Next to Impossible Part 31 Caretaker

 

Part 31 Caretaker

Khushi, a young woman who had developed feelings for Arnav, was shocked to see him standing. His face was plain, devoid of any emotion. He was staring at her in disbelief. Khushi was embarrassed like hell. She looked down, clutching the coat that belonged to Arnav, the man she had fallen for.

Arnav moved with the dinner bag all the way, looking at her. Khushi stood nervously. Arnav kept the bag on the table and silently turned to leave. Khushi looked at him, suffocating. He didn’t say anything. She didn’t know what he was thinking. Arnav stopped and looked at her.

“I know you like me but didn’t know to this extent…” He smiled.

“I… just…”

Arnav took fast steps and reached her in the blink of an eye. He kept his index finger on her lips and nodded no.

“Let the reason be anything… I don’t care. You wear my coat. It may not be out of love… but I like it.” He lowered his finger.

Khushi tried to remove the coat. Arnav clutched her hands and again made her wear it. She blinked her eyes slowly.

“Don’t…! You look cute with my coat” he smiled, his eyes filled with a mixture of fondness and amusement, a clear indication of his growing affection for Khushi.

“I like to wear a coat…that’s why…” She stammered.

“But you won’t wear anyone’s coat just because you got one.”

Khushi looked at him, perplexed. 

“Have your dinner. Good night,” Arnav walked out, not wanting to make her embarrass her more.

Khushi was embarrassed. She didn't expect to be caught red-handed. She didn't know what Arnav was thinking. Did she seed expectations in his mind? She bit her lip and closed her eyes.

Arnav drove the car with a constant smile. He liked the way Khushi caressed his coat. It felt like it was not his coat but HIM. He somewhat understood she liked him but was hesitating to accept it due to their status difference. Everything would come to an end when Khushi won a National medal, a prestigious achievement that could potentially change their lives and their relationship.

Arnav felt weird and tired. His body ached. He came home and rested, and after a while, he drifted into sleep.

 

The next morning

Khushi felt a little awkward to face Arnav. After he saw her wearing his coat, she would meet him today. Khushi got ready to go to practice. She waited for Arnav as usual, but he didn't come to take her to the stadium. Khushi was confused. Arnav never skipped practice. Only a week to the state meet. She didn't know why he didn't come.

She had just completed the floor exercise and was getting ready for college. But to her surprise, Arnav had also not come to the college. She waited for him to start their regular practice, but he didn't.

She saw Aman advancing her.

"Are you waiting for Arnav?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"He won't come to the college today."

"Why? Is he alright?"

"No... He is not alright. He has a fever."

"Whaaat? But How? He was alright yesterday..."

"Yeah, since last night, he has suffered from fever."

Khushi remembered that she felt heat in his finger when he touched her lips last evening. Was that the reason?  

"Did you go to his house?" She asked.

"No, he called me and asked me to tell you to do your practice."

"Who is with him?"

"No one. He is just resting."

"What will he do if he needs anything?"

"Hari prakash is there"

"Will he be with him in his room?"

"I'm not sure about it."

"I'm going to RM," she said slightly hesitantly.

Aman looked at her stunning.

"Are you sure?"

Khushi nodded.

"I will be with him until 7 o'clock. After that, I cannot. Will you please come to RM to stay with him at night?"

Aman nodded. Khushi immediately left the college and headed to RM.

 

RM

Khushi pressed the calling bell switch and waited. After a few minutes, HP opened the door.

"Hari prakashji, how is Arnavji?"

"He has a fever. The doctor is examining him."

HP again went to Arnav's room. Khushi followed him and waited outside Arnav’s room.

The doctor wrote medicines and handed them to HP.

"Follow this medicine."

"Jee..."

The doctor came out. He stopped seeing Khushi.

"You?"

"I'm his friend."

“Oh..."

"How is he?"

"It's just virus fever, I suppose... He will be all right if he follows the medicine. If he doesn't show improvement, we will go for a blood test."

"What about his diet? What should he eat?"

"Give him something light, like mush and soup without spice"

"Ok, doctor. Thank you"

The doctor left. Khushi stepped in. The girl who refused to enter his room once entered without invitation.

"I will come get the medicine", HP told Khushi.

"Mmm..." Arnav, who was closing his eyes, said that he thought HP had told him that.

"Jee Hari prakashji..." Khushi said.

