A RANDOM POST-NEW ARSHI (IPKKND) ROMANCE
Stuck in the middle of my FF The MIRAGE i wrote this just like that ie., off the cuff not related to my FF... Now i am in utter confusion and need help....
I need help!!!
Need answers for the following:
What should i name this?
Should it be short or long?
Is it good to read?
Should i continue?What should i name it?
The story begins....
There was a problem with the factory and a serious glitch as Aman... His trusted man who never let anything go in disarray has erred!!!! Resulting in a mess that can never be redone and a dead line that cannot be met. And in such situations there was only one panacea!
To all ills and evils- The ASR Touch.
Yes! Arnav Singh Raizada's presence would mend all fences and amend all laws in a giffy and thats why in a rush hour like five thirty in the evening, he was going to meet Mr. Chabria that too without any prior appointment.
Aman thought the better of it and stayed back in the office.In fact he asked him to as after the way he shouted at him and threw the file on his face he was sure any other person might have jumped from the window on the 21st floor!! But not Aman. He stood his ground and just said "sorry sir" and sincerely at that.
Arnav was so upset that he asked the driver to get off and and started driving all by himself.... as his car wove through the heavy traffic, he thought may be it was not a good idea after all to have chosen to drive at this hour, that too added to his mood which was just at its worst.
He looked towards his right and found nothing unusual and then to his left! Nothing there either! Then he turned to his right yet again and he saw her...
...in the auto that was just beside him.She was turned to her right although she was sitting on to his side of the auto. Her hair was loose and covered her face. Her dupatta was bellowing in the wind and she was oblivious to it. Her feet were dainty and very fair. she was wearing a bright yellow outfit ... a colour Arnav would have avoided but somehow on her it seemed so beautiful.Left hand of hers was trying to push her hair back while she was telling something to a middle aged lady who was sitting to her right in the same auto. Arnav trained his ears to listen to what she was saying in the din....
"Nahi buaaji aap .... "her voice drowned into the vehicles honking madly. Arnav liked her voice. It was very soft and laden with love when she was talking to her? Buaji ! Right Buaji.... aunt not in law. Now why was he happy. Are you insane man? You just saw someone randomly and you are happy she is not married.... but just because the other lady is not her mom in law it does not mean she is not married!
Yeah! And you have gone bonkers as it is none of your b@#$%^y business!
The sudden buzz of horns brought him out of his thoughts and he started driving... the auto also started moving. The lady he must say had exquisite skin as he could make out from her half sleeved churidaar and she had thick long hair...And her voice was sweet. If only he could see her face!
As he drove, he kept an eye on the auto which was mostly moving parallel to him and on par as the traffic was very thick and they were moving forward in a snail's pace....
Then she half turned towards him and he waited with bated breath! Here it comes.... the breeze played a spoilt sport and the hair blew on to her face but not before he could make out that she had a sharp and cute nose and very shapely cheeks...
He craned his neck to see better as if that would increase the visibility factor and as he struggled he heard suddenly a harsh voice... a male one saying,"o saab dekh ke nai chalaa sakthey" And then she turned towards him while he turned to see he had almost hit an old man wading through the topic. He would have blasted him for not following traffic rules and obstructing him if it had been at a different place and different time but now he could not take the risk. Yes he had to see her face ... he turned back and the lady was still with her face turned towards her right! %^&!Again!
He had work to do dammit! OOps he was going for a damage control chat! Whats taken over him now!How can he even behave so childishly.... He is ASR. He is not fascinated by anyone or anything leave alone a girl. He pressed a button to roll up the glass of his window and as he was doing he saw the lady take a dabba from her buaji and with her left hand holding her wayward hair on to her cheek still covering her face ,she took out a jalebi from the open dabba and kept it into her mouth and ASR stopped his vehicle so suddenly that the people at the back honked furiously so much so that he had to pull down the glass and apologise by showing his palm up... And it happened then... The lady turned to see what the commotion was and her eyes connected with ASR.
Arnav Singh Raizada stared into a pair of most soulful and beautiful eyes that he had encountered ever! They rounded and increased in size for a second and then became narrow as he looked at the face before him... the breeze now was his friend and it helped pushing the hair back from her face. She was very pretty. Beautiful big and soft eyes right now narrowed cause ASR was actually staring at her unknown to him...
A slight smirk appeared on his face as he saw her holding the jalebi between her lips and staring at him! She was a doll! Her eyes blinked twice and then narrowed again and as he looked at her shapely lips pursed and holding the jalebi ASR felt a strong urge to take her in his arms and taste those lips!!!!She was like a small kid naughty and caught while steeling her mother's cookies...
Then suddenly she turned and said something to the auto driver and he vanished through a small lane on to the right before Arnav could even recover from the glimpse of the beautiful lady.
What's with him? he met scores of women who would do anything to reach him and be known as his women! But this girl had something in her that mesmerised him and he was hooked to her even before he saw her dammit!
Her presence
Her voice
Her face
Her laughter
Her hair
Her EYES
The list is endless. It has woven a magic.He Arnav Singh Raizada in his 29 years of existence has never felt the need nor the urge to know anyone but she has in a few minutes stormed his world and possessed it.
The shrill voice of the phone rang... ASR jerked and took the call!"Yes Aman! Sorry sir! Dubey who is tailing you with the files called me and told me and said you are obstructing the traffic at Mehrouli> Is there a problem with the vehicle?"
Arnav Singh Raizada walked out of the Rajeev Gandhi International Airport Hyderabad. Mohan his driver was waiting for him at the airport.
"Nand K-i-s-h-o-r-e yeh toh saakshaat jagannath laage hain! kyun Garima?"Buaji was impressed by the temple!
(Sargam's) The Inexplicable Attraction
3
(Sargam's)THE INEXPLICABLE ATTRACTION-1
Arnav Singh Raizada walked out of the Rajeev Gandhi International Airport Hyderabad. Mohan his driver was waiting for him at the airport.
As soon as he got into the car, he removed his aviators and smirked... the stewardess was more than curteous with him... A young lady of not more than 23 may be but he was too preoccupied to acknowledge her attention.
First of all it was a lousy trip. The Chabrias rubbished him cause of Aman's debacle but he stood by his right hand man. Finally ASR Magic worked with a little mix of arm twisting and a gift of Hyderabadi Pearl set to Mrs Chabria and a promise to include them in his next venture down South.
And then that beautiful lady he met in South Delhi. She was awesome. He had his share of pretty ladies but this one stood apart from everyone. She was like... like a breath of fresh air! Like an angel - innocent, simple and pleasing to his soul.
What's wrong with him! ASR chided himself.
He never ever bothered about any woman.
Yes there were partners but well they remained just that.
A social necessity and an ocassional date to relieve the stress of the modern world. Nothing more!
But this was the first time he felt that he should know her!
He had seen prettier faces but this face held on and he did not have any answer for it.
May be that was called Chemistry or love at first sight!
What rubbish! ASR you are loosing it man he mentally admonished himself.
But alas! He would never find her! He stayed for another day in Delhi and is now back in Hyderabad. He didn't even know her name dammit!
As he looked out of the window he looked at the groomed roads of the GMR Express Road and liked what he saw. He was impressed by the infrastructure and the people of the city but he was used to Delhi.
Yet he shifted for Di. She did not want him to but he did not concede. Yes it would be difficult but he would travel. Any which way he was coming out with a big Tie up with Continental health care and The Microsoft and it made it sensible to be with their Project Development Center's at Hyderabad. At least that's how he convinced Di.
Mohan turned the vehicle from the Nehru Outer Ring Road towards the Hitech city and Jublee hills where he had got a palatial bungalow with the whos who of Hyderabad as neighbours.
He was just sipping his diet coke when he saw something on the cross-section near exit 13...A bright pink dupatta ... a strange awareness overtook him... as if it was her! Common Arnav! How can it be! How can she be here unless...!
He left his question at that.
He asked Mohan to stop and at 150 kmph Mohan slackened and took the vehicle on to the lay by.
"Kya hua sir?"Mohan asked.
"Can we go back a bit Mohan?"
"No sir. This is a round about. But we can exit at the next intersection and go back."
"No leave it!"he said!
As Mohan started his car he saw her in the rear view! It was her! She was in a Taxi. IT WAS HER ALL RIGHT!
He turned to Mohan and said Mohan follow that taxi!
"Ji" Mohan cut the distance between them and ASR was exhilerated like a schoolkid. Whwn was the last time he was like this! he wondered. Suddenly fatigue overtook him as reality dawned. He had been overworking himself to overcome his issues with life.In the process he stopped living it. That was the truth! That IS the truth!
Sir Taxi is going towards the right we need to go straight. Never mind. said ASR. And Mohan thought he was saying just go home and he proceeded straight and Arnav shouted at him! Myne kahaa tha na usey follow karo! Kahaa tha ki nai?
"Per sir aphi ne tho...." Mohan parried with words and ASR saw the Taxi vanish into the late afternoon traffic.
He banged his fist on the arm rest of his car and closed his eyes... the beautiful face of the young woman who he missed just now floated before his eyes!
Her eyes blinking in confusion, then bewilderment and finally shy and her lips pursed holding a jalebi between them!
Get a life Arnav! You are going crazy Man! He thought.
At the Raizada mansion Anjali was on fast as it was Ekaadashi and she liked the city already as her husband was from the city plus it was a lively city. She was scared she would have to put a full stop to her puja and temple rigor. But fortunately the city was full of temples and she was enjoying her stay while Shyam left on a project to Australia. That was the major reason for her brother to shift base to Hyderabad as she refused to go leaving him for so long.
"Aap apne chote ko sambhaliye rani saaheba! Hum yun gaye aur yun aaye!" Shyam had said. He worked as the project head for a software firm and this project was his baby.
Arnav walked into the garden and saw Di and Nani having tea in the portico. He went directly to them and sat down in one of the chairs!
"chote kaisan rahaa apka trip? Nani asked him while Anjali just came and hugged him throwing her arms around his neck standing behind his chair saying "missed you chote"
"Acchaa tha and me too di" he said while sipping his tea.
Aap nahi piyengi Di? he asked Anjali.
"Vrat rakhaa hai inhone" nani replied.
"Oh common now... Which temple now in the evening?", he half teased half enquired!
"The Puri Jagannath temple... "its nearby and we shall go early and come back!
"What we? Am i going? this is news to me!" Arnav smirked!
"Aavona chote! Nani yahan ke senior citizen Association mein jaa rahi hain!"
"Wah you people are settled here aren't you?"Arnav exclaimed.
"Now get up go and rest and i shall come and fetch you in an hour." Anjali pulled him out of the chair and pushed him indoors!
------SARGAM's INEXPLICAB------
Aie khusi! Kaahe baar baar peeche dekhat hou! Rukiye na buaji itne saalon ke baad ek car humaara peechaa kar rahaatha woh bhi gaya! Hayre kismat apni. Khushi enacted fake tears and wiping them off her cheeks!
Buaji gave her a friendly slap on her back saying" Dhat! Shukar karo kaunoo janjhat mein naahi padi ho bitiyaa"
Oh Buaji i just need a good handsome sweet and hot Jhanjat! Can't you see!
This time Buaji boxed her ear and said kahin idhar udhar ki baatein tho nahi chal rahi hain tohrey dimaag mein Titaliyaa?
Nahi idhar ki nahi udhar ki hi baatein hai Nandkishore Khushi prompted her and got anotherthump on her back in return.
Payal opened her mouth for the first time! Yeh sapnonki duniyaa mein rehthi hain buaji aajkal aur humey dar hain ek din aisi phasegi ki sapna aur sach mein phasi rahegi!
Jiji aap jo bolthi hain woh sahi hotha hai! Pls tae your words back! Khushi complained.
Jo boldia so boldia ab chalo.Payal ended the conversation as the Taxi stopped before a four storied building... The Guptha House!
Garima came running and hugged Buaji and took her in. Jiji kaisi ho aap ke liye humne khaana banwaaya hai aur hum aaj vrat rakhe hai! Shaam ko sab Puri Jagannath Mandir Jayenge tayyar rehna ladkiyon. And saying this she took MAdhumati with her chatting happily.
Hai reh nandkishore! Ka ka karein ab Khushi imitated buaji and she and Payal burst out laughing!As Khushi laughed she remembered for the umpteenth time the face of that stranger who was so hot that she just forgot to eat her jalebi and drooled at him from the auto in Delhi! If only she could see his eyes but what charm he had! Hey devimayyan humaari shaadi karaadeejiye jaldi se varna idhar udhar ki baatein ho rahi hain she chuckled to herself.
Arnav was relaxing and the hot Jaccuzzi made him feel better. Where would she be? How come she was here? Is there any way he could find out about her? How? Will he ever know about her? He closed his eyes and went into sleep immediately.
(Sargam's) The INEXPLICABLEATTRACTION
2
"Nand K-i-s-h-o-r-e yeh toh saakshaat jagannath laage hain! kyun Garima?"Buaji was impressed by the temple!
"Haan Buaji yeh puri kaa hi mandir Jagannath ji kaa yahaan unhone hi banwaaya hai." Khushi explained to Buaji.
