Chapter 25

Khushi then runs to Naniji and Mamiji: I have a proposal for you.

Naniji and mamiji’s eyes open wide: Huh? What proposal?

Khushi’s eyes brighten: Proposal for marriage.

Naniji thinks: Huh? I was just thinking of her and chotey and she has already agreed? Devi Maiyya, you are the best. Now we will just have to convince Chotey and the wedding is on. Hummm… should I wear southindian silk saree for the wedding or reception?

Mamiji thinks: Huh? Her and my Aakash? She will eat my bitwa in two bites. Never… Or is she talking about NK? Nope… she will gulp him down and won’t even burp after that. Absolutely not…

Khushi still excited at the brilliant idea, waiting for their reaction…

Nani (equally excited): What a brilliant idea.

Mamiji (scowling): Absolutely not…

Khushi and Nani look at Mamiji (in chorus): Why?

Mamiji scowls some more: Hello Hi Bye Bye. Have you looked at yourself? My Aakash bitwa needs someone calm and sweet, like himself. So don’t even think about latching onto him, you toofan mail (whirlwind)…

Naniji looks confused at this point thinking: Hey Devi Maiyaa, please tell me Khushi bitiya does not like Aakash bitwa… Please please please…

Khushi shocked: What? Aakashji and me? No no… (giggles) I don’t want to marry him.

Naniji (wide eyed, thinking): What a fast tracked service. Should have asked for Arnav bitwa and Khushi bitiya at the same time…

Mamiji however goes on a snit thinking Khushi does not find her son palatable: Why? What’s wrong with my Aakash bitwa? He is handsome, so sweet, earns good money… Why if I go to my society and announce his marriage, there will be queue of good looking girls lined up in front of our door. In fact, even last year’s Miss India asked him out. You can’t do better than him, samjhiyo? (understand?)

Naniji (exasperated): Manorama, why are you making your sells pitch when you have no intention of selling? If she did not want to marry Aakash before, you just might change her mind now…

Mamiji pouts: Why did she say then that my Aakash bitwa was not good enough for him?

Khushi (rolls her eyes): Off ho mamiji. When did I say that? He is too good to be true and yes, you were right. He deserves someone as calm and as sweet as him. Hence, the marriage proposal is for my sister, Payal and Aakashji.

Naniji (disappointed that she is not talking about her and Arnav, but happy that she has a proposal for Aakash): Your sister, bitiya? Do you have her picture?

Mamiji (huffs): Hummm… yes, show us the picture. Don’t think you can palm off your ugly duckling on my handsome swan prince Aakash bitwa.

Khushi whips out her cell phone and shows the picture of Payal.

Payal:

Naniji exclaims: Wow. She is so pretty...

Mamiji (thinks she is pretty, but gotta maintain huff): Humm… she is okay.

Nani then looks at Khushi worriedly: But what about your family? Did they agree to this alliance?

Khushi whips the phone back in her purse and gives them a smug smile: Don’t worry about them. I know how to make them say yes. You say yes, the rest I will handle.

Manorama opens her mouth, but before she can say anything, Naniji squeals: Yes, yes, yes. Done…

Manorama pouts: But what about Aakash bitwa? He has to meet her and say yes too.

Khushi (smug): He already likes her. She works in his office with him.

Naniji (giggles): Oh so that’s why he was so distracted these days…

Khushi (giggles): I guess so. So shall I consider this alliance confirmed from your side?

Mamiji cuts in: Hold it. We have to meet your family and then decide.

Khushi agrees: Okay. When do you want to meet my family?

Mamiji says: Today is Friday. We will come next Saturday.

Naniji cuts in: But Manorama, we have to attend Mr. Sinha’s son’s wedding on Saturday remember?

Khushi asks: Naniji, are you talking about Mr. Madan Sinha? The guy who has the embroidered handicraft business in Connought place?

Naniji nods: Yes, bitiya. He is my Manohar’s friend. His son is getting married next Saturday so we have to go there.

Khushi’s eyes lit up and she claps her hands: That’s awesome. Sinha uncle is also my dad’s friend and his son is getting married to Khanna uncle’s daughter who is jiji’s friend. We are invited in the wedding too. You can meet my family there.

Naniji claps her hands: Perfect. It seems as if this alliance is destined to happen.

Mamiji sulks: Yeah, seems like we just can’t get rid of this cyclone for the rest of our lives.

Devi Maiyya smirks up there: Oh darling, you have no idea how right you are…

Nandi claps his hands and giggles: Khushi has fixed Payal and Aakash’s marriage. Oh what a darling girl. I always knew she has the biggest heart in the whole universe.

Devi Maiyya snorts: Oh yeah, just like you knew she was going to snatch Aakash away from Payal a few minutes ago.

Nandi looks sheepish: Errrmmm… you know you give so little update, it’s hard to come to a conclusion.

Devi Maiyya smirks: To borrow some sweet gal’s very well said line, “Itne paise mein itnahich milenga…”

(With this little amount of money, you will get only this much information)…