Chapter 15

Arnav's Son, she thought and hugs him.

Anjali who was looking at Arush saw Khushi hugging him, a tender smile played on her lips, she said, "I think he needs a change of his diapers and clothes".

Khushi looked at Anjali and smiled. Anjali further say, "Come on Khushi lets go and get him changed." And stood up and went to stairs, Khushi followed Anjali with Arush in her arms. Nani smiled seeing Arush comfortable with Khushi.

They went up to the stairs and then turn left. There was only one room on the left. They entered the room. It was a beautiful room with white and light green color, a big one though as Khushi compare it with her own apartment bedroom. Wardrobe and washroom on left, bed in the middle and beside there was a crib with baby changing table attach to it. There was a stuff lion toy lying on the floor and a stuff bear was place on the changing table. On the right side of crib there was an arm chair with foot stool and behind them there was a big window covered with white curtains. There was a blue stroller on the left side of the crib.

Anjali showed Khushi the things needed to change the diaper place in the racks of the changing table. Before Anjali could take Arush from Khushi's hand, Khushi herself placed Arush on the foam of the baby table and started to take his clothes off. Anjali didn't say anything but stood there watching Khushi and Arush together intently. Khushi took Arush's shirt and short off while cooing him in the baby voice; Arush was all the while smiling at Khushi and his small arms were in upward direction as he was trying to touch Khushi's face. Anjali was getting more and more surprise by Arush's behavior as how quickly he adjusted with Khushi which is very unlike him.

Khushi then takes the diaper out, "oh you naughty baby, now you need a bath too.", Khushi said while pinching his cheeks ever softly. Anjali who was watching all this said, "There is the washroom Khushi" pointing behind towards the bathroom door.

Khushi picks Arush and went to washroom. There was a small baby tub beside the bath tub. She fills it with water and then carefully places Arush in it and then started to apply soap on his tiny body, after 10 mins Arush was done with his bath, Khushi picked him up and cover him with towel and take him to the room. She again places Arush on the changing table and then wipes his body with the towel. Arush was making a chuckling sound, Khushi smile and mimic his sound which made Arush smile more. Khushi then takes the baby powder and gently rub it on his body and then Anjali handed her his clothes which she took out when Khushi was giving bath to Arush. Khushi put the diaper on and then place light baby blue half sleeve shirt on him with matching trouser. She then takes the baby lotion and gently applies it on his small tiny feet, hands and then face. She makes Arush sit on the foam and then takes the comb from the rack and combs his hair. Arush put his hands on Khushi arms, while she was combing his hair.

"Now you are ready my handsome boy", Khushi said happily and look at Anjali.

"Khushi I didn't know that you can do all this", Anjali said surprisingly.

Khushi also didn't know what make her do all this but somewhere in her heart she was happy bonding with Arush and being with him was making her happy. She has never done this before with any baby before, then why with Arush?, that's the question she also asked herself. But at that moment she only came up with the answer that she just liked being with Arush.

"Anjali ji I told you na I just love babies, they are the purest and most innocent creatures in the world", Khushi said smilingly as she picked Arush in her arms.

Anjali takes Arush from Khushi and went towards bed; she laid Arush there and put his milk bottle in his mouth. Khushi too came and sat on bed beside Arush and lightly brush his hair. Arush who was busy drinking his milk saw Khushi beside him and he extends his hand toward her, Khushi put her finger in his hand, which he grabs immediately.

Khushi was struggling with the questions she wanted to ask about Arnav and his wife and Arush, she was trying to come with the proper words. "uh Anjali ji I didn't know that Arnav sir has a son, I mean I knew about his wife .. you know ' mm ' the media '. I mean I am sorry I am asking this but is Arush ' I mean '"

"its ok Khushi I know what are you trying to ask", said Anjali. She brush Arush's hair lightly and continues, "Arush is Tania and Arnav's son, when Tania died media made a big fuss about it, every news paper was publishing the same news, some were indicating Chottey and Tania's breakup to be the cause of her death, but it was entirely a different matter how she died. Media was all over AR at some point, trying to have a talk with Chottey, they even follow him to Shantivan. He was very angry he did file some case on channels harassing his privacy. After that he decided that he will not let Arush become the subject of such things. So he tried his best, all he can do, kept the media away from home and Arush. Only few people know about him at the office and few relatives, Chottey has strictly told everyone not to say a word about Arush to anyone."

