Chapter 7

1 months ago

manjiri

@m4manju

First published on 23/May/22

"You all must be thinking why I invited you like this suddenly." Shashi Gupta addressed the gathered crowd of Raizadas in their small living room. Arnav and mamaji were sitting on the sofa chairs while Devyani Nani, Mamiji, and Anjali were on the sofa. Payal quickly pulled a dining table chair for Akash to sit, as they had limited seating arrangements. Khushi got tea and snacks, while Garima and buaji were standing at a distance so as to keep Shashi's words of not coming near Khushi as their punishment.

Khushi looked from her father to her husband, and she noticed the way Arnav was visibly anxious looking at her babuji. She had no idea what Shashi wanted to say, but she felt this was going another milestone of her and Arnav's (love)story!

"Baat ye hain ki hamare mann mein kai sawal uth rahe hain (I have many questions in my mind). Especially the way Arnavji and my daughter Khushi got married. It is still hard to believe for me and I keep thinking if they are right for each other." Shashi addressed them as they had their teacups and had taken a few sips. His words immediately resulted in most of the Raizada's teacups halted near their lips.

"It's not that mr.Gupta--er sir, Khushi is perfect for me." Arnav quickly rushed to justify Khushi was indeed perfect for him.

Shashi laughed a little, "Arnavji, I know my beti is laakhon mein ek(one in millions), that she will be a good life partner. Par aapka kya (what about you)?" Arnav looked flustered at that. Now that he thought of it, how silly it sounded to assume it was only meant for Khushi.

"Babuji-" Khushi tried to intervene, getting an inkling what her babuji wanted to say. She was already dealing with the changed dynamics between her and Arnav. So, she did not want her babuji to meddle between them. But he just gestured her to let him speak and she paused.

"Dekhiye Devyani ji, please don't misunderstand me, but I am speaking as a father of a daughter. I love both my daughters and I have always tried to ensure they were safe, wherever they were. Especially when it came to their marriages...After what happened with shyam-how I couldn't do a lot, I have become even more worried. For payal, we at least got to know Akash bitua for some time, as our daughter's future husband. Even if I was not able to speak then, I could still understand. And I had no doubt he and Payal were right for each other...par... Arnav bitua ko janane ka mauka hi nahi mila...(but I never got a chance to really know Arnav)." Shashi initiated the talk and had everyone's attention to him.

While Devyani Raizada agreed with his concerns, she was not sure what exactly he hinted at. Arnav and Khushi were already married now, so what can be done? How will he judge him in retrospect?

"I have one suggestion, but if you all agree and especially if Arnav bitua agrees." Shashi said looking at Arnav. "Hum maante hain ke ye iss samaj ki reet hain, ki shaadi ke baad ladki sasural rehne jati hain, waha ke taur tareeko ke hisab se apne aap ko dhalti hain. Khushi bhi wahi karegi. Aapki tarah ka aur aapke pasand ka khana, aap ke jaisa rehen-sehen aur baki cheezon mein apne aap ko badlegi. (I know that it is a society norm that a girl goes to live with her in-laws after marriage, changes herself as per their ways. Khushi will do it too, she will learn to eat the kind of food you all like, the way you all live.)" he paused a minute before continuing,

"So, my proposal is, Arnav comes to live with us, for 2 weeks. It's a simple thing to do honestly, he has to live with us, like one of us, a middle-class life, eat the stuff we eat, travel the way we do. You all might think this seems unreasonable, but for me since my daughter will be coming to live with you, blending in your lifestyle for rest of her life, essentially giving in the way she has lived until now, I only want to see if her partner can do it for a few days. If Khushi is crossing an ocean to be with Arnav, can he do the same too? Can he live the life of his wife for a few days? Then I will agree they are a perfect match." Shashi completed his speech, waiting for some reactions. Everyone's face showed surprise, wonder and fear in different amounts. But no one was saying anything.

