Part 31

"Can we go home for now? They all must be waiting for us!" His heart ached. He stopped.  "She cares more about them..!" he thought. But she held his hand and walked with him leaning against his arm. He felt assured.

"I will take her home as early as possible. I will have to take her home...." He told himself. He started planning for their trip to Delhi. He was determined to take her back to Delhi by tomorrow morning. He called up the travel agency. 

“Arnav ji?” Khushi looked at him.  “We are going home, Khushi!” he said with determination.  She squeezed his hand.."Arnav ji..." For the first time she uttered his name. he had goose bumps. He forgot what he was doing. He looked at her longingly. 

"We can arrange for the tickets anytime we want but let us go home." She said. He felt uneasy. He drove off without a word.  She was lost in her thoughts and so was he.

They went home and rang the front door bell. Raj himself came to open the door. He greeted them and brought them in. "Hey... Khushi Buwa... what did you do all day?" Kids asked excitedly. She blushed.. Papaji roared with laughter.
He had a surprise for the couple.....

*********   **********  ********

Papaji, watched Khushi going out with Arnav. He looked worried. Raj came near and asked "What is it dad? What is bothering you?" 

Papaji looked at him and said I need to make some calls and then we need to talk. He went away in his study dialing a number. Raj stood there puzzled.
Papaji came back after some time. The worry on his face had deepened. Raj looked at him and followed him to his study. Papaji sat there for some time and then said, "I am worried about her." 

"Why daddy? She has found her love and he has come back to take her..." asked Raj.

"He has come back alright.. but he has left a mess behind. He wants to take her there... But.."

"What is it daddy? Is there any problem? Why did you send her with him then?" Asked Raj with a little raised voice.

"This is complex, puttar... He has a past and he has buried it. This has made him introvert and he vents out his frustration and anger on someone else. He has to accept his past. He must learn to accept the reality. He might hurt Khushi again." Papaji was really worried.

"What past? If you knew,  why did we allow him in our house? We should have sent him away." Said raj angrily.

"No, putter, he loves her as much as he loves himself. But he is confused. He came here to take her back as if to claim his lost treasure. Like a child who wants to take back his lost toy. He is not sure about his feelings. He is very possessive. He thinks once he gets her, everything will be alright. But this would create more problems for them, I am sure."

"What past, daddy? What is bothering you?" he asked feeling concerned.
"I think, he himself should unravel the entangled threads of his past. He needs to vent it out. But he should do this before we send Khushi, with him to Delhi. We need a plan..."

"And he has left another mess at his home front... but that is trivial... I can handle it.." Papaji said.
Both of them talked about the plan for a long time. And then looking at each other and smiling, they came out and waited for Khushi to come home.

Arnav and Khushi came home and had dinner with the family. Khushi looked very happy. Arnav was little nervous. He had plans to tell the family that he would be taking Khushi with him next  morning. He did not know how to open the topic. He was not sure about the family members, especially papaji. He knew papaji can stop him going ahead with his plans.

Khushi looked puzzled. Whenever she glanced at papaji, she saw him with a worried face. She did not understand. "I need to talk to him. I will not do anything without his permission. But I want to go with him and I am sure papaji will not say no." She thought to herself.

"umm!... I mean.. I ... I and Khushi were thinking... of going back to Delhi ....!" He opened the topic nervously. Khushi looked at him. He had included her in his decision. She did not deny but her looks made him feel guilty.

Papaji looked at both of them and saw them exchanging looks. He looked at Raj.
Raj said excitedly, "Yes. You will go with Khushi... once the wedding is over..."
Arnav looked confused. "Wedding? Whose wedding?" Khushi asked excitedly. “I didn’t know, some marriage is coming up in the house? She exclaimed looking at Mumiji. Even she looked puzzled. Khushi looked back at papaji and Raj.

"Your wedding, Khushi!  You will go with him after your grand marriage....!" He said dreamily smiling.
"But we are already married...!" Arnav said looking annoyed. "Is this some kind of joke?" he thought.

"Who says so?" Asked papaji looking at him. He felt nervous. He said "I say so "
"Proof?" asked papaji and Raj together. Arnav said "I say so and Khushi...." He looked at Khushi for support. She looked aghast. “What was going on?”

