Love Is Not Blind Part 26 who is he?

Part 26 Who is he?

Khushi sipped the espresso with a clouded mind. Vinesh kept the empty cup and said,

“Shall we go?”

Khushi nodded ok and went with him. When she came out, she saw a girl gazing at her. Khushi didn’t know who she was. At the same time, Vinesh got a call. He walked to the car while attending the call. 

The girl rushed to Khushi and smiled at her. Khushi didn’t know if she should smile or not. 

“You are Khushi right?”

Khushi’s eyes widened upon hearing her voice. She could not forget the voice… ever…! How could she forget what the girl spoke to Arnav? Her every word was echoing in Khushi’s mind. How aggressive she was when she talked to Arnav!  

"This is not fair... How could you think of another girl when I'm dying for you?"

"Why did you choose her over me?"

She was none other than Arnav’s neighbour Bapita. 

Khushi smiled at her.

“Did you get your vision?” Bapita asked delightedly.

Khushi nodded yes.

“Really? That’s great…”

“Thanks” 

“I came to Mumbai for my cousin’s wedding.”

“Oh, I see” Khushi smiled. Her smile faded, hearing Bapita’s question. 

“When is Arnav coming from Abroad?”

Khushi looked at Vinesh who was going towards his car. Didn’t Bapita see him? Yes, she would not have seen him. Khushi thought.  

“You should have been eager to meet him, right?” Khushi looked at her with a horrible expression.

“I know what you are thinking. You would not have expected me to take it easy, right? Honestly speaking. I don’t take it easily. Still, there is a wound in my heart, but I came out of it. Do you know why? It’s because of Arnav’s pure love. How genuine he should have been if he had loved a visually impaired girl? He even helped you to operate your eyes and brought your vision back. So, there is nothing to think about Arnav anymore.” Bapita said in a go.

Khushi smiled. 

That was when Vinesh called Khushi.

“Khushiiii” 

Khushi and Bapita looked at him. Khushi looked at Bapita to know her reaction after seeing Arnav. Adding to it, Vinesh also didn’t react seeing Bapita. He should have come to them not letting Bapita talk to her alone. Why was Arnav behaving like, he didn’t know Bapita? 

Adding to it, 

“Is he your BROTHER?” Bapita asked, making Khushi confused.

“Brother?” Khushi murmured.

“Oh, he should be your friend… I suppose”

Khushi sulked. Was she teasing?

“Ok, Khushi, your friend is waiting for you. Convey my regards to Arnav if he calls you…”

Khushi gazed at her as if she was a ghost.

“Bye…” Bapita left the place leaving Khushi in confusion. 

What the hell was this? Why did Bapita behave like, she didn’t know Arnav? Why did she talk like he was someone? She saw Bapita waiting for an auto. Khushi rushed to her. 

“One minute, Bapita”

Bapita looked at her.

“I would like to know something from you”

“What?”

“How does Arnav look like?”

Bapita smiled.

“Haven’t you talked to him through video call yet?”

Khushi nodded yes.

“I think he wants to come in front of you surprisingly and see if you identify him or not…”

Khushi looked at Vinesh and noticed Bapita also looking at him.

“Please don’t mistake me, anyone would fall in love with Arnav at first sight. He has those kinds of features. His face, eyebrows, eyes, everything is attractive.”

Khushi deeply looked at her.

“I’m sorry if I crossed my limit”

Khushi nodded no smiling nervously.

“Bye…”

Khushi stood looking at the retreating auto. She could not understand anything. Bapita didn’t react like, the man with her was Arnav. She narrated what Arnav would look like. What was all this? Did Bapita intentionally confuse her? But, why did Arnav not react, seeing Bapita? Khushi wanted to scratch her hair. 

She closed her eyes and recalled what Bapita said about Arnav.

*Anyone would fall in love with Arnav at first sight. He has those kinds of features. His face, eyebrows, eyes, everything is attractive*

Vinesh was not looking like what Bapita said. Then who was Vinesh? What was happening here? Was not Vinesh Arnav? Then who was this damn Vinesh? 

“Khushiiii…” Vinesh called her again.  

Khushi looked at him with a lot of questions. His voice, his new parents, his sudden high-class status, nothing seemed real. 

She walked to him with a stern gaze. 

"Who was she?" He asked.

"My school friend," Khushi said. 

"Let's go. I have a lot of work"

Khushi got in the car. Vinesh drove the car. Khushi looked at Vinesh. He smiled at her.

"By the way, you haven't shared your abroad experience with me...! Tell about it," Khushi asked, observing him keenly.

"I really don't want to think it. Whenever i gino about it, i remember the accident..." 

"Oh... Did you talk to Anjali Di?" 

Vinesh was stuck. He composed himself as Akash already told him about Anjali. 

"Anjali Di? Oh yes..." Vinesh stammered.

