Chapter 32

[MEMBERSONLY]

PART-24

At Raizada Mansion, the door bell rang and everyone were at their feet thinking that it is Muskaan and Khusi ran to open the door but was shocked to see the people standing there. The Guptas were at the door.

Khusi: "Aaapp... aap log yahan?"

Arnav who too had come to the door thinking it to be Anjali along with Muskaan got angry seeing the guptas and said: "What the hell are you all doing here?"

Buaji in an arrogant tone: "Don't shout at us... it is our daughter's house and we have all rights to come here and like that also we are invited."

Arnav: "Who the hell did invite you?"

Mami from back said: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... the guptas are here... Arnav bitwa, I invited them home... wo ka hai na... today the daughter of this house is coming home... so I thought the guptas should also be there to welcome our Muskaan, share our happiness and see how much we love her.

The sarcasm in Mami's voice was easily caught by Arnav and Khusi but the guptas remained unaware of it as they were beaming at Mami's welcome into the house.

Mami: "Wahan door pe kahe stand kiye rahe ho... come in... come in... our Muskaan will be bome soon."

Buaji and Garima pushing Sashi's wheel chair went inside to meet Payal and rest of the family. NK ignored them when Buaji wished him and Akash giving excuse of some work went from there without greeting them. Garima found something odd in the behaviour of Raizadas but went on to hug Payal tightly.

Garima hugging Payal: "Payalia... my child... how are you?"

Payal: "I am okay... but you all here? You didn't inform me that you all are coming."

Buaji: "Manoramaji called to invite us. She said some daughter of this house is coming... do they have another daughter other than Anjali?"

Payal: "No buaji... Anjali Di is adopting a girl... some silly illiterate orphan... and that is the reason they all are so excited about it..."

Buaji: "Hai re Nandkishore... have they all gone mad? We adopted a girl and look what humiliation we faced because of her and here they are adopting an orphan."

Payal: "Buaji. Please don't say anything about that girl... whole house has gone mad... yesterday Akashji got the whole toy shop for her, today Dadiji has kept pooja and look at the decoration Papaji has done... looks like there is arrangement for someone's marriage."

Buaji: "Payalia, why didn't you tell them not to do this madness... you should have..."

Payal: "Please buaji... you don't give me anymore suggestion now... it is only because of you that I am in trouble. All your plans failed yesterday... the medicine that you made reacted badly on Shyamji and the things that you had asked me to tell to Akashji too back fired... now he is not speaking to me. So, you keep your suggestions to yourself."

Buaji: "But Payalia..."

Payal: "No Buaji I think I can handle my life on my own."

Buaji tried to convince Payal to listen to her but their discussion was left hanging when Anjali along with Muskaan arrived at the door.

Everyone gathered around the door to get the first view Muskaan, who was confused with so many people's intensive gaze on her and getting scared she hid herself under Anjali's pallu hugging her tightly. Anjali understanding her feelings in a loving tone said: "Beta, this is our home... they are your family... they are standing to welcome you... look at them how happy are they to see you... come, let's get inside..."

Mami: "Wait... no one is coming inside... (she came with the arti tray and after doing the arati of Muskaan said) ...now come in... Welcome ... I am your Nani... young nani."

Anjali along with Muskaan entered inside the house.

Khusi: "Muskaan beta, sabse pehle mandir mein chaliye aur devi maiyaa ka ashirbaad lijiye."

Mami: "Haan... pehele devi maiyaa ka ashirbaad bhir sab se inspection."

Akash: "Maa... inspection nehi... introduction."

Mami making a face at Akash: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... chalo bitiya, mandir mein chalo... panditji is waiting..."

Inside the pooja room

Panditji was sitting arranging the things required for doing the pooja. Everyone came in and Nani said: "Panditji; this is my great grand-daughter Muskaan... inke khatir eie pooja karbani hai."

Panditji: "Okay... The child needs to sit in the pooja along with her parents."

Anjali: "Panditji, Shyamji can't come for the pooja, he is sick."

Pandit: "Then how will the pooja be complete? Both the parents need to be present."

Khusi: "Panditji, Di alone sit in the pooja along with Muskaan. Muskaan is Di's daughter and I am sure Di is well capable of fulfilling both the duty of a father and mother."

Pandit: "Par..."

Arnav: "Yes, Di alone will sit in the pooja... she doesn't need anyone's support to raise her child."

Anjali: "Khusiji and Chote are right Panditji. I will sit with my daughter Muskaan... Shyamji can't sit because he is sick but I will fulfil both the responsibility of father and mother."

Pandit: "As you wish."

The pandit started the pooja and then after the pooja tied the rakshya dhaga (sacred thread) on the hands of Muskaan and Anjali and keeping Muskaan's hand on Anjali asked: "Do you accept the girl named Muskaan as your daughter before the almighty?"

Anjali smilingly with tears in her eyes said: "yes I accept her as my daughter."