"Ai chalo hum thoda dekh aate hain... "Garima took buaji for a darshan and to show her around while Khushi and Payal made preparations for Puja like all the others in the court yard.
She was dressed in a lehenga odhani in Andhra style as being born and brought up in Hyderabad, she owned quite a few of them to wear on several ocassions. On this ocassion she was wearing a bright Majenta kanjeevaram lehenga with parrot green and gold border and a matching half sari( odhani) which was in parrot green with majenta border.
Her long hair was decorated with gold bells ( South Indian paraandha) that added beauty to her as they swayed when she moved. She wore a slender waist band of pearls that matched her heavy pearl Jhumkis and a small gajra of jasmine in keeping with her get up. Actually all her friends have decided to meet up and they decided on the South Indian theme!
She wore glass bangles that made tinkling noise along with her favourite Payal that had heavy silver bells that clanked! Khushi liked dressing up and she was enjoying the admiration from the occassional passerby.
Payal was wearing a new generation version of the same attire a muted vanilla shade with a lavender brocade border that was subtle and a contrast violet gold half saree. She wore kundan jewellery that matched her attire.Her hair was loose and she was looking very pretty too.
"Jiji aagey se jaake left mudoge tho apne jeevan saathi ko ek hi jhatke me paaoge! "Khushi whispered.
( Go straight and take left to find your life partner)
"Will you shut up Khushi? Yahaan pe bhi mazaak!" Payal scolded her.
"Waise us red tee shirt waale ko itnaa mat uksaa ki woh seedhe baaraat leke ghar pahunche. "
( By the way Don't egg that red tee shirt on so much that he will come with a baaraath to our house for you)she teased her back.
"Kahaan hamaari kismat Jiji! Koi pat tha hi nahi. Is kaaliya ko dekh! she showed her friend Kalyani who was darker in complexion and was busy with her preparation. Doh doh ko maintain kar rahi hai."
( Tough Luck Jiji! Look at this Kaalia... She is maintaining two!)
"Ek life line hai tho doosra phone a friend."
( If One is a life line the other is a Phone-A- Friend)
"Haan!!Aur anth mein computerji ka sahi jawaab koi aur hogaa. Tu ruk my usey samjhathi hun"(Yeah! And In the end The answer chosen will be neither the friend nor the audience choice. It will be some one else. Let me set her right!) Paayal snubbed Khushi and made for Kalyani.
"Aisa mat karnaa kyun ki poore gang ka Emotional atyaachaar ho jaayega!" Khushi begged.
( Don't do that our gang will go Jobless)
"Matlab?," Payal asked.
"Matlab yeh ki time pass nai hoga."
"You mean to say you guys? No! Khushi what's all this? are you guys crazy You are making fools of those guys and having fun? What about Kalyani? Don't you think of her feelings!"
"Common Jiji! Utnah scene nai hai. Uska uske gaanv mein ristha pakka hgayaa hai. Woh khud time pass kar rahi hai" ( She is be throated to someone from her home town! She herself is passing time!) Khushi chuckled.
"What? You people need help! Just leave me out of this mad world!"
" Jiji Jiji ohho! Achha baaba i was kidding! We just crack jokes thats all. Do you think i am so shallow? When i get my prince charming he will have to really earn me!"
"Kaise?"Paayal asked arranging stuff for lighting the diya!
"Buaji used to tell stories about swayamvar remember? My prince charming has to earn me by taking and fullfilling all the tasks i choose for him."
"Too poori paagal hai! Sacchi!"Payal said as a stage whisper!
"Just imagine JiJi mera ghonchoo deewar ko laang ke kutte waale ghar se usi kutte ka patta churaa laayega aur my var maala pehnaungi"Khushi said dreamily.
"Varmala nai Khushi thu usey RABIS ke injection dilwaayegi! Aur usse door bhaagegi kyun ki Rabis chune se bhi ho saktha hai." Payal supplied.
"Khushi made a face and said mera waala hoga sunder suheel samskari aur sheelvanth!"
"Wah Nalini Ma'am yaad aagayin! wahi apni High school ki hindi teacher!"Paayal pulled her leg again and added,"per Khushi... "she paused-" yeh sab tho tumhe ek Bahu laake denge baabu nai!"
( Great! You reminded me of NAlini Ma'am our Hindi teacher with all that chaste Hindi! and added but Khushi it appears like the description of a Bahu not a Babu)
"JIJI!" Khushi screamed in exasperation and everyone immediately around stared at her and there was a sudden silence!
Paayal was embarassed and Khushi made an excuse saying "Maaf keejiye humeh aag lagi hai!"( Excuse me! I am on fire!)
Then she realised her blunder and said," humein aag lagaana hai! hey devi mayya kya ho rahaa hai?" ( I mean... I have to kindle the fire!)she thought and said ,"Matlab diyaa jalaani thi aur haath jal gaya!" ( I mean I needed to light the diya but my hand got burnt) everyone resumed their rituals and Paayal gave a killer look to Khushi.
Then she said," Khushi jab woh aayega tho tumko sochne ka maukaa nai dega!Aur jo likha hai wahi hoga. Tum apne swayamvar ke ideas apne paas rakh!"
( If and when he happens! He won't give you a chance to think! What ever is written in destiny shall happen and you keep your fancy swayamvar ideas to yourself!)
Kaise Jiji control hi nahi hotha! Khushi exclaimed.( But HOw? I can't control my flow of thoughts)
"Look at that stupid red churidaar? uska bhi pati hai! Mera kab aayegi baari?
(Look at that dumb red churidaar? she too has a hubby? When will my turn be?)
"Oh! You need to get married also! Thats another hurdle!"She teased Paayal again.
"Khushi! Maarungi! tu din raat yahi sochthi rehthi hai?"
( Khushi you will have it from me! Are you on it day and night?)
"Nai Jiji! Dopehar ko bhi. Infact raat se bhi zyaada " ( No Jiji! Even in afternoons, infact more than at nights) she again started.
Paayal exclaimed," bus ab puja!" ( enough! Lets do Puja!)
"Jiji ek baar left ko dekho Ladka doctor hai shaayad! Tum aankh Milao hum haath milaathey hai! Aur jhat Payalia ki shaadi aur Jhat pat Khushi ki she immitated buaji!
( Jiji look towards your left! Seems like the guy is a doctor! You take care of him and me of your wedding! Then it shall have to be my wedding!)
"Khushi yeh aakhri warning hai tum Puja ki thali pakdo yeh lo aur shuru karo!"
( Khushi! This is the last warning. Take your Thali and get started!)
"Kya?"Khushi asked innocently but her eyes were mischievious!
Paayal lunged at Khushi and Khushi ran with the thal and as she crossed two other families she found that she was heading towards an off set and in order to avert that turned right and banged into a solid lithe body!
"What the!" His explicative died as someone banged into him and the thaal fell to the floor with a loud clanking noise! He could not see much as it was already dark but for the lights lit by the devotees as the artificial lights were far and few. Madrasi ladki... South Indian he corrected as now he knew all South Indians are not Madarasi.
"O Hero! Kallu kanipinchatleda? ekkada choosthunnav Babu?
(Hey hero! Are you blind Can't u see! Where are you seeing?) Khushi bellowed at him and then stopped shocked!
It was the same guy!
Hey Devi mayya like the Bank are you giving loans matlab boons in advance i am still to do my puja!
She had the advantage of the lights being focussed on his face blinding him while Arnav could only see a shillhoute and Khushi was dressed differently from their first meeting and was hard to recognise!
What rubbish! You banged into me! He shouted back in English!
Maaku English vocchu! English lo maatlaaduthunnadandi pedda accenteysukuni!! She shouted back taking him to be a local guy!
( we too know English! Look at him talking in his phony accent!)
"Excuse me?"Arnav was unable to see the girl but he was now irritated as he realised that she was talking in Telugu!
"No you are not excused! Lite theesuko!" ( Hyderabadi for take it easy)
Khushi looked at her thaal and then saw his and took his and said in crisp english" get one more for yourself!"
"What! No! He refused to let go." Khushi got irritated infact she did not know why she was behaving the way she was! Is he the same one? No way! That was in Delhi! How can this be possible? Who is he? Why is he here? Is he following me? Oh common she said to herself! If Jiji heard this she would say even a mosquito won't give her a second bite so a guy following her from Delhi!
"Chote!" someone called and He let go of her hand and the thaal and Khushi fled!
"Wait! Get back here right now!" Arnav shouted.
The fellow was in army no doubt! He was barking orders just like a major and She thought! How sweet i will be moving all across the country even Srinagar! Wow!
Suddenly she was stopped by someone an elderly lady who said "Kya aap Humri Madad karsakhthee hain bitiya?" " can you help Me?"
(Sargam's) The Inexplicable Attraction
3
" Humaari ek tasveer tumhare mobile pe kheenchona tumhare Jijaji ko mail karenge!
CHOTE!Anjali had to shout to make him pay attention!
He was still looking back to find the girl who came like a gust of wind and vanished!
"Haan Di." He took a few snaps.
Anjali asked,"where is the thaal?
"Eh!... Its gone!, he replied!
"Gone ka kya matlab?" Anjali asked exasperatedly.
"Di wait! i will get a new one. Just two min." He just had to check her out! SHE WAS THERE SOMEWHERE!
-----Inexplicable Attraction-----
"Bitiya! Hindi aathi hai?" Nani asked the girl who was so pretty that she could not take her eyes off her!
"Haanji boliye!" Khushi comforted her!
"Arrey being a South Indian you speak a smattering of Hindi" Nani said and Khushi did not correct her as she was still shaking in her socks about the encounter with that Army Major!" Haaye ! Kya munda tha!"
"Bitiya?" Nani was trying to get her out of her reverie!
Khushi smiled and enquired,"Boliye!"
"Can you ask if they have baathi here? I am unable to make them understand!" Nani told Khushi.
" Sure Khushi asked the vendor in Telugu, " Vatthulu Unnaaya?"
Then she helped Nani with the rest of her purchases for the puja and after that she went with Nani to drop her til her granddaughter who was busy.
Khushi told Nani ji she would rush back as her family would be waiting and said they would meet again although they did not exchange any numbers!
As she turned back and walked a few paces towards Payal,she felt a strange sensation! A presence as the hair at the back of her neck pricked her and told her she is being watched and in the next instant the thaal she was holding was snatched from her!
She turned to stare into a pair of most intense eyes that were boring into hers and she thought! "Beta laddoo chahiye? woh bhi doh doh! Yeh toh dhamaaka sale chal raha hai devi mayya! The other day i missed watching his eyes and here i get to in close up and so smouldering they are!"
(Khushi was at ease as she now knew he did not recognise her to be the same girl from Delhi.)
And they were regarding her very quizically!
...And then the realization dawned into them.
Khushi had never seen such expressive eyes in her life as she could see the anger, then puzzled look while he tried to place her and then the realization!
"Chal nikal le Khushi teraa samay shuru hotha hai ab" She started running blindly!
"Excuse me! Tell me! you... "He grabbed on to her to hold whatever he can and he got the clasp of the waist band which came undone and the thin string hung from his hand while its owner oblivious of loosing it had already vanished!!
Arnav was left with a thaal in one hand and the slender pearl waist band in the other! IT WAS HER AGAIN! He immediately started looking for her but remembered Di waiting for him and turned back to go!
"Chote dijiye idhar! Aap pe bharosa rakhenge tho yeh puja hone se rahi!( Can't trust you with this) Anjali took the thaal and went.
As he looked at the slender one strand waist band, he was lost in his thoughts! The piece was so dainty that he was forced to think how delicate would be the lady wearing it and especially her heart! Coz it has now ASR to deal with!
As he fingered the pearls, he heard that tinkling voice again. "Sorry amma"
He turned to his right and saw her! so beautiful and different!
As he was freed from his job, he went and stood behind Khushi! She was busy with her work.
Khushi lit the diya and closed her eyes!
"Hey Devi Mayya! Shivji ke naam pe ek punter de dey! Abhi milaana... "she raised her index finger in air deep in her thoughts... "jo! woh chalega!"
( Please fix me up with a chap. The one that i met just now will do!)
"Ab zyaada nai sochneka!" ( don't think more now!")She clucked with her tongue at herself and turned back and collided into Arnav who was watching her carefully!
Khushi was face to face with him and she closed her eyes and made a mental squeek,"Devi Mayya !instant punya ka zamana hai? ya help desk kholaa huaa hai aapne ! "
( Is it an era of instant salvation or you have opened a help desk devi mayya?)
"You what name? "Arnav was asking her!
"Yeh loh angrezi tuti phuti! Chalo accha hai apne se toh kum mein rahega tabhi na respect degaa kalko!"
Then it struck her that he must be thinking that she is a local girl.
Khushi was scared but her naughtier self took over when she tried to enact a plan formed instantly in her mind!
She put a confused face and made a gesture with her face asking him "What? non verbally!"
"Your name! I am Arnav!"
"Wow!Maardaalaa! Kaalia ka life line tho subbu hai Subramanyam! yuk! Wait till I tell her this name A-R-N-A-V!!!!"
"Do you have a name?" Arnav was loosing patience!
