted together and did hi-fi to each other. "Khushi and calories!! Does she know what that means?? Now Arnav was at the edge and about to collapse. Payal just smiled and nodded her head saying "You guessed it right!!"

"Hello Hi Bye Bye, Khushi do you even know what diet and calories mean?" spat came a question from Mamiji.

"What do you mean? Don't you know Khushi's specialty? She cooks every meal taking calories into consideration and makes sure to serve delicious yet well managed calorie food?" Kritika asked Mamiji back. Not only Mamiji but everyone including Arnav were shocked.

"Khushi may not be fluent in English and talking all those diet related words but she is the best when it comes to serving Indian delicacies combined with perfect portions, adequate proteins and vitamins. How do you think she manages to maintain perfect slim figure by eating so much food that she eats all the time? Hold on, did you think it was magic or god gifted?" Added Karan winking at Khushi.

Arnav Sign Raizada was shocked to death. There was a sudden silence at breakfast table and Payal broke the awkward situation by saying whatever Karan and Kritika mentioned was true. Karan forced Khushi to present what breakfast she was serving today. 

Even though hesitant at first, Khushi started "9 multigrain wheat pooris fried in fat free oil - 70 Cal / poori, mix vegetable - 80 Cal / bowl (most of low fat veggies), low fat yogurt - 40 Cal, moong papad with veggie pickle - 40 Cal, salad - sprouts, radish, lettuce and cucumber - 40 Cal, mix fruits - papaya & mango - 60 Cal and overall Protein - 30 gms. So with 4 pooris, and rest all servings it comes down to 540 calories. And you can safely call it a low fat, high energy and protein diet breakfast or brunch to start your day!!"

While Sheetal choked on her water, 3Ks, Payal, Anjali and naniji clapped on Khushi's answer. Mamiji simply ignored Sheetal, ran and hugged Khushi and requested her to serve diet meals from today onwards. After all Mamiji wanted to be slim and trim like Khushi and if she was allowed to eat all the food, nothing like it!!

Arnav still mad at Karan for talking openly about his wife's figure, could not help but admire Khushi's hidden talent. It made him sad to find it out this way and he did not know it before. He always taunted her on her status and pea sized knowledge and brain. Oh god, what else he does not know about his wife? Or does he even know his wife? Question lingered in his mind.

"Come on Khush and Payal. Let's get going and you both need to fill up forms also" Karan shouted.

"Khushi bitiya, all the best and hope you get admission to complete your degree." Naniji said when Khushi bent and took her blessings.

Now Arnav was completely lost. But even before he ask anything, Payal questioned Karan "What? Why me? What forms am I filling?"

"I was wondering if you want to do Advance Painting and Sculptures class before you figure out what master degree you want to pursue Payal. You always wanted to do it, remember. So I just got all the details. Of course I run an education institute so things were handy" Karan spoke sheepishly.

Now it was Akash's turn to get a heart attack. Did he just hear his wife being interested in painting and making sculptures?

"No way" refused Payal bluntly. Mamiji stopped on her way to her room and turned back.

"We knew it Payal. Come on, you always wanted this. Remember you always won the 10 minutes painting competitions and never let go your Uno numero position. What happened now? This one is going to be just 2.5 hours a day class that you can easily pull off. And just 3 months course Payal" said Kritika in one go.

All Raizadas were stunned with the second news Payal being so good with paintings.

"Arnav, let the friends spend time admiring each other. We have meeting to attend and work to do" spoke Sheetal sarcastically and mocked Khushi as well as Payal, while asking Arnav to start for office. Both Arnav and Akash did not like Sheetal's tone for the first time.

"Sheetal, you carry on. If required, I will attend meeting from home." Akash replied looking at Arnav and Sheetal fumed. Akash was anxious to know his wife's talent and first time felt bad that he never looked at her beyond her day-to-day c****s.

"Sheetal, go attend the meeting and I will reach later" Even Arnav declared. Sheetal was cursing herself now. Not only she has to leave for work now but go by taxi since Arnav and Akash would need their own cars!!

"I may not be able to do it. If Khushi gets busy with her studies, I will have to take care of lot of things at home and it's ok with me." Payal still refused politely.

"You are so NOT escaping this Payal jiji!" Kamya walked in with canvas and painting tools in her hand. Payal guessed what was coming her way. Her famous 10 minute canvas painting session. Khushi ran and got her jiji her favorite white frock dress with pockets and handed over to her. Payal was more than embarrassed with all this going in front of her in-laws and naniji and was still refusing.

"Payal bitiya it is my request" naniji politely pushed Payal and blessed raising her hand. Payal quickly got into white knee length sleeveless dress and tied her brush and paint pocket belt to her tummy. By then Karan and Khushi mounted the canvas on the holder and kept things ready for Payal. They requested for a water painting.

Payal looked here and there. All the family members were seated and waited for her to start. She was still hesitating and but got into her trance. And then there was no turning back. Her hands and strokes moved like an expert on the canvas, she was moving back and forth, around the canvas thinking. Her face was so expressive, hard to imagine this is their pale Payal. She had this cute habit of putting paint on her hands or at times on her own cheeks or dress while thinking and engrossed in painting. She had created a beautiful paining of landscape with sunset in the background and presented it to naniji. Needless to say painting looked amazing and complete professional job!!

Everyone looked at Payal and they exactly knew why her friends called her rainbow. She was looking like rainbow with all colors on her face, hands and dress. Everyone gave her a double thumbs up and she ran to her room. Suddenly Akash felt the urge to run behind her and hug her tight and acknowledge her talent.

"Bhai, you go ahead and I will be joining you in the office later" Akash informed Arnav.

"Karan, make sure to run those painting courses and forms by me. Payal is 200% joining the courses and will pursue her master degree. Thanks so much. I owe you big time." muttered Akash while running to their bedroom behind Payal.