Valley of Flowers Chapter 3

DINNER was grand affair with variety of dishes ranging from salads, starters, soups, breads, and accompaniments to a wide selection of mouth -watering desserts.It was perfectly prepared, yet it was irrefutably spoiled for Khushi. It was agony standing in the same room as Arnav, trying to behave like a normal guest.

‘I am looking forward to your performance,’ Arnav came up behind her suddenly.

Khushi turned toward him. He looked older, harder --- better than he had ever looked in his life. One thing that hadn’t changed was his eyes – mesmerizing caramel orbs, unforgettable, intense.

‘Do you understand anything about dance Mr Raizada?’ Ria asked him.

‘A little,’ He paused, ‘Thanks to someone very close to me.’

Khushi’s eyes flashed at him. Stop doing this to me.I hate you for coming back into my life like this.

He continued, ‘You see my Nani was a dancer in her younger days.’

They were staring into each other’s eyes, and even now after everything Khushi was devouring those well remembered features, noticing the changes. The brilliant, faintly reckless air was gone. Here was a man who had his life, his thoughts and his feelings better organised than anyone else would know. The almost awesome good looks had hardened into a different mould as faultless as ever but wholly sombre, wholly stern; black-brown hair, lightly tanned skin, hollow planes, brilliant brown eyes, majestic eyebrows, lashes that were thick and long. The look of fresh youth, the vivid smile, tousled hair, the sweetness about the sculptured mouth was gone. Arnav Singh Raizada looked a powerful and dominant man.

‘Of course!’ NK said loudly bringing Khushi out of her trance.

After dinner the men went back to their drinks while the women gathered around to entertain themselves. Lavanya went up to join the men.

‘I don’t know why that girl wants to ruin her marriage by going after Arnav,’ Mrs Malhotra confided to her in an undertone.

‘What do you mean?’ Khushi raised her eyebrows in surprise.

‘Lavanya is married to Karan Singhania the stinking rich business tycoon, but I have heard he has walked out on her – and rumour is, it is because of Arnav.’

‘What?’ Khushi was appalled.

‘Arnav’s mother died in a car accident a year ago. Lavanya’s mother was also in the same car when the car crashed. I think this tragedy might have brought them closer.’

Khushi’s heart began to pound wildly. Sharada Singh Raizada --- the proud, vivacious, vital woman, no more. She remembered the feeling of shock, when Payal had informed her about it.

‘Can’t really blame her for feeling this way about Arnav, though,’ Mrs.Malhotra continued. ‘Lavanya was the girl Arnav’s mother had chosen for him. But that marriage never happened. Nobody knows why. The poor girl probably never got over it.’

Could anyone? Khushi looked across the room to where Lavanya was hanging on to Arnav’s every word. There was no doubt that she was still holding a torch for Arnav. Why hadn’t they married all those years ago? None of it had lost its power to haunt her. All this was too much to take in just now and she felt darkness close in on her. She bent her head for a few seconds.

‘Khushi?’Vaguely Khushi heard that someone was calling her and gradually the feeling passed.

‘Hold on to her or she will collapse on the carpet!’ Ria’s voice was fascinated and impatient.

‘I am sorry.’ Khushi whispered lifting her head.

‘Are you okay?’ Mrs Malhotra said holding her shoulder.

The men came up to them realizing something was wrong.

‘She is feeling a little dizzy.’ Ria explained.

NK moved toward her instantly, torn between concern and the stricken feeling she was about to disappoint his boss.

‘I am fine, really.’ Khushi assured them with a smile.

‘Good,’ Mr Malhotra gave a pleased nod. ‘Arnav here is really geared up to see you perform.’

‘Don’t worry Vishal uncle,’ Khushi looked at him to see his mouth twisted into an arrogant smirk, ‘dedicated artists usually don’t let these small things come in the way, come hell or high water. Miss Gupta seems theextremely dedicated type. I don’t think she will disappoint those who have come a long way only to watch her.’

Khushi knew exactly what he was doing to her. She even knew he was dangerous, more so now than he had ever been in the past. But she wasn’t the helpless little girl she had once been, inexperienced, insecure, beholden to the mighty Raizadas. She stood up gracefully and walked toward the small clearing that would act as the stage.

She sensed him staring at her with those intense disturbing eyes, and his words created a tingle of excitement, something she hadn’t felt in years.

Khushi closed her eyes and composed herself, trying to clear her mind of its pain and bitter disillusionment. He can’t touch me if I close the door on everything except my dance, she thought. It meant everything to me, my sanity, control. She remembered what one of her teachers in Mumbai had told her.

You have been given a gift and since your heart has known suffering your dance will have depth.

You have a pure spiritual quality but you also have passion.

You will give others happiness.

As the music wafted through the room, Khushi’s body began to move to the music with grace and poise that she had practiced over the years.

Ore Piya haye….

Udne laga kyon mann bawla re

Aaya kahan se yeh hosla re

Ore Piya haye…

She had chosen the song Ore Piya, because she knew the guests were more likely to enjoy a contemporary fusion, rather than a pure form of Kathak.

Saazish mein shaamil sara jahaan hai

Har zare zare ki yehi ltiza hai

Ore Piya haye….

Five minutes later, when she had returned to her body, the entire room resounded with applause. Many came up to her to congratulate her on her performance, except for the one person who had once taken her heart and soul. He preferred to keep himself aloof and indifferent, punishing her with his hostile stare.

Later, Khushi sat in the car feeling guilty for making NK drive her back home so late in the night. But there was no way she could have stayed in the same house with Arnav Singh Raizada. His glittering eyes had bored a hole in her back even as NK bundled her into the car. Anintense pain had begun in the region of her heart refusing to go away.

‘I don’t understand why you refused to have a doctor come and examine you if you feel so sick.’ NK sounded a little irritated.

‘I am not very used to allopathic medicines Nanheji and I forgot to get my homeopathy medicines.’ She said in a low voice. ‘I am sorry.’

‘It’s alright. Forget it.’

They travelled in silence for some time and then NK gave vent to his anxieties. ‘How can the old man think about replacing me with Arnav?’ he said uncertainly. ‘No wonder people hate him. He has the reputation of being devious in business. I mean, how does he know Arnav is the right man for the job? Arnav has had the privilege of being born rich, that’s all. He hasn’t even shown any interest to take over his grandfather’s business. I wonder if he even works at all.’ NK was just talking out more to himself that Khushi.

‘I think he started AR in the US,’ she told him.

‘What?’ NK’s voice cracked.

