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....