Chapter 2

Scarlet Wizard

@FromTheAshes

Anjali was taking Khushi to the washroom when the bell rang again.

"Who is it now? Khushi, wait a minute. I'll be back." Anjali told.

"No Di, can I come with you? I don't want to be alone." Khushi told biting her lips.

"Yes, of course. Come with me."

Anjali and Khushi went to the door. They opened it to see Arnav standing there again.

"Chotte, you didn't go?" Anjali asked.

"No Di. I forgot to tell you one important matter." Arnav told.

"What happened Chotte? Is everything alright?" Anjali suddenly start panicking.

"Di, relax. Everything is alright. I just came to ask you to give Khushi some food before doing anything. She hasn't ate for the past four days." Arnav told.

"Past four days?" Anjali turned to Khushi. "Khushi, why didn't you tell me you are hungry? You don't need to hesitate on anything her. It is your own house Khushi." She told.

"Di, actually I was not hungry." Khushi told.

"Not hungry? You haven't ate anything for 4 days and you are telling you are not hungry?" Anjali asked.

"Di, actually when we don't eat for a long time, we won't feel hunger anymore. And I'm used to this. Don't worry. Relax" Khushi replied.

"Don't say anything more. Come I will make you delicious parathas." Anjali told.

"Di, I'm going. Feed her well." Arnav told and left.

********

"Di, you were right. They are so tasty. I've never had such tasty foods before." Khushi told her sadly remembering her past.

"Khushi, forget your past. From today you will have all such tasty foods and I will teach you to cook them too. Ok?" Anjali told.

Khushi nodded smilingly.

"Do you want more, Khushi?" Anjali asked.

"No Di. My stomach is already too full. I haven't ate this much in my whole life." Khushi replied.

"Ok. Then come Khushi. I'll help you in washing up." Anjali told and took Khushi to the guest bedroom.

"Khushi, from today this is your room. I didn't know you were coming so I couldn't clean it well. I'll ask HP to do it before night. Ok?" Anjali told.

"Ok Di. But what is this HP?" Khushi asked.

"Ohh... HP' He is our helper at home. He has gone out now and will come back in a while. If you need anything, you can ask him." Anjali replied.

"Now you wait a minute here. I'll prepare the bathroom." Anjali made Khushi sit on the bed and walked to the bathroom.

The room was large and beautifully arranged. It was painted with dark cream color. It was interiorly decorated with aqua blue curtains and spring green sofa which gave a calm atmosphere to the room. It had a pale blue bureau with a mirror over it. The bed was spacious with white bed sheet over it and had pillows which matcher the interior. There was also a door to the balcony which added to the beauty of the room.

"Wow! What a beautiful room! Am I going to stay here? I can't believe I'm standing here now. Do I deserve this much happiness altogether?" Khushi talked to herself as she admired her new room.

Anjali came back and saw a Khushi lost in her dream world with her mouth widely opened.

"Khushi, come back to earth." Anjali told laughingly.

"Di, I can't believe this. I, who never thought to see daylight in my life is now standing in this beautiful room among such lovely people like you. But Di, do I really deserve this much? I don't know!!" Khushi told.

"You don't know because you are so down to earth. Khushi, it was just your bad fate that you were locked up there all these years. Or else you would have got much more than this. Because, your family is the richest ones in Lucknow." Anjali cupped Khushi's face and continued, "Anyway, forget that. But from today you are my sister and the princess of this house. Now we are going to pamper you the most." Anjali giggled.

"Now come, I'll help you clean up." Anjali told.

Anjali took Khushi to the bathroom. It was simple, yet beautiful painted in cream color.

"Di, what is that over there?" Khushi asked pointing to the bathtub.

"Khushi, it is the bathtub. We fill it with water and can lay over there and take bath." Anjali replied.

"And di, what are these?" Khushi asked pointing to the washbasin and the glass door separating the shower.

"Khushi, this is the washbasin and water comes from the pipe and that is the shower. Now, just get yourself out of these clothes. I'll help you to take shower." Anjali told.

Khushi was suddenly embarrassed to take out her clothes in front of Anjali and clutched her clothes tightly. Her face became gloomy and red all of a sudden.

"Khushi, I know you will be embarrassed, but I'm also a girl like you. There is no need to be ashamed in front of me." Anjali told and kept her hand on Khushi's shoulder to reassure her.

