Part 84

Sham came home that evening and a surprise was waiting for him. Anjali came rushing to him and holding his hand said, "You know! Chote has decided to accept Khushi ji as his wife!" She looked at Sham's aghast face.

"What happened? are you not happy?" She asked looking worried.

"Hmm? Of course i am happy! but i thought he hated her." He said hiding his disappointment.

Anjali looked lost in her thoughts. but then said "Yeah! but now that he has decided to settle down in his life, i am happy for him!" She brushed away all the doubts Sham tried to seed in her mind.

She wrapped her hand around his arm and said, "You know, there was a phone call on my cell. That lady was saying some nasty things. She told me to ask you about it. She also told me to give you the message that she is coming for you!" With every statement she made, Sham's face shadowed with nervousness.

Regaining his composure, he said smiling at her "Raani Saheba, must be some client.. desperate to know about the case status! Don't worry!" he wrapped his hand around her shoulder and said, "Don't get bugged up with trivial things, Raani Saheba, its not good for your health! let us go and you have some rest." He moved her along with him holding both of her hands and taking away her cell gently. He took her to her room.

Sham took Anjali to her room and comforted her. He came out and went to guest room. He took out Anjali's cell and scanned through the reveived calls list. He could find an unknown number. He dialed back. It turned out to be an STD booth number from Kanpur. He was upset. He was wondering who might have given Anjali's number to the dialer. He knew who had dialed.

"I have to go and settle it once for all! this is going beyond my control!" he thought. He had to plan in detail to move out of this house even for few hours as the things here were turning against him.

He went into the kitchen and signaled the maid to come aside.
"Did you mix it in the juice?" he asked her. she nodded.
"Show me the sachet!" he ordered.
"um.. it got over." She fumbled.
"When?" he asked penetratingly.
"This morning" she said. She had given it to Arnav the other day.

"Why didn't you tell me" he held by her shoulder and asked shaking her.
she got frightened and looked at him "I was about to tell you" she said in a small voice looking down.

"Ok. Listen, you have to keep an eye on everyone. I am going out for a couple of days. Make sure you succeed in this. Take this and mix it in his juice. I want him out of sight when I return.. Understand? And I am taking your child with me. He will enjoy the journey!" he said threateningly. She was scared to the core.

"Why him? he has school..." she said joining her hands pleadingly not to take her child.

He gave a hollow laugh and said, "This is to ensure you do what I say!" He turned and went out. She tried to go behind him but he strode away. He knew she would do exactly as she was told to do.

"Saale saab! Everything will be mine in a couple of days!" He smirked.

*** *** ****
"Hello" Sham's phone rang next day in the morning. It was Anjali sounding very frightened and worried.

"Hello Raani Saheba! Is everything ok?" he asked expectantly.
"Where are you? come home immediately.... i am ... i am... Chote...!" She said sobbing.
"What? Waht happened to Saale Saab? is he ok? Where is he? Hospital?" he asked seriously and bit his tongue..

"What? how do you know?" she asked surprised even in that state of mind.
"No i could feel your panic." He said regaining himself. "Raani saheba! I am leaving immediately.. but tell me what happened?" He asked sounding concerned for his saale saab

"I don't know... he had his breakfast and .. and ... fell down on the floor and .... was unconscious.. and Aakash took him to the hospital.... and " She started crying...

"Don't cry raani saaheba... i am coming... take care of your health..." He said.
He disconnected the phone and grinned hysterically. "Now once you are gone.. Saale Saab... i will be the head handling the family and the business... Why didn't I think about it before?' He thought, inadvertently gripping the kids shoulder. He dragged the kid and boarded the bus to reach Delhi.

** *** ***
Arnav was hospitalized and Aakash sat on his bed. He had asked everyone else including mamaji to go home and take care of Di. "Papa, go home and be with di and nani. They need support now. I will manage here and will inform you!" Mamaji left reluctantly.

Arnav sat up on the bed seeing mamaji going out. Aakash pushed him back on the bed and put on his oxygen mask back. They were in Avinash's hospital. Avinash walked in.

"Tell me what is this all about?" Avinash looked worried. Arnav removed his mask, removed all the tubes attached and said, "Avinash, thank god khushi gave me this idea to get admitted here!" This is a trap. He started telling him the facts.

Sham was in Anjali's room when Arnav entered her room. she was sulking. She said "See Chote, your jijaji is going out for some business!"

"Is it?" Arnav looked surprised.
"But i will return immediately, saale saab!" Said sham smiling.

"Oh! ok. I will take care of Di" Arnav said.

Sham went out. He went to the maids house to pick up the kid from the neighbor. Sham left with the small kid of the maid. She did not know what to do. She was sitting down on the kitchen floor and was crying. Arnav had entered the kitchen to get water for his Di. He looked at her distress and had asked.

She hesitated. she was in dual mind. She never wanted that any of the family members get hurt at the same time worried about her kids's safely also.
"Its my kid... he has taken away...!" she said crying..

"What?" Arnav almost screamed. "Where has he taken and why?" he asked helping her to get up.

She showed him the sachet and said, "He has asked me to mix it in your juice and to make sure i do it, he has taken away my kid..!" she started sobbing. Arnav froze! He came out with the sachet and went to his room to call up a few people. And then the plan was chalked out.

Avinash and Aakash had a big laugh imagining Sham's reaction when he learns that Arnav was poisoned and very critical. Arnav was serious.

"Aakash, i should do something for that kid's safety. She should not suffer again!" he spoke gravely.

"Bhai, why can't we put him behind bars for attempted murder? She can be a witness!" Said Aakash looking at his bhai.

Arnav stared at Aakash and asked "Whom are we doing this for, Aakash?" Aakash gaped at Arnav.

"Di!" said Aakash sheepishly.

"And how are we going to break the news of his arrest to her?" asked Arnav looking frustrated. They heard the sound outside the ICU. Avinash got up setting up the tubes and mask on Arnav's face and said. I will arrange not to allow anyone inside without my permission. Please do not do anything to put me in trouble. You stay here for atleast another 24 hours and then i will shift you to private room!" Arnav nodded.

Aakash went out. His Di had come. She was upset and tensed up. Aakash made her sit on the chair and said. "He will be ok! doctors are attending. Don't worry Di!" and looking around he asked "Where is jijaji?"

"He is on his way. will reach here by evening!" she started weeping. Aakash had an urge to tell her the truth and held himself back.

Part 83

Arnav came back to Delhi next day. His routine started. Papaji had initialized second level of withdrawal strategy giving in the notice of withdrawing all of his 50% shares including bought from Arnav Singh Raizada. This made sham desperate. He had to take a drastic step to retain his position in the company. He contacted rattan Singh Thakur to pitch in and buy the shares. But Rattan Singh was trapped in other issues as the cases went against him and he had to lose his possession on Sheesh Mehal. Another big issue was racked up with his own identity. .

Rattan Singh Thakur, outright denied pitching in. He had left that issue to Sham, his right hand man. Sham was desperate. He had no other option.

Arnav was busy with his business and also with family matters. That day he saw Sham going out and entered his Di's room asking about her health. She looked happy and contented.

"Di, I feel you should take bed rest now. I will tell our doctor to have a regular check up. We need to consult our doctor also since he knows you and all your problems." Said Arnav sitting next to her on her bed.

"No need Chote, he has taken care of everything. The doctor comes home regularly for the check up. He is happy with the progress of the foetus. He says everything is normal." She said dismissing the suggestion.

"Di, please, for my sake? I will feel better if you take a second opinion..!" he pleaded. She looked at her brother lovingly and said stroking his head "Ok Baba. If you feel better I will co operate with your doctor. But don't tell him. He will feel bad!"

"Oh! Sure di. And I will take the appointment immediately!" He got up excitedly.

"One hurdle crossed!" he thought satisfied.
That afternoon, he went to the kitchen. Ram Prakash was out somewhere and the maid was completing the cleaning work. He asked her to get him a cup of black coffee and went to his room.

The maid knocked on the door and came in with the tray. He stared at her as she turned to leave and said "Wait!" she froze.

"Is there anything you know which we do not know about Sham?" He asked directly. She turned looking confused.

'I mean, tell me if you know anything about him!" he ordered her. She looked frightened. She stared at the floor and shook her head. Arnav was disappointed but decided to wait for some more time.

She went up to the door and turned and said "We have to take care of Anjali Madam. She is in danger...!"

"I know that!" spat Arnav angrily. She waited for a second and then said in a bear whisper... "He plans to administer the medicine for her himself!"

"What?" Arnav got up with a jerk.

"He has given me this... to mix it in her juice ... I haven't done that. I mix glucose instead of this white powder" She kept a unlabeled sachet on the table.

He picked it up looking aghast. "Sir, I will not do anything that would harm this family.. you have done so much for us... my son's future is secured....!" She said on the verge of crying.

"don't worry about your child!" he said assuring and then asked her "will you inform me about anything he will be up to?" She nodded and went out.

He breathed a sigh of relief. This new maid whom he had thrown out in rage turned out to be blessing in disguise.

He called up his doctor for the appointment. He should keep sham away at the time of Doctor's visit.

He felt frustrated... "Damn it! So many things to be managed and to be cushioned up! This is damn complex. One person... just one person is making all of us spin our heads to stop him!" he thought.

There was a knock on the door. Ram prakash came telling that some people are waiting for him downstairs. He came down and discussed the plan with them and took them upstairs to his bedroom block. The family members were surprised. He just said "Renovation!"

"What? A few days before we had the house renovated and painted... and now?" asked nani. Arnav just smiled and went back to his room.

*** *** ***
Arnav managed to get his doctor for the check up. The doctors suggested some tests and when they came out of her room said "It might be the psudo pregnancy symptoms!" The doctors sounded serious but somewhere deep down Arnav felt a ray of hope. He crossed his fingers. He had given the unlabeled packet for lab testing.

He made sure that the maid has enough bank balance. His business pressures kept him away from the house most of the time.

The maid was the blessing in disguise but a friend was turning into enemy in the office!

His cell rang early in the morning and he woke up with a jerk. It was papaji and he said it was time to take the plan to the next level.

Arnav felt little nervous but then he remembered what khushi had told him about her conversation with nani. He felt hopeful. He went down to have his coffee at the table. Mami was there having her early morning tea with payal attending to her demands. Aakash had not yet got up. Nani was in her room. Anajli was still in the bedroom tired with her morning sickness. He waited for some time and then entered Nani's room.

