Chapter 28

(thanks to -chamkilli-)

Part 26

The way seemed familiar to him. Where is di taking him? This road is not just familiar, but very very familiar for him. HOPE is in this way, but why is di getting here. As he was clouded by thoughts he heard anjali shouting

Anjali: stop stop!!!

He frowned and shocked to see where his di had brought him

Arnav: di are you crazy? Why have you brought me here?

Anjali gave her as usual sweet smile and got down the car with excitement and also care holding her belly. She grabbed his hand and dragged along with her. Arnav was just shocked. What is di up to? He knew she was stressed a lot till yesterday. But is she showing fake excitement to cover her pain? But what is the connection to HOPE and NANI? he was about to ask her but his eyes struck to the board hanging on the gate. His mind alerted. So THIS was the plan? To get kushi as a care taker? It did not give any kind of good feeling for him. Watching his brother glued to the board anjali giggled and snapped at him

Anjali: ab jalgay batti??

Arnav rolled his eyes and asked her seriously with a frown and wrinkled face

Arnav: di...what's this madness? How can we ask kushi to come and serve nani?

Anjali calmed him and slowly the duo walked in the premises of hope. The air was pleasant but Arnav's mind was full of confusion and anxiousness. All the sisters and other people were smiling at them returned by anjlai's smiles and serious looks of arnav.

Anjali: look chote...I WANT kushi ji as my bhabi no matter what.

Arnav nodded trying to convince his di but she was as same as his...the stubbornness was in the raizada blood

Arnav: di...she WILL come to our house as a daughter in law...I will work out..But

Anjali pushed him back and mocked him

Anjali: what will you work out chote? If you sit in home and dream about her , you are not gonna get her...*she clapped her hands cheerfully *and this is the best time chote to bring her to her house...so that she can understand us better...and mainly understand herself.

Arnav frowned. He had a very bad feeling about this. Will this work? He stopped his teenage excited sister and interrupted

Arnav: but di...I think..

Anjali: I did not give you any option chote. If you want kushi follow me...otherwise fine..! Marry the girl whom I showed you 3 months back

These words made his mouth complete shut. He silently followed his sister's footsteps. As they approached the convent with each step, his heart beat turned faster. His head pounded. How will she react? Will buaji accept? He knows that Esther mother is sensible. But what about buaji?

*******

Tinky was playing with the pebbles. Collecting colorful pebbles and stones is one of her hobbies. But the little hair strands irritated her falling on her temples. She rubbed her temples constantly to stop the hair falling on her temple. In that process, her sight glued on the two people who were walking slowly. They are still far. But as her eyes fell on them she instantly recognized them. Her face broke out into cute smile and she ran towards them yelling

Tinky: Nannav bhaiyyaaa!!

Arnav cursed under his breath watching all the people around looking at him. this girl will not stop calling him that and get him embarrassed in public. As she approached anjali gathered her in arms and kissed her on both the rosy cheeks which were plumpy and soft. She turned towards arnav and hit him playfully on his forehead. Before even he could react the girl and his sister walked away giggling. Muttering under his breath he followed them.

********

Esther and another sister were in deep conversation. But they were interrupted by the footsteps. Esther turned and was stunned to see anjali standing there all fit and healthy and more over wearing a pleasant smile on her face. She once hugged anjali and anjali hugged her back

Esther: betiya..aap teek toh hona?

Anjali smiled and replied

Anjali: I'm fine maa ji, don't worry about me.

Esther smiled and lead them inside the convent while tinky and arnav followed them. Tinky with her hands on her hips was observing Nannav bhaiyya. What happened to him? why is he looking here and there? And that too from the corner of his eyes? Whom is he searching? Lifting her chin up confidently she walked towards him

Tinky: Nannav bhaiyya...!!

She called but he was too busy in searching the whole surroundings. She thinned her lips and hit him on his shoulders and yelled

Tinky: oye!!!

Arnav jerked and shocked to see the tiny creature gazing at him as if she is going to eat him with her funny fierce eyes. Arnav rolled his eyes at her nautanki and asked

Arnav: bolo

She frowned more and asked with dazzling wide eyes

Tinky: kya bolo? Whom are you searching?

