PART 9. PLAN No. 8. JEALOUS GIRL PLAN!

(A). KHUSHI TURNS GREEN!

"Pata hai Arushi? Sabko lagta hai ki humein tumhaare papa se pyar Shaadi ke baad hua tha! Lekin sach toh yeh hai ki hum unse pyaar usse pehle kar baithe! Dil mein hulchul toh kabse thi lekin uss hulchul ka humein pata chala humaare real waale birthday party mein! Aur phir kuch mahine baad jab Arnavji ek trip se vaapis aaye aur humne unko unko kamre mein dekha toh humein jo mehsoos hua ...", Khushi trailed off and looked at her kid, "Nahi! Yeh saare details hum tumhein nahi bataayenge! Bachchon ko yeh sab nahi sunna chaahiye! Chi! Chi!", she shook her head with a scandalized expression on her face while Arushi giggled.

After listening to the story of Khushi's real birthday's party in the club, Arushi had fallen asleep. Khushi, taking her chance, had gone to finish some household chores. Arnav had been about to reveal himself and inform Khushi that he had come home when he had gotten a call from his office and soon he was on his way to his office.

By the time the problem got solved and Arnav had come home, Arushi had become awake again and Khushi seemed to be narrating another story to her. Arnav decided that hiding behind the door was once again a better option.

"In short, Miss. Arushi Raizada, I was a gone case when it came to your papa! Lekin yeh baat humein ehsaas dilaayega kaun? Who was going to inform me ki Arnavji ke liye humaare dil mein kuch kuch hota hai?" Khushi huffed and looked at Arushi, "Lekin Devi Maiyya ne na sab kuch sochke rakha tha! Pata hai kaise?"

Arushi frowned as if trying to guess what Devi Maiyya did. Khushi smiled at her, "Unhonein ek kabaab mein haddi ko bhej di!"

Three years earlier...

Khushi hid behind the pillar and then looked out from her hiding place. Her eyes were trained on Arnav who was getting down the stairs. The moment his eyes shifted towards where she was standing, she pulled back concealing herself fully behind the pillar. She only came out when Arnav walked out of the living hall and into the garden.

Khushi heaved a sigh of relief. It was almost seven months since she had seen Arnav shirtless in his room. From that time her symptoms only increased. When at one time there was butterflies in her stomach when she was face to face with Arnav, now there was stammering in her words when facing him. If his touch earlier made her shiver, now it gave her all kinds of thoughts best left to A rated films. And that is why Khushi did everything to avoid Arnav. If Arnav noticed her deliberate avoidance, then he did not indicate it in any way. Khushi did not understand what she was feeling and preferred to think of it as something that would pass away soon. Till then, avoiding Arnav was her only mantra.

Khushi, relieved that she avoided Arnav, walked towards her room, when she heard someone call her from behind. She turned around in curiosity and then her eyes widened. It was her school friend from Lucknow. Her friend had shifted to Mumbai after they had finished school and they had gotten out of touch. Recently through facebook Khushi had come in contact with her friend only to get the news that her said friend was coming to Dilli for her office work. Once her friend had arrived in Dilli, they had met many times for coffee and gup shup.

"Lavanya! Tum yahaan?", Khushi exclaimed and came to meet her friend half way. Khushi had yet to invite Lavanya to her house and was planning to introduce Lavanya to her family next weekend. The girls hugged and Lavanya replied, "Arre! I have been urgently called back to Mumbai yaar! Waapis aane ko time lagega! So I decided to meet you before leaving. Shaam ka flight hai!"

Khushi frowned, "Shaam ka?", she huffed in annoyance, "Its too soon! Abhi kuch dino pehle toh tum aayi ho!"

Lavanya pouted, "Arre meri Chamkili! Even I am disappointed but main kya karun? Its my job! I can't say no na! That's why I am here! I am going to spend the whole day with you and then catch the flight right from here! Dekho main toh suitcase bhi saath le aayi hoon! Taaki yahaan se direct airport jaa sakun!" She pointed behind her and Khushi leaned and noticed Lavanya's suitcase. She straightened up and smiled at Lavanya, "Yeh toh tum ne ek dum badhiya kaam kiya! Chalo! Hum tumhein baaki ghar waalon se milaate hain! Waise tum waapis kab aaogi? Pata hai humein tumhein na poori Dilli ghumaani hai...", Khushi continued to talk as she dragged Lavanya to Naaniji's room.

After visiting Naaniji, Khushi had taken Lavanya upstairs to meet first Anjali in her room and then Aakash and Paayal in their room. Just as they came out of Aakash and Paayal's room, Arnav entered the hall. As it was Sunday, Arnav was home and exercising in the lawn for a while. Now it seemed that he had taken his break and had just entered the house.

