CHAPTER 8

                                         

“Agar is duniya mein ek unromantic dumbvit is there then it is my Kushi”!!!

Arnav was remembering the words of his sister right now. Anjali had told that long ago when they were in college and Arnav was a kid. But right now he couldn’t agree more with his sister. For the past few weeks he has been trying to woo Kushi who was nowhere close to even realising his feelings.

Initially I began with slow hints. Some eye locks in between our usual friendly banters or when we spend the weekends together. When all are busy around us I give my full attention to her. I often play hide and seek with my eyes around her. She noticed it too. When someone cracks a joke, I look into her eyes and laugh. When someone asks me something, I answer looking at her. Even after noticing my intense eyes, she often brushed it off, I wonder why. She sometimes avoids it or responds with a smile and move forward. So I decided I had to take the next step.

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I tried appreciating her now and then. Every day when I see her, I appreciated her beauty.

Arnav: Hey Good morning doctor, you look awesome today.

Arnav: You are one of the most amazing women I have come across.

Arnav: You are beautiful Kushi

She turned behind every time I commented thinking that those praises were for someone else; actually she couldn’t believe it. I wonder what she couldn’t believe, that she is beautiful or I’m appreciating her!!! Later on it became as a joke or flattering for her, something which she again brushed off!!!!

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Next I tried openly flirting with her, which she never really understood. Taking it in mind that she is too innocent for these stuffs I began with light touching here and there – a peck on cheek, holding hands while spending weekends together, hugging at times in the name of wishing good morning or goodnight. People around us might have even noticed these changes, but not Kushi. She never realized what I was trying to put forth. Sometimes I wonder if she is playing with my feelings; that maybe even after realising my intentions, still she is not responding purposefully. But then her words and actions showed that she had no clue, nothing whatsoever.

How can a girl be soo clueless when a guy is pursuing her?

He remembered asking her out on a date. bechari ko yeh bhi pata nahi chala that I’m asking her out on a ‘date’.

Arnav: Ey Doctor, will you join me for dinner tonight?

Kushi: Tonight? No Arnav. I have back to back appointments today. I will be tired. Let’s meet up on weekend.

Arnav: Ok. Then Saturday 8pm at Love Cross Restaurant is fine?

Kushi: Yeah.

Arnav mentally did a jig realising that he is going to take her on a date. But Saturday when he waited for her with a bouquet of red roses at the door step of her apartment she was not at home. When he called on her number, she told that she is already reaching the restaurant. Cursing he sped up to the restaurant. But what awaited him there was another blow. His sister and Viren sat chatting with Kushi on the table he had reserved.

 The foolish girl thought it was a simple ‘catch –up’ between friends like always and not a ‘date’ with ‘only two of them’.

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So the next time I made sure to not inform her beforehand. I invited her at the last moment and told some lies about Di being busy. I thought finally I’m going to get a chance to reveal my feelings. I didn’t know what I was going to tell her or if I’m actually going to tell her but I wanted that day to be of some lead in our life. She came, we placed orders. There was music in the background, beautiful lawn in view. Everything was perfect until she opened her mouth.

Kushi(with a crooked smile): Am I guessing it right that you are trying to bribe me for not revealing to Anjali about Lavanya and your closeness?

Arnav felt his elated heart blowing off like a blown off balloon. Soon she was going on and on about romance, lover, Lavanya etc etc.

Arnav: I’m not in love with Lavanya, Kushi.

Kushi(smirking wide): Oh yeah yeah.

 I felt that it is not the right time to talk about ‘my’ feelings since she already ‘knew’ a lot about my feelings!!! So much for a ‘date’!!!!

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Kushi (moaning in pleasure): Mmmm Arnavvv!!! This is soooo good. I can’t believe you are so good in this.

Hey, don’t misunderstand reading this line. Such a statement to come from Kushi in the right context is going to take a loooong time. Right now the scene is like this!!!

The next weekend I invited her home. I’m a pro in kitchen. I made her favourite dishes and even baked her favourite double chocolate muffins. Kushi came and soon we sat down to eat. I was waiting for a proper chance to open up. But I never got an opportunity. Kushi was so busy eating and that was all she did throughout the dinner. Then she began talking about an emergency case that came in our hospital. And if you know Kushi, you will know that once she starts talking about her work, then nothing can stop her, not even a yawn from the opposite person. So again that day ended too with nothing productive.