"Nani" Arnav called out in a soft voice. Nani turned with a jerk. She was finishing her morning prayer.
"Yes, chote.. get in!" she called him in.
"What is it?" she asked after waiting for a while for Arnav to speak up.
"Khushi...." He fumbled. He did not know how to open the topic.
"What is it about her?" asked nani sternly and then continued..
"Chote, whatever you may think about her, I have accepted her as my grand daughter in law!" she declared.
He felt relieved. "Nani, I want to talk about it" he said looking at her.
She just raised her eyebrows.
"Um.. I mean... I thought about it for long and have decided to give it a social status!" he said in determination.
Nani gaped at him and asked, "What do you want, Chote?" She looked suspicious.
"I will marry her again to give her the status!" he said firmly not losing his control or sounding vulnerable.
Nani had a hard look at him and asked "Are you sure about this? This time, don't do anything impulsively!" she said sternly looking at him.
He felt enraged. He opened his mouth to retort back with bitter words but swallowed them instead and said "Yes!".
He turned to leave. "Chote, wait a minute. When did you decide this?" asked Nani. He did not answer.
"Do you want me to talk to her?" asked nani.
"No! i will manage!" he said and left the room. Nini stood there wondering and then broad smile appeared on her face. She joined hands to pray.

**8 ****
He came to office with his spirits lifted. He had called up papaji to give him the details. Then talked to Khushi asking her "So tell me when will you be ready for the wedding?" with mock seriousness.

Sham had a meeting of Del-Ta liaison board members. He knew what was coming. He had no takers and did not have enough funds to go on his own. He decided to wait and watch. Arnav had refrained from asking him anything about it as he had no interest. He already had sold his share to BTR group.

Sham attended the meeting and when he came out he looked satisfied. He had managed to persuade BRT group from selling their shares showing them the rosy picture of the future projects. He had bought time.

He visited ASR on his way to his cabin and shook hands with him smirking. Arnav raised his eyebrows asking him the reason of his smirk.

"Nothing! Saale Saab! I am just happy that the board members are happy with the progress. You took the decision to sell prematurely. It would have fetched you a great price" He said contemptuously. ASR refrained from reacting and stared at him blankly. Sham went to his cabin humming and after a while came back. ASR looked surprised. "What is it?" he again turned back to his laptop, giving sham time to speak up.

"Saale Saab, I must say.. That was a good move!" Sham said little louder to attract ASR's attention. He looked up raising his eyebrow.

"I mean... you withdrew to salvage your company and contract. That was great thinking. but I feel you lacked in foresight. Had you continued with my company you would have earned more..!" Sham said slyly.

ASR gestured him to sit. Sham satisfied with his statement, sat in front of ASR who had leaned back and had folded his hands on his chest shutting down his laptop.

"Tell me what is it that you want?" asked ASR coming to the point.
"Nothing! I was just wondering, a prudent businessman like you can blunder and land in trouble.." He waited for ASR's reaction. Nothing happened. ASR looked well guarded. Sham was confused.

"I take the decision and do not solicit anyone's advise. so its my decision and i face the consequences!" said ASR firmly.

"So how about this? I advise Raani Saheba to sell off all her shares from AR group and invest in My company?" asked Sham scornfully. ASR showed no expressions.

He looked at Sham and said, "Yeah! go ahead and try that!" Sham stared at him and getting up said "Saale saab we will talk about it later. you seem not to be in good state of mind!" he smirked and left. ASR reflected the similar smirk.

Part 82

"Ok. Now, go and get ready. We need to leave soon to avoid the rush hour traffic. So, you have one hour!" said papaji asking them to leave.

Khushi came back to her room. She still was in a trance and was thinking about Arnav and his past. "He has endured so much! And I, I just went on blaming him to be so heartless and emotionless. Arnav ji, I will make good for what I have said to you in the past. You will forget all your grief and sorrow!... Love? She stopped at this thought. Love? Is this love I feel about him? Does he love me as much as I love him? He has never said he loves me!!... ok. Hmm... I will make him confess his love!" she thought smiling to herself and kissing the Mannat Key. "Arnavji" she blurted.

Arnav came back to his room. He got ready and was in front of the mirror styling his hair. He stared at his own refection and kept his right hand on his heart blurting "Khushi..!"

"I have never ever thought that I would some day open my heart to this stupid, brainless Khushi, someone I hated most. .. hate? Did I hate her? Or was it a love I was resisting? Why did I do to her all that I did. Why could I not understand her that she loves me? .....Love? Does she love me? She has never said so. Ok....um... I will make her confess her love! " He smirked. His ASR brain started planning for his mission "Love confession!"

He hurriedly got ready and came out in the hall. He found no one. He moved towards her room. He opened his mouth to call her and raised his hand to knock on the door. But he was surprised to see that it opened silently with one little push. He peeped in. Khushi had her back to the door and she was humming happily. She was wearing her saree.

He tip toed inside. Came right behind her and placing his hands on her shoulder, whispered in her ear "Khushi...!"

"huhh..! " she shuddered startled. He slowly slid his hand around her waist. She held her breath closing her eyes. He held her tightly close to his heart and buried his face in her hair. His hand around her waist tightened and his other hand moved around her shoulder gripping her. He rested his chin on her shoulder, almost closing his eyes. She exhaled putting her hand on his around her waist. He kissed the black thread around her neck. The plaits in her hand slipped. She held her breath feeling him. He turned her around and wrapping his hands around her back, planted a light kiss on her lips whispering her name. She garlanded her arms around his neck and he lost his control! Stepping over her slipped saree, kissing her furiously ,  he moaned in pleasure. His hands tightened the grip. She lost her breath. The world around them vanished. He felt only Khushi and wanted nothing else. He felt she had submitted herself completely, unconditionally. He kissed her passionately. His hands ran over her body, feeling the contour of her body.. She had closed her eyes with a smile on her face. She wanted him to kiss her, to hold her tightly, never to leave her. She tried to close the non existent gap between them tightening her arms around his neck. He lost all his senses and gripping and wrapping her tightly lifted her off the ground. He started moving, pushing her towards her bed.

"Thud!" he knocked down the chair in front of the dressing table. The charm lifted, the trance broke! Both of them opened their eyes and immediately looking away turned their back on each other. She gathered her saree hurriedly and he, lifting the chair and keeping it on the floor, went out of the room still breathing heavily.

He closed the door behind him and pressed his back on the wall of her room. He closed his eyes holding his breath and a smile appeared on his face. He pressed his lips feeling her lips.

Khushi hurriedly wore the saree with shaky hands and tided herself. She wore a light blue saree and wore simple studded jewellery . She let loose her hair sprawling over her back and took her bag opening the door. She found Arnav standing there waiting for her with closed eyes and smile on his face. She stared at him never wanting to break his trance.

 "What was he doing? And how did I respond? He was so passionate,, if it was not the chair, I would have swayed away by the storm.." She thought blushing not noticing that he had opened his eyes and was looking at her smile. She looked away and turning her back said shakily "Let us go!" He moved and they came into the hall. They avoided looking at each other embarrassed. Her face was glowing red and she fidgeted. He tied his hands behind as if to restrain himself from grabbing her again.

Papaji came into the hall and looking at the couple smiled. "Ok. Ready? Let us go!"

They were out on the road and papaji asked "so, where do you want to go? Which market?" he asked from behind. Arnav was driving the Mercedes and Khushi was sitting next on the front seat. Papaji enjoyed sitting at the back talking to Arnav and Khushi.
*** ***
They were heading back for lunch. Papaji wanted to take them for lunch to some exotic place but both of them refused and said they wanted to have lunch with mummiji. Khushi had her wish list complete and was carrying a pile of gifts. . Arnav on the other hand refused to have anything for him saying he has everything. Papaji and Khushi pestered him to have something and reluctantly, he bought some antique vases. Papaji admired his taste. Then leaving them in the market went somewhere to come back after an hour. Khushi enjoyed moving the in market and Arnav enjoyed looking at Khushi's bright face.

"How does she find out happiness in such small things? She has endured as much as I have but she bounced back everytime....! And I...? Look at me...! I developed hatred and vengeance in my mind!" He swallowed hard holding her hand. She looked at him in surprise and he brought a fake smile on his face. She knew something was wrong and took him to the ice cream parlor. Talking and giggling relentlessly, she tried to bring smile on his face and succeeded. He started enjoying her stupid and meaningless talks, her mimicry, her animated story telling and her touch when she wrapped her arm around his while weeding out their way through that crowded market place.

Papaji joined them later and they continued their shopping. She forced papaji to buy gifts for mummiji, suggesting and imposing her choice on him. Arnav shook his head hopelessly muttering "Unbelievable!" Papaji winked at him and said "This is a lesson for you... this is what happens ... so learn to be patient and to empty your pockets...!" Khushi looked at them sulkily puffing her cheeks.

This was the happy time for them.... The bumpy road ahead was waiting for them.... !!

They reached home and gathered in mummiji's room. Again a round of discussion on their shopping took place. Papaji and Arnav tolerated her talk for a while and then papaji said looking at Arnav "Now, if you two have finished talking about this silly shopping, I want to have lunch. We are dieing with hunger." He called out for butler to bring in the lunch in the room. Khushi kept her shopping bags aside. They had a peaceful lunch with the fulltime nurse bringing in the diet food for mummiji. The door bell rang. Someone was at the door. Papaji hurriedly went out and came back immediately smiling.

"Who was it?" asked Khushi with curiosity. "Nothing.. it was someone from office!" said papaji. He exchanged looks with his wife.

"Arnavji, tell us about Anjaliji...!" Khushi could not wait. Papaji looked at her angrily and she realising her impatience bit her tongue.

They were sitting in mummiji's room. Arnav on the couch, Papaji on his rocking chair and Khushi on mummiji's bed pressing her legs and looking at Arnav eagerly. Arnav spoke..

"I was in hostel pursuing my engineering and had started my small business. Years passed. Di completed her graduation externally. Slowly she was coming out of the depression and started going out with mamiji and naniji, mainly to the temple. I used to visit them during my vacations. Aakash also had joined boarding school.

That day I received Nani's phone saying my Di is frightened and depressed. I was shocked. I told her that I would come immediately. But she said no need and now the things are ok. Di had gone out with nani that day to the temple and while coming some hooligans teased and chased Di taking mama's name and the disgrace she brought to Raizada family. Nani had tried to resist but they pushed her aside causing her fall down on the road. They pulled Di's dupatta and circled her. Crowd gathered. They had knives and sticks in their hands. She was helpless and there was no one to help her. Then a young man jumped from the crowd and fought out everyone of the gang and saved my Di... " He stopped to breath.
"What?" Khushi screamed getting up from the bed. Everyone looked at her startled. She looked aghast.

"Was that HIM?" Asked she, screaming. And without waiting for the answer, went on "That must be him. He did save me from the same situation exactly in the same manner..." she could not finish as she was lost in her thoughts of the traumatic memories coming back...

"What?" Arnav too got up. "Yes" she said!
"After the video clipping of the fashion show was aired, everyone started teasing me and jiji. We had stopped going out. We were locked inside by amma. That day babuji took us out and the similar set of hooligans encircled me pulling my duppatta and he jumped in, fighting all of them and sending them away...." Khushi said lost in thoughts and not knowing the reactions of others.

