Chapter 13

[MEMBERSONLY]

PART - 13

Khusi entered RM, to see everyone sitting around the Dining table, ready to have their lunch. Mami saw Khusi entering and said: "Ye ... Lo... aagayi... Phati saree..."

Everyone looked at her and Nani said: "Khusi Bitiya you are back. Come and sit for lunch."

Khusi: "Ji Naniji, I will wash my hands and come."

Khusi came and sat beside Anjali, while HP and OP continued serving food.

Nani: "Khusi bitiya, you came back alone. Where is Chote?"

Khusi: "Amanji had called. He had some important work in office. So he dropped me and went."

NK: "Di, did jiju have his food?"

Anjali: "Yes NK bhai, he is much better now. But still doctor has advised him to have plain food. So he just had Khichdi."

Everyone continued having their food, but Payal's mind was on the discussion that she had at her Buaji's place.

Flashback:

Buaji: "Good that Khusi is out of our life."

Amma: "But Jiji I am worried. Didn't you see how Arnav Babua supported her? What if she creates problem for Payalia there?"

Buaji: "Nothing like that is going to happen. The Raizadas are not going to forgive her. She will always stay under our Payalia."

Amma: "I fear did Arnav Babua hear the whole conversation. Does he know about Shyam?"

Payal: "No Amma. Of course Arnavji doesn't know about Shyamji. Had he known about him, he could never have supported Khusi. He loves his Di the most. He would have punished both Shyam as well as Khusi."

Buaji: "What if he knows about Shyam and to save his Di's married life he had married Khusi for revenge."

Amma: "Had that been the case, he would have never supported Khusi like he did."

Payal: "I agree. Khusi has bewitched him. That is why he is supporting her. Khusi won't take the risk of informing him about Shyamji."

Amma: "Still Payalia, I think you should ask Khusi, if she had said anything about Shyam to Arnav, then you should also inform Akash Babua."

Buaji: "Have you gone mad Garima? What if Akash Babua doesn't believe her? It will hamper her own married life. No need to inform Akash Babua anything. But yes, you ask Khusi if she has informed Arnav or not. I am sure she must not have informed him, you warn her not to tell anything about Shyam Babua to anyone..."

Flashback ends.

Payal thought she has to talk with Khusi anyhow. And she will talk with her soon. She came out of her thoughts when she heard Mamiji saying something.

Mamiji: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... Khoon bhaari taang. Why are you playing with food? If you don't want to eat then go from here. Don't you know playing with bad is a bad omen. What do you know then?"

Payal realised that she had been playing with her food and everyone were watching her. She muttered a sorry and continued having her food.

After lunch Khusi was in her room contemplating whether to call Arnav or not. She was worried if had his lunch, but couldn't call him as he would be in a meeting. So thinking for some time, she finally called him. But it went unanswered. She thought maybe he is in meeting so not answering her call. Right then her phone beeped. It was a message from Arnav. "Stop worrying Khusi. I had my lunch. Right now in meeting. Will call you once the meeting is over." Khusi smiled reading the sms but again her thoughts got diverted to Dadi. When Arnavji had told her, he will be taking her to meet someone special, she had never imagined it to be his Dadi. Dadi is so nice. She prayed to her Devi Maiyaa to make Dadi well soon, so that she can come and stay with them. But Arnavji had said that Dadiji had kept on uttering someone wants to kill Arnavji. Who could that be? And Arnavji has faced some much in his childhood. That is why he is always angry. Laad Governor. But wait that laad governor will be taking her out tomorrow night for... though she knew why he is taking her out, but she was too shy to admit it to herself. She herself wanted it to happen but... thinking about it was giving her goose bumps and making butterflies dance in her stomach and her heart beat out so loud that anyone standing a mile away from her can even hear it. She wondered if this is her condition just thinking of it, then what will happen when that really happens. She was in thoughts but suddenly shouted: "AAAHH..."

She was in her thoughts, when Anjali had come inside her room and called her at least 5 times, but not getting any response from her, she shook her and as a result of that Khusi shouted.

Anjali: "Kya hua Khusiji? Why did you shout like this?"

Khusi: "Sorry Di, I was thinking about something and didn't realise you were here. I shouted as I was shocked, so..."