Khushi supressed her smile and kept an innocent face and batting her eyelids asked him " Enduku"(WHY)
Arnav did not know a word of Telugu but it did not take a genius to tell him by her expression that she was asking why he needed to know her name!
"Listen i do not have all evening to play KBC! Just tell me what i need to know ! I saw you in Delhi ! Remember? I just want to know! "He shouted making people around curious.
Good thing Jiji went inside with Kallu Khushi thought !
A different plan formed in her mind. She wanted to make the oh so confident man shake in his boots! Yes sir!
"Find out" she said
"What the! What do you mean?
"I said find out!"
"But how? You! wait "He stretched his arm forward to stop her from vanishing again.
"Name!" he demanded as the ASR mode activated. He added I won't let you go till then!"
Khushi got a little scared. She intended it to be a light hearted flirtarious encounter but now she was not sure. She looked at him. He was dressed in a three piece suit navy blue suit with a white shirt and a red tie. Looked very dashing and out of place in a temple!
His eyes now were telling her a different story!
Whatever this man did it was not for time pass he was serious.So much so that Khushi could see a wedding card Arnav weds Khushi and dinner follows! "Hey devi mayya bhook! Vrat khola nai hamney! She murmered! "
"What! tell me he!" prompted again.
Khushi mustered courage and said, "I said find out! "Arnav was shocked at the audacity of the girl but he loved her guts and especially none stood before ASR and challenged him so he was all the more impressed plus a plan formed in his mind.
"Ok give me your contact number!" He said.
"why?"Khushi was getting scared in earnest now!
"How would i tell you your name then?" he asked smirking!
Khushi was droolimg openly! She recovered quickly and said" ok write it on a chit and keep it here tomorrow. I shall come and check!" she showed a corner!
"Uhun! Not acceptable."Arnav said.
"Why" Khushi enquired.
" Because ... he paused you won't come tomorrow!"
How do you know... mat...( She was about to say matlab but stopped herself! Khushi you are a Telugu girl! you cannot say matlab!" How can you say that?" She asked.
" Do i look like a fool?" Arnav was loosing his cool! "
Dammit Does this girl know who she is talking to?
The answer he got for himself cooled him down. No!She doesn't. So he will/ can be himself for the first time without his success, name and fame interfering and it is a golden opportunity for him to live his life without the Raizada tag!
" its hard to say the first time!"Khushi beinh Khushi, said teasing him.
"Excuse me?" You think i am a fool! He curled his fist and Khushi moved back and stepped on someones' toe and apologised to the angered soul.
"Thenwhat?" she still stood her ground.
"Lets make a deal", he said.
"Deal? what deal"?
"Yeah deal!" You give me your mobile number and i shall guess and tell you your name!"
"I need to go." Khushi tried to escape.
The crowd grew now and there was too much of rush so much that they were amidst chaos. A passerby tried touching Khushi and ASR was too fast for him. He curved his stretched hand and steered Khushi in to him without actually touching her.
"Thanks!" Khushi said.
She liked two things. His protective nature which said he was caring and secondly his manners. He could have touched her!It was a great excuse to!He did not!
"So?" he asked!
"Ok My contact number i will give you but you cannot call or message. I will." she mentally made a new plan.
"Not acceptable."
"why?"
"'Coz its me who CALLS THE SHOTS!" He smirked. And i am not playing any silly games with you. "The ASR in him told her confidently.
Khushi never saw such a handsome face that too when there was a smirk on it. But two hoots to him! She is KKG.
"Then deal is off!" she said.
" What The F@#$!"Nope."
"Yes!"
"No"
Then they bothe started simultaneously ," You can't...!" and stopped and stared at each other.
They both were standing in the milling crowd with their noses high up in the air and were lost into each other's eyes but fighting!
This was crazy Khushi thought!
This is the mother of CRAZY Arnav thought!
Khushi was the first to react...
"Then?" she prompted.
"I will call but you have an option not to" Arnav relaxed the unimportant aspect of the deal which he always did when the other party was adamant. Just to show he was magnanimous. In reality the power of communication would be with him. Who wants her to call! He would. HE smirked again!
"Now whats that!" This time Khushi got irritated by the smirk.
"Thats the deal." Arnav supplied.
"Nope."
"Then?"
Khushi thought. she can manage him! no big deal. Lets teach a lesson to Mr. Goody two shoes!
"Ok you can call but you won't trace my number nor my address." She said.
She was being a fool! who would listen to that? The first thing they do is trace the number to the directory!She knew that! but somehow she felt if he agreed he would keep his word. She trusted this total stranger and she did not know the reason for that.
"Ok i give my word. I won't coz you will tell me on your own."
"HA! Khushi sneered at his confidence."
"Yep you will. "he reiterated.
"Tell me your number."
Khushi gave him a number."
"And your name?" He asked matter of factly!
Arnav tried to ask randomly just in cae she slipped and told him!
"MS Find out!"
"A auoo!"He said smiling.
Khushi just looked at him with bated breath. An excuse of a smile made him look so handsome! Oh my god... She thought!
She liked him atleast he thought looking at her taking note of every detail of his face ! But she was very strong and stubborn! He smirked yet again. Just like him!
"Common gimme a hint" he prompted!
"Ok! I am very easy to get but very hard to find"
"What kind of a hint is that!"
"Thats the hint for my name!" Khushi said.
"Want more!" He said and with such intensity and seriousness that Khushi understood instantly he was not just talking about a hint. He was conveying a message to her.
"Eh! Er!Hmmm! I have three words in my name!" she supplied.
"Thats better"
"Bye" she made to move.
"Wait!", He again blocked her way saying,
"I need more hints as its very vague."
"Ok my name starts with K she blurted and concluded the conversation by saying," Thats It" as she heard payal's voice calling KALYANI... she said one last thing..."do not call before pinging me and after nine in the evening! Else deal is off" and fled.
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
4
"Khushi! Where were you? You finished there? then go and have darshan quickly... We will move else amma is going to..."Payal was going on and on but Khushi was trying to calm down her thumping heart!
She managed to stop Payal with a "haan Jiji! Abhi gayi aur abhi aayi!" and rushed into the crowded temple.
-----( Sargam's)Inexplicable Attraction-----
"Chote! Aaj patha hai humne bhagawan se kya maanga?",Anjali tried to poke Arnav who was driving them home!
"Haan Di! Jijaji ki lambi umar! "Arnav said concentrating on the roads and Hyderabad's traffic which was chaotic.
"Haan! so tho hai! Per aur ek bhi maanga humne! ",Anjali winked at nani!
Arnav cut her off mid way as he knew it was about his getting settled in life by saying,"Oh common! Aapko patha hai..."
Nani interfered this time winking back at Anjali," Patha hai Anjali Bitiya, hum aaj ek pari ko dekhat rahe! Mandir maa! kitni sunder aur susheel ladki thi!
"Haan?" Anjali suddenly grew interested much to the irritation of Arnav!
" Di?"
"Haan Chote!"
"'K' se kuch achhe naam bathayiye!"
"Kyun? Accha ruko! K se Keshav, Karan, aur... Kewal ..."
"Di ladkiyonke!"
"Kya? Aap kabse ee sab karath rahein? Kya baath hai chote?"This time nani asked.
Arnav had to do damage control!"One of the employee had a baby girl and the staff were discussing! I just got interested and thought its better than talking about match making for me to pass time while i drive you back home!"
Nani made a face at Arnav but supplied names neverthless.. "Kavitha, Kalpana, Kriya... ",Mami who was silent all along butted in saying ,"Hello hai bye bye! Oo tho purane hai sasuma!, Arnav Bitua lijen to me pleej! "Katrina, Komalika, Koina and ..."
Nani got back at her by saying," Manorama inhe ladikyan ke naam chahiye chudailon ke nahin!"
Anjali and Arnav smiled at each other at the Saas-Bahu routine!
"Nai Woh South Indian hai aur usey three words mein rakhna hai nam! Arnav supplied hesitantly "
Oh! Anjali said getting down from the car as he parked it and supplied," phir tho ask Raju who we hired new to help HP. Although Hp moved with us with family he is new and i thought he needs an assistant here."
"Dinner lag jaayega in the mean time lets find out. Mujhey accha lag rahaa hai you started caring for your employees!"
Arnav wanted to admonish her but kept quiet. Ms. K i will find out your name. You just wait and watch! He thought walking in and settling with others in the hall while dinner was being served.
Raju came and Anjali explained everything to him. He was shaking in his boots as he heard about Arnav a lot from HP and this job was important for him as the Raizadas paid well plus their reference would be a great help in future!
"Saab he replied in typical Hyderabadi as he was a Telugu! "K sey," he scratched his head "Kaamaakshi..."
"Wait! Arnav cut him!"
"Name should have three parts!"Arnav barked.
Anjali explained to the poor chap in hindi as he was sweating now coz of fear!
"Mydam! Mushkil hai!"
"What the hell doh SouthIndian nam nai bol sakthey tum?" ASR shouted.
"Chote shanthi!"
"Di "K" sey! he shouted again"
"No chote tum shanti rakho!" Anjali giggled as she was finding this hilarious!
Arnav closed his eyes in exasperation.
Lakshmi their new house maid was just leaviing and Anjali called her... "Lakshmiji kya aap kuch 'K' sey shuru hone wale theen shabd wale naam bathayenge aapke telugu logonke... South Indian she added!"
Lakshmi thought for a while ! Suddenly she sat down and started counting on her fingers!
"Kya hua?"Anjali asked!
"Sasu ma ye tho Horrorscope detailya rahi hai "Mami suggested!
"Horrorscope nai Mami horoscope', Anjali corrected her!
"Arnav got up impatiently saying di my Internet pe..."
"Kanaka Mahaa Lakshmi!",Lakshmi shouted hastily to gain interest of her new boss... she after all had to prove her worth!
Nani, Mami and Anjali looked at Arnav approvingly!
"Di isey bolo myne iska poora naam nai poocha!,"Arnav pleaded with Anjali.
"Nai saab ye nam mera nai hai. bacchi ke liye bolri!"Lakshmi's Hyderabadi made everyone smile except Arnav this is ridiculous! He has to do something!
"Aur?" Anjali prompted her.
"Kanyaka sri Parameswari!"
Again the three ladies looked from Lakshmi to Arnav as if they were watching a tennis match. Arnav imagined Khushi with that name and he felt sick!
"What would he call her?" Kanya? what woh kya boli? Parameshwari! Yuk man!
He stared at Lakshmi and she got up scared.
"Yeh ladikiyon ke nam hai ya kapodon ke dukaanon ke?" he shouted at her.
"Aisa nai hoga di." Modern names chahiye!" He said.
"Anjali said theek hai chote i will ring up charu! Remember my old friend from college who is settled in Hyd. I met her the other day! She will help. Per pehle khaana!" She and the others left for the dining hall while Arnav called Aman!
"Aman! Get me a list of names starting with K and three worded including surnames and that too south Indian and Hey Female names!"
He then said under his breath! "Ms. Find out! Wait till i get to you. You will pay for this!"
------( Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction-----
Khushi was pushing the last puri forcibly into her mouth when Prateek her childhood friend and their neighbour barged in to their dining hall. Picking up a jalebi from the table he quickly wished Shashi and the others and dragged Khushi upstairs saying," tumse baat karni hai!" ( need to talk to you!"
Khushi with her mouth full yelled at him! "Abhi tho thodaa hi khaaya hai myne! Terko kya hua reh!"
"Yen chesaav talli eesari?" ( Telugu) what new problem you have created now meri maa? he asked her.
Khushi then realised she texted him to come immediately and meet.
Prateek was working in a local BPO and was simultaneously preparing for his studies abroad.
"Prateek You are my bestest friend na?"
"Yeah thats the only regret in life!"
"Prateek !!!"she screamed. "listen to me" she said.
"I tie Rakhi to you since 22 years na?" she pleaded.
"Do you need money?" he made to remove his purse from the pocket of the shorts he was wearing!
"No !listen"
"Arrey bol!dimaag nakko kharaab ker!" he shouted at her.
"Tu mera bhai hai na?" Khushi played the sentiment card.
"nai. isme choice nai hai... per i guess i am!" Prateek melted a little which Khushi noticed and prayed to Devi Mayya typically by moving her joined hands vertically up and down thrice!
"kyun? Chaachiji... matlab your mom always told u to look up to me and get marks like me. Remember ?Why should you regret me?"
"As far as i know khushi only one living thing looks up to you in Hyderabad - my dog Freedom and that too coz of height problem! Nothing personal in that!" he raised both his hands.
Khushi started beating him with her hand bag which was lying there.
"Ok ok! Tell me! What happened!" he was laughing" now.
"Teeku! I ... eh!" she used his childhood endearement on purpose.
"Khushi i feel very nervous coz when you hesitate amd especially when you call me teeku! It is usually something absolutely dangerous. Last time you did that you rammed your Honda activa into Major Uncle's car. There was a huge dent and since Shashi uncle was to be kept out of loop and you cannot be exposed, I ended up gardening at his house for a month while payal had to take tuition for his dud grandson!I have experience believe me!" he said.
"Please! Khushi pleaded! Listen to me!"
