Chapter 5 The Desi Avatar..
Location: Delhi Airport – Ladies Washroom
She unlocks the door and walks out of the changing cabin, well aware of the whispers around her. Adjusting her dupatta, she faces the mirror and winks at her reflection and says..
Khushi: Welcome back Khushi Kumari Gupta!
Pulling her luggage, she walks to the door and turns to the ladies staring at her.
Khushi: Namaste!
Confused, they give her an hesitant smile.
Ladies: Namaste!
...and she turns away with a mischievous smirk.
As she walks out of the washroom, the ladies look at each other..
Lady 1: What was that?
Lady 2: Isn’t she the one who was wearing a mini skirt some time ago?
Lady 3: Or maybe her look alike.
Lady 4: Or a.....
Suddenly Khushi comes back and the 4 ladies stop their conversation while staring at her.
Khushi: Oops, sorry to disturb this interesting discussion but I forgot something.
She goes into the cabin, takes her stuff and gets out in a minute. Before leaving the washroom, she looks at the curious ladies and smiled to them.
Khushi: Thank god, I remembered!.. You know, my friend really like this red lingerie when I’m in bed with him. He says it’s like an aphrodisiac.. Crazy guy, isn’t he?
And she gets out of the washroom amused, leaving behind, shocked faces. At the airport entrance, a car has been waiting for Khushi and as the driver saw her, he rushes to her.
Driver: Namaste Khushi bitiya!
Khushi: Namaste Bhansi Kaka..
He picks her luggage while she gets into the backseat. Bhansi Kaka gets into the car and they set off for Shantivan.
Bhansi Kaka: Kaisi Ho bitiya? Aur parayi sab tiktak? (How are you? And studies, all fine?)
Khushi: Mein tikhu.. Aur London mein bhi sab tiktak ( I’m fine and all fine in London)
Bhansi Kaka: Anu betiya aap ka intezaar kar rahi hai, wo toh saat aane wale the lekin malik ne manaa kiya! (Anu is waiting for you, in fact she wishes to come to the airport but sir forbids her.)
While they were waiting in the traffic, suddenly Khushi hands out a gift box to Bhansi Kaka.
Khushi: Yeh lije, aapke liye ek nayi watch.. (Here take this, a new watch for you)
And she smiled to him while he looked at her stupefied.
Bhansi Kaka: Are yeh uski kya zaroorat thi betiya? (What was the need for?)
Khushi: Zaroorat thi kaka, aap nanaji keliye sirf ek naukar hai lekin mama ke liye aap bhai jaisa tha. (It was important, even if for nanaji you are just a servant but mum considered you as a brother.)
Bhansi Kaka: Dhanewaad betiya. (Thank you)
Khushi: Lekin hitler ko kuch nahi pata chalna chaye.. (But hitler should not know about this.)
And she grimaced while they laugh together. Sometime later they reach Shantivan premises and as soon as she steps out of the car, she appears Anu running from the doorsteps.
Anu: Hooottttttieeeeeeee... You are here!
And Khushi takes her into an embrace lifting her from the ground.
Khushi: Oh you are getting heavier! How much you are eating?
Eyes wide open, o shaped mouth, Anu is a copy of Khushi’s craziness. Her hands on her hips..
Anu: Are you saying that I’m getting fat?
Khushi nods in denial..
Khushi: Of course not, in fact you are all fit for the Miss India contest!
Excited, she jumps happily.
Anu: Seriously?
And Khushi nods smilingly
Khushi: hmm hmm.. And I also got your cosmetics for the beauty contest in your school.
Anu: Really? Yayyy...
Suddenly Anu gets startled when Khushi’s hands block her mouth. Her eyes turn in the direction Khushi is looking and shock takes over as Nanaji stares at them. Nanaji walks to the girls. With a stern face, he looks straight into the eyes of Khushi. He might scare everyone but in Khushi’s look, there was no fear, only respect. As Khushi lowers her eyes, Nanaji looks towards Anu angrily.
Nanaji: Ache ghar ki ladkiya aise behave nahi karte (Girls from good family don’t behave like this)
Scared, Anu looks down.
Anu: Sorry Nanaji..
Nanaji turns his eyes towards Khushi.
Nanaji: Baron se kaise pech aate, London mein sab bhoolgaye?(How to behave infront of elders, you forgot it in London?)
Khushi gets confused.
Khushi thinks: Now what? What did I forget again... I took everything.. except KKG!
As Nanaji was getting impatient, Anu elbowed Khushi and she gets back to reality. She turns to her while Anu signs to her towards Nanaji. Finally she remembers and bends down taking the blessings of Nanaji.
Khushi: Sorry Nanaji, kafi long flight tha! (Sorry Nanaji, The flight was quite long)
Suddenly Payal rushes out and intervenes before Nanaji could say anything.
Payal: Nanaji, Nashta tayal hai. (Nanaji, breakfast is ready)
Nanaji turns and walks back into the house and Khushi looks at Payal gratefully while Payal nods, relieved. Khushi runs to her and hugs her.
Khushi: Are Wah bhabi, iss saree mein ek dhum saas bahu serial ki heroine lag rahi ho. (Wow bhabi, in this saree, you look just like the heroine of a saas bahu serial)
Anu: Saas bahu kaise? Yahan to sirf hitler ki bahu hai! (How saas bahu? Here there’s only hitler’s bahu!)
Payal: Paagal! (Crazy!)
Payal hits Anu on the head lightly while Khushi grimace amusingly.
