I/N - if you're a silent reader, can you please close the tab now itself? thanks.
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When Khushi woke up that Sunday morning, in her cozy bed, surrounded by her husband's warmth and her kids snuggled closer to her sides- Chiku on one and the twins perfectly fitting in the tiny space between her and Arnav and the family of five lying wrapped in their fluffy comforter, instantly brought a smile on her face. She looked at the table clock, it showed half past 8, way past her usual wake up time. But since it was a Sunday, that too during winter break of kids, and cold winter blanketing the city, she allowed herself a few more minutes in bed! Whoever named it gulabi thandi (rosy winter) must have forgotten to add "lazy" winter in it, she mused, while caressing Pari's equally rosy cheeks! She snuggled further in Khushi's side in response making her mamma peck her soft little head.
She started going over the day's plan in her mind. It would be an easy day, she, and Arnav both didn't have work, festive season was over so no shopping or making food items, kids' school had holidays so no homework either. Just some Sunday special food with Jiji and then a lazy afternoon nap, she mentally rubbed her hands in glee!
Instantly, her brain reminded her of a commitment they had today. They were invited for a housewarming at Jatin-Nisha's new penthouse!
The family was very close to Raizadas, Jatin was Arnav's friend-one of the only handful "friends" from Harvard, his wife Nisha had become Khushi's good friend over the years -both ladies being chatterboxes and then bonding over their kids who were of same age, and finally Rucha- the only kid of Jatin-Nisha was Chiku's best friend!
It was imperative they had to attend it.
It was a whole day's event. A small pooja and lunch was kept in the morning where only close families were invited- Raizadas being special invitees and then there was a party in the evening where a larger gathering was expected.
But Khushi knew it was going to be tough convincing her husband to attend it!
In the 12-13 years of their married life, she could count of fingers of how many events he willingly attended. After all, he was a typical introvert! But they had to attend today's, lest their kids also follow in Laad governor's footsteps. It was ok if they did in other matters, but they must take after her in socializing, she decided.
.
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She broached the topic tentatively, after they had breakfast in their room itself and kids were playing around. Chiku was engrossed in a videogame while pari was busy in her color book. Aru on the other hand was busy playing with her father in a game he himself had invented for her, 'Simba'!
"It's not that important, Khushi. I'll call Jatin, he'll understand." Arnav said while balancing Aru on his legs when Khushi reminded about the party.
"What 'it's not important', Arnavji? It IS important. Humein zarur jaana chahiye (we must go)."
"Then you go, me and my kids are happy at home, hai na princess?" he replied to Khushi and asked Aru who giggled in reply. The duo continued playing with Aru who was pulling his cheeks, making a lion King look on her dada's face!
Khushi resisted her urge to reprimand her husband- not because she couldn't- but because kids were watching!
"You need to socialize Arnavji. Devi maiyya ka shukar hai at least Chiku is like me, but your daughters are fast learning your skills. Pari ka abhi kuch samajh nahi aata (Pari's traits aren't as visible yet) but Aru, every time we have a few guests at home she looks at them as if they stole something from us!" Khushi complained in irritation. It was true, Aru always became cranky and annoyed when Shantivan had gathering of people!
"That is because she doesn't like it when your attention is shared with others than us. And I agree with her." he said, shrugging his shoulders.
God. Was it ever going to be easy to convince this man? If not for her love for him, she wouldn't have adjusted with him. Khair, too late now.
She had to use her other weapon, the Brahmastra if you will, which always worked on Mr. ASR!
So, climbing on the bed, she approached from the side and whispered in his ear, "If you agree to come with me, you'll get something special at night. The 'Khushi special'." It was an inside secret between them which Arnav's sexy vixen of a wife used and as if to accentuate her point, lightly kissed his ear!
Arnav Singh Raizada was sold! To Khushi's charms. Like always.
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Even when he had agreed to go, the deal he signed up for was only 3 hours in the evening! And Khushi had accepted the final negotiation with the promised return later at night. She wondered if it was a ghaate ka sauda (deal of major losses) for her but for the sake of letting her kids socialize, she took it.
.
