Sargam's The Inexplicable Attraction!
16
"Ahrhnahvh ji! haahhaap khhhooo khheeeyyya hhhua hhhaah?"( What happened to you?)
Khushi asked as the went through the dug up road which was very bumpy!
"KKhhhyaaa hhhuaaa kkkhhhyaaa?" ( what) Shhhyyhhhit! Arnav could not recognise his own speech. On top of that traffic was making it difficult..
Freedu checked out his new friend and tried to make friends at the very moment by licking his nose!
"CCCHHHIII!" ( yuk)
"WHHHAAT? AAAhhhaaap ney FFFrrhhheeeddhhhu ko CCHHIIHHI bola? " ( You said yuk to freedu?)Khushi could not believe it that he did not like animals... Her granny told her those who were averse to music and animals were cruel and untrustworthy.
"Naahhhiii!! mmiiieeehhhneee ussseeeyyyeee nnnaaahhhiii uskeeeyyy jeeehhhbbbhhh ko cheee bolaaah!" ( Not him his tongue) Arnav quipped irritatedly.
KKKyyyhhhaaayyy ooopppddd uuummm !KKKWEEECCchhht!
The auto stopped throwing Khushi into Arnav's lap and Freedu was tightly held in her lap by her left hand making all three of them Arnav Freedom and Khushi bang their heads and the impact pushed them all forward uniting them with the fourth head of that of teh auto driver who defied the force of gravity stiffening his body and holding his back erect and moving his frame back while applying the break making him to collide with the other three!
"What the #$%^! Woooff!!Wooof!!Hey Devi Mayya and YA Allah!" All expressions came out at the same time!!!!
Khushi was the first to move as she was embarrassed at her hair stuck in Arnav's shirt button. She slowly raised her head and looked into his eyes apolegetically..humey muaff keejiye ( Please forgive me) but arnav was lost in those eyes as all his anger vanished when Khushi's hair enveloped his face and he could smell wild flowers!!! As she lifted her eyelids in the odd angle that she was sitting by his side and her hands busy and her hair arrested in his shirt button struggling to look up... her lips a few inches from his!she looked so pretty and adorable!!!! He just melted into her eyes and lost track of the place and wanted to touch the tip of her nose that was visibly reddened by embarassment and her cheeks that were oink as she was blushed. He raised the index finger of his right hand which was free to do just that when there was a big shout from the auto driver...
" Kuttha chaatra ji amma samhalo"( The dog is licking me... take him away)!!!
Khushi and Arnav jerked back to the present and as Khushi struggled... Arnav said Ek minute lemme!!! He let her tresses out of his shirt and Khushi jumped out of the auto as Freedom pulled her out sighting another dog!
"Kya hua?" ( what happened) Arnav asked the auto driver!
Gear wire toot gaya saab! he said( The gear wire got cut!)
Kitna der lagegaa!? ( How long will it take?) Arnav asked exasperatedly as a bunch of college girls passed by oogling him and giggling!
"Bees minute" ( 20 mins) the driver was already on the job pulling out a cutting plier!
Aap auto mein baithiye...( You sit in the auto) Khushi pushed him into the auto.
What? Arnav asked her!
"Haan! Yahaan ticket lagaake cinema dikhaana hai?" ( Are you on an exhibition here?) she asked him angrily!
"Kya?..."( What?) Then it dawned on to Arnav that she was jealous of all the girls staring at him!
"Khushi...", whatever he wanted to say smirking went into the air as Freedom chose that moment to slip out of Khushi's hands and run across the road Leash and all!
"Freedu!!! Freedu", Khushi ran without any care and Arnav had a tough time holding his breath as she barely missed a car flying past!
"Careful" he called out and ran after her and went round on to the other side of a hedge where Freedom chose to hide and yelled at Khushi " Catch his leash!"
Khushi ran Freedom ran and Arnav had to run sometimes to the right sometimes to the left like a goal keeper protecting his goal post!
"Pakadiye na? "(Please hold)Khushi yelled at him?
"Kaisey?"(how) Arnav asked her exasperatedly coz the dog was vanishing like a missile sometimes out of the hedge sometimes diving into the hedge! Freedom was enjoying his game!
"Kaisey kya? Aapko pakadna bhi nahi aatha?"( You don't know how to hold?) Khushi yelled at him!
