FINE WINE (Part 21-30)

Part 21 Using Helplessness

They reached GH. Arnav turned behind and tapped Khushi’s cheek. She slowly opened her eyes and sat. Arnav got out of the car and opened the door for her. She got down, leaving her bag in the car. She walked to her home slowly. Arnav ran before her and rang the calling bell before she reached. Garima opened the door and saw Khushi coming with slow steps.

“Khushiiii… what happened?” Garima came to her and circled her shoulders.

“She was electrocuted…” Arnav said.

“Hey Devi Maiya…”

“The doctor checked her,” Arnav said.

“Thank you, sir”  

“I’m leaving. She doesn’t have to come to the office tomorrow if she is not feeling well” Arnav said.

Garima nodded ok. Arnav walked out and Garima took Khushi to her room.

Arnav got into the car and Mohan started the car. Arnav left the place. When they came a little far, Arnav coincidently looked behind and saw Khushi’s bag in the back seat.

“Stop the car…” he said.

Mohan stopped the car at the side of the road, looking around cautiously.

“Go to Khushi’s house”

Taking a *U* turn, Mohan went to Khushi’s house again. Taking her bag, Arnav went to GH. He stopped hearing Garima talking on the phone. The person on the other side was Naveen. His blood boiled hearing her saying,

“This is a good chance, Naveen beta. Khushi is electrocuted. She is weak and exhausted. Taking rest. If you come here, you can talk to her now. Neither she can run nor can she fight with you”

“….”

“Oh, no… when will you come from Agra?”

“……”

“OK, come to GH directly and try to talk to her. I don’t want you to miss this chance”

“…..”

Arnav stood listening to it. He didn’t know what to do. Neither he could be with Khushi nor could he take her home. He had no right to do that. He was relieved as Naveen was not in the condition to reach GH right away. It seemed he was stuck in Agra. It would take a minimum of four hours for him to reach Delhi. So, Khushi would start feeling better before he reached Delhi. Then she would manage him, I believed.

He rang the bell and Garima opened the door that was not locked.

“Khushi’s bag… she left it in the car,” he extended it.

“thank you, sir” Garima took it from him.

Without asking anything, Arnav left the place. He didn’t like to talk to the cunning woman who didn’t care about her daughter’s feelings but money. He didn’t understand one thing. Guptas were not poor. They looked enough rich. Then why this woman was behind Naveen? Was not the money she had enough for her? He thought. He came to GH without informing Aman. He thought to call Aman and checked his pocket. That was when he got to know he had left his phone in his cabin after talking to the doctor.

In the meanwhile, Dadi called Arnav two times. As he didn’t attend the call, she called Aman. He attended it.

“Hello, Dadi…”

“Where is Arnav?”

“Arnav? He would be in his cabin”

“He didn’t attend my calls. I thought he would be with you”

“Any emergency?”

“No… I just want to remind him about Anjali and Shyam’s death anniversary”

“He would not have forgotten it, Dadi”

“I know I just want to ask him about the pooja he does in the temple every year”

“I will ask him to call you, Dadi”

“Ok… do check what made him skip my call”

“yeah, I will do it”

Aman came to Arnav’s cabin. He didn’t find him there but only his mobile on the table. He looked at the pantry. He didn’t find him there too. He was supposed to go to his cabin but stopped seeing Arnav entering the office with a rigid expression.

“Where did you go, ASR?”

“I went to drop Khushi home”

 “Khushi home? But why? What happened to her?”

“She was electrocuted…”

“Whaaat? When? How?”

“When she prepared coffee for me, the wire melted that was touching the bottom of the vessel”

“Why didn’t you call the doctor?”

“I did… he asked her to take a rest. That’s why I dropped her home”

“Did the doctor come to the office?”

“Mmm”

“What the hell… why didn’t you call me? I would have gone to drop her…”

“What’s the big deal? Actually, I was supposed to send her with Mohan but I didn’t feel it right when she lay on the seat all exhausted”

“How is she?”

“Tired…”

“Oh, God…”

“I missed to take my phone in the urgency. That’s why I could not call you”

“Mmm… Dadi called you twice. As you didn’t attend her call, she called me”

“Anything serious?” he was nervous as Aarav had not been stable in the last two days.

“She wanted to remind you about Anjali and Shyam’s death anniversary”

“Mmm…”

Taking his phone, he called Dadi. She attended the call.

“Dadi”

“I called you”

“Aman told me…”

“you didn’t attend my calls. That’s why I called Aman”

“That’s ok, Dadi”

“Were you busy?”

“No, I just left my mobile in my cabin”

Dadi wondered.

“But, you never leave your mobile…”

“Oh… Khushi was electrocuted…”

“Whaaaat?”

“Yeah, I went to drop her home”

“Oh… is she all right?”

“Hopefully…”

Dadi sighed.

“I will talk to you later, Dadi”

“Ok”

Arnav disconnected the call and looked at Aman.

“Change the induction…”

Aman nodded ok.

 

Evening

Dadi was in the living room, reading some spiritual book. She stood up, seeing Arnav entering.

“How is Khushi, Arnav?”

“I don’t know Dadi”

“Didn’t you call her?”

Arnav nodded no.

“What’s this Arnav? She was electrocuted… you dropped her home because she was tired. Yet, you didn't call her once?”

“I became busy with my work, Dadi” he lied. His mind was thinking about Khushi most of the time not because she was not fine but about her condition after Naveen came from Agra.

That was when they heard,

“Whaaaat? Did Khushi Didi electrocute?” Shali shouted.

Arnav and Dadi looked at her. In no time, she rushed to their room to convey the matter to her sister and brother.

“Bhai, Shamu, Khushi Didi was electrocuted… she is serious…” Shali shouted.

Arnav got stuck, whereas Dadi was silently watching him. Shamli and Shali rushed to the living room with Aarav.

“Dad, please take us to Khushi Didi’s house. We want to meet her, dad, Please…” They pleaded.

“Listen, she was tired. Rest is necessary for her. We should not disturb her. We will meet her tomorrow”

“Dad, we will not disturb her, promise. We just want to see whether she is all right. Please, dad”

Arnav didn’t know how to avoid the situation. In fact, he too wanted to meet her and know whether she was all right after Naveen met her. Or, Naveen might not be left GH and stayed there in the name of looking after her. What would Khushi do if it happened?

“Dad, please, Dad… we will not disturb her, please” they pleaded miserably.

Arnav looked at Dadi, gulping down.

“Take them, Arnav. They just want to meet Khushi because she is ill. This is a good habit to meet the ill person. Don’t deny them… they are good children. They will not trouble Khushi… am I right?” Dadi asked the kids.

“Yes, we will not trouble her”

Dadi looked at Arnav and blinked her.

“Ok, but remember, we will be there only for ten minutes… ok?” Arnav asked.

“Ok…”

“We will be back soon, Dadi” Arnav said.

Dadi nodded ok.

Arnav left RM with the kids to meet Khushi. Kids asked him about how Khushi was electrocuted. He told them what happened but not completely. He edited the CPR treatment given to her. he just told them that he sprinkled water on her face to get her consciousness. Kids became sad.

They reached Khushi’s house. In no time, Kids rushed inside the house as the door was just closed not locked.

They saw Garima standing out of Khushi’s room, leaning on the wall. The kids ran to her and were supposed to ask about Khushi, but they stopped seeing someone forcing her for something.

“Leave me… I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want to listen to you… I don’t want to even see your face”

“Khushi, listen to me. I wanted to talk to you for long. I just got the chance today. You have to listen to me. You have no choice. I don’t care whether you are fine with that or not” Clutching her jaws in one hand and hands in another, he tried to kiss her.

Of course, he was Naveen. In no time, the kids ran to them and pulled him behind. Naveen raised his hand to hit the kids, making Khushi horrified. Before he touched the kids, Arnav held his hand and twisted it.

“Hey, leave me…this is not your office to show your superiority… get out” he shouted.

Arnav pushed him forcefully and glared at Garima who was shocked.

“What a mother you are! Don’t you have the simple sense that she needs rest in this state? How could you try to use her helplessness in your favor? Shame on you…”

Arnav looked at Naveen furiously and flicked his fingers.

“Before I call the police and file a complaint against you that you harassed her, leave…”

Naveen looked at Garima and asked,

“Aunty, what’s this? Who is he to order me? She is your daughter…”

Cutting him,

“But she is major… you can’t do anything against her wish. Do you want me to prove that? Let me call the police” he asked and removed his phone.

“Please, don’t do that, sir. I will take care of him…” Garima said.

“How? Will you stand outside the room letting him to…” he stopped, gritted his teeth, making Garima gulp.

“Ask him to leave”

Garima looked at Naveen and gestured for him to leave. That made him annoyed.

“Dad, shall we stay with Khushi Didi and look after her?” Shali asked worriedly.

“Yes Dad, he will kill her if we leave her alone,” Shamli said sadly.

“We can’t stay here, beta…” Arnav said hesitating.

“Then, we will take her home.” Said Aarav making everyone stunned.

To be continued…

 

 

 Part 22 Little Girls Wiser Than Men

“Then, we will take her home.” Said Aarav making everyone stunned.

Khushi and Arnav looked at each other Thunder stuck, whereas Garima and Naveen looked at each other, having no idea how to handle the situation as they didn't expect such a bomb.

Shali and Shamli looked at Arnav and said,

“Yes, Dad, we will take Didi to our house”

Before Arnav said, anything,

“It’s ok… I will be here” Khushi said.

“How could you be here? What if he again hits you?” Shali asked as she could not understand Naveen tried to kiss her.

“I will lock the door from inside” Khushi smiled mildly.

“What if he breaks the door?” Shamli questioned.

Khushi was silent. She too didn’t know how she could cross the terrific phase without getting damaged.

“Khushi, you are weak. you can come to RM and stay until you feel better” Arnav said as he didn’t feel like leaving her there after witnessing the scene. He thought Garima called Naveen only to TALK to Khushi but he didn’t expect Naveen would force Khushi without minding about her condition. In fact, he was hesitant to make any step without Khushi’s consent but now, the problem came in front of them. So, he could not leave it.

