FINE WINE part(31-40)

 Part 31 Who is he?

 

Aman entered Arnav’s cabin. Arnav looked at him.

 

“Yeah, Aman…”

 

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

 

“When did I lie?” Arnav became alert.

 

“Didn’t you tell her there is no vacancy in our branches? There are three vacancies in different branches, ASR. Why don’t you want to send her on transfer?”

 

“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 asked sarcastically.

 

Arnav had no answer. Who was he?

 

“Aman, she has no one to stand for her…” Arnav said typing something.

 

“You should do that only if she is fine with that. She doesn’t like to be with her mother. Why are you troubling her?”

 

“She will be all right in some days”

 

“Oh really?”

 

“She needs some time. She will have to think chilling her mind”

 

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

 

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

 

Aman glared at him.

 

“Why are you glaring at me?” Arnav asked with a calm face.

 

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

 

“I did that for her betterment”

 

Aman chuckled ironically.

 

“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…and you too know that”

 

Arnav was silent.

 

“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… absolutely wrong” 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.

 

Evening

 

Khushi came to Arnav’s cabin and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Arnav said.

He smiled at Khushi.

 

“I want to tell you something, sir”

 

“Tell me, Khushi”

 

Khushi was about to say something, but, she stopped as the landline rang. Arnav saw the number and it was from RM.

 

“One minute” he attended the call, turning on the

speaker.

 

“Hello…”

 

“Dad, I’m Shali”

 

“Hi, Shalu when did you come from the school?” Arnav asked smilingly. His eyes were on Khushi whose face brightened hearing Shali’s voice and changed immediately.

 

“Just now…”

 

“Good, tell me, why did you call me?”

 

“Dad, how is Khushi Didi?”

 

Arnav looked at Khushi and said,

 

“Khushi didi is fine”

 

“I want to talk to her. Could you please call her?” she pleaded lovingly.

 

“Don’t you guys have her phone number?”

 

“We have and called her too but she didn’t respond”

 

“Why do you want to talk to her?”

 

“I want to ask if she is fine”

 

“She is in my cabin only.”

 

“Is it?”

 

“Yeah...”

 

“Oh... That’s why she didn’t attend our call...”

 

“Mmm... Talk to her”

 

Arnav gestured for Khushi. She nodded and spoke.

 

“Hi, Shali”

 

“Hi, Didi, how are you feeling now?”

 

“I’m so good”

 

“Will you come to our home this Sunday?”

 

Khushi looked at Arnav who was looking at her, listening to them.

 

“Sunday? Is anything special?”

 

“It will be special if you come to our house”

 

Khushi was delighted, yet, she stayed not smiling. Of course, after putting in a lot of effort.

 

“Will you come?” She pleaded.

 

“Actually, I have some important work on Sunday,” She said feeling sad.

 

“Oh…” Her voice drained.

 

“Mmm”

 

“Shall we come to AR to meet you tomorrow?” Shali asked excitedly.

 

“I will not come to the office tomorrow”

 

“Why?”

 

“I’m going to attend my friend’s birthday function”

 

“Shall we come to your friend’s birthday function?”

 

Khushi was stuck. She didn’t know what to say.

 

“Oh… I…” She stammered.

 

Arnav was looking at her sharply. He knew she was lying.

It was clear, she was avoiding meeting his kids.

 

“Shalu, I will talk to you later,” Arnav said and disconnected the call.

 

He looked at Khushi.

 

“Is it your leave application?” Arnav asked looking at a cover that was in her hand.

 

Khushi nodded no and extended the cover to him, saying nothing. Arnav looked at the cover and then at Khushi questioningly. He opened the cover and took the paper out of it. He read it and was shocked. He looked at Khushi thunderstruck.

 

“What’s this Khushi?”

 

“My resignation letter, sir,” She said calmly.

 

“But why?”

 

“I got a job in Mumbai. My friend arranged it for me. I’m going to go there”

 

Arnav gulped his anger.

 

“You have to work three months after submitting the resignation letter…”

 

“Will you come to Mumbai searching for me if I go there without completing three months?” She asked without

fear.

 

Arnav stared at her for a whole minute. That was when his phone rang. Without breaking eye contact with her, he attended the call.

 

“Haan, Jeff... How are you?”

 

“I’m super fine, ASR. Our Ad is ready to telecast. It’s marvellous... Extraordinary. You are looking dashing in the ad. Should mention, that Khushi’s expression is worth watching! You guys are awesome. All the credits go to Khushi. She got a good idea and made you a model. It’s awesome. I bet everyone will like it”

 

“Thanks, Jeff. Telecast it...”

 

“Don’t you want to see its preview?”

 

“Yeah, send me...”

 

“I will send it to you and Khushi”

 

“No need. I will send it to her” Arnav said.

 

“Ok, ASR...”

 

Jeff disconnected the call. Arnav looked at Khushi.

 

“Jeff said, our Ad finished and it’s awesome”

 

“That’s nice to hear, Sir”

 

“Thank you for your idea”

 

“My pleasure, sir”

 

“It’s going to be telecasted tomorrow”

 

Khushi nodded.

 

“Please, accept my resignation, sir”

 

“Khushi, listen... Wait for a week. Then we will decide...”

 

“But sir...”

 

Cutting her,

 

“Don’t you trust me?”

Arnav and Khushi both were stuck. Arnav didn’t know why he said so. Taking the resignation letter from his table, Khushi walked. She stopped at the doorstep and asked, looking at him,

 

“Do you want me to TRUST you, sir?”

 

Arnav gulped down hard. He blinked his eyes slowly. She left his cabin not waiting there because she knew she would not get an answer. Arnav punched his thigh wearily. Why the hell he was behaving wired?

That was when he again got a call from home. He rolled his eyes and attended it.

 

“Dad, have you forgotten me? Didn’t you say you would

call me later?”

 

“Yes, baby, I got another call...”

 

“Ok, give the phone to Khushi Didi”

 

“She is not here. She went to her cabin”

 

“Ok... I will talk to her”

 

“Listen... We will go to Theme Park this Sunday. Laxmi Didi will come with us.”

 

“Daddy, shall we take Khushi didi with us?”

 

“She is busy beta. Don’t you know, she will come with us if she is not busy”

 

“Mmm...”

 

“Don’t feel bad. We will go to the theme park. Ok?”

 

“Mmm...”

 

Arnav disconnected the call. He was restless. He understood Khushi’s stand. He understood that she didn’t want to entertain his kids. He knew why. She would like to keep her distance from him and the kids. Seeing her adamant, it seemed she would not be convinced of getting transferred. If she hadn’t gotten a transfer, she would resign from the job. He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know, why he was getting tensed about her resignation.

On the other hand, the kids were also restless.

 

“Khushi Didi is not coming to RM on Sunday and Dad said,

we will take Laxmi Didi to Theme Park,” Shali said sadly.

 

“Haan, it’s always Laxmi Didi who accompanies us,” Shamli said.

 

“Haan, Khushi Didi came with us last time because Laxmi Didi was injured.”

 

Aarav became thoughtful.

 

“What are you thinking, Bhai?” Shali asked.

 

“We took Khushi Didi with us last time, because Laxmi Didi is injured, right?”

 

Shali and Shamli nodded yes.

 

“So, Khushi Didi will come with us if Laxmi Didi is injured”

 

“Yes, but she is fit and fine,” Shamli said.

 

Aarav said nothing.

 

After a while, Laxmi came to the kids' room to give them a chocolate shake. Her scream echoed in the whole RM. Dadi rushed to the living room and saw Laxmi lying down on the floor, clutching her hip, hissing in pain.

 

To be continued…

 

Part 32 Fear

 

Laxmi was sitting on the floor, clutching her hip.

 

“Ahhhh…”

 

Dadi looked at Laxmi horrified. Kids also came there.

 

“What happened, Laxmi?” Dadi asked.

 

“I fell from the staircase,” she said hissing.

 

Dadi called another servant and asked her to help Laxmi. She helped her to stand.

 

“Ouch…” Laxmi sighed.

 

At the same time, Arnav entered RM and frowned, seeing the scene.

 

“What happened, Laxmi Didi?” Arnav advanced her while asking the question.

 

“I slipped from the stairs, Arnav Babuwa”

 

“But, how?”

 

“My leg slipped…” She slowly walked to her quarters hissing. The other servant helped her.

 

Arnav stood looking at her.

 

“Arnav, call the doctor,” Dadi said.

 

Arnav nodded and called the doctor.

 

“Poor woman, how she fell …!” Dadi sighed.

 

Arnav stood thinking about something.

 

“What are you thinking? Laxmi will be all right in two or three days. Don’t worry…” Dadi said.

 

“But, Badi Dadi, we are planning to go to a theme park on Sunday. How Laxmi Didi will come with us?”

 

“No way, she can’t come with you. Didn’t you see how terribly she fell? She will have to be in rest for two days. You can go to the theme park next week” Dadi said.

 

“Dad said, he would take us this Sunday,” Shali said.

 

“Of course, he would have said that when you wanted it”

 

“No, we didn’t ask him to take us to the Theme park. He is the one who said that” Shamli said making a face.

Dadi looked at Arnav who was silent.

 

“Is it, Arnav?”

 

Without answering to her,

 

“I will take you to Disney Land in Winter Holidays”

 

“No need Dad, you will cancel that program too if Laxmi Didi gets injured,” Aarav said, making a face.

 

“Dad, shall we take Khushi Didi to the Theme Park?” Shali

asked beseechingly.

 

“She won’t deny and the trip will be fun,” Shamli said.

 

“Yeah, it’s a good idea,” Dadi said.

 

“She said she has some work,” Shali said sadly.

 

“Did you ask her?”

 

“No, we invited her to RM this Sunday. That was when she said so”

 

“I think she will not deny if she gets to know the program is cancelling. I will talk to her if you want” Dadi said.

 

“No, Dadi, we should not take her for granted,” Arnav said.

 

“What’s there to take for granted, Arnav? I just am going to ask her to join you”

 

“She won’t come…” Arnav said.

 

“Why are you concluding without knowing her stand? Let me try… then decide”

 

“No Dadi, please…”

 

Dadi looked at the kids.

