As mad as a hatter..
The newly rising sun did not break normalcy of Lakshmi Nagar in any way.The hustle bustle of performing morning chores kept people of Laxmi Nagar including Gupta clan busy. Shashi had immersed himself into news paper while Garima was caught up with filling water from hand pump outside the home and Buaji was dusting the house while chanting 'NandKishor' with an uttermost devotion.
Khushi being true to her nature had plastered brightest smile on her face to hide her agony from family. She had successfully convinced her babuji that she was missing her jiji and so has had cried a little when he got suspicious seeing her red and puffy eyes. And she had not lied, she was missing her sister so much unlike any other day. If she had been here, she must have provided much needed support to Khushi. But then she might have not had shared last night's incidence with her. It will be only her secret which would be kept buried at some corner of her heart, Khushi decided. She will do the same what she has been doing in all of her life' she will hide all her pain and sorrows behind a happy face. So she had veiled her anguish being more chirpy today to avoid giving any chance to anyone from getting whiff of her inner turmoil . Everything seemed more than perfect except the one small loophole. she had simply forgotten about the heaps of jalebis she had fried yesterday night when the slumber had denied to overtake her hazel eyes.
"Hey Devi Maiyya , Buaji will kill me if she sees those jalebi"
She started biting her nails thinking over how to evaporate those jalebis instantly when a loud ring of telephone broke her thoughtful trance. She threw an angry glance at it. She had attended two blank calls since morning. It must be same again. But who is making these blank calls? Of course some loafer, who else? she glared at that phone through narrowed eyes. Alas, the poor caller, unknown to the missile being loaded at his direction continued ringing the phone.
"You Mr. loafer,wait I make sure, you would never call and trouble any girl again" She picked the receiver and spat out an irritated 'Hello'. Her nostrils flared with rage as she met with a dead silence at other end. She could sense a soft breathing though. With that extremely familiar rhythm of breathing which had fanned her senses many time before ,she instantly knew who was at another side. But as anger drove her already crazy brain more wild, she chose to play along with mock ignorance.
" Why are you calling if you don't want to talk?" she asked earnestly but her question could not get anything to her in return other than silence again.
"Aap bolanese Sharma rahe hai? Ya fir ghabara rahe hai? Jo bhi ho Dekhiye apake alasi ungaliyo ko kasarat ho rahi hogi phon karne se par hamara waqt barbaad ho raha hai yahaan. Aur koi kaam nahi hai kya aapke paas ladkiyonko chedane ke alaawa? Aapko sharam nahi aati ye sab karate huye? Aapke ghar mein Ma-Bahen nahi hai kya?(Are you afraid of talking? Or then shying away? Whatever it may be. See you might be getting an exercise for your lazy fingers by making these calls but my time is being wasted. Don't you have any better work to do than teasing a girl? Don't you have any shame? Don't you have sister and mother at you home? )" She growled into the phone in single breath .
"Khushi'.."
Her heartbeats stopped momentarily. She might have missed that small inaudible whisper if it was someone's else
'Arnavaji?' Why is he sounding so low? Is he all right? It seems like ..He had been crying???..And a series of memories from last night flashed before her eyes. Suddenly her grip over receiver tightened and she clutched her dupatta steadfastly. She pushed all her suddenly sprung crazy soft emotions towards him back to the place from where they emerged. Why he is calling now? Of course to confirm if I have been affected by his words in a way he always wished or not.But Khushi Kumari Gupta is nothing if she breaks down so easily. She would not let him feel satisfied showing how she has been badly affected by him in any way. So tuning her voice to an extremely nonchalant pitch , she asked as if nothing has happened '..EVER'.
"Aap? Aapne yaha kyo phon kiya?(You? Why have you called here?)"
" Khu.."
"Aur ye app kar kya rahe the? Apko pata bhi hai ese blank calls karake ek ladaki ko chedana kitana bada gunah hai?(And what were you doing? Are you not aware that teasing a girl by making blank calls is a crime?)"
"Khushi..listen.."
"Aur apako kya laga aap kuch bhi karenge our bach jayenge? Ye mat bhuliye ki gunehgar chahe kitana bhi bada ho par kanoon ke haat hamesha lambe hote hai'(What did you think that you won't ever get caught by anyone? But do not forget'No matter how much affluent the criminal is but law always has its way to catch him. )"
"Khus.."
"Arnav Singh Raizada yese kam kabase karane lage??? Kal tak to hume lagata tha ki aapko logo pe chillane or 'what the' ka jaap karnese fursat hi nahi hai...Our aj aap ko blank calls karke hamara our apaka dono ka barbaad karane ke liye waqt kese mil gaya? Apane ye kyo kiya.. Batayiye.. Ab aap chup kyu hai?? Ab Arnav Singh Raizada ke pass koi jawab nahi? Ab bolati kyu band ho gayi apaki??? Jawab dijiye.."
"Letmme speak damn it!" He burst out finally as his patience left his side '
".."