Arnav was startled when he heard her voice. He was pleasantly surprised to see Khushi at his place, and she smiled at him. With some effort, Arnav sat up.  

"Aman said you are ill."

Arnav nodded, smiling.

"What happened? You were fine last evening..."

"I think overjoy is the reason for my fever," Arnav said teasingly, even though he was exhausted.

Khushi tried not to get affected by it.

"We have only a week for the state meet. Could you manage?"

"Hopefully"

"Don't worry. You will be fit if you take care of yourself."

Arnav nodded ok.

"I will get you something to eat."

"Will you get me?" He asked with disbelief.

Khushi nodded yes and left his room, leaving him speechless.

Preparing a tasty mush, she headed to his room. At the same time, HP came with his medicines.

"Did you buy the medicines?”

"Jee... Will you give it to Arnav Baba?"

"Yeah, sure"

HP handed them to her.

Taking them, Khushi came to Arnav's room. Arnav smiled mildly.

"Have this mush and then medicine," Khushi said, keeping them on the side table.

Arnav tried to sit. Khushi held his shoulders to help him. He looked at her contently. Khushi acted like she didn't notice him. She handed him the mush bowl.

Arnav had it. He could not stop thinking about his mother, who gave him mush when he was sick. He looked at Khushi, smiling and said,

"After so many years, I taste the mush."

It was not hard for Khushi to understand who prepared mush for him many years ago.

"Thanks..." He smiled.

Khushi felt a kind of pain in his smile.

"I will prepare daal and rice for lunch. Is it ok?" She changed the topic.

Arnav didn't deny it. He nodded.

After he finished the mush, she gave him medicines. Arnav had it.

"Until I prepare lunch, take a rest," Khushi said.

Arnav nodded again. Khushi went to the kitchen. HP smiled at her.

"Shall I prepare lunch for Arnavji?"

HP didn't know what to say.

"Arnav Baba may get angry if I let you do work."

"He knew... He permitted me."

"Let me ask him" HP rushed upstairs.

He knocked on the door. Arnav looked at him.

"What?"

"Khushiji wants to prepare your lunch. What do you want me to do?"

"Let her do it."

"Jee.. " HP left the place.

Arnav closed his eyes, smiling.

Khushi prepared rice and daal. She kept it in the hot box and came to Arnav's room. She saw him sleeping. She slowly touched his forehead. She thought something and went to the kitchen.  She brought ice water in a bowl. She searched for a cloth in his cupboard. She found a scarf. Dipping that in the ice water, she kept it on his forehead. Arnav slowly opened his eyes and looked at her.

"It will reduce your fever," she said.

“Thanks…”

“Your lunch is ready. You can have it if you are hungry.”

“I just had mush… I feel stuffy. I will have lunch after 1 o'clock.”

“Ok, sleep for a while. You will feel better.”

“Will you go?”

Khushi nodded no.

“I will be here till evening.”

“You have to go to practice. Have you forgotten that?”

“It’s ok… I will go for practice tomorrow…”

“Khushi, we have one week only.”

“No problem. I will cope”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes…”

Arnav sighed. He knew she would win at any cost. Yet, he was worried. Arnav slept as he felt tired. He woke up only after 2 o’clock.

“How are you feeling now?” Khushi asked.

“Mmmm…”

“Shall I bring your lunch?”

“Mmm…”

Khushi went to the kitchen. After taking his lunch, she walked to his room. She didn’t notice the man who entered RM… it was Arvind.

To be continued… 

Organized Chaos Part 18 Reality

 

Part 18 Reality

Aman was thinking about Khushi and what she said. What she told him was true? He knew Khushi. She worked as a physiotherapist in his hospital. She never looked at his face even before he proposed to her. After the proposal, she didn’t even stand before him… but today, she talked to him meeting his eyes daringly. There was no hesitation in her tone. TIME might have changed her but, she could not have spoken like that if she had been guilty. If it was so, who was behind this? Who spiked her drinks? Who were the beneficiaries? Something pricked his heart.

After Khushi had vanished, Shashi brought Sheetal’s proposal to him immediately. He said he wanted to do redemption for his loss but Aman was not ready to marry anyone. He was broken down like hell due to Khushi’s betrayal. Yes, he thought so. He was made to believe so. He was told Khushi betrayed him by Khushi’s family itself. He was not in the condition of thinking about his marriage. So, he kept denying the proposal and Guptas kept on nagging him to marry Sheetal.