“It’s ok, sir…”

“Didi, Dad himself is ready to take you to our home. Then why are you denying it? Come with us. Or else, we will not go to RM” Aarav said.

Before Khushi said anything,

“Let’s go Khushi… I will bring you tomorrow. Come…” Arnav said.

“Come on, Didi” Shali and Shamli pulled her hands on either side.

“Please…” Aarav said.

Khushi looked at Garima and Naveen who were standing with a horrified expression. She closed her eyes and gulped down. Then stood up.

“Let’s go…” she said.

“Yehhhhh…” the kids shouted cheerfully.

Garima and Naveen were absolutely disappointed. Khushi walked with the kids, without looking back. Arnav followed them. Aarav rushed to the car and opened the door for Khushi. She sat in the backseat with Shamli and Shali. Arnav started the car and changed the gear.

Garima and Naveen looked at the fading image of Arnav’s car.

“What’s all this, Aunty?” Naveen asked.

Garima was silent.

“Can’t you do anything?”

“What could I do when he said he would call the police?”

“It seems he will not let me marry Khushi” Naveen annoyed.

Garima also thought the same. How did Arnav enter into their life all of a sudden? Till last month, Khushi had no one other than her. This man gave her the courage to stand in any situation. If it continued, if Khushi got his support like this, she would not listen to her nor would agree to marry Naveen.

 

In car

Khushi leaned on the seat and closed her eyes.

“Didi, you can lay on my lap, if you are tired,” Shali said tapping her thigh cutely.

Khushi opened her eyes and nodded no smilingly.

“I will sit with Baiya if you want to lay,” Shamli said.

“It’s ok, beta…” she caressed her hair and received a smile in return.

Arnav looked at her through the rear-view mirror. When she looked at him, he switched his gaze on the road. She again leaned on the seat.

They reached RM. Aarav jumped out of the car and opened the door for Khushi hurriedly. Khushi got down slowly. In no time, Shali and Shamli clutched her hands and took her inside.

Dadi who was waiting for them in the living room, was surprised to see a girl coming with kids. That was the first time, she saw Khushi. So, she didn’t know the girl was Khushi but she guessed it.

Arnav who followed them said,

“Dadi, she is Khushi…”

“Khushi, she is my Dadi”

“Namaste, Dadiji”

“Namaste, beta. Arnav said you were electrocuted. How are you feeling now?”

“I’m better, Dadiji…”

“But, it doesn’t seem so…” Dadi said, meeting her tired eyes.

“Dadi, Khushi will be here today,” Arnav said and looked at the kids.

“Guys, take Khushi to the guest room”

“Come on, Didi. We will take you” The kids took her to the guest room.

Dadi was looking at Arnav, expecting him to tell her the reason for him to bring Khushi RM.

“She was in critical condition, Dadi. The kids were not ready to leave her there. So, they brought her here”

“What condition you are talking about, Arnav?”

“I told you about the guy her mother wants Khushi to marry…”

“Yeah, you told me… Khushi is not interested in the wedding, right?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“When we went to her house, the guy was forcing her…”

“Whaaat?” She was shocked.

“Kids were horrified to see that and wanted to bring her to a safe place.”

“You have done a good job. This is really a terrible situation for any girl. Thank god, you didn’t think much and brought her here”

It was not hard for Arnav to understand what she meant.

“Actually, Aarav was the one who insisted she come to RM. Shali and Shamli also pleaded with me…”

“Oh…”

“I could not disappoint kids”

“Anyhow, you didn’t mix the issue with Aarav’s interest in getting her as his mother… that’s great. Go and look if she needs anything.”

“Send Khushi’s dinner with Laxmi Didi. She would not have eaten anything”

“Ok…”

“Ask Laxmi Didi to be with Khushi tonight.”

“I will take care of it”

Arnav nodded ok and went to the guest room. He saw Khushi leaning on the headboard of the bed. Kids were sitting surrounding her. Arnav came and said,

“Guys, go and have dinner. You have to go to school tomorrow. It’s already late… go…”

“Dad, shall we sleep with Khushi Didi?” Shali asked.

“Laxmi Didi will sleep with Khushi. If you sleep with her, you will put your leg on her. It will disturb her. She needs rest. That’s why we brought her hear, right?”

They nodded yes pouting.

“Go and have dinner”

“Shall we be with her for a while after the dinner?” Shali pleaded lovingly.

Arnav nodded ok without any choice.

“Will you be with Didi until we finish dinner?” Shamli asked like a big girl.

Arnav nodded.

They left the room. Aarav stopped at the doorstep and looked at them for a while. Then he went. Arnav made sure the kids left. He looked at Khushi and said,

“Khushi…”

Cutting him,

“I know you brought me here only to safeguard me from Naveen’s torture. Nothing more than that. This is what you want to say?”

Arnav was embarrassed and nodded no.

“I was supposed to say, don’t think anything and take rest”

Khushi smiled and Arnav averted his gaze. He looked at her and sighed.

“Khushi, please stop embarrassing me. There are many good guys in society. Dadi will find one for you. Trust me, he will be up to your expectations”

Khushi smiled and said nothing. Arnav rolled his eyes.

“What does your smile mean?”

“What would you say if the groom asked why Dadi is searching for a groom for me when I have a mother?”

Arnav was stuck.

“Do you think you can get me married to someone without bringing my mother on stage?”

Arnav gulped down hard.

“If my mother comes to the frame and even though she doesn’t create the scene, Naveen would do that. He will definitely say, he raped me. Do you think, the guy Dadi finds for me who is up to my expectations will believe me?”

Arnav didn’t answer because he knew he could not answer. How could anyone believe Khushi in this matter? He was the only one who knew everything about Naveen as he heard Khushi talking to him about it. He could not expect anyone to believe it. Arnav looked at her helplessly.

“I don’t think anything, Arnavji” Arnav was stuck as that was the first time, she addressed him as Arnavji instead of SIR.

“I came here only because I don’t think I could fight with Naveen in this condition. Or else, I would not have come here. Don’t worry. I’m not here intending to be here permanently. Kids love me so much that’s why they brought me here. I won’t use the situation in my favour. I’m sorry for embarrassing you”

Arnav was tongue-tied. She was an expert in doing that. He remembered LOE TOLSTOY’s words… LITTLE GIRLS WISER THAN MEN. Khushi often proved that.

To be continued…

 

 Part 23 Dilemma

“May I ask you something?” Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded.

“Is she really your biological mother?”

Khushi nodded yes.

“Why is she giving more importance to Naveen than you?”

“They are our family friends. Naveen’s father and my father are childhood friends. My parent like Naveen so much. That’s why they permitted him to enter our house anytime. I got to know Naveen’s parent want to get him married to me”

“How do you know?”

“Naveen himself told me after the mess that, that’s why he crossed his limits. I think his parents would have spoken to my parents about it. That's why my mother should have fixed her mind”

“Means?”

“She won’t change her mind if she fixed it once”

“I can’t understand how she is not realizing your feelings” He sighed and stood up. He became immovable hearing,

“Do you realize my feelings, Arnavji?” She asked.

He looked at her jerking.

“Do you realize what I feel? Do you feel my pain?”

Arnav looked at her even though he was suffocating.

“I know you realized my feelings. That’s why you brought me here. Thank you so much…”

“I brought you here for…”

Cutting him,

“For your kids… right?”

He swallowed hard.

“Don’t think I want to marry you because I have been surrounded by a problem. I want to marry you because I like you because no one is like you”

“I know what made you like me? I didn’t think of a second marriage, right?”

Before Khushi replied,

“If it is the reason, you should think about the risk. What will you do if I don’t forget my wife after I married you? What if I don’t accept you as my wife? What will you do if I don’t give a chance to our relationship and continue being with my wife’s memories?”

“I will respect you more than before… I will feel proud to be your wife… More than everything, I will be happy with your kids. They will love me for sure… unlike you”

“Khushi, I can’t understand how to make you understand…”

“I’m also in the same state as you but I’m not going to make you understand because I know you already understood. Of course, I too understood your problem. It’s obvious if you think I will change after the marriage and will hate kids. Some doubts can’t be cleared without trust, Arnavji.”

Arnav didn’t know how to make Khushi understand. She was not in the condition to listen to not only him but anyone. But he had to make her back off. So, he decided to play a TRICK. He had no choice. He had to stop her. To do that, he should do it.

“Don’t believe in the illusion created by your mind, Khushi. Believe in the truth that exists in reality. Don’t get fooled by the unreal kinds of stuff”

“What do you mean UNREAL, Arnavji? Are not you real? Am I not real? Is not my feelings for you real?”

Arnav gulped down hard. He made up himself.

“If you think, you can get my property by marrying me…” He started speaking with hesitation half-heartedly.

Khushi stopped him showing her palm with a smile.

“Why are you trying something that is not your cup of tea, Arnavji?”

Arnav was stuck.

“Don’t try to show yourself rude. I’m not going to fall for your trick because I know you” Khushi said making him speechless.

Arnav managed himself.

“I’m telling the truth. My properties are in the kids’ name. I transferred them long ago”

“So?”

Arnav gulped down.

“I’m working. I will continue the job after our wedding too. I will look after your needs. Doesn’t my salary enough for both of us? She asked.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

“Is it necessary for you to live such a life, Khushi?”

“It depends on our interest, Arnavji. This is my life. I want to live it as per my wish. I like you. What’s wrong if I want to marry you?”

“Khushi, I didn’t get married because my kids are important to me. I don’t want to face problems with my wife and I’m sure I will face problems because of my kids. That’s why I didn’t get married. Can’t you understand this simple logic?”

“What logic are you talking about, Arnavji? You didn’t get married not because your kids are important to you… it’s because your wife would also become important to you if you get married. You knew very well you would give equal importance to your wife in your life and would consider her as a part of your life.  You didn’t want to break your wife’s heart going against her wish. You could not do that. That’s why you didn’t get married” She stopped and gulped hard.

