“So Dhan…whoever emerged from the ocean?” La asked, as she watched Khushi thread a marigold into the garland.
“Lord Dhanvantari,” Khushi said. “He is lord Vishnu himself. And he is the god of good health and prosperity and spiritual growth. When the gods and demons churned the sea, it is on Dhan Teras day that lord Dhanvantari emerged with the pot of Amrut— the elixir of life.”
“Amrut bestows immortality on anyone who drinks it,” Anjali explained.
“But why was this Dhan…van…Why was he in the ocean?” La asked. “Was he the same as that other fish god?”
“Who fish god?” Anjali asked.
“That other fish that grows in every container they put it inside.”
“Hello Haye..ee kon fish grow hovat hai size maaa? Ee phati saari kaa anap sanap sikhayi ho.” (Growing fish? What nonsense are you teaching her?)
“Mami…” Anjali began.
“Mastya avtar?” Khushi asked. “No, Lavanyaji, don’t confuse please.”
“Hello Haye…Mastya avtar is fish..mastya hovat hai..Meen…machli.” Mami put her palm over her plam and wiggled her thumbs like a fish.
“That is also a Vishnuji ka avtar…” Khushi explained. “But Dhanvantariji is not a fish.”
“How was he living under water then?” La asked.
“Hey Devi Maiyya!” Khushi sighed.
“Was he like Aquaman?” La asked.
“Hello Haye..Kaun aquarium?”
“It’s a movie…” La pulled out her phone. “That’s the hero. Jason Mamoa..”
“Hello Haye ee tho bohut ee hawttt hai.”
Anjali smacked her head.
“Di, where’s my file?” Arnav stormed down the stairs, his eyes murderous as always, and his ear-piece plugged in his ear as always.
Khushi’s heart clenched when their eyes met. He had been wearing those murderous eyes since that night of Karwa chauth.
The night after Karwa Chauth, she had offered him a smile.
He had returned it with a glower.
But she had expected him to wake up with amnesia and forget all about their dinner and his rose.
Strange man, she thought. “Laad Governor kahee kee…Even on Diwali day hissing and roaring like Raavan.”
“Ravan? Does Diwali have a Ravan connection too?” La asked, massaging her head.
“Haan Lavanyaji, Diwali is celebrated on the day Ramji came back to Ayodhya from Lanka.”
“That is not today?”
“Day after. Today is Dhan Teras.”
“This is all too confusing.”
“It’s so easy,” Khushi began when Om Prakash came in with a several bags.
“Hello Haye…Om Prakash did you get everything on my list?”
“Haan Mamiji…Got it all…Khushiji, I got all that you asked for.”
Ah! She clapped. But she immediately regretted, for the devil had turned to leave, but he stopped to see why she was so happy.
She straightened herself and stood up. He stepped down the stairs and came back to the living room. Khushi walked up to Om Prakash, trying not to trip as she passed Arnav, yet she tripped. He caught her arm. She snapped her eyes to him.
Why did she always trip around him.
“It’s the flooring,” she hissed, before he could his. “Marble flooring is slippery. It’s dangerous.”
“You want me to change the flooring for you?” Arnav narrowed his eyes, his grip still tight around her arm.
“What if I fall and hurt myself?” She narrowed her eyes, mimicking him.
“You fall all the time. You have no concept of balance.”
“You have no concept of health and safety in your company.”
“Excuse me!” He stuttered his eyes.
“I need a special clause in my contract for injury at work.”
“Injury?” He crossed his arms across his chest and nodded.
“Harassment…in addition.”
“Harassment?” Arnav nodded.
“Hello Haye Phati saari….ee sab kaa mangayi ho…Do you plan on turning this house into a Dhobi ghat?” Mami pulled out packet after packet of washing powder.
“Yesss…Don’t open…Wait please.” Khushi ran, yanking her arm out of Arnav’s. He glowered at how she had dismissed him when he was still not done with her. And how dare she insult his flooring, call him an irresponsible boss, and accuse him of harassment?