When an ire silence spread over the line, he controlled his impatient nerve and tried to speak in a normal tone.
"Khushi,I want to meet you" He said uncertainly.
"Dekhiye hame na aapse milana hai our nahi koi baat karani hai.Dubara yaha phone mat kijiyega, samajhe aap?(See neither I want to meet you nor talk to you. Don't call here again. Understood?)" saying that she loudly banged the receiver and turned to kitchen muttering to herself
'Ye samjate kya hai apane aap ko? Ab our kyo milana chahate hai..shayad kal our kuch sunana baki rah gaya hoga. Shayad 'What the ' bolana bhul gaye honge ant mein...sadu kahike...!' she made faces at the wall imagining him standing there.
She already had decided last night while munching on some jalebis that she would forget whatever there had been between her and Arnavaji .It might have been named as 'LOVE' by her but he would never reciprocate those feelings in his life no matter how hard she tries, she was sure. So now it was better for both of them if they let go of their every fight, every bait, every fall, every catch, every Dhak Dhak ,every stare, every touch...Everything and live their lives as if they never met each other .
But has her stupid heart ever listened to her brain ? His one call and the every 'heart disaster management lecture' she had been giving to herself since last night had failed brutally. His husky voice only calling her name'Khushi' and her heart had guessed how regretful he was for yesterday. Her dumb heart which was crying because of his throbbing words until now had suddenly started pumping extra blood to her cheeks making them more reddish like tomatoes with joy knowing he has called her. But now enough is enough. This time she would not walk on the path shown by her useless heart. She ,like a good girl would listen to her brain only. It is proved that her brain was more sensible than her heart every time she had concerned both of them for any decision. But being such a foolish she had always listened to her heart and now because of that she has successfully landed herself into such a mess. Congratulations Khushi Kumari Gupta !!!!
'And what if he asks for forgiveness. Would not you forgive him ?' Her heart asked her knowing how easily she would forgive him soon even without him asking for it.
'I won't forgive him ever.' She replied fiercely knowing how her heart was trying to trap her into its clutches again.
'And as if The Arnav Singh Raizada would ever come and say SORRY to me' She said sarcastically throwing her arms in air.
As if on a cue the phone rang again. She rolled her eyes frantically.'What does he want? Do whatever you can but this time I would not give you any chance to hurt me again.' She warned to phone as if the poor object was her culprit. she inhaled sharply and went to receive the call.
"Do you have any hearing problems? Ohh. You know Yoginathji Baba in Laxmi Nagar mandir always describe in their prawchans that how hot headed people create problems in working efficiency of their own body. I think you need to attend those some times. But for time being, I repeat whatever I told you last time loudly. Now listen carefully, DO NOT EVER CALL HERE AGAIN."
"..."
"Now you understand?"
"Khushiji? What happened? Why shouldn't I call you again? Have I done anything wrong?" she heard a confused soft voice.
"Anjaliji?" she bit her tongue. " aap? woh..I thought there is someone else'anyways forget it. Why have you called? Is 'EVERYONE' all right there?" She asked stressing more on word 'Everyone'.
"Of course Khushiji. 'EVERYONE' is all right here. I have just called to ask something to your amma- bauji. Actully naniji is going to that old Pahadiwala Mandir. So she has asked if your amma-babuji and buaji would like to join her?"
"Ohh okay..you just hold on. I go and ask buaji and tell you." She went to buaji and came hurriedly within a minute to convey her reply.
"Anjaliji, all are very excited to join naniji." She said happily.
"Okay then Khushiji. Tell them to get ready. A car will come to pick them up within half an hour."
********************
Anjali cut the call happily after chitchatting to her for few more minutes and looked at Arnav satisfactorily,
"Lo Chote, Your work has been done. Now Khushiji will be all alone in the house for whole day."
Arnav smirked gleefully.
"Chote, be careful.Now don't do anything this time that will worsen the matter" She said in a warning tone.
Arnav looked at Anjali creasing his forehead and talked irritated "Stop it Di! You have already lectured me last night enough for lifetime. Now don't start it all again. I won't hurt her now"
Anjali smiled and ruffled his well placed gelled hairs mischievously in response. Arnav growled some more when after leaving , she peeped in through the door and said ,
" By the way chote, You don't need to hide your grin from me anymore. I have already caught you flashing your otherwise hidden teeth many times in the morning. And I must say , that grin suits to your love-struck-idiot-face perfectly"
"What The!!!!!!"
Though Arnav threw an annoyed glance at her, could not control the grin from reaching to his lips again after Anjali left the place.
Khushi was more than happy being alone at home. It was better than putting up a faced and keep smiling all the day in front of her family. Her delicate brain veins were exhausted now by thinking over and over on the same matter. The amount of thinking she has been doing from last night was much more than what she has done all in her lifetime. Now for time being she much needed distraction from all the things. And who could help her in that more than her trusted Kamlesh Khabariji ? So she found herself sitting on sofa with knees crossed after everyone left, boring her eyes into television set while her hand and now silent mouth engrossed in munching chana.