Arnav was speechless. He didn’t know what to say because he could not say she was wrong.

“Anything else, Arnavji…?”

“I didn’t tell you the REAL reason. I thought I could manage without telling the truth but I can’t” he hesitated.

Khushi frowned.

“Actually, I met with an accident and lost the ability of…” he stopped and looked at Khushi.

“I can’t become a father,” he said.

Khushi was stuck for a few seconds. Her facial expression changed.

“Is it…? I too have some problems in my uterus… I was thinking about taking treatment regarding… now, it’s not necessary. I feel relieved” She smiled.

Arnav was looking at her like, what kind she was?

“By the way, Arnavji, you said you may not accept me as your wife? But now thinking about becoming a father…?”

Arnav’s expression changed. He averted his gaze somewhere, and could not answer. She smiled brightly.

Khushi smiled, seeing the kids rushing towards her.

“Have you had dinner?” Khushi asked.

“Yeah…” they sat on the bed with her.

Arnav aw Aarav bringing her plate.

“Why are you bringing this? I asked Dadi to send it with Laxmi Didi”

“That’s ok Dad”

Aarav gave the plate to Khushi.

“Thank you” Khushi took the plate from him.

“Dad, you go and have dinner,” Shali said.

Arnav nodded yes and left the guest room to have dinner but not before looking at Khushi once. Dadi was in the living room, instructing Laxmi to be with Khushi.

Arnav came to the dining and HP served him dinner. Though he was eating, his mind was thinking about what Khushi asked him. he didn’t know how to manage her. It seemed he could not stop her. She had a solution for every problem. He didn’t know what to do.

Arnav straightened to see Dadi sitting in front of him.

“Is Khushi comfortable?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“It seems she is so COMFORTABLE with you…”

Arnav looked at her sternly.

“I mean she came to your house. That means she trusts you, right?”

Arnav looked at his plate.

“Accept her, Arnav”

Arnav looked at her jerking, like, how do you know?”

“I’m sorry, I heard your talks”

Arnav closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry for doing that. Sometimes, we have to do all this for the welfare of our people. Khushi thinks you are married and the kids are yours. Yet, she wants to marry you. She likes your kids, and vice versa. Kids will be happy if they get Khushi as their mother. You too know that. then, why are you hesitating Arnav?”

“Dadi, she is so younger than me. Her mother will not agree to this marriage. It will create the biggest problem for Khushi”

“when she is ready to face the problem, why are you bothered about it? Just stand with her. Give her courage. She will defeat the problem”

“Do you think she will be like this for her whole life? what if she changes after she gets her own child?”

“Why are you thinking negative? Can’t you think in the right way?”

“I can’t Dadi…”

“Ok, tell me one thing. Will you let her marriage happen with the boy she hates?”

“Who am I to think of her wedding, Dadi?”

“Stop cheating yourself, Arnav. If you think you are no one to her, why would you bring her here?”

“I brought her here for the kids”

“Then, marry her for the kids. They need her… like her”

“They are kids. What do they know?”

“You know everything but what’s the use? You are wavering…”

Dadi was not wrong. Arnav was wavering. He could not conclude anything. He was in a dilemma.

To be continued…

 

 

 Part 24 Cause

Finishing the dinner. Arnav walked to his room. Before that, he wanted to know if Khushi wanted anything. He saw Laxmi was trying to lift Shali who was not ready to go to her room and Khushi was restricting.

“It’s ok, let her be with me for a while”

 Laxmi looked at Arnav.

“Khushi, you need a rest,” he said.

“I’m better now. Let them be with me for a while”

“Yes, Dad, we will go to the school tomorrow and Khushi Didi will go to the office…”

“We will not get time to be with her…please please…”

“We will leave if she feels sleepy…”

They pleaded.

The kids gazed at Arnav, expecting his permission. Arnav nodded and the kids shouted joyfully.

“You should not disturb Khushi. Let her sleep if she is tired.”

They nodded ok. Arnav looked at Laxmi and said,

“Be with Khushi”

“Jee…”

“You can ask Laxmi Didi anything you want,” Arnav told Khushi. She nodded ok.

He walked out.

Khushi smiled at the kids.

“Didi, why did Dad shout at your mother? Is not she a good woman?” Shali asked.

“Not like that… she loves Naveen more than me”

“But, he is not seeming good…”

“Mmm…”

“Yet, your mother loves him?”

Khushi didn’t know what to say. She smiled.

“What will you do if he again does the same with you?”

“I will fight with him because I won’t be weak but become strong again like before…I will punch on his face and break it…” She showed her arm power, folding it.

They chuckled.

“Didi, could not you be with us here forever?” Shali asked lovingly.

Khushi was stuck. She looked at Laxmi who was listening to them, while making her bed on the floor. She too looked at Khushi for a second and continued her work.

“I can’t be with you, Baby,”

“Why?”

“It’s because this is not my house… I can’t be here.”

“You can be. We will make Dad understand”

“You don’t have to make him understand because he knows everything”

The kids’ faces hung.

“Don’t you love us?”

“I love you so much…”

“We too love you so much. Can’t we be together?”

As Khushi didn’t expect, Laxmi said,

“Bacho, how could you be with her? She will have to go to her in-laws after her marriage. After that, she should be at her husband’s place only. She can’t even stay at her mother’s place also…”

They looked at Laxmi and then at Khushi sadly.

“We can often meet. Don’t worry. I will try to come excusing myself to meet you” Khushi tried to make them happy.

“It will happen only if your husband is a nice man…” Laxmi sighed.

“If your husband is like Naveen, how will he let you meet us?” Shali asked feeling distraught.

“Do you like Dad?” Aarav asked an unexpected question which made Khushi stuck. She didn’t know in what sense he asked that.

“Why won’t I like him? After all, he is my Boss” she smiled.

“Will you marry Dad?” he threw a bombarded question. Shali and Shamli looked at her excitedly.

 

Khushi didn’t know whether she should tell the truth or not but she was sure that she didn’t want to use the kids in her favor. She smiled at them who were curious.

“I can’t make decisions alone, Aarav. It’s all about Arnav Sir. He will get angry if he gets to know you have such an idea…”

“You say, Dad will get angry… and he says, you will get angry… but you both are not getting angry with me… then why don’t you both get married?”

Khushi was stunned. What did he mean? Did he already talk to Arnav about marrying her?

“What do you mean Aarav? Why would I get angry with you?”

“I asked Dad to marry you…”

Khushi was surprised.

“What made you ask him so?”

“When we went to the restaurant, you were playing with Shalu and Shamu. A girl saw that and asked her mother why she was not playing with her as the girls’ MOTHER did…”

Khushi raised her brows.

“The girl’s mother doesn’t even play with her but you play with us. You make us happy. I liked it. That’s why I asked Dad about my mother.”

Yes, Arnav told her Aarav asked him about his mother. Did Aarav talk about HER?

“That was when he said, you would get angry with me and stop talking to me”

“Did I stop talking to you?” She asked.

Aarav nodded no.

“That means, are not you angry with me?”

Khushi nodded no.

“Will you marry Dad?”

She smiled.

“Aarav, this is a BIG talk… children like you should not talk about it”

“Then, who should talk?” Shali asked.

“Dadi, Dad, Laxmi Didi…”

The kids looked at Laxmi and said,

“Laxmi Didi, ask her to marry Dad”

“She can’t marry your Dad just because I say. It’s your Dad who should agree to marry her” Laxmi smiled.

“But he will not…” he said sadly.

Khushi understood that children were interested in getting her as their mother. She was glad about it.

“By the way, what about your friends? Would they visit your home?” she changed the topic.

“No one would come to our house. You are the first one” Shali said.

Khushi smiled.

“OK, go to your room. Or else, Dad will get upset with me for misleading you” She said.

The next second they got off the bed. That wondered Khushi and Laxmi.

“We are going. Dad will not get upset with you. Good night, Didi”

“Good night” Khushi smiled heartedly.

They walked to their room.

“Poor kids, they long for a mother but Arnav Bituwa is not ready to get married” Laxmi sighed.

Khushi looked at her silently.

“It’s obvious if he thinks no girl will treat someone’s kids as hers. Everyone would be lovable at first but after getting their own children, people’s minds will change. They will start showing partiality…that’s why Arnav Bituwa didn’t want to get married.”

Khushi didn’t feel it was wrong. She too had seen such cases. Stepmothers were always partial when it came to their own children. If it was so, how could she blame Arnav for keeping her on the list?

“After Veena refused to marry him, he completely lost interest in marriage”

Khushi jerked.

“Veena? Who is Veena?”

“His ex- Fiancé. His wedding was supposed to be fixed with her but she put a condition that he should leave the kids in the hostel and she could not take their responsibility”

Khushi was shocked. Arnav was supposed to marry someone? That someone wanted the kids to be dropped in the hostel?

“That’s the point Arnav Bituwa decided not to marry anyone,” Laxmi said feeling said. She didn’t tell the truth about the kids’ parents because she thought Khushi knew it.

Now, Khushi was clear why Arnav was firm in his decision of the NO MARRIAGE concept. His previous experience was the reason that didn’t let him think of marrying her.

In the meanwhile,

Arnav who came to check whether the Children went to their room or not saw them going to their room which surprised him. He thought he should put effort into making them leave Khushi.

“Good, you guys listened to me…”

“We don’t want you to be upset with Khushi Didi. That’s why we are going” Aarav said, making him stun.

Arnav went to his room, without meeting Khushi. Both Arnav and Khushi didn’t get sleep. They were thinking about one another. It seemed not easy to make him accept her. A random girl called Veena made it difficult. How could she make him understand that she was not like Veena? Would he trust her? Should she talk to him about it? Was this the matter to be trusted with a few faithful words? Not at all… this was the matter that needed a whole life to prove. She realized the complications of the issue. Could she overcome them? She thought. It would not be harder than living with Naveen like a jerk, she concluded.

