Howard Finkel announces that due to a ruptured kidney and broken nose, Ahmed Johnson will not be wrestling Owen Hart. However, there is a replacement and that will be Yokozuna! Refunds will be given up to the fourth match. Fink runs down some of the big matches scheduled for the show.
Opening Contest: Justin Hawk Bradshaw defeated Aldo Montoya: Bradshaw misses a right hand in the corner a few times. Montoya with a few right hands but Bradshaw sends Montoya into the corner. Bradshaw misses a clothesline and is rolled up for a near fall. Montoya arm drags Bradshaw and has a arm bar locked in. Bradshaw nails Montoya with a big boot and delivers a few knee lifts in the corner. Scoop slam by Bradshaw and taunts the fans briefly. Bradshaw sends Montoya hard back first into a corner. Bradshaw slams Montoya down to the mat and stomps away on Montoya for a few moments. Bradshaw with right hands in the corner and Montoya is in trouble. Montoya counters a scoop slam attempt with a inside cradle for a two count. Bradshaw runs into a big boot in the corner and misses a clothesline. Montoya with a couple of running clotheslines to knock Bradshaw off his feet. Montoya leaps off the top connecting with a cross body for a two count. Bradshaw catches Montoya coming off the ropes and scoop slams Montoya. Bradshaw misses a elbow drop but kicks Montoya to regain control. Montoya goes chest first into a corner and Bradshaw connects with a back suplex. Bradshaw comes off the ropes and nails Montoya with a vicious clothesline to win the contest! *¼
Second Contest: the Godwins defeated the New Rockers: Phineas and Jannetty start off the contest as Phineas gets the crowd behind him. Jannetty with a boot to the gut and a wrist lock. Cassidy gets the tag and comes off the top rope with double axe handle across Phineas arm. Jannetty comes back in for a wrist lock and tags out to Cassidy who comes in and chops Phineas down to the mat. Cassidy keeps control of Phineas with a arm bar and sends Phineas into the ropes. Phineas elbow drops Cassidy and head butts Cassidy a couple times. Jannetty tags into the contest and goes back to a wrist lock before tagging out to Cassidy. Phineas is able to ram the Rockers into each other and clotheslines both men! Cassidy is rammed into Henry’s boot and Henry gets the tag. Henry with a side headlock and hip tosses Cassidy. Jannetty tags back into the contest. Jannetty with a cheap right hand but Henry is able to control Jannetty and tags in Phineas. Jannetty pokes Phineas in the eyes and tags out to Cassidy. The Rockers double team Phineas until Cassidy sends Phineas to the floor. Behind the referees back, Jannetty clotheslines Phineas on the floor. Cassidy head butts Phineas a few times and puts the boots to Phineas which gets him a two count. Henry tries to get into the ring but this allows the Rockers to double team Phineas. Cassidy controls Phineas with a sleeper hold in the middle of the ring. Phineas tries to get up but is yanked back down by the hair. Phineas gets up and punches Jannetty in the corner to break free. Phineas runs into a double big boot in the corner and Jannetty slaps Phineas a few times. Cassidy tags in and they knock Phineas down with a double right hand. Phineas ducks a clothesline and nails Jannetty with a clothesline of his own. Henry gets the hot tag and cleans house. Henry nails Cassidy with a back elbow and face plants Cassidy for a near fall. Jannetty nails Henry in the corner as Cassidy rolls Henry up for a near fall. Cassidy is sent into Jannetty in the corner, which causes Jannetty to flip into the ring which is a tag, apparently. Henry drops Jannetty with the Slop Drop for the win. *
Third Contest: Marc Mero defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley: Hunter backs Mero into a corner and delivers a few right hands and chops. Mero comes back with a atomic drop and a tilt a whirl head scissors. Mero drops Hunter with a right hand but runs into back elbow in the corner, which sends Mero to the floor. Mero with a shoulder ram from the apron and sunset flips Hunter for a near fall. Mero with a backslide but only gets a two count. Hunter is able to backdrop a charging Mero over the top to the floor and taunts the fans. Hunter sets Mero up and connects with a vertical suplex back into the ring from the apron. Hunter delivers a knee drop and gets a two count. High knee lift by Hunter but Mero is able to kick out at two. They both a clothesline, so Hunter tries to cover with a sleeper hold but that comes across poorly. Mero is sent chest first into the corner and Hunter connects with a back suplex for a near fall. Hunter goes back to a sleeper hold but Mero is able to quickly counter with one of his own. Hunter runs to a corner and rams Mero face first into the top turnbuckle. Hunter heads to the top rope but Mero runs up the ropes and arm drags Hunter back down to the mat. Mero with several right hands in the corner and tosses Hunter over the top rope to the floor. Mero comes off the ropes and takes Hunter out with a somersault dive on the floor! Sling shot leg drop gets Mero a near fall. Mero sets Hunter on the top rope and hit’s a hurricanrana but only gets a two count! Mero goes for a slingshot body splash but Hunter gets his knees up. Hunter connects with a backbreaker but Mero kicks out at two. Hunter sends Mero chest first into the corner and goes for a back suplex but Mero gets out of it and rolls Hunter up for the win. **½
