Chapter 6

A/N:  Due to the last update being delayed, I decided to post this one earlier than usual. 

Also, I would like to dedicate this early update to one of my precious readers, BSRaizada (Bhaktiii) whose birthday is on 19th April. 

 Happy Birthday, dear!  

I know the birthday is on 19th but since I will most probably be not available on the big day, kindly accept my best wishes in advance. I wish you the happiest and the most joyful birthday ever. Keep smiling hamesha! 

And now, the chapter!

Chapter 6

Arnav started the car after Khushi tied her seatbelt.

"He is busy attending to Malik Uncle or I would have asked him"

"But she told me she wanted to walk home when I offered to drive her"

So, she was purposely looking for ways to spend time with him. This was new. Arnav didn't know what to make of it.

He had tried to act harsh with her. Had even almost warned her to mind her own business. But why was she still trying to interfere?

A small part of him felt pleased by the attention. For whatever reason, she was willing to spend time with him. But, it was risky too. Talking to her from hundreds of kilometres away was easy. Now he was here, and he didn't want to mess anything up. There was already enough mess in his life.

Khushi was a good girl. A good person. And Akash's best friend. Also, from what he had heard through the grapevine and seen in the last two days, she was close to Birendra Singh Malik and Doctor Kumar.

In every way, she was a blaring warning sign for him. If only it were easier for him to heed this warning sign.

Since the very first meeting she had left a mark on his heart. A small girl standing up to an angry young boy without any fear of consequence! She was a loyal friend. Someone Arnav didn't have in his life. He had friends in Delhi. But, no one who would stand up for him like Khushi had stood up before him for Akash.

He had been intrigued by her and when he had come back to Delhi her thought hadn't vanished from his mind. Maybe over the years he would have stopped thinking about her. But, Akash wouldn't let him. Every year he visited and stayed with him, his talks will be full of Khushi. Listening about her always made Arnav want to talk to her. To know if she still considered him a Rakshas! He didn't want to be a rakshas! That's what her mother had once called her father in her rare angry fits. 

So, when Khushi had used the same word for him, it had struck deep. He had been desperate to do anything to prove that he wasn't a rakshas.  So, he had befriended Akash. At one point of time, he had also wanted to be Khushi's friend. To sit with her and talk. To describe his day to her and listen about her day. So, when on his first visit to Delhi Akash had told him that it was Khushi's birthday in a few days he had got the opportunity to win Khushi's favour. He had bought the best gift he could think of. Akash had told him how much Khushi liked stuffed toys. He had gone with the driver himself and selected a teddy for her and then had it couriered to Lucknow.

He had told Akash about it only after sending it. Akash had been overjoyed.

"That's such a nice surprise, Bhai. Khushi would love it. Did you also write my name on the card? Or she would get upset with me"

"I didn't write any name". 

"Then it is fine. She wouldn't know who sent it" Akash's grin had been wide.

For some reason, Arnav didn't like that idea. But, he had nodded anyway.

Akash's words had turned out to be true, though. Khushi had directly assumed that the gift had come from Akash.

Arnav had been disappointed. But how did it matter? She liked the gift. She had it. That's what was important. The trend had continued for another two years before Akash had said he wanted to send the gifts himself. In fact, he had suggested that both of them send separate gifts. Arnav had outright rejected the idea saying he had always sent the gifts only on his behalf. Now that Akash wanted to do it himself, he wasn't going to send any gift.

So, he hadn't. But, he had called her every year, nonetheless, unable to resist doing that. And now, he was here sitting next to her in a car.

He still felt drawn to her. Still wanted to know what she thought of him. But, the risks were too many. The boundaries were too many.

"This year you wouldn't have to call me on my birthday" Khushi said after a few minutes had ticked by, and she realized he wouldn't speak unless spoken to.

He gave her a quick look and then went back to looking at the road.

 "It is in four days" She exclaimed, sure it would earn some response from him. 

"I know" was all he said. So, Khushi finally decided to say what she wouldn't have otherwise.