"And?" papaji, asked in a stern voice, looking straight at Arnav. He fumbled for words and then hurriedly said pointing his finger to the black thread around Khushi's neck. "And this black thread. I tied it when we got married."

"And?" Asked papaji, raising his voice... "And the sindoo..... " Arnav looked at Khushi's bare forehead... and stopped gaping at her. He gave her a hollow look. Khushi feeling nervous avoided looking at him and said in a small voice "I left my sindoor at your doorstep on the floor for you.... To remember me.." She had tears in her eyes. "He remembered the droplets of blood read sindoor on the floor of Raizada House." He was  speechless.

"And?" Papaji looked furious... "And who will vouch for your marriage? Asked papaji. 

Arnav looked at papaji in horror. His jaw dropped. His throat went dry and his face contorted. He could not speak. He looked at Khushi, again for support. But she was so shocked that she stared unfocused in thin air. 

"Yes, Mr. Arnav, tell me who will vouch for your marriage?" Roared Papaji, rising from his chair with a jerk and so did ASR. 

His business like mind raced to find a way out. He felt trapped. He had a formidable opponent this time. Winning over this situation looked bleak. He swallowed hard, then coming back to his ASR arrogance, said in a flat voice. "I don't owe any explanation to anyone. When we two are ready, No one else has any right to speak on this matter. I am taking her with me and that's final." He looked at her. She looked back in a shock. He was driving her decisions. He was forcing her to accept his decision. He did not even think of talking to her. He had done this before and she had ended up marrying him. 

"Cool down Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada." Said papaji, bringing himself down to the business level with ASR "Ok. So he is thinking business like. He wants to play this. That's fine. I will do the same. This way I can handle him better" Thought papaji. 

"Look Mr. Arnav singh Raizada, I understand that we cannot do anything if you two are ready. But will it not put you two in more trouble. Instead, if you two get married socially, there will be acceptance to this relation...!" He paused for Arnav's reaction. He did not react. 

And then there was outburst from ASR. He said, "I don't care! I know I married her and that's fine with me..." 

"No. That's not fine with us" Roared Raj for the first time taking part in the conversation. "What harm is there in getting married? It will really be a grand marriage...." He went on. "Or is it that you do not wish to declare your marriage with my sister Khushi and keep it a secret? " He asked furiously. "Then forget it, she is not coming with you." Papaji, looked at Raj satisfyingly. This heat and cold treatment was getting on to Arnav. 

Mummiji looked scared. She looked at Elsa and Khushi. Elsa unable to understand the cause of this heated discussion just gaped at others. "What are they fighting for? And why is he not agreeing for marriage? Or is it that they cannot marry twice with the same person, in the religion? I must ask Raj later" She thought.
They stood there gauging each other, papaji and Raj confronting Arnav Singh Raizada. There was a deadlock. 

"Papaji... " Khushi stepped forward looking at him pleadingly... "Please calm down, papaji..." She requested. 

"Khushi, please stay out of this for now. I will ask your opinion and I will accept your decision. But for now please stay away." He looked stern. She backed away.
"Yes, Mr. Arnav singh Raizada, tell me who will vouch for your marriage? "papaji repeated the question. 

Arnav opened his mouth thinking of Sham. He was there... but then he realized the problem and kept quiet. 

"What is it that you want Mr. Raizada? Don't you want to get married? Do you want to keep it a secret?" asked Mr. Balwindar Singh in a business like negotiation..."He understands this language..." he thought. 

Arnav had no answer. At the same time he never wanted to admit his defeat. He looked at Khushi for support. She was on a totally different level. When papaji asked for the person who could vouch for the marriage, she too thought of Sham. Then, she suddenly remembered that she had not asked anything about anybody in Raizada House. She did not know anything that happened after she left. He had not bothered to tell her anything.  Their meeting after so many months was so overwhelming, that they both forgot the world around. 

"Anjali ji... How is she? When did you tell her about HIM?" Khushi asked. ASR ignored the question pressing his point forth, he said, "That is immaterial". He looked at papaji, and said "I don't believe in all these rituals... I and I don't care..!" 

"Then, why did you marry her in the first place? ... if you call that a marriage..? "Papaji asked him coolly. 

"That was the only solution at that point of time to...." ASR hesitated to continue...
"...to keep HIM away from her a.. and .. to save my sister..." he blurted.
"Then why did you come here for Khushi? Your purpose of saving your sister was already fulfilled when Khushi left you...." Papaji asked. 

