Chapter 25

PART-20

Payal in her room kept on thinking about what Akash had told her. He has smelled something odd and she can't let that suspicion grow. She needed to do something... not able to decide what to do; she called her buaji, her solution to all problems.

Buaji: "Hello..."

Payal: "Buaji..."

Buaji: "Payalia... How are you dear?"

Payal: "Don't ask..." (She narrated the conversation between her and Akash)

Buaji: "Hai re Nandkishore... What has happened to Akash Babua? He is fighting with you because of that idiot?"

Payal: "Yes... Buaji... What should I do now?"

Buaji: "You better go and say sorry to Dadi. She will forgive you soon and make the medicine I told you to make for Shyam. Anjali too will be impressed."

Payal: "Okay... But I don't want to look like a fool before Khusi. I won't say sorry to them before Khusi... After she goes to meet her friend, I will talk to family..."

Buaji: "She is going to meet her friend? Which friend, how many people does she knows in Delhi?"

Payal: "Don't know... someone who is hospitalised."

Buaji: "What's to us... you concentrate on your and Akash Babua's relation."

Payal: "Okay... I will go now to kitchen or else Akashji will think that I am not working but only complaining..."

Buaji: "Listen... I have a wonderful plan..."

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Payal while descending the stairs saw Nani, Mami and Mamaji sitting in the living room. She thought of her conversation with Buaji and decided to follow what she had said. She came forward and standing beside nani said: "Dadiji... I am sorry for yesterday... I shouldn't have shouted at Khusi... I am sorry for my behaviour." Nani looked at her and turned back to the book which she was reading without saying a word. Payal again said: "Dadiji... I am really sorry for what I said; I shouldn't have bad mouthed Khusi and Arnavji... Please forgive me."

Nani looked at her and in a stern voice said: "If you are really sorry for your behaviour then you should apologize to Khusi Bitiya, not me. If she forgives you then I too will forgive you."

Payal was bewildered by this, she never wanted to apologize to the family before khusi and now Dadiji wants her to say sorry again to Khusi. "Dadiji, I have already said sorry to her... she has forgiven me... I know her; she can't stay upset with me for long..."

Mami: "You Khoon-bhaari-taang, how do you know that she has forgiven you? Did she tell you?"

Payal: "She is my little sister... She..."

Mami: "She was your sister at gupta house. Here she is your sis-in-law that too elder one. Remember that." Mamaji and Nani were shocked seeing Mami supporting Khusi but preferred to stay silent and let the saas talk to bahu. "...Today some of my friends are coming for lunch. They wanted to taste food cooked by the daughter-in-laws of the house, but as Khusi is going to meet her friend, you have to do all the cooking... hopefully better than the halwa that you fed us... If my friends go happily, I personally will ask Khusi to forgive you. Samjhi ki nahi?"

Payal nodded as she knew this is the perfect opportunity to win over the family. "Surely maaji, I will cook for your friends. You tell me what you want me to cook..."

Khusi came there will two big tiffin carriers and said: "Naniji, I am leaving now. I will try to come soon."

Nani: "There is nothing to hurry bitiya, take your time... Spend some time with your friend, she will feel good... It feels good to talk to a friend when you are not well."

Khusi: "Thank you Naniji..."

Mami: "Phati-saree... today my friends are coming for lunch... try to come when they are here, so that I can introduce you to them... they wanted to eat food cooked by you, but seems like they will have to wait..."

Khusi: "Oh...I didn't know that your friends are coming. I will stay back then; will go to meet Da... (correcting herself) ...my friend tomorrow."

Mami: "That is not required... you meet your friend... hospital cases are most important..."

Khusi: "Okay Mamiji, I will try to come soon... I have kept some jalebis and some curries in the kitchen; you please serve those to your friends and apologize on my behalf if I am late."

Mamaji: "You don't need to worry bitiya, I will give you a call when your mami's friends are here, so that you can return before they leave."

Khusi: "Thank you Mamaji... I will go now or else I will get late."

Mami: "Yes... yes... go... go... Tell your friend to say bye bye to bad health soon and hello hi to good health."

Smiling Khusi bidding bye to the family left for the mental asylum to meet Dadi, her friend. Payal who was still standing there was annoyed by the fact that everyone is speaking so lovingly with Khusi where she is being scolded. But covering her annoyance, in a sweet voice she said: "Maaji, you didn't tell me what to cook?"

Mami: "Cook anything that you want. But make sure you don't put salt in sweet dishes and sugar in curries and my friends are health conscious so cook healthy food."

Payal nodded and left from there to start her work.

When Anjali along with NK reached Nirmala's place, the team from AR construction was already there and were surveying the whole structure. The engineer came to them and said: "Good Morning Mam... I am Nikhil Goyal, chief-engineer of AR. ASR had sent us to survey this building. We have already taken the samples. The report will come tomorrow and soon we will start the maintenance work."

Anjali: "Thank you... I need certain changes in this building. I will talk to you once the reports come."

