Chapter 46

[MEMBERSONLY]

PART - 31

The next day at the mental asylum Arnav and Khusi were sitting with the doctor.

Arnav: "How is Dadi's condition now? When will she be fine completely?"

Doctor: "Can't say the perfect time Mr. Raizada but she is improving rapidly... as I have told you before she was in some shock when you brought her here... we need to find out the cause of it and if we can know the cause then probably we can do something."

Khusi: "Doctor, is it okay for her to meet other people? If it would be okay then probably we could take her home..."

Doctor: "Mrs. Raizada, we can't predict what will be her reaction if she meets new people... when you came to meet her it had a good impact on her... but the same can't be said for other people... it may have good or bad impact."

Khusi: "Doctor... I think if we should... I mean I don't know whether it will be good or bad... it is just my thought."

Doctor: "What is it?"

Khusi: "I was thinking, if we could. . . . . . . . . . . . . ."

Doctor: "That is not a great idea... but we can try..."

Arnav: "Are you sure doctor..?"

Doctor: "I think it might work... human brain is a complex thing and sometimes it may react to most usual or unusual things and like Mrs. Raizada says it might remind her of the past and she may get back her memory."

Arnav: "If you think so..."

Khusi: "Doctor, if you give me two days then I will..."

Doctor: "I understand. Take your time, till then we will continue with our usual treatment and Mrs. Raizada I have seen the patient being very comfortable with you, so it would be better if you stay with her during that time."

Arnav: "I too will stay with her."

Doctor: "I have no objection."

Same day after lunch Khusi went to Nani's room.

Khusi: "Naniji... I want to talk to you."

Nani: "Tell me bitiya..."

Khusi fiddling with her fingers: "Wooh... Naniji... I was saying... if you have... the old photos of Arnavji... Di..."

Nani: "You want the old albums of Chote..?"

Khusi: "Naniji, I was thinking if I could see the childhood photos of Arnavji and actually... I... want to see papaji and mama's photo."

Nani sighed: "I understand bitiya... last year Anjali bitiya got all the old albums from Sheesh Mahal but Chote was so angry on his father that he ordered hari prakash to throw them all in thrash..."

Khusi: "That means there are no photos..."

Nani moving near Khusi: "It is a secret bitiya... I have kept it all... I couldn't throw the memories of my daughter and grandchildren."

Khusi smiling: "You have the photos?"

Nani: "Yes... I have all with me... (getting up from the bed) ...you go to your room, I will get them from the store room and give it to you."

An hour later in Khusi's room all the ladies and NK had gathered and were going through the old photographs and sharing the memories associated with it. Khusi could only look at the photos and admire how cute Arnav looked as a child and a sudden wish came in her mind to have a little baby boy just like her husband. She mentally blushed at the thought of it but then an image of a little toddler trying to walk holding her and Arnav's hand formed in her mind and she became so lost in that image, that Anjali had to shake her to bring her back to present.

Khusi: "...haan... di... aapne kuch kaha?"

Anjali: "What were you thinking so deeply that you were not listening to what I am saying?"

Khusi: "Di... I was just thinking about... leave that... you tell me, what were you saying."

Anjali showing her a photo where Arnav's father was giving him a piggy ride: "Aap ko pata hai Khusiji, Chote was everyone's darling as a kid and papa used to pamper him a lot..."

Khusi: "But Arnavji told me that it was you who pampered him the most."

Mami: "Woh kya hai na... our Arnav Bitwa was naughty as a kid but Anjali bitiya would take all the blame of his mistakes."

They went on talking for some time and after they left Khusi still kept on looking at the photos. When Arnav came back from office he saw the whole bed is a mess... albums and photographs were scattered around and Khusi holding a photo was smiling at it.

Arnav sitting beside her: "What is all those Khusi...? Why have you spread the photos around the bed?"

Khusi smiling mischievously: "Arnavji... I was looking at a naughty boy who now has grown up to be a big laad governor."

Arnav: "What the..!!"

Khusi: "Oho Arnavji... you know we need some old photos and I got those from Nani, was deciding which photo to use and then I found all your childhood photos. (showing him a photo where he was trying to stand on his own) ...you look so cuuuteee."

Arnav: "Don't call me cute. I am not a kid."

Khusi: "Really Chote...?" pulling his cheeks "You are so cuutee..."

Arnav: "What the...!"

Khusi: "No what the. I never knew you too look so cute while having bath also."

