Chapter 37

Aakash’s Room, RK Mansion:

Aakash was checking his email and he saw that Payal had sent the pictures from their trip. His face lit up seeing their pictures together and he starts remembering their lovely moments when suddenly NK burges in his room.

Aakash (startled): NK bhai, what’s the matter?

NK (huffing and puffing): Aakash bhai, we gotta go to the Sangeet.

Aakash (makes face): I’m not going. I have said I will go for the wedding and that’s it. Besides Bhai isn’t going either.

NK (desperate): Please please please come to the sangeet… For me…

Aakash (surprised): Why are you so hell bent to go there?

NK (stammers): Errrmmm… The girl I like is going to be there and I need a wingman.

Aakash (twinkles): Oh, that’s why you were so desperate. Okay, fine. I will come to the Sangeet then. After all, if bros don’t help bros, then who will? (winks)

NK (smiles big): Thank you.

Aakash (wrinkles his brow): But what will I wear?

NK (twinkles): One sec.

He runs out of Aakash’s room to his room and then comes back running with a Black Sherwani.

He hands it to Aakash with a huge smile: Wear this.

Aakash’s Outfit:

Aakash (hides his smile): I see you came prepared. She must be really something.

NK (dreamy eyes, goofy smile): Yeahhh… She is. She is happiness.

Arnav was coming to Aakash’s room to talk about their upcoming project when he hears NK’s voice. He stops in his tracks: What the?

Unaware of another listener, NK and Aakash continue their conversation.

Aakash (probes further): But tell me naa, who is she? Do we know her?

NK (sighs dreamily): Yes Aakash bhai. She works in your office.

Aakash (beaming bigger): Really? Who is she?

NK (blushes): I will tell you at the wedding.

Aakash (beams): Okay. Give me 10 minutes and I will be ready.

NK (beams): I will go tell Naniji and Masi that we are going too.

Aakash nods happily.

Outside Aakash’s room, Arnav fumes in anger: What the hell? That means Khushi will be at the party and stupid NK is going after her. If she thought that she will flirt with NK under my nose, she has another thing coming. (smirks) Just wait and watch Khushi Kumari Gupta. You are going to have an unexpected surprise waiting for you at the party.

Then he turns back and goes to his room.

Meanwhile downstairs Naniji and Manorama were getting ready.

Naniji comes to Manorama’s room after getting ready: Are you ready Manorama?

Naniji’s Saree:

She sees her son sitting on the couch in his room but no Manorama in sight.

Mamaji’s Outfit:

Naniji asks: Manohar, where is Manorama?

Mamaji answers: Where do you think, mom? She is still in the washroom getting ready. I’m telling you, we will be late again because of her.

Suddenly, the bathroom door opens in a flourish and Manorama comes out: Hello hi bye bye. Be prepared to be dazzled because Manorama is here.

Mamiji’s Saree:

Mamaji (wincing at the extra gold glitter): Oh we are dazzled all right. In fact, I can hardly open my eyes.

Naniji (suppresses her smile): Manorama, kya humne aapko bataya nehin tha ki sangeet ka theme black and white hain? Aapko white ya black pehenna tha. Aapne Gold kyun pehna?

(Manorama, didn’t I tell you that the theme is white and black? You were supposed to wear either white or black. Why did you wear gold?)

Manorama pouts: Oo ka hain naa sasumaa. Humpe black and white bahut feeka lagat hain. To hum sochat rahee ki hum Gold pehen libe aur white jo hain oo ke liye hamri diamondwa ka set hain naa. (points at her diamond necklace beaming)

(The thing is mom-in-law, Black and white look very bland on me. So I thought I will wear Gold instead and for white, I am wearing my diamond set)

Naniji shrugs with a smile and says: Achcha chalo. Der ho rahee hain.

(Okay let’s go, we are getting late)

They come downstairs and were about to leave when they hear a shout behind them: Wait.

NK comes running followed by Aakash. NK answers: We are coming too Naniji.

NK’s Outfit:

Naniji beams bigger mentally thanking Khushi for arranging this. She remembered that Khushi said she will make sure Aakash comes with them at the Sangeet.

Naniji beams at them: Yeh to bahut achchi baat hain. Ab chaliye, warna der ho jayegi.

(That’s wonderful. Let’s go or we will be late)

They all turn to leave when they hear another booming voice: I’m coming too.

They turn to see ASR standing at the top of the stairs.

ASR’s Outfit:

NK gapes at ASR whereas Aakash smiles in surprise: Bhai, you are coming too?

