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.....

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

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...

CHAPTER – 5

          

Months rolled on effortlessly. Kushi was stirring her hazelnut cappuccino absentmindedly. She was thinking over the past few months. There hadn’t been much change to her life – it was all about work, work and work.  At times some proposals came and as usual she didn’t know when it came and went; nothing worked out. Her family as usual is on toes when the matter comes to hers’.

There had been some rough scratches in her communication with family; they were worried for her; one more year and she would be 30! And this irritated her.

I’m just going to turn 30, there is one more year and it is 30 not 60! But according to Daadi, a human being’s life span is just about 60 years and I’m going to complete almost half of it, alone! And if all that wasn’t enough, I started spotting grey hair; a way of nature to remind you that you are not young anymore. Sigh, life sucks!!!!

Just then she saw Arnav coming towards her table with his caramel cappacuino and double chocolate muffins for them. Kushi reminisced that the only change that has come to her life in the last few months was – Arnav!

Not even in my wildest dream had I thought that I would befriend Arnav or even have an amicable conversation with him. But now his friendship is really precious to me.  Almost all my friends are either married or have kids and nowadays we lack a common topic. All they have to say is either problems of married life or complaints about husbands or the little big things their kids did! And I have nothing to contribute in those conversations; instead I feel like a loser when I look around my apartment after those calls. Over the years almost 90 percent of my friendships withered away, some because my friends got busy in their lives and some because I didn’t want those friends anymore whose life did not parallel with mine and gave me just depression after each talk. Those friendships only reminded me of what I don’t have. Anjali alone lasted all these years; more so because we are in the same place and also because to an extent we still have time for each other. But still it was not the same like old times. Both had different lives and different priorities at the end of the day.

So my friendship with Arnav is a refreshing change. We both are single and have time for friendship without priorities hindering it. Also because he is the only male friend I had in a long time. It helps in giving me a different perspective on things at times. Also his positive outlook on life inspires me when I get clogged down by my depression. He is irritating at times; but that helps me to feel alive when I fight back or counter him. I hadn’t done that in a long time. No one had challenged me enough that my wild spirited soul, hidden behind the tough Doctor exterior and single unmarried well behaved girl from respectable family image, came to life again!!!

Arnav settled opposite to her and placed the muffins before her. Kushi had a small mouth and couldn’t open it wide enough to bite the whole muffin. So she used to cut them into pieces. Arnav saw it the first time when he visited Costa Coffee with her. After that it is always her duty to cut them into small pieces for him too. He waited like a kid for her to do that for them while she obediently did so.

Arnav: Why were you smiling lost in thoughts?

Kushi: Huh, nothing. Here have it.

She extended the plate of muffin pieces to him which he promptly began eating forgetting his question. Kushi sipped her coffee and propped a piece of muffin into her mouth scrolling in her mobile. They were having a break and dropped into the Costa Coffee opposite their hospital. It was their favourite cafe. Suddenly Kushi screamed in excitement looking at the screen.

Kushi: Yayyyyy!!!!!

Arnav (mouth full): What happened?

Kushi( grinning in complete glee) : Hrithik Roshan is getting divorced!!!!!!

Arnav (raising an eyebrow and chewing): So what?

Kushi: Are you asking me so what?! That means he is single again; and kya pata what if I have a chance? Maybe my marriage got delayed so much because of this!

Arnav (rolling his eyes): Seriously?!

Kushi: You won’t understand, it’s a girly thing!!

Arnav: Really? Have some shame; after all you are a doctor.

Kushi: So what if I’m a doctor, I’m a human being first and a single unmarried one at that. So I have all rights to drool over a star if I want.

Arnav sighed disapprovingly.

Kushi (getting irritated): My life is so dry that if I get some coolness out of this why are you bothered?

Arnav: If you are really his fan, you shouldn’t be happy when he is facing a tragedy. He has recently undergone a surgery and might only be recovering; and to top it now the divorce. From whatever he has portrayed to the outer world he has loved his wife and is a great father. There are two kids involved too. His life is going through a rough phase and all you care is that he is single! You can be so silly at times!

Kushi did feel a bit embarrassed, but she would die before admitting it before Arnav.

Kushi: Enough of your lectures. Why should we fight over someone who actually doesn’t figure anywhere in our real life. Let’s get back to duty. Come.

Arnav smirked knowing Kushi was purposely acting nonchalant and followed suit putting on an innocent face before her.

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

“Bachnaaa...eeeey....Haseenooo...”

The song was put on loud volume and Kushi could hear it even from outside the door. She was standing before Arnav’s apartment. She had rung the doorbell twice by now but there was no response except for the loud music. She pushed the door and saw that it was unlocked. She walked in; she had expected to see a typically scattered and disordered bachelor apartment but instead she was surprised to see the apartment was decked well and decorated tastily too.  