Khushi nodded and gently removed her tattered clothes. Anjali took her to the shower room and made Khushi stand under the shower. Cool water flowed through Khushi's skin and Khushi felt herself in a heaven under the stream of water.

"Khushi, have you ever bathed before?" Anjali asked with a doubt.

"Di, there was a small pond next to my room in that prison and Shabd used to ask me to go and dip myself in that pond if I needed to wash up. So I used to do that sometimes. But later, it was so dirty and bad smelling that I myself did no want to wash." Khushi told.

Anjali applied Shower gel on Khushi's body and helped her scrub with the brush. Streams of dirt flowed down and Khushi's skin started to shine under water. Anjali also applied shampoo and conditioner to Khushi's hair.

"Khushi, remind me to apply amla oil to your hair tomorrow. It has become so dry." Anjali told as she dried Khushi's hair with the towel.

"Di, what is that?" Khushi asked confusedly.

"Oh! Amla oil? It is a liquid that we apply to our hair. It helps in hair growth and prevents it from drying." Anjali replied.

Anjali made Khushi wear the bathrobe and took her to the room. She made Khushi sit on the dressing stool before the mirror and dried her hair using the hair dryer.

"Di, it feels good when you blow that hot air." Khushi smiled.

Anjali applied make up on Khushi's face. She instructed Khushi how to use everything. Later she took two strands of hair from each side and did Khushi's hair. The rest of the hair was left open.

"Khushi let me tell you something. Now you really look like a princess." Telling that she took some kajal from the eyes and put it behind Khushi's ears.

"Di, what did you do now?"

"I was just protecting you from bad eyes." Anjali told.

Suddenly the calling bell rang.

"Khushi, wait here. I think Chotte has come with your dress. I'll bring it here." Anjali told and went to open the door.

********

"Di, why did you take so long to open the door?" Arnav asked irritated.

"No. I didn't take any time. You are telling that because you are eager tot meet your Khushi." Anjali teased Arnav.

"What the, my Khushi? Di, stop this." Arnav told.

"Stop what Chotte?" Anjali asked further teasing Arnav with her innocent looks.

"Nothing. You just take these clothes to Khushi." Arnav told and gave some shopping bags to Anjali.

"By the way Chotte, why did you take so long?" Anjali asked.

"Di, I didn't know what Khushi will like and bought clothes of all types. So it took time. And di, you had to come with me. It was so embarrassing in that shop to buy all kinds of ladies things. Those girls at the shop were giggling at my back. Tomorrow I'll surely get them fired." Arnav told angrily.

Anjali didn't have the courage to tease the already fumed Arnav and took the clothes to Khushi.

There ware a few sarees, anarkalis, simple churidars, few modern clothes that were not much revealing, few decent nightwears in the shopping bag. Suddenly Khushi spotted a small pack inside a bag neatly covered.

"Di, what is this? Look!" Khushi told.

Khushi opened the pack and lingerie of different colors fell on the bed. Both Anjali and Khushi suddenly turned tomato red.

"Chotte did lingerie shopping for Khushi?" Anjali thought and turned red again. She brushed off the thought and tried to calm herself down.

"Khushi, what do you want to wear today?" Anjali asked.

"Di, what is Arnavji's favorite colour?" Khushi asked gently.

"Oh! So you want to wear his favorite color?" Anjali teased. "It is red" She told with a cunning smile.

"Di, he has done so much for me and also bought these for me. So I want to wear what he likes." Khushi told, not daring to look and Anjali's eyes.

"So I think your Arnavji will like this red Anarkali." Anjali told and picked up a beautiful red anarkali from the pile of dresses.

Khushi wore the dress and was looking so beautiful. Anjali made her wear matching jewellery too.

"Khushi, if Mamma was here now, she will straight away take the Arti thali and would have welcomed you as the bahu of this house." Anjali told smilingly.

"Bahu? What is that di?"

"It means she would have welcomed you as Chotte's wife" Anjali told.

Khushi did not know what a 'husband' is or what a 'wife' means. But still she blushed furiously. A sudden electric wave went through her body as she heard those waves. She didn't know what it was. May be she will know later.

"Come, we will show your dress to Chotte!" Anjali told and took Khushi to the living room again. Arnav was working on his laptop as usual.

"Chotte look, you have a surprise."