Khushi smiled thinking about the kids. She didn’t know what would they do if they got to know she was interested in their father. She closed her eyes smilingly.

 

The next day

Khushi felt so better. After getting fresh, she came out of the washroom and saw Laxmi waking up.

“Where is the kids’ room?” she asked.

“Next to Arnav bituwa’s room”

“Where is Arnavji’s room?”

Laxmi chuckled.

“Second room on the first floor, first room is kids’…”

“Oh, thank you” she walked out.

She came to the first floor and pushed the door. As it was not closed, it got opened. She saw the kids were sleeping in separate beds. She came to them and shook them. They woke up and sat on the bed with sleepy eyes. Their sleep fled away, seeing Khushi in front of them.

“Good morning” She smiled at them.

“Good morning”

“Are you all right?” Aarav asked.

“Yeah… fit and fine. That’s why I wake up earlier like always. Go and get fresh…”

“Ok… you can have coffee until we get fresh,” Aarav said like a big boy.

Khushi nodded but she didn’t leave the room and waited for them. Taking very little time, they one by one came getting fresh.

“Let’s go,” Shali said.

“What do you guys have in the morning?”

“Milk…”

“Oh…”

“You?”

“Tea or coffee”

“Dad would have coffee but Dadi will not. She too likes milk”

“Oh…”

Arnav came home from jogging and saw the light ON in the kids' room. He peeped in and saw Khushi talking with Shali who never woke up earlier before. He wondered. Shali smiled at him.

“Dad… we woke up…”

He nodded slightly.

“Good morning, Khushi” he walked in.

“Good morning, Arnavji”

“Why did you wake up earlier?”

“Khushi Didi woke us up…”

Shamli came out of the bathroom, wiping her face.

“Dad… we wake up” She too said the same.

“Go and have milk”

“Didi, you too come with us”

“Wait, Let Aarav come,” Khushi said.

“I came…” Aarav came all smiling.

“Hi, Dad…”

“Hi…”

“Dad, Khushi Didi didn’t get angry with me when I asked her to marry you. She also said the same that you would get angry with me if I talked to you about it. You both are the same. So, you both can marry” He said making them stunned.

To be continued…

Part 25 To the extent…

Both Arnav and Khushi were suffocated. Khushi wanted to laugh seeing Arnav who stood like a kid in front of his kid. She didn’t want to make his condition more awkward.

“Aarav, marriage is a BIG talk. A small boy like you should not talk about it” She said kindly.

Aarav made a face and walked out. He stopped at the doorstep and looked at them.

“Is it wrong, if a small boy needs a mother?” he asked, emotionally, making them emotional.

He went out. Shali and Shamli followed him downstairs. Arnav was supposed to leave the room, but he halted hearing,

“You said, you lost the ability to become a father. Then why are you hesitating to marry me?”

He looked at her dumbfounded. What did she mean? He looked at her as if she was a ghost.

“What do you mean? It’s not just about me but also you. you will also not become a mother…”

“Who said? Will not Aarav, Shali, and Shamli be there for me?”

Arnav froze.

“It’s not necessary to give birth to a kid to become a mother. Your kids will become my kids too…”

Arnav gulped down hard. He didn’t know what to say. He could not stand the situation. It was unanticipated.

“Don’t think, I’m talking like this now because I’m excited to marry you. You can’t become a father is not a temporary problem. I analyzed it for the whole night. I think that’s a great solution to this problem because there is no chance for me to get my own child. So, there is no chance for you to think I will be partial…”

“Khushi… you have life…”

Cutting him,

“I want to share it with you”

“Your mother will not…”

Cutting him again,

“I will manage”

He gazed at her not knowing what to say.

“Take your time and think, Arnavji” She walked out, leaving Arnav with a stormy mind.

 

Khushi was with the children until they went to the school. After sending them off, she took leave from Dadi and left RM. Arnav dropped her in GH.

“Will you manage? Or, do you want me to come with you?” he asked.

“I want you to come with me for my whole life”

She smiled, seeing him averting his gaze. She got down and walked. Arnav waited until she went inside. He drove off thinking about Khushi. He could not find a single excuse to refuse her. She gave solutions to all the problems that whirled in his mind. 

 

GH

Garima saw Khushi entering. Without talking to Garima, she walked to her room.

“How are you?”

“Feeling strong to hit the person who forces me,” she said while walking.

“I don’t know why are you so stubborn…”

Without answering, Khushi closed the door, making Garima frustrated. Khushi got ready and went to the office.

Arnav and Khushi’s interaction was purely Boss and PA’s interaction that day. Khushi went to his cabin only once when he wanted to dictate a letter. She kept her distance from him for the whole day as she didn’t want to nag him more. Arnav also didn’t interact with her not because he didn’t have a purpose. It was because he was scared. He sensed his heart slipping. Each and every time she spoke to him, she was scoring marks and stole his heart. Her maturity made him forget their age difference. He felt like, he was talking with someone who was in his age group.  

 

Evening

Khushi came home. Washing her face, she thought to go to the kitchen to prepare tea.

“Khushi, come and have tea” Garima called her.

Khushi came out and saw Naveen there. She was irritated. Yet, she didn’t want to drag the issue as she lost patience. So, she decided to kill the issue immediately.

Sitting on the sofa, she took the cup from Garima and drank the tea.

“Khushi…” Naveen tried to talk to her.

“Amma, I would like to tell you something,” Khushi said.

Garima looked at Naveen and nodded yes.

“I would like to marry someone. I’m in love with him”

Naveen was horrified. He looked at Garima pleadingly.

“Who do you want to marry?” Garima asked shockingly.

“My Boss Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada…”

“Whaaaat?” Both shouted in shock.

Khushi looked at them plainly.

“What are you saying, Khushi?”

“I said I love him”

“Khushi, I know you are angry with me. To avoid me, don’t make such a decision” Naveen said.

“Hello… no doubt I’m angry with you but I didn’t make decision to avoid you. I made a decision because I love Arnavji”

“What’s wrong with you, Khushi? Why did you make such a decision? He is forty… eighteen years older than you… just six years younger than me…”

“He is not forty but thirty-eight… sixteen years older than me and eight years younger than you. Feel happy, he is younger than you, not older…! I heard, that in South India, girls marry their mother’s brother. Just think he is your brother. More than that, he is a thousand times better than him” she pointed at Naveen.

“Stop talking like this, Khushi… I won’t agree to this marriage”

“Mom… understand one thing. I’m not asking your permission…”

“What do you mean, Khushi? Don’t you want me? Will you do anything as per your wish?”

“Yes, because I know you will get me married to this rogue who forced himself on me...! Whenever I see him, I feel like vomiting… I hate him like hell… do you give heed to my feelings? Do you think how loath I feel for him?” she panted hard.

“Khushi, what I do is for your betterment only”

“No… this is not my betterment. No self-esteemed girl would like to marry him. He is a leach… but Arnavji is not like him. He is not a man to take advantage of the situation. He is not ready to accept me no matter how hard I’m trying to get his one glimpse… he is not like him…” She panting hard.

“What will the people talk about you?”

“They will talk anything because they have mouths…! It’s me who is going to live my life, not those who talk. I don’t care about them”

Garima became silent. She understood there was no use in talking to Khushi. She decided to talk to the person who could make Khushi understand, unaware of the truth that she was going to make the issue severe.

 

The next day

Arnav was checking a file. That was when he received a call from the receptionist. He attended the call.

“Yeah…”

“Sir, Khushi madam’s mother is here to meet you”

Arnav was stuck. He became nervous. He was not sure why Garima wanted to meet him because Khushi said nothing to him. Yet, he guessed it. He wished his guess would not be correct.

“Send her to my cabin”

“Yes, sir” the receptionist disconnected the call.

“You can go, Madam”

“Where is his cabin?”

“Left side first room”

“Thank you” Garima walked to Arnav’s cabin.

The receptionist waited until Garima went. She called Khushi immediately.

“Yes…” Khushi asked attending the call.

“Khushi ma’am, your mother is here to meet Boss”

“Whaaat?”

“Yes, she is in his cabin”

Disconnecting the call, Khushi rushed to Arnav’s cabin.

In the meanwhile, Garima knocked on the door.

“Come in…” Arnav said.

Garima entered his cabin and greeted him joining her hands. Arnav slightly nodded his head.

“Tell me why do you want to meet me?”

“I would like to talk to you about my daughter”

“Tell me”

“You should FIRE her from the job”

“Whaat?” he frowned.

“I don’t want her to work here…”

Arnav gulped down hard.

“Ok, ask her to give a resignation letter,” Arnav said.

“She won’t give…”

“If she doesn’t give, how could I fire her?”

“You are a Boss after all…”

“Our company is following some rules and regulations. We work accordingly. I can’t fire anyone without a proper reason”

“I know what’s there in your mind… you want to marry my daughter. That’s why you don’t want to fire her…”

Arnav gritted his teeth and was supposed to say something, but he stopped to see Khushi entering his cabin furiously. Garima was dumbfounded, seeing Khushi.

“What are you doing here?”

“I understood there is no use in talking to you. That’s why I came here”

“If you don’t leave the office immediately, the consequence will be worse…”

“Stop threatening me, Khushi… I know you…”

Cutting her,

“You don’t know me…” in no time, she cut off her wrist with the cutter she brought. Blood oozed from the cut.

“Khushiiiii…” Both Arnav and Garima shouted.

Garima was supposed to get close to her,

“Stop… don’t you dare near me… leave the place…” she ordered.

“Khushiiii…” Garima pleaded.

Khushi kept the cutter on her neck.

“If you don’t leave…”

“Noooo… I’m leaving… I’m leaving… I won’t come again… please don’t do anything” Garima rushed out of the cabin.

Arnav stood looking at her horrified.