The pandit declared the completion of the pooja and after doing arti and giving Prasad and getting a good dakshina from the Raizadas left RM.

Mami: "Chalo... Chalo... sab log breakfast kar lo... Ab Muskaan bitiya aa gayi hai to sab hunger ko bye bye bol do." Saying that holding Muskaan's hand took her towards the dining area and everyone followed.

Arnav too was walking out when Anjali stopped him: "What are they all doing here?"

Arnav confusingly: "Who all?"

Anjali: "The guptas. Khusiji will not be comfortable before them... what if they said anything to make her sad... on such a happy day I don't the one responsible for all this happiness being sad."

Arnav: "Mami has called them... don't worry about Khusi, they won't dare to hurt her."

Anjali: "But why has Mami called them?"

Arnav in reply gave a smile which Anjali understood.

Throughout the breakfast everyone kept hovering around Muskaan. Everyone fed her with all the special dishes that they have made especially for her. But she was being very uncomfortable with the many males sitting around her and watching each action of hers with utmost interest. Her vision lingered on Akash who was smiling at her and NK whom she realised that she had seen her before and then she saw Arnav who was sitting right before her and also smiling at her. She moved more closer to Anjali trying to hide herself from them.

Khusi who understood her problem sat beside her and said: "Muskaan beta, let me introduce everyone to you... You have already met your Badi Nani, Nani and Nanaji... now (pointing to NK) ...That's your NK Mama (NK waved his hand with a big smile which Muskaan reciprocated with a nod) ... then that is your Akash Mama."

Akash smiled at her with all love but what surprised everyone was Muskaan's reaction. She pointed her fingers towards Akash and then suddenly looked down.

Anjali: "Kya hua beta?"

Muskaan shook her head but kept looking towards Akash.

Khusi: "Bolo beta, kya hua? Aapko Akash Mama ache lage?"

Muskaan nodded but again pointed her fingers towards Akash.

Akash: "What happened dear? Is there anything wrong with me?"

Muskaan again shook her head and in a small voice said: "Chasma..."

Akash removing his glasses and examining it: "Is there anything wrong with it?"

Muskaan: "Mujhe chasma chahiye."

Everyone laughed and NK said: "Well... Akash bro... Among all the things all that Muskaan liked about you was your glasses... great."

Akash: "Atleast she liked something about me... you are being jealous because she didn't like you."

Arnav: "Muskaan, today I will get you a nice pair of glasses... Di, does she have any eye problem?"

Anjali: "I don't know chote, it is better if we get her eye tested."

Muskaan with a curious look: "Chote?"

Khusi giggling: "Are beta... humne to aapko apke ek aur mama se milaya hi nehi... (pointing to Arnav) ... ye hain aapke Chote Mama (getting a look from Arnav) ...hamara matlab ki bade mamaji..."

Muskaan confusingly looked from Khusi to Arnav and back.

Anjali: "Beta, he is your Arnav Mamaji."

Muskaan: "Then Chote...?"

Anjali: "He is my younger brother, so we call him chote."

NK: "Cool... Nannav, mere bhai... seems like Muskaan liked your name."

Arnav: "Atleast she liked something of mine and Akash... but nothing of yours."

Akash: "Bhai is right."

NK: "You two... are..."

Before they could continue with their argument Nani interrupted: "Muskaan Bitiya, now that you have met your Mama's, now meet your Mami's... That is your badi Mami, Khusi Mami and there is your Payal Mami."

Khusi kissed Muskaan's cheeks and Payal smilingly patted her head. HP informed them that Aman along with Roy have come and were waiting at the living room.

In the living room, everyone was seated along with Aman and Roy, the lawyer of AR.

Roy: "ASR, I have prepared the adoption papers as desired by you. You can look at them." He forwarded the papers to Arnav, who read the papers and satisfied gave it to Anjali.

Arnav: "Di, the papers are okay. You only need to sign them, then it will be deposited at the Magistrates office for further action."

Anjali: "Thanks Chote... Where do I need to sign?"

Roy showed the places to sign and after signing she gave the papers back to Roy.

Roy: "Mam, we need Mr.Jha's signature too."

NK: "Give them to me, I will get Jiju's signature."

NK took the papers and was going upstairs when Arnav too joined him and in a slow voice said: "Make sure Shyam doesn't go through those papers. Just make him sign."

NK understandingly nodded and Arnav joined the rest of the family.

Arnav: "Aman, where are the other papers that I asked you to prepare?"

Aman: "ASR... you informed me in the morning and it was already late, so I couldn't get it... I asked Mr.Roy to make them but he needed time."

Roy: "Yes ASR, I need some more hours... you will get the papers before evening."

Arnav: "WHAT THE HELL!! I asked you to get the papers by now and you need more time... what for am I paying you? To get things done when I demand not to listen to how much time you need. I NEED THE PAPERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."

Muskaan who till now had only love in the eyes of everyone here got startled at the loud voice of Arnav and tried to hide herself behind the pallu of Anjali. Khusi saw it and said: "Arnavji... don't shout so much (she indicated towards Muskaan through her eyes) ...Amanji will get the papers in the evening."

