Chapter 38

ASR arrives at the Sangeet venue with NK and Aakash, shortly followed by Nani, Mami and Mamaji.

The Venue:

As they go in, ASR notices NK is practically twisting his neck backward trying to locate Khushi.

ASR controls his irritation at NK’s obvious impatience and sneers at NK: Looking for someone NK?

NK (startled, starts stammering): Errrmmm… No?

Aakash seeing NK in distress, comes to his rescue: Ummm bhai, why don’t we go meet the new couple? We haven’t met them yet.

NK sighs in relief: Yeah, let’s do that.

Aakash smiles: I’ll go get a drink and then we can go meet them.

Aakash leaves for the drink counter.

NK looks at ASR: We can go meet the couple now.

ASR bites back: Not interested. Excuse me…

As he turned to leave, he feels a breeze blowing at the back of his neck which now he calls “Trouble alert” as this is the indication of a certain pesky girl being around.

He turns to see a distinguished looking older man, a woman who is obviously his wife and another heavyset elderly woman are standing in the doorway. That surprises him a little as his “Trouble alert” has never failed him before.

He shakes his head and turns to leave again when he sees something moving from behind the man. The man turns and smiles at that person who turns out to be Payal Gupta, his new financial consultant.

Payal smiles at them back and enter the party. Shortly followed by a tinkling laughter and his “Trouble”, looking like happiness, laughter and life all rolled into one.

She was giggling and whispering something in Payal’s ears which was making her smile.

NK doesn’t waste any time. The moment he spots Khushi, he bounds to her like an overeager puppy towards a shiny red ball which makes ASR’s mood from bad to worse.

NK (gushing): Khushiji… You are looking stunning, like a fairy, like a goddess, like a… like a…

ASR booms from behind: Like a moron… (Khushi & NK gasp) Not her, you. (Khushi and NK pout) So shut the hell up before you make more of a fool of yourself than you already are.

Khushi fumes and drags NK behind her like a tigress protecting her cub: You know what Mr. ASR, you are a bully. You never say good thing about anyone and you can’t tolerate anyone saying anything good about anyone else…

(Payal tries to pacify Khushi from behind)

ASR growls: I’m not a bully. I just call what I see… If you can’t take it, well then too bad.

Khushi growls back: Oh, I can take anything you care to throw at me. But I won’t let you bully anyone else, even if it’s your own cousin.

(NK’s eyes soften with gratitude, seeing that ASR’s temper explodes)

ASR smirks: It seems like NK got a woman to defend him now.

Khushi (gasps): Why you sexist beast…

ASR smirks back: Not sexist honey, I’m a sexy beast… So don’t mess with me.

Khushi (sniffs): Sexy, my foot.

ASR glances at her delicate feet strouded in crystal studded sandals and raises his brow: Well, they certainly are. But the rest of you are not too bad either.

Khushi flushes red in anger and was about to pounce when Payal grabs her waist and drags her away before there could be a homicide…

NK follows them leaving ASR fuming alone.

Khushi wiggles to get out of Payal’s hold: Let go jiji.

Payal holds tighter: No. First you calm down.

Khushi wiggles some more: Not until I murder him…

Payal whispers: Stop it. We are at Sinha uncle’s party. We shouldn’t do anything to ruin Rajesh bhaiya’s sangeet.

Khushi remembers the other purpose for which she came to this party and calms down: You are right. (Breathes in and out deeply) Ok, I’m calm. You can let go of me now.

Payal let’s go of Khushi as she flicks her bangs back and fixes her hair.

At the same time, Aakash returns with his drink when he notices Payal talking to Khushi and his mouth gapes open seeing Payal at the party, followed by a huge smile. This party just got way interesting. He will have to thank NK later for dragging him here.

Aakash calls ASR’s name, but ASR answers curtly: Don’t bother Aakash. I had enough of that girl. She is enough to drive a man to drink.

Then he stalks away to the cocktail counter.

Aakash gets confused but snaps his mouth close and follows where Payal dragged Khushi.

NK continues gushing: Khushiji, you were magnificent. Thanks for defending me.

Khushi smiles at him: No worries, NKji.

Payal gives NK a wan smile back when Aakash comes over and taps on Payal’s shoulder. Payal turns to see Aakash standing behind her smiling.

Her face lit up with joy and she exclaims: Aakash? What are you doing here?

Aakash smiles back: Mr. Sinha is a family friend. They are the first family we met when we first came to Delhi. And you?

Payal smiles back: Well, Sinha uncle was our neighbour in Lucknow. So when we moved to Delhi, we kept in touch. Rajesh bhaiyaa was kind of like a big brother to me growing up.

Khushi nudges NK seeing Aakash and Payal talking and smiling: See? I told you they were perfect for each other.

NK whispers back: You are right.

Khushi whispers: Now where is your family?

NK looks around and locates Naniji, mamaji and mamiji: There…

Khushi grabs NK’s hand: Let’s go then.

Then she drags him to Naniji: Naniji… (beams big)

Naniji sees Khushi and smiles big: Khushi bitiya… You are looking so beautiful…

Khushi beams: Thanks. (Then leans forward and whispers) Naniji look at Aakash and Jiji… Aren’t they perfect for each other?

Naniji’s eyes widen seeing the gorgeous couple in matching colours: Oh my, they look so good together.

Khushi sighs dreamily: Aren’t they?

Naniji turns to Khushi: Khushi bitiya, take us to meet your parents.

Khushi beams: I will get them. Wait right here.

Khushi skipped to her family and whispered: Mom, Dad, Buaji… Come with me. I’d like you to meet someone.

Buaji whispers: The groom’s family?

Khushi nods happily.

They follow Khushi to where Naniji, Mamiji and Mamaji were standing.

Khushi leaves them to talk and joins NK.

Aakash and Payal were busy talking when Khushi and NK arrive there.

Khushi teases Payal: Ummm… jiji. Shouldn’t we go meet Rajesh bhaiyya and Priya didi?

Payal blushes: Oh yeah. We should go meet them. Sorry, I lost track of time.

Aakash smiles at Payal: Me too…

Khushi and NK beams big.

They make their way to the bride and groom.

The Couple:

Rajesh Sinha teases Khushi: You took your sweet time getting here… Was there a handsome guy who grabbed your attention?

Khushi teases back: How can anyone grab my attention when you are looking so handsome bhaiyya? (winks at Priya Roy, soon to be Priya Sinha Roy)

Priya smiles and winks back.

ASR notices Aakash, Payal, NK and Khushi chatting and giggling with the bride and groom. NK and Khushi wearing same coloured matching outfit doesn’t escape his attention either.

He turns his back to the burtender and asks for a scotch on the rocks.

Suddenly, all the lights go off and a tinkling voice chimes: Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get the party started…

Nandi bounces on his gilded chair: Oh oh… this is good, this is good… (Thinks out loud) Hummm… I will ask my followers for their suggestion on the songs to be performed at Sangeet. May be even have a guessing game started? (He pulls out his haybook and types furiously)

Devi Maiyya slurps on pepsi and giggles to herself: Alcohol, music and intoxication of love with a healthy dose of good old-fashioned lust… This is gonna get very interesting…

Hindi Word Synopsis:

Bhaiyya: Brother or brother like relations

Didi/Jiji: Elder sister or similar relations

Sangeet: The party before the wedding where the guests sing and dance to entertain each other.