It had been five years. His mother wanted him to agree to marriage. He finally said yes and his mother’s first choice was Sheetal. It was because of the Guptas. He didn’t know why they were so adamant about getting her married to him. They said Sheetal liked him very much. Did she like him after Khushi vanished? Or, did she like him BEFORE Khushi left? How did Guptas propose him for Sheetal forthrightly after Khushi left? Aman became thoughtful. Though he didn’t finish connecting the dots, he tried to connect them… in the right way.

 

That was when Aman got a call from his accountant Armaan. He attended the call.  

“Hello, Mr. Armaan…”

“Mr Mathur, as we discussed increasing your hospital income, I have a suggestion”

“Tell me, sir”

“You can get enough income if you sell your hospital Shares”

 “Hospital shares? Sir, this is a hospital. Not a company… I’m doing profitless service. You know that…”

“Of course, I know that but no one. Nowadays, the medical field has become a profitable business. Your shares will definitely be sold out for sure. You can use the money to improve your hospital facilities and help helpless…”

“Do you think it will work?”

“Why not we try?”

Aman sighed.

“Ok, go ahead”

“Done… I will get your hospital into the market”

“Ok, sir” Aman disconnected the call.

He didn’t know how much this idea would work. He was a generous doctor who wanted to serve society. Being a generous doctor, he could not earn enough money. So, he discussed with his accountant and manager how to earn money. Now, he had an idea.

 

………..

On the other side, Arnav was also not getting sleep. Khushi was the girl he was searching for. He had been suffering from guilt. That was why he didn’t think of getting married. He could not do that with remorse even though he was not at fault. The girl’s pleading voice echoed in his ears not letting him sleep. Now, he got to know who the girl was. He was glad she moved on in her life and got married to someone. However, he wanted to help her to come out of the blame. To do that, he had to know about her. he wanted to know how her husband was. Though Khushi accepted him as her friend and started moving with him without hesitation, she did not start to share her personal issues with him. So, he could not ask her about her past which might annoy her. Aashi was the right person to ask about Khushi’s husband.  Aashi should have known about her FATHER. Knowing from her would not be a tough task. She would tell him if he tricked her. He knew how to do that.

 

The next day / Saturday

Since morning, Arnav was nervously waiting for Khushi… especially for Aashi. He didn’t go to the office that day. It was not important. He had more important work than going to the office. Of course, Khushi would ask him the reason for not going to the office. He thought of an apt excuse and got ready to lie.

He heard a calling bell sound. He ran to the door and opened it widely. He felt a prick in his heart, seeing Khushi.

“Hi, Arnav…” Khushi said smiling brightly.

Arnav felt bad for her. he stood looking at her.

“Hello, Arnav… what happened?”

Arnav plastered a smile and gave them space to enter.

“Do you have an office holiday today?” Aashi asked.

“No beta… I have a headache” he pressed his head.

“Mom, give him medicine,” She said looking at Khushi.

“Have a strong coffee, instead of medicine…” Khushi said.

Arnav nodded with a smile.

“What is Dadi doing?” Aashi asked.

“She is waiting for your mom”

“Doesn’t she wait for me?” Aashi asked pouting.

Arnav was stuck. If Aashi went to Ratna’s room, how would he inquire her about her father?

“She waited for you too but suddenly she felt dizzy”

“Is it?” Khushi asked panicking.

Arnav winked at her and nodded no making her wonder. She looked at him with confusion.

“Aashi beta, what else can I do for my headache?” Arnav asked as if she was a big girl and Khushi smiled.

“You can press your head” Aashi suggested.

“But, how can I press my head on my own?” Arnav asked making a sad face.

Khushi chuckled softly. She knew Arnav liked Aashi and wanted to spend time with her. Aashi also liked Arnav. So, she let her be with him.

“Aashi, See, Mr. Puzzle is suffering from a headache. Why not you help him?” Khushi asked.

“Shall I press your head?” She asked cutely.

“Will you?”

“Hannn…I know to press head… am I right Mom?”

Khushi nodded yes.

“Thank you so much,” Arnav said.

“Aashi, don’t trouble him,” Khushi said and smilingly headed to Ratna’s room.

Arnav looked at Aashi.

“What should I do, Ms. Smile?”