She said that showing him his photo where he as a year old baby was sitting inside a bath tub, but Arnav's naughty mind caught the unintentional meaning of Khusi's words. Taking the photo from her and looking at it he said: "Yeah... I really look cute while having bath... (pulling Khusi towards him he whispered huskily near her ears) ... by the way Khusi, you really didn't know how cute I look while bathing..?"

Khusi turned red as she understood the meaning of Arnav and trying to move away from him: "Woo... woo... hum..."

Arnav: "Actually it's my fault... all my fault... I should have shown you how I look while bathing... but you know I am very good at correcting mistakes... today itself I will show you..."

Khusi pushing him: "Kya... aap..."

Arnav pulling her back: "Kya... main... you should know every detail about me Khusi... and then..." He was about to something more but Muskaan came into the room and unwillingly he had to move away from Khusi.

Khusi trying to sit properly: "Muskaan beta, a..aap yahan...?"

Muskaan: "Maa is calling you and Arnav Mama down."

Arnav: "Tell Di that we are coming." Muskaan nodded and ran away from there and Arnav looking at her back "Why does Muskaan always run away from me..? What did I do...?"

Khusi: "You did nothing... she is just scared of you.."

Arnav: "But why..? I don't shout at her and neither do I shout before her..."

Khusi: "She is scared of you because you are a laad governor..." looking at Arnav's worried face, she cupped his face and said: "...aisa kuch nehi hai... she does love you a lot too."

Arnav pouting: "... not more than Akash... she loves Akash the most."

Khusi: "So are you jealous...? You can't expect everyone to love you the most... let someone love Akashji the most too... and remember Muskaan loves you too."

Arnav: "And you...?"

Khusi hugging him: "I love you the most..." moving out of the hug "...let's go and see why di has called us."

In the hall

Arnav: "What happened Di? Why did you call us all...?"

Akash: "Haan Di... any problem?"

Di: "No problem Akash... and I have called you all because I have a great news to share with you."

Mami: "What is it Anjali bitiya? You seem so happy?"

Anjali: "Yes Mami... I am very happy... after this long wait today finally our Muskaan will meet her father... (looking at some shocked and some happy faces) ...yes, Shyamji's boils have almost healed... now he is able to walk... he still needs rest but he can walk... and Muskaan can meet her father. (kissing Muskaan's cheek) ...you are happy dear... hai na?"

Listening to Anjali, Khusi held onto Arnav's arms for support. For over a month with Shyam confined to his room she was enjoying herself with the family being carefree but now that he will be out of his room and she will have to stay conscious of him. Arnav understanding her problem kept his hand on hers which was holding his arm and assuring her that everything will be okay. Akash was more scared about Muskaan's safety than anything else and looked helplessly at Arnav and NK both of whom were bowled at this unexpected news. So he brought Muskaan to him and held her tight close to him.

Mamaji: "This is such a good news bitiya... finally damadji will come out of the room..."

Nani: "Yes... he had been inside the room for over a month now... must be feeling suffocated."

Mami: "Aur nehi to kya... finally he will say hello hi to the world outside the room."

Akash: "But Di... you said Sh... I mean Jijaji still needs to rest... then..."

Anjali: "Akash, he needs to rest but he should be walking also... can't let him stay in the bed forever... and if he will mingle with the family then he too will feel good."

She saw Shyam coming down slowly with the help of the nurse and Anjali with a broad smile said: "Look... here he comes..."

The family saw Shyam walking towards them with a smile but Arnav wanted to slap him so hard that he could never smile again. Akash and NK's thought were no different. Akash's held Muskaan tightly worrying what that slime may do her.

Anjali helped Shyam to sit on a sofa and before she could say anything, Arnav said to the nurse: "You can leave now... Jijaji is fine now and your duty is over here... so you pack your bags and leave... I will give you your payment."

Anjali: "Chote, I was thinking of letting her stay till Shyamji gets completely fine... she may..."

Arnav: "As you say Di." (looking at the nurse who was still holding Shyam's hand) "...I think as Jijaji is sitting with the family you should better go to your room." The nurse nodded and leaving Shyam's hand went to her room.

Mamaji: "Damadji... it is so good to see you outside the room..."

Shyam in as sweet voice as ever: "Yes, mamaji... I am glad that I have come out of the room... it is good to see you all..." He said looking at Khusi and she tried to hide herself behind Arnav, he understanding her problem held her hand in his asking her not to worry.

Nani: "Yes... now that Damadji is here... Muskaan Bitiya can meet her father."