"I... I did not want her to leave like that. I wanted to explain ... " ASR blurted... struggling within. 

He did not realize that Khushi was listening to all this. 

She thought... "What was all that happened in the day? I thought it was love... but ... he never .... It was a euphoria of a child getting back his toy. He thought, after marriage... I am his property and he came here to claim it back....." Her eyes filled ... her heart doomed.... She was shattered again by her love.
She came forward, trembling from head to toe, " if he married me because that was the only solution to keep me away from his sister's life....then...papaji, I do not want go back" She sobbed.

ASR had done the damage again. He realized it when Khushi started walking away from him ... he ran after her... and caught her from behind "Khushi....!"
She tried to free herself ... struggling... she said, "Please Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada... you are free. This so called marriage does not exist for YOU...!"
He came forward facing her... still holding her tightly... he looked into her tearful eyes and said in a hoarse voice.. "Khushi... no... Khushi! You are my wife..... Khushi... don't turn your back on me again... I won't be able to sustain....Khushi... let us get married!!!"

Khushi looked at his face in disbelief, wiping her eyes. "He had held her very close.." She realized the presence of others... she broke away. There was an uproar. Raj came forward He pulled Arnav in his embrace..."Congratulations Jijaji! (BIL) ... Now it is my responsibility of this grand marriage!”

Papaji asked the servant to get sweets and this time he stuffed the Roshogulla in Arnav's mouth saying "Congratulations... my dear son-in-law"

Khushi came forward ... looking at Papaji and Raj... she asked in a trembling voice... "Papaji, why do you do all this for me...? I am ... " She sobbed... Papaji came forward, embraced her and said......
"my dear girl, this is not the right time to talk about this. This is the time to talk about your future."

She looked at mummiji, she smiled and said "Yes dear, we will talk about it later..."

The clock struck 11.00 in the night. Arnav said reluctantly, "I think I should leave now..", never wanting to go, to leave Khushi. Khushi looked at him pleading not to go. She wanted him to stay back. She glanced at papaji. Everybody was looking at papaji. He did not react. Arnav understood. He got up to leave, saying , "I plan go back to Delhi tomorrow evening."

Papaji came forward, took his hand in his and said in a soft voice.. "Puttar, I am inviting you to have lunch with us tomorrow.... Raj will come to pick you up. Goodnight my dear boy...!"

Arnav, without looking at anyone left. Khushi, disappointed with papaji's decision, left for her room. Raj looked at papaji questioningly. "It was necessary.. he needs to introspect ..!" said papaji and left. Raj shrugged and went to his room.
Papaji was awake for a long time. Then he remembered something. Opened his cupboard and took out khushi's old cell phone, which he had switched off. He switched it on and went to Khushi's room. "Khushi, you may want this.." he gave the cell phone to her. "Goodnight puttar.." he said. 

She looked at the cell phone in amazement. She slowly closed the room door, came in and sat on her bed, not knowing what to do. 

Arnav was pacing. Sleep was far away from him. He was cursing himself. "Why didn’t  I  ask her? I should have taken her cell number. I am sure she has a new number..." He thought. His cell rang.. A broad smile appeared on his face. After a very long time his cell had flashed "Khushi" . He pressed the cell to his ear and said in a mock fury.."Could you not call me earlier? Why did you make me wait? And why are you calling me now? " Khushi, not understanding his anger said "What do you think I was doing? Papaji gave me this just now and I have called you... If you do not want to talk, fine..." She hung up in fury. He looked at his cell and wondered "She is the same Khushi.... Short tempered.. ". He called her back. "Khushi....!"

*********   ******

Part 30

“Darling….!” Raj had pulled Elsa towards him.  She blushed like a newwed.  “Raj..!” she said looking at Papaji’s room shyly.

“Oh! Come on… you!” Raj kissed her furiously losing his control. She smiled and responded passionately.  “Let’s go to our room..!” he said in her lips and she pushed him away.  “No!” she said and Raj sulked.  “Typical Indian Wife…!” he muttered thumping his butt on the chair.  Elsa vanished in her room and Raj sat alone waiting for someone to come out.

