LOVE IS NOT BLIND Part(11-18)

 Part 11 Getting ready

 

Arnav was about to leave but he stopped feeling his hand being clutched. He looked at Khushi who was holding his hand securely.

 

“Do you want to tell me something?” Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded yes.

 

“Yeah, tell me…”

 

“I love you, Arnav…” She said keeping his hand on her cheek.

 

Arnav became emotional, seeing her emotional. He sat next to her again.

 

“I like you so much, Arnav. You are a nice man. I have never seen anyone like you. After my father, no one cared for me”

 

“Khushi relax…”

 

“No Arnav, I had no expectations in my life because I thought I had no life but you gave value to my life by giving me a reason to live. Do you know what the reason is?”

 

“What reason, Khushi?”

 

“I want to give you whatever you want… for my whole life…I want to make you happy…”

 

Arnav was about to say something, but stopped hearing,

 

“It’s not kind of compensating… it’s a kind of commitment…! It’s my wish…! I had no wish in my life but now, I do. I have one more wish too…”

 

Arnav was looking at her.

 

“I… I want to SEE you”

 

Arnav smiled.

 

“You will see me soon”

 

“I’m waiting for the day. Akash told me about you many times. I didn’t give heed to it then because you were one in ten at that time. Now, the scene changed…” She smiled.

 

Arnav sensed a hesitation in her. He didn’t know why.

 

“May I ask you something?” She asked.

 

“Tell me, Khushi”

 

“May I… I TOUCH you?”

 

He looked at his hand that was still in her clutch. She was already touching him. then why was she seeking his permission?

 

“Khushi, you are already touching me…”

 

Khushi extended her hand towards his face and touched his head, giving an answer to Arnav. She slowly lowered her palm and touched his forehead… her palm caressed his face slowly. She overdrew his eyebrows with her fingertip. Arnav parted his lips when she touched his eyes… nose… cheeks…! He gulped down hard when she touched his lips.

 

Garima who crossed her room, saw the scene and smiled. She left the place immediately.

 

“You must be beautiful,” she said.

 

Arnav was silent.

 

“Your features seem so clear” she smiled, making Arnav smile.

“Khushi, if you want a SIM, I can get one. You can put it in the phone”

 

Khushi nodded ok.

 

“I need one when you go Abroad,” She said.

 

“Ok…I will get one” Arnav smiled.

 

Khushi nodded ok.

 

Arnav left GH.

 

There were a lot of thoughts in his mind. He didn’t expect Khushi to be so lovable towards him. he had no doubt she loved him… that too, to the extent he didn’t expect. Arnav was satisfied with her approach. He thought he should have put effort into getting her on track but Khushi was a nice girl with great gratitude. He respected her more than he loved her.

 

On the other side,

 

Khushi was caressing a pillow, closing her eyes, imagining Arnav’s face. His forehead… eyebrows… eyes… nose… cheeks… lips…! She smiled.

 

How sweet Arnav was! He cared for her. His love was true. He was not like random guys. He was sincere. Khushi felt lucky to have him as her life partner.

 

……..

 

On the one hand, all the work required for Arnav to go abroad was going on. Arnav also finished the project that should have been completed before he left the job.

At the same time, the relationship between Arnav and Khushi was getting deeper. Arnav got a SIM and gave it to Khushi. They spoke every night before sleep. maximum of them were SWEET NOTHINGS. Arnav almost recorded all of her portions on the phone. Khushi was also getting ready for her exams by listening to the recording and memorized them.

 

The time passed... There was only a week for Arnav to go abroad.

 

Khushi came to Garima’s room.

 

“Amma…”

 

“Tell me Khushi”

 

“I want Babuji’s watch”

 

“Babuji’s watch? Why?”

 

“I want it”

 

Taking it from the cupboard, Garima gave it to Khushi. It was an old model watch with a black strap.

 

“Thanks”

 

“What are you going to do with the watch, Khushi?”

 

“I’m going to give it to Arnav”

 

“But, I don’t think he will like such an old model watch”

Khushi without saying anything about it, said,

 

“Give me your phone”

 

Garima gave it to her. She typed a number on the phone.

 

The call was attended.

 

“Lavanya, are you going to Preeto’s house today?”

 

“Me? Why Khushi?”

 

“didn’t you say you would take me with you?”

 

“Me? When?”

 

“Ok… come and take me”

 

“Khushi, do you want to go somewhere?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“Where?”

 

Khushi was silent.

 

“Arnav?”

 

“Mmm”

 

“Today?”

 

“Yeah, this evening”

 

“Ok… I will come”

 

“Lavanya…”

 

“According to your Amma and Bhai, we are going to Preeto’s house. Right?”

 

“Yes”

 

“Ok, be ready”

 

“Mmm”

 

Lavanya disconnected the call.

 

“Why are you going to Preeto’s house?”

 

“It’s her birthday today”

 

“Oh…”

 

Evening

 

Lavanya came to GH to pick up Khushi.

 

“Amma, I’m leaving”

 

“Be careful”

 

“Don’t worry Aunty, I will safely bring her back”

 

Lavanya started her scooter.

 

“Lavanya, do you Arnav’s house?”

 

“Wow… when are you asking it?” She chuckled and Khushi smiled.

 

“I know his house”

 

“How do you know?”

 

“My cousin’s house is there in his area”

 

“Oh…”

 

Lavanya stopped the bike.

 

“Did we reach?”

 

Before Lavanya said anything,

 

“Hi, Khushi,” Said Preeto.

 

“Preeto, you here?”

 

“Then what? We included Preeto in our plan. So, I called

 

her” Lavanya said.

 

“Let’s go”

They reached Arnav’s house. Lavanya rang the calling bell. Arnav opened the door and got stuck to see Khushi with her friends.

 

“Khushi…”

 

“Hi”

 

“Come…”

 

“You take her inside. We will just come” Lavanya said.

 

“Where are you going?” Khushi asked.

 

“Didn’t I say, my cousin is also in this area? I will meet

her and come”

 

Khushi nodded ok. Arnav took Khushi inside. His neighbour who ogled at Arnav saw that and frowned.

 

“Khushi, I would have come to GH if you called me”

 

“That’s why I didn’t call you” She chuckled.

 

“Means?”

 

“Should I come to your house?”

 

“This is OUR house”

 

“I wanted to meet you before you leave India”

 

Arnav pressed his lips tight.

 

“It’s just two days…” Khushi said feeling sad.

 

Arnav held her hands and said,

 

“It’s just three months. To achieve something big, we have to sacrifice our little happiness. Right?”

 

She nodded yes.

 

“Sit… I will bring you something”

 

He made her sit on the couch.

 

“I will have later. You come and sit with me”

 

Arnav sat next to her. In no time, Khushi leaned on his shoulder and circled his bicep.

 

“I don’t know how I’m going to be without listening to your voice”

 

“We can hear one another’s voice through the phone”

Khushi pouted.

 

“Just three months Khushi… after that, we will be together forever. At that time, you would have gotten your vision back”

 

Khushi’s lips curved slightly.

 

“I will SEE you,” she said excitedly.

 

“Mmm…” Arnav smiled.

 

“You know how excited I am to see you?”

 

“How?” he asked smilingly.

 

“I won’t tell you about it now. Just experience it”

 

“You are making me curious,” he said smiling.

 

“Not more than you made me…”

 

“Did I make you curious?”