 

“Leave it Badi Dadi… he says he loves us so much but won’t do anything which makes us happy”

 

Aarav said and walked to his room. Shali and Shamli followed him with a hung face.

 

Arnav stood, looking at them shockingly.

 

“You sacrificed your life for the kids but they are not happy. They will not recognize your sacrifices if you are adamant. You have been giving them what they want so far. They are asking for something now…”

 

Cutting her,

 

“They were just asking for THINGS so far. Now they are asking for Khushi. She is not a THING but a human with expectations and desires. She struggled a lot in her life Dadi. She feels she has no one. Adding to it, we have a huge age difference. I don’t even know what a woman of my age needs. Then how could I understand the need for a small girl who is fourteen years younger than me? If I can’t satisfy her, she will be disappointed and I will become a failure. Do you want it to happen?”

 

Dadi became a statue. She understood why Arnav was scared. He was not wrong though.

 

“Arnav, your fear is justified but can’t you judge people by their attitude? Touch your heart and say, do you really think, Khushi is tough to handle?”

 

“Dadi, you are seeing her outline… there is a lot beyond that, especially after marriage…” He stopped and looked at Dadi to see if she understood his point.

 

Dadi looked down. So, she understood.

 

“Arnav, you didn’t go to her. It’s she who likes to marry you. She would have analyzed all of this. She is an understanding girl. She knows what’s important to live”

 

“Priorities differ Dadi. She is a normal human… not a log with no feelings… I don’t know if I can cope up…” Arnav left the place.

 

Dadi understood the clear picture. Arnav hesitated to marry her because he was scared about their sexual life.

Yes, Khushi was a young girl whereas he was closing up to forty. He didn’t know whether he could handle the girl who was so young and active. When he would become fifty, Khushi would be just thirty-four. He didn’t know what was his condition at that time. Why should she control her feelings to marry him? How long she could control herself? Why should she?

 

……………

 

Dadi sent the doctor off who came to treat Laxmi and went to her room. She frowned seeing the kids going to the staff quarters.

 

*Why are they going to the staff quarters? To meet Laxmi?*

 

Dadi followed them. She was stunned to see Laxmi sitting on a chair casually. She smiled at the kids.

 

“Did our plan work?” Laxmi asked.

 

The kids nodded no.

 

“But, why? Didn’t Arnav Babuwa ask Khushi to come with you?”

 

“No, he said he would take us to Disney Land on our winter vacation”

 

Laxmi sighed.

 

“you don’t have to pretend. You can come to RM tomorrow” Aarav said sadly.

 

“Don’t feel bad. We will find another way to bring Khushi to RM” Laxmi said and got stuck, seeing Dadi listening to them.

 

All of them were horrified.

 

“So… this is all your plan…from when did you start cheating your father?” Dadi asked the kids.

 

“We didn’t do this to cheat Dad, Badi Dadi. To take Khushi Didi to the Theme park only we did that” Shali said fearfully and Shamli almost cried.

 

“Aarav, being their elder brother, you should teach your sisters good habits…but you are leading them wrongly”

Aarav bowed down.

 

“Go to your room”

 

They left the place silently. Dadi looked at Laxmi.

 

“You too?”

 

“Kids want Khushi to accompany them to the Theme park. They were talking about how Khushi accompanied them last time… They requested me to pretend like falling.”

 

“So, you did that?”

 

“Yes, because they could have made me fall but they didn’t do it. So, I helped them because I didn’t want them to turn bad”

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

“I don’t want kids to get disappointed with me because I don’t think their expectations are wrong. They are kids with no mother. What would they do if they found a motherly figure in Khushi? Will you say it’s wrong?”

 

“I don’t say it’s wrong but we can’t decide it. It’s Arnav, who should think about it”

 

“Can’t you make him understand?”

 

“Do you think I didn’t try? More than that, how can we guarantee about Khushi?”

 

“About whom can we guarantee? Instead of thinking about the drawbacks, taking action will give us solvation. Arnav babuwa should marry her for kids if not for himself”

Dadi didn’t know what to say. After all, she got to know what stops him. She left the place saying nothing.

Dadi came to Arnav’s room. She saw him leaning on the recliner closing his eyes. She got in and closed the door. Arnav sat straight.

 

“Promise me you should not ask kids anything about it”

Arnav frowned.

 

“Laxmi is not injured. She just pretended”

 

“Whaaaat? But why?”

 

“Kids requested her to…”

 

Arnav closed his eyes.

 

“I don’t have to explain why”

 

Arnav gulped down.

 

“Arnav, life will not go as we plan. It has its own plans and it would be better than ours. You lived for kids. Now also I’m asking you to do the same. Marry Khushi for kids. Leave the rest to Khushi. She will manage”

Arnav sat on the recliner, looking down.

 

“Let’s go downstairs for dinner”

 

Arnav nodded and stood up. He stopped and looked at his phone that rang. He took it from the bed and attended the call.

 

“Haan Aman…”

 

“ASR, the Ad is extraordinary… the channels started telecasting it…”

 

That was when Arnav remembered about the Ad. Jeff would have sent it to him. He had forgotten about it as he was in another tension.

 

“I will check”

 

“Do it… you will like it”

 

“Mmm…”

 

Arnav checked the video sent by Jeff was there. he ran the video. He was stunned seeing himself so handsome and dashing in the Ad. He could not believe he had such aura. Even though Khushi told him that, he didn’t believe it at that time. He didn’t notice what she did, he supposed. He smiled, seeing Khushi’s expression. Jeff was right. It was worth watching.

 

He thought something and sent the AD to Khushi. He called her. She attended the call in the third ring.

 

“Yes, sir”

 

“I sent the Ad video to you”

 

“Oh…”

 

“It was so fetching”

 

“I see…”

 

“Thank you for the idea. You made the AD special with your fantastic expression”

 

“Thank you, sir” she smiled.

 

That was when someone knocked on Khushi’s room door. Arnav heard it. he was supposed to say, Goodbye, but he stopped as Khushi said,

 

“One minute, sir”

 

He waited and heard Khushi opening the door.

 

“You?” She asked.

 

The next second there was no sound. Arnav heard her phone falling.

 

“Khushi… Khushiiiii” he shouted.

 

There was no response. Arnav sensed something was wrong. Without thinking of anything, he rushed out while dialling the Assistant Commissioner.

 

To be continued…

 

Part 33 Action

 

Arnav rushed out taking his car key. Dadi saw him running and asked,

 

“Where are you running, Arnav?”

 

“Will come soon, Dadi, it’s urgent?” he said not stopping.

Coming out of the RM, he started the car and dialled the Assistant Commissioner. He received the call.

 

“Yes, ASR.. ”

 

“Sir, could you come to Khushi’s house? She is in trouble I suppose”

 

“Yeah, but what happened?”

 

“I was talking to her on the phone. I heard a door-knocking sound. She excused herself and opened the door. She said, YOU? The next second, I heard her phone falling sound.

 

After that, there is no response”

 

“Oh, ok, I’m coming” He disconnected the call.

 

Arnav speeded up the car and headed to GH. his mind whirled in a storm. He didn't know what happened to her. He didn't know why she was facing continuous problems in her life. What if they kidnapped her? The thought shook him to the root.

 

When Arnav came to GH, the house was locked from outside. He saw a woman at the next door looking at him. Arnav rushed to her.

 

“Excuse me, where is Khushi? Why is her house locked?” he asked.

 

“She was taken to the hospital.”

 

“Hospital? Which hospital? What happened to her?” he panicked.

 

“She fainted. Her mother and her friend took her to the hospital”

 

“Friend? Which friend?” he asked suspiciously.

 

“Naveen…” the woman said.

 

“Naveen…” Arnav gritted his teeth. At the same time, the

AC reached there.

 

“Sir, Khushi’s mother and Naveen took Khushi to the hospital, it seems”

 

“Which hospital?”

 

“I don’t know sir”

 

“Did they take her in a car?”

 

“No sir, they took her in an ambulance”

 

“Ambulance? But why?”

 

“I said she fainted…”

 

“No way, it can’t be true. She was talking to me when someone knocked on the room door. They would have made her faint...” Arnav yelled.

 

Arnav looked at the AC and said,

 

“Sir, I think they have a plan. They are taking Khushi somewhere. To divert people only they used the ambulance, I guess”

 

“Did you know which hospital the ambulance belongs to?”

 

“No sir. There are no mentions in the ambulance. it was plain,” the woman said.

 

“I noted down the ambulance number” came from behind.

They saw a girl standing. She showed them her mobile in which she captured the ambulance’s photo.

 

Taking his phone, the AC called the control room and asked them to alert the toll booths. He asked them to check the ambulance with the same number.

 

“Why did you capture the photo? What made you do so?” The AC asked.

 

“That Naveen is a rogue sir. He tortured Khushi a lot. Khushi hates him like hell. I doubted seeing him taking her in the ambulance. That’s why I captured the photo”

 

"How do you know about Naveen?"

 

"Khushi is my friend. she told me about Naveen and I witnessed her fighting with him and her mother... he too was there that day" She said pointing at Arnav who nodded yes.

 

“Thank you miss...?”

 

“Preeto...”

 

“Thank you miss Preeto...”

 

Preeto nodded.

 

“Please save Khushi from him, sir. Her life will get spoilt if something horrible happens”

 

“We will do our best,” The AC said.

 

“Where would they take her? Do you have any idea?” Arnav asked Preeto.

 

“They would not have taken her to the hospital, I suppose”

Arnav looked at the AC and asked,

 

“Sir, why not we go to Naveen’s house?”

 

“Yes, ASR, we should not waste our time. Don't know what

 

their intention is."

 

He looked at Preeto and asked,

 

"Do you know where his house is?” AC asked.

 

“Gangotri Nagar, sir. Their supermarket is in Sarojini

Market main road”

 

“Ok”

 

AC and Arnav left the place. Arnav followed the AC’s jeep in his car with tension. When they were on the way to the Sarojini market, AC got a call from the control room. He attended the call.

 

“Yes…”

 

“Sir, the ambulance crossed the tollbooth that was near the airport but it didn’t cross the Airport”

 

“Is it?”