"I'm so eager to meet her... When you go to Goa top invite her, I will asleep come with you"

"No no... I don't think I will get time to go to Goa..."

"Won't you invite Anjali Di?"

"Yeah, definitely but not in person"

"Won't she get upset?"

"No no... She it's nice person. She will understand me"

"I'm so excited about our wedding..." Khushi said that surprised Vinesh. 

"Me too" Vinesh said gladly. 

"Of course, you will meet all your college friends. After all, you and Akash are college mates..."

Vinesh smiled awkwardly without answering. Khushi's doubt strengthened. Something was wrong with this man. 

Vinesh dropped Khushi at GH.Khushi smiled at Garima brightly. 

"Amma, do you know how big his company is? I'm so lucky to have such a partner. Right?"

"Of course, Khushi. No one could get it easily. You are so lucky"

"Amma, I would like to invite my friends to my wedding. What say?"

"No Khushi no..." Garima said hurriedly.

"Why Amma?"

"Not everyone is genuine. They will get jealous of your new luxurious life. If you called them, yoy will get bad vibes. Please don't invite them, Khushi"

"You are right Amma. I well not call them" Khushi went to her room.

Garima sighed in relief. She saw difference in Khushi. She thought, seeing Vinesh's wealth, Khushi changed her mind. 

Khushi was lying on the bed thinking about what to do. She waited for the right time. She didn't want to hurry. Without knowing anything she didn't want to make a move.

Night

Khushi came to Garima's room. 

"Khushi, do you want anything?" 

"I will leave you after my wedding. That's why, thought to sleep with you"

Garima was overwhelmed.

"Come" she said spreading her arms.

Khushi hugged her and lady on the bed. She shared sweet memories of their life with Garima for a while. She waited for Garima to sleep. As she expected, Garima slept. 

Khushi made sure that she slept. She saw Garima's phone on the table. Taking it she silently left the room. She came to her room and locked the door. She called Lavanya. Lavanya attended the call.

"Hello..."

"Khushi... Khushi, where the hell are you? Why don't you attend our calls?"

"I lost my phone"

"Ok you lost your phone. What about your mother and brother? Did they too lose their phone?"

"Why?"

"Their phones are also switched off..."

"What do you mean? Their phone is working"

"No... Do you know how meant times we tried their number? By the way, whose number is this?"

"This? Amma's number"

"Did she change her number?"

"No... It's her old number only"

"No... I have her old number. This is a new number"

Khushi was confused. Why did Garima changed her number? Why didn't she tell her about it?

"By the way, why did you guys sell your house?"

"Sell? What do you mean? We just mortgaged the house"

"No Khushi, your neighbor has demolished your house and started building new house in your land"

Khushi was shocked to the core. 

"Do you know how distraught your brother's fiancé is? Poor she, didn't even know where are you guys"

Khushi didn't understand anything. 

"Khushi, everyone is Goa gossiping that you betrayed Arnav"

"Whaaat?"

"Why won't they talk if no one knows about your whereabouts? Did you talk to Arnav?"

"I'm with him only..."

"What are you saying Khushi? I met Payal just yesterday. She said Arnav is searching for you"

Khushi gulped down hard. What three hell was happening in her life? 

"Lavanya listen. Don't call me on this number. I will call you. Ok?"

"Any problem?"

"Yes... Don't call me"

"Ok. Call me if you want my help"

"Of course, I will... Bye" she disconnected the call. 

Khushi thought something. Lavanya said this was Garima's new number. She dialed Arnav's number. Khushi stood keeping the phone on her ear, holding her breath. The call was attended.

"Hello..." Hearing Arnav's VOICE, Khushi's eyes pooled up. She bit her lip closing her eyes. 

To be continued...

Next To Impossible Part 22 Angry Khushi

Part 22 Angry Khushi 

Arnav noticed Khushi was silent. He stopped and looked at her.

"Khushi are you all right?"

Khushi turned her face opposite to him without answering. She continued running. Arnav came in front of her blocking her way. Khushi looked at him with an upset face.

"What happened, Khushi?"

"I don't like what you did" Her face showed disappointment.

Arnav knew what she was talking about. Yet, he asked,

"What did I do?"

"To irritate Sheetal, you are crossing your limit"

Arnav was silent.

"What people would think of me? I agree you are my sponsor. It doesn't mean you can do anything with me. What do you think of me, haan? Do you think I will bear everything to achieve my goal?"

"Khushi..."

"My parents will not let me step out of the house if they heard anything bad about me. I can't compromise with my goal for any reason. I will give up on anything but my goal. It’s my life. Thank you for encouraging me. please understand…"

"Khushi, I..."

Khushi stopped him showing her palm.

"I... I would like to continue my practice ALONE" She said, looking somewhere.

Arnav felt distraught. Yes, he crossed his limit. He should not have done that.