 

“Didn’t you?”

 

“How do I know?”

 

“You did… with your love… with your care… with your concern…”

 

Khushi sat straight and cupped his face. Arnav looked at her smilingly. He was stunned when Khushi pressed her lips on his forehead. Arnav closed his eyes and gulped down. She hugged him tight, making his condition miserable.

 

“My heart aches to get separated from you,” she said sadly.

 

“We are not getting separated. We can never… I will not let it happen” he touched her head.

 

Khushi snuggled into his chest more.

 

To be continued…

 

Part 12 Beauty

 

"My heart aches to get separated from you," Khushi said sadly.

 

"We are not getting separated. We can never... I will not let it happen" he touched her head.

 

Khushi snuggled into his chest more. Arnav smiled mildly. He didn't expect Khushi would break all the hesitation obstacles between them.

 

"When will you come back?" She asked worriedly.

 

"It's a ninety-day project. Ninety-first day, I will be in front of you"

 

She sat straight.

 

"I would like to give you something. Will you accept it?"

 

"What?"

 

She pulled her father's watch from her kurti pocket.

 

"This is my father's watch. Will you take it?"

 

"I will take whatever you give me"

 

Khushi smilingly tied it to his right hand.

 

"Looking good," Arnav said.

 

"Lie... It's an old model watch..."

 

"But given by you... Anything that reflects your love would be beautiful"

 

Khushi kissed his knuckle.

 

"You know what,  no one is like you," she said.

 

"No one is like you too...! By the way, why are you becoming emotional? I thought you were a strong girl but looking so naive"

 

"I too don't want to be naive but you made me"

 

"Me?"

 

"Yes... You are making me weaker with your love. You know how strong I have been...! This is why we should not get committed"

 

Arnav smiled.

 

"Arnav..."

 

"Mmm?"

 

"How do I look like?"

 

Arnav looked at her surprisingly.

 

"Tell me... I want to know how genuine you are"

 

"Means?"

 

"I will see myself in the mirror when I  get my vision. I will check if your words are true"

 

"You are the most beautiful woman in the world..."

 

Khushi rolled her eyes.

 

"Anything that makes our heart peaceful would be beautiful. You give peace to my heart. So, according to me, you are the most beautiful woman in the world"

 

"Oh... I give peace to your heart... That's why I'm beautiful?"

 

"you are looking like a rainbow"

 

Khushi dropped her jaw.

 

"What... Am I looking like a rainbow?"

 

"I mean colourful... Black hair... Hazel eyes... White face... Pinky lips... Having four colours on your face, you are looking so colourful"

 

Khushi was embarrassed even though Arnav's voice was so normal. She didn't know how to react to it. Arnav saw her suffocating. He smiled inwardly.

 

"Khushiiiii..."

 

"Haan...?"

 

"What happened?"

 

"It's been a long time since I saw myself in the mirror. I don't know what I look like"

 

"When you get your vision back, you will see yourself in the mirror. At that time, my voice will echo in your ear" he said.

 

"Won't you say that looking into my EYES?" She asked making him stuck.

 

EYES...! Now, also, he was looking into her eyes only. Now she didn't know he was looking at her. But the scene would not be the same after she hit her vision. That thought tickled his senses.

 

"I will... I will tell you looking into your eyes"

 

That was when they heard a knock on the door. Arnav went to check. He got stuck seeing his neighbour girl standing. She was weary and angry.

 

"Who is she?" She asked.

 

"My would-be wife" Arnav didn't hesitate.

 

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

 

"Who asked you to die for me?"

 

"Why did you choose her over me?"

 

"Why should I answer you?"

 

"Aren't you even interested in answering me?"

 

"Who are you to me?"

 

The girl was supposed to say something, but she stopped hearing,

 

"Arnav... What's happening there?"

 

The girl went inside to answer Khushi, but she got stuck, seeing Khushi searching for Arnav, extending both hands while moving towards him. She looked at Arnav thunderstruck. Khushi was supposed to bang on the chair Arnav rushed to her and held her hand protectively.

 

The girl gulped down hard.

 

"Who is that Arnav?"

 

"My neighbour..."

 

"Is she...?" The girl asked.

 

"Mmm... She is visually impaired..." Arnav said.

 

The girl looked at Khushi miserably and got out of the house hurriedly.

 

"Who is that Arnav?"

 

"Forget her... Come, before your friend comes to pick you up, have something"

 

Arnav took her to the kitchen and made her lean on the kitchen slab.

 

"Is she in love with you?" Khushi asked.

 

Arnav got stuck for a while and said,

 

"Maybe"

 

"Don't you like her?"

 

"I didn't even consider her₹

 

"Why?"

 

"I don't know..."

 

"Poor she! She sounds upset"

 

Arnav silently prepared orange juice and gave it to Khushi.

 

"What's her name?"

 

"Bapitha"

 

"Could you take me to the girl?"

 

"But why?" He was perplexed.

 

"To apologize to her"

 

"You don't have to apologize to anyone. Understand?"

 

"But Arnav..."

 

"Even though I don't Love you, I would not have loved her because I don't feel anything for the girl. So, don't blame yourself for something you are not the reason for... Understand?"

 

"Mmm..." She pouted.

 

"Khushi, no matter who loves us... Who we love is what matters... Ok?"

 

"But, their pain will affect us, Arnav, because, love pain is the worst pain in the world"

 

"But, you are not the reason for her pain. You didn't snatch her happiness because I don't like her..."

 

Khushi sighed.

 

"Khushi relax... Just forget her. Ok?"

 

"Mmm"

 

Khushi had the juice.

 

"You are having something made by me for the first time. Instead of telling me how it is, you are bothering me about someone... You disappointed me, Khushi..." He tried to divert her.

 

"It tastes so sweet like you"

 

"Really?"

 

"Mmm"

 

"By the way, when did you taste me?"

 

Khushi was about to say something but stopped understanding the question. Her cheek became red, wondering Arnav.

 

"Won't you answer me?" He asked

 

She blushed with a cute smile.

 

"One more colour added to your colourful feature..."

 

"Haan?"

 

"Red... Your cheeks became red"

 

Khushi bit her lip.

 

They again heard a calling bell sound. Khushi's facial expression changed. She thought it was Bapitha. So did Arnav. He opened the door furiously to shout at her but controlled himself to see Khushi's friends.

 

They smiled at him.

 

"Please come" he gave them space to enter.

 

Lavanya and Preeto entered.

 

"Shall we go, Khushi?"

 

"Mmm," she said restlessly. She didn't want to leave Arnav... Just like a typical lover.

 

"We will wait if you want to be with him," Preeto said seriously.

 

"That's ok... Her mother will be waiting for her" Arnav said.

 

Khushi nodded yes.

 

"Will you come to GH before leaving India?"

 

"Will surely come. How will I leave India without meeting you?"

 

Khushi nodded ok.

 

"I'm leaving"

 

"Take care"

 

"Bye..."

 

Lavanya and Preeto brought Khushi out. She was supposed to sit on Lavanya's bike, but stopped hearing,

 

"One minute..."

 

Khushi stopped as it was Bapitha's voice. Arnav advanced Khushi before Bapitha hurt her by saying anything.

 

"I'm sorry, I don't know you are visually impaired...! Arnav is a nice guy. He will take care of you"

 

Arnav was struck.

