Chapter 1

Khushi picked up the DVD in her hand, from the drawer beside her bed and slowly moved towards the DVD player at the other end of her bedroom. The old age was making her knees painful and she found it difficult to move about. Just then she heard footsteps at the door. She looked up to see the person.

Khushi- "Aarav, Come here Beta." She signalled him with her hand.

Aarav- "Yes, Grandma. Did you need something?" asked her 15 year old grandson.

Khushi- "I didn't need anything. But I want you to come and sit with me. I have something to show you."

Aarav- "Is that a DVD? Are we gonna watch a movie?" he asked excitedly.

Khushi- "No, it's even more exciting than a movie." She chuckled with delight seeing her favourite grandson bubbling with excitement.

Aarav held his Grandmother's hand and helped her to sit on the bed and he himself sat beside her. Khushi took the remote in her hand and inhaled a deep breath before she pressed the play button. She felt nervous and anxious even though she had seen the DVD many times before. She now wanted to share it with her grandson, those precious memories unshared with anyone ever before.

She felt her heart skip a beat as she heard that familiar voice once again. Involuntarily, she clutched her chest with her wrinkled hand and the next minute she was silently laughing at how even now he could induce acidity and Dhak- Dhak in her just by his mere voice. She was 68 years old now. But she felt as young as 18 seeing the face of the love of her life, her Arnav.

Aarav- "Oh! It's Grandpa!" he exclaimed with delight. But Khushi didn't hear him. She was lost in his eyes, those eyes she dreamt to see every single day, those eyes that were now just memories.

In the video, Arnav adjusted his glasses and his pullover, and flicked those few strands of white hair covering his forehead and gave a one sexy smirk and winked his eye before he started.

Arnav- "Hi Khushi, my Jalebi Bai. This is your Lard Governor here, the one and only, yours forever."

The old age hadn't affected his romancing with his wife.

Arnav- "If you are wondering when I shot this video, it was shot a week before I gave you this DVD, when you were busy making Jalebis for our kids and grandkids. Weren't you bickering about why I wasn't helping you out in the kitchen? It's because I was busy in our room, recording this. I'm really sorry I couldn't help you." Saying so he held his ears in apology, pouting his lips.

Khushi felt her eyes slowly welling with tears, hearing those words. She had been angry with him that day, hadn't she?

Arnav- "Now, My dear, please don't start crying. I know you love to cry for every single thing. These 45 years of our marriage, I was always there beside you to wipe away your tears, But now I'm not sure who will do that for you. So before I continue, promise me you won't cry until I say so. Ok?"

Khushi silently whispered, "I promise you Arnav, I promise."

Aarav saw his grandmother slowly wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes. So he slowly slid nearer to her, put his arms across her fragile shoulders and consoled her. Khushi held his other hand and rested her head on her grandson's shoulder.

Arnav continued. "Khushi, I made this video for you to recollect all the memorable events in our life, that we shared. I hope you like it." He said with a huge smile on his face.

Arnav- "Khushi, do you remember this?" The scene changed into a beach. Suddenly she saw the face of a young Arnav in his late twenties pop his head in front of the handy cam, shirtless with only beach shorts on.

"Let's check out Khushi who is actually feeling very shy to appear in front of the cam."

The image suddenly shifted to an old Arnav recording this video. "Yes, Khushi. This is our first honeymoon in Maldives." The scene again shifted to Maldives beach. The camera zoomed in to a petite girl standing a few metres away, covering herself with a towel.

"Actually, this is the first time Khushi is wearing a bikini, that too on my insistence. So naturally she's feeling quite shy about it. Khushi!" he waved out to her as he approached her with the camera and swiftly slid off the towel from her to reveal her gorgeous figure in a red bikini suit.

"Haw... Arrrnaaav!" she hit him on his shoulder protesting his action. Then she noticed the camera in his hand. "Are you recording all this? What will Buaji and Nani think when they see me like this?" Still holding the camera in his one hand, a feet away from their faces, he slowly slid his other hand around her waist and pulled her body towards his. "Don't worry Khushi, This is our honeymoon video. Why would I show it to anyone else?" he said before claiming her lips with his, freezing that moment.

The scene changed back to Old Arnav. "Remembering those days? I think those 10 days were one of the best days in my life." He said winking once again with a playful smile on his lips.

Aarav- "Wow, Grandma, I didn't know that you were so beautiful in your youth. And Grandpa! Was he really that romantic? And did he have those perfect six pack abs?" he asked in astonishment.

Khushi- "Yes, my Dear. Your Grandpa was one handsome, dashing, prince charming for me." She blushed remembering those old times.

The scene then changed into a hospital corridor. In the distance, one could see Arnav standing outside a room in sweatpants and t-shirt. And then the camera turned to focus on the person holding it, Akash. "As you can see it is 2:00 in the night." He said pointing to his watch. "Khushi Bhabhi was in labour pains for the past 7 hours. Arnav Bhai is waiting outside the delivery room. Any minute from now, the nurse should come out with the baby. Bhai is getting really nervous and anxious. Afterall, he is going to be a Dad for the first time."