"Ok. Then what happened?" Asked papaji in a soft voice and Arnav continued.

"Nani thanked him and he escorted them to our house. Then he kept on coming and we were so overwhelmed by his help that we welcomed them wholeheartedly. He became one of the family members. Nani sensed something was surely going on between Di and him. We had no problem at all. Di loved him and he seemed to equally love her.
This went on for more than two years and I had settled in my business after graduation. I had started construction of Shantiban Raizada House in Delhi and was planning to shift to Delhi. He joined us in Delhi too saying he has a lot of work in Delhi as well. He had a roaring legal practice.
When they declared their love towards each other we were happy for Di that after such a turmoil she got such a loving and caring husband. It was grand marriage and he slowly settle in Raizada House, everyone trusting him and he giving his prudent advise in every family matter. I had kept him away from business matter." Arnav stopped to breathe.

"He did the same with us. He said he is orphan and no place to stay in Delhi and settled in our house as paying guest... and did all those nasty things..."

remembering all that she suffered because of him, she had tears in her eyes.  No one spoke for a long time and them Mummiji said in convinced tone...

"This must be his modus operandi ... I am sure he is a womanizer... And if he is, then he must not have stopped with you two but must have tried out with other women also...!" She stopped lost in her thoughts. Everybody else was shocked on this realization. That was a possibility.

"Yes, I believe my wife is right and this is how he tricks girls in distress and then...." Said papaji raking his brain for solution.

"Ok. If this is true then we have to find out who else is his victim. We have to find out. I had not thought about it. I have to do something.. I have to find out...!" papaji thought aloud.

Everyone was lost in their own thoughts and thinking on the solution. After some time, papaji spoke first...

"Ok. Listen everyone, you too my wife! Here is a plan....." Everyone listened with rapt attention.

Part 81

Arnav and Khushi looked at each other bewildered. Arnav went up to the door and tried to open it.

"He has locked it!" he said looking at confused Khushi.
"Why? What happened? Is there someone else outside?" She too came near the door and pressed her ear against it trying hard to hear what was going on outside.

"What is it? What happened?" She asked again looking nervous and fidgeting.
"Don't know! Khushi....did I say something that hurt him?" Arnav asked nervously.

"No! he looked happy when he went out. Why..?" she thought aloud.
She started biting her nails and he paced the room.
"Somebody must have come!" blurted Khushi.

"At this hour? Its 5 in the morning!" rebutted Arnav. He tried to look through the peep hole.

"There is no one in the passage!" he said.

They both paced the room restlessly. She started muttering relentlessly.

"Khushi! Stop! Let me think!" he told her getting irritated.

"What? And what do you think I was doing?" She asked furiously.
"Khushi! Now don't start that again. I am thinking about what might have happened that compelled him to lock the door!"

"There sure must be something serious!" said Khushi worriedly.
They sat on the couch with bated breath looking at each other's tensed up faces.
They heard a click unlocking the door and they both ran towards the door and froze gaping.

Papaji was at the door with a tray.
"What?" Papaji looked at them in surprise.
Khushi was furious. "Why did you lock the door, papaji? Who was there?"
"What? Who? No one!" answered papaji.
"Then why did you lock the door?" demanded Khushi.
"For you two!" came a simple answer from papaji.
"What?" they both screamed.
"What? Did you not patch up with her, Arnav puttar?" asked papaji.
"What? Patch up? When did we fight?" asked Arnav bewildered.
"What? Don't you understand? Look at all your encounters! You start friendly, lovingly and always end up with a fight either she walking away or you walk away!... I just eliminated that possibility today!" he said keeping the tray on the table and bursting out in laughter.

"Arnav puttar I think you missed the opportunity!" said papaji winking at him and putting his arm around her shoulder. She blushed furiously and pushed papaji away and in the process bumped on Arnav. He held her tightly. Papaji gestured at the tray. He had brought in his early morning tea.

"And one more thing! I want both of you to be in our room within next fifteen minutes! I don't like people coming in late!" he said winking and left.
He came into his room and hugged his wife happily.

*** ***

Within ten minutes both of them were in mummiji's room. Papaji had sat on her bed and she was sitting upright with her bandaged head. She was smiling. Khushi came in rushing to hug her. But she stopped her raising her hand and said "Khushi Wait!" and then opening her arms for Arnav said "Arnav bete, come here!"

He came closer glancing at Khushi's furious face. She thrust her hands on her hips in rage.

Khushi looked at papaji. He shrugged. Mummiji hugged Arnav first and kissed him on the forehead. Then she called Khushi.

Khushi refused to go sulking. She turned her back and tried to leave. But papaji stopped her. She looked at him in rage.

"Khushi!" Arnav called her getting up from the bed. She refused to look at him either.

"Khushi, come here by child!" called out Mummiji. She did not look at her. Papaji forcibly turned her to face mummiji. She had opened her arms for her. Khushi did not budge. She did not move. Papaji pushed her saying, " Khushi, go to her!" He made her sit on the bed. Mummiji took her hand and stroking it said. "Khushi, my child! It was his right! We have a blood relation!"

"What?" Khushi screamed getting up from the bed in a jerk.

"Khushi, relax!" Arnav said looking at her outburst.

"What? What did she say?" asked Khushi looking at papaji.

"Khushi, she is right. They have a blood relation. They have the same blood group and Arnav donated the blood during her surgery. So his blood runs in her veins!"

papaji said smiling and looking at Arnav fondly.
"What? You gave blood? And why didn't anyone tell me about it?" she looked furious but she held Arnav's arm and squeezed it to thank him. He smiled at her. Papaji exchanged looks with his wife.

"Ok. Now go and have some rest. And you! You take the kids out and buy gifts for them of their choice. Don't impose your choice on them. You have a horrible choice!" Mummiji ordered Papaji grinning at him as telling him to take the kids out and have fun.

"What? My choice is horrible? Then who married you? Khushi... I married a horrible woman!!" Papaji almost shouted bursting out in laughter.

"Ok. Tell me when you two want to go out and what do you want!" asked papaji.
"Gifts? Khushi's eyes twinkled and face brightened up! Wow..Can i have more gifts? I have a big wish list! i will have some from papaji and a few from..."She started off dreamily.

Then turning to Arnav she asked, "I am sure, you have no plans to buy anything for me!" looking at him sulkily.

"What? Did he not gift you anything?" asked papaji looking at Arnav. Arnav looked away, embarrassed.

"Gift? From him?" asked Khushi looking at Arnav. "He is the most unromantic person! Doesn't even know ..!" she muttered.

"What? What did you say? Unromantic? humm? Unromantic?..Ok!... " he moved towards her staring into her eyes. She was backing away and he came closer to her.

"What did you call me? Unromantic!" He hissed. She got nervous.

"No, I mean.."she whispered in fright looking at his aggressive advancement.
He stopped with no gap left between them. Still looking in her eyes, he pulled out something from his pocket, kissed it and held her hand. Opening her palm he kept the Mannat Key on her palm and closed her fist. Gripping her fist tightly with his fingers, he looked into her eyes and said.

"This is the gift, key to my heart, giving it back to you, again! ..." He paused and then " Now what did you say? Unromantic?" He said locking his eyes with hers and holding her fist. She blushed!

"What? What was that? Is there something I don't know yet?" asked papaji looking at both of them rolling his eyes and breaking their trance.

Aranv took a step back still looking at Khushi. She said "It's a secret!" blushing.
Papaji laughed. He looked at them fondly as if looking at small children having their secret hiding from their parents. His eyes twinkled. Arnav was enjoying his newly found, long lost childhood in papaji's company. He looked sober and loving. He enjoyed fighting with Khushi. She had brought him down to her age. After all he was not unreachable!

"Now if you do not want any rest then we move on!" said papaji. "Khushi stay here with mummiji and I need to talk to Arnav about your wedding arrangements!" declared Papaji.

"What? Our wedding arrangements? And you are talking only to him? Not me?" Khushi asked with mock fury.

"What? Wedding? When?" asked Arnav bewildered.

"Yes. Your Wedding! And as soon as possible!" Papaji said.

"When?" both Khushi and Aranv asked eagerly. Arnav looked away immediately embarrassed at his own eagerness.

"Once I get the possession of Sheesh Mahel!" Declared papaji.

"What?" Arnav almost screamed.
"Yes! " said papaji. "Do you remember? I had asked you to send me your personal and property file? And took your signatures of the petition papers? Well, I got the case reopened and turned around the entire case. But now, don't worry about the details. Just know that I am waiting for the possession!"

"Arnav Puttar! You will get everything back including your family name and that's a promise! You will get married in Sheesh Mahel! That's again a promise from this papaji! And you will have your Khushi as your legally wedded wife! That's my third promise!" Arnav looked away to control his emotions swallowing hard. Khushi pulled him to take papaji and mummiji's blessings. Papaji hugged them both and wiping his eyes turned his back.

"But what about HIM?" Khushi asked bringing everybody down on earth from their day dreaming state.

Arnav gaped at her. She looked at Papaji. He was lost in thoughts racking his brains for solution. Papaji knew, exposing Sham would take some more time and he did not want to wait for that long to bring his childrens' happiness back.
"I don't care!" said Arnav resolutely. This time his heart spoke ahead of his brain!

"But we must do something about HIM" said Khushi her brain talking ahead of her heart!

They both looked at papaji for a ray of hope. He was still lost. He knew, by now Sham must be aware of the reopening of the court cases. Ratan Singh would try to do some damage with the help of sham.

"Anjaliji? what happened to her..? Could you take second opinion?" Khushi asked hopefully.

"No!" Arnav looked helpless.
"by the way, you did not tell us anything about that Sham and Anjali ji's love marriage!" asked Khushi.

"Khushi! He will talk about it later. Not now!" said papaji sternly. She kept quiet. Lot of unanswered questions still lingered in her mind. She was still clutching the key tightly in her fist!

Part 80

The news had hit the headlines of all local news papers. Every news paper came up with their own version of the reasons for the suicide. Nani tried to keep away the news from the kids. But Anajali and Arnav got the glimpses of the media wrath. He was surrounded by media wherever he went and was bombarded with nasty questions all the time for next several days. He kept quiet and stopped going out. He was getting the feel of his father's family and to what extent they can go to malign his reputation.

"One day this same media will praise me relentlessly. I will be so powerful and rich that I will own the media!" He thought to himself. He realized that only money and power will make him successful. He was determined to reach that height.

Then the series of court cases started over the dispute of the property. Arnav and Anjali didn't want any but were dragged to court by their father's family members and their home, where they were born, where they grew up, where they played, they spent their time with their parents, was snatched away by their father's family.

Those people did not stop there but another series of humiliation shattered Arnav and Anjali. Here again he saw the power of muscle and money. He had seen the cases going against them with the political and money power of his father's family. His conviction proved to be right this time also that money and power are the two ultimate requisites to be successful.

