Chapter 46- Frozen hearts...will they melt by Deepti

Chapter 46

On the pretext of spending time with her friends, Kushi spent the next day entirely out of her home and after completing the two tasks which were on her agenda for that day, she returned home late in the night with a huge package. Hiding it from everyone’s sight she successfully hid it safely in her room and left a deep sigh of relief.——————————————————————————————————-

Since the very next day was Sunday, the entire family got a chance to have breakfast together and seeing Kushi who was coming towards the table, ” Where were you yesterday? You were not at home and you weren’t even answering my calls”, complained Anjali, drawing everyone’s attention towards Kushi.

“I was running some errands Di and I forgot my phone at home. Saw your missed calls later. Why did you call? Anything important?”, inquired Kushi as she took a seat at the table.

“Ya. It’s about my  wedding outfits. After seeing your collection at the show I don’t feel like getting my outfits from anywhere else. I want you to design all my outfits for the wedding. Will you be able to do that in the time frame we have?”, asked Anjali eagerly.

“We all agree with Anjali. After seeing your wedding collection, we might not like anything else. But Kushi, we just have a month left for the wedding. Can you manage to complete all those in just 30 days”, asked Devyani.

“Don’t put  pressure on her. Just now she finished designing for her show. Let her relax. Even I want her to design all your clothes,but it would be nice if we leave the choice to Kushi”, said Aarthi addressing Anjali.

While the women at the table debated whether Kushi should or shouldn’t design Anjali’s wedding clothes, Kushi silently had her breakfast.

“May be, she can at least design the wedding lehenga. We can shop for the rest. What do you say Kushi”, asked Sakshi.

“Glad that I finally got an opportunity to talk. If you all can wait for 5 minutes, I will be right back “, said Kushi who finished her breakfast amid all the discussion. She pushed her chair backwards, raised from it and ran from there.

“Now where is she going without giving any reply?”, said Sakshi, for which the other women shrugged their shoulders while the men who have been silent spectators of the entire discussion became equally curious to know Kushi’s answer.

Soon everyone gathered in the living room and waited for Kushi who came back with the huge package which she brought home the previous night.

“Now what is this? What’s inside the packet?”,asked Anjali looking at the packet.

“A small surprise for you”, said Kushi who unwrapped the packet and took out
something which was rose pink in color.

While everyone watched her curiously , “My gift for your wedding…. your wedding dress, Di!!”, said Kushi, showing the lehenga to Anjali.

The magnificent piece of work with intricate patterns of silver thread all over the rose pink lehenga instantly impressed everyone who set their eyes on it. The ladies were awestruck looking at the master piece which any bride would love to wear for her wedding.

“Did you design this??”, asked Sakshi with her eyes filled with wonder as she picked the fabric to have a closer look at the thread work.

“Of course Maa. I designed it exclusively for Di. Now can you please hold this”, said Kushi as she handed the lehenga to her mother.

After unfolding the dupatta which she took out from the packet Kushi draped it on Anjali’s head saying, “And this how Di is going to look in it”. While everyone admired and appreciated the outfit and Kushi’s work, Anjali didn’t utter a word though her eyes were busy in scanning the dress. And Kushi who waited for  Anjali’s feedback, couldn’t hold back her curiosity anymore and she asked, ” Di, Don’t you like it?”, quizzically.

“What kind of question is that? How could anyone not like this?”, asked Anjali.

“But, you didn’t say anything. So..”, paused Kushi.

“That’s because I didn’t know what to say,Kushi. It’s just fabulous. And I’m flabbergasted as this is what  I had in my mind for my wedding. A rose pink lehenga with silver work all over it”, said Anjali, looking at the dupatta fondly.

“Really! I’m thrilled to hear that Di”, said Kushi as she squeaked with excitement.

“How did you know what I had in my mind?’, questioned Anjali for which Kushi giggled.

“Seriously Kushi.How did you know what I wanted??”, repeated a surprised Anjali.

“Simple Di. There is no one else in this world who knows your likes and dislikes like the way I do. So I just thought how would I like my wedding dress to be if I were you. And the result is right in your hands”, said Kushi.

While Anjali responded with an appreciative glance, ” Don’t remember seeing this in your show”, said Sakshi who was done scanning the lehenga.

“Ya, I don’t think it was in her collection”, agreed Aarthi.

“How will it be! It was made exclusively for Di. So there is no way I would let someone else try it”, said Kushi.

“Can I try it once”, asked Anjali.

