(Sargam's)Inexplicable Attraction)
11
Hey Devi mayya! Roz dekhna hai?( Oh! He wants to see me everyday!) Khushi thought!
She rounded her eyes as she looked at him. Arnav just returned her stare insolently. Let her know that he gets what he wants! Hell! He has passed all riddles with flying colours!
Khushi got lost in the brown orbs of his eyes! How beautiful and engaging his eyes were and then she was jerked out of her thoughts by a voice from inside!
Arnav too noticed that the lady was checking him out! Let her! But she will have to respond positively! He thought smirking. Then suddenly she was out!
DM: "Dekha? myne kahaa thaa na?" ( See! Didn't I tell you?)
K:" Aap kyun humesha aisaa karthi Hai?"( Why do you do it always to me?) Khushi complained.
A:"what?"
DM: Maine tumhe sacchhayi bathaya!"( I told you the truth)
K:" Ab my kya karoon?"( what do I do) she half thought half asked)
A:" Gimme your number"
DM:"Isey yahi goodbye kaho"( Get rid off him here and now!)
K:" Good bye?"
A:"GoodBye?"
DM:" Haan! Goodbye! Yeh tho peechey hi padgaya! Maine kahaa tha na?"( Yeah! he is stalking you and I told you he is not the one!)
K:"Nahin! Aisa nahin!"( No its not so!)
A:"Khushi"
K:" Aap chup rahiye"( You keep quiet)
DM:"Phir mujhey kyun Bulaya?"( why did you call me?)
A:" what?"
K"Aap nai Arnav ji" ( No Not you! Arnav)
DM" My jaa rahi hun" ( I am leaving!)
Arnav was infuriated by Khushi when she said shut up to him! But then he realised that she was talking to herself and asked him to shut up when he interfered!...and a slow smile spread on his face looking at the lady sitting opposite to him. In a crowded hotel, With Arnav Singh Raizada as company, this girl preferred to talk to herself!
He also realised that two things were noteworthy.
She made him smile. When was the last time he did that!
He couldn't recount! And secondly she was so simple that she did not mind him or the world at all.
She was happy with herself.
This was what he lacked in his life.
People either were in awe of him or they tried to impress him through pretence! He liked Khushi cause she did not bother with him at all.
None told him to shut up.
And she just did it and did not even bother to apologise to him. He smiled again and said Khushi, "if you have time from whoever you are talking to telepathically can we talk?"
Khushi looked at him and realised what she did."Ji" (Yeah)she said.
"Your number!" He reminded for the tenth time! He remembered all those times when all those women tried to give their numbers one way or the other to him while he tried to avoid them! Well there is always a first Mr. Raizada! He told himself.
"Nahi milegi" ( you won't get) Khushi shouted and looked around embarassed as everyone in the restaurant looked at them!
Thats again a first Arnav thought! He shouted at people and raised his voice not the other way round! Hmm! some girl he has found!
"Ok then how will i contact you?" Arnav asked her!
"Why do you need to?" Khushi shouted at him!
Arnav began to reach the limit of his patience! "Because I told you I want to" He yelled back!
K:" Excuse me get the bill" she said to the waiter.
A:" What are you doing?"
K:"Shhh!"
A:" What the!"
K:" chup raho yaar!" ( Just keep quiet)
A:" How dare you?"
K:" Kya karlogey? Phaansi dedoge? (What will you do? Hang me for that?) Bill jaldi do( Make it quick) whispered again to the waiter who hurried with it!
K: Do you have ten rupees?
A:"Excuse me?"
K "TEN" she showed all her fingers!
A:" I have a card?"
K: "Bade aaye laad governor! Muh uthaye! Jeb mein dus rupaye nai hi!" Khushi grumbled.( Lord Governor! He doesn't even have ten rupees in his purse but came for a date)
A:" Excuse Me?"
K:" Excused" Arnav saw she paid the bill gave the tip as an extra amount and smiled at the waiter! And walked out!
Arnav was so amused and shocked as well that before he recovered, Khushi was out of the restaurant.That was a first too. A lady who he took on date paid for him! He just ran after her and shouted Khushi! Then not finding her in the lounge he went on to the road and tried Khushi. A hand closed his mouth and pulled him aside.
An irritated Arnav just twisted it and pulled its owner forward and came face to face with Khushi!
K:"Chodiye!"( Let go of me) she writhed in pain!
A:"Tum?"( You?)
K:" Nahi meri judwa behan jo meley mein mujhsey bichad gayee thi!"( Nah my twin who got separated from me in my childhood in a carnival) Khushi joked.
And she suddenly grabbed his hand and ducked behind him while dragging him towards the road.
"Khushi what is happening!" Arnav yelled at her
"Nandkishore is happening!" she yelled at him in the din of the traffic!
"A:"What Kishore? Who is he?"
"Wait a minute! Are you seeing someone?" Arnav stopped in the middle of the road and demanded.
An auto flew past him just missing him and the auto driver let out a string of curses" "Arey road ke beech mein kya natakaan karrein?"( whats this drama in the middle of the road?)
ASR stared at him and Khushi pulled him with him and they bumped into a scooter... coming from his direction which was trying to avoid a deadly combination of a stray dog and buffalo.
The scooter had a middle aged man driving it with a teenage girl sitting behind him and his wife( May be) coz she too was middle aged and very hefty behind her! While two 5yr and 7yr olds were sitting infront of the man! All of them crashed as the man applied sudden brakes to avoid hitting Khushi and Arnav and they luckily stopped but flopped on to the ground. The youngest one who none noticed and was a months baby landed in Arnav's arms and crying while the man fell to his left! The teenage girl to the right. The lady again to the left with the scooter on her. Khushi saved the two small heros in the front at the right time by hopping to her right and catching them!
"Chacchhinaallalaara! road madhyalo duetlu paaduthunnarra!" ( @#$%^&! Are you singing duets in the middle of the road)The lady squeeled!
Arnav was taken aback by her voice which was a high pitched one! He expected a strong voice going by her figure! And as he heard the cries of the baby he stood shocked as he realised he was holding a baby! HOLDING A BABY DAMMIT!!!!
"Khushi Help me!" he managed to wail!
But Khushi was busy! Very busy! She went and was struggling to pull the lady up but she wouldn't budge! Further she started cursing! " Evitandi veellu roadlanni ilaa tirigi en chesthaaruta! ( What is this! What do they plan to acieve by roaming on the roads this way?)
A crowd gathered! Some removed the scooter which Arnav later thought was a vintage one! Only the engine must have been of Bajaj! The rest of the parts were of different companies indicating how many times they were replaced! It would fall apart if he whistled yet bore a family of 6! Incredible India!
The others took the man aside and tried to make him drink water! Khushi was rescued by a youngster who tried pushing the lady from behind! The traffic halted. People were screaming! Horns were blaring! And Khushi was pulling! Arnav was standing like a statue lest the baby did something! Even moved! He was scared!
K:" Zor lagaake!"( With all your force)
Another man joined Shouting Haissa!( Sailor"s jargon used while paddling)
The youth " Dum lagake"( With all your energy)
Another joined on Khushi's side! " Haissa"
Nothing moved only their muscles jangled painfully.
The lady started wailing"Ayyo! Idem raatha raasaadu Devudu!"( What has god written in my destiny)
"Aunty koncham levandiaaniki try cheyyandi"( Aunty please try to get up!)Khushi yelled to make herself audible above the din! Everyone was shouting instructions!
Arnav was paralysed with the baby and he did not know how in the world he was in such a mess!
He asked Khushi, " please do something ! call traffic policeman. There must be one!"
Traffic policeman! Khushi panicked and hit upon an idea.
She turned at the lady who wouldn't budge and yelled, "Aunty kalaniketan wedding mall lo 80% discount undani velthuntey meetho accident ayyindi! Please levandi! Ivaala last day!"( I was going to Kalanikethan wedding mall where there is an 80% discount offer! Please get up I need to go as today is the last day!)
The fellow pulling Aunty along with Khushi fell backwards and Aunty got up. She asked Khushi" Enthavaraku open untundi?"( Till when will the mall be open?
"Enimidi gantala varaku" ( Till eight ) Khushi replied. The man and the kids and the scooter were already ready.. The lady took her baby and left with them while the crowd dispersed and Arnav Singh Raizada was dragged to the other side of the road by Khushi and still kept his hands stiff cause of the baby effect and was staring at Khushi.
K:"Kya?"( What?)
A:" Unbelievable man!
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
12
Pic Courteousy: Arhi6( my dearest Aliena)
K:"Isme na samajhne wali bath kya hai?"( Whats there not to believe?)
A:" Leave IT! Can you tell me who is Nand Kishore?"
K:" Margaye! "( We are dead!)
A:" What?
K:" chaliye tho!" ( You just keep walking!)
A;" Where! What!"
Khushi suddenly grabbed him by his arm and pulled him into a narrow gully( Narrow Alley). Suddenly in the midst of deafening traffic and crowd they entered a narrow gully that was tiled with stones with houses on both sides... This is a common feature in most cities.
Arnav turned to Khushi and pinned her to the wall saying," whats happening Khushi! Are you two timing me?"
K:" Excuse me !For that I need to one time you actually! How dare you!"
Arnav's lips twitched. Inspite of being mad at her he still felt like exploding into laughter! One time him? ONE TIME HIM HA HA HA! Khushi Kumari Guptha! You are amazing he thought! But first things first!
A:" Will you answer me?"
K:" Nahi!"(No!)
A "WHY?"
K:" Why should I?"
A:" Who is Nandkishore?"
K:" Nenu cheppanu!" ( telugu) ( I won't tell you)
A:" What are you saying?"
K:" I am trying to speak in Telugu and tell you I won't answer as you are not getting it if I tell you in Hindi!"
A:" Common Khuhsi! Speak up!"
K:" ok.. Only if..."
A:" No Khushi! No! Not again"
K:" ok! Then I won't tell you!'
A" shit! Ok! Tell me what? This time is it number of Maruthi cars in Hyderabad or total number of hoardings in the twin cities! Seriously! For telling me who Nand Kishore is! You need to again create a puzzle!" He spat exasperatedly!
A cycler passing by misunderstood what was happening and whistled and shouted" Kya horein?" ( what's happening) before turning into the other gully!
Silence for a second and then...
Both Arnav and Khushi burst out laughing and they laughed so much that both of them leaned side by side on the huge stone wall holding hands still and turned to each other shaking in laughter!
Then they stopped abruptly as they realised the depth of the shared moment. A strand came free off Khushi's hair and Arnav involuntarily tucked it behind her ear!
Khushi never thought she will be like this... with a stranger... in a lonely alley... laughing her tummy off ... at an embarrassing remark... She just simply was lost in his eyes!
A sharp horn blared somewhere and they both came out of their musings!
A:" Ok shoot! Who is Nand Kishore!"
K:" Tell me where you work I will tell you!"
A:" Thats cheating!"
K:" Nope! Thats a deal"
Arnav just stared at the lady standing before him!!! She is talking about whats a deal to him? TO ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA?
Man!!! He was impressed!
He smirked!
K:" Kya?"( What)
A:" Kya kya?"( What what?)
K:" Kya ka double kya"( A double of Kya )
A;" Offo! Khushi whats this word game!"
K:" You tell me"
A:" Nandkishore!"
K:" Your office address!"
They reached a tie again! and turned their backs to each other!
"Ok"
Both of them said simultaneously turning to each other!
K:" pehle aap!"( You First)
A:" Ladies First"
K:" Ok. If you agree to do something I will tell you!"
A:" Not again!"He said . But he gave in and said,"Ok ! What?"
K:" Can you help me?"
A:" What? What happened?" Arnav just could not digest that she was in trouble! Khushi! Is everything all right?" he caught both her arms and shook her! Dear god! This girl is crazy!
Wait a min! Is she into drugs? Arnav's mind started galloping everywhere. Oh god! No! At last he thought he found someone and before he froze on his own emotions this would happen! Will he end up taking dabba to a drug rehabilitation centre? Her hands !!! Do they twitch? someone told him thats the first sign! thats why she is so cranky at times/ Mood swings!!!
