-MY WINDSHIELD WASHER-
The sun was on its peak today, giving hints of a new day that had been started afew hours ago. The traffic was bustling and the over excited nature of the people who existed in this city came to its view. Impatience is one thing that is commonly found in almost everybody and that can mostly be witnessed in the wee hours of the day.
8. am, the sun might be just on 60 degrees giving some warmth yet stealing some away but what made this morning bad was the nonexistent air. Arnav heavily swore under his breath while standing on the footpath of one of the busiest signals in the city. No one stopped for the other man, it was like a competition. Though this competition and traffic should make arnav happy since he could do a good business today on the signal but his gut feeling was nagging him, something would happen today that would change his life. Dressed in a fitted fake Armani shirt which looked like it was bought from a street shop and worn out jeans, arnav held the portable wiper cleaner in his hand and poured some disgusting looking liquid in its sponge, ready to attack the cars when they stopped on the signal. Since it was imposing yourself on the customer he had to deal with a lot of rude remarks and curses, yet he acted as if he was not affected by it and continued his work. Cleaning the windshield of an old mans car he had prepared himself to not be paid for it but was surprised when the man in his 60's paid him 10 rupees. Not much money I agree but he smiled at the man because for the old man 10 rupees was enough still after so many years, still after the inflationary changes or it might be because he could only afford to give arnav this much. He pocketed the 10 rupees and went on with his cleaning business. Mornings were always uneventful, it was either fathers dropping kids to school in a grumpy mood and refuse to pay him or driver dropping kids to school and ignore him. That's when the most eventful thing happened when a black corolla stopped at the signal whos windshield begged for arnavs service. He moved towards the car and was about clean the screen when the loud honk from the car made him turn his face angrily, that's when molten brown clashed with fiery hazel.
Khushi was late, YES! This wasn't an understatement. It was her normal routine and god knows why today of all days she chose the busiest road to head to college. Well maybe it was because it was the first time she was driving herself to college since the driver was always available but darn it in all the days he had to disappear TODAY! When she had to reach early, the principal had called her for an important meeting and by the looks of it she was SO late. And the worst part was the signals were working at a snail's pace and to top it these irritating people who thought her windshield needed to be cleaned delaying her further. She had had enough of these people and honked angrily at the new intruder when her eyes clashed with and angry molten brown.
I would be lying if I say they stared each other for a few seconds because it was a good 2 minutes staring session. Neither could remove their piercing gaze from another but thats when reality hit them in the means of angry passengers. Khushi zoomed out of arnavs view and he was stunned at what he saw. She was beautiful no doubt but those beautiful eyes were so damn transparent, he could actually feel the change in emotion from frustration to anger, to shocked, to confusion and then everything went blank. Was he looking too much between the lines. Why would such a beauty look at a poor guy who earned by begging on the streets. But one thing was sure arnav wanted her, as bad as his want for chilled water in this heat and he mentally made a note to get her, if only that could ever be possible.
Khushi reached her college in no time and was sitting in the principal's office, she couldn't divert her thoughts from that fake Armani wearing ' gorgeous eyes yet poor boy. This was sick, how can one feel so strongly for a guy who works on the street. She never cared about the class difference but lets be practical, this was a no zone area for her. She was from a good family WHAT! Where did that thought come from, not that she was going to marry him.
Khushi: shut up khushi!
Mr. Roy: bacha , you and your habit of self talking. *he chuckled*
Mr. Roy was khushis favorite in this college, although he was the principal but he maintained a well connection with all the students.
Khushi: nothing Sir, I was just thinking that is it always necessary to consider class difference while making a choice.
Roy: I don't get you khushi? *he asked in a surprised manner*
Khushi: nothing, leave it. I was just' I don't know Sir.
Roy: khushi kumari gupta and this unsure, am I dreaming.
The mischief can be seen in his eyes. Roy loved khushi, she was an innocent soul who was not influenced by the so called 'burger-ness' of now adays. And it was rare to see her this confused as she was known for her determination and perfect judgment.
Roy: bacha you know u can talk to me. What is it that is bugging you. Is it some new kid who is being bullied?
Khushi hated bullying and made it a point to save anyone that was targeted in her campus from it.
Khushi: its about a boy.
Roy: ohhh a crush?
Khushi could feel the laughter in his voice and was glad that they shared a comfortable relationship.
