Chapter 34

Preethi gupta's words reverberated inside Kushi's mind as she stared at Arnav's candid eyes. She was still in Arnav's embrace, their faces an inch apart from each other's. She was caressing his cheek with her right hand unconsciously lost in his eyes. As her palm brushed his lips, he kissed it closing his eyes and breaking their eye lock.

Kushi jerked slightly when his warm lips touched her palm and then smiled as he opened his eyes. He held her hand as she tried to withdraw it back and kissed it again before wishing "I love you Kushi." His voice sounded magical and Kushi found herself smiling more at him.

If anyone had witnessed the content smile adoring her face now, then they would never believe that she was crying badly an hour back. Even Kushi forgot it. He made her to forget her sorrows by filling her heart with happiness. It reminded Kushi of the quote which she had read long time back.

Indeed he was very special to her. He is her life, her love and her husband. He is her everything. Today Kushi fell in love with Arnav yet again. "What are you thinking?" her husband's voice disturbed her train of thoughts. "Hmmm...Nothing ..." She began to reply moving out of his embrace. "I was thinking about maa..." Arnav got tensed hearing her mention about her mom but was little taken aback when she smiled.

"Whatever she had told about you is so accurate. I wonder how she managed to study you so well just in single encounter!" Kushi exclaimed as she sat on the bed. "What did she say about me?" Arnav asked her curiously standing in front of her. Kushi grinned getting up from bed and looped her arms around his neck resting her forehead on his.

"Mom said that 'go back to Arnav. He will take care of you in the way you deserved to be!'" she mimicked her mom's voice before pecking his lips with a kiss. Arnav replied her with a smile which turned into frown instantly. "Did she really say that?" he cautiously questioned his thoughts out. She nodded nuzzling her nose with his.

Arnav thanked Kushi's mom in his heart because he was sure that if not for her mom's word, otherwise Kushi would have never came back to him. He also promised her mom that he will take care of her daughter in the way she had wanted. "Arnav? You? There?" Kushi waved her hand in front of him breaking his trance. She wriggled her eyebrow asking him 'what-happened'.

He shook his head moving back. "Talking about your mom, I remembered one thing. Wait a minute." He turned and walked to their closet. "Birthday gift?!?" Kushi excitedly shouted moving close to him as he dug his drawer. "Not really! But I wanted to give it to you on your special day." Saying so, he handed over an envelope to her.

"A love letter!" Kushi deduced examining the closed envelope and both of them giggled at her silly guess. But her giggles died out as soon as she caught the glimpse of the envelope's content. She looked at Arnav in confusion and then again at hands. "A flight ticket to Mumbai!" She said uncertainly while he simply grinned at her.

"Go!" She looked up at him as soon as his voice reached her ears. "You wanted to stay there, right? How can I not fulfil my lovely pregnant wife's wish? Go and stay at your home, but only till your delivery? Okay?" He said to her making her more confused. "My wish?" She repeated his words in low voice trying to recollect the moment when she had said it. Then she remembered it. She said she wanted to live at Mumbai when Anjali offered her to stay at her home nearly three months back.

She had completely forgotten about it. But he remembered it. "I consulted doctor. She

said you can travel if you are comfortable. I already talked with nani and di. They are okay with it. They will join you shortly after prem's navarathri holiday starts. After that they will visit Mumbai every weekend. So pack your bags and get ready. We are leaving for Mumbai day after tomorrow." He explained to her.

"We?!?" She asked unsure of whether she heard him right or not. He looked at her perplexed form before exclaiming "you thought that i will allow you to stay alone? Seriously, Kushi?" Kushi showed his hand in front of him indicating him to stop talking and then asked "wait! Are you telling me that you are ready to stay at my home? A place built by Aditya Gupta and currently owned by Arjun Gupta?"

Arnav very well understood what she was trying to ask. He still hates Aditya and Arjun to the core. As much as he doesn't want to stay there, that much he wants to stay there for Kushi. He answered her "yes, it is my enemy's house. But what else I can do? I had fallen in love madly with my enemy's daughter!" Kushi grinned at him. "What about your work?"

"I can manage it from there. Actually i wanted us to move to Mumbai last month as soon as media came to know about her wedding. But due to work load I couldn't. I even informed your ram uncle. Everything is ready there. He is waiting for you..." He was clarifying her when he noticed her smile. Kushi was wondering how time can change so many things. Three months back, she badly wanted to leave for Mumbai. This place felt sick. But today Mumbai sounds like distant word.