 

"I, too, am sorry. Somewhat, I'm the reason for your pain"

 

"No... It's all destined."

 

"Are you upset with me?"

 

"Not at all..."

 

"Please, settle down with someone. I will be happy"

 

"I will try. All the best"

 

"Thank you so much. You are a nice girl. May Devi Maiya bring someone into your life that understands you"

 

"Thanks..." Bapitha smiled.

 

"Bye," Khushi said.

 

"Bye"

 

Khushi left the place with her friends. Bapitha went to her house without looking at Arnav, making him wonder.

 

To be continued...

 

 

 Part 13 Lie

Two days later

Khushi was suffocating like hell. Arnav was going abroad that day. She called Arnav but he didn’t attend her call. She came out and called Akash.

“Bhai…”

“Tell me, Khushi”

“Take me to the airport. I want to send Arnav off”

“Khushi, he has time… we don’t know if he went to the airport”

“We will wait for him. However, he will go to the airport”

That was when they heard, Arnav calling,

“Khushiiii….”

Khushi rushed to him and Arnav held her hand.

“You came…”

“How do I leave India without seeing you?”

“I will come to the airport to send you off”

“It’s not necessary Khushi. Tomorrow your exams are starting… study well, being at home”

“I have studied already. I heard your recording many times. I’m through now…”

“It’s ok, Arnav… I will bring her to the airport” Akash said.

“Ok…” Arnav said.

“I will go with Arnav in the cab”

“Ok… I will come on my bike” Akash said.

Arnav took Khushi to the car. The cab driver started the car. Khushi leaned on his shoulder, circling his bicep. Arnav touched her hand lovingly.

“I wish three months should fly in the blink of an eye,” she said.

“It will…”

She entwined her fingers with his and kissed his knuckle. She smiled sensing him tying her father’s watch. She caressed it smilingly.

“Do you tie it?”

“How won’t I when you gave it to me?”

“Why are you so much in love with me?”

“Some questions are unanswerable…” he smiled.

“I never thought my life would take such a beautiful turn”

“It will take another turn After your exams when you start to see the world”

“It will not be the big turn… The biggest turning point of my life is when I see YOU”

“Don’t be so emotional, Khushi. Be like a warrior… not a worrier”

“I will fight against the world if you are with me”

“Means, won’t you fight for me?”

“What do you think? I will even kill the whole world for you”

Arnav smiled.

“I said don’t be emotional”

“If it is about you, I will be… can’t help”

“Ok, tell me what do you want me to buy from abroad?”

“I don’t want anything. You just come back and marry me” she pouted.

They reached the Airport. Arnav got out of the cab and helped Khushi to get down. He was supposed to take the luggage from the dicky, the cab driver said,

“I will get them, sir. you be with her”

He kept his luggage down and Arnav paid him.

“Congratulations on your marriage, sir”

Arnav spilt a lopsided smile and Khushi said smilingly,

“Thank you, bhaiya”

Taking his luggage, Arnav walked with Khushi, clutching her hand. Akash was already waiting for them. Khushi was with him until the final announcement of his flight.  Arnav looked at her after the final announcement.

“Khushi, I will call you every day. Ok?”

“Mmm”

“Take care. Do your exams well, bye,”

“Bye…” she choked.

“Khushi, send me off with a smiling face. How could I go if you cry?”

Khushi gulped down her tears and smiled.

“I will be waiting for you…”

“I will be counting the days to come back to you”

Arnav gave her hand to Akash. He held her hand.

“Take care…”

Akash nodded. Arnav walked to the immigration.

“Let’s go, Khushi” Akash said.

“Bhai, please wait until his flight take-off”

“But why?”

“What if his flight is delayed? He will be alone here”

“Khushi, he already went to the immigration. His flight will take off in a few minutes…”

“We will wait for a few minutes…”

Akash sighed.

“Ok,” he made her sit on a chair.

Khushi waited until the announcement confirmed that Arnav’s flight had taken off.

“shall we go now?”

“Mmm…” Khushi stood up sadly.

“Khushi relax, he will come in three months…”

“He went to abroad for me. he is not interested in going abroad but he does that for me”

“Khushi, going abroad is purely his decision. We didn’t ask him to go. He does that because he wants to marry you”

“Bhai, you can’t understand. Let’s go”

Akash brought her home.

“Did Arnav bituwa leave?”

“Mmm…” Khushi went to her room all sad.

Garima looked at Akash.

“I didn’t expect Khushi would become so fond of Arnav,” Akash said.

“Yes, I too didn’t expect it. I don’t know what made her fall for him” Garima said.

Akash left the place sighing.

Khushi completed her exams one by one. Only one exam was remaining. Arnav used to call her every night from Kuwait. As Khushi didn’t have an Android phone, Arnav used to call her through an ISD card. As its timing was limited, Khushi decided what to talk to talk to him before receiving his call.

“Only one exam is remaining”

“All the best. Complete the exam. Then, I will arrange for your operation”

“no urgent. My operation can be done after two months”

“but why?”

“After you come to India”

“Khushi, until I come to India, will you be waiting for me?”

“I’m used to be in the darkness. It’s not new to me. It’s just two months”

“Listen to me… don’t waste time… that’s final”

“But…”

“If you respect me, don’t deny me”

“Ok,” she pouted.

“Don’t pout” he smiled.

Khushi widened her eyes and asked,

“how do you know?”

“I know”

“It’s because you are Arnav” She chuckled.

“Ok, prepare for the last exam…”

“Mmm, bye”

“Bye”

They disconnected the call.

 

The next day

Akash took Khushi to the exam centre. He dropped her and came outside. That was when a man came to him. Akash became excited to see him.

“Sir, you?”

“Do you know me?”

“Of course, I do, sir. You are Vinesh Chopra. I came to your company for an interview”

“Is it?”

“Yes, sir”

“What about the interview result?”

“I’m still waiting sir”

“I came to Goa with my friends”

“I see…”

“Who is the girl you dropped in the university?”

“She is my sister, sir”

“I saw her two days ago when you picked her up from the university. I like her. I would like to marry her”

Akash was stuck.

“I’m sorry, sir. She is committed”

“Committed means?”

“My friend wants to marry her. He went abroad to earn money for her eye surgery”

“Eye surgery?”

“Yes, sir, she is visually impaired”

“Whaaat?”

“Yes, sir… but my friend has made all the needed arrangements for her operation. We registered in the eye bank too. Soon, she will be operated on. Then she will get her vision back”

“So, what? I will do her surgery… not only that, I will make you a manager of my company with five per cent shares. I like your sister very much. I really mean it. What say?”

“She won’t agree to marry you, sir. She loves my friend Arnav very much”

“If you are ready, I have an idea. You just implement it”

“What idea, sir?”

“According to her, I’m Arnav”

“Whaaaat?”

“You will have to make her trust me”

“It’s not an easy task sir”

“not easy… but not impossible though… if you cooperate with me, we can do it. Just think, you will get a life you can’t even imagine. Your sister will live like a queen… you can get such a life if you are ready to LIE that, I’m Arnav…”

Akash was stuck.

“who are there in your family?”

“I, my sister and my mother”

“Let me talk to your mother”

Akash nodded ok. Akash didn’t know what to do. So he wanted to leave it to Garima. If she was ready to go with Vinesh Chopra’s idea, he decided to accept it.