'La houl..." The aged auto driver shook his head in disgust... " Kya zamana aagaya hai! Pottiyaan kitni badmaash hogayeen hai!" ( What turn the society has taken, girls have become so spoilt!)He lamented to himself!
"Khushi woh mujhey kaatega I am not her friend!"Arnav explained once again saving Freedom from going to the left by blocking his way!
"Per woh kaatha nahi hai!"( He won't bite) Khushi confirmed...
How do you kno Khushi I am a stranger! Arnav shouted at her!
"Freedom does not know... we always told him he does not have teeth and i feed him Idli everyday... he is harmless!" Khushi clarified!
"What rubbish man! How can you... ?"Arnav was laughing now... "This girl is crazy!"
"Khushi you don't need to tell him any thing he knows and he knows how to use!"
A man passing by the hedge looked at them very disgustingly!
Both of them were taken aback! And while khushi blushed Arnav rolled on the lawns laughing his butt off... just then Freedu chose to pounce on him thinking it was a game and Khushi too pounced to arrest Freedu...
Finally both of them pounced on Arnav at the same time!
"Yeh kya tamasha chalraa ji?" ( what is this?) The auto driver was shocked at the visual! um logaan hospital ko jaao! Kuttha theek lagraa mujhey Tum logaan ich kuch aadey tede lagrey!( I feel you both need to visit a hospital. The dog looks ok to me) He blurted out!
Khushi was half on Arnav and Arnav was flat on the ground while Freedon sat errect like a good boy who did not know anything in this world giving them a very innocent look!
Arnav put one arm round Khushi and told the auto driver..." Abhi hospital nai chichha aur bahut jagah jaana hai humey " ( Not hospitl uncle we have to go to many places before that)and saw Khushi blushing again!
she was adorable he thought and she tried to free herself and Arnav let her go and got up and they both looked around and said Freedom at the same time coz freedom was now running across the road again and a car came to a screeching halt to avoid the animal!
"Kuch hua tho nahi na kutthey ko! Zara dekhey tho!" ( hope the dog did not get hurt! Lets us see) A lady got down from the car as Khushi rushed to collect a visibly shaken Khushi and asked her sab theek haina! humey muaff kijiye!
Khushi fel bad a sit was her fault and freeom's so she tried to pacify the sweet looking lady! "Nai nai we are sorry! aapki koi galthi nahi thi!" ( Not your fault)
Arnav rushed to the spot and the lady turned and froze saying," CHOTEY?"
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction-17
Arnav saw Anjali staring at him open mouthed and Khushi besides her holding the culprit Freedu!
Khushi mistook Anjali's surprise at seeing Arnav as her being Shocked at the whole fiasco! She immediately tried to console her!
"Dekhiye! Don't be upset! This is not your fault! Believe me! Yeh saara dosh... Yeh saara dosh..." she looked here and there and as she did not get any bright idea ... so she hit upon an idea and said "Inka hai!" showing Arnav
Arnav who was dumbstruck at seeing Anjali! He recovered and before his Di spilt everything he tried to steer the conversation away saying," excuse me? Mera...? Whats my fault?"
"Haan!! Khushi was Khushi she tried to prove her point..."Aap mujhey chodke kutthey ko pakadthey tho yeh naubath nahi aathi!!" Khuhsi blurted out and then hit her head with her own hand at her idiocity!
Anjali made an 'o' with her mouth and glared at Arnav who was trying his best to wink at her and say will explain later!
Anjali finally recovered and turned to Khuhsi and said "Hum Anjali hain!"( I am Anjali) introducing herself.
Khushi said" Hum Khuhsi hai!( i am Khushi)
"Kisliye?( For what) Anjali asked having heard it as "Hum khush hain!" (I am happy)
"Kisike liye bhi nahi Khushi answered her! hum hai...Apney liye " ( for none I am for myself)she answered!
"Apney liye? woh kaisey? Bulaathey kaisey hain?"( How do they call you by your name Apneyliye then?) asked Anjali.
"Kise? " Khushi didn't get her!( whom?)
"Apne liye!"( myself) Anjali supplied.
"Apne liye kaise bulaa sakhthey hain! Doosronke liye jab bulaogi tho tab apne liye apne aap... " Khushi tried to explain making it hilarious!