Hey Devi Maiyya! Khushi thought. She would have to think before she opened her mouth again. ‘Someone told me at the party.’

‘I don’t know what I am going to do,’ NK tightened his hold on the steering wheel. ‘I would have to prepare some kind of strategy to secure my position. Maybe I should talk to the other directors. The old man might want to have Arnav on the team, but I am sure Imight have enough support.’

‘Don’t worry Nanheji,’ Khushi tried to sound re-assuring, ‘there is a possibility he might not accept.’

‘Who told you that?’ He said urgently.

‘I think it was Lavanya Kashyap.’

‘Did she?’ He paused. ‘That woman was stuck to him all evening. Of course, there were other women who wanted to do the same.I don’t know what they see in him. He seems hard and unrelenting.’

Khushi remained silent.

Suddenly NK said, ‘Did you know Arnav?’

‘I –‘ Now was the time to tell him the truth. But she didn’t. He was already upset and there was no point in making it worse. ‘I met him during jiji and jeejaji’s wedding.’

‘Right.’NK said recollecting. ‘I couldn’t make it to the wedding as I had exams. Did you have a fight or something?’

‘Why would you ask that?’ she gave a quick little laugh.

‘I kind of got the feeling he doesn’t like you very much. There was an absence of all tolerance in his eyes.’

‘I don’t feel like talking right now Nanheji.’ Khushi held a hand to her head. Hey Devi Maiyya! Why did he have to make it so obvious?

Khushi woke up to the sounds of a baby’s loud wails and sat up with a start. She managed a one-eyed look at the clock and groaned as the clock struck nine. She was really late thanksto a restless night of scary dreams. She didn’t really want to get up and face the day but she had to. She couldn’t just lie in her bed, there was too much on her mind.

As she threw her bedcovers, she began to think. Why had Arnav come here after all this time? Anjali had mentioned that he had no intentions of ever coming back to live in India. One of the reassuring aspects when NK’s proposal had come up.Perhaps this was a temporary job that he had been forced to take up as an obligation to Mr Malhotra? She hoped so. If not, it would be impossible to be married to NK and have Arnav work in the same company. NK held a good position at VM enterprises and she couldn’t expect him to leave everything and go away with her. The only option would be for her to leave. On the other hand, there was also a possibility that Arnav might reject Mr Malhotra’s tempting offer, in which case she would be saved.

Under the shower she eased her headache, then she dressed quickly in a green and yellow suitand hurried toward Payal’s room. She had missed Ashu and needed to hold the little brat in her arms.

What had NK said about him last night? Absence of all tolerance in his eyes. That was exactly what she had thought five years ago when he had come down from the States for his internship.

He made her nervous. Very nervous.Ever since that moment she had found herself staring into those caramel depths on the night of the Dandiya at the Raizada house. The way he had looked at her had totally disarmed her, forcing her take refuge behind that pillar, clutching a hand to her heart, unable to tolerate his piercing gaze anymore.

After that night she hadn’t seen much of for a while as he was busy going to the office, learning the ropes of the business from his mamaji. For some reason, she realized, that bothered her a lot. She had discovered that her heart beat raced a little erratically whenever he was near her or even if she managed to catch a glimpse of him, from Naniji’s room, where she practiced her dance. Naniji’s room had long French windows overlooking the lawns where he often walked to and fro talking on the phone.

She found she could never tire looking at how a lock of his hair fell across his forehead while he unconsciously ran a hand through it, and how it stretched his shirt emphasising the bulge in his biceps at the same time causing the tail of his shirtto carelessly slip out of the waistband of his trousers. She found his dishevelled look intensely adorable. Maybe it was because it made him look vulnerable, allowing her to catch a glimpse of the boy she had seen in Dehradun five years ago.

Now he was a man. A man who was eons away from her in every way possible.His mannerisms, his eating habits, his dressing style and even the way he spoke.

He had the tendency to mix a lot of English, even though he a had a fairly good understanding of hindi. It had taken her a while to get used to his “I am good…. I got it….. You bet” and most of all his “What the ___?”type profanities which he meted out quiet generously, to express anger, irritation, or frustration.

Even the others in the household found it difficult to understand him at times. He refused to adhere to traditional rituals much to the consternation of the elders in the house. When they pressured him he questioned them on the authenticity shutting them up quiet effectively.

He had once said, “A Chinese colleague of mine, Han Zhu,is a happily married woman with two children. She does not have a religion. She would say that all religions preached that one must “be good” and that she didn’t need a religion to tell her that simple fact.”

She had found his words quiet fascinating, just like everything else about him – until she came face to face with his terrible manic temper.

One day after practice Naniji had shown her a cordless phone, a gift from Arnav,and told her that he would fix it for her later. She had offered to do it for her and without thinking for one second, had plugged it into the socket, blowing up the adapter. She had been unaware that electronic gadgets from the US needed a 220v – 110v convertor to function in India.

‘I am sorry, I didn’t know’ she had apologized with tears in her eyes.

‘Of course you didn’t know,’ he had said gritting his teeth. ‘Knowing such things requires something called intelligence. Which you obviously lack. So, people like you should just refrain from touching expensive stuff.’His tone had increased with each sentence, and he advanced toward her pointing his fingers accusingly, forcing her to take refuge behind Naniji.

‘Chotte!’Naniji had finally intervened. ‘Stop yelling at the poor girl. I could have made the same mistake.’

‘But you didn’t.’ He argued.

‘Well, the phone was mine and I would appreciate it if you could just leave this to me!’

Unfortunately she didn’t have Naniji to defend her the next time.

Naniji had given her the job of watering the plants in the rooftop garden and she had unknowingly overwatered the rare orchids that Arnav had brought with him from the States, causing the roots of the plant to rot, in turn causing the decay of the plant.

‘I am sorry I ----’ she had just begun.

‘Didn’t know,’ he finished for her, a barely controlled temper simmering in his eyes. ‘Your “I didn’t know” might just kill me one day. Remind me not be left alone with you when I have one of my fainting spells.’

She hadn’t realized until later that he was referring to his diabetes. She had gone home and cried her heart out.She couldn’t bear the thought of him dying. She had hated herself for her provincial gaucheness.

Khushi switched off the gas stove. She had already added the ground badam paste to the milk and boiled it until the consistency of the milk was just about right. All she had to do was to add the sugar. She stopped to recall something Naniji had said earlier.

‘Khushi!’ Anjali came into the kitchen, looking elegant in a green net saree.

