Entry #1: To Years and Laughs

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This is Entry #1 in the IPKKND 10th Holi Contest

It is written by IPodcastKKND

Holi at Shantivan was a grand affair. From a noisy household with four generations under a roof to loud music, colours and a mouth watering buffet set by the lovely Mrs. Raizada. Not the Mrs. Raizada who religiously attended satsangs, nor the Mrs. Raizada who was loyal to her Bollywood loving kitty parties, nor the America - return Mrs. Raizada who held an air of grace and a besotted husband beside her. 

No, it was the jovial Mrs. Raizada who was instantly written off by the elites for being loud, opinionated, stubborn, steadfast, witty, charismatic and openly critical of the socio economic status of the city. It didn’t help that Mrs. Raizada was stunning as well. 

And what had started as a loud party where none of the elites wanted an invite to, turned into the media and fan favourite fun parties where none of the elites were ever invited to. So despite all the money and jewels thrown by the snobby neighbours, Shantivan had the grandest Holi celebration in the town. 

“We are betters than everyone Saasuma. These page 3 articles about our parties are only written because they’re jealous!” Manorama gruffed, throwing the paper aside. Devyani laughed at her daughter-in-law’s antics.  They were far from perfect - but with Khushi and Payal’s blessed entry in their household, Devyani realised that walking with the time was the way to sustain the family and be with the new generation. 

“Arrey what are you all doing here?” Speaking of the new generation, Aarav quickly touched Devyani’s feet and ushered them to the corner. 

“There is time for Phati-,” Aarav raised an eyebrow at Manorama, “humara matbal Khushi bitiya to be here.” It was eight o'clock. At any point of time Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada would leave the kitchen - after supervising all the food to be laid out for the festival - and go to her bedroom. 

And it was the only day Arnav Singh Raizada slept in - hence there was no obstacle in colouring Khushi from head to toe. Last time the Raizada brood - Khushi’s Aarav, Kairav and Kainaat, followed by Payal’s Kushal and Anjali’s Ratna and Maan thought it was an excellent idea to throw colours in the kitchen.

With a thousand sweets getting contaminated and thrown to the bin, the kids didn’t venture near any kitchen for a year. 

“Khushi bhabhi, relax. The food will be perfect. You take some rest - there’s still a few hours until the party.” Hari Prakash smiled, unaware of the turmoil his dearest Khushi bhabhi was facing. One of the upsides of Arnav indulging her to do anything on Holi was that she spent the next seven years pranking everyone with bhaang and colours and changing the look of Shantivan. 

On the downside she was the number one target of getting colored first thing in the morning. Even Aarav, who was on the quieter end like his father, chose to wake up early in the morning and join the family in pranking her. 

Two years ago Khushi was shocked to her bone when Aarav walked up to her in a white kurta - haye her beta was so handsome! - and touched her feet, wishing her a happy Holi. Tears rolled down her cheeks as he called her Amma - otherwise Angrez ke bete preferred Mum. That should’ve been an indication that something was up his sleeve. 

But never to judge her own child, Khushi was lured by Aarav and his sanskaar trap right into the middle of the garden where she was greeted by three buckets of colored water. 

“Bura na maano Holi hai!” All her traitors grinned. 

Since then Khushi had realised that on Holi no one was family - especially one’s own family! And out of all the days her Laad Governor found the perfect day to sleep in. Otherwise no one could touch him - and in lieu - touch her! 

The Raizada family had one strict rule - if anyone genuinely said ‘no’ to colours and loud music - that was to be respected. It was Payal’s attempt of teaching boundaries to the younger generation, that finally exonerated Arnav from loud noise. 

Not that he needed a rule, one glare and all the kids - including NK - would run away. 

Think Khushi! Try to spot the family! Khushi had cultivated her Arnav Antenna - or Nannav Network (as NK put it) - into the Raizada Roundup. After two consecutive failures she could finally sense where all the sixteen members of her family were. 