Arnav looked up and saw a blushing Khushi at Anjali's back.

"Khushi, why are you hiding behind me? Come front!" Anjali told and pulled Khushi forward.

Arnav saw a new girl now. He now doubted if it was the same girl he had brought home in the morning. She was dressed in a red anarkali with her hair open. She really looked like a princess now.

"Di, did you change the girl when I went out?" Arnav asked not taking his eyes of Khushi.

"No, this is the same girl named Khushi! She looks really beautiful isn't it?" Anjali asked.

"Yes Di, she is gorgeous." By that words Khushi turned tomoto red again.

Chapter 6

Later, at the night Arnav, Khushi and Anjali sit around the dining table for their dinner.

"Chotte, are you busy tomorrow?" Anjali asked.

"Di, there was one or two meetings tomorrow. Why, do you need any thing?" Arnav asked.

"Then cancel those meetings. You are taking me and Khushi out tomorrow." Anjali told with a straight face.

"What?? No way Di. You guys can go. Why do you need me?" Arnav asked stunned.

"Chotte, I didn't ask your permission. I told you are coming with us. Khushi is new to the city. We need to show her around." Anjali told.

"Di, leave it please. I don't really wish to go if Arnavji is not fine with it. We will go out some other day." Khushi tried to support Arnav.

"Khushi, I know him well. If we don't go out tomorrow, he won't take us out any day. And, he is always busy. Can't he spare a day for his sister? So Chotte, you are coming with us." Anjali told.

"Ok Di. I'll talk to Aman." Arnav finally obliged knowing that there is no point in arguing with his Di anymore.

*********

"Chotte, can I come in?" Anjali asked knocking Arnav's room.

"Yes, Di. Come." Arnav replied. "Di, I've cancelled tomorrows meeting. Tell me, where you want to go." He continued.

"Chotte, actually I wanted to tell you something before that. I'm not coming with you tomorrow. Only you and Khushi are going out." Anjali told biting her lips in fear.

"What is this Di? Why are you not coming?" Arnav asked.

"Chotte, after the dinner Shyam called me and told that some of his relatives are coming to his house tomorrow and they wish to see me as they won't be able to attend our marriage. They are elderly people and so I couldn't refuse. Sorry." Anjali told.

"Di, but then why are you forcing me to go with Khushi. We can go some other day and we can take jijaji also with us." Arnav told.

"No Chotte, Khushi really wish to see the city and she is so excited for tomorrow. I don't want to break her heart. Please '" Anjali pleaded.

"Ok fine. Tell her to get ready by nine. And I'll drop you at jijaji's house." Arnav told irritatedly.

"Thank you Chotte, you are the best brother." Anjali told and gave a bright smile before exiting Arnav's room.

********

Bright rays through the window woke her up. It was the beginning of the second day of her freedom. Khushi opened her eyes. Last day had given a 180 degree turn to her life. Last day gave her a new birth, new relations, new hopes and new dreams.

"Khushi, you woke up?" Khushi's thoughts were broken when she heard Arnav's voice.

"Arnavji, you?" Khushi was startled.

"Good Morning! I had some of my files in this room. I came to take them."

"Ok... Arnavji, are we going out today?" Khushi asked excitedly.

"Yes. But there is a change to the plan. Di is not coming with us. Only we two are going around."

"But why?" Khushi asked suddenly disappointed.

"Di has to go to jijaji's house."

"Who's house?"

"Jijaji's' that is Di's would be husband." Arnav replied.

"Ok'"

"Get ready soon. We will go by nine." Arnav told and went out of the room.

********

Khushi came out of her room dressed in green anarkali. Her hair was left open and she had done her makeup remembering Anjali's instructions the day before.

Arnav Khushi and Anjali did their break fast and went out. Khushi sat in the front seat as Anjali will be only with them till Shyam's house.

"Di, call me when you are returning. We will pick you up as we are returning. Or I will send Mohan to pick you." Arnav told as Anjali stepped out of the car in front of Shyam's house.

"Ok Chotte. I'll give you a call. But I think Shyam will drop me back. He always love to do that."

Arnav smiled and continued his journey with Khushi.

"Why are you so silent today?" Arnav asked while he continued driving.

"No' nothing' I was just admiring the places outside."

"I don't think so. You look nervous. Is it because you are travelling alone with me?" Arnav asked.