To be continued…

 

 

 Part 14 Ploy

 

Garima saw a RICH guy getting out of a costly car in front of her house. She was awestruck to see Akash with the man. She asked him through gestures who he was. Akash pulled her inside the house, clutching her hand.

 

“Mom, he is a managing director of Siya’s company, Mumbai…” Akash introduced him to Garima.

 

“Oh… Namasteji” Garima greeted Vinesh Chopra.

He smiled.

 

“You went to his company for an interview, right?” She asked.

 

Akash nodded yes.

 

“How does he come here?” She asked whispering.

 

“I will tell you aunty,” Vinesha said.

 

Akash was silent.

 

“I saw your daughter Khushi two days ago. From the time I saw her, I’m thinking only about her. I like her very much. I would like to marry her”

 

Garima was dumbfounded. She didn’t know what to say.

 

“But…”

 

Cutting her,

 

“If I marry her, I will make Akash a manager of my company and will make him a five per cent shareholder. Your daughter will live like a queen in my palace. She will roil on Money... she will become an owner of millions”

 

Garima looked at him stunningly.

 

“Akash told me she is visually impaired. You don’t have to bother about it, Aunty. I will arrange A class treatment for her…”

 

“No, her operation is already arranged. Her fiancé arranged for her operation. He went to abroad only to treat her. Khushi loves him” She said hesitatingly.

 

“So what, Aunty? It’s all common nowadays. Loving someone and marrying another one became a simple thing...”

 

“Maybe, but Khushi is not that kind of a girl. She will not accept your alliance” Garima said sadly.

 

“Will you give her a hand if she accepts me?”

 

“There is no chance of it. Khushi will not change her mind because she loves Arnav so deeply”

 

“Ok… if she doesn’t want to accept Vinesh, she can accept me as Arnav who is her fiancé”

 

“Whaaat? What are you saying?”

 

“If you are fine with my plan, I will EASILY marry her”

 

“It will not be easy like you are thinking….”

 

“It will… if we will REPLACE Arnav with me”

 

“Whaaat?” Garima could not understand what he said.

 

“Yes, when Khushi gets her vision back, I will be in front of her as Arnav…”

 

Garima looked at Akash who was awestruck.

 

“You don’t think about the negative features of your plan. She may be blind but she is sharp in other senses. She knew Arnav’s voice, his smell, his touch…”

 

“No problem… I will manage”

 

“But how?”

 

Vinesh explained his plan. Akash and Garima were thunderstruck.

 

“But, Khushi is an angry girl. She will get angry with us if she gets to know the truth”

 

“What will she do if she gets to know the truth after our marriage?”

 

Garima looked at Akash suffocating. They didn’t know what Khushi would do.

 

“She is a good girl. So, she will not forget her boyfriend, if it is so, what will she do with her husband? Will she leave me for her boyfriend after our marriage?”

 

They were silent.

 

“So, you are not sure… I will use the doubt in my favour. Ok?”

 

“But, she will not forgive us”

 

“Why won’t she forgive you if she gets the BEST life?”

 

“Arnav will not leave this issue simply”

 

“When will he be back?”

 

“In one and a half months”

 

“we will finish the wedding before he comes. Then what will he do? He could not even step into my territory”

 

Akash squeezed his hands. He knew Arnav. He got angry with him for hiding the truth about Khushi. He would become a beast if he was betrayed. He would even kill Khushi and him.

 

“Tomorrow I will come with your appointment order and also the documents for the shares…”

 

Vinesh took a step to leave but he stopped and looked at them,

 

“Do you know the value of five per cent shares?”

 

They were silent because they didn’t know the value.

 

“Five crores… my business worth is a hundred crores,” Vinesh said with a smirk, making the mother and the son dumbfounded. Garima and Akash’s faces wore greedy smiles. Five Crore…! It was such an amount that they could not even dream of. To get five crores, they were ready to do anything.

 

After the exam, Akash brought Khushi home. When she entered GH, she got a call on her phone. She

attended it. Her face brightened as the call was from Arnav.

 

“Hi, Arnav… how do you call me in this hour?”

Akash and Garima looked at each other. Khushi walked to her room, talking with him.

 

“To ask you, how did you take your exam”

 

“It was so easy. Thank you so much for spending time to record my portions…”

 

“Don’t be formal… I won’t be like you”

 

“Means?”

 

“I will not thank you for making coffee for me, cooking for me…”

 

Khushi laughed.

 

“no matter if you accept my thanks, I will be thankful to you for my whole life because no one is like you”

 

Garima looked at Akash, who was also in the same state as Garima.

 

“Ok, save all your thanks. I will get them after our wedding. Ok?”

 

“Do you want me to be thanking you after our marriage without doing anything?”

 

“Not at all, I know how to stop you from thanking me”

 

“Really? How?”

 

“I will simply ask you am I a stranger or what?”

 

“You are not a stranger… you can’t be”

 

“Then, stop thanking me. you have all the right to ask me anything…”

 

“Ok ok… I won’t thank you. To show my right to you, arrange my operation… ok?”

 

“As you said, madam…”

 

Khushi chuckled.

 

“One minute…”

 

“Mmm…”

 

There was silence for a few seconds.

 

“Done,” Arnav said.

 

“What?”

 

“I transferred money to Akash for your operation, ok?”

 

Khushi heard a beep sound of Akash’s phone. Akash looked at the message and was dumbfounded.

 

“Whaaat? But why?”

 

“Didn’t you ask me to arrange for your operation?”

 

“I just…”

 

“It’s ok… get your operation done”

 

“But I will have to wait for one and half months without seeing you”

 

“I will also” Arnav smiled.

 

Khushi pouted.

 

“Ok, I have to go…bye”

 

“Bye… take care,” She said.

 

“Yeah, sure… I will take care of myself to come to you all fit and fine” he kissed the phone.

 

Khushi sat on the bed smilingly. She came out and called Akash.

 

“Bhai, Arnav deposited money to your account for my operation”

 

“Haan, I just received it,” Akash said.

 

“Arnav doesn’t want to delay my operation”

 

“I will also feel the same… I will consult the doctor tomorrow. We will do your operation if the eyes are available in the eye bank,” Akash said.

 

Khushi nodded ok and went to her room smilingly.

 

Garima clutched Akash’s hand and pulled him outside.

 

“I don’t think Khushi will forget Arnav. Did you see how happily she talked to him”

 

Akash nodded yes thoughtfully.

 

“Vinesh sir so confidently says he will take care of her…”

 

“I’m scared, Akash…”

 

“Amma… Five crores… just think about it… we can’t even think of such a huge amount in our life”

 

“Do you think we can implement his plan?”

 

“It’s not easy but we can... we have to. We should make Khushi believe Vinesh is Arnav. Then nothing will go wrong”

 

“She will find out the truth if he touches her”

 

“He will not… until their wedding. I will ask Vinesh sir to keep his distance from her. I will ask him to use the same perfume Arnav uses. I will tell him everything from the beginning that happened between Khushi and Arnav… I believe we can manage”

 

Garima became nervous… of course, Akash too. They planned well to betray Khushi but they didn’t know there were many things they didn’t know that happened between Arnav and Khushi.

 

They thought they could show a CAT as a LION in Khushi’s eye but they forgot… she was a LIONESS.

 

To be continued…

 

Part 15 Operation is over

The next day

Vinesh came to GH with the appointment order and his company’s shared document. Garima gestured for Vinesh that Khushi was in her room. He nodded ok.

