Part 6

Sham had disappeared.  Khushi went out alone to get everything per buwaji’s list.  She wanted to forget everything, even her Devi Mayya.  Everyone in the house too had come to terms with the situation.  Khushi was getting married to sham was for sure, and that too soon.

“Khushi... ambulance will reach your house in fifteen minutes.  I will accompany your father.  Get him ready, bahatii naak!” Avinash said laughing and Khushi sulked pursing her lips and touching her nose.  It wasn’t running.  She came home hurriedly.  Her jiji was waiting.

“Khushi, Avi had called she said in hushed voice at the door.  Khushi opened her mouth to say something loudly.  Payal squeezed her hand and said, “Sham ji has come!” Khushi understood.  Shutting her mouth at once she went to babuji’s room.  Sham was in and Amma was on the bed beside babuji. 

Babuji, get ready.  We are going to the hospital.  Avinash wants you there for tests...!” Khushi said broadly smiling.  She had seen some hope..! Sham looked up startled.  

“Babuji... Avinash is coming!” Khushi added picking up the bag and helping babuji sit up.

“Where are you taking him?” Sham asked holding babuji’s hand.  “Hospital!” came an answer from Payal.  Sham stared at Khushi piercingly.  There was no effect, as she was not looking at him.  

“Why do you have to take him to the hospital?” he asked again.  There was no answer. Khushi was impatient.  She called up Avinash.

“Hello bahatii naak... think of the devil and here comes her call!” Avinash was in a good mood.

“When are you coming?” she asked him directly without any preamble.  “Leaving now with the ambulance..!” he said disconnecting the phone.  Grin appeared on her face.

“He is coming now!” she declared and adjusted Babuji’s hair.  Sham frowned.

Avinash came and checked babuji with a pleasant smile.  Automatically smile appeared on Amma’s face which was missing since babuji’s illness. 

Avinash came in as a pleasant breeze.  A faint smile appeared on babuji’s face which went unnoticed bin the hustle and bustle of the people around.  Sham glared at Avinash who ignored him completely. 

“Yeh Hain Khushi Kay Honewalay Pati, Nandkishore! He is Khushi’s would be husband, Sham Babua!” Buwaji was the only one to introduce Sham.  Avinash gave a broad smile and shaking hands with Sham said “Congratulations! Yeh Bahatii Naak is a lucky girl!” Sham smiled smugly.  Avinash turned to Babuji.

“I know, but I would like to change the line of treatment.  I suspect some adverse reaction of this medicine.  So let us go and have some more tests...!” he held babuji’s hand.  Babuji blinked once.  “Thats great!” Avinash looked at Payal and Khushi.  Payal nodded.  

“Hehe, this is great! I can communicate with babuji now!” Khushi was more than happy.  “For yes blink once, for no blink twice..!” Khushi said grinning at Avinash.  “Hain naa babuji?” she bent over to ask babuji.  Babuji blinked once and Khushi hugged Avinash happily.  He patted on her head.  “Why didn’t i think about it earlier?” she wondered loudly.  “It requires this...!” Avinash pointed at her head.  And she sulked.  Payal laughed and pulled Khushi nearer.  No one noticed frown on Sham’s face.  

“Now I don’t have to worry about Babuji.  I know he is in safe hands of Avinash, Doctor Avinash...!” Khushi declared raising her hand.  

"Hum babuji ka ilaj kar rahain hain... ab agar dusara doctor aa gaya to inaki halat aur bigad sakati hai" (Our doctor is already taking care of babuji and if another doctor starts his treatment then there will be more health problems for babuji"  He spoke to Khushi’s shock.  Avinash looked worried too.  But his professionalism held him back from reacting.  He looked at Payal and Khushi.  Amma had brought in Tea and snacks.  

“He is not dusara doctor, he is like our family member...!” Khushi spat angrily and Payal nodded for this too.  “Yes! Avinash is like a family member!” she confirmed.  

“The one who is treating Uncle ji, is a very experienced and senior doctor...!” Sham protested looking at Buwaji for support.  Avinash gazed at Sham’s furious face and got up.  

“It is up to you, to decide!” he stopped the conversation and got up to go.

“No, Avinash!” both Khushi and Payal ran behind him.  Khushi held his hand.  “I am going to decide who should treat my babuji!” she said firmly and bringing Avinash back said “Babuji ka ilaaj aaj say Avinash hi karenge!”  Sham wore a frown and disgust on his face.  He needed some drastic action to stop the situation slipping out of his hands.

“Yes of course! He is your babuji!” he said shrugging.  “Yes!” Khushi declared with determination.  “Let me ask him!” she bent over babuji.  “Babuji, Do you agree?” she asked and to her relief, babuji blinked once.  “See? Babuji trusts Avinash...!” she looked piercingly at Sham who looked away in frustration, frowning.