Fourth Contest: Mankind defeated Jake Roberts: Mankind attacks Roberts before the bell on the floor and sends Roberts into the ring post. Mankind works on Roberts in the corner for a few moments and chokes Roberts. Roberts comes out of the corner and Mankind quickly shoves his fingers down Roberts throat to win the match in under a minute. NR
Fifth Contest: Vader fought Psycho Sid to a double count-out: They lock up a few times but they don’t budge. Vader with a side headlock but Sid is able to get out of it, but neither man follows up. Vader goes back to a side headlock and just stands in the middle of the ring killing time. Sid breaks free again but neither man follows up. A third side headlock by Vader, and this is just getting ridiculous. Sid gets out a third time and has a top wrist lock on Vader. Vader with a knee strike to Sid’s midsection and delivers a right hand to Sid’s throat. Vader splashes onto Sid who was hanging on the second rope. Vader with a elbow drop for a two count and locks in a sleeper hold. Vader scoop slams Sid and comes off the ropes with a big splash for a near fall. Vader blocks a sunset flip attempt by sitting down onto Sid’s chest! Vader covers but Sid is able to pop his shoulder up at two. Sid gets to his feet and hammers away on Vader until Vader gets a few right hands in and backs Sid into a corner. Vader sends Sid into a corner and splashes Sid. Vader attempts a Vader Splash off the middle rope but Sid gets his knees up. Sid with a running clothesline and scoop slams Vader! Sid choke slams Vader and gets a two count, though the referee botched the pin. Sid clotheslines Vader over the top to the floor. Sid leaps off the apron and double axe handles Vader. They brawl on the floor and both men are counted out. *
After the match, Sid poses for the crowd and gets pyro. Their was a camera at this show for some reason. Sid was seen talking into a camera.
Sixth Contest: Yokozuna defeated Owen Hart: Hart with a flurry of right hands in the corner but is soon met with a clothesline and a scoop slam. Yoko chops Hart which causes Hart to roll out of the ring and up the aisle way. Hart returns to the ring and wants to shake hands with Yoko. Yoko doesn’t seem to be interested so he doesn’t shake hands. Hart with a side headlock but is shoulder blocked by Yoko as he comes off the ropes. Hart comes back with a few right hands and kicks Yoko on the back of the head. Hart comes off the ropes and yanks Yoko down by the hair as the referee was distracted by Cornette. Hart chokes Yoko on the middle rope and Cornette gets a few shots in as the referee was distracted. Hart comes off the ropes and nails Yoko with a spinning heel kick. Hart leaps off the top but is caught by Yoko who drives Hart down to the mat with a side belly to belly suplex. Yoko follows up with a hug leg drop! Yoko drags Hart to a corner and splashes down on Hart connecting with the Bonzai Drop for the win. *¼
Seventh Contest: WWF World Champion Shawn Michaels defeated Goldust to retain the title: Goldust tried to attack Michaels before the bell but Michaels just sent Goldust over the top to the floor. Michaels with a few right hands and is nearly sent over the top by Goldust. Michaels comes back into the ring and backdrops Goldust to the floor. Michaels drops Goldust face first across the ring apron and goes for a pile driver on the floor but Goldust counters with a backdrop! Goldust with a few right hands on the floor and sends Michaels back into the ring. Goldust with right hands in the corner and beats Michaels down to the canvas. Goldust taunts Michaels until Michaels spears Goldust and delivers several right hands and a stomp to the face. Michaels continues his offense with a running clothesline for a two count. Goldust pokes Michaels in the eyes and blocks a backdrop with a uppercut and clotheslines the champion. Goldust drops Michaels throat first across the top rope and sends Michaels into a corner where Michaels flips and falls to the floor. Goldust drops Michaels throat first across the guard railing. Goldust stomps Michaels from the ring as Michaels gets to his knees on the floor. Michaels rams Goldust head first into the top turnbuckle and goes up top but is slammed off by Goldust! Goldust goes for the cover but Michaels is able to kick out at two. Goldust controls the champion with a sleeper hold in the middle of the ring. Michaels gets out but runs into a knee lift. Goldust with axe handle and gets a two count. Michaels comes off the ropes with a cross body but Goldust regains control with a vertical suplex for a two count. Goldust goes back to a sleeper hold. Michaels gets up but is yanked back down by Goldust. Goldust clotheslines Michaels over the top to the floor and taunts the fans. Goldust brings Michaels back into the ring but misses a big boot. Michaels misses a elbow drop and Goldust gets a two count. Goldust keeps Michaels grounded with a front face lock. Michaels gets to his feet and drops Goldust gut first down to the canvas. Goldust comes off the ropes and collides with Michaels causing both men to be knocked out. They trade right hands with Goldust getting the upper hand. Michaels comes off the ropes and connects with a flying forearm smash. Michaels kips up to his feet and hammers away on Goldust. Michaels power slams Goldust and heads to the top rope. Michaels leaps off and connects with a elbow drop! Michaels signals for the super kick and connects! Michaels covers and picks up the win. ***
After the match, Mankind enters the ring and shoves his fingers down Michaels throat! The Undertaker comes down to the ring and saves Michaels from a beating. Taker actually chases Mankind through the crowd to the back.
