Smita,😊

Here is my interpretation to Section 1 of Part 14

It was the day of Payal and Akash's Sangeet. Raizada Mansion was decorated to the hilt giving out an aura of a decked Bride. It was aglow resplendent with red-gold colored drapes, strings of flowers suffusing it with their sweet redolence and the lights giving it a special aura as though transporting all of them in to the land of fairies. A huge stage had been erected that indicated to the guests, that would be a memorable evening, with the dance performance by the family members in honour of Payal and Akash.

The Raizada's were waiting at the entrance to welcome the invited guests. Elegant men accompanied by extremely well dressed women thronged the house. The arrival of the to-be-bride's side was heralded with a grand welcome. Guests were trying to snatch a glance of the bride-to-be. Payal was looking magnificient. Her golden lehenga with her flawless complexion and beautiful clothes lent an enchantment to her persona.

Once the guests took in Payal, their eyes drifted to the petite girl beside her, a beauty in a peach saree who was looking ethereal. People were captivated by her beauty, and she soon became the centre of the talk among the ladies enquiring as to who she was. They were trying to make a match with their sons or nephews in mind. She exuded an aura, giving them the delight as that of sighting an oasis in a desert! But no one could match the eagerness in the eyes of Arnav Singh Raizada who had his eyes glued on her from a distance. As he watched he saw NK reach the Guptas' greet them bursting out with a loud Khushiji! You have come. He made her smile at his exuberance on meeting her and greeted him with a curteous, how had he been, addressing him as Nanheji. His reply very mushroom had the Guptas stare at him. Coming to his rescue, Akash told him that the word was mashroof meaning busy! NK's fumble with words had all in a fit of laughter and Khushi trying to control the peal of laughter bubbling within her saw HIM watching her from the top of the stairs. In that split second her heart sped up, its beat drumming into her ears and she felt a feeling at the pit of her stomach that she termed as acidity! He was watching her looking extremely dapper in a white kurta. Even from a distance she could sense his eyes caressing every inch of her body making her rue her decision to wear a sari. She felt only a metal sack might have stopped his penetrating vision. Hoping that she had not made her discomfort obvious, she tried to cover her body as much as she could under the circumstance. Arnav with measured steps walked down the steps and greeted Buaji, Amma, Babuji and Payal. He then casually moved to stand by Khushi's side. Trying to put some distance between them she moved a step away but it was in vain. He moved closer to her. Wanting to put as much distance between them, Khushi looked around and found NK helping HP serve the chilled fruit juice in tall glasses. Seeing a perfect excuse she rushed over there and offered NK a helping hand. NK's mix up in Hindi telling her that she was a guest there had come out as she was dead there and let him serve her. Khushi clutching her heart asked him not to repeat it to others as Mahroom meant dead. NK in his quixotic way asked her when did the meaning of that word change. He said it meant guest. Khushi with a smile and a sigh said the word he ought to have used was mehmaan making NK scratch his head for his blunder. Arnav who was listening to their conversation had a smile playing on his lips.

The Trio were watching all this. Mami whispered into Anjali's ears that did she too watch how Khushi was avoiding being with her Arnav Bitwa? When Anjali feeling bad for her brother sighed and agreed Mami told her that they had to help Arnav in this matter. Nani and Anjali nodded in consent.

It was time for the performance. Mami and Buaji danced to Hookah Bar. They rocked! They had the crowd cheering them loudly and jump in joy with fun. The duo had the crowd eating out of their hands and Arnav had his eyes devouring Khushi out. While all the time she engrossed herself on the performance, Arnav engrossed himself in gorging out Khushi with his eyes. The Lion was stalking its mate all along.

Next NK and Nani took the stage. They danced to Jawaani Jaaneman. Nani in a red saree sizzled and enthralled the crowd with her lithe and nimble footwork. NK had to work hard to keep up with the blistering pace set by her. The crowd loved it. Khushi was laughing her heart out at Nani's devilry while Arnav was smiling at her enjoyment. After the dance, NK complimented Nani saying that she is budhiyaa. Knowing NK and his prowess in Hindi, without taking it as an insult, she laughed out blithely.