"By the way, I know that it was you who had sent me the teddy bear on my birthday. Akash had told me when he had come back. You always helped him with the gifts".

Arnav's head finally turned towards her, and he stared at her. 

"He is my brother. Of course, I helped him" He answered flatly and went back to staring at the road ahead.

Khushi realized it was going to be hard to talk to him about anything serious. He wasn't even willing to open up about these trivial things. He had sent her gifts and called her every year. That surely meant he was a considerate person. He cared about Akash and by extension cared about her too as she was Akash's friend.

So, why is he making it so hard for her to talk to him? Just when she was about to give up for today, he looked at her again.

"What else did Akash tell you?" He asked.

Khushi smiled brightly.

"Everything! He told me that you bought the gift because he had forgotten. You also bought the gifts the next year and the year after that. It was much later that his highness finally cared enough to buy the gifts himself" Khushi continued, chuckling.

Arnav's fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Obviously, Akash would have told her. He told Khushi every stupid thing. So, this shouldn't even be a surprise, and he couldn't help but feel let down again. She has known all along but never asked him why he cared to send those gifts to her, or why he called her every year. Why would she? She must have chalked everything up to him being the generous elder brother of Akash. Good that he confirmed it for her. 

He realized she was waiting for a response. What's the point of responding? The wise thing to do is to ignore her like she has ignored him all along. But, why is she showing this sudden interest now? He cannot risk anything now. If she wants his friendship, she is too late. Time has never been on their side. Had it been, he would have met her sooner, before he left Lucknow, and before she developed a bond with his brother.

"We need to turn right from here" She said, and he turned right.

Another minute passed by, and it looked like she was going to say something again. Arnav was glad when her phone interrupted her.

"Hello, Babuji" She said.

"Yes, I know. I will be there in ten minutes. Yes, I am not alone. No. Akash was busy...I will explain later, Babuji. You just wash the vegetables and keep them ready. Don't start cooking, okay? I don't like your way of making curry. I will be there shortly" She said and disconnected.

 Whatever she was going to say earlier, she didn't seem to care now.

"Can you take a left from here, Arnavji? It is a short-cut. We will face a lot of traffic in Aminabad at this hour" She asked him.

He obliged and watched her checking her phone.

It was about 8:00 p.m. now.

"It's alright. We will reach there in a few minutes" He felt the need to say.

"I know. It's just that I forgot to keep the leftovers in the fridge. It's gone bad and Babuji must be hungry" She said, smiling faintly at him.

Arnav nodded his head and watched her fidget. Should he say something? He had noticed how she had looked at him when he was coming back from Amra Kunj. She knew where he had been and thankfully hadn't asked him anything. She knew this pain.

It was about three and a half years ago when Garima Gupta had passed away due to stroke. Khushi had been devastated and when Arnav had learnt of the news, he had desperately wanted to come. He knew the pain of losing one's mother, and he had wanted to be by her side, to tell her that she will get through the pain eventually. It will never go but will become dull, bearable. He had felt a strong need to be physically beside her to know she was doing alright.

"Nani, I am going to Lucknow tomorrow" He had walked into Devyani Singh Raizada's room.

To say that Devyani Singh Raizada was shocked was an understatement. She had instantly sat up and looked at him with bewilderment.

"What is wrong with you, Chote? Why will you do that? Why will you go there? Your fath.." She had begun.

"He is not my father. I hate him, Nani. I am not going to meet him. I wouldn't even go to the Mahal. I have some other...work" He had said. 

His Nani had shaken her head.

"What other work? What can be so important that you will step in that wretched city, Chote? You think you can go there and escape the misfortune that city is full of? Whatever work it is, leave it. Just the thought of you being in that city makes my heart terrified, Chote" His Nani had walked up to him and caressed his cheek.

Arnav had understood his Nani's fears. But, he wanted to see Khushi and make sure she was okay.

"I know, Nani. But, I will be back within a day. It's just a site that I have had in mind for very long. I plan to construct a school there. A school under Ma's name" He had supplied the small bit of information to his Nani. It was an idea that had been in his mind for a very long time. It could serve as the best excuse to go to Lucknow and see Khushi.