 

“Yes, sir”

 

“Ok, alert the airport cops to check the ambulance” he passed the order.

 

“Ok, sir”

 

“I will send you the girl’s photo. Stop them if they are going to board any flight”

 

“Yes, sir”

 

The AC stopped the jeep and got out. Arnav who followed him also got out of his car.

 

“ASR, the ambulance crossed the tollbooth near the airport but it didn’t cross the airport. I need Khushi Madam’s photo to stop them from taking her anywhere”

 

“Oh, yes…” Arnav removed his mobile and sent their Ad that was sent by Jeff.

 

Without wasting time, he started the car and headed to the airport. The AC sent the video to the Airport control room and asked them to check the passenger list. Then, he hurried to the airport.

 

The AC got the information that the ambulance entered the international airport which confused the AC. He conveyed the matter to Arnav who was also confused but he didn't think much and drove the car towards the international terminus.

 

Stopping the car outside the airport to avoid wasting time to park the car, Arnav ran inside the airport. He ran his eyes to check if anyone was sitting in the wheelchair as Khushi was unconscious.

 

Garima saw Arnav and was horrified. She sat down swiftly and pulled Naveen down.

 

“What happened, Aunty?”

 

“Arnav…” She pointed in the direction where Arnav was sanding, looking here and there in a checking manner.

 

“What is he doing here? how did he come here?” Naveen

was horrified.

 

“I don’t know how he smelled us” Garima said looking at him slightly raising her head.

 

Naveen pulled his head down and hid himself behind the wheelchair in which Khushi was sitting. Arnav could not see the wheelchair as they placed it next to a normal chair. They made Khushi wear a mask that was hiding her face.

That was when Arnav heard the Malaysian Airlines flight announcement. It was the first call. Garima and Naveen became panicked. They didn’t expect Arnav in the airport. They didn’t know how to take Khushi without falling into Arnav’s sight.

 

They were shocked to the core seeing the AC joining Arnav. They looked at each other gulping down.

 

“ASR, Khushi madam’s name is on the Malaysian Airlines flight”

 

“Whaaat? Malaysian flight?”

 

“Yeah… they are taking her to Malaysia, I suppose”

Arnav gritted his teeth. Yes, some visa-free countries for Indians offer friendly travel experiences. Malaysia was one among them. Using that opportunity, they were taking Khushi to Malaysia.

 

Arnav ran his eyes in his surroundings while running his fingers in his hair. His eyes were rooted on the particular person who was leaning on the chair, closing her eyes, and wearing a mask. Something kicked his mind, seeing her hair that was left free. He rushed to the girl and saw Garima and Naveen hiding behind her wheelchair. They were thunderstruck, seeing Arnav fisting his fingers in anger. In no time, he lifted Naveen, clutching his collar, and punched his face.

 

AC who came there stopped Arnav.

 

“ASR, look at Khushi”

 

Arnav ran to Khushi and tapped her cheek. There was no movement in her. He lifted her in his arms and rushed towards his car.

 

The AC called the airport cops and ordered them to arrest Garima and Naveen.

 

To be continued…

 

Part 34 Getting cleared

 

Making Khushi lay on the back seat, Arnav started the car towards a hospital near the airport. He admitted her to the hospital. The doctor checked her and injected her.

 

“She should have made to smell chloroform…” The doctor said.

 

Arnav already guessed it. He knew they would have made her faint that way.

 

“I have given an injection. She will wake up in a while. After that, you can take her home”

 

Arnav nodded ok.

 

“Thank you, doctor”

 

The doctor left. Arnav came to Khushi and sat next to her, looking at her. His hand unknowingly extended towards her and caressed her hair. He didn’t know why he did that. He wanted to help her but he could not do it in the way she wanted it. Yet, he had to do something. So, he decided to take her home. So that, she would be safe and his kids would be happy. Finally, Arnav decided something, keeping HIMSELF away. Yet, he concluded it with a slight selfishness. She would not think of getting transferred if she were with his kids. He didn’t know why he didn’t like her going on transfer.

 

He saw Khushi opening her eyes. She saw Arnav sitting in front of her. She sat jerking.

 

“Slowly…” Arnav said.

 

Khushi held her head that was spinning.

 

“Khushi, take a rest. We will leave afterward”

 

“That’s ok, sir” She got off the bed.

 

She swayed as she could not stand. She was supposed to fall, but Arnav held her shoulders and made her sit on the bed.

 

“I said rest…”

 

Khushi closed her eyes, lying. She slowly opened her eyes and asked,

 

“How did I come here?”

 

“Don’t you remember what happened to you?”

 

She nodded yes.

 

“We were talking on the phone. Someone knocked on my room door. I opened the door and found Naveen with my mother. He pressed a cloth on my face. After that, I can’t remember anything” she said in a low tone with effort.

 

“They tried to kidnap you to Malaysia”

 

“Whaaaat? Malaysia?”

 

“Yes, they took you in an ambulance, making your neighbour believe you fainted and they were talking you to a hospital. We caught them in the airport. Your friend Preeto helped us to chase you”

 

“Thanks for coming for my help”

 

Arnav said nothing.

 

After a while, Khushi felt better. She slowly sat on the bed.

 

“Khushi, no urgent”

 

Khushi showed her palm.

 

“How do you feel?”

 

“I’m all right”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

She nodded yes and stood up. Arnav tried to help her but she stopped him by showing her palm. He stepped back.

 

Arnav made her sit in the car and started the car.

 

“Sir, can I get your mobile?”

 

“Yeah, sure”

 

Arnav gave her his phone. Khushi dialled a number. The call was attended.

 

“Preeto…”

 

“Khushi… how are you? Did your Boss save you?”

 

“Mmm… I need your help”

 

Arnav looked at her.

 

“Tell me, Khushi…”

 

“Shall I stay at your place tonight?”

 

“Sure… come on Khushi”

 

“Thank you, Preeto…”

Arnav extended his hand and asked for the phone. Khushi gave it back, disconnecting the call.

 

“I asked the phone to talk to Preeto”

 

“But why?”

 

“You are not going to stay at her place”

 

“Whaaaat? I’m not going to stay at my house where my mother is staying”

 

“Your mother is not at your house”

 

“Where is she?”

 

“In the jail… AC arrested her and Naveen”

 

She sighed.

 

“I will tell Preeto about it and go to my house”

 

“But, I want you to come to RM”

 

Khushi looked at him unbelievably. She nodded no.

 

“Khushi, listen, until you feel better, stay at RM”

 

“I’m feeling much better”

 

“But, staying alone is not safe”

 

“I will shift to a lady’s hostel tomorrow”

 

Arnav looked at her shockingly.

 

“But why?”

 

“Because I don’t think I can be peaceful at my house”

 

“That’s why I want you to stay in RM”

 

Khushi nodded NO.

 

“Khushi, listen…”

 

“Don’t mistake me, sir… Who am I to stay in RM? Who are

you to decide where should I stay?”

 

Arnav gritted his teeth.

 

“I don’t decide it out of right. I just…”

 

Cutting him,

 

“I can manage my life, sir. You don’t have to care about me”

 

Arnav changed the gear and speeded up the car. Khushi saw the car heading to RM. She looked at him disappointed.

 

“Sir, please stop the car”

 

Arnav didn’t listen to her. taking his phone, he redialed Preeto’s number. She attended the call.

 

“Haan Khushi… I told my mother you are coming”

 

“This is Arnav Singh Raizada, Khushi’s Boss.”

 

“Oh…tell me, sir…”

 

“Khushi is not coming to your home. I’m taking her to my house”

 

“Oh, Ok, sir”

 

“Bye…” he disconnected the call and looked at Khushi who was looking at him with dissatisfaction.

 

“Don’t look at me like that. You are coming to RM and that’s final. I’m not going to listen to you”

 

“May I know why I come to your house?”

 

“It’s because you are weak”

 

“I said I’m all right”

 

“We will discuss it later”

 

“No… I’m not going to come to RM. You have no right to order me because this is not your office” she said losing her

patience.

 

“Khushi, don’t make me angry”

 

“What will your anger do to me?”

 

Arnav glared at her.

 

“Won’t you understand, Khushi?”

 

“No, sir… I really can’t understand what you want. When I proposed to you, you ignored me. when I understand your stand and try to go away from you, you are restricting me. I don’t know what you are expecting from me. I’m tired of everything, sir. On one side, my mother is not ready to understand me and, on the other side, you are also doing the same. Why don’t you just let me go?”

 

Arnav pressed the brake and looked at her.

 

“Khushi, listen. I know you are disappointed. That’s why I

don’t want you to make a decision now. Take rest… give yourself time. Then decide”

 

“Ok, but I don’t want to do it, coming to RM”

 

Arnav was about to say something, but Khushi stopped him.

 

“Try to understand the drawback. No, it’s not a drawback… it will become a dangerous condition. It will create expectations in kids’ minds. They will get hurt. Why can’t you just understand the simple thing?”

 

Arnav sat straight, tightening the steering wheel.

 

“Please drop me at GH”

 

Arnav looked at Khushi and asked,

 

“I want you to stay in RM…”

 

Khushi was about to say something, but he stopped her.

 

“What do you want me to do to make you stay in RM?”

Khushi frowned.

 

“I don’t want you to do anything…! Most probably, I’m not talking about myself but kids. I can understand your condition but you can’t fulfil their expectations…”

 

“What if I met their expectations?”

 

Khushi looked at him like, HOW?

 

“I will manage them…”

 

Khushi sighed.

 

“Trust me… I can manage them”

 

“What’s necessary? Why are you disappointing them?”

 

“When did I say I’m going to disappoint them?” he said looking at the road.

 

“They will…”

 

“What can I do to satisfy them?”

 

Khushi looked outside not answering.

 

“Tell me, Khushi…”

 

“I don’t know,” She said even though she knew.

 

“Do you think I can meet your expectations if we get married?” he asked an unexpected question that shook her.

 

She looked at him jerking.

 

“Get it straight, there are a lot of problems to get cleared before getting into it. We have a huge age difference. I’m not a youngster. I don’t know the TREND. I didn’t think of updating myself as I had no intention of getting married. You know that. I don’t know what a girl’s expectation…!” he stopped and looked at her who was staring at him blankly.