To be continued…

 

 

 

 Part 26 Pressure

Shrinking her eyes sharply, Khushi looked at Garima who was running out of the office. Without delaying, Arnav rushed to the cupboard and removed the First-aid box. He brought it to Khushi. He made her sit on the chair, clutching her hand. Taking the antiseptic lotion, he wiped the blood and Band-Aided the wound. Khushi saw his hands slightly shivering while doing that. She smiled.

 

Arnav raised his eyelash to her face, swallowing hard.

 

“What have you done…?”

 

“If I had not done this, my mother would have insulted you…”

Arnav closed his eyes.

 

“Why are you doing this, Khushi? What’s wrong if your mother is angry with me? Anyone in her place would be angry…”

 

“She has no right to get angry with you. It’s me who wants to marry you. I’m her daughter, she has all the right to even hit me but I can’t let her insult you. You dont even love me. then how could she accuse you? She should have dealt with me, instead of you.”

 

“For that, does ANYONE cut her nerve or what?”

 

“I don’t know about ANYONE but I will do anything to save your respect… I will even kill myself…”

 

“Shut up, Khushi… just shut up… why the hell are you talking about killing yourself?”

 

“What else do you want me to do, Arnavji?”

 

“Khushi you are a small girl… expecting you to marry a young man is your mother’s justified wish…! She wants you to live your life with your husband long… it will not happen if you marry me… I will die so earlier than you…”

 

“Will you assure a youngster won’t die soon?”

Arnav gulped down.

 

“What about Indar? He is just twenty-eight… we attended his funeral…! It’s an undeniable fact that young death is on the rise… some die in road accidents and some in disease. Last month a little girl died of cancer you know… what about that?”

 

Arnav had no answer. Who could say when death would happen to whom?

 

“Nothing is constant here but only this minute… we should live it happily, in the way we like it”

 

Arnav averted his gaze.

 

“I love you, Arnavji…”

 

Arnav closed his eyes.

 

“I don’t want to force you to accept me until I’m forced to marry anyone…”

 

She left his cabin, leaving Arnav all agitated.

 

Khushi stopped seeing Aman standing outside. He should have listened to them. His LOOK told her that. His eyes were on her Band-Aided hand. She left the place and Aman entered Arnav’s cabin. He saw him, sitting on his seat, closing his face with his palm. He looked at Aman and sat straight.

 

“So?” Aman asked.

 

“What?”

 

“Khushi is in love with you”

 

Arnav looked at the monitor not answering.

 

“I never expected, Khushi would be so foxy”

 

Arnav looked at him frowning.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Then what? I thought she was a nice girl but I didn’t expect she would try to trap you… how brilliantly she is playing using her mother…! This is all must be their plan… don’t fall for into their sly, ASR”

 

“Shut up, Aman… just shut up… don’t you dare talk about Khushi. What do you know about her? Do you what she is going through? She didn’t try to trap me ever…! Even after knowing that my kids liked her, she didn’t think of taking advantage of them. Don’t insult her, Aman. If anyone had been in her place, she would have come to RM using the kids but she didn’t.”

Aman silently gazed at him.

 

“So, you want to accept her but your decision of NO MARRIAGE stops you, right?”

 

Arnav was stuck. He looked somewhere else.

 

“When did I say I want to accept her?”

 

“Don’t you want to accept her?”

 

“Shut up, Aman”

 

“Don’t lie that you don’t love her”

 

“Go and do your work… don’t waste my time”

 

“You are wasting your life, ASR. I heard you talking to her while treating her wound. The way you talk to her told me, she already seized a place in your heart”

 

“Don’t talk rubbish, Aman… she is a small girl…”

 

“She gave a fitting answer to that question already…”

 

Arnav closed his eyes.

 

“By the way, from when this love story is running?”

 

Arnav glared at him.

 

“You don’t even tell me anything about it… why?”

 

“I know you would torture me like this. That’s why…”

 

“You can stop me but how will you stop Khushi who is ready to go to any extent?”

 

“Talk to her, Aman. Try to change her mind”

 

“OK, I will talk to her. Will you marry her if I can’t change her mind?”

 

“Aman, please, try to understand”

 

“You try to understand, ASR. You can’t refuse Khushi because you don’t want to hurt her. That’s why you want me to talk to her. Understand, you can’t do that because you love her”

 

“I agree, I like her… but love?”

 

“ASR, you never liked anyone but now you liked Khushi. Likewise, you will love her. Your like will turn into love soon…”

 

“Will you please get out?”

 

“Sure… I’m going to tell Dadi about Khushi”

 

“She knows…”

 

“Whaaat? How?”

 

“Khushi stayed in RM yesterday”

 

“Whaaaat? Did she stay in RM? Why?”

 

“There is nothing to think much. There was a problem in her house. That’s why the kids wanted to bring her to RM. As I can’t upset them, I brought her home”

 

“Thank God… Do you know Thara?”

 

“Who is Thara?”

 

“She is in the Indar’s team”

 

“Oh…”

 

“Yesterday, she tried to commit suicide due to a major family problem. She cried a lot. I was thinking about sending her somewhere where she could be safe. Now, I’m relieved. You will take her to RM”

 

“Me? Why should I?”

 

“Just to help her”

 

“Do you think, I’m running a lodge?”

 

“She tried to commit suicide ASR”

 

“What can I do for that? Everyone has problems… we can’t become a savior to all…”

 

“Then why did you become a savior to Khushi?” he asked trapping Arnav.

 

“It’s because I know how severe her problem is…”

 

“ASR, I said Thara tried to commit suicide. Yet, you are not ready to help her… but you helped Khushi because you know the severity of her problem?”

 

“Yes, it’s worse than any problem in the world. A guy would have harassed her if I had not taken her to RM”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Arnav nodded yes.

 

“Then, you should definitely marry her. Then only you can protect her from him forever. Will let her fight with the rouge forever?”

 

Arnav was silent. Whenever he thought about Naveen, his blood boiled.

 

“Don’t think much, ASR… Khushi is the one… understand that” Aman left his cabin.

 

Evening

 

Khushi was leaning on the seat, closing her eyes. Why did her mother not understand what she wanted? Arnav was a widower, father of three kids, 38 years old... but Naveen was a moron. He tried to force himself on her. How could she marry him? How could she be happy with him? Why her mother was not understanding her feelings?

 

Her thoughts broke up as her phone rang. She frowned to see her friend Preeto calling. See attended the call.

 

“Hello, Preeto...”

 

“Khushi, I don’t know what to say. I know you won’t share your personal issues with anyone. I don’t know what is happening in your life”

 

Khushi did not know why Preeto was preamble a lot about how she was.

 

“What’s the matter Preeto?”

 

“I came from your house only...”

 

“Ohhh... is any problem?”

 

“I got to know your mother and Naveen are planning something against your wish”

 

“What are the planning?” Khushi got alerted.

 

“After you come from the office, your mother is going to threaten you that she will commit suicide if you don’t agree to marry Naveen”

 

“Whaaaat?” she was shocked.

 

“Yes, it was Naveen’s plan. He asked your mother to do it to make you agree to the marriage. She will tell you if you don’t agree to the marriage she will hang herself...”

 

Khushi rolled her eyes.

 

“I saw them coming to GH from somewhere. They got out of the car speaking heated up. That’s what made me follow them. I went to your house and listened to their talks. That was when I got to know about it. Just thought to alert you”

 

“Thank you so much Preeto... I won’t forget your help”

 

“I know you, Khushi. You would make any decision after analyzing everything. If you don’t want to marry Naveen, you would have a valid reason for it. I don’t want you to be helpless, especially in your marriage issue that’s why I called you”

 

“Thank you for understanding me”

 

“Think about the issue before going home”

 

“Sure...”

 

“Bye,” Preeto disconnected the call.

 

 

Night

 

Arnav came to bed, finishing dinner. That was when he received a call from a new number. He attended it.

 

“Sir, Khushi has not come home yet. She sent me a message not to search for her. I don’t know what to do sir…”

 

Arnav was shocked. It was Garima. Didn’t Khushi go home?

 

“Did you inquire her friends?”

 

“I did… no one knows about her whereabouts, sir. please send her if she is in RM”

 

Arnav rolled his eyes.

 

“She is not here. if you have doubt, you can come and search here”

 

“Please help me to find her”

 

“Did you call her?”

 

“Her phone is switched off. Please tell me the truth if she is there”

 

“I will go to the police station and file a complaint. Will ask them to search for her” Arnav disconnected the call. He ran his fingers in his hair helplessly.

 

Where did she go?

 

To be continued…

 

Part 27 Where is Khushi?

Arnav was restlessly searching for Khushi on the roads of Delhi. He had no idea where she went. He did not even know who her friends were. Even though he had no idea where would she go, he searched for her not giving up. Garima said she enquired about all her friends. Then where would have she gone?

Even though he did not know where she had gone he didn't stop searching for her. As he didn’t get anything, he decided to file a case at the police station. So, he came to GH to take Garima with him. he stopped the car and walked. The door was opened. When he came close to the house, he stopped hearing Naveen’s voice. He rolled his eyes irritatingly.

“Where would she go?”

“I too don’t know…” Garima said nervously.

Arnav was about to step in, but he again stopped hearing,

“We planned to trap her in her way but she fooled us”

Arnav frowned. What did they plan? After Khushi cut her nerve off, didn’t these guys change their minds? What kind of people they were?

“I’m scared Naveen. You didn’t see how she cut her nerve off in the office. I don’t think she would have agreed to marry you even if we had implemented our plan. What if she makes any drastic decision?”

“Aunty, why we are here? Do you think I will let her make such a decision?”

They were shocked when they heard,

“What the hell will you do?”

They saw wrathful Arnav entering GH. They were shocked to see him there. They didn’t expect him to come to the GH at that time.

“What will you do after she makes such a decision? Don’t you have sense? Can’t you understand she doesn’t like you?”

“You don’t have the right to question me”

“I have… I’m her Boss and her mother questioned me about her absence. I’m going to go to the police station to file a complaint because she is missing from my office”

Garima and Naveen were nervous.

“No, please don’t go to the police,” Garima pleaded.