Arnav looked at Sheetal who walked out of the stadium, losing her patience due to Arnav's closeness with Khushi. He sighed in relief and started to run fast, giving enough gap between him and Khushi.

Khushi closed her eyes feeling bad for talking like that to Arnav. Making herself up, she continued her practice. Arnav didn't dare to go near her.

Khushi completed her practice ALONE. Taking her bag, she walked out. Arnav tightened his jaw seeing her leaving without bidding bye to him.

She waited for an auto. Arnav stopped his car at her feet and blew the horn. Khushi stood bowing down not getting into the car. Arnav continued to blow the horn. He got out of the car and came to her. But, before he reached her, Khushi got into an auto that came there and left the place.

Arnav stood feeling helpless. He knew he crossed his limits but didn't know it would make Khushi upset to this extent. He wanted her to ask him the reason for his behaviour. So that he could hint her what was in his heart but his plan didn't work. It seemed Khushi was upset with him.

Let her come to the college. He was stuck thinking about something. What if she didn't talk to him in college too? Everyone would get to know about their confliction. It was not good for them.

Arnav left the place thinking about what to do. He got ready quickly and came to GH but his bad luck, Khushi left the house earlier than usual. That disappointed Arnav again. He headed to the college.

 

Khushi saw him coming. Taking a book, she discussed something with Preeto as if she didn't notice him. Arnav saw her doing that. He went to his place and sat with Aman. He tried hard not to show his inner turmoil on his face and looked casual. Yet, Aman noticed the difference.

"Is everything alright between you and Khushi?" he asked.

"Hopefully" Arnav replied.

"What happened?"

"I just crossed my limits"

"Whaaat? What did you say?"

"Hey, don't think much... It's not what you think. In the process of irritating Sheetal, I didn't think about Khushi... That made her angry. She didn't like what I did"

"But you like her right?"

Arnav was silent.

"I know you like her. My only doubt is, do you like her or, love her"

Arnav didn't break silent.

"So you love her..."

"I like her, Aman. When I am with her I feel content. I will be happy if she is with me. I never felt like that for anyone. She is something"

"What about Lavanya? Your father is dreaming about your wedding with Lavanya"

"Let him dream... He would have to dream about me for his whole life. He can do nothing other than dream… I don’t care" Arnav stated furiously.

“How will you console Khushi?”

“I will take care of her”

“How? Are you going to apologise for what you did?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“I have no choice. I was wrong. So, I have to apologise”

“Are you sure?”

“I don’t think apologising is a bad thing”

That was when the physical instructor called Arnav and Khushi. They went to the ground. Arnav glanced at Khushi who walked looking somewhere. When they entered the ground, Arnav stopped Khushi by extending his hand. Khushi stood not looking at him but at his hand.

"Khushi, I'm sorry...! I should not have taken advantage. I promise I will not repeat it and be in my limit”

“Arnavji, you should understand one thing. Our family is not like yours. We are from two different and opposite societies. You can manage all your mistakes but I’m not like that because our lifestyle is like that. I can’t be with a don’t care attitude like you do. We live with certain unwritten rules and regulations. I can’t cross them… ever…”

“Ok… I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable…”

“I’m sorry for talking to you rudely but I have no choice… please don’t make me embarrassed”

Arnav nodded his head.

They went to the physical instructor.

“Sir, did you call us?”

“Yes, a famous company in Delhi is going to conduct a sports meet next week in a grand way. Not only Delhi but also four districts are going to participate in the MEET”

Arnav looked at Khushi delightedly. He knew Khushi would win a medal in the meet.

“Every individual can participate in THREE events and one team event. I have selected you two for the MIXED RELAY race because you both are State Gold Medalists”

“Who are the other two, Sir?” Arnav asked as the relay race needed four persons.

“I have selected six guys for the event. I will have to finalize two of them… I’m going to conduct a race for them and select”

“Good idea, Sir”

“Let’s call them. We will finalise it today itself. Then only you can start practising”

“Ok, sir, give me the list of people. I will get them here”

“Yeah…”

The physical instructor gave him the list.  Arnav read it. The list included Aman Mathur and Sheetal Kapoor’s names. Arnav didn’t feel good to see Sheetal’s name. Khushi saw his changed facial expression. Arnav showed the list to Khushi. She looked at him with confusion. Arnav smiled at her.

“I will call all of them,” Arnav said.

“I will call three of them,” Khushi said.

Arnav nodded ok. Both of them went to call the students. Arnav intentionally went to Sheetal’s class. The professor looked at him.

“Sir, the physical instructor called Sheetal”

The professor looked at Sheetal and said,

 “You can go”

Sheetal nodded ok and rushed out delightedly but she didn’t find Arnav there.  So, she headed to the playground. She saw Aman also waiting there.

“Why did he call us?” She asked.