Eighth Contest: WWF World Tag Team Champions Smoking Gunns defeated Skip/Zip to retain the titles: Bart and Zip start off the contest. Bart with a side headlock early on but is sent into the ropes where he shoulder blocks Zip. Bart scoop slams Zip and tags in Billy. Billy misses a elbow drop and is arm dragged by Zip. Zip with a arm bar and tags in Skip who comes off the top rope with a double axe handle. Skip controls Billy with a wrist lock until Billy fights out of the hold with right hands. Billy misses a right hand and Skip connects with a hurricanrana. Skip takes Billy over with a few arm drags but Billy stops Skip and catapults Skip into the corner. Skip jumps to the middle rope and leaps off connecting with a cross body. Skip heads to the rope but is crotched by Bart who shook the ropes. Bart tags in and stomps away on Skip for several moments. Bart sends Skip hard back first into a corner and taunts Zip. Billy tags into the match and leaps off Bart’s back to splash Skip in the corner. Bart comes back into the match and stomps away on Skip some more. Bart controls Skip with a sleeper hold for a few moments. Bart backdrops Skip and tags in Billy. Bart connects with a swinging neck breaker and Billy comes off the ropes with a leg drop for a near fall. Skip battles back with right hands but Billy is able to power slam Skip to regain control. Billy leaps off the top looking for a double axe handle but is met with a atomic drop from Skip! Zip and Bart get the hot tags. Zip cleans house with right hands on both Billy and Bart. Gut wrench sit down power bomb by Zip on Bart and Skip splashes Bart from the top rope. Billy beats up Skip on the outside and returns to the ring to leap off the top with a leg drop as Bart side slams Zip for the win. **
Jim Ross comes down to the ring and puts over the fans. Ross introduces the Worlds Strongest Man, Mark Henry. Ross interviews Henry about competing in the Olympics for the United States of America. Henry talks about signing his WWF contract, which I think he says feels great. Ross asks when will we see Henry in the ring. Henry is going to take his time to train and hopes to come back to MSG soon. Hunter Hearst Helmsley comes down to the ring and reminds Henry that this is the World Wrestling Federation, just incase Henry had forgotten. Henry eventually shoves Hunter and Hunter bails to the floor to avoid any kind of severe beating. Henry stands tall in the ring and gets some pyro.
Ninth Contest: Savio Vega defeated the British Bulldog: Quite a bit of stalling by Bulldog on the apron. Vega with a few right hands in the corner to get the upper hand. Bulldog shoulder blocks Vega but is catapulted by Vega and hip tossed a few times. Vega has a arm bar on Bulldog for several moments to keep the upper hand. Bulldog connects with running clothesline as Vega comes out of the corner. Vega elbows his way out of a sleeper hold but is whipped back down to the canvas. Bulldog goes for a cover but Vega is able to kick out at two. Vega with a few right hands and goes for a sunset flip which he gets for a near fall. Bulldog nails Vega with a running clothesline and taunts the crowd. Bulldog sets Vega up for the running power slam but Vega counters with a rollup for a near fall. Bulldog managed to send Vega shoulder first into the ring post on the kick out and gets a two count. Vega comes back with a vertical suplex and both men are down in the middle of the ring. Vega goes for a spinning heel kick but Bulldog rolls out of the way. Bulldog has a crucifix pin but Vega kicks out and Bulldog didn’t. Vega wins as Bulldog had his shoulders down on the mat. *¼
After the match, a fan enters the ring, but isn’t tackled. Bulldog clotheslines Vega as Jim Cornette blocks the referee in the corner. Bulldog and Cornette head to the back.