“Of course,Di! Let’s go. I will help you with it”, said Kushi who gathered the other parts of the outfit and left with Anjali to her room.

After a while, ” This is the best gift ever, Kushi! I just love it”, said Anjali looking at her image in the mirror, hearing which Kushi beamed with happiness.

The girls soon returned downstairs to display the outfit to others and when Aakash’s eyes landed on his daughter who was in a bridal attire, emotions churned inside him and his eyes moistened. Noticing  the change in his friend and understanding what might be disturbing him, Shashi placed his hand on Aakash’s. “Don’t you think these girls grow very quickly? Soon she will be leaving us to start a family of her own”,  said Aakash looking at Anjali.

“Hmmm”, said Sashi agreeing with him and  as he turned his eyes towards his daughter, he couldn’t help but think, “Even my princess will leave this home some day. And all I can do is wish for that day to come as late as possible”.

Seeing the men who were lost in their own world staring at their daughters, Arnav understood what might be going on in their minds. But as there was nothing that he could do to change their moods, he remained a silent spectator while someone else took charge of the situation.

“Now why are you two so sad? Don’t you like Di’s dress?”, questioned Kushi placing her hands on either side of her waist.

“Who said that? Of course we do”, replied the men.

“Then why do you both have that gloomy expression on your faces?”, inquired Kushi.

“It’s just that… we were talking about..”, said Aakash who paused midway as Kushi interrupted him saying, “Di leaving us!”

As Aakash responded with a nod and a lifeless smile, ” Oh come one Papa!”, said Kushi taking a seat on the armrest of his couch.

“Di is not going to leave this country, state or city after her wedding. She is going to be right in this city in a pretty close by neighborhood, where we can visit her whenever we want to. Isn’t that something we should be happy about? Moreover, so what if Di isn’t here? Don’t you have me? I’m not going to get married any time soon and  I have no issues in getting Di’s share of pampering too. What say Di?”, said Kushi as she shrugged her shoulders.

While she got a pat in response from Anjali, “Aren’t you happy with what you are getting now, that you are waiting to get Anjali’s share too ?”, asked Sakshi.

“You never pamper me, Maa. So, yes, I’m not content with whatever I’m getting now”, said Kushi as if stating a fact.

As Sakshi twisted Kushi’s ear in response, ” OUCH!! Maa.. it hurts!!”, squeaked Kushi.

“Your father’s pampering has spoiled you rotten”, remarked Sakshi letting go of Kushi’s ear.

“Ignore your mother’s words Kushi. She loves you more than I do”, said Shashi intervening between the mother and daughter.

“I know! It’s just that her way of expressing  it is so unique”, said Kushi, rubbing her ear as she flashed her teeth to her mother. While everyone around her laughed seeing the expression on her face, Arnav was amazed to see how she changed the atmosphere there.

The faces which were all gloomy just a while ago were having genuine smiles dancing on their lips now and looking at the girl who was the cause for all those smiles, while Arnav thought ,“Just like her name- Always spreading happiness  around her”, Devyani thought, “ Wish this happiness never leaves this home. And there is only one way to make that possible”, switching her gaze from Kushi to Arnav.

“Babuji.. there is something which I have been waiting to tell you”, mentioned Kushi drawing everyone’s attention.

While Shashi waited for her to continue, ” Do you remember, the other day, when you asked me why I needed twenty five thousand that urgently, I said that you will be the first one to know about it when time comes”, said Kushi.

“Ya, I have been waiting since then for you to share your little secret  with me”, said Shashi on a lighter note.

“I needed that amount to give it to the worker. He asked advance on that day and asked me to pay it then and there. His team is the best in town for this kind of work and I wanted them to work on Di’s wedding outfit as I wanted it to be the best. I was planning to surprise Di so I couldn’t share this info earlier. Moreover, I wasn’t sure if I could get the final piece ready on time and that it would come out as I wanted it to be. So I stayed mum until I got my hands on the final piece. Hope I didn’t disappoint you”, concluded Kushi.

“Of course you didn’t. I know that you are wise enough to use your money. But since it was not a small amount and since you needed it that urgently, I was just  curious to know about the cause”, said Shashi.

While the father and daughter continued conversing, Shyamlal came there with a parcel in his hand and handing it to Arnav he said,”Arnav bhayya, here is a parcel in your name”.

Arnav took the parcel and his eyes raced along the beautifully handwritten text which read,  ‘To, Arnav ‘.