Khushi declared, "Its decided, Avinash will take care of babuji's treatment and she has full faith in him. She looked at Amma and her jiji. Both nodded in acceptance. Shyam looked at Buaji for support but she just shrugged.

Arnav buried himself in work, in the office shouting at people around him. He was particularly in a very bad mood. After lunch he came back to his cabin.  He had locked his private room.

“What the hell?” he picked up the sample table top calendar.  His eyes fixed on her photo, his fingers ran over the photograph.  Regi had taken some sample shots and had inserted a couple of them in the calendar.  

He couldn’t take his eyes off.  The acqua green dress competing with her eyes, she looked stunning and he was stunned.  “Look at her beauty, ASR... on the threshold of womanhood...!” Regi’s words gave him heart stab.  Indeed, on the threshold of womanhood! He thought pressing his right hand on his heart.

“No! This is not done, Arnav! She means nothing..! Just another girl worked in your office..!” he commanded himself.  Inadvertently, he dialled her landline number.  Amma picked up. 

“Umm Khushi is not at home..!” Amma said stuttering.  “Ok. Ask her to call me back!” he ordered and disconnected regretting for calling her.

He did not receive any call from khushi till night. He had to work hard to control his rage. “How dare she doesn’t reply!” he forgot that she no more worked in his office.  He had relieved her.  At one point of time he was happy that she did not call as he had nothing to talk to her. He just had called her impulsively. But he was angry that she had not called him even after getting his message.

“Damn it!” he clenched his fists for not receiving her call. “Agar Shaadi Kar Rahi hain toh kya? Why can’t she call back?”  he was desperate but had nothing actually to talk to her.  His impulsive call had made him worried.   “Am I missing her?” his heart asked.  “No!” he dismissed the thought immediately, still waiting for her call back.   He missed her, grabbing her, fighting with her like a child, pushing her, teasing her, staring at her pursed lips, caring for her, he missed being upset when she was upset.  

“Damn with this calendar...!” he picked it up again and threw with full force.  “For once I should meet her.  Ek baar milanaa hain...Bass ek baar!” he clenched with vengeance again.  

“Why did I call her?” he had no answer.  He glanced at the calendar.  “Yeah.. Ok..  About this photo shoot!” he consoled himself for calling her.  After all he had some work with her.  His fingers dialled her number again but he disconnected it hastily.  “No! She should call!” he said to himself caressing his ego.  He glanced at her photos.  The glance turned into an unblinking stare... his eyes went dreamy... “Khushi...!” he couldn’t stop running his fingers on her photo as if touching her creamy skin, her juicy lips, her long curvy eyelashes, her hair locks..! He suddenly stopped holding the calendar tightly in his grip.  “This girl is driving me crazy..!” He concluded keeping the calendar aside and closing his eyes. 

There was a knock on the door! Automatically he said "yes, get in.." The door opened & he saw Khushi at the door. He got up mesmerized . Khushi came in .

“Did you call?’ she asked looking away.  He was desperate.  “Yes!” he said in a dream state.  She waited.  He forgot what he wanted to say.

“What?” she asked looking up.  He gaped at his angel.  She fidgeted nervously, still confused as he had not said anything.  She looked up at his lost gaze.  He came back on earth with his big ego.

He said in husky voice "umm.. I mean you have earned this money for photo shooting for our calander... i mean I have to pay you. I don't take any favours from anybody... I know, these were taken without your knowledte... um the photos are really good and go well with our company motto.. I am writing this cheque for you..." As he started signing on the cheque.  His pen slipped from his grip and fell down. Both khushi andArnav bent down at the same time bumping on each other. Both got up pressing their hands on their foreheads. They started simultaneously speaking angrily at each other. He said "Why do you have to bend to pick up the pen when I was picking it up.. or did you take this opportunity to bump on me as you do it every time we meet.. I know people like you will seek....." Cutting him she retorted.."Why would I do that? I don’t work for you now! You are no body... Who are you that I should be dying to touch you. I am engaged and getting married soon.." His anger went over the edge.

He came forward aggressively and held her by her shoulders and pulled her closer.. "Don't you dare talk to me like this..." he said with gritted teeth .. She looked into his rage spitting eyes .. she wanted to say something.. he was so close to her that his nose almost rubbed with hers... tears started welling up in her eyes.. he closed his eyes.. whispering "Khushi...!! Why...?" 

He woke up with bang on his door. There was no Khushi.. He looked at the cheque book in his hand... he had written Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada on every leaf of that book.... Hurriedly he hid it and went to open the door himself.