ASR nods: We’ll take the Porsche. NK and Aakash will come with me. Mamaji, are you bringing Mamiji and Naniji?

Mamaji nods: Yes, we are taking the Mercedes SUV.

ASR nods: Okay.

Naniji can’t make up her mind whether she should thank Khushi for making this miracle happen or Devi Maiyya for putting Khushi in their life. She just wiped a tear of happiness and walks to the car with a still surprised Manorama and Mamaji to the car.

Mamaji’s SUV:

ASR was going to select his favourite white coloured Porsche, but decides to go with this instead.

ASR’s Ride:

And they drive to the sangeet.

Gupta House:

Garima, Buaji and Shashi were waiting downstairs waiting for Khushi and Payal.

Buaji exclaims: Arre Sanka Devi aur Sanka Devi ki bahen… Aur kitni der lagaogi. Ee tumri shaadi nehin hain.

(Oh Sanka Devi and Sanka Devi’s sister… How long will you take to get ready? This is not your wedding.)

Khushi peeks from upstairs: Of ho Buaji. Perfection takes time. Wait a few more minutes.

Khushi turns back and puts the finishing touches on Payal: There… Jiji, you are looking gorgeous.

Payal smiles at her and then gets up to go downstairs...

Khushi announces from upstairs: Attention everyone… The sexy, the beautiful, the gorgeous Payal Gupta is ready to grace you all with her presence.

Payal shakes her head at her antics with a smile and walk downstairs.

Payal’s Look:

Garima wipes a tear: Look at our little girl. She is looking beautiful.

Shashi hugs her close also teary eyed.

Buaji makes her hand gesture around Payal: Hai re Nandkishore Garima. Our little girl grew up when we weren’t looking.

Then she remembers the other little girl who still refuses to grow up: Arre oh Sanka Devi. Sangeet mein jaana hain ya nehin?

(Oh Sanka Devi, do you want to go to Sangeet or not?)

Khushi shouts from upstairs: Coming Buaji…

Then she comes stumbling while putting earrings in her one ear with her stilettos hanging in her hand.

Khushi’s Shoes:

She finally comes down and puts on her shoes and whirls: Ta Da…

Khushi's Look:

Shashi (Twinkles): Wow… Look at our butterfly. All grown up and so beautiful.

Garima puts her palm in her mouth and sobs.

Payal smiles in affection and Buaji wipes her tears and does the same gesture with her hands.

Khushi stops her: Off ho… Ab der nehin ho rahee hain kya? Chalo chalo.

(Oh ho… Aren’t we getting late now? Let’s move…)

They all come out.

Garima, Buaji and Shashi take Shashi’s car.

Shashi’s car:

Payal and Khushi hop into Khushi’s car.

Payal looks at Khushi worried: Khushi, tum drive to thik se kar logi naa…

(Khushi, will you be able to drive safely?)

Khushi was busy putting lip gloss on her lips in the rear view mirror pauses for a moment: Jiji, tum fikar mat karo. Aaj kuch gadbad nehin ho sakta. (beams big).

(Jiji, you don’t worry. Nothing can go wrong today)

Nandi (dismayed): Oh shit…

Devi Maiyya (even more worried): Ditto…

SPOILER: Sangeet & Fireworks. 

Chapter 36

           

Gupta House:

Payal slowly walks in the dark house. Everyone was already in their room as she had informed Garima that she will be home soon. She tiptoes into her room, drops her backpack and walks in Khushi’s room.

She sees Khushi sleeping half on, half off the bed.

She smiles at her sleeping pattern, walks to Khushi, pulls her dangling legs back in the bed, covers her with a blanket, turns off the light and leaves the room.

Next morning, Gupta House:

Payal comes downstairs to see Garima is making breakfast and Buaji is helping her.

She smiles and greets them.

Garima elbows Buaji seeing Payal. Buaji walks over to Payal and sits down by her side.

She gently asks Payal: Payaliya, kal raat ko ghar aane mein kitni der ho gayee bitiya?

(Payaliya, How late were you coming home last night?)

Payal blushes and answers: I’m sorry Buaji. I know I was late.

Buaji smiles and asks: Koi baat nehin bitiya. Achcha, tumra din kaisan tha?

(No problem, my dear. How was your day?)

Payal smiles dreamily: It was wonderful Buaji.

Buaji asks again: Aur who ladka kaisa tha jiske saath tum kal ghoomne gayee thi?