"I don't want to go there!" she announced grinning ear to ear. "Kushi, don't think about anything else. I know you want to stay there. You were the one who said that house is filled with your mothers memory." He argued with her. "Yes Arnav, that day I was missing maa very much. So i said like that. But..." she moved forward and hugged him.

"But I don't think I miss her anymore; especially when i am with you." He looped his arms around her in delight. He added "okay, but think about it again. If you want to go home..." He stopped as her hold got tighten around his torso. She snuggled closer to him, hiding her face in his chest and breathing against his skin, she declared "i am already home."

"nani!" Kushi called out loud making elder lady to turn around and give a warm smile. Kushi tried to bend down to take devyani's blessing when the elder lady stopped her and caressed her cheeks saying "god bless you dear. Always be happy." Kushi replied with a smile and opened her mouth to say something when Anjali interrupted them.

"Happy birthday kushiji." she wished Kushi flashing her famous cheeky smile.

"Thanks di." Kushi replied with same enthusiasm before giving her a hug. "nani and di, i am sorry..." Kushi began to talk when Anjali interrupted her again by holding her hand.

"It's okay, kushiji. Chotey told us about your mother. We understand. No need to apologize for it." Anjali said gently squeezing kushi's hand. Kushi looked at Arnav who was descending the steps and then turned to devyani.

"i think he misunderstood what you had said nani. You asked him not to let me do any work. But he is not even allowing me to apologize for the mistake i did." Kushi pouted making other two to giggle. "i am really sorry for the way i behaved yesterday. For past 22 years, I had always celebrated my birthday with mom alone. But that time, i wanted to celebrate it with my family. This year i have a family but mom is not with me. How strange life is know, nani?"

Kushi bit her lower lip trying to control her tears when Anjali quickly changed the topic. "kushiji, you really look stunning in saree! Isn't it, chotey?" She asked Arnav who had just come there. "Beautiful..." Arnav complimented looking at intently making her go red. This is the second time he is seeing her in saree. "You should wear it more often." Anjali commented.

"Thanks." Kushi replied blushingly before adding "maa always said that we should wear saree when we go to temple!" Devyani and Anjali were little surprised because an hour before Arnav had said that she won't be coming to temple. "You are coming to pooja." it was question rather than a statement. "Of course i am! I am the only daughter-in-law of the house and also this pooja is conducted especially for me. How can i miss it?"

"Ram uncle, you are here? You didn't even tell me about it when you called me today morning?" Kushi asked as soon as she saw the elder man. He rolled his eyes towards Arnav and then enveloping Kushi in side hug, he said "happy birthday Kushi bitiya. I thought you will be coming Mumbai tomorrow, so i decided to stay there to make arrangements. But today morning Arnav informed me that you are not coming tomorrow but asked me to join your birthday party today. So i came. How was the pooja?"

"It went well. How is Mumbai? How is aunty? You could have brought her know. It has been long since i saw her." Kushi sulked and Arnav made mental note of what he heard and was about to leave the room when her question stopped him. "How is arjun?" Last thing Arnav had known about arjun is that he is suffering from mental illness and is under treatment. Thinking that it would be inappropriate to listen to their conversation he left the room to prepare for small party only with family members; a small family affair like Kushi had termed it earlier.

Ram replied "his condition has become worse. He has become more violent now and hurts whoever goes near him; especially the one who asks him to do things. Doctor said that since he is not used to be bossed around and those four months in prison had resulted in severe mental depression. His current violent behaviour is the consequence of that depression. Let's see what happens!" Kushi nodded in deep concentration.

"Can't you understand if I say it once? I said I will not cut this cake. Understood?" Kushi yelled at Arnav making him to take a deep breath to control his anger. Cursing his fate under his breath, he turned to Kushi and began to speak in calm tone. "What's your problem Kushi? I called you and asked which flavour you prefer and you were the one who asked me to buy whatever I want, didn't you?"

"If someone asks one's preference, everyone replies like that. It's a formality. But being loving husband, what you should have done? You should have bought me my favourite one." She argued back making him to boil in anger.

"Give me a break, Kushi. How can you expect me to buy your favourite one when i don't even know it? Every girl loves chocolate flavour, so I thought i will buy it for you..." he tried to reason out but stopped when Kushi gave deathly glare and stepped closer to him angrily.

