Hello all...
Here comes the next OS in the series...Coming a day early, as per popular demand...
To those who wanted to see the transformation...Enjoy! And, as always, do leave your comments...
Scroll down for the English version
17. Metamorphosis
Khushi knew that he always watched her with a mixture of pride and delight. Arnav had fallen head-over-heels in love with the Khushi Kumari Gupta of Lucknow/ Lakshmi Nagar and wouldn't want to change a single hair on her head. But after having attended quite a few functions in the capacity of wife of Arnav Singh Raizada, the Chairman and Managing Director of the AR Group, Khushi wanted a few changes.
Not that she wanted to become one of those lifeless trophy wives who hung on the arms of their husbands delicately and discussed nothing apart from the next charity event. It was just that Khushi had been watching Anjali for quite a while and realised that she could retain her 'desi' flavour and still be a good hostess.
Honestly, Khushi was tired of not being able to read the menus at the functions, not knowing how to walk, sit or eat properly. And knowing that her dear husband would just think that she was feeling inferior and move heaven and earth trying to reassure her if she mentioned it to him, she decided to go to the person who had, for years, been the hostess for the Raizadas - her Di.
One weekday, after seeing Arnav and Akash off, Khushi decided to corner Anjali. Making sure that no one else was around, Khushi walked up to Anjali's room and knocked.
"Di, aap kisi kaam mein vyast ho?"
Opening the door, Anjali smiled, "Nahin, Khushiji. Aayiye nah." Noticing the thoughtful look on her sister-in-law's face, she asked, "Kya baat hain, Khushiji? Aap itna pareshaan kyun hain?"
"Hum pareshaan nahi hain, Di. Bus humein aapki madad chaahiye tha." She had just started explaining when Payal walked in, wanting to see where Khushi had disappeared to in such a hurry.
Seeing Payal, Khushi called out, "Jiji, achcha hua tum bhi aa gayi. Baitho nah, aur humari baat suno."
After listeining to her requirement, Anjali smiled. She had seen this coming and she understood that it was not the difference in class or background that bothered her Khushiji. It was just that she wanted to be the best at what she did, for her husband. Once Payal had also expressed her desire to learn along with Khushi, Anjali said to her sisters-in-law, "Aap dono bikul fikar mat keejiye. Hum bhi yeh sab dhode jaante the, shuroo mein. Humein toh humari Mamma ne sikhaayi thi, aur jo unhe bhi pata nahin tha, woh hum finishing school mein seekhi."
"Finishing school? Woh kya hain?", Payal asked, confused.
"Payalji, darasal aisi etiquettes sabko dhodi pata hoti hain. Toh finishing school aise institutes hote hain jahaan yeh sab ladkiyon ko sikhaayi jaati hain."
"Di, humein iss school mein jaana padega?" Khushi asked, not very comfortable about sitting in a class with a bunch of teenagers.
"Arre, nahin, Khushiji. Hum aapko sikhaayenge. Aur ek trainer ko bhi bula lenge, taaki hum kuch bhi miss na karein. Theek hain?"
"Dhanyavaad, Di. Aur, ek aur baath. Hum nahi chaahte ki Arnavji ko iske baare mein ab pata chalein. Hum unhe surprise denge, agli dinner mein."
"Hum bhi." Payal piped up. "Humara matlab hain, hum Akash ko surprise denge."
Looking at her blushing sisters-in-law, Anjali thought that her brothers were lucky indeed to have found two such level-headed girls. Instead of sitting around feeling ignorant or inferior, they were taking the bull by its horns and making sure that they catch up to the demands of their roles as the wives of two successful businessmen.
The next couple of weeks passing in a blur of activity, which went on behind the backs of the men of the house, Khushi and Payal slowly transformed from shy young girls to polished corporate wives who could hold their own in any high-society function. But deciding to keep this side exclusively for situations that demanded it, they continued with their daily routine. It was Anjali who was waiting with bated breath for their grand unveiling. And sure enough, an opportunity presented itself within a month.
Walking in late one evening, Arnav and Akash announced to the family that they were thinking of hosting a New Year's dinner for the senior executives of AR, although a bit delayed. When they started discussing the names of restaurants that they thought would fit the function, Anjali interrupted. "Kyun, Chotte? When we have such a large house, aur woh bhi aisi large parties ke liye bana hua hain, toh dinner baahar restaurant mein kyun? Yahan rakhenge, party."
Arnav promptly replied, "No, Di. I don't want you to tire yourself out with the preparations. We'll have it outside."
Nani, who had been a party to the secret etiquette training, jumped in, "Kyun, Chotte. Ab Anjali bitiya akeli thodi hain. Khushi bitiya aur Payal bitiya hain nah, unke madad karne ke liye. Woh sab sambhaal lenge."
Though slightly apprehensive as to how their wives would tackle it, the Raizada men quietly agreed, not wanting to hurt their sentiments. Privately deciding to have a close eye on the preparations, they gave their go ahead.
***********************
The preparations went ahead in full speed, taking the Raizada men by surprise. Assuming that it was all their sister's doing, they sat content, knowing how experienced she was in organising such functions. As long as they saw that she wasn't tired out, they were fine with whatever she had planned.
