Smita,😊

Here is my interpretation to Section 2 of Part 12.

The Three Investigators, Anjali, Nani and Mami, who had found that Arnav was interested in Khushi during the Sagai were huddled together to prepare their next step.

Anjali who was worried told her Nani that they needed to do put things into action. Nani with a slight smile told her that Chotey was very interested in Khushi Bitiya and his eyes were throughout following her wherever she went.

Mami who had her mind elsewhere heard the last sentence and asked her mother-in-law, whom he was not able to remove his eyes off? Was it her? Hearing this, Nani nipped her and said that nobody would be able to miss her when dressed up, but they were talking of Khushi Bitiya. Manorama who was known for her hawk eyes, had been puzzled by the disappearing act, of Khushi and Arnav from the kitchen during the Sagai. With her brows scrunched together, she asked what sort of magic was that. Both were missing for quite a long time and she had searched for them and still was clueless about where they were!

Just then NK who strolled in asked her what she was searching. Manorama who was taken aback by this sudden intrusion fumbled, but recovered quickly to retort that she was searching for her lost earring! Nani diverted his attention by asking how did he like Sagai.

NK's reply that it was awesome and Akash was more bashful than Payal had everybody in splits. But when he started to praise Khushi as extremely beautiful, the three ladies looked at each other. Nani told him that she was already asked for and would be getting engaged soon and he better look elsewhere. Manorama too joined her mother-in-law in dissuading him and said that thats it! How can her Sydney born nephew even think about looking at the rustic, small town girl who is not even well off? What Nani and Mami were telling NK was to keep away from Khushi and not to cast his eyes upon her. They didn't want him to rock their boat and mess up their well laid out plan knowing Arnav's inclination towards Khushi.

NK who was not able to take these subtle hints and with his poor Hindi knowledge asked Manorama Kangal? What was wrong with Khushiji's bangles? Mistaking kangal to kangan. Manorama who was trying to shoo away NK hit her head with her hand at his stupidity. Nani and Anjali hid a smile. NK who was still puzzled by what his Maasi had said and was trying to decipher while scratching his head wondered what she meant by De-hati? To their chagrin, he asked why should Khushi give him an elephant. Manorama found it frustrating that she had to explain each and every word to him, but the rest found it hilarious and burst out in laughter. To put him off the scent, Anjali told NK that HP had kept a new pack of wafers just for him in the kitchen. NK was glad. Thanking Di for her kind gesture he left to collect it.

As soon as NK was out of earshot, Anjali told the other two that Chotey was looking at Khushi throughout the function but she was avoiding him. She wondered as to what might have been the reason? Nani became whey-faced, thinking about Arnav's anger. She voiced out to others and said that hope she was not at the end of Chotey's lashing tongue and anger. Mami too who was worried told them maybe knowing all about Lavanya she was avoiding him. Hearing this Anjali told them sadly, which girl would like to marry a boy who invites his girl-friend to live with him, declares his intention to marry and then changes his mind.

Seeing her woebegone face Mami asked her not to be sad as she will rectify things during the Sangeet, and the rest agreed. Nani felt that they were running out of time as they had only sangeet, mehendi, haldi, and shaadi left to set things to their satisfaction. Mami in a mood to get things done immediately told her platoon of two that they better plan their forward movement soon and set forth. All the three ladies put their heads together to come up with a fool proof plan.

A little later, Anjali peeped into Arnav's garden. As usual, he was pottering around his plants, engrossed in deep thoughts oblivious to his surroundings. She furtively sneaked in followed by the rest. Occupying the garden chairs around his table they sat back to chat about Khushi. Anjali declared loudly that she was beautiful. Nani and Mami bobbed their head in concurrence making Arnav curious and look at them. Nani exclaimed that she was such a cultured girl! Mami putting her feet up told that she was a bit zany too making the rest bubble with laughter. Arnav who was all ears while working had his hands stilled. He heard his Di tell his Nani that soon she would be getting proposals. Who would not want her for a life partner? Nani agreed with her and sighed. She said that if she gets married to someone in Lucknow, they won't even be able to see her even once a year. Mami who was waiting for this cue, asked them what was the need to worry when they had a good sturdy boy of marriageable age amidst them? She told her to go ahead and take the proposal to her house and she, Manorama will take care of the person who'll say no to the suggestion. Hearing their conversation Arnav frowned and moving closer to them wondered whether they were talking of Khushi.