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I was wrong! I thought for a man like me wooing Kushi would be like a cakewalk! Unfortunately I’m realizing its not going to be so. This girl talked about love, lover, and romantic dreams all the time. But the truth is she knew nothing about what real love is. If she did, she would understand when a man approaches her sincerely. She is a total unromantic woman though she herself claims to be the most romantic Virgo on earth.

Just then Di came to me with hot cutlets. For a change I took a break from wooing Kushi, and was spending my evening with my Di. I took the plate from her and started eating. She settled down beside me.

Arnav: Di, years back once you had told me that Kushi is the most unromantic dumbwit on earth. Why did you say so?

Anjali (laughing): Because she is. You see she has all these rosy dreams about love, the man she is going to marry, her wedding etc. But the girl actually doesn’t know the colour, smell or taste of real love. Back then in college, there were one or two guys who were mad over her. But she neither understood their feelings nor reciprocated. When I tried to connect her with one guy, she went berserk. If she ever comes face to face with real love, then mark my words she will run in the opposite direction.

Arnav: Why?

Anjali: My Kush is like that. I know she has high hopes about falling in love; but she is a coward in love. First of all she won’t realise when a man pursues her and if she do get some doubts, she herself will justify their actions and consider them as anything but love. By the time she gets a wind of it, the guy would have given up.

Arnav gulped. His sister could not have been more right.

Anjali: But all my Kush really needs is love, true love. And she should get it from a man who loves her truly; a man who will wait for her to catch up in love. Because my pagal doesn’t know what love is; she won’t know what hit her when a true love walks up her way.

You are right Di. She won’t know what hit her. It is time I make Kushi Singh Malik realise it.

And so on Di’s wedding anniversary it happened.

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On Di’s wedding anniversary, she came early. I was doing the final touches on Di’s anniversary cake when she walked in.

Kushi: Arnav, where is Anjali?

Arnav: Kushiii!!They are getting ready; guests can arrive any moment. Come here, light this cake.

Kushi: Me? ...Okay.

She kept her gift aside and got the match sticks and lighted the candles on the cake.

Kushi: Wow Arnav, it smells yummy. Anjali will love it.

He didn’t know if it is the correct moment, but he decided to let caution go to the winds and said what was in his mind.

Arnav: I Love You.

Kushi thought Arnav was fooling her like always. She turned her face sideways to face Arnav, smiling. He was looking at her with a smile.

Kushi(chuckling): What?

Arnav sighed; she has been ignoring for long the obvious hints he dropped every now and then. Either she is naive or simply ignoring his feelings. Whatever it is, he could not let it continue. He clarified her doubts in such a way that she won't doubt his intentions ever. He lightly brushed his lips with hers.

Arnav: I Love You Kushi.

And that did it. Ms. Kushi Singh Malik got the message clear, finally!!!!

NOTE: I know this is short and crap. I forced myself to write something to give you guys an update. Sorry. I will try to make it up with next update.

CHAPTER 7

                                            

One month later

Arnav is really confused these days. He feels very different. When he gets up every morning he feels an unexplainable excitement. He smiles without any reason these days. There is an extra jubilance in his steps. Nowadays he doesn’t care when girls fawn at him. It doesn’t interest him. It seems like his interests and preferences have changed.

All this was okay. But what confused him was the strange dhak dhak that he feels when he is around Kushi. Whenever she is around he feels something strange. Somehow he could no longer look at her as his sister’s best friend. Something has changed. He has started seeing her like a woman, simply a woman.

Suddenly he has started to notice the twinkle in her eyes when she smiles; how her hair fans her face while she is busy in her work; how soft and dainty her hands are. In fact he has started noticing more and he felt guilty about thinking of his friend in that way. He passed it off as an infatuation. He tried to focus on his work; even other women. But nothing reduced what he felt for Kushi. He was in for deep trouble.

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Kushi finished her rounds and was looking for Arnav. It was already 4pm but she had skipped lunch as she was busy with an emergency. What she needed now was a coffee and she is searching Arnav to know if he wants one too. They usually have coffee together. But on not finding Arnav she headed to the cafe opposite. She placed the order and turned only to find Arnav leaving hurriedly from the cafe with Lavanya on toe.