"Yep"
"Actually i ... I gave your mobile number to somebody and told that its mine! she blurted out closing her eyes!"
"Famous Ice Cream Parlour" Abdul replied.
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
5
Prateek did a double take! You did what?
Khushi gave him a i told you already look!
"Nope! I know... The traffic Policeman!"
"Nope."
"Khushi you gave it to Kalyani's crazy cousin! no! with great difficulty i could make her realise i am not interested."
"Nooo. Sun tho!"
"Nahi. Whoever it is just tell them This mobile belongs to me."He held his mobile to his chest as if it was a lost baby.
Khushi turned away from him and started..." theek hai yaar! Its ok. Here I was thinking you are there for me comewhat may and i don't even have the right to think your mobile is mine!"
"Exactly! How can you. My mobile is mine. Yours is yours. See! Simple logic" Prateek taunted her.
"Listen!"she pleaded.
"Nope Khushi. You listen! What are you up to! Please don't hide anything from me." Prateek exploded!
Khushi realised she had to take him into confidence and she narrated the entire Arnav episode right from Delhi!
"How dare he bulldozes you like that!" Prateek's brotherly instincts surfaced!
"Nope! He just wanted to interact with me you know!" Khushi found herself defending Arnav!
"Excuse me! Am i seeing you talking for someone? "Prateek enquired making her delve even more into this new found interest in the intriguing stranger.
"Do you know who he is? where he is from Prateek?" started his enquiry which was common everytime he saw Khushi with a man! After all the Gupthas treated him like their son and he took it seriously as Payal and Khushi grew up with him and his sister Pratyusha who just got married and does not live with them anymore!
"Nope! But i know his name!"
"Em cheppav thalli Brilliant!" ( Telugu)
( what a way to go! Brilliant)
"Please ra! ( an endearment in Telugu)"
"Ok what do you want now? my mobile?"
"No no. I want you to mediate whenever there is a call or message thats all!"
"Ela kanipisthunnane neeku? he shouted!"( telugu)
( What do you think of me)
"Please Teeku! I cannot give my mobile number to a stranger and i knew i could count on you. "She saw him thawing and so added some more masala... moreover according to our childhood pact we must approve off each other's partners na? Thats why i thought it will be safe if i gave your number.
"Is baar bachaale!"
"But how will it work Khushi!
"We will do something. she said!"
"Ok. But be careful!"
"Yeah I will be. You are there with me na?"
"Yes! Is there a chioice?"
-----(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction-----
Arnav closed his eyes and the face of Ms.K swam before him! So beautiful and alluring. fresh like a flower!He thought. someone who does not know that he is a multimillionaire and who does not have any regard to his status or his popularity.
He thought about her name then? When he saw her in Delhi she was talking in Hindi. Yes! Coz she even called her aunt Buaji and her accent was perfect. Yes! He got up from his bed. She is a Hindi speaking girl. How can he be so dense! What happened to the great business tycoon who made it to the top in such a young age and still standing there!
He picked up his phone and dialled the creative head of the ad agency which dealt with his PR. Rohit Ahuja took his call shaking in his boots!
Arnav asked him straight! "Rohit can you supply me very good names starting with K for a female apparel and accessories line i am coming out with?"
"Sure sir!"said Rohit.
"Lets meet tomorrow at... ",Arnav frankly did not have time he recollected but added "Aman will brief you on the timings. "He mentally added he will tell Aman to have the list mailed from Rohit's office!
He checked The number the Ms.K gave him. I will tell you your name tomorrow Ms. Hyderabad he mused and promptly went to sleep!
...Kreations, Krazy Chick, Kraft... Aman started reading out the list while Arnav squirmed in his chair!
"Can you find desi names Aman?" he barked!
"Sir... Kashish! Kaajal, Ketaki... "
"Kajal was ok", Arnav thought but he was sure anyone with that kind of skin tone would not be named that by her parents!
Suddenly the hint given by her came to his mind!
He whirred in his chair and asked Aman!
"Aman, whats easy to get hard to find?"
If Aman was shocked by the sudden interest of his boss in philosophy, he didn't show it!
He simply raked his brains and supplied "Job sir"
"What?" Arnav enquired.
"Yes sir. We don't have dearth for talented people in India but we don't have jobs sir. So easy to get difficult to find!"
"Job. Hindi verson Kaam!"
He thought harder for a name with that word and there came a flash!
Maybe Kaamna! May be!!! why not. First time Arnav felt positive about the whole thing!
"Very good anything else that belongs to the category?" he asked Aman!
"Ramanatham their Hyderabad Finance Head came into the cabin after a knock and he heard the conversation.
He ventured hesitantly saying," Can i say something sir?"
"Sure!",Arnav said much to the surprise of Aman who always saw his boss not open to any suggestions or opinions. When he wanted one, he usually gave one.
"A son-in-law! sir."
"What?" Arnav almost fell from his chair.
"Yes sir. Its easy to get your daughter married to anyone... but hard to find a suitable boy!"
People are ruled by their circumstances Arnav thought and by the looks he was getting from Mr. Ramanatham who was a senior Advisor to a multinational company before he picked him up for his Hyderabad venture, he was sure he was fitting his daughters picture with his on a wedding card!
"Will get back to you in a while!" he dismissed him hastily not missing the hitherto very well disciplined Aman grinning!
The talk spread like wild fire and Harvard returned Arnav tried to use the grape vine to his advantage he asked Aman to collect words that came up with the staff when they discussed this riddle... and Aman's report said...
The canteen head said " Good quality rice. we are willing to pay anything for it. So getting is easy. But tell me where you get it first! No where its all mixed with pebbles and husk"
The Hr head discussed 'True Talent' with Aman as easy to get but difficult to find.
The receptionist thought it was a 'Hot guy'." Hyderabad is an absolute waste in that department. The only exception is our boss. He disproves the fact. He is difficult to get! Easy to find ! "she lamented while touching her make up talking to Aman. The later fact Arnav had to wrest out of Aman!
The security incharge said it was a building with parking space and Mohan said a good petrol bunk with unadultrated petrol. "We are ready to pay for it saab per mil kahan rahaa hai!"
Arnav caught his head which was spinning by then!
He went straight to his room and sat their with his head in both his hands!
"Chote", Nani came with a tray of tea and some snack in her hands.
"Mohan kahat rahe aapko sir ma dard hain. Tel lagaade. Nai Nani I am fine." he did not want to trouble her.
"Rukiye hum lagaathey hai"Nani was as stubborn.
She started applying oil to his head which reminded him of his childhood days and he felt relaxed. As she was massaging he simply chanted the hint. Easy to get difficult to find.
"Kaunu baath hai chote?" she enquired slowly.
"Nai nani aise hi soch rahaa tha! Is sansar mein aisi kaunsi cheez hai jo asaani se milthi hai per dhoondne mein mushkil hain! " he looked at her in the mirror infront of which he was sitting as she applied oil.
"wah chote itna badhiya vichaar?" she commended him.
She continued. "Hum bathaayein?" she asked
"Haan nani", he said.
"KHUSHI bitua" she said!
Arnav listened to her in stunned silence as it dawned on it him as she explained!
"Hum khush bahut asaani se reh sakath hai per usey dhoondne mein galthi karthey hain. Jo aadmi her choti si chotee cheez mein usey dhoondat haina usey woh asaani se mil jaawath hai she concluded.
( We can be happy very effortlessly. But we are not happy as we try finding it in all wrong places while we can find it every where easily. We made it difficult. Its easy to get when you ebjoy smallest of small things in life!)
"How true" he thought! Happiness is easy to get but difficult to find. Its in your hands!
Ok Ms. Khushi what ever! I finished the difficult part! finding you. Now for the easier part of getting you he thought and thanked Nani.
(Sargam's) Inexplicable attraction)
6
Will call you in ten min and this is my number- ARNAV
Khushi read it thrice. So he is going to call her!
Prateek was staring at her!
"Prateek!"
"Prateek!"
"Yeah. HE IS GOING TO CALL ME!"
"AU!" ( A funny YES)
"CHEPPARA!" ( Tell me what to do) Khushi yelled at him!
"Numberu Ichhemundu adagaalamma avanni!" ( Telugu)
( YOU SHOULD HAVE ASKED THIS QUESTION BEFORE SHARING THE NUMBER MY DEAR) he taunted.
"Arey he will call me now" she squeeked!
"Arey!he will call me now! "Prateek imitated her and said "Enjoy Rambabu!"( ENJOY)
"Ninnu..."(Telugu) (You... grrr)
Khushi could not finish the sentence as the phone rang!
"It's him!" Prateek confirmed.
She put a hand on her mouth and stared at the phone and back at Prateek's face. Down up. Down UP.
Prateek yelled," AAPUTHAAVA?(telugu) ( Will you Stop?)" irritated and the phone stopped ringing.
"Aagipoyindi"( Telugu)( It stopped) Khushi said relieved but a trifle disappointed!
Before Prateek replied it rang again!
"Teeku please take the call.Please!"
"But why? You should talk i don't prefer men!"
"Teeku !"Khushi closed her ears and yelled at him a childhood habit and Garima shouted from downstairs... "stop yelling Khushi you are grown up now!"
Khushi widened her eyes and pleaded" Please ra! "(pls dear)
Prateek cleared his throat loudly and took the call and said" Uh! hello"
There was a pause and Khushi looked at him for feedback!
------(Sargam's) Inexplicable attraction)------
Arnav closed his eyes and waited for Khushi to pick up the call. 'Will she won't she!' he dallied!
He did not get any response for his SMS.
But their deal had it in it that she might choose not to respond.
So he waited and called her.
She picked it Yay!
No he won't call her by her name first.
Let her feel victorious for a while more!
He said "
"HI"
"Uh! Hello"
"What the $%^&!" he shouted as he was disappointed at the male voice answering it. He got angry thinking of various possibilities...
Did she give her brother's number? Or is it a BOYFRIEND? Or she gave him a WRONG number... If the last option is true then she will be sorry she ever met him...
Arnav got up from his seat and tried to control his rising anger! Ms.Khushi Mis Findout! If this turns out to be your boyfriend i will personally break his neck! How dared she!
------(Sargam's) Inexplicable attraction)------
Khushi saw prateek holding the phone away from the ear!
Khushi made gestures with her right hand which meant, " what happened !"
"veedekkada dorikaade neeku?(telugu) (Wherever did you find this bloke?)
"What "she asked this time and Prateek instead of answering her, yelled in the phone!
"Who are you Mr?"
Khushi snatched the phone and switched on the speaker on it quickly.
"Who the hell are you?" Arnav's voice came crisply.
Khushi remembered the Alien imitating Arnold Scwazzeneger in Predator1..." who the hell are you?"
"You have called on my number and you are asking me?" Prateek's answer brought her back to Hyderabad.
Arnav gestured to Aman who just happened to walk into the cabin and wrote the phone number on the notepad before him and put a question mark and again gestured by tapping on the written number with his middle finger.
Aman ran with the number to trace it.
"Tell me! Prateek was in a combat mode!"
" Oh NO"Khushi caught hold of her forehead with her right hand and started shaking her head!
"Gaya! "First time he called and its a flop. Her best friend is fighting with him?
'No Khushi this man is not good for you thats the sign she thought!'
"I got this number from someone to contact her. IS she there? "Arnav asked.
"This is my number and you are not going to speak to anybody! Now keep the bloody phone down!" Prateek barked into the phone.
"Mr. Prateek Murthy you have ten minutes to get the person i want on to the phone! Else tell her, I know she is right besides you listening to this convo..that the deal is off and I will break all rules. Now you may switch off the speaker ". And the phone went dead!
Khushi and Prateek were staring at each other with opened mouths!
Prateek was the first to recover and say! "Baagundi Mamu! Manchi namoona gaanni vedikaavu! "(Telugu)
( Very good Mamu! You got yourself a good namoona-Specimen)
Khushi just did not know... what to say. Arnav sounded so different from how he spoke to her. He sounded so ruthless, so insensitive and so... so... POWERFUL her mind added.
"Hey devi mayya don't tell me he is some minister's or indutrialist's spoilt son!"
"Khushi we have ten minutes and you are not going to do anything with this jerk. Yes!" Prateek decided for her!
"Not now! not ever! He does not know how to even talk civilly to people!" he went on.
"I am switching off the phone! Now!" Prateek was about to do that when Khushi stopped him.
"No Teeku! I started it and i will deal with it." she said.
"Have you gone mad? Idiot! We don't know who he is! what if he is ... "Prateek looked here and there to get the right word... "he is some kind of a goon/ pervert or some..."
"Spoilt brat!" Khushi supplied. "Lets see."
"No! we are not and its risky! If aunty and uncle get to know! NO Khushi!!" Prateek said firmly.
"We have no choice! Tu samajhtha kyun nahi reh? Uske paas tera number address sab hain yaar!
Aisa chodinge usey tho kya hoyenga soch Khushi said!"
( why don't you understand he has your number and address coz of it!) If we leave this unfinished just think what would be the outcome?)
"I will take care of that! Thats all a man's job!" Prateek said showing false valour although he was shaking in his pants!
"No. Mera yakeen kar. My samhaalleti. Tu fikr nakko kar. Bus mere sath reh!"