He wasn’t harassing her. She was harassing him. She harassed him by ignoring him all day. And she harassed him by haunting him all night.
“It’s your fault.” He hissed at La.
“Chill ASR.” La stood up and joined Khushi in the madness as she laid packets after packets of the washing powder all over his lounge.
What the! He was fuming. But he was also curious with this girl and with what she wanted all that washing powder for.
Khushi then started singing a loud prayer.
What the! Arnav had to stay and watch this madness. And so he slumped on the sofa and demanded for coffee, while also pretending to flick through his phone.
“Khushiji…what is all this?” Anjali laughed.
“It’s Dhanteras, the washing powder company have a promo…there could be a silver coin in one of the packs.” Khushi said merrily.
“Khushiji…those are just gimmicks to increase sales…”
“There maybe a coin…besides this is a year’s washing powder that we can use.”
“Khushi…silly, why not just buy a coin?” La chuckled.
“That was the plan…but then Babuji fell ill suddenly.” Her voice cracked, but she quickly cleared her throat and wore a bright smile.
Arnav watched her from the corner of his eyes, at the way she blinked her tears, at the way she threw a sideward glance at him, at the way she adjusted her dupatta and counted the packets.
“Khushi, shall we open it here together?” La asked. “I’m really excited.”
“Hello Haye…the jewellers are coming over…We can’t have all this mess in the lounge.”
“Mami it won’t take long.”
“It’s fine…I’m going home.” Khushi began putting away the packets.
Arnav stiffened, exchanged a glance with La.
“No, you can’t.” La caught her hand. “I have so much to learn. It’s not even five in the evening. And then we have to light lamps too.”
“Haan par…”
“Won’t take long if we all opened it together.”
“How will I take it home?” Khushi asked.
“The driver will…”
“I’ll drop you,” Arnav said, wearing his usual stony expression.
Khushi held his eyes for a moment.
“Put it in this large container.” Om Prakash too joined them.
They all gathered. Khushi said a prayer as she ripped open a pack. Arnav too stopped working and stared on.
There was nothing in the first on.
La opened the second with a prayer. Anjali went next. Mami too tried her hand. Everyone wished for a coin, but every pack had nothing but the detergent.
“Khushiji, told you these companies say all these lies to increase sales.”
“Koi baat nahi…no harm in taking a chance.” She smiled. But her smile was tinged with sadness. Arnav gazed at her, wondering why such small things upset her.
But perhaps they were not small things for Khushi, he realised.
“Last pack, let’s all pray.” Anjali caressed her cheek. “Chotey come, you wish us good luck too.”
I don’t time for stupid nonsense, he wanted to say, but “Will you please open it, Arnavji?” Khushi asked with a certain desperation to her voice. He feet moved of their own and stood up and sat beside her.
He stared at her, at the tears beginning to form in her eyes, and he ripped open the pack, wishing for a coin.
But when there was nothing in there, he clenched his jaw, wanting to sue the company for playing with public emotions, with her emotions.
But he too was doing the same. Since the night after Karva Chauth he had ignored her. Now…he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her tears.
He was so messed up.
“At least, we tried.” Khushi collected the boxes, while everyone gazed at her with pity.
The door bell rang.
“Jewellers are here.” Anjali got up.
Om Prakash and Khushi cleared the lounge quickly, while La and Arnav stood in front of each other, both silent, both lost to Khushi and to the heaps of washing powder she was dragging away with Om Prakash.
She was laughing, giggling, telling Om Prakash that she had saved on bulk buy. She always looked at the sunny side of life.
“Just a silver coin.” La sighed in frustration, almost choking on her words.
Yeah, only just a silver coin. Arnav thought, swallowing hard. The amount of money he spent just on his shoe was staggering…A silver coin….
But Khushi had opened his eyes to things he took for granted, things he never paid attention to.
