AJHS - 5

PART - 5

Khushi POV

Biting my cuticles I flipped pages after pages sitting in the empty staff room of Sharma Language School. I was early. But there was no point in sitting at home with a worried mind. At least in this way, I might find something to distract myself.

The day before yesterday my conversation with Arnav Raizada made no sense at all. I was prepared for his taunts and sarcasm. However, despite my rude warnings to stay clear of my way the man only acted like we had no history at all. Is this his new game? Is he pretending to not know me in front of his nephew? 

Because to be frank Mr. Raizada's behavior is giving me whiplash. I am so done with his never-ending game of run and chase.

Something is different about him though. He is acting all strange. When he saw me in school the man had a weird expression on his face. For the first time, I could not read his eyes like usual.

Sighing deeply, I stopped driving my mind in circles. I am just making up stories to satisfy myself. This cannot happen. The decision has been made. Arnavji and I belong to two different strata of society. The north pole and South pole can never meet each other. They can only stand against one another. He is with my friend Lavanyaji. And betrayal is not my forte.

Shutting the textbook I crossed my arms on the desk and placed my head on them. Maybe I can rest for a while. There is still an hour left.

Time passed quickly and soon the bell for the first class of the day rang out loud. 

Dhruv POV

Today my Hindi class was scheduled for the afternoon. So instead of watching tv or playing around, I chose to do something more constructive. I video-called my Popsi to give him all the necessary details regarding Nannav Chachu's past. 

So after the general greetings and meal inquiries, my Pops touched the subject of Chachu. With a smile on my face, I explained to him my analysis of the facts that I gathered about the trainer Khushi for HP Uncle. Listening to me with a keen interest he nodded with a deep sigh at the end of it. He is processing. I know how Pop's mind works. A few minutes of silence, and then he started talking.

You are getting good at this kid. I believe your conclusions are right. My brother indeed fell in love.

I giggled awkwardly as the compliments he showered at me. He always makes it a point to praise my efforts no matter how big or small they are.

Kiddo why don't you ask Anji Bua about this Khushi? But be subtle in your approach because my sister is very sharp. She might want to organize a marriage...

Shaking my head I smiled at the indirect compliment that Anji Bua received. He is right. It is a well-known fact. Anji Bua was the one who expressed her wish to have me here with Chachu. And it worked like a charm. Chachu is on the road to recovery. So my one hint about this Khushi and Nannav Chachu will be taking vows with the said woman.

True Popsi. True.

Is there something that you want to share with me kid?

Slamming my head on the pillow I tried to hide my face but my father is a professional therapist. A face reader. I think it is in our blood. Turned to face him I bobbed my head.

I think I have a crush on my language instructor.

Laughing like a hyena he fell back on the sofa in the living room of our house in Sydney. I groaned palming my face. The reaction was expected. This is embarrassing. But what can I do? We father-son are like glue cannot hide such things. It is impossible. His voice broke my train of thoughts.

Is she beautiful?

Yes.

Did you blush around her?

Yes.

Awe. My little flower is becoming a fruit. 

Shut up Pops.

He continued to tease me about Ms. Gupta. And our conversation ended around lunchtime. Before hanging up he said that the teacher has his blessing. Damn it. Pops is a menace.

Arnav POV

After dropping Dhruv at the language school I did not leave the premises like the last time. Instead, I sat on the grassed area in the amphitheater behind the building. There were a few people around me. But I was not bothered by them. Pulling out my cell I started texting the woman who had began to threaten me about keeping my distance from her.

I cannot approach her directly she will be busy with her classes. But I can make sure that we meet each other after Dhruvs class. She gets angry easily. I will have to get a rise out of her. Only then will she come down to see me. Tapping my fingers on the screen I inboxed her a little something.

You are so much like Dhruv. Instead of coming down and facing me you are sulking and hiding behind the excuse of classes.

Rubbing my hands in anticipation I prepared myself to meet the woman because of whom for the first time in weeks I slept like a baby without any nightmares. 

Khushi POV

I banged my fist against the table startling my students as I read the message once again. The scared little faces made me gulp. What the hell am I doing? I am not Arnav Singh Raizada. I am Khushi. The happy-go-lucky person who loves to spread happiness. Ughh.