Khushi and Lavanya were walking towards the stairs on the first floor when suddenly Lavanya grasped Khushi's hand tightly. Khushi frowned as she turned to look at Lavanya. Her frown turned into puzzlement when she noticed Lavanya's expression which had morphed into excitement. Yeh kyun excite ho rahi hai?

"Dreamy!", Lavanya whispered and Khushi blinked twice. Ab ise kya hogaya hai?

Suddenly Lavanya started hyperventilating, "OMG! OMG! OMG! I can't believe my eyes!"

What? Khushi looked around confusedly. Aisa kya hogaya jo yeh Lavanya paagal hogayi?

Suddenly, Lavanya turned towards Khushi and grinned widely, "Kya tum woh dekh rahi ho jo main dekh rahi hun?"

"Kya?", Khushi looked at Lavanya as if she was an alien.

Lavanya huffed and then grinned again, "ASR! Arnav Singh Raizada!"

As usual, hearing Arnav's name, Khushi's heart fluttered in excitement. But she quelled it and adopted a look of nonchalance, "Haan! Woh yahin rehte hain! Humaae Jeejaji ke bade bhai hain!"

"Sachchi?", Lavanya squealed and Khushi winced at the volume.

Suddenly, Lavanya grasped Khushi's hands into hers and looked at her with nervousness.

"Khushi! Mere sawaalon ka sachchi sachchi jawaab dena! Don't lie to me ok?"

Khushi was surprised at the seriousness in Lavanya's voice and nodded solemnly.

Lavanya took a deep breath and uttered, "Is ASR married?"

"Kya?", Khushi was in shock. Iss sawaal ke liye yeh itna serious ho rahi hain? Paagal ladki!

"No! He is not married!", Khushi replied.

Lavanya nodded and took another deep breath, "Girlfriend? Fiance?"

Khushi frowned, "Nahi! Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai!"

"Ok!", Lavanya looked away in thought and then after few seconds she turned back, "Aur tum?"

"Hum kya?", Khushi shrugged.

"Tum toh ASR ko like nahi karti right?", Lavanya queried and Khushi shook her head vigorously, "Hum? Aur Arnavji ko pasand?", Khushi stomach somersaulted but she ignored it, "Nahi nahi! Aisa kuch nahi hai!"

"Soch lo?", Lavanya asked and Khushi folded her arms against her chest while huffing, "Soch liya! I don't like ASR!"

"Thank God!" Lavanya retorted excitedly, "Phir toh mera line clear hai!"

Khushi was beyond confused now, "Matlab?"

Lavanya smiled as she explained, "Arre! Kya bataaun yaar! Kuch saath aath mahine pehle ASR Mumbai aaya tha! He was there for a conference! The same conference I was in!"

Khushi nodded. Yes! She remembered that time. She had missed him so much in those days. Her heart jumped into her throat as she remembered that just as he came back from that trip she had gone running to meet him only to see him shirtless. Hey Devi Maiyya!

Lavanya continued, "Maine ek nazar use dekha aur deewani hogayi! Haaye! Kitna dreamy tha woh! He looked like a prince out of fairytale! But..."

Khushi was surprised to sense uneasiness in her mind at this tale. She wanted to know what happened next, "But?"

Lavanya pouted, "But baat karne ko time hi nahi mila! I could not even introduce myself! Phir conference khatam hua aur uske baad maine use dekha hi nahi!"

Khushi was shocked to feel relief coursing through her. Why am I feeling so relieved?

"Lekin aaj!", Lavanya's words pulled Khushi out of her thoughts, "Lekin aaj main ASR se baat karke rahungi! Kya pata mere kismat khul jaaye aur main tumhaari Didi ki Jethani banu! Mr Dreamy! Here I come!"

Khushi's eyes widened in shock as Lavanya winked at her and bounced towards the stairs intent on meeting Arnav. Arnav was by now, sitting in the living room, with his eyes closed and head thrown back, clearly relaxing.

Khushi tried to stop Lavanya but Lavanya was already getting down the stairs. Khushi bit her lip in worry and then sighed in sadness. Bechari Lavanya! Ise kya pata ki iska Dreamy ek number ka Akdu insaan hai! Poor Lavanya! Arnavji toh ise kachcha chaba jaayenge! She fidgeted in worry about her oldest friend but her worry turned into shock as Arnav opened his eyes and smiled when Lavanya introduced herself. He got up from the seat and shook her hand. And then Lavanya said something and Arnav laughed. And that also outloud! Hey Devi Maiyya! Khushi's jaw dropped open in shock and all she could do was stare in shock as Arnav and Lavanya continued to converse.