Part 5

Since then Khushi had not met ASR.  She had avoided every contact with Raizadas.  Sham was happy.  He finally was very close to winning.  “Yeh shaadi ho jaani chahiye, bass!” he only wished.

And on the eve on new year, 31^st December party, Arnav couldn’t control himself in that darkness of ten seconds before the new year.  The flame in his heart had enlightened him completely and he realized, he couldn’t live without her.  

“Khushi Kumari Gupta, you will come back to me! I know! I will compel you!” he was damn sure!

“I will never go to him, no matter what happens to me!” he kept saying, but missing him badly.

The magical moments in the brief darkness of 31^st December night came as realization for her that she actually was in love with the monster, for whatever he did to her.  She had accepted all his care, compassion, rescue, hatred, humiliation, insult... everything he did to her.  It didn’t matter for her.  

She was floundering under the blanket on 31^st December after coming from Lavanya’s party.  Payal came and slept beside her.  She didn’t bother to open the blanket.  Payal’s breathing was steady after some time indicating that she was fast asleep.  Sleep was far far away from Khushi.  His hazy face kept flashing before her eyes...! She tried closing  her eyes shut tightly.  He became more clear and came more closer, holding her tightly, caressing her cheek, putting his arm around her shoulder, holding her to his heart.... every time giving her the pain in her heart.  

“I know, it cannot happen.  We will never meet!... but I just can’t stop thinking about him...! I should move on! I am getting married and so is he! This is not done!” she reprimanded herself several times.  Payal couldn’t bear her anguish.  She kept suggesting that Khushi should just elope! Khushi refused. 

“I just want to forget everything, Jiji~ .. I just want to get married and go away from this house.  That’s the only way to set the things right!” She kept telling Payal breaking her into tears.   She sat up with a jolt.

“Hey devi mayya, I did it again...!” she joined her hands closing her eyes in panic.  Payal looked aghast.  “What? What did you do?” she asked in panic too.  Khushi had got up and was pacing the room nervously.  She picked up the phone and kept it again.  Payal looked on to Khushi’s dilemma.  “Khushi..!” she opened her mouth to ask.  Khushi stopped her raising her hand.  She picked up her phone.  

“Arnavji!”, she called. Hame maaf karana hum ne aap ko itani raat jagaya. Lekin hum ne shayad phir se kuch piche choda hai, aap ki gadi me. I think I have left something in your car!

Lekin rukiye.. chillanese pehele hum bataa denge ki hum use lene nahi aaenge aur aap ko bhi use lautane ki jarurat nahi. Woh to aap ka hi gift hain! Aap use phek dijiye.”

“But please, you don’t have to return it.  Just throw it away!  Bus itanahi kehena tha.
And before Arnav could say something she hung up.

“What the!” he looked at the dead screen and got out of the bed.  He stopped infront of the mirror for a second and came back.  But his curiosity took better of him and he glided down to the main door.  He opened the car door to search what she had left behind.  When he looked under the seat, he was shocked to see a packet in a polythene bag.  He bent down and lifted it. Next moment he was back in his room with the packet holding his breath!

Khushi went to sleep determined not to think about the 31 Dec Party where Arnav caught her unaware and ... in a short span of the darkness... he...She felt helpless that she was unable to resist.  “Why couldn’t I pushed him away? Why did I feel so secure and safe in his arms?” she had no answer. 
She closed her eyes tightly and prayed devi mayya...!

Arnav opened the packet to see the red saree he had exchanged with the lemon yellow bought by Anjali, gaping at him.  He crumpled it in his hands in rage.  “You left it on purpose, I know!” he threw it at the corner angrily.  

“I will burn down everything...!” his destructive mind pushed him to shatter everything in the room.  The red saree still was gaping miserably.  He picked it up only to throw it away several times.  “She is right.  I should throw it away!” he couldn’t! He clutched his head helplessly gazing at the saree.  No way, he could throw it away.  He had to keep it.  He had gifted it.  He had told her the price of such an expensive saree.. he had bought the matching jewellery.  He had exchanged it with the lemon yellow one.  He had pulled broken her necklace. He had thrown her out of the house in the midnight.  He pressed the saree against his chest.  “Khushi...!” he screamed in anguish.  Khushi woke up with a start in her bed.

“Arnav ji?” she felt he was calling her.  “No! That’s not true!..” she pulled her blanket over her head, closing her eyes.  The hot tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes. “Its over! Its all over, Arnav ji!” the residue of her trapped breath left her with a faint sob! 

“Khushi...!” Buwaji yelled and she woke up with a start.  Payal was already in the kitchen and Khushi ran inside the bathroom.  her phone rang in the morning.  It was Avinash.  She felt better.  “Avinash?...  

“Avinash? Yes... I will bring him!” she said looking at Payal. Payal nodded smiling.  They both decided to take babuji to the hospital.