Because, as much as he wanted to be honest with his Nani, he knew she would not understand why he wanted to see Khushi. Anything that had anything to do with Lucknow was bad luck according to his Nani. And he himself didn't understand why he was so desperate to see her. How can he convince his Nani about something he himself wasn't sure of?

"That's good, Chote. Very good. But, you don't have to go there. Send someone else. I don't want you in that city as long as your father is alive. He is..he is a monster, Chote. Once he finds out that you are in the city, he will do his best to hurt you. I cannot let you go anywhere near him. I allowed Sujata to do that. I let her marry him and look where it led her? She is dead, Chote! I lost her because I didn't listen to my heart. I let her do what she wanted. But, you..don't go there, Chote. I cannot lose you too. You cannot go" His Nani's eyes had moistened, and she looked at him with pleading eyes.

It made him unsure. She might be right. Akash will be there at Khushi's house. What if he forced him to go to the Mahal? Will he be able to deny his brother? Akash can be persuasive if he wants to be. What if Akash tries to emotionally blackmail him into going to the Mahal?  The situation can get complicated. 

"Nani.."

"Don't hurt me, Chote. Just the thought of you going there hurts me. Please don't go. I need you here with me. Promise me that you won't go" His Nani had held his hand in hers and looked at him with hopeful eyes.

"I won't go" He had finally said and walked out of the room. The site for the school had been inspected by his men and finalized.

That day, Arnav had decided that he will personally oversee the construction of the school. Whenever it happens!

It was going to happen now. Now, that Birendra Singh Malik was dying, and he was finally here.

"We're going to be late" Arnav watched as Khushi looked at her watch again and bit her lip in worry. The road was blocked by heavy traffic on this route as well.

She looked concerned about his Babuji's dinner. He looked around. The traffic didn't seem to be moving. He put the car in reverse gear and started driving back to the main road.

Khushi looked at him confused.

"The main road will also be jammed" She said.

"I know. Just hold on" He said.

Reaching the main road, Arnav stopped the car on the side of the road.

"Arnavji, we're getting la.." Khushi said when she noticed him undoing his seat belt.

"The traffic is anyway not moving, Khushi. Just give me ten minutes" He said and stepped out in the city.

~~**~~

Birendra Singh Malik climbed down the bed and walked to the chair placed by the window. Putting away the walking stick, he slowly settled into the chair. The window was open and he could see the sprawling lawn from it. He was glad Dr. Kumar had allowed him to stay in this guest room on the ground floor. It will allow him to move easily, to finally be able to walk around the Mahal again. He was fond of walking. There was no piece of land on this 300 acres property that he hadn't traversed a hundred times already. Most of the land was taken up by the orchards behind the Mahal and the garden ahead. 

There was also a small outhouse on the extreme end of the property that had served as lodgings for staff that managed the orchards in the older times. But, it had gone out of use for the last forty years. The staff now lived in new quarters constructed closer to the orchards.

Sitting by the window in his chair, Birendra Singh Malik could mentally picture the entire property, could relive every place that had once been his sanctuary. As a child in the Mahal, his life had been prodigal. His father was a very wealthy man who liked to throw lavish parties and invite gentry from all over the city and neighbouring cities to come and revel in the palace. Birendra Singh Malik had also been fond of these parties. As a growing lad, he loved the attention he was showered upon by everyone. But, his father would always caution him.

"You're the pride of this Mahal, Birendra. These people who show you so much respect only do that because you're a Malik. Always remember that! The Malik name commands fear and respect in the city. It will be your responsibility to keep it feared and respected in the future as well. After me, you have to safeguard this Mahal's prestige"

Those words had often been repeated to him by his father. They had been repeated again when he had left the city and the country for higher studies in America.

Birendra Singh Malik had done his best to follow through those words. He had kept the promise he had made to his father. 

The Malik name was still respected. The Mahal still held its prestige. 

But, it had demanded sacrifices.  Both by choice and compulsion, Birendra Singh Malik had made every sacrifice. 