(How was the boy with whom you were out yesterday?)

Payal blushes: Who bahut acchhe hain Buaji.

(He is very nice, Buaji)

Buaji smiles back at her: Tum usko pasand to karti ho naa?

(Do you like him?)

Payal nods shyly.

Buaji smiles big thinking: To sanka devi thik keh rahee thi. Humko phir rishta aage badana chahiye.

(So Sanka Devi was right. We should go ahead with the proposal)

She turns and nods to Garima.

Garima smiles back and looks up to thank God silently.

Buaji sees Khushi coming down stairs yawning tripping over her sleepers.

Khushi’s slippers:

Buaji grabs her arm and drags her in the corner startling Khushi in mid-yawn.

Khushi (rubs her arm in irritation): Kya hua Buaji? Aap mujhe khinch kyun rahe ho subah subah?

(What is the matter Buaji? Why are you dragging me so early?)

Buaji replies: Sanka Devi, zindegi mein pehli baar tune kuch sahi kaam kiya hain.

(Sanka Devi, you have done something right for the first time in your life)

Khushi’s eyes widen: Achcha? Kya?

(Really? What?)

Buaji: Payaliya ko oo ladka pasand hain. Hum ab uski rishte ki baat chalayenge. Tum hamri baat karwao ladkewalo se.

(Payaliya likes the boy. Now we will talk about her marriage. You arrange for us to talk to the groom’s family.)

Khushi’s eyes sparkle with joy. She shouts: Woo hoo…

She grabs Buaji and starts dancing.

Buaji stops and shushes her: Abhi chillao nehin. Abhi kuch tair nehin hua hain. Ek baar rishta pakka ho jaye to jitna marzi naach lena.

(Don’t scream right now. Nothing is confirmed yet. Let everything get confirmed, then you can dance as much as you want)

Khushi stops and nods seriously: Aap bilkul fikar mat karo Buaji. Jab tak rishta pakka nehin ho jaata, main apna muh bilkul bandh rakhungi. Aap dekh lena.

(Don’t worry Buaji. Until the marriage is fixed, I will keep my mouth shut. You just watch me)

Buaji shakes her head and leaves.

Khushi does a happy jig in the living room then runs to kitchen like a whirlwind.

She chirps startling everybody: Good morning, Guptas.

Payal picks up the paper that a startled Shashi dropped and hands it to him: Good morning. What is the matter Khushi? You look very happy today?

Khushi sprints to Payal and smacks a kiss on her cheek, followed by one on Shashi’s bald patch making him chuckle, then she runs to Garima and Buaji to deliver a smack to each and replies: Today is a very good day. Because today we will first go shopping, then we will eat out and then we will go to Sinha uncle’s house to attend Sangeet.

Payal smiles at her : Okay.

Khushi beams.

Suddenly Khushi’s eyes widen. She runs upstairs and calls Naniji: Hello? Haan Naniji. We are going to Sinha uncle’s son’s Sangeet. You are all coming right?

Naniji: Yes, we are. But Aakash, Arnav and NK are not coming.

Khushi: What? Aakashji is not coming? No no. That’s not good. My family has agreed to the marriage proposal. They want to see him.

Naniji (very happy): Really? That’s wonderful. (worried) But how do we get him to the Sangeet?

Khushi (assures): Leave it to me.

Naniji smiles big: Okay. Let me tell Manorama the good news.

Khushi smiles big: Okay. Bye.

Naniji: Bye bitiya.

Khushi chews her nails for a bit. Then she dials NK’s no.: Hello NKji? Hi. How are you doing? Listen, I need you to do me a favour.

NK chirps: Sure Khushiji. Anything for you.

Khushi beams: How sweet of you. I need you to bring Aakashji to the Sangeet function with Naniji and Mamiji today.

NK smiles: Okay. (Then frowns) But how?

Khushi: Of ho. Make some excuses. But bring him there.

NK scratches his head: Okay.

Khushi: And NKji?

NK: Yes?

Khushi: Make Aakashji wear black today. Sangeet theme is black and white.

NK (confused): Okay. (Brightens up) But what colour will you be wearing Khushiji?

Khushi smiles big: White.

NK smiles back: I will them wear white too.

Khushi giggles: Okay.

Then Khushi hops down to the breakfast table to eat.

After breakfast, Khushi and Payal goes out for the day and when they come back, they had shopped for everyone.

Khushi hands Buaji her saree: Buaji, this is for you.

Buaji’s Saree:

Payal hands Garima hers: Mom, this is for you.