Nikhil: "Sure Mam... We will take leave now. Have a good day. Bye Mam."

Anjali: "Bye." After the team left, she said to NK: "NK bhai, let's go inside."

NK: "Soo... this is Khusi Bhabi's second home..."

Anjali: "Yes."

NK: "I am already in love with this place... From now I can imagine Khusi Bhabi's shocked yet elated face when she will see the renewed house."

Anjali: "Hmmm... she will love it."

In Mental Asylum

Khusi went to meet the Doctor and taking a seat before him asked: "How is Dadiji now, doctor?"

Doctor: "She is improving... after you and Mr. Raizada visited her, her condition has improved. She has become less violent, not reacting badly to the nurses and doctors. And the most important thing, she is smiling to herself. That shows her chances of recovering..."

Khusi: "Does that mean, we can take her home?"

Doctor: "Not exactly... but I guess soon she will be in a condition to stay with a family. As of now, we exactly don't know what was the reason responsible for this condition of hers? ...what we know is she was stressed and probably that lead to this condition... and she was very violent that time, so we thought it won't be safe for her to stay with family. But now that she has begun to smile and tolerant towards people, it should be okay for her to shift home... but I would suggest keeping her some days more in observation here. We will observe her progress and then let you know, if you can take her home."

Khusi beaming said: "Thank you doctor... Thank you so much... Can I go and meet her?"

Doctor: "Sure... I hope you meeting her will bring positive effect on her health."

Khusi: "Doctor, can I make her eat some homemade food... I have made it with very less oil and spices."

Doctor: "Of course you can."

Khusi: "Thank you... I will take your leave now."

She was about to leave the cabin when the doctor called and said: "Mrs. Raizada, meet me after meeting her, so that I can know if there is more progress in her health after meeting you."

Khusi nodded and went to meet Dadi. Reaching Dadi's ward, she found her sleeping on her bed, probably in the effects of medicine. Slowly she walked towards her and sat beside her, stroking her hairs lightly. Dadi woke feeling the movement of soft hands through her hair and sat on the bed startled: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

Khusi: "Daa..daadiji..."

Dadi: "Who are you? Why are you here? I don't need any one... Go away from here..."

Khusi: "Dadiji... I am Khusi... Your..."

Dadi: "You are no one to me... I don't need anyone."

Khusi: "Dadiji... don't you remember me? I am Khusi..."

Dadi: "You are not Khusi. You are a liar. You said you will come to meet me soon... but you didn't... even chote didn't..."

Khusi released her breath that she was holding in tension that Dadi had forgotten her, now that Dadi remembers her is a huge relief. She hugged her and said ans if talking to a child: "Sorry Dadiji... I am really sorry... I should have come early but look not even a week has passed our last meeting and now I am here to see you."

Dadi: "Where is Chote? I want to see him."

Khusi: "I am here but you are asking about your Chote... you don't want to be with me... (putting up a baby face) ...okay then, I will leave... you don't want me to be here."

She got up from the bed with a pout and turned to leave but she felt a tug on her hand, she immediately turned back because she knew what has happened. Dadi was holding her hand.

Dadi: "Don't go... I am sorry... I want you to be here... I was angry because you left me and went..."

Khusi: "Sorry Dadiji... look what I have got for you... (taking out the tiffin boxes from the bag, kept it on the side table) ...I have cooked especially for you ...all your favourite dishes..."

Dadi in a trance: "Hamare liye? Sirf hamare liye?"

Though her mental condition is not stable, but still her heart felt very happy seeing someone getting something for her, only for her. Khusi had tears seeing Dadi in this condition; she mentally cursed the person responsible for the condition of Dadi and prayed to her devimaiyaa, to make her well soon. Controlling her emotions she said: "Haan Dadiji... yeh sirf aur sirf aapke liye hai... Aaj hum aapko apne haton se khilayenge."

Dadi nodded and sat up to have her food. Khusi served the dishes on a plate and took a morsel to feed her. "...I don't want this black black mustard." Dadi pointed out to the mustard seeds in the dal.

Khusi removed the mustards. "...Okay... no black mustards for my Dadi... My dadiji will eat whatever she likes..."

Khusi took selfies of her with Dadi and showed her the photos of Arnav's that she had in her mobile to make her happy. And after what seemed like long hours, Dadi slept off after taking nineteen to dozens to Khusi. Khusi like a good listener patiently listened to whatever she said even though most of the things didn't make any sense but in almost everything that she spoke it had some trace of her Chote and Khusi could feel how much she loves her chote. Probably for the first time in her stay at the mental asylum, Dadi slept without any dose of medicines. The doctor listening to it informed Khusi that it is the first step of her towards sound health.