Before he knew it, the jewellers started laying out several boxes of necklaces, bangles, earrings and what not. When Khushi came back, it was a punch to Arnav’s gut. While she couldn’t afford a silver coin, he was here spending a fortune on jewellery that no one needed.
“Achcha Anjaliji…I’ll go make diyas.” Khushi smiled.
“Not a chance…you are helping me choose.” La dragged her by her hand.
“Lavanyaji…Please…”
“Hello Haye…Anjali come…”
Arnav stayed back, though he had never intended for the evening to turn out like this. Jewellery shopping frustrated him. Any form of shopping irritated him.
But…he watched her, as she held a pair for earrings for Lavanya. She smiled, laughed, admired the designs, chose the best earrings for La.
Just moments ago the disappointment in her eyes at not having won a silver coin flashed in front of him. And now she smiled like it was no big deal.
What was she made of? He wondered.
Why was she not jealous? Why was she not angry at her destiny? At her Devi Maiyya who had given him everything while she struggled to pay her father’s medical bills?
Arnav reached for a glass of water and drank it all. He was so angry, he wanted to take a long drive.
Instead he watched the women admire every piece the jeweller laid out.
He watched Khushi, smiled when she picked the best ones for La. Her smile was so pretty. It was her smile that always drew him to her. And it came so easily to her.
La stroked her hair, leaned to kiss her cheek. Arnav wished to do all that too, but he watched helplessly.
“Chotey, help Lavanya choose a necklace,” Anjali urged.
Not a chance! Arnav wanted to say, but
“ASR, hold this necklace over Khushi please… I want to see how it looks from a distance,” Lavanya said.
Mind reader, he thought.
“Lavanyaji…” Khushi protested.
But Arnav was up, shoving his phone into his pocket, striding up to her, taking the necklace from La, stretching his hand for Khushi.
She hesitated before she took his hand. He pulled her in front of the mirror.
Their eyes met. Hers were glistening. His were dark in desire, in his inner turmoil too.
He brought the necklace over her. Clasped it. Admired her reflection.
Khushi shifted nervously on her feet, her hands going to her neck, her eyes flicking to his and back to the floor.
“Look this way.” La clicked a picture.
Lavanyaji, she was about to warn when, “Show me that one,” Arnav pointed to another necklace.
Khushi snapped her eyes to him.
He leaned closer, his arms came around her, suddenly she was within his embrace, his cheek almost brushing her, his dark musky scent making her sigh. His fingers touched the curve of her neck, she bit her lip, muffled a moan.
He held her shoulder, turned her to face the mirror again.
This time they didn’t drop their gaze from each other. As Arnav clasped the necklace, Khushi didn’t even notice it, she couldn’t notice anything beyond the violent thudding of her heart and darkening depths of his eyes.
Arnav twisted his mouth and shook his head in disapproval.
The jeweller brought up several boxes of necklaces.
Khushi simply gripped tightly to the edge of her dress and let him use her as his personal mannequin.
But he was buying for La, she reminded herself constantly.
Tears pricked her eyes at how she was just a prop, but she smiled every time he admired her reflection in the mirror.
His chest touched hr back, his hands grazed her everywhere. She would take this memory to her grave.
As more necklaces came up, her gaze settled on one.
“Would you rather have this one?” The jeweller asked.
“No…no…”
“It’s at a special price, Madam,” he said. “Very simple design, but very elegant. Will look beautiful on a saree.”
Khushi began fumbling…when Arnav tried it on her. He repeated everything, turning her to the mirror, arranging her hair, admiring her from head to toe. Khushi almost rested her head on his chest when he took her into his arms to unclasp it. His scent was soothing, his embrace comforting. She was about to grip to his collar, when
“Pack it,” Arnav said.
She shot her eyes to him, her heart stopping in fear. She couldn’t afford it. Not even with a year’s worth of salary…unless he was buying it for her.
Her heart skipped, stopped, skipped again….