Anjali pretending to see Arnav just then expressed her surprise and told him so. Nani and Mami too bobbed their head in agreement. Nani told him that it was good that he was there as they wanted to discuss certain things with him. Arnav was surprised to hear them say so and asked about what were they wanting to discuss with him. Nani came straight to the point and said that it was about Khushi Bitiya. All the three were watching carefully at his reaction but he was careful enough to school it to keep expressionless. What about her that they wanted to talk he asked in a husky inflection in his voice. Nani told him that she was a good girl and all of them love her. With Akash's wedding she would become related. So they were thinking that a boy from their family should marry her before somebody else snares her up and she might go far away from them maybe Lucknow. Hearing what might happen Arnav felt ghastly. Just the thought of Khushi leaving him, agreeing to marry somebody else and him losing her forever made him gloomy. He had to keep her with him and for that he was ready to do whatever was needed. Mami who was observing him spiced it up by saying that lots of ladies were watching Khushi keenly during Sagai. Anjali with a nod she said that three ladies had asked about her. Arnav who was basically down hearted with the thought, that Khushi might leave him got angered and thought how dare those women think of her as a prospective daughter-in-law when she belonged to him and only him. Cutting into his thoughts, Nani told him that they were thinking why to let go such a good girl to some other boy when they had a good match in their own house itself. Arnav was rendered inarticulate and was able to just look at her. Anjali asked him what he thought about it. He could feel the rapid beat of his heart and he realized that it was beating just for Khushi. Taking a deep breath, feeling the same exhilaration as at the whiffle of the wind while standing at the edge of a cliff, he said that if they all wished to be so... and left the remaining unsaid! Nani, Anjali and Mami looked at each other astounded. Making their Chotey agree to their proposal had become extremely easy and moreover he was giving them all the rights to do as per their wishes. They just couldn't believe what they had heard. When Anjali with tears pooling her eyes asked him whether he was sure, Arnav nodded his head self consciously not wanting to reveal how shy he was feeling to admit it. Overcome by happiness Anjali limped over to his side and hugged him.

Nani warned him to think over this matter carefully as she didn't want a repeat of Lavanya episode. When he spoke that he was sure this time, though it was in a low voice it was emphatic.

Mami too warned him that when he decided not to marry Lavanya, she went away quietly with all her bags and baggage to London. She did not have a family to question him. But in case of Khushi it would be different. If he renegades on his promise later, they will not only have to contend with her family but they will have Akash and Payal's marriage to consider too and it will be like being between hammer and anvil. Arnav assured them that he would not change his mind. But Mami persisted and told him that if he changes his mind to let her know as quickly as possible as she will take the proposal of NK instead of Arnav. Anjali and Nani agreed and told him that NK likes her a lot. Arnav kept silent trying not to vent out the rage that formed within him at the mention of NK liking Khushi and the change in the proposal. He clenched his fist and summoning all the reserves in him controlled himself. After cooling a bit he asked what the next move was. Nani said that they would have to take his proposal to the Guptas without delay. Mami warned that if delayed somebody else might beat him to it. Anjali hesitated to say but taking courage she told him that they could take his proposal but there is always the chance that it might not be accepted. Hearing this he was hurt. When he looked at her with woeful eyes, she whispered that Khushiji knows about Lavanyaji staying here. Nani and Mami agreed with what she was saying and Nani continued to administer truth point blank, that Khushi had seen his anger and been the target of his abuses. Mami taking up from where Nani left off told him that Khushi may not really believe that you would marry her. After all she had seen herself how Lavanya had returned to London even after trying her best to fit into the family giving up a lot of things that she was used to, learning to cook desi cuisine and dressing in the traditional way. Arnav had his fist clenched tight ruing all the things he had done which would spoil his chances of marrying Khushi, the joy of his life now.