Though the handwriting looked somewhat familiar Arnav couldn’t guess who it was from. He turned the box in his hand to see the sender’s name but there was none.

“Strange! Whoever sent it, didn’t bother to mention their name”, murmured Arnav as he got ready to peel the gift wrap.

“Wait a minute! What did you just say?”, squeaked Rishi as he heard Arnav’s whisper.

“What did I say?’, asked a confused Arnav seeing the terrified look on Rishi’s face.

“Didn’t you just say that there is no sender’s name on the box”, inquired Rishi.

“Yes”, replied Arnav, re checking the parcel just in case he missed noticing something earlier.

“Then throw it out Arnav!”, said Rishi raising from his couch hearing which “WHAT!!”, said Arnav and Kushi.

Though Kushi’s reaction drew his attention, Arnav ignored it and addressing Rishi he asked, ” And may I know why?”

“What if there is a bomb in it??? I heard terrorists are sending bombs in parcels like this. What if that’s true and this bomb blasts right in our living room. It might kill us Arnav”, said Rishi creating terror in many around him.

While Kushi banged her head with her hand thinking, ” Why does this Rishi’s brain work when it’s not required to. He is creating unnecessary tension now!”, “ Come on Rishi! Do you seriously think there is a bomb in it?, said Arnav peeling one corner of the gift wrap.

“Wait Arnav! What if Rishi is right? We can’t take chances”, said a panicked Anjali.

“Oh come on Di! Do you believe all this!”, said Arnav ignoring his sister’s comment as he completely peeled the wrapper uncovering a plain white box.

“Give that to me!”, said Rishi as he snatched the box from Arnav’s hand and kept it close to his ear. Kushi felt like smashing her brother’s head for interfering. But since she couldn’t do that she cursed him under her breath ,muttering, ” Does this fellow have to poke his nose in everything and anything!”

“I think they set a timer. I hear a clock ticking”, announced Rishi terrifying the elder women in that room.

“You senseless fellow,if there is a watch inside it, won’t it tick?”, Kushi couldn’t help but mutter hearing Rishi’s words.

“Did you say something,Kushi?”, asked Anjali who couldn’t hear Kushi properly.

“No Di!”, replied Kushi sheepishly.

Meanwhile, Arnav grabbed the box back from Rishi and kept it close to his ear. ” I think it’s a watch”, he announced, hearing which, “At least he has some brains!“, thought Kushi.

As Arnav lifted the flap of the box, most of the people around him sucked in their breath and when he pulled another small box outside saying, ” Relax guys! It’s a watch”, they left a deep sigh of relief.

He opened the second box revealing a magnificent Rolex watch and while everyone’s eyes were on the watch in his hand, Kushi’s were on his face. She continued watching him closely, to figure out if he liked the gift or not.

As  Arnav noticed a small folded card in the box, he passed on the watch to his sister who was curious to have  closer look at it and opened the card.

As he read the text on the card which read , “Thank You!…. for everything”, which was in the same beautiful hand writing, he somehow knew who sent it. As he raised his head and looked at Kushi, she avoided his gaze. Flipping the card in his hand he continued staring at Kushi when his sister said, ” Hmm… Rolex watch! Not bad! Looks like whoever sent it, is well aware of your frequent business trips to other countries. They chose a dual time watch for you.”

With his gaze fixed on Kushi as Arnav responded with a nod, Kushi couldn’t help but think, “ Now why is he staring at me like that? He must have figured it out that I sent it!”

Anjali passed on the watch to others and when Rishi got his hands on it he said,”Wow! This is so cool! You are so lucky dude that you have some secret admirer who sends you such expensive gift. And look at me. Forget about admirers, I never got even a decent gift from people who I call, my friends”.

While Kushi almost choked hearing the word ‘Admirer’, Arnav smirked seeing the expression on her face. And when Anjali noticed the smirk on her brother’s face and looked in the way in which his gaze was directed, a suspicion rose in her head.

As the phone call from Karan’s mother diverted Sakshi and Aarthi, Shahi and Aakash too left to the office room, to discuss something, leaving the rest in the living room.

“Why don’t you try it on and see”, advised Anjali who took the watch out of the case and  gave it to her brother. Without denying her, Arnav placed the dial on his wrist and after clasping it securely he showed it to his sister.

” Wow… should definitely appreciate your ADMIRER’S choice Arnav. It suited you so well”, commented Anjali observing Kushi. Though Kushi was glad to hear the comment, the ‘admirer’ part did trouble her. And when Kushi made a face, Anjali had to suppress her smile.