“Khushi... Don’t worry! I will send the ambulance!” Avinash assured and Khushi smiled broadly.  Now she wouldn’t want any help from Sham ji!

“Sanaka devi, take this list! Go with Sham Babua and get the things.  There is very little time left and you have all the time for partying and getting up late in the morning...!” Buwaji went on yelling at the top of her voice.  Khushi didn’t bother and got ready. 

“I will go in the afternoon, Buwaji, I have to take babuji to the hospital!” she yelled back from bathroom when Sham was at the door.  

“Hospital? What happened? How is uncleji?” he faked concern and Buwaji left Khushi and Payal alone to attend to Sham Babua.  His phone rang.  “Hello, Ji! Ji Rattan saab.  Don’t worry! I will handle it!” he said moving out of the house for that day.  Khushi looked at her Buwaji and Buwaji shook her head smiling.  “Bahut Kaam Karataa Hain, Babua! He is a very busy man..!” she said looking out of the main door.  Khushi shrugged.  “Get everything as per the list!” Buwaji yelled as Khushi went out of the door with mithai containers.  “Ok!” Khushi yelled back.  

Arnav had a very disturbed sleep and when he woke up, he found the red saree pressed against his chest.  He threw it away immediately and got up.  He came back, picked it up and hid it in his wardrobe deep inside, never to pull it out.  “This is all because of you, Khushi..!” he blamed her for his condition.  “You will pay for this...!” he clenched his fists with vengeance.  

Part 4

Part 4

“Hello, is this Arnavji?” A male voice asked and Arnav got up with a jerk.  “Who is this?” he asked raising his voice in suspicion.  “Her fiancé?” he clenched his fists with the thought.

“I want to know,  who is the owner of this phone I am calling from!” the deep husky male voice spoke gravely.  “What? This is Khushi’s number!” he said sounding confused.  “Where is she?” he asked hastily.

“I am sorry! The girl collided with my car...!” the voice sounded panic.  “What? Is she ok? Where is she?” Arnav had reached his table to pick up the car keys.  “Sh.. she... is unconscious... we have taken her to the hospital!” the voice said.  “Which hospital?” Arnav asked reaching the main door. 

“City Hospital.  We found your number first in her contact list and called you!” the person explained.  Arnav didn’t bother.  “Stay there! I am coming!” he barked hopping into the car. “Yeh ladaki muze ek din ...! This girl will give me a heart attack!”  He blurted racing at the rocket speed to reach the hospital.   He was not sure in which condition he would see her.  “Damn it, Khushi...!” he floundered at her pain.  

“Khushi...!” he was at the door of hospital room! Khushi looked aghast.  She looked at the person who took her to the hospital and the next moment she was in Arnav’s arms. “Khushi..!” he blurted in anguish!

 He pulled apart after a while and “Dekh kar Chal nahi sakati? Do you even know, how worried I was? Kahan kahan  Lagaa hain?” he moved his hands on her body with furious face.  “Why can’t you be careful?” he pulled her again in his arms.  She shrunk embarrassed.  

 “Ssss!” Khushi moaned in pain and he looked up.  “Are you ok?” he asked cupping her face and looking at her bandaged forehead.  She gave a nod and the other person came forward.

“How dare you hurt her!” Arnav got up aggressively ready to strike.  “No! It’s not his fault! I was careless..! ” Khushi spoke faintly.  “It was I who bumped on his car!” she went ahead. He  sat back on her bed.  “Shuuu don’t talk!” he kept his fingers on her lips and looked at the person.

“Woh.. actually I was not reckless.  But she appeared all of a sudden from nowhere and before i could do anything, she bumped..!” the person explained. 

 “As usual... Dhyan Kahan rahataa hain tumharaa?” Arnav again looked at Khushi..keeping his palm on her cheek.  She closed her eyes.  

“No major injuries..! Just some bruises..!” the man mumbled.  

“Ok! I will take care.. you give me your contact number..!” Arnav ordered looking at the time.  And the man joined his hands gratefully.  He gave his card to Arnav.  

He went straight to the RMO of city hospital.  “Arnav Singh Raizada!” he stood before him and everything was taken care of after that! RMO himself instructed to take utmost care.  Arnav came back to Khushi who was on the bed with head injuly.

The nurse entered the room of a soup bowl and told khushi to drink it. 

“No!” Khushi turned her face.  But arnav took the soup bowl “Chup chap Pi lo!” he ordered and she opened her mouth. He fed her when the RMO entered the room!

“Ok! She is alright now.  But we would like to keep her under observation for she has suffered a head injury and concussion.  We would run some tests!” Arnav nodded and “No!” Khushi winced. 

“Shut up!” Arnav held her shoulder.  RMO looked at the duo.  