 

“More than anything, there is something. I’m not sure about my FEELINGS…”

 

Khushi raised her brows. Didn’t he say he lost the ability to become a father? Then why did he talk about his FEELINGS?

 

“I don’t know if I can cope with you…”

 

“Ok, as you spoke straight, I too talk straight. Will you leave me if I meet with an accident and lose the ability to intimate?”

 

Arnav looked at her not answering as he understood her point.

 

“No, right?”

 

Arnav was silent.

 

“Why? It’s because there is something called love and affection… it’s beyond SEX. You may think I’m talking like a saint. I don’t say I don’t have feelings. At the same time, I know it’s not more important than something I’m expecting from you. I don’t expect you to be intimate with me because I can understand how hard it will be for you to come out of your wife’s memory. That’s why you don’t want to marry anyone. I can understand that. So, I have no expectations of you.”

 

Arnav so wanted to say, he was unmarried but he decided to use it in his favour. As he was not sure about his feelings, he wanted to test it. To do that, he needed time… so, he decided to let the LIE live for a few more days.

 

He started the car again and drove towards RM. This time, Khushi didn’t question him as she sensed a difference in Arnav.

 

To be continued…

 

Part 35 Next to Impossible

 

When Arnav and Khushi came to RM, everyone slept. It was HP who opened the door.

 

"Khushi is going to stay here. Make needed arrangements" Arnav said.

 

"Jee..."

 

"Bring something for her to eat" he knew she would not have eaten anything as they made her faint.

 

"Jee" HP went to the kitchen.

 

Arnav looked at her and said,

 

"Have something before going to sleep"

 

She nodded.

 

"Let's go..." Arnav said and walked to the guestroom.

 

Khushi followed him. He pushed the door and opened it.

 

"Make yourself comfortable" Arnav said.

 

Khushi nodded.

 

"If you don't feel well tomorrow, you don't have to come to the office. Take a day off"

 

"I think it will not be needed"

 

Arnav nodded and was about to go, but he stopped and looked at her.

 

"It's your friend's birthday tomorrow, right?"

 

Khushi nodded NO.

 

"But, you told Shali when she said she would come to AR to meet you..."

 

"It's not true. To avoid kids from getting disappointed only I lied to them"

 

Arnav already guessed it. He didn't know what to do other than nodding his head.

 

"Take a rest"

 

"Mmm..."

 

"Call me if you want anything"

 

She nodded. Arnav walked to his room. HP brought a plate and kept it on the table with a glass of milk.

 

"Khushiji, there are all the needed things in the cupboard to do morning routine."

 

"Yeah..."

 

"Call me if you want anything. I will be in the kitchen only"

 

"Will you be in RM in the nights also?"

 

"Not every night. My brothers and I will be here in rotation"

 

"Oh, ok..."

 

HP left the place. Khushi locked the door. Taking the plate, she ate roti and Aloo Mutter. She was hungry. She didn't even have coffee in the evening. She didn't have the mood to have anything. Then, Naveen made her faint before she had dinner.

 

After finishing it, she had the milk and laid. She closed her eyes to sleep even though she was confused. She didn't know why she was there. She didn't know what was there in Arnav's mind. Yet, she was there... only because Arnav wanted her to be there. She didn't know what the future stored for her.

 

The next morning

 

Khushi woke up from her sleep and found herself in RM. She didn't like to recall the previous day's bitter happenstances. She got off the bed and went to the washroom. Getting fresh, she came to the kids' room and saw them sleeping. She tapped their cheeks to wake them up. They shrugged her hand off.

 

"Bhachoooo..." She said.

 

Aarav opened his eyes jerking. He stayed still, looking at the roof, without a movement as he didn't know whether it was a dream or real. Khushi controlled her smile, seeing his expression. She again said,

 

"Bhachoooo..."

 

Aarav looked at the direction from where the voice came. His eyes widened unbelievably.

 

"Khushi Didiiiiii..." he jumped off the bed and rushed to her.

 

Khushi hugged him smilingly. Shali and Shamli also woke up hearing Aarav's shout. They needed a few seconds to come out of their sleep. Then only they saw Aarav hugging Khushi.

 

"Khushi Didi...?" they looked at each other.

 

"Yes, she is really here" Aarav said delightedly.

 

"Yeahhhhh...." They ran to her and joined the hug.

 

Their noise almost shook RM. Arnav smiled hearing that as he knew the cause of their happiness whereas Dadi jerked and confused. She headed to the kids' room. She was stunned to see Khushi there.

 

She remembered, Arnav running out of RM last night. Did he run for Khushi?

 

"Khushi..."

 

Khushi smiled at Dadi.

 

"I can't believe it's really you"

 

"How did you come here, Didi?" Shali asked childishly.

 

"An ANGEL brought me here" Khushi replied childishly with a smile. Her smile vanished to see Arnav looking at her standing at the doorstep.

 

"You are lying... Dad brought you..." Shamli giggled.

 

She so wanted to say, I DON'T LIE. Yet, she nodded yes smiling. Dadi looked at Arnav surprisingly. She didn't know what was there in his mind. He didn't want to marry her. At the same time, he brought her home.

 

"Are you going to be here?" Aarav asked.

 

Khushi looked at Arnav as she was not sure about anything.

 

"Yes, she will be here" Arnav said.

 

"Yeahhhh..." They rushed to Arnav and hugged him.

 

"Thanks, Dad... love you so much" they said happily.

 

Dadi gazed at him sharply and tried to read his mind but she failed. After all, he was Arnav Singh Raizada. How would he let anyone read his mind?

 

"Go... get fresh..." Arnav said to children.

 

They nodded ok. Arnav left the room, but not before glancing at Khushi. Dadi followed him.

 

"One minute Arnav..."

 

Arnav stopped. He expected it.

 

"What are you doing?" She advanced him.

 

"What?"

 

"Why did you bring Khushi here?"

 

"Her mother and Naveen tried to kidnap her to Malaysia. I caught them in the Airport at the neck of the moment..."

 

"So?"

 

"She has no one, Dadi. How could I leave her alone? That's why I brought her here"

 

"Are you in a sense? Do you understand what you are doing? Did you think about kids? Didn't you see how happy they are, seeing Khushi here? What will they do if Khushi leaves RM again? They will break down, Arnav. They can't come out of the grief easily. Why are you playing with all of their feelings? Can't you understand them?"

 

"Khushi will not leave RM... she is going to be here... forever..."

 

Dadi was taken aback.

 

"Khushi will not leave RM means? What do you mean? How could she be in RM forever? Doesn't she need recognition? What do you think of her?"

 

"What do you want me to do?" His voice was calm.

 

Dadi let out a weary sigh.

 

"You will think I'm forcing you into something you don't want. I don't want to do it. in fact, I never forced you. There are a lot of differences between forcing and advising. I always need your betterment. So, I advised you"

 

"I know Dadi... I know what is forcing..." he said remembering Garima.

 

"There is nothing I could say, Arnav. You know everything. You don't need anyone to guide you" Dadi said and walked.

 

"Dadi..."

 

She stopped and looked at him.

 

"I... I will marry Khushi"

 

Dadi looked at him unbelievably.

 

"Wh...at...? What did you say?"

 

"I'm ready to marry Khushi"

 

"Are you sure?"

 

He nodded yes.

 

"Why? Why do you want to marry her? just because she has no one? Is she helpless? She doesn't have an option?"

 

"Who said she doesn't have an option? She wanted to go to a women's hostel. She didn't want to come here. It was me who insisted on her and brought her here."

 

"That's nice... so, may I think you want to marry her because you WANT it?"

 

"I will do anything only if I want it... you know that"

 

"Happy to hear this but think twice because this is not about only you. This issue includes an innocent girl. You had a lot of issues with marriage. Get them cleared"

 

Arnav nodded.

 

"I don't know what made you decide it all of a sudden because you were not ready to talk about it yesterday. Today, you look firm. You are next to impossible Arnav..." Dadi smiled.

 

Arnav bit his inner lip not to smile.

 

"May I think you won't get upset with me if I take the proposal forward?"

 

"I will get upset if you DON'T take the proposal forward even after I give my assurance"

 

Dadi lifted her brows and chuckled.

 

"I don't know what happened to my grandson" She went to her room smiling.

 

Khushi who heard their talks stood like a statue as she could not believe it. Her state was not different from Dadi's. She didn't know what made Arnav so firm in the decision. Was he not confused until last night? A beautiful smile crept on her beautiful face.

 

 

Arnav came to his room to get ready for the office. He stood under the shower thinking about his decision. I knew he would eventually fall in love with from here on. As she was going to become his wife, he knew he could not hold himself anymore.

 

Turning the shower off, and wiped his wet body with a towel. He looked at the mirror and saw his item reflection.

 

Being a man of late thirties, wouldn't it be awkward to love a girl? It was going to be embarrassing. He came out of the washroom thinking about it.

 

That was when his phone rang. He took the phone and attended the call as it was from the AC.

 

"Hello sir..."

 

"ASR, could you come to the station"

 

"Sure sir, any problem?"

 

"Yes sir, we found something unexpected"

 

"What did you find?"

 

"The woman we arrested is not Khushi madam's mother. In fact, her name is not even Garima but Sapna"

 

"Whaaaaat?"

 

"Yes, sir. She joined as a maid. Later married her father. Khushi madam doesn't know about it"

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"Yes, sir. It's her statement. I had doubts about her. How would a woman do such things, if she is her OWN daughter? No one can be like a MOTHER... No matter what. She will show her real face one day" the AC said. That made Arnav gulp down.

 

To be continued...

 

 

 Part 36 Step Mother

 

When Arnav and Khushi came to RM, everyone slept. It was HP who opened the door.

 

"Khushi is going to stay here. Make needed arrangements" Arnav said.

 

"Jee..."

 

"Bring something for her to eat" he knew she would not have eaten anything as they made her faint.

 

"Jee" HP went to the kitchen.

 

Arnav looked at her and said,

 

"Have something before going to sleep"

 

She nodded.

 

"Let's go..." Arnav said and walked to the guestroom.

 

Khushi followed him. He pushed the door and opened it.

 

"Make yourself comfortable" Arnav said.