“Sit on the couch” She tapped the sofa.

Arnav sat on the couch smiling. His smile broadened when Aashi pressed his forehead with her soft tiny fingers. He didn’t feel any difference. It felt like someone was rolling a cotton roll on his forehead.

“Aashi baby… I don’t know you are so sweet. How beautifully you press my forehead! It feels so good”

“Thanks…” She said biting her lip with a slight blush.

“Your Dad is a lucky man. You would have pressed his head many times. Right?” Arnav asked.

“No, Nanne Dad never asked me to press his head”

“Nanne? You said your father’s name is Nandkishor…”

“Mom calls him Nanne”

“Oh…” Arnav’s tone lowered.

So, Aashi’s father’s name was Nandkishor.

“What will you do with your Dad?”

“I play with my Nanne Dad until Khushi Mom comes home”

“Will not your Dad ask you to press his head?” Arnav asked feeling distraught because if Aashi didn’t press his head, it must be Khushi who did that.

“No, La Mom would press his head”

Arnav looked at her jerking.

“La Mom? Who is that?”

“She is Khushi Mom’s friend just like Nanne Dad”

“Friend?”

“Yes, they are friends”

“Isn’t Nandkishor your mother’s husband?”

“Khushi Mom has no husband”

Arnav was perplexed. Khushi had no husband? What did that mean? If Khushi had no husband, who was Aashi? Was she Khushi’s adopted child? Or, did she divorce her husband?

Something hit his mind brutally. Or…was Aashi HIS child? Was there any chance for it? Was that even possible in a SINGLE ATTEMPT? He gulped down hard.

Arnav became restless. He looked at Aashi who was pressing his head cutely. How would it feel if this cute angel would be his daughter? His eyes tear up. Holding her hand, he kissed it.

“Enough… your palms should be aching…” he said.

He waited for Khushi restlessly. Arnav saw Khushi coming. He composed himself and laughed, looking at Khushi.

“What happened Arnav, did Aashi do anything funny?”

“Yeah… she said she has two Moms” he again laughed.

 Khushi looked at Aashi.

“Mom, Isn’t La Mom is also my Mom?”

Khushi rolled her eyes.

“Does Mr Nandkishor have two wives?” Arnav asked hesitatingly.

Khushi chuckled.

“No, Nadukishor is my friend, not my husband”

Arnav became hopeful.

“Oh… Doesn’t Aashi know your husband?”

“I have no husband. I’m a single mother” Khushi said plainly.

“That means, Aashi doesn’t know about her father?”

“She doesn’t know because there is no one called her father…”

Arnav gulped down hard. She was not ready to talk about Aashi’s father. That stated Aashi’s father was someone she didn’t want to REMEMBER… that was HIM. He felt heaviness in his heart. This was unexpected. He didn’t expect Khushi to be the girl he was searching for… he didn’t expect the cute girl who called him Mr. Puzzle to be HIS daughter. 

He didn’t know if he could ask her more about her husband. She might think differently. So, he didn’t want to dig it more which could irritate Khushi. He didn’t want to irritate her. He could not do it. Arnav looked at Khushi and Aashi with mixed emotions. REALITY hit him badly. He didn’t know what to do.

To be continued…

 

 

Love Is Not Blind Part 35 How?

 

Part 35 How?

Arnav held her hands and pulled her on his chest for a hug. Khushi tried to come out of his arm ring but Arnav tightened his grip not letting her do that and said,

“I’m sorry, Khushi… I’m really sorry…”

Khushi hugged him spilling tears.

“I made you restless but it’s not intentional. I was put on the fire to prove myself. I should not have done that but I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t do that to satisfy my EGO even though he touched my ego. I just wanted to shut his mouth. I wanted him to know how deep your love for me is. I wanted him to know money is not everything. I’m sorry…”

Breaking the hug, he cupped her face. He gulped down to see her fragile face.

“I’m really sorry…”

“I know… you were manipulated to be away from me, intentionally. He knew I would identify you if you talked to me. That’s why he challenged you not to talk to me”

Arnav looked at Akash who looked down.

“But, he couldn’t cheat me… I find out that idiot Vinesh could not be Arnav”

“How did you get to know Vinesh is not me?”

 “Did you think I could not find you because I had been blind?”

Arnav nodded NO hurriedly.