The audience were treated to another performance and this time by Nani and Buaji to Ude jab jab zulfen teri . Throught out Arnav saw nothing but Khushi. He was busy noting her smiles, hair halowing her head to the gentle blow of the breeze, twinkling eyes. He was only aware of her presence and the rest had gone into oblivion for him.

At dinner time, Khushi kept herself amidst her family members. She made sure that she had her Buaji beside her all along. Sitting between her Amma and Buaji she assured herself of being safe from HIM. With pounding heart kept her fingers crossed that praying he would not be hounding her at least during the dinner. But her fear was not unfounded. The Raizadas joined the Guptas at their table. Just as Amma got up to adjust Babuji's wheel chair while the rest shifted ther chairs, Anjali quickly eased in beside Khushi making Khushi breathe out in relief. It was an action done too soon. Anjali invited her brother to join her making space for him between Khushi and herself saying that, that particular place had a better view of the stage. Khushi prayed fervently to her Devi Maiyya to get her some respite from the advances of Arnav Singh Raizada. Somehow her pleas never reached her Devi Maiyya. He sat close by her side brushing her right arm with his left. The more she moved away the closer he pulled his chair. Leaning near her ears, his voice in husky whisper, warm breath caressing her ears and with smoldering gaze giving her a visual caress, he asked her whether she was fine! Her heart stopped its normal function for a second and when resumed it was at the pace of the bullet train.

Khushi had difficulty in swallowing the food. His proximity was affecting her. Observing this, Anjali told her with a lour that she was not having her food properly. Giving her a pale smile Khushi popped something into her mouth without even looking what it was. It tasted like plastic that made her frown and choke. To her horror she realized that choking in the vicinity of Arnav Singh Raizada was hazardous to her health. His hand started to rub her back under the cover of the lustrous voluminous lengthy hair, his fingers caressing her skin revealed by the plunging neckline held just by two doris. While his fingers were playing with her lower dori under the pretext of rubbing her back, Khushi stared at the mischievous eyes of Arnav, her eyes reflecting her horror for his flagrant playfulness. When a concerned Anjali asked whether she was fine, Khushi bobbed her head to show that she was fine but thought to herself had this family taken patent for the phrase Tum Theek Ho? They seem to be popping it out at the drop of the hat! With others smiling at the two, they continued with their meal chattering. Puffing his warm breath on her ear, making Khushi shudder, Arnav then proceeded to ask her whether she was really fine. It made her to hiss out as to how she could be fine when he was, and paused. Arnav smiled at her and asked when he was? making her really wild with anger and not realizing what she was uttering in the heat of the moment she completed her sentence. She uttered those things that would have been best kept to herself. She said that touching here and there, looking at her like children view a popsicle eyes full of want. She asked him as to what was wrong with him. Can't he at least let her have her breathing space. Would he have to give her dhak-dhak and acidity with his proximity that would be the cause of her death? She asked him to stay away from her and not even venture to breathe in the same air as she does. Suppressing the mirth bubbling in him, he asked her if he complies with what she wants then would it put a stop to her dhak-dhak and acidity as she calls it. When she replied it would she added one more to her list of don't's that is not to look at her. As though, pondering over her instructions he asked her he was not supposed to even touch and taking her hand under the table clasping it in his warm large one and caressing the palm with his thumb he asked her, not even her hand? By then, he had Khushi hyperventilating and making her pant a no. He asked her then he was also not allowed to look at her and she said no but in a less certain tone. By then Mami called her Khussi and reminded her that it was her chance to perform next. As it was soon after dinner she asked her to change in Arnav's room. She quickly said no, but Mami pretending not to understand her asked her with a frown was she going to perform in the same saree. Wasn't she going to change and apply makeup? Anjali too stuck with Mami telling Khushi not to feel shy. Nani nodded with a smile and Arnav too gave her an innocent smile.

She wondered who was shy. She was furious enough to reduce the six footer into a pile of ash if ever he came under her vision. Khushi was keeping a lid on her anger. Just imagining him returning to his original form following the dictum, Dust thou art and to dust thou returnest, she enjoyed her moment of victory in her mind! Arnav hid his smile.