Arnav sat with his head down looking exhausted. Khushi could not stop her sobs. Papaji was looking up joining his hands and locking his fingers, praying Wahe Guru and thanking god for sending Khushi in his life. He shuddered at the thought of Raj's departure from their lives. He could feel Nani's pain and understood what mummiji might have felt when he forbade her from contacting Raj. He thanked god again and again for saving him from the sin by sending Khushi. She had given mummiji and papaji a new life by uniting their family and becoming a part herself. She had brought in a gem of a person like Arnav making papaji's family complete. He blessed both Arnav and Khushi silently and looked at Arnav to continue.

Arnav kept thinking about Khushi and feeling her humiliation when the clipping of her falling in his arms in fashion show was all over the place. He had faced the same humiliation. He regretted at everything he had done to her. "There is no forgiveness for what I did to you, Khushi!" he thought.

Khushi had run out in grief and to control herself. She went into kitchen, prepared strong coffee again and came in with the tray. Arnav took a mug and kept staring at it sipping silently. After a while he spoke again.

"We were coming to terms with our new environment. Nani had put me in a boarding school, to keep me away from all the trouble. Di continued her education externally.

The new storm swept us all which revealed the brutal reality about us. In the process of snatching away everything from us, they proved that my father was already married to a woman and had a son. They brought before the court a boy of my Di's age claiming him to be the son of my father from his legally wedded wife. They produced photographs of their marriage. I had never heard my father talking about his family. I had never seen him talking to my mother about it. I think this was revealed to her at the time of Di's marriage and she killed herself.

His family members did not stop there. They proved that my mother was never married to my father as there was no evidence from our side. There was no one to vouch for their marriage. Not only our possessions were snatched away but they challenged us to use the family name. Our family name too was snatched away from us. Nani took a decision and gave her family name through an affidavit and officially changing our names" Arnav looked at Khushi and Papaji. He waited for papaji's reaction and Papaji gestured him to go ahead and tell the truth.

"Khushi!" spoke Arnav looking at Khushi. "Our family name was snatched away from us and I became Arnav Singh Raizada. In fact, I am only Arnav Singh, with no father's name, an orphan with no family. We were declared illegitimate children of my so called father, Mr. Nirmal Singh Thakur. I was made to eliminate my family name from my name. And this Ratan Singh Thakur is my so called half brother. My mother got a status of no more than a keep" he said bitterly. Khushi merely gaped with blank face....
"Khushi, This is the whole truth that I am an illegitimate child of my parents and have no social status what so ever" He waited looking at Khushi. He waited for the outburst and thrashing. He knew her orthodox beliefs will rebound and she will turn her back on him once again.

"Haan Toh? So what?" Khushi asked him looking straight into his eyes.
"What?" Arnav had not expected this reaction nor did papaji. They both got up and stared at Khushi. She too got up from her chair looking confused. "So what?" she repeated her question.

"What? Did you hear the truth I told you? Did you not understand what I said?" Arnav asked her furiously.
"Yes Arnavji, I heard the truth and that's why I asked you "so what?" asked Khushi equally furiously.
"What? So what!" Khushi.. are you out of your mind? Have you lost it?" Arnav screamed. Papaji looked confused.

"No I haven't.. but have you? Arnavji? I asked you a simple question, So what? And why did you have to react like this? She raised her voice sounding hysterical. Arnav gaped at her and then looked at papaji for support. Papaji had left his place and had come around.

"Yes, Arnavji. I have understood what you said. But you did not! I know what is that so called illegitimacy means. And I want to tell you that I don't give it a damn! I don't care what name you had, you have or you will have. Its only YOU that matters to me! I don't care if you are Arnav Singh Thakur OR Raizada or anybody. I don't care what your family did. Do you understand? Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada or whatever it is?" she screamed and went ahead.

"Let me make this clear. The relationship may be illegitimate but the children can never be! They are the children of mother and father. Motherhood cannot be illegitimate, no matter what relationship the parents had. You understand?  You are your mother's son!" she shouted at him raising her hand and waiving her index finger.

"What?" Arnav blurted! "Yes" said Khushi still furious. Arnav stood like a statue gaping at her.

Papaji came forward and embraced her kissing her forehead. He turned her still in his embrace, to face Arnav exclaming "That's my child!! See I told you! I am proud of you Khushi puttar...!" he looked at Arnav broadly smiling.

Arnav stared at both of them "You mean .. you don't care?" He asked her again.
She rolled her eyes saying "Can you not understand? How many times do I have to tell you? you brainless g.." she imitated him with his famous reserved dialogue only for her. He gaped with his jaw dropping and then realizing what he had heard looked at papaji.

He nodded and pushed Khushi a bit towards Arnav. He grabbed the opportunity grabbing her tightly and without any inhibitions about the presence of Papaji, pulled her closer in his arms burring his face in her shoulder, happily. Khushi tried to pull herself away blushing but Arnav did not let her go, in fact tightened his grip. Papaji turned his back on the couple and Arnav could not stop himself. He kissed her on her cheek and almost lifted her off the ground. Papaji wiped off his eyes. The eclipse was over and the skies were clear. The clock struck 5.00 in the morning.

A new day had dawned with new life for Arnav and Khushi!

Papaji suddenly turned and Arnav released Khushi. "Ok. Kids I am going out and you are not to come out of this room till I tell you to! Understand?" He looked serious and went out of the room locking it from outside.

Part 79

"On her wedding day, mama was busy with the preparations and I was assigned the responsibility of welcoming the guests. We had very few people from our side. Some of mama's friends had come. There was no one from the family. I welcomed the groom's parents and they asked me to call my mama. It seemed that they had some urgent work with Mama. I saw them exchanging looks. When my mama came out, they took her to another room. My mama's best friend was with her. I waited outside. "Arnav said seriously.

"Even I felt the same when amma babuji talked about jiji's marriage. It is so hard to think that the sister who loved us so much will be leaving us !" thought Khushi. She had inadvertently started relating his story with hers and feeling the same pain and joy as he did.

“I waited outside the room hoping that everything is going to be ok. I was and I am still, an optimist. But my intuition was telling me that something was wrong. I thought of her good deeds and her faith in God. But the wait was killing me”

The groom’s parent came out but mama did not. They called all their relative and friends who had gathered there for the wedding. I went to see my Di. She was dressed up in Bridal wear. She was looking so beautiful and happy that I could not tell her anything about what had happened outside. I was so happy for my sister. But then I heard commotion outside and rushed out.

His parents had called off the marriage! They were filing out from the hall. They looked furious. I looked around for support. I saw the same person who argued with my father once standing there smirking with curled up lips with quite a lot of his men. I dashed and caught his collar and asked him how dare he came here. Few of his men held me back and he smirked again. He brushed his kurta and left the hall.

I saw my mother coming out of the room and running towards her bedroom. I tried to follow her but was trapped in the crowd. People were discussing, whispering, looking at each other. And then I heard the gun shot! I screamed!” Arnav stopped breathless leaving papaji and Khushi motionless.

Khushi thought of her and her family’s plight when the parents of the groom demanded more dowry. She was desperate and had ran to convince the groom. She felt the plight of Arnav. She was completely in sync with her man. She kept looking at him. She wanted to say something but papaji’s warning held her back.

“I ran inside towards my mama’s bedroom. She had locked it from inside. I banged on the door in vain and in desperation broke open the door” Arnav could not say anything more. A tear droplet fell down on the floor. Khushi wished she could kiss his tears off. She swallowed hard with tears in her eyes. Papaji was looking away taking out his handkerchief.

“I looked at my mama on the floor. She had shot herself in the head” Arnav chocked struggling for breath. Papaji could not stop himself. Rising from his seat, he came around and placed his hand on his shoulder. Arnav was sitting like a statue with his head hung. He did not move. Khushi was so shocked that she gaped at both of them. Then burying her face in her hands let out a anguished scream.

Arnav saw his mother on the floor with blood streaming from her head. He screamed and bent down to lift her up. People gathered  shocked. Someone from the crowd took charge and called the doctor and the police. Someone called his Di. She fainted looking at her mother. The doctors and Police rushed in. Arnav could not assimilate anything. He sat near her body blankly. He did not go to see his Di’s plight. He wanted to run away from that scene and hide himself somewhere. Someone took him outside. The doctors had declared her death and the body was to be taken out for postmortem. Police asked numerous questions and Arnav answered them without knowing what he was talking or doing. In one moment his world had turned upside down. The decorated and illuminated Mansion had turned into cadaverous  ghostly ruins, as if someone had cursed it. He did not know who did what. His neighbors came for the help. Without even asking him they took care of everything.

They were to take her body for funeral and he saw an elderly lady rushing in lamenting and beating her breast. People whispered backing away a few paces. After some time she wiped her tears and talked to the person with her. She looked for Arnav and his Di. She held his Di’s hand and brought her to Arnav. She held them both and guided them out of the room. Arnav came home after the funeral.

He looked devastated but there was no trace of tears in his eyes. He had stunned his heart and looked so distanced as if he was standing alone at such a height that no one would reach there. He held his Di’s hand who was crying her heart out in the lady’s laps. That lady was stroking her with tears rolling down. And then Arnav looked at the lady. Nani had held his hand. He wrenched himself apart from her and began to leave. Nani caught him from behind and brought him back. He had hatred in his eyes. She held them both and said “You are coming with me!”

Arnav tried to free himself. He was angry with the whole world. His anger was suffocating him than bereavement. He had an urge of thrashing his mother’s Mandir in his house and throw away everything. He was wild in rage. His eyes spat fire. He was angry even at his Di. He was trembling in rage but had not spoken a word or dropped a single tear. He was shutting his heart, somewhere deep inside. He was locking it and wanting to throw away the key, never to unlock. He was burying his heart deep somewhere never to dig and find it out. He was trying to evaporate his tears. He was trying to throw his soul somewhere never to pick it up. He was turning into a heartless person.

He had lost all his innocence in one moment. What remained was the person with vengeance and rage. He hated the sympathy in the eyes of people. He did not want to meet anyone. He was surrounded by people but was far far away from all. He stared unfocused. He freed himself and went to his room He found out his pullover from his wardrobe and put it on. He pulled out his jacket, wore it. He took out his Coat and wore it, as if trying to hide his self from himself and from everyone else. He was locking himself and never ever would bring it out for anyone.

But that was not to happen.

Nani and his Di came into the room. Di screamed, “Chote! What are you doing? Where are you going?” His Di asked him frightened looking at the layers of clothes on him.

“With her!” said Arnav in a steady voice waiving his hand at Nani but not looking at her. He had spoken for the first time in 24 hours after the funeral.

Nani stayed with them for next few days to gather themselves. The men had appeared again and had a big argument with Nani too. Arnav stood up to them. This time nani intervened.