“Love can be blind but not LOVERS can be… from the time, Vinesh was introduced to me in the name of Arnav, I started doubting him because he was not like you. Everything happened like a drama. He didn’t tell me what I looked like…”

“Did you ask him?”

“Of course, I did…”

Arnav chuckled. It was not hard for him to understand he would have blabbered something to flatter Khushi.

“My doubt strengthened when I saw you in the coffee shop”

Arnav controlled his smile. He met her in the coffee shop only to create doubt in her heart, right?

“You won’t believe it if I say who I met in the coffee shop after you left the coffee shop”

“Who did you meet?” Arnav asked curiously.

“Bapita…”

Arnav raised his brows surprisingly.

“I didn’t know who she was because I didn’t SEE her before but she identified me and spoke to me.”

“Do you know what did she ask me?”

“What?”

“She asked me when Arnav would come back to India. I was confused because Vinesh was in the coffee shop attending a call. She said he was my brother. My doubt increased that he is not Arnav. No matter how hard people tried to cheat me, God was with me in that. That’s why she sent Bapita to the same coffee shop”

“How did you confirm I’m Arnav?” Arnav asked expecting her to say, WHEN YOU TOUCHED ME but he was surprised to hear her reply.  

“I dialled your number and heard your VOICE” she smiled.

Not only Arnav but also Akash and Garima were dumbfounded.

“Did you dial my number?” he wondered.

Khushi nodded yes.

“They said you lost your voice but I heard your voice when I dialled your number. Not only that, I saw your DP and got to know that the man who I met in the coffee shop is my Arnav”

“I know you would sense me. That’s the challenge your brother threw at me. I truly didn’t have the patience to be quiet but I didn’t want him to think differently. That’s why I waited for you to identify me because I know you would find out the truth” Arnav smiled.

“I had no confusion about my brother and mother. I know them. They would have cheated me for money but I didn’t know why you were silent. So, I called my friend Lavanya and asked her to meet Payal”

Akash was shocked. Did Khushi contact Payal?

“That’s how I got to know the reason for your silence”

“It seems, Khushi worked hard behind our backs” Aman said and Arnav nodded yes smilingly.

Khushi looked at Akshara and said,

“Thank you so much for your help. If you didn’t tell me about Vinesh at the right time, I would not have known how dangerous he is”

Arnav looked at her surprisingly.

“Do you know her?” he asked.

Khushi smiled.

“She is the one who asked me to tell you everything about Vinesh,” Akshara said.

“Is it?”

“Yes, Akshara told me about Vinesh. So, I decided to bring you into this. I asked Akshara to say to you about Vinesh but I didn’t expect him to fix the marriage quickly. Thank God, Akshara came for my help… otherwise, I didn’t know what I would have done because no one would have believed me if I had told them about Vinesh” Khushi said looking at Akash and Garima who gulped down hard.

“If you want any help, you can ask me. if you are ready, I will arrange a job abroad” Arnav said to Akshara who became emotional.

“Thank you so much, brother. I have an important work in India I should complete first” Akshara said.

“Oh…ok, tell me if you have an idea”

“Sure…”

Akshara looked at Khushi and said,

“I’m leaving. Call me if you want to know anything about Vinesh”

“Thank you,” Khushi said.

“Let’s go…”

Arnav looked at Akash and Garima.

“You don’t have to look at them. From here on, I have no one called mother and brother” Khushi said without looking at them.

“Khushi…” Garima called.

“Will you take me or not?” Khushi asked Arnav wrathfully not giving heed to Garima.

“I will take you but wait for a few minutes…”

“But why?” Khushi asked.

That was when they saw Payal entering the temple. Seeing her, Akash became nervous. Khushi looked at him and then at Payal. She rushed to Payal and hugged her.

“I’m sorry Payal…” Khushi said.

“You don’t have to be sorry. You and I were in the same condition. Thank God, WE escaped” Payal said glaring at Akash.

“You are right. Rather than being in the heartbreak, accepting the reality is good. Don’t feel bad, Payal… feel happy that you are saved. Or else, he would have sold you too” Khushi said furiously.

“Of course, I will not feel bad but I have to give your brother something” Payal said making Akash frown. What did she want to give him?

“What?”

Payal came to Akash. He looked down. In no time, Payal slapped him hard.

“I never thought you would be so cheap who would even sell his sister for your happiness… you are not a good brother, not a good friend and not a good boyfriend.” She said panting hard and looking at Garima with anger.

