Part 13 Casual Khushi

After steam inhalation, Khushi got off the bed. She was supposed to call someone to take the bowl, but, I took it and kept it on the floor.

"Thanks," She said.

"My pleasure," I said.

She walked to her private room and stopped listening to me.

"Don't wash your face or, don't be under the AC and fan"

She raised her brows.

"Due to the steam, the pores of your body would be opened. It will observe water and cool air easily. It causes side effects"

She stood hesitatingly.

"Watch your favorite program. The climate is cool here. You don't need a fan or AC" I suggested.

She looked at the clock. Five minutes left for her favorite cookery program to start.

"Shouldn't I wipe my face?" She questioned.

"You can..." I passed a towel.

"Thanks" she sat on the couch.

As usual, she watched the cookery program. It was a competition program and Khushi's favorite Chef was a judge. He handled the participant strictly which looked odd to me.

"Won't he be polite?" I asked.

She turned towards me and said,

"Chefs would be like this only... they need discipline"

"Oh... all the participants are cooks with culinary qualifications?"

"No... they should not be qualified cooks. That's the rule"

"Oh..."

She again turned towards the TV.

"You know what, most women who watch cookery shows don't know cooking" I teased and she looked plain.

After the program was over, she walked to her room. She stopped and asked,

"Shall I sleep in AC?"

I nodded yes. She went to her room and closed the door. I sighed.

The next morning

I got ready for the office as usual. I saw Khushi also getting ready to go somewhere. I thought she would go to meet her parents and brother. She came to me.

"I'm going out," she said.

"Do you want me to drop you?"

"No. I will manage because I'm going to go in the opposite direction of yours"

"No problem..."

Cutting me,

"No thanks, I will drive," she said.

I frowned. Was not their Palace in the same direction as my office? Of course, it was a little away from my office. I didn't know whether I could ask her about it.

"Convey my regards to Uncle, Aunty, and Akash" I intentionally said that to know where was she going.

"I'm not going there... I'm going to meet my designer. I would like to gift Diya and Jiya a dress on their birthday"

I was surprised. So, this was what Di mentioned as a secret? I was glad Khushi let me know the secret.

"Please keep it as a secret... it's a surprise gift" she added.

I nodded ok with a smile. I like the involvement she showed for my family members.

Taking her bag, she came downstairs with me. I was like, what the... seeing the same breakfast. As usual, I took boiled eggs. It was better than fruits and vegetables. We finished having breakfast and stood up.

"I will be a little late. It will take time as I will elaborate to them what I want" Khushi said.

"Ok..." I said.

"I will call you when I'm done," She said.

"Ok..." I said surprisingly.

"I will go to RM to meet kids after finishing my work"

Undoubtedly, that brought a smile to my face.

"Ok"

She looked at Dolly and said,

"I will have lunch in RM. Don't prepare anything for me"

She nodded ok.

"Bye," she said looking at me.

We walked out and all the eyes were on us. Khushi started her Mini Cooper and left the mini palace.

I went to AR delightfully.

I too wanted to go to RM in the evening but I could not make it possible. I got to know from Lavanya that Khushi visited RM as she said. That made my day. Though she wanted us to be alone in the mini palace she showed a little concern for my family. I liked it. Something was better than nothing, I thought.

There was no change in our routine. The next three days fled away... like always.

Sunday

It was Diya and Jiya's birthday. I wanted to spend the whole day at RM but I didn't know if Khushi would like it or not. I decided not to disturb her if she was not fine with it. I got ready and knocked on her room door. Khushi opened the door and said,

"Yeah, I'm ready"

Khushi also got ready to go to RM earlier. I wondered and nodded ok. She looked breathtakingly gorgeous in a glittering black, a slight broad-shoulder fish-cut gown with diamond jewelry set. Her outfit reminded me of Princess Diana.

"Let's go..." she took two big bags.

I extended my hand to take it.

"It's not heavy," she said.

"That's OK" I took them from her hand.

Yes, it was so light. I didn't know what was there in the bags. We came downstairs. The servants spared a glance seeing us heading out.

"Your Highness, the breakfast is ready," Dolly said.

"We will have it at RM," Khushi said.

I just wanted to hop shouting happily. I was going to eat my mother's handmade food after a week. I drove the car cheerfully.

We reached RM. Khushi got out of the car not taking the bags. I was about to take it, but she stopped me.

"Not now, Arnav... we will take it in the evening"

I nodded ok as I understood she wanted to keep the surprise.

