PART 5. PLAN No. 4. FLOP HONE WAALA PLAN!

Naaniji had seen weird things in her life but what she was seeing right now topped all of them. But then just few months ago, Arnav had done something which was as weirder as what she was seeing. A month ago, Naaniji had found Arnav lying on the floor doing something with the lamp stand. If it was anyone else seeing it instead of Naaniji, they would shrugged and walked away thinking Arnav must be repairing something. But this was Naaniji and she knew her Arnav. While most boys grow up learning how to repair things and by the time they become adults they are expert in repairing all the household items, Arnav was no such boy. He had grown up learning how to take care of AR from his Nanaji and Maamaji as everyone knew that one day Arnav and Aakash had to takeover AR from the elder generation and Arnav would teach Aakash everything he learnt. Hence, Arnav lying on the floor doing something to a lamp stand when he had servants to do it was the weirdest thing she had seen in ages.

But today what Naaniji was seeing topped even that incident. It was early in the morning; so early that even servants seemed bleary eyed and the only reason Naaniji was awake was because the water kept in her room emptied out and she decided to get some water herself. She entered the hall blinking owlishly. There were balloons all over the room from top to bottom in varied colors. Streamers drifted down from the ceiling and a big cake made out of chocolate was kept aside ready to be cut. Half asleep servants ran around arranging things as per the instructions they were given. Some were attaching balloons to the walls while some were attaching streamers to the ceiling. One was even hanging a banner of HAPPY BIRTHDAY' right in the middle of the room. A balloon filled with chocolates candies was being filled with air, ready to be hanged in the centre of the ceiling and will be poked during the party to let chocolates fall out of it. And right in the middle of the room, orchestrating the whole event was Arnav Singh Raizada! He glared at one servant, barked at another one, fumed at the mistakes of another and roared at the words of another one. He kept on giving orders as if he was a general of an army. The servants, scared of his wrath, worked like a well oiled machine.

Naaniji looked around curiously but none of her remaining family was here. Must be sleeping, she mused. But ee birthday party hai kiski? She wondered as she got closer to Arnav and tapped his shoulder.

Arnav turned around curiously and then smiled as he saw his Naani, "Naani! Tell me! How are the decorations?" He asked her with pride in his voice. Naaniji smiled as she looked around. She had to admit, her grandson had decorated the room perfectly. She noticed that he had even got the curtains and sofa covers changed.

"Bahut badhiya hai bitwa! Lekin ee sab hai kiske liye?", Naaniji asked in confusion.

Arnav smiled, "Naani! You forgot? Aaj Khushi ka birthday hai!"

Naani's eyes widened but before she could say anything, Arnav spoke up, "I know Naani, you are surprised kyunki har saal main uska birthday bhool jaata hoon aur shaam ko Aakash ke yaad dilaane ke baad koi chota mota gift khareed laata tha. But that won't happen this time! I did not forget her birthday this time. I remembered it. Aur iss baar mera gift hoga yeh birthday party. Infact, ek baar use surprise de doon phir Paayal ko kahunga ki uske saare friends ko invite karde! We will have the party here in the evening!"

Naaniji blinked as her grandson spoke excitedly about the birthday party. He spoke more in one morning than he spoke in one day usually. And that is why Naaniji did not stop him. She did not have the heart to stop him and say that... Hey Devi Maiyya! Ab sab aapke hawaale! Claiming she needed her beauty sleep, Naaniji walked away hoping that this was all a dream and when she woke up next time her Arnav would be back to normal.

Few Hours Later...

Khushi got out of her room bleary eyed. Even after taking bath, her sleep had yet to go but she continued to trek towards the main hall, as she knew that having her usual tea would wake her up perfectly. As she reached the top of the stairs, she stopped in shock. Hanging right at her eye level was a banner which read, HAPPY BIRTHDAY' with the word KHUSHI' hanging right below it. Her name was done in the colors of rainbow and was of some shiny material. She blinked twice and then turned around. She was in a dream, obviously. After taking bath, she must have felt sleepy and hence must have lied on the bed and went to sleep. What else was the explanation to the bizarre scenario she just saw right now. She shrugged and turned to walk towards her room only to be stopped by Paayal, who just came out of her bedroom with her husband to go for breakfast.