The Fink hypes up the September 29th, Madison Square Garden show. Faarroq Asad vs. Yokozuna, Vader vs. Psycho Sid in a lumberjack, and Goldust/Mankind vs. Shawn Michaels/the Undertaker are the matches hyped up.
Main Event: The Undertaker defeated Steve Austin via disqualification: Austin with a right hand in the corner but Taker isn’t affected. Austin gets a few shots in but Taker continues to stalk towards Austin. Austin begs off to the floor as he isn’t able to hurt Taker. Austin goes after Bearer on the floor but backs off as Taker goes to the floor. Austin with several strikes as Taker enters the ring. Austin with right hand and boots in the corner. Taker tosses Austin into a corner and delivers a flurry of right hands. Taker with a big backdrop and right hand. Taker walks the top rope and jumps down across Austin’s arm. Taker chokes Austin in the corner and connects with a scoop slam. Taker misses a leg drop and Austin hammers away on Taker in the corner. They go to the floor where Austin sends Taker into the guard railing. Austin comes off the ropes with a forearm drop and gets a two count. Taker with a few right hands but Austin is able to sneak a low blow and gets a near fall. Taker drops Austin following several right hands but Austin comes back with a swinging neck breaker for a two count. Austin leaps off the middle rope and hit’s a forearm drop but Taker pops his shoulder up at two. Taker comes off the ropes and clotheslines Austin. Austin blocks a backdrop and pile drives Taker. Austin attempts a tombstone but Taker reverses and plants Austin with a tombstone. Taker goes for the cover but Mankind runs down and causes the DQ. *
After the match, Mankind is able to shove his fingers down Taker’s throat in the corner. Shawn Michaels runs down and makes the save for Taker. Goldust comes down as well and attacks Michaels. Jake Roberts has come down and gets in the action. Taker choke slams Austin and Michaels leaps off the top hitting a elbow drop. The baby faces stand tall to close out the show.
My Take: A fairly basic opening contest between Bradshaw/Montoya. Bradshaw was getting some decent heel heat at this point, and yet he didn’t really amount to anything later on in 1996. Anyway, not a horrible match as they hit all the spots. It just wasn’t a exciting contest.
The tag team match was quite boring. The fans don’t seem to be interested in what the New Rockers have to offer and I have to say I don’t either. The Godwins are quite popular with the crowd, though. That may be the only good thing of the match.
Mero/Hunter was a solid bout. Despite the one botch, it was a competitive match and the crowd was into it. Nothing for me to complain about.
The beginning of Sid/Vader was just horrible. They seemingly stalled for three minutes before anything happened. I didn’t enjoy the contest at all, which isn’t too surprising. I mean, most big man vs. big man matches are crap to begin with. Considering this was a house show, it was wishful thinking to even think they would do anything good.
Yoko/Owen wasn’t anything all that great. It was a fairly quick contest. I thought it was kind of surprising to have Yoko go over Owen here. Sure it is just a house show, but Yoko hadn’t been relevant on television for a few months. Last time I checked Madison Square Garden was a big market for the WWF. Oh well.
Michaels/Goldust was a solid contest. It may have been a little slow, but it was a fine contest I thought. I don’t know why this match was held so early, though. Michaels is the champion, he is suppose to be the major draw. Yet, he is put on right after intermission. That doesn’t seem right. I think the fact that Michaels isn’t the most popular guy on the roster, is starting to be realized by the WWF.
The crowd was pretty much dead for the tag team titles match. Not that great of a match but it wasn’t necessarily a horrible contest by any means.
Well, Savio Vega was really popular with the MSG at this point. He got a really big reaction which is something I didn’t expect. It’s sad that Bulldog was in a world title program two months ago and is now back to a mid-card level.
Quite a few people left before and during the main event between Austin and Taker. That would surely not happen the following year or in 1998 for example. The match actually sucked. The fans weren’t into it at all and it just felt really flat. A bad way to end the show.
Overall, a lackluster show. Mero/HHH and HBK/Goldust are really the only decent to good matches on the show. Despite all the big names being on the show, it failed to deliver any consistent entertainment. A lackluster MSG show.
The brilliance of iridescent white light strangely did not hurt the eyes. It was wispy, blurred and shiny all at the same time. Three woman sat in a wide semi arc. It was hard to focus, but even without actually knowing you knew, they had benevolent sparkling eyes and kind satisfied smiles.