Kushi(calling out): Arnav...Arnav....

Arnav: Huh...uh Doctor.

Kushi: I was searching for you.

Arnav: Oh...actually I took a break earlier today. Also Lavanya needed a coffee. So she asked me to join her.

Kushi looked at Lavanya who was looking at Arnav with a half wondering and half questioning expression.

Arnav: ok doctor, my break is over. I have to get back to duty. Enjoy your coffee. Bye.

Kushi (shrugging): Ok. Bye

Arnav left with Lavanya and Kushi smirked behind his back.

Kushi: So finally Mr. Bachelor is dating, huh?! Should I tell ANjali? No, she won’t give him breathing space. Moreover Lavanya is Viren’s cousin. Hmm they are adults; let’s see if they are taking it forward or not.

“Maám, your order”.

Kushi: yea coming.

                                             ***********

Another Day

Arnav was having a busy day at work. He had to come early and was on toes the whole day. He hardly had any breakfast and had to skip lunch too. It was late evening when he got time to breathe. He took a break and went to grab a coffee. He stopped in front of Kushi’s cabin. He was having half mind if he should ask her to join or just leave. He thought it was high time he end this hide and seek game. In all this he was losing a good friend and he didn’t want to throw mud over their friendship. He decided to end this teenage lover game and knocked on her cabin. No one answered even after 2 knocks so he opened the door slowly calling out her name. Her cabin was empty. He sighed and left for the cafe. First a cappacuino then everything else!

But when he walked into the cafe he almost dashed into Dr. Jackson and Kushi. Dr. Jackson was a senior doctor of their hospital. Around 40 years old, divorced twice and have one son who stays with his mother. Current wife is 15 years younger to him. He is a well known flirt, but a harmless one at that. He is highly handsome with sharp manly features and not to mention a well toned body which is neither lean nor muscular even at this age.

Kushi: Arnav? Seems like you are busy these days.

Arnav: Huh...yeah. Had a...(eyeing the way Jackson had his arm over Kushi’s shoulders) sort of busy day today.

Kushi: Me too, skipped lunch again. Just now grabbed a cappacuino with Jonny!

Arnav raised an eyebrow seeing her addressing Jackson by his first name. She always had negative opinion about him; even called him a womaniser, now what happened?!

Kushi: Thanks for the coffee Jonny. Arnav is my friend, I will just keep him company for sometime.

Jonny: Okay sweetheart. See you later.

He kissed her cheek slightly to which Kushi smiled and Arnav boiled inside.

He left and Kushi and Arnav settled on to a table after placing his order.

Kushi: okay tell me what’s up?

Arnav: I think you have news to share!!!

Kushi quirked an eyebrow. Arnav mimicked the same expression sarcastically.

Kushi ( realizing): Oh Dr. Jackson!!! Oh I was too stressed out and just chilled out for a while.

Arnav(unbelievably) : Chilled out with him??

Kushi: Why are you air quoting my words? I was having my coffee when he joined me and I couldn’t resist.

Arnav(smiling irritatedly): I am air quoting because you seemed to be the same person who always badmouthed about this woman, about how much of a jerk he is, flirt, womaniser he is.

Kushi: Oh I just spend a few mintues over a coffee with him, nothing else. I have seen his latest wife, she is so beautiful for him to chose me over her.

Arnav( with a funny angry face): Why are you disappointed while saying that? You want to be chosen over her?

Kushi: What? Arnav what has got into you? Are you stressed with work?

Arnav looked down taking a deep breathe and said more to himself : Yes I’m stressed with ‘work’.

Kushi: I was having my coffee when he came and asked if he could join. I didn’t want to but then it would look rude if I resisted. So he sat with me and we chatted for sometime. ( Seeing Arnav’s pointed look) No he was not flirting with me. In fact we had more of a professional conversation.

Arnav: Then what was that kiss and ‘sweetheart’and ‘Jonny’.

Kushi ( waving her hands): Aah! That he was just being friendly and I was being polite. You know actually he is a nice man but his flirting nature and his marital record makes people talk ill. Only when we get to know a person close we realize what he or she is.

Arnav ( jealous): Seems like ‘Jhonny’has made quite an impression on you.

