<![CDATA[AbzBlabz - GLAC - Chapter Fifty-Six]]>Fri, 27 Mar 2020 09:21:36 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Chapter Fifty-Six]]>Sat, 30 Jan 2016 21:02:50 GMThttp://www.abzblabz.com/glac---chapter-fifty-six/chapter-fifty-six ‘Oh look…Jiji’s here!’ Khushi yelled loudly, causing them all to jump. It wasn’t that they hadn’t noticed Payal walk into the private room (which Arnav had arranged, part of the deal he had made with NHC when he had politely asked them to admit him) but they had not expected Khushi to yell so loudly to make them all start up. ‘Thank you DM…for sending Jiji on the right time.’ Khushi added in a low murmur as Bua ji stared at her dubiously for screaming to announce the obvious.

But none of them understood her sudden burst of enthuisiam regarding Payal’s arrival, for Payal had saved her from the torture of lying to her Bauji. It wasn’t that she didn’t wish to tell him the truth, but rather she herself didn’t understand and more importantly she knew he would never understand; when Payal had not understood her hurt over Arnav’s sudden claim of love then she didn’t see how anyone else would. Thus she chose not disclose it, even though her father had tried his level best of getting to the bottom of what was bothering his daughter, but she had evaded the topic like the plague and had been running out of subjects to divert her father when Payal had walked in and saved her from having to finally outright lie to her dad or worse tell him the truth and see him become even more troubled than Payal had become when she had told her how she didn’t believe she was marriage material. And that would definitely not be good for his health, which was improving and therefore meant that he would be released from the clinic soon to only visit once a month. Hence their need to house hunt: for he shouldn’t be climbing the stairs so soon, which he would have to if he went to Payal’s due to there being no elevator but more importantly, as Shashi had pointed out, they now would be permanently settling in Delhi considering his treatment was being carried out here, and so should look for a more permanent abode rather than living at Payal’s house.

‘So where did you and Jeeju sneak off to have a romantic date Jiji?’ Khushi teased, to take the attention off from her and to find out where Payal and Aakash had disappeared to for the good part of the day. She still couldn’t shake off the feeling that it had something to do with her and so she desparately wanted to know where they had gone to know whether this was her paranoia or not.

‘Now that would be defeating the purpose of our secret rendez-vous wouldn’t it Saali ji if we let you know about our private little romantic spot in Delhi.’ Aakash materialized out of no-where and rescued Payal from answering the question. But not before the colouring on her face had given away her discomfort behind Khushi’s question, that further gave room to the seed of doubt planted in her brain to grow. If Payal had gone for her own work, she needn’t go red when Khushi asked about it.

‘Hmm…fine fine. Be all mysterious in love, its’ your right as newly-weds.’ Khushi huffed, mockingly at her Jeeja.

‘Aihai my dear Saali…don’t worry we will have our little secret meeting too, after all Saali bhi tho Adhi-Gharwali hothi hai…’ he winked at her.

‘Haha. You wish Jeeju.’ Khushi laughed, then added in a low murmur, ‘meet me outside and we can discuss this new relationship…’ her eyes twinkled with the joke.
‘Eherm…I can still hear you!’ Payal interjected, with a playful smile.
‘Oh darn….so close we were…’ Aakash smiled.

‘Yeah…too bad…we’ll have to be sharper next time…’ Khushi chuckled.
‘Khushi….’ Amma hissed her name loudly, causing all of them to turn around and see her pale face, she had taken the light banter seriously. Both Payal and Khushi exchanged a look of glee and then together sandwiched their innocent mother in a hug, ‘Amma….it was just a joke….’ They chided together as they both smothered her, while Aakash nodded in agreement.

Garima instantly coloured at her gullibility and then shooed the two girls away, ‘Of course…of course I knew…I was just umm….ehm...’ she tried to hide her embarrassment weakly. Causing the whole room to erupt in laughter, her too, moments after the rest of them.

‘Khushi…will you come with me for a minute.’ Payal whispered, in her ear as the laughter settled down. Khushi, looked up at her sister, she hadn’t realized when Payal had come next to her, last she had checked Garima had been between them. Confused at the sudden proximity and the seriousness on her sister’s face, masked by a smile for the rest of the room, Khushi nodded and muttered something about getting some refreshments for everyone and walked out of the room with Payal. Payal stopping only to give a poignant nod to Aakash, letting him know it was time for him to proceed as planned.