Aman shrugged his shoulders. They saw Arnav and Khushi coming with others. The physical instructor told them why he called them.

Sheetal’s face lit. This was the best chance she could ever get to pull Khushi down. She could do it only if she got selected for the Relay team. Sheetal made up herself to win the race.

The Race was conducted. Three men and three women participated in the race separately. Aman won the men's race and Sheetal won the women's race. Sheetal looked at Khushi with an evil smirk.

To be continued…

 

 Wish you Happy Diwali to all my sweet readers. 

 

 

TRUE MYTH Part 4 No BAD could enter

 

Part 4 No BAD could enter

Arnav kept his bag in the cupboard and opened the window. He was stuck to see a forest-like area far from the Palace and a hill behind the forest. He sat on the bed thinking about what his mother wrote in her letter. His father belonged to a Royal family. he sighed. He didn’t want to think of something that was an ENDED chapter of his life. He went to the washroom to take a bath that he badly needed. He travelled for nearly two days. Adding to it, he ran like hell last night to save himself from the DOG.

Arnav was stuck. What was the dog about? The dog chased him but he stopped hearing a DAMARU sound. Why so? Why did the same dog stay with him? The Damaru sound was so loud. Did the people in this village hear that? He finished his bath thinking about all of them.  

A servant came to the guest room and knocked on the door.

“Tell me,” Arnav asked.

“Sir called you for breakfast”

Arnav nodded ok and walked to the huge dining hall. He saw many members. Seeing him, Ratna rushed to him and held his hand.

“Come and have breakfast” she pulled him.

Arnav looked at the people in the dining. After all, they were Royals. They would not like to eat with their servants.

“Come on, Arnav” Arvind called him.

Arnav could read the annoyance on people’s faces but Arvind didn’t seem bothered about it.

“Take your seat, Arnav”

Arnav walked to the last chair and sat.

“Arnav, they are my brothers-in-law, Chandra Murthy, Krishna Murthy. She is Mrs. Savithri Changdra Murthy, she is Mrs. Saroja Krishna Murthy. She is Ms. Madhavi Chandra Murthy and she is Ms. Lalitha Krishna Murthy. Chandra and Krishna are my wife Ratna’s brothers. All are my family. From today onwards you are my manager. You are answerable to ME…” he didn’t say ONLY to me but Arnav understood that.

That statement irritated people in the dining. Arnav looked for the girl he met in the temple. He saw her coming from the kitchen.

“Khushi, come…” Ratna called her.

Khushi smiled at her.

“Why are you doing these things, Khushi? Just be with Ratna” Arvind said.

Khushi looked at Madhavi and Lalitha who were glaring at her.

“It’s ok, Mama… I will be standing”

“You are the one who is going to feed Ratna. How will you do that?” Arvind asked.

“Mama, when she is ready to feed her standing, why are you making her uncomfortable?” Chandra Murthy asked.

Without giving heed to him,

“Khushi, sit” Arvind’s voice was strict.

She sat bowing down and started feeding Ratna. Arnav silently observed all of them. It was clear the palace people didn’t like Khushi being treated equally.

Breakfast was served. It was completely Tamilian food but it was not new to Arnav. his mother always cooked them but the palace food tastes so rich. After all, they were cooked for the Royals. There were everything on the table. Idly, Dosa, Pongal, Aappam and idiyappam. Arnav liked Idiyappam which was served with coconut milk. It tasted good and different. His mother told him about it but never cooked it.

Arnav finished breakfast and waited for Arvind’s further order.

“Mama, is it necessary for a New manager? Won’t we maintain the budget of our palace?” Krishna Murthy asked.

Arvind stood up finishing breakfast. He went to the washbasin without answering him.

Ratna rushed to Arnav, leaving a half-finished breakfast. Khushi rushed behind her with the plate.

“Athai(Aunty) don’t run…”

“I will be with my son…” She held Arnav’s hand.

 Khushi sighed.

“No problem… feed her,” Arnav said.

Khushi extended the food towards Ratna. She nodded no.

“Don’t say no… eat it?” Arnav said.

Ratna nodded ok and had it. Khushi wondered and fed her quickly before her mind changed. She wiped Ratna’s mouth and left the place.

Arvind came to Arnav.

“Come…” he walked to the office room. Arnav followed him.

“Arnav, they belong to this family. it doesn’t mean you should obey them. You do not need to… even though they try. Just tell them I have assigned some important work. I will manage them”

“Ok, sir”

 “We have hundreds of acres of Paddy field, Banana and coconut grove… a few acres of sugarcane field. Take your time and visit them”

“Ok, sir”

“Take Khushi with you… she will show all of them”

 “Ok, sir”

“Do you ride a bike?”