Kushi ( grinning): Truth be told, yup. He is just like the man I want in life. Looks so rough and manly, suave personality and deep voice. It’s so sad that all good stuff is already taken. Sigh!

Arnav felt 3 4 bullets being shot into his heart as he slowly dropped his head to drink his creamy cappacuino. Somehow the coffee didn’t taste good today. He thought it was due to the heaviness he felt in his heart hearing Kushi’s expectations about her dream man! But he realized it was not so when Kushi reminded him that he didn’t add sugar.

Sugar can make the coffee tasty but can it reduce the dhak dhak or the stone over my heart? No Kushi, no, you have absolutely no idea!!!!

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Few weeks later

Arnav knew what he was feeling for Kushi; he also knew it was wrong.

I shouldn’t be thinking of her with a romantic incline. She is elder to me, my sister’s best friend, and my best friend. If Di comes to know then she will kill me. Hmm Kushi’s reaction too won’t be quite different from my sister’s. Hell I’m sure she absolutely has no feelings for me.

But what should I do with my feelings? I tried running away from them, ignored them, and even tried to date other women. I tried concentrating on work to avoid such thoughts. I kept distance from Kushi. I hoped that maybe if I spend lesser time with her I will get out of this attraction. But nothing is working in my favour.

Is it just an infatuation? Maybe initially it was. She is a beautiful woman and I’m not blind. But that alone did not pull me to her. It was she as a person more than she as a woman that made me notices her. Also by then our relation status changed. She became a very close friend of mine, a very special friend. We had a comfortable situation, then when did it change?

Was it the Holi day? When I saw her childish self? Or was it when I saw her laugh heartily that night? Was it during our friendly banters?Was it that day when she cried before me? Was it that day when I met her again in Di’s kitchen, her mouth swollen with the cake I baked? Was it when I teased her endlessly? Or was it that day all those years ago when she walked into my bedroom to meet her friend’s little brother? This feeling was there, somewhere there deep within; but I never realized, or never wanted to realize.

But now what? How am I going to go ahead with this????

He saw Kushi playing in the sea. Anjali and Viren were also with her. It was weekend and they were chilling out at the beach. Arnav and Lavanya were getting a sunbath. Lavanya who was talking to him saw that Arnav was lost in thoughts. She shook him.

Lavanya: Arnav?

Arnav: Hmm?

Lavanya: Where are you lost?

Arnav looked at Kushi.

I have two options – either bury these feelings forever and act as if nothing changed or embrace this feeling and face the consequences. So what should I do? Should I let go of Kushi or pursue her?

He saw the smiling face of Kushi who was having fun splashing water at Anjali. Three seconds passed and Arnav has made his decision.

Arnav: Nothing Lav, was just taking a decision in mind.

He got up and moved towards Kushi. He joined the fun and started splashing water and playing with her. In between splashing water Kushi was about to fall into the water. Arnav pulled her into his arms to save her fall but didn’t let go. Instead he held her firmly against him with a cute smile intact on his face. Kushi turned to face him feeling his firm hold on her. He was smiling down at her; Kushi felt something strange by the way he was looking at her but then brushes it off when Anjali pulled her more into the sea. She continued having fun unknown to the fact that a decision has been made which is going to alter her life completely.

NOTE:

Arnav Singh Raizada has made his decision. But how is that going to affect his life? Wait and see.

Little busy so short update.  I’m sorry. 

CHAPTER – 6

  

It was holi. All Indians were in white dresses at the Indian club to celebrate holi. Viren, Anjali and Kushi were already members of the club and this year Arnav and Lavanya too joined. There was colours, water guns, colour tank, bhang, thandai....everything a Holi day consist of. Even in Canada they have created a small India inside the lawn of the club. Kushi was a bit late. She walked into the lawn after parking her car searching for Anjali. She saw Anjali and Viren at a corner, already under the influence of bhang. She walked towards them.

Kushi: Anji, already started eh?

Anjali (intoxicated, so behaving tipsy and childish): Kushiiiiii.....you are late.

Kushi: Yeah, good for me. If you were in your senses you would have again started with the bhang thing.

Anjali: And who says I won’t now? Yeh lo, pee le.

Anjali was forwarding a glass of bhang for Kushi which Kushi resisted. Viren though had bhang was a bit more in control and was trying to hold Anjali.