( Believe me. I will manage. You just be with me!)
Khushi was adamant.
Pateek was reluctant but he understood her logic. So he just said ok.
From the window of Khushi's room Prateek's First floor hall's window was visible and Prateek's mom Lalitha called him! "Teeku call from your Babai(Chacha)".
"Oh no! Khushi! My uncle called from the UK. I need to talk else there will be big trouble from Papa" he said.
Prateek's uncle was settled in the UK and it was a family ritual to talk every alternate day as the family was verymuch for sticking together inspite of the geographical distance.
"You go! I will manage and ii will come on the pretext of returning your mobile and brief you."
Prateek gave her a long stare and then patted on her shoulder and said "take care and remember I am with you "...and left.
Khushi mere sir mein tel lagaana zara? ( CAn you apply oil to my hair?)Payal asked her.
Nai jiji aap buaji ko poochiye! mujhey kam hai!( I am busy ask Buaji)
Chal chod kam ko aur meri help kar Payal insisted.
( Leave everything and come and help me)
"Nai Jiji please my abhi aayi."
( No Jiji. I will just come!)
"Tum aur Prateek tho roz ladthey hain. Usey itna important banaaneki koi bath nahi hai..."Payal was saying when she came out of the room and the phone started to ring.
( You and Prateek fight everyday so whats there to get upset about it?"
"Hey devi mayya! where should she go? What should she talk to him. May be Prateek was right. She should let him handle." Khushi talked to herself as she came out yelling to Garima" Lalitha chachi ho aathi hun...PRATEEK PHONE BULGAYA!"
( Going to Lalitha Chachi's a sPrateek left his mobile here)
"nai nai Khushi you can do it. Remember how you solved so many of your friends problems when they were stalked by others?"
Khushi's thoughts...
"Tu tehar Nisar my bath karthi!"Khushi said
(You wait Nisar i will talk!")
"Nai Khushi this fellow is calling all the time and talking nonsense i will have to tell papa and he will yell saying how did he get your number. "
"Parvez ku bolinge boletho woh gym ke pottonku leke jake do pachkadaan maaran tho kya hungaama hoyinga tu soch! Allah kyaa karoon my thuich bol!" Nisar wept.
( If i tell my brother he will take his friends from the Gym and would punch him down and imagine what ruckus that would create. Yah Allah! What should I do?)
AAjao meri tamanna baahon mein aaja... the ring tone went indicating that the phone was ringing!
"Accha ringtone lagaayee baap"( Nice ringtone) Khushi commnded her and got a killer stare from Nisar
"terku ringtone sunai aara ji? ab jaake"( Now is the time for you to listen to the ringtone's beauty?) She spat at Khushi.
Khushi grabbed her phone and switched it on and the speaker and thwarted nisar's attempt to grab it back!
"Jane man! Kaisi hai reh tu!" (How are you sweetheart!) A rough male voice said.
"Kaun hai bey thu? " ( Who are you) Khushi made her voice rough and growled into the phone.
"Tu kaun hai reh?" ( And who are you) The prankster asked.
"em raa sawaalki sawaal jesthav?" ( Telugu) (How dare you give a Question for a Question?)
Khushi spoke in rough Telengana a dialect of telugu!
Oye emti chepthunnav? evvar nuvvu? ( Urdu+TELUGU=ULUGU) The fellow asked- What are you saying Who are you?
Nisar started pulling the phone from Khushi in earnest she was scared Khushi would make it worse now. "Abba can deal" she whispered.
Khushi gestured with her hand to relax. Then she made her voice rough and in a base tone said,
"Yaadi kelli maatlaaduthunnavura Badmaash! Cheppu bidda address jeppu vacchi bokkal irustha malla!" (Rough Telengana)
(Tell me where you are calling from you rogue! i shall come and break your bones beta!)
Arey kya baat karrien ji kaun hai tum? ( who are you and what are you talking lady?)
Now he was slightly nervous as not every woman spoke like that!
"Arrey ba@#$%^! Khushi let out an explicative and said "nenu SI Swarajya Lakshmi All women Police station AMBERPET matlaaduthunna thammi! Nee address cheppu! Nee intikocchhi tomthaa nee@#$%^!" Another swear word.
(I am Sub Inspector Swarajya Lakshmi- Amberpet women cell!TEll me your address and i shall come home and give you a thorough clean up session brother!)
"Kaiku?"( Hyderabadi) (Why?)
"Kaiku etra nee@#$%"( What Why you #$%^&) again swear word. Cheppu !Abba ka naam? ( Tell me your dad's name)she asked.
By now Nisar went from frustration, fear, anxiety to entertainment!
"Ammayiki phone jesi pareshan cheataav bey! Nee thalli... "( Calling girls and troubling them you $%^&)she went on in chaste police language and the fellow put the phone down.
Nisar is married with a six month baby now and her husband calls her jan! She never had to hear a janeman in her life again!
Thoughts ended...
The phone stopped ringing and Khushi was scared. Oh no what if he does something thinking as she did not answer it! Hey devi mayya.
Khushi ran out of the gate to Prateek's and as she came out of her compound it started ringing again!
Khushi pressed the button and said "Hello!"
"Hi." arnav's voice said in a low husky whisper which made her struggle to breathe as it sounded very sexy!
"Who was he?" then came the question from him?
Khushi stopped walking... she almost reached Prateek's gate!
"what?"
I asked you "who is that fellow who answered your mobile?"
"None of your business... "she did not like it as he talked as if he owned her!
"Answer me!" he persisted.
"No. why should I?" she persisted too.
"And you were supposed to find the answer not me! Remember?" she added!
"so you be on it!"
"Oh! All right!" Now when i answer you... the deal is you will answer me!" he prompted.
"No! " she was adamant
"Why not?"he was adamant too
"Coz its none of your BLOODY BUSINESS!"
"WOW! Swearing!" He said.HE was amused it seemed.
"Whatever. Find out and till then just chill! And don't you dare be rude ever again to him! You understand?"
"And what if i knock his jaw off? He asked?"
Khushi was scared just for a minute imagining it. Prateek was very healthy medium height and fit but no match for the well built Arnav!
"Common tell me" his egging her on made her angry.
"Listen! You do that and you will forever be roaming in Hyderabad thinking about and not knowing what my name is... which is..." she wanted to add very difficult to find but instead...
she bumped into a person who was standing as she was busy talking ... and
The man she bumped into finished her sentence Which is KHUSHI!"
( Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
7
"ya ya ya...You?" Khushi stammered!
"Ma mA ME! Arnav replied with a smirk pasted on his face!
"What are you doing here at this hour?" She quickly recovered and went on the offensive.
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" He replied her in her own words.
"What?" Khushi could not understand this man! "How did you find me... here?" Khushi persisted.
"You thought you will outwit me Khushi?,"He used her name deliberately!
That did have an effect as Khushi did a double take and said," Ok! What dd you expect? that i will give all my details to a virtual stranger?"
"And I am right in not giving you my number 'cause you are stalking me! How did you find out where... wait a minute! you traced the number! You got the address! you made Teeku talk all the time while you were on your way here! disgusting!" She wrinkled her nose and said that as if he were a rotten tomato.
Arnav gave it to her that she had some brains atleast! Thats what he did actually. He asked Aman to trace the number and the address there of... and as Aman gave him the name and address of Prateek he hopped into his car and started driving.
The switching on of the speaker by Khushi allowed him to know he was on a speaker and he could guess she was there listening!
That is... she was at the place where the chap was.
A small call by Aman with the help of Raizada clout confirmed that the mobile was being operated from near The Telecom Nagar nearer to the Gacchibowli staduium but by that time Arnav almost reached that place as he took a chance that the chap would be home at that odd hour as there was no hustle bustle of traffic when he spoke to him confirming that he was indoors !
But she said disgusting! ASR held her by her arms and shook her and shouted, " You call me disgusting when you lied to me from the beginning! You are not a South Indian! The number you gave me is not yours! And you still have the galls to tell me that I cheated and traced your mobile!"
There was silence!
ASR left Khushi and turned his back to her trying to calm himself down!
"What if i never could locate you?" he asked calmly.
"So what? Isse aap ko kya faraq padtha hai?" ( What difference would it make for you) she asked... How dare he yell at her like that on the road. she was sure Bala aunty was watching them through her 2nd floor window peep! Wait till she advertises it in the colony association meeting tomorrow!
"Faraq padtha hai dammit!" ( It makes a world of difference!) Arnav blurted out! But realised he has revealed more than he intended to. Its too early his inner self told him.
He immediately caught hold of Khushi's shoulders again and asked," who is that chap?"
"Kaun?"( Who)
"Kaun kya? Prateek?"( WHat WHO)
"Whats it with you"
"Tell me I am waiting," he said so calmly that Khushi shivered.
"Excuse me you... "what ever she was about to say got drowned in a voice" evarandi?"( Telugu) ( Who is there?)
Khushi realised it was samuel uncle's voice... the house opposite to them was theirs!
She opened her mouth to say "me uncle" out of habit, but ASR closed her mouth with his hand and dragged her behind the big neem tree that was on the far side of the road...just three feet to where they were standing!
"OOO ooo" Khushi Struggled!
"Stop!" he yelled at her!
Arnav for the life of him did not know how to control her!
HE Arnav Singh Raizada never ever in his wildest of imaginations thought that he would be standing on a nondescript road in Hyderabad holding a lady hiding behind a tree!
The man went away and Arnav removed his hand from her mouth and she yelled back at him?
"What is this Mr? How dare you do this? Just get lost!"
"Yeah I will... But after you give me your number not that whats that name with which you call him? Seems like some dog or cat's name!"
Khushi made an O with her mouth at his audacity!
"Don't you dare! Its TEEKU Short for Pratheek!"
"Whats it with him!" He yelled back!
Khushi lost it this time." He is my childhood sweetheart ok? now get the hell out of here!" She shouted!
Childhood sweetheart? How ridiculous wait till i tell him! He would roll on the floor laughing she thought which gave her a slight hint of a smile.
Arnav's hand tightened on her shoulder looking at her dreaming about that idiot!
"Bad isn't it! Coz he is going to be a memory soon! arnav spat!"
"what do ya mean? Khushi asked trying to wrest her hand out..." this man is acting funny. she thought he was decent but seems like she is wrong!
"You will know. Tell me your number!"
"No!"
"why?"
"I don't want to tell you anything nor do anything with you. Please leave." She said.
"Why?"
"Coz i don't like people who manhandle women on the roads and yell at them as if..."they own them she was about to say that but did not!
There was something about him which spoke for him being respectable. Else she would have raised an alarm long back!
"As if...?" he prompted
"Leave it i don't communicate with rowdis and rogues!" Khushi let her tongue lash him! How dare he comes tracks her down and scandalises her every thought about romance! He deserves to be bashed!
"What?"he said.
"Rowdy? Well ok." Arnav left her hand and moved back... Fine if thats what you think.
Then lets prove my innocence.
He walked to the middle of the road and asked her ,"what's your father's name?"
"Shashi Guptha" Khushi slipped and answered and closed her eyes saying to herself Khushi you idiot!.
"Great!" Arnav had a victorious smile on his face.
he then did what Khushi never even thought of...
He joined his right and left palms to form an o and shouted," Shashi guptha ji !!!!Mr. Shashi Guptha! Shashi Uncle?"
Khushi never thought she would feel a heart attack without actually having one.
"Stop!" she cried looking around. It was past nine thirty now and most of the people were in their living rooms before their TV sets blaring. That helped her cause.
"Shashi gu..." Khushi lunged forward and put her right palm on his mouth and stopped him from calling out loud!
"Chup!Shut up!" and when her request was not heeded to and also that her strength was no match to that of ARnav, she said "pleeeaaase!"
"Thats better. Now lets discuss the deal." Arnav continued from where they left before.
K:"Deal?"
A:" yeah!"
K:"What deal?"
A:"Shashi Gupthaaa shas.."Arnav continued shouting!
K" STOP IT MY GOD!"Khushi screamed!
A:"Ok. Tell me your number." Arnav said.
K:"Find out."
A:"Yeh lo."
K:"Kya"
A:"Again a riddle"
K:"Yes."
K:"Khushi Kumari Guptha hai ya mazaak!" she said and bit her tongue. She saw a beautiful sexy pair of eyes breaking into a slow smile of victory.
A:"you said it."
K:"Kya," she knew but she asked.
A:"I won. Your name you said it on your own!"
K:"HA!"
K:"Cheating!"
A:"What! where...?'
A:"common your number!"
K:"only if you tell me about yourself."
A:" I told you I am Arnav."
K:"Thats not enough."
A:"Why?"
K:"why? what if we have to... "she stopped midway understanding the bait.
He wanted her to confess her interest in him first !no way!
"If we have to?" he spoke in a slow sexy voice
K:"Hey Devi mayya!"
A:"Devi Mayya?"
Khushi cleared her throst and said, "If we have to move forward."
A:"OHhh! Ok. tell me what you want to know!"
K:"Your background."
Arnav grew serious or so Khushi felt!
"Whats with background. Respectable family, good lineage and financially well settled", he read out a sif it were a matrimonial ad.
K:"Not enough."