A:" Are you into?" He stopped there as he did not know how to ask!
K:" Yes or no!" Khushi's voice made him come back to the present!
A" Ofcourse !yes! Tell me!"
K:" Buaji" you know my aunt? She has happened!
A:" What? Is she the problem!" Thank God!
K:"Nope you told me to tell you who Nandkishore is na? My Buaji has a habit of saying HAI REH NANDKISHORE! She just happened to come with my mom into TAj Tristar when we were sitting there so I dragged you out and ... Humey muaff kijiye!" ( Please forgive me) There she finally said it!
Arnav felt like slapping himself! Here he was like a jealous teenager and... aawwwe! He just agreed for another challenge! Kill yourselves you @#$%^&* he mentally kicked himself!
K:" Arnavji!"
A:"-----"
K: " will you keep your word/"
A:" of course!Tell me what do you want!"
K:" You wont back out!"
A: " Khushi you need to know that I never break my promises!" Give it right brother! Let the girl know your virtues... Anyway he could not say I AM A RAIZADA I NEVER FAIL ON MY PROMISES! Its a new experience to build your personality and he was enjoying this new experience!
K:" Ok. I need to take someone to hospital and without my family knowing it! Its...eh... a promise I made in a weak moment to a friend!...eh... hope you understand!! She said looking here and there!"
Oh! Yes! Now! go! Have a blast! This is a case of termination! Or drug rehabilitation! Arnav Singh Raizada! You deserve it!
But atleast its a friend not Khushi! Party time!
K:" Arnavji! Its ok... I understand if you have reservations!!!
A:"No Khushi! Its ok! I told you I will!!! Then I will!"
K:" I ... thought! But Well Teeku cant as he has a team challenge... He just messaged so I have to do it. I promised!"
A:" Its ok! When should we go?"
K:" tomorrow"
A:" ok"
Khushi really liked Arnav for his forthcoming attitude!
K:"Arnavji, Thank you! Aur my aapko jaldi hi Hyderabad ghumaaooingi! My bhi waada nahi thodthi kabhi!"( ...And I will take you around Hyderabad soon! I too keep my promises!)
Arnav smiled! This is becoming a habit with him!! He thought! Yeah! I will remind you!
"And now I am dropping you home... No! he warded off her protests.. Its past six thirty... I will!
K:"ok".
They both got into the vehicle and after making her comfortable arnav started driving!
K:" Where do you work?" casually!
A:" Find Out Ltd" smiling slyly. He added ," Learnt it from you Madame!"
K:" Ok. what do you do"
A:" Find out"
K:" Find out what?"
A :" I said you find out!"
K:" Is this car yours!"
A:" Why"
K:" I have to talk something right? Its not polite!"
A:" Oh ! Sure! This car is owned by my company" He was not lying at least!
K:" Oh which company?" very casually.
A:" Find out Ltd. Stop it Khushi!" He could not help laughing cause she was amazingly persistent!
K:" You must be in a big Job... car and all!"
A:" Nope!"
K:" Then do they give car allowance to attenders in your firm!" Khushi said rudely and purposefully at that! Spill the beans Arnav!
Arnav would have risen to the bait but for the red signal at the traffic! The stop over gave him some sense!! she was digging to make him tell his job designation on his own!
A:" May be!" He said smugly and when Khushi did an 'O' with her mouth he exclaimed. " Stop it Khushi !Just shut up!!! Will you? Now try to find out where I work and what I do on your own. I too did that! So why can't you?"
Khuhsi was snubbed so she sat stiff backed and looked out of the window! Arnav realised he was harsh on her! He tried to make amends!
A:" The car is given to me for the first fifteen days in Hyderabad as I am new here! They gave a driver also. But that will end tomorrow!"
K:"-----"
A:" Suna tumne?"( Did you here me?)
K:"------"
A:" Khuhsi"
K"------"
She would not talk to him! Arnav continued! From tomorrow I am on my own! and to add some spice to the story he said... I don't even know this city properly! May be I need to use public transport!
K:"------"
A:" Khushi! stop being like a kid!"
Khushi closed her mouth with her palm and gestured you asked me to shut up so I wont talk!
A:" So I am telling you talk now Dammit!"
Khushi closed both her ears indicating she can't hear him swearing.
Arnav stopped the vehicle a few blocks ahead of Khushi's home and pleaded with her! "will you stop this nonsense of not talking to me?"
Khushi made a straight face! and just stared a him. Actually she was enjoying it!!! She never knew that she could have such an effect on an individual that he would really mind if she did not talk!!! Her heart felt light and heavy at the same time! Arnav has endeared himself to her so much in such a short time, so that now she started feeling a little scared thinking about the possible fact- if she carried any feelings for him! Further she did not know anything about him! "Hey Devi Mayya Raksha karna" ( Please help me Devi Mayya) she thought!
Arnav misunderstood her silence and said ok. But I will come tomorrow to pick you up and your ...er friend! Till then will you keep this with you? He supplied a mobile!
Khushi saw red. What does he think of himself? She opened her mouth and shut it! She is not talking to him! Thats the biggest punishment!
She made to get down the car without taking the mobile.
Arnav jerked her back into the car and yelled! " Whats your problem? You won't give your number! You want me to help you and your friend is busy! How will I coordinate the hospital trip? Did you think at all?"
Khushi sat without moving! That meant she is listening! OMG! This girl is something!!! Arnav thought!
"I shall call or msg so that we can meet and do the needful. Now you may go. Wave when you reach your gate! I will wait!" He concluded.
Khushi just gave him a look. She herself was confused now as what started as a light banter is becoming something serious! She did as told and went to her room directly.
Arnav Waved back and then reversed his car!
He called Aman and said" Aman I have an exciting deal for you!"
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
13
Khushi changed and ate. Amma and Buaji came late and Payal was at her friends Bday party and so she shall be coming late. Babuji was yet to come back from his trip to Mumbai!
She excused herself and as she reached her room, she got a message from Prateek!
P:" All well?'
K:"Yeah"
P:" Did you meet him"
K:" Yeah"
P:"so?"
K:"So?"
P:" Oh c'mon!
K:" Shut up"
P:" will talk in detail tomorrow"
K:" gn"
Sargam's Inexplicable Attraction
Aman:" Sir tell me!"
A:" How do you commute in Hyderabad?"
Aman:" sir by office car or taxi/ public transport!"
A:" How about having your own Vehicle!"
Aman:" Sir I do. You gifted me a..."
A:" here in Hyd."
Aman:" Its...er it will be great!"
A:" what if its my Thunderbird"
Aman:"sir? Are you?... I mean are you serious?"
A: " ofcourse"
Aman:" Thank you sir"
A:" But there is a catch to the deal"
Aman:" Oh! Is there now! " He added mentally I knew it. ASR never strikes a deal without a catch!
A:"yep! You need to drop and pick me up everyday!"
Aman:" what?"
A:" Yeah buddy"
Aman:" Sir...er ...eh I mean the vehicle is yours so you can drive the bike! Then why me?"
A:" Just like that... may be to give you a chance to drive me crazy which I do to you all the time! Gn Aman"
Aman:" What? ...Ok... Gn sir"
As Arnav finished the call he was driving and turned out of an alley on to the main road and very narrowly missed a pedastranian who was about to cross at the turning! He too panicked and fell... His bag and spects fell on the road a little away from him!
Arnav swore under his breadth! It was not his fault but neverthless he got down and tried to help the fellow get up!
The fellow was a young chap with a bag pack which now lay on the road and he apologised!
A:" Thats ok! But you gave me a scare man! That was bad !!"
Man:" Sorry friend! Just my fault"
A:" Whats your name!"
Man:" Diwa!"
A:" What?" Laughing out loud!"
Diwa:" Yeah! you didn't recognise me!"
A:" Should I? " taking it as a prank!
Diwa:" Hey don't you listen to FM Radio?"
A:" Aah No!"sheepishly...
Diwa:" ok. I am Diwakar! Popularly known as RJ Diwa!
A:" Oh! Good to know that!"
Diwa:" You don;t seem to be from Hyd!"
A:" Yep! New here!"
Diwa:" Studying?"
A:" Job!"
Diwa:" Wow! Nice meeting you friend! Your name!
A:" Arnav"
As Arnav shook hands with Diwa he thought how different the world is! In the rat race he had long forgotten that he is a young chap and he hardly had any friends! Really! Khushi has opened him up to all these possibilities which he missed entirely! Wow!
Diwa:" What do you do!"
A:" Er... Working here as a Manager with AR group!"
Diwa:" Wow!"
A:" You?"
Diwa:"Working as a floor manager in my uncle's restaurant and doubling it with being an RJ at night!
A:" wow!"
Diwa:" So I shall meet you sometime I hope?"
A:" He reached into his pocket to give Diwa his card and realised that now he was a normal youngster and should act like one. Lemme give you my number! He gave Diwa his number and then asked," Can i drop you some where?"
Diwa" Well at my studio if its not a bother!"
Then he told him the address which was on Arnav's way!
As they started chatting Diwa asked:" Girl friend?"
A:" Sort of"
D:" Hello Brother! There is either one or no! There is no sort of!"
A" Ok There is one but not confirmed!"
Diwa:" Now what is that!"
A:" Arnav told him his problem briefly discounting most of the details!
Diwa:" Interesting!"
A:" You think So"
Diwa:" Yes! But we will have to first test waters!"
A:" How" suddenly alert!"
Diwa:" Did you try to stimulate her towards thinking about you?"
A:" Nope! She does enough stimulation for both of us!"
They both ended up laughing their tummies off!
Diwa:" Ok Let us rectify that !Now Love Guru is here! Don't you worry Arnav!:
Arnav felt elated and odd at the same time! Just Imagine Di Aman Nani any one getting to know about his parallel life! They will end up in shock!
Now Ten 'o' clock my show starts on FM! I shall dedicate a good song to her... her name?"
A:" Errr..."
Diwa:" She is safe with me! I don't steal girl friends!"
A: " Khushi"
Diwa:" Wow! Done"
A:" What will you dedicate?"
Diwa:" Since she troubled you with her Telugu Lets give her a Telugu dose!"
A:" I cant understand Telugu!"
Diwa:" Ok. I shall text you the translation!"
You can listen to the song here! He played it on his mobile and said "this is going to be perfect for your situation!Just text her to listen as soon as I tell you the broadcast schedule ok?"
A:" Ok! But you are sure it wont backfire!" He liked the song! He didn't have a clue what it meant though!
Diwa:" Listen to the song! Howz it?"
A:" The tune is too good"
Diwa:" Meaning is too good too"
The reached the studios and Diwa after promising Arnav that he would text him soon left. Arnav switched on his FM>>> A think he never did before and waited for Diwa's text as he drove slowly back home!
Diwa pinged as promised...
Arnav read...
Then Diwa pinged again... The time of broadcast...
Arnav called Khushi!
K:" Yeah"
A:"Please listen to the song on FM 100 at ..."
K:"Why?"
A:" Coz they are announcing that I am kidnapped!'
K:" What?"
A:" Yeah!Just listen to the song I am dedicating to you!"
K:" I won't"
A:" You will"
K:"won't"
A:" Ok! But RJ Diwa Promised me he will air it at that time!"
K:" RJ Diwa? She shrieked!"
A:"Will you listen to it"
K:" OK"
Khushi tuned her mobile to the FM100 and RJ Diwa was hosting her favourite show "This and That with RJ Diwa!"
What song would he have dedicated to her definitely nothing direct! Kalyani ritu everyone listened to this programme! Oh god! It should be afunny one for sure as she has troubled him a lot!
It went on...
"... so guys... today I am going to do something different and that is I am going to become a messenger for a dear friend! ARNAV!!! Arnav has a message for his uh... would be girl friend Khushi and hey Khushi what a dude you have up your sleeve man!!!! Just try this chap out my girl and I swear you won't regret ever!!!