Raizadas were delighted to see us earlier in RM. Diya and Jiya rushed to us. I was ready to hug them together but they hugged Khushi leaving me behind. I was like what the...

"Nannav mere bhai... wipe your flushed face" NK pulled my leg and everyone burst out laughing. I rolled my eyes. Damn, why did this idiot NK keep his eyes on me?

"Nannav, I never believed guys would shine after their marriage. Now I do... You are shining like a pole star you know"

"Me and Pole Star?" I knew he was teasing me.

"Royal food would have turned him like that" Mami countered which surprised me. Was I really shining? But the reason for my shining made me chuckle. Royal food...!

"But, Khushi looks as same as before..." Lavanya countered.

"That means, Arnav is not taking care of her. Am I right Bhabi?" Dhruv asked.

All of them looked at Khushi who nodded yes, making everyone chuckle. I dropped my jaw.

"Guys, we have only one right hand and one left hand but my wife has ten right hands and ten left hands in the name of servants. They won't give anyone a chance to even think of doing a favor to Khushi" I said.

"After all she is a Princess..." Di said and others nodded affirmatively.

"Where is Uncle and Aunty?" Khushi asked.

"They just went to a housewarming function. Will come in an hour or two" Di said.

We had a breakfast together. Aaloo and Poori made me feel like I was in the heaven. Wow...!

We got back to the living room after the breakfast.

"Won't you show me your room?" Khushi asked Diya and Jiya.

They took her to their room and didn't come out for more than an hour. I didn't know what they were doing. I was damn happy because Khushi moved so freely with everyone. That was the least expected. Though I had a gala time with my cousins my eyes were on the staircase, expecting Khushi. I saw her coming downstairs with my nieces. To my surprise, they headed to the kitchen. Khushi went with them smiling. I was about to go to the kitchen,

"Arnav, be calm... your wife will come... no one will eat her in the kitchen" NK countered.

Khushi slightly smiled and walked.

"Mama, we are going to make a cake," Diya said while walking.

"You?"

"Yes,"

All of us spared a glance.

"Is Khushi going to make cake?" Lavanya asked.

"No no... how does she make a cake? It's tough for even those who are skilled in cooking" Di said.

"I think he will get HP's help," NK said.

"Let me check" I rushed to the kitchen.

I saw Diya and Jiya sitting on the kitchen slab. I wondered seeing Khushi wearing an apron.

"Do you cook?" I asked her.

"Rarely," she said.

Hariprakash was keeping some things on the slab next to Diya and Jiya.

"Everything is here, bhabi," he said.

"Thanks," Khushi said.

"Mama, Mami is going to teach us to make a cake," Jiya said.

I wanted to laugh. The teacher herself didn't know how to make a cake. Then how did she teach them?

"We should pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F" Khushi said.

"Mmm" Diya and Jiya said.

Taking a measurement cup, Khushi said,

"Take three cups of all-purpose flour and keep it aside"

"Mmm,"

Khushi put it in a bowl.

"Then two cups of sugar powder, and butter... let me beat it" She turned the beater on and beat it together.

I was staring at Khushi who was so engrossed in teaching them how to make cake. After finished preparation, she greased a cake tin with butter and shifted the mixture in it. She kept it in the oven.

"Let it bake... after that, we will do icing" she spilled a gorgeous smile.

I saw my father heading to the kitchen. He glared at me and looked at Khushi softening his eyes.

"What are you doing here beta?" he asked.

"Nanu, Mami is making a cake for our birthday"

"We have ordered a cake already. Don't you know that? Why did you ask her to do things that are not her concern?" he shouted at the kids.

"Dad, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Chotte, this is too much... just because she became a Bahu of our family, she could not do anything"

Khushi removed the oven glove and left the place. The kids followed her. I could say she was upset. I gritted my teeth.

"So what if she makes a cake? Why are you shouting at kids who are ready to celebrate their birthday happily?"

"They can get happiness in any other way... not this way... Khushi is a princess. Don't you feel awkward about making her cook? Be a gentleman Chotte... don't be an arrogant husband"

"Arrogant? And me?"

"Yes... you are behaving arrogant. She is a girl born with not just a silver spoon but a golden spoon... why are you making her feel low?"

"I'm not..."

"You are... Don't make her feel irritated. Its's her mother's CONDITION not to make her cook because Khushi feels like hell about it. Try to understand" he left the kitchen.

I frowned. Hell? Like really? I didn't see such a gesture in her face when she cooked. Was not she happy with kids? Or, did she show herself happy only to make the kids happy? I confused again.

To be continued...