"Khushi! Kahaan chali? Naashta nahi karna kya?", Paayal questioned as Aakash looked at Khushi in confusion.

"Sapne mein kya khaana jiji?", Khushi replied making Paayal frown.

"Sapna? Yeh sapna nahi haqeeqat hai!", Paayal informed Khushi.

"Nahi! Yeh sapna hai!", Khushi told her adamantly.

"Achcha! Sapna kyun hai?", Paayal was exasperated with her sister.

Khushi smiled, "Agar sapna nahi hota Jiji, toh woh banner yahaan kya kar raha hai?", saying this she pointed to the banner making Aakash and Paayal turn and look at it.

Aakash blinked twice and then muttered, "Khushi! Tumne apna birthday change kar diya aur mujhe bataaya tak nahi? Not fair!"

Paayal and Khushi simultaneously glared at Aakash making him shut up. Khushi pinched herself and as she winced she realised that she was not dreaming. All three started getting down the stairs with Khushi in front and Aakash and Paayal following her looking around at all the decorations. What was happening here? Just as Khushi reached the last step, the servants stepped in front of her and sang in chorus.

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to Khushi Madam

Happy Birthday to You

The servants sang in a very off key manner but it still touched Khushi's heart that someone went through so much effort for her. "Thank you!", she mumbled out tearfully and smiled at them.

"Par yeh sab kiya kisne?", Paayal asked looking around curiously.

"Maine!", came a voice as Arnav came out of shadows looking very proud at his accomplishment. He knew that remembering her birth date will win him some bonus points in the eyes of Khushi and hence, he made this plan.

"Dekha Khushi! Every year I forget your birthday! Lekin iss baar maine yaad bhi rakha aur party bhi plan kardi just for you!", Arnav said as he stood in front of Khushi who smiled softly at him.

But Arnav was surprised when Paayal and Aakash chuckled in mirth. He frowned in confusion.

"Bhai! You are an unique piece!", Aakash exclaimed as he gave into laughing.

"Sachchi Jethji! Aap bhi na!", Paayal muttered while trying to hide her laugh.

Seeing Arnav confused, Aakash took pity on him and explained to him, "Bhai! Aapne date toh sahi yaad rakha lekin month mein galti kardi! Khushi ka birthday aaj hi ke din agle mahine hain!"

"What!", Arnav looked at them in shock and then looked at Khushi for confirmation.

Khushi nodded making him blink in shock. As Aakash and Paayal continued to smile and chuckle, Arnav felt anger. Why? Why did he do all this? Isse achcha tha ki main humesha ki tarah Khushi se lad padta! Atleast mujhe toh khushi milti! He was upset by the humiliation he was facing.

Naaniji, who was getting down the stairs, felt her heart pinch at the expression on her grandson's face. Atleast bitwa ne koshish toh ki! Lekin ee koi nahi dekhta!

Khushi felt bad at seeing Arnav so upset. Every year she felt disappointed that Arnav never remembered her birthday. Yes! He gave her a birthday gift but she was not a fool! She knew that it was a last minute bought gift. But this time he remembered. Maybe wrong month, but he remembered.

Arnav turned to walk away promising himself never to do anything for someone again. Too much of his pride was at stake. Suddenly, he was stopped when his hand was grasped by someone. He turned only to see Khushi smiling at him. She turned and smiled at her family.

"Chalo family! Party karte hain!", Khushi announced.

Paayal and Aakash frowned and Khushi explained, "Aaj humaara birthday nahi hai toh kya hua? Arnavji ne itni mehnat se party organize ki hai. Toh hum log atleast use enjoy toh kar sakte hain right? Chalo! Ek kaam karte hain! Humaare real birthday pe friends ke saath party karte hain! Aur aaj ki party family ke saath!"

"Are you sure?", Shyam asked from where he was standing behind Naani with his wife. Maamiji and Maamaji had also come down and now were standing by Naaniji.

"Haan! Dekhiye na! Aaj Arnavji ki wajah se humein iss saal do do birthday mile! Aur kya chaahiye humein!", Khushi replied and then turned to smile at Arnav, "Thank you Arnavji! Humein iss saal do birthday parties dene ke liye!"

Arnav smiled tenderly at her words and nodded.

Few hours later...