Thats a tough thing to decide on but Arnav dedicates this cuteso song to you and you alone Khushi... All the best to ya'all here it goes from..." Diwa read out the credits!
Khushi was eating a chocolate ice cream out of a cone and she forgot about it as her mouth gaped open at the song dedicated for her by Arnav!!!!
Nenu Nuvvantoo
[ANUKAT:Listen to the song and savour its meaning!!! Enjoy the music for music knows no boundaries of language. I purposefully linked it to a new window as you all can read the translation as you savour the song...lemme know how u feel
]
Song translation!
You and Me ... We although are two different beings...
I Dunno why I feel myself in you today! ( Strangely)
So much so that I am searching for myself in you!
If you are not there! Then what would happen to me I cannot envisage
I am asking you for your consent for our togetherness
I swear on myself if you say no...
I can do anything for making you believe in me
If I Start loving once...( After my first sighting of you)
No woman can dare to leave me as I shall love with such intensity!
Once you get drowned in the depths of my love
You won't be able to fathom it and float atop so easily
As I won't think twice before giving up my life!( For you)
II You And me II
I am a man of integrity
I only speak the truth
I am a lad who hates lies
I am the only gentleman you can find!
I am the best romantique ever
Its Ok! You can say yes and accept me!!
My heart is clear and my feelings are never shrouded
I present my true self as me!( No made up attributes) And can fight it with you (if you say no)and win over too!!!
Oh my beauty! Should Every minute be a puzzle/ struggle with you?
Today You are my world
Even if you catch all the planets and place them in a good position( For a favourable horoscope) or even if the sky falls,
You can never find a man like me for sure...
You have appeared before me like the TajMahal and you shall find me to be a lover who would remain in the history as a legendary lover! ( Even the Taj would fade before me)
Arnav thought he would Give it to Diwa for finding the exact song for him!
Then Diwa pinged again... All the best and see you soon Buddy!
Arnav called Khushi!
(Sargam's)Inexplicable Attraction-14
A:"Khushi?"
K:'Haan"(Yes)
A:"Tum theek ho?"( Are you ok?)
K:"Kyun aapka gaana daraavana tho nai tha!"( Why! Your song wasn't scary)
A:"AAAh!Tho thumney suna!"( Oh!!! So you heard it)
K:"Ji"( yeah)
A;" Er..Kaisa lagaa?"( how did you like it?)
K:"Accha hai" ( It's good!)
A:"Phir?" (Then)
A:" Phir?"( Then)
A:"Whats your answer then?" He said exasperatedly!
K:"Kaunsa?"( Which one)
A:" Khushi!"
K:" Arnavji"
K:" My kya bolun?"( What should I say?)
A:" Jo tumhey bolna chahiye!"( What ever you have to)
K:" Mujhey kya bolan chahiye?"( what should I have to say?)
A:" Are you kidding me?"
K:' Nope"
A:'" Now What is this?"
K : " You tell me! You barge into my life spend more time with me in a week than Prateek does everyday and on the seventh day dedicate a song to me and ask me to answer a question you never asked at all?" She vented out her frustration!
Arnav was stunned at her outburst as it was absolutely true. He had spent every waking moment with her for the past week. Either thinking, calling ,talking or dealing with her! How come he has become so different! Now he had an RJ for a friend and he feels he is a young chap not a business tycoon looked up to by half of India!
Most importantly he had not asked her at all... He assumed!!! How true!
"Khushi I am sorry if I bothered you!" He could not believe his ears that he was saying sorry! But he went on... "Can we... be ... eh... ",
Damnit!!! how do they say these things!!! Was it so difficult to be ordinary? He never had to do it ! Women offered themselves to him which he rejected or played along!!! Now what?
"Can we be what?", Khushi egged him on... She was standing on the edge of her bed with one leg on the cot frame and the other foot on the leg which was on the frame balancing... she did weared things when tensed up and this was one of them!
"Can we be... eh..." Arnav struggled. " Can you... nope I..." He struggled still.
"Ok you seem to have forgotten your lines... didn't your friends give you any chitties?" Khushi asked.
"What?" Arnav asked
"I meant notes? Koi tho dost yar se rehearsal kar aaye hoge naa?" ( You must have rehearsed with some friend is it not) She asked him and sounded smug!
Then she added I wrote so many for Ritwick, Kiran, Srinivas and some for girls too!
A smile spread on Arnav's face.
She is so different from his world. She did not know ASR could not ask !!!Oh So sweet she is thinking he is scared to utter those lines!
Let me give you a jolt Khushi Kumari Guptha he thought!
A:"Ok Khushi rehne do! Have dinner and gn..." He sounded final.
CRAAASH... Dunm!
K:"Oye ! Ruko ruko ruko!" There was a loud noise followed by Khushi saying that!
A:"Hey what happened Khushi? are you all right? What was that sound?.
"Nothing "Khushi said emerging from the floor ... a mess of choclate Icecream which was now in liquid state and things that were strewn on the floor as she crashed from her stance on to the side table spilling the water jug, photo frame kept on side table and what not...
"What do you mean by rehne do? " She asked him! Hey Devi Mayya! Ek hath se de ek hath se ley? Yeh kahan ka insaaf hai? ( Oh god how can you give and take in a jiffy? Not fair)she added mentally.
"Rehne do yaar!" ( Leave it)Arnav played it along!
"Arey aisa kaise rehne dey?"( How can i let it be?) Khushi panicked... what if he withdraws the proposal?
"Arey whats up with you. Leave it now. You are not getting me at all!" Arnav was now unable to control his amusement!
K:"So you wont try"
A:"No why should I?"
K:"Why? Why? coz..." she tried to supply reason.
A:'Hmmm coz? "Arnav was now curious to know her reasons...
K:"You need rehearsal!"
A:"What?"
K:"You dint ask me!"
A:"I don't want to!'
K:"What?" this time it was Khushi's turn to be shocked.
A:'Yeah! You said I am moving fast"
K:"Where ?ok! It dawned on to her Offo! I only said we have known each other for only a week and you..."
A:And me?"
K:"You..."
A:"ME what?" Arnav teased her knowing well that she was pining for him to say it.
K:"Nothing"
A:"Ok Gn!" Smugly!
K:"If I say nothing you will say gn?"
A:"Do you want me to say subh raatri?" He deliberately prodded her!
K:"Haan Boliye ... ( sarcastically)gaana dimaag me chadhaake subhraathri! Meri poori Icecream kharaab ki aur mujhey palang pe se giraadiya!" ( Yeah! Please say good night after you put the bug of that song in my mind,melted my icecream and made me fall from my cot)
Then she added "Khaaq hogi raatri mera bus chaley tho aapka din rat subh subh kardoon!" ( My night is cursed now! If It were in my hands I would make your day and night worse for doing this to me) She spat.
Arnav tried hard to control his laughter! What a girl!!!
"Mainey?" Arnav feigned surprise but in reality he guessed something like that and he thought he will fall off his seat in the car laughing!
"Khushi" he ventured unable to control his bubbling laughter...
K:"Nai hai" harshly.
A:"Kaun?" Now what happened!
K:"Khushi" Ohhh!
A:"Oh!!! Kahan gayi hai?" he ventured loving the banter.
K:"leave pey hai" She supplied.
This is funny man! Arnav couldn't help himself from asking... "on what grounds?"
K:"Emotional" pat came the reply.
A:"Common!!! Itnah bhi kya. Abhi tho myne kuch bhi nahi bola!" ( Common it can't be that bad. i haven't said anything yet)
K:"Wahee tho" ( Thats the problem)
A:"Tho usmey hurt honeki bath hi nahi hai" ( Then what's there to get hurt in it?)
K:"Haitho. Ab aap humey jo bolnaa tha woh nahi boley aur uperse bolrahe haiki rehne do tho ... yeh hurt honey waali baath hai" ( It is! What you had to say you didn't and on top of that you said thats ok if you din't which is hurtful)
A:"But You are safe na?" Arnav asked innocently.
K:"hum safe kahaan hai... gaana ghumeygaa na dimaag mey" ( Where am I safe... The song will run in my mind is it not?"
Arnav was now pursing his lips to suppress his laughter very hard.RJ DIwa too ne kya aag lagaayee ( What a fire you ignited with just one song) he thanked him mentally!
A: " ok relax"
K: wahi tho mushkil hai"( Thats the problem)
A:" Forget that song"
K:" How"
A:" Ok think that I didn't dedicate it only"
K:" Haaw! You did but"
A:" Ok" he had a wicked thought! "think that I dedicated it to your friend"
K:"yuk"
A:What" He was about to roll on the floor and wished he could watch her face to face and not talk from his car instead!
K:" You are not a gay"
A:" oye"
K:" Prateek does have his doubts though! she supplied
A:" Wait a minute that pinku thinks I am... how dare he!!!'
K:" His name is Teeku!And if you dedicate a song to him you will be confirming that"
A:" Khushi I was referring to your girl friends... Ah kya naam hai uska... Haan Kalyani!
K:" Kya? Us kavvey ko"( That ravine)
Arnav was having a whale of a time. Kyun nai Khushi sochney mein kya hai! Uska bhi hai na?( Why not... Wjats there in assuming that I dedicated that song to her! After all she too has a heart!)
K:"Aur mera?" ( And mine?[what about it?])
A:"Tum leave pey honaa?'( You are on leave na?)
K:"tho?" (so?)
A:"Samajhlena myne uske liye song dedicate kiya! Simple!( think that I have dedicated this song to her and not you. Simple)
K:"Meri bayi ka bhi dil hai usko bhi dedicate karengey?"( my maid has also a big heart! Will you dedicate a song to her also ?" she was furious.
A:"Sure naam kya hai uska?" ( Sure... gimme her name) Arnav struggled to stop himself from bursting out with laughter in earnest.
Khushi got wild!And yelled...
"woh mere liye tha"( that song ws played for me)
"exactly" Arnav said lovingly!
"aur mujhey hi dedicate kiya gaya'( And was dedicated only to me) Khushi yelled again.
"ofcourse"Arnav agreed.
K:"sab ko aapka dil baatengey?" ( will you share your heart with everyone?) She yelled again.
A:"Nani kahthi hai mil baant key rehna chahiye" ( Granny says one must share and care!)
K:"Naniji ney kahan hoga MIL BAANTKEY na ki dil baantthey " ( She must have said share not distribute your heart to all and sundry) she clarified.
A:"Kyu nahi" ( why not) he was enjoying it!
K:"Kyunki dil baanta nahi jaatha hai! woh ek hi ko diya jaatha hai"( Why because
Your heart cannot be given to every one its given once and only to one)
A:"Mera dil my agar dena chahoon tho?" ( what if I want to give my heart to many?) Arnav ignited her temper further... he knew she was near...
K:"Kaise dey sakhthey hai aise sabhi ko? Dil hai ya koi kamraa?"( How can you give it everybody? Is it your heart or a room on lease?) She was now at her angriest!
A:"Kyun nai dey saktha?" ( why can't I?) there he dropped the line!
K:"Khunki aap sirf merey hai... aur kisi ko bhi appka dil leney deney ka haq nai hai! aapko bhi nai! Samjhey aap?( Because you are mine and only mine! None have a right to give or take in this matter! Not even you!)!!! she blurted out and immediately went silent as she realised what she did!
Arnav never thought that the sweetest revelations in life could be uttered so caustically yet sound so sweet to the ear! He savoured the moment...
Khushi caught hold of her head aping Buaji! Hey Devi Mayya yeh humney kya kiya?( What have I done?)
Aur tum? Tum meri ho? ( what about you? are you mine?)
Arnav's voice came after a few minutes of silence.
Sargam's Inexplicable Attraction-15
There was a long silence... so much so that Arnav was not sure if she was there!
A:"Khushi?"
A:"Khushi?"
A:"My jaantha hun you are there! Listening to every word of mine... You said I belong to you but what about you? Do you belong to me?"
A:"Khushi!I want to hear you say that!"
Silence
A:"Khushi bolo.."
K:"AAAh... ha ha hum hi kyon boley?" ( Why should I be the one to say everytime?) came the weak accusation.