“Yes, sir”

“There is a bike in our palace. You can take it”

“Thank you, sir”

“You may go”

Arnav came out of the office. He saw someone rushed away from the office. It seemed someone overheard their talks. Arnav became thoughtful. He came searching for Khushi. He stopped hearing,

“Don’t think yourself superior just because Aunty is obeying you. you are just a servant here. Don’t forget that.”

“Uncle is giving you importance only because Aunty is obeying you. he won’t mind throwing you out of the palace if she gets cured”

Arnav saw Khushi standing in front of Madhavi and Lalitha silently listening to their scolding.

“Khushiiiii” Arnav called her.

Khushi looked at the direction and rushed to him.

“Sir wants me to visit his lands. He told me to take you with me”

Khushi nodded ok and walked to him.

“Hey, you…” Madhavi flicked her fingers.

Arnav stopped and looked at her.

“This is a Palace. Know your limit. Just because you are allowed to eat with us, you will not become a Royal”

“When did I say I became a Royal?” he asked plainly.

“How dare you back answering me! who gave the right to talk to me like this?”

“Arvind sir…” Came from Arnav.

Khushi looked at him surprisingly. Of course, Arvind told her not to mind about them but Khushi never got the courage to talk to them daringly.

“He told me I don’t need to obey any of you but only him,” he said and looked at Khushi.

“Let’s go, Khushi. I have many work” he walked out.

Khushi followed him silently.

They came out of the palace.

“Arvind sir said you know all of his property”

Khushi nodded yes.

“Shall we take a bike?”

“Bike? No no… I can’t sit behind you on the bike”

Arnav looked at her plainly.

“I know you are a GOOD person but not people in this village. If you can walk, we will go on foot”

Arnav nodded ok.

“Let’s go…”

They walked. People looked at Arnav in awe.  Arnav didn’t understand why. They came out of the village and entered a Paddy field. Khushi looked at Arnav hearing,

“Don’t be so naïve”

She looked at him sulking.

“Are you talking to me?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“What did you say?”

“I said don’t be naïve”

“Means?”

“What do you know about me that you said I’m a GOOD person?”

“I know you are a good person”

“Don’t trust anyone blindly”

“I won’t trust anyone but you”

“Why?”

“If you are a bad person, you could not have stepped into this village… you would have died even before you stepped into this village” Khushi said.

“What do you mean?”

“That’s the village’s speciality”

“I didn’t get you”

“Do you know what this village’s name is?”

Arnav was stuck. He knew he wanted to go to Pancha Nandhi but he missed his way and came to this village. What was this village’s name?

“This village’s name is SIVAN KUDIL… means, Adobe of Lord Shiva. No outsiders could enter this village if their intention is BAD”

Arnav folded his hands with a smirk.

“What?”

“A few minutes ago, I saw two girls scolding you without a reason. Anyone could say they are so arrogant. How did your Siva let them live? Will you say they are GOOD?”

“You didn’t understand what I said. I said no OUTSIDERS could enter this village. They belong to this village. This is their motherland”

“That means, people who belong to this village can be bad?”

“No… if the people belonging to this village are bad, they could not be peaceful. They will not get what they want”

Arnav crooked his brows.

“Madhavi wanted to go out of this village and live a modern life. She studied well to score good marks but she could not attend the exam”

“Why?”

“She met with an accident on the way to her last exam”

Arnav raised his brows.

“And Lalitha, she wants to take over this palace’s responsibility and keep it under her control. She was supposed to talk to Arvind uncle about it today…! And, you are here...! Arvind uncle gave the responsibility to you. you will learn many things in the future about this village”

Arnav smiled.

“Trust me… you are the only stranger who entered this village AFTER ME” Khushi said making Arnav surprised.

To be continued…  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

Organized Chaos Part 9 Self-Esteemed Girl

 Part 9 Self-Esteemed Girl

Khushi shifted to the new house. She used an electric stove, cooker, and kettle for cooking. The house was blowy because there were a few trees around the house. Khushi liked it very much. Payal and Akash were also satisfied.  They settled Khushi and Aashi in the new house and left.

Khushi cooked dinner. Aashi watched her, sitting on the kitchen slab.

“Mom. Are we going to be here?”

“Yeah… we will be here from here on”

“But, you said we will be with Payu and Akki?”

Khushi chuckled.

“Aashu, you should start calling elders uncle and aunty. Stop calling them as I call them”

Aashi flipped her lower lip cutely.

“Why do Indians call everyone uncle and Aunt instead of Mr and Mrs?”

“Calling Mr and Mrs is English culture. In India, people treat everyone as their family. That’s why they call others with relationships”

“If they treat everyone like their family, why did we leave Payu… I mean Payu Aunt’s house? Why didn’t they let us stay there?”

“It’s because Akki’s brother got transferred to Delhi. He is coming with his family. How could we stay there when the owner wants to stay at their place?”

“So what if they come? Can’t we stay with them in their house?”

