A Bag of Sweet Surprises - ArHi OS

2 days ago

SoSo

@So-So

Arnav Singh Raizada, was pacing in his room, brow furrowed as usual. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada, his bubbly wife, had turned Shantivan upside down. She was frantically looking for something, which, to Arnav, seemed like an item of absolutely no significance: a handbag!

"Khushi, what are you doing? This is the third time you've flipped that cushion over! It’s a cushion, not a secret handbag vault!" Arnav said, exasperated.

Khushi shot him a glance. "Arnavji, you don't understand. That bag is very important."

Arnav raised an eyebrow.

"Important? Khushi, it’s only a bag. How can a bag be important? It’s not a big deal."

She gasped dramatically, as though he had insulted her very existence.

"Arnavji! You think business deals are more important than my bag?"

"Khushi, no one needs 17 bags. You only have two shoulders." He deadpanned.

In this moment Aarav entered their room.

“Dad is right, Mom! And your bags are umm… not that stylish!”

"It’s not about need, Arnavji! And it’s not about style, Aarav! It's about emotion, about..." she trailed off, clearly realizing both were not following. "Oh, you won’t understand," she huffed and gave them both a scathing gaze.

Arnav rolled his eyes. "You're right, I won’t. But how is this particular bag different from the other 16?"

"Because" she whispered dramatically, as if revealing the secret to eternal happiness, "this bag has my emergency jalebi stash!"

There was a pin drop silence. Arnav blinked and Aarav laughed out loud.

"Mom, you’re crazy!"

"What the… Emergency... jalebi stash? Khushi, who has an emergency jalebi stash?"

"I do!" Khushi declared proudly. "What if I get hungry while we're shopping? Or at the temple? Or... at the dentist's office?"

"Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada, if you eat jalebis at the dentist..." Arnav trailed off, rubbing his temples. "Forget it! Fine, let's just find your ridiculous bag."

Khushi nodded, determined. "It’s blue with pink and has a little pom-pom."

Arnav’s eyes narrowed. "Oh, you mean the one that looks like it was attacked by a sewing machine?"

Khushi gasped. "That is artistic! And where is it?"

"Relax, I think I saw it downstairs," he muttered, heading toward the stairs. Khushi, of course, was right behind him, rambling on about how he had no sense of art.

They reached the living room, where Arnav glanced at a corner, spotted the bag, and handed it to her without a second thought. "Here it is!"

Khushi grabbed it, her eyes lighting up like Diwali had arrived early. She opened it, peered inside, and her face instantly fell.

"Arnavji!"

"What now?" he groaned.

"The jalebis! They’re gone!" she wailed, clutching the bag like it had betrayed her.

"Maybe they ran away because you eat too many?" Arnav suggested with a smirk.

"Ha-ha, very funny, Arnavji," she retorted. "No, someone’s taken them!"

"Khushi, it's probably Aarav or NK. Or worse, you forgot you ate them already."

Khushi looked scandalized. "I would never forget about jalebis! That's like saying you’d forget your laptop!"

Arnav glanced at her.

"Fine, let’s investigate. Let’s call it ‘The Great Jalebi Heist.’"

Khushi brightened. "Yes! Detective Khushi is on the case!" She darted off, leaving Arnav wondering how he got roped into this absurdity.

“Pagal!” he mumbled.

Moments later, Khushi returned with Payal and Akash in tow, who had been innocently drinking chai.

"Payal! Did you take my jalebis?"

Payal blinked in confusion. "Khushi, why would I take your jalebis?"

Khushi narrowed her eyes at her sister but then turned to Akash, who had the misfortune of laughing.

"Akashji, was it you? Did you eat them while no one was looking?"

Akash raised his hands in surrender.

"Khushiji, I swear! I didn’t eat any jalebis!"

"Khushi, please stop interrogating the family," Arnav sighed annoyed, rubbing his forehead. "The jalebis probably vanished like all the sense in this house."

But then, something caught Khushi’s eye. She noticed something orange peeking out from behind the sofa. She gasped dramatically and pounced, pulling out a crumpled, half-empty packet of jalebis.

"Arnavji!" she shouted, holding it up like a trophy. "Look! Proof!"