As Arnav stared at the watch which was as per his liking, ” But why would someone send you a watch? And what’s in that note?’, asked Anjali eyeing the note in his right hand.

“It’s just a thank you note, Di”, said Arnav after giving a glance to Kushi.

“The question still remains Arnav! Why would someone send you a gift and a thank you note?”, asked Anjali.

“I know why she sent it, Di”, replied Arnav pretty casually which made Kushi literally jerk in her spot.

“God! He knows that its me and now he is going to disclose it to make fun of me in front of everyone. And these people will pester me with questions! What should I say when they ask me why I  did this?”, thought Kushi, who felt a slight ache start in her head.

“SHE??”, said Devyani who didn’t like the very thought of some girl sending a gift to her grandson. “Who is that SHE Arnav and why did she send you a gift?”, she questioned him.

” She was my classmate at Harvard, Dhadhi. I helped her couple of times during our course work.  She might have sent it to express her gratitude”, said Arnav , as he kept watching how the  expressions on Kushi’s face  drastically changed with every word he uttered.

“WHAT??? Classmate from Harvard??? Does he really think that his classmate sent it”, wondered Kushi whose head ache took a hike hearing his words.

“But how do you know that she sent it?’, asked Anjali who was confused hearing Arnav’s statement.

“I know, Di. It’s the hand writing. I can identify it very well”, said Arnav on a serious note looking at his sister.

“What!! My foot!! Go get your eyes checked!!”, muttered Kushi looking at Arnav and when he looked at her, she instantly looked away cursing him. Arnav  laughed inwardly seeing her in that confused state but he wasn’t aware that he confused one more soul with his declaration.

“Can I have a look at that note”, asked Anjali who couldn’t handle the confusion, pointing her hand to the note in Arnav’s hand. And when he passed it on to her, all her confusion disappeared seeing the most familiar handwriting.A smile beamed on her face as she figured out that her brother was just trying to pull Kushi’s leg.

“Dhadhi, see how beautiful this handwriting is”, she said passing the note to Devyani. Though she was in no mood to appreciate Arnav’s classmate’s writing, Devyani took the note with least interest. But when her eyes landed on the note, they grew big in her face and she said, ” This writing… this writing is”. She couldn’t continue with what she intended to say as Anjali interrupted her  midway saying, ” Is so beautiful!Right, Dhadhi!”. Seeing the wink which Anjali passed, Devyani controlled her excitement and agreed with Anjali saying, ” Ya, it is. Just like some print!”

“Wow! What an awesome family! While one thinks that it’s like his classmates, others think it’s beautiful and like some print.But none identified my writing. What a shame, Kushi!”, mumbled Kushi as she kept twisting her duppatta around her left index finger.

“Why don’t you call your friend … I mean your classmate home ,Arnav”, said Devyani out of the blue which made Kushi lift her head and stare at her Dhadhi.

“What a nice thought Dhadhi. Dhadhi is right. Arnav. Your friend was so thoughtful in sending you a gift. You should definitely invite her to our home”, said Anjali.

“Yup! Indeed, I want to meet her too. Who knows, if I become good friends with her, she might send such nice gifts for me too”, added Rishi.

“Ya ya. Call her. He will bring her home and you people give her aarti and welcome her inside”, mumbled Kushi.

“She isn’t in India Dhadhi. But I will let her know that you people want to meet her”, said Arnav hearing which Kushi’s blood boiled. She was upset. She was thoroughly upset. What was her intention in getting a gift for him and what exactly is happening around her?  He thinks his classmate sent it and  everyone else wants to meet her? What crap!! Kushi gritted her teeth to suppress her anger and head ache, both of which reached their peaks and not able to take anymore nonsense, she raised from her seat and marched from there without bothering to address anyone.

“Now why did she leave like that?”, said Rishi who had no clue what’s wrong with his sister and though the rest knew the answer, they kept it to themselves suppressing their smiles which were the results of various thoughts.

Devyani who couldn’t hold back her excitement any longer, asked Anjali to accompany her to her room on the pretext of knee pain. And when the duo were getting ready to leave, they noticed how Arnav was in a rush to leave from there. Seeing her grandson who was taking the path which Kushi took just a minute ago, Devyani exchanged a smile with Anjali and walked towards her room. There is lot which she needs to discuss with her grand-daughter.

On the other hand Arnav was successful in finding Kushi all alone. He stopped her right when she was all set to enter her room saying, ” You didn’t say anything about my watch”.