"Khushi..!" Blurted Arnav in a hoarse voice, after a very long time, not letting her lose. "hmm?" She asked hiding her face on his chest. He lifted her face and looked at her. She could not bear his glare. She closed her eyes. She could feel his warm breath. 

There was a knock on the door again....
They broke apart looking at the door utterly disappointed. Papaji was at the door. He came in saying "Sorry... my dear girl, but we too want to talk to our Son in law. So please come and be with us for some time."

Arnav, never wanting to go, pulled Khushi's hand, but looking at her face, he reluctantly went with her. All the family members were in the sitting area waiting for them. Arnav looked at them apprehensively. He remembered his encounter with papaji's formidable personality. He was nervous. But mammiji called both of them and embraced them both. She had tears in her eyes. Arnav wondered how Khushi had done magic on them. 

The servant brought sweets. Papaji took the plate from him. Arnav was looking at him amazed. How could such a formidable person be so gentle? "This is Khushi's magic.." He thought. Papaji offered him sweets. Khushi immediately raising her hand said "No, Papaji.. no Sweets for hi..." But he cut her off and grabbed her raised hand pulling it down, took Roshogulla (Bangali Sweet soaked in sugar syrup) with his other hand and stuffed it in his mouth leaving sugar syrup smearing over his lips. He looked at her defiantly.
“Workout Kar lunga…!” he said looking at her shocked face.  She controlled her urge to wipe off the syrup from his lips, looking around at the other family members. She was blushing,,, everybody started laughing. "This is the moment of her life after the ordeal", Papaji thought sighing .

"And now you may want to go back to Kaali Mandir....!" Papaji said smiling in a voice of teasing them. Both looked at him surprised. He looked down at Arnav's feet and pointed with his index finger. Both of them looked at his feet. "No Sheos...." Arnav suddenly remembered he had run barefoot after Khushi..! He looked embarrassed. Khushi avoided everyone’s gaze. Papaji laughed aloude... and said "Now go to Kaali Mandir and.... May be come home by evening for dinner... And take the car...And for the time being use this…", his eyes twinkling with tears of happiness, he showed him the floaters at the door. 

"I have a car..... Arnav stuttered. But ignoring him, papaji threw car keys to Khushi , which she caught in the mid air. She walked out of the house with Arnav holding her hand. It was almost afternoon. Arnav came out of the house with her and looked around. 

He had missed out on many things about the house. The beautiful traces of the Rangoli drawn by Khushi yesterday, to welcome raj, still waited to welcome Arnav. The entire mansion was decorate with flowers were still shining bright. The garden looked greener and pleasant.

Both of them went up to the car. It was Black Mercedes. He stopped and said "Do... (Give!)!"
"What ?" She asked
"Car Keys..!" He said looking at her with "No commonsense!" sort of a look in his eyes.

She looked at his raised open hand and clutching the car keys unlocked the car remotely. She opened the car door from driver's side. He kept gaping at her with dropped jaws. When he sat next to her , she avoided his gaze and raced the car out of the gates elegantly. He kept looking sideways admiring her skills. He felt proud of her. But thought "This is Mercedes... and she is driving this like a ordinary car... slower...! " She sensed his gaze and glancing at him said "Don't look at me like this...!" She was blushing... He leaned towards her wrapping his hand around her shoulder and .... She honked !!! Shuddering, he took his seat, looking at her angrily.

She took him to a shoe mall and they bought shoes for him. They were sure that the shoes must have gone from the mandir by now. They went to Kaali mandir in the afternoon. She parked the car. Both of them got down. She walked with him. This was the first time she was walking with him like this. All the other times they walked... he had dragged her in anger. She glanced at him. He took her hand and locked his fingers with hers. She quivered and tried to take back.... He leaned and with gritted teeth, in a mock fury said "I will kiss you here in front of everyone if you withdraw your hand....!" She blushed... her cheeks growing pink and ears red.

It was cool and peaceful inside. They both prayed. Arnav, for the first time in his life thanked Goddess for returning him his treasure of life. Khushi had tears in her eyes. He looked at her and unable to understand asked "Khushi... why?" She wiped off her tears smiling and said "Let us go".

They got down the stairs of the mandir and there she saw... his shoes lying there intact. "See... Your Shoes..." She screamed. He looked around embarrassed. Khushi joined her hands to pray to devi mayya saying "Thank you devei mayya..." 