Sorry. Aap log aaj ki activity complete krlijiye phir hum aapko vyakhya ke baare mein batayenge.

(You guys complete today's activity then I will explain nouns to you all).

I busied myself in marking the points for the upcoming lessons when I felt a tap on my shoulder. The handsome and cute Dhruv Singh Raizada stood beside me with a slam book in his hand. 

Hi Dhruv. Kahiye hum kya karsakte hain aapke liye?

(What can I do for you dear?)

Khushi Maam. Ye...ye meri slam book hai. Aap isse batengi?

(This...this is my slambook. Can you fill it?)

Patting his cheek with a smile I took the book from him making the child's eyes gleam. Aweee. Devi Maiyya blesses this kid with lots of happiness. He is such a sweetheart. And his Uncle is a Rakshasa. The devil who loves to spread hatred. No. I won't even let his thoughts control me.

Batengi galat shabd hai. Sahi shabd hai bharengi. Hum class ke baad ye aapko lauta denge. Theek hai?

(The right word is bharengi which means to fill. I will return this to you after class. Alright?)

Yes, Maam.

He rushed back to his seat and I started to fill up the different blanks in the book. Pretty soon the class ended and after handing over the graded sheets I asked them to leave. I stopped Dhruv and returned his book to him.

Umm Dhruv let me come with you. 

Uhh. Sure, Mam.

Retreating from the classroom we took the lift and exited the building. And right outside the gate stood my nemesis Arnav Singh Raizada with a look that screamed I won't leave without talking. 

We reached the gate and after a quick wave, Dhruv fled to the black car behind Mr. Raizada. Good that he left. He should not hear this conversation. 

Arnav POV

Someone was fiddling with the radio nearby. A song about distance and longing was being played. I could relate to that. As Khushi and I stood a feet away but her eyes screamed 'don't move any closer.'

Hi.

Kyun koi paas hai

Door hai kyun koi

Jaane na koi yahan pe

But I was only greeted with a blank face. Damn it. Why does Khushi intimidate me so much? What is it about her that makes me act so weird? I can be rude to everyone in my family. But she seems so fragile.

I said Hi.

Sunna humne.

(I heard).

Aa raha paas ya door mein ja raha

Janu na mein hoon kahan pe.

Look main zyada time nahi loonga. Bulana ka tareeka galat tha I know. It is just that mujhe bas ye poochna tha kya hum ekdusre ko pehele se jaante hai? A few weeks ago...Diwali ki raat...mera ek...

(I won't take too much of your time. I agree it was wrong of me to use such a childish trick. I just wanted to know more about our past. Do we know each other from before? A few weeks ago...on Diwali night...I met).

Something changed inside her. Interrupting me in between the woman started shouting at me. My heart broke into pieces as two tears rolled down her cheeks.

Bas Arnavji. Bahut hogaya. Aur kitna drama karenge aap? Hum ekdusre ki rag rag se waqif hain. Aur aap anjaan banne ka dhong krhe hain? Diwali ki raat jo hua uske baare mein humein baat nai krni. Behtar hoga agar aap humse door rahenge.

(Stop it Arnavji. This is too much. How long are you gonna continue with this drama? We know each other very well. And you are pretending to be a stranger? What happened on Diwali is something that I don't wish to talk about. It would be better for the both of us if you would stay away from me).

Yeh dooriyan

When she folded her hands in front of me I shook my head in denial. Hating the idea of her pleading before me. Walking backwards I looked at the sadness on her face and turned to sit in my car.

What have I done to her?!?

In raahon ki dooriyan

Nigahon ki dooriyan

Hum rahon ki dooriyan

Fanah ho sabhi dooriyan.

The car moved away from the building and I kept staring at the figure till she disappeared from my vision. 

Dhruv POV

Waiting in the car for Chachu felt a little boring so I opened my slambook and looked at the information filled by Khushi Maam. My eyes widened in awe as I read more about her.

She likes the color green.

She loves to make others happy.

And she is crazy about Jalebi!

Oh wow.

My idea to know her using the slambook worked. This information is enough to impress Maam. How cute can one be?

OMG! OMG! OMG!

She has given me her number. With a cute heart in the end. This lady turns me into hot butter that swirls on the pancakes.

Squealing like a 5 yr old I quickly saved Khushi Maam's number under the name Beautiful.