It you concentrated hard enough you could see the flashing silver payal on one ankle. The second woman held a cup. A pristine white cup from which the strong aroma of coffee drifted. Even if you happened to not like coffee you would still not think of scrunching your nose. Crispy, syrupy orange swirls of goodness were being put to good use by the third woman.
“Shut up Khushi“, a thick voice laced with slumber muttered gruffly near her. Arnav Singh Raizada had his eyes still closed, but his brows furrowed in lazy annoyance.
“Ye kaisa sapna tha? Hum na devi maiyya bilkul pagal hai. Arnavji’s mother surely did not like drinking coffee, or did she? Anyway this dream..”
She yelped in confusion. A firm hand had placed itself on the area above her navel, a little to the left. Just below her heart. Dhak dhak dhak dhak…
The confusion ebbed away. The tingly breathlessness remained. Of course, she was with Arnav Singh Raizada. Where else would Khushi Arnav Raizada be?
She wriggled a little to turn her head towards the clock. The sleeping figure next to her grunted in irritation at the slight movement.
“So ja Khushi. It is not even 6 yet.” Again she shifted around trying to find that perfect spot on her pillow.
“Ye larki mujhe bilkul pagal kar degi“, he had not only opened his eyes, but was quite definitely glaring at her. That too early in the morning! But, with unshakable certainty she knew that hidden beneath the impatience was a lingering smile.
Smile, smirk.. She was still confused. It was hard to concentrate enough to find the difference even though Arnavji had teased her enough times about it.
Smile or no smile, this exquisite glare was him. The man she loved. A love that was nothing like what she had imagined, and still it was all she wanted and oh so much more!
He was asleep again, it seemed. She continued to stare at him, in the darkness that was slowly fading into light as soft rays made its way through the curtains near the poolside.
Was it days or weeks or months that she got to sleep with him close by? Usually by the time she woke up he was already back from his morning jog. However, if waking up at unearthly early morning hours meant getting a glimpse of Arnavji sleeping next to her, it was worth it.
No one had told her this was the best part of marriage. Not her friends, not even Salman Khanji and Barun Sobtiji’s movies. She had no idea that the best part of marriage was not having to say bye ever.
She lived in the same house as Arnavji. If they fought he was still in her room. In their room. She could see him, he was present around her, his presence was around her. Even then, twenty four hours was less. She wanted to clutch on to every single moment with him and make it last for an entire eternity within iteself.
She wanted to wake up everyday and know that they had spent all night long wrapped in each other arms. When he pulled her close and would lay that first kiss there was no fear of interruption. And all that followed..
She blushed at the turn of thoughts and bit her lower lip to stop the smile from peeping out. Carefully she shifted closer to him.
He had turned around and now his back was towards her. He was wearing his white full sleeves t-shirt. Khushi frowned. She liked the feel of his bare skin against her. A connection that was a secret. Their secret; that had a place here in this very room, but also all day long in her heart. As if he was a part of her. An essential feeling that touched her deep within.
There was such a lot she wanted to learn from him. And there was so much more she was impatient to to hear him tell her. Those scary looking thick books that he seemed to enjoy reading. She wanted him to talk about all of that. His days in London, his business mergers…
Hmmpp laad governor and his deals. He had asked her if she wanted to join his office, but she had said no.
Di was at home and Khushi wanted to keep her company. Lately di, had said she was bored at times. Though there was lots of preparation for the little rajkumari or rajkumar that was to come, still it would be nice if di went out some more. But, going outside was something di still seemed to resist.
“Khushi hilna band karo“. ASR rolled his eyes. Her leg was draped on his thighs. Her eyes were closed, but she was mumbling incoherent words. One hand, slender, but still quite surprisingly heavy was flung across his chest.
He was debating whether to leave for his jog or sleep some more when that hand on his chest grabbed onto his shirt and her beautiful head snuggled closer. A sigh escaped her lips.
The decision had been made for him. This had become a regular maddening dilemma for him. Sleep had never felt important. it was almost an utter waste of time. But, now, it was such a temptation. With Khushi close he loved his sleep.
Then again, he loved not sleeping too. A wicked gleam entered his eyes. He smirked in a self satisfied sort of male way. There were nights he took particular pride in ensuring that she didn’t sleep. He would watch her expressions flit from a shy acceptance to surprise. And with absolutel inevitability get lost in contended sighs as he made love to her.