"See... she returned your shoes..." She looked at him happily and then looking around in search of something, she said "Wait... " She ran to a nearby shop in the mandir complex and returned with a polythene bag. She put his shoes in that bag and straightened herself looking satisfied. She looked at him happily...and felt embarrassed too looking at him. He was looking at her in surprise .. She again had left him flabbergasted. A girl driving Mercedes was happy about the shoes being not stolen ...
"She is the same... " He thought. "She is the same Khushi Kumari Gupta!!!... and she is mine"
"You are impossible! Khushi!" He said aloud. 

And then slowly he came forward.. held her hands and she felt weak. She looked at him. Locking his eyes with her and taking advantage of her weakness, he... Snatched the car keys from her hand and burst in laughter. "I am driving now...!" He said, smirking..

And then slowly he came forward.. held her hands and she felt weak. She looked at him. Locking his eyes with her and taking advantage of her weakness, he... Snatched the car keys from her hand and burst in laughter. "I am driving now...!" He said.

She asked in a mock anger "But do you know where to go?"

"Be my navigator...!" He teased her, racing the car away in speed. He looked at her knowing she was scared of the speed. But she seemed to be enjoying. He asked.."Are you hungry? Shall we go for lunch?"
She looked at him and asked, "Where are you taking me?" 

"Taj? Oberoi Grand? Hyatt Regency? Where do you want to go?" He asked her staring at her.
"She will select some Dhaba" He thought remembering their first ever dinner date at Paratha Gali.
 His smirk grew into a smile. 

"I think Peerless Inn would be great. I love their restaurant section" She said looking back at him. He gaped. He had never thought she would have visited such high ranking hotels..

She said smiling at him "Take me to a simple hotel where there is good and sumptuous food to eat. I jsut hate to eat at these big hotels." 

He took her to the hotel of his choice. As usual he was very fussy about the food and she just enjoyed eating. He thought "She is the same... Foodie!" 

They drove to her favorite place Robindro Lake.
They sat on the bench under the tree. It was cool and thickly shaded. They both sat facing the lake. The afternoon lake water was reflecting sunlight. The golden reflection of the water on their faces brightened their mood. 

She rested her head on his shoulder and he pulled her closer putting his hand around her shoulder. They sat there speechless... Then Arnav said, "Khushi... you know we were away for how many days...? I kept counting every minute of these days... "

She did not answer. He lifted her face with his fingers and a tear drop rolled down.  She closed her eyes.  “Khu..!” he chocked pulling her into his embrace.   

He kept his head on her lap and pulled her hands around his neck. She started running her fingers in his hair, closing her eyes in satisfaction.  He had got her back in his life! 

The shadows of the trees became longer and longer. The water now looked darker. It was time to go back home, she thought. she held his arm tightly. 

"Khushi, we are going back to Delhi. We are going back to our house...! He declared.
She looked at him and said "we have to go home. Everybody must be waiting for us."

He remembered Papaji, and felt nervous. Somehow, he felt papaji saw him through. Papaji knew who he was inside. He felt papaji was capable of opening all those secret boxes locked deep inside him for all these years. He felt papaji would open these with his golden master key and all his wounds bled him to death. He could not bear that thought. He said, "Khushi, we will go back as early as possible... may be tonight?" He asked her hopefully.

Khushi kept looking at him. "Why is he so desperate to go back?" she thought. She had sensed that he got nervous in front of papaji. She did not know why... but she did not say "yes" to Arnav's proposal. She needed to talk to Papaji. 

Part 29

ASR gaped at him.
"Mr. Arnav, I know she is here. And I need to talk to you before I call her."
"Talk? Talk to me? Who are you? .. You ... you do not know who she is..? Are you going to stop me?" He said angrily. 

"Please remember, you are in my house, Mr. Arnav" Said papaji sternly. "I can stop you!" He waited for ASR's reaction and then said in a firm voice.

"Please calm down, Mr. Raizada, I know who she is. But Please tell me why are you here? Why are you so desperate to meet her?"

"Why am I desperate? Why..? Because she is my wife ....damn it!" He had lost control! He was trembling with excitement and anger. 

"I know she is your wife, Arnav ji. But you do not know many things about her. I want to enlighten you about her before I decide whether to allow you to meet her or not!" Papaji went ahead.. Arnav gaped forgetting his  rage.