“Don’t talk” She warned in a low tone. Yet, Khushi heard it.

“Amma, did you say something?” she asked.

“Me? No… I didn’t say anything”

Akash came out and smiled at Vinesh. He gestured for Akash to sign the documents. Akash signed them without thinking. Vinesh sat in the couch looking at Khushi.

“Khushi…” Akash called her.

“Haan, Bhai?”

“Come here”

Khushi came out of her room. Vinesh wondered seeing her walking so casually, without trouble.

“I got a job in Mumbai,” Akash said.

Khushi’s face lit.

“Really?”

“Yes… just got the appointment order”

“Congratulations Bhai…”

“Thank you, Khushi”

“From the time, Arnav stepped into our house, everything has been going well for us” Khushi said making all of them embarrassed.

“I’m thinking about shifting to Mumbai, Khushi”

“Yeah, you should go… you don’t worry about me. Arnav will come in a month. He will take care of me. you just carry on.”

She stopped for a while and called,

“Amma…”

“Haan?”

“You don’t need to go to Mumbai. I know you will not leave the house built by your husband. Arnav will take care of you too…”

Garima gulped down.

“No, Khushi. Amma is willing to come with me”

“Is it?” Khushi frowned.

“Yeah… what will Akash do for food? How can I leave him alone?”

Khushi nodded thoughtfully.

“Do one thing, Khushi… you too come to Mumbai and stay with us until Arnav comes to India”

Khushi nodded ok.

“Yes, until our marriage, I will be with you two. Arnav will also say the same”

Vinesh closed his eyes, hearing her taking the name Arnav again and again.

“Bhai, did you tell Arnav about your job?”

“No, Khushi. You too don’t tell him anything”

“But why?”

“We will surprise him…what say?”

Khushi smiled biting her lip.

“He will definitely get surprised…”

“Yeah, we will go to Mumbai after your operation. We will send him the photos from Mumbai”

Khushi nodded ok.

“Khushi, what about doing your operation in Mumbai?” Garima asked slowly.

“No, Amma…” came from Khushi hurriedly.

“I will do my operation in the hospital where Arnav was with me. I will not agree to do it in Mumbai”

Garima and Akash looked at Vinesh helplessly.

At the same time, Khushi got a call from Arnav. She attended it delightedly.

“Arnav…”

“Khushi, I have glad news for you”

“Glad news? What’s that?”

“I just got a call from your doctor. The eyes are ready…”

“Really?”

“Yes… he is fixing your operation in two days”

“My God… I can’t believe this”

“Try to believe madam…” Arnav smiled.

“I love you so much, Arnav”

“I too love you too much”

Khushi laughed with happy tears.

Akash and Garima were watching Vinesh whose eyes were only on Khushi. We could not say what he was thinking. His face looked rigid but jealousy was clearly visible.

“I’m going to see you soon”

“Not so soon… only after I come to India”

“No way. I will see you in Akash’s collage album”

“don’t you dare do that Khushi”

“Why?”

“I would not look good in those photos”

“But, Akash said girls died for you…”

“I think I look better now…”

“I will tell you which one is better”

“Khushi…”

“Ok ok… I will wait until you come”

“That’s my girl. Ok, baby, I call you to tell you the matter”

“Ok, we will talk tonight as usual”

“Ok, bye”

“Bye”

“Akash, I got eyes for my operation”

Akash l; looked at Vinesh who gestured for him to go ahead.

“Thank God… it’s really good news. I will go to the hospital and talk to your doctor” Akash said.

Khushi nodded ok and went to her room.

Vinesh stood up and walked out. Akash and Garima followed him.

“Do you think, you can change Khushi’s mind?” Akash asked.

“She will change her mind, seeing my life style” He said confidently.

“You guys just follow my instructions. Nothing should go wrong.”

They nodded ok.

……….

Khushi’s operation was fixed. Arnav and Khushi were so excited about it. Arnav didn’t know how he would stay abroad without seeing Khushi. Both of them got ready for the exciting phase of their life.

Khushi’s operation was done. Khushi was lying on the bed. The Band-Aid of eyes had not been removed yet.

“Khushi, get up, drink this juice,” Garima said.

Khushi sat on the bed and asked,

“Amma, where is my phone? Why Arnav didn’t call me?”

“Phone? It was with you only… where did you keep it?”

“I kept it with my things before going to the operation theatre…” she said restlessly.

 I didn’t see your phone here. Why didn’t you give it to me, Khushi?”

“Amma, how do I talk to Arnav now? Where is Akash? When will he come? Arnav will try my number. If he doesn’t get my line, he will call Akash”

“Akash went to deliver things. He will come late. Don’t you know that?”

“Akash got a job in Mumbai. Then why is he still working?”

“What are you asking Khushi? Until we go to Mumbai, we need money to run our life. There are many expenses ahead for us. We should shift our things to Mumbai… should find a house there… don’t we need money?”

Khushi felt helpless.

“Amma, where is your phone?”

“It’s here only”

Khushi sighed in relief. She called Arnav once from Garima’s number. If Arnav saved her number, he would call her on her number. She believed but Arnav didn’t call her because Garima and Akash changed their number already. Khushi felt distraught not talking to Arnav. She wanted to convey the message that she missed her phone.

 

On the other side, Arnav was losing his patience. He was trying Khushi and Aaksh’s numbers but they were out of order. He knew Khushi’s operation was over. He spoke to the doctor and got the details.

Without having any choice, he called the doctor.

“Hello, Mr. Raizada…”

“Doctor, when will you check Khushi?”

“Going to…I will be in her room in five minutes…”

“Doctor, I don’t know what happened to her phone. It’s out of order. I will call you after five minutes. Could you please let me talk to Khushi?”

“Sure…”

“Thank you, doctor…”

Arnav waited, biting his nail. He called the Doctor after six minutes. The doctor attended the call.

“Yeah, one minute… Khushi, Arnav is on the line” he passed his phone to Khushi, making Garima shock.

Taking the phone, Khushi spoke,

“Arnav…”

“Khushi, what happened to your phone? Why it’s out of order?”

“I missed my phone”

“Whaaat? When? Why didn’t Akash say anything to me about it?”

“Didn't you call him?”

“His phone is also out of range”

“Is it?”

“I think he would be out of town for delivery”

“Mmm…”

“I will get you a new Android phone. I will send it through someone”

“Mmm…my operation is over”

“Is it paining?”

“Slightly… it’s pricking… feels like the dust has fallen into my eyes and feels like want to rub it”

“You should not do it”

“Not doing”

“Good… it will be just for a while… everything will be all right”

“I miss you so much”

“I too miss you like hell…”

“I will be waiting to see you”

“Will be in front of you right after my contract is over”

“Mmm”

“Bye…”

“Bye”

Khushi extended the phone to the doctor. Taking it, the doctor disconnected the call and tested Khushi.

Garima called Akash and told him about Arnav’s phone call. Akash sighed in annoyance. He didn’t know how he was going to stop Arnav. Without any choice left, Akash let Arnav talk to Khushi through his OLD sim.

Khushi’s eye band-aid was removed. She opened her eyes slowly and saw Garima and Akash. She hugged them delightedly.

“Doctor, shall we go home?”

“Yeah, you can…”

“Thank you doctor” Akash shook hands with Akash and left.