Arnav was stunned. He muttered silently

Arnav: why is this girl always behind me dammit!!! Instantly he heard her shouting on the the top of her lungs

Tinky: kya kaha aap ne???

Before even she can start her blabbering arnav covered her mouth tightly with his palms and threatened her to keep quiet with his threatening looks.

*****************************

Esther: anjali bitya...esther led her to her room and made anjali comfortable.

Esther: you don't have to hide your pain anjali. It's not that easy to forget everything what had happened

Anjalis lips twisted into a sad smile and a lone tear escaped and rolled down on her pale cheeks. As Esther patted her back comforting her. Anjali bit her lips trying to stop the sobs but they were out of her control. Esther chose to remain silent. Anjali need to spill out the pain, she need to throw the thrash of pain, anger, and anguish. She just whispered in her ears that all shall be okay. Finally after calming herself anjali gave a slight smile to Esther. Now she is relaxed. She didn't knew why but she can feel her heart so light without any burden

Esther: app teek ho? Anjali smiled and hugged her tight enjoying the motherly embrace from Esther. Then she realized the REAL motive of her going to HOPE. She pulled back from the hug and Esther can see the nervousness on her face. But anjali tried her best to stay calm and proceed in her mission of taking kushi home

Esther: you want anything? Should I call nirmala to get you something?

Anjali: no maaji. Actually kuch kaam tha yahan aane ka..Esther fixed her specs and asked

Esther: what happened anjali?

Anjali: errmm...I ve seen the board on the gate and...but Esther completed her sentence

Esther: yea about the care taker..

Anjali smiled taking the opportunity and continuity

Anjali: yea maa ji. As nani is very sick it's really hard to manage as her. As I can't work and mami is also getting very tired we are searching for care takers. And what im thinking is..

Esther smiled and replied

Esther: why are you hesitating betiya. I think nirmala is the best person. She can take care of your nani. Wait I'll call her.

Anjali's face paled hearing her and stopped Esther

Anjali: aree no maaji...listen to me.

Esther frowned sounding something fishy in her words

Anjali: actually what I'm thinking is kushi ji is quiet close to our family and she can mingle easily. And moreover nani can also feel comfortable with her.

Esther lost into deep thought. Is this a correct decision sending kushi? Will kushi be comfortable?

But looking at the puppy eyes of anjali she can't even say no. After a long silence esther spoke out

Esther: im okay with that...anjali cheered clapping her hands BUT!! Anjali's face fell waiting for esther to continue

Esther: I'm OKAY only IF kushi is willing to go.

Anjali smiled and hugged Esther tightly. Well, it's not that easy to convince kushi. Now time for the next mission CONVNCE KUSHI

************************************

Her hair covered by her duppata and eyes closed. Cool breeze was hitting her skin as she lost in her own prayers. Her hairs were neatly tied up so that no hair strand can fall. Her eyes snapped out hearing the giggles in her room. She said her closing prayers and removed the scarf from her hair and walked out of her prayer room. Her breath halted seeing anjali playing with tinky and all happy smiling. The words rushed through her mouth

Kushi: anjali ji aap yaha??

Seeing kushi with eyes and mouth both wide open anjali smiled and hugged her while kushi is still in shock.

Kushi: anjali ji...aap teek ho..?? she cupped her cheeks..aap yaha kaisa aaya? Ghar mein sab teek hai naa? Aur arnav ji..she realized that she slipped her tongue about him and looked everywhere except at anjali. Anjali smiled tongue in cheek and replied

Anjali: I'm fine kushi ji...don't get too much worried. I'm not a small girl

Anjlai: and i decided to move on kushi ji...i dont want to live in the bitter past. i was already cheated by that monster every minute till now, but not anymore. i have a life that is growing inside me. i dont want to live in the darkness...

kushi gave a slight smile with tears welled up in her eyes and but her tears were filled with prde of anjlai. the duo hugged each other sharing the pain, at the same time providing strength to each other

EXTENSION COMING.. :)

sorry..sorry...for being late...please dont hate me