She packed up everything and took the siblings to her house. They were given a separate room. Arnav had not spoken to anyone. A small boy younger to Arnav had come running and was peeping from behind his mother. Arnav looked away. They came to their room and the little boy stood at the door. Anjali called him in.

He came and held Arnav's hand and asked "Are you my bhai and my Didi? Mom told me, I am your cousin" He said looking at Arnav. Arnav did not respond but Anjali said "Yes. And you are...?"

"I am Aakash" he said smiling at them. Arnav looked away. "Aakash bete! Called out nani. She had brought glasses of milk for them. Arnav had refused to have dinner. She made him drink the milk and went out.

Arnav had not slept for many days. His Di was so exhausted that she went to sleep immediately. He was staring at the ceiling unfocused. So many unanswered questioned confused him. There was a knock on the door. Both of them got up startled. Anjali opened the door. Nani came in. She sat on their bed. Arnav got up from the bed and went to the window and stood there looking out of the window with his back to nani.

"Chote, come here. I want to talk to you" He turned around but did not go near. She got up and came upto him. Holding his hand she made him sit on the bed. She sat beside them and said.

"I want to talk to both of you. I know you are very tired and need some sleep. But I have to tell you and I cannot sleep unless I tell you" She waited.

"You must be wondering, when I was in the same city, why did I not come before and why did I come now!" She said looking at Arnav. She had read his mind. He looked away never wanting to give her the satisfaction that she had understood him.

"Your mother met him for the first time in Sheesh Mahel where your father stayed. She had gone there with one of her friends. Your mother was just nineteen and father must be around thirty. She was beautiful and he was handsome, rich and formidable. It was a love at first sight. They couldn't stop meeting each other."

"Your mother was very dear to her father, your nanaji. He loved her very much. He wanted everything best for her. But when he came to know that she keeps meeting your father he was upset. He never liked your father's family. He tried to convince her but she did not listen. He forbade her from meeting him but she did not stop. He locked her up in the room and instructed all of us not to allow her to come out. I was torn between your nanaji and your mother. I could not see her pain nor could go against my husband.

And that day, your father barged in calling out for your mother. He was confronted by your nanaji. He overpowered your nanaji and broke open the lock of her room. She came out and they both stood up against your nanaji. He gave them the ultimatum and asked her to choose between her father and your father. She chose your father and went with him, never to come back. Later on I heard that they got married in a temple.

Your nanaji could not sustain this shock. He stopped socializing. He locked himself in the room most of the time. He ordered everyone in the house not to take her name. He called panditji and performed her last rites as if she was dead for him." Nani said heavily. Arnav swallowed hard. For the first time he realized his nani's pain.

"I was restrained from meeting her. And she did not bother to meet me either. But your nanaji's health deteriorated. His grief was eating him alive. He was bedridden. I wanted your mother to come home and meet him for the last time before he..." Nani sobbed. Anjali held her hand and Arnav looked away.

"He could sustain his ailment not even for a year. He died but asked me to promise him that I will never ever meet your mother. He had loved her so much that her name was on his lips when breathed last. His pride and ego did not allow him call her. He preferred death to her." Nani was breathless.

"I kept my promise throughout her life. But when I heard about this, I could not stop myself! I had never seen you two but my son, your mama that is her brother kept meeting her without his father's knowledge. He used to show me your photographs. I craved for all of you. But the sense of duty towards your nanaji prevented me from doing anything against his wishes. " she said.
"I came there determined to take both of you with me. I realized why your nanaji was against your father's family!" she stopped looking at both of them not knowing how to tell them.

"Your father really loved your mother but his family members played a very dirty and unspeakable game with you all. They have taken away your mansion from you. They had come to take the possession of all that your father owned!" she said in a mild tone. Still she was withholding something.

"I don't care! I don't care about the property!" blurted Arnav in despair.
"Neither do I!" said nani.

She kept quiet for a very long time lost in her thoughts. Arnav stared out of the window and Anjali kept looking at nani. At last nani said. "That's it! I hope both of you forgive me for everything!" and without looking at the kids she went out. Arnav heard her sobbing.

Part 78

"I mean.. I do not know from where to start! I was never good at expressing my feelings. I never wrote good essays in school. I always believed in action..." He started off little incoherently. Khushi kept looking at him.

Arnav had never expressed anything to anyone since he was a young kid. "I don't know how and when my parents met each other. I always saw my mother talk about it dreamily. They were deeply in love with each other. We had our own world of four and were happy with it. I don't remember my parents worrying about anything" He said staring at the floor. Khushi kept looking at him. He looked like a small boy to her who was happy with his family and friends around.

He never thought about anything other than his family and friends. His parents had put him in the best school in Luknow. They lived in a mansion, Sheesh Mehal. His papa was a big name in the town. He was a very short tempered person. Arnav was growing up looking at his father, following his footsteps.

He with his aggressive nature always used to pick up fights with his friends and his Di would always come to his rescue when it went beyond control. He had a special bonding with his Di. He used to confide everything on his Di and she never betrayed him by telling about his pranks at home.

"I never thought that anything could go wrong with us. But things did not move per my papa's expectations. I think his business was on decline and he had to stay out of house for a longer duration. Mama used to take care of us and always used to pray for the well being of all of us. She was a religious lady and used to visit temple every day. Di used to help her in everything. I used to go with her wondering how her God looks after so many people at the same time. She told me once that god assigns people for the job of taking care of other people around, just like my papa. I loved her bedtime stories...!" He still was looking down but his voice was heavy with the memories of his parents.

"Even I love bedtime stories....!" Smile appeared on her face.  

He had got up with a jerk that night when he saw people arguing in the hall and his papa raising his voice. He tried to go out but his Di, held him back and said "Chote, don't go out. Papa will not like it!" He stayed with his Di. His mother was nowhere to be seen. He did not like it at all. He felt uneasy and tried to peep through the door.

"Papa was shouting at an elderly person, saying that he had paid off the loan and got it released. I did not understand what was going on. But I saw another young person resembling my papa. He was shouting at papa too. The argument continued for a long time. And since then things were never the same again!"
Arnav looked at papaji and he was looking at Arnav with rapt attention.
"Mama looked worried and gloomy and papa was always in tension. That day we were coming from the school finishing our final exams and an older boy teased Di. I picked up fight with him and bashed him. That boy looked at Di and asked "Is he your real brother? Or he is..." Di bashed him too!" said Arnav.

Both of them came home and he asked his Di what that boy meant by asking this. She avoided Arnav's question with tears in her eyes. He went to his mama and told her the incident. His mama embraced him and told him not to pick up fight with such rogues. "You are not the earthen pot, Chote! You are the golden one... Very Very Precious...!" His mother consoled.  But he sensed something was wrong. His father came home in the evening that day and told them that they were shifting to Delhi. The kids were happy and their mother looked relieved.

They shifted to Delhi and their school started smoothly. He was realizing his abilities and powers. His mother always wanted to channelize his overflowing energy for productive work and tried to keep him busy and away from fights and arguments, which he was good at. Arnav resolutely avoided picking up arguments with other boys and started to be aloof. He had very few friends. His closest was his Di. He had picked up the habit of reading books and on his mother's insistence had started taking lessons in music. His Di was a very good singer and used to win competitions. Both the kids had gathered a lot of trophies in those two years in Delhi. Their parents were proud of them. The business was back on track.

"Those were the best years in our lives. Di was preparing for her 10th exam and I was to finish 6th." Said Arnav.

That day both of them came home from school to see his mama crying and trying to contact his papa. There was no trace of him. She tried all his contacts and friends but in vain. He was nowhere to be found.

"Mama, was panic struck. I did not know what to do. Di held my hand and stopped me from going to mama and asking her questions. She was crying. We did not go to school for next few days. Search was on for my papa. Mama was tensed up and had stopped eating. I tried to ask her but she did not answer any of my questions. But when they brought his body in the house, she was devastated. I did not understand what was happening. I only knew that something worst has happened and papa is never coming back. They made me lead the funeral. I came home after the cremation was over, exhausted! and slept for more than a day like a dead log. Di told me afterwards that people around me were growing worried about my sleep. Mama's condition was pathetic. Di tried to control herself in vain. Mama had completely broken down under the pressure!" he stopped chocking and struggling for breath. Khushi offered him a glass of water.

"How much he has endured! What he must have felt when cremating his father? Oh! My God! Devimayya, why did you do this to him? I was young too when my parents died.. but performing the last rite of his father at that age must have shattered him completely! " A faint sob left Khushi!

Arnav looked at her and continued

" Di shouldered mama's responsibilities. She started going to temple and worship. She did all the household work. She used to take care of me. We had no financial problems. Mama used to always say that papa had done enough arrangements for our education and future. But he too had left a mess behind, which we were unaware of!" Arnav paused for breath.

That day, he again saw the same set of persons in his house when he returned from school. The neighbors had gathered too. The look alike of his father had picked up argument with his mom. This time Arnav stood up to them to support his mother, not knowing what the argument was for. His Di again took him inside and asked him to keep quiet.

"I will not let you have our property! You are not the one to have it!" had said the person.

His mama tried to come out of this and started her routine. The school was never the same again. Friends kept distance, teachers stared at him, parents whispered behind his back, his Di was out of school. There were more complaints about him. He tried to control his anger and stopped talking to other boys. Sometimes the things went out of his control and he bashed fellow boys. Going to school became torturous. He refused to go to school that day and his mama thought of changing his school.

"I used to go and ask babuji why people kept looking at me? when babuji brought me in his family. Babuji had said i was a fairy and people had never seen a fairy so they stared at me! I felt so good! But Arnavji? Why couldn't his Di tell him he was the prince and people were jealous about him? " thought Khushi. She swallowed hard with watery eyes!

"That day, I came back from School. It was raining and I saw mama standing outside the closed door of our house. Someone had locked the house. We did not know what to do. Mama asked us to wait at the gates and went away. We waited for her. We had nowhere to go. Late in the evening one of neighbors took us to his house. My mama came with the key and we went in! " He chocked again. Khushi waited holding his hand. He continued.

"We are going back to Luknow, mama had said" I was happy to go back. Di looked nervous. But mama had made up her mind. We went back to our mansion. "Sheesh Mahel!" Arnav told.

"sometimes, mama got emotional and told us about her childhood and her parents. She used to take out the photographs from her box and show us. We had seen her family, my grandparents, and my uncle only in the photographs. She always talked about them. I had never heard her talking about them when papa was alive. But of late she always used to talk about her mother!" Arnav said pausing for a while.

His mother's only worry was his Di's marriage. She was not even 18 when his mama started the hunt. She kept on trying for her marriage as if it was the only cause of her existence. His Di's marriage became the sole motto of her life.
Khushi remembered how desperate her babuji was for payal jiji's marriage.

