K3G Returns! #MissionDesi

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Eid

IF YOU LOOKED FROM FAR AWAY, Chandni Chowk on the day of Eid looked like a bunch of slowly-moving sparkly dots. The smoky smells of delicacies like tandoori chicken wafted through the air. People stood around and chattered, hugging the customary three times, showing off their new outfits. Children ran through the bustling streets ornamented in fairy lights, eager to start playing with their gifted toys.

But if there was one thing special about this day in the little area of Chandni Chowk, it would be the amount of happiness and joy, even from people who didn't celebrate this particular holiday.

On the other hand though, the sizzle of oily food and crowds of chaotic celebrators didn't please everyone.

"Oh God, Bhaiya, where the freaking hell are we?" Yuvi grumbled, as the brothers' sleek red convertible slid by curious onlookers, who stared at the magnificent vehicle in awe. Yuvi squirmed under their gaze, avoiding eye contact. Instead, he focused his energy on vigorously dabbing the sweat off his sweltering face with his embroidered handkerchief.

The older Raichand boy first smiled at the wide-eyed children, but then rolled his eyes at his doofus of a younger cousin. "Don't worry, Rani saab [Queen], we're here. Now make yourself useful and help me find the place, will you?" Krish slammed the door of the convertible, unsuccessfully trying to find a glimpse among the sea of heads.

Yuvi sighed, holding the handkerchief over his mouth and nose, mumbling something under his breath as he walked off in the opposite direction.

AFTER WHAT WAS AS DIFFICULT AS wading through the mushy marshes of a flooding swamp, Krish finally managed to reach Chandni Chowk's most famous mosque, the Fatehpuri Masjid, through the throngs of people. Relieved that he had remembered to dress appropriately, Krish followed the lines of men, dropping Daijaan's donations in the correct boxes.

Unsurprisingly, many men at the mosque knew Anjali's father and Daijaan very well. They were pleased to find out Krish had so graciously arrived to fulfill his Daijaan's duties, and invited him into the mosque to watch the prayer. A mosque is open to everyone, they had told him. Krish smiled and watched them for a bit, thoroughly enjoying the peace and tranquility of a different group of people. He had bid farewell shortly after, despite the men's protests. After all, jalebis and finding Yuvi were still on the list.

Luckily, there was a sweet shop right outside the mosque, and they were selling jalebis like hot cakes. Krish inhaled the scent of sweet sugary syrup, walking past a stocky, idiotic man fighting with a foreigner over the location of Red Fort.

Entering the shop, Krish was immediately hit in the face by two things: a group of giggling middle-aged ladies pushing their way out the door, and the hiss-hiss sound of the jalebi-fryers.

A tall young man about his age smiled at him. "Salaam. Main aapki madaat kaise kar sakta hoon? [How can I help you?]"

Krish ordered the boxes of jalebis as necessary. The man thanked him, and called out behind him, "ARA! Jalebi ke dabbe leke ao, please! [Bring the jalebi boxes, please!]"

And that was when the wind was knocked right out of Krish. From behind the counter, out popped the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on.

Her mouth was stuffed and her cheeks were bulging, yet she was continuously shoving gulab jaamun into her mouth, silver glass bangles tinkling like little wind chimes on her wrists.

"Ghasi, I'm busy here," she raised her eyebrows at him incredulously. He only shook his head at her.

"Bakwas band kar, Asmara. Kuch kaam bhi kar le. Poora din tune sirf mithai khaaya. [Stop this nonsense, Asmara. Do some work. All day you've only had sweets.]"

"Isme meri kya galti hai? [How is it my fault?]" the girl, now identified as Asmara, whined with a sweet smile, throwing her hands up for emphasis. "Eid is the world's best holiday! And I - " she stopped short like a deer caught in headlights as she gained sight of Krish.

Krish watched as those stunning light eyes widened slightly with surprise. She gnawed on the inside of her lip nervously, suddenly unsure. Meanwhile, Ghasi stared at them back-and-forth, scratching his head in confusion.

Krish was contemplating whether to say hello when her gaze left his almost as quickly as it came. Fixing her stare on the floor, she stammered at Ghasi, "I-I, uh, main..." She cleared her throat. "Main dabbe leke aati hoon [I'll go get the boxes]," she murmured, quickly scampering away from her moment of embarrassment.

She was so cute.

Krish fought a smile. He was sure she was the most gorgeous girl he had ever seen. She was so stunning that he couldn't keep his eyes off her. Her turquoise and pale yellow salwar suit made her look like an angel. Her eyes sparkled; he could willingly drown himself in them forever. And her smile was dangerous, it was as adorable as it could get.

His reverie was interrupted by a pair of tiny hands so graceful and dainty they could only be Asmara's. They handed Ghasi the boxes of sweets, not revealing the face of the owner. It didn't take a genius to know that she was hiding behind Ghasi.

Krish gave Ghasi the cash and tilted his head, giving him a view of Asmara's shy doe eyes. He gave her a gentle wink, as Ghasi rang up the prices. She gasped and fled as quickly as she could, her dupatta and the silky, lush locks of her hair trailing after her.

"Yeh lijiye saab [Here you go mister]." Ghasi handed him a plastic bag containing all the sweets and his change.

"Shukriya [Thank you]." Krish tried his best not to look behind him.

He turned to leave, when suddenly, Ghasi whistled at him for his attention.

"Oye, hero!"

Krish turned.

"Sambhalke, saab [Careful, mister]," Ghasi said with a knowing smile.

...

*The "stocky, idiotic man" is Haldiram, and the "tall young man" taking Krish's order his Ghasijaram. LMAO.

Haha, hope you enjoyed! I know it seems really cheesy, but it was intentional, I promise! I mean, what is K3G if it isn't cheesy, right?

Let me know what you think! Next chapter will mark the entry of Annette after 20 years, and Krish is only gonna get even more frazzled! And of course, Asmara will come up again and more information about her will be given. ;)

- Meenal.