Once they were in the hospital’s corridor Khushi turned to her and asked what the matter was. ‘I’m sure you have been wondering where me and Aakash disappeared to, this morning and even though you laughed it off as our date you really were curious because being my sister you can read my face as well as I can read yours.’ Payal began. Khushi didn’t say anything but only nodded in encouragemnent for her to continue.
‘Well, firstly, let me tell you it wasn’t easy for me to hide it, I didn’t want to but…I also couldn’t say anything until I was absolutely certain…I needed to know for myself first before I could tell you….’ Payal carried on.

‘Ok…but you will tell me now, yes?’ Khushi asked to confirm, as a lump began to rise in her throat, up until now she had only guessed that this was something to do with her, now she was absolutely sure. Payal had been acting weirdly ever since Khushi had told her about Arnav the night before, firstly not understanding and then not arguing to change Khushi’s mind afterwards. Thus Khushi was sure something was cooking in her mind regarding her and Arnav.


‘Yes, Jiji.’ Oh God why was she looking like that at her? What had she done? Please, please DM please do not let her have gone to Arnav ji…she didn’t want to involve more people in this and let Arnav make a fool out of more of them. But from the way she was talking…about needing to know for herself…well it sounded like she had…Oh man if she had then-

‘I’m pregnant.’ What the-?

Khushi, stared wide-eyed and dumbstruck at her elder sister. Pregnant. Pregnant!! As in carrying a baby. Her to-be-neice or nephew.

‘Khushi? Khushi?!’ Payal shook her younger sister. ‘Khushi did you hear me? Oh God, you’re not taking this well are you? Oh Khushi I’m so sorry , I didn’t mean to spring it upon you like that….I know how this may have opened old wounds…but how else could I have told you and I knew you needed to hear it from me before anyone else told you, so you’re the first one I’m telling. Khushi-‘

‘Waow. SSHHHHH. Jiji. Ssssshhhh. Calm down. Relax. I’m fine. No actually not fine…. I’m… I’m…. EEEEEEEEEEEEE….I’M GOING TO BE AN AUNT!!! EEEEEE!!! THIS IS SOO EXCITING JIJI!!!’ Khushi screeched, as she jumped up and down in the corridor, causing passer’s-by to stop and stare.

‘Wait…you’re…you’re ok with this?’ Payal asked, taking a step away from her.

‘Ok? Of course I am! Why would I not be?!! Oho Jiji you worry too much!!! I’m so freaking ecstatic. This is the bestest news ever!!! Hunh Oh My God!!!’ Suddenly she stopped bounding, as her hands went straight to her face.

‘What?!! What?!!’

‘I didn’t even congratulate you!! CONGRATULATIONS JIJI!!!’ Khushi hooted as she enveloped Payal into a bear-hug and then began dancing with her in their hug.
‘Khushi….’ Payal laughed, as tears trickled down her face. She had been afraid, how the news of the pregnancy may cause Khushi to remember her own hysterical-pregnancy, opening a portal into those miserable days, but as always Khushi had shocked her with her reactions and was instead completely ecstatic with the news.

‘Oooo…do you know the sex of the baby yet….are we having a princess or a prince?!!’ Khushi inquired, breaking away from the hug. ‘A shy Payaliya or cheeky Aakashwa…’ She winked.

‘Khushi…’ Payal blushed, ‘we don’t know yet…it’s too early to tell.’
Khushi suddenly snickered, causing Payal to look at her suspiciously, ‘What’s that snicker for?’

‘Hehe….just that…your “private dating spot” was the Gynaecologists clinic…’ Khushi chuckled, causing Payal to grin as well.

‘Khushi…’ She muttered, as she playfully swatted her arm. Khushi feigned hurt and then took her sister’s arm.

‘Oooo…so I’m the first one you told….you haven’t even told Amma or Bua ji yet?’
‘No…how could I? You know you have the right to my secrets before anyone else…the only reason Aakash knows is because he came with me, I couldn’t go alone and I didn’t ask you because I hadn’t told you about my suspicions because I wanted to tell you the confirmed news and not my musings….you’re not angry are you?’ She asked, concern coming onto her face again.

‘Yes very angry….’ Khushi crossed her arms angrily, causing Payal to become completely worried, ‘but you can pacify me by buying me lots of jalebis to celebrate this news with everyone!!’ Khushi sniggered, making Payal realize her mock-anger.

‘Khushi…chalo…let’s get your jalebis…and then you can do the honour of telling everyone else.’ Payal snapped, for making her worry for a moment, as a smile played across her face seeing her sister’s eyes light up with the excitement at the prospect of breaking the news to the rest of the family.