"I am not afraid or anything. But I feel all this new." Khushi confessed.

"What new? Yesterday also we were travelling in this car alone." Arnav asked.

"Arnavji, I really don't know what I am feeling." Khushi's helplessness could be seen in those words.

"Leave it. We have reached our first destination. This is the India Gate."

Khushi saw a big stone arch in front of her through the window. Arnav drove inside it and Khushi was so excited that she started clapping like a small kid who got balloons. They parked the car at the parking lot and reached the large expanse of the lush green lawns. There were many people playing, walking and sitting all around the place.

"Arnavji, this is so beautiful." Khushi told looking around to see the place. "Can we sit over there?" Khushi asked pointing to a chair.

Arnav and Khushi went and sat on a chair and Khushi kept looking around the place.

"Khushi, did you like the place?" Arnav asked.

"Yes Arnavji, I loved it. Thanks for bringing me here. Arnavji, what is that on the water? It is moving too!" Khushi asked.

"That is a swan on the lake Khushi. Do you want to go near it?"(Note: I don't know if India Gate has a lake nearby it😲. It is my imagination. Please bear it😉.)

As Khushi nodded in reply, Arnav stood up and took Khushi to the little lake nearby.  Khushi gently stepped on the water and her foot became wet. A shiver went through her when she felt the coldness of the water.

Arnav was admiring Khushi's beauty that tripled with the wonderful scenery on her back. But the thread of his thoughts was broken when he felt cold water on his face. Khushi had splashed water naughtily and was giggling like a three year old.

"What the'"

"Where are you lost Arnavji?" She asked giggling again. There began Arnav and Khushi's water fight. By sometime both were dripping wet. They both suddenly became embarrassed to see people watching the lovely couple playing with water.

"Khushi, we will go from her. We will go to some shop and buy some clothes and will continue our journey." Arnav told.

"Ok Arnavji. Anyway I had a nice time here. Thanks again."

Arnav was walking forward but suddenly stopped hearing Khushi's reply.

"Khushi, do you consider me as a friend?" Arnav asked suddenly.

"Arnavji, I don't really know what a friend means but I am sure you are more than that to me." Khushi replied confidently with a smile.

"If that is the case, there should be no sorry or thanks between us from today. Ok?"

"Hmmm' I'll try." Khushi replied.

"I didn't ask you to try. I asked you not to do it."

"Ok. I will never say 'sorry' or 'thanks' to you. Happy?"

"Yes. No come. We will go or you will get cold." Arnav replied and walked to his car with Khushi.

Chapter 7

"Arnavji, where are we?" Khushi asked looking out of the window of the car amused. Her eyes shined like a three year old girl who saw the balloon.

"We are in Orbit Mall." Arnav replied.

"Orbit Mall? What is that?"

"This is a place where there are so many shops where we can buy whatever we need by paying money."

"Ok..." Khushi replied trying to get through what Arnav was saying.

Arnav and Khushi went inside the mall and Khushi was getting nervous to be in this new place. She grasped Arnav's hand suddenly when somebody pushed her.

"Khushi, what happened?" Arnav asked.

"Arnavji can't we go somewhere else? I'm getting afraid. We can go back home and change the dress. Please." Khushi pleaded.

"Ok, If you want we will go from here. But why are you panicking." Arnav grew more concerned.

"Arnavji there are lot of people here. This place is frightening me. Please we can go from here." Khushi pleaded him more.

"Ok. Come. But don't complain to Di that I didn't take you out."

"Hmm..."

Arnav gently took hold of Khushi's shoulder are took her back to the car. Her looked showed how much nervous she was and so Arnav didn't want to disturb her more. He could guess that being new to the world and spending 23 years in a prison can make any person behave weirdly.

Arnav drove back to the flat. He took Khushi inside calmly to her room and went out so that she could change. He also went quietly to his room.

**********

"Ok Doctor! Thanks."

Khushi saw him ending his talk on his phone.

"What happened Arnavji? Is everything all right?"

"Khushi, be ready in the evening. I will take you to the hospital for a complete medical checkup."

"What is that Arnavji?" Khushi asked panicking again.

"Khushi, relax. I know you are nervous, but there is no need to panic like this all time. I or di are with you all time. Then why are you afraid?"

"Arnavji I myself don't know what is happening to me. But I'm felling so nervous when I see outsiders. I... I feel like ... I'm so low compared to them." Khushi admitted.