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When they reached Mehtas' house, a few of the guests had already arrived. Chiku and Piya instantly ran to play with other kids, including Rucha. Aakash and Payal hadn't come with them as Palash was having his first set of teeth and thus a mild fever. But Piya did want to go so they took her with them. Mami ji too didn't want to miss the chance to come to the party and show off her latest shopping of a new silk saree and matching sandals! Mama ji on the other hand had preferred to stay at home and so was Nani ji as her old age didn't allow her many outings these days.
Once they greeted the hosts, they were on their own and then the stark differences between social and unsocial Raizadas started becoming visible.
Mamiji found a group of ladies- some of whom were known to her, some unknown but that didn't stop her from taking center stage. She confidently started talking in her hinglish (hindi-fied English :P) and flaunting everything from her grandkids to her shopping skills, and her makeup!
Piya liked going out but not talking as much, she was more of a listener. Kavish and Rucha had ensured she was involved in the games the kids were playing and she did take part initially, but soon, her attention was pulled by a little library adjoining the hall. Taking Nisha aunty's permission and informing Khushi maasi, she went there. Soon, she found a book named 'Snow White and the seven dwarfs' and she was lost in the magical world! Even her dinner was served there by Nisha as she refused to leave the book.
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Now coming to Chiku, he had always been a jovial kid! Ever since he was a baby, he never had any anxiety or fears when meeting new people. All Raizada kids were blessed with cuteness in their genes and thus pulled people's attention but unlike his sisters, Chiku never tried to run away from that attention. He would in fact befriend them and make them his fans!
Like today. There were a few kids he had not met before, but they were Rucha's friends and when they all started playing 'Pin the tail on the donkey', he was making the loudest cheers for everyone, thus making him their favorite friend!
The kids only stopped the game briefly for food and then resumed playing...
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Pari was a special case. Once Khushi fed her some food, Pari settled in Mami ji's lap. She hadn't really been asocial, but then as she didn't speak beyond a couple of words yet, she wasn't really called social either. However, Khushi believed if she took Pari with her to these social gatherings and she heard newer words, more gupshups, she would improve her speaking and social skills.
But Pari was in her own world!
She would reply to her mamma or her Dadi (mami ji) and occasionally to Nisha but just that. Rest no one else could get a say out of her. However, she didn't scowl or look annoyingly at them like her twin sister Aru who looked angrily at anyone who poked her! In fact, Pari's sweet smiles and her calm nature impressed the gathered ladies! She was listening to their talks with keen attention, unknown to them, and sometimes wondering why these 'aunties' were gossiping so much!
"Aap ki beti toh bohot shaant hai (Your daughter is so well behaved), Khushi. We didn't even hear her bother you by a word yet, unlike our kids who would have started throwing tantrums by now." one lady complemented Khushi.
Khushi looked at her angelic baby adoringly. After all, devi maiyya had blessed her by giving her Pari and balanced the tantrums thrown by her other babies. But she wasn't going to tell this to that lady, it was her sweet complaint after all and not a bother to her! And she firmly believed, her Pari too will participate in these social gatherings one day.
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The real challenges were faced by ASR and his miniature version, Arohi!
Arnav had a simple rule whenever he had to attend any such functions. Come, greet the hosts, have a few spoons of food for formality and leave, literally translated as 'Aao, Khao, Jao' in Khushi's words! But today, he was having tough luck. First, it was his own friend's house and second, Khushi had warned him not to rush them to leave after food.
So now he was stuck. The ASR, who was used to talking business when outside and romance when with his wife, didn't know any other topics to talk about. Talking to his family was different because he never really had to "talk' and could get away with monosyllables, while talking to his kids was never any challenge as he often became a different version of himself then and could easily converse for hours to all 3 of his munchkins as per their needs and individuality!
But as he stood beside Jatin- the only one he could somewhat talk informally with- he was constantly looking at his wristwatch and counting minutes till the said 3-hour deal! He tried to engage in their conversation but when their topic steered towards alcohol collection, something he had distanced himself from after marrying Khushi, he was further annoyed.
Thankfully, Jatin sensed it and changed the subject to stock market, something Arnav always spoke passionately about, and he could manage.
Still, he was constantly looking at Khushi's direction and every time she met his eyes, he signaled her to wrap up soon and leave from there!