Kushi turned around and looked at the man who was showing his wrist to her.

“It’s good”, she replied with disinterest and got ready to leave when he said, ” That’s it?”. She missed noticing the tease in his voice and decided to ignore him as she was in a totally different mood. But when he continued saying, ” I thought you would say, it’s amazing, beautiful etc etc”, she had to respond with a retort. “What made you think I would say all that and etc etc”, she asked folding her arms.

“Because the girl who sent this has an amazing taste and from what I have seen, people love her selection to such a great extent that they never stop their appreciation with a single word”, taunted Arnav.

Though her temper took a big hike with his declaration, and though she wanted to grab him by his neck and choke him, Kushi controlled herself. She gave one look to him and went inside her room only to close the door with a bang.

She started calling him names in her head, standing on the other side of the door while Arnav smiled seeing her reaction. Looking at the watch on his wrist he went to his room.

Kushi  found some solace after calling him moron a hundred times and when she finally calmed down, she thought, ” Why do I even care? I wanted to thank him and I did. If he thinks his classmate gave it. So be it! It shouldn’t even matter to me. Let him and his friend go to hell!!  

Though she didn’t feel any better thinking like that, she pushed all her thoughts to the back of her mind and tried to sleep to get rid of her head ache. And while Kushi was busy battling with her head ache, the duo downstairs were jumping with joy.

“Can you believe that our Kushi gave him a gift Dhadhi!”, said an excited Anjali.

“I wouldn’t, had I not seen that card”, agreed Devyani whose face was shining with happiness.

“There is definitely something between these two”, concluded Anjali as she sat on Devyani’s bed, crossing her legs.

“I agree with you on this one Anjali”, said Devyani.

“There is no doubt about it Dhadhi! If not, why will Arnav take part in her show just to help her and why will Kushi send him a gift”, questioned Anjali.

“Kushi sending him a gift doesn’t prove anything, Anjali. But Arnav walking on the ramp for Kushi, does prove something”, said the older woman.

“But why did she not give it to him directly?”, asked Anjali expressing her doubt.

“She might have her own reasons! But what’s bothering me more is, how will Arnav know that the gift was from Kushi. Poor fellow, he is under the impression that his classmate sent it”, said Devyani, sitting next to Anjali.

“Dhadhi, do you think my brother is a fool to think like that. He knows that it’s from Kushi”, announced Anjali.

“Is it?”, asked Devyani widening her eyes and when Anjali nodded her head in response,    “How do you know?”, she asked.

“It was written on his face,Dhadhi. The way he was staring at Kushi from the moment he read the card, the smirk on his face when he brought his so called classmate into the picture,  I noticed everything”, said Anjali.

“Oh! So he was trying to tease her! Not bad”, said Devyani who was happy with the progress.

“Looks like that. But one thing is very clear Dhadhi. There is something going on between these two  which they aren’t aware of and which they don’t want to accept”, concluded Anjali.

“Hmm…Looks like the sparks have started”, said Devyani who got lost in a thought.

“Do you think they are in love Dhadhi?”, asked an excited Anjali looking at the smile which never left the elder woman’s face from the moment she learned that Kushi sent the watch.

“I don’t think so Anjali. From what I see, they have a long way to reach that stage. But like I said, the sparks have started. It might take some time but at some point these sparks will ignite that beautiful emotion called love in their hearts. I somehow know it”, said Devyani.

“But till then what do WE do Dhadhi? Just wait and watch how these sparks will turn into flames?”, asked Anjali throwing her hands in the air with a disappointed look on her face.

“Who said we are going to sit and watch? I agree that it’s matter of hearts and you and I can’t make them to fall in love. But that doesn’t mean our hands are tied up. There is one thing which we can do”, said Devyani.

“You just tell me what it is Dhadhi. I will put it into action right away”, said and excited Anjali.

“We need to  create situations to  bring them closer, Anjali. The more they are around each other.. the sooner they will get to know about each other and this will help them to realize their feelings sooner than later. Your wedding is a great opportunity for us to do this and we need to make the most of it. Kushi will anyhow accompany you for the wedding related shopping, all we have to do is, get Arnav involved in it. I know it’s a tough task but you need to tag him along whenever you have Kushi with you”, said Devyani.

“You leave that to me Dhadhi. I know how to convince my brother”, said Anjali who was super excited about the whole thing.

The duo  further discussed and came up with a plan which they decided to implement the very next day.

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