“No beta, there are only two portions in their house. How could three families stay there?”

“But, Mr. Pazzle’s house has many portions. Then, why don’t we stay at their place?”

“How could we stay at Mr Puzzle’s house?”

“But, we stayed at Payu Aunt’s house…”

“Payu is my friend. So we stayed there”

“Mr Puzzle also became your friend…”

“It’s different beta…”

“How?”

“Payu and Akki are married. Both are my friends. So, staying at their place would not have been a problem, but we just met Mr Puzzle. He is not my THICK friend like Payu and Akki…”

“Then make him your thick friend”

“Why? Don’t you like this house?”

She nodded no.

“Why?”

“I like Dadi and Mr Puzzle”

“But, usually you won’t like anyone so quickly…”

“I like Dadi’s story and Mr. Puzzle talks nicely like Nanne Dad”

“We should not be a burden to anyone, beta. This is our life. we should adopt it”

Aashi pouted.

Khushi knew why Aashi wanted to be with Ratna and Arnav. She knew only a few people in India. Ratna and Arnav got a special place in her mind with a DIFFERENT approach. Aashi liked stories and puzzle games. Both easily caught her mind presenting them to her. After all, she was a kid.

They heard a knock on their door. Khushi was confused as she didn’t know who could come to her house because only Payal and Akash knew her house. She opened the door. Aashi also went with her. Khushi frowned to see the house owner Lokesh Ram standing. He grinned ear to ear.

“Is everything comfortable to you?” he entered the house without her permission, not minding her standing and blocking the way.

“Jee…” Khushi moved back embarrassingly.

“You can ask me anything… don’t hesitate. I will do anything for you”

Khushi gripped her skirt tight.

As Khushi didn’t expect, he dusted her shoulder. Khushi shrugged his hand and looked at him furiously.

“Something was there…” he grinned.

“It doesn’t mean you can dust it out. I can manage myself…” she said irritatingly.

“Arrey, I just thought to help you as you are ALONE with no help”

“No need. I can manage…”

Without giving an ear to her,

“What’s your name baby?” he pinched Aashi’s cheek.

“Aashi” She shrugged his hand.

“Like mother, like daughter” he chuckled.

“Sir, if I want anything I will call you. you do not need to come here unless I call you. “I don’t like anyone entering my portion without my permission.”

“I’m an owner of this house. Remember?”

“You should not enter my portion like this because you are an owner.  please leave”

Lokesh looked at her sharply.

“Madam, you are new to this place. you can’t live without my help. You will understand that soon”

“Thanks” She joined her hands.

Lokesh went out of the house without showing a hurry. Khushi closed the door with a thud. Lokesh looked behind and left the place with a smirk.

Khushi squeezed her hands. Nothing seemed good with Lokesh.

“I don’t like this man,” Aashi said.

Khushi hugged her feeling helpless. She should not be hurried in making a decision. She should have considered Payal’s advice of taking Arnav’s help. What could she do now? She had paid one lakh advance to the house but the contract had not been signed yet. Could she do anything regarding this? She thought.

 

The next Morning

Payal woke up from her sleep and got fresh. She had to finish cooking quickly because she had to accompany Khushi to admit Aashi to the school.

That was when she heard a calling bell sound. Payal was supposed to go to open the door, but she stopped to see Akash opening it. Payal and Akash were shocked to see his brother at their place because he was supposed to come to their place in the evening but they didn’t know how he reached Delhi early in the morning.

“How is my surprise?” Akash’s brother Akhilesh asked.

Akash and Payal stood motionlessly.

“Reena, didn’t I say my brother and Bhabi would be statue seeing us?” Akhilesh laughed.

Akash looked at Payal helplessly who was tensed. They already sent Khushi from their house and now, they were in the situation not to accompany her to the school. Khushi had no one in Delhi to help her.
Why did this Akhilesh come earlier than he said?

 

RM

Arnav came out of the washroom, finishing his morning shower. He took his mobile as it rang. He smiled, seeing Akash’s name on the mobile screen.

“Hi, Akki, how are you?”

“I’m not well, Arnav”

“What happened? Did Payal hit you?” He teased.

“She will if you don’t help me”

“Me… do you want me to supply you a shield?”

“No, I want you to accompany Khushi to the school”

“I didn’t get you” Arnav became serious.

Akash told him about his awkward situation.

“Please, Arnav. Khushi has no one in India, except we THREE. Payal feels guilty. She feels like she left Khushi alone because Khushi came to India in the hope of us”

“Ok… I will take her… ask Payal not to be worried”

“Thank you so much, Arnav. You have no idea what you have done to me” Akash smiled.

“Don’t be formal. From where should I pick up her?”

“She will come to our hospital at 10 o’clock. You can pick her from there”

“Ok, I will take her to the school” Arnav disconnected the call.