Arnav smiled! Ok he had to give her time coz he conned her into blurting out her feelings without him doing that first!
A:"Accha theek hai My bolun?"( Ok. Should I now?) He asked lovingly.
K:"Ab kya bolengey aur bolke kya faayda hai?"( what will you say now and whats the use?) came the unexpected reply.
Now what is this twist Arnav thought! Khushi Kumari Guptha you never cease to amaze me he chuckled to himself!
A:"Matlab?" ( what do you mean?)He asked her amused again at her antiques.
K:"Sab kharaab ho gaya!" ( everything is ruined) She said forelornely.
A:"Kyun? Kya? aur kaisey?"( Why? What and how?) Arnav asked!
K:"Aur nai tho kya... aapko mujhey poochna tha mujhey aapko nai bolnaa tha fir aap humaare jawaab ka intezaar karthey tab baat ko banni thi! Ab..." ( Then what! You had to ask me. I had to be non-responsive, then you had to wait for my reply and then it had to happen!) She explained the process.
A:"Ab kya?" ( Now what?) Arnav felt bad for her... did he rob her off her excitement that every girl had? he thought!
K:"Ab my itni badi muh banaake chilla chukee hun ! Ab kya rahega kuch nai!" ( What now? After I shouted from the roof tops! What more is there nothing left at all!) She exclaimed!
"Why don't you think that we went beyond all that and... easily at that? he asked trying to soothe her!
K:"Kya bath kar rahein hai! My akeli ladki hungi jisney pyar kiya hai per jisse kabhi poocha nahi gaya ... kyun ki...kyun ki ... wahi ladke pey jhapat padi!!!" ( What nonsense are you saying! I must be one of my kind in women who has fallen in love without anyone asking her for her hand plus... she herself( me myself) jumped the gun!) Khushi sounded sad.
"Oh god!!!She loves him... she is telling him that but she does not know..." what had he done but still this is so funny.
A:"Accha baba my fir sey poochunga.Ok?"( I shall ask all over again! Is that Ok?)
K:"Phir sey? Rehne dijiye! Is baar tho muh khulwaya agli baar kya khulwaayenge nahi patha... Hey devi Mayya" ( Again? Oh let it be this time you made me open my mouth! Next time I haven't a clue what you will make me open...) she realised her blunder and said," hum rakhthey hain"( Bye)
Arnav chuckled loudly this time but he did not want to trouble her. Enough he harassed her for a day he decided! And said...
"Yeah! kal subah dus baje my tumhein aur tumhari dost ko pick karunga" ( I shall pick you and your friend by ten in the morning tomorrow!)
K:"Ji"( Yep)
A:"Gn"
K:"Gn"
A:"Kuch aur kehna hai?" ( Do you have anything more to say?) he teased her.
K:" dekhiye...aur kehney laayak kahaan chodey aap humko! Aap tho wahaan baithey gaane bajaa bajaa ke humaara muh khulwaye aur yahan hum sab bolke ek good night sey bandh padey hain... Kya aapne apni taraf sey kuch kehna uchit nahi samjha?"
( Where have you left me fit enough to say anything else? You sit at some remote place and kill the victim by playing songs!You made me blurt out but did not think it necessary to say it to me) she yelled so loudly that Arnav had to keep his mobile away from his ear!
A:" Mujhey kya kehna hai?"( What should I say) he baited her!
K:" Jo aapko kehna tha"( What ever you actually planne dto say) She did not rise to the bait.
A:" Per woh tho tum bol chuki ho"( But you already said that!)
"Humaari mathi maari gayi thi!!!"( I am a fool) she kicked the bed post and yelled in pain
A:"Kya hua" ( Whats that)
K:"Aap chup rahiye" ( will you shut up?)
A:"Ok !Ok relax main kuch sochtha hun!" ( I will think o something to say)
Khushi made an 'o' with her mouth and said sochengey? Aap sochengey?(Think? You will think to say that to me?) She felt enraged.
A:"Haan!" ( Yeah)
K:"Dei...eikhiye" she struggled to control her temper! "Aap aisey nai bol sakthey" ( You can't say like that!)
A:"wahi tho!"( Exactly) He deliberately misunderstood her.
K:"Shh! Ab kaun samjhaay inhey!"( who can make him understand now!!) She was exasperated.
Arnav laughed this time and said," Agar mujhey bolthey hue tumhe sunna hai tho tumhe kuch karna hoga!"( If you want to hear me saying 'it' you need to do something!)
K:"Kya? haan patha hai aapka office doondhna hai!" ( What! Oh! I know! I need to find your office!)
A:"Woh tho purani deal hai!" ( That deal is old)
K:"Aur yeh naya kya hai?" ( Then what is the new one now?)
A:"Bataunga" ( will tell you)
K:"Abhi" ( now)
A:"Abhi bahut raath hui hai..."( Now its too late)
K:"koi bath nahi!" ( doesn't matter)
A:"Theek hai tum karpoagi?" ( Ok! Can you do it?)
K:"kkk...kya karna hoga?she asked nervously!( what do i need to do?)
A:"Mere sath... he paused deliberately... Movie dekhne jaana hoga!" ( you need to go with me to the movies)
K:"kya?" ( what?"
A:"Haan! tab my tumhey woh bolungaa jo tum sunna chaahthi ho!" ( then you will get to listen to me saying what you want to hear from me)
K:"Nai." ( No)
A:"Tho theek hai! Kalyani ko tho bhi sunaunga!" ( Then its ok! I shall make KAlyani listen to what I have to say)
K:"Koi aur bath bolo bhaiyya!" ( please say something else!)
A:"Excuse me? my aur bhaiyya?( brother?) What the @#$% "Arnav got irritated...
K:"AAah... woh Hum chukaa rahe they?" ( Oh I was just trying to strike a deal)
A:"What?Chu...kaa...rahey... they ...ka matlab??" ( meaning?)
K:"Bargaining! Bargaining kar rahey they!"
A:"Oh! Nai!! kam nai hotha amma" ( Not possible ma'am) he said typically he was learning fast!
K:"Amma?"
A:"Bhaiyya?"
K:"Ok"
A:"Sure."
A:"Per movie my decide karungi!" ( but I shall decide the movie)
K:"Aur jagah my" (...and me the place)
A:"Theek hai"(ok)
K:"Kal subah milenge" ( we shall meet tomorrow morning)
A:"Sweet Dreams...Khushi! Khushi?"
K:"Haan ab kya hai?" ( Now what?)
A:"Tumhe aur kuch nai bolna hai?" ( Don't you want to say anything else?)
K:"@#$%!!!!!^&*@#$ !!!!! %^&#$%!!!! *&^%$#
He cut the call as Khushi started using all the Hyderabadi Gaalis which she knew!
Sargam's Inexplicable Attraction
Arnav got up early and was stuck with a telecon! He then had a quick shower but what would he wear? Who was the friend? Was it a friend or an influential cousin who would assess him and report to Khushi's parents!
Or was Khushi checking him out?Any which way he wanted to be on his guard! What should he wear? Well certainly not power dressing!
He noticed that people wore formal shirts and trousers and he did the same and went down for a quick breakfast.
"Di my kaisey lag rahaa hun?" (How do I look today?) he asked Anjali!
Chote! Raju ne tumhaare kapdey nahi le aaye drywash sey? ( Didn't Raju get your clothes from the laundry?) Anjali got up to get them...
"Nai Di I am wearing these today coz... he thought... coz I find everyone dressed this way in Hyderabad during office hours!" He gave an excuse.
"Oh!!!" Anjali was not convinced. That's not her brother's style at all!
"Ok! Whats your programme today Di? "He enquired while munching on his toast!
"My Blue cross ke animal awareness campaign mein jaa rahi hun... today they are getting school kids to appreciate animals and their significance to our ecosystem." she said
"Oh! Good Di." He beamed at his adorable sister.
"Aur tum?" ( and you?) she asked.
"I am... eh... er... office I have a meeting with some Chinese delegates!" Partly true... but sorry Di can't tell you now! He thought!
Sargam's Inexplicable attraction
"Khuhsi tu jaayegina aaram sey?... ya my bhi chalun..." ( will you be alright on your own or should I come too) Payal asked her.
"Nai jiji hum manage karlengey! Dost chal raha hai mere sath tho..." ( I am ok! A friend is coming with me) she said.
"Kaun sreenu?" ( who Sreenu?) Payal asked.
"Nai" ( Nope) Khushi replied.
"Kiran?"Payal enquired again.
Khushi said,"Nai tum nai janthi" ( You don't know him)
"Accha... per jaldi aajana!" ( ok but comeback soon!) Payal told her.
"Ok. Maa Buaji tho mandir gaye hongena?" Mom and Buaji must have gone to the temple) Khushi said.
"Haan! My bhi Kalyani ke yahaan jaa rahi hun...aana hai?" ( Me too going to Kalyani's! Want to come?)
"Dekhthi hun... accha bye!" ( will try) Khuhsi went out and she had to wait for her companion and then Arnav pinged on dot that he was waiting ...
"Yeh kya? Aaap apni gaadi nai laaye... ?" ( You didn't come in your car?)
"Kal taq hi tha Khuhsi."( Had a car allowance only till yesterday Khushi) Arnav said feigning embarrassment.
"Per humey usey bhi tho lejana haina!" ( But we need to take someone else too ) She said.
"Lets book a taxi Khushi. "He deliberately did this so that he does not appear pompous!
"Taxi? Utnah scene nahi hai! auto karlethey hai!" ( why taxi? Lets go in an auto)
Auto she called!
The fellow asked her ,"Kahaan jaana hai?"( Where Do I have to take you?)
"Vijaya Nagar colony" She replied.
Arnav was a spectator, as he did not know how to go about it. He was luckily new to the city so kept quiet and let her handle it!
"Ok Chalogey?" ( Will you?)Khushi asked him.
"Meter pe dus rupaya badhke doh!" ( I shall charge ten rupees extra on the meter)
"Kyun?"( why?) Khushi asked
Petrol badhgaya jee amma! ( They[ Govt. increased the petro price)He replied.
"Tho meter ka minimum bhi badhaye na?
"Kya baatan karrey ji tum?" ( So did they increase the minimum tariff on the meter! so what rubbish!) Khushi started fighting with him!
"Khushi please chalein... Mujhey office bhi jaana hai! pLease usey dey dengey dus rupaye hi tho hain" ( Lets go please! need to report at the office too! Its just a matter of ten rupees )Arnav tried to mediate.
"Apne saab ko dekho! Ek ek rupaya jod ke kya karingey amma gareebonka pet phaadke!"( look at your hubby! How generous he is!!! what will you do by saving each penny by denying us poor?) the auto fellow praised Arnav but what he said about Khushi created A big Tsunami!
Khushi blushed at what he said and to cover it as she was aware Arnav was staring at her amusedly as she was thought to be his wife, she started,"Teri tho! Yeh merey saab acchey hain? Aur my kya karungi paisa jodke?? Meri beti ki shaadi karungi dhoom dhaam sey! ( This is my hubby and he is good? And what will I do pinching a penny? I shall get my daughter married very grandly) She went on!
"Jao ji Jao subah subah kya giraaq mila jee Allah! Tauba kartoon my tho!" ( what a waste patron I got early in the morning!) He went off.
Arnav stared at Khushi who was busy getting back the sandal she through at the auto!
After three autos they could settle for an old coot who Arnav was sure could not see by one eye!
He agreed and Arnav was sceptical!
"Khushi do you think he will last till we reach the hospital!" He asked her and she stared at him in return!
"Accha baba get your friend.. we are late he told her!"
"Ok! You get in first! We will join" she said.
ASR smirked as he sat in an auto! AUTO!!!!
He heard Khushi settling in Turned to say hi to his new acquaintance... froze and said " WHAT THE #$%^" This is your friend?
"Haan! Freedu is the patient! We are taking her to the hospital !Chaliye chichha"( Let's go uncle) Khushi said settling Freedom Prateek's doggy in her Lap!!!