A:"Do you want any testimony that I am healthy??" he deliberately misunderstood her question and pinned her to the neem tree.
K:"No no!" She quickly pushed at his chest...
K:"Aap battameezi karenge tho deal off"
K:"Battameezi tho abhi shuru hi nai ki maine"
She developed cold feet at his effect on her. Khushi bhaag yahaan se ye majhaa hua khiladi lagtha hai.
Arnav saw her fear and immediately pulled her to him.
A:"Number!"
K:'Ok Find out!"
He made to protest but she added hastily," First five numbers are ...#####" She gave him.
A:" Can I trust You"
Khushi again amade an O with her mouth. How dare he says that!
A:"ok ok! But You can't blame me! You lied to me!"
K:'This time I am not"
A:Ok! but Thats not enough darling!"he said very sweetly.
Khushi's feet turned to jelly at his voice! she forgot what she was about to say.
Khushi? he whispered
K:' hm?"
"Number" he shouted and enjoyed when she came out of her temporary imbalance! Yes thats for troubling him in every way possible.
K:"Ok The clue for the first number..."
A:"Oh no.. not again! Forget it! I will trace your Teeku's outgoing calls and find out..."
K:"Do that and you will never get to even talk to me"
A:"Are you challenging me?"
K:"Matlab... "she licked her lips nervously looking here and there thinking about the man before her called Arnav who sometimes was a youngster like her but suddenly he seemed so powerful and formidable!
Khushi being Khushi she regained her strength quiclky and said,"Haan! Aisa hi samajhiye!" and teased him, "Kyun? you can't take it?"
A:"Excuse me? I won the first round."
K:"SO?"
A:"Ok. Tell me" he agreed.
Khushi closed her eyes to calm down and said," the first digit is the number of authentic clock towers in Twin cities!
A:"what kind of a hint is that? Do you think I am a history professor? "he asked her... but he was liking it.
He would never be bored with this girl! Never!
(Sargam's) Inexplicable attraction
8
A:"Ok I will tell you the sixth number in your mobile number but only if you have coffee with me."
K:"I don't drink coffee"
A:"Tea? oh common he added."
K"No"
A:"Yes"
K"No"
A:"Shashi..."
K:"Ok. Shut up but I will decide the place and time."
A:"Sure."
K:"Good night"
A:"wait!"
A:"Now what! I don't have your number so how can i communicate."
K:"You can communicate through Prateek's number! He wouldn't mind."
A:"The hell he won't"
K:"If you say anything against him the deal is off"
A:"If i DO?"
Khushi made an O with her mouth for the third time!
K:"What will you do? Karke bathaayiye! Kya sonchthey hai apne aapko aaye bade laad Governor!"
( What will you DO? What do you think of yourself? Here comes the Laad Governor)
A:"What?"
K:"Ji! Apne kam se kam rakhiye."( Mind your own business)
A:'Wahi tho kar raha hun!"( Thats exactly what i am doing)
A:"I will find that number but you hv to speak to me everyday!"
K:"Not possible"
A:"Then make it possible.Tell ur bittu or whatever to be ready every day at nine. in the evening i shall call..."
K:"He is not Bittu... he is... "
A:"Khushi!"
"I think thats your house ",he pointed to her house not listening to her!
"Do you mind if i have tea!"
"Kya?"
"Tea. Aajhi peelethey hain" ( Lets hav eit today) he teased looking at her lips.
Why did she feel he was referrin to something else and not tea!
K:"Kya...kya matlab?" ( What do you mean)
A;"Chai Khushi." He knew exactly what he meant and wanted her to understand which she seems to have had.
K:"Nai"
A:"kyun"
K:"Kyun kya? ghar mein log honge?"( What why?My house will be full)
A:"Haan tho! Acchha tumhe akele mein mere saath peena hai?" ( So? Oh!Ok! You want to spend time with me alone! I get it now!)
K:"Hey devi mayya yeh kahan se aaya hai?"(oh God! Where has he come from!)
Arnav was enjoying everything clearly knowing that he was in a superior position in the whole thing!
K:"Pleae jayiye." ( Please go.)
A:"Kal chai! yaad rakhna!"( Remember! Tea with me. Tomorrow)
K:"Haan!"
A:"Bhoologi ya yaad dilaana padega!kuch bhi idhar udhar hua tho?"
K:"Nai hoga...! Matlab nai honedengey."
A:"Good girl."Kal number bolunga!
K;"Theek hai baba jaayiye!" ( ok, Now leave)
A:'Khushi"
K"Ab kya hai!" (What now)
A:"Tumhari naak lal hai ( Your nose turned red)
Khushi started beating him with a small stick she found at the base of the tree..
A:"Ok ok...bye...till tomorrow. Dream about me!"
K:''Nope."
A:"why"
K:"Coz only Maheshbabu has the exclusive rights to feature in my dreams next only to Branden Fraser."
A:"Wow! Who is Mahesh?"
K:"Are you crazy?"
A:"Tell me"
K:"He is a film star "
A:"Aaah!"
K:"what aah have you seen him?"
A:"nope.. neither wish to"
K:"kaise insaan hai aap"
A:"tumse badhiya"
K:" Humse badhiya? Accha ! Bathaathey hain...
"Tumse acchha kaun hai! Dil lo jigar lo jaan lo" Khushi jumped at the song! YEH PRATEEK KA BACCHHA! MOHD RAFI & SHAMMI KAPOOR FAN! Saala abhi bajnaa tha yeh! she thought...( Die hard fan of MohdRafi Shammikapoorcombo. This bloke had to get a call and this song had to play just now!)
...and looked at Arnav who used her confused state to snatch the mobile and said "hello."
"Khushi Khushi ekkadunnav? " ( Telugu)( where are you) Prateek's voice could be heard as it was quiet outside.
K:"humey deejiye!"( Give it to me)
A:"Prateek she is busy... "he added "with me!"
P:"Who are ... Arnav ? Hey how are you with her! Where are you guys?"
A:"Too bad. wait for your sweetheart to clear your doubts." He looked at a visibly angry Khushi and mouthed a bye and left giving her the mobile!
P:"Oye! emaindi"(Telugu)( what happened)
Theek tho hai thu? ( Are you ok?)
K:"Haan Teeku "
P:"ekkadunnav thalli?(Telugu)( WHERE ARE YOU MY DEAR?)
K:'"Right in front of your house"
P:"ok I am there wait"
Prateek came down.
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
"Di Aap Hyd ghoomney nahi gayin ab taq!" ( Didn't you go out exploring Hyderabad)
"Gayi na chotey.Tumhare jijaji ko 5day week hain tho... bahut ghumaaye!"( Of course we did. Your BIL has a 5 day week so lots of time during the weekends to explore the city) she said eating her toast.
"Kya kya dekha" ( What all did you happen by?) Arnav asked passing her a bowl of fruit as they were having their breakfast... The rest had not joined as Arnav was leaving early and Anjali chose to give him company on the breakfast table.
"Charminar, Birla Mandir, Tankbund,Goconda fort, QutubShahi Tombs... Ahh Inorbit mall, GVK mall "she changed sensinng her brother might be interested in busness areas.
A:"Aur?" ( And?)
ANJ:"Gandipet"
A:"Aur?" ( AND?)
ANJ:"Chilkur Balaji "
A:"Aur" ( AND)
ANJ:"Salarjung Museum"!Chote aap kya sunna chahthey hain?" ( What do you want to listen from me?)
Arnav realised his search would have to be concentrated else where!" Ok! you guys had a whale of a time it seems!Di i gotta go!" He escaped with only one thing on his mind- THE CLOCK TOWER!
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
And as the figure says we must at least be having... Mr. Raizada what figure would you quote? Mr Sudhakar their Financial Advisor asked him winking at him as usual!
"Two... atleast two clock Towers! else there is no business in the whole task at all!" He replied and saw the conference attendees plus Aman looking at him with their mouths open!
"Oh it must be roughly 200 crores" he corrected himself and then finished everything and walked out into his office yelling"Aman get me a local guy"
Aman scurried after him and this time he chose Ravi a real estate dealer now working as his assistant for land & labour sourcing as he suspected his boss wanted information which was local!
"Sir"
"Arnav was staring at the Hitech city through his glass panelled wall of his cabin and turned to see Aman with a dark guy who he recognised. This is Ravi sir.
Arnav did not waste time. He asked him," How many Clock Towers are there in Hyderabad?"
Ravi was taken aback. This was worse than his history paper which he anyway failed thrice before buying his degree and becoming a real estate dealer!
He replied "Sir none."
"What"
No Clock Towers in Hyderabad sir. He said.
Khushi Kumari Guptha You are dead. Prateeks number business- i let you go but not this. Get ready he thought mentally and picked up his mobile and heard Ravi's voice bursting out!
"But there is one in Secunderabad"
Aman who was watching everything gave him a one over and said..."Well thats ok Its the twin cities no!"
"Yes! Thats what she asked Number of Clocktowers in twin cities!" Arnav thumped on the desk and said,
"Aman i need a list of number of clock towers in the twin cities now!" he barked and Aman made to go to his work station.
Then Arnav yelled "stop! I want Authentic clock towers! Thats what she said! "
"Thats what WHO said sir?" Aman enquired.
"I said. I "he barked . "Now authentic clock towers Aman."
Five min later Aman came with list of clock towers... There were many... But as they realised a few stood out.
"How dare they construct so many towers$%#^&! " ASR lost his cool, looking at the list
Aman looked at ASR! and blinked!
ASR realised he was appearing odd to his own secretary!
"No I mean public money invested in unproductive pursuits!" ( And a poor guy like me have to count them DAMMIT!)
A:"Ok I will tell you the sixth number in your mobile number but only if you have coffee with me."
K:"I don't drink coffee"
A:"Tea? oh common he added."
K"No"
A:"Yes"
K"No"
A:"Shashi..."
K:"Ok. Shut up but I will decide the place and time."
A:"Sure."
K:"Good night"
A:"wait!"
A:"Now what! I don't have your number so how can i communicate."
K:"You can communicate through Prateek's number! He wouldn't mind."
A:"The hell he won't"
K:"If you say anything against him the deal is off"
A:"If i DO?"
Khushi made an O with her mouth for the third time!
K:"What will you do? Karke bathaayiye! Kya sonchthey hai apne aapko aaye bade laad Governor!"
( What will you DO? What do you think of yourself? Here comes the Laad Governor)
A:"What?"
K:"Ji! Apne kam se kam rakhiye."( Mind your own business)
A:'Wahi tho kar raha hun!"( Thats exactly what i am doing)
A:"I will find that number but you hv to speak to me everyday!"
K:"Not possible"
A:"Then make it possible.Tell ur bittu or whatever to be ready every day at nine. in the evening i shall call..."
K:"He is not Bittu... he is... "
A:"Khushi!"
"I think thats your house ",he pointed to her house not listening to her!
"Do you mind if i have tea!"
"Kya?"
"Tea. Aajhi peelethey hain" ( Lets hav eit today) he teased looking at her lips.
Why did she feel he was referrin to something else and not tea!
K:"Kya...kya matlab?" ( What do you mean)
A;"Chai Khushi." He knew exactly what he meant and wanted her to understand which she seems to have had.
K:"Nai"
A:"kyun"
K:"Kyun kya? ghar mein log honge?"( What why?My house will be full)
A:"Haan tho! Acchha tumhe akele mein mere saath peena hai?" ( So? Oh!Ok! You want to spend time with me alone! I get it now!)
K:"Hey devi mayya yeh kahan se aaya hai?"(oh God! Where has he come from!)
Arnav was enjoying everything clearly knowing that he was in a superior position in the whole thing!
K:"Pleae jayiye." ( Please go.)
A:"Kal chai! yaad rakhna!"( Remember! Tea with me. Tomorrow)
K:"Haan!"
A:"Bhoologi ya yaad dilaana padega!kuch bhi idhar udhar hua tho?"
K:"Nai hoga...! Matlab nai honedengey."
A:"Good girl."Kal number bolunga!
K;"Theek hai baba jaayiye!" ( ok, Now leave)
A:'Khushi"
K"Ab kya hai!" (What now)
A:"Tumhari naak lal hai ( Your nose turned red)
Khushi started beating him with a small stick she found at the base of the tree..
A:"Ok ok...bye...till tomorrow. Dream about me!"
K:''Nope."
A:"why"
K:"Coz only Maheshbabu has the exclusive rights to feature in my dreams next only to Branden Fraser."
A:"Wow! Who is Mahesh?"
K:"Are you crazy?"
A:"Tell me"
K:"He is a film star "
A:"Aaah!"
K:"what aah have you seen him?"
A:"nope.. neither wish to"
K:"kaise insaan hai aap"
A:"tumse badhiya"
K:" Humse badhiya? Accha ! Bathaathey hain...
"Tumse acchha kaun hai! Dil lo jigar lo jaan lo" Khushi jumped at the song! YEH PRATEEK KA BACCHHA! MOHD RAFI & SHAMMI KAPOOR FAN! Saala abhi bajnaa tha yeh! she thought...( Die hard fan of MohdRafi Shammikapoorcombo. This bloke had to get a call and this song had to play just now!)
