Chapter 11

Hey All!

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Everything in her life seemed to be uncertain for her that she gets afraid of anything...any piece of new information...any change. Her life looked aimless for her; the people whom she recognized as her parents since she was eight, who gave her love, care, protection, support and a family, she actually stood against them and blamed them for the misery of her life. She also stopped being in touch with them until her mother called her, and asked her to visit them. She was really upset with herself.

The man who made every effort a human can master to make a move in their relationship, who had been the nice one always, who tolerated all her stubbornness and rudeness, who bought her favourite books and he had done so many other things, she just pushed him off of her life not even caring for once to give him a chance, talk to him and listen to his point of view. She just could not forgive herself for that. 'He's right, this is not the old Khushi,' She thought ironically walking lifelessly in the hospital's garden tears rolling down her eyes in their own accord.

Her phone rang startling her interrupting her thoughts. She looked at the caller ID to see his name flashing on the screen. She deeply sighed pressing on the answer button.

"I'm here. Where are you? How could you leave your Amma alone in this state? You are really selfish, Khushi. Don't you care about the people around you? Not even your parents?" He said in one breath gritting his teeth, half angry with her for leaving her mother alone, and half worried to where she had gone..what if she broke down? That question haunted him. Whispering a hoarse 'I'm coming' she disconnected the call, and walked inside the hospital.

Arnav put the boxes of lunch on the table for them once Khushi entered the room. "Aunty, you have to eat something. You too Khushi," he said not looking at Khushi, he just did not feel like that. Khushi sat beside her Amma patting her back reassuringly.

"Amma, you have to eat.' Garima could not meet Khushi's gaze after breaking the news of her marriage with her.

"Amma?" Khushi shook her shoulder lightly.

"Huh?"

"You need to eat." Garima looked at Khushi in the eyes to find them puffy because of crying. 'Definitely, she was crying, but is she still mad at us?' Garima thought afraid to find a positive answer. But Khushi's gaze was soft and apologetic this time surprising Garima. At first, she refused to eat, but when Khushi held a morsel close to her lips, Garima gave up. Garima also started feeding Khushi. Both of them were smiling weakly amidst the pain they were in for they had missed those days were things like this happen always especially when Garima scolds Khushi, and Khushi refuses to eat; Garima would feed Khushi then Khushi would do the same once she gets rid of her anger. Arnav felt emotional seeing that, he really missed his mother very badly.

"Arnav bitwa?" Garima's voice broke the trance of his thoughts.

"Yes, Aunty." He flashed a small smile to her.

"Why don't you eat something?"

"I will, later."

"Later? You have to take your medicines. Have you forgotten what happ..." Khushi reacted unintentionally to his words surprising Arnav and herself too. That had just slipped of her tongue as she remembered when he fainted. All the memories before that incident haunted her again. Guilt was slowly suffocating her. She casted her gaze down at the table not meeting anyone's eyes.

Their eyes drifted towards the door as a nurse opened it abruptly. "Shashi Gupta has regained his consciousness. You can meet him now, but you have to be careful." She said softly gauging their reactions as they stood up following her to the CCU*

"What's this, Babuji? Are you here to get some attention and to know how much we love you? Okay, we do a lot, but that does not mean that you have a right to scare us!" Khushi pouted.

"Are you using my words, Titaliya?" Shashi tried to flash her a smile while Khushi hugged him lightly mindful to his state and the tubes which were on him.

"Toh? You are not the only one who cares." Khushi smiled and stood aside giving her Amma a space to be able to hug her father. Arnav's lips lifted up in a smile seeing how Khushi brightly spoke giving her father a spirit to talk and react. He was really glad.

"How are you, uncle?'

"I'm better; just seeing this girl makes me better," he replied in a weak voice pointing at Khushi. "Does she annoy you? She speaks a lot non-stop. You have to tolerate all her craziness."

"I'm ready." Arnav plastered a smile which did not reach his eyes. Khushi felt awkward, and Arnav was wishing that she had been doing that; it was way too much better than silence.

Just then, Buaji entered the room muttering her famous dialogue, 'Ha re Nandhi Kishore' She enquired about her brother's health, and Arnav chose to reply to her question assuring her that nothing was dangerous. When the doctors came to check on Shashi, Arnav took them to the rest room.

At seven o'clock, Garima asked Arnav to leave and take Khushi with him not wanting to exhaust him anymore. "I'll stay here, Amma. I'll be worried there not knowing how's Babuji responding." Khushi disapproved. When Garima was about to argue, Arnav spoke.

"She is right, Aunty. Let her be here with you. You need a help too."

"Jiji, you have to go since Khushi is here with me. Someone must be at home." Garima said to Madhumati Ji.

"I'll drop you home, Buaji." Arnav stood up ready to leave. He stepped out of the room waiting for Madhumati Ji as she was asking Garima to take care.

"A..Arnav Ji," Khushi followed Arnav calling him. Did he hear her right? She just called him by the name for the first time, and both of them realized that.

"Yes, Khushi." His voice held so many emotions as he said her name. He could not believe that just a word from her could make him so happy.