The D-day finally arrived, the women waiting with bated breath, the men completely clueless. Seeing how jumpy Khushi was, Arnav stopped her as she was rushing about, gathering things before starting to get dressed. Holding her at arms's length, he asked, "What's wrong? Itna nervous kyun ho?"
Looking everywhere except at her husband, she replied, "Nahin toh! Hum bilkul theek hain. Bahut saara kaam pada hain naah, iss liye thodi jaldi mein hain, bus."
Gently turning her chin so that he could see her eyes, he persisted, "Khushi, we have a lot of helpers to do everything. Jo kuch bhi tum karti ho, apni khushi ke liye hain, koi majboori nahin hain, right? If you end up stressed like this, I'll give a standing order that you be not allowed to move a finger!"
"Haun! Aap humein dhamki de rahe ho? Humara ghar hain, hum jo chahe kar sakte hain! Samjhe aap?", Khushi pushed his hands away.
Smiling at his firebrand wife, Arnav chuckled, "Ah, there she is! Khushi, jab tum chup ho jaati ho naah, I feel as if I'm in the presence of some strange lady, and not my very own pagal biwi. Ab bolo, kya pak raha hain tumhare mad dimaag mein?"
Sighing as she realised that as always, her Arnavji could see right through her, Khushi replied, "Hum aapke liye kuch kar rahe hain. Surprise hain, iss liye humse sawaal mat keejiyega. Aap toh jaante ho naah, agar aap poochna shuroo kiya toh aapse kuch bhi chupana humse nahin hota!"
His smilie softening at her exasperated expression, Arnav said, "I know. Tum mujhse kuch bhi chupa nahin sakti. So I won't ask. But Khushi, no one will end up being hospitalised, right?"
Seeing his smirk, she slapped him acroos his chest, "Arnavji! Aap bhi naah! Aap..."
Whatever Khushi wanted to say was lost under her husband's sudden decision to exert his husbandly rights over his delectable wife.
***********************
The evening arrived finally, and Arnav and Akash had gotten dressed and gone down early, so that they could finish up some urgent work-related discussions before the guests started arriving.
Looking up in between, Akash drew in a sharp breath at the vision in silver that was his wife, standing framed by the doorway. The soft silver satin drapping elegantly over his soft, angelic looking wife made his heart race. Involuntarily getting up and moving over to her, he noticed that there was something different in her, but couldn't place it.
Sitting back, Arnav watched his besotted brother drinking in Payal, even as he looked at her appreciatively. Automatically looking beyond her, trying to spot his wife, he was disappointed. Blushing under her husband's hungry look, Payal shifted her gaze, only to see her Jethji searching eagerly for his wife and his face fall on not seeing her. Waiting until her caught her eyes, she smiled softly and nodded back to the living area.
Jumping up, Arnav smiled his thanks at his sister-in-law and walked swiftly past the couple, slapping Akash on his back on the way out, his smirk making Payal blush even more. Striding into the great room, he looked around, and not spotting Khushi anywhere, turned to the stairs, only to come to a stop at the sight that greeted him. Coming down the stairs resplendent in a shimmering navy blue sari was his Khushi, her hair left open to lie half over her shoulder and the rest cascading in gentle waves down her back. The diamond and saffire bracelet he had gifted her on their wedding night lay sparkling against her wrist while the matching earrings that Di had given her dangled just above her jawbone.
Drinking in her graceful form, Arnav noticed with absolute satisfaction that she had opted to leave her neck bare save her mangalsutra, the simple black beaded chain branding her as his, and his alone. Arnav stood watching her descend, waiting for the moment when she would sense his gaze and look up, while the fact that there was something different in the way she held herself registered in his subconscious mind, but didnot become apparent to him just then.
Sure enough, his wife looked up just then, and catching his intense gaze, reddened to the tip of her ears. Flustered under the feminine pleasure that enveloped her as her man stared at her, Khushi paused, her trademark fidgeting with her hands conveying her shyness to Arnav. His face softening to a delighted smile, Arnav strode up the remaining steps and taking her hand in his, dropped a soft kiss on her palm before placing it in the crook of his arm and escorting her down, his pride in his wife evident in his very walk.
Watching from the living room, Anjali smiled, almost jumping up and down in her excitement. She could tell from Khushi's walk that her training had kicked in and also that her Chotte was still clueless about the changes in his wife. Akash too walked out with Payal from the corridor just as Hari Prakash annouced their first guests.
***********************
The evening was a grand success, even by Raizada standards. The corporate wives, who were being attended to by the two Raizada bahus were pleasantly surprised by the polish and grace with which they conducted themselves and some even murmured amongst themselves that maybe their husbands had got the story wrong - these beautiful girls acted nothing like ignorant village-belles.
As for Arnav and Akash, they were left stunned time after time, what with Khushi choosing the wine and Payal discussing about the mexican appetizers, and the manner in which they played hostesses. Catching the delighted grins on his sister's and grandmother's faces, Arnav realised that this was Khushi's surprise and that his family had been party to the planning all along.
