Giving Her a Choice

Background: Anjali asks Khushi to train Lavanya into becoming a traditional daughter-in-law and even blackmails her with the contract money that she owes AR. What if Khushi was given a choice? 

Arnav didn't know what he was doing here standing in Laxmi Nagar and staring at that damned house where that chit of a girl lived. Everything in his life was going wrong because of her. This restlessness, this unnecessary guilt, this increasing agitation at her tear-filled eyes wouldn't let him sleep at night. And he loved his life a little too much to let anyone destroy that peace. That girl had thrust a resignation letter in his hands, declared that she was leaving Delhi forever and then landed at Shantivan again at his sister's anniversary party. And not just anywhere in the house, in his closet. And then she'd left, just like that. 

He felt something missing and after tossing and turning the entire night, had finally come to the conclusion of what it was. Khushi didn't return the key card issued to her by AR. Knowing how clumsy and irresponsible she was, she'd definitely lose it somewhere. That would make AR vulnerable to security threats from outsiders and ASR wouldn't ever let that happen. It was just for his company, he assured himself again and again. The fact that her anklet was with him didn't bother him that much. If she didn't care about her things then what else could he do? But for precautionary purposes, he had kept it in his safe lest she comes back for it.

He was about to step out of his car when he spotted his Di and Mami entering Khushi's house. What were they both doing here? He felt irritation bubble up inside him. If they were here to relieve their moral conscience and apologize on his behalf, then he would surely lose his temper today. Di, he understood. She always wanted to clean his mess or so she thought. But Mami, her ego was larger than her jewellery collection. She'd instead convince Di not to do something that was so beneath them. Heck, she wouldn't ever step in Laxmi Nagar if he was being honest. He thought of barging in and confronting them but that would just beat the purpose, he would never know what it was that they came here for. Again, he was forced to do something he never thought he would. He was hiding behind an open window that gave him a clear view of the living room where Khushi and her family stood, seemingly shocked to receive someone from the Raizada family. But, what he heard next made his blood boil. 

'You have to train Lavanya to be a perfect bahu. You saw what happened the other night and Nani would never accept her like that.'  Anjali said pleadingly. 

Khushi heard what the sweet sister of that rakshas said and frowned. When she had opened the door, she hadn't even in her wildest dreams expected Anjali ji and her elitist Mami ji to be standing in their small living room. She looked at Mami ji surveying their house with distaste and felt anger bubbling inside her. No one had a right to demean her home. Anjali ji made an impatient sound and Khushi turned attention towards her. Why did she need her to train Lavanya? What sort of marriages did high-class people have? Weren't people supposed to accept their loved ones as they are? 

'Anjali ji, I get what you're saying. But your brother loves her the way she is and you should accept that. Give her some time. I can't train someone.'  Khushi tried to reason with Anjali ji. She didn't know why she felt a pang in her heart when she told his sister about that Laad Governor loving Lavanya ji the way she was. She was transported to the time when she had witnessed Lavanya ji hugging him from behind when he was busy arguing with her on the poolside at Anjali ji's anniversary party. Her heartburn increased at that thought.

'But what about Nani? Chotte is always at loggerheads with her. He says that it's his life and choice. He needs to understand that Nani wants a sanskari bahu.'  Anjali fretted.

'I'm sorry and very surprised to say this Anjali ji, but your brother's right. It is his choice after all. What is the guarantee that he will accept a sanskari Lavanya ji?'  Khushi couldn't believe she was having this conversation, especially the words that came out of her mouth. She was taking that Laad Governor's side and she didn't even know why! Being brought up in the small town in Lucknow, she could understand the concerns of these ladies but she was after all a romantic at heart. No matter how restless her heart became on imagining the couple in question. How could she change a person's identity? How could she rob them of who they really were? She couldn't imagine someone 'training' her to be different. That seemed like a bigger punishment than anything else. 

'Khushi ji, I didn't want to do this but I don't have a choice. You still owe 1 lakh to AR because of the contract. The decision is yours but I hope you know the consequences if you don't agree.'  Anjali spoke icily before leaving a stupefied Khushi behind.

'Haye Re Nandkishore! Who are these people? Why are they after you? First, our Payaliya's marriage broke and then that video. Does she know what her brother's actions have caused us? You were harassed on the streets. Then he tortured you in office and now his sister is blackmailing you!'  Bua ji hollered at Khushi. 