But, where did it lead him? He had proved to be a good son but a bad father. His own son hated him. 

"Baba" Akash's voice allowed Birendra Singh Malik to come out of his gloomy thoughts.

He turned his head and saw Akash walking in with a glass of juice and some medicines.

"Not again" He said, making an unhappy face at the sight of the medicines.

"These are the ones you need to take before your dinner. Dr. Kumar prescribed new ones. He said these will supplement the new medicines you're already taking" Akash said, trying to sound encouraging and Malik didn't comment further on it.

"Alright" He said and took the medicines and the juice.

Akash watched his father swallow the tablets and then slowly drink the juice.

He took the glass back and put it away. Then he walked to the chair Birendra Singh Malik was sitting in and sat down beside him on the floor.

"Okay" Birendra Singh Malik said, looking at Akash with a crooked smile.

"What do you want this time?" He asked his son.

Akash laughed softly, placing his hands on his father's knees and looking up at him.

"Why do you think I want something?" He asked.

"For one, you're sitting on the floor like that. That's your favourite strategy. Trying to appear like a kid before me, so I would listen to your demands" Birendra Singh Malik leaned forward, placing a hand on his son's head, ruffling his hair.

"I am a kid! Haven't you heard that dialogue? Children are always children for their parents?" Akash said, smiling mischievously.

"Sure, kid! Go ahead. Ask me anything!" Birendra Singh Malik said, relaxing back in his chair.

Akash counted to three in his head and then loosed a short breath. Then, he looked at his father's kind and smiling face.

"I want to know everything, Baba"

The smile from Birendra Singh Malik's face vanished.

"I always respected the unspoken boundaries, Baba. I never asked you because I always thought you would tell me when you thought the time is right. But, now..the time is...I want to know, Baba. Please" Akash reached and took his father's shaking hands in his.

"Akash.." Birendra Singh Malik's voice cracked.

"If you tell me I can talk to Bhai, Baba. I can persuade him to talk to you, to solve all the problems. I just need to know. After that, I will take care of everything" Akash's voice became urgent, and he pressed his father's hands, urging him to talk.

"It's not that simple, Akash. If I tell you, you'll..you'll hate me too. I cannot lose both my sons" Malik's voice turned agonized, as if he could already picture Akash hating him.

"Why, Baba? Why will I hate you? You know that I can never hate you" Akash said, looking earnestly at his father.

"You will, Akash" Malik's voice became forceful and dejected at the same time.

"No, Baba. That will never happen. I can never hate..."

"Even if I tell you that Sujata died because of me?" Malik stood up from the chair.

Akash was stunned into momentary silence.

"Yes, she killed herself because of me. I am the reason behind her death" Malik said, turning his face away from his son.

Akash shook his head. That cannot be true. Why will Sujata aunty kill herself because of her husband?

"Baba, I am sure there is a lot more. What exactly happened? Why did Sujata aunty.."

Malik turned back towards Akash and noticed the guilt spread on his face.

"It is a long story, Akash! I don't know how much I can tell you without losing all the respect you have for me. But, if you want to know..if you really want to know, I will tell you" Birendra Singh Malik said, his face grave and solemn.

Akash could see his request was taking a heavy toll on his father, but he couldn't help it. He knew there was very little he could do without knowing the entire truth.

He stood up and walked to his father.

"I really want to know, Baba. I know it is hard for you to talk about this, but I am here for you. No matter what you tell me, I promise you that nothing will change my love and trust in you" Akash said and Malik smiled weakly.

"Don't promise me anything, son! If you hate me after knowing everything I think it wouldn't be wrong of you. I wouldn't blame you just like I don't blame Arnav. He..he has suffered a lot because of me. His hate is justified. But, being the selfish man I am, I still yearn his forgiveness. I still want to hold him in my arms and tell him how sorry I am! I want to tell him that he will always be my son and I will always love him" Malik carried on in his emotional state, his eyes glistening with tears.

"Baba.." Akash tried to speak.