And finally, Manorama was first one to comment "hamar arnav bitwa is haarword (Harvard) student, he can pass any exam you take." mamiji boasted

"Very well then. So, Arnav beta, are you ready to prove you're indeed right life partner for my daughter?" Shashi asked directly to Arnav this time and Khushi held her breath. She knew he wouldn't be able to do this. Laad governor and living in Lakshmi nagar? Impossible!

"Sure Sir, I am ready." Arnav replied after a brief pause. To be honest he was not really sure he could do this, but he knew he had to do this. Their marriage was done in haste for whatever reasons and her family had a right to get to know him. On the other hand, he still didn't utter 'babuji' for him, neither did Shashi correct him.

Khushi had mixed emotions about this. She was overwhelmed with love for her babuji who always proved how much of a caring father he was and on the other hand, she was surprised Arnav was agreeing to it. She knew it would be difficult for him. And finally, she did not want to stay in the same house as her amma and buaji, but remembering what her father had said, she kept quiet.

With that, rest of the Raizadas left leaving Arnav behind with mamiji commenting, "e toh aisa laagat hain hum arnav bitwa ki bidaai kar rahe hai (it feels as if we sent Arnav away after his marriage)." and they all faintly heard his famous cursing, "what the f-?"

--*--

In the modern calendar, our timelines are measured by labelling years with B.C. (before Christ) or A.D. (anno domini), where entire humanity's history is divided by one event!

The same way Arnav-Khushi's love story's timeline was defined by that one night on the terrace when Arnav had proposed twice and when they had eloped! In timeline's analogy, B.T.N. (before terrace night) and A.T.N.(after terrace night)! And currently living in A.T.N. day 11, they both could only feel that their love story had been drastically changed pre-terrace night and post that. If they were still living in B.T.N era, they would be still in their lovey-dovey phase, Arnav would still be trying to find excuses to meet her, perhaps it would have been Arnav who had talked to Khushi first, perhaps Arnav would have proposed her properly that day instead of an elopement marriage...but then it was in the past now. A lot of water had flown under the bridge, gone was the comfort level they had achieved, gone was the playfulness he had managed to bring out of himself and gone were the shy glances Khushi would throw in his direction. Now her eyes had apprehension in them, as if she still feared he would flip any moment and go back to being a rakshas!

Arnav was determined though, to do whatever it took to win her this time.

.

.

But as the night fell on them, Arnav started realizing just how difficult the task at hands was. To begin with, there was no air conditioner in the bedroom they were staying. It was Khushi's old room and since they were a happily married couple in her family's eyes, they were given the same room.

On the other hand, Khushi had waited for Arnav to make some fuss about sleeping arrangements but he was busy working on his laptop, not saying anything. And soon, the comfort of her old room, her old bed made Khushi drift off to sleep.

He finally closed the lap of his computer, and decided to catch some sleep. Her bed was very small compared to the king size bed in his bedroom in Shantivan, which gave them enough room to sleep away from each other even after sharing the bed. But this bed barely left a room for him to stretch. He kept turning and twisting, and finally sat up. How did Khushi sleep here?

But then he looked at her, her even breathing and her face showing serenity. He smiled looking at the innocence that was Khushi. The sight pulled him to lie down and lulled him to sleep.

--*--

After a restless night, next morning, Arnav found new challenges in front of him. First, the feeling of waking up in a different room, and in his sasural hit him anew. Khushi had already left the room, so he guessed he could get freshened up too. And to begin with, the bathroom was so small that it was difficult to fit in, as compared to his luxurious one which literally could accommodate her entire bedroom! And then, there was no shower or bathtub. They used bucket and plastic mugs to take bath. How did people bathe like that? He did not know.

He somehow managed to finish his bath. And as he was wearing his clothes, he called Mohan out of habit, to pick him up. He had a meeting to attend at 9 am sharp.

.

.

When he came in the dining area, Khushi was arranging the table while her babuji was already sitting there sipping his tea. Khushi was halfway sure that Arnav would want to go back to Shantivan now.

"Shubh prabhat bitwa (good morning, son), come, sit and have breakfast. Garam-garam(hot) paratha and dahi." Shashi said pointing at the containers. It was obvious there was no toast butter here!