Viren: It’s ok Anju. Leave her if she doesn’t want to drink.

Anjali: Arrey aise kaise. Holi hai.

Viren: Yeah holi hai. So colour her.

Anjali (grinning): Even better.

She patted colour on to Kushi’s face who smiled. Of course it is a day of colours and Kushi loved to play with colours. Kushi applied some on Anjali and Viren too wishing them a Happy Holi.

Kushi: Happy Holi guys!!! Waise, where is Arnav?

Anjali (pointing to her left): Here he comes.

Arnav walks in with arms around Lavanya’s waist. Lavanya looks quite drunk and not in sense while Arnav is calm and focused but splashed with colours.

Arnav: Hi Doctor. Aren’t you a bit early?

Kushi(rolling her eyes): Happy Holi Arnav.

Arnav: Happy Holi Doctor. Where is your bhang? Haven’t started yet?

Anjali (complaining like a kid): Kushi never drinks bhang chotte. It is restricted in her family.

Lavanya: But now you are not with your family. So you can do the prohibited things chori chori chup ke chupke. (She winked at Kushi in nasha)

Anjali: Haan, I always tell her that.

Kushi: It’s not just because of family, I hate its taste.

Arnav: How do you know, have you drunk it before?

Kushi (perplexed): Huh, no...I mean I know I will hate its taste.

Anjali: But you try once naa.

Viren: Anjali, don;t force her if she doesn’t want.

Arnav: Yeah Di. If she doesn’t want why are you forcing. It’s each one’s choice.

Anjali: But what holi without a little bhang?

Arnav: Diii....stop; you overdo it. Wait doctor, I will get some thandaai for you. You have that na?

Kushi (smiling in relief seeing Arnav helped her): Yes Arnav.

Arnav went away to get thandaai for her, while Anjali pouted getting back in Viren’s arms. Lavanya went with some other guy who pulled her into a dance while Kushi waited for Arnav to come. Arnav came back with two glasses. When Kushi extended her hand to take one glass Arnav stopped her.

Arnav: No, that one is bhang. Take this right glass.

Kushi nodded and took the right glass. Arnav sat with his glass beside her. Kushi began drinking.

Kushi (moaning lightly): Mmmm....this thandaai is really tasty.

Arnav (smirking): I knew you will like it.

Kushi smiled in return and drank the whole glass in one go.

Arnav: Want more?

Kushi nodded. Arnav went and got two more glasses for her. Kushi drank them too sitting and chatting with them. Viren was busy getting snaps of the celebration; he was fond of photography. Anjali was acting funny and Kushi began giggling seeing her antics with Arnav. But soon her giggling changed to full throated laughter and hiccups in between. Anjali looked at her confused.

Anjali: Kushiiiii....what happended to youuu???

Kushi (giggling): What happened to me?

Anjali: Lagtha haiii...You had bhang!

Kushi (shocked): WHAT THE

Anjali looked at her chotte and seeing the smirk on his face she started laughing falling into Viren’s arms again. Viren too couldn’t resist seeing the expression on Kushi’s face. Arnav now walking a bit tipsy got up and hugged his sister.

Arnav: What holi without a little bhang?! Right Dii????

Anjali (laughing and giving him a hi-five): Right chotteeee!!!!!

All of them broke into laughter seeing that Arnav fooled Kushi into drinking bhang. Kushi saw red and walked away from there while they laughed behind her.

Kushi (now away from them and standing beside a stand with drinks): How dare he?! How dare he make me drink bhang?!

Saying that she took a glass from the table and drank; again and again.....

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Song – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WtRNGubWGA

[Most of the single shots of Ranbir and Deepika is perfect in this song sequence. The cinematographer has done an excellent job. So I’m mostly depending on the choreography and cinematography of this song; it matches so well with our situation. So imagine this song with Arnav and Kushi’s face, for all the single shots mainly].

Music

People yell Holi hai and throws colour in the air. The colour fumes settle down revealing a completely drunk and fully coloured Kushi playing with laughter and colours.

Itna mazaa kyun aa raha hai

Tune hawa mein bhaang milaya

Think of Kushi singing in complete pleasure and in a drunken stupor just like Deepika

Music

Anjali half surprised and half laughing in her drunken state, without hesitating comes toward Kushi, leaving an open mouthed Viren and Arnav; and sings and dances along with her.