That was when, Akash got a call on his phone. Akash attended it.

“Whaaaat? When? How?”

“…..”

Akash looked at Khushi shockingly.

“What happened, Akash?”

“Arnav met with an accident” Akash said making Khushi horrified.

To be continued…

 

 Part 16 As per the plan

“Arnav met with an accident” Akash said making Khushi horrified.

Khushi rushed to him and held his shoulders.

“What did you say? What did you say?”

“Haan, Khushi it’s a call from Abroad. Arnav gave me my phone number as an alternative number it seems. When he was examining their new chemical plant, part of the plant collapsed and fell on him but his life is not in danger.”

Khushi sighed with tears.

“The company is sending him to Mumbai for treatment.”

“Mumbai?”

“Yeah, his company is collaborating with the hospital it seems. Khushi, you just got your eyes operated. You should not cry. Arnav wanted you to get your vision back. If you cry, your eyes will spoil. Don’t make his effort go in vain…”

Khushi bit her lip and tried but she could not.

“I want to see him”

 “Don’t worry. we will go to Mumbai, ok?”

She nodded ok and wiped her cheek.

“Amma, we don’t know how many days we have to stay in Mumbai. However, I will have to shift to Mumbai in a month or two. I will find a broker online and ask him to find a house…”

“We need money to settle down in Mumbai. What will you do?”

“I will try to get a loan from my friends”

“No need. We have a lot of expenses there. Transportation, advance for the new house, and we don’t know what’s Arnav’s condition. We don’t know how long he will be in the hospital. After all, he is our son-in-law… we should be supportive of him. Calculate everything…”

“It seems we need a few lakhs there,” Akash said sadly.

“Do one thing… try to get money by mortgaging our house”

Khushi looked at her shockingly.

“It seems we have no choice…” Akash said.

“But, Amma… it’s the only property you have”

“So what, Khushi? Akash got a job in Mumbai. He will settle down soon. Stand for Arnav is a must now. Who does he have other than us? Nothing more than Arnav. If he is fine, you will be happy.” Garima asked.

Khushi was surprised. She knew Garima was not so generous. But now she amazed her by her behaviour. It seemed she liked Arnav very much. That was why she was ready to do anything for him. More than that, she could not be in Goa if Akash joined the job in Mumbai. She must have thought about it. However, they understood how good Arnav was. That made her glad.

“Mom, I will go to the bank regarding the mortgage. You start packing our things. I will book our tickets”

“Ok…”

Khushi didn’t know that they already sold their house to their neighbour Mr. John Paul who wanted extra land to build a colossal bungalow in Goa that was his NATIVE. Though he didn’t ask for Gupta’s land directly Guptas knew that. Both of them used the chance in their favour. John Paul settled half of the hot payment before the registration and settled the remaining payment right after the registration.  It happened when Khushi was in the hospital.

Garima and Akash requested Mr John Paul not to tell Khushi about it. John Paul accepted their request and gave them time to stay in the house until they left Goa.

They sold out the house urgently because they had no idea to come back to Goa again for any reason. So, they sold the house. Garima deposited the amount in her name. They were going to Mumbai breaking all the ties with people related to Goa. Akash broke his old SIM card as he didn’t want anyone to contact him.

 

The next day

Khushi packed her things with a heavy heart. How many dreams she had in her heart about her first meeting with Arnav? She didn’t expect she would see him in the hospital bed as a patient. It was all fate… she prayed Devi Maiya to be with her Arnav to safeguard him.

Akash came home and searched for Garima. He saw Khushi lying in her room, looking at the ceiling blankly.

“Khushi, don’t be stressed. Go and meet your friends… you will feel relaxed” he intentionally asked her to meet her friends because he didn’t want her to suspect them and he knew Khushi would not like to meet anyone in her gloomy mood.

Khushi sat on the bed and nodded no as Akash guessed.

“Why Khushi?”

“I don’t want to meet anyone but Arnav. Until I see him, I can’t be relaxed” She choked.

“Ok… we are leaving tonight”

“Really? Do we get our tickets?”

“Yeah, I got it through an agent because Arnav was brought to Mumbai this morning”

“How is he?”

“It seems a big iron pipe fell on his throat”

“Whaaat?”

“Yeah… it seems the condition is a little critical”

Khushi closed her eyes and cried.

“Khushi, please stop crying. If Arnav sees you crying like this, he will lose his confidence”

Khushi wiped her cheek.

“It seems my bad luck chased him abroad. That’s why he is facing a worse phase of his life”

“He will be alright. Your LOVE will give him strength”

Khushi cried hugging Akash. Garima smiled at him.

“Go, Khushi, wash your face and get ready. We have no time”

Khushi nodded ok and stopped.

“Akash, why didn’t Payal come to meet me? Doesn’t she know about my operation?”

“She came after your operation. You were unconscious at that time. After that, she became busy as she was working under Target”

“Shall I talk to her?”

“Just now I called her but she didn’t answer my call. I think she is busy. You can talk to her when she calls me back”

Khushi nodded ok. Akash was well prepared to answer Khushi without getting stuck because he knew what she would ask him.

Khushi thought something and looked at Akash. He raised his brows.

“Where is your old college album?”

Akash smiled.

“Whaaat?”

“Arnav is brilliant”

“why?”

“He understood you well. That was why he took all the albums to his house” he laughed.

Khushi dropped her jaw and pouted.

“He knew you would try to see him. He wans to see your face when you meet him for the first time. But…” he sighed.

“I’m still in the same excitement… of course, Arnav too…you don’t know him. he won’t show his pain but only happiness. That’s what my Arnav” Khushi said controlling her sob.

Akash scratched his forehead. It seemed he should not talk about Arnav.

Guptas left Goa that night and boarded the train. Khushi sat on the window seat thinking about Arnav. She was indeed sad about Arnav’s present condition but at the same time, she was excited to meet him. however, it would be an unforgettable moment in her life. She smiled… a lonely tears slipped from her eye.

…….

It was just two days since Arnav didn’t talk to Khushi. He became mad. Why didn’t Khushi call him? So what if she missed her phone? Couldn’t she make a call through Akash’s phone?  Or, couldn’t she call him from her friend’s phone? What the hell was wrong with the girl? Here, how excited he was about her… why wasn’t she the same as him?

Arnav called Payal. She attended it.

“Hi, Arnav… how are you?”

“Fine… did you meet Khushi?”

“No Arnav… I’m working on target. I will meet her this weekend”

“Didn’t you meet her after her operation?”

“Operation? What operation are you talking about?”

“Eye operation. Didn’t you know about it? She got her vision back…”

“Whaaaat? When?”

“Yesterday, her Band-Aid was removed...”

“Arnav, I don’t know what to say. Why Akash didn’t say anything to me?”

Arnav didn't know what to say. He thought Payal would give him an answer but raising an unanswerable question, she made him more confused.

“Payal, could you please meet Khushi tomorrow?”

“Yeah, not for you… I want to meet Akash and ask him why the hell he didn’t tell me anything about Khushi’s operation. I will definitely slap him hard for sure” she said angrily.

Arnav also was in the same state as Payal but he was unable to do anything.

To be continued…

Part 17 Khushi in Mumbai

The next day

Payal got an off and came to GH without caring about her TARGET. She was confused to see the locked door. She called Akash but his phone was switched off. She called Garima. Her phone was also switched off. Payal frowned. That was when she saw Mr. John Paul coming with someone.

