Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Suppressed Emotions

I thank you for the support you are giving this track of the storyline and for those who think that Khushi is taking a long time to forget the Past and move on, then read this one...

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The Jhumka incident had a deep effect on Arnav. Khushi noticed it first when Arnav just walked up to her, very gently caressed her cheek and smiled when she woke up next morning.

She just stared. He smiled? She couldn't recall him smiling like that for as long as she remembered. He looked so different when he did that, she thought. Like it was a completely different person standing in front of her.

She got ready and came down to make breakfast. Nani was talking to someone over the phone. She just smiled at her and moved towards the Kitchen.

When Payal joined Khushi in the kitchen, she was already half way through getting the breakfast ready.

"Oh, I'm sorry Khushi, I woke up a bit late today." Payal said.

"No that's fine Jiji, I'm almost done, besides I can't help you with lunch as I will be leaving for work, so let me at least do this." Khushi smiled at her.

"Khushi, you didn't wear the earrings Arnavji gifted you?" Payal asked.

Khushi, eyed Payal's wrists, she was still wearing the bangles, Akash gifted her. "Uh... no Jiji, I mean they are a bit delicate na... I think I'll wear them only occasionally." she replied uncertainly.

Payal just nodded.

After the breakfast was done, Akash left for work immediately while Arnav waited for Khushi to get ready and Join him.

They were about to leave when Nani came to them and spoke, "Chote, Dolly called this morning..."

"Oh, yes Nani, Samar emailed me yesterday. I've asked the driver to pick her up from the Airport on time." Arnav replied.

"That's good." Nani smiled. "You and Khushi bitiya come home early today. Dolly wouldn't like it if you aren't home when she comes. After all Anjali bitiya is also not here."

"Yes Nani, I know. Khushi and I will come home early." He said but then quickly looked at Khushi. "I hope you don't mind."

Khushi was completely confused hearing the conversation but she realised that there was a guest coming and someone very close by the sound of it. "No, that's okay." She agreed.

As they got into the car and started for Khushi's studio, she asked curiously. "Who is coming?"

"Dolly Maasi." Arnav answered.

"Oh?" Khushi wondered at his short answer.

Arnav hesitated for a moment. "She was Mom's friend. They were very close. She lives in Ludhiana and has to attend some wedding in her family. She wanted to visit us before she leaves for Banaras tomorrow."

"Okay." Khushi said understanding the situation. "The wedding she has to attend is in Banaras, is it?"

He just nodded.

"Who's Samar?" She asked.

"Her son." He said shortly.

Khushi sensed that he didn't wish to pursue the topic and fell silent.

Rohan was out of town so she had to look after the entire studio and anyways after Rohan had joined his dad's office, Khushi had to start getting involved in the business side of the studio too apart from designing and she was getting good at it.

She was engrossed in her work and had forgotten all about returning home early when Arnav called her.

"Khushi, I'm coming to pick you up in 15 minutes." He said hurriedly.

"15 minutes?" Khushi asked puzzled. "Arnav it's just 4:30, why are you..." She paused remembering. "Oh yes, Dolly Maasi." She let out a deep breath. "Alright, I'll wrap up. You may have to just wait for five minutes."

"No problem, take your time." He replied.