(Sargam's)Inexplicable Attraction)
11
Hey Devi mayya! Roz dekhna hai?( Oh! He wants to see me everyday!) Khushi thought!
She rounded her eyes as she looked at him. Arnav just returned her stare insolently. Let her know that he gets what he wants! Hell! He has passed all riddles with flying colours!
Khushi got lost in the brown orbs of his eyes! How beautiful and engaging his eyes were and then she was jerked out of her thoughts by a voice from inside!
Arnav too noticed that the lady was checking him out! Let her! But she will have to respond positively! He thought smirking. Then suddenly she was out!
DM: "Dekha? myne kahaa thaa na?" ( See! Didn't I tell you?)
K:" Aap kyun humesha aisaa karthi Hai?"( Why do you do it always to me?) Khushi complained.
A:"what?"
DM: Maine tumhe sacchhayi bathaya!"( I told you the truth)
K:" Ab my kya karoon?"( what do I do) she half thought half asked)
A:" Gimme your number"
DM:"Isey yahi goodbye kaho"( Get rid off him here and now!)
K:" Good bye?"
A:"GoodBye?"
DM:" Haan! Goodbye! Yeh tho peechey hi padgaya! Maine kahaa tha na?"( Yeah! he is stalking you and I told you he is not the one!)
K:"Nahin! Aisa nahin!"( No its not so!)
A:"Khushi"
K:" Aap chup rahiye"( You keep quiet)
DM:"Phir mujhey kyun Bulaya?"( why did you call me?)
A:" what?"
K"Aap nai Arnav ji" ( No Not you! Arnav)
DM" My jaa rahi hun" ( I am leaving!)
Arnav was infuriated by Khushi when she said shut up to him! But then he realised that she was talking to herself and asked him to shut up when he interfered!...and a slow smile spread on his face looking at the lady sitting opposite to him. In a crowded hotel, With Arnav Singh Raizada as company, this girl preferred to talk to herself!
He also realised that two things were noteworthy.
She made him smile. When was the last time he did that!
He couldn't recount! And secondly she was so simple that she did not mind him or the world at all.
She was happy with herself.
This was what he lacked in his life.
People either were in awe of him or they tried to impress him through pretence! He liked Khushi cause she did not bother with him at all.
None told him to shut up.
And she just did it and did not even bother to apologise to him. He smiled again and said Khushi, "if you have time from whoever you are talking to telepathically can we talk?"
Khushi looked at him and realised what she did."Ji" (Yeah)she said.
"Your number!" He reminded for the tenth time! He remembered all those times when all those women tried to give their numbers one way or the other to him while he tried to avoid them! Well there is always a first Mr. Raizada! He told himself.
"Nahi milegi" ( you won't get) Khushi shouted and looked around embarassed as everyone in the restaurant looked at them!
Thats again a first Arnav thought! He shouted at people and raised his voice not the other way round! Hmm! some girl he has found!
"Ok then how will i contact you?" Arnav asked her!
"Why do you need to?" Khushi shouted at him!
Arnav began to reach the limit of his patience! "Because I told you I want to" He yelled back!
K:" Excuse me get the bill" she said to the waiter.
A:" What are you doing?"
K:"Shhh!"
A:" What the!"
K:" chup raho yaar!" ( Just keep quiet)
A:" How dare you?"
K:" Kya karlogey? Phaansi dedoge? (What will you do? Hang me for that?) Bill jaldi do( Make it quick) whispered again to the waiter who hurried with it!
K: Do you have ten rupees?
A:"Excuse me?"
K "TEN" she showed all her fingers!
A:" I have a card?"
K: "Bade aaye laad governor! Muh uthaye! Jeb mein dus rupaye nai hi!" Khushi grumbled.( Lord Governor! He doesn't even have ten rupees in his purse but came for a date)
A:" Excuse Me?"
K:" Excused" Arnav saw she paid the bill gave the tip as an extra amount and smiled at the waiter! And walked out!
Arnav was so amused and shocked as well that before he recovered, Khushi was out of the restaurant.That was a first too. A lady who he took on date paid for him! He just ran after her and shouted Khushi! Then not finding her in the lounge he went on to the road and tried Khushi. A hand closed his mouth and pulled him aside.
An irritated Arnav just twisted it and pulled its owner forward and came face to face with Khushi!
K:"Chodiye!"( Let go of me) she writhed in pain!
A:"Tum?"( You?)
K:" Nahi meri judwa behan jo meley mein mujhsey bichad gayee thi!"( Nah my twin who got separated from me in my childhood in a carnival) Khushi joked.
And she suddenly grabbed his hand and ducked behind him while dragging him towards the road.
"Khushi what is happening!" Arnav yelled at her
"Nandkishore is happening!" she yelled at him in the din of the traffic!
"A:"What Kishore? Who is he?"
"Wait a minute! Are you seeing someone?" Arnav stopped in the middle of the road and demanded.
An auto flew past him just missing him and the auto driver let out a string of curses" "Arey road ke beech mein kya natakaan karrein?"( whats this drama in the middle of the road?)
ASR stared at him and Khushi pulled him with him and they bumped into a scooter... coming from his direction which was trying to avoid a deadly combination of a stray dog and buffalo.
The scooter had a middle aged man driving it with a teenage girl sitting behind him and his wife( May be) coz she too was middle aged and very hefty behind her! While two 5yr and 7yr olds were sitting infront of the man! All of them crashed as the man applied sudden brakes to avoid hitting Khushi and Arnav and they luckily stopped but flopped on to the ground. The youngest one who none noticed and was a months baby landed in Arnav's arms and crying while the man fell to his left! The teenage girl to the right. The lady again to the left with the scooter on her. Khushi saved the two small heros in the front at the right time by hopping to her right and catching them!
"Chacchhinaallalaara! road madhyalo duetlu paaduthunnarra!" ( @#$%^&! Are you singing duets in the middle of the road)The lady squeeled!
Arnav was taken aback by her voice which was a high pitched one! He expected a strong voice going by her figure! And as he heard the cries of the baby he stood shocked as he realised he was holding a baby! HOLDING A BABY DAMMIT!!!!
"Khushi Help me!" he managed to wail!
But Khushi was busy! Very busy! She went and was struggling to pull the lady up but she wouldn't budge! Further she started cursing! " Evitandi veellu roadlanni ilaa tirigi en chesthaaruta! ( What is this! What do they plan to acieve by roaming on the roads this way?)
A crowd gathered! Some removed the scooter which Arnav later thought was a vintage one! Only the engine must have been of Bajaj! The rest of the parts were of different companies indicating how many times they were replaced! It would fall apart if he whistled yet bore a family of 6! Incredible India!
The others took the man aside and tried to make him drink water! Khushi was rescued by a youngster who tried pushing the lady from behind! The traffic halted. People were screaming! Horns were blaring! And Khushi was pulling! Arnav was standing like a statue lest the baby did something! Even moved! He was scared!
K:" Zor lagaake!"( With all your force)
Another man joined Shouting Haissa!( Sailor"s jargon used while paddling)
The youth " Dum lagake"( With all your energy)
Another joined on Khushi's side! " Haissa"
Nothing moved only their muscles jangled painfully.
The lady started wailing"Ayyo! Idem raatha raasaadu Devudu!"( What has god written in my destiny)
"Aunty koncham levandiaaniki try cheyyandi"( Aunty please try to get up!)Khushi yelled to make herself audible above the din! Everyone was shouting instructions!
Arnav was paralysed with the baby and he did not know how in the world he was in such a mess!
He asked Khushi, " please do something ! call traffic policeman. There must be one!"
Traffic policeman! Khushi panicked and hit upon an idea.
She turned at the lady who wouldn't budge and yelled, "Aunty kalaniketan wedding mall lo 80% discount undani velthuntey meetho accident ayyindi! Please levandi! Ivaala last day!"( I was going to Kalanikethan wedding mall where there is an 80% discount offer! Please get up I need to go as today is the last day!)
The fellow pulling Aunty along with Khushi fell backwards and Aunty got up. She asked Khushi" Enthavaraku open untundi?"( Till when will the mall be open?
"Enimidi gantala varaku" ( Till eight ) Khushi replied. The man and the kids and the scooter were already ready.. The lady took her baby and left with them while the crowd dispersed and Arnav Singh Raizada was dragged to the other side of the road by Khushi and still kept his hands stiff cause of the baby effect and was staring at Khushi.
K:"Kya?"( What?)
A:" Unbelievable man!
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
12
Pic Courteousy: Arhi6( my dearest Aliena)
K:"Isme na samajhne wali bath kya hai?"( Whats there not to believe?)
A:" Leave IT! Can you tell me who is Nand Kishore?"
K:" Margaye! "( We are dead!)
A:" What?
K:" chaliye tho!" ( You just keep walking!)
A;" Where! What!"
Khushi suddenly grabbed him by his arm and pulled him into a narrow gully( Narrow Alley). Suddenly in the midst of deafening traffic and crowd they entered a narrow gully that was tiled with stones with houses on both sides... This is a common feature in most cities.
Arnav turned to Khushi and pinned her to the wall saying," whats happening Khushi! Are you two timing me?"
K:" Excuse me !For that I need to one time you actually! How dare you!"
Arnav's lips twitched. Inspite of being mad at her he still felt like exploding into laughter! One time him? ONE TIME HIM HA HA HA! Khushi Kumari Guptha! You are amazing he thought! But first things first!
A:" Will you answer me?"
K:" Nahi!"(No!)
A "WHY?"
K:" Why should I?"
A:" Who is Nandkishore?"
K:" Nenu cheppanu!" ( telugu) ( I won't tell you)
A:" What are you saying?"
K:" I am trying to speak in Telugu and tell you I won't answer as you are not getting it if I tell you in Hindi!"
A:" Common Khuhsi! Speak up!"
K:" ok.. Only if..."
A:" No Khushi! No! Not again"
K:" ok! Then I won't tell you!'
A" shit! Ok! Tell me what? This time is it number of Maruthi cars in Hyderabad or total number of hoardings in the twin cities! Seriously! For telling me who Nand Kishore is! You need to again create a puzzle!" He spat exasperatedly!
A cycler passing by misunderstood what was happening and whistled and shouted" Kya horein?" ( what's happening) before turning into the other gully!
Silence for a second and then...
Both Arnav and Khushi burst out laughing and they laughed so much that both of them leaned side by side on the huge stone wall holding hands still and turned to each other shaking in laughter!
Then they stopped abruptly as they realised the depth of the shared moment. A strand came free off Khushi's hair and Arnav involuntarily tucked it behind her ear!
Khushi never thought she will be like this... with a stranger... in a lonely alley... laughing her tummy off ... at an embarrassing remark... She just simply was lost in his eyes!
A sharp horn blared somewhere and they both came out of their musings!
A:" Ok shoot! Who is Nand Kishore!"
K:" Tell me where you work I will tell you!"
A:" Thats cheating!"
K:" Nope! Thats a deal"
Arnav just stared at the lady standing before him!!! She is talking about whats a deal to him? TO ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA?
Man!!! He was impressed!
He smirked!
K:" Kya?"( What)
A:" Kya kya?"( What what?)
K:" Kya ka double kya"( A double of Kya )
A;" Offo! Khushi whats this word game!"
K:" You tell me"
A:" Nandkishore!"
K:" Your office address!"
They reached a tie again! and turned their backs to each other!
"Ok"
Both of them said simultaneously turning to each other!
K:" pehle aap!"( You First)
A:" Ladies First"
K:" Ok. If you agree to do something I will tell you!"
A:" Not again!"He said . But he gave in and said,"Ok ! What?"
K:" Can you help me?"
A:" What? What happened?" Arnav just could not digest that she was in trouble! Khushi! Is everything all right?" he caught both her arms and shook her! Dear god! This girl is crazy!
Wait a min! Is she into drugs? Arnav's mind started galloping everywhere. Oh god! No! At last he thought he found someone and before he froze on his own emotions this would happen! Will he end up taking dabba to a drug rehabilitation centre? Her hands !!! Do they twitch? someone told him thats the first sign! thats why she is so cranky at times/ Mood swings!!!