Thankfully Nannav Chachu did not ask me any questions when he sat behind the wheel. Slowly Mohan drove us away from the school. And I hugged my slambook to my chest feeling elated by the joyful memories that I made today.

Khushi POV

Standing in the restroom I kept splattering water on my red teary eyes. Arnavji has started playing these cheap tricks now. How could he do this to me? He is pretending around Dhruv and on top of that, he has the guts to bring up Diwali night. Why Devi Maiyya? Why does he keep hurting me?

Wiping my tears I tried to smile in the mirror. I have a class to teach in 5 minutes. I cannot lose control. Deep breaths. Inhale. Hold. Exhale. I repeated the process for a minute.

Before I could move out my phone vibrated notifying me of a text. I opened my inbox to see a message from another Raizada. He is a sweet fella.

Miss you Ma'am. If you are free in the evening can I call you?

Miss you too. And yes we will talk tonight. Call me after your dinner.

A wave of happiness flooded my chest. He is a god-sent angel. Thank you, Dhruv. Thank you for uplifting my mood. You feel like kin. Like my family. Smiling genuinely this time I walked out of the restroom and proceeded towards my next class.

My phone vibrated yet again. Expecting a reply from Dhruv I quickly checked my inbox once more. But this time the message was not from any of the Raizada. It was from another kin. Another person who became my family a long time ago.

My best friend. Lavanyaji. She has not contacted me since that Diwali incident. I too did not stay in touch with her. The guilt of having feelings for his lover overwhelmed me. So I chose to remain distant. Maybe Dhruv and Arnavji told her about me. I tapped her name to open the text. But the words that greeted me left me bewildered for really long.

Khushi I am back from London. By now you must be aware that I and ASR have called off our engagement.  I am visiting Delhi for just one day. So please meet me at Blue moon hotel tomorrow for lunch.

Arnav POV

It hurts. It hurts a lot. Her tears. Her pain. Why? There are endless questions in my mind. And no one to answer around. Did I share a bond with Khushi? Why is there so much hatred between us? It seems like I have hurt her beyond repair. She does not even wish to talk about Diwali night. 

Something else happened that night. Apart from that accident something big and disastrous occurred on that occasion. But what is it? Was I a player? Did I hurt Lavanya and Khushi? Am I a cheater? A two-timer?

Grabbing my hair in my fingers I sat on the bed dejectedly. My heart feels so heavy right now. Like a wound has been opened. Bleeding non-stop. A flowing river. I slapped my other hand on my thigh feeling hatred consume me. I am a monster. A feelingless monster. She has every right to hate me. 

I won't approach Khushi anymore. Not unless she talks to me first. Nothing is more important than that beautiful smile on Khushi Gupta's face. My past is meant to be forgotten. Like Akaash said I could make new memories.

However, the sad part about my life is that I cannot make Khushi a part of these memories. She hates my presence. She hates me. And the hurt in her eyes hurts me.

Lying on my back I shut my eyes as strange tiredness took over me. My mind and body both were exhausted by today's activity. Doing my breathing exercises I fell into a deep sleep.

The salty smell of blood assaulted my nostril. 

The pain in my shoulder was excruciating. 

I tried to move but the seatbelt made it difficult. The car was upside down. I wiggled my body trying to find a way to get out of the vehicle. Somehow I found the clasp of the belt using my other hand. But then bright lights blurred my vision the distance between us kept reducing. And then a loud deafening sound echoed in my ears.

My eyes flashed open in the next second. Breathless I sat on the bed rubbing my face trying to come to terms with the fact that I dreamt about another memory of my accident. 

I looked towards the transparent poolside door. It was almost evening. Another day ended. Another night began. Sighing I stood up moving towards my almirah and picked out the first set of clothes I could find. The need to freshen up made me rush to the washroom.

Khushi POV

Hi Dhruv. How are you?

Hi Khushi Maam. I am fine. I wish we could meet again tomorrow but our class is scheduled for the day after tomorrow.

Awee. My sweetu. Don't worry. We can call each other frequently. Then you won't miss me.

Good idea Maam.

We kept talking to each other as I ironed my clothes. Dhruv is such an intelligent and beautiful soul. He is so much more than a 10-year-old. His Dad is his hero. And he is best friends with his Nannav Chachu. We played twenty questions getting to know each other in the process.

