ArHi OS ~ The (Navratri) Dilemma

24 days ago

HeavenlyBliss

@heavenlybliss

“Lights, camera…and action!”

“Put that camera down Arnav ji, I am not posing anymore! This is the eleventh dress which I have tried!”

“I don’t care, Khushi. I want my wife to look perfect tonight!”

It was our first Navratri after marriage, and our friends had invited us to their farmhouse. Undoubtedly, Arnav ji wanted me to look the best, hence I was standing in this clothing store for the last two hours, trying on every dress that Arnav ji got his hands on.

“Ah! Perfect! This is what you will wear tonight!”

“Arnav ji, look at the price tag!”

“That’s no problem, Khushi! I can spend a fortune on you!”

So it was decided. I will be wearing a black-coloured Eastern dress tonight.

“So, are you ready to play garba tonight?” I teased him as we got into the car, knowing very well what his answer would be

“No way! I told you - I have never played garba or dandiya in my life!”

I giggled. “Well, there’s always a first time, Arnav ji.”

Before Arnav ji could say something, his phone started ringing. It was our Aunt, Manorama. She informed us that they were having a Durga Puja tonight and all our family members were heading to the Pandal.

“What should we do now?” I thought aloud as soon as he ended the call. “The event is tonight too.”

“I know,” he said. “But if we go to the event, our family will feel bad.”

“And if we don’t go, our friends will feel bad. They have been planning this for a week.”

“Hmm. Exactly. What should we do then?” He looked at me. I looked at him.

“I think we should just attend the Durga Puja,” I decided.

“Nope, we’re going to the farmhouse, and you’re wearing this dress I just bought you.”

“Arnav ji, you just have a habit of arguing with every decision I make. We’re going to the Pandal!”

“Farmhouse.”

“Pandal,” I argued.

“Okay, let’s flip a coin! Heads means we go to the farmhouse, and tails means we go to the Pandal. Deal?”

“Done,” I said, crossing my arms, waiting for him to toss the coin in his hand. He was about to toss the coin when he suddenly changed his mind, and started driving towards our home saying “I have a better idea!” I didn’t miss the tiny, mischievous smirk that crept on his face.

“What are you planning? Tell me!”

“We are neither going to the farmhouse, nor the Puja.”

“Why?”

“Khushi, when was the last time we got to spend some private time together at home?”

I started counting on my fingers. “One…two months…no, six months ago? I think it was a few days after our marriage when everyone went out to party and decided to give us some privacy as a newly married couple?”

“Exactly. Look Khushi, we still have three days of Navratri left. We can go for Durga Puja or to meet our friends or even play garba on any day - but we won’t get this chance again to be at home alone.”

I gawked at him. “But what will you tell the others when they ask?”

“Don’t worry about that,” he winked at me.

“Fine. I don’t mind returning this dress. It was too expensive anyway,” I teased as he pouted at me.

“No way. I just said we have three days of Navratri left. You will be wearing it when we go to play garba.”

As we reached home, my phone began to vibrate. “It’s Bua ji! What should I say to her?”

Arnav took the phone from my hand and put it on speaker. “When are you leaving, beta?” We heard from the other end.

“Namaste, Bua ji. It’s me, Arnav. Actually…We won’t be able to make it.”

“What, why?”

“Khushi has a stomach bug. And a headache. Don’t worry, I will take good care of her and make sure she rests properly.”

Arnav ji looked over at me as my mouth fell open. “Liar!” I punched his arm as soon as the call ended.

“How about we go inside and you teach me how to play dandiya, so I can impress your friends tomorrow?” He walked inside the house, laughing, as I stomped behind him.

“You’re incorrigible!” I muttered.