Itna mazaa kyun aa raha hai
Tune hawa mein bhaang milaya

Kushi cups Anjali’s face and asks her had she mixed intoxication in the air

Dugna nasha kyun ho raha hai
Aankhon se meetha tune khilaya

Kushi and Anjali sing together while Viren smiles and keeps clicking his camera. Arnav is seen smirking at his sister and her friend and then he finishes throws the glass of bhang in his hand and throws it away.

Ho teri malmal ki kurti gulabi ho gayi
Manchali chaal kaisa nawaabi ho gayi

Arnav joins the fun and starts dancing.

Toh balam pichkari jo tune mujhe maari
Toh seedhi saadhi chhori sharaabi ho gayi
Haan jeans pehan ke jo tune mara thumka
Toh lattu padosan ki bhaabhi ho gayi

He reaches Kushi and Anjali and they start to dance together with thumkas and takatak moves.

Haan balam pichkari jo tune mujhe maari
Toh seedhi saadhi chhori sharaabi ho gayi
Haan jeans pehan ke jo tune mara thumka
Toh lattu padosan ki bhaabhi ho gayi

Long shots of the whole group dancing; (as in the song, shots are superb). Closer shots of these three dancing and enjoying; Viren shakes his head laughing seeing his crazy family.

Music

All people are lost in the fun of the moment. Viren was clicking away when Anjali attacked him with a water gun. He is trying hard to save his favourite Nikon from his drunken wife. Kushi and Arnav laugh seeing them. But suddenly Arnav feels splatter of colour liquid on him and turns to see Kushi with a wide grin on face and a water gun in hand. He snatches it out of her and the tables get turned.

Teri kalaayi hai haathon mein aayi hai..
Maine maroda toh lagti malaayi hai

He held her hand and twisted it behind her back and held her close flirting through the lyrics

Mehenga pade ga yeh chaska malaayi ka
Upwaas karne mein teri bhalaayi hai

Kushi got out of his hold and flirted back through the lyrics pushing him back and acting along

Music

Same shots as in the song

Ho bindiya teri maahtaabi ho gayi
Dil ke armaano mein behisaabi ho gayi

He takes the colour and puts a bindi on her forehead and sings rounding her and then turning her in his arms. He tries to hug her and she pushes him laughing.

Toh balam pichkaari jo tune mujhe maari
Toh seedhi saadhi chhori sharaabi ho gayi
Haan jeans pehan ke Jo tune maara thumka
Toh lattu padosan ki bhaabhi ho gayi..(2)

Same shots as in the song – shot angles and choreography same as in the song. Kushi walks ahead while Arnav follows her dancing behind her and then they dance together.

Music

All of them jump into the water. Arnav swims through it and reaches Anjali. He saw Kushi was not with Anjali and turned to locate her. He saw Kushi dancing with water.

Arnav: Oh my God! I was not wrong in calling her sexy!!!

Anjali laughed and punched his hand. Kushi is dancing with full passion and enjoying herself.

Hey kyun no vaccancy ki hothon pe gaali hai
Jabke tera dil ka kamra toh khali hai

(Kamra toh khali hai] Mujhko pata hai re kya chahta hai tu
Boli bajan teri neeyat kawaali hai

Arnav reaches near Kushi and sings and dances with her. He is almost flirting with her and Kushi plays along. She lures him towards her with fancy words and towards the last line she dumps him in the water and moves out of it.

Zulmi yeh hazir jawaabi ho gayi
Tu toh har taaley ki aaj chaabi ho gayi

He comes out of the water and they dance together under the hot sun.

Toh balam pichkari jo tune mujhe maari
Toh seedhi saadhi chhori sharaabi ho gayi
Haan jeans pehan ke jo tune mara thumka
Toh lattu padosan ki bhaabhi ho gayi

They face each other and hit their head with each other before running forward to the stands on their sides where colours are kept. They start spreading it in the air and finally onto themselves. When done they start dancing again with full energy, covered in the colours completely.