‘Di! What are you doing here?’ Khushi stood up to go and give Anjali a hug.

‘Nani invited us to dinner,’ Anjali said her smile lighting up her face, ‘I just visited Akash. Payal tells me he is doing better every day. And Ashu is becoming a handful, isn’t he?’

‘How would you know? You hardly ever come here Di.’ Khushi complained. Anjali was a clinical psychologist and worked at Ashray, a psychiatric rehabilitation centre.

‘You know the reason for that Khushi.’ Anjali said her mood becoming sombre.

Sharada Singh Raizada had brought her two kids and come to live with her parents’ after her divorce. Though her parents had fully supported her decision, her brother, instigated by his wife, had never approved, driving a wedge in their relationship. They had managed to live in harmony for a few years, but Nanaji’s death had broken down all the defences and mamajihad made it clear that he no longer wanted to be burdened with the responsibility of a divorced sister.Though Naniji had intervened to diffuse the situation, the damage had been done and Anjali’s mom had left the Raizada house to go and live with her younger son in the States.

‘You must have missed her terribly Di.’ Khushi whispered her eyes clouding.

‘I was doing my PHd at the time and didn’t want to leave India. Mamma practically dragged me to the altar before leaving for the States,’ Anjali reminisced.  ‘After that, we saw each other once a year -- ’ Anjali wiped a tear that had trickled down her cheek. ‘-- until last year.’

‘Nani has been insisting I come here to stay with her for a few days.’ Anjali’s tone became wistful. ‘She hasn’t been herself since mamma passed away.’

‘I am so sorry Di,’ Khushi whispered, her heart going to Anjali.

‘What happened five years ago Khushi?’ Anjali said, her pain evident in her voice.‘We were all so happy during Payal and Akash’s wedding.

‘And thensuddenly you left, Nanaji died, I got married and mom left with Arnav. I missed you all terribly.’

Before Khushi could say anything further, Shyam MohaharJha Anjali’s husband stepped into the kitchen.  ‘What are the two beautiful ladies talking about?’

‘We were talking about mamma,’ Anjali answered in a low voice.

Shyam came up to Anjali and draped an arm around her shoulder. ‘Rani Sahiba, you shouldn’t worry about it so much. She is in a better place now. Come on, there is a surprise waiting for you.’

‘Go ahead Di,’ Khushi said, ‘I will join in just a little bit.’

Just as Khushi picked up the sugar to add to the kheer she remembered what Naniji had said. Khushi bitiya, keep some kheer aside before you add sugar.

Surprise?So this was why Naniji had invited Anjali. She should have known. She closed her eyes.Arnav.

When she stepped into the dining hall she found him near the console table. ‘Don’t touch those Arnav,’ Anjali warned Arnav just as he was about to touch the orchid that grew out of beautifully painted ceramic pot. ‘Khushi doesn’t let anyone go near them. They are her babies.’

‘Khushi is a serious nature-lover.’ NK supplied. ‘She has told me all the flowers she wants to plant in our first garden.’

‘When is the happy day?’ Arnav’s face was in the shadow.

‘We are waiting for bhai to get well so we can get engaged.’ NK announced proudly.

Khushi saw the flash in Arnav’s eyes and his fisted hands showing white at the knuckles.‘Nanheji, please take your seat,’ she said in a rush. ‘I made your favourite badamkheer.’

‘No jalebis?’ Arnav said laconically.

‘I don’t think Khushi likes jalebis,’ NK said looking at Khushi, ‘or any other sweet for the matter of fact.’

An audible gasp went round the table, and Khushi went beet red with embarrassment.

‘It’s just since she returned from Mumbai,’ Mamijiinterjected in an indolent tone, ‘Before that, she used to make them at the drop of a hat. She was the one who made sweets for the Raizada functions.’

 ‘So Arnav,’ Mamaji said, ‘What brings you here?’

‘I am here on business.’ Arnav answered tersely.

‘While he is here, I have asked him to look into AR’s issues.’Naniji announced.

Oh No. Khushi began to serve kheer to everyone seated at the table.

‘What?’ Both Mamaji and Mamiji spoke out in unison.

‘Apparently, helping companies in crisis is his expertise.’

Khushi could see NK tense up in apprehension.

‘But Amma, what was the need?’ Mamaji was clearly unhappy with this new development.  ‘We can manage!’

‘Who’s “we”,Mahendra?’ Naniji countered. ‘You took a voluntary retirement a long time ago and Akash has been struggling to keep the company afloat.Now, he is incapacitated due to the accident. If this continues you know very well as I do that we are going to be in dire straits. I had no choice but to call in Arnav for help.’

‘Arnav knows nothing about our business Amma.’Mamaji stated seriously.

‘That is not true,’ Naniji said smoothly. ‘Chotte worked along with you during his internship five years ago, didn’t he?’

‘We have had a few changes since then.’

‘That is where Khushi comes in. She has been assisting Akash from the past six months. She will continue to do that with Chotte and bring him up to speed.’

Hey Devi Maiyya! Khushi froze.

‘But ---’ Mamiji began.

‘No more buts!’ Naniji said firmly, ‘Chotte will be staying with us until this crisis is resolved and that is final.’

Suddenly she felt a jolt sizzle through her body and looked down to see Arnav circling her hand, just as she was about to serve him kheer. The ladle slipped out of her hand and fell to the floor with a loud clang.

‘Planning to kill me Khushi?’ he said audible exclusively for her ears, as she bent to pick it up the ladle.

‘Jumping to conclusions, as always,’ she hit back, her eyes flashing.

‘What happened, Khushiji?’ Shyam’s voice was laced with concern, and all eyes turned toward Khushi.

‘Nothing Shyamji,’ Khushi smiled sweetly, ‘I was just telling Arnavji that the kheer is sugarless and perfectly safe for him to eat.’

Valley of Flowers Chapter 2

KHUSHI sat in the passenger seat of NK’s car, looking out the window, as they crossed the city limits of Delhi. The farmhouse was located on the outskirts, on the Delhi-Jaipur highway.

‘This is one of best times of the year in Delhi, isn’t it?’ NK remarked. It was October and the temperature was pleasant, neither too hot not too cold. The flowering trees were in full bloom and lifted Khushi’s spirits immensely.

‘I am going to have a garden some day.’ Khushi hadn’t realized she had spoken out aloud.

‘We will have to have a gardener then,’ NK laughed. ‘Gardening is something I know nothing about.’

‘I love flowers,’ Khushi continued. ‘Plumaria, Allamanda….,’

‘What?’