Khushi stomped downstairs and towards Arnav and Lavanya in annoyance. She told herself that she was only annoyed because Arnav never behaved in such a manner with her. He was always fighting with her aur Lavanya ke saath itne sweetly baat kar rahe hain? Uff! She neared the couple and grabbed Lavanya's hand.

"Chalo Lavanya! Hum tumhein na apna kamra dikhaate hain!", Khushi muttered as she turned around to walk away. Lavanya pulled away from her and Khushi turned back in confusion.

"Arre wait Chamkili! I want to talk to Arnav! Aur waise bhi tumhaare kamre mein kya rakha hai? Nothing interesting! Atleast nothing as interesting as Arnav! So Arnav, what were you saying?", Lavanya turn to look at Arnav.

Arnav smiled, "I am saying I liked your lecture! Green economy pe jo tumne lecture diya tha that was impressive!"

To Khushi horror, Lavanya twirled her finger with a strand of her hair as she smiled coyly while fluttering her eyes, "Really?"

Arnav nodded, "Yes! Infact, if you ever want a job change, I have a spot open at AR just for you!"

Now Khushi could not stop herself from staring at Arnav. Spot open? Itni pasand aagayi yeh Lavanya aapko?

Just when Khushi thought she had time to digest the shock of Arnav offering a job to Lavanya, Lavanya threw a googly, "You know ASR! I just a saw beautiful garden outside while coming here. Kya tum mujhe apni garden dikhaaoge?"

Khushi rolled her eyes. Ya right! Arnavji? Showing Lavanya the garden? Impossible! Yeh Akdu ko politeness aur small talk kahaan aati hai?

And that is when Arnav said something that stupefied Khushi and turned her brain blank.

"Sure! Why not!"

With her mouth open and eyes as round as saucers, Khushi watched as Arnav and Lavanya walked off into the sunset...errr... to the garden.

Khushi felt her anger boil and she gripped her dupatta so tightly that it was surprising to not see it tear into two pieces. Yeh ho kya raha hai yahaan? Humein kuch samajh nahi aa raha! Humein inka peecha karna hi padega! She took a step forward to follow Arnav and Lavanya when Naaniji called her. Khushi bit her lip and then looked in Naaniji's direction and then towards the garden. She did this for few minutes unsure about where to go when Naaniji called her again. Decision made, with a huff, she turned around and stomped off to Naaniji's room.

Khushi nodded as she listened to Naaniji half-heartedly. Kitna time hogaya hai? Yeh dono waapis aaye ki nahi? Garden mein kar kya rahe honge? She glanced at the time and bit her lip. One hour sixteen minutes 23 seconds since Lavanya and Arnav entered the garden, but then who's counting! She glanced again at the clock and amended her thoughts. One hour seventeen minutes and 34 seconds!

"Yeh baar baar aapan ghadi ko ka dekhat rahe hain bitiya?", Naaniji's words brought Khushi back into the normal world and she grinned uneasily at Naaniji wondering what she was supposed to say! That she was counting the time till Naaniji's pota and his future wife came back from their romantic walk from garden? She blinked at her thoughts. Chi! Sochke bhi kitna ajeeb lagta hai! Lavanya as Arnavji's wife? Ya right! Par hum kyun aise react kar rahe hain? Arnavji kisse bhi shaadi karein humein kya!

Naaniji frowned. Yeh Khushi bitiya ko kya hogaya hai? Phir se khayaalon ma kho gayi? But before Naaniji could ask Khushi about what she was thinking, a servant entered the room informing them of lunch being served.

That is when it struck Naaniji that Lavanya was nowhere to be seen. Wasn't she going to have lunch with them? Then where is she now? If she was having lunch with them, she should have been with Khushi right? Naaniji posed her questions to Khushi who replied, "Woh garden mein hai!" Naaniji blinked in confusion, "Woh garden mein kya kar rahi hai?" Khushi narrowed her eyes as she remembered how friendly Arnav and Lavanya were in the morning and retorted, "Aapke laadle pote ki nazar utaar rahi hai!" Saying her piece, Khushi stormed out of the room leaving behind a confused Naani. Nazar utaar rahi hai? Par kaahe?

"Oh yes! I loved Dilli! Dilli is very fascinating!", Lavanya replied to Aakash's question. Everyone was seated around the dining table with Naaniji seated at the head of the table with Paayal, Aakash, Khushi and Anjali on her right side and Arnav and Lavanya on her left. Unfortunately this left Khushi with a full view of Arnav and Lavanya flirting with each other. Already Khushi had heard Paayal commenting to Aakash about how cute the Jodi was. Khushi's hand was now clenched around her spoon so tightly that it would not be a surprise if the spoon broke into two pieces in next few minutes.