Khushi was all sad hearing this, and felt sad for Arnav that it would be a very difficult time for him then.

"I so wish that chottey get settles in his life, he really needs someone in his life and also Arush needs a mother too.", said Anjali sadly. Khushi was not feeling comfortable talking about Arnav's life, someone will come in his life, she was feeling uneasy thinking that.

"He has you as a mother Anjali ji", Khushi said.

"Hmmm he does have me but what about later, when I get married and have kids of my own, I don't want him to feel neglected Khushi. I have seen kids in the Orphanage how they long for their mother and father; I don't want Arush to feel that. When he will grow up he will know that I am his bua not mother. What then? He will feel bad for not having a complete family. But chottey is against marriage", Said Anjali with moist eyes.

Khushi held her hand and said, "But Arnav sir did married to Tania so he will get married again at some point", Khushi said rather sadly.

"No Khushi, chottey never wanted to marry Tania or anyone else in the first place, he was kind of force into the situation", said Anjali sadly as she knew the reason.

Khushi astonished, "He didn't want to get married but then why he married Tania?".

Anjali looked into Khushi eyes, she defiantly saw concern and some emotions but it will be too soon to translate the meaning of them, she sighed and said, "I cant tell Khushi, its not my thing to tell". Khushi understood what she meant that if she want to know then she can only know it by Arnav himself, which is impossible. So she smiled a little and said, "Don't worry Anjali ji Devi Maiya will make everything all right, just have faith".

Anjali smiled at her and nods her head.

Arush was done with her milk and now was trying to get up, Khushi picks him up and rub his back, and he burps a little. Khushi smiles at him and make him stand on her lap. Arush was smiling and put his hand on her cheek then he leans in and place his mouth on Khushi's nose and bite her with his small teeth,

"Ouucchh ' you naughty baby", Khushi winced a bit and Anjali giggled at that.

At that time HP comes there and said to Anjali that Nani has asked both of them to come down for dinner. Anjali then gesture Khushi to come and have dinner, Khushi tried to refuse but Anjali didn't listen and drags Khushi with her.

Everyone seated at dining table. Anjali introduce Khushi to everyone. Khushi was sitting beside Anjali with Arush on her lap. Arnav sat exact opposite to Khushi. Nani, Anjali, Akash, Mama and Mami were smiling seeing Arush bonding so well with Khushi in just a little time.

"Wah bhai, little prince is enjoying his new company, haan", Akash said smilingly.

"Yes Akash, you know it's the first time someone else gave him bath and change his clothes other than me", Anjali said smilingly.

"Arey wah Arush bitwa itni jaldi gul mil gaya Khushi bitya k sath (wow, Arush has mingle with Khushi that quick)", said Nani surprisingly.

"Humari baat hi kuch aur hai Nani ji (well there is something about me)", Said Khushi chirping.

Arnav too had a smile on his face seeing his son with Khushi, but he had place his elbow on table and hand intertwined with each other near his chin that no one can see his smile.

Soon everyone starts with their dinner, Anjali notice that for time to time Arnav was throwing glances towards Khushi and Khushi too sometimes looks at Arnav in teasing and Angry way.

The dinner was finished and then Khushi handed Arsuh to Anjali. "Acha Anjali ji, hum chaltey hain (Ok Anjaliji I should go now), said Khushi.

"Khushi, its late you don't go alone, Akash can you drop Khushi", Anjali deliberately asked Akash to see Arnav's reaction. And yes she did see his jaw tightened.

"Nahi Anjali its ok ' hum khud chaplain jayein gey (No Anjali ji its ok, I can go by myself)", with that she gave angry glare t o Arnav.

And starts to move to front door, Arush who saw Khushi moving , wiggle in Anjali's arm and said in his baby voice "ta ta tat tata ta". Anjali got surprise because he says that when he wants that thing and as he pointing to Khushi that means he wants khushi. Khushi who mistook his ta ta ta to tata (saying bye) wave her hand to Arush and said "tata" and move ahead but then Arush starts to cry seeing Khushi move away.

Everybody got worry seeing him cry, Khushi who hear that come to Arush and Arush quickly extend his arms towards Khushi to take him which Khushi did and Arush place his head on Khushi chest and sob a little. Everyone looks at them with surprise evident from their face, Arnav was also thinking about Arush's behavior towards Khushi. Khushi tries to pacify him but he didn't stop then after thinking an idea. She held Arush in her arm few inches away from her and said in a stern voice pointing her index finger to his face, "Arush Singh Raizada ' you stop crying at once".

