Silver Linings

Unravel

"Khushi!" Payal called out to her little sister who was standing frozen in her spot, biting her thumb nail on one hand while the other clutched her chest. "Khushi!" she called out again.. But there was no hint of recognition from her. Finally Payal shook Khushi physically, pulling her out of what ever dreamland she was in. Khushi looked around, and was confused to find only Payal standing there. "Arnavji?" was the first thing that came out of her mouth. Payal shook her head and slightly tapped on Khushi's forehead "Pagli.. Akashji aur Arnavji ko gaye hue paanch minute ho raha hai. Akashji tho tumko bye bhi bola tha jaane se pehle" (Crazy girl.. its been five minutes since Akashji and Arnavji left.. Akashji even said bye to you before he left) Payal exaggerated the time a little bit.. it was barely a minute since they left... but a little white lie is fine in this case, she smiled to herself.

Khushi blinked her eyes in confusion. "Akashji humse baat kiye the? Kab? Hume pata bhi nahi chala" (Akashji spoke to me? When? I didn't even realise) She made a crying face, making Payal bite back a laugh "Kiske khayal mei khoyi thi?" (In whose thoughts were you lost?) Payal teased and Khushi immediately felt flustered remembering the words that had gotten her into this mess in the first place "Sab uss laad governor ki ghalti hai... Kuch bhi keh deta hai... Aur hamre dil aise dhak dhak karna shuru kardeta hai" (Its all that laad governor's fault.. he just says anything and my heart starts going dhak dhak) she muttered under her breath moving her hands animatedly. Payal was close enough to hear her and saved this information in her mind, it would come in handy to tease Khushi later on. Now they better go inside before Buaji comes out looking for them, so she held Khushi's hand and tugged her along.

Payal was greeted with a bear hug from her mother, upon entering the house. She then went ahead and took her father's blessings. Khushi, however, walked straight ahead, towards her room, still in a daze.. she couldn't get the words, Arnav had said, out of her mind. Did he understand what his words insinuated? Did he actually mean that? She started to bite her nails again. She collided into Buaji who was coming out of her room, "Ay SankaDevi... Dekh ke nai chal saki hai kya" (Ay SankaDevi.. look where you are going) Buaji scolded her while rubbing her forehead. "Sorry Buaji.. humne aapko dekha nahi" (Sorry Buaji.. I didn't see you there) Khushi made a sad face and Buaji narrowed her eyes "Itni badi insaan dikha nahi tumhari saamne? jaake tumri aakhen ka ilaaj karvao" (You couldn't see such a big person in front of you? Go get your eyes checked) she said and walked away to the kitchen muttering to herself. Khushi pouted at Buaji's direction, Payal who had already come near the room, whispered in Khushi's ears "Ilaaj Aakhen ki nahi... dil ka karvalo" (Not your eyes.. get your heart checked) and almost laughed out loud when Khushi turned into a tomato and ran into the room. Oh this is going to be so much fun! Thought Payal and went back to join her parents in the hall.

***

Akash was brooding on the passenger seat, from the time the vehicle had left from Payal's house. Coming to a stop at the traffic signal, Arnav turned towards his cousin "Akash" he called out to him, "Yes Bhai?"  Akash answered, his eyes still staring out the window. When Arnav didn't say anything, Akash turned to face him, Arnav raised a brow in question, and Akash sighed... "Kuch nahi bhai... I.. I just miss her already!" (Nothing Bhai.. I.. I just miss her already) Arnav contemplated Akash's words... If this had taken place a month back, Arnav would have made some comment about how ridiculous Akash is being - Payal is only going to be gone for three days. But now... now he actually understood Akash's predicament.

He sighed and nodded his head "She will be back soon Akash" he said reassuringly and looked ahead, "I don't understand Bhai... Shadi se pehle itne rules the.. hume akele milne nahi dete the.. and now.. she is my wife.. aur ab abhi usse teen din ke liye nahi mil sakta" (Before marriage, there were so many rules... we weren't allowed to meet each other alone.. and now.. she is my wife.. even now I am not allowed to meet her for three days) Akash sounded agitated, making Arnav sigh "Akash.. you can speak to her.. you know that right? jab bhi tumhara mann kare, tum Payal ko call kar sakte ho" (When ever you feel like it, you could give Payal a call) Akash nodded his head but still looked upset. Arnav pressed on the accelerator "kam se kam teen din ke baad woh tumhare paas hi tho aayegi.." (At least after three days, she is going to come back to you..) he let the rest of his thought go unspoken, but Akash understood the underlying meaning.