But, then he also wanted to have her continue talking. How much could she talk! And eat! He had never felt this confused and certainly never enjoyed his confusion to this extent before. Talking, sleeping, not sleeping he wanted everything with Khushi. Even this girly pink bend sheet with flowers on it!
Sometimes, from office he would call her. To just hear her say “haylo” and imagine a smile lighting up that face.
He wondered once if she got bored while he worked, but she insisted in sitting next to him in their poolside under the stars, amongst his plants. No, their plants. He had come home one day early, and seen her watering them with the big green watering can he used. She could barely lift it, but he didn’t want to break the magic of the moment. He simply stood and watched her.
He wanted to laugh at himself, or maybe even give himself a kick. How foolish he sounded. But dammit! How happy he felt. This rush of contentment and crazy boyish excitement whenever he was around her was irresistible.
“uff“.. A heavy hand had landed on his stomach and knocked the breath out of him. Khushi’s lips were still moving, but now her face was close to his. She was happily talking in her sleep, her lips grazing his ear lobe gently, every now and then. It was a lovely form of torture, till she pushed him further of the bed as she suddenly shifted.
“Stop moving sweetheart“, he laughed aloud this time. How could anyone possibly sleep this way? At a weird diagonal angle..
He watched Khushi rub her eyes with the back of her hand and stifle a yawn. “I saw a dream Arnavji. Usme amma thi, and your mother and jilebi. I..”
Good, he thought. Now he needn’t fear waking her up. Since she was already awake he planned to take full advantage of the situation. He wound his arms around her and took those talkative lips between his own. The kiss was long and languorous. She moaned.
“Now listen to my plan Arnav..“. It still thrilled him whenever she decided to drop the ji. It came at unexpected moments and he never tired of the surprise.
She sat up. Her pink kurta and unwound hair were in disarray making her look even more gorgeous, he decided.
He couldn’t help it. He took the fluffy white pillow from under his head and hit her with it. “What crap Khushi“, he declared as she stared open mouth at him. He knew even when he was sixteen he would not have indulged in a pillow fight and here he was hitting Khushi with a pillow! But he wanted to throw caution in the wind..
Her mouth was open in a pronounced “o“. He was going to kiss her some more, but she surprised him as always. A soft cushion had landed on his arm.
She quickly scrambled away giggling. He lunged after her. No thought of resisting the call of this gleeful seraph. Within minutes they were ducking, out of breath and laughing quite uncontrollably. Clutching her aching stomach, with a few tears of mirth rolling down her cheeks Khushi stood on top of the bed.
ASR jumped towards her in a final tackle. Pillows, feathers, Khushi and ASR landed with a loud thud as the low rise bed cracked from under them.
For a second they were too stunned to react. They lay on top of each other, across a broken bed, covered in down feathers. Quite breathless, they watched the white feathers still fluttering above, deciding on a perfect spot to settle.
ASR’s lips curved upwards as he wondered out loud. “I never ever in my wildest dreams thought I would break my bed having, of all the things, a pillow fight with my wife.“. “my wife…“, he said the words a second time and turned to watch Khushi.
Khushi had raised her hands to catch a few feathers still in flight. Her hair had quite a few white flecks on it as well. She gave her head a violent shake, sending more feathers flying again. It caused ASR to sneeze.
“I always dreamed of watching feathers burst out of pillows after a pillow fight Arnavji“. She moved in excitement and and the bed gave way further. An even louder creak elicited from it this time.
They burst out into another round of laughter. Hiccuping, catching her breath, Khushi said, “hum dono“.
“Kitne ajeeb hai“, ASR completed. His voice had such a sense of fulfillment, as if being ajeeb was exactly what every sane man’s aim in life must be.
A series of knocks on the door and whispers outside caught their attention. Khushi rushed to open the door.
The whole family was at the threshold. Nani was trying hard to keep a straight face. Payal, Akash and NK were giggling like a bunch of school kids. A sleepy OP was standing with a fidgeting goat in his arms, who leapt and made her way to probably investigate the interesting looking white feathers.
Mami’s sleep had vanished seeing her nephew sitting in an awkward angle on a clearly irreparable bed. She was all set to crack a joke about cricket and broken beds when Khushi started talking.
(I mean Arnavji.. won’t be able to say no if you join office with me. Say yes. We will have lots of fun)
While everyone was trying to process if the feathers and state of bed where collateral damage of a sanka devi and business tycoon fight, Khushi had smoothly turned her head in ASR’s direction.
She winked. Then to make sure he was in on her plan, for good measure, she winked fast a few more times.
All ASR could think was this girl with pagal plans was his. He didn’t think he believed in such silly things as “forever“, but he wanted her. He wanted every moment of this crazy girl who he loved equally crazily. And he did not want it to ever end.