Kushi: Helloooo Mr. Raizadaa....are you in there?!

Hearing no voice she walked through the apartment and finally reached the bedroom door which was wide open. She saw Arnav dancing to the song wearing just shots.  He was fully into the song and didn’t realize that he is having audience. Kushi couldn’t resist the smile that stretched on her face.

When Arnav turned towards the door, he saw Kushi. Kushi thought he would turn red 

for getting caught off guard but his reply got her off guard instead.

Arnav: Having a nice show here Doctor?

Kushi: No no I just came in.

Arnav( grinning): I saw you through the dressing table mirror.

Kushi : Aah....I rang the bell twice, there was so response....and I heard the music so knew you are here...and the door was open...so I walked in and saw you...

Arnav didn’t wait for her to complete instead went and grabbed her hand and pulled her too for the dance. Kushi resisted.

Kushi: Hey hey no Arnav. I don’t dance. I have a left foot in it.

Arnav: I don’t see any judges here Doctor....just let go and dance.  Come on.

He held her hand and tried moving her along with his steps. She initially tried resisting and felt uncomfortable. But seeing Arnav dancing so funnily and with such free abandon she couldn’t resist the urge to flow like that too. Slowly she too started dancing with abandon. She is indeed a poor dancer and the way she danced showed it, but Arnav did not mock her, instead he didn’t look at her and continued dancing.

After a while both of them got tired and Kushi slammed onto the floor leaning on his bed while Arnav switched off the music player and grabbed a t-shirt and sat beside her wearing it. Kushi was leaning towards the water bottle when Arnav resisted her motion.

Arnav: You are breathing hard. Let it subside and then have water.

Kushi was feeling thirsty and stretched her hand again.

Arnav: 5 minutes patience Kushiii!!

                                                     *********

Half an hour later they were sitting in the same position but deciding on which video game to play.

Arnav: Why are you here all of a sudden? You are visiting my apartment for the first time right.

Kushi: Yeah....actually I thought of calling you out or into my apartment but then thought maybe I will just come over and have the lunch off you.

Arnav: Miser doctor!

Kushi: Hey....don’t call me that. How many times I have bought coffee for you and even bought homemade food for you.

Arnav: Oh my, are you keeping a record for all those?

Kushi: Hmm, I have a record of everything in my life. I’m a systematic person.

Arnav: Whatever. Now tell me what’s the real reason for coming here? Di is behind 

this, ain’t she?

Kushi (trying to put on an innocent face): No...not at all.

Arnav: Has anyone told you, you suck at lying?!

Kushi (grinning sheepishly):  Yup, a couple of times.

Arnav: Ok so spit it out now. What does Di want? Are you asked to spy on me?

Kushi (grinning cautiously): Okay, I know I suck at this job and I did tell Anjali that I won’t be able to do this in the way she expects.

Arnav raised his eyebrow waiting for her to finish.

Kushi: Anji want to get you engaged. For that she wants to know if you already have a girlfriend or something.

Arnav (Shocked): What? Marriage? I’m just 23!

Kushi: Well apparently, not exactly marriage. She just want to poke her nose into your personal life and see if there is any girlfriend and if so, then are there chances for any serious commitment. She will definitely be happy if you have someone like that, just that she doesn’t have the patience to wait and hear it from you. She wants me to dig it out for her since nowadays we are good friends. So yeah...that’s it in short.

Arnav: Di is never going to change, is she?!

Kushi: As it seems...nope!

Arnav (nodding exaggeratedly): In that case, you can tell her to rest in peace. I’m a happy singleton and am considering being one for few years more.

Kushi: Ok good for you. As it is rascals like you can have the entire bash till 30s or even after that and then get settled with an unlucky pretty girl in early 20s. You guys have it all, a festive youth and grounded married life when you want it. But we girls can have neither mostly.

Arnav: Aaah! Ms. Cynicist is back.

Kushi: Call me whatever you want, but that’s the truth.

Arnav: Kushi, do you realize how much negative energy you have stored in your mind. That is the reason for your grey hairs actually.

Kushi (suddenly cautious): I don’t have grey hair.

Arnav: Yeah and I have mustache! ‘mon dude, people in foreign countries sometimes paint their hair white, then why do you worry about one or two thin strands of grey?!

Kushi: Arggh....I came here to discuss about your love life, not my greying hairs!

Arnav smirked.

Kushi: Forget it. It’s no use talking to you. I will tell your Di to emotionally blackmail you into answers as she usually does.

Arnav: Oh no please. Save me that and ask all that she wanted you to find out. I won’t tease anymore.

Kushi grinned victoriously knowing she stroked where it hurt. Arnav would do anything to avoid his Di’s emotional athyachaar.