“But why?” Arnav asked annoyingly.

“They will ask us the reason…”

“So?”

“Then we will have to tell them we tortured her for the marriage”

“Oh… do you know you tortured her?” Arnav asked.

Garima gulped seeing his wrath.

“Because of you, she is missing. Don’t know where she went”

“Don’t act like you know nothing. I know she is in your place…” Naveen said.

“If you are so confident. Then go to the police and file the case against me” Arnav said gritting his teeth.

“I know how to search for her. You can go”

Arnav glared at Garima. She bowed down.

“What a mother you are! She showed how far she could go…! She showed her hatred for him, yet, you are forcing her to marry this moron…!”

“Mind you tongue” Naveen yelled.

“What will you do? Shall I show what I can do? You will see that soon. If anything happens to Khushi, I will not leave you…! Get ready to be behind bars” Arnav walked out wrathfully.

Garima looked at Naveen helplessly.

“Why did you talk to him like that? What if he files the case?”

“He won’t do that… it will ruin his company’s reputation if he files the case.”

“He didn’t seem to care about it”

“Even though he goes to the police station, Khushi will not say anything about us”

Garima was not sure about it because she saw an extreme wrath in Khushi’s eyes that day morning and now, she went somewhere that she never did before. She didn’t know what would be her decision.

 

On the other side, Arnav was driving the car, thinking about how to find Khushi. Garima didn’t want to file a case. It didn’t mean he would be quiet. Taking his phone, he dialed Aman. Aman attended it.

“Hi, ASR…”

“Aman, Khushi is missing”

“Whaaaat?”

“Yes, don’t know where she went”

“Did you call her?”

“Her phone is switched off”

“But why?”

“She is upset with her mother who put her in pressure”

“Why not we file a complaint to the police?”

“Her mother is scared about police investigation”

“Why should she be scared if she is not at fault?”

“She is scared because she is at fault”

“What are you going to do now?”

“Call the commissioner and ask him to find her using her mobile’s IMEI number. The action should be taken without filing a case”

“Leave it to me. I will take care of it”

“Please do it… quick…”

“Yeah…”

Arnav disconnected the call. He didn’t know what to do next. He started the car.

That was when he got a call on his mobile. He frowned to see Nani calling him. Why did Nani call him at this hour? She would call him rarely and definitely not at this late hour. He attended the call thinking about it.

"Nani, is everything all right?"

"It must be my question, Chotte"

"What do you mean, Nani?"

"Is everything all right in your life?"

Arnav pressed the brake.

"What are you talking about, Nani?"

"I expected you to guess it seeing me calling you at this hour"

Arnav got an alert.

"Is Khushi with you?"

"Yes..."

Arnav huffed in relief.

"I am coming..."

"You can come here only if you are ready to listen to what she says"

Arnav was stuck. Did Khushi say everything to Nani?

"What did she tell you?"

"She said about her mother and the guy Naveen..."

"Then why do you want me to listen to her?"

"It's because she is feeling disappointed because no one is ready to listen to her... no one cares about what she wants..."

Arnav closed his eyes.

"I think she is stressed... that's why she came here, searching for peace..."

"Nani, her mother is searching for her... she is suffocating not knowing about Khushi’s whereabouts. We should let her know..."

"What if she goes somewhere else from here, where we could not find her? Is it fine?"

Arnav swallowed hard.

"I have no problem if you come here and meet her but I will not forgive you if you inform her mother without talking to her"

“Why do you want me to talk to her?”

“Don’t you know?”

“Did she tell you anything?”

“Not clearly but I could guess…”

“What did you guess?”

“I guess she needs your support to get what she wants”

"Nani, you have no idea what she is demanding..."

"Do you have an idea about it?"

"Nani, we will talk in person”

"But why?"

“Nani, her life will not be easy if she gets what she wants”

“How could you tell that? Who are you to decide? It’s her life. You don’t have to decide it”

"Only I could decide it... after Khushi..."

"What do you mean, Chotte?"

"She wants to marry me... she is adamant in her decision. Her mother is completely against it. I don't know what happened between them. She didn't go to her house and came to you..."

Nani was speechless. Did Khushi love Arnav?

"Is it true?"

"Mmm... Please advise her, Nani..."

"If you want me to advise, I will do it not to Khushi but to you. Because you are the one who needs it."

"Nani..." he closed his eyes.

"Listen to me Chotte...! You don't want to get married because you think no girl will treat your sister's kids as hers. What's your problem now after finding one who loves your sister's kids unconditionally... and vice versa...?"

"She is 14 years younger than me, Nani..."

"So what? I'm sixteen years younger than your Nanu..."

"It's different..."

"How? I was just sixteen years old when we married but Khushi is twenty-four... Enough matured... What else do you need?"

Arnav was silent.

“Touch your heart and say, don’t you like her?”

“Nani, it doesn’t matter at all…”

“So, you like her…”

“Nani please listen to me”

“I’m going to tell her that you too love her”

“Nani please don’t do that”

“I will… I will get you both married for sure”

“Nani...”

“Shut up and come here”

Nani disconnected the call. She came to her room and saw Khushi leaning on the wall, closing her eyes.

“Khushi beta…”

She opened her eyes and smiled at Nani.

“What do you want me to do?” Nani asked.

Khushi looked at her with confusion. What was she talking about?

“You know what? I found something”

“What did you find?”

“Chotte also loves you… secretly” Nani smiled. Her smile was gone hearing her saying,

“I know, Naniji…”

Nani was dumbfounded and Khushi smiled.

To be continued…

 

 

 Part 28 Solution  

“I know, Naniji” Khushi smiled.

“Do you know?”

She nodded yes.

“But how?”

“Anyone can say that if we observe him, Nani”

“Then why did you come here, instead of going to RM?”

“How could I go to RM, Naniji? Who am I to him?”

“But, he likes you…”

“It doesn’t mean I can use the situation”

Nani was stunned.

“He has reasons to avoid me, Naniji. He is right too. We can’t say he is wrong because his fear is justified. Even we would have done the same if we had been in his position”

“It doesn’t mean you should let him do what he wants”

“Who am I to change him, Naniji? I have put all my points in front of him to give him hope. I have done what I should do because I understand what he is expecting. I can do that only, Naniji. It’s his life. He has all the right to decide what he wants.”

”What about Naveen? Do you think he will be quiet?”

“Not at all… I want my mother to know what can I do… to what extent I will go…! That’s why I came here today. I know this is not a permanent solution. So, I will go home tomorrow”

“They will corner you again”

“They won’t…”

“How could you say that so confidently?”

“My college friend’s husband is a police officer. I already spoke to him. He will drop me home tomorrow and will warn my mother to force me to marry Naveen. After getting a warning from the police officer, she will not dare to do that again”

“So, without filing a case, you are going to put your mother under a threat?” Nani amazed.

Khushi nodded yes smiling.

“Mmm… nowadays girls are so smart”

Khushi smiled.

“Don’t worry, I will talk to Chotte…”

“No Naniji…” She said hurriedly.

“Why?”

“I don’t want anyone to interfere in this matter. I don’t want to make him suffocate. Leave him”

“What do you mean leave him?”

“He doesn’t want to marry me… So, I don’t want to nag him.”

“But…”

“It’s ok, Naniji, I will manage…”

“Honestly speaking Khushi… I want Chotte to marry you, not for you but for Chotte. For the first time, he liked someone. That means he found something positive in you that he never found in anyone. If it is so, why not he give it a try?”

“Naniji, this is not a simple thing to give it a try but life. If it became wrong, everything would become wrong. That’s why he is scared because this is about kids. I agree he likes me but loves the kids more than anything in the world. They are his priority. He can’t let them get hurt and he doesn’t want to be the reason for their pain. That’s why he is denying”

“But, you are a nice girl…”

“How can you say, Naniji? Just because I’m talking to you nicely, am I a nice girl?” She chuckled.

Nani sighed.

“Chotte is coming to take you home”

“No, Naniji… I can’t go with him. I will go with my friend’s husband. Then only I can get rid of Naveen”

Nani nodded.

“By the way, why did you call Arnavji? Why did you disturb him?”

“After seeing you upset, how can I be without informing him?”

“But, I didn’t say anything to you except for Naveen”

“I want you to be free from Naveen. I know Chotte can find a solution to this issue and bring you out of it. That’s why I called him and said, you seek his help”

“Why did you tell him so, Naniji? He will misunderstand me that I’m doing this intentionally” she asked feeling helpless.

“It’s because I don’t know you loved him and there are many things that happened between you two,” Nani said and saw Arnav listening to them, standing at Nani’s room entrance.

“He will not misunderstand you because he got to know you didn’t do that intentionally” Nani smiled.

Arnav entered the room looking at Khushi who was also looking at him.

“Let’s go, Khushi”

“I will come tomorrow, Sir”

Arnav felt a prick in his heart hearing SIR again.

“Khushi, listen to me…”

“I want to secure myself, Sir. So, I would like to take my friend’s husband’s help who is a police officer. Then only Naveen will be controlled”

“Ok, then call him and ask him to come to GH”

“He is on duty. He will be free only in the morning. He will pick me up tomorrow morning”

“If you want a police officer to secure things, I can bring an Assistant Commissioner and warn Naveen too”

“That’s ok, sir… I will manage”

“Khushi, when Chotte can do that, he will do that perfectly. Agree to it and to go with him” Nani said.

Arnav wondered. Didn’t Nani demand him to listen to Khushi instead of taking her from the Ashram? He expected a big Hungama there in the Ashram. What made Nani change her mind?

“No, Naniji, my Amma is already upset with him. She will become angrier if he goes to the police. I don’t want him to interfere in this matter”

“I have already told them that I’m going to the police. In fact, your mother doesn’t want me to go to the police because she is scared as police will get to know she forced you to marry Naveen”

“Did you go to GH?” Khushi asked confusingly.

“Mmm… they are thinking you are in RM”

Khushi rolled her eyes, gritting her teeth.