...and looked at Arnav who used her confused state to snatch the mobile and said "hello."
"Khushi Khushi ekkadunnav? " ( Telugu)( where are you) Prateek's voice could be heard as it was quiet outside.
K:"humey deejiye!"( Give it to me)
A:"Prateek she is busy... "he added "with me!"
P:"Who are ... Arnav ? Hey how are you with her! Where are you guys?"
A:"Too bad. wait for your sweetheart to clear your doubts." He looked at a visibly angry Khushi and mouthed a bye and left giving her the mobile!
P:"Oye! emaindi"(Telugu)( what happened)
Theek tho hai thu? ( Are you ok?)
K:"Haan Teeku "
P:"ekkadunnav thalli?(Telugu)( WHERE ARE YOU MY DEAR?)
K:'"Right in front of your house"
P:"ok I am there wait"
Prateek came down.
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
"Di Aap Hyd ghoomney nahi gayin ab taq!" ( Didn't you go out exploring Hyderabad)
"Gayi na chotey.Tumhare jijaji ko 5day week hain tho... bahut ghumaaye!"( Of course we did. Your BIL has a 5 day week so lots of time during the weekends to explore the city) she said eating her toast.
"Kya kya dekha" ( What all did you happen by?) Arnav asked passing her a bowl of fruit as they were having their breakfast... The rest had not joined as Arnav was leaving early and Anjali chose to give him company on the breakfast table.
"Charminar, Birla Mandir, Tankbund,Goconda fort, QutubShahi Tombs... Ahh Inorbit mall, GVK mall "she changed sensinng her brother might be interested in busness areas.
A:"Aur?" ( And?)
ANJ:"Gandipet"
A:"Aur?" ( AND?)
ANJ:"Chilkur Balaji "
A:"Aur" ( AND)
ANJ:"Salarjung Museum"!Chote aap kya sunna chahthey hain?" ( What do you want to listen from me?)
Arnav realised his search would have to be concentrated else where!" Ok! you guys had a whale of a time it seems!Di i gotta go!" He escaped with only one thing on his mind- THE CLOCK TOWER!
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
And as the figure says we must at least be having... Mr. Raizada what figure would you quote? Mr Sudhakar their Financial Advisor asked him winking at him as usual!
"Two... atleast two clock Towers! else there is no business in the whole task at all!" He replied and saw the conference attendees plus Aman looking at him with their mouths open!
"Oh it must be roughly 200 crores" he corrected himself and then finished everything and walked out into his office yelling"Aman get me a local guy"
Aman scurried after him and this time he chose Ravi a real estate dealer now working as his assistant for land & labour sourcing as he suspected his boss wanted information which was local!
"Sir"
"Arnav was staring at the Hitech city through his glass panelled wall of his cabin and turned to see Aman with a dark guy who he recognised. This is Ravi sir.
Arnav did not waste time. He asked him," How many Clock Towers are there in Hyderabad?"
Ravi was taken aback. This was worse than his history paper which he anyway failed thrice before buying his degree and becoming a real estate dealer!
He replied "Sir none."
"What"
No Clock Towers in Hyderabad sir. He said.
Khushi Kumari Guptha You are dead. Prateeks number business- i let you go but not this. Get ready he thought mentally and picked up his mobile and heard Ravi's voice bursting out!
"But there is one in Secunderabad"
Aman who was watching everything gave him a one over and said..."Well thats ok Its the twin cities no!"
"Yes! Thats what she asked Number of Clocktowers in twin cities!" Arnav thumped on the desk and said,
"Aman i need a list of number of clock towers in the twin cities now!" he barked and Aman made to go to his work station.
Then Arnav yelled "stop! I want Authentic clock towers! Thats what she said! "
"Thats what WHO said sir?" Aman enquired.
"I said. I "he barked . "Now authentic clock towers Aman."
Five min later Aman came with list of clock towers... There were many... But as they realised a few stood out.
"How dare they construct so many towers$%#^&! " ASR lost his cool, looking at the list
Aman looked at ASR! and blinked!
ASR realised he was appearing odd to his own secretary!
"No I mean public money invested in unproductive pursuits!" ( And a poor guy like me have to count them DAMMIT!)
Finally they listed out:
1. The Secunderabad Clock Tower...
2. The Ghanta Ghar at Mahboob Chowk...
3. The Sultan Bazar Clock Tower
4. The Victoria Clock Tower Laad Bazaar...
5. The Kachiguda Railwa station...
6. The Chowmohallah Khilawat Clock Tower
Aman:"Sir authentic Clocktowers of Hyderabad."
Arnav:"Ok so its 6."
Aman: "Yes sir."
Arnav:"Aur kuch tho nahi haina? he enquired!"
Aman:"No sir"
"Sahib, " Abdul, the old man of the building whose daughter was getting married and who always wished ASR at the lift everyday called out! He was promised a special allowance when ASR was approached for help by him.
"Aap baahar wait kijiye"( Please wait outside) Aman shooed him before ASR beheaded him!
Abdul:'"Nai sahib hum paisonka nai... " ( Its not for money sir! ITS...)
Aman:"Just get...
"Let him talk Aman... Boliye" ( speak) ASR said.
"Saab! Ek aur ghanta ghar bhool gaye na?" ( ISnt their one more clock tower?) he asked in typical Hyderabadi.
"Kaunsa?" which One? ASR asked
"Famous Ice Cream Parlour" Abdul replied.
Oh common this man is crazy he thought.
"Chicha! waisa nai hain! "Aman was also picking Hyderabadi good! ASR thought!
"Nai ji hum bolrey naji! Moazzamjahi Market ka clack tawar! Kaisa bhulthain ji! Woh bhi mast famous hainaji! "He added.( How can you forget Moazzamjahi market's class tower which is very famous?)
ASR and Aman looked at each other and said "7" simultaneously.
"aur koi hai ChiChaa!" ( Anything else?" This time ASR asked.
"Nai ji wo ich hai!" ( nope only that)
"Aman give him his money plus 5000 more as a gift from me!" ASR said happily.
Khushi Kumari Guptha Your number is #####7 Four more to go he thought on the flip side.
Now for the tea.Na janey uske liye kya karna padega! Yeh ladiki Paagal hai! ( DUNNO WHAT FEATS I HAVE TO ACHIEVE FOR THAT! THIS GIRL IS CRAZY) he thought picking up his mobile!
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction-9
"Khushi he has sent a message" Prateek said.
"Fu?" Khushi asked with her mouth full of paav!
"Who what? your Arnav."
"Fo meeva affaf nafi fai!" ( Woh mera Arnav nai hai!)( He is not my Arnav)
"Woh Tumhara Arnav nahi hain? Tumhara hai nai mujhe nai patha ye leh!"( He is not yours? I dunno whether he is yours or not but take this mobile) he gave her his mobile and yelled at her when she was about to say something..." but will you stop talking while eating? Finish eating and talk for god's sake.".
Khushi immediately punched a message and said, "Lo chutti. Now Laad Governor will not call."
(Thats it. Rest assured. He will not call)
The phone rang.."janam janam ka sath hai nibhane ko sau sau baar humney janam liye"
Khushi gave a killer stare to Prateek.
P:"what"
K:"Gaana kaun badlaa bey?"( Who changed the ring tone?). She still remembered the tumse accha kaun hai and her virtual heart attack!
P:"Yaar kalhi tho tumney badalneke liye bola" ( you only asked to change!)
K:"Yeh muamlaa situational hothaa jaarahaa hai. ringtone bhi uske sath hai!" ( this song business is becoming situational. Even ringtone is supporting Arnav)
P:"Who called?"
K:" how do i know? Its your mobile you check!"
P:" Tv 9 flash... Prateek's mobile is his says Khushi..." And he started aping the news readers holding an imaginary mike , " Suma what do you think? will Prateek be able to use his mobile finally... That which is registered on his name and address to make his calls to his family and friends or will khu..."
Khushi grabbed the phone and checked the number!
K:"Its Arnav!"
P:"what"
K:"A R N A V Arnav."
P:"Kyun kaisey?" ( how why? YOU said he won't call na?)
"Chal jaldi finish kar my tujhey ghar chodke office jaungaa.. aaj se night shift hai." ( Ok talk to him quickly. I need to drop you and go to the office. My night shifts starts today)
K:"Nai. I texted him that I am out of town for two days."
P:"so?"
K:" so kya?" (What so)
P:" Bewakoof! ( IDIOT)You typed from my mobile. "
K:"So"
Prateek caught hold of his forehead in frustration...
K:"Nai nai i texted as if you were saying that."
The phone stopped ringing.
K:"Dekha check kar raha tha bus. Ab nai karega!"
(See! He called to check. Now he won't)
The phone rang again... Janam Janam ka saath hai
P:"Khushi answer it yaar. Nai tho woh mujhey tang karega."
( Please answer it ...else he will pester me at work)
She switched it on.
A:"Khuhsi!!!"
K:" "
K:" "
A" Again?
K:' "
A:" Didn't I tell you not to do that! Bolo! I know you are there!"
Khushi made an 'O' with her mouth
K:"Aap doorbin lekey baithey hain kya"
(Are you watching me with a telescope?)
A:" Ho Saktha hai! ( May be)Waisey ( Anyways) thanks for giving me the idea. I might try it!
K:"Han? I told you I am out of station with family."
A:" True you did. But you are not."
K:" How do you know?"
A:"Coz if you were... then it would have taken that cheeku atleast five minutes to tell you and get back to me with the answer but the answer came immediately so I knew you were with the phone."
K:"Teeku" Khuhsi corrected him.
A:"Khushi"
K:" What?"
A:" tea"
K:"Yeah. Number"
A:"Seven" smirked imaging her face.
K:"Ok"
A"Yes or no!"
K:"What if I say no"
A:"Then I will call shashi Guptha's land line and chat with him about his daughter!"
K:"You won't"
A:"Try me"
Why does he sound so formidable. Khushi thought and she had no doubt- He would do just that.
K:"Ok"
A:"So tell me the place and time... which is now."
K:"Haaaw!" Khushi exclained
A:"Ya" he said smiling.
K:"Ok I will wait for you at five 'o' clock in the evening till six at the twin cities' best tea joint and The clue is ...I will wait at the very first of all of them."
Arnav was amazed at the girl's grit. Yet another puzzle.
A:"But?"
K:"But kya itna bhi nai jaanthey? common"
( What can't you find that much out?)
A;"Janoonga per agar my jaanke aayaa tho?"
( I will find out. But if i do then?)
K:"Chai piyenge!"
A:"Ha that was for deciphering the number."
K:"Phir?
A:" Whatever I ask for will you do that?"
K:" Nope! Matlab K..K...Kyun? karie..e...en? she asked!"
Arnav was amused with this breath of fresh air into his life. He said, very softly letting Khushi think all kinds of possibiliteis, "You will show me Hyderabad and spend a day with me fair's the deal."
K:"else?"
A:"I will spend that very night with you at your home.I ts a promise " he deliberately sounded forboding.
K:'HA!'
A:"Yeah don't challenge me Khushi."
Khushi did not know what to do.
K:"Ok"
A:"Good girl!"
K:"Nai"
A:"Kyun? tum good girl nai ho?"
K:"Nai matlab..."
A:"Ok nai hai ( AISA HE MEANT ACTUALLY)"
K:"Ok kaise nai hai. Ok Ok hi hai"
A:"Nai ok us nai ke liye nai hai"
K:"Kaise ok nai ke liye hosaktha hai?"
Buy now Arnav was enjoying this and stretching it deliberately.
P:"Excuse me if you both decide the therotical value of OK can we proceed further?" Prateek's voice jutted in.
K:"ok matlab theek hai Panch bajey Chai. Bye "Khushi cut the call!
P:"Why are you teasing the guy Khuhsi. You are not a tease."
K:'You know I am not but I dunno why i behave like that with him Teeku. I dunno myself ",she said.
Prateek looked at her very oddly she thought but he had to go to office.
"Chal" he said and Khushi said "my auto lelungi" ( I will catch an auto home).
P:"Chod dungaa reh." ( I will drop you)
K:"Nai thu jaa." NO! You go)
P:"Ok. be careful", he knew what she was thinking. She smiled and gave him a punch on his shoulder.
Arnav checked his watch. 3 in the afternoon. He had two hours in which he had to figure out and go to that place god knew where it was.
He developed a new plan for this.
A:"Aman into my cabin"
Aman:" Yes Boss"
A:" If I want authentic tea in Hyd to throw a party to the ordinary dealers... you know... all the janatha host being you...where is the best place let me know"
Aman:" Sure sir in an hours time.
A:" Now"
Aman:"ok Boss."
Arnav picked his mobile and dialled his security agencies number.. Force 1 Agencies connect me to your boss this is ASR
F1:" Sir Aap?"
A:'"Masood Where can i get good chai?"
Masood:"Sir?"
A:"Tell me"
Masood:"Sir Coffe Day, Finjan, Chaiwala..."
A:" No no no... Masood not that 5 star wala just plain simple! where can you get authentic Hyderabaadi Chai! I want to taste it!"
Masood:"Arey tho Irani chai boliye na saab!"