 “Who is this beautiful young lady?” he asked ASR but before he could answer, 

“I am his ex employee! I was working in his office!” she said plainly.  He was hurt.  She looked away.

  The nurse entered again with medicine tray and took out the syringe.  “No!” Khushi closed shut her eyes scared to the core.  He held her tightly when the nurse gave her the injection.  She shivered in fright he breathed on her shoulder bending over and holding her tightly.  “umm  she is scared of injection!” he said looking at their embracing position, releasing her.  RMO smiled understandingly.  She pushed him away.  She sat up  when the RMO went away.

“I am ok. Now!” he pushed her back on the bed again resting her head on the pillow.  “I will decide!” he took charge of the situation.  

“No.. thank you!  I will go home now!” she said trying to get up.  “Suna nahi, Doctor nay kya kaha?” he was furious and she was adamant.  The ward boy carried her out of the room for tests. He accompanied her everywhere issuing frantic instructions to the support staff to be careful...!  when she was back in the room, he gently put his arms around her and cuddled her. Said "ab so jao.. mai yahi rahunga"  she was flabbergasted.  “Stay here!” he warned her and went out.  Remembering that her family must be worried he called up Aman and told him to call khushi's house and tell them that she will be staying with Lavanya tonight.

He came back, sitting by her side he took her hand in his.  She felt the engagement ring in his finger and withdrew her hand.  He gazed at her releasing her hand and took out the ring from his finger and kept it in his pocket.  She looked at him bewildered.  “Chubhati hain!” he said coolly.  She looked shocked and looked at her finger for her engagement ring.

“No!” she got up with a jolt.  Her engagement ring was missing.  “Woh... my ring.. !” she couldn’t continue.  He too had seen the ring missing.  “I...I lost my engagement ring..!” she said getting up and searching around.

“Stop it! Its not important!” he pushed her back on the bed and said.  “Ab so jao! I will be here!” he drew the blanket over her, drew a chair nearer, took her hand in his, caressingly.  A sweet, agonizing shiver ran through her spine and she closed her eyes shut.  It was hard to believe that Arnav ji was there with her at her bedside holding her hand.  “I wish he had written my destiny!” she drifted away in sleep.  “I wish the cabin fiasco had never happened!” he thought gravely squeezing her hand gently and closing his eyes shut, resting his head on her bed 

Khushi opened her eyes and looked around. It was early morning and she saw arnav fast asleep in the chair next to her bed resting his head on her hand. Slowly she extricated her hand from below his head. Tip toed out of the room,  went to the nurse and requested for a paper and pen.

Scribbling something, she gave it back the folded paper.  “Will you please give this to Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada? I don’t want to wake him up.  He is in deep sleep!” Khushi requested and the nurse nodded.  Khushi moved out of the hospital quietly.  She knew Arnav ji will take care of the other formalities and manage her disappearance without a discharge from the hospital.  

Arnav woke up with a start. He looked the empty bed. He called out "Khushi....Khushi.." The nurse came rushing in 

“She has left. This! She has left this for you!”  She handed over a paper note.
Arnav, staring blankly at the nurse took the letter.

“Arnav ji,

Hum aap ko aur ulzun me nahi dalana chahate. Aap ka ye ehesaan bhi hum par udhar raha. Aap apani jindagi me khush rahen.
Hum devi mayyaa se prarthana karenge ki hum aap se dubara na mile.
Aap ka shukriya, jab jab hum gire.. tab tab sambhalane ke liye, hame hamari aukat yaad dilane ke liye aur har baar hamase dobara na milane ki kasam khane ke liye.
-Khushi.”

“Arnav ji,

I am really sorry, Arnav ji! I don’t want to complicate the things further.  Thank you very much for everything you have done for me and my family.  I am indebted to you forever. 

I  promise I will pay off everything I owe you.  I wish you all the happiness in your life! I am beholden to you for this care also. 

Khushi”

ASR gritted his teeth in rage crumpling the note in his hand. “Khushi Kumari Gupta!” He marched out of the hospital enraged.  

Part 3

Khushi slept like a log that night.  There was nothing to dream about.  Next day morning she got up late.  She saw sham at the table with a cup of tea.  He smiled sweetly at her.  She reciprocated mechanically and went into the kitchen.  Her Amma was busy preparing soup for Babuji.  Sham waited at the table for her.  She looked at the engagement ring blankly.

“Aray Khushi, go! He is waiting for you!” Buwaji pushed her.  She came out.  “Get ready! We will go to Mandir!” he whispered.  She looked away.  

“Umm, Sham ji.. You will be taking me to the new flat after the wedding, right?” she asked when Buwaji settled herself on the chair next to Sham.  “Of course, Khushi!” he said keeping his hand on hers.