"How dare you compare me with some random girl? I am not some random girl. I am your wife! Do you even remember it, Mr. Raizada?" Kushi asked standing dangerously closer to him and then commented "and i hate chocolate cakes!"

Arnav looked at his impossibly crazy wife whose mood swings was at the peak and then rolled his eyes helplessly to his sister and grandmother, who stood there still squeezing their lips together and trying hard not to laugh out loud while prem and pia wondered why their mami is fighting with their mama instead of cutting yummy looking chocolate cake.

"Kushi betiya loves mango cakes." Ram uncle announced gaining everyone's attention. He was little taken back witnessing kushi's anger for the first time. Arnav rolled his eyes back to his wife who made a face noticing his gaze. Shaking his head in disbelief, Arnav said "fine, you want mango cake! I will order for it now."

"No need for it. I have already brought it." All four of them turned to the source of voice in surprise and then got shocked while two kids jumped excitedly shouting "Lavanya mami!"

"Lavanya!" both Arnav and Kushi exclaimed together, one in surprise and other in happiness. Arnav watched in astonishment as Kushi almost ran towards the new member and hugged her. "Happy birthday Kushi!" Lavanya exclaimed in her cheerful voice hugging her. "Thank you Lavanya. Did you really bought mango cake?" Kushi asked Lavanya who confirmed it again.

Kushi turned back to her husband and said "see, Arnav. She too called me and asked what cake I want. I replied whatever she prefers just like I said to you. But look, she had brought my favourite cake and YOU?" Kushi heaved an angry sigh. Lavanya shifted uncomfortably as everyone's eyes fell on her.

Lavanya began to elaborate "Well... actually I guessed that Arnav would have brought chocolate cake for Kushi. During our college whenever we celebrated anyone's birthday, he always brought chocolate cake. That's why! And also mango cakes..." Arnav cut off Lavanya saying "mango cakes are your favourite too." Lavanya smiled at Arnav while Kushi got excited.

"You too love mango cakes! That's great! You..." Kushi was stopped by Arnav who held her elbow after standing next to her. "What a surprise Lavanya? You didn't even inform me?" Arnav questioned her in tone which clearly displayed displeasure. He was happy to see her nearly after two months but something was disturbing him. Can it be termed as his loyalty towards Kushi? he wondered.

Lavanya rolled her eyes to Kushi who replied "surprise for you. I only asked her to not inform you. I thought you would be happy to see her." Then turning to others, she continued "nani and di, Lavanya will stay here, with us, for few days. I hope you don't mind." Kushi asked making puppy face. Anjali and devyani had always loved Lavanya and believe that what Arnav had done with her is injustice.

They both agreed to it immediately. While Lavanya took blessings from Devyani, Kushi ordered Hari Prakash to keep Lavanya's things in guest room. After exchanging pleasantries with Anjali and kids, Lavanya thanked Kushi for inviting her. Then Kushi cut the cake in presence of people who she considers as her own family.

"Before you ask me any question, first let me explain!" Kushi said as soon as they both reached their room. "You better do that!" Arnav said in irritated tone. Kushi began to speak. "Actually last week, when i called Lavanya, she told me that she will be returning back to Delhi this week. But she refused my offer to stay with us. She said that she wanted to be alone for some more time and so staying in her apartment will be best thing for her. That's when i understood her situation."

"After you ditched me, i always preferred to stay alone, Arnav. For one week i didn't even talk with maa. It is true that we find some solace in solitude. I thought it will strengthen me. But in reality solitude increases our pain and weakens us. I was getting more depressed and angry as days passed though i acted like i am strong. But when i came here, within ten days, i felt change in myself."

"Your people's love and concern helped me to forget and forgive the past. What can help us to forget bad past other than happy present? You told me that after Lavanya gained her memory, she wanted to move out of this house, correct? I can bet that she is still undergoing all pain in solitude though she puts brave mask in front of everyone. Only we can help her. She needs us Arnav; she needs our love."

Arnav nodded in deep concentration. What Kushi had said felt right. Even though Lavanya tries to be happy, he can still sense pain behind her smiles. May be this can work out. And he will be the happiest person if he gets his friend back which he had lost six years ago. "i think you are right, Kushi. Maybe this is what she needs." Kushi flashed a smile and gave him 'i-told-you-so' look.

Suddenly his concern for Lavanya got replaced by his love for Kushi. How can one be so self-less? Even after everything happened she still thinks about other people's happiness. She cries in middle of night thinking about her mom and next morning she tries to make other's happy. A proud feeling overtook him as he thought that she was his wife.