Hmph! Nani-ji was being extra devotional to Devi Maiyya. But if you look at her eyes then they constantly looked sideways - so much for a morning prayer. Thus, the temple was eliminated. Behind the sofas there were the k’s of Raizada - Kairav, Kainaat and Kushal. Haye, the babies were grown up! So couldn’t they realise she could see their heads even from the kitchen? 

Aarav was tuned to the latest football match with Aayushi and Ratan by his side, but why were all of them sitting with one litre water bottles? Amateurs. Khushi surveyed the living room, Mami was seated - staring into her makeup kit. When did that get twice the size and… why isn’t Mami doing any makeup? Even Lakshmi was conveniently roaming by the corridors - bleeping a 'meeee' in warning.

NK hadn’t made his entry yet - thank God he and Lavanya were ten hours away from India - and Mama ji seemed to be rehearsing something under his breath, a sweetbox in his hand. Could she see a flicker of green in those laddoos? Bhang! Payal and Akash made themselves useful at the dining table, but she knew that with two steps Akash could clearly throw a water balloon aimed at her.  

She had seen her Jija-ji play basketball. Oh that reminds her of her other Jija-ji. Aman and Anjali were truly bad actors as they tried to hide their smiles in between reading newspapers and entertaining the Guptas. 

Now how could she run to her room before anyone?

Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada had only two rules for Holi:

One, she would colour everyone and be the last to have bhang. Two, her first rang would be from the great Arnav Singh Raizada. 

Well you could say that Khushi could walk up to her family and state, “Don’t colour me, I want my husband to colour me first.” But what could a naturally bashful woman do if it led to incessant teasing by sixteen family members? Like her name, her family was too big and enjoyed embarrassing her to bits - they still played clips from Akash and Payal’s wedding and begged for details of the fiery Teri-Meri. 

“I have to ask, how were you all so blind?” Aarav once commented, snickering as all the Raizada’s and Gupta’s matched Khushi’s red blush for once. Even as a child he had seen the way his parents were enamoured by each other. Something he hoped to have one day. 

Khushi was stuck. Perhaps ten years gave her family the perfect training to corner her. 

“Hey Devi Maiyya,” Khushi whispered and jogged in her spot. Every day she complained, religiously, as he pulled her to join him for a run but today she realised that the exercise would benefit her. Not that she'll admit that to him. Honestly, she’d rather go for a jog with Arnav than be ambushed by her family when she had planned nothing for them! 

And then there were other incentives to run with her husband. The adrenaline and endorphins led to great se- focus Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada!

Now was not the time to get distracted. It was the time to invoke Devi Maiyya’s blessings and make an impossible sprint from the kitchen to her room. 

Taking a deep breath, she targeted the stairs, unaware of the fact that Maan had tied the end of Khushi’s white saree to a twelve feet long rope attached to a kitchen counter to give the family enough time to catch her. 

“Devi Maiyya, shakti dena” Khushi prayed for the final time. 

No one expected Khushi to literally run through the living room. Their faces turned from amusement to horror as her pallu tore, rope split and pull her back causing Khushi to fall head first into the floor.

“MAA!” Aarav screamed, leaping from the sofa towards Khushi.

Except she never fell. 

She was pulled right into the arms of Arnav Singh Raizada. Khushi’s eyes were screwed shut, her heart beating loudly. Arnav let out a harsh breath, calming his own racing pulse. 

"I'm fine," Khushi reassured their kids, who relaxed in visible relief. 

A few minutes ago he woke up from his sleep, sensing a tense Khushi. Of course, it was Holi. He did enjoy his family’s antics of attempting to colour her first. As his Di often said “Jaise ko taisa,” he loved hearing Khushi rant about how Nani or NK had planned something for her. He did have to remind her she was no less of a menace! 

However, today he couldn’t fall back to sleep. Something bugged him. 

He got up, brushed and headed downstairs. He let out a laugh at how concentrated his family was in colouring Khushi that none saw him coming down the stairs! 

That’s when he saw the rope tied to Khushi’s saree and her running across the hall. 

Oh no.