"Arre Khushi! Why aren't you eating?", Lavanya asked Khushi.

Khushi smiled widely, "Kuch nahi!" Her smile fell off and bowing her head she concentrated on her eating determined to ignore the flirting in front of her.

"Waise will you come back to Dilli?", Paayal asked and Lavanya replied, "Haan! Agar koi wajah ho toh jaroor aaungi!" Her voice seemed very sultry to Khushi and she could not resist from lifting her head up only to see Lavanya looking at Arnav coyly. Khushi's eyes widened and she turned to look at Arnav only to see Arnav look at Lavanya with tender look in his eyes. Hey Devi Maiyya! Yeh kya ho raha hai yahaan!

"Waise ASR! Tum Mumbai aaoge na mujhse milne kabhi? I really like spending time with you!", Lavanya spoke in a very low sexy voice. Sexy my foot! Khushi fumed inside. Kaisi ladki hai yeh! Kitni besharam! Sabke saamne Arnavji ke saath flirt kar rahi hai! Chi chi! Arre! Pehle pata hota ki yeh ladki aisi hai toh aisi ladki se dosti hi nahi karte! Aur ghar pe toh galti se bhi nahi bulaate!

Arnav nodded to Lavanya's answer and Lavanya turned back to eating.

Paayal whispered to Khushi, "Thank you Khushi! Lavanya ko yahaan laane ke liye! Tumhaare wajah se humein bahut jald ek jethani milegi! Dekho kitne cute hai dono!"

Khushi stabbed her food in annoyance. Yahaan laane ke liye? Hum kahaan ise yahaan le aaye? Yeh toh khud yahaan aake dhamak padi aur hum sabke gale pad gayi! Aur Arnavji ko toh apne jaal mein aise phasaaya ki Arnavji ne aaj ek baar bhi humaari taraf nahi dekha! Khushi felt like crying. She sent a glare towards Lavanya who was still focused on Arnav. Haan haan! Daal lo dore Arnavji pe! Chudail kahin ki! She did not understand why she felt so much hatred towards Lavanya, her oldest friend and frankly speaking she did not give a damn! As of now all she wanted was for this evening to end, and to Lavanya to go away, back to her home, away from her Arnav. WAIT! Her Arnav? Khushi blinked in surprise and then ignoring her thoughts focused on her food.

Soon the lunch was over with Arnav and Lavanya still flirting with each other, Naaniji, Paayal, Aakash and Anjali smiling with obvious affection at what they perceived were the future Mr. and Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi mentally thinking up ways of killing Lavanya for trying to seduce Arnav.

After lunch, Aakash, Paayal, Anjali and Naaniji went their ways, while Arnav, Khushi and Lavanya stood in the living room. Khushi stood watching as Lavanya asked Arnav to show her his Office. Arnav acquiesced and before Khushi knew it both had walked out of the house with Lavanya explaining her new project excitedly. Gaye? Phir se? She looked up with annoyed expression. Not fair Devi Maiyya! Not fair! Aapne humaare Arnavji ko uss chudail ke saath bhej diya! Not fair! This time Khushi did not even notice that she had called Arnav as hers. She sniffed and stormed off to wallow in her own room.

Lavanya and Arnav came back three hours later when it was time for Lavanya to leave. Everyone had lined up near the doorways to see off Lavanya. Naaniji gave her blessings and asked her to keep visiting. Anjali fondly told her that meeting her felt like meeting a long lost friend. Paayal had hugged her and asked her to call her back once she reaches Mumbai and Aakash had shook her hand and informed her that next time she came to Dilli she had to stay at Shantivan. Kya? Yahaan? Khushi fumed. Haan haan! Bula lo! Itne mein hi kyun ruk gaye, ise humaara room bhi dedo! Arnavji ko toh aap log de hi chuke ho!

And then the time came for Lavanya and Khushi to say goodbyes. Lavanya smiled widely, "Khushi! Sach kehti hoon, you have got a great family here! I wish I was a part of such a beautiful family!"

Khushi smiled back and nodded but internally she was glaring at Lavanya. Khud ki beautiful family chaahiye toh aur kahin jaake dhoondho! Yeh family humaari hai! Tumhaari nahi!

