PHIR SE

A midsummer midnight

CHAPTER 12

A MIDSUMMER MIDNIGHT

“So what did you say your name was ?" Mrs Jha asked with an attitude while Khushi served the Pulao to her.

“ Ji, Khushi. Khushi devi Upadhyay.” Khushi replied  proudly yet hesitantly. She didn’t want to get shouted on again.

“Kusi as in happiness?” smirked Shyam.

Khushi served the pulao to him.
“It’s Khushi.”she smiled.

“That’s what I said, Kusi.”

Arnav chuckled making
Khushi glare at him.

“Oh I forgot to ask you, you are Khushi‘s brother, right?” said Mrs Jha making Khushi drop a spoon and ASR cough.

"No, no Mrs Jha. He actually is a very good uh ... a family friend of ours." Indrani smiled.

"Yes, I am just a family friend. Nice to meet you Mrs Jha and Mr Shyam Jha. I am ASR." Arnav said looking towards Khushi.

"Just ASR? Such a short bad name. Look at my name, it is so nice. Right, Maa?"

"Of course beta! Shyam, such a heavenly name. So desirable isn’t it, Indrani ji?" Mrs Jha turned towards Indrani.

"Oh of course! Of course!" Indrani smiled awkwardly.

"Actually his name isn’t ASR.Those are his initials. His name is Arnav Singh Raizada."
This time Khushi didn’t hesitate to be proud and this didn’t go unnoticed by Arnav. He turned towards her. She avoided his gaze and put more pulao in his  plate.

"Accha? Looks like he is quite close to you?" Mrs Jha frowned.

" He is just my clie..." Khushi stopped as Indrani glared at her.

"The food is alright, not very bad."Shyam looked at Khushi.

"Uh, thank you." Khushi gave an awkward smile.

"Well I think it is marvellous." Arnav smiled to Khushi who reciprocated it happily.
"You aren't eating the Kheer?"

"I have Diabetes." Arnav casually said making Khushi gasp in shock.

Dev too had Diabetes.
She thought to herself.
She controlled her emotions and decided to talk to him later about this.

Khushi took a seat between Arnav and Shyam.

"I think it is typical educated woman food, referred from cook books..." Khushi tried to interrupt but was stopped by the show of Mrs Jha's palm.
"You are quite educated, huh?" Mrs Jha kept a scrutinizing gaze on Khushi.

" Yes, I hold a Master’s in literature and…"

"Oh, so you must be working too."
Mrs Jha folded her hands.
Khushi was about to answer when Indrani intervened.

"No, my Khushi is a typical homely girl. She likes doing all house hold work. She prefers being away from all these outdoor affairs."

Khushi put her head down while Arnav looked on, confused.

"That is really good ! My previous daughter in law  was educated and  so all the airs she showed. She would do no house work . That lazy girl!" Mrs Jha scoffed.

"Oh! No, I ensure you Khushi is nothing like that. She will satisfy your needs well." Indrani held her hands together and smiled.

Shyam licked his lips on hearing that Khushi shall satisfy his needs.

Arnav didn’t like all that was  going around him. He couldn’t understand why Khushi was being betrothed to a divorcee,  taking in all this insult. After all she was a strong woman, she knew how to stand up for herself. Why was she doing this?