"Ghar mein baithi akeli aurato Sawdhan! Ho sakata hai aap apke ghar mein bhi surkshit na ho' apaki mout kabhihi apake ghar ki ghanti baja sakati hai (The ladies who are alone at home, be alert! It is possible that you are not safe even at your homes. Your death can ring your doorbell anytime) "Kamalesh Khabariji was trying to alert all his lady viewers alone at home ,in his dramatic voice and with over-dramatic gestures .
Just then a loud sound of doorbell ring spread across the room
And Khushi jumped out of her skin horrified.
'Who can be here at this time? He Devi Maiyya, esa kounsa paap kiya tha hamane jo ghanti bajanewali mout ko bhej diya apane hamare liye? (Hey devi maiyya, what was my sin for which you sent this doorbell ringing death to my way?)' she asked frighteningly looking at the ceiling.
'Don't be afraid Khushi. You are brave.You are true fan of Salman Khanji.you can fight with whoever at the door just like him.' she assured herself while searching here and there for something which could serve her as a weapon if time comes. Her eyes fell on the knife kept on dining table. She grabbed that knife immediately and went tiptoeing to the door.
" Who is there?...I ask who is at door?" She asked trying to keep her nervousness out of her voice. Her questions remained unanswered. She gulped hard ,joined her hands together holding the knife in them tightly, closed her eyes and prayed gathering all her strength 'Devi Maiyya rksha karana'
She hid the knife behind her back with left hand ,opened the door slowly and ducked her head out. An unknown young guy greeted her with an awkward smile. She felt a bit relaxed looking at him and opened the door wide.
" Ho sakata hai Koi salesmen ya fir koi anjan adami apaki maut banakar apake darwaje pe khada ho (May be some salesman or an unknown person can come to your door as your death)" Came a loud voice from background.
Her eyes spread wide in horror hearing the warning.
She looked back at television screen where Kamalesh Khabariji was standing pointing an index finger at her and again checked that man from head to toe terrifically. Ohh God, has he come to kill me? What shall I do now? Who will save me? Think Khushi think. You can't die so young..not before you make at least four babies'
"Don't you dare to move or else I can prove myself very harmful to you. I look so petite but have killed many before"
She determinedly brought the knife to front and hold it pointing at his nose. The boy gulped hard and fished his right hand inside his trouser pocket struggling to take something out.
" shayad uske paas koi bahot hi khatarnak shastr ho ..(He might be carrying some dangerous weapon with him)" echoed the voice in background
'Hey Devi Maiya, he must be taking out his gun'
"Look you can't kill me. My security guards are hiding outside over there. If you try to take even a single step ahead ,you would be dead." She threatened him trying to seem brave and mentally patted herself to come up with such a dangerous threat on time.
"Ji?" He asked shocked and looked here and there. On seeing no one, doubtfully looked at her. Then he slowly took up his handkerchief taken out from his pocket and dabbed out sweat droplets gathered on his forehead.
Khushi was taken by surprise by his gestures as she was more than sure that he was carrying a fully loaded gun. She already had a full plan ready on how to blow him down bravely by replaying few action scenes from movies 'Wanted' and 'Body Guard' in mind. But all in vain. How this foolish boy did not give her any chance to prove herself as a true fan of SK. She sighed.
" I'I .j.. just had come to deliver this bouquet to Ms. Khushi Kumari Gupta" He stammered looking at the knife still rested on his nose point.
Bouquet? She looked at that bouquet in his left hand surprised. How she had missed it earlier. She immediately brought the knife down and suspiciously examined the bouquet through narrowed eyes. It was a beautiful arrangement of flowers made from fresh red roses .This would be the best bouquet she had ever received till date, she decided flashing 1000 watts of smile at the boy who now was more than confident that the lady is totally crazy.
She excitedly forwarded her hand to take it 'But wait,she had never received any bouquet in her life before'then who can send it now? She scratched her head remembering if this was any special day so that someone has sent the bouquet to wish her? Of course not . It was neither her birthday nor even anniversary'.and as it is there was no one who would send flowers to her on such occasions'
So she asked the boy very unsure ,"Are you sure that this is sent to me? I mean to Khushi Kumari Gupta?"
"Yes mam, I was told that so"
"Who told you that?"
"I don't know. I got a call for this delivery. Please have it mam. I am getting late for other deliveries"
He thrust the bouquet in her hands and left hurriedly swearing that he would never ever cross this road again..not even by mistake. Poor fellow, little he knew that it was just matter of time when he would be left cursing himself for looking his own face very first in the morning.
Confused and unaware of a Tornado of its own kind was going to hit at her doorstep soon , Khushi just shrugged at retreating back of the boy and closed the door thinking over who could send her that bouquet. She searched to see if any card has been attached to that bouquet but there was nothing.
But soon she found beating her own brains out enormously boring than learning
'10 effective ways to knock out your killer at door'
from Kamlesh Khabariji.