Arnav stared at the packet, then at Khushi.

"Proof that you hid more jalebis behind the sofa?"

Khushi smiled sheepishly. "Umm, maybe..."

"What the…?"

He stared at her, utterly baffled, before shaking his head. "Unbelievable. Buaji is absolutely right when she calls you Sanka Devi!"

Khushi grinned, grabbing his hand. "But Arnavji, you love me for it!"

Arnav sighed, defeated but with a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, it seems so." he mumbled.

As Khushi munched on her "emergency" jalebis, Arnav couldn't help but think – his life was definitely more unpredictable, chaotic, and jalebi-filled ever since she'd come into it. But he loved her for it. An idea crept in his mind.

As the evening approached. Mamiji, as always with colourful saree and perfect make-up, was busy giving instructions to the servants.

“Hello hi bye-bye, this Phatti Sari is late again! When will these Gupta sisters learn to be punctual?” Mamiji’s voice echoed through the living room as she inspected the dinner arrangements.

NK, in his usually casual style, walked in, holding a tray of desserts. "Mamiji, relax! Khushiji is already coming. I mean, Nannav has planned something special. How could she miss?"

As Khushi came down the stairs, Mamiji rushed over, her bangles jingling. "Oh, Phatti Sari, umm umm Khushi bitiya, looking stylish tonight? Is there something special? Hello hi bye-bye!"

Khushi cladded in a red exquisite saree smiled warmly. "Mamiji, please."

Just then, Aarav came running, excitement radiating from him. "Mom! Dad wants to see you at the poolside. He’s waiting."

Her heart skipped a beat. Arnav was never one for grand gestures, but there was something different about tonight. She made her way toward the poolside, her heart racing in anticipation.

The poolside was beautifully lit with fairy lights strung across the walls and plants, creating a soft glow. Arnav stood by the pool, his hands in his pockets, gazing at the stars. When Khushi stepped through the door, his eyes locked onto her, and for a moment, it felt like the world had stopped.

"Arnavji," she whispered as she approached him, her voice soft but filled with affection.

Without a word, Arnav reached for her hand and pulled her closer. The cool evening breeze played with the loose strands of her hair, and she felt his warmth radiating through her. In his eyes, she saw the same intensity, the same passion that had drawn her to him years ago.

"I’ve been waiting for you," he finally said, his voice deep and serious.

"Waiting for me? Why didn’t you come to the living room?" Khushi asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Please take it!” He took an exclusive black box with an intricate gold pattern from the small table and held it out to her.

"You know I don’t need anything, right?"

He smirked, his signature look that never failed to make her heart flutter.

"This isn’t just any gift, Khushi. Open it!"

She opened the box and carefully pulled out a sleek, designer handbag an exquisite creation of brown leather, fabric and golden accents. It was elegant, just like her in her red saree. Khushi’s eyes widened in surprise. She had seen bags like this in the magazines, but she had never imagined owning one. She loved her simple cotton ones.

"Arnavji, this is too much," she said, her voice laced with disbelief.

"Nothing is too much for you," he replied, his tone softening. "You’ve always been by my side, through everything. This is just a small way of showing you how much I appreciate you."

Khushi looked at the bag and then back at Arnav. Her heart swelled with love for this man who, despite his gruff exterior, always knew how to touch her soul. She took the bag and placed it aside, stepping closer to him.

"You don’t need to give me gifts, Arnavji. You’ve already given me the most important thing - your love," she said softly, her eyes shimmering with emotion.

Arnav pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head.

"You deserve all the happiness in the world, Khushi. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you have it."

She looked at him with moist eyes and their lips met in a gentle kiss. When they pulled apart, Khushi’s eyes sparkled with her usual mischief.

"But you know, Arnavji, I’m still going to carry jalebis in this bag."

Arnav groaned, but the smile on his face betrayed his amusement.

"Of course you will. I wouldn’t expect anything less." "As long as it's not tomatoes... " he added mumbling. He became serious. "You know, everything I give you is given with love." He caressed her cheek.

Her heart fluttered at his words, and she stood on her toes, pressing another soft kiss to his lips. It was a kiss filled with gratitude, love, and the unspoken promise of forever. Hamesha!