"...Khushi... Iska naam Khushi hai " ( her name is Khuhsi not Apne liye)Arnav supplied unable to bear it anylonger!
"Oh!" Anjali said winking at Arnav for which she got a cold stare from him already!
"Ji yeh mera dost hai- Freedom" Khushi made Freedu shake hands with Anjali and said "Yeh Arnavji hain!" And immediately added "yeh Namasthey karthey hain!"
Anjali tried her best to suppress her bubbling laughter and turned towards Arnav and said "Namasthey A-R-N-A-V-J-I"
Arnav was already in soup and Khushi was not making it any easy! "Khushi chalein"( Shall we go?) he said seriously!
"Aapki gaadi kahan hai?" ( where is your car?)Anjali asked!
"Yahaan sadrein ji hum logaan"( We are rotting here!) one alien voice answered!
Everyone turned to see the auto driver and he was covered in black suit!
"Yeh logaan kutthey lakein pareshaan karko phir donon duettaan gaathey baithey tho..."( These people not only troubled me with their dog ,they were lost in singing duets round the trees!)
"Haaw humney duet nahi gaayee! Wahaan taq... "( No we did not we...)Khushi was interrupted by Arnav "Khushi mujhey late ho raha hain! chalo!" ( I am getting late lets go).
Anjali looked from Khushi to Arnav and from Arnav to Freedom then to the Auto driver and then Arnav again and Arnav got irritated!
"Woh kya haina inka boss bahuth khadoos hain ... "( It is like this that his boss is a jerk...)Khushi called her forward and blew in her ears" Aadhey din ka bhi leave dene ke liye rotha hain"( He cries to even let him go for half a day)
Anjali said "Oh! and looked at Arnav again! " but she did not get anything of what Arnav was upto and she made her mind up there and then to find out!" Inka Boss"( His boss?) what in the world her little brother has done now... with this ... pretty but funny girl! she thought!
"Haan Hain koi!" ( There is one) Khushi said and added "Mera bus chalein tho!"" ( If I lay my hands on him)
"What?what do you know!" Arnav tried to control the situation!
What his Di must be thinking of him! If only this chatter box stopped chattering!
"Humey sab patha hain!"( I know everything Khushi said smugly!
Dear God! She knows!!! Arnav was speechless and Anjali was clueless!
"Humey patha hai wahi aapka team leader Aman!" ( The same man Aman who is your team leader) Khushi said rotating her keychain on her index finger very smugly!
"What?" both Anjali and Arnav yelled!
Humney aapko unhey aapko vehicle allowance deneke liye poochthey sun liya tha! ( I heard you asking Aman for a vehicle allowance!) Khushi said and stepped forward and added for exclusively Arnav's sake in low loud voice... "Toofani Pakshi!!!" She raised her eyebrows up and down twice meaning howz that!!!"
Humney unka naam toofani pakshi rakh diyaa usi samay!" ( Thunder bird! I nicknamed him thunder bird that very moment!)
Arnav caught his forehead with his left hand! Exasperation ,Amusement, anger andabove all frustration due to helplessness...all of them were happening at the same time within him! He could only manage to say," you are amazing Khushi"
Anjali was so unable to control herself that she was holding her tummy and was making faces to control her heaving tummy!!
"Tum logaan yaheech khadey rahthey ya kuttey ku doctor ke paas leijaathein?"( Are you planning to stay here all day or you have any ideas of taking that dog to the hospital!) auto driver asked.
Anjali immediately said ," aap humaarey sath aayiyena hum choddengey!" ( please come with me I shall drop you)
"Haa!!! nahi"( Yes/ No) Khushi and Arnav shouted simultaneously!
"Kyun? Anjali made a puppy face at Arnav!( Why)
"Aapko kam hotha hoga hum hospital ja rahein hain!"( You must nbe busy we are going to hospital) Arnav clarified daring her with his eyes... let go sis!!!
"Kaunsa Hospital" ( which hospital?) Anjali asked.
"Vijay Nagar colony animal husbandry joint!" Khushi supplied!
"Fantastic I am going there too "Anjali shot a dare at Arnav... Lets see bro!!!
Two minutes later! Arnav Khushi and Anjali and Freedom were seated in a car and were moving towards the Vijay Nagar Colony!
"Aap kahaan Rehthi hain Anjali ji?"( Where do you stay) Khushi asked!