“Umm.. I want to marry as soon as possible! Can we make it tomorrow?” she asked looking straight into his eyes.  Every second in the house with the burden of being bad omen was killing her.  

“What? So eager?” Buwaji couldn’t hide her grin.  “Yes, Buwaji!” she said plainly with no emotion, no blushing and shyness.

“Haiii ray nandkishore! Titaliya.... !” Buwaji pinched her fondly.  Khushi looked away.  Sham gazed at her face.  “Few days.. and you will be mine!” he licked his lips.  

“I will go to Pandit ji and find out a suitable date..!” Buwaji said contentedly. 

“Why can’t we have it tomorrow? Or today?” Khushi asked and heard a faint sob from the kitchen.  She ignored her Amma’s anguish.  

“Khushi... I am ready..!” sham said.  “Ok, then! We will get married and move out of this house ...!” she said getting up to do her packing.

“Aray... wait..Move out?” he asked in shock.  “Yes, Move out! We are moving out after our wedding, right?” now she was shocked at his reaction.  “Yeah... I mean... but I haven’t got the possession of the flat yet!” he said looking at Buwaji expectantly.

“Aray.. don’t worry.  You two can stay here till you get the possession..!” Buwaji was very generous.  “No! I don’t want to stay even for a single minute, in this house, after the wedding..!” she stood up furious.  “Make a suitable arrangement for our stay after our wedding and I will marry you immediately!” she looked at Sham.  Sham too had got up.  He placed his hand on her shoulder to pacify her.  “Yes! Khushi! Don’t worry! I will make the arrangement and we will get married.  Ok? Calm down..! Now before that, as I had promised you, I will take you to  your Lucknow!” He knew this will bring smile on her face.  But she repelled.

“No! I am not going anywhere!” she said firmly and Sham looked frustrated. His expressions changed.  “Khushi, if you want to save your shop, this house and your house in  Lucknow, you got to give me those papers.  I need them to present them in Court!” he said sternly in a threatening voice and she turned to face him clenching her fists.  She took a deep breath and turned to Buwaji.

“You said, after the marriage, everything will be alright! Babuji will be alright!” she stated looking at Buwaji straight in her eyes.  She nodded.  “Ok then, we will go when Babuji gets well after the wedding!” she said sitting down again.  Sham clenched his fists.  “But I want those documents! What if babuji doesn’t recover?” he couldn’t control his temper.  “Babuji should be alright!” she said firmly.  He too sat down thinking hard.  “Ok Khushi! As you wish.  We will go after the wedding.”  He calculated.  “After the wedding and babuji should be alright!  We will take him with us!” she added to his irritation.  He frowned. He looked at Buwaji for support.  She didn’t know what to do.  She was trapped in her own words.  She had told Khushi that everything will be alright after the wedding when she moves out of this house.  

“It’s ok! Nandkishore, let us not talk about it now!” she tried to pacify both.  “Now you two go to Mandir..!” she ordered and Khushi went into babuji’s room.  “Amma... I have a problem... I cannot go to Mandir!” Khushi declared and Amma understood.  She called Buwaji in to explain.

Khushi’s phone rang.  Sham looked around and picked it up from the table.  “Anjali ji!” the name flashed and he wiped his sweat from forehead.  He rejected the call pocketing it and went out.

*********    *********    ********

“Aray, why is Khushi, not picking up the phone?” Anjali was puzzled.  “I will call her later.!” She said and went away.  Arnav showed no expression on his face.  He continued with his breakfast.  Lavanya walked in happily.  “ASR!” he put her arms around his shoulders.  He nodded.

“Finally!” she was still in a dream state.  “Yeah!” Anjali joined her preparing the check list.  “Di, Call Khushi.. we will go for shopping..! Oh god! So much to do in such a short time..!” Lavanya was on cloud nine!  Anjali dialled.

“Hello... Khushi?.. oh! Ok!... Wa  What?  Oh!... Congratulations to both of you!” Anjali spoke flabbergasted and disconnected.

:”Did you hear that? Khushi got engaged yesterday!” She screamed in excitement.  Arnav froze! Lavanya got up with a jerk.  She looked at Anjali in disbelief.  “What? Chamakili? Got Engaged? Oh!” she clapped in happiness.

“Yeah! She got engaged yesterday! I just now talked to her fiancé! I mean this is great! I mean she didn’t tell us before! But its ok! I can understand!” She blurted happily.  

“Nani... Nani..!” Anjali went to Nani’s room to give her the news.

Arnav got up in a slow motion, to go back to his room.  “I told her about my engagement day before yesterday, and she got engaged yesterday... quite fast, haan? What a coincidence!!” Lavanya blurted smiling broadly.