An hour later we hung up and I turned to close my bedroom window, only to see Jeeji standing at the corner of our street talking to Akaashji with a strange smile on her face. How come she is in touch with Akaashji? When did the two meet? Am I missing something?  I need to have a chat with her.

I should tell her about Arnavji. Or else that man will use Akaashji as an excuse to hurt me again. Arnav Singh Raizadas demonic ways of handling life are frightening at times. Maybe he should consult an exorcist.

Nope. Not again. Devi Maiyya I won't let his thoughts dominate my mind. Never. Never again. I shut both the windows. The one in my bedroom. And the other of my heart. Arnavji betrayed Lavanyaji's trust. And his behavior is not surprising at all. It happened to me too. This time not even hatred for this man will consume me. I swear Devi Maiyya. I swear. 

Tomorrow I will meet Lavanyaji. She must be heartbroken by  Mr. Raizadas act of betrayal. She needs support. Like I did once. But unlike me, she won't be alone. I will be there to hold her. That's what a good friend is supposed to do. I mused.

Lavanya POV

Sitting on the corner table of the restaurant I sipped my chai latte trying to curb my desperation to see Chamkeeli. I will be meeting her again after so long. So much has changed in these few weeks. The last time we saw each other Khushi had done the task of getting ASRs nod for our official engagement. With tears of happiness, my friend had hugged me with a warmth that reminded me of my family.

But today the circumstances of my life have taken a 180-degree turn. I am a single woman looking forward to closing the chapter of ASR from my life. Wiping the single tear that fell from my eye pocket I kept looking out of the window to get a glimpse of my friend.

She finally arrived almost banging into the waiter but caught herself at the last second. I chuckled at the whirlwind girl who always manages to bring a smile to my face. Unable to control my happiness I called out to her.

Khushi.

Lavanyaji.

Keeping my mug on the table I stood up only to rush to her side. Chamkeeli hugged me to herself in a second making me grin. We held each other for a little longer. Till I lost my grin and sadness took over me. She sensed the change in my mood rather quickly.

What happened Lavanyaji? Please tell me everything. I am here. That Rakshas has crossed all the limits this time. He needs to answer me. I have the right to punish...

Chamkeeli...

Holding her hand I took her to my table and sat in silence for a while. On the center of the table, a small vase held a red rose. A camouflage. But of course, when you look at things from a different perspective everything appears to be more real and raw.

This flower is fake Chamkeeli. But from a distance, it looks real. So was my relationship with ASR. But still, I hoped. I hoped against hope that our relationship would survive. On Diwali night suddenly ASR agreed to our engagement. His decision overwhelmed me. But then...

Then what Lavanyaji? Did he hurt you furthermore? Rakshas toh rakshas hi rahega...

(A monster will always remain just that..a monster).

No.

No?

Her big eyes looked at me enquiringly. As if she was doubting my sanity. Is she not aware of ASRs accident? Wait she keeps calling him a monster. Oh no. She has no idea. She is clueless. Has no one informed her? Scared of her reaction I questioned her. And observed how my doubts became a reality.

Khushi you know about ASRs accident right?

WHAT...? WHAT ACCIDENT?

Watching the color on Khushi's face disappear, a quote by James Campion Conway reverberated in the palace of my mind.

Thrown from my secure life, whether by chance or the Powers That Be, I was sitting on a skipping stone and it was fear, not confidence, that was increasing with the ripples of uncertainty. Mine had become a world without center.

My world shook drastically as realization dawned upon me. I could clearly see the reflection of my heartbreak inside Khushi Kumari Gupta's eyes. Oh no. No. No no no. How did I miss this? How could I not see this love...and perhaps...devotion? Was ASR ever aware of Khushi's feelings? I closed my eyes as guilt and remorse flooded my senses.

On the night of Diwali Chamkeeli was not crying happy tears. Nope. This woman was weeping because she lost all hope when ASR announced his decision about our engagement. Her one sided love was over in seconds. Please forgive me god. Please forgive me. I wish I could have done something worthwhile for my friend.

.

.

.

.

Precap:

Guilt consumes Khushi as she recalls her rudeness towards Arnav Singh Raizada;

Captain Vikram will be back soon.