"She is our family member. We are her foster parents. She is our daughter now. So I have a right to protect her, to keep her safe. Do you understand?" Every statement made by papaji left Arnav in a maze. He could not understand anything.

"She is not the same girl now with low status. She is not the same girl who was in want of money to support her family. She is not poor anymore. She is not weak anymore. She is not the one who will listen to false accusations. She is not the one who can be shouted at.."

Arnav was flabbergasted at this. Khushi seemed to be indispensable part of this family. "She had done the magic here too!" thought Arnav wondering. "She knows how to impress people. She can win anybody.."He thought.
"She has suffered a lot in these months and I will not tolerate anyone hurting her anymore" Papaji said warningly.

"You only have seen her suffering, what about me? Do you know how much I have suffered? Does anyone know the ordeal I went through in these months?" Arnav thought burning from within.

"She is not a poor girl, Mr. Arnav Singh. Soon she will be the owner of a portion of my property which is sufficient enough to buy the entire AR Group along with you, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizaka. Do you understand?" Roared papaji in thunderous voice, sensing the rising anger in Arnav's eyes.

"Arnav, stared at him. Then in the determined, calm voice said " Whatever is mine, is hers! I am ready to give away all my belongings and possessions, right here, right now..!" He stood up and so did Papaji glaring at each other.
Papaji, stared at him as if trying to read his mind. Then the stern looks changed into kindness. He came forward and keeping his hand on Arnav's shoulders said
"Khushi is lucky to have you Arnav puttar!"

Arnav stood there gaping at papaji unable to understand the change in his attitude.

Papaji called the two kids and said "Take him to Khushi Buwa's room and come back immediately!"

"Go my dear... she is waiting" He said winking at Arnav and pushing him a little.

The kids held Arnav's hands and carried him towards Khushi's room.

**** ****

Khushi went to her room at the orders of Papaji. She did not know what was happening. She only knew that he has followed her and has come to her doorsteps. She was waiting for him. Her mind, heart, brain, body , soul waiting for him. Her eyes kept looking at the closed door. She was waiting....
As the time passed she became nervous. She slowly started losing hopes. "His speech and his actions do not match. He must have said something. Papaji must have sent him away. He must have gone back. I have lost him...." Her heart ached. She looked out of window. The otherwise pleasant green garden looked gloomy. 

"There was a knock on the door. Someone called "Khushi buwa?" She heard the door open. She turned around. The kids were standing on both sides of him holding his hand. They brought him in. Pushed him laughing, turned around, ran out and closed the door behind them. He was standing before her… was it real? Or was she hallucinating? She didn’t know…..

She stood there not knowing what to do. He was at the door looking at her like never before. She sobbed. He touched his ears… “Saza Manjoor…!” He blurted with moist eyes.  She lost control and sobbed hard! He leapt forward, reached her in a couple of paces, looking at her. 

“Arnav ji…!” Next moment they melted in each others' arms. The world around them vanished. They dissolved in hug. Emotions swept away. All the bitterness, urge to punish, to take revenge, to run away from each other had gone. What remained and filled their hearts was pure love.... pure Unconditional love.

“Khushi…!” he buried his face on her shoulder hugging her tightly.  Khushi had got her Arnav ji back. 

Kids came running towards papaji, Laughing .. Tej screamed excitedly, "You know... He kissed her..." 

"And.. She was crying..." said Meera pausing.. "What..?" Papaji and Raj got up from their chairs..

"And kissed him back.." Said meera giggling. Papaji lifted the kids and took them to Mummiji’s room to celebrate, by kissing his biwi. Elsa walked in.  "Ok. Kids, now go and play in the garden... And no peeping into Khushi Buwa's room!" She ordered, giving Papaji some privacy to be with his wife. 