"I continued with my studies but in a different school. I was doing well. I slowly was understanding my mama's worries. We had never seen any of our family members; neither from my mother's side nor from my father's side. We three stuck together for each other. Di seemed to have gone in a shell. She was fed up with talking to the people who came up with marriage proposal and getting rejected for one or the other reasons. Her college too was no less than a hell.  She refused to go to college and kept her terms externally. Her laughter became a rare thing. I was very close to Di but I too felt distanced from her. The only place where she went outside our house was the temple. Sometimes I used to get angry with her god, that he did not spare her even for some time. She busied herself in worshiping and studying. She had developed inferiority complex about her limping leg. Mama kept on trying for her wedding. As the days passed she grew more anxious about the marriage." Arnav had continued.

"At last she found out a very good family and the boy was working in Delhi. I think, she agreed for everything they demanded." said Arnav thinking about the situation.

They were all very happy. His Di's face brightened up. She could not stop smiling. Arnav was happy that his Di was happy. He started paying more attention to household work and sharing responsibilities. He was to appear for his 10th exam. The wedding date was approaching. They all were busy in preparations. Mama looked so happy and excited. The boy had come home for a couple of times and taken his Di out. Di looked happy and so did the boy. His parents too visited the house a couple of times looking around in their Mansion. Arnav got upset that his Di would be leaving him, and was almost on the verge of crying. He had never cried after his father's funeral.

"I almost cried that day, but mama said that my Di was going to be very happy with her husband and I should not come in her way. I looked at my Di and she nodded. I smiled at her."

Smile appeared on Khushi's face too!

Part 77

The doctors' worst fear came true. She had internal injuries and had a brain hemorrhage. Khushi could not understand all the medical terminology but understood the gravity of the situation. She held papaji's hand tightly and said "Devi mayya will protect her! Have faith!" He just looked at her, blankly. Raj called up and wished to talk to the doctors. Then he said hoarsly. "Khushi, I am coming.. take care.. be with dad..!"  Khushi nodded.

Arnav called in two hours. He was on the airport and was checking in. "Khushi... I will be there... " he said assuringly. Hours had passed there... was no improvement in her condition; but she had gained consciousness. Doctors had decided to operate to suck out the clots. They could easily stop the external bleeding. Khushi held papaji's hand all the time not letting him alone even for a second. She had never seen him so devastated. She realized how much he loved his wife. He was enduring outside sitting on the chair as much as she did in the ICU. He was resolutely sending back his tears. He had asked her not to call anyone from the office. He didn't want a crowd here at this point of time. She obeyed. She had called up his office and asked them to cancel all his appointments for the week saying he was busy with urgent matters to attend. She was desperately waiting for Arnav. The butler had accompanied them to the hospital and he was running around to complete the formalities.

Arnav boarded the plane. He remembered Khushi's plight when her babuji had an attack. He was desperate to be with her. He wished he boarded a supersonic plane. He landed and hired a taxi. He called up Khushi to know the exact location. Khushi gave him the directions and turning to papaji said "Papaji, Arnav ji is coming!" she joined her hands to pray devi mayya. Papaji had hidden his face in his hands. He had not uttered a single word to Khushi from the moment they entered the hospital. She had never seen this side of papaji. She always thought him to be a solid rock but never realized his vulnerable softer side.

"Khushi!" Arnav was standing right in front of her. She looked up and in a leap swung her arms around his neck. He patted her and removed her hands. He looked at Papaji sitting next to her looking all lost. He sat on the other side of papaji and held his hand. Papaji looked at him hopelessly and looked away fearing his tears would roll down without his permission.

Arnav sat there without a word holding his hand. Doctors came out. Arnav gestured papaji not to leave his place and moved forward towards the doctors. "Hello! I am Arnav Singh Raizada.. I am..." He looked at Papaji and said "his son in law!"

"Ok." One of the doctors said. "Please come with us!" He followed.
"We got what was feared. She has hemorrhage. But the good news is, its not spread. We can suck it out with minimum efforts. Surgery is unavoidable. You may have to sign the papers."

"Ok." Arnav said. "Look Mr. Arnav, we have summoned the best doctors for this. We know who he is and we will take all the possible care!" said one of the doctors. Arnav nodded. He completed all the formalities and took Papaji's signatures wherever required.

He asked Khushi to get coffee for all. Khushi went to coffee shop.

"Papaji!" Arnav held his hand. Papaji looked up at him. Tears rolled down without permission. Arnav put his arms around him. Papaji lost his control. Arnav held him tight for a while and said "Don't worry! Everything will be alright." He could not say more with his chocked throat and lost breath. He took out papaji's spectacles and wiped his eyes. Papaji took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. "Thank you puttar!" he whispered. Arnav saw Khushi coming with the coffee. He gave one to papaji. Papaji had a faint smile. He was little relieved that Arnav was there with him.

They saw Shondeep walking in.  Papaji looked at him surprised... "He came from Mumbai...!" Arnav informed.  "I called him here...!" he added further.  Smile of relief appeared on Papaji's face.  Khushi looked at Arnav. 

"Khushi, you go home. We are staying here . Papaji will wait till the doctors take further decision and I will send him home too! We will handle it here!" he said authoritatively. Shondeep nodded.  Papaji gaped at him.

"No!" he said "I am not going anywhere!."

"Let me handle this, papaji! Let us wait for the doctors' decision and then we will decide" He said taking charge of the situation. "Khushi, I told you to go!" he said sternly. Khushi went with the butler. Arnav stood there looking at her back for a while and came back to papaji.

He dialed Raj's number and said in deep voice. "Raj, yes I am here. Shondeep is here too.  We are waiting for doctor's decision. I will inform you. Do you want to talk to papaji?" papaji shook his head in denial but Arnav thrust the phone in his hand and said "Talk to him papaji, he will feel better!"

"Raj beta!" Papaji could speak no more. "Dad! I am coming. I have booked the ticket, I will leave in a couple of hours. Dad,  Don't worry dad, everything will be alright." He spoke in a heavy tone and Papaji thrust back the phone in Arnav's hand.

Arnav talked to raj reassuring him that he will take care of everything. Shondeep and Arnav sat beside papaji holding his hand. 

He was amazed to see the magnitude of papaji's love towards his wife. He had seen a softer and human side of this formidable personality. He realized papaji would die if anything happened to mummiji. He had a knot in his stomach and a stab in his heart. He kept looking at papaji who was praying Wahe Guru! Inadvertently his hands joined in prayer with papaji.

Arnav and Shondeep waited with bated breath. Doctors came out and said there was no substitute for surgery and they had booked the OT. The doctors from Mumbai would arrive anytime and the surgery would take place. "Anyone with B+ ve group? asked the doctor. We may require the blood. Arnav got up and said.

"I am B+ ve, I can donate blood" doctor said, "That's great! We have sent the requisition to the blood bank but its always better to be ready! You will have to fill the declaration form. Any ailments?" asked the doctor causally.

"I am a juvenile Diabetic but never on insulin injection. I work out regularly. I keep my sugar level always under control, I have never received a bovine insulin and I donate blood regularly"! He knew all the pertinent questions by heart. Doctor looked at his confidence and said. "That is great! Please come with me for the spot test and be ready if required!"

"Yes" Said Arnav looking at papaji. "Papaji, I am going with him. Will come back soon!" he looked at Shondeep who gave a nod. He left with the doctor. Papaji kept gaping at the direction where Arnav went.

*** *** **
Things moved very fast. The operation was successful. Raj had arrived. Mummiji was recovering and was shifted to the VIP private room. Arnav was amazed at the number of people visited the hospital for mummiji, and their love towards the couple; right from the heads of the companies to the office boys, neighbors to relatives. Khushi kept shunting between Home and Hospital. Arnav was in the hospital most of the time with Raj and they both worked from the hospital. Shondeep took care of Papaji's work at office. Arnav and Khushi sent papaji and Raj home in the nights and stayed with mummiji.

They never left mummiji alone.

Papaji was back to normal. He would resume his hectic schedule once mummiji was home. Raj was permitted to go back. The doctors were happy with her health. She came home and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

This despair made Arnav and Khushi realize their feelings towards each other. They had seen the eternal love between papaji and mummiji. Arnav realized that he cannot live without his Khushi. He realized his own vulnerability. He understood how evanescent life is. "I cannot let it go out of my hands! I cannot let pass this moment! I have to tell her everything. I must!" he thought. "I already have wasted a lot of time. I cannot be evasive now!" He thought resolutely.

They were sitting in the hall the day mummiji was discharged from the hospital. Papaji looked relaxed. Raj had already left. Khushi was in Mummiji's room.
"Arnav puttar! I will not thank you but Thanks you for everything. You already have wasted a lot of your working time. You may have to go back. Its more than a week. I know your brother was not there. I think you should go back! She is alright now and we will manage!" said papaji putting his hand on Arnav's shoulder.

"Yes papaji. I am thinking of leaving in a couple of days once things settle down here" he waited for some time and then said
"um.. papaji, I want to talk to Khushi!" papaji raised his eyebrows. "um.. about.. everything. About my past!" papaji had a hard look at him and then said gravely "Go ahead!"

"umm .. I don't know how she will react! But I can't wait any longer. I have to tell her!" He said looking at papaji for support.

"Yes, go ahead and tell her!" Papaji said gripping his shoulder.

"Should I tell her now?" he asked trying to run away from the problem
"Yes!" said papaji looking at him and trying to stop him from running away.
"umm.. papaji,.. I mean.. I cannot... I mean .. will you be there when I tell her?" Arnav asked looking at papaji hopefully.

"Yes!" said papaji getting up and calling out for Khushi.

"Khushi, get us some coffee and come to study room, we will be there!" ordered papaji looking at Arnav.

'Arnav puttar, you go the study and I will be there in a moment" He said entering mummiji's room. Arnav obeyed.

He waited there with bated breath pacing the study. Khushi came in with the tray asked "where is papaji?" looking confused.

"He .. he will be here in a moment!" Arnav looking away in nervousness.
"Ok. I am here!" came in papaji closing the door behind him. He took his favorite place behind his study table and took a sip of hot strong coffee. He looked at Arnav.. He still was in dual mind. Papaji understood, he had to start it.
"Ok. Khushi, puttar, Arnav needs to tell you something. Sit down both of you! Khushi, think twice before you react!" Papaji created the atmosphere. Arnav looked at Khushi gauging her.

She looked at him and asked "The same long story, which I wouldn't want to hear?" Arnav nodded.

"well! As I said, I like long stories and I am waiting for you to start!" She looked straight into his eyes.

"Its.. its about my past.." Arnav started off..

"Past? What past? Why do yo..." Khushi started off with the very first statement Arnav made.
"Khushi.. I forbid you from interrupting him. Listen to him. He is taking us to his childhood!" Papaji reprimanded Khushi. She gazed at Arnav. He opened his mouth to take them in to his past.

Part 76

She entered Raizada House and Arnav followed. He went straight to his room ignoring all the gathered family members. She saw her Jiji smiling at her. Khushi ran forward and hugged her.