Arush stop crying at look at Khushi in surprise way, as nobody ever talk to him that way expect for Arnav who scold him once or twice. Everyone got surprise seeing Arush's response. Arnav too was amazed to see this. Khushi then whisper something into Arush's ear and Arush smile.

Anjali smile seeing this and asked, "kia baatain ho rahey hain wo bhi chupke, humain bhi toh pata chaley (what are you two talking and that too whispering, we should also know)".

"Anjali ji yeh humari aur ink dermiyan hain '. (paused) ' kion Chottey Singh Raizda (Anjali ji its between me and him ' (Paused) ' see Chottey Singh Raizada)".

"what the", Arnav exclaimed hearing that. But everyone laughs at this.

"You r too funny khushi bitya, chottey singh raizda kia naam hai (You are too funny Khushi dear, Chottey Singh Raizada What a name)", Maami said laughing a little.

"Kion nahi, akhir kis k baitey hain (why not, after all whose son he is) , said khushi and looked at Arnav in stern manner. Then she hands Arush to Anjali and said, "don't cry ok my handsome prince".

Arush wave his hand to Khushi, who in return pull his cheek and kiss on it. "Ok Anjali ji hum chaltey hein (Ok Anjali ji I should go now)". Said Khushi.

"Wait , ap akele nahi ja sakhti (wait you cannot go alone)... Akash please drop her" Anjali said and Akash stood up "ok di".

Khushi hurriedly went to Nani and touch her feet and then Mama's and Maami. "bitya Atey jatey rehiye ga, humein acha lagey ga (Dear do some again, I will be glad), said Nani while placing her hand on Khushi's head.

"ji zaroor Nani ji (yes sure Nani ji), Khushi said and bid everyone good bye and went to front door, Akash followed to drop her.

Nani, daikha ap ne Arush kitna gul mil gaya khushi se wo bhi itney kum samney mein (Nani, did u see how Arush got attached to Khushi and that too in a small time), said Anjali while looking at Nani.

Haan bitya, Khushi bitya bhut hi achi hai. Kion chottey? (yes dear, Khushi is a very nice girl, Chottey?)", Nani asked Arnav.

Arnav who don't know wat to think or do just say" whatever, and stood up and went to his room.

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Khushi was on her bed thinking while tossing her Om locket in her hand. Khushi knows things about Arnav which are only present in the newspaper and magazine. He was a private person and he doesn't like people discussing about his private life. At AR employees were strictly forbidden to discuss anything relating his personal life. He only mentioned once some of his likes in his interview after his first ever fashion show in India that too after constant insisting by the host. She knows his favorite color is red, he prefer black coffee (she always wonder why black coffee but now she knows the reason as he was diabetic), he like cars, adventures, traveling, Italian cuisine, basket ball his favorite sport ' thats it. Now finding today that Arnav has a son shocked her. She didn't know how to respond to this situation but she liked Arush very much and she was already missing him. She has always loved kids specially babies. She doesn't know what she is feeling toward Arush but something was defiantly there, a kind of warmth, a feeling, a connection. Thinking all that she slowly fall into sleep.

On the other hand Anjali was too engrossed different thoughts. She was standing near the crib her eyes on sleeping form of Arush but her mind was occupied by Khushi. She like her the instant she met her at the orphanage and then spending time with her confirm that she is defiantly a good human being and belong to a well and valued family. After having bad experiences in past she was too devastated of her life like Arnav but unlike him she accepts the situation later. She wanted to help needy people specially children as she very well know what is to be like on Orphan, that's why she choose sociology for her education in which she also study human behavior and psychology. And today seeing Arush's behavior towards Khushi, Khushi affection towards Arush and more importantly the silent exchange of looks between Arnav and Khushi didn't go unnoticed by her. She always wanted a girl like Khushi for her chottey. But now before thinking anything further or taking any decision she had to observe the two first. With thought in mind she finally went to sleep.

Arnav was on his bed with his one hand behind his head and other on chest, thinking about the happenings of the today. Seeing Khushi in his house had made some commotions in his feelings and emotions, and he can't put finger on what it is. He hates to admit it but he like her seeing with his son. Just like a mother to her son.

What the Hell I am thinking '. This girl surely make me mad someday thought Arnav and closes his eyes.

TO BE CONTINUED ... (next update on friday)

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