Payal: Khushi tum jakar fresh hojao, hum tumra intezaar breakfast table pe. (Khushi, go freshen up, we are waiting for you at the breakfast table)
Khushi: Ok!
And she rushes into the house and runs the stairs to her room. Her room is still the same, the way she left it. After a shower, in a salwar suit, she joins the family for breakfast. Breakfast, lunch or dinner has always been a quiet moment for the family. Nanaji finds it bad manners to talk while eating, while for Khushi and Anu, it’s the moment of togetherness, fun and gossiping. After Nanaji excuses himself from the table, the real fun starts. Khushi and Anu talk and laugh while Payal keeps on telling them to lower their voices.
Khushi: Bhabi I think you should have gone with bhai. He must be lonely without you.
Payal: Khushi khana kalo aur phir se yeh baat shuru mat karo. Pata hai na ke pichle baar Nanaji kitna gussa tha (Khushi eat your food and don’t start this conversation again. You know how angry Nanaji was the last time)
Khushi: Par... (But...)
Suddenly Nanaji walking from the studyroom, gets into the conversation angrily and Khushi shuts it off.
Nanaji: Tumhe pata hai na Khushi! Ghar ki bahu bahar nahi rehsakte! (You know Khushi! Daughter in law of the house cannot stay outside)
Khushi: But mein to sirf yeh kehraha hai ke jahan pati wahi patni ka ghar. Aur vaise bhi yeh to purani..... (But I was just saying the wife’s house is where the husband lives and anyways these are old...)
Suddenly Payal lays her hand on Khushi’s hand. Khushi turns her eyes to her and she nods pleading her to stop. They both look at Nanaji when they hear him.
Nanaji: Bahu tumse bari hai aur samajdar bhi! Jab tumhari shaadi hojayegi tum samaj jaogi. (Bahu is the elder and mature! When you’ll get married, you’ll understand)
And he turns away and gets out of the house.
Khushi: Shaadi.... Meri jooti! (Wedding, my foot!)
On the other side of the world, in London, Arnav is walking from right to left trying a call again and again while NK lays on the bed.
NK: I don’t understand, if you don’t want to go to india then why the hell you agreed to help that Lavanya chick! Don’t tell me just because she’s hot?
Arnav looks at him irritatingly.
ASR: Shut up NK! And I said yes as I thought she just needed some help in London! How was I supposed to know that her assignment is in India.
Nk: Simple! By asking her..
And he laughs out loud..
ASR: Haha..What a joke!.. Stupid joke..
NK: Ok sorry.. but just tell them that you cannot go now!
ASR: You think I haven’t tried. Di is not giving me any choice as I already said yes!
Anjali comes into the room and Arnav ignores her. She nods mischievously and walks to the closet. As she packs his luggage, Arnav sits on the steps near the pool and continuously try his call.
ASR thinks: Where are you Kashish? Pick up the phone...
After some time, Anjali comes and sits next to Arnav. Angrily, he looks the other way. Anjali lays her head on his shoulders and grab his arms.
Anjali: Baapre itna gussa kahan se lati ho (Oh god, where do you get such angers)
And she laughs amusingly.
Anjali: Are india jaane mein kya problem hein, ar vaise bhi mere alava kaun miss karega tumko!... Haan agar koi ladki ho to batado.. (What is the problem in going to India? And except me who will miss you here? Yeah, if there’s any girl so you can tell me)
ASR: Di please! You want me to go.. so I’m going! No more discussion..
Anjali: Ok! I just came to say that Lavanya is a nice girl and she really need some help.. else I would have never forced you.
He looks at her sister and her puppy sad face softens his anger and he nods.
ASR: Ok, Fine!
Anjali: I’ve packed your bags, Ok!
She smiled at him and kisses his forehead before going out of the room.
ASR: Yeh KKG bhi naa... Paagal! ( This KKG..Crazy girl)
And he keeps his mobile in his pockets and goes inside the room..
The Next Day
In the morning, 5 a.m... Before the sun rises, in her white salwar and wet hairs, Khushi steps into the temple of the house. According to the tradition of Shantivan mansion, the members of the family joins the prayer and do the aarti while the sun rises and sets off for another new day. She closes her eyes and her melodious voice echoes in the mansion. By her side, Nanaji, Payal, a yawning Anu and all the servants of the house. After the prayers, she accompanies Payal to prepare the breakfast. As her eyes fell on a plate, her face glows with excitement.
Khushi: Wow Bhabi... Jalebiii!
Payal: Yeah, I know it’s your favorite!
Khushi: Thanks a lot bhabi, you are the best!
And she gives her a side hug. When suddenly her mobile rings for the 15th time since yesterday night from Arnav, she gets tensed as Payal looks at her questioningly.
Payal: Are kya hua.. Kiska phone hai! (What happen? Who’s calling?)
Khushi: Woh... (Hmm..)
Confused and tensed, she stays speechless for a few seconds..
Khushi: Friend.. Natasha, university mein same batch! (Friend.. Natasha, same batch at the university!)
Payal: Take her call na!
Khushi: It’s ok Bhabi, she’s pestering me for some notes and I don’t have it right now!
And she pushes the disconnect call button.
Payal: Tikein.. abhi aayi! (Ok.. Be right back!)
Khushi gasps out of relief. Few seconds later, she hears the door bell. She rushes to the door and opens it. Rooted on the spot, eyes wide open, surprise takeover as she looks into the eyes of the unexpected visitor on her doorstep!
Question: Who is on the doorstep? If I get maximum comments and right answers, I promise next update will be sooner.. Maybe before the updates of my other stories! And when I say maximum, that means a lot!
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