"Low? What are you talking about??" Arnav asked.

"Arnavji...I don't know anything in this world. Each small thing I've to ask you to know."

"Khushi, but you saw this world only from yesterday only. Or I will say for this world you were born yesterday only. Slowly you too will learn. There is no need to be embarrassed in asking me anything. And we all were like this when we saw this world first. It is only when we grew up we understood it. And still there are areas we have not explored. We all are like you only. So there is no need to feel inferior." Arnav consoled her gently. "And Khushi, you are a quick learner. Be proud of yourself than being gloomy." He added.

"Now, go and get ready. We have to go to the hospital. Don't worry. I just want to make sure that you are completely fit and healthy." Arnav told and Khushi went to her room to change.

*********

"Arnavji, is this place called as the hospital? It smells so weird." Khushi told with a frown on her face.

"Khushi, a hospital is for treating ill people. And this smell is due to the chemicals they use to clean this place. Now come silently."

Arnav walked to the reception and Khushi followed him.

"What can I do for you sir? Do you have an appointment?" The receptionist asked.

"Yeah. I want to meet Dr.Mishra. The appointment is in the name of Ms. Khushi Raizada."

"Wait a minute sir, let me check." The receptionist glanced through the register in front of her and continues. "Sir, I think you are a few minutes early. Dr.Mishra is currently dealing with a patient and I'll inform you when she is free. Till then please take your seat." She pointed him to the VIP Lounge in the hospital.

"Ok."and looked at Khushi,"Come Khushi."

*******

"ASR who is this? I mean I know your family for years but I've never seen her." Dr.Mishra asked.

"Doctor, since you are so close to us, I'll tell you the truth. I saw her yesterday only and she was not one from our family. But from yesterday I and Di accepted her as a new member." Arnav told and narrated Khushi's story to the doctor. Khushi's eyes filled with tears when she heard him.

"Oh! I see. Poor girl. ASR I support you in this completely. You did the right thing." The Doctor told.

"Doctor, I want you to take a complete check up of Khushi. I'm sure living in an unhygienic place for 23 years would have created some health problems for her. I don't want her to suffer anymore." Arnav told.

"You are right. Come Khushi." The Doctor told and stood up.

Khushi started becoming nervous and caught hold of Arnav's hand.

"Go Khushi. I'll be here." Arnav reassured her.

"Arnavji, I don't want to go there alone."

"Khushi, you are not alone. And the doctor is our family friend too. She is really nice. There is nothing to be afraid. I can't come with you inside. Please understand."

"But Arnavji..." Khushi told but was interrupted by the doctor.

"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you. Come"

The Doctor took Khushi to check up.

********

Arnav was lost in thoughts about how his life changed in two days. Suddenly Khushi came running to him crying and hugged him which broke the thread of his thoughts.

"Khushi what happened?" Arnav asked suddenly worried. "Tell me Dimmit, why are you crying?"

"Arnavji... they..."

Arnav looked at the doctor who came smiling behind Khushi.

"You are right ASR. She is fragile like a newborn. The nurse was trying to take her blood sample. Khushi saw the needle and ran to you." The doctor told.

Arnav was still holding a crying Khushi in his arms. He cupped her face and told "Khushi it is just a needle. You won't even feel the prick. You were frightened for no reason."

"Doctor, you take the blood. I'll hold her." He told the doctor.

"Khushi, you trust me, don't you?" Khushi nodded. "I'm here with you. You will be fine." He told her.

Arnav took Khushi's hand and showed to the nurse. Seeing Khushi's frightened expression he closed her eyes with his hands. He started talking to Khushi about the friendly relationship between his family and the doctor and how approachable she is to divert her mind. When the nurse saw Khushi's relaxed face, she pricked Khushi's finger and took the blood.

Khushi realized that the blood was taken when light entered her eyes again. Arnav had removed his hands from her eyes. She wondered why she didn't know anything happening. She was so immersed in Arnav's soothing voice.

"I told you...you didn't even feel the prick." Arnav laughed at Khushi and she pouted.

"Ok come" Arnav told Khushi and made her sit before the doctor' table again.

"ASR, if you are free come and collect the reports by tomorrow evening. I'll tell you my findings then." The doctor told. "And bring Khushi along with you."

Arnav agreed and took Khushi back home telling bye to the doctor.