Khushi mischeiviously began planning the most drama-filled way of conveying the news to Garima, Madhumathi and Shashi, as both the girls walked out of the clinic to first find the nearest bakery, before they went and revealed the great news to the rest. Whilst she animatedly conversed of different tactics, she mentally chided herself for thinking that Payal and Aakash’s “mysterious errand” this morning had to do with her and Arnav. She really need to stop making Arnav such a big part of her life, he was insignificant, just her boss and landlord, nothing else and she should not let him occuppy so much of her mind, it was unhealthy for her and would just give him what he wanted, a way to get under her skin.
While Payal, quickly sent Aakash a message:

Part one of the plan has succeeded. Khushi, believes my pregnancy was the reason for our secrecy this morning. Have you related the situation and plan to Amma, Bau ji and Bua ji? We are getting some jalebis and should be back in about fifteen minutes, be done by then.

‘Are you sure Chotay?’ Anjali asked, as she stared at the keys Arnav thrust in her hands moments ago.

‘Yes. Aakash and Payal said first and foremost they needed to find a house so that when we come for her hand the whole family, including her dad is there, for he will be the one who will be able to convince Khushi to say yes. Which will not be possible at their flat, as Uncle can’t climb the stairs and NHC isn’t really the appropriate place to go for a rishta….so ta-da…house problem solved.’ He said gesturing towards the keys, pleased with himself for having come up with the solution. The house was the only other big issue, than Khushi’s insecurity and now with this house it should be solved. If only he had thought of it earlier he could have given Payal and Aakash the keys when they had been here, but it had only come to him whilst he had been there, planting in order to get his mind off Khushi and how hard the next few weeks would be.

It was amidst the rose blossoms, that he thought of Khushi for the gazillionth time and how she would love the garden here, when it occurred that not only would she love the garden but the whole cottage. Which was in the heart of Delhi, yet felt like it was in the middle of the country-side. It was the home of his Nana’s parents, when they had first arrived in Delhi and it was only after his mother had entered her teens had they shifted to Shantivan, his Nana’s house, but even then his mother had made it routine for them to visit and live in this house for at least two weeks every summer. Since then it had become special for him, for it was his mother and his most favourite place in the world; their little owasis in the middle of Delhi. A plot of land, sheltered from the city to enclose a piece of nature init’s belly. The house stood in the middle of the garden, that he could proudly say he had grown and was in pristine condition. A three-bedroom cottage, one Khushi would absolutely love and which would be perfect for her and her family. Plus it wasn’t too far from Payal’s flat, a condition very important for Khushi. It was the perfect place for her, he was sure of it. Hence the moment the thought occurred he dropped the shovel and jetted in his car back to Shantivan and gave Anjali the keys to the house, to present it to Khushi.

‘Hmm….I don’t know. Why don’t you give it to her yourself? It was your idea. Plus it would show her how much you care.’ Anjali said, thrusting the keys back at him.

‘Uh…no Di.’ He said shoving it back in her hands. ‘She will never accept it from me. She will completely reject the idea. Besides wasn’t it you, Aakash, Payal and Nani who were advising me to keep my distance from Khushi, the next few days. To give her space and also to get her intrigued, for she will be expecting me to do something and when I don’t it will irritate her as to why I am keeping a low profile.’

‘Hmm…yes. But Chotay…’ Anjali looked green.

‘What Di? Why do you look so squeamish? Do you not want Khushi and her family to move into Nana ji’s house? Is something the matter?’ Arnav inquired, as the thought now occurred to him, for she had looked queasy the moment he had thrust the keys in her hands and asked her to give them to Khushi. He hadn’t thought about Anjali and how she had memories with that house too and how they may be affected now by having Khushi and her family move in.

‘What? No…no its’ not that Chotay. It will be great to have them move in and you are right Khushi will love the place….only…I can’t do it. I can’t lie to her, she will see right through me.’

‘Wait…let me get this straight you’re worried about lying to her.’ Anjali nodded. ‘You can’t lie to her but you can lie to me?’

‘Hunh….when did I ever lie to you Chotay?’ Anjali asked in shock.

‘Ummm let me think, when you told me NK was going to propose to Khushi!’

Anjali reddened, ‘Oh that….well that wasn’t a lie but rather the far-fetched truth to get you to confess.’

‘Really Di? Far-fetched truth?!! Well this is also the far-fetched truth that the house belongs to your friend….for the house is in Nani’s name and Nani is like your friend isn’t she?’ Arnav persuaded her, cheekily.

‘Chotay…that is all fine…but I’m telling you she will see right through me. She is not like you, she actually nows the contours of my face and therefore will catch my lie instantly and know that you are behind it all and then shoot-down the idea as fast as she would have if you had been the one to present it.’

‘Ouch. I’m hurt Di. You think I can’t tell when you’re lying?’

