Part 18

Part 18

Payal was unable to gather herself after the morning events. She saw Khushi off and sat like a drained out person not knowing what to do.  She was not alone without the support of her younger sister.  Khushi was a geat source of energy to her.  She had no one now.  She had to defend Khushi’ decision, face wrath of Raizadas, stand up to Sham’s evil plans, confront Buwaji, take care of her babuji and Amma!  The tasks were overwhelming.  But she was determined.  She was ready to take on the entire world for her sister.  


“I won’t let you down, Khushi! I will fight till the end!” she clenched her fists resolutely.  She saw Aakash walking in and felt better.  He was the one who could give her support.  She got up with a jerk and took a step ahead to run into his arms but the thought of Sham’s deceipt stopped her in her tracks.  Sham was his Jijaji too! She didn’t know how Aakash would react to the fact.  Her phone rang to her relief.... 


“Hello?” she had picked up the unknown number.  When she heard Khushi's voice she ran aside to a corner and talked to her. 


She came back. Aakash was waiting for her.  She looked up at him.  He held her hand.

“Payal…!” he didn’t know how to break the news of Khushi and Arnav’s marriage in distress!

Payal didn’t know how to disclose the fact that Khushi went away!  He held her hand and told her how Arnav was worried about khushi's safety and requested her to inform as soon as Khushi comes. He told her not to worry in a soothing voice. He was really concerned about Khushi and ...Payal. 


“Payal did you meet Khushi?” he asked and she shook her head.  “No!” she said.  Now Aakash had to break the news.  He went away got a cup of tea and gave it to Payal.  


“Payal… Bhai and Khushi got married last night!” he said and Payal got up with a jerk.

“Please… Payal, calm down! There is some big misunderstanding between them.  Please Payal, let me know once she reaches here or comes home!” he said looking into her eyes intently.  Payal nodded speechless.  


“I want to be alone…!” Payal spoke finally, after a while.  Aakash understood.  “Ok! Payal, please take care of yourself.  And don’t worry! Bhai loves her!” he said and went away.


Payal went to babuji's room. He was crying. She took his hand in hers. Avinash entered and said he is taking them home and he will receive all the reports in a couple of days. He helped babuji get on the wheel chair and wheeled him out of the room. He told payal not to talk about this at home. It was afternoon by the time they reached home.


They went home. Buwaji was pacing around muttering furiously. When she saw payal, she bombarded her with numerous questions. She had tried calling Sham bitwa but he had not answered. She was worried about Khushi. Her phone too was switched off. Buwaji was furious. She started yelling at the top of her voice. Payal opened her mouth to tell her the truth. Amma was standing in the corner frightened and worried.


Avinash intervened. He helped babuji on the bed and turned to face buwaji. He said "buwaji, first let me tell you, babuji will be alright soon. I will start the new medicine once I get his reports. Secondly... he paused.. Khushi went for an interview ... She received the call yesterday night and since all of you were sleeping, she went alone early morning .." He knew he had a weak excuse for Khushi.


"What ?" Buwaji yelled. "How can she do that... this sanaka devi will cause me heart attack one day.." She screamed. And then turning around asked "How do you know?" She narrowed her eyes in suspicion.. Avinash looked away.. said .."umm... I had called her up to tell about babuji early morning. She was in a interview hall and then she switched off her phone. You see... phones are not allowed during interview..." he had reached upto the table where the phone was kept. Buwaji asked "Why did she not call home?" Avinash said.. she had.. but the call didn’t go through, he had managed to pull the cable. Phew..!


"But then I received calls since morning... that Aakash bitwa had called up early in the morning asking about Khushi... god knows what work the family has with Khushi.. they don't even allow her to sleep..." She turned around and picked up the phone... it was dead... Avinash sighed.

He said he will inform about Khushi if he receives any call from her. He looked at payal and pleaded her to handle the situation and went out.


Buwaji... puzzled... opened her mouth to ask something to payal. Payal went inside and said she needs to freshen up and will be taking tuitions today in place of Khushi.

A car stopped in front of the house with screeching brakes...!


He stopped his car at Khushi's place. Got down from the car and barged inside through the open door. Everybody looked stunned. Buwaji started of... "What are you doing here...!"

"Oh! Shut up!" he said furiously, started calling "Khushi..!” he yelled at the top of his voice.  No one came out! He waited impatiently.  “I know you are in.. KHUSHI!" his rage started mounting, he moved around in the house looking for her. Buwaji came forward stopping him .. saying "What are you doing.. she is not here!!" He pushed her aside in a fit of rage ... said "I know she is here... Khushi... Khushi..." He called out. Payal came out from the kitchen.. by that time he had reached at the other end of the house. He turned around, looking at Payal Piercingly he asked in a commanding voice.. "Call Khushi ! ... Call her nowt!" he demanded. Buwaji said "She is not at home. Gone for some interview or something for a new job. Avinash told me...?" 


"Interview?" "He looked puzzled .. "Which interview?" "Dr. Avinash called you?" he asked suspiciously.. 


"How do I know? This paramesari, sanaka devi never tells us anything before doing such weird things.." "And Avinash is our doctor...!" She retorted oblivious to the occurance of the events. Unable to understand... he looked at payal questioningly. 


"Mr. Raizada. Please leave! Khushi is not here. There is no point shouting..Please leave!" Payal said in a firm voice. She was angry that he was responsible for Khushi state. Because of him, she had to leave!  She showed him the door. He looked at her.. Understood. He went out looking back at the door.


"Where is she? What interview? The night she was with me. She left me early morning..Interview?" He was puzzled. "reality dawned on him. She had not come home. She had not told the truth. She had not told them that she got married... He stared unfocused.. 


He did not know what to do. Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, did not know what to do. He did not know how to find her or to throw her out of his heart. He did not know when she will come back. He did not know where she was! .... He sat in his car hopelessly.


“Ok! I will find her out and will... punish her for all this. What does she think of herself? I will show her, what happens when you go against Arnav Singh Raizada!” He slammed on the accelerator.

The pursuit had begun. The hunt was on... but the pray was far away.. out of reach.. An email was waiting for him ....!