 

Khushi nodded.

 

"If you don't feel well tomorrow, you don't have to come to the office. Take a day off"

 

"I think it will not be needed"

 

Arnav nodded and was about to go, but he stopped and looked at her.

 

"It's your friend's birthday tomorrow, right?"

 

Khushi nodded NO.

 

"But, you told Shali when she said she would come to AR to meet you..."

 

"It's not true. To avoid kids from getting disappointed only I lied to them"

 

Arnav already guessed it. He didn't know what to do other than nodding his head.

 

"Take a rest"

 

"Mmm..."

 

"Call me if you want anything"

 

She nodded. Arnav walked to his room. HP brought a plate and kept it on the table with a glass of milk.

 

"Khushiji, there are all the needed things in the cupboard to do morning routine."

 

"Yeah..."

 

"Call me if you want anything. I will be in the kitchen only"

 

"Will you be in RM in the nights also?"

 

"Not every night. My brothers and I will be here in rotation"

 

"Oh, ok..."

 

HP left the place. Khushi locked the door. Taking the plate, she ate roti and Aloo Mutter. She was hungry. She didn't even have coffee in the evening. She didn't have the mood to have anything. Then, Naveen made her faint before she had dinner.

 

After finishing it, she had the milk and laid. She closed her eyes to sleep even though she was confused. She didn't know why she was there. She didn't know what was there in Arnav's mind. Yet, she was there... only because Arnav wanted her to be there. She didn't know what the future stored for her.

 

The next morning

 

Khushi woke up from her sleep and found herself in RM. She didn't like to recall the previous day's bitter happenstances. She got off the bed and went to the washroom. Getting fresh, she came to the kids' room and saw them sleeping. She tapped their cheeks to wake them up. They shrugged her hand off.

 

"Bhachoooo..." She said.

 

Aarav opened his eyes jerking. He stayed still, looking at the roof, without a movement as he didn't know whether it was a dream or real. Khushi controlled her smile, seeing his expression. She again said,

 

"Bhachoooo..."

 

Aarav looked at the direction from where the voice came. His eyes widened unbelievably.

 

"Khushi Didiiiiii..." he jumped off the bed and rushed to her.

 

Khushi hugged him smilingly. Shali and Shamli also woke up hearing Aarav's shout. They needed a few seconds to come out of their sleep. Then only they saw Aarav hugging Khushi.

 

"Khushi Didi...?" they looked at each other.

 

"Yes, she is really here" Aarav said delightedly.

 

"Yeahhhhh...." They ran to her and joined the hug.

 

Their noise almost shook RM. Arnav smiled hearing that as he knew the cause of their happiness whereas Dadi jerked and confused. She headed to the kids' room. She was stunned to see Khushi there.

 

She remembered, Arnav running out of RM last night. Did he run for Khushi?

 

"Khushi..."

 

Khushi smiled at Dadi.

 

"I can't believe it's really you"

 

"How did you come here, Didi?" Shali asked childishly.

 

"An ANGEL brought me here" Khushi replied childishly with a smile. Her smile vanished to see Arnav looking at her standing at the doorstep.

 

"You are lying... Dad brought you..." Shamli giggled.

 

She so wanted to say, I DON'T LIE. Yet, she nodded yes smiling. Dadi looked at Arnav surprisingly. She didn't know what was there in his mind. He didn't want to marry her. At the same time, he brought her home.

 

"Are you going to be here?" Aarav asked.

 

Khushi looked at Arnav as she was not sure about anything.

 

"Yes, she will be here" Arnav said.

 

"Yeahhhh..." They rushed to Arnav and hugged him.

 

"Thanks, Dad... love you so much" they said happily.

 

Dadi gazed at him sharply and tried to read his mind but she failed. After all, he was Arnav Singh Raizada. How would he let anyone read his mind?

 

"Go... get fresh..." Arnav said to children.

 

They nodded ok. Arnav left the room, but not before glancing at Khushi. Dadi followed him.

 

"One minute Arnav..."

 

Arnav stopped. He expected it.

 

"What are you doing?" She advanced him.

 

"What?"

 

"Why did you bring Khushi here?"

 

"Her mother and Naveen tried to kidnap her to Malaysia. I caught them in the Airport at the neck of the moment..."

 

"So?"

 

"She has no one, Dadi. How could I leave her alone? That's why I brought her here"

 

"Are you in a sense? Do you understand what you are doing? Did you think about kids? Didn't you see how happy they are, seeing Khushi here? What will they do if Khushi leaves RM again? They will break down, Arnav. They can't come out of the grief easily. Why are you playing with all of their feelings? Can't you understand them?"

 

"Khushi will not leave RM... she is going to be here... forever..."

 

Dadi was taken aback.

 

"Khushi will not leave RM means? What do you mean? How could she be in RM forever? Doesn't she need recognition? What do you think of her?"

 

"What do you want me to do?" His voice was calm.

 

Dadi let out a weary sigh.

 

"You will think I'm forcing you into something you don't want. I don't want to do it. in fact, I never forced you. There are a lot of differences between forcing and advising. I always need your betterment. So, I advised you"

 

"I know Dadi... I know what is forcing..." he said remembering Garima.

 

"There is nothing I could say, Arnav. You know everything. You don't need anyone to guide you" Dadi said and walked.

 

"Dadi..."

 

She stopped and looked at him.

 

"I... I will marry Khushi"

 

Dadi looked at him unbelievably.

 

"Wh...at...? What did you say?"

 

"I'm ready to marry Khushi"

 

"Are you sure?"

 

He nodded yes.

 

"Why? Why do you want to marry her? just because she has no one? Is she helpless? She doesn't have an option?"

 

"Who said she doesn't have an option? She wanted to go to a women's hostel. She didn't want to come here. It was me who insisted on her and brought her here."

 

"That's nice... so, may I think you want to marry her because you WANT it?"

 

"I will do anything only if I want it... you know that"

 

"Happy to hear this but think twice because this is not about only you. This issue includes an innocent girl. You had a lot of issues with marriage. Get them cleared"

 

Arnav nodded.

 

"I don't know what made you decide it all of a sudden because you were not ready to talk about it yesterday. Today, you look firm. You are next to impossible Arnav..." Dadi smiled.

 

Arnav bit his inner lip not to smile.

 

"May I think you won't get upset with me if I take the proposal forward?"

 

"I will get upset if you DON'T take the proposal forward even after I give my assurance"

 

Dadi lifted her brows and chuckled.

 

"I don't know what happened to my grandson" She went to her room smiling.

 

Khushi who heard their talks stood like a statue as she could not believe it. Her state was not different from Dadi's. She didn't know what made Arnav so firm in the decision. Was he not confused until last night? A beautiful smile crept on her beautiful face.

 

 

Arnav came to his room to get ready for the office. He stood under the shower thinking about his decision. I knew he would eventually fall in love with from here on. As she was going to become his wife, he knew he could not hold himself anymore.

 

Turning the shower off, and wiped his wet body with a towel. He looked at the mirror and saw his item reflection.

 

Being a man of late thirties, wouldn't it be awkward to love a girl? It was going to be embarrassing. He came out of the washroom thinking about it.

 

That was when his phone rang. He took the phone and attended the call as it was from the AC.

 

"Hello sir..."

 

"ASR, could you come to the station"

 

"Sure sir, any problem?"

 

"Yes sir, we found something unexpected"

 

"What did you find?"

 

"The woman we arrested is not Khushi madam's mother. In fact, her name is not even Garima but Sapna"

 

"Whaaaaat?"

 

"Yes, sir. She joined as a maid. Later married her father. Khushi madam doesn't know about it"

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"Yes, sir. It's her statement. I had doubts about her. How would a woman do such things, if she is her OWN daughter? No one can be like a MOTHER... No matter what. She will show her real face one day" the AC said. That made Arnav gulp down.

 

To be continued...

 

 

Part 37 Decision

 

Khushi looked at the AC and said,

 

“AC, sir, leave her but Naveen”

 

She walked.

 

“Khushi, please forgive me, I love you, Khushi” Naveen shouted.

 

Khushi stopped and glared at him gritting her teeth.

 

“If you name it as love, I will kill you without any second thought.” She sneered, taking a step forward.

 

Naveen moved back whereas Arnav was stunned.

 

“Because of you, she became selfish. Giving her gifts over gifts, you made her greedy for silly things. If you had not done that, she might be a nice woman at least, if not a nice mother” Khushi yelled wrathfully.

 

Naveen looked down.

 

“What do you think of me? Do you think I will live with you tolerating your nonsense? What will you do if I put a big stone on your head and kill you?”

 

Naveen looked at her jerking.

 

“Can’t I mix poison with your food? Idiot… what do you think of women? Not all the women are the same in the next lock-up. many things in the world can’t be bought with money. Forgiveness is also one among them. You will get to know that soon.”

 

She took a step to leave.

 

“Khushi please leave me… I will not do anything again”

 

“You can’t do anything for the next few years because you are going to be in jail”

 

“Khushi, please Khushi…”

 

Khushi walked not giving heed to his pleading. Arnav followed her.

 

“Arnav sir, please tell Khushi. You can marry her. I won’t be the hindrance, sir… sir please sir…” Naveen shouted.

 

The AC looked at the constable. He tapped the bars of the lock-up with his lathi. Naveen moved back in the process of saving himself from the lathi.

 

“Shut up… she went. You have no choice other than being in the lock-up” the constable said.

 

“Khushi…” Arnav called her.

 

She stopped.

“Are you sure, Sapna should be released?”

 

She nodded.

 

Arnav looked at the AC.

 

“This is the kidnapping case. We can’t free her as Naveen is also involved in it. if he states in front of the judge, we can do nothing. He will definitely bring her into the case.”

 

“Then, drop the kidnapping case and file a harassment case on him…” Khushi said.

 

The AC raised his brows. Taking a paper, Khushi wrote a complaint against Naveen. She wrote how he tortured her from the beginning. She gave it to the AC. He read it and raised his brows.

 

“According to this statement, we can arrest him under the POCSO Act because he harassed her when she was a minor,” the AC said.

 

Arnav looked at Khushi who said,

 

“Do it, sir”

 

The AC nodded.