After dinner, the men had gathered around the courtyard off the living room, while the women had settled down in the surrounding verandahs, when Anjali spotted her brothers standing a little away, their eyes focussed on the french windows that opened into the corridor. Walking upto them, she peeked over their shoulders, only to end up chuckling as she saw what they were both staring at. Khushi and Payal were busily giving instructions to the caterers who were about to bring the light post-dinner refreshments out.
"Ahem!" she cleared her throat, giggling as her brothers jerked around, both having been oblivious to her presence. "Lagbhag dedh saal ho raha hain donon ke shaadi hokar aur ab bhi itna romance! Arre waah!"
Akash blushed predicatably and excused himself, while her Chotte stood his ground, looking at her intently. "Aap jaanti thi naah? About Khushi's plan? Kitne dinon se chal raha hain yeh sab?"
Smiling fondly at her sister-in-law, Anjali replied, "Tumhe pata hain, Chotte, tum bahut khushnasseb ho, ki tumhe aisi ladki mili, apni jeevansaathi ke roop mein. Jo tumhare liye khud ko bhi badalne ke liye taiyyar ho, woh bhi tumhare peeth-piche!"
Seeing his confused look, she explained the whole story to him, leaving him stunned and touched, but above all, pained. Worried by his troubled face, Anjali asked, "Kya baat hain, Chotte? Tum aise kyun khade ho? Tumhein kuch pasand nahin aaya?"
Not able to tear his gaze away fom his wife, Arnav whispered, "Its not that, Di. Main bus... I'll talk to you later. Mujhe abhi Khushi se baat karni hain."
Leaving a puzzled Anjali behind, Arnav walked off, wanting to talk to his wife more than anything right then.
***********************
Khushi had just sent the serving staff along with her Jiji to get the drinks when her Arnavji strode in, his face wreathed in a frown. Her heart sank, fearing that she had messed something up in her very first try at being a hostess, but was startled as he grabbed her hand and strode off to his study.
Pulling her inside, Arnav gathered her close, cupping her face in his hands tenderly, his expression a mixture of regret and apology. "Khushi, did I do anything to hurt you? Kya maine anjaane mein aisa kuch bol diya ki tum yeh sab karne ke liye taiyyaar ho gayi?"
Not comprehending at all, she gaped at him, only to be reduced to stunned silence at his next words, "I'm really sorry if I have ever made you feel as if you need to change. Khushi, tum meri zindagi ho! Tumhein badalne ki koi zaroorat nahin hain. There's nothing in the world that would make me want to change anything about you, I want you to know that!"
Understanding his anguish, she smiled tremulously, feeling utterly loved and fiercely protective of this disarmed man in front of her. Leaning against him, she silenced him with a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth, before looking up at him through damp eyelashes.
"Arnavji, pehle aap yeh bataayiye ki aajki party arrangements kaisa raha? Aapko pasand aaya? AR ke maalik se diya hua party bulaane laayak tha?"
"Khushi, it doesnot matter..."
"Sshhh...Arnavji, humare sawaal ka jawab deejiye!"
"The arrangements are perfect, Khushi...but that's not the point. Tumhein yeh sab karne ki koi..."
"Zaroorat hain, Arnavji!" Khushi interrupted, "Hum jaante hain ki aapko nahin hain, par humein hain. Aap humare liye, humare parivaar ke liye kitna kuch kiya hain, apne aap ko kitna badala hain, yeh hum jaante hain hain. Aur hum yeh bhi jaante hain ki aapne yeh sab koi majboori se nahin, balki khushi se kiye hain. Toh hum bhi aise kyun nahin kar sakte?"
Reaching up to stroke his cheek, she continued, not breaking eye-contact, "Hum Arnav Singh Raizada ki patni hain! Toh hum aapke Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada hone ke saath saath, Mrs. ASR bhi hain. Toh humein yeh jaanna zaroori hain ki Mrs. ASR kaise hona chaahiye. Samajh rahe hain naah, aap?"
Looking down at her earnest face, Arnav felt his chest constrict. His wife was truly the biggest treasure life had given him. Gathering her to him again, he murmured, "You make an impressive Mrs. ASR, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada! Par wada karo ki mere liye tum hamesha meri woh purani half-mad Khushi Kumari Gupta hi rahogi..."
Smiling against his chest, she gently rubbed her hand over his heart, "Hamesha..."
***********************
Later, much later, as he proudly watched his wife gain repute as one of the most admired ladies of the Delhi social circle, loved by all for her wit, grace, intelligence and total lack of pretention, Arnav Singh Raizada would quietly chuckle to himself.
After all, this was the same girl who could still lift the house on her head if she couldn't find her mannat-ki-chaabi, the same girl who still ran after a goat in competition over the ownership of kitchen towels, the same girl who stiil made jalebis at one O' clock at night, the same girl who danced to Salman Khan's songs.
To the outside world, she might be Mrs. ASR, but to the Raizadas, she was always their very own loony Khushi...Arnav's Khushi...
Author's Note:
And guys, me getting two days off means I get to rest! You guys are the most sincere stalkers I've ever seen!!! Lovin it!!
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