A:" Are you into?" He stopped there as he did not know how to ask!
K:" Yes or no!" Khushi's voice made him come back to the present!
A" Ofcourse !yes! Tell me!"
K:" Buaji" you know my aunt? She has happened!
A:" What? Is she the problem!" Thank God!
K:"Nope you told me to tell you who Nandkishore is na? My Buaji has a habit of saying HAI REH NANDKISHORE! She just happened to come with my mom into TAj Tristar when we were sitting there so I dragged you out and ... Humey muaff kijiye!" ( Please forgive me) There she finally said it!
Arnav felt like slapping himself! Here he was like a jealous teenager and... aawwwe! He just agreed for another challenge! Kill yourselves you @#$%^&* he mentally kicked himself!
K:" Arnavji!"
A:"-----"
K: " will you keep your word/"
A:" of course!Tell me what do you want!"
K:" You wont back out!"
A: " Khushi you need to know that I never break my promises!" Give it right brother! Let the girl know your virtues... Anyway he could not say I AM A RAIZADA I NEVER FAIL ON MY PROMISES! Its a new experience to build your personality and he was enjoying this new experience!
K:" Ok. I need to take someone to hospital and without my family knowing it! Its...eh... a promise I made in a weak moment to a friend!...eh... hope you understand!! She said looking here and there!"
Oh! Yes! Now! go! Have a blast! This is a case of termination! Or drug rehabilitation! Arnav Singh Raizada! You deserve it!
But atleast its a friend not Khushi! Party time!
K:" Arnavji! Its ok... I understand if you have reservations!!!
A:"No Khushi! Its ok! I told you I will!!! Then I will!"
K:" I ... thought! But Well Teeku cant as he has a team challenge... He just messaged so I have to do it. I promised!"
A:" Its ok! When should we go?"
K:" tomorrow"
A:" ok"
Khushi really liked Arnav for his forthcoming attitude!
K:"Arnavji, Thank you! Aur my aapko jaldi hi Hyderabad ghumaaooingi! My bhi waada nahi thodthi kabhi!"( ...And I will take you around Hyderabad soon! I too keep my promises!)
Arnav smiled! This is becoming a habit with him!! He thought! Yeah! I will remind you!
"And now I am dropping you home... No! he warded off her protests.. Its past six thirty... I will!
K:"ok".
They both got into the vehicle and after making her comfortable arnav started driving!
K:" Where do you work?" casually!
A:" Find Out Ltd" smiling slyly. He added ," Learnt it from you Madame!"
K:" Ok. what do you do"
A:" Find out"
K:" Find out what?"
A :" I said you find out!"
K:" Is this car yours!"
A:" Why"
K:" I have to talk something right? Its not polite!"
A:" Oh ! Sure! This car is owned by my company" He was not lying at least!
K:" Oh which company?" very casually.
A:" Find out Ltd. Stop it Khushi!" He could not help laughing cause she was amazingly persistent!
K:" You must be in a big Job... car and all!"
A:" Nope!"
K:" Then do they give car allowance to attenders in your firm!" Khushi said rudely and purposefully at that! Spill the beans Arnav!
Arnav would have risen to the bait but for the red signal at the traffic! The stop over gave him some sense!! she was digging to make him tell his job designation on his own!
A:" May be!" He said smugly and when Khushi did an 'O' with her mouth he exclaimed. " Stop it Khushi !Just shut up!!! Will you? Now try to find out where I work and what I do on your own. I too did that! So why can't you?"
Khuhsi was snubbed so she sat stiff backed and looked out of the window! Arnav realised he was harsh on her! He tried to make amends!
A:" The car is given to me for the first fifteen days in Hyderabad as I am new here! They gave a driver also. But that will end tomorrow!"
K:"-----"
A:" Suna tumne?"( Did you here me?)
K:"------"
A:" Khuhsi"
K"------"
She would not talk to him! Arnav continued! From tomorrow I am on my own! and to add some spice to the story he said... I don't even know this city properly! May be I need to use public transport!
K:"------"
A:" Khushi! stop being like a kid!"
Khushi closed her mouth with her palm and gestured you asked me to shut up so I wont talk!
A:" So I am telling you talk now Dammit!"
Khushi closed both her ears indicating she can't hear him swearing.
Arnav stopped the vehicle a few blocks ahead of Khushi's home and pleaded with her! "will you stop this nonsense of not talking to me?"
Khushi made a straight face! and just stared a him. Actually she was enjoying it!!! She never knew that she could have such an effect on an individual that he would really mind if she did not talk!!! Her heart felt light and heavy at the same time! Arnav has endeared himself to her so much in such a short time, so that now she started feeling a little scared thinking about the possible fact- if she carried any feelings for him! Further she did not know anything about him! "Hey Devi Mayya Raksha karna" ( Please help me Devi Mayya) she thought!
Arnav misunderstood her silence and said ok. But I will come tomorrow to pick you up and your ...er friend! Till then will you keep this with you? He supplied a mobile!
Khushi saw red. What does he think of himself? She opened her mouth and shut it! She is not talking to him! Thats the biggest punishment!
She made to get down the car without taking the mobile.
Arnav jerked her back into the car and yelled! " Whats your problem? You won't give your number! You want me to help you and your friend is busy! How will I coordinate the hospital trip? Did you think at all?"
Khushi sat without moving! That meant she is listening! OMG! This girl is something!!! Arnav thought!
"I shall call or msg so that we can meet and do the needful. Now you may go. Wave when you reach your gate! I will wait!" He concluded.
Khushi just gave him a look. She herself was confused now as what started as a light banter is becoming something serious! She did as told and went to her room directly.
Arnav Waved back and then reversed his car!
He called Aman and said" Aman I have an exciting deal for you!"
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
13
Khushi changed and ate. Amma and Buaji came late and Payal was at her friends Bday party and so she shall be coming late. Babuji was yet to come back from his trip to Mumbai!
She excused herself and as she reached her room, she got a message from Prateek!
P:" All well?'
K:"Yeah"
P:" Did you meet him"
K:" Yeah"
P:"so?"
K:"So?"
P:" Oh c'mon!
K:" Shut up"
P:" will talk in detail tomorrow"
K:" gn"
Sargam's Inexplicable Attraction
Aman:" Sir tell me!"
A:" How do you commute in Hyderabad?"
Aman:" sir by office car or taxi/ public transport!"
A:" How about having your own Vehicle!"
Aman:" Sir I do. You gifted me a..."
A:" here in Hyd."
Aman:" Its...er it will be great!"
A:" what if its my Thunderbird"
Aman:"sir? Are you?... I mean are you serious?"
A: " ofcourse"
Aman:" Thank you sir"
A:" But there is a catch to the deal"
Aman:" Oh! Is there now! " He added mentally I knew it. ASR never strikes a deal without a catch!
A:"yep! You need to drop and pick me up everyday!"
Aman:" what?"
A:" Yeah buddy"
Aman:" Sir...er ...eh I mean the vehicle is yours so you can drive the bike! Then why me?"
A:" Just like that... may be to give you a chance to drive me crazy which I do to you all the time! Gn Aman"
Aman:" What? ...Ok... Gn sir"
As Arnav finished the call he was driving and turned out of an alley on to the main road and very narrowly missed a pedastranian who was about to cross at the turning! He too panicked and fell... His bag and spects fell on the road a little away from him!
Arnav swore under his breadth! It was not his fault but neverthless he got down and tried to help the fellow get up!
The fellow was a young chap with a bag pack which now lay on the road and he apologised!
A:" Thats ok! But you gave me a scare man! That was bad !!"
Man:" Sorry friend! Just my fault"
A:" Whats your name!"
Man:" Diwa!"
A:" What?" Laughing out loud!"
Diwa:" Yeah! you didn't recognise me!"
A:" Should I? " taking it as a prank!
Diwa:" Hey don't you listen to FM Radio?"
A:" Aah No!"sheepishly...
Diwa:" ok. I am Diwakar! Popularly known as RJ Diwa!
A:" Oh! Good to know that!"
Diwa:" You don;t seem to be from Hyd!"
A:" Yep! New here!"
Diwa:" Studying?"
A:" Job!"
Diwa:" Wow! Nice meeting you friend! Your name!
A:" Arnav"
As Arnav shook hands with Diwa he thought how different the world is! In the rat race he had long forgotten that he is a young chap and he hardly had any friends! Really! Khushi has opened him up to all these possibilities which he missed entirely! Wow!
Diwa:" What do you do!"
A:" Er... Working here as a Manager with AR group!"
Diwa:" Wow!"
A:" You?"
Diwa:"Working as a floor manager in my uncle's restaurant and doubling it with being an RJ at night!
A:" wow!"
Diwa:" So I shall meet you sometime I hope?"
A:" He reached into his pocket to give Diwa his card and realised that now he was a normal youngster and should act like one. Lemme give you my number! He gave Diwa his number and then asked," Can i drop you some where?"
Diwa" Well at my studio if its not a bother!"
Then he told him the address which was on Arnav's way!
As they started chatting Diwa asked:" Girl friend?"
A:" Sort of"
D:" Hello Brother! There is either one or no! There is no sort of!"
A" Ok There is one but not confirmed!"
Diwa:" Now what is that!"
A:" Arnav told him his problem briefly discounting most of the details!
Diwa:" Interesting!"
A:" You think So"
Diwa:" Yes! But we will have to first test waters!"
A:" How" suddenly alert!"
Diwa:" Did you try to stimulate her towards thinking about you?"
A:" Nope! She does enough stimulation for both of us!"
They both ended up laughing their tummies off!
Diwa:" Ok Let us rectify that !Now Love Guru is here! Don't you worry Arnav!:
Arnav felt elated and odd at the same time! Just Imagine Di Aman Nani any one getting to know about his parallel life! They will end up in shock!
Now Ten 'o' clock my show starts on FM! I shall dedicate a good song to her... her name?"
A:" Errr..."
Diwa:" She is safe with me! I don't steal girl friends!"
A: " Khushi"
Diwa:" Wow! Done"
A:" What will you dedicate?"
Diwa:" Since she troubled you with her Telugu Lets give her a Telugu dose!"
A:" I cant understand Telugu!"
Diwa:" Ok. I shall text you the translation!"
You can listen to the song here! He played it on his mobile and said "this is going to be perfect for your situation!Just text her to listen as soon as I tell you the broadcast schedule ok?"
A:" Ok! But you are sure it wont backfire!" He liked the song! He didn't have a clue what it meant though!
Diwa:" Listen to the song! Howz it?"
A:" The tune is too good"
Diwa:" Meaning is too good too"
The reached the studios and Diwa after promising Arnav that he would text him soon left. Arnav switched on his FM>>> A think he never did before and waited for Diwa's text as he drove slowly back home!
Diwa pinged as promised...
Arnav read...
Then Diwa pinged again... The time of broadcast...
Arnav called Khushi!
K:" Yeah"
A:"Please listen to the song on FM 100 at ..."
K:"Why?"
A:" Coz they are announcing that I am kidnapped!'
K:" What?"
A:" Yeah!Just listen to the song I am dedicating to you!"
K:" I won't"
A:" You will"
K:"won't"
A:" Ok! But RJ Diwa Promised me he will air it at that time!"
K:" RJ Diwa? She shrieked!"
A:"Will you listen to it"
K:" OK"
Khushi tuned her mobile to the FM100 and RJ Diwa was hosting her favourite show "This and That with RJ Diwa!"
What song would he have dedicated to her definitely nothing direct! Kalyani ritu everyone listened to this programme! Oh god! It should be afunny one for sure as she has troubled him a lot!
It went on...
"... so guys... today I am going to do something different and that is I am going to become a messenger for a dear friend! ARNAV!!! Arnav has a message for his uh... would be girl friend Khushi and hey Khushi what a dude you have up your sleeve man!!!! Just try this chap out my girl and I swear you won't regret ever!!!
