Chapter 1
Part 1: Out of Reach
Anjali frowned at her phone, and remarked, "It is already 10 o'clock, and Khushiji hasn't come yet."
Arnav looked up from his plate.
"You are right, Anjali Bitiyaa! I was waiting for her. Especially after yesterday's Diwali party and the way in which she helped to bring about and celebrate Chotey & Miss Kasyap's engagement...", Nani said.
Arnav clenched his jaw.
"Haan, Nani. It would never have happened without Khushiji's help...", smiled Anjali.
The spoon in his hand was in danger of being pulverised.
"I will call her.", decided Anjali. "I hope she is not sick'.Not that she ever is.. but...", Anjali called Khushi.
Arnav looked down at his plate, but all his attention, all his senses were focused on the phone Di was holding to her ear.
"Khushiji!", Anjali trilled.
All looked at her.
"Aren't you coming here today?", Anjali smiled.
No one could hear Khushi's reply, but they all saw Anjali's face fall.
Arnav swallowed hard.
"Khushiji.. But we never thought of it as a job ... How can you say that your job is over?... It would be so much fun to plan Chotey's sagai if you were here... After all, you changed Chotey's mind when we had all failed... but... Khushiji..."
Arnav grit his teeth, trying to control his breath.
Nani grabbed the phone from Anjali.
"Khussi Bitiya, why aren't you coming here? We are waiting for you."
She listened carefully.
"I am not going to listen to any of your excuses. Come here today to meet me. Won't you listen to your Nani's words?", Nani wheedled.
A few moments later, she cut the call & handed over the phone to Anjali.
All looked at her.
"She said that she has an interview for a new job today... That we had employed her to make Miss Kasyap acceptable to us, and that her job was done... that she won't be able to come here...", Nani sighed.
Arnav got up and left the table.
Mami said, "Saasumma, she is right. Her job is over. Pay her this month's salary, and say Bye Bye!"
"Manorama!", Nani chided.
"Mami!", protested Anjali.
Part 2: Within Sight
Arnav sat in his car, watching her house.
Khushi left the house and walked the short distance towards Kanshi Ram's grain depot on the next street, her cloth bag swinging against her hip.
She looked pale, thinner... her face drawn... her smile missing... her zest for life gone... Arnav shut his eyes in pain.
"Khushiji! Going to work?", asked Happy Singh, a cheerful smile on his face.
"Ji.", Khushi made an effort to smile.
"Will you be coming here at night? We have a new truck to repair.", Happy Singh invited.
"Ji."
Khushi walked on, feeling the cool morning breeze stir the strands of her hair that had slipped the ugly clips she fastened in her hair above her ears.
Arnav drove slowly forward, his eyes fixed on the slim figure walking listlessly on the road.
She looked around. Schoolchildren in uniforms waiting for their ride to school. They waved at her. She waved back, smiling for them.
Men & women going to their offices. Kamla Chachi & Vimla Mausi at the hand pump. Preetho running after a rickshaw. There was a crowd in the kirana store. The paanwala bhaiyya was chatting with the chudiwala, shifting the ball of paan in his mouth to the other cheek to speak better''
Life was going on.. moving ahead... She alone was left behind... Alone again... Her chest hurt.
"Will you take channa, Bitiyaa?", the chana seller asked.
"Nahin Bhaiyya, not today.", Khushi refused with a slight smile.
She failed to notice the car crawling after her. Or the man with burning eyes behind the wheel.
Part 3: 77844153
To all the New Readers,
For technical reasons, Smita is unable to post her FF. Hence I am posting it for her, in order to get our daily ration of her stories.
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Comments (59)
Posted Part 3: Pehla Pehla Pyaar HeSmita
11 years ago
yaaay!!! another os by smitar !!!!! i just love her works!!!😃😃😃 coming to the update it was fabulous!!! what less can you expect from smitar😳😳
11 years ago
waiting
11 years ago
wow...so this OS start from the diwali parts...interestingloved the start an looking forward to the next part
11 years ago
waiting eagerly 😃
11 years ago
Lovely os pls update soon , can u pm me with update
11 years ago
Nice updates.I love all your work. Your stories are simple & they always leave a smile on my face.Can't wait to read more of this OS.Pls do PM me when you update next.Thanks Frida2013-03-09 21:41:22
11 years ago
Part 3 is almost ready. An hour!!!😉Smita
11 years ago
yey u r back 😊 hope u update soon 😉
11 years ago
Glad to see old friends.😃My IF account has some takniki kharabi, so Rashmi (Rulama) is helping me out. She writes wonderful interpretations to the parts. Don't miss them.Smita
11 years ago