Balam pichkari jo tune mujhe maari
Toh seedhi saadhi chhori sharaabi ho gayi
Haan jeans pehan ke jo tune mara thumka
Toh lattu padosan ki bhaabhi ho gayi

He lifts Kushi in his arms and twirls around singing while others cheer around him. They laugh while he keeps twirling her.

Haan bole re zamana kharaabi ho gayi
Haan bole re zamana kharzabi ho gayi

All are rejoicing and having fun. We have long and close up shots of everyone enjoying the holi. Anjali seem to have lost energy and is walking towards Viren who has finished with his camera and waiting for her. Arnav and Kushi continue dancing with abandon till the end of the party. But at last they stop and look at each other like in the song Ranbir and Deepika does. This is one of the most memorable days of their life.

                                                   ************

Arnav and Kushi were now sitting on the grass; in Anjali’s garden. They were back home. Since Kushi and Arnav were very much under the influence of bhang, Viren brought them home too and made sure all had the remedy to relieve the hangover. He then took Anjali upstairs who was very tired and sleepy. So that left Arnav and Kushi who were now out of the hangover.

Kushi was indeed angry and embarrassed when she came to her senses. But then Viren showed her some photos he had taken that day during the celebrations. Kushi was amazed seeing her photos. She looked so happy and carefree, like there was no worry in her life, as if she was a free bird. She was adorned in so many colours thoroughly, as if her life was filled with different colours. There were some snaps where she was throttling Arnav’s neck or doing booty dance with Anjali or doing sexy thumpkas with Lavanya. She could see that she indeed had a good time. She felt happy; this is the first time she is having so much fun on holi. She was smiling lost in thoughts.

Arnav: Why do you pretend to be someone else always?

Kushi: What?

Arnav: You know what I mean. You never tasted bhang before but you wanted to have it. But you kept resisting pretending that you did not want it. Why so?

Kushi (taking a deep breath and eyeing the dark sky above them): I always wanted to have bhang, but like I said it was restricted in our family celebrations. When I came here, during holi initially I wanted to have bhang. But then...when I thought about my family... (Looking at him)...I felt like I’m cheating them. I mean...they let me come here, so far from home because they trusted me. I didn’t want to break their trust... (with an innocent look in her eyes)....I feel guilty now.

Arnav (smiling): Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault. You were tricked into it. Hereafter I won’t do it. So take that guilt off your mind and relax.

Kushi smiled hesitantly and both sat in silence for a few seconds.

Kushi (her eyes looking confused): Why is it that some things which we want to do so much seem wrong in our family’s eyes? Are we wrong in having such wishes or is it our family that is wrong because they can’t look out of the box?

Arnav (rubbing the back of his neck): It depends. First of all I don’t understand these notions of ‘right ‘and ‘wrong’. They are relative. See to answer your question, when you want to do something that your heart desires, its ‘right’ for you but maybe your family members might have a different choice and that will be their ‘right’; so who is actually right and wrong? I don’t think anyone can answer that. Everyone have their own ‘rights’ and ‘wrongs’ if you want to compartmentalize into these two terms.

Kushi (nodding thoughtfully): So you mean to say that there is no real ‘right’ and ‘wrong’; it is just differences of opinion.

Arnav: What I mean to say is yes, there are no ‘real’ right and wrong. It is all in our heart. When you heart is happy when you take some decisions, then that is ‘right ‘and when your heart feels heavy or guilty despite your decision being logical or proven right, then it is actually ‘wrong’. My point is one should simply listen to our heart. Our heart is the best guide for our life. Don’t do things that you regret and don’t let your heart regret that you didn’t do some things; just follow the silent murmurs of your heart and live life.

Kushi nodded.

Arnav: Is your heart regretting this day of your life?

Kushi: No

Arnav: Then think karna chod dho.

Kushi (grinning): Actually I always wanted to get drunk and see what happens.

Arnav: Really? What I know is Kushi Singh Raichand is allergic to drinks!

Kushi: mm...She is; Kushi Singh Raichand is diabetic to all good things in life. But ‘real Kushi’....loves mixed spices in life.

She winked at him.

Arnav (whistling): ohooo....so Kushi Singh Raichand is a mock tail but ‘the real Kushi’is a cocktail!!

Kushi laughed at that, while Arnav stared at her laughing face with strange expressions in his eyes. He could hear some strange sound from within...dhak..dhak...dhak..dhak...