‘They are the name of flowering plants Nanheji. I would love to plant all of them. They are simply beautiful. They bring peace to the heart.’

‘You such a sensitive person Khushi,’ NK gave her a sideways look. ‘Don’t worry. Mr Malhotra’s farm house has extensive gardens. You will enjoy it.’

‘That will be wonderful!’ Khushi exclaimed, her face brightening at the prospect.

‘I didn’t know you loved gardens so much,’ NK commented on a note of faint surprise. ‘Did your house have a garden?’

 ‘No, we could never afford to have a garden in our house. Khushi’s heart gave a lurch as images flashed through her mind. ‘A long time ago, I went to a place called Valley of Flowers in Dehradun.’

‘I have heard about this place,’ NK said, ‘So that’s when you started liking flowers so much.’

‘Uh?’ Khushi seemed lost.

Looking at the faraway expression on her face NK said, ‘Khushi, is there something you want to tell me?’

‘What?’ Khushi queried warily.

‘Did someone hurt you in the past?’

‘It doesn’t matter Nanheji.’

‘Khushi, please?’ he persisted.

‘I was just a girl. Very young,’ she shrugged.

‘What happened?’

‘We were from different worlds.’ It felt like a knife was being twisted in her heart.

‘I am sorry for bringing this up.’ He looked at her pale profile, her hands clutching her purse so tight that her knuckles were showing white. But I’ve sensed this all along and I just thought I should ask.’

‘Why should you be sorry?’ She lifted her head, tears swimming in her brilliant hazel eyes. ‘Does this bother you too much?’

‘It bothers me that you have been hurt –scarred. He seems like a cruel person to have affected you so much. Some time I would like you tell me all about it.’

Never, she thought. Never like it was.Her own voice whispering, so painfully young and eager.

I love you I love youArnav had possessed her soul and she had never forgotten; lives that touched briefly, a rapture and a nightmare. Her nights, her dreams filled with malevolent ghosts of the past.

‘Let’s not talk about it,’ she said her mind whirling with images of the past. ‘It was all over a long time ago.’

‘Yet it bothers you so much even now.’ NK pursed his lips in a tight line. ‘Khushi, I hope you are as happy about this marriage as I am.’

‘Khushi, you better accept this proposal, you are not going to get a better boy than Nandakisore.’ Buaji’s shrill voice rang out.

‘But, what’s the hurry Buaji?’

‘What’s the hurry?’ Buaji’s eyes went round as saucers.‘Are you a maharani that people will wait on you? Khushi, you are twenty three already! On top of that you are an actress. Which decent family will take you as their bahu?’

She wanted to tell Buaji that she wasn’t even interested in being taken as a bahu, decent family or not. But she had held her tongue.

Her reticent Amma knew how to push the right buttons. ‘Since the proposal has come from Payal’s mother-in-law’s sister, we have to consider Payal’s position as well. We can’t let her be embarrassed in her sasural.’

‘Absolutely right!’ Buaji agreed. She turned to Khushi. ‘You could have been married five years ago.’ Buaji lamented. ‘The boy from Lucknow ----.’

‘How is it my fault if he was the one who rejected the proposal?’ she reminded her.

‘Like mother like daughter! I am sure he caught an inkling of that mess you ----’

Her Babuji had pushed some books off the side table effectively cutting of Buaji.‘ That is enough jiji. Bitiya,’ he beckoned to her to come to him. When she went up to him he held her hand and looked into her eyes kindly. ‘I want to see you married before anything happens to me.’ With these few feeble words her Babuji had sealed her fate.

‘Khushi?’ NK’s voice brought her out of her reverie.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘You had gone off again to that place in your mind, where you are not going to allow me to follow.’

‘The reason I don’t like to talk about it is I don’t want to spoil our present times. Anyway, you look great. You told me you bought something new for this party.’

NK positively beamed at her. ‘Ria suggested it to me. She said it would make a good impression with her dad.’

Ria Malhotra was Mr Malhotra’s only daughter, just returned from the UK with a degree in PR. She had been working with NK the past couple of months as a trainee.

‘This Ria seems to be taking a lot of interest.’ Khushi observed.

‘She is in PR and she understand these things,’ NK sounded defensive, ‘she knows I am a committed man. Anyway you don’t have to worry about her. She is just very young.’

‘How old is she?’

‘Twenty-two, I think.’

‘I am just a year older than her.’

‘But you are very mature for your age Khushi. Ria is not like that.’

Khushi decided to ask something else that had bothered her. ‘Nanheji, how did you manage to convince the family that we were going to be staying overnight?’

‘Thanks to maasi.’ He quipped. ‘She said she would handle everything.’

Of course. Mamiji loved associating herself with the rich and the famous.

‘By the way,’ he told her then. ‘Mrs Malhotra has invited a group of her friends who are also your fans like herself.’

‘Please don’t use the word ‘fan’.’ Khushi pleaded.

‘Well, I don’t know what other word to use. Anyway the point is, she has requested that you do a small performance for them this evening.’

‘No, no Nanheji I don’t think I can.’

‘Come on Khushi,’ NK persisted. ‘Just do a small piece of something. It should be a cakewalk for you.’

‘Nanheji ---‘ Khushi said on an exasperated sigh.

‘Can’t you even do this much for me, Khushi?’ He said desperately. ‘This is really important.’

‘Alright.’

Soon they entered a private road, bordered on both sides by jasmine creepers that spread their fragrance over a great distance.

‘It smells so good!’ Khushi exclaimed.

‘I am allergic to jasmine,’ NK told her.

‘Sad!’ Khushi muttered under her breath irritated at NK.

She wondered that, given a choice, if she might have been with a guy who neither enjoyed her dance nor the beauty of the glorious flowering trees.

No. She would not. Because she had already made her choice a long time ago, hadn’t she? A choice that was not meant to be but one she couldn’t seem to forget, however much she tried.

‘We are there!’ NK’s voice broke the silence, the pleasure on his face indicating that he was totally unaware of her inner turmoil. ‘Just look at this place. One would have to be really privileged to be invited here.’

‘The Raizada farm house used to be just as beautiful.’ Khushi said before she could stop herself.

‘But Naniji sold that one.’

 ‘Oh?’ She hadn’t known that. She had sensed that the Raizadas’ life style had deteriorated, but she hadn’t realized it had come down to selling off properties.

 ‘I am just curious about this mystery guest the old man has invited. He seemed to be terribly secretive about it. I don’t even know that guy’s name. But I have heard he is tremendously wealthy.’