Both ladies hugged and after few more sweet words to each other, Khushi was pulled away from there by Paayal who whispered to her, "Arre! Let Jethji and Lavanya talk alone! Bechaare lovebirds alag ho rahe hain!", and soon Arnav and Lavanya were left alone at the doorway. Paayal dragged Khushi till the stairways and then went her own way. Khushi turned around, curious to know what transpired between her Arnav and that chudail only to stumble back in shock as Arnav and Lavanya hugged each other. Betrayal tore Khushi's heart as Arnav kissed Lavanya's cheek. She did not notice Lavanya going away or Arnav coming back. She only looked up when Arnav tapped on her shoulder but the moment her eyes met his, she turned around and ran off to her room.

Khushi fell on her bed and sobbed her heart out. She did not know why she was crying, why she felt betrayed by Arnav and Lavanya's closeness or why she was suddenly starting to hate Lavanya. All she knew was that her Arnav was going away from her. But why she claimed Arnav as hers or why she felt like crying more at the thought of Arnav going away from her she did not know. All she knew was that today whatever happened had changed her life and from now on her life won't go back to the way it was!

It took Khushi half hour to calm down and when her tears subsided, anger took over. Why? Why Lavanya was taking her Arnavji away? No! She won't let this happen. She will fight back. She stood up from her bed and paced her room.

"Chudai! Samajhthi kya hai apne aapko?", Khushi sniffed as her hands played with her dupatta.

"Devi Maiyya! Dekh lo! Agar phir yeh chudail humaare ghar aayi na..."

"Kisse baat kar rahi ho Khushi?", a voice came interrupting her ranting and she turned to see Arnav leaning on the doorway. She stormed up to him and glared at him, "Aapse matab? Hum diwaar se baat karein ya khidki se! Aapko kya?"

Arnav shrugged, "Nahi! Mujhe kuch nahi! I just wanted to make sure that I won't have to throw you in mental hospital! Uski naubat toh nahi aayi na?" Arnav gave her an amused look.

Khushi's jaw dropped open and then she pulled herself together, "Get out!"

Arnav blinked in surprise and straightened up just as Khushi started getting angrier, "I SAID GET OUT!"

When Arnav did not move, Khushi pushed him with all her might by placing her hands on his chest and then slammed the door right on his face. She huffed in anger and turned to walk away when Arnav knocked on the door.

"Khushi! Darwaza kholo!", Arnav hollered and Khushi turned around and glared at the door.

"Bhaad mein jaayiye! Go to hell! Jahannum mein tashreef rakhiye! Lekin humaara peecha chod deejiye!", Khushi shouted back. The knocking on the door stopped right away and Khushi heard footsteps walking away. She blinked. And she blinked again.

And then Khushi opened her mouth, "Gaye? Humne ek baar bola aur yeh chale gaye? Doosri baar manaane ki koshish bhi nahi ki? Bas yahi hai humaari ehmiyat inke life mein?" Khushi face crumbled and with a sob, she dove right back on her bed and started crying again.

Present...

Khushi looked at a distance with a sad face remembering the pain she felt due to her confused emotions. Arushi's giggle broke her thoughts and she turned towards her daughter. Her gloomy demeanor vanished once her eyes took in her daughter and she smiled, "I am so thankful, Arushi, ki us ek din ke baad Lavanya waapis Dilli aa hi nahi paayi! Uske company waalon ne use America bhej diya and she has yet to come back. Suna hai wahaan kisi NRI se shaadi karli! Thank you Devi Maiyya! Lavanya ko waapis yahaan na bhejne ke liye! Warna yeh Lavanya toh humaari love story ko shuru hone se pehle hi khatam kar deti! Uff!"

Khushi was about to say something more when Naaniji called her. She smiled at Arushi, "Arushi beta! You wait right here! Hum zara Naaniji se milke aate hain!" Arnav hid into the nearby room as Khushi got out of the room. Once Khushi was far away, Arnav slinked into the room.

"Tumhaari Mummy bhi na bahut buri hai!", Arnav huffed, "Lavanya ko toh villain bana hi diya, mujhe bhi nahi baksha!". He looked at Arushi who frowned at him, "I am not that bad you know!" Arushi continued to frown at him and Arnav huffed again, "You know what! Main tumhein sachchai bataata hun! Tumne Mummy ki side suni ab Pappa ki suno! Toh hua yeh ke..."

To be continued...

PRECAP:

The same update, but from Arnav's point of view where Arnav shows a different side to the above story!

Thanks for reading, take care and have fun,

Kalpana

P.S. This update was supposed to be up on Monday last week but my wrist tendonitis sparked up and so had to wait till now to edit and update it! My wrist is still not ok but I am fed up of not writing so decided to atleast put this update up!