*********   ******   ******

“Thank you! Your work is over!” Sham snatched Khushi’s phone back from his friend.  He thrust a 500 Rupees note in his hand and said, “You know what to do!” threateningly.  “Yes.. keep quiet about this..!” the friend knew what Sham would do to him otherwise!

“Humm... one hurdle crossed... Khushi’s engagement news is out! She won’t enter that house again! Now I can handle my saale saab and his probe into the accident case! Raani sahebaa! I am sorry! You will get hurt in all this! But can’t help!” he smirked at his victory. 

**********   *********   ********

“What did she do? Got engaged? Just after walking out?” he clenched his fists.  “I don’t care! You didn’t even listen to my explanation, Khushi.  Now i understood why! You wanted to walk away!” he threw his cell on the bed.  “Khushi Kumari Gupta! To hell with you! You were trying to trap two people! You .. you double crossed! Now you will face the music..!”  He paced angrily kicking whatever came in his way!

“But why should i bother? You don’t exist for me from now on!”  He stood before the mirror to style his hair looking calm.  He had declared to himself that he didn’t bother. 

“I... I came here to..request  you to...!” someone sobbed hard and he winced.  “Did she come to tell me this?” he floundered.  “No! Why didn’t you tell me Khushi? You spoke all the crap... and didn’t..!” he threw his hairbrush at his image in the mirror.  “Khushi!” his heart cried out.  He was Arnav Singh Raizada! His heart couldn’t be so soft for someone! He must be ruthless.. he must be heartless! He couldn’t be soft for a girl.  It was not him! He felt extreme emotions ripping him apart.  

“I don’t care! I declared my engagement before her! I won! I am ahead of her! I will go ahead with my plans and show her.. how an engagement is done!” he was not himself.  He opened his room door and came down.  

“Aman, contact even managers... media.. arrange everything, I am getting engaged!” he ordered to everyone’s surprise.  

“Media?” asked Anjali in surprise.  “Yes! Its going to be an event!” he said with glint.  Nani looked at him.  He avoided her gaze.  “Chote..!” she opened her mouth to speak.  “I don’t have time, not now, Nani!” he stopped her.  He knew his reinforced wall was still weak! Nani would crash it down anytime...!

“Oh! I am so happy!” Lavanya came running into his arms.  He hugged her and said..”I need to go to the office!” he broke himself apart and left.  He knew only one thing to keep himself away from her thoughts.. “Work!” but his heart was giving up!  He clutched the Mannat ki chabi taking it out of his pocket.  He couldn’t throw it however hard he tried.

*********   **********  ********

“Khushi!” her Amma woke her up in a hushed voice.  Payal sat up so did Khushi! “Amma? What happened? Is babuji alright?” she asked getting up from the bed.

“Bhaag Jaa, Khushi!” Amma said in a bear whisper.  “What?” Khushi screamed.  “Shuuu! Quiet! Take this!” Amma held out an envelope.

“What is this?” Khushi asked bewildered.  Payal was shocked at Amma’s suggestion.  A few days back she too had thought of the same solution.

“Khushi, yeh paise lay aur bhaag jaa!” Amma held her hand desperately.  “Yeh lay!” she held out a paper.  Khushi had not come out of shock state.  “There is address written on it.  She is my cousin and my best friend, my secret keeper! Go to her place Khushi! She will do something .. hide you from these people!” Her Amma was miserable.  Khushi gaped at her Amma.  “Khushi pack your bag! I will hide it under babuji’s bed.  Take the first bus tomorrow morning to Kanpur and I will come at the bus stand under some pretext to give you your bag...!” She had planned everything.  

“What if I run away?” Khushi had asked Buwaji.  “It will not change your name! Your fate!” Buwaji had doomed her.

“No!” Khushi jerked Amma’s hand.  “No use Amma! It will not solve the problem!” she said turning her Amma down.  Amma broke down.  “Khushi... bhag jao!” her mind could only think about this for her trapped child.

“Haan Khushi..! I will handle here!” Payal supported her mother.  “No!” Khushi said resolutely.

“No I am not going anywhere.  I will go out of this house only  after my wedding..!” she said with determination.  “And you don’t think and worry about my Amma! I will be fine!” she said smiling at her Amma.  “Go and have some sleep Amma! Don’t worry!” she assured her Amma.

***********   **********   *********

“Khushi, you have to come! Tumhe dosti ki kasam!” Lavanya missed her badly and wanted Khushi to be with her during the ceremony.  Khushi couldn’t say no.  She had avoided going to Raizada house since she walked out of ASR’s cabin.  She had not shown her face despite frantic calls from Anjali and Lavanya.  She had decided not to meet him again, every time bleeding her heart with his thought. 