Late afternoon sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of trees and Khushi looked out over the emerald green sloping lawns.

The first view of the house was entrancing. It was a huge white house with grey stone and brick cladding, arched georgian windows and sloped roof with red clay tiles. The windows had beautifully designed grills with a carved wrought iron motif in the top center.

The garden surrounding it had flowers of different varieties like Ipomoea, Jacqemontia, germaniums, and daisies.

As they stepped inside, they saw a grand living room, being decorate with serial lights, presumably the party venue.  On one wall was a huge mural of Buddha’s face, eyes closed giving the room an aura of peace and tranquillity.

They were received by the maid who showed them to their rooms so they could freshen up until the party began.

Khushi found her room very pretty with itsyellow coloured walls and rosewood furniture. There was a beautiful four poster bed with a cream and pink floral designed bedding, giving it a feminine touch. Khushi opened the French doors and stepped out into the balcony of the room and was thrilled to see that it overlooked a beautiful garden with a water fountain in the middle of it. An involuntary smile touched her lips when she saw a couple of puppies frolicking on the grass.

Khushi heard a knock on her door and saw that that the maid had brought her a cup of tea. NK stepped into the room right after. He commented on how her room was better than his and complained about how they had given him a room at the far end of the house. Soon, she had sent him on his way telling him that she needed to get ready for the evening’s party.

Khushi decided to draw herself a bathto freshen up from the grime and dust of the city. It would also calm her as well. For no good reason, her nerves were on edge, as though she was poised on the brink of danger. If she allowed herself, her nervous state could soon dissolve into real panic. But why?  There was no logical answer for it. She knew she would be expected to perform for the guests, but over the years she had developed considerable composure to cover her ever-present nerves. New people didn’t bother her.

Khushi sat at the antique rose wood dressing table, brushing her long and lustrous hair until it shone.Her eyes were shimmering in the glowing light, pools of hazel against her fair skin. She was contemplating which dress to wear, the peach or the green. NK hadn’t seen her in either, but her heart didn’t leap at the thought of him seeing her in either. She couldn’t help it she sighed, and her hand trembled a little bit.

Once she had seen herself through a lover’s eyes, wanting to be beautiful, desirable, the blood racing through her veins like fire. Was there only one man who could raise her response to a fever pitch? She knew it was true. To have loved so deeply so early – it had ruined her forever.

She sat there clutching her heart, trying to stem its speed as she tried to bring herself back to state of calm. She didn’t want to think about Arnav, yet he seemed very close almost as though he was touching her. She closed her eyes, shivering with remembered rapture. What was it she and Arnav had felt? A feeling so volatile, so passionate, it was crazy, ill-starred.

In the end she decided on the peach. It was a long sleeved, ankle length anarkali kurta with pearl and stone work at the v-shaped neckline and a thin silver border at the hem and all four sides of the dupatta. The kurta was so long that her curidar was almost invisible. This apparel almost looked like a western gown because of its pastel colour and would please NK.

NK was her future – she had to keep telling herself that. It shouldn’t be difficult. She liked him. He would make a good husband and she was going to do everything in her power to make him proud of her and happy. Now as she turned to the long mirror to stare at herself like a stranger, she found a cool girl, in an elegant peach dress. Her hair parted in the centre, fell down to her waist like a dark waterfall. She looked sophisticated, exclusive. She didn’t look like herself at all.

Khushi came down the stairs, looking at the grand decorations of the house. The living room was aglow with the bright overhead chandelier and shimmery drapes hung across the railings and fairy lights around the pillars. As she reached the first wide landing, she closed her eyes briefly. She might look as if she belonged in such a place now; she hadn’t,a long time ago. The odd little orphan with a gift.

When Khushi caught her reflection on the glass, she felt like she was playing a role. Then NK came up to her in his new suit, his handsome face showing his pleasure.He took Khushi’s hand and led her to the hosts. ‘Khushi,let me introduce you to Mr and Mrs Malhotra and their daughter Ria.’

‘Namaste, I am so glad you invited me.’ Khushi put her hands together in greeting.

‘It was our pleasure entirely.’ Mrs Malhotra gushed. ‘There are so many people here who have been waiting to see you my dear. Even Ria’s friends are here.’

‘I don’t know what they see in these hindi TV serials,’ Ria said sullenly.‘No offence, but I only watch American shows.’

Khushi sensed a slight resentment in her attitude and wondered why she would feel like that when they had just met.

Mr Malhotra interposed himself. ‘Before you drag her away, I would like to introduce them to our important guest tonight. He patted on the shoulder of a broad shouldered man who was busy talking to someone. He turned around.

‘This is Arnav Singh Raizada – a very close family friend.’

Arnav.Khushi’s felt that her heart had stopped.She thought she would lose her consciousness any time.

‘Arnav?!’ NK exclaimed. ‘It is such a small world!’

As Arnav and NK shook hands, he explained to the surprised hosts that he was Arnav’s aunt Mrs Manorama Singh Raizada’s nephew. ‘We haven’t seen each other since we were kids though.’ He concluded.

‘And this is Khushi Gupta, NK’s fiancee.’ Mr Malhotra said turning to Arnav.

Arnav Singh Raizada stood looking at Khushi, his brown eyes boring into hers intensely.

‘Not yet,’ NK corrected. ‘We had to postpone the engagement because of my cousin Akash’s accident.’

‘I have been hearing about how perfect you are,’ Arnav told Khushi in his unforgettable husky voice.

Look away from his eyes, she thought, and never, never look into them again.

‘Khushi is the most wonderful dancer and actress,’ Mrs Malhotra said. ‘She is going to give us a small performance later. Some of the guests are here just to meet her. So I will snatch her away from here while you men go and get your drinks. Please excuse us.’

Khushi sank into the sofa, thankful for its support while Mrs Malhotra and Ria introduced their friends to her. Soon Khushi had shaken hands with a whole bunch of older and young women and had even signed a few autographs.

‘Lovely dress, Khushi.’ Khushi looked up to get the second shock of her life. Lavanya Kashyap.

‘Lavanya?’ Khushi stood up and hugged Lavanya.

‘Pammi aunty is my mother’s dearest friend,’ she said, her shoulders around Mrs Malhotra. ‘God Khushi! It’s been a while isn’t it? I can see your efforts have paid off.’ She said looking at the autograph she had just signed.

Khushi remained silent.

‘Is it true that Arnav Singh Raizada will be joining VM?’ asked Mrs Chopra, wife of one of the VM’s director.