"Come on! Pandit ji is waiting for the pooja." Said Naniji and led the gathering.
"Jiji, kaisa raha?" She teased Payal tickling her.  Payal pushed her away.  Khushi raised her eyebrow grinning...! "where are you going for your honeymoon?" Khushi whispered in her jiji's ears. Payal blushed and glancing at Aakash said.

"Mauritius!! Arnav ji has made all the arrangements!" said payal.

"What? Arnavji? He made arrangements?" Khushi asked in surprise.
"Shhh! Khushi!" warned Payal. Khushi looked around for him. He was nowhere to be seen. Khushi saw her shadows entering the house. She was surprised what excuse they would give this time to be with her.

"M'am,your aunt has sent us to help you!" one of them said. Khushi breathed the sigh of relief. She smiled at them. She saw Arnav coming down from his room.

"Di, I need to go out for some business." He said avoiding looking at anyone.
"Saale saab! What is this? Be with us for some time. Have a little fun. Business will wait!" sham said smiling at Arnav and glancing at Khushi. He clenched his fists.

"Chote..! nothing doing! Be with us today and come for the pooja. Your business can wait!" ordered naniji. Khushi smiled. Arnav obeyed reluctantly.

The doorbell rang and Shondeep entered. Arnav greeted him glancing at Khushi. Sham came forward and took charge of Shondeep taking him to the hall and talking to him. Arnav looked furious.

"Please join us for pooja!" Naniji requested him.
Lavanya came forward to guide him. He greeted her shaking hands. Arnav left the place. Sham went ahead to make arrangements. Nani called Lavanya for some work and Khushi and Shondeep were left in the hall. Shondeep handed over the packet to Khushi and told her

"Please give this to mother. She needed some items from Delhi. I could arrange to buy some of them. And please tell her that I will be back by next week. I need to go to Nanded today" He said.

"Give me the list sir and I will buy the remaining items for her. I know the market inside out!" said Khushi smiling at him. He returned the smile and handed over the list to her. Arnav entered with an expressionless stone face.
He took Shondeep inside. Khushi stood there for a while unable to understand Arnav's mood. "What is there in that letter?" asked Arnav furiously coming from behind.

"What?" she turned and looked at him. "Why is he so upset?" she was puzzled and handed over the list to him.

"He wanted me to buy some items for his mother and give it to her when I reach Kolkata. He is on business tour till next week! Ok? Satisfied?" she asked furiously. He looked at her sheepishly.

"Come! Let us go!" he said smiling at her.

Lavanya kept talking to Shondeep and Sham kept interrupting him trying to impress. Arnav stood there glancing at everyone. Khushi sat behind payal, giggling and teasing. Payal blushed furiously and looked at Khushi with a mock anger. Khushi pinched her.

Shondeep glanced at the weak but happy looking Anjali, quite a few times. Khush smiled to herself and looked at Arnav. He was staring at her. He raised his eyebrow, questioningly. She shook her head and looked away. Lavanya seemed to be impressed by Shondeep's profile. Khushi saw them exchanging their contact details. Shondeep left after some time and Lavanya went to see him off to the door.

Pooja got over and Sham made the announcement. Everybody looked happy for them. Mamiji was excited and said "Baby ki arribhal ki tayari kere ki padi! We must get ready for the bady's arrival!" Everyone seemed to be happy. Khushi looked at Arnav, he looked aghast and turned his face, payal was staring at Khushi in shock and Aakash glanced at Arnav's face. Four of them kept looking at each other.

"Saale Saab! Get ready, you are going to be uncle soon!" said Sham holding out his hand. Arnav came back to his senses and shook hands congratulating him.
"You have to take rest Di. Take good care of your health. I will take the appointment of the best gynecologist in this city!" he said taking out his phone.

"No need saale saab! I have already done that" said Sham raising his hand to stop Arnav. Arnav looked at him jaw dropped.... Another blow...!!

It was time to leave for Payal and Khushi. It was only a formality of pug phere as the newly married couple was to leave for their honeymoon next day morning.

Nani ordered Chote to drop them at Guptas. Arnav obeyed. They were in the car and Arnav blurted angrily, "Damn it!" He was frustrated with the things that were happening at the Raizada House.

"But how is it possible?" Khushi asked loudly. "I mean...last month, our plan had worked, right?" she asked Arnav and Payal. "Then how is it possible? I smell something fishy!" she blurted.

"I think I should go for a second opinion! I will do that!" said Arnav resolutely. They arrived at Guptas. Payal and Khushi got down.

"Khushi!" she turned back. He had opened the car door for her. She glanced at Payal and called her out. "Jiji, I will just go to the market. Shondeep sir has asked me to buy something for his mother. I will come soon, jiji!" payal looked at her and Arnav and smiling said "Ok. But be careful both of you!" Khushi hopped into the car and they raced away.

They were in the crowded market. Arnav had held her shoulder tightly.
"Yeh kahan leke aai ho?" he threw disgust. 

"Karol Bagh... Yahan pe kuch bhi milataa hain.... From pin to plane, you get everything here...!" she yelled over the commotion, weeding through the crowd, elbowing her way in the narrow allies.

"Chodiye naa!" She tried to free herself from his grip sensing that people were staring at them. "You have to be careful in this crowd, Khushi! I am your bodyguard now!" he smirked holding her tightly. She blushed, embarrassed. She bought the rest of the items and they were driving back.

"Khushi! Listen! I may not be able to come to the airport this evening. But I promise I will come to Kolkata soon! I want to talk to you!" said Arnav seriously.

"We are talking Arnavji!" Khushi looked surprise. "No Khushi, I want to talk to you at length!" he looked grave.

"What is it? Arnavji?" Khushi looked concerned.

"It's a long story, Khushi!" said Arnav looking at Khushi.
"Well! I love long stories!" said Khushi smiling at him.
"I am sure you won't like this!" said Arnav avoiding her gaze.
"Well! Try me!" She challenged him.
"Not now! Some other time!" he said evasively.

*** ** ***

The news papers had flashed the flamboyant wedding ceremony which had hit the gossip headlines. The photographs and commentary were the talk of the town. The reporters mentioned the sudden appearance of a political leader which made Raizadas look gloomy and the visit of the minister made it to the news. Arnav could read between the lines and realized what was coming. He instructed Aman to be careful about the media and keep them pleased. One dig in the past would hit the headlines. The channels too had flashed the wedding ceremony. They were probing in their usual style like posing a questions like "When would his elder brother, the most eligible in the town think of his wedding? What made him breakup with his old time heart throb? Where is the girl who fell in his arms in the fashion show...What is it that made the Raizadas uneasy with the appearance of the political leader?....

Arnav had to work hard to keep the probe at bay and the coming elections helped him to divert the media attention.

** *** **

A week had passed after the marriage. Khushi had set her routine in Kolkata. Shondeep had returned and started the work in full swing. He missed Khushi in the office. Papaji had forbidden her from going out alone. He had asked her to work from home. It proved to be good in a way as Raj and his family had gone back to their world and mummiji had the company of Khushi the whole day. It was a pleasure to have her around with her energy and innocence she delighted everyone around. Mummiji, though missed her son, was happy to have Khushi around.

Payal and Aakash had not returned yet from their honeymoon. Payal had called her a couple of times and Arnav almost every day. Papaji was busy in his new company with Shondeep. Khushi had visited Shondeep's house to handover the items to his mother. She had a good time talking to his parents.  "They deserve to be happy .... " she resolved smiling inwardly hatching a plan....

It was early morning and mummiji was with her physiotherapist, papaji was taking his morning tea with Khushi and they heard the scream! Khushi ran to mummiji's room and screamed and bending down tried to pull up mummiji.

Mummiji had fallen down banging her head on the edge of her solid wood bed. She was unconscious and bleeding. Papaji froze. "Papaji, take out the car. We have to take her to the hospital!" screamed Khushi. Papaji ran forward. The servants gathered. They took her to the hospital. She had a head injury and Doctors were not happy with her condition. They were waiting for the scanning reports.

Khushi asked papaji whether to call Raj. He shook his head. He looked all lost. He could not think of anything. Khushi took the charge. She took his phone and called up Raj and told him but also said not to worry and she would keep calling him. She did not know what to do and dialed Arnav's number. "Good morning!" Arnav greeted pleasantly.

"Arnav ji.. its Khushi! Mummiji... I mean... hospital.. I .. um.. I mean papaji.. " Khushi was losing hopes.

"Khushi! Calm down! Tell me what happened? And where is papaji?" he too started panicking.

"She is in Hospital! Papaji is here! You talk to him" she said holding out the mobile. Papaji shook his head in denial. "Arnavji... she said on the verge of crying. "Ok. Khushi, I am coming! Take care!" He hung up to inquire the next flight to Kolkata.

Part 75

He came back to his Di's room determined to tell her everything.

He saw his Di hugging Sham tightly and crying her heart out on his shoulder. He was patting her silently having his back at the door. Arnav stood there with a blank face... He couldn't enter the room.... His Di had closed her mind  for her Chote....

"You know! I cannot live without you! I will die if you leave me! I know you didn't do it intentionally. I just was very upset. Please don't even think of leaving me. I just want to be with you". Her words poured in his ears like a boiling oil.... His Di had completely surrendered herself to Sham, begging him for forgiveness...! Her sobs said it all... in his arms. Arnav turned back crestfallen!

He came back to place where guests were enjoying the elaborate arrangements of food. The live orchestra played a mix of classic and modern music. Romance and joyous feeling was in the air like fragrance. Payal and Aakash had forgotten the world around, holding their hands on the threshold of entering their new married life.

Arnav's heart sympathized with his own pathetic condition. He looked away swallowing the lump formed in his throat.

Papaji had already left with the Minister, but Shondeep stayed back and was engrossed talking to Raj. Sham walked past Arnav  and approached Raj.  Arnav merely gaped with open mouth.  Hopeless feeling filled his mind blinding him... He sat on the nearby coach... Nothingness filled the empty heart..! He had lost his Di to a Conman...! 

People were eyeing the two most handsome guys, Raj and Shondeep,  in the gathering and when they saw Elsa with Raj, the couple made them hold their breath. They were looking so stunning people just gaped at them. Elsa looked like a typical Indian princess with breath taking beauty and Raj was at his best in full business attire specially selected by Elsa for this occasion. They were talking to people, laughing with them, teasing each other and holding their kids from running away. Khushi was looking at the couple from a distance with tears in her eyes.

"Khushi!" someone called from behind. Mummiji was looking at her and then glancing at Raj and Elsa, she said "Thank you Khushi, this is all because of you!" Khushi sat down and put her head on mummiji's lap without bothering about the people around.

Mummiji patted her and said "Khushi, time to pull yourself up. Take a look at the happiness around and be happy Khushi! Everything will be ok!" Khushi smiled, dabbing her eyes got up and strode to the center stage to join her Jiji..! Mummiji's wheel chair moved towards far end....