“Are you a mother? Do you know the meaning of mother? A mother should even die for her children’s happiness but you? You will even kill your children to be happy. What kind of woman you are? Look at your daughter… Do you dare look at her face? Thank God, I don’t get you as my mother-in-law… be happy with your bloody son”

Payal wiped her cheek.

“Khushi, I’m leaving”

“Where are you going?” Khushi asked.

“Where else? To Goa to resume my work”

“We will go together. Till then be with us” Khushi said.

“Yes, Payal. Khushi is right. How will you go now? It’s already late. You won’t get the ticket” Arnav said.

“It’s ok, Arnav”

“Won’t you listen to us?” Aman asked.

Payal blinked slowly.

“Let’s go to my place. Take a rest. Then decide…” Aman said.

Payal nodded and walked with them.

Khushi looked at Arnav who nodded ok. Entwining her fingers with his, she walked. Arnav followed her smilingly. Aman smiled at Arnav raising his brows. He winked at him.

To be continued…

 

True Myth Part 11 Argument

 

Part 11 Argument

Khushi was heading to the Kala Bairava temple. She had a small Pooja Bamboo basket in her hand. It seemed she was going to light the lamp in the temple. When she came near the Temple, she stopped sharpening her ears, hearing a frightening sound. It was a growl of a DOG. She looked at her surroundings, swallowing hard. She saw a dog advancing toward her. Khushi didn’t find it a good sign. She stepped backwards. She started to run faster as the dog chased her. She ran to save herself from the Dog without caring about the scratches she got while running.

She lost her strength. Her legs hurt and her throat drained. She didn’t think she could run anymore. She just stopped. In no time, the dog grabbed her hand. Khushi struggled to get her hand off of its clutch but it was not easy for her. She screamed as the Dog bit her finger. In no time, her finger cut off. The dog rushed towards the temple with her finger. Arnav was sitting in the temple, leaning on the pillar. The dog threw the finger in front of him that had his RING.

Khushi woke up from her sleep and sat on the bed jerking. She wiped her sweaty face, panting hard. Was that a dream? She looked at the clock. It was midnight. She looked at the ring in her hand. She removed it immediately and got down from the bed. Without caring about anything, she rushed to Arnav’s room and knocked on the door.

Arnav’s sleep was disturbed. The knocking sound disturbed someone other than Arnav too. He opened his eyes and waited to confirm if the knocking sound was real or a dream. He again heard the knocking sound. He off the bed and opened the door. he was perplexed to see Khushi standing.

“Khushi… you? Is everything all right?”

Khushi came inside and forwarded the ring to Arnav. he frowned, looking at the ring.

“Did you come in the midnight to give it to me?”

“Don’t ask me what I went through…”

“Whaaat?”

“I had a terrible dream in which a dog bit my finger for this ring… only to give it to you”

Arnav sighed. Without a second thought, taking his hand, she inserted the ring into his ring finger.

“Keep it…please don’t remove it. There is a reason this ring reached you. you will understand that soon…”

“Khushi, this is ridiculous…”

“Let it be… but don’t remove the ring”

Arnav saw a shadow moving behind Khushi. He checked who that was. He saw someone heading upstairs.  

“Khushi, we will talk later. go to your room”

“but…”

“Now… leave…” he said looking outside cautiously.

Khushi left the room. Arnav locked the door and lay. As he expected, someone knocked on his room door. He opened the door and saw Krishna Murthy standing with Arvind. Arnav widened his eyes.

“Yes, sir?”

Krishna Murthy entered Arnav’s room pushing him.

“Where is she?”

“Who?” Arnav asked.

“The one who was fondling you in your room a few minutes ago”

“Whom you are talking about? Do you think anyone could enter this palace easily?” Arnav asked as if he didn’t understand his intention.

“Of course, no one could enter this palace but the one can come to your room who is residing in this palace”

“Whom you are talking about? Your daughter?”

Krishna was shocked.

“How dare you talk about my daughter!” he shouted in anger. That woke up others. They rushed out to see what was happening.

“It’s not me but you talked about someone”

“I’m talking about Khushi”

“Khushi? Where is she?”

“She was here”

“Really?”

Arnav looked at Arvind and said,

“You can check my room if you don’t trust me”

“I trust you,” Arvind said without thinking.

“Mama, what does that mean? Don’t you trust my words?”