Kushi: Ok, then tell me what kind of wife do you want?

Arnav: Well ....there is a lot to say; where do I start?

Kushi raised her eyebrow resting her shoulder on his.

Arnav: Hmmm....first of all I don’t want a girlfriend or wife but a partner in crime for everything.

Kushi: Partner in crime?

Arnav: Yes.

Kushi: And how is it different from girlfriend or wife?

Arnav: Gosh. You want explanations on everything doctor. Hmm okay. Girlfriends are meant to be hot babes who are to be pampered and cuddled and enjoyed in youth. Wives are meant to be beautiful from inside; who pampers us and they are the foundation of the institution of family. But what I want is a partner whom I can live with and share my life with as simple as that statement can be. I don’t want her to be fixed into such clichés of the society’s dialect.

Kushi: Hmm.... idea is soooo good to hear. But trust me, when you start your married life, all such ideologies will vanish and you will turn out to be like any other man. Wait, wait before you argue, most men say this before marriage. I have seen some of my friends too. But later I have seen and learnt from their wives that they didn’t even remember uttering those ideologies.

Arnav: Why do you always generalise Doctor?

Kushi: Because that is what happens mostly.

Arnav:  Maybe. But I don’t want to know what happens to others, I just need to know my case.

Kushi (cocking an eyebrow mockingly): You think you will follow this even after marriage?

Arnav: yes sure. See, most men say these ideologies to impress girls but they don’t mean it. While some want to do that, but circumstances and the differences in the characters between two people lead to certain situations where you either give up those ideologies or conveniently forget them to keep family functioning. And there are some, who actually want to follow them but get so pampered and comfortable with their wives that they look over it.

Kushi (laughing mockingly): Aaaaa.....so it is never the fault of man. It is either situations or the problem of wives. Waah waah ( clapping).

Arnav: Ok I quit. I will prove the truth of my words when I get married.

Kushi (laughing): And I will check with your wife every week how are you fairing in it?

Kushi laughed freely and a second later Arnav too joined in her laughter.

Kushi( sobering up): Okay. So what other expectations do you have of your future ‘life partner’? How she should look, about her character, with our without career etc?

Arnav: Well regarding looks, she should look hot and beautiful at the same time....but for my eyes.

Kushi: Mm I can understand that. I have seen girls and boys going gaga over the beauty of their dream life partner and finally when they get married, especially through love marriage, you wonder what they saw in this one. It’s all in the eyes of each person!

Arnav (nodding): True. It’s not necessary that you find a person beautiful just because I do. Hmm then regarding character, I’m giving a blank space there because I cannot dream and pattern a person’s character. If I do so then that is the first step to failure in a relationship. I will just have to get to know the person and see if I can adjust her vices and values and then accept or decline her.

Kushi(nodding approvingly): Mm...good thought.

Arnav: And regarding career, again I don’t have any preferences. She can work or not work depending on her wish.

Kushi (opening her mouth): So you don’t want a career oriented woman? I thought you would demand one actually.

Arnav: Well, career is each person’s personal choice. I won’t object if she wants to work nor will I force her to work if she doesn’t want to. She should have her space and will.

Kushi smiled slightly, she really liked Arnav’s answer; that was different.

Kushi: What if she is having more busy or promising professional life or earns more than you?

Arnav: About busy life, hmm it is a problem in today’s nuclear families. You don’t have time for each other. But if the husband is busy then wives do try to adjust; so I think men should also put in some effort and try to balance both personal and professional life. And regarding she having a fat salary than me, that’s good right. I know most people don’t approve of it. But I think it doesn’t matter who earns more, after all the money comes into the same family. If the husband earns more the wife never feels any grudge but sees it as investment to family. Then why should husband feel bad when wife earns more. Moreover in my case, it will be of more help if she earns more because I want at least half a dozen kids of my own and to provide for all of them, it’s not easy.

It did not click Kushi first but slowly her mouth gaped open.

Arnav: What? I’m serious. I love kids and want at least a dozen, half my own and half adopted; can’t strain her lot right.

The laughter that ensued after that did not end for a long while. Kushi had never laughed so much in her life. But the image of Arnav sitting between 6-12 toddlers and grinning in his achievement made Kushi topple over with laughter.

Oh God, please have mercy on that poor soul, she prayed.

Well......God had his own plans, LOL.

Precap: Bhaang Effect

NOTE:

Hi guys,

Welcome to New Year, 2016! I had a wonderful Christmas; hope you had a bash too. My belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. I completed one year of marriage on Christmas Day. Spend loads of time with my family and stored a lot of memories in mind. Truly happy and I wish the same happiness for all of you.

Me, your friend, is back. And so id Doli Udegi. Will be regular with the updates hereafter. Love you all. Do like and comment. Let me know if you are bored or if you found it interesting.