Anjali: "It's okay Khusiji. By the way what were you thinking so deeply that you didn't even realise my presence... Wait let me guess... you must be thinking about your Arnavji right?"

Khusi blushed and said: "No Di... Actually I was..." she didn't say anything but hugged Anjali. She was surprised by this sudden hug from Khusi but smiled and said: "Kya baat hai? Aaj jum par jyada hi pyaar aa raha hai?"

Khusi: "I have always loved you Di..."

Anjali: "Hmm... (in a teasing tone) so tell me where did Chote take today morning? Or is it a secret between you two?"

Khusi thought about Dadiji and knowing that she can't say about her to Anjali said: "Di, Arnavji told me about Mama and..."

Anjali: "Ohh... so he finally decided to speak about mama to someone. I am so glad that he did that. He has the habit of keeping things to himself. When he was small, mama was his world, his everything. After Mama, he had confined himself into a case. He doesn't like it when anyone talks about Mama. He tries to show that he hates her but the truth is he loves her a lot... You know Khusiji, mama killed herself..."

Khusi: "I know Di, you don't have to make your wounds fresh by remembering those incidents again." Khusi wiped the tears from Anjali's eyes and keeping her hand on Anjali's belly said: "I am sure Mama will come back to us in form of our Rajkumari." Anjali smiled at Khusi and both the ladies hugged each other.

Coming out of the hug Anjali said: "Khusiji, I have something for you. (she gave a file to her) ...This is for you."

Khusi: "What is this Di?"

Anjali: "As you know Khusiji, we were staying in Sheesh Mahal, our ancestral home. But our Chachaji threw us out of that place... that day chote had promised himself that he will get back the house in my name. He had fulfilled his promise. He got that house back in my name. Now I am giving it back to you."

Khusi: "But Di..."

Anjali: "Khusiji; that is our ancestral home. Since five generations our family was staying in that house. This now in turn should have been our Chote's. But he hates that house because of what our Chachaji did. I know if I give it back to him, he won't take it. But I had always wanted it for my chote and his children. That is why I had transferred it in the name of his wife and Child. Now that you are his wife, I am giving it to you."

Khusi: "But Di... Arnavji brought it for you. This is yours."

Anjali: "No Khusiji, It was always Chote's. He is the son of the family. Because of what Chachaji did, he brought it as revenge from him. But Sheesh Mahal is rightfully Chotte's. You please do a favour to me and accept it."

Khusi: "But Di..."

Anjali: "Please Khusiji..."

Khusi: "Okay Di. But what if Arnavji doesn't like it? He will get angry."

Anjali: "He won't. He too loves that place but is scared to go there as he had lost all his precious persons there."

Khusi's attention got diverted from Anjali as she saw Payal standing in the room. Anjali too looked back to see what is Khusi is looking at. Seeing Payal standing there, she said: "Payalji, you here?"

Payal: "yes Di... woh..."

Anjali: "You should know payalji; it is basic manners to knock on the door before entering anyone's room. And standing on the door listening to others is bad manners."

Payal: "No Di... I just came to talk to Khusi."

Anjali: "Talk to Khusiji? What have you got to talk to her?"

Payal: "Nothing special Di. Just casual..."

Before Payal could say anything more, Khusi's phone rang. She smiled looking at the caller id and said: "It's Arnavji."

Anjali in a teasing tone: "Payalji, let's go from here, leaving Khusiji alone to talk to her Arnavji. She will not want to talk in front us. Haina Khusiji?"

Khusi: "It's not like that Di..."

Anjali: "Okay okay... you don't have to tell me... like that I am feeling like having Samosas. (Looking at Payal)... Payalji can you please help me in making samosas. Let us make samosas for evening snacks, so that we all can have it together. (turning to Khusi) and khusiji, if your chit-chat with Chote gets over soon, then come and join us in kitchen, though I know it won't be soon."

Anjali took Payal with her, as she didn't want her to be alone with Khusi, in case she makes her cry again. By the time Payal and Anjali left the room, Khusi's phone had stopped ringing, so he called him back and Arnav answered in first ring. "What the hell Khusi... Why didn't you answer my call?"

Khusi: "Di was here only. I couldn't talk to you before her."

Arnav: "And why can't you talk to me before her?"

Khusi: "Wooh... woh..." Arnav understood her hesitation and got into teasing mood.