Garima’s saree:

Khushi hands Shashi his outfit: Dad, this is for you.

Shashi’s Outfit:

Buaji asks: Arre Payaliya, tumne apne liye kuch nehin kharida?

Payal smiles and was about to take out her outfit to show, when Khushi stops her: Hold on Jiji. 

Khushi turns to Buaji: Buaji, woh to shaam ko pata chalega ki humne apne liye kya kharida hain. (winks)

(Buaji, you will know in the evening what we have bought for ourselves.)

Nandi excited: OMDM OMDM OMDM… It’s finally happening. I wonder what Payal bought for herself. I bet she will look gorgeous. I bet Aakash won’t be able to stop himself when he sees Payal. I bet they will declare their love and get married and live happily ever after.

Devi Maiyya smirks: I bet there will be even more trouble there.

Nandi scowls: Now why would you go and say that?

Devi Maiyya sneers: I created humans. I know how their brain works and it never works the way it’s supposed to.

Nandi scratches his head in worry.

Chapter 35

Parking Lot, ASR Designs

Aakash stops his bike in the parking lot of ASR Designs where Payal had parked her scooty in the morning.

They both get down and Aakash asks Payal: Payal, are you sure you’ll be able to go home? I mean, I can drop you off.

Payal smiles: No thanks Aakash. I need my scooty tomorrow so I should ride it home. My crazy sister has some plans for me and she told me to keep tomorrow free for her. I’d rather not get into a car with her behind the driving wheel. So we will take my scooty for whatever crazy plan she has.

Aakash frowns and thinks to himself: Oh, Payal’s little sister drives?  For some reason, I thought she was a baby. I guess she must be close to legal age then.

Payal stops Aakash’s thoughts: Hello? Aakash? What are you thinking?

Aakash smiles at Payal and opens his mouth to ask question to clear his confusion when Payal’s phone rings.

Payal excuses herself and picks up the phone. It was Garima asking her when she is coming home. Payal assures her that she is on her way.

Payal turns to Aakash and tells him: Aakash, I have to go. Mom is worrying about me staying out so late.

Aakash smiles: Sure. Say hi to your family from me.

Payal smiles: Sure. (blushes) Just wanted to let you know that I had a wonderful time today. Thank you.

Aakash smiles: Actually, I should say thanks for coming with me. There aren’t many women in India who likes outdoors as much. I’m glad that you came with me.

Payal nods smilingly: I will see you on Monday.

Aakash nods back with a smile.

Payal takes her stuff and hops on her scooty. She starts her scooty when she remembers Aakash was going to ask her something.

She turns back and asks him: Aakash, what were you trying to say before Mom called?

Aakash shakes his head: It’s not that important.

Payal nods her head and drives away in her scooty thinking about the day and Aakash.

Aakash also hops in his bike and drives to his home thinking about the day and Payal.

Nandi screams clutching his horns in frustration: NOT IMPORTANT? NOT FREAKING IMPORTANT? Why why why? Why do you test my patience, people? What would it take, for you to talk to each other?

Devi Maiyya stops chewing popcorn for a moment to answer with a deadpan expression: Common sense… which humans, most of the times, forget to use. (starts munching popcorn again, ignoring Nandi’s very un-heavenlike phrases)…

Khushi’s house:

ASR stops the car and growls: Get out.

Khushi was mumbling under her breathe all the way, gets startled at the sudden growl: What?

ASR grits his teeth: Get out, right now.

Khushi growls back: Yes, yes. I’m going. I don’t have much desire to sit in this car with you either.

She hops down and slams the door of the car loudly.

ASR cringes at the torture on his beloved car and shouts: Careful with the door of my car.

Khushi shouts back: Big freaking deal. You have a crappy black car. NKji has a much better car than yours... A Red Lamb Curry.

ASR’s eyes widen. He shuts down the engine and gets down from the car.

Then he strides to Khushi and growls: That’s my car NK was using. And that’s a Lambor-freaking-ghini worth Rs. 8 Crore (About 1.5 Million dollars). Not a Lamb Curry.

Now Khushi’s eyes go saucer-like: Hawww… 8 crore ki gadi?

(Hawww… a car worth Rs. 8 crore?)

ASR smirks expecting proper respect for his car now.

Khushi, of course, wipes off his smirk with her next comment: Isse to ek chote mote desh ka pura saal ka kharcha chal jaaye.

(You can pay a whole year’s worth of expense of a small country with that much money.)