Then the camera focused on Arnav and slowly the door opened and a nurse came out holding a baby in her hand. Akash ran with the camera in his hand towards Arnav and focused on the baby. "Congratulations Mr. Raizada! It's a girl!"

The happiness was so evident in Arnav's eyes seeing his baby girl and he slowly stretched out his arms to cradle the baby. He bent forward and kissed the tiny forehead of his angel. "You can go inside and meet your wife." The nurse said, leading them into the room.

The camera followed Arnav and the new born as they went and sat beside Khushi, who was lying on the bed. The nurse helped her sit straight on the bed. "Khushi, Did you see her? this is our Daughter." Arnav was overfilled with emotions. "Yes, Arnav, that's our daughter. And she looks just like you." Khushi said smilingly as she caressed her baby and Arnav's cheek. The screen froze and returned back to Old Arnav.

Arnav- "Did you know Khushi, that on that day I was on the verge of tears seeing the tiny miracle in my arms. Have I thanked you for that? If not, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making that day one of the best moments of my life." He smiled holding his chest as a sign of gratitude.

Aarav- "Was that Aaliyah Bua?" he asked his grandmother.

Khushi- "Yes, Beta, that was our first child." She said smiling, those memories still fresh in her mind.

Arnav continued. "Khushi! Do you remember when Aaliyah first called you 'Mama'? Remember we were waiting for the whole day just so that she could repeat it once again?" he said smiling.

The scene changed to Arnav and Khushi's bedroom. The whole place was messy with toys scattered all around the room. Arnav faced the camera to him. "Actually, Khushi and me have been trying to record Aaliyah say 'Mama' the whole day after she first said it in the morning. Unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful in our attempts. But Let's try once again." He said before zooming the camera to their eight month old daughter, who was seated on the carpet. Arnav was crouching on the floor to capture that moment. Khushi was also crouched on the floor beside him. "Cookie! Say Mama. Ma..Ma.." Khushi was desperately trying but the baby was simply staring at their faces in utter confusion. "Ok Cookie! Say Papa. Pa.. Pa.." Arnav tried from his side. "Arrey, she's not saying Mama, so how will she say Papa." She glared at Arnav. "Are you sure you heard it right in the morning? Maybe you were imagining stuff, Khushi." "Are you doubting my hearing capabilities Arnav?" Khushi blared at him and both of them started arguing with the camera still on.

Suddenly, they heard the baby saying 'Mama'. Arnav quickly turned towards her unsure of whether he heard it right. "Jaja..." The baby began to clap her hands with amusement. "Khushi, Did she just say 'Mama'?" "I don't know, Afterall you were busy fighting with me."

The screen froze and returned back to Old Arnav. "Khushi, Do you remember how much we fought that day. Then I rewinded the whole thing and realised that she had actually said Mama that day and that when she said Jaja, she was referring to me." He said laughing at their foolishness.

Khushi couldn't help laughing remembering that particular day. Aarav also joined her in her laughter. She remembered her daughter who was now living in USA with her husband and her daughter.

Arnav- "Khushi, Do you remember this place?" and the scene changed to a road on a cliff overlooking the sea.

Khushi- "Cyprus." She murmured as those memories flashed into her mind.

The camera focused on Arnav's face. "Actually, I'm gonna play a small prank on Khushi and see her priceless reactions to it." He softly whispered into the camera hiding it away by placing it on the deck of their car focussing it on Khushi who was holding a year old Aaliyah in her hand and observing the sea outside. "Khushi, Don't panic, but I think we are lost." "What do you mean we are lost? Didn't you yourself plan our vacation and force me to come even though Aaliyah is small? How irresponsible can you get? Can't you call someone and ask for directions?" "But Honey, My phone is out of charge. How can I call someone?" "What do you mean out of charge? It's getting dark here. Are we supposed to spend the night in this lonely, cold place? What about dinner? What about Aaliyah?" Tears started strolling down her eyes. "Aww.. Khushi, don't cry. I was just joking!" saying so he went to hug and pacify her. The screen froze to change back to Old Arnav.

Arnav-" Remember how much you were pissed off with me for the next whole day and how much I apologised to you. It started out as a vacation but turned into a second honeymoon after that." He said with a wide wicked smirk. Khushi could only blush crimson even in this old age thinking about the ways he had apologised to her.

Arnav- "Ok, My Jalebi Bai, I know that you will be blushing now. Want to see the result of this vacation?" and the scene changed once again into a hospital corridor. Once again, Akash was the one shooting the video. "It's 8:00 in the morning and Arnav Bhai is waiting for his baby no.2. But he is still nervous and anxious just like the first time." He said giggling into the camera and focused on Arnav and the two year old Aaliyah who was standing beside her father holding his hand.

The door opened and the nurse came out holding a baby in her arms. "Congratulations Mr. Raizada! It's a boy!" and transferred the baby into his arms. Arnav held the little baby and squatted down a little, so that his daughter could also get a view. "Cookie! This is your baby brother." He introduced the baby and immediately Aaliyah leaned a bit and kissed her baby brother on the cheek. Then they went inside the room to Khushi, where Aaliyah climbed on the bedside beside her mother and cuddled her. "Arnav! I think he looks a bit like Anjali Di right!" "No! I think he looks like my Mom." he said and the screen froze returning back to Old Arnav.