Hi Ms Rhea, Just read your completed story and liked it. Very well written fanfiction for a first timer. I too share your liking for IPKKND, Arnav & Khushi and Barun & Sanaya. All the best for your future endeavours.
Thank you so much for the lovely comment Radhika. Indi di and I met online thanks to our love for IPK and everything about it. I wanted to try to keep my story as close to IPK as possible. Am glad you enjoyed. And It’s good to see you here on the brew. Hope to see you around.
Rhea I had such a delightful time reading this story of Arnav and Khushi . Thank you so much for giving all of us a place to come to and read about our favorite fictional characters (though Sanaya and Barun made them seem real). Looking forward to your next fanfic .
Hi rahsmi ending the story almost felt like IPK ended once more for me. But as long as we can share this common pagalpan we are happy hamesha. Hope you continue to enjoy your time on the brew. And thank s a lot the encouraging notes you leave us. Much appreciated.
Clearly, I’m not in the target audience for this story for so many reasons, and I haven’t read all of it, but more than I would care to admit… It was an interesting peek into a very different culture, even more into a very different mindset. And I liked it in that aspect a lot!
I want to try to tell why I don’t like this sort of love stories. Love is important, a focal point in our lives. But the interesting part is not getting to it. The interesting part is reconciling it with the rest of your life, nurturing it, seeing it fade, reviving or burying it. And most importantly, becoming a better person by all of this process. The movie Gone Girl is the most important movie I’ve seen about marriage in the recent years: talking about how you have to balance positive and negative feelings about the person you’re locked up with.
All in all, I’d love your story as a preamble to story of struggle. One of domestic violence, of desperation, of cheating, of murder, of suicide, or even better, of endless greyness. Because all that starts here, with happy wows and a lot of snuggling.
I don’t mind at all and am laughing thinking of you trying to read through these chapters, I guess you must have figured out the characters are based off a tv series I watch. Actually, I didn’t realize that this gives a glimpse into a whole different world. Am happy it did for you.
Lovely article (specially that first quote) and I couldn’t agree more with you that this mad giddy giggly love is just the start and the enduring sentiment is much vast and of varying shades. The highs and the lows all part of the journey that two people in love take together. Also, like the article mentions, and as I grow up I realize, loving is definitely an art.
I’ll try explaining why I wrote this (my first multi chapter story) and similar writings. Around me I see a world full of strife, things we have come to accept as the way of life. We know in reality, that in a relationship there will be moments of discord between the sweetness. But, this here is my dream of always living in that high of happiness. Even the get out and shut ups by my hero are thrilling to the heroine. And I believe if we could we would all want to live this way or atleast I do.
I like that approach a lot. I mean the striving for the ideal. If it’s more like a distraction from the reality, it hurts more than it helps (and that’s the case for many). But if you use it to explore what the ideal entails and how to implement (parts of) it in your life, you might do even better than analyzing the problems all the time…
Astute observation about it hurting than helping. I do wonder if I tend to lean more towards the distraction from reality at times, but usually just the possibility of the ideal makes me immensely happy and at peace. And if as part of growing older I still end up keeping this enthusiasm and wonder then overall I guess that I will be lucky.
Aww we are so happy you found us Smitha. This is a place we love to share what we love.. specially ipk. I miss ASR and Khushi too.. a lot. The first excitement and its magic still remains. And Indi dis characterization and writing bring that out so beautifully. This is my first attempt at a proper story, so thank you so much for liking and commenting.
I loved how you didn’t delay things over here. When Arnav wanted to confess his love, he did. When the Guptas wanted reveal about Shyam, they did. When Arnav wanted to tell the same to Di, he did. When it was time for Babuji to heal and speak up, he did.
I also loved that NK got to play the game of stealing shoes and later he even got Akash into the game. 😀
I loved how from OP to Nani, everyone was talking about how they knew from before that Arnav and Khushi would get together.
And mostly I loved how you incorporated all those memorable scenes through flashbacks or otherwise and spinned a lovely wholesome story.
Durga di thank you so much for leaving this lovely detailed comment. It was a short story, but 27 chapters long.. You know, at 1 point I realised that everything has to happen fast because there are only so few days between mehendi and shaadi…haha..
Glad you enjoyed the side characters and their story arcs. I had lots of fun writing the dialogues for when everyone thought they first detected that love was in the air. Mohan and OP have become surprisingly popular!
And I owe you a special thank you since your OS was such a happy sweet simple story. That along with Ritu di’s, Indi di’s and a few others.. all tempted me to write 1 of my own. An entire story that I wrote. This one is very very special to me.