"Anjali answered Jubli hills road no. 36 And aap?"
Before Khushi answered Arnav coughed and asked Anjali " Is your phone ringing?"
Nai tho! Anjali checked and found an Sms from him! DONT YOU DARE START THE ENQUIRY!!! WAIT TILL I TELL YOU!!!
Anjali shot him a killer look and looked out of the window!
She then hit upon an idea! She has her own ways !!!!
"Khushiji yahaan taazi sabji kahaan milthi hain?" ( where do you get fresh vegetables) she asked!
"Sabzi mandi mein Ek yahaan aur ek Monda secunderabad mein!" ( In a mandi one here and the other in secunderabad) Khushi answered!
Aap humein Jathey jathey bathaayeingi?( Can you take me there while going) Anjali pleaded with her! Haan Anjali ji zaroor! ( Ofcourse I shall)Khushi was more than happy to oblige!
Arnav smoted his forehead with his fist! Women!! good lord! Yeh di ko bhi abhi aana tha?( Di had to happen Now!!!) he grimaced!
They all reached the hospital...nd when they got down Arnav just looked at the site before him and exclaimed loudly" What The"
There was a small compound which was teaming with animals, people autos parked cars and was looking like a big Market!!!
There were vendors outside the compund selling balloons, toys for animals, water sachets, small things like pens yoyos and it was like a veritable baazar!
Anjali got down and she excused herself and went to meet the blue cross volunteers but not before ensuring that Khushi would return with her!
"Khushi whats all this!" Arnav yelled in order to be audible above the din!
Khushi was not in a condition to listen to him! She zoomed like a rocket weaving her way through the crowd... Arnav panicked and chased her and he found himself ramming into something furry! The impact made him to fall on the ground and he opened his eyes to look into two big large eyes and a black snout!
Arnav closed his eyes and yelled "KHUSHI KHUHSI"
(Sargam's) Inexplicable Attraction
18
Arnav saw two big black holes in close up and then suddenly a red swab came out and his face was smeared with thick wet sticky smelly liquid and he heard Khushi shouting "muh dhak leejiye Arnavji, Gauri ko muh chaatna bahut pasand hain!" ( please cover your face, Gauri enjoys licking faces)
But It was too late coz Gauri already licked his face thoroughly!
"Khuhsi whats all this damnit!! What the @#$% is this place and chi!!!! this this... "Arnav could not even speak as Khushi came running and pulled Gauri back!!!!
She then gave her hand to Arnav to help him get up and asked the aunty who was there with a posh pomeranian for bottled water which she reluctantly parted with and scrubbed his face later with her dupatta!!!
In that din with so many beings in the midst of choas, Arnav saw how simple and dedicated Khushi was. She did not think twice before scrubbing his face with her dupatta nor made a face at him for being clumsy as he lacked the experience to walk in a literal mayhem!
As he said ..."enough Khushi I am ok now!!!", he looked at Anjali who was standing and watching like all others holding Freedu for Khuhsi and she smiled back nodding her head reflecting his feelings. she showed him thumbs up signal that meant "Go ahead brother!!! you chose the right partner!!!
Then Arnav turned and froze!!! And said in a feeble voice "this licked me?"
"She licked you" Khushi corrected him. Standing before them was a brown calf called Gauri whose problem was being overweight!!!!!
Gauri was thrice her supposed size and wobbled on her feet and went berseck. She tried to rub herself across Arnav's legs and Arnav jumped and ducked behind Khushi saying what the@#$%! What does it want!
"Yuk!!!! I mean YUUUKKK!!!" Arnav said disgustedly... "This ... this calf licked me!!!!"
"IIISSSHHH!!!" Khushi pounced on him covering his mouth and whispered... "hold on!!! Don't call her that!!! Call her Gauri"
"Why>? Is there a tax for calling a calf a calf in Hyderabad?" he bellowed!
"Nooo!!!! She belongs to a very powerful man!!!" Khushi winked at him!
But Arnav got Irritated!
"I dunno what this calf!!! ooopppeee!!!!!" Khushi closed his mouth with her palm and said shut up and then there was a huge commotion!!!
Three Scorpios, an Innova and a dozen autos came as a procession and everybody made way for someone who got down from the first scorpio...
"Who is that?" Arnav asked!