 

Khushi was so angry with him that she didn’t want him to come out of the prison at any cause. Arnav and the AC understood Khushi’s anger and how much she hated Naveen.

Khushi walked out wiping her face. Arnav walked faster than her and opened the door for her. He stood, looking at her painful face painfully. He felt bad for her. Khushi sat in the car. Arnav started it towards AR. He glanced at her again and again. She was looking down and wiping her cheeks.

 

“Khushi, I’m sorry for whatever happened to you”

 

She was silent.

 

“I don’t know how to console you”

 

She looked out saying nothing.

 

“Don’t make a decision when you are disturbed” he said.

 

Khushi looked at him. She didn’t know what decision he was talking about.

 

“But, I like what you said”

 

She stared at him without questioning.

 

“You don’t have to be a STEP MOTHER. Just be Khushi Didi to the kids… be like a friend…”

 

Khushi raised her brows. What was he trying to hint through this?

 

“Actually, I asked Dadi to take the proposal forward,” he said changing the gear.

 

“Proposal?”

 

“Our wedding proposal”

 

Khushi was silent.

 

“I think the simple wedding is enough with close relatives and friends”

 

Khushi rotated her wrist watch silently listening to him.

 

“I’m going to call Nani to RM”

 

“Think twice before taking the proposal forward, Sir,” She said.

 

Arnav looked at her frowning.

 

“One more bad example is in front of your eyes…”

 

Arnav knew she was talking about Sapna.

 

“I don’t know why stepmothers are so selfish. So, it’s obvious if you think I will also be the same. It’s not your fault. I can understand that. The design of the human nature is like that. This is not a matter of taking a PLEDGE that I will be a good mother to your children. I will not harm them in any way…! I don’t know how to make you trust me”

 

“Khushi relax… I know what made you weak. Just because a woman used the mother’s position selfishly, you don’t have to feel broken. I always adored your guts. I’m so impressed by the humanitarian virtue of you. I had seen it when you advised Thara and made Monish accept Indar’s sister. I don’t know how you will handle the role of a mother, but, you have humanity more than anyone I have met…”

 

Khushi smiled at him. Arnav felt relieved and content, seeing her smiling.

 

“May I take an off today, sir?” She asked.

 

“Sure… I will drop you in RM”

 

“No, sir. I would like to spend my time with my friend”

 

“Preeto?”

 

She nodded yes.

 

“Ok, I will drop you in Laxmi Nagar”

 

“No, sir. Drop me here. I will take an auto”

 

“That’s ok, Khushi…”

 

“No, sir, it’s already late. You have a client meeting today. You

can go. I will manage…”

 

Arnav sighed and stopped the car at the side of the road.

 

Khushi removed her purse and phone from the bag. She switched her mobile on. She sighed in relief as it switched on.

 

“Is it working?” Arnav asked as it fell when Naveen kidnapped her.

 

“Yeah…” she got out of the car and waved at Arnav.

 

He nodded and waited until Khushi got into an auto.

 

 

AR

 

Arnav came to the office. Aman had finished the needed arrangements to welcome the client.

 

“Is everything ready?”

 

“Yes, ASR”

 

“Khushi is off today”

 

“But why? Is she alright?”

 

“No… she is not”

 

“What happened to her?”

 

“She is highly disturbed”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Arnav told him about the kidnapping scenario. Aman sighed.

 

“Don’t know why she is facing a tough time”

 

Arnav nodded.

 

“She wanted to meet her friend to relax herself. So, I let her go”

 

“Mmm…”

 

“Aman…”

 

“Mmm?”

 

“I decided to marry Khushi”

 

Aman looked at him wondering.

 

“Is it?” he was excited.

 

Arnav nodded yes. In no time, Aman hugged him tight, delightedly.

 

“Does Khushi know that?”

 

“I told her”

 

“Wow… really?”

 

“Yup… she is upset like hell with her mother’s issue. So, I told her not want to delay”

 

“Oh… already started considering your would-be wife’s happiness?”

 

Arnav smiled.

 

“Wow… you are smiling damn it…”

 

Arnav rolled his eyes smiling.

 

“I’m so glad about your damn decision ASR… I will call Khushi”

 

“Yeah, she is with her friend now. Call her later”

 

“Ok, ok”

 

“Let’s concentrate on the client”

 

Arnav and Aman became busy in the client meeting. Arnav looked at his watch and dialled Khushi. he frowned as her phone was switched off. Her phone might have switched off not having charge, he supposed. He dialed Preeto. She attended the call as she saved Arnav’s number.

 

“Hello, sir, how is Khushi?” She asked before he asked her

about Khushi.

 

“Didn’t Khushi come to your house?”

 

“No, sir, was she supposed to come here?”

 

“Yeah…”

 

“I think she will come…”

 

“No, I dropped her in the morning itself. I saw her getting into an auto”

 

“Then why she has not come yet?”

 

“Let me check” he disconnected the call and dialled RM’s number.

 

Dadi attended the call.

 

“Hello…”

 

“Dadi, did Khushi come home?”

 

“Khushi? No… is not she supposed to be with you?”

 

“She went to her friend’s place. I thought she would have reached home by now”

 

“No… she has not come yet”

 

“Ok…”

 

Arnav disconnected the call. Where did she go? He didn’t know what to do, or where to search her. It was almost two hours before he dropped her. Where did she go if she didn’t go to Preeto’s place?

 

Taking the car key, he walked out. When he crossed the reception, the landline rang. The receptionist was not there. Arnav looked here and there for her and attended the call.

 

“Hello,”

 

“Is this AR office?”

 

“Yeah…”

 

“Sir, can I get a detail about Khushi Gupta?”

 

“Khushi? What detail?”

 

“I’m a doctor from JL Hospital. I need to contact someone from Khushi Gupta’s family”

 

“What happened to Khushi? You can tell me”

 

“Sorry sir, It’s personal. I can talk only to her family members”

 

Arnav gulped down.

 

“I’m her husband,” he said.

 

“Husband?”

 

“Yes…”

“Do you know where is she?”

 

“Where?”

 

“In JL hospital”

 

“Why is she there?”

 

“Being her husband, you don’t even know why she is come to the hospital?” the doctor’s tone changed into rough.

 

“I don’t know. Why is she there?”

 

“To remove her uterus” the doctor said making him horrified.

 

To be continued…

 

Part 38 Truth

 

“To remove her uterus,” The doctor said a little harshly.

 

“Whaaaat? How did you take the case, without her husband’s permission? Don’t you know it’s illegal?” Arnav asked more harshly.

 

“Excuse me, sir. That’s why I tried to contact her family”

 

Arnav was stuck.

 

“What did she tell you? What reason did she give you to remove the uterus?”

 

“She just asked me to remove her uterus. I got to know she is a VIRGIN. That’s why I want to confirm if her family is fine with this”

 

Arnav gulped down hard.

 

“I got doubt as she was so adamant to get the operation done. Could you please come in?”

 

“I’m coming”

 

“Ok” the doctor disconnected the call.

 

Arnav ran to the parking lot. He felt helpless. He knew Khushi was in stress but he didn’t expect she would make such a decision. He knew he was the reason for her to make such decision. How would she have felt that she made such decision! He drove the car speedily and reached the hospital. It was a not so big hospital. He enquired in the reception.

 

“Yes, sir?”

 

“Khushi Gupta…”

 

“The doctor is waiting for you, sir. Go to that room,” she pointed at the doctor’s cabin.

 

Arnav came to the cabin and knocked on the door.

 

“Come in” the doctor said.

 

Arnav entered the room.

 

“Yes…?”

 

“I’m Arnav Singh Raizada, Khushi Gupta’s husband…”

 

The doctor leaned on the seat, gazing at him.

 

“What kind of husband you are, sir? Your wife decided to remove her uterus. Do you know what does that mean? She is not ready to carry your child…”

 

Cutting her,

 

“She doesn’t want to carry my child…” Arnav said.

 

The doctor was stuck.

 

“What’s the difference, sir?”

 

“There are a lot of differences…”

 

“You are her husband… but she is still a virgin… being her husband, you are addressing her GUPTA instead of RAIZADA”

Arnav gulped down and said,

 

“We have not married yet”

 

“But, you said she is your wife?”

 

“We are going to get married”

 

The doctor sighed wearily.

 

“But, why does she want to remove her uterus even before your wedding?”

 

“There are some conflictions between us…”

 

“Then talk to her… clear the confliction, sir… she would not have gone to this extent with no reason… right? How could you let her think this way, sir? I don’t know how a girl thought of removing her uterus. What’s the reason, sir? Did she want to REVENGE you?”

 

“Noooo… she is a nice girl. She would have done that to make me trust her”

 

“Trust? From where the trust come here? How could you trust her if she removes her uterus without your knowledge?”

 

Arnav was silent.

 

“Ok… it’s your personal matter. I would like to tell you something. If she did that only to get your trust, she would do anything for you. if it doesn’t work, it will lead to stress her out”

 

Arnav nodded yes.

 

“Did you complete the operation?” Arnav asked hesitatingly.

 

“Doctors are not that irresponsible to do that Mr. Raizada. It’s UTERUS... a divine organ that grows a child. We won’t remove it just like that…”

 

Arnav gulped down.

 

“I just pretended to accept her request and made her unconscious only to find her family details. I’m sorry for checking her purse without her permission. I found her office identity card in her purse. Then only I called you.”

 

“Thank you for your help, Doctor. Is Khushi still unconscious?”

 

“She should have gained her conscious by now”

 

“Where is she?”

 

“In the next room”

 

Arnav stood up to go to the room.

 

“One minute”

 

Arnav looked at her.

 

“I don’t know what’s there between you two. As a doctor, I would like to say something. Be supportive to her. What would have happened if she gone to some other clinic? I’m not telling you this out of pride. No one would consider anything more than money. Make sure she will not make such decision again.”

 

Arnav swallowed hard.

 

“Could you do me a favour, doctor?”

 

The doctor nodded.

 

“Don’t tell her that you didn’t remove the uterus... I will tell her that”

 

The doctor thought for a while and nodded. She understood Arnav wanted her to hide the truth because he didn’t want Khushi to think of doing that again.

