Chapter 42

Gupta House:

Payal groans as she slowly becomes conscious of her head pounding like African Bongo. She slowly opens her eyes to see a pair of huge Bambi eyes (in full close up) staring at her.

She screams: Eeekkk...

Khushi jumps high and flops on the floor, startled at her scream: What the? Why are you screaming?

Payal breathes fast clutching her chest: You kidding me? I woke up with a pounding head only to see your huge eyes staring at me. That will freak anybody out.

Then she suddenly scowls: Oh, now suddenly you like ASR, eh? So much so that you are even copying his "what the"... Whatever happened to DH? Demon from hell of last night?

Khushi beams: Jiji, ASR is going to be a part of our family. I can hardly hate him that much now. Now I at least hate him 5% less than yesterday.

Payal (sarcastic): Wow... wonderful. (She fumes while calling Khushi names)

Khushi as usual doesn't quite get the sarcasm and beams even bigger: Now that you are feeling better,  I should go. You see, I have to do shopping for your wedding.

Payal hastily stops her flight: Khushi...

Khushi turns: What?

At this point, Devi Maiyya points her remote control to the giant screen and presses "Subtitles" button.

Nandi asks: Why did you press subtitles? You know all languages.

Devi Maiyya replies: In my remote, "subtitles" are people's mental language aka innermost thoughts.

Nandi nods: Ah...

Payal pleads: I don't want to marry. (Thoughts: In fact, I never want to marry if ASR is my only choice) Please break this alliance somehow...

Khushi scowls: Are you crazy? (Thoughts: She must be. Aakashji is perfect for her. Everyone knows it) Where would you get a guy like that again?

Payal (Thoughts: In HELL) pleads some more: He might be a very nice guy (Thoughts: I don't think so. But who cares?) But he is not for me. He can marry some other lucky girl, even you... (Thoughts: Come to think of it, ASR should marry Khushi)

Khushi (Thoughts: Aakashji and I? He is like a brother I never had. I even planned my future Rakhi* demands already. Finally I found someone to fleece on Rakhi who can afford my demands and to give up that oppurtunity? Yikes!!!): Absolutely not. That will never do. He is totally made for you. Besides everything is fixed now. You can't back out. 

(Totally melodrama mode) Jiji, think about Mom, dad and Buaji. They promised the Raizadas that they will get you. Jijaji (Brother-in-law) is already dreaming about having you as his wife. Now if he doesn't get you, his heart will be broken in pieces.

Payal (Thoughts: He has a heart? I thought ASR was heartless...)

Khushi (still continuing melodrama): He might even become homeless person living on the street.

Payal (Thoughts: ASR and homeless? Nah, he loves his money too much)

Khushi (continues): He will forever hate women and might even become a serial killer (makes ferocious face, or so she thinks)

Payal (Thoughts with snort: Serial Killer? Now that I can believe)

Khushi ends her drama with a crescendo: Jiji, the fate of his innocent victims depends on you. (grabs Payal's shoulder and peers at her face)

Payal sighs: Khushi, can you please leave me alone now? I need to think.

Khushi (Thinking her drama must be successful): Ok. I will leave you alone now.

Khushi slowly closes Payal's door and then does a quick dancing jig before dashing away to call her friends.

Nandi screams holding his horns: Why why why? Why can't you call his name? The confusion is dangling like carrot on a stick in front of your freaking nose and no one grabs it. It's so frustrating...

Devi Maiyya smirks: Didn't you hear? There is nothing simpler than life and nothing more complex than a human brain... Enjoy the ride... (winks)

Rakhi* - An Indian Festival celebrating the bond between a brother and sister (or someone like a brother and/or sister) where the sister wishes for the brother's long life and ties a thread on the wrist of the brother and the brother gets to fulfil her wish (mainly wish for gifts).