Looking at his turmoil, Anjali reminded him that sitting by the pool she had asked him if he was sure about his decision to bring Lavanya home as his live-in companion. She told him that if only he had listened to his heart before taking the decision, if only he had let his heart rule over his mind then they could have avoided the present situation. Arnav was being given a bitter pill of his own making. He swallowed the hard lump that had suddenly lodged in his throat and it left a bitter taste in him. Soothing him, Nani told him that Khushi Bitiya possessed a heart of gold and was a very warm person. Maybe she'll find in her heart to forgive and forget. Let us at least give it a best shot. Mami, Anjali and Arnav bobbed their head in agreement.

This update is about vis a vis TRUTH.

It is about facing the truth.

"Three things can not hide for long: the Moon, the Sun and the Truth"

~ Hermann Hesse

The Three Investigators, Nani, Mami and Anjali find out that Arnav and Khushi had met privately escaping Mami's hawk eye.

They face the truth that things are not what the two try to project.

They come to know that NK too finds Khushi alluring that put them in a tizzy, knowing that if he succeeds all their plan would go down the drain. They are made to face the truth of the need to speed up things.

They also came to know during Sagai that Khushi was evading Arnav while he was following her all the time. They are made to face the truth that it might not be an easy task to ask for Khushi's hand in marriage.

They are made to face the truth of repercussions of Arnav breaking the word to marry Lavanya. This they know has given rise to certain trust issues.

"The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them"

~ Ernest Hemingway

By sneakily taking the topic of Khushi, The Trio are made to face the truth of Arnav liking Khushi much to their delight. They had thought it to be an uphill task.

When The Trio suggest marriage they are made to face the truth of Arnav agreeing to marry her without any reservation. Arnav who was against the institution of marriage is ready to take the plunge after the bitter truth initiation and a ray of hope given on his past by Khushi earlier.

"Sometimes it takes a good fall to really know where you stand"

~Hayley Williams

When he was asked whether he was conducive to the proposal to be taken to the Gupta house for Khushi in his name he came to face with the truth that his heart beats only for Khushi. She was his life and breath.

"You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you"

~ C.S. Lewis

When he was made aware that there were many who wanted Khushi in their house he came to face with the truth that she was the one and the only one meant for him. He couldn't bear the thought of her with anyone else other than him.

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight"

~ Kahlil Gibran

He is made aware by The Trio that he may have to face the truth of rejection, a may be repercussion of his past deeds.

"It is difficult, when faced with a situation you cannot control, to admit you can do nothing"

~ Lemony Snicket, Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid

He is also made to face the truth that with one wrong step by him, along with him his brother, Akash too would have to bear the brunt.

He is made to face the truth that Khushi is nowhere similar to Lavanya. Though she comes from a middle class family, the bond and values they share are quite strong.

His sister makes him face the truth that despite her misgivings he had gone ahead and brought into the house Lavanya as his live-in companion.

"Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future"

~ Niels Bohr

If he had only listened to his heart rather than his mind he would not have put himself and the rest in such a position where nothing was certain. That was a bitter truth he has to face.

"I have learned now that while those who speak about one's miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more"

~ C.S. Lewis

He is made to face the truth that it is Khushi Kumari Gupta who holds the key to the Happiness that Arnav Singh Raizada craves to have. It is only she who can make or break him. She, the girl who came from middle class with no social standing among the elite was the Kingmaker.

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it"

~Flannery O'Connor

Finally he is made to face the truth by his Nani that Khushi Bitiya is the one with a Golden Heart, who has the capacity to forgive and forget, who knows only to give Happiness to others and that is the Hope that they need to cling on to.

"Sometimes things become possible if we want them bad enough"

~ T.S. Eliot

It is a vis a vis TRUTH.

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.

rulama2013-03-23 06:59:42