Thats a tough thing to decide on but Arnav dedicates this cuteso song to you and you alone Khushi... All the best to ya'all here it goes from..." Diwa read out the credits!
Khushi was eating a chocolate ice cream out of a cone and she forgot about it as her mouth gaped open at the song dedicated for her by Arnav!!!!
Nenu Nuvvantoo
[ANUKAT:Listen to the song and savour its meaning!!! Enjoy the music for music knows no boundaries of language. I purposefully linked it to a new window as you all can read the translation as you savour the song...lemme know how u feel]
]
Song translation!
You and Me ... We although are two different beings...
I Dunno why I feel myself in you today! ( Strangely)
So much so that I am searching for myself in you!
If you are not there! Then what would happen to me I cannot envisage
I am asking you for your consent for our togetherness
I swear on myself if you say no...
I can do anything for making you believe in me
If I Start loving once...( After my first sighting of you)
No woman can dare to leave me as I shall love with such intensity!
Once you get drowned in the depths of my love
You won't be able to fathom it and float atop so easily
As I won't think twice before giving up my life!( For you)
II You And me II
I am a man of integrity
I only speak the truth
I am a lad who hates lies
I am the only gentleman you can find!
I am the best romantique ever
Its Ok! You can say yes and accept me!!
My heart is clear and my feelings are never shrouded
I present my true self as me!( No made up attributes) And can fight it with you (if you say no)and win over too!!!
Oh my beauty! Should Every minute be a puzzle/ struggle with you?
Today You are my world
Even if you catch all the planets and place them in a good position( For a favourable horoscope) or even if the sky falls,
You can never find a man like me for sure...
You have appeared before me like the TajMahal and you shall find me to be a lover who would remain in the history as a legendary lover! ( Even the Taj would fade before me)
Arnav thought he would Give it to Diwa for finding the exact song for him!
Then Diwa pinged again... All the best and see you soon Buddy!
Arnav called Khushi!
(Sargam's)Inexplicable Attraction-14
A:"Khushi?"
K:'Haan"(Yes)
A:"Tum theek ho?"( Are you ok?)
K:"Kyun aapka gaana daraavana tho nai tha!"( Why! Your song wasn't scary)
A:"AAAh!Tho thumney suna!"( Oh!!! So you heard it)
K:"Ji"( yeah)
A;" Er..Kaisa lagaa?"( how did you like it?)
K:"Accha hai" ( It's good!)
A:"Phir?" (Then)
A:" Phir?"( Then)
A:"Whats your answer then?" He said exasperatedly!
K:"Kaunsa?"( Which one)
A:" Khushi!"
K:" Arnavji"
K:" My kya bolun?"( What should I say?)
A:" Jo tumhey bolna chahiye!"( What ever you have to)
K:" Mujhey kya bolan chahiye?"( what should I have to say?)
A:" Are you kidding me?"
K:' Nope"
A:'" Now What is this?"
K : " You tell me! You barge into my life spend more time with me in a week than Prateek does everyday and on the seventh day dedicate a song to me and ask me to answer a question you never asked at all?" She vented out her frustration!
Arnav was stunned at her outburst as it was absolutely true. He had spent every waking moment with her for the past week. Either thinking, calling ,talking or dealing with her! How come he has become so different! Now he had an RJ for a friend and he feels he is a young chap not a business tycoon looked up to by half of India!
Most importantly he had not asked her at all... He assumed!!! How true!
"Khushi I am sorry if I bothered you!" He could not believe his ears that he was saying sorry! But he went on... "Can we... be ... eh... ",
Damnit!!! how do they say these things!!! Was it so difficult to be ordinary? He never had to do it ! Women offered themselves to him which he rejected or played along!!! Now what?
"Can we be what?", Khushi egged him on... She was standing on the edge of her bed with one leg on the cot frame and the other foot on the leg which was on the frame balancing... she did weared things when tensed up and this was one of them!
"Can we be... eh..." Arnav struggled. " Can you... nope I..." He struggled still.
"Ok you seem to have forgotten your lines... didn't your friends give you any chitties?" Khushi asked.
"What?" Arnav asked
"I meant notes? Koi tho dost yar se rehearsal kar aaye hoge naa?" ( You must have rehearsed with some friend is it not) She asked him and sounded smug!
Then she added I wrote so many for Ritwick, Kiran, Srinivas and some for girls too!
A smile spread on Arnav's face.
She is so different from his world. She did not know ASR could not ask !!!Oh So sweet she is thinking he is scared to utter those lines!
Let me give you a jolt Khushi Kumari Guptha he thought!
A:"Ok Khushi rehne do! Have dinner and gn..." He sounded final.
CRAAASH... Dunm!
K:"Oye ! Ruko ruko ruko!" There was a loud noise followed by Khushi saying that!
A:"Hey what happened Khushi? are you all right? What was that sound?.
"Nothing "Khushi said emerging from the floor ... a mess of choclate Icecream which was now in liquid state and things that were strewn on the floor as she crashed from her stance on to the side table spilling the water jug, photo frame kept on side table and what not...
"What do you mean by rehne do? " She asked him! Hey Devi Mayya! Ek hath se de ek hath se ley? Yeh kahan ka insaaf hai? ( Oh god how can you give and take in a jiffy? Not fair)she added mentally.
"Rehne do yaar!" ( Leave it)Arnav played it along!
"Arey aisa kaise rehne dey?"( How can i let it be?) Khushi panicked... what if he withdraws the proposal?
"Arey whats up with you. Leave it now. You are not getting me at all!" Arnav was now unable to control his amusement!
K:"So you wont try"
A:"No why should I?"
K:"Why? Why? coz..." she tried to supply reason.
A:'Hmmm coz? "Arnav was now curious to know her reasons...
K:"You need rehearsal!"
A:"What?"
K:"You dint ask me!"
A:"I don't want to!'
K:"What?" this time it was Khushi's turn to be shocked.
A:'Yeah! You said I am moving fast"
K:"Where ?ok! It dawned on to her Offo! I only said we have known each other for only a week and you..."
A:And me?"
K:"You..."
A:"ME what?" Arnav teased her knowing well that she was pining for him to say it.
K:"Nothing"
A:"Ok Gn!" Smugly!
K:"If I say nothing you will say gn?"
A:"Do you want me to say subh raatri?" He deliberately prodded her!
K:"Haan Boliye ... ( sarcastically)gaana dimaag me chadhaake subhraathri! Meri poori Icecream kharaab ki aur mujhey palang pe se giraadiya!" ( Yeah! Please say good night after you put the bug of that song in my mind,melted my icecream and made me fall from my cot)
Then she added "Khaaq hogi raatri mera bus chaley tho aapka din rat subh subh kardoon!" ( My night is cursed now! If It were in my hands I would make your day and night worse for doing this to me) She spat.
Arnav tried hard to control his laughter! What a girl!!!
"Mainey?" Arnav feigned surprise but in reality he guessed something like that and he thought he will fall off his seat in the car laughing!
"Khushi" he ventured unable to control his bubbling laughter...
K:"Nai hai" harshly.
A:"Kaun?" Now what happened!
K:"Khushi" Ohhh!
A:"Oh!!! Kahan gayi hai?" he ventured loving the banter.
K:"leave pey hai" She supplied.
This is funny man! Arnav couldn't help himself from asking... "on what grounds?"
K:"Emotional" pat came the reply.
A:"Common!!! Itnah bhi kya. Abhi tho myne kuch bhi nahi bola!" ( Common it can't be that bad. i haven't said anything yet)
K:"Wahee tho" ( Thats the problem)
A:"Tho usmey hurt honeki bath hi nahi hai" ( Then what's there to get hurt in it?)
K:"Haitho. Ab aap humey jo bolnaa tha woh nahi boley aur uperse bolrahe haiki rehne do tho ... yeh hurt honey waali baath hai" ( It is! What you had to say you didn't and on top of that you said thats ok if you din't which is hurtful)
A:"But You are safe na?" Arnav asked innocently.
K:"hum safe kahaan hai... gaana ghumeygaa na dimaag mey" ( Where am I safe... The song will run in my mind is it not?"
Arnav was now pursing his lips to suppress his laughter very hard.RJ DIwa too ne kya aag lagaayee ( What a fire you ignited with just one song) he thanked him mentally!
A: " ok relax"
K: wahi tho mushkil hai"( Thats the problem)
A:" Forget that song"
K:" How"
A:" Ok think that I didn't dedicate it only"
K:" Haaw! You did but"
A:" Ok" he had a wicked thought! "think that I dedicated it to your friend"
K:"yuk"
A:What" He was about to roll on the floor and wished he could watch her face to face and not talk from his car instead!
K:" You are not a gay"
A:" oye"
K:" Prateek does have his doubts though! she supplied
A:" Wait a minute that pinku thinks I am... how dare he!!!'
K:" His name is Teeku!And if you dedicate a song to him you will be confirming that"
A:" Khushi I was referring to your girl friends... Ah kya naam hai uska... Haan Kalyani!
K:" Kya? Us kavvey ko"( That ravine)
Arnav was having a whale of a time. Kyun nai Khushi sochney mein kya hai! Uska bhi hai na?( Why not... Wjats there in assuming that I dedicated that song to her! After all she too has a heart!)
K:"Aur mera?" ( And mine?[what about it?])
A:"Tum leave pey honaa?'( You are on leave na?)
K:"tho?" (so?)
A:"Samajhlena myne uske liye song dedicate kiya! Simple!( think that I have dedicated this song to her and not you. Simple)
K:"Meri bayi ka bhi dil hai usko bhi dedicate karengey?"( my maid has also a big heart! Will you dedicate a song to her also ?" she was furious.
A:"Sure naam kya hai uska?" ( Sure... gimme her name) Arnav struggled to stop himself from bursting out with laughter in earnest.
Khushi got wild!And yelled...
"woh mere liye tha"( that song ws played for me)
"exactly" Arnav said lovingly!
"aur mujhey hi dedicate kiya gaya'( And was dedicated only to me) Khushi yelled again.
"ofcourse"Arnav agreed.
K:"sab ko aapka dil baatengey?" ( will you share your heart with everyone?) She yelled again.
A:"Nani kahthi hai mil baant key rehna chahiye" ( Granny says one must share and care!)
K:"Naniji ney kahan hoga MIL BAANTKEY na ki dil baantthey " ( She must have said share not distribute your heart to all and sundry) she clarified.
A:"Kyu nahi" ( why not) he was enjoying it!
K:"Kyunki dil baanta nahi jaatha hai! woh ek hi ko diya jaatha hai"( Why because
Your heart cannot be given to every one its given once and only to one)
A:"Mera dil my agar dena chahoon tho?" ( what if I want to give my heart to many?) Arnav ignited her temper further... he knew she was near...
K:"Kaise dey sakhthey hai aise sabhi ko? Dil hai ya koi kamraa?"( How can you give it everybody? Is it your heart or a room on lease?) She was now at her angriest!
A:"Kyun nai dey saktha?" ( why can't I?) there he dropped the line!
K:"Khunki aap sirf merey hai... aur kisi ko bhi appka dil leney deney ka haq nai hai! aapko bhi nai! Samjhey aap?( Because you are mine and only mine! None have a right to give or take in this matter! Not even you!)!!! she blurted out and immediately went silent as she realised what she did!
Arnav never thought that the sweetest revelations in life could be uttered so caustically yet sound so sweet to the ear! He savoured the moment...
Khushi caught hold of her head aping Buaji! Hey Devi Mayya yeh humney kya kiya?( What have I done?)
Aur tum? Tum meri ho? ( what about you? are you mine?)
Arnav's voice came after a few minutes of silence.
Sargam's Inexplicable Attraction-15
There was a long silence... so much so that Arnav was not sure if she was there!
A:"Khushi?"
A:"Khushi?"
A:"My jaantha hun you are there! Listening to every word of mine... You said I belong to you but what about you? Do you belong to me?"
A:"Khushi!I want to hear you say that!"
Silence
A:"Khushi bolo.."
K:"AAAh... ha ha hum hi kyon boley?" ( Why should I be the one to say everytime?) came the weak accusation.