Khushi: NO NO not at all.
And then with an unsure demeanor she narrated her mornings story and how she felt the need to go talk to that guy. However she was dismissed by Roy and was shown the practicality mirror, it wasn't about class difference, it was much more what Roy could not explain her yet. He thought she might be intrigued about how such people live as she has never seen hardship and suggested that she drives from the same route to college tomorrow and see the effect herself.
The conversation changed into a lighter one where Roy told khushi that one of his friends son was joining them soon in a week and that she would have to help him and khushi being the ever available helping hand agreed in a jiffy.
Once home she thought about uncle Roys suggestion and decided to visit the signal again.
NEXT MORNING:
It was 8 am and arnav was back to his work, new day and a new beginning, it took a lot of his will power to stop thinking about the hazel eyes however he failed miserably and gave up on that. Absent mindedly he again went towards the car when the familiar honk halted his hand that was on the windshield.
It was her and he would never be mistaken about that but there was something different today, she wasn't angry she was observing him. Question was why? And then came the ever famous *well for us* SMIRK. Was she bothered as much as he was, is that why she came again today, to see ' to confirm.
Anyhow their short lived raba-vey session had to end as the signal showed green light and khushi drove away leaving behind a smirk on arnavs face. Well this -wash every windshield of the cars that stopped on the signal- was turning to be interesting.
This kept happening for the next 4 days and in total today was the 7th day khushi would drive alone to her college, stop at the signal, wait for him to clean her windshield while she gazed at him to her hearts content in the short span of time and then she would leave. But today morning was different, she was angry and well anger always got the worst out of khushi. She had argued last night with her mom over another possible rishta. And she kept saying she was very young for all this however her mother wouldn't budge and was forcing her to meet the boys family just once. Khushi as we can say was fuming, fuming because she knew she felt something for the boy who cleaned her windshield everyday, fuming because she wanted to talk to him maybe get to know him, fuming because the society was cruel and we don't get everything we ask for and fuming because her mother kept saying how well off the family was and how happy khushi would be and live a luxurious life. Is that all that matters, well who was she kidding obviously money mattered, in todays man eat man world she had to be practical. She would never marry the signal boy, she was raised in a comfortable living style and she knew she wouldn't adjust in his lifestyle and all that was bullshit when people say "love is enough" because HELLO! Breaking news!!! People are dying because of poverty which proves LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH! And with that she made up her mind. She said yes to her mother because she had other plans for the "MR RICH" she was going to meet, she knew how to deal with such brutes and as for now she had another matter at hand.
Arnav was waiting for her and prayed that she comes early since his Di had called him home for something important and had made it sure he agreed to be on time. One person he could never argue with was his Di. When khushi arrived she saw him smiling to himself and that's when the doubt rose in her, maybe he doesn't reciprocate the feelings and is thinking about someone who is his style, who wears gawdy clothes, maybe applies lots of cheaply bought make up on her face and wears long earings, those u get on the streets for 10 rupees. YES khushi was being mean and judgmental but what can you do when one is jealous!
He saw her roll down her window for the first time in the past 7 days she spoke.
Khushi: sit.
That's all she said, HER first word, to HIM. Weird isn't it.
Well with a raise in his left eyebrow he went around and settled on the passenger seat.
They drove in silence and after afew minutes they realized they were on a deserted road and that's when khushi came out of her car banging the door behind her and he followed her.
Khushi: I cant be with you.
Arnav: are you telling ME or urself?
Khushi: this is wrong
Arnav: since when did man have the power to decide right and wrong.
Khushi: no body would agree!
Arnav: are you scared of the society.
Khushi: its irrational '
This was it, her outburst and reasons were lame and baseless and arnav could feel his anger rising and that's when he cut her.
Arnav: will you shut up. Was it irrational when you kept visiting the same signal every other day, was it irrational that you observed every move of mine while I was cleaning your screen, was it irrational when you kept starring at me, was it-
Khushi: ENOUGH! Who do you think you are to talk to me like that. I didn't give you the freaking right to scream at me like that.
Arnav: and I GAVE you the right to scream at ME for something I didn't do?
There was silence after his last sentence, she knew she was being stupid but how should she put her thoughts forward. She turned towards arnav and was determined to let it all out. Arnav may have been surprised to see the sudden determination but didn't dare to show it because he wanted her to speak. And that's exactly what she did.