****** ***

Part 28

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part 27

Part 27

Khushi had decorated the entire mansion with flowers and illuminated the walls with fairy lights, The outdoor flooring up to the gates were full of colourful Rangolies. She had asked papaji to stay at home and she went to the Airport to receive Raj, Elsa, Meera and Tej. She was waiting at the lounge and heard the announcement of the arrival of the Delhi Plane. People started pouring in. She was with the driver who was holding the placard with Raj's name. She was eager to meet them. And then she saw him... coming out of the clearance area, in his trademark style confident and conquering.... She kept on looking at him mesmerized. Her eyes went hazy... she started trembling, she felt weak. “Arnav ji…!”  her heart cried out.  Arnav ji, her husband Arnav ji was walking away.  “Away?”  “No!”  She could not take her eyes off watching him walking towards her. A gust of wind nullified all the noise around.. bells started ringing in her ears... her eyes unfocused, she stood there like a statue

He came out of the clearance area and started walking out of the airport building. A gust wind made him stop in his pants... he looked around. He had this feeling after a very long time. "She is here.." He thought... he stopped.. looked around but the crowd played villain and he walked away shirking her thought from his mind. SHE SAW HIM GOING AWAY.....

There was an announcement of the arrival of the Plane from New York. She waited there eagerly. And she saw them coming out with the trolley of baggage. Their eyes looking out for her. "Here... here " She shouted. They came near. The Driver ran forward to pick up the luggage. Khushi ran forward to greet them.
She made them wait at the gates of the mansion. She went ahead and brought thali for aarti. She brought them in and in the hallway. Mummiji on her wheel chair and papaji standing behind her were looking nervous, waited eagerly. 

Raj came in... stood at the threshold of the house, looked at his parents... Elsa with the kids lingered behind to allow Raj to go ahead. He looked at his mother unblinkingly and slowly at his father looking nervous and trying to judge his feelings. Papaji could not see any of this as his eyes were filled with tears. Raj, seeing this ran forward and dashed to their feet.

Papaji held him up and hugged him tightly. They had forgotten those ten years. He was their eldest son and he had come back to them. They were not bothered about what had happened in these 10 years.
Someone was pulling papaji's coat... he looked down. His grandchildren were looking up at him. He lifted both of them in a tight hug. Raj sat at his mother's feet burying his face in her laps crying his heart out. Elsa slowly came forward with the looks of apprehension of rejection in her eyes. Mummiji looked at her and called her with open arms. She rested her head on Mummiji’s shoulder.

Khushi had merged herself in the background. And ran to her room. She was crying, she was crying with happiness. She and Elsa together had made it. She had succeeded. She came to her room. And stood in front of her devi mayya. She prayed joining her palms, closing her eyes with tears rolling down her cheeks.  She was happy with her Devi Mayya.  She was praying with full devotion for the first time since she left Delhi.  Her Devi Mayya was with her now!

“Hey Devi Mayya! Raksha karanaa!” she prayed touching her head at her Devi Mayya’s feet.  Devi Mayya was smiling.  She looked up.  “Smiling? That mean you have forgiven me for not praying…!” she was happily smiling.  She kept her head at devi mayya's feet and did not know how long she cried.  The catharsis lifted her spirits.

There was a knock on the door. She looked around, the kids were at the door. Meera called out "Khushi buwa..?" She was surprised. Smile appeared on her face. She called them in with open arms. She saw Raj and Elsa behind them. And then Papaji pushing mummiji's wheel chair came in. They all hugged her. Their family was complete. She was really a part of their family. 

Papaji's phone rang. Someone from his office had called. Papaji was informed that someone was waiting for him at the office. Papaji, looked little worried. But said "Please request him to wait till evening, I am busy with my family today. Do not give away any information. And do not call me again."

The butler came in to invite them for lunch. While going towards the table, she held papaji's hand staying behind all of them. Papaji looked at her surprised. He looked into her eyes, sensing pain.
He stared at her and then "You saw him!" He made the statement. 

She nodded trembling. He held her in his arms and stroked her head. "Don't worry, everything will be alright."

She blurted "Papaji... I .. I wa... wa..nt to mee....t."
"Yes, puttar, you will meet him...Soon!" Said papaji in his firm voice.

Arnav Singh Raizada, waited at Kolkata Fashion House office in Kolkata for Mr. Balwindar Singh to arrive. When he was told that Mr. Balwindar singh will be coming to office only in the evening , he was furious. He was also told not to call on his cell phone as he was with his family today. He thought of going back to his hotel room and come back later in the evening. But he did not want to take any chances.

He was already late for this meeting by eight days, for his fault. He had missed out on the gift pack. He had not opened it for eight days and when he opened it he could not wait for a second.