"Thanks."

~~~~~~

When they reached home, HP asked Khushi to meet Nani. Khushi went to Nani's room immediately to see what she wanted.

"Come Khushi Bitiya." Nani smiled.

"You wanted to talk to me?" Khushi asked sitting opposite her.

"Yes." Nani replied. "Khushi, do you know who Dolly is?"

"Arnav said she is his mother's friend, and they were very close." Khushi asked.

"Yes." Nani said seriously. "Yes, they were very close. Almost like sisters. Dolly loves Arnav and Anjali like her own children. When Arnav's mother..." Nani wiped a tear with her pallu. "Dolly stayed with Arnav and Anjali for a month and took care of them, helping them recover. She means a lot to both Chote and Anjali. She is really in a hurry to attend the wedding in Banaras but today she is coming here to mainly meet you."

"Me?" Khushi asked surprised.

"Yes, Chote is like a son to her so she wants to meet her daughter in law." Nani smiled. "In a way you will be meeting a mother in law today."

Khushi felt a little nervous suddenly. She returned to her room. Dolly Maasi would be arriving in an hour so she decided to get ready. She wore a pink Saree feeling that it would be appropriate for the occasion.

She came down and joined everyone in the living room. The doorbell rang and Akash opened the door.

"Akash... How are you dear? Still blushing I see. I thought marriage would have changed that." A firm and jovial voice floated in the house.

Payal and Khushi exchanged curious glances and looked eagerly towards the entrance. Khushi's eyes widened looking at the lady who entered. Guessing her exact age would have been impossible. She was slim and wearing jeans and short Kurti, limited and classy jewelry and expensive glares pushed above her forehead. She came arm in arm with Akash, with a broad and affectionate grin on her face. Her eyes searched around for a moment and then rested on Arnav.

"Chote..." She almost whispered, her smile somehow faltering for a moment.

To Khushi's amazement, Arnav took two long strides and hugged Dolly Maasi tightly. "I missed you Maasi."

She kissed is forehead and somewhat recovered her smile but her eyes were moist. "Our Chote is a married man now Amma." She said turning to Nani, still keeping an arm around Arnav.

Nani nodded smiling.

"And Amma you have two grand daughters in law." Dolly Maasi said happily.

"Yes Dolly, here they are." Nani said gesturing towards Khushi and Payal. "They are sisters. Let's see if you can tell which one is Akash's wife and which one is Chote's." Nani teased.

Dolly Maasi moved forward and stood in front of Khushi and Payal looking at them intently. "Chote, Akash come here." She said still looking at the two sisters thoughtfully. Arnav and Akash came forward and stood behind her. "Hmmm... This one should be Akash's wife." She said kissing Payal's forehead. Payal smiled a bit surprised.

"Wow Maasi, bang on. But how did you know?" Akash asked amazed.

"Very simple, she blushes a lot, just like you." Dolly Maasi winked at Akash and then turned to Khushi. "And apart from that..." She cupped Khushi's face. "This one HAS to be my Chote's choice. I know him." She then hugged Khushi and held her close for a long time and all the nervousness that Khushi was feeling was chased out of her.

Everyone settled down over tea then and Dolly Maasi gave a gift to Akash and Payal for their wedding. Payal felt a little odd when she didn't give anything to Arnav and Khushi but didn't say anything.

Dolly Maasi was a completely fun person and the atmosphere was cheerful and full of laughter as she told hilarious tales about her friends and family in Ludhiana and outrageously teased Akash and Arnav on account of their marriage. On any other occasion Arnav would have gotten irritated by all the teasing and shut himself up in his room but to Khushi's surprise he not only stayed back but also took it all sportingly. She somehow felt very nice about it.

After dinner Arnav returned to his room immediately but when Khushi was coming back after finishing all her work, Dolly Maasi called her from her room. "Khushi, sweetheart could you bring your husband to my room?" She asked.

"Bring him? You mean you want me to come too?" Khushi asked.

"Yes dear, both of you." She smiled.

Khushi went to her room and saw Arnav was working.

"Arnav you have to come with me." Khushi spoke quickly.

Arnav looked up at her surprised. "Come with you? Where?"

"Dolly Maasi has called us in her room." She explained.

"Now? But why?" He asked.

"I don't know. She just asked me to come to her room with you."

"Alright." Arnav got up and they went to Dolly Maasi's room and knocked.

"Maasi, you called?" Arnav said entering followed by Khushi.

"Yes dear, I wanted to just be with you two." Dolly Maasi said fondly.