Khushi: I kept coming everyday to get you out of my system but I FAILED, I kept starring at you so I get over this funny feeling every time I look into your eyes but I FAILED, I didn't observe you I was trying to fill my quota of looking at you because I knew this time would come soon. Ill be honest with you, my emotions for you are very strong and its weird because we have never talked to each other, we don't know anything about each other yet I feel at peace whenever I look at you. We belong to very different worlds and I would say it even if it breaks your heart that I don't belong to your world AT ALL. Ive lived a luxurious life and I know I wouldn't have that with you but that's not the issue, the issue is that this topic might be of conflict with us in near future and then the love we have would die so im killing it before it even has a chance to bloom. Im so sorry but I cannot do this because however much one wants to listen to their heart we should simultaneously consider our brain as an equal participant too. I brought you here so I can tell you about my feelings and leave for good from your life, I hope you are able to forget all this, I will, with time, I know that. Time heals everything.
And after her little speech she ran to her car started it and drove past him.
Arnav was stunned, she was a beauty with brains, rational still irrational but instead of anger he felt respect for her. This was bound to happen but the reason he felt the respect was because she was honest and didn't run away or indulge in self pity or sympathies for him. She was so sure what they had was LOVE at such an early stage. What was love? He questioned but then she mentioned both of them in the scenario never her alone or him alone. He walked his way home thinking about her face and how she looked in a yellow chuddidar , as bright as the sun which was shining now. For the first time in these 7 days it did not bother him much.
They had reached outside the grand entrance of the rich family, they had a huge mansion no doubt but it surprised khushi to see the family who gave them a warm welcome. She couldn't concentrate on the kind people around her and kept replaying what she had said to her err mm "signal crush". She had so easily mentioned love when she didn't believe in it and now she was in a dilemma. Will she ever be able to forget? That's when a soothing voice of a lady a little older than her, reached her ears.
Person: you should meet my brother, he is in his room, an important teleconference came up. He just called and has requested you to join him there if you are comfortable with it.
Garima had noticed that khushi was uncharacteristically quiet and gave her daughter a go ahead when she asked for her permission to leave. Garima thought she might be feeling overwhelmed by the kind of warm welcome they got.
Khushi absent mindedly reached the door she was instructed to go and went inside after a crisp 'come in'.
She opened the door and saw the mans back was facing her and he was talking to someone on the phone and with the kind of replies he gave looked like an important business call so she remained quiet. When she thought the man ended the call and might turn she started with her own banter.
Khushi: listen please I don't want to marry you, you might be from a good and wealthy family but I am not up for it, not now atleast. I want to study and there is a lot I want to do in my life. I understand you would say that I can study after marriage but that's not what I want. I even understand that you are not dying to marry me so please refuse this proposal. I would be thankful to you.
The speed at which she said this she hoped the man infront of her understood what she was trying to say and as she had her head bowed down she couldn't guess his reaction too. So when the silence prolonged she turned and was about to exit from the door when she heard and extremely husky reply filled with humor.
Person: did your horoscope tell you to reject a guy twice in a day.
It took a minute for khushi to realize what the stranger had said and that's when she turned in lightning speed looking at the man infront of her with and 'o'.
Dammit that 'o' was tempting, thought arnav, in the past 7 days he hadn't seen this side of her at all. And with that he laughed out loud, so unlike him as his Di would like to put it.
After khushi came out of her anitial shock and then the captivating laugh, she came back to being khushi kumari gupta.
Khushi: what the hell are you doing here? Is this a joke? Could you not have told me ur reality before? Could-
Khushis sentence was left in midair as she suddenly found herself being crashed into a hard chest.
Arnav: ssshhh! Chup bilkul chup. Do you have any idea how much you speak. You know its healthy to listen to others too once in a while.
His sarcasm wasn't helping and now she really wanted to slap this guy infront of her who had occupied 80 percent of her thoughts.
Arnav: I thought after meeting me today you would use that over working brain of yours and ask me questions but I was wrong since madam was there to give her verdict only.
Did you not see my clothes today, did you not see the made up hair, the rolex on my left wrist and a platinum ring in my right hand. A guy who is poor and earns through washing windshields does not own all this, lady.