ASR grits his teeth and growls: Urghhh… Forget it. He turns to leave, but pauses and turns back: And stay away from NK.

Khushi had turned to leave as well but stops and turns back at the warning.

She growls back: Make me.

ASR strides back to her and grabs her: Don’t challenge me, Ms. Gupta. You won’t like the consequence.

Khushi also leans forward and growls: Don’t threaten me, Mr. Raizada. You won’t like the consequences either…

They stare at each other fuming while the air between them sizzles with pheromones flying like statics back and forth.

Suddenly they feel the invisible sparks in the air, realize the close proximity and moves back in a hurry.

ASR strides back in his car and Khushi runs inside without looking back.

Nandi was holding a brown paper back taking deep breathe into it.

Devi Maiyya was sipping her pepsi in deep thought.

Suddenly she exclaims (making Nandi startle, which also bursts his brown paper bag): I don’t understand where we went wrong.

Nandi looking at his brown paper bag in dismay: I don’t understand how it happened either.

Devi Maiyya (thinking Nandi is talking about her predicament): I mean I’m a perfectionist if I may say so myself, I created the perfect species with lovely brains. Then why do they screw things up so much?

Nandi (snorts): Excuse me? Perfect species? Of what? Screw ups? Human beings are the most botched up project you made.

Devi Maiyya (scowls): There are some design glitches. But I made them in the initial days after defeating my first demon. I was bored.

Nandi (snorts again): And boy, does it show…

Devi Maiyya (growls): What?

Nandi (innocent face): That you are such a talented project manager, even when you are bored.

Devi Maiyya (smiles big): You think so?

Nandi (smiles bigger): That’s the only thing I can think of right now.

Devi Maiyya (blushes without getting the insult): Thank you. I try my best.

She slurps her pepsi in serenity while Nandi wipes off imaginary sweat from his brow.

Chapter 34

The Dhaba, outside the city line

Aakash was having his dinner when he suddenly starts choking at the extra spiced chicken.

Payal looks up from her plate and runs to Aakash.

She grabs the glass of lassi and hands it to him and start patting and rubbing his back.

Aakash’s choking subsides, but his head gets foggy with the sweet vanilla smell coming from Payal.

He looks up to see Payal looking at him in concern.

Payal asks worriedly: Aakash, are you feeling okay?

Aakash decides to milk this for a little bit more: *Cough cough*…

Payal leans closer and rubs his back some more: Now?

Aakash smiles wide inside, but pretends to be sick.

Suddenly a most helpful (?) guy from the next table pulls away Payal and starts pounding Aakash’s back with his bear paw size fists.

Aakash’s eyes bulge out at the sudden assault.

But Dara Singh comes to his rescue. He stops the beefy guy and says: Sukriya paaji. Sirji yahan ki lassi piyenge to sab thik ho jayega. Aap wapas baitho ji.

(Thank you, Mister. Sirji will drink lassi from here and everything will be just fine. You please sit down again.)

Payal thanks the beefy guy too. Aakash just manages a wan smile at his direction mentally cursing his bad luck.

Dara asks Aakash: Aap thik ho sirji? (Are you okay, sirji?)

Aakash just wheezes out: Thank you, Dara.

Dara flashes his toothy smile and vanishes inside.

Payal sits on her side and asks worriedly: How are you feeling now Aakash?

Aakash smiles at her: I’m okay now. Let’s finish dinner.

Payal wrinkles her brow in worry but nods.

They finish their dinner and pay Dara Singh. Aakash leaves him a large tip and his huge toothy smile comes out: Sirji, apne lugai ko leke phir aaiyega…

(Sir, come again with your wife)…

Payal blushes and says: Hum log shaadi shuda nehin hain. (We are not married.)

Dara Singh’s toothy smile doesn’t dim: Arre toh kya hua madamji? Abhi shaadi nehin hui to ho jayegi. Is mein ki gal hain? Aap dono to made for each other ho ji.

(So what, madamji? You are not married now but you will get married eventually. It’s no big deal. You two are made for each other.)

Aakash smiles at Payal and shrugs his shoulder to indicate it does not bother him for Dara to think that they are a couple. Payal blushes and smiles back.

They leave the dhaba and get on their bike to go home and think about Dara’s words all the way to Delhi.

Devi Maiyya was swaying side by side and humming on her lotus. Suddenly she stops swaying: Hold on. I didn’t make Dara say all that. Who the heaven did that?

She looks around but Nandi was nowhere to be seen.