‘Vishal is hoping he will be the one who will solve the major crisis we are currently going through.’ Mrs Malhotra answered.

‘I thought NK was one of the top contenders for this position,’ Mrs Choprasurmised.

‘True,’ Mrs Ria concurred. ‘But Vishal thinks he was too nice for the job. I think his positivity worked against him.’

NK would be disappointed thought Khushi. He believed, this crisis was going to be a stepping stone to his promotion.

Ria looked at them all, exasperated. ‘If anyone asked for my personal recommendation, I would give it to NK. For the past few months,dadhas been giving him hopes that he would be the one for the job. I can’t believe he is letting him down like this.’

‘Arnav hasn’t yet accepted,’ Lavanya pitched in. ‘For all you know he may just turn uncle down. He isn’t scared of anyone.’

‘Really?’ Ria’s tone was laced with sarcasm.  ‘I wonder if he has anything going other than those fabulous looks.’

Lavanya interposed.  ‘Though Arnav is just 28 he is no novice in big business. His ability is astounding. He has been running his grandfather’s business and in the last five years he has successfully extended the business in the United States.’

‘I suppose it’s an advantage to be born the grandson of a millionaire.’ Ria quipped.

‘Hardly,’ Mrs Malhotra shook her head, ‘his cousin brother Akash and his uncle have been struggling to keep the business in India afloat.’

Khushi sank back on the sofa speechless, thinking the whole world was collapsing around her ears. No one should be made to suffer so badly twice. Arnav was going to work in the same company as NK? What if NK found out about her and Arnav?

‘You look upset, Khushi,’ Mrs Malhotra said suddenly.

‘No Mrs Malhotra I am fine!’ She made great effort to smile.

A few feet away from her, Arnav stood amongst the group of men, his own thoughts a million miles away from the current conversation.

He was back to India after five long years. His mother had insisted that he complete his MBA internship at AR industries, so he could understand the business first hand. His grandfather had been unwell for the past year and his mother wanted him to take up some responsibility. He wasn’t really interested in doing business in India but had figured it would be a good working experience for him before he got back to the States to start on his own. He would then somehow convince his mom to come and live there with him. It was time for him to take care of her. Unfortunately, his sister Anjali, still unmarried at twenty seven, would probably hinder her from joining him right away. She worked for an NGO for battered women and often travelled to remote villages.

‘Finally Kumbkaran wakes up!’ Anjali came up to her brother, taking in his denims and t-shirt. He had arrived from the States in the wee hours of the morning due to a flight delay. After having slept off his jet lag for most of the day, he had sauntered down in the evening, to see that the house was abuzz with activity.

‘Di, what are you all dressed for?’ Arnav was pleasantly surprised to see his sister dressed in a lehenga choli with dandiya sticks in her hand.

‘It’s Navratri silly,’ she replied with an infectious smile. ‘I am off until Diwali. Mama’s orders.’ The living room was resplendent with fairy lights, gauze curtains and the brightly lit chandelier. As music filled the room, he saw a group of girls dancing the Dandiya raas, the beat of the sticks in tandem to the music.

‘I am hungry and I think --- ‘ He couldn’t complete his sentence as his eyes came to rest on her.

 Khushi.

She wore a light pink and green badhini lehenga, with a green choli and the chunri, a combination of both the colours. The entire costume was embellished with silver sequins, matching the silver jewellery she wore. Her chunri had come loose as she twirled around in abandon. Then she looked directly into his eyes and froze.

His heart stopped for one brief moment before accelerating full speed. What had happened to the frail little girl of thirteen?

His eyes swept over her full rounded breasts enveloped in the short choli, heaving after the strenuous dance, her slender and curvy waist, and the flat planes of her midriff, the delectable navel just above the flare of her hips and legs covered by the long length of her lehenga. The sheen of sweat on her creamy skin made her entire body glow like a pearl and his eyes quickly darted to her face.

At eighteen, she still had the same exquisite face, but her huge almond eyes, partially covered by strands of her silky hair had this look of a doe caught in the headlights and then his eyes flicked down as she unconsciously drew her tongue over her dry lips. Were those lips always that luscious? Lips that had quivered a little as she realized her pallu had come loose and she quickly dashed behind a pillar, obscuring herself from his sight.

F@#$! He raked a hand through his hair thoroughly messing it up.

‘Arnav!’ Anjali had raised her voice bringing him out of his trance, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. ‘You remember Khushi, don’t you?’

Valley of Flowers Chapter 1

Valley of Flowers – Chapter 1

Ten years later…… Delhi

‘Beautiful Khushi,’ NK complimented Khushi on her semi-classical dance performanceearlier that evening, on the song Kahe Ched Ched Mohe. In reality, he had only come into the auditorium at the very end of the performance. Though it pleased him to have a talented fiancée --future fiancee he corrected himself -- classical form of dance was not his cup of tea. What did interest him was the girl herself. He sat next to her.

It was a beautiful night and they were sitting out on terrace of the Raizada mansion after dinner. ‘Beautiful!’ he repeated, looking into her eyes, this time his pleasure quiet evident. Khushi had a lovely mouth, cushiony and curving, a passionate mouth. He only wished she would be as passionate in her nature as well. He would just have to wait and find out, he thought with a well concealed irritation.

‘I suppose it was good --- technically,’ Khushi said and moved so that she could put some distance between them.

‘Don’t be silly, Khushi. You are always hard on yourself.’

‘It could have been better.’

‘Khushi you are good. Why do you doubt yourself?’

‘It’s this particular song,’ she sighed.

‘Couldn’t you just choose a different one?’ he asked her. Looking at her surprize he said, ‘I mean if it gives you so much stress.’

How could she answer? She could say, ‘I am compelled to perform, though it does nothing but unsettle me and make me unhappy.’ Or she could say, ‘Tonight, for some reason it has disturbed me unbearably.’ How could she say what was in her mind?

‘Well?’ NK demanded, a smile on his lips that never quiet reached his eyes. He was a handsome man,clean shaven, hair cut stylishly and she knew he spent a lot of money to make sure he looked that way. A day old stubble and hair too long enough to curl slightly at the nape, was definitely not his style, Khushi thought wistfully. ‘Of course, you arty types are notorious for your mood swings.’

‘Not really,’ Khushi breathed deeply, unmistakably melancholy. ‘It’s pretty late, I should go back downstairs.’