With that he left khushi and she observed him from head to toe and that's when it hit her. He had talked to her in English that resembled somewhat of a british accent, he was wearing all that he mentioned and well during the observing process she did check him out a bit too. And now she was at loss of words.
Khushi: how? Why? i'
Arnav: before you go on with your ranting. Ill explain.
A week ago Arnav had suggested his father Abhiney Singh Raizada that he should tell his marketing people to change their strategy and cater to all types of income earners. However during this discussion his dad had mentioned how he was young to suggest such changes at the moment since he was just 23 and it would not be beneficial to cater to a vast market as they had a business for hotels. This had led to an argument and arnav dad had dared him to become a signal beggar by washing windshields since that the first thing that came infront of their eyes. He was supposed to come here everyday for an hour 8 ' 9 am and observe the people and their spending pattern over something so small and insignificant. Arnav had readily agreed and since he did not want to disclose who he was he changed into an ordinary looking guy to win the bet from his father and prove him that ASR can do anything. That's when he met khushi and things changed.
Arnav: I respect you ma'am, the way you addressed me in the morning, thinking practically neither blaming me nor yourself but being strong enough to find a solution to your so called major problem.
Khushi: so you mean to say that you stayed an extra week in this just to see me?
Arnav: I met you on the last day of the bet and couldn't hope that you might return.
Khushi: why?
Arnav: I kept coming everyday to get you out of my system but I FAILED, I kept starring at you so I get over this funny feeling every time I look into your eyes but I FAILED, I didn't observe you I was trying to fill my quota of looking at you because I knew this time would soon end. Ill be honest with you, my emotions for you are very strong and its weird because we have never talked to each other, we don't know anything about each other yet I feel at peace whenever I look at you.
Khushi stood gaping at this man infront of him, he remember all that she was rambling few hours ago. How is that possible, even she didn't remember the exact same words. And with that she fainted TOO OVERWHELMED INDEED.
After five years:
He was 28, yet the most beautiful man god could have ever created. She couldn't believe her luck and how life played with her. Wearing neon green hotpants and a white tank top khushi stepped out in the car porch where her husband of a year and lover of 5 years was washing their car. He looked so different from the man who washed her windshield everyday 5 years ago. This man infront of her was a greek god, well sculpted and extremely yummy.
"its ok to have lusty thoughts about your own husband" ' khushi thought and sat near the stairs where she could have a good look at her eye candy.
Five year ago when she had fainted, he had carried her to his bed and woken her up. The entire family was present when she opened her eyes but suddenly all she wanted to do was seek for the molten brown. Afew weeks down the line the family had got to know about their meeting and was delighted when khushi said yes to the rishta. The new student uncle Roy was talking about was arnav but he was in the MBA program in her university yet they got to see each other a lot. Soon the whole campus knew about khushi and arnav, though the girls were always aware that Arnav Singh Raizada is engaged they became green with envy when it was found that the girl was none other than principal Roys favourite, KHUSHI!
Arnav and Khushi went through their own ups and downs but fell deeply in love with each other every passing day.
Coming back to the present khushi had this sudden urge of want and she cat walked towards her husband.
He noticed her sensual walk but remained focused on his task of cleaning the car and that's when he felt her hands in his back pocket and heard her whisper in his ears from behind.
Khushi: a little tip for washing my car.
Oh that voice, arnav was very much aware of his wifes wanton voice and he turned in a swift to capture her between his arms.
Arnav: you have a lot of paying up to do Mrs. Raizada, I washed your windscreen for 6 days and leme inform you Arnav Singh Raizada is very expensive.
Khushi: and what does the great ASR want?
The answer was simple, she could read it in his eyes but was dying to hear it.
Arnav: YOU
Khushi: always will and always have.
It was khushis habit to complete this statement of his and next she felt his smiling lips and hers and sighed in utter bliss. Oh what did she do to deserve this hot mess. The car wash forgotten, by the time they reached the front door khushi was devouring arnavs shoulder since he wasn't wearing a shirt and by now she herself was drenched in soupy water. Thank god it was Sunday and the prakash brothers had an off otherwise they would have had a heart attack at the sensual scene just in the middle of the living room. Khushi had gotten everything, luxury, love, pleasure and an amazing new family, letting go of something precious is not always that bad, is it?
-Tabby J.
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