Grabbing her costume bag she quickly made her way noting that Arnav was engaged in talking with his acquaintances. Entering the room she closed the door and dumped her bag on his bed. While she started to undress a thought stuck her and in dismay she rushed to the door to check whether the had locked it. But to her horror she found it was not and quickly fastened the latch. Running to the poolside door she slid the lock and peeped into the bath room to see whether he was there. When she found that it was vacant she sighed in relief and in record time got ready. She changed into her costume and wound the strings of flowers on her plaited hair. When she looked into the mirror she saw she was disheveled. Her face showed panicky. Thinking about the song which was on Radha complaining about mischievous Krishna and his teasing her Khushi schooled herself into the mood of the song. Seeing that the coast was clear along the corridor, she emerged from the room and walked on to the stage.

She danced to the song Kaahe Chhed, Chhed Mohe Garwa Lagaayi... with zest and twirled, her skirt flying around her making a picture to behold! Her purple skirt, the short choli, the long plait with flowers, the jewellery making her glitter on stage, the infectious smile, her complaining eyes all made Arnav drink in her beauty and his heart soared with joy. While dancing in between Khushi's eyes caught Arnav's watchful ones making her miss a step. She lowered her eyes unable to see the intensity. Arnav moved closer to the stage. She looked at him and felt as though she was dancing only for him. When Arnav smiled she gulped and shifted her eyes on The Trio. When she shifted her gaze back on Arnav, she saw that he was ready to gorge her with his eyes. The dance came to an end and the crowd appreciated her scintillating performance. Without waiting to listen to accolades she rushed out to change quickly. Raising her lehenga she made a dash to Arnav's room. Just then she heard Anjali trill, Khushiji! When she stopped Anjali told her performance was beautiful and kissed her cheek. As she tried to make a quick exit, Nani and Mami blocked her path. Once it was cleared she heard NK calling out to her Khushiji. He complimented her for her performance saying that she dances well that she was like a professional. Escaping from them she entered Arnav's room quickly, slamming the door after her. She rested against it to catch her breath and with a step towards the bed her breath hitched! Lying on her peach saree with her choli and other pieces of her attire scattered around was Arnav Singh Raizada who with a lazy drawl said Khushi I was waiting for you!

Escaping the others she had reached the den only to find that the lion who had been on the prowl so far was lazing in wait for her.

Hakuna matata, Khushi! Hakuna matata!!

Hakuna matata... meaning no worries in Swahili.

"Hakuna Matata; what a wonderfull phrase.

Hakuna Matata; It aint no passing craze.

It means no worries, for the rest of your days.

Its our problem free, philosophy...

HAKUNA MATATA!"

~ Walt Disney Production, The Lion King

This update is about WOOING Khushi Kumari Gupta.

Arnav Singh Raizada resorts to various means. First he tries to absorb each and every part of her.

He resorts to visual caress, smoldering gaze, stalking, caress her hand with his touch, talk and all the methods to break the barrier erected by her.

Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably"

~ William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

He even resorts to rile her and makes her utter her innermost thoughts in a fit.

He is ably abetted by The Trio and they subtly make opportunities for him to get closer to her pretending not to undersand her dilemma.

"The first thing necessary to win the heart of a woman is opportunity"

~ Honore de Balzac

She on her part places conditions on him and tries to block each and every move of his with a counter move but it was in vain when he was both alone as well, when joined forces with The Trio

"I am anchored on a resolve you cannot shake. My heart, my conscience shall dispose of my hand -- they only. Know this at last"

~ Charlotte Bronte, Shirley

During her performance, his eyes never waver from hers and though she tries very hard to break this magnetic attraction she is unable to. In the end she feels that she is dancing just for him and she feels that he was ready to devour her with his eyes!

"She was trying to sound tough and impatient, but she knew that vulnerable desire to be wooed was still brimming in her tone"

~ Anna Godbersen, Envy

Escaping all and thinking that she was away from him she comes into the room just to find out that he was reclining on his bed amidst her clothes and say with a lazy drawl welcome to my abode.

"Winning her would be like coaxing a butterfly to land on his hand. Patience, gentleness, and perhaps a prayer or two would be required"

~ Mary Jo Putney, The Bargain

Well the question is the next update all about BILL and COO ?

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

rulama2013-03-26 21:22:41