 

Arnav was supposed to open the door but he stopped.

 

“How will Khushi trust you completed the operation if she has no pain in her abdomen?”

 

“The medical field improved a lot, sir. KEY HOLE operation will not even give the sensation to the person who has the operation.”

 

“Oh...”

 

Arnav walked to the next room where Khushi was resting. Arnav entered the room and saw Khushi lying on the bed, looking at the roof. Keeping her forearm on his forehead.

He felt a tug in his heart. Khushi was perplexed to see Arnav in the hospital. How did he come there? He came to the bed and sat next to her.

 

“What have you done?” He asked choking.

 

Khushi averted her gaze from his eyes.

 

“How could you do this? How could you make a decision of OUR life individually?”

 

Khushi looked at him surprisingly.

 

“What does your decision mean? Do you think I’m heartless?”

 

Khushi nodded no hurriedly.

 

“Then, why the hell did you decide to remove your uterus, Khushi?”

“I... don’t want you to be restless about having another kid. If I don’t have a child, you will never get the feeling that I’m a STEPMOTHER to your kids”

 

“I told you, you don’t have to become their mother but their friend”

 

“However, it will last only until I become pregnant.”

 

Arnav closed his eyes.

 

“I have no issues not having kids. I told you, your kids are mine too. I don’t know how to make you believe my words do not lie”

 

“When did I say you are lying? Didn’t I say you impressed me?”

 

“I want to impress you for a lifetime. I don’t think I can do it in another way.” She didn’t hesitate.

 

“Khushi, don’t you think I will get hurt by your decision?”

 

Khushi was stuck.

 

“Hurt? But, why Arnavji? Didn’t you avoid getting married only for your kids? You should feel happy that the biggest problem of your life is solved. Your kids will be our kids. No problem will be there in our life. You can be relaxing”

 

“Enough Khushi... Enough... Just stop it. Ok...?”

 

“But, you didn’t think of getting married only for your kids, right? You were alone in your life for more than ten years. You sacrificed your life for your kids...”

 

Arnav stopped her by showing his palm. His stance shook her to the core.

 

“They are not my kids.”

 

Khushi looked at him with disbelief. Arnav nodded yes.

 

“Neither they are my kids nor I’m their father. In fact, I’m not married but a single” He said making her dumbfounded.

 

To be continued...

 

Part 39 Open Talk

 

 

“They are not my kids”

 

Khushi looked at him with disbelief. Arnav nodded yes.

 

“Neither they are my kids nor I’m their father. In fact, I’m not

married but a single” He said making her dumbfounded.

Khushi was gazing at him, and could not understand anything.

 

“What did you say? They are not your kids? You are unmarried?” She asked unbelievably.

 

“They are my sister’s children” Arnav broke the egg.

 

“That means, it was your sister and her husband who died in an accident… not your wife…” She asked.

 

Arnav raised his brows.

 

“How do you know that?”

 

“Aman sir told me”

 

“Aman?”

 

“Mmm… You said you met with an accident and lost the ability to become a father, I thought your wife should also have died in the same accident.”

 

“So?”

 

“I was feeling bad for both of you. That was when Aman sir asked me for a report. I prepared it hurriedly and submitted it to Aman sir but it was utterly a wrong report. That was the first and last WRONG report of my life. Aman sir asked me the reason as he knew me. I told him about your accident. That was when he said you never met with any accident”

 

Arnav looked at her shockingly. She nodded yes.

 

“That was when he said, your sister and jeejaji were the ones who died in an accident and you were not with them. I understood you lied about your father’s ability stuff only to avoid me”

 

“Amannnnn” Arnav closed his eyes murmuring.

 

He looked at her and asked,

 

“That’s why you decided to remove your uterus?”

 

“I had no choice. If you give me such a REASON to AVOID me, what would I do? Even though there are many simple ways to avoid getting pregnant, I wanted to find a PERMANENT solution to this issue because the human mind would get MOOD SWINGS. I don’t want to put you under pressure.”

 

Arnav felt bad not for Khushi but for himself. he didn’t know how he would handle the girl in front of him.

 

“Are you… really an unmarried man?” She asked.

 

Arnav looked at her face. He could not understand if she was in disbelief or excitement. He nodded yes. Khushi averted her gaze with a mild smile. She didn’t know how to stand this. Arnav was SINGLE…! That mere thought tickled her sense. His marital status changed upside down in a few seconds.

 

Arnav could not hold his smile even though he didn’t understand what was running in her mind. Khushi looked at him and said,

 

“My respect for you increased tenfold, Arnavji”

 

Arnav was silent.

 

“My LOVE for you too…”

 

“I don’t like what you did,” he said rigidly.

 

“Leave it, Arnavji…! We should have to lose something to get something…!”

 

Arnav gulped down hard and said,

 

“Some things can’t get back if we lost it once”

 

“We should not let some things go from us after we got it once”

Arnav blankly stared at her.

 

“I like you so much Arnavji. Now I feel it’s worth doing it. Who would stay single for his sister’s kids for more than ten years? You are a selfless man who never thought about yourself even though you have everything…! You don’t have to feel bad for me. You decided to marry me. You will be with me for my lifetime. it’s enough for me”

 

“Everything is ok but removing the uterus. I don’t know what made you do it… I don’t know if I could talk to you about it or not. Did you think about an important issue?”

 

“Are you talking about our sexual relationship?”

 

Arnav was thunderstruck. Yes, he wanted to talk about their sexual relationship. If she knew he avoided her by lying about his father’s ability, how did she think he would take their relationship to the next level?

 

“Arnavji, we don’t have to talk anything about our sexual relationship I suppose. Anything can happen if the circumstance leads us because it’s about our feelings…!”

 

Arnav widened his eyes.

 

“We are going to be together forever. I’m in love with you. I will try to be in my control but I may get attracted to you at some moment… I may lose myself in you because I’m also a human… I too have feelings…!”

 

Arnav fisted his fingers as he got Goosebumps! He noticed one thing. She talked about ONLY her feelings. She didn’t say you might lose yourself.

 

“If something happens between us unexpectedly, I don’t want you to feel BAD about it. I can’t tolerate it because, according to me, it’s not BAD. if you are confident that I can never get pregnant, you will not feel BAD, right?”

 

Arnav touched his forehead with his fingertips, closing his eyes.

 

“I too will not feel bad for getting close to you…” She added.

Opening his eyes, Arnav looked at her through the gap of his fingers. He had the idea to tell her about the FAKE uterus removal operation but now, he changed his mind. He didn’t want to tell her about it. It seemed she had analyzed everything so deeply. How practical she was! She didn’t say ‘I would keep my distance from you’ and didn’t try to cover her real self from him. He found it interesting. Of course, Khushi Gupta was a damn interesting character than anyone he met. Day by day her character was getting shined.

 

“For me, you and the kids are enough,” Khushi said.

 

“But, you lost the ability of becoming a mother…” he said calmly.

 

“I don’t feel bad for losing the ability to become a mother. How could I give you hope in this relationship, without doing that?”

 

“You know I’m firm in my decision of not getting married. Do you think I will get close to you?” he asked with a mild smile.

 

She nodded firmly, making him amazed.

 

“You are already got close to me…” She smiled.

 

Arnav could not deny it. He was closer to her than before. He too knew it.

 

“I’m not talking about THAT CLOSE”

 

Khushi was stuck. She managed herself and said,

 

“Everything is about our MIND, Arnavji. If your mind is ready to accept me, your HEART will also accept me one day”

 

“Don’t you think you look overconfident?”

 

“I may look overconfident but I have no EXPECTATIONS about our relationship. So, you can be relaxing. You don’t have to fulfil my expectations. I know your mindset. So, we don’t have to think about something beyond our marriage. You asked me to be a friend of your children. I will do the same with you too… so relax”

How could he not admire this girl? He stood up.

 

That was when the doctor came to the room. Khushi smiled at her and Arnav stood up.

 

“How are you feeling now?”

 

“Good”

 

“Your husband is upset with you for making such a decision Mrs. Raizada” The doctor intentionally addressed Arnav as her husband and Khushi as Mrs. Raizada.

 

Both of them looked at each other and then at the doctor.

 

“I consoled him,” Khushi said.

 

“Is it?” Arnav asked sarcastically.

 

Khushi bit her lip, looking at the doctor embarrassingly.

 

“Shall I take her home, doctor?” Arnav asked.

 

She nodded. Khushi sat on the bed.

 

“Is it paining?” he asked intentionally not wanting her to get doubt.

 

“No…”

 

“Don’t lie”

 

“No, Arnavji… I don’t feel any pain. It’s a keyhole operation. It would not be painful”

 

“Is it?”

 

Khushi nodded yes and got down from the bed. She walked with him slowly.

 

“We are leaving doctor”

 

“I have to pay the bill,” Khushi said.

 

“I have already paid it,” Arnav said looking at the doctor gesturing for her something.

 

“Yeah, he paid,” she said.

 

Khushi looked at Arnav who didn’t look at her.

 

“Thank you, doctor” Khushi said.

 

“Take care of yourself, Mrs. Raizada”

 

She nodded ok and left with Arnav. When she came out,

 

“I missed my purse in the room,” Khushi said.

 

“You sit here”

 

Arnav made her sit on a chair and came to the room. The doctor saw him.

 

“Khushi’s purse…”

 

The doctor saw the purse on the bed. Taking it from the bed, she handed it to Arnav.

 

“Thank you, so much Doctor… I will pay the bill…”

 

The doctor nodded.

 

Taking his chequebook, Arnav signed it and gave it to the doctor.

 

“Blank cheque?” The doctor was amazed.

 

“For what you did for us… please accept it, Doctor”

 

The doctor took it and filled only the bill amount.

 

“Take care of your wife,” She said.

 

Arnav nodded smiling and came out.

 

“Khushi, let’s go”

 

Khushi stood up and walked with him. She wondered as she didn’t even feel a little pain. So, she walked fast.

 

“Slowly…”

 

“I feel no pain, Arnavji”

 

“Maybe, but it may pain later”

 

“Mmm”

 

“Wait here. I will bring the car”

 

“Ok”

 

Arnav brought the car and opened the door for Khushi. She sat and Arnav started the car.