( Oh! Then say that you want to taste the famous Irani Chai!)
Masood:"Bahut jagah hain ji" ( There are many)
Arnav thought Oh no! Are there now!. This is getting tougher and tougher!...and said" Han bolo!"
Masood" Humaare old city ka shaadaab cafehai jahan mast chai miltha sir! Bahut puraana cafe hain!
( Old city's Shadab hotel where you get the best tea. Its quiet old)
A:" Aur?"
Masood:" Garden cafe sir. Asali Irani chai."
A:"Aur"
Masood:"Alfa cafe sir Chai tho too much ( too much means too good in Hyderabadi) per Osmania biscuits jo wahaan dethain aur kahin unka taste waisa nai milenga aapku!"( The chai is fantastic but Irani Biscuits are out of the world)
A:"Aur kuch?"
Masood:"Apna Paradise sir"
A:"Thats famous for biryani man!"
Masood:"No sir chai ke liye bhi sir" (For tea also sir!)
A:"Aur"
Masood thought!"Bahut hai sir per best boletho haan! Grand Hotel Abids sir! Bus uttha ich maloom hai ji merku" ( Many places sir but best are these and Grand Hotel at Abids is one more. I know only this much!) he said.
In ten minutes Arnav had an exact location of those in his hands and a visibly shocked Aman!
A:"Aman get me a car and a local driver who knows Hyderabad thoroughly and don't disturb me for the next two hrs and then added make it the evening."
Aman :"Yes sir"
Now she said she will wait at the first of them. Now which one is first? obviously from her home or she said from his office?
Now how is he going to go to all these places and check in an hours time as its almost quarter to four!
Arnav realised that working of the brain is not just enough to have a cup of tea with a girl but the necessary resources and luck and PATIENCE were paramount. He got enlightened as soon as the car left the parking space into the milling HITECH city traffic when he spoke to his driver for the day!
A:"Where is Abids?"
Driver:"AAYE?"( What) [Author: A term like hanji thats used often in Coastal Andhra dialect meaning yes, what?, of course what else... infact... anything... Readers while reading remember AAYE rhymes with the greeting " HI"]
A:"What?"
Driver:"AAYE!"(Ok)
A:"Do you know Hyderabad well?"
Driver:"AAYE."( Yeah)
ASR closed his eyes in exasperation. If he were the king of yester years, Aman would have been beheaded by now and his head would be hanged to the main entrance of the fort!
A:"Stop!"
Driver:"Aye Baaboi yetai ponaadandi ippudu!" ( Coastal dialect)( OMG! Whats wrong now sir?)
[Author:Aye Babboi is synonymous with OMG and used similarly and mostly as a prefix to every sentence by people from Coastal Andhra.]
A:"Do you know English!"
Driver:"Aaye anthaga teldu. "( Yeah I don't know much!)
ASR could only understand' teldu' which he mistook for telugu.
A:"No telugu, Hindi?"
Driver:"Aye baaboi No hindi! No hindi"
A:"English?"
Driver:"AAye(YEAH)"
Now what did this Aaye mean! He knew only Amitabh using its version "haaanye" in the North. By that time they were reaching the Masab Tank junction and he was taking left.
A:"Whats your name?"
Driver" AAye? ( What sir?)
A:"Name"
DRIVER:"AAYe Venkateshwarulandi"
A:"Why such a big name and why AAye before it."
Driver:"Aaye aaye anthey"( Thats my name)
Arnav leaned forward and checked his ID and breathed in relief! His name was Venkateshwarulu.
Arnav addressed the driver "Venkat?"
Venkat:"Aaye? sir?"
A:"Chalo its working!"
Aman!!!!! next time I am going to include a legal advisor to check the clauses before i bark out my orders to you. Just because i said I needed a good driver who new Hyderabad well you cannot overlook the fact that he should be conversant in either Hindi or English.
Dammit! Fumed ASR.
Then Arnav used his brain and said "Abids Grand Cafe."That was the nearest now.
Venkat:"AAye"( Yes Sir)
A:" AAYE" Chi he thought! he was picking it now!
A:"How much time?" he showed his watch and asked.
Venkat:"Aye baboi padhihenu nimishaalalo elpothaamandi."( OMG we will reach in 15 minutes)
ASR thought... he said it in telugu dear god!
Now what? The car stopped and as it was school time many students and teachers were waiting for the public transport.
Arnav hit upon an idea!
Khushi Kumari Guptha wait for me now he thought! He yelled "Venkat side" and got down and said wait to him!
[Author: The dialects and languages are used for fun and its not my intention to look down any region or language! I personally love languages in general and keep learning them!Hope the readers make a note of this]
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
10
"Excuse me maa'm I am new to Hyderabad. Can you help me please?" Arnav asked the school teacher standing at the lakdi ka Pul Bus stop.
"What can I do for you sir?" she asked politely!
"Can you please explain to my driver who knows only Telugu to..." Arnav explained everything to the lady and asked her to speak to venkat including the time constraint. She did that and Venkat now looked like a man with a mission.
Arnav thanked the lady and asked Venkat to go to the grand Hotel Abids.
As they made their way... He looked back at the school teacher to wave good bye and found that she was holding a maths reader whose cover had Trignometry! The first- Alfa then Beta etc.,
Then came the flash. It was almost quarter past four... Khushi said she will wait at the first among the best- meaning... Alfa cafe Secunderabad.
Arnav smirked. Khushi Kumari Guptha I did not become THE ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA without any reason! Ha!
Wait for me!
A:"Venkat"
Venkat:"Aaye? ( What sir)
A:"Abids no!"
Venkat:"AAYE? ( OH?)yetandi? (What)enduku?( why)
A:"Secunderabad Alfa!"
Venkat:"AAYE!( OK sir)"
A:"Yahoo... here I go."
For a person who has clinched deals worth crores of rupees, Arnav thought he never tasted the success in any deal better than this. This was his success on his own without his name or fame influencing his actions and the outcomes there off!
Sargam's Inexplicable Attraction-11
Khushi reached Secunderabad Jublee bus stand and told the auto fellow to take her to Alfa cafe! Why is she going? Seriously she need not. What in the world is happening! What if this thing turns serious!
She shook her head as if doing that will quell all her thoughts! Sadthaa rahega wahaan ! she thought if she did not go that is...
But a small voice which she called inner Devi Mayya warned her.
DM:" He knows your house and he will come there if you do that!"
But is that why she is going there? Nope! She liked him
DM:"No you don't. he is arrogant and very sure of himself! So sure that it borders on snobbishness!"
K:"I do"
DM:"you don't!"
K:"He is good."
DM:"He is not. Good people don't pester others and scandalise them!"
K:"But he didn't!"
DM:"He said he will!"
K:"But only if I don't tell him my number!"
DM:"There you go!"
K:"U r sick"
DM:"And u r an idiot!"
K:"OHHH SHUUUT UUUP!"
Auto:"Kya bolrein ji? Abhi aaya nai! Aayinga tho rok deythum! ( Why are you yelling! We haven't reached yet! If we do then I shall stop!"Auto driver told Khushi.
"Ji hou" ( Yes sir) she replied in Hyderabadi.
(Sargam's )Inexplicable Attraction
Alfa! This is where she will wait? Holy cow! No way!
[Author: It is a typical cafe and in Hyderabad women do not sit in road side cafes. Alfa is one of the most famous of them where authentic Irani chai is served with Osmania buiscuits that are very crisp and tasty!Men linger with friends and enjoy tea with a cricket match or by just gossiping]
Arnav removed his blazer and tie and unbuttoned his shirt as otherwise he would seem out of place. He told Venkat to wait, and walked across exploring the very crowded centre in Secunderabad!
The crowd seem to be milling everywhere and it was as if there was no difference between men, animals, vehicles and any other form of existence. But everything was lively and everyone oblivious of the other!
Then he saw her... getting down from the auto.
She was wearing a pink churidar with a very thick pink shawl as dupatta.
As she got down she wrapped it shawl like around her shoulder and turned to pay the auto fare...
Arnav wanted to take her by surprise and moved closer!
K:" Kitna hua bhaiyya?" ( How Much)
Auto:" 158"( RS. 158)
K:" Kaise?" ( How)
Auto:" Meter se"( BY Meter)
K:" Haaw! aapka meter hi kahan hai?" ( BUT where's your meter)
Auto:" Kaam nai karra amma! Ghar mein Patakku aayein!"( Not working so kept at home)
K" Arey phir meter se kaise hotha ji?"( Then how can you say the fare is by meter?)
Auto: " Waiseich hotha! Ye jayenge bole jab bolnaatha ji! bulaaku Abhi kirkiri karetho Kya hain?"( This you should have thought when you hired me! Now you are craeating a ruckus)
Khushi now understood the chap needed some local dose!
K:" kya sochrein! Hum yhaan keich hain! Naatakaan Karrein? Number leike police ko bhejthi! Kya sonchreinki!( what do you think of me? I am a localite. Will take your number and will send it to the police she threatened.)
Auto: Arey meter ke chart ko dekho ji"( Look at the distance -fare chart) he produced one chart and started calculating with his target as Rs. 158.
Other1: Kya horein? ( whats happening?)
K: Meter nai hai aur zyad poochrein Khushi complained!( There is no meter and he is demanding unnecessarily)
Other2: Arey jo derain leke nikal! ( TAke what she gives and move)
Auto:" Kaiku? ( Why)
K: " kya baath karrein ji tab sey. Iflaas ke baathan math sunao. My sau rupaya dethy bus!( Don't talk unnecessarily! I shall give 100 bucks. Just move)
Auto:" My nai lethum aur hilthum bhi nai my yhaa sey!( I won't and I won't even move from here till I get my dues)
Khushi now got irritated a crowd started gathering. But A true Hyderabadi never paid without arguing, as she made to remove money another hand extended with two hundred rupee notes and a voice said,"lo aur chalo."( TAke it and move)
She turned back to see Arnav.
He smiled at her. A smile of victory.
She scowled at him! Why not. Not only he found out the place right but she also advertised it by creating a mini mahabharat there!
A:"Hi"
K"Hi"
A:"so?"
K:"So?"
A:" What now?"
K shrugged and said "What now?"
A:" Will you stop repeating what I say and find some original sentences of your own?"
K :" Fo you stay at First Lancer?"
A:" No!" a little shocked!
K:" Sainik Puri, Aowhl?"
A:" No! Buy why do you Ask?"
K: " I think You are in Army or Airforce! And their quarters are there! Thats why!
Arnav couldn't help but laugh!" What ever gave you that idea!"
K:" you barking orders at people!"
A :" AAH!"
K:" what Aah!"
A:" ok now tea"
K:" yeah! But here?"
A: " well the venue has been chosen by you my lady"
K:" Can... I change it?"
A:" Nope"
K :" Why?"
A: coz i had to take half day leave and suffer a stupid driver to reach this place!"
Then he told her how he went about finding Alfa cafe! He did not let her know that it was his car and said it was company car and a driver he engaged.
Khushi burst out laughing and said," lets go to Taj Tristar its near by."
Arnav made a face but actually he was happy that she trusted him to go with him.
He sent Venkat away and drove as Khushi told him the directions.
As they sat having a light snack with coffee, He asked,
A:" You said you don't like coffee!"
K:" yeah but i have it"
A:"Will you give me your number?
K:" You found out only one digit! four more are still there!
A:" Oh! Common Khushi!"
K:" What do you do?"
A:"Why?"
K:" Excuse me I am sitting here having coffee with you and I don't know anything about you!
A:" Ok. " His mind started acting fast. He liked his new found faceless world where he was just another guy. If this girl preferred him for what he is well! What more he can ask for! All his life he has been plagued with his fame and popularity! At least he has a right to choose a partner who is unaffected by it! Having made a swift decision he said," Find out"
K:" what?"
A:" Yeah you heard me right! Find out"
K:" But"
A:" Else give me your number!"
K:" No"
A:" Ziddi"
K:" Nai my ziddi nai hun! Aap Akadoo hain!"
Arnav raised an eyebrow at her!
K:" Dekha? Dekha? isi ko akad bolthey hain!"
A:" Acchha tho patha lagao main kahan kam kartha hun?"
K:" Theek hain!"
A:" Aur same rule! You should not trace my number!"
K: "Ok"
A:" Khushi my tumhey kaise phone karoon?"
K:" Hath se!"
Arnav gave her a killer stare!
Khushi froze! baapreh bhayaanak dikthaa hai bandaa!
A:" Kya?"
K:" Kuch nai!"
A:" how do i keep in touch with you?"
K:" ok every saturday I go to khairathabad Hanuman temple"
A:" What has that to do with this!"
K:" Hey devi Mayya kaise kaison ko bhejaa aapne! Hint bhi nai samajhthey!"( Devi Mayya! How can you send such people on to te planet who cannot take a hint)
A:" that was a hint?"
K:" Aur nai tho kya?"( What else if not a hint)
A: Weekly once you want me to meet you."
K:" Khushi had her mouth full with Idli she gestured not me you!"
A:" Not acceptable"
Khushi gestured why!
Arnav very reluctantly confessed ,'I want to see you everyday!"
Khushi stopped eating! And just stared at the man sitting opposite to her!