Arnav: "Oh, you wanted to talk to me alone?"

Khusi: "Nehi... aisa kuch nehi hai..."

Arnav: "By the Khusi do you remember or not? We are going out tomorrow night."

Khusi: "Ji... haan... woh.. nehi... haan..."

Arnav suppressing his laugh: "What are you trying to say Khusi, I am not getting anything."

Khusi: "Kuch nehi..."

Arnav: "Really? I thought you are too eager for tomorrow night."

Khusi: "Haan... Nehi... hamara matlab ki..."

Arnav: "Relax khusi, I called to inform that I will be late, but will reach before dinner."

Khusi: "Ji... Arnavji I have something to tell you."

Arnav: "Say..."

Khusi: "It's important but not that urgent, I will tell you when you are back."

Arnav: "What does that mean? Important but not urgent. Tell me now."

Khusi: "Nothing serious Arnavji. Are you free now?"

Arnav: "Ya for some minutes. Some delegates are coming. I have to go through some files before meeting them."

Khusi: "Ok then, we will talk when you are back home."

Arnav: "Ok Bye... Love you Khusi."

Khusi: "Bye"

Later at night in Payal-Akash's room:

Payal: "Akashji, do you know anything about Sheesh Mahal?"

Akash: "Yes. It is Bhai and Di's paternal house. Now Di owns it. But why do you want to know about it?"

Payal: "That house is no more Di's. She gave it to Khusi."

Akash: "Oh Okay."

Payal: "No it is not ok Akashji. Why should she give it to Khusi?"

Akash: "What is the problem if she gave it to Bhabi. For years that house was not with them. Bhai bought it last year in Di's name. If Di gave it to Bhabi, then there is no problem. I myself had prepared the transfer papers and kept it hidden from Bhai. Di had transferred it in Bhai's wife and future Child's name."

Payal: "You knew about that? Then you should have stopped her. Arnavji had got that house for Di. He would feel bad if comes to know about this."

Akash: "No he won't feel bad. By the way there is no difference if the house is in Di's name or Bhabi's name."

Payal who had tried to instigate Akash against Khusi was for a major failure. Seeing Akash was not being interested in taking about the issue wished him Good Night and went to sleep on her side of the bed. On the other hand Akash had wished to talk to her and get intimate was disappointed.

In Arshi's room

Khusi showed the file to Arnav and said: "Di, gave this to me."

Arnav: "Those are the papers of Sheesh Mahal. She transferred it to my wife and Child's name?"

Khusi: "Yes."

Arnav: "Why did she do this? She is crazy; she has transferred it to my child's name that doesn't exist till now. I brought that house only for her. The day Chachaji threw us out of that house and made us homeless, I had promised Di, that I will get that house back in her name. I had no interest in getting it, but got it only to prove Chachaji that I am not weak anymore... Nothing good happened in that house, except for one."

Khusi: "What is that?"

Arnav: "I saw you for the first time there. You know when you fell into my arms, I felt as if I was complete. There was something missing and it got filled... But I being myself never admitted it to myself also. I was attracted to you since that very moment. But I behaved like a beast with you. I am sorry Khusi..."

Khusi: "That was past Arnavji. You should forget the past."

Arnav: "I can't Khusi. The moments I have hurt you, made you cry will keep haunting me till my last breath."

Khusi: "You have to forget Arnavji. Those memories are of no use. We will have new memories and they will be of pure bliss."

Arnav: "You have a big heart Khusi. That is why you are capable of forgiving me or else..."

Khusi: "Or else what Arnavji? I never had any grudges against you Arnavji. I agree you had given me pain, but it was you only who had healed them. I love you Arnavji."

Arnav was shocked; happy and elated hearing from Khusi that she loves him. She had shown in her action that she loves him but hearing it directly from her mouth that she loves him was a different feeling all together. The day after marriage when she had found that he had got clothes for her, she had told him that she loves him but he had felt it was because of gratitude. But today when she is saying that she loves him in spite of the past that they had shared is what making it all more meaningful.

Arnav: "Say it again khusi."

Khusi: "What?"

Arnav: "That you love me."

Khusi smiled at him: "I LOVE YOU ARNAVJI... I LOVE YOU A LOT..." saying that she hugged him tight. Both of them stood in each other's arms feeling the love that they had for each other.

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