As Khushi had predicted, he was wondering how to skip this part of the deal. And when Khushi got his black coffee and told him the breakfast was made taking care of his diabetic food restrictions he realized, she had guessed his thoughts. No! He would prove that he could do this. How bad would this be anyway? With that, he took a seat, took one morsel of the hot paratha, dipped it in curd and had it. To his surprise, he found himself liking it!

Shashi who was watching him from the corner of his eyes, smiled. That was the first test Shashi wanted him to pass, accept her culture, including food!

.

.

Just as Arnav finished his breakfast, he heard his car's horn, indicating Mohan had arrived.

But by the time he reached the door, Shashi was sending Mohan away.

"Looks like Mohanji got here by mistake bitwa. We don't travel in cars, we use rikshaw, taxi or train. You will get something nearby hmm?" saying so, patting his shoulder, Shashi went in leaving a flabbergasted Arnav behind.

What. The. F? Arnav couldn't imagine how could one travel without their own car?

--*--

Probably luck was finally on his side this morning as he spotted a taxi just in front of their door. He rushed to it, instructed the driver the location of AR and opened passenger side door to get in. But before he could sit, the driver stopped him.

"Sahab, chutta toh hai na (you have change, right)?" the taxi driver asked, and Arnav checked his wallet which only had credit cards and a few 2000 Rs. notes which he showed to the driver.

"Kyun garib ka mazak kar rahe ho sahab (why are you mocking a poor man, sir)? 2000 Rs. is my daily income, and right now it's only morning. If you want to go, please have change in cash or else please find another cab." the driver told, clearly not minding losing his business!

Little did Arnav know, Khushi was standing nearby the whole time and understood his predicament. She didn't want his work to suffer because of her or her babuji and she had decided to help him, this one time. Maybe by evening, he would already decide to go back to Shantivan?

"Arnavji wait here, hum abhi aaye." he heard Khushi as she dashed in. Arnav wanted to stop her and tell her he will let the taxi driver keep the change. 2000 bucks wasn't a big deal for him. but as he followed her to her room, he stood dumbstruck to see her look at her gullak(piggybank) longingly and before he could stop her, she broke it to take out the cash.

Even if Arnav Singh Raizada never had the joy of having a piggybank, he understood the significance of it. She had probably collected money there over the years and had plans of what to do when it was full. And now she had broken it. Just like that! He heard her sigh and then count the notes. Then she turned and spotted him at the door,

"Ye lijiye, 300 Rs. hain, thode kam hai par- (Take this. It's 300 Rs., they are not much but)-" she said handing him all the notes she had gathered in there. And she was handing it all to him. HIM! Who had accused her time and again that she was a gold digger, that she wanted his money. And look who was taking money from whom today?

Shashi had seen this exchange, and this was the second lesson he wanted Arnav to learn, not to judge a person based on their wealth!

These notes seemed more precious than his entire bank balance, she was way richer than him in kindness and compassion. Arnav wanted to tell her something on those lines, but he could only whisper, "Thanks Khushi." and left for his meeting.

One lesson at a time.

--*--

Precap - It was the second day and Arnav was taking bath when water supply went off. "This is it. I can't do this." he slammed the door.

--*--

A/N – Do you guys like Arnav's redemption so far? the scene from the show when khushi broke her piggybank (and pawned her bangles) to take the cash always makes me sad. And Arnav never acknowledged it. So, a spin here. Thought to make our Arnavji realize that :) Also, I always feel that in a marriage, a girl gets short end of the deal that she has to leave her lifestyle to adjust in her husband's house, she leaves her house she grew up in, her family, her way of living, even her surname most cases. So, I think its only fair if for a change a man tries to live the life of his wife too, even for a few days! Let me know if you liked it so far :) Two/three more chapters to go.

p.s. 'Arnav living a middle class life' was supposed to be a theme of my SS in 'bikhre moti' but it was probably meant for here first :D

p.p.s. the only incentive I get is your votes and reviews so pls keep that coming, and thanks who already do.