‘Again Chotay, you believed me when I said NK was going to propose…I mean really, I’m an awful liar but you still believed me… I mean I was grinning ear to ear the whole time I said it…cause it was so brazen of me to do something as wild as fool you.’

‘Well you were in luck then Di… one I was distraught at the very idea of her marrying someone else to even think straight and two your smile only added to your charade of being ecstatic about a wedding on the horizon.’

‘Well, that was that. But I’m telling you, she will see right through me, especially with you keeping your distant. We will have to think of something else…I mean when it was you, I knew you wouldn’t notice for you never really pay much attention as it is Chotay, plus I have been doing it for years, toying with you when you aren’t ready to tell straight-up what’s going on in that heart of yours and then I had Nani and NK to relinquish any doubts my performance may have left in your mind… but this time around… may be we should consult Payal-‘

‘No. Khushi reads Payal like a book. Just the way Payal does her. Besides Di, you gave the answer yourself….’ Arnav said with a triumphant smile.

‘I did?’ Anjali asked confused.

‘Yup. NK.’ Arnav clapped his hands happily, yes he was the perfect man for the job and Khushi wouldn’t even doubt him.


‘Yes. Khushi already asked him to help her search for a place, so who better than NK to show her the place and once she see’s it, she will love it and then even if she finds out its’ our place she won’t be able to say no, because I know she will love it the moment she steps on the grounds there.’

‘You are right Chotay. That’s brilliant.’

‘Of course I’m right Di when am I not. And thank you, I know I’m brilliant.’ He smirked.

‘I was actually referring to my brilliancy, for as you pointed out Chotay I gave the answer: NK.’ Anjali reminded him smugly.

‘You only provided the man, I thought up the plan so the credit goes to me.’

‘Ah, but who inspired that plan by reminding you of the key man? So the credit is mine.’

‘It’s mine Di.’

‘It’s mine Chotay.’





‘Uffo, will you both ever grow up? It’s like I am watching a four and six year old Chotay and Anjali. What is it this time?’ Nani asked, dreadingly as she joined the duo.

‘It was my idea.’ Arnav huffed.

‘But I inspired it.’ Anjali snapped back.

An idea? You both are fighting over an idea you had?’ Nani shook her head in disbelief.

‘An idea I had.’ Arnav corrected.

‘Which I inspired.’ Anjali reminded.

‘Which I must now have to find a tie-breaker for.’ Nani resolved, grimly. ‘So what is it? What is the idea let’s hear it.’

‘Well Chotay figured why don’t we let out Nana ji’s house to Khushi’s family, they are looking for one and that will suit them perfectly.’

‘That’s a great idea. And you seem to agree Chotay had it, so why are you arguing over it.’ Nani asked, confused.

‘That wasn’t the idea we were arguing over, Nani. But now that you mention it this idea too, may I add, was a brilliant one and was mine.’ Arnav interjected complacently, to which Anjali just rolled her eyes.

‘Moving on. So what is the idea that you both are claimng the rights for?’ Nani asked again.

‘Well I asked Di to give Khushi the keys, but she said no, for she thinks Khushi will see right through her lie. For which I said how can she when I didn’t. To which she then clarified one Khushi pays more attention and two she had you and NK to vouch for her lie, when it was aimed me. And that got me to realize that NK should be the one to give Khushi the keys, for he is the one who is out house-hunting for her anyway. So that is why the idea is mine!’ Arnav concluded.

‘Yes, but if I hadn’t brought NK into the conversation you would never have thought of him and therefore the idea would have never occurred and so I deserve the credit.’ Anjali evaluated.

‘Di-‘ Arnav opened his mouth to contest, but was cut off by Nani.

‘Really? You both are arguing over such nonsensical thing?!!’ Nani stared at them
skeptically; her grand-son and daughter had reached a new level of sibling rivalry. She really was getting too old for this. She couldn’t believe the sincerety with which they were fighting over such pointless thing, instead of actually implementing the plan. Well then, she was there Nani if they had established a new height of ridiculousness, she was going to show them just how high it was, ‘Well then, if such is the case then I will say the credit lies with neither of you, but rather me, for I was the one to include Nand-Kishore in the intial plan against Chotay, so because I included him, Anjali thought of him and hence Chotay was inspired.’

‘Hunh…that makes no sense Nani.’ They both said together.

‘Exactly. Your whole argument has no bearing… so how can anything make sense regarding it. Now be the adults your age suggests you to be and go initiate this plan rather than fight over it.’

‘Yes Nani.’ They both replied sheepishly, feeling like the four and six year old’s Nani had suggested they were acting like.