“Krishna, why are you creating an unnecessary scene? Go to your room and sleep”

“But…”

“I said go to sleep”

Krishna looked at Arnav fuming and was supposed to leave, but Arnav stopped him.

“One minute…”

Everyone looked at him.

“So what if Khushi is in my room? Should not she come to my room for any reason?” Arnav asked.

“Hello… this is a reputed palace. Know this worth. People in this palace should have values. You can’t live as you want… how do a man like you know that?”

“But, you know its value, right?”

Krishna shrank his eyes.

“It doesn’t seem so…” Arnav added.

Krishna gritted his teeth wrathfully.

“How dare you!”

He looked at Arvind and asked,

“Mama, he insults me…”

Arvind looked at Arnav.

“Sir, I just came to this palace two days ago… how could he think Khushi would have come to my room with a bad intention? Don’t you guys know about the girl who respects all of you a lot? How could he think so cheap?” Arnav asked.

Arvind glared at Krishna who glared at him.

“I just spent a day with the girl and understood how much respect she has for you. Tell me, sir, do you think she would make such a mistake?”

Arvind nodded no.

“I know Khushi. She won’t make the mistake that would lessen my respect…”

“I don’t know why these people have vengeance for Khushi who is working hard for them” Arnav intentionally said.

“I will take care of her, Arnav. No one blames her for anything and I will not give heed to any complaints…”

“Thank you, sir…”

“All of you go to your room” Arvind ordered.

They returned to their rooms.

Arvind was supposed to go to his room, but Arnav stopped him.

“One minute, sir” Arvind looked at him.

“Khushi came to my room to give this ring to me” Arnav showed the ring.

“Ring?”

“Yes, sir… when I came to this village, a dog chased me. that was when I found this ring near the Kala Bairava Temple. I kept it in my pocket and forgot it. The laundry man returned it to me. Khushi requested me to wear this. I didn’t show interest in wearing this. So, she took the ring. She had a nightmare in which a dog bit her finger and returned the ring to me. So, she came to my room to give the ring back. That’s when Krishna sir saw her I suppose”

Arvind held Arnav’s hand and looked at the ring.

“Did you get it in this village?”

“Yes, sir, near the Kala Bairava Temple”

“Khushi is right. Don’t remove it”

Arnav smiled.

“I’m serious Arnav. It’s a miracle you are allowed in this village. Now, you say you got this ring… please don’t remove it”

“Ok, sir… (he paused for a while) Sir, may I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything”

“Why do people in the palace hate Khushi?”

Arvind sighed.

“It’s because of a mystic…”

Arnav raised his brows, hearing the same reason that Khushi gave.

“I didn’t get you”

“He said, Khushi would be the QUEEN of this palace”

“How it’s possible?”

Arvind smiled. He too was confused about the mystic until Arnav reached the palace. After seeing him attached to Khushi, he guessed the reason even though he was unsure about it because anything could change at any time.

“I too don’t know… I too am curious to see how it happens” Arvind said smiling.

Arnav nodded and came to his room. Khushi observed everything from her room and felt content, seeing Arnav stand for her. She wanted to thank him forthrightly, but she didn’t want to create a scene again.

 

The next morning

Khushi waited for Arvind’s order to take Arnav to the Kala Bairava Temple. As she expected, Arvind called her.

“Khushi, are you going to the temple to start the function preparation, right?”

“Yes, uncle…”

“Take Arnav with you”

“Ok, uncle”

That was when Arnav came there.

“Arnav, Kala Bairava temple function is closing up. Join Khushi…”

“Sure sir”

Arnav looked at Khushi.

“Shall we go?”

“Jee…”

“Take a car,” Arvind said.

“No, sir… we will go by foot” Arnav said.

He walked with Khushi. When they came out,

“Thank you so much Arnav sir” Khushi said.

“For what?”

“For supporting me… for taking my side… for making me FEEL CONTENT”

Arnav looked at her plainly.

“I heard your argument last night”

Arnav was silent.

“You know what, Ratna Aunty was the only person who stood for me… I always think I have no one…” She left it without completing but Arnav understood what she was supposed to say.

“You don’t need to be emotional. I just put the brain in their head” he smiled.

“Whatever… thanks”

“Hey, relax… ok?”

They reached the temple. Khushi got stuck to see the Dog sitting at the entrance.

To be continued…