IPKKND ,i loved watching it and continue watching it on the internet , can’t seem to have enough of Arnav and Khushi. I read your whole ff in one go and really enjoyed it . I just loved it . It bought back memories of how excited and patiently waited for the lovely chemistry between them . I enjoyed your story as much or more than i enjoyed watching the show . you write very well and let me know if you have written any more offs would love to read them ,thanks
Thank you so much Poornima for the sweet words. I and others here also love the show and love obsessing about it.. Am thrilled to hear you read this long story in 1 go… This is my first and only ff. I have written 2 os – https://writersbrew.com/2015/04/one-starry-night/ , https://writersbrew.com/2015/07/arshi-os-hum-aapke-hain-kaun/ . Hope you like those. But also check out the other fanfiction index of indi and durga. There are lots of options here for Arshi readers. Hope you also like some of our other stories and articles. See you around!
Over the past month I’ve been re-watching IPKKND for the first time since it aired, but the other day I actually stopped watching episode 185 right before it is revealed that Shyam, not Arnav meets Khushi on the rooftop terrace. I literally stopped the player while Khushi was still smiling (ridiculous, I know)!
Knowing all the horribleness that comes after that rooftop scene, I just couldn’t bear to keep watching. To me the special magic of this show was always about the chemistry of Arshi, not the misunderstandings or some of the incredibly silly drama and unbelievable plot twists the show took, especially in the later episodes.
But of course, IPKKND is so addictive that stopping mid-episode will not do. So I started daydreaming about an alternative resolution to the story, about the meeting and declaration of love on the rooftop actually happening… which inevitably lead me to browsing for fan fictions.
And here we are. I have just emerged on the other side of reading your story basically in one go (I’m so behind on all my work now it’s not even funny), and wanted to let you know that to me, it was PERFECTION! As it progressed, I realised I like the way you told the story much, much better than the forced marriage track that actually happened in the series. The way you resolved several of the plot threads was done so well I wished they had actually shot the drama this way. Every character is given justice, Anjali comes out strong, Mamiji shows her nice side, there are really funny parts too, and, most importantly, Arnav and Khushi get to fall in love and experience it so, so, sooo beautifully! I could not stop reading, it was so well done. Maybe I’ll just pretend this is what actually happened in the series (oh who are we kidding, I will probably keep watching eventually, even though anything happening onwards from episode 185 cannot live up to your ff).
Hi Elanoreth Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a beautiful comment. It made me go back and re-read the truth revelation chapters. Like you I never did understand how Khushi could keep silent and not share the the truth with Arnavji. And however blinded by anger and hurt by betrayal would ASR not believe the truth? But even then we keep watching don’t we. My FF is how you will imagine IPK? what the thank you dammit.. We absolutely love ipk here. Hope you stay around and share this love and other stories with us.
Hi Rhea…I just finished reading the story and I absolutely loved it..I liked the blend of humour and romance and the fact that any kind of misunderstanding did not stretch for long….There was almost always a funny bit to counterbalance the sad portions… You write really well…Do keep writing and please let us know of it..fanfic or otherwise… Would love to read more of your writing 🙂
Namrata am so happy to see you spotted that I wanted to add atleast 1 happy moment each chapter. It was tough. Hope the serious parts still felt real, but overall I always imagine Khushi and ASR happily and crazily in love. Thank you so much for saying those nice things. Makes me want to write more. We post new pieces here regularly. Hope to see you here again.
Beautiful epilogue to the beautiful couple..i really enjoyed my time while reading this..it’s a perfect combo of IPK+romance+fun..
I am so glad I found this treasure and its still open to be read and savored. Please accept my hearty thank you for writing such a gem.
Your writing skill is so smooth, and the way you built Arnav’s character and his love towards his crazy Khushi was so endearing. I wish the CVs of the real IPKKND had followed this script rather than the one they really did. This was so much more believable for an astute businessman than all that silly misunderstanding on the rooftop.
Please let me know if I can read any other treasure written by you. I hope and wish by now you have become a full fledged author and gone ahead to write much more wonderful ones. You have indeed got the talent!
Thanks a lot Arthi for your kind words. Am so glad you found the story believable and well written. I love ASR’s character and wanted to give him a chance to believe Khushi. Plus I wanted to focus on the happy parts and not drag out the sadness. I always picture Arshi happily in love.
We have a lot of fanfiction here on writersbrew. Hope you enjoy reading those and also other stories and articles we write. And special thank you for your wish to see me become an author 🙂 … Someday I hope…