“Who are you, my child? What do you want?” He asked Payal.

 “I’m Khushi’s friend. I came to see her as she got her eye operation…”

“Sorry, my child, they are not here”

“Not here, means?”

“They shifted from here”

“Whaaaat? What are you saying? This is their own house…”

“But they sold it to me”

“Sold? But when? Why?”

“Akash got a job, I suppose…”

“So what if he got a job? What’s necessary to sell the house?”

“He shifted to the new place with his family”

“Where did he go?”

“Mumbai…I suppose”

Payal felt like thousands of thunders getting down her head. Her eyes tear up. She felt abandoned. How could Akash do this to her? He said nothing about his new job. What did that mean? Arnav also didn’t know anything about his new job. He was the one who helped Khushi to get her operation done. Then why didn’t they tell him anything? What happened to Khushi? Why didn’t she say anything to Arnav? Didn’t he give her a phone? The much she knew, Khushi was not like her brother. Of course, sometimes, Akash behaved oddly but Khushi always stayed balanced. Something must be certainly wrong.

She called Arnav immediately. Arnav attended the call even though he was in the chemical plant because he was expecting Payal’s call.

“Haan, Payal… did you meet them?” he asked hurriedly.

“I don’t think we could ever meet them again Arnav“

“What are you saying, Payal… what do you mean?” he shouted.

“They were not in Goa…”

“Whaaat? Not in Goa means? Where did they go?”

“They shifted to Mumbai…”

“Mumbai? But why?”

“Akash got a job there…”

“Who said?”

“The one who bought their house”

“Bought their house means?”

“They sold their house”

“Whaaaat?”

“Yes, Arnav… they shifted to Mumbai. Akash got a job there…”

“So what? Why did they go without informing us? Why?”

“I don’t know Arnav… but something must be wrong”

“No… no way… I know Khushi… She would not let anything wrong happen”

“I too have the same hope but what would have happened? They shifted to Mumbai overnight without informing anyone… No one knows about his new job, Arnav…”

Arnav became thoughtful. He didn’t get anything.

“I’m scared, Arnav. Akash would do anything for his benefit”

Arnav gulped down.

“Didn’t you give a phone to Khushi to study for her exams? Doesn’t Khushi have the phone? Can’t you contact her through that?”

“Her phone went missing before her operation”

“But how?”

“I don’t know… after her operation also I could not talk to her because Akash’s phone was always out of range… I spoke to her only through the doctor. After that, I spoke to her until her discharge…”

“Arnav, my intellect warns me… something must be wrong…”

“Why do you think so, Payal?” Arnav asked to know Payal’s point. He thought it would help him to guess what would have happened.

“Both Akash and Garima Aunty are selfish. You liked Khushi. You operated her eyes. You were ready to do anything for her. You are settled in your life… You have your own house… you have no parents. So, Khushi will not have In-laws’ problems… Leaving all these favours behind, they left Goa. Why?”

Arnav became horrified. He didn’t think so deeply like Payal did.

“They must have gotten something better…”

Arnav gritted his teeth.

“What do you mean better, Payal? Do you think Khushi cheated me?”

“She went with them, Arnav… that too, after getting her sight. She is not blind now. Then why did she go to Mumbai with them? Why didn’t she question them?”

“Don’t you know about Khushi?”

“I don’t know whether I know about her or not, Arnav. I’m not in the condition to trust anyone.”

“You may be in such condition but I will never doubt Khushi in any situation. Until I meet her, I won’t conclude anything”

“Are you going to Mumbai?”

“Undoubtedly… after knowing that they have left Goa, how can I not go to Mumbai?”

“Ok, Arnav, Please update me”

“Sure…”

After disconnecting the call, Arnav went to meet Shyam.

 

Mumbai

Akash brought Khushi and Garima to a hotel room Vinesh had booked. He booked a simple room so as not to Khushi get doubt. They got ready to go to the hospital. Khushi was the one who got ready first.

They came to the hospital, hiring an auto. Akash enquired in the reception. The man in the reception said, what was told.

“He is in the ICU sir. it’s on the first floor”

Khushi headed to the first floor with an uncontrolled heartbeat. She was going to SEE Arnav who was in ICU. She felt a kind of nervousness. They came to the ICU and saw a doctor coming out.

“Doctor…” Akash called.

“Yes, what can I do for you?”

“We are Arnav’s relatives. She is his fiancé”

“Oh…I see…”

“We came from Goa to meet him”

“He is not in the condition to see you. He is unconscious. His throat was injured brutally… we are not sure if he can talk again”

Khushi’s eyes poured uncontrolled.

“We can say anything only after he gets his conscious”

“Shall we meet him, Doctor?”

“Actually, we won’t allow anyone inside the ICU but you are coming from Goa to meet him. I don’t want to disappoint you but please don’t take much time…”

“Thank you, doctor”

They entered the ICU. Khushi squeezed her eyes and let the tears roll down. So that, she could see Arnav. She slowly got close to him.

“Please don’t go close to him and see him from here…” a nurse said.

Khushi stood at the same place and looked at him. A man was lying on the bed, with a big band-aid around his neck. There were a few small band-aids on his body. She felt something in her heart. One day, she touched Arnav’s face and created his IMAGE in her heart. She didn’t know why she could not fix the man on the bed in it.

 

………..

Arnav came to Shyam. After seeing Arnav, Shyam immediately understood, that something was wrong.

“Are you all right, Arnav?”

Arnav nodded no.

“What happened, Arnav?”

“Jeejaji, I want to go to India”

“India? But why?”

“Khushi's family shifted to Mumbai without a note. I don't know why”

“What are you saying? Without a note?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“But why?”

“I don't know. I can't understand anything. My mind is not working”

“Relax... What do you want me to do?”

“I want to meet Khushi”

“Ok...I will arrange your ticket.”

“I'm sorry jeejaji... I'm leaving in the middle of the project.”

“You have been working here for one and a half months. You would have understood our job well, right”

Arnav nodded yes.

“you have already completed our project. Just guide our crew online if needed. It's enough...”

“Thank you so much, jeejaji”

“Wait”

Shyam removed a bunch of dollars and gave it to Arnav.

“Keep it... You will need it”

“But you already gave me money.”

“No problem. At the end of the contract, I will settle you the remitting amount.”

“Thank you so much, jeejaji”

“You are welcome. Call me if you want anything”

“Sure, jeejaji”

Arnav went to his place to pack his things. Arnav called someone. The call was attended.

“Hi, ASR…”

“I’m coming to Mumbai”

“Really, but, you are abroad with your Jeejaji”

“I’m coming in search of Khushi”

“Khushi? Was she in Mumbai? Wasn’t her eye operation done last week? Then how did she come to Mumbai? Why do you search for her?”

“She left Goa without informing me. She missed her phone. Akash’s phone is switched off”

“What are you going to do now?”

“I want your help to find Khushi”

“ASR, Mumbai is a huge populated city. It’s not easy to find a girl here”

“I know… Akash came to Mumbai last month for an interview. He attended two interviews. He must have gotten a job in one of them. Just list out all the chemical companies in Mumbai. We will find him for sure”

“Brilliant, ASR”

“I’m coming…”

“I’m waiting,” Said Aman.