‘Not so soon. I want to spend some time with you. I wish our engagement wasn’t postponed,’ he sighed. She was everything he wanted, beautiful, gentle and refined. His thoughts went back to the time six months ago when he had flown down to Delhi from Australia to visit his cousin Akash.He distinctly remembered how he had been mesmerized when Akash had introduced his wife’s sister. Within three months he had expressed his desire to marry her and his mother had asked Khushi’s parents for her hand.

‘Nanheji, you know jeejaji is still recovering from the accident.’ Khushi admonished.

Akash Singh Raizada, her brother-in-law had met with an accident just days before the engagement,forcing the postponement of the ceremony. Akash had sustained a serious head injury, resulting in a clot in the brain. The doctors had decided to avoid an operation and had put him on anintravenous treatment that would melt the clot over a period of few weeks, after which, they predicted, he would recover completely.

‘Well, I didn’t mean it that way.’ NK wished he could take back his words. ‘I wish Akash bhai hadn’t met with that accident.’ He finished, feeling lame.

‘Nanheji, I really have to go relieve mamiji from her babysitting duty.’

Payal and Akash’s six month old son Palash, who everyone loving called Ashu, was a fiery little baby who seemed to calm down only in the presence of Khushi other than his own mother.

‘I don’t understand why we can’t hire a maid to baby sit Ashu,’ NK muttered irritated at his aunt Manorama for being such a fussy grandmother. She constantly complained about the baby, feigning a pain in her knee within moments of carrying him. God she was such a drama queen.

‘Why would we need a maid when his maasi is there to take care of him?’ Khushi countered. She had moved in to the house after the accident so she could help Payal during this crisis. She did most of the cooking and also took care of the baby as Payal, in spite of having a nurse to help out, was overwhelmed with taking care of Akash.It seemed to NK,that Khushi went out of her way to please everyone around her. Was it because she was an orphan, he wondered.

NK put his hand on Khushi’s shoulder. ‘Khushi, tell me about your childhood.’ His tone was sympathetic.

‘You know the story.’ Khushi stood up and walked toward the roof garden, seeking comfort from the frangipani growing out of the pot. She didn’t know why she avoided NK’s touch. She was going to marry him, wasn’t she? She never expected to experience the sublime passion she had once known. Nor the suffering. She had repudiated all that.

‘I know you came to live with your uncle and aunt when you were eight,’ NK prompted.

‘Where I was not really wanted.’

‘I can’t believe there would be anyone who didn’t want you Khushi.’NK said sympathetically.

‘Not everyone can be warm towards children who are not their own,’ Khushi said quietly. She was thinking of Buaji who never ceased to throw insults her at her at every occasion. Her aunt Garima wanted to love her, after all she was her sister’s child, but had held herself back, not wanting to rock the boat with her sister-in-law. Payal, who was three years her senior had been friendly enough but their relationship had lacked real closeness. Her uncle Shashi, however was affectionate toward her.But her best friend was her Devi Maiyya, who had never given up on her even in trying times.

 ‘But I have no complaints. Amma and Babuji took me in when my parents died in an accident and took care of me. It is only Buaji who always made me feel I was a tremendous drain on modest resources.’ Khushi blinked back her tears.

‘So who paid for your dance lessons?’ NK asked with faint surprise.

‘Babuji until I was thirteen. Then Naniji paid for my advanced classes.’

She was lying in garden enjoying the fragrance of the jasmine flowers when her Amma had called her inside.

‘Khushi come inside right now.’

She stopped herself before she could blurt out ‘Why?’ having faced the brunt of her Buaji’s tongue on many occasions. Had she found the cut out of Madhuri Dixit that she kept hidden in her books? Buaji would give her a lashing if she did.

‘You shameless girl,’ Buaji shouted at her. ‘Why did you have to complain to your teacher that we cannot afford to send you to dance classes?’

‘I didn’t complain Buaji,’ she reasoned. What happened?’ she asked looking at her silent aunt.

‘The elderly Mrs Raizada wants to pay for you advanced dance classes.’

‘What for?’She was confused.

‘Oh you are all surprise now,’ Buaji accused her. ‘When you have been complaining to your teacher that we begrudge the money we spend on your dance lessons.’

‘I never did Buaji.’ She shook her head.

‘You wouldn’t have done such a thing if you were of our blood.’ She was accustomed to this disparagement. ‘Girls in our families are not allowed to indulge in such things. Mrs Raizada wants you to come up to the Big House to see you dance. It is their practice to dispense favours, but the minute they see you they will change their minds.’

‘I don’t want to go.’ She had answered back.

‘You can’t do that!’ Buaji shouted her eyes wide with disbelief. ‘After all the Raizadas are royalty.’

‘Naniji?’His tone brought her out of her reverie.

‘Yes, babujiused to work as an accountant for the Raizadas,’ Khushi explained.‘I studied in a school run by the Raizada trust. When Naniji found out about me from one of the teachers, she called me over to the mansion so she could see how good I was. After that she offered to pay for my classes. Then at eighteen I was shunted off to Mumbai. I am good but not good enough. I don’t pretend.’

‘But, Khushi you are not only an accomplished dancer, you also made your mark in Television shows. I have heard about your popularity. You gave up all that and have joined AR to assist Akash bhai.’ He paused.Why?’

‘My family needed me Nanheji,’ Khushi said earnestly. ‘Babuji came down with a stroke a year ago and I had to come back here to help Amma. Since jiji was already married I knew they would hesitate receiving help from her. Luckily,my savings helped in taking care of the medical expenses.

‘Babuji’s health stabilized but he could no longer go back to work. I couldn’t leave them and go back to Mumbai either. We still needed money to run the house. Jeejaji offered me a job at AR and since the hours were flexible enough to take care of the home front, I took it.’

‘Moreover,’ she continued, ‘fame is fleeting Nanheji. I have never had the dedication for acting. It’s a very hard life, and lonely. My true passion is dance but I want so much more. I want happiness, a family. But I am little afraid.’

‘I have noticed.’ He said sourly.

‘Not of you Nanheji.’ She smiled but her the smile didn’t quiet reach her eyes. Had someone hurt in her past?

‘I have a feeling that Naniji doesn’t approve of me.’ He said out of the blue.

‘Whatever gave you that idea?’ Khushi said warily. ‘Naniji is such a sweet person.’

‘Easy for you to say. She loves you like her own granddaughter because she shares that love of dance with you. Dance is the only thing that moves her.’

Khushi knew Naniji could be unpredictable at times. But she tried to sound reassuring. ‘I am sure she likes you.’