"Shhh!! " I told you!!! Its Mallesh Goud" Khushi whispered to him!
"Mallesh Who ?" he asked!
"Mallesh Goud!!! Gauri's master oops we should say dad else he gets irritated!" Khushi supplied... which made Arnav say "you are all crazy!"
"May be!" Khuhsi said ... and Mallesh Goud walked in and Yadgiri his assistant rushed to him and said "Anna Eedu Mana Gaurini Endo annaadanna!!!"( That fellow said something nasty to Gauri) pointing at Arnav!
"Dekha!!! I told you ! See that fellow is an informer!" Khushi accused Arnav!!!
"EEEIII!!!!!! Evvadraaa vaaadu?( Telugu)( Ei!!! Who is he!) Mallesh's voice made the animals go helter skelter as it boomed across the compound!!! "Eseyandra he bellowed!!!"(Telugu)( Off with his head)
Khushi got up and Arnav said "what are you doing... He looks like a goonda let me handle this!"
"You just keep quiet please! Hum sambhaalthey hain! Ab jaake kya karohgey aap! Akal tab ladaani thi jab usey bachada bulaya!"(I shall take care of it! What will you do now? You should have used your brains when you called her a calf!!!)
Arnav tried to stop but Khushi was Khushi. She went and said... "Namasthey Anna!" ( Namasthey brother)
"Oye Khusamma! Yedikelli vacchinaavamma nuvvu?" ( Oye! Where have you come from my dear?) Mallesh Goud greeted her warmly!
Arnav shook his head saying," unbelievable man!!"
"Maa thammini tecchinaa anna doctor kaadiki!" (telengana) ( I got my little brother to the doctor Khushi said showing Freedom)
Arnav was so amused about the whole thing that he did not know how to react at all!!!
Khushi answered and asked "etlunnav anna chaala rojulaaye??"( How are you bro? Long time)
"Ney manchigunna!!!!" ( I am fine dear)
"Anna vaanni odalakey!!!" ( Anna don't leave him)Yadgiri wanted to score points by making Arnav the culprit!
"Arey yaadikelli vacchinaavra?" ( where have you come from ) He asked Arnav who said "what? What he is saying?"
"Anna endho Engilpeesulo thiduthunnadey!"( Telengana)( He is badmouthing you in english) Yadgiri stoked the fires!
Khushi intervened and said "Anna eeyana... eeyaana>>>" ( he is...)
'...AAAn Eeyana?(He is...?) Mallesh asked twisting his long Mustach!
"Eeyana..." ( he is... Khushi hesitated and blushed)
"Oh My God ! Is this necessary now" Arnav rolled his eyes skywards!
"Oh samjhayindiley!!!... mari cheppavu! Oye baava!!! Nenu Mallesh!
( Oh I understood!!! Brother-in-law!!! I am Mallesh)
Mallesh goud hugged Arnav tight crushing him...and Arnav was sure atleast two of his ribs would suffer damage!
"Baava kaadu Anna!"( He is not yet your Brother-in-law), Khushi tried to correct him!
"Arey veseyendi raa" ( then Off with his head) Mallesh yelled and ten people rushed towards Arnav!
"Kaadu kaadu Kaaboye baava anna!!"( No he is your would be brother-in-law Anna)Khushi corrected him hastily!!!
Arnav thought he had gone mad. First of all the language then the madness of Khushi then th crazy setup and craziest people!!!
"What did he say?" he asked Khushi!
"abbo engilpeesulo thega maatlaadesthunnadamma Baava" Mallesh was happy!( BIL is talking in English)
Avunu anna chaala... Mana Gauri entha baagundi englandlo kuda ilaanti manchi ammayi untundaa annaru!!!Khushi fabricated!!!(Our Gauri is so beautiful that he was saying he did not see such ladies even abroad!)
Chotey Freedom!!! Freedom has ... Anjali ran into their midst and Mallesh Goud looked at the beautiful girl standing before him who was scared yet looked pretty like a doll and It was love at first sight for him!!!!
He looked at Khushi and said "vadina eppudu vasthundi ani aduguthaavu kadha? Idigo vadinamma!!!! "( you always ask me to get a sister-in-law for you na? well here she is)
Khushi looked at Anjali and And said loudly with her hand on her head"HAI REH NANDAKISHORE!!!!!