She shouts: Nandiiiiiiii… Nandiiii… Report to me right now.

Nandi comes running huffing and puffing: Yes, ma’m.

Devi Maiyya (sweetly sarcastic): Where were you Nandi?

Nandi (innocent face, big cow eyes blinking): Who me? Lunch break.

Devi Maiyya (narrowed eyes): Was that lunch break in a certain Midway Dhaba by any chance?

Nandi (mentally wincing): Ummm… Midway Dhaba? Where is that?

Devi Maiyya (smug): Nandi, you know that you never lie to your boss when you might get caught, right?

Nandi (sheepish): Yeah?

Devi Maiyya (smugger): And you know that you never lie to someone who happens to know everything like, umm… I don’t know… Me? As in God?

Nandi (wincing): Ummm… Yes…

Devi Maiyya (smuggest): But, I forgive you since you saved me the task of banging their heads together.

Nandi flashes his toothy smile.

Devi Maiyya (continues sternly): But… (index finger up deleting Nandi’s toothy smile)… Next time get my approval first because I’m the boss. Got it?

Nandi nods vigorously.

Devi Maiyya (all smiles again): Now get me a lassi from Midway dhaba. It looked quite delicious from up here.

Nandi runs to do her errand before her mood changes again.

ASR’s car, New Delhi:

Khushi mutters under her breathe: Why do you do this to me Devi Maiyya? Huh? Didn’t I offer you samosas the other day? Even when Buaji scolded me for offering them to you? Then why do you always drop Laad Governor on me? What did I do to deserve this?

ASR (irritated): Stop muttering. It’s irritating.

Khushi (sarcastic): Oh yeah? You know what else is irritating? Getting kidnapped. And sorry, I never promised to be an accommodating kidnap victim. So too freaking bad.

ASR (grits his teeth): Stop your melodrama. I am taking you home, not to some jungle to murder and bury you, no matter how tempting the idea is.

Khushi goes into technicolour imagination mode in graphic detail.

*Khushi’s Dream*

Khushi was running helplessly through a jungle wearing a pink salwar, no white salwar with extra long veil flying behind in typical Bollywood style.

ASR running behind him with huge sword and he maniacally screams: Khushi Kumari Gupta… Today is your last day on Earth. Prepare to eat your next jalebi with your Devi Maiyya…

Bells in temple start swinging maniacally.

Khushi stops for a moment and wrinkles her brow: Hold on. How can there be a temple in jungle?

ASR stops too and smirks: There is always a temple or mosque or church in horror movies in the middle of nowhere. Everyone knows it.

Khushi nods understandingly and starts running again: Nehinnnn… Bhagwan ke liye mujhe chod do…

(No, for God’s sake, let me go)

ASR runs behind her: Muhahaha… Kutte kaminey main tera khoon pee jaunga…

(Muhahaha… You ba**ard… I will drink your blood)

Khushi stops again and jumps gleefully: I know, I know… Dharamji right?

(Hint: Dharmendra – Legendary Bollywood actor known for his weird dance and melodramatic lines which is why… He is a legend in Bollywood.)

ASR nods in agreement. Then suddenly grabs Khushi.

Khushi squirms but ASR holds tight. He raises his sword with the moonlight glinting on the shiny blade and…

Khushi screams in reality: Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo…

ASR slams on his break: What the?

Khushi opens her eyes to see that she is in the car with ASR and he was looking at her incredulously.

ASR asks again: What? Why did you shout?

Khushi pats her stomach to make sure there is no holes dripping blood and then stammers: No no… I mean. I thought I saw a panda coming under your car.

ASR (even more incredulous): What? You screamed because you saw a panda?

Khushi nods vigorously.

ASR growls: We live in India. There is no freaking Panda in India.

Khushi tries a smile: Yeah… I knew that. That’s why I said I THOUGHT I saw a Panda.  

ASR grits his teeth and mutters to himself: This girl is nuts and she will drive me nuts.

And he starts driving again eager to get her to her home and away from his well-ordered logical life.

Khushi lets go off the breath she was holding.

Devi Maiyya laughs so hard that her lassi goes flying in the air and back in her glass.

Nandi makes faces: ASR is right. She is crazy. Off all animals, she thought of Panda?

Devi Maiyya giggles some more: You can also think, off all the people on Earth, ASR only thinks about her?

Nandi (scratches his head): It’s a big mystery.

Devi Maiyya (smug): Because my dear Nandi, they are made for each other as well. (winks).