Shyam: "Yes... I am too eager to meet my daughter... where is she..? (looking at Muskaan who was sitting on Akash's lap) ...is this Muskaan... our daughter...?" he asked to Anjali.

Anjali smiling even more widely: "Yes... she is Muskaan...our daughter... (to Muskaan) ...Beta come here..."

Shaym forwarding his hands: "Yes dear... come here... I am your father... come..."

Muskaan looked at Anjali and then at Shyam and then clinged even tightly to Akash and started crying making everyone worried.

Akash: "Muskaan... beta... what happened?"

Anjali now sitting beside Muskaan: "Beta kya hua... why are you crying?"

Muskaan still hiding her face in Akash's chest: "I... I... don't like him... he is ... ...bad..." because of crying she started to hiccup and Akash patted her back to calm her.

Arnav and NK smiled in their mind feeling proud of their niece as she could easily make out that Shyam is not a good person.

Anjali: "Beta he is not bad... he is your Papa..."

Muskaan cried even louder and Akash said: "Di... leave it... if she doesn't like Jijaji then don't force her... look how she is crying."

Anjali: "But Akash..."

Akash: "No Di... you can't force Muskaan to like or talk to anyone... she will only do what she likes." saying that he picked up Muskaan in his arms and walked away from there.

Arnav: "Akash is right Di... don't force Muskaan for anything... if she doesn't like Jijaji then let it go..."

Anjali: "But Chote... he is her father... how can she hate him..?"

Arnav: "I understand Di... but we can't force Muskaan... can we? When she will begin to like Jijaji then she will talk to him... for now don't force her... you know how she is..."

NK: "Nannav is right Di... we shouldn't force Muskaan for anything."

Mamaji: "They are right Anjali Bitiya... don't force Muskaan."

Shyam trying to hide his anger: "Mamaji is right Rani Saheba... don't force her for anything... let her do whatever she likes."

Nani: "Yes... but today is a happy day for all of us... let us all have dinner together... after such a long time Damadji will be sitting with all of us and have food."

Shyam: "Yes, it has been so long since we all have food together."

Payal: "I will set the table for dinner." saying she left.

Khusi: "Di, today where will you have your dinner?"

Mami: "What sort of question is this..? She will have with all of us... you too go and look after dinner."

Khusi: "Di... Muskaan never has her dinner without you and Akashji... today..."

NK: "Khusi Bhabi today you serve Muskaan, Akash an Di's dinner in Akash's room... that way Jiju can have dinner with all of us."

Khusi: "Nanheji, that way Muskaan will feel bad... if she doesn't eat with whole family then she will think that we are avoiding her and..."

Anjali: "Khusiji, you are right... ...Shyamji, will you mind eating in the room... you saw how scared is Muskaan... I don't want to scare her more..."

Shyam gulping down the anger and maintaining a smiling face said: "Of course not Rani Saheba... anything for our daughter... I will have dinner in room..."

NK jumping on the opportunity: "Jiju... come, I will help you in getting to your room... Di, you ask HP to serve Jiju's dinner in his room."

Anjali nodded and said: "I will call Akash and Muskaan."

Later at night, when Arnav saw Khusi sitting on the bed lost in some thoughts and worried the reason of which was very well known to him. He sat beside her and pulled her close to him and kissing her cheeks asked: "What happened..? Are you worried about Shyam?"

Khusi snuggled close to him: "Hmm... now that he is out of bed he will try to do something..."

Arnav: "He will do nothing... once he recovers properly, he will be off to Kanpur... and he will not dare to mess with you..."

Khusi: "But Arnavji..."

Arnav: "Sshh... don't worry about him... yesterday only you were saying that you missed me so much as you were busy completing the model and today when I am with you, you are thinking about other things..."

Khusi smiled at him and said: "I really missed you... but now we should choose the photos... they are important..."

Arnav: "They are important but I have some other important work with you."

Khusi: "What work..?"

Arnav pushed her down on the bed and was about to capture her lips but a knock on the door disturbed them.

Arnav frowning: "Don't you think it will be better if we move our bedroom to the hall..? Then everyone can disturb at any time... whole family is weird... knocking at the door at odd time... (again there was knock on the door) ...Who will be at this time..?"

Before Khusi could answer, they heard Muskaan calling Khusi from outside the room and both Arnav and Khusi went to open the door worried. Once Khusi opened the door Muskaan hugged her tightly.

Khusi: "Muskaan... kya hua?"

