Part 28

Khushi got up early in the morning and got ready. She was wearing a beautiful baby pink saree with matching blouse. She had let her hair loose. She was wearing only bangles and earrings. She had put a small bindi on her forehead. In the morning, she looked little pale but beautiful.

She found papaji and raj talking to each other in a whisper.
“What? What is it?” she asked suspiciously narrowing her eyes.  Raj broke the whisper.  “Nothing… we were just discussing …!” He didn’t know what!  “Haan?” she looked at Papaji.  He thumped on her back sending her forward.

“Are you not going to Mandir, today?” he asked loudly snubbing her suspicion.  She frowned and called mummiji to take her to the Mandir, going into the room. But without few minutes she came out morose.  “She is not coming today…!” she answered Papaji’s questioning looks.  

“Hey, I will come with you! That was my favourite place…!” he offered enthusiastically picking up the car keys.  Khushi nodded surprised.  Papaji chuckled and went into his room to talk to his biwi.  
Raj took out Papaji’s Toyota SUV and raced to the mandir.

ASR had decided to visit the mandir before the suggested time. He spent sleepless night dreaming about Khushi and her encounters with him. That made him get up late and he rushed to the mandir to catch up with the time.

“Seven in the morning? What is so special at seven? Kaali Mandir?” he blurted racing his rented car away on the way to Kaali Mandir at Shantiniketan.  

Khushi and Raj went to Kaali mandir. Raj was visiting this temple after ten years.
“Haaa… this is exactly the same… nothing has changed…!” he was nostalgic.  Khushi gaped at his bright face.

 He talked to Khushi about this temple of half-painful reminiscence, telling her that the temple was exactly the same but the surrounding had changed a lot. Khushi finished her prayer and sat there for some time closing her eyes. Suddenly she experienced the same state of mind, the gust of wind made her weak. “Arnav ji?” She stopped thinking about anything else. She felt his presence. "Khushi..!" Raj was shaking her shoulder asking her to get up. The charm still not lifted, she got up like a sleep walker and looked at Raj blankly. "hey Khushi.., Come back!" Raj shouted moving his hand in front of her eyes. She came back to her senses.
"Let us go, Khushi! All must be waiting at home for breakfast. Hurry up! Lets go!"

He pushed her forward and made her walk along clutching her elbow.

Arnav had bent down to take out his shoes. He experienced sudden excitement. The gust of wind made him aware of her presence. He knew she is around. He knew, he is going to meet her. He knew this was the right place to meet her. He straightened himself, looking around. His eyes searched her inside the temple. He looked around and turned to look back. He saw her.... He saw her getting into the SUV. He saw her... closing the door. He screamed... "Khushi....!" He ran forward..

HE SAW HER GOING AWAY..!
**** ****

He was not to give up. Forgetting to wear his shoes back, he ran after the SUV. He saw it racing away. He ran towards his rented car. Hitting hard upon the accelerator he raced behind the SUV. He drove behind the SUV never allowing it to go out of site. He was furious. He was determined. He was close... very very close... Both the cars racing one behind other took turns and bends to reach the destination.

Khushi was getting into the SUV. She heard him. She looked back to confirm. Raj had already locked the doors. She saw him... saw him running after her SUV. She saw him running bare foot. “Raj bhaiyya…!”She looked at Raj pleading to stop the SUV. But Raj looking at her, said gravely touching her shoulder "Khushi I have to take you home. I cannot stop. Sorry, sisy...!"

“Dad, We are coming home..!” he said over the phone.

She looked puzzled, sadness shadowed her face. She had seen him twice in these two years and missed him narrowly ... She buried her face in her palms. “Arnav ji!” Her anguish reflected in Raj’s heart.  He felt helpless.  He wouldn’t go against his Dad’s wishes. The SUV raced away.. with another car following it closely.

Raj stopped at the mansion. He parked his car at the porch, got down, opened the door for Khushi to get down and took her inside the house. They found papaji in the corridors, pacing the length. He stopped seeing them. He glanced at Khushi and asked her "You saw him again?"

"y..yes,," she said trembling uncontrollably.

He looked at Raj, Raj said hurriedly, "He followed us.."
"Ok Khushi, go back to your room and do not come out unless I call you... understand? This is for your good my child .." he said reassuringly in a soft voice.

“Papaji..” Khushi lost her heart.  Her Papaji hugged her and placing his hand on her head, said “Puttar, trust me! He is your Arnav ji! You will meet him…!” he chocked with tears in his eyes.  He felt her anguish.  He sent her to her room.

The doorbell rang. Buttler came out from the kitchen to open the door. But Raj stopped him and said "Let me open the door" He thought to himself "After all, I should welcome my brother in law.." Smiling with this thought he pulled the door open.

He was standing at the door to get his life back.


Arnav followed the SUV closely. The SUV had entered the gates of a Palatial building, stopping at the porch. He took his car inside, stopping behind the SUV. He hopped out  and climbed the stairs to reach the front door of the palace. He rang the bell eagerly. Someone pulled open the door.

Both of them looked at each other gauging each other. "So he is my brother in law!" thought Raj.
"Who is he? Was he with Khushi at the temple? Is he....?" Hatred appearing in his eyes, he stood there determined to confront.

"May I help you?" Raj asked, standing in front of him folding his hand on his chest.

"She is in... I want to meet her!" ASR said in firm low voice.

"Who?" Asked Raj. "Khushi..!" Said ASR, his voice rising.

Papaji came forward and ASR froze!
"Please come in Mr. Raizada!" He invited ASR inside. He looked at him for a while and said "What is it that brought you here Mr. Raizada?"

"What is it?.." ASR retorted angrily, "She is in here and I have come to take her.."

"Please have a seat Mr. Raizada." Papaji said in a cool voice.

"Please call her... Khushi,,!" ASR called out for Khushi himself. Papaji thumped his hand on ASR's shoulder and said in a firm voice.

"We need to talk Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada.."