"I am okay, Akash! I know what I have to do. I will tell you everything but before that, there is something else that I need to do. Can you call Mr. Siddiqui for a meeting tomorrow?" Birendra Singh Malik composed himself and placed a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Right away, Baba" Akash answered, feeling both relaxed and tensed at the same time. 

"Good. I want to sit in the library after dinner. Will you come and help me later?" The old man asked.

"Sure, Baba" Akash replied and turned to leave.

"Akash" Malik called after him.

Akash turned towards his father and watched his conflicted face.

"Where is your brother?" Malik asked after a second's pause.

Akash smiled before answering.

"Chowk"

"Chowk?" Malik asked.

"He went to drop Khushi home" Akash explained.

Malik's face turned curious.

"Khushi and Arnav? Are they friends?" He asked.

"I hope so, Baba" Akash replied promptly.

"Yes, I hope so too. It would be good if Khushi gets along with Arnav. After all, they will be related in future" Malik answered, smiling.

Akash looked at his father in confusion.

"Related? What do you mean, Baba?" He asked.

"Nothing that you have to worry about at the moment! Go on! See if Kumar is around. Tell him I need to discuss some things with him" Birendra Singh Malik replied but Akash stood looking at his father.

"Go on! And don't forget to call Mr. Siddiqui. I will see you at dinner time" Malik said and Akash nodded his head.

As he walked out of the room still thinking about his father's comment, the realization dawned upon him.

Was his father hinting at a possible alliance between Khushi and him?

~~**~~

Khushi impatiently waited in the car, tapping her foot. The traffic was finally moving and Arnav still wasn't back. Should she call him? If whatever he was doing was going to take more time, she can take a rickshaw from here. She really needed to get home and start preparing dinner. Just as she was about to take out her phone and call Arnav, the car's door opened and he got in.

"Here" He extended two poly-bags towards her, and she looked at him confusingly.

"What's this?" She asked, looking into the bag while he started the car.

"Dinner" He said and Khushi noticed the packed boxes inside.

He had gone out to get dinner?

"But, Arnavji.." She began, looking at him with a curious face.

"You're vegetarian, right?" He cut in.

"Yes" She answered.

"Guessed that right!" He said and Khushi was struck by the smile that appeared on his face.

"But, this looks too much" She said after a second.

"Do you expect me to drive back empty-stomach? I thought you wanted to sit and catch-up? Besides, I need to tell your father what a nosy daughter he has!" He answered, looking pointedly at her.

Khushi blinked twice. This was for real? Arnav Singh Raizada was joking with her?

"You do that and I will tell him all about the time you planted a sapling and uprooted it daily to check the growth" She answered with a fake stoic face.

Arnav looked at her incredulously.

"How do you know about that?" He asked her, shaking his head.

"That you used to be dumb as a door when you were young?" Khushi bit her tongue as soon as she said the words. What if he gets angry?

She couldn't believe when he just laughed.

"Not as dumb as someone who sowed coins in a pot and watered it daily" He smirked at her and Khushi's lips formed an O'.

"I will murder Akash for telling you that" She answered, feigning to be angry.

"Who should I murder for telling you my secret?" He asked her curiously.

"As if I will ever tell you that! I cannot risk my limited sources" Khushi replied.

"I see" Arnav answered and silence spread in the car after that. Khushi realized it was a comfortable silence. She looked at Arnav and saw he looked relaxed too.

That was great, she felt. In the past five minutes, he had felt so real. She was glad she pushed him to come and drop her.

"This is as far as the car will go. You can park in front of Sharma uncle's shop" Khushi said, motioning him to stop.

The car stopped and Khushi got down, taking the bags along. She waited as Arnav parked the car and walked back to her.

"You were kidding about the nosy thing, right? Don't tell Babuji that. He would get started and then you will have to sit here all night listening to him" Khushi said to him and Arnav looked at her sheepish face.

He wouldn't mind sitting with her all night. 

Realizing he was being too liberal with his thoughts, he put his hands in his pockets and smiled at her.

"Yes, I was kidding".

Khushi seemed to relax after hearing him say that.

"Come in" She said and Arnav followed after her.

______________________________________

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Kiran!

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