At Nirmala's Place

NK was a hit with the children and the elderly couples, making them laugh at his silly jokes and broken hindi. They were loving his company. But Anjali was with the girl, who was all over her thoughts last night. There was not a single minute, when she had not thought about her. She had wanted to talk about her to the family but had refrained herself from doing so as she didn't want to spoil the surprise that her Chote has for Khusiji. But she will have to talk to chote soon and hire the best lawyer to fight the case. No one can roam freely after troubling the little soul who right now wearing the beautiful frock that Anjali has got for her is sleeping on her lap holding her waist tightly as if scared that if she loosens her hold, she might walk away. Anjali looked down at the face of the girl, she was innocently beautiful but the tiredness on face was visible. She had worked as a domestic maid in such a small age and assaulted by her employer. The emotional and physical stress, have taken a toll on her. She was still scared of facing any men. When NK had come before her to say hello, she had hid her behind Anjali as if frightened of him. She needs some time to become normal and Anjali has promised herself to stay by her side.

NK came near her and whispered: "Di... she is asleep. We should leave now. Everyone will be worried at home."

Anjali caressing the face of the girl: "NK Bhai; call home and inform them we will be late. I can't leave her in this condition, what if she begins to cry when she wakes up? Auntyji told me last night she cried uncontrollably on not finding me."

NK: "But Di... you can't stay here... What about jiju?"

Anjali: "I understand NK Bhai. You ask HP to give him lunch... Everyone is there at home your jiju will be fine but what about this girl? I can't leave her..."

NK smiled to himself, it is good that his Di is leaving being over protective for that leech Shyam. This will help her when she comes to know the truth of that snake. He nodded his head and said: "Okay Di, I will call home. The lunch that you had ordered is here. You wake her up and come for lunch... It is not good for her to stay hungry."

Anjali: "Okay... you go from here. I don't want her to panic seeing any male person near her."

It was late in evening that Khusi reached RM. Nani who was sitting in the living room called out to her: "Khusi Bitiya, come here..." Khusi went and sat beside her "...how is your friend bitiya? Did she like the food that you took for her?"

Khusi: "She is recovering well Naniji. Doctor said, hopefully she will be fine soon. I can't wait for the day when she will be fine."

Nani: "I too hope your friend becomes well soon."

Khusi: "Where are others Naniji?"

Nani: "Your Mami is in her room, I guess doing touch-up to her makeup and your Mamaji is with Damadji, talking to him. Anjali bitiya and NK bitwa have not returned yet."

Khusi: "KYA?? Di abhi tak nehi ayi? Where is she till now? What about her health? She should be resting..."

Nani: "There is nothing to worry. NK bitwa had called to inform that they will be late. He has told that they will be having dinner outside."

Khusi: "Naniji, I want to say something..."

Nani: "Bolo Bitiya..."

Khusi: "It is about Di... nothing serious... today morning she was talking about some girl. She met her a day before and is attached to her. I don't know who is she but Di seems to be thinking about her a lot. Do you know who she is?"

Nani: "I don't know bitiya. She has not told me anything... But even I have noticed during breakfast, she seemed to be lost... but I don't think there is anything to worry about... You go and rest now, as you were out the whole day... I will call you for dinner... Did Chote call you?"

Khusi: "I had called him. He was busy in the meetings. Said will come late and not to wait for him during dinner. He and Akashji will have dinner with the clients."

Nani: "Okay then... you go and rest."

It was at night when NK and Anjali returned home. Anjali after checking on Shyam went to Mami's room where she had called for a secret meeting with Mama, Mami and Nani. NK too was present. She informed them all about the destitute home and how attached Khusi is to it. She also talked about the girl, and everyone could easily notice the twinkle in her eyes while talking about the girl. Nani was in tears listening to the plight of the girls as well as others in the destitute home. Mamaji was glad that his chote is trying to help the ladies there and Mami too tried to hide her tears and said: "I always thought bad about phatii saree, was only tolerating her for arnav bitwa, but look at her, though she herself has faced so much hardship in her life still she is trying to bring smile on the face of others... I am so happy she is a part of the family."

Nani: "Haan Manorama... our Khusi bitiya is a gem."

Mamaji: "Yes... and Manorama, you keep this as a secret. Don't blabber about it. We need to keep it hidden for Khusi Bitiya's surprise."

Mami: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... What do you think of me? I can't keep quite. I agree my stomach will pain to keep a secret but I will tolerate it. You don't worry about me; better lock your own lips."

NK: "Maasiji, Maasaji... you two don't argue among yourself... Di, we need to find a good lawyer to fight for the girl."

Anjali: "Yes... I will talk to chote tomorrow itself."

Nani: "Anjali Bitiya, can we go and meet the people there?"

Anjali: "Of course nani..."

NK: "No... no... Dadiji, you shouldn't be going there. Khusiji will begin to doubt if you all begin to go out with Di. It is better only Di and I go there. Once the maintenance work is done, we all will visit there regularly."

Mamaji: "I think NK bitwa is right."

Anjali: "Okay then... we should go to sleep now. It is already late."

Bidding good night to each other, they went to their respective rooms to sleep rather to think about the people at the destitute home.