“It’s obvious… because you stayed in RM yesterday… so, they would think like that only”

“From here on, they won’t think like that,” She said firmly.

Arnav was stuck. What did she mean?

“What does that mean, Khushi bitiya?”

“Because the police are going to be involved in this matter, Naniji. So, they won’t talk rubbish anymore”

Arnav removed his phone and called Aman to convey that Khushi was safe. Aman attended the call as he had not slept in Khushi’s tension.

“ASR, did you get to know about Khushi?”

“Khushi is in Nani’s Ashram”

“Thank God, I will convey it to the commissioner”

“No, I want him to do something,” Arnav said what Khushi wanted to do.

“Ok, I will talk to him”

“I’m bringing her. Calculate the timing”

“Sure”

“See you”

“ASR”

“Mmm?”

“Is she all right?”

“Mmm”

“Thank God”

Arnav disconnected the call and looked at Khushi.

“Let’s go…”

Khushi looked at Nani.

“Thank you for your help, Naniji”

“This is your place. You can come here anytime”

“Thank you, Naniji” She touched her feet.

“May God bless you to get what you want” She blessed.

Khushi smiled mildly but didn’t look at Arnav who was looking only at her.

Nani looked at Arnav,

“Subhadra called me and talked about Anjali and Damadji’s death anniversary”

Arnav looked at Khushi who frowned.

“Tell her, I will come to RM a day before the Shraad”

Arnav nodded.

“It seems just happened yesterday… they left the world, leaving…” before Nani completed the sentence, THE CHILDREN WITH YOU,

“Nani, I think we don’t have to talk about it now. Khushi is getting late” he cut it off hurriedly. That wondered Nani because Arnav never stopped her from talking about Anjali.

“But, Chotte…” she was supposed to ask him about it,

Arnav nodded his head from left to right and gestured for her not to talk further which confused Nani. So what if she spoke about Anjali? Why did Arnav stop her from talking about it?

“We are leaving, Nani”

Nani nodded ok slowly.

“Bye, Nani” Taking her bag, Khushi walked out.

Nani clutched Arnav’s hand and stopped him.

“What’s the matter, Chotte? Why did you stop me from talking about Anjali?”

Arnav was silent.

“Don’t you want me to talk about them in front of Khushi?”

He nodded yes and said,

“Not about Di and Jeeju but about kids”

“What do you mean?”

“She doesn’t know they are Di’s kids…”

Nani widened her eyes.

“That means…?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“She thinks they are my kids”

Nani was shocked.

“Is she thinking they are your kids?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“That means, she thinks you are a widower?”

Arnav again nodded yes.

“Yet, she is ready to marry you?”

Arnav was silent.

“This is not fair Chotte… I didn’t expect this from you. She thinks they are your kids… she thinks you are a widower… yet, she wants to marry you but you are not giving heed to her…”

“Nani, we will talk later... ok?”

Nani gazed at him disappointedly.

“Bye, Nani…” he walked.

Nani was annoyed. What was his problem?

Arnav started the car. He saw Khushi was thinking something.

“What do you think?” he asked.

She nodded no.

“My sister and Jeejaji died in an accident eight years ago. Their death anniversary is coming… that’s what Nani talked about”

“Oh…”

He saw her hesitate to ask him something,

“My wife also died in the same accident” he answered, reading her mind.

“Didn’t your sister have kids?”

Arnav simply nodded no. After that, Khushi didn’t ask him anything.

“The assistant commissioner will drop you home after warning your mother and Naveen. You can be stress-free…”

“Could you ask the AC sir to add one more point while warning them?”

“Sure… what do you want to be added?”

“They should not disturb me wherever I go. The AC sir will be keeping an eye on me through his source”

“Sure… but where are you going to go?”

“Transfer…”

Arnav looked at her shockingly.

“Please send me to some other city on transfer as I requested you before, sir,” She said firmly, making him gulp down.

To be continued…

 

 

 Part 29 Realization

 

“Please send me to any other city on transfer, sir,” Khushi said.

 

Arnav looked at her stunningly.

 

“Transfer? Buy why?”

 

Khushi looked at him questioningly.

 

“I mean, if the police are involved in this issue, you will not get problems from Naveen. Then what’s necessary to leave Delhi?” He asked hesitatingly.

 

“I don’t want to be with my mother. That’s why”

 

“She has no one other than you...”

 

“I too didn’t have anyone other than her when I needed her the most”

 

Arnav was silent.

 

“Please, send me sir”

 

“Mmm... Let me check if any vacancies are there”

 

Khushi nodded ok.

 

After a few minutes, Khushi saw a police jeep stranding at the roadside. Arnav stopped the car behind the jeep and gestured for Khushi to get off. Aman was standing with a police officer there. Khushi understood he was the one who was going to take her home.

 

“Hello, sir...” Arnav shook hands with the officer.

 

“Hello ASR...”

 

“She is Khushi, my PA”

 

“Hello, ma’am”

 

“Hello, sir”

 

AC looked at Arnav.

 

“She is in pressure...”

 

“Aman sir told me what to do, sir. I will take care of them.

Leave it on me, sir”

 

“Let’s go, Khushi” Arnav said.

 

“You don’t have to come with me, sir. I don’t want my Amma to see you again”

 

“I have no problem”

 

“It’s ok sir. I will manage” She said firmly.

 

“No, Khushi, I went to your home...”

 

“That’s why I don’t want you to come with me, sir. They will think I was at your place”

 

“Khushi it’s right, ASR. Let her go” Aman said.

Arnav looked at her disappointedly.

 

She nodded yes. The AC sat in the jeep.

 

Arnav opened the jeep door for Khushi. She got in and said,

 

“Please do check if there is any vacancy, sir”

 

Arnav nodded. The AC started the jeep and left the place.

 

“What did Khushi tell you about?” Aman asked.

 

“She asked a job for someone” He lied. He didn’t want Aman to know her decision to leave Delhi.

 

“Oh...”

 

“Bye...”

 

“Mmm...”

Arnav started the car and followed the jeep. He made

sure the jeep went to GH. Khushi and the AC got down and entered. Taking a U-turn, he waited for the AC to know if he had done the job perfectly.

 

GH

 

Garima’s face brightened after seeing Khushi. She looked at Naveen who was damn happy. Their faces drained to see a police officer follow her. His majestic look told he was a higher official.

 

They looked at each other horrified.

 

“Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada filed a complaint that his staff is missing. We found her trying to commit suicide” the AC said looking at Khushi who tried hard not to show the shocking expression on her face.

 

Garima gulped down and said,

 

“It’s just a minor problem, inspector...”

 

Cutting her,

 

"Assistant commissioner...” The AC said.

 

They were stunned.

 

“Yes, sir... It’s a small issue...” Naveen said composing himself.

 

“She already told us everything clearly about how you tortured her,” the AC said, making them stuck.

 

“She is a little upset with us...” Garima tried to cover it up.

 

“No... He harassed me” Khushi said looking at Naveen furiously.

 

Naveen looked at her panicking.

 

“He is forcing me into the marriage. He is planning to do emotional blackmail using my mother. I don’t like him, sir. He tried to misbehave with me once and threatened...” Khushi gritted her teeth.

 

Naveen shivered.

 

“Sir, I love her. That’s why I want to marry her...”

 

“Will you harass her if you love her?” the AC asked.

 

“Sir, I just hugged her... She misunderstood me”

 

“It’s also a harassment if she doesn’t like it. Who gives you the right to hug a girl who doesn’t like you? She can even put you behind bars, you know? You will get at least one year sentence for sure”

 

Naveen’s face became pale.

 

“What do you want me to do madam? Are you making a complaint against him?”

 

“Yes...” Khushi said strongly.

 

“Khushi, please, listen. I will not come into your way anymore. I won’t even come to GH. Trust me. Please don’t file a complaint against me. My parents will not be alive. They will die feeling ashamed... Please, don’t do this”

 

Khushi stood looking rigid.

 

“I promise, I will not disturb you anymore. Please...”

 

“Khushi, let him go. He will not come here again. He won’t take wedding talks.” Garima said.

 

“Ma’am, you are also one of the culprits. Being her mother, instead of understanding her, you tortured her more than him. Stop bothering about him and bother about yourself. You guys forced her to think of killing herself,” The AC said, making Garima thunderstruck.

 

He looked at Khushi,

 

“Ma’am, I’m ready to do what you say. You are free to decide anything. You don’t have to bother about them. I will always keep an eye on them no matter where they are. They will not move an inch away from our sight. Wherever you go, our source will be there for you. So, you can be relaxed”

 

“If it is so, give them one last chance, sir. I just don’t want them to interfere in my matter. That’s all...” Khushi said.

 

“They won’t. I’m responsible for it. If they cross their limit

again, I will not show mercy on them”

 

Khushi nodded yes.

 

“Do one thing, madam, write a complaint and sign it without mentioning the date. I will keep it with me. If they mess up again, just give me a ring. I will forward it to the commissioner”

 

Khushi nodded ok. Taking a white paper, she wrote a complaint and signed it. She handed it to the AC. Naveen and Garima glanced at each other as they didn’t expect her to be so firm in her decision to file a complaint against her.

 

“Your safety is my responsibility ma’am. You can call me anytime from anywhere in India”

 

“Thank you so much, sir”

 

“You are welcome”

 

He looked at Garima and Naveen who were motionless.

 

“Be careful... You are under my radar” He warned and left the place.

 

Khushi went to her room and locked the door as if nothing happened.

 

Naveen was supposed to say something, and Garima joined her hands.

 

“Please leave, Naveen. Don’t come here again. This is going overbroad” Garima pleaded.

 

“I was supposed to say, please don’t call me again. I won’t come here no matter what”

 

Naveen walked out and Garima sighed in relief.

Seeing Arnav waiting, Arnav saw the AC coming. He stopped the jeep and got down.

 

“Is everything all right, sir?”