 

Khushi looked at Arnav and smiled thinking that he was unmarried. Arnav looked at her and asked.

 

“What?”

 

She smiled again.

 

“Whaaaat?”

 

She nodded no and smiled.

 

“What will you tell Dadi about your operation?” Arnav asked casually.

 

Khushi looked at him shockingly.

 

“Are you going to tell her about it?”

 

“Of course… we can’t hide it for long”

 

“Why?”

 

“Don’t you know, after the marriage they will ask for GOOD NEWS?” Arnav said seriously.

 

Khushi was dumbfounded. She composed and said,

 

“She won’t ask me for good news”

 

“Why?” he frowned.

 

“Because she knows YOU,” she said controlling her laughter.

Arnav looked at her shockingly and Khushi burst out laughing.

 

To be continued…

 

Part 40 Condition

 

“She knows YOU,” Khushi said controlling her laughter.

 

Arnav looked at her shockingly and Khushi burst out laughing.

Arnav bit his inner lip to hold his smile.

 

“I mean… Dadi knows how disinterested you are in marriage. That’s what I said”

 

Arnav looked at her with a teasing smile. He wondered, there was no trace of sadness on her face for losing her uterus. She looked genuinely happy.

 

“Please don’t tell Dadi about it, Arnavji”

 

“Ok… when do you want me to fix our wedding?” He asked.

 

Khushi looked at him perplexed.

 

“Answer me… we will have to take off from job”

 

Khushi looked here and there as she didn’t know what to say.

 

“Shall I fix it on coming Friday?”

 

She nodded ok.

 

“Khushi, when did you have your last periods?”

 

Khushi looked at him jerking.

 

“Periods…? But…”

 

“You might have removed your uterus but you will get the same mood swing every month you had before the removal”

 

“Mmm… it’s because my Ovaries are not removed” She said in a low tone.

 

“That’s why I asked your last period date”

 

“I just had it six days ago”

 

“Mmm…”

 

Arnav calculated the date. So, she would get it after twenty-two days. Before that, he had to change her mindset about him. He had twenty-two days to do that… only twenty-two days…!

 

“By the way, Arnavji…”

 

Arnav looked at her coming out of his thought.

 

“How do you know period things?”

 

Arnav was stuck and looked at the road, not answering.

 

“Oh, yeah… how do I forget…? After all, you are a father of three children…” She said seriously.

 

Arnav had a hard time controlling his laughter.

 

She looked at him, tilting her head, and asked teasingly,

 

“Married…?”

 

Arnav was embarrassed. He didn’t know what he would do if she teased him like this.

 

RM

 

They reached RM. Dadi smiled at them.

 

“Khushi, didn’t you go to the office?”

 

“No, Dadi, she is tired. That’s why I brought her home” Arnav answered.

 

“Oh, ok. Go to the room and take a rest” Dadi said.

 

Khushi nodded ok and was supposed to go,

 

“Khushi one minute” Arnav stopped her.

 

She looked at him.

 

“Take your seat,” he said.

 

Khushi looked at Dadi and sat on the couch.

 

“You too sit Dadi”

 

Dadi sat, looking at them. Arnav took a seat opposite them.

 

“We decided to get married Dadi,” Arnav said.

 

Dadi was stuck for a few seconds and nodded ok smilingly.

 

“On Friday…”

 

“You mean, coming Friday?” She raised her brows amazingly.

 

“Mmm… I would like to go for a court marriage but we can’t do it quickly. There are a lot of formalities to be done for the court marriage. So, I decided to get married in a simple way in RM…” Arnav looked at Dadi contently.

 

“I will make arrangements”

 

Arnav nodded ok.

 

“Khushi will be at home until the marriage”

 

Dadi nodded ok.

 

Arnav stood up.

 

“Do you want the kids to be present at your wedding?”

 

Before Arnav answered,

 

“Yes, Dadiji” Khushi said.

 

Dadi looked at Arnav. He nodded affirmatively.

 

“Yes, Dadi, children should be at home. They should know who

Khushi is to them”

 

Dadi nodded ok.

 

“I will talk to our Pandit and make arrangements”

 

Arnav nodded ok.

 

“Shall I call Devyani?”

 

“No, Dadi. I will talk to her”

 

She nodded ok.

 

“Khushi, go to your room and take a rest,” Arnav said.

 

Khushi left the place.

 

“Dadi, I revealed the truth to Khushi”

 

“What truth?”

 

“That, I’m not the biological father of the children”

 

“Is it?”

 

“Mmm”

 

“You had done a very good job”

 

Arnav nodded. That was when he got a call from one of his dealers. He attended it.

 

“Yes, Mr. Gowda…”

 

“ASR, I saw your company’s latest Ad. You look dashing in that.

Congratulations”

 

Arnav smiled.

 

“Thank you, Mr. Gowda”

 

“I wish you all success in modelling”

 

Arnav chuckled.

 

“I’m not interested in modelling. I just did that because my PA

insisted…”

 

“Yeah, she too looks cute in the Ad. Her expression is worth watching. You guys make a good pair”

 

A mild smile crept on Arnav’s face.

 

“Thanks…”

 

“See you, bye”

 

“Bye,” Arnav disconnected the call smilingly.

 

“Was the call about your Ad?” Dadi asked.

 

Arnav nodded yes.

 

“I too watched it. You and Khushi look good together”

 

Arnav smiled.

 

“Are you going to the office?”

 

“Yes, Dadi… I have to go…”

 

“Ok, bid bye to Khushi before leaving RM”

 

“Yeah…”

 

Arnav went to his room and got fresh. Taking a file, he came to the guest room to bid bye to Khushi. He saw Khushi watching TV. At the same time, their Ad ran. Her smile brightened to see Arnav.

 

“Didn’t I say, you are looking handsome…? See, how you are looking!”

 

Arnav came and sat on the bed and watched the Ad. He said nothing even though he wanted to say, ‘Your expression is so cute’

 

Khushi smiled.

 

“Every channel is telecasting it”

 

“It’s because we gave them money” Arnav smiled.

 

“It seems you became a supermodel in a single Ad,” Khushi said smilingly.

 

“Supermodel and me? Come on….” He rolled his eyes.

 

“I can bet. You will get so many phone calls from so many Ad agencies… mark my words”

 

“You know very well how it happened. Modelling is not my cup of

tea”

 

“Yet, people recognized you as a model”

That was when he got a call from an unknown number. He attended it.

 

“Hello, ASR… congratulations”

 

“Who is this?”

 

“Natasha…”

 

“Who is Natasha?” Arnav frowned but Khushi understood. She was the same model who refused to appear on screen with Arnav in the Ad because she wanted to appear with the famous model Ganesh Soman.

 

 

“Natasha, ASR… the famous Model…”

 

“Oh…”

 

“I’m sorry I refused to act in your Ad. You made it. Even though you are not a model, you look unimaginably awesome”

 

“Thanks…”

 

“I didn’t expect this Ad would click. You know how bad I’m feeling for missing it?” She whined.

 

“I’m in a meeting. Excuse me…”

 

“Yeah, yeah, you are a busy man after all… We will talk LATER.

Bye”

 

“Bye,” Arnav disconnected the call.

 

Khushi was smiling at him.

 

“It seems someone is getting flattered by the top model?”

 

“She congratulated me…”

 

“That’s what I said…”

 

“It’s all common in this field. People will flatter if we win. They will mercilessly taunt us if we fail. We should not keep it on our head”

 

“Yeah, the models will fall on you to get chances without

hesitation… that’s also common in this field” Khushi mildly smiled.

 

“What do you think will not happen in my matter because neither I’m a professional model nor I’m going to continue it”

 

“Let’s see”

 

“What do you mean, LET’S SEE? Do you think I will take the chances?”

 

“Why shouldn’t you take the chances if you get good chances?”

 

“Already I’m struggling to handle AR…! Adding to it, modeling? I

can’t waste my time”

 

“Do you think modeling is a waste of time?”

 

“Is not it?”

 

“In your matter, no”

 

“How?”

 

“You did modelling to save your time… remember? We waited for Ganesh Soman for half a day. Not to waste the day and money we spent that day, you become a model. So, don’t say it’s a waste of time”

 

Arnav sighed.

 

“I’m going to the office”

 

Khushi nodded ok.

 

“Take rest… you may not feel pain, but the effect would be in your body. You have LOST an important organ. Be careful” He said seriously.

 

Khushi nodded ok.

 

“Call me if you want anything”

 

“Sure”

 

“And…”

 

Arnav was about to say something, but he stopped as he got a call from Jeff.

 

“One minute…”

 

Khushi nodded.

 

He attended the call.

 

“Hi, ASR…”

 

Cutting him,

 

“If you called me to flatter me for my appearance in the Ad, please stop,” he said wearily.

 

Jeff laughed.

 

“Are people irritating you to the extent of flattering you?”

 

“Why did you call me?”

 

“You are going to be flattered more”

 

“Whaaat?”

 

“Yeah, the top company, India Lives, wants you to appear in their Ad,”

 

Arnav rolled his eyes.

 

“They are ready to give what you demand, ASR”

 

“I’m a businessman, not a model, remember that”

 

“Don’t I know that? I’ve been working for you since you entered this field”

 

“Then, you should have known my interest”

 

“I know… but you acted in an Ad”

 

“I did that for MY(stressing) company”

 

“ASR, you won’t believe, the top models are ready to act with you… I heard Natasha voluntarily approached them to get the chance to appear with you”

 

“Whaaaat? Natasha?” Arnav frowned.

 

“Yeah, the same girl who refused to act with you is trying to get a chance now”

 

“The Ad started telecasting only a day ago. Within two days, why is everyone reacting as if there are no models in India other than

me?”

 

“That’s what business. Everyone will bet on the RUNNING horse only… don’t miss the chance ASR… you can earn well”

 

Arnav looked at Khushi who was smirking at him teasingly. He thought something and answered Jeff that vanished her smile.

 

“Ok… I will act”

 

Khushi looked at him surprisingly.

 

“With one condition…”

 

“What?”

 

“My pair will be Khushi… only Khushi…! I won’t act with other models”

 

Khushi widened her eyes stunningly.

 

To be continued…