"Thank you." Her voice was not strong as she thanked him.

"Not at all. Your family is mine. It's my duty...Let's go, Bauji." He said the last words as Madhumati Ji was done talking with Garima.

_________

The next day, Arnav left at four p.m. from office heading straight to the hospital giving Akaash the work responsibilities. Truth to be said, he really missed her. After an hour, his whole family including Anjali and Rahul were at the hospital. Arnav was continuously asking them to speak quietly. Khushi felt grateful to her Devi Mayyia for giving her such a lovely in-laws. They were so kind, and so positive while speaking with her family. She was the one who was blinded by stubbornness to notice that. After half an hour, Arnav asked Akaash to take them home saying that Shashi uncle needed rest, and they had to obey him..

.

At nine and thirty, Arnav's phone rang indicating that Rahul was calling. Arnav wondered why would his Jijaji call him before receiving the call.

"Yes, Jijaji. What?..Call the doctor. I'm coming."

"What happened, bitwa." Garima's worried voice asked.

"Who..Di has just fainted. I've to go." Arnav said in a hurry, signs of worries drawn o his face.

"I'll come with you." Khushi surprised him, but he was in a hurry to say anything, so he just nodded.

Rahul opened the door for Arnav and Khushi and told them that the doctor is checking on Anjali.

"I don't know what happened to her. She was alright and all of a sudden..."

"You have to be strong, Jijaji. Nothing with happen to Di." Khushi replied cuddling a crying Priya in her arms. She took Priya to her room while Arnav followed Rahul to his and Anjali's bedroom.

"No need to get worried, Mr. Rahul. You are going to be a father once again. Congratulations." The doctor smiled breaking the good news. Rahul sighed of relief, and kissed Anjali's forehead as she was conscious.

"Thank you Anjali for this gift."

"Congratulations to us." Anjali replied hugging him before calling her Chotey to join them. "I've heard bhabi's voice! Is she here?"

"Yes, she is with Priya. I'm going to call them." Rahul got up to lead the doctor to the door before calling Khushi and Priya.

Priya ran to her mother hugging her, and asking, "What happened to you, mummy?"

"Mummy is going to gift you a brother." Rahul replied with a wide grin.

"Or maybe another sister." Anjali completed the sentence almost daring Rahul.

"Yay! I'll have a sibling to play with."

"I'm happy for you, Di." Arnav smiled, "A mama to another child...not bad."

"Really? That's amazing. Congratulations Di and Jijaji." Khushi smiled feeling happy for Anjali.

Anjali shot Khushi an affectionate look full of tender.

"What?" Khushi asked confused by Anjali's look.

"You called me Di?"

"Cannot I call you by that?"

"No, no...Bhabi. Of course you can. After all, you're Chotey's wife and you have the right to call me Di. I'm happy actually as I'm hearing this for the first time." Anjali said with a grin. Khushi hugged her wanting to experience the feeling of having a caring sister, hide the awkwardness she felt at the moment as if she was caught doing something and because Anjali called her his wife; it felt somehow, for her, as if she was called that for the first time even after two months of marriage maybe because she finally realized that she has a duty.

Khushi's phone rang urging her to break the hug as she was sure it would be her Amma.

"Hello, Amma. Di is pregnant. I know, it's really great...Yes, Amma...but why?...alright. Will you be okay?...Take care. Bye." Khushi spoke in the phone.

"Is everything alright?" Anjali asked.

"Yes. Amma called to ask me to go home. She is congratulating you too."

"Thank you. You both should leave now. You must be tired." Anjali suggested.

"Okay take care, Di." Arnav flashed Anjali a smile before turning on his heals followed by Khushi who wished the couple a good night.

"Mama, Mami?" Priya ran behind them as they were heading to the door.

"Yes, princess." Arnav sat on one knee to reach her level.

"When will Mami be pregnant? I want to play with your baby too and take care of her or him." Priya said in one breath excitedly. Khushi's eyes widened hearing her question, and Arnav's face was expressionless.

"I don't know." Arnav mumbled to Priya kissing her cheeks. "Bye, princess."

"Come to visit us soon. Bye, Priya." Khushi hugged Priya and kissed her on her forehead.

________

Khushi looked at Arnav's form as he was sleeping on the recliner. She recalled everyday of her marriage life with him, and what he had done. 'He is actually still doing a lot. He is taking care of her father's health and discuss his case with the doctors after a long day at work.' She bit on her lips before letting out a deep sigh. She recalled what her mother told her on the phone.

'Khushi, you have to go home with your pati, and take care of his needs too. He needs some rest. Make sure to be always there for him. You've got an amazing husband, Bitya.'

'Not at all. Your family is mine. It's my duty...' She recalled his words which pierced into her heart as a dagger. If he was making efforts, why couldn't she? If he was there, what's stopping her? She thought with a tug.

Then it dawned to her that she has to make their relationship work, and she will start from the next morning. She has to rectify her mistakes. It's time to give their relationship a name.

Shaimaa,