 

“Yes, sir, Khushi ma’am stood strong and filed a case against them, sir. The boy will not enter her house from here on”

 

“That’s great, sir. Thank you so much”

 

“Welcome”

 

Arnav went to RM with peace of mind.

 

GH

 

Khushi lay on the bed, thinking about her decision to leave Delhi. There was nothing to think about. It would create problems if she stayed in Delhi. She should not be in Delhi after knowing the kids were interested in making her their mother. It would put Arnav in an awkward state. As time passed, kids would forget her. it would not happen if she stayed in Delhi. She could not avoid them which hurt them. That would make Arnav misunderstand her. She realized it.

 

She slowly closed her eyes. She opened her eyes jerking, hearing her phone ring. She took her phone and saw Arnav’s name. She knew why he called her. She attended it.

 

“Hello,”

 

“Khushi, is everything all right?”

 

“Yes, sir… I’m fine”

 

“You can call me for anything”

 

“I will manage sir”

Arnav was stuck for a while and said,

 

“I mean, don’t think you have no one”

 

“Don’t bother sir. I think I will get my mother back soon…”

 

Arnav didn’t know what to say.

 

“I will be all right, sir. Good night”

 

Arnav gulped down.

 

“Mmm”

 

Khushi disconnected the call. Arnav felt a huge difference in her. That pricked his heart. He didn’t know why. He could not tolerate it. It was obvious. Who could accept being rejected by a person who celebrated us once anything?

 

But, Arnav didn’t know Khushi was not rejecting him but protecting him from further problems.

 

To be continued…

 

Part 30 Decision Maker?

The next morning

Khushi came out of her room, getting ready for the office. She saw breakfast ready on the table. Without giving heed to it, she walked towards the exit.

“Khushi, have breakfast. I prepared your favorite breakfast” Garima said.

Khushi didn’t reply and continued walking. Garima stopped her by clutching her hand.

“Khushi, I didn’t expect this issue would go to this extent. I thought about only your betterment”

Khushi removed her hand, looking at her plainly. She went out, leaving Garima with disappointment.

 

RM

Arnav came to the dining. The kids were already there.

“Good morning, guys” Arnav smiled.

“Good morning, Dad” They responded with dullness.

“Dad, how is Khushi, Didi? Is she all right?” Shali asked.

Arnav nodded yes.

“Will you bring her here tomorrow?” Shamli asked.

“tomorrow? Why?”

“Tomorrow is Saturday. The day after tomorrow is Sunday, holiday. It will be super fun to be with her”

“She is getting only one free day. She would have many work to be done on that day. How could she come here?”

Their faces hung.

“We will go to Amusement Park on Sunday. Ok?” he tried to make them brisk.

Before they asked him to take Khushi with them, Arnav looked at Dadi and said,

“Ask Laxmi Didi to get ready, Dadi”

Dadi looked at the children whose face lost their charms. They stood up finishing the breakfast.

“Bye, Dad” They walked out.

Arnav was looking at them all the way. He gulped down hard. He didn’t know how to make them understand. He saw Dadi looking at him.

“Did Khushi go to Ashram last evening?” She asked.

Arnav knew Nani would have called Dadi.

“There was a problem in her house”

“Then, why did you interfere in it?”

“Her mother thought she was in RM. then what would I do?”

“Why did her mother think so?”

Arnav was stuck.

“Does she know Khushi loves you?”

He nodded yes.

“But how? Did Khushi tell her?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“If she had that guts, then why did she go to the Ashram?”

Arnav was stuck again. Yes, why did Khushi go to the Ashram? Didn’t she face Garima in the office gutful? Than what made her take such a decision?

“Did they fight?”

“Her mother came to AR to fight with me”

“Is it?”

“Mmm… Khushi cut her hand off and made her mother leave the office”

“Did she cut her hand?”

“She is crazy…” Arnav rubbed his forehead.

Dadi smiled.

“What so funny, Dadi?”

“You realized only half of the truth”

“What truth?”

“That, she is crazy…”

“Means?”

“The full truth is, she is crazy about YOU” She smiled.

Arnav was silent.

“So, you also love her…”

Arnav looked at her rigidly. He knew Nani would have passed their conversation details to Dadi. Before Dadi said anything more,

“She would like to leave Delhi…” Arnav said.

Dadi was shocked.

“It’s because of you?”

“Maybe…”

Cutting him,

“Must be…” Dadi said.

“I can do nothing, Dadi”

“Don’t do anything…” She spat fire on him through her eyes.

Arnav stood up, leaving the breakfast unfinished. He didn’t know what to do. He was not ready to think of marriage. At the same time, he didn’t know why he felt a tug in his heart when he thought about sending Khushi off of Delhi. He never was confused like this. He always made decisions just like that but now he was struggling to decide what to do.

 

AR

Arnav stopped the car in the parking lot and walked to the office. He got into the lift where there were already a few members. He saw Khushi rushing in. The lift door was supposed to be closed. He pressed the button and the door again opened. Khushi got in smiling at him.

“Good morning, sir”

“Good morning”

She stood facing her back to him. Arnav closed his eyes feeling the mild lavender smell of her. He opened his eyes jerking when the door opened. He stood straight gulping down. When they reached their floor, Khushi walked not waiting for Arnav who followed her. Khushi walked, crossing the receptionist, throwing a smile who stood up and wished Arnav good morning.

Khushi headed to her cabin. Arnav came to his cabin and called Khushi. She went to his cabin as she knew he would inquire about the last night's happenstance.

As she expected,

“Is everything all right, Khushi?”

“Yes, sir… everything is all right”

“Is your mother upset with you?”

“She was… is… and will be…”

“She will understand”

“Hopefully”

“When will we have to send Mehra’s file?”

“I will send it today, sir. Before that, I will send it to you for the final check, sir”

“Mmm… What Aman is doing?”

“He is handling Gulkarni’s deal”

“Did he start?”

“Just yesterday”

“Mmm… by the way, why did you go to the Ashram all of a sudden? Were you scared to face your mother after what happened in the office?”

Khushi nodded yes.

“I was scared to face her not what happened in the office. I was scared about her plan to make me say yes”

“Plan? What plan?”

“She was planning to do emotional blackmail. She scripted a drama in which she was ready to commit suicide”

“Whaaaat?”

“Yes… Naveen was the director of the drama”

“How do you know about it?”

“My friend found it out and told me”

“Did she hear it?”

“Mmm… she heard and alerted me. that’s why I didn’t want to go home. I’m sorry for choosing the Ashram. I had no place to go. That’s why I went there”

“That’s ok… But, when you know it was a drama, you could have handled them, instead of going to the Ashram”

“I could have… What’s next? They will plan for another drama. I’m really tired. I just thought to put a full stop to their nonsense. That’s why I decided to handle them in another way but I didn’t expect they would trouble you”

“That’s not a big deal. It’s good they troubled me. that’s why this issue came to an end”

“How do you say it came to an end?”

Arnav frowned.

“Do you think they will nag you again?”

“Not exactly… at the same time, I can’t be confident”

“They will not dare after the assistant commissioner’s interference,” Arnav said confidently.

“Mmm, did you check if there is any vacancy?” She asked.

Arnav got stuck for a second and nodded yes.

“I did… as of now, there is no vacancy in any of our branches” he lied. He didn’t even inquire about it.

“What about our Foreign branches, sir?” Khushi asked.

Arnav looked at her stunningly.

“Foreign branch?” he frowned.

She nodded yes.

“Are you crazy?”

Khushi didn’t reply because she didn't know in which sense he asked that.

“Do you know how hard it will be to fix yourself in a foreign country? From the food to climate, everything will be different. The temperature will be minus degrees...! it’s not as easy as you think” he said in a bit high tone.

“That’s ok, sir” She didn’t back off.

Arnav tightened his jaws.

“Please, do check, sir”

“No… wait for the vacancy in other branches of our company,” he said strictly.

She said nothing and left the place, leaving frustrated Arnav. He had no clue why he became restless. He ran his fingers in his hair.

Aman saw Khushi heading to her cabin. He rushed to her.

“Khushi, how are you? is there any problem at your home?”

“No, sir… no problem”

“Then why are you looking dull?”

“I asked for transfer…”

“Transfer? But why Khushi?” Aman was shocked.

“I would like to be away from my mother, sir,” She said looking somewhere.

“What ASR said?”

“He said there is no vacancy in any of our branches”

Aman frowned.

“I’m even ready to go to a foreign country but sir said it will be hard for me”

“Did he say?”

Khushi nodded yes.

“He is right, Khushi. It’s very hard to settle down in a foreign country”

She nodded and left. Aman headed to Arnav’s cabin. Arnav looked at him.

“Why did you lie to Khushi?” Aman came to the point of not beating around the bush.

“When did I lie?”

“Didn’t you tell her that there is no vacancy in our branches?”

“Look, she is distraught. No decision will be good if it is made under pressure”

“From when did you start making decisions about Khushi’s life? Who are you to decide what’s good for her, ASR? Are you a decision-maker?”

“Aman, she has no one to stand for her…”

“You should do that only if she is fine with that. She wants to go away from her mother. Why are you troubling her?”

“She will be all right in some days”

“What if the condition worsens? Will you take her responsibility?”

“If she doesn’t feel better, then I will send her on transfer… ok?”

Aman glared at him.

“Why are you glaring at me?”

“Neither you won’t accept her nor will you let her go… right?”

“I did that for her betterment”

Aman chuckled sarcastically.

“Betterment? She will be better if she is away from you. That’s what she is trying to do”

“She wants to go from her mother”

“It’s not true…”

“She stayed with her mother when she tortured her like hell. Now, after we solved the problem with the help of the AC, why does she want to go? It’s because she understood that she could not forget you being with you. That’s why she is running from you”

Arnav gulped down. Didn’t he know that?

“You are wrong, ASR” Aman walked out.

Arnav closed his face with his palms. He was angry with no one but with himself. Why could not he let her go? Khushi, Aman, kids, Dadi, Nani, no one was happy…! Of course, he was also not happy…! Because of him…! He knew that.

 

To be continued…