Part 64

"What the hell! Who says so? I mean... this is all bullshit .. don't get swayed away by all this rubbish Di!" He was annoyed sounding blasphemish.

"Don't  talk like this chote...!" Anjali was upset with his profanity. Have faith in God! Chote!

Sham looked upset. He wanted to protest against all this. But had no other choice than to succumb to the pressure from his wife. She was not ready to listen. She had cancelled her trip to Mumbai, with her husband and Sham would have to go alone.

After dinner, Arnav came to his room he was dying to call Khushi...Her plan had worked!

He could imagine Khushi's brightened up and proud face.
Smirk appeared on his face. "Not so soon, Khushi..!" He thought. He was happy that khushi's plan worked and was little upset that this stupid plan of Khushi actually worked!!! He thought of not telling her for another couple of days... but Aakash barged in without his permission and said happily.

"Bhai, this plan worked. How could you think of such Khushi-ish plan?" He asked and without waiting for the answer.."We must tell this to Khushiji!" went further.
"Arnav had no choice than to admit that it was her plan. "Aakash, it was her plan and I was going to call her" he said dialing her number. "Bhai, let me talk to her first and then I will go!" he winked at his bhai.

"Hello, Khushiji, congratulations! Your plan worked! Amazing!" Aakash said excitedly. He talked to her for a few minutes and remembering that he should also call Payal, left the room hurriedly.
"Arnavji! Thank god! Something worked at last!" Khushi sighed. But then said in a serious tone.."Arnavji, I feel guilty. This is cheating.. we should not do such things in the name of god. This is deceit. Devi Mayya won't forgive me for this. I have to perform penance for this. I will do something.. I will eat only once a day, till the things are settled normally. I know there is no forgiveness for this sin..." She gasped for breath...

"Khushi! Hold on! Its not like that. We are doing this for good purpose, to save her life. Its ok! We are saving her from danger, Khushi, your devi mayya will surely forgive you!"He said (And me too!)" He thought to himself.

"So, don't worry and don't put yourself to yet another endurance test. I know you cannot control your hunger, Khushi!" he said smiling.

.."No its not like that! I feel bad for her! We are manipulating her, Arnavji! And I can stay hungry, Ok! arnavji!" Khushi said smiling and determined to do it anyway.
"Arnavji we are invited for dinner to Sir's house!" Changing the track, she said waiting for his reaction.

"Who? You mean that CEO?" he asked surprised. "Yes!" She said. "We?" he asked expectantly.

"We means the family, we all are going! Why Arnavji, did you think I will go alone?" she said laughing.
"Oh! Shut up Khushi and stop laughing!" Arnav ordered.
"And don't spoil your image there by talking something unwanted and poking your nose in their matters! Ok?" he retorted back.
"What?" He could imagine her thrusting her hands on her hips furiously.
"Goodnight! MS Gupta!" Said Arnav and hung up smirking.

Khushi woke up with a start. Mummiji had come to her room. She saw the time and was shocked. It was already eight. Mummiji looked worried. "Are you Ok, Khushi?" She asked.

"Ye.. Yes mummiji! I don't know how did I sleep like this!" she said guiltily.
"No issues, Khushi and now get up and get ready. We can skip our visit to temple today!" She said. "No. mummiji! We will go to the temple" She said resolutely remembering her conversation with Arnav last night.

She ran to get ready. Mummiji smiled. Khushi refused to have breakfast. She went to the temple with mummiji and from there to the office. Papaji was already there. She was sorry for her late entry.

She did not have lunch but papaji sent some fruits and milk with the office boy. They were to go for dinner to Shondeep's house. She was in her cabin when papaji entered and asked her to go home in his car. She was surprised. "Puttar, go home and don't come out till I tell you to. That Sham is paying visit to this office for a meeting with Shondeep. They have a meeting tomorrow in Mumbai. So its better you go home now.

"OK papaji I will go immediately." She looked nervous. She never wanted to see his face, at the same time she had an urge of whacking him square in the face. She went home without further questions. She was sending a mail to Lavanya inviting her for the wedding, Arnav called her.

** **
They were in Shandeep's house. His mother and father were very happy to see her. They had a big house suitable to Shondeep's status. His parents welcomed Papaji and Mumiji warmly. Khushi and Elsa with the kids were enjoying and playing in the garden.

At the dinner table Khushi helped Shondeep's mother. "Shondeep Sir, where is your family?" she asked with no inhibitions. Mummiji looked at her in surprise. "This is my family!" said Shondeep looking at her. "No! I mean.. your wife and children" She said looking at his mother. Papaji sighed. "She cannot be stopped!" he thought. He flashed a stern look at her, but she had gone beyond that. There was an awkward silence for a while with everyone looking away from each other. Khushi did not understand what was wrong.

"Well, I am single, Ms Gupta!" Shondeep said in steady voice.
"Oh! OK! But why?" She asked. Papaji intervened. "Khushi, we can talk about it some other time" He said looking at Khushi.

"No! its ok, sir!" said Shondeep avoiding his mother's gaze.
"I mean.. you are such a nice person! Girls would die for a glance from you and to get married with such a magnetic personality!" she said innocently. Shondeep gaped at her. His mother smiled and said "Yes that is true but he has not yet met his match!"

Shondeep could not take his eyes off her. His mother was touched with her innocence. She kept smiling at her. They had a peaceful dinner after that.

Papaji gave her a lecture on mannerism while coming back. She felt guilty. But mummji sympathized with her.

"But Papaji, I did not know he is not married and if he is not we will find out a match for him!" she said excitedly. "Khushi, stop it! I am not interested in opening a marriage bureau!" papaji stopped her laughing. But Khushi kept on thinking about Shondeep and his parents.
*** *** **
Sham had left in the morning. His plan was to visit Kolkata first to talk to Mr. Banerjee and then together they would go to Mumbai. Arnav immediately had called up papaji to ask Khushi to stay away. He stayed back at home to help his Di in pooja. He was relaxed. The things have started falling in place. Next week his sling would be removed and only a stretch bandage for another week will be put.
He called Khushi in the afternoon only to hear her voice. He told her about sham's visit. She was already at home. "Arnavji, I am writing a mail to Lavanyaji. By the way, when did you talk to her?" She asked him questioningly.

"Oh! Yes! I called her a couple of times just to re-establish the contact and invite her for the wedding." He said casually. "Ok. But why did you not tell me?" she asked sulkily. "Oh! Come on! Khushi, when did we talk at length to tell you all the details?" he asked.

"Arnavji, when is your next visit to Kolkata?" she asked changing the subject. He smiled. "Only after I am freed from this sling" he said.