Chapter 12

Chapter 11

Khushi's first stop on her way home was the temple. Ever since Shashi and Garima had adopted her, Khushi had developed an immense faith in God. She believed that God always took care of her and that's why despite such tragic circumstances, he had sent guardian angels in the form of Shashi and Garima into her life, who not only adored her but also loved and treated her exactly the way they treated Payal, their own flesh and blood. 

In the past, whenever Khushi had some kind of worry or was in some kind of dilemma she would visit this temple. She would try her level best to coax and cajole God into giving her what she wanted. Sometimes she would even barter favors. Once she promised God that she would come to the temple barefoot if she passed her exams with distinction. The barter seemed to work and Khushi was the highest scoring student in the entire institute. Her parents were extremely proud and Khushi was ecstatic. Needless to say, the next day she walked barefoot to the temple. 

Over the years, her faith had strengthened. She was religious, she followed all the rituals and she believed that in turn God would watch over her. That he would take care of her little needs and wants and when the time was right, he would send a prince into her life, one who would complete her in every way, take care of her small whims and fancies and be there for her when she needed him. 

These were the thoughts running in Khushi Kumari Gupta's head when she was climbing the white marbled steps that led to the altar of her favorite God, the same one who Khushi now felt refused to watch over her and allowed a monster such as Arnav Singh Raizada to take advantage of her helpless situation. 

Standing in front of her Devi Maiyya's idol, Khushi was having a mental tiff with her. This was her last visit to Devi Maiyya ever, Khushi told her. Because Devi Maiyya had abandoned her in her hour of desperate need. She wanted to question her beloved Devi Maiyya as to why she had allowed something so terrible to happen in her life.

"This is the last time I will be coming to you", Khushi told Devi Maiyya. "I won't come back here, ever, not even if you call me." And yet, as she thought of not visiting Devi Maiyya ever, a lump formed in her throat. 

She would need someone with her throughout her journey. There was a very strong possibility that after what she was going to do, Shashi and Garima might break all ties with her. She might have no one to call family. And the sheer thought of being alone in the world until the end of time broke the dam of tears Khushi was desperately trying to hold in and Khushi wept profusely in front of the only person who knew exactly what was happening and why. She couldn't carry out her threat. She needed a friend. She needed Devi Maiyya. 

An hour or so later, Khushi was simply sitting in a corner of the temple, resting her head against one of its carved pillars, silently contemplating what the future had in store for her. After what seemed like eternity, she got up, ready to go home. Her steps felt heavy as though her feet had shackles. But she couldn't turn her back to Devi Maiyya. She looked at the idol and prayed. "Please take care of me wherever I am about to go. I don't know what the future holds for me, but you do. Please take care of me. Please."

This time there was no barter, no incentive. Just a silent plea for help because there was no one else Khushi could go to. 

*****

When Khushi reached home her father was just preparing to leave the house to look for her.

"Its been more than two hours since you left with Arnav Singh Raizada for a cup of tea. And you didn't even take your cell phone with you when you left.  Where've you been?" questioned a worried Garima. She knew she was being unreasonable. Khushi rarely gave them a reason to be worried and yet she had a sense of something untoward having taken place. 

Khushi put on a bright fake smile and told her parents to stop worrying. "Arnav Singh Raizada was the same man I accidentally bumped into on the night Payal's wedding at the fashion show. He came to meet me today to offer me the job of a Trainee Designer at AR Designs", she completed in one breath. She wasn't lying, merely omitting the most crucial details.

Her parents were ecstatic. Their daughter's talent had finally found the right place. AR was a multinational company. The newspapers were filled with speculations about AR's latest expansion into the European Markets. This would be the perfect opportunity for their daughter. She would finally get a platform to show the world her talent. They were both emotional.

"Khushi I always knew that you were God's special child. And that he would always watch over you. I am so happy that you have been presented with this opportunity. Make the most of it. I am sure you will do very well. You are both talented and hardworking. And now you have the ideal platform to showcase your talent. Don't let it get away. Make the most of it. Our blessings are always with you." Saying this, Shashi Gupta got up to give his favorite girl a bear hug. Unable to contain his sentiments, he was about to make his way out, when Khushi stopped him.

"Dad, I haven't completed what I wanted to say. Mr Raizada has offered me the position but unfortunately for that I need to move to New Delhi. I tried asking him if I could work from their Lucknow office and he refused. I really didn't have much of a choice but to agree."

Shashi was a bit concerned. He had anticipated the occasional travel but moving alone to an entire different city didn't sit too well with him. "Can I take a look at your contract?", Shashi asked.

"I don't have a copy with me right now but Mr Raizada said that he will bring it along tomorrow morning when he comes to visit."

"And why will Mr Raizada be visiting us tomorrow morning?", inquired a genuinely puzzled Shashi. 

"Because he has bought the land our shop is on and all the surrounding land around it. He might want to discuss terms of the new lease agreement with you."

"Since when have you known that the land on which our shop is situated is for sale?"

"Since two days Dad, but I couldn't tell you anything as I didn't know who the buyers were. But I did speak to Mr Raizada about it and he has assured me that the terms of the lease will be very reasonable. Mr Raizada is a very kind hearted person", said Khushi not believing a word of the last sentence she spoke. 

Shashi Gupta however, believed every word that came out of Khushi's mouth. He knew his daughter didn't lie. "God has been very kind to us Garima by sending Mr Raizada into our lives. He has not only ensured a bright future for Khushi but has also come into our lives like an angel when we didn't know where to go. I will forever be indebted to him for this favor."

Khushi heard her father profusely heaping praises on Arnav Singh Raizada. She couldn't deal with it. Her parents were making him out to be some sort of a demi-God when in reality, he was a near cousin of the devil. Before she lost her cool and told her parents the truth regarding Arnav Singh Raizada, she quickly excused herself under the pretext of having to get ready and pack. She told them that she would have to leave the day after.

Shashi laughed mistaking her urgency for excitement. "I am so happy for her Garima", said Shashi once he was sure that Khushi was out of earshot. "I always wanted to do the best for her but felt that our financial circumstances might become a hindrance to her succeeding in life. I will always be grateful to God for having found a way to ensure a future filled with happiness for my daughter. Khushi is truly a special child and I am proud of the fact that I am the man who raised her."

Garima too had tears in her eyes. Tears of joy. She agreed with everything her husband said. She had hoped and prayed that Khushi would find all the success and happiness in life and today her prayers had been answered. She would send an extra batch of ladoos to the temple as offering. God had indeed been extremely kind and merciful to them.

Shashi and Garima sat on the verandah of their house reminiscing instances from Khushi's past when Garima excused herself under the pretext of wanting to help Khushi pack. The truth was that she wanted to spend the last few hours of her daughter with her. She didn't know when she would get to see her again and she truly hoped it would be sooner rather than later. 

Chapter 12: http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4343261&TPN=19