Khushi Makes it – chapter 3

Khushi Makes it – chapter 3

Planning Holi was all that was Khushi mind there was so much to plan and do.

Naniji’s permission which involved that Laad governer’s permission – nothing happened without his permission – and once he knew that a Holi celebration was taking place at Shantivan he would be away on a business trip.

Holi represented everything that  Laad Governer hated in one event – religion, noise, colour, and celebration and most important to Khushi fun and laughter.

Kushi asked Naniji if she could celebrate Holi at Shantivan “ But naniji it’s the first tevaar after I have come back and it will be a small and quiet with just family”

With Khushi’s woeful eyes Nani gave in “Small and quiet- remember Chote he, he , hes not in agreement with you being here- we have to give him time to get used to having you around. Khushi are you listening small and quiet! And send the bills to Akaash for payment not Chote; Khushi are you listening ”

Khushi was busy dancing round Naniji singing “ Mawsum hey Suhana,  holi ka hey zamana-what the what the”

“Jee Nani ji, small, quiet and bills to Akaash”

Nani had said bills to Akaash now there was no stopping her – Holi was going to awesome this year. She had 5 years of celebration to roll into one.

One by one each member of the family was recruited into her plans, but each one sworn to secrecy about the entirety of the event, each member having a small piece of the puzzle but no one person other than Khushi knew the whole plan.

No one, not Nani , not Anjali, not Aakash thought to tell Arnav about Holi celebrations.

Khush came after she knew Arnav would have left for work – ready for the mammoth event all morning workman came and went. Shantivan was draped in lights and yellow flowers and by early evening the stage was set for two days of celebration.

Nani ji and Anjali were watching on as Shantivan took on a whole new persona lights , flowers, foods and guests – all were welcomed with flowers and open hearts. Laughter and music filled the place first the puja and this is what Akaash and Arnav drove into.

Both looked at their home dressed as though there was a wedding taking place. And the sheer number of cars present both outside their home and in their drive.

“Akaash what the hell ? Its too early for Diwali – are you getting married ? KHUSHI KUMARI GUPTA !”

“Bhai, chill”

“Chill ? What do you mean chill? I saw her with you a few days ago and you said she’s back and she’s keeping a low profile – You call this low? if this is low what is public – just how many cars do we have here – estimate 2 per car minimum at least 50 – Did you know about this? Of course you knew you must have authorised the payments- How much damage is she going to cause and how much is it going to cost me – Akaash I’m warning you – no I’m telling you anything goes wrong, anything- if she doesn’t kill me, I will be killing her – she is a pure health hazard as far as I’m concerned. She was born with a hazard warning sign!”

“Khushi is not that bad -things just happen to you when she is around”

“That’s what worries me what is going to happen to me now? Chalo let’s go and see what’s going to happen now and what is going on”

As they entered – the house was bathed in colours of gold and yellow, flowers and lights draped the room so that it was ablaze with colour and the rooms were filled with the aroma of  jasmin.

People filled every inch of the room and spilled out into the garden.

“Akaash I didn’t even know that we could fit so many people in this room.”

Arnaav and Akaash got into the niceties of the evening, hello’s and how do you do? Nice to meet you -and as the evening progressed Arnav’s temper was also brewing.

By the time he reached Nani and Anjali he was well on his way to a full boil- Nani what’s going on here ?

“Chote Holi, Aaj aur kal !”

“Nani –Is Kushi Kumari Gupta behind this ?”

“ Chote the world didn’t start with you or Khushi and unfortunately for you it’s about Holika, Prahlada and Hiranyakashipu”

“What Nani ?”

“No Chote who? Its Time to light the fire come on lets go outside”

The rest of the evening was taken up with social niceties – as Arnav sat down to relax by the poolside. Everyone was gone. He listened to the beauty of silence – at least the house hadn’t caught fire and there hadn’t been an explosion, and above all he hadn’t seen a glimpse of Khushi all night. He was sure she had been here – but at least it was a blessing – two in one night nothing had gone wrong and he hadn’t seen her.

“What the…”

There was a paperboat floating in his pool and … no there seriously couldn’t be a …. There was a goldfish swimming in his pool.

“Hari Prakash, Hari Prakash” Arnav’s voice bellowed across the house.

“Jee Arnav Jee” as Hari Prakash melted out of no where

“Explain”

“ Jee You see Khushi Didi” and before he could continue Arnav held up his hand

“ Leave”

No further explanation was needed- It had to be Khushi – a huge house and the only place she could find was in his sanctuary – his pool room.

Anjali had arrived by now hearing her Chotes voice.

“Chote – what’s happened?”

Arnav was actually speechless – he just point to his pool

“Oh that- its only temporary till she finds Mrs Puff a home”

“It has a name ? I want it gone by the morning”

“Ok Chote – can we go to sleep we have a long day tomorrow.”

“What !”

“Yes – its Holi tomorrow”

“ What was TODAY ? with so many people?”

“ Chote – we are actually playing Holi tomorrow – for now lets go to sleep – the workman will arrive early tomorrow”

“Workmen ?”

“Yes – workman – they need to set everything up”

“I’m going to the office tomorrow”

“But Chote” Anjali’s voice trailed away let him go to sleep dreaming – she would tell him in the morning – everyone was coming to Shantivan tomorrow to play Holi – Khushi had invited everyone and Akaash had given everyone the day off. But that Bombshell could wait till tomorrow.