“How many times have I told you all to play it safe? She would have broken her head!” Arnav yelled, a protective hand on her nape. The house quietened. Everyone shifted on their feet, unable to answer.

“Kya zaroorat-”

“Arnav-ji,” Khushi broke the hug, holding his tensed face in her hands. His skin had turned hot in anger, his glare softening at her pleading eyes. 

“Please don’t yell. How would they know I’d be P. T. Usha?” Khushi smiled, setting his ruffled hair straight. 

“Don’t try to be funny.” Arnav snapped, “and how many times have I told you to not run around in the house. Tum ho ya bacche, nobody listens to me.” He scowled. Khushi grabbed his shoulders and gave him an affectionate squeeze. 

“We do listen to you, Arnav-ji. Have I ever not heeded to what you’ve said?” Arnav raised an eyebrow in response. Khushi cleared her throat, “I mean have I ever done anything intentionally to displease you?” At this Arnav folded his arms and glared at her. The audacity of this woman! 

Khushi blushed in guilt, knowing Arnav Singh Raizada he might start with a list of things she did to displease him. She took his hands and attempted to mollify him. The Raizadas stood rooted to the spot, not wanting to distract Arnav. Fortunately his attention was on Khushi, otherwise they would’ve been carrying their own funeral at this moment. 

“Arnav ji, I was just running to meet you soon.” Khushi batted her lashes. 

“If you ran a little faster Khushi, you would’ve met your darling Devi Maiyya instead.” Arnav raged and turned to stare at his family who was  attempting to leave the scene. 

“Where are you all going? Tell me who did this!” Maan closed his eyes. His beloved Bade Mama was going to kill him and even his mum couldn’t save him. Here he was, unbeaten by the pandemic, about to die as a single sixteen years old man or be jailed for attempted murder of his dearest Badi Mami. 

He had thought he’d win the glory for the Mathurs by defeating Badi Mami. Who knew Badi Mami would instantly go ‘Lo Chali Main’ on all of them? 

Anjali and Aman looked at their son who had vocalised half of his thoughts out loud. Aarav stared at Maan in incredulity, his chappal ready in his hand, Buaji started muttering her ‘Hai Re Nandkisores’. 

“MAAN MATHUR-”

“-has grown so much, haina?” Khushi grabbed Arnav’s arm, saving her nephew from danger. Maan ran and hid behind Anjali, knowing only his mother could save him. Aman twisted his ear as Maan whispered hushed sorries to everyone.  

“Seriously Khushi?” Arnav sighed in frustration. Couldn’t she see how dangerous this could’ve been? 

“Arnav-ji, we’ve all learned our lesson. Sacchi. Now please don’t be upset. It’s Holi!” She perked up.

“Toh kya main nachu? (So should I dance?)” Arnav glared. His nose flared as Khushi actually thought for a moment. 

“You should Arnav-ji! And in your bhang-wala style. Bachcha party, the only reason Laad-” Khushi coughed, “Arnav-ji doesn’t dance in public in Holi because it introduces his 90s Bollywood B-grade hero avatar.”

Khushi shrugged her shoulders and did pelvic thrusts. 

“What?” Arnav grimaced as the whole family burst into laughter. 

“Poora boliye na! What the!” Khushi grinned and winked at him, raising her arms in the air and moving her shoulders left to right. Arnav couldn’t resist forming a small smile at her awkward dancing. Looks like his talents were limited to couple dancing.

Khushi stopped as Arnav heaved an affectionate sigh and shook his head. 

“Buaji, your niece is truly Sanka Devi.” Arnav commented.

“Haan Nandkisore!” Buaji smiled, more in relief that her dearest but short tempered damad-ji had relaxed. The family dispersed and Maan gingerly approached the couple to receive a slight ear twisting a whole lot of forgiveness from his aunt and uncle. 

“So have I successfully cajoled you Arnav-ji?” Khushi asked, walking up the stairs, hand firmly locked in his.

“Why are you asking?” Arnav asked, taking each step carefully. 