But to her horror, Arnav took the box and handed it to La. A smirk curled one corner of his lips.
Khushi’s heart shattered to pieces. The jeweller gazed at her with pity.
She wore a smile and stepped away.
But once she turned around, she stormed out of the lounge and ran to one of the washrooms.
Once inside, she looked the door and broke into a sob. What was the matter with her? She thought. It was Diwali. She couldn’t cry on Diwali.
But a lot had happened recently. Her father was ill, they had no money for his treatment, they had no money to celebrate Diwali properly, and to add to her misery, she was madly in love with Arnav Singh Raizada, a heartless man, who enjoyed flaying her heart open and wounding her repeatedly, a man soon to be engaged to Lavanya.
I’m here for Lavanyaji, she slapped herself and splashed her face with water. She was here to do her job. How dare she fell in love? How dare she when her family were struggling?
Shaking her head, she schooled her emotions and stepped outside, only to find Arnav leaning on the wall opposite the washroom.
“Aap…yahan.” She smiled.
That ticked Arnav the wrong way.
“What happened to the bangle you used to wear?” He hissed.
A chill went down her body. She had sold it to buy plants for his terrace and pretended they were from La. The things she had done to ensure La and Arnav didn’t break up.
Yet, she had fallen in love with him.
She was ashamed of herself.
But not anymore.
“I..It must be somewhere at home..” she said.
“Don’t you dare lie.” Arnav stepped into her, his jaw ticking in that way that it did whenever he was furious and about to hurt her.
She braced herself, for her arms to be twisted and bruised. But when Arnav backed her against the wall and punched the wall, she shrieked.
“You sold it,” he accused her.
“It’s my bangle..I sell it or keep it, my wish.”
“You needed money…Should have asked me,” he hissed.
In what capacity? She wanted ask. And why?
But she slid past him.
“Khushi,” he gripped her arm tightly.
“You’re hurting me,” she choked.
“And you?” He tugged her into his chest. “You don’t hurt me?”
“Me?” She asked. When had she hurt him?
“You don’t see….You don’t want to see…You pretend to be blind all the time.” He hissed. “You are liar. You lie to me…You lie to yourself.”
“I don’t understand…”
“Shut up!” He roared.
“ASR!” La’s warning voice made him loosen his grip around Khushi.
Khushi was shaking, too stunned by what he was saying.
“Khushi, Di wants you.”
Arnav glare burned hold inside her, but “Hmm…” She nodded. There was so much she wanted tell him, so much she wanted to ask, but she smoothed her dress and followed La, glancing over her shoulders to find him glaring at her.
What was wrong with him? She wondered. And when and how had she hurt him?
“Khushi bitiya, eeyan aayiye.” Nani was there, holding her hand for her.
Khushi liked Nani the most. She was always warm and loving. And she patted her cheek and caressed her hair, soothing away all her hurt and disappointment.
Khushi wanted to burst into a sob in Nani’s arms for so many reasons, but she wore her happy smile.
“This is a Diwali gift from us Raizadas for your family.” Nani gave her a box.
A chill went down Khushi again.
As she opened the box, she was shocked to find a silver Lakshmi idol inside.
“Naniji…” she choked, glanced towards Anjali and La.
“Please don’t refuse…I have had this packed for you a long while ago…This is my blessing to you.”
Khushi didn’t know how to react. She couldn’t refuse, but she was so overwhelmed, she bent down to touch Nani’s feet. Nani took her into her arms. That was all it took for Khushi to break into a soft sob.
“Khushi bitiya…” Nani stroked her hair.
“It’s just…Babuji…I’m…Couple of weeks ago we didn’t know if we’d celebrate Diwali this year…and now…I just.. I hope my Babuji recovers.”
“He will. We are all praying for him.”
“Thank you.” Khushi wiped her tears. “This is…” She held the idol. It was heavy and so beautiful.
“Please don’t say no.”
“I don’t know what to tell my family.”