Arnav and Khushi sat with her. Dolly Maasi brought out a bag and sat with them.

"Khushi, Arnav's mother and I were like sisters and for me you are just like my own daughter in law. Since she is not here..." Dolly Maasi said referring to Arnav's mother, "I wanted to do something that every mother does for his son's wife."

She opened the bag and took out a very beautiful Saree and handed it to Khushi.

"This is Shagun from your mother in law."

She took out gold bangles and slipped it on Khushi's wrists. Khushi hesitated but Dolly Maasi shook her head.

"Don't, I said this is Shagun, you can't refuse it."

She further gave her a diamond necklace set, an ornate Sindoor box and a silver idol of Devi Maiya.

Khushi was uneasy by this time. She looked at Arnav but his was lightly smiling, his eyes shining with moisture.

"Don't look at Chote, he wouldn't dare say anything." Dolly Maasi chuckled. "Besides, I can do only so much, his mother would have done so much more."

"This means a lot to me, Maasi." Khushi said with emotion.

"Yes Maasi," Arnav agreed. "But where is my gift? Everything only for your Bahu?" he asked smirking and Khushi's eyes popped out in surprise.

"Yes, yes Chote, I haven't forgotten you." Dolly Maasi said slapping his arm. "Here you go."

She put an elegant white gold bracelet on his wrist, stylishly adorned with the letters 'ASR'.

"It's great Maasi." Arnav smiled at her.

"Okay, I'm not done yet. There is one more thing I want to give you Khushi." Dolly Maasi took out a purple velvet pouch out of her bag. It didn't look new though, maybe she had it with her for a long time. She opened it and took out a gold chain with a large solitaire pendant. She held it up for the three of them to get a better look. "You know Chote, your mother gifted me this chain on my 21^st birthday. I have had it with me all these years." She turned to Khushi. "I want you to have it Khushi."

"But Maasi, Maaji gifted it to you, how can I..." Khushi protested.

"Chote tell her not to argue." Dolly Maasi said firmly.

But Arnav hardly cared. The only thing his mind registered was that Khushi had addressed his mother as Maaji. He held her hand and pressed it gently. "Take it Khushi, it's from Ma."

Khushi looked at him, "But Arnav..."

"Look Khushi," Dolly Maasi said holding her other hand. "This chain is a connection between your mother in law and me and if I have to pass it on to someone then it has to be you. There can be no one else and it is more like you having the combined blessings of both of us."

Khushi couldn't refuse after that. "Alright Maasi, I'll take it." She held out her hand to take it.

"Oh no, no, not so easily." Dolly Maasi smirked. "Chote, I want you to put it around Khushi's neck."

Khushi blushed a little as Arnav fastened the chain around her neck.

"Oh come on Chote, she is your wife. You are giving her your mother's chain. Show some love, kiss her." Dolly Maasi said.

Both Arnav and Khushi looked at her shocked.

"What? I'm asking you to kiss her not anything else, that you can do after you return to your room." Dolly Maasi winked and laughed at her own joke.

Both of them looked away embarrassed.

"NOOO... now don't behave like 18th century couples, all blushing. Go on kiss her." She forced.

"Maasi no, it's okay." Arnav said nervously.

Khushi just stayed silent.

"Oho, I don't want to see a French kiss here, just on her cheek and I'm not taking no for an answer." Dolly said stubbornly.

Arnav turned to face Khushi and she was a little scared. She kept her eyes lowered. Arnav touched her cheeks with his hands and Khushi was surprised to feel the tremor in them. He normally touched her freely then what happened now? She looked up at him and what she saw in his eyes made her forget her own fears. Arnav's eyes were full of naked terror. As he leaned towards her, his breathing quickened as if he was having trouble inhaling. Their faces were inches apart when he stopped and looked at her almost gasping for breath now. All of a sudden his eyes widened "NO!!!!" he yelled, standing up and moved back a few steps. "NO..." He ran his hands through his hair almost pulling them, his face was a mask of horror. "Khushi... what have I done...?" Tears finally spilled out of his eyes. "I'm s-s-sorry... Kh... Kh... Khushi..." He turned around and rushed out of the room.

Khushi sat wide eyed staring at the spot where he had stood a few seconds ago. About a minute later, she came back to her senses and realised she was crying. She wiped her tears and got up keeping the gifts aside.

"Maasi, I'll take them to my room later." She said not daring to see Dolly Maasi's expression and quickly ran out of the room.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Chapter 33: The Broken Monster

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