“What if he really had forgotten to remove the slides?” her heart wanted to believe.  But she knew that was not the case! He had completed his kill with a vengeance.  She would never meet him again.  But she couldn’t reject Lavanya’s invitation.  She had to go.  She was determined not to confront him.  She stayed backstage always, avoiding both Arnav and Nani.  She knew, she wouldn’t be able to hide her feelings from Nani.  She wouldn’t want to break down.  

Every time she heard the name Chote, her heart sank and she had to bat her eyelids to send back her tears.  Lavanya kept on calling her on stage.  The entire Raizada house was decorated flamboyantly.  Khushi couldn’t recognise the house.  Within such a short period everything was managed so well.  The crowd fell short of words in appreciating the arrangements.  

“Khushi, why didn’t you tell me?” Lavanya whispered in her ears and Khushi looked down.  “It was a private function” Khushi gave some excuse.  “Why is he not here with you? I will not leave ASR alone anywhere after the engagement!” Lavanya blurted.  Khushi turned her face.  “Lavanya!” ASR was behind and Khushi walked away under his gaze.  He clenched his fists.  She was never to be seen again.  He tried his best to catch her off guard in vain.  She had merged herself in the crowd.

“I don’t care!” he gritted his teeth, his eyes searching for her everywhere, desperately!. He was trapped in that crowd alone.  Lonely he was, so was she trying to brush away her anguish by smiling broadly,  unnecessarily, sometimes.  “Why does Lavanya ji have to invite me? Mera dil kyun nahi maan rahaa!” she tried to reprimand her Dil which was out of control.  

“Usay Dikhanaa Hain, Amiron ki sagai kaise hoti hain!” he finally found out the reason to go searching for her.  

“Khushi bitiya!” Nani had held her hand.  Khushi winced.  “Ji, Naniji?” she smiled broadly. “What are you two doing?” she asked gravely.  Khushi wore confusion on her face.  Nini looked at her “Are you happy with your engagement? I don’t see him happy!” Nani tried her best.  “Yes Nani ji, I am very happy.  Finally getting married!” Khushi sighed happily and Nani shook her head hopelessly.  “Why can’t these two listen to their hearts?” she had no answer and no solution.  

“Nani..!” he was at the door and Nani looked up.  “Yes Chote?” she raised her eyebrows.  He forgot why he was there.  Khushi walked past him... “Khushi..!” he called out.  Nani sensed the danger..

“Chote, what is it?” she asked taking a step ahead and holding his hand giving Khushi some time to move away.  He lost the opportunity again.  He wanted to meet her desperately, before the engagement! To show her....She wanted to run away from that place to hide her... 

The rings were exchanged with full media exposure with pompous arrangements, suiting Raizada’s status.  Lavanya looked stunning so did her ASR! He was back in action.. confident, aggressive, smug! Khushi stayed back.  When the crowd started retreating, she came forward.  Without even glancing at ASR she congratulated Lavanya giving her flower bouquet and meeting Anjali,  pushed off from the place quietly.  She needed some respite at her Devi Mayya’s feet and he needed respite in her.  He refused to admit.  But she had no one to turn to.  Mandir was the only place where she could find solace.

The function was over.. Lavanya’s parents had gone back to their hotel.  Raizadas were still discussing the engagement.  Sham came in late after Khushi left and Anjali sulked.  He knew how to bring back her mood.  He played shrewdly his cards and managed to pacify everyone with his sweet talks.  Arnav sat there for a while listening to them and suddenly asked..

“Where were you, Jijaji?” Sham startled.  “Umm.. had some urgent work!” he said.  “Where?” came a stern question.  Sham fumbled.  “Do I have to explain everything in this house?” he flared up! Anjali got nervous.  “Chote, let it be! It’s not important! He came for the function, thats enough for us!” She tried to eliminate the row between these two.  Since a week, her chote, everyday used to ask about Sham and his whereabouts.  Anjali told this to Sham and he gritted his teeth.  “Raani saheba.. if I am to justify everything I do, I will not stay here!” he took out his trump card in front of Arnav.  “No!” he said looking at the pathetic condition of his Di.  

“Saale Saab, you are soon getting married.  Keep some secrets! Don’t let your wife know everything about you!” he teased Arnav.  “What are your secrets, Damad ji? Hello hi bye bye!” asked Mami loudly and Sham winced.  “My secret is this, that I love my wife more than my life!” Sham wrapped his wife.  “And my secret is I cannot live without him! I will leave everything for him!” Anjali closed her eyes resting her head on his shoulder.  He patted on her head passionately.  Arnav couldn’t bear it and marched out from there.  He came back to his room and threw himself on the bed, face down! He didn’t understand, why was he feeling so doomed and dejected!

His phone rang... “Khushi!” the name flashed and he picked it up...!