“Tell them it is blessing from Nani.”
Khushi smiled, wiped her tears and nodded.
“This is from me.” Anjali handed her a envelope.
“I can’t accept. I have nothing to give in return,” Khushi protested.
“This is a Diwali bonus, Khushiji. We give it to everyone who works for us.” Anjali said.
Khushi had heard of Diwali bonuses. One month’s salary. That came to her as a pleasant surprise.
She opened the envelope and laughed, for there was a silver coin inside along with the cheque.
“We give them to all employees. You can ask around.”
Khushi shook her head and slapped her forehead.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I got carried away with the packets and the thrill of finding a coin inside.” Anjali chuckled.
“Buaji is going to cry,” Khushi laughed.
“Fine, shall we light the lamps?” She said, once she had brightened her mood.
“Yes,” La clapped.
Khushi stood up, thrilled, all her grief forgotten. It was time to light up the diyas and to lay them around the house.
But where had he disappeared?
For the next hour, she and La did just that. They lit every Diya, every candle, every wick they found. And they clicked pictures.
When it was time for Khushi to go, La held her hand. “Am I really your friend?”
“Hamesha!” Khushi smiled, her heart also pinching at how she had fallen for her friend’s boyfriend. The boyfriend who was now missing, after having blasted her for no reason.
“I got this for you.” La gave her a tiny box.
Khushi didn’t have to guess it. She knew they were the earrings she had hand selected earlier.
“Please don’t refuse…Diwali gift.”
“I don’t have a gift for you.”
“Guru…What is that…offering…” La asked.
“Guru Dakshina?”
“Yes,” La grinned. “Thank you, teacher, for teaching me so much, from Adrak wali chai to…to…never settling for anything less than flutters and shivers.”
“Lavanyaji,” Khushi choked. And she opened her arms and embraced La. She also almost apologised to her for falling in love with Arnav.
But…it was beyond her. And now it was too late. But she would never come between them. Never. And she wished La the happiest life.
“Your lessons aren’t over yet. Naniji has to accept you yet.” Khushi smiled.
La shook her head. “You have no idea what you have taught me.” She held Khushi again. “And I wish you the happiest life ahead of you.”
“Me too.”
“Do invite me to your wedding.”
You too, Khushi wanted to say, but she smiled. She would never attend Arnav La’s wedding.
“Now wear it.” La forced her to wear the delicate jhumkas.
“So pretty,” Khushi smiled when La clicked a picture and showed it to her.
“I still don’t know what to give you.”
“You can give me your leather jhootis. Or that bag you have that fits all your stuff.”
“All my bags and jhootis are yours.” Khushi laughed.
“Thanks Khushi.” La caressed her cheek. “And be here on time tomorrow.”
“I have to go now.” Khushi put away the box and made her way out, glancing over her shoulder one last time to where Arnav was.
“Mohan is taking you,” Anjali said, as Om Prakash put the washing powder container into the car.
Khushi’s heart sank. Arnav had promised to take her home. Now he was missing.
“Hey phati sari,” Mami said. And without another word. “Happy Diwali,” she said, forcing something into her hand. There were two gold chains inside the box.
I can’t, Khushi was about to say, but she didn’t. “It’s…for you…and your sister. You can give me your jalebi recipe in return.”
“Thank you Mamiji.” Khushi smiled. Little had she known that she’d end up with so many gifts for Dhan teras.
But she still felt hollow.
Two hours later, it was crazy rush at Buaji’s cottage. She and sister got dressed to go to the temple.
“Haye re Nandkisore….Who’d have thought they’d give all this?” Buaji had been welling and choking for over two hours.
“We have a bonus too, Buaji. Now there is no worry for Babuji’s medical bills for this month.”
Buaji nodded and prayed and sighed.
“Khushi…Why are you giving me the jhumkas too? You wear them.”
“Jiji, you’ll look so pretty. You wear it. Akashji might be there.” She urged, draping her saree around her.