Khushi heard it all. She could swear she thought Anjali ji was different. She was sweet. She hadn't expected her to threaten her like this ever. Anjali ji had no right to use that contract like this. A contract that had literally pushed her towards a near-death experience. She felt frustration grow inside her and for the very first time, felt helpless. It was one thing to rise up to a challenge to Arnav Singh Raizada, complete his irrational tasks and feel a certain sense of satisfaction to leave him stunned. What Anjali ji asked of her was against her principles. This seemed forced. But what else could she do other than giving in? Amma's crying voice rang in her ears telling her about the money problems her Babu ji was facing and she closed her eyes in defeat.

'Babu ji can't afford this, Bua ji. I don't have a choice.'  Khushi whispered painfully. 

'You do.'  Arnav Singh Raizada stood staring straight into Khushi's eyes. She was shocked, definitely. He ignored her Bua ji's booming voice asking him what he was doing here and hadn't they done enough? His eyes stayed on Khushi. 

Arnav had noticed each and every expression that flitted over Khushi's face. She was angry at Mami's degrading attitude towards her house and was having a hard time controlling herself from making a comment. He smirked seeing her narrowed eyes and muttering to herself. When he had listened to his Di's absurd demand, he had cringed. 'Training' someone was so insulting. And then he had heard Khushi's voice. She had understood what he was telling his family for quite some time now. She was unknowingly standing up for him and she looked torn when she realized it. This was fun, Arnav thought. He had even observed the slight tremble when she mentioned his love for Lavanya. This stupid girl didn't know what he felt and for whom. He was quite surprised by her rational answer. Why would he change someone just to make his orthodox family happy? Even if it was Lavanya and things definitely weren't long-term, he at least respected her for who she was.

He was sure that Di would turn away disappointed. But then he saw a sight that he thought he would never witness. Her eyes turned cold and she put forward that damned contract. WHAT THE ACTUAL F*CK? Was it really his ever innocent sister literally blackmailing Khushi? And that too with a contract that was between Khushi and him? He would've never brought that up after everything he had put her through at the office. He had seen the fire in Khushi's eyes at the unveiled threat but then it had died down and was replaced by helplessness. She closed her eyes in surrender. Dammit! He hated that look. Bua ji's words had hit his conscience and Khushi's feeble whisper about her Babu ji had tugged something at his heart. A decision was made. 

'That contract is not valid. There will be no such job as 'training' someone. If you do want to work, then your position at AR is still vacant. And I assure you that it will be different this time. That's my promise. The choice is certainly yours.'  Arnav explained and saw with amusement, Khushi's eyes widening with his every word. He was about to leave when he saw Khushi give him an imperceptible nod acknowledging his offer. He'd accept whatever she decides. At least, she won't have that defeated expression on her face. He didn't like that one bit. With that, he left Laxmi Nagar feeling satisfied, his earlier restlessness gone. It was time to talk some sense into his Di now. 

Khushi was...overwhelmed. She had gotten two shocks today. Both brother and sister had behaved completely uncharacteristically. One had blackmailed her and the other one had given her a choice, something that she wasn't often given. She felt a little control over her life. She knew he spoke the truth. Arnav Singh Raizada was just like that; straightforward and to the point. He had promised her that things would be different this time and surprisingly, she trusted him. She had nodded at him, showing her appreciation for his words. She looked at the surprised faces of Bua ji and Jiji and couldn't help but giggle. Laad Governor definitely knew how to make an entry. 

Later that night, Khushi put down her phone after hearing Anjali ji apologize profusely. Apparently, her brother had told her what he thought about her preposterous proposition and made her realize how wrong she had been. Khushi had obviously forgiven her. She looked at the contract sent through parcel by AR. It was an employment contract as his personal assistant. The salary was good. He had even entered a clause that she could sue AR if she felt she was being unfairly treated. She felt giddy. She could feel that something was about to change and for good this time. Babu ji's financial problems would be solved, she could help Bua ji and actually learn something. The best part was that she had a choice and she used it. 

The next afternoon, HP couldn't understand why his Arnav Bhaiyya was smiling looking at some of his official papers and hadn't even yelled at him for bringing his coffee late. Must be an important deal, he thought. What he didn't know was that it would later go on to become the most important deal of Arnav Singh Raizada's life.