To be continued…  

Part 18 LIVE Drama

Khushi stood looking at the man in the bed. Arnav was injured. She felt bad for him. Yet, she felt disturbed. She didn’t know why. She wanted to meet Arnav. She wanted to SEE him. Now, he was in front of her but she didn’t know, why she was disturbed. Garima gestured for Akash to look at her.

“Hey Devi, Maiya, how cheerfully he roamed in Goa. Why did you make him like this? How eagerly my daughter was waiting to see him! when she sees him, he is not able to talk to her…!” She said feeling sad.

“Ma’am, this is ICU. Don’t talk loudly” A nurse said.

“Let’s go out,” Akash said.

Khushi came out with Garima and Akash.

That was when Akash got a call. He attended it.

“Hello…’

“…..”

“Yes…”

“……”

“Oh, really…? thank you so much”

“……….”

“I will get the key from you today itself. Then only we can get our things from the parcel service office”

“….”

“Jee, we are waiting to get them after finding a house”

“…..”

“How much is the rent?”

“……….”

“Oh…”

“…..”

“Of course, it’s too much for us but we have no choice. We have to be here for our friend…”

“…..”

“Ok, thank you”

Akash disconnected the call.

“Was that a house broker?”

“Yes… a house is available but its rent is a little too much”

“How much?”

“Twenty-five thousand”

“Whaaaat?”

“We have no choice, Amma. This is Mumbai and, if we stay in the hotel, we should pay thousand five hundred every day. We can’t cook in the hotel. We have to eat outside. The expense will be nigh compared to the house rent. So, we have to accept the house. However, I got a job. We will manage.” Akash said.

Garima nodded yes but Khushi became thoughtful because Akash was not a guy who would spend money so easily. He would like to save his earnings. Seeing him spending money, without calculating, she wondered. 

“Let’s go” Akash walked.

Khushi silently walked with him.

“We should arrange our house before Arnav shifted to the special ward. After that, we will not have time” Akash said.

Akash shifted to the new house with Garima and Khushi. It was an individual house. Of course, it was small. Garima liked it but Khushi. She liked their Goa house so much. Yet, she had no choice. So, she kept silent.

…….

Arnav got his ticket the next day. He came to Mumbai. Aman and NK were waiting for him at the Airport. They hugged him delightedly.

“Though you are in Mumbai with a bitter purpose, we are happy to welcome you”

“I too feel a little relieved only because you guys are here” Arnav said.

“Let’s go to our flat. We will talk there” Aman took his bag and sat on the bike.

Arnav sat behind NK with another bag. They headed to their flat.

Aman opened the door and Arnav got inside. The flat was not so classy but neat.

“Nice flat,” Arnav said.

Arnav sat on the bed.

“Did you get anything about the chemical companies?”

“Yeah… we have the complete list. There are nineteen companies in Mumbai. Only three are in the city and others are outskirt Mumbai”

Aman extended the list. Taking it from him, Arnav read them. He checked their address and marked the distance.

“ASR, we have the addresses but how do you think we can find Akash?”

Arnav held his head.

“I don’t know Aman. I don’t know what’s there is his mind. Don’t know why he left Goa…”

“He is selfish… I can’t say anything beyond that” NK said.

“We will find him, ASR” Aman said.

Arnav nodded yes.

“Don’t mistake me, ASR. If the girl left Goa with her brother, without raising a question, what will you do searching for her? She knew you have phone. Can’t she call you?”

“You know what, Aman… it’s been two days I got to know Guptas shifted to Mumbai. There are many thoughts whirling in my mind. of course, they make me restless but, I can’t think wrong about Khushi. She is a nice girl Aman. She had been visually impaired but I saw her eyes speaking with me. A girl with vision can fake her feelings but I don’t believe what I saw in her eyes are fake. She was a genuine and straightforward girl, Aman. She is completely opposite to Akash. I just helped her with her exams. Do you know how overwhelmed she was? I saw gratefulness in her behaviour. She felt sad about getting separated from me. I can’t think she could be wrong”

“That’s really surprising… being Akash’s sister, how could she be grateful?” NK chuckled.

“Do you have her photo?” Aman asked.

Arnav nodded yes and removed his phone. He showed Khushi’s photo to them.

“Is she really Akash’s sister?” NK asked.

“Why?”

“She is unimaginably beautiful…”

Aman laughed but Arnav was not in the mood to laugh.

…….

On the other side, Vinesh was shifted to the special ward. He smiled at Khushi. She too smiled at him. he said something to her in SIGN language. Khushi looked at him with confusion.

“He says, he can’t talk…”

Vinesh nodded yes, pointing at his neckband.

“You no need to talk. Take rest” Khushi said.

Vinesh smiled at her thankfully.

“Does it hurt?”

Vinesh nodded yes and again said something in sign language. Khushi understood he could not talk. She sighed.

That was when they saw a middle-aged couple coming. They came to Vinesh and sat next to him.

“Vinesh…” they touched his head.

Khushi frowned. Vinesh? Vinesh also frowned.

“He is not Vinesh but Arnav,” Akash said.

“No, beta… he is Vinesh… Vinesh Chopra. Raizadas are not his REAL parents.”

“What do you mean?” Akash asked.

“Yes, beta… we just got to know the truth”

“What truth?”

“A nurse exchanged our child with Raizada’s child in the hospital when they were born”

“How do you know? Who told you that?”

“The same nurse… before she died…”

“Why did she exchanged the babies?”

“It was not intentional. The babies exchanged when she took them for a bath. She got to know the truth only after we left the hospital. She didn’t tell us that then because she didn’t want the hospital’s name to get ruined”

“How did you get to know the baby is Arnav?”

“The nurse belonged to Goa. My delivery was also held in Goa. She kept an eye on Arnav it seemed. She got to know about Arnav’s accident through his sister. She came to Mumbai to meet him. Fortunately, and unexpectedly, she met us here and told us about the exchange of babies”

“Where is the baby that was with you?”

“He died in an accident, just like Arnav’s parents”

“Unbelievable…” Akash said.

“It’s all fate, beta… after these years, we got our son back,” the woman said.

“Vinesh…” The man called him.

“He is Arnav”

“No… he is our son… Vinesh. Only heir of our whole property… he is the sole owner of our property worth rupees five hundred Crore. Our property is in Vinesh’s name. From here on, he is Vinesh.

“Five hundred Crore?” Garima dropped her jaw.

Khushi was thunderstruck.

“We can’t believe this…” Akash said.

“Arrey… why would we give our properties worth rupees five hundred crore to him if he is not our son?”

“Yeah, you are right… how will you give him five hundred crores if he is not your son?” Garima said.

“We were distraught when our son died but God gave us our biological son back…” His mother said emotionally.

 “By the way, we may know who are you guys?” Vinesh’s father asked.

Vinesh gestured for them like he was going to marry Khushi. His parents looked at Khushi and smiled.

“How beautiful our daughter-in-law is!”

Khushi plastered a smile.

“Are you fine with this wedding?” Garima asked.

“Of course… We got our son back. It’s enough for us. We will not be a hindrance to his happiness” His father Yogesh Chopra said.

His mother Heera Chopra nodded yes, smiling at Khushi who looked perplexed.

Everything happened like a LIVE drama. Arnav was not ARNAV. He became Vinesh Chopra. He said his parents were dead but they were not his parents and his parents were alive. He was a simple middle-class man then, but now, his economic status changed upside down. She didn’t know how to take it.

To be continued…