Aarav- "Was that Rishab Chachu?"

Khushi- "Yes Beta. That's your Chachu. The naughtiest of all." She smiled remembering her son who was now living with his wife and two kids in Australia.

Arnav- "Khushi, Do you remember the first dance recital of Aaliyah?" the scene changed to a 3 year old Aaliyah on stage wearing a pink tutu dancing in a group. The song stopped and the performers bowed down as the whole audience erupted in cheers. The camera then turned to Khushi who was sitting with one year old Rishab in her hand and tears of happiness streaming down her eyes. "How was it Khushi?" asked Arnav. "Did you see she didn't miss a single step. She performed so well, Arnav she danced so well." She said with a huge smile on her face. The screen froze to change back to old Arnav.

Arnav-"Do you remember how much you had made her practise, one month before the actual performance? How much she used to irritate you by forgetting the steps? Actually Khushi, she was doing it purposefully to annoy you, by my insistence. Yes, the father- daughter duo loved to see your annoyed and worried expressions. I remember, you were so worried that she would forget her steps during the dance. But I knew our daughter very well. Now if you see back you will realize what a talented dancer she has turned out to be. Just like you."

Khushi smiled remembering the accomplishments of her daughter and smiled proudly for raising such a good daughter. He continued.

Arnav-"Remember Rishab's first soccer match when he was five? I was late for it and he didn't shoot a goal until I arrived coz he wanted me to see it." The scene changed to a small soccer field where kids were playing soccer. The camera zoomed to a gloomy faced Rishab who was searching the crowd for his father's face. And suddenly the camera zoomed out to Arnav who was slowly making his way through the seat row and sat beside Khushi who was recording all this. "Rishab is going to be very angry with you. Why are you so late?" "Khushi, I had a meeting. Sorry Jaan. I will make sure I make up for it after the game." The camera focussed on Rishab's face which now brightened up seeing his father and two minutes later, he scored his first ever goal in a game. The camera turned back to Arnav who was now practically jumping out of his seat cheering for his son and turned towards Khushi to hug her. "Did you see the way he kicked that ball? Did you see Khushi?" his face was filled with excitement like never before.

The scene froze returning back to Old Arnav. "I still remember how much we celebrated for his one goal. I still feel like it was just yesterday." He said warmly recollecting those old days.

Arnav- "You know Khushi, the next video that you are about to see will definitely shock you coz u had no idea at all that it was being shot." He said giggling with laughter. I think this is the funniest moment of all times. Watch this!" he said and the scene changed to Aaliyah, now 8 years old, dancing to a song in her house, while Arnav is busy recording it. Beside him, his son Rishabh, now 6 years old is busy doing his homework. And then all of a sudden, they hear Khushi screaming out from the stairs and coming down. "LARD GOVERNOR!" surprisingly, the three of them become silent and turn their heads towards the voice of the matriarch. "Why didn't you use protection?!" Khushi demanded furiously at Arnav pointing at the white stick in her hand, while the children looked at her in confusion.

"What is Lard Governor and what protection are you talking about Mom?" Rishab asked innocently. Arnav had turned red- faced in embarrassment about the situation and the next minute his eyes popped out wide open seeing the positive sign in the stick. The screen changed back to Old Arnav who continued.

Arnav-"Gotcha right! U had no idea that your outburst was recorded. Remember that whole day and the next few days, how much I had to convince and apologise to you. Poor Kids. They were so confused seeing their Mom's outburst and that was the first time they came to know that their Mom called their Dad 'Lard Governor'. I'm sorry Honey, I know that you had no plans for a third kid. But if you think about it now, wasn't it all worth it? Check this out!" and the scene changed once again to the hospital corridor.

Again Akash was holding the camera. "It's baby no.3 for Arnav Bhai. He is still nervous like the first time. As you can see, it's 1:00 in the afternoon and the kids are becoming restless due to hunger. But they are also eager to see their baby sibling. Hey Kids!" he called out to them as they came running towards him. "Aaliyah, tell me, do you want a brother or a sister?" "I want a sister" "What about you Rishab?" "I want a brother" "Ok Kids. Let's see what will you get. Here comes the nurse!" The door opened.

Arnav who had been leaning silently and tiredly on the wall, immediately stood still. "Congratulations Mr. Raizada! It's a boy!" "Yippie!" they heard Rishab screaming out in joy. "So what if it's a boy? I'm the elder one and he will be my brother first! Not yours!" Aaliyah said haughtily not wanting to admit her defeat. Afterall, she was just like her Dad.

They all went towards Khushi who was on the bed waiting for the whole gang. "Khushi, I think he looks just like you." Said Arnav kissing his baby and his wife. The screen froze at the picture perfect moment of their family and returned back to Old Arnav.

the Continuation is below in the first comment box😃