Quickly dressing up, he headed to the hospital.

Arnav saw Khushi waiting in the hospital with Aashi. Aashi saw him and smiled brightly.

“Mom, Mr. Puzzle is here”

Khushi looked at Arnav and stood up.

“Arnav, you here? Is Aunty all right?”

“She is all right. I came here to take my friend to the school for her cute daughter’s admission”

“But…”

“Akash requested me to…”

“But why? Is everything all right?”

“I think no. We will talk on the way to the school… let’s go” Arnav walked out.

Khushi and Aashi followed him.

Arnav started the car.

“What happened Arnav? Why Akash and Payal don’t come?”

Arnav said about Akhilesh’s surprise visit. Khushi sighed.

“I’m sorry for troubling you” Khushi regretted.

“Troubling? You are sitting on the car seat only… why are you talking like you are sitting on my head?” He asked seriously.

Khushi looked at him for a few seconds and laughed.

“You are so mean, Arnav”

“Relax… I told you already. Don’t hesitate to ask me anything… please don’t feel awkward…”

Khushi was silent.

“Do one thing…”

“What?” Khushi asked.

“I will go to London in a few years…”

“Oh…”

“I need your help at that time”

“Sure…”

“Just think I’m compensating your future help now”

Khushi rolled her eyes smilingly.

“Relax ok…”

“May I ask you for help, Mr. Puzzle?” Aashi asked unexpectedly.

Arnav looked at her raising his brows, pressing his lips.

“Please…”

Khushi looked at her surprisingly. She didn’t know what help Aashi would ask him.

“Sure Ms. Smile… at least you considered me…” Arnav smiled.

“Could you find a GOOD house for us?”

Arnav’s facial expression changed.

“You guys shifted to a new house yesterday, right?”

“I don’t like the house…” Aashi said pouting.

Arnav looked at Khushi who was suffocating.

“Why beta?”

“There is a man… I don’t like him…”

“Man? What did he do?”

“He came inside our house without Mom’s permission”

Arnav looked at Khushi who looked down.

“Who is he, Khushi?”

“The house owner. He came to check if everything was comfortable”

“Khushi. Please don’t hesitate in this matter if you feel anything wrong”

Khushi was silent.

“Do you understand what I said?”

Khushi looked at him plainly.

“I know why you are hesitating. You are a SELF-ESTEEMED girl but understand one thing. You can ask for my help instead of making the kid uncomfortable. Giving her a pleasant atmosphere is important. Think about her.” Arnav said in a serious tone.

Arnav was not wrong. It was more important to make Aashi comfortable than to think about her self-respect. Everything was right but what did Arnav know about her that he addressed her SELF-ESTEEMED girl? Khushi could not understand.

To be continued…

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love is not Blind Part 25 Who was he?

 Part 25 Who was he?

Akash and Garima were at an extreme level of hope. Khushi would positively change her thoughts if she saw how big Vinesh’s Empire was. So, they tried to fix her mind in such thoughts.

Garima called Khushi for dinner. She ate with disinterest. How could she be interested if her life was not what she expected? How keenly she waited for her meet with Arnav! She thought their every meet would be remarkable. Arnav had created such an expectation in her mind. It was not intentional though. He just said what he wanted to… Khushi was impressed with his different and lovable thoughts. So, it was obvious that she felt disappointed when she didn’t receive the same from him.

How lovingly he treated her! How beautiful his words were! His words increased her curiosity to SEE the man who uttered them but now, after meeting him… after seeing him, she felt like they didn’t suit him. Vinesh didn’t meet her expectations. He was ready to gift her gold and diamond… but who needed them? What she wanted from him was, she wanted to be the same when she was visually impaired. She wanted to admire him when he would repeat the same… she wanted to do them through her eyes that she had done through her heart before. She wanted to ADMIRE him with her EYES.

How cutely he said she was looking colourful like a rainbow! How could he forget it? He just said she was looking like an Angel? What was wrong with him? After gaining huge property, did he think it was unnecessary to flatter a girl in the way she wanted? Khushi was fed up and her thoughts reflected it.

“Amma, Vinesh decided to take Khushi to his company tomorrow,” Akash said with pride.

“Really? That’s so sweet of him” Garima grinned.

Khushi looked at her oddly. What was SWEET in that? What would she do visiting his company?

“Do you know how big his company is? Hundreds of workers working under him”

“Is it?”

“Yes, our Khushi will become their Lady Boss” Akash smiled.

Neither Khushi looked at them nor did she react to them. She had dinner fast and stood up.

“Khushi, be ready at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning”

Khushi nodded ok because she had been waiting to meet him. She wanted to ask him about her father’s watch.

 

The next morning

Khushi got ready to go to Arnav’s company. She watched TV until he came.

“Khushi, please don’t say anything that hurts him,” Garima said.