‘She did,’ he paused, ‘until I proposed to you.After that she has started behaving coldly toward me. I wonder if it is because my hindi is so bad.’

‘Of course not Nanheji!.’ She laughed inher soft tinkling voice.

‘Khushi…...’ He walked up to her and took her hand in his. ‘You are so beautiful. I want us to get married soon. You are so magical – you don’t know.’

‘And you are much more than I deserve.’ She put her other hand on top of his.

NK gave a tight smile. ‘You are such an innocent Khushi.’

How do you know? She wanted to ask but never did. Why hurt NK with a past she had long buried?

‘By the way, Khushi,’ he told her then. ‘My boss Mr Malhotra, is celebrating his 60th birthday next weekend. He is expecting a large number of guests, one of them pretty important,is what I have heard. I am sure this is something to do with the new project.

‘He has specifically asked me to bring you along.’ He said. ‘Apparently, his wife was a big fan of your show.’ He added.

The show Aradhana was about the life of a dancer and Khushi had played the part of the character when she was a young girl. Khushi had loved being part of the show which showcased her talent as a dancer as well as an actor.

‘Sure.’ Khushi smiled, perfectly aware thatNK was due for a promotion and at such a time it was very important to please the boss’ wife to climb the ladder of success. NK didn’t really give her dance a good deal of attention. But, it suited her that he wasn’t aroused by her dance. That had happened to her before -- in a different lifetime.

‘Thank you Khushi, I knew I could count on you.’ He held her shoulders and looked at her. ‘There is one more thing. Do you think you can wear something western for the evening?’

‘Well,’ Khushi hesitated. She had worn western outfits during her stay in Mumbai as there was a need to blend in. Somehow, refusing to wear one now seemed hypocritical.  She acceded. ‘Alright.’

Khushi hurried downstairs to find a harried mamiji trying to get Ashu to sleep.

‘This boy is a terror!’ she exclaimed. ‘I don’t know why he won’t go to sleep.’

‘Did you try switching off the lights mamiji?’ Khushi said looking at the bright room.

‘If I do that I am sure I will be the one snoring in a few minutes.’ She lamented.

‘Here, I will take him so you can get some rest.’

‘What took you so long today?’ she asked suspiciously. ‘You should have been here like fifteen minutes ago.’

‘I was ---,’ Khushi hesitated, ‘Nanheji wanted to talk to me.’

‘Oh it is alright then.’ Mamiji was trying her best to be warm toward her from the time her sister had sent NK’s proposal.

In her room, Khushi found that little Ashu needed a diaper change. Payal must have finished giving him his nightly feed.‘Is that why you were giving mamiji a tough time you little goon?’ she asked the gurgling baby as she changed him into a fresh diaper. Khushi then proceeded to switch of all the lights except for one night lamp. She put Ashu on her lap and began to rock him gently, sifting her hand through his fine hair, singing a lullaby--- Chandahaitu……mera suraj haitu. Soon he was sleeping peacefully. Khushi picked him and took him to Payal just as she getting ready for bed.

‘What took you so long Khushi?’ Payal’s voice was tired. ‘I was feeling so sleepy today.’

‘I am sorry jiji,’ Khushi apologized as she gently laid Ashu on the bed. ‘Hope jeejaji is doing alright?’ Since the medication was being administered intravenously, Akash was convalescing in a separate room so that he did not get disturbed by the baby. A nurse had been appointed for his care.

‘Yes, after today’s scan, the doctor said that there is improvement.’ Her voice was feeble with sleep.

‘That’s good,’ Khushi said touching her sister’s cheek. ‘He will be alright soon jiji. I will let you sleep now.

‘Good night.’ She switched the lights off and stepped out of the room.

Next, she knocked on Naniji’s door. ‘Naniji, are you still awake?’ she said in a low voice.

‘Come in Khushi bitiya.’

‘I am sorry Naniji,’ Khushi said as she hurried into the room. ‘I got delayed talking to Nanheji and ----‘

‘You don’t have to apologize for anything bitiya. There was no need for you come here.’

‘If I don’t come here, who is going to apply this ayurvedic oil for you ankle pain?’

‘You take such good care of me Khushi.’ Naniji smiled affectionately at Khushi. ‘I wish my bahu was more like you.’ After a few minutes, she said, ‘That’s enough Khushi. Now go and get some rest. Tomorrow is Kanya pooja and I am sure you are going to be in charge of all preparations.’

After making sure Nanjiji had taken all her medications Khushi bade her goodnight.

Now as Khushi was getting ready for bed, back in her room, she stood by her window staring up steadily at the star spangled sky.It was useless to entreat to them when once she might have. NK had brought back too many memories she had buried in the deep recesses of her heart.

‘Arnav.’She whispered, a tear trickling down her cheek.The terrible thing about the heart, there was no end to its yearning. She wanted to forget everything but not quiet forgetting. Her thoughts went back to the day ten years ago when she first saw him.

Arnav Singh Raizada.

She had been right in the middle of her riyaaz with Naniji when she had felt like someone had called her name. When she turned around, there he was--- dressed in black denims that hung low on his hips, dark grey hooded jacket with a dark blue t-shirt inside and grey-yellow sneakers. He had a day old stubble on his cheeks, and his hair was a little long, and fell all over his forehead.And he was staring up at her with those mesmerizing eyes.

Eyes the colour of molten chocolate.

Eyes that held a lot of pain in them, when she had taken him tea the following morning.

She had wanted to take him in her arms, to make him feel better, just like her Amma would have done, but hadn’t dared. She had tried talking to him during the journey,but he had totally ignored her and his silencehad made her nervous. That was why she had started blabbering so much during the journey.

And she had left no stone unturned to make herself look like a fool. First she had almost cried when he had refused to take her with him and then she had made that silly comment about the song. And then the worst one of them all -- the match making tree. Match making tree? She had been so naïve back then.

But then her comment about the song had made him laugh and his stern face had totally transformed, making him look like a little innocent boy.

At the Valley of Flowers, the beauty of the valley had made her want to close her eyes and run like a small child. It was as beautiful as she had imagined it. It had reminded her of the time she had spent with her own Amma and Babuji. She forgot about Buaji and her cruel taunts for those few wondrous moments.

Then it had begun to rain and she had found his caramel eyes looking at her. Her heart had begun to beat a strange rhythm of dhak-dhak and she had suddenly been so overwhelmed with joy that her lips had broken into a smile of their own volition.

Little did she know at the time, for such things rarely occur to a girl of thirteen – she had fallen in love – irrevocably and forever.