While going home last night, he had seen the packet, kept on his table by Aman. He had ripped it open. He stood there looking at it, shocked. He could not take his eyes off. It was the gift of the spiral bound photographs with the captions... "Brides of India". He kept on flapping the photographs. There were photos of twelve brides selected from 12 different states of India in the traditional bridal wear of each state. The photos looked stunning... The photography was excellent and on top of that.. all the photos were of Khushi in bridal wear. He could not believe his eyes. He again thought that he had hallucinations. He pinched himself and kept on flipping the photos. She was looking so beautiful and sober and blushing as if she is getting married and the baaraat of the bridegroom is at the gates. His eyes locked on her face, his fingers running on the photographs, as if trying to touch her.. he blurted in a bare whisper "Khushi....!"

He had immediately ordered to book his ticket to Kolkata and dropping the idea of going home, had directly come to the Delhi Airport.

Waiting at KFH office he tried to talk about the model showing them the photographs. But no one was able to give him any information about this model. They kept on saying, this was only a trial photo shoot and the real calendar will be with the top model of this country. They could not tell even the name of this model saying she is not on their assignment. He had no option but to wait for Mr. Balwindar Singh since he remembered that he had handed over the packet to him as a special gift saying this would interest him. He was cursing himself for wasting eight precious days.

As the time passed , he became more and more impatient. His anger rising, he thought of calling Mr. Balwindar Singh on his cell. But his professionalism held him back. He had to wait till evening.
Exactly at 5.30 in the evening, Mr. Balwindar Singh arrived. He apologized to ASR for keeping him waiting. He invited him to his cabin and ordered someone to get some snacks and tea. 

ASR eager to open the topic started off
"Mr. Balwindar Singh, thank you for the honour and gifts. He pulled out the packet from his laptop bag. Held it in his hand, looked at it for some time and then gently put it down on the table in front of Mr. Balwindar Singh. He looked at the packet and looked up in the eyes of ASR questioningly and asked in a controlled voice,

"Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, did you not like my present? I will take it back......" He bent and moved his hand forward to pick it up from the table. Arnav jumped at it and grabbed it before the other could lay his hands on it.

He said, "I would like to know who the model is. I know we have signed an agreement. I have no intentions to pull any of your employees to our company. I want to meet this model."

"May I know why do you want to meet her? And she is not a model. This was a trial shoot and we just made her wear these clothes. She is our employee and unless we know the purpose, we cannot disclose any information. Its against our company policy and ethics. So please tell me why do you want to meet her." Balwindar Singh said in a little stern but polite voice. 

"Why do I want to meet her? ASR thought to himself, "Because I want to settle some old scores with her.."
"In that case, may I know why did you gifted me this so called trial shoot photographs?" ASR retorted.
Balwindar Singh coolly looked at ASR and said "I thought you would like the concept of our next show, showcasing the bridal wear" he paused for a while and said "This is the girl you had on your calendar last year, If I am not mistaken Mr. Raizada..." He went ahead "Then you should be knowing this girl, then why are you asking us?"

... "Then you should be knowing this girl, why are you asking us?"
...
ASR glared at him speechless, then in a defeated voice said "She left me.... I mean our company. I want to know where she is..... I mean .. our company owes her money for the calendar shoot. I ... I am asking her whereabouts to pay her. "

"In that case, you may keep the cheque with our accountant and he will complete the formalities. A person like you, A CEO and Managing Director of a group of companies need not meet the trivial, common Employee of another company.." He looked piercingly at ASR and waited for his reaction.
ASR, burning with fury clenching his fists, his face contorted with rage, got up and retorted, "If you do not wish to give me any information. Then its fine. But I will find out, I will ....!"

He marched out of the cabin. "Mr. Raizada..," Balwindar Singh called from behind. ASR looked back stopping with optimism and hope in his eyes, "You may want to go to Kaali Mandir of Shanti Niketan early morning at seven tomorrow..??" ASR looked puzzled. He opened his mouth angrily to ask "is this a joke?" but before he could do that Mr. Balwindar Singh dismissed him saying "Good bye Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada" smiling with twinkling eyes.

Arnav could not sleep that night. He was confused and angry. He did not succeed in finding out khushi's whereabouts on top of that Mr. Balwindar singh puzzled him by giving weird isuggestion. But he had decided to visit Kaali Mandir.