“Chup pagli.”
The temple bells rang.
“Khushi….are you ready?” Her mother knocked.
“Buaji, you go. We’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Khushi and Payal hurried around the room, when there was a knock on the door, the backdoor. They both exchanged a glance. It could be anyone, Buaji had probably come back from the back door.
“Shyamji?” Payal asked, as she brushed past Khushi and opened the door carefully.
But to her surprise and Khushi’s too, Arnav stood at the door, tall and handsome, somewhat troubled too.
“Ar…Arnavji?” Payal gasped.
Arnav was suited as always, and he looked angry and grim. His eyes were on Khushi. She trembled, her stomach falling to the floor, her heart shooting to the stars.
Arnav strode inside, his eyes making a quick sweeping glance of her room.
He stopped to stare at the cardboard cut out stars hanging from her bedpost.
“Hmm…Chai?” Payal asked, quickly excusing herself out of the room.
Khushi was now alone with him.
It was nerve-wracking. Arnav Singh Raizada in her bedroom. Hey Devi Maiyya! She could see her bra hanging from behind the door.
Arnav too stopped to glance at her no so sexy bra.
Khushi was shy. Arnav muffled a laugh.
“Ar…Arnavji..” She breathed.
“You left,” he said, stepping closer.
Hmm…Left? When? She thought.
He took her hand before she knew what was happening. He saree slid from over her shoulder. Before she could catch it, Arnav’s gaze lowered to her blouse. She grabbed her saree. He reached for it at the same time. Their hands touched. She pulled back. He gently lifted the saree over her shoulder, his eyes moving all over her.
“I don’t like blue,” he said.
Khushi’s heart skipped and thudded.
“I’ll wear yellow tomorrow?” She asked.
“Hmm..” He nodded, as he drew her closer.
Khushi was too shocked and thrilled to react. But Arnav gently slid something over her hand.
“Don’t lie,” he warned. “I don’t like lairs, or those who keep the truth from me. No matter how bitter the truth, don’t ever lie.”
“I..” Won’t, she wanted to say, but she lowered her eyes to her hand to find her mother’s bangle glinting around her hand. The same bangle she had sold all those weeks ago.
“How?” Tears pricked her.
He didn’t explain. “Why?” He asked.
“You love plants.” She smiled.
“Hmm..” He chuckled. “I don’t buy plants. I like growing them from a seed.”
“Oh!” Khushi nodded. “I wouldn’t know how to…”
“I can show you. It’s easy to grow.” He looked hopeful.
“Would love a rose for my window.”
“Red rose?”
“Yes.”
Arnav nodded.
“The rose you gave that day..”
“From my mother’s garden.”
“Oh!” She smiled, never expecting Arnav to give her a rose, let alone from his mother’s garden.
“Hmm..” He fidgeted.
But just as he was about to say something, Payal knocked. “We’re getting late,” she whispered.
Two minutes, Khushi was about to tell her sister, when Arnav took her and and gently forced her in front of her mirror. Before she knew it, he removed the necklace he had purchased earlier and held it over her head.
Was this not for La? She wanted to ask.
But she watched him clasp it into place, smooth her hair, admire her from a up close. He even moved closer to screw the jhumkas that came with the set.
“It’s looks beautiful on you.” Arnav caressed her cheek, admired the necklace, leaned closer and kissed her forehead.
“Happy Dhanteras, Khushi,” he whispered against her forehead.
As Khushi blinked, he stepped back and stormed out of the room.
“What was that?” Her sister asked.
“Don’t know.” Khushi caught her heart and sat down slowly.
But she smiled at her reflection, at the bangle and at her necklace.
Author’s note
Hello my lovely people
Happy Diwali to Everyone!
Again, my version of Dhanteras. Just for fun! Sorry I’m late by a day. But it’s still Diwali. Keep reading. enjoy.
It is a continuation to my Karwa Chauth.
Hope you like it.
Love Chitra