"Arnav Puttar...!" he got up startled.  A faint smile appeared on his face looking at smiling mummiji...! She held her hand out and he supported her to get up.  "Sit here with me...!" she commanded in a whisper.  He obeyed.  They just sat there wordless, with mummiji's assuring strokes on his hand.   slowly the emptiness in his mind was replaced with numerous other thoughts of his responsibilities... He got up smiling at Mummiji...! He looked up at Khushi and smiled finding her staring at him.  Soon he joined her on center stage...smiling and greeting people.

"Soon this will get over and I will be back in my world.... Dark enough to engulf all this happiness..." Thought Arnav.

Khushi had no time to think about anything. She was running around to help her family. Often she used to come back to her Babuji to talk to him, tell him what was going on, take care of his needs and smile at him broadly hiding her tears. She knew her jiji is now a Raizada and would not come home with her. All the Guptas shared the same feeling of happiness and sadness... A pleasent pain twisted Khushi's heart.  She looked around for her only help and found him gazing at her.  She looked away smiling.....

He was engrossed talking to people... she appeared behind him looking at his back and adoring his style of running his fingers through his little longish, thick hair... "She plucked a red rose, looking lost....! Her heart filled with his thoughts she pressed her hand on her chest.  "Laad Governer....!" she gazed with teary eyes.  "Sunaa Maine...!" he suddenly had turned to face her.  She jumped in fright being caught and vanished from the scene, dropping the red rose, before he could grab her hand.  He picked it up with one swift movement and turned to the guests smiling....!

Payal, though dreaming of her future, got emotional looking at Khushi. "Khushi will also be leaving for Kolkata soon and there will be no one to run around in the house troubling Buwaji" she thought with tearful eyes.

The function was getting over, it was late in the night. All the Guptas and Raizadas had gathered on the stage. Khushi brought in trolley of gifts. She had got at least one for everyone. She had hand embroidered laknowi chikenkaari silk saree of light blue color for Naniji. A diamond studded set for Mamiji.
"Hello, hi bye bye! I don't wear anything other than genuine... !"Said Mamiji keeping the set away flaring up her nose.

"Mamiji, there is a certificate of the gold purity and carat of diamonds inside the box" said Khushi smiling. Mami hurriedly lifted the box.

"This is from my hard earned money mamiji, for the greatest mother in law of my jiji!" declared Khushi in her style.

She had brought a red saree with matching accessories for Anjali. Anjali loved her choice though withheld the appreciation. Aakash had received a diamond studded tie pin and cuff links from her. Mamaji showed off his gold watch.
She stood upto Sham and handed over a sleek pack of gift. Anjali pestered him to open it. He stared at Khushi suspiciously and with shaky hands opened the gift wrap. A finely decorated, silver frame with ornate side locks, was in his hands. Sham saw his scarred face. A fine mirror was staring back at him. Khushi smirked and glanced at Arnav.

She had brought ornate bangles for Lavanya. She looked at Arnav who was resolutely looking away wishing she wouldn't give his gift in front of everyone. She handed over his packet and slipped a small pack in his hand below the gift wrapped box. He too had the same gift as that of Aakash. He slipped the small packet in his pocket. Without looking at anyone Khushi left the place saying she got gifts for Ram Prakash and others in Raizada house. Arnav could not resist himself. He wanted to go back to his room and somehow hoped that she would follow. He ran his fingers on the hidden packet in his pocket and closed his eyes for a while in that crowded place.

Khushi was preparing for bidai of her Jiji and was packing for her Jiji.

"Khushi!" she turned around startled. Naniji was at the door. Khushi got nervous and fidgeted. Nani came in. "Khushi, I don't know whats going on between you and Chote, I don't know what happened that day. I don't know about other family members and also about Chote. But I wanted to tell you that.." she paused to breathe. Khushi looked up at her. Naniji had never called her Khushi, she always called her Khushi bitiya..! Khushi knew what she wanted to say.

"Naniji, Hamain Muaff Kijiye... forgive me. I will go away once this wedding gets over!" she said trembling.

Nani came nearer and said "I haven't finished yet!" Khushi looked up frightened...! Nani continued... " I do not know about others but I accept you as my grand daughter in law. You are Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada for me!" She said looking at Khushi.

It took time to assimilate and when Khushi realized what she meant, she ran forward and touched Nani's feet. She took Khushi in her embrace and kissed her on forehead blessing her.

"Nani!" Khushi and Nani turned. Anjali with Sham came in. Sham looked victorious and happy.

"Nani" Anjali came in and rested her head on Naniji's shoulder blushing and smiling.

"What is it bitiya?" asked nani stroking her.
"Naniji, get ready to be a great grand mom!" he said smiling. Anjali hid her face.

"What?" asked nani in excitement and Khushi looked aghast. Sham's departure from this house looked remote.

She came out with her head spinning. "How is it possible?" she was puzzled. "Arnav ji said my plan worked and they are staying apart.. then how come?" She stood there not able to believe her ears.

"Hello Khushiji, are you not congratulating us?" Asked Sham standing behind her. Her shadows closed in a bit. She looked straight to Sham and said "Congratulations to both of you!" Sham smirked and a faint smile appeared on Anjali's face. Khushi turned to leave.

"Khushi ji, thank you for your wishes and of course for your gift." Called out Sham. She turned again.

"And I will keep it with me forever to see my face and to remember....!" He looked at her revengefully. "Be careful Shamji... Accidents do happen..!" She muttered and left.

Raj and Elsa with the kids had already left. They were to reach Kolkata in the morning. Mummiji was to be with Khushi. Khushi looked around. Her family members were waiting for her. Arnav was looking at her sulkily. He left glancing at her and she followed after a while.

Arnav grabbed her as soon as she entered his room. "Where were you?" He asked angrily.

"I was preparing for Jiji's Bidai" she said looking at his angry face. He released her from his grip and took out the packet. She looked at it and blushed. "Did you not open it?" she asked.

"You open it for me!" he ordered.

"Its just a small thing. Not expensive! I embroidered it for you!" she said tearing it open. There was a neatly folded pack of six bright white  handkerchiefs with K in corner with six different colors. He looked at the pack and took it from her gently. Dabbing it on his cheek, he looked at her. She ran into his arms... He kissed away her tears...!

"Khushi!" He started off. "Arnavji! Nani had called me!" she said looking up, cutting him off.

Releasing her, he asked "What? What did she say? Damn it! I knew this would happen!" he blurted angrily.

"No Arnav ji! She said...." And Khushi told him everything nani had said. With every word, his face brightened up.

"Khushi! He grabbed her again "Khushi!! Now only Di to go! I will handle her! Oh my, what a relief!" he exclaimed and there was a knock on the door. They broke apart startled and looked around.

"Arnav Bhaiyya, Naniji has called you!" said Ram Prakash.
"Yeah! Right!" said Arnav and went down. Khushi waited there for some time and slowly walked out of his room from pool side to take a good look at their favorite spot.

Khushi and Arnav could not sleep that night. Their bitter sweet memories rushing to their minds both turned and tossed in their bed. Khushi had not told him the news Anjali's pregnancy. She did not want to spoil his mood. She knew, sham would proudly announce. But that was later. She got up and started packing her bags. Mummiji was awake. She called her out and said "Khushi, we will have enough time to pack the things. If you are not sleeping come here and sit with me" Khushi obeyed. They talked about the function recollecting the incidents. Both of them fell asleep sometime later in the night.

Khushi was to go to Raizada house for Pug-Phere to bring payal back! In the morning she got ready. She saw Arnav's SUV at her door. She was surprised. Arnav got down and smiled at her and she looked at him mesmerized. For the first time he had done away with his coat or jacket. He was wearing bright white shirt with folded sleeves and a pair of black trousers. He was looking fresh and energetic. "Nani has sent me to fetch you!" he said, holding out his hand and took her to the car. Opening the door he looked at his gorgeous looking Khushi and appreciated her beauty by reviewing her from head to toe. She flushed growing her cheeks pink. "I am on official duty!" he whispered closing the door. They were driving together to Raizada house.

"One day I will drive you officially as my wedded wife, Khushi!" he thought resolutely. His heart ached at the thought of Khushi's departure to Kolkata in the evening. "Why does she have to leave immediately?" he thought sulkily.
"So you are leaving this evening?" he asked her.

"hmm!" she responded. He exhaled. He looked at her sulkily. She responded with a smile.

"Arnav ji! How is Anjali ji now? Did she talk to you this morning?" Khushi asked.
"Yeah! She is ok now! But didn't get chance to talk to her. He was always there with her! Why?" He asked confused.

"No! Nothing!" she said.
His phone rang. He looked at the screen and talked on his blue tooth. "Hello Shondeep! Good morning. ... Oh! Yes! ... yeah ok! I will do that.... Yes.. I am on my way... Yeah she is fine now.. just a little weakness... Oh! Ok. Yes we will meet then..."

Khushi pulled his hand. He looked at her irritatingly. "Shoneddp Sir? I want to talk to him.." she said whispering. Arnav ignored her and continued to talk over the phone. She got furious. She said aloud in her style "Arnavji, if it is Shondeep Sir, I want to talk to him!" leaning towards Arnav and winking at him.

"is that Ms. Gupta?" Asked Shondeep. Arnav had no other option than to give the Bluetooth to her. She fixed it to her ear and spoke. "Good morning Shondeep Sir! How are you?... I am fine.. yeah!...hm... yes... ok.... Hmm... oh! I thought you would come to Raizada House this morning, I thought of meeting you there." Arnav Applied sudden breaks and looked her angrily gesturing her to disconnect the phone.

She ignored him completely and smiling broadly said, "That's great!... yes... So nice of you sir!" He grabbed her shoulder muttering "Khushi, he is not looking at your face. Stop smiling!!" She again ignored him. "... thank you very much... Yes, I will meet her!..Yes Sir!.. Thank you! Yes, I will do that sir! Bye!" She said taking out the Bluetooth. She handed it over to Arnav. Arnav was furious. "Why were you grinning? He didn't see your face. And what were he talking to you?" He asked irritatingly. Khushi was surprised. "What? He is my boss! And he talked to me about business!" she said looking at him.

"You! And Business?" he asked smirking. "Yes!" she said with a glint.

"Phew! Look who is talking about business!" he gave a hollow laugh.
"What? What did you say that for?" she asked angrily. "I work in a business house. Remember?" She asked him raising her voice.

"Oh! Yeah! I know!" He said looking away. They had reached Raizada House. She looked at him, he was still looking away. "Arnav ji its noting special.. I just wanted to say hi to him!" she said in a small voice looking at his face. He looked back at her and smiled getting down from the car.

"And by the way, he is coming here for some time on my invitation!" She said loudly and entered the Raizada House.

"What?" he gritted angrily....