“Then we can play Holi together!” Khushi jumped, excited at the prospect of chasing him through the fields - or better, him chasing her through the grounds. As Mama-ji had once commented, Arnav had started an opposite tradition where men literally ran behind his wives. 

“Stop jumping,” Only Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada could think of jumping on stairs right after being saved from a bad fall, “and Khushi, we have celebrated Holi together.” Arnav reminded her.

“Haan we have but this is our tenth year. I promise we won’t do anything you don’t like. But I’d like to dance with you in front of the whole wide world.” Khushi proclaimed.

“Khushi, our parties have only selected invitees. So it won’t be the whole wide world. Also after the demo I’ve seen, I’ve sworn off dancing. I have no wish to be a 90s B-grade hero.” Arnav visibly shivered from the memory of the pelvic thrusts. 

“B grade hi sahi, you’re my hero.” Khushi whispered, giving him a small peck on the cheek.

“Don’t try seducing me into this.” Arnav warned. 

“Why? Is it working?” Khushi trailed a hand up his chest. Arnav caught it, his eyes darkening with desire.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish Mrs. Raizada.” Arnav nipped on her earlobe. Khushi giggled, looking around for their family. Fortunately everyone was out. 

“On the contrary Mr. Raizada, I’m known for finishing off rather well.” Khushi winked. Arnav’s eyes turned wide, 

“Have you already had bhang Khushi?” Arnav chuckled. 

“No, but I want to - with you if you're okay with it. Do you know how adorable you become? I still remember everything you told me ten years ago.” Khushi sighed, a soft smile playing on her lips. Arnav grew quiet, watching her face intently.

“You know, when I had asked-” Khushi started,

“Why does your heart beat fast when you’re near me? Why couldn’t you forget these feelings despite trying so hard to forget them? That you tried to understand why it happened but you couldn’t?” Khushi stopped short, staring at him in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to remember, word to word. 

Arnav drew her closer, resting her palms on his chest. 

“And I told you that when we come close, then it’s not just your heart that’s beating fast. Mine beats just as fast too. Humari dhadkane-”

“-ek ho jaati hai.” A single tear of happiness rolled down Khushi’s eyes. Arnav frowned, brushing the stray tear with the pad of his thumb. Khushi sniffled and smiled, touched by his memory. 

“Arnav, I…” Khushi sighed, she couldn’t find the right words to express the happiness she felt every time he reminded her that even in the worst days love had prevailed. 

Despite not being one for regrets, Khushi found herself revisiting the moments but upon recounting what she thought was a forgotten memory, a wound she didn’t even remember closed. 

“I understand,” Arnav whispered, brushing his nose against hers. In his ten years of marriage there were only a few moments when he was surprised that Khushi was with him. The past, although peacefully asleep, would bother them once in a bluemoon. 

He never doubted their love, not even for a second, but when Aarav would ask poignant moments about his parents’ lives - like why was there a double wedding? Or watch Aman and Anjali have a fuss free fairytale wedding, Arnav would look at Khushi’s happy eyes and wonder, how did it all work out?

Khushi looped an arm around his neck, closed her eyes and caressed his cheek. She could feel his dimple under her fingertips. She loved feeling his smile rather than seeing it.

“Alright then,” Arnav broke the hug, “to commemorate our ten years of Holi I’ll celebrate, drink and dance publicly.” Khushi jumped in the air and grabbed his wrist, “COME ON ARNAV-JI I HAVE TO GET YOUR SHIRT AND JEANS-”

“Khushi!” For a small woman her enthusiasm brought strange strength as she dragged him to their room and opened the door. 

A big bucket of water turned and splashed water on them.

“HAPPY HOLI KHUSHI-N-Nan-Nannav?” NK paled seeing who received his surprise. The Raizadas and Guptas quickly assembled and found NK hiding behind Lavanya.

“Arnav-ji,” Arnav snapped out of his shock and caught a reflection of him and Khushi in the mirror. They were soaked to the toe in green. 

“This colour suits you too.” Khushi completed.

The Raizadas and Guptas nearly closed their ears but heard Arnav laugh. A carefree, loud laughter. 

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