Chapter 11

Author's Note: Ok, people. Since most of you complained about the shorter update last time. Here's a bigger update for you.  Enjoy...

Also, Fast Forward and Pride & Love are slowly reaching to their conclusion and I'm planning to start a whole new story with totally new characters set in Hollywood after I finish those two stories. Will send everyone more information in the last chapter of these two stories. Until then, stay tuned. 

Cheers

Tia 

The night of the dinner party, Shantivan:

Arnav comes home to see the Prakash brotherhood are busy cleaning Shantivan from top to bottom.

Naniji and Payal are joined head to head discussing something gravely with Anjali, while Mamiji is busy barking orders on the phone to someone, looking uncomfortably like… well… himself…

If that wasn’t spooky enough, Khushi came running from the kitchen holding a wooden spoon and asked Anjali worriedly: Di, can you taste this and tell me if this tastes good?

Suddenly in the middle of the twilight zone that seemed to have invaded his family, Arnav’s mind screeched to a halt: Hold a minute. Since when Khushi needs anyone to tell her if her cooking is good enough? What’s going on here?

Arnav clears his throat to grab everyone’s attention. But nobody notices him.

It sets his teeth on edge that the man who commands attention from every freaking business community, can’t seem to get the same kind of drooling/fawning/adoration/awe/respect from his own family. It seemed when his reputation was passing the clear message to the business world about his formidable presence, his family missed the memo.

He cleared his throat again and then pulled his best booming voice that makes his employees shake in their collective shoes (some have been reported to lose their precious control on their bladder): What the hell is going on here?

Unfortunately that’s the same time everyone decides to shut up which makes his voice boom every corner of the living room.

Khushi gasps: Arnavji, there is no need to shout. We are not deaf, you know?

Arnav stares at Khushi incredulously.

Anjali looks at Arnav disapprovingly: Really Chotey… You almost gave us a heart attack. You have to learn to control this booming voice of yours. It’s a residential neighbourhood.

Arnav now swivels his head to his di: What the…

Naniji and Mamiji gravely shake their head…

Payal does what she usually does in any kind of situation. She blushes, smiles and hangs her head.

Arnav throws off his hands in the air and stomps towards the stairs when he hears Khushi calling his name and running behind him: Arnavji, Arnavji…

Arnav growls as he turns back: What?

Khushi sways side by side, giddy with happiness: We have a dinner party tonight. So can you come downstairs after you freshen up?

Arnav scowls: How many people are coming? And why are we having a dinner party now? You are yet to get over from your sickness and Di is pregnant. We can have the party later.

Khushi panics: Nnnnooo No No… I’m perfectly well, see? (Twirls around with bright smile). And it’s just one guest other than the family members. Please please please let the party happen (pleads with hands folded and puppy dog eyes in full use)…

Arnav’s eyebrow goes up: Who did you invite? Salman Khan?

Khushi freezes and thinks for a second, then whispers in an awestruck voice: Would he come if I invite him?

Arnav rolls his eyes: No. He has better thing to do than come running at your service.

Khushi scowls: Then why did you say he would come? Laad Governor!!! (then brightens up) But someone special is coming tonight. So dress up real nice.(giggles to herself and runs back to the kitchen skipping all the way)

Arnav frowns and shakes his head: This girl is stark crazy.

(Then thinks about the mystery guest) Who the hell are you that have got my wife in such a tizzy? You better not be Salman Khan or I’ll personally finish your career.

But still goes up to get ready for this dinner party of this apparently a VIP guest.

Around 7 p.m., Shantivan:

The doorbell rings at Shantivan. HP was about to get the door when Mamiji stops him: HP, I will open the door today.

She sways towards the door with all the attitude of a diva and opens the door in a flourish: Velcome velcome Vishal bitwa…

VJ aka Vishal Jaiswal hands a sunflower from the flower arrangement he was carrying with a big smile: Thank you, mamiji… A sunflower for your bright... errmmm… self.

Manorama giggles girlishly: Oh… How sweet. Come in, come in.

VJ comes in to greet the rest of the family except Payal, Khushi and Arnav, handing rest of the flower arrangement to Naniji.

Khushi comes running to the living room to meet the friend of Anjali, but as soon as she sees VJ, she shouts: You….

VJ, startled at the sudden voice, turns around and his eyes widen as well: You…

Khushi mutters faintly: Oh my Devi Maiyya…

The rest of the family keeps watching from Khushi to VJ, trying to figure out what’s going on…

Suddenly Khushi runs to VJ and jumps into his arms: Big B…

VJ smiles big as he picks up Khushi and twirls her around: Chutki…

Everyone’s mouth falls open in surprise except Payal’s who entered the room when Khushi ran to VJ’s arms squealing.

Manorama finally finds her tongue: Phatti saree… I mean Khushi bitiya… Do you know Vishal bitwa…

Khushi giggles: Yes mamiji… Big B used to be our neighbour in Lucknow. He used to take me out in his motorcycle for a ride and get me ice-cream, chocolates etc. if I took his letters to his girlfr… mmpphhh…

VJ clamps his palm on Khushi’s mouth effectively stopping her from revealing anymore of his secrets: What Chutki means is that I didn’t have a sister, so I loved her like one.

He removes his hand from Khushi’s mouth while she pouts.

Meanwhile, VJ greets Payal and Aakash and congratulates them on their marriage.

Then everyone moves to the living room sitting area.

After they are seated, Naniji asks: So Khushi bitiya, how come you call Vishal Big B?

Khushi chirps: You see, Vishal mean Big in Hindi and B as in Brother. He was always like an older brother to me growing up, so Big B thought it will sound cool, if I called him Big B.

Anjali smiles: What a cute way of calling someone big brother.

VJ smiles back at her: Yeah it is.

Anjali blushes.

Khushi and VJ entertain everyone and make them laugh out loud with their childhood antics while Payal supplies anecdotes and occasional nods to the conversation.

In the meanwhile, Arnav comes downstairs to find a very handsome, muscular guy sitting in the living room surrounded by his family members who seem to be hanging onto his words while his Khushi is sitting beside him with a bright smile while smiling and staring adoringly at his face.

And his temper explodes…

Precap: The Green-Eyed Monster Pounces…