Arnav smiled as he got down the stairs. Khushi and Paayal were running around the room trying to smear each other's faces with cake piece. It seemed that right now it was Khushi's turn to run after Paayal with a piece a cake in her hand. Arnav had given Aakash holiday from Office to spend time with their family and enjoy the day. Arnav would have done the same but there was an important meeting that could not be postponed today so even after Anjali pleading him to stay home and have fun, he got ready and was about to get out of his home.

As Arnav smiled at the scene in front of him, Anjali sidled up to him.

"Kya baat hai Chote? Aaj kal tum birthday party bhi dene lage ho?"

Arnav looked at her in shock as his heart thudded wildly at Anjali's sudden appearance. Kahin Di pichle janam mein spy toh nahi thi? Jo har waqt kahin se bhi aa jaati hain!

"Kya matlab hai aapka Di?", Arnav frowned in confusion.

"Chote dekh lo! Itne saal hogaye tumne Aakash ya Paayal ko aise birthday parties nahi diye!", Anjali said innocently.

Arnav narrowed his eyes as he replied, "Dii! Aapko yaad nahi maine Aakash ke liye itne saalon mein kitne parties diye hain!"

Anjali frowned, "Woh toh uske bachpan mein diye the! Aaj kal mein kahaan diye?"

Arnav huffed, "Di! Aakash ko party dene ke liye Paayal aa chuki hai! Ab udhar meri jaroorat nahi! Aur waise hi Paayal ko party dene ke liye Aakash hai! Samjhi aap?"

Anjali thought for a while and then pouted, "Aur humaara kya? Humein toh aapne kabhi party nahi di!"

Arnav smiled tenderly, "Anjali! Aapki shaadi ho chuki hai..."

"Kya kahaan?", Anjali cut him off as she grabbed his ear and pinched it making him shout in pain, "Humaari shaadi ho chuki hai! Toh kya hum paraaye hogaye?"

"Di! Mera matlab woh nahi hai!", Arnav tried to justify as he winced in pain.

Anjali left his ear and huffed, while glaring at Arnav who was rubbing his ear, "Chup raho tum Chote! Humein sab pata hai! Yeh sab bahaane hain! Tumhein toh bas Khushi ko party deni thi! Sach kaho! Tumhaare dil mein uske liye kuch haina?"

Arnav looked at her in shock. How the hell did she know that? I was right! She was a spy in her last life! Deny Arnav deny! Before she gets you married to a girl who does not love you yet, deny!

"What! Di! Yeh kaisi baat kar rahi ho aap? Main aur Khushi? Kuch bhi!", Arnav retorted as he started to cross the living room to get to the main door not noticing Khushi running around nearby.

Anjali sighed as she looked at his back, "Theek hai! Tumhaari baat maan li! Lekin yeh sab tayyaariyaan karke tumne yeh toh saavit kardi ki Khushi tumhaare liye special hai!"

"What!", Arnav stopped, turned and looked at Anjali with annoyance, "Khushi mere liye koi special nahi hai! Agar hoti toh main uska birthdate yaad rakhta jaise baaki sabka yaad rakhta hoon! Maine uske birthdate ko confuse kiya iska matlab yeh hai ki she is not special to me!"

Anjali shook her head. Denial, thy name is Arnav Singh Raizada, she huffed and turned around and walked away. Arnav rolled his eyes at her antics and turned around only to come face to face with Khushi.

Arnav took a sharp breath as sadness marred her expression and tears brimmed in her eyes. There was pain in her eyes which explained that she had heard his last parting words to Anjali. He opened his mouth to explain to her but she just looked down. When she looked back up, there was not just pain in her eyes but accusation too.

Shit shit shit Arnav! What have you done! You are an idiot Arnav Singh Raizada, idiot! Before he could say a word, she turned around and ran away. Arnav took a step to go ahead when his phone beeped reminding him that there was an important meeting waiting for him at the office. He closed his eyes at his stupidity and sighing sadly he walked off. He will talk to Khushi later! Right now he had a meeting to attend!

NOTE:

This update is written from author's point of view as I wanted to show what everyone is thinking.

PRECAP:

Maaf Abhi Kardo Yaar

Maaf Karo Sarkaar

Tumko Aata Hai Ghussa

Humko Aata Hai Pyaar!

Thanks for reading, take care and have fun,

Kalpana