“What will I say to hurt him?”

“He became a big shot now. Don’t recall his past condition again and again. It may make him feel low”

“What do you mean Amma? What’s there to think low? Was he a thief in the past? Was he a smuggler? Why the hell should he feel low?” she raised her voice as she was irritated by Garima’s advice.

“Why are you unnecessarily getting angry?”

“Why the hell are you unnecessarily making me angry? This is what Khushi is. I will be like this… always. If your so-called Vinesh doesn’t like me, ask him to find someone up to his taste… understand?” she extended her index finger angrily.

Garima was stuck.

“What’s wrong I said?” she asked.

“You just keep quiet. You don’t need to tell me anything. I made decisions in my life even when I was blind. So, don’t teach me anything” She said annoyingly.

Garima was taken aback. She didn’t know why Khushi lost her temper.

Akash came to her.

“Why are you looking disturbed, Khushi? Why are you getting hyper?”

“I don’t know what’s happening to me. It feels like the man in front of me is not my Arnav. he behaves oddly… totally different from Arnav. His voice, his name, his thoughts, his behaviour, nothing suits Arnav. I doubt he is really Arnav… how could anyone change to this extent?” She said restlessly.

“Khushi, you think unwantedly… he met with an accident and lost his voice. Do you know how disturbed he is?”

“Disturbed and him? I didn’t see anything called disturbance on his face. What I see on his face is immodesty…” she said irritatingly.   

Akash tried to say something but stopped hearing a car horn.

“Vinesh came. Please don’t show your irritation to him” Akash pleaded.

Throwing an odd look at him, Khushi left the place. she got inside the car.

“Hi…” Vinesh smiled.

Khushi reciprocated him and sat straight.

NK who followed Vinesh conveyed the message to Arnav and again followed them.

Vinesh took Khushi to his company. He showed all the working units to her. He introduced his company authorities to her. Khushi just shared a smile with them. Vinesh didn’t even talk about anything related to their past which made Khushi upset.

Vinesh saw Khushi pressing her head.

“Khushi, are you all right?”

“My head is aching”

“Do you want medicine?”

“No, a cup of coffee will be better”

“Let’s go to my cabin. I will bring you coffee there”

“Shall we go to a coffee shop?”

Vinesh was stuck. He thought Khushi would be bewitched to see his classy cabin but she didn’t show interest to see his cabin.

“I thought you would come to my cabin”

“I will come another day… hope you understand”

Vinesh nodded.

“Let’s go…”

He took Khushi to a coffee shop.

“what would you like to have? Cappuccino, Americano…”

Cutting him,

“Espresso…” She said.

“Espresso?” he frowned.

“Mmm… it will cure my headache…”

“Ok”

He called a bearer and ordered,

“One espresso and one Cappuccino…”

“By the way, your watch looked nice,” Khushi said.

“This is Rolex… twenty-five lakhs… my father gifted me”

“I see… that’s why you don’t use the watch I gifted you?”

Vinesh made up himself. Akash already told him about the watch. So, he was prepared.

“Sorry, Khushi, the watch was broken when I met with an accident…” he handled her brilliantly.

Khushi was disappointed. She saved the watch like a treasure.

“Why didn’t you tell me about it before?” She asked.

“I didn’t want to hurt you…”

Khushi pressed her head and lifted her head. She was stuck to see a man she met in the jewellery shop who used the same perfume that Arnav used. She felt something in her heart because he looked at her penetratingly, sitting at the next table. Khushi averted her gaze. She again looked at him slowly raising her eyelashes. Her stomach mixed up seeing a smirk on his face. She didn’t know how to take it. She was suffocating to face his gaze.

Who was he? Why did he look at her like this? There was no hesitation in his face. How could he be looking at her so daringly? Khushi thought to tell Vinesh about him. She was about to call him, but words were not coming from her throat. She felt like someone was tangling her throat. He drank the coffee, without taking his eyes off her. He was wearing HER father’s watch on his wrist. How could it be possible? How did he get her father’s watch? No… it could not be her father’s watch. He too should have had the same watch. It must be coincidental. Though Khushi consoled herself, she was restless because the SAME MAN used Arnav’s perfume. 

Arnav could see her nervousness. He felt bad for making her restless but he had no choice. To teach a good lesson to her brother and mother, he had to do it. More than that, the man with her should know not everything could be bought with money.

Khushi squeezed her hands looking down. She looked again at the table he was sitting at but didn’t find him there. Her eyes searched for him here and there. She bit her jaws and looked for him. Seeing him standing a little aloof, her eyes rooted on him. The smirk on his face made her more restless. He walked out of the coffee shop, all the way smiling at her. Khushi suffocated to sit there. She felt like she wanted to go to him and ask him who he was. He saw him leaving the shop, starting the bike, leaving Khushi in deep turmoil.

To be continued…