Arnav realised that he had frightened Muskaan and felt guilty. Meanwhile NK came with the signature of Shyam on the papers and handed it to Roy, who checked it and then saying bye to everyone left along with Aman.

Arnav came to Muskaan and kneeling before her said: "I didn't mean to shout... actually it is not my fault, that Aman is an idiot can't do anything perfectly so I shouted a bit... actually I don't shout this much..."

NK: "Yes Muskaan, he doesn't shout this much but much more than this, you can't imagine how much..."

Arnav: "SHUT UP NK..."

NK: "Dekha... dekha... how much he shouts."

Arnav: "No Muskaan... I really don't shout but this NK finds opportunities to irritate me. But I will never shout at you."

NK: "Muskaan dear, you can never be sure... this mama of yours is the most tempered person found in this planet and that is why Khusi Bhabi calls him laad governor..."

Arnav got irritated with NK and turned to his Di: "Di, look at this NK, he is trying to degrade me before Muskaan so that she hates me. Why don't you say something to him?"

Anjali grinning: "Muskaan beta, aapke Chote Mama haina jyada gussa nehi karte bas kabhi kabhi chila dete hain..."

Akash: "...jise ki logon ko heart attack aa jata hai..."

Arnav: "AKASH!!"

Khusi: "Arnavji... bas ho gaya... now stop shouting. You are scaring Muskaan."

Arnav: "Muskaan look... I usually don't shout but these people irritate me and that is why I get angry...you saw how they irritate me... but... but I promise, I will never shout at you."

Anjali: "That's like a good Mama."

Akash: "By the way Bhai, which papers were you talking about to Aman?"

Arnav: "Nothing special Akash, I had asked him to prepare the documents to transfer this house to Muskaan's name and he didn't get it done."

Akash nodded with a smile but the guptas who till now were sitting silently as none had paid much attention to them, looked up shocked and Buaji not able to control herself said: "Hai re Nand kishore...!! The house in this girl's name!! Kahe Nand kishore?"

Arnav: "Excuse me!!"

Buaji: "Why do you want to transfer this house in the name of this orphan's name?"

Akash: "BUAJI...!! MIND YOUR TONGUE... Muskaan is my niece, the daughter of this house. Di is her mother. So don't ever dare to call her by that word."

Buaji: "No.. no... you are getting me wrong Akash babua, what I meant is what is the hurry in transferring the house in her name? And why to transfer it to her name? You could..."

Arnav: "This house is being transferred to her name because it belongs to her. The house usually passes on to the elder child of the generation and Muskaan is the eldest child of Raizadas. So this house belongs to her... And I would like if you mind your own business rather than interfering in others matter."

Mami: "Arnav bitwa is right. We raizadas don't discriminate between our children. Muskaan will get the same love as much as Anjali bitiya's unborn child, the same as when Arnav and Akash bitwa's children would get when they are born."

Garima: "You all are getting it wrong... Jiji didn't mean that..."

Mami: "Then what did you mean?"

Buaji: "Dekhiye Manoramaji... hum to sach kahenge. Chahe aapko acha lage ya bura. Sach to ye hai ki apna apna hota hai aur paraya paraya... sabut to apke samne hi hai... we adopted Khusi, raised her as we did for our payalia, kept her with us, gave her the same food that we ate, loved her like our own but what she did... hamare muh pe kali poth di... if she would have told us we would have got her married to Arnav babua but no she decided to run away on the day of our payal's marriage not caring about what the society would say about us... Had she been our own she would have never done this... Now when I look back I think we shouldn't have adopted her only but should have left her in some orphanage the place where she belonged."

Arnav: "ENOUGH..!!"

Buaji: "What enough...?? You will support her only na, after all she has done some black magic on you or else why would someone like you marry a girl like her?"

Khusi not able to control her tears ran away from there to her room and Arnav too went after her.

Anjali: "I don't believe this... you people are so blind to see what sort of a wonderful person Khusiji is... (Holding Muskaan's hand) ... Muskaan chaliye yahan se, we need to see your Khusi Mami." Saying she left from there.

Nani with anger evident in her voice: "Madhumatiji... you have said enough and we had heard enough. Don't forget the girl about whom you are talking is the bahu of this house. We won't hear a single bad word about our daughter-in-law."

Mamaji: "And you people shouldn't be talking... we all know the way you treat Khusi bitiya. And the day after marriage when she went for pag-phera the way you treated her was inhuman."

Mami: "We don't misbehave with our guests. So it is better if you all leave if you don't want to be insulted."

Mamaji: "Akash Bitwa, ask the driver to drop them at their home."

Akash: "There is no need papa. I am sure they know their way back home and can go on their own in the same manner they came here." Saying that he went from there.

The guptas felt insulted being treated this way by their own damad, even Payal didn't look at them so they left RM without saying a single word.

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