"i am sure this will work. Just wait and watch, she will be back to normal very soon." Kushi exclaimed and turned to take her night clothes from closet. "And what about you Kushi?" his question made her to stop in tracks. "What about you, Kushi? Are you okay with this? Are you fine with Lavanya staying here, with us under same roof?" He asked worriedly and noticed that her face fell down for a second increasing his worries but she quickly regained her composure.

"What's there to worry? She is your friend, Arnav. i think i can trust you and our love this much!" Kushi answered him with a smile. Then grabbing clothes from closet, she continued "and also it is not like that you are going to fall head-over-heels in love with her just in few days!"

"What if it happens?" Kushi froze hearing his question and turned to notice that he was standing dangerously closer to her. "it won't." Her breath fell on his face. "What if?" He raised his eyebrow looking straight into her eyes. "Answer me, kushi." he rested his forehead on hers.

"It won't happen. Even...if it happens,..." She stammered. "If you think that you will be happier with her, then i won't stand in between you two. Your happiness is more important for me. And I will leave." she replied avoiding looking into his eyes. Arnav nodded "i guessed you will say this!"

"Ouch...Kushi..." Arnav shouted as Kushi twisted his earlobe. "So you expected me to say this?" She pushed him away. Pinching his arm with her nails, she screamed "What do you think of me? A serial heroin? You shameless! You are married and going to become a father but still looking for a chance!"

"Listen, I let Lavanya to stay here only because she needs us badly. That never means you can take advantage of it. Stay away from her. I don't know anything about Lavanya. So I don't trust her. i trust only you on this matter. If Lavanya comes to you or you go to Lavanya, on either case, it will be you who will get killed by me. Understood? STAY AWAY FROM HER." Kushi spat out furiously in single breath while Arnav stared at her in shock.

After so many years, today Lavanya felt home. Leaning back on the closed door, she looked at the room which was once her room. She was the one who adamantly wanted to leave this house, two years back. If she had not taken any decision, then today she might have been in some other room; place where she actually belongs.

Putting her thoughts away, she started to unpack her stuff. She almost finished arranging her clothes on closet when someone knocked the door. "Lavanya, can i come in?" Anjali's voice boomed inside the silent room. "haan di, what's the matter? Hi pia!" Lavanya greeted Anjali and pia as they stepped inside her room.

Anjali noticed neatly arranged closet and then opened suit case and then at some clothes scattered on bed. She spoke "so you finished unpacking? Uff... actually I thought I will help you." Lavanya beamed a smile. "It's okay di! So how is your work going?" She asked Anjali and soon both of them were engrossed in talk about how women are badly treated in India and what can women welfare association do for it. Lavanya explained how their organisation helps those victims.

"Mama's photo." Pia exclaimed happily grabbing other's attention. Anjali looked at the suitcase where pia pointed and noticed single sheet of news paper, bearing Arnav's photo, stuffed in one corner. Anjali took the paper out and asked "this is news about chotey and kushiji's marriage which came nearly a month back. What are you doing with it, Lavanya?"

"Nothing di! Their photo looked nice, so thought of keeping it." Lavanya replied to which Anjali smiled. They talked for another twenty minutes after which Anjali and pia retired to their room. Cursing her carelessness under her breath, she grabbed the news paper sheet and was about to throw it when the title caught her eyes again. "Secretly married!" in spite of number of times Lavanya had read that news in last one month, it still hurts her.

Her eyes wandered over the individual picture of Arnav and Kushi which was printed on one side of article with heartin shape border and then to picture where Kushi stands smiling in between her parents and her brother. The article read...

Lavanya couldn't read further as her eyes got clogged with fresh tears. She rolled her eyes to the photo where Kushi was smiling ear to ear holding Arjun's hand. 'The photo taken at late Aditya Gupta's 50 birthday party' read the caption.

Tears began to roll down Lavanya's cheeks. 'lie,lie,lie' her whole life was surrounded by lies. She closed her eyes as Arjun, Aditya and Kushi's words reverberated in her mind.

Wiping her tears, she stood up. After reading that article, Lavanya never intended to return back to Delhi; to their life. But what Kushi is doing, didn't leave Lavanya with any other choice expect to come back. She is here only for Arnav and she won't back off this time that too when her Arnav needs her help. yes, arnav needs her help and she will be there for him.

will come back soon to close remaining loopholes😉