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Arohi had been bored from the moment she stepped in this party. After feeding her dinner, her dad was engrossed in some boring talks, her Rama dadi was surely entertaining but she didn't like Dadi's friends as they often pulled her cheeks(!), her chiku bhaiyya and piya were playing some boring games, and thus she came looking for her mamma!
Khushi lifted Arohi and made her sit on her lap and continued the discussion!
Aru fidgeted in her mamma's lap and finally signaled her to bend to her level so she could tell her something,
"Mamma, ghar chalo na (let's go home)."
The same lady who was admiring Pari before, now said again for Aru as she didn't hear what she said but only saw the little cute action,
"Kitne pyare bacche hai khushi aap ke (You have such a cute kids, Khushi)."
"Haan par aap ko hamare ghar pe aa kar dekhna chahiye (You should see at our home)." Khushi said, in a mock-complaint tone.
And it seemed like all other mothers agreed with her as Nisha too added, "True. Kids anyway reserve their cuteness for others and all their nakhre (tantrums) are reserved for their mother only."
"Wahi toh (exactly). Ye nahi khaunga, abhi nahi nahaungi (I won't eat this, I will take bath later), play with me etc." Khushi said and Aru looked at her face, so Khushi addressed her, "Haan aap hi ki baat ho rahi hai (Yes, I am talking about you only)."
Aru pouted in response but continued asking khushi to 'Let's go home' every 2 minutes!
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Khushi, honestly, loved mingling with people. It was no secret that she never needed introductions to talk to anyone, from any age group.
So, today too, where she had few known faces and some new people, Khushi easily interacted with everyone and became the center of attraction with her interesting talks and infectious laughter. After dinner, she was sitting with a few ladies- all of whom were elite class women whose husbands were businessmen but very few of them were working women and mostly just spent the money on extravagant things!
Khushi still managed to keep the conversation going for some time where they mostly talked about families, kids, latest trends in sarees and dresses. But finally, when the topic went to husbands and lack of romance in their marriages or some ladies adding in low voices about suspecting their husbands of eyeing some other women, discussing extra marital affairs about someone they knew, Khushi felt uncomfortable. By god's grace, she had never had this complaint and she mentally put kaala tika on her husband's neck to keep away the evil eye!
The said 3-hour time was not yet done but Khushi sensed she was also ready to leave. By then, Aru had started becoming cranky and Pari too was yawning. It was past the kids' bedtime, and she knew her unofficial 4th kids i.e. Arnav too was eager to go home (for personal reasons too). So, she finally got up and when Nisha tried to stop her for some more time, she promised she would come to meet her again some days later. The other ladies too didn't want Khushi to leave as they were excited to hear about the secret of her happy marriage with Arnav but to their disappointment, she didn't stay.
.
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The Raizadas returned home well on time.
Khushi put the kids to sleep, and Arnav was also about to doze off which made her chuckle. He was surely not a party-person. But she was happy he gave in to her demand and went with her. She decided to surely give him his promised reward tomorrow!
And as she turned off the lights of their bedroom, Khushi realized, social or asocial sab apni jagah hai (set aside), when you marry and then turn parents, all your social behavior is based on your spouse's and kids' preferences. The places, the events they like will be the ones you socialize with and the ones they don't or can't attend will limit your time there. And surprisingly, she didn't complain.
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A/N - I wanted to add some more on this chapter, as this was a goldmine topic for me :P But this already turned so lengthy. Hope you'll enjoy it. Social vs asocial has been a constant fight at my home and also with my friends. Some of us are social and outgoing, while some prefer staying indoors or aloof. I don't think either side is right or wrong, just the personality types with interesting behaviors. And I just projected that with our favorite family! I think Khushi and chiku are total social animals while Arnav and Aru are known spoilsports 😅 Let me know what you think.
Sorry for the note I added at the beginning but with the kind of huge number of silent readers CSD consistently had for 100+ chapters, we need to draw a line. Sincere apology to my regular readers, but please know that you are the only reason I have not discontinued/unpublished CSD from here yet.
And now, very importantly, wish you all a joyful Christmas with yummy plum cake, a cozy winter with warm comforter and a CSD-arshi-licious 2024! ❤