Arnav smiled! Ok he had to give her time coz he conned her into blurting out her feelings without him doing that first!
A:"Accha theek hai My bolun?"( Ok. Should I now?) He asked lovingly.
K:"Ab kya bolengey aur bolke kya faayda hai?"( what will you say now and whats the use?) came the unexpected reply.
Now what is this twist Arnav thought! Khushi Kumari Guptha you never cease to amaze me he chuckled to himself!
A:"Matlab?" ( what do you mean?)He asked her amused again at her antiques.
K:"Sab kharaab ho gaya!" ( everything is ruined) She said forelornely.
A:"Kyun? Kya? aur kaisey?"( Why? What and how?) Arnav asked!
K:"Aur nai tho kya... aapko mujhey poochna tha mujhey aapko nai bolnaa tha fir aap humaare jawaab ka intezaar karthey tab baat ko banni thi! Ab..." ( Then what! You had to ask me. I had to be non-responsive, then you had to wait for my reply and then it had to happen!) She explained the process.
A:"Ab kya?" ( Now what?) Arnav felt bad for her... did he rob her off her excitement that every girl had? he thought!
K:"Ab my itni badi muh banaake chilla chukee hun ! Ab kya rahega kuch nai!" ( What now? After I shouted from the roof tops! What more is there nothing left at all!) She exclaimed!
"Why don't you think that we went beyond all that and... easily at that? he asked trying to soothe her!
K:"Kya bath kar rahein hai! My akeli ladki hungi jisney pyar kiya hai per jisse kabhi poocha nahi gaya ... kyun ki...kyun ki ... wahi ladke pey jhapat padi!!!" ( What nonsense are you saying! I must be one of my kind in women who has fallen in love without anyone asking her for her hand plus... she herself( me myself) jumped the gun!) Khushi sounded sad.
"Oh god!!!She loves him... she is telling him that but she does not know..." what had he done but still this is so funny.
A:"Accha baba my fir sey poochunga.Ok?"( I shall ask all over again! Is that Ok?)
K:"Phir sey? Rehne dijiye! Is baar tho muh khulwaya agli baar kya khulwaayenge nahi patha... Hey devi Mayya" ( Again? Oh let it be this time you made me open my mouth! Next time I haven't a clue what you will make me open...) she realised her blunder and said," hum rakhthey hain"( Bye)
Arnav chuckled loudly this time but he did not want to trouble her. Enough he harassed her for a day he decided! And said...
"Yeah! kal subah dus baje my tumhein aur tumhari dost ko pick karunga" ( I shall pick you and your friend by ten in the morning tomorrow!)
K:"Ji"( Yep)
A:"Gn"
K:"Gn"
A:"Kuch aur kehna hai?" ( Do you have anything more to say?) he teased her.
K:" dekhiye...aur kehney laayak kahaan chodey aap humko! Aap tho wahaan baithey gaane bajaa bajaa ke humaara muh khulwaye aur yahan hum sab bolke ek good night sey bandh padey hain... Kya aapne apni taraf sey kuch kehna uchit nahi samjha?"
( Where have you left me fit enough to say anything else? You sit at some remote place and kill the victim by playing songs!You made me blurt out but did not think it necessary to say it to me) she yelled so loudly that Arnav had to keep his mobile away from his ear!
A:" Mujhey kya kehna hai?"( What should I say) he baited her!
K:" Jo aapko kehna tha"( What ever you actually planne dto say) She did not rise to the bait.
A:" Per woh tho tum bol chuki ho"( But you already said that!)
"Humaari mathi maari gayi thi!!!"( I am a fool) she kicked the bed post and yelled in pain
A:"Kya hua" ( Whats that)
K:"Aap chup rahiye" ( will you shut up?)
A:"Ok !Ok relax main kuch sochtha hun!" ( I will think o something to say)
Khushi made an 'o' with her mouth and said sochengey? Aap sochengey?(Think? You will think to say that to me?) She felt enraged.
A:"Haan!" ( Yeah)
K:"Dei...eikhiye" she struggled to control her temper! "Aap aisey nai bol sakthey" ( You can't say like that!)
A:"wahi tho!"( Exactly) He deliberately misunderstood her.
K:"Shh! Ab kaun samjhaay inhey!"( who can make him understand now!!) She was exasperated.
Arnav laughed this time and said," Agar mujhey bolthey hue tumhe sunna hai tho tumhe kuch karna hoga!"( If you want to hear me saying 'it' you need to do something!)
K:"Kya? haan patha hai aapka office doondhna hai!" ( What! Oh! I know! I need to find your office!)
A:"Woh tho purani deal hai!" ( That deal is old)
K:"Aur yeh naya kya hai?" ( Then what is the new one now?)
A:"Bataunga" ( will tell you)
K:"Abhi" ( now)
A:"Abhi bahut raath hui hai..."( Now its too late)
K:"koi bath nahi!" ( doesn't matter)
A:"Theek hai tum karpoagi?" ( Ok! Can you do it?)
K:"kkk...kya karna hoga?she asked nervously!( what do i need to do?)
A:"Mere sath... he paused deliberately... Movie dekhne jaana hoga!" ( you need to go with me to the movies)
K:"kya?" ( what?"
A:"Haan! tab my tumhey woh bolungaa jo tum sunna chaahthi ho!" ( then you will get to listen to me saying what you want to hear from me)
K:"Nai." ( No)
A:"Tho theek hai! Kalyani ko tho bhi sunaunga!" ( Then its ok! I shall make KAlyani listen to what I have to say)
K:"Koi aur bath bolo bhaiyya!" ( please say something else!)
A:"Excuse me? my aur bhaiyya?( brother?) What the @#$% "Arnav got irritated...
K:"AAah... woh Hum chukaa rahe they?" ( Oh I was just trying to strike a deal)
A:"What?Chu...kaa...rahey... they ...ka matlab??" ( meaning?)
K:"Bargaining! Bargaining kar rahey they!"
A:"Oh! Nai!! kam nai hotha amma" ( Not possible ma'am) he said typically he was learning fast!
K:"Amma?"
A:"Bhaiyya?"
K:"Ok"
A:"Sure."
A:"Per movie my decide karungi!" ( but I shall decide the movie)
K:"Aur jagah my" (...and me the place)
A:"Theek hai"(ok)
K:"Kal subah milenge" ( we shall meet tomorrow morning)
A:"Sweet Dreams...Khushi! Khushi?"
K:"Haan ab kya hai?" ( Now what?)
A:"Tumhe aur kuch nai bolna hai?" ( Don't you want to say anything else?)
K:"@#$%!!!!!^&*@#$ !!!!! %^&#$%!!!! *&^%$#
He cut the call as Khushi started using all the Hyderabadi Gaalis which she knew!
Sargam's Inexplicable Attraction
Arnav got up early and was stuck with a telecon! He then had a quick shower but what would he wear? Who was the friend? Was it a friend or an influential cousin who would assess him and report to Khushi's parents!
Or was Khushi checking him out?Any which way he wanted to be on his guard! What should he wear? Well certainly not power dressing!
He noticed that people wore formal shirts and trousers and he did the same and went down for a quick breakfast.
"Di my kaisey lag rahaa hun?" (How do I look today?) he asked Anjali!
Chote! Raju ne tumhaare kapdey nahi le aaye drywash sey? ( Didn't Raju get your clothes from the laundry?) Anjali got up to get them...
"Nai Di I am wearing these today coz... he thought... coz I find everyone dressed this way in Hyderabad during office hours!" He gave an excuse.
"Oh!!!" Anjali was not convinced. That's not her brother's style at all!
"Ok! Whats your programme today Di? "He enquired while munching on his toast!
"My Blue cross ke animal awareness campaign mein jaa rahi hun... today they are getting school kids to appreciate animals and their significance to our ecosystem." she said
"Oh! Good Di." He beamed at his adorable sister.
"Aur tum?" ( and you?) she asked.
"I am... eh... er... office I have a meeting with some Chinese delegates!" Partly true... but sorry Di can't tell you now! He thought!
Sargam's Inexplicable attraction
"Khuhsi tu jaayegina aaram sey?... ya my bhi chalun..." ( will you be alright on your own or should I come too) Payal asked her.
"Nai jiji hum manage karlengey! Dost chal raha hai mere sath tho..." ( I am ok! A friend is coming with me) she said.
"Kaun sreenu?" ( who Sreenu?) Payal asked.
"Nai" ( Nope) Khushi replied.
"Kiran?"Payal enquired again.
Khushi said,"Nai tum nai janthi" ( You don't know him)
"Accha... per jaldi aajana!" ( ok but comeback soon!) Payal told her.
"Ok. Maa Buaji tho mandir gaye hongena?" Mom and Buaji must have gone to the temple) Khushi said.
"Haan! My bhi Kalyani ke yahaan jaa rahi hun...aana hai?" ( Me too going to Kalyani's! Want to come?)
"Dekhthi hun... accha bye!" ( will try) Khuhsi went out and she had to wait for her companion and then Arnav pinged on dot that he was waiting ...
"Yeh kya? Aaap apni gaadi nai laaye... ?" ( You didn't come in your car?)
"Kal taq hi tha Khuhsi."( Had a car allowance only till yesterday Khushi) Arnav said feigning embarrassment.
"Per humey usey bhi tho lejana haina!" ( But we need to take someone else too ) She said.
"Lets book a taxi Khushi. "He deliberately did this so that he does not appear pompous!
"Taxi? Utnah scene nahi hai! auto karlethey hai!" ( why taxi? Lets go in an auto)
Auto she called!
The fellow asked her ,"Kahaan jaana hai?"( Where Do I have to take you?)
"Vijaya Nagar colony" She replied.
Arnav was a spectator, as he did not know how to go about it. He was luckily new to the city so kept quiet and let her handle it!
"Ok Chalogey?" ( Will you?)Khushi asked him.
"Meter pe dus rupaya badhke doh!" ( I shall charge ten rupees extra on the meter)
"Kyun?"( why?) Khushi asked
Petrol badhgaya jee amma! ( They[ Govt. increased the petro price)He replied.
"Tho meter ka minimum bhi badhaye na?
"Kya baatan karrey ji tum?" ( So did they increase the minimum tariff on the meter! so what rubbish!) Khushi started fighting with him!
"Khushi please chalein... Mujhey office bhi jaana hai! pLease usey dey dengey dus rupaye hi tho hain" ( Lets go please! need to report at the office too! Its just a matter of ten rupees )Arnav tried to mediate.
"Apne saab ko dekho! Ek ek rupaya jod ke kya karingey amma gareebonka pet phaadke!"( look at your hubby! How generous he is!!! what will you do by saving each penny by denying us poor?) the auto fellow praised Arnav but what he said about Khushi created A big Tsunami!
Khushi blushed at what he said and to cover it as she was aware Arnav was staring at her amusedly as she was thought to be his wife, she started,"Teri tho! Yeh merey saab acchey hain? Aur my kya karungi paisa jodke?? Meri beti ki shaadi karungi dhoom dhaam sey! ( This is my hubby and he is good? And what will I do pinching a penny? I shall get my daughter married very grandly) She went on!
"Jao ji Jao subah subah kya giraaq mila jee Allah! Tauba kartoon my tho!" ( what a waste patron I got early in the morning!) He went off.
Arnav stared at Khushi who was busy getting back the sandal she through at the auto!
After three autos they could settle for an old coot who Arnav was sure could not see by one eye!
He agreed and Arnav was sceptical!
"Khushi do you think he will last till we reach the hospital!" He asked her and she stared at him in return!
"Accha baba get your friend.. we are late he told her!"
"Ok! You get in first! We will join" she said.
ASR smirked as he sat in an auto! AUTO!!!!
He heard Khushi settling in Turned to say hi to his new acquaintance... froze and said " WHAT THE #$%^" This is your friend?
"Haan! Freedu is the patient! We are taking her to the hospital !Chaliye chichha"( Let's go uncle) Khushi said settling Freedom Prateek's doggy in her Lap!!!