Muskaan with her voice chocking: "Khusi Mami... can I sleep with you tonight...? I am scared..."

Arnav: "Muskaan dear... you sleep with your badi nani... what happened today? Why are you scared?"

Khusi: "Yes dear... why are you scared?"

Muskaan: "Badi Nani is already asleep... I went to Maa... but that man is there..."

Arnav: "Who is that man...? Are you saying about Shyam?" Muskaan nodded

Khusi: "Beta why are you scared of him? Did he do anything?"

Muskaan again hugged Khusi tightly: "He... he... is bad... he..." she kept quiet looking at Arnav.

Khusi understood that Muskaan needs to be alone with her to say whatever she wants to say, so she said to Arnav: "Arnavji... I forgot my laptop at poolside... will you please get it." Arnav understood that Khusi wants him to be away for some time, so nodding at Khusi he went out of the room. Khusi turned to muskaan and asked: "Did he do anything dear..? Bolo... kya kiya unhone?"

Muskaan: "Khusi Mami... wooh... he... he..."

Khusi: "Haan beta... bolo..."

Muskaan: "...he... he... nurse aunty... they... he..."

Khusi: "Nurse Aunty...? What did she do...?"

Muskaan: "... I... thatday... I... wanted... maa... went... to... her room... she... was... not there... nurse aunty... he... he... was... over... nurse aunty... he... was... I... was scared... that man... the maalik... where... I... was before... ... he was trying... to... do that ... with... me..."

Khusi hugged her tight and caressing her back said: "Forget everything dear... and remember there is only one maalik for everyone and that is god... so don't call that bad man as maalik okay... and that man who tried to harm you is now in jail... he will never behave badly with anyone now... and why didn't you tell me before what you had seen?"

Muskaan: "...he... scolded me... he said... I should knock before going to any room... she said if I tell to anyone... he will beat me..."

Khusi: "What..!! he said that..!! Don't worry... your Arnav Mama and Akash Mama will punish him... forget everything... and from now if he says anything to you then tell me immediately... okay... and don't get scared of him... he won't be able to harm you in any way." Muskaan nodded. Khusi kissed her cheek and said: "Come... it's already late... let's sleep."

Arnav who had kept the poolside door ajar so that he could hear what Muskaan is saying at the moment felt like kicking Shyam at his guts for behaving this way with Muskaan but knew that this is not the time.

He came in and said: "Khusi... since Muskaan is sleeping here, I will sleep in some guest room." He was about to go but Khusi herself was not feeling good and didn't want to stay away from Arnav even if it was for a single night.

Khusi: "Arnavji... stay here please... and see there is so much space here... you too can sleep on the bed... (looking at Muskaan) hai na beta?"

Muskaan nodded and moved towards the corner of the bed and Khusi too moved close to her to make ample space for Arnav.

Arnav: "But Khusi... I... you know Muskaan... she wants to sleep with you..."

Khusi: "Muskaan won' t have any problem... see she herself made space for you..."

Muskaan: "Arnav mama, you can sleep there..." she said pointing to the other side of the bed.

Arnav smiled at her and said: "Thanks dear for giving me space on my own bed."

Saying he lay down beside Khusi. Muskaan felt asleep soon as Khusi patted her head making her sleep. Seeing Muskaan asleep, Khusi turned to Arnav: "Arnavji... Muskaan..."

Arnav holding her hand: "I heard everything... you don't worry..."

Khusi: "How will I not worry... wanted to concentrate on Dadiji's health but this Shyamji came in between... he is having relation with the nurse... such a disgusting man... and here di is worried for his health... (Realising something) ...Arnavji... he is faking his illness..."

Arnav: "Hmm... need to know why he is doing that... don't inform Di about anything... I don't want her health to hamper."

Khusi: "I understand but Muskaan is so scared..."

Arnav: "I too am worried about her... I think it is high time we informed the family about Shyam..."

Khusi: "But Arnavji... Naniji will be so broken, she may fall sick... you remember after our marriage she fell sick... if..."

Arnav: "But she needs to know... but first I will talk to Mami and Mamaji... after that will inform Nani... it is better she comes to know about it slowly... I don't want it to come to her as a shock..."

Khusi: "What about Dadiji?"

Arnav: "We will do everything as it is planned... now that Muskaan is sleeping peacefully; let's choose the photos so that we can meet the doctor tomorrow."

Khusi nodded and both of them took the albums and went to the poolside to choose the required photos.